Scotty concluded that the attackers had pulled their punches, using munitions that packed more sound and fury than actual destructive force. McCoy determined that they used a gas formulation intended less to be lethal than to frighten residents into hiding. Chekov’s review of security-surveillance imagery revealed no visuals of the terrorists’ ship.

  “How could that happen?” Kirk said.

  “Their vessel could have been cloaked,” Chekov said, “or somehow screened from external scanners.”

  “Or,” said Saavik, “they knew where the scanners were located and positioned their ship to avoid detection.”

  “Or,” Scotty said, “the simplest possibility of all- someone inside either shut down those scanners at the right time or tampered with the records.”

  Raya reacted defensively. “I can’t believe any of our people were part of this.”

  “You do have offworlders working here,” Kirk said. “What about them?”

  “Their backgrounds are thoroughly checked, James.”

  “Background information can be faked.”

  “Well, yes, but—”

  “We have to look at every possible scenario,” Kirk insisted. “This attack was carefully planned. I’m betting it’s no accident that we have no visuals of that ship.”

  There were no clues to the marauders’ origins or physical identity, either. All the interior security cameras showed were a pack of humanoids in generic protective gear which obscured their faces. And they were prepared to be ruthlessly efficient, killing anyone who attempted to interfere. Kirk’s jaw tightened and Raya gasped when they saw one attacker shoot down six scientists with a phaser-type sidearm, without any perceptible second thoughts.

  But it was Saavik, accompanied by an elderly Payav woman, who brought in the most chilling information- on the stolen weapon itself. “Captain,” Saavik said, “this is Dr. Hovda elZana.”

  The elfin Dr. elZana shuffled forward and gently shook Kirk’s hands. “Captain, I am the director emeritus of the center,” she said in a strong voice that belied her frail appearance.

  “She refuses to retire,” Raya said in a stage whisper, “no matter how many honors we give her.” Despite the situation, Raya managed a warm smile as she placed an affectionate arm around the older woman’s stooped shoulders.

  “Well, I’m smart, Raya. I figured out if I keep coming back to work after each retirement ceremony, someone will throw me another party the next time I announce it’s time to go. At my age, every party is a good party.”

  “Hovda was Theena’s mentor and the center’s first director,” Raya said, “until Theena was ready to take over.”

  “Theena was ready when she was a child,” Hovda said with a deep sigh. “But everyone thought she was too young, so I warmed the chair until she achieved a proper age for leadership. Theena and I are the only survivors of the team working on the stolen weapon. The other three were killed.”

  “Hovda,” Raya started to say, “Theena may also be—”

  “She’s alive,” Hovda insisted fiercely. “The other three were hunted down. The only reason I’m alive is because I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. These people wanted the weapon, they wanted Theena, and they wanted to eliminate everyone else who knew about it.”

  “Was this a secret weapon?” Kirk asked.

  “No,” Hovda said.

  Kirk turned to Raya. “Then you knew about it?”

  “No,” Raya said.

  McCoy squinted. “Then I’m confused.”

  “The faculty here operated on their own,” Raya explained. “It wasn’t the government’s job to tell them what they could or couldn’t do.”

  “And that’s only the tip of the noggik. The root of this evil grows deep,” said a harsh new voice, belonging to a portly woman marching in from the lounge entrance. Though Kirk hadn’t seen her in almost ten years, he immediately recognized Asal Janto. Once Raya’s close friend, Asal had spent many years as her political nemesis, and had led the opposition that had exiled Raya.

  “Captain,” Raya said, “I’m sure you remember Councillor Janto—”

  “Captain Kirk,” Asal interrupted, “you have stumbled into the meat of the matter- the total lack of supervision by any responsible agency over this so-called Discovery Center. And they trusted Dinpayav. There’s no telling how many alien spies could have been working here. This is a scandal! I have repeatedly warned the Zamestaad that precisely this sort of disaster might happen.”

  “I’m sorry, Madam Councillor,” Kirk said, with exaggerated deference, “we’re only here to help the Zamestaad investigate this incident. As you know, it’s not the Federation’s intent to interfere with your government’s policies. Lieutenant, please continue your briefing.”

  “Yes, sir,” Saavik said. “The weapon was developed for defensive use. But in the wrong offensive hands, it could have the potential to change the quadrant’s balance of power.”

  McCoy bit his lip. “Oh, I sure don’t like the sound of that.”

  “If it actually functions as designed,” Saavik added.

  Kirk’s glance flicked from his science officer to Hovda and back again. “Are you telling me it doesn’t work?”

  “The prototype had yet to be tested,” Hovda said. “But our computer models and simulations have removed all doubts. Our team was certain it would work as designed. It was ready for test-deployment.”

  “All right, assuming it works,” Kirk said, “how does it work? What makes it such a threat?”

  Saavik moved to a computer console adjacent to a large wall-mounted viewscreen and inserted a data card. As she spoke, everyone watched a sim-sequence showing exactly what the weapon could do. “It is a subspace disruption-distortion field. When deployed via a generated pulse beam, it creates a predetermined and specific pattern of torsions in the fabric of subspace itself. Power systems within that field, including but not limited to warp reactors, would be rendered immediately inoperative. Depending on the dispersion of the field, the weapon could neutralize a single ship or an entire fleet, without using traditional destructive force.”

  Scotty’s eyes lit up. “That’s brilliant.”

  Chekov found himself nodding in agreement. “It would be the perfect defense against all enemies, no matter what kinds of weapons they used.”

  “If it’s so damned brilliant,” McCoy said, “how come we never invented it?”

  Kirk allowed himself a grim half-smile. “Cutting right to the ‘meat’ of the matter, eh, Bones?”

  “There are practical problems,” Saavik continued. “It requires prodigious energy output in order to maintain field integrity. If the energy supply drops below a certain level, the field matrix collapses, allowing inoperative power systems to reenergize after some interval.”

  Scotty shook his head. “Not much good if you can’t maintain matrix stability for any length of time.”

  Hovda looked insulted. “Problems have solutions. And we would have found them.”

  “But what about the ship generating the distortion matrix?” Kirk asked. “Why doesn’t its warp drive shut down, too?”

  “The source platform can be protected by specially tuned deflector frequencies,” Hovda said, “which, admittedly, also uses a great deal of power to stand up against incursion by the distortion matrix. This, too, is a surmountable obstacle.”

  “It may have to be,” Kirk said tightly. “If we go after these terrorists, and they use it on us, we’ll need a defense.”

  “We’ll work it out, sir,” Scott said with a confident nod. “No ship of mine goes into battle with her britches around her knees.”

  “Saavik,” McCoy said, “why do I have a feeling it gets worse?”

  Her upswept eyebrow elevated slightly. “Because, according to Captain Spock, you are an inveterate pessimist, Doctor. But, in fact, it does get worse.”

  McCoy rolled his eyes. “I have to be so damned smart.”

  “How much worse?” Kirk prompted.

  “As long as field integrity is maintained, the torsions remain within secure specifications. If power generation fluctuates beyond certain parameters, the oscillations within the matrix may become unstable, inducing tears in subspace, which are self-repairing once the matrix collapses. But while they exist, they may exert an attractive force on ships caught in the disruption field.”

  “And if a ship gets sucked into one of those tears?” Kirk asked.

  “It would be destroyed, sir.”

  “Hnnh,” McCoy grunted. “So much for no destructive force.”

  Saavik continued. “If the torsion oscillations accelerate at an uncontrolled rate and surpass what the development team referred to as a ‘breakaway threshold,’ then the subspace tears will enlarge into irreparable rifts, with greatly augmented gravimetric forces, which could theoretically pull in objects of considerable mass.”

  McCoy’s eyes widened. “Like… planets?”

  “Yes, Doctor.”

  Asal Janto stared goggle-eyed at Raya. “Jo’zamestaad, is this what your great Discovery Center was doing with funds that could have been used to reclaim land and grow food? Creating doomsday weapons? When the councillors find out about this scandal—”

  “Councillor Janto! This not the Zamestaad hall. You are more than welcome to bring this up for debate in the proper time and place—”

  “You can count on that, Raya.”

  “- but now we need to get that weapon back. And that’s what Captain Kirk is here to help us do.”

  “For all the good that’s done us before. You’re going to need more than Captain Kirk to save you from the investigation I’ll be launching immediately.” With that threat, Asal turned and stalked away from the briefing.

  “Saavik,” Kirk said with a sigh, “anything else to add?”

  “No, sir.”

  Kirk blew out a breath. “Until we know otherwise, we have to assume the weapon will work as advertised. We also have to expect a worst-case scenario- that it’s destined for the aforementioned wrong hands.”

  “Captain,” Chekov said, “there is some good news. The development team’s data-encryption protocols were extremely effective. Whoever tries to use the weapon will have a very hard time accessing information on how it works. At the very least, that should buy us some time.”

  McCoy spread his hands. “Time for what?”

  “To hunt down the terrorists,” Kirk said, “and get that weapon back before anybody figures out how to use the damned thing.”

  “And how the hell do we do that?” McCoy growled.

  “Commander Chekov,” Kirk said, “get everyone back to the Enterprise, coordinate everything we’ve got, and find us a trail.”

  Raya huddled with Kirk. “James, if Commander Chekov is right about the data-encryption, and they have Theena, they’re going to interrogate her to get what they need.”

  Kirk and Raya had been through too much together to even think of lying to her. There was only one truthful promise he could make. “We’ll do everything we can. I’ll keep a channel open at all times, so you’ll get real-time updates.”

  “I won’t need them. I’m going with you.” Her tone made her determination clear. “But there’s one thing I need to do first, and I could use your help.”

  Chapter Five

  As elder-nurses went, there were none better than Sarli Preel. That sterling reputation was why Raya had hired Sarli to care for her ailing grandmother. Even after a broken hip, Elee had stubbornly rejected Raya’s appeals for her to move into a care-home. And since Raya knew all too well the frustration of feeling vulnerable and dependent, she’d decided to respect that choice and do what she could to preserve her elor’s dignity in the face of the myriad indignities of old age. Sarli Preel did not come cheaply, and she did come with her own set of demands. But she was worth the cost, and Raya loved how she bustled about, determined to stay one step ahead of her patient’s needs. Raya felt confident that Elee was always in good hands with this elder-nurse who seemed girded for any eventuality.

  Any, that is, other than the unannounced materialization of Raya herself (courtesy of the Enterprise transporter) in the center of her grandmother’s apartment, two strides short of a head-on collision with the ever-industrious Sarli.

  “Hoy’an-Atyya!” Sarli shrieked in heart-stopping surprise, literally jumping out of her sandals.

  Just as flustered, Raya threw her hands up to protect herself from an impact that didn’t quite happen. Even in that split second, Raya thanked the stars that Sarli somehow managed to neither drop the teapot she was carrying nor splash its steaming contents on either of them. Raya reached out to steady the startled nurse by the shoulders. “Sarli, I am so sorry! There was no one in that spot when they started to transport me.”

  “Sarli moves quickly,” Elee’s sturdy voice sang out through the double doors leading to her bedroom. “That was the funniest thing I’ve seen in quite some time.”

  “Well,” Sarli said, quickly resuming her unruffled demeanor, “no tea spilled, no harm done. Can I get you a cup?”

  “Thank you, but I can’t stay long.” Raya’s voice dropped to a whisper. “How is she doing?”

  “My hearing is excellent, dear,” Elee called.

  Sarli shrugged and smiled, replying in a normal tone as they went into the bedroom. “As you can see, your elor’s spirits are annoyingly fine. If her legs worked as well as her sense of humor, she’d be taking care of me.”

  Elee sat up straight and adjusted her pillows behind her back. “Legs, lungs, eyes… shall we make a list?” she asked her granddaughter with a twinkle. Then she pursed her lips and her eyes narrowed. “Something is bothering you…” A statement, not a question.

  Raya squinted back, annoyed at her transparency. “How can you tell?”

  “Because I’ve known that face since the minute you were born. I was right there, you know.”

  “I know. It’s… I have to go away for a while. I don’t know when I’ll be back, so… I wanted to stop by and see you.”

  Sarli backed out of the room. “I’ll be in the kitchen if anyone needs me.”

  Grateful for the privacy, Raya sat on the edge of the bed and held the old woman’s hand. Elee’s face was deeply lined and dappled with age spots, but the skin on her hands was still soft, and her grip remained strong. “I guess I should have called ahead.”

  “I don’t mind surprises, but you almost gave poor Sarli a heart attack.” Her laugh was musical and youthful. “Ahh, I would love to get beamed again. That was so much fun, all those years ago, visiting your friend’s starship.”

  Raya shook her head. “It makes me queasy. Always did, always will. Getting my atoms all mixed up like that. Reminds me of the gravity-coasters at Chooloo Park. You always wanted to ride those.”

  “And you never did.” Elee smiled at the memories.

  “You always did like defying gravity. I had the only elor with a pilot’s license. I’m sorry I would never go on your annual balloon rides across Tuuliie Bay.”

  “You’ve defied gravity in more important ways, Raya. I’m the only elor whose grandchild saved her world from doom.”

  “I didn’t do it alone.”

  “That’s not what I tell my friends,” Elee said, laughing. “When you come back, I want to go on one more balloon ride across the bay. Will you go with me?”

  “You may have to blindfold me and get me drunk… but yes, I’ll do it.”

  “So where are you going now?”

  “You heard about the attack on the Discovery Center?”

  “Yes. Terrible… unbelievable.”

  “I’m going with the Enterprise. We’re going to track down the terrorists responsible and get back the weapon they stole… and rescue Theena.”

  “You do what you have to, Raya.”

  “I’ll come see you as soon as I get back. And we’ll go on that balloon adventure.” Raya enveloped her grandmother in a gentle hug. Then she started toward the door.

  “Wait. Let me watch you beam out.”

  Raya laughed. “Why, so you can see me suffer?” With a shake of her head, she flipped open the communicator Kirk had loaned to her. “Enterprise, this is Raya elMora. One to transport.”

  Three seconds after Uhura’s acknowledgment, Raya felt that alarming tingle which indicated the transporter device had her caught in its mysterious aura. “Good-bye, Elee!” she said quickly, never sure of when she was no longer where she started, or where she thought she was… or something like that. I will never get used to this….

  As the bedroom faded from view, Raya was isolated with the loneliest of thoughts. With each visit and departure, she had to fight the fear that it would be the last time she’d see Elee. One day, soon, it would happen; she had no way of knowing when, and there was nothing she could do to prevent it. For the most powerful person on Mestiko, such fundamental impotence was unnerving. Inevitably, Raya would soon be the last surviving member of her entire family, once teeming with uncles, aunts, and cousins. Just the premonition of that certainty emptied the light from her soul and left behind an aching, hollow darkness.

  When it came to issuing orders, the center seat on the bridge of the Enterprise was the starship’s symbolic and literal locus of authority. At times, however, it was merely the place where Captain Kirk had to sit and wait (not always patiently) for his crew to do whatever it took to fulfill those orders. As was often the case, McCoy hovered at the railing behind him. This time, with Chekov and Saavik working on the bridge, and Scotty and Dr. elZana making preparations down in engineering, he expected the wait would not be long. The whistle of the intercom confirmed that expectation.

  “Scott to bridge.”

  Kirk keyed the switch on the arm of his chair. “Kirk here.”

  “Captain, we’re all set down here. We’ve got the new deflector-modulation protocols programmed, and we’ve added an extra blanket of magnetic-containment insulation. But…”

  “But what?”

  “It’ll take almost all warp-engine output to maintain the deflector intensity needed to protect us against that beastie. As long as we’ve got warp power, then the shields’ll stay up. But if the shields fail, the warp core shuts down. And without warp power, we’ve got nothin’ for the shields. So we’ve got ourselves a wee bit of a chicken-and-egg situation, sir.”