Read Online Star Trek: The Original Series - 082 - Federation by Judith Reeves-Stevens, Garfield Reeves-Stevens - Free Book Online Page A

critical? And that justified the risk to her health?
    “Did she give any indication of what this was about?” Kirk asked.
    McCoy frowned. Clearly, he knew something. He glanced over his shoulder at Spock and Sarek. Kirk saw them watching the proceedings with indifferent expressions, but was certain their Vulcan ears had picked up every word that he and McCoy had said. “Excuse me, Ambassador, Spock.” “Of course, Doctor,” Sarek said magnanimously.
    Then McCoy pointed at Kirk, followed by a quick gesture at the door to the examination room. “And you, in there.” Kirk gave McCoy a half smile as he started for the door. “I’m not going to be your patient forever, Bones. You keep that attitude up and I’ll have you swabbing decks.” As the door opened before him, Kirk heard Sarek speak in a low voice. “Can he do that?” the ambassador asked.
    As the door slipped shut behind him, Kirk heard the beginning of Spock’s answer. “I believe he would like to, but regulations clearIx, state—” Kirk took a deep breath as he faced McCoy in the privacy of the examination room. “All right. What’s going on?” McCoy’s eyes darted around the room, looking everywhere but at the captain. “I think it’s pretty bad, Jim. You see, this passenger liner has… disappeared.”
    Kirk tried to understand what that would have to do with Kabreigny’s unprecedented visit. “Sabotage? Piracy? Important passengers? What, Bones?” “None of that,” McCoy said hesitatingly. “It’s where the liner disappeared that has the admiral concerned.” Kirk held up his hand. “Just a minute. You’re telling me that the admiral has come all this way from Earth under a communications blackout and suddenly she’s telling everything to the ship’s surgeon?” The irritation was gone from McCoy. Instead, he just looked nervous. “I think it involves me, too, Jim. And Spock. But he’s in even worse shape than you are right now.” Kirk was starting to feel dizzy, but whether it was the medication or straight frustration, he couldn’t be sure. “All right. Where did the liner disappear?” “The Gamma Canaris region.” Kirk sat back against the examination room’s diagnostic bed.
    He was afraid he could see where this was going. There was only one way out, a slim one. “Command doesn’t think the disappearance has anything to do with hostilities on Epsilon Canaris III, does it?” “If that’s what Command thought, I doubt if the admiral would be here right now.” McCoy dropped his voice to a whisper, even though they were alone. “You know what Kabreigny suspects just as well as I do, Jim. I was there. Hell, the three of us were there.” “You didn’t tell her, did you?” Kirk asked, then immediately regretted having done so. “Of course you didn’t. I’m sorry.
    I’m… tired.” “That’s nothing compared to the way you’re going to be feeling in about three hours. Do vou feel up to meeting with her? I could tell her your medical condition is worse than I thought.” Kirk shook his head. “I knew we’d have to face this sooner or later. We all did. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.” He straightened up. Certain situations had a way of repeating themselves. No time to consider odds, devise strategies, or change the rules. “Where is she?” “Conference Room Eight. Do you want me to at least go with you?”
    “Did she ask for you?” “No.” Kirk smiled, trying to make it easier for McCoy. “It could be nothing, Bones. Leave it to me.” Kirk headed for the door to the corridor. He stopped when McCoy called after him.
    “Don’t get any ideas about taking all the blame on your own.
    We all agreed. The three of us are in this together. And if you don’t tell her that, I will.” Kirk wasn’t in the mood to argue with McCoy. He was the captain. He didn’t have to. “Understood, Doctor. Tell the admiral I’ll be with her in ten minutes.” Kirk left.
    He was back in his quarters within