* X-NEWS: spcvxb alt.startrek.creative: 1263K Relay-Version: VMS News - V6.0-3 14/03/90 VAX/VMS V5.4; site spcvxb.spc.edu a Path: spcvxb.spc.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!wupost!spool.mu.edu!mips!pacbell.com!att!cbnewse!jeana ! Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative * Subject: The Doctor And The Enterprise Pt16 Message-ID: <1991Nov8.165812.16274@cbnewse.cb.att.com>% From: jeana@cbnewse.cb.att.com (jean)  Date: 8 Nov 91 16:58:12 GMT $ Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Keywords: text
 Lines: 988    B Prologue: In 1979 I started writing a *fanzine* story in which theC Doctor (from the "Doctor Who" universe) met up with the crew of the B "original" "Star Trek" series.  It was the first thing I'd writtenA since graduating from college fifteen years before, and, with the B assistance of an excellent author and very good friend, JacquelineC Lichtenberg, was able to finish it.  The result turned out to be an F enjoyable reading experience to a number of people.  The story was not8 intended to be a satire, it was intended to be an honestE representation of what might happen if these two particular universes C met.  It was intended as a fanzine in the most classic tradition of E that particular genre.  Unfortunately that popularity resulted in the @ ultimate "ripping off" of the story without my permission into a> highly priced "book" format (in one version) and to a completeC travesty of the original in yet another.  For some years now, I had D been offering to make copies available at the cost of postage -- andC was willing to "post" copies to the electronic networks.  However,  C I did not want to rekey the whole rather lengthy document.  After a F recent discussion of the 'zine on the network, Marc Barrett offered to< scan the original into an ascii file.  (Many thanks to him!)L With some editing (Proportional Space type resulted in some unique versions 7 of McCoy's name! along with some other anomalies.), the . following files are being posted to the net.  E      The following are the rules for use of these files.  A) You may  = read it -- FREE.  B) You may print it to a printer -- FREE.   J C) You may make copies for your friends -- FREE.  D) You may redistribute J to other electronic networks and databases, including ftp archives FREE.  G E) The text carries my copyright from the date of original publication  F and "publication" of these files in this format does not grant anyone E anywhere permission to make copies either electronically or in print  > which carry *any* charge to anyone of any type for that copy. 6 F) Any reproduction of the text (print or electronic) C must carry this notice with it. An individual editing for a single  D copy for their own records is not bound by this requirement and may  edit this paragraph out.  D      Paper copies with the original artwork (including the marvelousF cover by Gail Bennett) are available from me.  SASE for details.  Some> dealers may also have appropriately priced *authorized* copiesC available (STARTECH is one of them).  Not everyone is on a computer  network!D      With regrets for being so picky -- but I've been burned on this enough.  Read and enjoy!   November 8, 1991
 Jean Airey 1306 W. Illinois Aurora, IL 60506 USA
 START OF TEXT B __________________________________________________________________ PART 1 THE DOCTOR AND THE ENTERPRISE       by	Jean Airey      copyright 1982 Jean Airey  ;      The alien sound pierced Kirk's ears. He stopped, alone / in the corridor, trying	to pinpoint its	origin.       The transporter room.;      He	turned and ran towards the door	as the klaxon alarm 9 of a Red Alert sounded.	Damn!  he thought. It seemed that 9 the Enterprise could not even make the final trip back to 4 Earth after completing her five-year mission without6 complications. First an	emergency rescue of a Cultural: Survey and Contact team	and the	crew of	the liner that had< been transporting them,	then a freak magnetic storm that had9 buffeted the ship unmercifully and taken out the subspace  radio, and now... <      As	he entered the room, Lt. Kyle was staring at a large: boxlike	structure that stood on	several	of the transporter5 pads. It was about eight feet tall with	small opaqued 6 windows	at the top, a white light on the roof that was: rotating slowly, and lettering above the windows that said `POLICE	PUBLIC CALL BOX'.       "Report, Lieutenant."      "It just appeared,	sir." (      "The transporter wasn't activated?"9      "No, sir. We were performing signaling tests, but it  was not	activated." ;      The door at the front of the box started to open. Both 5 Kirk and Kyle had their	phasers	out as a man emerged. 9      Over six feet tall, he was	wearing	a heavy	coat over 6 clothing that reminded Kirk of the earth styles	of the8 18905. A long scarf was	wrapped	around his neck, hanging6 down in	front on both sides to the floor. A floppy hat8 partially covered an abundance of brown	curly hair.  His8 blue eyes seemed to focus suddenly on Kirk and Kyle. One- cheek looked bruised, and he swayed slightly. 8      "Oh bother," he said with a decided British accent, "this isn't London.";      "Just stand there and keep	your hands where we can	see ; them," Kirk said.  He did not seem to be a menace, but Kirk ; had seen his ship threatened too often to take any chances. <      "No need to panic." The man raised	his hands slowly and* eyed the phasers as if he recognized them.9      The door behind Kirk opened, and two security guards : took positions on the right and	left while McCoy and Spock came over to Kirk.6      "Captain?"	Spock already had his tricorder	going.<      "The box materialized in that position - and he -"	Kirk; motioned with his head to the stranger who was watching	the ; proceedings with curiosity, "came out of it. He	hasn't made 4 any hostile moves. Oh, Spock, the transporter wasn't activated." <      The stranger eyed the assembly as if he were accustomed8 to weighing the	odds against him. Kirk did not miss that< look. In spite of the stranger's unimpressive appearance, he; felt uneasy. He	could hear the combined	tricorders of Spock  and McCoy humming behind him. 
      "Spock?" 8      "The - box	- would	seem to	be a representation of a: middle twentieth century English Police	Call box. However, there are some anomalies...".      "He's not human, Jim." McCoy interrupted.6      "Captain,"	said Spock, "I am getting some unusual! readings from inside the device." :      As	Kirk was realizing that	the `box' had now become a: `device', the stranger moved quickly towards its door.	The8 security guards	fired instantly, but he	still managed to8 close the door as he fell, collapsing on the transporter step. ;      "Kyle, see	if you can get that door open. Spock, is he  armed?" :      Kyle moved	up to the door of the device, but the door< would not open.	 Spock was carefully analyzing his tricorder; readings. "Captain, the	pockets	of his coat are	filled with 8 a great	many objects. I	am unable to ascertain if any of$ these might be some type of weapon.":      "Empty his	pockets." Kirk ordered one of the security guards. ;      "Captain, in view of the quantity of items	present, it ; might be more expedient	to remove the garment."	Kirk nodded 9 and the	security guards	moved to comply.  As the security 9 guards were removing the coat and jacket, one of them let 9 the unconscious	body slip slightly. Spock caught the head # just before it hit the floor again. <      He	stiffened suddenly as the contact was made, his	head; snapping up and	his eyes abruptly glazing. It took a moment < before Kirk realized that somehow, without willing it, Spock had mind-melded	with the alien. <      "Spock!" Kirk moved quickly and tore Spock's hands	from< their grip, letting the	alien's	head fall back to the floor. "Are you all right?":      Spock's eyes remained glazed for a	second and then	he& responded, "Quite all right, Captain."      "What happened?" <      "He has - unusual - psychic abilities.  Unconscious - I( unwittingly established	the mind- meld."      "What did you find	out?" 7      Spock looked at Kirk reproachfully.  "Captain, the 9 mind-meld was made accidently."	 Kirk realized that Spocks< had in some way	violated his sense of ethics by	entering the: meld, and now Kirk was compounding the situation by asking
 questions.9      "Does he present a	danger to the ship?" Surely Spock! could at least answer that.r5      "No, Captain, he does not." Spock seemed to have15 retreated behind the thickest wall of Vulcan reserve.>      "Bones, what is he?"t7      "Nothing I've ever	seen or	heard of before." McCoy 9 moved closer to	the unconscious	body, clad now in a whitel9 shirt, vest, pants, boots, and with the	long multicoloredt6 scarf still wrapped around its neck.  "He has a	double5 circulatory system, - not like Spock's,	literally twos< hearts,	one on each side of his	chest, some kind of a double6 breathing system, body temperature 17 ,	blood pressure9 almost nonexistent. I can't tell you what he is, Jim, but,: even his response to the phaser	fire was abnormal - he was: still conscious	as he fell. As a matter	of fact, I believe; he may have sustained some type	of head	injury."  McCoy	rano9 the medical tricorder over the stranger's head again. "Hei7 did - but it looks like	it's an	aggravation of a recenth7 previous injury. And that's unusual - his skull	is veryo8 thick, so what could have caused the original injury..."+      "How long will he remain unconscious?"n3      "Jim, I can't say - longer	than normal, with ad7 combination of two phaser stuns	and at the very	least a  severe concussion." ;      "Doctor," said Spock, "your ability as a prognosticiano- would seem to leave something to be desired."h9      Kirk and McCoy looked at the stranger. His	eyes were + open, and he was very apparently conscious. 8      "Gentlemen," he said, eyeing the security guards as7 they moved back	into their `alert' position. "Don't youy4 think that some	two sided conversation might be	more: informative than your one sided	version?" He smiled, as	if% finding	their reactions	deeply funny. 8      Kirk noticed with surprise	that the security guards7 were relaxing.	"Do you	feel well enough to talk to us?"y:      "Yes, of course.  I love to talk -	if you are willing0 to talk	and not	shoot.	I really hate stun guns.";      Glancing at McCoy and Spock and receiving an answerings< shrug of shoulders and a tilted	eyebrow, Kirk turned back to: the stranger and said, "We can talk in one of our briefing; rooms."	The stranger got up slowly, accepting McCoy's help.t; "Kyle,"	said Kirk, "come with us. Spock, have you been ablec5 to clear up that subspace communication	problem	yet?"o<      "No, Captain, the fault is	not in the computer scanning8 system.	 Lt. Uhura and Commander Scott are continuing to work on	it."<      "I	want to	be informed as soon as anything	is found out, about what caused it - and I want it fixed."6      "Yes sir."	Spock turned to	relay the order	to the; bridge,	informing them that the	Captain	could be reached inf) briefing room 4	at the Transporter level.a<      The security guards moved to either side of the man. He: glanced	at them	and then over to Kirk. "Do you consider	me so dangerous?":      "I	have seen danger come to my ship in many forms - I; prefer not to take chances." In	spite of Spock's statement,y9 Kirk was not ready to relax his	guard.	Their eyes locked,_8 and the	stranger smiled	in amusement again.  Kirk's eyes< narrowed and then, suddenly returning the smile, he motioned0 the guards away. "Kyle,	keep your phaser ready.".      "A	compromise - a very judicious choice."%      "What is your name?" asked	Kirk.       "Oh, I'm the Doctor."8      "The Doctor?" said	Kirk as	the group left the room.      "Doctor who?" asked McCoy.s7      "That's right," said the Doctor, beaming at McCoy.e McCoy looked baffled.e;      "Doctor McCoy," said Spock, "I believe that the `name's8 was `The Doctor' - and I should	assume that it is in the5 nature of a title, and can be most appropriately used 7 without	any surname.  However, the Doctor apparently ise; accustomed to the human	desire to attach at least two nameso; to all sentient	beings.	 If you	wish to	use a duonomen formr6 of address, he would not object	if you refer to	him as Doctor Who."3      The Doctor	had been listening to Spock with anf8 infectious smile impossibly growing on his face	and Kirk3 began smiling too.  Somehow an individual who coulde9 appreciate Spock at his	most precise did not seem to be	a  threat to the Enterprise."8      They went into the	briefing room and sat down.  The6 Doctor was looking at Spock closely. "You're not human either?"      "I	am a Vulcan."i+      "Vulcan? From a planet called Vulcan?"o1      An	eyebrow	raised.	"Yes. Do you know of it?"h)      "From somewhere - I'll think of it." :      "Well, Doctor," said Kirk,	"you must realize that the; first question that we need answered is, what are you doing  here?"7      "I	don't know." The Doctor	grinned	as Kirk	winced. :      "You mean that you	did not	control	the method of your# arrival	on this	ship?" asked Spock.e6      "Exactly. I was expecting the TARDIS to return to6 London - in June of 1980, and instead she materialized here."8      "Is the TARDIS the	device in the Transporter room?"<      "Yes. Ever	since I've been	using her she doesn't always9 go where I expect her to - and I can certainly assure youa1 that I was not expecting to arrive on your ship."a7      "What planet are you from originally?" asked Kirk, 7 hoping to get a	simple answer that might help solve the  mystery.      "Gallifrey."d:      "Spock?" Kirk had never heard of it, but that did not mean that it did not exist.a,      "No record	of any planet by that name.",      The Doctor	was studying Spock intently.6      Spock looked up from the science computer viewer.; Under his breath, Kirk could hear him mutter "Vaksh, Vogan, + Voord, Vulcan!"	He turned to Kirk suddenly.d8      "What year	is this	- Earth	time - say, since 1980?"      "224 years."T<      The Doctor	looked puzzled.	"Captain, it would seem	that: we both	have something of an enigma on our hands. You have< me, and	I have a Vulcan	surviving centuries after his race -9 and his	planet - was utterly destroyed in a massive civilc& war."  Spock turned and	stared at him.%      "Parallel Universes," said	Kirk.r(      "You are familiar with the	theory?"7      "I	- we - have experienced	the phenomenon before."a<      "Can you give me the coordinates of your planet?" Spock asked.;      The Doctor	could.	Spock entered them into	the computeri3 and looked at the response with	resignation.  "That 8 planetary system was destroyed when its	sun became a red giant 140,000 years ago."e2      "So my people do not exist	in your	universe."1      "It would seem unlikely.  There are very fewa7 intelligent, space travelling races that are completelyr9 unknown, and the Doctor	- Doctor McCoy - has no	record ofo4 any race of your type. What do you call	yourselves?"      "Time Lords.":      Spock's eyebrow raised, but Kirk decided to interrupt6 before his first officer's curiosity could be indulged; further.  "It would seem that what we need to do is to find , out how	to return you to your own universe."<      "No, Captain, I think that	the first thing	we must	find% out is whose universe we are in	now."x3      The intercom beeped. "Bridge to Captain Kirk."	      "Kirk here."e9      "Sulu here, Captain.  We've got what appears to be	aa0 large group of ships just within scanner range."#      "Is the subspace radio fixed?"a2      "No sir.  We have not been	able to	obtain any5 transmissions on any standard Starfleet	frequencies."p      "I'll be right up."<      Kirk turned to the	Doctor who had been listening to the3 conversation with a curious mixture of interest	andt9 amusement. "Doctor, would you care to join us? This might') prove to be the	answer to your question."'      "I'd be delighted."7      McCoy scowled. "Jim, I don't think	that the Doctora1 should be moving around	too much until I can tell :      "Oh, I'm quite all	right -	really.	I've almost gotten: used to	being stunned by something or another."	The Doctor smiled at McCoy.8      "I	would suggest that, given the circumstances, the3 Doctor's presence on the bridge	could prove of some  benefit." Spock	interjected.<      "Very well, then, the Doctor will join us.	Kyle, record9 your report on this and	then you're off	duty.  I want alla: other transporter personnel alerted in case we acquire any other visitors."6      On	their way to the bridge, Kirk noticed that the: Doctor took in the usual sights	and sounds of the starship< with interest but without amazement.  He seemed	to note	with< somewhat increased interest the	presence of two	Andorrians -9 commenting to Spock - "So you have other alien species inh: the crew." Spock did not seem to think that the	remark was; worthy of response, but	Kirk observed that the Doctor foundt; Spock's	lack of	response an apparent cause for thought.	Hisn8 only other comment came	when they got into the turbolift< system and Kirk	said "Bridge" causing the turbolift to begin$ its usual forward and upward motion.7      "Voice controlled?" Kirk nodded. "How convenient." !      "We find it so," said Spock. ;      "A	logical	approach?" said	the Doctor smiling at Spockp; and, surprisingly, winking at Kirk.  Spock did not respond,e7 which seemed to	afford the Doctor more amusement.  Kirks; began to wonder	if the Doctor pictured himself as some sorts of intergalactic comedian.8      The door opened on	the bridge and Kirk moved to the navigational console.m!      "How close	are those ships?"n;      "I	can pick them up on visual scanning now, sir," saide Sulu, adjusting	the controls. 4      "Put it on	the screen - highest magnification."      "Yes sir."r<      A swarm of	small ships came into view. Globe-like,	they9 seemed to fill the viewscreen like dozens of small stars. ; Kirk heard the Doctor take a deep breath. "Identification?",<      Spock was checking	the readings at	the Science Station.: "Type of ship unknown to our computers,	some type of alien  lifeform within	- also unknown.";      "Captain,"	said the Doctor, stepping down beside Kirk.d9 "It's my universe, and I would suggest that you	move aways) from those ships as rapidly as possible."x<      All traces	of the comedian	had left. "Why?" Kirk asked.:      "They're Sontaran - freight and shipping vessels from; the look of them and the number, but they usually have somed; armed escorts."	He glanced around the Bridge, taking in	thet9 assorted personnel, seeming to weigh their experience and"4 the possible reception of what he was saying. Having6 apparently made	some kind of a decision, he continued.8      "Have you ever met	a race whose greatest joy was to: enslave	other people? To conquer, kill,	torture	and maim -5 often for the joy it brings them? Who value their ownm: individual lives as nothing - and the lives of other races9 as less	than that?" By now the Doctor was speaking with	au6 seriousness that surprised and impressed Kirk with its8 deadly concentration.  Indeed, the Doctor seemed to have; lost the concern for his `audience' and	was speaking almoste8 to himself.  Kirk glanced around the rest of the Bridge.< All of the crew	had been listening intently, their attention< completely on the Doctor.  Even	Uhura and Scotty had crawled; out from under the communications panel	where they had beenr< working.  As the Doctor	finished speaking, eyes	moved to the; viewing	screen where the alien vessels were growing larger.	< That the Doctor	was sincere Kirk could not question, that in: some situations	discretion was the better part of valor	he had never doubted.:      "We've run	into people like that.	Spock -	get as much8 information as you can from the	scanners. Sulu,	warp six8 1800 out of here. Uhura, Scotty, you can stop working on; that radio.  Start scanning for	any communications on bandst: outside	the Starfleet band, they apparently don't use that high a range here."t:      The Doctor	was smiling again as Kirk finished. "Well,7 Captain, you and your crew are certainly both quick ando< efficient." He glanced around with approval at the organized effort going on	on the Bridge.9      "Doctor," said Kirk, "I think that	you and	I need tos
 have a talk."o<      "But of course- at	your convenience." The Doctor leaned6 casually against the bridge rail and smiled at Kirk as< though he were in complete control of an ordinary situation.:      With a feeling of exasperation, Kirk turned to Spock.; "Have you been . . ." He heard a crash behind him and as hec9 turned around saw that the Doctor had collapsed	and McCoyt was bending over him. "Bones?";      "Cerebrovascular hemorrhage - we'd	better get him downo to sickbay."      "Go ahead."6      McCoy was calling for the sickbay team when Spock turned to Kirk.a<      "Captain, armed vessels from that fleet were attempting8 to pursue us.  We have outdistanced them.  However, long7 range scanners indicate	similar	vessels	throughout this  area."/      "How long can we maintain evasive action?"e<      "Difficult	to say,	Captain. We have no familiarity	with7 these ships or their capabilities.  If this is indeed ao: parallel universe, we cannot even determine with certainty< where we could go in relative safety until we can effect our return."*      "In other words, we need the Doctor.";      "If he does possess the knowledge he claims, and if hei1 is willing to assist us	- then yes, we need him."e6      The sickbay team was removing their patient. Kirk looked at the unconscious form. 4      "Scotty, you have the con.	Keep us	clear of any< involvement with anything.  Spock and I'll be in sickbay. If9 I can get any more information from the	Doctor,	I'll telli you."					 ++++++++++t:      Down in sickbay, McCoy scowled at the indicators over the bed	where the Doctor lay.e9      "How bad is it?" asked Kirk, concerned that the onlyk< source of information about this alternate universe would be unavailable.;      "Jim, I don't know	what normal is for him - so I can'tK9 tell how badly the hemorrhaging	is affecting him - except : that he	is unconscious,	and I would say	that if	the injury: is doing that then it's	very bad indeed.  There	seem to	be7 previously damaged areas in that part of the brain, anda9 while he also seems to have a remarkable healing ability,s< what's happening now is	more than his own body mechanism can handle on its own.       "What are you going to do?":      "I	suspect	that, even with	the damage, given time,	he) would recover without my doing anything." 4      "Bones, we	don't have time." McCoy	still looked< unconvinced and	Kirk continued his argument. "He is the	only; clue we	have to	where we are and possibly how we got here - < and how	we can get back	in one piece. I	need him conscious -  and well - as soon as possible.";      "Jim, there's a large blood clot between his skull	andu; his brain. It covers quite a large area	and there is activea: bleeding from inside the brain to that area. That clot has& to come	out and	the bleeding stopped."4      "You've treated our crew for that kind of thing before.":      "I've been	able to	treat them medically.  I know what< medications I can use on our people - even Spock - mostly. I: wouldn't dare use any of them on him. 1	have absolutely	no; way of determining what	the possible side effects would	be.t: The only possible thing	I could	do would be to operate and7 surgically remove the clot and cauterize the bleeding."i#      "Then you'll have to do that."r:      "Without anaesthesia?  I've got the same problem with< what we	normally use for pain killers. Damn it,	Jim, you saw; that even the phasers didn't have the normal effect on him.e< If I use a drug, I could kill him. If I	don't use one -	Jim, I'm a doctor, not a butcher."i      "Doctor?"8      McCoy turned. The Doctor's	eyes were open but still: slightly glazed. He looked at McCoy. "What's the problem?"      McCoy explained.a9      "Normally I could tell you	what would be effective	-q; but I don't think I'm up to that. I have been trying to	getm; into a catatonic trance	- which	would enable you to operate . humanly, but I suspect the area	involved. . .";      McCoy nodded. "It would interfere with your ability tos	 do that." 5      Kirk noticed that the Doctor's speech had becomeu7 slightly blurred. It was obviously an effort for him toc8 talk, and the pain indicator was rising	higher with each effort. :      "You are proposing	a manual procedure." McCoy nodded.7 "That would seem to be the the acceptable alternative."l1      "There is a possibility that you will not bea" unconscious during the operation."7      "I	quite understand that -	but from what I	saw outt& there -	we have	little time to spare.""      McCoy still looked	reluctant.;      "Come now," he snapped impatiently, "surely you are asr; skilled	as your	own Incan physicians. The operation must beS8 done. I	would suggest that you strap..." He slipped into unconsciousness	again.5      "Okay Jim,	we'll try it. Only pray	that he	stayst
 unconscious."n;      "I	thought	the brain had no nerve endings," Kirk said.i(      "Yours doesn't," McCoy said grimly.:      With the restraints in place and the Doctor turned	on: one side to expose the operating area, a sterile field was< established and	McCoy began the	delicate operation.  opening5 the skull, his opened again.  Kirk saw his hands moveh; against	the restraints.	Suddenly Spock moved and took them.i: The eyes of the	two aliens met and something was exchanged
 between	them.e<      "Sometimes	it helps to have someone to hold on to." Did Kirk really hear that?8      Almost an answering smile came as the Doctor's eyes5 closed again.  But Kirk	saw the	pressure of the	handso8 grasping Spock's and knew that the man remained	aware of2 McCoy suctioning out the area.	Only when the laser6 cauterizer was used did	the hands relax	again and full unconsciousness	return.r;      "That seems to be it.  Chapel, were you able to make ay) repair patch from those	skull fragments?"       "Yes, Doctor."k;      McCoy carefully molded the	`patch'	into place.  Only a < small area of bone had been removed and	the patch, made	from9 the patient's own tissue and bone, would rapidly fuse thee: open area with as much protection as the original. "Jim, I; think we did it." McCoy	looked at the indicators carefully.d: "Pain is down, both hearts in sinus rhythm, blood pressure7 stable,	alpha rhythm flowing. Was he conscious at all?"W      "Yes."e9      "Damn. I still feel like a	butcher	having to operater like that."o<      "Not at all, Doctor," came	the voice from the bed.	 "It< was a very well	done job and I thank you." The Doctor looked; as though he was going to get up as soon as Chapel finishede removing the restraints.*      "You stay right there," barked McCoy.:      "But Doctor McCoy," the Doctor said in a hurt/injured4 tone, "I feel very well	now and	there are things...":      "Don't tell me how	you feel. You're staying there for6 at least another 24 hours- - and if I have to keep the restraints on you, I will."s7      The Doctor's gaze and McCoy's clashed.  The Doctor	9 raised himself to a half-sitting position and McCoy moved ; forward.  Kirk looked at the indicators; they were startingt: to move	again.	Spock stepped between the Doctor and McCoy.7 "Doctor, I would suggest that you follow Doctor	McCoy'sl: prescription. I	do not think that the time need	be wasted.8 We can provide you with	a tie-in to the	library	computer8 from here. If you are going to help us,	you will need to7 know quite a bit more about us." McCoy glared at Spock.o;      "Bones," Kirk said, "you know that	he isn't just goingn to lie there."8      "Very well," McCoy	turned back to his patient. "But you're not to get up.";      "Agreed - Bones," and traces of the old smile appeared"7 as the Doctor lay back.	 Spock started toward the door.o; "Oh, and Spock," Spock turned back and looked at the Doctort7 questioningly. "Thank you. I have not often come upon ad8 gesture	made as	appropriately and as willingly." Without9 waiting	for a reply the	Doctor turned and smiled at Nurseh" Chapel.	"Do you	have a listing...":      "Nurse Chapel," McCoy interrupted.	"I want	the biolab: to do a	full analysis on him. And Doctor, before you start; playing	around with the	computer, you tell Chapel all aboutt9 your medical history. It you're	going to be around here	I	 want to	know how to treat you."";      For a moment Kirk thought that Spock was going to makel4 another	remark,	but he turned and went out the door.6      "Bones," from the grin on the Doctor's face, Kirk7 suspected that he was about to say something that wouldc6 provoke	a reaction from	McCoy. "Do you really think it8 essential to have all my medical history?  I'm 749 years8 old, and as charming as	Nurse Chapel is, that might take	 more timeo<      "If you could restrain yourself to	the pertinent facts,: I think	that the time will be sufficient. I'm sure that	in7 749 years you've learned to restrain yourself when it'st necessary."t'      Score one for McCoy, thought Kirk.n9      "And in the next 24 hours,	I expect you to	rest - ore7 sleep -	or whatever you	do - for at least eight," McCoyn
 continued.2      The Doctor	looked quizzical and McCoy paused.       "Six?" No response. "Four?"7      "Four hours should	be sufficient.	At the end of myi; stay here, Captain, I would suggest that you and I and yourd chief officers get together." <      Kirk had an uneasy	feeling	that the control of the	ship9 had been transferred but reminded himself that the Doctorn8 was only expressing what he himself had	already	decided.: "As soon as McCoy says you're fit, I'll	call the meeting.":      Kirk and McCoy walked toward the sickbay door.  "What( was that last part to Spock about, Jim?";      "If the Doctor travels around alone - as he would seem 6 to - he	must often find	himself	fighting on his	own in2 unpleasant situations. How old did he say he was?"      "749."r"      "Spock should find	that. .	."      "Fascinating!"i6      As	Kirk entered the Bridge, Spock got up from the command	chair.      "Report, Spock?"o6      "We seem to have outdistanced the Sontaran	fleet.; However, scanners indicate considerable	activity in most ofs< the space in this area.	 We have been following	a path which8 would seem to lead to an area of comparative inactivity.7 When the Doctor	recovers . . ."	He tilted a questioningt eyebrow.:      "We can expect the	Doctor to be available to us in	24: hours.	Until then, we will simply have	to avoid making	any< sort of	contact	with the ships and people in this universe."5      "Captain,"	said Uhura, "I am now able to receivei9 transmissions from vessels in the area.	 We are	unable to $ translate them coherently, however."<      "Very well, Lieutenant. Let me know as soon as possible7 when we	can tell what they're talking about. I want allo0 senior officers	in briefing room 2 in one hour."8      "Yes, sir." Uhura turned back to her communications panel.					  ++++++++++a8      Inside the	briefing room, Kirk looked around at the9 officers already gathered.  McCoy was late, and	they were  waiting	for him.8      For five years I've been with this	crew through all: sorts of adventures - bizarre and commonplace, he thought.8 I've lost 92 crewmen, and for all my command experience,< I'll never accept those	deaths as being	necessary. This	ship8 and its	crew is	my life, and whatever it takes,	I'll see: that they get back to their own	universe.  It's	part of	my: mission, any responsibility.  No glory in doing	that, it's: part of	the job.  And when it's	completed?  He decided not< to try to guess	what Starfleet would do	then.  Anyway, McCoy5 had arrived and	they could get working on the currenth problem.<      "Sorry I'm	late, Jim," McCoy said as he came in and sat8 down at	the briefing table. "I finally managed to get my patient	settled."l#      "Was there	much of	a problem?" ;      "Not much more than I'm used to," McCoy looked at Kirk.8 and Spock accusingly.  "Although I must	say that you two; don't generally	involve	Chapel with fantastic tales of wildd9 adventures, persuade the Medical staff - and all my other	/ patients to join in a feast at jellybabies.. ."       "Jellybabies?" asked Kirk.t;      "Some kind	of candy about two centimeters long, shapeds: like a swaddled	infant,	and in assorted	flavors.  He seems; to have	an infinite supply and he's got	everyone in sickbay ; munching on them.  In between passing out candy	and talkings; to Chris, he's been running through the	data on	the libraryr< computer - at fast speed. I finally had	to tell	him that I'd9 put him	in isolation with no computer before he	agreed toe rest.".      "Will he be able to talk to us tomorrow?":      "Yes. Although if he disrupts my sickbay much more, I  might let you have him earlier."9      "If I might make a	suggestion, Captain," Spock said. <      "I	think that both	Doctor McCoy and I would welcome it, Spock."p:      "When we rescued the passengers and crew of the liner8 Crotone, there was a Cultural Survey and Contact team on< board."	Kirk nodded. CS&C was a	recently created specialized; division in Starfleet. They had	their own chain	of command,o9 but while on his ship they were	under his command.  Since"6 the rescue, they had been quite	helpful	in keeping the: Crotone	crew and passengers out	of his own crew's way.	The< addition of some 250 `passengers' stretched the	Enterprise's+ normal resources to an uncomfortable limit.i,      "Do you think they	can help us, Spock?"8      "The Lieutenant who is in charge of the team has an: exemplary record in initial survey expeditions and on this9 last expedition	has been credited by the other members of	: the team with enabling them to be retrieved by the Crotone; after their Captain was	killed.	Since we have a	member of a < new culture on board, it would seem logical to assign her to
 `study'	him."s1      "What's her background, Spock?" McCoy asked.t:      "She has a	PhD in Xenobiology and is also a certified paramedical technician."9      "Well, I'd	certainly be glad to have her assigned toe& him."  McCoy said.  "What's her	name?"8      "Stephans,	Lt. Dorcy Stephans," Kirk answered.  "As6 soon as	we're through here, I'll notify	her of her new assignment."7      McCoy nodded with relief. "The sooner the better."r7      "Now, if we could come to the main	concern	of this 4 meeting? Scotty, what is the current damage report?"7      "We had some minor	problems immediately after thato7 storm, mostly caused by	the vibration. They've all beenm: checked	and cleared. But there seems to	be something going; off balance in the matter-antimatter mix when we're at warp	7 speed. As long as we stay at warp speed, I can't try tol
 clear it up."	'      "You want to go to	impulse	power?"w      "Aye, Captain."4      "Spock, is	there any sign of an enemy vessel in scanning range?"8      "Negative,	Captain.  We are presently in an area of5 space which shows no signs of any lifeform activity."t7      "Very well, Scotty, cut back to impulse power, but	9 remember that we could have to cut in warp drive on shorte notice."9      "Aye.  We'll leave	an emergency cutin - but we stilla; won't be able to tolerate high warp speed until	we find	the' main trouble."9      "Captain,"	Spock said, "we	also have another problemp7 with the computer control to engineering life support."d;      "I	thought	that was all in	a separate system with fullt; emergency backup?  Wasn't that what we just had	installed?" 6      "We now have an independent primary control and a6 secondary control which	is a complete duplicate	of the: first. We also have a tertiary system which can	provide	up: to two hours of	full support.  During the storm, the PROMs: on the primary control were erased.  It	will take 35 hours7 to reprogram and reinstall them	on the primary system."l9      "Then we're running on the	secondary system with thee tertiary as the	backup."3      "Exactly.	However, if something happens to thec: secondary system, and the tertiary system exceeds its life7 span, a	failsafe back to the main computer will	start an* half-hour countdown to destruct	the ship."3      "Now whose	bright idea was	that?" McCoy asked."<      "It's supposed to force an	organized abandonment of the9 ship's crew to the nearest M- type planet - with a rescuep8 robot beacon detached, and no chance of	the ship falling9 into the `wrong	hands'." Kirk smiled at	McCoy.	"Starfleetd$ is apparently discouraging heroics."6      "But Jim, we don't	even have enough spacesuits or< evacuation equipment for everyone now -	with the people	from- the Crotone on board." McCoy said in concern. 8      "And there	are no M-type planets within transporter range,"	Spock added.;      "And what good would a robot beacon do us here?" McCoys
 continued.8      "Gentlemen, aren't	we looking at the worst	possible7 circumstances?"	Kirk said.  "In	35 hours we'll have them< primary	system back up,	by then	Scotty will have us underway; at full	warp power, and	in only	24 hours the Doctor will beh9 able to	at least guide us around this universe in safety.t: We should have ample time to figure out	how to get back	to5 our own	universe. All we have to do is to stay out ofy  trouble	for a very short while."7      "Aye, Captain," Scotty said, "it would be a mightya; strange	set of circumstances that would	get us into troubleT7 again that quick." He stopped and thought for a	moment. 7 "But Captain, do you really think that we can trust then Doctor?"      "What do you think?"a9      "Well, he's an alien.  His	travelling device is of	as; type we've never heard of. We dinna know anything about	himn< - but he seemed	to assume that we'd both be on the same	side9 against	a bunch	of people like the Sontarans. He seems toe9 have had considerable experience in dealin' with humans	-t! but we dinna know how he got it."a:      "What makes you assume that he has	had such extensive" contact	with humans?" Spock asked.:      "Well, Mr.	Spock, it might	not be your kind of logic,; but it seems to	me that	anyone who can accept the fact thatn: the natural reaction of	a security guard would be to shoot6 has got	to have	been around humans for quite a while.";      Kirk looked at Spock who nodded in	agreement.  He knew < better than to ask Spock outright how far he felt the Doctor4 should be trusted.  But	he knew	enough of his first = officer.  . . "We've given him complete access to the libraryo: computer.  In spite of his disruption of sickbay, he seems1 to be as concerned with	our situation as we are."	:      Scott nodded. "It canna be	denied that we'll need all: the help we can	get to get back	to our own universe in one piece." ;      "And if we're going to do that, Mr. Scott,	we'd betterp2 get to work on what we know we have to do. Meeting dismissed."b7      As	the group got up to leave, Spock walked	over toW8 Kirk.  "Incidently, Captain, I could not help but notice9 that at	times the Doctor seems to have a very charismatic  effect on humans.":      "I	had noticed that too - but I don't think that it's6 going to become	a problem." Spock turned to leave. "Oh# Spock, did you hear how	old he is?"	<      Spock turned back,	an eyebrow raised. "Indeed, Captain,; and have you determined	what his total life span would be?"	      "No, but. .9      "I	would venture to say that he is	still quite youngr8 according to his present age measured against the normal longevity of his race."c8      Kirk stared at Spock's departing back and shook his: head in	amazement.  If Spock was right,	and the	Doctor was3 still `young', perhaps that explained the seeminglye8 inappropriate bursts of	humor. Maybe all Time Lords went: through	this stage before stabilizing into serious adults.5 At least he did	not seem to demonstrate	the childlikeo6 cruelty	that Trelaine had.  Somehow Kirk felt that his7 reasoning might	not be completely correct, but it was ah: comforting thought. All	he needed on the ship at this time) was a comedian,	and an alien one at that.I 				  ++++++++++:      In	the briefing room the next day,	Kirk, Spock, Scott; and Lt.	 Dorcy Stephans	waited for Dr. McCoy to	arrive witht9 the Doctor. McCoy had reported that Lt.	 Stephans and theu: Doctor were working quite well together	and that there had- been no	further	major disruptions in sickbay.-      "Kirk to bridge."      "Uhura here.";      "If you pick up any significant transmissions while we + are here, alert	me and patch them through."l      "Yes, Captain.";      The door opened and the Doctor and	McCoy entered. Kirkn< noticed	that the Doctor	had reacquired his overcoat, jacket,7 and floppy hat.	 Well, he thought, with	such a low bodyr9 temperature, the Doctor	might well feel	cold in	the earthp% normal environment of the Enterprise.t8      "Good morning, everyone," said the	Doctor blithely,< taking the seat	at the table opposite Kirk.  Kirk noticed as9 he sat down that it was	as if the `head' of the	table had : suddenly shifted. Well,	Spock had warned him. Whatever the; Doctor had, it was there, it was `natural', and	it affected " humans - Vulcans too? He wondered.6      "Good morning, Doctor.  I don't think you've been. introduced to Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott."7      "Chief Engineer," the Doctor responded, rising andC6 offering his hand to Scott. Somewhat surprised,	Scotty< responded in kind.  "And Lt. Stephans and I have been having7 some fascinating conversations." The Doctor smiled. Theh: Lieutenant smiled.  "And of course I am	already	acquainted< with Mr. Spock and you,	Captain." The Doctor glanced over at: the Captain quizzically. "Well,	Captain, could you fill	me in on our present status?"9      McCoy snorted. Kirk gathered that the Doctor had notu; been idle during his confinement in sickbay, even after	thei9 disruption had stopped.	He probably knew the situation asa well as	anyone else.
      "Spock?"o9      "We have been able	to successfully	avoid all contacto: with any alien vessels.	This is	our present position." The: computer viewers glowed, indicating the	Enterprise and the9 present	star position. "In our universe, this was part of"+ the area controlled by the Klingon Empire."o0      "So you don't have	much information on it?"-      "Very little. Are you familiar with it?" ;      "Yes, I've	been around here before.  In this time - in 8 this universe -	the Sontarans are trying to conquer this area from the Rutans.":      "Our long range scanners indicate considerable vessel
 movement.":      "Doctor," asked Kirk, "What would happen if we met	up with a Sontaran	fleet?" ;      "It would depend on how many of them there	were.  Withe7 your offensive and defensive weapons you could probablym8 escape an attack of, say, 20-40	of their ships.	More and4 they could destroy you." He cocked his head at Kirk.      "20-40?" queried Spock.9      "I	can't give you a more precise number." The Doctorw: smiled at Spock. "There	are a significant number of random	 factors."u0      "How large	are their fleets?" asked Scotty.6      "It depends on what they're attacking.  A massive2 effort and they	think nothing of sending out 400."      Spock looked skeptical.<      "They don't care how many may be destroyed," the Doctor! went on, "they only want to win."b9      "Don't they value their own pilots	and crews?" askede Kirk. &      "Oh no, you see, they're clones."      "Clones?"<      "Yes. They	reproduce by cloning. So any individual	life9 means nothing to them, and they	don't think much of racesn4 who do respect individual life - especially humans."5      Stephans was frowning. "But cloning would.	. . "e3      "You must allow for the environmental factors,h; Lieutenant," interrupted the Doctor, leaning forward on	then: table. "So many	are raised to be leaders, others to follow orders and die.";      "Doctor," Kirk said, trying to return the attention of	6 the conversation to the	topic he felt to be of primary; concern. "You must realize that	our primary interest at	theh3 moment is to return to our own universe	without	anys entanglement in	yours."e7      "I	can certainly sympathize with that." The Doctorh; leaned back in his chair and put his feet on the table.	"Ifh8 our positions were reversed, I should certainly	feel the same way." He grinned.;      "And a further consequence	of this	interest is that weo9 do not want to do anything that	might alter the	course of" events in this universe."s;      "Ah yes, I	have come across that desire to	be detached ; observers before.  Your	Prime Directive, I believe you calld< it." The group nodded. "That might not be so simple." He sat; up straight again. "The	Sontarans' scanners have a slightlyu< longer range than yours, and if	you have been detected,	they9 will not choose	to merely observe you. And Captain, I cane; also tell you this, you	cannot allow your ship to fall into  Sontaran hands."$      "Possible effect?"	asked Spock.1      "With the knowledge they could gain from the 9 engineering and	weaponry of your vessel, you would enablee8 them to	conquer	the galaxy quite easily." He leaned back5 again and glanced around the table as if weighing thet quality	of the people he saw.       "I	see," said Kirk.<      The Doctor	sat suddenly upright.  "As a matter of fact,9 you might check	the activity in	the area surrounding yourl/ ship - at the very edge	of your	scanner	range."o      "Spock," snapped Kirk.v;      "360 degree scanner - alien vessels at the	edge of	the  third sector now.";      "Captain,"	it was Sulu. "We have vessels closing in ona5 us from	the third sector.  Uhura has not been able to"- complete translation of	their transmissions."p<      "Red Alert, Mr. Sulu.  I'm	on my way.  Well, Doctor, if: you're right, it looks as though we'll be fighting our way' out of this one." Kirk turned to leave.r8      "If you take a heading of 185 degrees, Captain, you; should be able to get into a relatively	safe area," shoutedu+ The Doctor as Kirk passed through the door.e 				  ++++++++++:      On	the bridge Kirk	found his crew alert and ready for6 battle.	 The glow of the red alert light gave an eerie highlight to the area.(      "Mr. Scott, do we have warp speed?"7      "I	can give you up	to warp	2, sir,	but beyond that ; there is still an unstable factor in the matter	anti-matter  mix." 4      "How fast are the Sontaran	vessels, Mr. Spock?"/      "Presently	travelling at warp I, Captain." $      "Increase to warp 2, Mr. Sulu."      "Aye, sir."<      "The Sontarans can	reach the equivalent of	your warp 3,8 Captain." Kirk looked around and saw that the Doctor had9 seated himself on one of the bridge steps.  Wonderful, her' thought, 0w I have a back-seat driver.*o:      "Sontarans	increasing to warp 2 also, Captain." Spock< studied	his science console viewer closely. "Now at warp 2.5 and gaining on us."p7      "Mr. Sulu,	make a 180 degree turn and slow	to warp. one."       "Aye, sir.":      The Enterprise turned smoothly and	as she headed back: toward the small globe-like ships, they	scattered in front9 of her,	eventually forming a circular pattern around her.t7      "Impulse power now, Mr. Sulu. How many of them areh there, Spock?"      "53, Captain."a5      "Well, we'll let them look	us over.  So far they-< haven't	done anything that is overtly hostile -	let's return the favor."e;      "Captain, the Sontarans are not going to decide that ar9 vessel of this size can	be ignored.  If	you fire now, youu8 could catch most of them by surprise." The Doctor looked4 quite serious.	"Unless, of course, you	enjoy playing sitting	duck."8      Kirk ignored the statement. "Chekov, arm the photon9 torpedoes, wide	range.	Sulu, set the phases for a maximumt6 sweep. You are not to fire except on my	direct order.";      For several moments, it looked as though the stalematei; would be indefinitely maintained.  Then	simultaneous burstsT6 of fire	emerged	from all the Sontaran vessels.	"Photon; missiles have been fired at us,	Captain. Time to impact, 12h seconds." Spock	said.h       "Sulu, Chekov, fire - NOW!"4      Between the wide sweep of the torpedoes and the< following burst	of the phasers,	most of	the enemy's missiles: were destroyed before they reached their target.  A number8 did get	through, however, and Kirk could hear the damage reports	coming in.;      "Now, Chekov, I want a series of photon torpedoes withh5 a narrow burst directly	at those ships.	Sulu, set theu7 phasers	on tracking and	pick up	any stragglers that theh torpedoes miss."<      The battle	strategy seemed	to be working effectively as8 thirty-five of the small vessels fell to the coordinated: offense. Some of the others, however, began moving rapidly< directly toward	the Enterprise.	 They seemed to	be making no: effort to fire their weapons.  Their swift zig-zag motions& enabled	them to	evade any direct hits.;      "They're going to smash their ships into your shields,t6 Captain. That will put all of their weaponry and their< ships' reactors	into a direct explosion	on your	main defense shields." The Doctor said.(      "Kamikaze?" Kirk said in amazement.9      "That's what you call it -	they call it fighting foro+ the glory of the glorious Sontaran Empire."c<      "Scotty, full power to the	shields!  Sulu,	try reaching: them before they reach us.  Chekov, keep the ones still	on) the perimeter under full torpedo attack."t;      A sudden violent rocking warned Kirk that the kamikazeo5 technique was proving effective. "Damage reports, Mr.n Spock."f6      "That last	hit was	in the main power link between: Engineering and	secondary computer control. Exact level	of9 damage cannot be determined. .." Another blast rocked thei< ship, but Sulu and Chekov simultaneously fired their weapons! and let	out a yell of exaltation.o)      "All enemy	ships destroyed, Keptin."l;      "Very good, gentlemen.  Heading 185 degrees, Mr. Sulu.s6 Battle stations, yellow	alert status.  Damage reports, Lieutenant Uhura."1      "Sickbay reports thirty wounded - two dead."i7      "Life support systems damaged further in that last 9 attack,	Captain." Scotty was regarding his display panelsl with dismay.      "How badly?"c2      "Less than	60% life support capability left.";      "Captain,"	Spock turned from the Science console, "Thee7 computer area has also received	extensive damage to thea7 secondary life support control memory system.  With the 7 direct damage to life support itself, we have about twoe3 hours of life support left on the tertiary system."v!      Silence engulfed the bridge. 