* X-NEWS: spcvxb alt.startrek.creative: 1264K Relay-Version: VMS News - V6.0-3 14/03/90 VAX/VMS V5.4; site spcvxb.spc.edu U Path: spcvxb.spc.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!mips!pacbell.com!att!cbnewse!jeana ! Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative * Subject: The Doctor and The Enterprise Pt26 Message-ID: <1991Nov8.165929.16422@cbnewse.cb.att.com>% From: jeana@cbnewse.cb.att.com (jean)  Date: 8 Nov 91 16:59:29 GMT $ Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Keywords: text Lines: 1039     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 2 THE DOCTOR AND THE ENTERPRISE       by	Jean Airey      copyright 1982 Jean Airey  8      "How long will it take to repair?"	Kirk asked.  the< Spock and Scott-exchanged glances, then	Spock spoke. "On the: life support system itself, the	engineering portion, about; three hours, on	the secondary computer memory system, about  five hours. <      Kirk looked over at the Doctor who	was still perched on: the bridge steps. "Doctor, can you get out of here in your TARDIS?"7      "I	could but. .." The Doctor gave Kirk a quizzical  look. <      "If we cannot complete our	repairs	in two hours and get: the secondary system back up, this ship	will begin a self-; destruct sequence.  So I would suggest that you	be prepared 
 to leave.":      "That is one alternative, Captain,	but there might	be7 another." The Doctor said calmly.  "Tell me, Mr. Scott, ; Commander Spock, how many people would you need	to complete  repairs	on your	systems?" :      Scotty thought for	a moment. "About five for the life support	engineering." ;      "And the Computer system?"	The Doctor turned to Spock. ;      "Myself and one other.  The working area is small,	and / most of	the time would be involved in testing." ;      "Well then, Captain," the Doctor stepped down to stand < next to	Kirk's chair and lean on the arm. "If you only had a8 crew of, say 8 - in three areas	- I assume someone would8 have to	control	the bridge - and you could shut	down all9 other areas completely - how long would	your life support  last?"9      Kirk nearly made a	remark about pointless questions, 7 but there was something	in the Doctor's	tone of	voice - 	 "Scotty?"       "10 hours."2      "So that's	your answer." The Doctor exclaimed gleefully, turning around.9      "Doctor." Kirk tapped him on his shoulder and waited ; until he was facing him	again.	"We have a crew	of 430 - and < 250 additional passengers. We do not have enough space suits for everyone."9      "But my TARDIS is on board." At Kirk's blank look he 3 hastily	continued. "Put	422 of your crew - and your 7 passengers - inside her, and the rest should be	able to 0 pilot your ship	and make the necessary repairs.":      Kirk took a deep breath before speaking. "Doctor, are: you trying to tell me that that	box of yours can hold over 600 people?":      "She's quite a bit	bigger on the inside than it would< seem from the outside. She'll hold your	people - and she has her own	life support."7      "Captain,"	Spock had been doing some calculations. ; "The time to evacuate to the TARDIS would require full life 8 support	for the	major part of the time.	 Estimating that< against	the repair time	shows that we will have	total oxygen6 depletion one hour before repairs could	be completed."8      "Spock - you require less oxygen than a human." The Doctor stated.      "Spock nodded.       "Aye, three of them."7      "And I can	manage quite comfortably with less life : support	than you presently provide."  The Doctor turned	to8 Kirk. "And you do have enough space suits for the humans
 involved?"<      Spock turned back to the computer.	The Doctor smiled at Kirk. 
      "Spock?" :      "The Doctor's calculations	are correct, Captain.  The; time margin would be sufficient."  He looked at	the Doctor.  "You would be assisting	me?"4      "I	am somewhat familiar with computer systems.";      Kirk turned to Uhura. There seemed	to be no doubt that 7 the command decision had been mad' and he was simply to 6 enforce	it.  "Order all	crew and passengers except Mr.6 Scott's	engineers to follow evacuation order 5 - using< Transporter Room 2."  He turned	back to	the Doctor. "Doctor,/ if you will open your TARDIS, we will proceed." 6      When they arrived at the TARDIS, they found McCoy waiting.;      "You will be taking your injured in first?" The Doctor  asked.;      "Yes," McCoy looked skeptically at	the box. "If you're  sure there's room." ;      "Oh yes, quite enough." The Doctor	opened the door	and 7 led Kirk and McCoy into	what seemed to be a very modern ; control	room.  Kirk looked around with amazement.  The room < was well over twice the	size of	the box	they had entered and/ several	doors indicated	even more rooms	beyond. :      "Now, Dr. McCoy, if you go	through	that door and turn; right and then right again, there is an	area which you will : find suitable for caring for your people while we fix your ship."9      He	turned back to Kirk and	Spock who were looking at < the large six-sided control panel in the center	of the room.7      "Fascinating," said Spock,	circling the device. "I < should like to discuss its principles and functions with you sometime, Doctor."8      "Well, the	TARDIS usually does what I want	her to."9 Kirk had a feeling that	Spock was not going to be able to : satisfy	his curiosity about this device	very easily.  "Why: don't you start	on the computer	repairs, and I'll join you	 shortly." 3      "A	logical	suggestion." Spock turned and left. ;      "Curious little devil, isn't he," commented the Doctor < to Kirk.  He apparently	accepted Kirk's	silence	as agreement9 as he went on. "Now, Captain, I	assume that there will be ; some time to evacuate those of us left after you begin your  self-destruct sequence?"      "There should be." :      "In case there isn't - who	of your	crew members could< quickly	learn some of these" - he motioned toward the button8 and lever studded panels.  "To remove the TARDIS and the passengers in it to safety?":      Kirk smiled. The Doctor knew that he would	be the one: remaining on the bridge	until the last minute. "Lieutenant Sulu.":      "Your helmsman - very good. If you	would get him down here.":      Kirk opened his communicator. "Sulu, come down to the transporter room."      "Yes sir." ;      McCoy appeared at the door	looking	stunned. "Amazing -  there's	a whole	city in	here!"8      "Not quite, Bones,	but it will serve your needs.  I9 would suggest that you begin your evacuation." The Doctor < stepped	over to	the control panels and began setting some of< the controls. Kirk and McCoy exchanged glances.	It was clear9 from the Doctor's manner that he was accustomed	to people 4 being amazed at	his ship - and was delighted in	that
 amazement.:      The evacuation began in an	orderly	fashion. After the: injured	had been moved in the of the crew started to come.< Lt. Stephans was the first inside and the Doctor turned	away from the controls.:      "Oh, Dorcy	- if you would lead the	rest of	this group< down the stairs, turn left, right, and left and	right, there9 is an area that	you all	should find satisfactory.  Pleasec9 help yourselves	to the food supplies, you may have a longg wait."5      Lt. Stephens look at Kirk who nodded. "Very wellb Doctor."<      When Lt. Sulu came	in the Doctor was standing back	from8 the controls apparently	satisfied with what he had done.8      "Lieutenant Sulu."	The Doctor motioned Sulu over to: stand next to him. "I have preset the controls so that you8 can use	these."	He motioned to an array	of buttons and a; single lever in	one of the control panel sections.  "If	yous; should have to remove the TARDIS from here, just push thesea* buttons, and then this lever. Understood?"      "Yes sir."n5      "I	have programmed	the TARDIS to land on a	smallg; Earth-type planet.  You	should be able to handle yourselvesr there."o      "Sulu," Kirk said.       "Yes sir."n5      "If we do not make	it back	you are	to follow thef< Doctor's orders	explicitly. Keep your communicator handy and' I will inform you if you are to	leave." #      "Yes sir. Good luck, Captain."n      "Thank you	Lieutenant."8      Kirk watched as the crew continued	to file	past and8 down the stairs.  He could hear	laughter coming	from the lower level.3      "Well, Doctor, I suggest that we get to work."       "My sentiments exactly."*                  ++++++++++ 6      On	the Bridge, seated in the helmsman's position,; wearing	the new	X-E life support suit, Kirk had	the feelinge< that he	was piloting a ghost ship.  Behind him he could	hear9 Uhura moving around as she' systematically shut	down lifeT* support	as areas of the	ship were vacated.7      "All areas	evacuated, sir.	 Life Support shut downA9 except in engineering, computer	memory control and on the  Bridge.",      "Have you picked up any transmissions?"      "No sir.";      "Very well.  Go down to the TARDIS, Lieutenant.  After + you leave I'll shut off	life support here."o:      With Uhura	gone, the `ghost ship' feeling became even< more oppressive. In an effort to dispel	it, he called Scotty< to check on how	the repairs were going.	 Scotty	informed him< that his crew was progressing `as well as might	be expected': and from the tone of his voice,	Kirk knew that any further$ interruptions would not	be welcomed.4      He	had heard nothing from Spock and the Doctor.7 Neither	one would be inclined to report	until somethingo; decisive had happened, and, even more so than Scotty, wouldp9 resent `unnecessary interruptions'.  Kirk decided that he 6 could just open	the communication link to the Computer8 Memory area.  If he couldn't be	there, at least	he could hear what was going on. /      "Are you ready to retest this bank	again?"r3      Spock's voice, as calm as if this were routiner maintenance check.      "Quite ready."r4      "Running the diagnostic program now.  It should, complete a successful pass in five minutes."      "Or fail in less."t;      "Exactly."	Spock paused for a moment. "Doctor, why	didm& you leave your people to go to Earth?"'      "What makes you think I did that?"a;      "While you	were unconscious in the	Transporter room, I 5 inadvertently entered into a mind meld with you. Thata information was	there."d      "You're a touch-telepath?"o      "Yes. I must apologize..."t<      "Oh nonsense, don't bother. I've had my mind invaded by: nastier	beings.	Why did	I choose Earth?	Well, I	like Earth7 people - compared to most of the other races I've met."h&      "They are a most emotional	race."9      "Do you think so?	They're	certainly not as emotionals< or as illogical	as some	I've met.  They're a bloody nuisance9 at times and quite indomitable - they can also cause morea6 trouble	than almost any	other race if you let them get3 started. Of course, things may be different in your 8 universe, but what I like about	the people from	Earth is that by	and large they care."a0      "Is caring	such an	important thing	to you?":      "Yes, when	it means that the people can reach outside< themselves to care for others -and especially for others not< of their own species - that's extremely	rare.  And, somewhat8 surprisingly, Earth people can quite astonish you and do just that."m#      "And what of your own people?"u:      "They stopped caring about	anything a long	time ago - so I left." /      "Did your people agree with your leaving?"o;      Kirk suddenly had the feeling that	he was listening tot< a bi-level conversation. Was Spock trying to interrogate the Doctor - or the	Doctor,	Spock?<      "Oh no.  I	- borrowed - the TARDIS	and then they caught2 me and exiled me on Earth.  Until they needed me."      "Needed you?"<      "Well, they were determined not to	interfere - but	when; you know what is going to happen, interference is sometimesp needed.	So I helped them out."      "And now?" ;      "Well, I could go back to Gallifrey, settle down, take < my place on the	Council, even teach in the Academy - but I'm; not ready for that. There still	seems to be so much more tot8 learn.	Whatever a professor might say,	you don't learn	-; especially about yourself - in the Ivory Tower." The Doctora paused.	"What about you?"c6      "Me?" Kirk	could almost see the uplifted eyebrow.7      "Yes, you.	You know, one of the reasons I left wasr< because	of Vulcan.  When the Time Lords	did not	interfere, I< felt that a very valuable people had been lost - needlessly.6 I am very glad to see that my supposition was correct.; Although I should not base my decision on you alone. You're  half human."      "I	am Vulcan."a9      "You mean that you've chosen the Vulcan way over the 9 Human way when you had to - I know that	much about you atd6 least -	apparently the mind meld worked	two ways.  Why7 weren't	you allowed to become the best of both worlds -e0 instead	of having to choose one	over the other?"6      "It is not	possible to be both Vulcan and Human.":      "Has anyone ever tried before? I suspect that you may/ be . .	. is that board	supposed to be smoking?"h7      Spock muttered something that Kirk	couldn't catch.e9 "Powering down.	 There must be more trouble here than our  first analysis showed." ;      "If the person who	did your last maintenance servicing 8 had used the right servo-fuse, that power surge	wouldn't  have affected this area	at all.":      "It is unfortunately a common human characteristic	to: use the	most expedient way and avoid the difficulty of the required way."5      "Surely a characteristic not limited to humans."h      A pause. "Agreed."W6      "That board looks pretty bad. Do you have another
 replacement?".:      "We have no more spare memory storage modules of this type."      "Spare parts, then?"":      "There is a bench testing system over there and spare; parts are available.  The new memory bubble domes will alsou have to	be reprogrammed."e      "I'll start on it now."7      Kirk turned off the intercom link and analyzed the ; conversation carefully.	While not an expert in the hardware	< maintenance of the Enterprise's	computer system, he did	have< enough basic knowledge to realize what had happened.  During< their last scheduled maintenance, someone had used the wrong< servofuse in the secondary life	support	memory control.	 The: `new' fuse was unable to prevent a power surge from coming9 through	and damaging what had at first appeared	to be the 7 three boards that Spock	had identified.	 The Enterprise 9 carried	a number of spare boards for the computer system,t but not	an infinite supply.m9      Apparently	additional damage done by the power surgeB7 had resulted in	what would be a	longer repair time thant0 Spock had originally estimated.	He looked at the: chronometer.  Half an hour left	before tee tertiary system' would begin the	self-destruct sequence.	      The intercom sounded.      "Kirk here."w<      "Repairs completed	in engineering,	Captain. Waiting for computer control."8      "Very good, Mr. Scott.  Computer Control is not yet8 repaired.  Can you handle things down there when it is?"      "Aye, Captain."6      "Then send	the rest of your people	to the TARDIS.< They'll	have to	wear X-E suits until they get there. Kirk to Spock."g      "Spock here, Captain."e;      "Scotty reports engineering repairs completed. What is	7 your estimated time for	repair of the computer system?"e:      "Previously undetermined damage to	the backplane area: has necessitated rebuilding one	of the spare memory boards; that was damaged.  I am	about to replace the backplane now.t0 Repairs	should be completed in fifteen minutes."7      Fourteen minutes later Spock's voice came over the ; intercom. "Diagnostic test on computer systems successfullya2 completed, Captain.  Bringing up memory	systems	to
 engineering."r7      "Mr. Scott, Mr. Spock is bringing up your computerh memory system." :      "Well, if he is, Captain, there's nae anything on the' asynchronous signal interface monitor."        "Spock, did you hear that?"3      "Affirmative, Captain.  There appears to be anb+ additional problem.  We	are investigating."u:      Kirk could	hear the sound of someone whistling in the< background as Spock was	speaking.  He wondered what the	hell' the Doctor could find to whistle about.r.      "Spock," the Doctor said, "Look at	this."0      "The drivers on the fiber optic bus cable?"6      "Looks like they were hit in the power surge too., What's your replacement	procedure for them?"8      "Difficult.  We have to run a new bus cable over to5 engineering through the	inside conduits	of the ship." '      "You don't	use a cable connector?" 4      "Not with this cable. The bus bars	get hung too easily.")      "But you do have a	spare bus cable?"h      "Yes."o      "Then let's get going."8      "Spock," Kirk broke in, "in 12 minutes the	tertiary9 system will default to the main	computer and initiate the. self-destruct."	6      "And we cannot bypass the main system to halt the9 self-destruct after that point,	Captain.  The Doctor will 8 attempt	to connect the cable from here to engineering.	I7 will remain here to bring up the computer system if thee! connection is completed	in time."p<      "Very well, Mr. Spock. Doctor, you	realize	the risk you are taking?":      "He has already left, Captain.  I can assure you that' he is well aware of the	risk involved."S<      The minutes crawled by.  Five minutes left.  Kirk had a6 sudden vision of living	out his	life on	one earth-type6 planet,	with no	way to return home, and	the Enterprise: destroyed.  It would be	as though all he had struggled for3 during the last	five years had counted for nothing.n      Four minutes.<      "Captain, the Doctor's coming through now,	I've got the cable."r      Two minutes.i!      "Cable attached, Mr. Spock."o4      "Bringing up your computer	control, Mr. Scott."      One minute.5      "Secondary	support	system is activated, Captain.  Tertiary is cut	off."s;      Kirk looked at the	chronometer.  There had	been thirtyo: seconds	left.  He opened his communicator.  "Sulu, as soon< as all life support is back to normal, you will	evacuate the TARDIS."      "Yes sir!" <      In	the background he could	hear what seemed to be party8 noises - laughing, singing.  Well, whatever the	crew was9 doing at least they had	not had	to wait	alone through thel9 agony of the last hours.  And one of Spock's and Scotty'st; first projects when they were out of this mess was going toa8 be to find some	way to bypass that tertiary system self-5 destruct. He'd be the one to decide what heroics wereI suitable to his	ship. 
 ++++++++++:      As	the Enterprise wandered	among alien stars, most	of7 the crew were involved in repairing the	damage from theh; storm and the subsequent battle.  But all their	duties weree5 routine	compared to the	assignment of the Science and'9 Engineering officers - find the	way for	the Enterprise tom return home.9      Both Spock	and the	Doctor were on this team, and its : first efforts were devoted to analyzing	the physics of the< Enterprise's entering the alternate universe. After this had8 been discovered, the team could	decide what needed to be done to	reverse	the effect."9      Neither Spock nor the Doctor needed as much sleep ase< the humans on the team.	 Spock,	of course, spent his time in< additional work	and research, but the Doctor did not seem to be so inclined.a<      Kirk had offered the Doctor his choice of a room on the; Enterprise or staying on his TARDIS.  The Doctor had chosenu7 the Enterprise.	 He had	pointed	out that he would be inr7 closer touch with the happenings by being closer to thed9 Enterprise communication system	- and anyway - he'd nevert* been on	a ship like the	Enterprise before.9      Kirk was beginning	to wonder if he	was really takingt; the work he was	supposed to be doing seriously - if he tookn; anything seriously. He seemed to `work'	with the scientificr: team for only ten to fifteen minutes at	a time.	 When Kirk; sat in on the sessions he noticed that most of the Doctor'se2 time was spent in looking at the- results that the; Enterprise team	had generated, staring into space for a	fewn8 minutes, and then making some minor change in one of the; currently generated equations, and leaving the room.  While < the team did not seem to be upset with this `working style',; Kirk was beginning to seriously	wonder just what the Doctor  was contributing.K3      He	would be walking down one of the Enterprise,: corridors and spot the Doctor doing tricks with	a yo-yo	in7 one of the branching halls - usually with a crew membera: watching. He had also managed to find out from someone how: to program the food computers to produce what seemed to	be; his major source of sustenance -the ubiquitous jellybabies.n< Unfortunately, his programming had resulted in everyone	else9 who ordered something getting at least one jellybaby too.t; Kirk suspected the programming was deliberate.	He stared ate: the small red shape next to his	fruit salad, looked at the: other crew members who seemed to be happily eating theirs,9 and decided that he had	better discuss the situation with" McCoy.8      "Jim, I've	still got 23 seriously injured people to< take care of - and I can't say that anything in	the Doctor's$ behavior has bothered me in my job."5      "I	just have this feeling that he may be helpinga himself	more than us.")      "Have you talked to Spock about it?"l      "Spock is busy."n:      "Look, if there was a problem with	the Doctor and the: help he's supposed to be giving	the team, then Spock would6 have said something. You may think that	he isn't doing5 anything, but Spock may	find that what he is doing is : exactly	what the team needs. And I can tell you	this, from9 the tests that we've been able to run on him and from Lt. 4 Stephans' reports, his mind is at least	the equal of0 Spock's, if not	better.	Have you read any of the Lieutenant's reports?"      "No. Not yet."n9      "Well, instead of worrying	about what he is or isn't.< doing, why don't you read them?	 You're	expecting him to act3 as though he was human,	and believe me,	he is not."d      "Excuse me, Captain."      It	was Uhura.      "Yes, Lieutenant?"o:      "Sir, the crew was	wondering if we	could have a party for the	Doctor?"      "A	party?"u;      "Yes sir.	We would like to thank him - all of us - fori9 helping	us with	the life support problem - and letting use use his	TARDIS and...";      "Lieutenant Uhura,	the Doctor is supposed to be tryingp4 to find	out how	we can get this	ship back to our own9 universe. I hardly think that a	party would be in any wayp
 appropriate."i<      "Come on, Jim," McCoy said.  "Considering what the	crew; has gone through, and the Lieutenant's expressions of theirn8 feelings, why don't you	let her	check with Spock and the4 Doctor.	If they	have time, it might be a good idea."7      Uhura was looking at Kirk expectantly.  He	shot an 9 annoyed	glance at McCoy.  "Very	well, Lieutenant.  If Mr.h9 Spock says that	he can spare the Doctor	and if the Doctor " accepts, you may have your party."      "Thank you, sir."<      The party started off in an orderly fashion. The Doctor8 turned up for the occasion in a	black velvet coat, solid4 white scarf, and top hat.  Kirk	assumed	this was his concession to formality.7      While appropriate beverages and food were in amples7 supply,	everyone, including the	Doctor,	seemed to be on 7 their best behavior. Kirk was somewhat surprised to sees< Spock join the party, but also relieved. The presence of his; first officer usually kept an Enterprise party from turning  into a raucous affair.9      Spock had brought his Vulcan lyre with him, and Kirks8 was not	surprised to see that he and Uhura were	going to: perform. What surprised	him was	the performance. Uhura had; found an old Earth song	- never	popular	- called "My Friends6 the Doctor". With somewhat revised wording, it had the; Doctor laughing	in one minute and the rest of the crew with" him in two..;      From that point on, the beverage consumption increased"
 considerably. <      Kirk left half-way	through	the evening.  The Doctor had; borrowed Spock's lyre, with Spock's approval, Kirk noticed.i9 Urged on by Lt.	Kyle, he proceeded to teach the	crew somel: early English drinking songs.  Kirk heard that the evening- wound up with a	spontaneous limerick contest.c 				  ++++++++++9      Kirk made a point of turning up in	the briefing rooma: that the Scientific team was using early the next morning.< To his surprise, the whole team	was there, and working,	and,: a few moments later, the Doctor	walked in. He seemed to	be unusually somber.h:      "I	am afraid that you people are going to have to get out of this universe."6      Spock turned and looked at	the Doctor with	raised eyebrows.  "Indeed?";      "Look here, Doctor, this team has been working on that"8 problem	for nearly a week now,"	Kirk said angrily. "What makes you say that . . ."g8      "I	believe	that the operative words in the	Doctor's< statement are `have to'," Spock	interrupted.  Kirk looked at7 him and	then at	the Doctor in surprise.	 "What have youy discovered?" Spock continued. 7      "I	ran some studies last night, in	the TARDIS, andc< unless you're out of here in three weeks, there	are going to9 be serious disturbances	on the Space-Time continuum whichp; will have the gravest consequences for several of the racesl5 native to this universe	and which will result in yourf ultimate destruction."<      Kirk looked at Spock.  His	Science	Officer	accepted the; Doctor's statement.  Well, at least it might get the Doctorv7 working	on the problem with more dedication than he hadi previously exhibited.e<      Spock turned to the computer and displayed	an equation.6 "I believe that	this is	the effect that	has brought us here."4      The Doctor	studied	it. "Yes, that would do	it."<      "So the question is, then,	to reverse it."	said Scotty.9      The team studied the figures.  Kirk noticed that the 9 Doctor seemed to be falling asleep.  Then he suddenly sat"6 up. "Of	course!" He changed some of the	figures	in the	 equation.f<      "That would seem to be the	desired	effect." Spock said.9      "And we've	got just enough	dilithium to do	it." said  Scotty.a<      Kirk breathed a sigh of relief. At	last there seemed to; be a way out of	the trap. And if he had	to thank the Doctorw for it,	he would.r:      "Wait a minute," the Doctor said, staring intently	at( the display.  "There's something wrong."&      "I	can see	no error." said	Spock.5      "You're not a Time	Lord," said the	Doctor,	stillw7 frowning at the	display. "No, you can't	use that, but Is8 can't..." He got up abruptly and paced around the table.
 "The Matrix!"o      "The Matrix?" Spock asked.b9      "Yes, the Time Lord Matrix	- the summary of all Timee' Lord experiences - the answer's	there."r)      "Can you obtain it?" Spock	inquired.h8      The Doctor	stood still for	a moment, his head flung; back. Then sweat broke out on his face and he stumbled back 
 into a chair.i/      "Doctor," Spock said, "are	you all	right?"n;      "Yes - and	no." The Doctor	looked around the table	and : managed	a faint	smile. "I have been exposed to the Matrix,: but it was contaminated, and I - I do not have full access$ to all the knowledge that is there."      Spock raised one eyebrow.9      "Can you explain that more	completely, Doctor?" Kirk  asked.<      The Doctor	hesitated, then, shrugging his shoulders and; exchanging a brief glance with Spock began speaking.  "Whenr8 I became a - renegade -	that portion of	my mind	was made< inaccessible to	me. By the Time	Lord Council. Since then . .; .  there are times when	I seem to be able to access part ofa( it, but	not consistently - and not now.":      "Spock?" Kirk knew	that mind blocks of this kind were< more likely to be familiar to the Vulcan than to anyone	else; on the ship.  Spock's eyes met Kirk's and then he turned tow: the Doctor, who	was now	staring	at the computer	display	in obvious	frustration.8      "Doctor," The Doctor turned to look at Spock.  "You7 state that there is a block on certain portions	of your  memory.":      The Doctor	nodded.	"It was	their right to place it	on  me - their means of punishment."0      "Does the need for	the block still	remain?"9      The Doctor	looked surprised and suddenly thoughtful.a8 "No - no, there	is no more reason for it. No one thought about it, until	now."t&      "Can the block be removed,	then?"8      "Are you a	Time Lord, Spock?  Is there another Time8 Lord on	this vessel?" The Doctor got up	and paced to the< other side of the room.	 He turned back	and stared at Spock.: "Can you reach into my mind and	remove it? Oh, I know that7 you are	a touch	telepath, but can you destroy what Timea; Lords of the First Rank	- with infinitely more experience -p; made?" He sat down again and this time his smile carried noa humor.8      "Doctor," said Spock, templing his	hands. You are a3 Time Lord.  Do you believe that	the block should beh	 removed?"o3      There was a pause.	The Doctor looked at Spock,s obviously puzzled.;      "Or do you	still accept it	as part	of your	punishment? < Would your fellow Time Lords - now - consider it necessary?":      "Necessary?  No, I	don't think they even remember it.< And until now, I really	haven't	needed it." He looked at the& computer display again with annoyance.5      "As you have observed, Doctor, I am only a	touch 6 telepath.  However, Vulcans have some ability in these. matters	- if you can cooperate fully with me."#      "You think	you can	remove it?"o8      "Not by myself, but with your support. Without your< full cooperation, your own psychic abilities could interfere and negate our purpose.";      "Then it also carries some	danger for you." The Doctori looked directly	at Spock.p<      "There is that possibility.  The melding of one mind to9 another	- especially between different species of varyingb; psychic	abilities - to remove or change	something in one ofm: the minds - can	be hazardous.  Either or both of our minds6 could be lost.	There is therefore a risk for you too."9      "Not a causal encounter, then." The Doctor	said, ando3 Kirk thought that he almost seemed to be laughing".e;      "No." said	Spock, maintaining the tension.	"Is it youri wish to	make the attempt?":      The Doctor	thought	for a moment, then turned to Kirk.; "Captain, is what Spock	is proposing as	dangerous to him ash	 I think?" ;      "It could well be.	 Spock has never used the mind-meld : casually." Kirk	felt frustrated.  The Doctor was acting	as5 though he could	understand everything about his	firsta: officer, and in	this area Kirk knew that his knowledge was incomplete.t<      "If it were possible for you to remain in this universe< without	harm - or if the time we had to	work in	were longer,8 I might	suggest	a delay. As it is..  what must be done?"9      "I	would suggest that we go to Dr.	McCoy and utilize  the isolation area of Sickbay."k:      McCoy was not pleased at the idea of the attempt, but: set up the isolation area as Spock requested, a	single bed8 and a chair alongside it and full medical monitoring. He looked at the room grimly.8      "Jim, you realize that we could lose both of them.";      "They've already discussed	that possibility. Our majoro; concern	at the moment has to be	to find	a way to return	thei6 Enterprise to our own universe.	Even the Doctor	admits that."+      "Even the Doctor? Jim, I think that ..t;      Lieutenant	Stephans walked	into the room and McCoy	did : not finish his statement. Kirk decided not to ask him to -: if it was important, McCoy would find some time	to talk	to: him about it.  The Lieutenant eyed the isolation area with: as much	distaste as McCoy.  Kirk studied her for a moment.9 Of all the crow	members, she had spent the most	time withy9 the Doctor since he had	arrived. He was	curious	about herd	 reaction.	:      "Lieutenant, you seem to share Dr.	McCoy's	misgivings about this experiment."r9      She looked	up at him in amazement.	 "Captain, you doW; realize	that of	the two	we are much more likely	to lose	Mr.o Spock if the experiment	fails?"w8      Kirk studied her.	While all her records indicated	a: level-headed practical approach	on her field missions, her8 reports	on the Doctor had a slight tinge of gullibility.; Obviously the alien Doctor had had as much effect on her ast5 on the other crew members. "What makes you say that?"l9      "Because of the Vulcan regard for the mind-meld, Mr.w8 Spock has had the least	experience in effecting	a strong; mind probe. That is an ability that develops with practice.t9 The Doctor, on the other hand, has not only exercised hish: ability	to create and maintain a strong	probe, he has also5 experienced and	resisted mind probes from other	aliene	 species."        "And how do you know that?"3      "Because I	have been studying, talking to,	andr< observing him ever since you made that my assignment. Oh, he2 doesn't	brag about it, Captain,	but obtaining such9 information is my field.  Believe me, his experiences areo: not conducive to permitting an alien probe into	the depths8 of his mind.  I	doubt that he would even easily	tolerate# such a probe from his own species."p*      "With Spock then, what could happen?"7      "It all depends on	the Doctor.  If	he truly trustsn: Spock -	not just consciously, but unconsciously, enough	to; allow the probe	to reach its intended goals, then they willo< succeed.  If he	does not - or cannot - the defense mechanism: of his mind could snap shut and	destroy	Spock's	mind."	She< started	to add something else but stopped when Spock entered	 the room.d'      "Is the Doctor here?" Spock asked. ;      "Not yet,"	McCoy answered.	"The room is ready.  Spock,a; are you	certain	that this is necessary?	Lieutenant Stephans % believes that it is quite dangerous."y8      Spock hesitated for a moment.  "Doctor McCoy, it is7 quite necessary." He had withdrawn into	his most Vulcan	: image. Kirk looked at him. Could the danger the	Lieutenant< had suggested be real? He started to say something to Spock,; when the Vulcan	turned and went	into the isolation room. Het0 sat down in the	chair, hands templed, withdrawn.<      "You can't	stop it	now, Jim." McCoy said. "It's between them.";      The Doctor	came in.  He had discarded his coat, scarf,e7 and hat	and was	once again wearing a cossack-like whitei! shirt, tweed trousers, and boots. /      "Is everything ready?" he said cheerfully.e7      McCoy nodded grimly toward	the room and the silenta6 Spock within.  "If you two are determined to proceed."8      The Doctor	smiled at McCoy	and started to enter the< room when Lt. Stephans stopped him. "Doctor." He looked	down: at her in surprise. "Remember you must give up the control8 to Spock." Their eyes met briefly and he nodded	and went into the room.:      Kirk felt a sudden	chill of fear, realizing that more9 than the life of his first officer, of his friend, lay ini. the hands of this alien	whom he	did not	trust.5      McCoy closed the door and turned on the intercom	8 system.	 The medical monitors were on. He looked at Kirk; again, shaking his head	this time - "You can't stop it now,m Jim."c:      The Doctor	stopped	just inside the	door and looked	at6 Spock.	Without	disturbing him,	he lay down on the bed,9 closed his eyes	for a moment and then said "Mr.	Spock, if  you're ready?"<      Spock's eyes opened slowly	and he looked at the Doctor.: The Doctor smiled and closed his eyes. Spock untempled his0 hands and then spread them on the Doctor's face.9      "My mind to your mind. . ." came the familiar words.s:      The Doctor's body stiffened momentarily. Spock's grip
 tightened.<      "The Doctor has to	drop his own telepathic	blocks," Lt. Stephans whispered.s:      Sweat broke out on	the Doctor's fact and Spock's eyes* closed tightly.	The Doctor's body relaxed.6      "My mind to your mind. .."	Spock's	body seemed to9 encircle the Doctor's although he did not move.	There waso: silence	from the room. Kirk was	waiting	for the	outpouring: of words he was	used to	hearing	during one of Spock's mind; melds.	But nothing seemed to happen.  He looked down at Lt. 	 Stephans.s      "What's going on?"T8      "They are both natural telepaths, Captain.	 This is( quite unlike what you have seen	before."<      Perspiration gleamed on Spock's brow. The Doctor's	body alternately tensed and relaxed.h7      Suddenly the eyes of the two opened and met.  Kirk 2 could almost see some kind of exchange take place.9      "They are in close	contact	now, " said Lt.	Stephans.o) "There is only the barrier to be broken." 3      The eyes of the two closed	again. From his	ownS9 experience Kirk	remembered the feeling of another mind int9 his, and he was	not telepathic.	 What would it be like ifn4 that mind was attacking	yours?	And if you had a real< ability	to defend yourself -- for the first time he realized; the danger Spock was willingly encountering was	formidable.h< Everything dependent on	the ability of another to relinquish; control, the whole dependent on	the tightest of	disciplinesp of the minds involved.!      Discipline	- and the Doctor?e/      "Heart rates increasing, Jim," said McCoy.e:      The Doctor's head began to	move restlessly	in Spock's: grip.  A scream	emerged	from the Doctor's mouth	but it was Spock's	voice that sounded.e:      "No, it must remain, it is	the penalty. / The penalty; no longer exists: the penalty has been paid." Spock's voicel; now in the familiar mono-duologue.  "The punishment must ben; complete.  / The punishment is no longer required. You havel7 earned the right to be free. / I am the	President.  The < Matrix is mine.	 The Matrix is invaded.	 The -Master.  Death7 to all Time Lords. My people. There is danger. I cannott0 release	the Matrix. I must drive out the enemy!"9      "Heart rates still	increasing. I don't know how muchr longer they can	take it."l7      The Doctor's eyes opened and stared blindly at thec6 ceiling. Spock's voice continued, monologue this time. "Layer by layer, opening..:      Another `voice' - this time exploding in Kirk's mind.7      "Broadcast	telepathy," said Lt. Stephans, wincing.h3 "Spock has opened some new ability the Doctor has."n,     "*The enemy	has gone, the way is open.*"8      Spock's hands broke contact.  Grabbing the	Doctor's< shoulders, he caught the Doctor	eyes with his own. "You	must* proceed. I will	not probe your knowledge.";      *"I must have your	support, or the	barrier	will not bee fully broken."*o8      Spock paused and then resumed contact. The	Doctor's eyes closed again.:      *"So. . in	this way, slowly. . . "* The Doctor's head< jerked fitfully	in Spock's grasp.  *"You are there, the	path is open. I enter.*"t'      A stillness descended on the room.h      "Heart rates going	down.";      The Doctor	was sweating again; Spock seemed to be in at2 passive	trance and Kirk	was reminded of	the first,3 involuntary contact Spock had made with	the Doctor.o$      "Readings back to normal, Jim.";      "If they can break	the bond now..." said Lt. Stephans. :      Both sets of alien	eyes opened and	met again. Spock's: head jerked back. The texture of the mental voice changed.$ *"Yes, so you have joined with us."*8      "No." Spock's hands moved to break	the meld but the: Doctor's hands quickly held them in place. "I am my own. I am Vulcan."y7     *"You are still that. But you are more. It has beenv	 earned."*i:      Spock's eyes closed. The Doctor's hands reached up	to< Spock's	face assuming the Vulcan contact points. *"Accept."*8      Spock seemed to nod in the	Doctor's grasp.	 Spock's< hands fell away	from the Doctor, then the Doctor's from	him.9 The Doctor came	to a half sitting position.  Spock's headk  was still bent,	his eyes closed.9      "Spock!" cried Kirk, heading for the door.	McCoy and  Stephans stopped him.n<      "Jim," McCoy said.	"You've	got to let the Doctor finish now."i;      The Doctor	took hold of Spock's hands which were lyingt; limply on the bed. "Spock," the	Doctor called, then louder,u< and Kirk could almost feel a mental calling with the verbal,< "Spock." Spock's eyes opened. There was	a depth	to them	that Kirk had rarely	seen before.      "What have	you given me?"9      "Something	more than you had before, but nothing youf: had not	earned,	were not entitled to, or more than you can, handle.	Why not	ask what you have given	me?"7      Spock's eyes met the Doctor's.  The Doctor	smiled.o< "Spock,	I am whole again.  I think that	you can	realize	what; that means.  I know you	- now -	and I know what	you risked.r; I risked no more than I	have risked before, and	for no moree5 reason.	 Accept	my gift, my friend, and	look on	it asx; repayment for what my people failed to do in this world	fory6 your people."  Spock looked intently at	the Doctor and nodded.s:      The Doctor	turned to the window.  "Captain, I believe) that I have the	solution to the	problem."e      McCoy opened the door.	;      Spock got up slowly. Kirk went to him. "Spock, are	youe all right?"b2      "I	believe	so, Captain. It	was a most unusual experience.";      "Spock," called the Doctor, "come on, we've got to	getu this thing solved."o      "Coming."7      The two left the room. Kirk and Stephans followed.p: McCoy decided that he was going	review the medical records of the happening again.s:      "Lieutenant," said	Kirk, walking behind Spock and the9 Doctor as they headed toward the briefing room,	"What has	* Spock got now that he didn't have before?"4      "It's difficult to	say, Captain. Certainly	some7 expanded knowledge or awareness	normally unique	to Time ; Lords.	Perhaps	an increase in his own telepathic abilities, - perhaps	some of	the Doctor's sense of humor."	;      "Lieutenant, I do not find	that particularly amusing."o;      "No sir, but don't	you think it would be interesting?'d
      "No."<      "Well, sir, you should be aware that it is	not uncommon9 after such a melding for the participants to take on eachv& other's	characteristics	- for a	time."7      The Lieutenant nodded her head at the two ahead of < them.  Kirk saw	that Spock was accepting one of	the Doctor's jellybabies.:      "Well, Lieutenant,	if it gets us out of this universe0 and back into our own, I can tolerate anything."7      "I	do hope	that your tolerance is up to what mightn happen,	Captain."s
 ++++++++++9      Back in the briefing room,	both the Doctor	and Spockt: resurveyed the computer	display.  After	a few minutes, the; Doctor started smiling.	Leaning	on the table, he turned	ands looked at Spock.      "Do you see it?"a:      Still looking puzzled, Spock indicated an area of the equation. "There?"      "Exactly." 9      It	seemed to Kirk that Spock was smiling back at thei: Doctor,	but no change was visible except the disappearance< of puzzlement. He glanced at Lt. Stephans and she nodded. So2 he was not the only one	to have	noticed	something!:      The Doctor	started	entering some new figures into the: computer and the display changed. "You could probably work; it out,	but you	can see	where using that formula would haver been disastrous	to you."      "Indeed." Spock nodded.'      "What was the matter?" Kirk asked.o9      The Doctor	looked at Spock	and gestured as	if givingc him the	center stage.        "The Time Factor, Captain."      "Time Factor?"u<      "Yes, in transferring between universes there is always6 an inherent Time Factor. Had we	tried to return	to our: universe using the original formula, we	would have arrived9 in the correct universe, but 300 years before the time wee6 disappeared."  Spock turned to the Doctor, one eyebrow cocked.n;      "A	somewhat simplified explanation, but correct.  With 9 this change, you should	return within five minutes of the"4 time you left and you will not need to return to the Sontaran area."y4      Scotty had	been eyeing the	changed	equation and9 suddenly spoke.	"Captain, I canna say that this	willna do . the trick, but we dinna	hae the	power for it."7      Spock and the Doctor surveyed the equation.  Spock 8 nodded.	"Mr. Scott is correct, Captain.	 The new formula7 calls for at least one third again as much power as oure  present	dilithium will give us."7      "Could we reverse the polarity?" the Doctor asked.i5      "Doctor, ye canna be serious," exclaimed Scotty.p<      "I	do not think that will work - this time." Kirk could7 have sworn that	Spock was trying to keep from laughing.i8      "Well, well, never	a solution but another problem,"8 said the Doctor. "What will you	need to	solve this one?"9      Scott had apparently been doing some calculating toow9 and he answered	immediately. "At least six more	dilithiumh; crystals. I can	juryrig	a system so that they could give us 4 the power when we need it, but we've got to have the dilithium."e9      Kirk noticed, without a great deal	of surprise, thatr< everyone in the	room turned to the Doctor.  Well, after	all,8 this was his universe, and he seemed to	like playing the1 deus ex-machina	and pulling the	Enterprise out ofd difficulty.f4      "Well, Doctor, where can we get the dilithium?":      "There is a planet	in this	area which has a supply	of dilithium crystals."2      "Can we buy - or trade - with them	to get the
 crystals?"6      "I	don't know." the Doctor	sat forward pensively,< templing his hands in front of his face.  Kirk felt a slight; shock at this Spock-like gesture.  He glanced over at Spock	< and felt his shock compound as he saw that Spock was leaning9 back in	his chair looking ready	to put his feet	up on thee table.9      He	felt Lt. Stephans touch	him gently on the arm andt' heard her whisper "Tolerance, Captain."t1      The Doctor	untempled his hands and	stood up.n<      "This planet is highly unusual, even for this universe.7 Apparently a humanoid race started to settle it	about a < thousand years ago.  It	should have been a normal settlement8 - everyone working together in the early years,	wars and; other problems coming along later - you	know the patterns."r8      Kirk saw Lt. Stephans nodding - apparently	what the1 Doctor was saying was something	familiar to CS&C.n6      "Instead a	split occurred very early. Some	of the5 colonists were determined to maintain a	high level of : technology in spite of almost impossible difficulties, and: others wanted to live the basic	`back to nature' life that seemed to fit the planet.";      "So we have to deal with one group	or the other?" Kirke asked.:      "More than	that. There were certain aspects about the< planet which caused an abnormal	development of what you	call; PSI powers in some of the people - on both sides. The `backu8 to nature' group accepted these	and encouraged them. The8 technologists ignored and repressed them. The two groups< have now developed two totally opposite	ways of	dealing	with any type of problem.:      "I	don't see that that makes a difference." Kirk felt< that the Doctor	was seeing problems where there	weren't	any.8      "It wouldn't - if it hadn't been for the invasion."      "Invasion?"6      "Yes - an utterly ruthless	race recently tried to< conquer	the planet and both sides ultimately joined together to defeat the invaders."/      "Then we only have	one side to deal with."d:      "Well, when the would-be conquerors left, they wanted5 to take	revenge	on the planet and the people that hadt9 withstood them - to prove that ultimately they could win.  You know the type.""9      Kirk saw Spock nod	out of the corner of his eye and,n< glancing over at him, saw that his feet	were up	on the table< now.  He was about to say something when a kick	on the shins7 diverted him. He glared	at Lt. Stephans	who was	staringh innocently at the Doctor.m9      "At any rate, Captain," the Doctor	went on. Kirk wase3 certain	that he	had missed none	of the byplay.	"Thea< invaders placed	several	fission	type bombs around the planet8 in such	a fashion that at irregular periods for	the next< five years the orbits will decay and a bomb will come down.";      "And if they simply explode the bomb, they'll create ao8 ring of	radiation around the planet that will eventually destroy	them." Scotty said.k      "Exactly."r7      "Sounds like we might be able to help." Kirk said.t9      "We can certainly remove the bombs	from their orbitsi8 and dispose of them somewhere else safely." said Scotty.:      "Would that be sufficient for a trade for dilithium?" Kirk asked.e;      "Possible." The Doctor seemed to be studying his hands : again. "Does your Prime	Directive prevent you from helping other people?"1      "No.  Just	from interfering with the naturale4 development of an indigenous culture."	responded Lt.	 Stephans.n<      "Well, on this planet, the	dilithium crystals are mined: and controlled by the back to nature group - the Norms,	as: they call themselves. They can use the dilithium to expand< and amplify their psychic abilities. And it was	one of their< cities that was	hit by the first bomb that fell." The Doctor looked at Kirk expectantly. 5      "Are you suggesting that we supply	medical	aid?"i"      "Yes. Can you agree to that?".      Kirk responded without hesitation,	"Yes.":      "Very well, then, let's get to the	planet and do some; horse trading.	The coordinates. . ."  The Doctor punched upt9 some figures on	the computer display.  "What," said Spocko4 sitting	upright	again, "is the name of this planet?"<      "Lightunder," said	the Doctor.  He	started	out the	door< and stopped.  "One more	thing, you know	I told you that	some% of the people had psychic abilities?"u1      "Yes." Kirk failed	to see why the Doctor waso reemphasizing a	point.9      "Well, apparently the ability is tied to a	recessiven: gene, because you can usually recognize	a psychic by their physical appearance too."d;      "How?" Lt.	Stephans asked.	 Kirk supposed that such ann- item might be of interest to a xenobiologist.p9      "By the color of their hair." The Doctor started out 	 the door.n8      The Lieutenant looked puzzled for a minute	and then shouted	"What color is it?"n8      The Doctor's head reappeared around the corner. His8 grin reminded Kirk of the Cheshire cat in the old story.&      "Green." He said and disappeared. 		  ++++++++++