* X-NEWS: spcvxb alt.startrek.creative: 1265K Relay-Version: VMS News - V6.0-3 14/03/90 VAX/VMS V5.4; site spcvxb.spc.edu n Path: spcvxb.spc.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!wupost!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!pacbell.com!att!cbnewse!jeana! Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative * Subject: The Doctor And The Enterprise Pt36 Message-ID: <1991Nov8.170129.16674@cbnewse.cb.att.com>% From: jeana@cbnewse.cb.att.com (jean)  Date: 8 Nov 91 17:01:29 GMT $ Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Keywords: text Lines: 1037       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 3 THE DOCTOR AND THE ENTERPRISE       by	Jean Airey      copyright 1982 Jean Airey< Kirk was concerned about his crew's morale.  They had, after< all, been overdue for R&R before starting the return trip to: Earth, and had had a succession	of emergencies in a rather short time. ;      He	spent the evening walking around the ship, visiting 0 areas where the	crew was stationed and gathered.9      In	the gym	Sulu was practicing what appeared to be	a : new and	difficult series of fencing moves. "Improving your technique, Mr. Sulu?" 8      "Yes sir.	The Doctor showed me some offensive moves9 that I'd never heard of	before.	 The problem is	to try to 
 master them."       "The Doctor?"8      "Yes sir, he said he learned them from a Captain in Cleopatra's army."9      Kirk watched as Sulu went back to his practicing.	He 8 knew his history well enough to	know that at the time of: Cleopatra the swords used were not the epee Sulu used.	But5 Sulu seemed to find the	whole thing credible, so Kirk % decided	not to try to argue about it. ;      Passing through the Engineering section, Kirk saw that 9 Scotty seemed to be involved in	analyzing a silver object ; about 13 centimeters long and 3	centimeters in diameter. He < knew that Scotty had been working on the designs which would< implement the extra dilithium crystals and he walked over to: see what was going on.	The silver object `Has something he had never seen before.      "Something	new, Scotty?" 8      "Aye, Captain. It's a Sonic Screwdriver, and it's a beautiful wee bairn." 9      "A	Sonic Screwdriver?" The	term sounded more like an 9 exotic bar concoction than something that would	fascinate  his Chief Engineer.       "Aye, it's	the Doctor's."      "The Doctor's?"8      "I've been	trying to persuade him to let me look at; that TARDIS of his, but	he doesna seem to want to let me do  that."3      "So how did you get this -	Sonic Screwdriver?" ;      "`Yell, he	says that if I can duplicate it, then I	can  look at	the TARDIS.":      "Can you?"	Kirk was confident that	nothing	mechanical was beyond Scotty's skills. 7      "Not yet. Oh, it's	a bonnie wee bairn. So far I've < found thirty uses for it, but I	canna yet make another one."      "Did the Doctor make it?"      "Well, he designed	it."6      "Well, Scotty, if you keep	at it, you'll find the secret."<      "Secret! Nae, Captain, this is pure engineering genius.( And an honor it	is to be working on it.";      Kirk walked out shaking his head. The Doctor certainly 9 seemed to have found the way to	keep Scotty away from the  TARDIS. <      One of the	Rec rooms had been turned into what Lt.	Kyle4 explained to Kirk as the site of the Starfleet Yo-Yo Championships.6      "Where did	all the	yo-yos come from, Lieutenant?"&      "Oh, the Doctor gave them to us."6      "Did he set up the	rules for this - competition?";      "Set them up? No sir. He told us what the rules were -  back on	Earth."        "Will he be participating?":      "No sir. He said he'd already won his championship	in 1923."8      Kirk watched an Andorian ensign attempt a `walk the doggie.'8      "All the Andorians	are very good at this, sir. They seem to	have a knack for it." '      "That would certainly be helpful." 6      "If you'll	excuse me, sir,	my turn	is coming up."      "Of course." :      On	his way	to Rec room 4 Kirk mulled over what he had; seem. His crew was alert, happy, and there certainly seemed ; to be no cause for alarm.  He decided he would see if Spock 8 would join him for a game of chess. Certainly they could both use the break. 9      In	Rec room 4 Spock was already playing chess - with  the Doctor. 5      Kirk walked over and looked at the	board. It was : obviously near the end of the game and as Kirk neared them the Doctor made	a move. !      "Check and	mate, I	believe." 8      Spock studied the board. "You have	learned	the game well."9      "It's much	more challenging than the one dimensional 9 version	I'm used to.  I'll have	to teach it to K-9 when	I  get him	fixed."       "K-9?" Kirk asked.       "My dog."7      "Your dog?	- plays	chess?"	Kirk looked at Spock in 5 hopes of some amplification of the strange statement. ;      "Actually,	K-9 is a highly	sophisticated robot." Spock : said, resetting	the pieces on the boards. Kirk relaxed,	at+ least his first	officer	was back to normal. 8      "However,"	Spock went on, "he is really a very good dog." ;      The Doctor	had looked slightly disappointed at Spock's ; mundane	explanation and	now smiled across the Board at him. 5 Kirk was shocked to see	his first officer smile	back. 4      "Spock" - Spock turned to look at him, his	face9 expressionless again. "Um - would you say that the Doctor   plays as illogically as	humans?"8      "Captain,"	one Vulcan eyebrow raised, "the	Doctor's7 mind works in a	unique fashion.	I would	not compare the  processes." ;      "Would you	care to	play the next game, Captain?" asked . the Doctor, starting to	get up from his	chair.<      "No, no." Kirk motioned him back down. "Mr. Spock and I: play quite often." Of course, as their mission was ending,< he and Spock. .	 . Well, he thought, at	least the Doctor was8 out of mischief. He went back to his cabin determined to$ have a talk with McCoy the next	day. 			+++++++++.      "Bones, are you sure Spock	is all right?"8      "Jim, he's	fine. He just had me give him a	complete
 physical."      "He asked for one?";      "Jim, it was the -	logical	- thing	to do. He wanted to < be sure	that there were	no after effects from that mind-meld8 experiment. Made me give the Doctor one	too.  Not that I6 needed to add any more of those	strange	readings to my	 records." %      "Don't you	find that - unusual?" <      "Before this whole	thing happened - yes.  Now - well, I< don't know what	you're worried about, but Spock	is healthier< - in body and mind than	I've ever seen him.  What are you so worried	about?" ;      "Bones, I don't know. I just have this strange feeling < that something is wrong	- with the Enterprise -	and that the! Doctor is somehow related to it." :      "Well he certainly	has done nothing but help us since7 we got in this mess. The crew likes him, I like	him and < Spock likes him. You're	the only one having problems dealing with him. Jim..." ;      "Dr. McCoy, Lieutenant Caffrey is fibrillating again."s2 Chapel called from inside on of	the sickbay areas.:      "Damn - Jim, I want to talk to you	about this after I take care of my	patient."s<      Kirk started glumly at the	door as	McCoy left. He could: not believe that he was	the one	out of step. Every feeling8 that he'd learned to rely on told him that something was wrong.9      "Captain Kirk." It	was Sulu on the	intercom from the  Bridge.       "Kirk here." )      "Coming into the Lightunder system."w      "I'm on my	way up." 			++++++++++++l;      Orbiting the planet the next day, the selected landinge' party met in one of the	briefing rooms.p<      Lt. Stephans had been working with	the Doctor gathering; information about the planet through a linkup of the TARDISs7 and the	Enterprise sensors.  "Luckily the Techies - thex7 technologists -	and the	Norms are still	speaking to onei7 another," she said. "We	don't want to get involved in as9 civil war. Only	one bomb has fallen on a populated area	-e< the first one. It destroyed the	Norm city of Metebe and	left; strong radioactive aftereffects. The population	in the areat< is suffering from radiation exposure. The Norms	were able to: deflect	the second bomb	as it was falling, but burnt out -< lost - five of their best telekenetics to do it. The area it< landed in was unpopulated, but we will need to do a clean up: of the radiation.  The bombs are too distant for the Norms: to move	them further out, or keep them up, and the Techies; don't have a clear enough understanding	of how the internale8 mechanism works	to enable the  Norms to	defuse one as it; comes down. They are in	a desperate situation and they knowh5 it.  However, they are very proud and will resent anyA5 intrusion even though it is intended to	be  helpful."T6      "Full diplomacy, then, Lieutenant," said Kirk. He9 noticed	that McCoy was staring at him but he had been too < caught up in the plans for the planetary contact - including< a possible use of the Doctor's TARDIS as the `hospital base'2 to get back to talk to him. It would have to wait.<      "Diplomacy	in spades, Captain, if we hope to accomplish
 anything."      "Doctor, if you're	ready?"r8      The Doctor	had his	feet up	on the table and his hat7 over his head. Kirk was	convinced he had been sleeping.t$      "What - oh	yes - are we ready?":      "We will be beaming down into the meeting room of the6 capital	city of	the Techies. The leaders of both sides should be there."  Spock said. 			++++++++++++l;      As	the group materialized,	Kirk could see the surprisee5 of the men and women in	the room.  He hoped that thisa; display	of superior technology would give them a bargainingt< advantage.  He looked around at	the people.  Even from their: clothing he could distinguish between the two groups.  The; Techies	were wearing military type one piece suits, and	the ; Norms were wearing leather and fur garments and	all carriedh swords.n<      "We have come in peace." Kirk said, spreading his hands3 to show	the absence of weapons.	"We would offer	ourn assistance. . .";      "We do not	wish the assistance of aliens!"	shouted	oned< of the Norms, a	short but powerfully built man.	Mutters	from; the others in the room indicated that they agreed. Kirk	was`; starting to frame another sentence when	the Doctor abruptly,: stepped	forward.  He calmly surveyed the group and said	"I< am the Doctor, a Time Lord of Gallifrey.  We have determined; that without our intervention your planet will be destroyedm8 in 16 months.  We have decided that we will intervene to save you - for a price."4      Kirk thought that the arrogance in	his tone was
 unmistakable.e<      The man who had refused Kirk stared at the	Doctor.	 His< green hair seemed to bristle. "A Time Lord. We have heard of< you." A	small polished dilithium crystal that he wore on the7 inside of his left wrist began to glow as he lifted hisc7 hand. When his hand was	level with his eyes the	crystall9 suddenly flashed. Kirk felt what seemed	to be a	momentaryv7 pressure on his	mind and heard Spock take a sudden deepr! breath.	The Doctor seemed amused.t:      "So. It is	true. What is your price and who are these( people with you	who are	not Time Lords?";      "Our price	is six large energy crystals - the size	youn9 do not use because you cannot control them." The scorn int< the Doctor's voice hung	in the air.  "These people have	been chosen to assist me."       "What do you offer	us?":      "Medical help for those of	your people suffering from: the effects of the first explosion. And	we will	remove the# remaining devices from your skies."s9      "Will you treat our people	in our own land	- without  bringing in large machines?"<      "We will land our own dwelling place where	you specify.; The machines we	use will be no more to you than	a black	boxh9 that makes noises.  What machines we have in our dwellingn$ place will be of no concern to you.";      "Will you teach us	so that	we may avoid something like 0 this happening again?" one of the Techies asked.7      The Doctor	looked at him as if he was some	kind ofr< lower species of insect. "We will teach	you enough to better8 defend yourselves." The	Doctor looked at the group.  "Do accept our offer?"/      "We must discuss..	." murmured the	Techie.,:      "What is there to discuss!" said the Norm.	"This is a8 Time Lord and he speaks	the truth. Must	we discuss if we wish to	live or	die?"y9      There was no dissenting voice from	the group as theya: looked ruefully	at each	other. The Norm	turned back to the Doctor. :      "Very well, Time Lord. We will agree to your bargain.< But those of you who come on our land must agree to abide by
 our customs." 9      "Agreed." said the	Doctor.	 "Where	do you wish us toe$ place the medical treatment center?"9      "We have established a place of healing in	Besteco."t:      "Then we will land	there. After we	remove the devices< orbiting your planet, we will send people to meet with you."! The Doctor nodded at the Techies. :      One of the	Techies	stepped	forward. He was	tall, with5 blond hair and a beard.	"I am Lif d'Lewis, head	of myc< people.	We will	be glad	to learn all that you are willing to
 teach us."9      The Doctor	nodded an acknowledgement of the Techie'se< statement.  Kirk could not help	thinking that if they had to< deal only with this man	and his	people instead of the feisty8 Norm who had taken over, the whole thing could have been handled	better. <      "Captain, if you will call	for the	beam-up." The Doctor; turned back to the Norm. "Alert	your people at Besteco.	 Wet9 will be	there in one hour." He turned and nodded at Kirk,,6 obviously concluding the conversation. Kirk opened his7 communicator. He felt as though	he was an Ensign again. 1      "Kirk to Enterprise, beam up landing party."i9      As	the transporter	beam picked up the landing party, < Kirk felt a sudden surge of anger. What	right did the Doctor5 have to	step in	like that!  He could feel the emotionn4 pulsing	through	him as the group materialized on the< Enterprise.  As	he turned to the Doctor, prepared to express< his anger, Spock stepped forward and said "An excellent	job,; Doctor.	 I believe you accomplished everything we desired."	:      "Even what	you offered the	Techies	is well	within the< limits of the Prime Directive. How did you know	that was the< way to approach	them?" Lt. Stephans asked. The Doctor looked slightly surprised.x7      "It was the - logical - thing to do." He smiled ate! Spock, shaking his head	slightly.g:      Kirk felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped< on him.	 Spock and the Lieutenant were right.  What they had< wanted done was	done - so why did it matter WHO	had done it?: Suppressing an uneasy feeling of having	been in	the wrong,9 he turned to McCoy. "Bones, are	you and	your medical teamj ready?"t8      "As ready as we can be, Jim. It's a good thing that8 we'd already expected that we'd	have to	use the	Doctor's7 TARDIS as our base. We've installed some of our	medicals7 computers and laboratory equipment.  The Doctor	and Mr. ; Spock have also	arranged to implement a	direct link betweena6 the TARDIS' computer system and	our science computer."4      "You're satisfied with the	arrangements, then?":      "They're better than most I've had	to work	with under+ the Prime Directive on a primitive planet."	5      "Bones," said the Doctor. "If you will have youro: medical	team at	the TARDIS in -	say - fifteen minutes? Lt.8 Stephans and I want to review some of the customs of the9 local people. Dorcy has	a feeling that certain aspects ofo< the local culture were not emphasized strongly enough in the< standard briefing tape she made	earlier.  The Norms are	very: set in certain ways, and we cannot afford to offend them."      "We'll be there."8      "Captain, if you are planning on coming down to the/ planet,	you should hear	this." The Doctor said.m:      "I'll have	to get it later, Doctor.  At the moment	we7 need to	get this ship ready to dispose of these	orbitalh bombs." 8      The Doctor	looked at Kirk and, with a slight smile, nodded.	 "Of course, Captain." 			+++++++++:      Beaming down the TARDIS was a learning experience for; Lt. Kyle under Spock's tuition.	Apparently something of	thet; unique nature of the TARDIS had	to be calculated for durings< transportation and Kirk	was thankful that the beam-down	with his crew aboard	was successful.a;      He	looked at the now empty	transporter pads and turneds	 to Spock.T<      "Why didn't the Doctor take the TARDIS down on its	own,& Spock?	Wouldn't it have been simpler?"8      "With the TARDIS in its present condition,	there is5 always the chance that it might	not land where it waso
 directed."1      "You mean that the	Doctor can't control it."l<      "His level	of control of the TARDIS suits him, Captain.1 In this	situation, I preferred that we handle they transportation."7      "Spock, there are some things that	I simply do nott understand.":      "Indeed, Captain?"	Kirk saw his first officer looking at him expectantly.s:      "Not now, Spock, we've got	some bombs to get rid of."      "But of course, Captain."
 			++++++++++b<      The removal and defusing of the orbiting bombs was	time8 consuming but relatively simple	for the	Enterprise crew.4 The defused bombs were dumped into a sun of a nearby; uninhabited planetary system.  Kirk was	pleased	to see thati< his crew was handling the situation in their usual efficient8 fashion. Apparently with the disruptive	influence of the6 Doctor removed,	things were going to return to normal.: Within a week the Enterprise had returned and was orbiting Lightunder again.b9      Scotty, a team of Enterprise engineers, and selected 6 members	of the CS&C group beamed down to meet with Lyf6 d'Lewis.  Another group	was assigned to	`clean up' the< unpopulated area of the	second explosion. Kirk decided to go8 down with Spock	to see how the medical group was getting along.<      In	the transporter	room, Spock placed a small black box on the transporter console.i2      "Lieutenant Kyle, initiate	signaling sequence 21CQ305260."  Spock said.r      "Yes sir."v7      "What's that all about, Spock?" Kirk asked	as they	# walked toward the transporter pads.e7      "Without the adjustment and amplification that boxa; provides for our signals, we would not be able to beam downf8 inside the TARDIS. The Doctor has specifically requested9 that landing party at Besteco beam down	directly into the " TARDIS and await further contact.":      "Are you saying that without that device, we wouldn't& be able	to transport into the TARDIS?"4      "The TARDIS has unique defensive capabilities."9      Kirk sighed. He was back in the strange world of thed; Doctor's again.	They materialized inside the TARDIS controlr9 room just as the Doctor	was coming in through the outsidee door.T9      "Oh, Spock," he said, "I'm	glad you're here. Come one3 down to	the workshop. I	want to	look at	something." :      Spock and the Doctor started through one of the other; doors when the Doctor stuck his	head back through the door.c;      "Captain -	don't leave the	TARDIS until you check withu* Lt.  Stephans."	Then he	disappeared again.7      Kirk waited for some time,	his impatience growing. < Other members of the medical team came hurriedly through the: TARDIS control room, apparently	to and from the	area where8 the Doctor and Spock were.  They barely	acknowledged his' presence.  Lt. Stephans	did not	appear.u7      His patience finally exhausted, he	decided	that ito4 would not hurt to go and look for the Lieutenant or,< preferably, McCoy.  They probably just wanted to reemphasize< some of	the local customs.  He had already seen	the briefing8 tape twice, and	had been taking	care of	himself	on alien8 planets	several	years longer than the Lieutenant, but if: they wanted to make some special point,	he'd find them and let them make it.a4      As	he stepped out of the TARDIS, he noticed the9 `hospital' seemed to be	a converted large stone	building.m5 The TARDIS had actually	been located in	a room in thel	 building. ;      The other rooms he	saw as he walked down the hall werey: filled with patients.  The medical personnel, both his own7 people and some	from the native	population seemed to bes3 constantly busy. He could not see McCoy	or Stephans		 anywhere.t;      At	length his wanderings took him to the front door of 7 the building.  The sunlight and	open air outside lookedu; inviting after the closed-in aura of the hospital.  He eveno: seemed to be experiencing a slightly nauseous feeling from; the strange pungency.  All hospitals smell, he thought,	andn( decided	to step	outside	and look around.<      Leaning on	the beast-shaped stone structure at the	foot; of the hospital	steps, he looked out at	what seemed to be a ; town square. There were	shops on three sides and the normal 4 activity of people going in and	out with and without9 parcels.  Horses - or a	very close facsimile of	the earth 3 animal,	except for the cloven hooves and horn -	andc% carriages were tied up by the stores.t9      He	took a deep breath of the planet's air.	It tastedd good. ;      He	noticed	a girl - a young woman - standing by one ofO; the shops, apparently waiting for someone. He looked at	hera
 intensely.7      Her hair was a dark green,	so dark	as to be almosta8 black.	The slight breeze blowing against the lightweight9 rose fabric of her ankle length	gown outlined a	figure ofm delightful proportions.	8      She suddenly looked up at him, revealing dark black; eyes formerly masked by	thick and curly	downcast eyelashes.e; Her skin was fair, highlighted by a natural rose shading on,9 her cheeks and lips which Kirk could tell owed nothing to < artifice.  She met his gaze for	an instant and then cast her8 eyes down again	momentarily.  He was not surprised when,; after a	brief moment, the open and provocative gaze met	hise again.;      How lovely	she was	- and would be on any planet he	hade< ever visited.  The rose	of her cheeks seemed to	deepen and a: faint smile appeared on	her lips and the black eyes seemed< sparkle.  He could not speak to	her, he	remembered that	from7 the briefing tape, but he continued to smile into thosea; brilliant eyes and it seemed that his smile was	echoed backe9 to him.	It had been a long time	for him, and his thoughts 1 became more specific. Her body and his,	meeting,  8 blending .  . . A horrified look appeared in the lovely 5 eyes and she turned and ran into the shop. Well, you	v) can't win them all, he thought wistfully.p;      He	felt slightly dizzy and	was turning to go back intos; the hospital when he saw Spock,	McCoy and the Doctor comingl out.5      "Jim," said McCoy,	"Have you seen Lt. Stephans?" +      "Not yet, Bones." He replied, smiling.h;      Spock and McCoy exchanged glances of - irritation?	Whyt4 should seeing Lt. Stephans such	an important matter?;      "Blithering idiot," said the Doctor. "You'd better	get,$ back inside and	let us look at you.";      Kirk bristled.  What right	did the	Doctor have to give,: such an	order and, anyway, they	could just as well look	at
 him out	here.h9      There was a commotion across the street. The four on	 the hospital steps turned.;      Three men were approaching	rapidly.  Kirk saw the girlg9 he had been looking at being bundled into a carriage withr some other women.e9      The men paused, face to face now with the Doctor ands9 the Enterprise crew.  Kirk recognized one as the Norm whoi6 had been present at the	meeting	in the Techie capital.7      The Norm looked at	the Doctor. "You said that youre# people would abide by our customs."i
      "I	did."L:      "This man," he motioned to	Kirk, "has violated one	of our women."e8      The Doctor	seemed to take a deep breath.  Spock and4 McCoy simultaneously exclaimed "Captain!" and "Jim!"9      Kirk looked at them and, with a shock, realized that < they seemed to be accepting the	justification of the charge.8      "Bones, Spock - I just got	here!" He felt a wave of dizziness sweep	over him.t<      "Time is relative,	Captain," said the Doctor. He turned3 to the man who had stated the charge. "You are Raul < d'Colm'n, head of the clan d'Colm'n, and you are making	this charge."8      "On behalf	of my kinswoman, Namona	d'Colm'n, I am."1      "The one charged has the right of defense by  challenge."l<      "With swords and knives." d'Colm'n	looked scornfully at the Doctor.g6      "Will your	clan accept the	challenge of defense?";      "We will -	and the	best of	our warriors will face this  pervert	personally."#      "Where will the challenge be?"o;      "In the hall of the d'Colm'n. We will take	the accusedT there now."i:      "I	am leigelord to	the accused. I shall go	with him."9      "It is your right.	 But only you as liegelord may dop: so.  And you must leave	all of your alien machines behind.< We have	extra horses; we will leave now.  The challenge	will be on the morrow."6      Kirk found	himself	clinging to the	sculpture. The7 dizziness seemed to be getting worse. Was this a dream? 9      The three d'Colm'n	went back across the square. Kirkt9 heard the sound	of a tricorder behind him.  He turned and	9 saw McCoy and Spock looking at something on the	screen of 8 McCoy's	tricorder. They	both looked grim. The Doctor was6 coming out of the door carrying	a sword	and knife in a< curious	double scabbard	and a leather jacket. He started for Kirk when McCoy	stopped	him.7      Odd, the three seemed to be blurring - had	he beens; drinking? They were talking.  He heard the words but didn'te; want to	bother trying to make sense out	of them.  The stoneu$ sculpture felt cool and	comfortable.$      "How serious is the challenge?"7      "Very. Don't worry	about it, I'll take care of it.h" He'll be back to you in	two days."<      Now that was the Doctor talking - he'd take care of it!; He thought he could handle anything. Well, James Kirk couldu9 handle this, and his ship, and his crew, and his friends. 9 He'd show them - handle	this situation the way he had alle7 the others there had been and everything would be fine.t9      The blurring seemed to be getting worse and he coulde7 barely recognize McCoy's shape coming toward him with ar6 hypospray. He felt the hypospray going in, but nothing< seemed to happen. The Doctor was putting a leather jacket on9 him. He	tried to shrug it off. He wasn't cold; it was toow9 hot on this damn planet.  Spock's face suddenly	came intod< focus and he realized that the Vulcan was pulling the jacket back on	him.      "Jim?"n7      Was that Spock? He	hadn't called him Jim in a longh time. He tried to listen. 4      "Jim - you	must do	what the Doctor	says. Do you understand?"8      Kirk nodded.  He felt Spock removing his phaser and< communicator.  Of course, even Spock wanted the	Doctor to be
 in charge."      "Doctor, there is a problem.";      The Doctor	had been getting some medical supplies fromh+ McCoy and was stuffing them in his pockets.o<      "Problem, Spock?" Kirk felt the blue eyes focus on	him.8 He turned away from the	penetrating look. "If he doesn't! cooperate, we will both	be lost."t:      Spock turned back to Kirk who had now decided that	he8 wouldn't look at any of	them. The dizziness seemed to be< passing, but the feeling of estrangement continued.  He	felt8 the Vulcan's hands grasping his	head, turning it so they8 were face to face, the hands shifting into the mind-meld	 position. ;      "No, Spock!" Had he said that, or just thought it?	Thee9 Vulcan's eyes, now close to his, seemed	to soften, but hee felt Spock's mind enter	his.;    You must return to Us alive.	You must do what the Doctor	: tells you to do.    has	turned all of you away from me.	He7 is an enemy.	is not an enemy. He is our friend.     haso: fooled all of you. He has not fooled me.     Jim! You must; not think that.	Now, look back on what has happened. Reviewe8 all of it.  Is our friendship so fragile that you can no; longer trust me?     I trust you.     Then trust the Doctorf6 also. If you do	not, we	will never meet	again.	   Your word?e<      \My word.\  An alien touch - mind? - entered. \They are returning.\ -      Spock broke off the meld. "He is in yourl hands, Doctor."S      The Doctor	nodded.d<      The dizziness had gone now, and Kirk was able to get on9 the horse without help.	As they	rode off, the Doctor rodem8 next to	Kirk and they were both	surrounded by armed men.5      Raul led the group	through	rough paths and	rockyl< trails.	Kirk was spending most of his time trying to stay on5 the horse. He was thankful when	they arrived at	their  destination.9      A castle-like structure, heavily fortified, stood ona7 top of one of the smaller mountains. He	noticed	banners 6 flying from the	turrets	which matched the banners that: several	members	of the party were carrying.  A white sheep< on a yellow and	blue striped background	with a bell inside a< double ring in one corner seemed to be the emblem displayed.<      "Why a sheep?" He could not resist	asking the Doctor as9 they got off their horses in the courtyard of the castle.i:      The Doctor	glanced	at him.	 "You don't know the sheep9 on Lightunder.	It is quite an appropriate emblem for thisr clan."9      The armed men escorted them to a large chamber. Theye8 left and Raul stood facing the Doctor. Kirk's knees felt: oddly weak again and he	sat down in one	of the high-backed chairs.r;      The little	man looked up at the Doctor and	said "While 8 you are	not of our people, we will give	you the	guesting appropriate to the challenge."%      "You honor	us," said the Doctor.r6      Raul looked over at Kirk. "Is your	man not	well?"<      "It has been a long trip and he has drunk too heavily."8      Raul seemed to be weighing	the Doctor's words. Kirk; debated	protesting that	he had not been	drinking at all	buts the effort seemed too much.p1      "That is no excuse." Raul made the	statement  definitive.g      "It was not given as one."h4      Raul nodded as though the answer satisfied	him.8      "Food will	be sent. The challenge will be fought at1 cock's crow on the morrow. You will be summoned."o-      "Who will be fighting for the d'Colm'n?"e      "I	shall be."5      "As is my right, I	shall fight for	my liegeman."s:      "As you wish. I would not have thought him	worth it.";      Raul turned and left the room.  Kirk suddenly realizedn: that he	limped.	 Then the significance of the last remarks( sank in	and the	lethargy was swept away.;      "What do you mean,	you're fighting	for me?	I can fightc for myself!"9      "Captain,"	the Doctor came	over and forced	Kirk backa9 into the chair.	 He leaned over	one arm. "How skilled areo& you at fighting	with sword and knife?"      "I've used	those weapons."s9      "Against the most skilled man on a	planet which usesl those weapons?"k      "Him?"h:      "Captain -	you must not judge by appearances. For all6 his size and his injured leg, he is the	best that this5 planet has produced.  You could	not win	against	him."r:      The dizziness seemed to be	returning.  Kirk shook his% head, trying to	clear it.  "Can	you?" :      "Yes - most likely. It is our only	chance.	How do you feel?":      The words seemed to come out of a distance. Spock had said `trust him'.n'      "Weak and dizzy. What's going on?"t:      The Doctor	began rummaging	in the pockets of his coat< and pulled out one of McCoy's hyposprays. Kirk heard it	hiss against	his arm.;      "That should help.	I'll wake you when the food comes."l9      Kirk awoke	to find	himself	supported by the Doctor'sp5 arm.  He was lying in one of the beds.	The Doctor wasp9 spooning some kind of broth into his mouth. He started top pull away but then relaxed.T;      "Well, I'm	glad to	see that Spock got through to you." ; The broth seemed to be finished	and the	Doctor offered Kirk.< a chunk	of some	type of	whole grain bread and propped him up9 in the bed.  "Eat as much of it	as you can.  You need theh: energy." The Doctor sat	back in	a chair	and took out a bag of jellybabies. /      "Doctor - what the	hell is	wrong with me?" 5      "You didn't see Lt. Stephans before you left thea TARDIS,	did you?"S      "No. I..."	;      "You didn't really	think that it was necessary.  Well,i; because	you didn't see her, you	didn't receive the immunitym; injection you humans require for the current virus mutationo: that's floating	around.	So now you've caught the disease."6      "Then the shots I've been getting are part	of the cure.":      "The shots	aid in relieving the symptoms, but we have4 not yet	found the cure.	 The mortality rate is 97%".9      Kirk suddenly lost	his appetite.  The Doctor reached 1 out and	took the remaining bread out of	his hand.a8      "You know,	Captain, there are times when it pays to" listen to someone you don't like."      "Doctor, I	. . ."<      "Don't try	to excuse it, Captain. I can understand	what9 happened, and I	should have recognized it earlier. You'reg; about to wind up your mission in a blaze of glory, when	youv5 get sidetracked	into this." The	Doctor made a vaguelys circular motion	with his hand.7      "I	certainly wasn't prepared for anyone like you."l8      The Doctor	chuckled. "But surely, Captain,	you must; realize	that one of the	things I did, inadvertently, was toc9 trigger	some of	the fears you have about what will happenb# when you do complete your mission."       "Changes." 1      "Yes - changes." the Doctor said cheerfully,T8 "separation and	loneliness. And	you are	so bound to your; ship that the separation.  . ."	He became oddly	pensive. "In6 think that you had better tell me what happened	in the square that got	us into	this.":      Kirk related the events as	he recalled them, noticing7 that the dizziness and the fog seemed to be approachingn5 again.	As he finished his story he felt the hyposprayt against	his arm.<      The hissing sound of another hypospray awoke him in the morning.<      "Doctor McCoy will	not be thrilled	with what I'm doing,; but you've got to stay on your feet during the next severali: hours. Here, drink this." The Doctor held out a	small vial9 of liquid.  Without hesitating,	Kirk drank it.	The effectn9 was immediate; a feeling of normalcy returned.	He got out 7 of the bed and saw that	the Doctor was strapping on thei: double scabbard. He was	wearing	only the spotless, flowing< white shirt, tweed pants, and boots. The rest of his clothes0 were laid in a neat pile. "Can you carry those?"      "Yes."d6      The Doctor	pulled the sword from the scabbard and5 looked at it. It was a curious shape. One edge curvedo6 slightly while the other was straight.	Both edges were: honed to a fine	sharpness. The strange blend of	direct and& curved line met	in an elongated	point./      "That's an	unusual	sword."	Kirk commented.l9      "It's designed for	great efficiency.  Because of theh; curved edge, you gain an impetus to your blow if you decideH; to swing at your enemy - but the point still allows for	thee; thrust." His voice seemed quite	academic. "Do you see theser7 grooves?" He indicated two channels in each side of thes: weapon.	"If you	should sink your weapon	into your enemy	to; that depth and then quickly remove it, a suction is createdf8 - which	causes an even greater loss of blood than in the flat sided weapon."t8      With a sudden intuition, Kirk said, "You don't like weapons, do you?"d2      "Aren't all men supposed to enjoy the fight?"7      "You don't	even travel armed - you	were completelyc- defenseless when you came out of the TARDIS." ;      "It has been my experience	that if	you go about armed,i< more people are	apt to attack you than otherwise. You humans: seem to	feel an	absolute compulsion to have some weapon	or another	on you."<      "I	think that for us it is	a form of security - that we7 expect more attacks than welcomes. To leave all	weaponso2 behind - consistently -	would be a step	beyond our understanding ourselves."y2      "I	didn't think that you were a philosopher."<      "Not a philosopher, but as	a Starship Captain I have to: have some understanding	of any crew - and most of them are# human, like me." Kirk smiled wryly.o7      The Doctor	looked at Kirk with puzzlement and Kirkf: wondered what he had said that had surprised the Doctor	in
 some fashion.w!      A knock sounded at	the door.e$      "Our escorts." said the Doctor.8      They were led down	into a large circular hall.  The9 seating	around the sides, sloped so that all could have	aa5 good view, and the entrances from the front and	back,t< reminded Kirk unpleasantly of the ancient Roman	gladiatorial	 contests.d6      The Doctor	and Kirk stepped unto the floor, their: escorts	falling	back.  The Doctor motioned to Kirk. "Stand5 back away from the combat area and do not interfere -a: whatever happens. If I am killed, they will be required	to let you	go.".      "Then you are not certain about winning."4      "Of course	I an," said the	Doctor huffily.	"The9 probability that I can defeat Raul is at least - 90%." Hew; seemed to think	for a minute and then said with	what seemedc: to Kirk	to be an incorrigible honesty, "Well, 70% anyway."9 He started out for the center of the room and then turnedd6 back to	Kirk, smiling. "At least it's 100% better than yours!"e6      As	Kirk watched the Doctor	turn and walk into the8 center,	he realized that he was	nearly laughing. All his9 fears and distrust of the Doctor seemed	to have	vanished.n9 The Doctor was what he was and that was	worthy of all theo: trust that Spock and McCoy had placed in him, and that now6 Kirk would place in him	too. If	he had been the	better7 swordsman, the Doctor would have made him fight	his owno2 battle.	As it was, the Doctor would fight for him.8      Raul emerged form the other door. He was dressed in< full swordsman's outfit	- leather, silver, the sword and the; knife. The two men accompanying	him stepped to one side	ando3 Raul, his green	hair blazing, walked to	the center.r4      A gong sounded and	both men drew their weapons.6      The fight began slowly, both men circling,	taking6 cautious feints	at each	other, looking for weaknesses.9      When the action finally began, Kirk had a few uneasya9 moments	as the Doctor seemed to	be outclassed as he faced.: the skill of a man trained to live and die with	the bladed9 weapons. Then he noticed that the Doctor was consistentlye: moving more rapidly than Raul, forcing Raul to turn on his; injured	leg. And while Raul was	making frequent	thrusts	andh; passes at the Doctor, the Doctor rarely	had to block them -m; he seemed to be	moving one step	ahead of his opponent. The,c: unexpectedly, the Doctor went on the offense, driving Raul7 around the floor. Within seconds, the Doctor gained the ; advantage.  Kirk saw Raul fall,	disarmed, with the Doctor'sr sword at his throat.8      "Your life	is forfeit to me and mine, Raul, and the0 innocence of my	man is proved by your own laws."&      "Then kill	me quickly, in honor.":      "In honor,	I shall	not do that. I would establish the; truth of the matter - for all we have proved here is that Ie8 am a better swordsman than you.	I will give you	leave to9 probe the mind of my leigeman for the truth - if you willi: agree to verify	it by putting your cousin Namona under the truthspell."/      "This is not in accordance	with our ways." 6      "Is death then more important to you than truth?"8      The Doctor's sword	remained steadily at his exposed throat.r%      "I	will grant you what you	ask."s&      A murmur rose up around the hall.:      Raul glared at the	Doctor.	The Doctor moved his sword to one side and	Raul stood.	7      "Quiet. It	will be	as I have said.	Call forth your 1 man."  Raul turned. "Summon Namona and El Donna."	9      "Jim," the	Doctor motioned	Kirk to	the center of then9 floor.	He unbuckled the scabbard and let the weapons fall " to the floor.  Kirk moved quickly.<      As	he handed the Doctor his coats,	he whispered "What's going to happen?"o8      "We'll let	them find out what really happened." The7 Doctor shrugged	into his longer	outer coat, wrapped hisr9 scarf around his throat, and settled his hat on	his head.Y4 "Raul will mind-probe you.  Just concentrate on	what0 happened. He isn't interested in anything else.":      Namona, dressed all in white, eyes	cast down, entered: from the other side. With her was another woman, slighter,: darker,	with a dilithium crystal worn in the hollow of her neck.e<      The two women joined the men in the center	of the hall.3      "El Donna," said Raul, "Place Namona under	ther truthspell."<      "As you wish, Paul." The words were submissive but	Kirk: felt that had she so wished a refusal could as easily have9 been granted. She turned to Namona.  "Child, look at me."e< Namona's eyes raised and as they met the other's the crystal; at El Donna's throat pulsed with energy. Namona	stood, eyes	; fixed on space.	El Donna turned	back to	Raul. "It is done."a9      Paul faced	Kirk. Kirk looked down into the	dark eyeso: and was	suddenly thankful that the Doctor had been the one fighting this man.<      The mind contact was sudden and sharp, quite unlike the7 feeling	Kirk had ever had with Spock.  This was	a knifea8 burning	in his mind.  For a moment Kirk	tried to resist.; Then, remembering what the Doctor had said, he concentrated	' instead	on the happening in the	square. 6      The contact broke off. Kirk felt weakened and was: thankful that the Doctor had moved over	and taken his arm.:      Paul turned to the	wide-eyed girl.	"So, then, is this how it was?"<      Kirk felt that he could almost see	the exchange between the two	minds."      "Yes, it is as he remembers."9      Raul's hand flew forward and Namona reeled	under the  blow.a8      Kirk started toward Paul, but the Doctor restrained him.6      "Fool!" Raul turned to El Donna. "See that	she is5 returned to the	nursery	for another year until she is  prepared to live with adults."<      "As you wish." El Donna motioned and two women came and removed	the now	sobbing	girl.a9      Paul faced	the Doctor and ceremoniously bowed.  "Allo2 honor to you and your liegeman.	My home	is yours.";      "Honor to you for being willing to	make a change."	The 9 Doctor replied,	bowing in return.  He stood for	a moment,i9 looking	at Raul	questioningly.	"If you	can accept change,h7 then I would talk to you for a moment before we	leave.";8      "Very well." Raul called toward the door. "Pad!"  A9 young man stepped forward from the group on the	far side.r; "See that horses and an	escort are provided for	our guests.e3 El Donna, while	the liegelord and I speak, will	youi: accompany the liegeman to the horses?" El Donna	nodded her8 head in	agreement.  Paul turned	back to	the Doctor.  "No< doubt your liegeman will wish to check that everything is in order."h<      "No doubt," replied the Doctor wryly, glancing at Kirk.:      The Doctor	and Raul walked	off together. Kirk noticed: that while his legs still seemed to be stable, the fog had returned, edging his thoughts.;      "Captain?"	It was El Donna. "Will you please come withs. me? We can await Raul and the Doctor outside."8      She turned	and led	the way	through	the building. As8 they reached the entrance, Kirk	was thankful to	see that6 there were some	stone benches in front.	The horses and escort were net	yet there.2      "May we sit while we're waiting?" Kirk asked.<      El	Donna nodded.  He was thankful that she	did not	seem9 disposed to chatter, yet he wanted to ask some questions.t#      "You have questions, Captain?" <      "Yes. If it would not be offensive. I do not understand all of your ways.";      "I	think that you understand very few of our ways,	bute you may	ask your questions.":      With an effort, Kirk tried	to concentrate on the main7 point.	The fog	seemed to clear	for a minute; he noticedo: that the crystal at El Donna's neck was	glowing.  "Why did1 Raul hit Namona?" God, he though, that was blunt.n6      "A	blunt question is preferable if	it enables the; appropriate answer. Raul hit Namona for	two reasons. First,c< it is customary	among our women	- especially those with	high: powers -not to look at any man other than one's	own family; until after marriage.  You seem	shocked, Captain, but I	can < tell you that her bold glances of themselves would have	been7 sufficient to require punishment.  As it was, her worstd: crime was in claiming forced violation after she read your" response to her	given invitation."9      "You're saying she	read my	mind? What I was thinkingu3 about her?" Kirk felt a	sudden sinking feeling-	his	9 thoughts? - a mental rape - and	they said she was guilty?       "But I did. . ."d<      "Captain."	The lithe figure turned	to him and dark	eyes: gazed sympathetically but with some hint of amusement into. his. "Have you ever physically raped a woman?"<      "No." *Never had to,* he thought and felt himself flush9 as he saw by the answering gleam in her	eyes that she hadd caught that additional thought.e9      "Our custom of not	looking	at strange men is for our 6 own protection.	There are some whose thoughts would be; without	doubt -	rape. Your thoughts, on	the other hand - oht6 yes, Raul read them, so	have we	all - were flattering,; stimulating, and exciting, for any woman who was the directb9 object of them.	 You are embarrassed. There is no need too8 be.  We	all have our passions and desires, and yours for3 Namona was not in any way perverted or debased.	Here9 reaction, on the other hand, showed that she does not yete: deserve	to be called woman, but	is still a child, and will: now be treated so. What	she did	could have caused at least; one needless death, had	it not been for	your liegelord.	Can  you understand this?"d;      It	was strange but	- "Yes.	 Although I must say that I	7 will be	thankful to leave this planet. I don't like them* feeling	that my	mind is	open to	everyone."6      "Not to everyone.	That would be dishonorable, and; exhausting for the true	telepath. I have just been scanninge5 your surface thoughts because it seemed	that it	wouldc facilitate our conversation."d9      There was a clatter of hooves, and	Kirk saw that ther< horses were being brought round. He wondered if	he was going; to be able to make it back. He felt the	fog disappear and ai; soft strength enter his	body. He turned	to the woman besidei9 him. Her eyes were closed and the jewel	at her throat wasc< pulsing. The dark eyes opened and looked into his. "You	will: make it	back - and to your home." A gentle smile seemed	to< caress him. "I must go now. Raul and the Doctor	are coming.";      Kirk eyed the horses without enthusiasm.  While he	wasR: feeling	better,	he was not a horseman.	Somehow	the thought; of subjecting his still	sore muscles to	another	trip on	theg; beast was not appealing. Beside	him he heard El	Donna sigh.t: "This much too,	then, Captain."	He looked back down at her! to see the crystal pulsing again.       "What?";      "It is a small thing, Captain.  A gift from me to you.t: That you may have some not-so- unpleasant memories of this9 planet." The Doctor and	Raul were coming out of	the door.  She turned and left.8      "Coming, Captain?"	said the Doctor	as he moved past Kirk and mounted.t3      Kirk followed, getting on the horse behind	the : Doctor's. As he	mounted, he realized that somehow his body< seemed to know how to ride and handle the animal. Things fit; - the double reins, the	saddle and stirrups - he was a partr7 of the animal. Kirk looked over	to the doorway where El.9 Donna was standing. An enigmatic smile was on her lips as  the group rode away.7      Riding through the	hills he thought about her. Thel7 Doctor had pulled slightly ahead and was talking to thet; leader of their	escorts, the young man Paul had	called Pad.s:      Why was the armed escort needed, Kirk wondered. There5 had been no trouble on the way up and the countryside 9 certainly seemed peaceful. Now,	at mid-morning,	there waso; not even the need for the leather jacket he had	worn on	thea ride up.6      A brilliant flash of light	and shouting broke his8 thoughts.  Phasers? The	leading	members	of the party and7 their mounts had gone down.  The Doctor	was reining hist8 horse sharply around. Without hesitation, Kirk followed.1      "Pad," the	Doctor called, "Get out	of here!"d;      "We do not	retreat!" Kirk saw that	the remaining partyu3 were pulling out their swords, preparing to attack. :      Swords against phasers?  Kirk kicked his horse into a< gallop and headed down the trail after the Doctor. The light: flared again and the Doctor looked back. He shook his head0 and led	the way	off the	trail into a rocky pass.<      "Let the horses go. They'll be good decoys." The Doctor< dismounted and gave his	horse a	slap on	the rump, sending it6 on its way.  Kirk quickly followed suit.  As his horse8 galloped away, he followed the Doctor up the side of the7 mountain and joined him, crouching behind a large rock.s      "What was that all	about?"o&      "Daleks," said the	Doctor grimly.      "Who are Daleks?"9      "The ones who invaded this	planet before. Apparentlya9 they left a small group	behind to keep the pressure on asi8 the bombs came down." The Doctor cautiously stood up and9 looked of the top of the rock. Kirk stayed down, watchingt him.6      "You are the Doctor." A metallic artificial voice9 echoed from the	rocks.	The Doctor stood completely still,. motioning Kirk to stay down.      "Exterminate the Doctor!"(      "No. I wish to question him first."<      At	least two of them out there, Kirk thought.  Probably: more. There was	an utterly vicious tone	in the voices. The: Doctor was moving around to the	front of the rock. No time9 for plans or signals. Did the Doctor expect him	to followt and attempt a rescue or	leave?:      "Put that down," said the metallic	voices and a brief) flair of light flickered among the rocks.a4      "It's only	a toy,"	said the Doctor	plaintively.8      "You will come with us. You will keep your	hands in sight.	Now."&      "Well, there's no need to shove."9      Kirk heard	noises as the group moved away.	He peeredw: cautiously around one corner of	the rock. He could see the9 Doctor and four	strange	dome shaped metal creatures abouta: five feet high moving down the path.  He waited	until they) went around a bend and started to follow. ;      As	he came	out, he	saw a mark on one of the rocks and,t; looking	down, saw a yo-yo on the ground. He picked it up. An9 child's	toy, but the Doctor had	risked something to leaveI7 it.  If	the Doctor had done that, then there might be a" purpose	for it.c;      He	continued to trail the Doctor and his captors.	Somer; type of	a robot	- but with an independent mind,	he thought.t3 Certainly an eminently practical design, not at	alli5 anthropomorphic.  The weaponry they used seemed	to bet9 built-in as one	of the projections from	the center of thel< bulletlike body. The other projection was probably a `hand',8 although it bore no resemblance	to anything humanoid.  A7 third projection near the rounded top rotated as if theD< creature used it as an eye.  He	could not tell how they	were< moving.	The base of the	body was so close to the ground	that8 nothing	could be seen.	No wheels in this terrain - maybe< some type of an	air suspension system? However they had	come9 about, their creation was inspired and,	with the attitudeg  they seemed to have, diabolical.:      The group came to a circular stone	structure. A brief