Free Crisis of Consciousness by Dave Galanter Page B

of ancient technology at these sites or has been inspired by what was unearthed.”
    Of course , Kirk thought. Finding a planet with a past civilization as advanced as—or more advanced than—one’s own would spur a technological revolution. World after world had such growth once they discovered warp drive and met other races. In fact, such an exchange was one of the reasons the Federation sought a treaty with the Maabas. To learn and grow through cultural and scientific exchange was a primary reason for the Enterprise ’s mission to seek out heretofore unknown civilizations.
    “The Kenisians were pushed from this planet,” the captain said. “And they left something behind. Something important.”
    Spock agreed. “Presumably.”
    “We’ve got to find it,” Kirk said, a new tension knotting his shoulders. “Before they start a war to get it back.” And if they did, the captain wasn’t sure the Kenisians would lose.
    Likely considering the same concerns, Spock pursed his lips grimly. “Zhatan, as a battle commander, would likely have a confounding strategy.”
    Kirk pulled in a long breath and let it slowly out. “It’s hard enough to predict one opponent. How would we do against a chorus of them?”
    “WHY DO WE WAIT, Zhatan?” As always, the most restless among them was Tibis.
    She looked down at her screen and watched the Kenis system from afar.
    “So long we have waited. Why do we wait?” another asked.
    “Why do we wait?”
    “Why do we wait, Zhatan?”
    “ Why?”
    Tibis was the instigator, the mind that unsettled the others and agitated them to discussion.
    Why was Zhatan here, looking doubtful in front of her crew? She need not even be on the bridge. She could be alone.
    Except alone for her was not as other individuals might regard the concept.
    “We must not wait.”
    “Why do we wait?”
    “Why?”
    “ Because something in Kirk’s mind tells us to avoid conflict with him, if we can bear more delay ,” she told them.
    “We cannot bear it.”
    “No, we cannot.”
    “We cannot.”
    “We cannot.”
    “We cannot.”
    The Federation ship sat in orbit of Kenis Prime. It mocked them from afar. And it angered many.
    “We cannot abide, Zhatan.”
    “We cannot.”
    “We saw all, and Kirk’s mind is a weak cognizance,” Tibis charged.
    But Zhatan remembered all too clearly his will and how difficult it was to attempt to corrupt it. “ We are not all in agreement .”
    “Who are you to disagree with us, child? Have we not always guided you to safety? Listen to us.” When Tibis couldn’t get her way through argument, she patronized. And others followed suit.
    “Listen to us.”
    “Listen, child.”
    “Listen.”
    “Listen to us.”
    Zhatan closed her eyes, shutting out the image of the Enterprise around their planet. A planet they never walked on with her feet, but she had seen it again and again in her memories.
    “ Kirk is formidable ,” the commander insisted.
    “ Enterprise can be overcome.”
    “With cunning and experience,” Tibis reminded them.
    “We have experience. We are history. Listen to us.”
    “Listen to us.”
    “Listen.”
    “Listen to us.”
    “ He will defend the Maabas,” Zhatan warned. “He is virtuous and will honor his commitments .”
    “The Maabas are insignificant.”
    “Kirk is insignificant.”
    “He will fail. ”
    “He will fail.”
    “We will succeed.”
    “Have trust.”
    “Have faith.”
    “Have courage and trust. ”
    “We will succeed.”
    “Our time is now. We will succeed.”
    “Maabas are insignificant.”
    “Humans are insignificant.”
    Zhatan rubbed her neck, massaging out an ache. “Kirk’s first is of Vul-kuhn. We have not seen his mind, but know its strength . ” She touched her jaw, where Spock had struck her. Her neck still hurt from the blow.
    “Spock is weak,” Tibis assured them.
    “His mind is weak.”
    “His cognizance is insignificant.”
    “He does not shautish-keem .”
    “ His is not sha’esues