Free Star Trek 04 by James Blish Page B

preventing him from rising. "Jim, you can't even stand up. You could start the internal bleeding again."
    "Bones, Sarek will die without that operation." McCoy nodded. "And you can't operate without the transfusions from Spock." Again a nod. "I'll convince Spock I'm all right, and order him to report here. Once he's off the bridge, I'll turn command over to Scotty and go to my quarters. Will that fill your prescription?"
    "Well, no—but it sounds like the best compromise. Let me give you a hand up."
    "Gladly."
    McCoy supported him all the way to the bridge, but released him just before the elevator doors snapped open. Spock turned, looking surprised and pleased, but masking it immediately.
    "Captain."
    Kirk stepped very carefully down to his command chair. He tried to appear as though he were casually surveying the bridge, though in fact he was keeping precarious hold of his balance as spasms of dizziness swept him. McCoy remained glued to his side, but ostentatiously offered him not so much as a hand.
    Spock came down into the well of the bridge as Kirk reached his chair and eased himself into it. Kirk smiled and nodded approval.
    "I'll take over, Spock. Report to Sickbay with Dr. McCoy."
    Spock was studying him closely. Kirk was fighting off the dizziness, at least enough—he hoped—to keep it from showing, but he knew also that he was very pale, about which he could do nothing.
    "Captain, are you quite all right?"
    "I've certified him physically fit, Mr. Spock," McCoy said testily. "Now, I have an operation to perform. And since both of us are required . . ."
    He gestured toward the elevator. Spock hesitated briefly, still studying Kirk, who said kindly, "Get out of here, Spock."
    Spock nodded, and left with McCoy with something very like alacrity.
    "Mr. Chekov," Kirk said, "what is the status of the intruder ship?"
    "No change, sir. Maintaining its distance."
    "Any further transmissions, Lt. Uhura?"
    "None, sir."
    Kirk nodded, relaxed a little—and found that he had to pull himself together sharply as the dizziness returned. "Call Mr. Scott to the bridge . . ."
    "Captain," Chekov interrupted. "The alien vessel is moving closer!"
    "Belay that last order, Lt. Uhura. I'm staying here." But the dizziness kept coming back. He raised a hand to wipe his brow and found that it was shaking.
    "Captain," Uhura said. "I'm picking up the alien signal again. But it's coming from inside the Enterprise —from the brig."
    "Call Security and order an immediate search of the prisoner. Tell them this time to look for implants."
    Hours of weakness seemed to pass before the command communicator buzzed. Lt. Josephs' voice said, "Security, Captain. I had to stun the prisoner. He has some sort of transceiver imbedded in one of his antennae, sir; it broke off in my hand. I didn't know they were that delicate."
    "They aren't. Thanks, Lieutenant. Neutralize it and send it to Mr. Scott for analysis. Kirk out."
    "Captain," Chekov said. "The alien ship has changed course and speed. Moving directly toward us at Warp Eight."
    "Lt. Uhura, tell Lt. Josephs to bring the prisoner to the bridge. Mr. Chekov, deflectors on. Red alert. Phasers stand by for fire on my signal."
    "Aye, sir." The alarm began to sound. "Shields on. Phasers manned and ready."
    "Take over Spock's scanners. Ensign, take the helm."
    A blip appeared in the viewscreen and flashed by. It loomed large for an instant, but it was only a blur at this speed. Suddenly the bridge was slammed and rocked. The Enterprise had been hit.
    "Damage, Mr. Chekov!"
    "None, sir; deflected. Target moving away. Turning now. He's coming around again."
    "Fire phasers as he passes, Ensign. Steady . . . Fire!"
    Chekov studied the scanner. "Clean miss, sir."
    At the same moment, there was another jolt. "Report on their weaponry."
    "Sensors report standard phasers, sir."
    Standard phasers. Good. The enemy had more speed, but they weren't giants.
    Another wave of weakness passed through him. The Enterprise seemed