Gemini by Mike W. Barr

feedback.”
    â€œI’m sure,” said Kirk. “Uhura, transfer data to the weapons console. Sulu, lock photon torpedoes on that frequency and fire.”
    â€œTorpedoes away, sir,” said Sulu, a moment later. Kirk imagined rather than felt the slight backwash as the torpedoes were ejected; a moment later, he saw them surge onto the field of the viewscreen, and vanish into space, like a coin dropped into a bottomless pond.
    For endless seconds he held his breath. Then, at the lower periphery of the screen, came a burst of energy, followed by a stream of debris. “There! Lock phasers and fire!”
    â€œThe ship appears to be gone, Captain,” said Spock, peering into his scanner.
    â€œDid we hit her again?”
    â€œOur attack appears to have injured them, but not mortally. Pursuit would be fruitless.”
    â€œIsn’t there any kind of trail we can—?”
    â€œNone, sir. A study of the debris may yield facts.”
    Kirk edged back in his chair and drew a breath for what seemed like the first time in hours. “Get a tractor beam on that debris, bring it in here for analysis. Secure from red alert. Damage report.”
    â€œHow did you know, Captain?” asked Chekov.
    â€œI assumed this was an attack on the princes,” said Kirk. “But whoever was behind it—”
    Uhura interrupted. “All sections reported, Captain. Some damage, nothing major.”
    â€œAny report from sickbay?”
    â€œNone, sir.”
    * * *
    â€œDoctor,” said Nurse Christine Chapel, “it’s a woman, asking about the princes.”
    â€œPataal?” Dr. McCoy shook his head irritably, but did not look up from the wreckage of two human beings that lay before him.
    â€œNo, it’s—” Chapel looked up, then back at McCoy. “I think you should see for yourself, Doctor.”
    â€œChapel, I don’t have time for—” Whatever McCoy was about to say was lost, forgotten as he stared into the barrel of a Nadorian energy weapon.
    â€œDoctor,” said Securitrix Llora, her voice very low and very clear, “you will cease whatever manipulations you have begun upon Their Serene Highnesses and return them to the Royal Palace immediately.”
    â€œDoctor … ?”
    â€œI’ll handle this, Chapel. Keep prepping the patient—patients.”
    â€œAre you deaf?” asked Llora. “You will release them, now.” The finger on the weapon’s activator switch tightened perceptibly.
    â€œYou’re aiming at the wrong person,” said McCoy.
    Her dark eyes widened. Of all the answers she had foreseen … “What?”
    â€œYou might as well eliminate the middleman and shoot them. If you delay me any longer, both of them will die.”
    â€œYour transportation system is instantaneous—”
    â€œPerhaps, but they’ll never survive it. They’re dying even now. Look.” He pointed to the medical scanner over the bed. Llora’s eyes followed it, but the barrel of the energy weapon remained steady on McCoy.
    â€œWhat of it?”
    â€œDo you see those indicator lights sinking? Hear the pulse slowing? Do your duties to your princes include watching them die, when you could have prevented it?”
    â€œNo, of course—”
    â€œThen pull that trigger,” said McCoy, his blue eyes now very cold, “or get the hell out of my sickbay.”
    Slowly the energy weapon sank, like a rock through a pool of quicksand. Llora withdrew, almost as slowly. “Save them, Doctor.” The words were a command, but they were voiced as a plea.
    â€œGet out of here! If you want to help, contact your palace and get me their medical records! Now!”
    The operating room door hummed shut behind her. “Well, Nurse,” said McCoy, “prepare for surgery.”
    * * *
    â€œNotify me at once if McCoy calls,” said Kirk, pulling himself back from thoughts of crumpled