Gemini by Mike W. Barr Page B

creased like a wilted flower. Next to her, Barrows did her best to comfort her.
    But one of them was missing.
    Kirk nodded to Spock; the Vulcan activated his tricorder and began methodically crossing the room, watching its screen unblinkingly.
    The lounge doors opened and Chief Giotto entered, with Securitrix Llora in tow. Actually, the woman walked slightly in front of Giotto, with the security head following warily, with the respect one expert in a field gives to another, even an adversary. Kirk didn’t know if she was armed or not—wherever she had kept that energy weapon of hers, it was certainly well hidden.
    â€œWe found her wandering the halls, sir,” said Giotto, not taking his eyes from her.
    â€œI was not ‘wandering,’I was attempting to return here. Thank you for escorting me,” she said, sarcastically.
    Regent Lonal suddenly sprang to his feet. “Where are our monarchs? Why have we not been allowed to see them, nor return them to Nador? Captain, I shall complain to the highest office in the Federation!”
    â€œRegent Lonal, please,” said Commissioner Roget with a sigh. He was holding his wife’s pale hands in both of his, and it seemed that even the seemingly bottomless well of his diplomat’s patience had almost been emptied. “I assure you, the princes are in the best of hands—isn’t that true, Captain?”
    â€œTheir Serene Highnesses are being operated on even as we speak,” said Kirk, gently, “for injuries sustained in the attack.”
    â€œNo!” shrieked Pataal. She seemed exhausted, yet she rose from her seat as if lifted by an outside force. “I must go to them!” She started to head for the door.
    â€œNo one can leave just yet,” said Kirk, intercepting her, gripping her shoulders. “There’s nothing you can do.”
    â€œTheir Highnesses are not being allowed visitors,” said Llora, in an unidentifiable tone. “The doctor is trying to save their lives.”
    Pataal sobbed anew; Kirk felt her slump in his arms and had to help her back to her chair.
    Spock was scanning the crowd now. He lowered his tricorder and looked at Pataal. “Dr. McCoy is an excellent physician,” he said. “Your monarchs could scarcely be in better hands.” He looked at Kirk, and raised one eyebrow, the equivalent of a shrug. Despite the situation, or perhaps because of it, Kirk almost laughed.
    â€œBut what purpose is served by our detainment?” asked Regent Lonal. He seemed to have realized that with the princes down, he called the shots for the palace. His manner was more confident, less subservient, than Kirk had ever seen it.
    â€œIt was no coincidence that the attack upon the Enterprise came during your princes’ visit,” said Kirk, “nor that the only part of my ship to sustain significant damage was the section your princes occupied.” He looked to his science officer. “Spock?”
    â€œResults, Captain, but not as conclusive as we would like.”
    â€œWhat is he doing?” asked Counselor Hanor, her voice sounding much like the wail of a phaser going through steel.
    â€œComing to conclusions, Counselor,” Kirk said. “Please remain where you are. Well, Spock?”
    Spock stood next to Kirk, turned to address both his captain and the audience. “The missile which felled Princes Abon and Delor followed a specific coded frequency, sent by a minute transmitter,” said Spock, lifting his tricorder to midchest height. “I have been attempting to ascertain the source of that transmission.”
    â€œAnd?” asked Kirk, impatiently. The Nadorians were all watching Spock. Was one of them unduly concerned, shifting his stance to make a break? Kirk wondered. But to turn to watch them, to have given any sign that they were being monitored, would have betrayed his intent. “Have you found the source, Spock?”
    â€œI have,