Star Trek The Original Series From History's Shadow by Dayton Ward Page B

in order to proceed; merely my obedience.”
    “That does not answer my question,” Gejalik pressed.
    Adlar pushed himself from the vanity, stepping back into the main part of the room. “Are you doubting my loyalty?”
    “No,” Gejalik replied. “Merely your resolve.” Before Adlar could respond, she held up her hand. “It’s not an unreasonable concern, given everything we have experienced during our time here. After all, our experiences have shown us that this planet and its people have much to offer. Perhaps, if history had unfolded in different fashion, our two worlds might be allies.”
    “And that is precisely what has consumed my thoughts,” Adlar said. “The question was always there, but the longer we remain here, the more I deliberate it. Perhaps the wise course of action is to do nothing, and allow history to unfold without our interference?” When Gejalik said nothing, he paused,scowling as though he was studying her expression. “Surely you must have considered this?”
    “Of course, I have,” Gejalik snapped, turning from him and returning her attention to the slight opening between the curtains. “But our situation has not changed. Our orders are clear: Proceed as previously directed.”
    Releasing an audible grunt of irritation, Adlar once more sat on the bed, pounding his fist into the mattress.
    “I would never willfully disobey an order I thought to be just, but I find it impossible to dismiss the idea that our previous orders might no longer be valid. We could be working to stop a threat that no longer exists, or never existed, or never will exist.” He stopped, and Gejalik watched his expression soften. “I think I should have paid greater attention during those temporal theory classes they forced upon us as part of our training.”
    His unexpected change in tone made her laugh, something she could not remember doing for some time.
    “I have contemplated similar questions,” she said after a moment, “and I agree that the issue might well be far more complicated than either you or I can even imagine. However, until we know the answers, you and I both know we have one course of action.”
    Nodding, Adlar reached up to rub the small indentation between his eyes and above his nasal passages.
    “I find myself hoping that the humans will simply find a way to do our work for us.”
    “That is not an outlandish possibility,” Gejalik replied, “particularly when considering current events.”
    The conflict being waged in Korea was the first real test of the political strain between the United States and the Soviet Union, with the former’s government having alreadycommitted to the use of atomic weapons if the president felt such measures were warranted. Despite the looming specter of unleashing such devastating weaponry, a growing segment of the population seemed to have grown tired of war. It was a sentiment Gejalik could appreciate, even though she knew that Earth would endure its share of armed conflict for many years to come. Weapons would continue to be developed and built, armies would train, and governments would posture, each looking for some advantage or leverage to use over the others.
    It was here, she knew, that their greatest opportunity to further their own goals was to be found.
    Releasing another tired sigh, Adlar reclined on the bed. His hands clasped atop his chest, he stared up at the room’s low ceiling. When he said nothing for several moments, Gejalik moved from the window to stand next to him.
    “Are you unwell?” she asked.
    Adlar’s gaze did not move from the ceiling. “I am thinking of Etlun.”
    “I understand,” Gejalik said, also feeling the loss of their friend and comrade. Though a lifetime of service had taught her the harsh realities of death and sacrifice, she could not help feeling as though the world around her and Adlar had just become larger and more foreboding. Anxiety, itself an uncommon sensation, gripped her. “Do you wish to be left