Uhura's Song by Janet Kagan Page B

again."
     
     
Kirk took a deep breath and said, "I must, Stiff Tail- Eeiauoans and humans are dying."
     
     
He saw her hand come up, tried to duck the blow... Through a terrible clangor of bells, he heard Uhura exclaim, "Captain!"- and then there was nothing.
     
     
Jim Kirk came to with an ache in his head the like of which he hadn't felt since an exuberant shore leave with Scott and McCoy. He struggled to sit up and clear his vision but something small and strong pushed him down again. "Lie still, Captain, and give me a chance to do my job," Evan Wilson said. As her face came into focus, she smiled and added, "Or I'll let Catchclaw do it for me." Shegave a brief nod to one side.
     
     
From the corner of his eye, Kirk could see Jinx standing a short distance away. Beside her was a second, taller Sivaoan, brown shading to cream and, at first glance, identical in every way to Settlesand to-Vensre. Then he realized this Sivaoan was a nursing mother: she had breasts.
     
     
Catchclaw flicked her tail impatiently, and Wilson said, "I practically had to fight her off. She's the local doctor." Wilson peered into his eyes, rotated his head and peered into his ears, and said, "The medical sensors say you're fine, Captain. I prefer to make my own assessment as well...How many fingers do you see?"
     
     
"Two," he grunted.
     
     
"Terrific," she said, "no concussion- you're a lucky man. How do you feel?"
     
     
"Like the fourth day of a three-day pass."
     
     
She chuckled. "You'll get over it. I want you to lie there and take it easy for a while."
     
     
That seemed a good idea to Kirk. He looked around, trying not to move his aching head. He was inside one of the tents and he had not been unconscious for long. sunlight streamed through brightly colored designs as if they were stained glass. Wilson knelt beside him. Catchclaw glared at her and she glared back.
     
     
"In case you're interested, Stiff Tail pulled her slap. She's very apologetic- this is her tent- and assures Uhura it won't happen again."
     
     
"I'm very glad to hear that," said Kirk wryly. His head still throbbed.
     
     
Wilson grinned at him. "I thought you'd be. The bad news is that she means that we're not to speak of the Eeiauoans." He started and she said hastily, "Don't worry, the translator's off...If we do, we get thrown out of the camp."
     
     
Kirk groaned; she gave him a piercing look and said, "Is that a physical complaint or a psychological one?"
     
     
"Ninety-nine percent psychological," he said; and to Spock, who had entered just in time to hear his groan, he added, "I'm fine, Spock."
     
     
"I am most gratified to hear that, Captain. The doctor refused to have you beamed aboard the Enterprise."
     
     
Evan Wilson shrugged. "He was in no danger, Mr. Spock, and you yourself suggested we avoid magical effects around the natives."
     
     
"Very true, Doctor. I commend your logic."
     
     
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Spock. There was no logic involved; it was a gut reaction.... I've told the captain about Stiff Tail's edict. May I make a suggestion? I think we should stay the night, or the week if necessary. In camp, I mean, not beaming back to the Enterprise and our comfortable bunks."
     
     
Kirk nodded; this time his head didn't ache so much. "I agree, Evan. There must be some way to reach these people, but we've got to know more about them to do it. Mr. Spock, your opinion?"
     
     
"As your medical condition is satisfactory, I would advise the same. Further study is indicated, and I see no logical alternative."
     
     
"All right, then, notify Mr. Scott. And, Spock- this is voluntary. Not everyone is quite as prepared to rough it as we are."
     
     
"I shall see to it, Captain. Dr. Wilson?"
     
     
"Count me in, Mr. Spock. I have an invitation to join Brightspot in her swagger-lair for the night, pending Stiff Tail's approval, and I'd hate like hell to miss that."
     
     
Kirk said, "Swagger-lair?"
     
     
"Something like a