A contest of principles, p.36
A Contest of Principles, page 36
“I see,” Gogg said gravely. His stony visage hardened even more. If Prup appeared thunderstruck by the outcome of the election, Gogg was positively sphinxlike, making it impossible to anticipate how he would react to the news. Would he accept the results or not? The stability of the planet, and possibly the entire sector, hinged on whether the General chose to keep fighting this battle.
“No!” Sozz barged into view, proving himself much more predictable. He was red-faced and incredulous. “This isn’t possible! How could Vok choose this child—this puppet—over a true leader like the General?”
Kirk had his own theories about that. His best guess was that the threats and violence from Gogg’s outraged supporters, spurred on by the General’s combative rhetoric, had produced a last-minute backlash against Gogg, causing Prup to come from behind to win the election. Whether Gogg had personally directed the violence was immaterial; by furiously inciting his followers to rise up against “the enemy,” he had sabotaged his own campaign by reminding anxious Vokites too much of the draconian excesses of the old regime.
Or maybe the planet was simply ready for a change.
Kirk suspected that Prup had swept the younger generation’s vote, while picking up enough older voters to put her over the top. She no doubt owed part of her victory to the likes of that elderly man in the plaza, Bloj, who was so committed to voting. Prup was the choice of those who wanted to put the old fears and wars behind them. Kirk had no doubt that, down on the planet, Bloj would be rejoicing soon—provided Gogg didn’t throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings.
“The people have spoken,” Dare stated. “Their reasons are their own.”
“Naturally you would say that,” Sozz said, “after your own computer usurped the election. How convenient that the Enterprise just happened to award the victory to the candidate the Federation wanted to win all along.” His sarcastic tone came through the universal translator as clear as day. He turned away from the screen to address Gogg instead. “Surely, General, we cannot let this transparent fraud go unchallenged. Are we to take Starfleet at their word? Let an offworld alliance determine our destiny?”
Kirk felt obliged to defend the integrity of his mission.
“A comprehensive record of the voting results is being compiled and will be made available to your government and media promptly, but I can assure you that no bias toward either candidate factored into the computer’s calculations. The Federation’s preferences did not influence the tabulation. The numbers are the numbers.”
“Spoken like a loyal Starfleet captain,” Sozz scoffed. “How backward and gullible do you think we are?” He shook his fist at the screen as he grew more agitated. Spittle flew from his lips in a way that made Kirk grateful that the other man was not actually on the bridge. “You will not get away with this brazen hoax. The people, the patriots, will take arms to answer the General’s call. They will—”
“Quiet.” Gogg silenced his vituperative aide with a curt gesture. “I can speak for myself, Adjutant.”
“Yes, General, of course.” Sozz composed himself. “I did not mean to speak out of turn.”
“See that you don’t.”
Looking distinctly abashed, Sozz retreated into the background as Gogg turned his attention back to the delegation on the bridge. Kirk held his breath as he tried and failed to read the General’s granite countenance. Kirk hoped that Vok’s first free election in living memory would not be disputed. The planet’s nascent democracy depended on it.
“Captain Kirk,” the General addressed him. “This is your ship and crew. Can you vouch for their trustworthiness?”
“Absolutely,” Kirk said. “Beyond a doubt.”
“And will you give me your word that you did not tilt the calculations toward my opponent?”
“You have it.”
Gogg nodded.
“Very well,” he declared. “You proved your honor by clearing my name even when it was against the Federation’s interests to do so. Therefore, I have no choice but to take you at your word. We will not contest the election.”
Kirk felt as though they’d just dodged a photon torpedo. He tried not to let his relief show too obviously.
“But, General, you can’t be serious!” Sozz couldn’t contain himself. “What about the cause, the security of our world?”
“It’s as the commissioner said,” Gogg stated. “The people have spoken, if unwisely.” A hint of bitterness inflected his voice. “It may be that they will come to regret the folly of their choice, but so be it. I did my duty to the best of my abilities. To the victor go the spoils.”
“Thank you, General,” Prup said. “Vok will remember that you graciously chose to let the people choose when it mattered. Please know that my door will always be open to you as our divided people come together to forge our shared future, even if I don’t always agree with your views.”
She spoke deliberately and without rancor. It seemed to Kirk that Prup’s manner had already become more solemn now that the reality of her new responsibilities was sinking in. He could practically see the weight of leadership settling on her shoulders as she realized how many people depended on her now.
Kirk knew the feeling well.
“Madame President-Elect,” Gogg acknowledged her. “I will concede the election promptly if that is acceptable to all concerned. I would prefer my supporters learn of our defeat from my own lips.”
“That is more than acceptable,” Dare said, “and probably judicious as well. We will release the official results immediately after your broadcast.”
Kirk agreed. Better that Gogg’s people get the bad news from their leader, and hear his concession speech, than from a third party such as the Enterprise.
“In the meantime,” Prup said, “I think I want to touch up my acceptance speech… now that I actually need to deliver it.”
“Congratulations,” Dare said, “on behalf of both the United Federation of Planets and myself.”
“And the crew of the Enterprise,” Kirk added.
“Captain Kirk, Commissioner Dare,” Prup said. “Consider yourselves invited to front-row seats at my inauguration.” She smiled at Dare. “I haven’t forgotten that you took a spear for Vok.”
Kirk noticed that Doctor Ceff was not visible amidst Prup’s ecstatic staffers. The former candidate had been keeping a low profile since the scandal involving her brother in order to let Prup’s campaign move past that debacle. It was a shame Ceff couldn’t take a greater part in the celebrations to come, but Kirk wanted to think that she would be pleased with how matters had turned out. Her risky decision to drop out of the race in favor of Prup had paid off.
“Just think twice about the entertainment at the inauguration,” Dare said, wincing at the memory. “Please.”
“Duly noted,” Prup said.
Only a few more pleasantries remained before both candidates signed off to deal with the daunting tasks before them. There was a victory to be declared, and a defeat to be weathered, so Prup and Gogg had much to do before the sun rose again in their respective corners of the world. For himself, Kirk savored the satisfaction of a mission successfully completed. The election was over and, in his estimation, the best candidate had won.
“Mission accomplished,” he said. “And it seems that principles won out over strife in the end.”
“I should say so,” Dare agreed. Despite her injuries, she looked more pleased than she had since they had first arrived at Vok. “All’s well that ends well, albeit not without some aches and pains along the way.”
And we didn’t compromise our principles, Kirk thought. Politics might be a dirty word to some, but this time at least it may have yielded an outcome they all could live with.
If only he could point that out to McCoy. Last he’d heard, Spock and Copernicus were heading to Ozalor, of all places, in search of their missing friend. No victory would truly be complete until he knew what had become of them.
The sooner the better.
Forty-Two
Ozalor
“But, Your Excellency, I was merely seeking to soothe the Heir to the best of my abilities!”
Vumri pled her case to Salokonos in the Yovode’s private sanctum, the matter of the crown princess’s health still being deemed unsuitable for public airing. Vumri stood before the seated monarch, her arms outstretched before her, as McCoy and his would-be rescuers looked on. Jemo, standing off to the side, smirked at the healer’s protests, clearly enjoying seeing Vumri in the hot seat. McCoy was not above taking a certain satisfaction in the same.
“Give me a break.” He stepped forward to confront Vumri. “You kept your psychic hooks in Avomora to hold on to your power, obstructing me from helping her.”
She glared at him. “How dare you impugn my motives, Earthman! My devotion to the throne is beyond dispute!”
“Hardly,” Spock stated. Like McCoy and the others, he was still clad in Ozalorian garb. “You forget, Lossu Vumri, that I have experienced your private thoughts firsthand and can testify that there was nothing selfless about them.”
“So you say, Vulcan.” Vumri appealed to Salokonos, who listened in silence to the dueling voices before him. “This is utter hearsay, Your Excellency. Who will you believe, a Federation spy, who abused your gracious hospitality by assaulting your palace guards, or one who has always served you loyally?”
“It is not simply your word against Spock’s.” Avomora occupied a position of honor at her father’s side, standing confidently on her own two feet. Her rosy complexion glowed with restored vigor and freedom from pain. “Thanks to Mister Spock, I shared your thoughts as well, Vumri. You are no friend of this court… and deserve no place in it.”
Vumri clutched her chest as though mortally wounded.
“You don’t mean that, Your Highness! These foreign devils have confused you, twisted your thoughts against me. Don’t let them deceive you with their lies and trickery!”
“I trust them more than I ever trusted you,” Avomora said, “and I feel more myself now than I have in far too long.” She turned to Salokonos. “Please, Father, send her away, so I never have to look at her scheming face again.”
The monarch nodded at his daughter. He fixed his steely gaze at the disgraced healer.
“It seems, Lossu, that your gifts are no longer required. The Throne thanks you for your service and bids you farewell.”
Vumri’s face fell. She dropped to her knees before the king.
“Your Excellency, please reconsider! You cannot just cast me aside, not after all I have done for your daughter!”
“Done for or done to?” McCoy said.
Salokonos appeared unmoved by Vumri’s outburst. “Do not embarrass yourself, Lossu.” He frowned at her display. “Guards, escort her from my sight.”
A pair of guards came forward. They hauled Vumri to her feet and began to walk her toward the exit, despite her increasingly frantic efforts to break free from their grip. She shouted furiously at the royals.
“You weak-minded ingrates! The Federation is playing you for fools! You’ll rue the day you chose them over me! You’re a disgrace to your noble ancestors!”
A stream of vitriol erupted from her as the guards dragged her from the sanctum, the silver door solidifying behind them. Her voice faded away into the distance.
“Good riddance,” McCoy said.
“You said it, Doctor.” Chapel gazed at the door through which the unscrupulous healer had vanished. “She wasn’t exactly helping her case there, was she?”
“Her case is concluded,” Salokonos decreed. He swept his gaze over his visitors from the Enterprise, including the two security officers. “The question before us now, Nurse, is what’s to be done with you and your compatriots.” His forbidding expression did not seem to bode well for their prospects. “Despite your efforts on my daughter’s behalf, I can’t say I’m pleased about a Starfleet landing party trespassing on my world—and in my palace—under false pretenses.”
McCoy didn’t waste his breath denying it. There was little point in pretending that Spock and his team had not been intent on rescuing him all along. That would just insult the king’s intelligence.
“With all due respect, Your Excellency,” McCoy replied, “I wasn’t exactly thrilled about being brought to your planet against my will, so maybe we just call it even and let bygones be bygones?”
That elicited a faint smile from Salokonos, as though amused by McCoy’s audacity. “Never afraid to speak your mind, are you, Doctor?”
“You have no idea,” Chapel murmured.
“We do not wish to pose a problem to you or your government,” Spock said. “We seek only to return to our ship, preferably via the shuttlecraft we arrived in.”
“Please, Father,” Avomora entreated. “Let them go. They’ve done so much for us already. It’s the least we can do.”
Salokonos examined his daughter. Worry furrowed his brow.
“But what if you fall ill again? If Doctor McCoy has indeed helped you, as it appears, I’m reluctant to let him depart.”
Should have seen that coming, McCoy thought, frowning. Can’t win for losing… unless I speak up fast.
“That shouldn’t be an issue, Your Excellency. In theory, my compound already corrected the chemical imbalance in your daughter’s brain, meaning she should be fine from now on, but just in case there are complications, I’ll be sure to leave all my data, including the particulars of the cure, with your own physicians.” He looked at Avomora, gratified by how much better she looked than when they’d first met. “I also promise to check in with Her Highness periodically to make certain she’s fully recovered… with your permission, of course.”
Salokonos stroked his beard thoughtfully before rendering his decision.
“That is acceptable to the Throne. You will be allowed to depart our world, even if that means opening up a confidential line of communication with Starfleet.”
McCoy relaxed. He hadn’t been entirely sure that Avo’s dad would assent to his proposal. For the first time in what felt like forever, it looked like he was really going home.
“A private channel between your court and Starfleet can certainly be arranged,” Spock said, no doubt already figuring out the logistics of such a setup. “It may well be that this incident will lead to a new and more positive relationship between Ozalor and the Federation.”
“Perhaps.” Salokonos did not rule out the possibility, which struck McCoy as progress of a sort. “Recent events have inclined me to see your Federation in a somewhat more favorable light.”
“Yep,” Jemo agreed. “Turns out you Starfleet types aren’t as annoying as you’re cracked up to be.” She winked at McCoy and lobbed a new carving over to the doctor. “Something to remember us by.”
It was another quartz caricature of McCoy, this one boasting a very fake-looking beard—and maybe a slightly less ornery expression.
“Oh, trust me,” McCoy said. “I’m not forgetting this house call anytime soon.”
“Nor shall I,” Avomora declared. “I’m in no hurry to assume the throne, but I would hope that by the time that day comes, your people and mine will have long overcome their differences.”
“Absolutely,” McCoy said, grinning. “What’s a little kidnapping between friends?”
Forty-Three
Braco System
“Spock to Colc. Can you read me?”
“Loud and clear, Mister Spock. What do you have for me?”
The reporter’s voice issued from Copernicus’s dashboard comm unit. On course back to the Enterprise, the newly repaired and refueled shuttlecraft had detoured sufficiently to come within hailing range of Braco so Spock could fulfill his obligation to inform D’Ran Colc of what they had discovered on Ozalor—to an extent.
“Our time is short, and I have no desire to tempt fate—or Inspector Wibb—by returning to Braco, but let me convey the essential facts of the matter,” Spock said, back in uniform once more. He selected said facts with precision. “A rogue element within the Yovode’s court did go to extreme lengths to surreptitiously obtain Doctor McCoy’s professional services due to a serious medical issue affecting a highly placed member of the court. Salokonos and his daughter, the Yiyova, were not party to this unauthorized initiative and only became aware of it after the fact. As for Doctor McCoy… despite the questionable manner in which he was brought into the case, he did his duty as a physician, resulting in a positive outcome. Afterward, in appreciation of McCoy’s humanitarian efforts, the Yovode graciously allowed us to retrieve the doctor.”
“And?” Colc prompted.
“I believe that is an accurate summation of the incident.”
“It’s great stuff, but I want the whole story. Who was the mystery patient? Exactly what sort of medical issue are we talking about?”
“That, Mister Colc, is a matter of doctor-patient confidentiality, as you must surely appreciate.”
“I don’t appreciate it one bit, Spock. What about our arrangement? You wouldn’t have found McCoy without my help.”
“That is incontrovertibly true, for which we are sincerely grateful, but our understanding does not supersede all other considerations. I have told you what is within my rights to tell you.”
His statement involved a degree of verbal parsing. He had not revealed all he could tell, but only that which was prudent. In particular, he chose to omit the tumultuous details of their capture and escape and recapture since those would do nothing to promote more amicable relations between the Federation and Ozalor.
“That’s not good enough, Spock. You owe me all the dirt.”
“I owe you the facts, Mister Colc, not irrelevant gossip. That being said, I can also pass along the news that Count Rayob has resigned from his position at the Ozalorian royal court.”
“Really?” Colc’s interest was audible even across subspace. “Well, that’s something at least. Am I correct in assuming that his departure might have something to do with a certain rogue operation?”
