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REAPPE>.E N[ S5DS ,CAPTA9 ,KIRK1 ,MR4
,SPOCK1 & _! %IPMATES HURTL+ 9TO
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8 PASS+1 ! ,EMPIRE HE RUL$ IS 9 *AOS4
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! TALKS >E 4RUPT$ 0A SU45 DEFEC;N --& Z
A3US,NS ( 2TRAYAL & TR1*]Y SWIRL >.D !
3F];E TA#1 NEWS (! PROBE'S REAPPE>.E 9
,ROMULAN SPACE >RIVES4 ,&! ,5T]PRISE
CREW F9D !MVS H1D$ =A F9AL 3FRONT,N ) N
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&A !AT] P]SON4 ,9 A4I;N 6H] ?REE ,,/>
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MA9/R1M NOVELS &A BIOGRAPHY ( ,ANGELA
,LANSBURY4 ,H] MO/ REC5T "WS 9CLUDE TWO
(! ,ZEBRA ,BOOKS ,,"Y ,,A/RONAUTS S]IES
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,PRESS 5TITL$ ,! ,O!RS4
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PLACES & 9CID5TS >E EI PRODUCTS (!
AU?OR'S IMAG9,N OR >E US$ FICTITI\SLY4
,ANY RESEMBL.E 6ACTUAL EV5TS OR LOCALES
OR P]SONS1 LIV+ OR D1D1 IS 5TIRELY
CO9CID5TAL4
  ,! PUBLI%] WI%ES 6?ANK ,G5E ,DE,WEESE1
:O MADE ESS5TIAL CR1TIVE & 3CEPTUAL
3TRIBU;NS 6? BOOK4
  ,HI/ORIAN'S ,NOTE
  ,PROBE TAKES PLACE "S"T PRIOR 6,/>
,TREK ,,VI3 ,! ,UNDISCOV]$ ,C.TRY4 ,!
EV5TS ( ,/> ,TREK ,,IV3 ,! ,VOYAGE ,HOME
>E AL PIVOTAL 6? /ORY1 &! R1D] MAY WI%
6VIEW X Z A REF]5T4
  ,,PROBE
  ,,PROLOGUE
  ,9 XS FIVE HUNDR$ MILL5NIA (        #c
EXI/;E1 ! 5T;Y _H BE5 GIV5 _M "NS4 ,"S
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X _H RETURN$1 LI/5+ 6_! EVOLV+ /ORY1
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ONCE 2F 9 XS FIVE HUNDR$ MILL5NIA (   #f
EXI/;E _H S* DANG] >IS54 ,=A FEW
MILLISECONDS ! 5T;Y ATTEMPT$ 6RECON/RUCT
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,DRIVE SEEM$ S"EAL MET]S TALL]4 ,ALL  #h
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M/ H BE54 ,5DUR+ ANY": F FIVE TO     #ab
SIXTY M9UTES1 !Y 7 MEMORIZ$ & PASS$ F
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H TAK50 6CALL ! DEFEC;NS ( 8 WIFE & H]
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H\SE ( C>DS W COLLAPSE & WE W /EP 9 &
RETURN /ABIL;Y & PURPOSE 6! ,ROMULAN
GOV]N;T4 ,YR 3TRIBU;N W N 2 =GOTT540 ,X
0 %ORTLY AF T HE>TW>M+ 5DORSE;T _H
BOL/]$ ,TIAM'S 3FID;E T HE 0 NOTIFI$ T !
,5T]PRISE _H TAK5 XF \ ( ORBIT >.D  #bgc
,TEM>IS4 ,Z XS UNANSW]$ MESSAGES _H
REP1T$LY W>N$ HM X 0 PLANN+ 6D1 X _H
DE"P$ TO 89T]CEPT0 ! 2HEMO? T _H DE/ROY$
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A SELF-SATISFI$ ,TIAM SD 6A SC[L+
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7 N RETURN$1 &! ,F$],N VESSEL HAS DE"P$
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SLAVE--F : X W MO/ LIKELY RCV A DETAIL$
REPORT ON XS DEPRAD,NS ON ,WLA>IIVI4 ,I
WD SAY T1 EV5 0YR /&>DS1 T 3/ITUTES
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REPRES5TATIVES40 ,HIRAN CD ONLY %AKE 8
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SUBM]G$ 9 ! SELF-SATISFI$ SMILE1 ALM A
SMIRK1 T _H 2COME 8 PREDOM9ANT      #bgd
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ALL[$ H]F 6BE KIDNAPP$10 HE SD1 8%E S]V$
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7 M ?AN A LL 9T]E/$ 9 X4 ,DON'T Y ?9K
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IS "U 3TROL (! ,F$],N OR SIMPLY !
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NAVIGATOR'S /,N4 ,EV5 ,UHURA _H SIL5TLY
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8,?ANK Y1 ,-M&]10 ,KIRK SD1 EQU,Y
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P[] FULLY *>G$ & FULLY %IELD$4 ,EV5 IF
WE LOSE PRIM>Y & SECOND>Y P[]1      #bgf
WE'LL / H LIFE SUPPORT & IMPULSE P[]40
8,& TRACTOR B1MS80 8,AYE1 SIR1 TRACTOR
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0 SIL5T A MO;T1 PULL+ 8 BR1? 9 & LETT+ X
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3V]S,N40
  ,"S?+ 0 9 ! 5T;Y'S PA? T _H N BE5 "!
:5 ! PA? _H BE5 3/RUCT$4 ,DIRECTLY 9 XS
PA?4 ,EV5 AT ? 4T.E1 X 0 OBVI\S T X 0 N
"O (! HUNDR$S ( BILLIONS ( NATURAL
OBJECTS 3TA9$ 9 ! CRY/AL MEMORY4 ,AF
LESS ?AN A TRILLION CALCUL,NS1 X DECID$4
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? OBJECT WD 2 9SIGNIFICANT1 LESS ?AN "O
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W>P FACTOR ( YR *OICE40 8,AYE-AYE1
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_W1 2T !M &! BLUE-GRE5 _W4 ,2T !M & ^?
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R1*4 ,0! "T ! OBJECT -PLET$ XS MOVE1 !
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& "Q$ 9 ! CRY/ALL9E PA?S4 7 !Y AF ALL
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REP1T$1 OR 6! BLUE _W4 ,OBS]VE !M Z WE
PASS & PROCE$ AL;G ! 3/RUCT$ PA?4
,RETURN :5 ! PRIMITIVES H BE5 "Q$1 :5 !
MITES T >E "KN 6BE ASSOCIAT$ )! BLUE _W
H BE5 SU6ICI5TLY /UDI$4 ,ONCE AG !
CRY/AL S5SOR R1*$ \ Z F> Z X 0 CAPA# (
R1*+ F )9 XS PROTECTIVE %1?4 ,6R1*
FUR!R1 ! 5T;Y WD H 6DROP \ ( XS 3/RUCT$
PA? & %IFT 6NE> MO;N.S;S & EXT5D !
CRY/AL S5SOR1 UNPROTECT$1 96SPACE4 ,T WD
9CR1SE ! PREDICT$ "T 6! BLUE _W N BY
MILLION?S B 0HUNDR$?S1 &! 5T;Y 0 N YET
R1DY = S* M1SURES4 ,B !N1 SU45LY--EV5 0!
5T;Y'S PICOSECOND /&>DS--Z ! S5SOR T\*$
! /-4TANT OBJECT1 BILLIONS ( CRY/AL
PA?WAYS T _H LA9 DORMANT = HUNDR$S (
MILL5NIA SPRANG 6LIFE 9 RECOGNI;N4
,BILLIONS ( O!RS T _H BE5 9 ALM 3/ANT
USE = ^? SAME HUNDR$S ( MILL5NIA 7
/ILL$1 SIL5C+ ! 5T;Y'S VOICE4 ,9 ! NEWLY
ACTIVAT$ PA?WAYS1 C.T.S TRILLIONS (
CALCUL,NS & -P>ISONS 7 MADE &       #bhj
3FIRM$1 N ONCE B A ?\S& "TS 9 A ?\S&
WAYS4 ,! ,TRUE ,LANGUAGE1 ! CALCUL,NS &
-P>ISONS SD AG & AG1 ! ,TRUE ,LANGUAGE4
,! MITES 7 SP1K+ 9 ! ,TRUE ,LANGUAGE4
  8,CAPTA91 ! OBJECT--0 8--HAS *ANG$
C\RSE AG10 ,KIRK F9I%$ ,SPOCK'S REPORT )
A GRIMACE4 ,! LA/ C\RSE *ANGE1 : WD H
TAK5 ! OBJECT )9 A FEW HUNDR$ ,,AU (!
,TEM>IS SY/EM1 _H BE5 ALM 2Y _! ABIL;Y
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CD 9 NO WAY 9T]CEPT X4 8,NO1 ,CAPTA91 X
HAS C1S$ XS EMIS.NS4 ,& X IS SL[+
RAPIDLY40 ,SIL;E GRIPP$ ! BRIDGE4 8,ALL
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,SPOCK1 REDUCE TRACTOR B1M \TPUT 0FIFTY
P]C5T40 ,ANY?+ 69DICATE T1 N[ T !Y _H XS
ATT5;N1 !Y WANT$ 6AVOID %\T+4 ,AT CLOSE
RANGE1 T ?+'S %\TS MI<T EV5 KNOCK \
,-M&] ,SCOTT'S SUP]%IELD$ BACKUP P[]
SY/EMS4 8,YES1 ,CAPTA940 8,-M&] ,UHURA1
TRY ! ,GALTIZH AG40 8,NO RESPONSE1
,CAPTA940 8,>E !Y / "!1 ,SPOCK80 8,!Y
>E1 ,CAPTA91 & !Y >E / LI/5+ Z WELL40
8,J N ANSW]+40 ,KIRK %OOK 8 H1D4    #bha
8,KEEP !M UP 6DATE ANYWAY1 ,-M&]
,UHURA40 ,:E!R AN 9=M$ ,TIAM 0 M OR LESS
DANG]\S ?AN "O :O1 N "K+ :AT 0 HAPP5+1
CD /RIKE \ BLLY1 ,KIRK DIDN'T "K1 B ?
WAY AT L1/ ,HIRAN WD AL "K ! SCORE &
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MAT*ES40 8,MAYBE X USES A DI6]5T
LANGUAGE = :ISP]+ ?AN X DOES =      #bhb
%\T+10 ,MC,COY VOLUNTE]$ )A GRIMACE4 8,X
WD MAKE Z M* S5SE Z ANY?+ ELSE T ?+'S
D"O S F>40 8,PUT X ON ! SP1K]S10 ,KIRK
SD1 8B S(TLY40 ,! S.DS T WA%$ OV] !
BRIDGE &! LI/5+ MUSICIANS 9 ! REC DECK
>EA S.D$ ID5TICAL 6,KIRK1 B !N1 HE _H
N"E BE5 A# 6DETECT A S+LE "O (! PATT]NS
,J&RA &! O!RS 9SI/$ 7 "!1 NO MATT] H[
(T5 !Y 7 PO9T$ \4 ,6HM X _H BE5 NOISE
!N1 & X 0 NOISE N[4 8,IF ANY"O HAS AN
IDEA--0 HE 2GAN1 B ,UHURA'S VOICE CUT HM
(F4 8,CAPTA91 ! ,GALTIZH IS RESPOND+40
8,ON-SCRE51 ,-M&]40 8,N 6U1 ,CAPTA940
,%E %OOK H] H1D FIRMLY4 8,6! ,PROBE60
  ,,PROBE
  ,,SIXTE5
  ,TIAM'S F/ REAC;N 6^W T ! OBJECT1 N[
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ALM DIRECTLY =! ,TEM>IS SY/EM _H BE5 TO
GET ! ,GALTIZH AT L1/ A HALF P>SEC AWAY
2F ! OBJECT >RIV$4 ,T OB/RUC;NI/ ,HIRAN1
H["E1 _H DELAY$ UNP>DONABLY4 ,!Y _H / N
GOTT5 "U WAY :5 ! OBJECT /OPP$ D1D 9 XS
TRACKS & FELL SIL5T4 ,TIAM T5S$ Z HE
WAT*$ ! VIEWSCRE5 & LI/5$ 6!        #bhc
SUBCOMM&]'S REPORTS ( S5SOR R1D+S4 ,:AT
0 HAPP5+ N[8 ,HE _H BE5 LI/5+ TO ,KIRK'S
9T]M9A# UPDATES1 ANTICIPAT+ ! FAILURE (
T 9SANE PLAN ( 8 TO 8-MUNICATE0 "? A
TRACTOR B1M1 ALL ! :ILE WOND]+ H[ !
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6DE/ROY ! ,F$],N %IP1 / A HALF LI<T-YE>
F ,TEM>IS8 ,_H ,KIRK GOTT5 8 WI% &
ATTRACT$ ! ?+'S ATT5;N ) 8 DE;T$ S*EME
TO-- ,SU45LY1 ,TIAM R1LIZ$ :AT _H
HAPP5$4 ,X _H N BE5 ,KIRK'S ANTICS )!
TRACTOR B1M T _H ATTRACT$ ! OBJECT'S
ATT5;N4 ,X CDN'T BE4 ,A TRACTOR B1M'S
RANGE 0 M1SUR$ 9 ?\S&S ( KILOMET]S1 N !
P>SECS T / SEP>AT$ ! ,5T]PRISE F T ?+4
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! ?+'S PA?1 L A * /&+ 9 ! ROADWAY1 WAV+
XS H&S 6/OP A ,KALGORIAN -BAT 5G9E6 ,X
WD 2 A FITT+ 5D = ,KIRK--& ,J&RA6 --6BE
SWATT$ L BO!R"S 9SECTS1 B X 0 N "O T
,TIAM WI%$ 6%>E4 ,& HE WD H %>$ X1 HE
R1LIZ$ ANGRILY1 IF X _HN'T BE5 =
,HIRAN'S /U2ORN;S4 8,-M&] ,HIRAN10  #bhd
HE SD %>PLY1 8Y'RE GO+ 6GET YR WI% AF
ALL4 ,! ,GALTIZH W REMA9 ": X IS40 8,I
AM PL1S$ 6HE> X1 ,AMBASSADOR10 ,HIRAN
SD1 HID+ 8 SURPRISE4 8,MI<T ,I ASK--0
8,Y MAY N60 ,TIAM SNAPP$1 !N A4$1 8,!
,F$],N %IP IS / SAFELY 4TANT4 ,XS
DE/RUC;N W N A6ECT U "H40 ,HIRAN ISSU$ !
NEC ORD]S1 M5T,Y %AK+ 8 H1D4 ,TIAM
WAIT$1 HOP+ HE _H BE5 "R4 ,A M9UTE LAT]1
,HIRAN ALM LAU<$4 8,! OBJECT APPE>S 6BE
RESPOND+ P1CEABLY 6! ,5T]PRISE10 HE SD1
8N LAUN*+ AN ATTACK40 ,TIAM CURS$
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OBJECT 0 OBVI\SLY N REACT+ 6! ,5T]PRISE
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ASSUMP;NS _H BUILT = HM TURN$ UPSIDE
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T FOOLI%;S )! TRACTOR B1M &! RECORD+S (
T ?+'S EMIS.NS-- ,8 /OMA* SANK4 ,HE _H
BE5 GIV5 ! DATA RECORD$ DUR+ ! ,PROBE'S
F/ PASSAGE "? ! ,EMPIRE1 & HE _H /UDI$ X
& PROCLAIM$ X USE.S4 ,B N[ ,KIRK1 US+
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/OP1 _H "SH[ P]SUAD$ X 6RESPOND1 N )
DE/RUC;N B )--:AT8 ,M S5SE.S 8DATA08 ,OR
7 !Y ACTU,Y -MUNICAT+8 ,CD "! ACTU,Y 2
"S?+ 6T 9SANE IDEA T A LANGUAGE LAY HI45
9 ^? M.TA9S ( GI2]I%8 ,_H HE MISS$ X1
:ILE ,KIRK--& ,J&RA6--_H F.D X8 ,&
TRANSLAT$ X8 ,IF ,KIRK _H1 & IF ^W GOT
BACK 6! ,CITADEL T ,TIAM _H FAIL$ ":
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PLAY+ BACK :AT ! OBJECT XF _H S5T \4 ,HE
0 E*O+1 N TALK+6 ,HE _H SD S HMF6 ,B ,I
C D ! SAME6 ,TIAM R1LIZ$ ABRUPTLY4 ,2F T
?+ DECIDES T ! ,5T]PRISE IS ! ONLY %IP
WOR? NOTIC+1 WOR? -MUNICAT+ )-- ,! DATA
HE _H BE5 GIV5 0 9 8 QU>T]S6 ,ALL HE _H
6D-- ,TIAM J]K$ 6HIS FEET4 8,PREP>E TO
TRANSMIT ON ALL SUBSPACE FREQU5CIES10 HE
SD1 RAC+ F ! BRIDGE1 8MAXIMUM P[]60
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MILLISECONDS4 ,! MITES1 TRILLIONS (
CALCUL,NS & -P>ISONS TOLD ! 5T;Y1 7
SP1K+ 9 ! ,TRUE ,LANGUAGE4 ,B A SIMIL>
NUMB] ( CALCUL,NS & -P>ISONS AL TOLD !
5T;Y3 ! MITES D N POSSESS ! P[] (   #bhf
,SPEE*4 ,M MILLISECONDS SWEPT PA/ Z !
CRY/AL S5SOR EXP]I;ED ! PH5OM5ON1 & ^?
EXP]I;ES 7 ANALYZ$ & -P>$ )! EXP]I;ES (
FIVE HUNDR$ MILL5NIA AGO1 :5 X _H BE5
BA!D 9 ! ,TRUE ,LANGUAGE1 :5 XS CR1TORS
_H GIV5 X XS PURPOSE & XS ME?ODS & XS
ORIG9AL /ORE ( MEMORIES & 9/RUC;NS4 ,A
CRUDE IMIT,N1 ! -P>ISON SD4 ,": ,SPEE*
WD H R1*$ \ 6! CRY/AL S5SOR )9
MILLISECONDS1 ! IMIT,N DID N4 ,! CRY/AL
S5SOR _H 6R1* \ & RETRIEVE ! VIBR,NS (!
,TRUE ,LANGUAGE1 9 ! SAME WAY T X _H
R1*$ 96! OC1NS ( HUNDR$S ( _WS &
RETRIEV$ ! SIMPLE ^WS (! PRIMITIVES4
,YET X 0 DI6]5T F ! MATT]-B.D VOICES (!
PRIMITIVES1 = XS 5]GY SPR1D "? MATT].S
SPACE1 ALBEIT AT A PACE EXCE$+LY
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  ,CAPTA9'S ,LOG1 ,/>DATE #HDIE.C3 ,= M
?AN TWO "DS1 ! ,5T]PRISE &! ,GALTIZH H
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,SULU E/IMATES 6BE 9 EXCESS ( W>P ?IRTY4
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,SAGITT>IUS ,>MS & SKIRT$           #caf
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! ,PROBE HAS %[N NO 9DIC,N ( ANY?+ AT
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8DESIGN$ 6BE R1D40 ,UN=TUNATELY1 )\T
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64C]N ANY (! PATT]NS 9 ! DATA1 EV5 AF
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8,"!'S A HUGE M>G9 = ]ROR1 ,CAPTA910 HE
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8,QU>T] IMPULSE1 "O SECOND1 SIR40 ,SULU
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/,N4 8,S5SOR R1D+S 9DICATE--0 ,LI<TS
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,SCOTT'S %IELD$ BACKUP P[] TOOK OV]4 8,X
/>T$ YELL+ AG10 ,-M&] ,SCOTT SD TIR$LY F
! 5G9E]+ /,N4 8,! ,GALTIZH 0 HAIL+ U1
SIR10 ,LIEUT5ANT ,KITTAY ANN\NC$1 8B :5
! P[] W5T \--WAS ,8,!Y D9NA H MY BACKUP
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,8,MAYBE !Y GOT _! P[] BACK1 TOO4
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TELL U AB ? PLANET8 ,IS X ! HOME ( YR
SUP]:ALES80' ,8,IF X IS1 ,CAPTA91 !Y >E
NO L;G] PRES5T10' ,SPOCK SD1 /UDY+  #cbc
! KALEIDOSCOPIC R1D\TS :ILE ,KITTAY
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OR N ? IS ! ,PROBE'S PLANET ( ORIG91
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_W 9 _M WAYS4 ,= EXAMPLE1 A R+ IS 9 !
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,8,T WD REQUIRE A PLANETWIDE DROP
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,8,! CURR5T MAXIMUM TEMP]ATURE      #cbd
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9DE$1 !Y EXI/$ AT ALL & W]E1        #cbg
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9 ! ,GALTIZH1 & IF :AT ! ,5T]PRISE _H J
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OBS]V,NS DUR+ XS F/ PASS "? !       #cbi
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LIKELY 6H T CAPABIL;Y4 ,"! WAS1 9 %ORT1
A POSSIBIL;Y T ? CRY/AL 0 ! N]VE    #ccj
C5T] (! OBJECT1 & T IF ! APP5DAGE 0
EXT5D$1 AN ALL-\ %ORT-RANGE ASSAULT )
PHAS]S & PHOTON TORP$OES CD AT L1/
DE/ROY ! OBJECT'S USE;L;S 6! ,F$],N4 ,IF
S* AN ASSAULT 0 POSSI#4 ,IF ! EXP]I;E (!
,H5ZU1 Z RELAY$ 0! 4TANT ,AZMU?1 0 ANY
9DIC,N1 X 0 N4 ,! ,H5ZU'S PHAS] FIRE _H
BE5 BLOCK$ ALM 9/ANTANE\SLY1 &! ,H5ZU
XF1 TGR )A NE>BY UN>M$ C>GO %IP1 0
REDUC$ 6A 4P]S+ CL\D ( MOLECULES )9
SECONDS4 ,HI45 9 ! RECORDS (! OBJECT'S
F/ TRIP "? ! ,EMPIRE1 H["E1 0 AN 9CID5T
T GAVE HM HOPE4 ,A DOZ5 SC\T %IPS _H BE5
5GAG$ 9 A TRA9+ EX]CISE 9 ! VIC9;Y (
,KRUZAAK'S ,_W :5 ! OBJECT CAME \ ( XS
V].N ( W>P DRIVE VIRTU,Y ON TOP ( !M4
,TWO (! %IPS 7 FA/ 5 6FIRE ON ! OBJECT
2F XS DAMNA# EMIS.NS KNOCK$ ALL _! P[]
\4 ,! PHAS]S1 LOCK$ ON A /UN SETT+ =!
DUR,N (! EX]CISE1 ( C\RSE DID NO DAMAGE1
B ! %IPS !MVS 7 N DE/ROY$ L ! ,H5ZU1 NOR
EV5 DAMAG$ EXCEPT =! TEMPOR>Y LOSS (
P[]4 ,!Y W]E1 9 FACT1 SIMPLY IGNOR$1 :
L$ ,-M&] ,J5YU 62LIEVE--6HOPE--T ! R1SON
!Y 7 IGNOR$ 0 _! V PROXIM;Y 6!      #cca
OBJECT4 ,!Y _H BE51 9 E6ECT1 9SIDE XS
DEF5SES1 L 9SECTS 9SIDE A W>RIOR'S
BATTLE >MOR4 ,& N[ ! ,GALTIZH 0 SIMIL>LY
CLOSE 6! OBJECT1 9SIDE XS >MOR4 ,J5YU
ONLY HOP$ T ! ,GALTIZH'S /+ 0 D1DLY 5
TO1 IF N KILL ! 2HEMO?1 AT L1/ R5D] X
USE.S 6! ,F$],N4 ,OR IF ! ,GALTIZH PROV$
N 6BE 9SIDE XS DEF5SES1 6PROMPT A
RESPONSE L ! "O T _H DE/ROY$ ! ,H5ZU &
AN UN"ND C>GO %IP1 A RESPONSE T WD SWAT
BO? 9SECTS1 N J ! ,GALTIZH B ! ,5T]PRISE
Z WELL4 ,8,-M&]60' ,! SU45LY EXCIT$
VOICE (! SUBCOMM&] MONITOR+ ! S5SOR SCAN
PULL$ ,J5YU F 8 ANGRY BROOD+4 ,:AT N[8
HE WOND]$ Z ,HIRAN TURN$ F ! VIEWSCRE5
6! SUB,COMM&]4 ,8,"! IS A MASS (
CRY/ALL9E MAT]IAL ON ! PLANET1 ,-M&]10'
! SUBCOMM&] W5T ON4 ,8,X APPE>S 6BE Q
SIMIL> 6! DATA /ORAGE CRY/AL F.D ON
,TEM>IS ,F\R40' ,TIAM'S FACE1 Z GRIM Z
,J5YU'S UNTIL N[1 SU45LY B"R5$4 ,8,C X 2
B1M$ ABO>D80' ,! SUBCOMM&]1 AF AN 9QUIR+
GL.E AT ,HIRAN BR"\ A SC[L+ NOD1 SD1
,8,XS TOTAL MASS IS APPROXIMATELY EQUAL
6T (! ,GALTIZH1 ,AMBASSADOR40'      #ccb
,8,!N A POR;N ( X--0' ,8,TIAM60' ,HIRAN
SNAPP$4 ,8,IF ? IS 9DE$ ANO!R DATA
/ORAGE CRY/AL1 !N SLIC+ X UP W ONLY
DE/ROY X60' ,8,WE H ONLY ! ,VULCAN'S ^W
= T1 ,-M&]60' ,8,& ,I AM F> M 9CL9$ TO
TRU/ 8 JUDG;T 9 ! MATT] ?AN YRS4 ,!
CRY/AL1 :AT"E X IS1 REMA9S 9TACT40'
,8,!N ,I W B1M D[N "! MYF40' ,TIAM TURN$
6! SUBCOMM&]1 ! ,ROMULAN EQUIVAL5T (A
SCI;E (FIC]4 ,8,"! IS C]TA9LY "S?+ T C 2
D"O 6RETRIEVE ! DATA40' ,8,"! >E ?+S T C
2 TRI$1 ,AMBASSADOR1 B ! ,5T]PRISE IS
BETT] EQUIPP$ TO--0' ,8,&! ,5T]PRISE IS
! 5EMY60' ,TIAM ALM %\T$4 ,HE TURN$ TO
,HIRAN4 ,8,W Y ORD] YR (FIC]S 6-PLY ) MY
WI%ES1 OR M/ ,I =M,Y ASSUME -M& ( ?
VESSEL8 ,X IS )9 MY AU?OR;Y 6D S60' ,X
SEEM$ =A MO;T T ,HIRAN 0 GO+ 6REBEL1 B
F9,Y HE NO4$4 ,8,D Z ! AMBASSADOR SAYS1
,SUBCOMM&]--B D N DAMAGE ! CRY/AL60'
,J5YU WAT*$ Z ,TIAM &! SUBCOMM&] LEFT !
BRIDGE1 ON _! WAY 6COLLECT ! 9/RU;TS !
SUBCOMM&] SD ,8MI<T0' PROVE USE;L4 ,LET
! FOOL TRY1 ,J5YU ?"\4 ,"! 0 EV51 HE
SUPPOS$1 "S REMOTE *.E ,TIAM WD     #ccc
SU3E$1 T ! SUBCOMM&] WD TAP AT !
CRY/AL'S PORTALS ) H] JURY-RI7$ EQUIP;T
& X WD RESPOND )A SU45 FLOOD ( 9=M,N1
P]H EV5 )! KEY 6! 3TROL (! ?+ T _H BR"\
!M "H4 ,B ,J5YU DID N ?9K S4 ,ABRUPTLY1
HE TURN$ 6L1VE ! BRIDGE4 ,HE _H 63TACT 8
REMA9+ M51 CALL BACK F ! ,F$],N %IP ^? /
TAK+ "P 9 ! ,VULCAN'S EF=TS1 & "W \ !
DETAILS ( :AT 9 ALL LIKELIHOOD WD 2 8 [N
SUICIDE4 ,8 ONLY R1L REGRET--HE TOLD HMF
GRIMLY--WAS T1 EV5 IF HE SU3E$$1 HE WD
PROBABLY N"E "K4
  ,,N9ETE5
  ,8,2F ANY"O B1MS D[N "!10' ,KIRK SD 6!
(FIC]S ASSEM#D 9 ! BRIEF+ ROOM1 ,8WE >E
GO+ 6BE DAMN$ SURE ? ISN'T J A RE/ /OP =
T ?+ & T X ISN'T AB 6H1D \ AG1 TAK+ !
,5T]PRISE ) X4 ,? DOES N LOOK L ! MO/
HOSPITA# _W 9 ! GALAXY 6BE /R&$ ON4 ,!
AIR 9 T CAV]N IS BR1?A#1 B ! ATMOSPH]E
ON ! SURFACE IS M>G9AL AT BE/40' ,8,& H[
! BLAZES D Y 9T5D 6F9D \ :AT T ?+'S
9T5;NS >E80' ,MC,COY ASK$4 ,8,! LA/ "T
,I LOOK$1 WE _HN'T FIGUR$ \ H[ 6TALK 6X1
LET AL"O H[ 6ORD] X >.D40' ,8,DR4   #ccd
,MC,COY HAS A PO9T1 ,CAPTA910' ,SPOCK
SD4 ,8,WE CD N"E 2 C]TA9 ( :AT !
,PROBE'S FUTURE AC;NS MI<T BE1 EV5 IF WE
7 A# 6-MUNICATE ) X40' ,KIRK %OOK 8 H1D4
,8,I N"E ?"\ ,I'D SEE ! "D Y TWO AGRE$
ON "S?+4 ,ALL "R1 S :AT >E YR
RECOMM5D,NS1 EI "O ( Y80' ,8,G D[N &
LOOK >.D10' ,MC,COY SD4 ,8,SEE IF "!'S
ANY?+ ! S5SORS DIDN'T PICK UP4 ,SEE IF
,SPOCK'S IDEA ( JURY-RI7+ A GIANT
ANALYSIS *AMB] CD "W40' ,HE %RU7$4 ,8,&
J G5],Y PLAY X 0E> & KEEP A TRANSPORT]
LOCK ON U AT ALL "TS40' ,8,I WD N PUT X
9 ^? PRECISE T]MS1 ,CAPTA910' ,SPOCK SD1
,8B ,I _C 4AGREE4 ,! POT5TIAL = K 6BE
GA9$ F> \TWEI<S1 9 MY JUDG;T1 ALL O!R
3SID],NS1 9CLUD+ ! POSSIBIL;Y ( \R
D1?S40' ,O!R H1DS >.D ! TA# NO4$4 ,8,WE
DIDN'T 5T] ! ,ACADEMY 2C WE WANT$ 6ALW
PLAY X SAFE1 SIR10' ,SULU SD )A GR94
,8,& SL+%OTT+ BACK 6! TW5TIE? C5TURY 9 A
,KL+ON BUCKET ( BOLTS T CD'VE FALL5 A"P
AT ANY MO;T WDN'T PUT U ON ANY 9SUR.E
-PANY'S PREF]R$-RISK LI/10' ,MC,COY A4$4
,8,I GET YR PO9T1 ,-M&]S10' ,KIRK   #cce
SD )A RESIGN$ SMILE4 ,8,V WELL40' ,HE
/OOD UP4 ,8,ALL T'S LEFT1 !N1 IS 6SEE H[
\R FRS ON ! ,GALTIZH FEEL AB JO9+ \R
"PY4 ,IF !Y HAV5'T ALR />T$ "O ( _!
[N40' ,0! "T !Y R1*$ ! BRIDGE1 X 0
APP>5T T ! ,ROMULANS _H D"O J T1 &
POSSIBLY M4 ,8,TRANSPORT] ACTIV;Y 2T !
,GALTIZH &! PLANET1 ,CAPTA910'
,LIEUT5ANT ,P>NELL SD F ! SCI;E /,N ALM
! MO;T ! GR\P EM]G$ F ! ,8LIFT4 ,8,?REE
P]SONNEL & "S ELECTRONIC GE>10' HE A4$ A
MO;T LAT]1 8& _! DE/9,N APPE>S 6BE !
CAV]N T CRY/AL IS IN40 8,HAIL !
,GALTIZH10 ,KIRK SD1 FR[N+4 8,I H BE51
,CAPTA910 ,KITTAY SD1 8E FIVE M9UTES1
B--0 ,%E /OPP$1 H] EYES WID5+ MO;T>ILY4
8,! ,GALTIZH1 ,CAPTA94 ,ON-SCRE580
8,ON-SCRE51 ,LIEUT5ANT40 ,X 0 ,HIRAN1 8
USUAL SMILE REPLAC$ 0FL9TY GRIM;S4 8,I H
BE5 REQUE/$10 HE 2GAN )\T PREAM#1 86ASK
T ALL ,ROMULANS ABO>D ! ,5T]PRISE 2
TRANSPORT$ 6! ,GALTIZH )\T DELAY40
8,REQUE/$8 ,0,AMBASSADOR ,TIAM80 8,IN
E6ECT1 YES4 ,SPECIFIC,Y 0"O ( 8 AIDES1
^: REQUE/S ! AMBASSADOR HAS TOLD    #ccf
ME ,I M/ HONOR DUR+ 8 ABS;E40 8,!
AMBASSADOR'S ABS;E8 ,!N HE'S "O (! "OS
:O J TRANSPORT$ D[N 6! CAV]N80 ,A FLICK]
(A SMILE T\*$ ,HIRAN'S FACE BRIEFLY Z HE
GL.ED AT "S?+ OR "S"O \ ( RANGE (!
SCRE54 8,Y "K AB ! CAV]N1 !N80 8,&!
CRY/AL )94 ,YES1 ,-M&]1 WE "K4 ,WE >E
PLANN+ ON B1M+ D[N \RVS %ORTLY4 ,WE 7
GO+ 69VITE "S"O F ! ,GALTIZH 6A3OMPANY
U1 B ,I GA!R AN 9VIT,N IS NO L;G] NEC40
8,X WD SEEM N10 ,HIRAN SD4 8,W Y NOTIFY
,TIAM & 8 COLL1GUES 9 ! CAV]N T P]SONNEL
F ! ,5T]PRISE W 2 B1M+ D[N8 ,I WD N WANT
!M 6BE />TL$ 96ANY 9APPROPRIATE AC;N40
8,( C\RSE1 ,CAPTA940 8,-M&] ,HIRAN10 A
VOICE SD /I6LY F (FSCRE54 ,HIRAN GL.ED
6HIS "R BRIEFLY4 8,X SEEMS10 ,HIRAN SD1
8,I AM 2+ REM9D$ 6REP1T MY REQUE/ =!
RETURN ( ALL ,ROMULANS CURR5TLY ABO>D !
,5T]PRISE40 8,!Y W ALL 2 NOTIFI$1 ,-M&]4
,I SUSPECT "! >E TWO1 H["E1 :O W N
RESPOND40 8,I SUSPECT ! SAME1 ,F$],N
CAPTA940 ,) ANO!R FA9T FLICK] (A SMILE1
,HIRAN BROKE ! 3NEC;N4
  ,-M&] ,HIRAN 0 BACK ON ! BRIDGE   #ccg
AF HAV+ WAT*$ ,KITAL GREET ! LA/ (!
MUSICIANS & >*AEOLOGI/S Z !Y /EPP$ (F !
,GALTIZH TRANSPORT] PLAT=M4 ,? ,KITAL1
HE _H DECID$1 BORE WAT*+ EV5 M ?AN
,TIAM4 8,DON'T WORRY AB PROTOCOL10
,HIRAN _H SD QUIETLY 6,SUBCOMM&]
,MORVA9--"O (! ONLY (FIC]S ON BO>D ^:
ALLEGI.E HE FELT 5TIRELY SURE (4 8,J
KEEP ME 9=M$ ( :AT HE DOES1 "PICUL>LY
ANY?+ T Y MI<T 3SID] ODD = "O ( 8 RANK40
,HE _H DEBAT$ 5GAG+ ,F]IC = ? TASK1 B
DECID$ AG/ X4 ,:AT"E 8 F/ (FIC]'S TRUE
FEEL+S REG>D+ ! 3F];E--& AT ? PO9T HE /
_H NO IDEA :AT ^? FEEL+S 7 --,F]IC 0
/AY+ FIRMLY ON ! SIDE (! 8LEGITIMATE0
AU?OR;Y ON ,GALTIZH-- ,TIAM4 ,& UNLIKE
,TIAM1 ^: EXPRES.NS 7 A %IPWIDE BROADCA/
( 8 FEEL+S & ATTITUDES1 ,KITAL 0
UNR1DA#4 ,:ILE ,TIAM
REACT$--OV]REACT$--Z A MATT] ( C\RSE1
,KITAL SEEM$ UNT\*$ 0ANY?+ T W5T ON >.D
HM4 ,:ILE ,TIAM 0 >ROGANT & OV]CONFID5T1
,KITAL WAS--:AT8 ,QUIETLY SURE ( HMF8 ,B
:AT"E ! QUAL;Y WAS1 X 0 M PRON\NC$ N[ T
HE _H BE5 GIV5 AU?OR;Y 6ACT =       #cch
,TIAM 9 ! AMBASSADOR'S ABS;E4 ,HE _H
TAK5 6GIV+ ORD]S Z IF HE _H BE5 DO+ X =
YE>S1 N J M9UTES4 ,& P]H HE _H1 ,HIRAN
?"\ ABRUPTLY4 ,= "S"O ( ,KITAL'S
OBVI\SLY ADV.ED YE>S 6/ 2 A SUBC5TURION
0 UNUSUAL AT BE/4 ,NORM,Y1 ANY"O ( 8 AGE
/UCK AT T LEVEL WD H L;G AGO OPT$ \4 ,B
P]H HE _H BE5 (A HI<] RANK4 ,P]H1 L
,TIAM'S LATE BRO!R-IN-LAW1 ,REELAN1 HE
_H LO/ FAVOR1 B N BADLY 5 6RATE D1? OR
EV5 EXPUL.N F ! S]VICE1 J 5 6LOSE RANK4
,IF ! ,GALTIZH "E MADE X BACK 6!
,EMPIRE1 HE DECID$1 HE WD D A LL DI7+ "?
RECORDS1 P]H F9D \ J :O ? ,KITAL RE,Y
WAS4 ,= N[1 ?\<-- 8,-M&]40 ,HIRAN TURN$
ABRUPTLY F ! VIEWSCRE51 / DOM9AT$ 0! ICY
IMAGE (! "N.S PLANET 2L !M4 ,SUBC5TURION
,MORVA9 L1N$ CLOSE & SPOKE 9 A VOICE NO
"O B ,HIRAN CD HE>4 8,Y WANT$ 6BE
NOTIFI$ IF ,TIAM'S AIDE DID ANY?+ T MI<T
2 3SID]$ ODD40 ,HIRAN GRIMAC$ 9W>DLY Z
HE NO4$4 ,T C]TA9LY DIDN'T TAKE L;G1 HE
?"\ IRRITABLY4
  ,MC,COY SC[L$ Z HE PU%$ BACK ! HOOD (
8 FUR-L9$ FIELD JACKET & WIP$ ! F/  #cci
TRACES ( SW1T F 8 =EH1D4 ,HE _H PULL$ !
JACKET F /ORES & -E /RAI<T 6! TRANSPORT]
ROOM1 ASSUM+ ,SPOCK & ,KIRK & :O"E ELSE
0 GO+ ON ? LL JAUNT WD D ! SAME4 ,B HE
_H BE5 /&+ 0! PLAT=M1 BUNDL$ UP & R1DY
6G1 = AT L1/ FIVE M9UTES1 & HE 0 / !
ONLY "O 9 ! ROOM EXCEPT =! 9CR1S+LY
UNEASY 5SIGN AT ! 3TROLS4 8,L1VE X 6T
PO9TY-E>$ P]FEC;NI/ 6F9D "O M DETAIL TO
D\#-*ECK AT ! LA/ M9UTE10 HE MUTT]$1
SC[L+ AT ! DOOR4 ,HE 0 R1*+ =! 9T]COM :5
! DOOR F9,Y HISS$ OP5 & ,KIRK & ,SPOCK
/RODE IN1 _! [N JACKETS / ACR _! >MS4
8,B"OS10 ,KIRK SD )A GR91 NOT+ ! %E5 (
P]SPIR,N T _H APPE>$ ON ,MC,COY'S =EH1D1
8Z A DOCTOR1 Y %D "K BETT]4 ,Y'LL J FEEL
T M* COLD] :5 Y G \ 9 ! W1!R40 8,& ,I %D
"K BETT] ?AN 6EXPECT ! LOT ( Y 6%[ UP ON
"T4 ,OR T Y'D "K ! DI6];E 2T AN OLD
WIVES' TALE &A M$ICAL FACT40 ,HE TURN$
ON ,SPOCK1 EMPTY-H&$ EXCEPT =! JACKET &!
"E-PRES5T TRICORD]4 8,D WE / H 6WAIT = T
EQUIP;T ( YRS80 8,NO1 ,DOCTOR10 ,SPOCK
SD1 SETT+ ! TRICORD] D[N & %RU7+ 96HIS
JACKET1 8J = ,DAJAN & ,DR4 ,2N>4    #cdj
,WE W N 2 TAK+ ! EQUIP;T D[N AT ? "T40
,MC,COY GL.ED >.D AT ,KIRK1 :O 0
LIKEWISE DONN+ 8 JACKET1 !N BACK AT
,SPOCK4 8,MAY ,I REM9D Y1 ,SPOCK1 !
,ROMULANS H BE5 D[N "!--)! ,ROMULAN V].N
(! SAME EQUIP;T1 AC 6Y--=! LA/ HALF H\R4
,_! /UFF MI<T N 2 Z :IZBANG MOD]N Z \RS1
B IF WE GIVE !M 5 (A H1D />T1 X WON'T
MATT]40 8,D N 3C]N YRF1 ,DOCTOR4 ,_!
,8H1D />T0' W1 ,I 2LIEVE1 PROVE ILLUSORY
AT BE/40 8,TORTOISE &! H>E1 ,B"OS10
,KIRK PUT 9 Z HE SLID ! /RAP ( 8 [N
TRICORD] ONTO ! ,VELCRO-#E PAT* ON 8
%\LD]4 8,:ILE WE 7 ALL 9 ! 3F];E ROOM
DEBAT+ )\T FACTS1 ,LIEUT5ANT ,P>NELL 0
DO+ A M DETAIL$ ANALYSIS (! S5SOR R1D+S4
,HE 4COV]$ "S DI6];ES 2T ? CRY/AL &! "O
F ,TEM>IS ,F\R4 ,? F/ "T D[N1 WE'RE GO+
6D A CLOSE-RANGE EXAM9,N )! TRICORD]S TO
3FIRM ! S5SOR R1D+S4 ,& TRY 6FIGURE \ J
:AT WE H 6D 6\R EQUIP;T S X W "W40
8,DOES ? M1N WE'VE LO/ ! POSSI# ,]ISIAN
3NEC;N80 ,MC,COY ASK$4 8,IF ! /RUCTURE (
? CRY/AL IS DI6]5T F ! "O F ,TEM>IS--0
,! DOOR HISS$ OP5 & ,AUDREA ,2N>    #cda
HURRI$ IN1 TRAIL$ A MO;T LAT] 0,DAJAN1
BO? ALR 9 _! JACKETS4 ,%E TURN$ 9/ANTLY
6,SPOCK4 8,I 0 TOLD T ,LIEUT5ANT ,P>NELL
HAS 4COV]$ T ! /RUCTURE ( ? CRY/AL IS
DI6]5T F T (! ,TEM>IS CRY/AL40 8,!
DI6];E IS N 9 ! /RUCTURE1 ,DR4 ,2N>10
,SPOCK SD1 /EPP+ UP ON ! TRANSPORT]
PLAT=M4 8,! MAJOR DI6];E APPE>S 6BE T "!
IS NO MAGNETIC FIELD ASSOCIAT$ ) ?
CRY/AL40 8,!N X IS USE.S40 ,2N>'S VOICE
SLUMP$1 IF H] BODY DID N4 8,:AT"E DATA 0
/OR$ HAS BE5 LO/ "? "T40 8,N NECESS>ILY1
,DR4 ,2N>4 ,"! IS NO 9DIC,N T A MAGNETIC
FIELD 0 "E ASSOCIAT$ ) ? CRY/AL40 8,IF
TRUE10 ,2N> SD1 8T C ONLY M1N T ? CRY/AL
IS N A DATA /ORAGE DEVICE40 8,AG1 N
NECESS>ILY1 ,DR4 ,2N>1 AL? X IS C]TA9LY
POSSI#4 ,:AT ,I SUSPECT1 H["E--& :AT ,I
HOPE 63FIRM )A %ORT-RANGE TRICORD]
EXAM9,N--IS T ! DATA 0 /OR$ 0M1NS ( "S
O!R =M ( 5]GY1 9 ALL LIKELIHOOD ! SAME
=M ( 5]GY ! ,PROBE EMPLOYS40 8,B IF Y D
N "K :AT T =M ( 5]GY IS & Y >E UNA# EV5
6DETECT X--0 8,X MAY N 2 NEC1 ,DR4 ,2N>1
ANY M ?AN X IS NEC = U 6"K ! EXACT  #cdb
NATURE (! 5]GY EMITT$ 0! ,PROBE 9 ORD]
6RECORD & ANALYZE XS E6ECTS4 ,9 ! CASE (
! ,TEM>IS CRY/AL1 A =M ( MAGNETIC 5]GY 0
US$ 64TORT ! CRY/AL'S LATTICE /RUCTURE &
HOLD X 9 PLACE4 ,! S5SORS ,8R1D0' !
CRY/AL N 0M1SUR+ ! 4TOR;NS DIRECTLY B BY
M1SUR+ ! MAGNETIC FIELD T 0 ASSOCIAT$ )
T 4TOR;N4 ,IF "! IS 9DE$ A /RUCTURAL
4TOR;N 9 ? CRY/AL1 X MAY 2 POSSI# TO
M1SURE T 4TOR;N DIRECTLY1 GIV5 ! PROP]
EQUIP;T40 8,P10 ,KIRK PROMPT$1 2G9N+ TO
FEEL W>M 9SIDE 8 FUR-L9$ JACKET HMF1 8"!
W 2 ADEQUATE "T = 4CUS.N ( TE*NICAL
DETAILS ONCE WE F9D \ :AT ! TE*NICAL
DETAILS >E40 ,:5 NO "O REPLI$1 HE GE/UR$
6! 5SIGN AT ! TRANSPORT] 3TROLS4 8,KEEP
A LOCK ON U AT ALL "TS10 HE REIT]AT$1 8&
2 R1DY = FA/ RETRIEVAL40 8,AYE-AYE1
,CAPTA910 ! 5SIGN SD BRISKLY IF A TRIFLE
N]V\SLY4 ,!N HE 0 SLID+ ! 3TROLS4
,MC,COY1 LIK+ ! PROCESS NO M ? "T ?AN
ANY (! HUNDR$S ( PREVI\S "TS1 BRAC$ HMF
& WOND]$ IF %E] CURIOS;Y 0 R1SON 5 = ?
"PICUL> TRIP4 ,X 0 ALW GD 6H A DOCTOR 9
ANY L&+ "PY ON AN UN"KN _W1 B M     #cdc
?AN 5 QUALIFI$ ,/>FLEET P]SONNEL 7 ABO>D
:O CD H-- ,! TRANSPORT] 5]GIES GRIPP$
HM4 ,TALK AB 5]GIES NO "O RE,Y "U/&S6 ,!
TRANSPORT] ROOM FLICK]$ \ ( EXI/;E1
REPLAC$ A FROZ5 MO;T LAT] BY-- --D>K;S6
,I DIDN'T MAKE X6 ,T BLA/$ MA*9E F9,Y
DID ME IN6 ,LEFT ME HANG+ 9 :AT"E
NO-MAN'S-L& X S5DS ?+S "?6 ,B !N HE FELT
! PRESSURE ( 8 [N WEI<T ON ! SOLES ( 8
BOOTS4 ,&! ICY %OCK (! P]SPIR,N
EVAPORAT+ ABRUPTLY F 8 FACE4 ,& \ (!
CORN] ( 8 EYE1 A SMALL BUB# ( LI<T--
,SU45LY1 X 0 Z IF ! BUB# EXPLOD$1 B A
MO;T LAT] HE R1LIZ$ X 0 ,DR4 ,2N>1 :O _H
BE5 /&+ ON ! TRANSPORT] CIRCLE J 2H HM1
TURN+ ON ! HALOG5 LAMP HE _H SE5 9 H] H&
ONLY SECONDS 2F ON ! ,5T]PRISE4 ,KIRK &
,SPOCK 7 ON EI SIDE ( HM1 ,DAJAN NEXT TO
,2N> 2H ,SPOCK4 ,"UFOOT 0 TRANSLUC5T1
GLASS-SMOO? ICE1 TOO FRIGIDLY SOLID 6BE
SLICK4 ,OV]H1D 0 ONLY D>K;S4 ,! RO( (!
CAV]N 0 2Y ! R1* ( ,2N>'S LAMP4 ,TURN+ 9
! DIREC;N (! ORIG9AL BUB# ( LI<T1 HE
SAW1 FIFTY MET]S AWAY1 ! :ITI% GRE5 DOME
T 0 ! CRY/AL--OR Z M* ( X Z POK$    #cdd
UP "? ! ICE4 ,NEXT 6X1 WE>+ EV5 BULKI]
HOOD$ JACKETS ?AN 8 [N1 7 ! ,ROMULANS4
,! BR1? ( ALL ?REE PLUM$ \ F M\? &
NO/RIL1 RIS+ 6=M WISPY CL\DS OV] _!
H1DS4 ,TWO 7 "W+ )A PAIR ( ANT5NALIKE
DEVICES1 NUDG+ !M REP1T$LY Z IF TRY+ TO
ALIGN !M4 ,! ?IRD TURN$ & /OOD FAC+ !
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SUP]DOLPH9S60 ,HE LOOK$ BACK AT     #cfj
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T SWAM 9 X & FLEW ABV X4 ,F9,Y1 ,KIRK _H
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LI<T SPRANG 96BE+ >.D HM1 & MO;TS   #cfi
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SCI;E /,N40 8,AYE-AYE1 SIR40        #cga
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0 FA/10 ,KIRK AC"KL$G$4 8,-M&] ,UHURA
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NO 3DI;N 6PUT UP A /RU7LE4 ,!
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GRIPP$ HM 9 ! CAV]N1 _H S5T HM REEL+1
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,GALTIZH4 ,& HE R1LIZ$ HE _H FAIL$4
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OBVI\SLY N GO+ 6GET X4 ,B ! ,5T]PRISE _H
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AC"KL$G$ ) CURT NODS4 8,?ANK Y1 ,CAPTA9
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AT ! TRANSPORT] 3TROLS1 NOTIC+ ! SECUR;Y
T1M Z HE DID4 ,HE TURN$ 8 EYES      #cgd
BACK 6,KIRK4 8,I ASSUME WE [E \R PRES;E
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BIT M AL]T ?AN ^? ON ! ,GALTIZH40
8,BRIDGE P]SONNEL10 ,KIRK SD )A FA9T
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YES1 IF Y PL1SE4 ,I1 H["E1 WD L A ^W ) Y
2F ,I RETURN1 ,CAPTA91 IF T IS POSSI#40
8,( C\RSE40 ,KIRK NO4$ 6! 5SIGN AT !
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UTILIZ+ 9 ! CAV]N40 8,V WELL1
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SD :ILE ! O!R NO4$ & FOLD$ ,TIAM'S  #cge
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UNEASILY NEXT 6! CAPTA94 8,SORRY X TOOK
ME S L;G1 ,CAPTA910 ! AIDE 0 SAY+1 8B ,I
0 D[N 9 SICKBAY1 Y "K1 SEE+ H[ ,-M&]
,RILEY IS DO+40 8,& H[ IS ! AMBASSADOR
DO+80 ,TIAM ASK$4 8,/ N AWAKE10 ,H&L]
SD1 8B !Y'RE EXPECT+ X ANY"T N[40 8,T IS
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EMULATE ! VIRTU,Y HUMAN SMILE T ,HIRAN
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SUMMON+ UP ! 4TA/E;L ^WS4 8,I WD L Y TO
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9 TRANSPORT+ D[N 6! PLANET )\T F/
NOTIFY+ Y ( \R 9T5;N40 8,( C\RSE10 !
CAPTA9 SD4 8,DOES ? M1N Y WD L 6RESUME
NEGOTI,NS8 ,IF S1 P]H Y %D SP1K ) ,MR4
,H&L]1 "H40 ,TIAM REPRESS$ A SC[L4 ,!
HUMAN 0 OBVI\SLY TOY+ ) HM4 8,I AM N
SP1K+ ( =MAL NEGOTI,NS1 ,CAPTA9     #cgf
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PLAT=M1 8OR 0 ,AMBASSADOR ,TIAM GRITT+ 8
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AWAK5+80 8,!Y SD--0 8,I "K :AT ,8!Y0'
SD1 ,MR4 ,H&L]4 ,I WANT 6"K :AT Y ?9K40
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8,YES1 SIR1 ,I L 6?9K S40 8,!N TELL ME
:AT Y ?9K--Z 8 FR40 ,H&L] SWALL[$   #cgi
AG4 ,!Y 7 9 ! 'LIFT ON ! WAY 6! BRIDGE4
8,I'M WORRI$1 SIR4 ,!Y EXPECT$ HM 6WAKE
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DIDN'T H ANY--ANY LA/+ E6ECT1 B ,I'M /
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,-M&] ,RILEY80 8,N"O1 ,CAPTA94      #chj
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6SEE ,RILEY :5 HE & ,DR4 ,2N> DELIV]$ !
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SUBMITT$ MY HYPO!SIS 6! -PUT]4 ,WE C
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LIT]ATURE 3TA9$ _M DESCRIP;NS (! ABIL;Y
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8,IF MY HYPO!SIS IS CORRECT1 ,CAPTA91 X
CD 2 SAY+ _M ?+S AT ONCE1 AT _M DI6]5T
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SAME ?+ 9 _M DI6]5T WAYS AT _M DI6]5T
FREQU5CIES4 ,AT ? PO9T1 X IS        #chb
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6"U/&4 8,EA* ( ^? PATT]NS--H[ _M DID Y
F9D8 ,TW5TY8 ,?IRTY8 ,EA* ( ^? PATT]NS
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! POSSIBIL;Y T EA* IS SAY+ "S?+ DI6]5T4
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FREQU5CIES T 3TA9S A PATT]N & 6TR1T EA*
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RETURN+ 6! ORBIT (! ,PROBE40 8,-M&]
,UHURA--0 8,HAIL+ ! ,GALTIZH1 ,CAPTA94
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8,X'S DEF9ITELY H1D+ =! ,PROBE'S ORBIT1
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VIEWSCRE51 ! FROZ5 PLANET _H 4APPE>$1
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NO?+ N[4 ,X WD WAIT4 ,X WD OBS]VE4  #chd
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6MAKE USE (! SAME KILL+ RAYS1 _! MIMICK+
(! ,TRUE ,LANGUAGE WD N SAVE !M4
  ,,TW5TY-?REE
  ,TIAM KNEW "S?+ 0 WR;G ! MO;T !
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SAW T ,J5YU1 N ,KITAL1 0 WAIT+ = HM4
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/OOD UNEASILY 6"O SIDE1 FLANK$ 0TWO
(FIC]S ,TIAM DID N "K4 8,:AT 0 ! SUB/.E
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CL&E/9E60 8,!N :Y DID Y S5D ! SUBCOMM&]S
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N]V\SLY4 8,I 0 TOLD T Y _H )DRAWN ALL \R
P F ! ,VULCAN'S GR\P4 ,& ;,I--,I TOLD HM
!Y WD 2 RETURN+4 ,HE AGRE$40 8,!Y W N
RETURN4 ,NOR W Y40 8,B ! ,VULCAN--!Y SAY
HE HAS 4COV]$ A KEY 6! OBJECT'S EMIS.NS6
,IF TRUE1 X CD M1N WE W SOON 2 A# TO
A*IEVE ! LATE ,PRAETOR'S            #che
OBJECTIVE--B ONLY IF Y ALL[ ME 6RETURN
6! ,5T]PRISE60 ,J5YU _H />T$ 6TURN AWAY1
B HE TURN$ BACK AT ,TIAM'S F9AL ^WS4
8,H[ S80 8,! FALSE PATT]NS \R P ,8F.D0'
= !M6 ,) ^? A4$ 6! TRUE PATT]NS !Y M/ "W
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W SUBSEQU5TLY SU3E$80 8,P]H N GU>ANTEE1
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9 ! GODS' "NS8 ,HE "KS Z WELL Z ,I :AT X
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\ ,HIRAN'S ^WS4
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AC;N MI<T EV5 M1N ! DE/RUC;N (! ,EMPIRE
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SU3E$ 9 4ABL+ X1 9 : CASE ! ,5T]PRISE WD
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F> M LI<TLY >M$ ,GALTIZH4 ,"! 0 A M*
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ATTACK WD D LL OR NO DAMAGE 6! MON/] B
WD PROVOKE A RESPONSE T WD VAPORIZE !
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OBJECT PASS$ "? ,ROMULAN SPACE1 &!
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6-MUNICATE ) X4 ,X WD NO M D ! ,F$],N'S
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N ! DERELICT ! ,PRAETOR _H F/ ASSUM$4 ,X
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AN AG5DA T SAW ! ,EMPIRE &! ,F$],N--IF X
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6BE SWATT$ IF !Y PROV$ TOO TR\#"S4 ,TO
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& T MI<T 2 5 6ELEVATE ! ,EMPIRE F !
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G"O ON =A GD FIVE M9UTES4 8,X 0 MY DUTY
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8,I H D"O S4 ,N[1 EXCEPT = ^? ^: DUTIES
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,J5YU _H ! P[]4
  ,F9,Y1 ! 9T]COM 9 ,HIRAN'S QU>T]S FELL
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,TIAM SAW T ! ,GALTIZH _H 2GUN 6MOVE4
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"OS HE HAS MANN+ ! BRIDGE >E Z MAD Z HE
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A RA7$ BR1?4 8,IS "! NO?+ Y C D8 ,Y >E !
-M&] (! ,GALTIZH1 AF ALL60 8,Y DID N
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CAPTA94 ,HE 9VOK$ ! ,MA/] ,DOM9ION
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DEF5SE T X 0 EASY = HM & 8 SIX M5 TO
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6ME1 B--0 8,! CIVILIANS1 ! SCI5TI/S &
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WD ASSUME N1 B !Y 7 ALL ASSEM#D & LOCK$
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GRIM-FAC$ ,SUBCOMM&] ,F]IC4 8,F]IC6
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APP5DAGE10 ,SULU SD F ! HELM1 8! "O WE
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8,I'D />T WORRY+ IF !Y DID "S?+ T DID
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8,ON-SCRE540 ,! ,PROBE &! M9USCULE
,GALTIZH VANI%$1 REPLAC$ A MO;T LAT] 0AN
IMAGE (! ,ROMULAN BRIDGE4 ,B A      #cib
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EQU,Y \-(-FOCUS ,HIRAN /OOD AT ! RE> (!
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AT ! ,ROMULAN EQUIVAL5T (A SCI;E /,N4
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8,"! IS ANO!R POSSIBIL;Y10 HE SD1   #cic
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AMBASSADOR4 8,& Y H SD NO?+ UNTIL N[8
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4TORT$1 Z IF 6MAT* ! IMAGES4 8,I M/
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GL.ED "Q+LY T[>D ,SPOCK :ILE
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,HIRAN10 HE SD4 8,:AT C WE D = Y80 8,IN
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5C.T]$ X AT LESS ?AN T5 KILOMET]S4 ,Y W
2 A# 6GET )9 TRACTOR-B1M RANGE )\T
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