Part 5 (1/2)

Once more Pike ignored the younger man's clumsy attempt to perturb him.

”Enlist in Starfleet.”

Kirk just gaped at the figure seated on the other side of the table. ”Enlist in-You must be way way down on your recruiting quota for the month.” down on your recruiting quota for the month.”

Pike refused to give up. He was less than encouraged, but Kirk was still there, still sitting across from him. There had to be a reason-besides his superficial injuries-why the younger man had not yet fled the room. He might not be eager, but it was just possible that he was curious. The captain continued to play on that possibility.

”If you're half the man your father was...” He stopped himself mid-sentence. Nostalgia wasn't working. Perhaps promise would be more tempting. ”Jim, Starfleet could use a guy like you. You're headstrong but you're smart. One without the other is useful. Both employed in tandem point toward a potentially dynamic career. You could be an officer in four years. Have your own s.h.i.+p in eight. Unusual, but not unheard of. I know people as well as s.h.i.+ps. I believe you could do it.”

He was getting to him, Pike could see it. Just when he thought he might be having a real impact, the younger man stood and clutched at his jacket. The faint flicker of interest Pike had aroused was once more replaced by att.i.tude.

”We're even, right? I can go? Or do I have to sit through more of the sermon?”

Pike nodded reluctantly. ”We're even. You're welcome for the bailout. Enjoy your next bar fight.” Pus.h.i.+ng his chair away from the table, he also rose.

”Yeah, that should be some time later tonight. Varies according to the fullness of the moon.”

They were done here, Pike saw. But he couldn't let it go without adding one last bit of information, more hopeful than expectant. Pike saw. But he couldn't let it go without adding one last bit of information, more hopeful than expectant.

”We're at the Riverside s.h.i.+pyard inspecting construction of a new vessel. Shuttle for new recruits leaves tomorrow oh-six hundred.” He hesitated, then locked eyes one last time with the younger man standing across from him. ”Your father was the captain of a stars.h.i.+p for twelve minutes. He saved eight hundred lives, including your mother's and yours. I dare dare you to do better.” Pivoting sharply, he headed for the door. you to do better.” Pivoting sharply, he headed for the door.

”Ooo,” Kirk muttered mockingly, ”you dare dare me. What's that-the playground version of Starfleet? Gonna take your uniforms and your bonus and go home if I don't play?” But Pike was already through the door and out of earshot. me. What's that-the playground version of Starfleet? Gonna take your uniforms and your bonus and go home if I don't play?” But Pike was already through the door and out of earshot.

Which left a conflicted Kirk stewing in his own thoughts, and in more confusion than he would have thought possible.

Flat, featureless, and largely empty save for the isolated Starfleet installation, there was no denying that central Iowa was boring during the day. Exceeding all posted speed limits did not alleviate the boredom: excessive velocity only made the interminable vistas whip past faster. Iowa scenery cubed was still Iowa scenery dominated by endless fields of cornstalks and the occasional sleek grain tower. He had grown up with it, Kirk mused as he leaned forward on the spokeless electric cycle. That did not make it any less repet.i.tious.

Like the fight last night. Different antagonists, different venue, similar outcome. As he sped southward, an uncomfortable vision presented itself: him, lying on the floor of another unnamed bar, in an unknown town, at some unspecified date in the future. Dazed, beat-up, and doing boozy complex calculations in his head for the amus.e.m.e.nt of laughing patrons in order to cadge a few credits to buy a bottle. It was not a pretty picture. With no one else present to bear the brunt of his trademark sarcasm, it did not seem quite so amusing as it had in the past.

Then there was the other past-the one that d.a.m.ned Captain Pike had dredged up. Anecdotes about the father he had never known. Tales of heroism. Stories of accomplishment. Parables of achievement. As the bike cruised along the otherwise empty road he glanced skyward. Blue was beautiful but empty, whereas the night sky was full of stars. Go outside after the moon had set and you could not escape them. His jaw clenched. What else couldn't he escape? Until Pike had dredged it back up, Kirk had managed to escape his past.

Did he also want to escape his future?

The fence was not particularly high, but it was strongly charged. The invisible energy beams that hummed through the traditional metal latticework and rose higher than his head could not be interdicted without setting off multiple alarms. Vertically aimed beams meant that a would-be intruder could not simply soar over it. Kirk made no attempt to do so. Instead, he pulled up just outside the perimeter. Within, wrapped in a web of metal and composite scaffolding, a stars.h.i.+p was under construction.

Its presence was no secret. Starfleet had chosen central Iowa as the site of this particular construction yard not only because of its proximity to Mississippi s.h.i.+pping and the industrial-commercial hubs of the Midwest but because if something blew, few people outside the yard itself would be at risk. There was ample room to work, plenty of territory for subsidiary firms and support industries to set up shop, and the ground was flat and tectonically stable.

His bike idling almost silently, Kirk gazed at the great s.h.i.+p. While the superstructure was largely finished, it was still a long way from being complete, and internal fitting out had barely begun. The service yard was filled with crates, containers, and boxes, some of them enormous, each stenciled or otherwise branded with the name of the new vessel for which their contents were destined.

U.S.S. ENTERPRISE As he observed the flurry of activity, he sought the right words to describe the s.h.i.+p. She was the newest model and represented the latest Starfleet designs. Not that he paid regular attention to such things, oh no. He had been far more interested in which female performers happened to be dancing or singing at the regional bars. Physical beauty had always been important to him. That and natural charm, stance, and grace.

With a start he realized that he was unconsciously applying the same parameters to the s.h.i.+p under construction.

What the h.e.l.l do you think you're doing? he asked himself. he asked himself. You sleep You sleep on on a stars.h.i.+p, not with it. Why are you wasting your time here? What makes you think they'd accept an overage delinquent like yourself? Because one slumming Starfleet captain said so? You haven't even contemplated filling out the necessary forms, let alone making formal application. Get away, get going, get gone. a stars.h.i.+p, not with it. Why are you wasting your time here? What makes you think they'd accept an overage delinquent like yourself? Because one slumming Starfleet captain said so? You haven't even contemplated filling out the necessary forms, let alone making formal application. Get away, get going, get gone.

Spinning the bike, he accelerated away from the fence and the inaccessible metal temptress within. But which way to go? Which way to flee? He was nauseous with indecision.

Just go, his inner self screamed. his inner self screamed. No particular direction. That-away. No particular direction. That-away.

In the heart of the construction and a.s.sembly complex, Captain Christopher Pike found his gaze sliding repeatedly toward the main gate. No reason why it should be so, he knew. No reason to expect anything out of the ordinary. Still...

The shuttle pilot wandered over. ”We waiting for something, Cap'?”

Pike shook his head. ”No. I guess not.” The pilot nodded and headed off in the direction of his waiting craft.

There was final data to check. Always more paperwork, even in the absence of paper. Reports to sign off on, statistics to confirm, requests to answer, procedures to follow...

He couldn't wait to get out of the atmosphere.

Something was wending its way through the bustle toward him. A bike, a slick and elegant model, whirring powerfully. He did not recognize the machine, but its rider was familiar. Pike allowed himself a grin, and waited.

Dismounting, Kirk came toward him. The younger man carried no baggage save for unfulfilled expectations. He looked as c.o.c.ky as he had that night in the bar, albeit somewhat less weather-beaten. As he strode purposefully toward Pike, a pa.s.sing worker paused to glance in the direction of the parked bike.

”Nice ride.”

Without looking in the man's direction Kirk tossed him the ignition and identification card. ”Live it up.”

Reflexively catching the toss, the man gaped at him. ”Hey, you kidding me...?” Kirk did not even look at him. Did not look back. In the course of some very serious introspection, he had made a significant discovery.

He was tired of objects.

Halting directly in front of Pike, he regarded the captain evenly. For a moment neither man said anything. For a moment neither needed to do so. A good deal pa.s.sed between them without having to be put into words. Pike eventually broke the silence.

”How did you get in here? Past security?”

The att.i.tude was still present. ”Told 'em I was your nephew. Came to say good-bye, not enough time to fill out the necessary requests, and they could check me with a retina scan. The guard-in-charge had her buddies go over my bike while she checked me out personally.” Kirk grinned broadly. ”Guard-in-charge was a gal. I can be very persuasive.”

”Yes,” Pike replied dryly, ”I believe I saw ample evidence of that the other night.” Turning slightly, he indicated the waiting shuttle. ”You're here: that's what matters. No time to fit you with a uniform, I'm afraid.”

”That's all right,” Kirk a.s.sured him. ”I'm not real big on uniforms. They tend to get in my face.”

”Nevertheless you'll be required to wear one. And not, if you please, over your face. Any last questions before you board?”

”You mean like, any last wishes? Just one. What's the Academy's policy on fraternization between cadets?”

Pike didn't crack a smile. ”You'll find out. Just like you'll find out the Academy's policy on everything else.”

Kirk started past him. ”Won't some poor psion-pusher get upset when I show up on board without appropriate paperwork?”

”If there's any problem, use me as a reference,” Pike told him. ”Just try not to reference me too often, okay?”

Smiling, Kirk snapped off a farewell salute. Or to be more precise, flicked one finger at the captain from the general vicinity of his forehead. Then he was gone, lost among the crowd that was preparing the shuttle for departure. Left to his thoughts, Pike smiled to himself. He had not exactly countermanded proper procedure in recruiting young Kirk. More like danced around it.