Star Trek: The Original Series - 162 - Shadow of the Machine Read Online Free PDF

nodded slowly, and when he replied, Spock noted that there was a touch of sadness in the captain’s voice. “I did, but I did not have the will. I failed.” Syvar directed a stern gaze at the Enterprise ’s first officer. “You have been given a second chance, an opportunity to return and complete the ritual. For the masters to allow such a thing is unprecedented. But, then, you are Sarek’s son—”
    “You are mistaken, Syvar,” Spock said, cutting off the Vulcan captain. “I do not return to Vulcan to continue Kolinahr , but the opposite.”
    Frowning, Syvar said, “I do not understand. The V’Ger threat is nullified. The Enterprise is safely in spacedock, surely your business with Starfleet is concluded.”
    “The crew has been granted two weeks’ shore leave while the Enterprise is readied for relaunch,” Spock told him.
    There was a marked change in Syvar’s demeanor. The broad shoulders encased in the white, short-sleeved tunic slowly began to slump, and he folded his thick arms behind him. The captain was displaying Vulcan disappointment in his honored guest.
    “Why would you choose to abandon Kolinahr ?” Syvar asked.
    Spock took time to consider the captain’s words. “As much as I wanted it, it did not want me.”

Chapter 3
    IOWA
    Daylight was filling the skies as James Kirk stepped down from the shuttle and onto the winding dirt track that led to the Kirk farm. The last few heavy drops of rain had ended, freshening the fields.
    He glanced down at his chrono: 08:55 Central Time.
    Iowa was two hours ahead.
    When he’d boarded the connecting shuttle back in San Francisco, Kirk had miscalculated, assuming that he’d arrive in Iowa before seven in the morning, just as the family were starting their morning chores. The moment he realized his error he’d sent a message off to Hanna, letting her know when he’d be arriving.
    But Kirk didn’t tell her the reason why. He knew his mistake would really tickle his aunt. Also, he’d never hear the last of it, especially from Uncle Abner.
    It was an easy mistake to make, especially when you worked at Starfleet Operations and seldom left the San Francisco area. Starship captains were used to Command contacting them at all hours of the ship’s “day.” Starship clocks were synced to local bases and, if time permitted, the cities on the planets they visited. It was easy to forget about planetary time differences.
    It was a long time since Kirk had been back to the old family farm, six or seven years, not since the memorial for Sam and Aurelan. They’d been attacked and killed by a swarm of neural parasitic creatures while living on Deneva. Peter had survived, but he had lost both of his parents in horrific circumstances.
    Was that why he had avoided the farm? Too many ghosts?
    • • •
    Of course, there were the good memories too, of happier times when he and Sam were kids. Swimming in the creek when the weather was hot. The tire swing hanging from the branches of the big gnarled old bur oak that grew at the edge of the water, just at the spot where the banks began to narrow.
    There was the time when Kirk was seven years old, Sam would have been eleven. They were playing explorers in the old barn on the top of the hill behind the farm. Sam was Zefram Cochrane. He always insisted on being Zefram Cochrane when they were playing explorers, and he’d never let anyone else be him. Kirk was Lil’ Sloane. He didn’t know who Lil’ Sloane was, not back then, but Sam told him that Lil’ was Cochrane’s right-hand man.
    “Lil’ was this huge guy,” Sam told him with a knowing smile, throwing his arms out to either side of him, to show he meant big .
    “Was he a giant?” Kirk asked.
    Sam nodded eagerly at this. “As good as. He was nearly as tall as the old barn door. That’s why they called him Lil’ Sloane, as a joke. And he was loyal too! In fact, he was Zefram’s right-hand man.” Sam squinted down at his little brother then, asking, “Do