GAMBIT by Kay Wells

As the three from the alien universe finished taking their readings and began moving about, Kirk gasped in surprise as he watched the figure he had recognized as Spock's counterpart, walking with a decided limp. He wondered if it were a recent injury, but his gut instincts told him it was a permanent impairment. Another quick glance at his companion reaffirmed the Vulcan's continuing detachment. As he turned back to the screen, the third man, the one he had not yet identified, turned.

Spock saw him first and couldn't suppress a gasp. Kirk felt his bondmate's reaction before he had fully focused on the face. When he did, he paled visibly and uttered a pained, "Oh, my god."

"Jim," Spock called softly, leaning over and gently touching the other man's arm. Kirk's eyes were closed and his face wore a slight grimace, as if in pain. Spock understood, even with his shields up he could feel his companion's distress.

"I'm okay, Spock," Kirk answered, not yet ready to reopen his eyes.

"It is quite a shock," Spock acknowledged.

"No kidding," Kirk laughed nervously, turning his face towards the Vulcan before opening his eyes and found Spock gazing at him with compassionate understanding. Swallowing his distress, he forced himself to face the viewer again and breathed a sigh of relief to find the Empire officers reentering their shuttle. "I can't even imagine what could have happened to them in the last twenty years He looked so old...old and worn out...and your counterpart...what could have happened that would leave him with a limp that couldn't be corrected?"

"Perhaps there is no one he can trust enough to perform the necessary procedure," Spock suggested.

Kirk looked at him, disbelief warring with anger. "I just can't.... How could it be that bad?"

"Jim, you yourself described how truly barbaric and cruel that universe was."

"But I had hoped...."

"That one man might change all that? I do not think that was a realistic option."

"But that Spock seemed to have the same innate sense of justice and decency that you do...and I told him about the Tantalus Field."

"I remember. You also suggested he...remove his captain to accomplish those goals."

"I didn't know then that they were lovers. He wouldn't have done it."

"I am not sure the term 'lovers' is appropriate."

"For them,maybe. Maybe there wasn't isn't anything else. Did we look that different twenty years ago?"

COVERS by DEW (color)

ART by DEW

June 1991