Constellations Read Free Page A

the exam room and saw three cloaked figures searching through her belongings. They seemed to know exactly what they were looking for and were gathering specific items atop her worktable: two Starfleet medical tricorders, a communicator, assorted surgical instruments, a hypospray kit, and other equipment that was at extreme odds with the room’s comparably primitive trappings.
    Her temper flaring at the violation, Jendra burst into the room, hoping to catch the intruders off guard. “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing here?” she shouted.
    Three Grennai males looked up at her with matching expressions of alarm, though none of them moved from where they stood. Instead, one of the men regarded her, his features changing from shock to what Jendra read as annoyance. In a firm voice, he said, “I’ve been waiting to ask you exactly the same question, Dr. Jendra.”
    The words were in Federation Standard, rather than the language native to Grennai in this region. Jendra’s jaw dropped as she fumbled for her own response. She remained silent as one of the other men stepped forward, his hand reaching up to move his hood back from his head, and Jendra was startled to realize that she recognized his face.
    â€œRevati, we need to talk.”
    Despite the darkened skin, white hair, and obviously prosthetic ears, there was no mistaking the voice of Dr. Leonard McCoy.
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    McCoy watched as Revati Jendra—cosmetically altered just as he was to resemble the indigenous Grennai—regarded him with an expression first of shock, then confusion before comprehension dawned and a wide smile creased her aged features.
    â€œLeonard?” Jendra exclaimed, stepping forward to clasp both of his hands in hers. Smiling, she said, “I never thought I’d see you again, least of all here.”
    â€œYou’re not exactly the easiest person to track down,” McCoy replied, relief at seeing her seeping into his voice. “I’ve been worried about you. A lot of people have.”
    Her smile fading, Jendra cast her head downward. “I can imagine.” She cleared her throat before returning her gaze to meet his, and McCoy saw a hint of regret in her eyes. “Not a chance this is happy coincidence, I suppose.”
    â€œYou suppose correctly, Doctor.”
    Even with his normal features disguised beneath the darkened skin tone and the artificial hair and ears, there was no hiding or suppressing James Kirk’s command presence. McCoy saw the familiar set to his captain’s jaw as he stepped forward to confront Jendra. “We’re here to take you back with us.”
    She glanced at McCoy before offering a warm, knowing smile the doctor would have recognized regardless of the situation at hand. “You must be Captain Kirk,” she said. Looking at McCoy’s other companion, she added, “And Mr. Spock. Leonard has spoken very highly of you both.” She held out her hand in greeting.
    As if unprepared for Jendra’s lack of initial resistance, the captain paused before nodding. “Thank you,” he offered, his tone less rigid now. As Kirk and Jendra shook hands, McCoy noticed the slight yet obvious relaxing of his friend’s stance and, yes, even the first hints of that now-familiar glint in the man’s eye. For Jim Kirk, turning on the charm for a woman—any woman—seemed a reflex as natural as breathing.
    â€œI’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances, Doctor,” Kirk said after a moment, his tone all business once again, “but I’m afraid Starfleet can’t allow you to remain here.”
    Pulling herself up as if to meet Kirk eye-to-eye, Jendra replied, “The nature of my work here is humanitarian, Captain. I want us to be clear about that.”
    â€œThen clearly, ” Kirk snapped, biting down on the word, “you must be aware that your presence here is a violation of the Prime Directive