by Jack C. Haldeman II
“You lived, Kirk. My brother died. There is the difference. You will pay for that difference, pay dearly. Not now, maybe not tomorrow, but someday. Someday, when you least expect it, I will kill you. Slowly, painfully. It will give me great pleasure. I have sworn the oath of blood upon our father’s grave. ”
Long ago, Captain Kirk killed the Klingon Khall, Commander Korol’s brother, in hand-to hand combat. Probably on Kardashia. Korol swears revenge and follows the Enterprise around, becoming a convenient plot point later in the story.
In need of R&R and routine maintenance and trailed by the Klingon seeking revenge, the Enterprise is sent to Perry’s Planet to investigate the possibility of Federation membership. There is no violence on Perry. They are a peaceful people. This is because the planet’s benevolent dictator, Wayne Perry, has developed a Peacekeeper Virus and inoculated the population with it. They are incapable of seeing, hearing, committing, or thinking about violent acts. The virus is immediately transmissible, although there are some natural immunes. Perry plans to infect the universe.
Random Thoughts written down as I read:
I like this author. He seems to understand the characters and the universe. The story and its telling a sensible and-–dare I say?—logical. The landing party proceeds as it ought to: observe, record, contact, report. The crewmembers are capable and intelligent.
Christine Chapel is an efficient, knowledgeable, and capable nurse with a sly sense of humor.
Chekov is young, rash, hot-headed, and frightened.
Sulu drives the ship.
Scotty has a brogue. It is not mentioned whether it comes and goes.
McCoy gets the girl. But she decides to stay behind on the planet.
Kirk is heroic, diplomatic, and intelligent. He doesn’t try to jump in bed with anyone.
Spock is witty, inquisitive, and spars with Bones.
Uhura and Dr. Kelly Davis are kidnapped and beaten. It is implied that they are gang-raped. This is denied later, but the denial is implausible given the circumstances. That took a pretty dark turn.
I guess the Klingons don’t use shields.
The upbringing of the native aide Rus is not possible considering the effects of the Peacekeeper Virus.
The story ends with a gleeful free-for-all on the Enterprise bridge.
LOL “Seven major ones, ten minor ones, with endless permutations and subcategories to follow. ” –Spock, when asked if he has reasons for his conclusions.
WTF Quote: “I have lived longer than you, son of your father, and I see no trap.”