Killing Time (Star Trek: The Original Series Book 24) by Della Van Hise

Author:Della Van Hise [Hise, Della Van]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 2000-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Forcing himself to relax, Jerry Richardson sank back against the head of the oversized bed. On the other side, Yeoman S’Parva mirrored his actions, a wide grin spreading across her canine features.

"What’s the matter, Jerry?" she asked. "Afraid I’ll bite?"

Richardson laughed, unprepared for humor. He glanced around the lab, trying to ignore the fact that conditions were something less than ideal. On the other side of the privacy divider, two technicians would be monitoring heartrate, blood pressure, respiration, electroencephalograms and various other critical bodily functions during the experimental telepathic link. He felt himself blush all the way down to his toenails, then chastised himself for his own nervousness. But despite the dual-universe rumors which had been making the rounds, and regardless of the fact that the experiment could well shed some light on an apparently grim subject, he found relaxation impossible.

"Let’s just say I never really believed you’d agree to this," he replied at last.

Across the bed, S’Parva shrugged. "You forget that Katellans aren’t Vulcans," she reminded him. "Telepathy is the main form of communication on Katella—and not at all unpleasant."

Richardson swallowed. That’s what I’m afraid of! he said to himself. But he managed a smile. "Is there anything we have to do first?" he asked. "Take out the garbage, walk the cat … get married?"

Laughing, S’Parva shook her head. "All you have to do is let me come into your mind," she replied. "The rest’ll be easy." She propped herself up on one elbow, meeting the ensign’s expectant gaze. "And presuming there is something out of sync, it shouldn’t make any difference to the higher consciousness. I’ll be … acting as a guide mainly," she continued, "helping you follow any images you receive." She looked over her head. "And all of it will be automatically recorded on the vid-scanner for analysis."

Richardson frowned thoughtfully. "So … theoretically, the mind will just slip back into its natural … universe." He wanted to laugh, to cry, to do anything at all to break the sudden tension. "I could," he ventured, "find myself sweeping the men’s room at the bus station!"

The Katellan winked. "Or working as an Orion slave trader," she suggested as an alternative.

The human sighed deeply, grateful that S’Parva had taken the time to explain the current theories to him. But the idea of an entirely different universe … He shuddered. "Okay," he conceded at last. "In the name of science, let’s get on with it." In the name of science. He made a mental note to strangle his roommate at the next possible opportunity.

After a moment, S’Parva nodded toward the technician who was waiting just outside the privacy divider. The young lieutenant disappeared, and the lights dimmed to night normal.

In the darkness, Richardson breathed deeply, feeling the Katellan’s soft-furred hand slide into his own, fingers entwining reassuringly. He was peripherally aware of the hum of medical monitoring equipment, and of the gentle surge of psychic warmth which he felt from his partner. He smiled to himself … and reality slowly spun out of focus as their minds joined.

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