Star Trek: TOS: From History's Shadow by Dayton Ward

Author:Dayton Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 2013-07-30T07:00:00+00:00

So, is this what alien mind control feels like?

The thought echoed in Wainwright’s mind as he regarded Mestral across the small, round table occupying one corner of the apartment’s main room. The room itself was a functional affair, with sparse furnishings that gave Wainwright the impression its occupant had only recently moved in, or perhaps did not plan on staying for any great length of time. Marshall sat to his left, and he noted her worried expression. He offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

“It’s okay,” he said. “To be honest, I haven’t felt this well-rested in years.”

“You are welcome,” said Mestral. “The mind meld can be a taxing experience, particularly for someone lacking their own nascent telepathic abilities, but the initiating party can mitigate those effects if they possess the proper training. If you do experience any lingering discomfort, I hope you will alert me.”

Aside from an odd thirst he did not recall before subjecting himself to Mestral’s touch, Wainwright was obliged to admit that there appeared to be no untoward effects to what had just transpired. For his part, Mestral seemed to have anticipated this one consequence and had provided a glass of water, which Wainwright drank in rapid fashion. Forcing a smile, he asked, “Is this all part of the brainwashing?”

Mestral’s right eyebrow arched. “I am unfamiliar with that term, Major, but if you are worried that I may somehow have manipulated your mind for my own personal gain, I can only offer you my assurances to the contrary, along with the evidence I already have presented to you.”

“What was it like, Jim?” Marshall asked, her tone conveying her persistent concern for him. “Can you describe it?”

Reaching up to rub his temples, Wainwright replied, “Like a very intense dream, though even more vivid than that. It’s like I was . . .” He stopped, studying Mestral’s face. “Like standing in a foggy room, where every sound echoes, and in front of you is a giant movie screen. It felt real and yet not real, at the same time. Does that even make sense?”

“It does,” Mestral said. “Mind melds often produce a sensation of viewing an event from a sort of detached reality. Participants have described the experience as being separated from their corporeal form, feeling as though they are nothing more than an unfettered consciousness.”

Marshall placed her hand on Wainwright’s arm. “For what it’s worth, you didn’t seem to be in any pain, and he didn’t do or say anything I found off.” Her words made Wainwright glance to the Colt .45 pistol resting in her lap, which she had kept with her throughout the entire “thought exchange.” Though Wainwright himself had been willing to subject himself to the procedure, Marshall remained the voice of reason and caution. He smiled at her, placing his other hand atop hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I’m fine,” he said, “really.” Redirecting his attention to Mestral, he added, “Calling it eye-opening’s a damned understatement, that’s for sure.” The revelation

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