SF
" TREKING"
Saga de Star Trek Alternative by Alfredo Juillet Frascara.
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Book One.....Zignos
Book Two....Veresdino
Book Three....Verne
Book Four.....Second
Book Five......Sadiron 



BOOK THREE----------------------------------------------------------------

"The Verne."

18.june.1997, Santiago de Chile.
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1.	Captain James Tiberius Kirk.
2.	First Officer John Newark.
3.	Second Officer Maora Noemi
4.	Science Officer Xtmprszntwlfd  S'chin T'gai Spock
5.	Medical officer Leonard Horatio McCoy
6.	Chief Engineer Charly Evans .
7.	Transporter  Engineer   Wladimir Smirnoff.
8.	Ensign Pavel Adreiev Chekov.
9.	Exo Biologist Jennifer Smith
10.	Communications Officer Nyota*/Upenda*.... Uhura
11.	Radar Man Lemuel the fleto
12.	Guards {Enlisted  First and Second Class}: Simpertigue, Lagrange 
13.	Nurse Christine  Chapel
14.	Itaka Hikaru Sulu
15.	Winston* Kyle			(Lt - Transporter Chief)
16.	Janice Rand			(Yeoman)
17.	Kevin Thomas Riley		(Lt)
18.	John Farrell			(Lt)
19.	Dave Bailey			(Lt)
20.	Charles/Carlos Jaeger		(Meteorology Officer/helm)
21.	Leslie				(Lt)
22.	Kelowitz			(Lt Cmdr)
23.	DeSalle				(Lt)
24.	DePaul				(Lt)
25.	Hansen				(Lt)

Civilians :
	Ed Wood, Hacker.
	Amanda Smith
	Stefanos Sarios, Professor.

Alien race : Terlugians ,"Lords of Air".{Feor, Alarfa, Machaum, Sjiku.}

Home planet : Malma.

Ships:

Verne I.II.III

Beta Brabazone

Enterprise

Jose Miguel Carrera

Ebon

--------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 1.

Some rocks began hitting the hulk.

- Chekov, get us out of here !"- Kirk ordered.

He gave the impulse power to the engines, but one of the engines fussed and the Enterprise turn to the right, receiving the debris sideways.

- Shields !"- Asked Kirk.

Chekov pulsed the necessary buttons, and the console burst into flames.

- Shit!"- he said, as the fires burns his hands.

- Sulu ! Full speed "- Asked Kirk, turning to the Asiatic, who were at the second console.

- There is nothing working, Sir."- Sulu replied, with his British accent.

- Damn !"- Kirk said, looking at the monitors.

- They are congratulating us from Earth ! They said the Comet is no longer a menace !"- Uhura said, having received such notice by the radio.

- Great ! We will die with a congratulation !"- Groaned Kirk.

- Captain ! There is another vessel approaching...="- Uhura said, and she connected the radio to the loudspeakers.

-"... "Beta Brabazone"...problems ?...ready..."- Was the intermittent transmission.

- They could take us out of here ! Tell them to use a track beam on us ! "- Kirk urged.

- Transmitting."- Uhura said.

The "Beta Brabazone" track beamed the " Enterprise". As it was a lesser ship, the velocity wasn't great, but it was enough for to tow the ship out of danger.

Half an hour elapsed, Captain Nester Verne arrives to the Deck of the Enterprise. He was a tall bearded man, with green eyes and black hear.

- Nice to save you, Captain Kirk !"- He yelled.

- Glad to be saved by you, Captain Verne ! How do you appear in the nick of time, I cannot imagine !"- Kirk replied, handshaking the other man.

- Sixth sense I have, no more ! I knew you were here, so I decided to take a look ! "- Verne replied, and seeing McCoy, he told him "- My old good doctor ! How are you?"

- Fine , Captain. Glad to see you ."

- I guess there is enough time to pay a visit to your Infirmary."- Captain Verne suggested.

- Be my guest!"- McCoy smiled.

The two Captains and the Doctor went there, where McCoy produced his famous bottle of Bourbon, and he pours if in three glasses.

- Cheers! "- Verne said, drinking.

- I guess you follow us just to take a shot of this poison !"- Kirk said.

- Guess you are half right !"- Captain Verne said, laughing uproariously.

- This ship isn't working as it should. It is not half the vessel it was before !"- Kirk said, sitting at a metallic chair.

- Guess it cannot be, my Captain. Remember this vessel was duplicated."- Verne remarked.

- Duplicated..."- Kirk repeats, looking at Verne.

- Yes ! Don't you know the fashion now is to duplicate? They duplicate ships, meals, you name it. The only thing they are not duplicating are people. But I guess they do it, in some occasions."- Captain Verne informed.

- That is why this vessel it's falling apart !"- McCoy utters, serving a new round of drinks.

- Those Duplicators are the last technological achievement there is ! But the final products aren't as good as the Originals. But then , they did several replicas ! So nobody is complaining."- Captain Verne said, drinking slowly.

- I cannot fly this vessel without engines. You should tow us to the nearest port."- Kirk asked.

- You must ask for it to Colonel Tallion."- Captain Verne said.

Kirk went to the Bridge, and he said to Uhura :-" Tell Colonel Tallion we are drifting in the space. That the "Beta Brabazone " rescued us, and that I want to be towed to some Station, as the "Enterprise" needs repair."

- Yes, Sir."- She replied.

Captain Verne went to his ship, and the response came, from Headquarters : they were to be towed to Moon Base III. They secured both vessels, and the "Beta Brabazone " carried the Enterprise to the Moon.

In the meantime, the engineers repaired some engines, so the "Enterprise" was able to land in the Moon with their own means.

The "Beta Brabazone" was send to Mars, in a new mission.

---------------------------------------------

Chapter 2.

The "Enterprise " begun to be repaired when the " Jose Miguel Carrera" arrives.

The " Jose Miguel Carrera" was a new vessel in the Star Fleet, having the last resources aboard, so it was able to refit any ship whatsoever.

Also there was an able technical staff on board. Among the engineers were Montgomery Edward Scott...

- The new engines are being placed, Jim."- McCoy told his friend.

-Fine. I am eager to leave the Moon and fly away."- Kirk replied.

They were at the terrace of the "Holofernes Hotel", a building with 89 levels.

- Here we are resting, Jim. Far from the noise of cities and the danger of deep space."

- "Those things aren't detested by me. I accept them."

- "Scotty is among the staff who is repairing our ship."

- "So I heard. I expect he didn't collapse some vital elements."- Kirk replied.

- "Perhaps the precedent failures weren't all his fault."- McCoy remarked.

- Now, Bones ! Do not tell me you want him aboard again !"- Kirk interjected.

- Yes. He told me to ask for a place at the "Enterprise". No matter if it is not at his former post."

- " I can gave him a place among the officers, but he will be not the Chief Engineer again."- Kirk assured.

- "I will tell him your answer."- McCoy replied.

-----------------------------------------------

A week elapsed, the " Ebony " arrives to the Moon. It was a dark big Cruiser, and it landed near the "Enterprise".

Kirk was summoned aboard.

- Good morning. Captain Kirk. Permit me to present you Lars Bercouse and Finland Smith, Commanders of the South Fleet , and the Lt. Comdr. Frederickson, Lastene, Brilliant and Sinatra."- Colonel Tallion said.

They were in a brilliantly lit saloon, facing a big TV screen, where the Moon landscape unfolds itself.

- Nice to see you again, Gentlemen."- Kirk bowed slightly.

- You have attained your goal again, Captain Kirk !"- Comdr. Sinatra said, hugging Kirk.'-That comet was blown to pieces !"

- Thanks you, Sir. It was a piece of cake."- Kirk assured.

- A piece of cake ! How funny !"- Sinatra said, laughing.

- "We are here to promote you, Captain. "- Lt.Comdr. Fredrickson said.

- I am honored , Sir."- Kirk replied.

- In the name of the Federation Starfleet Command, I gave you the grade of Admiral of the Fleet !"- Colonel Tallion asserted, giving Kirk the insignia.

- Most honored, Sir."- Kirk whispered, deeply touched.

- Now you can leave deep space, Admiral ! Your post will be at Earth, and I assure you there is a lot of work down there !"- Colonel Tallion said.

- To leave deep space is the one thing I do not want, Sir !"- Kirk replied, anguished.

- Now, Admiral Kirk ! Let's see this thing straight ! You had donned your share ! Now it is time to leave deep space perils to younger officers ! "- Colonel Tallion snorted.

They made a toast, drinking whisky.

- To a brave Admiral !"- Lt.Comdr. Sinatra said.

- To Kirk !"- The others replied.

--------------------------------------------

- What I am going to do ? I wish that Comet would never had been existed !"- Kirk moaned.

He was with his staff, aboard Enterprise.

- Do not grieved you so much, Cap...Admiral. Soon you will be interested in your new job."- Uhura said, crossing her legs in a provocative fashion.

- We will be in deep space, carrying your memory for ever."- Evans asserted.

- Do not speak of me as if I were a relic ! I am still usable !"- Kirk groaned.

- Yes, you are."- Uhura said, and they all smile.

- You see ? She already is capable to mock me ! She is not feeling afraid of me anymore !"- Kirk scoffed.

- Pardon me, Captain ! I never feel that about you !"- Uhura glared.

- Let's be polite, please ! Here we have a Captain made Admiral, and he is going to stay behind. Let's search for a solution ."- Sulu asserted.

- Yes, at last a sound mind here ! I want to refuse the nomination ! I want to go with the Enterprise where no man had gone before !"- Kirk yelled.

- I guess you take the motto too seriously, Captain !"- Uhura remarked.

- Let's not make jokes here, please!"- Kirk snorted.

- You cannot refuse."- McCoy said.'- The Code said you must obey orders. The nomination it's imposed. No way to refuse, but retiring of the Fleet."-

- Then I will retire ! I had donned before !"- Kirk assured.

- But we are in the Solar System ! Here the vessels costs a lot more than in the Fringes !"- Chekov informed.

- ' I will do whatever , in order to buy me a new ship !"- Kirk assured.

---------------------------------------

- The Admiral Kirk has renounced , Gentlemen. Bad for the moral of the Fleet."- Colonel Tallion said.

He and the other officers were at "Luna Park", a leisure Restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

- Pity he prefers not to serves the Star Fleet at a desk ! Now we have not his contribution."- LT.Comdr. Sinatra assured.

- There is a lot of good officers now , in the Fleet. We don't need Kirk ."- Lt. Comdr. Lastene exclaimed.

- We can manage, of course. The Enterprise refitted will be send to the Fringe, in a delicate matter, and Captain Spock will be in Command."- Colonel Tallion informed.

- I hope he learns the lessons Kirk gave him with his example."- Lt. Comdr. Sinatra sighed.

--------------------------------------------

- Do you love me, Uhura?"

- Did I not probe it , leaving Starfleet ?"- She said.

- "Perhaps you were bored to be always at the Communication console."- Kirk smiled.

- I was not. But all things must to end, sometimes. And you were the "Enterprise ", for me. Without you, that ship loosed its very soul."- Uhura remarked.

- Nice of you to say that."- Kirk glanced to the sea.

- Now you take that tea ! I want to walk by the beach !"- She urged, smiling.

He did it, and they walked to the beach . They were at Cartagena, in Chile.

- It is very lonely here! Just a dozen tourists, a handful of hotels, and us."- Kirk remarked.

- That is why I came here ! If we were at Miami Beach, we should be elbowing our way to the sea! Look here ! Just a couple of fishing boats and the sun !"- She laughed.

Some pelicans were flying very near the foam crested waves. They were as new versions of the extinguished Pteranodons....

- One thing I am glad of, it's of the hours of daytime. It is now when I cannot see those stars shining over there."- Kirk said, looking at the pale blue sky.

- Do not torture yourself ! I had told you : there is some option for us ! I had emailed some Companies, offering our skill ! Perhaps they are typing a response in this same second !"- Uhura put in emphatically.

- Yes ! Perhaps they are going to gave me some cargo vessel heading to the Turkish Stars !"- Kirk scoffed.

- Let's swim a bit, yes ? "- She asked, and without an answer, she undressed, leaving her body with just a tiny bikini.

- My me !"- Kirk groaned , looking at that superb body, where the breasts were full blossomed , the waist was the envy of any wasp, and the hips were round and firm.

She laughed, when seeing his eyes goggle, and she run to the water.

Kirk undressed his white pants, and went to the sea.

- It is very cold !"- He yelled, swimming past her.

- Do not be choosy ! "- She replied, smiling.

After some ten minutes, they went out of the waters.

- Nice swim ! It makes the hears rings !"- Kirk informed.

- Perhaps it is colder than in Miami."- She laughed.

They went to lunch at a sea - shore Restaurant.

- Corvine ."- She said, reading the Menu.

- Congrio soup for me, please."- Kirk asked to the waitress, a slim dark woman.

- Some wine, gentleman?"

- Yes, Black Cat, please."- He replied.

- "Gato Negro "...all right."- The waitress announced, smiling.

- This wench surely loves your sight.."- Uhura said, glaring .

- Do not take offense, Uhura ! She is trying to earn her tip !"- Kirk replied, pleased .

- She is going to earn something else, on top of her tip !"- Nyota growled.

But when they finished their lunch, she forget about the maid, as the meal was delicious.

- Now we can go to Algarrobo. Nice beach there, also we can sail."- Kirk proposed.

- "O.K., Captain ! You cannot live without a steering wheel in front of you !"- Nyota replied.

They went there, and they rented a small boat.

- We will go south. Perhaps to San Antonio."- Kirk informed her.

- You are the skipper, you decide !"- Nyota replied, as she just love to take sun baths in a chair.

Kirk starts the engine, and they went south. The sea was calm, and the early afternoon permits them to spend several hours at sea.

They travel to San Antonio, where several big cargo ships were delivering their merchandise . Some others were taking aboard copper, from the Chilean mines of "La Escondida".

They turn the boat to the north, and began retracing the waves . The sea began to mount its waves, as the wind began to blow .

- I do not like this. "- She said, as the dark clouds were gathering over them.

- Just a couple of hours and we will be at Algarrobo."- Kirk promised.

The waves were big mountains of blue , that takes the boat in their shoulders. Uhura saw vast horizons develop in front of her, and at the next moment, a fearful hole among foam crested breakers.

- I am so afraid ! Could we not go ashore ?"- She asked of Kirk.

- Guess we can. I will try."- He said, leaving Algarrobo 's route.

He get closer to the beach. There were lots of boulders waiting, and the waves rushed unto the rocks, exploding in a hundred foamed crests. The rivers of water went inland, returning in full force, big mountainous waves furiously driven by the ever present winds.

- Guess it's not a good idea."- Kirk remarked.

- I guess I am going to vomit !"- Uhura yelled, and she does.

Kirk sensed something wrong with the steering. No matter in which direction he moves the rudder, the little boat keeps on going to the beach.

One bigger wave takes the boat over its blue foamed shoulder, and speeds between two boulders. Kirk saw , with terrified eyes, how the boat was going directly against a stone wall, some three hundred meters away.

- We must abandon ship, Nyota ! That will gave us some hopes !"- Kirk yelled

. - I follow you !"- She said, stripping of her clothes.

The big wave received some receding waters from the shore, so a big pool , with a radio of one hundred meters wide was created.

In the middle of that vast expanse Kirk and Nyota were swimming , trying to gain the land.

But a great sigh was uttered by the sea, when the water began to recede in unison to the open sea.

- Bye, my love !"- Uhura yelled , trying to be heard among the whistling of the wind.

- Do never surrender !'- Kirk replied, teeth clenched.

They were carried to the open sea. From there they were able to see the great breakers run to the shore, as big fierce mares.

.................................................

- Two human beings in danger, Feor.

- Take them aboard ship."- Feor replied.

The tractor beam focused over Nyota and Kirk, and their bodies leaves the dark waves, flying to the ship.

- Humans aboard, Feor.'

- Dose them."- Feor ordered.

------------------------------------------------------

- Where are we ?"- Uhura asked.

- Aboard ship."- Kirk replied, pacing the little cabin.

- How do you know that ?

- Because I fainted not ! I saw the hull of a round space ship hovering above us ! After that, I cannot remember. Perhaps we were dosed."- Kirk replied, trying the knob of the door once again.

With not avail.

- They sure save us ! Those great waves ! We were going to die there !"- Nyota remembered, clasping his hands.

- Forget that, Uhura ! We are alive and kicking !"- Kirk assured her.

- I want to see our saviors, to thanks them !"- She said.

- They get us locked in here! The room didn't yields !"- Kirk announced. Several hours elapsed until the door opened.

- Room service."- A voice uttered.

A robot came in,, carrying a tray with some dishes. Kirk looked past the robot, but he saw a dark corridor ,without presence whatsoever.

- Are we prisoners here ?"- He asked, but the robot retired from there, closing the door.

- Locked ."- Kirk said, trying for the knob again.

- Oh ! Nice food."- Uhura said, eating with a fork .

Kirk tasted it. It seems to his palate something like mushrooms...

After one hour elapsed, the robot reappeared, and he takes the tray.

- Please follow me."- He said.

- At last !"- Kirk said, walking after the tripod.

They arrive to another little cabin. A toilette.

- Have release. I will return."- The robot said, leaving them there.

The door wasn't closed, but the corridor was in darkness.

- This is a toilette. Please wait outside."- Uhura asked of him.

Kirk went out of that room. The dark corridor was dimly lit by the radiance of the W.C., who has the door not totally closed.

Some other doors were present along the corridor...

- Hey, you ! Now it is your turn."- Uhura advised.She was using a short garment she finds there.

Kirk went inside, she went out. He used the toilette.

When he was opening the door, the corridor lit and all doors were opened. In the threshold of each of the doors a being was present.

- Ooh.- Uhura sighed, looking at those forms. As she was an old crew member of the most famous vessel in Starfleet, she was used to see strange living forms. That is why she don't yelled....

- Welcome aboard, humans. Do not fear , we meant no harm."- The closer being said, using his proboscis to speak.

The voice was hollow and alien to them. Kirk 's mind raced , searching a similarity between this beings and some he should has seen in the past. He finds none.

- We had saved you from the waters. We are the Terlugians, Lords of Air."

The terlugian was a biped, with a big head and a mouth entombed in a large proboscis. They had several tentacles, that they obviously used as arms . Their legs were short and fat. They used a green uniform, leaving out the tentacles or arms, and the head.

- I thank you for that, in my name and hers. We were in great peril ."- Kirk accepted the terlugian's asseverating.

- Now we will take you both to our world, where you should cooperate with us."- The same terlugian affirmed.

- Have we loosed our freedom? You should leave us at the shore ! "- Uhura said, with fierce eyes.

- You are here instead of drowned. You deserve to serves us. "- The terlugian asseverated.

- You are wrong ! We are human beings, members of a proud race ! "- Kirk yelled.

The terlugian close the door, same as the others. The darkness return to the corridor.

- Those bastards !"- Kirk yelled, and banged at those doors, but they didn't opened them.

- Save you efforts , for a better chance. We are obviously traveling in space."- She said.

They return to the toilette. The robot appeared twice more times, in equal number of days. At the third day elapsed, they felt a bump, and the corridor doors opened . Several armed robots appeared, and they were ordered to abandon ship. They went out, to a dimly lit hangar. Several big vessels were parked there.

- Are we not in a planet ?"- She asked.

- Seems more a mother ship to me."- Kirk answered.

They were directed to a cabin, furnished with a couple of beds, and a tiny bath room. One of the proboscidians talk to them , pointing at them a strange weapon : ' - You will be abiding here, humans. Two weeks. No complaints."

- You must leave us in our world now !"- Kirk yelled.

- No complaints."- The terlugian repeated, and the humans were forces, by the robots, to enter to their appointed place.

- I think this seclusion in such a little place such as this, will turn us both mad."- Uhura said.

- We are no common persons, Nyota ! You were the finest Communications Officer in the entire fleet ! And I am no stogie, either !"- Kirk expounded.

- I do not know. Really I cannot imagine how this Terlugians can be so mean. "- Uhura said.

- Because they are military men...or fiends. They had a schedule. Also, this race are not members of the Federation of Planets. Perhaps they are studying our home planet for who knows which dark designs. Our goal it's to escape, and gave the necessary alert."- Kirk explained to the African woman.

At last they arrived to their destiny : a planet where the Terlugians were in control.

- You will be allocated in a building where all your needs will be satisfied. Please follow me."- A robot told them.

They were disembarked, and they saw several other humans were in their same position : abducted. They were located in a big building, where a whole department were ready for use.

- Nice and coy."- She said, seeing that it had beds, some arm chairs and a food dispenser.

- Kidnapped."- Kirk growls. They were called by another machine, who were moving on three wheels.

- Now you must went to the Doctor."- The machine told them.

- I am well, no need to go."- Uhura said.

- You must. Orders.."- The machine said.

They follow the robot. Several humans were being directed in the same way, but others were permitted to walk freely by the corridors. One of them approaches them, saying"- Hey, guys ! Do not be alarmed ! This proboscidians are not so mean as they looked ! The Doctor will take you same samples, no more. Relax !"- And he went his way.

- Nice advice ! I were beginning to faint."- Uhura grinned.

The "Doctor" was another machine, that scanned them thoroughly for more than three hours. After the examination, the robot told them :-" You can return to your department now, or walk. It is forbidden to smoke."

- "O.K., Robby."- Uhura smiled. They saw how several other machines were trailing humans to the Infirmary.

- New comers...like you ! At first glance I can recognize you."- A woman told them. She was fat and short legged.

- When they take you here?"= Uhura asked her.

- Let's go outside. This smell makes me vomit."- She said, adding"- Call me Sally."" So they went after her. Outside the big building, the air was spicy.

- I am from Iowa, and you ?

- We are from...the States, but we were kidnapped at Chile."- Uhura told the woman.

- Bad thing, to be here. We are examined, when arriving, and after that we are free to walk where they permit it. But they say the Terlugians are taking us somewhere."- Sally informed.

They were walking by a long street, with many buildings .The sole vehicles were the aerial, and the robots were patrolling the streets. Several other races were present, like the Andorians,Catullans,Deltans,Elasians,Eminians and Eymorgs.

- Nice place, here."- Kirk said, sighing.

- Since when you are here, Sally?- Uhura asked.

- Two months. "- She said, smiling.

- We arrived today. WE already went to the "Doctor". What came next?"- Kirk asked.

- Nothing ! Just idle."- Sally replied.

- I wish there were a way to escape from here. To return to Earth."- Uhura expressed.

- Oh ! Are you astronauts? Because there are some guys that are trying to fix some old junk, at the Deposit...They claim they are building a space ship."- Sally laughed softly.

- I wish you could connect me with them."- Kirk asked.

- Okie Doky ! I'll do. Where are you living ?"- Sally asked.

- In a department, in ..., well, I don't remember the exact location, but..."- Uhura replied.

- We have a cozy department."- Kirk remembered.

- Don't worry ! Plenty of places without owners, here ! In my building there are some empty departments. You can go there. Nobody will complaint! "- Sally laughed.

- You seem to be happy, here."- Uhura noted.

- Yes. Better than at my place, back at ...Iowa."- Sally shudders.

- Why ? "- Kirk asked.

- My step father ...abused me. My mother ...I never have the energy to stop him , or challenge him in some way..."- Sally sobbed.

- Hey ! Do not cry now !"- Uhura told her, looking at Kirk.

- Let's go to your place, Sally."- He said.

They went. It was in the other side of the city, so they walked quite a bit. It was a shaggy department, in the top of the building...890 levels.

- This elevators are superb ! They soar high, eh ?- Sally asked, smiling feebly.

- Yes."- Uhura said, touching one foot, as she had walked more than a hundred blocks...

The department was furnished in the same way as any other: arm chairs, two beds and a food dispenser...The toilette were outside, at the corridor, several bath rooms by each level.

- I live alone. You could be here...pity there is only two beds..."- Sally suggested them.

- No, thanks you, Sally, but we prefer to have our own department. Please show us one of the empty ones."- Kirk replied.

- O.K . ! Follow me !"- She said.

They went down some 34 floors, and they find a identical department, where they chat for two hours with Sally. After that , she went to sleep at her department, leaving them there.

- Incredible ! She is feeling better here, no matter that there are rumors of people disappearing here !"- Uhura told Kirk, who closed the door.

- All that is happening here must be investigated, We must search that group that is trying to do something to escape from here. Now we must rest. "- Kirk assured, going to one of the beds.

Uhura went to the bath room, and she takes a shower. After that she return to the department, finding Kirk soundly asleep. She bedded at the other bed, as they were narrow. She heard cries and strange sounds in the corridors, so she went to the door a couple of times, as those doors have not locks. At dawn Kirk wakes up. He saw the African sleeping at the other bed, with one of her superb legs uncovered by the sheets.

- No time for love."- He decided, and he went to take a shower. When he return, Uhura was fully awake, standing in front of the food dispenser.

- Look ! There is just one kind of food here ! This king of porridge...no water, no other kind of food !"- She complained. Several dishes were present there, so Kirk grabbed one, eating without comment.

Sally came in, without knocking the door, saying : '- Hi, friends ! How do you sleep the night ?"-

- Fine ! Say , where could we find the space ship people ?"- Kirk asked .

- " I can guide you there. AS I have nothing to do...we can go there any time."- Sally take a bowl of porridge, eating earthly.

- I eat three in a row ! To day I eat three at my apartment. Pity there is just one flavor."- Sally commented.

They went out, and begun to walk.

- Is there not a vehicle for us , here ?" - Uhura asked.

- No vehicles for us. The Terlugian are the only ones that have aerial vehicles, so we fly only when they summoned us..."- Sally replied.

They walked two hours. Uhura takes her shoes out, so she walked barefooted.

- Here there are not new clothes for us. That is why there are some people resembling beggars here. "- She said.

But Kirk saw just one, in all the course of the travel. The site was a very lonely one. It seems like the dumping grounds of the city.

- There ! You see that tower ? It's the rocket."- Sally announced.

They arrive to the feet of the rocket. It was fusiform, standing on three metallic legs. Two men went down a ladder, and talked to Sally, who replied " - They are new comers. Seems to me they are from the Star Fleet."

-And are you ?- One of the guards asked.

- Yes. And are you building a space ship?- Uhura replied.

- Do you think we are ballooney? We have spare parts, We can walk by this deserted spaceport , now they have the fashion of the beamed up and down, form Energy Trasnporters to TRansporters Pods , at the ships."- The young man replied.

- Hi, my name is Gerko...They seem to have attained the Transporter technology after some of our vessels. The same technology , I assure you, because I saw it myself."- The other man added.

- I want to cooperate here, in any way I could.- Kirk said.

- It is the only sensible way, my man. All resistance is futile."- Gerko grinned.

- I will call the chief."- The other youngster announced, stepping up the ladder.

After some minutes, a bald and tall man descended, looking with keen eyes at Kirk and Uhura.

- Hi. I am Federico Fernan.They told me you want to join."- He said.

- Positive. I am Kirk, and I used to be in the Starfleet. She is Uhura, Communications Officer.

- Glad to meet you. This is the "Verne", our future bridge to the stars."- Federico said, handshaking them.

- Good name."- Kirk smiled.

- Yeap. As he, we are working here with a lot of fantasy and with a little bit of reality. We are back engineering those engines."- Federico said. patting the hull.

In that moment the rain began to fall. They climbed the ladder, following Federico, who was panting, as he was a fat man.. They arrived to a corridor, ill lighted.

- This ship remains here, with some six other of the same kind, as derelicts. It is more easy to repair a Terlugian Navy ship than those other ships you can find scattered among the debris. "- Federico said.

The atmosphere was stale. The corridors smelled. They arrive to the Control Cabin, who was shaped as a circle, with monitors attached to the walls , and several desks in the center of the room. Each desk has other monitors, dials and buttons. Federico told to some other men to call all hands aboard, so in ten m minutes the room was full of expectant persons.

- Ladies and gentlemen ! Crew members of the "Verne " ! Here we have two new workers for our team : Mr. Spock and Miss Uhura, who were at the Star Fleet before being abducted !"

A round of applause echoed through the corridors. Kirk realized that the team was ill clothed . Several wore very thin shirts, notwithstanding the fact the temperature inside the ship was very low.

- With their help we will fasten our pace ! AS we have just two engineers, and the rest just enthusiasts, the service you two are going to gave us its very great!"- Federico expounded.

- I assure you I will do all I possibly can , but first I must take a look at your engines."- Kirk affirmed.

- See , gentlemen ? A very fine officer of the Star Fleet : directly to the point ! Now, crew members of the "Verne", I beg of you to return to your duties, in order to show Mr. Kirk what are we doing here, to recover our freedom."- Federico said.

They all began to return to their posts...Federico told both newcomers: -" We are trying to fix the mechanism, using parts retired from other vessels. As you probably saw, there are several in this star port."-

- We will see what you are doing.-" Kirk urged .

They went. Federico began showing Kirk the engines , the cryogenic pods , the Transporter pods , the crew cabins , the Deck. Kirk stayed there, so Uhura too. They designed them two cabins, so they slept aboard the "Verne"... The first night there, Uhura and Kirk talked at his cabin , alone.

- Do you think this ship can rise to heavens ?

- I doubt it. There is so much improvisations going on. Those improvisations makes the whole system an unstable one.- Kirk ratiocinate.

- You mean it will not work ?

- Exactly.

- Then why are you going to help here ?

- Because we need to work in something, to maintain the hopes directed to a better future."- Kirk answered.

- I wish Scotty were here ! All this fumbling would have a meaning for him. By the way, are you avoiding me ??

- No, why do you ask ?

- Because the night is young..."- She smiled.

Kirk laughed and barred the door with an iron bar... -----------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER TWO.

A dawn he was already helping the two engineers. Their were Federico and a fat bald man who's name was Uhklan Caronte.

- Spaniard."- The fat man said, seriously, when he was presented to Kirk.

The main preoccupation of the ex Admiral were the twin warp engines .

- We have six warp engines at this vessel."- Federico informed him.

- And you know the original name of this ship?"-

- We don not know how the Terlugian called their ships. There is no indication. But we named it "Jules Verne", as I told you."- Federico said.

Uhura went to work at the Communications systems. She wasn't an engineer, but she had several technical degrees in her schedule.

- The systems are very dissimilar , but the principle is the same. So we must back engineer those circuits, and we will attain the success."- Uhura told to Kirk.

- Same thing with those engines. To-morrow I will be going to visit other derelicts , in this area. Perhaps I could find something."- Kirk replied.

- Take care. We are here , and those Terlugian must know we are abiding here."- Uhura alerted him.

- I already suspected that. Perhaps they leave them- us- alone, as they know this pieces of junk will never fly."- Kirk whispered her.

--------------------------------------------------------

- Two months.

- What?

- Two months . And those two engines had refused to work. No matter how many modifications we introduce."- Kirk informed.

- Perhaps the Terlugian have something to do with this anomalies."- Uhura suggested.

- I guess not. There is no indication of boycott here, as two males are working all night there, in turns. I had taken turns there, too."- Kirk said, seating at her bed.

- Then all you get to do it's keep on trying ! Or quit."- Uhura remarked.

Kirk went out of her cabin, without further comment. They weren't having sexual intercourse , now. All the flame and excitation was blown out weeks ago. He went down the ladder and walked over the debris scattered there. All those big fields were, once, a giant stardrome. When the Terlugian discovered Earth - and the Federation- also discovered the Transporter Beams. They implemented it at great scale. Now all the cargo were being downloaded from the vessels in orbit unto the receptor pods at the surface of the planets. Kirk walked in the night , trying to solve the mystery of that two engines. In some of the circuits were a failure. Or perhaps in the whole new design ! -----------------------------------------------------

Feor was looking through the visor with delight. That new improvement to the monitors allow him to see also by night. The big ship were visible with all its details, also some human walking near by. Feor enlarged the screen image, who allowed him to see the face of the night walker.

- Kirk.- He said.

His trumpet he soaked in sweet water, drinking a little from his night bottle. His companion, Alarfa, walked to him saying:- Are you going to bed, or are you going to be all night there, looking for the terrans?"

- Aha ! How do you know it's the terrans I am looking ?"- He asked of his mate.

- Wouf ! I know you, old soldier ! The preferred are always the terrans. "- Alarfa said, seating near Feor, looking at the monitor.

- This new terran seems to me a clever one. He is working with that loony team, the ones at the spaceship 389."- Feor informed.

\ - Ah ! The decoy ! They inspired me pity, That engines will never start, not with the inhibitor beam upon it !"- Alarfa said.

- Yes, a pity for them , who are always seeking a way to go from here. And we feed them, clothed them...we are not cruel unto them."- Feor remarked.

- You forget the final purpose we have for them here ? Shall I remind you ?"- Alarfa said, farthing.

- No need. - Feor sighed.

- Then stop feeling pity for them. They are our cattle."- Alarfa remind Feor.

- A nasty word ! I prefer to say we have them for scientific purposes."-

- Another hypocrisy ! In the old times we were not so delicate."- Alarfa said.

Feor cut the energy of the machine, as he were feeling irritated with the presence of his mate there.

- Now we go to rest."- He announced.

------------------------------------------------------------

Kirk finished his cogitation under the stars, and returned to the ship. He went to sleep without going to see the new modifications the engineers were doing to the warp engines... At dawn he went down the ladder, and walked by the starbase. Some other humans were there, but those others weren't trying to fix no ships; they were there just for fun, to walk and be merry.

- Hey ! Are you from the "Verne "? - A girl ask her. She was with some other youngsters.

- Yes ! "- Kirk replied.

- And how come you are not working with the other wackos ? !"- The girl asked, laughing.

Kirk walked to the site, and he saw the blonde has green eyes, no more than 20 years of age. Her companions were of her same age, six males and seven females.

- I am tired to try fixing those engines !"- Kirk said, seating at her side on the turf.

- Were you of the Starfleet? There is a rumor that an Admiral arrives here, and were helping those loonies."- A fat tall young fellow asked.

- I am the ex Admiral, my boy. And they are no loonies. They are trying to get out from here. I guess that purpose made them clever people, instead."- Kirk remarked.

- As you wish, Admiral .But I guess they are loonies, O.K. , as I am sure those elephants are using some device over all this site, shunning the circuits to function as they should."- The youngster said, chewing some plastic .

- Perhaps it's true."- Kirk replied, feeling a shudder running alongside his spine.

- Tell the Admiral our plans."- The girl who first talked to him said.

- Admiral : you are seated next to Amanda, the clever girl here ! She finds a whole new mean to get us out of here."- The boy said.

- Tell me more."- Kirk asked of the girl.

- Do not pay attention to Larry ! He is always joking !"- She said, but her glance was serious.

- Oh. 'cmon, Amanda ! Tell how you find the entrance to the Transporters !"- Larry said.

Kirk was astonished.

- Well, I guess there will be no harm done ! Admiral : I find the entrance to the elephant's den ! We could enter those buildings, and fly up inside some of the crates they are always sending up ! "- Amanda told Kirk, gripping his arm.

- Fine for me ! "- Kirk was delighted.

- Show him the hole, Amanda!"- Larry asked of her.

- Not now ! They can see us now ! But you return here to night, Admiral, and I will show you how to enter the vaults !"- Amanda said.

- O.K., Amanda. I will came to night."- Kirk replied.

He departed some moments with the bunch, who was light spirited, as all the youngsters are. Then, he return to the "Verne" and began to help in the Engine Room, as he was too excited to lay in bed....waiting. When the night fell, Kirk went down the ladder and walked to the point where he previously encountered Amanda.

- Hi, Admiral. Ready to some action ?"- She asked.

Kirk saw there were no other around, and he said" - Are we going to be alone ?

- Yes. But do not worry : I will protect you."- She said, laughing.

She takes him by the hand, and walked by the debris. At last, they were facing a big building. She whispered"- There is the building. It has a long wall, no entrances, but we will enter just the same."

- And how comes that?

- There is a air shaft somewhere around..."- She added. And soon she was signaling him a tube two meters wide, who were hot at the touch.

- Here. There is a stair going down. Take care. There are 15 meters from here to the bottom".

Kirk followed the girl, trying to ignore the pain in his hands, as the metal was very hot, with the air that were flowing out. At last they were standing on the floor.

- Came."- She said.

They walked by the air shaft. Then they descended, and Kirk saw several big crates along the wall.

- Those crates are carried in big vehicles, presumably to the Transporter pods. From there, to the Space ! And Freedom is waiting there."- Amanda said.

- But the Space...ships. There are Terlugian there, commanding those ships. And robots. How do you think we will cope with them?"

- My group has two guns. /And I am sure you, men, will take care of those Terlugian."- She whispered, looking at him.

Kirk kissed the girl, and she responded with heat.

- My me ! "- She laughed, and retrace her steps, climbing up the shaft and going out to the camp.

- Air! Inside the well the heat makes the head reel."- She exclaimed, looking with sparking eyes at Kirk.

- Those crates has bolts. We need to opened it, and then close the boxes...Five of us in each crate."- She said, when they were walking back.

- The men of the "Verne " has some tools . Perhaps if I told them to lend us a hand..."- Kirk proposed.

- O.K. by me. Tell them. "- She said, kissing him lightly, and running away.

Kirk return to the "Verne" and searched Federico, to whom he asked the tools.

- For what purpose?- Federico asked.

- I find a group who is trying to escape inside crates, as the aliens are using Transporters to load ships in orbit."- Kirk informed.

The "Verne" crew members were in turmoil. Everyone were eager to be in the number who will try to be beamed up.

- We must have a reunion with that group you are talking of."- Federico decided.

Kirk accepted.

-------------------------------------------------------

Feor called Machaum .

- The humans are trying to escape , using our Transporters."

- " See that they cannot."

- "I require permission to use some xb2 robots, Machaum."

- Use any kind you want . I gave you ample powers."- Machaum replied.

- Thanks you."- Feor sighed, and walked to the near robotics Station . There he summoned five xb2 units ,to whom he gave some orders.

----------------------------------------------------------

In the meantime Kirk talked the young people to attend a meeting with the "Verne" crew members.

- Don't be joking ! I cannot believe you are speaking in serious !"- Larry, the chief of Amanda's group said.

- I am ! They are not going to help if you don't attend the meeting !"

- You have guts. I love men with guts !"- Amanda decided, and kissed Kirk a long while, among the cheers of her companions.

- Wow ! You surely know how to kiss !"- She decided, after that moment.

Kirk didn't reply, as he was feeling dizzy...

- We will wait until dark. Then we will go to meet those guys ."- Larry decided.

It was mid afternoon. Amanda said to Kirk :'- I have some gadgets those wackys will surely like. Mind if you help me bring it here ?"

- O.K.,where we go ?."- Kirk replied.

- At my place. Came on."- She invited, standing in front of him. She was very tall and full breasted. They walked more than thirty blocks. Then, she guided him to her apartment, eight floors up.

- "Here !"- She said, opening the door.

The department was decorated with pink curtains. The usual pair of beads were united in the middle of the bedroom.

- Seat there. I'll be back in a minute."- Amanda said, going to the W.C.

Kirk wondered where were the promised "gadgets" she was offering. He seats on the verge of that bed. Amanda came back with two guns.

- And that ?

- I find it at a deserted ship...in a wall ."- Amanda said, seating close to him.

-Nice present."- He grinned.

- Are you sure those "Vernians" of yours are going to help us ?"- Amanda asked.

- They are interested . They are seeing your project it is a more simple way to get out of here. Their own working system isn't working, despite all the effort we made."- Kirk explained.

- Obvious ! "- She smile, kissing his cheek.

- And why do you think a pair of guns it is a good gift for them?"

- Oh ! I am not going to handle this weapons to them ! It was only to bring you home...sweetheart !"- She said, offering her lips.

Kirk succumbed to the temptation those green eyes were producing...

------------------------------------------------------------------

- "The Admiral isn't coming."- Larry denounced.

- No wonder. The Spider Woman had him in her web!"- Lorna laughed .

- We can go to see those guys ourselves. No need of a retired Admiral."- Goosy said.

- Correct !"- Lorna laughed.

They went to the "Verne" , and they were received by Federico, who was very excited.

- Children ! Well... The new generation always is smarter than the older one."- Uhura decided, when seeing them.

- Look, Granny, we need not sweeties here ! We came because the Admiral told us you could lend us some tools !"- Larry said defiantly, looking at her legs appreciatively.

- Federico is the Chief here, son."- She replied, going to her cabin.

- She is right, son. Talk to me."- Federico said.

- Do not call me your son! I am Larry."

- O.K., Larry ! Let's talk business."- Federico replied.

They went to the main cabin, and they talked about the new project. They finally decided to use the mechanic tools , to open those crates in harmony. - Those boxes are full of merchandise! We should be thinking what are we going to do with the merchandise , as we cannot just simply throw them to the floor ! "- Larry said.

- Correct. This is what we are going to do : five of us will climb inside, some others will take up the air shaft the merchandise and the rest will work with the tools opening and closing those lids."- Federico said.

- It's a deal !"- Larry accepted.

------------------------------------------------------------

By the meantime, Kirk was taking a shower. He was in a hurry. Those moments in her apartment were too precious for him to remember, but also he was interested in the new events. He went down by the elevator , and began walking back to the abandoned Stardrome.

----------------------------------------------------------------

- There ! The bolts are out! "- Federico said, putting aside the welder.

- "Take, take ! Fast!"- Larry yelled his helpers, handling the merchandise from inside the crate.

- You ! Inside the crate , now !""- Federico ordered to the appointed persons, three males and two females. - No ! I don't go !"- Mary Jean said, running to the air shaft. She was of the younger group. - 'Lemerte ! Inside !"- Federico ordered to one of the "Verne " crew members. The called man get inside without a blink. In that instant, when Federico were trying to put new bolts to the crate, the five xb2 robots appeared and encircled them . - The guns !"- Larry said, but the gun were at Amanda bedside... The xb2 began firing their needle guns , and in few seconds all those humans were in the floor.,, sedated. Those inside the crate were intimidated by the robots, who didn't fire them. They went out of the box, and Feor appeared, carrying a gun. The Terlugian spoke " - Your adventure is over. Do not resist. The robots will carry you all to new locations. " Feor talked to the robots in his language, ordering them to carry those humans to another city. ------------------------------------------------------- Kirk arrived to the shaft when Mary Jean was going out. - What is happening ? - they are ready to send the first group in a crate ! "- She said. - And why are you going out? - Because I change my mind ! Better to stay here !"- The girl said, running away. Kirk saw several other persons carrying out the merchandise who were at the crate. The last of them was carrying no merchandise, but his face were pale. - Do not go in there ! The Terlugian gunned all our friends !"- He said. - What !"- Kirk yelled, astonished to hear that. - Let's get out of here ! Or we will be captured."- The man said. Kirk went down the shaft, and saw how the Terlugian gave the orders, and how the bodies were carried by the corridor. Uhura was carried by one of the big robots. Kirk went up the shaft. - We will never be free again."- The same man told him, weeping. Amanda appeared there, carrying the guns. She was informed by Kirk. - Those aliens must have some detectors !"- Amanda said, embracing Kirk. They saw several air ships flying over their heads. - They are looking for more conspirators ! Let's go !"- She urged, grabbing her arm. - We loosed our liberty !"- The man groaned, looking at them. - I think we are free now. More free than in our home world."- She said. - Freedom here ?- The guy scorned. - Yes. Here we can live in free departments, we have food a-plenty. We need not to gave work for all those things."- She added. - But we cannot return to Earth !"- Kirk replied. - That is true. There is the point where freedom ends here."- She sighed, kissing his cheek. The man went away, abated. Kirk and Amanda began to walk to her apartment under the rain. ---------------------------------------------------------- UHURA. Nyota Upenda Uhura wake up. She was in a conformable bed, in a pink furnished room. She stand up. She was with the same stained clothes she were using when drugged. She walk around the chamber , who has two doors. One opened to a bath room and the other to the corridor of the building, where some other humans were walking. She went out , and searched some of her old acquaintances. She talked to some passers - by, but they were not from the States, and they spoke what she believes were Spanish. - Ill luck ! - She said unto herself, as the Spanish was a language she didn't learn. She return to her apartment. Two men were there, seated at her bed, chatting. - Who are you ? This is my apartment."- She told them. The men answered in Spanish , laughing. She signaled the door, and they went out, taking all the time they want . Uhura takes a shower, and she get back to the street. As there were no other black people there, everyone looked at her with a strange curiosity : they even stop their stride to look at her better. She arrives to a river. Several bridges crossed it . - Hey, Miss ! - Said to her a fat man of about fifty years. - Yes ? - I speak English ! How are you?"- Uhura smiled, looking at the guy who was staring at her legs. - Fine, at last someone speaks English, Where I am ?" - At a planet managed by some aliens that seems like elephants! We, all the people here, are abductees ! From which country do you came from?" - Chile. But I was in the Star Fleet."- Uhura answered, seating at a boulder. From there she could see the river flows, with clear water glistening under the sun. - Nice river, eh? In Santiago the Mapocho is very similar to this river, except that the water is very muddy." - Do you know I was in another city of this planet? I was captured trying to escape, and the Terlugian brought us here. But I see not my comrades."- - Pity. I hadn't seen any gringos around here. But here are too many people."- The guy said. - My name is Uhura. Which is yours? - Alfredonius. I was riding a bicycle when this gents takes me . They used a tractor beam on me, you know ? Bad joke, I was working for the first time in eleven years ! "- The guy said. - Pity. And where were you? - In Buenos Aires. You see, I love that city, do not ask me why. The sea isn't visible from that city, just the muddy �