"Take your time and do the best you can, Scotty," Kirk sympathized. "Speaking of the engines . . .?"
"They shouldn't still be with us, Captain, but they are. Don't ask me how or why. They should have torn free of their pylons a long time ago, considerin' the strain on them."
"Thank you, Scotty. Keep a close watch and let me know if our status changes."
"Aye, sir. Engineering out."
"Now then, Lieutenant Uhura, we're going to contact our closed-mouthed alien-human friend again." The firmness in his tone indicated that this time silence wouldn't be accepted. "We need some answers, and a universe-sized explanation. That pilot is the only one around who can provide them for us."
"Captain Kirk!"
He spun, to see a wide-eyed Dr. April gesturing with something in her hands.
"I'm sure Captain Kirk has other problems to consider at the moment besides the state of your gift, dear," the commodore observed.
"Then he'd better consider this new one, Bob. Look at it. You too, Captain—everyone."
Somehow in the midst of the dire emergency it seemed only proper to find herself staring at a flower. But Dr. April's concern was well-founded.
"Before we entered this negative universe, extra dimension or whatever this is, this bloom was on the verge of dying. Now look at it—it's in full bloom again!"
Indeed, a glance was sufficient to show the brilliant blossom bursting forth with apparently new, waxy petals and glistening young stamen. It had regained the color it had when the Aprils had boarded the Enterprise . . . and more.
"It doesn't make sense," Kirk finally commented, "which only makes sense here, I suppose. If everything else is backward . . ."
"It's more than a regeneration, Captain," she went on. "It's almost as if it were growing younger again. I can feel the regeneration as I'm holding it."
"Feel it . . . you can see it," Sulu declared.
Even as they watched the blossom began to shrink again, the petals pulling in on themselves, as the flower commenced its return toward the small, hard bud from which it had originally sprung.
"Captain," Spock put in, "I suspect that Dr. April's flower is not the only thing on board that is growing younger."
"What do you mean, Mr. Spock?"
"To start, Captain, you might note that the ship's chronometers are running backward."
Kirk stared down at his own wrist instrument. He watched the second hand methodically tick off time in a counterclockwise direction. As he watched, he could see the minute hand slowly edging backward as well.
The full alienness of the situation in which they found themselves was driven home more powerfully by this simple alteration of an everyday event—the measuring of time—than by the view of black stars spotted across white space.
"Time as well as physics is apparently reversed here, Captain," the first officer concluded.
"One crisis at a time, Spock."
Uhura called to him. "The alien ship is finally responding to our call, Captain. I have visual contact established, ready to put on the screen."
"Please do so, Lieutenant."
Once more the portrait of the alien pilot appeared before them. Only this time, when she spoke, the words sounding on the speakers matched her mouth movements, and Kirk found he could understand her perfectly.
"Your actions almost cost me my life, and your own as well." She was obviously still confused as to why the Enterprise had interfered. "Why didn't you release my ship as I asked?"
"This poses an interesting physical and semantic question, Captain," mused Spock. "Are we understanding her speech because she is speaking backward but our thought processes are reversed?"
"We can debate it later, Mr. Spock. At the moment, the only thing I'm interested in reversing for sure is our presence here."
But the alien pilot had posed a question.
"I'm Captain James T. Kirk, commanding the U.S.S. Enterprise. We tried to prevent you from entering the Beta Niobe Nova because it has been our experience in the past that vessels which enter novas are never heard from again. We thought that you might have been injured, or your ship's navigation helm crippled. We had no reason to believe," he continued drily, "that your vessel was equipped to withstand such forces. For that matter, we didn't expect our own ship could, either. We attempted to disengage our tractor beam at the last minute, but were unable to do so."
"I see. Your gesture was gallant and well-meaning, but wholly unnecessary. I had to return to my own universe, Captain Kirk. In order to do so, it was necessary for my ship to pass through the distortion fields and stress energies of what you call the Beta Niobe Nova, in order to emerge into my universe from the new star, Amphion."
"New star? Mr. Spock, check our readings aft."
Spock looked up a moment later and nodded in confirmation of the pilot's claim. "It seems to be so, Captain. Instead of a nova, retracing our course leads us back into what appears to be a very new, very black star."
"Who are you," Kirk asked the flat, solemn face on the screen, "and how did you come to be in our universe in the first place?"
"I am a solitary explorer—Karla Five, I am called. I was caught unawares when Amphion, previously a dead star, abruptly went nova and came to life. I was pulled in by the explosively expanding gravitational field. Instead of burning up, I passed into a universe where everything operates in reverse of my own."
"Our universe," Kirk said.
"I wandered helplessly for several months, but never losing track of the place where I had emerged into your universe," she continued. "Endless calculations led me to a single conclusion: The only chance I had of returning home was to pass back at maximum acceleration through the exploding star, your nova. And then at that last moment, you happened on a ship you thought was in distress, and were drawn in with me. I am sorry."
"You mentioned your calculations," Spock reminded her. "What is your explanation for this transuniverse effect?"
"Tentative, certainly," Karla Five explained. "It would appear that the forces at the heart of a nova generate sufficient spatial stress to create a bridge between our two universes. A vessel moving toward this shifting bridge at a sufficient speed will pass from universe to universe rapidly enough to avoid the dangerous energies which exist in such centers."
Behind Kirk, Commodore April listened to Karla Five's theory with astonishment and admiration. "In her universe, then, a nova is a dead star which comes to life, whereas in ours it's one which is going through its death throes in a violent manner. When these two differently defined events take place at a particular point in space, it is possible to travel between the two. This discovery could revolutionize cosmology."
"If we can get back to tell it to anyone," Kirk reminded him. "And the way to do that seems pretty obvious. We have to go back the way we came, through the double nova."
Karla Five looked troubled. "Would that I could be sure such a thing was possible, Captain Kirk. Amphion was not a full-sized burning sun when I was drawn into it. That has changed. I would not think it possible to dive into the heart of a live sun and survive."
"We'd think the same thing of a full-sized nova, which is what Beta Niobe is," Kirk countered.
"True, Captain. Even so, the question of our return is apparently not a simple matter of retracing our steps. We must examine the alternatives more intensely."
"What would you suggest, Mr. Spock?"
"Some additional time to consider the physics of the matter, and if possible to study the information produced by Karla Five's computer."
"Naturally I'll give all the aid I can, as will my people," the alien pilot told them. "I am now proceeding to my home world of Arret, Captain Kirk. I suggest you set a course to follow my ship."
"That shouldn't be difficult," Kirk replied, "seeing as how we're still attached to you by our tractor beam." She looked grim, shook her head.
Of course, that undoubtedly constituted a friendly gesture here, Kirk reminded himself. Unless she was concerne
d about something else. Unless his own optic nerves were also working in reverse, feeding him backward information. Or . . .
He shook his head. There were ramifications to their present situation that could drive a man mad.
"Mr. Sulu, plot a following course. And keep trying to disengage that tractor beam. Meanwhile call off the security detail—no point in destroying the tractor mechanism now."
"Aye aye, sir."
"Mr. Spock, get with your people in Life Sciences and see if they can verify that everyone on board is growing younger. Also the rate at which such reverse aging is taking place—if in fact that's what's happening to us."
It didn't take long for the efficient instruments and technicians of the great cruiser to verify that that was precisely what was happening.
Kirk considered the news calmly, finally glancing up from his command position. "Well, there you have it, everyone. I'm sure none of us minds growing younger instead of older for a change."
Silence.
"It pleases me anyway, Jim," April finally said. "If we could remain in this universe long enough, I'd no longer be at the mandatory retirement age."
"Let's not lose sight of our present position, Commodore. We must return home. I'm open to suggestions. Spock?"
"There seems only one reasonably sure way, Captain," he explained quietly. "We must reproduce, as exactly as possible, the conditions which carried Karla Five's ship from her universe into ours. Two novas must occupy the same space in both universes in order to create the proper gateway. The difficulty here has already been pinpointed by Karla Five.
"We must locate a star in the process of being born, which must also coincide with a nova in our own galaxy. As she has pointed out, Amphion is now a raging furnace, a growing star. We cannot chance returning via the same route."
April was shaking his head. "The chances of our doing that even if we had time to scan this whole negative galaxy . . . no, Mr. Spock, the odds are too high to compute."
"I must disagree with your evaluation of our chances, Commodore. I have already computed the odds. They are on the order of fifty-two million to one."
Kirk grinned tightly . . . or did he frown, and have it reversed here? No way of knowing. "At least we have a chance."
Heated discussion followed, which included most of the engineering officers and astrophysics technicians. Various suggestions were made; one was to detach the Enterprise's saucer and main living quarters and use the warp-drive engines to overload, thus generating a new star in this universe.
Scott vetoed the idea, pointing out vociferously that they were not in the business of making stars, that the physics were doubtful, that there was no way they could be certain of aligning their artificially generated sun with an existing nova in the positive universe—and besides, without the warp-drive engines they might not get up enough speed to make the dangerous passage in time to prevent total destruction.
The suggestion, along with the others, was tabled. Most were more fantastic than reasonable, requiring gigantic amounts of energy beyond the Enterprise's ability to produce.
Nevertheless, discussions continued throughout the ship, even as they entered orbit around Karla Five's home world of Arret.
"Message coming in, Captain," Uhura announced. "Karla Five is asking if you're prepared to beam down to her world."
"Indicate that we'll be down shortly. Commodore April, Mr. Spock, and I will comprise the landing party."
Kirk rose from his chair and headed for the turbolift, April following. They arrived in the Transporter Room to find Scott waiting for them, prepared to handle the transporter chores himself. But the chief engineer could not disguise a worried frown.
"Something the matter, Scotty? Karla Five has given us coordinates to beam down?"
"Aye, sir, she has that."
The three officers moved to the transporter alcove. "Well," Kirk prompted, "why the hesitation, Scotty? I know when something's on your mind."
"It's just, Captain, that . . . well, she identifies the location as her son's laboratory."
Kirk's forehead furrowed. He considered the obvious youth of Karla Five, his ship's desperate situation, and understood the cause of Scott's concern.
"I see what you mean, Scotty. We don't have time for kid games right now. But these people live in a peculiar universe. Their sense of humor might be somewhat backward, too. Anyhow, those are the coordinates she gave. I suspect we're going to need her help to get out of this. Let's not give unnecessary offense. Beam us down, Mr. Scott."
"Aye, sir," Scott acknowledged, looking unhappy. He moved the appropriate levers and dials.
A high whine sounded in the chamber, shrill and familiar. But the corresponding sensation of molecular dissolution was absent. Kirk glanced down, saw himself still standing, solid as ever, on the transporter disk. He looked questioningly at the transporter console, but Scott seemed equally puzzled.
"I dinna understand it, Captain. I'm running through the usual sequence. Everything checks out operational, but—"
Spock interrupted. "The key word is 'usual,' Mr. Scott. Reverse the procedure. Beam us up from the provided coordinates."
"But you're already . . . ach, of course! I should know by now."
Reversing the standard transporter sequence produced three properly glittering pillars of light within the alcove.
III
Kirk, Spock, and Commodore April materialized on the steps of a two-story modern structure. A short glance around indicated that they were located on the outskirts of a fair-sized metropolis.
The buildings around them, and in the distant urban area, were decidedly different. Not unattractively so, Kirk noted approvingly. They were clearly designed for normal-sized, normally proportioned humanoids. Only the aesthetic approach was different.
Leaning back, Kirk squinted at the sky. It was blue, but with an alien suggestion of bright green. Somewhere above it, he knew, it faded into a white canopy against which an orphaned Enterprise orbited forlornly.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
Karla Five was standing in the entrance to the building, squinting at them and smiling. "I'm sorry you had to arrive on Arret in the middle of the night."
Kirk began to wonder if his mind was running in circles now as well as in reverse. "Middle of the night?" he echoed. "The sun is shining in our faces."
"I beg your pardon, Captain?" Karla Five looked amused. "What a funny thing to say. The moon is quite visible. See?" And she indicated the dark purple orb which dominated the sky.
Kirk stared. "You'll have to excuse me, I'm still not used to reversing everything. It takes some getting used to."
"No need to explain, Captain Kirk," she replied. "I know exactly what you're going through. At least you have the company of others to help you. When I was thrown unexpectedly into your universe I nearly went mad. Imagine seeing brightly colored stars against black space. Horrible, unnatural sight!
"Anyway," she assured them, "the sun will come up soon and it will be dark again. Please come into my son's laboratory. I've awakened him, and he's already hard at work on your problem."
The interior of the house was as pleasant as the exterior, filled with many full-grown plants undoubtedly growing younger. Karla Five led them to a large, spacious chamber. The walls were lined with star-maps—all black on white, of course.
They proceeded to a small, rectangular construct set in the far corner of the vast, domed room. Closer inspection revealed its identity. There was nothing mysterious about it, and since it was exactly what it appeared to be, Kirk thought it utterly out of place in the extensively equipped lab.
It was a playpen, and it was occupied now by a small child. The infant was surrounded by toys, a plastic bottle of liquid, and numerous other less readily identifiable items.
At the moment the child was on its unsteady, stubby legs, playing with a rattling attachment secured to the side of the crib.
Kirk noticed a man in his fifties working nearby. He nodded on no
ticing Kirk's gaze, then adjusted his lab coat and went back to realigning the chart slides he was projecting on a far section of wall.
"With all respect," April commented, also noticing the busy adult, "how can a woman as young as you have a son old enough to be accomplished in the sciences?"
Karla Five's surprise seemed genuine. "I'm astonished that a young man like yourself would ask such a question, Commodore April. Allow me to introduce my son, Karl Four."
Kirk was beginning to wonder if he was expected to shake hands with the infant, when the older man approached them.
"I'm honored to meet you, gentlemen," he began. "I've read my mother's tapes of her encounter with you in the other universe, and how you come to be here. I hope I can help."
Spock was explaining even as Kirk tried once more to readjust his thinking.
"Eminently logical, you see. Since the flow of time is reversed here, then it is natural for one to be born at an advanced age and to die in infancy. Your descendants," he said to Karl Four, "are born before you, and your ancestors after. I should like to see some local obstetrical—"
"Please, Mr. Spock," Kirk interrupted, a mite desperately, "let's stick to physics."
"If this is your son," April inquired, "then who is the chap in the playpen?"
"Karl Six, of course," she explained easily. "My father. He's led a long and healthy life, made many contributions to our people in the sciences." She shook her head—happily? Sadly, Kirk corrected himself.
"I'm afraid most of his knowledge is gone now. He has entered senile infancy."
"You mean he no longer has it?" wondered Kirk.
Karla Five made a gesture. "I mean our society no longer has it. As our race evolves, all knowledge is lost . . . the natural order of things."