Star Trek - Zombies

Chapter 05: Desperate Measures

"Baker, get back to the turbolift we opened, and seal the doors shut," Kirk ordered. "If this alien can pull people like strings, I don't want it dragging them up the shaft too."

"Aye, sir," Baker answered. He dashed out of the room.

"Do you have any ideas, Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked his second in command.

The Vulcan remained silent for a moment, gazing intently at the alien in the stasis unit.

"We require more information about the alien and what it's doing here," Spock said slowly. "The most effective means of gathering such information would be with a Vulcan mind meld."

"Now wait just a minute!" McCoy objected hotly.

"Spock," Kirk stepped in before an argument could start. "This alien has enough mental power to control a million undead or more all at the same time. Can you stand up to that level of power without being overwhelmed?"

"I am aware of the risks," Spock replied, fixing his Captain with an even stare. "Our options are somewhat limited at the current time."

"You saw what we all did at the security building," McCoy reminded. "The security guards bitten were exposed to a concentrated dose of the electromagnetic energy and were turned almost immediately. What's to guarantee you touching this thing won't instantly turn you as well?"

"There are no guarantees, Doctor," Spock answered. "Except, if we do nothing, it will still gain control of us in due time."

"He's right, Bones," Kirk told the doctor. "We have few options and limited time. Go ahead, Spock; see what you can do."

"I recommend you have your phasers ready in case something goes wrong," Spock suggested. He handed his phaser to one of the security men before walking over to the short scaffolding on the far side of the stasis unit.

The eyes of the alien continuously watched Spock as he drew closer to the creature. Leaning down, the science officer plunged a hand into the chemical gel and placed his fingertips against the dome of the creature's head. Spock closed his eyes as his telepathic abilities let him scan the mind of the alien.

"How long do we give him?" McCoy asked Kirk in a hushed voice so as to not disrupt Spock's concentration.

"Jim," Spock said through clenched teeth. His eyes remained closed, but his grip on the side of the stasis unit was causing his knuckles to turn white.

Kirk rushed to the side of his friend and grabbed Spock by the shoulder, pulling him back and away from the alien. Spock gasped for breath and feebly shook some of the hibernation gel from his hand and back into the stasis unit.

"Are you alright?" Kirk asked.

"Yes," Spock confirmed. "Such mental strength; I've never encountered anything like it before. Once I was in its mind, it started looking through mine, searching for everything about Starfleet, the Federation, known planets nearby."

"What information did it get?" McCoy questioned.

"Enough," Spock answered. He closed his eyes and he lifted the hand without the hibernation gel on it to his forehead. "However, I did manage to learn why the creature is here and what it's planning to do."