ocean shimmered red gold in the dying light. It was the first time since
their arrival that there had been any color evident other than the varying
shades of silver, white and clear crystal, and Uhura found it a welcome
change.
Realizing that she was wasting time, she slung her tricorder over her
shoulder. Guy took her arm, and they headed off in a generally
northerly,direction. They skirted the cubs, not wishing to alarm the
youngsters, but the Thygetians now seemed unconcerned with their presence.
They watched the humans curiously out of their pale blue eyes, but showed
no fear. As Uhura and Maslin moved past several of them chirped and trilled
while bobbing their heads up and down.
so
The Tears of the Singers
"They certainly seem intelligent," Maslin remarked. "I mean, that sounded
an awful lot like a greeting to me."
"'Ib me too."
"How could the Federation have classified them as animals? When I think
about some hunter coming along and giving them a joh of electricity to the
head it makes me want to do the same to some bureaucrat, and see how they
like ft."
Uhura looked distressed. " How did you find out about this?19
"Ex-girl friend wanted a crystal tear. When I'm contemplating spending that
much money I do a little research."
"Did you buy it for her?"
"No, I found the way they were obtained to be disgusting and barbaric."
They rounded an outcropping and discovered what appeared to be a trail
heading up into the cliffs. The sand had been smoothed and packed as if by
countless large bodies. They exchanged glances.
"Think it's a path up to the adults?" Maslin asked.
"Quite likely. We've still got a few minutes. Let's go a little way and see
what we find."
The path wound between crystalline formations and fallen boulders, climbing
higher into the tumbled outcroppings at the base of the cliffs. Uhura
frowned and took a slow turn, studying the trail and the surrounding area.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure. This trail is well worn, as if it's been here for a long
time, but it doesn't seem well used, if you take my meaning.,
Maslin copied her slow look, then shrugged. "I don't see anything."
"I'm not sure there is anything to see, but I have the impression that this
trail is not the scene of constant comings and goings between the adults
and the cubs."
46so?"
09
The Tears of the Singers
"It just seems odd that the adults of a race would show so little interest
in their young. That doesn't seem to be a very prosurvival trait."
Guy sucked thoughtfully at the insides of his cheeks, then shook his head.
"Maybe the adults think there's something they have to do that's more
important than watching the kids. 19
"Spock suggested something like that earlier, but it still seems odd."
They resumed their climb. Suddenly Uhura froze. Maslin, who had been
looking back toward the ocean, bumped heavily into her. He opened his
mouth, then bit back the words at her sharp, chopping gesture. He then
discerned the reason for her abrupt haft. Beyond a curve in the trail
someone was holding a low-voiced conversation in a language he didn't
understand. Uhura lifted her tricorder, and carefully switched it on. 1he
murmurings continued for several more minutes. Then there was a sharp
snick, as if some device had been shut off. Uhura switched off her
tricorder and let it fall to her hip. She then darted around the crystal
outcropping.
This time Maslin was ready for her because he had seen her tense as she
prepared to launch herself around the rock, and he was right behind her as
they exploded around the curve in the trail.
The Klingon woman, Kali, knelt in the sand, caught in the act of replacing
a communicator on her belt. Terror flared in her golden eyes at the sight
of the humans, and her hand jerked for the disruptor at her hip.
"Christ, don't . . ." Guy began, but Uhura was quicker. She crossed the
intervening distance in one bound, and her booted foot lashed out, kicking
the disruptor from the Klingon's hand. Kali grimaced and gripping her wrist
pillowed it in her lap.
"I'm sorry," Uhura said, dropping down next to her. The woman flinched
away, then relaxed into hostile alertness
90
The Tean of the Sinpn
when she realized that Uhura wasn't going to hurt her again. "Is it broken?"
"No, only bruised."
Uhura glanced at the disruptor lying in the sand. "We do tend to react
without thinking, don't we?" she asked a little ruefully.
Some of the tension leached out of Kali, and she nodded slowly. "Perhaps
that is why we lose so many ships and men."
"It's one possibility," Uhura replied cautiously.
"What are you doing out here?" Maslin asked, perching on a nearby boulder.
"Getting a feel for the world."
"But-w-" Uhura shot him a warning look, and he subsided.
"What?"
"Well . . . ah ... it might be dangerous," he improvised.
Kali laughed, a light, musical sound that blended well with the omnipresent
song. "I am not your typical Earthwomanweak and helpless. I can take care
of myself."
"I would say Lieutenant Uhura has done a pretty good job of taking care of
herself too," Guy said challengingly.
Maslin and Kali locked eyes, and Uhura stepped in. "Arguing racial
superiority has always biin a useless exercise, both on my world and in
space. "Me captain is right, we have to work together if we're going to
solve this mystery. What do you make of the Thygetians now that you've had
a chance to look around?"
"A number of our officers would like to classify them as animals." She
glanced at the two humans. "It makes it much easier to colonize an
uninhabited planet."
"But what do you think?"
"I think they are unquestionably intelligent, but I still do not understand
why you think there is a correlation between the phenomenon and the
Taygetians."
"Actually, I don't either," Maslin said, sliding down onto the sand so he
could sit between the two women. "That's 91
The Tears of the Singers
Spock's-theory, and we can't prove it or disprove it until we can understand
what they're singing about."
"If it's a language why not use your universal translator?"
"Slwk tried that this afternoon," Uhura said.
"But all he got was gibberish," Guy added excitedly. "When I first listened
to a tape of the Thygetian song I could tell that large pieces of it were
missing. Apparently the translator picked up on that also, so it couldn't
make sense out of what it was recording."
"How could you tell the song wasn't complete?" Kali asked, shifting until
she could relax with her back against some rocks.
"Music is audible mathematics. Just as there is a logical progression in
math so there is in music." He shrugged. "I have this quirk that enables me
to translate music into numbers almost instantly. When I heard the tape it
was obvious that it didn't track."
"And now?"
"It's even more apparent now."
"I'm not certain I understand, but it would be interesting to watch you
work."
"Then come on down and watch. Thmorrow I'll begin programming the
synthesizer to the Thygetian song. With its help I'll be able to build a
picture of their musical theory."
"And that will enable you to understand their language?"
"It will certainly help."
She sat in thoughtful silence for several moments, then looked up. "Perhaps
I will come to your camp."
"Do," Uhura said, picking up the disruptor, and presenting it butt first.
Kali stared in confusion, first at the weapon, then at Uhur-4. "Go ahead,
take ft. I think we can agree that neither of us is a killer or a monster."
Kali hurriedly holstered the weapon. "It will be dark soon. I must get back
to camp."
"And so must we," Uhura said, rising and dusting off the
92
The Tears of the Sir*ers
seat of her pants. "Spock will kill us if we don't get back before the sun
sets."
"Wouldn't that be an illogical reaction?" Maslin asked.
"He would find a logical reason to justify it."
"That must be convenient. Sort of like having a selective conscience or
memory." He held out his hand to Uhura, and she helped him to his feet.
"Come to our camp, Kali. We'd like to have you."
"I will try. You are a professional musician?" she asked Guy. He nodded.
"Well, perhaps you will play for me. I like music." She turned and started
down the trail with Maslin staring incredulously after her. Uhura chuckled.
"Play for her? Like I'm some sort of nightclub musician who'll play for
anyone at anytime. Doesn't she have any idea who I am?"
"No. Based on what we know about Klingon society, I'm quite certain that
being a musician is not one of the- more respected functions. Besides, you
played for us."
"I played with those of you who were going to be in the landing party, and
coached you," he corrected as he took her hand, and they started back
toward camp. "I'm used to being paid for what I do, and very well. A
lieutenant's pay in Star Fleet doesn't cut it." His jaw set, and his
nostrils flared a bit with anger.
"I thought you were beginning to accept your position on this mission, even
to enjoy it."
"I'm intrigued by musical puzzles, but I still don't like the way your
captain impressed me into service, and I intend to go to Star Fleet when
this is over. As for enjoying it . . ." He stopped, and placed his hands on
her shoulders. They were at the base of the cliffs now, and the sun was a
blazing orange disc that seemed to rest upon the face of the waters. "I
enjoy YOU. 19
His mouth sought her, and she didn't avoid the embrace. As they stood
locked in each other's arms the sun seemed to
93
The Tears of the Singers
plunge into the water, and the sky turned a dark blue. lie stars gleamed
like white gems through ragged openings in the clouds, and below them at the
watees edge the cubs pushed up on their front flippers, faced the cliffs and
began a soft and haunting song that cut across the music of their elders.
Their heads jerked up, and the two humans stood mesmerized by the
melancholy night music. Once more the elder Thygetians paid no heed. They
just continued their song in sublime disregard of their young, who sang so
mournfully below them. Mashn stood with his hands clenched at his sides,
and his eyes glittered greenly with unshed tears. Uhura, too, sensed the
longing and deep sadness inherent in the song, and she stepped closer to
Guy. His arms went around her.
"Sad, so sad. If only I knew what they were saying."
"You will soon. I only hope we can help them."
The last vestiges of light vanished, and the song ended. The cubs settled
back into their nests, and prepared to sleep. Down the beach they could see
the lights of their own camp, and beyond that the Klingon camp like a
watchful eye on the hill overlooking the humans.
The Tkygetian song went endlessly on, and Guy and Uhura began to hurry for
the security and warmth of the camp. The immensity of this new world, and
the mystery of the song, oppressed and frightened them. Fred Ragsdale's
round face seemed a welcome sight as they came through the perimeter of the
camp.
Late that night Maslin lay quietly in his tent listening to the song.
Uhura's thigh was warm against his, and her soft breaths fluttered the hair
on his arm as they lay wrapped in the sleeping bag. He shifted her to a
more comfortable position, easing the cramp in his arm. She murmured some-
thing, then dropped back to sleep. He brushed his lips across her hair and
allowed his head to fan back against the pillow.
The song lulled and beckoned him, yet he feared this place
The Tears of the Singers
with an unreasoning dread. Ile chorus softened, and shifted in key,
reminding him of "Die Winterreise." IEs arms tightened about Uhura, and
softly, almost below his breath, he began the song.
As a stranger I came here, a stranger I depart again.... For my
journey I cannot choose the time, I must find the way for myself in
this darkness. A moon-cast shadow goes along as my companion.
I will not disturb you in your drearns-it would spoil your rest. You
write on your gate "Good night," so that you may see, I thought of
you.
95
Chapter Six
"Has Lieutenant Mendez completed translating the message that Lieutenant
Uhura intercepted, Captain?" Spock had taken a folding camp stool and placed
it at the mouth of their cove. From this vantage point he could watch both
the Klingons in their hillside camp, and the cubs who were gamboling about
and plunging in and out of the frigid ocean. Now from a position of relative
privacy he had contacted Kirk.
"She certainly has, Mr. Spock," Kirk's voice came back over the
communicator. "And it confirms my suspicions that Kor has his hands full."
"How so, Captain?" Hearing the sounds of an altercation, Spock shifted
slightly on his camp.stool, and glanced back over his shoulder toward the
small group clustered about Maslin's CompuSynthesizer. Mashn and Brentano
were squared off and shouting into each other's faces. Spock almost
interrupted communication so he could break up the
The Tears of the Singers
fight when he saw Uhura heading out of her tent. He relaxed back onto his
stool, knowing that she would handle the situation. He found human emotions
confusing at the best of times, and he couldn't fathom the instantaneous
dislike that had sprung up between Maslin and the chunky security guard.
"Spock, are you there?"
"Yes, Captain. Something took my attention. You were
saying?" -
"It seems that the lady is not reporting to her immediate superior on the
planet. Rather she's using a tight-beam, scrambled transmission to contact
her husband."
"But why communicate secretly with Commander Kor?"
"My question exactly. There's nothing to give us any indication of the
problem in the conversation we intercepted, but I would say the very fact
the conversation took place supports my theory that Kor is not in full
control of his ship."
"You suspect a mutiny?"
"It's not unknown among the Klingons."
"Let us hope, for our sakes then, that Lieutenant Commander Kah keeps her
husband well informed, and that he is not replaced by some less
conciliatory commander."
"Believe me, I'll be watching for anything out of the ordinary. I haven't
forgotten that we are outnumbered, and that the Klingons are vicious
fighters. How are things on your end?9
"Everything is progressing on schedule. Mr. Maslin is set up, and he will
begin programming the synthesizer today."
"How long is this likely to take, Spock?"
"Uncertain, sir. The fact that the universal translator was unable to
fathom the song indicates that there is more at work here than mere
language."
"You're not comforting me, Mr. Spock."
"I wasn't aware that I was supposed to, Captain. I assumed you wanted
accurate facts, not meaningless reassurances."
97
The Tears of the Singers
"A joke, Mr. Spock. "
There was a pause. "I see. Will there be anything more, Captain?"
"Not for the moment. I'll probably be down in the next day or two, but
right now I need to get down to engineering. Riley's been reporting some
odd fluctuations in the dilithium crystals. "
"Do you wish me to assist Mr. Riley? It would be most unfortunate if we had
occasion to need power that the crystals were unable to supply."
"I would say that's an understatement, but no, I see no reason for you to
return to the ship. If it looks like more than a minorproblem I'll recall
Scotty. "
"Very good, Captain. Spock out."
Spock flipped shut his oommunicator, and replaced it on the back of his
belt. There was a flurry of activity at the Kfingon camp, but it didn't
seem to be directed toward anything coherent. The Vulcan shook his head,
feeling strong disapprobation for the unscientific methods employed by the