Thread by @ShelfNerds

#MicroTreks

Kirk, McCoy, Spock, a civilian human-Vulcan hybrid, and a civilian man enter the transporter room.

“We’re all set here, Captain,” Scotty says from behind the transporter room console.

“Thank you, Scotty,” Kirk says hesitantly.
1/14

“If you’ll step up on the pad, please,” Kirk says.

The woman cautiously nods and steps up on the pad.

Spock stands on Kirk’s right. McCoy stands on his left, holding a hypospray.

Kirk, with his palm open, says, “Bones.”

McCoy grips the hypospray.
2/14

“Now think about this, Jim,” McCoy says. “Are you really gonna trade one life for another? This—procedure—will end the life of this living, breathing being that you see standing before you.”

“Doctor,” Spock begins.
3/14

“This being, in part, will continue on in the form of Dr. Watkins and her aid, Sh’Vala,” Spock says. “One might argue that life shall be multiplied through this restorative procedure.”

“My god! We’re not talking about a cold equation here,” McCoy replies.
4/14

“This woman is a living, breathing person. And in our society, people whether they were conceived by biologically or are the product of this—obtuse device, people have certain rights!”

“What about my right to have my wife back?” the man behind them says, stepping forward.
5/14

“My future children, Laurel’s future biological discoveries, our—retirement, growing old together,” the man argues. “What about the right to my life with Laurel?”

“We aren’t guaranteed any life beyond the present, Donald,” Kirk says lowly.
6/14

“We’ve lost Dr. Watkins and Sh’Vala,” McCoy says. “It was an accident—a terrible one! But must we intentionally end a life in response to a tragic accident?”

Kirk locks eyes with the woman on the transporter pad.

McCoy presses his hand into Kirk’s shoulder.
7/14

“Loss. Grief. Is part of life,” McCoy says. “We think we’re so damned clever that we can invent a solution to every no win scenario, but what does our solution here reveal about who we are, Jim? Who are we? What kind of—men are we?”

“Laurel,” Kirk says to the woman.
8/14

“I’m—sorry,” Kirk says.

“The part of me who was Laurel knows that face, Jimmy,” the woman says. “Regret for doing the right thing. Laurel saw it when you stopped those boys from going through with that senior prank.”

“I betrayed them,” Kirk says.
9/14

“They were reckless,” the woman says. “They would’ve injured themselves and others. It was the logical course of action.”

“Sh’Vala,” Spock says.

“Yes, she—I—agree with Doctor McCoy,” the woman says. “The needs of the many—”

“Still,” Kirk says. “I’m sorry—Laurel.”
10/14

“If you can’t have her, Kirk, no one can,” Donald shouts as he approaches Kirk. “Is that it, Kirk?”

“Now, settle down, man,” McCoy says, restraining Donald.

“She’s my wife, my—life!” Donald says. “How can we not—pursue—hope for—” He breaks down into sobs.
11/14

Kirk placed his hands on Donald’s shoulders. “Donald. Look at me, Donald!”

Donald looks up.

“We’re not killers,” Kirk says. “Laurel isn’t a killer. Sh’Vala, Laurel, and yourself—your scientists, biologists. You’re about life, not death. This is the choice—of life.”
12/14

“Donald,” the woman says. “Jimmy is right. I am no longer the woman you loved, but, I do know how she thinks. And she would agree. You must—let her go.”

“We must—will—mourn them both,” Kirk says. “It’s who we are.”

“And from death springs new life,” Spock says.
13/14

Kirk raises his hand. “Step down, please.” He helps her off the pad.

Donald looks at her with sorrow. “Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, so dawn goes down to day—” He chokes up.

“Nothing gold—can stay,” Kirk adds.
14/14