Getting to know the Horta
Captain's Log, Stardate Supplemental: We are
investigating the death of dilithium miners in the
caves of the Horta creatures. Right now Mr. Spock
is up to his knees in pulsating anchovies,
attempting a mindmeld.
"The pain... the pain...." Spock closed his
eyes.
"What is it, Spock? The spheres?" said Kirk
anxiously. Spock nodded, tensely. "Is that it,
Spock? We've been killing the Horta's eggs?"
Suddenly Spock pulled away from the Horta,
his mind quickly clearing.
"No Captain. Those are the Horta's Lala
balls."
"Lala?"
"There is no precise translation, though from
the description I received through the mindmeld I
perceive it to be not unlike... your human sport
of... croquet."
"Croquet? Those are croquet balls? Then why
did the Horta kill all those miners?"
Spock raised an eyebrow. "The miners were
moving the balls, making it impossible for the
Horta to keep track of the score."
"A sportsman!" said Kirk, suddenly inspired.
"This I can negotiate with."
Two weeks later....
"Kirk, it's working," said the beefy mining
chief, looking pleased. "We've been setting up
croquet courses for the creature, and it's been
drilling through the rock like mad. We're going
to triple dilithium production this year alone."
"I'm glad you're pleased," said Kirk. "Take
a few orange jumpsuits out of petty cash."
A miner passed by them, stumbling on a
croquet ball as he walked by. Instantly, as quick
as a flash, the Horta leapted out, toasting him to
a crisp.
Kirk coughed, embarrassed. "It didn't even
say "Fore!"
|
