“I’m sorry, Spock.” Captain Christopher Pike spoke as he sat up in his bed, attached to a good deal of equipment, wires, and systems keeping him alive.

“I find it hard to believe you, Captain.” Spock’s face belied no emotion; his eyes staring, unblinking. “You are dying. Humans attempt amends in the end stages of life. Documented evidence shows that a significant percentage of those attempts are not true.” The Vulcan clasped his hands behind his back. “It is illogical to accept such an attempt.”

Pike sighed, opening his palms upward. “I wish I had done it differently, Spock. I wish I could have been the man I was supposed to be. Their Pike and Spock seem to be the better versions of us in every way.” He coughed, his body shuddering under the explosion of pain that racked it.

Spock’s eyebrow twitched, then raised. “I have been thinking about such an idea since they first found me. I did not fit in on Vulcan, and was exiled for my mixed parentage. In their universe, I joined a crew and grew to serve with honor and distinction among them.” He fell silent, his thoughts still processing. “We were not meant to be a crew, Captain Pike. I was not meant to be alone in this universe, and V’ger was to find its creator. In their universe, everything had to happen in a certain way, with each member of the crew playing their part.” He narrowed his eyes. “You do not play well with others, Captain Pike, and neither did your crew.”

Pike’s eyes went wide. “You’re blaming me for this?”

Spock shook his head slowly. “That was a most illogical conclusion to make, Captain. We are all to blame. Kirk’s death and that of his crew could have been avoided, or even prevented. The hubris to believe any of us acting alone could have saved the universe is the most illogical component out of a growing pile of illogical actions and conclusions. It was not the arrogance of the humans, Captain. The Vulcan’s superiority, while well-documented, prevented cooperation. From first contact, it logically bears out that we were all doomed to this fate.”

A flash of regret crossed Pike’s eyes before it vanished behind his facade. “I suppose you’ve made a case study of their history versus ours?” Spock nodded. “Then you don’t see us succeeding against V’ger.”

“It is the approach of viewing it as needing succeeding against that is going to bring us back to the altar of failure, Captain Pike. V’ger cannot be dominated, destroyed, or eliminated. It is here that our approach must change.” Spock handed over a PADD. “We must adhere to the plan that led to success in their universe. They cannot stay here. We must seek to understand our V’ger and ensure our new friends’ safe passage home.”

Pike scrolled through the text, skimming the details. He came to the end of the report, a look of astonishment on his face. “You want me to merge with V’ger.”

Spock pointed at the section at the bottom of the PADD. “It is a need, Captain Pike. Without a creator to commune with, this cycle will continue until there is nothing left in this universe, not even those living by the wood stoves in their homes. V’ger will never stop looking.”

“You think I’ll live long enough?” Spock stepped to the door of the ward, and it opened, revealing Captain Wren Walton, who stepped in at the Vulcan’s invitation. “Captain Walton has agreed to facilitate the temporary use of some of their advanced medical equipment and staff to ensure you live long enough to do what is being asked of you.”

Pike spat out, “Asking me suggests I have a choice.”

Walton glanced at Spock, and he demurred as she stepped forward. “Captain Pike, we need to go home. Our science teams have detected some alarming readings coming from our ships and our people. In straightforward terms, the longer we stay here, the less chance we have of continuing to exist. They’re in the early stages of understanding what is happening, but their best estimate is that within a month’s time, we will all cease to exist in any universe. I am asking you. I am pleading. When I switch to telling you, you’ll know.”

Pike grumbled, annoyed. “Sounds like a threat to me.”

Wren’s stare tightened , and she leaned closer to him. Her voice, for the first time, unsettled him. “No threats here, Captain Pike. I mean to do what needs to be done to save the lives and future of our people. Cooperation on your part is optional.” She stepped back, allowing Spock to speak.

“There is no other way, Captain Pike. You can not abridge or invalidate your duty as a Starfleet officer to the Federation.”

“And what is your role in this circus, Spock? The savior?”

Walton flinched at what she thought was a flash of anger that burst to the surface of the Vulcan’s face before diving back down below. Pike’s widening eyes confirmed it.

Spock replied, “I hope to survive this, Captain Pike. We do not know what will remain once we achieve our mission. A shattered universe does not suddenly become whole. Putting the broken pieces together will take time.” Pike’s mouth opened and then closed. He repeated this several times to Wren’s amusement, but she made no comment. Spock took the PADD from Pike’s hands. “I am to brief the various command teams on the plan. Your role in this is not a reflection of you or our history. It was the logical choice.”

“So you say. Can you leave me alone so I can contemplate the end of my life at the hands of V’ger?”

Spock nodded and left the room. Walton locked eyes with Pike. “Someone will be in here with you at all times. Don’t even think about it.” She opened the door, and a burly medical orderly stepped in and leaned against the wall. Walton gave him one last stare and departed. Pike rolled his eyes at the orderly.

He wondered quietly to himself if this was to be his ultimate act of penance.