Before Destruction!
Page 4
lash out at his enemy. This faceless foe could not know of
Klingons and believe they would surrender until their very breath
had left them. 'Who is he?' The question reverberated in his mind.
Kang needed a plan. Something unpredictable and quick; nothing
elaborate. If he could only contact the Terror so they could act
as one. But no, he dare not make any open gestures of deceit. He
would have to act alone.
"Gor, send a detailed recount of our predicament to Imperious
Admiral Sorr. Request immediate advisory. Encode to him that by
PAGE 17
the time he receives the message we may not be here anymore and
that my crew was brave in facing their enemy."
"Yes, Sir," said the Comm. officer.
"Now we act," Kang decided. "Weapons officer, have torpedo
bay send 6 torpedoes to the transporter room immediately." Kang
turned to his wife. "Mara, keep scanning the intruder. If his
shields drop for any reason, we open fire no matter what events are
transpiring. Understood?"
"Yes my lord," spoke Mara and the weapons officer in unison as
they began their separate tasks.
"Helmsman, when I give the command, I want full reverse,
emergency speed!"
The helmsman turned with a surprised look on his face. "We
are going to flee, my lord?"
Mara quickly rebuked him, "Have care what you say Torvak. I
do not expect you to question his orders again! Your life at least
will be at stake, perhaps all of ours."
Kang looked to his wife. Long had they served together.
Longer had they loved one another. She could give him no son, no
heir, and he was the last of his proud line. He bore her no grudge
for that. She had given him everything else. Her loyalty above
all had earned her his love, even from the beginning.
"Torpedoes are in position in the transporter room, sir!"
"Transporter room. This is Kang." He spoke carefully so that
no word would be misinterpreted. "Set torpedo detonation range for
the proximity of zero. Set warheads to arm themselves by timer and
set timers at ten seconds minus," he paused, waiting for them to carry
out his command. The moments passed slowly.
"Done, my lord," came a disembodied voice from the speaker.
"When I give the command, I want the computer to trip the
timers. We are then going to transport all six of the torpedoes
simultaneously. Their destinations are to be calculated, handled
and executed by computer. They have to materialize exactly when
the timer's counter reads zero. Understand that I mean zero."
"Yes, my lord," came the voice.
"Encoded destinations are to be equidistant points against the
enemy vessel's deflector shield perimeter. Am I understood on all
points?" Kang demanded.
"Yes, Sir."
"Then repeat it!" said Kang, not trying to insinuate that his
PAGE 18
transporter officer was incompetent, but wanting to stress the
importance of his exact compliance. The officer repeated it to the
last detail. "Good. Kang out."
Kang turned to his weapons officer. "When the torpedoes have
detonated you are to fire all weapons at the enemy vessel, but do
not ready weapons until I give the order or the intruder will
detect it on his scanners."
"Yes, Sir," said the space veteran. He had total faith in his
commander but still expected a glorious death.
"Torvak, when the vessel's shields are down, she is our equal.
As our first salvo hits her, she will explode due to the detonation
of the very weapons she would use to destroy us. The Federation
message we intercepted stated that this ship caused an explosion
akin to a micro nova. Do you think it would not be prudent to be
elsewhere when detonation occurs?"
"Sir... I spoke from ignorance," the young officer said looking
at the floor.
Kang stood, prepared to strike back at the one who would
challenge the Empire. His crew was also ready, once again having
the hope of the glory of battle. They watched him for the signal
that would start the offensive. He put his fist to his chest in
salute of his crew, "Victory to the brave!" he shouted.
"Victory to the Strong!" responded his crew.
"Transporter room!" Kang commanded, "Prepare to,"
"MY LORD!" Mara cut in. "The Terror is charging disrupters
and has armed her torpedoes. She is going to engage the enemy."
"The fools! Forward viewer on Terror."
The view-screen changed from a high resolution 2-D on the
intruder, to a close-up of the Terror. All watching could see her
forward torpedo tube go from dark to a glowing red.
"Intruder firing on Terror!" came Mara again.
"Brace yourselves!" spoke Kang.
The screen in front of them glowed brilliantly white and the
ship was again hit by the terrible blast, causing the backup power
to fade. Fire broke out at the science station while Mara, and
others who were standing, now lay sprawled across the aft section
of the bridge.
"Damage report!" ordered Kang, coughing for all the smoke.
Mara pulled herself up and headed for her post.
"Torvak, has the enemy's position changed?"
PAGE 19
"I can't locate," Torvak paused, "Sir! He's astern," spoke
the officer.
"Commander," said Mara. "Damage to shields, 50 percent. On-
board computer is down, now operating on station micros. Scanning
equipment is damaged, extent not yet assessed."
"My lord, we are being hailed by the vessel with no name,"
spoke Gor over the sound of the extinguishers.
"On speakers," Kang commanded, though not desiring to face
the one who had dishonored him on these terms.
"Commander Kang, is it your intention to attack this ship like
your previously 'living' comrades?" the voice asked almost
pleasantly.
"What the Terror did, she did of her own accord. Not by my
command, which is sovereign here. Though I do not apologize for
what she attempted."
"You are a brave man, Commander. But remember, it is a small
thing for me to destroy you so do not tempt me... I believe that I
will give you a more definitive idea as to whom and what you are up
against. I will demonstrate that not only could I be the Empire's
greatest ally, but its deadliest enemy." Kang already knew this.
"Much of which will be determined by the hospitality I receive from
his Imperious Majesty's representative, who's ship I just happen to
be targeting presently. Is my meaning plain enough for you?"
"It is," Kang said flatly, already beaten.
"Very well. A force of arms, as the expression goes, will be
displayed before you. Do be good enough to make a recording of
this demonstration, I shall do it but once, and it is significant
that your Emperor understands the import of our meeting."
Another voice was heard in the background, "All is in
readiness your Highness," it said.
"Excellent!" came the enemy again then back to Kang. "As well
as yourselves, we are targeting the last planet in the nea
rest
solar system. What do you call this planet?"
"Skarr 18" Kang said.
"Witness then that in a few moments, Skarr will have only 17
planets in orbit around her... Fire!" the voice commanded.
PAGE 20
*** FOUR ***
Enterprise shone like a pearl against a black velvet sky. She
remained stationary as the smaller ship, dart-like in appearance,
approached. Static electricity discharged with various degrees of
intensity, arcing, almost dancing about them, in bright blue bolts.
They were enfolded by the dark and dense cloud of particles that
had once been Elba II.
On the bridge of the Enterprise, damage control was completing
repairs to the ship's injuries, sustained while reaching the
Petroski solar system.
"Bridge to Engineering. Mr. Scott, repairs are about done up
here. How are things coming on your end?" spoke Jim Kirk to his
chief engineer.
"We have green across the board, Capt'n. Though there is
still an energy flux in me port nacelle. I cann'a seem to fine
tune it out, and it's gonna worra me till I do," said the
Scottsman.
"Well done, Mr. Scott. Keep me informed about that flux. If
it gets worse, let me know," Kirk said.
"Aye Sir, Scott out." The channel closed.
"Mr. Spock, I believe it's time to go over to the Javelin for
debriefing," the Captain said as he left his chair, "Mr. Sulu, you
have the Con."
Spock followed Jim to the turbo-lift. Sulu rose from his post
and took the center seat as the lift's doors 'swooshed' closed.
"Hanger deck," Jim instructed the lift. He rubbed his palms
against his trousers, then folded his arms across his chest. "Mr.
Spock," he began, "have you finished the detailed report on the
landing expedition to Holberg?"
"Yes, Captain, it is on file and ready to be transmitted to
Starfleet Command."
"I'd like to look at it before you have it sent. I want to
compare it to my own log," said Jim. "Not that I mistrust your
accuracy Spock, I just want to be sure I didn't leave anything
important out," he continued, hoping his First Officer would not
detect his uneasiness about the subject. He wanted to compare the
two logs because his memory seemed to have lapsed and he did not
wish it known to his friend.
Embarrassment crept up inside him as he thought to himself of
the way he was trying to conceal this fact from Spock, the very one
whom he should confide in. His cheeks shone the barest hint of red
and he could feel the flush of them.
PAGE 21
So concerned with himself, Jim did not even notice the
slightly greener cheeks of Spock.
Spock was hardly pleased to hear Jim's request. It was not
difficult to deduce that Kirk had discovered some missing time
concerning Flint and the Holberg expedition, more to the truth,
concerning Reena.
It is considered not only immoral and illogical but quite
dangerous for a Vulcan to interfere uninvitedly into another's
thoughts. Spock's decision to alter his Captain's memory of the
death of his love was not derived from logic, but one of "brotherly
affection". An emotion alien to him before he knew the man James T.
Kirk, but alien no longer.
To all who did not know Spock well, he appeared to be
typically, totally, Vulcan. A being devoted entirely to logic,
suppressing or uprooting any inborn emotion, never discerning the
turmoil inside him of being only half Vulcan. His human and Vulcan
sides constantly strove with each other for supremacy in his
heart.
Unlike most humans and Vulcans, Jim Kirk had accepted him as
is, and demonstrated the strength that could be found in the very
emotions he struggled to suppress. There is a balance between the
two opposing cultures that Spock was only recently becoming aware
of. Once thought mutually exclusive, he now could see the harmony
of the two working in him. This did not, however, make it any
easier for him to arrive at an explanation as to why James had no
memory of Reena Kapec. He would not lie to Jim. Perhaps he could
'exaggerate'?
The lift doors opened to the face of Dr. Leonard McCoy holding
two flat squares, one orange, one blue.
"Bones, I was just wondering if you had the medical tapes for
us," said Jim.
"I thought I would deliver them personally, Jim. Governor
Cory's staff and patient's files are all here though I'm not sure
how much help they will be. They are only as current as the last
time we were here." The doctor placed the squares in his Captain's
hands.
"We were ordered to gather all information pertaining to the
disaster, regardless of how insignificant."
"I know, I saw all of the equipment and space debris you are
taking over to the Intelligence boys. Not much room for the two of
you, is there?" Bones escorted the two down the corridor.
"If we had another shuttle craft available, we would have
distributed the material between the two. As it is, it will still
be a couple of hours before our second recon team returns, and no
ship will be able to use transporters for weeks in this area with
all the electromagnetic energy around."
PAGE 22
"'Months' is what Scotty said," added Bones.
"Two point seven three months, to be more accurate," offered
Spock, more to irritate the doctor than to assist. Dr. McCoy
was, to Spock, the most emotionally fascinating person to observe.
It seemed, paradoxically, that the good doctor was most happy when
most irritated. As a friend, Spock felt obligated to keep Bones
'happy'. "That estimate is of course barring,"
"Can't you even say a complete sentence without a statistical
exposition?" griped the doctor.
Spock raised an eyebrow. "I find a curious satisfaction, if I
understand the usage, in being as accurate as possible," he said.
"Especially around you," he added. "Perhaps I am overcompensating
for your consistant and general inaccuracy."
"I can't take you two anywhere, can I?" Jim cut in.
The corridor ended with the shuttle bay doors, which opened as
Jim and company reached them. He led them into the airlock.
After the first pair of doors closed behind them, the second,
leading into the hanger, opened. A lone shuttlecraft sat on the
turntable with the name 'Columbus NCC-1701/3', emblazoned on the
side. The small interplanetary craft hummed softly as the prep-
technician ran her through pre-warm and pre-flight procedures.
Spock and McCoy followed the Captain as he walked the 20
meters to the central rotational platform, then to the open doors
of the Columbus. Spock passed his Captain and entered the craft as
Jim stopped, realizing McCoy was still tagging along, and turned to
him.
"I hope you aren't waiting around for a goodbye kiss, Doctor,"
the Captain stated, in good humor.
"Very funny! I was just making sure you've got everything
needed from medical, and what do
I get for it?" came the Doctor. "I
wonder if jokes like that are what made Vulcans turn into binary
brains."
"Calm yourself, Doctor. What's put you on edge this time?"
"Nothing's put me on edge. I just thought you might have been
able to work me into your schedule without me having to order you
down to sickbay for a complete physical."
"I'm sorry, Bones, is there something you need to discuss that
I don't know about?"
"I'm sure you are aware of it," he said, "Painfully aware."
Jim wrinkled his brow. 'What the heck are you talking about
Bones?', he thought to himself. Then an echo from his memory spoke
'bruised ribs'. Jim then connected that with "Painfully aware"
and naturally assumed they were finally on the same wavelength.
PAGE 23
He was wrong.
"Oh, that! Well, when I get back I'll stop in and you can
tell me how I'm doing," Jim said, tugging at his tunic which
covered the flexi-truss. "It doesn't seem to be important, though.
I hardly feel bruised at all."
"My God, Jim, I thought you were crushed." Bones, on the other
hand, was referring to Jim's heart, at the loss of the android /
lifeform / love: Reena Kapec.