by Star Trek
"Crushed?" Jim could not remember being crushed. He could
remembered nothing of how the injury came into being. "Perhaps it
looked that way, but really, I'm fine," he said honestly. "I
almost don't even feel it anymore."
Spock, with his amazing Vulcan sense of hearing, naturally was
in earshot of the entire conversation. His muscles were
unconsciously tensed. His eyes were looking straight ahead. He
was listening intently, waiting for McCoy to let the 'feline' out
of the proverbial 'satchel'. Then he focused his eyes on the tip
of his nose. It was the first time he could recall ever seeing
nervous sweat on a Vulcan. "Fascinating," he whispered to no one.
"Tell that to the Fleet Cadets, Jim, not me. I know what
you've been through. I know it must hurt."
This was really starting to confuse the Captain. The doctor
never made this much fuss, unless it was more serious than he
thought. 'What is it? A ruptured spleen? Punctured kidney? No,
Bones would never have let me back on the bridge if there was that
much damage.'
Jim looked the doctor directly in the eyes. "Ok, Bones, I
think it's time I told you the truth." He waited for a moment to
muster his courage. It is not an easy thing for any Captain to
admit to the ship's doctor that there is a possibility of mental
failure. "Bones, I don't know 'how' I did it. OK?" He put his
hand to his side indicating his ribs. "I know it aches, but I
can't for the life of me think of how it could've happened. I,"
"Jim, matters of the 'heart' are always like that," Bones
said, cutting in, "We never know how these things happen. You just
have to take it easy. Now isn't the time to be under stress, so
don't overdo it, alright? Doctor's orders!"
'That's it!' Jim thought. 'It's not my ribs, it's my heart!
Cardiac arrest could account for my memory loss, and if CPR was
administered, it would leave my ribs bruised.'
Kirk now realized, at least he believed he understood, why the
doctor was concerned, and became very concerned himself. He had no
knowledge that his ribs became bruised while in hand to hand combat
with Reena's creator / lover, Flint. Spock had seen to it that he
did not remember, for the pain of her death was more than he
thought Jim could bear.
PAGE 24
Jim gulped. "I didn't know it was that bad. All I remember
is,"
"Jim," Bones cut him off again. "It's better you try to
forget. Let it heal, before you go out and it happens again."
"Again!?! Bones, you really think it could happen again!?!"
"If I know you, James T. Kirk, the next planet you set foot
on, you'll meet some young filly or 'miraculously' out from a tree
will pop a former sweetheart and, BLAMO!"
Jim gulped again. 'BLAMO!?!' His eyes widened a bit.
Spock could bear the conversation no longer. As he rose, he
noticed the imprints his fingers had left on the navigational
console where he had been sitting. "Remarkable," he stated, and
calculated the amount of pressure in kilograms PSI that it would
take to leave such impressions in the hyper-alloy aluminum 1
millimeter thick, as he stepped through the shuttle door.
"Fascinating," again to himself. "Captain, the Javelin is awaiting
us. Shall I signal them regarding a temporary delay?"
"No, Spock, I'm ready." He looked at the doctor, a bit
frightened by the 'BLAMO' comment. "Providing the Doctor thinks
I'll survive."
"You've got my approval." Bones smiled but noticed Jim's
hesitation to take him at his word. "Seriously, Jim, clean bill of
health," McCoy said, genuinely glad to have had the chat with Jim
and been able to clear the air of this unfortunate incident.
"Thanks, Bones. See you soon." the Captain said, feeling
slightly better himself, after McCoy's last comment and finally
satisfied that his mind was not unduly slipping. He stepped into
the shuttle and the doors closed behind him.
PAGE 25
*** FIVE ***
The star was dark in comparison to those of similar size and
mass. Like all stars, this one was shrinking as it burned. Though
at a much slower than average rate of decline, entropy would still
have the final word against it. Seven planets were held in its
gravitational pull, orbiting in close proximity to the burning
fiery giant.
The first and closest planet was named Tuj Wa, or "Hot One",
without much imagination. Its molten surface was not always so,
but over thousands of years, as its orbit decayed, it was drawn
closer to the star and would soon become fuel for it.
The second planet, Ka Zsaholt, was named after a legendary
hero, who led his people out of slavery into a land they could
call their own. Its three moons were said to hold the wealth of
the Empire. The Imperial Vaults were imbedded deep under each
moon's surface. Each held a heavily armed, fully insulated battle
fortress, in place on the magnetic poles, to protect these
valuables from everything and everyone.
The third and fourth planets in the system were Toc and Fi.
They were sister worlds; gaseous giants revolving around each
other, as well as their stellar host. An asteroid belt woven
around and between the two was the only remnant of their once
numerous moons, now pulverized as a result of impacting with each
other.
The fifth planet, if it could be called so, is the newest of
the seven. Long ago it had been a tremendous comet. Though
smaller than most standard moons by a third, it had been captured
into an inescapable new orbit as it passed through the gas giant
Fi's atmosphere, and slowed, narrowly escaping the gravity of the
planet. A warmer sun would have turned it completely to gas by
now, but shrouded in its own reflective vapor, the small frozen
core of it still remained.
The sixth and least remarkable planet was Bok Buul. It was
crater filled and mildly volcanic, with just enough atmosphere,
consisting mostly of hydrogen, to cause planet-wide fire clouds
when eruptions occurred. These fires, though spectacular, only
happened once every 30 to 40 standard years, which is why the
expression, "We will show you mercy when Bok Buul glows", means you
will not see mercy soon.
The seventh and last planet was the pride of the Empire. She
had many names and was often referred to in the female vernacular,
for she was the Mother World. Throne world she was often called,
but Klinzhai was her proper name and Home was what she was to every
Klingon. She was the heart of the Empire; their first loyalty,
their first love.
It is said by all Klingons, "When the universe was created,
PAGE 26
Klinzhai was the goal." This did contrast with what the Federation
said, which was "When the universe was created Klinzhai was where
God's sewer backed up."
* * *
The Emperor rarely left the planet. He did have the largest
ship in the fleet and when he did travel, his ship was escorted
by
no less than four heavy cruisers. He had been Emperor for 12
standard years since the reign of his father ended with, of course,
his father's life. Mocdar Jek Tromok was his name. He was a
powerful man in authority and stature. He bore the royal marking
on his forehead. The imperial crest that distinguished the
highborn bloodline from the soft smooth brow of the common people.
A resurgence of the line had been seen recently in the masses,
giving all who bore the crest, military privileges above the
others.
The Emperor paced the long corridor decorated with tapestries,
his cape trailing his heels, billowed with each thunderous stride.
He stopped at the tall window overlooking the gates of the majestic
palace's entrance. His gaze drifted upwards as he heard the rumble
of his Imperial transport descending through the copper veil of
clouds in the rusty sky. The landing platform, just outside the
stone gates to the right, glowed blue with a red flashing perimeter
as the beacon signaled the all clear code.
No off-worlder had ever been allowed to approach Klinzhai,
unless they came in magnetic bonds. This intruder, who single-
handedly defeated his best defensive wing, was not about to be
permitted to set foot on royal dirt. He was, however, not about to
take the intruder lightly after viewing the destruction wrought by
the lone ship. Nor was he going to arbitrarily strike a blood
covenant with the dangerous and secretive man whose voice the
Emperor had recognized from his past. But he could not remember to
whom the voice belonged.
A bell tolled, signalling that someone was approaching the
door to the palace hall. "Enter," came the bass voice of the
Emperor as he rested his hand on the hilt of his energy dagger.
The door opened and the force barrier parted. Imperious Admiral
Sorr entered with ten fully armed "Ramjep Avwi", the 'Midnight
Guard', the Emperor's elite guard.
The Admiral bowed. "Your Highness, your shuttle has arrived.
If we are to rendezvous with the Fury on time, we must depart now."
"Have your men been able to analyze the data on this new
weapon with any favorable results?" questioned the Emperor.
"I fear not, my lord. Against it we have no defense," the
Admiral stated matter-of-factly. "If we were to try to oppose
PAGE 27
the intruder, we would sacrifice most or all of the fleet with no
guarantee of victory. The only positive point of view is that the
Federation has no defense against it either."
The Emperor looked again to the window. "The counsil has
advised an alliance, with provision... The provision being that we
trade for the weapons aboard his vessel in addition to the formula
and dynamics of this weapon. In turn, he will receive the Tkomat
solar system to rule under me with two new cruisers to command."
He inhaled deeply the thick hot air of his world, savoring his last
moments on the planet. "What is your opinion of this proposal?"
The Admiral thought for a moment. It was a danger to speak to
the Emperor without choosing carefully the correct words and
considering the consequences should their meaning be
misinterpreted. "My lord, this jeQ Ha'Dlbah is merely a terrorist
from the Federation. Granted, a most powerful one as he has
demonstrated. But, my liege, I see only one course of action apart
from giving in to the treacherous villain." He waited for the
Emperor to command him to speak, for only by command could he hope
to say what he must and leave the palace alive.
The Emperor turned his complete attention to the Admiral. His
dark grey shoulder-length hair waved behind his back as a strong
hot blast of wind entered the hall from the shuttle's touchdown.
The ground shook momentarily, then steadied once again. Perceiving
the reason for Sorr's delay, he responded, "So be it; you have my
command."
The guards behind the Admiral, knowing the risk he was taking,
tensed their muscles, hoping their next mission would not be to
bury him.
"Your Majesty, by his own words, the intruder has put your
life in jeopardy, as he is only allowing three armed guards to
escort you aboard his ship. He has sworn to keep his shields
lowered while you are on board and promises to have no more than
three armed guards of his own present at the meeting. Scanners
will verify all of this. But, Sire, if he should raise his
shields,"
"Are you questioning my ability to defend myself? Do you
think the Emperor of all Klinzhai's realm is afraid to face this
invader at the cost of his life?" the Emperor fumed. His anger was
explosive.
"No, my liege. I am counting on it," he continued. "But if
it is at all possible, face him alone. Leave all guards outside the
meeting chamber. Agree to all his terms if you must, but make him
swear the blood oath to it. If he allows his enemy, you my lord,
to cut his palm, you can just as easily lacerate his throat," he
said, trying to read his Emperor's reaction.
"You have half a plan. Is there more?" the Emperor spoke
coldly.
PAGE 28
"I have a device here." He produced a small box with several
buttons on it from inside his breastplate. "This will allow you
to record the foe's voice by pressing the black button. Once he
is dead, you simply speak into the box pressing the blue button,
issue the command to transfer all weapons to your ship, and the
machine will repattern your voice to that of our enemy's. Then
while their shields are still lowered, we lock onto you, beam you
back and destroy his vessel. No enemy, no concessions."
The Emperor listened to the Admiral, considering his words and
picturing himself carrying out the plan. If events transpired as
predicted, he would single-handedly give victory to his empire and
restore his pride with it. Both were of equal value to him. It
was not without risk, but being willing to even board the most
dangerous ship in the galaxy was a tremendous gamble within
itself. While dwelling on these thoughts, his anger left him.
"Why don't you use the voice from the recorded conversation
with him. If I am seen pressing buttons, might it not be construed
as suspicious?" the Emperor pondered.
"My lord, we can not be sure the voice we heard is his actual
voice. The acoustic enhancements of this device is not a new
technology. There are many ways to deceive over any broadcast
medium," the Admiral explained. "My prime fear is that a code or
password may be required to command the enemy's crew to transfer
the weapons to your ship. Regardless of that, we will be able to
transport you back before they can react to our deception and beam
over a boarding party. We may be able to attack more effectively
from within."
The Admiral could tell that his idea was being well received.
His pulse rate began to drop to the normal level. "As for being
observed operating the unit, my men are even now working on a micro
remote that will fit inside your glove where you may control it
unseen."
"You have thought this well through, Sorr. I will take this
plan you suggest under advisement on the way to my destination.
Have your men continue as if I had accepted this avenue," spoke the
Emperor. "Now let us depart. The sooner our invader is dealt
with, the quicker we will be able to deal with the Federation."
With that the Emperor passed through the ranks of his elite
guard, who turned on their heels and escorted him to his launch.
"One more thing Admiral," he said without turning. "I want the
enemy's voice cross referenced with all transmissions intercepted
from the Federation in the past 30 years. And I want the results
before the rendezvous!"
"As you command, my lord," he answered, trailing Emperor
Tromok.
'I know that voice!' thought the Emperor to himself.
PAGE 29
*** SIX ***
"Permission to come aboard," requested Captain James T. Kirk,
as he stepped down from the shuttlecraft, his First Officer behind
him.
"Permission granted, Captain," the young ensign stated. "If
you will follow me, I'll escort you to the briefing room."
The Captain followed, as did the Enterprise's Science Officer.
A team of 'Intelligence Grey' clad officers filed aboard the
Columbus with antigravs to carry the cargo to their specialized
analysis chambers.
"This way, Sirs," the junior officer said as they rounded the
corner, leaving the Javelin's hanger bay behind. "It must be
pretty dusty out there. Our bay crew will have your ship polished