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Before Destruction!

Page 5

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.

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  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 micror />
  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

 

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