by Star Trek
Highness looked over the many faces that sat before him.
The Emperor placed both hands on the armrests of his chair,
gripping them tightly. "Who among you can deliver me a galaxy?" he
asked calmly in his deep bass voice. The company looked to each
other in surprise at the question. When no answer was forthcoming,
he continued. "What is it that stands between us and our rightful
place among the stars?" he posed. "What powers vex our mighty
Empire at every turn?"
Admiral Sorr stood confidently before his master, "Organia, my
lord," he answered.
"Incorrect, Admiral," Garth stated flatly, to the astonishment
of all present. "Organia is merely an excuse we have been deluding
ourselves with, for far too long. A treaty that has made the
Empire slumber in the same bed as that of our enemy." He stood and
let the assembly see the fire in his eyes. "Fear and ignorance,
are what obstructs our path to glory! Together they are more
devastating than a thousand Organia's, more deadly than a million
Federations." He folded his arms across his chest. "And they are
infinitely more powerful than this new 'Super Weapon', that you
have, no doubt, placed some hope in."
He looked narrowly upon the company. "You," he pointed to the
assembly of men, "have permitted a fold of sheep to dictate the
boundaries of my Empire and pretended it was because of the power
they wielded. Power beyond ours, that bound us to this section of
space. When, infact, it was fear of the extents of their power,
and ignorance of how to use that power against them, that halted
you from delivering me the galaxy," he boomed.
The Emperor placed his fists on his hips. He could see the
large group was impressed by his words, yet were confused that the
speech, though characteristically bold, lacked the solution to
the 'Organian-forged' chains that shackled them. He would soon
give them the key, but first he would rid himself of the Commander
who had been given cause to suspect the Emperor.
"Admiral Sorr has informed you of the weapon that is now mine
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to use in reshaping the galaxy, a weapon of such destructive power
that no other force has ever been conceived since the beginning of
creation. Yet I tell you this... we have never needed the weapon
to take Klingon rule across the Neutral Zone!" He continued to keep
them in expectation of an answer to the Peace Treaty dilemma,
relishing the power he held over them.
"And what, I am sure you are wondering, can be done while the
watchdogs of peace threaten to intervene at any moment of conflict
between the Federation and our majestic Empire? It is a good
question, one that has been avoided and side-stepped too many
times before!" The Emperor paused, changing the tone of his voice
from 'forceful' to 'mild'. "My subjects... my comrades, the
solution can be found in the very treaty that binds us. It can be
clearly seen, not in what is written on the parchment, but what
remains unwritten." Garth almost began to smile at that, enjoying,
loving every moment of their prolonged desire to see what they had
been blind to.
"Commander Kang!" Garth abruptly changed the direction of his
speech, to the unexpressed consternation of the men before him.
"Here," he said, rising from his seat, "lord Tromok." 'Or the
image of Tromok', he spoke to himself. Kang too was inspired by
the speech of the man who wore his Emperor's face. He caught
himself wishing that this man was his lord, leading them to
victory. But no, this was not him and the prime enemy was not the
Federation now. That made Kang a traitor to the Realm, for he
would have to stand against his Emperor, if not now, soon.
"I presume that you are versed in the specifics of the treaty
to which I refer?" he asked, knowing all men of command grade had
it committed to memory, by Imperial Proclamation.
"I am, as all present are, Emperor Tromok." Kang did not know
the game being played this time either, only that he was being
maneuvered into something.
How many conditions are in effect on the document as
written?" he asked the Commander as a teacher would test a student.
"Six conditions exist," Kang stated. He wondered if he would
have another opportunity to face the imposter alone. He was
certain that he would not be able to use his ship against the
Thunder. He was not only outgunned, but his crew would surely
mutiny.
"Recite the essence of each condition for us all Commander
Kang," he commanded.
Kang grit his teeth, feeling as if he would next have to
recite their alphabet. "First condition: the treaty imposed, forces
the Federation and Klingon Empire to cease hostilities or both
parties will be rendered militarily harmless. Second: a Neutral
Zone will separate both parties where no aggression will be
tolerated within zone boundaries. Third: any future aggression
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between the two parties will be summarily stopped by the Organians.
Fourth: no party will deny peaceful access to planetary bases
within said zone. Fifth: Organia is to be left alone, until a time
of their choosing, then they will reveal their intentions for both
parties. Sixth: planets may be peacefully developed within the
zone. Exclusive rights to any zone planet belong to the party who
most efficiently develops the planet," he concluded, thankful to be
finished.
"Very adequate, 'Captain' Kang, of the Imperial Battle
Cruiser, Fury. I now release you from my presence so that you may
formally appraise my council of the events that have transpired,"
Garth said, looking into Kang's eyes from across the distance.
"Your promotion is now on record and your ship has been notified of
your new rank."
Kang stood silently for a moment, realizing he was not going
to be present to hear the rest of the imposter's plan for the
Empire. Then he bowed low to the Emperor, "Thank you, lord
Tromok," he said, bowing low enough to be partially hidden from the
Emperor. Quickly he opened a channel to his ship's log recorder
on his communicator and placed it under the seat in front of him.
As he completed his slightly extended bow, the Emperor displayed in
his hand, the rank insignia pin of the captaincy.
"I almost forgot, Captain Kang, approach me now and receive
your honors."
Kang slowly advanced between the rows of chairs, to the aisle.
His peers and superiors gave him questioning looks. It was a rare
thing indeed for the Emperor to personally promote anyone in the
admiralty, and never a Commander. He stepped up to the platform
where the Emperor and his guard stood awaiting him. Ever so slowly
he moved his hand towards his disrupter, then halted the motion.
He reasoned that the Ramjep Avwi would have him dead on the floor
before he completed his draw. He stopped in front of the Emperor
and faced him at attention.
The Emperor took a step towards Kang and now was inches from<
br />
his face. He reached out and placed the symbol of Kang's new rank
on him. He then leaned over to the Captain, almost nose to nose
and whispered, "Give my personal regards to Chamberlain Jekrrez,"
he said poisonously. Then placed a firm hand on Kang's shoulder,
turning him around for the assembly. "I present you, 'Captain'
Kang! Salute!" he ordered. The company rose and saluted as
required. The firm hand indicated that it was time for Kang to be
gone.
Kang, stepped down from the platform and headed up the aisle
to the exit. His thoughts were of murder.
"Commander S'takal of the Romulan Fleet... stand!" Garth
commanded as the heavy door closed behind the new Captain. S'takal
rose and saluted the Klingon Emperor in Romulan fashion. "You have
all the data on the new weapon, including projected power curves.
You may now transmit this information to your superiors. Your
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ships will flank our cruisers when we approach the Neutral Zone."
The Romulan acknowledged his command and he and his company also
exited the room.
"Now, it is time," he addressed his troops, "that I shared
with you the keys to the galaxy!"
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*** TWELVE ***
Kang left the war room behind him and walked the corridors of
the Throneship alone. 'Alone', he thought to himself, he had never
been so alone before. He had faced the terror and the glory of the
void beyond. He had braved the vast expanses of space and seen the
wonders that they held, but always with his wife and crew beside him.
Now he would return to his ship, outcast in his heart, alienated from
his wife and ship because of the knowledge that he now carried with
him, the knowledge that he dared not share.
He prepared himself for the dishonor of the 'lie' that he
would have to tell his crew, for he was not returning to Klinzhai
as ordered. He was unsure of where he was going, but certain it
would be on the heels of the 'false' Emperor. There were several
plans of attack that had crossed his mind, one of which was
gaining access to the ship labelled 'Fringe Ranger', but even if he
could get himself aboard the intruder's vessel, he was unsure that
he would find his deposed Ruler. If he yet lived, he would be hidden
and well guarded. If dead, he would be dust. Without the body, he
would have no evidence which would unmask the face of the villain,
and he was certain that the way to the enemy ship was blocked at
all avenues.
Kang rounded the corner of the long hall, and strode towards
the transporter room. He looked down at the floor in shame for
what he was about to involve his crew in, when his eye was caught
by the gleaming symbol of his new commission. He pulled it from
his chest and held it in his hand, examining it while he walked.
It was a false commission. Another lie, but one that he would not
bear. He closed his fist around the small ornament, squeezing it in
his anger.
Commander Kang, 'Captain' to all but himself, entered the
transporter room of the Throneship. He was saluted by the
transporter officer on duty.
"What is your destination, Sir?" he asked as Kang stepped up
to the platform.
Kang looked at the officer before him. "Do you have any
children?" he asked him.
The lieutenant glanced up in surprise of the question. Then
with the pride of a father said, "Yes, Sir, a strong son."
Kang stepped from the transporter platform to the controls of
the machine the lieutenant stood behind. He placed the symbol of
Captaincy that he held, on the hood of the machine. "Give this to
your son as a present from me, who has none."
"Thank you, my lord. It will be my honor," he said, grateful
to the man, though slightly bewildered.
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Kang again stepped up to the platform and faced the operator.
"To the battle cruiser Fury, Lieutenant," he said mildly, bearing
the heaviness of his solitude.
"Yes, sir," responded the officer. The coordinates were laid
in quickly and efficiently. "Energizing," he said and the
Commander began to fade from view. Kang never knew that the
ornament he had just given away contained a small crystal of the
Garth explosive, rendered safe from impact but not from
transportation, and was meant to be the death of him.
* * *
Kang stepped onto his own bridge that had once felt like home
to him. The bridge crew rose from their stations and saluted
proudly, the 'Captain' of the Fury. Kang nodded in recognition of
their gesture. "Ship's status?" he directed toward his own Mara.
"Full power is restored, computer and scanning apparatus have
also been repaired. All is well, my lord," she said.
Kang wished it were true. "I will be in my quarters, briefly,
to review our new orders. What is the status of our Romulan-made,
cloaking device?"
"It is functioning and can be operational upon your command,"
she said unquestioningly. Several of the Klingon warships had
received the cloaking devices some time ago. None had yet used the
camouflaging device. It was a cultural point that had hindered
use of the equipment. Klingons believed that when engaging an
enemy, the enemy must see whom it is that has brought death to their
door. It was considered cowardice to hide from an enemy. Better to
do battle in full view, for the glory of the Empire.
"See that it is tested in simulation before I return to the
bridge," he ordered. His confidence in his wife was unwavering.
She would obey his every command even unto death, without doubt.
His confidence in himself was the sore point. He did not want to
dishonor her this way, any way. Kang turned and walked off the
bridge, heading for his private chamber.
The door to his cabin opened to his voice command, and closed
and locked itself when he was inside. He sighed heavily as he sat
behind his desk. He pressed several buttons on the computer
console before him, issued a command and two passwords, and was
allowed access to the 'Captain's' log records.
Kang played the voice log transmission that he sent to his
recorder, while aboard the Thunder. He sat back and listened.
"Now, it is time that I shared with you the keys to the
galaxy!" the voice of the Emperor came over the speaker. "The
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treaty, as written, is between two opposing governments, two
'Galactic Powers', is it not? The solution to our plight is
not to clash with the enemy, until we first join with our
enemy!"
With that announcement, there was no small sound of
turmoil coming from all in attendance. Kang himself was astonished
anew with the boldness of this imposter.
The Emperor obviously gestured that the company be silent
so that he may continue and clarify his meaning. "We must
first sue for peace! Officially become part of the United
Federation of Planets, then do what is completely within the
rights of all Federation membe
rs. Revolt! There is no
provision, no condition, forbidding revolution within either
governing power." With that there was silence. A few moments
for contemplation of what their Emperor proposed, was allowed.
Then he spoke again. "I, and I alone, offer you the keys to
deliver me the galaxy! Now what hinders you? Ignorance has
now been defeated before your eyes! The only thing blocking
your path is what has always been in your way!" he paused for
them to realize this. "Who will stand with me and conquer the
fear that holds back the might of my Realm? Who will follow
me as I claim my galaxy?"
Cheers burst forth from the congregation. A clamor of such
tumultuous noise that Kang turned the volume switch down, for fear
of it penetrating the doors of his cabin. He sat back, shocked to
hear the depth of this imposter's deceit. This man who had single-
handedly captured the throne of Klinzhai was about to start the
most dreaded war in the galaxy. He now wondered if it was too late
to stop it. Kang did know that he was in no position to halt this
madman alone.
"Are there any questions that I may address
concerning our next course of action?" Garth asked.
"When do we begin, my lord?" spoke Admiral Sorr,
in admiration of his master. He did not know the Emperor could
be so inspiring.
"Very soon. We will move closer to the Neutral Zone and
make our peaceful intentions known to the shining Federation.
I will take this ship, alone, to the Federation's seat of
power and proclaim a new era of peace. We will become,
temporarily, a part of the Union, which will immediately erase