by Sonni Cooper
This night Desus had planned a farewell party, which provided an opportunity to introduce Spock, his new crew member, to the remainder of his officers before they were to depart on their mission. The Supreme Commander had not only invited his crew, but also others whom he felt Spock would benefit from meeting, including his sister Clea. Desus had often spoken of his remarkable sibling and the Vulcan was looking forward to their introduction. She had just returned to Romulus the day before and would be shipping out immediately after the festivities.
The first cluster of guests arrived, beginning the festivities of the evening. Romulans knew how to enjoy themselves; the music was lively, if a bit martial in tone; the guests were exuberant with the prospect of battle before them.
Clea arrived just before dinner was served. Desus bowed formally when he introduced her to Spock, who politely acknowledged the introduction. But his primary attention was drawn by her companion.
"My commanding officer," Clea responded to Spock's apparent curiosity.
A shock of recognition followed by an icy detachment revealed the woman's emotional turmoil when she recognized Supreme Commander Desus' new officer.
"Commander Spock," she said stiffly.
"Sub-commander," he corrected her. He took her arm, feeling her go rigid as he led her to a quiet corner.
"I was not aware that you had decided to accept the offer I extended to you to join us. I suppose the death sentence has been commuted. I have been out of touch—on a remote survey assignment.
She was wearing a patterned gown with swirls of purple and red, which brought to Spock's mind the black-and-white gown she had worn at their last encounter on her flagship.
"May I call you by name?" he requested formally.
"I would prefer you to forget I exist," she replied bitterly.
"We did share a rare moment together, whatever its unfortunate consequences, due to our conflicting loyalties at the time."
"Your actions cost me my rank—and my command. Just leave me now."
"As you wish."
She had already turned away from him. Spock stood alone amid the festivities, feeling a loss he had not anticipated. He rejoined the others for the meal, wishing the evening would come to a quick end.
4
Spock's duties were not very challenging. Since he was still suspect after the hastily concluded hearing, he was excluded from any decision-making or access to any information which was considered sensitive. He was assigned the largey mechanical tasks necessary to maintain the data integrator on board the supreme commander's flagship, the Moonhawk.
The ship was, by any standards, a beautiful and fully functional craft. Together with her sister ship, the Sun Falcon, they were the most advanced ships in the Romulan fleet. This opportunity to study the design of the craft was utilized as Spock spent many hours poring over the information he obtained from the computer. He was officially barred from certain, data, but his expertise allowed him considerably greater access than he was permitted.
The few free hours he had on board the Moonhawk; he spent mostly alone. It was clear his Romulan shipmates did not fully trust him, and he understood their reticence. Desus was busy with his command. Spock, never lacking projects to occupy his mind, found other diversions: The Romulans did not suspect that the coded messages coming through the Moonhawk's integrator were being deciphered by the expert cryptographer. The cautious Vulcan had not revealed all of his talents, not even to Desus.
Knowing he was constantly under observation, Spock followed the ship's routine without question. If he were to gain the trust of his new shipmates, he had to perform his duties automatically and efficiently. Returning to his quarters after one of his watches, Spock was detained by one of the security officers.
"Sub-Commander Spock, you are to report to Supreme Commander Desus' quarters."
"I shall," Spock responded, continuing on to his quarters.
"I will accompany you now," the officer insisted. "It is a command!"'
"Then I shall obey it," Spock said, following closely behind the guard.
When they arrived at Desus' quarters, Spock was ushered in; the guard placed himself outside the door.
"Sit down, Spock," the Romulan said pleasantly. "We haven't had any time to talk since we came on board."
"Is something wrong?" Spock asked, indicating the guard at the door.
"Of course not. I am always under guard when I am on the ship. Is that not Starfleet procedure as well?"
"No, sir. A Starfleet captain needs no guard."
"Foolish, one never knows …" Changing the subject, his tone warmed. "Well, Sub-Commander Spock, my friend, what do you think of service in the Romulan fleet?"
"I have not had a chance to really serve yet. While I am still suspect, my duties are simply routine."
"You would prefer more of a challenge, Spock?"
"Yes."
"Then you must prove your allegiance to us. I trust you, but the others—well … It is quite some distance to our destination; the site of the destruction of the Space Hawk has been pinpointed in a rather remote sector. Meanwhile, I hear there is an interesting game played in Federation territories. Chess, I believe it's called. Can you teach me to play?"
"I would be pleased to. It is one of my preferred diversions." Spock began drawing a board onto a writing surface. "With your military experience, Supreme Commander, you should find chess an absorbing challenge. The pieces move …"
The lesson was soon over; Desus had learned quickly and proved a worthy opponent for Spock's skill.
How many times have I played chess with Kirk to pass time on the Enterprise?" Spock recalled sadly as they finished a second game. Two captains, two friends, who if they met were destined to destroy each other. And Spock, now torn between them, knew no peace.
Chapter IX
My Friend, My Foe
1
There couldn't have been a more uneventful and routine tour of duty. The border they were patrolling along the Romulan Neutral Zone was as peaceful as the treaty promised. There were no emergencies, no hostile activity—nothing!
One would have thought that Kirk would be pleased with the respite, but he needed vigorous activity and challenge, anything to keep his mind off Spock. His disposition reflected his inner turmoil, and the crew was put through one drill after another for their perfectionist captain. Nothing satisfied him.
"Captain." Uhura's voice snapped him to attention. "A message coming in."
"Put it on visual, Lieutenant." He looked to the screen and the ster face of a Starfleet commodore appeared.
"Kirk, you are to proceed to Starbase 12 to pick up a change of personnel. We've assigned another engineer to replace Douglas, as you requested."
"Fine," Kirk said tersely. "It's about time Command took one of my requests seriously. Kirk out."
"At last," Kirk said under his breath. "Maybe we'll get someone more cheerful."
* * *
Making his way down the corridor to the transporter room, Kirk wondered who the replacement would be. The taciturn Douglas had beamed down as soon as they had reached the starbase. Anyone will be better, Kirk thought, getting impatient with the delay.
"What's taking so long?"
"I'm just getting a signal now, Captain," the transporter chief answered docilely. "It seems the new engineer has too much gear. His message says it's too delicate to beam up. He's taking a shuttle."
"What can be too delicate to beam aboard?" Kirk steamed. "All I need is another fuddy-duddy engineer! Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"
Kirk was too preoccupied to look at his officer; the transporter chief was highly amused by her captain's petulance and was doing all she could to keep from chuckling. Kirk was still muttering when he took the turbolift to the shuttle deck.
"Shuttle deck pressurized, Captain."
"Good. It's about time," Kirk barked, striding through the door. He was prepared to raise hell with the new engineer.
But it was a
stunned, speechless Kirk who faced the engineer; finally he recovered his voice.
"Scotty! What are you doing here?"
With a broad grin, Scott shrugged. "I dinna know meself, Captain. I reported ta the Academy as ordered, an' the next thing I knew, I was told the charges were dropped. An' here I am, Captain. I dinna press me luck by askin' too many questions. It's good ta be back."
Kirk continued to ask questions as they walked to Scott's quarters. "They gave you no explanation?"
"Nae, sir. I was told ta report ta Starbase 12 for transfer ta the Enterprise. I even got my stripes back." He pointed to his sleeve proudly. "Is something wrong, Captain?"
After a slight hesitation Kirk responded, "Oh, no, Scotty. I was just thinking …"
Something was disturbing him. This is all very peculiar, Kirk thought.
"I'm delighted to have you back on board, Mister Scott. You were sorely missed. By the way, what was so delicate that you couldn't beam it aboard?"
"It's a small model engine, Captain. Usin' that tiny sliver o' crystal that I got on Paxas. Wait till ye see what it can do. I dinna trust the energy cell to the transporter effects."
"I can't wait to see it," Kirk said enthusiastically. "Have you shown it to anyone in Starfleet yet?"
"Oh, nae, sir. Not yet. It's still experimental.
A summons from the intercom interrupted them. Uhura's excited voice reported promptly at Kirk's response.
"Captain, the Hood has been destroyed. All hands lost. We are ordered to proceed directly to the area to investigate. Coordinates follow… ."
"Martin, put the coordinates on visual. I want to see where we're going."
"Yes, sir." The science officer flipped a lever and the chart appeared on the view-screen in Scott's quarters.
"I know that sector," Kirk exclaimed. "Tomarii! Starfleet's been dragging their feet on this issue ever since Spock's presentation of evidence after the explosion. Now we'll see what their reaction is."
2
The Moonhawk proceeded to the sector under investigation as a result of the Space Hawk's destruction. The new Vulcan sub-commander was proving to a competent officer. He found certain aspects of life on the Romulan ship not unlike and superiors—which was to be expected in a more militaristic society. Unlike the Enterprise, the Moonhawk was a warship and there was no pretense as to any other function.
Spock's attentions were primarily focused on the coded messages he was deciphering without anyone's knowledge. He was beginning to piece together a Romulan plot to capture a Federation ship, but was still unable to determine the target or time element.
* * *
The Moonhawk's routine was interrupted by an urgent message, breaking off all other communication, including the coded messages.
This is the Sun Falcon. We are under attack. Unable to identify enemy. Please respond—coordinates being transmitted. Repeat—this is the Sun Falcon …" The transmission cut off abruptly.
Desus was grim when he met with his officers after altering the Moonhawk's course to the Sun Falcon's last coordinates. He was all business, but that he was in turmoil was evident to all.
"You all heard the message. It must be assumed that our sister ship, the Sun Falcon, is lost. This is the third ship we have lost in this sector. The integrator reports of another Romulan ship aside from the Sun Falcon that has ventured there: She and her entire crew were lost." He paused, clearing his husky voice before continuing.
"We know little of the region except that only one person known to us has been in the immediate area and survived." Looking directly at Spock, he studied him for his reaction.
"Sub-Commander Spock, it was you who warned the Empire of the Tomariian threat. It is in that precise area where the Sun Falcon has disappeared."
The memories of Tomarii were still fresh and painful; Spock remained silent.
"Sub-Commander Spock," Desus repeated. "I am waiting for a report."
There was no way of avoiding the order.
"If the Sun Falcon disappeared in that sector, it would be logical to assume that the Tomariians are responsible." Spock hesitated.
"Yes," Desus probed, "continue …"
"Of course you understand that without the complete facts my statement is simply conjecture. We cannot be certain until we have further data."
"Tell us more of the Tomariians, Spock. Your message from the Enterprise gave only the coordinates and the source of the danger, and nothing else."
"Under the circumstances, it was the only information I had time to transmit. The Tomariians are irrational. I cannot explain the processes responsible for their erratic development. I can only describe what I have seen and the conclusions I derived from my observations."
"Go on," Desus prodded.
"Tomarii is located in a tri-solar system. If the pirates of Corsair had been explorers and had ventured behind the red sun of Corsair, I believe they will have found a duplicate of their small hot sun on the other side of the red giant."
Desus reacted as if slapped, but said nothing. The fact that he had failed to ascertain this himself rankled.
"The Tomariian red sun is cooling, and the other, smaller sun is in such close proximity as to make that side of the planet, uninhabitable. If the planet, by some unexplained circumstance, survived the nova which formed the red giant and the smaller suns, the inhabitants were obviously greatly affected. The cataclysmic events should have destroyed all sapient life on the planet, as it must have on Corsair. Those species who did miraculously survive must have been extremely hardy and adaptable.
"My conclusion is that the Tomariians adapted by evolving new physical characteristics. I believe drastic changes must have occurred in their mental processes as well. As we all know, the selective process takes many generations. However, these creatures possess a very rapid and prolific breeding cycle, and their ability to reproduce so efficiently accelerated their adaptive processes.
"There must have been a fairly high technological development on Tomarii at the time the sun went red, some of which was retained. They did, for instance, keep the knowledge of spaceflight—in its early stages of development, but it enabled them to leave the planet. As their dominion spread, they borrowed new technology.
"Their survival instincts combined with their tenaciousness gave them the characteristics I observed. It is that same determination which keeps the seat of government on Tomarii. They are ruled by conditions which are untenable and which are contributing to their hostile behavior.
"The same breeding cycle which enabled them to survive has forced them into seemingly suicidal aggression. There are other examples of this type of behavior, such as the manuils of Rigel One, who become aggressive and hence murderous, killing each other when population pressures build."
The Romulan officers listened to the Vulcan, not commenting, but reserving their judgment until he had completed his briefing.
"While a prisoner on Tomarii, I discovered that their rationale is the reverse of ours. If they can find a worthy opponent who will reduce their population while affording them sport, they will provoke a war. Since survival of the individual is not paramount to them, they are a daunting and relentless foe."
"And your solution, Spock?" Desus asked.
"At this point I see no easy solution to the problem. They have the resources of many planets and a population, albeit dispersed, far surpassing any other species I have seen in my many years in the space service."
The Supreme Commander rubbed his hand against his chin as he listened to Spock. "You have not come up with a plan—not even for the Federation?"
A raised eyebrow was his response.
"Come, Sub-Commander Spock." Desus stressed the rank. "You cannot permit us to believe that you have not thought of a solution to the problem."
"I did not say that I had not considered a possible solution, sir, just that I had no workable solution as yet. I was injured at the time. I was not at the peak of my efficiency either in strength or mental function.
When I had recovered sufficiently, I was court-martialed and imprisoned; I escaped, went with you to Corsair, and then was brought to Romulus. I did not have sufficient time to apply myself to the problem."
"I understand," Desus acknowledged. "I assign you now to work with the other officers on board the Moonhawk on an attack procedure which will assure us success."
"Sir," Spock said respectfully, "there are many hazards in space. The Sun Falcon may have been destroyed by some as-yet-unknown, different cause."
"What are the odds of that being the case, Spock?"
"Five point three percent."
The Romulan was not accustomed to receiving such a precise answer. He carefully studied his surprising friend, thought about his most interesting traits, and then left the briefing room without further comment.
Spock followed him out. "Desus, something more is disturbing you. May I be of assistance?"
"Find a way to destroy Tomarii, Spock. That is the best service you can do for me. My sister Clea was on board the Sun Falcon." He turned away from Spock to conceal his deep sense of loss.
How many times had Jim Kirk done the same, attempting to mask emotion he felt would make Spock uncomfortable? The parallel struck Spock hard. He hadn't been able to help Jim, either—not often enough. At a loss as to how to assist his friend, and hiding his own inner conflict, Spock turned his attention to the problem at hand: Tomarii.
3
"Captain, my sensors are picking up an alien ship. Too far away to identify. It's coming up now—I don't recognize the configuration. It's large—bigger than the Enterprise!"
"Larger than the Enterprise?" Kirk repeated. "The Tomariians had nothing that big. Keep that ship on your sensors. Sulu, keep us out of phaser range."