by Sonni Cooper
He saluted his Romulan superior before speaking. "I am in your service, Supreme Commander, and it is you to whom I have sworn my oath." Desus smiled in acknowledgement. It was good to have Spock show his fealty to the Empire in front of Kirk. Spock's pledge cut Kirk deeply.
"But Captain Kirk's peaceful solution is the one I favor. I have no wish to see the Tomariian people destroyed, no matter their treatment of me."
"You would help us, even after all that has occurred to you at our hands?" IIsa asked in amazement.
"Yes, Begum, I would. You couldn't help yourselves, and my wish is for the survival of your people."
Addressing her council, IIsa made a proclamation. "I can compromise no less than Spock. We must change in order to survive. We will try this move. Spock, you will assist?"
"No, Begum, I cannot. But you may trust Kirk and Desus both."
"They do not even trust each other," she observed wisely.
"They have agreed to a joint effort here, IIsa, and both are honorable men."
"We do this only for you, Spock."
"You will find, Begum, that peace is better than war, and your people will survive. For that, I am grateful."
Kirk and Leonidas met with Desus and Spock after IIsa had agreed to their terms.
"Captain, will you need assistance with logistics?" Spock asked, ignoring the angered Desus. "I am sure I can obtain permission to help …"
"No, Sub-Commander. Mister Martin is quite capable of assigning the personnel needed here." He was finding it difficult to be polite. "Without you, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish this, Spock. I thank you for that."
"You are most welcome, Captain Kirk. Given the Begum's incomprehensible affinity for me, I was in a unique position to be of service in this particular situation."
"I'll say you were," Kirk said under his breath.
Spock caught the hushed words and raised his eyebrow.
Kirk called Martin and McCoy over. "Assemble the teams who are to remain on Tomarii. Get Leonidas to help you with the gear and provisions. Bones, assign what medical personnel might be needed." He spoke into his communicator. "Mister Scott, I will need one of your minor miracles. Can you arrange for some transportation to serve our personnel down here?"
"Aye, Captain, I can adjust one of their ships with launch capability."
"Get to it, engineer. I want our personnel to have a reliable mode of transport." When Kirk had concluded his orders, he turned to Desus.
"Well, Supreme Commander, it seems our joint mission was a success."
Desus did not look entirely pleased. Spock, the object of his attention, was talking to IIsa at the far end of the hall.
"A strange pair, are they not, Commander?" Kirk commented.
"Most decidedly, Captain."
"I meant what I said before. We may not have gotten the Tomariians to agree peacefully without Spock."
The Romulan continued watching the Vulcan.
"Our loss is your gain, Supreme Commander. He is a fine officer."
"Your service didn't seem to think so, Captain."
"He did all of the wrong things for the right reasons," Kirk observed sadly. "You must know why he was court-martialed."
"Of course, Captain."
The polite conversation was wearing thin. Desus excused himself and went over to talk to Commander Relos. Kirk overheard the two Romulans planning which of their personnel would remain behind. He was thoroughly chilled and moved to the warmth of the fireplace.
Seeing Kirk alone, Spock came over to join him. "Captain." The Vulcan's voice was strained. "I have a favor to ask of you."
"A favor, Spock? Is it the ex-first officer or the Romulan sub-commander asking?"
"That remark was unfair, Captain. My options were quite limited. Is it surprising to you that I would choose freedom to imprisonment, and service to the Romulan Empire rather than disgrace?"
"I guess not, Spock. But at this point I'm not sure of anything concerning you."
"You consider my behavior atypical?"
"Yes."
"Interesting, but not relevant to the favor I would ask of you. When you have finished here, would you consider bringing the Enterprise into the area adjacent to the Neutral Zone and remaining there for a short time?"
"For what purpose?"
"We have set a precedent, Captain. The Romulan Empire and the Federation have, in a fully cooperative venture, countered a major galactic threat. We have proven it is possible for us to work together for our common welfare. I see it as a very promising first step to a possible end to the enmity between us."
"How easily you identify with the Romulans, Spock," Kirk said bitterly. "Why, you're speaking as if you've served them all of your life."
"Forget me for a moment, Jim." Spock's voice softened. "This is a matter of great significance. It goes beyond our personal concerns… ."
Kirk's reproach was lessened by Spock's use of his name. "I know that, Spock. It's just that … I know I must consider the Federation's interest in peace above all else. But the Enterprise is damaged. She needs major repair. It's not a good time …"
"Captain, there will be no strain on the ship if you simply cruise in the vicinity of the Zone. This is the one chance we may have of facilitating a peace agreement. You cannot lose such an opportunity."
Spock seemed almost desperate, which was unlike him. Kirk was puzzled. He turned his back to the fire while mulling over the Vulcan's request. Knowing better than to press Kirk, Spock waited silently for him to make up his mind.
"I'll check with Scotty. If he thinks we can delay the repairs, I'll take you up on your invitation."
Spock seemed relieved. "Thank you, Captain. You won't regret this."
Odd, Kirk thought as he watched the Vulcan return to his commander's side. He is acting strangely. Stretching in the warmth of the embers, he reassured himself, I'm just on edge.
Desus had overheard most of Spock's conversation with Kirk. "That was a most interesting exchange, Sub-Commander. What was your purpose in inviting Kirk to bring the Enterprise to the Neutral Zone?"
"Peace, as I told the Captain."
The Supreme Commander was holding up an integrator decoding device. "Come on Spock, give me credit for more intelligence than that!"
Spock looked at the decoder in Desus' hand. "You are aware of my cryptographic exercises, then, Supreme Commander."
"Very little happens on my ship that I don't know of, Spock." He turned the device in his hand. "You are fully aware of our plans to acquire a Starfleet Constitution Class Cruiser. And yet you have just arranged to put the Enterprise and your friend, Captain Kirk, in the best position to be captured. You do know that!"
"Yes, Desus. I am fully aware of the consequences of my actions."
"Why did you do it?"
"My conduct is still suspect. What better proof do you need of my loyalty? I have successfully delivered a starship, disabled and easily defeated, into a position where we can capture her."
"You have done that, Spock. Why, then, do I have the feeling of being betrayed?"
Spock did not answer.
Chapter X
The Neutral Zone
1
He was alone.
Command had always set a captain apart. Centuries of sailing ships, from the magnificence of the clippers to the elegance of the Enterprise, had not changed the captain's solitary position. Surrounded by over three hundred crew members, Kirk was isolated. There had been other times he had felt the weight of his command, but he had had one special friend—and now he was gone.
They had been cruising the area of the Neutral Zone for three days. Kirk had revised his original plan, deciding to spend two more days there in order to give Spock a chance to accomplish his peace plans and contact them. The second extra day was almost over, and there had been no signal from Spock. Even the subspace chatter seemed to diminish as the day ended.
And so Kirk sat, disappointed. He hadn't quite gotten over the shock of seeing
Spock functioning as a Romulan officer. Each time Spock had saluted his Romulan superiors, Kirk felt it acutely. Had anyone but McCoy noticed?
The chief medical officer stared at Kirk's untouched brandy. "Try a sip; it'll relax you, Jim. You're more jittery than a roomful of anticipating virgins."
"Thanks, Bones, but I don't want it. Spock knew I couldn't ignore a chance to achieve peace with the Romulans, but we can't stay here indefinitely. It isn't safe. I'm going to have to give the order to leave soon." He tried to ease McCoy's mind. "I'm all right. Leave me alone, will you? You're worse than a mother hen!"
McCoy rose and headed out the door. "Okay, have it your way. All I can do is try."
"Three more hours, Spock. It's now or never." Kirk checked his chronometer. "Two hours and fifty-seven minutes." He stood up to pace, needing movement to calm him. The intercom signaled and he responded immediately.
"Captain, I'm getting a signal—in a Romulan code …"
"On my way, Lieutenant." He made it to the bridge in record time.
"Sir, I'm decoding now. We broke this code about a month ago, Captain."
Kirk was leaning over Uhura, mentally pushing her to hurry. "Well?"
"It doesn't make sense, Captain: 'Permission to come aboard'—it repeats it over and over. We may have picked up a Romulan simply requesting clearance to come aboard one of their ships, Captain."
"Damn!" Kirk went to his command chair and sat down heavily. His disappointment was apparent to all.
Martin suddenly hovered over his sensor console. "Captain, there's an object coming at us at great speed!"
"Can you identify it?"
"Not yet, Captain. It's small, and moving at warp speed."
"Prepare for evasive maneuvers, Mister Sulu. Red alert!" Kirk ordered.
Scott's voice came in over the intercom. "Captain, that pylon won't take any stress… ."
"I know, Mister Scott," Kirk acknowledged. "It's unavoidable." He watched the object coming out of the Neutral Zone, getting larger on the view-screen in front of him. It was still a pin point, even at the greatest magnification possible. "Any details yet, Martin?"
"It's coming into sensor range now. It's a small ship, Captain. One life form—Romulan!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Captain. One life form only."
Uhura broke in, "Captain, the signal's getting stronger. Still the same: 'Permission to come aboard …"
"Open a hailing frequency, Lieutenant.
"Channel open, sir."
"This is Captain Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise, please acknowledge."
He looked to Uhura.
"Nothing, sir."
"This is Captain James T. Kirk …"
"Still no response, Captain."
"It's too small to attack us," Kirk thought aloud.
Martin continued reporting. "It's approaching fast, sir, and compensating for our evasive action."
"Uhura?"
"'Permission to come aboard,' Captain. That's all he's sending!"
"Get a security team to the shuttle deck, Leonidas." Kirk rose and headed off the bridge. "If he wants to come on board, we'll invite him. Check to see that it's not a booby trap. Then signal the Romulan to enter the shuttle deck."
Kirk was already gone when the ship's sole passenger replied, again in code, "Message received, please relay coordinates."
Leonidas had taken the central position on the bridge. He nodded approval and the coordinates were transmitted. It was at Kirk's insistence, over his objections, that they had remained in this position as Spock had requested. Spock, Leonidas thought resentfully. He's in my way even when he's not on board.
The captain was waiting impatiently for the shuttle deck to pressurize. Six security men, accompanied by Chekov, were waiting with him.
"Six men, Chekov? Isn't that overkill? There's only one Romulan on board that ship."
"Ve can't be too careful, Keptin."
Scott had joined Kirk outside the shuttle-deck door. He couldn't wait to get a chance to see the Romulan ship. The light finally flashed, indicating it was clear to enter, and the door opened. The fighter was secured in the center of the shuttle deck. It was a sleek ship, like those they had seen come from the Moonhawk.
"She's a beauty!" Scott exclaimed. He started to approach the Romulan ship but was held back by Chekov.
"Ve don't know vhat to expect, Mister Scott," Chekov warned, as he stepped forward with phaser drawn.
The hatch opened without a sound. The occupant of the fighter stood up and handed his weapon to Chekov before he stepped out and down onto the deck. He was wearing a protective helmet, but Kirk didn't have to see his face to know who he was.
"Spock!"
Martin had come up behind Kirk. "Romulan, Mister Martin? You'd better brush up on your characteristic readings of life forms."
"Vulcans and Romulans are very much alike, Captain. It was a Romulan ship …"
Kirk didn't hear a word of Martin's explanation. His attention was focused on Spock, who now stood in front of him.
"Captain," Spock said urgently, "we have no time to lose! Get the Enterprise out of here, immediately!"
Kirk pointed to Spock and turned to Chekov. "Get him to the brig—top security—now!"
Chekov had stopped dead, phaser still drawn but not aimed. This was Spock, whom he admired, not a Romulan. It was difficult to think of him as an enemy, but duty came first. He forced himself to give the order to his men to surround Spock and move him out. Some of the guard had served with Spock; their reluctance showed, but they did as they were ordered.
"Jim, please. You must listen," Spock insisted. "A Romulan attack is imminent. I have come to warn you. I expect the attack to commence in thirteen point two minutes."
"Wait a minute, Chekov." Kirk paused. "You don't expect me to believe you, do you, Spock? It could be a ploy to get the Enterprise out of the way. You stressed your loyalty to Desus and the Romulan Empire very convincingly. I can't believe you'd switch loyalties again."
"Captain, you don't have to believe me. It will do you no harm to move the ship and warn Starfleet. They plan on capturing the Enterprise. If there is no attack, nothing would be lost. If there is, you have everything to gain. But you must move quickly. I barely made it ahead of the attack unit. I had hoped my use of the Romulan code would delay their pursuit, but I had underestimated Desus' shrewdness.
"As for my loyalty to the Empire, for the moment let's just say it was necessary. There is no time to explain further."
Kirk was not satisfied. He indicated he was finished with Spock, and as the security team took over, he headed for the nearest intercom. "Leonidas, set a course for Starbase 12, immediately. Warp three."
Spock heard Kirk's order and turned back toward him. "Captain, you must move faster than that."
"We canna, Mister Spock," Scott explained. "The damaged pylon will not hold up ta further stress."
It was the engineer who felt most deeply for Spock at this moment. They had shared the ordeal on Tomarii, and Scott was aware of the penalty Spock faced with his return. Had Spock offered his life to save them? It was entirely possible. The Scotsman kicked the deck in frustration. There was nothing he could do for Spock. His excitement over the acquisition of a new Romulan ship was gone. He returned to his station in engineering thinking thoughts only a dour Celt would appreciate.
Chekov's security men prodded Spock to move on. Before they left the area, Kirk called to the security chief. "Chekov, have McCoy check him out. I want to know if he's acting on his own or if he's being controlled by them in any way."
"Captain, I am functioning normally, I assure you… ."
Kirk and Martin had already stepped into the turbolift and were on their way to the bridge. Spock, seeing that he would get no further, went along with the armed escort without further resistance.
2
Entering the bridge, Kirk took action before he got to his seat. "Lieutenant, send a subspace message to Starfleet immediately. 'Suspec
t Romulan attack imminent.' Give our coordinates. Warn the outposts along the Neutral Zone. Reinforcements needed immediately. The Potempkin and the Republic are within range and their assistance is required."
Uhura turned to look at the captain. "I haven't received any messages indicating those ships were in this sector, Captain."
Kirk smiled. "Neither have I." He took his seat, then turned toward the communications officer. "One more thing—'Spock under arrest. Please advise.' Send those messages in code A6238."
"The Romulans broke that code over a month ago, Captain."
"I know that, Uhura. Send it."
"Captain." Leonidas was bending over the long-range sensors. "Sensors are picking up a number of ships moving toward us, coming from the Neutral Zone!"
"Can you give us more speed, Mister Scott?"
"It'd be risky, Captain, but I can try."
"Ease her to warp five, Mister Sulu."
Sulu bit his lip as he gradually increased their speed. "Warp five, Captain."
They could feel a vibration, a violent shuddering; the ship bucked.
"Captain, we've lost power to port. The pylon has collapsed!"
"Damn! What about those ships out there, Leonidas?"
"They are still in the Neutral Zone, sir. They seem to have slowed. They've stopped!"
"Stopped? Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. They are staying within the perimeter of the Zone."
"Keep us moving away, Mister Sulu. We don't know what they're up to."
"I can manage warp one, Captain."
"The ride will be rough, Captain," Scott announced, "but we're just managin' warp drive."
"Keep it up, Mister Scott. Get us out of here."
"The Romulans aren't following, Captain," Leonidas reported with relief.
"So far, so good," Kirk said quietly. He peered at the view-screen which showed only an array of stars. There wasn't a ship close enough to be in visual range. The captain stared at the screen for a long while, counting the moments, judging the distance they would need to be clear. Finally, he looked around at his reliable crew and left his seat.