CHAPTER SIX
Lights, shapes, colors, all failed to
connect. Riley felt a sharp pain in his waist, but he
still couldn't move.
Riley felt something grab hold of his long, slate-black hair
and yank it upwards.
He still couldn't see, but the pain that swept past his face
slammed hard into him. The
voice still couldn't be connected to any face.
Riley stood, but still couldn't make out anything other than
a swirling ball of lights.
Blood rushed out of his head, he could feel it begin to flow on his
face, dripping off of the bridge of his nose. He collapsed on the
ground.
The voice was
growing meaner, Riley thought to himself. Riley tried to stand again, the pain searing down
his legs. Riley screamed as sheer pain
suddenly asserted itself on his chest.
Vision cleared. Riley found himself in his bed on the new
starship ENTERPRISE. He could feel the cold sweat on his brow, and
he wiped it off with his shaking hand.
There was a beeping noise, Riley had to concentrate to think
about what it meant. "Um, yeah, Captain here."
Saavik's voice seemed a bit soothing to Riley as she spoke,
it became more and more difficult to concentrate. "Sir, communications
reports many messages emminating from the Neutral Zone. It seems that
something major just occured. Also, Fleet Admiral Kirk requests for you
to get to warp drive as soon as possible."
Riley stood out of his bed. "I'll be on the bridge in a few
minutes. Has engineering got my chair fixed yet?"
Saavik paused a second before speaking, probably to look over
some records. "Negative, sir, the engineering deck has put priority
on the transwarp bypass. They say that they'll get to it immeadiatly
afterwards." Riley once again wiped the sweat off of his brow. "What
shall I tell Admiral Kirk?" Saavik inquired.
"Inform him of our engine situation, Commander, and state what-
ever time estimates Grissom can give to you." He removed his uniform
and pulled out his casual dress, blue-jeans and a Star Fleet jacket.
"Sorry, sir, but Miss Paula Grissom is currently off-shift and
is unavailable for estimates. However,the engineering crew reports that
engines should be warp capable in one point five hours."
"Thank you, Commander, I'll be on bridge shortly." Riley walked
into the only water shower on the ship, his own, and began to clean
himself.
The beep returned, this time from the door. "Sir, Commander
Grissom to see you." Riley grimaced and rushed for a robe.
"Hold on a second. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to call
me off-shift?" Riley finally got his robe together and turned on his
lights, giving the room a more modern look, but still not technical.
"Come in."
The doors opened to reveal Grissom in her own casual dress, a
skirt and sweater. In this manner she seemed even more attractive.
Riley dismissed the thought. "I was reviewing our personell records,
and I found yours restricted. I was curious."
Riley grabbed his clothes again and walked into the shower,
closing the door behind him. "There's not much in the file, Miss
Grissom. If you want I could -"
"It's Paula," she replied.
Riley stopped dressing. "What was that?"
"I'm off duty now, sir. I would prefer you to call me Paula."
Why was her voice suddenly so soothing right now? Riley emerged from
the shower wearing his jeans and belt. The engineer was shocked by what
she saw. Riley's back was littered with scars, looking like belt lashes
across his back. "I mean, there isn't a need to be so formal while we
are off shift, is there?"
Riley nodded, but didn't actually answer. "I have some Coke in
the refrigerator, do you want any?"
Grissom gave only a look of confusion in reply. "I'm sorry sir,
but why would you have an engine coolant system in your quarters?"
Riley smiled at her, "No, Miss Grissom, it's a refrigerator, I
use it to keep my drinks cold." He indicated the number of cans he had
scattered around his desk. "We use them on," he hesitated for a second
before continuing,"frontier worlds where mass units are too expensive
to use." He grabbed one of the cans, easily crushed it, and picthed it
into his disintegrator. "I should have realized that not many people
would know what a frige is here."
"Um, sir, no thanks, I'm not thirsty." She pretended not to
notice that her captain just crushed a titanium can. "I was curious
to know why your records are restricted, no one else's were. Hell,
even Admiral Kirk has open records. Why you?"
Riley walked to his bed and sat deathly quiet for long enough
to make the engineer nervous. "I don't wish to discuss it, that's all."
Grissom frowned a second and started to dismiss herself. Riley called
to close the door in front of her. "Look," he hesitated for a few
seconds, "Paula, I'm really not trying to put you off, it's just that
there are some things others simply should not know."
She looked down at the ground a second. "May I be excused now,
sir, or do you intend to keep me here?"
Riley stood and walked out of the door ahead of her, not even
looking at her. "I'm going to the bridge, report to me when you are
ready to fix my chair."
She walked out of the room and the doors closed behind her.
Her eyes fixed on the scars on the captain's back as he pulled his
shrit down over them. "Yes, sir."
When the bridge doors opened, Riley felt a bit of relief. He
felt more at home on the bridge than on anywhere else in the ship.
"Mister Saavik, you are relieved."
Saavik stood and walked to the tactics post. Riley took his
seat and glanced at the hole on his chair. "I'm sure there could be
more of a use than just calling alert status here." He traced his
finger around the edge of the hole. "Commander Saavik, is it possible
to rewire a redundant helm control here?"
Saavik was somewhat startled by the request but didn't reveal
her shock. "It is possible, it may take a bit of doing. Is there any
particular reason you wish to do so?"
"No, not offhand. I had a simular setup on the HOOD." Riley
looked down a second before continuing. "Communications, give me
highest priority message."
The communications officer relayed over his several instruments
before finally settling down on one. "Sir, there is a message here
from San Fransisco Capitol."
Riley was unsure how to make this one out, something extremely
serious must be happening. "On main viewer, Lieutenant R'Ress."
The Catian complied by hitting the button again, and the viewer
showed once again the Federation verification symbol. "To all vessels,
personell, and civilians within the Federation. Omega class orders
effective stardate 10004.5." The symbol dispersed and the image of the
president of the Federation filled the viewer. "This is the President
of The United Federation of Planets. Approximately five hours ago, a
Romulan assault group destroyed the Federation outpost of starbase six
bordering the Neutral Zone. We have lost several starships to the
Romulans thus far, and futher conflict is inevitable. As of this date,
the United Federation of Planets is in a state of war with the Romulan
Star Empire. I say again, the Federation is at war with the Romulan
Star Empire. Official orders for StarFleet personell will be relayed
as soon as possible."
The bridge fell to a grim silence. Riley squinted his eyes
a second and muttered to himself. He
let the bridge indulge in a bit of shock of hearing the news of
the war before he continued before speaking. "Now then , Mister
R'Ress, I want the footage of the conflict ready for display in an
hour. Have the crew meet in the rec-deck in one hour."
The Catian complied. "Yes, sir, retrieving data now."
Saavik gave Riley a quizzical look. "I want the crew to know
just what exactly we're getting ourselves into here," Riley answered.
"Mister O'Neil, set course for rendevous point. Engineering, we need
warp speed now, what can you give me?"
A man's voice answered this time. "The bypass is ready, but
we still need to run it through more simulations. Give us another hour,
if you please, sir."
Riley stiffened in his seat. "I can't do that. Do we have warp
capabilities or not. Give me your best opinion." For a moment Riley
considered that he might be acting too rashly, pushing too hard. But
then, this was wartime and the ENTERPRISE was supposed to be on the
front an hour ago.
The engineer spoke without emotion. "Logically, it should work,
I predict a point zero zero one percent chance of failure, the computer
would verify for you, once we ran the simulation."
Riley grimaced. The Vulcans were never satisfied with anything
less than perfection, it took the Human ability to say "That's good
enough" just to build the original ENTERPRISE. "Activate."
O'Neil's eyes seemed to light with anticipation. "Sir, we have
warp capability. Course is set."
Riley clinched the edge of his chair, waiting for anything to
happen. "Engage, warp eleven." Upon command, the starship ENTERPRISE
fled real-space in a ribbon of red light, entering the sub-dimension
of warp-space, and flew through the cosmos without a hitch.
O'Neil released a heavy sigh, "Starship now at warp four and
accelerating. At warp five. Six. Eight. Warp ten achived sir, no flaws
in warp integration."
"We did it!" Riley let out.
From rcs Thu Feb 1 15:07:09 1990
Received: by expert.cc.purdue.edu (5.61/1.14)
id AA13308; Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:07 -0500
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:07 -0500
From: rcs (Neale Davidson)
Message-Id: <9002012007.AA13308@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
To: rcs
Status: RO
CHAPTER SEVEN
Captain's log:supplemental. The ENTERPRISE is finally
underway. I have ordered the assembly of the crew in
the main recreation deck. I'm not sure if this crew is
fully capably of realizing just what we're getting into
here. So I have decided to cut past the propaganda and
display raw footage of the battle of starbase six.
I have contacted the UNION and, though Kirk was upset
at the time, accepted the reasons for our delay. What's
so frustrating is that we were supposed to heading to
starbase six directly after rendevous, now I guess that
it won't be neccessary.
Our new orders will dispatch us into the Kelvran system.
It is with great reluctance that I should return here.
"Commander Saavik, would you know just what the hell is
goin' on here?" Someone called to her. She didn't react, but could
easily have gotten away with a repimand of whoever spoke so
disrespectfully. "I just got the order to get sickbay ready, it was
already when we entered the wormhole. Half the crew still has
bumps and bruises and now the captain wants to take us all on some
wild adventure?"
"From your words I can assume that you are in our medical
department, who are you specifically?" Saavik wondered if she was
beginning to sound upset with the Doctor.
"Doctor Harris Matthews, assigned this vessel as head doctor."
The doctor was a tall, skinny man, who obviously had little respect
for authority. "Listen, I'm not about to sit around and wait for the
captain to show up for a grand entrance, I've got patients to tend
to."
Saavik found it odd that the doctor spoke somewhat more
loudly than the rest of the crew. "Do you know a Leonard McCoy?" She
inquired.
The doctor gave a slightly quizzical look. "You mean Captain
McCoy on the medical ship NOBEL? I know of him, never met the man."
Saavik nearly cracked a smile on reflection. "Nevermind,
Commander, please take your place in the crowd. I am sure that the
captain will brief everyone when he comes in."
Riley walked into the room and on the stage set up for him.
He was by no means comfortable. "All personell, I need your attention
for a few moments." After a few seconds the crew quieted and Riley
felt free to continue. "As you have no doubt heard by now, the
Federation and the Romulans are now officially at war. We have all
been expecting this of late, but I know this may still come as a
shock. This meeting is to inform you of the situation so far."
The doctor glared at Saavik. "You mean we're going to the
front in a spanking new ship? Half these systems haven't even been
tested yet." Saavik nodded her acknowlegement of the statement and
motioned Matthews to listen.
"We have been dispatched to the Neutral Zone in response
to the loss of starbase six. I have compiled the available footage
of the assault. It isn't pretty, but I wanted you to know what you
are going up against." Riley motioned R'Ress to start the tape. The
giant viewscreen showed the image of starbase six as viewed from the
departing CONSTELLATION.
The computerized voice of the mission updator spoke, the
deep voice echoing in the massive recreation deck. "Enemy assault
fleet consisting of one battleship, three assault ships, one destroyer
and two cruisers. Federation fleet consisting of three cruisers and
three frigates."
As the crew watched the resulting conflict, Saavik moved
up to the captain. "There is something I wanted to ask you, sir." She
motioned to Riley to walk into the hall. Riley noted her motion and
followed her.
Riley could hear the death-screams of the crew of the SARATOGA
ring in his ears. He let go of a single tear before letting the doors
close behind him. "Fleet informs me that there were fourty-five
thousand killed in that conflict." He drew in a breath. "I've seen
worse," he wiped off the tear,"still hurts though."
Saavik stayed quiet for a second. "You muttered something on
the bridge earlier," she glared into his eyes in an attempt to see
if she could read his emotions. He knew it, and didn't fight it. Saavik
probed deeper, letting go her own shields while probing into his mind.
Her face started to show signs of wearing and pain. "No, too much, I
can't keep it in..." She collapsed.
Matthews couldn't bear to watch the viewer anymore, the
carnage on both sides of the equation was too extreme for him to take.
"Damn it all, is this what I'm going be doing for the next few months,
watching people die all around me." He found himself looking for the
captain and noticed that Riley was nowhere to be found. "Hey, R'ress,
where's the master of ceremonies?"
The Catian walked over to the human doctor. "I saw him walking
out with Commander Saavik as the tape started. Sad thing about this
situation don't you think?"
"That, Lieutenant, is a massive understatement," Matthews took
another view of the mointor, this time watching CONSTELLATION's engine
fly off into space. "I should have expected it, whenever you sign with
the government you have to know the risks."
"Always, funny how the brochures never say that part," R'ress
tore his eyes away from the viewer. "But then I guess that since we
weren't drafted than it means we had it coming for volunteering."
And CONSTELLATION slammed into the hull of starbase six.
Saavik found herself groggy at Riley's feet. "Too many feelings
that I couldn't even begin to encompass." She stood and composed
herself again. "I kept getting drawn into your emotions, I lost
concentration."
"I know, it's happened to me before." Riley gestured back to
the recreational facility. "About what you wanted to ask, did you find
your answers?"
Saavik still looked a bit dazed. "Some, but every answer led
to another question."
"Come on, Commander," Riley spoke as he rested his hand on her
shoulder, "we have a battleship to maintain. Besides, we have a full
year to for you to try to probe my secrets."
When the doors opened letting the captain and first officer
back into the room, only Matthews noticed. The rest of the crew watched
in silent awe at the destruction of the starbase, leaving only the
romulan battleship and the CONSTELLATION behind. "Viewer off," was the
only response Riley could let the entire crew see.
Saavik spoke,"As you can see, the Romulans are relentless in
their fights for the most part, the don't allow weak people to live
beyond the age of five, so our best is equal to their average."
Riley took front again,"What Saavik is saying is that there is
actually very little known about our foe. What we do know is that we
are taking on the most worthy adversary we have," Riley looked over
at Saavik and motioned for her to leave. "If you've read your history
books you know what exactly I am talking about. The first Romulan war
cost the early Federation half of her fleet, and the stakes are much
higher this time."
The crew discussed amoung themselves for several seconds before
Riley chose to speak again. "All personell will be assigned double
shifts staring at twenty-four hundred hours. That means I want this
vessel at full status as soon as possible, if there are questions
refer them to your department heads as soon as I'm done with them."
Again there was a small bit of muttering from the crew. Riley
let them work it out their systems before continuing a third time."All
department heads are to remain here, the rest of you are free to return
to duty." The crew started to scatter to the different doors in the
recreation deck, but admist the chaos some members did approach the
stage area.
"Gentlemen, if you would follow me, please," Riley offered as
he proceeded to leave. Matthews, Grissom, and three other people
proceeded out of the rec room. "Security officer, I hope that I won't
have an extreme use of your services, but in any case I want those
new brigs tested. There are enough minor problems around here without
worrying about if our security systems are on-line."
"Understood, sir," the Vulcan replied in a usual monotone voice
that unnerved the doctor. The hextet rounded a curve and entered a
small room. Inside was a large table with a holo-generator mounted
on top. Each crew member sat down around the table with Riley taking
the head seat.
"Ship's counselor, what about you?" Riley began cooly,"Are you
capable of handling a ship of six hundred emotional souls?"
The Betazed female eyed her captain. "It will prove difficult
at times, as tensions on the ship raise in battle."
"Well then, Lieutenant Hila, you will have your work cut out
for you. But at least you sound somewhat comfortable with it." Riley
was pleased to see someone with that aspect in their personality.
"Sickbay is ready, all the new systems read as on-line,"
Matthews seemed a bit impressed by that bit. "I don't want to have to
use all that fancy equipment down there."
"Your opinion is shared by the rest of the crew, Doctor," the
Captain replied with a smirk. "The rest of you all know your jobs, so
get going. Miss Grissom, I want my chair fixed as soon as possible,
basically, now."
"We have already completed it, sir." She seemed smug in this
point. "Would you care to try it out?"
"Yes, I believe I shall." Riley stood and the rest of the
group stood as well. "Dismissed."
In a few moments Riley had entered the bridge and noted that
Saavik has already assumed the tatical station. He sat in the chair.
The controls were mounted nicely. The left arm was equipped with a
rotator dial the Riley guessed was the yaw control. The right arm had
the standard communication buttons as well as three buttons, two red
and one blue. He instantly identified them as photon, phaser, and
thrust controls. "I like this, Miss Grissom, reminds me of a holo-game
I played on Cestus."
The engineer looked at the way Riley seemed to blend in with
the machines around him. In an odd way it seemed that Riley could make
the machines a part of himself, an efficient mesh of body and computers
which combined into a symobiosis of power. "My machines compliment you,
sir."
Riley smiled at her. "Yes they do, now get down to engineering
where you can compliment me more." Riley turned his attention forward.
"Mister O'Neil, increase our speed to full, we have a fleet to join."
"Aye, sir, increasing to warp thirteen."
From rcs Thu Feb 1 15:07:14 1990
Received: by expert.cc.purdue.edu (5.61/1.14)
id AA13314; Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:12 -0500
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:12 -0500
From: rcs (Neale Davidson)
Message-Id: <9002012007.AA13314@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
To: rcs
Status: RO
CHAPTER EIGHT
The rec deck had emptied with the exception of two, and these
two were showing no signs of leaving as yet. Rela's dueling stick flew
underneath Sunak's arm, and he felt the pain pierce his skin. He
grabbed her arm and flung her easily several feet behind him. The
strength took Rela by surprise. She stood and came barrelling at her commander poising the
stick for a strike.
Sunak was ready for her and thrusted his own dueling stick to
not only block hers, but send it reeling back accross the floor. Rela
lost balance and fell backwards. She looked up and saw her lord with
the stick readied for a final blow. he began,
she replied as she stood, Sunak
offered his hand to her and helped her to compose herself.
Sunak went behind
his navigator and put his dueling stick into her hand. She did so, and her veins started to show
through her skin.
Her grip on the stick relaxed somewhat.
Sunak fell silent for a moment, and looked into her eyes. He took a seat
on the mat the two had been practicing on.
Rela sat and cocked her head with a smile.
Sunak laid a hand on her shoulder.
Rela gave a look of concern.
Sunak looked away from Rela for a few moments, instictively she
moved closer to him.
Rela carressed the opposite side of Sunak's face and pulled it
so he would be looking at her.
Sunak could feel the soft touch of Rela's hand accross his
face, and he reach for her hand. He started to become a bit lost in his
concentration as he looked at her. he began to whisper. She
bent over to kiss him and he pulled harsly away.
The was a genuine pain in Sunak's voice as he spoke, a pain
which seemed to penetrate into his very soul. He started to stand and found that he was emotionally
unable to. He looked again at her, and noted her compassion, her deep
caring, her attraction. Could this be what love is, he found himself
asking.
She grabbed his hand, and she could feel the dense skin of his
body for the first time. It was too dense to be Romulan.
The softness in her voice relaxed Sunak somewhat. As he
spoke, the words became more painful to bear. Rela put her arm around
him and parted her other hand in the from of a "V" as she carressed
his hand. he finally admitted.
Rela was taken aback, but didn't stop showing her affection.
she found herself lost in a train of thought that seemed to lead no
where.
he began slowly, painfully
caring for each word he let out of his lips. He tried to be soothed by Rela's touch, but
there was too much pain invovled, too many memories.
Rela tightened her grip on the commander. Rela could see that Sunak's
personal reality was overshadowed my memory at this point. She only
held him that much closer.
Rela looked into her commander's eyes again, this time seeing
all the emotion he possessed. she whispered to him.
Sunak's look of pain subsided, and a look of incompleteness
swept accross his face.
Rela brushed the side of Sunak's rough face. At
this point, she kissed him thoughtfullyand backed off. she
began with a grin on her face,
The giant Romulan stood, helping Rela get up. He held her a
moment, a sensation he found soothing. he hesitated so he
could pick the right words, The two touched their hands together in a ritual only true
Romulans could understand and then Sunak walked off to the lift.
Rela considered following him for a moment, but declined. There
would be no point to pursue this matter on the bridge, the rest of the
crew had no need to overhear the commander's affairs.
When the lift doors opened, Rela was surprised to see Nikar
walk through towards her.
Rela smiled at the Centurion's nervousness.
Nikar looked at her quizzicaly. I know, Nikar thought to
hiself, I am asking a loaded question. But that was a damn long duel
with someone three times your strength and twice your speed.
Rela called that the end of the conversation and
walked to the lift with a broad smile on her face. Nikar just set
about massaging his neck.
From rcs Thu Feb 1 15:07:19 1990
Received: by expert.cc.purdue.edu (5.61/1.14)
id AA13322; Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:17 -0500
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:17 -0500
From: rcs (Neale Davidson)
Message-Id: <9002012007.AA13322@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
To: rcs
Status: RO
CHAPTER NINE
The computer droned on, "Personell file, zero-one-one-seven-
zero-one-bee. Name of Captain Thomas S Riley. Position of commanding
officer aboard USS ENTERPRISE. Further data restricted to security
clearance level four or above."
The engineer threw a fit and growled for no particular reason.
"Comupter, give personell record for USS HOOD circa stardate nine-nine-
nine-eight."
"Access denied, data restricted to security level four or
above." Someone is going to great pains to annoy anyone trying to find
out about the new super-strong captain of this battleship.
Grissom frowned a second again and cleared the computer. "What
the hell is he, a Federation experiment?" Once saying that, she began
to consider it. "No, that sort of stuff went out with the genesis
device," she mused.
The engineer's doors parted and Saavik walked in. Grissom
started as the tall figure walked to her. "I have noted your access
denials of late on the computer. I haven't informed the captain as yet,
but duty dictates I do so."
Grissom turned to look at the Vulcan. "Tell me something,
Saavik. Can Vulcans crush titanium?"
Saavik was taken aback by this question, escpecially as the
engineer was supposed to be getting in trouble, not asking questions
to the first officer. "Titanium? The strongest vulcans could bend
small sheets with their hands, but only the strongest. Why do you ask,
Commander?"
The engineer pressed a new sequence of buttons. "I saw our
Captain, our Human captain, crush a titanium can." She tried for the
medical files this time, again the computer responded with the security
denial. "I was wondering if was half Vulcan."
Saavik went to the computer Grissom was typing on a shut it
off. "Captain Riley is Vulcanoid for one half, human for the other."
Well then, she thought to herself, that wasn't a lie. "I don't think
you should pry into the subject more, it's bad enough that you've
probed this far."
Grissom frowned. "I don't understand, was he cast-out because
of his human half. I've heard of that being done." Saavik wondered if
Paula knew how badly she was grasping at straws.
"Yes, Commander, Captain Riley was cast-out." Another nicely
worded question, Saavik thought to herself. "If you have any other
questions, you may want to address them to him."
A beep sounded from her computer. "Commander Grissom, you are
needed in engineering."
The red-haired woman grimaced, then stood. "Commander Saavik,
I get the distinct impression that there is more here than what meets
the eye." Saavik replied by not saying or doing anything. "I'll find
out, I don't like it when any man hides his past." She strolled out
of the room.
Saavik raised an eyebrow at the engineer. "Sexism," she said
to noone in particular,"is illogical."
The engineering deck was filled with the noise of the engines
and nothing else. "Where is everyone? Why is the deck empty?" Grissom
frowned again as she rode the lift down. "Midshipman, why is my crew
out-to-lunch?"
The midshipman spun around to notice his superior. "Madam, we
are down to a working engineering crew of eight."
Grissom spoke sarcastically, "Yes, I can see that, the question
is 'why?'. What has happened to the engineering crew?"
The midshipman obviously didn't want to answer, and nervousness
seemed to be his prevalent emotion. "Madam, the engineering crew has
been reporting to sickbay."
The red-head started to get upset. Her tone showed a bit more
emotion than she would have wanted. "Okay, why is my crew," she began
slowly, "in sickbay when they should be here for the transporter tests
I ordered."
The midshipman coughed once before replying. It seemed nearly
impossible that he would answer with a straight face. "It's the food
dispensors, Madam."
"What about the food dispensors, midshipman?" she dared.
Finally the midshipman lost all composure and set about whining
to his superior. "Madam, when the crew broke for lunch, they ate from
the food dispensors as usual, and they all got sick. Only the crew
members who haven't eaten remain here."
Thomas Riley's communications panel lit up again. It was bad
enough that half his bridge crew was in sickbay, but for the same
reason he's been getting calls from everywhere on the ship complaining
about lack of personell. He turned it on. "Captain, this is Grissom,
we are down to one-third personell down here and we need more time
to run the transporter tests. I hope you can spare us that much."
The captain nearly let out a smile, but drew it back as he
remembered that he was having the same problem. "We won't be needing
the transporters for several hours. Also, get a programmer to look at
the food dispensors, there's a bug in the programming somewhere." Not
that she didn't already know that, he added to himself. "Take all the
time you need for the transporters, but get the food problem straight
first. Riley out."
The lift doors opened to the bridge and Matthews walked in.
"Would you look at this spaciousness," he began with a false act of
impressment. "Why, we have come a long way since the stark drabness
of worrying about making the ship work instead of cosmetics. Just
think, in several years we could have oak railings with smooth
consoles. And how 'bout giving the entire place a nice soft glow so
we can get a relaxed atmosphere on the bridge. Oh, I almost forgot
the padded seats."
Riley turned to face the newcomer on the bridge. "Why bless
me, doctor. My description of you was adequate to the hilt. What can
I do for you?"
"For one thing you could turn the ship around until the damn
programmers and engineers make this ship actually work." The doctor
strolled to the left of the captain's chair.
"Doctor Matthews, the ship only has a few bugs in its system
and I don't-"
"I've been telling the crew the exact same thing for the past
hour now.'You've only got a few bugs in your system, I don't think
that it'll be to serious.' I'm damn tired of it. I've already issued
our entire stock of indigestion pills in the past hour and I have
fourty people still waiting. I've been threatening to use the pumps on
them if they don't stop whining, but that doesn't do much good either."
Riley put his fist over his mouth to try to hide his laughter.
"I'm sure everything will turn out right for us, doctor."
"God damn programmers aren't smart enough to use the technology
they've been given. I'm about ready to lobotomize the programmers, but
fleet's not about to let me go and do that."
Riley finally broke out laughing. "I'm sorry, doctor, I really
am, I can't help it."
"I don't find it a damn bit funny," the doctor retorted.
"Doctor, I am really sorry but I can't-" Riley started to laugh
again. "Doctor, we'll get your needed supplies when we dock with the
fleet, until then you'll just half to make do."
"Look, captain, sir. I am aware of what's happening out in the
Neutral Zone, that's why I'm so reluctant to have this new ship and
crew go out there. I don't think we're ready."
"Doctor, every available ship is being sent out there. The
fleet we're docking with tonight consists of thirty-one ships. Ready
or not, we have to go out there and do our part. The ENTERPRISE has
the most firepower of the ships in that fleet and so they want us that
much more."
"I'm glad to see that you like the idea so much." The doctor
looked into the star pattern showing on the monitor. "I don't know, it
seems that all these ships are good for is fighting. That's all fleet
is caring about now."
Riley looked over. "That's not true, not entirely at any rate.
Fleet designed this as a battleship, which is what they need. The
Federation is not in the habit of designing warships all the time."
"This ship seems like a warship," the doctor muttered under
his breath. "A luxury warship. USS ENTERPRISE, NCC-1701-B. Nicely
disguised as a exploration vessel."
"Doctor," Riley began to explain, "I think that it's time for
all of us, to start making the transition from science, to war."
"Yes, sir," Matthews replied with a sigh.
The battleship careened through yet another star-system in
a blurr of light.
From rcs Thu Feb 1 15:07:23 1990
Received: by expert.cc.purdue.edu (5.61/1.14)
id AA13328; Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:21 -0500
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 90 15:07:21 -0500
From: rcs (Neale Davidson)
Message-Id: <9002012007.AA13328@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
To: rcs
Status: R
CHAPTER TEN
The looming figure of the FIERY RAVEN swept across the backside
of the red planet. Sunak studied it from the bridge and was impressed
by the world's magnificence.
Rela looked back toward her love and nodded. She returned her attention to her instruments.
Sunak
again could feel the blood rush of power. Nikar nodded and pressed some spots on his console. The
FIERY RAVEN rolled over and started to hang over the ruby planet.
Nikar replied.
Sunak rubbed his chin for a second.
Nikar hit some more of his console and looked up.
Sunak smiled fiendishly. The viewer displayed a bit of
static for a moment before the image of an ancient Romulan displayed
itself on the viewer.
the Senator snapped angrily.
Sunak couldn't help but feel envigorated. So far his plan had
went along extremely well. All the pieces had fallen in place. He was
winning.
Mazan grimaced fouly. he growled. Sunak craked another smile as he witnessed five
armed Centurions enter the room Mazan was calling from.
Sunak smiled evilly. Mazan's mouth dropped.
Mazan backed from the viewer.
Sunak let a small burst of anger flow through his viens.
Mazan's face furied into the epitome of hatred. he
screamed.
Sunak could see the Centurions attempt to corner the senator.
Sunak mused.
Rela looked at her instruments a second time.
A beep sounded, and a Centurion showed himself on the viewer.
Sunak commanded.
The bridge crew fell silent.
The FIERY RAVEN rounded the planet and was within view of an
immense array of bird-like star craft. The battleship began to slow
as she approached the other ships.
Nikar gave an intense look of confusion.
Sunak smiled at the short Romulan. The giant
Romulan sat back in his chair.
Rela smiled.
The speakers lit up as a shakey voice came over subspace.
Sunak didn't show any pleasure at that statement. Sunak watch the viewer
as his ship began to take its position with the rest of the attack
fleet.
The voice on the other side of the speaker didn't sound as
if he was sure about that promise.
Sunak cut off the communications.
Nikar pressed a point on the center console.
Sunak muttered to noone in particular.
The FIERY RAVEN glided past a number of Stormbirds, resembling
a flock of vultures letting their largest taking the point. A destroyer
veered port from in front of the battleship.
Sunak looked over the flock of war vessels looming before him.
Demons from hell, he thought to himself. One hundred-twenty years ago
some Commander was sitting on his bridge, viewing the same sight. The
prelude to a war, prelude to paving the road to the stars. The second
Federation war as it would be called, started by the plans of an insane
politician, fueled by desire to reach destiny, fought by those who
are loyal to their cause.
Exactly the same as so many years ago. Rela piped with a wide
grin.
Sunak studied the viewer. Very unusal for a battleship to take the point
from a command carrier.
Rela showed a bit of
cufusion in her expression.
Sunak avoided any display of emotion.
The screen on the FIERY RAVEN changed again, revealing the beautiful
figure of the female Pratorum. Sunak responded.
she began in a
quiet tone,
Sunak nodded as a gesture of thanks. The dark Romulan didn't appear to give any look
of pleasure to his promotion. He drew in a breath.
the Pratorum replied,
Sunak replied thoughfully.
the female replied smiling. The
image in the viewer faded and Sunak let out a heavy sigh.
Rela was the first to respond to the news. She gave a grin to the commander. she struggled for an appropriate word,
Sunak smiled at her. He
folded his arms behind his head and let out another breath.
The warbirds started to part from one another to let the
FIERY RAVEN pass. The STARK EAGLE peeled off of the assault group and
burned into warp space, heading back to the home-worlds. The smaller
ships began to flank the twelve cruisers and the cruisers started to
form into a standard "V"-cruise formation.
The FIERY RAVEN soared into position with nearly fourty other
birds, all orbiting the fire-red planet. The ships looked like demons
fleeing from hell, and Sunak hoped the Federation would have the same
picture.
Nikar
reported.
Sunak raised a finger and pointed to the viewscreen. He let the words sink into the hundreds
of crewmembers amougst the fourty-some-odd vessels before continuing.
FIERY RAVEN burned into warp space and was quickly followed
by dozens of other birds of all sizes.
