by Star Trek
capable of doing it myself." The statement did not come out as the
Captain had intended it, but Spock understood what was meant by it.
"Besides," Jim said, "you have a mission of your own. Stormcloud
must be arrested, and the evidence of Garth's deception must be
taken to the Neutral Zone. Since you are limited to warp 4, it
doesn't give you any time to stand around arguing with your
Captain."
"Agreed, Captain." He stepped back from the transporter
platform.
"And, Spock, you might see what you can 'make' out of
Lieutenant Grensk," Jim hinted, "His 'heart' may not be in it, but
he'd make a good 'Weapon's Officer' in a pinch."
"Understood, Captain." Spock raised his right hand in the
traditional Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Jim."
"Good bye, Spock," Jim said. Then to Lieutenant Kyle,
"Energize," and the Captain and his company, were no more.
PAGE 112
*** SEVENTEEN ***
Earth was in its mid 23rd century, as counted from the
approximate birth date, of their Christ. The inhabitants of this
beautiful planet had nearly destroyed themselves numerous times
throughout their bloody 6000 year history. Most recently their
greatest planetary dilemma was tackling the fear of a gradual
'Global Warming'. They had spent nearly one-hundred years of effort
in an attempt to replenish the Ozone layer, only to find that there
was no real 'warming' taking place. The genuine problem was that
increasing amounts of deadly multi-spectrum radiation had been
entering the atmosphere, slowly irradiating the planet. The primary
cause was found to be in the Earth's sphere of Magnetism. With a
magnetic half-life of just 1,400 years (that is; every 1,400 years
the magnetism, or Magnetic Moment of the Earth decreases in potency
by one half) neither the Magnetosphere nor Thermosphere could
effectively hinder cosmic radiation bombardment. There were many
heated debates on how to handle this. It had come just short of
dividing the United Nations Council, but that was nothing new.
Many civilizations had arisen and fallen, since man had begun
to govern himself on this small world. But few had envisioned the
latest form that now had authority over the globe. The United
Nations Council, permanent member of the United Federation of
Planets was now that authority.
The Official Base of Operations of the United Federation of
Planets now resided on the human's world. It had, in the past, been
aboard an enormous space station, that was capable of holding tens
of thousands of people. It later became more effective,
logistically, to establish the base on a world, central to all
members. Earth was an ideal choice, though it was not unilaterally
thought so at first. Debates for the location lasted nine months
before concessions were made. It now resided on Earth, in the city
of San Francisco.
As reflected by Starfleet's Prime Directive, all worlds allied
with the Federation have rights to their own form of planetary
government. The Federation was an authoritative bridge between
these governments. Its primary purpose was to maintain
interplanetary peace and security between all races of beings
within, and provide protection from hostile beings from without.
Starfleet was the instrument of this security within Federation
bounds.
The sprawling complex, that was Federation Headquarters, now
sits on some 1400 square acres. It boasts many atmospheric/
gravitational controlled domes, that may be filled with whatever
gas or liquid, any particular visiting dignitary would require, for
respiration. It contains housing that would suit representatives
of all members and their aides, attending conference sessions. It
intentionally was designed to accommodate all known species that
were candidates for membership, and was prepared, at a moment's
notice, to adjust to unknown 'future' memberships.
PAGE 113
This day, all over the UFP complex, frenzied activity was
evident. To actually have the Klingon Emperor present on the planet
was something that had surprised and astounded all. For them to
express the desire for admittance to the Federation was nothing
short of incredible. This was now seen as the most important event
in galactic history, since the end of the Hundred Years War.
Preparation for the Emperor's arrival, on such short notice,
caused near chaos. All UFP Supreme Assembly members had been called
to Earth. All Federation Council members, temporary or otherwise,
were requested to attend. Every party who could cast their vote
was either on Earth now, or enroute to the planet.
Excitement and fear were mingling in the minds and hearts of
all beings throughout the Federation. For Peace with the Klingons,
they knew, could mean immediate War with the Romulans. To some,
this idea was a godsend. Finally a way to be rid of the ever
present danger of invasion, from the Vulcanoid empire. To others,
reconciliation with the Klingons was inconceivable. The evil that
had been perpetrated by them was not forgivable by many.
Notwithstanding, the Emperor was on his way, and he would be given
full honors. His admittance to the United Federation of planets,
on the other hand, would be dealt with in its proper forum.
A two-thirds vote would be required to pass the request for
entry to the Federation. With the import of the request, and the
urgency of it, deliberations would be held to a two day time limit
after the Emperor's speech/request for admission. There were 3
possibilities, that would be an immediate outcome of this historic
event. One, the Empire would become part of the Federation. Two,
the Empire would not become part of the Federation. Or three,
massive political turmoil would ensue from either vote and the
result would split the Federation, plunging it into multiple wars
and galactic chaos. This was truly an event that could change the
Federation forever. One which could easily spell the end of it.
But that had been the plan all along.
* * *
It had taken days, at high warp, to reach the Sol system. The
massive Klingonese Dreadnought took its place in orbit around the
blue world below. Many, many others shared the sky with the
behemoth. The firmament fairly teemed with strange and various
craft of both familiar and alien design. The Throneship had been
allowed to raise its shields, just as a precaution, in self-
defense against any who would take opportunity against it. There
are many who would joyfully promote the erasure of the Klingon
Empire's most prominent citizen. There were a great deal more who
would like to see it happen, without being directly involved.
Garth stood at his massive observation window, looking on the
world below. His arms were folded behind his back and his stance
PAGE 114
was one belonging to the victorious. He would own this planet soon,
he thought. One of many that would bear his name. Garth Prime he<
br />
would call it. The others would have numbers beside his name. He
continued to meditate on the future. There would be attempts on his
life at every corner, once he took his throne over the galaxy. He
would be prepared for attack, be it by a fleet of ships or on a
personal scale. There were many levels of plans that he had
devised, many twists and turns that he prepared for. Though he was
certain all the while, that nothing could stop what he had set in
motion.
Someone requested entry into his private chamber. Garth
quickly, easily, regained the form of Mocdar Jek Tromok, and
allowed the door to unlock and open for the caller. Sorr entered
the large room that was adorned with weapons, strange animal skins
and objects of antiquity from a thousand systems. He walked over to
his emperor and kneeled before the man at the window.
"Rise and state your purpose, Admiral," spoke Garth. He
wished to be kneeled to, but not as the Klingon Emperor.
"I wanted to inform you that your new warp-shuttle, will be
quite difficult to engineer, but it is technologically feasible.
It will be time consuming with all your specifications, but
modifications of your current shuttle should not take more than 9
days if we have our technicians working on it around the clock.
Your new armor should take about as long," he concluded.
The Admiral was beginning to wonder about the man before whom
he had been kneeling. Tromok had given him a design to a powerful,
armored battle suit, and shuttle craft that was nearly beyond their
present level of technology. The Emperor had been schooled well,
but he was never considered to hold more than a general knowledge
of sub-micro circuitry, dyna-physics and Alpha wave hyper-
processors. It was as if the man on the throne had changed into
some one different.
"Good," spoke Emperor Garth, quite aware of the Admiral's
slowly growing suspicion of himself. Garth had further secluded
himself from all aboard the Thunder, these past days. It had
helped to the degree that he had desired. Soon it would not
matter. "When does the Federation's Supreme Assembly expect me?"
"In two of their Earth hours, my lord. The last of their
delegates are just now arriving. They have had very little time to
prepare for this day."
Garth knew full well the paces he was running the Federation
through. 'Keep them busy with their bureaucratic details,' he
thought to himself. 'Let them engross themselves with policy and
hastily choreographed procedure, then, when they are feeling the
swell of false euphoria for a job well done, I will have them by
the throat'. "Is there anything else, Admiral?" the image of Tromok
questioned.
"Nothing more to report, lord Tromok," The Admiral stated. "I,
PAGE 115
however, was wondering what will become of the intruder and his
ship? Did you concede to bargain with him?"
"I will personally deal with the intruder, immediately upon
our return to the Klingon Realm. As to the bargain, his price was
too high for the Empire. I have postponed payment until our return.
For now, his ship has our protection. That is all you need know."
"Understood, lord Tromok. Our plan must not have been
effective," Sorr said with a solemn certainty. "I blame myself for
its failure."
"There is still time for victory, Sorr. And plenty of glory to
share," the Emperor stated.
The Admiral nodded his head in agreement. "Lord, I must know,
did my glove unit not work?"
Garth had no idea. He really didn't care and he would not be
trapped into making a guess on how to answer the question again. "I
have a galaxy to claim, Admiral. We will discuss this later if I
deem it important enough. You are dismissed."
"Yes, my lord," the Admiral bowed and exited the large room.
Garth relaxed his control over his form and returned to the
visage of his own. He would need every bit of strength to maintain
the Emperor guise on Earth. And he did not know how long he would
need to look the part. It was made slightly easier, now that he had
Tromok's actual wardrobe to wear. Thus he only needed to force his
flesh to look the part.
He walked over to the giant view-port again, taking in the
spectacular sunrise on the planet below. This would be his morning,
his day and when night fell it would be his darkness. He leaned
his face against the clear barrier, between himself and the hard
vacuum beyond. He stretched his arms out and closed his eyes,
letting the first rays of the dawn enfold him. He smiled at the
warmth of it and he began to chuckle to himself.
* * *
First Officer's Log, Stardate: 5854.7.
"I am now the 'Acting' Captain of the Starship Enterprise.
Captain James T. Kirk is currently aboard, and in command of, the
Klingon vessel Fury, on a direct heading for Earth. We are
presently heading for the rendezvous point of the Federation Fleet
at the Klingon Neutral Zone. It is my intention, upon arrival, to
place Commodore Nathaniel Stormcloud under arrest for attempted
murder, treason, and conspiracy charges. The evidence for this
action is on file in main computer memory location: SO193622."
PAGE 116
"We are traveling at warp 3.779, which is our maximum safe
speed due to the previously logged accident in engineering. With
this limit on our rate of travel, I have serious doubts that we
will arrive in time at the rendezvous site before war breaks out.
It is hoped, nevertheless, that we will be able to stop it before
it reaches an irreversible state."
"In the interim, I have been working on arming a photon
torpedo with the majority of the Garth explosive that was removed
from the Android, formerly know as Lieutenant Grensk. If needed,
it will make an impressive display of power on behalf of the
Federation. With Stormcloud under guard, the knowledge that 'the
torpedo is the only one we have', may be secure. Thus spurring the
Klingons into believing that we have more in our arsenal."
"Commander Montgomery Scott is now back on the active duty
roster, but it is clear that there is no hope of repairing the
damage to Enterprise's port warp propulsion unit. We are, in
essence, crippled for the duration."
"As a Vulcan, it is difficult to determine what level of
morale the crew is enjoying. It is my estimate that it has lowered
considerably with the absence of Captain Kirk. I am personally
unskilled at dealing with problems of this nature, as it is one
derived from emotion. I have placed Mr. Sulu in charge of
organizing various off-duty activities for the crew. I suggested to
him that a seminar on gravitational and radiation fluctuations
within a trinary star system, could both occupy and enlighten the
crew. He did not seem to agree. I have, therefore, given him my
permission to engage the crew in an Earth ritual known as a Masked
Ball. I will attend this 'Ball', but I have allowed Mr. Sulu to
&nbs
p; make the decision as to what costume I should wear."
"End log."
Spock sat in the Captain's chair, examining the duty roster
that Yeoman Rand had given him. He saw that all was in order,
placed his mark on it and returned it to the Yeoman. "Thank you,"
he said to her, conscious that humans needed to hear this verbal
expression of gratitude, even when doing what was required of them.
Spock meditated on how he would handle the arrest of Commodore
Stormcloud. It was a danger to even approach the fleet, for in
doing so, Stormcloud would be able to assess the failure of
Enterprise's mission and perhaps turn the fleet against her. They
were not able to alert the fleet of their intentions in advance,
with Sub-space communications, so they would have to use the short
range comm. system. In essence, this would mean that they would be
within firing distance, before they would have the ability to voice
the act of the Commodore's imminent detention.
Spock had given Lt. Checkov the task of repositioning the
Enterprise's aft, port and starboard shield-nodes to the front of
the ship. He assigned him an engineering detail to assist him for
that purpose. Spock had hopes that the quadrupled shield barrier to
the fore-section would protect them from a possible frontal assault
PAGE 117
by their own comrades. It could buy them enough time to make the
arrest, but would leave them open to lateral and rear attack from
any comers. Spock was not certain that Captain Kirk would approve
of this tactic. It was not completely logical, to be sure, but
Spock's desire to see Stormcloud brought to justice and a war
stopped, had motivated him. It was very much like a chess strategy
