by Kevin Ryan
[53] Jon nodded to them and took the only open place at the table, next to Parrish. “Have you eaten, Jon?” she asked, and Kell noticed that the others were still eating. He had to think for a moment. Though he did not feel hungry, he realized that he had not yet eaten that day.
“Have you?” she repeated.
“No,” he said.
The others shared a look that Kell did not understand, and then Parrish left, only to return a few moments later with a plate of meat loaf, which she placed in front of him.
The others watched him expectantly and he realized that there was only one way to quiet their concern. He began to eat.
“Has anyone heard about why Admiral Justman is on board?” Clark asked.
“No,” Jawer said. “I haven’t heard anything, I mean anything except that we have rerouted to Starbase 42.”
“It’s still active?” Parrish asked. “I thought they shut it down?”
“I guess we’ll find out when we get there,” Jawer said. “It’s funny, I always depended on Benitez for that kind of news.”
At the mention of Benitez’s name, a silence fell over the table. And suddenly he felt both the presence and the absence of Benitez and Sobel. He searched the faces of the others and saw they felt the same thing.
Both the silence and the presence remained until everyone was done eating.
Kell was the first to rise. “I must get back to my quarters,” he said. For a moment he considered inventing a [54] reason, then decided to simply forgo any further explanation. He had had enough lies; he would not begin making petty ones.
“So do I,” Parrish said, and the others nodded farewell to them.
In the corridor, she said, “I wanted to speak with you.”
“Yes, let’s speak in my quarters,” he said.
She seemed surprised by his response but did not comment on it.
Kell had known that this conversation was inevitable. He was not looking forward to it, yet he decided that he would not avoid it. Parrish deserved that much.
For a moment, before he learned the truth about the Empire’s role in the Orion mining operation and before his own betrayal of Benitez, Kell had entertained the possibility of a future for himself. It would have been a future outside of the Klingon Empire and it even had included Parrish.
It was a foolish dream, he realized. And it was now impossible. He would not allow himself to get involved again with Parrish. She deserved better than an honor-less deceiver who betrayed his truest friend.
She deserved ... much. And he had nothing to offer her but a quick and definite end to their relationship. That was the only thing that would allow her a future of her own.
It was the only gift he could give her. And though he knew it would hurt her, he would not deny her the future.
[55] Inside his quarters he found he did not know how to begin, and for the moment he did not wish to. He wished to simply be with her for a short time longer before he said what he had to say and she stormed away in anger.
Parrish, however, did not hesitate. She looked him directly in the eye and said, “Jon.”
That was all.
Her hands were on him, and then her lips found his.
Though he remembered that there was something he needed to do, something he needed to say to her, the words began to fade from his mind like a sound that grows more and more distant. Then they were silent.
He found that he wanted her comfort, that he wanted her ...
His blood was burning for her.
And his blood would not be denied.
The room was silent as Kirk finished going over what the admiral had told him. The air seemed thick and heavy, as if the circulators weren’t working well. His senior staff and the security section chiefs seemed to be as stunned as he had felt when told that it seemed a war with the Klingons was now inevitable.
Scotty just sat, his hands on the table, shaking his head slowly back and forth, as if fighting a silent fight to resist the news.
Dr. McCoy stared at the table in front of him, his face [56] carrying a pained but focused expression, as if he were working on a deathly ill patient and losing.
Spock had the same expression on his face he always had. But when Kirk had declared that the war was inevitable and would be coming much sooner than they had expected, Spock had shifted slightly in his chair. That was about as much reaction as Spock ever gave to bad news.
“Captain,” Security Section Chief Sam Fuller said. “Can we tell our people what we are up against?”
“Yes,” Kirk said. “There is no more pretense. The war is coming and Starfleet needs to prepare. Even the diplomats think they have exhausted all avenues.”
“All because a Klingon dog—”
“A targ, Doctor,” Spock said.
“Just because we intercepted a message about a Klingon dog,” McCoy said.
“Bones, intelligence, the diplomatic corps, and Command all agree,” Kirk said. “I wish it were not true, but it is. All we can do now is try to buy some time. For now, that means protecting the dilithium crystals on Starbase 42 and the deposits below on the planet.”
“Can we be sure they are going to come after the crystals?” Giotto asked.
“Given the nature and sheer volume of the security breaches, we have to assume that the Klingons have access to that information. And given the recent setback they suffered with the Orion mine in System 7348 we have to assume that it is a strong possibility. And if there is one thing the admiral has learned from the current [57] situation, it is that the worst-case scenario is often the status quo.”
“So we may be a-fighting with a crippled ship,” Scotty said. “I need a real starbase to fix her, and a replacement dilithium chamber.”
“I know you do,” Kirk said, “but we may not have time.”
“That soon?” McCoy asked, almost more to himself than as a question.
Kirk only shrugged.
“You know Starbase 42 doesn’t even have a descent drydock,” Scotty said. “It was designed for the likes of a Daedalus-class ship.”
“Can’t you make it fit?” Kirk asked, knowing that more than likely Scott could squeeze the Enterprise into a parking garage if he had to.
“Aye,” Scotty said, “but we’re goin’ to have to reconfigure the drydock lattice to do it.”
“Just make it work,” Kirk said. “Critical systems first. I need full weapons, screens, and warp drive.”
“You got that now,” Scotty said. “I just want to make sure all that stays working.”
“And let’s hope the Klingons give you enough time,” Kirk said. “If they cooperate, the admiral will authorize high-speed transport of any replacement components you need.”
“Amen to that,” McCoy said.
Kirk turned to Spock. “I need you to start setting up long-range scans as soon as we arrive at the starbase. Hook into the base’s existing systems if you have to boost range. I want as much warning as I can get if the Klingons come across the border.”
[58] Spock nodded and said nothing.
McCoy leaned forward and said, “I will take a look at the starbase hospital and make sure it’s ready for ... well, for anything.”
Kirk nodded. “Talk to the people on the surface to get supplies if you have to.”
Kirk then turned to Scotty. “I not only need your crew working to make sure the Enterprise is ready, but I need you to assign a crew to get the station’s defenses up and running.”
“Aye, Captain,” Scotty said. “I’ve already been over the station’s schematics. We can get supplies from the planet’s surface. We’ll get that old station something to defend herself with, I promise you.”
“Gentlemen,” Kirk said, “let’s get to work.”
With that his senior crew stood and headed toward the door. He stood and watched them go, knowing that his people would make the most of whatever they had. They would do their best and achieve more than he or anyone else had a right to expect.
&nb
sp; Yet the knot in his stomach refused to go away.
It was his intuition again. It was not specific, but he didn’t need it to be. He knew what was coming. He just hoped they were ready when it came.
McCoy was the last to leave. As he reached the door, the doctor turned. Kirk could immediately tell that the doctor’s mind was on the same thing as his.
McCoy said, “Captain, the Klingons were ready to sacrifice that entire planet and all those Klingon lives to be able to launch their war against us.”
Kirk nodded.
[59] “How do we beat an enemy like that? What will it take?”
“We hope it never comes to that, Bones, but if it does we give the fight everything we have.”
He paused for a moment before he added, “Then we give a little more.”
Chapter Five
“APPROACHING THE STARBASE NOW,” Spock announced.
“Magnify,” Kirk said.
Immediately, the viewscreen revealed the starbase. Kirk knew it was large, yet there was surprisingly little space traffic around it—just cargo tugs and small maintenance vehicles. The station was an older design. It had a large, central disk-shaped hub that was ringed by two large circular sections. Five equally large “spokes” connected the hub and rings.
It must have been impressive in its day, Kirk thought. Though that day would have been during the early days of the Federation. The station no doubt had been upgraded and refitted a number of times. Inevitably, it had been made obsolete by smaller, better-equipped bases.
The captain could see the drydock facility. It was a traditional lattice design. A part of him resisted the idea [61] of putting the Enterprise inside. Though the ship needed repairs, while it was in drydock the Enterprise would not be as able to defend herself or the station.
The ship needed to be patrolling the sector, not moored in one place.
Soon enough, Kirk thought. Despite his protests, Scotty was no doubt having the same thoughts and would have the Enterprise back out there as fast as possible—or more likely faster. They needed precious little time to do that. He hoped the Klingons would be that accommodating, at least.
A moment later and Kirk heard the turbolift doors open. He turned his head to see Admiral Justman on the bridge—on my bridge, Kirk thought with a flash of pride.
Reflexively, Kirk was on his feet.
“At ease, Captain,” Justman said.
“I have the base now, Captain,” Uhura said.
“On screen, Lieutenant,” Kirk said.
The face of a young woman in a gold Starfleet uniform appeared on the screen. She looked nervous and very young.
“This is Lieutenant Crane,” she said.
“Is the base commander available?” Kirk said.
“No ... the commodore is dead,” she said.
“Dead?” Kirk said, noting the surprise on the admiral’s face in his peripheral vision.
“Yes, sir, he was murdered. We have not found the responsible party,” the lieutenant said.
Her grief was etched in her face.
The admiral stepped forward. “This is Admiral [62] Justman, I’m sorry for your loss,” he said. “What is the status of the station?”
“Status is normal, sir,” she said.
Except for the fact that an operative who was no doubt working for the Klingons has just murdered the Commodore, Kirk thought.
“I’m glad you are here, sirs,” Crane said.
“We will arrive shortly and will help you secure the station and apprehend the commodore’s murderer,” Justman said.
“Enterprise out,” Kirk said.
Spock was standing beside the captain a moment later. “Should we commence with liberty for the crew, Captain?”
“It’s more important than ever, Mr. Spock. We need to show a presence on the station. It looks like the station crew will need the show of support. Personnel not qualified for repair work should begin liberty at once. Just make sure that everyone is briefed on the current situation before they beam over.”
Lieutenant Commander Giotto turned from his station on the bridge. “Captain, I have assigned a team to help with the investigation on the station,” he said.
“Good, who have you got to secure the mine?” Kirk asked.
“I will do it, sir,” Giotto said.
Kirk thought for a moment. He did not want his chief of security off the ship and in what might become a deadly battleground. On the other hand, the mine could not be allowed to fall into Klingon hands.
Similarly, the crystals on the station had to be [63] protected as well, but Kirk had his own thoughts on how to do that.
“Good luck, Mr. Giotto. I will be in contact with you from the station,” he said.
“Thank you, sir,” Giotto said, and was on his way to the turbolift.
“Captain,” Justman said. “You and I should beam over as soon as we are in transporter range. I want to inspect the station and be able to evaluate our situation as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir,” Kirk said, noting the determination in Justman’s eyes. He realized that he was also glad Admiral Justman was there.
When Kell woke he opened his eyes to see that Parrish was already awake and looking at him. She smiled.
“Are you ready for liberty? We’ll be arriving at the starbase in less than an hour,” she asked. Kell was certain that there was something behind her question.
“Then we should get ready,” Kell said.
Her face betrayed surprise, and he knew that she had expected him to refuse. She smiled.
He found that he wished to go with her. And she clearly wished to go with him. He was finished denying truths.
In the dining room, they found the remains of the squad at a table and Sam Fuller at the food server.
“How are you, Jon?” Fuller asked.
“I am well,” Kell answered.
“How are you feeling, sir? Your injuries?” Kell asked.
“I’m back on active duty. I’m fine, even Dr. McCoy seems to think so,” he said.
[64] At the table Kell had the feeling that the chief was studying him. Weeks ago, Kell would have viewed the scrutiny with suspicion. Now he saw it for what it was—concern.
Like the others, Fuller was concerned about him. Like the others and like the doctor, he believed that Kell was blaming himself needlessly for his partner’s death.
Fuller had great courage and he had seen the human’s honor. Suddenly, Kell felt his shame grow under that gaze.
“There’s something I need all of you to know before you go on liberty,” Fuller said to the table. “We are going to be on high alert for the duration of our time here, and I do not know how long that time will be.”
The chief took a breath before he continued. “Many of you have heard rumors of tensions brewing with the Klingons. There are two things I need to report to you. First, the captain has confirmed that Starfleet is now certain that war between the two powers is imminent. We also have reason to believe that this starbase and the planet below may be the target of a Klingon raid. There is a dilithium mine on the surface and we expect that the Klingons may try to replace the crystals they lost in the 7348 incident.”
Kell was amazed that the Federation knew or had deduced so much of the Empire’s plans.
“The Klingons were definitely behind the mine, then, sir?” Parrish asked.
Fuller nodded. “Lieutenant Commander Giotto found definitive proof of Klingon involvement in the operation,” he said.
There was silence at the table as the squad absorbed [65] this. Kell himself had been surprised to learn what Klingon High Command had planned to do.
If he could not understand what his own people could be capable of, how could these humans?
“And finally,” Fuller said, “the commander of the starbase has been murdered and his killer is at large on the base. We are there to show support to the base crew and keep our eyes open. We will also be taking on new crew at the starbase. I have requested only expe
rienced officers to add to the squad.”
Fuller glanced quickly at Kell and Parrish.
“Anderson, Parrish, I know you both lost partners and roommates recently. Usually I like to wait before reassigning to give you some time, but the word from the captain is that we will have to be at full capacity and combat ready at all times. All I can promise you is that we will try to pair you with people who can hold up their ends.”
Kell was uncomfortable with the idea of sharing living quarters with another human, but he could see it could not be helped.
When Fuller got up he said, “Try to stay out of trouble on the starbase this time.” Then he smiled grimly and left.
By unspoken agreement, Kell, Parrish, Clark, and Jawer got up and moved as a group toward the door, then on to the transporter room.
They had a short wait for the transporter then they found themselves on the transporter pad on the starbase. The base transporter room had a large window that revealed the Enterprise in a drydock above the plane of the station. The planet must be below the level of the window, Kell realized, because he could not see it.
[66] Checking the transporter-room diagrams, Kell got his first look at what the starbase looked like from the outside. It had a large central hub and five spokes that radiated from it Connecting the spokes were two outer rings, one that was at the spokes’ midway point and one that they terminated into.
The hub and double ring was an interesting design and, Kell noted, an aesthetically pleasing one. He had found that humans often made decisions based partly or sometimes wholly on aesthetics. At first, he had thought that it was a sign of their weakness. Now he saw it for what it was, simply part of what they were.
“Even battered, she’s still beautiful,” Jawer said, pointing to the Enterprise.
“Yes,” Kell found himself saying.
“Where to first?” Clark asked.
“How about the Starfleet Canteen? It meets liberty guidelines for approved recreation,” Parrish said with a slight smile.
