Star Trek: Before Destruction - Chapter 17
*** 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.
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 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 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, 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."
"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 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 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 he had recently learned. He wished he had a guarantee that it would work.
"Checkov to Bridge. Mr Spock, ve are ready to test da shield integrity," the voice from the overhead speaker said.
"Acknowledged," spoke the Acting-Captain. "Mr. Sulu, raise shields."
"Aye, Sir, raising shields," he said and executed the procedures that brought the energy barriers up.
The bridge lights dimmed for a moment, then regained their brilliance. "Shields are up, Sir, Quadruple front. Should I test them at maximum power?" the Oriental officer questioned.
"Yes, Mister Sulu, channel full power to the shields."
Sulu increased the shield energy-strength with the controls before him. The bridge lights dimmed again, and then completely went out. "Uhmmm, Mr. Spock? I think I've overloaded the circuits."
"That is all too obvious, Mr. Sulu," Spock stated, as the much dimmer emergency lighting kicked in. "Mr. Checkov? Are you still there?"
"Yes, Sir," the ensign said sheepishly.
"It appears that the power cable split at the main junction is not the most advantageous solution. I suggest that you start the engineering crew in hooking up three more junctions directly from the master panel."
"Aye, Sir. Ve vere just tinking about doing dat," the ensign said.
"Proceed, Mr. Checkov. Spock out."
First Officer's log, supplemental.
"It is my hope that the Captain will return to the Enterprise as rapidly as possible."
End supplemental log.
* * *
Captain Kirk sat in Kang's private quarters, behind his desk and glanced over the information on the tri-corder, given to him by Dr. McCoy. He contemplated the procedure that both Mara and Kang had devised, in order to transport him down to the planet, when they arrived at Earth. If they uncloaked, they would be shot from the sky as 'hostile' enemies to both parties. The transporters would not have enough power to beam him down, with the cloaking device engaged. Therefore, it was decided to channel the Warp engine power through the transporter and beam the Captain down at warp speed. It had never been done before.
James T. Kirk was now the Captain of the Klingon cruiser. A fact that had not been widely spread throughout the crew. The ship was now divided in its loyalty, among the members who had been enlightened to their Emperor's identity. A mere handful gave their continued loyalty to Kang. It was a very dangerous situation for the vessel.
Jim, Kang, Mara and Gor had held several sessions with crew members, illustrating the danger that both Empire and Federation were facing. Only a dozen had believed. The rest were now in direct opposition to Kang, and were preparing to take the ship. They were lead by the officer, Torvak. The opposition held two of the lower decks but were, for the moment, sealed in and temporarily contained. It was thought prudent by all to keep Jim's status as Commander of the Fury, a secret, to avoid further division among the crew.
Jim pressed the medical scanner's 'on' switch and looked at the readings on the tri-corder. They displayed typical human readings for a brief period, then jumped to radically different readings as the cabin's doors unbolted and parted, admitting both Kang and Mara. Jim looked at the readings, then up to the two. He shut the medical equipment off and rose to meet the two.
"Captain," Kang began, "there is no hope of arriving at your home planet in time. We shall be lucky if we reach Earth before the Thunder breaks orbit."
"We must, Kang. Our plan will only work if we catch him in the open, with as many witnesses around him as possible."
"There is the increasing danger that we may not reach your Earth at all," Mara spoke bluntly. "Our comrades are taking measures that may cripple our engines. It is possible that they will break through our barriers and storm this deck."
"I have never doubted that possibility, Lieutenant," Jim said, giving credit to his formidable enemy; his new crew. "Kang, have you distributed arms to our men?"
"Yes, Captain, but I caution you that it is unwise to limit our disrupter's fire power, to stun-force. If the 'others' have found a way to arm themselves, they will intend to kill us with their weapons."
"You suggest we use deadly force against your own crewmen?" Jim spoke his astonishment.
"I have no desire to shed Klingon blood, Captain," Kang stated in stern sincerity, "but we risk failure and perhaps death at their hands if we show weakness of any kind. They are honored and valiant brothers and they fight as I do, for the sake of the Empire. Yet I will sacrifice them all with a clean conscience, if needs be, to save my Empire. They would do no less. That makes them all the more dangerous."
"I don't want any needless deaths, Kang. All we need is to contain them for a few more hours." The thought was cut short as an explosion from the deck below rocked the ship from under them, casting all to the floor. Shouts of battle were heard in the distance as Jim regained his ground. "They're through the barricade!" he said drawing his phaser from behind his back.
"They'll head straight for the bridge!" shouted Kang, as he lifted his wife to her feet and dashed out of the room. Jim followed closely, running down the dim, and now, smoke filled hall. Both held their weapons tight in hand and slowed, as they neared the bend in the corridor. Shadows of movement could be seen through the smoke, but Jim could not tell who it was that made them. Suddenly a disrupter blast sliced through the haze and burned itself into the wall behind them. The heat of the beam was felt on Kirk's face.
Jim dropped low and fired three times, with the silent, invisible discharge of his weapon. Kang turned, knowing by the disturbance in the smoke, that Jim had returned fire.
"You use a coward's weapon, Kirk. Where is the honor in felling an enemy, when he cannot even detect the threat?"
"I suppose the 'honor' comes from knowing that my weapon won't kill, but their's will. The honor of the outgunned." Jim said clicking off two more shots into the thick, dark clouds.
Kang acquiesced with a nod, and pressed his back against the corridor's smooth wall. He peered around the bend, then quickly pulled back, as several bursts of the deadly light beams streaked past him. "I can't see who it is we fight! It could be our side."
"Switch to wide spread. We can take them all down, and sort through them afterwards!"
The two men adjusted their weapons and rounded the corner, Jim down low on one knee and Kang, standing beside him. They blanketed the hall with the stunning energy beams, knowing that some would be missed by ducking into an entry-way or by shielding themselves with fallen bodies. Both Captains slowly moved down the hall, finding several un-conscious crewmen, lying still, on the deck.
Kang looked at their faces as they made their way past the crewmen. "These are of the opposition. We were fortunate thus far," Kang said. Another deadly blue disrupter bolt shot between the two. They raised their weapons again, and fired, hugging the walls of the corridor as they slowly advanced. The din of muffled voices and distant shouts did not seem to be getting any nearer. Kang was, however, able to hear the battle cry of his Communications Officer Gor, holding the bridge from the opposition. Kang began to hasten their advance, for he knew that the odds would be at least 3 to 1 against Gor and the others on the bridge.
More downed crewmen were found in the murky darkness as they neared the main access-way to the bridge. Thick dark smoke billowed out of the once-barricaded companionway. The air handlers were blowing the black clouds away from the bridge, making visibility much better once they were past the travel chute. It also made both Kirk and Kang visible to the rear of the mutinous crewmen.
Gor, seeing them in the distance, behind the opposition forces, howled another battle cry, drawing attention to himself. Before Jim and Kang were seen, they fired on the crowd, and continued to fire until all were downed. Quickly, the two checked the crewmen for wounds and made certain that none were merely 'playing' dead. Gor came towards them, unsteadily, leaving a trail of thick Klingon blood behind him.
"Captain Kang," Gor managed weakly, "we... have prevailed."
"You are wounded." Kang looked at his friend of years. The side of the Officer's head was scorched by the intense heat of a narrow miss, but Kang saw the dark purple-red blood spilling out from under his breastplate. He could tell in an instant that the wound was fatal. "Sit, my friend." Kang grabbed Gor's shoulders and eased him to the deck.
Jim looked at Kang. This man had once been a hated enemy. It was not long ago that Jim had thought Klingons were incapable of the compassion he was now a witness to. His eyes met Kang's. Jim silently expressed the look of hopefulness towards his ally, but Kang shook his head in a solemn response. Jim nodded to Kang that he understood, and would offer his condolences later, but the bridge was still open to attack, and not all crewmen were accounted for. Jim stepped over another body and headed for the bridge entrance, disappearing inside.
"Die well, my friend," Kang whispered to Gor, cradling his comrade's head in steady hands.
"You will not do the same!" spat a familiar voice, from behind Kang.
"You have lost, Torvak," Kang stated without turning from the dying man. "Our brother has paid the price for your mutiny. There is no need for further payment from either side."
"I think you are mad, my former Captain, but in the least, you are incorrect."
Kang looked up at his once eager, once innocent helmsman. He saw Mara being held to Torvak's chest, a barbed razor sharp blade at her throat. Kang's heart froze in that instant. Ejhak poison dripped from the jagged edges of the knife.
"Mara will die, slowly, horribly, before your eyes," Torvak promised the man before him. "Unless I have my victory for the people of Klinzhai!"
There was only one person who could be held against Kang, who could make him choose defeat over his Empire's salvation. He had lived with the fact that she could lose her life in battle, a brave death that they would share, but not like this. He had once been able to lie to Jim Kirk about that point. Long ago he had convinced Kirk that Mara was not a bargaining chip to be considered. His ploy bore fruit on that day, but Torvak would know better.
Kang looked at his wife and took a deep breath. "I... yield," he said, dropping his weapon to the deck and lowering his head slowly in grudging defeat.
"The only Klingon who yields, is a dead one, my Captain!" Torvak spoke with victorious pride. "You may take your own life now, and die as a coward, or you may follow your beloved Mara."
"Torvak," Mara tried to turn towards her captor, but was held fast by his powerful arm, "I beg you, do not do this." She held back most of her tears with great resolve. "I will do anything for his life, but spare him this, this indignity!"
"Silence, my wife!" Kang commanded her, then to the man who held her. "I will slay myself as you will, Torvak. But not before you swear to me that Mara will neither be harmed, nor even touched by you again!"
"I should not even consider making a bargain with one such as you." He looked at his former Captain with hate at what he had become, a traitor to the Glorious Empire. "But I give you my honor bound word that it shall be as you require. NOW TAKE YOUR LIFE!"
Kang looked to his wife as he removed his own dagger from the thigh scabbard he wore. Mara could not restrain herself and struggled, futilely against Torvak. Kang placed the hilt of the dagger on the deck, holding it with both hands and aiming the tip skyward. Klingon suicide was usually done in this fashion. The ritual was simple. Kang would drop his head forcefully down upon the blade, driving it far into his skull. Kang closed his eyes, keeping the image of his wife in his mind. He erected himself, preparing to thrust his head downward, when he heard a heavy thud. Opening his eyes, he saw Mara standing alone, Torvak sprawled on the floor behind her.
Kang rose in anger, throwing the blade into the corridor's nearest bulkhead and turned around to see Kirk, still holding the phaser, standing in the doorway to the bridge. "You certainly took your time!" Kang said in a fury that he had been unable to direct at Torvak. "I was nearly upon my blade!"
"Sorry, Kang," Jim said in earnest. "I never saw a Klingon suicide before and didn't realize that I was seeing one until a moment before I fired."
Mara fell to the floor in a faint, distracting Kang's anger and drawing him to her. Jim stepped over and looked at the bodies lying on the deck, then rubbed his hands together. "Well we'd better be getting these men tied up soon, or we will have to go through this all over again."
"Is the bridge secured?" Kang asked over his shoulder.
"Yes," Jim said. "We are nearing the innermost systems of the Federation. We should reach Earth in forty hours."
Jim looked down at the fallen warriors, both the living and the lifeless, and was instantly filled with a sense of dread. 'The first men to fall, perhaps of many,' he thought to himself. 'And the galaxy may never be the same.'
