by Zelda Scott, Zelda.Scott@web.de, www.sttos.de
Time Setting: Series
(original mission)
Rating: PG/K+,
general/action/adventure
Codes: Kirk, Spock,
McCoy, crew
Summary:
Harmless freighters
are boarded in the Anzar sector. The
Note:
English is not my
native language – special thanks to John Schulte (http://riversidesfi.proboards61.com/) for proof-reading! All remaining mistakes are all
mine…
Additional thanks
to Rax for the encouragement to post this English
Version. Feedback is welcome.
Part 1
The hum of the transporter faded
slowly and Martin Riggs took a look around with mixed feelings. Again he asked
himself why he had accepted that assignment. But it had no use to dwell in the
past and so he faced four Starfleet officers in Gala uniforms. With the skilled
eye of the reporter he was he evaluated the persons one after another.
Like it was his habit he had
collected detailed information and though he was able to distinguish the ranks
by the stripes at the sleeves. He recognized the person he hated most in the
whole galaxy immediately. Kirk was much smaller then he had expected. With a
smile the Captain took a step forward.
“Welcome aboard the
Kirk turned around and pointed on a
grumpy looking man. “This is the CMO of the
The physician was the only one who
Riggs considered the most likable person – as long as a Starfleet officer could
be likable. He seemed to feel uncomfortable in his dress uniform and was hardly
able to conceal that fact. As expected it was not possible to say anything
about the Vulcan. The frozen face of the First Officer looked like the one of
every other Vulcan Riggs had met before. However, in some way Riggs was
surprised because he had read something of a human mother.
And finally there was Kirk, the self-righteous
country-boy who had ruined his life. Kirk seemed not only to be smaller but he
also appeared to be younger than he had expected. Riggs knew that Kirk was four
years younger that he but a part of him had hoped that Kirk had aged before his
time. But even that was not granted to him. If he had met him casually, never
he would have thought him more than a simple lieutenant. But, Riggs reflected
bitterly, someone who would sell his own grandmother gets ahead very quickly.
This first analysis took only few
moments. Riggs knew what was expected of him. Therefore he forced his face into
a smile and said:
“Thanks captain. I had a long
voyage. I am sure you will understand when I like to see my quarters first.”
“Of course, Mr. Spock will show you
the way. Today evening we prepared a dinner where you will meet the other
leading officers. Today in the morning you can visit the ship if you wish to do
so.”
Riggs bowed his head to show that he
understood. With that the first official part was over and everyone left the
transporter room. Only now re realized how tensed he had been. Slowly and with
the attention of a speed trap he followed the Vulcan who doesn’t even attempt
to spend time with small talk.
The hallways of the ship seemed
endless but now he realized how large it really was. As a journalist he knew of
course the difference between pure facts and actual living but even though he
was impressed by the sheer size. After what seemed to be ages, after passing
several crewmen by zigzagging through the hallways, the First Officer stopped
in front of a door.
Riggs noticed that significantly
less people were passing by and Spock explained that deck 5 contained only the
quarters of visitors and leading officers. That’s why it was only logical that fewer
persons were using that floor.
Finally the First Officer left after
telling him that a crewmember would accompany him at
Relieved Riggs enjoyed the solitude
of his quarters, which was pretty luxury. It contained two large rooms and a shower stall. He had lived under worse
conditions in the past. His luggage leaned unwrapped – as he had wanted - at a
wall. But nevertheless he was not capable of easing the tautness from his body.
He remembered the briefing with his
chief editor very well and that he had considered Olav weird at first. But
finally Olav had given in.
“It is time that you are facing your
problems.”
“Maybe I don’t want to face them,”
he had answered defiantly.
“You are a very good journalist, one
of the best there are. You won every award of which a journalist can dream of.
And everything you didn’t achieve by being prejudiced.”
“Starfleet is different.”
“I know your problem. But look at it
this way: I give you the possibility to settle old scores. Accompany the
That finally had turned the balance.
Riggs must admit that he had already started to pre-phrase some articles and
the least of them were flattering. At the same time he was confronted with his
principles. Indeed he hadn’t come that far by being lead by prejudices, how
justified they might be. Maybe that’s why he was so tensed. He WANTED to find
something that would burden Starfleet in general and Kirk in particular but he
was afraid that he possibly would have to change his option. Yes, it was time
to face his ghosts.
Exactly at
Besides he had placed some fascinating
miniature cameras in his trouser pocket, all thumbnail-sized only. He planned
to attach them at some strategically favorable places. On the
bridge for example or in sickbay. Wisdom was power.
As he opened the door a young ensign
was standing there, for his taste a little too young and too overeager. He
introduced himself as Pavel Chekov
and explained proudly that he was the alpha-shift navigator. To consign an
ensign with such an important position didn’t seem to be a good idea but Riggs
preferred to ignore that thought before he considered it too intensively. Who
wanted to know when he was navigated inside a planet?
“It is an honor to meet you, Sir”, Chekov explained while they were turning around a corner.
He accentuated the R and continued:
“I admire your reports. The one of
the slavery work on Naguru was fantastic.”
“I would not call it fantastic when
humans are flayed to death. “
The young ensign looked ashamed.
“Of course, Sir.
You are right.”
Unpleasant silence was the result.
Riggs recognized that he made a mistake and tried to continue their
conservation.
“How long do you have been on the
ship?”
“For one year.”
“Do you like it? “
“It is the best that could have happened
to me. The
Riggs smiled sourly. The enthusiasm
of the young man was downright disgusting.
“Of course – so you are the
navigator?”
“Yes, Sir.
Do you know that this first navigation tools have been invented in
“
Chekov
seemed to be a little bit offended that somebody doesn’t seem to know where
“Yes, it is on Earth. Where are you
from?”
“I am of Senurum.”
“Ah.” Like it had do be expected the
face of the young man showed his helplessness and for the rest of their way
they remained silent. Riggs want for friendly conservation was exceeded for the
moment.
During the reception Riggs got to
know the other leading officers and make an appointment with each of them to
have a look at their departments. Nobody was very pleased but even that make it
worthwhile for Riggs. Unerringly the crew was ordered to leave a good mark.
Much would depend on the article.
But the extensive round tour had several
reasons. On the one hand it would allow the reporter to get a more accurate
picture of the daily life aboard the ship and on the other he would have enough
time to attach one of his mini cameras in each important room. He had even
managed to bug some of the officers quarters by using the help of an unknowing
yeoman. Every evening he spent time viewing the recorded material. He smiled
every time when he was named and the overheard haven’t any clue.
At his second evening he got the
opportunity to witness a conversation between Kirk and McCoy in a deserted sick
bay.
The physician looked up when the
hiss of the door showed it had opened.
”Took you a long time to come”, he grumbled.
”You enjoy the situation, don’t you Bones?”
”Sit down and stop complaining. Be happy that I didn’t keep you right here
after it seemed you didn’t want to go without a pet on Sanjan.”
”Very funny. Rather give me that injection. Besides: Do you like to have to
grapple with that reporter?”
”Riggs?”
”Do we have another one aboard? – What do you think about him, Bones?”
”Difficult to say. A cold and reserved person at first
glance. But I haven’t seen enough of him so far. Well, you are looking
as if you are tired of him already.”
”No, that is not the problem. Or maybe a little.
Starfleet is breathing down my neck. The public opinion is in the face of the
current commercial crisis against the extent of the funds Starfleet is getting
from the Federation. The public pressure should not be underestimated, some Federation
members already have threatened with withdrawal. Riggs is not a small
journalist writing for some minor village newspaper – he is THE Namitz-laureate. Everything he is writing is topic talk of
the day throughout the Federation. If he is against us the perspective is not
very promising.”
McCoy locked concerned while he was bouncing on his toes. He put down the hypo
he had just administered to Kirk. Afterwards he pushed Kirk with soft violence
down on one of the bio beds.
”What’s the matter, Bones?”
”Lay down for a while. Or do you expect me to pick you up when you collapse?”
”You ever have to exaggerate, don’t you,“ grumbled
Kirk but lied down nevertheless. Instantly the indicators of the bio bed showed
life signs.
”A bit to low”, McCoy commentated, “but in consideration of the circumstances
satisfying. Be that as it may, I want you to slow down. Reporter or no
reporter.”
”It's not as simple as that. I believe there is no department he had not taken a closer look on yet.
“
”He has been here, too. M’Benga and Christine dealt
with him.”
“Yes, I remember you were on leave on the station. “
“Do you already know what our next mission will be?”
”I expect the orders today evening.”
“Well, they won’t expect too much of us this time with the watchdog aboard.”
”I wouldn’t take that for granted.”
Indeed the ship was on her way the
next morning. Riggs hat used the information he overheard and made inquiries
about Kirks apparent injury. All that he was able to find out was that he was
infected by a neurotoxin caused by a bite of a small animal and that McCoy still
worked on screening it out of Kirk’s blood circuit. Since Kirk didn’t dissemble
anything it was likely not so severe.
Riggs was located on the bridge when
the
“Uhura,
please put me on all channels. Thanks. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the
Captain speaking. As you undoubtedly already heard, there had been raids in the
Anzar sector. In the meantime a Starfleet vessel was
captured as well, the crew had been killed. It is our mission to find the ones
responsible. Since the situation is potentially dangerous please prepare for
possible combat situations. Kirk out.”
“The Anzar sector, Captain?” The dark-skinned
communications officer had turned around. She faced Kirk directly now.
Riggs searched his mind but it didn’t occur to him where he had heard the name
before.
”Isn’t there a widely used trading route passing through that sector?”
The Vulcan joined the conversation:
“Indeed, Mr. Chekov. This sector is placed between Andor and Vulcan, where multiple goods are traded.”
”Mr. Spock, what else can you tell us about the Anzar sector?” Kirk put a demanding look at his First
Officer.
“I suppose, Captain, that you are more interested in the socio-political
implications rather than physical and astronomical characteristics?”
Kirk threw a meaningful glance at his First Officer who continued:
”The roughly estimated dimensions are 2.685 times 2.998 light-years. As
mentioned before, it is located between Andor and
Vulcan and with that relatively in the centre of the Federation. Since the
average speed of a trading freighter is about warp 3.972, passing this sector
takes in the middle about 9.23 standard days. Despite the fact that the sector
is highly frequented a vessel meets another one only with a probability of 8.5%
every 13.32 hours. Until today 24 raids had taken place with 31 vessels being
victims including the USS Einstein that had transported medicaments form Vulcan
to Andor. Only parts of wreckages and bodies had been
found. There were no survivors. The natures and the origin of the aggressors
are unknown, too, because of the lack of witnesses. Since the area is located
deeply inside the Federation, an intervention by the Romulans
or the Klingons can be obviated with a probability of
98.4%.”
”Thank your for the abstract, Spock. Sounds like a funny task for us. Mr. Chekov, what is our ETA?”
”Considering our current speed: two days and eleven hours, Sir.”
”Thank you. Please contact me when we are entering the Anzar
sector. Spock, I’d like to talk to you. Mr. Sulu, you have the con.”
Together, Captain and First Officer
left the bridge and Riggs bit farewell only seconds later, too. Hastily he
tried to find the way to his cabin but lost it almost immediately and with that
precious time, too. Only after asking some crewmembers twice he regained his
orientation.
In his quarters he hurried to the
computer and switched the viewing screen on until he got the right camera. He
succeeded in Kirks quarters – both the Vulcan and the Captain were present. He
had already missed a part of the conversation but take comfort in the fact that
he would be able to look at the whole record later. Kirk sat behind his desk
und seemed to be aged for years.
”… Are you sure that you are well?” the Vulcan asked.
“Thank you Spock. It is not that bad but soon it will be time for McCoy’s
injection.”
”If I am correct McCoy ordered light duty only.”
”He did and as you can see I stick to it. Be that as it may, I didn’t want to
discuss my health. What are you thinking about the Anzar
situation?”
“Difficult to say. The aggressor must possess a considerable offensive
potential to conduct raids with such audacity. In addition,
he, she or they act remarkably unethical.”
“Exactly! That worries me most. I have an unpleasant feeling in that
matter. “
“Unpleasant feeling?“
“A hunch. The situation will not be resolved as easily as it seems. I considered
it and only one race crossed my mind which can be responsible.”
Spock raised questionably an eyebrow.
“Sir? “
“The Orions. It is a suspicion only but I wouldn’t be
surprised if the aggressor consists of Orion pirates. “
“A logical assumption but nevertheless unlikely Captain.“
This time it was Kirk to gaze enquiringly and Spock explained:
“Since the
“Hmm”. Kirk thought about what he had heard. „Some
ideas concerning the identity?“
“Unfortunately none. There are insufficient data for a satisfying analysis,
Captain.”
“Then we must get that data.”
When the ship entered the Anzar sector the whole bridge crew seemed to hold on their
breath. But the moment came and passed and nothing happened.
”Reduce speed to 0.8 sublight, Mr. Sulu. Sensors to maximum range.”
The officers confirmed and the impression of moving stars on screen was
lessened. Still Riggs must try hard not to be impressed by their magnificence.
That’s why he tried to appear demonstrative stoically and continued taking
notes. Of course he knew that this would make the crew nervous. Nobody likes
the feeling of being watched and of every movement being registered and
recorded. Riggs admitted to himself that this was the main reason for him
taking notes and for his constant presence on the bridge. The last two days had
been mostly eventless and when he concentrated himself he was now able to find
the way to his quarters on his own. He had talked briefly to Olav and told him
that there was nothing to report. To his regret that was true. The cranky chief
engineer got a hidden brandy shop but this crime only contributed to amuse him
and it would definitively be not the stuff leading articles were made of. The
daily life aboard the
„We are receiving a distress call,
Captain.”
Uhura’s voice interrupted Riggs thoughts. He avert
his gaze form his note pad which contained beyond dozens of curls and circles
also such important cognitions like “I am so bored” and “Row, row, row your
boat”.
“On screen, lieutenant.“
Static disrupted the sight of stars in front of them and was replaced by the picture
of an elderly humanoid man of non-human heritage contorted by noise and cords.
”… Aldebaran trader… being attacked… need… help…
repeat… trader… Anzar…sector..
need…”
Suddenly the stars appeared again on screen. Uhura announced:
“We lost contact, Sir.”
“Can you pinpoint its origin?“
“No, Sir. At least not far away, I already transmitted the data to Mr. Chekov. “
”Well done, thank you lieutenant. Chekov, plot a
course, maximum warp. ETA?”
“Three minutes, Sir.“
The boredom had been replaced by expectant tension and even Riggs felt how
adrenalin was pumped through his veins.
“Scott to Bridge. “
“I will not push your engines much longer, Scotty.“
“Aye, Sir.“
Riggs couldn’t fight the impression that he had just overheard the short form
of an often- conducted discussion between captain and chief engineer.
On screen a small point became visible and grew fast until it changed into the
form of a freighter. No, not only one freighter. The
space seemed to blink and five cruisers appeared out of nothing.
“Red alert, shields up. Full energy into the phaser
banks.“
Kirk had barely given that order when the ship was shaken by multiple phaser beams. Riggs could see his pad flying until he
followed it. He crashed hard against the bridge railing. Stunned he looked up
and saw that Kirk kept him company from the other side. With the skilled eye of
the professional observer Riggs noticed that Kirks face suddenly had lost all
color. Indeed he appeared to faint any moment but then the captain picked up
some strength and stood up with effort.
The captain huddled one hand onto
his side and to Riggs it became clear that Kirk must have broken one rip at
least. Without noticing Riggs touched his own body and winced when he reached
to his angle. He moved slowly and had to fight the approaching darkness
himself. It was hurting but he managed. Obviously nothing was broken.
Eventually he was able to concentrate on the here and now. Only the first officer
had been able to stay at his post.
“Damage reports coming from all decks,“ he reported
and continued to list the disadvantages. Riggs ignored him and stared on the
screen. There were no normal ships, there were battle cruisers. Heavily armed
and built only for one single purpose: to kill. While he stood slowly up a
thought pierced slowly into his mind. He would die on this ship.
Kirk had not the intention to die.
The shields had built up just in time to prevent the worst but not fast enough.
Spock gave the damage report. Warp engines down, part of the shields too. Energy level down to 70%. Only one similar hit more and the
But it didn’t come.
Kirk looked around the bridge. All
of his officers were up their feet again.
”Someone injured?” he asked and tried to ignore the stabbing pain in his left
side. Besides of the always returning fever attacks caused by the nerve poison
that was the last thing he needed.
”I am OK, Sir”, Uhura reported.
”Everything all right”. Chekov.
Also nobody else seemed hurt. But…
“What about Sulu?“
The helmsman had lifted himself on his seat but didn’t respond.
“Unconscious, Captain.“
“Uhura, call sickbay.“
“Sir, we are receiving a call form one of the attacking ships. On a Starfleet channel. Probably they know our codes, too.”
”On screen”, Kirk ordered and tried to appear self-confident and unperturbed.
An Orion was looking at him.
“Surrender or you will be destroyed. You have one hour.“
The screen went dark again.
“Clear and brief. Hail the ship.“
“They didn’t respond, Sir.“
Twice Kirk took a deep breath then he pressed a button in the back of his
chair.
”Kirk to Scott. Please come quickly to conference room
1.”
From the chair weak protest could be heard but Kirk had already activated
another switch.
”Kirk to sickbay.”
”McCoy here.”
“How is the situation, Bones?“
“Pretty bad, Jim. 18 dead, 23 severely injured and more patients than I could
handle. I already sent someone up to you.”
“Do what you can, Bones. Kirk out.“
Riggs didn’t miss that a shadow crossed Kirks face when he had heard the number
of the casualties. Was he caring for his crew after all?
Kirk exchanged a look with his first officer who thereupon stood up wordlessly
and followed Kirk.
”Uhura, you have the con. Contact me immediately if the situation is changing
even the slightest.”
”Aye Sir.”
While the doors of the turbo lift were closing she calmly pushed some switches
and shortly afterwards she was replaced at her post by an elderly man. The dark
skinned woman slid elegantly into the command chair.
Riggs did the same with his seat and had to fight again against the burgeoning panic. Against that superiority
they didn’t stand a chance.
”Are…” he asked and was about to speak again when his voice threatened to fail
him:
”Are there some other ships in the vicinity who could help us?”
Uhura swiveled around, compassion in her eyes.
”Unlikely. Currently, all other starships are located
near the borders of the Federation to keep an eye on Romulans
and Klingons. The next Federation ship is the USS
Magellan, a research vessel manned with 53 persons without any noteworthy
armature and she is two days away. We are completely on our own.”
Riggs nodded stiffly. Uhura turned again. He was not able to stand the sight of
the lurking battle cruisers anymore and left hastily the bridge, ignoring the
pain in his ankle.
“Sir, I must return to my engines.
It…”
”Calm down, Scotty, There are more important things to talk about.”
”But…?”
”Scotty, listen to me. We are surrounded by five battle cruisers. Even on full
power it would be a nearly forlorn battle.
”You want to surrender?” Scotty sounded bewildered.
”That would be the logical thing to do”, Spock commented.
Kirk looked defiantly at his comrades. “No, I can’t and won’t surrender.”
”What are you proposing?” Scotty sounded resigned.
”What can you tell me about the freighter that was captured by the pirates?”
Spock raised an eyebrow.
”An average trading freighter of a larger design.
Maximum speed warp 6. Usually not armed but I had
noticed traces of weapon signatures a little while ago. Most likely standard phasers.”
”To what extent is the ship damaged?”
”Insufficient data, Captain. But I am struck that the distress call were forced
and feigned by the pirates. With a probability of 97.3% the damage of the
freighter is of minor nature only.”
Kirk looked contended.
”That confirms my impression. Scotty, now it depends on you. Is it possible to
beam someone unnoticed into the freighter?“
Scotty looked doubtful and thought out aloud.
”With activated shields… Difficult… But taking the
damages into account… Possible, if we would use a breach… I don’t guess that
you would like to lower the shields, Captain?”
Kirk nodded.
”Correct, Scotty. Is it possible?”
The chief engineer tilted his head.
”Aye, I think it can be done. My poor ship is perforated like a Swiss cheese we
can use a breach in the shields. But a few modifications would be necessary.”
”How long?”
”Two hours to…”
”You’ve got 20 minutes, Scotty.”
”But Captain…”
”You’d better hurry, Scotty.”
The chief engineer sighed. “Aye, Captain.” Then he left the room.
”I suppose that you are having a plan, Captain?”
”Yes, Spock, I have. What do think of a little excursion?”
Spock raised an eyebrow. And then Kirk explained to him what he had in his
mind.
In his cabin Riggs was busy
composing an article. Rather his own obituary. It was the only possibility to
lessen his panic. At least his death would stab Starfleet in its back, possibly
even sounding it the death knell.
Shortly before the ultimatum was
over Riggs re-entered the bridge. Uhura was still sitting in the command chair
neither Kirk nor his first officer had returned yet. The situation seemed
unchanged while the red blinking light bathed the bridge into a ghastly light.
Riggs turned the data module in his hand and headed to the communications
console.
“Could you send that for me?“ he asked.
The elderly man took the module
hesitantly.
“I am not sure… Lieutenant Uhura?“
Uhura turned in the command chair.
“Mr. Riggs wants me to send a message.“
“I am sorry, Mr. Riggs, but at the moment we can’t send any messages. We don’t know
what the pirates can decode. But even if they can’t read it it
could put them off the scent.”
”But it is important.”
Uhura thought about it.
I can only offer you that we add the message to the automatic
log buoy. The buoy will be ejected automatically and the captain ordered
me to make it ready for takeoff. In this way you can be sure that your message
will reach its addressee. Is that OK?”
“Agreed.“
“Mr. Kuzan, please care about it.“
The elderly man at the communications console nodded and turned around to his
station. Riggs went to the place on the bridge formerly appointed to him with
the feeling of having accomplished at least something. He had barely sat down
when Kirk entered. The Vulcan was not with him. The captain appeared self-secure
but at the same time pale and drawn. Yes, this was true fear of death, Riggs
thought maliciously. If he would not be affected himself, he could have nearly
enjoyed Kirks reaction.
Uhura stood up and Kirk sat down into his command char.
“Any changes?” he asked.
„None, Sir.“
Kirk nodded.
„Chekov, take over Spock’s station until further
notice. Call DeSalle to the bridge.”
The remaining minutes till the end
of the ultimatum passed with aching slowness und were interrupted only by the
arrival of a man who took over the navigations console. Kirk handed him over a
data module and ordered him to import it into the navigations console for later
use. The man nodded confused but asked no further questions. Only now Riggs
noticed that the Asian was also not on his place. A very attractive woman had
replaced him.
Then Uhura’s
voice pierced through the tensed silence.
“Sir, we are being hailed.”
“On screen.”
Again they were looking into the
threatening face of the Orion.
“Time is over.”
“I arrest you in the name of the
Federation because of murder, piracy and several other crimes. Your identity is
known. If you surrender voluntarily, it will be considered benevolently in the
later trial.
The Orion laughed resoundingly and
became silent again as if he had switched of the puddle.
“Very funny, Kirk.
Hand over your ship or die!”
”It is you who will pay with his life!”
The screen went dark.
“They are taking battle position.”
”Mr. DeSalle, course 2340 mark 2, full impulse power.
When I order it start program 1 of the data module. Mrs
Bauer, arm photo torpedoes 2, 4 and 6.”
Confirmations form all sides followed. The Crew worked silently and
efficiently. The ship floated into space and Riggs realized appalled that they
where heading directly into the centre of the ring formed by the hostile
vessels.
Kirk pushed a button in his seat and
said calmly:
“All hands, here is the captain speaking. Be ready for combat operations. Kirk out.”
They now had reached the position directly in the middle of the vessels when
first lances of fire pierced through space.
“Now, Mr. DeSalle.”
The
“Fire photon torpedoes on the hostile vessel ahead.“
Three bolts of lightning twitched
over the screen. All hit their targets. The third one caused an explosion and
destroyed the already tattered Orion vessel. Silent elation resounded on the
bridge. Riggs exhaled the air that he had held unconsciously. Something similar
to respect crossed his mind. Nevertheless it was futile to survive against the
remaining four ships.
“Stop all engines, let us float,“ Kirk ordered.
”Uhura, call the Orions.”
“Aye Sir“. The screen showed once again the face of the pirate who fretted and
fumed.
“You will pay for that, Kirk“.
“I am willing to think about your proposal”, the Captain said. The heads of the
bridge crew turned in surprise.
“Too late, Kirk. You just murdered my brother and you
will pay for that in person“.
”Wait…”
But the screen had already cleared to be replaced by space.
“Too early“, Kirk muttered annoyed.
“Course 3410.3, 0.1 impulse power. Phaser
modulation as slightly as possible. Aim besides the ship straight
ahead“.
“Besides, Sir?“
“Besides, Mrs. Bauer.“
“Aye, Sir.“
The
“Full power reverse.“
The engines howled tormented as the
“Weapon activity on all three
cruisers, Captain”, Chekov reported, meaning the
three vessels that were now lying directly in front of the
”Stop all engines.”
The
“Mr. DeSalle, prepare for program 3. On my order fire
photon torpedoes 1, 3 and 5 from the rear.”
”Aye, Sir.”.
Now we are finished, Riggs thought.
It cost him all his effort to continue concentrating on what happened before
him. Only one hit at the right place would be enough, regarding the deeply
weakened shields. Game over.
Kirk still waited. Then the bridge was shaken again massively. Riggs fell heavily
on the floor and gasped in pain as he again ended up on his already crippled
angle. Uhura and Chekov were still seated but all
others had lost their positions as well.
Kirk heaved himself up using the chair of the navigator and pushed hastily some
buttons. On screen the freighter was suddenly moving. Indeed it seemed as if it
complements the actions of the
”Two further hostile cruisers are destroyed, a third one severely damaged, the
forth unable to fight.”
Two further explosions enlightened the bridge.
“The two other ships had just self-destructed“.
“Sir, the freighter is hailing us. It is Mr. Spock”.
Uhura didn’t even try to hide her surprise.
Kirk didn’t react. He had sunk down over the navigations console.
“Sir?“ Uhura had turned and were about to get up when
Kirk pulled himself erect with an enormous effort of will.
”Thanks, lieutenant.”
“Are you all right, Sir?“
Kirk looked at her and gave her a smile.
”Don’t let Spock wait.”
Uhura also don’t seem to miss that Kirk had ignored her question. But she
turned in her chair and Spock’s face appeared on screen. Behind him stand
several officers of the
“Lieutenant Uhura, take care that four security teams are beamed onto the
Magellan. We have arrested thirteen pirates that would have to be put into the
brig. Afterwards please organize my immediate return to the
Kirk was still unconscious and lay
on a bio bed when Spock entered sickbay.
“How is he, Doctor?“
“Not well. The poison and then he had obviously got himself two rips crashed
during the assault without telling be. One had injured the lung. But that alone
is not what causing me trouble.”
“Doctor?“
“He is to week. Pulse and blood pressure are to low, breath unsteady. And I
will be damned if I know what is causing this.”
Spock’s faced darkened.
“Will he make it?“
“Heaven knows only,“ McCoy exclaimed.
“Doctor, I am afraid that I am responsible for the Captain’s condition”.
”You?”
”The Captain had been in constant telepathic contact with me during the
battle.”
”Are you gone mad? When did you meant to tell me?”
”Now, Doctor. It was necessary. The only possibility to destroy the pirates had
consisted in a coordinated attack of both ships. And the pirates would be able
to eavesdrop a com connection for sure.”
”And how do you sustain the connection for that long? You are a touch telepath
and Jim is a human.”
The Vulcan hesitated noticeably before he continued:
“The Captain and I had been in mental contacts several times before. You know
that. That’s why the captain proposed to not interrupt the meld. I had not known
whether it would work or not but obviously it did. Unfortunately it had
required a high level of concentration on both sides.”
”Damn, Spock. I really hope that Jim will make it.”
Inside his cabin Riggs breathed heavily several times and tried to calm down
his pounding heartbeat. He had never before been so close to death. His head
aches. He considered asking McCoy for a painkiller but abandoned that thought
after having checked the recordings of sickbay, which seemed to be bursting at
the seams. Kirk was placed apart form the normal chaos inside McCoy office.
Kirks presence would only have increased Riggs headache. The fact remained,
without Kirk’s maneuver the ship would have been destroyed. But they still live
what means…
As if stung by an adder Riggs jumped up.
”Riggs to communication.”
”Lieutenant Uhura here. What can I do for you?”
“Did you already send my message?“
“Yes, Sir. I send it together with the automatic log entry about an hour ago.“
Inside Riggs was cursing.
“Thanks, Lieutenant. Can you please hail Olav Bergström
on Senurum?“
“One moment. The connection stands, I put you through.“
Riggs took a deep breath. It didn’t edge him down but he must explain to Olav
why he was not allowed to publish the last article…
The next day several other Starfleet ships arrived that should investigate the
incident and first of all the debris of the cruisers. In addition the pirates
captured on the Aldebarian freighter were brought to Earth
for questioning. It must be found out how they had been able to intrude that
deeply into Federation space and evolve such might potential.
Kirk, still in McCoy’s custody, was
finally on the mend. In the meantime Riggs had decided to return to his first
rule of objective commentatorship. A little bit
nervous he was about to meet the Vulcan first officer. Spock expected him
inside the small conference room. Trying to not show his nervousness he
declaimed his wish.
“Mr. Spock, thank you for your time.“
Spock nodded silently as a sign of acceptance. Riggs continued:
”First I like to ask you for the permission to stay onboard the Enterprise
further on.”
”Since you are here by the explicit wish of Starfleet Command I see no logical
reason to not grant your request.”
”Thank you, Commander. But there is something else… Well, it happens that… In
the past I have worked together with Vulcans several times before. Therefore I
know about the telepathic abilities of your people…”
Spock stiffened almost imperceptible.
“It has come to my attention on which way you coordinated the assault of the
Riggs avoided mentioning in which way he had obtained his information and built
on the discretion of the Vulcan to not ask.
“That’s why I like you to complete my corresponding knowledge.“
Spock’s face seemed to be even more Vulcan than usual.
“I regret, Mr. Riggs, but the telepathic abilities of my people are a private
matter. They are not to be discussed with outsiders. Please understand that
therefore I can not answer your question.”
Riggs was disappointed but perceived
that it would not make sense to press the Vulcan anymore. It was time for
withdrawal.
“It is up to you. If you will excuse me…“
The Vulcan dismissed Riggs with a nod.
Deeply lost in thought Riggs
strolled back to his cabin. Even if he would have to spend months aboard he
swore to himself that he would solve the secret around Kirk, his first officer
and the past.
The repair work on the
The sight of all the damages had made it clear
to Riggs just HOW close they had been to destruction and every now and then he
asked himself whether he was sane to keep staying voluntarily. He already had
material for an article – not a very satisfying one but it would suffice. He
sighed. – That was not his way. He had tasted blood – even literally.
The captured pirates had been transferred to
the starbase where Riggs had to his regret no cameras
available. So he only knew what common knowledge on the starship was. Two
pirates managed to commit suicide the others were standing under severest
custody and had not revealed anything despite insistent questioning. Now they
were heading for Earth. Sometimes it really was cumbersome to be forced to
cling to a code of honor…
Kirk still had not been released of sickbay but
he was slightly better now. Spock was taking care of all details and had
announced that the next assignment consists of finding the base of the pirates
and clarifying the background. Nobody was really surprised.
Riggs kept poking in his meal and tried to free
his mind from the crash of the repair work nearby when the Russian navigator
entered the mess together with Sulu. Swiftly he looked into his scrambled eggs
– respectively into what the replicator took for it.
How was it possible to eat that every day? The room was only sparsely manned
lunchtime was already over for the most.
“I am so glad McCoy finally released me”, Sulu
just declared while balancing a tablet with spaghetti.
“Yes, don’t surprise me. Sickbay is overcrowded
anyway. Do you already know? Miller is dead.”
“I know. What a pity. But there could have been more casualties.”
“This time it was really close. I really hadn’t
thought that the captain would be able take us out.”
”The captain and don’t forget Mr. Spock. I am really curious how they managed. Most likely some Vulcan mumbo jumbo. But the captain didn’t
responded so well to it, obviously.”
”Did you see him?”
“Not often. McCoy protects him stronger than a clucking hen her biddy. But as
far as I know the captain it won’t be long before he would take refuge. I
already saw him wandering around. Nearly caused the good doctor
a heart attack.”
Chekov grinned.
“I might have known. Do you know how it will go
on?“
”Only guesses, nothing concrete. But I hope that we leave soon to get the
assholes.”
Two further days passed in which there was no single silent place on the ship to
be found. If there was nobody hammering, screwing or repairing in some other
way for a change it was Riggs’ head that continues throbbing. He had promised
Olav to send him a progress report but had failed miserably. Nothing was about
to succeed. Disturbed he kept wandering around the ship and so it happened that
he crossed sickbay in the very moment Kirk just left it. Obviously McCoy
finally had released him. The Captain didn’t really looked too well but he
walked steadily. Kirk greeted him and passed.
The Captain’s sight conjured the memory that Riggs had tried to ignore for some
time now. He hesitated a short moment then without further he ado followed
Kirk. He was just in time to get to the turbo lift; its doors were already
closing. Surprised Kirk delayed the lift and Riggs rushed in. The Captain’s
gaze was clearly questioning. Now there was no way to turn back. All of a
sudden he who earns his money with words who was famous for his sophisticated
reports on nearly all Federation worlds run out of something to say.
Finally he asked:
„How are you?“ He had
problems getting the sentence out. In fact he was not really interested in the
man’s well being. Was he?
“McCoy had released me. But you like to discuss something in particular, don’t
you?
Now it was up to Riggs to look surprised.
“Yes… Indeed, there is something I like to talk about with you. It is… a
private matter.“
“Can you tell me what matter?“
“I would prefer doing so in private.”
Kirk thought shortly about it then replied:
“Come to my cabin today evening at 19 hundred if you like.“
Riggs nodded.
„Thank you. I will be there.“
The chronometer in Riggs quarters moved slowly but incessantly. Half past 6. What
did he have thought doing this? His hands already were wet with sweat and he
felt drained as if he had just finished a marathon, without the pleasant
heaviness afterwards. Instead he was restless and the urge to pace around was
nearly overwhelming. 6.36 pm.
Hesitant and unwilling he turned the computer
on. Once again he paused shortly; then he opened a certain file. The
countenance of a young woman dressed in a Starfleet uniform appeared on the
screen. Anne. Riggs swallowed. After all these years her look had not lost
anything of its effect. Her eyes saw directly into his heart and churned up his
innermost, like they always had done. Her photo by itself was sufficient to revive
all the pain like the day he had come to know of her death. It was not only she
who had died that day – she had taken a large part of him with her.
In some respects she was responsible for his
career. He had run away, anywhere, plunged into work to be able to forget. But
in hadn’t worked. Riggs pushed another button. A video record started to play
displaying a room painted in dull Starfleet colors and several high officers.
All were dressed in uniforms; some of them were also wearing the insignias of
the juristic corps. The video didn’t show the whole hearing, it started right
in the middle of it. A young man was just questioned. A young
James Kirk.
“Tell me of the death of the landing party consisting of the lieutenants McGruder, Lee, Szan, Lind and of ensign Quai. You were
in command?”
“Yes, that is right.“
“What was your task?“
“Captain Garrovick ordered us to search the fourth
planet of Zil for traces of dilithium.
Very fast we find a large deposit. Thomas McGruder
was our geologist, confirmed that unusual fact and so we stay longer than
originally planned on the uninhabited planet. Anne Lind beamed down to join us
and to check the discovery for technical applicability.”
”Anne Lind was an engineer?”
“Yes, but she didn’t belong to the crew of the Farragut. She was on her way to
an important conference.“
“Then why was she of all people entrusted with that task?”
”Well, she must have seen the data McGruder had taken
and begged for the assignment.”
”Why? Is it not true that you asked for her attendance?“
”That is true but…?”
“And is it not also true that you were having the responsibility for the
security of the landing party?“
”Yes. I had the responsibility and it was my fault that nobody survived.”
Abruptly Riggs switched the record off but he had heard enough. It was time to
question Kirk directly about what had happened at that time.
The noise of the door buzzer seemed to reverberate unnaturally loud in his
ears. Riggs wiped his damp hands clean using his pants when the door slid open.
His video tapings had made Riggs familiar with the Spartan looking interior of
Kirks cabin but no recording was able to really catch the atmosphere of a room
and its inhabitant.
Kirk looked at him sternly and slightly questioningly while offering him a
drink and a seat. More to calm himself that out of real interest he had
accepted Kirks offer and were now turning a Saurian brandy between his hands.
Quite odd, Kirk seemed to share his taste in this regard. Finally it was time
to put the cards on the table. The decision to come hear had put a development
in motion that could not be stopped anymore. So Riggs told Kirk why he was
here. At first sluggishly, then more and more fluent.
Kirks face darkened.
“I didn’t know that Anne Link had relatives.“
“She had none. We were engaged but not related.“
„I regret your loss.“
“Regret does not help me. I am here to hear the truth. Your
version of the truth. What happened?
“I…“
“Captain Kirk to the bridge. Captain
Kirk to the bridge. Red alert, man battle stations.“
Uhura’s voice echoed through the ship accompanied by
the ear-battering ruction of the siren. For a brief moment Kirk looked in
almost the same manner taken aback as how Riggs felt. After all they were not
flying through open space but were orbiting a space station.
Kirk managed to get back in his role as captain fast, jumped up and was out of
the door before Riggs even realized what happened. A moment of shock later
Riggs headed for the bridge, too.
The scene that was displayed on the main
viewing screen was so incredible that not only Riggs had some effort to realize
the details. The space station was damaged in several places, heavy cruisers
fired.
“Status report,” Kirk demanded who left
together with Riggs the turbo lift.
Spock rose from the command chair. Dr. McCoy was already standing besides.
“Six heavy cruisers appeared 3.21 minutes ago and took the station under fire. Till
now the
“Sir, I am receiving a distress call coming of the station. Admiral Bright,”
Uhura interrupted.
“On screen,“ Kirk said and sat down.
A gray haired man in the uniform of a Starfleet admiral appeared on the viewing
screen.
”Jim… The station is being attacked. A boarding troop is heading for us. They
are too many you can’t rescue us. I order you to bring the
A phaser beam was leaking like a lance through the
picture. Then it blurred completely. Kirk took not much time to consider.
”Mr. Sulu, trim all moorings, Chekov, plot a course to Earth, maximum warp.”
Confirmations from all sides followed. McCoy turned disbelieving around to face
Kirk.
“Jim, you can’t just abandon the station!“
“You heard what Bright said, Bones.“
“But…“
“I follow my orders, Bones, but I have to intention of abandoning the admiral. Spock, are we being followed?”
“Positive. Three cruisers had taken our course but they are not able to
outrun us.”
”Good. Probably they didn’t reckon that Scotty would set the
”But…”
“No but. We will bring the
“Indeed Sir, but…“
”Good. Make sure that the Galileo and the Kopernikus are able to cloak themselves when we will
approach the station. I want to start in ten minutes. Sulu, you take the con
over the
”and me, “ Riggs finished the sentence.
“You?”
Kirk asked.
“Me,“ Riggs confirmed smirking.
Kirk made a grimace and said resigned:
”… and Mr. Riggs. The second shuttle will be flown by Spock. Take as much of
our security personnel with you as fit in.“
Kirk was piloting the Kopernikus.
Mr. Scott had actually managed to equip both shuttles with a cloaking device
and so they were flying unnoticed directly through the lines of the pirate
cruisers. Both ships that had pursued the
Although if there would have been something
like shields there would have been nothing left of them by now. Skillfully Kirk
piloted the shuttle unharmed into a landing bay whose door had fallen prey to
one of the pirates attack. The second shuttle arrived only a little bit later.
Since there could be no decompression according
to the direct opening to space Chekov disposed life
support belts to all while Kirk made one of his speeches about motivation and
instruction which Riggs could stand the least.
He barely realized the situation when he was
already standing at the floor of the hangar deck and tried to ignore the glow
of the life support belts. The crew of the other shuttle had descended as well.
Kirk made sure that everybody was present then he took the lead. Still in the
shuttle Kirk had explained that he wanted to try to secure the centerpieces of
the station. That would be on the one had the computation center, on the other
the ops the equivalent to the bridge.
When the
Riggs decided to join the larger group
considering the security it would deliver.
The hallways uncover the whole extent of the damages; everywhere were plates
ripped of the walls constraining their progress. Even so life support was still
functioning so they deactivated their belts after some time. But something was
curious. The hallways were apart form the debris – completely deserted. No
corpses, no injured, no pirates.
Then the command centre lay directly in front of them. The sight was not that
dissimilar to the bridge of the
The situation presented to the crew of the
“Ah, what an honor.
Mr. Riggs, I suppose?“
“What’s going on?“
“Isn’t that obvious?“
“Indeed. You are betraying the Federation.“
“Oh no, I would not phrase it this way. I only think that the Federation should
be, let’s say, more liberal.”
In the meantime the battle almost came to rest
mainly due to the fact that more and more attackers were assaulting the people
from the
“Bring everyone except the reporter, the
captain, the enchanting lieutenant and the physician to the brig. And take good
care of them.”
McCoy had tried nearly in the same moment to hurry to Kirk but he was barred by
two guards. The chaos on the ops dissolved a little bit when besides the pirates
only Uhura, McCoy, Kirk and Riggs stayed behind.
“What the hell,“ McCoy began but where interrupted by
Bright.
”O please, don’t. You are the CMO?”
”Yes, but...”
“Then I suggest that you revive your captain. He shouldn’t oversleep all the
fun.“
McCoy bent down to Kirk, examined him with his trikorder.
“He bore the brunt…“
“I am not interested in that. Simply give him something, that’s all.“
McCoy visibly struggled with himself but then however he administered a hypo
spray. Kirk started to blink and straightened up with some effort. Despite of
his dizziness he conceived the situation with one sight only.
“According to Starfleet procedure number …”
”Yes, yes, I consider myself arrested if you fell better then. But it won’t
change anything.”
“What do you want?”
“You, Captain.“
“Me?“
“Don’t take me wrong. I personally don’t give a damn about you. But my Orion
friend has an open account with you to settle.”
Behind Bright a green skinned man emerged which had remained in the background
so far. Riggs had never seen him before.
“And who are you? “ Kirk asked without a trace of recognition in his eyes.
“My name will tell you nothing and is beside
the point. But I have been responsible for the Corridan
mission.”
”Let me guess. You fall from grace with your planet and now you want revenge.
Please, think of something more inventive.”
The Orion took a step forward and slapped Kirk
hard in his face to that blood trickled out of the corner of the captain’s
mouth.
“I will spoil you the party. It is more than
mere revenge. You should not overestimate your position.”
”And what is that all about?”
All heads were turning around to Riggs who had
joined the discussion unexpected.
”You were not able to know Kirk was coming to the station.”
”Quite keen-witted,” Bright commented and continued:
“You rightly earn your reputation. Kirk is an extra only. What all this about
is the destruction of Starfleet.”
Riggs couldn’t suppress a giggle but at the same time he felt a little bit
guilty. He would have signed every suchlike petition anytime only a month ago. But to condescend to such manics…
“Keep laughing but…“
“Why?“ Kirk interrupted.
“My son was released from the fleet. Dishonorable. The Andor affair…“
“Your son was involved?“ Uhura asked.
„Yes… Of course it was a mistake of him. But
they ruined his whole life.”
”He could be glad that he was released dishonorably only and not send to prison
right away,” Kirk stated coldly. “Smuggling drugs is a real drag, especially
for a Starfleet officer. “
”But he was still so young, he…”
“He was grown up. He knew exactly what he was doing. “
“You are not entitled to judge that. “
“That is not necessary. Others already judged him. “
“And they will pay for it. I dedicated my whole life to Starfleet. My marriage
was broken. I saw lots of friends die. But that is enough.”
“And what did you do with your crew? “
“They are arrested inside their quarters. By the way an idea strikes me…“
Just that moment the light jittered, and then everything went dark. Monitors,
gravity, all were gone from one moment to the other.
Riggs felt someone stepping on his foot, which
missed lot of its effect due to the missing gravity. Then he was pushed aside
and shortly afterwards he was hovering unmotivated through the area. It was an
unreal feeling since nobody could say where top or bottom was due to absolute
darkness.
Around him he could hear a battle took place
although it was incomprehensible to him how anybody would now whom he was
slamming his fist inside his stomach – if it actually was a stomach. At least
the people of the
As if that thought had caused it Riggs felt
moved through the air by the impact of a punch. His flight was stopped by a
balustrade. Ignoring the pain he clung to it. At least he finally knew the
purpose of these things. Till now he had assumed that they only should break
the rips of the crew in an ion storm. Oh well. According to his memory the
railing must be near the door, meaning…
From one second to the other, light as well as
gravity were there again and all slumped in the manner of a sandbag to the
ground. The reporter rubbed inelegantly his bottom but was glad to be fallen
just that way. The brightness ached inside his eyes after the absolute darkness
and only with some effort the contours of the ops became visible. The picture
that was presented to him was all haywire, to say the least. They were bodies
everywhere clewed together with one another. Partly in positions which would
have been highly embarrassing under different circumstances. While the ones lying
around still tried to sort their limbs Riggs heart a calm emotionless voice
behind him.
“Please move slowly. I have a phaser set on dispersed stun. If anybody of you would make
a hasty movement I will not hesitate to sun all of you.”
Riggs turned his head and saw Commander Spock as well as both security guards.
The latter were looking battered while the Vulcan still appeared freshly souped-up. Probably he possessed especially outstanding
hair oil, Riggs thought just to ask himself whether he was still sane.
Riggs got up a little bit laborious and stepped
back besides one of the security officers – one could never know. Bright, Uhura
and Kirk finally stumbled to their feet as the Orion leaders grabbed for his
weapon. The Vulcan didn’t hesitate. The stunning effect sent the mass of people
right back where they had been. Not unlike a puppet which’s strings were cut
all sank back into oblivion.
“I fear,” Spock commented dryly, “that we must
now carry the pirates to the brig.”
The station was revived comparatively fast. It
was no effort for the Vulcan to by-pass the locks of the quarters and so free the crew and the miscellaneous inhabitants of the
station. The number of pirates was alarmingly small. Bright had fooled everyone
with a perfect camouflage and sabotaged engineering systematically. The rest
had been done by the attacking vessels. Left behind was now only a skeleton of
the original station but the personnel were not demoralized. As soon as
everybody learned what happened they went to work. Riggs had a thought of
déjà-vu when there were hammering, welding and repairing all around – and again
there was no escape.
On Spock’s orders the captives had been sedated
till McCoy would have the opportunity to take a closer look on them. After
their experiences onboard the
Riggs had insisted on being present as a silent
observer in the examination of the case and finally it helped him that
everybody had something better to do than debating with him about the subject.
When he entered the station’s sickbay 16 hours later again he had the feeling
of witnessing an already familiar scene. The furniture was very much alike the
one on the
Much more beds were standing side by side and
nearly every single of them was occupied. Many who were injured in the attacks
lay on the one side, most asleep. On the other lay a sedated and fastened
Bright, besides, in the same condition, the leaders of the Orions.
To Riggs surprise Kirk occupied the next bed. He frowned but said nothing. All
the same McCoy had noted his look and interpreted it correctly.
“The Captain bore the brunt and since we are
not in the position to do something I gave him something therefore he would use
his time reasonable for a change.”
Riggs was spared to give an answer as Commander Spock and Lieutenant Uhura were
entering. The look on the face of the communications officer was – besides of
some shadows due to lack of sleep – very content. Without being asked she
announced:
”The com connection is repaired, I just talked to Scotty. The
McCoy also started to beam with joy. He bounced on his toes.
”Well, that is good news for a change. Anything from Starfleet Command?”
”Yes. They are sending fortification to help rebuilding the station and a lot
more. The
“So en-route once again, eh? But I can not leave my patients behind without
medical treatment. The stations CMO was among the casualties.”
”I regret, Dr. McCoy, but you will stay behind for the time being. “
“Stay behind?” The physician nearly shouted.
„That is out of the question. “
”That decision was made by Starfleet Command and is irrevocable. The Gorgus doesn’t have enough medical personnel. Maybe it will
help you that the Captain and Admiral Bright are to stay on the station for the
moment as well.”
”Jim? He won’t like it.”
”To explain it to him would be your task, doctor. The
“The
Kirks pulse rate had nearly doubled in the last
ten seconds. McCoy stared at a point somewhere over the console of the bio bed
and tried not to face the Captain directly.
“Jim, please calm down…”
”Calm down? My ship is out there and is sent into a probably dangerous battle
situation. And I should not be upset? ”
“Well, I had intended to release you to your quarters but if you can’t face the
facts more calmly I would have to keep you here.”
Kirk swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
”You would not like to keep me here because you need the bed for a reason. ”
“That is true but your health has precedence. “
Kirk smirked.
”You are really enjoying the situation, aren’t you Bones? “
The physician grimaced tauntingly but his voice had a stern undertone when he
continued:
”I am not happy either that they left us behind. But Spock knows what he his
doing. Please don’t tell him that but he is a real genius and will bring your
ship back safely. Have faith in him.”
”I am trusting Spock with my life. It is only that…”
”I know Jim. Just lean back, you get a little bit too much in the last time,
even for your conditions.” Kirk sighed.
”Who is here with us?”
”Bright of course, then the Orion prisoners. And Riggs, the
reporter.”
”Anybody of the
“None.”
”Great.”
With that Kirk finally got up.
”Where do you think you are going?”
”But you had said by yourself that I am allowed to get up.”
”Yeah, but only to lie down again somewhere else.”
”Don’t mind, that is exactly what I intend to do.”
Kirk didn’t intent to lay down anywhere. Bad
enough that his ship had left him behind for the past hours he had missed
nearly all events and he meant to correct that fact as soon as possible. But
when he entered the ops he had to observe that Captain Collins had already taken
command. The approximately fifty year old woman looked at him skeptically but
filled him in anyways – just to throw him out directly afterwards.
So it happened that Kirk ended up in the
officer’s lounge and indulged himself in a full-grown lunch. He was about to
take the first mouthful when Riggs entered. Their gazes met as the reporter was
still standing in the door and Kirk clearly perceived that the other one
hesitated and were close to just turning around. But then the reporter pulled himself together, fetching a meal and were heading for Kirk.
“Is his seat still vacant? “ Riggs asked and felt a little bit featherbrained
considering the void around them and the empty table meant for eight persons.
Kirk nodded and gestured towards a seat opposite to him. Almost relieved Riggs
sat down.
Olav had not been pleased about his decision to
stay on the station. On the other hand he had understood that the odds of
losing his best reporter aboard the
”You wanted to talk about Anne Lind?”
Riggs stopped pretending being interested in his meal. All at once he was not
so sure whether he really wanted to hear Kirk’s version. Surprised by himself
he nodded mechanically.
“How much do you know?“ Kirk asked him directly.
“Well, only what became known in the official hearing.“
Kirk looked mildly surprised.
“That were classified as confidential,“ he stated.
Riggs smiled thinly.
“I have my possibilities.“
“Yes, I might have guessed,“ Kirk responded dryly and continued:
”However, you have a right to hear the truth. You know that Anne Lind died of
my hand?”
“Yes, “ Riggs confirmed bitterly. „And I always failed
to understand why you never had been brought to book because of it.”
Kirk seemed to gather himself.
“The hearing didn’t contain all the facts. Some details were kept sealed so
that even most of the involved persons never knew what happened.”
”And what, if you please, did happen on that damn planet that time?”
Riggs almost shouted and ducked down hastily when some people were looking at
them.
”I am not allowed to tell you that but I am doing it anyways. It is known that
we discovered on Zil IV a large dilithium
deposit. That means we just thought it to be. We barely arrived when the sensor
data had changed in a peculiar way. Our landing party mainly consisted of
scientific specialists and so I had been the only one not to muckrake
enthusiastically. It was already the first evening when Ensign Quai behaved strangely but nobody was putting some thought
into it. Nevertheless I had a bad feeling and begged Anne Lind to beam down to
take a closer look at the minerals and to check the sensor data. I had known
her at the Academy and even back then I had been impressed by her ingenuity. ”
”And with that you killed her.”
Kirk nodded and was shaking his head at the
same time.
”Not with that. Anne examined the samples and decided
to dismantle them. Thereupon Ensign Quai nearly went
berserk and two other ones as well. They threatened Anne and me with phasers but we managed to stun them anyway. Finally we
perceived that their bio values had aligned with the ones of the minerals. We
informed the Farragut and were is