Star Trek 
 
The Romulan Dawn 
 
By  Neale Davidson 
[ rcs@expert.cc.perdue.edu ] 
 
 
CHAPTER ONE 
 
        Captains log: Stardate 10001.2. Captain Pavel Checkov 
	Reporting. We have been assigned patrol duty along the 
	Romulan Neutral Zone. While the crew of the INTREPID is 
	a bit nervous about the prospect, we have been keeping 
        high spirits. 
 
	They call it the Neutral Zone, a buffer between the United 
Federation of Planets and the Romulan Star Empire. The name is ironic, 
however. There is nothing neutral about the zone. This single area 
of space, thirty light years across a worthless region, has been the 
one single ring of destruction known in the galaxy. The mere mention 
of the Zone instills fear in even the most courageous Federation 
officers. This buffer acts as a staging ground, a battlefield for 
two very different opponents. For six score this region was known as 
the eternal battlefield. 
	The Zone received its reputation since the early days of the 
Federation. It was within this so-called neutral zone that the first 
contact with the Romulan Empire ended in disaster. A cargo ship from 
the Federation wandered into their territory and was obliterated. The 
executioners never attempted a dialogue, but just kept raiding vessels 
until eventually war was declared. 
	The Romulans had poorer equipment than the Federation, but 
were relentless in their assaults. The Federation lost half of her 
fleet in that section of space before the war ended. And none of those 
ships ever saw their executioners. 
	Eventually more was revealed about the Romulans. Apparently 
they are Vulcanoid, but warlike and highly emotional. They are highly 
efficient in the art of war, striking fast, furious, and hard. When 
the giant warbirds that symboled the Romulans appeared in Federation 
viewers, there could only be one outcome, war. 
	The Zone can never be called neutral, it more resembles an 
arena of fire when the death within is considered. And, after all of 
this, it has been deemed the most dangerous tour in Star Fleet, and 
Captain Pavel Checkov has now been assigned to it. 
	Checkov couldn't help but feel nervous about his duty. Not many 
captains would be assigned to the neutral zone during their entire 
carrer. But Checkov was special, he had confronted Romulans. Not many 
in Fleet could say that, not many in Fleet would wish to knowing what 
could happen to them. 
 	Romulans were the ultimate unknown. The Federation could not 
comprehend what or who the Romulans are, what they fight for, how they 
relate to others, what their culture consists of. Checkov had seen 
a few face to face, and had fought against them. Fleet offered him a 
captaincy patrolling the Zone for all he has done, and he readily 
jumped at it. 
	Checkov now regretted this decision. He had, for the past few 
weeks, been sitting in this primarily Vulcan starship as captain, 
Wishing for something, anything, to occur. "Like the RELIANT, boring 
with the promise of great excitement," Checkov muttered. "Kelak, sensor 
scan report, see if there are any energy irregularities." 
	"Sensor scan indicating no bizarre energy readings. No cloaking 
patterns evident." The science officer was, like the majority of this 
crew, Vulcan. Checkov felt a disdain over that, he didn't like the idea 
of commanding a bunch of Spocks all day. They were all so damn boring. 
	"Thank you, Commander Kelak." Checkov sat back into his chair. 
"Set course to outpost seven, warp three." Another six hours and this 
rotten month would climax into some R&R at starbase, Checkov thought 
to himself, maybe there I can see some nice human females for once. 
	"Now scanning an energy reading, high concentration of ions, 
from astern at four thousand kilometers, closing fast." Checkov quite 
quickly regained his interest. "Definately a Romulan cloaking pattern," 
Kelak continued. 
	Checkov clinched the grips on his chair, almost anxiously. "Can 
you match the cloaking configuration?" 
	"Negative, cloak configuration matches no known Romulan or 
Klingon vessels specifically, but the pattern resembles that of the 
Romulan cruisers, higher energy levels being the major difference here, 
sir," the Vulcan said. 
	"Raise shields, go to yellow alert." Checkov's voice showed an 
edge of nervousness. The klaxxon sounded and the crew scattered into 
their defence positions. "Open hailing frequencies." 
	The communicator's response was a wailing of static energy."Sir, 
alien vessel is jamming our communications attempts." The Vulcan tried 
a few more of his buttons to no avail. "Confirmed, sir. Alien vessel 
closing in on one-eight-zero mark zero. All attempts of communication 
has thus far failed, communication with Fleet impossible." 
	Checkov looked at the viewscreen. "That is an attack posture!" 
Checkov stood as he yelled. "Arm torpedoes and circle enemy vessel." 
The Russian could not help but wonder just what exactly he was getting 
himself into. 
	"Torpedoes armed." At that very same moment, there was a 
rupture on the viewscreen, space ripped itself apart as stars began to 
distort their images and colour asserted itself upon a black canvas. 
The rupture spewed the wings of a Romulan Eagle, their bird of death. 
Checkov clinched his seat in a death grip. The less-controlled Vulcans 
gasped. Even the most-controlled Vulcan could not easily conceal their 
fear. The science officer tried, and failed to compose himself. "Sir, 
Romulan NOVA class battleship in sector, she is arming torpedoes." 
	Checkov weighed options to himself, but he knew the Romulans 
well enough not to trust them to withhold fire. Checkov rubbed his chin. 
Outside the battleship screamed toward the INTREPID. The science 
officer spoke with an obvious nervousness, "Romulan vessel bearing on 
attack pattern." 
	So, even the emotionless Vulcans show their fear of the giant 
Romulan bird, Checkov thought to himself. "Launch torpedoes!" INTREPID 
fired two balls of red-hot energy from her spine. The torpedoes crashed 
into the Romulan's shields in a fiery glow that illuminated the black 
sky. The giant vessel refused to so much as shudder. 
	"Arm all weapons." Checkov sat back into his chair. He hadn't 
expected to go up against a Romulan Battleship, not this soon. These 
battleships were used for defence only, so intelligence had assumed, 
and there were no battleships with cloaking devices. At least, there 
weren't until now. 
	The INTREPID rounded the Romulan craft to the port side. Even 
from this distance the size of the battleship was imposing. The Romulan 
ship unleashed a stream of light into the Federation cruiser's hull. 
Bits of metal merged with fiery streaks of phaser energy to produce 
a brilliant glow of hell on the cruiser. 
	Checkov cursed to himself. "Status report." 
	The Vulcan looked over his console. "Shield two is out on our 
vessel with minor damage, the Romulan vessel has sustained thirty 
percent damage on their number one shield." Checkov looked at the 
viewer at the image of the Romulan battleship. 
	The Romulan ship spat forth another torpedo from its beak. The 
energy-ball impacted into the formerly soft-blue sensor dish on the 
INTREPID. The dish ruptured into engineering, and the resulting energy 
lit the lower hull of the INTREPID ablaze. Explosions rocked up her 
spine as glass, metal, flesh all were blown out the rear of INTREPID's 
slender neck. 
	The bridge went aflame, Checkov felt his stomach lunge into 
his throat as consoles around the bridge exploded in their operator's 
faces. The death screams of Vulcans filled Checkov's ears. Almost 
instantly crew-members ran into the bridge and sprayed foam to put out 
the fires. The remaining bridge personell ran past the charred bodies 
of their former comrades to find out just what exactly had happened and 
what they could do now. 
	Checkov looked down. "Status report, anyone." Checkov noticed 
that he himself was bleeding from a piece of glass stuck into his arm 
from what was the navigator's station. 
	"All shields have collapsed, major damage on all decks," the 
Vulcan spoke as cooly as he could, but nervousness etched itself on his 
tone. "Sensor scan damage makes reading of enemy vessel impossible. We 
have lost both impulse and warp engine control." Checkov grimaced. The 
Vulcan continued, rattling off countless reports and figures. "All 
weapons systems are nonfunctional." 
	The lighting had already changed to bright red, but the drain 
of power already caused the lights to flicker. Checkov slouched back 
into his chair. "Are the hailing frequencies open yet?" He muttered. 
	A Vulcan stood up, "Aye sir, the Romulan vessel is responding." 
The Vulcan pressed a few toggles and the harsh image of a Romulan 
Commander. 
	The Romulan examined the scene carefully. "You are the captain 
of the NCC-1717 USS INTREPID?" Checkov nodded in the affirmative. "I 
assume you have called upon me to surrender. Truly pathetic of you, I 
do say, especially for a ship of my Vulcan kindred." 
	Checkov didn't reply, he couldn't reply to the cool, collected 
Romulan. His crew gathered around him, almost begging for reassurance. 
Checkov composed himself. "What is the meaning of this attack? You are 
in violation of the neutral zone treaty, your presence is an act of 
war." 
	The Romulan laughed. "You are in no position to dictate terms 
to me. You are alive merely because I have not hit the torp controls 
again. I will, of course, as we do not take prisoners, but I thought 
that you should at least have to opportunity to see your executioner." 
The Commander relaxed into his seat. "The meaning of this attack is 
simple to understand. You have lain in our path for too long. Our path 
through the stars must be completed." 
	"Now wait just a minute, the Federation will not -" 
	The viewer cut off to show the Romulan battleship launch a 
single torpedo from its beak toward the INTREPID. The ball of fire grew 
larger in Checkov's eyes, and it would be the last thing that the 
Russian would ever see. 
	The torpedo impacted into the already tattered neck of the 
INTREPID. The two hulls parted in a brilliant explosion, and spun away 
from each other. The saucer burned, and the letters of the INTREPID 
slowly faded amidst the blackening hull. 
	The Romulan Commander smiled. Which was itself a rare sight. 
But none of his minions would dare say it to him. This Commander was 
very much unlike all other Romulan Commanders, he was dangerous to 
cross, even more so than the standard. He was not the kind of Commander 
who actually had to display his power to enforce it. He merely was 
imposing by his presence. This fact pleased him to a point, it meant 
that all of his men were deathly loyal to him. This is a state that he 
fully was comfortable with. <Kela, new course.> The navigator readied 
herself for her orders nervously. The Commander felt her fear and 
sympathised with it. He bent over to her and put his hand on her 
shoulder. <Relax, Secundam. I want you to lay a course to Federation 
territory, specifically the Federation defence outpost six.> The woman 
nervously toggled some switches and turned the astrogation dial. The 
tall Commander continued, <Proceed at warp four.> The female Romulan 
shook her head quickly. 
	The helmsman looked over, <Engage cloaking device, lord?> 
	The imposing figure replied, <After we have left this section 
of space and are underway. I wish to see the remnants of my prey.> The 
helmsman nodded in response and readied the cloaking device. 
	The RISS FIERY RAVEN burned through the remnants of the late 
INTREPID and flew off into space in a ribbon of red light before 
seemingly rippling out of existance. 
 
 
CHAPTER TWO 
 
        "Enterprise to Captain Riley's shuttle, you are cleared to 
dock port side primary hull torpedo bay." The little shuttle pod 
skimmed alongside a giant EXCELSIOR class ship, reminding Riley of a 
bee flying alongside an annoyed human. Riley sat back at the controls 
and guided the petite craft around the rear of the sleek vessel. 
	Riley smiled at the new ENTERPRISE. From the outside at least, 
the new ship was the most imposing craft he had seen. "This is Riley, 
confirmed docking status, will comply in three minutes." He looked at 
the vessel again. "You know Saavik, if all ships are female then this 
one is a mean bitch." Saavik looked at him quizzically. He cracked a 
smile at her. "I'd hate to see her come barrelling at me." 
	Commander  Saavik studied the vessel over as the shuttle 
maneuvered over and above the call letters. USS ENTERPRISE, NCC-1701-B. 
"I understand, sir. To an emotional species, this class could be quite 
imposing." Of course, the ship was imposing. It was designed as the 
heaviest piece of hardware in fleet, and she flaunted it. The primary 
hull was round like her former ship but was broader, heavier looking, 
the connection between the hulls wasn't a slender neck but more like 
a trunk, the secondary hull had the familiar bulge in front, but the 
sensor dish was pulled inside the ship, protecting it, and the lower 
hull jetted back to a slender rear. The nacelles were at right angles 
and looked as if they could take an incredible amount of power flowing 
through them. 
	Riley studied over it again. "I like the way that the neck was 
expanded, it keeps the connection between the hulls much better. And 
the way that the sensor dish is kept inside the hull like that, really 
covers up that weak spot to engineering." 
	Saavik considered the Captain's words. "Which ship did you 
serve on before this, sir? You sound as if you were on a CONSTITUTION 
class vessel." Saavik suddenly realised that she hadn't actually 
studied over the material she was given about the new crew and ship. 
She would remind herself to do that when she got to her cabin. 
	Riley spoke without taking his gaze away from the vessel. "I 
was on the USS HOOD for a few years. Served in the Triangle because I 
was an expert on the Romulan people," Riley spoke distantly, trying 
not to remember things as he spoke. 
	Saavik nearly showed a smile, "And what do you know of Romulans 
then, sir?" She was wondering if he knew about her heritage, about her 
mother's Vulcan life, her father's Romulan heritage. She looked at him 
with a curious eye but decided not to ask him about. 
	Riley maneuvered the craft to point away from the ENTERPRISE on 
the port side, and slowed the craft to a stop directly in front of a 
docking ring. "I know quite a bit about Romulans, Saavik. Maybe someday 
I will expand upon it for you." Riley spoke matter-of-factly, nearly 
instilling a fear into Saavik. 
	The shuttle slowed back into the docking ring. "Commencing dock 
sequence," spoke some unknown voice. Riley tapped a few buttons on his 
console. Saavik readied herself for her entrance into the battleship 
by straightening her dress uniform and taking a deep breath. 
	Riley merely stood up and walked to the door. After pressing a 
few buttons, the doors opened into the torpedo room of the ENTERPRISE 
and the new Captain and First Officer walked in. 
	The three-note played and everyone in the room came to. "Sorry 
for the lack of personell for your greeting ceremony sir, but we're 
having a hell of a time getting the ship ready." A Commander walked 
in the room, past the three ensigns on hand for the ceremony. "Anyway, 
welcome aboard, Captain." 
	"Thank you, Commander." Riley replied. "You are the engineer, 
Commander Paula Grissom if memory serves." He offered his hand for a 
handshake, she didn't accept it, but instead strode over to Saavik. 
	"I see they've put another woman in a good position on this 
ship, about time Fleet started to act responsibly," the engineer said. 
"Can't let these men take my ship to do god knows what for their egos 
now can we?" Riley considered for a moment that this was some feeble 
attempt at humour, but decided against it after seeing Grissom's fiery 
expression. Saavik raised an eyebrow but said nothing. 
        Well, Riley thought to himself, this one's going to be a 
trouble maker. He decided to maneuver in between the two women, 
somewhat unsubtly. "Commander, may I remind you of the fact that 
I am the captain of this vessel and highly expect to be regarded as 
such. Is that understood?" 
	The Commander folded her arms. She could be considered somewhat 
attractive, Riley thought to himself, red hair, soft brown eyes, petit 
body. Too bad she seems to be such a pain in the ass. She looked up at 
him. "You just take good care of my ship, sir." 
	Riley didn't miss a beat. "I was going to say the same thing to 
you, Commander. But I do suggest you drop that attitude. This isn't the 
old ENTERPRISE, and I am not James Kirk. I do things by the book, lady. 
I do not enjoy having my authority questioned." Riley left the chat end 
at that and strode out of the torpedo room with Saavik following. 
	The two went to the turbolift, and found it nonfunctional. "I 
guess this is what the engineer meant by getting the ship ready," the 
Vulcan female noted. 
	"Well, this ought to be an interesting trip," Riley replied. "At 
least the major systems are on line." He frowned at the lift once. "I 
hope so, at any rate." 
	Saavik pointed down the corridor. "I believe that turbolift 
also will take you to the bridge." Riley looked and frowned. Saavik 
started to walk to it. "You do know that it always takes a few days to 
get all systems on line in any new ship. Of course the worst example 
was the former ENTERPRISE which took..." 
	"Nevermind, Commander." Riley walked into the turbolift with 
Saavik. "Bridge." Riley felt his weight shift in two directions before 
this doors opened to the bridge. 
	"Captain on the bridge," someone called as the rest of the crew 
stood at attention. The bridge wasn't in too bad of shape, there were 
some missing panels however, but all he could see were missing systems 
whose redundant systems were already on line. Riley let out a breath 
of relief. 
	"At ease, everyone." Riley paced around the bridge once before 
heading for his chair. "Now then, I want a status report of all the 
working and nonworking functions of the ship," Riley said. "Make it 
within the next hour." He sat into his chair and noted that none of the 
command functions were set up. "Get a team to work on this chair also, 
I would like to have my systems functional." Funny thing about needing 
to call the ship to alert if necessary, he thought. 
	The communications officer piped up, "Incoming message from 
Star Fleet command, Captain." Riley almost let out a look of disdain. 
There was usually a few days given before ships would ever be given 
anything to do. Saavik was right about all new ships needing the bugs 
worked out. 
	Riley sat back. "Ok, put it on screen." He thought again. "If 
you can." Of course, if it doesn't work work, then... The young captain 
found himself wondering just how bad off the old ENTERPRISE really was. 
	"Message on screen," the officer replied. Fortunately, the 
viewer did work and the standard Federation symbol appeared on the 
screen, along with a voice-over. "Federation personell assignment 
officer Admiral Drake. Message reference stardate 10002.992. Delivery 
to USS ENTERPRISE, EXCELSIOR class, NCC 1701-B." 
	The screen changed to show the battered image of Admiral Drake, 
a grey-haired old fogey with no sense of humour. The man's voice was by 
no means attractive either. "Greetings Captain, I hope you find your 
new ship satisfactory." 
	Riley sat back and smirked. "Yes, Admiral , just so long as 
I don't have to make her leave spacedock for a few days. You didn't 
exactly tell me that the ship wouldn't be space-worthy for me." The 
first officer began to wonder if Riley should check his tone with the 
Admiral. 
	"Well, I thought that it would be a pleasant surprise for you." 
The Admiral actually smiled at that remark. "Feel well off, Riley, the 
HOOD is having trouble with life support right now. Do you know what 
it is to work in no gravity, no light, no air on a battleship of that 
size?" 
	Riley nodded in the negative. "Well, sir, can I assume that 
this is not a pleasure chat then?" The old man nodded yes in reply. 
Riley frowned. "Well, what is the bad news, sir?" 
	The Admiral looked down at some of his papers. "You have been 
assigned to the Neutral Zone, sector six. Sorry about that, but we've 
lost several ships in the area recently and Fleet Admiral Kirk is not 
exactly looking on the situation with a friendly eye." 
	Riley folded his arms. "Kirk eh? What's he want with us? I was 
hoping to avoid dealing with him." This was a massive understatement. 
All I need is for my crew to compare me with him now, Riley thought. 
	The Admiral smiled. "I'm not sure, but you are to rendevous 
with flagship UNION at outpost three in six days. You will have to fix 
your ship en-transit, just like the old days." 
	"Understood, sir." Riley faked a salute to the Admiral and 
signalled for cutoff. The viewer went to slate grey. 
	Instinctively Riley went for the "Address ship" button on his 
chair. It was, of course, not present, so he motioned to the Lieutenant 
to patch him up. I really want my chair fixed, he thought to himself. 
"ENTERPRISE, this is your Captain speaking, we have been dispatched to 
the Neutral Zone effective immediately. If anything's not working blame 
our engineer, she seems to have all the answers to this ship." He let 
out a small smile and signaled termination of communicae. "Helmsman, 
aft one-quarter impulse power." 
	The ENTERPRISE slowed out of her parking space inside space 
dock. Her hull slid by the hulls of the smaller ships, including the 
now decommissioned NCC-1701-A awaiting transit to the Star Fleet 
Museum on Memory Alpha. 
	"Spacedock, open bay doors." Riley studied the screen. "Viewer 
ahead, Mister O'Neil." The navigator complied and the screen changed 
to show the center of the giant dock, with people in the various decks 
waving, saluting, and praying for the craft. Riley felt a small glow 
about the send-off, nothing fancy, just a wholesome compassion from 
fellow beings. 
	"Opening spacedock doors." The doors pulled back inside the 
mammoth dock, revealing the sleek battleship ENTERPRISE, pulling itself 
backwards through the door. Slowly the ship crawled backwards into 
the black sky. 
	"We have cleared spacedock," the helmsman answered, "free to 
navigate system." 
	Riley motioned to the Navigator, "Set course and proceed at 
warp six." The was an immense weight of anticipation in the crew's 
stomachs at this moment. 
	"Aye, sir. Course setting in, readying warp drive and transwarp 
systems. Power-up time ten seconds." Riley felt a fear build up within 
him. The transwarp drive system was mainly untested beyond speed of 
warp nine, too many things could go wrong. 
	The ENTERPRISE brought herself around away from the spacedock. 
And inside, the powering up of engines was the dominant noise. "Power 
will be at nominal levels in six... " the computer counted. 
	Riley waited impatiently for the next five seconds before the 
ENTERPRISE raced into warp space. "Warp one achieved, sir," the 
navigator answered. "Warp one point five, Warp two..." Riley stopped 
paying attention to the warp count and instead concentrated on the 
"Warp three, Warp four, Warp five, now at Warp six and have cleared 
Sol system." 
	Riley sat up and reasserted his command. "Standby transwarp 
drive, engage at warp eight, accelerate to warp twelve." The ENTERPRISE 
accelerated and flew past Neptune in a flash of light. 
	"Captain, computer reports transwarp system fully functional. 
Present velocity on course at warp seven, entering warp drive." The 
ENTERPRISE accelerated more, and then shook violently, metal began to 
bend, and the new EXCELSIOR class ship dissappeared into a wormhole. 
 
 
CHAPTER THREE 
 
        "Get those damn klaxxons off!" Riley cried as his ship pitched 
to and fro in a dance of painfully extreme danger. The red lighting 
on the bridge gave the view of blood on every console and component 
on the bridge. Saavik struggled to return to her post as the ship 
began shuddering. 
	O'Neil scrambled back to his post and killed the buzzing of 
the klaxxon. "Wormhole effect, improper warp execution," he reported. 
The ENTERPRISE yawed heavily to port, the crew clinched their seats 
to brace themselves. 
	Riley noticed that he was the only person not thrown out of 
his seat. "Commit deceleration to sub-light speeds." He looked up. 
The viewer before him revealed a bizarre array of colours and lights 
in a miss-match of space and time. In a differing context, he might 
see this as a beautiful sight, but this context, the view is related 
to the oddity that is a wormhole, which rips ships apart and is known 
to have killed hundreds. 
	"Deceleration will enable sub-light drives in ten seconds," 
O'Neil reported. The ENTERPRISE slid a bit, and Riley was thrown 
ahead of his seat. "Nine seconds." The captain return to his seat, 
somewhat clumsily because of the way the ship was handling. 
	"Structure report, Mister Roberts," Riley turned his chair 
to the science station, noticing that the man had to retake his 
seat from being thrown out of it. 
	After drawing back his breath, the ENTERPRISE's science 
officer looked over his readings. "Minor structure damage on port 
nacelle. No other damage indicated." 
	"Six seconds to warp point nine," O'Neil reported again. 
Another pitch, this time the crew were slammed downwards. Those 
remaining in seats felt their throats slam down, and those who 
were unfortunate enough to be standing had their faces formally 
introduced to the floor. "Four seconds, counting down, three, two, 
one, and now." ENTERPRISE screamed out of warp space and into 
reality. 
	"Well then, were are out of wormhole," Saavik spoke as she 
assumed her position behind and right of the captain. 
	Riley let out a breath of relief. "Well, that's the good 
news, what about personell? Sickbay, what's the bad news?" 
	The comlink on the working side of the captain's chair lit 
up with the image of a young gentleman who looked like he was fresh 
out of the academy. "Doctor Ryan here, sir. Sickbay reports twenty- 
four minor injuries, and one major accident. Seems a midshipman 
was thrown into a glass case on the recreational deck and got cut 
up pretty badly, nothing overly hazardous to him though." 
	"Thank you, doctor." Riley cut off the comlink and stood 
up. "Commander Saavik, you have the com, proceed to rendevous point 
at sublight until I find out what exactly happened." Saavik nodded 
in reply and assumed the center seat as the captain entered the 
turbolift. "Engineering deck." Riley slammed himself into the side 
of the turbolift out of anger. "God damn it all, this is by no means 
how I pictured my first official command." 
	"Well, Commander, that was fun," O'Neil smarted. The helmsman 
looked over, smiled, and wondered if the navigator needed some help 
in his taste of excitement. 
	When the turbolift doors opened, Grissom had already readied 
herself for the captain's entrance. "We have a major problem here, 
captain." She led Riley to the center of engineering and indicated 
the displays on one of the consoles. "These are the purity of the 
crystals when we left spacedock before we entered warp drive." 
	Riley studied the display for a second, "Well, according to 
this, the crystals are perfect to twenty powers." He pressed a section 
of the console and studied over the new screen. "And according to the 
simulation, the transwarp drive should have functioned flawlessly and 
in perfect balance, how do you explain the wormhole?" 
	The female pressed another button on the console, "It seems 
that when we entered the transwarp drive the intense energy started 
to decrystallise the dilithium, which is something that no-one has ever 
expected." 
	"You mean to tell me that whenever we try to engage the 
transwarp drive, we will not only burn out a set of crystals but also 
enter a wormhole." The new captain grimaced. "Is there anyway to avoid 
this?" 
	Commander Grissom looked intently at the crystal chamber 
behind the console. "I don't think that transwarp drive will function 
properly, however, regular warp drive will allow us to travel at 
warp thirteen instead of warp seventeen." 
	Riley wasn't sure how to react to this news. Oh, we can't go 
as fast as we thought, but we can still outrun most other ships in the 
galaxy. "Well, Commander, rig up a bypass so we can avoid entering 
transwarp drive." 
	She looked to the captain and smiled, "Already doing so sir, 
we should be able to reenter warp speeds in three hours. We should 
not be behind schedule by more than twelve hours, sir." She hesitated 
on the "sir". 
	"Understood, Commander," Riley had to keep a bit of anger in 
his head. "Let me know the minute that the ship is ready." He grimaced 
at her and then once again entered the turbolift, this time heading 
off in the direction of his quarters. Paula found her eyes tracing 
him as he walked out. 
	"Why am I doing this to myself?" She asked no-one in particular. 
	His quarters were a contrast to the rest of the ship. In the 
room hung a large rug resembling an eagle, large red-tipped warbird. 
There are many, who if they didn't know better, would swear that it 
was the symbol of a Romulan. The furniture was definately not Fleet 
standard, it was wooden, but not of a wood most Terrans would have 
ever seen, the grain was very dark brown and was not stained. There 
was little lighting in the room, but what was there was illuminating 
Riley's face and his console, which was the only tech looking article 
in the room. 
	In a remote corner of the room he had placed a device called a 
refrigerator, somewhat rare on starships, he went to it and pulled 
out one can, opened it with a loud rush sound. 
	Riley sipped on his cola a second at his desk before opening 
hailing frequencies. "Captain Riley to USS UNION, priority one." Riley 
keyed in a verification signal before any signal came through. 
	"USS UNION, Captain James Samuel Keihl here. Receiving you 
ENTERPRISE, what is your status?" The voice coming over the radio 
was certainly uninteresting enough. Riley sipped on his drink another 
time before continued. 
	"Sorry, UNION, need to address Admiral Kirk, verification three- 
nine-one-seven-zero-one-bravo." He smiled at that, the idea of pissing 
off some captain on a command carrier appealed to him. Perverted sense 
of humour, he thought to himself. 
	After another drink Riley turned on the viewer, doubling the 
light in his otherwise dim room. "Admiral Kirk, this is Captain Riley. 
I have some depressing news for you, our transwarp drive system has 
met with a critical fault. We will be a few hours late for rendevous." 
	Kirk was seated in the command bridge of the UNION, it was 
somewhat larger than the ENTERPRISE's standard bridge, but UNION had 
the job of coordinating the efforts of many fighters, as well as a 
number of ships that happened to be in the same quadrant, so Riley 
didn't allow himself to be jealous. Kirk gave a look of annoyance 
before replying to his successor. "Understood, Captain. I am aware of 
the problems with the transwarp system on EXCELSIOR class ships. A 
certain Captain Sulu informed me of the situation earlier. I am 
surprised that Fleet didn't relay that information to you. We have set 
a new rendevous to take place on stardate 10004.12 in sector six. Kirk 
out." 
	"Acknowledged, UNION, Riley out." The viewer cut to black and 
the captain walked over to his bed and lied down. "Computer, could 
you play me something?" 
	The female voice of the ENTERPRISE answered eagerly, "I have 
several dozen selections available. What would you like to hear, sir?" 
	Riley pondered over the question a second before answering, 
"I don't care computer, just pick something soothing. Maybe a classic, 
or an archival song." 
	The computer paused a second then slowly played the start of 
DUST IN THE WIND. 
 
 
CHAPTER FOUR 
 
        <FIERY RAVEN en route to target at this time, Senator> The 
giant Romulan felt a great surge of anticipation run through his 
system. <I am looking forward to the conflict, and I am confident we 
shall triumph.> There wasn't a tone of arrogance in his voice, just a 
voice of stating a fact. He more than believed that he would win, he 
was sure of it, he was certain of it. 
	The Senator in the viewer showed a certain disgust as he 
spoke. <Klingon half-breed! You have turned our incursion into the 
Neutral zone into a personal arena of conflict, you know we lack the 
resources necessary to carry on an ongoing war with the Federation.> 
The Commander growled at hearing this, but said nothing to let the 
Senator continue. <We have rethought our plans, and have decided that 
our offensive against the Federation was ill conceived.> 
	The Romulan Commander crushed a glass he held within his hand. 
<Dare you, you know that our attacks on Federation vessels will be 
regarded as an act of war. The Senatorium can't just apologise now and 
act as if nothing had happened. The Federation will respond against 
us.> The Commander let a fist slam onto the desk. <Could it be that you 
have lost the courage to enforce such a war? I could arrange it so that 
you would have no worries about your own precious hide.> 
	The Senator growled. <Don't attempt to intimidate me, Commander 
Sunak. We at the senate view your usefulness as short-term.> The 
Senator must feel nice and safe on the other end of the viewer to be 
threatening me so, the Commander thought to himself. 
	Sunak let his anger flow as he threw his fist strong into the 
viewer. <Yes, Senator, maybe short-term to you. But your own cowardice 
will be your undoing.> Sunak stood and walked out of his chambers. His 
two guardsmen noted his departure and proceeded to follow him to the 
lift. <The senatorium seems to have changed its mind as to my orders. 
They will, no doubt send false messages stating that this vessel is 
rogue, since they will now attempt to cover up.> 
	One of the guardsmen looked angered. <I do not understand why 
the senators would want to change their mind now, of all times.> 
	<Simple, Trinam, the senate wanted a small victory, and then 
bowed out when they realised the risk of war.> Sunak pressed the 
button at the forefront of the lift console. <It is not my intention 
to attack someone and then apologise saying that it was the act of 
a rogue child. And I do not intend to be that child.> 
	The same guard looked over at him. <The senatorium is acting 
like terrorists. Doing the deed without realising the consequences.> 
	Sunak showed a hint of a smile at the Trinam. <Correct, but it 
is annoying many Rom'lnz who wish to finally see the Federation put 
away.> After a few seconds the lift doors opened to reveal a small 
circular room lighted only by a number of consoles bordering the walls. 
Sunak headed for the only seat centered in the room. <Fortunately, 
we Rom'lnz are more loyal to our cause than our Senatorium.> He turned 
to a man seated to the left of him. <Disengage cloaking device and 
open hailing frequencies.> 
	The Centurion pressed a button and the FIERY RAVEN rippled 
itself into reality. <Cloak disengaged, opening hailing frequencies.> 
The Centurion frowned as he hit the final sequence of buttons, and 
nervously he piped up. <Sir, there are no ships evident in this sector, 
and none of our ships are assigned in this area.> 
	<Spare me your confusion, Centurion, only the senate thinks 
our vessels are not assigned here.> Sunak smiled almost evilly. <This 
is RAVEN calling assault force one. Rendevous is set, disengage all 
cloaking devices at ready attack formation.> 
	There appeared on Sunak's viewer six separate rifts in space, 
and out of those rifts appeared six large warbirds, Romulan battlecraft 
posing themselves as an assault fleet. Three TAKARA MORLATTA's rounded 
the FIERY RAVEN in a dance of doom and poised themselves flanking the 
larger battleship. Two TEMAR VASTARI vessels appeared from behind the 
group and dived under the first three to take the point. Finally a 
BRIGHT ONE destroyer appeared behind the rest of the fleet and posied 
itself behind the other ships. <Sir, the assault force identifies 
itself as ready for assault.> The Centurion let out a grimace. <I don't 
understand, sir. The senate just sent our orders to return to Gorwah, 
and they said nothing about an assault fleet.> 
	<That is because,> Sunak replied,<they do not yet know.> Sunak 
sat back eagerly in his chair. <This is Fleet Commander Sunak of the 
FIERY RAVEN to all ships. Keep attack posture, proceed to target at 
warp eight. For the glory of the Brothers, let this strike show out 
cowardly leaders what true Rom'lnz are capable of.> 
	The flock of warbirds screamed through the black void leaving 
behind a ribbon of light. <Sir, shouldn't we engage our cloaking device 
before our arrival, we are giving them time to prepare, maybe even to 
intercept us.> The Centurion showed an edge of fear in his voice. Sunak 
noticed it, but gave no indication of consoling the man. 
	Sunak let a fist slam into his open hand. <I am counting on 
that, my Centurion.> 
	After a few nervous seconds a woman piped up, though somewhat 
shaken. <My lord, Federation protection fleet incoming from target 
at warp nine.> 
	Didn't I tell her to relax earlier, Sunak thought to himself. 
<I have obviously prepared for this, Secundam Rela.> He motioned to 
the previous communications officer. <All ships, aggressive posture. 
Close in on Federation targets and destroy.> Sunak could feel his 
Klingon blood pour through his veins at full strength. 
	The Federation vessels were impressive enough, Sunak could 
easily make the shapes of two AVENGER class ships, as well as three 
CONSTITUTION class ships. <Vessels identified as following: Cruisers 
consisting of POTEMPKIN, DEFIANT, CONSTELLATION. Frigates consisting 
of SARATOGA, RELIANT II, AVENGER.> The female nodded to her captain, 
<I am raising shields, and arming weapons.> 
 	The DEFIANT and CONSTELLATION were the first Federation ships 
to reach the Romulan assault fleet. As they warped past the warbirds 
they unleashed their balls of hellfire, which slammed into the lead 
cruisers. One of the cruisers bore the brunt of the impact, but the 
other began to spin and then curved off the assault fleet's formation. 
The loose cruiser spat a torpedo of its own toward a Federation 
starship, which impacted heavily on the DEFIANT's shields. <RAVEN to 
DEATHWING, peel off formation, engage CONSTELLATION alongside the 
RAZORBEAK.> Sunak looked thoughtfully at the fight and was impressed 
by what he was witnessing, what he was doing. 
	Another cruiser veered from the front of the fleet and curved 
to the outside. The Federation starships veered one behind the other 
and came head-to-head against the Romulan cruisers. The DEFIANT and 
CONSTELLATION fired a phaser barrage on the lead cruiser. The lethal 
blast of heat singed the boom of the cruiser, catching it ablaze. The 
Romulan craft seemed to act as an angry eagle, diving wildly at the 
Federation starship. The DEFIANT tried to maneuver away, but the 
Romulan's attack was too swift, and the RAZORBEAK slammed beak-first 
into the smooth underside of the DEFIANT. Both ships went up in a ball 
of white flame as bits of shattered metal sprayed themselves through 
the cosmos. 
	<Starship DEFIANT destroyed ,sir, though we have lost the 
RAZORBEAK.> Rela let out an exited tone, not caring that her empire 
had just lost two-hundred people. She merely uttered the words "RANAM 
VALASSA" in their reverance. The reverence is given to those who have 
acted courageously and have performed above and beyond their call of 
duty, it was the first such time Rela had seen such an act, and she 
was impressed. The Commander looked over at her, read the excitement 
in her eyes, and smiled, sensing a part of himself in her. 
	The DEATHWING maneuvered onto the CONSTELLATION and unleashed 
a barrage of photon torpedoes, only one of which actually impacted on 
the Federation ship's shields. The CONSTELLATION retorted with another 
phaser blast, this one crashed into the Romulan cruiser and sent it 
reeling. Sunak tired of this quickly and was about to order the assault 
ships to assist DEATHWING before RELIANT II and POTEMPKIN showed up in 
the fight.  The assault craft broke away from the battleship and 
centered on the RELIANT II. The AVENGER and SARATOGA arrived and 
converged on the NOVA class ship. 
	<Fire a torpedo burst on the AVENGER and send the LADYHAWKE 
to attack SARATOGA,> Sunak commanded. The AVENGER felt the violent 
sting of five torpedoes impacting on her primary hull, shattering it 
into countless fragments, leaving only the rear half of the vessel 
warping in space until finally exploding into memory. LADYHAWKE had 
just maneuvered on SARATOGA when the Federation ship began to turn 
tail. 
	CONSTELLATION finally took a major hit and lost her port 
side warp engine. She began to spin for a few seconds before following 
SARATOGA's lead back to starbase. <Sir, it appears that the Federation 
ships are attempting to reconverge at starbase.> Rela began to feel a 
surge of power flow through her. A power that she could see her 
commander bask in. <Shall we cut them off?> She found herself already 
starting to plot in another intercept course before realising what she 
was doing. 
	Sunak considered it for a moment, but declined. <No, we will 
finish the vessels off at starbase. All ships are to reassume attack 
configuration and ready themselves for primary assault.> Sunak noted 
Rela's obvious confusion at the order. <We have severly damaged the 
starbase's outer defences, and I want survivors to spread the news 
about what is happening here.> There will be no way for the Senatorium 
to dismiss this incident as a rogue act now, he added to himself. 
	SARATOGA, CONSTELLATION, POTEMPKIN, and RELIANT II limped 
their way back to starbase as the Romulan assault fleet followed like 
vultures in space. In the distance, Sunak could see the faint image of 
a giant vessel, a starbase, a target. His eyes seemed to pierce the 
starbase more thoroughly than any phaser beam ever could. 
 
 
CHAPTER FIVE 
 
        "Damn it all, the UNION was supposed to be here yesterday and 
now we've lost two ships with the Romulans closing." Admiral Nehrat 
yelled orders across the tower in almost a panic voice. He could see 
what was left of the CONSTITUTION leading the intercept fleet to the 
base. "I want Kirk on the communicator now." 
	A Tellarite nearly pounded his fingers into his keyboard. "It's 
no good, Admiral, Romulans are jamming all frequencies," he panicked. 
"Our shields are going up, going to red alert." The lighting throughout 
the giant starbase turned red, the air was shaking with the noise the 
klaxxon made. Crew members scurryed like scared chickens attempting to 
get to their posts. 
	Then all hell broke loose. The CONSTITUTION's saucer section 
ruptured and finally gave to, sending shards of titanium screaming into 
space. Nehrat let his mouth gape open in astonishment. "All weapons on 
that battleship, turn it to scrap." But this would not be, the belly 
of the CONSTITUTION slammed into the base, tearing into it. On those 
decks people screamed, and ran as far as they could before finally 
burning in the flames the cruiser brought with her. 
	RELIANT II slammed past the FIERY RAVEN and spat torpedoes 
as she went. The RAVEN didn't budge a second and launched a burst of 
five torpedoes from her tail. RELIANT withstood the first three, but 
the forth ripped off the port warp engine, and the fifth dealt the 
final death blow into the frigate's underside. And another Federation 
starship was lost into hellfire. 
	Nehrat's tower was receiving a wonderful view of the carnage 
outside, and the Deltan was not appreciative. "Fire sunbursts on the 
lead battleship." The base fired a weapon that Dante himself couldn't 
have devised. A pattern of seven heavy beams of raw energy shot forth 
from the tip of the base heading for the FIERY RAVEN. The RAVEN was 
too quick though, and evaded to her port. Her minion was not as lucky, 
and the destroyer received the brunt of the onslaught. Lighting poured 
from the bird and finally it burned itself into nothingness. 
	The Tellarite smiled a vicious grin. "Romulan Destroyer has 
been scratched. Warm-up to next sunburst in thirty seconds." The lack 
of experience in you shows, Nehrat thought to himself, thirty seconds 
is an eternity in conflict. 
	The Romulans showed no signs of intimidation. An assault 
craft manouvered on the base's bay doors and fired a series of phaser 
bursts. The door shattered under the blast, but the ship behind those 
doors had prepared and fired a torpedo of her own. The assault craft 
was ill prepared for such a heavy hit and received a blow that cost her 
a wing. The assault ship careered wildly in a death spin which ended 
in fury on the base's hull. 
	The USS DONATELLO emerged from the dock. She was a destroyer, 
nice design, the standard primary hull with the warp engines strapped 
to the sides. Her spine wasn't connected to any familiar arrangement 
though, her belly consisted of a triangle mounting of three photon 
torpedo launchers at front which stretched to one at her tail. Nehrat 
breathed a sigh of relief, the last ship in dock had made it out 
safely. "NCC 721 is outside..." 
	POTEMPKIN barrelled at two assault craft. She knew she was 
outgunned in this respect, but fired ceaselessly. The two warbirds 
each received a torpedo on its beak but showed no signs of damage. 
The assault ships each spewed forth a stream of phaser energy into 
POTEMPKIN's bridge, which ruptured through to the impulse engine. 
The cruiser couldn't maneuver, and found herself heading straight 
for her own base at full impulse speeds. 
	Nehrat screamed his last as he witnessed POTEMPKIN tear 
into the side of his tower. 
	Races in this part of the galaxy would refer to the light 
they saw as witness to the clash of the thunder gods, the bringing 
of destruction, or the great sign. But none could know what it truly 
meant. Starbase six exploded into billions of red-hot bursts of metal, 
but she did not go out alone. Her death-grip ensnared all she could 
reach, and only two vessels remained. 
	The USS DONATELLO, and the RISS FIERY RAVEN. The DONATELLO 
seemed to react in a severe hatred and fired everything she could 
muster at the giant bird. At first RAVEN showed no signs of pain as 
the Federation destroyer came barrelling at her. But the onslaught 
of torpedoes proved to be too much, and finally three impacted on 
the port side of the boom. Lighting shot forth for a few seconds 
before RAVEN spat two phaser bursts of her own in the DONATELLO's 
hide. The destroyer took the hit on the secondary hull and the three 
torpedo ports began to char. 
	The RAVEN seemed to consider finishing off the only other 
survivor of the battle, but after giving a long pause, she began to 
veer off. 
	Sunak didn't know how to react to his technical victory. <We 
must inform the homeland of the destruction of the Federation starbase 
before telling them of our losses, my lord,> Rela offered. Sunak let 
go a smile at her as she seemed to be losing all nervousness and 
letting her passions control her. <They will be more receptive to your 
report that way I believe.> 
	A Centurion growled. <We can't let the DONATELLO go like this, 
we could let go with phasers until...> The Centurion was startled by 
the sudden sensation of asphyxiation. His Commander had grabbed his 
throat and began to throttle him two feet above the ground. 
	Sunak growled himself. <We do not have shields or torpedoes up 
thanks to that self-same destroyer. The Federation will be sending an 
assault force of its own soon and we have lost ours. If it is your 
intention to stay here and be butchered for revenge, I will gladly let 
you have a shuttlecraft to go fight their carriers with.> Sunak let 
the man go none to gently and the Centurion crashed to the floor. <I 
am not in the habit of wasting resources, Centurion. We need to ready 
another assault fleet before we can go up against the UNION.> 
	The Centurion started to rub his throat, trying to ease the 
sensation of pain he felt. <I understand, my lord. We can rendevous 
with another assault fleet at R'fann seventeen light years galactic 
south.> The remaining bridge crew were either gaping at the Commander 
or looking stupidly at the Centurion. <May I be excused now, lord?> 
	Sunak could understand easily the need for the Centurion to 
get away, and he offered his hand to help out his subordinate. <Tonin, 
you must forgive me,> Sunak began slowly, <it is not my intention to 
bludgeon my crew into submission. You acted as any warrior would have 
done, wanting to finish off his opponent.> When the Centurion was 
fully upright Sunak drew in a heavy breath and started again. <We 
simply cannot afford the resources to engage DONATELLO at this time, 
but I am sure that she'll be in Kirk's assault fleet when we meet up 
with it.> 
	Tonin looked confused, this was certainly not an attitude he'd 
expected from a Klingon-Romulan commander. <I understand, my lord. I 
shall be more receptive to your orders.> 
	Rela found herself looking at her Commander with awe, not many 
true Romulan Commanders, let alone half-breeds, would actually 
apologise for his actions. The fear being that the crew would lose 
respect. There would be no way that the crew would lose respect for 
Sunak, no way whatsoever. 
 
 
CHAPTER SIX 
 
        <Get up, bastard son!> Lights, shapes, colours, all failed to 
connect. <I said get up!> Riley felt a sharp pain in his waist, but he 
still couldn't move. <Are you deaf, Earthen slime-dog? You are supposed 
to be borite mining now.> 
	Riley felt something grab hold of his long, slate-black hair 
and yank it upwards. <I don't work for you...> 
	He still couldn't see, but the pain that swept past his face 
slammed hard into him. <All half-breeds work for me, S'Lavek.> The 
voice still couldn't be connected to any face. <Are you going to come 
quietly or do I have to use the agoniser?> 
	Riley stood, but still couldn't make out anything other than 
a swirling ball of lights. <I'm coming, there's no need for the ag..> 
Blood rushed out of his head, he could feel it begin to flow on his 
face, dripping off of the bridge of his nose. He collapsed on the 
ground. 
	<So, you even bleed red like a Terran, eh?> The voice was 
growing meaner, Riley thought to himself. <Maybe you could work for 
the Federation, eh? I'm sure they would love to see some fucked-up 
klya like you.> Riley tried to stand again, the pain searing down 
his legs. <Who said you could get up?> Riley screamed as sheer pain 
suddenly asserted itself on his chest. 
	Vision cleared. Riley found himself in his bed on the new 
starship ENTERPRISE. He could feel the cold sweat on his brow, and 
he wiped it off with his shaking hand. 
	There was a beeping noise, Riley had to concentrate to think 
about what it meant. "Um, yeah, Captain here." 
	Saavik's voice seemed a bit soothing to Riley as she spoke, 
it became more and more difficult to concentrate. "Sir, communications 
reports many messages eminating from the Neutral Zone. It seems that 
something major just occurred. Also, Fleet Admiral Kirk requests for you 
to get to warp drive as soon as possible." 
	Riley stood out of his bed. "I'll be on the bridge in a few 
minutes. Has engineering got my chair fixed yet?" 
	Saavik paused a second before speaking, probably to look over 
some records. "Negative, sir, the engineering deck has put priority 
on the transwarp bypass. They say that they'll get to it immediately 
afterwards." Riley once again wiped the sweat off of his brow. "What 
shall I tell Admiral Kirk?" Saavik inquired. 
	"Inform him of our engine situation, Commander, and state what- 
ever time estimates Grissom can give to you." He removed his uniform 
and pulled out his casual dress, blue-jeans and a Star Fleet jacket. 
	"Sorry, sir, but Miss Paula Grissom is currently off-shift and 
is unavailable for estimates. However, the engineering crew reports that 
engines should be warp capable in one point five hours." 
	"Thank you, Commander, I'll be on bridge shortly." Riley walked 
into the only water shower on the ship, his own, and began to clean 
himself. 
	The beep returned, this time from the door. "Sir, Commander 
Grissom to see you." Riley grimaced and rushed for a robe. 
	"Hold on a second. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to call 
me off-shift?" Riley finally got his robe together and turned on his 
lights, giving the room a more modern look, but still not technical. 
"Come in." 
	The doors opened to reveal Grissom in her own casual dress, a 
skirt and sweater. In this manner she seemed even more attractive. 
Riley dismissed the thought. "I was reviewing our personell records, 
and I found yours restricted. I was curious." 
	Riley grabbed his clothes again and walked into the shower, 
closing the door behind him. "There's not much in the file, Miss 
Grissom. If you want I could -" 
	"It's Paula," she replied. 
	Riley stopped dressing. "What was that?" 
	"I'm off duty now, sir. I would prefer you to call me Paula." 
Why was her voice suddenly so soothing right now? Riley emerged from 
the shower wearing his jeans and belt. The engineer was shocked by what 
she saw. Riley's back was littered with scars, looking like belt lashes 
across his back. "I mean, there isn't a need to be so formal while we 
are off shift, is there?" 
	Riley nodded, but didn't actually answer. "I have some Coke in 
the refrigerator, do you want any?" 
 	Grissom gave only a look of confusion in reply. "I'm sorry sir, 
but why would you have an engine coolant system in your quarters?" 
	Riley smiled at her, "No, Miss Grissom, it's a refrigerator, I 
use it to keep my drinks cold." He indicated the number of cans he had 
scattered around his desk. "We use them on," he hesitated for a second 
before continuing,"frontier worlds where mass units are too expensive 
to use." He grabbed one of the cans, easily crushed it, and pitched it 
into his disintegrator. "I should have realised that not many people 
would know what a fridge is here." 
	"Um, sir, no thanks, I'm not thirsty." She pretended not to 
notice that her captain just crushed a titanium can. "I was curious 
to know why your records are restricted, no one else's were. Hell, 
even Admiral Kirk has open records. Why you?" 
	Riley walked to his bed and sat deathly quiet for long enough 
to make the engineer nervous. "I don't wish to discuss it, that's all." 
Grissom frowned a second and started to dismiss herself. Riley called 
to close the door in front of her. "Look," he hesitated for a few 
seconds, "Paula, I'm really not trying to put you off, it's just that 
there are some things others simply should not know." 
	She looked down at the ground a second. "May I be excused now, 
sir, or do you intend to keep me here?" 
	Riley stood and walked out of the door ahead of her, not even 
looking at her. "I'm going to the bridge, report to me when you are 
ready to fix my chair." 
	She walked out of the room and the doors closed behind her. 
Her eyes fixed on the scars on the captain's back as he pulled his 
shirt down over them. "Yes, sir." 
	When the bridge doors opened, Riley felt a bit of relief. He 
felt more at home on the bridge than on anywhere else in the ship. 
"Mister Saavik, you are relieved." 
	Saavik stood and walked to the tactics post. Riley took his 
seat and glanced at the hole on his chair. "I'm sure there could be 
more of a use than just calling alert status here." He traced his 
finger around the edge of the hole. "Commander Saavik, is it possible 
to rewire a redundant helm control here?" 
	Saavik was somewhat startled by the request but didn't reveal 
her shock. "It is possible, it may take a bit of doing. Is there any 
particular reason you wish to do so?" 
	"No, not offhand. I had a similar setup on the HOOD." Riley 
looked down a second before continuing. "Communications, give me 
highest priority message." 
	The communications officer relayed over his several instruments 
before finally settling down on one. "Sir, there is a message here 
from San Fransisco Capitol." 
	Riley was unsure how to make this one out, something extremely 
serious must be happening. "On main viewer, Lieutenant R'Ress." 
	The Catian complied by hitting the button again, and the viewer 
showed once again the Federation verification symbol. "To all vessels, 
personell, and civilians within the Federation. Omega class orders 
effective stardate 10004.5." The symbol dispersed and the image of the 
president of the Federation filled the viewer. "This is the President 
of The United Federation of Planets. Approximately five hours ago, a 
Romulan assault group destroyed the Federation outpost of starbase six 
bordering the Neutral Zone. We have lost several starships to the 
Romulans thus far, and further conflict is inevitable. As of this date, 
the United Federation of Planets is in a state of war with the Romulan 
Star Empire. I say again, the Federation is at war with the Romulan 
Star Empire. Official orders for StarFleet personell will be relayed 
as soon as possible." 
	The bridge fell to a grim silence. Riley squinted his eyes 
a second and muttered to himself. <So, you have finally come.> He 
let the bridge indulge in a bit of shock of hearing the news of 
the war before he continued before speaking. "Now then , Mister 
R'Ress, I want the footage of the conflict ready for display in an 
hour. Have the crew meet in the rec-deck in one hour." 
	The Catian complied. "Yes, sir, retrieving data now." 
	Saavik gave Riley a quizzical look. "I want the crew to know 
just what exactly we're getting ourselves into here," Riley answered. 
"Mister O'Neil, set course for rendevous point. Engineering, we need 
warp speed now, what can you give me?" 
	A man's voice answered this time. "The bypass is ready, but 
we still need to run it through more simulations. Give us another hour, 
if you please, sir." 
	Riley stiffened in his seat. "I can't do that. Do we have warp 
capabilities or not. Give me your best opinion." For a moment Riley 
considered that he might be acting too rashly, pushing too hard. But 
then, this was wartime and the ENTERPRISE was supposed to be on the 
front an hour ago. 
	The engineer spoke without emotion. "Logically, it should work, 
I predict a point zero zero one percent chance of failure, the computer 
would verify for you, once we ran the simulation." 
	Riley grimaced. The Vulcans were never satisfied with anything 
less than perfection, it took the Human ability to say "That's good 
enough" just to build the original ENTERPRISE. "Activate." 
	O'Neil's eyes seemed to light with anticipation. "Sir, we have 
warp capability. Course is set." 
	Riley clinched the edge of his chair, waiting for anything to 
happen. "Engage, warp eleven." Upon command, the starship ENTERPRISE 
fled real-space in a ribbon of red light, entering the sub-dimension 
of warp-space, and flew through the cosmos without a hitch. 
	O'Neil released a heavy sigh, "Starship now at warp four and 
accelerating. At warp five. Six. Eight. Warp ten achieved sir, no flaws 
in warp integration." 
	"We did it!" Riley let out. 
 
 
CHAPTER SEVEN 
 
        Captain's log: supplemental. The ENTERPRISE is finally 
	underway. I have ordered the assembly of the crew in 
	the main recreation deck. I'm not sure if this crew is 
	fully capably of realising just what we're getting into 
	here. So I have decided to cut past the propaganda and 
	display raw footage of the battle of starbase six. 
 
	I have contacted the UNION and, though Kirk was upset 
	at the time, accepted the reasons for our delay. What's 
	so frustrating is that we were supposed to heading to 
	starbase six directly after rendevous, now I guess that 
	it won't be necessary. 
 
	Our new orders will dispatch us into the Kelvran system. 
        It is with great reluctance that I should return here. 
 
	"Commander Saavik, would you know just what the hell is 
going' on here?" Someone called to her. She didn't react, but could 
easily have gotten away with a reprimand of whoever spoke so 
disrespectfully. "I just got the order to get sickbay ready, it was 
already when we entered the wormhole. Half the crew still has 
bumps and bruises and now the captain wants to take us all on some 
wild adventure?" 
	"From your words I can assume that you are in our medical 
department, who are you specifically?" Saavik wondered if she was 
beginning to sound upset with the Doctor. 
	"Doctor Harris Matthews, assigned this vessel as head doctor." 
The doctor was a tall, skinny man, who obviously had little respect 
for authority. "Listen, I'm not about to sit around and wait for the 
captain to show up for a grand entrance, I've got patients to tend 
to." 
	Saavik found it odd that the doctor spoke somewhat more 
loudly than the rest of the crew. "Do you know a Leonard McCoy?" She 
inquired. 
	The doctor gave a slightly quizzical look. "You mean Captain 
McCoy on the medical ship NOBEL? I know of him, never met the man." 
	Saavik nearly cracked a smile on reflection. "Nevermind, 
Commander, please take your place in the crowd. I am sure that the 
captain will brief everyone when he comes in." 
	Riley walked into the room and on the stage set up for him. 
He was by no means comfortable. "All personell, I need your attention 
for a few moments." After a few seconds the crew quieted and Riley 
felt free to continue. "As you have no doubt heard by now, the 
Federation and the Romulans are now officially at war. We have all 
been expecting this of late, but I know this may still come as a 
shock. This meeting is to inform you of the situation so far." 
	The doctor glared at Saavik. "You mean we're going to the 
front in a spanking new ship? Half these systems haven't even been 
tested yet." Saavik nodded her acknowledgement of the statement and 
motioned Matthews to listen. 
	"We have been dispatched to the Neutral Zone in response 
to the loss of starbase six. I have compiled the available footage 
of the assault. It isn't pretty, but I wanted you to know what you 
are going up against." Riley motioned R'Ress to start the tape. The 
giant viewscreen showed the image of starbase six as viewed from the 
departing CONSTELLATION. 
	The computerised voice of the mission updator spoke, the 
deep voice echoing in the massive recreation deck. "Enemy assault 
fleet consisting of one battleship, three assault ships, one destroyer 
and two cruisers. Federation fleet consisting of three cruisers and 
three frigates." 
	As the crew watched the resulting conflict, Saavik moved 
up to the captain. "There is something I wanted to ask you, sir." She 
motioned to Riley to walk into the hall. Riley noted her motion and 
followed her. 
 	Riley could hear the death-screams of the crew of the SARATOGA 
ring in his ears. He let go of a single tear before letting the doors 
close behind him. "Fleet informs me that there were forty-five 
thousand killed in that conflict." He drew in a breath. "I've seen 
worse," he wiped off the tear,"still hurts though." 
	Saavik stayed quiet for a second. "You muttered something on 
the bridge earlier," she glared into his eyes in an attempt to see 
if she could read his emotions. He knew it, and didn't fight it. Saavik 
probed deeper, letting go her own shields while probing into his mind. 
Her face started to show signs of wearing and pain. "No, too much, I 
can't keep it in..." She collapsed. 
	Matthews couldn't bear to watch the viewer anymore, the 
carnage on both sides of the equation was too extreme for him to take. 
"Damn it all, is this what I'm going be doing for the next few months, 
watching people die all around me." He found himself looking for the 
captain and noticed that Riley was nowhere to be found. "Hey, R'ress, 
where's the master of ceremonies?" 
	The Catian walked over to the human doctor. "I saw him walking 
out with Commander Saavik as the tape started. Sad thing about this 
situation don't you think?" 
	"That, Lieutenant, is a massive understatement," Matthews took 
another view of the monitor, this time watching CONSTELLATION's engine 
fly off into space. "I should have expected it, whenever you sign with 
the government you have to know the risks." 
	"Always, funny how the brochures never say that part," R'ress 
tore his eyes away from the viewer. "But then I guess that since we 
weren't drafted than it means we had it coming for volunteering." 
	And CONSTELLATION slammed into the hull of starbase six. 
	Saavik found herself groggy at Riley's feet. "Too many feelings 
that I couldn't even begin to encompass." She stood and composed 
herself again. "I kept getting drawn into your emotions, I lost 
concentration." 
	"I know, it's happened to me before." Riley gestured back to 
the recreational facility. "About what you wanted to ask, did you find 
your answers?" 
	Saavik still looked a bit dazed. "Some, but every answer led 
to another question." 
	"Come on, Commander," Riley spoke as he rested his hand on her 
shoulder, "we have a battleship to maintain. Besides, we have a full 
year to for you to try to probe my secrets." 
	When the doors opened letting the captain and first officer 
back into the room, only Matthews noticed. The rest of the crew watched 
in silent awe at the destruction of the starbase, leaving only the 
romulan battleship and the CONSTELLATION behind. "Viewer off," was the 
only response Riley could let the entire crew see. 
	Saavik spoke,"As you can see, the Romulans are relentless in 
their fights for the most part, the don't allow weak people to live 
beyond the age of five, so our best is equal to their average." 
	Riley took front again,"What Saavik is saying is that there is 
actually very little known about our foe. What we do know is that we 
are taking on the most worthy adversary we have," Riley looked over 
at Saavik and motioned for her to leave. "If you've read your history 
books you know what exactly I am talking about. The first Romulan war 
cost the early Federation half of her fleet, and the stakes are much 
higher this time." 
	The crew discussed among themselves for several seconds before 
Riley chose to speak again. "All personell will be assigned double 
shifts staring at twenty-four hundred hours. That means I want this 
vessel at full status as soon as possible, if there are questions 
refer them to your department heads as soon as I'm done with them." 
	Again there was a small bit of muttering from the crew. Riley 
let them work it out their systems before continuing a third time."All 
department heads are to remain here, the rest of you are free to return 
to duty." The crew started to scatter to the different doors in the 
recreation deck, but amidst the chaos some members did approach the 
stage area. 
	"Gentlemen, if you would follow me, please," Riley offered as 
he proceeded to leave. Matthews, Grissom, and three other people 
proceeded out of the rec room. "Security officer, I hope that I won't 
have an extreme use of your services, but in any case I want those 
new brigs tested. There are enough minor problems around here without 
worrying about if our security systems are on-line." 
	"Understood, sir," the Vulcan replied in a usual monotone voice 
that unnerved the doctor. The hextet rounded a curve and entered a 
small room. Inside was a large table with a holo-generator mounted 
on top. Each crew member sat down around the table with Riley taking 
the head seat. 
	"Ship's counselor, what about you?" Riley began cooly,"Are you 
capable of handling a ship of six hundred emotional souls?" 
	The Betazoid female eyed her captain. "It will prove difficult 
at times, as tensions on the ship raise in battle." 
	"Well then, Lieutenant Hila, you will have your work cut out 
for you. But at least you sound somewhat comfortable with it." Riley 
was pleased to see someone with that aspect in their personality. 
	"Sickbay is ready, all the new systems read as on-line," 
Matthews seemed a bit impressed by that bit. "I don't want to have to 
use all that fancy equipment down there." 
	"Your opinion is shared by the rest of the crew, Doctor," the 
Captain replied with a smirk. "The rest of you all know your jobs, so 
get going. Miss Grissom, I want my chair fixed as soon as possible, 
basically, now." 
	"We have already completed it, sir." She seemed smug in this 
point. "Would you care to try it out?" 
	"Yes, I believe I shall." Riley stood and the rest of the 
group stood as well. "Dismissed." 
	In a few moments Riley had entered the bridge and noted that 
Saavik has already assumed the tactical station. He sat in the chair. 
The controls were mounted nicely. The left arm was equipped with a 
rotator dial the Riley guessed was the yaw control. The right arm had 
the standard communication buttons as well as three buttons, two red 
and one blue. He instantly identified them as photon, phaser, and 
thrust controls. "I like this, Miss Grissom, reminds me of a holo-game 
I played on Cestus." 
	The engineer looked at the way Riley seemed to blend in with 
the machines around him. In an odd way it seemed that Riley could make 
the machines a part of himself, an efficient mesh of body and computers 
which combined into a symbiosis of power. "My machines compliment you, 
sir." 
	Riley smiled at her. "Yes they do, now get down to engineering 
where you can compliment me more." Riley turned his attention forward. 
"Mister O'Neil, increase our speed to full, we have a fleet to join." 
	"Aye, sir, increasing to warp thirteen." 
 
 
CHAPTER EIGHT 
 
        The rec deck had emptied with the exception of two, and these 
two were showing no signs of leaving as yet. Rela's dueling stick flew 
underneath Sunak's arm, and he felt the pain pierce his skin. He 
grabbed her arm and flung her easily several feet behind him. The 
strength took Rela by surprise. <You are much stronger than I pictured, 
my lord.> She stood and came barrelling at her commander poising the 
stick for a strike. 
	Sunak was ready for her and thrusted his own dueling stick to 
not only block hers, but send it reeling back across the floor. Rela 
lost balance and fell backwards. She looked up and saw her lord with 
the stick readied for a final blow. <I think,> he began, <that you may 
want to yield now.> 
	<I don't get it,> she replied as she stood, <I held that stick 
with a death-grip yet you knocked it out of my hand with ease.> Sunak 
offered his hand to her and helped her to compose herself. 
	<That's the point, you held the stick too tightly, and it just 
snapped off like a heavy branch would on a tree.> Sunak went behind 
his navigator and put his dueling stick into her hand. <Now clinch this 
as you would for battle.> She did so, and her veins started to show 
through her skin. <That's too tight, ease on it. Just put enough 
pressure to handle the stick and to keep it sturdy.> 
	Her grip on the stick relaxed somewhat. <Tell me, sir. Why did 
you apologise to Centurion Nikar when you grabbed him? He deserved it 
didn't he?> 
	Sunak fell silent for a moment, and looked into her eyes.<I'm 
not the sort of commander who likes to use intimidation and physical 
abuse to get people to follow my orders. I've seen ships that do such 
and I've seen crews attempt to kill their commanders.> He took a seat 
on the mat the two had been practicing on.<I don't want my own crew to 
wind up attempting to kill me for something I do.> 
	Rela sat and cocked her head with a smile. <No, you would much 
prefer the Senatorium to cast you off as a traitor for starting a war 
without their permission.> 
	Sunak laid a hand on her shoulder. <You do understand what is 
going on. The Senatorium ordered us to attack any ships near the Zone 
so they could ease their political status with colonists out here. I 
think they, at the time, realised a war could result. So they came up 
with a plan to protect themselves.> 
	Rela gave a look of concern. <You mean that they were planning 
on declaring us rogue all along?> 
	<I believe so. I contacted all other ships within the area, and 
when they heard this news they were much more than eager to jump to our 
side.> Sunak looked away from Rela for a few moments, instinctively she 
moved closer to him. <What bothers me is that I am starting this war.> 
	Rela caressed the opposite side of Sunak's face and pulled it 
so he would be looking at her. <You started this? I don't think so, I 
think you have save the honour of our people with this act.> 
	Sunak could feel the soft touch of Rela's hand across his 
face, and he reach for her hand. He started to become a bit lost in his 
concentration as he looked at her. <Rela...> he began to whisper. She 
bent over to kiss him and he pulled harshly away. 
	<What is it? What's wrong?> 
	The was a genuine pain in Sunak's voice as he spoke, a pain 
which seemed to penetrate into his very soul. <I can't take you, Rela, 
I just can't.> He started to stand and found that he was emotionally 
unable to. He looked again at her, and noted her compassion, her deep 
caring, her attraction. Could this be what love is, he found himself 
asking. <Rela, I'm truly sorry.> 
	She grabbed his hand, and she could feel the dense skin of his 
body for the first time. It was too dense to be Romulan. <I don't 
understand. I thought that you wanted me, like I wanted you. Please 
talk to me.> 
	The softness in her voice relaxed Sunak somewhat. <I'm not a 
full Rom'lnz by any measure Rela. Only my mother was Rom'lnz.> As he 
spoke, the words became more painful to bear. Rela put her arm around 
him and parted her other hand in the from of a "V" as she caressed 
his hand. <Rela, I'm half Klingon,> he finally admitted. 
	Rela was taken aback, but didn't stop showing her affection.<I 
thought that Klingons and Rom'lnz were incompatible. How could you...> 
she found herself lost in a train of thought that seemed to lead no 
where. 
	<My mother died giving birth to me,> he began slowly, painfully 
caring for each word he let out of his lips. <My Klingon father donated 
me to Klinzai research. They performed experiments on me, corrected 
the genetic defects in me.> He tried to be soothed by Rela's touch, but 
there was too much pain involved, too many memories. <They put me on 
display like some sort of animal. I was billed as the greatest feat 
of Klingon science in the entire Avastam.> 
	Rela tightened her grip on the commander. <My lord, if this is 
too much to bear for you then I will...> Rela could see that Sunak's 
personal reality was overshadowed my memory at this point. She only 
held him that much closer. 
	<In my fourth standard year, a Rom'lnz ship destroyed the 
Klingon science lab where I was displayed, and brought me into their 
influence. I was too physically superior to them for me to be one of 
the k'manatri, so they inducted me into the fleet early.> 
	Rela looked into her commander's eyes again, this time seeing 
all the emotion he possessed. <S'T'L'Sunak,> she whispered to him. <I 
still don't understand what your fear is. I can't see what bothers 
you so much.> 
	Sunak's look of pain subsided, and a look of incompleteness 
swept across his face. <I do not know, love. For me there was only 
the hate of the klivam and the duty of the Rom'lnz. I saw others while 
I was rising through the ranks. I saw the way that males and females 
interacted, but I could never take part.> 
	Rela brushed the side of Sunak's rough face. <You can now.> At 
this point, she kissed him thoughtfully and backed off. <Commander,> she 
began with a grin on her face, <I think you have a ship to run. Your 
bridge misses you.> 
	The giant Romulan stood, helping Rela get up. <I thank you, 
Rela, I have never felt as if I could talk to anyone.> He held her a 
moment, a sensation he found soothing. <I will,> he hesitated so he 
could pick the right words,<see you after the rendevous with the attack 
fleet.> The two touched their hands together in a ritual only true 
Romulans could understand and then Sunak walked off to the lift. 
	Rela considered following him for a moment, but declined. There 
would be no point to pursue this matter on the bridge, the rest of the 
crew had no need to overhear the commander's affairs. 
	When the lift doors opened, Rela was surprised to see Nikar 
walk through towards her. <Well, what did he say about me?> 
	Rela smiled at the Centurion's nervousness. <You're quite safe, 
Nikar. Sunak's apology was sincere.> 
	Nikar looked at her quizzically. <I get the distinct impression 
that more went on here than just dueling.> I know, Nikar thought to 
himself, I am asking a loaded question. But that was a damn long duel 
with someone three times your strength and twice your speed. 
	<Let's just say that the Commander had vulnerabilities no man 
could ever get to.> Rela called that the end of the conversation and 
walked to the lift with a broad smile on her face. Nikar just set 
about massaging his neck. 
 
 
CHAPTER NINE 
 
        The computer droned on, "Personell file, zero-one-one-seven- 
zero-one-bee. Name of Captain Thomas S Riley. Position of commanding 
officer aboard USS ENTERPRISE. Further data restricted to security 
clearance level four or above." 
	The engineer threw a fit and growled for no particular reason. 
"Computer, give personell record for USS HOOD circa stardate nine-nine- 
nine-eight." 
	"Access denied, data restricted to security level four or 
above." Someone is going to great pains to annoy anyone trying to find 
out about the new super-strong captain of this battleship. 
	Grissom frowned a second again and cleared the computer. "What 
the hell is he, a Federation experiment?" Once saying that, she began 
to consider it. "No, that sort of stuff went out with the genesis 
device," she mused. 
	The engineer's doors parted and Saavik walked in. Grissom 
started as the tall figure walked to her. "I have noted your access 
denials of late on the computer. I haven't informed the captain as yet, 
but duty dictates I do so." 
	Grissom turned to look at the Vulcan. "Tell me something, 
Saavik. Can Vulcans crush titanium?" 
	Saavik was taken aback by this question, especially as the 
engineer was supposed to be getting in trouble, not asking questions 
to the first officer. "Titanium? The strongest vulcans could bend 
small sheets with their hands, but only the strongest. Why do you ask, 
Commander?" 
	The engineer pressed a new sequence of buttons. "I saw our 
Captain, our Human captain, crush a titanium can." She tried for the 
medical files this time, again the computer responded with the security 
denial. "I was wondering if was half Vulcan." 
	Saavik went to the computer Grissom was typing on a shut it 
off. "Captain Riley is Vulcanoid for one half, human for the other." 
Well then, she thought to herself, that wasn't a lie. "I don't think 
you should pry into the subject more, it's bad enough that you've 
probed this far." 
	Grissom frowned. "I don't understand, was he cast-out because 
of his human half. I've heard of that being done." Saavik wondered if 
Paula knew how badly she was grasping at straws. 
	"Yes, Commander, Captain Riley was cast-out." Another nicely 
worded question, Saavik thought to herself. "If you have any other 
questions, you may want to address them to him." 
	A beep sounded from her computer. "Commander Grissom, you are 
needed in engineering." 
	The red-haired woman grimaced, then stood. "Commander Saavik, 
I get the distinct impression that there is more here than what meets 
the eye." Saavik replied by not saying or doing anything. "I'll find 
out, I don't like it when any man hides his past." She strolled out 
of the room. 
	Saavik raised an eyebrow at the engineer. "Sexism," she said 
to no-one in particular,"is illogical." 
	The engineering deck was filled with the noise of the engines 
and nothing else. "Where is everyone? Why is the deck empty?" Grissom 
frowned again as she rode the lift down. "Midshipman, why is my crew 
out-to-lunch?" 
	The midshipman spun around to notice his superior. "Madam, we 
are down to a working engineering crew of eight." 
	Grissom spoke sarcastically, "Yes, I can see that, the question 
is 'why?'. What has happened to the engineering crew?" 
	The midshipman obviously didn't want to answer, and nervousness 
seemed to be his prevalent emotion. "Madam, the engineering crew has 
been reporting to sickbay." 
	The red-head started to get upset. Her tone showed a bit more 
emotion than she would have wanted. "Okay, why is my crew," she began 
slowly, "in sickbay when they should be here for the transporter tests 
I ordered." 
	The midshipman coughed once before replying. It seemed nearly 
impossible that he would answer with a straight face. "It's the food 
dispensors, Madam." 
	"What about the food dispensors, midshipman?" she dared. 
	Finally the midshipman lost all composure and set about whining 
to his superior. "Madam, when the crew broke for lunch, they ate from 
the food dispensors as usual, and they all got sick. Only the crew 
members who haven't eaten remain here." 
	Thomas Riley's communications panel lit up again. It was bad 
enough that half his bridge crew was in sickbay, but for the same 
reason he's been getting calls from everywhere on the ship complaining 
about lack of personell. He turned it on. "Captain, this is Grissom, 
we are down to one-third personell down here and we need more time 
to run the transporter tests. I hope you can spare us that much." 
	The captain nearly let out a smile, but drew it back as he 
remembered that he was having the same problem. "We won't be needing 
the transporters for several hours. Also, get a programmer to look at 
the food dispensors, there's a bug in the programming somewhere." Not 
that she didn't already know that, he added to himself. "Take all the 
time you need for the transporters, but get the food problem straight 
first. Riley out." 
	The lift doors opened to the bridge and Matthews walked in. 
"Would you look at this spaciousness," he began with a false act of 
impressment. "Why, we have come a long way since the stark drabness 
of worrying about making the ship work instead of cosmetics. Just 
think, in several years we could have oak railings with smooth 
consoles. And how 'bout giving the entire place a nice soft glow so 
we can get a relaxed atmosphere on the bridge. Oh, I almost forgot 
the padded seats." 
	Riley turned to face the newcomer on the bridge. "Why bless 
me, doctor. My description of you was adequate to the hilt. What can 
I do for you?" 
	"For one thing you could turn the ship around until the damn 
programmers and engineers make this ship actually work." The doctor 
strolled to the left of the captain's chair. 
	"Doctor Matthews, the ship only has a few bugs in its system 
and I don't-" 
	"I've been telling the crew the exact same thing for the past 
hour now. 'You've only got a few bugs in your system, I don't think 
that it'll be to serious.' I'm damn tired of it. I've already issued 
our entire stock of indigestion pills in the past hour and I have 
forty people still waiting. I've been threatening to use the pumps on 
them if they don't stop whining, but that doesn't do much good either." 
	Riley put his fist over his mouth to try to hide his laughter. 
"I'm sure everything will turn out right for us, doctor." 
	"God damn programmers aren't smart enough to use the technology 
they've been given. I'm about ready to lobotomise the programmers, but 
fleet's not about to let me go and do that." 
	Riley finally broke out laughing. "I'm sorry, doctor, I really 
am, I can't help it." 
	"I don't find it a damn bit funny," the doctor retorted. 
	"Doctor, I am really sorry but I can't-" Riley started to laugh 
again. "Doctor, we'll get your needed supplies when we dock with the 
fleet, until then you'll just half to make do." 
	"Look, captain, sir. I am aware of what's happening out in the 
Neutral Zone, that's why I'm so reluctant to have this new ship and 
crew go out there. I don't think we're ready." 
	"Doctor, every available ship is being sent out there. The 
fleet we're docking with tonight consists of thirty-one ships. Ready 
or not, we have to go out there and do our part. The ENTERPRISE has 
the most firepower of the ships in that fleet and so they want us that 
much more." 
	"I'm glad to see that you like the idea so much." The doctor 
looked into the star pattern showing on the monitor. "I don't know, it 
seems that all these ships are good for is fighting. That's all fleet 
is caring about now." 
	Riley looked over. "That's not true, not entirely at any rate. 
Fleet designed this as a battleship, which is what they need. The 
Federation is not in the habit of designing warships all the time." 
	"This ship seems like a warship," the doctor muttered under 
his breath. "A luxury warship. USS ENTERPRISE, NCC-1701-B. Nicely 
disguised as a exploration vessel." 
	"Doctor," Riley began to explain, "I think that it's time for 
all of us, to start making the transition from science, to war." 
	"Yes, sir," Matthews replied with a sigh. 
	The battleship careened through yet another star-system in 
a blur of light. 
 
 
CHAPTER TEN 
 
        The looming figure of the FIERY RAVEN swept across the backside 
of the red planet. Sunak studied it from the bridge and was impressed 
by the world's magnificence. <Beautiful isn't it, Rela? The deep colour 
of the planet off setting the black void.> 
	Rela looked back toward her love and nodded. <As deep a colour 
as I have ever seen.> She returned her attention to her instruments. 
<Now reading multiple craft on far side of planet. Locating thirty 
different vessels of various size.> 
	<Our assault fleet has already set itself up for us.> Sunak 
again could feel the blood rush of power. <Standard orbit, standard 
velocity.> Nikar nodded and pressed some spots on his console. The 
FIERY RAVEN rolled over and started to hang over the ruby planet. 
	<Entering standard orbit, my lord,> Nikar replied. <We are 
being hailed.> 
	Sunak rubbed his chin for a second. <Who is the hail from?> 
	Nikar hit some more of his console and looked up. <It is a 
video message from Senator Mazan.> 
	Sunak smiled fiendishly. <On screen, Centurion. Let's see if 
the friendly Senator got my surprise.> The viewer displayed a bit of 
static for a moment before the image of an ancient Romulan displayed 
itself on the viewer. <Senator Mazan, greetings to you.> 
	<Spare me, Commander, I am not here to exchange formalities,> 
the Senator snapped angrily. <You know why I have called.> 
	Sunak couldn't help but feel invigorated. So far his plan had 
went along extremely well. All the pieces had fallen in place. He was 
winning. <Senator Mazan, I am pleased to report that our assault on 
starbase six was a success, even with the casualties we have suffered. 
The Rom'lnz strike fleet now has an open channel into Federation 
space.> 
	Mazan grimaced foully. <You defied me, dog. No Rom'lnz does that 
to me,> he growled. Sunak cracked another smile as he witnessed five 
armed Centurions enter the room Mazan was calling from. 
	<My dear Senator, no one in the empire enjoys being used for 
political fodder,> Sunak smiled evilly. <Not me, not the fleet, and not 
the Pratorum.> Mazan's mouth dropped. <Yes, I informed the high senator 
as soon as I was on to your plan. You didn't think that the entire 
fleet went rogue alongside me did you?> 
	Mazan backed from the viewer. <You Klingon bastard. Dare you do 
this? You've ruined everything.> 
	Sunak let a small burst of anger flow through his veins. <Watch 
your tone with me, ex-senator. I know of your own bastard son that you 
left in the stelai ler'hevai. I am surprised at your bigotry when you 
seem to have a fondness for 'weaker' species yourself.> 
	Mazan's face furied into the epitome of hatred. <Sunak, I will 
have my vengeance on you for this. If not you, then your heirs!> he 
screamed. 
	Sunak could see the Centurions attempt to corner the senator. 
<My friend, you are not in a position to threaten anyone,> Sunak mused. 
<Report status of fleet, Secundam Rela.> 
	Rela looked at her instruments a second time. <Up to fifty 
craft in all now, my lord. It seems the entire fleet in this sector 
has showed up for the party.> 
	A beep sounded, and a Centurion showed himself on the viewer. 
<My lord, it appears that Mazan has no honour left in him.> 
	<So it would appear, keep on him from now,> Sunak commanded. 
The bridge crew fell silent. <Mazan has run. Not very good timing for 
this to happen.> 
	The FIERY RAVEN rounded the planet and was within view of an 
immense array of bird-like star craft. The battleship began to slow 
as she approached the other ships. 
	<Let me understand all of this, sir. When did you inform the 
senator?> Nikar gave an intense look of confusion. <I thought that you 
were acting under your own initiative.> 
	Sunak smiled at the short Romulan. <When I got the orders to 
destroy the INTREPID I sent a message to the home system.> The giant 
Romulan sat back in his chair. <If I am going to start a war, I had 
better get some support.> 
	Rela smiled. <Sir, another voice message from home system.> 
	The speakers lit up as a shaky voice came over subspace. 
<S'T'L'Sunak, Mazan has stolen an Orion hauler and is attempting to 
leave the system.> 
	Sunak didn't show any pleasure at that statement. <I understand 
you, Centurion. I can't deal with that now.> Sunak watch the viewer 
as his ship began to take its position with the rest of the attack 
fleet. <Has a flock of fighters been sent up?> 
	<Affirmative, my lord. They shall have him intercepted within 
the hour.> The voice on the other side of the speaker didn't sound as 
if he was sure about that promise. 
	Sunak cut off the communications. <I don't want another message 
about Mazan unless it is from the high senator herself. Is that fully 
understood, Nikar?> 
	Nikar pressed a point on the center console. <Locking out all 
messages from Mazan scenario.> 
	<Ironic that this man who attempted to make us out to be rogue 
went rogue himself,> Sunak muttered to no-one in particular. 
	The FIERY RAVEN glided past a number of Stormbirds, resembling 
a flock of vultures letting their largest taking the point. A destroyer 
veered port from in front of the battleship. 
	Sunak looked over the flock of war vessels looming before him. 
Demons from hell, he thought to himself. One hundred-twenty years ago 
some Commander was sitting on his bridge, viewing the same sight. The 
prelude to a war, prelude to paving the road to the stars. The second 
Federation war as it would be called, started by the plans of an insane 
politician, fueled by desire to reach destiny, fought by those who 
are loyal to their cause. 
	Exactly the same as so many years ago. <My lord, the AVIANTRY 
requests that the FIERY RAVEN takes the point,> Rela piped with a wide 
grin. 
	Sunak studied the viewer. <I don't understand this, does the 
AVIANTRY give a reason?> Very unusual for a battleship to take the point 
from a command carrier. 
	<Sir, the AVIANTRY doesn't respond, but we are being hailed 
from Pratorum Zellana aboard the STARK EAGLE,> Rela showed a bit of 
confusion in her expression. 
	Sunak avoided any display of emotion. <On viewer, please.> 
The screen on the FIERY RAVEN changed again, revealing the beautiful 
figure of the female Pratorum. <Madam Zellana,> Sunak responded. 
	<Commander S'T'L'Sunak of the FIERY RAVEN,> she began in a 
quiet tone, <it appears that we now have an opening on the Senatorium. 
I am nominating you ti the position. You've done the Empire a great 
honour, and I am sure that you will receive the ballot.> 
	Sunak nodded as a gesture of thanks. <My duty extends to more 
than mere regulations.> The dark Romulan didn't appear to give any look 
of pleasure to his promotion. <We are at rendevous point now, my lady, 
and we'll be moving on the Federation shortly. Further communication 
will not be possible until the battle is over.> He drew in a breath. 
<I thank you for your nomination, and I take my dismissal.> 
	<S'T'L'Sunak,> the Pratorum replied, <I thank you, what you've 
done has saved the empire its honour in a time where it needed it the 
most.> 
	<What I have done, I needed to do, I expect nothing else in 
return,> Sunak replied thoughtfully. 
	<Of course,> the female replied smiling. <STARK EAGLE out.> The 
image in the viewer faded and Sunak let out a heavy sigh. 
	Rela was the first to respond to the news. <Do you realise what 
this means for you, Commander?> She gave a grin to the commander. <You 
will be the first,> she struggled for an appropriate word,<hybrid that 
would ever have been on the senate. That's an honour no one could ever 
dream of.> 
	Sunak smiled at her. <Dear Rela, it is not my desire to spend 
the rest of my days behind a desk somewhere worry about politics.> He 
folded his arms behind his head and let out another breath. <But, if I 
both work on the front, and accept the duties of the Senatorium then 
maybe I would consider it.> 
	The warbirds started to part from one another to let the 
FIERY RAVEN pass. The STARK EAGLE peeled off of the assault group and 
burned into warp space, heading back to the home-worlds. The smaller 
ships began to flank the twelve cruisers and the cruisers started to 
form into a standard "V"-cruise formation. 
	The FIERY RAVEN soared into position with nearly forty other 
birds, all orbiting the fire-red planet. The ships looked like demons 
fleeing from hell, and Sunak hoped the Federation would have the same 
picture. 
	<Sir, all ships report ready for assault on Federation fleet. 
Estimated time for interception is six hours ten minutes,> Nikar 
reported. 
	Sunak raised a finger and pointed to the viewscreen. <This is 
Fleet Commander Sunak to all vessel. Expect a high casualty rate, this 
offensive will not be an easy one as the Federation has increased their 
technology as well as we have.> He let the words sink into the hundreds 
of crew-members amongst the forty-some-odd vessels before continuing. 
<All vessels, ahead warp five, and good luck.> 
	FIERY RAVEN burned into warp space and was quickly followed 
by dozens of other birds of all sizes.
