Текст книги "In Tempest's Wake "

Автор книги: Dayton Ward

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SEVEN

Stardate 5821.3

U.S.S. Enterprise

“Red Alert! Red Alert! All hands to battle stations! This is not a drill! Captain Kirk to the bridge! Repeat, this is not a drill!”

Already walking from his quarters toward the nearest turbolift, Kirk sprinted forward in response to Lieutenant Uhura’s summons. Hearing or seeing his approach, members of his crew cleared a path for him while making their way to their own assigned stations. The ship’s alarm klaxon began wailing for attention as Kirk plunged into the waiting turbolift car.

“Bridge,” he called out, reaching for one of the lift’s control levers. The car began its rapid ascent, already working under a command override that gave him priority access to the fastest turboshaft route leading to the Enterprisebridge. Willing the lift to move faster, Kirk slapped the activation switch on a nearby communications panel. “Kirk here. What’s going on?”

Instead of Uhura, it was his first officer who replied. “Spock here, Captain. Our sensors have detected four Tholian vessels on an intercept course. However, the direction from which they changed in order to come after us indicates they were on a course for Starbase 47.”

Damn it, Kirk thought. Nogura was right.“Are you sure?” he asked, frowning as the turbolift began to slow.

The Vulcan replied, “Affirmative, sir. All four vessels identify as Tholian warships.”

The turbolift came to a halt and the doors opened. The car was filled with the sounds of heightened activity as Kirk stepped onto the bridge. His eyes moved to study the main viewscreen, which at present showed only a field of streaking stars as the Enterprisemade its way through subspace at maximum warp. Though he had left Spock with the conn in his absence, the command chair was vacant as the first officer busied himself at his science station. Noting the captain’s arrival, Spock turned from his console as Kirk approached.

“Nogura suspected something like this might happen,” Kirk said by way of greeting, “which is why he ordered us to get back to the station as fast as possible.” The potential for Tholian incursion had been a constant threat for the past few years, dating back to Starfleet’s earliest probes into the Taurus Reach. From those first days, the Tholians had made no secret of their displeasure at having outsiders moving about this region, for reasons they of course chose not to provide.

Starfleet had since figured out the cause of the Tholians’ unrest, with its discovery of the Shedai and that ancient civilization’s array of advanced technology, as well as the millennia-old connection it shared with the Tholians. The reclusive, xenophobic race’s discontent only deepened the farther into the Taurus Reach Starfleet explored as it acquired more knowledge about the Shedai. Aggressive action already had been taken by the Tholians against Starfleet, including the destruction of the U.S.S. Bombayand their recent attack against the starships Endeavourand Sagittarius, in ongoing bids to force the Federation to reconsider its interests in the area. According to reports Nogura had given him—each of them incomplete and heavily redacted to remove any information deemed beyond the scope of his own security classification—Kirk knew that the Tholians would not hesitate to unleash even greater offensive sanctions if they believed Starfleet’s continued presence constituted a threat to their sovereignty and security.

Maybe they already have.

“Time to intercept?” he asked, turning from the science station to once more regard the image on the main viewscreen.

Spock replied, “At our present speeds, we should be in visual range in two point seven minutes. Our scans have determined that their weapons and defenses are active.”

“Put them on screen, Mister Sulu,” Kirk said as he stepped down into the command well.

“Aye, sir,” replied the lieutenant, and the image on the viewscreen shifted to show a quartet of angular, arrowhead-shaped Tholian vessels. They were traveling in a diamondlike formation, from which Kirk surmised they could deploy either individually or in pairs in order to bring to bear not only their weapons but also the energy web generators with which the Enterprisealready had firsthand experience.

Without being prompted, Sulu reported, “Deflector shields at full power, sir. All weapons and crews on standby.”

“Thank you, helm,” Kirk said. “Lieutenant Uhura, open a hailing frequency to the Tholian ships.” Looking over his shoulder, he saw the communications officer tapping instructions to her console with her right hand, the other holding a Feinberg receiver to her left ear.

“Frequency open, sir.”

With his back to the helm and navigation stations, Kirk placed his hands behind him and used them to brace himself against the console. He drew a deep breath before announcing, “Tholian vessels, this is Captain James T. Kirk, commanding the Federation Starship Enterprise.Our sensors have detected your approach course and that you have armed your weapons. This is an act of aggression and we are prepared to defend ourselves. Please state the nature of your presence in this area.”

After a moment, Uhura said, “No response, Captain, though they are receiving.”

“As talkative as ever,” added Ensign Chekov from where he sat behind Kirk.

Considering his next move, Kirk regarded the enemy ships, which were growing larger on the screen with each passing moment. “Tholian vessels, we also detected your transit toward our starbase in this region. If you’re planning an attack against it, I’d caution you that such action is unwise. Your four ships would stand little chance against the station’s defenses.”

“Trying to goad them a bit, sir?” Scott asked from where he stood at the railing near his engineering station.

Kirk shrugged. “Can’t hurt.”

“Captain,” Spock said, and when Kirk looked to the science station he saw the Vulcan bent over his sensor viewer. “They are accelerating.”

“They’re breaking formation!” called Sulu, and Kirk was in time to see the quartet of ships each veering off in different directions.

Pushing himself away from the helm console, Kirk moved for his chair. “Lock photon torpedoes on targets and stand by for my command.” He caught Scott eyeing him as he settled into the center seat. “I guess it worked.”

“Looks that way, sir,” the engineer replied before returning his attention to his own station.

Spock peered into his sensor viewer. “They appear to be attempting an enveloping maneuver using four different attack vectors.”

“That’ll be a neat trick at warp seven,” Scott said.

Leaning forward in his seat, Kirk ordered, “Push it to warp eight.”

“Aye,” Scott replied, and the captain noted the hint of uncertainty in the man’s voice. Kirk could sympathize, as the Enterprisehad endured much travel at its maximum speeds in recent weeks while responding to the demands placed upon its captain and crew. The chief engineer had requested a quick layover at a starbase at the earliest opportunity, wanting a chance to inspect the ship’s innards and complete any necessary maintenance tasks, but operational tempo had so far prevented that. Despite the need to return to Starbase 47 as soon as possible, Kirk had deferred to Scott’s recommendation that they not exceed warp seven unless absolutely necessary. Though Kirk was now forced to invoke that exception, he still had full confidence in Scott’s ability to keep the ship in top operating condition.

Just so long as nobody shoots it out from under us.

A faint but noticeable vibration working its way up through the deck plates, along his chair’s pedestal, and into his boots was Kirk’s first indication that the ship was increasing speed in response to his command. Glancing over Sulu’s shoulder at the helm console, he noted the Enterprise’s current velocity as reported on one of the station’s status indicators.

“Warp eight, sir,” Sulu reported.

“The Tholians are accelerating to pursue,” Spock said, turning from his console. “They are matching our speed.”

Not wanting a replay of the Tholians’ recent chase of the Endeavourand the Sagittariusout of the Iremal Cluster, Kirk ordered, “Tactical plot on main viewer.” A computer-generated schematic appeared on the viewscreen, illustrating the Enterprise’s current position relative to the Tholian ships. Using the data presented, Kirk considered the strategic options available to him. Though he knew from his review of the Tholians’ tactical abilities that his ship likely could withstand an attack even from four warships, a prolonged firefight definitely would favor his opponents. His best move was to put the Tholians on the defensive by any means available. The longer he waited, the fewer choices would remain. The time to act was now. “Fire a warning shot, Mister Chekov. One photon torpedo across the bow of the ship to our starboard side, aft.”

The young ensign nodded, keying the proper instructions to his console. “Aye, sir. Firing.”

On the viewscreen, the tactical diagram displayed the trajectory of the torpedo toward its target, and the response was immediate as the Tholian vessel veered away from its pursuit course. At the same time, the other three ships also changed their directions, and Kirk knew what was happening even before the report came.

“Incoming fire!” Sulu exclaimed.

“Brace for impact!” was all Kirk had time to say, gripping the arms of his chair as something struck the Enterprise’s deflector shields and the ship shuddered around him. Overhead lighting blinked and alarm klaxons wailed around the bridge as the shields absorbed the strike. Two more salvos followed in rapid succession, each blocked by the shields but still powerful enough to channel a portion of their energy into the ship itself.

“Deflectors holding,” Scott reported, “but they won’t for long if our friends keep that up.”

Kirk nodded. “Return fire, all banks!”

As the barrage of torpedoes was launched, the tactical plot showed the Tholian ships’ attempting to respond to the weapons, but Kirk knew that evasive maneuvers at this speed were all but useless.

“Hits on all four ships,” Sulu said, his attention divided between his controls and the tactical scanner that he had brought up from his console. “Their shields absorbed most of the damage, though.” A second later, the Enterpriseshuddered yet again as the Tholians scored their own hits on the starship’s shields.

Rising from his chair, Kirk moved to stand behind Chekov. “Continue firing. Concentrate on their forward shields. Don’t give them a chance to shore up their defenses.” He had no interest in destroying the enemy vessels unless left with no other option, but if one or two of the ships could be disabled, perhaps the others would be persuaded to break off their attack. “Scotty, how are the shields?”

The engineer replied, “We’re down to seventy-six percent on the aft and port generators. I can up that a bit if we reroute.”

“Do it,” Kirk ordered. “Take everything from the forward shields if you have to. I don’t plan on letting them get in front of us.” His plan was simple: keep the Enterprisemoving forward and force the Tholians to match its speed, and hammer their forward shields until something punched through . . .

. . . Before they do the same thing to us.

Looking up from his sensor viewer, Spock said, “One of the vessels is decelerating.”

“It took a direct hit!” Sulu added, peering into his own scanner. “That last strike took out its forward shields and impacted its hull.”

When another strike connected with the Enterpriseshields, Kirk felt the deck shift, and he gripped the back of Chekov’s chair to maintain his balance. Something popped at or near the environmental control station on the bridge’s port side, and within a few seconds the unmistakable odor of a circuit burnout assailed Kirk’s nostrils. A glance in that direction told him that the officer manning that station, Lieutenant Medeiros, already had the situation under control, ensuring that any fire threat was contained.

“Damage report!” Kirk snapped.

Scott replied, “Our aft starboard shields are buckling, and we’re getting reports of overloads across the ship. I’m rerouting power to reinforce them, but they’ll give way if they take a couple more hits like that last one.”

“Remaining vessels are maintaining course,” Spock said, “though I’m detecting disruptions in the port deflector shields of the lead ship.”

Kirk tapped Chekov on the shoulder. “Target him and fire.”

“Aye, sir.” The ensign’s hands moved over the firing controls. Kirk watched the tactical readout on the main viewscreen charting the trajectory of the two torpedoes Chekov had dispatched, and a moment later the younger man pounded his fist on his console. “Both hits, sir!”

Spock said, “Affirmative. The ship’s port and forward shields are down, and I’m detecting damage to the vessel’s hull. It is dropping out of warp.”

“Captain!” Sulu snapped, and when Kirk looked up, the helm officer was pointing toward the screen. “The other two ships are veering off.”

Pushing himself away from Chekov’s station, Kirk asked, “What about it, Spock?”

“The two vessels are decelerating and changing course back toward their companions,” the Vulcan replied. “They may be attempting recovery operations.”

“Sulu, bring us out of warp,” Kirk ordered. “Uhura, hail the lead ship and tell them we’re maintaining station and won’t interfere in any attempt to aid those ships, but we stand ready to assist if they request it.” Looking to Spock, he saw his friend offer an almost imperceptible nod.

A moment later, Uhura swiveled in her seat, her expression one of concentration as she reached for the Feinberg receiver in her ear. “I’m picking up a response, sir, but it’s weak. Their communications array may have been damaged.” Her free hand played across her console before she added, “You’ll want to hear this, Captain.”

“On speakers,” Kirk said. Uhura made the necessary adjustments, and the bridge’s intercom system flared to life with the sounds of a rather annoyed Tholian.

“Maintain your distance, Starfleet vessel,”it said, in the high-pitched, filtered whine that was a characteristic of translated Tholian speech. “There is nothing you can do that will mitigate the damage caused by your ignorant meddling. You have ignored our every warning, and now you will pay for your arrogance. We will drive the Federation from this space and show no mercy. Flee, humans, for your time as a nuisance to us is at an end.”There was an audible snap as the transmission ended, and Kirk turned to Uhura, who already was examining various indicators on her console before she looked up and shook her head.

“They severed the link, sir.”

Spock added, “Sensors are picking up indications of transporter activity, Captain. So far as I am able to determine, neither damaged Tholian vessel suffered any casualties.”

“I suppose that’s something,” Kirk mused, more to himself than anyone else. His thoughts were focused on the terse message transmitted by the Tholian leader. Drive the Federation from this space?“They were on a course for Vanguard,” he said as he stepped toward the railing separating him from Spock’s station. “Their message can mean only one thing: the Tholians really are planning to attack the station. Nogura knows about it, which is why he called us back.”

Nodding in apparent agreement, the first officer turned from his console and clasped his hands behind his back. “Such an act would require a sizable offensive force. Perhaps the ships we encountered were traveling to join with such an armada.”

Kirk, already resting his hands on the railing, felt his grip tightening as he contemplated the possibilities. Starbase 47, though possessing considerable defensive capabilities, was still a stationary target a long way from home. Support from other starships would be limited, at best, and that was if Admiral Nogura’s people had been able to effect repairs to the Sagittariusand the Endeavour, both damaged during their flight from the Iremal Cluster. If the Tholians were massing an attack force to throw at Vanguard, nearly every other Starfleet ship with the realistic ability to come to the station’s assistance would be too far out of range.

Except one.

“Mister Sulu,” Kirk said, new resolve beginning to well up from within him, “get us back to Starbase 47. Maximum warp, Scotty, until we get there, or we blow apart.”

EIGHT

Stardate 5829.6

Starbase 12

Kirk watched as Nogura, apparently needing a change of pace from the Saurian spirits they both had enjoyed to this point, retrieved a saucer holding a cup of steaming tea from the food slot at the rear of the office. Lifting the cup from the saucer, Nogura brought it to his nose and inhaled the tea’s aroma, and his expression softened as a sigh escaped his lips.

“Last chance before I sit back down,” Nogura said, prior to taking a sip of the tea.

Holding up a hand, Kirk shook his head. “No, thank you, sir.” Despite its allure, he also had opted against enjoying any more of the admiral’s exquisite brandy, not wanting to risk any real compromising of his faculties. Perhaps Nogura felt the same way, though Kirk suspected the older man never would admit any such thing.

Nogura again sipped from his cup before moving toward his chair behind the desk. “As you rightly surmised, we were well aware of the potential for the Tholians to attack the station. What we didn’t count on was bringing them down on our own heads.” Reclaiming his seat, he placed the cup and saucer on the desk. “Xiong discovered that activating the array and trying to direct its power had one major side effect: it transmitted a signal in such a manner that it was heard, or received, or feltby everyTholian, everywhere.From that, they knew what we’d done, and what we were capable of doing.” Shrugging, he added, “Neat trick, considering even we didn’t know what we might be able to do with the array.

“Xiong was against the experiments, of course, worried that we were exploiting a sentient race against their will for our own ends.” Nogura shook his head. “Even when things were at their worst, Xiong still looked for some way, any way, to find a peaceful solution and a means of somehow communicating with the Shedai. He was against the notion of simply plundering their technology, at least not so long as there were representatives with whom we might share a dialogue.” Blowing out his breath, Nogura leaned back in his chair. “I’m as realistic and even cynical as the next person, but if he’d been given enough time, I’d like to think he would’ve succeeded.”

Kirk nodded. Though his interactions with the young lieutenant had been few and infrequent, they still were sufficient for him to form an opinion on the man’s character. “We’d all probably be better off with more people like Ming Xiong.”

“Damned right,” Nogura replied as he reached for his tea. “Unfortunately, most of the people currently running Starfleet are like me, and we have only ourselves to blame for what happened in the Taurus Reach.” As Kirk opened his mouth to respond, the admiral held up his hand. “Yes, our motives may have been pure, but our methods left much to be desired. Some of the decisions we were forced to make may have been inescapable, but the circumstances that led us to those decisions were of our own creation. Whether blinded by hopeless optimism or boundless arrogance, we made our bed out here.”

It was unusual to hear a flag officer, particularly one of Nogura’s experience and standing, ruminating in such a fashion. However, Kirk had known for some time that the admiral was not the typical bureaucrat of the sort that seemed to fill the halls of leadership and power, not only within the upper echelons of Starfleet Command but also the Federation civilian government. Far too many of those people—in Kirk’s opinion, at least—seemed more concerned with protecting their own careers and casting blame away from their areas of influence, rather than asking the hard questions that demanded difficult and often unpleasant answers. Kirk much preferred officers who presented themselves in the latter fashion, and though he and Nogura did not always agree, such as when they butted heads over security and Kirk’s need to know regarding aspects of Operation Vanguard—he found his respect for the admiral growing each time they met.

“And the Tholians did their level best to make us lie in that bed,” Kirk said. “Though, as you say, we pushed them to that point.”

Nogura finished his tea. “Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Given the usual Tholian xenophobia, it’s not as though we ever were going to be the best of friends, but that doesn’t mean we needed to go out and antagonize them, accidentally or otherwise. Once the link was discovered between the Tholians and the Shedai, and how sensitive they were to the entire situation, we could’ve backed off, or stopped altogether, or maybe—in a fantasy world—somehow enlisted their assistance. A few individual Tholians helped us along the way, after all. It’s too bad we couldn’t have expanded on that collaborative spirit.”

Kirk shifted in his seat. “If the Tholians’ ancestors were slaves to the Shedai, it makes sense that they’d never want to risk that happening again.”

“And yet here we were,” Nogura replied, “having captured the last of their ancestors’ oppressors.”

Kirk recalled what he had read about Tholian culture and history, at least the little information that was available or collected in the brief time the Federation had enjoyed what passed for diplomatic relations with the cloistered race. After delving beyond the usual reports about their low regard for most humanoid species and their penchant for expanding and retracting their borders with no apparent rhyme or reason, there was one fact about their physiology that had fascinated him. “From what I understand, the Tholians are able to somehow share or experience the memories of their ancestors, which in turn are passed along with the memories of each generation to the next. However they do it, they seem actually able to feel as though they lived through such events themselves.”

Nodding, Nogura replied, “It sounds crazy, I know, but there’s apparently some truth to it. If that’s the case, then it’s entirely possible that the current generations of Tholians possess memories of their forefathers living under Shedai rule, and for all we know it feels to them like it just happened yesterday.”

Kirk grunted. “It sure as hell’s a unique explanation for holding a grudge.”

“And that’s before we went and tried to use the Shedai trapped in Xiong’s array,” Nogura countered. He leaned forward, his voice growing quieter as though he suspected his next comments might be overheard. “We destroyed a planet with the damned thing, Kirk. Ursanis II, an uninhabited rock chosen just for the purpose. We crushed it to powder before making it disappear to who knows where. Remember the Jinoteur system? Imagine being able to do that at will.”

Dread gripped Kirk as he recalled what he knew of the Jinoteur system, both from official Starfleet reports as well as the explosive feature written by that journalist, Timothy Pennington, for the Federation News Service. Believed to be the origin point for the Shedai, the system was the scene for what turned out to be a remarkable confrontation between members of the mysterious race and Starfleet. “The Shedai made the whole system disappear,” he said. “Whether they destroyed it or transported it to some other location or dimension is anyone’s guess.”

“Exactly,” Nogura said. “And once the Tholians realized what we had and what we could do, there was no way they were going to let us keep it. They didn’t want it, and they weren’t going to risk us losing control of the Shedai and letting them escape. In their minds, that left one option: send the Shedai, the station, and everyone on it straight to hell, and God help anything or anyone who got in their way.”