Chapter 17
Captain's log: Stardate 2269.33
The Enterpriseis in orbit around Epsilon Hydrae IV, the site of the quadrant's much-advertised trade conference. The Seri Stone trade of Jovita is not the only issue to be discussed during the long week ahead, but it is the only one everyone seems to be talking about.
There are representatives from every known trading outfit, and from some unknown ones, as well. The two main competitors for the Seri Stone trade are, of course, the Klingon Empire and the Federation. The outcome of this decision will determine not only who receives the exclusive rights to buy and sell the famed Seri Stones, but also which government has the best interests of Jovita in mind—according to the Organian Peace Treaty—and thus have control over the planet.
I am confident the officers and crew of the Enterprise made a positive, lasting impression on the Jovetian delegation. I believe if it were up to Ben'yla, the Federation would be chosen not only to trade with the Jovitians, but also to offer our protection from the inevitable illegal mining operations that will spring up as soon as this trading conference ends.
Unfortunately, Ben'yla is no longer confident of the outcome of his government's choice. He suspects that a good number of the delegates who traveled aboard the Korbinare sympathetic to the Klingon proposal and have been working hard to convince their young princess the Klingon offer is best.
Captain's Log, personal
Frankly, I couldn't care less who gets the trading rights. My only concern is for the fate of the two Federation prisoners being held aboard the Korbin—Ms. Nan Rushmore of the Federation News Service and Jamie. I've had no word regarding their well-being, and Kor is his usual, evasive self. I suspect the news reporter will play a prominent role in the drama shortly to be played out at the trade conference. However, I have no idea why they took my daughter, unless it is as Ben'yla suspects—a way to keep Princess Meyla compliant and cooperative.
Kirk flipped the off switch on his recording computer, rolled onto his back, hands behind his head, and stared at the cabin ceiling. From his crew's point of view, last night had been an evening to celebrate. The Enterprise had gone back to its 24-hour rotation of alpha, beta, and gamma shifts and the protocol rules had been dumped down the nearest disposal chute. Everybody was winding down from the stress of the past two weeks.
Yet, from Kirk's point of view, this mission had been a headache from the beginning. His hands were properly tied. There was no way to get Nan and Jamie off Kor's ship, even if the commander wished to do just that.
There is something unsettling going on over there, Kirk decided. And a Federation newscaster and my little girl are smack in the middle of it.
Kirk shifted uncomfortably on his bunk. How do I get them off that ship?
Despite Kor's ongoing threats to blast the Enterprise out of the sky, the commander was one of the few honorable Klingons Kirk knew. If Kor gave his word, he kept it. He knew Jamie and Nan were relatively safe, for now.
So long as Kor remains in control of his ship. His stomach clenched at the thought of a mutiny aboard the Korbin.
The intercom's shrill whistle blared in his ear. "Kirk here."
"Lieutenant Hanson, sir. You wanted to know when we were within transporter range of the conference center."
"Thank you, Hanson. Inform the transporter room that Mr. Spock and I will be beaming down."
"Aye, sir."
When Kirk arrived at the transporter room, McCoy was there to greet him, along with two red-shirted security guards.
"What's all this, Bones?"
"I'm coming too."
"And the guards?"
"Didn't you learn anything when we had those Jovitians aboard? Honor guards are a symbol of importance. And at this conference, importance is the only way we're going to get in."
"I suppose that's why you're in your class-A's?"
McCoy stopped to scratch an itch at his neck. "Yes. Whatever it takes."
"I see."
McCoy held up another dress uniform, only this one was green, with plenty of braid. "I took the liberty of gathering up your tunic. We might even impress Councilor Grayson with these duds."
"I doubt it." But Kirk changed into his class-A's without an argument. When the door whooshed open and Spock joined them, he noticed his first officer was similarly dressed.
"Bones got to you too, eh, Spock?" Kirk said with a grin.
"Captain?" Spock's eyebrows rose.
Kirk brushed past his first officer and strode to the transporter platform. "Forget it, Spock." He motioned the guards to join them. "Energize."
They beamed down into a huge, covered coliseum, the site of the conference. Not only were the Jovitians represented at the exposition, but vendors and goods from all over the quadrant hocked their wares in every square meter of the domed building.
Humanoids of every size and shape wandered the corridors. Delegates from dozens of worlds sat around huge tables, discussing prices and the availability of their products. It was a mixture of chaos, beauty, and wealth.
Kirk asked an Andorian for directions to the Federation/Jovetian talks and discovered it was clear on the opposite side of the coliseum.
"Be advised," the Andorian told them, "that due to the delicate nature of these talks and the high level of tension, you must have a security 6 clearance to proceed."
Kirk nodded. "Understood."
The Enterprise officers glanced into the retina scanner. It beeped approvingly.
"You may pass," the Andorian said. "However, the guards may not."
"Benson, Crewe," Kirk ordered, "remain here and stay alert for any trouble."
"Aye, Captain," they said as one.
The trip through the coliseum was a nightmare of weaving through countless bodies. By the time they reached the Federation contingent, Kirk was sweating.
He recognized Councilor Grayson and the Federation delegation in earnest conversation with the Jovitians. They sat around a large table in a section of the coliseum cordoned off for the talks. The Klingons were nowhere in sight.
"Captain Kirk!" Ben'yla greeted the captain warmly and shook his hand. "I see you could not stay away. You wish to observe as the Federation and the Klingon Empire engage in the final battle to make a good impression on us?"
"Advisor, I think we both know the battle is about over."
Ben'yla lost his smile. "I'm disappointed. I would have preferred the Federation. Your people seem the more honorable of the two." He shook his head. "But my lone voice will mean little if Meyla endorses the Klingon offer. And we have yet to see what tricks the Klingons have performed with your news reporter."
"Your people will get a good price for their Seri Stones," Kirk assured him. "The princess won't endorse the Klingons' offer if the price is not right."
Ben'yla nodded. "So, Captain, why are you really here?"
"To find a way to recover Jamie and Ms. Rushmore," Kirk answered with a heavy heart. "I'm hoping for a chance to—" He broke off as the Klingon contingent made their way into the area.
K'traz was in the lead. He walked beside Tur'pov, the Jovitian advisor. Meyla walked just behind them, looking serious and little scared. Behind the princess came Nan Rushmore, dressed in a splendid outfit of bright colors. Her recorder panned the scene. Her lips moved into her small microphone. She seemed at ease with the situation.
Following close behind the newswoman, the Jovitians from the Korbin strolled through the crowd, who parted for the high-ranking visitors. Six distinguished-looking Klingons brought up the rear of the delegation, the Klingon counterparts of Grayson and the Federation ambassadors.
Kirk watched the procession with wariness. They took their seats opposite the Federation group. The Jovitians panned out on each side.
"Excuse me, Captain," Ben'yla spoke quickly. "I must greet my niece."
Kirk and his companions retired to the observers' section, tiered seating just above and beyond the table. The seating was made available for those who were not part of the delegation proper but wished to observe the proceedings. It gave a clear view of both sides. Other interested Federation people began to fill the seats.
From his excellent-viewing position, the captain watched Ben'yla and the princess greet each other. The girl clung to her uncle as they found their seats. She appeared to be speaking earnestly, whispering in his ear.
She looks upset, Kirk observed.
Ben'yla laid a quieting hand on his niece's arm and shook his head.
"A worthless exhibition," a low, disgusted voice said in Kirk's ear.
The captain whirled. Taking the empty seat next to him, Commander Kor indicated the trade delegation. "There sit the pompous diplomats from both our governments. A more stubborn, narrow-minded, troublesome group of idiots I've never seen."
Kirk was too surprised to do more than offer a clipped greeting.
Kor nodded at Spock. "First Officer Spock. We meet again."
"Commander," Spock replied neutrally.
"This is McCoy," Kirk introduced him quickly. "My chief medical officer." He turned back to Kor. "Where's Jamie?"
"You get right to the point, don't you, Kirk?" Kor said. "Refreshing."
"Kor," Kirk warmed.
"She's aboard the Korbin, in good health but not very happy with the current situation."
"How do I get her back?"
"That will be difficult," Kor admitted. "But I will tell you what I know."
"Go on."
"The renegade female, Marrid Feldman, will bring her planetside later today. The child is a guarantee that the princess does and says exactly what her advisors have told her. Advisors that support the Klingon plan."
Kirk's hopes soared. "Jamie will be here at the conference?"
"Yes, but do not make the mistake of thinking you will simply walk up and snatch her from Marrid. That would be most ill-advised."
"And after the conference?"
"Marrid intends to keep her, for reasons of her own." Kor's eyes flashed in anger and annoyance. "That half-breed woman is a menace, crazy with revenge. She should not be trusted with any sentient lifeform, much less a young child." He clenched his fist. "I suggest you think of a plan to rescue your daughter. And it had better be a sneaky plan, Kirk. Any plan that involves confronting Marrid face to face will fail."
Kirk stared at Kor. "Why are you telling me this?"
"I am a warrior, as you are. This political intrigue disgusts me. I would dearly love to engage you in honest, open battle. I would blow your ship into the afterlife without a moment's hesitation, with all aboard her. But I refuse to use an innocent child to win something that my government fears we cannot gain honestly."
He looked uncomfortable. "I would never admit this to anyone else, Kirk, but an honorable enemy is the next-best thing to a friend."
Kirk nodded. Kor was indeed an honorable enemy. He waited in silence. He sensed Kor had more to say, but it was clearly difficult for him.
"There's something going on aboard my ship," Kor finally said. "I don't know what it is. Something dangerous. K'traz has been strutting around too smugly the past few days for it to be anything innocuous."
Kirk held his breath. The commander had just confirmed his own suspicions.
"It's something with consequences that could severely alter the balance of power in the galaxy. I intend to find out exactly what, but by the time I do, it may be too late—for you, for your daughter." He sighed. "Maybe for any of us."
With that, Kor stood, bowed to McCoy and Spock, and disappeared into the crowd.
