Chapter Three
Captain's Log: Stardate 1424.00
Ahead of time, the Enterprise has reached the rendezvous coordinates; we have sent the encoded message to the Romulan ship as ordered. All we have to do is sit and wait.
The calm serenity of space was broken by the arrival of the large USS Enterprise NX-300-A exiting warp in a brilliant display of energy as she slowed from high warp to full impulse and slowly coming to a full stop at the boarder between the two vast powers of the United Federation of Planet and the Romulan Star Empire. Holding position at the boarder, the highly classified signal was sent on an encoded channel to its destination as the deadly Starship remained at Yellow Alert. Although her weapons and shields where not active, they where on standby mode as the newly promoted Lieutenant Junior Pavel A. Chekov kept his finger ever ready over the control to activate the defensive systems on the newly refit ship. With crew reaction time above 90% and all crewmembers equipped with Phaser sidearms, Chekov had lived upto the deal made with Kirk and received the first promotion of his short career.
Due to Doctor McCoy's expert treatment of his battle wounds against the offending table in his quarters, the bruise had been healed yet a slight throbbing pain echoed through his leg, something which was an obvious joke made by the Doctor, a joke Kirk had repaid on the Doctor before he left for the bridge.
Comfortably sitting in the large leather command chair, Kirk checked over the readings on his command console before him as his bridge crew gave their brief reports.
"We're holding position Captain" Reported Sulu.
"Weapons and shields are standing by Keptain!"
"Thank you Chekov, Spock?"
"Sensors are not detecting a vessel at the co-ordinates provided sir"
"Could they be cloaked?"
"Doubtless, the new sensors are advanced enough to detect a vessel under cloak, even at this distance"
"Impressive" He smiled. "I won't tell the Romulans if you don't. Uhura?"
"Nothing sir"
"Alright… keep an ear out. Let me know the instant you hear anything. I'll be in the ready room, Spock you have the bridge"
"Aye sir"
Captain's Log: Supplemental
We've been holding position for almost four hours, so far no sign of our Romulan escort. I fear that this could be all for nothing. I have broken radio silence and reported back to Command, they have authorised us to leave this area if our escort has not arrived in twenty hours.
Finishing off his third large cup of Klingon inspired coffee, Kirk could almost feel the caffeine rushing through his system as he sat back on the large comfortable sofa reading an old leather bound book given to him many years ago by his old Academy friend, Sean Finny. Finishing off yet another chapter of the book, he closed the book finally and placed it on a small glass top table before him as the door chime to his office rang.
"Enter!" He called out.
"How's the leg?" McCoy said as he entered.
"Fine. Anything?"
"Not yet… Uhura is still monitoring. The crew is getting a little nervous Jim"
"They're not alone, I hate being out here"
Smiling slightly, McCoy walked towards the replicator and ordered himself a drink and sat on a chair facing his captain and good friend. Smiling slightly, he picked up the old book and read the title with a slight smile.
"Heavy reading"
"Leo Tolstoy… War and Peace. I've been reading that book for five years; I'm only about half way through so far"
"Slow reader?" McCoy laughed.
"You're a funny man Bones… did I ever tell you that?"
"Once or twice. Klingon Coffee, how can you drink that swill?"
"An acquired taste"
"Isn't that illegal?"
"One of the advantages of being a thousand light-years from command. How goes the research?"
"I've gone as far as I can with the ante-virus. All that remains is a test. I hope Selana gets here soon… I could use her help with the final modifications"
"You and me both, what the hell is that you're drinking?"
"Just a good ol' fashioned cup of tea Jim, you should try it sometime, you may sleep better"
It had been several months since Kirk actually had a chance to relax, before he took command of his ship he worked at Starfleet Academy teaching Cadets advanced Starship Combat Tactics, a class that began over a century ago during the Romulan War. Based on the teaching methods of Captain Charlotte Walker, the class taught those who where considered the best Cadets and pushed them beyond the original teachings of Starfleet Academy. With a success rate of only 5% of those who started the course and most washing out of the course in the first month of training. However, those who completed the training where instantly given a position of their choice throughout the fleet as a reward and an instant promotion to Lieutenant Junior, nevertheless, with only twenty places available on the course the Academy turned down many cadets during enrolment. Many of those who joined the course had finished their forth and final year at the Academy and decided to stay on for the fifth and final year. Originally turned down for the course itself, Kirk was asked to return for the final three months of the course after the death of the course teacher, a position that he had gratefully taken. Becoming almost a legend at the Academy for his unusual tactics of the Kobayashi Maru test, he was perhaps the most logical choice to take over the lead on the training.
Originally, the Kobayashi Maru test was based on a real incident that happened over a century ago when the NX-300, under the command of Commodore Archer received a distress call from a Federation Ore freighter, they where surrounded by Romulan Vessels. Seeing no way out of the problem, Captain Archer ordered the freighter destroyed by his own weapons rather then handing over the Enterprise to a deadly enemy, an act which almost cost him his command and his career. Arguing that the freighter crew where already dead and the transmission faked by the Romulans, the destruction of the freighter was the only clear way out for his out numbered and out matched ship, an act which haunted him to his final days.
"Captain Kirk to the bridge please, Captain Kirk to the Bridge" Called Spock through the intercom.
"It never fails!" Kirk laughed. "Let's see what he wants now!"
Picking up his cup of tea, McCoy followed Kirk out of the ready room and onto the bridge as Spock stood from the centre seat as he spoke.
"Captain, sensors are detecting weapons fire coming from within the Neutral Zone"
"Can you identify the source?" Kirk said as he sat down.
"Yes sir, one of the weapon signatures is Romulan…"
"And the other?"
"I bares a similarity to Romulan, but the phase variant is off. I regret we have never seen anything like it Captain"
"Uhura, anything?"
"Yes sir. Picking up a distress signal from within the Zone sir… it's our escort sir. Their shields are failing, weapons almost depleted, they're asking for assistance sir"
"Damn it! Shields up. Full power to weapons. Sulu, set an intercept course… maximum warp"
"Captain, if we enter the zone…"
"I'm well aware of the consequences Mister Sulu; this is on my head… not yours. All hands this is the Captain, we're about to enter the Neutral Zone unescorted… our escort is taking fire and requesting assistance. Any objections to this action will be noted in the ship's log. Secure all stations… we're going in. Kirk out"
Leaping into warp, the Enterprise vanished in a halo of pure energy on a direct course towards the Romulan ship. In violation of several treaty regulations, they all knew that what happens next could be the catalyst for yet another costly war with the Romulans. Nevertheless, curing the plague that had torn the Empire apart was a worthy cause and could avert war if they succeeded.
With all weapons and shields activated, the Enterprise dropped out of warp as their Romulan escort ship came into weapons range, with her shields almost failing and her weapons almost destroyed, the large deep green starship was venting warp plasma from her two gigantic warp nacelles while the attacking ship, a huge deep black vessel fired her weapons at the crippled vessel relentlessly.
"Uhura, open a channel"
"Done"
"This is Captain James T. Kirk of the Federation Starship Enterprise to unknown ship. You are in violation of the Neutral Zone treaty signed by all major powers in this sector. Halt your attack and withdraw from the zone… or we will be forced to open fire. Respond!" He demanded.
"Captain, the Romulan's shields are at 6% and failing. She can not take anymore hits…"
"Life signs Spock?"
"Reading twelve survivors… all Romulan"
"Damn it! Chekov, have a security team report to transporter room one now. Bones…"
"On it Jim"
"Transporter room one, lock onto the survivors of the Romulan ship and beam them onboard"
"Aye sir" Called out the transporter chief.
"Captain, the Romulan's shields have collapsed…" Spock reported.
"Now chief!"
Weapons blasts slammed into the Enterprise's shields as the enemy vessel turned on the large Federation Starship. Although with earlier ships, beaming through the shields was almost impossible, the transporter chief was allowed a momentary access to the shields as a small hole was opened in the vital armour to allow the transporter beam to pass through and quickly close in under one second as the enemy ship continued its attack against the Federation Flagship. A dangerous smile rang over Kirk's face as he nodded to Chekov. Smiling to himself, the new lieutenant activated the new forward phaser-cannons as Sulu turned the ship to face the enemy vessel head on. As the large ribbon-like phasers fired at the enemy ship, the new revolving barrels activated with a deadly strike of deep red bolts of compressed phaser energy, which was designed specifically to explode upon impact of a target. The incredible force of the new weapon system could be felt throughout the ship as the vibrations continued with each powerful blast from the forward cannons. Almost breaking into laughter, Kirk leaned forward slightly as he looked at the readout on the console before him as he assessed the damage for himself.
"Now that… is a powerful weapon!" He declared to the bridge crew with a smirk on his face.
"The enemy ship is retreating sir. Orders?" Called out Chekov.
"Let them go, but keep an eye on them. They may try to regroup for another pass. Sulu, once they have gone, take us out of the zone back into Federation space. Uhura, contact the Romulan homeworld, inform them of this development and request permission to proceed to Langara unescorted"
"Aye sir" She called out. "Shall I inform Command also?"
"Of course. Also, request anything anyone has on that ship. Spock, analysis of that vessel as soon as you can. I'll be in sickbay with our passengers"
Captain's Log: Additional.
We've beamed aboard twelve survivors from the Romulan Vessel, Doctor Selana is amongst them. We've received an encoded message from both Command and the Romulan Senate granting us access to the Langaran System; however… the Empire has dispatched three Warbirds to the system. The first world infected with the plague and the only world that was not destroyed during the Empire's cleansing efforts.
So far, we have not seen nor heard anything from the unknown vessel which attacked the Romulan cruiser. We remain at Yellow Alert.
Upon entering the sickbay, Kirk stopped at the door for a moment as he looked around the room at the survivors from the destroyed ship. Many badly burned from plasma fires and injured from what appeared to be exploding consoles, Doctor McCoy and his medical staff attempted to help the injured while a heavy security presence stood ready at a moment's notice.
"Bones?"
"Ahh Jim good. This is Doctor Selana, the Romulan I have been working with on this cure"
"Doctor" He nodded slightly.
"Captain, a pleasure. I have heard… a lot about you"
"I can not say the same" He nodded slightly. "Who attacked you?"
"Unknown Captain. We had received clearance to enter the Zone for this mission as planned, cruising at Warp Four, we soon noticed that we where not alone. Before we knew it, they decloaked and attacked us. Their first shot crippled out engines and forced us out of warp. The Captain managed to raise our shields… but it wasn't enough. By the time we knew what hit us… it was all over"
"I see. We've contacted the Empire; they've allowed us to continue with our mission"
"Good, thank you Captain. I have been working on this for almost as long as Doctor McCoy here. Unfortunately, my research was destroyed along with the ship… years of work gone in an instant"
For a brief moment, Kirk felt a deep sense of loss for the Romulan before him. In a strange way, he felt himself attracted to the young woman before him.
"I'm sorry for your loss Doctor. Bones has made a breakthrough…"
"Bones?" She said with confusion.
"Me!" McCoy laughed. "It's an old joke Doctor"
"I see. The loss is deeper then you think Captain Kirk. My research assistant was amongst those killed during the attack. He was also my mate" She said with sadness.
"My condolences Doctor, he was an impressive man" McCoy replied slowly.
"Captain Kirk, may I ask a favour?"
"If I can" Kirk said.
"With these guards, it seems like we are prisoners on this ship"
"Sorry Doctor, the guards stay. You understand of course… Our two peoples are still in a state of cold war"
"Of course. I give you my personal assurances that my people and I will obey the restrictions placed upon us"
"Yes… you will. You will understand of course that your movements around the ship are restricted of course. I'll have the quartermaster assign quarters for you and your people. However, if you are found in restricted areas, you will all be taken too the brig and held until needed"
"Yes sir, I would do the same" She replied with a smile.
"Jim, Selana is here, now. I could use her help with the final preparations"
Slowly Kirk turned to a large bald security guard, almost twice the size of the petite Romulan woman; he nodded to him as he spoke aloud.
"Crewman… stay with her"
"Aye sir" He said forcefully.
Nodding slightly, Kirk walked towards the nearest bio-bed as he spoke with a slight laugh in his voice.
"Play nice… Cupcake!"
A deep growl came from the large man as he fired a dark look at the Starfleet Captain as he stood next a biobed containing a badly burned Romulan officer baring the rank pins of Commander.
"Nurse Chapel, what is his condition?"
"He's suffered third degree plasma burns on his hands, neck and face. The Doctor is confidant he will make a full recovery with treatment of course"
"Of course. I understand you are interested in becoming a Doctor?"
"How did you know that sir?" She said shocked.
"I read the files of several crewmembers. You have an interesting… family, Nurse"
"Yes sir, my older sister was the former first officer of this ship under Captain Pike"
"So I've read. Well Nurse, if you do wish to further your career and take the next step… let me know, I have some… pull at Starfleet Medical"
"Thank you sir. I have also heard of you Captain, in particular… your rather lengthy collection of how should I put it… 'Notches on your bed post?'" She smiled slightly.
"All rumours Nurse…"
"Not what I hear sir" She winked slightly.
"I like this one Bones, she speaks her mind…"
"That she does!" McCoy said firmly.
"Captain Kirk, this is Lieutenant Uhura… you have an urgent call from Starfleet Command"
"Patch it through down here Uhura, I'll take it in McCoy's office"
"Aye sir. Bridge out!" She called out over the intercom.
Nodding to McCoy, he walked towards the large Chief Medical Officer's quarters and activated the awaiting call. Changing from the standard Starfleet Medical Logo, to the image of an old Starfleet Admiral, Kirk smiled slightly as he recognised the face instantly.
"Jim. I've just received a disturbing report from Outpost Four. The vessel which attacked you and the Romulan ship has been spotted in their vicinity"
"Isn't that a little far out Jack?" Kirk said quickly.
"The specifications match the ones sent by your communications officer"
"I see, what is the closest ship?"
"The USS Ambassador is on her way to that region now, the Lincoln and Arizona are a few days out. Once you have completed your assignment on Langara, I am ordering the Enterprise to Outpost Four to investigate…"
"Jack, we have no idea how long this assignment will take"
"I'm well aware of that Jim. I understand that you have several Romulan Officers onboard?"
"Yes sir, if we are too cure this plague… we'll need their help"
"Understood. Doctor Selana?"
"Alive sir, she's currently working with Doctor McCoy on the final preparations"
"Keep a close eye on them ol' friend. This smells like a set up…" He said quickly.
"I know, I feel it to… I'll keep you informed, Kirk out!"