Chapter Twenty-six

"Salen!"

Salen looked up as Razor approached him with a little too much enthusiasm for Salen's taste. Taking a step back Salen eyed Razor warily. Smiling brightly Razor put his hands up in surrender.

"I come in peace, Vulcan." Razor chuckled.

"I never questioned your intentions. I would just prefer not to be touched unnecessarily."

"You're so weird."

"Razor," Beckett chastised "remember what I said about being on your best behavior?"

"This is my best behavior." Razor said innocently.

"Go find somewhere else to be while our newest member settles in."

"Aye, Sir." Razor lashed out and gave Salen a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Nice to see you back, partner."

Salen sighed heavily and just nodded. He looked over his shoulder as Razor followed orders and went to find somewhere else to be. Salen had not been expecting such an exuberant reception to his arrival from Razor.

"Something wrong, Salen?"

"I do not understand his behavior." Salen answered truthfully.

"Razor doesn't impress easily, but you really impressed him on your last mission together. Razor doesn't hold grudges, nor is he afraid to admit when he's wrong. You'll quickly find that there are no enemies within this team, each Dog would die for the other without hesitation."

"You would find that same loyalty anywhere in Starfleet."

"Bullshit." Beckett smiled. "Come on, let me show you the rest of the ship."

Salen nodded and followed Beckett through the rounded corridors of the USS Black Diamond. He had officially been assigned to the USS Excelsior, however, he had only stayed aboard the Excelsior long enough to be delivered to Tarlin-10 where he and three others were picked up by the Black Diamond.

Half the size of the Enterprise the Black Diamond was built for stealth and speed. The cloaking device had been modified to try and reduce its effects on human tissue, but the modifications were still in their experimental phase. It was a last resort, not the Black Diamond's main weapon. The sleek ship's speed and unparalleled maneuverability was what kept her one step in front of any known enemy craft.

Beckett acted as Captain, but he still preferred his title as Colonel. It was the second in command, Flash, who spent the most time on the bridge and was also the main pilot. The ship itself ran on what a Starship would consider less than a skeleton crew. With only fifty-two aboard there were many who performed dual functions. The ship itself was not heavily armed, it was the men aboard her that acted at the arsenal.

"Colonel?"

"Yes?"

"We have not encountered any females aboard."

"Every new comer notices that sooner or later." Beckett smiled. "There are no women assigned to the Black Diamond, and there never will be as long as I'm in charge."

"Why is that?"

"Too dangerous."

"Females have every right to expose themselves to the same dangers as men in the service of Starfleet."

"I didn't mean that the job was too dangerous, it's the men aboard this ship."

"I do not understand."

"Rape, Salen, the risk of being raped by one of the Dogs is too great to allow any women aboard."

Salen stopped dead in his tracks and stared at Beckett in horror. It took a second for Beckett to realize that Salen wasn't walking along side him any more. He stopped and turned around with an apologetic smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, Salen, it's just a fact." Beckett said sadly. "The kind of Cadet that catches the eye of the Black Diamond Dogs tends to be more...aggressive. The pressure that black ops puts on the Dogs sometimes clouds their judgment even more. Allowing a woman on this ship would be like leaving a lamb in a wolf den and then expect the wolves to not eat it. You wouldn't even be able to blame the wolves for killing it, it's just their nature."

"Is that what you thought of me when I first caught you attention?" Salen demanded. "That I am more 'aggressive' than your average Cadet?"

"Than the average Cadet? No, absolutely not. More aggressive than your average Vulcan? You betcha."

"Sir..."

"It's not an insult, Salen. It's just a fact."

"I could never rape anyone."

"That's something we'd all like to believe of ourselves, however the cold fact is that the risk is always there. I have too much to worry about when it comes to keeping my men safe during these dangerous mission to have to be constantly fearful that one of my own would attack a fellow Dog in such a manner. So to simplify things we made the rule of no women allowed."

"It is sexist."

"Yup. However, it's also logical."

"True." Salen was forced to agree.

"You still look pissed." Beckett smiled. "Salen, I'm not calling you or anyone else aboard a cold hearted rapist. I'm just explaining to you why we decided against allowing such temptations into our fold. Spend a month on this ship and then come to me and let me know if you'd sleep well at night if Joanna was on this ship or if you'd spend twenty-four hours a day guarding her."

"I believe I can already answer that."

"Would you get a moment's rest?"

"No."

"Exactly."

Salen glanced out one of the windows at the vastness of space that lay beyond it and wondered for a moment where Joanna was among the billions of stars. Beckett resumed their tour and ended it with Salen's quarters. Salen pressed his hand against the scanner to unlock the door, it had already been programmed to his finger prints.

"Get some rest, Salen. I have a big assignment for you in the morning."

"Assignment?"

"The USS Ticonderoga picked up a 'person of interest' they are dropping him off at a small Starbase to be sent to trial, and we're going to pick him up."

"I assume he will not be receiving a trial."

"Trust me, he doesn't deserve one." Beckett said with obvious disgust. "I need you to look into his mind."

"Who is he?"

"A drug runner, murderer, extortionist, slave trader, the list goes on."

"You are sure of his guilt?"

"150%."

"That percentage is not logical, but I understand your meaning."

"Don't worry about fucking up his mind, he's as good as dead anyway. If he is sent to trial he'll end up on a prison planet, and he won't last a day there."

"I am unsure..."

"Would it makes you feel better if I made it an order?"

"Yes."

"Then consider it an order."

"Yes, Sir."

"Get some rest, Salen."

Salen nodded and stepped into his quarters. Looking around he wondered once again if he had made the right decision. The window suddenly lit up in a bright blue aurora as the Black Diamond jumped into warp speed. Not feeling particularly tired Salen wandered over to the glass desk that was against the right wall.

Hesitating for a moment Salen kept his fingertips a fraction of an inch away from the contact surface that would activate the computer in the glass top. Needing to talk to someone else who at least partially understood his circumstances Salen tapped on the glass surface.

"H...hello?" Joanna's sleepy voice lifted into the air.

"I am sorry to wake you, Joanna."

"Salen." Joanna purred happily. "I've missed you so much."

"I have missed you as well."

"I know it's only been a week, but it seems like forever." Joanna sighed.

"Are you happy with your assignment aboard the Intrepid?"

"So far so good. They have a nice infirmary, and they keep me busy. How about you?"

"I am uncertain yet."

"Give it some time." Joanna assured. "I don't suppose you know when or where you'll get shore leave."

"No."

"One of the downsides of the job."

"I do not know how long I am going to accept this assignment, perhaps my next can bring us closer."

"If we were married Starfleet would make more of an effort to keep us together."

"My offer still stands." Salen pointed out.

"And I'm still thinking about it."

"Take your time, I will wait for you."

"Just don't go getting yourself killed." Joanna said only half jokingly. "Do they have a doctor onboard that knows anything about Vulcans?"

"I am uncertain."

"If you get injured make sure they call my father, okay?"

"I do not know if that will be allowed."

"Can't hurt to ask."

"Joanna, I..." Salen hesitated, knowing that their conversation was being recorded. "I love you."

"I love you too, Salen. Call me anytime, I love to hear your voice."

"Good night."

"Night, Salen...I'm proud of you."

Salen wasn't sure how to respond so he simply wished her good night again and broke off the communication. Joanna knew that she couldn't talk to him directly about his choice to join the black ops team, but he knew that she had been referencing it. It made him feel better to know that he had her approval, however he still felt miserable that his father believed that he was aboard the Excelsior.

"What am I doing here?" Salen asked himself.

Looking down at his chest Salen studied the gold emblem on his uniform. When they weren't on a mission they had a similar to regulation Starfleet except that it was all black and the emblem wasn't quite the same. The traditional emblem had been fattened a bit so that it more closely resembled the middle pad in a dog's paw. There was an additional four ovals that completed paw print look.

After pacing his room for a few hours Salen was no more interested in sleep than when he'd first entered the room. Raking his hands though his white hair Salen decided against continuing to sit around. Stepping out into the hallways he began to pace his new home. The ship really was far more beautiful than any he'd ever seen. Every detail spoke of a streamlined craft made for fast and deadly strikes before disappearing into the stars.

Coming to the main observation deck Salen was surprised to find Razor staring out into the blue void of warp speed. His first instinct was to back away and avoid his incidental 'partner'. However before Salen had a chance to retreat Razor looked over his shoulder and motioned him to come over. Salen stepped up to the viewing window and put his hands behind his back.

"Why do you always stand like that?" Razor asked.

"I stand like this because this is how I am most comfortable."

"You look like you're a prisoner, hands tied behind your back."

"It is simply how I stand."

"Gives the impression that you've been beaten and abused into submission. Of course with all those scars I suppose that could be true."

"The origin of my scars are none of your business."

"I know. I wasn't asking, I was just talking out loud." Razor shrugged. "Most of the boys here have pasts that they're not proud of, myself included. You don't have to tell me anything, and in return I expect you to respect my privacy as well."

"I will."

"It must be harder for you, wearing your reminders on your face for all to see." Razor noted as he looked at the marks under Salen's eye. "But don't worry about that here, if you catch anyone staring at you it's the ears not the scars. Even then it won't be long before the novelty of your Vulcaness wears off."

Salen raised a disapproving eyebrow at Razor. Razor just shrugged. Salen still didn't know what to think of Razor, but the more he spoke to him the more comfortable he began to feel about his decision to join the Dogs. Razor was one of the few humans he'd met that didn't seem to secretly fear him. His roommate Doug had flinched every time Salen had made too quick a motion. As much as he hated to admit it he had noticed that even Joanna tensed warily at his touch sometimes.

"So..." Razor said casually "couldn't sleep?"

"No."

"Too much energy?"

"Yes."

"When I'm like that I find the only thing that really helps is a good sparing match."

"You spar?"

"It's one of my favorite past times." Razor smiled.

"That may help me."

"You want to spar with me?" Razor asked skeptically.

"Indeed."

"I don't know." Razor looked Salen over. "The Colonel will be pissed at me if I hurt you. I usually only play with Tyger cause he out weights me by ten pounds. I'd have you on the floor in seconds."

"I can take care of myself. I will also take responsibility for any injuries I may incur."

"Okay, if you say so. I'll spar with you."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," Razor chuckled "I'm going to kick your ass."

"You seem to assume that I will be turning my back on you during the event."

"Figure of speech my literal friend. I'll try and go easy on you your first time."

"There will be no need for that."

"We'll see."

Razor pushed himself away from the viewing window that he had been leaning on. He and Salen made their way down to the large training room. Walking over to the far wall Razor activated a panel that side open to reveal a large variety of weapons. He selected two plain sparing canes and threw one in Salen's direction.

When Razor pulled off his uniform shirt Salen caught sight of a set of white scars that ran diagonally across Razor's back. Razor turned and looked at Salen expectantly. After a moment of hesitation Salen removed his own shirt. It was late at night and they had the large arena to themselves. Razor twirled his fighting cane before bringing it into a combat position.

"Ready?" Razor asked.

In response Salen brought his own weapon into a fighting stance. Razor smiled brightly and with a cry of mock rage he rushed Salen with his staff held high. Salen easily blocked the powerful attack and the canes struck one another with a loud cracking sound. It was one of many such strikes as the pair faced off.

Salen felt the now familiar wash of adrenaline as he got more into the match. Razor was not only powerful, but quick and highly skilled at both attack and blocking. Salen found himself making mostly defensive moves, which was no way to win a fight. Razor tagged Salen several times, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to let Salen know that he was losing. Taking the offensive Salen managed to land a strike on Razor's ribs.

"You are stronger than you look, I'll give you that much." Razor said approvingly as he gingerly rubbed his side.

Salen took a step back and put his weapon into a resting posture to show Razor that he respected the break they were taking. Salen suddenly became aware of the fact that they were no longer alone. About a dozen men had snuck into the arena and were watching the mock fight. Razor saw the look Salen was giving the new crowd and chuckled.

"Don't mind the boys, this is one of our only forms of entertainment around here and nothing draws sharks to the scene like fresh blood."

"I do not mind. Are you ready to begin again?"

"You bet. Although how about we make things a little more interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Cobalt," Razor called out "turn the gravity down."

Cobalt nodded and went over to a computer panel on the wall. Salen suddenly felt very light on his feet. The gravity had not been turned all the way off, but it had been significantly reduced. This time when Razor launched himself into the fight he leapt in an arc that took him a good ten feet off the mat. When Salen went to defend himself he over compensated for the lowered gravity and ended up a few feet in the air himself. Unexpectedly in the air Salen was easy prey and received a painful whack to his chest that sent him right back to the floor. Landing hard on his back Salen found himself momentarily breathless.

"Careful there, Vulcan!" One of the men in the crowd laughed. "Razor will slice right through you if you let him."

Getting his feet under him again Salen was just in time to defend himself from another blow. The crowd was slowly getting larger as the match became more heated. It took Salen a moment to get used to the new level of gravity, but once he did he found the ability to move in three dimensions exhilarating.

Meeting in mid air it took more than just power to land a good hit, it took grace and speed as well. Once Salen got the hang of it he started to time his jumps so that he could get above Razor and tag him in the shoulder. Gaining more confidence Salen leapt up and flipped in the air just as Razor was landing and managed to smack Razor against the backside hard enough to send him stumbling forward to his knees.

The crowd, which now included most of the crew, roared in approval as Salen landed lightly on his feet. Smiling brightly Salen waited just long enough for his opponent to get back to his feet before launching himself at Razor again. With a yelp of surprise Razor was just fast enough to raise his staff and deflect Salen's attack.

Becoming increasingly lost in the physical exertion Salen bared his teeth at Razor and roared like a lion defending his pride. Razor had been smiling during the whole match, but now he no longer had the concentration to spare. With Salen's instincts awoken he became a formidable enemy that Razor was starting to have trouble keeping up with.

The tables turned and suddenly it was Razor who was on the defensive, making every move to simply keep from being struck. Feeling as though his actions were not his own Salen beat Razor back until he was nearly up against the far wall. Razor tried to gain ground back by clashing canes with Salen and then physically pushing him back. Salen allowed himself to be driven a few steps back before ducking under Razor's guard to get behind him.

When Razor turned around to face his opponent Salen lost his control for just a second. In a move that was very much against the rules Salen grabbed his staff with both hands and smashed it horizontally against the bridge of Razor's nose. Razor stumbled back with bright red blood pouring from his now broken nose.

The sight of Razor's blood caused Salen's own blood to run faster, however he kept himself back knowing that the match was over. Fearing the fact that he was still tempted to continue Salen dropped his staff to keep him from attacking again. Razor took a moment to clear his head before looking at Salen. His nose was bright red and clearly broken as blood continued to drip down his face.

Taking a step back Salen glanced fearfully at the now silent crowd of Razor's friends. Razor strode up to him and Salen weld his eyes shut in anticipation of a retaliation blow. Instead of enacting any kind of revenge Razor slung his arm over Salen's shoulders and pulled him close with a booming laugh.

"I underestimated you!" Razor laughed. "A Vulcan with a true taste for blood, I never thought I'd see it."

"Are...are you okay?" Salen asked.

"Just a little blood not a big deal."

"I am sorry..."

"Don't be. I think you've just earned a nickname." Razor smiled and turned to the crowd. "What do you think boys? Personally I think this house pet dog is really a Dingo in disguise!"

The men there cheered and roared their approval.

"It's settled then." Razor held his hand out for Salen to shake. "Dingo it is!"

"'Dingo'?"

"It fits you perfectly. They may look cute and cuddly like a normal dog that someone might be tempted to keep as a pet, but at heart they're just as dangerous as any wolf. Domesticated at one point, but no more!"

"I see." Salen said even though he didn't.

"And of course they've got those big pointy ears."

"Of course. I suppose I should be honored..."

"Hells yeah! Welcome to the pack, Dingo!"