"Set intercept course." Commander Aruul ordered his bridge crew.

"Sir," his Centurion said, "may I remind the commander, this ship we've detected is a Federation science ship. Lightly armed and shielded. Hardly worth our attention."

Aruul replied, "Remember, our orders are to strike fear into the heart of the Federation. What better way. If we destroy a mere science vessel, along with the Starbases in this sector, it will demonstrate to the Federation, the Romulan Empire is relentless and will give no mercy until the Federation and it's Starfleet is eliminated. No it is a worthy first test."

The Centurion nodded in agreement, glanced at the helm officer. "Course laid in. Engaging at maximum speed."

Deep below the surface of Talos IV, Commodore Christopher Pike was on the edge of rage. "You've got to do something. They'll all be killed. I know what the Romulans are planning. You've got to do something."

"I'm sorry my friend." The Talosian said. "You know we cannot interfere and you know why."

"Yes, yes I know. We can't let your secret out. If this power you possess got out." He stared at the empty wheelchair across the room, knowing that in reality he was sitting there helpless.

"I should have known this was a mistake. I should never have allowed you to see what was transpiring so near our space. I know you're not completely happy living an illusion. I will leave you and Vena to your fantasy."

Pike spun around, "No, wait. Just before my accident, I read a report, from Kirk, what did he call it? Carb...Corbomite. I have an idea. Please hear me out."

Ensign Russel Helms, perfect name for the Delta shift helmsman, to say he was not a happy camper would be an understatement. A competent pilot just nine weeks out of the Academy, he was qualified to pilot any ship in Starfleets inventory. But, mere competent pilots aren't assigned to Constitution class vessels. Only the outstanding pilots go to those ships.

But it could be worse. He could have been assigned to a medical or supply ship. But he landed an assignment on the USS Carl Sagan, a science ship. The USS Sagan was exploring a strange new world, sort of. The 500 meter asteroid that floated in front of the ship had never been seen by human eyes, for good reason. In the rush to seek out new life and new civilizations. Starships never stopped to survey asteroids. So here was the good ole Carl Sagan, surveying asteroids in the middle of known space.

It was an opportunity, most of the ships senior officers were away in shuttles doing their own surveys. Helms was transferred to Alpha shift were he now sat showing off his piloting skills in front of Captain Locian.

"Mineralogical scans complete." Ensign Solak, the Junior Science Officer called out from the science station.

"Ensign Helms, take us to our next target." Capt. Locian ordered.

"Aye Captain. Setting course and engaging at 0.001 impulse." Just a bit faster than an ox drawn cart, he almost added.

"We are in range." Aruul's Centurion announced.

"Closer. Charge disruptors."

"You don't want to use the Weapon?" The Centurion asked.

"Not yet." Aruul replied. "I want to toy with them a little. Gunner, target shields and engines only."

"Captain," Solak said as he stared into his viewer. "I'm picking up an energy signature. A type I've never seen before. Closing, directly in front of us."

"On screen.' Captain Locian ordered. She stood up and stared intently. But all she could see were a few shimmering stars. "Ensign Solak, any idea what..." Before she could finish her question a strange ship appeared racing towards the Sagan.

"Raise shields, evasive..." Again, before she could finish, her ship was broad sided by a burst of disruptor fire. The ship lurched to starboard. The Captain was thrown across the bridge, slamming her head against the bulkhead and crumpled unconscious to the deck. Helms fought his controls, trying to regain control. Around him he could hear the shouts of the bridge crew.

"Medical to the bridge, Captain down."

"Forward and aft shields down."

Another hit, then another.

"Warp and impulse off line." Another violent hit. "Main and auxiliary power off line."

Helms had regained control, but with only manoeuvring thrusters, there wasn't much he could do. He expected a kill shot any moment.

But, except for crackling flames and the sound of alarms echoing through the ship, the bridge fell silent.

Helms watched as the enemy ship banked gracefully around them, for a moment he saw the colorful warbird painted acros its hull and slowly it took a position directly in front of them.

"Engineering," Helms cried out, "please tell me we have forward phasers."

"Phasers off line. But I can get forward banks on in a few seconds."

"Hurry, that maybe all we have."

On the bridge of the warbird, Aruul smiled and savoured every moment of this easy kill.

After a moment he said, "Charge the Weapon."

"Yes, Commander." His weapons officer responded.

At the Sagan's science station, Ensign Solak glumly announced, "I'm picking up a very strong energy build up. I... believe it to be a weapon charging up."

"Engineering, I need something, fast."

There was no reply.

The warbirds weapons officer called out the numbers.

80 percent... ninety... ready to fire Commander."

Aruul took a deep breath, gloated for another moment. The word fire was about to pass his lips. Then the power went out.

Aruul pushed down a moment of anger. Anger or panic would do no good. Already, around the bridge he could hear calm professional voices as his crew assessed the situation. The science ship was not a threat and he had every confidence the problem would quickly be aleaveated. His confidence was quickly rewarded a moment later when the tactical station came online.

Then the unexpected. With a voice on the edge of panic, the tactical officer said, "Commander, four Constitution class vessels closing fast."

"What?" Aruul rushed over and pushed the officer out of the way. He glowered at the read outs. It was true. Four Constitution vessels were dropping out of warp and moving in, surrounding his helpless ship.

"This is impossible, Tal Sh'iar intelligence had assured me. There were no warships in this sector."

Then the forward view screen flickered to life. A Starfleet officer appeared. Sitting tall and straight in the command chair. A stunning beautiful woman sat at the console in front of him.

"Hello, I'm Commodore Christopher Pike commanding this armada. We've been tracking you and one other ship, which Capital Kirk has just disabled near the Neutral Zone. We're using a new weapon we call Corbomite. We have rendered your ship powerless. Now here's what I want you to do, and you have no choice. You are to jettison your new weapon and all data and materials associated with it. Yes we know all about it. Disarm your disruptors and cloaking device. Once that is done, we will restore power and allow you to retreat to your side of the Neutral Zone."

Aruul was shaking in anger. According to the Tal Sh'iar, Pike was dead. Victim of some sort of plasma fire. How could they have known our plans? With as many spies as we have in Starfleet, why did we not have a hint of such a weapon?

"You are getting nothing from this ship. And Pike, aren't you supposed to be dead?"

"Oh, I had a little accident a while back, but I'm better now. And...we only let your Intel know what we want them to know. Now, we can use old fashioned phasers to blast your ship apart, or you can comply. You have sixty seconds."

Aruul walked to the back of the bridge, he ripped a panel from the bulkhead, reached and found the manual release for the self destruct. He turned and faced Pike.

"Commodore Pike, savour this little victory while you can. After the Romulan Empire has laid waste to your Federation. You will not even be remembered."

On the Sagan's bridge, Helms finally heard what he had been waiting for.

"Engineering to bridge, you have enough power for one or two shots."

Helms didn't respond. In record time, the phasers were armed, locked on target and, Helms watched as a very weak beam seemed to trickle out.

Just as it touched the enemy ship, it vanished into a blinding light. Helms shielded his eyes. When the light faded, he looked and could scarcely believe what he saw. A ring of flaming debris was expanding away from where the ship had been.

"Solak...did...we do that?

"No." Solak replied. "Our phasers did not have enough power to inflict any significant damage."

"Then what happened?"

"I can only speculate. It would appear our antagonist, experienced a major malfunction followed by a rapid unscheduled disassembly."

"Something went wrong, and they blew up."

"That's what I just said."

Helms glanced around the bridge and realized he was the ranking officer.

"Communications, send a distress call and notify away teams to return to the ship."

He knelt down to where a med tech was working on the Captain.

"How is she?"

"A moderate concussion, she'll be all right after we get her to sickbay."

"No." The Captain said. "Help me up."

Together they helped her up and into the command chair. She surveyed the wrecked bridge.

"Helms, what did you do to my ship?"

"Well, Captain, you should see their ship. It looks a whole lot worse."

Deep below Talos Four, Pike, Vena and their Talosian friend sat quietly. Finally, Pike broke the silence.

"I thought you could control him. I didn't want that to happen."

"His anger, was very powerful. It took all my concentration to maintain the illusion. Another few seconds and he would have realized what was happening. I would not have been able to control him."

Vena reached out and put her hand on Pikes shoulder.

"Chris," she said, "he killed himself and his crew. You would have let them go. Why?"

"Vena, I'm sorry you saw that. But that is the Romulan way."

The Talosian stood and walked to the door.

"I think the two of you have had enough reality for one day. You should get some rest."

Pike nodded in agreement. The luxurious quarters Vena and Pike shared faded into a bleak, Spartan room. Pike sat unmoving in his wheelchair. Venas mis shaped body leaned over and she kissed him.

"Good night, my love."