“The treatment for the Long Neck poison is administered in three phases,” Dr. Sarday replied. “What you are seeing now is the second phase. The first phase is given orally while the person can still swallow. They did that right after they pulled him out of the water.
“What if he can’t swallow?”
“The second and third phases would not be needed,” Dr. Sarday replied grimly. “First, a liquid is given orally. It is made from a plant that grows on land near the swamp’s edge. It can’t be found inland. The second phase is a kind of mud pack that is applied to the bite. This, I have been told, helps to draw out the poison. I think it neutralizes any remaining poison in the area of the bite. It’s mixed one part mud four parts plant. Besides the base plant two other plants are used. The third and final phase takes place about three hours later. At that time the wound is washed with a diluted version of what the person drank earlier. There will be an infection, but that is something that can easily be treated. I have seen what the Long Neck’s poison can do to a person if he is not treated. There is no one on whom I would wish such a death.
One of the natives approached Sarday and signaled that they were done with Sulu. Sarday signaled back. Two of the ape-men picked Sulu up and start to carry him off.
“Where are they taking him?” Kirk asked.
“To my camp on the other side of the village,” Dr. Sarday replied. Another native approached Sarday and handed him an earthen jar; Sarday thanked him. They all began to follow the natives carrying Sulu. “Tell me, Captain, what brings you and your friends to Skellos?”
“Klingons.” Kirk said.
“Klingons?”
“We came here to try and save the Klingon Empress from an assassination planned by the Klingon High Command.
“Did you save her?” Dr. Sarday asked.
“No, we came so close too,” Kirk replied. “The lives of a lot of good men and two of my closest friends were lost. The Klingons will probably go to war with the Federation. The Federation will win but not before many lives are lost.”
“So how did you get here?” Dr. Sarday asked.
“My ship lost warp drive over Skellos,” Kirk said.
“The Klingons pretty much own this planet. It’s not likely you’ll be able to get off Skellos in time to catch the war,” Dr. Sarday said.
“Now, that would depend on whether or not the Klingons catch us,” Kirk said.
“You’ve got Klingons after you?”
“Most likely.”
“What happens if they catch you?” Dr. Sarday asked.
“We will be made the assassins of the Empress and held up before the Klingon Empire to help incite the masses into going to war with the Federation,” Kirk replied.
“Then it’s best if you keep moving,” Dr. Sarday said. “All though you can go nowhere tonight. Your friend cannot be moved. My advice is to stay in the swamp if you can. I’ll be happy to show you some common plants you can eat to make your rations last longer.”
“Thanks, we need all the help we can get,” Kirk said.
A Klingon studied the readout on screen as he scanned the planet below. He reached out and pressed a switch on the panel. “Brigadier Kratok to the bridge,” he said as he continued scanning the area. A few minutes later Kratok answered the summons; the doors closed behind him as entered the bridge.
“Brigadier, we have detected a surge of energy on the surface of the planet,” the crewman said.
“Is it Kirk?” Kratok asked.
“Unsure Brigadier, but the energy signature may be that of a handheld phaser and it is approximately in line with the crash site and the spaceport,” the crewman replied.
“Beam some men down to investigate,” Kratok said.
“That is not possible,” the crewman said. “We have been unable to scan the area in question well enough to supply the transporter with coordinates.”
“How long before we could get some men into this area?”
“Eighteen hours, a little sooner if no one runs into any trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?” Kratok asked.
“Swamp creatures,” the crewman replied. “We have already lost 5 men to them. The creatures are unaffected by energy weapons of any kind.”
“I’ve waited seven days so far. I can be patient a little while longer,” Kratok said.
Dr. Sarday’s camp, if you could call it a camp, was part of the main native village located in the center of a triplex of giant trees that were lashed and cabled together. Compared to the stick frame dwellings that dotted the tree on the outside, the central core of the village was far more modern looking. The main house and research lab were built into the base of one of the giant trees and looked like giant bubbles of sand. “Welcome to my base camp,” Dr. Sarday said with a smile. “The main research faculty is 300 meters above us where it should be safe.”
“This is amazing doctor,” Kirk said. “You would never guess something like this could exist here judging by what I saw earlier.”
“How was it constructed?” Spock asked. “I know of no known method of construction that could duplicate this.”
“I have no real idea,” Dr. Sarday replied. “The natives did this all for me without my asking. I helped a little in the final stages of construction, but most of it was built almost overnight. I watched and recorded what I could, but the bulk of the construction was done before I even knew they were building anything. As a researcher, I was in heaven.”
“You’d never guess it. If they build this, why do live in the shacks we saw on the other side of the tree?” McCoy asked.
“They don’t really live in those shacks as you call them,” Dr. Sarday replied. “Certainly, some of the village life takes place on the other side of the trees. It is like they move out into the country during the day and return to the city at night. I’m not entirely sure why they do that.”
“Doctor, you said your main research faculty is 300 meters above us where it would be safe, safe from what?” Chekov asked.
“The wrath of the Gods or the war of the Gods or something like that,” Dr. Sarday replied. “It is a time when the face of the world is changed and the trees walk and the water rises up and cleanses the world, or so that’s the story the natives tell.”
“This is a most puzzling planet, Doctor. It raises more questions than there are answers,” Spock said.
“Doctor, it seems that you know more than you’re telling,” Kirk said.
“I can see how you gained your reputation, Captain,” Dr. Sarday said. “You are quite right I do know more than I’m telling, but it is a tale best told after you have had time to rest and eat. Ah, here’s my daughter now.”
“Dad, I’ve laid out some sleeping mats in the library and used the guestroom for a sickbay, if that’s ok?” Sara said.
“That will be fine, Sara,” Dr. Sarday replied. “I must leave you now, Captain, I have work that I must attend to. Sara will show you all to the library where you may rest. Dinner will be in about five hours.
“We are most grateful Doctor,” Kirk said.
“Sara, they’re all yours,” Dr. Sarday said.
Dr. Sarday turned on the lights in the library and found three phasers facing him held by Kirk, Spock, and Chekov. McCoy was still fumbling around looking for his phaser. “Whoa, relax, I’m a friend,” he said with hands raised out to his sides.
“I’m sorry, Doctor, we’re a little on edge,” Kirk said as he clipped his phaser back on his belt.
“Understandable,” Dr. Sarday said. “I thought I’d bring dinner to you. Sara pushed a floating cart full of food and a small stack of plates past her father still standing in the doorway. Kirk and the others gathered around the cart and piled the steaming hot food onto their plates.
“I believe you were going to tell us about what you have found on Skellos. Doctor,” Kirk said after he satisfied some of his hunger.
“Dad...,” Sara said leaving the rest of what she wanted to say unsaid.
“It’s all right, Sara. I think Captain Kirk can keep a secret,” Dr. Sarday replied. “I must have your word that you will not repeat the things I’ll tell you tonight. I will in time report the findings of my work here, but until that time I wish our work here to remain a secret.”
“You have our word, Doctor,” Kirk said.
“I believe that I have stumbled across two more intelligent life forms, one of which may be the first major non-humanoid intelligent lifeform found in some time,” Sarday said.
“On what do you base your data, Doctor?” Spock asked.
“I will come to that in due course, Mr. Spock,” Dr. Sarday said. “First, a little history. A hundred years ago an outpost was set up here on Skellos. Almost fifty years ago all contact was lost with the outpost. There is no knowledge as to what happened to it. Forty years ago, a new outpost was set up and in time it became the small spaceport that it is today. I shall not go into the kind of animals that inhabit it.”
“A certain amount of luck has been with me from the start,” Dr. Sarday continued. “The natives I found to study are the prime factor. First, the chief is a young man open to new ideas. Second, the natives here serve the Gods. What I mean by that is the natives here help the Gods do things, primarily in construction of the Gods’ cities. In return, the Gods reward them for their efforts. When I found the natives here, they had just returned from one such construction project. That was two years ago.”
“I must say that I do not believe that the Gods are real Gods only that the natives think of them as such. If I am correct, I have seen one of the Gods. It’s a crab-like looking creature. I have caught only brief glimpses of it. I believe I am correct in this when one considers the spider like description of the Gods given by the natives.”
“Once, I’m certain one followed me as I went out to collect samples. After that ether the natives or the Gods have helped collect samples for me. Many times, I have found plants or animals in cages outside my front door. The natives say only that they are gifts from the Gods to me.
“Aside from you, has anyone seen one of these Gods up close besides the natives?” Kirk asked.
“I have,” Sara said. “One saved me from a Long Neck. They have firepower that makes our guns seem like toys. The poison of the Long Neck makes you wonder if what you’re seeing is real. I still only half believe what I saw.”
“Sara was out on one of our floating trucks collecting samples when she was attacked by a Long Neck,” Dr. Sarday said. “It took us a day and a half to find her. You might be interested to know Dr. McCoy that the Gods’ treatment for the Long Neck’s poison is similar to the native’s cure only much more antiseptic.
“I should hope so,” McCoy said.
“It pulled me from the truck wreckage and injected me with something. After that it used a spray on the wounds which also stopped the bleeding,” Sara said. “It stayed with me all that night and sprayed my wounds again the next morning before leaving me. Not long afterwards Dad and some of the natives found me.”
Spock caught a glance of a pair of eyes on the end of what looks like long thin poles staring at him from the library window. “Just what exactly does this creature look like?” he asked.
“At first glance it looks like a large ocean crab from Earth,” Sara replied. “They have 8 legs, two claws or pinchers, and soft puffy sides between the top and bottom shell. It has four eyes, two on fixed antenna and two on retractable antenna similar to a snail’s. It also has something like hands and arms near its head which retract against the bottom of its shell.”
“If one of the creatures is carrying any equipment it will be attached to its shell near its head,” Sarday said. “They are a bit like decorator crabs on Earth and they are masters of camouflage disguise.”
Spock watched as another set of eyes rose up next to the eyes on the poles. “Spock, what are you looking at?” Kirk asked as he caught a glimpse of the eyes at the window for a moment before they disappeared. He walked quickly to the window followed by Spock. They both looked out, but they saw nothing of the creature that was there a moment ago.
“I often wonder who is watching who here,” Dr. Sarday said.
“You saw those eyes?” Kirk asked.
“Not this time, but I have on other occasions,” Dr. Sarday replied.
“Doctor, is this planet an artificial world?” Kirk asked.
“That is a possibility,” Dr. Sarday replied. “The native legends tend to support that theory. It might well be an ongoing experiment by the Gods or some kind of colonization effort that may have gone terribly wrong.”
“If it is an experiment, to what end?” Kirk asked.
“You’ll have to ask a God that question, Captain,” Dr. Sarday said. “All I know is that there may be a periodic catastrophic event the natives on this planet have learned to live with, and if I am correct that may have interrupted the colonization effort on this world by both of the native species here. Now, it has been a long day, and I could use some sleep.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to check on Sulu,” McCoy said.
“By all means doctor,” Dr. Sarday said.
“I’ll show you the way,” Sara said.
Kirk watched Sara and McCoy leave the room followed by Dr. Sarday. “Something strange is going on here and I’ll be damned if I can figure out what,” he said to himself.
Even though it looked like it was early morning, the sun was well up in the sky. Blocked by the leaves of the giant trees very little light reached the ground leaving the surface of Skellos in a kind of bleak perpetual shadow that in the morning light was almost total darkness. Sara had long become accustomed to the darkness and no longer needed the night vision goggles she had to wear when she first came to the planet. However, this morning had other surprises in store for her as a Klingon grabbed her as she exited the building. “Silence or you die,” he growled quietly in her ear as he clamped his hand over her mouth.
The Klingon with Sara stood waiting as Kratok with a dozen bodyguards materialized in the center of the village. “You in the building come out; come out or the female dies, I will not ask again!” he shouted.
Dr. Sarday stepped out from one of the other buildings, rifle in hand and aimed it at Kratok. “If she dies, you die,” he said.
Chekov glanced quickly out the window. Even in the dim light he recognized the men standing outside. “Klingons,” he said confirming what they already knew.
“Bones, Chekov go get Sulu. Spock let’s see if we can find another way out of here,” Kirk said.
Outside the standoff lasted for only a moment. With a slight nod from Kratok one of the Klingons with him pulled the trigger on his disruptor. Set for heavy stun Dr. Sarday dropped like a rock. Kratok turned and faced Sara. “Where is Captain Kirk and those with him?” he asked.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” Sara replied.
Kratok backhanded her hard across her face nearly knocking Sara from her feet. “I don’t have the time or the patience for this human. Now where is Kirk?
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” she said again.
Kratok was about to hit her again but changed his mind at the last minute. “Kirk, Captain Kirk, I know you are inside one of these structures. You are surrounded. I will kill everyone here if you do not surrender beginning with this female. I give you the count of ten to decide. One... Two... Three... Four... Five... Six... Seven... Eight... Nine...”
Kirk stepped out the door. “Ok, I give up,” he said. “You may have won this battle Brigadier; I doubt you will win the war.”
“I have no doubt that we will win the war as well. You humans are too soft,” Kratok replied. “Now, throw down your weapons and come out in the open where I can see you all.”
Kirk, Spock, and the others the others stepped clear of the building tossing their weapons on the ground from where one of the Klingons quickly scooped them up.
“You led us a good chase, Kirk,” Kratok said.
“Not good enough it seems. Now what happens?” Kirk asked.
“I take you to stand trial for your many crimes against the Klingon Empire,” Kratok replied.
“Among which will be the assassination of the Empress,” Kirk said.
“Of course, I would be willing to say that it would top a long list of grievances compiled against you and the Federation,” Kratok said with a wicked smile of satisfaction on his face. “Beam the prisoners up.”
“You’re not going to let us go, are you? Sara said once Kirk and the others were gone.
“No, I’m not. You might warn the Federation.” Kratok looked at the Klingon holding Sara. “Take what you want and destroy the rest,” he said as he activated his communicator. “Beam me up.”
It would be hard to say what the natives in the village thought about the little drama being played out between the Klingons and the Humans in the early morning. They seemed almost amused as the Klingons prepared to massacre everyone in the village. The Klingon spun Sara around and ripped apart the front of her blouse. He had always wondered what it would be like with a human and now he would get a chance to find out. He only hoped she would put up a good fight.
Sara tried to get away from what she knew was coming but stumbled and fell backward. She hit the ground hard. What happened next was forever burned into her mind. She saw the Klingon grin as he stepped toward her, but it was a step he never took. Something tore a hole through his chest the size of a man’s fist.
At first it sounded like a loud single shot from a cannon. Then Sara realized it was actually multiple guns fired simultaneously and not a Klingon was left standing, and like the Klingon now laying on the ground next to her they all had massive holes all the way through their chests. Then she saw them.
The Gods appeared out of nowhere. Giant crab-like creatures with two enormous guns mounted on the bottom of their shells. So swift was their attack that even the few remaining Klingons had no chance to signal any of the ships in orbit above the planet. Sara watched as one of the Gods approached her. It held out a claw to her to help steady her as she stood back up. They stood there watching one another for a few moments. “Are you alright?” the God finally asked.
“You can talk,” Sara said in amazement.
The crab just chuckled a bit. “Yes, we can talk,” it said. “Learning your language was not that difficult. But, there is no time for all the questions I know you must have. We must get you and your father up in the tree as quickly as possible. This world is a ball of water on which the trees float. In less than 37 of your hours the sun and moons of this world will start to come together and cause a gigantic tidal surge. This world will rotate through that surge as it builds to the point of full alignment in 3 days’ time. Nothing on the surface of this world will survive and even the trees will be moved about. Only high in the trees do you stand a chance.”
Less than two days later all communications with the planet Skellos ceased and while searching for a missing scouting party that failed to report 35 hours earlier. The one Klingon ship that had landed on the planet vanished, along with the spaceport. Klingon ships sent to investigate reported finding no signs of intelligent life left on the planet and only a few remains of what might have once been part of the spaceport.
A lean mean version of a once overly bloated pile of junk materialized in front of the main space dock door of Starbase 11 and waited as the double doors slid open. An honor guard met the occupants of the ship when they beamed onboard the Starbase in the main transporter room. “My thanks, Captain, for this welcome,” Empress said. “I am sure you have made arrangements for my entertainment, and I do not wish to discourage you, but I am in the midst of a fight to save the Empire from total destruction. I have little time for such things at present. My guards and I are exhausted from our journey. Phoenix needs repairs and many other things must be done before we leave here.”
“I understand,” the Starbase Commander replied. “This Starbase is at your disposal, Empress.”
“Good, I have a long list and thirty-six hours to fill it,” Darrel said.
“Thirty six hours?" the Starbase Commander repeated questioningly.
“I’m sure that we will have time to have at least one dinner together, Captain,” Empress said smiling ever so sweetly. “Commander Scott and Darrel will see that our needs are met. If you can tell me where I can find the nearest bed, I would be most grateful.”
“Of course, this way, your Majesty,” the Starbase Commander said. The Empress accompanied by Tara and Ashalara followed the Starbase Commander from the transporter room as he personally escorted them to their rooms.
“Shouldn’t someone go with her,” O’mri said.
“There’s no need, the Empress is safer here than anywhere else, and we have much to do,” Darrel said.
The Empress listened to the reports as she, Darrel, O’mri, Scotty, and Uhura were walking down a hallway. “The repairs to Phoenix are almost complete,” Scotty was saying. “The scouts’ engines should be ready on time. The modifications you wanted have not been easy.”
“As long as they can hold warp 8, Scotty,” Darrel said.
“Aye, they’ll do that and perhaps a wee bit more,” Scotty replied.
“Uhura, how are the uniforms coming?” Darrel asked.
“Already onboard the Phoenix,” Uhura replied.
“How about the laser communications system?”
“I’m still working on it. It will be ready on time. It won’t be pretty, but it will be a secure system.”
“O’mri, you still think it is wise to use the kids?” Darrel asked.
“They are not kids, Darrel. What other choice do you have?” O’mri asked in reply.
“None.”
“Darrel, you have told me so often that trust must begin somewhere,” the Empress said.
“I know, my Lady, and I do trust them,” Darrel replied. “It’s just that I will be sending them against seasoned troops almost leaderless.”
“I can understand how you feel, Darrel, but it is the only way,” O’mri said.
“If one must die and we all must die. It is best to die for something we believe in,” the Empress said.
“There is no good way to die. If I could find another way...,” Darrel said as he let the sentence trail off with thoughts for which he had no words.
“Even if there was another way the outcome would be the same, men would still die my friend. All we can do is try and find a way to minimize the losses,” O’mri said.
“Yeah, I know, O’mri,” Darrel said. “I know.”
They stood facing one another in the middle of the large living room in the quarters reserved for very important diplomats. A certain amount of satisfaction burned inside of Tara when she told Ashalara her father was dead. “It’s not true. My father is alive,” Ashalara replied not wanting to believe what Tara was telling her.
“Your father is dead,” Tara said. “You said your father was one of your mother’s guards. Darrel told me all the Empress’s guards died over Skellos when your mother’s ship was destroyed. If you don’t believe me, go ask Phoenix.”
“It’s not true, it’s not,” Ashalara said as tears began to fill her eyes.
“Go ask Phoenix if you don’t believe me,” Tara said.
Ashalara ran from the room crying as the Empress, Darrel, and the others entered. “What was that all about?” O’mri asked after being pushed aside as Ashalara ran through the door.
“I’ll go see to Ashalara,” the Empress said.
“I find out what happened and joined you later,” Darrel replied as he watched the Empress try and follow after Ashalara.
“Do you want to tell me just what the hell is going on here?” Darrel asked as he turned his full attention on Tara.
“She had my parents killed. I just told her, her father is dead,” she replied. “Now, we’re even on all counts.”
Darrel pushed Tara up against the nearest wall hard and held her there. “Where did Ashley go?” he demanded of her.
“I sent her to Phoenix...,” Tara replied rebelliously.
“With all the wrong questions no doubt,” Darrel interrupted. “What gives you the right?”
“She had my parents killed.”
“Ashley did not kill your parents. She merely granted a request of the ship’s commander,” Darrel said. “If she had not given her permission for the attack the captain would have found another reason for attacking your father’s ship.
“How would you know? You weren’t there,” Tara said.
“Oh, but I was,” Darrel said. “Do you think that the Empress would allow her daughter to go anywhere alone? If you like I can have Phoenix play back everything that was said on the bridge of the Klingon vessel that attacked your father’s ship. Ashley made a mistake, a mistake not really of her making, and she has tried to make it up to you the best she knows how.”
“Was she trying to make it up to me by making me her slave?” Tara asked indignantly.
“Until you overheard K’lgar, you had no idea what being a real slave in the Klingon Empire was all about,” Darrel replied. “The Empress raised you like her own daughter. Your title of slave was in name only. All that hate inside you will eat you up. I know you would like to hurt those that have hurt you, but the only thing you’re doing is hurting the ones that love you the most. You hate so much you don’t even think straight if you bother to stop and think at all. Ashley’s father is not dead.”
“He’s not dead?” Tara repeated in disbelief. “But, you said that all the guards died.”
“There is one guard left, Tara,” Darrel replied.
“You’re the only guard left.”
“I know. Ashley would spend the rest of her life trying to make up for the wrong she thinks she has caused you if you would let her. Her whole world has been torn apart. You are the only friend she has right now and you’re trying to drive her away. Ashley was there when you needed a friend. Now, it’s your turn to be there for her.
“I can’t,” Tara said.
You can’t or you won’t,” Darrel snapped back. “Tara, you better find out who your friends are before you wake up one morning and find out you don’t have any.”
Darrel released Tara from where he had her pinned against the wall and jogged out of the room on his way to the Phoenix leaving O’mri, Scotty, and Uhura a bit stunned at the scene they had just witnessed.
Ashalara sat in the new command chair on the Phoenix’s bridge. “Phoenix, have all my mother’s guards been killed?” she asked.
“No,” Phoenix replied.
“How many are left?”
“Two.”
“Who are they?” Ashalara asked.
“Captain James T. Kirk and Darrel,” Phoenix replied.
“Then Tara was right,” Ashalara said as she buried her face in her hands and began to cry.
Darrel appeared in the doorway behind her and walked around and knelt down in front of her. “Ashley, it’s alright,” he said softly.
“You don’t understand, my father is dead,” Ashalara cried.
“Tara is wrong, and you’ve come here and asked all the wrong questions,” Darrel replied. “Tara has been hurt in a way that no woman should ever be hurt. Now, she feels the need to hurt someone, so she strikes out blindly hurting everyone in her path.”
“She can’t be wrong. Phoenix just said all the guards are dead and my father was a guard.”
“What does your heart tell you? Phoenix will answer any question put to it from only three people. All others would have their questions answered within limits. Ashley, you are one of those three people. Ask the questions of your heart.”
“Is..., is my father dead? Ashalara asked nervously with tears still in her eyes.
“No,” Phoenix replied.
“Ashley, is that all you want to know?” Darrel asked.
“How do you know my secret name?” Ashalara asked in reply.
“I have been your mother’s guard for a long time,” Darrel replied.
“Phoenix, who is my father?” Ashalara asked without taking her eyes off Darrel.
“Commander Darien Rellen, owner of Rellen Salvage of Earth, Federation Council agent, Klingon Empress’s personal guard and trouble shooter. Commander of the Phoenix the most advanced ship of its kind...,” Phoenix replied.
“That’s enough,” Darrel said to stop his ship from rambling.
“Father?”
There were so many questions in that one word as Darrel wrapped his arms around his daughter. “I used to hold you on my lap and tell you stories when you were very small,” he said with tears in his eyes. “Your mother hated it when I’d call you Ashley.”
“I still do,” the Empress said softly from where she was standing in the doorway.
“Mother,” Ashalara said looking up at her.
“I know it has been hard for you, Darrel,” the Empress said as she knelt down next to Darrel where she could look him in the eyes. “We steal moments where we can my love. Ashalara, no one must know Darrel is your father.
“Damn it, I wish we could live together like normal people,” Darrel said bitterly.
“We could stay here or go to your home on Earth and live,” Ashalara suggested.
“That too is a dream of mine but there are people who depend on us. To fulfill that dream we would destroy the Empire. It may well be that we will only prolong the inevitable, but many lives might be saved in doing so,” the Empress said.
“Ashley, we will have other times together when this is over, I promise,” Darrel said.
Two Klingon K’Vort class Birds of Prey and the Phoenix sat in their respective repair bays inside the Starbase. Robotic arms, gantry pads, and various other pieces of equipment began to fold back out of the way as the ships were prepared for departure. “Captain, I hate to eat and run but I have this small war I have to stop,” Darrel said as he shook the Starbase Commander’s hand. “Thanks for the ride to the Neutral Zone too.”
“I had to go out of my way to pick you up so what’s one more little side trip or two? Better than sitting still for thirty-six hours,” the Starbase Commander replied, matching Darrel’s firm grip with one of his own.
“Yes, many thanks for the time saved, Captain,” the Empress said. “Each hour saved is counted in lives that may also be saved and is very dear to me.”
“You are most welcome, your Highness,” the Starbase Commander said. “Commander Scott, you have impressed my engineers. Where did you get such vast understanding of Klingon technology?”
“From a junk yard,” Scotty replied.
“From a what?” the Starbase Commander asked in disbelief.
“A junk yard,” Scotty repeated. “The trouble with fixin’ one Klingon ship word gets around. You’ll find everybody wants you to fix their Klingon ships too.
“Scotty’s Space Dock, repairs while you wait,” Darrel said. “Klingon ships would line up around the solar system waiting to be repaired. A few bright lads to work for you and you could rake in the credits.
“You’re kidding?” Scotty asked, never really sure when Darrel was joking.
“No, I’m not,” Darrel replied. “It would be a good way to retire, if you could find a few bright lads to do all the work. If you need a silent partner let me know.”
“You have a fine engineering staff, Captain,” Scotty said. “I borrowed two of them; I’ll try to get them back to you as soon as possible.”
“Aye. Scotty time to leave,” Darrel said.
“Two engineers?” the Starbase Commander said questioningly.
“Got to go,” Scotty said as he stepped onto the transporter pad.
“Phoenix, transport,” Darrel said. Darrel, Scotty, and the Empress dematerialized.
“A list of stores and equipment we gave to the Klingons sir,” a Yeoman said as she handed the Starbase Commander the list.
“Hundred and thirty phasers! Seventy uniforms, two dilithium crystals..., forty two micro-generators with beam inhibitors..., two field mess units..., four holographic projectors. What the hell did they need holographic projectors for?” the Starbase Commander asked no one in particular. “Yeoman, you can add two engineers to the list, and remind me to nail things down the next time they’re here.” The Starbase Commander skipped through several pages to the last page. “Thirty thousand eight hundred and sixteen man hours!”
“The report does not reflect the man hours spent by other engineering crews from ships that are presently in port or the things that were taken from them,” the Yeoman said.
“Give them whatever they want is what the order said. Next time, I don’t care what the order says, my chair on the bridge stays put,” Starbase Commander growled.
“Yes, sir,” the Yeoman replied as she watched as the space door open. The Phoenix slowly exited the Starbase followed by the two Klingon K'Vort-class Birds of Prey. The Klingons certainly did liven things up while they were here, she thought.
The Bird of Prey commanders were on split screen on the Phoenix’s main viewer. “Lieutenants, you, and your crews are members of the Empress’s Guards. From this point on you serve only the Empress and her family and no other,” Darrel said.
“As my guards you must conduct yourselves accordingly. For you represent what is best, most beautiful, and noble in the Klingon Empire,” the Empress added.
“Speaking for myself and my crew, we pledge our lives to you, my Empress,” Lieutenant Gi’ral said.
“On behalf of my crew, we too pledge our lives, Empress,” Lieutenant B’elan said.
O’mri stood up from where he was sitting on the Phoenix’s bridge and faced the Empress. Kneeling before her, “My Lady, I too pledge my life in your service as do my crewmen,” he said.
“I should never have come to this if I had guards such as you have proved to be. I should call you all my children. Darrel...,” the Empress said expecting Darrel to give them the command that would take them into battle.
“Gentlemen, warp eight, engage cloaking device. Remember, radio silence until we are in orbit,” Darrel commanded.
Inside the cabin assigned to Ashalara the door chime sounded. “Come in, it’s open,” Ashalara said as the door swished open. “Tara?”
“Ashley,” Tara replied using the name she only used with Ashalara in private. “Ashley, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Tara said with tears in her eyes.
“I know,” Ashalara said softly.
“Still friends?” Tara asked.
“Better than friends, sisters,” Ashalara said as she hugged her best and dearest friend.
“Something troubling you, my friend?” Darrel asked O’mri as they sat on the Phoenix’s bridge alone in the night.
“Ashalara is your daughter, isn’t she?” he said.
“To ask a question like that you must have already guessed the answer,” Darrel replied.
“You could be emperor of the whole Klingon Empire if you wished,” O’mri said.
‘The Empress rules, I have no desire to do so even if it would be allowed,” Darrel said. “I am content to serve her, for she is my life and my love.”
“If the shit hit the pan as you humans are so fond of saying, whose side would you be on?” O’mri asked. “Do not take offense, my friend, I ask only as a guard concerned for the welfare of his Empress knowing that you are a spy for the Federation.
“I cherish the moments of time we have together. I feel deeply the pain of being apart from her. My love for her and her love for me is a bond stronger than any claim that the Federation might have on me,” Darrel replied.
It would have been hard to say how long the Empress was standing in the doorway. “Darrel serves my needs, my wants, and my desires, Captain,” she said. “His love for me is as strong as my love for him. He is my husband, and his job is to protect me as is yours.”
“I would be on whatever side that I would best serve in doing that job,” Darrel said.
“I like to think of Darrel as my own personal spy inside of the Federation,” the Empress said.
“I had to ask,” O’mri said.
“I understand,” Darrel replied. “At this point, I would have been surprised if you hadn’t.”
“The words that have been spoken here must remain in this room. Our love must remain a secret, Captain,” the Empress said. “All that we have worked so hard for would be lost if anyone knew.”
“Your secret is safe with me, my Lady,” O’mri said. “Your choice of a husband was well made; I wish you well. Darrel, my friend, my Lord, I knew you aimed high... I wish you much happiness.”
“Our thanks Captain, as you are Darrel’s friend so also do I call you friend and such friendship will not go unrewarded,” the Empress said as she turned and left the two men with the night.
“How long?” O’mri asked.
“Long enough for Ashalara to be my daughter,” Darrel replied.
“This explains much,” O’mri said. “As a Klingon I cannot say I truly approve of what has passed between you and the Empress, but given current events it is a good thing that the Empress has you for her husband. I owe you my life a dozen times over. Your secret is safe with me, my friend.”
Compared to a detention cell in the Federation, the holding cell Kirk, Spock, and the others found themselves lacking certain amenities required by the Federation. To say that a detention cell in the heart of the Klingon Empire was less than comfortable would be understating the obvious. The fact is that Klingons will go out of their way to make their prisoners as uncomfortable as possible. Uneven slabs of stone served both as beds and a place to sit. A bucket to relieve themselves in was the only other amenity. A Klingon might have found the detention cell quite comfortable, but certain members of the Federation did not.
“Jim, if we don’t get Sulu some help soon, he’s going to die,” McCoy said.
“What went wrong, Bones?” Kirk asked more of himself than his friend.
“What indeed, Captain,” General K’lgar said from where he was standing outside the detention cell. K’lgar nodded and the guard turned off the force field. “I have always wanted to meet you. Mr. Spock, you too are well known in the Empire. Commanders Chekov and Sulu. Commander Sulu, you don’t look well. Doctor McCoy, you should take better care of him. And, here we have the great Captain Kirk. You humans have a saying,” Hold all the cards,” do you know the saying, Captain?”
“The cards can always be reshuffled,” Spock said thoughtfully.
Kirk looked at Spock strangely for a moment. It was such an odd thing for him to say. “What he means is we like to play the game down to the last card,” he said.
“I understand, and I can respect that,” K’lgar said. “It is in my power to save you, but it is up to you. Confess to assassinating the Empress and I’ll spare all of your lives.”
“We can’t do that,” Kirk said.
“No matter, after your trial you will all die,” K’lgar said casually.
“There’s going to be a trial?” Kirk asked sarcastically.
“No one told you about the trial, for shame,” K’lgar replied. “You, Captain, will stand for yourself and your crew, and answer for your many crimes against the Klingon Empire. Because of the nature of your crime your trial is being held in the Great Hall before the Grand Assembly of High Councilors.”
“All your eggs in one basket,” Kirk said.
“What? Oh yes, I had not thought about it in that way,” K’lgar said. “Thank you for the suggestion, Captain.”
“Well, if you need any more suggestions, you know where to find me,” Kirk said.
“By the way, I will be the one prosecuting you,” K’lgar said.
“Why am I not surprised,” Kirk said.
“So, you can see I do hold all the cards,” K’lgar said. “When I’m done with you, it will be all I can do to keep them from rushing off to war with the Federation. It is too bad you will not live to see it.”
Kirk watched as K’lgar left the detention cell with a smug sense of himself and his belief he had achieved a total victory. “Spock, you know something I don’t?” he asked once he was sure K’lgar was gone.
“The Phoenix may not have been destroyed, Captain,” Spock said.
“The Phoenix was destroyed, Spock, we all saw it,” Kirk said.
“What do you humans think of when you hear the word, Phoenix?” Spock asked.
“A Phoenix is a mythical bird that is supposed to be reborn from its ashes,” Kirk replied. “You should know that.”
“Indeed, I do Captain, but I am still certain the Phoenix was not destroyed. Remember Darrel asked you to think about why he named his ship Phoenix.”
“Yes, I remember. I didn’t think anything about it at the time although I did think was a rather odd thing to say,” Kirk said.
“When the Phoenix exploded the mass detected from the explosion did not match the mass of the Phoenix. Eighty percent of the Phoenix’s mass was unaccounted for,” Spock explained. “The missiles that shielded us long enough to reach Skellos were controlled. Also, our ship was sabotaged.”
“Darrel?” Kirk asked.
“No, Captain, it had the look of Mr. Scott’s work,” Spock said.
“Scotty? Why?” Kirk asked.
“I believe it has all been part of a very elaborate plan,” Spock said.
“Darrel’s been using us,” Kirk said angrily.
“Probably to buy time for him to re-group re-arm and attack K’lgar here while his forces are still scattered trying to recover from our recent encounter,” Spock said.
“Say I believe you, how many men would Darrel have with him?” Kirk asked.
“Three K’Vort-class Birds of Prey, twenty plus crewmembers each, sixty to seventy plus or minus,” Spock replied.
“I think General K’lgar is in for a big surprise,” Kirk said.
“I hate to point out that even if Darrel is alive, seventy men will not be enough to storm the palace,” McCoy said.
“Dr. McCoy is quite right. Reinforcements could be brought up from the spaceport,” Spock said.
“Darrel is well aware of this I’m sure. He’ll find an army somewhere,” Kirk said.
Outside Qam-Chee, the First City of Qo'noS, the Klingon Empire’s capitol city sat an ancient military outpost. The old buildings creaked and whispered the ancient customs, traditions and the ways of honor of the Klingon Empire from every stone. This was home to the Klingon Battle Academy which tradition held was an offshoot from the Order of the Bat'leth. In the later years of her life, the Lady Lukara realized the need for an organization to train young Klingons in the ways of honor as her husband had envisioned. So, she established the Klingon Battle Academy shortly before her death. True there were other larger Klingon battle academies, but none of them were directly connected to Kahless, the Unforgettable. It was here where real Klingon warriors were made.
It was late at night and the officer of the night watch was fast asleep in his chair as was the runner. Five people shrouded in black cloaks entered the office and walked silently over to stand before the still sleeping officer. One of them pulled his disruptor and covered the runner. Darrel reached out and gently tapped the officer’s shoulder. “No effect,” he said.
“Let me try,” O’mri said. He grabbed the sleeping officer by his hair and pulled him forward slamming his face down hard into the desk and then threw him back into his chair sticking a disruptor into his face at the same time. “Don’t move!” he commanded.
The officer woke with a start only to see the barrel of a disruptor in his face and hear a voice that sounded like thunder, it scared him half to death. He did the only thing he could do; he fell off the chair as he tried to jump backward.
“He’s awake now,” O’mri said.
“You are the officer of the night watch?” Darrel asked.
“Yes,” the officer replied, not sure how to address the human surrounded by the Klingons before him.
“I want this base on red alert,” Darrel said.
“What reason do I give? No, I cannot do this thing,” the officer replied.
“We are guards to the Empress and need no reason,” O’mri growled.
“But the Empress is dead,” Officer said.
“We waste time, Darrel, kill him,” the Empress said.
“At once, Empress,” Darrel replied as he pulled his phaser.
“No, Wait! Wait..., I’ll do it,” the officer said.
“Good. Darrel, don’t kill him,” the Empress said. “I want this base sealed and on red alert. If asked, tell them that the alert is a readiness test by high command.”
“At once, my Lady. Please forgive....” the officer said.
