| |
|
Table of Contents
|
After some time had passed, Spock came to and began to shake off the effects of the collapsed hallway. Actually digging himself out took a relatively short amount of time. Following that, his next concern was Saavik.
Digging through the rubble as fast as possible, he located her left foot. Working from that point, it took a considerable effort to free her completely.
During that time a few Romulans wandered by, but they all seemed preoccupied with problems of their own or the recent attack on the palace. It was a fortunate turn of events.
When he finally had Saavik free, he gave the Starfleet commander a cursory examination. Apparently Saavik had no major injuries or broken bones and there were no cuts other than the superficial type. An assortment of abrasions and contusions, but none seemed too serious.
Still, there was something wrong, as Saavik remained unconscious. Undoubtedly a head injury, but Spock wondered about the severity. Saavik might be fine in a few minutes or she might not ever recover without some form of assistance.
If it were anyone else, it would be necessary to check a chronometer. But Spock's 'internal' clock was as accurate as any mechanical or electronic device made. Right now it told him time was running out.
The Enterprise would make only one more orbit, if it hadn't left already. But Spock felt confident that Sulu would not have abandoned them just yet. The work he had done on the palace shield would have allowed the viridium implants to be picked up. After all, the rubble wasn't too deep and their injuries weren't too severe.
Spock contemplated the possibilities. There were few to consider and only one was suitable for the present circumstances. He needed to know Saavik's condition. Gathering his mental disciplines, he prepared for a meld. It wasn't the best solution, but considering the current situation, it was his only logical option. The previous meld, while they were in protective custody, had been brief and specific in its nature. This would take longer and require a much deeper probe.
After checking the area for possible onlookers, Spock began the process. If he was discovered while linked to Saavik mentally, he would be vulnerable and his masquerade as a Romulan would be revealed. However, it was now or never.
The Vulcan touched gently and began his mental voyage immediately. There was pain, much pain. Pain over a period of many years, not a physical pain but it was just as intense and perhaps more so. A pain of emptiness and even loss, as if a loved one had been killed. No, stronger than that. It was the pain of a mate bond which had been broken.
Not possible, Saavik had not taken a mate in the Vulcan tradition, so why the pain? Probe deeper and get through the pain, it was affecting her ability to survive. The mental discipline to live had been short circuited.
He went deeper and was shocked by what he found. The mate bond was with him! He shook his head, it wasn't possible. He was never bonded, but the emotion was there and so strong, it must be so.
Finally, in the deepest recesses of Saavik's mind was the solution. Yes. Yes, of course. Here was the answer he sought. It was on the Genesis planet, when he was in danger of dying from the rigors of Pon farr. It was then, that Saavik had bonded to save him.
He began to pull back, checking for injuries as he did so. He found it, a concussion, not severe but troubling none the less.
Pausing for a moment, to tend to the injury on a cursory level, Spock accelerated Saavik's own healing process. Along the way, he discovered another one's pain, that of Chapel. It was a pain shared by Saavik, but unspoken. Not as severe but just as real, he made a note of it.
He continued to pull back until he was free. It took several more minutes to get completely free and to return to his normal mental state. Slowly, very slowly, Saavik began to recover. Fortunately, she was fully conscious when they received a visit.
Three palace guards approached with a look of concern. One stepped forward, "Sir, are you and your --" he searched for the right word "-- companion, well?"
Spock relieved the man's fears. "Yes, we were caught in the collapse, but received only minor injuries."
The man saluted, out of respect for Spock's apparent status as diplomat. "Will you require assistance in any way?"
Rising slowly, Spock bowed slightly. "You honor us with your concern, sir, but we will be fine. Perhaps you should search for others more in need than ourselves." He pointed down the long corridor to another collapse point.
Once again, the guard gave Spock a quick salute. "Understood, sir." The group of palace guards began to move off when suddenly one turned around.
The Vulcan had been concentrating on the first Romulan so much, he failed to notice the others. This one was from the original security holding area where he had his 'heart attack.' If the guard recognized him... Spock searched for the stun weapon under the cover of the ornate robes. Unfortunately, it was missing. Either it was lost during the ceiling collapse or while he was digging Saavik out from the rubble. Spock was now without a means of defending himself.
He looked at Saavik. She was still a bit groggy and would not be able to assist Spock if there was to be any trouble.
The guard in question moved closer to Spock with a grin on his face. "May I suggest that you and your 'companion' go to the protective custody holding area, for your own safety? Until we have the palace secured, you may be injured again or threatened by hostile forces. It is located one level below, section twenty-one."
Sighing in relief, Spock realized that he and Saavik were so disheveled and dirty, they weren't easily recognizable. "Thank you sir, we shall go there once we have recovered substantially."
The guard spun on his heels and walked away briskly.
Spock looked back at Saavik and she produced her stun weapon, giving him a slight smile. "No need to worry, sir, I had you covered."
His eyebrow jumped, "Indeed, Commander, I am most impressed by your abilities."
Standing slowly, Saavik dusted herself off. "We better get going before anyone else shows up."
"An excellent suggestion; the next comm point is approaching quickly and we have a very narrow window of opportunity built in my computer modifications to the palace shield."
The two made their way toward the comm point with an increased tempo. Saavik's recovery was nothing short of astounding. Spock was pleased by her turnaround, but troubled by his discovery. He would have to address the problem once they returned to the ship.
Kef and Dar stood close together in the room that served as Kef's lab. "Are you sure you can do it without being discovered?" asked Dar.
"Yes, the one called Skott-tay is most impressed with me and lets me work unassisted whenever I wish. It should be easy to modify the unit to suit our needs."
"Then success and glory, Kef!" Dar snapped a traditional Klingon salute and smiled slyly at his companion.
Returning the salute, Kef became excited, "Much honor, Dar! Our names shall be remembered forever in the Empire!"
The pair then parted and spoke no more of their plans, for fear of discovery.
Dar returned to Koord and Kef went back to engineering to begin his work.
On the bridge of the Enterprise, everyone began to relax. The revisionists had broken off their attack after a relatively brief period of the hit and run combat. At the conclusion, neither side could claim a victory. In space, several battered hulks drifted helplessly. A few were simply collections of rubble, totally destroyed. One of the birds of prey was doing slow cartwheels towards a distant moon.
Chekov resumed his duties and, satisfied that the ship was out of immediate danger, had the weapon systems stand down to yellow alert.
Sulu checked the ship's chrono for the 'umpteenth' time and shifted in the command chair. With the revisionists gone, the immediate danger was indeed diminished greatly. Still, there was always the unexpected and Sulu didn't want to be caught unprepared. He turned his attention to the science station. "Mister Bailey, anything to report?"
The 'B' shift science officer was beginning to show the effects of inadequate rest. He was pulling double duty to cover for Saavik's absence. DeSalle would be relieving him soon, but Sulu knew Bailey had been on duty mostly from choice and admired the man's dedication.
"No, sir," Bailey sounded more disappointed than tired. "As soon as the revisionists left, I went back to the low level scans again. I'm afraid I haven't found out much, but there is one thing."
The C.O. perked up, "What is it, Dave?"
"You can tell Koord, the K'Chor'da is crewed by Klingons."
Popping out of his chair, Sulu asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir, Romulans and Klingons read as different as night and day. No doubt in my mind."
DiFalco shook her head, "I sure wouldn't want to be the one that delivers that piece of news to Koord."
The younger Sulu smiled, "You afraid the Klingons might shoot the messenger bearing bad news?"
"Exactly," DiFalco smiled back.
Pavel picked up the conversation, "In that case, there is only one person for the job, right, Admiral?"
Hikaru stuttered, "Uh, yes, you're right."
Doug Lemli was curious, "Whose duty is it?
"Protocol, that is Klingon protocol, calls for the commanding officer to address the general, right, Admiral?" Chekov had emphasized the rank intentionally and nodded to his friend.
Obviously not thrilled at the prospect, Sulu nodded in agreement, "Guess I better not put it off. Garrovick, you have the conn. If anything happens, I'll be with Koord."
"And then in sickbay," Chekov added, smiling.
Turning to glare at the security chief, Sulu added, "Mister Garrivick, if Pavel gives you any trouble, you have my permission to reintroduce an old tradition, flogging." He stepped into the turbolift with a smile of satisfaction.
The rest of the bridge crew laughed at Chekov's expense. The loudest was Demora Sulu.
James T. Kirk arrived in engineering just as 'B' shift was coming on duty. As he entered the outer workshops of the area, he ran into Elizabeth Palmer. His former communications officer was now a cracker-jack engineer. She greeted him with a huge grin. "Good to have you back, sir!"
He returned her greeting warm smile, "It's good to be back. I see you're finally in engineering, where you wanted to be."
"Yes, sir." The response was enthusiastic and Palmer looked truly happy. "I suppose you're here to see Scotty."
"Is he still here?"
She smiled at the question, "You should know by now, that Scotty is always here, right? He's working on the impulse engines, tinkering as usual." Palmer laughed and returned to work.
He joined her laughter with his own and walked in a beeline through the fabrication and repair shops. He was surprised by the familiar uniform, and appearance, of a Klingon.
Scotty's voice snapped him out of his shock, "Admiral Kirk! You old space dog! It's good ta' see ya' back and safe!"
Kirk had spun around at the first sound of the Scotsman's voice. His favorite engineer was beaming at him. "Scotty! It's so good to see you again! How have you been?"
"Well, sir, at least a wee better than ye!"
Laughing, Kirk refocused his attention and pointed at the Klingon. "You hiring outside of Starfleet these days? I thought it would be a cold day in Hades before you'd work with Klingons."
The engineer grinned again, "It's all your fault, sir. Remember ye opened th' door ta them."
Shaking his head in disbelief, Kirk continued. "When Sulu said you had a new lieutenant working for you, he said I'd be surprised, but I never thought --"
Scotty cut his statement off. "He wasna' thinkin' abou' Kef." Montgomery turned around and looked back at the impulse engines, "Lieutenant, front and center!"
Looking in the direction of Scotty's attention, Kevin Riley stood up and caught Kirk's stare. The admiral was confused. "Did Kevin get broken in rank?"
Letting go a hearty laugh, Scotty replied, "It's a long story, but it has something ta do wi' a seldom used, little known, reserve activation clause."
Kirk blushed, "Say no more!" He then looked back at the Klingon, "Is he your idea or Starfleet's?"
"A wee bit o' both, actually. Koord made the arrangements for the cloaking unit. Since it was Kef's invention, I thought it 'twould be good engineering ta hae him along."
"And foster better relations with the Klingon's at the same time, right?"
"Aye; that, too, sir. Not that I mind. The lad has a gift for engineering. If he continues ta excel, he should be running th' whole Empire in a dozen years or so."
Impressed, Kirk commented, "That's high praise from you Mister Scott, Klingon or not."
Turning his attention back to Kirk, Scotty asked, "Hae ye seen Koord yet?"
"No, not yet. He's next on the list though. Mind if I go see him? We can celebrate later."
"That'll be fine, sir. I hae a bottle o' five hundred year old Scotch whiskey ta' celebrate wi' ye."
A grinning Kirk responded enthusiastically. "Talk about incentive! I'll be back!"
With a wave goodbye, Kirk turned and then disappeared behind the engineering computers.
The elderly Scotsman shook his head, "Ye' always do come back."
|
© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
Star Trek and all related marks, logos, and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios, Inc. This fan organization
is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise.
|
