Black Fire (26 page)

Relos,who had had no trust in Spock, now saw the Vulcan in a new light. He saluted Desus before he spoke.

"Supreme Commander, sir, I would be pleased to accept the responsibility. We all know of your loss and understand your grief."

Desus was cornered. If he insisted upon imposing his views, he would appear to be following personal interests. Spock had maneuvered him into an untenable position. He sat back reflecting upon how he would handle the Vulcan—later.

With their joint tactics planned, the Romulans returned to their ship. Kirk remained alone in the briefing room.
How awkward it must be for Spock
, he mused.
He certainly isn't trusted. What are his motives? Now there is no coming back to the Enterprise. He's allied himself with them and he has to live with that decision. It's got to be difficult for him. Is it better than imprisonment? Or is it imprisonment of a different kind?

Spock, why?

There were no answers: only more questions. And there
was
Spock, standing as he had so many times before in that same briefing room, contributing his skills in. preparing for another mission.

But it was not at all as Kirk would have wished.

5

The
Enterprise
was in position; Kirk transmitted his coordinates to the
Moonhawk
and was answered with a confirmation of the Romulan's position. The trap was ready to be sprung.

The first Tomariian ship that approached the opening of the corridor was completely unaware of the starship blocking its exit. The small transport ship was no match for the
Enterprise
. A warning shot was all that was needed to send it ducking back into the corridor.

The
Moonhawk
encountered a Tomariian ship returning home and, with as much efficiency as the
Enterprise
, sent the Tomariian ship back into space without a fight. It was as Spock predicted it would be: The Tomariian's means of defense was now becoming the means of their defeat. Kirk sent a subspace message to Starfleet informing them of his position and tactics. It would take considerable time for the message to reach Starfleet, but it was standard procedure and he followed it. He did not mention Spock.

Communications between the Romulan and Starfleet ships were kept open at all times to facilitate prompt response. In the lulls between action, Kirk could hear Spock's voice coming from the Romulan ship.

He belongs here, beside me—on the Enterprise
. One thought hounded him, repeating, incessantly:
Spock, why?

It was the coldest season on Tomarii, the time when most of the inhabitants were forced into their underground lairs or off the planet on their forays. Kirk remembered the conditions well. The traffic in the corridor was heaviest at this time. It wasn't long before the
Enterprise
had four departing ships bottled in the corridor and three held at bay outside. The small ships they encountered were not equipped to tackle a starship; their primary purpose was for the transportation of the Tomariian attack forces.

Like buzzing mosquitoes, the small craft darted and dodged, trying to pass the larger ship. The
Enterprise
's fire was directed not to hit any of the Tomariian craft, only to discourage their approach to the corridor. The view-screen showed a split-screen view of the ships trapped in the corridor and those trying to gain entry. A bright flash whitened the screen. The first casualty of the blockade was credited to Starfleet, as a desperate Tomariian ship hurtled directly into a line of fire.

The Romulan ship was holding a group of five ships in their approach area, and three within the corridor. Their extended firepower made their effectiveness greater than that of the
Enterprise
.

"Captain!" Scott exclaimed while he studied the performance of the
Moonhawk
. "I do wish I could get more information about that ship. If I could just get a wee look at her specifications or a look inside o' her …"

"I don't think they are going to invite us in for an inspection, Mister Scott." Kirk frowned and turned toward his security chief. "Chekov, try to keep that fire further away from the Tomariians. I don't want another destroyed."

"Yes, Keptin. But they flew into our fire, sir. Ve cannot control dere movements."

"Do the best you can, Lieutenant."

"Yes, Keptin."

"Captain," Uhura reported, "the
Moonhawk
reports two Tomariian ships damaged, one destroyed. The Tomariians tried to attack in force. The Romulans are holding the remainder as before."

"I don't want to keep score, Lieutenant. Let's just hope we don't have to keep up this siege too long." He turned to Chekov again. "How are our phasers holding up?"

"Ve vill haf to recharge dem again, soon. Ve are not capable of keeping dis up indefinitely."

"Get a power-level report from the
Moonhawk
, Lieutenant."

"They report full power, sir. Mister—I mean Sub-Commander—Spock reports all is going as planned." When she finished her report Uhura wanted to retract her words. The effect of her verbal slip was evident in Kirk's stiff back; she turned away. Chekov buried his face in his sensor and Sulu fidgeted with his controls. When Kirk looked to Scott, he found the engineer busily checking the readings on his monitor. Leonidas stood beside Kirk unaffected by it all. Once again, the bridge became very still.

Kirk's fingers beat a tattoo on the edge of his command chair.

"Captain Kirk."

Spock's voice stopped the captain's nervous motion.

"Sub-Commander Spock here. We have reached the point where we must wait for the Tomariian response to our blockade. It may take some time. Do you need assistance?"

"No, we have things under control here."

"The
Moonhawk
has far greater weapons potential, Captain. Our screens are of superior design. We possess a greater ability to hold our present status. Please advise us if you are unable to continue at full power. We are only as strong as our weaker-ship."

"We don't need your help, Sub-Commander," Kirk replied angrily. "Kirk out!"

Scott waited for the captain to cool before he spoke.

"Captain, did ya realize what Spock just told us? He did give us a detail or two about the Romulan ship."

"Yes, he did, didn't he?" Kirk turned to face Scott. "Now, why do you think he did that?"

"I don't know, Captain. But we do know a wee bit more than we did before. That's for sure …"

Peculiar
, Kirk
thought, Spock's not one to make such a slip. That had to be intentional. What is he up to?
Kirk perked up.

"Martin, feed that last message from Spock through the computer. See if there's any hidden message there."

"Sir?"

"Just do as I say, Martin. I don't have time to explain my reasons now."

The science officer asked the computer to analyze the last message from the
Moonhawk
. Kirk left his seat and stepped up to the science station to hear the computer analysis himself.

"Working—analysis of last recorded message—
Moonhawk
. No concealed information… ."

Kirk hissed in frustration as he returned to his seat.

"The Tomariians are massing for an attack, sir. They are approaching from both sides. Six ships from the corridor and three from the outside!"

"More power to the shields, Mister Scott."

"Aye, sir. Those small ships can't do much damage, individually, Captain."

"Let's not take any chances. Remember the
Hood
."

"They're coming at us now, Captain." Martin grabbed the console in front of him as the ship rocked.

"They have pretty good stingers," Kirk said, righting himself "Are you sure they can't damage us?"

"Well, Captain, a hit in the right place can damage any ship," Scott reported ruefully.

"Inform the
Moonhawk
we are under attack, Lieutenant."

"Information already relayed, sir. I get no response."

"With allies like that, we don't need enemies." Kirk grabbed the arm of his chair to keep his balance as the ship careened with another blast.

"A hit, Captain. In the port pylon."

"Bad?"

"Bad enough. We're listing to port. The power from the reactor in that section had been cut off. I've a repair crew on its way, Captain, but it'll take time ta evaluate and correct, if we can."

"Use your magic, Mister Scott. We need it now."

"Aye, Captain, we're doin' our best."

"Captain, the Tomariians are being driven off!" Martin reported excitedly.

Kirk looked to the view-screen. Four ships—shuttle-sized—were engaging the Tomariians. "Fighters from the
Moonhawk!
"

"A message from Supreme Commander Desus, Captain." Kirk listened as he watched the battle. "'Captain Kirk, our birds of prey will destroy the game.'"

"Will you look at that, Captain!" Scott pointed at the view-screen. The fighters, fully painted like birds of colorful plumage, gracefully darted around the Tomariian attack ships, rounding up the less capable ships with speed and precision.

"The Romulans haf the Tomariians, completely under control, Keptin. Ve are all clear now."

Kirk spoke ship-to-ship. "Supreme Commander, we are in your debt. A most impressive display. Thank you."

"You are most welcome, Captain Kirk. Our ships are most impressive, are they not?"

"Indeed they are, sir. What other surprises do you have on board that ship of yours?"

Kirk's query was answered by laughter.

The captain relaxed in his seat. "I wouldn't tell you anything, either," he observed philosophically.

"Captain Kirk." Spock's voice and image interrupted this exchange. "Do you need assistance with repairs? I believe the Tomariians have sustained extensive damage and will not attack again soon. Is the
Enterprise
fully functional?"

"No. We have a damaged pylon; power on the port engines has been cut off. Repairs are in progress." He called out to Engineering. "Scotty, how are you coming along?"

"We'll have full power soon, Captain. But that pylon is verra weak. We can put a temporary brace through the damaged area, but I dinna recommend any fancy maneuvers until we get her back for a complete structural refitting o' that area."

Did you hear that, Spock?"

"Yes, Captain. Do you have full sailing function?"

"As far as we know."

"Good. Then the
Enterprise
can safely navigate the corridor. It will be your responsibility to bring our combined delegations to the planet when the time comes. Mister Sulu, do you still have the course stored in your navigational computer?"

"Yes, Mister—ah, Sub-Commander …"

Spock did not react to Sulu's slip. "You are agreeable to transporting our representatives to Tomarii, Captain?"

"Yes."

"Now we wait for the Begum IIsa to make then next move." The screen darkened. Spock's image and voice were gone.

Siege warfare was not a routine Starfleet procedure. The studies of ancient wars was required but not stressed in the Academy. Spock, with his superb memory, was qualified to plan such a tactic, but Kirk felt inadequate without him on board. Taking advantage of the lull now in progress, Kirk took time to familiarize himself with the history and tactics of the siege.

There were no walls to breach, no moats to cross, no arrows raining down, but the parallels were there. The
Enterprise
and
Moonhawk
had successfully cut off any contact Tomarii had with their supply routes and their people. The planet, unable to provide the most basic necessities, would soon become intolerable. Like the cities of old, there would be famine—and death—if IIsa proved stubborn. It wasn't clear how long the Tomariians could hold out. Both Kirk and Desus had called for backup and other ships would be arriving to assist them.

Spock knows how long they can hold out
, Kirk thought.
Or he has a very good approximation of the time it will take. It can't be too long. It
isn't practical or safe to remain in one position too long
.

These were not the days of horse and knight; the Tomariians could mass and attack again at any time.
And the
Enterprise
is damaged. Not good
. He looked at the viewscreen. Two of the Romulan fighters had remained as support for the
Enterprise
.

He shook his head and concentrated on the library console in his quarters.
I don't like being dependent upon the Romulans. Not at all
.

The Romulan contingent beamed aboard in preparation for the parley with IIsa and her council. The strategy meeting held in the briefing room on deck eight was attended by only a privileged few. Spock and Relos sat flanking Desus. Kirk, with Leonidas, Martin, Chekov, and McCoy faced the Romulans.

"We've corked the bottle, Spock. Now, how do you propose we convince IIsa to behave?" Kirk asked seriously. "She didn't strike me as exactly the rational type."

"Indeed, Captain, she is far from rational. The Tomariians are individually suicidal but not genocidal. They are an intelligent race caught in a grave imbalance. We must offer them viable alternatives."

"Birth control?" McCoy suggested. "From what I saw on that planet, it wouldn't be readily accepted."

"If presented properly, it may be one solution, Doctor."

"And who is presenting our combined demands?" Kirk asked.

"Why, you and I, Captain," Desus answered.

Kirk's reaction wasn't at all expected. "No way. IIsa wouldn't have a thing to do with either of us. But she might listen to Spock." He could see Spock's discomfort.

"Captain," Spock hedged, "I haven't the authority …"

"IIsa's got a crush on you, Spock. I think that in her own way she loves you. That's why she kept you alive, remember?" He could see by Spock's expression that he most definitely did.

"The role of ladies' man has customarily been yours, Captain," Spock replied icily.

That's one for Spock!
McCoy scored.

"Not this time, Spock. It's your turn. We can use her attraction to you to convince her to negotiate. Don't you agree, Supreme Commander?"