Black Fire (25 page)

He knew—very well—Jim's facility for talking himself out of tight sitations.
It's up to you, Jim. I've done all I can
, Spock said silently.

Kirk's face appeared on the screen. "This is Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S.
Enterprise
. We have no hostile intentions."

Spock watched Desus' reaction, knowing that the Romulan did not believe Kirk. In minutes the fusion device would be triggered. The
Enterprise
would be destroyed—totally destroyed. He had to act—now—before it was too late.

"Desus, permit me to speak," Spock boldly interrupted.

"For what purpose, Sub-Commander Spock?"

"I know Captain Kirk. He will talk to me. Permit me to bridge the differences. Open hostility could precipitate a war with the Federation. We do not want to be responsible for starting a conflagration."

The Supreme Commander sat back, listening to the Vulcan, considering his request. "No, we don't want a war. Not yet!"

Not yet! So the transmissions I have been deciphering are very crucial. War is imminent. The Romulan Empire is planning to breach the treaty. But when?
Spock wondered.

"I will speak first." Desus' eyes narrowed as he continued. "You will be given the opportunity to talk to Kirk. Remember, you are still under scrutiny. Choose your words carefully, Spock."

"Yes, sir. I shall not disappoint you. I will do my duty, Desus."

* * *

"Captain Kirk." Desus' image appeared on the viewscreen. "I am Supreme Commander Desus and I speak for the Romulan Empire. You were attacked by the
Moonhawk
as a result of your attack on our command vessel, the
Sun Falcon
, which disappeared in this sector."

"Supreme Commander Desus, I assure you that we had nothing to do with the disappearance of your ship. We, too, are investigating an attack upon one of our ships."

"It seems too much of a coincidence, Captain Kirk, that the
Enterprise
should be present when we have trouble in this sector."

"The same could be said of your presence here, Commander. May I remind you, sir, that this area is not under the jurisdiction of either the Romulan Empire or the Federation. It is free space and any ship may cruise here. Our presence does not automatically imply hostility."

Kirk could see the Romulan turn his attention somewhere offscreen. Then the voice and the image suddenly cut out. "Are our screens still up?" he asked apprehensively.

"Aye, Captain. Four is still weak, but holding."

"Good, we may need them. I don't seem to be getting through to them."

The screen was engaged again and the familiar face and resonant voice of Spock stunned the bridge crew.

"Captain Kirk, this is Sub-Commander Spock. Supreme Commander Desus has given me permission to speak. Please acknowledge."

Kirk stared at the image now on the screen, trying to reconcile the image of a Romulan officer and
Spock!
"I don't believe what I am seeing!"

"Nevertheless, Captain, I am here, and I do represent the Romulan Empire's interests at this time. It is apparent that both the Romulan fleet and Starfleet have lost ships in this area recently… ."

Scott and McCoy stood beside Kirk, staring at the viewscreen in open-mouthed shock. Sulu and Chekov were muttering their reactions to the image on the screen. Uhura got up from her console and stood beside the captain. All watched and listened to the familiar voice, trying to absorb the concept of Spock in Romulan. uniform—presenting the Romulan position.

The Vulcan's deep voice continued. "That which drew you here is responsible for our presence as well. It is not an unfamiliar situation. It was very much the same circumstances which led Scott and myself to Quest and subsequently to Tomarii.

"I believe I have a plan which will effectively end the Tomariian raids. It will take both of our ships to implement successfully."

Desus looked at Spock in surprise. The Vulcan had not discussed a possible plan with him or any of his officers. He was not pleased.

"I formulated a plan when I realized the
Enterprise
was also in this sector. I have not had time to discuss it with my superiors. They, too, will be hearing it for the first time."

"Go on, Spock," Kirk replied tensely.

"We must establish a working relationship, Captain Kirk. We must trust one another if we are to function as a team."

"Let's hear it first, Spock."

Spock could see Kirk's formal bearing—his rigid back. Then he looked to Desus who looked no more trusting than did Kirk.

"May I continue, Supreme Commander?" He emphasized his next sentence, brought his hand to his chest, and extended it in the Romulan salute. "It is
you
I serve!"

Kirk flinched in reaction to Spock's display of loyalty to the Romulan commander.

Both McCoy and Scott were struggling to conceal their dismay. The doctor knew it was orders of magnitude harder for Kirk, but except for a tightening of his lip the captain displayed no outward sign of his feelings.

You deserve a medal, Jim, old boy!
McCoy thought.

Desus acknowledged Spock's obeisance. "I will consider your proposal, Sub-Commander. Speak!" Then, in a lower tone which couldn't be heard in the transmission to the
Enterprise
, he added, "You had better be convincing, Spock. Your conduct is suspect."

Spock was very much aware of the guard who came up behind him as he spoke. "Very well, then," Spock continued.

His voice, confident and calm as usual, struck Kirk as being the right voice coming from the wrong place. He sat back in his command position trying to reconcile the image on the screen with the Spock he knew.

"All right, Sub-Commander Spock, I'm listening," stated Kirk.

Those on the bridge with Kirk were silent. The sounds of the ship and the voice coming in over the transmission were magnified by the unusual quiet. All could see the figure of Spock, his hands clasped behind him, standing at attention on board the Romulan flagship, the magnificent
Moonhawk
.

"In my evaluation of the Tomariian system, I have come to some conclusions which, although unproven, seem to be logical extrapolation of available information. I have briefed the officers of
the
Moonhawk
as to my observations, and the information has been entered into our integrator. If you will permit me to tie the
Enterprise
's computer into our integrator, I will feed you the complete data.

"I believe we can effectively stop the Tomariian threat, possibly permanently. Captain Kirk, you have taken the
Enterprise
through the corridor and are familiar with the passage which protects Tomarii from outsiders. That corridor is the key to my plan."

"Yes, I see." Kirk picked up on Spock's plan instantly. "I see where you're leading. Working together we can block the Tomariians from either leaving or returning to the planet. You're proposing a blockade …"

"Precisely, Captain. We can turn the chief means of their defense into the means of their defeat. When we have the planet cut off from the major part of its population, I believe it will be possible to impose restraints upon their aggressive behavior. I repeat, in order to implement the plan we must be able to work together. My agreement with Commander Julina was based upon such an alliance. It proved effective during our imprisonment on Tomarii. You have been to the planet, Captain Kirk and you know the Begum IIsa… ." Spock paused, reluctant to go into detail about his personal ordeal on the planet.

Kirk understood. He spoke before Spock was forced to continue.

"I believe you have the seed of a good idea there, Sub-Commander Spock." Spock's Romulan rank sounded horribly wrong. "If Supreme Commander Desus wishes to discuss the plan more fully, I am amenable. You are welcome to beam aboard the
Enterprise
for that purpose."

Desus watched the byplay between Kirk and Spock with great interest. The special understanding between the two men was obvious. Many of Spock's words seemed superfluous as Kirk perceived the overall concept, anticipating the Vulcan's plan.

"Captain." Spock had not moved from his rigid stance; his voice was taut. "Both Supreme Commander Desus and myself are fugitives from a Federation correctional institution. Will we be given safe conduct?"

"Yes." Kirk answered too loudly. Forcing control of his voice, he continued, "For the duration of this emergency."

"We must have time to discuss your invitation, Captain. You will be contacted when we have decided our best course of action. Supreme Commander Desus, out!"

The screen darkened. The bridge remained too quiet. All eyes were on Captain Kirk. He looked around at the staring faces and asked crisply, "Don't any of you have work to do?" Everyone jumped back to business, but it was still much to subdued on the bridge of the
Enterprise
.

4

Spock had little success in convincing the Romulans that there would be no Federation treachery. Supreme Commander Desus and his officers beamed aboard the
Enterprise
with an armed escort. Desus, while wanting to trust Spock, was in an awkward position; he could take no chances no matter how close his friendship with Spock had become. The
Moonhawk
's weaponry was poised to destroy the Starfleet ship, even at the sacrifice of their own lives.

When they beamed aboard, phasers were very much in evidence, wielded by the security team in the
Enterprise
transporter room. It was not the best of circumstances in which to begin a working alliance.

At Kirk's order, McCoy had stationed himself in the doorway of the briefing room, waiting for the Romulan delegation to arrive. His diagnostic scanner hummed as he pointed it at Spock, when the Vulcan entered the room. Spock was fully aware of the doctor's medical probe and glanced back at McCoy, raising an eyebrow in acknowledgement and amusement. He took his place beside Desus.

The medical scan showed a completely healthy, normally functioning Spock.
So much for a medical excuse for his behavior
, McCoy thought sadly. He shook his head negatively, indicating his results to Kirk.

The physical similarities between Spock and Desus were obvious and startling when they sat side by side and Kirk had a chance to compare the two.
They could be brothers
, Kirk acknowledged.
Maybe that's why Spock joined them. He certainly must be more comfortable with them
.

This was the moment Kirk had been dreading, the moment when he and Spock would meet, face-to-face, representing opposing powers. He covered his discomfort with action.

"Gentlemen, it would be best to remove all arms from this room. We cannot discuss cooperation while we face each other over charged phasers." He gestured to the security men, the door swished open, and they left.

Desus followed. Kirk's lead. The two armed Romulans also took positions outside the briefing-room door.

"Thank you, gentlemen," Kirk said. "Now I will introduce my officers. My first officer," he paused to glance at Spock and continued, "Lieutenant Commander Leonidas; my weapons officer, Lieutenant Chekov; and my chief medical officer, Doctor Leonard McCoy."

"Commander Relos, my second in command." Desus indicated the man to his left; then looking right, he introduced his other officer. "Sub-Commander Spock."

An uncomfortable silence followed.

Breaking it, Spock began outlining the plan. He sat, hands peaked in front of him, as he had so many times before in this same room. He was calm and confident; his voice was well modulated, in complete control.

"With Captain Kirk's permission, I have fed the information we will need into the
Enterprise
's computer. If you will engage the screen, we can begin planing our strategy."

They all watched the view-screen on the table. A chart of the sector appeared on the screen. Spock adjusted the computer visuals and a more detailed section came onto the screen. Martin, resenting the Vulcan's intrusion, glowered at him.

"If you will observe, I have marked the Tomariian corridor clearly. Their escape trajectory puts them into position A or B, depending upon which end of the corridor they wish to approach. Due to the magnetic fields within the passage,they must take an exact route to place them in such precise positions. If the
Enterprise
is placed at point A and the
Moonhawk
at point B, we have formed a blockade."

"What do you propose doing with the ships that are returning or leaving the planet?' Kirk asked.

"Destroy them, of course," Desus said without hesitation.

"Our aim is to stop the Tomariians, to attempt to get them to capitulate, not to destroy them," Kirk said strongly.

"Your aim, Captain—not ours," Desus emphasized.

"Our mutual aim is to stop Tomariian aggression," Spock added, attempting to save the situation. "Whatever we decide must be agreed upon mutually. There is strength in our alliance. Our hostilities toward each other will only stress our weaknesses and make us all the more vulnerable to the Tomariian menace."

McCoy watched Spock carefully as he talked. Any other man in his position would show some signs of stress, but not Spock.
Damn it, Spock! Show some reaction. Can't you see Jim's nearly torn apart?
The doctor looked to Kirk, whose exterior calm hid tensions imperceptible to anyone but himself—and Spock.

The captain was purposely keeping his eyes averted from the Vulcan, looking directly in front of him at Desus. Only an occasional glance in Spock's direction revealed his turmoil.

Doesn't Spock see the hurt? Or is he so callous he doesn't care?
McCoy fumed.

"I believe we can force the Tomariians to cease their hostilities by inhibiting their ability to provide basic necessities to Tomarii, and by cutting their government's ability to rule their off-planet peoples," Spock continued.

"No," Desus interrupted. "A bargaining position would not benefit the Empire. An enemy must always be destroyed."

Spock took a dangerous position, knowing he was threatening his credibility. "Supreme Commander Desus, a personal motive does not prompt rational decision. You have suffered a loss. It has dulled your analytical ability. Permit Commander Relos to speak for Romulus. He is not personally involved."