Lines in the Sand -- Part Two

       The two ships were an hour underway. Kirk finished up the few notes and the transmitted messages and log entries. It looked bad, very bad.
       **Tathilan, has the Hadrian CIC crew settled in?**
       **Yes Tim.**
       **Good, activate the CIC and call them and the Kongo CIC team in.**
       **Aye, aye Commodore.**
       Kirk mused as he walked down to the CIC eight decks under the bridge. Command Information Center, the heart of any flagship. The Kongo had one as did every large Federation cruiser. They were the least used places on any ship. Captains commanded from the bridge. Admirals, and Commodores, used the CIC. In all his years as her Captain, Kirk had only been in the Kongo's CIC for the occasional drill.
       The door parted in front of him. The Hadrian crew was already at work.
       "Commodore on the deck."
       "As you were."
       The Kongo's CIC team walked in behind him and assumed one of the stations on the perimeter. Kirk walked over to the big swivel chair in the very center of the room. The "other" center seat. The one that lacked the glamor of the one on the bridge. The Fleet Commander's position.
       The Kongo crew was running standard diagnostics on their station, one of 12 that circled the room. The tactical screen behind them duplicated what the Kongo herself saw. A like screen showed a like view for the Hadrian. The other stations would be manned as each of the ships joined the fleet. At the foot of each station was the commander's screen, direct contact with each Captain in the fleet. Currently it showed Lt. Cmd Faiee at the Kongo's con, and someone he didn't know at the Hadrian's.
       "Hadrian, CIC report."
       The Lieutenant at the Hadrian's center seat jumped a bit. "Sir? Yes, Sir."
       "Lieutenant, what is your current condition?"
       "All green sir, rotating encryption protocols in place. Data transfer normal."
       "Thank you Hadrian. Flag out. Kongo, CIC report."
       Faiee said. "Remote protocols on standby, direct feed to the CIC normal Commodore."
       "Thank you Kongo. Flag out. Gentlebeings." The various crew looked up. "When you are satisfied with the functionality of the systems you may set up one man per team watches until further notice."
       With their confirmation Kirk left them to their work. His next order of business was the flag office off of the CIC. The lights came up and he walked in. Trying to work out of the Captain's ready room when in a flag position would be disruptive to the normal operation of the ship. James Timothy Kirk was about to become a passenger on his own vessel. He sat at the generic desk and the computer came up, the orders he was about to cut already on it.
       **Isn't flag lieutenant a drop in grade for you?**
       **You don't want me looking over your shoulder?**
       **I don't think I could do the job without you. Call Commander Spacik down to the flag office, and see about getting my furniture down here too. Put something equivalent in the ready room. This place is sterile.**
       **Take a coffee break, in the lounge, that will give me time to shift the furniture. Then Commander Spacik?**
       **Advisement accepted.**
       Ten minutes later when he returned his office looked more like his office. By the time he was seated the door buzzed.
       "Come."
       Commander Spacik came in, the typical Vulcan eyebrow raised. "You wished to see me Commodore?"
       "Yes, I have orders for you Mr. Spacik." Kirk handed him the PADD. "As of this stardate, I request and require you to take full command of the USS Kongo, NCC-10455 for the duration of this mission, outlined in your orders. She's a proud ship Mr. Spacik, take care of her, and do us proud as well."
       "Aye aye Sir. I believe the human term is 'thank you' Sir."
       "Congratulations Captain."

       "Captain?" The plump man ran faster to catch up with Captain Ap Owen. "Captain?"
       Ap Owen caught by the turbolift finally turned toward her pursuer. "Ambassador Tembline, this had better be very important. I am on my way to the flagship."
       "Yes, of course Captain, I was hoping to accompany you."
       "Really?" Ap Owen brightened. "Wanting to move to the Kongo?"
       "I really hate to complain Captain, but you left Newhome without any of my staff. I simply do not understand..."
       "Ambassador, when a Starship Captain tells you 'five minutes' we mean exactly that. Not the forty five it took you to decide."
       "Really how can one be expected to make such a momentous decision is such a short time."
       Ap Owen walked into the transporter room. "That, Ambassador, is why I am a Starship Captain, and you are an Ambassador. Now, the Commodore is waiting, coming or not?"
       "Coming."

       Kirk looked around the briefing room. The Captains of his fleet assembled except for Palstern of the Healer Sotock and Roberts of the Mitchell Paige. Katasai of the Endeavour had aborted. They where simply too far out to be of use. He was going to miss the presence of that big nebula class. The others had yet to arrive, and might not until he was nearly in the Galron system.
       "Gentlebeings, introductions around. By seniority. We have Captain Jolard, of the Appalacia, Captain Ta'lur of the Maui, Captain Taraban of the Questing, Captain Karrakin of the Stuart, Captain Ap Owen of the Hadrian, Captain Lairalan of the Fastness, and Captain M'Gottoo of the Xanadu, and Captain Spacik of the Kongo. Captains Ap Owen, Spacik, and Taraban I am familiar with. Captain Ap Owen was my first officer for six years. I was the fleet liaison for the launching of the Questing under Captain Taraban. Captain Spacik is my first officer under less trying circumstances. The rest of you I hope to get to know quickly.
       The situation as we understand it." The viewer came up on the battle as extrapolated from the Berlin's tactical logs. Kirk continued over it. "Captain Kennedy having received a distress message clearly, and specifically requesting the add of the UFP in repelling an invasion responded as requested. As you see from the logs, the results were not, satisfactory. Our mission as defined, is rescue the Berlin survivors, stop the invasion, and don't start a war, in that order."
       Jolard said. "That last one looks to be a tall order Commodore. The Acceptians seem to like to shoot back."
       "Point, however, they didn't shoot back at me. I have hopes that negotiation can make it clear where the limits are without drawing the lines in blood. Enough has doubtless been spilled."
       Ta'lur said. "It is logical to seek resolution through negotiation first. However, what is your resolve if this should fail?"
       "We fight, that simple. We will fight smart, we will take every advantage we can, but we will fight. The principle of a sentient's freedom to choose is at stake. The Galmeer are a warp capable culture and they asked for help. Any questions on the basic mission?"
       No one asked.
       "OK, you can get a full download of all the Acceptian material available from Tathilan. I suggest your study it. If you have any ideas or questions I am available, and we can remote conference. Dismissed."
       Conversation was minimal as the meeting dispersed. Captain Jolard came over to Kirk.
       "Sir, if I could have a moment of your time."
       "Certainly."
       "Commodore, I note that both the Kongo and the Hadrian are equipped with 'sentient' computers. What measures do you have in place to counter any rouge tendencies."
       Kirk looked at Jolard for a long moment. "The same ones you have in place should your crew rise as one to kill you Captain."
       There are no such provisions. Starfleet has trust in its crews Commodore, you should know that."
       "Commander Tathilan and Commander Unaban are Starfleet officers Captain. I expect you to trust the same judgement. Is there anything else Captain?"
       Jolard came to attention. "No sir."
       "Dismissed."

       First Tercert looked down on the mammal groveling before him. The setting could have been better. The command center still bore evidence of the fires and damage, but it was mostly functional again.
       "Korneal yiWalfer, you mean to tell me that the Empire's finest troops cannot take a city?"
       "I did not say cannot Most First. I said we had not yet taken the city."
       "Cannot, have not, I see little difference to our final goal. What seems to be your primary impediment?"
       "Terrain. The Galmeer prefer to live underground. Their cities are armored hives. It is much like digging out anzz that shoot back. Most First the work progresses, but not with the speed we have come to expect."
       "I am disappointed Korneal. You will do what is necessary to see that it progresses closer to the expected rate."
       "That will cost lives Most First."
       "I am not interested in cost, I want results. Use as many Shaggies as is required to finish the task. Am I understood?"
       "Yes Most First."
       "Now, on the Berlin, survivors?"
       "We have located the lifeboats. None of the crew were in the vicinity of them. Evidence exists they did survive and moved on."
       Tercert rubbed the tip of his beak. "Wise of them. They are not complete fools. Have you found them yet?"
       "No Most First. Federationers seem as able at hiding in a jungle as Galmeer are at hiding underground. Until we can move sensor teams in random chance is the only hope of locating them."
       "I take it you require those sensor teams for the assault?"
       "If Most First desires any speed, yes."
       "The assault comes first, dismissed."

       Captain Kennedy looked at the stars from the treetop. One moved contrary to the general motion. He studied it for a while.
       "The Vigilant?"
       The Lieutenant with the macroscope turned to track the object. "Yes sir."
       Kennedy ground one fist into the other. "Damn, here we sit, impotent to do a damn thing about it."
       "Yes sir."
       Kennedy was about to comment when the branch next to him shook. With that prearranged signal he carefully climbed out of the tree. A ragged looking Security Ensign was waiting for him.
       "Report."
       "We have made contact with the locals Sir. They know about the war, and seem to have good communication. The Capital has not fallen but is under heavy attack. The Leaders are debating letting it fall, and moving on."
       "Can we get a message to them?"
       "Yes sir, that much is easy."
       A third voice broke in. "More important, can they shelter us?"
       "Lt. Sawyer I don't recall asking for your input."
       "I don't recall asking if I could ask, Captain. I have people dying out here. I have open wounds attracting all sorts of germs we don't even have names for. We need to get the wounded into better conditions. That, by the way, is my official report as Chief Medical Officer, Sir."
       "Mister you are just short of insubordination."
       "I lost two more people today Captain Kennedy. Two more good people that didn't have to die. I will do what it takes, Captain, to keep any more from dying. That is my duty, period."
       "Good to see you doing your duty Doctor. Mr. Chatam?"
       "There is a village about fifteen klicks from here, hard terrain every inch of the way. The Acceptians found our life boats, it's only a matter of time until they find us."
       "Doctor, can your wounded take fifteen rough kilometers?"
       "Better than they can take staying here."
       "Mr. Chatam. Get your cover team together, we move out in the morning."
       "Yes Sir."
       Kennedy moved deeper into the encampment. "Mr. Toltin."
       "Here Sir."
       "How are those subspace sets coming?"
       "Well with five of the lifeboat amplifiers and the powercells I can punch out a broadcast. The downside is the Acceptians will be on it almost as soon as it starts sending."
       "How heavy is it?"
       "Reasonably man portable."
       "Can you rig a timer?"
       "No, they are on or off."
       "We need to get a report out and without revealing our location. Have they stopped jamming?"
       "Yes Sir. They could not get their own reports out through the noise."
       Another crewman walked over. "Sir?"
       "Yes Mr. Ta'pur."
       "It is logical that I carry the transmitter."
       "What is your reasoning?"
       "First, I am a warp drive engineer, and therefore my skills are expendable at this time. Second, I am Vulcan, and therefore strong enough to carry the device and move quickly. Third, I am able to live by my wits, and to survive on found vegetation. Fourth, in the event I am captured, I cannot be forced to reveal any information. Fifth..."
       "Quite enough Mr. Ta'pur. Can you carry the transmitter back to within a kilometer of the life boats, chances are they will be watched."
       "I can sir."
       "Have Mr. Toltin explain his work, and set off as soon as you are secure in that knowledge."
       "Aye Sir."

       "Commodore."
       "Yes, Mr. Rubin."
       "I have intercepted a burst transmission from Galron. Starfleet code six."
       "Play it."
       The screen to Kirk's right lit up. A harried looking man in a torn and bloody uniform with a medplast across his brow appeared looking into the sensor. "This is Captain Joshua Kennedy of the late ship Berlin, log supplemental. Survivors of the Berlin have landed safely on Galron and made contact with independent natives. We are moving to join them now. We have many wounded, and cannot evade capture indefinitely. The Acceptians quickly located our lifeboats as expected. I dare not give our exact location for fear this message will be intercepted. In the event we are not recovered alive by friendly forces I accept full responsibility for the actions that have lead to these circumstances. We remaining few will aid the Galmeer as we can with what weapons we have. Kennedy out."
       Kirk punched the Intercom. "Mr. Solin, what is your ETA to the Galron system."
       "Seventy seven hours Commodore."
       "Thank you." Kirk lunged from the flag chair and started to pace the confines of his deck. Around him the fleet teams worked and watched quietly. After his third circuit he quit the CIC, went to his office and flopped on the couch.
       Damn, seventy seven hours and not a thing to do for it. All ships were pushing as hard as they dared now.
       "Commodore, you have a call from Captain Ta'lur."
       "Put her through." The screen came up on the austere Vulcan woman. "Kirk here Captain. How can I help you?"
       "Commodore Kirk, I have considered the question of our approach to the Acceptians. I wish some of your knowledge."
       "You are welcome to what little I have."
       "In your considered opinion, would direct attack, and resultant victory be a direct lead into war?"
       "That's a leading question, but the answer is yes. I do believe that would be the result."
       "An end not within the mission parameters."
       "No. You had an idea?"
       "I am working on it. Will the show of force be sufficient to deter violence?"
       "Unknown, but I think unlikely."
       "What is your reasoning Sir?"
       "I met this First Tercert. He impressed me as a vain and self promoting person. His pleasure at displacing Acertor was plain. I believe him conceited enough to believe himself to be at advantage under any circumstances. The destruction of the Berlin will bolster that opinion."
       "How are you aware of the Acceptian Commander?"
       "The logs. I recognized the Vigilant. Unless the intervening time has seen him replaced, the Vigilant and its strikers are under the command of First Tercert."
       "A being that will not back down from superior force shown."
       "No, I don't think he will."
       "Then reason states force must be demonstrated."
       "That would be my conclusion yes."
       "I will work on a plan, and return to you Commodore Kirk."
       "I look forward to your thoughts on the matter Captain Ta'lur."

       Ta'pur ran through the dense undergrowth, her golden skin lucent with the heat of exertion. From behind she heard her larger pursuers as they crashed through the vegetation. While they lacked her grace they compensated with size and determination. Ta'pur leaped into the branches seeking a higher road, one the larger furred soldiers could not follow. For a while her tactic seem to be working, but she could hear them closing. The treetop route was not as fast as she had hoped. Back to the ground. She gained a few minutes while her hunters relocated her trail. Once again the hot pursuit continued across the ground. The creatures were closing the gap. One ran at her heels. A sapling stood in her path. Ta'pur took the chance. She garbed the slender trunk swung up and around. Her feet caught the creature under the chin, and it dropped. She continued her motion let go the tree and kept running without breaking stride. They were gaining on her. Another broke from the underbrush ahead and to her side. She bounced from a fallen trunk, spun and hit it in the chest, both came down with a crunch of bone and a howl from the larger soldier. Ta'pur picked up her stride angled behind the soldier's path and continued her run. For a while it worked, her moving behind them confused them and they lost the path. She could not rest. Only Vulcan discipline and Vulcan strength made her continued effort possible. She heard the solders moving around her again. Suddenly one loomed before her and lunged. The momentum was counter to her own. A quick tal shaya move laid him out, but stopped her as well. She rose to continue. Something moved in the corner of her eye. Blackness.

       Blackness. Kirk rolled over. He encountered soft female. He caressed same.
       **Awake?**
       Kirk started. **Moan a little first.**
       **Do my thoughts startle you?**
       Kirk flopped over onto his back. **I just don't seem to be able to get use to the idea that your don't sleep naturally.**
       **The ship would be in dire straits if I did.**
       **Yes, it would. But it is the one degree of "unreality" we have going. I am still not used to it.**
       **I'll make a note to moan and move before thinking at you. At least in bed.**
       **It would look strange on the bridge.**
       **She cuddled up. **Yes it would. What was bothering you?**
       **No hiding as usual.**
       **Give.**
       **Fleet command. It's new waters, fresh territory, and while many have come this way, I feel like the first.**
       **Common human trait I think.**
       **Common enough for me. I have been trying to stuff my head with all the command advice I can find.**
       **Suggestion?**
       **I'm listening.**
       **The dead guys that wrote all that command advice, are not here.**
       **Best recognized minds in the field.**
       **Dead, they are not here, you are. You know how to give orders.**
       **Petty Officer, get that flagpole up. Oldest lesson in the book.**
       **So, get on the intercom and give some orders to the crew to deal with the circumstances.**
       **I can't, I don't know the circumstance...**
       **Exactly.**
       **Right. The answer is in front of me, and I can't see it.**
       **You see it now.**
       **And I can act on it.**
       **So Commodore, what is your first order?**
       **Get some sleep, and deal as it comes.**
       A few minutes went by silence stretched.
       **Tathilan?**
       **Yes Tim.**
       **Do, We, know anyone in the crew of the Berlin?**
       **Possible.**
       *Can random thoughts and images come through the All?**
       **If you think about it hard enough, yes, sometimes.**
       **I had a brief flash of a window, with jungle outside, and a deep worry.**
       **Premonitions perhaps. Humans are prone to them. They are never reliable.**
       **It's haunting, are they truly images of the future?**
       **No, humans had a racial memory once. Sometimes it still works, in flashes.** She cuddled closer. **Go back to sleep.**

       Captain Kennedy looked out the protected portal for the hundredth time in as many minutes.
       "Captain?"
       Kennedy lingered moment longer. "What is it Dr. Sawyer?"
       "Lt. Ta'pur would be back by now, if she could get back."
       "I can't give up Sawyer."
       "Then you will need to keep up your strength Captain. You have not eaten in twelve hours, you have not slept in 24. Starring out the portal will not produce the Lieutenant. She is coming, or she isn't."
       "I suppose this will be followed by one of those 'Doctor's Orders' statements."
       "If necessary to get you to eat and sleep, yes."
       "Fine." Kennedy turned from the portal and closed it. Where is the food?"

       Tercert lounged in his command chair. He looked the prisoner over at leisure. A mammal female of a type he was not familiar with. Her clothing was torn and her face was swollen on one side. Apparently the Shaggies had beaten her badly. Annoyance flickered across his mind, she could have been cleaned up better before she was brought to him. He noted the Kronin guards. Good, the crew was learning his preferences. Shaggies are fine for grunt work and combat, they did not belong on the command deck.
       "Explain yourself female."
       She stood silent, impassive.
       "A brave front will do you no good. A few hours with an interrogation master and you will beg to reveal your secrets."
       Ta'pur gave him no satisfaction.
       "Last chance female. I am merciful, others will not be."
       Still she maintained her silence.
       "Get the cow out of here."
       The guards took Ta'pur by the arms and dragged her away. Tercert brooded. Her obstinacy would not last, mammals had no taste for pain.


Continued in part three
 

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The Above is a work of fiction. All characters are fictional, any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

Copyright © Garry Stahl: Febuary 2001. All rights reserved, re-print only with permission.


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