Ships in the Night; Part Three        The comm chirped. "Live transmission for you Captain, diplomatic code."        "Thank you Mr. Faiee, I'll take it here."        "Aye aye sir."        Kirk's screen cleared to show the Federation Diplomatic Seal, and then to a fashionable face in late middle years. "Greetings Fleet Captain Kirk. I am Federation Ambassador Leeds. My staff and I are working on brokering a peace between the Bittin and their colony world Muric."        "I've read of the conflict in the situation reports Ambassador. I understand the war has been going on now for ten years?"        "Yes, and it is now spilling out into the surrounding region. That is the Federation interest."        "How can we be of service?"        "The Bittin representatives, my staff, and I need transport to Muric. We have tried two times to make the trip in Bittin ships and have been turned back by more aggressive rebels. Pirates would be a better description. Their main interest is in keeping the war going, and profiting from looting both sides. The Bittin position is such they are unwilling to push through them, and the Muric are unwilling to send one of their few ships."        "You need a ride."        "Yes, a large muscular ride the rebel-pirates will not trouble."        The Kongo's itinerary popped up beside the Ambassador's image. Kirk sent his wife a happy thought and consulted same. "We can do that Ambassador. Our ETA is two days."        "Thank you Captain. We will be ready for you."        Ensign Fark plopped down with his lunch at the usual junior officer table. "Another side trip."        O'Kerry waved his arms broadly. "That me bucko is what starships do."        Lt. T'ness ducked O'Kerry waving about. "What exactly is a 'bucko'? I find your use of unfamiliar terms distracting."        "Ah me logical friend, I am part and parcel of the variety of the universe."        "Descended from an ancient and noble line of Irish pub crawlers." Added Fark.        O'Kerry put on a haughty air. "Be respectful when you talk about me dear ancestors."        T'ness stabbed her salad deader. "That still does not address the matter of what a 'bucko' is."        Fark cocked an eyebrow. "If you can get an answer for that, there exist a number of other great universal mysteries we have yet to solve. T'ness, you have an ear to the ground. What is this trip about?"        "We are to transport an Ambassador's party. It is a routine assignment for a ship of our type."        O'Kerry wagged a finger. "That, of course, means me fine friend that it will not be routine in the least."        "I fail to see how you can assume that."        "By the Rule and Law of an ancient Irish prophet by the name o' Murphy 'Anything that can go wrong, will'."        "Illogical. If one takes proper precautions for the expected failures one can avoid them."        Fark pointed his fork. "What about the unexpected?"        "Since one cannot logically expect that defined as unexpected, one must keep a general state of alertness for non nominal occurrences so they can be efficiently dealt with."        O'Kerry continued. "So being ye have a great and mighty logic to aid ye, tell us what unexpected thing we can expect?"        T'ness cocked a very Vulcan eyebrow. "Since two thirds of the officers present expect the untoward, and one third maintains a general readiness, the most unexpected outcome is that nothing untoward will occur. The result being, you two will have worried for nothing." With that T'ness rose from the table with great dignity and departed.        As Kirk promised the Kongo orbited Bittin in two days. Kirk and company waited in the Transporter room for the arrival of the passengers. Kirk stepped forward as the transporter effect cleared, and his guests focused on their new surroundings.        "Ambassador Leeds, My First officer Mr. Spacik, my Computer Operations officer and wife Tathilan. Also the commanding officer of our Acceptian exchange group. Provisional First Ga'fer."        "Greetings all. Ambassador Moog of the Bittin World Order, my chief of Staff Mr. Anakakk. The rest of our staffs will follow shortly."        "Welcome aboard the Kongo. Mr. Spacik and Tathilan will show your to your quarters."        Ambassador Moog followed the rather exotic humanoid woman the Captain had named as his wife. They quickly came to the quarters he had been assigned. Moog looked around sizing the place up. "Caal, Place the bags over there. Deeg, ah... Commander Tathilan, is there a second sleeping room?"        "Yes Ambassador, beyond that door there."        "Good, good. Deeg, you and Caal can set up in there, it will be a short trip."        Deeg looked confused. "Sir, a short trip? It's over ten light years."        "Yes, yes I understand the Federation starship is very swift." Moog took a second look at the room should anything have changed. "Now, Commander Tathilan. What is the food service."        "Any food type can be requested from the replicator. Ambassador Leeds has already uploaded a database of preferred Bittin dishes. We are ready to serve you." The replicator made three comm badges. Tathilan handed them to Ambassador Moog. "If you and your staff will wear these while on board you can access ship's services without using the comm panels." She pointed out the appropriate controls. Do you have any other questions Ambassador?"        "No, no, not right now. Who do I ask if I do?"        "Tap your combadge and address the computer. Either it will answer you, or direct your question to the right person."        "Yes, yes, good."        "I do have a few questions of my own if you have the time."        "Questions? Indeed. What questions would those be?"        "My people collect the stories of everyone we can. We don't have any stories from Bittin."        "Yes, quite, ahem. If the time can be had I will most certainly accommodate you Commander."        Kirk was waiting for word that all had settled in while he finished reading reports. The call to his quarters chirped. "Come." Kirk looked up from his chair to see Ambassador Leeds in the door. He got up. "Ambassador, come in. Can I get your something?"        "That good Starfleet coffee would suit me well."        "How do you take it?"        "Cream, no sugar."        Kirk got the cups and motioned to the sofa. "Something on your mind?"        "Yes, the Kongo can cruise at warp 9.5, can't it?"        "Yes."        "Muric is ten and a half light years out."        "We can get your there tomorrow evening."        "Can we make haste a little slower? Ambassador Moog and I would like a little more time to hash out some points."        "Warp 8 will take three and a half days."        "That will suit. Thank you Captain."        "I sent you a private message. Would you and your companions like dinner with my senior crew?"        "Are the Acceptians going to be there?"        "It would be impolite to leave them out."        "Good, I would like a chance to talk with them." Leeds sighed. "They are the next threat, aren't they?"        "It looks to be shaping up like that. I would rather it didn't."        "Wouldn't we all. Finally we have the Romulan question closed. The Klingons are moving closer to us, and the Cardsassians have had their teeth pulled. It would be nice to have peace instead of war somewhere else. What do you know of them?"        "The sorry state of affairs is that I am the current Acceptian expert. I have had more encounters with them than anyone else. That's how I drew this mission."        "What can you tell me?"        "They consider themselves master of the universe, and everyone else their natural subjects."        "Oh cheery."        "And they are not totally unwilling to learn otherwise."        "Better. How did you come to this knowledge?"        "The Kongo was the first contact ship. I have had a number of encounters since. You cannot neatly categorize them. They are as much 'of a piece' as Humans or Vulcans. There is an info file on the race at this point, very complete."        "I'll make a point to read it."        "How did your current assignment come about?"        "Bittin and Muric are suffering the growing pains of a typical parental mother country and ready to strike out colony. Their war has been spreading. The rebel/pirates being the most visible sign of this. We where asked into the matter by Bittin, to end the conflict and keep it from becoming a general war with her neighbors."        "Are they willing to let go?"        "Now? Yes. It's been a long hard road to this point. This is what we have been trying to get to Muric to announce."        Kirk stood. "Well I need to get to the bridge and see us off."        Well underway to Muric Third Jeekk watched the Federation peoples from his spot in the lounge. He was looking for the dominance patterns, but apart from the rank badges they wore there didn't seem to be any. Tak'kur sat down beside him.        "Still people watching?"        "Yes."        "If offered a milk shake, don't drink it."        "Why?"        "I got first class sick, spewed my crop all over my quarters."        Jeekk flatted his feathers. "I needed to know that."        Tak'kur blundered on oblivious. "The Human Doctor said we are not built to handle the proteins."        "I'll keep that in mind. Meanwhile you are interrupting my research."        "Social scientists. They have to study everything." He left.        Deateli came over and sat down. "How is your research?"        Jeekk clacked his beak. "I cannot identify the social patterns. There must be patterns, but I am not seeing them."        "Are you assuming certain patterns?"        "Of course, there will be... Oh."        "A common error of social science is to assume that the social organization and patterns your expect to see will be there. How many new species have you studied?"        "Until now, none."        "The key to learning the patterns of a new social system is to not expect any. Carefully school yourself away from the expectation and you will find them."        "It sounds like a contradiction."        "It does. When we look for patterns, we subconsciously seek the patterns we know. It blinds you to patterns you are unaware of, and you can 'find' patterns that are not there."        "Is this the voice of experience?"        "Yes, million of being hours of research into thousands of species. Your scientists must have these skills."        "If so they are not taught. We haven't encountered a new species in a long time. We are just now expanding again."        "Skills are lost unless used. You are going to have to relearn them."        "So I see."        Kirk came onto the bridge. Quiet purpose filled the command center. Ga'fer nodded and surrendered the center seat.        "Situation Mr. Ga'fer."        "We are on course to Muric, warp factor 8. We have a number of, 'bogies' on long range sensors. They are on an intercept course. I am unsure as to your Federation procedures."        "Good call. Mr. Sommes, what do you see?"        "Twelve small ships, very large fighters, or small attack ships."        "Threat level?"        "Light to moderate."        "Increase speed to flank cruise. Vary course as required to avoid them. Tathilan, please inform Ambassador Leeds and party we are arriving early, and why."        Ga'fer blinked. "Sir, you're not going to engage them?"        "We have nothing to prove Mr. Ga'fer that simply cranking up the speed so they miss us will not also prove. Twelve attack ships are no real threat to this vessel. I see no point in killing a few people just to prove we can."        "Sir, they are not going to fear you."        "I don't want them fearing me Ga'fer. We are out here to make friends."        "Sir?" Said Lt. Sommes."        "Yes Mr. Sommes."        "Sir, the tactical analysis indicates that those ships had advance warning of our course and speed."        "Not just sensors?"        "No sir, such small vessels don't have the sensors to see us coming from that far out."        "Opinion?"        "They have base sensors, and perhaps an insider at Bittin telling them who is coming."        Kirk came around to the tactical plot. "Can you make out their base Mr. Sommes?"        "Yes Sir, there. I am not reading sensors of that magnitude. Then again I might not be able to."        "Have the fighters changed course?"        "No sir."        "Tathilan, what about comm traffic to Bittin?"        "Several transmissions by Ambassador Moog's party before we departed."        "Crack them, and let's see what is being said. See if your subspace scanner logs have anything interesting to say as well."        "A traitor?" Ambassador Leeds shook his head.        Kirk continued. "That's the indication. The transmission back to Bittin is not unexpected. The Traitor could be on the ground. Whatever the means within half an hour of our departure our itinerary was transmitted to the base we just passed. The Bittin diplomatic corps has a hole in it. Be aware."        "How do I break this to Moog?"        "For once I am perfectly happy being the starship driver. Is arriving earlier going to be a problem? I can drift around for a while, take a cruise."        "No, we have the last details worked out. We need to present our plan to the Revolutionary Council and see how it flies."        "Opinions?"        "It gives them mostly what they want, and allows Bittin to save face as well. I am proud of it. I sincerely hope it works out."        "Do me a favor. As soon as possible, find out if the people at the gate are official, or pirates. If it's the latter case I plan to pay them a return visit."        Ga'fer puffed and smoothed his feathers. "I do not understand Mr. Spacik. The Captain avoided a confrontation the first time, but now that he is passed them, he is going back to confront them?"        "The Captain's logic is impeccable First Ga'fer. In bringing the diplomatic team to Muric, we had nothing to gain by battle, everything to lose. Now that the status of 'pirates' has been confirmed they are a general nuisance and need to be cleared out."        "I thought them a right proper nuisance the first time."        "Not so. Intelligence 'the first time' indicated they were combatants in the Bittin-Muric conflict. Updated intelligence indicates they are not legitimate combatants."        "So they are fair game?"        "They are a disagreeable part of our duty."        Miritath looked at the scope again. "Twelve ships Captain. Light attack class, a light threat."        "Can you take them out without killing the crews?"        "No sir. Setting the phasers low enough not to destroy them outright will allow them within attack range."        Do we have any photon torpedoes left?        "Yes Sir."        "Good, bracket them; don't hit anyone. Fire when ready."        Six torpedoes streaked from the Kongo's tubes. They neatly bracketed the approaching ships, giving them a good rattle.        "Open hailing frequencies."        "Hailing frequencies open."        "This is Fleet Captain Kirk of the USS Kongo. Attention to all hostile ships. That was as close as I can come to non deadly force. If you approach us any closer I will start killing people."        "Hail is being answered."        "Put it on. Talk is good."        The screen was filled with the face of a Bittinain. "We do not recognize your authority. We are Muric fighters. We will defend our base."        "Muric has denounced and disclaimed your actions. As I see it that leaves you two choices. Continue this piracy, and end up dead either in combat or in a Bittin or Muric execution chamber, or surrender to me, and live. Federation law has no capital punishment. Turn back now and I'll give you six hours to consider my words. After that I will assume no deal, and I will level your base. Kirk out."        "Miritath?"        "They are retreating Captain."        Kirk blew out the breath he was holding. "We wait six hours."        Ga'fer pressed the call.        "Come." Kirk looked up to see who it was. "More questions?"        "Yes sir. Why are you offering them choices? Why not simply make things as you wish them to be, and move on?"        "It's not the Federation way Ga'fer. I have more to gain with mercy than I do with force."        "We so clearly over match them."        Kirk quirked a smile. "I never depend on it being 'so clear'. Lives are important to me, the lives of my crew and the lives of the pirates. If I can resolve this without shooting anyone, I will be happiest. I am hoping they have a brain to see we do clearly over match them and will give up without a fight. I'm giving them time to consider it."        "So the Federation will not execute them."        "No. As I said, we stopped killing in the name of justice long ago."        "You will make slaves of them?"        "We don't have slavery either. If convicted they will go to a rehabilitation colony."        "I will look into that. In the Empire criminals are slaves, and all slaves are criminals."        "Is that a permanent state?"        "No, it is only for the length of your sentence. It can be for life, but usually is much shorter. Will they be convicted?"        "It's not likely. If they have avoided being a general nuisance and haven't attacked any Federation shipping, there is likely no change against them."        "So you are arresting them for nothing?"        "No, I am arresting them for crimes committed against the Muric and Bittin. If either Bittin or Muric posts charges and prosecutes them they could well be convicted and imprisoned. However, I doubt that will happen. Bittin and Muric have bigger problems than a handful of former pirates."        "So they go unpunished."        "Not exactly. I will eliminate their base and ships. They cannot go back. They will have only the possessions in their duffles. They lose. Once I drop them off they have to make their own way and are light years from either Muric or Bittin, without a ship. It is unlikely that anyone is currently headed that way primarily because of the war. Peace wins, no one gets hurt."        The comm chirped. "Bridge here, Captain I have the pirates on the line."        Kirk got up. "Come on. We could have an answer."        "Fire." Two torpedoes spat from the port turret, and the old transport that was the pirate base detonated in a blaze of antimatter. The iceball it was sitting on split into several pieces.        Kirk looked around the bridge. "Well done every one. Mr. Avery give me warp 9.5 to Starbase 312, and we'll drop off our pirates. Then back on course." ---        "Sensor report."        "Nabol system as reported, no large vessels in short or long range sensors, no Federation squawkers."        "Noted Third. Command deck to overthrone. The Kongo has not yet arrived. We are approaching Nabol space."        Cher'cur tapped the comm. "Understood Vigilant. All ships, make migrant formation, close proximity. Comm, contact the Nabol Space command and request permission to orbit."        Cher'cur and Taggel stepped down from the shuttle. Taggel spoke first.        "It is unusual to treat with other races as equals."        "An exercise we need to learn I think. I wonder if the legendary Kongo has made an appearance."        "We would have been contacted if that was the case Sire. Let is inquire of the Kongo herself. I would imagine she is in range of easy contact." ---        The Comm chirped. "Bridge to Captain Kirk."        Kirk rolled away from the woman he had been snuggling. **This better be good.** "Kirk here. What is it?"        "Vigilant hailing Captain. They have reached Nabol."        "Good for them. My compliments and tell them we are a week out." ---        "First attention!"        "Report."        "Tactical is reading a high mass object approaching at Lightspace 6."        Taggel felt his blood run cold. "Put it in viewspace."        The object swam into view. Silence fell heavily around the command deck. Every officer that could see the tank knew what that ugly thing meant. Taggel calmly picked up the comm.        "Most First attention."        "Cher'cur here, what it is Taggel?"        "We have a Thasite war city at 10 light years and closing."        "We must defend any people, even if they are not our own Taggel."        "Understood Sire. You will come up?"        "Of course."        "Comm!"        "Sire!"        "Contact Nabol space control. Tell them what is bearing down on them, explain what it is, and why that is a danger."        "By your Will, Sire."        Cher'cur spoke to the gathered firsts. "We have a war city at range. While the city herself will not be a threat for months, the assault ships and scout ships will detect the Nabolese quickly."        First Kaal spoke. "Sire, what do we care for the Nabolese? They are neutral by agreement with the Federation, we have no benefit in defending them?"        Taggel shot to his feet. "Begging First Kaal's pardon, but we have every interest in stopping them. They are on our border, and no benefit to the Thasites can be of any good to us. Nabol, whether ours or not must be denied them. No people shall be allowed to fall under the Thasites."        Cher'cur held up a hand. "I agree. However, we have another ally." He was being looked at. "The United Federation ship Kongo approaches."        Gokot puffed. "They are late."        Cher'cur chuckled. "You cross 400 light years and be on the parting precise. However, they are coming. We will contact them and see if they will lend aid." Continued in Part Four   Comments or questtons on this story? Mail Here Download A zipped Rich Text Format version of this story. Return to -- Epiphany Trek: The Stories The Above is a work of fiction. All characters are fictional, any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental. Copyright © Garry Stahl: June 2004. All rights reserved, re-print only with permission.