From: brownpm@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Peter Brown)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: "For the Honor of the Empire"
Date: 8 Apr 92 00:23:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: mentor.44331
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


CHAPTER SIX:  "For the Honor of the Empire."

[Exterior shot:  _Enterprise_'s main collimeter powers up and a column of
phased light bursts forth, piercing the Screens of the _Devastator_, and
destroying the power stations next to the Sensor Domes.  Photon torpedoes
launch forward, MIRV, two on each remaining Star Destroyer.  One 
torpedo breaches the shields while the second homes in on the power stations,
sending yellow and white explosions into the harsh void.  All three ships
shudder with the impact, the left hand Star Destroyer drifting slowly to
port, the righthand to starboard, and the _Devastator_ careening down.
Lights flicker and go out momentarily as the leviathans drift.

Cut to Battle Bridge.]

Picard:      "Mister O'Brien!  Transport them aboard now!"

Intercom:[O'Brien plus an exchange of phaser/blaster fire in background. 
             Troi's screams add to the cacophony.]  "We got them Captain.
             Security should have them under control soon."

[Sure enough, the blaster fire stops.]

Picard:      "Medical Team to Transporter Room Four."

Intercom:[Crusher] "Already on their way Captain."

Data:        "Sir, sensors are reading increasing energy levels in the 
             Imperial warhsips.  Their power is being restored."

Picard:      "Ensign McMurphy, set course to Chelea Four, warp one."

McMurphy:    "Aye sir.  Course plotted and laid in."

Picard:      "Engage."

Intercom:[O'Brien] "Captain, ther - [sounds of a scuffle, we can hear Valasian
             in the background:] Rebel vermin! You shall pay dearly for this
             outrage, I promise you!"

Picard:      "Mister O'Brien, I shall be there shortly.  You may take any
             action you deem necessary to insure our guests' proper behavior."

Intercom:[O'Brien] "Aye sir.  Transporter Room Four out."

Picard:      "Data, you have the Conn."

[Picard leaves the Battle Bridge into his Ready Room where Tarkin is still
sitting.]

Tarkin:      "You retrieved your crew members?"

Picard:      "Yes, we did.  Thank you."

Tarkin:[relieved] "I am glad to hear that.  Maybe now we can settle this matter,
             Captain."

Picard:      "We have also captured your Admiral, who apparently was too close
             to our people when we tried to transport them.  I would like you
             to escort me to the Transporter Room to greet my returned crew."

Tarkin:      "Of course, Captain."

[Picard and Tarkin leave the Ready Room.  Cut to Transporter Room Four.  
O'Brien and three security guards have their phasers drawn and pointed at one
Stormtrooper, his hands in the air and helmet on the floor.  Another
Stormtrooper is unconsious on the floor.  There are several scorch marks
on the far wall, possibly from blaster fire.  One Federation Security Guard
lies bleeding on the floor with Crusher, Dr. Solar, and two other medical
attedents hovering over him.  Troi is sitting on the pad with her left arm
over Will, who is holding his bloody nose.  Valasian is seething next to
the unconscious Stormtrooper, wary of O'Brien's weapon.]

Crusher:      "He's dying.  Dr. Solar, we'll have to risk giving him 5 ccs  
              of Cordrazine.  We need to get him to sickbay immediately.
              [Presses her communicator]  Transporter Room Three.  Lock on
              to Dr. Solar's communicator and beam directly to Sickbay.
              Medical Emergency."

[Crusher stands up as Picard and Tarkin enter.  She walks over to them as
Dr. Solar, the two attendents and the wounded security guard are beamed
to Sickbay.]

Crusher:      "I'm --"

Valasian:[raving] "What is the meaning of th--" 

Tarkin:[hisses] "You will be silent, Valasian!"

Valasian:[shocked] "Commander!  How dare y--"

Tarkin:[shouts] "*Silence!*  [Steps deliberately up to Valasian and stares 
              him dead in the eyes]  Or I may have to use my *family*
              connections."

Valasian:[growling] "You wouldn't dare, Commander."

Tarkin:       "And why not?  My superior has lost his mind.  He is endangering
              the Empire.  My actions would not be questioned, Admiral, so I
              suggest that you silence yourself if you wish to preserve your
              commission in the Imperial Navy."

Valasian:[growling] "I shall *not* forget this, [Spits] Commander."

Tarkin:       "Nor shall I, *Admiral*."

[Crusher and Picard watch this event with concerned interest, but do nothing.
Crusher turns to Picard to whisper.]

Crusher:      "I'm not sure if the Security guard will live, Jean-Luc.  He
              was hit directly in the center of his chest.  As for Will, he
              appears to have been bludgeoned with some metallic item,
              probably a rifle butt.  I found no internal injuries, but I'd
              like for him to come down to Sickbay for a full examination."

Picard:       "Agreed.  Will, report to Sickbay."

[Will is helped up by Deanna, but he waves her away, walking toward and out
the door toward sickbay.]

Crusher:      "The unconscious man is alright, just stunned.  Deanna seems to
              be fine, but I'd still like to give her an examination as well."

Picard:       "In a few minutes Doctor.  For now I need her here."

[Crusher nods and leaves the Transporter Room.]

O'Brien:      "I'm sorry Captain, I was unable to deactivate their weapons
              before they materialized."

Picard:[with a reassuring smile] "I understand, Chief.  Take the two Imperial
              men to the brig.  [Much quieter and softer] And Chief, I am
              sorry for-"

O'Brien:[smiles] "Think nothing of it, sir.  I understand completely.  But it's
              nice to hear it."

Picard:       "Thanks Chief."

[O'Brien and the Security Guards escort (and carry) the two Stormtroopers out
of the Transporter Room.  Only Picard and Troi, Tarkin and Valasian remain in 
the Transporter Room.  As soon as the doors close, Valasian makes a grab for
Troi, thinking that Tarkin would go for Picard.  Instead Tarkin lashes out
a well-placed foot, tripping Valasian and sending him to the cold floor.]

Tarkin:       "Enough, Valasian.  Intervene again, and I will have Captain
              Picard send you to the Brig with the others.  It is for their
              sake and the fact that you are a noble that I allow you to
              remain here.  Do not give me reason to forget my manners."

Valasian:     "You traitorous imbecile!  You have wasted our chance for 
              escape!  I will --"

Tarkin:[louder] "You *will* remain quiet until I tell you otherwise.  Do 
              you understand me?"

[Valasian gives Tarkin a wickedly dirty look, but remains silent.  He stands
up slowly, ignoring the hand that Tarkin offers, then brushes himself off.]

Tarkin:       "Captain, forgive my superior.  He truly believes that what he
              is doing is right, and by our society's standard it is.  But it
              is not right for me."

Picard:       "Commander, I --"

Tarkin:[puts a hand up to stop Picard] "No, Captain, I believe I understand
              your Federation better than you think.  Please allow me to
              explain.
                  "The Galactic Empire is built upon a foundation of fear. It
              trains its servants to be ruthless in the methods, and unsavory
              in their practices.  I have never been like that.  There are a
              few of us, a very few, who still cling to the days when the 
              Imperial Navy had honor, when people would look at someone in
              a Naval uniform with admiration - not fear and hatred."

Picard:       "I can imagine.  The Federation -- my *own planet*, and several
              of the other member worlds went through similar periods in our
              histories."

Tarkin:       "This phase of terror will pass.  The Empire is held together 
              by that terror, but it cannot last.  The Rebels we so quickly
              strive to destroy are proof of that.  The more we destroy, the
              more Rebels there are.
                  "Captain, I am a Commander of a starship, not a politician.
              Had I been in command of the Squadron when we encountered your
              system, [looks at Valasian] I would have ordered the fleet to
              turn around and leave, and to forget that we had ever seen you.
              You see, Captain, your existence puts my Empire in jeopardy.
              It cannot deal with an internal and external threat at the 
              same time."

Picard:       "Commander, while I do not *personally* agree with the methods
              of your Empire, the Federation's own Prime Directive prohibits
              us from meddling in what is clearly matters of internal affairs.
              We would not intervene in your internal conflict."

Tarkin:       "Captain, I do not believe that.  The rivalry between our empires
              would force you to "intervene".  And your very existence would
              start the process that would unravel the very fabric of the 
              Empire, throwing us into a bitter civil war in which millions, if
              not billions, would surely die.  By all reason, I should destroy
              you now, claim we had destroyed a Rebel base and an experimental 
              warship, and then never return to this region of space again."

[Valasian looks at Tarkin, and a thin smile begins to form on his face.]

[dramatic pause]

Troi:         "But you won't."

Tarkin:[sighes] "No, I will not."

[Valasian's expression shifts to burning anger.]

Picard:       "Then what will you do?"

Tarkin:       "I shall lead the Squadron home and report to the Emperor
              everything that has happened.  I will then resign my commission,
              if I can.  I will leave the declaration of hostilities between
              the Federation and the Empire up to the politicians.  I am
              merely a military officer, with a beautiful and loving wife, and
              two darling daughters.  The thought of starting a war that
              endanger their lives would not allow me to sleep at night."

Picard:       "I will see to having your men returned to unharmed at your
              convenience, Commander."

Tarkin:       "Thank you, Captain.  I would like to think that we will be able
              to meet again, under more pleasant circumstances.  However the
              reality of the situation draws me out of that fantasy. [colder]
              You will return my men within one half hour, and we will then
              depart from your systems, I hope, for good."

Picard:       "I shall look forward to meeting you again, Commander Tarkin."

Tarkin:[Turns to get onto the Transporter pad, but stops and turns around.]
              "Captain Picard, before I leave, would it be possible to 
              procure the recipe and ingredients for Earl Grey?  I would like
              to bring a gift home to my wife."



[Cut to interior of the Bridge of the _Enterprise_.  Picard and the rest of
the Bridge crew are at their stations on the Mian Bridge, power apparently
restored.  On the screen we see the face of Tarkin.]

Tarkin:       "Captain Picard, we are now departing.  I strongly suggest
              posting a force here, in case my plea to the Emperor does
              little good."

Picard:       "Understood, Commander.  May your audience go well."

Tarkin:       "Thank you, Captain.  Until next time.  _Devastator_ out."

[Screen returns to starfield.  We see the three Star Destroyers jump to
lightspeed.  Beep Beep frrm Worf's station.]


Worf:         "Incoming transmission from Starfleet Command.  Admiral
              Nakamura is hailing."


Picard:       "Thank you Lieutenant Worf, I shall take it in my Ready Room.  
              Number One you have the Conn."

[Picard leaves to his Ready Room, Camera follows him.  He sits down in his
chair, tugs his jersey, and turns the computer screen to face him.  Admiral
Nakamura (female) appears.]

Nakamura:     "Greetings, Captain Picard."

Picard:       "Greetings, Admiral."

Nakamura:     "Starfleet wishes to inform you that reinforcements are on their
              way to Chelea Four."

Picard:[frowning] "That may not be necessary, Admiral.  I have just concluded
              a temporary cease-fire with another human government that calls
              itself, the Galactic Empire.
                  "Admiral, this empire is reminiscent of the 20th Century
              Nazi Germany.  After discussing with the Commander of one of
              Imperial warships, a Commander Tarkin, I am convinced that 
              while there are some honorable men in the Empire, it is on
              whole rather unscrupulous and violent.  In many ways, much
              like the Romulan Empire."

Nakamura:     "Their technology - equivalent to our own?"

Picard:[disappointed] "No, Admiral, but that is not the point.  Their 
              Empire is driven by violent ambition.  The whole situation
              was due to a rash decision to attack an assumed "Rebel" base
              and increase the Admiral's glory.  Fortunately, for both of us,
              Commander Tarkin managed to defuse the crisis at the risk of
              his own life and career."

Nakamura:     "I see, Jean-Luc.  You feel then that they constitute a threat
              to the Federation."

Picard:       "Our contact constitutes a threat to _both_ sides, Admiral.  I
              strongly suggest that Starfleet imvokes General Order Four 
              within this entire region of space, and leave several monitoring
              stations to insure that this dreadful situation does not
              repeat itself.

Nakamura:     "You seriously believe that by restricting this region of space
              from all Federation activity that we can have peace with this
              'Empire'?"

Picard:       "I do."

Nakamura:[sighes] "Very well, Captain, I will suggest it to Starfleet Command.  
              Thank you Captain Picard, for everything.  You are to proceed
              to Starbase 153 for repairs and rest and relaxation.  Once
              again, you deserve it.  Nakamura out."

[The Computer screen is filled with the Federation logo.]

Picard: [aloud, but to himself] "Don't thank me, thank Tarkin. I did nothing.
              He risked his life, all for the honor of the Empire."

[Pull camera away slowly, leaving through one of the windows, so that we can
see the saucer section of the _Enterprise_.  The mournful ending theme music
is playing quietly.]

[Roll the Credits.]





Well, that is the end, I hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas, suggestions, comments, and flames.
I could not have done this without you all!

And to Gene Roddenberry, whereever he is now, thanks for reminding all of us 
  that the future is ours to develop, anything that we dream cam happen.  
  Thank you, Gene.


-Peter M. Brown
 brownpm@mentor.cc.purdue.edu