From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: STTUQ 6/15
Date: 26 Aug 92 13:40:55 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


 
  - STAR TREK      ---------------------------------------------------
  - THE UNFAIR QUO ---------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Six of Fifteen
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  CHAPTER SIX
 
        Wether she intended to or not, Saavik had already
  recieved several stares, which did nothing for her nerves.
  While she wasn't overdressed for the occaision, she certainly
  was the best dressed of everyone there.
        Riley walked over, fighting the butterflies in his
  stomach and the urge to run for his life. "You look," he
  stammered as he finally caught up to her, "incredible."
        "Thank you, Thomas," she replied cooly. "Miss Cambell
  aided me with the wardrobe and makeup. She deserves the proper
  credit."
        Tiber and Campbell, however, we spiralling off from
  Saavik already, leaving her more or less alone with her
  captain. Riley smiled at his Lieutenants' playing. "I doubt
  anyone here could look so remarkable," he added with a smile.
  He offered his hand to hers, and she took it.
        "Well, Tom," Tago smiled, "I think you have matters here
  pretty much in control. Good day, Commander, Captain," he
  finished, leaving for the punch bowls.
        "Good day," Saavik replied politely, paying more
  attention to how well Riley looked in his dress uniform.
  Granted, he was notably uncomfortable, as was she, but he did
  look quite impressive. "I am supposed to meet with Ambassador
  Spock as soon as I arrived."
        Riley changed his pose, providing a more formal escort.
  "I saw him and Admiral Sulu near the stage," he explained. "I
  get the distinct impression that your mentor doesn't approve of
  me," he added.
        "He doesn't have to," Saavik replied, taking Riley's
  offered arm. "Be fortunate that I do," she added, giving a
  faint hint of a smile.
        They walked for a moment to the stage, not actually
  realizing that the people in attendance were literally making a
  path for them.
        "Captain Riley," Sulu eagerly offered. "I've heard a lot
  about you. Congradulations on your missions, and on your
  medals."
        Pleasant fellow, Riley confided in himself. "Thank you,
  Admiral. But to be honest, my crew should share the credit more
  than I."
        "Really?" Sulu smiled. "I think that you had more to do
  with it than you realize. Paula told me a lot about you, she
  had only good things to say."
        "Miss Grissom?" Riley asked, a bit quizzed by the remark.
  "That surpises me. I had been thinking that I'd done something
  in a past life." Riley pulled out the seat in front of him,
  letting Saavik rest from standing. "Actually, she did an
  excellent job against RAVEN and CLAW. I'm surprised you let us
  have her."
        "Well, I'm going to Star Fleet Academy as an instructor
  next month," Sulu admitted with a sorry look. "I'll be teaching
  navigation and tactics. Something about a little experience I
  had a few years ago. EXCELSIOR will be getting a whole new crew
  as a result."
        Riley smiled, pushing Saavik's seat gently under the
  table. "It seems congratulations are in order for you as well,"
  he commented. "And to you, Ambassador. I understand that you
  will be acting as special envoy to Romulus after these
  proceedings."
        Spock nodded. "I will. A peace with Romulus has been a
  life-long dream of mine, Captain," Spock answered cooly.
        "Really?" Riley finally took his own seat, sitting across
  from his date. "I have to admit that seems unlikely in the near
  future. Hard-liners are taking the helm again."
        "Indeed," Spock replied with a certain cold. "As
  evidenced with your encounters with the renegade Romulan fleet.
  But I am confident such a peace is possible, in time."
        Riley grimaced at that, knowing how difficult a struggle 
  such a peace would be. "You have a long carreer ahead of you, 
  Ambassador. I hope that it will be fruitful as well."
        Spock nodded in quiet agreement. "Tell me, Captain. Why 
  did you forgo your training on Vulcan? Sonak informed me that 
  you were one of his best students."
        Riley looked in disbelief, at least now he knew the 
  source of Spock's apprehension. "You are direct, aren't you?" 
  Riley muttered.
        "Very direct," Sulu smiled, "unless you ask him 
  something, then he'll quote theory." Of course, Sulu's attempt 
  at being light-hearted fell flat.
        Riley sipped on his tea, stealing a glance at Saavik who 
  was already more than interested in the conversation. "I had 
  difficulty shutting out emotions," he confessed. "After tree 
  years, it was obvious that the path of Kohlinar was closed to 
  me. Besides, I don't have Vulcan blood, and I believe that 
  you know how difficult it is to be accepted there if you're 
  not a true Vulcan."
        Spock drew in a breath, Riley's words were very sharp 
  indeed. "True, Captain, I do understand. I was curious," Spock 
  replied, revealing nothing.
        "Of course," Riley added, taking a large swallow of his 
  own tea. "Curiousity is the path to knowledge," he completed, 
  letting no more than his words cause injury.
        "Ladies and gentlemen and others of the room," a tall 
  Malaysian Human began from on stage. "I hate to interrupt such 
  a wonderful party, but unfortunately duty dictates that I had 
  out three medals to the Federation's two newest heroes."
        There was a small bit of applause, and Riley felt his 
  stomach churn. The big moment was about to arrive, his first 
  public presentation of a medal.
        "Captain Thomas William Riley," Captain Heito continued 
  upon the stage, "and Commander Saavik of Vulcan. Would you mind 
  coming upon the stage for the presenation please?"
        Riley stood with Saavik, and the two walked to the stage 
  for the formal ceremony. This time, however, they walked in 
  military fashion, not touching except for when Riley helped her 
  walk up the small set of stairs. If she weren't half-Vulcan, 
  she'd have cursed the high-heels she was wearing.
        "Captain Riley, Commander Saavik," Heito spoke, "it is 
  with great honor that I present the two of you each the 
  gold cluster of valor." He presented two navy blue ring boxes 
  from his pocket. He opened each and handed one to each of the 
  two ENTERPRISE crewmen.
        "Also," Captain Heito continued, "to Captain Riley, the 
  distinguished Arrowhead, the insignia of the Federation. This 
  is for protecting our interests so valiantly."
        Riley took the medal in hand. "Thank you, Captain," he 
  responded. After that Heito started the room's applause, 
  somewhat embarrasing the two officers.
        "Spock," Sulu replied, smiling and clapping as much as he 
  could, "You could have been easier on him, at least for her 
  sake."
        Spock said nothing, keeping the words to himself. He did, 
  however, applaud the both of them for their efforts.
 

-- 

"Our crew's living quarters have left the ship."
			- Secundam Yto aboard the IRON CLAW II
Neale Davidson, another writer wanna-be. neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu