From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: STMOW 10-15/20 repost
Date: 30 Aug 92 21:44:34 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


 
  - STAR TREK     ----------------------------------------------------
  - MORALS OF WAR ----------------------------------------------------
 
  Parts Eleven through Fifteen of Twenty repost
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  CHAPTER ELEVEN
 
        Sorak sat bemused. Riley had blatantly disregarded his
  orders, and then had the audacity to communicate that fact back
  to his superiors. "An impulsive one, you are," Sorak muttered,
  not bothering to mask his disappointment under his Vulcan
  training. "I did not raise you to take unneccessary risks,
  Thomas."
        Riley's image had been freeze-framed, allowing Sorak to
  study his face. Beneath the Commander's coarse skin, underneath
  his driving green eyes, Sorak could only find pain. Riley had
  finally began suffering from moral dilemas instead of
  mechanically obeying orders. He was choosing what was right
  instead of what he was told to do.
        While Sorak was pleased that his protege had chosen that
  particulara path, the Vulcan captain knew that his timing could
  not have been more wrong. The ENTERPRISE was needed desperately
  now. The stakes had been raised.
        Admiral Jameson had informed Sorak of the COLUMBIA's fate
  not long ago. There were three ships missing now, and another
  which had definately been destroyed by Romulan hand. Something
  was brewing, something terrible and powerful.
        Sarok switched views to the sensor reports the COLUMBIA
  had sacrified herself for. Before him was the impressive image
  of the IRON CLAW II, as her lettering defined. She was a
  battleship, obviously many times more powerful than any other
  Romulan vessel known. "Computer," Sarok began in a tired
  voice, "begin tactical analysis."
        The computer's masculine voice begin spewing data.
  "Subject vessel is Romulan prototype battleship, designate IRON
  CLAW II. Crew of seven-hundred fourty-three." The viewscreen
  showed pinpoints where the COLUMBIA's sensors had located
  life-forms aboard her.
        "Sheild strength is capable of fully abosorbing three
  standard photon torpedoes with no power drain." Sarok raised an
  eyebrow at that. The EXCELSIOR class ships were the only
  Federation ships with sheilds that powerful. Unfortunately, the
  sensor scan did not show a weakness in the IRON CLAW II's
  sheilding systems.
        "Plasma torpedo cannon strength is consistant with NOVA
  class battleship design specifications." The screen again
  changed, this time showing the plasma chargers and systemry
  that the COLUMBIA had found. The plasma torpedoes weren't the
  strongest in existance, but they would be fearsome none the
  less. Sarok nodded quietly when hearing this, it was as much as
  he expected.
        "Red-shift cloaking device more power efficient on
  battleship than standard model cloaking device.  This
  battleship is the first of its type to allow cloaking," the
  computer droned, showing visual footage of the IRON CLAW II
  emerging from cloak.
        Sarok had seen enough. "Computer, cease report," he
  ordered, silencing the computer. "This is Captain Sarok to
  Admiral Nagura," he called to his computer console.
        The viewer changed scenes again, showing Nagura's
  unpopular flat head. "Nagura here, Captain. Have you reached a
  decision regarding Riley's request?"
        Sorak paused several moments before answering.
  "Considering Riley's current behavioral pattern, I have
  reservations about sending him into this mission," he cooly
  complied. He could only hope that he could mask his feelings
  for the man he considered a son.
        Nagura growled, "May I remind you that we have several
  ships missing because the Romulans are test-driving their
  newest class of starship?" Sorak closed his eyes, he didn't
  need the reminder. "Riley is still the best man for the job,"
  Nagura continued. "The ENTERPRISE is already nearby for the
  intercept, and time is of the essence."
        "Aren't there any other ships in the area?" Sarok
  queried, hoping beyond hope.
        "Yes," Nagura replied coldly. "We have three scouts, two
  cruisers, and one frigate which are closer than the
  ENTERPRISE," he continued with a hint of disgust. "Every last
  one of them would be obliterated if they faced this Romulan
  thing."
        Sarok considered that, and there was no denying the logic
  in Nagura's argument. "Since there are no options, then I am
  compelled to agree with Thomas Riley's request to counter-
  attack the IRON CLAW II."
        Nagura smiled, for once having a Vulcan over a barrel.
  "As for his other request, Captain?" he goaded. "Are you
  willing to honor that as well?"
        "What about Commander Saavik?" Sorak asked after a
  moment's thought. "Will she be notified that her promotion was
  false? It isn't fair to her to play games with her carrer."
  Sorak felt a tinge of guilt about that, having allowed the
  emotion to run across his heavy brow.
        "I feel that we've let her play the Captain too long
  already, Captain," Nagura replied flatly. "She will remain
  aboard the ENTEPRISE as First Officer as Riley suggested."
  Nagura was confident now, which only served to irritate Sorak
  mildly. Nagura was a true politician, he cared nothing for
  individual lives.
        "Will you be the one to tell her?" Sorak demanded,
  countering Nagura with a pointed remark. "Will you inform her
  that her promotion to Captain was a ruse to sheild your pet
  intelligence officer from suspicion? Will you tell her that the
  ENTERPRISE was meant for Riley all along?"
        Nagura clinched his teeth and fists, realizing that Sorak
  had led him into a trap. "Yes, I'll tell her. If she's half the
  Vulcan she's supposed to be, she'll accept the orders without
  emotional regard. That's why we chose her."
        "If you think that Vulcans do not have emotions," Sorak
  replied with a tone that sent a chill up both of Nagura's
  spines, "then you have been greatly misinformed. Captain Sarok,
  out." The Vulcan cut the transmission short, not wanting to
  deal with more emotions than what he already had.
        The computer screen was black again, and Sarok spent
  several moments studying over it, with his mind elsewhere.
  "Sarok to Communcations Central, get me the ENTERPRRISE. I want
  to speak with Commander Riley."
 
  CHAPTER TWELVE
 
        Saavik entered sickbay not knowing what to expect. There
  were three dead, two injuries, and one suffering emotional
  trauma. They were hardly numbers one would want from one's
  first command mission. "Doctor Matthews, may I have your
  report?" she politely asked as she entered the room.
        "Ensign Ravis suffered severe damage from the phaser
  burst into his chest," Matthews began. "Riley hit him right on
  his central nervous system, there was no way Ravis could have
  survived it."
        "An assassin's shot?" she asked, speculating exactly what
  role Riley had played in intelligence. Matthews didn't reply.
  "What about Ensign Monroe?" she asked.
        "Well," Matthews sighed, "as you suspected, he was a
  Romulan, just like Ravis. He suffered some incredible brain
  damage. Apparantly, he didn't take to your mind meld to
  kindly."
        Saavik surpressed the guilt she felt about that act. It
  was hardly an ordinary mind meld. "What about Ensign Deuce?"
  she asked with genuine concern. "Has he gotten over the shock?"
        "No," Matthews muttered, "I have him speaking to
  counselors about it, but he's pretty shaken up." Matthews moved
  over to Grissom's medical bed, indicating to the staff around
  her that they weren't needed. "Of course, seeing your lover
  killed in front of you would be a shock to anyone's mind."
        Saavik ignored the comment, remembering a time long ago
  in the very same Genesis sector. "I imagine it would be,
  Doctor," she coldly replied. "What is Lieutenant Grissom's
  condition?"
        "I'm going to be fine, ma'am," she painfully replied,
  trying to sit up. Matthews indicated to Saavik that his patient
  would need her head propped up. "I'm just a bit sore."
        "Paula," Saavik quietly asked, "can you tell me what
  happened down there?"
        "Captain," Grissom painfully whispered to Saavik's ear.
  "I'm sorry, I tried to stop him," she continued, unable to hide
  the inner pain she was feeling. "I really tried."
        Saavik nodded. "Sleep now, Lieutenant," she said
  consolingly. "You did the best you could. We all did." Saavik
  gingerly allowed Grissom's tired head to rest on the medical
  bed.
        "She'll be fine," Matthews reassured. "Monroe cut off the
  air to her head," he continued. "She'll be tired for a little
  bit, but she'll shake it off in a hour or so."
        "What about Lieutenant Gahrut?" Saavik queried, looking
  over to the medical bed with the rather large rock resting upon
  it. "He took a full phaser hit, did he not?"
        "Yes," Matthews admitted, walking over to the Horta's
  bed. "But he's got a tough skin. He should be fine, but I want
  to keep him around here for observation. He'll have a silicon
  patch over his wound."
        "Very well," she commented. "Then I only have three
  fatality reports to make out," Saavik replied flatly, which
  noticably annoyed Matthews a bit. "I do not mean to sound
  dispassionate, Doctor. I was merely stating a fact."
        "I suppose, Captain," Matthews carefully began, "that I'm
  just not used to serving with Vulcans."
        Saavik raised an eyebrow at that. "Considering that both
  your First Officer and I are Vulcanoid, I would suggest that
  you adjust," she smarted.
        Matthews nodded in acknowledgement, not offering an
  apology. Of course, Matthews very seldom offered apologies.
 
        "Bridge to Commander Riley. Incoming message from
  Captain Sarok, Star Fleet command," a voice came from the air.
  "Marked code one, urgent."
        This was the command, Riley concluded. "On screen down
  here," he ordered, grabbing one of his home-brewed beverages as
  he walked to his seat.
        "Captain Riley, I can only speak briefly," Sarok
  started, a look of strain on his face. "Nagura has accepted
  both of your requests. I cannot say that I congradulate you on
  your promotion."
        "I'm sorry, I couldn't see another way," Riley explained,
  wanting to convey a lot more than he could over the subspace
  network.
        "I appreciate the logic of your arguments, Thomas," Sarok
  responded. "I'm having difficulty appreciating my loss. By
  accepting this command, you will no longer be under my command.
  I consider my loss great."
        Riley took in a deep breath, knowing how much Sarok was
  feeling at this moment. "You have been both my father, and my
  teacher, Sarok. I can never repay that."
        "You will, by your continued success, my adopted son,"
  Sarok replied. "Peace, and long life be with you," Sarok
  managed, fighting back his feelings.
        "Live long," Riley replied, a single tear rolling from
  his eye, "and prosper." He parted his hands in the Vulcan
  salute. The screen faded to black, leaving Riley alone once
  again. "Bridge," he finally mananged. "Get me Admiral Nagura at
  Star Fleet command."
        "Nagura has been waiting on open channel, Commander," the
  bridge replied. "Transferring communications to your quarters."
        The screen once again came to life. "Thomas," Nagura
  smiled, "I'm pleased to inform you that your request to
  counter-attack the IRON CLAW II has been approved."
        "Pleased?" Riley pondered. "I'm not sure if 'pleased'
  would be the right word, but I am content with the answer. I'll
  order the ship underway immediately."
        Nagura continued smiling, sporting a politician's grin.
  Riley didn't dare say that he wanted to knock it off. "I'm glad
  to hear it. You'll nail that Romulan ship before she can do any
  more damage to us."
        "And what of my second request?" Riley asked, already
  knowing the answer but needed to put Nagura on the spot.
        There was a long pause before Nagura wouuld speak again,
  he obviously wasn't sure how to best answer the question. "The
  ENTERPRISE is yours," Nagura finally spoke with a the
  trademark smile, "Captain Riley."
        Riley allowed himself a smile, though he wasn't exactly
  overjoyed by his promotion. "I'll do my best, sir," he replied
  honestly. "I always do," he added with a tone of regret.
        Nagura's expression changed only somewhat to a more
  saddened state. "Captain, I know that we've never actually seen
  eye-to-eye on things," he tried. "I know that you must think
  I'm cold and heartless. But I have to be in this job, I have to
  keep some distance from the people under my command." He sighed
  a moment, adding a bump to his planar face. "You'll understand
  as you become more accustomed to command."
        "I will never treat my people as political fodder, sir,"
  Riley grunted in reply. "I won't play games with people's
  lives."
        Nagura fumed, "Every time you'll make a command decision,
  you'll be playing games, Captain. Every single time." Riley
  considered that, but Nagura was far from finished. "When you
  have to make an unpopular decision, because it's the only
  option you have, someone will have the same opinion about you,"
  he warned. "You have your orders, Captain. Nagura, out."
        Riley's screen went blank, and he congradulated himself
  for ticking off his superior for the first time. "Riley to
  bridge," he ordered to his computer.
        "Tiber here, sir," the computer replied with the
  Andorian's husky voice.
        "I will be making an announcement to the crew in fifteen
  minutes," Riley reported. "In the meantine sound yellow alert
  and call Commander Saavik to the bridge."
        "Commander Saavik?" Tiber questioned.
        "You heard the order, Tiber, make it so," Riley warned,
  knowing that Tiber had to be substantially confused. "Remember,
  fifteen minutes."
        "Aye, sir," the computer finished before shutting off
  again.
 
  CHAPTER THIRTEEN
 
        ~Now entering Genesis sector, Commander,~ Yto commented
  as he slowed the IRON CLAW II to impulse. ~Activating short
  range scanning equipment, and raising sheilds.~
        ~Are we safe from Federation sensor scans?~ Konok
  queried, his excitement nearing climax. The time for battle was
  so very close.
        The science officer studied over his instruments for a
  moment. ~As far as I can tell, Commander, there are currently
  no ships scanning for us in this sector. The protomatter
  distortions are effectively shielding us.~
        Konok smiled, thus far everything had worked. ~Send a
  piped channel to Imperial Command. Inform them that we have
  arrived at destination and are awaiting the arrival of the
  ENTERPRISE.~
        ~Sir,~ the communication's officer protested,
  ~transmitting a message from these coordinates is a serious
  breach of orders.~ The officer marched over to the command
  chair, knowing full well the risk he was taking. ~We will be
  exposing ourselves to the Federation.~
        ~Do you really think that the Federation does not know
  that we are here, Secundam?~ Konok mused. ~We have failed to
  cover our trail thus far, Secundam, and the Human bloodwings
  cannot be so blind not to see it.~
        The communications officer gave a stunned look. ~What are
  you saying, Commander?~
        Konok twisted his smile in the precise way to elicit some
  small degree of panic from his minion. ~The Empire has sent us
  to play political games. The senate wants to know who's ships
  are better, ours or the Federation's. Well then, I say that we
  make it an open contest. Let the Empire be responsible for her
  actions for a change.~
        The communications officer exploded with rage. ~You're
  talking treason, Commander.~
        Sadly, Konok was beyond reasoning. ~No, I'm talking
  revenge,~ he replied, lifting his disruptor from its
  leg-holster. ~I don't want to sacrifice lives for a Senator's
  political carreer. He wants are petty, and I want him to be
  remembered as the man who started the Romulo-Federation war.~
        ~But we are the ones attacking the ENTERPRISE and
  violating orders,~ the officer tried again. ~There wouldn't be
  a risk of war if we had strictly stuck to our orders.~
        Konok fired, a slight angry look on his face. The bolt
  slammed into the officer's chest and he disintegrated into
  nothingness. ~We will die because of those orders,~ Konok
  muttered. ~Helmsman, sound battle alert.~
        The lighting on the IRON CLAW II's bridge turned to green
  as Konok impatiently waited for the ENTERPRISE to arrive.
 
  CHAPTER FOURTEEN
 
        Saavik had heard the announcement. "Commander Saavik to
  the bridge," Tiber had said. Her promotion to captaincy had
  been stripped away, and Riley was about to assume command in
  her place.
        She sat in her quarters, originally stopping by to drop
  off her Captain's insignia and replace it with a commander's
  insignia.  But having done so she was unsure whether or not to
  continue to the bridge. Her pride had been hurt, something
  that hadn't happened before, something that she wasn't sure
  she could handle.
        Her door beeped, startling her a bit. "Enter," she
  insinctively spoke. When Saavik looked up, she was surprised at
  who entered the door. "Captain," she muttered in an angry tone.
  She was sitting on her bed, obviously fighting back the
  emotions she was feeling. There were almost tears in her eyes.
        Riley was the person Saavik wanted to see least.
  "I didn't know until just now," Riley spoke with a nearly
  breaking voice. After hesistating, he cautiously moved over to
  her. "I'm sorry, Saavik. I never wanted this."
        Saavik stood, unsure as to what to do next. "One of us
  should be on the bridge, Captain," she stated coldly, walking
  past him.
        He grabbed her shoulder, a bit rougher than he intended
  to. She stopped and turned quickly to him. "You knew this was
  going to happen. I told you," he indicated.
        "I'll be on the bridge, Captain," she replied, "provided
  that you let go of my arm." Riley did so, letting Saavik walk
  out of her quarters.
        Riley stared at her as she sternly walked the length of
  the hall to the turbolift. "Saavik," he whispered. "Damn it
  all."
 
        Riley took in a deep breath, knowing how demanding his
  next few words would be. "Attention all decks," he began,
  trying hard to avoid Saavik's painful gaze. "By order of
  Starfleet command, as of this stardate, I am assuming command
  of this vessel." He turned his attention to the yeoman standing
  behind him, "Duty officer so note in the ship's log."
        Saavik stood from the center chair, dutifully, allowing
  the now Captain Riley to assume his new command. "I'm sorry,
  Commander," he said with genuine sorry. "I know none of you
  were expecting this, but under the circumstances Fleet
  apparantly felt that I should assume command."
        Tiber turned his chair to face his new captain. "What
  course, sir?" the Andorian smiled.
        Riley assumed his seat, taking a suitable pose. "Set
  course for Genesis Sector, warp nine." Saavik assumed her place
  at her Captain's side, unsure of how to look upon him.
  "Commander Saavik, please advise Miss Grissom that we'll need
  all the power she can coerce from her engines," he finally
  commanded to her.
        Saavik nodded in acknowledgement, not displaying the hurt
  she was feeling. "Miss Grissom, please activate all power
  batteries," Saavik commanded to her chair's communicator.
        "Aye, Captain," Grissom replied without thinking.
  "Commander," she corrected herself. "All power systems are
  activated."
        "Mister Tiber," Riley commanded, "raise sheilds and arm
  seeker torpedoes. We'll be running hot on this one."
        "Sheilds and torpedoes, aye," Tiber announced.
        "Sound red alert, all hands report to battle-stations,"
  Riley commanded. The bridge turned red and klaxons blared.
        Crewmembers scurried about the hallways, going to their
  assigned stations. Photon torpedoes were loaded into their
  launch bays. Phaser couplings were armed. And the massive
  ENTERPRISE burned her way through space, finally heading to her
  mission.
 
  CHAPTER FIFTEEN
 
        "Sensors are registering a ship in the swamp, Captain,"
  Tiber announced as the ENTERPRISE gently pulled into the
  protomatter cluttered area. "Romulan design, possibly a
  battleship."
        "This is it then," Riley stated the obvious. "Slow to
  impulse power," he commanded. O'Neil complied, and the
  ENTERPRISE slowed her rush into battle.
        ~Federation battleship coming within range,~ Yto
  announced as his sensor panel lit with the ENTERPRISE's
  impressive image. ~She already has sheilds up and weapons
  armed.~
        Konok clinched his fist and drew in a quick breath.
  ~Intercept and fire as soon as we are within plasma torpedo
  range,~ he commanded.
        ENTERPRISE closed on the IRON CLAW II, and both ships
  could see each other. The IRON CLAW II's forward hull looked
  menacingly like a hunting eagle's head. The ENTERPRISE, on the
  otherhand, was simply menacing.
        "We'll be in range of their plasma weapon in three
  seconds," Tiber announced.
        "Full stop, fire phasers," Riley ordered. The phasers
  rushed forth from the ENTEPRRISE, slamming into the IRON
  CLAW II's sheilds.
        ~Negative damage from ENTERPRISE,~ Yto reported to his
  commander. ~Maneuvering to firing range.~ The IRON CLAW
  retaliated, launching her ball of hellfire into the ENTERPRISE.
        The Federation battleship lurched. "Sheilds absorbed most
  of the blow, but warp control is damaged," Tiber announced. The
  scorch mark on the ENTERPRISE marked the hit's location. "Their
  ship definately has the firepower advantage over us."
        Riley grunted. "Standy warp drive," he commanded to
  O'Neil. "Bring us in closer under torpedo fire."
        The ENTERPRISE launched a series of torpedoes at her
  enemy and she closed. One after another slammed into the IRON
  CLAW II's sheilds. The last torpedo crashed through the
  sheilds, ripping through the vessel's hull.
        ~We've sustained damage to our main hull,~ Yto exclaimed
  as the ship righted herself. ~Massive fatalities below, but all
  systems remain on line.~
        Again, the IRON CLAW II retaliated. Another plasma bolt
  was launched into the ENTERPRISE's sheilds. "Impulse drive
  damage, down to half power," Tiber cried.
        The ENTERPRISE slowly slid away from the Romulan
  battleship, unleashing beams of red-hot phaser power into the
  hull of the battleship. "Her sheilds are still holding most of
  the assault, Captain," Tiber announced.
        "Those are powerful sheilds," Riley admitted, suitably
  impressed. "Ready photon torpedo pattern alpha," he commanded.
  The torpedoe patterns had never been actually tested in real
  combat before, and Tiber seemed anxious to see how well they
  would work. "Launch pattern," Riley commanded.
        A half-dozen torpedoes spewed forth from the ENTERPRISE's
  trunk. The balls of energy ripped into the IRON CLAW II's
  sheilds, and then the ship itself.
        Konok was thrown from his chair, cutting himself on the
  navigator's desk. ~They've obviously improved their weapons,
  wouldn't you say?~ he rhetorically asked the air. ~System
  damage?~
        ~Minor damage to the warp engines, six fatalities,~ Yto
  reported, already trying to compensate for the blast that they
  had taken. ~Losing main warp propulsion system, going to back
  up systems.~
        The ENTERPRISE peeled away from her attacker. "How bad
  did we hurt them, Tiber?" Riley quiered.
        Tiber scanned over his readings, looking for signs of
  damage. "Minor damage to their warp engines, some bodies, but
  their sheilds are going right back up."
        Riley looked in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me,"
  he muttered. "What's powering their sheild grid?"
        "Looks like they've got a third warp reaction engine
  powering their weapons, sheilds, and cloaking device seperately
  from the other components," Tiber replied. "That's a lot power
  coming from there."
        Riley nodded in agreement. "Then we need something that
  can ignore the sheilds," he stated. "Or use them," he concluded
  in sudden realization. "Riley to Grissom, please report to the
  bridge."
        In poker, there is the trump card. Hopefully, Riley had
  just found his.
 

-- 

"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
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative