From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: STMOW 11/20
Date: 31 Jul 92 01:42:42 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


 
  - STAR TREK     ----------------------------------------------------
  - MORALS OF WAR ----------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Eleven of Twenty
  (Not Including the Prelude)
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  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."
 
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