From: brownpm@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Peter Brown)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: "For the Honor of the Empire"
Date: 8 Apr 92 00:21:32 GMT
Article-I.D.: mentor.44329
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


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

[Open to Command Center of the _Devastator_.]

Hadrian:      "Admiral!  Sensor scans have picked up the Rebel Cruiser.
              She is bearing 158 mark 016.  Distance, point two light 
              years."

Valasian:     "Excellent!  Recall all fighters!  Inform the _Phalanx_ and
              _Imperator_ that we will jump to hyperspace in five minutes.
              Prepare to engage the Rebels.  We shall take care of this
              matter once and for all!"

[Cut to Tarkin's Quarters.  The room is fairly spartan, especially for that
of a captain of a ship.  There are a few awards on the wall, and a small 
bookcase carrying about twelve books of various sizes and colors.  Tarkin
is sitting at his desk, holding a picture of his family in his left hand,
and he is staring off into the void of space.  He slowly presses a small
button on the desk.]

Tarkin:       "Computer.  Start Personal Log.  I cannot believe the
              arrogance of Valasian.  He is an Admiral, he is my commanding
              Officer, and he is the Representative of the Emperor. Yet
              his judgement is becoming impaired.  Does he not realize
              that this conflict will have far reaching consequences for
              the Empire?  A conflict with this 'Federation' may bring down
              everything that has been built.  I must do something to
              defuse this situation.  If nothing else, I must save the
              honor of the Empire, if there is even any honor left to save...
                   [Sigh] "If I had entered the system alone, we would
              have encountered the aliens, then erased the logs and returned
              home as if nothing had ever happened.  
                   "I can only hope that my father would be proud of my
              ideals, he certainly would not be proud of my actions.  As
              the Commander of the Death Star, he would not think
              twice about attacking these aliens, bringing to bear 
              the might of the entire Empire down upon them.  I cannot.
              The Empire cannot afford another war.  We are already
              stretched too thin as it is.  The Rebellion is a serious 
              threat, despite what fools such as Valasian think.  Still,
              perhaps the Rebels are correct.  The Old Republic, at least,
              kept the peace, ruling with compassion, ruling with honor.
              Weakly, perhaps, but they did not enrage their populace, or
              control them through fear.  Nor did they ever consider
              genocide as a means of --[chime]--Computer off.  Yes,
              what is it?"

[Door opens, breaking the grey darkness with the harsh white light from
the corridor.  The silhoette of an aide stands in contrast to the bright
light.]

Aide:         "Commander Tarkin, excuse the intrusion.  Admiral Valasian
              requests your presence in the Command Center.  We are about
              to engage the Rebels."

Tarkin:       "Fine, thank you.  I shall be there in one moment."


[  Cut to _Enterprise_ Transporter Room.  O'Brien, Riker, Troi, Holiday,
Worf, and three security guards in the room.  All but Troi and O'Brien are 
armed with hand phasers, conspiciously out in the open.]

Riker:         "O'Brien, lock onto the lead fighter and beam the pilot
               aboard."

O'Brien:       "Aye sir.  Energizing now."

[An Imperial Fighter pilot in the traditional black flight suit begins to
materialize on the transporter pad.] 

O'Brien:       "The pilot appears to have some kind of energy weapon on 
               him.  I am attempting to disarm it now, Commander."

[The pilot materializes fully, and looks around nervously, obviously 
startled.  He feels around himself to make sure he is all there, and it  
is apparent that he has never experienced beaming before.  The security
guards take a step forward, and the pilot instinctively grabs for his
weapon, removes it from his holster, aims and fires in one fluid motion.
Nothing happens.  The pilot looks quickly at his weapon, then lets it drop
with a sharp thud to the pad, raising his arms over his head.]

Riker:         "Welcome aboard the Federation starship, _Enterprise_.
               Step off the pad."

[The pilot quickly steps off the pad, probably out of surprise more than
anything else.  He removes his helmet, and shakes his head a bit, relishing
the feel of 70 degree fahrenheit air on his sweaty face.]

Skull Leader:  "What the hell happened?  How did I get here?  What is going
               on, Rebel slime!"

Worf:          "You have been taken prisoner onboard the _Enterprise_.  Do
               not try to escape, and your stay will not be...*unpleasant*"

Skull Leader:  "...Right.  What is going to happen to my flight?"

Troi:          "They will be transported to the ship, and detained in our
               brig until the Captain can repatriot you."

Riker:         "You shall be escorted to our Bridge.  We have many questions
               for you."

Skull Leader:  "Rebel Fools!  I'll tell you nothing!"

Riker:         "Don't you see?  We are not part of this 'Rebellion' you
               speak of!  And I think you will talk.  We do not want this
               conflict.  Worf, find more suitable clothing for the Flight
               leader and escort him to the Bridge."

Worf:          "Aye sir.  You.  Come with me."

[Worf points his phaser at the Imperial pilot, and waves him to the door.
The pilot looks confused, but manages a contemptuous spat at Riker as he
leaves.  Worf growls and gives him a forceful shove out the door.]

Troi:[grinning] "Will, the pilot is very confused.  He wants to believe
               us to be the "Rebel Scum", but the reality around him 
               contradicts that, and he knows it."

Riker:[smiling] "And you find that funny?"

Troi:          "What I find humorous is that he continues to try to be
               the brave warrior he is trained to be, despite the 
               position he is in."

Riker:[serious] "I don't find that very funny at all.  That attitude could
               prove very deadly if this conflict continues."

Troi:[surprised, pleasantly] "Will!  You've been hanging around the Captain
               too long."

Riker:         "Perhaps. [winks to Deanna]  O'Brien, beam the other pilots
               aboard, disabling any weapons, and send them to them
               containment cells on Deck Twenty."

O'Brien:       "Aye sir.  It will take about six minutes."

Riker:         "Very good, carry on.  [Presses his communicator] Captain,
               we are transporting the pilots aboard now.  O'Brien
               estimates that the process will take six minutes to complete."

Intercom:[Picard] "Understood, Commander.  Return to the Battle Bridge as
               soon as possible.  Picard out."

[Riker nods to O'Brien, and then leaves with Troi and Holiday.  
Cut to Worf and Skull Leader(Rilkin) in hallway.]

Skull Leader:[sneering] "What am I to address you as, Rebel?"

Worf:          "I am Lieutenant Worf."

Skull Leader:  "I am Captain Taddeus Rilkin, of the Imperial Star Destroyer 
               _Phalanx_.  I am leader of Skull Flight Fighter Squadron.
               What are you, Rebel dog, a lackey?"

Worf:[visibly incensed, but keeping control] "I am *not* a lackey.  I am
               Chief of Security on board the _Enterprise_."

Rilkin:        "I have never seen one of your ugly kind, what are you?"

Worf:[straightens] "I am Klingon, a warrior race."

Rilkin:[scoffs] "Warrior race, indeed!  You run from battle, like a dog
               with it's tail between its legs, using your cowardly
               invisibility device."

Worf:[a bit confused, though he knows he is being insulted] "Only a fool
               would have challenged one who is *not* his enemy."

[Worf and Rilkin arrive at a door.  Worf motions to it as it opens.  
Rilkin nods and cautiously and enters.]

Worf:         "Change into the uniform.  You have five minutes."

[Worf closes the door, leaving Rilkin alone in the small closet with a 
uniform hanging from a hook.  Cut to Worf outside as Rilkin emerges 
wearing a tan Recreational uniform.]

Rilkin:       "Well, Rebel, though I am not so foolish as to believe what
              anything you say, I must admit that I have never seen 
              anything like your ship before."

Worf:         "Come, we shall go to the Battle Bridge now."

[Worf and Rilkin begin to head toward a Turbolift.  Various crew members
walk past them, none seem to pay any notice.]

Rilkin:       "If you, uh, Kli-klingins, are --"

Worf:         "KlingONs"

Rilkin:       "- are such mighty warriors as you say, why have I not seen
              any others on board here?"

[Worf remains silent as they reach an open Turbolift.  They enter.]

Worf:         "Battle Bridge."

[The whine of the Turbolift begins as it begins its journey.]

Rilkin:[sneers] "You have not answered my question, Rebel."

Worf:         "*You* are the prisoner, not I."

Rilkin:[turns to Worf] "The Empire shall crush you, surely you must
              realize that."

[Worf rolls his eyes in exasperation.] 

Rilkin:       "Those vessels you encountered were merely a scouting force.
              Even now, the entire Imperial Fleet is on its way to 
              vanquish you Rebels once and for all.  Your warrior race will
              spend the rest of their lives in the spice mines of Kessel, or
              ...serving as models in a Cantassian *Dress* Factory -"

Worf:[He has had enough.  He grabs Rilkin by the front of his uniform and 
              slams him into the wall.]  "You *will* remain silent until 
              we reach the Battle Bridge.  You *will* be obedient and 
              respectful to the Captain, or [Worf lifts Rilkin six or seven
              inches off the floor] I will be [pause as a nasty grimace
              forms on Worf's face]...displeased.  Do you understand?"

[Rilkin reluctantly nods affirmative.  Worf releases the Captain gently,
and straightens his own uniform as the Turbolift comes to a stop at the
Battle Bridge.  Worf and Rilkin step out onto the Bridge.]

Worf:        "Captain, this is the prisoner, Captain Taddeus Rilkin."

Picard:[Face grim] "Greetings, Captain."

[Rilkin is silent and stern.]

Picard:      "Well, Captain, I was hoping that you could help us.  We have
             been forced into a conflict which I believe that is in the best
             interests of both the Federation and your Empire to end peacably."

Rilkin:      "You started this conflict with your treachery, Rebel scum.  You
             You shall pay for your insurrection with you lives!"

Data:[confused look on his face.  He turns around in his chair.] "On the 
             contrary, Captain Rilkin, I do not believe we represent this
             "Rebellion" you speak of.  We have insurrected against no-one."

[Rilkin gives a stern, yet spiteful glance at Data.]

Rilkin:      "This ruse is futile!  Admiral Valasian shall deal with you
             most severly."

[Worf growls quietly and tightens his grip on Rilkin.  Rilken realizes his
dire mistake and shuts up.]

[Beep-Beep noise.  Worf gives Rilkin to Holiday and goes to his station.]

Worf:        "Captain.  We are picking up a subspace anomoly four hundred
             thousand kilometers directly ahead of us."

Data:        "I confirm this anomoly.  There is a lack of stability in the
             fabric of space in that region, and its event horizon is 
             expanding."

Riker:       "A cloaked ship?"

Data:        "Unlikely, Commander.  The region of space is much too large
             for any cloaked vessel to create.  It is still growing."

Worf:        "Sensors just detected a gravitic distortion along the leading
             edge of the event horizon."

Picard:      "On screen.  [Turns to Holiday:] Lieutenant, escort our guest
             to the brig."

Holiday:     "Yes sir."

[Holiday grabs Rilkin by the arm, who simply grins evilly as he turns away
from the screen.  Holiday gives him a puzzled look, and Rilkin's face
immediately returns to a disinterested blank.  They enter the turbolift.

Cut to exterior: _Enterprise_ is in the lower left hand corner facing away
to the upper right.  In that corner, we see a blank flat black disc expanding
slowly - suddenly three huge metallic wedges burst from the disc.  It 
dissipates immediately after they exit.  Cut to Battle Bridge.]

Troi:        "Oh my..."

Data:        "Captain.  Three cruisers have appeared before us at a range of
             three hundred and forty two thousand kilometers.  They are 
             closing."

Worf:        "They are powering their foreward weapons arrays.  Their
             deflector shields are already activated."

Picard:      "Red Alert.  Shields up.  Arm all weapons.  Helm, keep us no
             closer than two-hundred and fifty thousand kilometers."

Worf:        "Weapons armed and ready sir.  Shields are up."

Riker:       "We can still warp away, Captain."

Worf:[biting his lip] "Sir, I must agree with the Commander.  A warrior 
             chooses his battles with care."

Data:        "Intruders have closed to twenty seven hundred thousand 
             kilometers."

Picard:[stern] "Open a hailing frequency."

Worf:        "Frequency open, sir."

[Cut to Command Center of _Devastator_]

Ensign:      "My Lord!  The Rebel cruiser is hailing us."

Valasian:    "Probably trying to grovel for their lives.  I could use a bit
             of entertainment.  Patch it to the main viewer."

Ensign:      "At once, my Lord."

[Pan to main viewer.  We see the face of Captain Picard standing on the 
Battle Bridge of the _Enterprise_.]

Picard:[on viewer] "This is Captain Picard of the Federation starship
             _Enterprise_.  Respond at once.  We wish to parley for an end
             of hostilities.  We have thirty of your fighter pilots on
             board in detention who wish to be repatriated.  Respond please."

Valasian:[his lips turns into a thin, wry smile] "Open the channel."

Ensign:      "Yes my Lord."

Valasian:    "Captain Picard.  I am Admiral Rolf Valasian, commanding the 
             Three hundred and Seventy-Third Scouting Fleet.  We have you
             under our guns.  Yet you wish to parley."

Picard:[on viewer] "Yes Admiral, I do."

Valasian:    "Very well, Captain, say what it is you have to say."

[Hadrian comes up to Valasian.  Valasian gives the signal to mute the 
channel.  Tarkin enters the Command Center.]

Valasian:[hisses] "Yes, what is it!"

Hadrian:     "My Lord, we are only two hundred and sixty kilometers away.
             The Rebel ship is evading, but we will be within firing range
             in two minutes.  All weapons are primed and ready."

Valasin:     "Very good.  When we are within firing range, fire unless you
             are directly ordered otherwise."

Hadrian:     "Yes my Lord."

Valasian:    "Resume."

Picard:[on viewer] "I represent the United Federation of Planets.  You have
             entered our space and destroyed one of our outposts.  You have 
             fired on my ship and killed several of my crew. [frowns]  I 
             propose, however, that we meet to defuse this situation before 
             it grows any worse."
  
Valasian:[cocks an eyebrow and grins weakly] "Indeed."

Picard:[on viewer] "I suggest that you transfer over to the _Enterprise_ to
             discuss this like gentlemen."

Valasian:[his grin has completely disappeared] "Do not take me as a fool,
             Captain Picard.  You Rebel Vermin shall be eradic-"

Tarkin:      "Mute Channel!"

[Valasian whirls around and glares at Tarkin.]

Valasian:[growling] "This had better be important...Commander..."

Tarkin:      "Bring them over here.  I'm sure Lord Vader would enjoy 
             interrogating when we return to base.  Besides, their technology
             seems to be better than our own.  If we could capture their
             vessel, it would make a fine prize to the Emperor, who...I am
             sure, would show his gratitude most lavishously."

Valasian:[his face brightens at the realization of power to be] "Yes, 
             Commander, you are quite right.  Resume."

Ensign:      "Open, my Lord."

Valasian:[more pleasant] "Captain, I assure you, I am a reasonable man. I
             shall offer a compromise.  You send your second in command over
             to the _Devastator_ with his entourage, and I shall send my
             second in command to your vessel as insurance.  Then I will
             meet with your second and discussion the plans.  Agreeable?"

[Tarkin shoots Valasian a surprised look, horror in his eyes.  Valasian 
simply ignores him.  On the Viewscreen we see Riker give Picard a similar
look.  Picard's face remains stern.]

Picard:[sighes] "Agreed.  I shall send Commander Riker and my third officer,
             Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi [ Hadrian turns to Tarkin and 
             whispers, "A woman?"  Tarkin responds with a confused shrug] over
             in a shuttlecraft."

Valasian:    "Excellent.  I shall send over Commander Tarkin.  I assume you 
             already have Captain Rilkin there?"

Picard:      "That is correct, Admiral."

Valasian:    "I hope that this will bring our respesective empires together.
             Valasian Out.  Close channel."

Ensign:      "Channel closed, my Lord."

Valasian:    "Commander Tarkin.  Report to the Shuttle Bay and prepare for
             transport over to the "Federation" vessel.  Your orders are to
             stall as long as possible, and if the oppurtunity arises, free
             our men and capture the Rebel cruiser.  You will have our 
             support."

Tarkin:[uncomfortably] "Yes, my Lord."

[Tarkin pivots on his heel, and leaves the Command Center.  Once the doors
close, Valasian turns to Hadrian and begins to speak in a soft, low voice.]

Valasian:    "Once Commander Tarkin has left the _Devastator_, I want three
             contingents of Stormtroopers in the Shuttle bay.  I want the 
             Rebels captured and imprisoned - no wait, I'll be there myself.
             After I interrogate the Rebel prisoners, we shall attack the 
             Rebel cruiser!"

Hadrian:[eyes widen, face whitens] "And Commander Tarkin and the pilots..."
 
Valasian     "...shall die in the Service of the Emperor. [pause, stands up
             and dramatically straightens his uniform, cleans monocle, etc.]
             A sacrifice for the honor of the Empire."

[Valasian chortles a bit.  Center on Hadrian, who nods to Valasian, and slowly
turns back to his console, his face pale in the harsh green light of his 
console.  His eyes mist, and a look of pain appears as he mourns the 
inevitable death of his friend - for nothing!]

[Cut to Commercial -

Sally Struthers Commerical.]


Coming soon, Chapter Five!!

Send all flames to talon@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
   (He is a friend of mine, and doesn't know I'm writing this!!!!!  ;)

Send all comments, suggestions, and letters of praise to:

                                              Peter
                                              c/o brownpm@mentor.cc.purdue.edu

P.S.  I'm still waiting on thoses stock tips, marriage proposals, and
      used Federal Reserve Notes....  ;)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative