From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Subject: STTUQ 5/15
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1992 01:58:34 GMT

 
  - STAR TREK      ---------------------------------------------------
  - THE UNFAIR QUO ---------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Five of Fifteen
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  CHAPTER FIVE
 
        "Well, Ambassador," Hikaru Sulu began polite as he
  assumed his table near the stage. "It's a pleasure to see you
  again. Three years, has it?"
        "Three years," Spock replied, setting down his warm 
  herbal tea. "Indeed. Three years too long, Admiral," the Vulcan 
  finished. "Congradulations on your promotion, Sulu, you have 
  been deserving of it for some time."                        
        "Thank you," Sulu agreed as he slid the seat back under 
  him. "And congradulations on your new carreer. I know how 
  anxious you are to path things up with the Romulan Senate."   
        "All wounds need to be healed," Spock cooly replied. "I 
  believe that the time has come for our common hostilities to 
  come to an end."
        Sulu nodded in the affirmative. "That's your official 
  reason for being here, is it?" he asked with a smile. "I would 
  have sworn that you're here to see how Saavik is getting along 
  aboard the new ENTERPRISE with a Captain you're uncomfortable 
  with."
        Spock went silent for a moment. "You have been speaking 
  to Doctor McCoy, have you not? He does exaggerate matters 
  somewhat."                         
        "Actually," Sulu began, "it was a bit obvious even before 
  I walked into Tago's. It's too bad I missed Riley though, I 
  would've like to meet him." 
        "Your fascination with war heroes, Admiral?" Spock 
  queried. "I agree that Riley's experience in tactical affairs 
  is without question, though his dealings in other areas I have 
  found to be lacking."
        "Really?" Sulu smiled, noting that a new waves of guests 
  were arriving. "I take it that you've met the Captain lately?"
        "I have," Spock replied, sipping again from his tea. "He 
  seems an honorable man. But he is emotionally disturbed. His 
  presence is highly cluttered with regrets and pain." 
        "This uniform hurts," Riley muttered as Tago led him into 
  the doors. "I never did like full dress," he added, tugging at 
  his neck. "And the idea of tying something tightly around your 
  neck to look good never made much sense to me."          
        Tago laughed, thankful that the dress code had been a bit 
  more lenient on him. "Didn't you wear dress uniform when you 
  got aboard your ship?" he asked with a smile.
        "I haven't worn a dress uniform since I graduated from 
  the Academy, Tago," Riley snapped back. "You don't usually wear 
  uniforms in the Intelligence branch, must less dress ones."
        "Yeah," Tago muttered. "I just think you're upset that 
  you can't wear that damn rifle in here," he replied with a 
  faint smile. "Formal occaisions were never your strong suit, 
  were they?" 
        "I guess not," he sighed. "But then, that's not why Star 
  Fleet wanted me was it?"
        "Star Fleet wanted him for his knowledge of the 
  Romulans," Sulu argued. "And he has proven himself a capable 
  Captain on three occaisions, despite his setbacks."
        "He behaves more emotionally than Doctor McCoy," Spock 
  retorted. "And his relationship with his First Officer makes me 
  apprehensive."
        "Ah," Sulu smiled, "the old fatherly instinct. My father 
  once told me that his father-in-law made a habit of cleaning 
  his katana in front of him whenever he asked to see my mother."
        "Your implication?" Spock asked noncommitedly.
        "You're worried about Saavik falling in love with Riley," 
  Sulu replied. "Well, from what I hear, that's already happened. 
  It's just sentient nature."
        Spock noticed two arriving gentlemen entering the room. 
  He recognized the larger as Captain Riley, the other was a 
  Tellarite wearing what seemed to be a business suit. "Perhaps, 
  Admiral," Spock continued. "Perhaps I do feel paternal 
  instincts toward Commander Saavik. After all, I did raise her 
  after the V'Ger incident until I died."
        "There's a unique claim," Sulu laughed.
        "I never claimed to be a dancer," Riley argued, stunned 
  by the news he had heard. "Besides, I don't think she's going 
  to want me to dance."
        "All women want to dance," Tago countered with a devilish 
  smile. "Granted some in different ways, like the Orion Women, 
  but they all do."
        "Well, I didn't expect that," Riley admitted. "Maybe I'll 
  be lucky and she'll change her mind and stay home."
        "You're getting the medal of valor, and the distinguised 
  arrowhead," Tago replied. "I doubt that she's going to stay 
  home. Face it, you're on your first date, Captain."
        "Great," he replied with some loathing. "What if I screw 
  this up?"
        "Are you expecting that he'll screw up somehow?" Sulu 
  asked. "His psyche profile is top-notch. I have to agree 
  with Sonak's recommendations about him."
        "I agree," Spock replied. "My regret," he cotinued, "lies 
  with the knowledge of Rliey that I have, that both he and 
  Commander Saavik do not."
        Sulu gave a concerned look, but Spock's expression made 
  it apparant that he would divulge no further on the subject. 
  "Well, he's here anyway, the newest Captain of the ENTERPRISE. 
  I wonder what Jim would say."
        Spock raised an eyebrow at the thought. "I believe that 
  he has other, more pressing, concerns on his mind at the 
  moment."
        "She'll be here any moment," Tago prodded. "She's 
  arriving with some of your crewmates. You can't duck out on 
  her. If she doesn't kill you the Admirals will."
        "I'm not ducking out," Riley argued. "I'm just nervous. 
  Okay, I'm very nervous," he smiled.
        Tago pointed towards the door, making Riley turn to face 
  the most lovely picture he'd seen in quite some time.
        Saavik entered, escorted by Tiber and Campbell. She was 
  wearing a glistening red dress, cut low. She was adorned by 
  long pearl earrings and a magnificent pearl necklace. Her hair 
  had been neatly primped, and her makeup had been perfectly 
  placed.
        Riley drew in a deep breath, suddenly realizing that he 
  was staring at her glamorous beauty. "Tago," he managed though 
  a mild shock, "I believe my date has arrived."
 

-- 

"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