From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: STTRR 11-20/20 repost
Date: 19 Aug 92 13:49:06 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


 
  - STAR TREK        -------------------------------------------------
  - THE RAVEN'S ROAR -------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Eleven through Twenty of Twenty (repost)
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  CHAPTER ELEVEN
 
        "Thank you SARATOGA," Tiber exclaimed as the two smaller
  Romulan craft disengaged the ENTERPRISE and rushed to meet the
  new trio of ships that had appeared.
        Riley felt a wave of relief upon him, his gamble had
  worked, after all, even if it had been a bit too close. "Draw
  us away from the FIERY RAVEN so we can get our sheilds on
  line," Riley commanded. "Engineering, I need to divert as much
  power to sheilds and weapons as I can."
        Grissom's shaking voice came over the intercom, "I'm
  doing what I can. I'm even drawing from life support from
  certain decks."
        "Then channel all avaiable warp power through the
  shields, but get them up," Riley commanded, all too aware of
  what would happen if the Romulan battleship could recharge her
  torpedo bay before the shields were in better shape.
        "Aye, sir," Grissom quaked. The fear which accompanied
  battle had gripped her as well, Riley considered for only a
  brief moment.
        Again the ENTERPRISE drew herself away from the FIERY
  RAVEN, but the Romulan craft wasn't about to give up the chase.
  Already she began to pull ahead to keep range. ~Crafty, this
  one,~ Sunak muttered, having previously underestimated his
  opponent. ~It is I who have been baited,~ he concluded with
  admiration. He then gave the signal to fire.
        "Sheilds only up to twenty percent, still not enough to
  resist a plasma torpedo," Tiber announced and instantly
  regretted. The FIERY RAVEN had launched another shot, this time
  accompanied with phasers. For the first time, the ENTERPRISE's
  hull would be comprimised.
        The torpedo slammed into the hull of the Federation
  battleship, rendering the shields powerless. The phaser barrage
  ripped through the armored secondary hull, tearing open crew
  compartments and deckways.
        Crewmen of differing ranks rushed away, attempting to
  seal off the breached areas. Lightning storms from ruptured
  power connections filled the air. Thankfully, few were killed,
  as the crew knew better than to stay at the edges of the ship.
        "We've taken hits in decks nineteen, twenty, and
  twenty-one. Three confirmed dead, sixteen unaccounted for,"
  R'Ress reported as the ship's commincation channels roared into
  life. But Riley couldn't think of the dead now. He had to be
  concerned with keeping alive the living.
        "Train all weapons on the FIERY RAVEN and fire," he
  commanded with a grim determination, even as his ship bled
  energy into space. "Standby to execute emergency warp jump," he
  added, wondering wether he should pull away from the battle
  outright, cutting his losses.
        The ENTERPRISE retaliated, sending her massive fury into
  the heart of her enemy. The torpedoes fired, nearly point
  blank, sending the Romulan battleship reeling. Sunak and his
  crew were thrown to the floor, surprised by the firepower the
  ENTERPRISE could carry. ~Our starboard and aft sheild
  generators have been destroyed, Commander,~ Tonin complained.
        Sunak returned to his seat, a bit shaken by the massive
  blow he'd recieved. ~I can't believe they fired torpedoes that
  close,~ he said with genuine surprise. ~Get us some distance,
  and overlap our sheilds.~
        Rela obeyed her commander, taking the ship away from her
  impressive foe. ~Should we assist the less craft, Commander?~
  she asked, concerned that the two vessels were getting
  thoroughly trounced by the Federation trio.~
        Sunak folded his arms, ~Negative. The ENTERPRISE is far
  too powerful to be left alone. We'll stay with her until she is
  destroyed.~
        Tiber studied over his tactical scanners again, a bit
  relieved by the new readings. "We've severly damaged their
  sheild grid, Captain. Also, some of their main weapon power
  couplings have been destroyed."
        Finally, a bit of good news, Riley kept to himself. "What
  about us, Lieutenant?"
        "Grissom's got the sheilds back up to fifty-three
  percent, and our weapons are still on line," Tiber reported.
  "We have enough torpedoes for three more volleys."
        "Then let's hit them while we've got an advantage," Riley
  ordered. "Fire volley into FIERY RAVEN." He grimaced, he had
  been using more torpedoes than what was wise for an extended
  battle. He didn't need to spend the ENTERPRISE again, and he'd
  been cutting things far too close for his comfort.
        The ENTEPRISE again launched her death-bringers to the
  now-damaged FIERY RAVEN. In rapid succession, the torpedoes
  battered the fading sheilds of the Romulan ship. The battleship
  succeeded in phasering two of the torpedoes into nothingness,
  but the last remaining two went made it through the ship's
  defenses and to the ship itself.
        The RAVEN's starboard naccell was ripped away from the
  remainder of the ship with the first torpedo, and then was
  slammed into oblivion with the second. ~Bring us around, launch
  all available weapons into that thing,~ Sunak cried, feeling
  victory slip from his grasp.
        The FIERY RAVEN turned and fired in one swift motion,
  sending yet another massive torpedo into the damaged
  ENTERPRISE's sheilds. The torpedo ripped through, stripping a
  piece of the secondary hull clean off of the ship.
        "Massive damage below, sir," Tiber nearly panicked.
  "Another nine fatalities. Recommend withdrawl, Captain."
        "I concur," Saavik finally spoke, a bit of nervousness in
  her voice. "We cannot remain in battle for very much longer."
        "If we leave now," Riley muttered, "how many other small
  ships will suffer? How much more death will the RAVEN cause.
  I'd rather lose this ship, than a dozen or more others," he
  retorted. "No, we finish this here and now, if at all
  possible."
 
  CHAPTER TWELVE
 
        The damaged TAKARA MORLATTA may have looked tattered an
  broken, but she still was painfully able to dish out large
  amounts of punishment. The HIENLEN's Captain made a mistake
  and underestimated her, going in for what she thought was a
  sure kill.
        But the Romulan craft wasn't noticably weakened by the
  torpedeo hit, and was able to counter with a barrage of phaser
  power which pitted the HIENLEN's otherwise pristine primary
  hull.
        The SARATOGA and MORAN set about double teaming the other
  Romulan scout ship. Already the two vessels were withering away
  the small craft's shielding into tatters. The TAKARA MORLATTA
  fired her phasers incessently, trying to keep the powerful
  Federation destroyer SARATOGA from getting near enough to
  effectively counter attack.
        But the advantage in the battle clearly belonged to the
  Federation starships. SARATOGA pressed on, with significant aid
  from photon power eminating from the MORAN.
        Rela's eyes widened with excitment as she viewed the
  tactical monitor. The Federation had a definate advantage. All
  of the remaning Romulan craft had been severly damaged,
  including the RAVEN herself, and only one of the Federation
  scouts had been scarred. Granted, the SARATOGA had fled a
  battle previously, but she seemed to want to avenge her former
  cowardice.
        Sunak regarded his minion's, his love's, expressions with
  equal enthusiasm. Here was a Romulan who fully understood duty
  an honor, a rarity in these scarce times. She had energy,
  drive, and sprit. Sunak, in the middle of combat, watching her,
  had come to the conclusion that he loved her. He decided
  that his first gift to her would be named the ENTERPRISE.
        ~Swing around again, launching a phaser barrage,~ Sunak
  commanded with renewed self assurance. ~When we've cut to
  minimum range, launch the plasma.~
        The FIERY RAVEN turned gently around, once again facing
  her most worthy adversary. The ENTERPRISE hung in space, still
  angry and determined, even with pieces of her mission.
        But Riley had been the fierce one aboard the ship,
  determined to end the battle, and to destroy the renegade
  legion that Sunak had created. He and his personal fleet had
  more damage in this one battle than any of Sunak's ships had
  ever taken in their carrers.
        SARATOGA fired another series of torpedoes at the scout's
  hull. Now stripped of sheilds, the exposed vessel was torn to
  shreads under the massive energies of the Federation weapons.
  The MORAN closed as well, letting go with her limited phasers,
  scarring the debris.
        The HIENLEN had managed another turn, coming away from
  her agressor a bit more scarred than before. The TAKARA
  MORLATTA fired her plasma torpedo again, but this time the
  HIENLEN's shields were powerful enough to deflect the attack.
  The HIENLEN countered with her own torpedo series, slamming
  into the TAKARA MORLATTA's boom section.
        In a brief second, the torpedoes ripped through every
  deck until they found themselves crashing into engineering. The
  Romulan craft erupted into a ball of hellfire, and then
  dispersed into the great void.
        Sunak grimaced, the battle was now as good as lost. The
  Federation scout turned to aid the MORAN and SARATOGA in
  finishing off the TAKARA MORLATTA, ending their side battle.
        Then the ENTERPRISE once again made her presence felt,
  slamming several torpedoes into the FIERY RAVEN's hull,
  hovering just outside of the main torpedo's range. ~Rela, close
  range to ENTERPRISE and keep our sights on her,~ he commanded
  with grim overtones. He knew that once the scout was finished,
  the trio of Federation ships, damaged as they were, would
  attack and likely destroy the RAVEN next.
 
        It had been going well so far, despite the damage and how
  thin the supplies were getting. Riley's little gambit had
  worked, and, what was more, the UNION and her main fleet were
  on their way. But Riley was wise enough to know better than to
  assume victory was near, instead concentrating on the task at
  hand. He was concentrating on removing the FIERY RAVEN from
  this plane of existance.
        "Sir," Tiber announced with a bit of renewed enthusiasm,
  "The MORAN reports that the last Romulan scout's shields are
  down and they are moving in for the finish."
        But Riley wasn't happy with the news. Fear and
  desperation gripped him, for he knew the Romulan Way far too
  well. "What? Get them out of there," he barked in a loudness
  that could be heard from front to stern of the huge ENTERPRISE.
  "Tell those idiots to pull back," he screamed.
        But it had been too late. The TAKARA MORLATTA had drawn
  in both the MORAN and SARATOGA, who were attempting to finish
  off the tiny ship. But it was the Romulan who would perform
  best in this combat. Her commander had ordered that the barrier
  between the ship's anti-matter and matter containers be
  dropped.
        The Romulan scout exploded in a wave of annihilation
  which ripped through the MORAN and SARATOGA as if they hadn't
  existed. The crews of the two ships hadn't the time to realize
  their fate, they too were annihilated in the death-storm. Even
  the HIENLEN, as far from the explosion as she had been,
  suffered from the effect, losing her shielding and stripped of
  parts of the outer layer of her hull. The scout quietly headed
  back for the UNION, knowing that she had been spent.
        But two ships remained, as it seemed inevitable that it
  would. The ENTERPRISE and FIERY RAVEN had been far removed from
  the act of self-sacrifice. Aboard the ENTERPRISE, there was
  stunned silence. Aboard the FIERY RAVEN, there was reverence.
 
  CHAPTER THIRTEEN
 
        "Damn them," Riley cried, breaking the silence that had
  dominated the bridge. "What's FIERY RAVEN's status?" he asked,
  hoping that his enemy had suffered more than the ENTERPRISE.
        "They've taken massive damage to their weapons systems
  and to their impulse drive," Tiber reported. "Her shields are
  shimmering on and off, and she's unable to cloak."
        That was the good news, but the ENTERPRISE had suffered
  from the Romulan's ferocious counter-attack as well. "What's
  our status?" Riley finally got up the nerve to ask.
        "Sheilds are down to fifteen percent, with our starboard
  shield gone," Tiber replied grimly. "We're down to half impulse
  power, and are warp engines are unstable. We also have seven
  torpedoes remaining, and phaser power is down twenty percent."
        "Still pretty much an even match," Riley observed, his
  mind lost in endless computations. Fortunately, the UNION now
  was only five minutes away, and likely well within scanning
  range of the FIERY RAVEN. Still, five minutes was a great deal
  of time in the midst of combat.
        "Correction, sir," Saavik piped up. "I believe that is we
  who possess the advantage. The Romulan shields are flickering,
  which seems to indicated that they are unable to transfer their
  shield power to differing sectors of the ship. If they are
  using a warp naccell for their main shield generator, then
  their power must be distributed evenly."
        "And our's doesn't," Riley replied with a grin. "Mister
  Tiber, transfer all shield power to the forward and port shield
  grid at my command. Standby photon torpedoes and phasers," he
  commanded.
        Tiber, eager to avenge the crews of the SARATOGA and
  HIENLEN, input the commands into the ship's computer.
  "Torpedoes and phasers are ready. Shield transfer at your
  command, sir."
        "Okay, Tiber," Riley cooly commanded, "put them off of
  our port side and bring us in."
 
        ~ENTERPRISE is coming for another attack run,~ Tonin
  announced as the enemy ship grew larger in their main viewer.
  ~Her shields are quite weak, and will not stand another torpedo
  hit. Recommend a close-range torpedo shot in the middle of
  their run,~ he offered.
        Sunak sat in his chair, not trusting his enemy. ~She's
  either commiting suicide, or she's got something up her
  sleeve,~ he commented to the air about him. ~Of course, her
  Captain does seem one to commit himself for self-sacrifice.~
        Rela looked up at her commander. ~Sir, perhaps they
  intend to detonate both of our vessels once they are in range,~
  she offered, not knowing Federation members as well as
  Romulans.
        ~I doubt it, Rela. Federation members value their lives
  too much,~ he countered. ~But, he does seem to be rather
  persistant, doesn't he? Watch your scanners carefully, Tonin.
  Their Captain is up to something, I'm sure of it.~
 
        The ENTERPRISE came slowly forward, awaiting the torpedo
  bolt that would inevitably come. "She's withholding fire,
  Captain," Tiber reported as the FIERY RAVEN's torpedo bay
  remained alit. "She's luring us in."
        "I know she is," Riley countered. "Just keep going. As
  soon as we start recieving fire, rechannel the shields and
  counter-attack."
        Then time itself seemed to crawl slowly forward as the
  FIERY RAVEN's daunting image grew larger on the bridge's main
  viewer. The seconds dragged into minutues. The minutes seemed
  like hours.
        "We are in torpedo range now, Captain," Tiber announced
  when his instrumentation chimed up.
        "Wait," Riley ordered, watching his screen. The RAVEN's
  image was larger than the viewer now. The giant battleships
  were within a mile of each-other, posing for the death dance
  one more.
        ~All hands brace for nearby explosion,~ Sunak ordered,
  bracing himself in his chair. ~Fire,~ he commanded when the
  ENTERPRISE markings became completely readable.
        The FIERY RAVEN launched the ball of fire nearly point
  blank, making Tiber compensate even before Riley could give the
  order. The ENTERPRISE's shields took the hit, but collapsed
  beyond the point of usability.
        "Fire," Riley commanded, seizing the opporunity as the
  FIERY RAVEN, failing her attempt at a quick victory, started to
  flee. The ENTERPRISE unleashed her last torpedo volley,
  dotting stripping the battleship's hull and fortified armor
  into scrap.
        "Fire," he ordered again, setting alife the ENTERPRIE's
  phaser banks. The red beams of destruction crashed into the
  FIERY RAVEN's naked hull.
 
        The bridge erupted into flame, being nearly missed by the
  ENTEPRRISE's lethal blow. Rela was thrown back, hard, into the
  rear panels of the ship. The all too familiar sound of air
  hissing from the hull into space filled the room.
        The fight, somehow, had gone to ENTERPRISE. ~Rela,~ Sunak
  cried as he righted himself. ~Tonin, get us out of here,
  maximum velocity across the Neutral Zone.~
        Gently, Sunak's powerful form lifted Rela's damaged body.
  ~Commander?~ she barely spoke through damaged lungs. ~Did we
  defeat the ENTERPRISE?~
        ~No, my love,~ he confessed painfully. ~We have beaten
  the Federation. The ENTERPRISE will come soon.~ He gently
  carried her form heading out of the bridge. ~Tonin, tell
  engineering that I don't care what lengths need be taken, but
  we must be able to destroy the ENTERPRISE this day.~
        ~Yes my lord,~ Tonin complied even as he led the FIERY
  RAVEN away from her better.
 
        "They're turning tail, Captain," Tiber announced with
  apparant glee. "Shall we pursue?"
        Riley sighed queitly, wiping the sweat from his brow.
  "Hell no, Lieutenant," he ordered with a mock. "Radio UNION and
  inform them of our situation. Tell them that we need the best
  repair crews we can get and to get the ship back together as
  soon as possible."
        Saavik looked concerned, knowing how hollow a victory
  this had been. "Then what do we do, sir?"
        "Then we set ourselves as bait," Riley answered
  matter-of-factly. "And let the FIERY RAVEN come to us for a
  change."
 
  CHAPTER FOURTEEN
 
        Matthews wasn't happy. In fact, he was absolutely
  depressed. Sure, the FIERY RAVEN did run away, severely beaten,
  but at the cost of sixteen lives thus far, and over fifty major
  injuries.
        Some of the injured were lucky, taking cuts and abrasions
  from shorting panels. Some were not. Deuce was one of the most
  unlucky ones. At least Riley had the decency to come down here
  and visit him, Matthews thought to himself as he tended other
  patients.
        Deuce had been near the starboard secondary hull when she
  blew. It had been his misfortune to be working on phaser
  coolant systems when the RAVEN's fearsome strike ripped away
  with her torpedo.
        The coolant covered his body, rendering much of it
  useless, and ravaging his vital organs. Riley knew that Deuce
  was on instruments now, and found it unlikely that he could
  even hear his Captain.
        "I've only known him for one week," Riley muttered in
  self-disgust. "He's going to die for knowing me, isn't he? Not
  much different than during Intel."
        Matthews said nothing, not really expecting the answer.
  Saavik, whom had seen fit to accompany her captain, had gently
  placed her hand on his shoulder. In one sense, Riley's innards
  were ripped apart as surely as Deuce's.
        Saavik couldn't bring herself to say anything, there
  wasn't much to say. Riley was brooding in the world between
  doubt and pity, trying to understand where things had gone
  wrong. Riley was doubting his ability to command, a doing a
  lousy job of hiding the fact.
        "Perhaps you should get some sleep," Saavik gently spoke,
  trying to calm him. "I know that you haven't since we left
  Konok with the ASSISTER," she continued, leaving Matthews to
  draw his own conclusions.
        But Riley said nothing in reply, instead standing calmly.
  "If there isn't a chance, then get him off the machine. He
  deserves a decent death, at least," Riley ordered out of some
  brotherly admiration for the young Ensign. "I'll inform his
  family personally when we get home."
        Riley then left, saying nothing more, and headed to speak
  with another person on his mind. Saavik and Matthews were left
  with numerous patients and medical staff.
        "It is not logical," Saavik admitted, "but I find myself
  wanting to help him."
        "Love does that, Commander," Matthews replied without
  thinking, causing Saavik to raise an eyebrow in protest. "I
  mean, it's natural to help someone in distress."
        Saavik, of course, knew what the comment meant, and
  wondered how obvious she had truly been.
 
        Grissom was forced to wear someone else's civilian
  clothes, as her quarters had been one of those sections
  destroyed by the FIERY RAVEN's attack. Still, she looked quite
  impressive in the blue sweater and jeans she had chosen, and
  didn't complain about the loss of her clothing.
        Again she was forced to take the role of the delegator,
  assigning tasks to others that she would rather be doing
  herself. Again, she was becoming quite bored.
        "Computer," she began with some hesitation. "Access all
  available records on Captain Thomas William Riley," she
  commanded, at but nervous at the prospect of reopening what was
  supposed to be a dead issue.
        "Access denied, Captain Riley's records have been
  temporarily removed from ENTERPRISE record banks," the answer
  came back. Grissom was quietly shocked at the blunt answer.
        "All records?" she asked in disbelief. "On whose
  authority?" she demanded, still a bit stunned.
        "Mine," came a grim voice. "I thought you were told to
  stay out of my records, Lieutenant," Riley grunted as he
  entered the engineering deck. "But I suppose that your
  curiosity would have got the best of you sometime."
        Grissom froze in terror. She had expected to get caught,
  but the almost evilly angry look in Riley's eyes pierced
  through her. She was helpless. "I'm sorry, sir," she panted. "I
  won't do it again, I swear."
        And then Riley through something at her, a sharp object
  flying through the air toward her neck. She flinched from it,
  but somehow her hand instinctively caught it.
        But it wasn't something meant to harm her. It was an
  emblem in the shape of an exotic bird, a huge black warbird,
  native to the planet Romulus. Grissom stared at it confused.
        "It is the rarest bird on Romulus," Riley explained,
  making certain that noone else was in the room or in earshot.
  "Translated, it is the Blackwing, the ultimate predator of the
  night. Flattering, really," he mused, still obviously angry but
  resigned, even relieved to talk to someone about long buried
  facts.
        "What does it mean?" Grissom innocently asked. "Is this
  yours, Captain?"
        Riley stroked it in Paula's shaking palm for a moment.
  "Actually, no, it isn't mine per se," he explained. "I'm not
  rightfully entitled to it, since I'm not a fullblood Romulan."
        Grissom's eyes went wide. "A fullblood Romulan?" she
  queried, extremely nervous at the prospect. "You're part
  Romulan?"
        Riley nodded, taking the only other seat in the room. "My
  father, whoever he is, served in the Romulan senate. From what
  I can gather he had a penchant for captive Human women. That
  explains me," he explained to Grissom's eager ears. "After that
  I was raised on Vulcan, and then enrolled in Star Fleet
  Intelligence. That's why my records are sealed."
        She gently laid the emblem on the desk in front of her.
  "I didn't know. I've just been," she hesitated, a bit
  frustrated by her inability to explain the need for her to know
  so much about him. "I've been curious about you. You're such an
  enigma to the whole ship."
        "Probably true," he confessed. "I haven't had much time
  to even meet the crew yet," he added with a bit of guilt. "And
  I've asked them all to trust their lives to me. Doesn't seem
  right, does it?"
        Grissom gave a sincere look of concern for her Captain.
  He was obviously worn, with his infamous rise to Captaincy,
  Ravis, and the subsequent battles with the IRON CLAW II and the
  FIERY RAVEN, he truly hadn't had the time to even relax.
  "Things have been hectic for everyone lately, Captain," she
  responded truthfully.
        Riley stood slowly. "The emblem's yours, Paula," he
  started. "Your first new decoration," he added with a tired
  smile. "I'll be in my quarters if anyone needs me. Also be sure
  that no one needs me."
        She took the hint. Her captain was going to sleep and
  didn't want to be bothered. She walked him walk away from her
  and into the hall, a bit more relaxed by him, and all the more
  nervous as well.
 
  CHAPTER FIFTEEN
 
        ~She's taken serious burn damage,~ the ship's doctor
  explained to Sunak as he brooded in his scorched quarters. ~Her
  lungs have been punctured, and with the sick bay severely
  damaged and understaffed, I'm not sure what we can do.~
        ~Understand, Doctor,~ Sunak's grim voice bellowed, ~that
  your life-span is directly linked to hers.~ The doctor didn't
  reply, scared for his life, and quietly left his Commander
  alone with his love.
        ~There's no need to threaten him,~ Rela managed through
  her wounds. ~It isn't his fault that I got torn up,~ she
  wornfully smiled.
        Sunak considered the honesty of the statement, but wasn't
  relieved. ~It's important to me that he devotes his attention
  to you,~ he quiety answered as he sat on the side of his bed.
  ~I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you.~
        ~Like getting my console in my face?~ she asked
  sardoncially. ~It's part of the job.~
        Sunak grimaced. ~Rela, please,~ he whispered, taking her
  hand into his. ~It pains me to see you in this much pain,~ he
  began slowly, pacing her words. ~I love you, Rela. In the past
  few days I've learned that nothing but you matters to me, not
  the RAVEN, not the Empire, not even my crew.~
        Rela looked up in disbelief. ~Commander?~ she queried
  with a smile.
        ~Sunak,~ he whispered, gently bending down to kiss her
  cheek. ~You're no longer under my command,~ he added. ~I was
  thinking of having you as my wife.~
        Rela's smile widened. ~Of course,~ she quickly agreed.
        ~Now, however,~ he began, ~I have one final mission to
  perform.~ He stood, looking through the viewport to that sector
  of space which housed his enemy.
        ~The ENTERPRISE?~ she asked. ~After all of this? We're
  going back.~
        ~After all this,~ Sunak smiled. ~That's precisely why we
  are going back. There is no home for us on Romulus,~ he
  finished, standing to leave. ~Our future, and our fate, lie
  with the ENTERPRISE.~
 
        Sunak took the command chair of the auxillary bridge. The
  secondary bridge had been neccessary, as the main bridge had
  been impossible to salvage after the ENTERPRISE attack.
        The aux-bridge was smaller than the main one, but no less
  functional. ~Sensory readings,~ he commanded to one of the
  replacement officers.
        ~ENTERPRISE is sitting in wait outside of the Neutral
  Zone,~ the young officer replied. ~The Federation carrier which
  had been escorting her has rejoined the main fleet.~
        ~And ENTERPRISE is exposed,~ Sunak replied with a bit of
  excitement. ~Are there any other vessels in close support?~
        ~There are none,~ the officer replied eagerly. ~The main
  fleet is now seven hours travel away. We will have three hours
  conflict time if we engage.~
        Sunak looked at the image of the ENTERPRISE with a sense
  of fate. ~Well then, what is our status?~ he asked quietly,
  knowing how much rode on that information.
        ~Our main torpedo is running at fifty percent
  capability,~ came the reply. ~Port side phasers are
  inoperative, but remaining phasers are fully functional.
  Shields are at twenty percent.~
        ~Better than I had expected,~ Sunak admitted. ~Very well,
  set course for the ENTERPRISE, maximum available speed.~
        The FIERY RAVEN once again, tattered and scarred as badly
  as she was, took to the stars, leaping into battle once more,
  one last time.
 
  CHAPTER SIXTEEN
 
        Saavik entered Matthew's office, grateful that noone else
  had been inside. "Doctor," she began innocently, "I understand
  that you've served with Riley before, is that correct?"
        "He was first officer aboard the HOOD for six months
  while I was on her. I was his physician," he replied. "I
  transferred to the ENTERPRISE about a month before he did."
        She sat in one of the seats, finding it somewhat hard to
  relax in. "What was your appraisal of him? If I may ask?"
        "He was a fine officer, if a bit cold," Matthews
  admitted. "He never talked to anyone, except me, and that was
  only because he had to." He noted that she wasn't really paying
  attention to his reply. "What's bothering you, Commander?"
        "I find myself constantly thinking, worrying about him.
  I've only experienced this once before," she confessed. "I
  question my professional distance with him."
        "Is it possible," Matthews cautiously began, "that you've
  fallen in love with the Captain?" Saavik's eyebrow went up
  again, causing the Doctor to be a bit more polite. "I mean, it
  isn't uncommon for ship's crewmembers to be attracted to their
  superiors."
        Saavik crossed her arms, not really wanting to hear what
  he was saying. "Attracted? Yes I do find him attractive, but I
  have never needed to give it much thought before."
        Matthews looked again at her, noting the deeply hidden
  worry in her eyes. "Look, everyone on the ship thinks that you
  two are already an item," he began again, deciding to be a bit
  riskier. "Granted, they're wrong, but they could be seeing
  something that neither of you think you are ready for."
        Saavik pondered that for a moment. "Thomas said that a
  relationship between us would be inappropriate, since we are
  the two chief officers aboard this vessel. I find it hard to
  dispute his logic in the matter."
        "I do," Matthews finally gave up. "You've held hands on
  the bridge, and I saw you fighting tears when he was in here
  with you. He's already sacrificed his carreer once for you. I
  don't see why you two think it's so wrong to be together."
        "The crew would," she began but wasn't allowed to
  complete.
        "The crew damn well wants you two to be a couple, "
  expect for a certain Miss Grissom, he added to himself.
  "They've been talking about it for days. It's like you were
  meant for each-other."
        Saavik sighed, "I am Vulcan, doctor. I cannot permit
  myself to show my feelings. It isn't logical to have these type
  of feelings for my Captain. Therefore, I shall not have them."
        Matthews nearly growled at that remark. "I've specialized
  in Vulcan psychology, Commander. And in my experience, I've
  found that Vulcans suffer from emotional stress far greater
  than most humans. When a Vulcan represses her emotions, like
  you're thinking about doing, they have a tendancy to explode
  when the pressure is too great."
        Saavik stood, a but upset by the suggestion. "I must be
  returning to the bridge," she flatly indicated. "You will share
  none of this conversation with anyone, including the Captain.
  Is that understood?"
        Matthews nodded in the affirmative, but Saavik's quick
  turn put him out of eyesight. "It's a private matter between
  you and the Captain," he replied. And God help the both of you,
  he added quietly to himself.
 
        ~Get up, bastard son!~ Lights, shapes, colours, all
  failed to connect. ~I said get up!~ Riley felt a sharp pain in
  his waist, but he still couldn't move. ~Are you deaf, Earthen
  slime-dog? You are supposed to be borite mining now.~
        Riley felt something grab hold of his long, slate-black
  hair and yank it upwards. ~I don't work for you.~
        He still couldn't see, but the pain that swept past his
  face slammed hard into him. ~All half-breeds work for me,
  S'Lavek.~ The voice still couldn't be connected to any face.
  ~Are you going to come quietly or do I have to use the
  agoniser?~
        Riley stood, but still couldn't make out anything other
  than a swirling ball of lights. ~I'm coming, there's no need
  for the...~ but he couldn't finish. The guard had struck him.
  Blood rushed out of his head, he could feel it begin to flow on
  his face, dripping off of the bridge of his nose. He collapsed
  on the ground.
        ~So, you even bleed red like a Terran, eh?~ The voice was
  growing meaner, Riley thought to himself. ~Maybe you could work
  for the Federation, eh? I'm sure they would love to see some
  klya like you.~ Riley tried to stand again, the pain searing
  down his legs. ~Who said you could get up?~ Riley screamed as
  sheer pain suddenly asserted itself on his chest.
        ~You just did,~ Riley dared, his temper assuming new
  heights as his chest roared in pain. ~Or did your little brain
  forget?~
        The guard fumed, still Riley had refused to submit to his
  whims, and still he was rebelling. ~Enough play, Gene-joke,~
  the guard grunted, raising the agonizer for another strike.
  ~I'm going to make you regret your birth.~
        The guard charged, readying his strike, but Riley had
  been quicker, assuming an offensive strike. Riley's foot
  quickly jetted out into the guard's neck. ~I already do,~
  Riley growled as the guard gaped for air, dropping the agonizer
  to the floor.
        The guard stammered, trying to regain his composure, but
  he had gotten too close to Riley, and the confining chains
  weren't doing much of a job. Riley launched another kick,
  straight to the guard's head, cutting into it.
        The guard fell, unconscious and dying. If Riley felt any
  guilt about his actions, he refused to show it. He quietly
  grabbed the agonizer and adjusted it to its highest setting.
  Then he placed it on his confining chains, slowly burning
  through them.
        ~Will you be freeing us as well?~ a Vulcan woman called
  from the other end of the room. ~If not me, than my daughter,
  Saavik,~ she continued.
        "Captain," the girl began speaking in perfect Federation
  Standard. "This is Saavik, you are needed on the bridge."
        Reality slowly asserted itself again, leaving Riley to
  stare blankly at the giant Romulan stitching on his wall.
  "Saavik?" he managed through his limited confusion.
        "Yes, Captain," the intercom replied. "You are needed on
  the bridge immediately."
        "Status report, Saavik," he muttered, clearing his head
  of the memories which had kept surfacing.
        "Captain," Saavik's voice began, "sensors indicate a
  vessel in this area, closing fast."
        Riley sat up, he had been expecting the news. "The RAVEN?
  Raise shields and get weapons on-line. I'm on my way," he
  replied, somewhat anxious about the next few moments, and
  somewhat distressed by the last few.
 
  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
 
        Riley assumed the Captain's chair again, noticably worn
  and extremely tired. He was up to four days no without sleep,
  and it was beginning to show. "Visual," he commanded, hoping to
  catch a glance at the newest of the many enemies he had faced
  in his life.
        The viewscreen shifted views to show a tiny bright spot,
  a distant starship approaching at her best speed. "Magnify,"
  Riley ordered. The image expanded, revealing the broken hull of
  the Romulan battleship the FIERY RAVEN.
        It was all beginning again, Riley thought to himself. His
  third battle as Captain of the ENTERPRISE was about to start,
  and he hardly felt capable. "Is Grissom ready with the
  countermeasures, Saavik?"
        "Affirmative, Captain," Saavik responded distantly, not
  even looking at him. "Anti-matter flares are available at your
  command."
        Riley barely remembered Grissom's request. He'd been
  mostly dazed when he recieved the message concerning it. It was
  all hypothetical, a flare to prematurely detonate incoming
  torpedoes. At the time, Riley considered, it must have sounded
  like a good idea.
 
        ~ENTERPRISE is fifty thousand clicks and closing,~ Tonin
  announced to Sunak's battle-weary gaze. ~From the looks of
  things, she's got shields up and weapons armed. I am also ready
  some usual anti-matter signatures in their secondary hull, from
  their torpedo bays.~
        Sunak grimaced, again the ENTERPRISE was experimenting
  with their tactics, and their Captain had yet another trick up
  his sleeve. ~They've modified their torpedoes, then?~ Sunak
  pondered grimly. ~Interesting. It appears that their carrier
  was more of a benefit than I considered.~
        Tonin brought the sensor analysis up on display. ~She's
  in better shape than we left her, but I would still say that we
  are evenly matched.~
        ~Excellent,~ Sunak smiled, ~A more fitting challenge for
  my last command.~
 
        "FIERY RAVEN range now fourty-thousand kilometers, and
  closing awfully fast," Tiber announced with a bit of dread.
  "She'll be in firing range in five seconds, three, two, one,
  now." Tiber braced himself for the shot, "Incoming."
        As expected, the RAVEN launched a torpedo as soon
  as she entered range and instantly set about recharging
  another. "Launch counter-measures, fire phasers," Riley
  commanded as the adrenaline start to course through his veins.
        The ENTERPRISE repsonded with minute streams of
  anti-matter glistening toward the huge torpedo, like
  fire-crackers chasing the sun. The torpedo detonated when the
  streamers slammed into it, clearing a route for the Federation
  starship's phasers to the heart of the FIERY RAVEN.
        Tonin cried out as some of the auxillary bridge panels
  exploded around him. System after system began failing. ~Fire
  phasers and bring us back,~ Sunak ordered, though there wasn't
  a reply.
        ~Damn,~ the giant Romulan cursed, rushing to the
  helmsman's station and effortlessly throwing him off of the
  chair. ~Karana, plot a course away from ENTERPRISE,~ he barked
  as he took the helmsman's station.
 
        The jolt was serious enough to send ornaments from
  Sunak's room falling from their places. Rela herself was jerked
  around, despite the doctor's attempts at stabilizing her. Her
  last flinch, coming as the next phaser bolt struck, was so
  violent that there was an audible crack coming from one of her
  bones in her back.
        ~Doctor to Commander,~ he tried, knowing full well that
  the injuries were already likely to be fatal, even if the Sick
  bay had been operational. ~I can't care for my patient if we're
  getting knocked across the stars,~  he complained, leaving his
  fear of his Commander to the four winds.
 
        "Their shields have collapsed," Tiber announced
  thankfully. "Grissom's counter-measures appear to have worked,"
  he admitted.
        "She's peeling away," O'Neil noted. "Recommend pursuit,
  Captain."
        But the FIERY RAVEN was far from spent, sending another
  massive torpedo into space and following it up with a phaser
  barrage. Instinctively Tiber launched the counter-measures
  again, obliterating the torpedo.
        But the phasers were enough, striking the rear
  starboard side of the ship. While the outer hull was scorched,
  cooridors and rooms were suddenly exposed to open space.
  Fortunately, the rooms had been cleared out before the battle
  commenced.
        "Bring us about and lay down heavy phaser fire," Riley
  commanded, his heart finally into the battle once more.
  "R'Ress, raise the UNION and tell them to get the fighters over
  here. O'Neil, lock on them with the tractor beam after the
  phaser fire, keep that torpedo bay pointed away from us."
        The ENTERPRISE fired again, sending wave after wave of
  hot death into the RAVEN's hull. Finally, the phasers struck
  the exposed torpedo bay, destroying a large chunk of the
  forward boom section.
        When that was complete, the ENTERPRISE sent forth the
  bright blue tractor beam, pulling the Romulan ship closer and
  forcing it into a bad firing arc.
        The ENTERPRISE pressed on, launching phaser blast after
  phaser blast into the RAVEN's helpless hull. The final warp
  engine blew, then the impulse engines.
 
        The impulse engines exploded into nothingness, causing
  the entire ships to reverbate with the shock. The doctor was
  thrown to the floor, and Rela was thrown off the makeshift
  medical bed. Her blood spilling on the floor.
        It was all too clear that she wouldn't survive the hour,
  even if she survived the battle. ~Doctor to Commander,~ he
  tried again. ~Rela is dying.~
 
        "FIERY RAVEN's main weapon system is permanently
  off-line," Tiber beamed as the new readings came across. "They
  still have phaser power, but the tractor beam has placed them
  in a bad firing arc. Their shields are destroyed, and all their
  drive systems are nonexistant."
        "It's over, then," Riley smiled. "Back us to ninety
  -thousand kilometers," he ordered, remembering the eariler
  battle. "R'Ress, patch me through."
        "You're on, Captain," the Catian answered.
        "FIERY RAVEN," Riley began, the edge returning to his
  voice. "This is the USS ENTERPRISE, Captain Riley speaking. You
  have commited numerous acts of war against the United
  Federation of Planets. Your ship has been bettered, and we call
  upon you to surrender."
 
        ~Commander, it's ENTERPRISE,~ Tonin replied with regret.
  ~They are calling upon us to surrender.~
        Sunak paused for a moment, giving deep concern to Rela's
  condition, and knowing that the Humans would at least care for
  her. ~Agreed, Tonin. Patch me through.~
        The viewer cut in, revealing Riley's impressive visage
  for the first time. Sunak regarded his better with respect, and
  even a slight sense of awe. "This is the USS ENTERPRISE calling
  upon you to surrender."
        Sunak grimaced, knowing that he was violating even this,
  most sacred duty. "This is the FIERY RAVEN," he began in
  stilted Federation Standard. "I am Commander Sunak. I agree to
  surrender, and wait for discussion of terms."
 
  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
 
        Captain's log: Stardate 10161.5
        Captain Thomas William Riley reporting
 
        Commander Sunak has surrendered himself and his crew to
        the USS ENTERPRISE. I am anxiously awaiting his arrival,
        we have much to discuss.
 
        Riley, Saavik, and six security guards filled one wall of
  the room. Saavik manned the transporter controls, cooly
  ordering them to beam aboard the last four remaining
  crewmembers aboard the FIERY RAVEN.
        So far, the surrender has been without incident, dispite
  the massive battles the two crews faced only moments before.
  There was a coolness to the air, a warrior's aura, signifying
  respect.
        Sunak and his most treasured crewmen shimmered into
  existance on the transporter pads. He was quite large, making
  Riley regret he had only ordered six red-shirts to the room.
  Behind him were two men, one standing proudly, studying the
  room with keen interest.
        But it was the last two which caught Riley's attention
  most readily. The other male was obviously a doctor, caring for
  the woman in Sunak's arms. She had suffered greatly from the
  phaser barrage Riley had ordered.
        "Riley to Matthews," he commanded when noting the
  bleeding coming from Rela's battered chest. "Emergency in
  transporter room one. Send a surgical team up here."
        Riley then regarded the enemy commander for a moment, he
  was huge, easily over seven feet tall with a massive build. His
  forehead was largely exposed of hair, and his eyes were those
  of a stalking animal. ~Welcome to the ENTERPRISE, Commander,~
  Riley called in such a perfect accent that Sunak almost forgot
  who it was that had spoke. ~I am Captain Thomas Riley. This is
  my first officer, Saavik,~ he added, indicating the rather
  attractive woman standing next to him.
        ~I am honored to meet you, Captain,~ Sunak muttered
  truthfully. ~It is a rare privilege to meet your better in
  combat.~
        Matthews entered the room with the crew he slapdashed
  together. Instantly he went to work on the young female's case,
  since she was the only one injured in the room. "I'm taking her
  to sickbay," he explained as his crew lifted her on the medical
  bed. "If the Captain permits, you may see her there."
        "There will be time for that later," Sunak retorted as
  the medical crew rushed out. "May my personal physician
  accompany them, Captain? I doubt your crew fully understands
  Romulan anatomy."
        "Don't be so sure," Riley quiety responded, silencing
  Saavik. "He may go, under guard of course." He motioned to two
  of the security crewmen to escort the Romulan doctor away.
        The Romulan commander stood, giving Riley a sense of awe
  as his massive form rose in glory, even in defeat. "As
  Commander of the Romulan Imperial Vessel FIERY RAVEN, I
  surrender myself and my crew to your hands to answer for the
  crimes of the Romulan Senate."
        "Not your ship?" Riley curtly asked without thinking.
        Sunak stepped down from the pad to stand face to face
  with his rival. Riley hardly was lacking physically, having his
  own imposing aura all his own. As some would say, his was a
  very old soul. "I can't surrender the RAVEN to the Federation,
  Captain. No more than I could ask the ENTERPRISE be surrendered
  to the Romulan Empire if our situations were reversed."
        "I understand," Riley answered truthfully. "We'll destroy
  the remains of your vessel without an inspection. Is that
  satisfactory?"
        "Generous of you," Sunak replied, impressed. "I would not
  expect a Federation Captain to be so kind to a Romulan
  prisoner. I am impressed."
        Riley shut down the transporter controls with a calm
  movement. "Most Federation Captains do not understand the needs
  of Romulans as well as I do, Commander."
        "Indeed," he replied with a sense of amusement. "Your
  doctor," Sunak continued with difficulty. "Will he be able to
  save her?"
        "As annoying as he is," Riley admitted, "Matthews is one
  of the best ship's surgeons I've served with. If anyone can, it
  would be him."
        Sunak breathed heavily. "Then my surrender was not in
  vain, Captain. I can sleep easy."
        Riley studied over the Commander's expressions, beneath
  the hard surface and into the emotional turmoil which layed
  beyond. "You surrendered your crew for her benefit, didn't
  you?" he finally asked.
        Sunak said nothing in reply, only his standing in silence
  gave him away.
        "Your mate, then?" Riley asked, his mind racing through
  Sunak's. Riley had almost forgotten that he had already once
  risked his carreer for the woman he loved, or at least wanted
  to love.
        "Rela was not my mate," Sunak answered matter-of-factly,
  "though we promised to mate each-other after the battle. Sadly,
  I can see no method for the bonding to occur now. We will never
  meet an arbitrator for the union once the Federation has
  sentenced us."
        "There is one possible method, Commander," Riley offered.
  "As compensation for the damage to my ship, you must allow me
  arbitrate your exclusive union with Secundam Rela."
        For a brief moment, Saavik and Tonin shared the same
  expression, their respective jaws dropped.
        "You toy with me, Captain," Sunak grimaced.
        "I know the ritual," Riley confessed. "I have the
  military rank to perform it, albeit in a different service. And
  it will aid in the healing of our peoples. I can't see why
  not," he finished.
        "You would do me that honor?" Sunak asked confused.
  "After the pain I have inflicted upon your crew? What madness
  possesses you?"
        "The end of the battles, Commander. And prayers for no
  more," Riley answered, quoting a piece of Vulcan literature.
  "After all, you did surrender to us to save her life. I have
  never seen such a sacrifice before, and it would be a pity to
  waste it."
        Sunak smiled, for the first time, truly understanding his
  counterpart. "You are a romantic, Captain," he replied. "A pity
  we had to meet under such circumstances."
        "A pity," Riley agreed, indicating the door. "We have
  another duty to perform, Commander. After that I will issue
  quarters for your and Rela for your stay until we reach
  starbase six."
        Sunak nodded, knowing what the trip meant. It was to be
  his judgement.
 
        Tiber studied over the image of the broken FIERY RAVEN
  floating helplessly against the black void. Riley had ordered
  her destruction when both he and the enemy Commander entered
  the bridge, and it would be something that Tiber was going to
  enjoy.
        Still, it did seem a waste. The FIERY RAVEN was the most
  notable opponent the Federation had faced since the Khitomer
  incident, and it certainly was more worthy. Even this enemy
  ship seemed to deserve a decent burial.
        But it was not to be, Riley walked into the bridge with
  Sunak, sans security. It was a somber occaision, one to be
  performed with a quiet pause.
        Tiber fired, using only a fraction of the ENTERPRISE's
  phaser power. It was enough, the cutting rays ruptured the last
  remaining chunks of ship, delivering to oblivion.
        And for once, the bridge was quiet. Sunak wept, releasing
  a single tear for the FIERY RAVEN's loss.
 
  CHAPTER NINETEEN
 
        "I can't believe that you're going through with this,"
  Matthews argued as he and Riley entered the recreation deck a
  full half-hour before the ceremony. "After all they've done to
  us, you're going to marry them off?"
        "After all we've done to each-other, Doctor," Riley
  coldly reminded. "I've cleared it with Ambassador Spock and
  Ambassador Pardek. Both feel that this marriage is the best way
  to heal the scars."
        "It just seems so weird, Captain sir," Matthews bit back.
  "But I suppose that you are the one who gives the orders around
  here."
        "That's true, Mister Matthews," Riley retorted as he took
  his place next to Saavik. "I do give the orders for this ship
  and her crew. I also have take the responsibility for every
  life aboard her. If this simple marriage between two Romulans
  can ease any of the tensions between the Federation and the
  Star Empire, then I damn well am going to perform it."
        Already crewmembers were filling the massive structure,
  outnumbering Romulans by close to two-to-one. There was some
  resentment on the floor, but they were well-behaved. The
  Romulans were there out of respect for their Captain, and the
  Federation crew was there mostly out of curiosity.
        After several minutes, Sunak and Rela entered the
  chamber, to the massive applause from his Romulan crew, and
  even some of the ENTERPRISE's crewmembers. The two walked down
  the long hall marked with carpet to the stage where Riley,
  Matthews and Saavik stood waiting.
        Only Saavik seemed uncomfortable with the ceremony.  She
  had tried so long to bury her past, and now it was right in
  front of her.
        Riley looked over to the dark-skinned Romulan Commander,
  who stood proudly on the pedestal before his and the
  ENTERPRISE's crew. ~Sunak Kavari of Gorwah,~ Riley began,
  quieting the room,  ~do you recognize me as Arbitrator of your
  union?~
        ~I do, Captain,~ Sunak's booming voice announced.
        ~Sunak Kavari,~ Riley continued, ~to whom do you pledge
  your allegiance?~
        ~My allegiance lies with the Empire,~ Sunak proudly
  announced in reply.
        ~To whom do you pledge your love?~ Riley asked, with
  noted emphasis on the words meaning "love".
        ~My love is pledged to the one called Rela Avatra,
  Arbitrator,~ Sunak declared.
        Riley turned his attention to the young Romulan woman
  standing to his right. She had recovered from her wounds quite
  well, though there remained a small scar on her cheek. ~Rela
  Avatra,~ Riley began, ~do you recognized me as the Arbitrator
  of your union?~
        ~I do, Captain Riley,~ Rela replied.
        ~Then, Rela Avatra,~ Riley continued, ~to whom do you
  pledge your allegiance?~
        Rela looked to her former commander when asked that.
  Everyone could easily see the many emotions swelling within
  her, starting to pull tears from her eyes. ~I pledge my
  allegiance with the Empire,~ she announced.
        ~To whom do you pledge your love?~ Riley countered, a
  smile on his face.
        ~My love is pledged to the one called Sunak Kavari, my
  Commander, and my love,~ she proudly announced, succeeding in
  holding back her tears of joy.
        Riley nodded, then took a hand of both Sunak and Rela.
  ~Then I accept the reponsibility of the legalization of your
  union. Do both of you agree to the terms of the union, under
  penatly of discitizenship if either break the terms?~
        ~We do,~ Sunak answered for both of them.
        ~Then, by the power entrusted to me by the Romulan Star
  Empire on your behalf, I announced this union complete,~ Riley
  announced.
        "All hands," Saavik commanded to both crews, "ten-hut."
  The eight-hundred gathered people snapped to, standing at
  attention, and leaving a perfect path to the rear doors of the
  recreation deck.
        Rela and Sunak turned, arm in arm, and headed for the
  doors, escorted by three security men. From there they would
  disappear into sealed personal quarters.
        "All hands," Saavik commanded after the two united
  Romulans left the corridor, "dismissed."
        Riley smiled proudly. Though the ceremony was without the
  reverence and awe of the traditional religious ceremonies, it
  was still an impressive display. Slowly, the gathered crews
  began to filter out of the room, Romulans held in check with
  double their number of Federation members.
        Riley turned to Saavik, who stood as emotionlessly as she
  could during the wedding. "There are some occaisions where it
  is acceptable to show some emotion, Saavik," he started.
        "I don't understand, sir," She replied, almost ignoring
  him. "Vulcans do not show their emotions, they are not
  logical."
        "Vulcans or emotions?" Riley jabbed. "Neither are very
  logical, Commander. The Vulcan philosophy contends that
  emotions are leads to chaos, yet they have never been able to
  purge emotion from themselves. There still remains that bit of
  chaos, doesn't there?"
        Saavik finally regarded him, a small look of sadness in
  her eyes. "Why are you doing this to me, Thomas?"
        Riley took in a deep breath, preparing himself. "Despite
  how inappropriate it may be, I do have some strong feelings
  about you. I'm not able to deny them, to shut them away like
  you try to do."
        Saavik walked away from him, even more torn than before.
  "Captain, as your first officer, I cannot allow personal
  feelings to impair my judgement. I cannot return your
  affections for me," she tried, with a notable quaking in her
  voice.
        He was going to reply, but Saavik quickly headed out of
  the massive rec-deck, and he would have to carry his voice a
  bit too loud to call out to her.
        "Captain," Matthews said with a smile, emerging from a
  few feet away, "you never had much luck with women, did you?"
        "Why, no," Riley smirked. "It is that obvious?"
        Matthews smiled, nodding yes.
        "I'm in love with her, Doctor," Riley admitted with a
  sigh. "I didn't want to be, but I am."
        "I know," Matthews replied, patting his Captain on the
  shoulder as he escorted him out of the room. "I know."
 
  CHAPTER TWENTY
 
        Captain's log: Stardate 10162.0
        Captain Thomas William Riley reporting
 
        All is well. The ENTERPRISE is travelling at warp three
        to starbase six, where she will spend the next six weeks
        undergoing an extensive refit. I have scheduled three
        weeks of that time for the crew to have some extended
        shoreleave.
 
        The ENTERPRISE crew has performed admirably, even under
        the rough conditions we've been placed under. I consider
        myself fortunate to have them. I recommend all of the for
        honors.
 
        As for Sunak, he'll be going to trial almost as soon as
        we reach starbase. Likely, the Romulan government will
        want him and his wife expedited, but I can't say where
        his fate inevitably lies.
 
        As for me, I'm looking forward to this coming rest. But,
        sitting in the command chair, knowing how good of a job
        we did, I can finally accept my Captaincy of this fine
        vessel. I'm even becoming comfortable with it.
 
 
        "Course set for starbase six," Tiber announced as Riley
  filled out one report after another.
        "Excellent, we'll put in there for a week for emergency
  repairs, and then go back to Earth for a refit," Riley
  commented upon hearing the news. "Engage at warp four, steady
  as she goes," he commanded, somewhat relieved that the crew was
  finally going to get a break.
        Matthews came in griping, "A handful of my medical bay
  computers are misdiagnosing simple cases. I don't think the
  ASSISTER's engineering crew knew what the hell were they doing
  when they came aboard."
        "Problems, Doctor?" Riley asked with a faint smile.
        "God damn programmers aren't smart enough to use the
  technology they've been given," Matthews fumed. "I'm about
  ready to lobotomise them, but I doubt that fleet's going to let
  me go and do that."
        "Fleets doing a lot of unpopular things lately," Riley
  replied, his mind not on Matthew's problem in the least bit.
        "Oh? What do you mean?" Matthews quiered, his mind
  suddenly shifting track.
        "I've been reading our orders," Riley began. "With
  tensions so high in the Neutral Zone, they feel that we should
  continue our patrol duty after our refit."
        "Look, captain, sir. We've been in three battles already,
  and we've only barely managed to come out of them. Why in God's
  name should we be going out there again?" Matthews protested.
        "The ENTERPRISE has the most firepower of the ships in
  that fleet and so they want us that much more," he tried to
  explain, though he didn't exactly approve of the decision.
	"I'm glad to see that you like the idea so much." The doctor
  looked into the star pattern showing on the monitor. "I don't
  know, it seems that all these ships are good for is fighting.
  That's all fleet is caring about now."
	Riley looked over. "That's not true, not entirely at any rate.
  Fleet designed this as a battleship, which is what they need.
  The Federation is not in the habit of designing warships all
  the time."
	"This ship seems like a warship," the doctor muttered under
  his breath. "A luxury warship. USS ENTERPRISE, NCC-1701-B.
  Nicely disguised as a exploration vessel."
        "Well," Riley replied, giving up, "I've spoken to Fleet
  about reassignment. Hopefully we can get some exploration duty
  once the ENTERPRISE is finished in dock."
        "That would be a nice change," Matthews retorted, not
  quite believing that Fleet would indeed give the go-ahead for
  such a venture. "Anyway, Grissom's looking for a sparring
  partner in holodeck two. She's beaten everyone who's gone
  against her so far. You interested?"
        "What's the game?" Riley pondered, pleased with the
  invitation to escape for a short while.
        "Blade-dueling," Matthews replied cooly. "I don't
  approve of it, but I'll be damned if that little girl's going
  to get an ego boost of her blade handling."
        "Well then, if you think the Captain should crush Paula's
  ego," Riley smarted. "I'll go, I'm needing the practice
  anyway." He stood, following Matthews to the turbolift. But he
  stopped for a moment before actually entering, his eye caught
  by a patch of gold on the wall.
        Riley looked next to the turbolift where the insignia
  plate had been placed. In the time he had been captain, he
  hadn't once looked it over. The ENTERPRISE logo and her
  registry number were the dominant features were the most
  notable, but there was some smaller text which caught Riley's
  eye and imagination.
        "Space, the final frontier," the plaque said, "these are
  the continuing voyages of the starship ENTERPRISE. Her ongoing
  mission, to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life,
  and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone
  before."
        The ENTERPRISE burned her way through space, continuing
  the legacy set forth so many years ago, and would continue so
  many years from now.