From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: STTRR 16-20/20 repost
Date: 2 Sep 92 17:04:36 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


 
  - STAR TREK        -------------------------------------------------
  - THE RAVEN'S ROAR -------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Sixteen through Twenty of Twenty
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  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.
 

-- 

"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