From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: STTUQ 2/15
Date: 20 Aug 92 14:56:45 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


 
  - STAR TREK      ---------------------------------------------------
  - THE UNFAIR QUO ---------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Two of Fifteen
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  CHAPTER TWO
 
        Tago had lied when he said the Riley's room wouldn't be 
  much. It provided a spectacular view over the entirety of Star 
  Fleet Academy, and of the Golden Gate bridge. The night image, 
  filled with so many lights both on ground and in space, 
  captivated Riley's attention. He could have even sworn that he 
  could make out the outline of the giant spacedock orbiting 
  overhead.
        Tago walked in, carrying a glass of Romulan Ale to his 
  friend, and wearing a large, fiendish smile. "So, Captain, what 
  do you think of the room?"
        "Awesome view," Riley confided. "Is that spacedock up 
  there?" he asked, pointing to a distant shadow in the heavens.
        "Yeah, that's it," Tago replied, "It's at her far point 
  in orbit. She'll show up better in a week or so, and that's a 
  sight to behold."
        "I bet it is," Riley smiled.
        "I got something for you," Tago said, handing over the 
  drink. "A friend of mine, a regular, got me Saavik's address. 
  The Doctor was very helpful."
        Riley sighed heavily, mainly to demostrate effect. "Why 
  did you go and do that, Tago? I wanted a vacation, not 
  frustration."
        "You've been frustrated for thirty-five years, Captain," 
  Tago laughed. "Don't you think it's time, man?"
        Riley stood from his bed, taking the drink. "I don't 
  know, Tago. Conflict of interest and all that," he added.
        "Look, Tom," Tago responded, "in all of the years I've 
  known you, not once have you comprimised your job. The truth is 
  you're scared. You've never been in love, never even dated. And 
  now you've got a First Officer who reminds you of Venus."
        Riley frowned. "I've never had time for any of that," he 
  explained. "I've always had a mission to perform, or a job to 
  do. My personal life came last."
        "You've got three weeks before the ENTERPRISE is ready to 
  leave, Tom," Toga retorted. "You've got time now. And you'll 
  have time on ship. What's wrong in giving it a chance?"
        Riley paused a long second, lost in thought. "You drive," 
  he decided, before taking a sip of his ale.
 
        Riley walked to the door just as it had opened. He had 
  expected Saavik's beautiful visage to appear in front of him, 
  but the Vulcan who stood there was much taller, much older, and 
  decidedly male.
        Riley had inadvertantly, and almost literally, stumbled 
  into a legend. "Ambassador Spock," Riley blurted in disbelief. 
  "It's a honor to meet you, sir."
        "Likewise, Captain," Spock replied with a lift of his 
  eyebrow. "Indeed, your reputation proceeds you. Star Fleet has 
  informed me of your outstanding success in the Neutral Zone, 
  you should be congradulated."
        "I could have handled it better," Riley admitted, 
  remembering Deuce's death. "But thank you, your words mean a 
  lot to me."
        Spock nearly smiled. The new Captain of the ENTERPRISE 
  was humbled, even though his carreer had been quite impressive 
  on its own right. It was the first time Spock realized that he 
  was a legend. "I am flattered, Captain," he replied cooly.
        "Peace and long life, Ambassador," Riley responded,
  giving Spock the Vulcan salute.
        "Live long and prosper, T'Salek," the Ambassador
  responded, citing Riley's Romulo-Vulcan name. "I look forward
  to discussion with you at the awards ceremony."
        "I am honored," Riley replied with a bit of shock. "I
  hope I won't disappoint you."
        "Good day, Captain," Spock completed quiety, leaving
  Riley and Saavik alone as he left through the wooden door.
        "Ambassador Spock?" Riley asked, impressed. "I wasn't
  aware that he was even on Earth."
        "He has been discussing matters with the President,"
  Saavik answered flatly. Riley was already feeling unsure as to
  why he even bothered to show up. "He has been in touch with
  Senator Pardek of Romulus. They are working on peace
  negociations," Saavik continued, not even looking at him.
        Riley fully stepped in, tired of waiting for an
  invitation. "Saavik, I know things haven't been well between
  us," he began nervously.
        "We have performed well," Saavik responded even more
  distantly. "As Captain and First Officer, our efficiency
  rating has been well into the ninetieth percentile."
        "That's not what I meant," Riley argued. "I didn't come
  here to discuss politics, or our efficiency rating."
        "Then what reason do you have for being here, Captain,"
  Saavik responded coldly, causing Riley to draw a deep breath to
  regain his courage.
        "I needed to talk to you," Riley admitted. "Actually,
  Tago felt that I needed to talk to you."
        "What is there to discuss?" Saavik curtly asked. "We
  both have been very hesistant to adress the matter at hand.
  Obviously, we are not yet ready to admit our feelings."
        "I can say it to your face, Saavik," Riley replied. "I
  love you. I know that as your Captain, I'm facing a serious
  conflict of interest. But I can't ignore it." It was obvious
  that he was having difficulty with the statements. He voice
  quaked, and his hands shook. It was the first time she had seen
  him scared.
        Saavik sat down, unable to answer or reply for a few
  moments. "It's worse for me, Thomas," she finally spoke,
  breaking the uneasy silence that had settled into the room.
  "I'm Vulcan, I don't act on my emotions. It goes against
  everything I've learned."
        Riley frowned, regretting his decision. "I should have
  realized that. I'm sorry to bother you," he continued, heading
  to leave.
        "It doesn't mean that I don't love you, Thomas," she
  quickly added, not allowing him to leave. "I do love you. I
  just didn't want to admit it to myself."
        Riley turned, not looking relieved. "What do we do now?"
  he asked. "Can I be an effective Captain with you as my First
  Officer? Can I be that detatched when duty calls?"
        "I think you can," she replied. "It's like you're two
  different people, A cold calculating ship's Captain when you
  need to be, and a caring man when you can be."
        "My two halves," Riley added, a bit disturbed. "It would
  seem to be the case."
        The two sat silent again for several moments. It was
  painfully obvious how lacking in experience the two were in
  dealing with these types of emotions.
        "Saavik," Riley finally dared, "would you do me the honor
  of being my date for the awards banquet Wednesday?"
        Saavik smiled, for the first time that Riley could
  remember. "It is I who would be honored," she answered.
        Riley beamed, the knotting is his stomach working its way
  straight. "Then I'll pick you up one hour beforehand."
        "Tom," she interrupted, "Ambassador Spock will be our
  chaperone. Does that bother you?"
        Riley nodded the negative, his eyes showing a mild
  contentment. "Nothing bothers me right now, Saavik. For once."
 
        Grissom returned with yet another box of goods which 
  needed to be immediately packed. Her family had already begun 
  providing her with replacement stuff for the things lost when 
  her quarters left the ENTERPRISE.
        The box she carried was quite heavy, but wasn't worth 
  attaching the expensive av-grav units for a three minute trip. 
  Her tiny form was withering under the strain, however.
        Her temporary apartment had three boxes in it already, 
  and no furniture other than a bed, chair, and table. The 
  kitchen had no supplies in it. She cursed herself for 
  forgetting, knowing she would have to order-out again.
        "Message for Miss Paula Grissom," the computer blurted 
  out once it had succeeded in defining who had entered the room. 
  "Audio message for Paula Grissom."
        "Play it, please," she responded, letting the large box 
  crash at her feet.
        "Hello, pistol," the computer played, and Paula froze in 
  terror. "Do you remember me?" the disguised voice continued, 
  taunting her. "It's been a long time, but I'm so pleased that 
  you came back to visit me. I just wanted to tell you that I was 
  thinking about you."
        Like a machine she walked to the computer bank, lifting 
  her finger ever so slowly to the controls. "I've missed you, 
  Paula," the maniacal voice continued. "I've wanted you for so 
  long, I can't tell you how pleased I am that you a nearby."
        Desperately, she hit the erase command, which abruptly 
  killed the message. "Where did that come from?" she demanded.
        "Voice message did not have address trailer," the 
  computer answered in its ever-cheery tone. "Trace is 
  unavailable."
        She quiety went to her supply bag, removed the phaser 
  from within, and strapped it to her side. "Refuse all messages 
  without trailers, computer," she commanded with a failing 
  voice.
        It was happening all over again.
 
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