From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: STTRR 19/20
Date: 18 Aug 92 16:01:46 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center


 
  - STAR TREK        -------------------------------------------------
  - THE RAVEN'S ROAR -------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Nineteen of Twenty
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  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."