Black Fire (23 page)

"Good. At first I thought I might have lost a friend. I thought you'd want to know that we are on our way to Romulus."

"Really?" Spock asked. "I would have thought we'd not be welcome there."

"Pirates that we are? But Romulans have different values. You will see. You have proven yourself to me, Spock. Both as a friend and as a colleague. How would you like to serve the Romulan Empire?"

"Do I have a choice?" Spock asked realistically.

"Certainly. But there is time. I am sure you must have many questions. They will all be answered when we arrive. Until then, rest. We will be home soon."

2

When Desus and Spock emerged from the transporter chamber on Romulus, they were met by a well-armed security team. "Take him!" the sub-commander in charge ordered. Two guards gripped Spock tightly.

"Wait," Desus commanded. "He's with me—a friend. What is the difficulty? I notified headquarters of his coming."

"Commander Spock, of the U.S.S.
Enterprise?
," the Romulan security chief asked mechanically, anticipating the answer.

"Correct," the Vulcan confirmed with dignity and resignation.

Desus took the security chief aside, not at all pleased with their reception. "Explain!"

"With all respect, sir, I'd advise you not to interfere. It would be best for your career with the Empire if you permit us to perform our duty without interference. Central Command has ordered his arrest."

Aware of the problem, Spock cautioned his Romulan friend. "Do not jeopardize your future with your own people on my account, Desus. I knew the risk I took in permitting myself to be brought here."

"Why didn't you tell me you were known to the Romulan Supreme Command?"

"I didn't have much choice as to my destination. It seemed logical to await the Romulan response rather than anticipate difficulty.

"Sir, this Vulcan is under detention for sabotage to an Empire vessel in an incident of espionage in which our cloaking device was lost. He is under sentence of death."

Spock was brought before the board of inquiry the next day. He observed with an uneasy sense of déjà vu that the demeanor of the three Romulan officers on the panel greatly resembled that of their Starfleet counterparts at his court-martial.

"Commander Spock," the Imperator in the center spoke. "Do you offer any rebuttal to your own testimony at your trial for sabotage and theft of a Romulan military development?"

A young officer switched on a console unit in front of him. Spock watched his own image on the screen and listened to his voice fill the room.

"My crime is sabotage. I freely admit my guilt …"

The proceedings were interrupted by Desus, who entered the room excitedly, dressed in the uniform of a supreme commander.

"This hearing must be terminated," he announced. "Our vessel,
Space Hawk
, has been destroyed. I have mobilized the fleet, and this man is to serve on my ship. I will accept full responsibility for his conduct—in my short association with him, I have come to trust him as a friend. He will serve us well.

"Spock, you will join me?" Desus turned to the Vulcan.

"I will accept the commission you have offered me in your service. If you will check your records, you will find that I have already been of assistance to the Romulan Empire. It was I who informed you of the Tomariian threat, That act was responsible for my subsequent court-martial, and set into motion the circumstances which brought me here."

After a brief conference with the other officers. Imperator Melek addressed Spock. "Commander Spock, you will explain more fully the circumstances under which that message was sent."

"While a prisoner on Tomarii, I promised Commander Julina of the Romulan fleet that should I survive her, I would warn your Empire of the Tomariian threat. Since I was the survivor, I kept my word to her. By doing so, I was accused of treason. I was tried and sentenced accordingly."

"Supreme Commander," Melek said, saluting Desus, "the prisoner is yours."

"It will be an honor to serve with the Supreme Commander." Spock studied Desus as he spoke. Surely, the Romulan did not just acquire his rank and authority. It was clear that Desus, the buccaneer, had been operating as a Romulan officer and not the free agent he seemed to be when he was picked up by Starfleet.

The court became quiet. Imperator Melek addressed Spock. "The oath of service is to be taken immediately. Repeat after me: 'My life for Romulus; my death for the Empire. I swear'"

Spock repeated the words.

"You are now in the service of the Romulan Empire. Serve your commander well and you will be rewarded accordingly. Prove false, and you will die! Salute your commander, Sub-Commander Spock."

Spock raised his hand to his chest and then extended it to Desus.

3

Desus and Spock strolled through the garden in the pleasant Romulan evening, relaxing as best they could in these few hours before they shipped out. The sun had just begun to set, casting deep viridian shadows on the hills beside Desus' palatial home. Lush grasses covered the hills; some slopes were covered with fields of deep red blossoms.

It was a sharp contrast to the stark Vulcan landscape of Spock's youth; Romulus seemed so lush, so fertile. Siock wondered whether the differences between their two closely related races was a direct result of their very different environments: the Romulans emotional, aggressive, and opulent in their tastes; the Vulcans so completely controlled and Spartan.

It was comfortable on the planet Romulus, and Spock already felt an affinity to the people, which gave rise to some uneasy self-examination. Knowing he had no choice in his coming to the planet or in his accepting the commission didn't seem to relieve his doubts. He realized that his loyalties could easily become confused; it was an unexpected turn of events and he was somewhat unprepared for the conflicts within him.

This night Desus had planned a farewell party, which provided an opportunity to introduce Spock, his new crew member, to the remainder of his officers before they were to depart on their mission. The Supreme Commander had not only invited his crew, but also others whom he felt Spock would benefit from meeting, including his sister Clea. Desus had often spoken of his remarkable sibling and the Vulcan was looking forward to their introduction. She had just returned to Romulus the day before and would be shipping out immediately after the festivities.

The first cluster of guests arrived, beginning the festivities of the evening. Romulans knew how to enjoy themselves; the music was lively, if a bit martial in tone; the guests were exuberant with the prospect of battle before them.

Clea arrived just before dinner was served. Desus bowed formally when he introduced her to Spock, who politely acknowledged the introduction. But his primary attention was drawn by her companion.

"My commanding officer," Clea responded to Spock's apparent curiosity.

A shock of recognition followed by an icy detachment revealed the woman's emotional turmoil when she recognized Supreme Commander Desus' new officer.

"Commander Spock," she said stiffly.

"Sub-commander," he corrected her. He took her arm, feeling her go rigid as he led her to a quiet corner.

"I was not aware that you had decided to accept the offer I extended to you to join us. I suppose the death sentence has been commuted. I have been out of touch—on a remote survey assignment.

She was wearing a patterned gown with swirls of purple and red, which brought to Spock's mind the black-and-white gown she had worn at their last encounter on her flagship.

"May I call you by name?" he requested formally.

"I would prefer you to forget I exist," she replied bitterly.

"We did share a rare moment together, whatever its unfortunate consequences, due to our conflicting loyalties at the time."

"Your actions cost me my rank—and my command. Just leave me now."

"As you wish."

She had already turned away from him. Spock stood alone amid the festivities, feeling a loss he had not anticipated. He rejoined the others for the meal, wishing the evening would come to a quick end.

4

Spock's duties were not very challenging. Since he was still suspect after the hastily concluded hearing, he was excluded from any decision-making or access to any information which was considered sensitive. He was assigned the largey mechanical tasks necessary to maintain the data integrator on board the supreme commander's flagship, the
Moonhawk
.

The ship was, by any standards, a beautiful and fully functional craft. Together with her sister ship, the
Sun Falcon
, they were the most advanced ships in the Romulan fleet. This opportunity to study the design of the craft was utilized as Spock spent many hours poring over the information he obtained from the computer. He was officially barred from certain, data, but his expertise allowed him considerably greater access than he was permitted.

The few free hours he had on board the
Moonhawk;
he spent mostly alone. It was clear his Romulan shipmates did not fully trust him, and he understood their reticence. Desus was busy with his command. Spock, never lacking projects to occupy his mind, found other diversions: The Romulans did not suspect that the coded messages coming through the
Moonhawk
's integrator were being deciphered by the expert cryptographer. The cautious Vulcan had not revealed all of his talents, not even to Desus.

Knowing he was constantly under observation, Spock followed the ship's routine without question. If he were to gain the trust of his new shipmates, he had to perform his duties automatically and efficiently. Returning to his quarters after one of his watches, Spock was detained by one of the security officers.

"Sub-Commander Spock, you are to report to Supreme Commander Desus' quarters."

"I shall," Spock responded, continuing on to his quarters.

"I will accompany you
now
," the officer insisted. "It is a command!"'

"Then I shall obey it," Spock said, following closely behind the guard.

When they arrived at Desus' quarters, Spock was ushered in; the guard placed himself outside the door.

"Sit down, Spock," the Romulan said pleasantly. "We haven't had any time to talk since we came on board."

"Is something wrong?" Spock asked, indicating the guard at the door.

"Of course not. I am always under guard when I am on the ship. Is that not Starfleet procedure as well?"

"No, sir. A Starfleet captain needs no guard."

"Foolish, one never knows …" Changing the subject, his tone warmed. "Well, Sub-Commander Spock, my friend, what do you think of service in the Romulan fleet?"

"I have not had a chance to really serve yet. While I am still suspect, my duties are simply routine."

"You would prefer more of a challenge, Spock?"

"Yes."

"Then you must prove your allegiance to us. I trust you, but the others—well … It is quite some distance to our destination; the site of the destruction of the
Space Hawk
has been pinpointed in a rather remote sector. Meanwhile, I hear there is an interesting game played in Federation territories. Chess, I believe it's called. Can you teach me to play?"

"I would be pleased to. It is one of my preferred diversions." Spock began drawing a board onto a writing surface. "With your military experience, Supreme Commander, you should find chess an absorbing challenge. The pieces move …"

The lesson was soon over; Desus had learned quickly and proved a worthy opponent for Spock's skill.

How many times have I played chess with Kirk to pass time on the
Enterprise?" Spock recalled sadly as they finished a second game. Two captains, two friends, who if they met were destined to destroy each other. And Spock, now torn between them, knew no peace.

1

There couldn't have been a more uneventful and routine tour of duty. The border they were patrolling along the Romulan Neutral Zone was as peaceful as the treaty promised. There were no emergencies, no hostile activity—nothing!

One would have thought that Kirk would be pleased with the respite, but he needed vigorous activity and challenge, anything to keep his mind off Spock. His disposition reflected his inner turmoil, and the crew was put through one drill after another for their perfectionist captain. Nothing satisfied him.

"Captain." Uhura's voice snapped him to attention. "A message coming in."

"Put it on visual, Lieutenant." He looked to the screen and the ster face of a Starfleet commodore appeared.

"Kirk, you are to proceed to Starbase 12 to pick up a change of personnel. We've assigned another engineer to replace Douglas, as you requested."

"Fine," Kirk said tersely. "It's about time Command took one of my requests seriously. Kirk out."

"At last," Kirk said under his breath. "Maybe we'll get someone more cheerful."

* * *

Making his way down the corridor to the transporter room, Kirk wondered who the replacement would be. The taciturn Douglas had beamed down as soon as they had reached the starbase.
Anyone will be better
, Kirk thought, getting impatient with the delay.

"What's taking so long?"

"I'm just getting a signal now, Captain," the transporter chief answered docilely. "It seems the new engineer has too much gear. His message says it's too delicate to beam up. He's taking a shuttle."

"What can be too delicate to beam aboard?" Kirk steamed. "All I need is another fuddy-duddy engineer! Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"

Kirk was too preoccupied to look at his officer; the transporter chief was highly amused by her captain's petulance and was doing all she could to keep from chuckling. Kirk was still muttering when he took the turbolift to the shuttle deck.

"Shuttle deck pressurized, Captain."

"Good. It's about time," Kirk barked, striding through the door. He was prepared to raise hell with the new engineer.