Part 11 (1/2)
Uhura did not need to translate the incoming signal. Astonis.h.i.+ngly, it was perfectly comprehensible as transmitted.
”Captain, the commander of the hostile s.h.i.+p is hailing us!”
At his station Chekov was staring at his instruments and shaking his head. ”How are they cutting through the blanketing interference?”
”How are they drilling through the planet planet?” Kirk muttered aloud.
Pike had no time for casual speculation. No matter what the circ.u.mstances or the conditions, given the shape they were in, every minute they were not under attack was another minute the crew on devastated decks could use to make repairs and tend to the wounded. Another minute engineering could use to try and restore the s.h.i.+p's defenses. In the current state of affairs, any exchange of communication was to their benefit.
”On-screen,” he told his communications officer.
Uhura complied and the forward monitor cleared instantly. Almost as if, Pike realized, the hailing vessel was intimately familiar with Starfleet communications protocols. The image that coalesced was by itself enough to resolve any remaining uncertainty as to whom they were dealing with. The humanoid was visibly Romulan. Furthermore, the enemy commander did not look as if he had been recently engaged in a battle to the death with five Federation stars.h.i.+ps. His demeanor was relaxed, cool, and his tone was almost...cordial.
”Your valor does you great honor, Captain, and the skill of your crew surpa.s.ses, however uselessly, any that has preceded it.”
Pike was less inclined to be convivial. ”To whom am I speaking?”
”My formal designation is 'en, with an accent and syllabic stress that is difficult for the human larynx to deal with. As is not uncommon, reversing and softening the entire process yields a name you can p.r.o.nounce. Address me as Nero.”
Kirk's sudden intake of breath was not dramatic enough to draw anyone's attention from the gimlet-eyed figure on-screen. Unless there were multiple iterations of this ”Nero,” he was looking at the same alien who had been responsible for the death of his father. If the connection had also been made by Pike, the captain chose not to make reference to that particular bit of Starfleet history.
”By your actions you've declared war against the entire Federation. Withdraw without further hostilities, and I'll agree to arrange a conference with the Romulan leaders.h.i.+p at a neutral loca-”
The alien's reaction to Pike's reasoned offer was unexpectedly violent. ”I do not speak for the Empire! We stand apart.” ”I do not speak for the Empire! We stand apart.” His gaze wandered while he utilized the His gaze wandered while he utilized the Enterprise' Enterprise's transmission to scan the enemy's bridge. ”As does your Vulcan crew member, who would appear to bear the rank of first officer, science division. Isn't that right-Spock?” ”As does your Vulcan crew member, who would appear to bear the rank of first officer, science division. Isn't that right-Spock?”
Every member of the bridge complement except those responsible for tactical and defense turned to look in the direction of the s.h.i.+p's science station. The unruffled individual seated there glanced at his superior officer seeking permission to respond. Pike nodded his approval.
”Pardon me, but I don't believe you and I are acquainted,” the Enterprise' Enterprise's science officer responded coolly.
An unexpected but welcome development, Nero mused. Truly the Fates did balance the good with the bad if only one could survive long enough. Nero mused. Truly the Fates did balance the good with the bad if only one could survive long enough.
”No, we're not-not yet. First I want you to see something. Tell me-Spock. At what price did the Federation turn you from your people? Where does your true loyalty lie? Do you even know yet the meaning of loyalty, or of the responsibility that goes with power?” At what price did the Federation turn you from your people? Where does your true loyalty lie? Do you even know yet the meaning of loyalty, or of the responsibility that goes with power?”
The Enterprise' Enterprise's science officer responded with his usual calm. ”I'll say what you wish if it will save lives.”
The Romulan's gaze narrowed. He had hoped to elicit a more...emotional response, even though he knew he was dealing with a Vulcan. He was disappointed, but philosophical. Along the path to the End one inevitably encountered disappointments. In the roll call of regrets, his inability to provoke the Vulcan would have to rank as a minor one. As abruptly as he had singled out the science officer, he altered both his attention and his tone.
”Captain, if you are not already aware of the fact, your transporter capability is disabled along with your communications. You can neither beam off your s.h.i.+p nor communicate with anyone else. You will man a shuttle and board our s.h.i.+p for negotiations.” The smile returned. The smile returned. ”By yourself.” ”By yourself.”
Pike thought hard and fast. How much time would this Nero allocate for talk when his vessel was so clearly the superior one? How long could the Enterprise' Enterprise's captain stall the enemy? Pike sat in the command chair, pretending to be pondering the demand, until he could see that his opposite number was starting to tense.
”As a sentient being who values honor,” he finally said, ”give me your word you won't harm my s.h.i.+p if I come aboard yours.”
Kirk was not the only one on the bridge who gaped at their captain, but he was was the only one who spoke up. ”Sir, with all due respect-what're you the only one who spoke up. ”Sir, with all due respect-what're you doing doing?”
Pike looked back sharply in the cadet's direction. Concealed from the alien's view, the captain's expression was more than adequate to silence even James T. Kirk.
Indifferent to the nonverbal exchange among the humans, Nero replied genially.
”As sentient beings of honor, we have agreement. You will be allowed sufficient time to depart and arrive. Any delay perceived as excessive on your part will result in the immediate destruction of your vessel.” The predatory smile reappeared. The predatory smile reappeared. ”I would recommend, Captain, that you do not loiter over inconsequentialities.” ”I would recommend, Captain, that you do not loiter over inconsequentialities.”
”I'll be there as fast as a shuttle can be readied,” Pike told him. But the connection was terminated before his reply could be transmitted.
Kirk took a step toward the command chair. ”Sir, he'll kill you when he's finished with you-you know know that. He's already caused the death of hundreds. He won't show you any special dispensation just because you're a senior officer.” that. He's already caused the death of hundreds. He won't show you any special dispensation just because you're a senior officer.”
From the other side of the bridge Spock added his own equally fervent if less expressive opinion.
”It would be highly illogical to trust the word of-”
”I understand that. understand that.” Pike rose from his seat. ”I need an officer who has been trained in advanced hand-to-hand combat-with all humanoid species.”
Sulu's hand shot up immediately. ”I have the necessary qualifications, sir!”
Pike nodded. ”Then you come with me. Mister Spock, also. Kirk, you too-you're not supposed to be here anyway.” As he headed for the main lift he looked toward the bridge's youngest crew member. ”Chekov, contact engineering and have Chief Engineer Olson meet us at the shuttlebay.”
”Aye, Keptin.” The ensign moved to convey the captain's request as the lift doors parted and the four men entered.
They had to change lifts twice more to avoid internal damage and ongoing repairs and make it all the way back to the shuttlebay. Once out in the access corridor Kirk stepped up alongside the captain.
”I have to reiterate: what're you doing-sir? Pardon me for saying so, but based on what we know of this individual and his actions so far I'd say we gain nothing by diplomacy. If he wanted to arrange a cease-fire he would have done so with the commanders of...the other s.h.i.+ps. He just wants to extract any information he can from you. Sure, he can pressure you by threatening to continue the battle, but maybe his vessel has been damaged, too, if not visibly, and he needs time for his crew to make repairs. Meanwhile, he'll have you as a hostage while we have nothing. And if you think his word as a 'sentient being of honor' means anything, I suggest you tell it to the captains of the...”
Halting so abruptly that Kirk nearly ran into him, Pike got right in the younger man's face. Speaking through clenched teeth and fighting to restrain himself, the captain proceeded to explain his reasoning.
”If you can look past your initial animal response, Cadet, Cadet, and for a moment think about conditions outside your immediate surroundings, you'll recognize that without transporter capability not only can we not leave this s.h.i.+p, and for a moment think about conditions outside your immediate surroundings, you'll recognize that without transporter capability not only can we not leave this s.h.i.+p, we cannot a.s.sist Vulcan or anyone on its surface. we cannot a.s.sist Vulcan or anyone on its surface. Additionally, with communications blocked we cannot notify Starfleet of what's happening here, either to request reinforcements, seek information, or simply warn the rest of the Federation.” Turning away smartly, he resumed his stride toward the shuttlebay. Additionally, with communications blocked we cannot notify Starfleet of what's happening here, either to request reinforcements, seek information, or simply warn the rest of the Federation.” Turning away smartly, he resumed his stride toward the shuttlebay.
”So I'm creating an opportunity to get an away team on that drill and disable it. I hope you're right about this Nero wanting to extract information from me. I pray that he tries. While he's preoccupied with me, it is to be hoped he'll keep his word at least that long and will leave the Enterprise Enterprise alone. Every moment of time I can buy while I'm engaging his attention on his s.h.i.+p is another minute that can be utilized to restore our defensive capabilities and rebuild our fighting potential. Not to mention tending to the wounded and rea.s.signing personnel.” alone. Every moment of time I can buy while I'm engaging his attention on his s.h.i.+p is another minute that can be utilized to restore our defensive capabilities and rebuild our fighting potential. Not to mention tending to the wounded and rea.s.signing personnel.”
Kirk heard everything the captain said, but a part of him had been brought to a halt by what Pike had mentioned earlier.
”Excuse me, sir-I'm not sure I heard you right. Did you say onto onto the drill? Meaning what?” the drill? Meaning what?”
Pike turned down the last corridor leading to the shuttlebay. ”Meaning you, Mister Sulu-who has advanced combat training-and Chief Engineer Olson will do a s.p.a.ce-jump from the shuttle onto the drill, get inside, disable it, and as soon as communications and transporter capability is restored, beam back to the Enterprise. Enterprise. I'll get you as close as I can but I can't descend too far toward atmosphere without running the risk of that kind of detour making someone on the Romulan vessel suspicious. And obviously you can't use personal transport pods or any other kind of powered drop gear because they'll be watching my shuttle and would likely pick up the engine signatures. But a trio of driveless free-falling humans ought to go undetected.” I'll get you as close as I can but I can't descend too far toward atmosphere without running the risk of that kind of detour making someone on the Romulan vessel suspicious. And obviously you can't use personal transport pods or any other kind of powered drop gear because they'll be watching my shuttle and would likely pick up the engine signatures. But a trio of driveless free-falling humans ought to go undetected.”
Kirk carefully considered the scenario his captain had laid out. ”Ohh-kaaayy...”
He and Sulu exchanged a meaningful look. It was the first time they had done so. Though they had not been formally introduced to each other previously, preparing to embark on a joint suicide mission has a way of forging bonds between the partic.i.p.ants on the spot.
Pike turned his attention to his science officer. ”Mister Spock, I'm leaving you in command of the s.h.i.+p. Once transporter capability and communications have been restored, reach out to Starfleet and tell them what the h.e.l.l's happening here.”
One eyebrow arched as Spock regarded his superior. ”What is is happening here, Captain? Beyond the obvious fact that serious hostilities have occurred between Federation forces and a most peculiar representative of Romulus.” happening here, Captain? Beyond the obvious fact that serious hostilities have occurred between Federation forces and a most peculiar representative of Romulus.”
”Something you've only precious few minutes to figure out, Commander. If all else fails, fall back and rendezvous with the rest of the fleet in the Laurentian system.” He turned to his left. ”Kirk, I'm promoting you to first officer.”
Kirk gaped at him. ”Excuse me, sir, but-what?”