Black Fire (5 page)

Heading straight for the computer, Spock snapped a tape into its console. The communications board came to life, signaling the starbase flight-control center. Spock activated the tape's audio mechanism and addressed the control-center personnel.

"U.S.S.
Raven:
Standard launch check. Limited flight. Clearance requested."

"State authorization," droned the response.

"Commander Festus Parker, chief engineer. Safety-systems check. Authorization: standard procedure."

"Permission granted—limited-duration flight. Please inform base of ship's status upon return."

"Orders received and understood. Parker out."

Spock nodded and Scott punched in the launch sequence. Once cleared, Spock modified access to the navigational computer bank so that they couldn't be tracked. They were in deep space before anyone at the base realized there was anything irregular.

Scott had his hands full running the ship alone during the long voyage, while on the
Raven
's limited computer Spock tediously searched for the most likely of the solar systems in the sector indicated on the rough star map Spock had found in Yeoman Tomari's quarters.

As they neared the area, he focused on those with planets which could sustain life. Of the ten stars in the sector, only one had a planet which was at all habitable, so they set a course for the fourth planet of a small, bright sun.

They touched down on a flat plain below a ridge of hills in a desert area of the small planet they designated as "Quest." With the marginal equipment on board the
Raven
, Spock was unable to determine whether any sapient life forms existed on the planet. It was just barely habitable, with the oxygen level merely adequate. The only region that could properly sustain life appeared to be at the northern pole, where they had landed, since the remainder of the small world was extremely hot. Spock assumed that since Yeoman Isabel Tomari appeared human, the life form they were searching for was of humanoid appearance, or had the ability to appear human.

After utilizing the sensors and other scanning equipment on board to check for any menace that was detectable, they cautiously disembarked.

They scrambled up the rock face of a small hill, Spock following Scott with difficulty, masking his pain with ever-increasing effort. Scott extended a hand to Spock to help him up to the crest of the hill, and Spock gratefully accepted. The engineer had silently agreed not to press Spock about his physical condition, but was continually aware of his companion's problem and assisted Spock whenever he could without making it seem too apparent.

As far as they could see, the barren landscape stretched interminably without a sign of life. Its rolling hills were tinted by an orange sun, giving the landscape the look of perpetual sunset. Vegetation was scarce, with predominantly yellow bushlike growth scattered on the lower slopes of the hills. There was no safe cover should any be needed, and the two officers were uncomfortably aware of their vulnerability without a security escort or portable tricorders.

They returned to the ship discouraged. The planet seemed completely without evidence of intelligent life. Behind them, another group of low hills obscured the remaining landscape. Both men were approaching these hills, hoping to find more promising terrain on the other side, when a phaser blast shot past Spock.

"You will remain very still, with your hands in sight and away from your weapons," came the woman's voice from behind the rocks. "Don't turn around. Just stay as you are," the voice continued. Spock could hear three distinct sets of footsteps approach; a hand from behind reached for his phaser. Scott was also relieved of his weapon.

"Turn around now."

Both turned to face their captors and stood in mute surprise as three Romulan officers smiled with satisfaction at their prisoners.

It was the woman who caught Spock's attention. Taller than the average Romulan, she stood straight and confident. Her dark hair was tied back efficiently, giving her chiseled features prominence. While Spock was rarely susceptible to female beauty, Commander Julina's radiance elicited aesthetic appreciation.

"I should have known the Federation would be involved," she announced angrily.

Scott started to protest, but she would hear no explanation. "Two Federation captives will be a worthy prize to display when we return. Prisoners are not ordinarily taken by Romulans, but you are an exception." The Romulan commander moved off to confer with her officers.

The Federation prisoners were taken to the Romulan scout ship which was secreted in a nearby gully and detained in a small storage area. The quarters were cramped and uncomfortable. Scott explored every inch of their prison, but could find no way of escaping. "Looks like we're in for a long ride in close quarters, Mister Spock."

But Spock was not listening to his companion; he was concentrating on the voices of their Romulan captors and obtaining much illuminating information. Spock leaned against the bulkhead, putting his hands to his throbbing back and trying to stretch. He caught his breath as a burst of sharp pain shot from his back down his right leg.

"Are ye all right?" Scott asked, becoming increasingly concerned.

In his usual manner, the first officer denied his discomfort, and when the pain lessened, Spock quietly addressed Scott.

"It seems that the Romulans also suffered an act of sabotage much like our own on board the
Enterprise
. Now they believe, since they have found us here, that we are the culprits. They were led here by a map similar to the one I discovered. It seems our adversary did not attack the Federation exclusively. That widens the scope of our problem greatly."

"We'll have ta tell them we're searchin' for a common enemy."

"We are in no position to tell them anything at this moment, Mister Scott. I doubt if they would accept our word, even if we do explain what we are doing on this planet. Obviously we were led here, but why, and by whom? The Romulans think we were responsible for the sabotage of one of their installations and that they were led here for some foul purpose. If they take us to Romulus, we will be in a very grave position."

"Aye, Mister Spock, and we've no way o' gettin' any help."

Spock lapsed into silence and Scott leaned back helplessly.

They sat in silence for some time before the sound of an explosion near the ship snapped them both to attention. Another explosion, much closer this time, rocked the Romulan ship violently. Spock could hear the commander shouting orders to her crew as they prepared to defend themselves. The sound of a disrupter from the Romulan ship was cut short as they were jolted with a blast close to the storage section.

"You are surrounded!" shouted a deep voice from outside the ship. "Surrender. It is hopeless for you to continue to resist."

Spock could hear the commander in tense conference with her officers.

"We have no self-destruct mechanism on this ship. We have no alternative. We cannot destroy ourselves and the ship… ."

Then a deafening explosion ripped the ship's hatch completely off, cutting off the commander's words.

Scott and Spock, imprisoned and completely helpless, realized that all they could do was await their discovery by the newcomers.

"Will we be rescued, or prisoners of another bunch?"

Spock answered with typical rational calm. "We will soon find out."

Scott helped Spock to his feet as the door to their chamber banged open. The officers exchanged glances, Spock with raised eyebrow and Scott with alarm.

Facing them were two Klingons.

"Out!" ordered the now-familiar deep voice. "What is this? Federation representatives? Hiding? Did you think the Klingon Empire could be attacked? Did you think the combined force of the Romulan Empire and the Federation could destroy us? We are not so easily defeated!"

The Romulan commander protested. "We didn't attack your empire. There is no alliance with the Federation. These men are our prisoners, not our allies."

"A good attempt, Commander. But we will not be duped. An obvious ploy to catch us unaware." The Klingon motioned for all to leave the ship. "We will have a great deal of time to get the truth from you when we return to my ship."

"Mister Spock," Scott whispered. "Tell them we're not involved in any attack upon anyone. They'll believe you."

Overhearing Scott, the Klingon turned to Spock, eyes narrowing. "So you are the famous Commander Spock from the
Enterprise
. Your reputation precedes you. You are a particularly rich prize."

Spock spoke calmly. "If my reputation precedes me, then you must know of my integrity. On my Vulcan honor, the Federation had nothing to do with the attacks on either of your empires. We, in fact, were attacked much as you were. I would assume you also have a map much like the one I carry."

Spock reached into his utility belt; the Klingons raised their disrupters.

"I assure you, I have no weapon. I am retrieving a piece of paper which will help us settle our differences. I believe the commander," Spock indicated the Romulan woman standing beside him, "also has a map which led her here. It would be most interesting to compare all of the maps. I believe we have a common foe. Why we were led here and for what purpose still remains a mystery. But that we were definitely enticed here by a very clever adversary seems certain."

The Klingon took the map from Spock and the Romulan commander produced another one. The Klingon compared his map, passing all three to Spock and the Romulan.

"You might be correct, Vulcan. We might very well have been tricked into coming here. I don't like this. Who …?"

"That is still to be determined," Spock answered. "But, since it appears we have a common enemy, it would be in our best interest, under the circumstances, to put aside our differences."

The Klingons grumbled at the suggestion. The Romulans, more inclined to logic, accepted the situation more easily.

"A truce, then," the Klingon commander barked.

"Agreed," Spock answered quickly.

They held a conference in the clearing beside the Klingon ship. Both the Klingon and Romulan contingents had come to this planet in small scout ships, in the same class as the one Spock and Scott had appropriated. Neither ship was equipped with a transporter or sophisticated sensors. It seemed the other groups had no more felt the venture worthy of a serious well-equipped probe than the Federation had.

The three Romulans, the trio of Klingons, and the Vulcan and Terran, who represented the Federation, sat around a table erected on the desert floor. Spock's logic and ability to maintain dispassionate objectivity made him the natural choice as leader.

"It would be much easier to work together if we formally introduce ourselves. If we think of one another as individuals with a common problem, we may more effectively transcend our past differences."

Scott was impressed by Spock's understanding of the psychological and sociological aspects of an alliance of such long-term adversaries. The Vulcan was not known for his sensitivity to the intricacies of interpersonal relationships.

"I am Commander Spock, first officer of the U.S.S.
Enterprise
, from the planet Vulcan. My companion is Lieutenant Commander Scott, chief engineer, a Terran."

To Spock's right, the Romulan commander took her turn. "Commander Julina of the Romulan flagship
Bird of Prey
; my planet of origin Relus, in the system of Romulus."

Her officers followed. "Sub-commander Placus,
Bird of Prey
, from Romulus." "Delus, weapons officer,
Bird of Prey
, from Romulus."

The Klingon commander introduced himself in a characteristic snarl. "Commander Klee, the Klingon vessel,
Force
." He introduced his crew. "To my right, my first officer, Lieutenant Commander Melek. My other officer, Lieutenant Kasus. All originate from the planet Klingon. Now that we have identified ourselves, I suggest we try to find out what we are doing here."

"May I propose a possibility?" Spock asked. All nodded assent.

"I suggest we are dealing with an adversary who is testing our strength and possibly our ingenuity. What is alarming is that we were
all
attacked. I cannot imagine a force large or strong enough to handle all of our three combined military strengths simultaneously—unless they had intended to let us think their acts of sabotage were perpetrated by our known enemies to set us at each other's throats."

"If we hadn't met here, the Klingon Empire might very well have blamed the Federation," Klee agreed.

"The Romulan Empire would also have blamed the Federation," Julina added.

"But," Spock interrupted, "we did meet, on this planet, where we were all led. I do not think …"

From behind the hills surrounding the new allies, a voice boomed from some sort of amplifier.

"Drop your weapons to the ground! You will all remain perfectly still. Do not attempt to escape. We have no desire to kill you."

A Klingon, Lt. Kasus, reached for his disrupter and spun quickly around, shooting as he turned. A phaserlike blast hit him squarely as he fired and he disappeared in a flash of light and color.

"It is useless to resist. Follow my orders exactly!"

The Federation representatives had been previously disarmed by the Romulans, so both Spock and Scott stood by helplessly while the Romulans and Klingons threw their weapons onto the desert floor with angry resignation.

"Now, place your hands behind your backs," ordered the disembodied voice from behind the hill. Spock suddenly found his hands bound behind him with a force he was unable to resist. He saw no visible restraints on the others when they, too, appeared to have their hands held behind them with an invisible bond.

"If this is a sample of their technology and power, I may have underestimated our enemy," Spock observed.

"Aye," Scott agreed. "We're in a sorry predicament now!"

From all sides, small, stocky men approached their captives. Spock raised an eyebrow of interest when he got a clear look at his captors. They were fair skinned and covered by a thick coat of very fair hair which became heavier around their faces, giving the appearance of a full beard. They were wearing animal skins, draped in primitive fashion over one shoulder and over their hips. They were armed with clubs and spears.