Read The Rings of Tautee Online

Authors: Dean Wesley Smith,Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Tags: #Fiction, #General, #Space Opera, #Science Fiction, #Media Tie-In, #Kirk; James T. (Fictitious character), #Interplanetary voyages, #American fiction

The Rings of Tautee (6 page)

BOOK: The Rings of Tautee
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Then, when the Federation ships had the weapon, he would take it from them.

KerDaq would have the Federation weapon. He 57 Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch would personally take the weapon to the High Council. Then he would be a hero.

"Commander," KjaHave, his science officer, said, his voice rumbling through the silence, "we are still unable to pinpoint the origin of the subspace waves."

KerDaq swung around in his high-backed command chair and glared at his science officer.

"What can be so hard?"

"Sir, our position does not allow us a good reading. If we could move . . ."

"We will not move," KerDaq said. He spoke firmly. "Find the center, for at that center is the Federation superweapon."

"Yes, sir," KjaHave said, snapping his heels smartly on the fioor. He turned back to his panel.

KerDaq nodded and swung back to face the main screen, which showed the two Federation ships and the destroyed system beyond. He tugged at the edge of his gloves, making certain their steel points rested across his knuckles. His science officer knew when to back down and when to fight. That was the sign of a good warrior. He would have to keep a sharp eye on him.

"Sir," Communications Officer KenIqu said.

"The Enterprise hails us."

"On screen," KerDaq said loudly. Then to himself he added, "Let us see what kind of treachery they are up to now."

Kirk's sneering face filled the screen.

KerDaq growled to himself. This Kirk was quickly becoming one of the most hated and feared 58 THE RINGS OF TAUTEE officers in the Federation. KerDaq could see no reason for the fear at the moment. Kirk had no more strength than any other Federation weak-ling.

"Commander," Kirk said, nodding slightly.

At least, KerDaq thought, the man knows how to show respect.

"We're going into the debris fields in the sys-tem," Kirk said. "We think we may have found survivors there. We're going to attempt a rescue of them. And[*thorn]" He paused for obvious dramatic effect. "[*thorngg'we could use your help."

Kirk's words so surprised KerDaq that he laughed, a full belly laugh as if a warrior had just told a humorous story over a strong drink.

Kirk's ugly human eyes narrowed. "What is so funny, KerDaq?" he asked.

KerDaq leaned forward so that Kirk could see his insignias, the badges of his house and his honor.

This Kirk thought him an idiot, easily tricked.

KerDaq would prove that wrong immediately.

"You cannot fool us with your rescue ploy. You are going in to retrieve your weapon."

This time it was Kirk's turn to look shocked. KerDaq knew he had caught him in a lie.

Human captains hid their emotions, unsuccessfully, but valiantly. This wide-eyed shock, this obvio us reaction, was part of the trick, inexpertly done.

Kirk shook his head. "I told you, KerDaq, we don't have a weapon. But we have received a distress call, and we will not ignore it. We're going in. We would like you to come with us."

Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch "You have another ship," KerDaq said. "You do not need us."

"We don't know how many survivors there are," Kirk said. "The more ships we have, the more space we have to beam survivors aboard."

"You are quite inventive," KerDaq said. "But we have done our own scans of your waves. Any ship that ventures into that system would be destroyed. Unless, of course, it understood the weapon, and had a way to shield itself from the weapon's effect."

"We don't have any special shield," Kirk said. "But we do have a plan.

If[*thorn]" "Enough, Kirk." KerDaq swept his arm in the general direction of the ruined system. "Do as you please. But we will be watching and waiting. Do not think you can leave this area with that weapon."

KerDaq pounded the button on his chair and cut Kirk's answer off. There was no use listening to any more lies. He would not let Kirk lead one single Klingon warrior to his death. He would watch where Kirk went, shielded, into the center of the destruction.

And he would watch Kirk remove his weapon.

He would let Kirk's actions prove his guilt.

"Commander," KenIqu said, "the Enterprise is moving."

KerDaq nodded. "Inform the QuaQa that we will be following the Enterprise. The other two ships are to remain close to the second Federation vessel."

"Yes, sir," KenIqu said.

THE RINGS OF TAUTEE "Subspace wave approaching," KobtaHave said.

KerDaq sat back, smiling, holding on to his chair while he watched the Enterprise move slowly off.

Soon the great Captain Kirk would be caught and disgraced. And the weapon that could do this destruction would be where it belonged in the hands of the Empire.

Chapter Nine THE ENTERPRISE BROKE AWAY from the Farragut and flew above the plane of the solar system, staying a safe distance from the remains of the planets. The bridge crew's expressions were tight, focused. They knew there was a high risk in this rescue operation, especially since there might not be anyone left to rescue.

They were willing to take the chance. They trusted Kirk. They always had.

And he trusted them as well.

"Full shields," he said. "Keep her steady, Mr. Sulu."

"Aye, sir." Sulu's gaze was focused on the screen.

"Captain," Chekov said. "Two Klingon ships are following us." He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes wide with surprise and tension.

THE RINGS OF TAUTEE Kirk smiled. So, KerDaq had decided to tag along after all. He wouldn't come down into the debris fields, but he would stand watch. Well, as far as Kirk was concerned they could watch all they want. There was no superweapon, and he doubted the Federation would ever work on one.

"Captain?" Chekov's accent got thicker when he grew nervous.

"Monitor them, Ensign," Kirk said.

"But Captain[*thorn]" "Monitor them," Kirk said, his smile growing.

KerDaq knew how to get through those waves as much as they did. Perhaps he was worried that in saving the survivors, Kirk would discover the Klingon's weapon. Always, Kirk had learned, always listen to your enemies" professed fears, because often they were talking about what they would do[*thorngg'or what they had done[*thorngg'themvs.

Chekov was sputtering. He bent over his console.

"Oh, and Ensign," Kirk said, enjoying Chekov's consternation a bit more than he should, "put the ship on yellow alert. Shields up and extra power to the forward shield. I want the crew to be prepared for anything."

"Aye, sir!" Chekov said with such relieved fervor that Kirk had to stifle a laugh.

"Entering the debris field of the remains of the fifth planet," Sulu said.

Kirk gripped the arms of his chair, even though the ship hit no bumps. "Keep her steady, Sulu," Kirk said.

Huge asteroids drifted past the screen. Between

Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch the huge chunks of what was left of the fifth planet were millions of tiny rocks and dust. They bounced off the shields like stones skipping over water. Kirk wasn't bothered much by the small ones at this speed. The fear was running into one too large for the shields to deflect.

Sulu didn't answer. He was obviously concentrating on keeping the ship on a course through the large rocks.

"Dead ahead," Spock said.

"Full stop," Kirk said. The huge asteroid looked barren from this distance. Kirk couldn't believe life could have survived there.

"I believe we will need to move closer if we are going to attempt the rescue," Spock said.

Kirk hated it when Spock used the word "attempt." He was so precise that he meant each word he said. Words like "attempt" meant Spock had doubts as to whether or not the project would succeed.

Kirk pushed himself out of the captain's chair.

No sense hesitating.

Or dwelling on the word "attempt."

They would succeed or die trying.

"Mister Sulu," Kirk said. "Take us in as close as you can to that hunk of rock."

"Aye, sir." Sulu looked somber as he punched in the coordinates. He would manually maneuver the close-in work. It was too sensitive for the computers.

In times like this Kirk sometimes ached to pilot the ship himself. But Sulu was one of the best. Sulu would bring them in safely.

64 THE RINGS OF TAUTEE "Mister Sulu," Spock said, "we face our first subspace wave in the debris field. It shall arrive in one minute. I have fed a course into your computer. On my mark, follow that course at one-tenth impulse for exactly three seconds."

"Course laid in and waiting for your command, Mister Spock," Sulu said.

Kirk glanced at Spock, who had his face buried in his viewfinder. He had trusted his life to Spock more times than he could remember. This time he was trusting the entire ship to him. One slip and the subspace wave would shake them apart, or slam them into a huge piece of the planet.

"Captain," Uhura said, "the distress signal is coming from inside the asteroid."

"Magnify screen, Mister Chekov."

A gray, jagged-surfaced rock filled the screen, slowly rotating to the right.

"Fifteen seconds until my mark, Mister Sulu," Spock said.

Kirk turned to IJ-HURA. "Can you get an exact fix on the location, Lieutenant?"

"It's too deep underground, sir." She swiveled toward him, her brow furrowed, almost as if she didn't believe the readings. "At least a kilometer deep."

Kirk punched his comm button to engineering. "Scotty," he said, "can you rig the transporters to work through a kilometer of rock?"' "I wouldn't want to beam in there," Scotty said, his voice sounding far away. "But if it's the survivors you'll be trying to beam out, we can do it.

If I can get a fix on them, that is."

Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch "Now, Mister Sulu!" Spock said.

The Enterprise surged forward, leaving the jag-ged hunk of rock behind.

Then the subspace wave hit.

Far worse than before.

The ship bumped and rocked like a boat on a stormy ocean. Kirk gripped his chair, but that didn't steady him. His body bumped in and out of the chair as if it were a malfunctioning ejection seat.

Sulu braced his feet against the console in front of him, but kept himself in place. Chekov bounced out of his chair. Spock tumbled backward, caught himself, but was unable to stand.

Giant hunks of the destroyed planet flashed past the screen, and the shield howled and grew red with the impacts of small rocks and dust.

Then the wave had passed.

Spock stood, dusted himself off, and returned to the science station as if nothing had happened. Chekov shook his head once as if he were clearing it, then climbed back into his chair.

"Mister Sulu," Kirk said, "get us back to that asteroid."

"Aye, sir."

The Enterprise wove her way through a maze of rocks. The light vibrating continued from the pounding of rocks against the shield.

"How are our friends the Klingons, Mister Chekov?"

"The fleas are still with us, sir. But they are staying safely above the debris field."

THE RINGS OF TAUTEE Kirk nodded. The Enterprise continued to wind her way through the debris cloud. The movement didn't take very long, but it felt like forever.

Finally the huge asteroid filled the screen again. The asteroid was vaguely triangular, with large chunks of rock hanging off its side like knives.

"Captain," Spock said, "we are now close enough that I have been able to get more precise readings from the asteroid. It was a part of the fifth planet's moon, and is now the largest remaining chunk of that moon. There is some sort of base a kilometer underground. Most of the base has been destroyed. But the signal does originate from there."

"Survivors, Spock?" Kirk asked. He could suddenly feel his heart pounding against his chest.

So far they had been acting under supposition. Now they might be able to get confirmation.

"I have very faint readings, Captain," Spock said. "There seem to be ninety-two separate life signs, all clustered in the same general area."

"Send the information to the transporter room."

Kirk punched the comm button so hard that he bent his index finger backward. "Scatty, there are people inside that asteroid. Get them out of there."

"Aye, sir!"

"Kirk to sickbay. McCoy, we have survivors beaming aboard. I would imagine many are injured."

McCoy's voice came back strong.

"Understood." 67 Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch "Mister Sulu," Spock said, "we shall encounter another wave in one minute and forty-six seconds. I have sent new coordina tes to your screen. On my mark, follow that course at one-ninth impulse."

"Course laid in, Mister Spock."

"Come on, Scotty," Kirk said to himself.

He'd rather not ride another subspace wave through this debris field.

"Captain," Spock said, keeping his face buried in the viewfinder. His voice rose with fascination. "Owing to our new location, I have finally located the source of the subspace waves. They originate from what appears to be a rift in space in the area where the ninth planet used to be."

"A rift?" Kirk asked. The Klingons had a weapon strong enough to create a rift in space?

How was that possible?

Kirk punched the comm button. "Scotty.

How's it going?"

"One minute, Mister Sulu," Spock said.

"We're getting them, sir," Scotty's voice replied.

Kirk sat staring at the huge chunk of a moon filling the screen. Hard to believe it had saved ninety lives by staying together. Sometimes the universe did strange things.

Spock held up his hand. "Five seconds, Mister Sulu."

"Scotty!" Kirk barked into the comm. "Are you finished?"

"No, sir. Beaming ninety-two people through a kilometer of rock is precision work. If I[*thorn]" "Then we'll come back for the rest," Kirk said.

THE RINGS OF TAUTEE "Now, Mister Sulu." Spock's arm went down as he spoke as if were starting a race.

And again the Enterprise flashed away from the asteroid, riding the crest of the subspace wave like a surfer headed for the beach.

A very rocky beach that Kirk hoped they'd never hit.

BOOK: The Rings of Tautee
6.51Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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