The Trellisane Confrontation Read online

  "Mr. Scott," the first officer was saying, his calm, Vulcan face and even tone giving no hint of the tension he felt, "you seem to be unaware of the dangerous nature of the prisoners we have onboard. I'm sure the captain feels he has good reasons for proceeding to Trellisane immediately, but I also believe he is mistaken in not being more concerned with getting these prisoners to a safer place of detention, such as a starbase, or preferably Star Fleet Headquarters."

  Scott snorted. "That bunch? Three spindly men, two women, and a ball of flesh. The Enterprise can handle them!"

  "Appearances and your prejudices have deceived you, Mr. Scott. One of the Earthmen is Hander Morl, a brilliant organizer and rabble rouser. The other two are his bodyguards, and although you may consider them unprepossessing, they are both members of the ancient cult of Assassins, able to kill quickly with every weapon known to civilization or with no weapons at all. The two women are the products of a warrior rite on Nactern and in their own way just as dangerous as the two Assassins. And as for the ball of flesh—well, perhaps you'd best tell Mr. Scott what you saw on Trefolg, Doctor."

  Scott turned to McCoy, who grimaced and said, "One of the most smashed-up human bodies I've ever seen. Squashed flat by that creature, the Onctiliian. And apparently it happened before the victim could even get his weapon out."

  Scott's confidence had been noticeably shaken. "It looks so harmless," he muttered. "Almost like a pet."

  "I would advise against stroking it," the First Officer remarked mildly, causing the other two to wonder if this was a rare case of Vulcan humor or a sober caution. "The Onctiliian consists of four separate creatures, but they are physically bonded for life. The Onctiliians are unique in the known Galaxy for their, ah, tetrasexual method of reproduction. However, the bonding serves other purposes, as well. In particular, it creates beings who have four distinct personalities residing in them but are still roughly four times as strong and as fast as a single Onctiliian. The four can pool their intelligence to a degree when necessary, and they will react with utmost speed and violence to any threat to their physical integrity. If one of them dies, all die: once the bonding has been completed, there is no way back for them. Instead of making the group creature more cautious, more timid, as one might expect it to, the opposite seems to be the case. An Onctiliian group creature attacks any threat ferociously, but also very intelligently, hoping to disarm and destroy it before the Onctiliian itself comes to harm."

  Scott shook his head, his expression one of distress. "Och," was all he said.

  Kirk strode briskly into the room. "I'm sure you're right, Mr. Scott. First, I want all of you to listen to this." He drew from his pocket the small recording disk he had earlier given to Uhura and slid it into the small combination console on the center of the table. "Computer, play that back."

  A voice filled the room. "To the United Federation of Planets, or any associated planet or colony that receives this broadcast. Greetings from Trellisane." The weakness of the voice indicated a speaker of advanced age, but the four men had the impression of a mind that was both strong and wise. They listened quietly, intrigued. "We are not accustomed to asking for help from others, and we are reluctant to do so now. However, we believe the threat to Trellisane is great, and the source of that threat will surely be of concern to you as well." At that moment, the voice faded away, replaced by a wash of subspace noise, whispers of dying stars and interstellar dust. Through it, they caught only fragments. "… growing power of Sealon … definite signs of Klingon influence … military vessel to help us …" After that, the message faded entirely, and only the ancient noises of space could be heard.

  "That's enough, computer," Kirk said softly, and the noise died away. The room was silent. Kirk broke the silence. "Both Governor Kepac on Trefolg and I interpret that to mean that Trellisane is being threatened by their neighboring world, Sealon, and that the Klingons are behind it. That makes it of concern to the Federation. Furthermore, I consider the last fragment to mean that they request help from us in the form of a military vessel. The Enterprise is the only ship in a position to get to Trellisane in a reasonable amount of time."

  Scott, concerned more by the technical aspect of the problem than anything else, asked the room at large, "Now, why didn't they keep repeating the message? That way, we might have eventually put together the whole thing."

  "Perhaps they couldn't," McCoy said. "Jim, we can't do anything against the Klingons anyway, because of the Organian Treaty."

  "It's not a matter of us against the Klingons, Bones. The whole situation is a very complicated one. Computer, display a map of the Romulan and Klingon Empires and the Federation exploration territory, designating the stellar system containing Trellisane. Look at this, gentlemen."

  The wall before them was converted into the requested map, a map whose general outlines were as familiar to all of them as the corridors of the Enterprise. In the center of the map, which represented the Galaxy as if it were two-dimensional and they were looking down at it from above, was the circular area which constituted the treaty exploration territory given over to the United Federation of Planets. Far smaller, to Galactic east along the Perseus and Orion arms of the Galaxy, stretched the Romulan Empire, separated from the Federation territory by the shaded Neutral Zone. To the west, its boundaries denoted as indefinite, lay the Klingon Empire, larger than the Romulan territory but still smaller than the Federation, at least as far as the computer knew. The barrier between Klingon Empire and Federation was titled ORGANIAN TREATY ZONE. Kirk, for one, was oppressed as always by what the map made so obvious: the Federation was considerably larger than either of its two great antagonists now, but the only direction available to it for expansion was toward the Galaxy's center, a most unpromising direction, while both the Romulans and the Klingons could swell outward along the Galaxy's spiral arms until they met a power great enough to stop them. The Irapina might do that job with the Romulans, and before too many more centuries had passed, but there was no reason to think the Klingons would be limited at all. They might yet become the Galaxy's dominant power, and despite the Organians' prediction of a future alliance between Klingon Empire and Federation, Kirk was often pessimistic about the Federation's distant future.

  Near the limits of the map, in a fuzzy area where the Romulan Neutral Zone, the Organian Treaty Zone, and the Federation Treaty Exploration Territory itself all merged, a tiny red light winked. "That," Kirk said, pointing at the light, "is the location of Trellisane. To say it's in a sensitive region would be an understatement. Trellisane has had occasional contacts with the Federation, primarily in the form of trading vessels from some of the outpost colonies along the Romulan Neutral Zone. They have also independently invented subspace radio and have had some spotty communication with Federation planets that way. Currently, the conditions are very unfavorable for subspace communication in that sector, and so no one has heard much from them for a few years. When last heard from, the Trellisanians were on the verge of exploring their own stellar system in ships driven by impulse engines. Obviously, they are a gifted and inventive people, and the Federation would be glad to have them as soon as they qualify for membership. Also obviously, both the Romulans and the Klingons could be expected to object violently to that as an intrusion by the Federation into the treaty zones. Trading vessels are one thing, permitted by both treaties, but actual membership would be another."

  "I'd like to see either of them stop us," Scotty said hotly. "If those people want to join us, of their own free will, no one can object."

  "There is a complication," Kirk said mildly. "Mr. Spock, perhaps you'd like to explain the complication."

  "Certainly, Captain. I believe, Mr. Scott, that there is another habitable world in the same stellar system as Trellisane. That is Sealon, to which the subspace message we just heard must have been referring. Sealon is further from the primary it shares with Trellisane, larger, cooler, and almost covered with water. The only known intelligent species on Sealon is an aquatic
mammal, large, strong, and primitive. It is also quite barbaric and warlike. These animals have reached a stage of aquaculture of plants and animals along the world's few continental shelves, and have rude settlements in the shallow water—the beginnings of city states. There is a perpetual string of raids and small wars between these settlements, with much killing and plundering of the lower animals and plants the Sealons cultivate. I would say that you humans should find them far more compatible than you will the Trellisanians, who are said to be quite civilized and peaceful."

  "Thank you, Mr. Spock," Kirk said hastily. "Any questions?"

  "Just one," McCoy drawled. "Why do we need any computers on this ship when we have Spock?"

  Spock opened his mouth for a quick reply, but Kirk spoke first, firmly and loudly. "To return to the matter at hand, gentlemen. If the message from Trellisane does indeed mean that the Klingons have visited Sealon and are arming the natives, or in any way trying to absorb that world and extend themselves in that direction, then we cannot remain aloof. Even if the Sealons are willing recruits, the expansion of the Klingon Empire into that star system threatens Trellisane, and we can't simply ignore that."

  "It's the same thing all over again, then, isn't it?" McCoy burst out. "War again, ships lost, men crippled. We're just starting all over again. What the Organians tried to do to stop us—it doesn't matter, after all. We and the Klingons are finding a way around it."

  "Bones, perhaps the Organians shouldn't have interfered," Kirk said gently. "If we and the Klingons do manage to come to terms some day, we'll do it on our own accord, and not because some outside force has made us do it. Right now, however, we have an immediate problem. I'm sure you wouldn't want us to let them conquer a peaceful, progressive people like the Trellisanians while we sat back and did nothing to stop them. I'm also sure Star Fleet Command will agree with me, when it finally gets around to making up its mind and sending me new orders."

  McCoy sighed and slumped down in his chair. "Yeah, I suppose so. I'm sorry, Jim. It's just that I'd like, some day, to be able to look forward to a career of just fixing up minor injuries from shipboard accidents. Phaser burns and explosion wounds are so messy and unpleasant."

  Kirk said to the room at large, "I'd like to think that what I'm doing will help make your wish come true sooner."

  Chapter Three

  Captain's Log: Stardate 7526.4

  The Enterprise is in orbit about Trellisane. I have spoken to Veedron, a member of one of Trellisane's many gemots, or ruling councils. Veedron's is the voice in the message recorded on Trefolg. He has promised to explain to me how their system of government works, but his more immediate concern is the threat to Trellisane. I am scheduled to beam down and speak to him about it shortly.

  Kirk hesitated for only a moment before adding, "Since Star Fleet Command has not yet responded to my message, I am proceeding on my own initiative in this matter."

  Perhaps such malice was ill-advised. Upper-echelon resentment could kill a career quickly, no matter how illustrious an officer's accomplishments. There would still be time, however, before the contents of the log were transferred to Star Fleet central records, for Kirk to "correct" its contents.

  He thumbed the communicator button on the arm of his chair and said briskly, "Security Section Chief."

  A moment later, the reply came. "Kinitz here, Captain." The calm, confident voice, radiating strength and efficiency, gave a true image of the man.

  "What's the status of the prisoners from Trefolg, Mr. Kinitz?"

  "All secure, Captain." A faint tone of puzzlement. Prisoners under Kinitz's control were always well secured, so why was Kirk bothering him?

  "Thank you, Mr. Kinitz. Carry on."

  At that moment, Sulu said, "Captain! Vessel approaching from dead ahead. Collision course."

  Kirk's response was swift and virtually automatic. "Full power to screens. Lieutenant Uhura?"

  There was a short pause while Uhura tried to contact the other ship. "No response on any frequency, Captain."

  The other ship loomed on the screen that covered the wall facing Kirk. While Uhura had tried and failed to contact it, the ship had grown from a negligible, moving dot among the stars to an onrushing juggernaut that filled the screen, blanking out both the stars and the curve of Trellisane's horizon. There was no time for evasive maneuvers. Instinctively, Kirk clutched the arms of his chair. The design of the attacker was familiar: a Klingon warship, even though its hull lacked any markings.

  The attacking ship veered off at the last moment, and sighs of relief filled the Enterprise's bridge. "Mr. Sulu, arm main phaser banks. Spock. Klingons, trying to warn us off?"

  "So it would appear, Captain," the Vulcan said thoughtfully, "although there are subtle differences in the design that suggest otherwise. If it is a Klingon ship—"

  "Captain!" Sulu broke in. "Here it comes again! Should I fire?"

  "Calmly, Mr. Sulu. Only if I give the word." Kirk had completed for himself Spock's unfinished sentence: "If it is a Klingon ship, then they cannot truly attack without violating the Organian Treaty." But then, Kirk thought, there's never an Organian around when you need one. He watched the screen tensely. Once again the other ship grew from a small point to a screen-filling monster, and once again it veered off in time.

  When the ship appeared ahead of the Enterprise for the third time, instinct told Kirk that this would be it. The Federation ship had not changed course, had given no evidence that it intended to leave Trellisane. If the attacker's purpose had been to frighten the Enterprise into leaving, then they must know by now that they hadn't succeeded. They still hadn't responded to Uhura's attempts to communicate. They were almost surely planning to attack on this pass.

  Instinct was right. This time the attacker did not rush headlong at the Enterprise. Instead, it established orbital station keeping near the limits of phaser range, did nothing for a moment, and then fired its phasers at the Enterprise. The jolt to the ship was less than Kirk had expected. Malfunction in the enemy's weapon? A warning shot? That was the enemy commander's problem, not his. "Mr. Sulu, fire main phaser banks."

  "Aye, Captain."

  Kirk prepared himself mentally for a long and hard-fought battle. He could only hope that no civilian areas on the planet below were damaged by badly aimed shots. The twin beams of the main phasers shot across the screen and met at the distant object that was their attacker. A flash of light, a soundless explosion, and the other ship had disappeared. There was a stunned silence on the bridge and a bad taste in Kirk's mouth. The enemy had been unprepared; the fight had scarcely been fair.

  Spock, his eyes covered by the face-fitting molding of the science officer's readout device, broke the silence. "Captain, the explosion byproducts indicate that was definitely not a Klingon ship. The alloys were not the Klingon fleet's standard, and there is a very high proportion of water vapor."

  "Water vapor, Mr. Spock?"

  "Ice now, Captain, but I presume it was water that was vaporized when the ship blew up."

  "Uhura, get me Veedron on Trellisane immediately. Mr. Spock, conclusions?"

  "Tentatively, Captain, that the ship was built on Sealon and crewed by Sealons. In that case, Klingon interference in this system has progressed even further than you had feared."

  Kirk nodded. "Yes. I was hoping you'd have concluded something else. Uhura?"

  "I have him, sir."

  The picture on the large screen—stars in the upper half and the planet's rim in the lower, the lighted half slipping away as the Enterprise moved over the terminator—was replaced by an image of an older man, dressed in colorful robes. The background indicated a richly furnished and hung room. His face, however, showed signs of great fatigue and worry. "Captain Kirk. I am Veedron. Thank the gods you survived that attack!"

  "Veedron, surely you could have warned us it was coming?" Kirk made no attempt to hide his anger.

  Veedron shook his head. "No, Captain. We keep watch on objects in orbit, but nothing fur
ther than that. I will explain the reasons when I see you." The picture faded away.

  Kirk drummed his fingers on his chair arm. Then he contacted the Security chief again. "Mr. Kinitz, I'll want a Security detail in the landing party, after all. Three men. Send them to the transporter room right away." After Kinitz had acknowledged, Kirk spoke into the communicator again. "Medical Section. Bones, you're going down to Trellisane with me. Meet me in the transporter room." He swiveled his chair around and stood up. "Mr. Spock, you will come, too."

  Spock raised his eyebrows in silent surprise. Kirk smiled. "I would say it's time to show the flag and impress the natives. I get the impression that something has scared the Trellisanians witless, and I'd like our visit to have a real impact on their morale."

  "And their allegiances, Captain?" Spock asked.

  "That, too. Mr. Sulu, you have the con."

  When they were alone in the elevator, Spock said to him, "Captain, the idea of fighting a war against the Klingons via proxies has disturbing ramifications."

  "I know that, Mr. Spock. But so does letting the Klingons take over this system by force without any action on our part. Other uncommitted worlds will be paying attention to what happens here, and so will the Romulans. Nothing exists in a vacuum, Mr. Spock, not even in space."

  Spock's expression was pained, but he said nothing.

  Chapter Four

  Veedron was taller than Kirk—almost as tall as Spock—but he managed to give the opposite impression through frequent bowing and repeated apologies. After suffering through this for some minutes, Kirk could stand it no more, and he said firmly, "I assure you, Veedron, we don't blame your people for that attack. I wish you had been able to warn us, but I accept your word that you couldn't. Now, I'd like to get to the reason for your distress call."