STAR TREK - TOS - 55 - Renegade

Renegade [042-ecomj]

By Gene Deweese

Synopsis

Captain Kirk and the Enterprise are sent

to mediate a dispute between a non-federation world and its

colony, which is trying to break away and become

independent. When Spock and McCoy are

kidnapped and the Enterprise itself starts to experience very

serious malfunctions, Kirk finds himself in a real

pickle. And then there is the Prime Directive

which doesn't help matters any.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters,

places and incidents are either the product of the

author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual events or locales

or persons, living or dead, is entirely

coincidental.

An Original Publication of POCKET

BOOKS

POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon and

Schuster Inc.

1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York,

NY 10020

Copyright [*copy] 1991 by Paramount

" ?"', STAR TREK is a Registered

Trademark of [*reg] Paramount Pictures.

This book is published by Pocket Books, a

division of Simon and Schuster Inc., under

exclusive license from Paramount Pictures.

to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form

whatsoever.

For information address Pocket Books, 1230

Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY

ISBN 0-fga-fehad-X

First Pocket Books printing June 1991

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

POCKET and colophon are registered

trademarks of Simon and Schuster Inc.

Printed in the U.s.a.

In memory of Fahf 1974-1991 As

conscientious a cat as you'd ever want

Historian's Note

The events of Renegade take place during the

last year of the Enterprise's original five-year

mission.

Prologue

Hargemon--he'd used the name so long, that was how

he now thought of hmfulooked up at his commander and

laughed, the sound reverberating harshly in the cramped

and spartan computer lab.

"So, it will be Enterprise after all, With the great

Captain James Tiberius Kirk in the hot

seat!" The adjective dripped With sarcasm.

The commander smiled. "The luck of the draw. I

thought you might be pleased."

"It couldn't happen to a better starship captain.

He does so enjoy setting himself up as an

example for others."

"You will, of course, need to alter your appearance,

just in case."

"That would be necessary no matter what ship it was.

All Starfleet officers pride themselves on their

memories--among other less useful

traits. But under the circumstances, it will require

little more than what nature has already done." He

grinned, brushing his fingers across his full, but neatly

trimmed, reddish-gray beard.

"I will decide what is required and what is

not," the commander said, his smile abruptly disappearing.

"I will not allow half measures, not in this. There is

far too much at stake. Far too many people have worked far

too hard to allow one individual to jeopardize that

work because of carelessness. Or," he added, eyes

narrowing in warning, "because of ego or because of any

personal agenda that individual might consider

pursuing."

"Don't worry," Hargemon snapped. "I

am as aware of the importance of our objective as

you!" He waved his hands at the racks of equipment

that crammed the tiny lab. "Don't forget, I'm the

one who's put in thousands of hours on these

primitive devices you call computers! I am

also aware that without me--"

"Without you, my objective cannot be accomplished.

Yes, I am well aware of how important

your talents are. I found and recruited you, after

all. But in the event of failure, I will be forced

to reconsider my initial judgment. Just

remember I will have a second chance. You will not.

Now go, prepare. I will inspect the results when

you have finished."

"I do not need--"

"I will inspect the results when you have finished,"

the commander repeated, his voice icy as he turned his

back on Hargemon and pushed out through the plain

metal door that was the room's only exit.

The selfrighteous bastard! Hargemon seethed.

He's

getting to be as much of a tyrant as Kirk! But

he said nothing, only glowered at the door as it

clicked shut.

Turning back to the control console, he sucked in

a deep, calming breath. Once Kirk was taken

care of, there would be plenty of time for the "commander" and the

rest--plenty of time and opportunity.

Chapter One.

Captain's Log, Supplemental We are en

route to the planet Chyrellka to do--as Dr.

MaCoy might put it--a little fire-fighting.

We first made contact With the Chyrellkans ten

years ago.

They declined membership in the Federation, but at the

time of that initial encounter, Captain

Brittany Mendez of the Exeter noted that the

,Chyrellkans and their colony on Vancadia

provided a textbook example of how

to peacefully establish and administer a colony.

Unlike most emerging technological

civilizations, the Chyrellkans had established a

working world government before leaving their own

atmosphere.and once their probes showed them that

Vancadia's biosphere was almost identical to their

own--except for the absence of any lifeforms higher

than tree-dwelling primates--they went about

establishing a colony With Vulcan-like logic and

determination.

Without impulse drive technology, all early

trips to Vancadia were one-way.shuttles lifted

them into orbit around Chyrellka, where they transformd

to orbital-built interplanetary ships.at

vancadia, then, they descended from orbit in

one-way launches.it was nearly forty years before the

colonials reached the stage at which they could

manufacture the boosters that allowed them to return.

From the beginning, the Chyrellkans had planned for the

Vancadian colonists to be given their independence

once they'd achieved total self-sufficiency.a

decade ago, Captain Mendez noted that

With Vancadia's population close to eight

million, the goal of self-sufficiency seemed

only a few years away.

And yet now the Federation has received an urgent

request for help in mediating what the Chyrellkan

message describes as "an increasingly vicious

dispute between Chyrellka and her rebelling colony."

HIS PALE SKIN accentuated by a jet-black

helmet of tightly curling hair and an equally

dark, carefully sculpted beard, the Chyrellkan

leader's face loomed large on the Enterprise

viewscreen.other faces, out of focus, were dimly

visible in the background.

"Welcome to Chyrellkan space," the leader

said."...I am Kaulidren.my people and I

appreciate the promptness With which your Federation has

responded to our request."

"Thank you, Kaulidren," Kirk

said."...Premier Kaulidren, is it?"

The head inclined in an almost imperceptible nod of

acknowledgment. "And you are Captain James

Kirk, commanding the U.s.s.enterprise.am I

right?"

"You are, Premier.we will be entering orbit in a

few minutes and will be ready to beam you and your

party aboard as soon as the Enterprise matches

orbits With your ship."

"That is most kind of you, Captain,"

Kaulidren said, holding up one hand, palm out, "but

no, thank y.ccsider it superstition if you wish, but

it is

disquieting to me, this prospect of having my

component atoms disassembled and transmitted

unprotected through space in the hope that they can be

fitted back together in your transporter room."

"I wouldn't consider it superstition at all,

Premier," Kirk said, suppressing a smile as

he saw Dr.mcCoy, safely off screen,

give a quick grimace of agreement With

Kaulidren."...I assure you, however, that the

transporter is perfectly safe.but if you

prefer--"

"I do prefer, Captain, particularly since it

is my understanding that your vessel is easily capable

of receiving my entire ship.i trust I have not been

misled."

"Not at all, Premier.your ship is somewhat

larger than our own shuttlecraft, but the hangar

deck will accommodate it easily.our landing

tractor beams can handle--"

"I would prefer to bring my ship in under its own

power, if that is possible."

Kirk suppressed a frown."...It's possible,

yes, but I understand that your ship is powered by conventional

rocket engines.it would be dangerous to use them in

any enclosed area, even one as large as the hangar

deck."

"My ship is equipped With maneuvering jets--

which would surely pose no threat--and are fully

adequate for docking maneuvers in space."

"In zero gravity, yes, Premier, but in the

hangar deck, as in all parts of the Enterprise, a

constant one-g is maintained."

Premier Kaulidren was silent a

moment."...Artificial gravity," he said finally."...I

had forgotten.but is it not possible to temporarily

remove the gravity from individual areas?"

"It would be easier to use the landing tractor

beams." Or the transporter system, Kirk added

silently.

"But it is possible"...Without causing major

disruptions to your ship?"

"It's possible, yes." No point in arguing,

Kirk thought.save it for things that count, like getting the

Premier and his opposite number among the

colonists to start talking to each other."...I will make

the necessary arrangements."

"Thank you, Captain.i look forward to our

meeting face to face and to a discussion of our

problems."

abruptly, the screen went blank.

"They've ceased transmission, sir,"

Lieutenant Uhura volunteered. "Shall I try

to get them back?"

"Not for now, Lieutenant.mr.sulu, how long

till rendezvous?"

"Just under five minutes, Captain."

Kirk tapped a button on the arm of the command

chair."...Mr.scott"...ally heard?"

"Aye, Captain, I heard.i canna' say

I approve, but I heard."

"I'm on your side, Scotty, but let's go

along With the Premier on the small things.unless I

miss my guess, there'll be more than enough bigger ones

coming along."

"Aye, Captain, I know what ye're

saying.the hangar deck will be zero gravity when the

doors open.

I trust ye'll warn any affected

personn el.two o' my lads are in the

shuttlecraft bay, checking--"

"I'll leave that honor to you, Mr.scott,"

Kirk said, standing up from the command chair and heading for the

turbolift."...Mr.spock, Dr. McCoy"...From the

sound of the Premier, he will expect to be met

by nothing less than our most senior officers."

Ten minutes later the three stood looking down

on the hangar deck from the rear observation gallery--

Scotty had been able to retain normal gravity in

the rear third of the deck--as the Chyrellkan ship

slowly drifted in through the open hangar

doors.guided by minute pulses from its maneuvering

jets, the incoming ship reminded Kirk of nothing more

than a small, sleek version of the original

United States space shuttles, still kept clean

and glistening in the Space-flight Museum. Even

the insignia--seven 7-pointed stars on a

diagonally striped red-and-green back-ground--was

not all that different.

As the ship cleared the faintly shimmering

atmospheric containment field, the doors began

to clamshell shut.

But the ship continued to drift forward, its pilot

either missing or ignoring the landing target painted on

the deck.

"What the blazes is he up to?" McCoy

muttered as the ship drifted between the deck operations

control towers, toward the shuttle elevator. "If

he gets back here where the gravity is still "Don't

worry, Bones," Kirk said, glancing up at the

two ensigns standing by the controls of the landing tractor

beams."...We're ready, if it comes to that."

But it didn't.seconds before Kirk decided it

was time to signal the ensigns to take over the landing, the

forward maneuvering jets finally came to life and

cancelled the forward motion.

However, the ship was still moving, Kirk realized a

moment later, but now it was going sideways.frowning,

he again started to signal the ensigns, but before he could

complete the motion, a final series of puffs brought

the ship to a stop, one sharp-pointed wing almost touching the

wall beneath the forward observation gallery walkway.with

only the faintest of thumps and creaks, it settled

to the deck on its extended landing gear, its tires

bulging slightly as Scotty restored gravity a

moment after touchdown.

Even as Kirk and the others started down the steps from

the walkway to the hangar floor, one of the ship's

doors retracted inward and slid smoothly to one

side.

A set of steps descended from the opening, and

Kaulidren stepped out of the shadowy interior.clad

in a dark gray, not-quite-military uniform, he stood

watching silently as the three officers approached.

When they were in position, he quickly moved down the

steps, pointedly avoiding touching the handrails

to steady himself, as if to prove that he had taken the

abrupt transition from zero to one-g in stride.the

clean-shaven four who emerged after him, wearing

similar but lighter uniforms, were less quick to adapt,

gripping the metal handrails With each step.one,

carrying a metallic, briefcase-like container With

what looked like an old-fashioned keypad lock,

almost lost his footing on the first step.

"Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Premier

Kaulidren," Kirk said, momentarily lowering his

head in the fractional bow that his briefing had

indicated was the proper form of greeting.kaulidren,

however, instead of returning the bow, stepped forward and

extended his hand.

"We are on a Federation ship," he said

flatly."...We will observe Federation customs."

Its Federation custom to use transporters,

Kirk thought, but kept a smile on his face as he

took the Premier's hand.the grip, he

discovered, was as firm and practiced as any

admiral's.the other four dutifully offered their

hands as Kaulidren introduced them collectively

and anonymously as his "advisors," but their grips

were tentative, even uneasy.

"My first officer, Commander Spock," Kirk said

when the last of the four had shuttled backward to flank

Kaulidren, "and my chief medical officer,

Lieutenant Commander Leonard McCoy."

Kaulidren extended his hand to each in turn but then

turned back to Spock."...Vulcan, if I am not

mistaken, Commander."

"That is correct, Premier," Spock

acknowledged.

"That is good," Kaulidren said, nodding."...I

understand Vulcans are known for their logic and

impartiality."

"They are," Kirk agreed, ignoring the beginnings

of a puzzled frown on McCoy's face."...ally are

remarkably well informed, Premier."

"Even though we have chosen to remain independent of

your Federation, we have tried to absorb whatever information

you have offered to share With u.in any event, I am

encouraged by Commander Spock's presence.those

qualities of logic and impartiality will be

much in need if we are to resolve our current

difficulties."

"I will, of course, assist in any way I can,

Premier," Spock said.

"That goes without saying," Kaulidren said,

turning back to Kirk."...ationow, I have been told that

your computers--Duotronic, I believe they are

called--are capable of accepting information generated

by our own comparatively primitive systems."

"In all probability, yes," Kirk

said."...Duotronics, as I'm sure you know, are

remarkably versatile."

"Yes," Kaulidren said, looking around the

hangar deck, "it is my understanding that they

practicly run the entire ship."

"Supervised by the crew," McCoy put in.

"Of course.after all, computers are mere

machines, no matter how complex.they require

constant human supervision.at least, that is the

case With our own, and I assume it is still the case

even With yours."

"Absolutely," McCoy said emphatically enough

to minutely arch Spock's eyebrow and draw a

flickering sideways glance from Kirk.

"Very well." Kaulidren gestured at the

briefcase-like box still held by one of his

advisors."...I have With me records documenting a

small portion of the atrocities the rebel

terrorists have committed.i trust your computer will be

able to verify their authenticity."

"'It will be able to verify that the events recorded

were actual events, not computer-generated images,"

Spock said, "but that is all.as for the identities

and affiliations of the individuals involved, no such

authentication is possible.in such matters we must

rely solely on your words, Premier."

"Are you suggesting--" Kaulidren began,

scowling.

"I was suggesting nothing, Premier.i was simply

stating a fact."

The scowl was gone as quickly as it had come."...Of

course.my apologies, Commander Spock.i'm

afraid my dealings With the rebels--some of whom I

once considered my friends--have made me quick

to mistrust.

I ask only that you look at what I have to show

you, and listen to what I have to say."

Pulling in a breath, Kaulidren turned to look

over his shoulder at the ship.a sixth man--this one

inches taller than Kaulidren or any of the

others, and wearing a darker shade of uniform With a

sidearm of some kind strapped to its belt--had

emerged from the ship and was standing stiffly at the top of the

steps just outside the door, which now eased itself shut.

"I hope you will not be offended, Captain, if one

of my men remains on post while we are away from

our ship."

"Of course not," Kirk said, suppressing a

frown, "but I assure you it isn't necessary."

"I understand.however, irrational as it may be, I

would feel more comfortable With him there."

"As you wish, Premier.now, if you will come With

us, we can get down to business." For all the good it

will do, Kirk added skeptically to himself as he led the

way to the elevators, if you don't trust us any

more than that.

Minutes later they were settling into chairs around the

briefing room table while Spock inserted

Kaulidren's data tapes into the computer. The

control panel lights flickered as the computer began

to analyze the Chyrellkan devices and adapt its

own input circuitry to read the data.

"As I understand it, Premier," Kirk said as they

waited for the still-blank computer screen to light up,

"Vancadia was scheduled to be given its

independence only two years from now, on the

one-hundredth anniversary of Chyrellka's first

landing there."

Kaulidren snorted."...Perfectly true.but

they weren't content to wait."

"But according to Starfleet records, there was no sign

of trouble when your worlds were first contacted.

None that our representatives could detect, at

any rate."

"There was no trouble--then."

"But now there obviously is.what happened in the

meantime, Premier? How did the relationship between your

worlds deteriorate so rapidly?"

Kaulidren gestured sharply at the slot into which

Spock had inserted the data."...It's all there--the

terrorism, the killings, the destruction."

"I understand," Kirk persisted, "but does it

explain how it started? Why it started"...There have to be

reasons, and if we're to be of any help, we have

to find them."

Kaulidren frowned, then shrugged."...If you speak

With the 'rebels," perhaps they will be able to explain.

It is a total mystery to me.as you say,

Vancadia was scheduled to be given its independence

only two years from now.but three years

ago they apparently decided they needed it

immediately.the spokesman was a fire-breather named

Delkondros."

"Did they give any reasons for their sudden...

impatience?"

Kaulidren shrugged."...I can only assume that they

grew tired of waiting. Or that Delkondros

convinced them there was no need to wait.he was only one

of twenty Council members at the time, but very

ambitious," he added With a grimace."...Or,

to give him the benefit of the doubt, very

opportunistic.in either case, within weeks after he

became President of the Council he began beating

the drums for instant independence and making outrageous

accusations about our colonial administrators.but

then he turned openly to violence, although several of the

more rational members of the Council repu diated

hm.there was no reasoning With him, and in the end, we

had no choice but to declare him and the Council members

who remained With him outlaws.they went into hiding

and have conducted a terrorist campaign against us ever

since."

Kaulidren broke off, looking impatiently

toward Spock and the computer.

"The data is being processed,

Captain," Spock volunteered."...It does

appear to be genuine."

Kaulidren snorted."...Of course it is

genuineffDo you think we are such fools that we would

try to trick a Starfleet computer"...ationow, can the

data be displayed?"

Spock swiveled the screen so it faced the others

at the table.a frozen image appeared the interior

of a small room With one cluttered desk, a pair

of wooden chairs, and several old-fashioned file

cabinets.the camera had apparently been mounted

high on one of the walls.a graying man in a dark,

loose-cut tunic and trousers sat behind the desk,

his back to a large window.a younger man in a lighter

tunic stood facing him, leaning forward, both hands

on the desktop.

Both were studying some papers atop the clutter of

other papers.for the first few seconds the image was

grainy and ill-defined, but the focus sharpened instant

by instant.

"Is something wrong?" Kaulidren asked sharply.

"Why is nothing moving?"

"More processing," Kirk explained."...The computer

is staying With the first frame while it cleans up the

images.as soon The image began moving

and speaking.

"I see," Kaulidren said, motioning for the sound

to be turned down. "This is the first "incident" we

have a

direct record of.a half-dozen attacks were

made before we put all our offices under constant

camera surveillance.the man behind the desk is--

was--our chief administrator for the northwest

colonial district.

The other was his assistant, a colonial himself, but

apparently he was considered an enemy for associating

With u.or simply expendable."

Swallowing, Kaulidren averted his eyes."...I have

seen this "incident" all too often already,

Captain Kirk.your computer's "cleaning up"

can only make it all the more disquieting."

On the screen, the two men continued to talk

silently.suddenly, the window behind the desk

shattered.

STAR TREK - TOS - 55 - Renegade

相关推荐

开通VIP享超值会员特权

作者详情

相关内容

热门标签

举报选择: