Star Trek TOS: Ruse - Chapter Eight "A Lot of Time to Kill" (standard:Fan Fiction, 5094 words) [9/10] show all parts
Author: Kirk	Added: Aug 12 2006	Views/Reads: 2562/1901	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The long trip back is anything but 'uneventful'.

Star Trek "Ruse" Copyright 2002 

Chapter Eight - "A Lot of Time to Kill" 

Captain's Log, Stardate, 1735.4. There is a traitor on board the
Excalibur. Admiral Komack is in a deep coma and the prognosis for his 
recovery is not good. I have lost my advisor for this mission and he 
was the best battle strategist in the Federation. Spock has confirmed 
the destruction of the Romulan sensor drone. The time of our own little 
ruse is at hand. My biggest fear is that we may not detect our 
adversaries until they reach Earth. Even a few of those weapons hitting 
the surface will destroy all life there. One advantage we have is that 
if their cloaks stay on, their sensing devises are extremely impaired. 
They may not notice a few staggered ships slipping ahead of them. 
However, I would much rather make our stand out here, away from harm to 
Earth. 

*** 

ENTERPRISE: 

Mr. Kyle, set a course for Earth. Warp six, Mr. Sulu,” ordered Kirk from
his chair. Kyle plotted the course and Sulu made the adjustments to the 
helm that ordered the increase in speed. A hum was heard from the 
engines as matter and anti-matter came together, focused by the 
dilithium, and propelled the ship even faster through warp space. “Mr. 
Sulu, how long before we reach Earth at this speed?” 

“Twenty one days, Sir.” 

Spock had been right. It was a three-week trip back. He looked over at
his First Officer, standing over his sensor viewer. Kirk wondered if 
his Vulcan brain was part computer. 

Fourteen months ago, when a twenty nine year old Kirk assumed command of
the Enterprise from the newly promoted Commodore Pike, Star Fleet 
rammed Spock down Kirk's throat to be First Officer, on Pike's 
recommendation. He had already been a member of the bridge crew under 
Pike as Science Officer. Kirk wanted his friend, Lt. Commander Gary 
Mitchell for that position. But Mitchell was recuperating from a poison 
dart attack on Ghioghe, which left him nearly paralyzed. It took three 
months for Mitchell to be able to join Kirk on the Enterprise, and he 
was forced to fill the only unassigned full time posting on the bridge, 
navigator. Kirk smiled as he thought of his friend. Then the reality of 
Mitchell's death and the near death of himself came rushing back in 
crystal clarity. The Enterprise crossed The Great Barrier at the edge 
of the galaxy, giving Mitchell and another crewmember godlike powers. 
Kirk was forced to kill his friend to save himself and the ship. Since 
then he could not bring himself to make a permanent posting to the 
navigators position. Instead, he had employed a rotation of officers 
that had command training. 

It had taken a while for Kirk to get used to Spock. He still didn't
understand him and was never really sure if his loyalty stood with him 
or somewhere else. Well, this was going to be a long trip, and he 
decided to spend time with his First Officer when they were both off 
duty. Maybe then this feeling of uneasiness between them might 
dissipate. 

“Captain, I've received word from all the Starships, confirming their
change of heading to Earth and Vulcan,” stated Uhura, removing her 
earpiece. 

“Thank you Lieutenant,” he replied. Well, the race was officially on. 

*** 

VICTORIOUS: 

Turvan had noticed that the drone had gone silent. More than likely some
space debris struck it. It was no matter. It had served its purpose. 
They were now twenty-three days away from Earth, present speed. Soon he 
will order the lowering of their cloaks and shorten the time needed to 
reach their objective. Pok had just given him a status report on the 
attack fleet and all was well. He leaned back in his chair and poured 


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