Star Trek TOS: Ruse - Chapter Seven "Idle Hands" (standard:Fan Fiction, 3370 words) [8/10] show all parts
Author: Kirk	Added: Aug 12 2006	Views/Reads: 2458/1840	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The fleet has a long trip ahead.

Star Trek: "Ruse" Copyright 2004 

Chapter Seven - "Idle Hands" 

Captain's Log, Stardate, 1733.9. Two days have elapsed since the Romulan
attack. The Hood has transferred its compliment of torpedoes to the 
other ships, filling their compliments with a dozen to spare. The 
Excalibur's warp drive proved to be more damaged than anticipated. It 
will be another day before it will be repaired. In the mean time, all 
the ships have been running diagnostics to keep their vessels in top 
condition for the long journey to Earth. If nothing else, the delay 
will serve to further convince the Romulans that we are unaware of 
their advance toward Earth. 

*** 

VICTORIOUS: 

Turvan was beside himself with delight. The Praetor was correct in
believing the Earth vessels would fall for the ruse. Glorious! 
Glorious! There they sit, on that imaginary boundary, even as his fleet 
heads to their home world and the world of his ancestor's oppressors. 
Even HE'S been fooled. Oh! To see HIS face when the news arrives that 
his home world is no more! Turvan knew that even if his fleet was 
successful, their chances of returning to the Empire were remote. There 
was no occupation force on the way. None were needed. Total 
annihilation was the objective of this mission. Earth was to be 
sterilized of life, and rendered inhabitable. It will be sudden and 
swift. Vulcan, on the other hand, will suffer much more slowly, as the 
attack will last over several days. Even the thought of the name of the 
ancient oppressor's world made him sick to his stomach. Yes, suffer 
they will. Once that is accomplished, the Earth vessels would seek them 
out until they exhausted every avenue to destroy the attack force. But, 
they would have no homeport to return to. 

There was a signal at his door. “Come.” 

The door rolled open and Pok stood before him, thumping his chest in
salute. “You summoned me, my Commander?” 

“I'm in a good mood with our success so far. Double rations for all the
crews and Ale to be served at the main meal today!” said Turvan, in a 
hearty manner and slapping Pok on the shoulder. 

A smile crept up on the corners of Pok's lips. This was indeed good
news. The Commander was never this generous except on very rare, 
monumentous occasions. 

“Take personal charge of sending the news to the other ships. Use a
tight beam and encrypt the communiqué. We're still too close to the 
Zone and I do not wish to tip our hand,” he said, still patting Pok's 
shoulder. 

“Yes, Commander,” he replied, bowing at the waist and retreating. The
door rolled closed. 

Glorious! 

*** 

ENTERPRISE: 

Kirk was in sickbay, looking for the doctor's secret stash of
‘medicine'. He had about given up when McCoy enter the room. He watched 
Kirk rummage a bit more until it hit him what he was looking for. 

“Sorry, it's all locked up, just incase the power goes out and I need it
to sterilize wounds, or kill pain,” groused the doctor, folding his 
arms. 

Kirk tossed the last drawer shut. “Damn it!” 

“What's the matter, the stress of commanding the fleet more than you
anticipated?” asked the good doctor, in his Georgian drawl. 



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