ShareWare OnLine 2/ShareWare OnLine Volume 2 (CMS Software)(1993).iso/infor/stnovel.zip/CHAP#11.TXT

Text File | 1993-03-01 | 27KB | 590 lines

                              ***    ELEVEN    ****



            The new Emperor stood facing the vast expanse of space
       stretching forth from his window, to perhaps infinity.  He allowed
       himself the luxury of a few moments alone to relax before he faced
       the Klingon Fleet commanders and revealed his plans for them to
       carry out.  Though his authority was absolute in his empire, there
       would undoubtedly be questions toward his mental health if he
       proceeded on his intended course without sharing some details of
       his grand design with them.

            His gaze shifted from the ominous void, to the mighty Klingon
       armada coming into view.  The smile of the wolf crossed his face as
       he saw the awesome might of the Klingon Empire bending to his every
       wish.  He mused in reflection of the ease with which he acquired
       his throne and the power thereof.  The Old Emperor, now imprisoned
       within the bowels of the Federation ship, was still a vital link in
       the chain of events that this New Emperor had set in motion.  The
       real Tromok was an ace in the hole, to be used if Garth's charade
       was detected.  But Garth had no great fear of this.

            Garth had devoted many hours to the mastery of Klingonese.
       The subtle grunts and guttural intonations, the syntax and
       colloquialisms, even the gesticulations accompanying some of the
       ancient words.  And of course, the Emperor's voice was merely a
       physical alteration.  But Garth was no fool.  Little to nothing was
       known of the Emperor of Klinzhai within the confines of the
       Federation.  Garth tried to distance himself from anyone close to
       the Emperor who would be able to detect the discrepancies in the
       Emperor's own mannerisms and personality.  He would not have to
       encounter any members of the High Council.  Tromok had seen to that
       by leaving them all behind on their Mother World.  However, there
       were Military Men close at hand who would know him well.  Admiral
       Sorr was not the least of them.

            The explosive of Garth's own ingenious creation, was still on-
       board the ship that he had entered the Neutral Zone in.  He
       conceived of the formula for the destructive substance while
       imprisoned on the distant, now nonexistent, planet Elba II.  Once
       he had developed the formula, the actual creation of the fulminant
       crystals was hardly a burdensome matter.  Elba II, for all it's
       intended purposes, was just a scientific research station with
       bars.  All the components of the explosive were in-store, easily
       appropriated and utilized, giving him the power to reshape the
       universe.  Yes, there was a time of setback.  He had failed, but
       only in his inability to enlighten the Starship captain 'Kirk', to
       his superior lordship.  He and Kirk were of a kind.  As Garth would
       bow to no other's rule, Kirk would not submit to his.  It was much
       later that Garth realized how Captain Kirk had unwittingly saved
       his life when he prevented Garth from transporting up to the
       Enterprise with the weapon in hand.  It was later that Garth had
       realized the explosive could not be beamed at all.  But that was
       behind him.


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            Garth of Izar had proven victorious and escaped his place of
       exile.  He recalled the perfect execution of his scheme to steal
       the cargo ship while it was transferring equipment, via jump-ship,
       down to the surface of Elba II.  'The fool Cory', Garth thought.
       The drug that was used to 'cure' Garth of his 'alleged' insanity
       was obviously not tested for duration.  It had returned him to his
       former 'weakling' self, for a time.  But the 'Garth' that was
       strong, was too much a part of him to be suppressed for long,
       though it had seemed to change him somewhat.  He could think
       clearer now.  Once he had permanently disposed of Cory he was able
       to assume, again, the guise of the Governor of the colony.  Then it
       was simplicity itself, to take the orbiting ship and charge to the
       Neutral Zone.  The captain of the cargo ship 'Fringe Ranger' had
       not been much of a challenge.  Though he did manage to send out a
       distress signal before Garth was able to capture it, it availed him
       nothing.  Proud Garth satisfied himself with these thoughts, and
       turned his attention to the future.

            A chime sounded in the Emperor's chamber, indicating that
       someone requested entry.  Garth turned from the observation window
       and furrowed his brow.

            "Enter!" he commanded, quite accustomed to giving orders.

            The door slid upward, disappearing into the top of the frame.
       Commander Kang stood at the entrance, flanked on both sides by the
       Emperor's guard.  He entered the large room, followed by the black
       clad warriors.

            "I ordered no disturbances!" the Emperor boomed, taking note
       that the man before him was of Commander grade, but not recognizing
       him.  "State the reason for your intrusion," ordered the Emperor.

            The expression on Kang's face changed from wooden, to one of
       puzzlement.  It was always mandatory for a Flag Officer to report
       to the highest superior possible, after a military defeat.  Emperor
       Tromok had always taken great pleasure, whenever available, in
       dealing personally, with 'inferior Klingons', as he called them.

            "My lord, I await your decision," Kang voiced levelly, though
       at the ready to plea for the life of his wife and that of his crew.

            Taken aback, momentarily at a loss as to exactly what decision
       the officer might require, Garth finally recognized the voice, and
       placed it with the name of Kang.  Though they had spoken to one
       another before, it had not been a visual communication.  Pretending
       to contemplate his 'decision', Garth tried to remember the details
       of the intercepted transmission the former Emperor had with the
       Commander.  It came to him that Tromok had already decided in favor
       of Kang, so what was this, he wondered.  Reward?  Promotion?  Garth
       suddenly wished he knew more about the Klingonese customs, and
       specifically the Emperor's habit's.  Finally he spoke, not wanting
       his hesitation to cause suspicion.  "Leave us," he commanded his
       guards.

            Kang heard the door slide home, still facing his Emperor and

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       wondering.  Something was different about him.  He seemed, to Kang,
       not to have recognized him.

            "What would you have me say?" the Emperor, playing it safe,
       interrupted Kang's thoughts with the question.

            The swarthy Commander eyed his Emperor for a moment.  He had
       never known the ruler of the Klingon Realm to be slow in executing
       judgement, and least of all to have the accused determine the
       punishment.  Was this a test of sorts, or was Emperor Tromok merely
       baiting him for his own pleasure?  The answer to these, he did not
       know.  But if it was a game to humiliate him, Kang decided he would
       not play.  He looked straight ahead, standing at full attention.
       "Say what you will, my lord."

            The Emperor turned toward the Commander.  To Kang's surprise a
       partial smile adorned the Emperor's face.  "This day I have
       acquired more power than anyone before me has imagined attaining.
       I hold the might to claim the galaxy, and you have played a
       prominent role in bringing this into being."  He placed a hand to
       his chin.  "In reward for such a feat, you have the gratitude of
       the Klingon People and myself.  I give you command of the ship and
       crew of your choice and send you home on furlough, to give the
       Council personal word of my victory."

            Kang remained dispassionate at the Emperor's speech.  He did
       not want to give expression to the feeling he had about the man
       before him.  "My lord is most generous," is all he allowed himself
       to say.

            "I can afford generosity, Commander, what ship shall it be?"
       he asked, wanting to be rid of Kang before any more surprises
       occurred.

            "I will keep my own ship if you please, and my crew is the
       finest in all the realm, my lord."  His pride in his comrades shone
       through his stoic exterior.  But the foremost thought in his mind
       was the sensation that he had never met this man before.  Could the
       enemy invader have done something to the Emperor?  Is this man the
       Emperor?  It did not seem to Kang that this was the one that he
       knew.

            "Then I give you your leave, and after the Command Assembly,
       your leave to go home."  With a curt nod of his head, he dismissed
       the Commander.

            Kang bowed to the image of his Emperor but before turning to
       go, he needed to know for certain.  Not for himself, but for the
       sake of the Empire.  This might be his only chance to be sure, of
       the one who occupies the throne of Klinzhai.  "Shall I also inform
       Chamberlain Jekrrez of your plans, my lord?"

            Garth looked deep into the eyes of the Commander, trying to
       read anything that might help him with the answer.  'This one is
       sharp.  He suspects my deception,' thought he to himself, 'But how?
       And to what degree?'  Garth had to respond to the obviously loaded

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       question.  "You will tell ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS!  IS THAT CLEAR?"  He
       let himself vent his anger and frustration.  After all, he was
       questioning the Emperor of the Realm.

            Kang bowed again, "Yes, lord Tromok.", he said, but carefully
       and deliberately not, 'My lord'.  The Commander left the room.  He
       could not hear the scream of rage that burst forth from the
       Emperor, as the thick door closed behind him.  But he did know,
       with a surety now, that the man who ruled the Empire was not Mocdar
       Jek Tromok.

            Behind the thick doors, Garth reached a state of composure.
       He consoled himself with the knowledge that regardless of Kang's
       suspicion, Garth would soon be rid of him and free to fulfill his
       glorious destiny.

            He moved to his desk and sat behind it, resting in the solid
       comfortable chair.  Pressing a button on the desk, he sealed the
       door from intruders and allowed his physically altered body to
       revert back to it's original form.  The strain of maintaining the
       shape of another was not easy to bear.  Garth had told his
       incarcerator, Cory, that he had learned cellular metamorphosis from
       the Antosians.  Not quite the truth, he mused.

            When the people of Antos IV found his broken and burned body,
       they did their best to patch him together.  It was not good enough.
       His condition rapidly worsened.  With his death imminent, and his
       ship unable to locate him, it was decided by the Doctor whose care
       he was in to share a coveted secret of their race.

            The Antosians had an organ within them which allowed them to
       control their own cellular arrangement and influence complex
       molecules within a few centimeters of their epidermis.  The tiny
       organ called a 'Dunia', located behind the heart, was directly
       connected to the spinal column, and from there, the brain.  Before
       the Antosians learned that they could control the operation of this
       organ, it naturally caused their body to be able to regenerate
       damaged tissue, much like certain lizards being able to regenerate
       their tails.  This gave them increased longevity and with time,
       complete control over their entire physical structure, without
       altering mental patterns within the brain in the least.

            The attending Doctor concluded that if they were to save
       Captain Garth, he would need the organ, too.  The organ had been
       cloned for him, grown in a hyper-progression chamber and placed
       within the dying Captain.  Without conscious will on Garth's part,
       the organ began it's intended task of cellular reconstruction
       immediately.  Within three days, he was physically whole again.  In
       time Garth learned to manipulate the organ's operation, first, to
       alter his facial features, later, the rest of his body.  Lastly he
       learned to exude and control the aggressive endoplasmic variance
       agents that could alter exterior molecules such as his clothing.

            His body was again healthy, but the Antosians could do
       nothing about his growing madness.  The pain he had endured as he
       lay dying drove sanity from his grasp.  After he had mastered

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       metamorphosis, he turned violently on the Antosians.  They would
       not follow his plans of conquest and galactic war, so he sought to
       destroy them.  His plan was thwarted by his own crew and he was
       dispatched to the last colony for the incurably insane.  Like
       Napoleon, Garth was exiled to his Elba, and returned from thence,
       to make war and to conquer.

            Garth, pulled his chair forward to more easily use the
       Emperor's computer console.  He entered several commands into the
       terminal, but to no avail.  The password protected files he
       requested remained beyond his reach.  His second recourse was to
       merely find out exactly what files were not password protected and
       glean the information he needed from them.  He scanned several
       pages of file listings in the memory banks until he located what he
       desired.

            The common library, with it's wealth of information,
       held vast amounts of data on every conceivable subject.  It was a
       difficult task, to keep from straying from his purpose.  Suddenly
       he found what he was looking for in the history section.  He
       commanded the machine to search for the most current references to
       the title of Chamberlain.  After only a nano-second, his screen was
       filled with the names and accomplishments of the Klingonese High
       Council members.  He quickly scanned the names of the current
       members but found no Jekrrez among them.  He then paged through the
       list of former council members until he found what he sought after.
       It read:

            Record Number 7-18:8.55-14-4-4-5
            Jekrrez, Holzah - Found guilty of treason and executed
            678193 - 678341   by command of his Imperial Highness,
                              Emperor Mocdar Jek Tromok [678241.1]

            Anger swept Garth's soul, as he realized that Kang now
       possessed knowledge which could jeopardize his newly acquired
       throne.  He smashed his fist onto the computer controls, crushing
       the terminal, making it useless.  He watched the smoke rise from
       the console and sat back in his chair.  'At least', he reflected,
       'there are ways to deal with insurrection, before the fact.'  He
       soothed his temper with that in mind and plotted to rid himself of
       this thorn.



                                  *         *         *



            At the heart of the Imperial Throneship Thunder, protected by
       energy barriers and thick blast-proof walls, was the war council
       chamber.  Although seating one-hundred and one, it was nearly
       filled.  The senior officers of each Klingon Warship in the
       immediate vicinity, were in attendance before the Emperor's mighty
       seat of power.  They were joined by three Romulans of command
       grade who had been late in arriving.  The Emperor's elite Ramjep
       Avwi were guarding all exits and four of them stood behind the

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       Emperor's chair, facing the congregation.

            The briefing of previous events, conducted by Admiral Sorr,
       had just been completed.  Now all in attendance awaited Emperor
       Tromok's arrival to the chamber. Murmurs of the great power, now in
       their control, resounded throughout the spacious room.  They were
       silenced as Admiral Sorr seated himself in front with the other
       Admirals, Captains and Commanders.  The Midnight Guard moved from
       their parade-rest stance, to attention, as Emperor Mocdar Jek
       Tromok entered the room with a recorded orchestra flourish
       proceeding him.

            The fleet commanders rose from their seats and saluted in
       unison, while their monarch established himself in his lone chair.
       Facing them, he motioned his approval for the company to reseat
       themselves.  Silence again, had reign over the room as his Imperial
       Highness looked over the many faces that sat before him.

            The Emperor placed both hands on the armrests of his chair,
       gripping them tightly.  "Who among you can deliver me a galaxy?" he
       asked calmly in his deep bass voice.  The company looked to each
       other in surprise at the question.  When no answer was forthcoming,
       he continued.  "What is it that stands between us and our rightful
       place among the stars?" he posed. "What powers vex our mighty
       Empire at every turn?"

            Admiral Sorr stood confidently before his master, "Organia, my
       lord," he answered.

            "Incorrect, Admiral," Garth stated flatly, to the astonishment
       of all present.  "Organia is merely an excuse we have been deluding
       ourselves with, for far too long.  A treaty that has made the
       Empire slumber in the same bed as that of our enemy."  He stood and
       let the assembly see the fire in his eyes.  "Fear and ignorance,
       are what obstructs our path to glory!  Together they are more
       devastating than a thousand Organia's, more deadly than a million
       Federations." He folded his arms across his chest.  "And they are
       infinitely more powerful than this new 'Super Weapon', that you
       have, no doubt, placed some hope in."

            He looked narrowly upon the company.  "You," he pointed to the
       assembly of men, "have permitted a fold of sheep to dictate the
       boundaries of my Empire and pretended it was because of the power
       they wielded. Power beyond ours, that bound us to this section of
       space.  When, infact, it was fear of the extents of their power,
       and ignorance of how to use that power against them, that halted
       you from delivering me the galaxy," he boomed.

            The Emperor placed his fists on his hips. He could see the
       large group was impressed by his words, yet were confused that the
       speech, though characteristically bold, lacked the solution to
       the 'Organian-forged' chains that shackled them.  He would soon
       give them the key, but first he would rid himself of the Commander
       who had been given cause to suspect the Emperor.

            "Admiral Sorr has informed you of the weapon that is now mine

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       to use in reshaping the galaxy, a weapon of such destructive power
       that no other force has ever been conceived since the beginning of
       creation.  Yet I tell you this... we have never needed the weapon
       to take Klingon rule across the Neutral Zone!" He continued to keep
       them in expectation of an answer to the Peace Treaty dilemma,
       relishing the power he held over them.

            "And what, I am sure you are wondering, can be done while the
       watchdogs of peace threaten to intervene at any moment of conflict
       between the Federation and our majestic Empire?  It is a good
       question, one that has been avoided and side-stepped too many
       times before!"  The Emperor paused, changing the tone of his voice
       from 'forceful' to 'mild'.  "My subjects... my comrades, the
       solution can be found in the very treaty that binds us. It can be
       clearly seen, not in what is written on the parchment, but what
       remains unwritten."  Garth almost began to smile at that, enjoying,
       loving every moment of their prolonged desire to see what they had
       been blind to.

            "Commander Kang!" Garth abruptly changed the direction of his
       speech, to the unexpressed consternation of the men before him.

            "Here," he said, rising from his seat, "lord Tromok." 'Or the
       image of Tromok', he spoke to himself.  Kang too was inspired by
       the speech of the man who wore his Emperor's face.  He caught
       himself wishing that this man was his lord, leading them to
       victory.  But no, this was not him and the prime enemy was not the
       Federation now.  That made Kang a traitor to the Realm, for he
       would have to stand against his Emperor, if not now, soon.

            "I presume that you are versed in the specifics of the treaty
       to which I refer?" he asked, knowing all men of command grade had
       it committed to memory, by Imperial Proclamation.

            "I am, as all present are, Emperor Tromok." Kang did not know
       the game being played this time either, only that he was being
       maneuvered into something.

              How many conditions are in effect on the document as
       written?" he asked the Commander as a teacher would test a student.

            "Six conditions exist," Kang stated.  He wondered if he would
       have another opportunity to face the imposter alone.  He was
       certain that he would not be able to use his ship against the
       Thunder.  He was not only outgunned, but his crew would surely
       mutiny.

            "Recite the essence of each condition for us all Commander
       Kang," he commanded.

            Kang grit his teeth, feeling as if he would next have to
       recite their alphabet. "First condition: the treaty imposed, forces
       the Federation and Klingon Empire to cease hostilities or both
       parties will be rendered militarily harmless. Second: a Neutral
       Zone will separate both parties where no aggression will be
       tolerated within zone boundaries. Third: any future aggression

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       between the two parties will be summarily stopped by the Organians.
       Fourth: no party will deny peaceful access to planetary bases
       within said zone. Fifth: Organia is to be left alone, until a time
       of their choosing, then they will reveal their intentions for both
       parties.  Sixth: planets may be peacefully developed within the
       zone.  Exclusive rights to any zone planet belong to the party who
       most efficiently develops the planet," he concluded, thankful to be
       finished.

            "Very adequate, 'Captain' Kang, of the Imperial Battle
       Cruiser, Fury.  I now release you from my presence so that you may
       formally appraise my council of the events that have transpired,"
       Garth said, looking into Kang's eyes from across the distance.
       "Your promotion is now on record and your ship has been notified of
       your new rank."

            Kang stood silently for a moment, realizing he was not going
       to be present to hear the rest of the imposter's plan for the
       Empire.  Then he bowed low to the Emperor, "Thank you, lord
       Tromok," he said, bowing low enough to be partially hidden from the
       Emperor.  Quickly he opened a channel to his ship's log recorder
       on his communicator and placed it under the seat in front of him.
       As he completed his slightly extended bow, the Emperor displayed in
       his hand, the rank insignia pin of the captaincy.

            "I almost forgot, Captain Kang, approach me now and receive
       your honors."

            Kang slowly advanced between the rows of chairs, to the aisle.
       His peers and superiors gave him questioning looks. It was a rare
       thing indeed for the Emperor to personally promote anyone in the
       admiralty, and never a Commander. He stepped up to the platform
       where the Emperor and his guard stood awaiting him.  Ever so slowly
       he moved his hand towards his disrupter, then halted the motion.
       He reasoned that the Ramjep Avwi would have him dead on the floor
       before he completed his draw.  He stopped in front of the Emperor
       and faced him at attention.

            The Emperor took a step towards Kang and now was inches from
       his face.  He reached out and placed the symbol of Kang's new rank
       on him.  He then leaned over to the Captain, almost nose to nose
       and whispered, "Give my personal regards to Chamberlain Jekrrez,"
       he said poisonously.  Then placed a firm hand on Kang's shoulder,
       turning him around for the assembly.  "I present you, 'Captain'
       Kang!  Salute!" he ordered.  The company rose and saluted as
       required.  The firm hand indicated that it was time for Kang to be
       gone.

            Kang, stepped down from the platform and headed up the aisle
       to the exit.  His thoughts were of murder.

            "Commander S'takal of the Romulan Fleet... stand!" Garth
       commanded as the heavy door closed behind the new Captain.  S'takal
       rose and saluted the Klingon Emperor in Romulan fashion.  "You have
       all the data on the new weapon, including projected power curves.
       You may now transmit this information to your superiors.  Your

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       ships will flank our cruisers when we approach the Neutral Zone."
       The Romulan acknowledged his command and he and his company also
       exited the room.

            "Now, it is time," he addressed his troops, "that I shared
       with you the keys to the galaxy!"



















































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