Path: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!newsswing.news.prodigy.com!prodigy.net!prodigy.com!newsread.com!newsstand.newsread.com!POSTED.newshog.newsread.com!not-for-mail Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated Approved: ascem@earthlink.net Organization: Better Living Thru TrekSmut Sender: ascem@earthlink.net Message-ID: <191.33b3758a.2ee28eed@aol.com> From: Istannor@Aol.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Mailing-List: list ASCEML@yahoogroups.com; contact ASCEML-owner@yahoogroups.com Subject: New: TOS: A Higher Duty: PG: 5/28 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lines: 166 Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2004 05:55:02 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.198.142.218 X-Complaints-To: Abuse Role , We Care X-Trace: newshog.newsread.com 1102139702 209.198.142.218 (Sat, 04 Dec 2004 00:55:02 EST) NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2004 00:55:02 EST Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated:85905 X-Received-Date: Fri, 03 Dec 2004 21:55:07 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) Title: A Higher Duty Author: Istannor Contact: Istannor@aol.com Series: TOS Rating: PG13 for violence Part: 5/28 Codes:TOS Summary: This is set during the second 5 year voyage of the Starship Chapter 5 "Well, M'arenn, what do you think of their warrior prince?" The Romulan woman Kirk had seen in the lead of the party at the start of the other days banquet, turned to look at the source of the question. The man who spoke to her was J'usreyan, former consul of the Rhihannsu empire, acting as her protocol agent openly, and as the head of her security in reality. He was older by many years, and she valued his wisdom and counsel. His aristocratic bearing did much to hide his age and the weight of the grief he carried always close to his heart. His only son, her husband, had been the nameless Commander of the ship Kirk had destroyed on the faithful day when he had been ordered over the neutral zone to test out the new cloaking device. M'arenn was average height,slim, with hair so dark, it seemed to glow. Her features were sharp, without being harsh, and when she smiled, it rarely touched her eyes. "Jus, my Thal did not want to go; you know that as well as I. He argued against the wisdom of provoking the Federation when they did not threaten any hostilities. You also know the Praetor's Supreme Counsel over-ruled him. He went, and he never returned. The pride of the Romulan Fleet was destroyed by one ship, captained by a man who was not old enough to command a light cruiser in the Romulan Empire. Remember Thal's final message was to the Human: "In another place, another time, we would have been friends." Seeing the Human up there now, on a deeper level I know my husband spoke the truth. Unfortunately, there is a small voice telling me to shoot him where he stands. This Kirk and my beloved may be much more alike than they differ, but I still have not forgiven Kirk for Thal's death." "A warrior's way is death, M'arenn. He knew the risks when he chose the path." "I know that, Old Man, but I honestly still do not know how to feel about this. I have spent too much time hating Kirk for the death of my husband. I am not ready to let it go because of one speech, no matter how moving." M'arenn sighed. "He is as impressive as we were told, perhaps more so. All in all, a very dangerous man. What do you think, Little Sister?" The question was addressed to the quiet presence at her side, Therenna, her sister in all things. All of her features were a softer reflection of her sister's. Her eyes were what set the two women apart. They were so light gray, they seemed almost translucent. It made many people uncomfortable to even look her in the eyes. But if M'arenn was the Praetor's eyes and ears, Therenna was just as thoroughly the Praetor's heart. She was a high functioning telempath, as rare on Romulus as on Vulcan, their ancestral home. Equally brilliant, she used her skills to serve the Praetor. She was able to get partial to full readings on the motives, thoughts, and truthfulness of non-telepaths, because of their lack of shields. Few knew of her capabilities, but it was those skills that had her at the conference with her sister. She was the heart and M'arenn with her sharp intellect, and highly developed strategic mind, was the eyes. The team had been sent to the conference to collect needed information to assist the Praetor as he plotted the best course for the Romulan Empire. His generals were clamoring for war and they wanted to attack first, certain that domination was the eventual goal of the Federation. The Praetor was not sure what was in the Empire's best interests, so he had sent the sisters to feel out the enemy, and give him information he could trust. His knew generals had not always been completely honest with him, and for this decision, he needed totally unbiased reconnaissance. M'arenn waited patiently while she watched her sister gather her thoughts. She knew her sister never answered a question without attempting to first integrate all of her impressions. "The human has mental shields, very strong ones, especially for a non-telepath. The presence of shields tell me he has had extensive training by a telepath, probably Spock, but who can tell. His inner thoughts are not accessible, only his emotions. They are not as well shielded. They seem to leak around the barriers, and those I can read fairly easily." M'arenn waited. She never interrupted her sister's process. "From what I can sense, he told the absolute truth, as he felt it. There was no trace of dissembling; his conviction was burning in its intensity. He also felt no pride in the response to his speech. He has a strong distaste, and sadness attached to the list of the transgressions of the Orion pirates, but none specifically aimed at the Ambassador. His mind is exceptionally strong in that he emotes in a way which almost projects across the room. It is possible that his feelings could affect those who are psychically sensitive, even with him intending them to do so." M'arenn and Jus sat forward. "Are you saying he can control others responses?" "No, I honestly do not sense he has that level of power, but it is possible he can influence those who are open. The Humans call it charisma, because they do not understand its psychic origins. His pride is mostly attached to his ship and his crew, so it would be difficult to make him respond to a personal insult. I also got the occasional impressions of something deeper, something I can not explain and have not sensed in other humans running under his surface. It is something he ... pushes down into himself.It may be unpleasant memories or feelings of guilt, I'can't tell. There is something else inside of him that flows like a slow, wide river. However, I was not able to pick up anything more, so, I must apologize for my deficiencies." She gave her sister a half smile. Her sister's mouth crooked at the edge in an expression of mild exasperation. "Therenna, you tell me everything about him, but his last sexual partner, and you feel a need to apologize. I wish you would stop that," her face softened, "but, then I suppose if you did stop, you would not be the sister I love so well. Come, we must contrive to meet this man and get you some more information." "I do not advise that, M'arenn; Kirk is dangerous. They say he is one of the most dangerous men in Starfleet. You should not risk exposing yourself to him." J'usreyan's face was full of concern. "I have no attention of revealing our true identity. I just want to know my enemy. How else will we be able to find his heart when the blade is ready, ehh Jus?" M'arenn smiled to ease his fears, "So, let us plan to make this meeting a reality." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ASCEM messages are copied to a mailing list. Most recent messages can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCEML. 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