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: <86.1ca4f87f.2ee28f02@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: 6/28 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lines: 251 Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2004 05:55:03 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.198.142.218 X-Complaints-To: Abuse Role , We Care X-Trace: newshog.newsread.com 1102139703 209.198.142.218 (Sat, 04 Dec 2004 00:55:03 EST) NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2004 00:55:03 EST Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated:85906 X-Received-Date: Fri, 03 Dec 2004 21:55:08 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) Title: A Higher Duty Author: Istannor Contact: Istannor@aol.com Series: TOS Rating: PG13 for violence Part: 6/28 Codes:TOS Summary: This is set during the second 5 year voyage of the Starship Chapter 6 Kirk sat at his desk in his quarters, and read for awhile. After he finished the last of his journals, he turned to the panel on the desk and flicked a channel button for a direct channel to the Enterprise. It would be the gamma shift on the Enterprise. His first shift would be asleep, except for one person, who he knew would be awake when he called. The Enterprise came on line and he had the bridge patch him through to Spock's quarters. Spock's face came on screen, already seated in front of the chess set. "Jim, I believe it is your move." Both of them quietly went about finishing their chess game, as if they sat across from each other in the same room. For them, no other duties existed, no other urgencies summoned. The universe centered on them and their game of chess. It helped to reaffirm their place in the cosmos. Spock was the victor that night, of no consequence to either of them. It did take more than two moves. The channel was monitored, since it was a high security diplomatic conference. Few words were said; they just played. After they signed off, Kirk slept well. The next day of the conference was much the same, except for the amount of attention Kirk received everywhere he went. Many wanted to congratulate him on his speech. Even the observer from Starfleet, did not complain about his unplanned talk,which was a good sign. Maybe he could get through this without "causing trouble". "Captain, Captain Kirk," He was brought back from his daydreaming by the voice of the Federation Ambassador to the conference. Ambassador Davis was actually likable, for a diplomat. Kirk had found her to be helpful and considerate. It also helped that she actually had liked his response to the Orion. He turned to look as she approached him, and was surprised to note who was with her. She walked towards him with the Romulan party of women he had noted before. There was no evidence of any of the Romulan Ambassadors. An interesting fact Kirk noted, and tucked away. "Captain James T. Kirk, allow me to introduce you to M'arenn Al'Sthor of the house of Doyat and her sister Therenna, al S'Thor also of the house of Doyat." Kirk bowed deeply to both the ladies, his eyes meeting first M'arenn, and then the second woman's face. A jolt hit him when he looked into the eyes of Therenna. He felt his shields raise in defense after the definite sense of being probed hit him. It was stronger than the first time, but he wasn't too worried. Spock had been relentless in training Kirk in developing personal shields. Spock told him he shouted to telepaths emotionally and Human thoughts and emotions tended to be overwhelming to some lesser-trained telepaths. So, Kirk had dutifully learned shielding, until Spock was satisfied with his skills. He doubted anyone of Vulcan stock could break through them without at least touching him and he didn't plan on allowing that. "This, Captain is their adjutant, J'usreyan, of the house of R'esch." Kirk turned to meet the eyes of the older, strongly built, graying man standing beside them. For the briefest of moments, he was hit by a look of pure anger or hatred, he wasn't sure which. As soon as he noted it, it was gone, to be replaced by the placid look of a loyal retainer. Hmm, that one bears watching, he thought. "Captain," M'arenn stepped towards him, a subtle fragrance tickled his nostrils as she approached. She was dark, with eyes as gray as his silver lady. Her face was unmarred by lines. No hint of her true age showed, thanks to her Vulcan heritage. She was a powerful and commanding presence, not to mention beautiful. What a combination he thought. "I am honored to meet you at last, especially after your performance last evening. That speech would have made the most seasoned of diplomats shed their cynicism for at least a second," The last words were said with a slight hint of a smile. She moved closer and rested her hand on his arm. "Only a second, well then I have failed miserably, Lady M'arenn. I was hoping for lifetime conversions out there. I will have to work far harder next time. But, please, quick before my heart shatters," Kirk lifted his hand dramatically to his chest thereby effectively removing her hand from his arm. "Surely your enlightenment lasted for longer than a second." Two could play at this game of teasing and he definitely had nothing better to do than play word games with two beautiful women. Kirk allowed his smile to mirror M'arenn's own as they pleasantly bantered back and forth, neither taking, nor giving offense. Finally, answering some unknown cue, Kirk turned to the sister who had stood silently to the side during their exchange. "What about you, Lady Therenna, are you on the one second, or on the lifetime group?" He asked her with a friendly smile. When she looked up into his face for the first time, his smile widened into his most charming. She turned to face him and gave a smile full of humor with a touch of cynicism. He was absolutely struck by her beauty and the coal dark depthless eyes that met his. They were pools of mystery and intelligence. Momentarily stunned, he found himself deeply attracted to her and that bothered him. He was careful to keep his mask in place however, as he waited for her reply. "I think I am sitting in the neutral zone right now, Captain Kirk, only time and fate will tell." A small enigmatic smile played over her lips, and Kirk found himself wondering how they would feel. He brutally cut off that line of thought, shutting down so completely, most Vulcans would have been satisfied. "Well", the Ambassador said to the silence, "perhaps we would all be more comfortable if we found some place we could all sit and chat at length." She led them over to a table that was strategically isolated from prying eyes, but was still visible to the Romulan bodyguards that attempted to circulate inconspicuously, while keeping a sharp eye on the House S'Thor. The following next few hours were thoroughly enjoyable for the two envoys and Kirk. Their conversation was witty and entertaining. It touched on a myriad of subjects with humor and insight. Kirk was having fun in spite of himself. Conspicuously absent from the conversation was J'usreyan, who remained a stony presence on the outskirts of their consciousness. It was with mutual regret that they finally arose to bid each other good night. Kirk bowed again to both ladies, deeper this time, and watched as they were led away to their quarters. When they reached their quarters, Ramsthet, the son of M'arenn was still awake. He had obviously been holding on to wakefulness, to talk to his mother. She walked into his sleep chamber and quietly talked to him about his day spent with the children of Cygni, and put him to bed. Therenna listened to the nighttime ritual from the sitting room and gathered her thoughts. She felt confused and fractured by the evening. It had been totally entertaining, but she could not rid herself of a sense of shame that they had arranged it all to spy on the Human. She understood the importance of why she acted as the Praetors heart. The goal was not in doubt, but she felt guilty, and slightly dirty, for lying to Kirk. Her feelings of guilt were not normal, she had done far worse for the empire. The problem was that he did not feel like an enemy. She usually had no difficulty with a rather ruthless eradication of the Praetor's enemies, but reading those people had always left her feeling justified. Her sister entered the room and came to sit beside her on the lounge. "Therenna, were you able to get a better impression tonight?" "Yes, oh great moons yes." "And?" M'arenn waited. Her sister was acting distracted. Then, a single tear ran down her sister's face. "Forgive me, I am experiencing things as he felt them, and it is slightly overwhelming. He is ... different compared to what I am used to, or expected. He thinks about a magnitude more than he says. His mind races far ahead, anticipating what we will say, or do, or where we will look next. Unfortunately, he thinks I needed to touch him to read his thoughts, so he is not aware of how deep I was able to go. When he looks at me, he drinks me in like a vortex, with a sense of wonder and longing, instead of the lust for power, or advantage I have sensed in many others. I sense deep moral convictions. He loves someone, or perhaps something, deeper than life itself, with a purity and joy that makes me want to cry. I can not describe it. His love is laying on top of his mind, like a flame, flaring from him like the coronal edges of a sun. I wonder, how would it be to have someone feel that way about me. He is dangerous M'arenn," She whispered, more to herself than her sister,"so very dangerous. He made me reconsider my purpose, there is nothing more dangerous then forcing one to question themselves. How can we let someone such as he, be our enemy, and how can he not be our enemy?" M'arenn leaned in and hugged her tightly. "I have seldom seen you cry after a reading, little one." She did not answer at first. M'arenn was not sure she would. The answer, when it came was unexpected. "I think he knows I am a strong telempath, he just does not realize how strong I am." "Why do you think that?" M'arenn knew it was not too terribly bright to ask that question of a telempath, but it was too late to pull the question back. "I know he felt me attempt to read him. His shields got tighter afterwards. He knew and it did not frighten him or repel him. He looked at me as if my probes were only interesting, no more than interesting." "Is it that hard for you, Sister?" M'arenn wrapped her into her arms and held her close. A small voice spoke from against M'arenn's chest. "When our people find out my skills, their terror is almost overwhelming. They are so afraid that their schemes, lies, and fears will be discovered, and the Emperor will know. Except, for our closest family, I have been alone for my entire life. I have never found anyone who ever looked at me like he did. Even my own consort died before he lost his fear of me. A part of me does not wish any harm to come to him, M'arenn. He is special, different, like a blazing fire that threatens and caresses at the same time. It is so hard to explain, because I do not have the words. Please, tell me we will not have to harm him, at least this time." "Shh, little one. We are not going to hurt him at all. We are only here to be the eyes and heart of the Praetor. We do what we must. Today we are not here to kill. We will kill him if we must, you do understand that, do you not?" Her sister nodded. She took Therenna in a loving embrace and sent waves of love and reassurance to her mentally. She could not help but be totally unprepared for the effect this man had on her sister, . "Even me," she admitted to herself. "Perhaps men of honor and conviction will one day transcend empires." The thought gave her pause. [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. NewMessage: