Path: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!newsswing.news.prodigy.com!prodigy.net!newsfeed.cwix.com!border1.nntp.dca.giganews.com!nntp.giganews.com!newshosting.com!nx02.iad01.newshosting.com!yellow.newsread.com!bad-news.newsread.com!news-toy.newsread.com!netaxs.com!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: <15b.458c9741.2ee29b6e@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: 10/28 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Lines: 170 Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2004 05:55:28 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.198.142.218 X-Complaints-To: Abuse Role , We Care X-Trace: newshog.newsread.com 1102139728 209.198.142.218 (Sat, 04 Dec 2004 00:55:28 EST) NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2004 00:55:28 EST Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated:85926 X-Received-Date: Fri, 03 Dec 2004 21:55:36 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) Title: A Higher Duty Author: Istannor Contact: Istannor@aol.com Series: TOS Rating: PG13 for violence=20 Part: 10/28=20 Codes:TOS Summary: This is set during the second 5 year voyage of the Starship=20 Chapter 10 "Spock?" "Enter." McCoy came through the cabin door and walked over to the computer desk, where Spock sat reviewing the layout of the diplomatic compound and the terrain surrounding it. He had already instructed the crew to begin modifying the sensor array to overcome the interference from the ore deposits on Cygni. McCoy flopped gracelessly down into the chair across from the desk and sat without speaking. They both had become much more comfortable in the others company over the years. Jim's acceptance of their differences, and his appreciation of their gifts, had taught them well. "Have you heard from any other ships?" "There is a Vulcan cruiser, the Accord, that will be in range in 3.2 days and the USS Powell will arrive at approximately the same time we will. We do not have any other ship in range to get there fast enough to assist us." "I guess this means the Ariadne has been destroyed." "Not necessarily, Doctor, but it is safe to assume that she has been damaged sufficiently to prevent her from further communications. Perhaps, she withdrew to begin repairs." Spock had learned the value of hope from his shieldmate. The probability of the Ariadne still being intact was an automatic computation for him, but he no longer felt the need to voice it, unless requested. "How are you doing, Spock?" Spock knew finally, this was the reason McCoy had come. How different this human's approach was, compared to Jim's. Jim would have walked in and asked Spock exactly what he wanted to know. McCoy's mind on the other hand was often muddied and hard for the Vulcan to follow. It was something he had learned to adjust for, as best as he could. He at least understood what question the doctor was asking and considering its vagueness, that was an achievement. "I sense no further pain or distress, Doctor, only purpose. I sense resolve and calm reassurance through the link." "Spock, how well can you pick up his thoughts over this kind of distance?" "As you know, Doctor, I am a touch telepath, so the ability to communicate is best when in contact. You know our link is not that of bondmates. Bondmates can send and receive clear thoughts across any distance. It is a family link only. More than 20 meters away, it becomes mostly emotions or strong impressions. Any further than that, and only exceptionally strong emotions of love, pain or fear are received." "Did you feel any sense of pain, or terror, since the first time?" His concern for Jim was obvious and Spock bowed to that concern revealing more than would be considered appropriate on Vulcan, but then he was not on Vulcan and did not wish to be. "Jim has never in my experience, feel terror consistent with what I have sensed from some other Humans. I have noticed this to be a side affect of command training, and I have noted in other Captains. They are trained to allow their fear to focus them, not unlike a form of Vulcan conditioning. As for your other question, no, I have not had any indication of pain since the initial episode." He could see McCoy relax. "What are we going to do when we get there, Spock?" "The respective embassies for the various hostages, have all received communiqu=E9s with a list of ransom demands, and threats, if we attempt to rescue them. The Captain's ransom was set at 3 million credits." "That is a damn fortune," McCoy blurted. "Yes, and by far the largest amount requested for a single hostage baring two." "Who?" "Two women, by the names of M'arenn and Therenna, had their ransoms set at 4 million credits, apiece." Spocks left eyebrow rose as he divulged that last bit of information. McCoy whistled, a painful sound to Spock's hyper acute hearing. "Who are they?" "Unknown, Doctor. They are listed as members of the Romulan ambassadorial party, but no further details were forthcoming. It is logical to assume they obviously are vastly more important figures than the Romulans would have us believe. Perhaps, they are members of the Praetor's cabinet, or relatives. Whoever they are, someone wanted them badly enough to attack a planet and a Federation Starship." "Do you think this is why they wanted Jim so badly at the conference, and not the Enterprise." "Undoubtedly. Had the Enterprise been the ship to guard the conference, the Captain would have remained on the ship nightly, and his comings and goings would have been much harder to predict. Also, the Enterprise with him in command, has never been defeated. Their logic was impeccable. I regret I did not anticipate it." "Spock, there is no way to guess that terrorists would overrun an entire diplomatic conference. You shouldn't blame yourself." "On the contrary, anticipating the unexpected is our job. Which is why Jim took a phaser with him. He also felt something was suspect." "I thought they banned all hand weapons at the conference." "They did, but you know the Captain. He is never one to take no for an answer." "Well," they both sat quietly for a minute deep in their private thoughts. "Guess I better get back to sickbay. I already have two of the journalists under observation after they fainted when they found out they were stuck on a ship that was going into combat." McCoy chuckled, "I think I am going to order them all sedated before we get there." "Probably a wise precaution, Doctor. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance." "Will do, Spock," McCoy rose to leave, then stopped and turned back to face the Vulcan. "Spock, you will tell me if anything changes?" "Of course, Doctor." Spock waited long minutes after the door had closed behind McCoy before he turned back to the Embassy plans. 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