***   TWENTY-SIX   ***                  297


            "Well, Kirk," Garth began, "you cast the glove to my face.

       What shall it be?  Ten paces backwards then fire?"

            "If you fired even a small charge now, at this range, neither

       one of us would survive.  Let's put some distance between each

       other for maneuvering; say, one-million kilometers," Jim offered.

            "Very well, Kirk.  And of course... may the best man win,"

       spoke Garth, inclining his head as a bow to his opponent.

            "No Garth.  May good conquer evil...  Even if we lose."

            "As you say Captain," Garth chuckled, "as you say.  Lord Garth

       out."  And with that, the image of the madman gave way to the image

       of the madman's ship.

            "Let's move out, Mr. Sulu," Jim commanded.

            The far-off fleet of warships watched as the two brave

       Starships turn away from each other to prepare for the imminent

       battle.  From their outward appearance, both vessels seemed to be

       of equal stature.  But all who observed this final confrontation

       knew that one of the ships was a giant.

            Enterprise reached the invisible mark that would be the

       starting point for this conflict.  She turned herself gracefully

       and came to a stop, facing her opposition fearlessly.  She saw the

       enemy.  It floated out there, afar off in the distance, waiting for

       the battle-cry that would start the joust.  It too was ready for

       combat.  It too would begin its charge moments from now.  They

       faced each other, both knowing that in the end, there could be only

       one victor.

            Captain James T. Kirk sat with both hands on his command

       chair, gripping the arms with tense fingers.  He looked around his

       








                                                                      298
       bridge and saw the familiar people that, collectively, was the

       life's blood of his ship.  He saw Spock, his logical friend.  A

       true master of the intellect.  The man with a concealed heart,

       masking the emotions that humans held dear, yet often able to share

       them in ways that even a human would find difficult.  He saw Uhura,
       
       the brave woman that gave his bridge a heart, and was able to give
       
       voice to it.  Bones, the healer.  Kicking at the smallest

       inconvenience yet ready to sacrifice his own life to save

       another's.  A friend that had always been there to offer advice,

       even when Jim could not admit that he needed any.  There was

       Scotty, the loyal soul who had pulled his ship from the brink of

       destruction many times over.  A man who loved a strong drink, a

       loud song, and a good fight, without regard to the odds.  There was

       the swash-buckling Sulu.  The pirate at heart, yet a true friend to

       his shipmates.  A man who enjoyed the company of fire-arms as well

       as the fragrance of flowers.  And lastly he saw Checkov.  Eager to

       be at the task.  Full of energy, and often full of bull.  He prided

       himself in his heritage, but held not another's against them.

            This was his crew, and his ship.  And Jim confirmed his

       resolve that he would defeat Garth, not just for the defense of the

       Federation, but for the protection of the men and woman who gave

       this ship life, and gave her captain, purpose.

            "Mr. Checkov, weapons status?" Jim asked.

            "Torpedoes armed and ready, Sir.  Phasers are charged."

       replied the Ensign.

            "Spock, is Lieutenant Kyle ready for your signal?" Jim asked

       the First Officer.

            "Yes, Captain," Spock replied.










                                                                      299
           "Mr. Scott, are your engines going to do what we want them to?"

           "Aye, they are," The Scottsman said. "But I'm sure wishin there

       was another way, Sir."

           Jim silently agreed with the Chief Engineer.  He then depressed

       the comm. button on the arm of his command chair.  "This is the

       Captain.  We are about to engage the enemy.  It goes without saying

       that I expect you all to give your best. You know what is at stake.

       If we die today, we may not be remembered by anyone who lives in

       Garth's new order. But it is my hope that the angels in heaven will

       sing the song, of how this lone Starship faced their enemy, and

       bravely stood, for justice, truth and the defense of the innocent!

       But don't write it as our epitaph yet!  Kirk out." Jim closed the

       channel. He looked up at the screen and saw that the time had come.

            "Lieutenant Uhura, contact the Fringe Ranger," Jim said.

            "Aye sir, hailing frequencies are open," she replied.

            "Garth," Jim's voice was carried across the void, to his

       enemy, "Make your move!"

            At the moment Jim gave the word, the Fringe Ranger was on the

       move.  She began to circle towards the enterprise, but the

       Enterprise would not wait for her.  She too was now circling some

       invisible point between them.  Both ships: feeling out the other's

       defenses.  Both captains waiting for an opening.  It was no secret

       to Jim that the man he now faced was one of the greatest Starship

       Captains that ever lived.  One of the most famous military

       strategists of all time.  But Jim's edge was in his own crew.  The

       crew Garth commanded was loyal and fierce but undeniably insane.

       The latter would make a difference, if they could live long enough

       to prove it.










                                                                      300
            The Ranger broke away from its course and angled itself

       toward its quarry.

            "Watch it, Sulu," Jim stated, seeing the ship alter her

       course.

            "He's using the Johnson parabolic maneuver!" Spoke the

       oriental Lieutenant.

            "Watch close for a change, Sulu.  He is sure to alter the

       pattern from predictable to unpredictable!"

            "Aye, Sir!" responded Sulu. "There it is!  He's tacking to

       port!"

            "Alter course to 5-5-1 mark 3," the Captain commanded.  "Lock

       Phasers on target!"

            "Phasers locked!" came Checkov.

            "Fire all batteries!" he commanded.

            "Firing, Sir!" the Lieutenant stated.

            "Two direct hits," Spock informed his Captain.  "However,

       their shields do not register any damage."

            "Checkov, engage photon control," Jim ordered.

            "She's turning toward us again!" Sulu said, and began a

       reflexive evasion maneuver.

            "Photon control operational," responded Checkov.

            "Why hasn't he fired?" the Doctor asked, hanging tightly to

       the bridge railing.

            "He's waiting to see if we have any surprises," Jim said to

       his friend.  "He's hoping that we will tip our hand."

            The Fringe Ranger came toward them and grew larger on their

       screen.  She looked like a formidable adversary.

            "He's charging phasers," Spock stated.

       








                                                                      301
            "Fire photon spread as we pass, Mr. Checkov.  Now!" Jim

       commanded.

            The two ships came within ten Kilometers of each other,

       broadsiding each other as they passed.  Fiery torpedoes sped from

       the Enterprise, heading for the enemy ship, while rays of blazing

       energy ripped from the underside of the Fringe ranger, hitting the

       shields of the Enterprise.  The Enterprise rocked as the phasers

       connected with her.

            "Two misses," Checkov stated, angry at himself.  "She

       increased speed at the last moment," he offered in explanation.

            "Damage?" asked Jim.

            "Damage to fore-shields two and three," replied Spock.  "I was

       able to angle the deflectors to the side, but he will soon detect

       that we have no rear shielding."

            "Let's not keep our backs to him, Sulu.  Bring us about," Jim

       commanded.

            "Aye, Sir," Sulu replied. "New heading 7-2-9 point 3"

            "Now he's just playing with us," Jim said over his shoulder to

       Bones.  "But we'll know when he gets serious" The Doctor did not

       reply.  He continued to gaze at the screen in front of him.  His

       knuckles where getting white for the grip he had on the rail.

            "Captain," Spock announced, "I believe he is now 'serious'.

       He has armed one of his explosives.   The warhead is small, but

       sufficient."

            "Mr. Sulu, put some distance between us!" Jim commanded.

            The helmsman gunned the impulse drive, taking them to near

       light speed.

            "He is firing," Spock stated.

       








                                                                      302
            "Evasive Mr. Sulu!" Jim reflexively moved his chair to the

       side as if to avoid the weapon that sped toward his ship.  "Do you

       have the coordinates Spock?"

            "I am sending them down to Lieutenant Kyle now," Spock

       replied.

            "Now, Mister Kyle," Jim spoke to the transporter chief.

            They watched as the deadly torpedo neared the Enterprise.  All

       their lives were riding on the effectiveness of this strategy. The

       weapon streaked toward them and then, with a sparkle of light, it

       disappeared.

            In the transporter room, Lieutenant Kyle worked the controls,

       trying to snag the small, fast moving target.  Then the weapon ran

       directly into the beam that was prepared for it.  The pad in the

       rear of the room began to shimmer, then with an enormous crack,

       exploded, sending sparks, smoke and debris across the room.  The

       damage control team ran over to the burnt out pad and began to

       extinguish the electrical combustion.  They had succeeded in

       stopping the first weapon.  But there were many more, aboard the

       enemy vessel.

            "We did it!" cheered Sulu.

            "No, Mr. Sulu, not yet," Jim corrected him. "But we may have

       knocked some wind out of his sails," he said.  "Uhura, raise Garth,

       audio only.  I don't want to take my eyes off of his ship for a

       minute."

            "Aye, Sir," she complied.

            On board the Fringe Ranger.

            Garth was as furious, as he was astonished to see the

       Enterprise still in one piece.  He smashed his powerful fist down

       

       






                                                                      303
       into the arm of his command chair and crushed it.

            "What happened!?!" Garth bellowed in his rage.

            "Enterprise has used her transporters to destroy the weapon,

       harmlessly, lord Garth," the golden skinned man at the science

       station stated sheepishly.

            "How dare he!!!" Garth stood and screamed in unbounded anger.

            "My lord," the man at communications said, "Captain Kirk is

       hailing us.  Should I put him on speakers?"

            Garth turned to the man, his eyes full of hate and his mouth

       drawn in a snarl.  He looked at the seated man, whom he had just

       terrified with a glance.  Then he forced himself to relax.  He

       dropped himself heavily into his chair once more, almost tearing it

       from its mounting.

            "Put him on," commanded Garth.

            "This is Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise.  Garth,

       surrender," he said almost pleading.  "You must know now, that you

       are not the Goliath that you think you are."

            "And you are not David, Kirk.  You have taken but the first of

       many blows.  And this is still round one!" he said in subdued

       anger.  "I counter offer you with this," he spoke with a slightly

       kinder voice.  "Join me.  You are still worthy of my service," he

       said, now enticingly, "I could make you a god, Kirk!  Second only

       to me."

            "I have turned down that offer already, Garth.  The first time

       you lost to us," Jim's voice reminded him.  "Don't make me defeat

       you again.  There will be no Elba for you when you lose.  Only the

       flames of hell."

            "Then you claim god-hood already, for only a god could

       








                                                                      304
       condemn another to damnation."

            "I do not, Garth.  If you burn, it is by your choice alone.

       But I will keep you from making this galaxy burn with you."

            "You, of course, are welcome to try, Captain.  I have given

       you but one last chance to join me.  Now I will merely kill you.

       So prepare for death, Kirk.  We will not speak again!"

            As if to punctuate the point, Garth swiveled in his chair and

       raised his arm toward the man at the communications console.  His

       arm mounted disrupter cannon, immediately came on line.  "Fire," he

       spoke to his own armor and the man, and the console behind it were

       blown to smoldering ashes.

            On the Enterprise.

            "Captain," Spock commented.  "The odds are still against our

       defeating him.  He knows that we cannot use our transporters

       indefinitely.  With every shot he fires at us, we destroy at least

       one transporter pad.  His armaments are not as limited.  I estimate

       that he has twenty armed warheads, for every pad we have on this

       ship."

            "I know Spock, we will have to make our move soon.  But even

       if we fail, we will have stopped him.  Both fleets have witnessed

       our maneuver, and their collective transporter capability, makes

       them more than a match for him."

            "Sir, he's moving again," Sulu interrupted.  "It looks like

       Tabor's spiral assault." Sulu knew the battle maneuvers of every

       notable conflict, in the history of Starfleet.  It was comforting

       to know that he knew how to counter most of them as well.

            Jim concentrated on the battle.  He tried to think of what he

       would do if the situations were reversed.  Garth would try to find

       








                                                                      305
       a way to make Kirk's strategy work against him.  But how?  And then

       if by answer;

            "Eeencoming transporter beam!" Checkov shouted as he saw the

       tight beam appear across his navigation sensors.

            "Sulu, hard to port!" Jim commanded.

            Sulu did as told and the entire crew was pulled to the side,

       as the Enterprise accelerated and arced away from the beam ahead of

       them.  McCoy wrapped a leg around the railing stand, and held on

       for dear life.  In the distance, five armed photon torpedoes

       materialized, in what would have been, the Enterprise's path.  They

       detonated, still reasonably close to the Starship, but did no more

       than rock the great vessel.

            "Garth is firing again." announced Spock.  "Three 'Garth-

       type' warheads."

            "Co-ord's straight to Kyle, Spock!"  Jim said as the

       Enterprise began to right herself out of the tight turn.

            "Kyle is engaging the transporter now," Spock informed his

       captain.

            "Come on, Kyle," Jim said, knowing he could not be heard by
       
       the Lieutenant.
       
            "Eef he meesses just vun of dem," Checkov said aloud.

            "Then we will not feel a thing," Spock finished the Ensign's

       sentence for him.

            Kyle was again successful in pulling the explosives into the

       transporter wave, and destroying the transporter platform in the

       process.  "Captain Kirk, Kyle here.  These pads are shot.  The last

       explosion took out two good ones.  I am transferring power to

       evacuation transporters on deck four."










                                                                      306
            "Acknowledged, Lieutenant.  Keep it up; you're doing fine!"

       Jim said in encouragement.  "Sulu, alter course, 3-9-1 mark 1."

            "Aye, Sir, altering course."

            "Mr. Checkov, fire all weapons at Garth, as we pass over him,"

       Jim ordered.

            "Garth is altering course to intercept, Captain!" Spock

       informed him.  "Sounding collision alert!" Spock said and the

       alarms began to make their distinct noise.

            "Sulu, course 4-7-7 mark 4!  Brace yourselves!", Jim said and

       he saw the Fringe Ranger cut up in front of them, from below.

       Phasers blazing towards the fore-section of the Enterprise.  Sulu

       swerved so there would be no collision, but the shields of both

       ships made contact and gave feedback explosions on both vessels.

            "Now, Checkov, fire!" Jim shouted over the alert claxon.

       "While he's in range!" he said and the young Russian let fly the

       weapons of war.  The phaser hits only weakened the enemy's

       shielding, but they did more damage than the torpedoes that

       entirely missed again.  There had been no time for a weapons lock

       and the Fringe Ranger was streaking away from them without so much

       as a nose bleed.

            "Damage report!" Jim said.  Garth was good.  Jim had not

       realized just how good, until now.  They would not last much

       longer at this pace.  Garth was running them ragged.

            "Forward shields still holding, but only at sixty-nine

       percent.  No casualties yet reported.  Structural hull integrity is

       weakening but not seriously yet.  Port thruster support pylon is in

       danger of buckling.  And you already know about the transporters,"

       Spock concluded.

       








                                                                      307
            "He sure knows his offensive tactics," Sulu said, not

       believing how hard and fast they were hit.

            "Mister, Kyle?" Jim spoke into the air.

            "Yes, Sir; Kyle here," the Australian born man said.

            "If I know Garth, and I think I am beginning to, I believe

       that the next thing he will do is launch 'his' explosive back to

       back with photon torpedoes.  That is what I'd do.  Make every

       effort not to catch a photon torpedo in the beam.  We would hate to

       bring a live one on board."

            "Aye, Sir," he said.  "I know I wouldn't enjoy it."

            "Captain, we are barely holding our own, in this battle,"

       Spock stated as fact, no disrespect intended. "It would seem that

       if we are to defeat him, the sooner we do so, the better."

            "My sentiments exactly Spock, but we need to set up for it

       first," Jim admitted, though more than ready to kick the counter

       offensive in gear.  "Mr. Sulu, bring us around to face the enemy,

       but maintain a good distance."

            "Yes, Sir," spoke Sulu, and he did just that.

            The Fringe Ranger was again, thankfully distant.  The

       Enterprise turned to face her once more.  This time it would be for

       all the marbles.  The Enterprise was being mercilessly pounded and

       sooner or later, someone was going to make a mistake.  Any mistake

       would be fatal.

            "Distance, Mr Spock?", Jim enquired.

            "One-point-three-million kilometers," Spock stated as he

       looked into his console's scanning viewer.

            "Mr. Scott," Jim began, "it's your turn to join the fight.

       Are we all set for the 'torpedo run'?"
       









                                                                      308
            "Aye, Sir.  Ah wish we coulda come up wi a different plan,

       though," he said with a hint of sorrow.

            "So do I, Scotty.  But 'if thy right hand offend thee,'" Jim

       quoted for the Scottsman.

            "Aye, Sir, just give the word.  I'll be ready." said Scotty,

       knowing that it was the best chance they had.

            "Mr. Checkov,  let's see if we can't soften up his shields

       some more."

            "I vill make every effort to, Keptin," replied the young

       Russian.

            "The Fringe Ranger is making another run towards us, Captain,"

       Spock stated.  "I detect both photon torpedoes and the Garth

       explosive, active and ready to fire.  Just as you predicted,

       Captain."

            "Will our shields withstand the impact, Spock?" Jim asked,

       knowing it would not alter their course of action.  They were

       committed.

            "Uncertain, Captain," Spock replied. "But they surely would

       not, if we had normal shielding in front."

            "Mr. Sulu, full impulse power!" he ordered. "Prepare to take

       us to warp speed at my command."

            "Aye, aye, Captain.  Here we go."

            The two ships, though far apart, sped again towards each other

       and shortened their distance between them with every passing

       second.  They were both committed now to this last run.  Like two

       giant knights, they raced to meet. With lances made of energy and

       steeds taking them faster than any mere animal ever hoped to go,

       the courage of each ship was challenged.  And neither opponent gave

       








                                                                      309
       a shadow of turning in this, the final joust.

            "Nine-hundred-thousand kilometers to Fringe Ranger and

       closing." Spock announced for the benefit of his Captain.

            "Keptain," Checkov asked, "the enemy wessel is now in range!"

            "Wait till you have a lock, Checkov, then let them fly!" Jim

       stated.

            "He's increasing speed to match ours!" Sulu warned them.

            "Fire up both warp engines, Mr. Sulu!" Jim commanded.

            "Yes, Sir."  Sulu brought them on line and was ready kick them

       in at his Captain's command.

            "Six-hundred-thousand Kilometers," Spock offered.

            "Hurry up Checkov." Jim urged "Get him locked."

            "He is launching a full spread of both, torpedoes and his

       explosive," Spock stated, while giving the coordinates of the Garth

       explosive only, over to transporter control for Kyle to use.  The

       Photon torpedoes would hit them head on.

            "Target acquired and locked.  Firing our torpedoes now, Sir!"

       spoke Checkov, while bracing himself for impact.

            "Grab something Doctor!" Jim yelled over his shoulder as the

       torpedoes hit the re-enforced energy barriers in front of them.

            "I am grab..." the Doctor started to say but was shaken too

       hard to speak.  The Enterprise was indeed, hit hard by the

       torpedoes, but her shields still held.  If only just.  And still

       the Fringe Ranger was coming.  Jim reflected that Kyle must have

       managed to catch the other explosives in the transporter beam.

       Hopefully that would be the last time it would be necessary.  Then

       Checkov's torpedoes hit the Ranger, finally scoring significant

       damage to the shields, but it did not slow her in the least.

       







       
                                                                      310
            "Damage to Fringe Ranger's shields!" Spock interjected, "They

       should be weak enough for penetration."

            "Engage warp drive!" Jim commanded.  "Intercept course for the

       enemy ship!"

            The Enterprise streaked ahead, just above warp one, but it was

       too much for her port warp engine.  It was heating up, passing

       critical and would blow in any second.  Just as Jim knew it would.

            "Distance; Three-hundred-thousand kilometers," Spock

       continued the countdown.

            "Scotty?" Jim asked.  If they waited much longer, they would

       either be self-destructing or colliding with the Fringe Ranger.

            "Aye, Sir.  She's high in the red!  Just a second more!"

            "Two-hundred-thousand kilometers," Spock stated.  "Impact with

       enemy vessel in seven seconds."

            "Scotty..." Jim urged vigorously.

            "Ready now, Sir!" Scotty said.

            "Jettison Port nacelle!" Jim commanded and instantly the long

       tubular propulsion unit released itself from its support pylon and

       shot forth from the Enterprise.  With tremendous speed it cleared

       the saucer section in the wink on an eye, vibrating the entire ship

       as it streaked ahead.  Like a huge missile, it sliced through the

       blackness of the void, and headed straight for the Fringe Ranger.

            "Sulu, alter course to 0-1-8, warp three!" Jim commanded

       hastily.  Not wanting to be in the vicinity when the nacelle

       intercepted its target.  "Punch it!" he said and the Enterprise

       veered off, and sped away, just before the tremendous explosion.

            On the Fringe Ranger.

            Garth saw it coming.  He could almost not believe his eyes.

       








                                                                      311
       "Hard turn, helmsman!" he said but the helmsman froze.  Garth

       jumped from his command chair, with a force that sheared off the

       bolts that held it to the deck.  It toppled behind him.  Grabbing

       the helmsman by the neck and carelessly crushing it, he pulled him

       from his station and tossed his limp body across the room.  Garth

       moved his powerful gauntlets over the controls but found that they

       were too massive to operate the delicate equipment.  He punched a

       hole in the console, while merely trying to press a button.

            Garth screamed his rage, as the slender warp drive engine,

       streaked towards his ship.  The universe was being ripped from his

       grasp by a mere mortal.  How he hated Kirk.

            "You have defeated me, Kirk!" he said through clenched teeth.

       His crew were the only ones who could hear him.  "But you will not

       destroy me.  Energize!" was the last word he said.  And the

       nacelle pierced the ship's invisible energy shields, shattering

       them as a bullet would shatter a pane of glass.

            The Enterprise's propulsion unit did not slow.  It continued

       on, toward its mark. It hit the enemy Starship in the underside of

       the saucer, as she had attempted to avoid the unorthodox

       projectile.  It penetrated the hull, traveled through seven decks
       
       then emerged through the top, and stopped.  Like a great harpoon,

       the nacelle pierced the ship, and for the briefest of moments it

       appeared that the ship bled, as her atmosphere leaked out and into

       space.  Then the anti-matter containment field in the nacelle

       failed altogether.  It exploded with tremendous violence, causing

       the first burst of blinding energy to thunder across the vacuum.

       Then, almost simultaneously, the Garth explosive erupted,

       brightening and intensifying the terrible destructive forces

       








                                                                      312
       already unleased.  The Enterprise raced just ahead of the force

       waves and continued to outrun them.

            Ahead, the Fleet of war ships, seeing the brilliant inferno,

       decided that they were not far enough from the concussive energy

       blast and gave more ground.  Then, in the center of the explosion,

       unseen at first,  a worm hole began to swirl and take shape.  It

       had been forced open by the violent power dispersal.

            The dark hole in the fabric of space grew, sucking in much of

       the energy that had created it, into the unknown beyond.  The force

       that sped in all directions, began to lose its intensity, as more

       energy was drawn in.  And as the blast lost a large portion of its

       sting, the hole began to close upon itself.  Like a great drain in

       the sky that had run out of water, the swirling ebbed, then ceased.

            The Enterprise outran the energy wave successfully.  She began

       to slow when she had reached a safe distance, and finally dropped

       out of space-warp.  Few scars of battle were evident on her hull

       but the loss of her nacelle was all too visible.  Still she had

       been victorious.  Slowly, steadily she headed for the Fleet of

       Starships that were in the distance before them.

            Enterprise, though a whole ship no longer, approached the

       Federation Fleet in wait.  As she slowed to join them, the crew saw

       the Fleet break their holding positions, and swarm about each

       other, ultimately forming two columns.  They awaited the wounded

       Starship that slowly came toward them and then passed between the

       two columns.  The Fleet shot harmless light beams across the prow

       the the Enterprise, in victorious tribute to the lone Starship that

       had challenged the might of Garth.  And within the Starship

       herself, cheers of joy erupted from the crew.










                                                                      313
            The Klingon Fleet was now distant, on their side of the Zone,

       and they made no aggressive moves. Kang was seeing to it that it

       remained that way.  He showed Admiral Sorr the disheveled form of

       their Emperor and convinced him that they should take no action

       until Tromok could command them.  On that day, in that instant at

       least, it could be said that Kang wielded the might of the Klingon

       Empire.  Although it would not last, the Federation was safe for

       the moment.

                                *         *         *

            On the bridge of the Enterprise:

            "Relax, boys," Jim said to Sulu and Checkov, who were still

       and silent.  It was a mild state of shock that all shared in part,

       but would soon pass.  "You did fine.  It's over," he said and then

       he turned to the rest.  "You all did fine."

            "I don't believe ve did it." was all Checkov managed.

            Sulu began to shake off the numbness and smiled.  Then he

       turned to his partner and punched him in the shoulder. "We did do

       it!" he said, to his friend.

            "This is the Captain," Jim spoke to his entire crew

       throughout the ship, "Thanks to combined effort of all aboard this

       ship, Garth has been defeated.  You all deserve medals, and

       probably will get them.  You have my personal thanks and respect

       for the way you acted today.  It will certainly be something to

       tell your grandchildren.  Kirk out," he concluded.

            "Uhura," Jim said, "get me the Republic."

            "Aye, Sir."  She did as ordered.  "Captain Grayson, on

       speakers."

            "Captain Grayson, this is Captain Kirk."

       








                                                                      314
            "Captain, congratulations!" spoke Grayson.

            "Thanks Captain," Jim said pleasantly. "Is Commodore

       Stormcloud with you?"

            "No, Captain.  That is, he is aboard this ship, but he is in a

       security cell.  When you won the battle, he confessed to the crime

       of conspiracy, and placed himself under arrest."

            "Very good, Captain.  I leave him in your capable hands," Jim

       said.  "Kirk out."

            Spock stepped down from his station and placed himself next to

       the Captain's chair.  The Doctor had decided to do the same.  They

       watched the screen as the Fleet surrounded them, still displaying

       their light show on Enterprise's behalf.

            "It is confusing to me Captain," Spock began, "that Garth

       referred to himself as a deity."

            "It is a delusion that many have given themselves over to in

       past history, Spock.  I suppose it all boils down to the human

       failing called pride."

            "Yeah, Spock," Bones cut in, "haven't your heard that 'Pride

       goes before a fall'?  I thought you knew every quote in the

       galaxy."

            "If you are referring to the Proverb: 'Pride goeth before

       destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall', then my answer

       would be yes.  But the mere fact that I have memorized it, Doctor,

       does not mean that I completely comprehend its emotional

       derivative."

            "Spock," Jim put himself back into the discussion, "humans

       need a sense of 'self worth'.  But if we don't place ourselves in

       the proper perspective, our ideas of self worth can become twisted

       








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       and perverted.  Sometimes it is because we don't get a 'sense of

       value' from others that we feel we deserve, so it becomes easy to

       place ourselves above the others, that reject us.  Then it is

       easier to ultimately exult ourselves above all.  It is not logical,

       Spock.  But it happens."

            "Should not all intelligent beings be considered equal in

       value to all humans?" Spock asked.

            "They should, but it is not always so," said Jim, and Bones

       nodded his head in agreement.

            "Pride is a concept that, I believe, humans would be better

       off without," Spock concluded.

            "That's easy for you to say!" Bones grumbled to the Vulcan.

       "Haven't you found out yet, that being an unfeeling monolith isn't

       the end-all answer to everything!"  Bones had discovered long ago

       that he held little patience for what he considered to be the

       Vulcan's 'subtle inferences of superiority'.  "The fact that you

       even try to understand something that you refuse to experience,

       seems to be in direct violation to your vaunted logic!"

            "Doctor," replied the Vulcan, "I even attempt to understand

       you, without desiring to experience any more of you than I have

       to."

            "Uhura."  Jim turned around to the Communications Officer

       behind him. "Did I tell you, that it's good to be back home?" he

       asked her.  She smiled to her Captain and they let the two argue

       with each other, just glad that things were back to 'normal'.

       













       
                            ***   EPILOGUE  ***                       316

            Captain's Personal Log, Stardate 5872.6

            The Fleet is breaking up, and heading for home.  Soon it will

       be our turn to part company and head for Starbase 16, for repairs.

       We should be back to our regular duty within three weeks.

            We received a message from the Klingon Emperor that they are

       seceding from the Federation and will attempt to re-establish their

       treaty with the Romulan Empire.  Kang assured me that, although the

       Romulans would accept them back as allies, their relationship with

       the Vulcanoid Empire would never be the same.  We are now back

       under the accords of the Organian Peace Treaty.  It is not peace,

       but it is an agreement that we both can live with.

            I had some good news for Kang as we parted.  The tri-corder

       that I had brought with me, aboard the Battlecruiser Fury,

       accidentally recorded a biological scan of both Kang and his wife.

       Bones discovered the recording in the unit's memory bank and I had

       the pleasure of informing Kang that he was going to be a father.  I

       believe that I will miss the good times that Kang and I shared.  It

       was good to know him, and perhaps sometime in the future, we shall

       meet again.  But one thing that Kang said has caused me some

       concern.  He said that he saw Garth's black warp-shuttle emerge

       from the dying Starship at the moment of its destruction.  Garth

       could not have survived the explosion.  At least that is what I

       will keep telling myself, until I finally believe it.

            Spock's father, Ambassador Sarek has successfully cleared me

       of all charges and himself as well.  The message that he sent this

       morning indicated that there would even be a retraction on the

       Multi-cast Networks.  I did give Spock the message that Sarek gave

       









                                                                      317
       me for him while I was imprisoned on Earth.  Spock assures me that

       there was no humor intended in it.  I still don't believe him.

            Morale is incredibly high, but I have given Mr. Sulu

       permission to have a costumed ball in the Shuttle Bay as a

       celebration.  Spock has informed me that he will not attend but he

       is lending me his costume.  I guess I will find out what his

       costume is when he delivers it to me.  Bones wouldn't tell me what

       it is, but he keeps bursting into laughter every time I mention it.

       I don't know if I should trust either one of them, now.

            In reference to my previous log entry about the Holberg

       expedition; it seems that the entire mission is still a blur to me.

       Spock passed me a copy of his account of the mission before I left

       the Enterprise with Kang.  Unfortunately the file was taken into

       custody, along with other personal effects, while I was under

       arrest on Earth.  I suppose I will find out exactly what it

       entailed when I can muster up the courage to explain to Spock the

       real reason that I wanted it in the first place.  Somehow, the

       urgency to know has also slipped from me.   But I still have the

       dreams.

            I believe that I will do some reading now, and call it a day.

       Until next time.

            End log.

            Jim lifted himself up from his desk and headed into the rear

       of his cabin.  He sat on his bed and bent down to pull off his

       boots and stretch his toes, when he saw a sheet of paper(?) peeking

       out from under his bed.  He pulled it out and found that it was

       paper.  It was a note written to him in ink.  At the bottom he saw

       the signature, then realized that it must have come from the

       








                                                                      318
       manuscript that he had discovered in his personal safe.

            Jim sat up and scooted himself back onto his bed.  He turned

       on the light by his headboard and began to read.  It said:

            Captain Kirk,

                 I bear you no malice and my regret for this incident
            runs deep.  We are both wounded men and need to heal.  It
            is my experience, and I should know, that time does not
            truly heal all wounds.  It merely takes our mind off of
            the pain until we become callous to it.
       
                 Captain, I have been many men and seen many things in
            my long life.  If there is a man who has experienced life
            to its fullest, and become wiser for it, it is I.  And
            one thing I have witnessed, throughout all the years, is
            that 'truth' is unchangeable.  It remains the same and
            endures forever.  And there can be healing in the knowing
            of it and the living in it.

                 This gift I leave with you is part of that truth.
            You will have to believe this, for yourself, to see it for
            yourself.  But that is how it has always been.  There is
            life in the truth, and wisdom, and the answers to all you
            seek.  It is no crutch that will bear you up only when you
            need it.  It is a cure that can change your life to make you
            able to endure all things, good or ill.  It is a source of
            hope in this uncertain life.  And it is my hope that you will
            see this to be true as I have.  Remember it always, Captain,
            and never forget.


                                               Flint.


            Jim lay the note down on this bed and pondered its meaning.

       Long moments later, he leaned across his bed and opened his

       personal safe.  Pulling the vellum manuscript from the box, he

       closed the safe's door and righted himself again.  It was a

       Gutenberg manuscript of the New Testament book of Romans.

       Gingerly, Jim turned the first page, noting the careful lettering

       and style.  Slowly, carefully, James T. Kirk began to read.