Black Fire (9 page)

"Indeed," Spock said seriously, "but if you are correct, we are in grave difficulty. There is no way I can return any interest in her."

"And," Julina added, "she is jealous of me."

"Is that so?" Spock raised an eyebrow. "I hadn't noticed."

"You wouldn't," Julina replied matter-of-factly.

The door to their chamber opened and IIsa came toward Spock. She examined him from head to foot with clinical thoroughness; finding no obvious wound, she looked relieved. Spock, trying to maintain some dignity throughout the examination, retreated far into himself until she had completed her probing. Satisfied that Spock was not seriously injured, IIsa swept past Julina, giving her a warning glare, and then she left them without saying a word. Shortly after her departure, a guard entered and moved Julina to another part of the ship.

She was correct
, Spock thought.
We will have to be very careful from now on
.

Back on Tomarii, the returning armies went to their different camps while the officers of the three attack groups met in council. The large audience chamber was full of strutting warriors talking in loud voices, boasting of their exploits in the recent battles. The brief Tomariian cycle of severe cold had ended; the dull, red sun was closer, making the planet's temperature at least tolerable for the returned captives. Spock speculated on the change in the weather, trying to calculate the orbit of the planet around its sun. It was good mental exercise, keeping his mind off his discomfort and IIsa's more pronounced advances toward him. He hadn't conferred with Julina since his return to Tomarii.

On a view-screen set into the stone wall of the large room was a projected image of the Tomariian Empire. Spock and Julina, never far from IIsa, were in the rear of the room studying the chart intently.

"If what we see indicated on the map is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, the Tomariians' sphere of influence is spread over extensive territory," Spock observed to Julina. "It is more than one-eighth of the known galaxy."

"The Klingon Empire is closest to that of the Tomariians," Julina said. "It would be interesting to observe the conflict when they overlap."

"From what I have observed, that will merely be a matter of time," Spock commented.

IIob reported his defeat in great detail, promising a much better showing in the next invasion attempt. The other generals, smug with their victories, gave lavish accounts of their exploits. After the formal reports, IIsa ordered silence.

"It is time for us to discuss our prisoners' performance."

Spock's attention became sharply focused, but he and Julina were hustled out of the room before the discussion got started. Spock had difficulty hearing the reports from the adjoining room, where they were put, in spite of his highly developed auditory sense.

IIob spoke first. "Montgomery is a fine engineer and an adequate soldier. I found no complaint with him. He was brave in battle. The Romulans also proved good soldiers. Unfortunately, one of them was killed by the Paxans. Scott and Placus behaved strangely. The human placed himself before the Romulan in an attempt to protect him. When the human took a Paxan dart, the Romulan removed it, saving his life. I have never witnessed this kind of behavior before."

The room buzzed with comment. Tomariian custom had been seriously breached. IIob then interjected, "They knew no better; perhaps it is customary with them and they were ignorant of our ways."

"Are you defending the prisoners, IIob?" IIsa asked in disbelief.

"No, no," IIob stammered. "I was just making an observation."

"The Klingons, how did they perform?" IIsa asked.

"Magnificently, Begum. They are much like us in many ways. They will prove worthy adversaries," a general boomed.

"They are closest to us," IIsa considered. "It would be convenient to deal with them first. It is a challenge we want," she proclaimed. "We will begin with the Klingons." A roar of approval greeted her announcement.

The decision made, attention turned to the disposition of the prisoners.

"We have no use for them any longer, Begum. They have served their purpose. I say kill them now and go on to planning the invasion."

"Kill them!" came the unanimous chant. "Kill them now!"

"No!" IIsa shouted. "Not yet. There may yet be a use for them. I will determine the time."

A hush of surprise followed her decree. "Keep them under guard," she ordered.

She swept out of the council chamber, trying not to show her emotional turmoil at the prospect of Spock's death.

Together for the first time since their capture, the prisoners found little comfort in each other. The Klingons were determined to escape at any cost in order to report to their Empire the danger they had discovered. Placus and Julina compared notes of their experiences and the implications for the Romulan Empire, and Spock and Scott shared conclusions on the technological inconsistencies of the Tomariian culture. If not for Spock's logical presentation of the facts, it would have been chaotic.

"We are in no better a position than we were when we first decided to cooperate. I suggest we try to formulate a plan of escape. It can't be long before we will have served our purpose and the Tomariians decide to eliminate us. Let us pool our knowledge before we are rendered completely helpless, or separated again. Scott, what have you discovered that can be of help?"

"The most important thing, I think, is their constant readiness for launch. If we can get ta the gantry, we have a verra good chance o' blastin' off."

Julina, less hopeful, questioned him. "But how do we get through their holding beam? I haven't seen away to neutralize it."

"The beam has a limited range," Klee interjected.

Spock turned to the Klingon. "How did you come to that conclusion, Commander Klee?"

"Melek tested it. At three hundred meters the beam loses its effect."

"That's quite a distance," Scott exclaimed.

"Yes," Spock agreed, "but not impossible to achieve as long as we know the limits."

"Their armory isn't well guarded," Placus added. "If we could distract the guard at the proper time, we could steal some of their phasers. It seems they don't consider us too great a threat."

"Don't underestimate them, Placus," Spock warned. "We must be careful. We must be resigned to catching them off guard."

"No Klingon would behave so!" Klee proclaimed scornfully.

"Then make an exception in this case, Commander Klee. We all have the same goal—escape," Spock explained.

Growling, the Klingon agreed.

"I dislike rushing the attempt, but I don't think the Tomariians will give us much more time. Our elimination is imminent," Spock said grimly. "We must maneuver ourselves close enough to the launch site to take advantage of their contempt. Scott has told me only a light guard is kept at the gantry between flights. If we make it that far, some of us will be able to escape."

"Placus," Julina ordered. "If I fail in this attempt, keep going. One of us must return to warn the Empire of the danger." The Romulan sub-commander grudgingly acknowledged the order.

The next day dawned with the dull red sun of Tomarii; it was beginning to get colder again. Spock had been computing the orbit of the planet, trying to understand the erratic seasonal changes, but he had not determined the full details—his sketchy computations would have to suffice. They were critical in computing the trajectory of their ship's escape path. He briefed Scott, who in turn told Placus. All information was shared in the event that not all would make it to the rocket in escape.

Under guard, the prisoners were allowed to exercise outside of the compound. IIsa's infatuation with Spock was crucial. In order to preserve his life, she had to permit the others to live; so as not to appear she was favoring Spock, she allowed the others the same privileges. Her weakness would provide the conditions they needed today.

The Tomariian guards, perceiving no threat, allowed their charges to walk toward the launch site. The guards were dispatched quietly and efficiently, as soon as they were out of sight of the compound. The captives inched toward the gantry with the Klingons in the lead. Placus followed close behind them with Julina; Scott came next, followed by the limping Spock.

The elevator to the top of the gantry was deactivated. Klee took the lead, climbing the vertical ladder, with Melek, Placus, and Julina following closely. Scott was far ahead of Spock when the Vulcan reached for the first rung and began to pull himself painfully up. He got halfway up when an excruciating pain ripped through his back and he felt his legs go numb. Holding fast to the ladder, Spock attempted to pull himself up with his arms, but it was useless. He fell to the ground with a thud, losing consciousness.

Scott turned just in time to see Spock fall. He reversed his direction, climbing down the ladder to assist his friend. He reached Spock as the Vulcan regained consciousness.

"Go back," Spock insisted. "I cannot move. Save yourself …" With an ironic half-smile, he added, "It's an unfortunate time for Doctor McCoy to be proven correct. Now go. That's an order!"

Julina looked to the ground at the motionless Spock and climbed back down the ladder.

"Come, try to lift him. We can carry him up," Scott shouted as she approached. They raised the helpless Vulcan, and, half carrying, half dragging his limp form, Scott and Julina tried to pull him up the ladder to the ship. But without warning the invisible vise gripped them all. They dropped Spock as they fell helplessly to the ground.

During the aborted rescue of Spock, the others had had a chance to get to the ship on top of the gantry. The hatch locked, and Klee, highest ranking of the escapees, gave the command to blast off in spite of the heated objections of Placus.

The Tomariian guards released their prisoners from the restaining force and directed them to drag Spock along. They retreated quickly from the launch area to escape the blast effect. The rocket fired and rose in a lurching lift-off.

"They will bring help," Julina assured Scott.

"Aye, Placus will do everythin' he can ta get back ta us, but I dinna trust the Klingons."

They were put into a barren cell and left alone. Julina hovered over Spock. Scott had lain him on a stone bench to the rear of the cell; it was hard and cold, but it was better than the floor. When Spock opened his eyes, Scott came over to him.

"You should have left me," Spock said grimly.

"Too late for us to look back now. We're here and will have ta make the best o' it. Julina's sure her man will come back to rescue her, and us, too." Scott spoke with a conviction he didn't feel.

The cell door opened. IIsa, in a rage, stood in the doorway. Julina and Scott were roughly pushed out of the cell, leaving Spock alone with the angry Begum.

"You were their leader, Spock. You will regret planning that escape. Get up!" She gripped his arm tightly, trying to wrench him off the bench. "Get up, I said!" she demanded, kicking him hard in the back.

Unprepared for the blow to his injured spine, Spock cried out in agony. He fainted into welcome oblivion.

Scott, hearing Spock's cry, turned to help his friend. He fought to free himself from the guards, but it was hopeless. He and Julina were pushed into the courtyard to await their fate.

The guards lifted Spock back onto the bench. IIsa pointed to the water bowl on the floor. One of the guards picked it up, splashing the ice-cold water over Spock. He came to abruptly.

"Now you will obey me, Spock. Get up!" IIsa again demanded.

"I am unable to comply, Begum," Spock replied weakly. "The injury I sustained when the
Enterprise
was bombed has paralyzed me. I am unable to move from mid-back down."

"You showed no indication of weakness before. I do not trust you, Spock," she snapped. "Get him to his feet!"

The guards lifted Spock, supporting him.

"Let go. I believe he is lying."

They released him and he dropped heavily to the floor. She had the guards place him back on the stone bench. IIsa watched Spock's fingers clutch the edge of the stone shelf in an effort not to show his pain.

A bowl of meat was placed just within Spock's reach—the water bowl was filled and placed just beyond it. Enraged by Spock's role in the escape, and at her inability to elicit the desired response from the object of her interest, IIsa was set on revenge.

"You will have to get the water yourself, or beg for it." She smiled, leaving the door open behind her. "I shall leave it open," she teased. "You will not escape."

Spock was left alone. He looked about the gray colorless cell. A dim light in the corridor was the only illumination.
This room could become my tomb
, he realized. He made a tentative attempt to reach the water. It was indeed just out of his reach. Giving up, he tried to relax. It was hopeless to resist his captors any longer; logic dictated another course. He closed his eyes and tried, unsuccessfully, to sleep.

There was no sign of a guard. Spock, suffering with thirst, tried again to reach the water. He stretched his arm, straining at the last bit of space with his outstretched fingers. The pain was gone, replaced by complete numbness. His lips were dry and parched. The combination of the cold, pain, and thirst had weakened him greatly. He drew his arm back with the realization that he could possibly die of thirst before his injury would kill him. He chose to face death rather than beg, and he finally fell into a fitful sleep.

Spock awoke to the sound of footsteps approaching his cell. He strained to see in the darkness, aware of his total vulnerability. Slipping quietly around the door was Julina. She ran toward him, triumphant in her success at reaching him until she saw how weak he had become. She got the bowl of water and, cradling his head in her lap, moistened his lips with the cool liquid. She gave him a small sip, and then a little more. He rested his head in her lap, grateful for her arrival.

I can't stay long. I slipped away from the guards." She saw the still-full bowl of meat, which was beginning to go rancid. "You haven't eaten anything since we were caught, have you?"