2268
“The BortaS has followed us into standard orbit around the planet,” Chekov reported from the science station. “They are directly ahead or behind us, depending on how you look at it.”
“As anticipated, Ensign,” Spock said evenly, committed to his chosen course of action. Second-guessing himself at this juncture would be illogical. “The question now is whether they will content themselves to match our position or initiate an armed response.”
The Enterprise remained at red alert. Annunciator lights shone crimson about the bridge, but the warning klaxons had been muted once the entire ship had been alerted to its current status. An orbital view of Atraz rotated slowly on the viewscreen, augmented by inset windows monitoring the BortaS and a tactical display, respectively. Deflector shields were on high in anticipation of a possible attack. Phaser banks were fully charged. Enterprise was braced for battle should it come to that.
“I wouldn’t bet against them opening fire,” Scott said. “They’re Klingons after all.” He glanced at the turbolift doors. “I should get myself to engineering, to be on hand in case matters go sideways.”
“A prudent suggestion, Mister Scott, but your experience and counsel may be required on the bridge as well. Let us see how Captain Khod reacts to our incursion before taking combat for granted.”
“Aye, sir.” Scott exited the command well to reoccupy the bridge’s engineering station, where he could better watch over the engines as well as the ship’s other vital systems. “At least we’re ready for whatever those Klingon rascals throw at us.”
Spock wanted to think so.
“Tactical analysis, Mister Chekov?” he asked. “Has the BortaS come within firing range of the Enterprise?”
“Not quite, sir, but close enough as to make little difference. One burst of acceleration and they can close the gap within moments. As could we.”
“That is my assessment as well.” Spock was gratified but unsurprised that the science station’s specialized sensors and instrumentation confirmed his own estimation. Despite the pressing issues facing them, including the distinct possibility of armed conflict with the enemy battle cruiser, he took note of Chekov’s able performance in his stead; the young human was making positive progress in his training as a Starfleet officer. “Continue monitoring the BortaS’s position and weapons systems.”
“Aye, sir. I’ll call out if one of their torpedo tubes so much as burps!”
“Your zeal is commendable, Ensign. Your colorful commentary less so.”
Chekov looked appropriately abashed. “Aye, sir. Monitoring, sir.”
“Lieutenant Uhura,” Spock said, “any further communications from the BortaS?”
“Negative, sir. No hails, threats, ultimatums, or calls for surrender.” She looked over at Spock. “It seems as though Captain Khod has nothing further to say to us.”
“But he has yet to resort to weapons instead of words,” Spock observed. “An encouraging, if inconclusive, indicator.”
“I dinnae understand it.” Scott’s brow furrowed. “Why hasn’t he laid into us already, after we provoked him by taking Enterprise into orbit? Not that I fault you for doing so, mind you, not with the captain and the others in jeopardy, but you’d think the Klingons would have taken the gloves off by now.”
“I surmise that Khod is still averse to starting a war over one errant scientist, no matter how valuable she might be. BortaS is here for Doctor Hamparian, not to vaporize the Organian Peace Treaty. As I anticipated, based on his earlier pattern of restraint.”
“A lucky roll of the dice, Mister Spock.”
“Vulcans do not gamble, but we do take probability into account. Consider it a calculated risk.”
“If you say so, sir, but to what end?” Frustration tinged Scott’s voice. “What’s the use of being within transporter range of the planet if we can’t lower our shields long enough to beam any of our people to safety? The instant we drop our shields, we’ll be inviting a photon torpedo spread or whatever else the Klingons choose to fire at us.”
“True, Mister Scott, but the Klingons are similarly inhibited. They cannot beam out their soldiers, let alone Doctor Hamparian, the captain, or any other captives while their own shields are in place. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, as your human expression goes.”
As Captain Khod is well aware, Spock thought. He saw nothing to be gained in hailing the BortaS again. He could not risk trusting the Klingons while Khod was not about to lower his own shields on the world of a Vulcan. Further discussion would not alter those parameters.
“Aye, it’s a standoff all right,” Scott said. “What next, Mister Spock? How does this stalemate help us get Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy back?”
“We have improved our position on the board, providing us with more options should the situation on the planet change.” Spock elaborated on his reasoning for the sake of the bridge crew’s morale. “Only an incremental improvement, perhaps, but not without value. A working truce with the BortaS would have been preferable, if unlikely, but a stalemate is still better than actual combat, which would not just jeopardize the ship but also our ability to assist the landing party if and when the opportunity arises.”
“Aye,” Scott conceded. “Now we just need to hope that our people can get themselves out of hot water before the Klingons’ patience wears out.” He gazed soberly at the planet on the viewer. “I’d rest easier if I knew what the captain and Doctor McCoy were up to right now.”
“As would I, Mister Scott.” Spock swiveled the command chair toward Uhura. With the Enterprise now in orbit around Atraz, it was no longer necessary to relay messages via Galileo’s long-distance communications array. “Have you managed to make contact with the captain or the doctor via their communicators?”
“I’m afraid not, sir, but I am receiving a reply from Mister Sulu.” Her eyes widened. “It seems he’s been in touch with Doctor Hamparian.”
“Indeed?” Spock lifted an eyebrow. “Patch him through, Lieutenant.”
The situation on Atraz appeared to be reconfiguring faster than he’d anticipated. More data was required, however, before he could confidently predict how this would affect the present stalemate in space. Was Khod also now conferring with his agents on the ground, and what of the Klingon colonel reported to have been captured along with Kirk and McCoy? Vulcans did not indulge in wishful thinking, but Spock would have preferred fewer variables in this increasingly complex problem. Much was at stake—including the captain’s and the doctor’s life and liberty.
Do what you always do, Jim. Find a way to turn the odds in your favor.