RAGE…
Chapter 30 of Starfighter! The
Iconoclast
By: Tom Sczepkowski
With editing and clean-up
by: Frederick P. Kopetz
Copyrights:
STAR TREK is © 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is © 2004 by
Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is © 2004 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is
© 2004 by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar Empire is © 2004 by Frederick
P. Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's permission. All original
elements of this tale are © 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not
to be copied without the author's permission.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Federation Universe
Earth
The old Russian man loved to come here and play chess. He lived
in a small home close by and was permitted to live here by the local
government….His opponent in the game and closest friend, an old Japanese man
would visit him every 16th of the month. Today was the 16th and the old Russian man was early. He set up the pieces of the
tri-dimensional chess set as he sat and awaited his friend.
He heard the hum of a
transporter as he saw his friend of many years materialize wearing a Starfleet
uniform. He thought it amusing that he was still serving in Starfleet whereas
he had been retired for many years.
The old Russian man gestured to the table as the old Japanese
man smiled and sat down across from him and moved the first piece. The game was
underway.
They said nothing to
each other for the first few moves of the game until it was the old Japanese
man’s move. At that time, he took the opportunity to speak.
“Have you read the
report yet?” the Japanese man asked.
The Russian man only
answered in a sigh as he poured himself a small glass of vodka and drank it
quickly.
“Da, I read it.” the Russian man answered in very broken English.
There was silence
again as the old Japanese man looked at him with irritation as the old Russian man returned his glare.
“Vhat….You ask me
read….I read!” The old Russian man shouted.
“Destine needs our
help in this!” the Japanese man said.
“Nyet!” The Russian man shouted “Dis about boy…. Vildstar….who
reminds you of yourself years ago. Our day over! Ven enough
enough wit you!?” the Russian man asked “You just like de Keptin, I old man
now…Nyet more space for me!”
“Your English used to
be much better,” the old Japanese man said.
“Den brings
translator vith you next time!” the Russian man said taking another drink of
vodka from the glass.
The Japanese man with
some effort stood up. And looked along the green hills to the
small river below.
“Spock, Scotty, and
McCoy are already on Iscandar,” The Japanese man said.
“Along
vith my Granddaughter who doing good job playing Stalin,” The Russian man said.
“I
hear she might order General order 24 on Iscandar,” The Japanese man said.
“Nyet…She von’t,” The Russian man said
The Japanese man looked
at him, “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I Admiral, I
say Nyet,” the Russian man said.
The Japanese man
looked at him with some surprise.
“First you tell me
enough is enough and that you are retired and in your next breath you are
giving commands to Section 31 operatives?” The Japanese man said with shock.
“Vhat
Commands!?.....I give….advise to people dat ask,” the Russian man said. “When
right time I give advice that bad idea to destroy world.”
“Will they listen to
your advice?” The Japanese man said.
“Of course I all the time
give advise….for my old friends.”
“And for me?” The Japanese man asked
“My advice to you……dis
other universe bad business….You vant nothing Dare.”
“What’s going
on?” The Japanese man asked.
“Damwage Control,”
The Russian man said “You remember time I go nutsy?”
“With the Klingons when that alien entity made you think you had a
brother?”
“Nyet.”
“Aleksandra?” The Japanese man
asked.
“I forget about Aleksandra,” The Russian man sighed with a smile.,
then shook his head, “Nyet other time I go nutsy.”
“The only other time
I know about was that business with the Defiant in Tholian
space,” the Japanese man said.
“DA!” The Russian man said, “Defiant
business wary bad.”
“Destine told me about
it crossing dimensions and crashing on Iscandar” The Japanese man said.
“What she tell you,
Spock tell her, what I tell Spock.” The Russian man said “Story, not quite
true….Ship crash on Iscandar, Later.”
“Later?” The Japanese
man asked.
“20 years ago
Intelligence said wessel in Starfleet bad guy universe,” The Russian man said.
“I send Marines to get wessel back but wessel winds up in Iscandar universe and
burn up in atmosphere……. Story big pile of Tribble doo……But not worry I have
agent on planet vatching in case problems.”
“Vaught Corsair’s
daughter is on Iscandar,” The Japanese man said.
“Dat Vhy agent on
planet,” The Russian man replied. “That I owe to family.”
“Then something is
very wrong isn’t there?” The Japanese man said.
“Maybe little bit.”
The Russian man said “However if we mind own business it fix by self.”
“The Japanese man
looked over at him with annoyance “That’s your advice?”
That’s my adwise.”
The Russian man said “But too many cooks ruin Borsht……Ve in dis conflict.” The
Russian man said as he took another drink of vodka. As he banged the glass on
the table, the Japanese man again looked out at the horizon.
“I know dat look,”
The Russian man said “and dat look mean always bad night sleep for me.”
“I’m going to Iscandar,”
The Japanese man said.
“Vhy?” The Russian man asked “You don’t know situation.”
“But You know,” the Japanese man replied.
“I have idea,” The
Russian man said. “But problem on Iscandar and problem vith Waught two separate
dings.”
“Destine says that
Vaught Joined the Star Force….he’s the Argo’s
First officer.” The Japanese man said “After Wolf 359 Vaught works alone….Why change now?”
“It could be Gideon.”
The Russian man muttered.
The Japanese man
looked at him confused.
“Gideon?” The Japanese
man said
“One of their
Captains,” The
Russian man said “When Vaught disappear Ve sent spy comm. Satellites to monitor
transmissions de COM traffic vas……. interesting.”
“Meaning?” The Japanese man asked
“Gideon may be
someone else I Von’t say who…..but possible I think he ask
Waught to stay…..but what I know?”
“What about this
Comet with the Orion warp signature?” The Japanese man asked.
The Russian man
handed him a small data disk.
“Gatlantis,” The Russian
man said “You
might view that on your vay to Iscandar.”
The Japanese man
chuckled “Comet Empire?....You’ve been reading too
much of Orion Folklore.”
“Maybe I read too
much in dis quiet….But Nevar Zordar disappear no one hear from….at same time
Comet enters other dimension…..Zordar family big interest in Comet Empire.”
The name froze the
Japanese man.
“Dat name not totally
unfamiliar,” The Russian man said.
“Yes I know the
family,” The Japanese man said. “All too well…..It’s suspected they have ties
to the Dominion”
“I know,” The Russian
man said “I may be wrong who knows….I just old man.”
The old Japanese man
closed his eyes as a cold wind ripped through him.
“Come with me?” the
Japanese man said.
“Vhy me?” the Russian
man asked.
“To give me advise,” the
Japanese man said. “And, also… you seem to know what’s going on out there.”
“I’m old man,” The
Russian man said as he drank another small glass of vodka. “My reasons are here
my home…I have nyet reason for space.”
The Japanese man
looked to the ground, “Stop saying you’re an old man! I’m older than you!......I am asking you as my friend.”
The Russian man
sighed looked at the sky and back to the Japanese man got up and walked over to
him.
“As your friend
then….I must say yes……But Vhen enough ,enough?” The
Russian man said “Your daughter, Your Grandchildren dat not enough adventure
for you…Yes?”
The Japanese man
looked at him sternly “The Borg, the Dominion, and possibly Zordar? How can you sit here of all places and not want to do anything
about it.”
“Our time over….” The
Russian man said “De time is now for de Vildstar’s and Corsairs.”
“My time isn’t over
yet,” The
Japanese man said “and I think the old Crew of the
The Russian man
smiled as the old Japanese man extended his hand.
The Russian man
grasped it
“What’s left of dem
Keptin Sulu…..What’s left of dem….”
When Vaught was
satisfied that there were no more vessels pursuing him he returned to the Argo.
Being that the Argo had landed
and her lower landing bay was inaccessible, he positioned Inferno carefully onto the Superstar’s launch
track which lowered Inferno into the
launch bay where he taxied her to a waiting Royster and Nova.
“Hey, Boss!” Royster greeted
him as he opened one of Inferno’s
electronic bays as Vaught climbed out of the cockpit.
“She took a couple of
direct hits,” Vaught said. “Her shields were down to 70 percent.”
Royster nodded as his
tricorder beeped as she showed it to Nova who nodded in agreement.
“I’m still processing
the images you sent back, Vaught,” Nova said. “According to your data base, the
markings were Romulan but they were painted over…so I did a scan on the alkyds
of the paint and there was no match in your Federation Database so I ran it
through our computer.”
“Very good,” Vaught
said.
“Not so good,” Nova
said. “I recognized the chemical structure and it actually had DNA in it.”
Royster stuck his
head out of the electronics bay
“Uh-oh,” Royster
said. “Soylent green is people!”
“Or in this case
Gamilon paint is Bee People.” Nova said
“Bee people?” Vaught asked looking at Nova’s data pad.
“On our way to
Iscandar we came across a planet that was inhabited by intelligent insects… in
this case, they were bees.”
“I read about this,”
Royster said. “The queen bee broad was going Soylent Green on her own
people….she was making jelly out of them to put on Desslok’s toast.”
“Soylent Green?” Nova
asked. “Explain?”
“Yeah you know, the movie where Charlton Heston found out that they
were makin Triscuts out of dead guys.”
“Royster;
that’s disgusting!” Nova said.
“I didn’t write the
story!” Royster said with a shrug.
“I happen to like Triscuts,” Nova said “Now thanks to
you I can’t eat them any more!”
“Well, so eat Wheat
Thins…or somethin’” Royster said putting his head back in the electronics bay.
“And don’t put jelly on ‘em!”
“So the by-products
were used for other purposes,” Vaught said. “Logical.”
Royster stuck his
head out of the electronics bay again.
“Wadda you,
some kinda nut?” Royster said
Vaught turned around
and looked at him. “Royster. I don’t agree with their
actions… but when your planet is being destroyed and you have no natural
resources---“
“My planet was being
destroyed and I didn’t go spreadin’ some one’s grandmother on my toast,”
Royster said.
Nova was about to
respond when there was a loud banging coming from the corridor followed by
shouting.
“What the &*@$ was that!?” Royster said. “Sounds like all hell
breaking loose.”
“If those Birds of
Prey had transporters…….” Vaught trailed off.
Vaught wasted no time
in activating his breathing apparatus. As the mask morphed around him, he drew
his light saber and activated it while Nova drew her pistol. She had intended
to follow Vaught closely. However, he was already out the door. Nova and
Royster dashed after him; however they were not prepared for what they saw
next.
Both Marines and a
group of Star Force Black Tiger personnel (namely Conroy and Hardy) were
involved in a major brawl. Once they
heard the ominous breathing sound they turned to see Vaught towering over them.
Bruised and bloodied, they immediately stood at attention against the wall.
Vaught said nothing
as he de-activated his breathing apparatus and his light saber and hooked it
back to his belt.
“Oh Guinevere,”
Royster said “I must be dreaming.”
They could all tell
that Vaught was angry….Very angry… as
his eyes started to actually glow with a strange yellowish-reddish color and
his fangs began to show. He let out a growl causing Royster to jump as Vaught
stormed off down the hall with his long stride.
Nova just glared at
them. Then, she angrily shook her head and chased down the hall after Vaught.
“Who won?” Hardy
asked aloud as he rubbed blood from his chin.
“He did,” Royster
said, referring to Vaught.
“Now what?” one of
the Marines asked.
“Anyone for a
movie?” Hardy asked.
“Is the ship’s
theater anywhere near where that guy was going?” another Marine asked.
“No,” Conroy said.
“I’m game…” The
Marine said as the four of them rushed down the hall.
Royster shook his
head and sighed. “Damn! A minute ago, they were rumbling like the Cubs and
Cardinals, now after getting the shit scared out of ‘em, they’re off to see da
wizard……and day say I’m strange…….I wonder how my Yankees are doin?”
Royster let out a
deep sigh and walked back into the hanger bay, thinking of better times at
Yankee Stadium in the summertime.
Sandor, along with
his technicians, Eager, Homer, Dr. Sane and Dash, were trying to gain control
of the situation and most of the brawling ceased. In the Galley, however,
Wildstar had been pushed too far by the Marine Sergeant Knox. Vaught had just
arrived in time to see that Wildstar was trying to shout orders to get everyone
to stop when a Marine tried to take a swing at him. However Wildstar was very
well trained in Martial arts as he made a quick move and the Marine fell to the
ground like a sack of potatoes.
“Hey!” Knox said.
“Why don’t you try that with me, buddy?!”
Wildstar sighed.
“Knock it off, Knox! That’s an order! Stop it!”
Knox pushed him.
“Don’t do that
again,” Wildstar warned.
Vaught had just
arrived to see Knox push Wildstar very hard as Knox snapped, “Do, what, buddy?
Push you? Ya don’t like being pushed?”
In an instant all
fighting stopped as Wildstar, who had now lost his temper, hauled off and
struck Knox in the middle of his chest with his fist. He then started to strike
him like a Thai kick boxer. Vaught
memorized his every move for later reference.
Vaught realized at
once that strange forces were at work within Wildstar. Knox tried to get some
punches in. The harder that Knox tried to fight, the more enraged Wildstar
became. Clearly, now, Wildstar had lost his control and if they weren’t broken
apart soon, Vaught and Dr. Sane feared that the Captain would simply kill the
big Marine.
Sane was screaming
something when Vaught roared, with his fangs showing.
“EVERYONE BACK TO YOUR POSTS!!! NOW!!!!!!!!”
Even IQ-9
rolled out of the galley as Dr. Sane, who was the only one remaining, jumped up
and down screaming at both Wildstar and Knox who just weren’t listening. Vaught
gently picked up Dr Sane who was still in his rant, and he placed him gently
outside the galley.
“Vaught,
what do you think you are doing?” Sane screamed.
Vaught,
being several feet taller than Doctor Sane bent down on one knee to address
him. “Mind your place, Doctor,” Vaught simply said as he stood up and closed
the doors behind him.
It was
very simple for Vaught to know what course of action to take. Knox was a Marine
but Wildstar was the Captain….His Captain. Memories
flooded him from his whole life…everything that he had done, all of his
experiences, and all of his losses had brought him down to facing two grown men
acting like school children.
Vaught
interposed himself between Knox and Wildstar.
“Enough,”
Vaught said.
“Enough!?” Knox roared as he was toe to toe with Vaught.
“You takin’ his side, BUDDY!?”
“He’s the
Captain of this ship!” Vaught said.
“Bullshit!”
Knox said. “He’s a Goddamn space jock that had everything handed to him on a
silver platter right outta school! And you’re no better than him, flyin’ around
in your little airplane that yer rich daddy bought you!?”
Vaught's
eyes widened.
“Knox, stop it!” Wildstar said.
Knox
continued, “Both of you are nothing… you’re %^*$ing… pathetic! How would you
know what’s it like to actually lose a battle or someone you care about? You
two don’t know crap about life or
nothin’ else! You’re both rich robots!”
There was
a loud roar so primitive that it froze everyone in its tracks, causing Nova to
bolt down to the galley as Doctor Sane opened the doors to the galley, where
they saw Vaught holding Knox high in the air by the throat with one arm.
Everyone
was yelling for him to stop, however Vaught could only hear his own breathing.
“I find
your lack of respect disturbing, Human!” Vaught said in a voice so horrific
that he sounded almost like a possessed demon in a horror film. It was so
horrorific, that not even Vaught recognized it. His fangs were in plain view as
it appeared that he was reverting to some lower animal life form. His eyes
looked like that of an enraged animal or demon of some type.
“You dare
to lecture me?” Vaught roared.
“You’ve just lost your men! Try having to kill
your own men because they were assimilated by the Borg, you idiot Human!” snarled Vaught, whose
words were almost indistinguishable through his large fangs.
Wildstar
and Nova looked at each other with shock and fear as they made out some of the
words he was saying. Their main concern was getting Vaught to stop before he
killed Knox.
Wildstar
glanced at Nova, who just nodded. Then, both of them ran up and tried to pry
Vaught’s grip off of Knox’s neck. (Knox was beginning to turn an alarming shade
of blue as Vaught slowly squeezed the life out of him). However, Vaught’s
fingers were like a steel vise.
“What…are…you?”
they heard Knox gasp as he managed to draw a racking pair of breaths.
“I am the
sickness that you feel right now in your stomach,” Vaught replied in that deep,
unnatural voice.
In a last
moment of frustration, Wildstar took Nova’s hand, stepped back two paces, and
shouted, “Enough of this…Corsair…release
him!!!”
Vaught
turned to look at him. His expression was unreadable. Then, he turned back to Knox, staring at the
Marine with an expression as if he was considering a pile of reeking
excrement.
“As you
wish,” Vaught said as he released his grasp and Knox fell to the floor gasping
and trembling. He would never admit it to anyone, but in Vaught’s horrorific
death grip, he had just wet himself.
Wildstar
sighed with relief. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m
fine,” Knox said rubbing his throat
“I wasn’t
talking to you, Sergeant!” Wildstar said, while looking straight at Vaught.
Vaught
looked at Knox angrily then, he turned to the rest of the crew.
“Captain
Wildstar is the commander of this ship……This is a commission that he has earned! As such, he will be treated with
the proper respect that is due him!”
Wildstar
was more concerned about Vaught than his anger. Vaught said nothing further as
he quietly exited the galley.
The repair work lasted through out the early evening. Wildstar and
Vaught coordinated with Sandor. As Nova observed, they seemed to be working
more as a team than on prior days, where it seemed Vaught was just following
his orders. Nova observed that they worked well together. Wildstar was relying
on Vaught’s opinion more to the chagrin of Venture. With the repair work done
and the crews back inside the Argo
was ready to resume her journey.
“Ship
ready for departure, Captain,” Vaught said.
Wildstar
nodded as he got out of his seat and walked past Vaught and gestured to Nova.
“Resume
our base course. You have the bridge, X-O.” Wildstar said. “Lieutenant
Forrester and I will be in the galley.”
Venture
was the first to give Wildstar a strange look… “You’re not leaving me alone with him?” As Wildstar walked over, he muttered
something to him, while Venture gave Wildstar a sheepish look. The look on
Wildstar’s face was a stern one, so the rest of the bridge crew knew that it
wasn’t the same old Wildstar-Venture routine. Wildstar nodded to Vaught as he
simply replied, “Aye, sir.”
Later that
night, with the Argo well under way,
Vaught found himself alone in the aft observation deck, quietly playing his
guitar while closing his eyes and searching out for the Force….and as usual,
the Force took him on a confusing journey.
In that journey, once again, an Image formed in his mind; the same one as when
he was a child….the same one as on the flight from
He bent down on one
knee, “What is thy bidding, my Master?” he said.
“Rise and face me,”
came the sound of the deep modulated voice in reply.
Vaught stood up.
“You and Nova both
almost killed your own,” the modulated voice said.
“Yes, Master,” Vaught
said. “But we gained control of ourselves before that happened.”
“No,” the ominous
voice said. “You gained control of Nova, and the Captain had to order you to
release the Sergeant.”
“Yes, my master,”
Vaught said.
“I am not your
master, Vaught,” The ominous voice said. “As part of my penance, I must prevent
you from truly becoming the man that you so admire. For the sake of your
daughter and Nova, you must depart from the world you know, or you will be
forever imprisoned in this one.”
“This life is only
temporary,” Vaught said. “As soon as this is over, I must return to Admiral Nechaev.”
“Nechaev
already thinks you are lost to her, so she is seeking out your daughter to
replace you…..I have some experience with this……why ally yourself with someone
that uses your power to further their own agenda?”
“And
instead do what? Be an officer on a Starship? It’s a little late for
that.....Besides Starsha will not join Nechaev; she’s too disciplined and too
well protected,” Vaught said. “Besides, I sense that her bond with her aunt is
growing stronger.”
“Then you
know where she is,” The ominous voice said.
“She’s my
daughter,” Vaught replied. “I must have faith in her she will do the right
thing.”
“And
as for yourself?”
“I must
follow the course I charted.” Vaught said. “If it leads me to oblivion, then
that is my destiny……But whether Nechaev is my superior, or Wildstar is my
superior, I must remain true to the Force.”
“The next
few months will be difficult for you; it will be difficult for all of you, but you most of all, and I
have done all I can,” the ominous voice said.
“Will I
ever see you again?” Vaught said.
The
apparition did not answer as he pointed to something behind Vaught, as he
turned around slowly.
The next
thing that Vaught saw was something very familiar to him….a place that he
fought never to think about. He closed his eyes and dropped to his knees while
fighting the images back. He was doing everything in his power to return his
mind to the Argo, but he could not.
Then he felt a presence with him, followed by soft footsteps approaching
slowly. Vaught found a corner in which to cower, for he did not want to see who it was that was approaching. Vaught gritted his teeth
and breathed heavily as he felt his own pulse and temperature rage through him.
He didn’t want to see what the Force was showing him. He reacted as if he was
in a haunted house with a ghost coming to claim his soul. Then instead of a roar of a monster, a very
slight and gentle gasp rang through Vaught’s ears as instinctively his eyes
opened…
Vaught
stood up slowly, never breaking eye contact with the slender, slight woman in
blue. They both said nothing, as they just looked at each other.
Her ….Vaught thought. It is HER!
Vaught
was breathing heavily, and he was torn between wanting to close his eyes and
wanting to embrace his sister standing before him…but then his discipline took
over, and Vaught pushed through the emotional anguish and calmed himself.
The
young-looking woman continued staring at him, and then she approached slowly.
She said nothing as she now stood directly before him and gently placed her
hand on his wounded shoulder. A tear rolled down her face as if she already
knew of Vaught’s excruciating life. As quickly as the apparition formed, it
faded as Vaught began hearing his guitar playing in the distance,
it became louder, followed by a popping sound as he was back on the Argo still playing, as Nova was calling
his name trying to get his attention.
Vaught
turned around looking somewhat disoriented, while breathing heavily and
sweating.
“Are you
OK?” Wildstar asked.
“Trelesa,” Vaught said.
Then he started rambling in another language.
“Where I
have I heard that before?” Wildstar said.
“Hey,”
Nova said. “Snap out of it.”
Vaught
stiffened, as he shook his head and then cleared his throat.
“You look
terrible,” Nova said as she put her hand up to his head. “He has a fever,” she
said to Wildstar as she began to check his bandage on his shoulder.
Vaught
looked at Wildstar and rolled his eyes as Wildstar let out a brief chuckle, and
Vaught gently pushed Nova away.
“I think
he was hallucinating from the fever, Derek,” Nova said.
Wildstar
looked at Vaught for a moment, then shook his head.
“Did you
believe anything in what you just said?” Wildstar asked. “Because
I don’t.”
At first
Vaught thought he was being sarcastic, but looking at the amount of concern on
his face he realized that he wasn’t.
Nova looked at
Wildstar strangely for a moment.
“Multi-lingual people
sometimes revert to their native language when the body is subject to different
forms of stress, Derek.”
“It is…more than
that,” Vaught said fighting to get the English words out as his already
somewhat strange accent seemed to get heavier. Nova gave him a glass of water
for which he thanked her.
“It was a vision
through the Force, wasn’t it?” Nova
asked.
Vaught nodded as he
took a deep breath.
“Your sister?” she
asked him as he nodded again causing Wildstar to groan.
“What, Derek?!” Nova snapped.
“I’d like to hear it
from him!” Wildstar said. “Nova,
would you be quiet for half a second
and let the man talk?”
“Bite me!” Nova
snapped back with fury in her eyes.
Wildstar looked at
her with some surprise having heard that coming from her.
“Is that an offer?”
Wildstar asked as Nova responded with a smack to the back of his head.
“Who’s Trelesa?” Wildstar
said.
“Trelania
in English,” Vaught said. “She was my sister, and she died over 30 years ago.”
“Vaught,
two seconds ago I could swear you were speaking the same language that we heard
on those tapes….and you were the one who translated them,” said Wildstar.
“It is my
native language,” Vaught said. “It’s called Telezar.”
“Nova
told me a little about it,” Wildstar said. “Planet Telezart it’s called?”
Vaught
gazed out the window “It’s not possible,” Vaught said. “It is simply not possible.”
“If this
Force is as powerful as you make it out to be it might very well be possible,”
Wildstar said.
“Vaught,”
Nova said. “You said that the Force can give you insight into certain
happenings? Maybe that’s what it’s
trying to tell you…..to give us a direction to follow?”
“It
doesn’t work like that.” Vaught said.
“It works
exactly like that and you know it,”
Nova said. “What are you so afraid of?”
“It’s not
fear…..it’s guilt,” Wildstar said.
Vaught
looked up at him angrily for a brief moment then let out a deep sigh which
Wildstar inferred as proving that he was right.
“You
blame yourself because you weren’t strong enough to save her,” Wildstar said.
“I….” Then, Wildstar said no more. Only Nova knew about the full extent of the
pain and survivor guilt he still felt due to the loss of his parents.
“But you
were only a child,” Nova said. “There was nothing you could have done.”
“Yeah but
it doesn’t stop you from feeling that way…I should know.” Wildstar said.
“Heavens above…I should know…”
“It
doesn’t matter.” Vaught said “I can’t let my personnel feelings get in the way
of the ship’s routine, so, the only way to settle this
is for me do a long range scan and see if Telezart is out there.”
Vaught
excused himself and
started to walk away when
Wildstar put a hand on his shoulder.
“Whoa,” Wildstar said.
“Sir?” Vaught said
“What the
hell is it with this ruthlessness?” Wildstar asked.
“I
thought that’s what you wanted,”
Vaught said.
“To the
enemy and to the crew when necessary….but not to yourself…you aren’t expendable,” Wildstar said as Nova
looked on with sympathy in her eyes.
Vaught scoffed, “I think you two need
to read my service file again.”
“I know….first one in, last one out…but this isn’t
Starfleet and you’re not in Special Forces!” Nova said.
“What?” Vaught said.
Wildstar then spoke up.” Listen up! You’re a member
of the Star Force and this ship needs
you. They’ll be plenty of times when our backs are going to be to the wall…but
right now you’re not 100%. You’ve still got a bad arm, and on top of it you’ve
had a bad day. Now I want you to slow down a little bit before you drop
that’s…all I’m asking. Got it?”
Vaught again looked at him very strangely, but
simply said, “I’ve had much worse days than this.”
“There is a lot on you right now,” Nova added.
“Being confronted with the death of your wife, the old wounds of your lost
sister, plus being a stranger in a strange land…”
“Par for the course,” Vaught said. “I can understand your
concern for Sergeant Knox –“
“WHAT concern? Sergeant Knox is an asshole,”
Wildstar snapped
“Derek!”
Nova said.
“Bite me,” Wildstar replied, with a totally twisted
grin.
Vaught laughed at the remark aloud as he rubbed his
eyes from being tired.
“You want to talk about it?” Wildstar said.
Vaught shrugged. “I’m the bottom line,” Vaught said.
“That’s what I do…..now the sooner that you realize that and begin using that
to your advantage, the better off that you and the Star Force are going to be.”
“How can you think like that?” Nova asked.
“I’m trained to think like that,” Vaught said in a
cold voice.
“That kind of thinking will get yourself
killed,” Wildstar said.
Vaught nodded. “Yes. If that is my destiny…”
“I understand Vaught.” Wildstar said “That’s what
frightens me.”
Nova glared at him angrily.
“Because you have been there yourself,” Vaught said.
“Actually, both of you have.”
“Not intentionally, like some people,” Nova said.
“Well just have to make sure that it doesn’t come to
that right X-O?” Wildstar asked
“Aye Sir.” Vaught said “Good night.”
“Good night Vaught,” Nova and Wildstar said.
They watched Vaught leave as Nova let out a heavy
sigh.
“He tries too hard,” said Derek.
“No. He thinks just like you do,” Nova said “I don’t
understand that kind of thinking!….You’re both a pair
of cynics, and you both think this is some kind of lousy game!”
Wildstar closed his eyes. “It’s never been a game,
Nova.”
“Derek,” Nova said. “Captain or no…I’m not going to
let anything happen to you.”
He shook his head. “No. You’re not taking a bullet
for me.”
“Like hell
I won’t,” replied Nova with a fire in her eyes that would have made Knox step
back.
“Nova!”
Wildstar exclaimed. “What is it with you, lately? Not that I don’t find
it sexy but you sure have some attitude lately!”
Nova sighed as she looked out the observation
window.
“I forget
sometimes, it’s tough being you,” she said.
“Sometimes
people don’t make it easier.” Wildstar said.
“No I
mean it you’ve been faced with a lot and it never seems to scares you.” Nova
said
“Yes it
does.” Wildstar said drinking a glass of water.
“You
weren’t Scared when Vaught lost his temper?” Nova asked him
“Of
course I was…But He’s under my command.” Wildstar said “I gave him an order he
obeyed it.”
“There’s
a lot eating at him, Derek,” Nova said.
“He’s not
the type of guy to talk openly, Nova, and I think we were lucky to have the
conversation that we had…..that was probably because of the relationship that
the two of you have.”
“Relationship?” Nova asked “What are you talking about?”
“I don’t
mean that kind of relationship.” Wildstar said. “I know it’s not like…that between you. But he does leave a
huge impression on you….and in return you’re trying very hard to replace a
certain void.”
Nova
shook her head.
“Derek!”
Nova said “I am Not
trying to replace Astra! I know I look like her but-.”
“I just
told you I never thought that,” Wildstar said. “I was referring to Lieutenant
Starsha Corsair of the Starfleet Marines.”
Nova’s
eyes widened with a look of shock when Wildstar said, “Ah Ha. I’m on the mark,
aren’t I?”
Nova
slumped against the bulkhead, nodding weakly. “I never thought about it that
way, Derek,” Nova said.
Wildstar
smiled “So, my point is…this isn’t about me, Vaught….or…even about Us. This is about you and who you’re looking at in the
mirror.”
“Now you
sound like Him.” Nova said looking
out the window again.
“
Well now I
know I’m right,” Wildstar said. “What’s
this really all about, Nova? Really?”
“Okay.
I’m tired of playing the Frail…Ditzy Klutz,” Nova said. “The
one who has to be protected. The one who stumbles
around into things.”
“And you
blame your family for that?” Wildstar said.
“There
not exactly supportive,” Nova replied. “Every time I’m home, my mother is
showing me pictures of doctors, lawyers and civil engineers.”
Wildstar
chuckled.
“And do
you think that Vaught’s kid has it easier?” Wildstar said. “Do you think her
life with Father is a walk in the park?”
“It’s not
that,” Nova said. “I bet if she walked in here right now, she wouldn’t be
looked as a frail little girl!”
“Nova
you’re the bravest person I’ve ever known,” Wildstar said. “I think you need to
heed what Royster would say … “Get your
swing back.” Which is why I assigned you to Vaught in the
first place.”
Nova
moved closer to Wildstar and put her arms around him.
“You two
talked about me?” Nova said
Wildstar
nodded “Yes. I didn’t discuss you as your boyfriend…which
was really, really hard.”
“I could
imagine,” Nova said while gently stroking the back of Derek’s hair.
Wildstar
seemed lost for a moment by what she was doing. He never broke his gaze while
she smiled at him and stooped slowly.
“Down,
girl,” Wildstar said. “Before you get me going and we wind up in the back seat
of the Inferno.”
Nova
smirked. “How close am I to accomplishing that?”
“How
about this close?” said Derek as he drew Nova closer.
They could no longer hold their composure as the two of them embraced, and then
kissed. They both unwittingly fell to
the deck while embracing and kissing passionately. However discipline took over
for both of them, as they both had to force themselves to stop. They both drew
back breathing heavily while sitting on the deck.
“That was
too close,” Wildstar said. “Nova, I would never force you into anything.”
“Than
just shut up and take me,” she said in a sultry whisper while kissing him
again.
He could
no longer resist her as he was about to oblige. It was difficult to resist her
just by being there…let alone could he ward her off when she was being
seductive? He felt Nova’s love for him and she felt his. For that instant they
both forgot who and where they were…until the door opened, revealing both
Vaught and Royster. Then, Derek and Nova drew back quickly…catching their
breath.
“Oops.”
Vaught said as he rubbed his eyes.
“I’m glad
I decided not to see the movie tonight,” Royster said. “I got a better show
here!”
They both
looked up at Royster with looks of annoyance, as he laughed at his own comment.
“You
might want to rethink that decision,” Vaught said.
“Yeah, I
know”, Royster said while still chuckling. “I’m going,” he said.
Wildstar
and Nova looked up at Vaught. He cleared his throat. “Royster reminded me that
I had neglected to mention that my analysis on the Birds of Prey that attacked
us is complete.”
“And?” Wildstar said standing while helping Nova up by
one hand.
“Well the
ships were definitely of Romulan design,” Vaught said. “However, I think they
were obtained by Gamilon.”
“Gamilon?” Wildstar asked as Vaught handed him the folder
containing the report. Wildstar flipped through the pages.
“Have you
been really been sure that he was
gone for good?” Vaught asked.
“Desslok?” Wildstar asked “You think he’s behind this?”
“No I
don’t think so.” Vaught said. “With Gamilon destroyed he wouldn’t have the
resources to put together an attack force like we met at Brumus…..however it’s
possible that either he himself or his successor allied themselves with a
greater power.”
“And now
they’re coming after us?” Nova said.
“You did
destroy their planet,” Vaught replied.
:Wildstar looked up at him/ “We didn’t set out to do
that.”
“I’m not
blaming you,” Vaught said. “But someone is.”
“And you
think it’s Desslok?” Wildstar said.
“Yes I
do,” Vaught said. “But right now we must focus ourselves to the heart of the
matter.”
“Which
is, finding where we’re going,” Nova said while reading over Wildstar’s shoulder.
“Correct,”
Vaught said. “They way that Desslok is profiled, I think he’ll communicate with
you. He’ll want you to know it’s him.”
“If it is him,” Nova said. “But that’s the
problem! We know nothing about what’s
going on.”
“Then we
work on what we do know,” Wildstar said. “We have a general idea where this
planet lies. We also know by metallic samples taken that the ships we
encountered are from a different order of technology; we know that they are
invading our solar system little by little. We do know that the White Comet is following an independent course
with a precise heading towards Earth. Finally, Vaught mentioned that the Comet
at some point kept altering its course back and forth between a group of
planets; and since then it has been holding a straight line.”
“You just
mentioned something that hadn’t occurred to me, Captain,” Vaught said. “At the
time of the last transmission the White Comet altered its course and since then,
it has held its course.”
“That
could mean that they’re on their way to stifle the origin of those messages,”
Nova said. “No!”
“So what
you’re suggesting, Vaught,” said Derek, “is that the planet we’re looking for
might be found if we aligned ourselves directly with the White Comet?”
“It has
to be there,” Vaught said.
Wildstar
nodded, “All right…tell Venture to make the course
change. I’ll meet you on the bridge in a minute.”
“Yes,
Captain,” Vaught said as he began walking away.
“Hey,
Vaught!” Wildstar
said as Vaught turned around, “Are you up to this?”
“Yes,
sir.” Vaught said
confidently as he turned and exited the observation deck.
“Are you up to this?” Nova asked Wildstar.
“Why
wouldn’t I be?” Wildstar asked.
“We’re
going to be closing the distance between us and that Comet,” Nova said.
“Whatever it is we’re looking for, we’d better find it and get out in a hurry.”
“It’s not
like we haven’t been on time constraints before,” Wildstar said.
“I know,
Derek,” Nova said.
Wildstar
smiled, “I wish I could be a part of what you’re going through…with what you’re
learning…and…”
Nova
gently touched the side of his face as he stroked her hair gently.
“Derek…..you
are!”
“Nova… I
know we haven’t had much time together….it doesn’t mean I don’t………That I don’t…uh…”
It was
hard for him to express his feelings, but Nova always knew that she knew that
he loved her, and that the wish that she made on the red star came true….She
kissed him gently on the lips.
“I know,
Derek,” Nova said. “I’ll take any time with you I can get…..Vaught’s waiting
for you on the bridge.”
She
wished him good night as the hour was getting late while they kissed again.
Wildstar stood there fixated on her as she left while he inhaled the remnants
of her perfume deeply. He cursed himself for not having the courage for
following through and asking Nova to marry him when the mission was over. He
shook his head and looked out the observation room windows as he reached into
his pocket and pulled out his cigar.
He was
just about to light it, when for some inexplicable reason,
it came out of his mouth and floated across the room into Nova’s hand.
“Good
night, Derek,” Nova said as she closed the hatch behind her.
Wildstar
leaned against the windows and began to chuckle lightly…
Next Chapter: “rOYSTER’S CRUCIBLE”
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Iconoclast, click here