start a confrontation. It was a successful breach of the Empire's security, proof of a weakness in our defenses. It was a test to draw victims into the Tomariian web and we took the bait. The attacks on the Federation and the Klingon Empire were the same."
"Now the final test is about to take place. It will be a trial of survival, testing our tenacity, ingenuity, and prowess under battle conditions, Julina. It is imperative to prove to the Tomariians our determination to protect our peoples. Ironic," Spock pondered wryly, "that I represent the Federation in this test. A citizen of the one planet most dedicated to nonviolence."
He looked over to Julina, who'd been unusually quiet during the journey. She had hoped to take advantage of the coming battle to reunite her party and escape, but that opportunity would never present itself. The others' ships were deployed elsewhere; evidently, the forces would not join for a single battle. Three attack groups were sent forth, each to a different planet, each with a different mission.
Last-minute preparations were in progress; a final session was called. "We are assigned a noble task," IIsa proclaimed to the gathered forces. "Our duty calls for stopping the insurrection of Tomariian forces on this planet. It is the ultimate of missions. Tomariian fighting Tomariian, a battle between forces who equally enjoy the skills and risks of battle." Spock could see the Tomariians literally lick their lips in anticipation.
With battle strategy being planned, Spock and Julina had been brought to the briefing room and given their instructions. Spock was handed a long spear on which a flag was attached. He noticed that the Tomariians carried spears and knives, but as a backup, in holsters around their waists, they also wore phaserlike weapons. Obviously, they carried advanced weapons should their more traditional ones prove inadequate. Evidently, the Tomariians were not bound by integrity; they were quite capable of stacking the deck, if necessary.
"Is this my only weapon?" Spock inquired of the officer in charge.
"Afraid?" the burly Tomariian commander asked, sneering at what he interpreted as fear on Spock's part.
Spock raised an eyebrow of consternation, while testing the sharpness of the point with the edge of his finger. He felt no need to respond.
IIsa entered the room followed by an entourage of armed soldiers. She went directly to Spock, running a hand up his right arm, fondling the gold armband she had given him earlier. Then she drew her hand down his back, feeling the lack of flesh near his ribs. He bit his lip, restraining the pain caused by her probing.
"I do wish you would have put on more heft, Spock. You will need all of your strength in the coming battle. You will not disappoint me, will you?"
The Vulcan turned toward IIsa, gripping the spear tightly. His expression of barely restrained rageâand dignityâwas enough to prevent her from bothering him further.
They dropped out of orbit with an abrupt jolt, as before. It was a small force, yet certainly one of the most savage Spock had ever seen. He looked as primitive as his comrades-in-arms; the sleek fur of the skin he wore glistened in the sun. The jewelry he had been made to wear was carefully chosen, even to the earring in his right ear. He recalled the placement of the earring by IIsa; it was then that he first experienced the full force
of
the restraining beam, which had held him immobile as she pierced his ear with a large awl and set the shining stone in place. He recalled her avid interest when she examined the unfamiliar green blood. She had become even more intrigued with him after that.
A touch on the arm brought Spock out of his thoughts. "It's time for us to leave the ship;" Julina alerted him. "Spock, before we go into battle, I must say something to you. I must tell you how I feel. You have the ability to mask your feelings with logic. My people are of your strain. I know you have emotions, masked,
"Now the final test is about to take place. It will be a trial of survival, testing our tenacity, ingenuity, and prowess under battle conditions, Julina. It is imperative to prove to the Tomariians our determination to protect our peoples. Ironic," Spock pondered wryly, "that I represent the Federation in this test. A citizen of the one planet most dedicated to nonviolence."
He looked over to Julina, who'd been unusually quiet during the journey. She had hoped to take advantage of the coming battle to reunite her party and escape, but that opportunity would never present itself. The others' ships were deployed elsewhere; evidently, the forces would not join for a single battle. Three attack groups were sent forth, each to a different planet, each with a different mission.
Last-minute preparations were in progress; a final session was called. "We are assigned a noble task," IIsa proclaimed to the gathered forces. "Our duty calls for stopping the insurrection of Tomariian forces on this planet. It is the ultimate of missions. Tomariian fighting Tomariian, a battle between forces who equally enjoy the skills and risks of battle." Spock could see the Tomariians literally lick their lips in anticipation.
With battle strategy being planned, Spock and Julina had been brought to the briefing room and given their instructions. Spock was handed a long spear on which a flag was attached. He noticed that the Tomariians carried spears and knives, but as a backup, in holsters around their waists, they also wore phaserlike weapons. Obviously, they carried advanced weapons should their more traditional ones prove inadequate. Evidently, the Tomariians were not bound by integrity; they were quite capable of stacking the deck, if necessary.
"Is this my only weapon?" Spock inquired of the officer in charge.
"Afraid?" the burly Tomariian commander asked, sneering at what he interpreted as fear on Spock's part.
Spock raised an eyebrow of consternation, while testing the sharpness of the point with the edge of his finger. He felt no need to respond.
IIsa entered the room followed by an entourage of armed soldiers. She went directly to Spock, running a hand up his right arm, fondling the gold armband she had given him earlier. Then she drew her hand down his back, feeling the lack of flesh near his ribs. He bit his lip, restraining the pain caused by her probing.
"I do wish you would have put on more heft, Spock. You will need all of your strength in the coming battle. You will not disappoint me, will you?"
The Vulcan turned toward IIsa, gripping the spear tightly. His expression of barely restrained rageâand dignityâwas enough to prevent her from bothering him further.
They dropped out of orbit with an abrupt jolt, as before. It was a small force, yet certainly one of the most savage Spock had ever seen. He looked as primitive as his comrades-in-arms; the sleek fur of the skin he wore glistened in the sun. The jewelry he had been made to wear was carefully chosen, even to the earring in his right ear. He recalled the placement of the earring by IIsa; it was then that he first experienced the full force
of
the restraining beam, which had held him immobile as she pierced his ear with a large awl and set the shining stone in place. He recalled her avid interest when she examined the unfamiliar green blood. She had become even more intrigued with him after that.
A touch on the arm brought Spock out of his thoughts. "It's time for us to leave the ship;" Julina alerted him. "Spock, before we go into battle, I must say something to you. I must tell you how I feel. You have the ability to mask your feelings with logic. My people are of your strain. I know you have emotions, masked,
Similar Books
