The Rings of Tautee by Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathryn Rusch Read Free Book Online Page A

young Klingon with a name to make.
    The other bridge officers were monitoring the situation as well. They all knew this was the kind of encounter that could go very badly for all of them, or extremely well.
    KerDaq intended to make it go well.
    But they had done nothing except talk to the Federation starships since they arrived. And they could do nothing else.
    Yet.
    They had to wait.
    KerDaq hated waiting. He was a warrior, not someone who sat and waited. But he knew every warrior had to have patience, had to know when to fight and when not to fight.
    This was not yet the time to fight.
    The Federation ships first had to show him where their secret superweapon was hidden.
    He had a plan.
    The Federation would have to retrieve their weapon.
    KerDaq and his officers had studied the subspace waves. Their ship could go into the waves and survive if they moved with the waves as they passed. It would be risky, but it would be worthwhile.
    Then, when the Federation ships had the weapon, he would take it from them.
    KerDaq would have the Federation weapon. He 57 Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch would personally take the weapon to the High Council. Then he would be a hero.
    "Commander," KjaHave, his science officer, said, his voice rumbling through the silence, "we are still unable to pinpoint the origin of the subspace waves."
    KerDaq swung around in his high-backed command chair and glared at his science officer.
    "What can be so hard?"
    "Sir, our position does not allow us a good reading. If we could move . . ."
    "We will not move," KerDaq said. He spoke firmly. "Find the center, for at that center is the Federation superweapon."
    "Yes, sir," KjaHave said, snapping his heels smartly on the fioor. He turned back to his panel.
    KerDaq nodded and swung back to face the main screen, which showed the two Federation ships and the destroyed system beyond. He tugged at the edge of his gloves, making certain their steel points rested across his knuckles. His science officer knew when to back down and when to fight. That was the sign of a good warrior. He would have to keep a sharp eye on him.
    "Sir," Communications Officer KenIqu said.
    "The Enterprise hails us."
    "On screen," KerDaq said loudly. Then to himself he added, "Let us see what kind of treachery they are up to now."
    Kirk's sneering face filled the screen.
    KerDaq growled to himself. This Kirk was quickly becoming one of the most hated and feared 58 THE RINGS OF TAUTEE officers in the Federation. KerDaq could see no reason for the fear at the moment. Kirk had no more strength than any other Federation weak-ling.
    "Commander," Kirk said, nodding slightly.
    At least, KerDaq thought, the man knows how to show respect.
    "We're going into the debris fields in the sys-tem," Kirk said. "We think we may have found survivors there. We're going to attempt a rescue of them. And[*thorn]" He paused for obvious dramatic effect. "[*thorngg'we could use your help."
    Kirk's words so surprised KerDaq that he laughed, a full belly laugh as if a warrior had just told a humorous story over a strong drink.
    Kirk's ugly human eyes narrowed. "What is so funny, KerDaq?" he asked.
    KerDaq leaned forward so that Kirk could see his insignias, the badges of his house and his honor.
    This Kirk thought him an idiot, easily tricked.
    KerDaq would prove that wrong immediately.
    "You cannot fool us with your rescue ploy. You are going in to retrieve your weapon."
    This time it was Kirk's turn to look shocked. KerDaq knew he had caught him in a lie.
    Human captains hid their emotions, unsuccessfully, but valiantly. This wide-eyed shock, this obvio us reaction, was part of the trick, inexpertly done.
    Kirk shook his head. "I told you, KerDaq, we don't have a weapon. But we have received a distress call, and we will not ignore it. We're going in. We would like you to come with us."
    Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch "You have another ship," KerDaq said. "You do not need us."
    "We don't know