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

how many survivors there are," Kirk said. "The more ships we have, the more space we have to beam survivors aboard."
    "You are quite inventive," KerDaq said. "But we have done our own scans of your waves. Any ship that ventures into that system would be destroyed. Unless, of course, it understood the weapon, and had a way to shield itself from the weapon's effect."
    "We don't have any special shield," Kirk said. "But we do have a plan.
    If[*thorn]" "Enough, Kirk." KerDaq swept his arm in the general direction of the ruined system. "Do as you please. But we will be watching and waiting. Do not think you can leave this area with that weapon."
    KerDaq pounded the button on his chair and cut Kirk's answer off. There was no use listening to any more lies. He would not let Kirk lead one single Klingon warrior to his death. He would watch where Kirk went, shielded, into the center of the destruction.
    And he would watch Kirk remove his weapon.
    He would let Kirk's actions prove his guilt.
    "Commander," KenIqu said, "the Enterprise is moving."
    KerDaq nodded. "Inform the QuaQa that we will be following the Enterprise. The other two ships are to remain close to the second Federation vessel."
    "Yes, sir," KenIqu said.
    THE RINGS OF TAUTEE "Subspace wave approaching," KobtaHave said.
    KerDaq sat back, smiling, holding on to his chair while he watched the Enterprise move slowly off.
    Soon the great Captain Kirk would be caught and disgraced. And the weapon that could do this destruction would be where it belonged in the hands of the Empire.
    Chapter Nine THE ENTERPRISE BROKE AWAY from the Farragut and flew above the plane of the solar system, staying a safe distance from the remains of the planets. The bridge crew's expressions were tight, focused. They knew there was a high risk in this rescue operation, especially since there might not be anyone left to rescue.
    They were willing to take the chance. They trusted Kirk. They always had.
    And he trusted them as well.
    "Full shields," he said. "Keep her steady, Mr. Sulu."
    "Aye, sir." Sulu's gaze was focused on the screen.
    "Captain," Chekov said. "Two Klingon ships are following us." He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes wide with surprise and tension.
    THE RINGS OF TAUTEE Kirk smiled. So, KerDaq had decided to tag along after all. He wouldn't come down into the debris fields, but he would stand watch. Well, as far as Kirk was concerned they could watch all they want. There was no superweapon, and he doubted the Federation would ever work on one.
    "Captain?" Chekov's accent got thicker when he grew nervous.
    "Monitor them, Ensign," Kirk said.
    "But Captain[*thorn]" "Monitor them," Kirk said, his smile growing.
    KerDaq knew how to get through those waves as much as they did. Perhaps he was worried that in saving the survivors, Kirk would discover the Klingon's weapon. Always, Kirk had learned, always listen to your enemies" professed fears, because often they were talking about what they would do[*thorngg'or what they had done[*thorngg'themvs.
    Chekov was sputtering. He bent over his console.
    "Oh, and Ensign," Kirk said, enjoying Chekov's consternation a bit more than he should, "put the ship on yellow alert. Shields up and extra power to the forward shield. I want the crew to be prepared for anything."
    "Aye, sir!" Chekov said with such relieved fervor that Kirk had to stifle a laugh.
    "Entering the debris field of the remains of the fifth planet," Sulu said.
    Kirk gripped the arms of his chair, even though the ship hit no bumps. "Keep her steady, Sulu," Kirk said.
    Huge asteroids drifted past the screen. Between
    Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch the huge chunks of what was left of the fifth planet were millions of tiny rocks and dust. They bounced off the shields like stones skipping over water. Kirk wasn't bothered much by the small ones at this speed. The fear was running into one too large for the shields to deflect.
    Sulu didn't answer. He was obviously concentrating on