STAR TREK

"A BRIGHTLY FLICKERING FLAME" CHAPTER THREE

Bernard Schaffer and Tony Healey

Phasers blazed in brilliant arcs across the viewscreen, aimed at the Klingon ship's hull. The metal plating across their right flank burst open on impact.

Kirk leaned forward to try and determine how badly the enemy vessel was damaged. "Excellent work, Ensign."

"Thank you, Captain," Chekov said.

"The Klingon ship is hailing us," Uhura reported.

"On speaker."

"Human scum! You will pay for this outrage!"

Kirk smiled. "Surrender your vessel and prepare to be boarded."

"Never."

"He's closed the channel," Uhura reported.

Smoke billowed from the Klingon ship as it circled to face the Enterprise, much faster than Kirk had anticipated.

"Captain, they're locking weapons," Ensign Peters said.

"Evasive maneuvers," Kirk said.

"Yes sir," Sulu said.

"At this distance, we will not be able to outmaneuver their disrupter cannons," Spock said.

"Noted, Mr. Spock. All power to shields," Kirk ordered.

The Klingon ship unleashed a series of crackling energy bolts. Two blasts from the Klingon cannons struck Enterprise across the bow, sending a shudder down the length of the ship. Sparks rained down from the ceiling panels and it was all Kirk could do to brace himself against the arms of his chair to keep from being thrown sideways. He saw the Klingon ship's weapons systems flare to life again to get ready to fire.

"Photon torpedoes," Kirk shouted. "Fire!"

A volley of torpedoes struck the circular bridge set above the massive bulb that formed the head of the Klingon ship. The bridge was connected to the rest of the ship by a long, narrow neck. Kirk hoped he got to see it snap in half.

"Direct hits!" Sulu said.

"Take us beneath them," Kirk said. He pointed to the Klingon ship's underbelly, "Target phasers right there, Chekov. Fire at my command."

"Aye," Chekov said.

Sulu steered the Enterprise toward the Klingons, then dipped their bow so that they slid beneath the enemy vessel. When they drew close enough, Kirk called out, "Fire."

Chekov sent streaks of bright red phaser fire into the center of the Klingon ship, exactly where Kirk had shown him. The beams sliced through the Klingon hull.

"Good work, Mr. Chekov. Helm, bring us about for another pass. I want to cripple their engines so they can't—"

Before he could give the command to fire again, the Klingon ship rocketed forward in a flash of white light. The wake of its engines shook the Enterprise so hard that Kirk had to grab the arms of his chair to steady himself. By the time the light faded from the viewscreen, the enemy ship was gone.

"Damn!" Kirk said.

Spock looked up from his scanner. "They have gone to warp."

"Sulu, lay in a pursuit course," Kirk said.

"Yes Captain."

Kirk sat back in the command chair as the Enterprise's engines hurled them forward into a field of flashing streaks of light.


Captain's Log, Captain James Kirk – USS Enterprise

Stardate 3212.8

Chief Engineer Scott is directing repair crews following our confrontation with the Klingon vessel. I've instructed Scott to make the repairs on the move. I don't intend to let that ship get away from us. Not after what they've done. Meanwhile, I've finally received word that Starfleet Intelligence has made progress in identifying the Klingon Commander.

Mr. Spock turned a dial on the meeting room's computer console and the image of a battle-hardened Klingon warrior appeared on the viewscreen in front of them. "We have narrowed it down the most likely possibility," Spock said. "Captain Roch. A veteran of the Klingon fleet, he has led several campaigns against the Federation throughout his career. Most recently he has been given command of the Empire's latest warship, the Mensk."

Kirk studied the image in front of him. It never ceased to surprise him just how much Federation Intelligence knew about the comings and goings of the Empire. "So they know who our enemy is," Kirk said. "But can they tell us whey he's here?"

"It must be on the Empire's orders, Captain," Ensign Chekov said. "The targets he is selecting, the commitment to total devastation. It can only mean the Empire is trying to provoke us into declaring all-out war."

"Actually, Starfleet Intelligence could not reach a consensus on why the Mensk attacked Ellison-1," Spock said.

"I'm sure they'll keep looking," Kirk said. "So what do we know about Roch? What makes him tick?"

Spock enlarged Captain Roch's image to show him in full. Dressed in gray battle armor, he sneered at them from the viewscreen. "We know from his file that Roch lost his parents during the Battle of Mobius Reach when he was still a child. That was one of the first encounters between the Federation and Klingons, and Roch has held deep antipathy toward us ever since. He is personally responsible for driving back Federation forces during the Tangiers Incident and has had remarkable success nearly every other time we've encountered him."

"Until today," Lieutenant Sulu said, then smiled narrowly.

"A flickering flame," Dr. McCoy muttered.

Captain Kirk ignored it and pressed the button on his console to call Engineering. "Mr. Scott, how long until the repairs are completed?"

"It might take a wee bit o' time, Captain. Their disrupter cannons ripped right through our shields," Scottie said. "But I'll do my best, sir. As usual."

"Make them along the way," Kirk said. He dismissed the others except for Spock and McCoy. "What was that you were saying, Bones? A flickering what?"

"A flickering flame!" McCoy said. "That thing inside that drives us. For us, it's what happened to Ellison-1. We'll chase him across the cosmos to get our revenge, but for him, it goes all the way back to when he was a child. Now, we'll kill everyone on his ship and a new generation of children will grow with a new flame burning inside of them. Don't you see, Jim? This is one vicious circle and we're playing a big part in keeping it turning."

Kirk shook his hands and said, "I'm not sure how we can fight in a war without taking that risk, Doctor!"

McCoy thrust his hands toward Spock and said, "You got a good look at the Mensk, Spock What's your assessment of it in comparison to the Enterprise?"

Spock tilted his head to consider the question. "It appears to be of the most recent Klingon design. As the flagship, it is safe to presume it is their deadliest vessel in the fleet. In terms of how one ship compares to the other, the Klingons do not explore or conduct scientific surveys. They conquer. Thus, based on the damage their disrupter cannons did to us, I would give their ship the advantage in terms of weaponry. Based on Captain Roch's record, I would also give him the advantage in terms of space combat."

"Don't bother trying to make me feel better, Spock. Just say what you really think," Kirk said drolly.

Spock's right eyebrow arched. "I was unaware that Dr. McCoy was asking me for anything other than the truth."

"Well, good thing for us, I've always believed it comes down to choices made on the battlefield rather than the weapons at hand or the skill of the captain," Kirk said. "In this case, I'll put my crew up against anyone else in the galaxy. Gentlemen, to your stations. We have a battle to win. Who knows, Mr. Spock. Maybe I'm not quite as ineffective as you think."

"Now just wait a damn minute," McCoy said. "You just heard the man tell you our ship is no match for his, Jim. I say we slow down, make our repairs, and call for support from the rest of the fleet. Instead of racing headfirst into danger by ourselves for once, let's use our heads and wait for the rest of the posse to get here."

"I appreciate your concern, Bones, but right now I need you in Sickbay. We had injuries in that last engagement and I need everyone back to their station and ready before the next one."

"Fine," McCoy said. "But just so you know, we're heading into murky water right now and you know it. I want it noted in the ship's log."

"So noted, doctor," Kirk said.

"Murky water, flickering flames," Spock said. "I'd dare say today's events have brought out your more anecdotal side, Doctor."

McCoy's eyes narrowed. "If I didn't know you better, I'd say that was almost a compliment."

The Vulcan shrugged and said, "Merely an observation."


Captain Roch of the Klingon Warship Mensk bared his sharp teeth in anger. "You are certain?"

"There is no error, Captain," Lieutenant Quih said. "The Federation dogs are not far behind."

"Kirk," Roch said, spitting the name from his mouth like a curse. "Who is James Kirk to think he can challenge me?"

He'd reviewed Kirk's file and found the man's record to be impressive for a human, but still, he was no match for the might of the Empire. Kirk had spent his life showing mercy when he should have been seeking conquest. Even his pathetic attempts at negotiating the Mensk's surrender when he should have been seizing the opportunity to strike the first blow. Such a captain would not have lasted in the Klingon Fleet.

"Only a fool does not realize when he's made his prey more dangerous," Roch said. "He will try to use Starfleet trickery against us, no doubt, for how else could he help to defeat us with his pathetic little ship?"

"What are your orders, Captain?" Quih asked. "The Enterprise gets closer by the second."

Roch smiled. The expression held no humor in such a hardened face. "Bring the ship to a full stop. Perhaps we will show them a little trickery of our own."


Ensign Peters looked up from the science station and said, "Lieutenant, tell the helm to slow our speed!"

"Why?" Sulu asked.

"I think I have them, dead ahead. They're just sitting there. Otherwise we'll shoot right past them."

"Slow to one-quarter impulse power," Sulu said. "Put them on screen." He leaned forward in the captain's chair and saw a blurred image in the darkness of the field of stars. The Klingon ship was sitting motionless in space, facing them. Waiting.

"That's them, all right," Sulu said. He pressed the chair's intercom button and said, "Captain to the Bridge. Klingon vessel within view. Repeat, Captain to the Bridge."

Moments later, the turbo lift opened and Kirk hurried out of it. He slid into the command chair just as the comm station sounded an alert.

Uhura pressed the blinking button on her station to answer it. "Sir, we are being hailed by the Klingons."

Kirk flipped the switch on his console. "This is Captain Kirk. Are you prepared to surrender?"

"James T. Kirk," the Klingon muttered over the speakers. "Son of George, from the land of Iowa. Such disgusting sounding names."

"Captain Roch of the IKS Mensk," Kirk said. "I see you have studied me the same way I have studied you."

"I have studied your file and all I saw was weakness. Tell me, Kirk, haven't you humans any concept of honor?"

"Honor?" Kirk asked. "We have enough honor not to fire on unarmed scientific research facilities, murdering two thousand defenseless people!"

The Klingon laughed harshly. "Why would anyone be foolish to build such a thing? All the more shame on your Federation for preventing them from being able to protect themselves. They were weak prey and deserved to be culled."

"You won't be able to cull us so easily," Kirk said. "I promise you that."

"Very well, Kirk, son of George. Let us meet on the field of battle once more, except this time, we will destroy you like the cowardly petaq you are."

"Uhura, cut the channel," Kirk said. "Mr. Scott, how are we with the repairs?"

"I could use a little more time, Captain," Scott said.

"We don't have it. Is she ready or not?"

"Aye," Scott said, almost sadly. "She's ready. Just try not to break her again so quickly."

"I'll do my best," Kirk said. He nodded toward Chekov, "Arm phasers and prepare to lock on target."

Spock leaned closer to his scanner and said, "The enemy ship is preparing to fire."

"How are they in range?" Chekov whispered.

"They aren't," Kirk said. "They're just going to take a shot in the dark and see if they get lucky. Mr. Sulu, evasive maneuvers."

Brilliant bursts of green fire erupted from the Mensk's disrupter cannons, growing larger on the viewscreen as they approached. Sulu's fingers raced over the controls and the Enterprise veered right. The first disrupter blast sizzled over top of the ship, inches above the hull, but a second volley was already headed toward them.

"All hands, brace for impact!" Kirk called out.

Two disrupter blasts thundered against the ship's exposed portside, hard enough to toss everyone on the bridge sideways.

Spock leaned back to his console. "Direct hit to decks ten through twelve. Shields at fifty-three percent, Captain."

"Fire!" Kirk said.

"Captain, we aren't in range yet," Chekov cried.

"Forget the computer and just make the shot!"

"But, Captain—"

"Now, Mr. Chekov! Fire!"

Chekov closed one eye as he lined up the targeting reticle and fired. A powerful phaser beam sliced across the underside of the Mensk, leaving a blazing line of scorched metal on the hull.

"Again!" Kirk called out.

"Target lock not acquired," the tactical system whined. "Warning, target lock not acquired."

Chekov cursed in Russian under his breath as he overrode the system and fired. Two brilliant beams of fiery light streaked across the darkness, filling the Enterprise's viewscreen. Kirk squinted as he tried to see where they'd struck.

"Did I hit it?" Chekov asked.

Everyone leaned forward to inspect the Mensk for damage. A dark plume of smoke billowed from the side of the ship's neck, directly behind the bulbous bridge. "I'd say you did, Lieutenant. Well done. Another few feet and you'd have sheared that bird's neck off."

"The Klingon ship is losing power," Spock said. He lowered his head to his scanner and said, "Their shields are failing."

"Uhura, open a channel. Let's see if they're ready to have a more civilized conversation now that we've taught them some humility."

Before she could comply, something slammed into the Enterprise, hard enough to knock Kirk from his chair and send him tumbling into the helm. A crackling pule of bright blue energy radiated from the tip of the Enterprise's hull.

Kirk forced himself to his feet and stumbled as he called out, "What the hell just hit us?"

"Some sort of magnetic pulse, Captain," Spock said. "They are preparing to fire again."

"All hands, brace for impact," Kirk shouted.


NEXT: THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO "STAR TREK: A BRIGHTLY FLICKERING FLAME"

Bernard Schaffer is an author from the Philadelphia area.

His acclaimed Santero and Rein Thriller series features Carrie Santero and her mentor, the troubled Jacob Rein. The Thief of All Light, An Unsettled Grave, and Blood Angel, are available from Kensington Books.

His western trilogy debuted in 2021 as part of the Ralph Compton imprint with Berkley Books. All three titles, Face of a Snake, Snake's Fury, and Hell Snake, were selected as Walmart paperback exclusives.

Awards for his work include Suspense Magazine Best of 2019 (Suspense Thriller Category) and an Audiobook Reviewers' Choice Award.

Website: .com Email: contact

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Tony Healey is the author of the bestselling Harper & Lane Series, consisting of Hope's Peak, Storm's Edge and Blue Ruin, published by Thomas and Mercer. He is also the author of westerns in the Ralph Compton Western Series, including The Devil's Snare, Blood On The Prairie, Die Trying and The Guns of Wrath. He has several works published independently, including the crime novel Not For Us.

Tony Healey lives and works in Brighton, on the Sussex coast. He is married, has four daughters and a chorkie called Freddy. Tony is represented by his agent, Sharon Pelletier of Dystel, Goderich & Bourrett LLC.

The Harper & Lane Series: /3hCmqoJ

Ralph Compton Westerns: Tony Healey | Penguin Random House

Not For Us: /3hEimo0