Treaty's Law

FOR THE SECOND TIME in under two hours Kerdoch felt the effects of atransporter. Only this time he knew exactly where he was being beamedto: the center of the colony.Back to his home.Beside him stood Commander Kor and four warriors. Kerdoch had neverfelt so powerful before. Pride filled his heart and made his bloodsurge through his veins. He had been given many honors over his yearsas a colonist, but never one that pleased him as this did.As the transporter released them in the open center courtyard of thecolony, a shout went up from those nearby."Kerdoch has returned," one yelled."With help!" a woman's voice added.Kerdoch stood proudly beside Kor as his neighborsand friends rushed toward them. The colony had suffered even moredamage than Kerdoch had remembered. Beside him Kerdoch noticed thatKor frowned as he surveyed the remains of a once proud Klingon farmingcommunity. He must have been shocked at the destruction.Kerdoch waited for a moment until his wife reached his side, and hehugged her. Then he held up his hands and waited for the crowd tocalm."This is Kor," he said, "commander of the mighty battle cruiserKlothos of the Imperial Fleet."At his mention of Kor's name there were several swift intakes ofbreath and one gasp. Suddenly everyone was again talking as the reliefof having warriors and a battle cruiser here to help defend the colonygrew thick in the air, and warriors led by a respected and muchhonored commander such as Kor.Kerdoch's wife squeezed him, as if he were the hero responsible forbringing Kor.Kerdoch, however, felt a distinct unease, as if the winds had shiftedand things were not as right as the others might think. He looked overthe smiling faces of his neighbors, but saw nothing. So he turned toKor."Sir," Kerdoch said, "we must prepare."Kor slapped Kerdoch on the back. "You are right, my friend. We must."In front of them the air shimmered. Weapons came up and were trainedon the spot as the Federation captain and several other humansappeared.Around him Kerdoch could sense the tension returning like a thick furblanket tossed over the crowd. Only Kor's men lowered their weapons.The colonists did not.There were five humans with the Federation captain. One was a woman.The human captain strode up to Kerdoch and Kor. "Do you have wounded?"Kerdoch nodded. "Many.""Can someone lead the doctor to them?" The human captain indicated athin man with a bag over his shoulder who stood off to his left.Kerdoch turned to his wife and indicated that she should help thedoctor."This way," she said, with only a questioning glance at her husband.The human captain turned to his people. "Commander Rathbone, you andLieutenant Sulu scout the surrounding fields, see if you can discoverwhat was done to the crops, with what kind of weapon, and why. EnsignChop, Ensign Adaro, you two stay with me."The human captain then turned to Kor. "We are here to help defend yourcolony. What needs to be done to get ready for another attack?"Kor laughed at the Federation captain. "Kirk, you are still the fool.But for the moment we will gladly take advantage of your foolishness."Kor turned to Kerdoch, who stood straight under the commander's gaze."Do you have disrupter cannons?""Two are working," Kerdoch said "They are on the southwest andnortheast perimeters.""Good," Kor said. "Two are better than none. Kirk have one of your menjoin one of mine and one colonist at each gun."One of the colonists put a hand on Kor's arm. "Do you think the humanscan be trusted?"Kor looked down at the offending hand. The colonist removed itquickly. "Are you questioning my judgment?""No, Commander," the colonist said. "It is just that when we hadhumans on this planet, we were instructed to keep...