The Edge of the Sword

Chapter One
STARSHIP U.S.S. ENTERPRISE
FEDERATION SPACE

The beam deposited them in another, similar but smaller, transporter room. This one had a single operator and an officer wearing a red tunic with a ship's services insignia. By the single gold braids on the man's cuffs, Kell could tell that he was a lieutenant. For a long moment the Earther just stared at them. Then he spoke.

"Welcome to the U.S.S. Enterprise. I'm your section chief or squad leader, Lieutenant Sam Fuller. I've reviewed your records. You all have excelled in your training -- otherwise you wouldn't be serving on this ship under Captain James T. Kirk. Now before we go any further, I have a simple question for you: How many old Starfleet security officers does it take to fire a phaser?"

The Klingon heard the light titter of Earther laughter around him from the other recruits, but he noted that Sam Fuller didn't smile. He merely looked at them expectantly.

"Anyone?" Fuller asked when the group quieted down.

Finally, a very earnest-looking Earther female next to him spoke up. "Just one, sir. Starfleet security officers of any age do not require assistance for such a simple task."

Fuller considered her for a moment, then shook his head. "No, that's not it, but I will spare you further guessing. It's a trick question, because -- and listen very carefully -- there are no old Starfleet security officers."

More laughter from the group. Kell was so surprised that he nearly joined them -- there was a very similar Klingon proverb about old warriors.

"I'm glad you're amused, but the truth is that security has the highest mortality rate in the service -- higher even than careless starship captains. Of course, there are compensations. We also have the lowest pay." Then, for the first time, Sam Fuller smiled.

"You remember the words of the great Zefram Cochrane, Starfleet's mission is 'to boldly go where no man has gone before.' Well, going boldly is a risky business. It is the business of Starfleet and the Federation that we serve. Getting a whole bunch of different races together is risky. Meeting new races is risky. And protecting the ideals of the Federation and the lives of its members is risky. But as our captain says, risk is our business. It is the business of Starfleet and the Federation we serve. No branch of the service takes greater risks or pays a higher price than Starfleet security. And, as far as I'm concerned, there is no higher calling in Starfleet or the Federation. Now, does that make any of you nervous?" Sam asked.

"No, sir," the Klingon and the group replied in unison.

"Well, it should, but here in security we are not very high on common sense, so you'll fit right in. Now, as your first duty officer, it is my duty to swear you in as members of Starfleet and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Before I do, I'll offer you one last opportunity to step back on the transporter pad and go back to Earth, your colony, your space station, or wherever it is that you call home. You can take your expensive Starfleet training and find any number of nice safe posts in the private sector. Bear in mind there is no shame in doing so; in fact, you would be showing remarkable intelligence and foresight." He paused for a moment, looking over the group. "Anyone?"