A Higher Duty


Chapter 1

The music in the mess was loud and the singing was louder.
All around the walls, draped from the ceiling, and festooned
across the chairs and tables, floated rainbow threads
intertwined with small green balls of light. They pulsed to 
the beat of the percussion instruments played by the on-board 
Worlds Apart Band.  McCoy beat his fingers on the table 
and tried to sing along with the words, though he obviously 
knew very few of them.

"Leonard, when are you going to learn the lyrics to this
song?" Uhura asked with obvious amusement.

"Words, shmords, it's the tune that counts, the words just
get in the way," he retorted and turned to his companions at
the table. "Besides, if I learned the words, I'd have to
sing the same ones each time. This way I get to create," he
concluded with a flourish of his hands meant to demonstrate
a maestro conducting an orchestra.

"Ye can not pronounce the Deltan dialect, 'tis all. I've
heard ye murder the sound." Scotty shot out before he raised
his glass to his lips. "Here's to Deltans, their music, and
the fact that they know no good festival should pass without
a bit of the good stuff,"

"Scotty, darling, I don't know of a single festival with
liquor, you don't celebrate."

"Ah, Penda, you wound me to the soul." He grabbed his shirt
over where his heart wasn't. "I have yet to touch on all the
important occasions for all of our member worlds, but be it
far from me to deny any me respect and due admiration," he
raised his glass towards the ceiling. "I shall miss no
festival before its time. Of course it is all the sweeter to
have you to celebrate with, my bundle of perfect
engineering."

"If I said that, you'd knock me out," McCoy observed dryly.

"If you said that,  you'd explode before I got to you.
Compliments aren't your cup of bourbon," Uhura replied with
a shrug. "The last compliment I heard you give was: 'You're
too damn healthy to be in my sick bay, so get your butt
out'."

"I didn't say that," his voice rose in protest.

She nodded emphatically, "You sure did and Scotty heard it,
didn't you Scotty?"

"That I did, Lass, and saddened and shocked I was to hear
it. Unlike a fine wine, he does nae mellow with time."

McCoy snorted and turned to look at the temporary stage
where the new singer had walked out, dressed in the
traditional robes of a  Deltan twirl dancer. "Never you mind
how you're telling tall tales on me. Shut your traps so I
can see her. I mean...see this show."

Her name was Ashram. She was a copper-skinned, lithe
testament to the Universe's ability to create unbelievable
beauty. She floated out among the glowing bulbs of soft
green light.  At her signal , the lights begin to pulsate
slowly.  Then the music rose from the players, who set on
the stage.  If there had been anyone in the room who was not
looking at the stage, that was no longer so. Everyone leaned
slightly forward in anticipation of the entertainment.
Deltans could make the slightest movement carry a multitude
of interpretations depending on the needs, lusts, and
darkest desires of the observer.  It was not uncommon for
each and every one of their planet based entertainment
experiences to conclude in several very strongly felt offers
of marriage from a human audience .  However, luckily for
the crew the Enterprise, all Deltans who served aboard a
Federation starship had to swear to celibacy during their
tenure, while on board.

So, Crewman Ashram, was relatively safe.  At least, her
especially strong ability to broadcast pheromones to any
adult male or female audience member was limited by her
regular monthly shots. Those shots had no effect on her
ability to cast a spell with the slightest motion of her
fingertips, or how her leg moved slowly across the stage in
contretemps to the music.  There was magic being cast, not
tied to dolls, or potions, or even words, this magic rose up
from the imagination of those who watched, and the grace and
energy of the one who danced.

Logic dictated that she was not dancing to each and everyone
in the audience.  Reality demanded that she did not know the
soul of those who were watching.  There are times when logic
and reality can not override the beliefs of an audience.
This was one of those times.

She danced.  They dreamed.

"Damn, Penda, is she fabulous, or what?" McCoy whispered,
half to himself, half to the stars around them.

"She has the gift, that's for sure."

The inter-ship Com link broke in to the performance and
everyone stopped to wait for the words that followed.
"Command crew, report to the briefing room in 10 minutes.
Delta shift bridge crew, you will remain on duty until
alpha shift returns from the  briefing, Captain's orders,
out."

Moans drifted through the audience as the command crew
pulled themselves from their altered states and back to the
reality of a urgent briefing session. That always meant
trouble, somewhere, somehow, but trouble was what they were
getting paid for, and more importantly, trouble had called
most of them to the stars.

"Not bloody fair, I tell ye! She was just getting to the
juicy parts." Scotty protested. "Let's get it over, then.
I'm sure this is going to hurt my ship, some way, so I
better get her ready."

"Oh pooh, Scotty, at least you got to see Ashram, I was
waiting for Eldraw, her dance mate.  He's the main
attraction for me."

"That's because ye are a lass, and not appreciative of the
finer things that another lass' dance can do for a lad." He
answered as they walked towards the exit from the rec room.

"Darling, I think you would be surprised at what I know
about what a "lass' dance can do for a lad," she drawled
with a wink.

Scotty stopped momentarily and turned around to McCoy as
Uhura left ahead of him. "Did she just say what I think she
said?"

"Yep, and I bet she can back it up. But, if I were you, I'd
get a full check-up on your heart and lungs before you ever
find out." He snorted and passed a stunned Engineer, leaving
him rapidly behind. Scotty, took a deep breath, shook
himself and hurried after them.

Chapter 2

Kirk, Spock and a yeoman were already seated at the briefing
table when McCoy, Uhura, and Scotty arrived. Sulu, Chekov,
and M'Benga were only seconds behind them. By the time they
had all gotten settled, Spock had signaled the Yeoman to
send the info packets to their individual table screens.

Kirk started the ball rolling. "We received an incoming message 
from Starfleet Command, marked priority, today at 1750, ship time.  
The content of the message is in front of you. We are ordered 
to go, at due speed, to Cygni Beta 1 where you will be leaving 
me, so I can attend a diplomatic conference as one of the 
Federation representatives. The Enterprise will then go and 
rendezvous with a transport full of media personnel at  Starbase 
8. You will then safely bring the aforementioned cadre of
cacophonous clods to the wonderful conference, where they
will look for photo-ops and speak with the famous and almost
so. I have been instructed to be on my best behavior and not
chew the scenery. This will be a wonderfull opportunity to improve 
relations with the representatives of the member and non-aligned 
worlds."

McCoy snorted out loud and Uhura looked at the ceiling while
she attempted to stifle her response.  McCoy couldn't
resist. "Captain James Tiberius Kirk, if I didn't know
better, I would think you ain't too excited about this
adventure."

Kirk simply glared.

"Captain," Uhura ventured, "perhaps there is something
positive you can gain from the experience."

"Positive...diplomats and reporters in the same mission?" He
said with obvious disbelief.

"There are some great caves on Cygni Beta 1," Sulu offered. That
got Kirk's attention and encouraged him to continue. "You
all know about my interest in geological formations, so I
did a bit of a tour of the caves of Cygni Beta 1. They have
a unique resonance that interferes with current
communication technology and basically limits them to the
use of amplified radio waves. That means deep space sensors
and scanners have limited usefulness. The interference with
our sensors was one of the reasons it took them so long to
be contacted. We had no good way, other than direct
surveillance to discover their level of technology and
readiness for off-world contact. The caves are breath-
taking, they have natural phosphorescence and intermittently
they actually hum. "

"How far are they from the conference site?" Kirk asked.

Sulu looked at his screen for a few moments, " No further
than 20 kilometers, by these maps. I can give you the maps I
made because I went off the beaten track a ways to explore
some quieter, less touristy caves."

Kirk smiled. "Deal. Maybe this won't be the unrelenting pain
in the ass I was anticipating." He nodded emphatically.
"Alright, I do this... wonderful conference, then I'm going
to hide in the caves until you come and get me, and don't be
late, or else."

"Captain, perhaps we should discuss the particulars of the
conference," Spock suggested. Kirk waved at him to begin.

"First, this conference will have Klingons, Romulans,
Orions, representatives of the Non-aligned worlds and a full
Federation representation from the small and large systems.
The purpose: to end trade sanctions imposed  the Federation
on all Governments who trade with Slave holding systems in
exchange for a guarantee for of an immediate cessation to
all government sanctioned abductions and  legalized trading
in Sentient Beings."

"Well, I'll be damned," McCoy exclaimed.

"And about time," Scotty threw out. " How are they going to
verify cooperation?"

"That is a crucial point that has not been agreed on.
However, it is obvious Starfleet will have to take a
frontline role in the process; hence the Captain is a
Starfleet's representative."

"Why you, Captain, instead of one of the Command staff?"
Uhura wanted to know.

"The Klingons, the Romulans, and the Non-aligned World
representatives specifically requested him." Spock answered.

"How does it feel to be that popular?" McCoy quipped.

"Sort of like being the only prostitute in port, when a deep
space cruiser has just docked after ten months in space. I
know I'm going to get screwed, repeatedly, and it ain't
going to be fun."

Everyone laughed, but Spock, who continued as soon as there
was a relative break. "The Ariadne will remain in orbit
during the conference to assist with security." That got
everyone's attention.

"Why them and not us?" Chekov asked.

"We were told that many of the Orions have unpleasant
memories of their clan encounters with the Enterprise, and
prefer we absent ourselves."

"Let me get this right," Chekov continued, "they want our
Captain there, who commanded the ship that makes them
nervous, but they don't want the ship around?"

"Essentially accurate," Spock answered.

"I don't like this, not one bit," Chekov stated. "We are a
better ship than the Ariadne. We have seen more combat and
made more first contacts. Sending the Ariadne instead of us
is like kissing your sister."

Kirk waved away the objections. "For the record, we already
had this discussion with Starfleet and we lost. Spock, why
don't you finish the briefing and I'm going to go and finish
the packet on the attendees. We have already made the
necessary course changes and we will arrive in three
standard days. I will see you on the Bridge."

The briefing continued after his exit. "How long is the
conference? Sulu inquired. "It will take us at least 7
standard days to get to Starbase 8 and back to Cyngi Beta 1
and that means he is going to be down there without any
back-up for all that time."

"Understood. That is why we are going at our best speed and
returning. I am planning on negotiating for him to carry one
weapon to the conference, on the pretense of him leaving
to go into the wilds where he will not have security back-up."

"Dr. McCoy, your screen has the possible infectious agents
and parasites, along with an evaluation of the local foods
and water."

"Yeah, I see it. Mostly heavy minerals and no real parasites
that affect humans. Everything else we can handle with
immunity boosters. You see anything else, Gregory?"

"Looking at the list of attendees, the Zsxthys will be
there. He will need to be immunized against their venom, and
the Dowerg are also going to be there," M'Benga replied.

"They carry lots of nasty bugs. You're right. I see they
will have Vulcan Healers, so there is good news." He
finished scanning the material. "We can have him ready in
two days, Spock."

"Acceptable. Uhura, you will have to update the translator.
Can you have all of the possible languages loaded by our
arrival?"

"No problem. This will give us a chance to use our newest
toy. We have a small earpiece we can mold into his middle
ear and the program will reside at a remote site. He will
get contemporaneous translation for any audio language. He's
may have to depend on Starfleet Diplomatic Corp for sign and
scent translation, but more of those Ambassadors carry their
own translation devices to send the interpretation to any
direct line receivers."

The planning finished 20 minutes later and they went to get
ready for their shift. Chekov went to make sure none of the
reporters could get into any of the restricted areas and he
especially wanted to limit computer access. Noonan Singh
Khan had taught him a lesson about what can happen when you
don't keep hackers out, and he never planned to forget it.

Chapter 3


Kirk bent over to put the last few items in his carrier for
the conference on Cygni beta 1. He was looking forward to
the spelunking trip afterwards, as a break from the routine
of shipboard life. The information Sulu had given him showed
lush mountainous forests with trees 150 to 300 feet high and
caves that glowed with a rainbow of colors and were filled
with fantastical rock formations.  Hopefully, he'd have a
chance to explore a few of  them.  He had already done a
quick, but thorough, review of the major landmarks. He had
even identified some caverns that he meant to explore that
were closer to the diplomatic compound than the ones Sulu
had seen.

There were no large predators for him to worry about and
many of the plants were edible. The water was even drinkable
for short periods of time. It had an unfortunately high
level of heavy metals that would become toxic over time, but
he was not planning to be there that long.

The conference was sponsored by the Cygnian Government, the
head of  one of the largest non-aligned systems. Starfleet
had told him several planets had specifically asked for him to be
the Starfleet representative  no-one was really sure why they had 
made the request, The latest theory was some baloney about 
his military reputation having caused such a stir that some 
of the representatives wanted to meet him. Another story said 
they wanted to verify Starfleet's philosophy of peaceful
exploration by seeing how far they could push him before he 
exploded. He thought the latter was closer to being 
accurate. So, he was suppose to go, smile, be nice, and
try not to gnaw on the furniture, so he could prove he
was civilized and not given to wiping out whole planetary
systems.

Kirk had to smile to himself over the thought that people
feared him. A kid from the cornfields had a reputation as
the Federations foremost military leader. He snorted,a 
half disgusted and half bewildered sound. All
he had ever wanted was to explore the stars. The only reason
he fought so well was because he hated losing, especially
when lives depended on his winning. Tarsus made him decide
to never be on the losing side again. So, if he had to
fight, he would be so good at it, his people lived, and the
other side died. He sighed and thought briefly about how
strangely his life had turned out compared to his
expectations. At least there was an upside, and that side
made it all worth it, most of the time. He put the last 
bit of his camping equipment in the bag and closed it in 
time to hear the cabin door open. He didn't turn; he knew
who it was, "One moment,Spock, I just have one last memo 
to do and I'll be ready to go. I'm starving. Maybe we can 
stop and grab something first."

Spock entered the cabin. He tooka relaxed stance, hands 
clasped loosely behind him. "I am now able to detect Human 
exaggerations and since I do not notice any evidence of 
malnutrition, I must conclude you are stalling, not 
starving." Spock walked over to Kirk who was now standing 
over his desk terminal entering some last bits of data 
into the computer. Spock knew Kirk enjoyed his Vulcan 
sense of irony and indulged in it whenever possible.
The Vulcan's relqtively new ability to accept 
and share his emotions had been cemented, 
after he rejected Gol, confronted V'Ger,and finally 
found his own true self.

Kirk leaned back and gave him am indulgent smile, then a
look of pure mischief broke out on his face. "I have a
dilemma."

"And what is that dilemma, T'hy'la ?"

"I'm not sure if I want to go to the conference, go get
something to eat, or stay here and finish the especially
brutal endgame I have planned for you. Hmm, do I eat, suffer
with a bunch of diplomats, or kick your ass, what a
decision." He rubbed his hands together with a dramatic 
flourish on his face while Spock walked over to the 
chess set and perused the board.

"Indeed, and what makes you think this is the setup for a
brutal endgame, as you so quaintly phrase it?"

"Checkmate in three."

Spock continued to look at the board. "I hardly think that
will occur." His hand went to his chin, a sure sign of
doubt.

"Read 'em and weep," Kirk laughed, moved to stand
companionably beside him, and then grabbed his own throat in
a mock strangle hold.

"Jim, I can call the planet and tell them your beam down
will be delayed so I can convince you of the error of your
ways." Spock felt his curiosity growing and he suddenly
wanted to play the game to its logical conclusion. The
teasing and humor he indulged in with his shield mate was
satisfying, especially as he did not allow himself to engage
in these displays with any other. Kirk's planned departure
surged into the front of his thoughts, and he still felt a
general sense of unease. Illogical fears flooded his psyche
and he pushed them away. His lapse helped bring him back to
reality.

The mood in the cabin changed abruptly. Kirk looked at him
quietly. "Stop worrying, it will be only two weeks and
voila, there and back again like a damn Hobbit." A slight
quirk formed on his lips. "I am a big boy after all.
Sometimes, I have been known to take care of myself without
either you, or that other mother hen looking over my
shoulder."

"You are supremely capable, Jim. I still do not have to
meekly accept the fact that they want you there at the
conference, not the ship. I especially do not appreciate the
fact that the Cygnians are solely responsible for the
conference security. It would be logical to have us provide
additional assistance, even if that necessitates us doing it
from outside of the system to make the Orions comfortable.
It is more logical for our ship to remain in orbit, instead
of the Ariadne. The Captain of the Ariadne is ...
unimaginative."

"Yeah, that nay be true, but he is a damn site more compliant 
than I am. We both know the things we do have half of the 
command staff cheering and the other half wanting to wring 
our necks. He won't rock the boat.Paul Boudreaux is a rising 
star and he can't ever get any face time in Command if he 
doesn't get the key assignments. You know the game.  Our 
favorite Admiral wants this for his prot�g� and neither 
you nor I are on top on his list of favorites. He can always 
say the unaligned diplomats don't want us there because 
the Enterprise is: "the ultimate symbol of Federation 
expansionist policy."  I guess Starfleet is concerned that 
the Romulans and the Klingons would take the Enterprise's 
presence as undue provocation. So, I'm in and you're out, 
my friend. You know as well as I do how touchy the unaligned 
worlds are about their sovereignty. They just want to prove 
they can go it alone. I bet they're counting on those 
high-density mineral deposits on the home world discouraging 
any mischief. Not even our sensors can fully penetrate the 
interference, and it does make it difficult to attack 
something when you can't target it. Anyway, they have a 
defense shield over the whole conference; I checked it, 
you checked it, Chekov checked it."

Spock reached to touch the meld point on Kirk's face. They
had matured enough to allow each other that level of
intimacy. He sent through the meld all his worry that he
felt for this human. Kirk allowed Spock to feel his
acceptance of the unavoidable through the touch. "Please, be
careful, Jim. I do not, for want of a better term, "like"
this, and I must admit that I am concerned for your safety.
Our link will only tell me if you are hurt. It is not a
shield against trouble, unfortunately."

Jim leaned back with an incredulous look on his face. "Who
me? I never get into any trouble. Honest!" The look Spock
gave him was so comical, Kirk couldn't help but laugh. He
touched his friend's arm lightly and spoke softly. "You know
I'm not trying to discount your concerns, Spock. I don't
like this either, but I really don't have any grounds on
which to question the assignment any more than I already
have. All I can tell you is, I promise to be careful, just
like always."

Kirk looked up into Spock's face with a hopeful grin, only
to find Spock looking at him with a stern expression. "Well,
okay, how about I promise to more careful than always." The
grin got larger and Kirk saw his friend's stern expression
melt.  "Now, come on and walk me to the transporter room, I
will have to eat planet-side. The faster I leave, the faster
you guys can get under way."

He turned to walk away and Spock stopped him with a
question. "You do have the Phaser as planned?"

"Of course, Commander Spock, Sir," he saluted in amusement.

Spock grimaced at him, "Very well, my Captain. Before you
leave, I must inform you of something." He paused for
dramatic effect. "I anticipate checkmate in two moves, and
you are the one who will hear those words from me." He said
this with his head tilted to the side and a Vulcan
equivalent of a smirk on his face. "I believe that is what
you humans call, something to remember me by." And with that
he turned and walked briskly to the cabin door and  picked
up his friend's bag on the way.

He stood briefly in the doorway waiting for Jim to review
the board and heard Kirk whisper, "What the hell did I
miss?" Kirk turned back to look at the Spock, and then back
at the board.

Kirk  finally  walked past him out into the corridor, but as
Kirk did, he whispered through gritted teeth,  "You're
bluffing, revenge is sweet."

"Indeed", was Spock's only reply. His smile was obvious to
any that knew him.

Bones met them in the transporter room. "Jim, I thought you
might like this for all those lonely days down there, with
those savage, wayward, diplomats." As he spoke he handed his
friend a small unmarked flask. His lopsided grin was on full
force. "In fact, Jim, my boy, I am thinking that you might
really need this."

"What is it, Bones, as if I don't already know?" He lifted
the flask to his face to take off the top and take a sniff.

"Oh, I wouldn't do that, Jimboy, wouldn't want those fine
folks to get the wrong first impression of you, now would
we? If you open that, they might mistake you for a drinking
man, and that would just not do." Bones southern drawl was
thick as he spoke to his best friend. "So, you go on down
there and stay out of trouble, you hear, because you will
not have me around to pick up the pieces."

Jim's sigh of exasperation escaped audibly, "You guys are
hopeless. First, you give me a bottle of illegal brandy.
Then, you tell me to be careful. I really am able to take
care of myself, you know."

His pronouncement was met by  knowing looks, "Sure you are,
Jimboy", from Dr. McCoy and a quiet "Indeed' from Spock. He
turned to look at both of them without a trace of annoyance,
just fondness. The transporter beam shimmered around him and
took him down to the surface below.

Still on board the Enterprise, Dr. Leonard McCoy turned to
Spock, who uncharacteristically stood  watching the
transporter platform. "You really are worried, Spock, and
don't try to deny it, I can see the signs, Vulcan or not.
What's the problem? He really is a big boy, as he likes to
say."

"I honestly can not isolate the source of my discomfort,
Doctor. Something about this conference seems contrived to
make sure that the Captain is isolated on the planet without
adequate back-up."

"The USS Ariadne is no slouch, Spock. Their Captain and crew
are considered one of Starfleet's best, at least that is
what Komack keeps saying."

"Yes, you are correct, Dr. McCoy, that is what Komack says,
but his motives are transparent.  He wishes to supplant the
Enterprise in the public eye with a more compliant Captain
and crew. The simple truth, however, is that we are the
best, and we are not there. I assure you I will be
monitoring the situation closely." With that statement,
Spock wheeled and walked towards the door. He waited for
McCoy, who followed thoughtfully after him.


Chapter 4

Cygni Beta 1 was a beautiful planet and the diplomatic
meeting was to be held away from the capital, near the
mountains in the Northern Hemisphere. The weather was more
temperate in that region. It had been felt that more of the
delegates would be comfortable there. Kirk was happy over
the choice as it put him closer to the wilderness areas of
Cygni 1 most famous for rugged beauty. He was definitely
more at home in space, but an occasional sojourn in the
wilds always recharged his batteries. His only regret was he
would be solo on all but the last two days of this trip. He
privately hoped Spock and Bones could get back and join him
early.

The fresh air, filled with new and alien aromas, assailed
him as he stepped out of the transportation center of the
diplomatic complex. He walked slowly across the complex,
following the escort who had immediately greeted him as 
soon as the transporter beam had cycled off.
The poor man almost jumped out of his shoes when Kirk 
introduced himself. The man was so obviously nervous at 
meeting him that Kirk gave him his most reassuring smile. 
He was escorted to his quarters and then he checked in 
for the conference. Signs of the over fifty different races
in attendance were all over the conference. Trade banners,
travel booths, hawkers of tourist trinkets and exotic 
delights, all wanted the same thing: come, visit and buy. 
The diplomatic staff hurried around the complex in a  
rush to get all the final details ironed out before 
the official start.

He looked forward to stowing his gear and getting to the
banquet, since he had skipped lunch to get planetside. 
He stared at himself in the mirror and almost saw the man 
from the first five year voyage looking back at him. 
He had been underweight when they had tied him to 
a desk, but getting his ship, and his friends,back had 
restored his appetite and his health. Fortunately, 
secondary to Spock's influence, he rarely ate meat anymore
and McCoy's weight loss diets were a thing of the past.  
If he worked out daily, maybe he could destress enough to 
keep from shooting anyone or saying anything dangerous. 
And, for once, he could look forward to eating at a banquet 
without worrying about Bones looking over his shoulder.
Yes, he really needed to rehearse the positives."Crap,"
he muttered."That didn't help one damn bit." 

After stowing his gear, he strolled through the huge maze
of gardens in the central courtyard, between the guest quarters
and the conference wing. The maze was lush, and filled with
whimsical topiaries interspersed between towering walls of
vegetation; it was beautiful and it smeeled good too, so he 
decided to come and run the maze later.  If he worked hard enough
at it, he might be able to do it blind- folded before the
end of the conference. He made it to the banquet hall in
time to see the Klingon delegation being introduced as they
entered. He got in line and patiently waited his turn. He
had been ordered to join the Federation Ambassador's party
on arrival. When he got to the doorman, he quietly told him
his name and  was announced. 

"Gentlebeings, I have the honor of introducing to you, 
Admiral James T. Kirk, Citizen of the United Federation of
Planets and Captain of the USS Enterprise."

The crowd all seemed to turn and stare at once, He got the 
distinct feeling that he was waering a target on his chest 
as he walked across the room. A  protocol clerk led him to 
his seat. Thankfully, his seat was with three pleasant young 
diplomats trade envoys from the unaligned planets, one Andorian, 
and one Vulcan who had been raised in a mixed Human and Vulcan 
Colony. It seemd liek he wouldn't be forced to eat looking
down his fork at truly hostile faces tonight. He could
relax a little. He had been anticipating the worse, like a
table full of Klingons with deceased brothers who had
been on some ship he had blown up. Anything less was a real
pleasure.

Dinner was uneventful. The food was delicious, as expected,
and the conversation was neutral and superficial, which was 
also the norm at occasions such as these. The Vulcan, Sturm, 
knew Sarek and Amanda and Kirk was able to learn the 
most recent news on their whereabouts and adventures. He 
knew Spock would appreciate an update on his parents since 
as a rule, he did not correspond closely with his father, 
though he and his mother were doing much better in that department. 
The distance was the last stubborn remnant of the years of 
estrangement from his father.  

Years before, Kirk had asked Spock if the friendship between
them had further distanced father from son. Spock had raised
both eyebrows at that and  stated: "There would be no
logical reason for my father to object to our friendship.
Actually, Amanda has clearly stated her belief that you are
a good influence on me." Kirk remembered cracking up. He had
been called many things, but he could not remember the last
time anyone had called him a good influence.

He was smiling to himself and trying to remeber where the 
table conversation had left off when the main Romulan party was
announced. They were a large party that included the
Romulan Ambassador to the Federation, the Romulan Ambassador
to the Unaligned worlds, and two striking women who were not
uniformed, and one serious looking little boy, a most
unusual composition for any Romulan party. An older,
strongly compact Romulan seemed to hover around the women,
even more protective than the very obvious bodyguards that
flanked them at both sides. The party intrigued Kirk. At
least they might be interesting to talk to, he thought, if
he could get anywhere near them. But, it probably wouldn't
happen since the Romulans tended to treat him like a
sexually transmitted disease ever since the incident at the
Neutral Zone.

At the exact moment of that last errant thought, the smaller
woman at the head of the party turned and looked straight at him.
A jolt ran through him. She had attempted to "read' him. His
mental shields had held, he knew, but the attempt interested
him even more. Just as he vowed to find out more about them,
he heard their names being announced. "Ambassador Trank of
Romulus, House d'tTrenk, accompanied by the lady M'arenn
of the house S'Thor." Kirk noted that no one else in the
entourage was introduced. That usually meant they were
servants. In this case, however, he was not sure the nameless
servant rule held true.

Patience, Jim, let the story unfold, he told himself. Just 
watch the group closely. Act like you're eager to
find out all you can about the Rihannsu and Klingon 
cultures. He wouldn't really be lying. He never knew 
what bit of information might prove useful. One part of his 
brain told him he shouldn't think about combat strategy at a 
diplomatic conference. The other part said, why not? Anyway, 
it was hard to turn it off and it might not be smart to turn 
it off.

He spent the rest of the evening circulating, smiling,and being
civilized. Somehow, no matter how hard he tried to meet them,
the Romulans always seemed to end up on the opposite side of 
the room from him. Since one of them was obviously a telepath, 
he took the hint and left them alone. Relatively early, he 
retired to his room , primarily to catch up on some paperwork 
he had brought along, and read some articles about the latest 
research on warp engine capabilities, and failed attempts at 
modifications. It helped him anticipate what Scotty was going to 
ask to do next. Afterwards, he did his nightly light work out. 
All in all, at least for the first day, he had managed to do
an acceptable job. So, he patted himself on the back and went 
to sleep.

On the third day of the conference, Kirk was scheduled to
give a brief talk to the assembled representatives regarding
the role of Starfleet in the future growth of the
Federation. He had been given a canned speech, with clear
instructions to stick to the script. He tried to
give the speech all the interest he could in view of its
rather pedantic content. Finally, he reached the end
followed by some polite applause. It was more than he
expected and probably more than the speech deserved.

The Cygnian ambassador, RTabor, came to the podium to congratulate
him and give a few words of appreciation for his "inspiring
words". Kirk couldn't tell if the dig was accidental or 
intentional. Then, just as he was about to leave the podium, 
RTabor went against precedent set for all the other presentations 
given up to that point. He opened the floor to questions. Kirk
was interested to note the lights flash across the room as
far too many delegates signaled for a chance to ask a question.
He sighed. it was an ambush. 'See,' he told himself, 'this is 
why you think strategy at a damn conference.'

The first question was from the Orion delegate and  Kirk
braced himself. There was no love lost between the Orion's
and the Federation. The Orion's were well known to
unofficially participate in pirating, large-scale smuggling,
and an underground slave trade. Since Kirk hated the concept of
slavery, he took every chance he could to make the lives of
illegal traders from that sector of space a pure hell. He
did not even attempt to apologize for his attitudes towards
their practices. IDIC just did not seem to encompass those
types of behaviors, not in his mind.

"Captain," The Orion began, "you state Starfleet's primary
goal is the exploration of space, for the good of all the
beings of the Federation. However, you are a well-known
figure to this person, in that you have personally captured,
or destroyed over twenty ships from Orion space. You
illegally insisted  they were engaged in pirating or illegal
trades. I submit, Captain, Starfleet is nothing but the
military arm of the Federation, and your sole purpose is the
eventual takeover of our space. You want all space
humanized, made uniform in the image of man. The Federation
is a Human first, racist society. We poor unfortunates who
stand against you, are subjected to the predations of your
mighty starships and you, Captain, are the worst of the
lot."

The assembly had an air of hushed expectancy as they waited
for Kirk's response. Spock had once told a court-martial board
that Kirk did not panic and was constitutionally unable to
panic. He had said unequivocally that any assumption Kirk
had acted out of panic was in error. His First Officer's
faith in him, especially then, had been inordinately
satisfying. He still wasn't sure Spock had been entirely
accurate, because could and did feel what he thought was
panic. The difference between for him was what panic did 
to him. It transported him to somewhere else, where time 
slowed and things crystallized. He went into a zone where 
he was able to see strategies many moves ahead, and pick 
what he needed to do. He entered the realm of possibilities 
and was able to draw on the gifts he had inherited.

His heritage was a curse and a charm, one he denied and
fought against when it suited him and used when he needed
its assets. At the age of thirteen, he had killed to save 
lives, his and those he had taken under his protection. 
Kodos the Executioner had killed 4000
men, women, and children to save the other half of the
world's population during the
famine on Tarsus 4, or so he said right before the phasers 
cut down the innocent. Kodos, the Executioner was dead, but 
his death had come many years after a young Jim Kirk had 
tried to kill him. A mere boy, Kirk had killed over 20 other
grown men. Starfleet had pushed that figure upwards, but
he didn't remember those others. He had been at the mercy
of his memories and his heritage and they had died.  
To save the lives of those he had chosen to protect, 
he had killed with deadly purpose, and something inside of 
him had died, never to live again. A year had passed before
he had found his feelings again and now he held on to them all.

Spock had once told him that he, meaning Jim, truly did not
understand panic, if he thought that becoming utterly calm
was what it was. Kirk had laughed at the time at being
instructed on emotions by the master of emotional control.
Fortunately, there was no need to panic and was an merely 
an inconvenience. These type of questions
didn't kill you, so there was no need to panic.

He looked out of the mass of waiting faces, and  read who
was openly hostile, friendly, or neutral. Several strategies
raced through his mind. He suddenly knew which one would
work to get him the biggest bang for the buck ...  the
truth.

"Remind me Ambassador, what exactly was your question?" A
low rumble of amusement flowed through the hall. "Oh, wait,
now I remember. You have actually underestimated the number
of vessels the Enterprise has captured or destroyed from
your region of space, Ambassador. However, I will continue
to do so, as long as anyone enters Federation space and
threatens the safety and sovereignty of it's citizens and
its member worlds. That is one of our jobs, and we are very,
very good at doing our jobs.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My crew and I actively seek out and stop anyone, or
anything, that interferes with the ability of a citizen of
the Federation to live in peace, or to exercise their
bedrock right to freedom of choice. A citizen of the
Federation has freewill, and must be allowed to exercise
their freewill to the extent it does not destroy the lives
of others. I did not say other humans; I said others. Be
they from the least powerful planet in the Federation, or be
they from Vulcan itself, our ship will defend their rights.
However, I can not and will never defend the right to
involuntary rape, murder, enslave, rob or terrorize another
being.

To date, I have never seen any culture yet that approached
the Federation demanding to be murdered or enslaved. If one
does, then so be it. I will defend that as their choice.
Any ship that enters Federation space with that intention
has to get through me first and that is very hard to do. The
Enterprise has never been known to attack without
provocation. We also have never been known to lose once
challenged. I have no shame or insecurities regarding our
record. It is open for all to see. When you read that
record, you will see a list of all of our military
encounters. You will, if you have any pretense of fairness,
also see our record of exploration and discovery of beings
never before known to the Federation.

On our first five year mission, we visited more planets,
mapped more systems, and welcomed more races to the
Federation then any other Federation ship has done in all 
the
years prior, or since. We are now on our second tour of
duty; and we plan to continue doing what we do best. Some of you,
sitting here, first heard of the Federation as a direct
result of the Enterprise making contact with you. If it
wasn't us, then it was some other ship with the same goals
and ideals, just a different name.

I will not apologize for our successes, nor excuse our
failures. We have had both. I will tell you this: regardless
of our perceived might, any ship of the line will gladly lay
down its life for the defense of all of our citizens, no
matter how humble, no matter how different  their beliefs,
or practices.

Variety enriches and strengthens us; it allows us to grow
beyond any limitations our individual cultures, or citizens
might have. Sameness is death, and it is the antithesis of
freedom. We do not offer you freedom to be like earth
humans; as a member of the Federation, you have the right 
to the freedom to achieve your highest destiny, and my ship 
stands ready to fight... or die, to insure that freedom." 
When Kirk finished giving his totally unscripted, politically 
incorrect, unsanitized response he had no doubt Starfleet 
would be on the horn by the morning.

There was silence. Then a light smattering of applause
started from the back of the hall and spread slowly, until
it rose to a roar of approval. Many of those present stood
to give him an ovation. He gave a brief nod and exited from
the podium to join the Ambassador who was gesturing for him
to quickly return to his seat, probably before anyone else 
could ask a question. He wondered briefly if McCoy and
Spock would consider this as staying out of trouble. Maybe
he wouldn't tell them.

His mind continued to wander along the lines of how to
escape the anticipated ribbing from his friends. He had only
told the truth to the best of his ability, but the look the
Ambassador was giving him was not a good one.  The diplomats
would have to clean up any difficulties he had created, and
he'd have to hear about what a pain he was, over and over
again until they got tired of the refrain. So what. It was
what they got paid for and he wasn't dissatisfied with what
he had said especially since it shut up the Orion, which
felt damn good. The rest of the session was uneventful.

Chapter 5

"Well, M'arenn, what do you think of their warrior prince?"
The Romulan woman Kirk had seen in the lead of the party at
the start of the other days banquet, turned to look at the
source of the question. The man who spoke to her was
J'usreyan, former consul of the Rhihannsu empire, acting as
her protocol agent openly, and as the head of her security
in reality. He was older by many years, and she valued his
wisdom and counsel. His aristocratic bearing did much to
hide his age and the weight of the grief he carried always
close to his heart. His only son, her husband, had been the
nameless  Commander of the ship Kirk had destroyed
on the faithful day when he had been ordered over the
neutral zone to test out the new cloaking device.

M'arenn was average height,slim, with hair so dark, it 
seemed to glow. Her features were sharp, without being 
harsh, and when she smiled, it rarely touched her eyes. 

"Jus, my Thal did not want to go; you know that as well as
I. He argued against the wisdom of provoking the Federation
when they did not threaten any hostilities. You also know
the Praetor's Supreme Counsel over-ruled him. He went, and
he never returned. The pride of the Romulan Fleet  was
destroyed by one ship, captained by a man who was not old
enough to command a light cruiser in the Romulan Empire.
Remember Thal's final message was to the Human: "In another
place, another time, we would have been friends." Seeing the
Human up there now, on a deeper level I know my husband
spoke the truth. Unfortunately, there is a small voice
telling me to shoot him where he stands. This Kirk and my
beloved may be much more alike than they differ, but I still
have not forgiven Kirk for Thal's death."

"A warrior's way is death, M'arenn. He knew the risks when
he chose the path."

"I know that, Old Man, but I honestly still do not know how
to feel about this. I have spent too much time hating Kirk
for the death of my husband. I am not ready to let it go
because of one speech, no matter how moving." M'arenn
sighed. "He is as impressive as we were told, perhaps more
so. All in all, a very dangerous man. What do you think,
Little Sister?"

The question was addressed to the quiet presence at her
side, Therenna, her sister in all things. All of her features 
were a softer reflection of her sister's. Her eyes were what 
set the two women apart. They were so light gray, they seemed
almost translucent. It made many people uncomfortable to even
look her in the eyes. But if M'arenn was the
Praetor's eyes and ears, Therenna was just as thoroughly the
Praetor's heart. She was a high functioning telempath, as
rare on Romulus as on Vulcan, their ancestral home. Equally
brilliant, she used her skills to serve the Praetor. She was
able to get partial to full readings on the motives,
thoughts, and truthfulness of non-telepaths, because of
their lack of shields. Few knew of her capabilities, but it
was those skills that had her at the conference with her
sister. She was the heart and M'arenn with her sharp
intellect, and highly developed strategic mind, was the
eyes.

The team had been sent to the conference to collect needed
information to assist the Praetor as he plotted the
best course for the Romulan Empire. His generals were
clamoring for war and they wanted to attack first, certain
that domination was the eventual goal of the Federation. The
Praetor was not sure what was in the Empire's best
interests, so he had sent the sisters to feel out the enemy, 
and give him information he could trust. His knew generals 
had not always been completely honest with him, and for this
decision, he needed totally unbiased reconnaissance.

M'arenn waited patiently while she watched her sister gather
her thoughts. She knew her sister never answered a
question without attempting to first integrate all of her
impressions. 

"The human has mental shields, very strong ones, especially 
for a non-telepath. The presence of shields tell me he has 
had extensive training by a telepath, probably Spock, but 
who can tell. His inner thoughts are not accessible, only 
his emotions. They are not as well shielded. They seem to 
leak around the barriers, and those I can read fairly easily."

M'arenn waited. She never interrupted her sister's process.
"From what I can sense, he told the absolute truth, as he
felt it. There was no trace of dissembling; his conviction
was burning in its intensity. He also felt no pride in the
response to his speech. He has a strong distaste, and
sadness attached to the list of the transgressions
of the Orion pirates, but none specifically aimed at the
Ambassador. His mind is exceptionally strong in that he
emotes in a way which almost projects across the room. It is
possible that his feelings could affect those who are
psychically sensitive, even with him intending them to do
so."

 M'arenn and Jus sat forward. "Are you saying he can control
 others responses?"

"No, I honestly do not sense he has that level of power, 
but it is possible he can influence those who are open. The 
Humans call it charisma, because they do not understand 
its psychic origins. His pride is mostly attached to his 
ship and his crew, so it would be difficult to make him 
respond to a personal insult.  I also got the occasional 
impressions of something deeper, something I can not explain 
and have not sensed in other humans  running under his surface.
It is something he ... pushes down into himself.It may be 
unpleasant memories or feelings of guilt, I'can't tell. There
is something else inside of him that flows like a slow, wide 
river. However, I was not able to pick up anything more, so, 
I must apologize for my deficiencies." She gave her
sister a half smile.

Her sister's mouth crooked at the edge in an expression of
mild exasperation. "Therenna, you tell me everything about
him, but his last sexual partner, and you feel a need to
apologize. I wish you would stop that," her face softened,
"but, then I suppose if you did stop, you would not be the
sister I love so well. Come, we must contrive to meet this
man and get you some more information."

"I do not advise that, M'arenn; Kirk is dangerous. They say
he is one of the most dangerous men in Starfleet. You should
not risk exposing yourself to him." J'usreyan's face was
full of concern.

"I have no attention of revealing our true identity. I just
want to know my enemy. How else will we be able to find his
heart when the blade is ready, ehh Jus?" M'arenn smiled to
ease his fears, "So, let us plan to make this meeting a
reality."

Chapter 6

Kirk sat at his desk in his quarters, and read for awhile.
After he finished the last of  his journals, he turned to
the panel on the desk and flicked a channel button for a
direct channel to the Enterprise. It would be the gamma
shift on the Enterprise. His first shift would be asleep,
except for one person, who he knew would be awake when he
called. The Enterprise came on line and he had the bridge
patch him through to Spock's quarters.

Spock's face came on screen, already seated in front of the
chess set. "Jim, I believe it is your move." Both of them
quietly went about finishing their chess game, as if they
sat across from each other in the same room. For them, no
other duties existed, no other urgencies summoned. The
universe centered on them and their game of chess. It helped
to reaffirm their place in the cosmos. Spock was the victor
that night, of no consequence to either of them. It did take
more than two moves. The channel was monitored, since it was
a high security diplomatic conference. Few words were said;
they just played. After they signed off,  Kirk slept well.

The next day of the conference was much the same, except for
the amount of attention Kirk received everywhere he went.
Many wanted to congratulate him on his speech. Even the
observer from Starfleet, did not complain about his
unplanned talk,which was a good sign. Maybe he could
get through this without "causing trouble".

"Captain, Captain Kirk," He was brought back from his
daydreaming by the voice of the Federation Ambassador to the
conference. Ambassador Davis was actually likable, for a
diplomat. Kirk had found her to be helpful and considerate.
It also helped that she actually had liked his response to
the Orion. He turned to look as she approached him, and was
surprised to note who was with her. She walked towards him
with the Romulan party of women he had noted before. There
was no evidence of any of the Romulan Ambassadors. An
interesting fact Kirk noted, and tucked away.

"Captain James T. Kirk, allow me to introduce you to M'arenn
Al'Sthor of the house of Doyat and her sister Therenna, al
S'Thor also of the house of Doyat." Kirk bowed deeply to
both the ladies, his eyes meeting first M'arenn, and then
the second woman's face. A jolt hit him when he looked into
the eyes of Therenna. He felt his shields raise in defense
after the definite sense of being probed hit him. It was
stronger than the first time, but he wasn't too worried.
Spock had been relentless in training Kirk in developing
personal shields. Spock told him he shouted to
telepaths emotionally and Human thoughts and emotions
tended to be overwhelming to some lesser-trained telepaths.
So, Kirk had dutifully learned shielding, until Spock was
satisfied with his skills.

He doubted anyone of Vulcan stock could break through
them without at least touching him and he didn't plan on
allowing that. "This, Captain is their adjutant, J'usreyan,
of the house of R'esch." Kirk turned to meet the eyes of the
older, strongly built, graying man standing beside them. For
the briefest of moments, he was hit by a look of pure anger
or hatred, he wasn't sure which. As soon as he noted it, it
was gone, to be replaced by the placid look of a loyal
retainer. Hmm, that one bears watching, he thought.

"Captain," M'arenn stepped towards him, a subtle fragrance
tickled his nostrils as she approached. She was dark, with
eyes as gray as his silver lady. Her face was unmarred by
lines. No hint of her true age showed, thanks to her Vulcan
heritage. She was a powerful and commanding presence, not to
mention beautiful. What a combination he thought. "I am
honored to meet you at last, especially after your
performance last evening. That speech would have made the
most seasoned of diplomats shed their cynicism for at least
a second," The last words were said with a slight hint of a
smile. She moved closer and rested her hand on his arm.

"Only a second, well then I have failed miserably, Lady
M'arenn. I was hoping for lifetime conversions out there. I
will have to work far harder next time. But, please, quick
before my heart shatters," Kirk lifted his hand dramatically
to his chest thereby effectively removing her hand from his
arm.  "Surely your enlightenment lasted for longer than a
second." Two could play at this game of teasing and he
definitely had nothing better to do than play word games
with two beautiful women. Kirk allowed his smile to mirror
M'arenn's own as they pleasantly bantered back and forth,
neither taking, nor giving offense. Finally, answering some
unknown cue, Kirk turned to the sister who had stood
silently to the side during their exchange.

"What about you, Lady Therenna, are you on the one second,
or on the lifetime group?" He asked her with a friendly
smile. When she looked up into his face for the first time,
his smile widened into his most charming.

She turned to face him and gave a smile full of humor with a
touch of cynicism. He was absolutely struck by her beauty
and the coal dark depthless eyes that met his. They were
pools of mystery and intelligence. Momentarily stunned, he
found himself deeply attracted to her and that bothered him.
He was careful to keep his mask in place however, as he
waited for her reply.

"I think I am sitting in the neutral zone right now, Captain
Kirk, only time and fate will tell." A small enigmatic smile
played over her lips, and Kirk found himself wondering how
they would feel. He brutally cut off that line of thought,
shutting down so completely, most Vulcans would have
been satisfied.

"Well", the Ambassador said to the silence, "perhaps we
would all be more comfortable if we found some place we
could all sit and chat at length." She led them over to a
table that was strategically isolated from prying eyes, but
was still visible to the Romulan bodyguards that attempted
to circulate inconspicuously, while keeping a sharp eye on
the House S'Thor.

The following next few hours were thoroughly enjoyable for
the two envoys and Kirk. Their conversation was witty and
entertaining. It touched on a myriad of subjects with humor
and insight. Kirk was having fun in spite of himself.
Conspicuously absent from the conversation was J'usreyan,
who remained a stony presence on the outskirts of their
consciousness. It was with mutual regret that they finally
arose to bid each other good night. Kirk bowed again to both
ladies, deeper this time, and watched as they were led away
to their quarters.

When they reached their quarters, Ramsthet, the son of
M'arenn was still awake. He had obviously been holding on to
wakefulness, to talk to his mother. She walked into his
sleep chamber and quietly talked to him about his day spent
with the children of Cygni, and put him to bed. Therenna
listened to the nighttime ritual from the sitting room and
gathered her thoughts. She felt confused and fractured by
the evening. It had been totally entertaining, but she could
not rid herself of a sense of shame that they had arranged
it all to spy on the Human. She understood the importance of
why she acted as the Praetors heart. The goal was not in
doubt, but she felt guilty, and slightly dirty, for lying to
Kirk. Her feelings of guilt were not normal, she had done
far worse for the empire. The problem was that he did not
feel like an enemy. She usually had no difficulty with a
rather ruthless eradication of the Praetor's enemies, but
reading those people had always left her feeling justified.

Her sister entered the room and came to sit beside her on
the lounge. "Therenna, were you able to get a better
impression tonight?"

"Yes, oh great moons yes."

"And?" M'arenn waited. Her sister was acting distracted.
Then, a single tear ran down her sister's face.

"Forgive me, I am experiencing things as he felt them, and 
it is slightly overwhelming. He is ... different compared to 
what I am used to, or expected. He thinks about a magnitude 
more than he says. His mind races far ahead, anticipating 
what we will say, or do, or where we will look next. 
Unfortunately, he thinks I needed to touch him to read his 
thoughts, so he is not aware of how deep I was able to go. 
When he looks at me, he drinks me in like a vortex, with a 
sense of wonder and longing, instead of the lust for power,
or advantage I have sensed in many others. I sense deep 
moral convictions. He loves someone, or perhaps something, 
deeper than life itself, with a purity and joy that makes 
me want to cry. I can not describe it. His love is laying 
on top of his mind, like a flame, flaring from him like the 
coronal edges of a sun. I wonder, how would it be to have 
someone feel that way about me. He is dangerous M'arenn," 
She whispered, more to herself than her sister,"so very 
dangerous.  He made me reconsider my purpose, there is 
nothing more dangerous then forcing one to question 
themselves. How can we let someone such as he, be our enemy,
and how can he not be our enemy?"

M'arenn leaned in and hugged her tightly. "I have seldom
seen you cry after a reading, little one."

She did not answer at first. M'arenn was not sure she would.
The answer, when it came was unexpected. "I think he knows I
am a strong telempath, he just does not realize how strong I am."

"Why do you think  that?" M'arenn knew it was not too
terribly bright to ask that question of a telempath, but it
was too late to pull the question back.

"I know he felt me attempt to read him. His shields got
tighter afterwards. He knew and it did not frighten him or
repel him. He looked at me as if my probes were only
interesting, no more than interesting."

"Is it that hard for you, Sister?" M'arenn wrapped her into
her arms and held her close.

A small voice spoke from against M'arenn's chest. "When our
people find out my skills, their terror is almost
overwhelming. They are so afraid that their schemes, lies,
and fears will be discovered, and the Emperor will know.
Except, for our closest family, I have been alone for my
entire life. I have never found anyone who ever looked at me
like he did. Even my own consort died before he lost his 
fear of me. A part of  me does not wish any harm to come to
him, M'arenn. He is special, different, like a blazing fire
that threatens and caresses at the same time. It is so hard
to explain, because I do not have the words. Please, tell me
we will not have to harm him, at least this time."

"Shh,  little one. We are not going to hurt him at all. We
are only here to be the eyes and heart of the Praetor. We do
what we must. Today we are not here to kill. We will kill
him if we must, you do understand that, do you not?" Her
sister nodded. She took Therenna in a loving embrace and
sent waves of love and reassurance to her mentally. She
could not help but be totally unprepared for the effect this
man had on her sister, <and even you, a small voice
whispered>. "Even me," she admitted to herself. "Perhaps men
of honor and conviction will one day transcend empires." The
thought gave her pause.

Chapter 7

Jim Kirk lay on his bunk, with hands clasped behind his head
and reviewed the evening's events. Remarkable women, both in
different ways. He could feel the beginnings of a deep
attraction for Therenna. He had not been interested in
anyone for a long time, but it was definitely there. Crap,
he would never act on it. He could sense depths and strength
pulling him in, and making him want to see more. Spock and
he had discussed forming a triad once, but they had never
found anyone who they thought could accept them both.
Therenna was one who could, he thought. Of all the bad luck,
she had to be a Romulan. The universe was probably laughing
at him. His response was a raised middle finger over a
sardonic smile. He turned over and tried to go to sleep.
After a while, unable to rest, he remembered Spock was not
out of range for conversation or a chess game, so he called
him up with a smile of anticipation. That night, Kirk won
the game.

The next day, Spock relaxed, as the last of the supplies for
the emergency repairs for the space dock were beamed off the
Enterprise. They had made a small detour to get the
supplies, but it would had added a full day to their
journey. The major part of this leg of their rounds was
completed. Now, all that was left was to finish beaming up
the reporters who were scheduled to cover the last few days
of the conference. Those were the only days open to the
media. If they maintained warp five, they would be back to
the planet in 6.2 days. That would mean they would make
planetfall in time for him to join Jim for the last  2 days
of his camping trip. He was looking forward to personally
investigating the caves and fauna of Cygni Beta 1, as well
as enjoying the company of his Captain and even Dr. McCoy. A
smile hinted at the corner of his eyes.

He sat in the command chair as the bridge hummed around him
with quiet efficiency. Jim and he had the crew so well
trained, his presence was not really required, but it gave
him satisfaction to be there. He called the ship home, more
so than he did Vulcan. Nowhere, had he found greater ease,
intellectual satisfaction, and acceptance. So, for the
moment, he sat and mused about a recent article he had read
on temporal anomalies, some of which he found fascinating,
some of which he was contemplating writing a dissenting view
on.

The lift doors opened behind him and the familiar tread
tickled him back to full awareness. McCoy came to stand
beside his chair. "Well, Spock, are we ready to turn around
and go get Jim?"

"We are only awaiting the transport up of rest of the
reporters, Doctor. Once that is complete, we will be
departing for Cygni Beta 1. I anticipate our arrival in 6.2
days."

"McCoy looked at Spock with a knowing glance, "and not a
minute too soon, eh, Spock? I bet that command chair is
beginning to itch you where you sit."

"No, Doctor, I am not having any discomfort at this time,
but I will be sure to note your concern for my posterior
section in my log." Spock's look was one of pure innocence
as he looked at McCoy.

"Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it. Call me when we get
there, Spock, I can't wait to collect on our bet." The last
statement was made as he exited the bridge.

"I would not consider doing otherwise, Doctor". Chuckles
escaped from Uhura and Sulu, as McCoy left. Spock turned to
finish the last details, so they could depart.

"Mr. Sulu, plot the most direct course for Cygni Beta I, you
have the con, take us out of orbit when the last reporters
are aboard." He left the bridge to contemplate the
chessboard; they would be back in range for a real-time
game, by gamma shift of the same evening.

Chapter 8

Two days later, Kirk awoke and dressed. As he groomed
himself in the mirror, he whispered repeatedly: "Last day of
this crap, get it over, don't screw up, then ... camping."
He whistled to himself as his internal clock got him moving
at 0600 shiptime. He repacked his things in one bag to leave
at the consulate and packed his backpack for camping. It
contained few things. He rarely needed more than the basics,
to be happy in the wild. His provisions, a change of socks,
raingear, lamp, communicator, bedroll, and medikit were
easily stored in the pack. Almost as an afterthought, he
tucked the phaser he had brought down with him into the
pack. The Security staff had stored it in a time-release 
safe so he could not access it until his day of departure.
He was not allowed to wear it into the conference, but
the Cygnian authorities had okayed having it in his room 
for the last few hours of the conference. He was Starfleet,
after all, and he really didn't want to be on a planet with Orions, 
Klingons, Gorns, and Romulans, without a phaser. But, they 
didn't have to know that his real reasons.

He took his hunting knife out and spent some time sharpening
the blade. That simple act helped him meditate. The knife
was a gift from Bones, a Bowie knife he called it. It was a
wicked looking thing, but over the years, Kirk had become
very skilled with it. When his pack was finished, he got
dressed and headed for the morning reception. He left the
pack in a holding room near the back exit. That way, he
could sneak out for the woods, later that day. Then, he went
and checked out a flitter and parked it away from the
compound, in the woods, after he had finished checking it
over himself. His past experiences with shuttlecrafts had
made him relatively suspicious of any small craft. He found
he got comfort from giving them the once over, before he
took them for a spin.

The sessions opened that morning with little fanfare. The
rest of the conference was going to break off into smaller
sessions for more intense and pointed diplomatic and trade
negotiations at the end of the morning agenda. Kirk could
sense the air of anticipation as the participants prepared
to really get down to the business at hand. He surveyed the
room in hopes of getting a glimpse of his company from the
previous few evenings. They had been more fun than he had
expected, but the conference was coming to an end, and he
doubted he would ever see any of the Romulan party again.
Feeling more than a little disappointed, he sat down at the
table with Ambassador Davis' entourage and waited for an
opportune time to exit.

Kirk wasn't sure when he first noticed the unusual activity.
The subliminal cues drew his attention away from the
speaker, to see security personnel attempting to quietly get
the attention of the Cygni ambassador. Kirk excused himself,
and moved quietly in their direction. His sixth sense began
to hum loudly telling him something was happening, something
not good. Life had taught him from a very early age to never
ignore that inner sense, so he walked unobtrusively over to
the Speaker's table. From the side and the back, he was only
able to catch a reference to "unusual subspace activity".
That made him immediately want to go and call the Araidne,
and request more information.

He exited the conference room and walked purposefully for a
vidphone he had seen earlier. He reached the booth and
placed a priority 2 call to the Araidne. There was no
response. He then sent the same request through the Cygnian
channels, only to get a recorded message stating that the
lines were all busy, please feel free to try again later. He
tried a priority one query through diplomatic channels
without any better luck.

Kirk sat and leaned back into the booth. His sense of
foreboding screamed. He could think of several scenarios
that would result in communications being cut off but none
of them were good. He sat up on full alert, all senses at
battle readiness. He attempted one more call to the orbiting
starship. No luck. Then, he stood and left quickly to get
his pack. He wanted his weapon in the worst way.

An explosion rocked the building, just as he arrived at the
storage room. Then, more sounds of battle reached his ears.
Screams and the unmistakable whine of phasers and the thrum
of disrupters, clearly echoed through the corridors. He
grabbed his phaser from the pack and set it to kill. His
guess was whoever was attacking the compound would have on
some type of body armor. He did not want to die because of a
phaser on stun. He slowly tilted his head around the
doorway, plans already being sifted and discarded. Just as
he cleared the doorsill, he heard running in his direction.
He waited and a Cygnian security man ran full tilt around
the corner. A disrupter beam cut him down, forty paces away
from Kirk's hideaway. He now was in his zone. The disrupter
was Klingon, he could tell by the sound alone.

He waited patiently for whoever would have to round the
corner to take up their station at the back exit nearest
him. Within seconds, two Klingons came into view. They
looked briefly about, but they did not look like they
expected any opposition. They were fatally surprised when
the phaser blasts hit them in rapid succession, almost
faster than thought. They would go to the afterlife with a
look of total shock on their faces. Kirk went to the bodies
and scavenged the weapons and the communicators. More was
always good, when it came to weapons. He stuffed them into
the pack and made for the unprotected rear entrance.

He knew going back towards the conference would be a waste.
He immediately decided the best plan was to get to his
flitter for the trip to the woods and harass them from
behind the enemy lines. He could be a total pain in the ass,
but only if he was free. Once the Enterprise arrived,  he
knew he'd have the necessary firepower to end the
discussion.

The compound was surrounded on the east, north, and south by
the municipal center of the local town. The guest quarters
stretched out across the back of the stone complex, with
windows that looked out on the picturesque tree shrouded
lake. Gardens, filled with statues and manicured apiaries in
whimsical shapes, were arranged in a maze in the center of
the complex and stretched all the way to the guest quarters
at the rear. Kirk had enjoyed strolling back and forth
through the maze for the breaks during the conference. He
had made a game for himself of beating his previous times.
The last few days he had done it with his eyes closed to
practice using his other senses. Spock had been hard on him
lately, when they trained together. The Vulcan railed at his
dependence on sight and Kirk had been forced to agree with
him. He was grateful for his private game now.

He crouched low and looked out to check the rooftops and
corners before he exited. The assault team had either
decided not to place troops up high, or they had not managed
to get there yet. He ran to the maze opening and raced
through it without a single wrong turn. He reached the other
side in time to hear raised voices from inside the guest
wing. They were female voices, complaining loudly, in
indignant tones. He could hear male voices respond, but he
was unable to discern their content. It could only be the
Romulan women up against the intruders.

Again, he waited for the voices to come near him and pass
him in the windowed corridor. He hid from view, behind a
sculpted bush, in the form of a bird with its babies. Then,
he ran low and fast, to the door to the south wing. Slowly
and quietly , he pulled it open. He could see the retreating
backs of the guards bringing up the rear of the party. The
older Romulan male, both women and the child were being
herded down the corridor with the butts of blasters in their
backs and loud cursing in their ears.

There was no pause to sight. He fired and took both of the
trailing guards out. J'usreyan turned immediately and jumped
the other guard who had  turned to confront the attack from
behind. He broke the pirates's neck with an audible snap.
Neither the women, nor the child had made a noise.

Kirk put his finger to his mouth and signaled them to hit
the ground and come over to him.  It would not be good to
have anyone see them through the glass while they escaped.
When they reached him, he got close to M'arenn, "The
conference has been over-run. The fact that they didn't kill
you outright, means they want hostages. We can use that to
our advantage. If we get out through the back I can have
transportation out of here. Do you trust me to do this?"
M'arenn looked to her sister and J'usreyan. Her sister's nod
was instantaneous, J'usreyan paused and took the measure of
the human. He slowly nodded, and added, "For now."

"Good enough. Lets' go and keep low. I'm going to lead us
out of a rear window and down into the woods."  Kirk handed
his newly confiscated weapons to the adults and it was
quickly obvious that they knew how to use them. Quiet
amusement hit him as he thought about how well the Romulans
train their diplomats, as if he believed that anymore. They
moved swiftly and silently, pausing at hallway junctions
only long enough for Kirk to signal the all clear. Finally,
they reached an unlocked room and entered closing the door
behind them and locking it. Kirk quickly crossed to the
window and opened it and climbed out.

He was back in the window after a few seconds, and told them
to come down. First, M'arenn, then her sister. They passed
the boy out, and J'usreyan followed. No- one confronted
them, as they passed into the relative safety of the
surrounding woods. Kirk found the flitter just where he had
left it and hurried them inside. It was going to be cramped,
but they all could fit because the women and child were
relatively small.

"Don't get too comfortable. The most dangerous part is still
ahead. To get to the mountains, and safety, we are going to
be in clear space just long enough to be sighted. A lot is
going to depend on what type of weapons they have trained on
the sky and how fast they can bring them to bear on us.
Those are the unknowns. They tell me that's what I'm good at
dealing with, so let's get the hell out of here." He had as
much information as he was going to get, so, it was time to
go. "Hold on ladies and gents, this show is going on the
road."

The engines whined into full power and they blasted off into
a steep climb. Kirk roared from the cover of the small woods
to cross the lake towards the mountainous wilderness on the
other side. Just as they cleared the trees he began evasive
maneuvers. He banked at an impossible angle to port, at the
exact wrong  time and the exactly wrong angle because it put
so much strain on a small vessel. It was the last way anyone
would guess if they were attempting to site them with a
laser. He was rewarded with the flash of a laser cannon that
blasted a path straight in front of their previous path and
then veered to the starboard side as the gunner crew
attempted to anticipate his moves.

The ship then headed straight down towards the lake. Kirk
stopped its downward descent a few feet above the lake. He
angled towards the opposite shore and headed for it at full
speed. He knew that the hardest direction for a laser cannon
to go was down. It was built to combat aerial attacks and
special mounting changes had to be made to head it below its
own ground zero. A safety feature was built into it to keep
crews from shooting themselves or their own personnel. They
made to the other side but he knew pursuit was not far
behind.

He switched vectors quickly going off at a random 38 degree
angle from their previous course. They would really have to
work at following them. The Romulan male had quietly taken a
seat at the screen and monitored for approaching craft. He
nodded his head in approval of the human's tactics. Motion
caught his eye from a craft approaching from the northeast.
He fed the coordinates to Kirk who  made instant course
adjustments. They began a flat out race for the mountains.
The rock formations would throw off any small ship sensors,
and the towering trees would make visual sighting difficult.
Only an orbiting starship, would have enough sensor power
and sophistication to be able to find them. Kirk was hoping
that the Araidne was keeping any orbiting ships busy.

The ships behind them had more power and they slowly started
to narrow the gap. Kirk headed into the trees at a breakneck
pace, running more on feel and split second reflexes.
Instruments were useless at the speeds they were traveling
because the echoes from the rock formations threw up ghosts
on the screens of the racing ships. Kirk hoped that none of
them had spent long hours in simflight against someone as
skilled as Sulu. If they had, Jim Kirk and his new friends,
would die here on this planet. J'usreyan called out the
distances of the approaching ships as Kirk kept his full
attention on flying. His hands skimmed across the board
without visible hesitation.

After a few minutes, it became obvious the pursuers were
dropping behind. Kirk knew they would try to climb out of
the cover and head above, and over them, to try to catch
them when they came from under the foliage. Just as they
cleared the treetops, Kirk veered suddenly away on another
acute angle, and headed off from the pursuers. When they
realized their mistake, the pursuers started to lay down a
wide barrage of phaser fire, but they were unsure of his
exact course. Realizing their error again, they dived back
into the forest, only to be hampered by the falling trees
and fire started by their previous barrage.

Kirk skirted low over an outcropping of rock. His pursuers
were momentarily blinded by the flashes from their own
barrage. They crashed head on into the rock that reached up
to grab them from the skies. The force of the explosion
ripped the ships apart, and sent shards of vessel and rock
hurtling ahead. One metal fragment clipped the left wing of
Kirk's flitter, and sent them on a shuddering slide to the
right.

"Damn, put your heads in your laps and hold on to something,
we're going to crash. I hope this thing has safety fields"
Using the skills of a lifetime, Kirk banked with use of
power thrust. He tried to make up for the loss of lift from
the wing. They cleared a large group of rocks and trees and
saw a small opening in front. The clearing was their best
and only chance for a landing. He headed down, while pulling
up on the nose, and breaking at the same time. They had to
stop before they hit the trees, even if it meant they landed
upside down. The crash lasted forever. The tail and
underbelly hit first and then the nose barreled down onto
the ground. As the nose hit, Kirk hit the reverse thrusters
which slowed them even more, but dug them into the ground.
The force sent him forward into the control panel, and his
head hit before the harness caught him. His final thought
before oblivion was a silent cry: "Spock!"

Spock jerked up from the command chair when the psychic call
hit him full force. A momentary look of fear fled across his
face as he waited for awareness of pain or death. When
nothing else came through the link, he turned toward Uhura.
"Lt. Uhura, patch me through to the conference on Cygni, at
once."

There was no urgency in his voice, but his abrupt change of
position had not escaped anyone's notice. The bridge
instantly became more alert. "Mr. Spock, there is no
response on any channel. I am now attempting to raise the
Ariadne." The crew waited. Uhura's hands flew while she
played the console like an instrument; "I am putting this on
speaker."

"Red Alert, red alert. This is the USS Araidne, I repeat
this is the USS Araidne. We are under attack. I repeat, we
are under attack, by three unmarked vessels of Orion design.
We request immediate aid. The diplomatic conference is also
under ground assault. Hostages have been taken. All vessels
in the vicinity please respond. I repeat we are under
attack." The message repeated itself.

Spock turned towards the helm. "What is the fastest speed we
can make to Cygni, Mr. Chekov." After a moments pause for
computation, Chekov replied. "At warp six we can be there in
3.14 days, Sir. At warp 8, and taxing the engines, it will
take 2.15 days"

"Warp eight, Mr. Sulu. Lt. Uhura, notify Dr. McCoy that we
will be arriving at Cygni in 2.15 days and inform him to
expect casualties... and notify Mr. Scott that his engines
will be taxed." Spock's voice never wavered but everyone on
the bridge heard the difference in his tone. Spock gazed
intently at the viewscreen, as if looking at it would get
them there faster, knowing it would not, and started to plan
for what they would find when they arrived.

"He is moving, Therenna." He heard a soft youthful male
voice over him. Someone began gently stroking his face. That
was a familiar sensation, he knew he would remember as soon
as his head stopped splitting open. Slowly, he opened his
eyes and his confusion worsened. The alien face was
familiar, yet he could not place it. Where were Spock and
Bones? His head hurt too much to think, but he knew he had
to. He tried to sit up and was held down by small, but
surprisingly strong arms. "Captain, you are safe and off of
the flitter. I am Therenna and you flew us to safety. You
hit your head in the crash, so we carried you into the
woods."

It was coming back in fitful spurts. "How long have I been
out?"

"Approximately 25 minutes."

"Too long. We have to put more distance between the crash
site and us. Help me up." As he struggled up to a seated
position over her protests, waves of nausea and dizziness
hit him. He took deep breaths and relaxed into the pain, a
skill he had learned to do over the years. Experience had
been a hell of teacher. When he could see clearly, he noted
that J'usreyan and M'arenn were nowhere to be seen. "Where
are the others?"

"Back at the flitter, getting as much out as they can." Just
as she finished, he could hear steps approaching from the
woods. Therenna turned, grabbed up a phaser, and held it
with a steady hand on the trees in front of her. Her sister
and the older man came from the trees carrying Kirk's pack,
and some other supplies from the downed ship.

He could see M'arenn smile as she noted he was awake. "We
are so glad you could join us, Captain. I did not want to
miss the opportunity to thank you for that thrilling ride."
He could see a wary look on the face of her companion behind
her.

"I live to serve, Madame," he tried to smile but only
succeeded in a pained grimace. "I highly recommend we
get the hell out of here. We are too close to the crash
site. When they find the ships, they are sure to find us."

"Can you travel, Captain?" J'usreyan came over to him to
look at him closely.

"I have no choice." A low groan escaped as he made it to his
knees, a new benchmark. "If you will bring me my backpack,
I'll get my bearings. There is a map of the area, in the
side pocket." J'usreyan reached in and produced the desired
map. It took longer for him to clear his head than it did
for him to identify their location on the map. After
reviewing the sites he had marked for exploration, he
settled on one that was close enough to reach in a day's
travel. It also had the advantage of offering caves and a
fresh water source. The main advantage for the site was  it
was one of the least desirable places around to set up camp.
That bit of strategy might give them a few extra days
protection from being found.

He signaled them all over. Once they had gathered around, he
took the opportunity to look closely at each of them. They
felt the human's gaze penetrating their defenses while he
read them for signs of fear, or weakness. Not even the boy
was spared an appraising gaze. Kirk's face softened into a
gentle smile as he looked at the boy in approval. "What is
your name, young man?"

"Ramsthet"

"Very well, Ramsthet, we are here," he pointed to their
position on the map, "and we need to get here." Now, he was
pointing to an area of the mountains that spread out before
them towards the horizon. "There is a trail, of sorts, that
leads almost all the way to the caverns on the northwest
slope of this range ahead of us. I had picked some of the
more interesting caverns out on the map to take a look at
earlier, when I was going to be doing this for fun." He
smiled a little at the irony of his words. "Well folks, this
is no longer fun, and I suggest we take a little different
trail. It will lead us deeper into the mountains and much
further off the beaten track." J'usreyan held his hand
forward to question him.

"What is the advantage for us in taking a harder path? It is
not likely we will have any more of those kesrats after
us, since the first group did not return. Why not head back
for the city; we can get help there?"

"Unfortunately, I don't agree. They will be looking for us
to try to get back to civilization and that way will be
covered. They went out of their way to make sure they
rounded up all of you from the guests quarters. My guess is
you are of substantial value to them, either as hostages, or
for old fashion ransom. They lost a Starship Captain, and
two-fifths of the Romulan delegation when we ran out on
them. That is very bad business, and I bet some very angry
folks are going to be out here beating the bushes trying to
get us back. Our best defense is: we are not worth anything
dead. Our second best defense is the reason why they chose
Cygni in the first place for the conference.

"What's that," asked Therenna.

"The ore deposits," this came from M'arenn.

"That's right." Kirk went on, "the ore deposits all through
these ranges make it impossible for anything less than the
most sophisticated sensors to be able to pick up, or track
life forms. Even the Cygnians use a satellite tracking
system instead of ship board tracking. They turned it off
when the site was attacked. Without the Cygnian satellites,
the attackers are just as blind as we are. It should have
discouraged anyone from attacking the conference, but at
least it will help cover our getaway. We are just going to
just have to hope these guys do not have anything near that
capability."

"And, if they do," J'usreyan queried?

"Then, I hope you have some very rich relatives.  So, unless
there are any more objections?" There were none. "I suggest
we get moving, right now. There is probably only three more
hours until sundown, and I would like to be as far away from
here as possible by that time."

"Wait," M'arenn held his arm lightly and searched his face
to look for her answer. "Captain, I have one question, why
did you help us?"

"It just seemed like a good idea at the time." Kirk half-
smiled and made to rise.

"No, do not make light of my question, Captain. I want to
know why you are risking your life for us. It is obvious
that you could have gotten away on your own, with less risk
to yourself. You will tell me why, before I go with you."

Kirk stopped and gathered his thoughts. He was not quite
sure why he had done it himself. "I think to be perfectly
honest, I helped you because these assholes pissed me off. I
wanted to make sure they didn't get what they wanted, and if
that was you, then so be it, they weren't going to get you.
Also... once, a long time ago, I remember being terrified
and hoping that someone would come to help me, before it was
too late. No one did. I swore then, I would leave anyone lie
to experience that, if I could help it." He looked at
M'arenn, willing her to understand. "That's the best
explanation I can give you."

"We are Romulans, Captain; we are not even part of the
Federation."

"Nobodies perfect, M'arenn. Are we going to sit here and get
caught, or can we go now?" His head was cocked to the side,
a smile playing across his face as he waited for her
response.

M'arenn looked to her sister, who gave a slight nod. "Very
well, Captain lead on."

"Actually, I had it in mind that J'usreyan would lead, so I
can bring up the rear, and cover our trail."

"Agreed. Jus, you take the lead, Therenna will follow, then
Ramsthet, Kirk, and myself. Objections, Captain?"

Kirk smiled and shook his head to say no, <diplomats my
butt,>  he thought, but the words stopped inside his head.
Though Therenna did give him a strange look. The temporary
camp was cleaned up and left behind within ten minutes. They
set off deeper into the mountains.

Chapter 9

"What do you mean, they haven't come back? You can't have
lost contact with both of those ships?" The Klingon screamed
at the Orions cowering in front of him. "I give your wing
one simple assignment, bring me the Praetor's whores, and
what do you do? You lose the cursed bitches, and their
whelp, along with two ships. If I didn't need you now to
guard all of these sniveling excuses for Deneebian slime
devils, I would blast you into space dust where you stand.
Who else is not accounted for?" He waited but no one seemed
to want to answer his last question. Finally, he turned and
grabbed the nearest person by his neck, and lifted him by
one hand, off of the ground. "Tell me, you spineless worm,
or die, now." The Orion whispered as he choked, but what he
said was garbled. "What did you say?"

"Sir,  he is unable to speak, if he is unable to breathe," a
quiet presence to the side of the Klingon spoke into his
ear. K'Rath, turned to look at the Romulan who stood beside
him. He hated Romulans, but he hated poverty more, and this
Romulan was paying a lot for his efforts. The dog had
offered even more at the end. It did not hurt to listen to
one such as he, if only until the credits exchanged hands.

K'Rath let the Orion down. "Speak, worm." The man gasped for
air and moved slightly back out of the Klingons reach.

"Kirk."

He had not moved far enough. K'Rath's blow knocked the Orion
across the room, to thud tonelessly against the wall. "Kirk.
Of all the plagues you had to let loose, you let Kirk get
away? C'Thuth, take a squad into the mountains after them,
we need those women and Kirk, the rest of these worms in
total are not worth what those four will bring."

"K'Rath, they can not search for them by air," the Romulan
interjected, "the Cygnians almost have control of the
airspace again. Let them go overland and use the terrain to
keep out of site."

"C'Thuth, do it, but find the crash site first, and drop the
squad there. You can use one of the smaller transports to
get them there. Tell them, either bring back those hostages,
or do not come back."

"It is done," the other Klingon left to make ready.

K'Rath was still fuming, "I do not understand how they could
have gotten away. This was planned down to the last second.
None of the delegates were armed, and our contacts were
suppose to take out any major resistance before we landed.
How in the prophets name could one Starfleet captain, two
women, an old man, and a boy slip away, and destroy two of
our ships at that?"

"I told you to kill Kirk, not to try to capture him." The
Romulan was snarling in frustration. "Our simulations all
had him pegged as a major variable in all the scenarios. He
is too dangerous, and once his Vulcan and that cursed ship
arrives, our chances of success are reduced by 53.4%. It is
your pride that has brought us to this point."

"No. I will have Kirk as a pelt to hang on my wall. All of
the Klingon empire will know that I, K'Rath, son of chKruth,
took Kirk in battle, not like a coward with poison. You
Romulans have no honor. Kirk will see my dagger when it
falls. Of course, I will collect the credits first, then I
will kill him.

Go back to the hall with those babbling diplomats, and get
them quiet before we start killing them one at a time. We
wouldn't want to cut into the profits, now  would we." The
Romulan spat in anger and stalked from the room, leaving the
Klingon to glare after him. "Soon my friend you, too, will
see the dagger,"  K'Rath sent silently to the retreating
figure. "You," he pointed to his communications station,
"start calling the home worlds with our ransom demands and
our terms. I want responses from them all within 8 hours, or
we start killing the first set of hostages."

Chapter 10

"Spock?"

"Enter." McCoy came through the cabin door and walked over
to the computer desk, where Spock sat reviewing the layout
of the diplomatic compound and the terrain surrounding it.
He had already instructed the crew to begin modifying the
sensor array to overcome the interference from the ore
deposits on Cygni. McCoy flopped gracelessly down into the
chair across from the desk and sat without speaking. They
both had become much more comfortable in the others company
over the years. Jim's acceptance of their differences, and
his appreciation of their gifts, had taught them well.

"Have you heard from any other ships?"

"There is a Vulcan cruiser, the Accord, that will be in
range in 3.2 days and the USS Powell will arrive at
approximately the same time we will. We do not have any
other ship in range to get there fast enough to assist us."

"I guess this means the Ariadne has been destroyed."

"Not necessarily, Doctor, but it is safe to assume that she
has been damaged sufficiently to prevent her from further
communications. Perhaps, she withdrew to begin repairs."
Spock had learned the value of hope from his shieldmate. The
probability of the Ariadne still being intact was an
automatic computation for him, but he no longer felt the
need to voice it, unless requested.

"How are you doing, Spock?"

Spock knew finally, this was the reason McCoy had come. How
different this human's approach was, compared to Jim's. Jim
would have walked in and asked Spock exactly what he wanted
to know.  McCoy's mind on the other hand was often muddied
and hard for the Vulcan to follow. It was something he had
learned to adjust for, as best as he could. He at least
understood what question the doctor was asking and
considering its vagueness, that was an achievement.

"I sense no further pain or distress, Doctor, only purpose.
I sense resolve and calm reassurance through the link."

"Spock, how well can you pick up his thoughts over this kind
of distance?"

"As you know, Doctor, I am a touch telepath, so the ability
to communicate is best when in contact. You know our link is
not that of bondmates.  Bondmates can send and receive clear
thoughts across any distance. It is a family link only. More
than 20 meters away, it becomes mostly emotions or strong
impressions. Any further than that, and only exceptionally
strong emotions of love, pain or fear are received."

"Did you feel any sense of pain, or terror, since the first
time?" His concern for Jim was obvious and Spock bowed to
that concern revealing more than would be considered
appropriate on Vulcan, but then he was not on Vulcan and did
not wish to be.

"Jim has never in my experience, feel terror consistent with
what I have sensed from some other Humans. I have noticed
this to be a side affect of command training, and I have
noted it in other Captains. They are trained to allow their
fear to focus them, not unlike a form of Vulcan
conditioning. As for your other question, no, I have not had
any indication of pain since the initial episode." He could
see McCoy relax.

"What are we going to do when we get there, Spock?"

"The respective embassies for the various hostages, have all
received communiqu�s with a list of ransom demands, and
threats, if we attempt to rescue them. The Captain's ransom
was set at 3 million credits."

"That is a damn fortune," McCoy blurted.

"Yes, and by far the largest amount requested for a single
hostage baring two."

"Who?"

"Two women, by the names of M'arenn and Therenna, had their
ransoms set at 4 million credits, apiece." Spocks left
eyebrow rose as he divulged that last bit of information.
McCoy whistled, a painful sound to Spock's hyper acute
hearing.

"Who are they?"

"Unknown, Doctor. They are listed as members of the Romulan
ambassadorial party, but no further details were
forthcoming. It is logical to assume they obviously are
vastly more important figures than the Romulans would have
us believe. Perhaps, they are members of the Praetor's
cabinet, or relatives. Whoever they are, someone wanted them
badly enough to attack a planet and a Federation Starship."

"Do you think this is why they wanted Jim so badly at the
conference, and not the Enterprise."

"Undoubtedly. Had the Enterprise been the ship to guard the
conference, the Captain would have remained on the ship
nightly, and his comings and goings would have been much
harder to predict. Also, the Enterprise with him in command,
has never been defeated. Their logic was impeccable. I
regret I did not anticipate it."

"Spock, there is no way to guess terrorists would
overrun an entire diplomatic conference. You shouldn't blame
yourself."

"On the contrary, anticipating the unexpected is our job.
Which is why Jim took a phaser with him. He also felt
something was suspect."

"I thought they banned all hand weapons at the conference."

"They did, but you know the Captain. He is never one to take
no for an answer."

"Well," they both sat quietly for a minute deep in their
private thoughts. "Guess I better get back to sickbay. I
already have two of the journalists under observation after
they fainted when they found out they were stuck on a ship
going into combat." McCoy chuckled, "I think I am
going to order them all sedated before we get there."

"Probably a wise precaution, Doctor. Please let me know if I
can be of any assistance."

"Will do, Spock," McCoy rose to leave, then stopped and
turned back to face the Vulcan. "Spock, you will tell me if
anything changes?"

"Of course, Doctor." Spock waited long minutes after the
door had closed behind McCoy before he turned back to the
Embassy plans.

Chapter 11

They made excellent time. The women and the boy traveled
quickly and without complaint and the older man was
obviously no stranger to rough travel. When Kirk deemed they
had gone as far as they safely could, in the deepening
gloom, he had them wait and went ahead to look for a
suitable camp. He found one in a tree of all places, but
what a tree. It was easily 300 feet tall and fifty feet in
diameter at the base. There was a hollow at the base and
when he pulled aside the debris, he could see into a cozy
burrow inside the tree that was large enough for ten people
easily. He went back and got the rest of the party and after
they were safely nested in, he covered all evidence of their
passage, and then brought more leaves and fallen branches to
the opening to camouflage it. To cover their scent, he found
some animal droppings and smeared both himself and the
opening to their new den. Klingons had been known to track
by scent alone.

They settled down to a cold, dark, camp for the night. They
could not afford a fire; the smell was too easy to track, as
well as the heat source. Light was out of the question. Kirk
made sure he was not in contact with Therenna, but he had
the rest of them huddle together for warmth. J'usreyan took
the first watch. The most dangerous watch was during the
silent hours of the night, right up to dawn. That was when
most sentries fell asleep or were spooked by imagined
terrors. He reserved that one for himself. M'arenn had the
second watch. Therenna complained when she had not been
given a watch, but Kirk assured her she would have plenty of
opportunities. When that was settled, he promptly laid down
and went to sleep.

M'arenn awakened him for his watch, and he quietly went over
to the entrance to take up his position. He gave his eyes
time to adjust and sat with his ears tuned for sounds of
change in the nighttime air. The quiet rustle of movement
from inside the tree alerted him that someone was moving
towards him.  He sensed it was Therenna, before he could see
her clearly in the dark. She sat next to him and wrapped her
knees in her arms.

"Captain." She whispered. He nodded in response. They sat in
companionable silence before Therenna spoke. "Why do they
call you Captain, if you are actually an Admiral? "That was
not the first question that Kirk had expected, but he
answered.

"By tradition, the commander of the Flagship is always
addressed as the Captain. When I left Starfleet Command, to
assume command of the Enterprise again, I took the Honorary
rank of Captain."

Renna nodded her understanding. "Do you think we actually
have a chance of eluding pursuit?"

"Sure, a good one. Especially, once we get in the mountains.
The Enterprise will be here in probably 2 or three days, so
we have to stay out of reach for that long. Food and water
is not an issue for that length of time." Kirk reached
across and touched her lightly so she could sense his
confidence. "We'll do fine."

"You are a strange man, Captain."

"Probably even weirder than you know." She could see his
smile in the dim light. "Since we are going to be spending
so much time together, why don't you call me Jim?"

"Jhim," She tried out the strange sounds, "Jim...and I would
like you to call me, Renna."

"Done."

"Do you have a wife, Jim?"

"No, do you?" he didn't try to keep the amusement out of his
voice.

"No," she chuckled. "I do not have a husband either."

"Now, why are the men of Romulus stupid enough to allow a
beautiful, intelligent, brave, and kind women such as
yourself to remain unattached? I am ashamed of them all."

"Please, don't patronize me, Captain.  The answer is
obvious, too many powerful men on Romulus are fearful of my
gifts. They don't like people who can discover all their
schemes, sense their inadequacies, and counter their lies.
My skills keep me isolated, I fear."

"I am sorry I said that," he said quietly. "And I didn't
mean to sound patronizing, Renna. You and your sister are
two strong, intelligent, brave people. I like that in any
person, female or male."

She looked at him with a new appreciation. He was actually
being honest. She could sense he felt her pain and
shared it with her. What type of being was this?

"Since we are talking about your skills, however, may I ask
you a few questions?

"Ask, Captain. I may not answer you, but I will not
dissemble."

"First, just how strong a telepath are you? Can you always
sense thoughts and emotions without touch, and if so, at
what distance? Can you sense someone's thoughts from far
enough away to warn us of their approach? Are you able to
confuse or misdirect someone from a distance? I need to know
what tools we have at our disposal and nothing beats
asking."

She sat and looked at him, admittedly more than a little
stunned. Few had ever questioned her like this, in such a
matter of fact fashion, and never had she had a non-Romulan
openly interrogate her regarding her talents. How strange,
how strangely wonderful to have her skills treated in such a
matter of fact fashion. She liked the temporary feeling of
normalcy it gave her.

"I can sense strong emotion from 200 meters, actual thoughts
can be blocked by good shields. Those are harder to pick up
unless someone is totally unshielded. You know, of course,
that I attempted to read you several times, Captain."

"Yeah, I know."

"That does not offend you?"

"Renna, no offense, but you are neither the first, nor the
strongest person to probe my mind, and you probably will not
be the last person to try. I am sort of used to it by now,
and it would be a waste of my energy to be offended."

"I see, well in answer to the rest of your questions, if
they were truly broadcasting an extreme emotion or a 
powerful range of emotions, I could sense them coming, 
but otherwise, no. However, with touch, most unshielded 
people are open to me.I can not read you well, which I find 
interesting. A telepath has been working with you, I suppose."

"You might say that."

"They were thorough." Kirk smiled, but didn't volunteer
anything. "And, in answer to your last question, I can't
influence peoples' thoughts from any distance. I don't know
how. But, I have been trained to shoot a phaser and a
disrupter like a warrior, if they get too close."

"Let's hope that particular skill doesn't have to be used,
I'm a runner not a fighter, at least for now." They sat in
silence for a while longer before Kirk broke their reverie.
"Renna," he said quietly, "you better get some sleep, we
have a way to go tomorrow."

"You're right. Thank-you for the company, Captain." She got
up and quietly moved back to her bed of leaves. Her sister,
who had been listening to the entire conversation, silently
lay beside her and worried about the strange beginnings on
this fateful trip. M'arenn's last thoughts before sleep
caught up with her were regarding irony and dangerous
humans.


The next morning they awoke to Kirk sitting alertly at the
entrance to their little den. He got them up, moving, and
fed. Next, he told them to take care of their need to void
while they were inside the tree. He allowed each of them a
moment of privacy, and instructed them to cover their wastes
with leaves. "The harder we are to trail," he said, "the
longer we remain free." After everyone was finished, they
headed deeper into the mountains.

Kirk again took the rear of the party, to cover their trail,
with Jus in the lead. After awhile, to M'arenn's chagrin,
her son Ramsthet began to lag back with the human, watching
everything he did. Kirk noticed and began to quietly explain
everything he was doing, and why. He also took time, to the
gentle wonderment of her son, to point out plants and small
animals along the trail. It was obvious Ramie had been won
over completely by the human. He did not leave Kirk's side
until he called a halt, much later in the day, for them to
eat and take care of their needs again. Once more, he found
a giant tree, and they entered it to rest briefly.

While everyone else was resting, Kirk and Jus retraced their
steps to listen and look for any sign of pursuit. They found
none, but they did find some berries they took Ramie back
with them to pick enough for everyone. They ate all of them
with great relish. M'arenn could not miss how Ramie's face
shone with pride because he had helped provide food for the
adults.  Kirk's tricorder had read them as safe for humanoid
consumption and he wanted to make their meager stores last
as long as possible. The berries also gave a source of
liquid and they had not found water yet. When he and Jus
agreed they had waited long enough, they made their way down
the tiny game trail.

Kirk finally called a halt and took his bearings. "We leave
the trail here and head up that way. We should start to see
evidence of some rocky caverns soon. It will be pretty rough
for a while. Does anybody have any difficulties with
heights?" No one did. "Good, you go ahead and I'll hide
where we left the trail. Wait for me about twenty klicks up
ahead."

Jus stopped him. "What is a klick, Captain?"

"Oh, right. A click is the distance a fully armored soldier
can walk in 10 seconds. So you walk ahead and count out two
hundred seconds. Then wait, I'll join you."

"What is a second?" M'arenn inquired.

Kirk shook his head. "Where is my cultural competency? He
beat his hand against his thigh to a slow rhythm. "Copy this
beat. No, a little faster. There," he nodded as they got it
down. "Count from one to two hundred for every time you
finish this beat. When you get to 200, stop, and I'll catch
up with you." They watched as he disappeared into the forest
before they began their trek in the opposite direction.

They made their way through the trees to follow his
directions. Ramie and Renna looked back and smiled before
they went out of sight. Not more than 15 minutes after they
had stopped at the agreed upon time, Kirk joined them and
motioned them forward. They made it to the caverns by dusk,
just as the sun was setting, Kirk found the one he had been
looking for and they entered in to find a surprisingly large
cavern, which stretched back into the mountain. They could
hear water dripping, and Kirk followed the sound to the main
cavern where a cave stream flowed down into the darkness.

When Kirk was comfortable with their distance from the
opening, he stopped them all and said with an almost joyful
voice, "Now, behold," and he turned on the light from his
backpack. The cavern lit up like a celestial starshow. The
light bounced off the stalactites and stalagmites that
shimmered and glittered with color over a coal black cave
pool, glowing with reflected light. It was beautiful beyond
mere words. Kirk stood in front of them, as if he had
created it all for them. A look of pure enjoyment
transformed his face.

M'arenn watched as her sister stared awestruck at the view
before her, and the man who stood in front of them against
the cave wall, lost in his personal world of wonder. Her
stomach knotted in confusion. Truly he was a dangerous man.
He gave them a few more moments of light, before they were
returned once more to the world of darkness. They made camp
away from the water and set up the watch for the rest of the
evening. Therenna volunteered to take care of the meal and
Kirk volunteered for the first watch. After they had eaten,
the Romulans bedded down to all get some rest. It had been
an arduous journey and they all were going to have to share
the watches until help arrived.

Later, during Jus' watch, M'arenn came to sit beside him at
the cave mouth. Spread out before them, was the deepening
nighttime sky and the lush ancient forest, with its
nocturnal sounds of hunter and hunted. "Jus, we have a
problem." M'arenn spoke at a low murmur, so their voices
would not carry.

"Are you talking about Therenna and Kirk, Ramie and Kirk, or
you and Kirk, little one?" Was the man's reply as he looked
at her with knowing eyes.

"What are you a mind reader too, old man?" M'arenn was more
than a little exasperated with his question.

"No, I am just old. I've seen a lot in my years, and it's
not too hard to see what is going on. Your sister sees a man
she can love and respect. Your son sees a man he would want
as his father, and you see more of your husband in him than
you would care to admit. Makes it hard to think of him as
your enemy, does it not?"

"Yes, it does, but you are one to speak, I thought you hated
him."

"No, I never said I hated him, only the result of his
actions. He was doing his job, M'arenn.  I was only angry
that he won, and my son was defeated. I have always
respected him as a warrior. The council should never have
sent Thalen on that mission, because it was totally lacking in
honor. What honor is there in sneaking up on listening posts
and destroying them, when they can't even see you? Why? So
we could test a weapon, prior to going to war against an
enemy that has not threatened us? It was madness."

"I don't believe this is you, Jus. I have never heard you
speak this way before."

"You have never asked me before, Little One. Also, you know
that it would not have been wisdom to have said any of this
within earshot of the Praetor, or his lackeys."

"We are his lackeys, Jus."

"No, we are his family. There is a distinct difference."

"Well, regardless, what do we do about Renna and Kirk?"

"We hope we are rescued before too much damage is done."

"This is difficult. It is hard to hate him as an enemy."

"I, for one, can not hate a man who refuses to hate me and
cares for me and mine like his own. We owe him four life
debts, M'arenn, they must be paid."

"I know." She rubbed at her brow. "This is making my head
hurt. I am going to try to rest now. Goodnight, Jus."

"Goodnight, Little One." He turned to quietly look back out
over the tranquil night as she made her way to her pile of
leaves.

Chapter 12

The command crew of the Enterprise gathered in the briefing
room. Spock, as was his custom, began without preamble. "The
conference on Cygni has been overrun by an unknown number of
terrorists. They have sent out ransom demands to all the
participating governments, with instructions that the funds
be delivered as untraceable dilithium crystals, and
Federation credits to a designated point inside the Orion
Nebula. When the funds have been received, the hostages are
to be released on a planet in the Warsaw System, which you
know is pro-Orion in its political leanings. The Captain's
ransom was placed at 3 million credits. You are aware it is
the Federation's policy to not bow to ransom demands.
Therefore, we must arrive at a method of securing the
military release of the Captain, and the remainder of the
hostages."

"Mr. Chekov, please put the schematic of the compound and
the surrounding area on the screen. I want all of you to
study these schematics." He flicked his hand and the plans
and profiles for an Orion raider were flashed on the screen,
along with all known weapons modifications that had been
encountered over the last standard year.

"You also have in your packets, a list of all the
participating governments as well as what we know regarding
any subversive elements within the Cygnian area of
influence. The Federation has sent us their best estimate of
how many troops and what type of armament they would have
needed to take over the compound. What we must ascertain in
the next twenty-fours hours, is a way to retake the
hostages, defeat any ground resistance, as well as destroy
whatever attacked the Araidne. At stake are five hundred
diplomatic members of the conference, and James Kirk. Are
there any questions?"

"Mr. Spock, are we permitted to entertain deadly or extreme
force," Sulu asked ?

"Mr. Sulu, you may entertain anything that results in the
ultimate achievement of our goals as I have detailed. Any
more questions? No, then we will adjourn. Our next meeting
will be in exactly twenty-four hours. I expect no less than
your best. Dismissed." They filed out, already tossing out
concepts to each other as they rushed to comply.

The night passed peacefully while they took turns watching
the slope that stretched down from their rocky sanctuary.
The next day found Kirk going out alone to investigate their
backtrail, and gather more provisions. When he returned, he
reassured them there was no evidence of anyone on their
trail, yet.

The next day passed uneventfully for them. Each adult took a
watch, and Jim made a checkerboard out of colored rocks and
squares scratched into the dirt. He patiently taught
Ramsthet the game amid much quiet laughter. Therenna joined
them. They even got M'arenn involved, but she spent more
time watching her sister than she spent watching the board.
Later in the evening, while M'arenn was on watch, Jim sat
and told them stories about some of the more exotic worlds
he had visited. The quiet wonder in his voice helped to
transport the boy and his aunt, and they could almost see
the crystal life forms and mile long airwhales in their
mind's eye.

The last story he told them about a small Vulcan boy and his
pet Sehlat, or giant fanged teddy bear had Ramie laughing
and begging for more.


C'Thuth was furious. It had taken them an interminable time
to finally find the crash site. There had not been any
survivors. Even if someone had still been alive, C'Thuth
would have killed them with his bare hands. Those ball-less
assholes had let an unarmed ship escape from them, even
though their ships had higher speeds and weaponry. He wanted
to scream, again. The crash site for the human's flitter
showed that he, at least, had made a semi-controlled
landing, and that they had all gotten away into the woods.
"Ghosts of the ancestors, how does Kirk keep doing things
like this?" He growled, without expecting an answer.

They had to find the Romulan women. This was the true reason
they had begun the insane assault in the first place. Now,
they could find no further traces of them. The damn ore
deposits made the hand held sensors useless, and whoever was
leading them was covering the trail like a Klingon. Damn
them all to the seven hells. If they did not find them by
nightfall, they would have to report their failure to K'Rath
and that damn, slimy, slinking, dog of a Romulan. He did not
even want to think about the outcome of that report.

He finally decided after the second day of trying to locate
the human's trail, to head for the mountains north of them.
The Orions he had sent to wait for the Romulans and their
Human watchdog to head back towards town, had reported in to
him that morning. No luck, again. He felt he was truly
cursed. They sat off in the rover towards the mountain
ahead, with his fervent hope that his ancestors' spirits
would come to his aid.

K'Rath sat at the desk of the Cygnian President. It gave him
a great deal of pleasure to rest his heels on the
presidential seal, while he listened to the eternal bitching
of his Romulan employer.

"K'Rath, your men must find those women. If they escape
unharmed, all our plans are worthless. My employer will be
most displeased, and you do not want to be the target of his
displeasure."

"Do not threaten me, Scharss," K'Rath snarled, "I fear no
one, least of all someone such as your employer, who would
betray his own Praetor. If you had done your job, we would
not be in this position. It is your own incompetence that
got us to this point. Your people were suppose to knock out
the security shield after you made sure all the delegates
were accounted for. Instead, you leave Kirk, and those
bitches roaming the compound, and one of them even had a
phaser. I lost five man to that PetaQ human in the compound
alone and four more in the flyers. I will charge you an
additional fee of course for your lapses."

"Feel free to discuss any additional fees, later," the
Romulan said disdainfully, "if there is a later. Right now,
we have to get those women back and it must be done before
morning. Our operatives tell us that the Enterprise is
expected back by tomorrow, and two other Federation ships
will arrive shortly. We need to get them off planet before
that happens. The other worlds have deposited the funds as
instructed, but the Federation and Romulus have not. Both,
as expected. We know the Federation does not exchange money
for hostages. So, we anticipate their counter attack will
occur once the Enterprise and the other ships arrive. The
women must, "die at the hands of the Federation rescuers",
as planned. We must have this war, K'Rath, or we both will
wish we had died. Death is a far better scenario, than being
in the hands of our employer."



Chapter 13

Nighttime fell in the darkness of the cavern. They had eaten
and told more stories while they sat companionably, in the
darkness of the cave. Finally, Ramie was put to bed.
J'usreyan went to take the watch and relieve Kirk. Kirk came
back to the area where they had placed their bedding, but he
was too awake and antsy to sleep. He knew the Enterprise was
getting close and rescue was imminent. He just had to time
his call to the ship correctly, so his ship got it and not
the marauders in orbit. Conversely, he thought it was
probable that Spock might attempt to contact him, even
though he would have been told that Kirk was a captive. If
he did, that would solve all their problems.

Suddenly, he had a need to be alone. He rose quietly and
wandered back into the caverns where he could turn on the
light without being seen. Once there, he shone the lamp into
the pitch coal darkness and was rewarded with his own
personal light show.

He was still sitting there in silent revelry when he heard
the approaching footsteps. Therenna came to his side and sat
beside him in shared silence.

"Why do you do this, Jim?"

"For pure pleasure, Renna, just look at it. It is so
beautiful. When I think of how many hundreds and thousands
of years it took to make something like this, it helps me
keep my perspective on life."

"Jim," she moved closer and lightly touched his arm, "I wish
I could see the world through your eyes. You are not at all
what I expected.

Kirk turned towards with a shy smile on his face. "Ok, let
me guess, you were waiting for me to scream, holler, and
shoot you down, screaming: die Romulan dog. Or, are you
referring to the rumor that I torture babies and eat the
flesh of my enemies. I gave up those habits last week." He
softened his sarcasm with a gentle smile.

"I am very happy to hear that, Captain. Especially, since
being shot and eaten, all in one day, might be a little
much."

Therenna paused and stared at him. He met her gaze with an
openness she had rarely seen in her years as the Preator's
spy.  She tried to weigh his soul and perhaps he was doing
the same because they found themselves falling towards each
other until their lips met in a kiss that was neither
tentative nor reluctant. She  felt his feelings, his
questions, his desire, through her touch and the loudness of
his feelings flooded her senses.

Kirk rocked back, startled and perhaps a little nervous
about the depth of the intensity of his response.

"I... forgive me, Renna, I did not intend to do that." He
wanted to reach out and touch her again, to feel the
overwhelming beauty of the gentle soul that sat beside him.
She seemed to call to him, and he felt his heart stirring
with feelings of tenderness for her. He knew he could learn
to love this woman.

"Shh, Jim,." She silenced his protests with gentle fingers
against his lips. "I had every intent to do what we did.
Please... do it again."

He did it again and again until they slid slowly to the cave
floor, gently kissing and caressing each other with all the
tenderness that Therenna had once dreamed of, but finally
put away as not for her. They were bathed in the shimmering
lights reflected from the cavern around them, and the gently
rushing of the water in the background. They made slow,
unhurried love and afterwards lay wrapped in each other
arms, sharing a sense of awe and the afterglow of pleasure
given and received.

"Renna, you fool." M'arenn cried in a hoarse whisper,
startling them out of their revelry. She stalked over to
them with visible rage written over all of her features.
"How dare you lay with this Human. Get up, blast you. Are
you completely out of your mind? Get up now, and make
yourself presentable."

Kirk and M'arenn smoothly disentangled themselves from each
other and sat up to face their accuser.  Kirk stood up
gracefully, and helped Renna to her feet.  He  did not
respond to M'arenn's enraged glare.

He reached down and silently began to dress. Renna copied
his example. When he had finished he turned to his accuser.
"M'arenn," Kirk quietly spoke to her, without a trace of
embarrassment or anger, "your sister and I are doing nothing
wrong. You have no right to come back here and attack us.
This was a mutual choice, made by consenting adults and..."

"M'arenn," Renna interrupted him. Her voice trembled with
emotion as she walked towards her sister. "How dare you
speak to me and treat me in this fashion? You are not my
parent, and I am not some errant child, to be chastised."

M'arenn turned her rage on her sister, "How could you? This
man killed my beloved, Ramie's father and you are sleeping
with him." All the  shock and confusion made her speak words
that in her secret heart she knew she did not believe. She
was past rage. and the confusing part was that she was
uncertain if she was madder at her Sister for making love to
the Human, or at herself for understanding why she did it.

"What do you mean I killed Ramie's father?" Kirk leaned
forward, all of his attention on the response.

"The Captain of the Romulan warbird that you destroyed
across the neutral zone, was my husband, Captain, and
Ramie's father." M'arenn snapped the last few words out
angrily. She wanted to hurt him as much as she had hurt all
those years.

"I'll be damned," Kirk whispered and hung his head in
remorse as he remembered the horrible waste of lives in that
encounter. Three listening posts, with their entire crews
compliment, one crewman who had planned his wedding for that
day and a Romulan warbird with its entire crew had all been
destroyed. What an utter waste it had been, all to test out
a new Romulan tool of destruction.

"Mother," She heard a shocked whisper behind him and turned
to see her son standing in utter disbelief behind her, where
he had obviously overheard the conversation. "Is it true?"
Ramie turned to Kirk. "Is it true, Captain Kirk?"

Kirk looked at the boy, he felt injured by the hurt he saw
in Ramie's eyes. He gave a sorrowful nod of his head. "I did
my job, Ramie. I had to stop his ship from destroying more
outposts. I'm sorry you Father died."  Ramsthet leaned back
rigidly with clenched fists and closed eyes. He screamed at
the Human, who he had come to idolize, now revealed as the
murderer of his father. "I hate you, I hate you, you ...
Human, I hope you die." he screamed and turned to run back
out of the cavern away from them all, screaming out his pain
as he ran.

M'arenn gasped, suddenly her pain and betrayal was
incidental to what she had wrought on her own son. Tears
began to trail down her face. "Gods, I'm sorry, Sister you
are right; I had no right to do what I have done and now
look what I have wrought. I must go after my son. Please,
find it in your heart to forgive me." She rapidly retreated
towards the mouth of the cave to find her son and comfort
him. She would explain to him the warriors' way, so that he
would not be burdened by the hate that she had held so close
to her breast for so long.

Kirk and Renna were left alone in the light of the hand-
lamp. He turned to her. He walked over to her and reached
out to grab her shoulders. "You knew this all along and you
still never told me. Why, Renna?"

She leaned towards him and gently stroked his cheek. "I am a
telempath. I see what you truly are, in here." She tapped
his chest. " I am in danger of be falling in love with, Jim,
the man. I do not know the man who fought that battle with
that Warbird. I only know you, and you are who I want to
feel beside me, inside of me. I will be gone back to my side
of the galaxy soon, and this will only be a memory. I needed
this Jim. for me, and I wanted to be completely selfish for
once. Please, do not hate me for that. "

Kirk closed his eyes and gathered her gently into his arms,
he murmured, "Never. I guess there are worse ways to be used
then what you just did. Would you like to use me again
later?" Renna laughed against his shoulder.

Shouts rang out behind them and Kirk turned instantly to run
to the source, picking up the lamp as he ran.  Renna who was
only a few steps behind him was quickly left behind as he
turned off the lantern to approach the shouting in the dark.
He located the direction with the lamp off, and began to run
to the noise. A panting, tearful M'arenn who was running
back to get them, met them in the tunnel. "Ramie is gone."

"What happened?" Kirk barked.

"Jus had moved out into the woods to look around, and Ramie
ran out past him before he could reach him. He came back
here to tell me and he has gone after him." She was
breathing hard with the exertion of her all out run back up
the mountainside.

The zone embraced him. "Here take this light. I'll go after
them both. There is a communicator in the pack if the
Enterprise calls you, flip it open and they will send help
right away." He reached into the pack and grabbed his
phaser, one captured Klingon disrupter, a compass, and his
bowie knife. "Tell Spock when he gets here, black bishop to
King's knight four. He'll know what to do after that."

"Wait, I will go with you." M'arenn moved to grab a weapon.

"No, M'arenn, you need to stay here in case he comes back
before we find him. You can call for reinforcements, if we
need them. Please, don't argue with me. This is what I do,
M'arenn. Let me do my job." He rushed out before she could
respond.

Chapter 14

He could see where the boy had entered the trees. The
evidence of his wild, horrified, run through the woods was
easy to see in the light of the two moons. He moved
silently, for over fifteen minutes, with a stealth that
carried him through the woods like a ghost. His father and
grandfather had shown him how, from his earliest memories.
He stopped when he heard the low guttural rumble of
Klingonese. His heart sank. They had found the boy, maybe
the old man too. He followed the sounds to their origin in a
brightly-lit clearing with a rover sitting squarely in the
middle. He saw one Klingon and a human, holding the old man
up against the rover. An Orion hit him, repeatedly asking
for the location of the women. The boy was held tightly by
one Klingon who sat on the side of the dimly lit clearing.
Another Klingon looked on in obvious impatience.

This last one spoke, "Kill him if you have to. We must find
out where the women are before morning. He, at least, is not
vital to our plans." The Orion moved happily to comply. The
boy cries could be heard in the background.

Kirk sat and quickly formulated a plan. He silently gathered
the largest stone that he could carry and crept around
behind the flood that lit their campsite. When he got into
position, he stood up and threw the rock as far as he could
across the top of the , that it landed on the opposite side
from him. They all turned at the sound and Kirk Phasered the
Klingon who was holding the boy. As the Klingon dropped, he
took aim and cleanly took out the Human holding Jus. Jus
turned and swept the Klingon to his side, off of his feet,
just in time for the phaser blast to hit the Orion that had
been beating him. Kirk turned to fire at the other Klingon,
but he had already ducked behind the side of the shuttle. He
screamed at Jus and the boy to run to where he stood at the
edge of one of the trees. When he saw they were running his
way, he fired on the flood, and the night exploded into
darkness.

Kirk continued to fire at the shuttle, which kept the
remaining Klingon from being able to fire at the fleeing
captives, until Jus and Ramie reached his side. The one  Jus
had hit scrambled on the ground, to find shelter with his
comrade behind the shuttle. Kirk gave Jus the disrupter; the
one he had been carrying was out of reach in the clearing.
He then thrust the compass into the Romulans hand. "Jus, the
caves are north, northwest and marked on the compass. All
you have to do is follow it. Can you find your way back?

"Yes."

"Then take Ramie with you. Move everyone to any cave you can
find due north of you. I'll keep these folks pinned down,
and find you later."

Jus grabbed Kirk's arms and met his gaze intently. He
understood what was being offered for them. "I will not
forget this, Kirk."

"Go." Kirk spared him only a glance. His mind was already on
the tactics of the war he was waging. The Human turned back
to fire into the night. When he was sure they were gone, he
began to move around the periphery of the encampment. He
fired at any movement the Klingon made. He slowly made his
way around one especially huge tree, and sat to stare at the
stalemate. They could not move, and he could not leave until
he was sure Jus and the boy were safe. He could not afford
to have the Klingons on his backtrail, when three
inexperienced woodsmen hampered him.

His only error was he had not put a coward into his
equation. One of the kidnappers had heard the noise while he
was off in the woods relieving himself. Instead of rushing
back, he had taken that opportunity to hide in the very tree
that Kirk sat in front of. If all of his colleagues were
killed, he had intended to sneak away into the night. But,
here the fates had handed him the cursed human and his back
was turned, even better. The thought of the bonus for being
the one to single-handedly capture the demonic James Kirk,
gave him just enough courage to raise his disrupter. He set
it to its lowest setting as he thought of his reward for a
living captive. He fired and Kirk crumpled, soundlessly, to
the ground.

Chapter 15

Kirk awoke to stinging slaps across his face. He was tied
securely to a tree with his arms and legs stretched out
across the width of the ancient trunk. His back was on fire
from the low intensity disrupter blast. A Klingon face came
into focus slowly in front of him. The face was close enough
to Kirk's own, for him to feel breath on his cheek.

"So, this is the famous James T. Kirk. You do not look like
much, to have been this much of a pain. You look no
different than the rest of your sniveling, mewling weak,
human, slavemeats that we send to the Orions for their tokhe
'straav of pleasure." He sneered at him, watching for signs
of fear.

Kirk looked solemnly into his eyes. "Heghlu'meH qAq jajvam."
He slowly, deliberately said in Klingonese, through clenched
teeth. "It is a good day to die."

C'Thuth pulled his head back in surprise. Then, seemingly
having come to some type of decision he stepped back. " I am
C'Thuth. I want you to know the name of the man who will
break you and make you beg for death. I give you honor to
tell you this. I am going to cause you a great deal of
agony, Captain and only then, will I start to ask you
questions. And then, I will really get to the part  I enjoy.
You will be a shell; a husk, and I will be the one who does
this to you. Behold, Captain, I am the face of your death."
Kirk looked at him refusing to respond. "Perhaps you do not
believe me. Allow me to demonstrate."

C'Thuth motioned one of the others over. "Break his right
hand."

Kirk saw the blow coming as the man swung a branch from one
of the trees at his hand tied to the tree beside. The impact
was crushing. He reared back and hit the back of his head
against the tree, from the force of his pain. The
disorientation from the newest head blow, and the pain and
nausea from the hand roared around in his head. The Klingon
said nothing, only watched as the Human fought for control.
He nodded in satisfaction as the Human refused to cry out.
"Perhaps there is something of the warrior in you after all,
Captain, but you will tell me what I wish to know,
regardless. They all do sooner or later. Now, we begin in
earnest."

"We do not have a great deal of time, C'Thuth.  Our Romulan
allies will be here shortly, and they will not necessarily
let us through their blockade," Kroth, interrupted him.
Kroth was the one who had hidden in the tree during the
initial fight, but he would never tell C'Thuth where he was
when the blasters were burning. He wanted to be gone when
the space battle began.

" We have time. They will be cloaked and if we send the
recognition signal we will get past and be gone before
anyone can track us. J'theth, hit him again. He needs more
persuasion."

J'theth bared his canines and rolled his fingers slowly into
a fist. "Not a problem. He killed my wife's sister's son
near the Neutral Zone. I can think of no easier order to
obey."

The intermittent thud of impact was followed by another, and
another, until finally, many blows later, human screams of
anguish reverberated through the forests, haunting the
night.

Chapter 16

The command crew of the USS Enterprise was seated around the
table of the forward briefing room. All their attention was
on the recovery of their missing Captain and the rest of the
emissaries trapped on Cygni. Mr. Spock sat in the Captain's
accustomed seat. He refused to let any sign of his
discomfort show. They had too much to do. "Mr. Scott, I will
need maximum weapons capabilities when we arrive at Cygni.
The Federation has responded as expected. They will not
trade for the hostages. Therefore, we have been given
instructions from Star Fleet Command to do everything in our
power to rescue the hostages. We can not expect any
assistance from another Federation vessel until 14.6
standard hours after our arrival. We should expect to engage
in battle as soon as we approach Cygni. Will that be a
problem, considering the burden on the engines of the
sustained warp eight?"

"Mr. Spock," Mr. Scott said emphatically, only a trace of
his burr could be heard, "my engines will give you that and
all you can throw at it. We won't fail you."

"Very well, Mr. Scott.  Mr. Chekov, you have had time to
review the plans for the compound and all the information
that we have been given by the Cygnian government. Do you
have any insights as to how we may gain the freedom of the
hostages?"

 Chekov pushed a button and an holographic aerial view of
 the diplomatic compound sprang into view. "Mr. Spock, our
 main difficulty will be piercing the security shield that
 the Cygnians have around the compound. It is the latest
 Federation technology and currently there is no known
 method for breaching it. Therefore, we must surmise that
 they had someone inside the compound who compromised the
 shield for them to get in. I suggest that if it worked for
 them it might work for us."

Spock motioned for Chekov to continue. "If we can get them
to allow one of us in to inspect the hostages, Uhura and I
have put together a high intensity emitter that will
broadcast a combination, amplified, sound wave carrier
signal, that will incapacitate everyone in the compound.
Also, it will contain an electromagnetic blast that can
disrupt any known machinery. There is a significant risk to
some of the hostages though, with this plan."

Chekov turned to Uhura who seamlessly flowed into the
briefing. "I reviewed the auditory characteristics of all
the known participating races for the conferences.
Unfortunately, some of the hostages are extremely sensitive
to sound and the amplitude of the broad-casted sound could
possibly cause cerebral hemorrhage or death for some of
them. I spoke with Dr. McCoy, and there is no way to predict
accurately how many fatalities we might have."

Spock sat and considered the plan silently for a moment. "We
shall keep that as a secondary plan. It would seem that a
high mortality rate among the delegates, at our hands, would
only further serve to polarize the situation with the
unaligned worlds. What other possibilities have we
developed?"

"Well..."

"Speak, Lt. Uhura."

"Mr. Spock, I had been working on this project after the
Captain asked me to find a way to punch holes through
atmospheric interference and ion storms among other things.
He said he was really tired of losing contact with so many
landing parties, so he asked my department to work on
solving the problem. We decided that part of the problem was
current Federation technology attempts to strengthen the
carrier signal until they are able to achieve contact. So,
the limiting issue was how much you could amplify a subspace
signal. What we decided to do was use a different carrier
entirely and then tag the signal to the carrier."

"What carrier signal had you planned on using, Lieutenant?"

"Controlled warp amplified signal bursts from a small warp
generator. We have already tried it out in the lab with
computer simulation, and it seems to work. It punches a hole
through any interference we have tried it on to date, at
least in simulated trials."

Spock leaned forward. If he had been a human, his expression
would have been described as eager. " I see, so we would
punch a hole through the shield with this tool, but how
large a hole can it make?"

"Not large at all, approximately 25.5 cm, however this
is...,"

"Large enough for a transporter beam to pierce." Spock
finished the sentence for her. "Brilliant, Lt.Uhura, I
commend you on your inventiveness. Make the necessary
arrangements for this to occur. Mr. Chekov, you will command
the assault team. Pick your team and arm them with body
armor,  phasers, and appropriate weapons for close
encounters. I will entrust the rest of the details to you.
Brief me when you have completed your plans. Dr. McCoy, I
assume the sick bay is ready to handle casualties." McCoy
just nodded, he hated this part of his job, waiting for the
dead and the dying to roll in.

"Now," continued Mr. Spock, "there is one last, but equally
important issue. As of yet, we have had no contact with the
Araidne. We can only surmise that it has been destroyed.
Since, it is unlikely the two Orion ships noted in the
Araidne's last message, should have been able to defeat a
Constitution class starship, I must assume that another, as
of yet, unidentified ship was involved. Therefore, we will
be fighting the two Orion ships, which are now on the
surface under the security shield, and another unknown ship
that will be hidden around the Cygnian system. Since the
Araidne did not broadcast  a description of it, I must also
deduce that it is a cloaked vessel. This means Klingons or
Romulans. Mr. Sulu and Mr. Chekov, it will be your task to
make certain that ship does not take us unawares."

"Yes Sir," came the simultaneous answer.

"Is there any further input or questions?" He looked around
at the table of his command crew. Jim had assembled the
finest crew in the fleet, and their looks of determination
made him know t they had no intention of accepting any thing
less than complete victory. He felt gratified that he served
with such a crew. He allowed himself to think of Jim for the
briefest of seconds. Worry gripped his bowels. He released
his fear and turned to dismiss the meeting.

Dr. McCoy lingered behind after all the rest of the staff
had left ,and quietly walked over to where Spock sat
reviewing Uhura's schematics for the sound generator.
"Spock," McCoy sat on the table next to him, "have you felt
any thing else?"

"No, nothing." Spock bent his head and took a deep calming
breath.

"You're worried, and don't tell me any lies about how
Vulcans don't worry. We've gone too far for that kinda crap.
What's on that mind of yours that you aren't telling us?"

"Doctor, I can not specify the exact source of my
discomfort. When I have reviewed all the evidence leading up
to the conference, I see a disturbing trend of facts, that
lead to a conclusion of a conspiracy that involves at least
one of the parties in attendance at the Conference, as well
as someone in the Cygnian Government. One must exclude, at
least for now, the Cygnian President, since he is also held
as a hostage, but I am unable to identify the involved
parties as of yet. Also, I have run several mock runs of the
attack and takeover of the compound, to ascertain what would
have been the greatest threat to their success. I had
anticipated that we could look to that source for
assistance."

"What did you come up with?"

"The Captain. On each and every scenario, he was the top or
second highest risk to their success."

"What does that mean to us, now; they did it anyway?"

"It means, that if they ran any similar simulations, they
would have arrived at the same conclusion. The logical
choice would have been to erase the Captain from the
equation."

"You mean kill him."

"That is precisely what I said, Doctor. I do not see any
logical reason for Jim to still be alive, and I am forced to
illogically hope the kidnappers, whoever they are, are
motivated by something else than logic. If not, then Jim is
already dead. I can not believe that, however. I am
convinced I would know if he died."

McCoy sighed and sent up urgent prayer. He said nothing.
There was nothing to say. The two friends got up and walked
out of the room together, each deep in thought. McCoy knew
that if he lost Jim, he would never have another friend like
him in life, no matter how long he lived. He prayed he would
not have to start that lonely existence now.


Chapter 17


J'usreyan reached the caverns in about twenty minutes and
without incident. The compass had been exact and he walked
up to the cave entrance with the boy wrapped under the
protection of his arm. Ramie had been quiet from shock the
entire trip, and Jus worried for his gentle spirit,
especially if Kirk died, as he suspected he might. M'arenn
bolted out of the cave towards them and enveloped her son in
her arms. She kissed him and tearfully spoke words of
support and love to his bowed head. Renna came to Jus and
anxiously looked into the trees behind him searching for the
last figure in the party.

"Where is Kirk? Is he trailing you?" Renna asked with a
whisper.

"He stayed behind to hold them down. He gave us instructions
to move camp up to the northern caves. He said he would find
us as soon as he could."

Renna looked at him with a shocked glare in her eyes. "You
left him. You abandoned him after all he has done for us."

"No, Renna, he told us to do this. He did the right thing.
He can move far faster and much more silently alone, than he
can with the four of us. We should honor his request and do
as he says." She looked at him with a hurtful look full of
accusation, Jus turned away. He had no choice , but that had
not made the choice any easier. "Come, Renna." He walked
over to her and gently guided her ahead into the cave
entrance.

They turned and went back into the cave to gather up their
few things and move to the higher caverns. When they had
finished, they walked out and turned to climb further up the
tiny trail. They had reached the next area of caves seen on
the map, when screams of anguish suddenly echoed through the
woods, and Renna collapsed to the ground as if struck.

"Renna, oh the Spirits, what is wrong?" M'arenn knelt down
beside her, grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her sister to
her chest. Renna seemed to be in agony.

"Oh My Gods, Oh my Gods, I can feel his pain, they
are...aeiiii..., make it stop, make it stop." Renna rolled
in her arms, writhing in pain with her eyes closed, lost to
where she was.

"Renna," M'arenn slapped her sister once twice, a third
time, "shield Renna , you must shield yourself." In the
past, the pain from another being, had overwhelmed her
sister. Her only defense had been to erect her telepathic
shields and shut out the pain, or she became lost in the
others torturous haze for as long as it lasted. This should
not have happened with a non-telepathic human. M'arenn had
no time to find an explanation for it, it was happening and
she had to get her sister to shield, or they would not be
able to travel.

Finally, awareness returned to Renna's eyes and she took
great shuddering gasps of air. "They are torturing him. They
will kill him." She looked at M'arenn and Jus, tears
streaming down her face. "This is my fault I will not leave
him."

Jus took a long look at M'arenn. His stance changed as his
decision was made. "I am going back for him, M'arenn. You
take Renna and the boy up into the hills, as instructed; we
will find you later, if we can. If not, the Enterprise will
be here. You have his communicator, use it."

"Jus, I am going with you." Renna stood. Her face radiated
determination.

"Renna, how are you going to be of any help with you
writhing in his pain on the ground?" M'arenn tried to keep
from hurting her sister any further.

"I was caught unawares. I am completely shielded now. His
pain is his own again. I will go with you Jus, either right
beside you, or behind you. You know I can shoot as well as
the rest of you, and you will need help. You might as well
cut short this discussion." Another faint scream rent the
air. " Are you coming, or do I start without you?"

Jus shrugged and looked at M'arenn. "Take the boy up into
the hills, M'arenn. You and I both know she is right. I will
need help."

They hugged as if this would be the last time that any of
them saw each other Jus turned and led Therenna back down
into the gloom.

Chapter 18

Spock slept as the doctor ordered. They were less than an
hour from the system, and all the plans were in place. The
last pieces awaited their arrival, and there was nothing
more for him to do. He had entered an induced trance state
so he would awaken with increase alertness and energy. He
had planned on a two-hour trance, but it was not to be. In
the second hour, Spock woke up screaming. His hands, feet,
arms, and, legs were in agony. Someone was causing him pain.
Pain greater than he had ever experienced in life. It was
breathless seconds before he identified the source of the
pain. It was not his pain; it was Jim's. It took him even
longer to block it out, so that he could stand and walk into
the refresher, where he promptly vomited into the chute.

When he at last got control, he walked out to find the
Doctor. He would fulfill his promise to him to let McCoy
know when he felt something again. He only hoped that his
T'hy'la would survive. If he did not, he would extract the
Vulcan right of revenge in a most horrible fashion, and
punish whoever was doing this to James T. Kirk. It was not
logical, but it would be done.

The screams were cut off like the aftermath of a bomb. Sound
had been stolen from the air. Jus and Renna made their way
down to the campsite as silently as they could. From the
darkness, they could see the last three kidnappers standing
in the clearing. Kirk was strapped to a giant tree on the
edge. Blood ran from gashes on all of his limbs as they hung
limply from the cords that bound him. His mouth was bleeding
in a steady stream as the Klingon reached over to grab his
head and lean it back so he could see him.

"Wake him up. This khest'n dog is using more time than we
have." C'Thuth snarled.

The Orion moved to inject a stimulant into the human. They
heard a low moan as he began to come back to consciousness.
Jus looked around, frantically trying to come up with a
plan. They had only one disrupter between them. The
Kidnappers were fully armed. "Stay here, Renna, I want to
look for something to use."

He moved around to the side, out of sight, and Renna
remained crouched in the deep trees.

C'Thuth waited until Kirk was alert and then began to caress
the bowie knife suggestively in front of his face. "Now,
Captain, you will tell me what I want to know and I will
keep asking you in my own way, until I am satisfied with
your answer." C'Thuth moved with deadly speed and imbedded
the blade in Kirk's thigh, and twisted. Kirk's inchoate
scream lost all semblance of humanity, he was no longer
human. He was pain incarnate. He wanted to die, he wanted to
tell then whatever they wanted, but they wouldn't stop long
enough for him to surrender. He had to run; the pain had to
stop. A voice called him from his hidden memories: it
offered him an end to pain and he could no longer refuse to
heed it.

He left his tormentors behind and fled into the darkness and
oblivion.


She could feel him slipping away. She no longer had any
choices left.


Jus heard a noise to his side and turned to confront whoever
it was, only to see Renna run out into the clearing.

"Stop, no more, leave him alone," she shouted enraged past
the point of rationality.

The men in the clearing all turned their blasters on her
with momentary expressions of shock and disbelief. "Stop,
don't shoot her, we need that one alive," C'Thuth shouted.
The Orion and the Klingon ran to grab her.

Jus used the distraction she had provided, and shot the
Klingon who was running towards Renna. He then turned and
shot the other Klingon who still stood in front of Kirk with
the dark red blood running down his hands. Renna, with all
the deadliness of their ancestors, used her entire strength,
a gift of her Vulcan heritage, to hit the approaching Orion,
who was in the act of reaching to grab her for a shield. She
hit him solidly, aiming an upward blow into the center of
his chest, caring nothing for his feelings or his life. She
caved his chest in and he fell dead, instantaneously.

Chapter 19

Spock sat in the command chair. The last 43.32 minutes had
been more than torture. The reverberations of Jim's agony
bounced off and around him like a hailstorm. He could feel
the eyes of the crew as they watched him. He did not tell
them what was happening to the Captain, but they all seemed
to sense that something was supremely amiss. The screen lit
up with the Cygni home world rapidly filling the screen.
"Mr. Chekov, anything on scan."

"Nothing sir, enlarging range of scan now. Still nothing.
Wait.. Debris...sufficient in quantity, content... Mr.
Spock, I think we have found the Araidne."

"Any sign of lifeboats or pods?"

"No sir, nothing." The crew silently absorbed the impact of
that statement. Four hundred and sixty four lives, gone.

"Assume orbit, Mr. Sulu. Maintain red alert. Lt. Uhura,
notify the Federation embassy only, that we have arrived. Do
it on narrow beam and encode it. I do not wish the Cygnians
or the kidnappers to be able to tap the signal."

A minute passed as Uhura sent the message and received the
encoded response. She read the code as if it was written in
Standard. "They send their welcome and wish to know our
intentions, Mr. Spock."

"Tell them our intentions are deadly. Advise them to pull
all personnel back from the compound to the agreed upon
clearance and have their embassy marines ready for action on
our command."

"They acknowledge, Mr. Spock and state they will comply,
also they say ...Godspeed."

"Mr. Spock, I am picking up a communicator signal from the
surface." Uhura almost shouted.

"Lock on to it, Lt. and open up a channel."

"Hello, hello, Enterprise, we need help, please, if someone
is listening, anybody, we need assistance. This is an
emergency."

"This is the Enterprise, Commander Spock, Acting Captain,
here. To whom am I speaking."

"Spirits bless, this is M'arenn Al S'Thor. Black bishop to
King's knight four." Her speech was rushed and full of
urgency. "I was with the Romulan delegation to the
conference. Please, you have to come now, they are killing
him, they are killing your Captain."

Spock sat bolt upright in the seat. "Why are you not in the
compound?"

"He rescued us from the compound when they first attacked,
and brought us into the hills. They caught him when he went
to save my son. What is wrong with you? Why are you waiting?
Didn't you hear what I said? They are killing him." She was
screaming into the communicator now. "They are torturing
him. We could hear him screaming. You have to help him."

"Please calm yourself, madam. Where is the Captain now?"

"Down from where I am, directly south-southwest. I don't
know how far it is, but it takes about twenty minutes to
walk that far from here. My sister and my adjutant went
after him. Please, Mr. Spock do something, quickly."

"Mr. Chekov, scan in that area."

Moments passed, an eternity passed. "Mr. Spock, I can't 
break through the planetary interference and scan for those 
types of energy."

"Can you locate patterns of disrupter fire, Mr. Chekov?" 

"No, it causes the same problem."

"Mr. Spock?"

"Yes, Uhura?"

Her fingers were flying acorss her board. "I am going to 
reprogram the communications counsel to look for the signal 
from the  universal tranlator we gave him, and if I add the sounds 
pattern distortiions casued by blasters on radio waves I might be 
able to...,"she went silent. "I've got him! I have blaster fire 
and my signal triangulated.I am transmitting the coordinates now."

"Excellent. Send them to the transporter room. Beam that woman and
whoever is with her up to the ship. Mr. Scott, you have the
con. Drop the shields only long enough for us to beam down.
We still have another ship out here that is unaccounted
for."

"Aye sir," Scotty moved to take the chair, "bring him home,
Mr. Spock." Spock left moving with the Vulcan speed that he
rarely used. But the need was never this great before. The
security squad was waiting in the transporter room when he
and Chekov arrived. They beamed down wordlessly, prepared
for the worst.

Chapter 20

Renna ran over to where Kirk hung silently against the tree.
The knife still protruded from his body, quivering
obscenely. C' Thuth lay moaning on the ground. His body
armor had saved his life, but barely. The smell of smoking
flesh, urine and blood rose to overwhelm Renna's senses. A
sob escaped her lips as she came close enough to see what
had been done to the Human. Renna was almost hysterical, as
she grabbed the blood-slicked metallic ropes, to try to
untie them. There was no sign of consciousness from the
human. The chest barely moved. Her eyes rained tears, but
still she could not loosen the ropes. She could hear Jus
running up behind her. He tried to support the Captain's
dead wait as she continued to work the ropes.

The whine of a transporter beam cut into their awareness.
They turned to see the Enterprise crew solidify in front of
them, with their weapons drawn. In the front, stood the
Vulcan. The look on his face was enough to make Renna gasp.
"Please, help us," she pleaded to him beyond caring how this
might look.

Spock moved, no, he leaped, and with an explosion of breath,
he snapped the ropes in two and caught Kirk in his arms when
he fell forward. Renna reached down and grabbed the Bowie
knife, which still impaled Kirk's thigh against the tree.
Blood gushed from the now gaping wound. Renna was almost
rendered unconscious by the intense blast of pain and
fearful love that emanated from Spock, covered by his blank
face, now at full Vulcan. He gathered Kirk slowly into his
arms, careful of the bones he could feel grating and moving
under the skin.

In the background, Chekov shouted into the communicator.
"Mr. Scott, emergency beam up, two to sickbay." Renna stood
silently, tears running unabashedly down her face, as Spock
shimmered and disappeared into the night, his burden carried
close in his arms.

In the silence of their departure, Chekov first checked
C'Thuth for weapons and then the security detail circled the
encampment oblivious to the moans of the Klingon writhing on
the ground. Finally, Chekov approached him again and leaned
over him. "Pray that the Captain lives" he whispered in his 
ear. "if he does not, we will unfortunately have to report 
there were no survivors found here, except the delegates. 
Your method of death will be most unpleasant." Chekov's 
face assumed a mask no one had seen before in this 
dimension. This was the Chekov of the alternate universe, 
aroused from his slumber. He could kill this Klingon and 
he would probably enjoy it.

He then turned to speak with Jus and Renna. "The rest of
your party has been beamed up to the Enterprise. If you will
stand with me, I will take you up to join them. Cargill,
post a guard here, we will be back down shortly."

"Mr. Chekov, what about the Klingon?" Cargill moved to take
up a guard position over him.

"Leave him where he is, I'll send someone down to see to
him... later." Chekov, Jus and Renna disappeared in the
transporter beam.

Spock was beamed directly to the sickbay. McCoy, M'Benga and
Chapel rushed over to help him lower Kirk on to the Biobed.
McCoy ran a quick scan over him as Chapel moved to his head
and intubated him with one smooth motion. M'Benga shouted
out his vital signs. "Pulse 160, blood pressure 40 systolic,
hemoglobin 4.3". It was one third of the normal level and it
was dropping fast, as his life's blood pulsed out through
the arterial bleeder in his leg.

"Full life support, initiate surgical field. Chapel you
start on the head wound, I'll take this bleeder. M'Benga you
can work on stabilizing him." They  worked quietly, rapidly
as a team, McCoy had been no less diligent in molding his
medical team into a unit. M'Benga called for blood and stuck
in three major access lines in rapid succession. The techs
and nurses ran quietly to fulfill all the requests.

Spock stood transfixed in the doorway. The blood was still
wet on his tunic and trousers. He could not bear to leave.
It was as if two lives, his and James T. Kirk's, hung in the
balance. He waited to know if they both would live. McCoy
turned to bark out an order to one of the nurses and saw
Spock standing in the same position, motionless. "Spock, get
out of here, now. We don't need you watching over our
shoulders. You got him here, now leave the rest to us. Go."
McCoy practically hollered to get through to the Vulcan.
Spock looked up at him like a deer caught in the headlights
of an approaching speeder. He nodded once and turned to walk
out the door.

He went to the wall and punched the com. "Mr. Chekov where
are the Romulans?" Chekov responded and Spock made a
straight line for the quarters they had been given. He did
not even acknowledge the three security guards stationed at
the door, as he walked into the room. He was still wearing
his blood soaked uniform. The sight of him elicited an
audible sharp intake of breath from the two women. The boy
saw him and began to quietly sob.

"Who is in charge?"

"I am, Commander Spock," M'arenn stepped forward.

"You will tell me why they have done this. Who are you that
you have caused a conference to be over-run, and the Captain
to be tortured? They have broken 75% of the major bones in
his body to get to you." Spock's face was expressionless,
but even a Romulan knew that this Vulcan was beyond
political niceties.

M'arenn told him, everything. She even told them exactly who
they were.

Then, Therenna told him what had happened at the encampment. 
"I wish I had killed all of those bastards. The last one, I
would  be honored to kill for you."

"What last one?"

"The one who was torturing Kirk still lives, or at least he
did before we came aboard your ship."

Spock turned and left without another word. He materialized
in the encampment with Chekov beside him. The medtech had
finished with the Klingon and he was sitting propped up
against the side of the rover. When he saw Spock coming
towards him, he started to inch back into the metal of the
rover, hoping  he could merge with its structure. Spock came
to stand in front of him and pulled him to his feet with one
hand, lifting him momentarily clear of the ground. Then he
slowly lowered him back to his feet, as if he were a
manikin.

"Let me tell you what I shall do to you. First, I shall cut
off the tip of your nose, then I will shave the brow ridge
from your skull. Next I shall pull your warriors teeth.
After that I will meld with you and rape your mind to drive
you completely insane. Lastly, I will brand my name and
Kirk's on your chest so all may know who did this to
you. You will then be turned over to your government to be
sent back to your clan as a toothless, crown-less,  nose-
less, insane cowering husk. Of course, the head of your clan
will have to kill himself to erase the stain on your name.
They will then ritually kill you, so you will wander for
eternity, never reaching the warriors rest." The Klingons
were a race of hunters. They believed that at life's end a
successful warrior went to his rest where he hunted to his
content, with only the gifts the maker had given him.
Without those gifts, he was denied his eternal rest.

Spock emphasized each word never changing his intonation.
Each new statement sent greater shivers of terror through
the Klingon's soul. To be tortured was one thing. He did not
fear death.  Spock meant to damn his eternal soul.

"What do you want to know?" Hs gasped out.

"I want you to die. I can find out what I want to know
during your death."

"If I tell you who hired us, will you allow me to die as a
warrior?" C'Thuth was desperate. "Swear, damn you."

"I will swear nothing to such as you. Tell me, and perhaps
you will keep your sanity. I can get the information from
you without your help."

"Shthrass, a Romulan, he works for Wing Commander Arthra'n.
He was in the Romulan diplomatic entourage and he blew the
shields and set them up."

"Why?"

"To start a war, what else." He began urgently, frantically,
spilling everything from his cup of knowledge to preserve
his immortal soul. "A group of Romulan generals
want to go to war with the Federation. They know the
Praetor is leaning against it. He sent his sisters. The
Praetors eyes and ears he calls them. We were suppose to
gather all the hostages and when the Federation attacked to
free them, we were suppose to make sure the women got killed
in the battle. The generals were going to push the Praetor
to war to avenge his sisters' deathS at the hands of the
Federation." The Klingon was panting. He looked at the
Vulcan willing him to believe him.

Spock leaned forward with his hands in the meld position.
The Klingon roared, "No, I am telling you the truth, you've
got to believe me. I have told you everything I know."

Spock leaned back and stared at his panic for a long moment.
He then flipped open his communicator. "One to beam up, Mr.
Scott. Mr. Chekov, secure the camp, leave as many as you
deem necessary down here and return to the ship with this
person."

"Aye, sir."

Spock beamed back up to the ship. Once again the shields did
a momentary dance. Never long enough for a opening, yet the
tease was enticing and the cloaked Romulan ship moved closer
and closer, waiting for the fatal moment when the Enterprise
would drop its shields long enough for the Romulan to be
able to decloak and fire. Commander S'Tal waited patiently.
The accursed Federation ship would be his along with the
Praetors damnable intrusive and dangerous sisters. If he
succeeded, war was certain and glory was guaranteed for the
Empire. He planned on being well rewarded.

Spock checked on the status of Kirk immediately upon
stepping off the transporter pad. The tech told him only
that he was still being operated on.  He took a deep breath
and attempted to put aside his worry, but it did not work.
Instead, he went back to visit the Romulans in their
quarters.

When he arrived, J'usreyan approached him immediately. "You
had a chance to question the Klingon, yes?"

"Yes. He told me that they were hired by Shthrass who was
acting as an agent for Wing Commander Arthra'n.  They wanted
to have you die at the hands of the Federation and
precipitate a war. Do you know the people that I have
mentioned?"

Jus nodded thoughtfully. M'arenn walked over to where they
stood. Renna still sat on the couch comforting Ramie. "Mr.
Spock, " she said, "his employer or another agent is not far
away. He would remain close to make sure the task is
completed."

"Agreed," replied Spock. "However, the ship is obviously
cloaked and we have no way of finding it until it decloaks
to fire. More importantly, it limits our abilities to rescue
the remainder of the hostages, since we must remain
unshielded to do any large scale beaming down of personnel.
I anticipate the moment we launch the attack on the
compound, will be the moment of their attack. Our chances of
surviving that attack are 34.3%. Any information you can
give me at this time may result in the preservation of all
of our lives, as well as the avoidance of open conflict
between our governments."

Jus and M'arenn looked silently at each other for a long
time. Finally, M'arenn nodded briefly almost imperceptibly.
"Mr. Spock," Jus began, "in the early days of the use of the
cloaking device, it was found that we had a need to be able
to decloak a ship from off of the ship. We had several
instances where the crew of the cloaked vessel was either
incapacitated or dead, and we were unable to find the ship
even knowing that it still existed. There is a command code
that will decloak any Romulan vessel. I know this code, but
I will give it to you on one condition, or we all die today
and the Empire take its chance."

"What is that condition, Adjutant J'usreyan?"

"I must input the code, and then initiate a wipe immediately
afterward. We will change the code immediately anyway, once
the Praetor is informed, but with this code, a significant
amount of damage could be done to our ships prior to the
change. Especially, if you were to kill me to keep me from
contacting my government to inform them of my action. You
see my dilemma, I'm sure. The only reason we consider doing
this, is because we owe your Captain our lives several times
over. It is unlikely that he would have a man lacking in
integrity as his first officer, therefore I will trust your
word on this matter."

"You have my word." Spock responded without hesitation.
There was too much at stake to bandy words.

"Very well, if you will take me to the bridge I will input
the code." Jus followed Spock out of the door. He gave
M'arenn's hand a gentle squeeze before he left.

When they entered the bridge, the crew absorbed the sight of
a Romulan without missing a step. Spock stepped down to lead
Jus to the counsel at the center of the Bridge. He showed
him the panel where he could input the code, and he
carefully instructed the computer to immediately delete the
numbers after their entry and transmission. Once Jus was
satisfied, Spock turned and instructed Mr. Chekov to prepare
all weapons for immediate lock-on and firing at his command.

Jus entered the codes and pushed the button to transmit.

S'Tal stood at the tactical display gazing out on the
Enterprise. The giant ship was closer to him now, than he
had ever been to a Federation Starship. The weapons officer
had already targeted the vital parts of the ship. It was
going to be a glorious explosion. He turned when he heard
the gasp from behind him, to hear his second shouting: "Sir,
we are decloaking."

"Override," S'Tal screamed. He felt a sense of doom
overwhelm him. His second rushed to comply. S'Tal turned to
the viewing screen just in time to see the full batteries of
a Federation Constitution Class  Starship coming towards
him. His last thought was one of surprise. The explosion of
his ship was silent in the vacuum of space.

Spock turned towards Jus and acknowledged his action with a
nod of his head. "You may stay if you like."

"No, I think I would rather return to my quarters. Those
were my people I helped destroy, even if they were misguided
fools. We must meditate on what has transpired, and pray for
their spirits." Jus bowed briefly at the waist and walked
out, followed by a security guard.

"Lt. Uhura, it is time for your device. Mr. Chekov, inform
your security detail and the embassy marines: they must be
ready to launch in five minutes exactly.

Uhura launched the probe with its time delay set. The impact
on the compound shield was followed by the warp generator
transmitting a signal that punched through the shield and
lit the surrounding area up with the seldom seen
pyrotechnics of the atmospheric generation of warp fields.

The troops were beamed down before K'Rath was able to react.
Chekov's first and second squad headed straight for the last
known location for the shield generator. It was lightly
protected;  K'Rath had more losses than anticipated and he
needed most of his troops to guard the delegates. They were
through and into the shield room within six minutes. When
the shield fell, K'Rath assessed the situation and
immediately came to the conclusion that it was time to go.
With the cloaked Romulan ships orbiting, he had a good
chance of still getting away, as long as he got to his ship
fast. The screams of his dying men did nothing to slow his
retreat. He saw Shthrass briefly in the melee, there was no
need to try to assist him, and he was not going to pay him
for this job, now. K'Rath would have to be satisfied with
the partial payment he had already received. Since he did
not have to divide it at all now, it looked better than
ever.

He finally got to his ship. He ran all out and was almost
through the door. A phaser blast took him full in the back,
throwing down to land in the beckoning doorway. The door
closed partially on his dead body, pushing him back and
forth. The computer attempted to complete its programmed
closing sequence, over the corpse of the Klingon. Chekov
came up to him and kicked him over cautiously with his foot.
"Cossack." He spat at him. When he was sure he was dead, he
ran back to join the battle.

In the end, they killed twenty- three terrorists, injured an
additional thirty-one more, and lost sixteen in the process.
Two from the Enterprise, and the rest from the Marines who
met the brunt of the resistance when they charged the front
entrance. All the delegates, but one, survived the attack.
The Tellarite Ambassador was killed protecting a member of
his staff. The hit squad had killed fifteen in their initial
overrun of the conference. The final count was large, but
far short of the numbers of lives that would have been lost
in a war between the Romulans and the Federation.

Chapter 21

Spock finally changed out of his blood soaked clothes. The
delegates were safely placed either in the secure Federation
Embassy, or transported to Cygnian or Enterprise medical
facilities as indicated. Refreshed, at least outwardly, he
went to the sickbay. When he entered, only one bed was full.
McCoy must have decided to use the auxiliary sickbay for the
other wounded.

Spock read the pad on the wall. It told the story of Kirk's
injuries. Kirk was on full life support, placed in an
induced coma by McCoy. The gentle rise and fall of his chest
was machine driven. His hands were enclosed in plastiform
along with both of his legs and his arms. They had done open
reduction of his multiple displaced fractures of his long
bones. A microfilament had been laid in all four of his
extremities to promote straight bone regrowth. For now, some
of the bones floated unattached, awaiting the bone
regenerator to complete its slow progress. His jaw and nose
had been broken. The swelling made his face almost
unrecognizable.

Spock's heart twisted as he looked on the wreck that lay
before him. He had to shake his head to achieve clarity.
Kirk's cranium had been bandaged where they had repaired his
depressed skull fracture. His internal injuries were not as
extensive. He had not lost any major organs, but  he had
bled into the upper lobe of his left lung. McCoy had
personally repaired that. He was still reading, when Dr.
McCoy entered quietly behind him.

"Spock," He moved to stand beside Spock. "They hurt him real
bad this time."

"Will he live, Doctor?"

McCoy  tried to respond through the sudden lump in his
throat. A hoarse whisper came out finally. "I don't know,
Spock, I honestly do not know." They both stood there for
some time longer then McCoy broke the silence. "I have to go
check on the new ones they just sent up. M'Benga kicked me
out and told me to take a break. I think I need to go back
and work on some strangers for a while." McCoy reached up
and angrily wiped tears from his cheeks where they had
slowly run down, trapped in the crevasses of his life's
journey, written in the lines of his face. "Shit and
damnation."

He left.

The Vulcan crossed over to the Biobed and sat in the chair
at his Captain's bedside. No doubt McCoy had anticipated
Spock's presence. Spock needed to stay. If anyone needed
him, they knew where to find him. On the bridge Scotty,
Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov conspired to intercept everything
before it reached Spock. They would handle it all, until the
Vulcan returned to the Bridge. He sat there for the rest of
the shift, unmoving, willing his friend to live for them
both. Laughing hazel eyes, and the first true smile of
welcome Spock had ever received in Starfleet, haunted his
thoughts.

Spock was still there in the morning. A nurse had been
through several times to check on Kirk's condition. He had
been very careful not to disturb the Vulcan. Finally, McCoy
came back and walked over to Spock's side. He gently placed
his hand on Spock's shoulder. "Spock, why don't you go to
your cabin and get some rest. We are going to start our
second phase of bone regrowth right now, and you'll just be
in the way. I'll call you when we are finished." Spock
looked up at McCoy, nodded once, and headed out of the
sickbay for his quarters.

Renna met him in the hallway as he exited. Two security
personnel escorted her, and it was obvious that she had
planned to visit the Captain. "Lady Therenna, the doctor is
not currently allowing visitors. He just cleared the
sickbay."

Renna looked at a loss for a moment. "Where are you on your
way to, Mr. Spock, if I may inquire?"

"I was returning to my quarters."

"May I accompany you? I find myself needing to talk to
someone right now. Please."

Spock looked at her with open appraisal; he finally sighed,
"As you wish." He dismissed the security team and turned to
escort her to his cabin.

They strolled down the corridors in silence for a few
minutes. Spock and Renna were lost in their own thoughts.
They reached Spock's door without speaking. When they
entered, Renna slowly surveyed the room, taking in
everything from the Vulcan firepot, to the Lyre, and ending
finally on the Chess set which held a prominent position on
Spock's desk.

She was the first to break the spell that held them. "You
should know, I envy you." She wandered around the room
lightly touching objects, verifying their solidity. "In
fact, I would like to hate you, but I can not."

"Envy is illogical, as well as hate." replied Spock.

"I am not a Vulcan, Mr. Spock. We renounced the
teachings of Surak. Honor, family, passions, attachments of
duty and loyalty, rule us as surely as Logic rules your
world. There is no logic in my love for your Captain. There
is no logic in your love for him. I, at least, am free to
admit it," she then whispered with longing, "even if I may
not act on it, as I wish."

"I am not certain I understand what you mean, Madame."

"Yes, you do. Both of us have limited ourselves. You, who
feel so much, and love so deeply, are doomed to a life of
denial of the very things that motivate you, because it is
not the Vulcan way. There is something beyond Logic. There
is no use denying it, Mr. Spock. I am a far stronger
telempath than you are, and I know what I say is true. Even
had I not read it from you, it is so woven in the essence of
Jim, that I would have to be struck empath null to miss it.
He accepts you without reservation. On Romulus we have a
term for such as you, "twinned by the fates".

Now, there is me, who in a relatively short time, has learned to
love one of my peoples' greatest enemies. I must deny him,
and my needs, for the sake of honor and duty. If we were on
my homeworld, I would take both of you as my Consorts and I
would be content. Being able to read minds has
its drawbacks, you must agree. Once we see the true essence
of a person, we are either hopelessly and irretrievably
attracted to them, or repulsed just as surely. That is the
reason for shields, I think. It has nothing to do with
privacy. Without shields, we would have no freedom to
choose, no freedom to ignore the truth about those who
surround us." She sighed. "The universe is a place of
infinite irony wouldn't you agree?" Renna said the last with
a wistful tone.

"What would you have me say, Therenna?"

"Nothing. What can you say: "I am sorry you love James Kirk,
and wish to bond us both, but you know that you can not have
him, or I?" That would not be helpful in the least. Perhaps
you can just tell me you understand."

"I do understand."

She smiled sadly and walked over to where he stood. "Yes,
you do. Hold me, Spock, please; let me see him in your mind;
let me feel you in my mind. I may not ever get the
opportunity to do so again. This type of sharing is not
encouraged on my world." She moved closer toward Spock and
slowly leaned her head against his chest. "It has been a
lifetime since I met a man who accepted me, and cared for
me, as your Captain did. I will remember his thoughts, his joy,
and everything we shared. For one space in time, I
felt like the galaxy's greatest treasure. I will lose all of that
if he dies and I will lose it all if he lives. I must go
home, therefore, I lose. Please, do not make me lose now."

Spock's arms encircled and comforted her. He knew it was
what Jim would want him to do. Some small voice told him, it
also was because he, Spock, needed comforting also, but he
was not ready to hear that voice. He shared with her some of
his memories and she gave him equal value. They stood
silently for long minutes, embracing and talked into the
late night hours about Shikahr and Romulas, 
Rhihannsu and Vulcan.  When he finally walked her back to 
her quarters, he had discovered akindred soul, and she 
had found a refuge.

It was time to return to the bridge. Perhaps, he thought, he
could lose himself in his work.

Chapter 22

Three days later, the Enterprise was still in orbit around
Cygni. They had been ordered to await a Romulan
battlecruiser which would escort the Romulan party back to
their Homeworld. Ambassador Davis had been up to the
Enterprise several times to commend the crew on their
successful rescue of the hostages, and to check on the
condition of Kirk. Three more ships had joined the
Enterprise in orbit. The USS Powell and the Vulcan Accord
were both visible through the viewscreen of the Enterprise.
The USS Excalibur was due in one standard day. A message
from Starfleet command told them that Admiral Komack would
be on the Excalibur. They were to await his arrival, for
further orders.

Spock did not look forward to seeing Admiral Komack again.
He knew Komack still nursed an illogical grudge
against he and Kirk regarding Spock's first Pon Farr. Komack
would be especially livid about the death of his protege 
and the loss of the Ariadne and somehow,in his mind, 
it would be the Enterprise's fault.It did not look good.
Regardless, they were stuck in orbit with nothing to do,
except wait.

Spock spent his off duty hours in the sickbay. All the
bridge crew had come through to visit the Captain in turns,
and while his injuries were healing there was no sign of
returning consciousness. Everytime Spock attempted to touch
his mind he felt... nothing. At first, he had attributed the
lack to the induced coma McCoy had placed Kirk in. However,
when the doctor reversed the coma twenty- four hours ago,
there still was no change. There was no sense of Kirk, no
easy sense of the link they shared. It was as if the Vulcan
was looking at a hollow receptacle.

Finally, on the fourth day, Spock could take it no longer.
McCoy had no explanation for Jim's continued state of
unconsciousness. His brain scan showed his brain was
functional. It was as if someone had left the house with all
the lights on, but no one was in residence. Spock decided to
attempt a deep meld. He felt no resistance as he entered the
superficial layers of Kirk's mind. He felt nothing. He found
himself falling deeper and deeper, and still he felt
nothing. No trace was evident of the brilliantly burning
life-force, that had always greeted him in the past. He
finally had to withdraw. He went so deep; his own life
functions were beginning to slow. He flew back out. Despair
and grief consumed his whole being. There was nothing, no
one he could find. The man he knew was gone.

McCoy found Spock, beside the bed, his head bowed in grief,
unable to move from Kirk's side.

"Spock, what's the matter." McCoy shouted? "What happened?"
McCoy knew instantly that something had transpired while he
was gone. He quickly surveyed the readings on the monitor
above the bed. Everything was as it had been before.

"Nothing, I felt nothing. He is gone, Doctor."

McCoy reeled back like Spock had hit him. "You're wrong.
He's alive."

"I tried to meld with him, Doctor. I could find no traces of
James Kirk. I tell you, he is gone."

McCoy was suddenly furious, fear and pain inflamed his
temper. "You're wrong, goddammit." He shouted, closing in on
Spock. " I supervised the surgeries. I monitored everything
down to the last damn detail. I'm tellin' you that you're
wrong. He's alive. Whether or not you and your damn Vulcan
mysticism can touch his mind, doesn't mean one plug nickel
to me. If you haven't sensed him, then you just haven't gone
far enough. I am not giving up on him, and I'll be fried
before I'll let you do it."

"I have gone as deep as I am able to go, Dr. McCoy. I sensed
nothing." At the end Spock heard his own voice rising. He
clamped down forcing his voice at least to return to normal.
"I can not go any deeper, Leonard."

"Then, you Goddamn well better get some help." McCoy took in
a deep breath and slowly let it out through his clenched
lips. "Spock,"  he said at a much more reasonable tone. "You
told me that you and Jim have some type of link. Wouldn't
that link tell you if he were dead?"

Spock grabbed at that idea like a life preserver tossed to a
drowning man. "Yes, I looked for that first.I don't feel 
any force pulling back on it."

"Have you ever felt a broken link? How about when you broke up 
with that bitch on Vulcan?"

"That was not the same. What T'Pring and I had was transferred 
to other foci, not broken, so there was always a ...pulling 
back on the other end."

"So look again. Is it or is it not still intact? Maybe there
isn't always a damn force pulling back."

Spock looked inward where he could still feel the lightest
wisp, almost a feathery trace, of the link that had called
him back from Kolinahr. "It is intact, but terribly faint."

"Then," he took a sighing breath, "my friend, I suggest you 
go ask that woman, Therenna,to help you with whatever the hell 
it is you do, before you declare him dead. Because, if you 
give up on him without doing everything in your power, we both 
will never get past it."

This human never ceased to surprise him. Spock stood and
stared at him for a long moment. "Thank-you, Doctor."

"Just get the hell out of here, and go ask the woman. She is
probably so head over heels in love with Jim, that she'll
beat you back down here." He turned to mumble, "How in the
hell does he do that, anyway? I still can't figure that one
out. Maybe we can bottle it and sell it ... make a fortune."
McCoy wandered off, more to hide his embarrassment and to
allow Spock to compose himself, than from any need to be
elsewhere.

Spock found Renna in her quarters. The Romulan party had
decided to stay on the ship until the transport arrived,
versus taking another chance on the planet's surface.
M'arenn and the boy had found a second home with Uhura. The
communications officer took open delight in sharing her time
and her music with M'arenn, who she found to be an
accomplished musician in her own right. Jus had found a
drinking and story telling partner in Scotty, of all people,
and they both took turns, attempting to outdo one another,
with far out and fanciful tales of Scottish and Romulan
origins. The crew reaped the benefits during their off
hours, as they sat enraptured and outraged at turns by the
successively larger, amusing, fabrications each of them
created, for their own amusement.

Renna had alternated her time between the sickbay and spending
time with the Vulcan. She had found him to be a source of
reassurance and strength, which she was sorely in need of.
That day, she had decided to stay in her cabin for some
quiet time with her own thoughts. The Vulcan's voice at the
door was no stranger to her, but the poorly hidden fear and
despair was a shock to her system.

"Spock, has something happened?"

"I need your help, Renna."

"Anything." She walked over to him willing him to not tell
her what she most feared.

"I attempted a meld with Jim, today. I could not feel any
sense of his mind, even though I went as deep as I was able
to go, unaided. I require your assistance as an anchor. With
your additional mental skills aiding me, I may be able to
find some spark, some remnant of Jim, and bring him back.
Without that, I do not think he will ever awaken." Spock
felt himself holding his breath. He consciously willed
himself to breathe.

"Of course I will help you, why did you even doubt my
answer?"

"This is not without risk to us both, Renna."

Renna's smile evoked a ghostly response from Spock. "What
better do the two of us have to risk all for, Mr. Spock? As
your Captain is wont to say, what is life without risks. He
risked all for four people he hardly knew, because he
decided we were worth it. I could not do less for him and
live with myself. Enough talk, let us do what we need to
do."

When they reached the sickbay McCoy was waiting for them.
"What do you need?"

"Just two chairs, and if you could stay and monitor us that
would be adequate, Doctor." Spock replied.

"No problem, you guys just do what ever it is you do and get
him back here. I promise not to talk about your ears for a
whole month after this is over, Spock."

"It would be pointless to make guarantees that you are
unable to keep, Doctor. I would not want to burden your
already overtaxed psyche too greatly with such a promise."

"You pointy eared, smartass, hobgoblin... "  He sputtered.
"I don't have time to cut you down to size right now, but
I'll get ya. Here are the chairs, sit yourselves down, and
get to doing your stuff. In addition, Ma 'am, don't you mind
Spock, he may be a long-winded, egotistical son of a bitch,
but he is..." He looked at Spock and weighed whether saying
this would give the Vulcan too much ammunition for future
wars. "The best damn friend a person could wish for." He
leaned over with a loud stage whisper. "But, I'll deny I
ever said that, if you dare repeat it."

"Your secret is safe with me, Doctor." Renna leaned over and
gave him a light peck on the cheek. This human's feelings
were all surface, full of caring and love. She longed for
the comfort of staying with them all. It could not be, but
the dream was intoxicating.

Spock and Renna took seats beside each other and began their
meld without preamble. Spock felt the cool swish of silk and
the fragrance of flowers as he sank into Renna's awareness.
She welcomed him as a brother, with joy and easy
familiarity. "I know you already, My Spock. All that you are
was written in Jim's mind. One can not love him without
loving you. Come taste of me, so that you may know me. I
will be your anchor and your strength. I will not fail you."

Spock melded and blended their minds. He was somewhat awed
at the strength of her skills. She was a far stronger
telepath than he. "Perhaps you should search, and I will
anchor."

"No," He could feel her sad minds smile. "He will come for
you, but not, I fear, for me. We did not have the
opportunity to bond deeply enough for him to respond to my
call. He would journey back from death's door for you,
Spock. We both know that to be the truth. Go, and bring him
home."

McCoy stood and monitored their readouts on the biomonitor.
He had all of them entered into the computer so all three
life functions were in front of him on the screen. His eyes
did not leave the monitor. He assumed the sound of steps
that approached from behind him, was one of his staff,
perhaps Chapel. It was with true surprise, that he heard the
outraged roar of an unfamiliar male voice calling his name.
"Dr. McCoy, what the hell is going on here? Get that damn
Romulan away from them. Are you all out of your minds? What
would possess you to let the Praetor's sister play around in
the mind of a Starfleet Admiral? Stop this now, Doctor."

Scotty and the rest of the Admiral's entourage entered
behind him. They must have beamed aboard with Scotty's
permission, and come directly for the sickbay. Komack was a
bull of a man, and there was no love lost between he and the
command crew of the Enterprise. Ever since Jim had disobeyed
direct orders to take Spock back to Vulcan for his Pon Farr,
his ritual arranged marriage that failed to be consummated
after his intended rejected him for another, Komack kept a
burr under his ass, about Spock and Kirk. "Did you hear me,
Doctor? Do whatever you have to stop this, now."

McCoy walked over to him slowly and deliberately. "You are
in my sickbay. You are interfering with my medical
decisions. If we still are in Starfleet, Admiral," he
emphasized the last word, "my medical decision stands, and
the only person who can countermand it is the CMO of
Starfleet. Unless Admiral Juran is with you I suggest you
get the hell out of my sickbay, Admiral."

"Doctor McCoy, you are treading treacherous ground, perhaps
traitorous. I suggest you follow my orders."

"Scotty, what are Starfleet regs for removing unruly and
disruptive people from the sickbay on the orders of the
CMO?" McCoy did not even turn to Scotty to look for his
answer, he already knew, as did Komack.

"Never mind, Mr. Scott, I know the regulations as well as
anyone. You will pay for this, Doctor."

"Don't threaten me, Admiral. It never pays to piss off a
doctor. Stay or go I don't give a damn, but if you attempt
to interfere again, I will have Mr. Scott place you in the
brig. Do we understand one another, Admiral?"

"Heard and understood Doctor. Watch your back."

McCoy's quiet rage gave even Komack pause. "I don't need to
Admiral Komack, Jim and Spock will do it for me and you know
what happened the last time you crossed them." Komack was
speechless.

Chapter 23

Spock went. Darkness, cold, numbing cold, echoes,
loneliness. Still he went. Renna's strength buoyed him and
he passed where he had gone before with ease. Darkness,
cold, despair, pain, regret. Finally, he saw something
ahead. He smelled a breeze filled with the odor of cut hay.
He rushed for it with all the hope of a desperate man.
Suddenly, he was...where? Over the hill, he could see the
farm where Jim had grown up. He was in a field that
stretched as far as the eye could see. The great blue sky of
the plains stretched above him and a summer sun beat down on
his back. He felt warmed and good, it made him smile,
almost. He had spent many leaves at Jim's farm. They were
times of remembered pleasure. Sitting in the wheat fields
was a barely seen head jutting just above it. The hair was
the color of the wheat. Spock called: "Jim."

He began to run towards the person he saw hidden among the
fields. He stopped in dismay. A boy stood up and looked his
way.

"Hey, who are you?" The boy walked over to Spock. He was a
tow-headed, hazel eyed small figure with a wide-open grin of
welcome. Spock's heart skipped as he recognized Jim's own
renowned grin in the boy.

"My name is Spock."

When the boy got closer Spock could hear an audible gasp.
"My name is James Tiberius Kirk. You can call me Jimmy.
You're a Vulcan." He rattled on excitedly. "I've never met a
Vulcan before. Is it true that you are dedicated to logic,
and you can read minds, and that you are stronger than
humans, and...."

"Perhaps it would be  more efficient if you allowed me an
opportunity to answer." Spock interjected as the excited boy
stopped for a breath.

"Okay, okay, you're right. Grandpa says: I ask too many
questions anyway, sorry. I just want to know," the boy held
his arms wide like he could grab the world, "everything."

Spock could not help but smile at the boy's enthusiasm. How
like Jim he was, even at this age. "The answers to your
questions are, yes, yes, yes, and I believe the last answer
is yes, also."

"Great. Tell me all about Vulcan. I can read Vulcan you
know, and write it some. I have trouble talking it, though."

"Speaking it."

"Yeah, that too." He sat done in a sprawl; the smile never
left his face.

"Are you always this friendly with strangers?"

"Grandpa says strangers are just friends you haven't made
yet. So, I figure since we are already introduced like, we
are new friends. See?"

"I see." Spock sat down beside him , unsure of how to begin.
This was outside of his experience. This mental landscape
was detailed and real to the boy before him. He had to
proceed cautiously. "I have come looking for someone. I
would like your assistance."

"You want the grown-up."

"How did you know?" Spock lifted his eyebrow, surprised at
the boy's easy read of him, so like the adult.

"Hunch, leastwise that's what grandpa calls it. I just know.
Like I know that you know me, even though I've never met you
before, and that the grown-up needs you."

"Fascinating. Have you always been able to "just know," as
you call it?"

"Forever, but don't tell anybody. Grandpa says that will
make people nervous, so we just call it hunches. I probably
shouldn't tell you, but I don't think you will tell on me.
Will you?"

"You have my word."

"See, when I'm looking at stuff, or listening to stuff, its
like a part of my mind is taking it all in and storing it.
Then, when I need it, I start to see it in my head like the
pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Stuff starts just coming
together, until it all fits. So suddenly, I just know. Does
that make any sense?"

"Actually, it was quite illuminating, thank-you."

"Good, well if you are looking for the grown-up, he's gone."

"Gone where?

"That way." As Jimmy pointed, a swirling maelstrom
materialized in front of Spock. The sight of it made him
faintly nauseous. Fear, pain, and despair radiated from it.
"I don' t think you want to go there, it looks like a
horrible place. "When the grown-up started to go there, I
stayed here. I didn't like the feel of that place."

Spock could see the faint trail of the link going into the
swirling madness in front of him. "That is precisely where I
must go."

"Ah, darn, can't you stay and talk just a little longer? I
want to find out more stuff about  Vulcan."

"I promise you, Jimmy, one day you will travel among the
stars as if you owned them, and know more about Vulcan than
almost any other human. Vulcan will welcome you as a son."

"Neat," He said as he exhaled loudly with his hazel eyes
wide open in wonder. "Oh, great." He jumped up and shouted
full of joyful enthusiasm. "I am going to be on a starship
one day, and I'll see everything. Bye, Mr. Spock, I have to
go tell Grandpa, Mom, Sam, and EVERYBODY."

Spock left him doing cartwheels in the fields shouting his
happiness to all who would hear, as he walked to the
whirlpool in front of him. That joyful child was the essence
of Kirk's sanity. That child was the last time James Kirk
had probably been truly happy, and innocent. That was James
Kirk before the death of his Grandfather and his Father, and
before Tarsus.

"Renna, " he sent?

"I am here, Spock."

"I think I have located the Captain, but it is through a
construct that does not allow me to see what is on the other
side. Do you sense it?"

"I do. I have not seen it's like either."

"Do you think you can still anchor me?"

"Or I will die trying, Spock. Go, I am with you."

Spock stepped through a wall of sensation. Pain, Agony,
burning fear, abandonment, despair, pain beyond enduring,
regret, loss, eternity, death comes release, escape pain,
alone, shame, pain, escape. And, then he was through. He lay
where he was, unable to move, almost unable to breathe. He
trembled with the pain of all his T'hy'la had endured. When
he finally was able to sit up and see, he could make out a
faint figure, stretched out in front of him in the gloom.
"Jim, JIM." He mentally shouted. He reached for the figure,
with a mental leap, and when Spock looked down on him, it
was as if Kirk was still on the tree in the forest of Cygni.
His wounds ran red. A knife jutted from his broken body. He
scarcely breathed.

"Jim," he carefully, tenderly gathered him into his arms.
"This is not you. You must wake up, do not believe this. We
came in time. We found you. McCoy healed you. You are not
alone. Jim, we did not abandon you. Do not die."

Spock found himself rambling, using any words he could to
bring him back, to make him respond. "You promised me. Jim.
You gave me your oath. You can not leave me. You swore an
oath." Spock held him, willing with all his might for some
response, any response.

Slowly. he sensed a change, grudging and small, "Spock...?
You came." Kirk cracked his eyes open.

"Yes, I came. I would never leave you. You have to come with
me, before it is too late."

"I can't, Spock," He whispered. "I'm so sorry I failed you.
It hurts too bad to go back. They won; they broke me, and I
can't go back."

"They did not win. You did not tell them anything. You were
not broken."

"That's  only because he didn't ask, T'hy'la." He sighed
softly. " I would have told him anything to get him to stop.
That's why I had to leave. I can't go back. I can't go
through that again."

"Jim,"  he held Kirk's head to his chest, "hear my thoughts.
McCoy healed you; you will be whole again. We will work
through this, as we have overcome everything in the past.
Nothing can defeat us if we work together, not even this."

"Spock," he groaned, "don't you understand, he broke my
will, I ran. I can't return to command. How can I command
anyone if I've been broken?"

"How can you not. Do you think McCoy or I  would care for
you less, because someone has beaten you past endurance? Do
you think the same crew that has followed you throughout the
galaxy, and beyond, would lose respect for you, because you
sought to escape pain? You insult and diminish us. Enough.
You must choose. Either we stay here together, or we leave
together. I  will honor my oath, I  will not leave without
you."

Silence flowed around them both, broken only by the
occasional anguished breath from Kirk, who Spock held close
to him, cradled in his protection. "Join with me, Jim. See
my thoughts." He felt the first tentative brush of Jim's
mind. "Come closer, feel me. You know I  will not, can not
lie to you. See the truth, Jim. It is time for us to go."

"Spock, what if I let you down again? I do not want to fail
you, fail my crew." There was a sense of great fatigue as if
it was a struggle just to think those few thoughts.

"T'hy'la, you will not, you have not, you can not. Jim, how
have you let me down? Did you let me down when you rescued
the Romulans, or, when you evaded two armed fliers? Was it
when you went back to save the boy and the old man, and
ended up being tortured for your efforts. Please, tell me
what it is that you think you wrong. Tell me, so I can
understand." Spock pled, and was not ashamed to do so.

"You don't understand. You would never have broken. They
would never have made you beg. I begged them to stop and
they laughed. I would have given them anything to make them
stop, that's why I knew I had to die, so I wouldn't tell, so
I wouldn't fail. It wasn't from the pain; it was because I
was going to tell them whatever they wanted. I left, and
came here to die. Leave me alone; let me finish what I
started." Jim turned his face away from Spock, refusing to
look him in the eyes.

"Look at me." Jim didn't, perhaps he couldn't, and Spock
took his face in hands and forced Kirk to look at him.
"Tell me where you see any judgement of from me. Tell me
where you see any evidence that you are lessened in my eyes.
Look at me," He shouted. "When I thought I had killed you on
the sands of Vulcan, you did not judge me. When I stole your
ship for Pike, you befriended me. When the spores possessed
me, and only you were able to resist, you forgave me. When I
abandoned you to flee to Gol, you took me back.  I have
learned everything I know about loyalty and friendship from
you. Why is it you will not allow me to give to you that
which you have willingly given me all these years? Why is it
you will not trust me to do the same things for you? Why is
it that you will not trust me to care for you as my one true
brother? Trust me, Jim, please."

"I do trust you, Spock, with all of my heart." He confessed.
"It's me I don't trust anymore."

"But I do, let that be enough for now. Come with me. Let us
leave. We have  too many things to do. We have too many
stars we have not seen yet; too many worlds we have not
visited. There is so much more to be done. We will travel
farther than any Vulcan or Human ever has before us."

"I am so tired." Kirk took a deep breath. "I am so tired of
the fighting and the dying." The wait was agonizing for
Spock " Kirk struggled to sit up, Spock pulled him up to
lean back against the Vulcan's chest. "I still want to see
everything. I still want to fly my lady. I still want to
fall in love. I still want you by my side." Now, he felt
Jim's hope, Jim's inner child, clearly breaking through like
fragile crystal.

"Together, Jim." Spock saw the first hint of his smile.
Jim's limbs and face began to flow into their normal shape
while Spock watched. His wounds closed seamlessly, the blood
dried, then disappeared. His eyes opened fully for the first
time, to look at Spock.

"I'm guess I'm ready," Kirk whispered with remembered
courage. "I want to go home."

"Come with me, Jim. In this reality, we can fly." They flew.
In their joined minds they soared, freed of their earthly
forms. "Renna!" He shouted with his mind.

"I'm here, Spock."

"Help us find our  way back."

"I come." Renna was there. Spock and Kirk felt her surround
them and give them strength. They burst through the
whirlpool, through the remembered agony and despair. It no
longer touched them. They flew out into the fields. The
landscape swirled and shimmered around them. This time,
instead of pain and abandonment, a sunny warmth and
brightness, filled with rejoicing and the intensity of
Kirk's intellect and passion enveloped them.

Then, suddenly, they were free.

Spock and Renna came out of the meld. Both bent their heads
in exhaustion. They looked around, momentarily disoriented,
and met each others eyes with a respect and trust born of
trials passed. Then, they both looked at Kirk who took a
great ragged breath and opened his eyes, slowly. "Spock,
Renna?" His voice was the faintest whisper.

"We're here, Jim, you're home." Spock stroked his cheek
once, sending reassurance through the link.

McCoy was at their side immediately, "Jim," he smiled,
"welcome back." He leaned over and pushed the cowlick back
from his best friend's forehead. "You got some nerve
worrying us like that. Don't try to move yet. I'll let go of
the restraints. I know how you hate to be tied down, Jim
boy." McCoy's happiness made him babble. "Spock, don't just
sit there like some damn statue, release the restraints on
that side. You go to sleep, Jim. We'll be here when you wake
up."

Jim nodded almost, "Thanks, Bones, again," a faint smile
graced his lips imperceptibly, before he fell back into a
natural sleep of exhaustion.

Spock moved to comply with the Doctor's orders. McCoy's
acute emotionality was a sure sign of his loving concern.
There was no way to avoid his wrath when he was in this
state. It was easier to just comply and swiftly. Spock
looked up at the sound of someone entering the room.

Admiral Komack stood in the doorway. A look of barely
controlled rage was written on his face. Spock looked a
question at McCoy. "The Admiral objected to a Romulan
melding with you and Jim." McCoy explained. "Unfortunately
for him, only the Medical Head of Starfleet can override my
Medical decision. She seems to be unavailable right now.
Uhura couldn't find her, no matter how hard she tried." Dr.
McCoy's face radiated innocence.

Spock nodded his understanding of Uhura's atypical
incompetence. He knew without asking further questions that
the Admiral was going to demand some explanation. He
prepared himself for the inevitable. "Admiral, if you will
come with me, perhaps we can speak in private."

"Mr. Spock, you had better have a damn good reason for your
recent actions. If not, I know a very cold asteroid base on
the far edge of hell, that needs a new science officer."
Spock walked after him, tired almost to total exhaustion,
but stepping lightly, at least for a Vulcan. Komack was
nothing compared to his most recent battle. This one, at
least, he had no doubt of the outcome.

The door closed behind them and McCoy had his first
opportunity to talk to Renna. "I thank you, Renna. What you
have done is beyond the call of duty,"

"Sometimes, Doctor, a person must answer the call of a
higher duty. Your Captain Jim brings out that desire in
people. I have never felt braver or more invincible in my
life. I can not imagine what it feels like to be around him
all the time."

"Sometimes, Renna, we feel just plain unbeatable. It can get
to your head, if you don't watch it, though." He rocked back
and forth on his heels with his hands clasped behind his
back. His joy was so overwhelming, that Renna began to
laugh.

"Oh my, Doctor, this is better than I could have dreamed of.
Don't ever let me wake up." Her laughter filled the sickbay.
They sat companionably for hours and talked of mice, and
men, and the stuff of dreams.

Chapter 24

The COM went off.

"Dr. McCoy," it was Spock, "you need to escort the Lady
Therenna to the bridge. We have company."

McCoy turned the now normally sleeping Kirk, over to Dr.
Chapel's able hands and walked with Renna to the bridge.
When they arrived, J'usreyan and M'arenn were already there,
along with Admiral Komack. On the screen, in front of them,
was the largest Romulan ship McCoy had ever seen, along with
two normal sized battle cruisers, flanking it on either
side. He stood, stunned at the immensity of  the flagship.
It was covered with drawings and writings, obviously of
import, but since he didn't read Romulan, it all looked like
scratchings to him.

"I'll be damned." The very human expression was a shocker
coming from Renna's mouth. Obviously the meld had given her
more than a sense of invincibility.

"Open a hailing frequency, Lt. Uhura." Spock requested
calmly from the command chair. When Uhura gave him the go
ahead, he began to speak. "This is Commander Spock, in
temporary command of the USS Enterprise. Please identify
yourselves."

"This is The Praetor's Wrath, I am Centurion Srashk. I seek
communication with M'arenn Al S'Thor." Spock nodded to
M'arenn.

"This is M'arenn al S' Trask, of the house Royal, address me
as I am. They know, and give us due honor."

"As you wish, my lady." The figure bowed deeply. "Your
presence is required. Our Commander would speak with you."

"I hear and obey." She turned to Mr. Spock. "Can you beam me
over, I must speak with our Flag Commander. I would prefer
that the others remain here, especially Shthrass and
C'Thuth. It would be better if the rest of the conspirators
not know we have them, until it is absolutely necessary."

"A logical precaution, Lady M'arenn. Mr. Chekov, escort the
Lady to the transporter room, and see that she gets safely
to that ship."

"Now wait one minute, Mr. Spock. What makes you think it is
in our best interests to beam her back over? She is our best
security against attack." Admiral Komack came up to stand
beside Spock.

"I disagree, Admiral. Our best defense is the three other
Federation ships in orbit, and the fact that no member of
their party has yet broken their word to us. Unless you have
an overwhelming objection, I suggest we proceed."

Komack thought long and hard. "Very well, Spock, proceed,
but at the first hint of treachery, I want you to blast them
all out of the heavens. Make sure you target the Praetor's
Flagship first." Spock was sure the last was said for
M'arenn's benefit.

"Understood Admiral. Go, Mr. Chekov."

M'arenn beamed over.

It was a full hour of tense waiting, before the Romulan
flagship signaled them again. It was M'arenn again.

"Enterprise, we wish to come and speak with your "guests" if
we may. In addition, our Commander has a personal request to
make."

"I am listening."

"Our Commander wishes to meet with Captain Kirk, if it is
possible."

Spock looked at McCoy who nodded once. "Tell the Commander,
we welcome him, and are honored by his presence. We move to
comply."

Spock looked at Renna, she was relaxed and smiling. "Is
their something you wish to tell me, Renna?" Her smile if
anything grew larger.

"No, Spock, I think I will enjoy seeing your surprise." She
positively glowed.

His response was a raised eyebrow as he crossed to take her
elbow lightly and escort her from the bridge, followed by
Jus, Komack, and Ambassador Davis. They waited in the
Transporter room with a full honor guard, or security
detail, depending on your point of view. The signal finally
came and Scotty initiated transport of the party from the
Romulan ship.

The Imperial party materialized on the pad. An armed honor
guard surrounded the person's of M'arenn and a tall man with
a definite family resemblance. Spock stepped forward. "I am
Commander Spock. You honor us with your presence," he
recited formally. "This is Admiral Komack of Starfleet
Command, and Ambassador Davis ..."

Ambassador Davis bowed smoothly and Komack looked at her as
if she had taken leave of her senses. "Your Imperial
Highness, it is an honor to finally meet you. I thank-you
for the courtesies your staff has always shown us in our
past dealings."

M'arenn stepped forward. "This is Massrit Al S' Trask, Most
high, favored of the elements, Praetor of the Romulan
Empire. All hale his glorious presence."

"Enough of titles, M'arenn," the man behind her stepped
lightly off the transporter pad like a born athlete. He had
the indefinite look of  a person of Vulcan heritage
somewhere between fifty and one hundred and fifty. His hair
was close-cropped and lightly dusted with gray. His form was
slim and well muscled. No, not an athlete, a warrior, born
and bred.

Spock could feel Komack coil beside him. He stepped forward
to intervene. "We welcome you and give you guest right." The
Praetor looked at Spock with a renewed sense of appraisal.

"You know our customs."

"It is my duty to collect any pertinent data in the
eventuality it may prove useful." Spock acknowledged with a
slight nod of his head.

"I see." He looked at the Vulcan completely now, perhaps
seeing him for the first time. "I would like to see your
prisoners first, if I may, Commander Spock. I am in great
need of knowing what other poisonous creatures I harbor,
unsuspected."

"As you wish, however, I must request our own security be in
attendance."

"I will be there also," Komack interjected. The Praetor
looked at the Admiral for a long moment, then turned towards
Spock. Komack was not the danger here. The Vulcan was.

"As you wish, Admiral. Sister," he gestured towards Renna to
join he and M'arenn, "attend me. I have need of your
skills."

"Yes, my Lord." Therenna bowed and walked to the side of her
brother, the Praetor. She was about to be asked to perform
an act on the prisoners that on Vulcan would have been
considered a crime of rape. She was going to force a meld on
them.

"IDIC," Spock thought to himself and quietly led the way.
His earlier threat against the Klingon, he was sure had been
a bluff on his part, or was it? Suddenly, he was not sure he
had been truly, only bluffing.

Renna's services were not needed. The sight of the Praetor
and the simple presence of someone Shthrass knew could drain
him and leave him for a mindless hulk, were enough to cause
a virtual diarrheal confession. The Praetor had the names of
all of Shthrass' co-conspirators, at least the ones he knew,
in less than twenty minutes. Satisfied he turned to Spock.
"He is yours, Vulcan. We do not care what you do with him.
Romulus does not know him. His family, his titles, his name
are forgotten. He never existed. If you cut off his
genitalia and force-fed them to him, we would not notice."
The Praetor exited, leaving behind a very terrified Romulan
in his wake.

"Can we meet the Captain, now, Admiral Komack? I understand
he was injured in the defense of our family, therefore I
will not take offense if he is too weak to meet with us."

Admiral Komack waited to respond. "I think Praetor, that it
would be best if we met first. The Federation has requested
that, I and Ambassador Davis, take this opportunity to iron
out some small difficulties our two governments have
experienced."

"I am not here for a diplomatic conference, Admiral. I came
only to retrieve my family, and deal with any conspirators I
might find. I have people who do that sort of thing for me."

"I do understand your eagerness to withdraw, Praetor, but
time well spent is never wasted. I am sure the Captain will
be better able to speak with you tomorrow. In the meantime,
we can take this opportunity to come to a meeting of the
minds."

The Praetor seemed about to object, when Renna gently
grabbed his arm. "Brother, he was sorely injured. Though I
do not agree with the Admirals intent, what he tells you is,
in essence, true. I do not think we could arouse him any
time soon, anyway." She looked to McCoy for confirmation.
"He almost died in our defense. It would not honor us to tax
him more."

The supreme ruler of the Romulan Empire looked at his
younger sister with love and great tenderness. Finally, he
smiled. "As you wish, Renna. Come, Admiral, I find myself
with exactly twenty-four hours on my hands. Perhaps, we can
put it to use, as you say. M'arenn, Jus, attend me please.
Mr. Spock, you will notify me when the Captain is awake, I
trust?"

 "I will."

"Very well.  Admiral Komack, Ambassador Davis, I am at your
disposal, so to speak. Please, do not abuse the privilege."
The party walked towards the Transporter room where they
beamed down to the Federation embassy to begin a tentative
diplomatic dance, with the Praetor and his staff.

Chapter 25

Spock made his way back to his quarters. He, at last,
allowed himself to sleep. He awoke after a few hours and
made his way to the sickbay, where he sat in meditation
beside Jim's bed until the Alpha shift rolled around.

Spock sensed Jim stirring finally and came out of his own
meditation, to find Jim watching him with a faint smile on
his face. "Good Morning, Jim. Welcome back." This last was
said as he scooted closer so his Captain would not have to
turn too much to look at him.

"Renna?" It was an obvious effort for him to speak.

"She is fine, as are all the members of her party. We also
were able to rescue the hostages with very few fatalities or
injuries. You will be pleased to know we caught C'Thuth,"
Kirk grimaced involuntarily at the mention of the Klingons
name, "as well as the Romulan co-conspirator from the
diplomatic compound. His name is Shthrass."

Kirk's face looked a question. "Who else?"

"Who else did they name?" Spock asked to clarify his
question. "He named Arthra'n and S'Tal. We destroyed one
ship that was cloaked . It was S'Tal's ship, according to
M'arenn and the Praetor."

"Praetor?"

"The Praetor is here, ostensibly to pick up his family,
Renna and M'arenn are his sister's. You also rescued the
Praetor's nephew and heir, Ramsthet. He wants to meet you. I
am going to let him know your are awake now, if you have no
objection."

"No, don't mind... no sense."

"What doesn't make sense?" Spock unconsciously filled in his
T'hy'la's thoughts, as he had for so long.

"Something missing, need to think, remember. Head hurts."

Spock touched his head lightly sensing his pain, "I'll get
Dr. McCoy. Then, I'll get the rest of the Praetor's party.
Jim, I should warn you, Admiral Komack is here," Kirk made a
grimace, "I know, but try to be on good behavior."

"Too tired to be anything else, right now." His eyes closed
slowly.

"Very well, I shall return shortly." Spock went swiftly to
call for McCoy. He then went to the bridge and called down
to the Federation Embassy to let Admiral Komack and
Ambassador Davis know Kirk was awake and that it was time to
return to the ship with their erstwhile guests. When he had
finished discussing the scenario with Komack, he returned to
the Sickbay to find McCoy working diligently over Kirk's
dressing changes and wound care. There was an occasional
sharp gasp of pain when a limb was moved, but otherwise,
Kirk silently bore his ministrations.

A Nurse entered and cleaned Kirk thoroughly. After he
finished washing Kirk, he began to comb the Captain's hair.
Kirk sent a silent plea to the Vulcan. Spock reached over
and interrupted with an outstretched hand. "I'll do the
rest." Nurse Damen almost objected, then reconsidered. It
was obvious this was not a battle worth fighting. Spock put
away the comb and went to get a brush. He gently and slowly
brushed his best friend's hair into place, except for the
last lock. It had never, in Spock's memory, obeyed. His
friend and Captain fell back asleep as he relaxed from the
work of Spock's hands.

The Praetor and his family beamed up from the planet surface
in the company of Admiral Komack and Ambassador Davis. The
Commander of his ship and his personal guard returned to the
Wraith, over their objections at leaving him so lightly
guarded. The Praetor assured them the difference between one
and twenty guards was moot on a ship of over 400 people.

Admiral Komack and Chekov, as head of security, escorted
them to the sickbay, where they found McCoy and Spock
standing quietly beside the sleeping form of their Captain.
"I thought you said he was awake, Doctor. We could have
finished our meeting, if he was not going to be alert when
we got here." Komack positively bristled with resentment at
the perceived interruption.

"He was awake and I will wake him up again, Admiral, not
that you are here." McCoy defended his decision. "It's hard
for him to stay awake right through here. He is very weak
and his entire energy is going towards healing. It doesn't
leave a lot left over for idle chatter. No slight intended,
Praetor." The Praetor nodded in understanding.

McCoy turned and injected his friend with a very mild
stimulant and Jim's eyed opened almost immediately. He
looked around in confusion for a moment at the strangers
around his biobed. When his eyes settled on his two friends,
his face cleared, and he relaxed. "Jim, you have to stay
awake for a moment. Remember, Spock told you the Romulan
Praetor wanted to meet you?" Kirk nodded once. "He's here."
Kirk nodded again and turned to look past McCoy. McCoy
didn't like the look he had on his face. It was distant,
confused, almost preoccupied. McCoy decided he would test
Kirk later. He wanted to make sure there was not any
residual brain damage, as soon as the Praetor left.

The Doctor motioned the Praetor over, and he joined them
with his sisters arraigned behind him. "Captain, You have
done us a great service for which we are greatly indebted to
you." As he spoke, his eyes ran over the wounds on the
Human's body. He still had plastiform exocasts on each limb
and both hands, to keep them in alignment for normal
healing. The bruises had begun to fade from his face, and
the swelling of his broken jaw and nose were almost gone. He
was now able to open his eyes fully. The Praetor was struck,
by the clarity and intelligence he found, looking back at
him, from the depths of Kirk's eyes. There was no fear, no
anxiety, just quiet, up front appraisal. He was not use to
that type of response, and he found it a little
disconcerting. There was something he wanted to know.

"Captain, did you know who my sisters were when you rescued
them. Please, be truthful. It will not change what I do in
the slightest."

"No." Kirk's voice was harsh and faint from weakness and
disuse. "Praetor, how long have you been here?"

"One solar day, why Captain?"

"Spock how long since...found.?"

"Five days, Captain." Spock moved closer. "What is it Jim?
What is wrong?"

"This is... not right. Only one ship, Spock?"

"Yes."

"What is the problem, Mr. Spock?" Admiral Komack came to
stand next to the Biobed. "Kirk, is it your habit to ignore
the questions of an official high-ranking guest of the
Federation?"

Kirk still didn't answer, he stared at the Praetor , who
found himself unable to move under his scrutiny. No sense,
one ship, Araidne here, Enterprise known to be coming. One
ship against two starships, no sense. Should have had a
back-up. What if first ship destroyed? Stupid to put all the
eggs in one basket. Praetor's here, a missed chance.
Romulans aren't stupid, what would I do? Never underestimate
them again. Shit. C'Thuth was saying something to the other
one. What did he say? Remember. I must remember. Kirk jerked
up hands movd to hold him down. His injured limbs screamed
in protest. Pain and revelation made him cry out in a voice
filled with agony, "Spock, shields now, red alert. Shields,
now. There are Back-up ships." He collapsed, unable to fight
against the restraining hands and his weakness.

Spock rushed over to the Com, with sudden understanding,
"Bridge, red alert, shields on full. Alert all Federation
ships to go to red alert. Praetor, I advise you to contact
your ships immediately, and have them go to alert status."

"What is this madness," Komack hollered?

The Praetor looked at Spock in silent thought and finally
saw where Kirk had gone ahead of them all. He opened his
hand held communicator and signaled his ship over a private
channel. "Commander Decius, put the ship to full alert
status with the shields on full. Have the sensors set to
scan for cloaked ships."

"Sir, you want us to put our shield up in orbit, surrounded
by the Federation ships? They will consider it an act of
provocation."

The all heard someone speak to the Commander in the
background. "Sir, the Enterprises' shields are up, what is
happening?"

"No more questions, Commander. Put those shields up, now."
He heard the Commander give the order, followed immediately
by shouts of alarm heard over the communication channel. At
the same time, the COM to the sickbay blasted out with
Scotty's voice, from the Bridge.

"Mr. Spock, five, no six, Romulan Birds of Preys decloaking
off the starboard bow. They appear to be targeting the
Praetor's Flagship."

At the same time, the Commander of the Wraith shouted over
the communicator channel. "Sir, there are six Birds of Preys
decloaking. They have targeted us."

The Praetor shouted, "Evasive actions, Commander, notify the
rest of our escort that those ships are hostile, and maximum
force is to be used. The Federation ships," Spock nodded,
"will engage with us. Do not fire on the Federation ships."

"Acknowledged, Praetor." Spock and the Praetor took off at a
run for the Bridge of the Enterprise, with the Admiral and
the rest of the Romulans following behind. Kirk had lapsed
back into unconsciousness. Renna hovered at his side as
McCoy ran the monitor over him to make sure he had not
reinjured himself. Reassured that no further damage had been
done; he went to get Renna a seat. He wanted her to make
herself comfortable. While he was gone, he got his staff
ready to receive more casualties. One day, he was going to
have to figure out how Jim's mind worked. It just made no
damn sense, drugged and hurt; he should have figured that
out before everybody else.

Spock and the rest burst onto the Bridge, just in time to
see the Six ships erupt in combined firepower, all directed
at the Praetor's ship. The force of six combined plasma
beams, at close range, battered at the flagship's hastily
erected screens. The rest of the Praetor's Ships moved to
engage the ships of the conspirators, but not before the
forward shields on the Wraith were breached and the port
wing section exploded outward in a fiery pyrotechnics
display, all the more eerie for its silence.

Spock ordered the Enterprise to target the forward most
ships and unleashed the full array of photon torpedoes and
phasers on them. In the distance, the Excalibur, the Powell,
and the Accord, rushed to their aid, with weapons already
targeting the offenders. The conspirators continued to
target the Praetors Wraith, and finally as they knew it
must, the shields collapsed, leaving the ship defenseless
against the destructive power of the beams. They sliced
through the ship mercilessly, and within seconds of the
shields' collapse, the Ship exploded, with its final death
throes. The enemy ships dispersed and began evasive
maneuvers, certain as they were that they had destroyed the
Praetor's flagship and the Praetor with it.

Spock had the Enterprise bank in pursuit of the lead Romulan
ship and each remaining ship of the original Flagship
escort, as well as the Excalibur, Powell and the Accord
targeted and pursued a ship. The Enterprise left orbit at
full impulse and closed the distance on the ship in front of
them, which suddenly cloaked again. The Praetor grimly
stepped forward, "Mr. Spock, if you have no objection, I
think it is time to repeat J'usreyan's earlier
intervention."

"That would be most useful, Praetor. Mr. Sulu, come full
about and come to a complete stop. It would be logical to
assume they would use their cloaked status to execute a
radical course change. We shall wait until the cloaking
device is disengaged, rather than go too far in the
incorrect direction."

"Adjutant, do it. Mr. Spock, if the signal is broadcasted on
a wide carrier band, it will decloak all of their ships."
Spock signaled to Uhura, who had the signal programmed and
broadcasted almost at the instant Jus finished his entry.

As they sat at full stop, the Romulan ship that they were
chasing appeared immediately in front of them, attempting to
pass under their starboard nacelle undetected, under the
cover of the cloak. Spock sat forward slightly. "Fire all
photon torpedoes, Mr. Chekov, now." The whumpf of their
release followed immediately. The port Screens of the
Romulan ship took the impact and began to buckle. The
Romulan ship returned fire, and the Enterprise shook with
multiple impacts, but the shields held. "Fire Phasers at
will, Mr. Chekov, target the port screens. Mr. Sulu, bring
us about and pursue, keep us to their port."

The Romulan ship having realized that its cloak was
disabled, went to warp, and the Enterprise followed
immediately. Mr. Chekov kept up the pounding on the smaller
ships port screens. The enemy continued to fire from its
stern weapons array. Spock diverted power to the forward
shields.  Chekov sent a spread of photon torpedoes that
impacted immediately after a sustained phaser barrage. The
torpedoes sliced through the weakened screen and impacted on
the hull, tearing through the skin of the ship, like a hot
knife. Explosions ruptured through the hull and the ship
came to a halt, floating, dead in space. Spock opened ship
to ship communications, to see the smoking ruins of the
ships bridge. Seated in the center chair, was a Patrician
figure, bleeding from several small cuts, but unbowed.

The Praetor spoke. "Commander Arthra'n," the man's eyes
widened in shock.

"It can not be." He gasped. "We destroyed you and your
accursed Wraith."

"You are a fool, Arthra'n, as well as a traitor. I am alive
and well. The same is true for all of my family. You disgust
me. What madness possessed you to betray the Empire?"

"It is you who betray the Empire, you coward," he sneered.
"You, who refuse to bring the Federation to its knees, so
that we can assume our rightful place as leaders of the
Galaxy. You have betrayed all that we have stood for, all
these centuries. We may have failed this time Praetor, but
eventually, we will succeed."

"You will not live too see that day. Mr. Spock," before he
could give the order that Spock was not going to be able to
follow, the screen erupted in the brilliant light of the
exploding Romulan ship. "May you rot in the seven hells."
The Praetor said forcefully, and watched quietly as the
screen cleared and the debris floated in front of them.

"There is no evidence of any survivors, Mr. Spock." Mr.
Chekov spoke into the silence.

"Very well, Lt. Uhura, raise the Excalibur, the Accord, and
the Powell and see if any of them require assistance." He
waited for their response.

Lt. Uhura transmitted the message and gave him the
responses. "The Excalibur and the Powell have destroyed
their targets, Mr. Spock. The Excalibur has already moved to
assist the Accord."

"Mr. Sulu, return us to orbit around Cygni I. Stand down to
yellow alert. Praetor, perhaps you would like to contact
your ships?"

The Romulan escort ships had crippled the other two ships.
They had all chosen to self-destruct rather than be taken
prisoner. It was a wounded fleet of strange bedfellows that
returned to orbit around the primary world of the system.
All the ships had sustained damage, the Enterprise less than
the rest. The Enterprise had no casualties and only three
minor injuries. The Romulans lost five hundred and twenty
people that day, not counting the crew of the Conspirators
ships. It would take the two Romulan ships weeks to repair
their ships, before they would be ready to make the return
trip to Romulus.

Chapter 26

 Spock was meditating in the privacy of his quarters when 
the door buzzed. It took him several seconds to arouse 
himself from the deep levels he had settled down to. 
Sometimes he awoke from meditation with a hyper acuity 
and sense of his surroundings akin to A'tha. This time, 
he drug himself slowly out of his own torpid stupor,like 
a sub-light barge. He fought down annoyance and signaled 
to admit whoever had disturbed him.

It was Renna.

She saw him and before she could react to his quickly 
shuttered irritation, she noted the fatigue in his 
stance and his face. "Forgive me. I came to speak with 
you, but now is not the time."

Spock crossed the room with Vulcan alacrity. "No, you have
given no offense. I would prefer for you to stay and tell me
what you have come to say." He pointed to the only seat in
the room. "Please, sit. Do you desire cha?"

She looked at the chair, which faced the computer screen,
and was obviously there solely for work purposes. "Do you
and Jim use chairs when you are here?"

"No. We sit on the floor cushions, as is the custom on
Vulcan."

"Would you treat your Cousins, the Rihannsu, differently?"

He nodded and directed her to the lush cushions surrounding
a small table with an intricately carved chess set.  He
procured two steaming cups of Vulcan Tea and brought one to
her, before he say across from her. He took a slow sip and
savored the flavor. It had been many days since he had
tasted a cup of cha, and many more since he had sat across
from a beautiful Rihannsu Woman. The last time had not turned 
out well.The universe was full of irony, he thought. 
They sipped their cups slowly in silence.

"I have never shared cha with a Vulcan cousin. This is an
unique experience, coming on the heel of many experiences I
could never have anticipated." She sat the cup down. "I am
here to speak on a subject which concerns us both. Do you
speak for your Brother, Spock?" This was a ritualistic 
beginning to signify communication containing issues of 
emotional import. The tradition was older than the split 
between Romulan and Vulcan.

"I have in the past. I can not say if I do in this instance
until you speak. I will listen."

She nodded in acceptance of his honesty. "On Rihannsu, we
have kept to the old ways. When there is interest from the
woman, toward a man, we are trained to speak of it to the
oldest or dearest family member of our intended. I have come
to the conclusion you are the one I must speak with."

Spock did not bother to deny it.

"I also plan to speak to him regarding you." This made his
eyes widen. "I know he has been too ill to inform you of my
intentions, but I wish to ask you both to become my
consorts. i have spoken to you regarding this subject.
Is this practice condoned among Humans?"

"Some Humans have adapted to the cultural practices of other
races. James Kirk is . . .adaptable."

She swallowed visibly. "Then, allow me to state my case. I
am widowed these past 10 years, and my first marriage was
childless. I am a direct descendant of the Imperial family,
and as my Consort, he would have all of the privileges of a
close cousin of the Praetor. I am a telempath and I have
confirmed our mutual compatibility.  Both of my parents are
deceased, so they may not verify my clan status. However,
Jus will stand for them.

He will have an honorable profession. The Praetor will offer
him his own command of a ship of the line. He will not be
forced to fight against the Federation. He may chose to
defend the border with the Klingons or explore. I am
financially able to care for his needs for the rest of his
life, if he chooses not to command. Though, we both know he
will chose to have a ship. I will bare him children and
share his burdens. My sister's son will pledge himself to
him, as well as Jus. This will give him clan ties beyond our
own.

I ask you to consider my offer and present it to him with
honor and honesty. Also, I ask  you to consider what I know
and wish from you. You are in his mind, linked to him as
surely as if you were born of the same womb. I can not love
him, without loving he who is his other half. The Old ways
permit me to bond both brothers, to assure the protection of
my line and the sanctity of my home. You gave me solace in
my time of need. You protected the one I found first. You
are dear to me also, and I would have you both. I am aware
Vulcan no longer follows the teachings from before the time
of Surak. Perhaps what I have said has offended you, but I
give you my word; everything I have proposed is honorable
and acceptable to the Rihannsu." She took a deep breath and
waited for his response.

"You honor us both," he stated softly. He got up and took
both cups to refill them. When he took his seat again, he
had formed a response. "He cares for you deeply. In time, he
would learn to love you with all of the fervor he possesses,
and yet, this can not be. I melded with you deeply, and saw
your soul's special beauty and, in time, I would learn to
love you with all the heat of Vulcan. Yet, this cannot be.
The Captain and First Officer of the Enterprise would never
survive the trip to Romulan space to become the Praetor's
family. Federation operatives, Rihannsu malcontents, or
Klingon agents, someone would kill us all, before we ever
savored our union. Also, if we left Federation space, we
would never be welcomed back, and he would not live well
with that reality." He stroked her face softly. "You are
beautiful to him. . .and to me; still, this cannot be."

A single tear fell from her right eye. He took it gently on
his fingertip and wiped it on his lips. "Your water is
precious," he whispered.

"I was warned you would answer me thus. But, how would I
live, if I had never tried?" She looked up into his eyes and
tried to give a slight smile. "I have not insulted you?"

"No," he shook his head sadly. "Cousin, if it were possible,
he would chose to go with you. If it were possible, I would
chose to go to with you.  It is not possible. Would the
Praetor allow you to come with us?

"As a corpse." She gave a slight shrug and leaned forward to
kiss him lightly on the lips. Her forehead touched his and
her gentle breaths warmed his face. "May I share what time
we have left together with you both?"

He wanted to say yes. He wanted to say yes very badly. He
leaned back . "I do not think I can lay with you, and let
you go without more discomfort than I wish to endure. We
will talk, and share more cha. I give you my word, he and I
will discuss this when he is recovered, and if his answer
is different from what I have given you, my clan will escort
us both to Rihannsu. If they are successful, we may enjoy what
little time we will be allowed before we are assassinated.
On this, you have my word."




Chapter 27

Renna decided to stay on the Enterprise the entire time, as
did Ramie. Chekov, Uhura and he had become fast friends.
M'arenn and Jus shuttled back and forth so frequently,
the transporter crew beamed them back and forth
almost without question. It was another full day before Kirk
was able to stay awake long enough to have a conversation.
Renna brought Ramie into the sickbay to see Kirk. The boy's
apologies were accepted with a hug and a smile of
absolution. They sat and talked quietly, until Kirk fell
asleep. Ramie and he scheduled a checker game for the next
day before his eyes closed.

McCoy used the time to good effect. The bones began to knit
together over the microfilaments and the osteophytic stem cells
multiplied and divided on schedule. The other wounds healed too, 
at least visibly. It would be a long while before Kirk's strength 
or stamina would return to baseline. He had lost weight and his 
fragility made him seem more vulnerable then McCoy liked. The 
other thing he feared was the scars no-one could see; the emotional 
damage inflicted during Kirk's recent crisis. So, McCoy 
decided on a most unusual course of rehabilitation.

"Get up, Jim. You are going swimming." He helped him up
slowly, supporting him the whole way. Kirk did not protest.
He swayed momentarily, overcome by lightheadedness. The two
recent head traumas and his general debilitation was hard to
shake off. McCoy let him rest against his chest until the
wave passed. "Now, Spock is going to carry you to the pool,
and you are going to start swimming. You understand, Jimboy?
Only a little today, and then more everyday, until you're
ready to do some weight training." Kirk nodded. "I'll
monitor your responses and I'll let you know when it is time
to stop. Take him away, Spock; he is all yours."

Spock lifted Kirk effortlessly and put him in an antigrav
chair which carried him through the corridors of the ship.
Every crew person they passed had a smile or a word of
greeting for their Captain. He did his best to respond to
them all. When they reached the rec center and entered the
natatorium, Kirk was surprised to find Renna there waiting
for them, dressed to swim. Spock helped Kirk undress and
lowered him down into the pool, into Renna's outstretched
arms. She held him wordlessly and he let her. Spock then
soundlessly got up and left the room. McCoy or Renna would
call him when it was time to return. He coded the room for
privacy,

She kissed Kirk lightly and pulled him tightly to her,
reveling in the feel of him against her body and the touch
of his mind. She felt his grief and his pain, but the shame
he had subscribed to earlier was gone. The wonder of his
resiliency thrilled her. "Renna, stay with me here, don't go
back. We can find a place for you with the Federation."

"I can no more stay than you can go, my dearest one." She
looked lovingly at him, "but I would like to leave you with
sweet memories of me. I thought at first that your Doctor
had a strange idea of rehabilitation. Now, I begin to see
his wisdom. This time is for us both, so we can say good-
bye. I want you to give me memories of you, to hold close.
With them, I will never feel alone again." She kissed him
again, longer, and deeper this time, tasting his mind with
her mind.

He pushed her back gently and looked at her, trying to
commit her last pore to memory. When he kissed her, he could
feel her smile. McCoy sat in sickbay and looked at the
sensor readings with satisfaction. He nursed a drink and
thought long into the night.

Spock returned later. He and Renna helped Kirk back to the
sickbay. She stayed with him and he awoke with her at his
side in the morning. She helped him swim and work out every
day and spent every night in or next to his bed. Every
evening, Spock, and McCoy would join them for dinner and
conversation, relaxing in the warmth of each other's
company. When McCoy finally let Kirk out of the sickbay, the
Vulcan walked Kirk slowly back to his quarters. Renna stood
in the doorway to receive him into her arms. It was heaven,
until the Romulan ships signaled their readiness to depart.

M'arenn, Jus and Ramie beamed over to the ship to give their
good-byes. Jus and Scotty exchanged large crates as parting
gifts. McCoy planned to seek out Scotty at his first chance
to begin the exploration of its contents.  M'arenn and Uhura
exchanged the gifts of instruments. Uhura gave M'arenn a
finger piano from the land of her birth and M'arenn gave her
a Romulan lyre. It was smaller, and higher pitched, than the
Vulcan variety. Ramie brought a Romulan board game for
Chekov and Sulu and a hand carved, painted checker board for
Kirk, that he had done himself. Renna gave Spock a book of
Romulan love sonnets from the time of the first reformation.
Kirk and Renna exchanged their gifts in private.

Admiral Komack arranged for a formal dinner on the last day,
aboard the Excalibur. The Praetor and his party, as well as
the command crews of the Excalibur, Enterprise, Accord, and
Powell, were all in attendance. Kirk had been unusually
quiet during the whole meal, only talking briefly with
Renna, Spock, and McCoy. Finally, Ambassador Davis rose to
make the final speech which was thankfully brief and full of
hopes for peaceful relations between their Governments.
Komack silently seethed. He had been unable to get any
military concessions from the Praetor and secretly wished
all sorts of painful sores to break out over the Romulan's
body. Renna almost choked on her wine with laughter as some
of his thoughts leaked.

When the Ambassador had finished, the Praetor continued
sitting. He stared at Kirk, who returned his look without
flinching. He then turned to look at his family one by one,
all here because of the human. Finally, he turned his gaze
on his sister, who for the first time in his memory, looked
happy, all because of the care given her by the same human.
The Praetor stood.

"Never in the history of relations between the Federation
and the Romulans," he began, "has there ever been a time
like this. We have sat together. We have eaten together. We
have laughed together. Today, we have exchanged gifts
concrete and emotional, but all of value. I am indebted to
you, Captain Kirk, and though I still do not understand you,
I accept the gift you have given me. A Romulan Praetor never
allows a debt to go unpaid. I must repay my debt to you.
Come, Captain, stand before me, so that your ears will be
the first ears to hear my news."

Kirk stood and moved easily to stand in front of the
Praetor. The Praetor was easily six inches taller than him,
but Kirk's presence stretched him the extra inches.

"Hear me, Captain James Tiberius Kirk. I, Massrit Al S'
Trask, Praetor and Ruler Supreme of the Romulan Empire,
declare that I have Life, Blood, and Honor debt to you, and
you alone." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Know
this, that for as long as you live, or for fifty standard
years, whichever is longer, the Romulan Empire will never go
to war against the Federation unless war is brought by the
Federation first. This, I say is in payment of that debt. As
it is said, so shall it be done. It is the word, and the
will, of Romulus that has spoken." He stretched his arm out
and Kirk clasped it, in acceptance of the repayment of the
debt.

Komack stood in shock. "No war, for as long as Kirk lives?"
He repeated incredulously.

"It is as I have said," replied the Praetor. Realizing
finally, the impact of his words the entire room jumped to
its feet and erupted into thunderous applause. Kirk looked
at Massrit and smiled. "You do me great honor, Praetor."

"No more than you deserve, Kirk. If you ever tire of this
part of the galaxy, I know someone who is looking for a new
commander of their space fleet."

Kirk looked at the Praetor wistfully, "I think not, Praetor.
However, it is a tempting offer, for more than one reason."

"I understand, Captain." The Praetor broke eye contact and
turned to the approaching Romulan and Federation
Ambassadors, moving away with them to answer their excited
questions.

Spock, McCoy, and the rest of the Command Crew of the
Enterprise came to surround their Captain. They proudly
congratulated him. McCoy beat him on his back, secretly
enjoying the solidity of the completely healed skeleton he
could feel under the returning thick muscle layer. All was
well in the universe, for the good doctor. Spock and Kirk's
exchanged one of their silent looks that spoke the volumes
of what the Vulcan was feeling, and the Human would never
ask him to say.

Finally, the group parted as Renna, Jus, and M'arenn made
their way into the interior of their cluster. Kirk's and
Therenna slowly closed the distance and hugged fiercely,
unmindful of who saw them, then  M'arenn was gathered into
their embrace. Jus hung back, enjoying the sight.

The crew left them to their private conversation. "I will
miss you, Jim Kirk," M'arenn whispered fiercely into his
ear. "Thank-you for our lives, and especially thank-you for
giving my sister so much joy. My husband was right; you
would have been the best of friends. I will not forget you."

"Take care of her, M'arenn, the boy and yourself."

"I will."

Jus came over and clasped his shoulders. "Be strong, Jim
Kirk, but most importantly, live long." He smiled. "I do not
want to fight your people ever again. I have named you. Our
family will not forget your name." He turned and walked away
with M'arenn.

Spock stood by Kirk's side and Renna moved into his arms. As
they hugged she whispered softly, for Vulcanoid ears only,
"We three would have been glorious together. There is no
need to tell you to watch over him. If you ever need me, for
anything, I have left an encoded message on your Com, for
your eyes only. It will tell you how to contact me. I will
come."

"Renna..." he began.

"Shh, what is, is." She stepped back and turned to Kirk.

"What do you think your Admiral Komack would say, if you
kissed the sister of the Praetor in front of everyone, Jim?"

"Ask me if I give a damn." He kissed her, with all the love
and the loss that he felt, returned from her as she shared
her feelings with him through their mental contact. Finally,
they realized the Praetor was standing next to them with
Admiral Komack, and they pulled slightly apart.

"It is time, Sister." There was sympathy in his voice, but
he was correct. Wordlessly, they separated. She moved to
take her brother's proffered arm and M'arenn joined him on
the other. Her eyes never left Kirk's. Komack and the
Ambassadors led the official entourage to the transporter
room, where the Praetor and his party took up their
positions on the pads. Kirk stood in the background, flanked
on either side by Spock and McCoy. Renna raised her hands to
her lips, kissed her fingers lightly, and then held them to
her heart. The transporter beam shimmered around them,
taking them away to their ship. They left, almost instantly,
for Romulan space.

Komack stalked up to Kirk. Anger was written all over his
face. "Damn you, Kirk, you were openly fraternizing with the
Praetor's sister. You let a Romulan into your mind,and you 
did it repeatedly. You will report to sickbay for a complete
evaluation to make sure she hasn't suborned you." He pulled
closer , so his words were only for Kirk, but Spock's
hearing was not Human. "What were you thinking, Goddammit,
or was it just your dick doing the thinking again? You are
nothing but an overrated, opportunistic, pretty boy whore. I
don't care one damn bit if you fucked your way to a treaty,
or not, I'll have you up on charges for fraternizing with
the enemy." Kirk lurched forward, but he wasn't quick
enough.

Spock instantly grabbed Kirk's arms in a solid vise ad
waited a few seconds for him to cool down. Kirk pulled his
arms slowly out of his grasp and leaned towards Komack.
"There are many things I could say to you, Admiral, and
several very painful things I could do to you." He shook his
head, "but it's not worth it, Sir."  He leaned back and
announced clearly. "Do whatever you feel you have to,
Admiral." He turned away from Komack's beet red face, and
walked over to the Transporter pad, with his friends beside
him. Spock gave the order to beam them over, leaving a
fuming Komack in their wake.

Chapter 28

Kirk returned to light duty the next day after McCoy,
M'Benga, and two Vulcan healers had certified his mind had
not been tampered with. Komack's threats came to nothing.
Nogura refused to hear about any charges against Kirk in
view of the recent concessions by the Romulans.

The Captain's performance the first day was efficient, but
subdued. He left the bridge at the end of the shift and
turned to find the Vulcan in the lift with him. They rode in
silence. When they got off, Spock trailed behind him to his
cabin. He hesitated as Kirk started to go in. Kirk stopped
and turned to face him in the doorway, "Spock, can you join
me for dinner and a game of chess? I want some company."

"I find your offer to be most agreeable." A sad half smile
tugged at the corners of the Vulcan's mouth. He entered and
the door closed behind them.

They sat and ate quietly. Finally, Kirk broke the silence.
"We would have worked."

"Yes."

"Did you meld with her?"

"Yes."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes."

"Did you make love to her? I know she wanted you to."

"No."

"Why not?"

He shrugged. "I did not wish the pain of learning any more
about what I would never have again. To seek out regret is
illogical."

"Logical."

"No. Cowardly."

"We could defect."

Spock did not respond. He knew the statement was merely
wistful.

Kirk shrugged, "Where fools dread, there go I. Stupid. I am
so damned stupid."

"Jim, we have peace with the Romulan Empire."

"Yeah, there is that." Kirk sat up the chess set and they
sat down to begin the game. "It could have worked."

Spock made his opening move.

Kirk picked up his pawn. As his hand stretched out across
the board, it began to shake. Kirk took a deep breath and
tried to complete the move. The rebellious hand would not
stop trembling. Spock grabbed Kirk's hand and held it
steady. As he watched the Human struggle with his grief and
pain, he could feel the flood of emotions through their
touch.  Kirk began to rock back and forth until Spock rose
and went around the table. He hugged Kirk tightly to his
chest and the Human continued to move soundlessly, unable to
cry, unable to let go.

"Jim, there is only the two of us in this room," he offered. 
"If you cry, it will be for all three of us. I will stay here 
with you and I will not let you go until you are ready. Let your
tears free you and us, T'hy'la. Let go. Do it for all of our 
pain."

Spock held on until Kirk pushed him away and then turned to
stare into space. The tears were threatening to flow, but
they could not, they would not. "I can't let go of my pain, " he
whispered. "I need my pain to do what I have to do."

Spock sighed and shook his head sadly. "Then, perhaps, it
would not have worked. She would have had to come before the
ship, and before the pain. She would not have settled for
less."

Kirk shook his head slowly and Spock was tempted to pull
away completely because the grief was so very strong. "I
know it wouldn't have worked, Spock, but sometimes I
forget."

"Perhaps one day, it will work."

"Sure, I can always hope."


The End

Cast of Characters:

Admiral 'Acting Captain' James T. Kirk
Commander Spock
Doctor Leonard H. McCoy
Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott
Lt. Uhura
Lt. Sulu
Lt. Chekov
M'arenn AL s'Trask
Therenna Al s'Trask
Ramsthet AL s'Trask
Adjutant J'usreyan
K'Rath
C'Thuth
Ambassador Davis: Federation Ambassador to Cygni Beta I
Massrit Al S' Trask, Praetor of the Romulan Empire
Admiral Komack: Starfleet Command
S'Tal
Commander Shthrass
Wing Commander Arthra'n
USS Araidne: Constitution Class Starship
USS Enterprise: Constitution Class Starship
USS Colin Powell: Constitution Class Starship
USS Excalibur: Dreadnought Class Starship
Vulcan Accord: Cruiser Class Starship
Cygni Beta I: Site of Trade and Diplomatic Conference

Glossary of terms:

Gesrait: Romulan carnivore, swift and deadly.

PetaQ: (Klingon)


Tokhe "straav: sexual plaything (Klingon)


"Heghlu'meH qAq jajvam: Today is a good day to die (Klingon)

Khest'n: (Klingon)



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