Hello dear readers, I have another (hopefully) exciting story with his fusion series of the iCarly/Victorious universe with Star Trek. I'd like to thank those once again that read the other piece.

A Public Little War
By OneHorseShay

Disclaimer: Don't Own, Don't Sue. For God sakes, don't sue. Star Trek, iCarly and Victorious are all ultimately owned by the same people: Viacom/CBS/Paramount, etc.
Rating: T Sci-Fi Violence and potential Language

Summary: When Captain Kirk leaves one of his missions unresolved to stop the Klingons from interfering with a primitive planet, it's up to the crew of the USS Tori and particularly their newest crewmember to save the day. Follow up to the TOS episode, 'A Private Little War'.

Captain's Log, Stardate Four Two Nine Seven point Three: "We're on our fifth day of our last minute 'survey mission' along the Federation/Klingon border before we head back towards the core and the rest of the Second Fleet after the arrival of the relief ships to 'Grey Station'. We're still combing through the records we recovered from the station to determine all that happened to the chagrin of Star Fleet Intelligence and the border has been quiet so far with the Klingons staying on their side of the Neutral Zone. We have a few more days of our surveying until we reach Deep Space Station K-Seven where I hope we can get a little shore leave.

The Mark-XIA Heavy Cruiser majestically moved through the sea of stars, bending space in front of it then stretching space behind it to cover distances faster than several thousand times the speed of light. Inside one of the queens of the fleet, the crew went about their daily duties of ship maintenance and quickly 'surveying' systems as they passed. They knew they weren't really surveying the border; it was just a euphemism for patrol duty along the border while they were in the area.

On the bridge, Captain Benson was sitting in his command seat reading over the latest report compiled from the records of the survey team on 'Grey Station'. So far, Robbie and his team had determined during getting the computer system up and running, the station's A.I. system was inadvertently activated and set in motion the events that cost the lives of the survey team save but one. There was no indication so far that Lieutenant Commander Vega had purposely activated it as a way of eliminating the others and allowing the Klingons to sweep in and claim the station. He was personally relieved that wasn't the case not just for security reasons, but personal ones as most of his senior staff were friends with the young Star Fleet officer when they were teenagers.

His reading was interrupted when Cat turned in her seat and called out to Freddie, "Sir, I have a communiqué from Third Fleet Headquarters for you, Rear Admiral… Shay."

Lieutenant Valentine and Lieutenant Commander Harris recognized the name of Jade's stepfather, but dutifully kept their attention on their stations.

Freddie took a deep breath, lowering the PADD on his lap. He glanced over his right shoulder and answered, "Thank you Lieutenant. I'll take it in my quarters." He stood up from his seat and added as he made his way to the turbolift doors, "Commander Harris, you have the conn."

"Aye, aye," the chief navigator answered as he stood up and took the center seat.

Captain's Quarters
USS Tori
Constitution-class Heavy Cruiser

The doors parted and the lights turned on for Freddie as he entered and walked to his desk. He took a seat behind it and in front of the computer monitor. He saw the blinking light under the monitor, signaling the waiting message. He pressed the button and the next moment the image of Rear Admiral Shay appeared on the screen sitting behind his desk and wearing a command gold uniform shirt instead of the white and grey of flag officers.

Admiral Shay greeted the young captain with a warm smile, "Hello Captain."

Freddie struggled with a smile, still years later unsure how to present himself to his former father-in-law. He casually answered, "Hello Admiral. I hope everything is going well. Mrs. Shay? Michael?"

"It is and they're doing fine. It's not Earth, but it's a nice planet we're stationed on and they're enjoying it. The Klingons are quiet for the moment, so nothing to complain about here. Have the last few days since we spoke been good for you and your crew?"

"Nothing to report of significance astronomically or militarily. Ship and crew functioning fine and fully operational… Jade's fully recovered and running her sickbay."

Shay cracked a grin then continued, "I'm glad to hear. I hate to interrupt the easy cruise towards shore leave, but we have a situation on Neural, a planet in the Zeta Bootis system and you're the closest ship with command experience… "

Freddie relaxed in his seat and asked, "So you're borrowing us from Second Fleet for a little longer?"

"Yes. Captain Kirk's report of the situation on Neural has filtered up to the Council and they want the situation rectified. You just happen to draw the short straw."

Freddie suppressed a sigh at hearing the starship captain that was becoming a living legend into his fourth year of his five year mission, knowing that the man seemed to get into the wildest and most bizarre situations. However, there were a number of starship captains that privately questioned the veracity of some of the stories even going so far as saying he was falsifying his logs. He respectfully questioned, "I have?"

The Rear Admiral grudgingly admitted, "We could get another ship out there, but time is of the essence and as I've said, you're the closest and your experience and judgment is trusted to handle this."

Freddie wasn't sure if he was just laying it on thick or perhaps there was genuine profession and personal pride he had in him. "I understand sir. What is the situation?"

Shay let a faint smile cross his features in professional pride then answered, "Neural's a planet within our treaty zone with a native humanoid population somewhere between the primitive and bronze age depending on the location, but the Klingons decided to clandestinely arm one group with flintlock rifles for the purposes of having them seize power and control the planet though them. It looks like they took that approach to make it look like they were developed naturally by the natives and make it hard to prove they were behind anything."

Freddie sighed, rubbing under his chin, then asked, "But if you know it's them, why hasn't the Council gone to the Organians to lodge a protest?"

"We have no proof except Captain Kirk's testimony and the Enterprise's sensor logs of the Klingon vessel in orbit, but they could just say we faked them."

"Wouldn't they believe him though? They've dealt with him in the first place that got this whole treaty started in the first place."

"The Council isn't confident that will be enough. We have to handle this on our own. The President doesn't want us to go crying to the Organians every time something comes up. She doesn't want us to look weak in front of the Klingons."

"So what do you want me to do about it?"

"Clean up the contamination as best as possible, preferably getting the weapons out of villagers' hands and cool down tensions between the two sides before it starts spreading through the rest of the population. We're hoping in doing so that it'll send a message to the Klingons that they can't have the planet and their tricks aren't going to work."

"How do I do that without violating the Prime Directive?"

"You're actually following it by attempting to remove the contamination. The leaders of both sides already know about other worlds, so you don't have to worry about that and besides, the Unionist might be stricter in how they view the Prime Directive, but even they realize that we can't let them use it as a noose around our necks and just let the Klingons co-op it."

"Those orders are really open to interpretation… open enough for me to believe I'm following orders, but still facing a court-martial if some bureaucrat thinks I crossed the line."

"Yes you could, but I won't let that happen. You're not going to be left out to dry trying to do the right thing and that's what we're trying to do here."

Freddie half joked, "I just can't get a waiver as Kirk did with the Organians in the first place before we found out what happened or how Capella IV is handled? We don't want the Klingons to get a foothold of the planet? We don't allow other systems to join the other star nations outside our borders."

"You have a point Freddie. I'll see what I can do before you get there."

The starship captain's jovial expression faded, not expecting that he could actually get such a thing, but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. "Okay, but what about the Klingons? What if they show up?"

"Remind them they're in Federation space and they have no claim to the planet. The treaty doesn't cover invasion."

The former science officer fought a smirk and answered, "Yes sir."

Shay glanced to his right and added, "I've sent you all the material about the situation, which is basically Kirk's logs and report. Hopefully it'll be enough for you so you don't go in blind."

"Thank you Admiral. I'll do my best."

"I know you will Captain, but one last thing… about your extra crewman? The Klingon?"

Freddie sighed then cautiously asked, "What about her?"

"How is she doing?"

"She's doing fine. She's quite skilled in her field and a big help reconstructing what caused the chain of events that led to the loss of the rest of the survey team."

Shay raised a challenging eyebrow and asked, "Is it wise to have her assistance since there is the question about whether what happened was accidental or intentional, particularly on her part?"

Freddie blew out a tired breath and answered, "She has the most experience with the system, I'm having a few independently double-check the system behind her and it's easier to keep an eye on her just in case the worst is true."

"But you could have a spy on your ship."

"If she's collecting information, she hasn't transmitted to anyone. Other than this conversation, we've been running on radio silence other than periodic updates personally authorized by me. Besides, I just assumed she was a spy for Star Fleet Intelligence or…"

Freddie didn't have to finish the statement out as there was an understanding about another clandestine group within the Intelligence service.

Shay cocked an eyebrow and answered, "The same thought had crossed my mind… but she's not as far as I can tell. What do you think about her?"

"My gut says she's innocent, Jade on the other hand…"

Shay knotted his brow in an instant when his stepdaughter's name was mentioned. "What about Jade?"

"I don't know how much you knew about their rivalry in high school…"

A smile formed on the Admiral's face and chuckled, "I know enough."

"Anyway, Jade is definitely on the fence about her and not too happy."

"I thought they settled that around graduation?" He added with a curious and somewhat confused tone, "Is it because it turns out she's Klingon?"

"No," he answered, confirming for the admiral that couldn't be the case. "…for the dishonesty during high school since she assumed she was part Centaurean too and the assumption that if she knew, she'd be a speciesist and somehow used it against her to one up her in school. She's finding that quite insulting, but no fights have broken out between them."

Shay cocked an eyebrow and answered, "Oh… I can see why she would be upset."

Freddie nodded along then a silence fell between, unsure if there was anything else to say.

The Admiral continued with a friendly smile, "Well Captain, use your best judgment in regards to her and pass along your report as soon as it's completed. We do need to know if she really is a Klingon agent."

"Yes sir."

"Well, good luck Captain."

"Thank you Admiral."

The screen switched back to the Federation seal.

Freddie pressed the communication stud next to the computer and called out, "Bridge, this is the Captain."

"Harris here."

"Commander, alter course to the Zeta Bootis system, planet Neural and increase to warp seven."

"Aye sir."

"Lieutenant Valentine?"

"Yes sir?"

"Get me the Enterprise. I need to speak with Captain Kirk. Hopefully they're still in real time communication range."

"Aye, aye."

"Once you're done with that, inform the senior officers we'll have staff meeting in an hour and read the briefings sent by Admiral Shay before the meeting."

"'Kay, 'kay," the communications officer happily acknowledged.

Freddie closed his eyes and let out a soft breath from his nostrils. A faint smile crossed his features then replied, "Thank you Valentine."

He pressed the communication switch then tapped a control on his monitor to start reading the Kirk's log and briefing he had filed. As he read the text, he saw that it was a textbook worst case scenario of a technological advance power interfering in the development of a less advance society. The Cygnans chaffed at the Prime Directive, wishing that the Federation would intervene on any number of primitive worlds to help them as they believed the 'Sky Fathers' did for them, but even they be horrified about what happened.

The Klingons had provided weapons alright to one side, the urban population, and they put the weapons to quick use against the rural population in theft, murder, kidnapping and rape. He saw the other side had bows and arrows, still quite effective and would eventually balance out the scales if they could cut off the supply from the Klingons.

After several minutes, the display switched from the Federation seal to the image of man in his very earlier thirties in a command green variant shirt with sandy brunette hair and long 'Academy' sideburns.

Freddie smiled and politely began, "Hello, Captain Kirk. I know we've never been properly introduced, but I'm Captain Fredrick Benson, commanding officer of the USS Tori."

The ruggedly handsome captain returned with a pleasant smile, "Hello Captain Benson, a pleasure. What can I do for you?"

Freddie sighed, reluctant to bring up the potentially sore subject, but pushed on anyway, "Star Fleet Command has assigned the Tori to try to clean up the Klingon contamination of Neural and I wanted to speak you before my ship arrived. I'm reading through your report and logs, but I wanted to hear it from you."

The brash starship captain tightened his smile, clearly troubled with how things had turned out on the mission then answered, "Of course captain, what would you like to know?"

"The situation on the ground. I read that the Villagers had the upper hand and you were contemplating arming the Hills people to balance things out. Did you think there was no way of finding an immediate peaceful solution to hostilities?"

"Unfortunately no Captain. My… friend Tyree is a prominent member of the Hill people and his wife was murdered by a number of the Village people. At the moment he's driven by revenge at the moment to avenge the death of his wife. I doubt he'll see any reason until he burns his passion out or… is killed in the attempt and the Village people have the technological edge to simply take what they want. They have no incentive to stop."

Freddie tightened his smile and answered, "I understand that pain quite well…"

The green shirt wearing captain looked to Freddie with a curious gaze then realized that he must have experienced a similar loss.

"May I ask Captain what you intend to do? Specifically what are your orders if I may ask?"

"I'm to remove the contamination to the best of my ability, which is to retrieve the firearms and hopefully get both sides to some kind of peaceful solution."

The older Star Fleet captain gave him a dubious expression and asked, "Direct interference?"

Freddie nodded and explained, "The Federation wants the Klingons out and were willing to waive the Prime Directive in this case to correct the problem. It's not like it's without precedence. They waived it for you when they wanted Organia. Before you found out what they were, I bet you were promising them everything under the sun to let us establish a base there."

Kirk rubbed his chin and grinned, answering with a jovial tone, "You wouldn't be wrong captain, but… I hate the idea that we'd be… the serpent in the garden…"

Freddie nodded along, "An interesting analogy, but… I would say it was the Klingons that were the serpent and we're the angels trying to restore Eden as best we could instead of exiling Adam and Eve…"

Kirk nodded his head then asked, "I see your point, but so you believe you can do that by revealing more about ourselves to them?"

Freddie sighed, still working out a plan, then answered, "I was hoping that we can limit it to the two side's leaders and the rest would believe that we're just a tribe from very far away. I realize that in of itself would potentially alter their society, but we have to do something to help them."

Kirk replied with a sympathetic smile, "It's a task that I don't envy you undertaking, but I wish you all the luck."

"Thank you Captain. I won't keep you any longer from your shore leave."

"No thanks necessary captain, good journey."

Conference Room
USS Tori
In route Neural

In the conference room, most of the senior staff was sitting around the isosceles triangle shaped table with an enclave cut into the side of the shortest base for the computer station. Trina, Tori and Rex sat on the side of the table with their backs to the door with Cat sitting at the end of the table and rounding to the other side Sinjin and André.

They were chatting about the report they had read in preparation for the staff meeting, a depressing piece where a native population bothering no one had their lives turned upside down by the Klingons. The only one that wasn't part of the conversation was the last minute addition to their meeting, Commander Vega. She was a little apprehensive, but felt better sitting beside her sister.

Tori's attention was on Rex like he was some specimen they had just scooped up from a planet, completely fascinated by him.

The helmsman shifted in his seat to the left and returned the gaze, raising an eyebrow and cocking a smile. "What sweet cheeks?"

The computer science specialist continued to stare at him with a dumbfounded expression. "I know it's been a few days, but… I'm still trying to wrap my head around you being Rex."

Rex flicked an eyebrow and his grin grew bigger, "Oh it's me… it's definitely me."

The lovely young woman shook her head and asked, "How?"

Trina interrupted, not feeling like going into details at the moment but felt she needed to tell her something to satisfy her curiosity, "Long story short, Robbie fell in an android making machine on Exo Three and instead of completely sucking his brain out to put him into one, it only took the Rex part of him."

"The 'Rex' part?"

"Yep, he doesn't remember anything from Rex's point of view."

"So he really did have multiple personality disorder?"

Rex shrugged a shoulder. "That's still up for debate. I just know I'm me."

"So, you're alive?"

The android cocked an eyebrow and answered with a teasing voice, "Yes I am… and fully functional."

Tori took a few moments to realize what he meant then her jaw slacked and her eyes went wide.

Trina turned an annoyed glare at him and growled, "Stop hitting on my sister Rex."

"I did that for years at Hollywood Arts. You were only bothered by it when I was flirting with you."

"You weren't 'flirting' with me…"

Rex was wise enough to keep his mouth shut from answering the question.

The doors parted and Robbie, Jade and Freddie entered the conference room. Robbie took his seat behind the computer station followed by Jade taking one seat down and next to André. The Captain took his seat between Robbie and Jade, realizing that they might need to get a bigger conference table, passing a quick glance over his staff.

Captain Benson rested his forearms on the table, lacing his fingers together. He passed a quick glance across everyone and started, "I assume everyone has read the logs and the reports about this current situation?"

Tori bashfully raised her hand and answered, "I'm still catching up on reading the logs sir. I didn't expect to be part of the senior staff meeting."

Freddie politely smiled to Tori and answered, "It's okay. My apologies for springing this up with you Commander, but I realized that you needed to be a part of this meeting. I actually hope that you'll play a vital role in my plan."

The brunette raised a curious eyebrow, surprised that the captain would include her in such a mission as she wasn't officially a member of the crew.

The captain bashfully smiled and pointed out, "I'm getting a head of myself." He nodded his head to the side then continued, "I have an idea about cleaning up the damage done by the Klingons' interference on Neural. I'm going to try to find Captain Kirk's friend, Tyree, and hope to convince him and his people to come to the negotiating table with the Village People to resolve their conflict."

Jade slightly turned her seat, resting her right elbow on the table and curiously asked, "What about the other side? They're the ones with flintlocks and were pushed by the Klingons to attack. Why would they even consider negotiating? They own all the cards."

"Bows and arrows can be more than a match for such a slow firing weapon and they don't have an extensive stock that we're aware of them having. We've cut off the Klingons from giving them more and there isn't any indication that they've learned to manufacture more. They're going to see that it's going to become a very bloody affair, especially when one side is led by a man seeking vengeance. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail and realize the cost."

He paused to let his point sink in for his senior staff.

Lt. Commander Harris asked, "What if they don't?"

"Well I have two advantages that we can use to push it along."

Trina pointed out with a morbid laugh, "You're not talking about two squadrons of marines are you?"

Freddie faintly smiled as he answered, "No. My advantages are that I understand Tyree's lost and… I have Commander Vega."

The science officer blinked then glanced around the table, hoping the other officers understood what he meant.

Trina turned a worried look to her sister then back to the Captain.

The Captain sighed then continued, "I'm going to go see Tyree and hope to convince him to open up negotiations with the Village people while Commander Vega will impersonate the Villagers new Klingon handler and convince them that it's better to pull back and not escalate tensions. Hopefully they can see a bit of reason that their course of action could lead to further bloodshed."

The senior staff passed glances to one another, digesting the Captain's plan.

Tori's face looked like the color had drained from it and answered, "Sir… respectfully, I'm not sure I'm up for the task."

Freddie supportively smiled to her and replied, "You're a talented actress."

Trina barely lifted her eyes to her captain and questioned with a curt tone, "And it doesn't hurt that she's Klingon?"

The older Vega sister pointed to the elephant in the room and they waited for the potential fireworks to begin.

The captain calmly answered, "No it doesn't. It'll be far easier for her to pass as a Klingon officer in case they want to test her."

"How? Tori doesn't know Klingonese or anything about the Klingon Military structure to pass as an officer."

He patiently answered her question far more than other starship captains, "She has the appearance, acting ability and you can fill in the gaps."

"André has the appearance and can act," Trina suggested with a nod of her head to the chief navigator.

The former songsmith smiled at the compliment, but remained silent, knowing he should refrain from interrupting their conversation.

Trina's tone was bordering on insubordination, but Freddie calmly replied, "I'd prefer André on the bridge while Commander Shapiro, I and you are on the surface. I don't want all my senior line officers on the surface in case the Klingons slip past the border again. Sinjin isn't a line officer, your sister isn't a line officer, so it would fall on—"

Rex happily spoke up, "It would be me."

The security officer's mouth became a thin line, unable to initially object to the logic as she didn't think Rex would have the temperament of command and wouldn't want to put him in that position.

"I'll do it," Tori quietly spoke up, cutting the building tension in the room.

Trina turned a concerned gaze to her sister, questioning with just a look whether she was serious.

"I don't have much familiarity with Klingon military protocol or life, but I'm sure I can study up enough by the time we arrive and Trina will be there to help me… I will do my duty sir."

Freddie nodded in approval then continued, "Vega, Harris, brief Commander Vega on as much of Klingon military etiquette as you can before we arrive and make sure the ship's store provides accurate uniforms for them and get the armory to mock up Klingon disruptors."

Harris dutifully answered, "Yes sir."

The captain glanced around the conference room, seeing there were no other questions or objections stated, "If there is nothing else, we have work to do before we arrive. Dismissed."

The officers stood up from their seats almost in unison then began filing out of the room, however, Trina remained seated. Tori paused and looked back to see why her sister was waiting, but a quick glance from the older Vega told her not to start an argument.

Jade paused at the door as well, directing a questioning gaze at Freddie, but he gently smiled to let her know it would be fine for her to go. She gave him a nod and was the last one out of the room.

The doors closed, leaving the captain and security officer alone.

Freddie gently asked, "I assume you wanted to speak to me in private?"

Trina stood up and spoke in a clipped tone, her intention clearly meaning to show a little offense towards the captain, "She is not responsible to clean up every Klingon mess because she's Klingon and you have no right to put her in that position."

Freddie squared his jaw and took a slow breath. He put on a disarming smile and replied, "I'm not assuming any such thing. I asked her because I believe that it will give us the best shot at trying to diffuse the situation. I need them to believe she's representing the Klingon Empire and the fact that she's biologically Klingon would go a long way to pull that off. She'll be able to pass as a Klingon because she's Klingon. If we had to infiltrate one of the Orion Pirates enclaves, would you object for me to ask for one of the Orion crewmembers? You don't believe that the G.I.A. isn't using Vulcans to try to infiltrate the Romulans? I'm using the tools I have at hand to try salvage this situation that Kirk failed to clean up."

Trina clenched her jaw for a second then sighed, slumping his shoulders. She answered in a tired voice, "My sister isn't a line officer, Hell… her going out on that station was the first time she left the capital region. She never applied for a deep space assignment and be out here in this… craziness of the final frontier."

"Lieutenant… Trina, I don't need to tell you the obligations we have when we put on that uniform… unexpected obligations where we have to sometimes step up to challenges we may never expect. This is one of those times I'm having to ask her to rise up to a duty she didn't expect, but I know is important."

The security officer thought on his words then calmly answered, "I know, but… you need to understand this: if something happens and it's a choice between my sister and them… then to Hell with them and the Prime Directive."

"I know… and it'll be my responsibility for putting you into an impossible situation."

Trina looked relieved that he would have her back then replied, "Thank you Captain."

"You're welcome, now go help your sister and tell her that she has your full confidence in pulling this off."

The security officer nodded the headed out the door, leaving the Captain to go over his decision.

Author's Note: I hope this opening chapter has enticed you to see what will happen next with the crew of the USS Tori.