Diplomacy was one of the most taxing occupations in Kirk's mind. Physically? Well no, not physically. But mentally? Without a doubt, yes. Peace negotiation missions always bored Kirk, and finding out they were the objective of the Enterprise's next assignment could have made him pull his hair out. In the 5 months since the Narada incident, each incoming mission transmission only followed the pattern of getting Kirk's hopes up, only to smash them as it turned into just another diplomatic incident that came with hours of monotone, pre-written speeches, and the same Federation-standard negotiation terms every Starfleet captain was made to recite. Lord if he could just get back into the heat of an exciting mission, then maybe he wouldn't have to stay aboard the damned bridge bored out of his mind.
"Estimated arrival time to Klingon base in twelve minutes,Keptin," Chekov recited as he turned round after calculating the ship's destination time since engaging warp speed. "All systems normal".
The pensive captain was crudely retrieved from his day-dreaming as he acknowledged the ensign.
"Very good, Mr. Chekov. Maintain current speed". Kirk considered increasing warp to get there faster. After all, the sooner they got there, the sooner it would be over. But he decided against it. He wouldn't be able to stand a minute more than he had to be cooped up inside the bridge, no matter how much he loved his ship. He silently thanked whatever god was out there that he was part of the away team and he'd be able to take a break and stretch his legs on the base they were approaching, even if it meant he'd have to spend four hours talking with stiff politicians who could care less that a Starfleet captain was the one they were addressing. Kirk wondered if anyone really enjoyed these diplomatic missions, or if everyone would just be better off not having to deal with them. At least he'd have people to be miserable with.
Kirk recalled Bone's groan of discontent after being told he'd be part of the away team. He didn't really have a choice. A medical officer was requested to tend to the injured that lay waiting in the medical wing of the Klingon base, and a good Federation captain certainly couldn't refuse such a request. And who better to tend to the sick than their very capable CMO? Besides, Bones had been spending too much time by himself anyway. He barely left the cave that was med bay as it was. He could use a little time off the ship, Kirk mused with a smirk.
Spock had remained indifferent, as always. It was a bit of an unspoken rule by now that he would attend away missions when the Captain was to be leading them. Kirk needed someone to make sure he didn't get himself killed, and the responsibility fell to Spock on most missions. Not to mention he also needed his First Officer's advice. If anyone could change that stubborn captain's opinion on anything, it was that green-blooded Vulcan who stood by his side through thick and thin. Sometimes the Captain needed logical reasoning to keep his head and temper from boiling over.
Chekov was by far the most excited of everyone. It was to be his first away mission and he couldn't have been more thrilled when he was asked to come along. Kirk had always been hesitant on allowing the young ensign to attend any away missions, mostly because of McCoy's pestering about "Seventeen being too damn young to go on some convoluted and dangerous space adventure". Not that there had been many of those, but Bones still constantly reminded him about it. Kirk guessed he understood where the stubborn doctor was coming from. Kirk never doubted Chekov's intelligence. Not since the incident on Vulcan where he saved not only the captain's life but also Sulu's with his last-minute calculations did Kirk ever question the boy's decisions. But he was still very young, especially to be the chief navigator on a Starfleet vessel. He was the youngest member of their bridge family, in fact, and most had taken to treating him like a little brother. Even Kirk had to admit it was nice to have a brother with whom he could talk to, embarrass, and play pranks with. Chekov had begged to go on countless away missions before, only to be shut down each time with a hesitant 'no'. Now Kirk could practically see the kid vibrating in his seat from excitement. Kirk just shook his head and smiled.
"Captain we have an incoming transmission from the Klingon base," Uhura called from behind him. Kirk swiveled in his seat to face his communications officer.
"Receive transmission, Lieutenant," Kirk responded. Finally, something to distract his wondering mind. As Uhura nodded in response and began to patch through the incoming message, Kirk's mind recalled what he was intended to say in approaching the base. The Enterprise had been assigned to make peace negotiations with a local Klingon colony that had volunteered its willingness to become allies. They intended to send an ambassador to meet with a team at a base orbiting the planet that hosted the inhabitants. The Federation's recent connections with the Klingon Empire were rocky at best, so Kirk wasn't all that surprised when Starfleet nearly jumped at the chance to make good negotiations with it.
The signal was patched through to the screen display in front of the bridge and an exhale of disbelief sounded throughout the area as the image began its broadcast. The Klingon ambassador Tavana, whom the away team was supposed to be meeting with in only a matter of minutes, was being held at disruptor-point by a masked figure. The ambassador seemed unphased and regal in posture, almost as if a finger wasn't hovering over the trigger that could end her life.
"Greetings and warm welcomes to the crew of the starship Enterprise," a coarse and thick voice spoke with no warmth or friendliness. "I do hope I've taken hold of your attention for the time being". The hooded figure pressed the disruptor further into the side of the ambassador, causing her to wince just in the slightest.
"This is James T. Kirk, Captain of the starship Enterprise of the Starfleet Federation. You are threatening the life of an Ambassador of the Klingon Empire and I demand you reveal yourself," Kirk said with all the confidence of a respectable officer.
The masked figure removed its hood. He looked to be a normal Klingon, no major difference between him and the one he was now holding hostage. He chuckled darkly. "Captain I don't believe you're in any position to be making demands. You see, I'm in control here, and you're not. So I suggest you reign in that superior ego of yours before it gets you and your ship into more trouble than you're bound to be able to handle."
Kirk straightened his back and tilted his chin forward ever-so slightly.
"Excuse me for asking, but are you aware, exactly, of who you're currently engaging yourself with?"
"Oh yes," The man rolled sarcastically, "I've heard of you, James Kirk. Prodigal son of Starfleet turned hero through a series of events that led to the destruction of the Narada. Now intended to be the bridge between and unimportant Klingon colony and the scum of the Federation".
"No need for formal introductions then, I suppose," Kirk retorted, making the other man sneer, his eyes seething with rage. "Although, it would be nice to know who I'm speaking with". He looked towards the communications screen, eyebrows risen smugly, waiting for a response.
The Klingon man looked all but ready to fire his disruptor. Some aboard the bridge who were not too familiar with the Captain's ego and negotiating skills questioned if he knew what he was getting himself into. Kirk simply stood there, arms crossed and waiting for a response.
The man gritted his teeth in anger. "I suppose I do owe you the pleasure of an introduction. Though if you don't mind your tongue it may be the last one you ever have". His finger wavered over the disruptor's trigger as he jabbed the ambassador's side with the barrel. "Besides, you wouldn't want to start a war over the death of an ambassador all because you weren't able to keep your childish mouth shut," he spat.
Kirk's eyes narrowed as he calculated what to do next. This guy clearly wasn't playing around, and he clearly wasn't stupid. He knew what he was doing, and the consequences his actions would cause. Kirk took in a breath to level his head.
"Alright, Alright," he held his hands up in defense. "You're right. Let's try this again. I'm Captain James Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. And you are?"
The Klingon's lip curled in disgust. "I am called Gi'ral. I lead and represent the resistance group Torghn. Our mission is to purify the Klingon culture of undesirables, most of all humans. The mixing of societies is weakening our race. Ever since the Federation decided to impose itself upon our ways, chaos and death are all that have resulted. We do not need the weakling scum of the galaxy attempting to make amends."
Kirk's mind wandered back to reports he'd read earlier that week; Starships travelling into Klingon territory that were declared missing until they were found in pieces with no survivors. And the recent attacks on several Federation bases stationed on planets surrounding Qo'nos…something about a nationalist group hell bent on destruction. The familiar feeling of worry began to creep into his spine as he began to latch the puzzle pieces together and remembered that they themselves were a starship currently in Klingon territory. He only hoped they wouldn't have to be declared missing. The end result was always the same when the ships were found…
"The Federation only wishes peace on all alien races," Kirk now spoke calmly and evenly, knowing full well that he was treading on thin ice with every word he said.
"Peace," Gi'ral scoffed, "you talk of peace when so many have died as a result of the Federation's actions. You intend to lay waste to our society".
"You talk about actions causing death. Have you so soon forgotten the lives lost after your attacks on Starfleet bases?" Kirk asked pointedly.
Gi'ral sneered.
"Pathetic colonies staining the culture we've spent centuries building up. They deserved every deed done".
Kirk's eyes blazed. "Those were good men and women with families of their own! You took their lives in cold blood! You murdered them!"
"Enough with these accusations!" Gi'ral growled. "My patience is wearing thin, Captain Kirk. I suggest you listen closely to what I'm about to say next. It could depend on whether you leave here alive." The man looked to his right off screen and spoke a few hushed words barely audible to those aboard the bridge. He nodded and turned back.
Suddenly, the entire ship lurched forward. Kirk felt himself thrown to the ground from the sheer force of whatever hit they'd taken. His quick reflexes saved him from any concerning damage, though damned if his wrist wasn't going to be sore tomorrow. The ship shuttered and groaned as it screeched to an agonizing halt. It would have felt like an earthquake had they been on solid ground. A few more people hit the deck as the Enterprise continued to throw its passengers in every direction as it rocked with remarkable force. Kirk pulled himself to his knees as he grasped onto the navigation console. He held tightly to the corner of the system as the shaking began to lessen. A few more slight lurches and the ship became eerily still. Waiting a few moments to be sure there would be no more simulated seismic activity, Kirk carefully got to his feet.
"Is everyone alright?"
A chorus of groans and half-enthusiastic "yes's" sounded off in response.
"Sulu, can you tell me what the hell just happened?" Kirk asked incredulously.
Sulu pulled himself back into his seat, as he had fallen from it during the worst of the shaking. He pulled up a map of the ship and began typing away at his computer. He sat back for a moment in awe.
"Sulu?" Kirk asked as he walked over to where the young man sat. "What did you find? What's wrong?"
Sulu shook his head in disbelief.
"That's just it, sir. I didn't find anything. Shields are at zero percent, but we didn't even take a hit. We're also completely disabled as far as our engines go. We dropped out of warp and stopped pretty quickly. Must have been what caused the ship to go nuts".
Kirk swiped a hand over his face. Great. Shields were gone and they were sitting ducks with no way of getting anywhere. He slapped a hand on Sulu's shoulder.
"See if you can't find a way to redirect some power to the shield's reserve. I'll call down to Scotty and see how things are down in engineering".
"Aye, sir," Sulu nodded. "Though I would be careful, Captain. After something like that happening to his ship, I doubt Scotty's going to be in the best of moods".
Kirk ran towards the transmitter on the wall that connected the bridge to engineering.
"Kirk to Scotty," he said.
There was no answer after a beat and he tried again.
"Bridge to Scotty, do you read me?" Still no answer. He was about to try for a third time when the speaker crackled to life and he heard a distant garble of angry Scottish.
"Uh-uh, Mr. Scott is currently in a, uh, a bit of a jam with the warp core," an unfamiliar voice answered. "I'm, uh, I'm afraid he can't reach the speaker right now, Captain. Can I pass on a message?"
Kirk pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Of course it had to be warp core. He lightly banged his fist against the wall. "Never mind a message," he said. "Just tell Mr. Scott to contact me as soon as he figures out what caused the damage."
"Yes, Captain, I'll be sure to-"
"Captain Kirk, are you there. I do hope we didn't lose contact," a smug voice protruded from the speakers of the communications screen. Kirk breathed out in frustration as he stormed back towards the con.
"You mind telling me what the hell you did to my ship?" He all but yelled.
Gi'ral laughed eerily, the cackling echoed over the bridge as he took in a breath to speak.
"Just a precaution, Captain. Can't have you running off before I issue my demands, now can I?"
Kirk wavered.
"Demands," he repeated hesitantly. "What demands did you have in mind?"
The smile Gi'ral donned creeped the hell out of Kirk. He looked like some demented kid on Christmas morning.
"My demands are simple. I won't waste time playing games, as I'm not a very patient man. I want the coordinates to the location of the Starfleet Federation Base," He spoke calmly.
Kirk let that request wash over him for a minute as he repeated it over in his head. Coordinates to the Federation Base? Was he insane? Kirk knew instantly that from the track record the Klingon man's terrorist group had, he didn't want the coordinates to drop by the base to say hi. Giving him the location would doom the base and everyone on it.
"For what intended purpose do you want said coordinates," Kirk inquired.
To his left Spock, who'd been uncharacteristically quiet until this point, stepped forward, hands grasped firmly behind his back.
"Captain, although the situation at hand is rather precarious, I must ask as to what you mean to gain by inquiring every part of this man's intended actions," He said low and evenly.
"We need time, Spock," Kirk answered. "This guy obviously has a vendetta against the Federation and until we can figure out just what he's capable of, we need to distract him long enough to get word back to Starfleet".
Either Kirk was truly awful at keeping a low voice or the Klingon man before them had incredible hearing because he interrupted once more before Spock could reply to Kirk.
"I do hope you weren't actually set on getting word back to your superiors, Captain. I may have forgotten to mention that along with the force field, there's also an interruption of long distance communication. You'd be lucky to get a signal to last more than 5 minutes at this point".
"Force field," Kirk looked to Spock, whose eyebrows were now creased in thought. "What are you talking about? What force field?"
Gi'ral rolled his eyes.
"Come now, Captain, you seemed brighter than this. What do you think made your ship come to such and abrupt halt? You certainly didn't achieve that on your own. Your entire ship is now stationary inside a gravitational force field. I'm afraid there's no leaving now unless I give the word".
Kirk looked to Sulu, who was typing away furiously at his computer. "I'm afraid he's right, sir. It explains why our shields were penetrated without so much as a single hit. And why we're currently at a standstill with no engine power".
Gi'ral nodded in agreement. "So you see, Captain. Now I truly am in control. I would like those coordinates so we can be on our way. And once our business is taken care of, you and your ship can leave without any other problems".
Kirk weighed his options. They were in some deep trouble now. He couldn't exactly command a ship to move that was stationary in the middle of space. This Klingon had a wolf by the ears and Kirk knew he was on the losing side of the battle they now fought.
His back straightened as he now tried to look as intimidating as possible. "I apologize, sir, but I can't exactly just willingly give out the location of Starfleet's most secure, most armed, may I remind you, base to just anyone."
Kirk hoped he'd made the right decision by deciding to stall more. If they could just wait a little longer, maybe they could find a signal to contact Starfleet…
Turns out Gi'ral was true to his promise of not being a patient man. He rolled his eyes and reached forward towards a console while still keeping a hand on the disruptor that held the ambassador in place.
"No it seems I'm the one who must be in apology, Captain. You see, as I said before, my patience is wearing thin, and I don't have time for your games," He said as he continued to type away at a keyboard.
"Your actions will start a war," Kirk tried to reason. "The only spoils of your intentions will be death and chaos. The very things you claim you try and prevent".
"I never said I cared for the death of humans, Captain. Only my people. Your species can rot for all I could concern myself with. Now I really didn't count on your cooperation to begin with. I think you should listen closely now though, this part I think you'll really enjoy," Gi'ral explained carefully.
Kirk's brow creased in concern. Whatever was coming did not sound good.
"On this base is an extraordinary mass of weapons pointed towards your ship. I can promise you that, once fired, there's no stopping the complete annihilation of your entire vessel and everyone on board. So the way I see it, Captain, is you can put aside the pathetic code of ethics your feeble-minded Federation enforces and willingly give me the coordinates, or I can lock on right now, blow your ship out of existence, and find another Starfleet vessel more cooperative in giving me what I want. You have until the end of the hour, Captain Kirk. Don't disappoint me".
Gi'ral stared for a moment more and then the transmission went black.