2278

April

Bayside Auditorium - San Francisco, California - Earth

"...College and university graduates in three short years," Jim said in a proud voice as he stood at the podium in his dress uniform. "What a wonderful thing it is to see children I watched grow up graduating from college and university today. As I look out over the graduates, I can't help but feel very proud of all of you for accomplishing something great. I am most grateful that the city college and the university decided to hold their ceremonies in conjunction with one another so that I wouldn't have to make the same speech twice!"

A small chuckle rose from the crowd and as Jim, who had been asked to serve as the keynote speaker for this special combined graduation, continued to speak, Spock sighed and touched Nyota's hand; he would never admit it out loud, but he was proud of Amanda and Saavik for graduating from the university and city college respectively. Amanda had graduated from the university with a dual degree in Computer Science and Communications while Saavik

Not far away from them, Leonard and Arianne sat with President Pike and Kathryn, as both sets of parents had graduates to honor that day. Charlie had graduated from the city college with a degree in Nursing, Kathy had graduated from the college with a degree in Communications, and Zachary had graduated from the university with a dual degree in Diplomatic Relations and Communications. Michael had graduated from the college with a degree in Child Development and Communications because until he could go to Starfleet, he wanted to be a teacher's aide.

Even though he was a third-year Command and Medical cadet at Starfleet Academy and a doctor of Science, Lorian had come to the ceremony with George to show support for those who were graduating that day. Admiral Harriman was also in the audience because his son, Johnny, was graduating from the city college with a degree in Communications and Computer Science because he wanted to serve as a journalist someday if Starfleet needed them.

Even though Tuvok and Nyota were sitting on either side of him and he could also feel Amanda and Saavik's love for him, Spock still felt a sense of emptiness over the fact that Valeris was not there with the family. From what M'Benga had told him, the penal colony had been providing Valeris with university level education, but he didn't know what she was currently studying.

Fortunately, Spock was distracted from thinking about Valeris because applause filled the auditorium, signalling that Jim had finished his speech. While the graduates began to receive their respective degrees, Jim took his seat on the stage next to Hikaru, who was sitting with the other faculty on the stage. Next to him sat Demora, as he had been unable to find a sitter.

"Are you recording the ceremony for Pavel and Joanna, Len?" Arianne asked, gazing at Leonard as he recorded the ceremony on a tricorder. "They'll be happy to see it when they get back."

Leonard nodded, "It's terrible that they couldn't be here, but Starfleet was concerned about their outposts along the Neutral Zones," he commented in a pleasant voice. "Captain Terrell wanted Pavel on his ship ever since he started his year in Academy Command classes."

"The Reliant's certainly a good ship and it was kind of Captain Terrrell to let Joanna bring Lenny and David along on the mission so that Pavel wouldn't have to be separated from them," Arianne commented in a kind voice. "I hope they'll be done soon so they can come home..."

Music suddenly filled the room, prompting the entire crowd to stand and celebrate the graduates as they all left the auditorium with their new education under their belts. They would wait in the main hall for their parents and following pictures and the returning of graduation gowns, there would be a dinner in the large cafeteria for graduates, staff, families, and friends.

Amidst the sea of people and pleasant commotion, nobody noticed a man in a dark pantsuit slip out of the crowd and proceed down the corridor that would lead to the college.

San Francisco City College

"Let me just put this robe away in my office closet and then I promise I'll come to the dinner," Hikaru told Jim as the two men entered the empty college foyer. "Unless you wanted to wait."

Jim smiled as he followed Hikaru to his office, "Where did Demora go?" he asked kindly.

"Demora was hungry, so Kathryn offered to take her," Hikaru replied softly as he removed his ceremonial robe and hung it neatly in his office closet, revealing a tailored pantsuit that sported his Lieutenant's pips on the collar. "Kathryn wanted me to wear the full dress uniform, but we ended up compromising since I still hold my rank, but have been inactive for three years."

Jim nodded and frowned as he suddenly noticed a shadow in the corner, "Sulu," he said.

Hikaru turned and frowned as he too noticed the shadow in the corner, "I...I'll meet you outside," he replied, wanting to get Jim out of harm's way if trouble was going to happen.

"I'll get you some food," Jim replied as he subtly snapped a photo of the person under the guise of checking his watch. "I'll meet you in about 10 or 20 minutes at the cafeteria, all right?"

Well aware that the shadow was eyeing him, Hikaru nodded, "Order me anything on the menu," he replied, code-wording that Jim needed to get some help. "I'll eat anything."

Nodding, Jim slowly edged out of the office and moved out of sight, "Admiral Kirk is as weak and as stupid as Christopher Pike is," a dark voice spoke as Cartwright came out of the corner and closed the door. "You had relations with a terrorist, Sulu, which makes you one by default and I need your kind to make the Federation acknowledge its true strength."

"Who are you?" Hikaru asked in a nervous voice, eyeing Cartwright suspiciously.

Cartwright looked amused, unaware that Jim had activated the room's Security recording feed on his way out and he was getting a copy of everything that was being said, "I don't like terrorists running free, but I also don't like how Starfleet has so much power and they refuse to use it," Cartwright explained coldly. "I think that the Klingons are going weak and that Starfleet should take advantage of that by making an alliance with the Romulans to overtake them."

"Starfleet may have its flaws, but what you're suggesting is worse," Hikaru replied sharply.

Cartwright chuckled, "Oh, and here I thought you were going to come with me willingly and serve as a Starfleet representative in my fight to ally with the Romulans in order to bring the Klingons to their knees," he crooned darkly as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a hypospray before he advanced on Hikaru. "I know your Starfleet friends are listening..."

Hikaru gasped as Cartwright forcibly injected him with the hypospray, "NO!" a voice shouted.

As Hikaru slumped against the transparent wall, Cartwright saw that Jim had returned with Spock, Admiral Harriman, and Leonard and all four of them were armed, "Oh, Lieutenant Sulu, it's far too late for your friends to save you," Cartwright crooned, dropping the hypospray on the floor as he took out his communicator and communicated sharply in strict Romulan.

Without warning, Cartwright whipped out a phaser and fired at the transparent walls, causing glass to fly everywhere and alarms to sound. He then began to fire at the four officers, but his aim was poor enough that he only hit parts of the main foyer and missed every man.

"SULU!" Jim screamed as Cartwright grabbed Hikaru and suddenly disappeared into thin air.

Loud noise suddenly filled the atrium as campus Security and curious attendees hurried into view to see why the alarms had gone off. All Jim could do was hold his tricorder, which he had linked into the Security feed as he was leaving, and watch as the scene was secured.

Starfleet Command

"Any word on Sulu's location, President Pike?" Jim, who had seen Lorian off to the cadet dorms hours earlier and had brought George with him, asked as he came into the Oval Office and saw President Pike sitting at his desk looking very exasperated. "Did you give my evidence to Security?"

President Pike sighed, "I've sent a message to the U.S.S. Reliant and since they're patrolling the areas near the Klingon and Romulan Neutral Zones, they can intercept anything that might come their way," he replied in a tired voice. "There is no sign of Sulu or his kidnapper anywhere on the planet and I've alerted the planetary outposts to the situation. It's a bad situation."

"Why haven't you dispatched a ship to look for Sulu?" Jim asked in an upset voice.

President Pike frowned and turned his computer screen around for Jim to see, "Starfleet Security ran the picture and the voice recording through the Starfleet database," he replied in a concerned voice. "Sulu's abductor is a man named Cartwright who was assigned to serve as the warden of the Titan Penal colony about three years ago, shortly after Valeris went there. I don't know why he would kidnap Sulu and I have no clue as to where he might have taken him."

"Cartwright mentioned a meeting with the Romulans to try and bring down the Klingons," Jim replied anxiously, trying to recall what had been said. "He wouldn't actually cross the..."

President Pike sighed heavily, "The Enterprise is currently being used for simulations by Captain Spock and Academy cadets and pre-cadets," he replied calmly. "It hasn't been out in three years and it's scheduled for a tour by college and university graduates tomorrow. If you want to talk to Captain Spock about pursuing Sulu, go on the tour and do so. You have my permission."

"Yes, I'll do that, sir," Jim replied in a concerned voice. "Are you going to be okay tonight?"

President Pike sighed, "I don't honestly know, but I suppose I'd better spend some time with my family before they send a search party to come find me," he replied in a wary voice, cringing as he slowly got to his feet and reached for his cane. "The damage Nero did never did fully heal and as I get older, I'm reminded of that fact more and more. Is Lorian back at the dorms?"

"Yes," Jim replied as they left the Oval Office together. "George is somewhere around here."

President Pike nodded as Michael came down the hallway, "Dad, Admiral Kirk, hello," he said in a polite voice, frowning as he saw the cane. "Mom was wondering if you wanted supper?"

"Oh, Michael, I'm not currently hungry," President Pike replied calmly. "I am very tired."

Michael sighed, "Leonard and Arianne are in the family room with Charlie, Kathy, and Zachary," he explained in a concerned voice. "Mom's in the kitchen with George and Demora."

"Demora," President Pike spoke softly, remembering Demora's cries when she had been told of her father's abduction. "I hope Kathryn or Arianne can get Demora to sleep tonight."

Michael gently took his father's arm, "Dad, come on, have a bit of food and then rest," he spoke in a gentle voice. "I know you're worried about Lieutenant Sulu, but worrying yourself into sickness won't help him or anyone else. I'll come with you and get you something to eat."

"You're a good son, Michael," President Pike spoke in a tired voice as he and Jim followed Michael down the hallway to the kitchen where Kathryn was fixing banana sundaes for George and Demora. "Dear, I don't suppose you have anything made? Our son convinced me to eat."

Kathryn smiled and nodded as President Pike sat down at the table, "Dad, are we going to stay here this evening?" George asked tonelessly, his youthful face nervous. "I am quite nervous."

"I suppose we could," Jim replied in a concerned voice. "We'd be closer to Lorian, then."

George smirked, "Father, Amanda accompanied Lorian back to his dorm," he admitted, having seen the pair leave together after the lockdown had been lifted. "I witnessed it."

"Well, Lorian and Amanda are both adults," Jim replied, wondering how Spock would react.

Kathryn quickly ended the discussion by putting bowls of leftover stew in front of President Pike and Jim, "Don't forget that you have that tour of the Enterprise tomorrow, Michael," she said in a gentle voice, giving her son a look. "It's part of the pre-Academy stuff you need to do."

"Excuse me?" President Pike asked in a shocked voice. "You applied to the Academy, Michael?"

Michael nodded, "Charlie, Kathy, Zachary, Saavik, Amanda, Johnny, and I all agreed to apply for Starfleet Academy after we finished our college or university programs just to see if we could get in," he replied in a pleasant voice. "There's a bunch of stuff we need to do as part of the process."

President Pike looked amused, but said nothing as he dug into his stew, as he had a feeling that his grandchildren hadn't yet told their parents about the pact they had made with their friends.

Starfleet Academy Dorms

Within the safety of Lorian's dorm, Amanda and Lorian lay together on top of Lorian's bed with their hands joined together. Once they had decided to eventually marry, it had also been decided that they would not engage in intimate relations until after their marriage. Lorian, unfortunately, had found himself emotionally shaken by Sulu's abduction and needed his bondmate close enough to make him feel safe. Amanda had decided to meet his need.

"I am grateful you are here, Amanda," Lorian spoke tonelessly. "It is a comfort to me."

Amanda nodded and gently squeezed Lorian's hand, "I endeavour to be a comfort to you, Lorian, as far as we can be to each other until we are wed," she replied tonelessly. "I am applying for Starfleet Academy for the fall semester and I hope it will take very little time."

"I am pleased you wish to attend Starfleet Academy," Lorian replied tonelessly, feeling extremely strengthened by Amanda's mere presence. "As I promised, we can wait to marry until you are finished the Academy. I will endeavour to get a posting close to you."

Amanda, however, gave Lorian a look, "You could have finished your studies aboard the Reliant as a Science officer," she spoke tonelessly. "Why did you not accept Captain Terrell's offer?"

"I wished to remain close to my family and to you," Lorian replied tonelessly. "It is perfectly acceptable for me to remain in the Academy for another year. I am also still recovering."

As Amanda nodded, the door chime sounded, "Come," Lorian called out tonelessly.

The door slid open and Spock, who had been given the responsibility of checking the dorms to ensure that all cadets still on campus had returned to their dorms as ordered, stepped inside the room, "Is Amanda's presence helping your distress, Lorian?" Spock asked tonelessly.

"It is, Captain Spock," Lorian replied tonelessly. "Is Amanda required to return home now?"

Spock silently shook his head, "Amanda is capable of good judgment, as I believe you are," he replied tonelessly. "Just be mindful that you are due to take a tour of the Enterprise tomorrow as part of the requirements involved in applying for the Academy. I will be conducting it."

Suddenly, Amanda frowned and Lorian gazed at her, his face filled with concern, "I feel sadness coming from you, my Amanda," Lorian spoke tonelessly. "Please explain your distress."

"I sense Valeris is doing something she should not," Amanda spoke, her voice shaky. "I...I am trying to block the sibling bond between Valeris and I because her actions are paining me."

Spock's eyes narrowed and Amanda started to tremble so violently that Lorian immediately wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Speaking softly in Vulcan, Spock knelt beside the bed and gently pressed his hands to Amanda's face, initiating a gentle mind meld.

Warbird Donatra

"Captain, what should we do with the prisoner?" Hikaru heard a voice ask. "He is not awake."

Swallowing hard, Hikaru opened his eyes and quickly realized that he was chained to shackles that hung down from the ceiling and he was on a dirty floor, "Ah, it seems that Lieutenant Sulu woke up on his own," a dark voice said. "I think he's ready for a little interrogation, Javal."

Light flooded the room and Hikaru found himself looking at Jeris, the same man who had kidnapped Jim and Arianne years earlier, "This is the representative from Starfleet that will help us retrieve Khan from the Klingons and assist in their destruction?" Jeris asked. "Cartwright?"

"Hikaru Sulu has been in civilian employment for the last three years because he is seen as a terrorist lover by Starfleet even though he has a young daughter," Cartwright replied coldly.

Jeris smirked, "Where is your guest, Cartwright, who wants to meet her Romulan family so badly that she committed treason against Starfleet?" he asked coldly. "Go and get her."

"Are you going to let David peek at the prisoner?" Cartwright asked. "It might teach him."

Jeris scoffed, "David is sleeping in our family quarters, but I might let him look once we leave the solar system," he replied coldly. "I want to ask our prisoner questions right now, anyway."

Cartwright quickly left the room and Jeris sighed as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial that had something crawling around inside of it, "This is a Centaurian slug and once the Romulan Senate allowed me to run this mission, I had one captured," Jeris explained coldly.

"You mentioned Khan," Hikaru replied, desperate to postpone having to swallow the item.

Jeris nodded, "Khan and his people ran to the Klingons after the disaster on Marris Three and the Senate has been watching them for years," he replied coldly. "Once we dominate the Klingons, we plan to hand Khan's little group of worshippers over to the Federation because we have no use for them. The Senate, however, want to keep Khan and have him serve them. We're currently cloaked, so I'm not overly worried about being found right away."

"What makes you think Starfleet will come after me?" HIkaru asked sharply. "I'm one man."

Jeris chuckled and pocketed the vial, "I believe I will save this for tomorrow at which time I will let Starfleet know what we are doing," he said in an intrigued voice. "You have brains, Sulu."

As Hikaru started to relax, Jeris suddenly extracted a small object from his pocket and opened it, revealing a laser whip. Without saying a word, he began to thrash Hikaru with all his might.

U.S.S. Reliant - Neutral Zones

"Chekov, I'm here to relieve you so you can go spend the night with your lovely wife and those adorable little boys of yours," Pavel heard the kind voice of Captain Terell suddenly say.

Pavel turned in the command chair and smiled as he saw Joanna, who was holding Lenny in her arms, standing with Captain Terrell, who was holding David, "Papa!" Lenny and David squealed.

Even though Joachim was on duty at the Science station and Charlie Scott-Evans was on duty at the Engineering station, they shared a smile and watched as Joanna and Captain Terrell set both boys on the floor. Lenny and David immediately ran over to Pavel and grabbed his legs. Other officers who were on the night duty shift smiled at the interaction between Pavel and his sons.

"Shall ve go to bed?" Pavel asked as he stood up and scooped Lenny and David into his arms.

Captain Terrell chuckled, "You're such a good First Officer, father, and husband, Chekov," he commented in an amused voice. "Did you find anything unusual during your shift?"

"No, seer," Pavel replied quietly. "Ze Neutral Zones are wery quiet. Eet is wery unusual."

Nodding, Captain Terell walked down to the chair, "Captain Terrell, we're receiving a message from Earth," Communications officer Kyle suddenly spoke up. "It's from President Pike."

"Put it on viewer," Captain Terrell replied in a concerned voice. "Why is he contacting us?"

Pavel shrugged and the entire Bridge went silent, "U.S.S. Reliant, this is Admiral Christopher Pike, President of the United Federation Starfleet," President Pike spoke solemnly. "At approximately 1400 hours today, Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu was abducted by Warden Cartwright of the Titan Penal Colony and is most likely on a ship heading for Romulan Space at this time. Your mission is to patrol the Neutral Zone for any sign of this vessel and try to stop it before it proceeds into the Neutral Zone or Romulan Space. If it comes to it, Reliant, you have full authorization to proceed into the Neutral Zone to pursue this threat. President Pike out."

A sense of dread filled the Bridge and Pavel immediately handed David to Joanna and put his free arm around her. The thought of Hikaru being in such a predicament made them both sick. This was what Starfleet's ignorance had caused.

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