Preface

When I was first writing this fanfic, it was supposed to be a small fiction to append the end of A Flag Full of Stars. At the end of that book, Kirk has Riley book a flight for him to go to Centaurus, so he can try and reconcile with his estranged wife, Lori Ciana. For those who aren't aware, Lori is Kirk's wife in the apocrypha. She's also who is supposed to be beaming aboard with Sonak, towards the beginning of The Motion Picture. (She was going to see Kirk off.)

As well, in Flag, we're introduced to many other characters, one of which is Anab Saed. She barely shows up, but she impacts the plot, in that she ends her marriage to Kevin Riley, who is now Kirk's aide. Riley doesn't deal well with the news, and as a result, disappoints Kirk-yet is saved by a good Samaritan by the name of Jenny Hogan. Riley befriends Jenny, though her flirtation and obvious interest make for some awkward moments.

By the end of the book, Kirk knows what he wants (to be on a ship, particularly the Enterprise), and so does Riley (to remain in Starfleet). However, it also seems that nothing is really resolved so far as relationships. There's a hint that Riley is interested in seeing where things might go with Jenny Hogan, but he's also not wanting to rush into anything, either. As for Kirk, again, his hope is that he might be able to get both loves back into his life.

Flag is the second book in "The Lost Years" saga, though it's the fourth book, Recovery, that picks up from Flag's ending, either a month or four months later. The time inconsistency is due to a lack of proper fact-checking between authorships. Kirk's visit which is alluded to at the end of Flag is not only omitted, but someone claims he hasn't been in space in two years (in Recovery). As well, events recalled in Recovery that happened in Flag are out of sync. Lori left Kirk the same day that Riley's marriage contract to Anab expired. Yet, in Recovery, we are told that it's been two months since Lori ended her marriage with Kirk (contract expiring AND leaving their home, with lines quoted from Flag in Recovery), yet we are also told in the same paragraph (and perhaps sentence) that it'd been six months since Riley's contract to Anab had expired. Jenny Hogan is also never mentioned in the book (which is fine, since there's not a terrible amount of introspection).

Given the inconsistencies between the book, I wracked my brain with ways of dealing with the works while doing my best to weave a fun tale for you to read. I have something that I think will be enjoyable and true to the spirit of "The Original Series." However, the end result is such that I do not see resolution of my tale in one story, but three in most likelihood. It's a long read, so bear with me. There will be friends from the Enterprise crew as well as others who will cameo in this story.

An addendum: Apparently, I'd missed Number One's cameo in Flag. There, she's referred to as Admiral Timothea Rogers, and she was in charge of Starfleet Command Public Information, prior to Kirk taking on the additional role to Command Ops. This puts off a good bit of my fanfiction here, given that it was otherwise assumed from information on Memory-Beta that she was still amongst the stars. She's also referred to as Eu- (presumably 'Eunice') Robbins in "Early Voyages" during Pike's command of the Enterprise. Therefore, I'm going to have to do a bit more gymnastics to adjust the story. My apologies to those following the storyline. I'll be adjusting Number One's name over the next couple of days.

Thank you,

TD

~*~ Cast of Characters ~*~
(in order of appearance or mention)

Timothea Rogers/Number One/Eunice Robbins (was Primus in previous drafts)
Former First Officer/Pilot, USS Enterprise
Now, Fleet Admiral, C.O. USS Yorktown

Heihachiro Nogura
Starfleet Command Grand Admiral

James T. Kirk
Former Captain, USS Enterprise
Now, Staff Admiral, Starfleet Operations and Public Information

Section-31 Agent

Kevin T. Riley
Former Navigator/Engineering Officer, USS Enterprise
Now, Commander, Chief of Staff for Admiral Kirk

Jenny Hogan
World News media producer/hostage during crisis on Apollo Day

Kav
(original character design by SouloftheWind)
Orion/World News media office assistant

Lori Ciana
Vice Admiral, Operations/Estranged Wife to Admiral Kirk

Anab Saed
Chief Security Officer, USS Yorktown/Ex-wife to Kevin Riley

Nan Davis (in mention)
World News anchor

G'Dath (in mention)
Klingon Scientist/hostage during crisis on Apollo Day

Spock
Former First Officer, USS Enterprise
Now, Citizen of Vulcan and Initiate for the Kolinhar

Christopher Pike (in mention)
Former Captain, USS Enterprise
Starfleet Admiral, retired/living on Talos IV with Vina

J. Mia Colt (in mention)
Former Yeoman, USS Enterprise
Starfleet Captain (possibly on the Exeter or another ship)

Mister (Alan) Colt
(OCC) Former Starfleet Officer
Captain Colt's father

Leonard H. McCoy
Former Chief Medical Officer, USS Enterprise
Frontier doctor, currently retired on Centaurus

Joanna McCoy
Daughter to Doctor McCoy, currently in residence on Centaurus

Zhanya Akhmatova
Captain, USS Starhawk

Marsten
First Officer, USS Starhawk

~*~ Referenced Works ~*~

The Galactic Whirlpool, by David Gerrold;
Bantam Original Novels, October 1980*

The Lost Years, (Book One) by J.M. Dillard;
Pocket Books, October 1989

Flag Full of Stars, by Brad Ferguson, re-write by J.M. Dillard;
Pocket Books, April 1991, ISBN 0-671-73918-2

Recovery, The Lost Years Saga: Book Four, by J.M. Dillard;
Pocket Books, March 1995

"Star Trek," created by Gene Roddenberry;
CBS/Paramount, 1966-1969

"Early Voyages," Marvel Comics, 1997-99

*In the case of The Galactic Whirlpool, this novel establishes Riley's reason for transferring from the Enterprise and is listed here for those who may take interest in reading.

Disclaimer

This work of fiction is written by a fan, for fans. No money has been exchanged for this story. The author has taken great pains in order to keep within the canon and apocrypha of the Star Trek universe. Save for original characters as mentioned, all characters belong to CBS/Paramount and are used without permission. This work is not an official story within the Star Trek universe. Distribution or publishing of this work is prohibited, save through free means, such as free-access websites, fan fiction mailing lists, e-mail, or person to person delivery.

Prologue

"Please, have a seat, Timmie." The small framed staff admiral gestured towards a seat in his office. Heihachiro Nogura regarded the woman who had beaten the odds, becoming not only the first female captain of the fleet, but then the admiralty, as well. Once Timothea Rogers took a seat, so too did Nogura. He slowly poured tea for them both, without so much as another word. Where Kirk or even Ciana might interject with a word, Rogers was frugal with such things. Of course, that didn't mean she wouldn't argue her case, when the time was appropriate. "Your work with the Yorktown has been impeccable, as always."

Rogers bowed her head in humility, just slightly, then raised her brows. "Forgive me, but I would argue it has been adequate, Admiral. Though our diplomatic missions with Ambassador Sarek have been successful, we still had troubles with the Excalibur project."

Nogura waved his hand at the notion, "Ancient history, Timothea." Once the other admiral was sipping her tea, Nogura began, "I'd like for you to keep the Yorktown in this sector, for awhile."

Curiosity flashed across Rogers's fine-boned featured. "Of course." She paused, "Admiral Nogura, the Yorktown is due to pick up dignitaries bound for Andor within the month. Will these new plans fit, or should I reschedule the Bozeman to handle the load?"

"Oh, either will do. I'd just like you to keep close-by, in case you're needed." Nogura smiled after a long period of silence. The other admiral was awaiting an explanation. "I have reason to believe those in Thirty-One are displeasured with the recent events surrounding Apollo Day."

Timothea's lips parted and she locked gazes with her commanding officer. "I see." She bowed her head in contemplation. "Are you asking me to be ready for protection or negotiation?" She was still unsure how much of Nogura said was a barb against her handling of Nan Doris' story, prior to Kirk's assignment to her former position in Public Information.

"Whatever is necessary, Timmie. I don't have to remind you that I have made whatever steps I could to mask your own unusual nature. It's a shame I couldn't do more for your friend, but I'm afraid those measures were taken prior to my seating." Nogura finally sipped his tea and enjoyed the rich, bitter flavor of the sencha.

Having already gone through one name change to stay on with Starfleet, Timothea Rogers was certainly well aware of the favors Nogura was referring to. "Was there anything else, Admiral?" Timmie awaited the aging man, who took his precious time in enjoying his tea and answering her.

"Don't give Jim Kirk any ideas of following your lead." One admiral heading a starship was one enough.

"Aye, sir."