5 WAR

A STAR TREK STORY

JUANELL HOPPER

A war with the Klingons is inevitable. Jim Kirk and his crew find themselves escorting two Klingons to peace talks, and then find that there are many who do not like the fact that they even accepted the mission, and some who will go to extreme measures to destroy the Klingons and stop any negotiation of peace. Jim finds himself in the middle of a war on a planet he has never been to, as he tries to rescue Admiral Carson and the two ambassadors from Kronos.

A wheel in space? Not quite. It had just simply started moving and just kept on going and going and going…well, that's how it is in space anyway. Once something starts moving, it does not stop unless some other force or object stops it. No one had actually thought of where it drifted to after the danger was past. It was supposed that it was destroyed when it was sucked into space along with its wielder, but it had been traveling quite fast and just simply drifted away.

It drifted until the scavengers of the galaxy found it…the Ferengi. They were always searching for ways to make money by scavenging anything that was floating in space. Of course, they had no idea what they had found as they found this "wheel" floating in space, so they just tossed it into the back with all their other junk hoping that someone would want to buy it. Such actions were how events were set in motion that involved others who had no idea that the events would unfold and consume them.

Jim Kirk sat on the Bridge of the Enterprise looking out into space like he had been doing for a little over three years. They had just explored an unknown nebula, and it was just that…a nebula, nothing special about it. However, they were on their way to pick up two Klingons who were going to be ambassadors for their people, and finally…maybe, make a truce with the Federation. Jim was not at all confident in that. He was just glad he did not have to try and negotiate with them. He figured if he could not negotiate with tiny critters, he certainly did not need to negotiate with hostile Klingons. He did not know why he and his crew had to be the ones who picked up these Klingons for this negotiation, but the Admiral, Gary Carson, had chosen them.

Spock came onto the Bridge and stood beside Jim as he did at times. "Captain, you have been rather quiet since we received our mission orders," Spock said.

"What is there to say?" Jim asked.

"I take it you do not like the idea of transporting Klingons?"

"You take it right, Spock. You remember our last encounter with the Klingons."

"That is precisely why the Federation wants to try and make peace with the Klingons."

"How can you make peace with people who only love war and dominance?"

"It is worth a try, is it not?"

"I suppose. I'm just glad I'm not the one who has to try and make a treaty with them."

Jim stood up. "You take care of the Bridge, Spock," he said. "I will be back later."

Spock watched Jim leave the Bridge. He had never seen Jim so unforgiving and unwilling to try and reach a truce. "He doesn't like the Klingons very much, does he?" Ensign McCoy asked.

"Apparently not," Spock replied. "Not many people do, Ensign, but sometimes one has to put aside their dislikes and try and make peace."

"You think there are a lot of people like Captain Kirk who don't want to have anything to do with the Klingons?"

"It is possible."

"Then how can they reach a peace treaty?"

"We will see Ensign. It is not our concern. It is simply our job to take the Klingon ambassadors to the summit."

Jim came out of the turbo lift at the corridor where his quarters was located. He just stood there a moment and realized he had his hands clinched in fists. He did not like the idea of having Klingons aboard his ship. He was of a good mind to have them stay in the Brig until they got to where they were going. He did not want to go to his quarters because Carol would likely be there and he did not want her to tell him how unreasonable he was. He walked on down the corridor and just as he was entering the next, he met Carol. He almost wanted to turn and go the other way, but he did not.

"Jim, I thought you would be on the Bridge," Carol said and kissed him on the cheek.

"I don't feel like being on the Bridge," Jim replied.

"Why not?"

Jim knew he might as well not try to hide anything from her because she could tell when he was not being completely truthful with her. "I don't like the idea that we're picking up two Klingons on our ship," he said.

"Oh, that again."

"Yes. That again."

Jim walked on down the corridor and Carol followed him. He went into the conference room where he was even expected to have a meeting with these two Klingons. "You're being very stubborn about this," Carol said.

"Don't lecture me right now about my stubbornness," Jim replied.

"I'm not lecturing you. At least the Klingons are willing to try and make a treaty. That should count for something."

"Maybe it does, but I'm not going to put up with these Klingons putting us down. You know how they are."

Carol smiled. "We're entering into a different chapter of time, Jim."

Jim turned to her. "If they say one thing about me or the crew being inferior…" He did not finish that sentence. "What's so funny?"

"You are quite a man, Jim Kirk."

"I don't like being insulted…or betrayed. I want them to stay in the Brig until we get them where they're going."

"Jim, they're going to be guests."

"We could tell them those are the only guest quarters we have left."

Carol could not help but laugh then. "Stop. I can always give them the quarters I'm staying in."

"Yeah, I guess you could at that. Let's try not to broadcast that everywhere yet."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm the captain of this ship."

"Just because you're the captain doesn't mean you can't love someone."

"I know. But do you know how many times I've been asked if Spock and Uhura's relationship interfered with their work. Imagine if they found out I was involved with you."

"You are not doing anything to endanger this ship or its crew."

"I know that. It has nothing to do with how I'm feeling right now. I don't like the idea of hostile beings on my ship."

"You've had hostile beings onboard before."

"Not like this."

"I don't think it's going to be as bad as you think."

"I hope you're right because I might just stun them and then put them in the Brig until we get there."

Carol smiled and kissed him. "You know you can't do that," she said as she was heading for the door.

"I know, but I'll feel like it."

Jim folded his arms and looked out the viewport at the warp field and the star lines. He could hardly believe he was on his way back to Klingon space. Although they would not be going far into it. He did not like the idea that they had to drop their shields so that two Klingons could be transported over to their ship. What if those Klingons intended to attack them while the shields were down? The Admiral had assured him that everything was going to be peaceful and that he would only have to bring the Klingons to the meeting. He wished he could feel that it would be that easy.

Jim's communicator whistled at him. "Kirk here," he said as he flipped it open.

"Captain, we're coming up on Klingon space," Sulu said. "We'll be there in about five minutes."

"Thank you, Mister Sulu. Keep the shields up until I say otherwise."

"Yes sir."

Sulu looked at Spock as the transmission ended. "Do you think the captain is right to be so nervous about this mission?" he asked.

"It is always wise to exercise caution in a situation such as this, Mister Sulu," Spock said. "However, I believe the captain is…"

Just then, Jim walked onto the Bridge. Spock stood up and let Jim have his chair. Jim sat down and waited for the ship to reach Klingon space. He could not help but think of being in that prison and what he went through in there.

Sulu thought he was ten times more nervous when he knew the captain was so apprehensive about a situation. He watched the time count down to the moment they would be in Klingon space once again. He was not happy about going there again either. "Ten seconds, Captain," he said.

Jim just stared out the front view screen as he listened to Sulu's countdown. What would they see when they came out of warp? War birds? How many would be there?

Finally, the counter got down to zero and Sulu brought them out of warp. Jim stood up as he could see four war birds. "Are they hailing us?" he asked feeling his heart pounding.

"Not yet, Captain," Uhura answered.

"Hail them then."

Uhura sent a hail, and got an immediate response. "They're answering."

"On screen."

Within seconds, there was a Klingon on the view screen. "I am Gorkon," he said in his deep voice, and a strong accent, although his basic language could be understood.

Jim took a deep breath before he spoke. "I'm Captain James T. Kirk. I'm here on behalf of the Federation to escort you to the peace talks."

"We are ready when you are, Captain."

"We'll be ready for transport shortly."

The transmission ended and Jim looked at Spock. "I suppose I should go and greet our guests," he said and turned to go to the turbo lift.

Spock walked over to him. "Captain, I will be glad to greet our guests on your behalf," he said.

"Thank you, Spock, but it's my job."

Jim walked into the turbo lift that would take him down to the transporter room. He was soon there and walked down to the transporter room where Scotty was already, as well as four guards. "They're ready for transport, Captain," Scotty said.

"Go ahead, Mister Scott," Jim replied.

Scotty could even tell that something was bothering Jim. He had been there at that prison when Jim was brought back from that torture. They had not been able to do anything to help him at that moment, but they had gotten him out, along with Doctor McCoy and Spock.

The transporter glowed and two Klingons appeared on the pad. Jim just stood there stunned for a moment and then he said, "Welcome to the Enterprise."

The Klingons stepped down from the transporter pad. Jim tried not to swallow hard but it was impossible as he felt intimidated by the Klingons' very appearance. "I am Gorkon," the lead Klingon said. He looked at the others in the room. "You do not trust us. You bring armed guards."

"I'll be honest with you. I am a bit apprehensive about this mission, but I am trying."

"It is we who asked for the peace talks, Captain."

"Yes, I understand that. We have quarters for you while you're here, and you should let us know if you need anything."

The Klingons followed Jim and he escorted them to their quarters. "I'll have people outside your quarters, so just let them know if you need anything," Jim said.

Jim waited until the doors closed and then he walked over to the lead guard. "Let me know if they leave these quarters," he said quietly. "And make sure you guys follow them."

"Yes sir."

Jim went on back to the Bridge. "Let's move out, Mister Sulu," he said as he sat down. "Spock, make sure security knows how serious it is to keep an eye on our guests."

"Yes, Captain," Spock replied.

Spock left the Bridge, and then Sulu said, "Sir, there are other ships arriving."

Just then, several Klingon war birds dropped out of warp. Jim stood up. "Red alert! Mister Sulu, get us out of here."

The war birds wasted no time. They fired at the Enterprise. Jim almost fell off his feet, so he got back into the captain's chair. "It looks like someone else doesn't want these talks to take place!" he said. "Fire back!"

"The phasers are having little effect, Captain," Ensign McCoy said. "The Klingon vessels are giving chase."

"They seem to be targeting our shields!" Sulu reported as he was monitoring the Klingon attack.

"Take us to warp!" Jim said.

"They're blocking us, Captain."

"Take evasive action and get us out of here!"

Just as the ship was rocked with another blast, Spock came back onto the Bridge, along with the two Klingons. "Why are your people attacking us?" Jim demanded.

"I have nothing to do with this," Gorkon said. "There are those among the Klingons who do not wish to make peace just like there are those among your own people."

Jim glared at him and then looked at Sulu. "Can we get out of here yet?" he asked.

"We're almost there, Captain," Sulu replied.

Suddenly, a huge explosion rocked the ship and an alarm started blaring. "Shields are at forty percent!" Spock announced.

"Here we go!" Sulu said and then they were at warp.

Jim just stood there a moment breathing a sigh of relief. He turned to the Klingons. "How do you think there can be any kind of peace if they're going to attack like that?" Jim asked.

"Captain Kirk, there will most likely be a war," Gorkon said. "It is inevitable."

Jim supposed he was right, but they would get them to the peace talks. "Well, we're out of danger for now," he said. He opened a channel to engineering. "Scotty, how are things down there?"

"So far so good, Captain," Scotty replied. "Repairing the shields now."

"Good."

Jim sat down in his chair as Spock walked over to him. "It is certain that there will be more danger, Captain," he said.

"We'll just have to be ready for it," Jim replied. "We'll get our guests to that summit, and then maybe we'll be out of this."

"As part of the Federation, I believe we will be deeply involved, Captain, since we are in this part of space."

"Things just got a lot more dangerous."

"We have faced danger before, Jim. It will take time for both sides to accept that there is a possibility for peace between us."

"Do you really think so, Mister Spock?"

"In time, Captain."

"Well, escort our guests back to their quarters, and tell Dorenda to prepare something for dinner that won't kill us, and will be palatable for our Klingon guests."

"I will relay the message."

Jim was just glad they would only have to have one meal with the Klingons and they would arrive at their destination soon after. He figured the Klingons would not be half bad if they were allies. They were definitely formidable foes. He wondered how long it would be before both sides actually trusted the other. He could not see that happening very soon.