DARK HORIZON

Hikaru Sulu woke up as the alarm sounded. 06:00; it was time to get out of bed. He sat himself up, took a moment to gather his thoughts after a good nights rest and then got out of bed. He had the luxuary of not sharing his quarters with anyone else in the crew, so he casually walked about as he performed his morning routine. Eventually, he began applying his uniform, beginning with black socks, black trousers, black boots that were polished to a shine and a black t-shirt with Starfleets insignia on his left chest, the insignia having a gray tone of color.

As he pulled out a yellow shirt from the closet, he took a moment to reflect over a couple of pictures hanging on his wall; one depicted himself and his closest friends from the USS Enterprise, men and women he served with for nearly twenty years. The other was of his daughter, Demora, wearing the all red cadet uniform of Starfleet Academy; he remembered that day with great pride. The third picture seemed to wash away the joy in him as he looked at the picture of his husband and he sighed as he took it down from the wall. Holding it in his hands, he sighed and placed it on the desk, leaving it behind.

The yellow shirt was put on, with Starfleets insignia stitched onto the chest. A zipper running from chest to collar was pulled all the way up, securing the stiff collar around his neck and throat, revealing four silver-bars. Looking himself in the mirror, he smiled as he was reminded how his commanding officer on the Enterprise had always neglected the uniform-jacket, always walking around in the Department-shirt. Against regulations, but more comfortable, as the captain used to say.

Sulu shook his head, smile still on his lips, as he retrieved the uniform-jacket and pulled it on; gray with two yellow ribbons at the end of each sleeve, Starfleet insignia a metallic pin attached to his left chest, right arm carried the patch of the United Federation of Planets, left arm wore the patch of the ship he was serving on; the NCC-2000 U.S.S. Excelsior-A. Buttoning the jacket along his right-hand side, the cut of the overlapping layer created a distinct V-shape around his neck, making it easy to determine the color of his Department-shirt.

Yellow shirt and yellow ribbons; Command Department of Starfleet. Two yellow ribbons; senior officer. Four silver bars on the collar; the rank of captain.

Captain Hikaru Sulu of the USS Excelsior secured the utility-belt around his waist, belt-buckle in the shape of the Starfleet insignia, gave the jacket a tug so it would fit him correctly and then left his living-quarters.

XXX XXX

"Korvat."

The holographic projection showed a binary solar-system, complete with two F-class stars and nine planets. Hikaru Sulu, together with his executive officer, a brown-haired human woman in her late forties by the name of Nathalie Gars, sat in a briefing-room together with two other high ranking Starfleet officers. The only admiral in the room continued where she had left off.

"Korvat Four to be more precise" admiral Shoreh Paris said, her voice and appearance clearly indicating her iranian heritage. "A key system in the Hromi sector, a vital strategic sector in the neutral region of space known as the Badlands. The only colony in the Korvat system is located on Korvat Four, namely Korvat City; a mining colony that survives through various trade-deals with the Ferengi Alliance."

Wearing the gray uniform of Starfleet over the green Department-colors of Starfleet Intelligence, was a major of roughly the same age as captain Sulu. Major Nyota U'hura of Starfleet Intelligence spoke next. "The cardassians have, for the past couple of years, expanded into the Badlands and claimed fourteen systems so far. It is no secret, that should they take Korvat, they then would control not only the Hromi sector, but also the region known as the Badlands."

"How does this affect the Federation?" commander Gars wondered, expressing her thoughts. "If the cardassians are going into the Badlands, it is taking them closer to the Klingon Empire. Wouldn't the Federation see this as an opportunity to be given a chance to gain diplomatic favor with both parties as hostilities between Kronos and Cardassia increases?"

"Usually" U'hura nodded, "Yes. But as of two months ago, the Badlands has become a region of interest for both Starfleet and the Federation."

Sulu did not like it. "Dilithium?" he inquired, knowing that the rare and extremely valuable fuel was one of few things that made Starfleet even consider getting involved with foreign power-struggles.

"No, not this time" the admiral said. "Two months ago, the USS Farragut surveyed an uncharted planet twelve lightyears from Korvat. Captain Aster was thrilled when he reported that he had discovered a pre-warp civilization, a thriving renaissance-era culture. After a week of surveillance, careful investigation and maintaining the principles of the Prime Directive, the USS Farragut reported back the natives name for their world… Bajor."

"A prime target for the growing Cardassian Empire" U'hura explained, even if the information was self-evident. "If the cardassians discover Bajor, the bajorans will be enslaved and the planet stripped of its resources in a matter of decades. The Federation intends to prevent this by any means necessary, short of starting a war with Cardassia. Bajor, as a planet, would stand no chance against the cardassian military. Without us, it is only a matter of time before they become annexed by the Cardassian Empire."

"So how does Korvat fit in?" Gars wondered.

Admiral Paris deactivated the hologram depicting the binary system. "Your mission is to negotiate with the leaders of Korvat City and allow Starfleet to set up a Deep Space station in the Korvat system. We need a base of operations in the region, supported by local authorities. When we have that, the cardassians will not expand their territory as fervently and be more cautious as they roam the Badlands. It will give us time to establish ourselves in the Bajor system, set up science-outposts in orbit and establish facilities on the surface of the planet."

Sulu was next to voice a question. "How do we persuade the colonists on Korvat? I suspect we need to sweeten the deal if they are to agree to have a constant Starfleet presence in their system."

U'hura nodded at the question. "You are correct, captain. Korvat is a strategic system and governments that have shown interest in the colony include the cardassians, ferengi, the orions and even the klingons. The offer from the Federation includes equipment for a state of the art hospital. The USS Excelsior will deliver the first two hundred crates of medical supplies to the colonists. This charitable act, we hope, will make local leaders more agreeable to Federation intentions. Deliver the supplies, captain, and convince the natives to allow us to build Deep Space Nine in their system."

"Should you fail, captain" admiral Paris cut in, "it is only a matter of time before the cardassians invades Bajor and crushes an entire civilization."

XXX XXX

Leaving the briefing, the admiral and the commander went to continue with their duties. Remaining for a moment in the corridor of Starfleets regional headquarters, Hikaru Sulu and Nyota U'hura waited until they were alone, apart from Starfleet staff moving in the hallways on business.

"Why me?" Sulu said. "The Excelsior is needed along the klingon neutral zone. Last week we spotted eight probable incursions by cloaked klingon vessels in neutral space. They are probing us for a raid, and when the klingons attack the Excelsior has to be there."

"I'm sorry, Hikaru" the Starfleet Intelligence officer said with a heavy sigh. "The order comes directly from colonel West. Sending the Excelsior to Korvat is a clear indication to the cardassians, and all the others, that the Federation has no intention of allowing any imperial expansion free reign in the Badlands. If colonies are afraid of cardassians or klingons, the Federation will help them. It is an important mission, Hikaru; it is why Starfleet chose you and your crew."

They started walking down the corridor, windows allowing for an impressive view of Yorktown-station, the marvel of the Federation and envy of all other civilizations.

"I understand the worries" Sulu then said. "I really do. The thought of the cardassians conquering a pre-warp civilization… It sickens me, to be honest. I understand why they need to be stopped. But damn it, Bajor is not a member of the Federation, and the planets and colonies on our side of the klingon neutral zone are. They are citizens of the Federation and when you send the Excelsior to the other side of the galaxy, you place their lives at risk. It is only a matter of time before a klingon Bird-of-Prey makes it through undetected and then…"

"Hikaru, please" U'hura said, a hint of seriousness in her tone.

Sulu sighed, they both did, and the captain stopped by a window and watched civilian life unfold in the massive starbase.

U'hura, head lowered for a moment, then looked up at her old friend. "Hikaru, you have to let it go" she then said, a touch of grief in her eyes. "Jim, Scotty… Spock." As the last name was uttered a tear fell from her eye and she quickly wiped it away. Clearing her throat, she regain her wits and adjusted her uniform to clear her mind. "It was four years ago, Hikaru. We have to move on. It's what they would have wanted."

Hikaru Sulu turned to face his old friend from the USS Enterprise, the ship they had served on together for close to two decades, before fate had intervened. Captain Hikaru Sulu, in the end, nodded and major Nyota U'hura placed her arm around him and they both embraced for comfort.

XXX XXX

Walking through the corridors of the ship, crewmembers saluted or simply acknowledged their captain, and Sulu returned the gesture. It was somewhat of a relief as he entered the senior officers messhall, where breakfast was being served. Staff was clearing the table from plates and empty glasses as Sulu say himself down at the head of the table. Within a minute, a crewman acting waiter placed a number of items in front of the captain. As Sulu began eating his breakfast, another officer entered the room and joined the captain. Gray hair and beard, a couple of years over sixty, the man looked quite distinguished. Lieutenant Commander Augustus Eckenwald placed his uniform-jacket over the chair to his left as he sat down, having his breakfast in his boy-blue Department-shirt, the color indicating he was an officer of Starfleet Medical.

"So, we should be departing today?" the ships chief medical officer asked before impaling a piece of sausage with his fork.

Sulu nodded. "Yes, around noon according to schedule."

"Korvat" the doctor said, shaking his head. "That's a hornets nest. Klingons, cardassians, nausicaan pirates and ferengi privateers. You really think we can do any good over there?"

Sulu drank some milk and placed the glass on the table before giving an answer. "Maybe. When the other factions see that the Federation takes an interest in Korvat, they will perhaps back off. By investing in these peoples welfare, with these medical supplies, the Federation might just gain enough leverage to get a permanent presence in the region."

"You don't sound convinced" Eckenwald pointed out.

Sulu smiled and then shook his head. "Medical equipment does not scare klingons."

Eckenwald chuckled. "No, that it does not."

They continued their breakfast, and as they did, the chief medical officer could not help noticing the serious features on his captains face.

"Sulu?" the doctor said. "Is something wrong? I can tell you're thinking about something."

Hikaru swallowed some breakfast with a sip of milk, and then sighed. "I signed the divorce-papers last night."

Eckenwald placed knife and fork on the table. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I… I don't know what to say."

"It's alright, doctor" the captain said with a faint smile. "There's no point arguing with him anymore. Last night was a total disaster. It wont accomplish anything. I spend ninety percent of my life on this ship, with this crew. He spends his time here on Yorktown, lightyears away for the most part of the year. Subspace is a poor substitute for physical contact." It was clear that Sulu had trouble talking about it.

"If there's anything I can do" Eckenwald said, not sure what that could be at this moment.

"Don't label me unfit for service will do just fine" Sulu managed to joke and managed to get a laugh from the doctor. "Sad as my personal life is at the moment… I am still fit to captain this ship."

Eckenwald allowed himself to smile. "You know where to find me."

XXX XXX

Captain Hikaru Sulu went through the cargo-manifest, signing the datapad with his thumbprint as he went. A boring, yet required, part of being the commanding officer of a Starfleet vessel. Two hundred crates of medical supplies, destined for neutral space and the single colony found in the Korvat system. The seasoned captained sighed; the USS Excelsior, an Excelsior class cruiser, the most advanced ship in the fleet, was to be used as a political tool. Sulu would much rather be back on patrol along the Klingon Neutral Zone, safeguarding Federation colonies from klingon marauders.

Stardate 8827.6, captains personal log. The Excelsior has been pulled from patrol-duty by order of Starfleet to instead fill in as a cargo-hauler, delivering medical equipment to the Korvat colony, found in neutral space. The mission is not as straight-forward as it might have first appeared, as both the cardassians and the klingons have shown an interest in the system, due to its strategical position in otherwise uncontested regions of space. To the klingons, establishing a permanent presence in the Korvat system would give them another angle of attack against the Federation, a dire prospect to say the least. To the cardassians, it would give them a perfect staging ground for further expansion, endangering a planet recently surveyed from orbit by Starfleet by the name of Bajor; the planet home to a pre-warp civilization that would be a prime target for cardassian conquest. The orders given myself and my crew are simple; win the hearts and minds of Korvats leaders to ensure that both cardassians and klingons think twice about securing the system for their own needs. While this operation might very well make the cardassians hesitant, something tells me it will do little to impress the Klingon Empire.

Klingons. Just thinking about them made Sulu frown. Had it been four years? The thought made Hikaru pause and lower the datapad for a moment. Where had the time gone? Four years since a klingon warlord named Kruge had tried to obtain the Genesis Device. Four years since the death of Sulus former comrades; Admiral Kirk, Captain Spock and Commander Scott. Good friends, lost to the pages of history. A dire incident that all but erupted into war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. And for the past four years since, things had slowly escalated until the brink; the cup could hold not one drop more.

"Captain."

Sulu was woken from his thoughts and turned to face his executive officer, commander Nathalie Gars. Her gray Starfleet uniform pristine as always, as was her yellow Department-shirt.

"Yes, Nathalie?"

"Sir, a shuttle has requested to dock. Starfleet Intelligence. Priority clearance."

Sulu quirked an eyebrow. This was unorthodox.

XXX XXX

The shuttle entered the shuttle-bay through the shimmering blue forcefield that kept space at bay. Captain Sulu stood waiting together with his executive officer, as well as the Excelsiors chief of security; Lieutenant Commander Gambon, a benzite, easily recognized as a species with a breathing apparatus attached to their noses, tubes connected to a belt-carried container, and the species itself being feline-reptilian. His brown Department-shirt indicated to all that he was of Starfleet Security.

The shuttle settled down and allowed three passengers to disembark. The young lieutenant from Starfleet Intelligence was easily recognized, with the green shirt under the grey uniform, with a single green ribbon on either sleeve. Sulu could not help but find the young human female oddly familiar; it was strange, since she could not be a year over twenty-five, and that short blonde hair made her quite recognizable in a crowd. Joining the lieutenant was a middle-aged vulcan and a young trill, both male and in civilian clothing, the trill as young as the human Starfleet officer. The vulcan stood out however, as his hair was shoulder-length and poorly combed backwards, and a thick beard covered his face; in fact, Sulu did not at first realize it was a vulcan, until he took note of the mans ears and eyebrows.

"Captain" the blonde woman in Starfleet uniform said. "Lieutenant Emelie Marcus-Kirk, requesting to come aboard, sir."

The hand was extended and Sulu hesitated for a brief moment to grasp it. As he did, his face was split in a smile.

"Emelie?" he said, astonished and happy. "I haven't seen you in ten years."

"I assure you captain" the young lieutenant smiled, "I am more thrilled about this reunion than you are."

Hikaru nodded, it was an unexpected treat to so suddenly run into the daughter of captain James T. Kirk. And a graduate of Starfleet Academy at that, now holding the rank of lieutenant. Sulu shook his head, smiling.

"So, lieutenant" the captain said, "what brings you out this far?"

"Orders, captain." Emelie Marcus-Kirk turned to the two men accompanying her. "Captain, may I introduce Federation ambassador Curzon Dax, and Vulcan diplomat, Sybok."

"Sybok?" Hikaru Sulu said the name, almost with reverence. Although he had never met the man before, the mans brother had spoken often of him.

"At last I meet the legendary Hikaru Sulu" the scruffy looking vulcan said and placed his hands on the shoulders of the Excelsiors commanding officer. "Spock always spoke highly of you."

"Pardon the interruption" the trill cut in, "but what are the odds that a game of tongo is held on this rugged bucket of bolts?"

XXX XXX

Sulu placed tea in front of his guests in the captains ready-room, before settling down behind his own desk with a cup of tea of his own. Outside the viewport the stars streaked by as the ships warp-field distorted gravity and space; the Alcubierre effect as it was commonly known.

"We will reach Korvat in three days" Sulu explained, sipped his tea and then placed it on his desk. "Pardon my hesitation, but I thought I was only providing medical supplies to the colonists. Not transporting a delegation of diplomats."

"Officially, you aren't" the lieutenant said, tea held in both hands. "Officially, you are only providing medical supplies to Korvat. A clear indication to the klingons and cardassians that the Federation does not wish any imperial expansion into the Korvat system. An Excelsior class cruiser is as blunt as a gorn chewing on your arm, wouldn't you say so, captain."

"Quite" Hikaru agreed. "So what about unofficially?"

"Unofficially, captain" Sybok was next to speak, being the only other person in the small room, "we have reason to believe that romulan agents are operating in the Korvat system. Some time ago, the Vulcan High Command became aware of the romulans intentions and contacted the Federation Council. The mission, assigned to myself and lieutenant Marcus-Kirk, and ambassador Dax, is to locate these romulans and find out what they are up to. No doubt, their presence in the Korvat system is a danger to the Federation. The codename for the mission is Operation Sha-Ka-Ree."

Kirks daughter continued the reasoning. "Starfleet Intelligence fears that with tensions so high surrounding that system, the romulans might attempt to push things over the edge."

"The Vulcan High Command agrees" Sybok added.

Emelie sipped her tea before speaking. "Once we get there, we will head to the surface to complete our mission. That is the extent of your involvement, captain."

Hikaru was not entirely convinced. "Unless the romulans have other plans" he said. "And when the Excelsiors mission there is over? Are we to leave you behind?"

"Yes" the lieutenant said without hesitation. "Should you stay longer than necessary, it could draw attention to us. Something we would like to avoid."

Sulu did not like it. "You would be on your own in a potentially hostile region of space, surrounded by romulans, klingons and cardassians."

Sybok tried to ease the captain. "This is why Dax has been assigned to the mission; as a joined trill, he has the experience of six lifetimes to help him, and that is what makes him an excellent diplomat. Through his diplomacy, we will earn friends on the surface. Emelie will locate the romulans. And I, being vulcan, have a unique understanding of the romulan psyque, since we share a common ancestry. All in all, I am certain that we will succeed in our mission."

"I hope you're right, ambassador" Sulu replied, not entirely convinced that the plan was a good one.

XXX XXX

Hikaru Sulu, seated in his chair on the bridge of the USS Excelsior, studied the latest reports from the various sections of the ship. Glancing over at his executive officer, he could not help but notice that she was holding a lock of her brown hair by her nose, breathing through the lock as she always did when trying to solve a mystery or problem.

"What's on your mind, Nathalie?"

Commander Gars was woken from her thoughts as the captain addressed her. "It concerns our passengers, sir."

"Well?" Sulu inquired.

"A young lieutenant from Starfleet Intelligence, an unexperienced federation ambassador and a diplomat from New Vulcan" the commander said. "On a mission to seek out romulan agents in neutral space? How does that add up?"

Sulu agreed that it did sound odd, but at the same time, "Are you telling me that the daughter of Captain Kirk is lying to me? That the brother of Spock is lying to me? Vulcans do not lie."

Gars sighed. "I don't know, sir" she had to confess. "It sounds strange, that's all."

"If I may."

Both the captain and the commander of the USS Excelsior turned to face a young vulcan ensign serving on the bridge, wearing the dark blue shirt of the Science Department under his Starfleet uniform. Sulu thought for a moment before remembering the name of the newest crewmember, having been assigned to the Excelsior only a week before.

"Please, ensign Tuvok."

The young vulcan stood up, almost at attention by his workstation. "Captain, I must point out that ever since the destruction of Vulcan, Sybok T'Rea-born has earned a reputation of being a fierce sentinel of vulcan culture and vulcan prosperity. His close relation with his future brother, also known as Spock Prime, is well documented, as is their efforts in restoring what was lost on Vulcan. If the High Command has dispatched him to oversee a mission to detect agents of the Tal Shiar, I see no reason not to trust his judgment. Sybok T'rea-born is, after all, considered as one of the most gifted vulcans of our time, exceptionally so even. It would be logical to assist him in any way we can."

"An interesting point of view, ensign" Sulu said. "But I hope you are not offended if I place greater trust in my commander and her opinion, over that of an ensign fresh out of the Academy."

"My recent graduation should not be a factor in this circumstance, captain" Tuvok replied, his face quite sincere. "The logic of the Vulcan High Command is rarely a thing that can be argued, such as Sybok being assigned to this mission and we assisting him to the best of our abilities."

"Tuvok was it?" Sulu asked, clearly his mood taking a turn for the worse.

"Yes, captain. Science officer, gamma shift."

Lieutenant commander Gambon, the benzite, decided to cut in. "Ensign, sit down and get back to work." As the chief of security joined in, the young ensign did as ordered. "Sorry captain" the benzite wearing the brown shirt of Starfleet Security said. "I will correct the ensign."

"See that you do" Commander Gars said.

XXX XXX

Gathered in Emelie Marcus-Kirks assigned guest-quarters, the young lieutenant currently shared the compartment with her two partners for their mission to Korvat.

"When will your klingon friend arrive?" Sybok wondered, directing the question to the trill.

Curzon Dax, casually drinking brandy in Emelies bed with no regard to her thoughts on the matter, eyed the alcohol as he replied. "He will arrive two days after we set foot on Korvat, approximately. Do not worry, he is a man of his word."

"As all klingons are" Sybok stated. "Still, without him, we can not succeed. We rely heavily on his arrival."

"Succeed?" Emelie inquired, more thinking aloud than anything else. "You say that as if the odds are in our favor."

Sybok allowed for a slow exhale. "My brother, or should I say, my future brother, spent his last remaining years trying to solve the riddle of how to save Vulcan. The answer eluded him. However, I am certain that this is our best option."

Dax glanced at the vulcan. "It is a longshot, this plan of yours. You do realize that?"

"Yet, here you are" Sybok replied, not without confidence. Dax grinned.

"Yet, here I am" he said and swallowed a mouthful of brandy. "Because if you are right about the romulans, you green-blooded fanatic, it means we will have peace with the klingons."

"It means my father will be alive" Emelie said, no more than a whisper.

Yet, her two companions could hear her well enough.