T'Slash: Hey everyone sorry for the long wait period for me to update anything! I have been emotionally compromised by the loss of my Cat of 12 years Penny and Finals but I will try to write in my free time more often. *closes eyes looking out the window* Star light star bright first stay I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight. *opens eyes* Darn it looks like I still don't own Star Trek, sadly, but I do own Maravilla, Aminia and the plot! Atlas by Angel Baby1 inspired some of the scene on the bridge but not the whole story that is my idea, Angel Baby did a great job with Atlas I do not and never did mean to copy her. Enjoy the story!
Return to Tarsus
Chapter 1: In Pain Again
James T. Kirk looked out at the stars; it has been six years since the crew of the USS Enterprise crew had saved the Federation from the Romulan, Nero, and since James Tiberius Kirk was promoted to captain of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701. Captain Kirk glanced around at his loyal bridge crew: Chekov and Sulu sat at the helm, their fingers dancing across the buttons, keeping the Enterprise traveling smoothly; Uhura sat at the communication station monitoring all the incoming messages, patiently waiting their new orders from Starfleet; Scotty was down in the engineering room, you could almost never get Scotty to come up to the bridge unless by force; Doctor McCoy was in sickbay, checking up on patients and just waiting to stab Jim with another hypo. Jim turned to look at the science station, Mr. Spock; his First Officer sat there categorizing the data they obtained from the last planet they had explored. Jim smiled slightly at Spock's back a warm feeling bubbling up inside of him before he pushed the feeling back turning back to the view screen and gazing out at the stars.
We only have a few months left together as a crew before our five year mission is complete. We've come a long way, Jim though, his eyes locked with the stars. We went from hating each other to becoming a family. I never thought anyone but Maravilla and Penelopy would become family. I never thought I would have a family quite like this one, a loving loyal one. One who wants to protect you and make sure you are alright. Not a broken one, one filled with ghosts and pain, Jim smiled, watching the stars whirl past them as he thought about his crew, his family. Mom was never a family. She abandoned us with that Bastard Frank. She sent us to Tarsus without a second thought. She left us for dead.
"Lt. Uhura, any news yet?" Jim asked, turning to face Uhura, trying to erase the dark thoughts floating though his head.
"Not yet, sir. They should be coming in anytime now," Lt. Uhura said, smiling softly at Jim. Over the years they had become closer, Jim still flirted with Uhura but she knew he didn't mean anything by it; she was like his sister now. Someone he wanted to protect no matter what. He would never allow anyone to hurt her.
"Keep me posted," Jim smiled, turning his attention back to the stars, remembering the message he had received only hours before.
Jimmy! I just learned from Admiral Pike what you did to achieve command of the Enterprise!! How could you?!?! You not only cheated on the Maru test but emotionally compromised the Acting Captain!! Your father would be ashamed of you!! You even joined Starfleet against my wishes!! Starfleet took your father away from us! You took your Father away from me! Do you want to die as well and leave Maravilla and myself all alone? You're all Ihave left after Sam and Aurelan died on Deneva, Winona Kirk yelled in the message. I'm happy that Maravilla had enough sense not to join that cursed Starfleet. You should have as well. You're too much like your father, always jumping in head first. You know I love you Jimmy I just wish you were more careful with your life. I know I haven't been a great mother to Maravilla and you and I want to make it up to you. Just stay safe Jimmy, for me?
Now you want to be a mother? Jim thought bitterly, glaring at the stars. Maravilla and I don't need you. We're just fine without you; you left us with that Bastard for years. You will never be our Mother, we will always hate you.
"Captain, Starfleet is hailing us," Lt. Uhura called, dragging him out of his memories.
"I'll take it in the ready room, Lt. Mr. Spock, you have the conn," Jim announced, as he headed to his ready room.
"Yes, Captain," Spock replied, taking the command chair.
Jim entered his ready room and turned on the screen, waiting for Uhura to connect him with the Admiral. Before he could conn Uhura and ask what was taking so long Admiral Surge's face appeared on the screen. Great, just who I wanted to deal with, Jim mentally groaned, forcing a smile on his face.
"Admiral Surge what a pleasure to see you again. What are our orders, sir?" Jim asked, politely, smile still on his face.
"Captain Kirk, you are herby ordered to head for Tarsus IV to help provide emergency relief until a shipment of food can arive on the colony. You are also to pick up a prisoner by the name of Anton Karidian and deliver him back to Starfleet Command for his trial for the crimes he committed," Admiral Surge ordered, his grey eyes locked on Jim's, a devilish smile in his eyes.
"If I may ask, sir? What crimes has the prisoner committed?" Jim asked, confused. What could this man have possible done that the Federation Flagship has take him to Starfleet Command for trial? Jim thought, suddenly anxious.
"Anton Karidian was identified as Kodos the Executioner by one of the survivors of the Tarsus IV genocide. Aperently the witness went to a play with thier family and recognized the main actor and contacted us immediatly. We are sending you an encoded message now with the mission specifics. I trust that you will follow orders for once in your life?" Admiral Surge asked, glaring at Jim, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he watched Jim's eyes widened and his skin turned pale. No…not him, Jim thought, panicking, his breathing becoming quick.
"Of course, Admiral. I always follow orders," Jim said, his voice tight as he fought to restrain his breath and emotions. "Will that be all, sir?"
"That will be all," Admiral Surge said, smiling at Jim. "Good Luck Captain Kirk. Surge out."
Jim sat their shocked at what he just learned. Kodos is back…after all these years. I knew he couldn't be dead. He was-is to smart to die so easily, Jim thought pacing as the message came in, he overlooked the message his blue eyes turning to ice before he turned and walked onto the bridge and stood behind his chair. Damn you Kodos.
"Lieutenant Uhura," Jim ordered, his voice cold, no emotions or warmpth in his tone.
"Aye, sir," Uhura responded, quickly standing in attention.
"Call Dr. McCoy onto the bridge, I won't be explaining this twice," Jim said, in a voice as cold and deadly as winter.
"Captain," Spock said softly as he stepped towards Jim, wanting to figure out what has angered his Captain.
"Do not need you at this time, Commander," Jim said harshly, mentally wincing at his harsh tone, never moving from behind his chair. "Return to your station." Spock took a step back, his eyes filled with worry for his Captain and friend. Sorry Spock...I you can't find out what I am hiding. How broken I truly am, Jim thought, a brief flash of regret flashing in his eyes before they went hard again.
"Mr. Chekov, familiarize yourself with the missions parameters and be perpare to debrief the crew of the mission."
"A-aye Keptin," Chekov responded nervously as he called up the mission file.
"When you are done with that..lay in the course for...Tarus IV," Jim ordered through clentched teeth. Damn Kodos, he couldn't be on some other planet could he. Just has to make this harder on me, Jim thought, a flash of a smiling young woman with blond hair and blue eyes crossing his mind.
"Aye Keptin."
"Damn it Jim! What is so damn important that I have to leave sick-" McCoy grumbled, freezing mid-step when Jim turned his icy eyes on him. "God damn it! What the hells happened now?"
"The Captain is preparing to brief us on the mission that we have just received by the Admirality," Spock explained calmly. "He received the orders in his ready room and is now going to brief the crew on the mission. Your presence was necessary."
"Yea, but what happened?" McCoy asked, watching his friend closely.
"I do not know, Doctor," Spock admitted, watching his Captain closely.
"Lieutenant Uhura, put the mission file on the bridge viewscreen," Jim ordered, ignoring his friends.
"Aye, Captain," Uhura replied, putting the file on the main screen.
"Two days ago Starfleet received a frantic message from the colony on Tarsus IV. It appears that the fast acting fungus that first appeared on the original colony twenty years ago might have returned. We are ordered to go to the colony and figure out if it really is that same fucking fungus from twenty years ago. We are also ordered to offer medical aid to the people on the colony as we wait for a supply ship to arrive with the emergency food," Jim began, gripping the back of his chair tightly, his knuckles turning white under the pressure. "Then a few hours after Starfleet got the Tarsus IV message another message arrived and this man was arrested." For a moment Jim paused, trying to get his emotions under control as he leaned over his chair, puling up the arrest photo of the man in question. Middle age and starting to lose his hair, his eyes ice cold, he looked no different from any other human male. Bastard, Jim's mind hissed.
"This man has been going as Anton Karidian, an actor, but his cover was blown when one of the remaining witnesses identified him after a play that they attended with their family. After his cover was blown he started demanding to see the one who had him arrested. His interigation is available with the mission file if you wish to hear it. I have no interest in hearing his denials or anything else this monster has to say," Jim growled, his expression dark as he continued to glare at the man. Damn it, I have to keep my emotions in check. I dont want them to think I am unfit for duty. Unfit to be a captain. I cant let them figure it out...then don't need to know what I went through, Jim thought, pausing in order to gain control of himself. I can't let all of Pike's hard work to keep it out of my file to go to waste.
"Jim," Spock said softly, taking a step towards the Captain. Jim what is wrong? Spock thought concerned for his commanding officer.
"This fucker," Jim spat, his voice getting louder and angrier, "is Governor Kodos. The Executioner." No one on the bridge reacted. The name Kodos only having meaning to Jim, and he was appearing to have difficulty expressing the importance of the ex-Governor.
"Captain I have no prior knowledge of that name. Perhaps you could disclose the importance of this man and as to why he was arrested," Spock asked, calmly, taking a step closer to Jim.
Jim shut his eyes, centering himself. When he opened his eyes again they were blank, the killer anger gone, hidden underneath the surface. He straightened, folding his arms across his chest, his jaw clenched in anger. "Tarsus IV use to be a peaceful colony twenty years ago until a fast acting fungus destroyed all the food. Maybe even the same one that is currently reported to be destroying the crops on the colony now. Instead of waiting for Federation aid this asshole," Jim growled, still staring emotionlessly at the man, only a hint of anger clouding his eyes, "decided that there were only enough supplies to sustain about half of the colony and he was the only one who was capable of choosing who would survive." Got to stay calm. Got to stay in command. Kodos wont take anything away from me again, Jim thought his hand tigntening into a fist.
"No," Uhura whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
"Yes. To 'save' as many people as he could, Governor Kodos ordered the execution of 4000 people that he himself deemed inferior, of the original 8000 population. Of the four thousand he sentenced to death, about 28 of the children escaped alive. Of those 28 children only nine have ever seen what Kodos truly looks like. They are known as the Tarsus 9...but of those nine only eight are alive today, the one of them was killed right before Starfleet aid could arrive. They died saving their best friends life. Those remaining eight are the only people alive today who can identify Governor Kodos the Executioner. Their names are protected and hidden. Even the Admiral's don't have their files, they need to have a good reason to get permission to open those files. The reason none of you have heard about Tarsus is that the Admirals, especially Archer whose friend was killed there, ordered it to be kept classified. 'For the sake of the survivors' he said," Jim said calmly, his eyes blank. "It's thanks to one the Tarsus 9 that Kodos was identified and arrested. Apperently he didnt expect any of the survivors to be back on Tarsus after what happened. Sucks for him." After what he did to her...to all of us...its about time he got justice. Damn it, got to control my emotions, Jim thought as he tried to suppress his fury.
The crew paled, looking at each other. Chekov and Spock looked at their captain, noticing for the first time that his skin was deadly pale. Jim, what are you hiding from me? Spock wondered, watching his Captain closely.
"What are our orders concerning the criminal?" Spock asked, filing the information away for later.
"We are to pick Kodos up and deliver him to Starfleet Command as soon as the relief supplies arrive at the colony. We're going specifically because we are the God damn flagship of the fleet and all that bullshit. According to Admiral Surge, we are also going because we are the closest starship to the colony," Jim said calmly, letting his arms drop, his hands clenching into fists. "We are holding Governor Crazy in Sickbay, sorry Bones, but he has been known for escaping so it's better to drug him. He's going to be saying with you druged up on some sedatives that were whipped up by the colony doctor for us to contain him. Make sure you have someone watching him every minute, he's cunning like a fox." He diserves to die, Jim thought, glaring at the picture of Kodos.
"God damn it," McCoy grumbled, trying to figure out how to accommodate the insane mass murder without anyone getting hurt.
"Chekov," Jim ordered, turning his attention to the Russian. "Your announcement to the crew will be that the Admiralty has sent us to pick up a prisoner and help a starving colony in need. Nothing more, okay?"
"Aye, Sir," Chekov responded softly, turning to the helm.
"Mr. Spock, select a Science Officer to beam down onto the plant upon arrival to analyze the fungus. We need to know what is making it act up after all these years if it is indeed the same fungus from twenty years ago. Bones, I need you to spare a few Medical Officers to beam down and start treating the sick," Jim said, turning to face his two friends.
"Of course, Captain," Spock said, returning to his station, deciding on what science officer to beam down.
"Sure, Jim," McCoy said, thinking of what officers to send down and how to accommodate the Governor as he turned to the turbo lift.
"Have them report to Briefing Room 5 in two hours. We will debrief them on their assignments then. Lieutenant Uhura, will you join us? You opinion on how we should handle the situation might come in handy and I would also like for you to beam down as well, to help with the communications, contacting the family of the dead, if you will," Jim asked, a small smile on his face as he turned to Uhura.
"Of course, Captain," Uhura said softly, gently whipping the tears off her face.
"Good. Mr. Spock, you have the conn. I will be in my quarters, reviewing the mission specifics. I will meet you in Briefing Room 5 in two hours," Jim said, turning to face Spock. Damn it! I have to get out off here, Jim thought, his original panic and anger returning. I cant hold it together much longer.
"Yes, Captain," Spock replied, taking the Captains Chair as Jim turned and rushed into the turbo lift. What are you hiding from us, Jim? Spock wondered as he watching Jim disappeared into the turbo lift.
"Lieutenant Uhura, please contact Lieutenant Starr and inform her that once we arrive at the colony she will beam down and collect samples of the fungus for further testing," Spock said, turning to face Uhura.
"Right away sir," Uhura said, turning towards her counsel.
~Science Lab~
Bridge to Lt. Starr the intercom in the science room started, Lt Uhura's voice filling the room. Crystal Starr, looked up from her experiment, her long golden hair tied up in a high pony tail, her blue eyes curious. What could they possible want? I'm in the middle of an important experiment, Commander Spock knows that, she thought as she got up. "Mason, take over for me will you?" Crystal called a nearby Science Officer as she headed to the intercom.
"Sure thing Crystal," Mason said, smiling brightly as he took over the experiment. Crystal rolled her eyes at Mason before pressing the intercom.
"Starr here. What do you need?" Crystal asked politely, pulling lightly on her blond hair.
"Lt. Starr, we have just received orders from Starfleet. You are to report to Briefing Room 5 in two hours time, for debriefing on the mission. Your job is to beam down to Tarsus IV with the medical officers and figure out if the same fungus from twenty years ago is causing the food shortage," Lt. Uhura's voice said. Crystal paled at the name of the planet, her hands falling limp to her sides. No…it can't be…Not after all this time, Crystal thought, slightly panicking. I must have heard it wrong.
"Lt. Uhura, could you please repeat the name of the planet I am to beam down to?" Crystal asked her voice weak. Please let me be wrong, please. I can't beam down to that...horrible planet…not after last time, Crystal thought, a flash of cold snow and gunshots appearing in her mind.
"Tarsus IV, why?" Lt. Uhura asked her voice soft.
"N-no…no reason Lt. I just couldn't hear you over the machines," Crystal lied, laughing slightly, her eyes wide with panic. Jim I have to reach Jim!! He'll know what to do!! He can pull me from this mission, Crystal thought, her breathing becoming more erratic.
"Okay. Report to Briefing room 5 in two hours Lt. Starr, don't forget," Lt. Uhura said, her voice wobbling just a little.
"I won't. Starr out," Crystal said, her voice breaking as she turned the intercom off. I can't stay here. I have to go to Jim. Crystal thought wildly as she threw off her protective cloths, so she only remained in her blue Science Officer uniform. "Mason, cover for me will you?" Crystal said as she ran out the door.
"Sure," Mason said confused as he watched Crystal race out of the room.
I got to reach Jim!! He's the only one who can help me!! The only one who knows the truth!! Crystal thought as she raced down the halls towards the Captains quarters.
~~Sickbay~~
"Nurse Hypaet…" McCoy called, stumbling over the name as he walked into Sickbay.
"Doctor McCoy, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Aminia? Most humans can never pronounce my last name," Aminia Hypaetsytxye laughed, as she turned to her boss. Aminia was a Nyxie, a recently joined member of the Federation. She had pure white wings emerging from her back; her hair was white like snow fell down to her knees, on top of her head her ear fanned out like wings, each stretching left or right till they were parallel to her shoulders, her eyes ocean blue and her skin as pale as ice.
"I will get it one day," McCoy said, smiling at his new nurse, Aminia had just transferred over a month ago and was fitting right in with the medical staff.
"I highly doubt it Doctor. I only know two humans who can pronounce my name successfully," Aminia said smiling brightly as she gently ran a hand through her wings. "Did you need me for something?"
"Yes, we are going to a planet called Tarsus IV to pick up a mass murder. The only problem is we are holding him here in sickbay instead of in the brig because apperently he can escape anything," McCoy exclaimed, walking into a private room, getting it ready for the former Governor. "What I need you for is you will be watching him prisoner while he is in sickbay." Aminia's skin paled even further as her eyes turned white at the name of the planet.
"Doctor…if I may…what is the prisoner's name?" Aminia asked, her voice shacking slightly as her wings wrapped around her body. Please don't let it be who I think it is… Aminia pleaded to her Gods as she watched McCoy turn to face her.
"His name is Anton Karidian," McCoy said, frowning slightly. "But his real name is Kodos." NOO!!! I can't….Kodos will know who I am!!! I can't let anyone else know I was on that awful planet!!!! Aminia thought, panicking slightly, her body shacking slightly. Jim…Jimmy is the Captain! He can help!! He knows why I can't be near Kodos!! He'll help me!!
"Kodos…Is Starfleet positive it's him?" Aminia asked, her voice shacking. Maybe they are mistaken…maybe it isn't Kodos but someone else.
"Their positive. Apperently one of the Tarsus 9 confirmed it was him during some play," McCoy said, concerned as he watched Aminia's wings close tighter around her. "Are you feeling alright?" Come on Aminia, pull yourself together you can't let Doctor McCoy think you are a weakling. Just lie and head to Jimmy. He'll know what to do…he always did, Aminia thought, forcing her emotions back.
"Yes! I'm perfectly fine Doctor. I…just need to go get something to eat….If that's okay with you?" Aminia asked a tight smile on her face as she forced herself to relax slightly.
"Of course. Just make sure that you report to Briefing Room 5 in two hours," McCoy said, his blue eyes worried as he watched Aminia.
"I won't forget, Doctor. Thank you," Aminia said as she calmly walked out of sickbay. Once the doors closed she raced through the halls towards the Captains quarters. I got to hurry!! Jimmy is the only one who knows the truth!! He'll help me!! He has too!!! Aminia thought as she raced into the turbo life, heading towards deck 5 and the Captain's quarters.
~~~Captains Quarters~~~
"Damn it!!" Jim yelled, punching the wall in his quarters. "Of all the missions why did we have to get this one?!" Jim continued to pace his rooms, his anger boiling as he recalled all the horrifying details of Tarsus IV. I couldn't do anything! I lost Aunt Grace, Uncle Pierre and Aminia to that bastard and I almost lost Maravilla and Penelopy! Jim thought as he continued to pace. Pausing only when he heard the door chime. Damn it, who could it be!
"Who is it?" Jim snapped into the intercom by his bed. Can't they tell I want to be alone!!
"Jim, it's me," a soft voice whispered, barely distinguishable. Jim paled further as he ran towards his door and pulled the person into his room. Damn it!! How could I have forgotten about her?! She's affected by this as well!!
"Crystal," Jim sighed pulling her into his arms, his fingers gently brushing her golden hair as she cried in his arms. "Crystal its okay." Damn it how could I have been so careless!! Of course Spock would choose her, she the best damn it!! Jim scolded himself as he held her tighter.
"Jim…do-don't call me Crystal…Please?" she asked, lifting her head to look at Jim.
"Crystal, we have to. Otherwise people will find out," Jim said, gently whipping her tears away.
"I don't care anymore Jim! I am tired of hiding from that woman who gave birth to us! I just need my brother!!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face. "I don't want to be Crystal Starr anymore!! I'm sick of lying to everyone!! I want to be myself again!! I want to be Maravilla Kirk again!!"
"Maravilla, its okay, shhh," Jim said, pulling her over towards his bed, holding her tightly in his arms. "Shhh, it's going to be okay."
"Jimmy!! Commander Spock chose me!! I can't go down to that planet again!! You have to ground me, or something!! Pull me out of the mission!!!" Maravilla cried, burying her face in Jim's shirt once again. "I'm emotionally compromised!!"
"Maravilla, I'll try to remove you from duty but I can't make any promises. Spock might challenge me on why I am removing you and I...I don't wat them to know the truth. Pike's worked so hard to hide this from everyone else we can't let him down. We'll go to the briefing room together, okay?" Jim asked softly as he cradled his sister closer.
"Thanks, Jim. I knew I could count on you," Maravilla said, pulling away, her blue eyes bright with tears as she smiled shaking up at Jim. Jim smiled down at his sister before the door chimed again. Who else could it be?! Jim thought, gently placing Maravilla on the bed.
"Who is it," Jim asked, thumbing the intercom.
"Captain Kirk….Jimmy…its Hypaetsytxye," the voice whispered quietly. No it can't be!! Maravilla thought, her eyes wide. She died on that cursed planet…protecting me.
"Aminia," Jim whispered, shocked as he pushed the button to open his door. How…can this be….I saw her get shot...I thought she died…protecting Maravilla, Jim thought. Aminia ran up to Jim and hugged him tightly.
"Jimmy!! I knew you were Captain!! I made sure I remembered your last name and made sure I was assigned to your ship! It took some time but I did it!" Aminia cried, silver crystals falling from her eyes.
"Aminia…is that really you?" Maravilla asked softly, her blue eyes wide in disbelief.
"Maravilla…miracle. You made it…I'm so happy," Aminia smiled, crystals continuing to fall from her eyes as she released Jim, her blue eyes focused on Maravilla.
"Aminia it is you!!" Maravilla cried, flinging herself into Aminia's arms, Aminia's wings wrapping around them both. "I…thought…you had died!!"
"Did you forget that Nyxie hearts aren't located in the same place that a human one would be?" Aminia teased through her tears as she hugged her friend close. Jim smiled at the scene, happy that Aminia hadn't died that day.
"Aminia…did you come here for something or just to say hi?" Jim asked his voice rough from all the emotions he had to deal with today.
"No…Jimmy….I didn't come just to say hi," Aminia said, releasing Maravilla and turned to face Jim her eyes turning white again. "Doctor McCoy has assigned me to oversee Kodos once he is brought aboard. You know that I can't be with him, that I can't face him again after what he's done. You have to remove me from duty! I beg you Jimmy, please!!" Kodos is coming on board? No! Maravilla mentally screamed, her tremmoring increasing as her eyes filled with fear.
"Aminia….I'll try but like I said to Maravilla, I won't make any promises. Just because I'm the captain doesn't mean I can remove you from duty, thats Doctor McCoy's I will do my best to have you both removed from duty. Hell I need to remove myself from duty," Jim sighed, his voice filled with defeat as he looked down at his sister and Aminia. "We'll go to the Briefing Room together and try to weasle all three of us from duty. I can't go down there anymore then Maravilla can."
"Jimmy," Maravilla cried, recovering from the shock at hearing that Kodos was still alive and coming onboard, throwing herself at Jim once more, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!! I should have known I wasn't the only one suffering!! I shouldn't have come to you!!! I should have gone to Commander Spock directly instead of bothering you, he is my commanding officer and everything!"
"Shhh, Mara, its okay," Jim cooed, gently running his fingers through Maravilla's hair. "I don't blame you, Mara. I'm happy you came to me. I'm your older brother, you should depend on me."
"You're only older by thirty two minutes," Maravilla mumbled, through her tears.
"I'm still older," Jim whispered, smiling slightly before turning to Aminia and opening his arms, Aminia smiled in gratitude before launching herself into his arms.
"Thank you, Jimmy," Aminia whispered, her wings wrapping around all three of them as she continued to cry. There the three held each other, seeking comfort from each other against the painful memories of the past. Crying for the dead as well as themselves. I'll remove us from duty without revealing that we were done on that planet…somehow, Jim thought, holding his sister and his friend close, trying to protect them from the painful memories as he protected them from the monster that was returning to their lives. I will protect you two. I won't let anything happen to you again. I'll find a way….There no such thing as a no-win scenario.
TBC
T'Slash: Well there was more planed but I thought I should get it out now before it got too long. I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter for Return to Tarsus, please review and tell me if you want to continue. Remember reviews feed the authors soul!! Live long and prosper