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Chapter 1 First Contact
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BRIDGE OF THE USS ENTERPRISE
Captain James T. Kirk looks out of the viewport into space. He never tires of its dark beauty. He shifts in his captain's seat to stretch his stiff muscles. "Delta shift isn't too bad for a change," he thinks silently as he takes a deep drink of his coffee and stares at the clock reading 0300 hours. Normally he lets Chekov or Lt. Aaron Rios take this shift. They love getting "time in the chair" as Jim calls it and this shift is typically the quietest. The bridge is much quieter now than when Alpha crew mans it. Delta crew is not as comfortable around him as Alpha crew so there are no jokes or small banter as they watch their monitors. "If this mysterious ship is not detected in the next 48 hours I'm declaring it a hallucination by Uhura and redirecting the Enterprise to some hot, sunny, tropical world for shore leave," Kirk jokes but the response from the crew is only more silence and just a few fleeting glances. Jim tries to keep things casual on his ship using last names and first ones when appropriate instead of rank. For some this takes a while to get used to. "God, these guys need to get a little life," he again thinks silently and makes a mental note to place them on the first round for shore leave. Maybe he will go with them this time. Spend some time with someone other than Bones, Jack, or Spock. Sun, sand, women in bikinis, alcohol…Jim let his mind drift to all the possibilities of a vacation. Bored, Kirk pulls up the alien transmission again on his PADD that brought him here.
ARRIVE LOCATION 932.8604. WE ARE FRIENDS. WE HAVE SOMETHING VITAL TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE FEDERATION. SEND THE FLAGSHIP OF STAR FLEET TO TAKE DELIVERY OF THE PACKAGE. JAMES KIRK REQUIRED FOR EXCHANGE. ALL RESTS ON YOUR DESIRE FOR FIRST CONTACT AND PEACE.
The message is vague enough to spark interest but specific enough to raise eyebrows. Jim settles back in his command chair. This is why he joined Star Fleet. For the excitement and unknown, only Star Fleet can provide. The start of his five-year mission was just weeks away when they received the transmission. They were finishing loading supplies and tying up loose ends when the message was detected by Star Base 11. No date was sent telling when to arrive at the coordinates until Star Fleet discovered the message was sent on a repeating feedback loop. They soon learned that due to signal degradation it was only two days old. Star Fleet had ordered the Enterprise to wait a week at 932.8604 before it will be relieved by another ship. Jim had given it three days already. If something did not happen in the next four, he was going to go out of his mind with boredom.
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BEACON OF HOPE STAR YACHT
"Can you do this pet," Zala Tsu turns to face Kate. The time has come. They will be on the alien ship in minutes. Zala Tsu needs to know she can handle her end of the mission. "It is all riding on you. Trillions upon trillions of species need the Holocron for their survival. These people here are not our friends. You must be wary. If you do not fulfill your end of the mission," Zala Tsu lets a hard stare fall on Kate though a smile covers her face.
Kate's heart is beating out of her chest. She has been in a constant state of anxiety since departing for the mission. Ten minutes after leaving Coruscant Kate began regretting her decision. A day into the journey Kate toyed with the idea of trying to contact Han but they watched her so carefully. Two weeks into the journey Kate began to believe that maybe they were traveling to another galaxy. She has never heard of this but the Vong did it so why couldn't they. Between weeks two and three Kate knew the three Jedi were not as pure in the Force as Corran Horn, Saba Sebatyne, and Kenth Hamner but she clung to the silly notion it was war stress. By now Kate has had enough with the implied threats she has received throughout the journey. "Yes," she snaps standing taller. "I know my job and I am capable of doing it. That is why you brought me is it not."
Rogan glares at Da-Mu-Unka. Kate and her precious family are strong willed and not easily controlled but she should know her place in front of Jedi Masters. He adds to Zala Tsu's assessment. "They will kill you if they find out your true purpose there. You are not special and mean nothing to them," Rogan's words are like a stab wound to Kate's heart but she was good at playing self-confident and assured when it served her. "Remember the plan. We are refugees looking for a home. That should get us on board until you find it."
"And you are positive this ship has it," Kate asks skeptically.
Zala Tsu senses Kate's trepidation increase. "Pet," she walks to Kate tracing fingertips down her body from shoulder to hand. Kate tries to not let the revulsion show. She hates it when Zala touches her. It is cold and jarring. "He is very cunning, this Captain of the USS Enterprise. He was able to steal the Holocron years ago from your mother when she came in peace. He will spin sweet words that he loved your mother. That she did not escape from the Federation but ran away from it," Zala Tsu adds an extra level of deception. "They are not like us here. They kill those that do not conform whereas we embrace it. They fear what they do not know. This galaxy is filled with the dark side of the Force. Mind what you have learned," she whispers in Kate's ear causing gooseflesh to rise on her arms. "He will try to force the truth from you of the mission. He will drug you and your food to make you psychologically willing to share." Zala adds this piece to increase Kate's desire to find the Holocron as quickly as possible. They need to be gone in a week. Hunger is very motivating no matter what species you are. "They will use everything and anything to cloud your mind. Do not fall for it. You are strong in the Force. Let it be your guide. Do not trust him but play along with each falsehood they spill."
"I get it. I can do it," Kate says walking away from the three Jedi crowding around her. She hates being this close to them. Their fear and anxiety over her safety feel cold and heavy. She wishes they could relax and project the love and warmth Kate always felt around other Jedi. She sits at a small console in the back of the room waiting to board the shuttle and begin the mission.
"And when she finds out the truth?" Rogan whispers in Zala Tsu's ear as she prepares to make contact with the Enterprise.
"She will be angry and scared. She will lash out. With each word they utter, our story becomes stronger and stronger. Their truths will validate our lies," Zala Tsu purrs confidently as she runs her fingertips down his cheek. "And if she doesn't believe us and accepts the truth…she will lose her home," Zala Tsu's tone turns frigid. "We will just have to make sure she knows we are only way back to everything she knows and loves. Kate has no option but to follow our directions. Her attachment to the Solo's and Skywalkers will never be undermined. Kate might be a reckless, free-willed child but she is loyal. Now let's get the Holocron."
Rogan drops the modified Sorosuub Star Yacht out of the modified hyper jump. Even he wasn't sure they would survive re-entry using the Rakata portal coupled with hyperspace. The ship bucked and creaked as it slip from hyperspace to real space. "They are initiating a communication request," he replies in his deep voice stealing a glance at Kate as the ship settles into real space.
"Excellent. See predictable," Zala Tsu murmurs sliding next to Rogan as she answers the Enterprise's hail.
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BRIDGE OF THE USS ENTERPRISE
"Captain. I have detected an anomaly off the port bow," Ensign Edwards says nervously and then stops.
"What kind of anomaly," Kirk says as he takes another drink of his coffee. Secretly he thinks to himself, "anomaly... Spock would already be analyzing and giving me..."
Suddenly an energy build up occurs off the port rocking the Enterprise slightly as it is hit by an energy wave. The front viewport fills with blue and white light so blinding that anyone looking directly at it is now seeing spots. Kirk blinks his eyes and immediately begins to bark orders. "What the hell was that? Damage report? All stations." As the crew takes a moment to answer, Kirk instantly decides they are unprepared for the job. Mentally he plans for more emergency drills to sharpen their skills. Uhura, Spock, Sulu, and Chekov would have reported from their stations long before he had even asked for it. Sometimes, in the heat of a battle, he needs to specifically call one of them out because they are reporting so fast he misses the information.
"I have detected a small ship off the port bow. It... It appeared out of nowhere Sir. It is of an unknown design with an unknown energy signature. The energy wave had dissipated and there appears to be nothing left of it. No residual energy. Nothing," gasps Ensign Edwards. "It is running with shields up."
"Calm down Ensign and raise our shields," Kirk orders. "There has to be a ..." Kirk gets up moving quickly to Edwards station.
"The ship is hailing us, Captain," remarks Lt. Barbara Sanders from communications. Kirk looks out the viewport and spies the small ship sitting just to the left of the screen. It is beautifully sleek in its design. It looks to be about 50-60 meters in length with two engines and possibly two weapons port.
"Open a comm line Lt, " he orders sitting straight in the chair. A small nod by Sanders lets Kirk know they are in contact with the ship. "This is Captain Kirk of the USS Enterprise we...
"Captain Kirk, I am very pleased to meet you. We've traveled a great distance to find you. Please give me docking coordinates" a feminine voice almost purrs back.
Kirk gives the universal sign to cut off verbal communication by snapping his fingers across his neck. "Where are my visuals Lt. Sanders?" he asks with a slight impatience rising in his voice. "Oh there will be drills," he thinks silently. "Drills and drills and drills until bridge crew gamma can step up this game. This is not a summer cruise for cadets."
Nervously Lt. Sanders replies, "They don't appear to have the ability to send visuals. At least not ones we can detect. They can send audio only."
"Audio only?" Kirk repeats as impatience creeps into each word. "What spaceworthy vessel transmits in audio only? Get me my visuals Lt," he demands, "and resume audio contact with the alien ship." Kirk tries to keep a steady, even tone even though he can feel frustration seeping into his face and body. He is fighting back the urge to contact Alpha crew with every fiber of his body. He needs to have as much faith in each shift at he does with Alpha but tonight Gamma is a pale comparison.
"Captain," the silky voice purrs from the unknown being in the shuttle, "docking coordinates," it requests again.
"No fucking way" Jim thinks "I'm not just opening the doors to the wolves without a hell of a good reason." It bothers him that they want to get on the ship so badly by docking their vessel. Why they aren't asking to be beamed on perplexes Kirk. Kirk clears his voice. "We are unable to dock you at this time. Please lower your shields so that we may beam you aboard."
"Beam us aboard?" Zala Tsu is unprepared for this. She glances at Da-Mu-Unka hoping he can shed some light on the Captain's request. Lauren Kirk never mentioned beaming.
With each passing moment, Kirk is getting a bad feeling about this. Everything is off. Gamma crew may not be the top performing crew but they are acting this is a drill. "We can't get a visual lock on your transmission. Are your comms damaged? Do you need assistance?" Kirk attempts to find out why he can't see the individuals in the shuttle.
"Captain, my communication systems are not compatible with yours. We have traveled a long way. If you will just allow me to dock and turn my package over to you I will be on my way," Zala Tsu states.
"This is fucking weird," Jim thinks and begins to process everything he knows, which is admittedly little, about this situation. "To whom am I speaking with and what is the nature of the cargo you wish to bring aboard my ship?" Kirk tightens his initial request.
"I am Master Zala Tsu of the Jedi Knights. She said you would be suspicious and that we should be direct when dealing with you," the voice almost laughs as it if tempting Jim to lose his composure. Kirk feels baited like the alien is an adult holding something right out of his reach but close enough to make sure he keeps trying to get it.
Jim is done with this cat and mouse game. "And who is this she you are referring to Master Zala Tsu?" Jim states ready to take off his proverbial boxing gloves and fuck diplomacy.
"Why your wife… Lauren Kirk. She told us how to find you and briefed us on your most probable reaction to being delivered the package. It is definitely something you will want," Zala Tsu states slyly with a hint of humor running through the entire conversation.
Jim feels the room begin to spin and is glad he is sitting down. He feels like he has been sucker punched and all the wind knocked out of his lungs. "Lauren. How the fuck does she know about Lauren. That was 12 years ago," his mind races. Taking a deep breath to make sure his voice carries the full weight of his authority and not the weak, watery buzz that is silently screaming inside his head. "My wife died twelve years ago," he tersely responds. "What possible connection is there to your previous communication stating that this package was of great importance to Star Fleet and me?" Is she alive a voice screams like a klaxon in his head. How can she be alive? If they had something to do with her disappearance all those years ago no force in heaven or hell would stop Jim from physically killing that invisible voice from the depths of space.
"It will be so much easier to explain face to face Captain. As I previously stated, please give me docking coordinates so that I can transfer the package to your care," Zala Tsu struggles to maintain a calm quality to her voice. Silently the three Jedi link their minds into a Force meld pouring feelings of calm acceptance at Kirk. His mind is strong. They can't Force control him but the three of them may be able to put enough "trust" in the Force that he follows their suggestion. Kate watches the scene from the back of the shuttle. She is slightly uncomfortable with the way the Jedi are forcing the occupants of the large ship to let them aboard. They are Jedi, not pirates. This feels off to Kate but she remains quiet.
"You need to lower your shields in order to come aboard," Kirk requests before snapping off the comm line. When he sees the ship lower their shields he begins to give orders. "Lt. Tate beam the occupants from the alien ship directly to transporter room 12 on my mark. Inform Commander Spock of the situation. Send a message to Colonel O'Neill to meet me at transporter room 12 with a full security detachment. I have had enough of these assholes tonight. Contact Lt. Sulu and tell him he has precisely 1 minute and 30 seconds to take the conn. This is not a drill people. Lt. Rios you have the conn until Commander Sulu arrives," Kirk growls as he stands up and walks to the turbo shaft. As he turns to punch the correct deck number into the keypad he sees Gamma crew staring at him not moving. Lt Sanders looks like she is watching her favorite serial soap opera instead of being present in the current situation. "Do it," Jim snaps as the doors close to the bridge and Lt Sanders almost falls out of her chair.
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BEACON OF HOPE STAR YACHT
"What does he mean by beaming us," Kate finally asks approaching the three Jedi at the controls. Rogan turns to address her as white lights spin around their bodies. Kate feels the slight sensation of falling and then nothing.
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USS ENTERPRISE
As the doors open to deck twelve, Kirk sees his Chief of Security waiting in the hall. "Ready sir," Colonel Jack O'Neill states falling in step with Kirk as he exits the turbo shaft. Jim is surprised at how in charge Jack is at 0300 hours from being woken up from a dead sleep. "Dawson, Peters and Franklin have taken up positions in Transporter room 12 with Unit two at the ready in the hall," he reports. Kirk nods approval as they near the transporter room. Seconds before entering the transporter room Jack turns and cuts off Kirk's path. "Sir, I gotta say it," Jack replies with his slow but not quite a Southern drawl. He knows Kirk won't listen to a word but has to do it. "Maybe you should wait in the viewing room until the..."
"Are you nuts, Jack?" Kirk shoots back staring him down like it is a cadet review. He pushes past O'Neill into the transporter room. "These people have fucked around with me long enough tonight. I am done. Let's get the package and get the hell out of here," Kirk grumbles. "It is too early and I need more coffee," he rants pushing his way into the transporter room.
Jack taps the comm attached to his shirt "Stay sharp and wait for orders," he instructs his men following immediately behind his CO. Jack catches the tail end of Kirk's rant about why the hell diplomacy is required for Star Fleet and not the "other parties" in every one of these damned situations. Jack takes up position behind Kirk switching the setting from basic stun to kill on his phaser. His finger hangs there for a minute and then dials it back to the "Fuck that hurts like hell" setting as Kirk finishes his tirade. He has received the report that the alien ship could not send visuals. Jack hates it when he has no idea who is coming through the transporter. "Ensign Plo, run a scan on possible weapons before initiating beaming," O'Neill states over Jim's pissed off monolog.
Kirk glances at Jack. Finally, someone is taking the initiative tonight without it having to be blatantly spelled out to them. "God I love Alpha crew," he thinks. "Initiate transporter," Kirk barks watching the white lights coalesce over the transporter pads. Every muscle tenses in his body ready for a fight as it begins to register that four individuals are transporting over and not one. "Ensign, why are there four signatures?" Kirk demands as the beings slowly re-materialize from scattered atoms.
From Kirk's expression and question, Jack realizes the Captain was not expecting this many individuals. "Here we go," Jack thinks and switches the setting back to kill.
Standing before Kirk are four beings: a human male, a humanoid male, a humanoid female, and a barely discernible fourth figure behind the first three. "Whoa," thinks Kirk as his eyes are immediately drawn to the barely clad blue skinned female.
"Son of a bitch," thinks Jack as he immediately begins to assess which of them will be the biggest threat to the safety of the Enterprise.
Rogan is stunned by this technology. He makes the assumption that the technology only works when shields are lowered. Rogan slides his hand to the comlink attached to his belt. He depresses the button in its side-arming the security protocols sealing up the Beacon of Hope. "That was very interesting," Zala Tsu purrs as she begins to slink off the transporter pad. No one in the room has seen another being quite like her. From the skin tone to the tails growing out of her head, to the sensuous way she moves, draws all eyes upon her as she steps off the transporter pad. Rogan, Da-Mu-Unka, and Kate flood the room with feelings of peace and calm.
"That's far enough," Jack commands as he simultaneously bringing his phaser to bear and forces his eyes off her breasts and hips. But she continues to approach the Captain like a cat stalking its prey. Jack wants to repeat his command but something in his head urges him to let it play out.
"Come now Captain, is this anyway for you to treat the woman who will brings you the greatest treasure in your life," her silken voice asks, as she reaches up trying to run her long delicate fingers through his hair. Twi'lek's are known for their sexual prowess and Zala Tsu is a true Twi'lek.
In another time and place, Kirk may have let her dominate this encounter. He would have eagerly awaited its climax in some darkened room but at 0330 hours he is finished with games. Grabbing her wrist with a little more pressure than necessary and returning nothing more than an icy stare he replies, "Please relinquish the package."
All eyes are locked on Kirk, as Zala Tsu sucks in a quick breath biting her lower lip as if she is enjoying masochistic sex. She feels the pressure increasing on her wrist. This man will not be swayed by her sexual charms. With a quick jerk, she breaks from Kirk's grip and stares directly into his eyes. "Pity," she states with a pout on her full lips before turning back to the transporter pad. Kirk watches as she ascends the transporter platform. His eyes, along with every set of male eyes in the room, travel to the little indentation on her low back and then to her ass as she walks up the steps like a high-priced escort. "Damn," Kirk thinks as his gaze travels from the gentle swaying of her hips to her barely concealed breasts as she turns to face his crew. "This would have been a lot less difficult if she had just engaged the viewpoint at the start," he thinks but is snapped back to reality are she begins to speak.
"Captain your wife gave me a gift before she left," Zala Tsu states motioning for the two men with her to separate. "I would like to present Kate," she states returning an icy glare that totally is killing the slight hard on Jim was reluctantly experiencing.
"Who," Jim states briefly confused as he allows his eyes to drift from Zala to the approaching fourth individual.
"Your daughter," Zala Tsu purrs and wraps her long delicate fingers, slightly menacingly, on the neck and shoulders of a human child. "Tell your daddy hello child," she rasps in Kate's ear. Kate locks eyes with the blond haired man and reels. Her mother said he was dead. This has to be a mistake. She processes what Zala Tsu is saying and snaps her head around to look at the Twi'lek. Zala Tsu never takes her hands off Kate or her eyes off Jim. Kate realizes the plan has changed.
"Kava caiot uba woy tah nei (how can you do this to me?)," Kate says rapidly in Huttese to all three of the Jedi surrounding her. The look Zala Tau gives her is like a slap in the face. A quick glance at the man gives Kate chills. He could be a twin of the man Lauren claimed was Kate's father yet her mother said he was dead. Suddenly Kate knows why she had to come. Why she is so vital to the mission. "Uba bla. Uba vee bla (You knew. You always knew)," she whispers feeling the room spiraling about her. Kate bends her knees slightly to regain her balance. If she did not, Kate would have fallen over. "This was your plan…to trade me for it," Kate continues in Huttese trying tries to keep the terror out of her voice.
Rogan is happy that even in a state of shock the kid can still think on her feet. "It's not like we are selling you to the Sith kid," Rogan's flippant answer in Huttese causes Kate to shudder once.
"You would not have gone if you knew," Da-Mu-Unka firmly states in Huttese. He can tell the men before him do not understand the language they are using. "Did you think you would be the only one of us not required to sacrifice for the Jedi order? Giving more than you think possible is the mark of a true Jedi Knight young padawan."
"Ensign Plo open comm lines," Kirk orders hoping communications can decipher the language they are using. "Jack," Kirk barks indicating for his security chief to lower his weapon. Jim can see the child is as shocked as him over the statement by the blue-skinned alien.
"I did not know you had children," Jack comments trying to get a grasp on the situation. O'Neill imperceptibly changes the setting back to hurt like hell from kill.
"I don't," Kirk hisses back.
Whether or not she wants to, Kate has to play along for the time being. She turns to pull off the greatest bait and switch she has so far in her life. "H..." escapes this child's lips as her eyes begin to fill ever so slightly. If Kirk is her father he never cared enough to find her. He won't care for her now. Kate makes up her mind she will not be used by this man like she was others in her past even if she has to kill him. She blinks several times to clear her eyes, nervously glancing around the room. Kate, overwhelmed by the turn of events, stares down at her feet. An endless moment passes for all in the room except for the 3 adult guests still standing on the transporter pad. Kate takes a deep breath trying to project an aura of calm, strength before fixing her gaze on the Captain.
Zala Tsu continues to use Huttese. This Captain is not stupid. He will separate them from Kate. She needs to make sure Kate is still clear about her mission objective. "I know this is a shock but it is the truth. Search your feelings, Katherine, you know this to be true," Zala Tsu orders not looking at her. Kate studies the blonde man before her. She feels like she is about to vomit. "Remember my advice pet and hold tight to it. Many things have been hidden from you to which I will reveal. He tried to kill your mother when she attempted to come home to us. He knew of her Jedi skills. He knew she was with child. She had to flee in the night to save her life and your own. Hide your talents from him. He will destroy you on sight if he finds out. Mind what I have told you. Complete the mission so we can leave and save our people. Your mother was alone but we are four. They cannot stop us from leaving. You will be home with your true father in days. Complete the mission and make Master Skywalker proud," Zala Tsu orders all in Huttese.
For the second time in less than 30 minutes, Jim has been sucker punched and must mentally remember to breathe. Staring at the child, he calmly states, "My wife died 12 years ago. We did not have children," and allows an icy gaze to settle on Zala Tsu. Jack has to focus at the drama playing out before him. Ten minutes ago Jim Kirk was a happy go lucky bachelor. One minute ago Jack finds out he was married and the hostage before him may be his daughter. Jack took this assignment to get out of intrigue not be hip deep in it.
"Oh pet," she whispers running her fingertips slowly from the base of Kate's neck to her jaw line. "Daddy needs a little encouragement," she suggests and leans to over to her other ear whispering "How should we show him? Hmmmm."
A cold chill encompasses Kirk's entire body as he watches Zala Tsu's hands on the child. He is instantly transported back to Tarsus VI watching General Kodos select his next candidate for special treatment. The interaction ignites a rage he has tried to bury in the deepest corner of his soul. As he begins to form the word "Fire" Jack discharges the phaser at Zala Tsu feeling smug to take the bitch down but shitty for the pain to the child if his aim was slightly off. Rogan was prepared for this. In a fluid motion, he ignites his lightsaber with a snap hiss intercepting the phaser shot. The blast is deflected into the bulkhead directly next to Ensign Plo leaving a blackened scar on the previously white immaculate surface. Unit Two lunges into action from the hall with phasers drawn and ready to engage.
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ON THE BRIDGE
"Phaser fire detected in the transporter room," reports Crewman 3rd class Richards from internal systems.
"Captain! Do you need assistance?" Sulu questions from the bridge but is only greeted with empty silence. "Richards! Sound silent General Quarters. Let's not give the intruders any notice of our impending arrival. I need security teams three, four, and five to Transporter room 12. Lt. Sanders patch me into Commander Spock's quarters ASAP," Sulu demands sinking into the Captain's seat. "This is not the job I am ready for," he thinks but neither his body language nor voice betrays the indecisions running through his body.
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BACK IN TRANSPORTER ROOM 12
"Stand down," Kirk screams and raises a hand to control any more stray phaser shots at the Enterprise's newest arrivals. The faint hum of the lightsaber is the only sound in the room. The blade is mere inches from Zala and Kate's face. With both women at eye level, Jim decides to concentrate on the child. Kate's relaxed posture during the phaser blast denotes a trust with the Jedi behind her. She never flinched as the bolt came towards them like she knew she was safe; however, the vacant pleading expression in her eyes betrays an underlying fear of the Jedi. The Captain fixes a steady gaze on Kate. "You are going to be fine sweetheart," he states trying to calm the child. "Zala Tsu take your hands off her and we can start over. Nobody needs to get hurt. What is it going to take for you to let her go and get the hell off my ship," he states commands. Jim hopes his voice shows both anger at the adults but retains a reassuring tone for the little girl.
"See darling, Daddy does care and won't let anything happen to you," Zala laughs placing a soft kiss on Kate's cheek.
Kate shivers with revulsion but regains her composure by looking at the ground. "This was the worst idea ever," the kid in her thinks but the small part that is trying to be an adult squashes the fear bubbling up inside her. "I should have called Luke first. I should not have come because they said Luke wanted me to," Kate thinks but it is too late now. Kate's mind races with the sudden change of plans. She tries to access the Force but can't focus its energy. Kate knows she has two options and lets her mind race with all the implications. "If I speak out against the Jedi I will be condemning everyone I love and my galaxy to death. Everyone is looking to me to bring them help. Without the Holocron we will fall," Zala Tsu's words scream in her head. Reason tries to surface as Kate takes a deep breath. "But if I stay silent and accept this role they are demanding of me I am damned. He will never let me go back. I will never see anyone I have ever loved," her emotions fight to take over. Several years ago there was no one for her in Skyriver but now she has a family and friends. "I can't abandon them to the Vong. I must complete the mission no matter the cost," Kate fights back the tears knowing what she has to do. "God help me," she silently prays. "If you don't do this you can never return home. How can you face Han, Luke, or Leia and tell them you were not brave enough. They have sacrificed everything for a cause. Leia did it. Han did it. You have to do it. Leia sacrificed an entire planet of innocents to save trillions during the rebellion. You are being asked to sacrifice only one," Kate reminds herself but fears she doesn't have the strength to make the same decision. Emotion fights for recognition over reason again in her mind. "You can't do this. You can't lie and mask yourself in a false identity for the rest of your life. Tell them the truth and they will take you home," her child's voice screams. Reason fights back into her consciousness as she opens her mouth to tell the truth. Kate heard him deny her existence. She heard the anger in Kirk's voice as he spoke of her mother. Zala Tsu is right. Her only chance is to hide her powers, find the Holocron and escape with the Jedi before this man kills her like he tried to kill her mother. "I put my life in your hands once God, and I am doing it again. Show me the way," she prays silently hearing the Captain call to her.