AN URGENT MESSAGE

"Captain's Log, Stardate 6015.5. Having finished our medical supply run to the fledgling colony on Pacifica, we are heading back to Earth for a minor re-fit and to take on new crew. On our second five-year mission, all is proceeding normally." James Kirk shut off the recorder, just as Lt. Uhura signaled an incoming message from Starfleet HQ. "Priority One, sir."

"On screen". The image of Admiral Sebastian Westervliet appeared. "Kirk, "he began quickly, "We've got a major problem here and you need to immediately go to maximum Warp to get back to Sol." Kirk was slightly stunned. "Yes, sir. What's the situation?" Westervliet looked to his right, "Perhaps, I better let somebody else explain that to you." The view panned over to…a Romulan. Kirk was very stunned at this. The male Romulan was in civilian dress, sitting at the desk with Westervliet.

"Captain Kirk," he began, "I am D'valak, Envoy from the Romulan Star Empire. As you may know, your Federation and our Empire are currently negotiating the opening of formal diplomatic relations." Kirk was aware of it. In fact, it was even thought that within a few years, there would be an actual "Romulan Ambassador" to the Federation. Still, the image of a Romulan sitting at Starfleet Headquarters was quite disconcerting.

D'valak continued. "And you may further know that we Romulans, as well as the Federation, and even the Klingons and the other warp-capable governments have signed the Time Travel Ban Treaty, ratified last year. As such, we wish to alert the Federation of a rogue element within our Star Navy." He pressed a button on the desk and a still image came on the screen. Kirk recognized the Romulan woman immediately. It was the female commander he and Spock had encountered on Stardate 5027.3, when the "Enterprise" had stolen the new prototype cloaking device.

"This is Dion Charvon of the family Charvanek," D'valak explained, "No doubt you remember her. After your 'incident' with her squadron, she was dismissed from the Star Navy dishonorably. The insult has pushed her to seek revenge, not only upon you, Commander Spock, but the entire Federation." He pressed another button; a modified Romulan D-7 cruiser appeared. Kirk noted several additions to the warp nacelles, he didn't recognize. "This is the IRW Metka and we believe it is on a direct course for Earth."

Kirk asked "Why did you mention the Time Travel Treaty, Mr. Envoy?" D'valak sighed with deep concern. "Because, Captain, we believe that Commander Charvon is going to time travel, back into Earth's past and alter the timeline. Likely in an attempt to eradicate yourself, Mr. Spock, or the entire Federation." Kirk couldn't help himself. "Forgive a rude question, Mr. Envoy, but …why wouldn't the Romulan Empire support that?" "Captain!" Westervliet exclaimed. D'valak waved him down. "No, Admiral. It is a logical question given the animosity between our two governments."

"Because, Captain Kirk," he began, "We too recognize the dangers of disrupting the timeline. There is nothing to suggest that if Charvon's actions are taken, it couldn't pose grave consequences to our existence as well. If she somehow creates a stronger, more militaristic Earth, for example, that goes to war with the Romulan Empire in 2156 and not only defeats us, but conquers us." Kirk nodded. "Admiral, what are our orders?"

Westervliet recomposed, said slowly. "Make best speed to Earth. We're transmitting the warp signature, cloaking device frequency, and other pertinent data on Charvon's ship to you. That should let you lock onto it. Naturally, we'd like to see her stopped without loss of life." He turned and looked at D'valak for a moment. "But we've been assured by the Romulan government that they will support destroying the ship and its crew if necessary."

Kirk acknowledged and ordered Sulu to go to Warp 8. He turned to Scotty and said, "Give me all she's got, Mr. Scott." The Chief Engineer nodded, "Aye, sir. You'll get Warp 9 or better. " He left to go to Main Engineering.