Chapter 2

Captain James Tiberius Kirk, in his third year as Captain of the USS Enterprise, had already heard enough about time travel than he cared to know about.

When Spock had explained the Assassin's story, Kirk didn't want to believe his Science Officer, but Spock rarely joked about anything, so Kirk was forced to consider the validity of the story.

"First, it's the future that tries to screw us, now the past? Why can't we just deal only with the present?" The young Captain complained.

Spock replied calmly, "Captain, this may be an attempt by the galaxy to, shall we say, balance the scales? Shall I have security to bring him to the bridge so that you may question him yourself?"

Kirk nodded. "We might as well see what he wants and why he is here."


"Wow, holy shit!"

The Bridge was an awesome sight. It was a large room lined with consoles and computers that were tended to by humans and aliens alike.

As I was led onto the bridge via the elevator, I could feel everyone's eyes on me, something that I never liked.

Assassins should never draw attention to themselves, but under the circumstances, I had to deal with it.

The Captain was a tall man that looked my age. He had light brown hair, blue eyes, and a wide, expressive face. He seemed to be both confident and charismatic. He was one of the few that wore a gold shirt.

McCoy had insisted on accompanying me, probably out of interest.

I felt naked without my weapons, and the two guards beside me didn't help ease the tension.

"My name is James T. Kirk, Captain of the USS Enterprise." Kirk started. "You really have an interesting story, at least, that's what Spock tells me."

"That's putting it lightly, Captain," I said, shrugging.

"Let's start with the basics. Who sent you here?"

I locked eyes with him. "I was sent by a high-ranking Assassin to assist in protecting the interests of earth, and apparently, the interests of Starfleet."

Kirk nodded. "How did they send you?"

I winced. "I don't really know how they did it, only that they did it."

Kirk glanced at Spock, who nodded.

I realized that Spock could sense if I was lying.

This was going to be more difficult than I thought.

Kirk spoke again after a moment. "How did your higher-ups know about a war that would occur over three hundred years after them?"

I shrugged. "They didn't seem to want to tell me. I'm not that high on the food-chain, Captain."

Kirk nodded. "Well then, Kempton. Since you were sent to help us, I guess that I can trust you. Do I have your word that none of the crew will be harmed?"

I nodded. "Of course, Captain, as long as they don't look for it."

Kirk nodded. "Fine. You can have your weapons back."

McCoy sighed. "Dammit. I was just getting used to having them!"

I returned to the medical bay with McCoy, and obtained my weapons.

However, I realized that there was little sense to continue using throwing knifes, so I gave half of them (four out of eight) to McCoy, and received two Phaser pistols instead.

I fell in love with them immediately. They bore a resemblance to a modern pistol, but were smoother and had no kick or recoil. They also could be set to "Stun" or "Kill" mode.

I used the cargo bay for practice shooting, and small boxes of targets. Once in a while, members of the crew, particularly the security guards, would come by and watch, remarking on my good aim and calmness in stressful situations.

It didn't take me long to get used to the Phasers, in case you are wondering.


I decided to get a room next to the medical bay, since that was where I spent most of my time.

"Shit! Is this really necessary?" I asked, as McCoy gave me what seemed like an endless variety of shots, all in the area with a hand-held device that made a PSSHT! sound.

"You'll be thanking me later. You wouldn't need so many vaccines if you didn't come from the past, you know." McCoy replied, his southern drawl pronounced. "That was a vaccine against space flu. This last one is for hyperspace sickness. You're about the only patient that has the ability to keep still, so keep it up so that I can do my damned job."

I sighed after the brief pain had subsided, followed by the PSSHT! sound.

Suddenly, there was an explosion that shook the room, and sent both of us flying.

"What the hell was that?" McCoy snarled, as a klaxon sounded, and a voice shouted: "RED ALERT! RED ALERT!"

Within minutes, we were on the bridge. When asked, Kirk replied, "A Klingon Bird of Prey just appeared out of nowhere, and fired on us."

I watched as a green ship that did indeed resemble a winged creature passed by us, firing on our ship.

"Shields at 68 percent, Captain!" Sulu, the Asian-American Helmsman shouted.

I turned to Kirk. "How many men does that ship carry?"

Kirk looked at Spock, who checked his computer before answering. "Scanners show approximately two dozen lifeforms."

I nodded. "With your permission, Captain, I'll beam aboard, and take them out."

Kirk stared at me, saw the calmness and confidence in my returning gaze, and nodded as another explosion wracked the ship.

"Captain, is this wise?" Spock asked, and I turned to the Vulcan. "I was sent here to fight for you guys, and that's what I intend to do. Besides, it will be the last thing they will expect. I want to earn a place on the Enterprise, and this seems like a damn good opportunity to do so. I will have the advantage of surprise, and the enemie's underestimation of my abilities added to that."

Spock thought this over, then nodded as the ship shook again. "I commend you for your concern for this ship, and your logic is sound. Suicidal, but sound."

I turned to Kirk, who nodded.

McCoy, who had been listening with paralyzed shock, followed me to the elevator. "Are you out of your mind?"

I shrugged. "Two dozen does not sound hard."

McCoy snorted. "Not hard, he says. There's just one problem: they are bigger, stronger, and they won't show you any mercy."

I smiled ferally as the lift doors opened. "I'm faster, lighter, and neither will I."

McCoy threw up his hands. "Good God, man! They practically sleep with their weapons, goddamn it."

I shrugged. "We'll see how tough they are. I'll see you in a few!" I finished as we entered the transporter room.

I stepped onto one of the designated areas, something resembling a silver glowing sphere.

"Hey kid!"

I looked at McCoy. "Good luck, and try to come back in one peice."

I smiled from under my hood. "Have a little faith, Dixie."

I turned to the operator. "Energize."

My vision went black.

"Faith, my ass!" Bones muttered as his friend faded away in a flash of light.

He allowed himself a smirk, knowing something his suicidal friend did not: he had attached small cameras to the sleeves of the Assassin's sweatshirt, as well as to the man's hood.

The Enterprise would see their friend in action, but McCoy hoped that his friend would come back alive.

He actually tolerated the kid's constant presence in the medical bay, and he liked having him around.

Not that he would ever admit that, of course!