The Enterprise arrived at Kronos, the Klingon home world. Jim, Spock, and Bones stood in front of the viewscreen looking at the planet. They had not thought they would see this planet again with its greenish hues. "Are we going down there?" Bones asked.

"No," Jim said. "They're going to beam up, and we're going in an armada of Klingon ships."

"Well, maybe we'll look really dangerous."

Jim was standing at the transporter pad when Chancellor Gorkon arrived, along with Grakar and Jirrok, among others. Jim bowed slightly in greeting. "Chancellor, welcome aboard," he said.

Grakar stepped down from the transporter. "It is good to see you again, my friend," he said. "Korax would have been here, but he could not come."

"I understand. It's good to see you as well. We have quarters for all of you while you're aboard. And Spock is the captain of the Enterprise now, so if you need anything, you should ask him, and he will see to it that you're accommodated."

"I have heard that you have even been a teacher since your promotion."

"On occasion."

"I think you would make a good teacher of courage."

Jim was surprised to hear that, especially coming from a Klingon. For them to think he had courage, he thought he must have done more than he had thought. "Thank you. I was sorry to hear about Lolak. I had hoped to see all my friends again."

"Lolak died with honor. He was protecting me, and I will forever be grateful. His family shall always have a special place in mine."

Jim went on back to the Bridge and let Spock and the others show the Klingons to their temporary quarters. Jim was even more nervous about this meeting now. They were on their way to Nimbus III, which was a neutral planet where the peace talks would occur.

Spock returned to the Bridge after he was done with getting the visitors settled. "Admiral, I am trying to be optimistic about this peace treaty," Spock said. "However, I am finding it difficult to believe that anything good will come of this meeting."

"No one thought anything good would come of the peace talks between the Klingons and the Federation either, but things have settled down a lot."

"Yes, but these Klingons are the ones who continue to attack their own because they believe that their culture and way of life is going to change into what the Federation thinks they should do."

"I realize that, but if we could convince them…"

"Jim, I am afraid that these Klingons are going to see you as the one who has caused the entire conflict."

"Why? I only tried to help them."

"You were very active during the war."

"At least the Romulans are mostly out of this."

"I would not be so sure of that."

"You're just a ray of sunshine today, aren't you? Do you know something that I don't know?"

"These Klingons are known to corroborate with rogue Romulans as well as Nausicaans. I would be cautious, Jim."

"Don't worry. We're going to be cautious, and they won't be allowed to bring weapons in, not even honorable ones."

Spock was silent a moment. "I assume that you will find a way around this rule?"

"Why, Spock, I'm shocked at that suggestion. You think I'm going to be dishonorable?"

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Only subtly, Admiral."

"Thanks a lot, Spock."

"I would like to know your plan."

"I'm going to try and talk some sense into these rogue Klingons and if it doesn't work, we're going to get out of there as quickly as possible."

"How do you intend to do that?"

"Well, I don't know yet, but we'll think of something like we always do."

Spock was sure this situation would not be like any they had been in before. Then again, he knew that Jim Kirk could find his way out of anything. He hoped he could anyway.

When they arrived at Nimbus III with their escort of Klingon ships, they immediately knew they were not the only Klingon ships there. There were four Klingon war birds orbiting the planet. Jim and Spock stood looking at them out the viewport. "I hope they're intimidated by our friends," Jim said quietly.

"Captain, we're being hailed," Uhura said.

"On screen," Jim and Spock said at the same time.

"Sorry," Jim said.

"That is quite alright," Spock replied.

A Klingon appeared on the viewscreen, and he was not looking pleased to see them at all. "You finally arrive," he said loudly.

"We're on time," Jim replied, unwilling to be outwitted by the Klingon, nor intimidated. "You always arrive early so you can look better?"

The Klingon practically growled at him. "You've always been outspoken, Admiral Kirk."

"Well, you know my name. What's yours?"

"A name you should get used to: Duras."

"I hope we can have these peace talks without any conflict."

"I promise nothing. You want to change the Klingon way of life, and our weak chancellor goes along with you. He will not be in power forever. The House of Duras will soon be in power!"

"We didn't come here to talk about that."

"I came here to tell you that I will not submit to this new way of life! You waste your time if you think I will give up the Klingon ways."

"No one is telling you to do that. Can't you at least listen before you make up your mind?"

"We will listen only because we agreed to. It would be dishonorable to go back on our word."

"Good. Just so you don't forget, there won't be any weapons allowed."

"Does that include your group as well?"

"Of course."

"We will make sure."

The transmission ended. "Well, this is getting off to a good start," Bones said as he had walked in and heard part of that conversation. "Are you really going down there?"

"Yes, we're going down there," Jim replied. He blew out a breath. "We might as well get this started." He turned to Spock. "You should stay aboard the Enterprise and be ready to beam us out of there."

"Yes, Admiral," Spock said. "I was hoping to go with you."

"I'll just take Bones with me. Don't worry, Solan, Ajah, and Helek will be there."

"They are quite formidable."

"Yeah, so, I think we're gonna be alright."

Jim left the Bridge, followed by Bones. "I don't think I have to tell you that I don't like this situation," Bones said.

"No, you don't," Jim replied. "I don't like it much, but I'm going to try. I have to do that."

"You could have held this conference over the intercom so if anyone gets hostile, they can't touch anyone they don't like."

"Bones, the first thing to do is trust each other. If we can't even get into the same room on the same planet, it will never work. Besides, if they were on their ships, they could start shooting at each other."

"If they all start slinging bat'leths at each other, I don't think anyone's going to come out loving each other."

Jim shook his head. He thought Bones always had to point out the direst situation that could occur. "You're a barrel of laughs."

"I hope there's some kind of humor in this."

Gorkon and the other Klingons also met them on the transporter pad. They did not seem to be the least bit worried, and there were no visible weapons on their persons. Jim blew out a nervous breath. "Okay, Scotty, energize," he said.

"Good luck, Sir," Scotty replied. He watched them vanish from the transporter pad, and he hoped they would appear there in the same shape that they left.

Jim and the others arrived at the coordinates on the planet that they had been given. There was a barrier between them and the conference room where the talks would take place, and that barrier was where everyone would pass through to make sure they had no weapons. As they approached the barrier, they could see the other Klingons on the other side as they stood with their arms folded.

"I will pass through first," Gorkon volunteered.

"With all due respect, Sir, I think I should go through first," Jim replied. "After all, I'm the ambassador."

"I do not fear Duras and his mob."

"I'm sure you don't, but I still think I should go first."

"As you wish."

"Perhaps I should go before you, Admiral," Grakar said. "If they try to harm you, I would slit their throats."

Jim scowled at that. "With what? We can't carry weapons in."

"Then with my bare hands."

"That's alright. There are guards."

Jim blew out a breath. He could certainly feel the tension and distrust in this bunch. He hoped he could accomplish something in this meeting rather than making things even worse. He walked up to the scanner and walked through it. Of course, there were no weapons detected.

Jim stepped closer to the other Klingons who all looked hostile to him. He forced himself not to swallow hard. He bowed slightly. "I'm Admiral…"

"We know who you are, Admiral Kirk," Duras spat as though it tasted bad to even say Jim's name.

"Well, I see we're getting off to a good start."

"Humph!"

The next to come through the scanner was Grakar. He walked up behind Jim and folded his arms. "Duras," he said.

"You are a traitor, Grakar," Duras replied.

"I? You are the traitor!"

"Guys, let's try not to be hostile," Jim said. "We want to keep this civil."

"How can you be civil when dealing with such a traitor as this one?"

"By not calling each other names. Let's just try."

Grakar stood up straighter. "I can be civil. I am not such a one as this who attacks his own!"

Jim almost rolled his eyes as he thought he had just started something else. Duras almost growled at Grakar. "At least I am not a coward!" he exclaimed.

Gorkon walked up next. "We will not have this argument!" he declared.

"You are not my leader!" Duras said. "I do not have to listen to you!"

"Alright, let's all just be quiet," Jim interrupted.

"I certainly do not have to listen to you, puny one!"

"Do not call my friend puny!" Grakar shot back.

Helek and Ajah arrived next with their glowing eyes. Duras pointed. "They should not be allowed in this meeting!" he declared. "They have the ability to use their bodies as weapons!"

"So do you!" Jim replied before he thought. "They are my bodyguards."

The next to arrive was Solan. He just stared at the Klingons. They knew Solan very well because he had obtained a reputation before he ever met up with Jim Kirk. "This one cannot be trusted," Duras said. "We know him."

"You think he could bring weapons through there without it being known?" Jim asked.

"If it can be done!"

Jim knew Solan had a way of doing everything, but he would not say so. Soon, everyone, including Bones was inside, so they went on into the conference room. Duras and his followers went to one table, and Jim and the others went to another, and they were facing each other. Jim sat in the middle of the table with Grakar and Gorkon on each side.

"You take sides!" Duras declared. "You sit with the side you favor!"

Jim frowned. He thought he could do nothing right. "Fine," he said and stood up. He walked around the table and stood in the middle. "Is this better?"

"We know you are friends with the chancellor and his followers!"

"Have you ever thought about what it would be like to live in peace rather than fighting all the time and watching others die?"

"We die with honor for what we believe in!"

"But wouldn't it be better to live with honor and try to compromise? You don't have to change your way of life, but you can't go on attacking people who don't agree with you or that you think are weaker than you."

Bones scowled at that. He thought Jim Kirk had been studying before he came on this trip. He could even see the logic in that statement, although he would never want Spock to know it. He had talked to Jim a lot in the last two years, but he had not been around him until this trip.

"If you're dead, you can't pass your values on to your children," Jim went on. "Who's going to teach them about the Klingon ways if you're all dead?"

Duras was silent for a moment. "Is this how you manipulated the chancellor into accepting your ways?" he asked. "With words that sound good? You do not say what you mean."

"Yes I do. All I'm trying to do is get you to stop fighting and attacking your own people. How can you think this is the way to go?"

"You are not honorable!" Duras stood up. "You only want to manipulate us into trusting you!"

"That is not true. I want to help you. You just can't admit that you're wrong!"

Duras was taken aback at Jim's boldness. He glared at him. "You are brave because you know we have no weapons. You have all your friends to protect you! You would not be so brave if you and I met in battle."

"There's no reason for that!"

"Because you are a coward!"

"NO!" Gorkon interrupted and stood up. "Even when we were enemies, he risked his life to save the Klingons! He helped us to stop the ones who would have wiped us all out!"

"He has fought against the Klingons!" Duras declared.

"Only when he was attacked! You would not be standing here if not for Admiral Kirk!"

"I would have fought! You are a coward!"

"It was a weapon that even the Klingons could not fight against! You know what happened on Rura Penthe!"

"Yes, a planet that you have abandoned!"

"Perhaps we will begin keeping prisoners such as you who are guilty of murder! You killed Lolak!"

"He was a traitor! He manipulated his way into our ranks! A liar has no place among the Klingons!"

"You are also a liar, and you have spies within our ranks! Do not accuse others of what you are doing yourself unless you are prepared to admit your own wrong-doing!"

Jim thought maybe there was hope since they were actually talking to each other…even if it was hostile. "Admiral Kirk has helped in making peace with the Federation," Gorkon said. "We have had many peace talks. They do not want to change the Klingon ways. They simply want peace. We will be able to trade with them and be part of something much larger than ourselves."

Jim looked at Duras to see what he would say to that. However, another of the Klingons with Duras stood up. "Why do we listen to anymore of this?" he asked. "Chancellor Gorkon has made up his mind and he has no intention of seeing our point of view. He intends to sway us to his direction."

"I realize this," Duras replied.

Jim frowned. "You have no intention of listening either, do you?" he asked. "The Klingons are a proud race, and they can continue to be that. Just because you make peace with someone doesn't mean that you're weakening. You're becoming stronger. The more friends you have, the stronger you are."

"NO!" the other Klingon said. "We are stronger apart! They do not want to negotiate. They want us to see things their way. They have no intention of seeing anything our way."

Duras glared at Jim and Gorkon. "Stop listening to him," Gorkon said. "I came here today to listen to your concerns and so that we could talk and reach an agreement."

Bones was glad there were no weapons. He thought the bat'leths would have come out by now if there were.

"I will not reach an agreement with cowards!" Duras declared.

"As long as you see everyone as cowards, you're never going to reach anything but trouble," Jim replied.

"Then meet me one on one and prove you are not a coward."

"What do you mean?"

"In a fight!"

"Jim…"

Jim gave Bones a warning look, and then looked back at Duras. "Your subordinates do not respect you," Duras said.

"Neither do yours," Jim replied. "You have one interrupting you too."

Duras glared at him, but he could not deny it. "Do you agree or not?"

"I can't agree to something like that. It would prove nothing."

"It would prove that you are not a coward. If you do not agree, then I will not talk with you any longer!"

"You are unreasonable," Gorkon said. "I will meet you in battle."

Jim thought this was getting out of control. "Now, wait a minute…"

"Silence! Do not interrupt, young Admiral." Gorkon looked at Duras. "If it is a fight you want, it should be with a Klingon. You challenge this human? What kind of honor is that to you?"

Jim thought this was just what Duras had wanted and he could not believe that it would be a fair fight. "Chancellor…"

"Do you dishonor me by speaking again?"

Jim looked toward his friends. Solan shook his head slightly. He knew how fickle the Klingons were about honor…if one would call Klingons fickle.

"I accept your challenge!" Duras said. "Whomever wins, the Klingons will follow!"

Jim did not want to let this go, but he could not protest because Gorkon would see it as disrespect. "Then we will make a time," Gorkon replied. "The Admiral will be our referee. He is an impartial witness."

"He is not impartial! But I accept. There will also be a Klingon referee!"

"Wait!" someone else said.

Everyone looked at Helek who had spoken. "I will be the impartial referee," he said. "I am neither an officer with the Federation, nor a Klingon."

"Do you agree to this?" Gorkon asked.

"It is agreed," Duras said.

Jim frowned as he felt like he had failed again. This had not gone anything like he wanted it to. "This can't be a fight to the death," he said.

"You do not decide," Gorkon replied. "We will meet tomorrow at this time for this battle…in this room."

"Agreed!" Duras said.

Duras and his group of Klingons left the room first. Jim pressed the bridge of his nose as he stood there a moment. Bones came over to him. "It's not your fault, Jim," he said.

"How can you say that?" Jim asked.

"They're Klingons. Maybe it won't turn out as badly as you think."

"Bones, someone is going to die in that battle, and I'm the one who got them here."

"Not for this."

Helek, Ajah, and Solan came over to them. "I figured they would do something like this," Solan said. "They sure don't trust me."

"It wasn't about trusting you," Jim replied. "They don't trust each other. If this is any indication to Duras, he should know that Gorkon still believes in the Klingon honor. He's willing to fight."

"He'll never be satisfied until one of them is dead."

"What if Gorkon loses? All the work we've done will be for nothing."

"It's not for nothing, Jim," Bones said. "All the Klingons are not going to follow Duras. He's no leader."

"I hope you're right."

Gorkon and the other Klingons waited for Jim. "I know you do not agree with the outcome of this meeting," Gorkon said. "But you do not understand the Klingon culture."

"I know I don't," Jim replied. "But I didn't bring you here to get into a fight like this. What if you lose?"

"Then there will be no peace. If I do not fight, there will be no peace. It is the only way. Duras will never submit."

"I hope you know what you're doing," Jim said.

"Many Klingons will not submit if Duras wins. There are more of them than the others. They will flee from Klingon space."

"And be displaced?"

"At least we are no longer at a standstill. It will go one way or another."

They all left the conference room and went back to the Enterprise…