Chapter 4

He came to feeling someone kneeling at his side. The presence felt both familiar and not.

"Captain, are you all right?"

Number One. Of course.

"Yes," he breathed out with some difficulty, sitting up abruptly. "I must have blacked out for a moment."

"Quite understandable, sir."

The feel of her hand on his elbow was unnerving, and he jerked his arm free, a bit more roughly than necessary.

"Status."

"We are at warp. Admiral Suguri announced an unscheduled security drill over the comm just now. We are to retake the ship."

"What?" He stared at her in the darkness. "Oh, hell..."

"Captain."

She sounded uncharacteristically alarmed, and it got him alert momentarily.

"What's wrong?"

"We are at warp," she said quietly. "With those plasma injectors still not calibrated properly."

The implication hit him full force, just as a minor tremor of the floor beneath him reminded him that turbolifts were not supposed to go berserk just because someone had engaged the warp drive.

"How bad?" He asked a rather unspecific question, but she understood him perfectly.

"I don't know. The intercom is down. We can neither warn the Admiral nor contact Lieutenant Barry."

"She couldn't possibly have agreed to go along with it with the engines in this state," Pike said. "He must have taken control from the Bridge."

"Captain, I don't understand," Number One admitted warily. "Does he have authorization to do this?"

"I don't know," Pike snapped. "For the moment, let's suggest he does. If not, I'm going to have his skin nailed to the outer hull. Let's get out of here."

"I couldn't reach the hatch without your help, sir," she confessed a bit ruefully.

"By all means," he said, standing up and assuming a well-grounded position. "Be my guest."

It took a lot of somewhat awkward efforts on both their parts to climb out of the damaged cabin into the turbolift shaft, and then to get the closest door hatch to open.

"Where are we?" Pike panted, looking around wildly in the gloom of the reserve lights. The force he had to use to get the doors open was considerable.

Number One made a quick survey of their surroundings.

"Deck Fourteen, sir. All the doors appear to be sealed. We're four decks away from Engineering."

"No," he shook his head, straightening up forcibly. "If Barry had any control of it, we wouldn't be here now. Let's assume Engineering is taken by this 'hostile'," he grimaced. "We need to get to Auxiliary Control."

"That's seven decks up, Captain."

"Then, there's not a moment to lose."

--

The direct passageway to Auxiliary Control was sealed with more secure locks, and Spock's makeshift resonator had quit on them. Spock had opened the last hatch, using his brutal Vulcan force alone, but he couldn't keep opening the doors in this manner for the rest of the voyage. By mutual and almost mute agreement, they crawled onto the deck.

"I think we're in luck," Tora whispered, straightening up. "That's our deck. Auxiliary Control should be just around the corner."

Spock crawled out of the tube, too, and raised a hand suddenly. Tora fell silent at once, looking at him questionably. He used the standard Security code she had taught him a long time ago to show her with one succinct gesture there was another person nearby. She nodded briefly. Spock started around the corner, and she followed closely. Strangely enough the doors to Auxiliary Control were snapped open, giving every impression of this being a forced entry.

Soundlessly, Spock crawled closer. He could sense someone standing just inside the room. As there was no perceivable reason why any of the crew would try to hide their presence, there was only one valid assumption—whoever it was, he was with the 'hostile forces.' Slowly, Spock reached with his hand, ready to apply the Vulcan nerve pinch. He almost felt the weight of the shoulder he was trying to reach, he only needed half a second more to complete the maneuver...

He never got it. His hand was seized, and he was pulled in swiftly; his opponent moved inhumanly fast, as he twisted Spock's arm rather brutally behind his back and shoved Spock straight into the nearest bulkhead. Spock barely managed to turn his face to his side so that it wouldn't be smashed by a rough collision. He was held tightly and stood absolutely immobile, experiencing mild shock. There weren't all that many humans who could outmatch him for speed of reaction.

He heard Tora gasp as she moved into frame, and then the familiar voice of Number One said softly, "Captain, I don't think the cadet poses much of a threat to us now. Do you, sir?"

"Cadet?" another voice, unfamiliar, sounded right in his ear. "What the hell—?"

And his arm was freed from a forceful grip. Spock turned around slowly, awed in advance by the human who had caught him off guard. As he met the steely cool gaze of the mildly confused blue eyes, he was mesmerized completely by the sheer power they emanated. The gaze didn't drift from his own, and Spock felt himself held just as effectively as if he still had his arm twisted.

The silence obviously stretched, for Number One cleared her throat.

"Captain," Spock uttered a bit breathlessly. "I apologize for—"

"Sneaking up on me?" Pike suddenly grinned. "You were good, Cadet, but don't ever do that again. There are certain reflexes I can't quite control. I could have broken your arm, just as easily."

That, Spock could understand only too well.

"I apologize, sir," he repeated ruefully. "We thought you were the hostile."

"Cadet Spock and Cadet Jonnson, I presume?" Number One said, directing her attention towards the still silent Tora. "You two were the only ones who didn't report for your duty stations."

"Yes, ma'am," Tora nodded, blushing slightly and cursing her Nordic coloring mutely. "Chief Engineer Barry—"

"Got to them first," Pike finished, regarding her with a sympathetic smile, before turning to his second officer. "I guess she really was desperate."

"Did you come up here from Engineering?" Number One asked hopefully.

"No, ma'am. Cargo bay three."

"Damn," Pike said. "We need an update on what's happening in there urgently."

Seeing their puzzled reactions, Number One said, "The plasma injectors weren't calibrated properly before we launched."

"That would explain why the ship is moving in such an unstable fashion," Spock nodded thoughtfully, just as the deck beneath their feet gave another jolt.

"Unstable is an understatement," Number One grunted. "Instead of redirecting energy to structural integrity, the engines draw power from it just to keep going. If we don't stop this soon, the ship is going to fall apart."

"We need to get the message to the Admiral," Pike said. "Unfortunately, even if we get right to the Bridge doors and shout, he'll likely think it's some sort of trick."

"Lieutenant Barry must find a way to do something," Number One said grimly. "She must be trying already."

"No, ma'am. She's not."

They all turned towards the door as a young man walked in, looking mildly ruffled.

"Engineering cadet Sunshine Donovan, reporting for duty," he said, coming to attention.

Pike shook his head. "Your parents had a strange sense of humor. Report."

"Lieutenant Barry has had an accident, sir. Just before the drill began, she got her hand burned by a short-circuiting console. She received a mild shock, and I took her to Sick Bay. The doors sealed just as I walked out of there."

"Damn," Pike cursed. "This is getting better and better. Have you tried to reenter Engineering?"

"I couldn't get to the deck, sir."

"All right," Pike said. "All right. Forget Engineering. Even if we do get there, without Barry it's no good. The only remaining option is to convince the Admiral—or to overtake the Bridge."

They contemplated the choices in silence, each trying to devise a method to achieve that.

"There might be another option, Captain," Spock said quietly. As everyone turned to look at him, he fell silent, wary of having spoken out of turn.

"Go on, Cadet," Pike prompted him impatiently. "Right about now I'd buy a working idea from a bulkhead if it could give me any."

Spock raised an eyebrow at the remark, but decided not to comment.

"At warp, the ship is generally using auto-navigation. If anything disrupts it, the computer will automatically begin the shutdown sequence. Such a sequence could only be interrupted by a direct and specific command from a Chief Engineer."

"That is all very well, but how do you suggest we disrupt auto-navigation?"

"All computer systems on board this ship are interconnected. Using this terminal," Spock nodded at the computer console, "I can create a virus that will pass from system to system until it reaches the navigational computer on the Bridge. The virus will block the navigational controls from the astro-charts and erase any previous course-related markings from working memory. Unless the pilot on the Bridge is capable of immediately inputting more than two hundred digits from memory, it will invoke the emergency protocols. The engines will shut down."

For a moment, they pondered his words in silence. Pike looked at Number One uncertainly, as if asking if it was really doable. She frowned, studying Spock.

"Cadet, even if you're capable of creating such a virus in the limited time that we have, the computer systems of which you spoke are each protected by a separate kind of guardian. I'm pretty sure the Admiral has disabled our command codes. How do you suggest we break through these defenses?"

Spock didn't look baffled in the slightest.

"I presume the Enterprise is using standard Cyber Argus security software for its computers?"

The Captain and the second officer shared a half-bemused, half-alarmed look.

"You've obviously done your homework, Cadet." Pike was looking at him suspiciously. "You presume correctly."

"In that case, we will not need the command codes. I know how to override these defenses. It will only require an additional two point seven minutes."

This time the silence was menacing.

"Mr. Spock, I am an A2 computer expert," Number One said grimly, grounding her hands on her hips. "If I spend twelve hours, maybe six if I'm lucky, I could probably devise a way of breaking through one defense perimeter. You're saying you could knock them all out in two minutes?"

"Two point seven minutes," Spock corrected her. "And yes, I can do this. I hold an A4 degree in computer science. Cyber Argus is an outdated piece of programming. It has many vulnerable points. I do not know why it is still in use."

"An A4?" Number One stared at him blankly. "At your age?"

"An outdated piece of programming?" Pike repeated, bemused. He looked at his second officer, who was still scrutinizing Spock in obvious doubt. "You know, if he's not simply bragging, I think I'm starting to share Admiral Suguri's concern for security." He turned to glance at Spock. "Assuming you can really do it, how much time do you need?"

"I will require thirty minutes to create the virus," the Vulcan answered at once. "Perhaps twenty if the Commander assists me. After that, it will take approximately ten minutes more for the virus to reach the navigation station."

"Number One?"

She looked distinctly troubled.

"I don't know, Captain. Creating such a virus shouldn't be difficult for someone with an A4 degree, if Cadet Spock really holds it. As for breaking through the protection grid, we'll have to trust him on his word."

Pike knew what she was thinking. It wasn't completely without precedent that a young officer, never mind a cadet, would overrate his or hers personal skills and abilities in order to make an impression on a superior. But this wasn't a game, this wasn't even a training course. If the young Vulcan was exaggerating his abilities, trusting him would be a crucial mistake, which might cost lives.

As if sensing his doubts, Spock said softly, "Captain, certainly some alternate solutions could be taken while I work on this. This does not need to be your only option."

Pike measured him up with a critical gaze, then turned back to his officer.

"Forty minutes. Will our engines hold that long?"

"They should," she nodded briskly.

Pike sighed. "We're in the hands of an adolescent," he muttered darkly. "You have the go, Mr. Spock. Try to work quickly. Number One stay with him." Watch him. "Donovan, get down to deck ten, subsection twelve. Try to bring the communications grid back online."

"Aye, sir."

"Jonnson, get down to Engineering. Find a way, try to break in."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll try to get to the Bridge," Pike told Number One. "As soon as you're done here, join me."

"Yes, sir," she nodded. "Good luck, Captain."

"To all of us, Number One. To all of us."

--

In all truthfulness, the task wasn't that hard, Tora thought, as she crawled down the Jeffries tube once again. She and Spock had opened enough hatches on their way to Auxiliary Control to bring her within close range of Engineering. It only took a little more weaseling and rolling for her to finally plant her feet firmly on the engineering deck. But that was only part of the problem. Getting inside seemed to be a much more challenging job. She stood still for a moment, leveling her breathing and considering her options.

"Hey, big girl."

Caught off guard, Tora whirled around.

"Lieutenant," she breathed out in relief at the sight of Barry. "We heard you were injured."

"Where did you hear that? And it's nothing." But she was cradling her right arm protectively with her left. "We won't get inside this way, but there might be another. Follow me."

Obediently, Tora trotted after her. Lieutenant Barry moved with impressive agility for someone her size.

"Help me get this panel off," she said, crouching near a dispenser slot.

Using three hands and a half, they tried to pull the heavy panel off.

"Can you tell me, Cadet," Barry panted with effort. "What is it with men in power?" The panel gave up a notch. "Do they lose their brains with every new stripe or what? Push harder. That's it, go on, go on." The plating started to come off. "Had he run a pre-launch sequence, he'd have seen the state our engines were in—push!—but no, why would he do that? It would have told everyone what he's up to. Would have—ah, damn!—spoiled the whole blasted drill!"

The panel finally gave, and Tora placed it on the deck behind them carefully. It revealed a rather narrow tunnel, going down at a considerable angle.

"After you," Barry nodded, breathing heavily. "I recommend going legs first."

"Ma'am?" Tora stared at her in shock. "But it leads straight down to the recycling chamber. We'd be incinerated."

"Nah," the Chief Engineer shook her head. "The chamber is offline. What do you think I've been doing all this time? Go on, it won't bite. Scratch some maybe."

Tora swallowed her objections. Nervous as she was, she could tell there was no point in arguing. Awkwardly, she positioned herself at the entrance to the tube, barely fitting in. Then, she let go of the edge and slid down.

It wasn't a soft landing, not by far, but her body was trained to fall and take blows. She hit the bottom of the chamber hard, instantly grouping and rolling off to wear off the inertia softly. Loud cursing and rustling sounds alerted her to Barry's arrival. The Lieutenant was a lot less elegant and comfy in her landing, and it was only Tora's fast reaction that prevented her from splitting her head in two.

"Thanks," Barry muttered, nursing her damaged arm. "Let's get out of here."

They climbed some and crawled some, and finally emerged from the labyrinth of technical tubes and tunnels into Main Engineering.

"Leeds?" Barry called. "Rolsen? Damn, why isn't anyone on duty here?"

"Probably because of this," Tora pointed at the control panel. "It shows life support failure. The alarm must have been triggered and—"

"They were lured out of here," Barry nodded. "Oh hell."

She ran towards the main control junction and swore vigorously.

"We're completely locked out. Dammit, don't they have anyone monitoring the Engineering station on the Bridge? The plasma injectors are on the verge of collapse, we're heating up like a goddamned firework!"

A sudden high-pitched scream filled the big room, making Tora want to cover her ears. There was a loud snapping sound and then the scream became a wail. Smoke started to come in cascading waves from the main reactor chamber.

"What was that?" Tora yelled, her eyes watering.

"One of the injectors gave!" Barry was hovering over the main control console, entering commands feverishly. "We'll be supercritical in no time if we don't shut it down!"

Rushing after her into the chamber, Tora looked wildly around, trying to escape the unbearable pressure of the sound. She saw the failing component clearly, it was dangling dangerously in its hold, the vibration making it jump up and down. Without thinking, without pausing to realize what she was doing, having no memory whatsoever of the reactor's schematics, Tora stepped forward. All she knew was that the sound was driving her insane and she had to stop it. No matter how, she needed to stop it. Paying no attention to Barry, who was shouting something, Tora reached for the handle at the side of the injector and pulled it down determinedly. There was a loud clang, and the screeching stopped abruptly.

Barry was upon her in no time, studying the control panel and examining the damaged equipment. She sighed deeply and turned to look at the Cadet with a set expression in her eyes.

"Okay," she said levelly, as if talking to an excitable mentally ill person. "Okay. You might have well saved us from a core breach. That's the good news."

"What's the bad?"

"We now have lost all hope of regaining control over the engines. The only way to disengage the warp drive now is from the Bridge. And if it doesn't happen within the next thirty minutes tops..." she trailed off, but her gesture was very speaking.

Tora swallowed hard and wiped the sweat off her forehead. Well, Spock, she thought wryly. Your plan had better work. Otherwise...

She didn't plan on finishing that thought.

--

Number One's presence was not a disruption, although Spock was very well aware that she was trying to check his work as much as she was helping him. Maybe even more. But that was only logical and to be expected, and he tried to explain what he was doing as best he could in what limited amount of time they had. It was fortunate that she was a computer expert herself. They understood each other easily, and Spock could feel her confidence in him growing as they progressed further in their work.

If only it had been so with the Captain...

The thought struck him as one completely unexpected. But it was a foregone admission that Chris Pike had made an impression on the young Vulcan and that impression was destined to be a lasting one. Spock couldn't quite put it into words, but he was very aware of the effect the short encounter with the Captain had rendered on him. The sheer power of that man's personality was moving before him wherever he went. It was surprising that the humans couldn't feel it, but then, they weren't telepaths. Power was the word that had applied best to the Captain. Restrained, controlled, formidable power.

The same could be said about his father, but Sarek's power had always been aimed at intimidating Spock, successfully or not. With Captain Pike, he felt no threat, no sense of foreboding. Only great strength and unbending will. If fate had ever brought those two into direct confrontation, Sarek would have faced a worthy opponent. For a moment, Spock had almost wished it had happened.

Abruptly, he realized just what direction his thoughts were taking, and scolded himself. He didn't know if humans indulged in this kind of reflection, but Vulcans certainly didn't. He was behaving disgracefully, if only within his own mind. But that, he knew, was no excuse. And yet...

It was difficult to see the Captain so troubled, so trapped. Spock had barely stopped short from saying something shamefully emotional, something completely irrelevant just to ease that incredible tension. He wanted to say that he could be trusted. That the Captain could rely on him, however ridiculous that would have sounded from the mouth of a cadet. That he wouldn't fail. Mercifully, he had checked himself before he could embarrass them both so, but the very fact that the impulse was present was disturbing. He was a Vulcan, he should not be reacting in this manner. He should not be reacting at all.

Spock pushed the feeling determinedly to the back of his mind to be dealt with later. The only logical way to prove his worth was to get his task done quickly and efficiently. He suppressed a sigh and concentrated fully on the creative sequences of algorithms. They didn't have much time.

--

Every officer or crewmember who had studied the schematics for the Constitution-class knew about another entrance to the Bridge which was through a hatch behind the Security station. However, as the hatch was hardly ever used, only the most persistent members of the maintenance crew remembered about its existence. Most officers simply forgot that it was there. Chris Pike, however, was not one of those. He knew that Suguri must keep that entrance under observation, but he couldn't care less. It was a drill for only one of them, after all.

It took a lot of time and effort, but he had finally managed to reach it. The rarely used door didn't want to open, but he pushed determinedly until it gave. His appearance on the Bridge had caused a small sensation.

"Why, Captain!" Suguri exclaimed, surprised, rising from the command chair. "Aren't you blunt. Are you at least brining a Security squad with you?"

"No," Pike muttered grimly, pulling out of the hatch and straightening up.

"In that case, I can't count your attempt to retake the ship successful," Suguri said, looking over his rather dusty uniform with mild distaste. "It was a nice try, but—"

"Admiral, we have to drop out of warp," Pike cut him off coldly, looking around the Bridge.

The helm was manned by the Admiral's aide, Lieutenant Cohen, who eyed the Captain coolly. There was no one at either the Communications or Engineering stations, and the Science station was manned by a Yeoman.

"Sorry, sir," she chirped, catching Pike's eye. "The Admiral ordered me, and—"

"Admiral, we must drop out of warp now," Pike repeated urgently.

"Why?" Suguri's eyes narrowed at him. "Is that some ruse?"

"It's no ruse, dammit, our engines are barely holding up!" Pike advanced on him in one impressively swift motion. "Can't you feel the trembling? We're falling apart!"

"Captain, you surely don't expect me to believe in such an obvious ploy?"

"Lieutenant, drop out of warp!" Pike slammed his fist into the helm console. Cohen merely looked at him warily and quickly locked it.

"I take orders from Admiral Suguri."

"Admiral, you have to give the order! Go to the Engineering station—see for yourself! Our plasma injectors weren't recalibrated properly when we shipped out. If you don't believe me—take a look!"

"I can feel your frustration, Captain," Suguri said smugly, not taking a step away. "I would be frustrated too, I suppose. My own ship, snatched from under my very nose—and with me on board; yes, that would be most embarrassing."

"Admiral—"

"The C in C didn't believe me, you know. He said we didn't need to heighten security. I told him I would prove to him he was wrong. I guess stealing the Enterprise before her famous Captain would even wake up would do the trick, wouldn't you say?"

"You had no authorization to do this," Pike realized, stunned. "You son of a bitch, you had no authorization!"

"Watch your tongue." Suguri's face darkened. "If you want to keep those fancy stripes on your sleeves."

The turbolift doors opened suddenly, to the Admiral's utter amazement. Number One and Spock stepped onto the Bridge with almost identical grimly stoic expressions.

"Do you require assistance, Captain?" Number One asked, surveying the Bridge gloomily.

"I ordered the turbolifts disabled," Suguri wailed, glaring at his adjutant.

"They were, sir," Cohen mumbled. "I don't understand how they—"

"We've been able to reactivate them, thanks to the timely interference of our Chief Engineer," Number One said.

"The Admiral had no authorization for this drill," Pike informed her quickly. "But he refuses to cooperate. What's your status? Was the virus effective?"

Number One turned to Spock even as the deck began to shake violently under their feet.

"I—would—say—yes—Captain," Spock replied, grabbing the railing for support. "The engines are—"

"Sir, the engines are shutting down!" Cohen shouted in a panicked voice.

"What?" Suguri exclaimed. "But how—?"

There was an unmistakable rustle coming from the hull as subspace had curled into a wormhole, throwing the ship into normal space.

"Half impulse," Cohen reported. "One quarter... space normal speed... Admiral, we stopped!"

"Good work, Mr. Spock, Commander," Pike exhaled with relief.

"What has happened?" Suguri looked completely dumbfounded. "How did you—?"

"Admiral, you are relieved," Pike said sharply. "As are you, Lieutenant. Step away from the console."

At these words, Number One and Spock both stepped closer, flanking the Captain. Still muttering darkly, Suguri nodded to his aide. Number One shoved past him, sat down and reactivated the console.

"Captain, I'll need some time to give you an estimate on our position," she said, running her fingers over the controls smoothly. "Cadet Spock's virus has been... very effective."

"Take your time. I would imagine Lieutenant Barry will need some too to get us underway," Pike shook his head. "I'm afraid we're going to have to return to the drydocks after that." He turned around to look at the Vulcan. "Mr. Spock, reactivate Communications. See if you can raise any vessels."

"Aye, sir."

The intercom whistled, interrupting the Captain midword. Frowning, Pike hit the button.

"Bridge."

"Captain, Cadet Donovan here. I have the intercom functioning, sir."

"Yes, Cadet, I think I noticed. Good work—"

"But Captain, there's something strange going on with the main communications grid," the young man sounded alarmed. "It looks like we are transmitting a signal on a lower subspace band."

"What kind of signal?" Pike sobered immediately.

"I don't know, sir. But I've tried to stop it and couldn't even get close."

"Acknowledged," Pike snapped. "Mr. Spock?"

"Confirmed, Captain," the Vulcan replied, listening to the earpiece intently. "We are continuously transmitting a homing signal."

"Block it!" Pike rounded on the Admiral. "What's this about?"

"It's not my doing, Captain," Suguri shrugged, bewildered. "I ordered Mel to disengage the Communications station. We never touched it since."

"Lieutenant," Pike turned toward Cohen. "Would you care to explain—"

"Captain!" Number One called suddenly. "There's a vessel decloaking off our port bow!"

"Identification," Pike snapped.

"Our sensors are still not functioning properly, sir, I can't make a positive ID."

"Then give me visual, dammit."

"I'm trying, sir. It's not exactly responsive either..."

"Oh my God."

It wasn't clear who said that, as several people gasped at the same time. For on the viewscreen, advancing straight at the helpless Enterprise was the unmistakable image of a Klingon Bird-of-Prey.

"It isn't my doing, Captain, I swear," Suguri was muttering over and over again, pale and shaken.

Pike wasn't listening. He activated the comm once more. "Pike to Engineering."

"Barry here," came an annoyed grunt.

"Lieutenant, we're about to get hit. Can you give me shields, phasers, anything?"

"Not a chance, Captain," she bristled out, obviously incensed. "We barely have the power for structural integrity and life support. Whoever's out there, sweet-talking them might be a good idea."

"Captain, they're charging weapons," Number One warned.

"Dammit." Pike propelled himself to the upper rim, hovering over Spock. "Hail them."

"I'm already trying, sir. No response."

"They're firing!"

The hit was barely half-hearted, but without shields, it was more than enough to give them a thorough shake. Suguri fell backwards with a yelp. Tora, who entered the Bridge from the turbolift at that very second, was nearly knocked back over, but managed to stay on her feet. Spock grabbed the edge of the console, and Pike in turn grabbed his shoulder for support. Together they bent over the panel.

"Try to use the same carrier frequency."

"Yes, sir." Spock was inputting combination after combination, attempting to hit the correct one. "Captain, I believe I have partial signal through now. They are responding."

"On screen."

The Klingon commander looked incredibly pleased with himself as he surveyed the disarray on the Enterprise's Bridge.

"Well, well, well, Captain Pike," he intoned almost sweetly. "Long time no see."

"I don't believe I had the pleasure," Pike replied grimly.

"Oh, we've met, Captain, though I'm not surprised that you don't remember. But my commander remembers you well."

"Your commander?"

"General Khort."

Pike turned visibly pale, but his expression didn't soften one bit.

"Spare my ship. If it's me you're after—"

"Oh, I fully intend to, Captain," the Klingon assured him. "Why would I be interested in that bucket of bolts? But even if I were, I don't have the time right now. I'm afraid I have specific orders to deliver you to the General immediately. He is a severe taskmaster, Captain. And his displeasure is most... disagreeable."

He looked over his shoulder and barked a curt command. The image on the viewscreen faded, but before anyone on the Bridge could so much as take a deep breath, the low hum of a transporter broke the tense silence.

"Captain!" Number One shouted, but it was too late.

Pike was disappearing rapidly in the reddish glow of the Klingon transporter beam. And as his hand was still clenched tightly on the Vulcan's shoulder, Spock disappeared along with him. Simultaneously a second transporter beam fixed on Lieutenant Cohen, who smirked wryly in their stunned faces. Number One cursed loudly watching as the Klingon vessel went into warp. Tora was staring at the suddenly empty chair blankly.

"What do we do now?" she asked, sounding completely lost at this new development.

"I don't know," Number One said, pressing her hands to her eyes tiredly and rubbing them vigorously. "I don't know."