CHAPTER TEN
(Federation)
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"Admiral, you have a call from Intelligence-Admiral Honeycutt," Riley said, standing in the door.
Kirk looked up from the report he was reading and nodded to his attaché. "Put it through," he said.
"Kirk, we have a problem," Honeycutt said when the viewer flickered to life.
Kirk sighed and swallowed. Here it comes, he thought. "Let me guess–-the Klingons," he said.
"I think you should come to my office. This is not something we should be discussing over an open comm channel."
Kirk nodded. "Give me a few minutes."
"I'll be expecting you." The viewer clicked off.
Kirk stepped out of his office. "Riley, anything I need to be aware of going on in the next few hours?"
The young Lt. Commander glanced at a small calendar pad and flipped through a few pages. "No, Sir. Your schedule is clear for the rest of the day."
"I will be in a meeting with Admiral Honeycutt, for the next few hours. I'll contact you when I'm done. Until then, I'm not available."
"Understood."
#
Starfleet Intelligence had most of its offices in the lower levels of the Headquarters building. The dungeon, as many referred to the area, was entered through a simple black door with the motto, Knowledge is Power and Strength, over it.
"Admiral Honeycutt is expecting me," Kirk told the security officer standing inside the door.
"Third door on the right, Sir." The dark-haired lieutenant stood at attention as Kirk passed.
The doors to Admiral Honeycutt's office opened as Kirk approached. The lights were dim as he entered the office and Kirk paused in the doorway for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the change from the brighter lights of the corridor. As the door closed behind him, he looked around the large room. Stacked on the bookcases that lined one wall were numerous file folders, papers and padds. Despite the haphazard appearance of the items, he was sure Honeycutt knew exactly what information was where.
"Have a seat, James." Admiral Michael Honeycutt was seated at his desk, a frown on his face as he watched Kirk.
"What's going on?" Kirk asked.
"I received a very disturbing report from one of my operatives in the Empire. Two nights ago, a large force from House D'Ras marched on the Great Hall. Ta'les was seen leaving with them. There was no sign of K'Lyssia. The next morning, guards from House D'Ras were checking identifications on everyone leaving the Capital City. Councilor D'Ras also made several personal visits to councilors known to support K'Lyssia."
"Do we know the purpose of these visits?" Kirk asked.
Honeycutt nodded. "We have an idea," he said. He turned the viewer on his desk to face Kirk then pressed a button. The screen flickered and an out of focus picture appeared; the fuzziness prevented identification of the person on the screen.
"Yesterday, D'Ras visited the holdings of several of the council members," the wavering figure said. "Primarily those that supported Council Leader K'Lyssia. It should be noted Ta'les accompanied him on these visits. D'Ras spent approximately an hour with each councilor, discussing the recent disappearance of Lady K'Lyssia. He put forth the idea she had returned to the Federation with critical information on the Empire's defense strategies. Ta'les supported these accusations. D'Ras also informed them he had been named leader pro-tem of the High Council in Lady K'Lyssia's absence. As to why he was named as such and not Chancellor Gorkon was not explained." The screen went blank.
"This can't be good," Kirk muttered.
"Actually it is worse than it appears on first glance." Honeycutt leaned back in his chair and looked at Kirk, his clear blue eyes darkening. "I do not believe K'Lyssia vanished voluntarily."
"A coup?" Kirk felt his stomach tightening as Admiral Honeycutt slowly nodded. "Do your operatives have any ideas regarding her whereabouts?"
"My people are working on it. We do suspect D'Ras is holding her somewhere. After all, she can provide valuable information on Starfleet tactical operations."
"Kelli wouldn't do that! She may be half Klingon and sworn to certain oaths as the legitimate head of their government. But, she takes her oaths to the Federation and Starfleet just as seriously."
Honeycutt grinned as he leaned forward slightly. "I didn't say she would voluntarily give D'Ras the information." His smile changed to a scowl and his ice blue eyes darkened to a gray storm cast. "But, you know as well as I do, the Klingons have some very effective interrogation techniques."
Kirk sat straighter in his chair, his eyes locked with Honeycutt's. "We need to get her out of there."
"That or find a way to negate the risk."
Kirk stared at the head of Starfleet Intelligence for several seconds. "You're not serious?" he whispered.
Honeycutt's gaze didn't flicker as he looked at Kirk. "I am. I have already issued orders to my people on Kronos. If they cannot get her out, they are to do whatever is necessary to neutralize her. Sorry, James, that is the way it has to be; too much is at stake. Kelli would understand."
"I know. Thanks for the information."
"Sorry it was bad."
Kirk stood up. "At least we know something about what is going on."
"True. And, we can safely assume that with D'Ras in control of the council, the Empire will begin acting in a more aggressive manner."
Kirk nodded politely then left the office.
#
Kirk sat in his office and stared at the reports scattered across his desk. Nowhere the number of reports and files he had seen on Admiral Honeycutt's desk. There has to be a way to get Kelli out of there, he thought. He slapped the intercom button on his desk. "Riley, contact Admiral Nogura. Find out how soon he can see me."
"Aye, Sir."
Kirk sat thinking about what he was going to do. He had never performed the rituals that would have broken his Iw' ruStay with K'Lyssia, and was still a member of her house. As a member of House Lynsia, he had the right to be in the Empire. However, he was a Starfleet officer and a Terran-he doubted he would have time to explain he was a part of a noble Klingon house to any Klingons he ran into. Moreover, he seriously doubted, even if he had the time, he could convince them he was the 'brother' of Lady K'Lyssia.
He needed help, but, where to get it? His crew was scattered, in new assignments and he didn't think he would be able to pull them together on this short of notice. Scotty was busy with Enterprise's refit; Chekov was at the Security Academy, Sulu and Uhura were temporarily assigned to the Lexington, which had left last week on an Academy training cruise. Then there was Spock and McCoy, both of whom had resigned their commissions and left Starfleet. Spock was back home on Vulcan and McCoy was currently attending a medical conference on Sherman's Planet.
Kirk thought briefly about contacting Admiral Honeycutt again and getting the names of his people on Kronos, then decided against it. There's no way Mike would risk his agents by giving out their names. Besides, he'll figure out what I'm up to soon enough and let them know to contact me if it's warranted, he thought.
Kirk stood and walked to the window. Light reflected off the water of the bay, flickering like thousands of candles on blue-green satin. So, it's just me. What about help from within the Empire? Problem is, I don't know who Kelli's supporters are now. Kirk's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. He turned to see Riley standing there. "Yes," he asked.
"Sorry, Admiral, you were ignoring the buzzer–-again. Admiral Nogura said you could come up to his office now. He's got a few minutes he can spare you."
"Thanks. Look after things till I get back," Kirk said.
"Aye, Sir."
#
"Jim, what did you need to talk to me so urgently about?" Nogura asked as soon as Kirk entered the Commander in Chief's office.
"Commodore Ramsey," Kirk said.
"What has she done now?" another voice asked.
Kirk turned toward the speaker, standing in the corner to his right. "Admiral Cartwright," he said. "I wasn't aware you would be here." Kirk returned his attention to Admiral Nogura and ignored Cartwright.
"I just spoke to Admiral Honeycutt. Apparently what we hoped wouldn't happen–-has. K'Lyssia has been removed from her position as Leader of the High Council. We don't know all the details at this time. What we do know is that D'Ras is currently leading the council," Kirk said.
"He's the one that favors attacking the Federation?" Nogura asked.
"He is. Admiral Honeycutt's information indicates there is a probability he is holding K'Lyssia. If that's true it could be a serious problem."
"A problem that wouldn't exist if you had listened to me in the first place," Cartwright said. He stepped up to stand next to Kirk. "Sorry, James, but it is starting to look like I was correct after all."
Admiral Nogura silently regarded both of them, but didn't say anything. Kirk shifted under Nogura's steady gaze.
"I warned you Ramsey was a serious risk to the Federation because of her ties to the Empire. Now, see where we are. A person with extensive knowledge of our defense strategies and doctrine is in the hands of a Klingon government that wants to go to war with the Federation," Cartwright said.
"But, not for the reasons you've claimed. Kelli Ramsey is not a traitor to the Federation," Kirk said.
"That is yet to be seen. She is Klingon after all. Perhaps this will show us all where her true loyalties actually are."
"Cartwright, why don't you give up on this obsession of yours and give Kelli the credit she deserves. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have the treaty we have with the Empire."
"A treaty that opened the Neutral Zone. Kirk, have you ever read the actual terms of the Organian treaty? That Neutral Zone is the only buffer between the Klingons and us. It's the only place where hostilities are not allowed to break out. Now, the Klingons have free access to that area and they have been moving their ships across it into position to strike the Federation. In addition to that, there is now a new person in charge of the Klingon government–-one who favors a war with the Federation. If you ask me it seems a little too coincidental."
Kirk spun to face Cartwright. "Almost everyone in Starfleet knows how you feel about Kelli. Quite a few even know the circumstances that prompted your vendetta against her. Why don't you give it a rest? Right now, we need to figure out what to do to protect her and the information she has."
Cartwright glared at him, then smiled. "I'm sure Intelligence has operatives on Kronos and they are already working on neutralizing the situation," he said.
"Gentlemen," Nogura said, shaking his head slightly. "Cartwright, I believe you've made your point. That's all I need from you at this time."
"Yes, Sir." The dark-skinned Admiral saluted then left the office.
"Jim," Nogura said after Cartwright left. "I take it you're already planning something."
The Admiral raised his hand, before Kirk could answer. "No, I don't want to know what it is, but go ahead. Keep in mind this is completely unofficial. Starfleet cannot sanction you going into the Empire to rescue Ramsey. She is still a Klingon and a recognized head of state. The Empire could make a claim we kidnapped her. Be careful," he said.
"Aye, Sir." Kirk saluted, then turned and left the office. Now, how do I get there, he thought as the door closed behind him.
Captain James T. Kirk had had a reputation as a maverick. For doing things on his own with little to no regard for what the upper echelons of command would think. He had known that sometimes the ends did justify the means. He only hoped Admiral Kirk was still capable of acting the same way. He didn't think he had changed much in only three months behind a desk, but it was such a different world from that of a starship, he wasn't sure.
#
"Hunter," Kirk called, seeing the fighter captain walking across the quad. He waited as she walked over to him. A breeze was blowing off the bay, bringing a chill to the early afternoon air. Passersby ignored him as they hurried to their offices and classes.
The two of them fell into step together. "What's up?" Hunter asked.
"When is Aerfen scheduled to leave?" Kirk asked.
"Tomorrow. Why?"
"I need a favor. What's the fastest you can have her ready to leave?"
"I have to check, but I think the best that's going to happen is six hours." Hunter stepped in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest. "What's this all about? Why are we playing twenty questions regarding Aerfen's departure time?"
Kirk looked around. There were still too many people on the quad. "I can't go into the details here. But, I need Aerfen ready to leave as soon as possible."
"To go where?"
"Kronos," Kirk said softly.
"Kronos?" Hunter's voice was harsh as she whispered the name. She dropped her arms and placed her hands on her hips as she stared at Kirk. "Why in the name of all that's holy would you be going there?"
Kirk met the anger and suspicion in Hunter's eyes with calm. "I'll explain the details after we're under way. This mission is unofficial. If you want out, I need to know now; before I tell you what it's about."
Hunter stared at him for several minutes. "If anyone else wanted me to do this without giving me any information, I'd say no. But, I know you. I'll help."
"Thanks. Contact me when Aerfen's ready. I'll beam up then."
"Understood. Now, if you'll excuse me," she opened her communicator, "Hunter to Aerfen. One to beam up."
Kirk stepped back and watched his friend as she vanished.
#
"Do you have everything you need for the next couple of weeks, if I'm gone that long," Kirk asked his attaché.
"Yes, Sir," Riley said, nodding.
"If anyone asks where I went?" Kirk asked.
"You're following up on the recent intelligence reports from the Neutral Zone and will be out of contact for several days."
"Good," Kirk said, looking around his office again. He walked over to the wall holding his Klingon sash and weapons. He took one of the daggers down and looked at it. Engraved on the hilt was the House Lynsia diamond imposed over the Enterprise's delta shield. Kelli had specifically designed the emblem for him. He placed the dagger in his right boot.
Riley tilted his head, asking without actually voicing the question–-why? Kirk only shrugged. He didn't know why himself, but something told him he should take it with him.
The intercom beeped and Riley left the office. A minute later, he stepped back in. "Admiral, a message from Captain Hunter. She requests you meet her at the Grove in thirty minutes. Be ready to transport to Aerfen."
"Thanks." Kirk nodded, then headed for the door.
"Good luck, Sir." He heard Riley say behind him.
#
"Okay, Jim what's going on?" Hunter asked as he entered the secluded area.
"I told you I would discuss it after we were underway," he said.
"You're asking me to take my crew into Klingon space on an unofficial mission. I think I deserve to know why before we leave. Give me the edited version now, you can get into the details later."
Kirk hesitated for a moment before answering. He had known Hunter for many years and knew he could trust her, but this matter so complicated. Meeting Hunter's eyes, he nodded. "Did you know Commodore Kelli Ramsey?" Kirk asked.
"I've heard of her. She was captain of the Excalibur for a while. Last I understood; she was working for Admiral Cartwright over in Tactical Operations. What's she got to do with this?"
"Ramsey is being held by a member of the Klingon High Council."
"Then why is this unofficial? I'd think Starfleet would be willing to back a rescue mission."
"I can't go into that at this time, other than to say this is the way Admiral Nogura wants it. As for his reasons, I agree with them."
Hunter stared at Kirk for several minutes. He knew she was weighing the risks of committing her ship and crew on an unofficial mission with almost no information against the trust she had in him. "Okay, for now. I reserve the right to change my mind before we actually enter Klingon space," she finally said.
Kirk nodded. "Fair enough."
Hunter opened her communicator. "Hunter to Aerfen."
"Aerfen. Go ahead," came the reply.
"Ilya, two to beam up."
"Aye."
"Hunter, I need to stop at K-Seven on the way," Kirk said, before the transporter beam touched them.