CHAPTER ELEVEN

(Federation)

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Kirk looked around as he and Hunter entered the bar on Space Station K-Seven. He saw it was still much as he remembered it: with a couple of notable exceptions. There were members of several different species, Andorian, Vulcan, Tellerite, Terran and others, mingling and having drinks. However, there were no Klingons and no tribbles present. He smiled as he remembered the tall, lanky bartender standing behind his counter surrounded by the balls of fur and Cyrano Jones shuffling around picking up the individual creatures, stuffing them into his pockets.

"Just what do ya mean, I can't get a mint julep?" Kirk heard a familiar sarcastic southern drawl ask. He looked at Hunter and nodded towards the gentleman at the bar with his back towards them. Still smiling, Kirk approached the bar.

"Just what I said," the bartender replied. "You can't get a mint julep, because my drink computer doesn't have the formula for a mint julep."

"I've never heard of anything so ridiculous."

"But, in that case, you'll take a saurian brandy," Kirk said.

"Jim! Hi, Hunter." McCoy said, when he saw Kirk and Hunter standing next to him.

"Hi Bones, how's the conference going?" Kirk asked.

"The Klingons canceled it-without notice. What brings you two out here?" McCoy picked up his drink and motioned to an empty table in the back corner.

Kirk waited until they were seated. "Starfleet Intelligence has been picking up some unusual activity along the border and in the Neutral Zone."

"Doesn't sound good," McCoy took a drink of his brandy.

"It isn't." Kirk looked around and lowered his voice slightly. "According to our Intelligence operatives on Kronos, K'Lyssia is missing and D'Ras is in control of the council. I'm sure you know what that could mean." McCoy looked at him and nodded. Neither of them wanted to say it aloud. It could mean war.

"I'm going to Kronos to assess the situation. Since your conference has been canceled why don't you join me?" Kirk asked.

"I don't know." McCoy paused for a moment. "I'm not in Starfleet anymore."

"Bones, we both knew K'Lyssia when she was Kelli Ramsey and a Starfleet officer. If D'Ras has her, she is not going to be in very good shape when we find her. She'll need medical attention. Besides, it'll be like old times."

"Old times have never included breaking someone out of a prison in Klingon space. Chances are, someone will have to break us out," McCoy said with a frown.

"Wait a minute," Hunter said. "Are you two saying Commodore Kelli Ramsey is the same person as K'Lyssia; the current head of the Klingon government?" Hunter's eyes darted from McCoy to Kirk.

"Lower your voice," Kirk whispered harshly.

"Sorry."

The trio sat in silence for several minutes, sipping their drinks. Kirk glanced around and noticed that no one seemed to paying any extra attention to them then continued. "That's exactly what we're saying. Starfleet didn't admit they were the same person for political reasons," Kirk said.

"This doesn't make sense. How did a ranking Starfleet officer become the leader of the Empire?" Hunter asked.

"I'm still wondering about that myself," McCoy murmured.

"It's a long story. Suffice it to say, for now at least, she earned it as a Klingon warrior," Kirk said.

"A Klingon warrior? Then maybe there is some truth to the rumors," Hunter said.

"Which rumors?" Kirk and McCoy asked together.

"That she's a Klingon agent," Hunter said.

"Where did you hear that?" Kirk asked.

Hunter cocked her head and frowned. "My helmsman, Marko Stefano. Why?"

"He's also the one who told you about Ramsey's sensor ghost isn't he? How well do you know him?" Kirk asked.

"Jim?" McCoy said. "What are you thinking?"

"Just a minute, Bones. Hunter?"

"He transferred to Aerfen about two months ago. What's this about, Jim?"

"I thought we had stopped most of those rumors three months ago. Plus, you've been patrolling the Neutral Zone; away from the rumor mills," Kirk said. "Out of curiosity, where did he transfer from?" Kirk ignored the dangerous narrowing of Hunter's eyes.

"Tactical Operations," Hunter said.

"Cartwright!" McCoy whispered.

"Admiral Cartwright?" Hunter looked from Kirk to McCoy. "What's he got to do with this?"

"He and Kelli have a mutual hate agreement between them. He's the one that originally started the rumors and has tried at least once to set Ramsey up as a traitor to the Federation," Kirk said.

"And, that has what to do with Marko?"

"Intelligence has had no proof the Empire has Ramsey's sensor ghost, but Cartwright has stated he believes they do. Then something happens on the border and a new transfer, who just happens to have worked for Admiral Cartwright, suggests the use of a sensor ghost by the Klingons. Coincidence? Maybe," Kirk said. "But, I doubt it," he added after several seconds.

Kirk glanced at McCoy, expecting a comment but the doctor only nodded.

Hunter's communicator beeped. "Hunter," she said after opening the gold screen.

"Hunter, a Klingon cruiser just de-clocked in orbit of the station!" Ilya said.

"Red alert! Three to transport," Hunter said.

"Admiral Kirk, please come to the station manager's office," an announcement came over the station intercom.

"Ilya, belay that transport order. Maintain alert status. I'll contact you shortly," Hunter said as the three of them stood and left the bar.

#

"My dear Captain Koloth," Kirk said when he entered the office and saw the Klingon sitting on the corner of the desk.

Koloth stood and bowed slightly. "My dear Admiral Kirk. Salutations to you also, Doctor McCoy."

Kirk nodded to the Klingon Captain. Their playful sarcasm towards each other went back to a time when the forced politeness had been a cover for their mutual distrust and dislike of each other.

"What can I do for you?" Kirk asked.

Koloth glanced at the station manager. "It is a private matter."

"Manager Lurry, would you excuse us, please," Kirk said.

"Of course Admiral." Lurry glanced at Koloth then Kirk, shrugged and left the room.

"Now, explain what you're doing in Federation territory," Hunter demanded.

Koloth looked at Hunter then turned his attention back to Kirk. He inclined his head towards Hunter. "Who is this?" he asked.

"Captain Koloth, may I present Captain Hunter of the Aerfen. Before you ask-yes, she is aware of who K'Lyssia is. I assume that's why you're here," Kirk said.

"It is. Listen, Kirk, I do not like the idea of involving Starfleet in an Imperial matter. You, I can accept. You are bond brother to K'Lyssia and a member of her house. What involves her, also involves you," Koloth said.

"So what's going on? All I've heard so far is nothing more than rumors," Kirk said. He walked around the desk to sit in the chair.

Koloth glanced at Hunter then stood and turned his attention back to Kirk. "D'Ras accused K'Lyssia of being a spy for the Federation and had her removed from her position. He is leading the council for now. Kang asked me to meet you here and request that you come to the Empire. He and Kor are trying to locate where D'Ras is holding K'Lyssia and will rendezvous with us approximately one day out from Qo'nos," Koloth said.

"How did Kang know I would be here?" Kirk asked.

"I do not know. He has his sources. Will you come?"

"I need some time to get some things together," McCoy said.

"Do not take long." Koloth handed Kirk a communicator. "Contact me when you are ready." The Klingon bowed again then opened his communicator. "jol ylchu'," he said. A few seconds later, the Klingon vanished in the sparkle of a transporter beam.

"I want a full explanation of what's going on, Admiral," Hunter demanded after Koloth left.

"Jim, I'm going to get my stuff together. I'll meet you back here as soon as I'm ready," McCoy said. "Good luck," he said, glancing at Hunter as he went out the door.

"Thanks," Kirk said.

Hunter locked the office door after McCoy left then turned to face Kirk. "Well?" she asked.

"Shortly after Enterprise's return to Earth, Commodore Ramsey was placed in command. Admiral Cartwright assigned me to watch her. He all but promised to block my promotion if I could prove the allegations he had made against her."

"And, what were these allegations?" Hunter's posture did not relax as she stared at him.

"That she was a Klingon agent." Kirk stood and looked out the window at the Aerfen and the Klingon cruiser.

"How did she go from being a potential spy to the head of the Klingon Empire?" Hunter asked.

"Turns out she's the niece of K'Lyion, who was Leader of the High Council at that time"

"Even if she was related to Kahless himself, I can't believe the Klingons would allow a half human Starfleet officer to become head of their government."

"It wasn't easy," Kirk said, telling her about his visit to the Klingon homeworld and Ramsey's installation as Leader of the Klingon High Council.

Hunter stared at him for several minutes after he finished. "Life dealt her a pretty lousy hand," she finally said.

Kirk nodded.

Hunter pulled out her communicator. "I better get back to the Aerfen," she said.

"You sure you don't want to go with us?" Kirk asked.

"I can't. If this explodes into war, I'll be of more use with my squadron than with you. Besides, I want to check out your suspicions regarding Marko."

"Fair winds, Hunter." Kirk gave her a quick hug, wondering when or if he would see her again.

"And, to you, Jim." She opened her communicator. "Ilya, one to transport."

"Acknowledged."

Kirk watched as Hunter vanished then turned back to the window. He knew Hunter would remain in the area until Koloth's ship left-just in case. He stepped away from the window as the door chime sounded.

"I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be," McCoy said when he entered the office. "You better contact Koloth before I change my mind."

"What's in the bags," Kirk asked indicating the two cases McCoy was carrying.

"This," McCoy held up one case, "is all the personal stuff I brought on this trip. And this," he held up the other case, "is all the medical equipment I could talk the station infirmary out of."

Kirk nodded then opened the Klingon communicator. "Kirk to Koloth," he said.

"Go ahead."

"Two to transport."

"Oh great, a Klingon transporter. Are you sure we can't just take a shuttle instead?" McCoy said as the transport beam touched them.

#

Kirk looked around at the gray, spartan room he and McCoy had been assigned. Like on his last visit to the Empire, a sleeping mat had been provided on the hard metal bunks. There were two chairs and a desk in the room as well.

McCoy put his cases on one of the bunks then leaned up against the wall. "Jim, something you still haven't told me, and I'm curious about is Sarek's aide. As I recall he went with Kang as well."

Kirk sat in one of the chairs and leaned back. "Selat? To tell the truth I'm not sure myself. According to Kang, his name is Ta'les and he's a Romulan who's been living in the Empire for over thirty years. However, while I was in the Empire, I stood as witness to his and Kelli's marriage. They bonded in the Vulcan fashion. I doubt the Romulans use the same ceremony and words as the Vulcans."

McCoy stared at the Captain and shook his head. "In other words you still don't know what his story is."

"That's about it." Kirk stood up and stretched. "We might as well get some rest. Koloth said we would be rendezvousing with Kang and Kor before reaching Kronos. Things will probably start getting busy then." Kirk looked at the two bunks and frowned. "They don't look very comfortable."

McCoy sat on the bunk nearest him and frowned also. "They're not," he said as he lay down.

Kirk took the other bunk and ordered the lights out. "I hope this isn't a mistake," he heard McCoy mutter. Kirk only nodded his agreement with the statement as he felt sleep claiming him.