"So Spock, what have you got for me?" Jim asked from across the table. He had a small group of staff assembled to hear the information Spock had gleaned from his interview with T'Rallah, which McCoy had lost no time in reminding them had exhausted her "What are we supposed to do, Bones? The lives of an entire team of scientists, two of which are relatives of our own are in the balance, not to mention diplomatic relations with the Klingons, such as they are". The latter issue was why Kirk felt the need to involve others in the crew.
"I was able to gather a number of insights from T'Rallah, chiefly the identity of the Klingons involved in the raid. She said that they were wearing uniforms and insignia associated with the T'resh'ka Clan"
"Aren't those the troublemakers?" asked Sulu.
"Indeed, Mr. Sulu. They were severely reprimanded by Klingon High Command for seizing a planet rich in dilithium from their neighbouring clan, the Dreska. As I understand it, they are forbidden from participating in Imperial command decisions as each clan does until such a time that they pay the Dreska reparations which have, as yet, failed to materialise."
"What can they hope to gain by attacking a boatload of Federation scientists?" asked McCoy irritably.
"That brings me to the second insight T'Rallah gave me, Doctor. There were a number of strategically interesting projects Alex and Lars Andersen were working on at the time, notably an advanced warp drive and examining how the technology our crew appropriated from the Romulans some months ago could be better adapted to our own starships. A cloaking device would also be a valuable addition to the technology possessed by the Klingons."
"So you're saying…" began Kirk.
"I have inferred that, with the aim of appeasing their High Command, the T'resh'ka have decided to pay their reparations in the form of technological information. The logic of this move escapes me but…"
"Not all of us are as logical as Vulcans, Spock! And the Klingons less than most. Haven't you noticed their constant tendency to pick any battle they can find?" McCoy said, rolling his eyes.
"I have, Doctor but I choose to examine the issue from a less…fervent perspective. A number of questions still remain, notably how the clan had knowledge of the existence of such research".
The same thing had occurred to Kirk and, his duty as a Captain though it was, he did not like to think about the theories that were forming in his head one bit. Could there be a double agent in Starfleet, working for a group of Klingons more unbalanced than most? That was very disturbing. He was also very uneasy about how closely the research that had made Weisshorn a target was linked to the missions and activities of his own ship. It made him feel even more acutely responsible for the fate of the science team. "That's my thoughts, Spock but until we reclaim both our people and their research, it is not our top priority."
"But, Cap'n" interjected Scotty "If there is a mole in Starfleet, we cannae ignore that!"
"No Scotty, but our job is retrieval. I'll inform Starfleet and they can take care of the internal investigation themselves. Now, does anyone here know where this clan might be?"
"Last I heard they were operating out of a small system of planets our side of the Kyrana Nebula. Good thing is, there isn't a lot of it on our side. You could only fit the Sol system in that segment about three times and only a couple of planets there are warp-capable as far as we know. Should be fairly simple to locate them. If our information's accurate, that is." Sulu responded.
"Noted, Sulu. We'll start there. Scotty, how soon can we make it there? I know you're in the middle of some repairs…"
"I'll have the ol' girl up and runnin' in a jiffy, Captain. We should reach the nebula in a matter of hours."
"Very good, Scotty! Right, everyone, let's all get to our respective posts and get this done". The room stood as one and the team dispersed, like a well-oiled machine, each part ready to fulfil their individual roles.
Jim had a habit of wiping his lips when impatient or nervous and he was certainly displaying it now. He could definitely see how that Weisshornian warp research could come in handy. He could tell Spock was feeling it too. Nothing showed but it was definitely there. For one thing, he usually had his head down concentrating on his work when not conversing with other crewmembers on the bridge. Now he was almost obsessively glancing at the starcharts and even the veiwscreen. Jim glanced over as Spock looked up and hazel met brown in a significant exchange of looks. He tried to convey optimism and encouragement in the gesture and Spock's miniscule nod confirmed his understanding.
Finally they came out of warp at the last known location of the clan. They were not there but, then again, Kirk hadn't expected them to be. After a few hours of searching, however, he began to grow more discouraged. He glanced at Spock, whose jaw seemed to set ever tighter by the minute. A tense silence had descended on the bridge, broken suddenly by Uhura.
"Captain, I'm receiving a distress call. A small shuttle. It appears to be Klingon in origin."
"On screen" ordered Kirk and an image solidified on the viewscreen.
"Thank the bloody Gods!" said the young Orion man that had appeared exclaimed "My engines have been leaking for hours and who should show up but bloody Starfleet! I couldn't hitch a ride could I? Mine's kinda busted."
Jim was taken aback "Of course Mr…."
"Huvran. Balski Huvran. No need to ask who you are; the famous James Kirk! Of all the people to end up rescuing me, eh?"
"Mr. Huvran, standby to beam up, we will join you in the transporter room. Kirk out" he turned to Spock with a raised eyebrow "Spock, you're with me, Sulu, you have the conn and Uhura, comm down to Mr Kyle in transporter room 1. Let him know we have a guest." Kirk waited for two 'aye Sirs' before climbing into the turbolift with his First Officer in tow.
Once Huvran was safely on board and ensconced in one of their guest quarters with the drink he had insisted on before he could do anything else, Jim finally got the opportunity to question him. "You were beamed from a Klingon shuttle. How did you come to be there?"
"Oh, boy, is that a story?" chuckled the Orion "I fell foul of one of their ships. Apparently they wanted a fee for me to pass through the nebula. Bit much, even for a load of them! I mean, how's a businessman supposed to get home? Anyway I said no. I always was a bit of a hothead. I kinda told them they shouldn't be here and I had a good mind to rat them out to you 'Fleeters if they didn't cooperate. Anyway they didn't take too kindly to that" he took a gulp of the whisky he had been furnished with.
"I bet they didn't!" Jim responded dryly "so they captured you?"
"Ahhyep! For all of about five minutes. While they were distracted by some other poor sods trying to stage a breakout. Lars somebody, I think one of them was. I stole a shuttle and skiddadled. Gave me a bit of a beating on the way out though. Nothing I can't handle."
"The fact that you are on board this ship would suggest otherwise Mr. Huvran" Spock observed coolly.
"Suppose you're right there. Then again, you lot usually do hit the proverbial nail as it were" drawled the visitor.
"Why did you not attempt to aid the others?"
"Look, it's not that I didn't feel sorry for the bastards, I did, but didn't particularly wanna be in the same boat. We wouldn't have got away. Especially not where they're going. They said something about taking a load of scientists to Qo'nos. Saw their flightplan anyway. I ain't showing my face there. I kinda owe someone some money and there was this girl I don't particularly wanna see either. A couple of girls actually. Long story. Anyway, you couldn't be real pals and drop me off at Nebta could ya? Guy there owes me a favour and-"
"As fascinating as your personal dealings are, Mr. Huvran, that won't be possible. We need you to show us the route the Klingons will take to their homeworld before they reach the Neutral Zone."
"No can do, Captain. Sorry but I can't get involved. I'm late for a deadline as it is and-"
"I do not believe that you appreciate the seriousness of the situation" Spock told him "the scientists belong to a Federation science station working on a number of sensitive projects. It is vital we retrieve them."
"Look, I'm sorry, really I am. But I've got my own stuff going on!"
Jim's patience was wearing very thin "look you!" he gripped Huvran by the shoulders, unable to believe how selfish a person could be. Spock's steadying hand was all that stopped him yelling in the man's face "we have to get back to the bridge. We will be back once we have attended to our duties." Jim made sure his displeasure was audible.
Once they were out of the room, he rounded on Spock "what was that about?"
"I was merely intervening in an action you may have come to regret, Captain."
"Well excuse me for trying to persuade him to save your cousin's life!" Jim snapped irritably.
"I am very aware of Alex's situation, Captain" Spock responded coolly "which is why I seek to ensure that Mr. Huvran is persuaded appropriately. Violence may, after all, make him much less sympathetic to our purpose here."
"What are you suggesting?"
"I believe the Terran expression is 'guilt trip'."
A.N.P.S. Oooh, what's Spock's plan? I'll try not to leave it too long for you guys to find out! The race is on! Bit longer this time. Good chapter? I have created a rather despicably ass haven't I?
