Chaos had broken forth at Starfleet Command with the disappearance of the Intrepid. The mid-size Starship had been on a simple patrol on the edge of Federation territory when its sent out a distress signal of a powerful anomaly that was pulling it in. Before any assistance could be dispatched, the signal and the entire ship vanished without a trace. Attempts to re-establish contact failed and searches were ongoing. Chris Pike was under extreme stress dealing with the situation and public demands for answers. In addition, the 345 crew had anxious loved ones waiting to know whether their kin were alive or dead.
Almost immediately, Vulcan delivered the double blow of claiming responsibility with a mysterious weapon and broadcasting an actual video of both Jim's death and the Intrepid's demise.
"Do you really think your little attempts to defeat us will last against the might of Vulcan?" Said a haughty voice in the video. "Give up the fight and cede the three planets or we will be forced to take more extreme measures. You have thirty days to decide your fate."
The admirals had an emergency meeting that lasted most of the day, some arguing for instant reprisal, and Chris siding with the ask for peace group. His mind was distracted with what he'd seen on that tape and worrying for Winona and Leonard. If they'd seen the tape...he shuddered and felt sick.
His hopes fell flat when Leonard ushered a red-eyed Winona into the room, both grim and furious.
"You saw it?" He asked, not needing to clarify. They both nodded.
"He just walked in there and lay down like he was going to take a nap," she whispered. "They stuck that cup up to his mouth and made him drink the horrid stuff, looking right at the camera. And then..." she broke off with a wounded sound and buried her face in Chris's uniform. He held her close, not desiring to remember Jim's calm resignation as he leaned back against the lounge chair like furniture he was lying on and the death throes that followed as the toxin took effect.
"I tried to keep her away from the last part, but she insisted," Leonard said in a shaken tone. "I'm thankful it wasn't very long. Must have been potent stuff. Damn suicidal hero kid," he muttered.
The image of his friend's whole body convulsing, fists clenched in pain as he gasped for breath and finally Jim's eyes falling shut for the last time as his breath completely stopped was seared into the doctor's mind. Leonard had strongly objected to the mission in the first place but couldn't overrule Jim's assignment.
"Oh, come on, Bones, don't be such a worrywart!" He'd said. "Our cloaking is way better than any sensors they've got. Besides, I'm not planning on getting too close."
"It looked like it hurt him, Chris," Winona sighed. "My poor, brave, baby. And All those people on the Intrepid, too, just being swallowed up like that. What are we coming too? How is Starfleet going to respond? The Vulcans clearly have the upper hand."
"We have thirty days to decide," Pike told them heavily. "Then Sarek vowed to hit us again."
Jim was beginning to stand and take a few steps as his third week of being undead passed. The therapy was greatly helping and he didn't have to worry about any more awkward accidents now that he could feel again. His admiration and friendship with T'Sara and T'Lora grew every day as they spent time planning their escape or working with Jim's legs or learning more about each other.
He told T'Sara all about his dad's sacrifice and growing up in the shadow of such a huge legacy.
T'Sara told him about her own late father, a half Betazoid, who had struggled with a serious illness most of his life and helped plant her desire to be a healer.
"At that time, Sarek had not cast out non-pure Vulcans and Sa-Mekh told me I would have an excellent career in the field if I set my mind to it. He acquired books for me to learn the physiology of various species and I was deeply engrossed."
"I spent a good deal of my youth basically rebelling and being a total screw-up," Jim said regretfully. "I gave my poor mom a lot of grief and trouble before Admiral Pike got a hold of me and dared me to do better. I joined Starfleet right before the war started and at first I was like "Yeah! Fight! Fight! Teach those Vulcans a lesson! Defend the Federation!" And then, the longer it dragged on and the more friends I lost, it was only about defending our space. Now that I know how dangerous Sarek is, I fear for both our people."
T'Sara sighed and caressed Jim's foot. "As do I, James. Your friendship means a great deal to me and I hope we can find a way off of this troubled planet."
They looked at each other and an unspoken current of something...else...seemed to flicker in the air. Jim almost held his breath as she looked at him intently, thinking that if he wasn't careful, this could be more than a friendship. Despite being different species, they'd found common ground fighting prejudice and tyrants, and Jim was attracted to her. She returned to her duties and the moment ended, but Jim was thoughtful for a long time after.
The first time he walked across the room unassisted, Jim threw up his fist in triumph.
"Yeah! Finally!" He turned around and plopped into a chair before his legs could give out.
"Congratulations, James!" T'Lora said, embracing him. "You hardly wavered at all! Can you get back?"
"In a few minutes," he nodded determinedly. "Man, it feels good to be up again. Your therapy is amazing, T'Sara!"
"It would not have been effective without your efforts, James," she reminded him, a proud smile on her face.
Their happiness was short lived, unfortunately, because Sinek showed up just hours later bearing the grave news of the attack.
Jim turned white as he took in the news of the Intrepid's destruction and Sarek's threat of more if he wasn't pacified.
"I knew a lot of people on that ship," he whispered painfully. "That's devastating."
"We grieve with thee, James," T'Lora said gently.
"Is the high council that cruel to attack without warning like that?" He asked, when he'd managed to compose himself.
"Sarek did it without their knowledge, I was told," their informant said gravely. "It appears there is some dissension in high command."
"Good," Jim said grimly. "Now, they'll be easier to take down. I would like, if possible, the schematics and layout of the building the red matter is being kept in. We've got to get down to business before any more ships or planets are destroyed."
Jim's agitation propelled him to stand up and stride across the room faster than he'd ever done, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms to think.
T'Lora looked at his grim face and saw for the first time James T. Kirk switch into full captain mode.