The next morning…or Jim supposed it was morning because he was waking up, he still did not feel very rested. He thought he had slept on both sides of the bed, the middle, both ends and the corners. He had not slept well because he had too much on his mind. He put his hands behind his head. His sleeplessness had nothing to do with Carol…it was that mission the Admiral was sending Elana on. He just wondered what Admiral Carson would do if Admiral Fern ordered him to go on that mission and threatened to charge him with disobeying an order.

Jim could not believe he was thinking that. Besides, the Admiral would never agree to that, and Admiral Carson would probably court marshal both of them.

He had not rented a room in the space station. He did not see the point when he had his own room right here on the Enterprise. His communicator whistled at him. He got it off the side table. "What do you want?" he asked.

"Captain Kirk, do you always answer your communicator like that?" Admiral Fern asked.

Jim sat up. "No sir. Sorry sir. I thought it was probably…"

"Never mind that. I want you in my office at 0800."

Jim looked at the time. That was an hour. "Yes sir."

"See you then."

Jim got up and got ready to go to that meeting. He was wearing his dress uniform this time. First, he wanted to go and see Scotty. He walked down to Engineering and found Scotty working at a monitor. "Captain," he said. "What brings you down here?"

"I just came to see how you're doing," Jim replied.

"Everything's going fine. Something you needed?"

"No. I was just…you don't have to stay here to eat, Scotty. I guess I was a little rough on you yesterday. I…"

"No, Captain. I deserved every bit of it."

"Well, I'll see you later, Scotty."

"Yes, Captain."

Jim left the Enterprise and put his hat on which he hardly ever did. He headed for Admiral Fern's office. "Jim!"

Jim looked to see Carol coming toward him, and she looked very cheerful. She gave him a kiss as she hugged his arm. "Where are you headed?" she asked.

"I have a meeting with Admiral Fern," Jim said. "You want to go with me?"

"Sure."

They went to Admiral Fern's office, and he was sitting at his desk as usual. "Morning, Captain Kirk," he said. He looked at Carol. "Doctor Marcus."

"Morning sir," Jim replied. "I hope you don't mind me bringing Doctor Marcus with me."

"Not at all. Have a seat."

Jim and Carol sat down to hear what the Admiral had to say. "As you know, I've been talking most of the day yesterday, and a lot of the night," he said. "I need your crew, Captain Kirk. I know you've been thinking about all this as much or more than I have."

"I have been thinking about it, Admiral. Have you spoken to Admiral Carson?

"I am going to do that this morning. I was hoping you would join me."

Jim was surprised at that suggestion. "I would rather not, Sir. I've already spoken to him as I told you."

"Yes, you told me, but I think we can make a good argument together."

"With all due respect, Admiral, I would rather not. Admiral Carson told me in no uncertain terms that I was to stay out of it, and I just sent my report in last night. He requested it yesterday. Maybe we should just wait. You never know, he might change his mind."

"I'll talk to you later, Captain Kirk. I intend to make a very good argument to Carson about this. You and I have seen what goes on out here."

"Maybe you should invite Admiral Carson to the space station. Show him what goes on."

"Trouble with that idea is that there might be nothing happening when he comes. But that's not your trouble is it, Captain? I'll let you know how it goes."

"Thank you sir."

Jim and Carol left that office. Jim had a deep feeling of dread now. "What are you thinking about?" Carol asked.

"I'm thinking maybe the Enterprise is going to depart sooner than we planned," Jim said. "I think I want to get away from Klingon space."

"I thought you wanted to be involved. Admiral Fern may convince Admiral Carson."

"I just can't shake this feeling that there's more behind this, and it's a lot bigger than we think."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'm just paranoid. I'm hungry too. Let's go eat."

While they were eating, Bones walked into the restaurant where they were. He came over to the table. "Morning, Jim," he said. "So, what's going on this morning?"

"Admiral Fern is hard at it this morning," Jim replied. "I don't think he's going to let this drop."

Bones sat down in a chair. "Sorry for invading your date, but I don't think he should let it drop."

"Why not?"

"Because we're all going to be wondering about it until something happens."

"And you just can't stand the suspense?"

"You can't either. Why don't you admit it?"

"I'm just waiting for someone to tell me what to do, Bones. Otherwise, we're getting on the Enterprise and we're getting out of here as far as we can get."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I just don't like being here anymore."

"It is kinda dull. Everything looks the same. It's certainly not a planet."

"It's more than that. You ever just had a feeling of dread?"

Bones scowled at that. "I get a feeling of dread every time I go to a new planet. I guess anyone could have that feeling after what you went through," he said. "Why don't you go see a counselor here?"

"Are you saying I'm crazy?"

"No. Maybe you're just a little nervous after all that. I went and talked to one yesterday. It's dull around here, but I kinda like being here around a lot of other people and beings."

"Jim, maybe Doctor McCoy is right," Carol said. "Sometimes it helps to talk things out with someone."

"I talked to you," Jim replied.

"That's not the same thing. I'm not a counselor."

Jim smiled, and then noticed Bones' amused look. "Is that all you want to talk about, Bones?" he asked.

"I guess," Bones said. "Sorry for interrupting your date." He stood up and leaned over to Jim. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Jim rolled his eyes at that remark. "I won't do some things that you would do."

"Good."

Just then, Spock and Uhura walked in. "Good morning, Captain," Spock said.

"Morning, Spock," Jim replied.

"Have you talked to the Admiral this morning?"

"I have. And just how would you know about that?"

"He informed me last night that he would be speaking to you again this morning."

"Why don't you guys just join us?" Jim asked. "Bones, you might as well stay too."

They all managed to get around the table. "Admiral Fern intends to convince Admiral Carson that something needs to be done," Jim said. "I don't know how that will go. Can you believe he wanted me to join him?"

"Why did you decline?" Spock asked.

"I don't want to argue with Admiral Carson again. I already talked to him."

"The two of you together might persuade him."

Jim leaned on the table. "There's no way to do anything about the prison without starting a war with the Klingons," he said. "You do realize that, don't you? I think that's why Admiral Carson is hesitant."

"I agree, and I completely understand."

"If she can detect ships in the system, she could call the Klingons in for help, and it would be impossible to sneak in there."

"Except for a cloaked ship which Elana has."

"Yes, I know that, but she's in charge of that ship and we don't really know what a risk taker she is nor what her true goal is. Why would she agree to go in there?"

"That's a good question, Jim," Carol said.

"If the Admiral wants to send us in there, I want to know the answer to that question before we leave here, and if I don't like the answer, we're not going anywhere but away from here. And if we do go, the Enterprise is going to be close by."

"That is reasonable, Captain," Spock said.

They were all silent for a few moments, and then ordered their meals. "I get the feeling this is going to be another long day," Bones said. "And it's going to be another one of those complicated situations. How did I ever get myself into this?"

"You must have something in you that likes adventure," Jim said.

"It is my opinion that the doctor attempts to avoid the mentally challenging areas of a situation by making jokes, or trying to get our minds off the true situation," Spock remarked.

"Are you saying that's a bad thing?" Bones asked.

"I did not say that. It is only part of your personality, and your way of caring for those around you."

"I didn't know you were paying so much attention, Spock."

"Captain, perhaps you should consider sending a different sort of away team," Uhura said.

"What did you have in mind?" Jim asked.

"It's not likely that they would send women to the Klingon prison world. You should let Carol and me accompany Elana to Badoran. Have Scotty rig up a beacon that can be detected through the interference."

Jim was surprised at that suggestion. "I think that's a splendid idea," Carol said.

Jim looked at her with even more surprise. "Wait a minute," he said. "We don't know what to expect down there."

"So?"

"I'm not even sure anyone is going. I hate this waiting. If Admiral Carson still says no, we're leaving here today."

"Do you think he will?"

"Yes, I think he will. He wasn't happy about my even asking him, so unless Admiral Fern has some trick up his sleeve, we'll be departing and putting the whole thing behind us."

"I'll drink to that," Bones said. "Even if it is coffee."

While they were eating and conversing, Jim's communicator whistled. They all suddenly became silent. "Kirk here," he said.

"I want to see you as soon as possible, Captain Kirk," Admiral Fern said, sounding very urgent.

"Yes sir."

Jim put his communicator away and looked at the others. "He didn't sound very disappointed," he said. "Why don't we all go see him?"

The others all stood up, ready to go along with him. Jim headed for the Admiral's office feeling that dread again…wondering if they were about to step into the middle of something very volatile.

They soon arrived at Admiral Fern's office. Jim looked at the others as they were at the door. "Well, this is it," he said.

They went into the office where Admiral Fern was waiting for them. "Captain, we have the go-ahead," he said.

Jim had not been expecting that. He was not sure what to say. "So, we're going to Badoran?" he asked.

"Yes. We're going to find out who that woman is and how she got in that position and how she became involved with the Klingons."

"Admiral, I would like to see a picture of this captain you say was lost in space."

Admiral Fern brought up a file on his display and Jim, Spock, and Bones knew it was definitely the woman they had seen on Badoran. "That's her alright," Jim said. He looked at the Admiral. "If we go down there to confront her, we may have to use force."

"That's what stun beams are for, Captain," Admiral Fern said. "There's no reason to harm anyone on the planet, and now that we know what to expect, you can go down there and bring her back here."

"What about the plan that Elana had to go down and convince the people that she's a phony?"

"I'm sure they'll know that when you disable her ability to seem like she can perform magic."

"I'm not so sure of that, Admiral."

"Admiral, the people of this world are truly convinced, and she has complete rule over them," Spock said. "I do not believe simply taking her from the planet will convince them. It may even stir up trouble with the Klingons if the people of the planet contact them."

Admiral Fern leaned back in his chair and looked at Jim. "Whatever you do, I want it done soon," he said.

"What about Rura Penthe?" Jim asked.

"We'll talk about that later. Dismissed."

Jim and the others left that office. They all noticed that he was very quiet as they walked down the corridor. "I, and I'm sure everyone else, would like you to share your thoughts with us, Captain," Spock said.

"I can't right now, Spock," Jim replied. "Just get the crew together."

"Yes, Captain."

Spock, Uhura, and Bones stopped as they watched Jim and Carol walk on toward the Enterprise. "What do you think is wrong?" Uhura asked.

"I am not certain," Spock replied. "But I am certain that Jim will tell us when he is ready."

"More trouble, that's what it is," Bones said and headed for the Enterprise himself.

"He's probably right," Uhura said. "Don't you think it's odd that Admiral Carson changed his mind so suddenly?"

"What are you suggesting?" Spock asked.

"I'm not suggesting anything, but I know the captain is worried about something."

"I agree, but I will assemble the crew."

Jim went straight to Engineering. "Scotty, have you received any messages from Admiral Carson?" he asked.

"No sir," Scotty replied. "I would have told you right away."

Jim nodded. "Thanks, Scotty."

"Something wrong, Captain?"

"Admiral Fern says he's been authorized by Admiral Carson to send us to Badoran to bring Captain Serena Brather back with us."

"I thought Admiral Carson told us to stay out of it."

"He did. Admiral Fern says he had a conference with him and he changed his mind."

Scotty considered that a moment. "Do you have some reason to think otherwise, Captain?"

Jim looked at him. "I'll talk to you later, Scotty. You're no longer confined."

"Yes, Captain."

Jim left Engineering and headed for the Bridge. He met Carol on the way. "When are you going to tell the rest of us what you're thinking?" she asked.

"I don't know what I'm thinking right now," Jim said.

"You don't think Admiral Carson really approved it, do you?"

Jim looked at her. "I can't say that."

"Why not?"

"I would be calling Admiral Fern a liar."

"If it's true, what's wrong with it?"

"When you start calling an Admiral a liar, you better have some evidence."

"That may be true at Starfleet headquarters, but you should let your crew know how you really feel so that we can back you up and support you."

"Don't worry. I'll let you all know soon."

Jim was hoping that Uhura was on her way to the Bridge as he entered. It was only a few minutes before she was there. "Uhura, I want you to send a message to Admiral Carson that I need to speak to him as soon as possible. It's urgent."

"Yes sir," Uhura said.

"I'll be back soon. Let me know as soon as you get an answer."

Jim went to his quarters and got into his usual uniform. As he exited his quarters, Bones was there back in his own uniform too. "Jim, don't tell me that you think the Admiral is lying," he said.

"Okay, I won't tell you," Jim replied.

"What are you gonna do?"

"I don't know yet."

They got into the turbo lift, and Spock entered as well. "Captain, the crew are on their way to the ship," he said.

"He thinks the Admiral is lying," Bones blurted.

"Bones, I didn't say that," Jim said.

"You don't have to say it."

"Captain, do you believe Admiral Fern wants to start a war with the Klingons?"

"I don't know what he wants. We're about to find out more about him."

They walked onto the Bridge. "Captain," Uhura said as she walked over to them. "I can't get a message out to Starfleet. Something is interfering with the transmission. We can communicate within the station but not outside it."

Jim scowled. "Jim, you can't go through with this," Bones said.

"What am I supposed to do, Bones?" Jim asked.

"You can do nothing unless you can get a message through to Admiral Carson," Spock said.

"I'll keep trying, Captain," Uhura said.

"Uhura, I want you to look up everything you can find about Admiral Fern," Jim said. "Send it all to my ready room. Spock, let me know when everyone is aboard. As soon as they are, have Mister Sulu take us out, but we're going to stop short of Badoran. If we can get a message to Admiral Carson from out there, maybe we can get a response soon enough to shed some light on this."

Jim left the Bridge and went to the ready room. He looked out the viewport wondering what was about to happen. This was one of those times that he had no idea what he was supposed to do.

Jim soon had all the information about Admiral Fern. He had been sent to Caleb IV as soon as Admiral Carson had taken office. He had been one who was more likely to argue his point, and he was against some of the policies of Starfleet. Jim sighed as he thought this was getting worse all the time. He had to get a message to Admiral Carson as soon as possible.

Jim's communicator whistled at him. "Kirk here," he said.

"Captain, Admiral Fern has boarded the Enterprise," Spock said. "He intends to go on this mission with us."

"What?"

"This is a highly unusual situation."

"I agree, Mister Spock, and I think we're in a lot of trouble."

"Clarify, Captain."

"I think he's coming aboard to make sure we carry out his plans."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"We still have to get a message to Admiral Carson as soon as possible. He can give us orders."

"We will get a message through."

Jim ended that transmission, and then went down to Engineering, hoping to avoid the Admiral. He found Scotty where he usually was. "Scotty, how is everything?" he asked.

"Purring like a kitten, Captain, and ready to go," Scotty replied.

"Scotty, are you sure everything is perfect?"

Scotty just stared at him a moment. "Maybe I should check that warp drive again before we go off into a volatile situation."

"Good idea. We wouldn't want to be stranded around Badoran."

"Got it, Captain." Scotty leaned closer to him. "Is there a problem?"

"There sure is, Scotty, but maybe we can handle it. We have to have enough time to get a message to Admiral Carson. We have to be away from the space station."

"Clear, Sir."

"Thanks."

Jim left Engineering and wondered how long he could avoid meeting up with the Admiral. He met Mac, Solan, Elana, and Zander in the corridor. "Captain, my ship is on the flight deck," Solan said. "We can use it on this mission if you like."

"Thanks," Jim replied. "Right now, I'm not sure what we're doing on this mission."

"Something wrong?"

"Yeah, but I just can't talk about it right now. You guys make yourselves at home." Jim wondered what Elana was doing there, but he would not ask anymore questions at the moment. He thought she must have been invited by Admiral Fern.

Jim walked on and his communicator whistled again. "Captain, everyone is onboard," Spock said. "Admiral Fern wants to know why you are not on the Bridge."

"I'm…checking things out before we leave," Jim said. "I'll be there soon. Tell Mister Sulu to take us out."

"Yes, Captain."

Jim just stood there in the corridor watching his crew walking past, getting to their stations. They trusted him to lead them and to direct the crew in the right direction. This was not the first time he had been up against an admiral, however. He would not get his crew into the middle of a war between an old, cantankerous admiral and the head of Starfleet.