THIS STORY OCCURS AFTER DECEPTIONS. DON'T WORRY IT CONTAINS NO SPOILERS IF YOU ARE READING THAT STORY ALSO. I KNOW THAT EACH CHAPTER IS NOW PARTS BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW ELSE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN UNLESS IT HAS THE SAME CHAPTER HEADING. GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS. PLEASE REVIEW I AM LONELY OUT HERE IN CYBER VILLE. THANKS FOR THE READER WHO LEFT THE SMILEY REVIEW. MY DOG DIED THAT THAT WEEK AND EVEN THE SMILEY FACE REVIEW MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. SO WHOEVER YOU WERE THANK YOU FOR BRIGHTENING MY DAY. I NEEDED IT. ENJOY. FYI THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS HAVE JIM PUT IT ALTOGETHER. HE IS A GENIUS RIGHT?
.
CH 14 CAMPING WITH THE KLINGONS Part 1
Kate never realized how much she loved her bed. Last week's impromptu adventure the kids are calling camping with the Klingons, much to the adult's dismay, has given her a new found respect for her bed. She is used to roughing it but having the same bed and room to come home to for six months is something Kate is getting used to and liking. She reaches over for the cup of hot coffee on her nightstand. With her Dad and the senior staff still wrapping up the events of Upsilon Cerberus, she has had far more time alone than normal. Kate has also learned to order her coffee black and then order the blue milk concoction Jim created for her several months back. This gives her the much-needed caffeine and still makes it taste the way she likes it. "Oh, and I took down some Klingons last week. That is why I went MIA," Kate shares taking a long sip of coffee.
"Really? On the game? They are hard to beat. I can't get past that level myself. Care to share how you did it," Hank replies.
Kate stares at words on her screen. There can't possibly be a video game that has the Klingons as enemies that you destroy. Even in Sky River, there wasn't a game where you tried to destroy the Imperials or Hutts and they were the most hated beings in the galaxy. This is just another example of how the Milky Way is from Sky River in sentient rights; however, there could be a vast market in Sky River for a game like this especially with the Hutt's as villains. Maybe not killing Hutt's but smuggling goods out from their territories. She makes a note to talk to Lando about the marketing possibilities. Kate gets a small smile taking another drink of her coffee. Everyone here thinks she is this broad-minded liberal embracing what Jack refers to as hippy dippy love. Kate is so far from this political view it laughable. Although she does feel everyone should be treated equally, it is more from a capitalistic view. If everyone is given the same shake in life, then they can work and contribute to an economy. Holding one group back only means you have to support them with your money. "I am not talking about a game, Hank but real life. We were stuck on this planet and some Klingons were hunting us. Our parents finally showed up two days later. I had to sleep in the wilderness and eat small woodland critters. Sooooo not fun, but I held my own. Told you I am tough," Kate boasts.
"Where were the guys and Mr. Prefect," Hank types. "You know the guys are supposed to take care of the girls and not the other way around right?"
Kate thinks back on her two days in the woods. Hank is right. Kate did think John should have been more boyfriend like. While Cameron and Ronin were helping Jo and Erika, John just gave Kate jobs and commands as if she was his underling and not his girlfriend. When she saw John after fighting off the trio of Klingons, Kate thought he would scoop her up in his arms and make everything better, but that is not how it happened. "Well sorta," Kate sighs. "I thought John would be more help but he wasn't. I mean I had a split lip and lost my dress and all he cared about was me putting on his shirt."
"You lost your clothes and he wasn't like oh baby we need to inspect the area behind that large rock," Hank types. "Are you sure he isn't gay? I mean you without a shirt…come on."
Kate laughs so hard she almost spills her coffee. "I wasn't completely naked just a black t-shirt, underwear, and sneakers but yeah I thought I would have gotten at least one playful comment."
"And that is why HE DOESN'T LIKE YOU," Hank types. "Sorry to be the one to tell you, but had I been there I would have first taken you into my arms just happy you were alive. Then I would have given you my shirt but only after we played a game of hittin' the skins if you catch me drift. You and John are missing out on something that only strengthens your relationship. There is nothing like being intimate with someone. Giving yourself to someone is the greatest form of trust. They can hurt you badly or create a lasting bond. You of all people should realize that. Trust is when you follow someone down a road that you can't return from. From what you tell me, you are willing to follow John but he has no desire to lead you there. My advice…find a new boyfriend like me. I know where you need to go and would love to take you there."
Everything Hank is saying makes sense to Kate. It has been years since she let anyone in and never to the extent had she opened to John. She doesn't see herself as needy, yet it would feel good to know how much John likess her. John admitted to skinny dipping with some girl named Colleen, yet the thought of Kate naked seems to make him uncomfortable. He is the first guy she has ever met that hides behind promises of gentlemanly conduct and follows through. She has tried not to let the incident at Smuggler's Run impact her and John's relationship. Kate has tried to tell herself that John just wants to make sure she is ready, but maybe her gut is right and she is too blind to see it. Maybe John is just having fun and doesn't want more from her. Every other guy she has met has tried to take things further. Kyle was every bit the gentleman John is and yet he made Kate feel desirable. John makes Kate feel like his sister. Kyle made it clear that the minute she was ready so was he. John, on the other hand, is like a car stalled in Louisiana mud. He may get his tires to spin, but he is going nowhere. If something doesn't happen soon, she and John will be a pleasant memory. At this point, it will be easy enough to slide back into a friendship only relationship. The only thing they are is friends in her mind. Yes, he is a great kisser, but so are many other guys are too.
"If John and I don't work out you will be one of the first people I tell," Kate snuggles back into her pillows that she has propped up behind her. A quick peek at the clock shows Kate she has about an hour left before Jim comes home. "Okay, so I have to get off soon but let me tell you about my week. It was a doozy." Kate edits out the classified parts like receiving the Klingon's version of the Medal of Honor but tells Hank everything else. From the attack in the field to sleeping in caves and finally the epic battle and celebration afterward, Kate leaves nothing out.
.
ENTERPRISE READY ROOM
Jim sits in his seat staring hard at the images on the wall PADD as Daniel gives everyone an update on ML's latest round of hate mail. It has been six months of these letters and Jim is done with looking for hidden meanings and cryptic messages. He doesn't care about the why anymore. He only wants it to end. The last time he spoke with Lauren, she told her husband she would find ML her way when she returned. Maybe that is exactly what Jim will let happen. He will set his wife loose and when she finds the bastard, Jim will meet her under whatever rock ML is hiding under. It would be plausible that he and his wife take a much-needed couples vacation. Kate might not like the idea, but she will deal with it. He and Lauren can take Kate somewhere extra special like Disneyland when this is all settled.
Jim lets his attention drift back to Dr. Jackson. Overall, Jim likes Daniel well enough. The guy has made progress with Kate in their therapy sessions and Jim never thought that would happen. Dr. Jackson produced a profile of ML that was confirmed by Sam Kirk and his people; however, that is where all progress has stopped in this case by everyone. This is what is not acceptable to Jim. He thinks of each department and slowly checks off the ones that have no bearing on the current situation. Helm control and navigation are clear. ML hasn't mentioned the Enterprise's current location so Sulu isn't leaving a trail of bread crumbs. Chekov hasn't beamed anyone on the ship so the young Russian whiz kid's department is absolved from making the situation worse. Scotty and Bones are here only because they have children and are senior staff members. Jim lets his gaze wander the table settling on Jack and Uhura. The two departments that have allowed this situation to continue are communications and security. Like it or not, Jim is about to take the job as Captain of the Enterprise seriously and find out why two of his most trusted and respected officers can't get the job done.
"As you can see in these letters and the previous one, ML shows his deepening psychosis. He claims that he no longer wants contact but the first two letters of this series clearly show this is not the case," Daniel says pushing up his glasses from the tip of his nose. "I will give you all a minute to read them before I continue." Jim watches as Dr. Jackson posts the letters on the wall PADD. He reads them again silently along with everyone else in the room.
TO: Kirk, James T. Captain USS Enterprise
FROM: Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: Communication systems rejected message by the server for the recipient domain
STARDATE: 2260.103
SUBJECT: Compunctious
Where is she? You cannot hide from me! I will tear the universe apart for her. She is mine and I will not see my years of planning destroyed because you think you are smarter than I am. I am a genius. I control the lives of men. People live and die by my leave, not theirs. It was my decision not to speak to you but you will not keep me from her. I will find you and when I do, nothing will stop my wrath so help me god. Give her back to me or you will be sorry. You have twenty-four hours.
Don't make your enemy.
.
TO: Kirk, James T. Captain USS Enterprise
FROM: Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: Communication systems rejected message by the server for the recipient domain
STARDATE: 2260.105
SUBJECT: Venery
I am now your enemy. You have caused this. Do not weep when what you harvest is not what you expected. Greater men than you have tried to stop me but failed. I will take her from your broken body prostrated at my feet. You will watch the terror in her eyes as she learns her fate. I am not the monster you have convinced yourself I am. This mistake will cost your daughter everything she is.
No longer A. Friend
.
TO: Kirk, James T. Captain USS Enterprise
FROM: Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: Communication systems rejected message by the server for the recipient domain
STARDATE: 2260.110
SUBJECT: Percipience
Dear Captain,
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! My dear Captain you do not cease to amaze me. I am sorry about the anger in the last letter. I did doubt your intentions during the Deneb II revolt. I mean placing your daughter on the front lines by your side to evaluate her skills from a first person perspective took the steely determination I felt you were lacking. It also almost ended our game here. Without her what purpose would I have to contact to you. I find myself to be a grueling taskmaster as a teacher, but even I do not think submitting my students to be hunted like prey is appropriate for their second lesson. Tsk tsk Jim let's not jump the gun. This is more a tenth lesson; however due to your insight I will speed up her training.
Today is special. She has shown yet again she can survive any task thrown at her. Number two is it is March 4th. This is unique because it is the only day of the year that gives a command. So let us March forth in our glorious endeavor. I am sorry I ever doubted your resolve
Always A. Friend
.
Jim sits patiently as the ship's psychologist's voice becomes a monotonous drone like a fly buzzing around your head. What Daniel is saying to Jim is worthless. The vocabulary words that Daniel is currently yammering about tells Jim that ML must be good at crossword puzzles and nothing more. The eloquence of the words ML is using has not led anyone to find a clue about his identity. Anyone can open a dictionary and find out that venery is the sport of hunting and also the gratification of a sexual desire. Jim finds nothing relevant in how the header of each email has gone from words most people should know, to ones you need a dictionary to understand. Of all the fifty-cent words ML has used only, compunctious has any meaning to Jim. When he finds his unwanted friend, Jim will make him regret everything he has said over the past six months. Jim has better things to do than learn new words. He has a ship to run.
"How is this relevant Dr. Jackson," Jim interrupts the psychologist mid-sentence. The stunned look by the sandy-haired doctor is almost comical. "So far in the past four months, all you have done is created a profile that fits half the male population in the Federation and rehashed what we can all read by ourselves. Thank you for your time. You are dismissed," Jim says curtly. "We will contact you if your services are needed." A deafening silence fills the room as all eyes but Bones' dart between Jackson and the Captain. When the psychologist looks to Spock, Jim steps back in. "You were dismissed. That means leave the area, Lt Commander Jackson," Jim uses Daniel's rank indicating this is an order that will be followed. Jackson clears his throat before gathering up his padd and leaving the room.
"Little harsh Jim," Bones replies as soon as the door closes. "The guy is only,"
"Everyone is dismissed except Lt. Uhura. I would like to see you in my office," Jim states calmly. "Colonel O'Neill if you would wait outside the ready room I also need to speak with you. We have larger issues the our annoying pen pal." Curious glances and side looks cover the assembled officer's faces as Jim leaves the ready room heading for his office. "I meant now Lt," Jim says over his shoulder disappearing into his office. Uhura steals a glance at Spock before following Jim.
The unesay silence of the room is broken as Bones turns to Jack. "Call me if you need me to hypo his ass," Bones grumbles standing up. "He is in one of his I'm the Captain moods again. I'm gonna find Rand and schedule him for a medical eval. His blood pressure is probably through the roof along with," McCoy's voice trails off as he leaves the room.
"Whatever ya do laddie," Scotty claps Jack on the shoulders, "don't tell him you want to resign. He will take it and there is no ship hiding behind Jupiter to save your arse." Jack looks at the Scottish engineer as he leaves with Chekov and Sulu from the ready room.
"Well, Ears you got any advice for me about the boss," Jack leans back in his chair locking his hands behind his head. The Vulcan XO is the only one who hasn't spoken.
"Lt Commander Scott was correct," Spock stands straightening his shirt. "If the Captain does cause you enough emotional distress it would be unwise to tender your resignation." Before Jack can utter a word, the Vulcan raises a hand to silence the chief of security. "Lt. Commander Scott was also just performing his duties at that time. What I am most concerned about is your flagrant disregard for following orders and that you are of equal rank with the Captain. This was one reason I urged the Captain to think before accepting your posting to the Enterprise. Even though you are of equal rank, he is the Captain and your superior officer. This means that if he so wishes, you could be tried in a court-martial for offenses ranging from insubordination to culpable negligence to mutiny."
"Mutiny! Wow, I can feel the love," Jack says dryly looking at the door to the Captain's private office. "And if he is going to try me for mutiny, I will have good company. No one held a gun to anyone's head on Upsilon Cerberus." Jack's humor is lost on Spock. "I get it. Jim is pissed but I am not running up the Jolly Roger and changing the Enterprise's name to the Queen Anne's Revenge and my name to Blackbeard. Why do you all think I would disobey the Captain? I do know how the game of rank is played, Spock."
"I see my comments have elicited an emotional response from you. This was not my intention. It was simply to remind you that while Captain Kirk is often more…personable with the crew than I deem appropriate, he is the Captain," Spock states in his monotone voice. "Your son's intimate relationship with the Captain's offspring does not entitle you to special treatment."
Jack shakes his head hearing Spock's words holding up his hand. "Okay, first off they are 13 so let's lay off the word intimate and any association with John and Kate," Jack over exaggerates a shiver of revulsion ticking off one finger. "Second off I am clearly aware who is in command of this boat." Jack ticks off finger number two. "And thirdly I have been bitched at by a superior officer Spock. Admiral Archer holds the top spot after my wfe of course. You think she nice but she can be evil when she is riled up."
Spock levels a gaze at Jack avoiding any comment on Jack's levity with the situation. "In my experience when humans establish friendships they assume it will result in some form of special considerations. Often this leads to difficulties when the two parties cannot see eye to eye. One must remember no matter how close we feel we are to the Captain, he is our Captain. He, unlike the rest of the crew, has to answer for everything that occurs on his ship."
"So you never have tried to elicit any special considerations from the captain," Jack says annoyed that Spock would ever think he could be that unprofessional. Before this assignment, Jack managed a team of seven that were as close as the senior staff is here. Just like Jim, he drank and socialized with his men but on the job, everyone respected their boundaries and followed orders.
"No," Spock says primly. "In fact, I once reported his actions to Starfleet resulting in his removal as Captain immediately before the Khan incident. I do not suggest you follow my example in that regard. Colonel," Spock nods exiting the room.
"With friends like you, you don't need enemies," Jack leans back bringing up his game of Simpsons Tapped Out as he waits for his turn in the hot seat.
.