STAR TREK; TIME KEEPER

Pawn Capture

Jim Kirk sat in his command chair on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Kirk had actually come up to the bridge nearly an hour early. The only other regular command crewmember, other than himself was Uhura. The other posts were manned by the third-shift still.

Kirk was engaged in conversation with the Chief Administrator of Starbase-16; Sean Landis. Not only was her the Chief Administrator, he was also Carol Marcus's wife and David's adoptive father.

"Well, Captain Kirk," Sean Landis said, "I am happy that you have found your missing crewmember and have lifted the emergency code."

Kirk had told Landis about the Romulan mercenaries, who had abducted Spock, but Landis seemed indifferent, and that didn't sit well with Kirk.

"Mr. Landis," Kirk said, more pointedly this time, "I just warned you that there are Romulan mercenaries on Starbase-16, and," Kirk paused for effect, "you don't seem too concerned."

Landis, who was sitting behind his desk, reached over to get an information padd. The moment he did, Kirk could now see an old style picture hanging on the wall and had been unseen; a picture of Sean Landis, Carol and David. And then Landis sat back up; Kirk had a feeling that the revealing of the picture was orchestrated for his benefit.

"Yes," Sean Landis said, now holding a padd. "However, as I read your report," he looked down at the padd and then back at Kirk, "it would appear as if only Mr. Spock was in danger; meaning a military target. So, while I am not happy we had mercenaries on Starbase-16, I don't want to worry the mostly civilian citizens down here. I bet these mercenaries have already left."

Kirk didn't like that response at all. He was starting to get sick of Sean Landis's arrogant.

"I find your lack of concern for Star Fleet officers a bit offensive," Kirk said. "Especially since most of those civilians down there are there for the supporting roles they often play in administrating Star Fleet business."

Suddenly Kirk was elsewhere; back on the grass field playing catch with David. The young boy, David, was smiling as they threw the baseball back and forth, but as Kirk tossed the ball, he was able to see the young Vulcan girl yet again. She was holding his kite and was staring at him from a small grassy knoll. Kirk locked glances with the girl and it was as if their eyes stared at each other through a tunnel and he couldn't look away; and then he heard her voice in his mind.

"Your son's life will never know peace, Jim Kirk," she said. "You must let him go; it is the only the way. Know him as your son and he will be lost."

And then, she slightly turned her head to the right and for a brief second, Jim Kirk saw someone standing next to the Vulcan girl. This second person was a woman, and Jim Kirk recognized her immediately; the female Romulan he and Spock had stolen the Cloaking Device from nearly a year earlier.

And then Kirk was back on the bridge, staring at Sean Landis.

"Maybe I haven't made myself clear," Sean said, "but we haven't had any crime at this Starbase-16; until now. In fact, if it were any other starship visiting other than the Enterprise, I just have an impression that none of this would have happened."

Kirk felt the sting of Sean's words.

"Oh," Kirk said, "and why would that be?"

Sean flashed a very arrogant smile.

"Because of who you are," Sean said. "You no doubt have enemies Kirk. And I'm not just talking about Klingons and Romulans, but many others. Your very presence here could put many of us at risk. Perhaps even people dear to you."

Sean was going out of his way not to mention Carol or David, but it was he meant and both Jim and Sean knew it.

At that moment, a woman came into view and knelt down and whispered something into Sean's ears. At that instant, the signal was cut off and the image of Starbase-16 returned the screen. Kirk pivoted his chair to face Uhura.

Uhura dance her fingers over her control panel, and then she looked at Captain Kirk.

"The signal was cut off on their end," Uhura said.

Before Kirk could say anything more, the signal was reestablished and the image of Sean Landis reappeared and he no longer had an arrogant look on his face; he had a look of worry.

"Captain Kirk," Sean Landis said, "we seem to have an emergency down here; and I may need your help!"

Kirk could only wonder what that meant.

"If at all possible," Kirk offered, pushing aside the anger fueled conversation from a moment ago, "we will do what we can."

Landis looked away, clearly trying to compose himself and then he looked back to Kirk. At that moment, the Turbolift opened and Spock entered the bridge, along with Dr. McCoy.

"My wife has been abducted," Sean told Kirk, "and so has my…son!"

The word "son" penetrated Kirk's soul because David was really Jim Kirk's son. But Spock had also heard the unfortunate information as well, and he also knew that David Marcus was really Jim Kirk's son.

"They were taken from our house, near the center district," Sean said, as he stood up and went over to the widow in his office, pointing at a hill in the distance. Then he looked back at Kirk; worry in his face. He then went back to his desk and pivoted his screen around so Kirk could see the image on in. "This is an image of the abductor; one of the security arrays was able to obtain it, and," Sean paused, "it may indeed be one of your Romulan mercenaries."

Kirk didn't recognize the Romulan, but Spock did immediately. It was the Romulan who had abducted him as well; Linav! Spock also concluded that Linav wanted to be seen, and he was right! Kirk stood up and turned to face Spock; his best friend.

"Spock; is this the same Romulan who abducted you?" Kirk asked.

McCoy waited for the answer as well.

Spock arched an eyebrow.

Continued…

Don't forget to read STAR TREK: FRANK GRAYSON. Frank has dreamed a real US S ENTERPRISE into existence and now there are very dangerous people in our real world that will do anything to possess the power of the Starship; and they will kill anyone to get their hands on it!