James T Kirk: The Next Generation
Family
Trianguli Gamma VI
Jim Kirk didn't have any real fears. In fact, it was probably one of his vices. He had no qualms with rushing without care where even angels feared to go. But that was his character, his inner core. And as he stood before the giant head of the Serpent facade, he didn't fear it; he was in awe of it.
A hundred years ago, when several of his men were killed by the artificial intelligence that had the ability to control weather, and provided a means of life to the natives of the planet, Kirk grew to despise it.
Kirk and S'vath had come to the Serpent head together after a scheduled communication with Spock, who was on Romulus, had not happened. For unknown reasons, the inter-dimensional signal from Spock never came. Although Kirk found it hard to 'read' S'vath, he still had a feeling that S'vath was worried about his father.
"I can't believe it's still here after all this time," Kirk said, looking at the device he and Spock had helped deactivate.
"I am pretty sure my father would have heard that statement," S'vath said, "and said that it was illogical; since it is here." S'vath looked at the Serpent's head, and smiled, as did Kirk. "I can see that you find my words somewhat truthful."
"At first," Kirk said to S'vath, "your father and I had a very unique relationship. I wasn't exactly sure we would make a…" Kirk searched for the right words to say, "perfect fit, and yet, we did. It also helped that Bones was there to take the edge off, sometimes. I missed my relationship with the two of them most when I was brought forward through time. But I know this S'vath; if there's one person in this universe who can solve an insolvable problem…it… is… your father."
Kirk looked around and found that most of the surrounding area had remained the same. It was almost as if only three years had truly passed instead of the actual 100 plus years. He then looked over at S'vath, who was doing his best to entertain him; but Kirk could tell that S'vath wanted to be doing other things, chiefly among them, making sure Spock was unharmed.
"I get the impression from your wife, and you as well, that you and your father don't quite see things eye to eye." Kirk said, as he looked over at S'vath.
S'vath nodded his head.
"I suppose not," S'vath said, "I respect him, he is my father. However the schisms between my father and I started when I began to show interest in the teachings and beliefs of my uncle. His name was Sybok."
"Is Sybok the brother of T'pring?" Kirk asked, having never heard of Sybok. (Remember readers, this Kirk skipped everything from the second season episode; "The Apple" and onward from there.)
"Oh, that's right," S'vath said, with a warm smile. "You never met Sybok. So you will no doubt be surprised to learn that he was actually my father's half-brother."
"Spock has a half-brother? Did something happen between Sarek and Amanda; or did she die and Sarek remarry?" Kirk asked, totally surprised by the news he had just been told.
"It is a long story," S'vath said. "Sybok was actually older than my father. My grandfather, Sarek, had once been in a relationship with a Vulcan priestess before he had married Amanda Grayson, and Sybok came from that relationship.
My father once told me that he never had shared the fact he had a brother with you, or I should say the other Jim Kirk, until much later and had regretted so.
In any event, when Spock was a child, Sybok's teachings were forbidden on Vulcan, which led to his exile. And yet, every so often, a Vulcan will slip through the logic of our society and embrace teachings and beliefs such as his."
"A Vulcan like you," Kirk concluded for S'vath.
"Precisely," S'vath said to Kirk. "Sybok believed that the truth of existence could only be found through emotion, not the coldness of logic that Surak set the Vulcan people on."
"A passionate Vulcan," Kirk said, "Now that is fascinating," Kirk said, almost sounding like Spock-like in the process.
Kirk's communicator beeped.
"Kirk here," Kirk said, upon flipping the communicator open.
"O'Brien here, sir," O'Brien's voice replied, "The Cloaking device's sensor array is detecting other cloaked vessels on the long range sensor."
"I didn't realize they could do that," Kirk interjected.
"I didn't either sir; until Bakooth told me about this new feature. This Cloaking device was a gift to Thomas Riker, and apparently it is one of the Romulan's most advanced designs. Now, it cannot tell us the exact location of the other cloaked ships, only a general direction they are approaching from."
"How long do we have?" Kirk asked.
"I'd say three to four hours, at best," O'Brien replied, after a moment. "What do you want us to do?"
"I'll get back to you in a moment," Kirk replied, "Kirk out."
Kirk looked over at S'vath.
"I hope your father gets a message to us, because for all I know that's an armada coming this direction," Kirk said. "I'll go get Nog, and we'll beam up to the Defiant. There's no need for you or your people down here to be put in harm's way."
"Captain Kirk," S'vath said, "my father and I may not, as you say, see things eye to eye. However, as I told you before, I respect my father very much. And if he sent you here, to me, then he expects me to do all I can assist you; and that is what I intend to do. I will accompany you to the Defiant to do just that."
"Spock did not expect you to risk your life," Kirk said to S'vath. "I am appreciative to what you've just said, but I can't let you do this. You're a married man, S'vath, and your first priority is to your wife."
"Oh yes, I had forgotten about Rhonda," S'vath said softly, "she will no doubt want to come with us."
"Absolutely not," Kirk said, as he started back toward the Federation camp, which was a twenty minute walk from where they were, "Perhaps I didn't explain it clearly enough earlier; we are fugitives. If you were found to be assisting us, it could cost you your career and maybe your lives."
"The Ferengi, and the other men aboard your ship, are all part of Starfleet, and yet they are with you," S'vath said, as he walked by Kirk's side.
"The difference is, I abducted Nog, O'Brien and Dr. Bashir," Kirk countered, "No one in Starfleet is going to accept the fact that I forced the son of a good friend to help. You stay here where you belong, doing your research."
Kirk walked on, with S'vath by his side the entire way. Kirk had known Spock to find ways around his orders, and knew that S'vath would do the same.
Kirk smiled inside as he looked at S'vath briefly. There was more of Spock inside him than S'vath would admit to.
USS DIAMOND
The Diamond, as well as the four Akira-class ships that surrounded it in a diamond formation, was cloaked. The sensors had briefly detected a Defiant class Starship in orbit of Trianguli Gamma VI. It had since disappeared from the sensors, but it was all the proof Maxwell needed that Kirk was there.
Captain Benjamin Maxwell, when he was a child, grew up reading about the adventures of Captain James T Kirk. It was those adventures of Kirk that inspired Maxwell to enter Starfleet and follow the dream of becoming a Starship Captain. And now, here he was, hunting Kirk down like an animal.
Life was full of irony indeed.
Continued…..
