Two Days Later

Starfleet Medical

"Vhy are ve hawing a senior staff meeting at ze hospital?" Pavel asked in an anxious voice as he and Nyota walked into the foyer together and saw Jim standing at the desk talking in hushed voices with President Pike, Admiral Marcus, and Dr. Piper wearing a white jumpsuit over his standard uniform.

Nyota shrugged and kept silent as Hikaru, Scotty, Giotto, and a reluctant Carol arrived, "Ah, the rest of the senior staff is here," Jim said as he turned to face them. "We just need to have a brief discussion, suit up, and then we can go to where we'll be having the meeting. Ah, there's Nurse Chapel now."

"What are those?" Hikaru asked in a confused voice as Christine handed out white jumpsuits similar to what Jim was wearing without talking. "Why do we need to wear such things for a staff meeting?"

Jim sighed and stayed quiet as everyone, including President Pike, Admiral Marcus, and Christine, put the jumpsuits on over their uniforms, "We need the suits, Mister Sulu, because where we're going is a sterile environment and it needs to stay that way for Doctor McCoy's sake," Jim replied calmly.

"Why are we going to a sterile environment, Captain?" Nyota asked in a confused voice as the group began walking down a hallway that she wasn't familiar with. "Where exactly is Doctor McCoy?"

There was a heavy silence as Jim finally stopped in front of a transparent door that had a small computer on the wall next to it and Jim silently inputted a code. Through the door, Nyota, Pavel, Hikaru, Christine, President Pike, Admiral Marcus, and Scotty saw Leonard lying awake in a hospital bed with several driplines in his arms, talking softly to Arianne, who was in a white jumpsuit and gently replying.

"Doctor McCoy suffered radiation poisoning as a result of what happened on the Enterprise and it triggered cancerous tumors in his lungs, kidney, lymph nodes, and his tonsils," Jim explained in a solemn voice. "A biopsy confirmed the cancer and surgery whittled down the tumors enough for treatment."

Silence filled the room as Jim led the group in and all of them took their seats in chairs that had been sterilized, "Now, Lieutenant Sulu, would you care to enlighten me as to why you wanted a senior staff meeting?" Jim asked in a stern voice, knowing they didn't have a lot of time to be there that day.

"I went to the correctional facility two days ago and spoke with Susan Ling," Hikaru began in a nervous voice. "Giotto let me in after I lied about President Pike ordering me to find information about Khan."

Nyota's eyes widened in shock, as did Pavel's; Admiral Marcus almost looked angry while President Pike looked floored that his name would be used for such a thing; Leonard looked shocked, as did Arianne, and Jim looked angry while Giotto looked both ashamed and embarrassed about what he had allowed.

"She vas allied vith Khan, Heekaru," Pavel spoke anxiously. "Vhy vould you go and talk to her about zat madman vhen he took Commander Spock and young Zachary? Vas it because you lowed her zen?"

President Pike looked alarmed, as did Leonard, "You fraternized with Miss Ling while she was a prisoner on the Enterprise, did you not?" Giotto asked in a sharp voice. "My officers said you had done so."

"Susan seemed almost delighted that Khan had worked with the Romulans to capture Spock and Zachary," Hikaru butted in, not willing to endure scrutiny in this setting. "She said that Khan wanted to test Zachary's abilities and punish Spock, so they would most likely be sent to an alien gulag."

Silence filled the room and Leonard paled considerably enough that Arianne quickly handed him a bedpan from a nearby counter, "I want to see you in my office after this meeting is over, Lieutenant Sulu," President Pike spoke in an upset voice. "Nobody gave you permission to go after information."

"There's nothing that can be done about it right now anyway," Scotty spoke up in a concerned voice as he rose from his chair. "Tae Enterprise was about smashed tae bits and needs tae be rebuilt."

Carol frowned, but she didn't say anything, "As much fun as this meeting is, I think I should eat a little and get some rest now," Leonard spoke up, obviously annoyed that Hikaru would be dumb enough to fraternize with one of Khan's allies even if it was to get information. "Thank you all for coming."

President Pike, Admiral Marcus, Carol, Nyota, Hikaru, Pavel, Scotty, Arianne, Giotto, and Jim all moved out into the hallway, "Doctor McCoy doesn't need to be angry enough to kick us out of his room," Hikaru spoke up in an annoyed voice. "I thought if I got the information, we could go after them…"

"Lieutenant Sulu, there are multiple alien gulags out there and Starfleet doesn't have the resources to go searching all of them because the Romulan/Klingon Alliance annexed stations and ships while they were looking for Commander Spock," Admiral Marcus snapped, his patience gone. "As Commander Scott said, the Enterprise is smashed to bits and needs to be rebuilt, which will take some time."

Fighting to compose himself, as he had lost a lot of friends and colleagues as a result of the annexations, Admiral Marcus stormed off, "You might have forgotten that Leonard loves both of his sons dearly, Mister Sulu," Arianne commented in a distressed voice. "Both him and Charlie have been taking this very hard and we, along with Joanna and Kathy, are trying to cope, but to start talking about alien gulags…"

Swallowing hard, Arianne went back inside the hospital room and Scotty, Giotto, and Nyota all left without uttering a word, "I suggest you go to my office, Lieutenant Sulu, and stay very quiet until I get there," President Pike said in a dark voice, sighing as Hikaru ran for his life down the corridor.

"About the Enterprise, President Pike," Jim spoke up slowly. "I need to talk to you later about that."

Before Jim could reply, his communicator went off and he left the area to answer it privately, "Lieutenant Chekov, Doctor Marcus, thank you for coming today," President Pike said as he walked down the corridor with the two. "I'm sorry that Lieutenant Sulu had to waste your time."

As the three separated, President Pike walked off towards his office and Pavel made tracks for the library so that he could study, but Carol felt as if she should go visit her friend, Marla, and see how she, Stiles, Joachim, and the unborn child were handling all that had happened because of Khan.

The page had been from Dr. M'Benga, who Leonard had given care of George to since he was now off-duty indefinitely, and Jim had run all the way to the Pediatrics Critical Care Unit. To Jim's surprise, Lorian was sitting at George's bedside and was silent as Dr. M'Benga checked the biomonitor above the bed.

"Captain, I just thought you should know that George is stable," Dr. M'Benga replied calmly. "I came in to check his vitals and I found Lorian here, telling George that you loved them both dearly."

Jim nodded and suddenly noticed that George was slowly waking up, "George," he said in an anxious voice as he sat down at his youngest's bedside and gently took his hands. "George, it's Daddy."

"Daddy," George replied groggily as he opened his eyes and peered at Jim and Lorian. "Brother?"

Lorian nodded, "Yes, brother, I am here," he replied softly. "I am taking the day to be here."

"George, there's something we need to talk about," Jim broke in softly. "It's about your leg."

George tilted his head curiously and Jim sighed, "Your leg was too badly hurt and it was beginning to make the rest of your body sick," Jim explained softly, holding back tears. "The doctors removed your leg below the knee so that you would live, but when you're better, you can have an artificial leg."

"Okay," George replied softly, nodding to indicate that he understood what he had been told.

Jim smiled, "Can I see it?" George asked softly, his eyes full of hope. "I'm not scared to see it."

Both Jim and Lorian looked to Dr. M'Benga and he nodded, taking great care as he lifted the blanket off the bed and adjusted the bed so George could see better. Bandages covered just below George's left knee and Jim was surprised that George didn't cry, but noticed that Lorian looked somewhat uneasy.

"Thank you," George spoke softly, sighing as he was covered up again. "Can I please eat something?"

Dr. M'Benga nodded and smiled, "I'll have Dietary bring something up," he replied calmly, encouraged by George's attitude as he moved to the communication terminal. "Anything in particular?"

"Lorian, it's admirable you came to see your brother, but you should return to class," Jim said in a concerned voice. "I'm concerned that you won't finish school if you keep missing days there."

Lorian was quiet for several moments before he sighed, "Your argument is logical, Father," he stated tonelessly even though Jim knew Lorian was reluctant to leave. "I will return after school is over."

Jim nodded, silently hugged Lorian, and watched as his eldest son left the room, "Daddy, is Uncle Bones sick?" George asked softly, peering at Jim. "I feel you being sad and Uncle Bones isn't here today."

"Yes, George, Uncle Bones is sick and in the hospital too," Jim replied softly. "Doctor M'Benga?"

Dr. M'Benga sighed, "Doctor McCoy begins radiation treatments today, Captain, so I'd expect he'd be up for visitors this afternoon after he's had time to rest," he replied calmly. "What do you want to eat?"

"I enjoy chicken," George spoke softly, surprising Jim as Vulcans were known to be vegetarians.

Dr. M'Benga sighed, "Something light like chicken soup, then," he replied in a gentle voice.

Jim nodded, "I'll order some for you as well, Captain," Dr. M'Benga said in a reassuring voice.

Starfleet Oval Office

President Pike sat at his desk, struggling to keep his composure as he watched Hikaru squirm anxiously in the chair on the other side of the desk, "I'm at a loss for words about your actions, Lieutenant Sulu," he said in a stern voice as he accessed Hikaru's file on his computer. "Susan Ling, Irina Gallulin, and the rest of Doctor Sevrin's group are now known as terrorists within the Federation because of their known association with Khan Noonien Singh. Association with Federation terrorists is an arrestable offense."

Hikaru swallowed hard, but said nothing, "Fortunately for you, I am the President of the Federation and I do have some pull when Starfleet officers act ignorantly," President Pike continued. "You will not go to jail and be labelled a terrorist, but there will be consequences for your actions. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Hikaru replied in a humbled voice, wondering how badly he would be punished.

President Pike sighed, "You're a smart young man, Sulu, but even stupid little mistakes can ruin a person's life," he said in a calmer voice. "You'll be helping with the care of George Kirk and Doctor McCoy for the next week to make up the time Captain Kirk and the rest of the senior staff wasted coming to the meeting you insisted on having, which means that you'll be answering to Captain Kirk and Commander McCoy in whatever they ask you to do that will help ease their stress. You'll also go to daily sessions with Commander McCoy for the next week and she'll send me reports on your progress."

Hikaru nodded, "You'll also have to take a refresher course in Protocols and Procedures to relearn the behavior expected of a Starfleet officer, but it won't interfere with your other duties," President Pike said in an unimpressed voice as he tapped his communications panel. "You're expected at Medical."

Understanding himself to be dismissed, Hikaru rose and quickly left, leaving President Pike alone.

Starfleet Apartments

Trying to calm her nervousness, Carol rang the bell on the door of the apartment that Stiles, Marla, and Joachim had been given upon their return to Earth. The door quickly slid open, revealing Stiles holding a bowl of soup, "Ah, Doctor Marcus, come in," Stiles said in a warm voice. "Marla's just resting."

Carol nodded and followed Stiles into the living room area where Marla was dressed in civilian maternity clothes and lying on the couch with her stylus, "Carol, how are you?" she asked warmly. "I'm sorry to hear that the Captain and Doctor McCoy have been having such issues, but you look well."

"I admit, it's different being back on Earth after spending so much time on Planet Genesis," Carol replied in a nervous voice as she sat in a chair near the couch. "By the way, how is the baby coming along?"

Marla chuckled and touched her small belly, "It's due in September and according to Doctor Piper, it's doing very well despite everything we've been through on the Enterprise," she replied softly. "I never got to thank you for helping Joachim and I when we were all on Alpha Centauri and Deneva together."

"It wasn't a problem," Carol replied softly. "I'm just so sorry about everything that's happened."

Marla sighed as Stiles went into the kitchen with the bowl, "Khan can't touch me now that I married another and he'll never touch Joachim," she replied gently. "I'm so sorry about Spock and Zachary."

"Doctor Marcus, why don't you stay for lunch?" Stiles spoke up softly. "It would be fun."

Carol nodded, "I think I will," she replied in a pleasant voice. "It will give us a chance to talk more.

Pike Educational Centre

The cafeteria was full of children and noisy, but Nyota was grateful for the noise and focused on eating while helping Tuvok eat and watching as Amanda, Saavik, and Valeris ate. As they ate, Kathryn came into the cafeteria with a very worried expression on her face, something unusual for the calm woman.

"Nyota, have you seen Charlie?" Kathryn asked in a worried voice, her gaze scanning the tables where Kathy, Lorian, and Michael sat amidst other children. "I've checked all of the classrooms and nobody's seen him since the period before lunch. All of the students know that they're not supposed to leave…"

Frowning, Nyota looked over at the table where Kathy, Lorian, and Michael were sitting, "Kathy, have you seen Charlie lately?" she asked in a concerned voice. "Mrs. Pike can't seem to find him."

Kathy was silent for a moment and shook her head, but Michael sighed, "Charlie went to go see his Papa, Mommy," Michael spoke up in a quiet voice. "He was sad and worried in class and he took his tuff and left when Miss Sato had her back turned. He said that his Papa would feel better if he was there."

Nyota frowned and Kathryn sighed, "I'll contact Starfleet Medical," Kathryn said in a worried voice as she moved away from the table. "Doctor McCoy had his first treatment this morning and is resting…"

Starfleet Medical

Still reeling from the undeserved shred of mercy that Pike handed him, Hikaru walked down the hallway of the Starfleet Oncology Ward and stopped short at the door leading to Leonard's room. A small figure, one who was supposed to be in school at that time, was sitting by the bed in a smaller sterile suit while Leonard slept in the bed, covered by blankets, IV lines, and with a dark patch covering his eyes.

Frowning, Hikaru silently entered the room, "Charlie, what are you doing here when you're supposed to be in school?" he asked in a quiet voice, staring at the youngster. "How exactly did you get here?"

"I walked from the school through downtown and across the big campus," Charlie replied softly, pointing to his backpack full of work. "I brought all my work with me so I will still be doing school, but Papa needs me in case he gets sick from his medicine that he had because Mommy and Jo are busy."

Hikaru looked concerned, "Does anyone know you're here?" he asked in a concerned voice.

Charlie shook his head and pulled a PADD out of his bag, "Didn't your mom and dad ever tell you that you shouldn't run off from school?" Hikaru asked in an annoyed voice, clearly displeased with Charlie.

"Papa needed me because he's sad about Uncle Spock and Zachary," Charlie replied in a defiant voice.

Hikaru frowned, "We can't go rescue them because the Enterprise doesn't work," he replied calmly.

Charlie's eyes went wide and he suddenly broke down sobbing loudly enough that Leonard woke up and yanked the patch off his eyes, "What's going on?" Leonard in a hoarse voice. "Charlie, Sulu, what…?"

Suddenly, the door opened and a suited-up Dr. Piper came into the room, "Hikaru said that Enterprise was broken and we can't go save Uncle Spock and Zach!" Charlie said amidst loud sobs. "Why?"

Leonard's eyes narrowed, but he couldn't figure out what to say, "The school called and said that Charlie had come to be with his papa," Dr. Piper explained. "President Pike also called about Lieutenant Sulu."

"I just told Charlie the truth," Hikaru commented anxiously. "The Enterprise can't go anywhere."

Leonard sighed heavily, "Sulu, I don't know what you are doing here, but I'll have you know that I was having a very much needed rest to recover from a very painful radiation treatment when I was woken by crying that you caused," he said in a groggy voice. "My entire family and everyone in the crew has been having problems dealing with what happened and I don't blame Charlie for being here. However…"

"President Pike assigned Lieutenant Sulu to assist you and Captain Kirk," Dr. Piper explained gently.

Leonard shrugged and looked to Charlie, "I'm assuming you walked from school, but it's not safe for you to be running around downtown by yourself," he said in a tired voice. "You can stay for today, but I want you to call your grandmother at the school and apologize for taking off without asking permission."

"I can take him back to school if you want to sleep," Hikaru said in an anxious voice. "He's a bit noisy…"

It was then that Leonard glared at Hikaru, "Charlie knows when it's appropriate to make noise and when he needs to be quiet and keep himself busy," Leonard snapped. "He can do homework while I sleep."

"Lieutenant Sulu, perhaps I'd better take you to Captain Kirk," Dr. Piper spoke softly. "Come on."

As Dr. Piper ushered Hikaru from the room, Leonard sighed and pulled his bedside computer closer to him to let the school, Arianne, and President Pike know that Charlie was safe and had been talked to while Charlie silently returned to his schoolwork, deeply unnerved about being yelled at by Hikaru.

Counseling Offices - Starfleet Headquarters

Between the new couches, new computer, and the fish tank amidst the shelf of PADDs that also contained family holo-photos, Arianne found her counseling office to be quite comforting even though she was still coping with the disappearance of her youngest and her dear friend. Letting out a sigh, Arianne turned her chair to look outside at the spring day that looked so beautiful and healing.

The door chime sounded, but Arianne didn't turn in her chair even as the door slid open, "Excuse me, I'm looking for someone to talk to," Arianne suddenly heard a quiet voice say. "Are you available?"

"Captain Kirk?" Arianne asked as she turned her chair around and saw Jim standing in the doorway wearing his uniform, clean bandages, and a clean shoulder sling. "Please come in and relax."

Jim nodded and silently came into the room, taking a seat on the counseling couch as the door slid shut and locked, "Doctor M'Benga's doing some treatment on George's stub today to make healing easier and he sent me off to have time to myself," he explained in a tired voice. "I thought I'd come here."

Arianne nodded, but didn't say anything, "From what I've been told, George's recovery and rehabilitation will take at least a year or more depending on how his hybrid body responds to everything," Jim stated in a somber voice. "Scotty's also messaged me about his consults with Starfleet Engineering and the Enterprise is going to be completely rebuilt, but that will take nearly three years."

Jim swallowed hard, "I'm not so sure I want to be the Captain of the Enterprise after she's rebuilt," he confessed in an anxious voice. "I was so willing to give myself over to Khan and the Romulans so they would leave us alone, but then Spock stepped in and nerve pinched me so that I wouldn't leave."

"Jim, you were not the only one who suffered a terrible shock," Arianne replied in a compassionate, but firm voice. "I was in the Rec Room and Zachary said he felt funny, so I held both him and Charlie. The next thing I knew, all three of us were on the Bridge of that Romulan warbird standing before a man I hadn't seen in a long time. Charlie tried to fight Khan and paid for it dearly and Khan grabbed Zachary from me and threw him to a guard as if he were nothing more than a toy. In order to take Zachary from me, Khan grabbed my wrist and I had never felt more disgust and horror than at that moment."

Jim's eyes widened slightly, "You never said anything to anyone," he replied in an awed voice.

"You're the first person I've told," Arianne replied softly. "I feel so violated by our encounter."

Jim frowned and Arianne sighed, "What happened to Spock and Zachary is not your fault, James," she continued in a concerned voice. "I felt so helpless as I watched the Romulans take Spock and Zachary off the Bridge, but Charlie and I were beamed back before I could do anything. It's not your fault at all."

"Have you talked to anyone about this before now?" Jim asked, seeing the strain in Arianne's face and words for the first time since the incidents. "You seemed so calm and collected on the way home…"

Arianne nodded, "I was helping run the ship and I started noticing that something was wrong with Leonard, so I knew it would probably get tougher when we got back to Earth and it did," she replied in a tired voice. "He'll be in the hospital for the next six weeks for the radiation treatment cycle, you know because the treatments will be daily and the many side-effects need to be observed carefully."

"Six weeks?" Jim asked in a shocked voice. "Won't Bones get tired of not being able to do stuff?"

Arianne smiled sadly, "Recovery from the biopsies and surgeries will take that long and it made sense to Doctor Piper to start the treatment since Leonard has to be in the hospital anyway," she replied in a calmer voice. "I'm in the process of talking with my parents and if we can set up a clean room for Leonard at the Presidential Mansion, maybe he can come home and do outpatient treatment."

Jim shook his head, "Maybe I'll visit Bones for a little bit before I go back to George," he replied softly.

Suddenly, the computer beeped and when Arianne answered it, "Arianne, it's Leonard," a tired looking Leonard said as he offered a smile to his wife. "Just thought I should tell you that Charlie's here keeping me company and I threw Sulu out of here because he told Charlie that we can't help Spock or Zachary."

"Sulu did what?!" Jim asked in an infuriated voice as he sprang to his feet. "He's on probation!"

Leonard frowned at Arianne, "Did you just say Charlie's there?" Arianne asked in a worried voice as Jim scowled and began to silently pace back and forth. "I'll come get him in a little while, okay?"

"You'd better calm Jim down first," Leonard replied groggily. "He's probably mad about Sulu now."

Arianne nodded and touched the screen, "I love you, Leonard," she said in a tender voice.

"I love you, Arianne," Leonard said in a quiet, tired voice before the screen faded to black.

Jim scoffed and sank back down on to the couch, determined to calm himself down before he left.

"You got keecked out of your duties, Heekaru?" Pavel asked in a concerned voice.

Even though he and Pavel were both in the Academy canteen and the warm sun was shining through the windows, Hikaru felt both uncomfortable and ashamed, "The Enterprise isn't in any shape to go anywhere, Pavel, and I know Charlie misses his brother and Spock," he said in a concerned voice.

"Ze Enterprise ees broken now, but eet vill not always be," Pavel replied, taking great care not to spill his sandwich on the Security uniform he was wearing as part of the practical exercise he had just after the lunch hour. "Joanna and I vere talking about zees and maybe een time, ve can go find zem."

Hikaru sighed, "According to Susan Ling, there are multiple gulags in both Klingon and Romulan space and Starfleet doesn't have the resources to search all of them because of the annexations," he replied in a distressed voice. "After Doctor McCoy threw me out, I went by George's room, but Doctor M'Benga wouldn't let me in to visit George unless Captain Kirk was there. What is President Pike going to say?"

Before Pavel could reply, four Security officers came into the canteen and Giotto reluctantly held out a pair of wrist cuffs, "Hikaru Sulu, by order of Christopher Pike, President of the United Federation of Planets, you are under arrest," Giotto stated in a commanding voice as he shackled Hikaru's wrists. "I request that you stand up and allow yourself to be escorted to Starfleet Security without protest."

"Vat eez going on?" Pavel asked in a shocked voice, his eyes wide as Hikaru stood up. "Heekaru?"

Swallowing hard, Hikaru said nothing as he was surrounded by Security officers and led from the quiet canteen and Pavel continued to eat with wide eyes, wondering why Pike had ordered Hikaru's arrest.

Starfleet Security Correctional Facility

Hikaru gasped as Giotto and the three other Security officers led him into the cellblock area that was reserved for high security prisoners and known terrorists, "What is this, some sort of a sick joke?" he asked in a shocked voice, wondering why not very many were in this block. "Pike actually ordered…?"

"The prisoner shall refrain from speaking at this time," Giotto spoke as he stopped in front of an empty cell and programmed it to open. "Please step inside to await processing and visitation from Legal Aid."

Hikaru's eyes widened, but he stepped into the cell without saying a word and Giotto remained as the other three Security officers walked off. Giotto quickly searched him and removed his phaser, communicator, and several PADDs that he had been working on after being kicked out. Giotto then stepped outside of the cell and closed it, not saying a word to Hikaru as he turned his back.

As Hikaru took a seat on the bench, he failed to notice that Susan Ling was watching from another cell.

Starfleet Oval Office

As expected, it hadn't taken long for Pavel to contact his closest friends about Sulu's unexpected arrest and a crowd had quickly gathered in President Pike's office, all of them wanting to know why the order to arrest Hikaru had been given. President Pike, however, hadn't said anything and had made a call.

Soon enough, Admiral Marcus arrived and had sat down while everyone else had remained standing, "I'll be more than happy to explain my reasoning behind Sulu's arrest if everyone will sit down," President Pike explained sternly, sighing as everyone found a place to sit. "Thank you."

"I knew that Sulu had upset Bones and Charlie, but I had no idea he'd complain loudly enough to get Sulu arrested," Jim commented in an anxious voice. "I heard M'Benga wouldn't let Sulu in either."

Arianne scoffed, "Leonard wouldn't call for Sulu's arrest," she replied in a confident voice.

"Commander McCoy is correct," President Pike stated softly. "After Doctor Piper removed Sulu from Doctor McCoy's room at Doctor McCoy's request, Doctor McCoy called numerous people to share that Charlie was safe, but upset over Sulu's comments and asked that Sulu not come back. Doctor M'Benga also called me shortly thereafter and said that he hadn't let Sulu in because of his poor attitude."

Scotty frowned, "So that is a reason tae arrest him?" he asked in a shocked voice, his eyes wide.

"Sulu unknowingly associated with a known terrorist and I thought I would show mercy by allowing him to care for those affected by the incidents, but he didn't seem to take his jobs too seriously," President Pike replied in a firm voice. "That said, I decided that Mister Sulu needed to truly learn how terrorists are treated within the Federation and so he's currently occupying a cell in a block of the correctional center that is strictly reserved for high security prisoners and known terrorists awaiting trial."

Admiral Marcus sighed, "Before President Pike continues, let me make clear that Sulu will not be charged nor processed," he spoke up gently. "He is simply there to experience the life that would be his should he not understand how serious fraternizing with a terrorist is. Since, according to Starfleet regulations, two high-ranking officers need to authorize such a thing, I chose to help President Pike."

"As all prisoners need to be medically cleared, I have decided to allow Doctor Marcus access to the facility to make Sulu feel as if he is a prisoner there," President Pike stated calmly, pointedly ignoring the shocked expressions everyone was giving him. "I must ask all of you not to share any information from this meeting with Sulu, as I will go to the cellblock personally in the morning and see to his release."

Carol nodded and silently stood up, "Mister Hendorff, since Giotto is currently guarding Sulu, would you please accompany Doctor Marcus to the correctional facility?" President Pike said in a stern voice. "I would strongly advise the rest of you to return to your duties and not worry about the situation."

Most of the crowd silently dispersed from the office, but Jim remained behind, "President Pike, I have to ask why you felt it was necessary to be so strict with Sulu," Jim spoke softly. "He didn't know what…"

"Sulu acted in ignorance and that is how many upstanding officers and people throughout history have taken falls from grace," President Pike spoke in a calmer tone. "I had tried to administer a lesser punishment, but it didn't work and I feel this is the only way for the lesson to make an impact."

Jim nodded and as he turned to leave, President Pike sighed, "I'm glad George is slowly improving by the way, Jim," he said in a comforting voice. "If he wasn't, you would still be barricaded in his room."

"Thank you, sir," Jim replied, knowing that Pike was right as he calmly left the Starfleet Oval Office.

"Lieutenant Sulu, please wake up," Hikaru heard a commanding voice say. "You have a visitor."

Having fallen asleep after being left to his own devices, Hikaru opened his eyes and sat up, "Doctor Marcus is here for your medical exam that all prisoners are required to have," Giotto stated sternly.

Swallowing hard, Hikaru stood up and watched as Giotto opened a panel on the cell door, "Hold out your arm, please," Carol spoke softly as she opened the med-kit and took out a blood sampler and medical tricorder. "I'll do a basic exam and if nothing comes up, you'll be declared healthy."

Hikaru did as he was told, unaware that Susan was silently watching the process, "Thank you," Carol said in a calm voice, sighing as Hikaru put his arm back inside the cell. "The readings look pretty good."

"Good," Hikaru replied nervously, ready to go back to his bench. "Thank you for coming, Doctor."

Carol nodded and as she and Giotto moved away from the cell, Susan suddenly vomited and collapsed, "Prisoner Ling?" Carol asked in a concerned voice as she hurried to her cell. "Giotto, call Medical."

As Giotto moved towards the comm terminal, Susan passed out and went very still, "Never mind that, open the cell!" Carol shouted anxiously, wondering what had happened to make Susan collapse.

Giotto quickly opened the cell and Carol quickly rushed to Susan's side, shocked when Susan suddenly woke and pulled her into a headlock. Giotto quickly got into the cell and tried to pull them apart, but Susan grabbed his phaser and shot Giotto before shooting out all of the maximum security cells.

"Stop!" Hikaru yelled as he came out of his damaged cell and faced Susan. "Susan, please, what…?"

Susan glared at Hikaru, "Shut up!" she yelled anxiously as she pulled Carol from the cell. "Just shut up!"

"Giotto to Security!" Giotto yelled into his communicator. "There's a breakout at the terrorism cell!"

Hikaru lunged at Susan and briefly knocked Carol free, but Susan quickly slammed Giotto's phaser rife into his face and knocked him out. She then grabbed Carol and hustled over to the comms terminal.

"This is Susan Ling," Susan reported anxiously as she tapped a code into the terminal. "I've got Marcus."

Giotto was struggling to stand up when suddenly, both Susan and Carol dematerialized from the block.

As Giotto crawled over to Sulu to check him for injuries, loud alarms sounded and filled the facility.

Concord Shuttle Exodus – In Orbit of Earth

Alana Marcus smirked at her crew of Romulan officers as she heard the doors open and turned just in time to see two Romulan guards lead Carol on to the Bridge while Susan walked behind them, "Mother?" Carol asked in a whisper as she saw the woman before her dressed in a Romulan uniform.

"I didn't leave Alpha Centauri in search of a cure for my illness as your father thought, Carol dear," Alana said in a stern voice as she rose to greet Carol. "I had a debt to pay and while I was paying my debt, I met Khan and he told me of his lost crew and asked for a simple favor in exchange for my freedom."

Carol frowned, but said nothing, "Commander Spock and Zachary Archer will not be alone in their plight and why should they be?" Alana asked in a sharp voice. "You helped Spock maroon an intelligent man."

"How do you know about Spock?" Carol asked in a shocked voice. "Did Khan tell you?"

Alana chuckled and she placed her hands on Carol's shoulders, "It's highly unusual for a Human woman to be among the Romulans and to have to serve them with every fibre of your being in exchange for safety for your husband and children," she explained in a mean voice. "Khan noticed and the Romulans explained my situation, so he asked for leniency for me in exchange for a favor done for him."

"Why go to all the trouble of having a Starfleet terrorist capture me?" Carol asked in a confused voice.

Alana scoffed, "Because I am also unwelcome in Starfleet and your father has probably told the entire fleet that I died years ago from my illness, so why would I go to Earth?" she asked cunningly. "It was much easier to send a message to Susan at Starfleet Security under the guise of a letter from a loved one, as those aren't scanned, and to wait under cloak until she could access and capture you."

"What will happen to me now?" Carol asked in a concerned voice. "I assume you won't let me go."

Alana shook her head, "I am going to take you to Romulus, turn you in, and then embrace my freedom since with my freedom comes a safe life in Romulan space," she replied coldly. "Guards!"

The guards came and swiftly escorted Carol off of the Bridge, "Miss Ling, you too will be rewarded when we reach Romulus and I am free," Alana spoke in a dark voice. "Set a course for Romulus right now, Navigation, and please engage at maximum warp when the course is prepared, Helm."

Starfleet Headquarters

Admiral Marcus stared outside at the rain storm that had suddenly appeared not long after he had gotten word that Carol had been kidnapped during an escape from the terrorist cell-block at Starfleet Security, a breakout in which Sulu and Giotto were injured, "Alex, you can't blame yourself," a voice said as Admiral Marcus felt a hand on his shoulder. "It was my request that Carol and Giotto go there."

Turning, Admiral Marcus saw President Pike standing there looking concerned, "I don't blame you and I certainly don't blame Sulu, because he at least tried to stop it," he replied in a distressed voice.

"I've got the U.S.S. Delta out searching and Lieutenant Commander Decker is running her, but I haven't yet heard anything," President Pike replied. "I know you wanted the Enterprise, but it's totally…"

Admiral Marcus sighed heavily, "Decimated," he replied somberly. "It's my fault, Chris; I knew why Alana had left and yet, I didn't try to stop her or come up with something that would have kept her from…"

"Alex, it's not your fault that Alana left you and your children once the option of Alpha Centauri came up," President Pike replied in a comforting voice. "We're going to find Carol, I promise you that."

Admiral Marcus turned his back to President Pike, "Anthony already knows, but he's calmer than I expected him to be," he stated softly. "He's working in the school office to keep his mind busy."

President Pike nodded, "Personally, I don't trust that Decker will find anything," Admiral Marcus grunted in a distressed voice. "I'm sure he likes the thrill that comes with being a Captain, but I just don't see him as one who can be a leader that people will look up to. Anyway, Chris, I need to get back to work."

"Take care of yourself," President Pike said quietly as Admiral Marcus slowly and silently left the room.

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