Mycoff was furious. Not only had K'Gar (and perhaps Admiral Uriah too) double-crossed him on this mission, but the Klingon had managed to evacuate his whole crew from the planet and take them from the Enterprise. Now, back in the palace on Synprilox, he had to contend with the angry mob that was now swarming the main foyer. He was expected to speak at the execution of course, but he did not imagine to also be calming them before their long-awaited killing. First, he would need to gather their sympathy and charity for his cause before sending them to find Amelia Synprilox. Then, he would ring them in with his promises and step forward as their savior once more.

He turned to Jaegar, straightening out his robes. "Nephew, ready yourself."

"Uncle, Dawson has failed us," Jaegar protested. "He allowed the prisoners to escape. The chancellor is no longer with us. And now, we must talk with the population? On our own?"

"We must do our duty. Synprilox is counting on us." Mycoff had convinced himself of that. "Without us, our home would be destroyed."

"And all because of a woman." Jaegar was not convinced. The slip from earlier did not escape him. He thought this excursion was about their control over Synprilox and that woman Admiral Uriah lusted after. "Uncle, we must find the chancellor before we meet them. They will not be pleased otherwise. Dawson must have an explanation for this. He would have the plans."

"He does not and never will. He is useless to me, a dead limb that must be amputated."

"Uncle, we must –"

Mycoff was out of patience. Feeling insulted and challenged, he quickly grabbed Jaegar by the robe collar and lifted him, using his momentum to slam his nephew into the nearest wall. Blood dripped from Jaegar's head. It was not a serious wound and he was still alive. Mycoff dropped the unconscious body to the floor, barking at the nearest servant to clean up the mess and to take Jaegar back to his quarters. He would have to face the unorganized delegation alone.

Composing himself, Mycoff first went to his office to freshen up and to put on his best mask. While his chambers did not lack the materials required to make the transformation, he thought that the comforts of the cool working area would calm him. After all, he did not wish to appear agitated. Even so, upon his entry, he immediately felt better than the last few days. Indeed, everything had gone wrong. From preventing Alyssa Elma from returning to the escape of so many prisoners, he had enough to contend with. He did not need his nephew to question his motives either.

And for what was he saving his home planet from? Now that the prophesy had been fulfilled, he was willing to twist it once more, to ensure that he would get a piece of the pie. Admiral Uriah could have all the travels he wanted, away from his wife and Starfleet. K'Gar was a mean to an end. Mycoff himself? Other than Synprilox and power, he wanted to prove himself worthy of what his family had been working towards in the decades since settling on the planet. He had been bred and trained to believe that Synprilox was his for the keeping and that he was better off leading its people to the future than those who had been elected to the office.

Hearing that one person would ruin it all was something he was afraid of, especially when Admiral Uriah brought back a woman destined to be the bane of his life. However, it was unknown whether or not Alyssa Elma survived or is the person who would bring Synprilox its total ruin. It was doubtful she was alive. That factor alone would secure Mycoff his future. He would deal with those who dared to enter without permission and demand an end to his charge. He was the one in control. He will not tolerate their presumptiveness.

Mycoff took a deep breath and exited his office, smiling all the while. Without an escort, he slowly walked down the stairs to meet with those who came inside the palace. However, when he descended to the main hallway, he was greeted with nothing more than plunder and pillage. Everyone present was in a frenzy to claim what was theirs, from national treasures – to paintings and gold and silver – to even simple, everyday items like chairs and tables. Mycoff could not calm them, yelling as best as he could to settle their nerves and gain their confidence.

Nobody listened and nobody cared.

Desperate, Mycoff called for his guards, those who were not Klingon. They came to his bidding, standing in rapt attention as they always did. When ordered to disperse the crowds though, they remained stationary, refusing to move. Again, Mycoff barked at them to break up the riffraff. By then, they listened to his threats of death, inching towards the target and eventually turning on the former aide. Mycoff screamed a wordless yell, protesting that they were violating all laws of Synprilox by handling him this way.

Nobody listened and nobody cared.

Mycoff was dragged upstairs by the men, down a familiar corridor that he knew so well. He was forced to kneel before that being he now despised, the Grace Guardian, and look into her stern eyes. When before there was submission and benevolence, there was now sadness and despair. Mycoff tried running way, but remained in his position by force. The guards behind him held him by his hair to keep him from running, kicking him each time he attempted to escape.

"I am Mycoff! Mycoff!" he sobbed. "Don't you see? I have been saving you, all of you…"

"Don't you think someone would have checked your papers? Your dealings with the Klingons and Starfleet?" one of them asked. "That you've been framing the chancellors for years?"

"Martial law has been declared," another stated proudly. "We shall retain the order and glory of Synprilox and give her an era of peace. The chancellor shall be restored!"

"Long live Synprilox! Long live Synprilox!" came the hue and cry.

Mycoff continued to weep as it continued and the Grace Guardian gave her unheard conclusion. This was a total change of plans as he saw it. To him, it was not supposed to happen that way. A sudden realization then hit him hard. If the parties involved were not deceased, then he would not be ruler of all. Synprilox was to be lost.

That woman was supposed to be dead, dead! And now, there he was, in total defeat before his captors. There was one thing left he could obtain though. There was supposed to be a fair trial for those who had been wronged and condemned, even if there was martial law (it would just be harder to achieve). Perhaps he could beseech these people that he required that, to be tried and given a verdict once all of the evidence was heard. There was a chance he would redeem himself and, worse, go into exile. There were plenty of planets he could choose from. He would even welcome Dawson and Jaegar. They would be good company.

Before he could whisper a word of help though, Mycoff was dragged from the Grace Guardian's room to the foyer on the first floor. Passing the ruins of a once-beautiful welcoming room, he felt that all control for him had forever been lost. Before this moment, he could have snapped his fingers and the world would be at his feet. Now, his feeble stuttering voice echoed throughout the haunting corridors to the outside world, where the green sun reflected the shadows of a million peoples. The looting had ceased and its prizes given back to those in need, their rush to gain gems and gold vanished now that all were provided for. Next, the consequences had been dealt with.

Coolly, the guards who had seized Mycoff stood and told their tale of woe to everyone gathered before them, from their employment to their spying and then discovery of the wrongs done. Amelia Synprilox had been redeemed in their eyes, they all declared one by one, as their hypnotic words drove home their need to educate her and bring her back into their society. For the time being, they agreed to Federation membership and will incorporate their leader into their decision-making. As for Mycoff…

"The choice has been made," one voice boomed out. "The Grace Guardian has spoken. For the crimes against humanity, there is only one punishment. Poison would be too kind for this fiend."

"No." Mycoff's cold lips warmed to the prospect of death. "No, no, no!"

Nobody listened and nobody cared.

There was no chance for last words or pleas of mercy. Mycoff was once more forced to genuflect to those he had wronged, his head down and the back of his neck exposed. As he screamed his last, protesting his claim to innocence and begging for someone to save him, a dark figure loomed overhead. He was masked as all other executioners usually are, his blade shining a rainbow of colors. Raising it in a salute, he swiftly brought it down, chopping away the head of the serpent Synprilox did not think it had.

The end came anyway and with it. It was a chance for prosperity at long last.

~00~

Chapel was enchanted and perhaps a little manipulated too. Ever since McCoy had returned from the Klingon vessel and with a baby boy in tow, she had been distracted by the cooing and care the child needed. Hearing that he was Alyssa's son did not matter much to her, although she had questions of her own and wanted Alyssa to rest. As far as she was aware, Ryder Elma required a lot of love and attention and she was going to give it to him.

She began bottle feeding him, even though Alyssa had previously been breastfeeding, and was changing him at every dirty diaper. Indeed, she attended to his every whim and whimper, enough that McCoy had to say something. Even his daily reports were not finished and handed off to an orderly, he had to corner Chapel and demand an explanation. Of course, it was pretty obvious the reason why when he confronted her, the way she twirled in her office chair and held Ryder close to her heart. McCoy's protests died on his lips and he sighed instead. It was best to try to ease Chapel away from the baby, he mused. Ryder and Alysa might not have enough time remaining on the Enterprise anyway and the women on the ship would love the innocence a baby radiated.

"Christine, you're going to need to give Ryder back to his mother," McCoy commented. He leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms at his chest. He couldn't help but smile though.

Chapel stopped her fidgeting and looked up at the doctor. "Oh, in due time, Doctor McCoy. Nyota and Janice planned to come over in a few minutes and –"

"You can't party with an infant," McCoy argued. This was turning into a headache already. "You women should know that."

"No, no, not like that." Chapel was serious. "They wanted to help Commander Elma. After all she's been through, don't you think she needs a break?"

McCoy sensed some sarcasm underneath the altruistic gesture. "In due time, I suppose, but it doesn't mean you keep kidnapping her son."

"We are not kidnapping little Ryder, Doctor. We're…well, babysitting him."

"I don't see the difference if you're taking him without permission."

"Commander Elma has either been asleep or consented when she is awake."

"I see. Christine, still, you should return him soon."

Chapel did not want to face the prospect and changed the topic. "How is Commander Elma faring? She doesn't tell us anything."

McCoy didn't want to answer that question. Honestly, Alyssa wasn't doing well. He didn't see any reason to gossip about her condition. Between the running around before the point of origin in their time travel to the constant fighting afterward, it tired her out. McCoy was not aware until Alyssa admitted it that she had complications with birthing Ryder. This prompted him to order her to bed. He would have preferred her in Sickbay, but since she wished not to be seen by many people and he was lenient towards house calls, she remained in her quarters until further notice.

Already, Kirk had reported to Starfleet Command all that had conspired. This too had enforced McCoy's decision to keep Alyssa out of sight and out of mind. Admiral Nogura was horrified by the account and demanded that an investigation be carried out. Since Admiral Uriah was dead and could not speak for himself, it was up to the officers of the landing party and the Synprilox chancellor to vouch for Alyssa. There was no guarantee that she would be able to remain in the twenty-third century. Starfleet might use any means possible to send Alyssa and Ryder back to 2012.

"She's doing as well as expected," McCoy answered instead. It was a candid one. "I think that her spirits have taken a beating though."

"What so you mean?" Chapel was suddenly concerned.

McCoy felt he said too much already and waved it away. "I'll leave it to Alyssa to explain it later. From what we saw of us, we had to make sure she didn't fall into depression."

The nurse nodded evenly. "I hope little Ryder is worth her living then."

"I would believe so."

McCoy would have thought the conversation over had Chapel not called him back. He returned, listening to her arduous questions about Synprilox, what the new counsel was doing and how the Federation was doing in regards to recent political and social upheavals. She was attempting to dig a little further into Alyssa's connection, McCoy realized, and dismissed that too. Kirk had ordered that all official and common knowledge be spread. Anything else, such as their time traveling, Mycoff and the chancellor, were off limits.

"The captain has been in open communication with the new government," McCoy only repeated. "He has been negotiating with the Federation concerning their desire for membership. They are also planning on reinstalling the chancellor as well."

"What will happen to Commander Elma?"

Knowledge about Admiral Uriah's traveled was also rife gossip. McCoy wasn't going to fuel it anymore and decided to be neutral. "She'll probably be on review for Starfleet. They'll decide what to do with her then."

"I hope she stays with us."

"For someone who had been previously upset about being teased, you're pretty defensive about her."

Chapel almost pouted, but corrected it. "I am not defensive, Doctor. I am merely stating that it would make better sense if Commander Elma remained with us in this century. There is nothing for her in the twenty-first century."

For a moment, McCoy thought that Chapel managed to obtain some information about the late Kurt Hemmingway. However, the way she grimaced told him that it was the prelude to World War III that revolted her. "I suppose so."

The doctor soon heard the excited chatter of the other women and decided to vacate the premises. He escaped just as Rand and Uhura arrived, the both of them exclaiming about Ryder and how Chapel was hogging him all to herself. McCoy exited Sickbay, taking the turbolift to another deck. He stepped out on Alyssa's floor, walking the familiar steps to her quarters. Upon arrival, he didn't even have to ring the bell. She already unlocked the door and allowed him in. She had been expecting him.

McCoy found Alyssa sitting on her bed, knees to her chin and arms wrapped around her legs. She was staring out of her uncovered window, watching the activity outside the Enterprise. Ever since Synprilox had declared peace between themselves (for the most part) and the Federation, the area had been akin to a bee hive. It was a sort of excitement that heralded something new, an unwritten chapter that had endless possibilities. For Alyssa though, she had fewer than her counterparts. She was facing the trial of her life and would soon have to submit to Starfleet. She knew that she wanted to stay, but that was out of her hands.

"Wouldn't you look at that?" Alyssa hardly glanced at McCoy, her voice so soft that he almost didn't hear her. "The stars look lonely tonight."

McCoy did not know what she meant by the statement. He cleared his throat instead. "I was hoping you'd be ready to tell me that you want your baby back."

"Oh, I do," she replied. Hazel eyes finally met blue. "Whenever they are finished, I would like Ryder with me. They've had enough time with him."

The doctor couldn't agree more. Sitting on the bed with her, the doctor awkwardly slid his arm around Alyssa's shoulders. "What are you going to decide?"

"Whatever one that Starfleet gives me. I must resign myself to it."

"What do you believe in?"

Alyssa had to think about it for a moment. "To be a part of something better. In 2012, there would be nothing I could do. I would have no family anymore. I would be a waste of space, perhaps another body in the billions killed before the world war came. I could change your history entirely too."

McCoy found the words too morbid. Already, he was crying on the inside. He might lose this young friend of his, one that he grew closer to when their situation was grim and closer yet when it was over. Oddly enough, he could not imagine life without Alyssa. Even if she was reassigned elsewhere, it would be bearable. He could visit anytime he wished. For her to be sent back to a dismal and forbidding environment and to risk her life and her son's…it was uncalled for. Admiral Uriah had done her a disservice, but he also brought to the Enterprise crew some light. Even if it was showing corruption, Alyssa still brought out that even Starfleet had its rotten apples.

When Alyssa's tears began to shed, McCoy pressed her to his shoulder so that she could weep in peace. No, he wasn't going to allow her to be sent back to 2012. He was going to fight, whatever the cost. Starfleet could not allow this woman, who could be declared a pillar of strength and an asset, to be discharged. He couldn't see her on the Enterprise, not with Ryder in tow and no daycare. There had to be someplace for her to stay, safe and without her life being interrupted.

But what? And where?

And then the answer hit McCoy like a ton of old Earth bricks. He would talk to Kirk later about it. For the time being, calming Alyssa was his priority. He would tell her later his suggestion.