Chapter 2

Jamie watched from across the room as the transporter shimmered and deposited five people on the platform—three men and two women. It wasn't hard to figure out which of the five was the boss. The tall, silver-haired man stepped confidently from the transporter platform and reached out a friendly hand.

"Captain Kirk, I am Gerald Grayson of the Federation Council. This is indeed an exciting day for the Federation. I can't wait to get hold of some of those Ice Flakes."

Kirk shook the councilor's hand and smiled tightly. "Welcome aboard the Enterprise, sir. As for the Ice Flakes . . . that remains to be seen, don't you think?"

"How so, Captain?"

"Need I remind you that the Klingons are also bartering for the Seri Stone trade?"

Grayson dismissed that idea with a wave of his hand. "We'll show those Klingon barbarians a thing or two about the political process. Jovita will decide to align themselves with the Federation or my name's not Gerald Grayson."

"You seem very sure, Councilor."

"Of course. Aren't you?"

"I'm afraid that out here on frontier the Klingons are more than just a political threat."

Councilor Grayson grunted to show the captain he disagreed. Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out a portable reader. "By the way, Captain, your orders have been modified."

He passed the reader to Kirk, who flipped it on and skimmed it as the councilor explained. "As of 1500 hours today, I have been given direct authority over this mission."

"By whose orders, sir?"

"The Council's." He smiled. "I will not tell you how to run your ship or how to handle a military engagement if we trade hostilities with the Klingons, but you are to submit to any decisions regarding policy as it concerns the Jovitian delegation."

While the haughty man told her father things he clearly didn't want to hear, Jamie studied the rest of the people standing on the transporter platform. There were two important-looking men wearing the colors of the Federation diplomatic corps, a tall, icy-faced woman with a deep frown on her face, and a small, smiling woman holding a recording device.

Jamie grinned in recognition. It was Nan Rushmore.

"Verify these orders with Starfleet as soon as possible, Mr. Spock," Kirk was saying. He switched off the reader and passed it to his first officer

"The verification is unnecessary, Captain," Grayson said, "and a waste of your officer's time and effort."

"It is no effort, Councilor," Spock replied smoothly. "It is standard procedure aboard a starship. I trust you will not be offended."

Grayson grunted again, obviously figuring that half a battle was better than none. "My personal aide, Marrid Feldman," he introduced the icy-faced woman.

"Greetings, Captain Kirk." Marrid Feldman stepped from the platform and regarded the captain with a disapproving look. She was a handsome woman, with dark hair and dark eyes. Her face seemed cut from alabaster. When she looked at Jamie, her frown deepened.

Jamie gulped. I bet that lady doesn't like kids. She has creepy eyes and—

She caught herself before Mr. Spock noticed her instant dislike of the woman. He would pull her aside for yet another logic lesson. It was illogical, not to mention unfair, to judge a stranger by her eyes, but Jamie couldn't help it.

"Ms. Feldman is indispensable to me," Grayson explained with a smile. "A brilliant and cunning mind inside her lovely head."

"It's a pleasure, Ms. Feldman," Kirk said.

"It will continue to be a pleasure so long as you take your orders seriously, Captain."

Grayson introduced the two ambassadors to Jovita, Hart and Mason. Then he turned to the remaining woman. "May I present Nan Rushmore from the Federation News Service."

Nan came forward eagerly. "I'm excited to be here, Captain."

Kirk shook her hand, but Jamie noticed his jaw tighten.

Why wasn't he glad to see her? Ms. Rushmore looked friendly. She was real pretty too. I like her! Jamie winced. Another illogical conclusion. And yep, Mr. Spock is giving me his Vulcan look.

Nan chuckled. "I can tell you are not enthused about my visit, but I intend to win you over. There's nothing to fear from me, Captain Kirk. This ship has become a legend back home. I feel privileged to come aboard and film the crew in action, especially with this exciting trade conference."

She leaned forward and crooked a finger at the captain. He bent closer. "Do you suppose I might get a chance to interview a Klingon? Perhaps the commander of the battle cruiser that will be traveling alongside us?"

Kirk's head jerked up. "I assure you, Ms. Rushmore, that is the last thing you want."

"Oh, I don't know, Captain. It would be my crowning achievement."

"And quite possibly your last." Kirk's frown told Jamie that Nan had better not ask to do that again.

"Allow me to introduce my senior officers," he said, smoothly changing the subject. There were introductions all around.

Then he motioned Jamie forward. "This is my daughter, Cadet Jamie Kirk. Admiral Komack has asked her to extend a special welcome to the young princess of Jovita."

Jamie had never, ever been formally introduced to Federation bigwigs before. She felt about ten feet tall. My daddy's the captain, and I'm proud to be his daughter. She gave everybody a winning smile.

Only Nan smiled back. Everybody else stood silent, clearly surprised.

Nan reached out her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady."

Jamie beamed and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you too, Ms. Rushmore. I watch your news show all the—"

"This is highly irregular," Marrid cut in. "The Council was not informed that a child would be involved with such important proceedings."

"We didn't know which of the Jovitians would be traveling aboard the Enterprise until two days ago, ma'am," Kirk explained.

Grayson frowned at Jamie until she squirmed. "Well, I don't like it. It's most irregular. She's too young for such a task. Are you sure you have interpreted the admiral's orders correctly, Captain?"

"Admiral Komack is not in charge of this mission," Marrid reminded everyone. "The councilor is."

"You are welcome to contact Admiral Komack if these arrangements are not to your satisfaction," Kirk said tightly. "But until I hear otherwise from Starfleet, the admiral's orders stand."

Before Marrid could come back at him, he turned to Lt. Kyle. "Beam up their gear, Lieutenant." He crossed the room and punched the intercom. "This is the captain. Plot a course for Eta Jovitae III. Warp 5. Then take us out of orbit."

"Acknowledged." There was a pause. "Course plotted and laid in, sir."

"Engage. Kirk out." He punched the intercom off and returned to his guests. "The quartermaster has prepared cabins for you on Deck 4 in the VIP country. If you like, you can be shown to your quarters immediately. Later, a tour of the ship will be arranged, if you're interested."

"I'm very interested, Captain," Nan said, swinging her video camera into a comfortable position.

"Ms. Rushmore, I would like to see you in my office in one hour to discuss the limitations on your recordings and to assign a liaison officer to assist you during your stay aboard the Enterprise."

"Captain Kirk, I understood I was to have full access to—"

"I'm afraid not, ma'am. I will be following my orders to the letter." He let the unspoken implications sink into Nan's head. She seemed to deflate. "I'm sorry, Ms. Rushmore, but that's the way it has to be."

Grayson indicated the ambassadors. "We need a briefing before we arrive at Jovita, to familiarize your crew with the protocol surrounding our important guests. There may be some scheduling changes involved, certain amenities granted, etc. Ambassadors Mason and Hart will conduct the briefing. They have spent the last eight years on Jovita and are familiar with all aspects of their culture."

Kirk nodded absently. "The quartermaster will meet you on Deck 4 to escort you to your quarters. Let me know when you'd like to schedule the briefing."

"Excellent, Captain." Grayson smiled and shook Kirk's hand. "The results of the briefing will be posted for your crew?"

"Of course," Kirk replied. "We intend to make the very best impression on the Jovitians." He glanced at Nan. "Ask the quartermaster to point you to my office. "I need to check in on the bridge, then I'll see you there."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned to Jamie. "You're dismissed, Cadet. Return to your duties."

Jamie sighed. Her duties meant schoolwork. "Aye, Captain." She exited the transporter room in a hurry.