Kirk felt his heart thump right into his throat, uttering no reply. Panicking more as the contact was cut short, he sprang into action. Ordering Riley to remain put and to stall all calls and to cancel all meetings for the day, he stormed right out of his office and pushed his way through several crowds of surprised people to catch a transport to Alcatraz. The admiral was in no mood for delays. If there was any sense left with those Starfleet law enforcers, they would have detained the Thyrians for presumption alone.
Immediately after his departure from the building, Cartwright joined him at his side. He wasn't too pleased about something, his mood worse off than their morning tête-à-tête. However, Kirk was sure that the admiral was on their side, the way he muttered to himself about contacts and how he dreaded receiving word about something stupid being conducting elsewhere. It was obvious Cartwright received word about Alyssa and was already on the case.
Yes, but how? How did Lance Cartwright manage to find out so fast? Alyssa is only allowed one call and that was to me.
"What do you know?" Cartwright barked.
Kirk was quick to respond. "The Thyrians are holding Captain Elma in the security district, on Alcatraz. Her only call was to me."
"What is she accused of?" Cartwright asked.
"She said conspiracy, treason and obstruction of justice."
"There is no evidence that she was conducting any of the charges. I have it on my personal authority."
"I'm aware, Lance. She was investigating, not instigating."
Cartwright swore under his breath. He hailed a transport for the pair outside and ordered it to their destination, damning all others who needed their ride. "What did you find, Jim?" He was curious. "You said it was a dead end. I wouldn't think so, the way the Thyrians are holding Captain Elma."
Kirk decided that it was time to play a new game called ignorance. "The Thyrian prisoner might be on Earth and have some significant impact on our dealings," he explained. Even that sounded too revealing, so he continued his lie. "As I've said, Captain Elma also received word of a threat to the council and thought that it was best to check it out while she could. There has been evidence to the contrary otherwise, nothing more."
"I've asked what kind of threat and you won't tell me. What is it, Jim?"
"Sabotage."
"What kind of sabotage, Jim?"
"Anything that will threat peace, Lance. What else would it be?"
Cartwright was not satisfied with the answers still and hoped this would be different than earlier. "I am hoping you and Captain Elma will be able to explain more in my office when she is released. In the meantime, let's pretend for the time being that she is totally innocent and not under the influence of her former commanding officer."
Kirk hated it when people pointed out that Alyssa used to be on the Enterprise. Ignoring the obvious jab, he tried to enjoy the journey to Starfleet's local temporary prison and found himself more nervous than he was before. He took a deep breath to quiet down this new energy and focused instead of their destination. Even so, the trip itself was shorter than expected, considering Cartwright's urgent orders to the driver.
Situated on the other side of the bay on what was the former historical site called Alcatraz, the housing unit held criminals of all types, most of them political and social radicals that were going to be transferred to their appropriate rehabilitation center or some colony for hard labor. Sometimes, because Starfleet worked so closely with the Federation, their own condemned would be jailed there if no colony or star base would have them before they were shipped elsewhere.
Kirk also had to remind himself why he despised these types of jails as much as Cartwright's cheap shots and why he longed to keep away from them. It wasn't only the prisoners he wasn't in charge of, but the despair and desperation in each cell. As a commander and then a flag officer, he sought order and often, places such as Alcatraz made his skin crawl with its lack of discipline. Sometimes, it was easier to forget them than to pay heed to their own cries of distress about their unfair situations.
Their arrival caused some fury of activity, most of it a rush for the proper people to greet the two officers and to make their entry more comfortable. The chief warden ran out of meet the two, expressing his apologies for the lack of courtesy and escorting them to the main office. Kirk remembered from the video call from Alyssa that he had been held hostage while the security officer made her plea. He then began to wonder how and why this person was able to escape and grant them these pleasantries.
The Thyrians could be staging their own act.
After signing in, he asked them the purpose of their trip to the island. Cartwright cut in and did not allow Kirk the chance to speak. He only stated coldly that they were here to see Alyssa Elma and to bring her back to Headquarters. He added that they felt there was no reason for her staying and that the charges were bogus.
"On whose authority was Captain Elma arrested?" Cartwright inquired, continuing to glance at the head jailer. The admiral already knew the answer, as Kirk saw it, and wanted something for the record.
"Mine," the warden bravely admitted. He wasn't fazed by Cartwright's anger. "Admiral, you're aware, as well as I am, that I have the authority to arrest and keep anybody suspected of any serious charges, especially from Starfleet. My weight is higher than yours."
"Who brought you the charges? Was it something from Starfleet?"
"No, Sir. It was a Thyrian named Kleanem. He stated that he is a guest of the Federation and that Captain Alyssa Elma conspired against them while they were visiting. He added that she had been for the past decade and that no action could have been taken until now. Procedures had to be followed. She was picked up and is facing interrogation now."
Kirk never liked that word. Interrogation could mean many things. As a captain, he always ensured that it was an easy process, even when the person in question was most obviously a crook. However, other officers and officials were not so kind. Inhumane questioning methods have been outlawed over the years, from water boarding to isolation and beatings. On the other hand, it never stopped some in order to obtain the information they wanted, whether or not it is true. He was afraid that this was the case with Alyssa.
"I hope it remained on a verbal level," Cartwright warned.
The warden was offended. "I would not allow the captain's accusers inside the room. They were rough and zealous, yes, but they too have to learn the rules."
Kirk was not convinced and tried hard to keep control of his temper. You allowed the Thyrians control when you held the keys. They were not following the rules. You already broke them.
Cartwright saw this, but he also caught onto something else. "What do you mean?"
"Well," he replied with hesitation, "the Thyrians are quite…well, interested…in Captain Elma. They insisted that they alone had the right to incarcerate her. They mentioned another prisoner as well. They wished to take them both back to their home planet."
"Federation law denies that."
"I am aware of the regulations, Admiral Cartwright. Currently, my deputy is holding her until release."
"When will that be?"
"If satisfactory answers are given, it will be tonight."
Kirk would have cut in, but Cartwright was quicker. "Admiral Kirk and I vouch for her innocence. That will be all. Thank you."
Cartwright led the way outside and to their transport. He offered no opportunity for conversation. When they were on their way back and the driver paid them no attention, he spoke. "Jim, I need more answers than what you're giving me. You cannot leave me in the dark like this."
Kirk leaned back in his seat carefully. "About what specifically?"
"You are holding something back," Cartwright repeated. He was persistent. "Why would the Thyrians want Captain Elma that badly? Dammit!"
"Something to do with Synprilox?" Kirk suggested.
"Jim, most of her Starfleet career was spent on that forsaken plant until last year. Of course, it had everything to do with Synprilox! What did she do?!"
"Her duty, as far as I am aware. I assume nothing more and nothing less."
"Jim, you're hiding evidence of something. If I find out…"
"Lance, I'm aware. If Captain Elma or myself had any information, you'd be the first to now."
Cartwright was not reassured by this, hardly relaxing. "I hope so. We'll see if the captain is released tonight. If she is, I want you and her to meet me in my office. Logistics can be figured out later."
Kirk did not like this, finding another meeting most annoying. He informed Cartwright of what he believed to be all he needed to know. However, he had other ideas and was pretty pushy. Kirk was suspicious and did not feel him dependable yet. Regardless, what did Cartwright want to know? Why was he so curious about their comings and goings? Was it because of Starfleet and the Federation were curious? Where was he going with the questioning? Why does he have an interest in Alyssa too?
More questions remained, things Kirk thought of as they reached Headquarters, but he set them aside when he recalled how Alyssa was transferred. Admiral Nogura was the one who ordered Alyssa to be transferred to San Francisco and a higher power than he trickled down the order. Who was it and why? Who would want Alyssa and Kirk in the same room, dealing with the same people? Granted, Alyssa was security and Kirk was decoration. It could have been a coincidence, but he doubted it. They were somehow connected to this conference…and somebody needed them together.
Kirk separated from Cartwright upon their arrival at Headquarters, promising to convene at a later point, and headed to his office with a sudden conviction. Already, it was dusk and there was much to finish. Riley was busy, startled to see Kirk returned. He babbled to the admiral about the work completed and who had contacted the office. The admiral waved them away, settling into his chair and sinking into an aura of tiredness. He allowed Riley to continue the list before asking him to secure the doors.
Riley was confused. "Why, Admiral? Does this have to do with Captain Elma?"
"In many ways," he replied cautiously. "You've been wondering why my behavior has been strange. Is that right?"
"Yes, Sir." The aide wasn't going to sugarcoat anything and seemed eager to hear more.
Kirk nodded evenly. "I think it's time you learn more, Riley. Now, the tables have turned and I am going to need someone to cover on this end."
"You know I would do anything for the greater good, Admiral."
"I understand you would, Riley. I have a story to tell you. It began almost twenty years ago though."
"The Enterprise, Sir?"
"Yes. It was a mission so unusual that even I had to be amazed. Those involved had the audacity to conspire and under the very nose of Starfleet too. The subsequent events were equally extraordinary."
"Is this about Synprilox?"
"Yes, it is, Riley." Kirk pondered the events from the original Enterprise mission and even what proved to be the beginning of the end. "It was Synprilox all along. Usually, they say that the planet itself was a deadly paradise, ready to pull one apart. However, you can do just about anything there in secret, including risking everything for love."
~00~
Kirk had spent the rest of the trip back to Synprilox with Scotty. While Engineering wasn't too comfortable on the Juniper, it was still wonderful to sit with an old friend and drink. They did not discuss much either, catching up on the various crewmembers from the Enterprise and talking of its refit with William Decker at the helm. Kirk often wondered what happened with his old crew. He did not mention that only Riley was available to remind him of those times. He honestly missed his ship, wondering how he was persuaded to be promoted in the first place.
Lori…
He thought of her less and less. When he did, he was confused by her behavior. Kirk was fond enough of Lori, allowing himself to be twisted around her little pinkie, and followed her orders and answered her unusual questions. However, it did not seem that he loved her like he did with Alyssa. Sure, it was an attraction that they mutually connected to. A deep understanding of each other without politics and paperwork? No, it was not possible.
Finally, when they were orbiting above Synprilox, Scotty allowed the admiral leave, waving goodbye as he prepared for the landing. Kirk did not see Alyssa on his way. He managed to miss her in the hustle of transporting cargo and people to and from the ship. When he beamed down to the surface though, she was waiting for him, standing by the grove of trees they kissed under in the storm. She was talking into a communicator, requesting transportation with some cover since it was raining. Kirk joined her quietly. He waited for her to finish and to close her communicator before speaking.
"I would recommend moving everybody you can at every opportunity," he suggested. He thought that sticking with Keplar III was a safe bet. "The Federation will be interested in this new colony of yours."
Alyssa was slightly startled and blushed briefly. She recovered quickly. "Yes, I suppose so. But I have not received any word. We've been sending reports to Earth, but nothing has come of it."
"Who are you sending them to?" Kirk's heart sank. He knew the answer.
"Admiral Ciana." Alyssa was uncomfortable admitting the information, uttering the name so quietly that Kirk almost did not catch it. "She requested that I keep this under wraps. She's part of a special task force designated to explore Synprilox and the relationship with the Federation. She also has me sort of spying on her."
Kirk did not want to address the last confession yet, choosing instead to focus on the main point. "The agreement is a done deal. It's something that cannot be broken."
"Admiral, you know as well as I do that all treaties can be broken and new ones made. However, this is not a matter of it being broken or the Federation ignoring distress pleas. Admiral Ciana is concerned about the Starfleet presence on the planet and has been researching a lot of things, mostly what Synprilox was before our arrival. I thought she informed you when you left."
Suddenly, pieces began to be put together. Kirk now pulled the spying bit into the picture. Alyssa was Lori's source of information. The questions concerning the security officer's loyalty to her uniform was ensuring that another set of eyes saw the same thing she was, a ruse that Lori kept up in order to make people believe that Alyssa was somebody else. The other part, Kirk, was just a toy, easily used and cast aside in favor of another. She was using him as part of another game.
Lori would have other people telling her tidbits from Synprilox, he resolved, and that was that. He would just be the official report. If she asked for anything else, he would respond as vaguely as he could. There was no reason why he should be left in the dark anymore. Most certainly, he cannot be fooled again.
Kirk smiled to dispel his annoyance. His hands went behind his back. "No. I was not informed of this plan. I assume now that this has been an understanding between you two for some time. I will not get in the way of it."
Alyssa nodded in understanding, allowing an awkward silence between them. There was nothing more to say and the professional walls had to be maintained. After all that happened on their way to Keplar III, Kirk could not blame her. There must have been so much running through her head that she needed time to sort them out. He did too. It wasn't just Lori. It was also the rushing in his heart.
He was convinced of his feelings though, convinced that it will last longer than his inspection tour. He hoped she would realize the same. Alyssa wasn't one for sentiment and romance, Kirk mused. She was locking away opportunity and grasping at straws just to survive.
After half an hour of this stance, their ride arrived. Magda, scowling when she saw the pair, kept herself under control. When Alyssa drew closer to the enclosed vehicle, the nursemaid mentioned something to her about Ryder quietly. The security officer waved away the concerns, only saying within earshot that Magda was exaggerating. There didn't seem to be anything wrong.
Indeed, the five-year-old was bouncing in his back seat, the straps holding him secured bulging and stretching out with each hop. He exclaimed a gleeful greeting to his mother, but clammed up when he saw the admiral. He turned away when Kirk smiled, directing his attention to Alyssa. His arms reaching out for her in a manner that begged for comfort. This was a familiar place, but the circumstances were wrong. Kirk wasn't supposed to be here.
Alyssa was having none of it for the moment, viewing her motherly feelings as a sign of weakness. Her face was like stone. Taking the opposite seat next to Ryder, she motioned Kirk to sit with Magda up front. As he obeyed, he noticed that she controlled her son, talking to him softly albeit sternly. He did not notice Magda offering him a towel to dry himself with. Absentmindedly, he took it and gave it to Alyssa. She took it and put it to one side.
Kirk did not catch anything, straining his ears to listen. He thought it best to see Alyssa in this role instead of the practiced mask she wore constantly. He found nothing of interest. The best he got was the tone, which was firm and cold. This calmed the child immediately, although Ryder was somewhat sullen by this attitude. This also blanketed the remaining party.
Magda was a capable driver and arrived at the house within minutes. Luckily, the rain had stopped by then and water dripped off of rooftops and trees instead of splashing on the windshield. She parked the vehicle and started the process of unlocking gates and doors before anyone else exited the vehicle. Alyssa reached for Ryder and unbuckled him. Kirk followed closely behind her.
Already, there was trouble before the nursemaid's entry inside. Kirk's two guards were sitting outside, irritated that they had abandoned and soaking wet from their excursion searching for Kirk. They spoke to Magda in sharp voices when she joined their morose circle, expressing Starfleet regulations were essential to followed and why they could not be locked from their assignment. When they saw Alyssa drawing closer with her son, they informed her of the same thing.
Kirk watched the exchange. When he showed himself behind Alyssa, the two guards melted and allowed him to pass without further complaint. Magda gained access and allowed the trio inside. The security officer stayed behind to talk with her. Kirk had disappeared upstairs with his men, all of them talking at once. The women entered releasing their charge to his toys. They waited until Ryder was out of earshot before conducting their secret conversation.
"What happened out there?" Magda hissed. "You were out for a long time and were seen together."
"Seen doing what?" Alyssa was amused, but shaky. She was now afraid that someone had figured out her interaction and admiration of Kirk.
"Hiding behind some trees," she recounted. "Holding hands. Kissing. Beaming off of the planet."
"I was giving the admiral a tour of our immigration station," the security officer persisted. "There isn't anything between us."
Magda stared at Alyssa squarely. "I hope not. If so, you know I would do everything in my power to protect you and Ryder. I promised the chancellor this and I promise it to you too. Anything you have with Admiral Kirk, I will deny with my dying breath. Nothing can come between you and survival, Alyssa. This planet will eat you alive."