Omakh, the Klingon, stood in the forest outside the "First City" on Kronos. He had managed to get onto the planet during a distraction created by his followers. Of course, not everyone on Kronos agreed with Chancellor Gorkon who had managed to stay alive far longer than Omakh would have thought he would.

Omakh had taken over the rogue Klingons when Duras died. Many of them had been killed during the battle on Earth, but there were plenty more, plus the Romulans and Nausicaans who joined their cause. Their main goal was to bring down the Federation. In their opinion, the Federation had grown too large. Omakh especially hated Admiral James T. Kirk, and Korax, the Klingon. Kirk was the beacon of peace between the Klingons and the Federation, and Korax was right up there with him. He had been one of the first Klingons to befriend Kirk, and Gorkon had accepted the peace talks.

Omakh did not agree at all. He did not want humans and other species traipsing through Klingon space. The Klingons had survived without others for centuries, and they could continue to do so. He stared at the sky which did not look as green as it once did. The Federation had helped the Klingons develop a way to purify their atmosphere.

Omakh looked toward First City and its black stone spires. He would sit in the Great Hall as chancellor. He was sure of that, and he would return the Klingons to their own way of life. He would be more ruthless than anyone had ever seen, and there would be no trading with humans. He had tried to get Admiral Kirk by offering a bounty, but the best bounty hunter in the galaxy had failed…had been killed…by a "strange and questionable method", as he had heard it. He did not know how Kirk had escaped, but his friends were far too efficient. To get to Kirk, they had to find a way to get on Earth, but no Klingon would get to Earth without approval from Chancellor Gorkon. Omakh also wanted to get to Korax, who had taken Duras's bird of prey. He would take that ship back after he killed Korax.

Korax stood in a watchtower near the Great Hall. They had been expecting Omakh to attack, but Korax did not think it was more than a distraction because there was no logic to the attack. He had managed to get his son back from Omakh through spies within the rogue Klingons. He was now hidden where they would not find him.

Grakar also stood with Korax. "I believe he is on the planet," Grakar said.

"He hides in the forest like a coward," Korax replied.

"He plans. He is not so different as he claims. He does not attack boldly."

"He is a coward. He does not face the chancellor as a challenger but he waits to attack like a coward."

"Those who boast loudly are usually the biggest cowards."

Korax moved to a different window. "Our friend, Admiral Kirk, is also in danger," he said. "They still seek to capture him in order to bring us into another civil war."

"They will find it difficult," Grakar replied. "As long as he is on Earth, he will not be an easy target."

"Perhaps. However, bounty hunters will stoop to any means to capture their quarry. The bounty is quite large."

Grakar knew that was true. He had heard of the increase to 50,000. He had never heard of such a large bounty, especially on one person. "Perhaps one of us should visit our friend," he suggested.

"We must protect the chancellor," Korax replied. "But I would like to see the new little one and present them a gift."

"I hear it is a female child," Grakar said.

"Perhaps she will join my house one day."

Grakar scoffed. "Your son is too old."

"I may have another."

They stood in silence as they kept watch. Grakar wondered if humans and Klingons would one day mate. He was not certain they had not. They had not been the first Klingons to venture into the rest of the galaxy.

Jim Kirk sat in a rocking chair holding his new baby daughter, Joy, in the middle of the night. His head drooped in sleep, which he thought he had not had much of in the last two weeks. He had gotten up so Carol could rest. She had not rested well even before the baby was born. Doctor Leonard McCoy had come from Pacifica to deliver that baby, and he was still there taking care of Carol until she had recovered thoroughly.

Carol came into the living room. She smiled as she saw Jim asleep in the chair and the baby sleeping on his chest. "Jim," she said softly.

Jim was just a little startled. "Can't I just stay here?" he asked without opening his eyes.

"You're going to make her expect this every night."

"It happens every night."

"Come on."

Jim got up and put the baby back into her bed. Then he collapsed on their bed. He thought the alarm came on way too early, and too loudly. He knocked the clock off the nightstand as he was searching for it without looking. "Do I really have to get up?" he asked as he lay on the pillow with his eyes closed.

"I'm afraid so," Carol said.

Jim forced himself to get up. Carol did not let herself laugh at him as he walked toward the bathroom with his eyes closed. He was quite comical at times especially his hair.

Jim thought he might have showered in his sleep. He was trying to wake up as he was getting dressed for the office. "Well, I'll see you…sometime today," Jim said.

Carol kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you too. I'll get some coffee on the way."

Carol caressed his face and kissed him again. "I'm going to have a special dinner for you this evening."

"Thanks."

Jim went on out the door. He thought his hair probably did not look like he spent much time on it that morning…which he did not. However, he figured if anyone around there was up all night with a baby like he was, they probably would not look so kempt either.

Jim stopped and got a cup of coffee before he walked on to the office. He hoped he would feel more alert by the time he got there. He had a mission and duty roster to create. He remembered when they went through this with Alex aboard the Enterprise. Jim thought it was so much easier then. He could just tell Spock to take over. Now, he had to do it himself.

Jim walked into his office where Ajah was already at his desk. "Good morning, Sir," he said.

"Morning," Jim replied, wishing Ajah did not have to sound so cheerful.

"You still have the mission roster to make out, Sir."

"Yes, I know."

"You also got a message from Kronos."

Jim stopped and turned around. "What?"

"A message from Kronos. It's from Korax."

"Okay. Anything else?"

"Also a message from Anakin Skywalker."

Jim scowled. "Anything else?"

"No, Sir. That's all for now."

"Thanks."

Jim went on into his office. "Kronos," he mumbled to himself. "What do they want?" He opened the message from Korax:

Admiral,

I greet you, my friend. The situation on Kronos has become much more violent. Omakh has attacked, although we believe it was a distraction so that he could get onto the planet. I also send you a warning that the bounty upon you has increased. Be careful, my friend. As soon as it is possible, Grakar and I will visit you to see your little one. Until then, be well.

Korax

Jim frowned at that message. The higher that bounty went, the more desperate bounty hunters would become. He could not deny that he was glad Mac was out of the game. However, he was sure there were others who were dangerous.

Cax was looking at the headlines…at least the headlines that came from the underworld. He had been doing some bounty hunting on the side although he worked for Admiral Kirk. He stared at the picture of James T. Kirk and the number 75,000 out beside his name. Cax thought of how Kirk had helped him. How could he even consider betraying him? He, himself, had even helped Solan escape from Mac. But 75,000 was a lot to anybody. They trusted him. He was in the perfect position to collect that reward. Could he stoop so low? If he did, he would have to disappear to some remote area of the galaxy. Those friends of Kirk would not rest until they found him and put him out of his misery. He knew who had that bounty out…it was Omakh and those other rogue Klingons. Mac had almost gotten that reward when it was 50,000.

Cax hated himself for even thinking about betraying Kirk. He had even provided him with another ship after he lost his own. What kind of person was he? Could he betray someone like that? Every time he tried to save and find a way to have something of his own, something happened. He had never betrayed anyone, but his situation was even more desperate now than ever. He knew how he could pull it off. Solan was closer to Kirk than most people; he had heard that out of Kirk's own mouth. Cax leaned on the table where he sat in a tavern. If he decided to do this, it would be the ultimate betrayal.

Jim was lying over on his desk asleep when the intercom beeped. He sat up feeling confused for a moment. He pressed the com button. "Yes."

Ajah thought Jim sounded like he had been asleep. "Sir, you have a call from Cax," he said.

"Put it through," Jim replied. He turned on the com and tried to stifle a yawn. "Cax."

"Admiral Kirk," Cax said. He felt incredibly nervous and horrible as he looked at Kirk's bloodshot eyes and his unkempt hair. He knew the Kirks had a new baby.

"I'm working on the roster. I should have it done soon."

"You look tired."

"The joys of being a new parent. Was there something else?"

"Congratulations on the birth of your baby. I don't think I've said that."

"Thanks."

"Do you know where Solan is?"

Jim considered that a moment. "I'm not certain right now but I believe he's on Earth."

"Great. I was wanting to talk to him. Maybe I'll see him when I pick up my shipment."

"Probably."

"Thanks, Admiral."

"You're welcome. Kirk out."

Jim ended the transmission. Cax sat in his ship now. He was sure he would be picking up his shipment tomorrow…and Solan would be too. He had even heard that the Klingons would pay extra for Solan. He thought he could get Solan easily…well, maybe not easily, but he thought he could get him.

The next morning, Solan was at the depot for his ship to be loaded. Cax came in not long after. He could see Solan inspecting his inventory list and supervising the loading of his ship. Cax was not sure when the best time would be to make his move. If Solan never left the depot, someone would be suspicious. He thought maybe his best bet was to find out where Solan was going. He blew out a deep breath and walked over to Solan's ship.

"Solan!" Cax called trying to sound cheerful.

Solan met him at the ramp. "Where you been keeping yourself?" he asked.

"I been hanging round in New York. Where you headed with this load?"

"Jupiter. You?"

"Mars. Hey, why don't we go for a drink and maybe a game of pool when we get back?"

"You know I don't drink but I don't mind the game. You going to that old hole in the wall over there?"

"Sure!"

Solan laughed. "You never can go anywhere else. I think I'm gonna bring Priscilla with me."

Cax tried not to frown. "You need somebody to protect you?"

"You know how Marla is."

Cax could not help but laugh. "She still has the hots for you?"

"Hey, I'm unforgettable."

Cax shook his head. "You wish."

"You mean you don't have a lady somewhere?"

"I do but she's not here."

"Alright, I guess I'll leave Priscilla at home. I should be back from this run in about two days."

"Alright," Cax said. "I'll meet you there in two days."

They shook hands in their own way. Cax turned to go back to his ship feeling like a total jerk. Could he really go through with this? He had two days to decide…