Author's Note: This Chapter is at the request of Blackholelord. Doing this episode and the sequel episode (Blood Oath – DS9 Season 2) also has me changing course slightly. Originally, I had intended for Buffy and Dawn to go all the way through TNG starting in Season 2 through Generations and then First Contact. To be able to fit in Blackholelord's request. The TNG arc will now only go through part of Season 6 before jumping over to DS9 where we will stay till First Contact. I still intend to end the story with First Contact. The addition of these two episodes to the story won't be a major detour and I don't think there is anything I need to worry about rewriting to fit DS9 in as I never said when doing First Contact how Future Buffy and Dawn had gotten onboard the Enterprise E only that they had been onboard.

Now the next chapter starts Wrath of Khan.

Chapter 37: Day of the Dove

Though the planet had said it was under attack by an unidentified spacecraft, the Enterprise landing party had found only black dust, white rocks and strange clumps of moving plants. Its tricorders—McCoy's, Dawn's and Chekov's—refused to report any evidence of a colony or of people who could have signaled the message. Yet they had existed.

Kirk stooped for a handful of the black, powdery soil. "An SOS from a human settlement—one hundred men, women and children. All gone. Who did it? Why?"

As if in reply, his communicator beeped. "Buffy here, Jim. Sensors have picked up a Klingon ship closing in fast."

"Deflectors on, Buffy! Protect yourselves. Total response if attacked."

He closed the communicator, his face grim. So that was the answer—Klingons. They had destroyed the settlement. But Buffy had more news of the Klingon ship. "Trouble aboard her, Jim. Evidence of explosions ... massive damage. We never fired at her."

"Maintain full alert, Buffy."

Behind his group the air was collecting into dazzle. Six Klingons in their stiff metallic tabards were materializing, their weapons aimed and ready. Their leader, Kang, was the first to assume full shape. His hard, slant-eyed face distorted by fury, he reached out and swung Kirk around. "You attacked my ship!" he shouted. "Four hundred of my crew—dead! My vessel is disabled. I claim yours! You are prisoners of the Klingon Empire for committing a wanton act of war against it!" He nodded to his men. "Disarm them!"

Dawn began to raise her hand preparing to fire as Jim waved at her telling her to stand down.

"We took no action against your ship," Kirk said. He'd been hustled into line with Chekov, Dawn and McCoy.

Kang paced before them. "For three years your Federation and our Empire have been at peace ... a treaty we have honored to the letter ..."

Kirk protested again. "We did not attack your ship.".

"Were the screams of my men imaginary? What were your secret orders? To start a war? You have succeeded! Or maybe to test a new weapon. We shall be interested to examine it!"

Kirk said, "There was a Federation colony on this planet. It was destroyed."

"And by what? I see no bodies, no ruins. A colony of the invisible!"

"Perhaps a new Klingon weapon that leaves no traces. Federation ships don't specialize in sneak attacks!" Kirk's patience was ebbing.

"You lured my ship into ambush with a false Klingon distress call!"

Kirk stared at him. "You received a distress call? We were the ones who received it!"

"I don't propose to spend any more time arguing your fantasies, Kirk! The Enterprise is ours! Instruct your Transporter Room. We are ready to beam aboard."

"Go to the devil," Kirk said.

"We have no devil—"

"That's not true," Dawn said. "There is Fek'lhr."

"You know much," Kang said with a brief glance at Dawn. He then looked back at Kirk. "I will torture you to death, one by one! Who will be the first? You, Kirk?"

Chekov suddenly exploded into action. He charged Kang, sobbing with rage. "Swine! Filthy Klingon murderers! You killed my brother! Piotr!—the Arcanis Four Research Outpost . . . a hundred peaceful people massacred—just as you did here! My brother, Piotr . . ."

Kang looked at Chekov. "So, you volunteer to join him. That is loyalty." He gestured to one of his men. A sputtering device was pushed against Chekov's neck. As Chekov writhed with agony, Dawn was reminded of the agony device from the Mirror Universe. She wondered for if her counterpart had managed to retain control or if she had slipped back into the haze of anger.

"You win, Kang!" Kirk said. "Stop the torture!"

"Jim!" McCoy cried. "You can't hand over the Enterprise!"

"Help Chekov, Bones."

Kang was eyeing Kirk. "Don't plan any tricks. I will kill a hundred hostages at the first sign of treachery!"

"I'll beam you aboard the Enterprise. Once we're there—no tricks."

"Your word?"

Kirk nodded; and Chekov, still convulsed with pain, cried, "Captain!—we can't! . . . don't let these . . . animals . . . have the ship!"

"Animals?" Kang said. "Your captain crawls like one. A Klingon would not have surrendered." He turned to Kirk. "Order everyone in this area to be transported up." He said something to his men, and Kirk, ringed by weapons, opened his communicator.

"Kirk to Enterprise. Buffy . . ."

"Here, Jim."

"We have guests," Kirk told him. "Adjust Transporter for wide-field and beam-up everyone in the target area." His finger pressed a tiny control on the communicator.

"Yes, Jim."

Everybody shimmered out, Kirk under the weapons, Chekov supported by Dawn and McCoy.

In the Enterprise Transporter Room, only the landing party materialized.

No Klingons stood on the platform.

Kirk stepped off his pad. "Full Security on the double, Mr. Galloway! Good work, Buffy!"

As Galloway hit the intercom, the bewildered McCoy said, "What—happened?"

"You left the Klingons in the buffer," Dawn said as she looked at her sister and Scotty.

"Aye, Dawn," Scott replied. "They're in here—until we decide to rematerialize them."

"Galloway?" Kirk said.

"Security squads on the way, sir."

Chekov's voice was thick with hate. "Captain! Leave them on the planet! Leave them where they are! In nonexistence. That's so many less Klingon monsters in the galaxy!"

"And that's what they would do." Kirk said. As the Security detail rushed through the door, he spoke to Scott. "Bring them in."

The six Klingons sparkled into shape on the platform. They all stiffened, taking in the changed situation. Outnumbered by the Security men, they made no resistance as they were disarmed. The weaponless Kang looked at Kirk.

"Liar!" He spat the word.

"I said no tricks after we reached the ship." Kirk stepped forward, formal, terse. "You are prisoners of the United Federation of Planets against which you may or may not have committed an act of war."

"There are survivors still aboard my ship," Kang said.

Kirk nodded to the Transporter chief and Buffy said, "Jim, we haven't been able to get through to Starfleet Command. All subspace frequencies are blocked."

"And there's too much radiation from the Klingon ship—it's a hazard to the vicinity," Scott added.

"Prepare to destruct, Scotty."

"Completing the job, you started!"

Kirk wheeled on Kang. "You wouldn't be standing there if I had."

The surviving Klingons were shimmering into form. Of the six, several were women.

Kang took one of the women by her arm. "This is Mara—my wife and my Science officer," he told Kirk.

She ignored Kirk. "What has happened, Kang?"

"More Federation treachery. We are prisoners."

She was visibly terrified. The arm in Kang's hand trembled. "What will they do to us? I have heard of their atrocities . . . their death camps! They will torture us for our scientific and military information . . ."

"vay' DaghajtaHvIS," Dawn said. (A/N)

Mara and Kang looked at Dawn surprised at her flawless Klingon.

"You aren't the first my wife and I have met," Dawn said. I learned your language a very long time ago."

Kirk turned to Galloway. "Detain them in the crew lounge. Program a food synthesizer to accommodate our ... guests. You will be well treated, Commander Kang."

"So, I have seen," the Klingon said.

Kirk bowed and left, followed by Buffy, Dawn, McCoy and Chekov.

"What did attack their ship?" Dawn wondered.

Kirk didn't answer. "Buffy, maintain Red Alert. Scan this sector for other ships. Run a full check on the colony. We've got to nail this down fast ..."

"We know what happened!" Chekov cried. "That distress call—"

"I don't believe so," Buffy said. From their distant position, the Klingons couldn't have attacked the colony at the time we received the call. Also, they were apparently attracted there themselves by a distress call."

"Lies!" Chekov cried, "They want to start a war by pretending we attacked it!"

Entering a turbolift, Kirk glanced at Chekov's overwrought face. But McCoy was saying, "Chekov may be right. The Klingons claim to have honored the truce—but there have been incidents! . . . raids on our outposts . . ."

"We've never proved the Klingons committed them, Bones."

McCoy was flushed with unusual vehemence. "What proof do we need? We know what a Klingon is!" He stormed out of the turbolift.

At the bridge deck, Chekov stalked to his post, his back stiff and stubbornly unrelenting. Kirk watched as Dawn moved over beside Chekov and whispered, "after your shift, my office."

"Buffy?" Jim said as he looked toward his first officer.

"Nyota," said Buffy, "report."

"Still unable to contact Starfleet Command, Commander. Outside communications blanketed."

"Keep at it," said Buffy.

"We've got a diplomatic tiger by the tail," said Jim as he turned in his command chair. "Forward phasers locked and ready to fire, Mr. Sulu."

"Aye, sir."

"Fire phasers," Kirk said.

On the screen, the crippled vessel flared into light—and vanished. So that was that. A diplomatic tiger, indeed.

"Nyota, any change?" Buffy asked.

"No contact with Starfleet yet, sir."

Spock looked up from his mounded viewer. "Sensor sweeps reveal no other ships within range, Captain."

"Keep trying, Nyota," said Buffy.

"Mr. Sulu, set course seventeen mark four. Warp speed three," said Jim.

"Warp three, sir."

Uhura, abruptly irritated, jabbed at her controls. "Still no outside contact, sir! Carriers normal. Channels open. I don't understand! Could the Klingons be doing something—?"

The ship suddenly shuddered. Engine sound rose. Kirk whirled. "Mr. Sulu?"

"Change of course, sir! Accelerating . . ." He struggled with switches. "Helm dead. Auxiliary navigation dead!"

Buffy braced herself against another shudder. She never understood why Starfleet had never given a place for the first officer to sit. "Override."

Sulu turned. "Nothing responds!"

"New course?" Kirk asked.

"Nine-oh-two mark five . . ."

It would head the Enterprise out of the galaxy. Kirk hit a button. "Scotty—stop engines!"

The engine sound grew to a whining roar. On the intercom, Scott's voice was high with alarm. ". . . would if I could, sir! My controls have gone crazy! Something's—taken over . . ."

The bridge trembled under the rising roar. Scott shouted, "The engines, Captain! They've gone to warp nine—by themselves!"

Uhura's board was a dazzle of wildly flickering lights. Earphones fixed, she cried, "Captain! Reports from the lower decks! Emergency bulkheads closed! Almost four hundred crewmen trapped down there!"

"Dawn!" said Buffy as she headed for the turbolift. The proceeded through the Enterprise to the crew lounge.

Kang was pleased with their information. "The bulk of your crew trapped? Your ship racing from the galaxy at wild speeds? Delightful! But how did I perform this sabotage? My men are here."

Buffy looked toward Galloway. "Double security. Some Klingons may have beamed aboard, undetected. Dawn head to Engineering. Help Scotty hammer things back to normal and release those crewmen!"

Dawn nodded as she raced out of the room.

Buffy eyed Kang. "Before I throw you in the brig, I owe you something!" With the strength given her as a Slayer she drove her fist into Kang causing him to stumble back into a console, his hand falling on a lever. It came loose, grew red—and changed into a sword. Kang, amazed, stared at it in unbelief. Then he hefted it. At the same moment, all the lounge's objects glowed, transforming into swords, shields, javelins, battle-axes and a single solitary scythe of red and gold. Buffy looked at the scythe she recognized, the Slayer's scythe, and picked it up as the Klingons rushed for the other weapons.

Buffy looked at the scythe wondering how it got here. She had not seen the weapon in over two hundred years. Not since the reformed Watcher's Council was destroyed during the Third World War and the scythe wound up buried in the rubble lost to time.

Behind Buffy her fellow officers reached for their phasers. But the phasers, glowed and changed into swords and maces.

Kang took a swordsman's stance. "Your Captain killed four hundred of my men. It is time that that debt be repaid . . ."

Buffy looked at the scythe and realized she could feel the power that flowed from it just like the real scythe. It had been recreated to exacting specifications.

The Klingons attacked—and the fight was on. Out-numbered, the Security guards were forced to retreat.

Buffy twirled the scythe expertly and blocked a slash by Kang when she saw that Galloway was wounded. She battled her way to the lieutenant, got an arm around him and shoved him into an turbolift. The doors whooshed shut in the faces of Kang and his men. They rang with the sound of beating, frustrated swords.

Buffy hit the intercom and called Engineering. "Dawn," she said. "The Klingons are free. And armed. They'll try to take the ship. How many people do we have?"

"Unknown, Buffy," called back Dawn. "At least three hundred and ninety-two are trapped below decks."

"Deploy forces to protect Engineering and Auxiliary Control Center. Check the Armory—and try to free those trapped below deck."

"Doors and bulkheads won't budge, Buffy. We'll have to cut through—"

"Understood," said Buffy. "Do what you have to. Scotty, any luck regaining control of speed?"

"No, Buffy. She's a projectile—at warp nine. Don't ask me what's holding her together."

When Buffy arrived on the bridge, she found Jim looked over at Spock from the center seat. "Full sensor scans of the ship, Mr. Spock. Report any movements on the part of the Klingons. The Klingon Empire has maintained a dueling tradition. They think they can beat us with swords!"

Spock coolly examined the sword that had once been his phaser. "Neither the Klingon technology nor ours is capable of this, Captain. Instantaneous transmutation of matter. I doubt that they are responsible . . ."

"Other logical candidates?" Kirk demanded impatiently.

"None, Captain. But if they had such power, wouldn't they have created more effective weapons—and only for themselves?"

"I ordered Dawn to secure Engineering and Auxiliary Control," Buffy said.

Kirk nodded and looked at Sulu. "Mr. Sulu, go help Dawn with command of forces protecting Engineering and Auxiliary Control."

Sulu rose and Chekov rose with him.

"As you were, Mr. Chekov," Kirk said.

"No, sir! Let me go, too! I've got a personal score to settle with Klingons!"

"Maintain your post. This is no time for vendettas."

"Captain, I . . ."

"Sit down, Mister."

Chekov made a break for the turbolift. As he reached it, Buffy grabbed his shoulder. Chekov wrenched away, drew his sword.

Buffy lifted the scythe. "I wouldn't, Pavel. This is the weapon of a Slayer. It doesn't matter how it got here; I can feel the power radiating from it as if it was the real thing. And the real thing was built to dispatch the last of the demons known as the Old Ones. I would hate to do real damage to you."

Chekov looked at Buffy and at the scythe. He reluctantly lowered his sword.

"I'll escort him to his quarters," said Buffy.

Kirk nodded.

Buffy and Chekov entered the turbolift.

"What's Chekov's grudge against the Klingons? Who's—Piotr?" Sulu asked.

"His brother," Kirk said. "Killed in a Klingon raid."

"His brother?" Sulu echoed blankly. "Chekov never had a brother! He's an only child."

After dropping Chekov in his quarters, she went to Engineering. She found all attempts to release the cut-off crewmen had failed. Phaser beams couldn't cut through the bulkheads, nor was Dawn's Millennial gift able to cut through. The metal's structure had changed.

"What about the Armory?" Buffy said.

"A collection of antique's," said Dawn.

"So phase pistols instead of phasers?" Buffy asked.

"No more ancient than that," said Scott.

"Stuff that you used when we were in Sunnydale," said Dawn. "Crossbows, swords, knives, axes. But the only thing that has not had a duplicate that we've seen is…" She motioned toward the scythe. "The Slayer's scythe. How is that even here?"

"I don't know," said Buffy. "Scotty keep trying to reestablish engine control. And make some phasers—fast."

"Aye, Buffy."

"Dawn, Jim is sending Sulu to help you with the security down here."

Buffy returned to the bridge to find Spock was computing the opposing forces at an exact thirty-eight. He lifted his head from his computer. "The Klingons occupy Deck Six and starboard Deck Seven, Captain. We control all sections above."

He bent to his viewer again, becoming suddenly intent. "Most curious," he said.

"What?" Kirk said.

"There appear to be more energy units aboard than can be accounted for by the presence of the Enterprise crew plus the Klingons. A considerable discrepancy."

"Could some more of Kang's crew have beamed aboard?" Buffy asked.

"Their ship was thoroughly vacated, Commander." He flipped a switch. "I shall compensate for the human and Klingon readings."

In engineering Dawn stood next to a console pulling energy from the console. "Hikaru," she said as she spotted Sulu enter. "Any signs of the Klingons?"

"All clear, Counselor."

Klingons, moved into the upper level, leaped down to the attack.

Dawn removed her hand from the console and fired off a blast of energy felling a Klingon. "Sulu, Scotty, fall back," she said. "They outnumber us."

Dawn followed behind Scott and Sulu firing as she went, downing two more Klingons who followed them.

"I don't know how many of these creatures are around. We'll split up here. Maybe . . . one of us . . . can make it back to the bridge," said Scott.

Inside Engineering, the rest of the crew were being shoved against a wall. As they were disarmed, a jubilant Kang strode in, Mara at his side.

"Commander," said a Klingon motioning to the downed Klingons. "One of them has the power to fire blasts of energy from the palm of her hand."

On the bridge Buffy and Kirk stood beside Spock at his station. "An alien life force, Commander, Captain. A single entity. I am unable to ascertain its location," he said as he flicked a switch. "Readings diverted to the library computer for analysis . . ."

Buffy and Kirk, stood beside Spock. "We have to make contact . . . find out what it wants!" said Kirk.

Calmer than custard, Spock said, "The computer report. . ."

There was a click—and the computer voice said, "Alien life force on board is composed of pure energy. Type unknown. Actions indicate intelligence and purpose."

"What purpose?" Spock said.

The metallic computer voice said, "Insufficient data for further analysis."

"A brother that never existed," said Kirk he saw Dawn exit the turbolift and move to join them. "A phantom colony—fancied distress calls! The illusion that phasers are swords! Does everyone begin to sense a pattern?"

Spock, loyal to facts, looked up. "If the alien has caused these phenomena, it is apparently able to manipulate matter and minds."

"More than that," said Buffy. "What I said to Chekov was true. This is a Slayer's weapon. The real one last Dawn or I knew it was buried in the rubble created by the Third World War. Neither of us have seen it since. But this one I can feel the power radiating from it just as if it was the real thing. Which means it can manipulate energy. Since it can make my body believe this is the real thing."

"Now it's controlling the Enterprise—taking us out of the galaxy! Why?" said Kirk.

"I am constrained to point out, Captain, that as minds are evidently being influenced, we cannot know that our own memories at this moment are accurate," said Spock,

Kirk faced his sole alternative. "We've got to talk to Kang and bury the hatchet!"

"It won't be as easy as that," said Dawn. "Once blood is drawn the Klingons will not easy agree to put animosities aside. It will be hard to make any kind of truce with them."

"A truce?"

It was McCoy—an outraged, infuriated McCoy. His white surgical uniform was blood-spattered. "I've got seven men down in Sickbay—some of them dying—atrocities committed on their persons! And you can talk of making peace with those fiends? They'd jump us the minute our backs were turned! We know what Klingons do to prisoners! Slave labor, death planets—experiments!"

Kirk had never seen Bones so angry. "McCoy—" he began.

McCoy rushed on. "Even while you're talking, the Klingons are planning attacks! This is a fight to the death—and we'd better start trying to win it!"

"We are trying to end it, Doctor." Spock's voice was more than usually quiet. "There is an alien aboard which may have created this situation . . ."

McCoy glared at him. "Who cares what started it! We're in it! Those murderers! Let's wipe out every one of them!"

"Doc," said Buffy. "The alien is the enemy that we have to deal with, not the Klingons—"

Uhura cut in. "Sickbay calling, Doctor. There are more wounded men requiring your attention."

McCoy wheeled, starting back to the turbolift. Then he turned again to Buffy, Kirk and Spock. "How many men have to die before you begin acting like military men, or in Buffy's case women, instead of damn fools?" The turbolift doors closed on his bleakly hopeless face.

Kirk looked at Buffy, Dawn and Spock.

The Vulcan murmured, "Extraordinary."

"His emotions are heightened due to the situation," said Dawn. "I think the whole crew is going to have to come see me when all is said and done."

"Captain," said Uhura.

Kang was on the intercom.

Kirk spoke quickly. "There's something important we must discuss . . ."

Vindictive and triumphant, Kang's voice said, "I have captured your Engineering section! I now control this ship's power and life support systems. I have deprived all areas of life support except our own. You will die . . .of suffocation . . . in the icy cold of space . . ."

Lights dimmed; panels went dark.

Kirk looked toward Dawn. "Dawn, get down to Emergency Manual Control. Try to protect life support circuits and activate auxiliary power . . ."

"Aye, Jim."

But as Dawn approached the turbolift, Scott burst out of it.

He barely acknowledged Dawn's frown as she picked up on his emotional state. She looked back at Jim and tapped her head before motioning to Scotty. Jim nodded in understanding. She stepped into the turbolift.

Kirk moved over to Scott followed by Buffy. "Scotty! I'm glad you escaped . . ." he said.

Scott was shaking. "Chekov was right, Captain! We should've left those slant-eyed goons in the Transporter! That's right where they belong—in nonexistence! Now they can study the Enterprise—add our technology to theirs—change the balance of power!" He lurched at Kirk, not in attack but in a blind misery that was seeking; some shred of comfort. "You've jeopardized the Federation!"

The charge was a cry of anguish. "Scotty . . ."

Spock had joined them. "Mr. Scott, calm yourself," he said.

Scott pulled back. For one terrible moment, Buffy and Kirk feared he was going to spit at Spock, such aversion showed in his face. "Keep your Vulcan hands off me! Just stay away! Your 'feelings' might get hurt, you green-blooded, halfbreed freak!"

Buffy and Kirk looked at each other, they couldn't believe their ears.

Spock made an icy retort. "Let me say that I have not enjoyed serving with humans. I find their illogical and foolish emotions a constant irritant."

"So, transfer out!" Scott shouted.

Spock moved toward Scott. He loomed darkly formidable over him—and Scott, frightened, took a clumsy punch at him.

Buffy grabbed their arms and then shoved the two away with a little bit of Slayer strength from each other. "Calm down, both of you."

"What's happening to us! What are we saying to each other?" Kirk asked panting.

Spock was himself again, perhaps a little more impassive than usual. "Fascinating," he said. "A result of stress?"

"We've been under stress before! It hasn't set us at each other's throats!" said Kirk.

Scott had started forward again and Buffy pushed him back.

"This is a war!" Scott yelled.

"No, it isn't," Buffy paused, the sound of her own words in her ears. "Or—is it?"

"Have we forgotten how to defend ourselves?" Scott cried.

"Shut up, Scotty." Kirk said as he realized that Buffy was thinking. He was glad she had more experience with not only alien life forms but with the supernatural. "What is it, Buffy?"

"What is happening to us?" she asked. "You all were trained to think in other terms—than war! I on the other hand was a Slayer long before I became a Starfleet officer. I'm trained to fight. But you all are trained to fight its causes whenever possible!"

"I see where you are going," said Kirk. "So why are we reacting like savages?

Buffy nodded. "There are two forces on this ship, armed equally," she said. "Both in weapons that I used on a daily basis in Sunnydale. Has—a war been staged for us? A war complete with weapons, grievances, patriotic drumbeats?" She turned on Scott. "Even race hatred!"

Spock had nodded. "Recent events would seem directed to a magnification of basic human and Klingon hostilities. Apparently, it is by design that we fight. We seem to be pawns."

"In what game?" Kirk said. "Whose game? What are the rules?"

"It is most urgent," Spock said, "that we locate the alien entity, determine its motives—and some means of halting its activities."

Scott's startled thoughts had been tumbling around in his head. He was quieter now—and guilt-stricken. He spoke to Spock. "Without sensors, sir? All our power down? The thing can pass through walls. It could be anywhere."

Kirk hit his intercom. "Commander Summers, report!"

Dawn was at the Jeffries tube, peering up into it. "No good, Captain. Circuits are in but systems aren't responding." As she spoke, the tube's complex instruments flickered with light and settled down to a steady pattern.

She heard Kirk say, "Are we getting something?"

"Power and life support restored—remotes on standby . . ." acknowledged Dawn.

"Good work!" Kirk said.

"Jim, I didn't do it! Everything just came on by itself!"

"All right, Dawn. Get back to Manual Control. Kirk out."

The bridge lights had come back to normal. Panels had resumed their humming. Spock turned. "Sensors operating again, Captain."

"Start scanning, Mr. Spock. Look for the alien."

Spock tensed after several minutes. He whirled to Kirk. "Alien detected, Captain! In the Engineering level, near reactor number three!"

Kirk leaped from his chair. "Let's go!"

Buffy looked over at Uhura. "Have Dawn meet us there."

In Engineering, a puzzled Mara was studying lights on a large board.

"Their life support systems have resumed and are holding steady," she told Kang.

"Cause them unsteady," he said.

"They appear to be controlled from another location." For the first time her voice was uncertain. "I'm also unable to affect the ship's course—to return to our Empire."

"Some trick of Kirk's? Has he bypassed these circuits? What power is it that supports our battle, yet starves our victory? Interrupt power at their main life support couplings. Where are they?"

She looked at the diagrams on the viewer. "They are on this deck." At Kang's nod, she spoke to a Klingon. "Come with me."

Mara, the Klingon behind her, rushed out of Engineering and down a corridor that led to the couplings. As they passed an alcove, Chekov, sword drawn, moved out of it, his face hate-filled. Two well-aimed slashes disposed of the Klingon. Mara was turning to run when Chekov grabbed her and whirled her around. She fought well; but Chekov blocked her karate blow. He pinned her back against the wall, sword at her throat. It was a lovely throat. Chekov's manner changed. He eyed her with an ugly speculation, grinning. "No, you don't die—yet," he said. "You're not human but you're beautiful, aren't you?" His grip on her tightened. "Just how human are you?"

She pushed at him, struggling against the grip. Chekov placed his hand over her mouth and was pressing her into the alcove when Buffy, Kirk and Spock raced out of the turbolift. Assault was the last thing on their minds. Hearing Mara's muffled scream, they stared at each other. Then they broke into a run, rounded a comer—and stopped dead in their tracks at what they saw.

"Chekov!"

Chekov wheeled to face the trio; a wild beast deprived of its prey. Mara's garment was ripped from her shoulders. Chekov spun her away. She hit a wall and dropped. He tried to dodge Buffy and failed. Buffy seized him, slapping his face forehand, backhand. Chekov sobbed; and raising his sword, made a swipe at Buffy. He was disarmed and felled with a punch.

"I thought when he went peacefully with me to his quarters that he would stay there," said Buffy as Dawn came out of the turbolift behind them. "I should have placed guards."

Mara, crouched on the deck, was trying to pull her torn clothes together. Kirk went to her. "Listen to me," he said. "There's an alien entity aboard this ship. It's forcing us to fight. We don't know its motives—we're trying to find out. Will you help us? Will you take us to Kang . . . a temporary truce! That's all I ask!"

Mingled fear and hate blazed from her eyes. Kirk turned his back on her. "Bring her, Dawn. Buffy?"

Buffy lifted Chekov gently in her arms.

McCoy was redressing Galloway's wound when Buffy carried Chekov into Sickbay. He looked up, taking them all in, Spock, Kirk, Buffy, the still sobbing Chekov clinging to her, a disheveled Mara, closely followed by Dawn. Shaking his head, he left Galloway and hurried to help Buffy place Chekov on an exam table. He applied a device to the new patient's head.

"Brainwaves show almost paranoid mania. What happened, Jim?"

"He's—lost control—useless as a fighter." Kirk turned to the door. "Come on, Buffy, Dawn, Spock . . ."

McCoy stopped them He seemed somewhat calmer himself but his tired face was bewildered. "Jim—Galloway's heart wound has almost entirely healed! The same with the other casualties. Sword wounds... into vital organs—massive trauma, shock—and they're all healing at a fantastic rate!"

Spock spoke. "The entity would appear to want us alive."

". . . Why?" Kirk said. "So we can fight and fight—and always come back for more? Some kind of bloody Colosseum? What next? The roar of crowds?"

Galloway was listening. And he was buying none of it. His jaw hardened. He wanted out from Sickbay and for only one reason—another crack at the Klingons.

Dawn felt the lieutenant's hostility. "We need to find that alien!" she said. "Everyone's emotions are beginning to play with mine. I'm beginning to feel increasing anger. If this isn't stopped, I will eventually be rendered useless as that will be all I will feel and at that point will need to be restrained."

Kirk looked at Dawn and nodded in understanding. He looked at Mara. "You come along. Maybe we can prove to you that it exists!"

In the corridor, Spock unlimbered his tricorder. He led the way, searching cautiously, the tricorder first aimed one way, then another. When they reached a second intersection, Spock paused, gesturing to his left. They turned the corner—and they all heard a faint humming. Without speaking, Spock signaled them to look up to the right side of the corridor.

There was a being made of pure energy floating before them, swirling red.

Kirk shot a significant look at Mara. Now that she was forced to believe.

"What is it?" Kirk said.

"Totally unfamiliar, Captain," answered Spock.

Dawn looked at the energy being. "I am the Key. I was once a being of energy such as you," she said as she approached it. "What do you want?"

The thing glowed still brighter, bobbing slightly. Spock, noting the increased glow, whirled at a sound. Galloway, still bandaged, was coming down the corridor, a little weak but grimly determined. He hefted his sword—and started to push past them as though he didn't see them.

"Lieutenant Galloway!" Kirk cried. "What are you doing here? Did the Doctor release you?"

"I'm releasing myself!"

"Go back to Sickbay," Kirk said as he grabbed Galloway.

"Not on your life! I'm fit and ready for action!" Galloway shook Kirk's hand from his arm. "The Klingons nearly put me away for good! I'm going to get me some scalps . . ."

"I order you!" Kirk said.

"I've got my orders! I'm obeying orders! To Kill Klingons! It's them or us, isn't it?"

Buffy, looking up, saw the energy being bob as Galloway pushed past her, heading for a turbolift. "Spock," she said as she grabbed Galloway and swung him toward Spock. Spock tagged the man with a neck pinch and Galloway slumped, unconscious, to the deck.

Buffy's eyes were already back on the crystal. Its glow had faded. "Dawn, is it empathic?"

"I think so," said Dawn. "I think it's feeding off our emotions, especially negative emotions. When Galloway came into the corridor, his hatred and lust for vengeance. I could feel it. So could the alien as it's life-energy level increased. Now with him unconscious, the alien lost energy."

"Not the same as you," said Kirk. "But related in principal. Where you simply feel them, it actually subsists on them."

"Yes," said Dawn. "But it's primary diet is hate. It is the opposite of me. Where I get away from the overwhelming emotions of Earth. It seeks them out an acts as a catalyst in situations like we are in now. To satisfy its hunger. We and the Klingons were drawn here to feed it, it provided weapons to promote the most violent mode of conflict. It has spurred racial animosities—"

"And kept numbers and resources balanced to maintain a stable state of violence! it's got to have a vulnerable area. It's got to be stopped!" said Kirk.

"Then all hostile attitudes on board must be eliminated, sir," said Spock. "The fighting must end—and soon."

"I agree with Spock," said Buffy. "Otherwise, Dawn and I will be watching as you fight each other until the end of our thousand years. Since our lifespan is tied to the Millennium, we would be likely the only ones to die as you continue to travel forever continuously fighting each other."

"Kang has to listen—we've got to pool our knowledge to get rid of that thing!" said Kirk.

The energy being was showing agitation, bobbing as though angry that its secret was known. Now, as Kirk strode to an intercom, it moved toward him, throbbing loudly. For a moment Kirk wavered. Then he walked on. The energy being, its hum furious, approached Mara. Suddenly, without warning, she hurled herself at Kirk, biting, scratching, pushing him away from the intercom. Buffy lifted her from Kirk, quietly pinning her arms to her sides.

Kirk hit all buttons. "Kang! This is Kirk! Kang! Kang!"

Mara shrieked, "Commander! It's a trick! They are located—"

Buffy's hand went over her mouth. At the intercom, Kirk hit the buttons again. "Kang!" It was hopeless. The Klingon wouldn't answer.

"It's likely the energy being here is affecting his mind, Jim," said Dawn. "Soon it will grow so powerful that none of you will be able to resist it. Then I as the last holdout will fall as your emotions overwhelm me."

The intercom beeped and Kirk hit it fast—fast and hopefully. "Kirk here!"

"Scotty, sir. The ship's dilithium crystals are deteriorating. We can't stop the process . . ."

Kirk struck the wall with his fist. "Time factor, Scotty?"

"In twelve minutes, we'll be totally without engine power, sir."

"Do everything you can. Kirk out."

The energy being stopped bobbing. It glowed brilliantly, back in the driver's seat. As they watched it, it vanished through a wall. Kirk spoke to Mara. "So, we drift forever . . . with only hatred and bloodshed aboard. Now do you believe?"

Her strained eyes stared into his. But she made no answer.

The dilithium crystals were still losing power. Spock, rallying all his scientific know-how, toured the bridge, examining panels. Finally, he broke the bad news. There was nothing to be done to halt the crystals' decay.

"We have nine minutes and fifty-seven seconds before power zero," he said. "But there is a logical alternative." He was looking at Mara, his face speculative. "Kang's wife, after all, is our prisoner. A threat made to him . . ."

"That's something the Klingons would understand," Scott urged.

"The question is will it stall his hand or anger him further," said Dawn.

"It's worth the try," said Kirk as he flicked on his intercom. He harshened his voice. "Kang. Kang! This is Captain Kirk. I know you can hear me . . . Don't cut me off! We have Mara—your wife! We talk truce now—or she dies. Reply!"

Kang was silent.

"She has five seconds to live, Kang! Reply!"

The answer came. "She is a victim of war, Captain. She understands."

The last card had been played. Kirk pointed to a seat. "Sit over there and keep out of our way. Dawn, guard her."

Mara didn't understand. ". . . you're . . . not going to . . .?"

"The Federation doesn't kill or mistreat its prisoners. You've heard fables, propaganda." Kirk looked away from her as though he'd forgotten her existence. "How much time now, Mr. Spock?"

"Eight minutes and forty-two seconds, sir."

Instead of taking a seat, Mara had gone to the panel Spock was studying. Reading it, she realized the dilithium situation. Near her, Uhura watched her as she turned in shocked belief. "So it was no trick . . ." she said, bewildered.

Scott spoke. "The alien has done all this. We are in its power. Our people—and yours."

Kirk rose from his chair. "We wanted only to end the fighting to save us all," he told her.

Her relief had bred a need to explain. "We have always fought, Captain Kirk. We must. We are hunters, tracking and taking what we need. There are poor planets in the Klingon systems. We must push outward to survive."

"Another way to survive is mutual trust, Mara. Mutual trust and mutual help," said Buffy.

"I will help you now," she said.

"How?" Kirk said.

"I will take you to Kang. I will add my plea to yours."

Scott's suspicion found voice. "Captain—I wouldn't trust her . . ."

"We can't get past the Klingon defenses in time now, anyway—" Kirk paused. "Unless . . ." He whirled to Spock. "Spock! Intraship beaming! From one part of the ship to another! Is it possible?"

It wasn't Spock who answered but Dawn, "It'd dangerous like you wouldn't believe. And not just because we're moving. But because of the accuracy we need. If we're off by the slightest. We could materialize in a solid object; a wall, the floor, a piece of furniture. With the exception of me and Buffy that would likely result in instant death. And with me and Buffy we would be trapped for the rest of our lives in constant agony."

"Prepare the Transporter," Kirk said.

"Mr. Scott, please help me with the Main Transporter Board." Spock moved to a panel but Scott hesitated, worried.

"Even if it works, Captain, she may be leading you into a trap!"

"We're all in a trap, Scotty. And this is our only way out of it."

"We'll go with you, sir . . ."

"I will go with you," said Dawn.

Kirk nodded. He understood why Dawn was coming. If nothing else she could start stunning people.

Dawn and Mara entered the turbolift. Following them, Kirk said, "We'll wait for your signal. Buffy, you have the conn."

"I'll keep the seat warm till you get back," said Buffy.

As the doors closed, Scott thoughtfully fingered his sword. "But she can't guarantee that Kang will listen. Right, Buffy?"

"No," said Buffy.

The Transporter Room was empty. Entering it, Kirk and Dawn deliberately removed their swords; and, disarmed, placed the weapons on the console. Mara smiled at them. Spock's voice spoke from the intercom. "Your automatic setting is laid in, Captain. When the Transporter is energized, you will have eight seconds to get to the pads."

The console was flickering with lights. As Kirk pressed a button, it beeped to every second that passed. Its hum rose and Kirk said, "I hope your computations are correct, Mr. Spock."

"You will know in five point two seconds, Captain."

Dawn, Kirk and Mara went quickly into position on the platform. There were eight more beeps from the console before they shimmered out.

At their appearance in Engineering, the startled Kang exploded to his feet. "Mara! You are alive! . . . and you bring us a prize!" He turned, shouting,

"Guards!"

Swords drawn, his men ringed Dawn and Kirk.

"Kang—wait!" Mara cried. "They have. come—unarmed! They must talk to you!"

"Commander," said a Klingon. "She is the one that can shoot energy from her hand."

"Kill them."

Mara rushed into place before Dawn and Kirk. "No! You must listen! There is great danger to us all!"

Kang paused—and Kirk moved her aside, unwilling to allow her shield to him or Dawn. "Before you start killing," he said, "give us one minute to speak!"

Kang ignored him. He spoke to Mara. "What have they done to you? How have they affected your mind?" Then he spotted her torn garment, her bruised shoulder. His slanted eyes went icy. "Ah, I see why these human beasts did not kill you . . ."

Kang launched himself headlong into attack at Kirk as Dawn moved in front of her friend and brought up her hand pointing it directly at him. She the fired a blast of energy, intentionally missing him by mere inches.

"That is just a warning," said Dawn. "Next one I shoot at you! Nobody will win here. While no one will die here, I can promise you that I would be the one to remain standing. Now listen there's an alien aboard this ship that needs everyone alive!"

Kang came at Dawn with a vicious onslaught.

Dawn moved her hand a fraction of an inch and aimed this time straight at Kang. "I am more than willing to send you straight to Sto'vo'kor. Listen to us! Let us prove what we say!"

Kang came at Dawn with another vicious slash. Dawn prepared to fire when she was pushed to the side by Kirk. He had seen the energy being above their heads, brighter than he'd ever seen it. He grabbed Kang and whirled him around to face their common enemy.

"LOOK! Up there!"

Kang looked. He shot a glance at Kirk—but the real meaning of what he'd seen didn't get through to him.

"Kang," said Dawn. "...cheghpu'DI' qeylIS, qar'a'? 'ach DaH leghchugh, vaj Qu' DawI'p—u' je!vay' Qumbogh ghotvetlh Dojqu'!"

The crystal throbbed loudly. Kang stared at Dawn. "You can't kill me or my wife for we are Millennial and won't die till the start of the next Millennium. But Jim you can. And the thing is he won't stay dead. That thing will just keep bringing you and him back to fight each other over and over. It feeds on negative emotions. By fighting you are feeding it and the stronger it gets the longer you will be fighting. Until the very end of time, possibly. You will be denied Sto'Vo'Kor forever."

Mara flung herself at Kang's feet. "I'm your wife—a Klingon! Would I lie for them? Listen to her. She is telling the truth!"

Kang looked up at the excitedly throbbing energy being. Very slowly, his hand relaxed on the sword. It dropped to the deck.

"Klingons," he told the energy being, "kill for their own purposes." He turned to his men, shouting. "Cease hostilities! At rest!"

They were puzzled by the order—but they obeyed.

Through the open door they could all hear the clashing sounds of continuing battle in other parts of the ship. "All fighting must be stopped, Captain, if the alien is to be weakened before our fuel is gone."

Kang had lifted Mara to her feet. They joined Dawn and Kirk at the intercom as Kirk activated it, Kang still suspicious.

"Lieutenant Uhura, put me on shipwide intercom . . ."

"Ready, Captain."

"Attention, all hands! A truce is ordered . . . the fighting is over! Regroup and lay down weapons." He stepped back, speaking urgently. "Kang! Your turn at the intercom . . ."

The Klingon hesitated, reluctant. He couldn't resist a push at Kirk as he moved to the intercom. "This is Kang. Cease hostilities. Disarm."

The energy being was bobbing wildly with anger; but its throbbing had lessened and its redness was dimmer.

"It's weakened," said Dawn. "For once I think I want to feel everyone feeling happy thoughts. It'll prove it's undoing."

Kirk nodded. A hard smile on his lips, he addressed the energy being. "Get off my ship!" The thing retreated, still bobbing. "You're powerless here. You're a dead duck. We know all about you—and we don't want to play your game anymore. Maybe there are others' like you still around. Maybe you've caused a lot of suffering—a lot of history. That's all over. We'll be on guard . . . we'll be ready for you. Now butt out!" He laughed at the energy being. "Haul it!"

As the throbbing faded, Dawn smiled as she heard a hoarse chuckle from Kang. Then he laughed with gusto. "Out!" he shouted at the energy being. "We need no urging to hate humans! But for the present—only fools fight in a burning house."

Guffawing, he rattled Dawn's teeth with a sadistic whack on the back.

The red was now a dull flicker. They all watched it, laughing. Suddenly the energy being vanished through a bulkhead. Floating in space outside the Enterprise, it flared up and winked out.

Dawn laughed at the overwhelming happy feelings, she absolutely felt giddy. "Captain, I think I need some time in my quarters. Until everyone's emotions come back under control."

"Granted, Dawn," said Kirk as he watched Dawn leave.

Uhura's voice spoke. "Captain, jettisoning of fuel has stopped. The trapped crewmen are free. All systems returning to normal."

"Carry on, Lieutenant. Mr. Sulu, set course for—well, set it for any old star in the galaxy!" said Kirk. "Buffy, Dawn has gone to your quarters. She was saying something about needing time while we collected our emotions."

"Understood, Jim."

Kirk nearly knocked Kang from his feet with a mighty thump on the back. Kang spun around, blood in his eye—and Kirk grinned at him. "Friends!" he said.

"For you we will see," admitted Kang. "For the one you called Dawn. For her the highest of regards and an offer of friendship."

When Kirk arrived with Kara and Mara on the bridge Buffy stood and motioned toward the center seat. "All warm and ready for you," she said.

Kirk smiled as he sat in the center seat. For a moment, anyway. he leaned back. "Ahead, Mr. Sulu. Warp one." He turned to Kang and Mara. "We'll reach a neutral planet by tomorrow. You'll be dropped there. No war, this time."

"With your permission, I think I will go check on my wife," said Buffy.

"Permission granted," said Kirk. "And tell Dawn, that she is free to take a few days off."

"Thank you, Jim," said Buffy as she moved toward the turbolift.

"You are the wife of the one called Dawn?" Kang asked as Buffy passed him and Mara.

"I am," said Buffy.

"Then to you and your wife, I offer friendship," said Kang. "I understand from Dawn that you and she will live a very long time. I hope to see you both again."

"qatlho," said Buffy as she held out her hand.

Kang smiled as he gripped her forearm. He felt her fingers grip his own. "qaStaHvIS poH yI'a'Daq malja'chu'"

Author's Note: Klingon to English Translation

vay' DaghajtaHvIS - You have some things to learn about us.

"...cheghpu'DI' qeylIS, qar'a'? 'ach DaH leghchugh, vaj Qu' DawI'p—u' je!vay' Qumbogh ghotvetlh Dojqu'!" - ". . . for the rest of your lives, Kang! For a thousand lifetimes—fighting, this insane violence! That alien over our heads will control us forever!"

qatlho. – Thank you.

qaStaHvIS poH yI'a'Daq malja'chu' - Until we meet again.