Jim sat on the side of Carol's bed in the sick bay since Bones had not allowed her to leave yet. "We have to get you down to Earth," he said. "We may not have much time. If you need a pilot to take you down…"

"I can fly myself," Carol said. "I'm not that injured."

"Well, do you feel up to it right now?"

"I'll be the judge of that," Bones said interrupting. He began a scan of Carol again. "I decide who can get off these beds."

"Bones, we have to get her off this ship," Jim declared. "I want her to stay with the kids. I don't want them to…"

"I know. You don't have to say it." Bones finished his scan. "Okay, she can go, but you take it easy when you get down there and let a doctor keep an eye on you. I'm not kidding now."

"Yes, sir," Carol replied.

Jim took out his communicator. "I want a ship ready," he said. "My wife and I are on our way to the shuttle bay."

"Yes, Sir," someone answered.

Solan met Jim in the corridor. "So we're just waiting, huh?" he asked.

"Yeah, we're just waiting," Jim said. "Since we don't know where he is and we can't destroy that temple without causing the explosion he wants, we have to wait."

"What about his ship? How are we going to stop him?"

"That's another problem we'll have to face when we get to it."

"But if he gets into this network and we destroy his ship, won't it disperse the tiberium like he wants all over the universe?"

"Don't ask me that," Jim said. "I don't know, but it's probably likely. I don't know anything about this mycelial network. What about McNeil? Does he know anything about it?"

"Only as much as we know. He's never been in it either."

"I don't think anyone knows anything about this. I'm just hoping Anakin can figure something out and maybe communicate with…whatever they are when we get in there."

"IF we can get in there," Solan said. "How do we even know we can get in there?"

"If he can get in, we can."

Solan was not so confident in that, but he followed Jim and Carol to the shuttle bay. "Be careful," Jim said as he walked into the shuttle with her.

"You're the one who will be in danger," Carol replied.

"You will be too until you get back down to the planet."

They kissed and then Jim left the shuttle. He watched as she left the shuttle bay. He just hoped he would not be lost when he entered that mycelial network. Solan stood beside him. "We always risk our lives," Solan said.

"I guess someone has to do it," Jim replied. "Let's go."

They went back to the Bridge. "You see anything yet, Sulu?" Jim asked.

"No," Sulu replied. "Nothing that isn't Federation."

"Where could he be?"

Solan felt impatient. "How do you know he's not trying to cause the explosion right now?" he asked.

Jim considered that. "We don't know it, but they can't build back any of their buildings right now," he said. "If they want to cause the explosion, we really can't stop them without causing it ourselves. Besides the ground forces have already taken over that base. Where would he be hiding that ship?"

"There are no indications of a ship down there," Sulu said.

"What about underground? If there's one thing we've learned about all this, it's that they have odd technology."

"Well, at least buildings aren't popping up out of nowhere now."

Suddenly, Sulu saw something on the scanners. "Here comes a ship," he said. "And it's not Federation."

"On screen," Jim replied.

As they looked at the viewscreen, they could see a ship that looked almost like a Federation ship but slightly different. "Follow it," Jim said. "Scan it."

"Looks like about a hundred people on it," Sulu replied.

"Can you detect any androids?"

"I don't think so."

Just then, Jim's communicator chirped at him. "Kirk here," he answered.

"Admiral, we have lost track of Cabal," Artie said. "Seems to have dropped off the grid."

"I think he flew off the grid," Jim replied. "Probably on this ship we just saw racing off toward space."

"So you're going into space without me?"

Jim almost smiled at that wistful tone. "Well, we don't actually have time to pick you up," he said. "We can't lose Kane. He's planning on getting into something called the mycelial network so he can spread tiberium throughout the universe. Find everything you can about the mycelial network. Let Admiral Winston know what's happening. We're following Kane into space."

"Do you think that's wise, Admiral?"

"It won't be the first time we ever went somewhere we've never been, Artie."

"Good luck, Admiral."

"Thanks. And Artie, if I don't get back…make sure Carol and the kids are okay, will you?"

"Of course, Admiral."

"Kirk out."

Jim ended that transmission and looked out the viewport at the retreating ship. "Can we disable that ship without causing too much damage? We don't want to cause an explosion."

Sulu looked at his scanners, and Anakin was beside him. "We could target their propulsion systems," Sulu said.

"I'm not sure we should try that, Admiral," Anakin said. "If he wants that explosion, he must have a plan to cause it even if he has to abandon that ship. That's the feeling I have anyway."

"It's my feeling too," Jim replied. "There has to be a way though."

"Admiral, it looks like they're about to go to warp," Sulu said.

"There's another Federation ship coming this way," Anakin said.

"Send out a message that no one is to fire on that ship," Jim said. "That's an order!"

As the message was sent out, the other ship did not break off its pursuit. Jim watched as they continued after the ship seeming to try to get between it and the Enterprise. "What are they doing?" Jim asked. "What ship is that?"

"It's the Aegis, Sir," Sulu replied.

"Hail them!"

Spock walked up beside Jim. "Admiral, if they destroy that ship…"

"I know, I know."

"How will we stop them if they do not comply?"

Jim did not want to think about that right this minute. Just then, a Starfleet captain appeared on the screen. "Admiral Kirk," he said. "Captain John Smith…"

"Stand down, Captain, that is an order!" Jim said as authoritatively as he ever spoke.

"Admiral, if he escapes…"

"DO NOT FIRE ON THAT SHIP! He is carrying tiberium and if you cause that ship to blow up, you will cause the explosion he wants! Now, stand down!"

"Admiral, we're here to assist you. Are you saying you're going to let him escape?"

Jim thought he would blow his top. He looked at Spock. "Captain Smith," Spock said. "You have no business in this matter. If you do not stand down as the admiral commands, you will be fired upon and disabled, as well as court marshalled."

Smith was incredulous, but he knew he had no argument nor any leg to stand on. "Yes, Admiral," he said. "I simply thought I could help."

Jim did not appreciate insubordination. "When an admiral tells you to stand down, you better listen up!" he said. "End transmission."

"Got a little steamed there, didn't you?" Bones asked.

Jim looked at him. "I sure did!" he declared.

Just as Jim looked back at the viewscreen, Kane's ship went to warp. "Follow them!" Jim commanded.

Sulu went to warp following the trail of Kane's ship signature, while Anakin also helped him. "Admiral, what if he is going to the last place we were pulled into the rift?" Spock asked.

Jim frowned. "That would take several days," he said.

"Perhaps it will give us time to create a plan."

"We don't know how to plan for this. We don't know what we're facing."

"Why don't we just use the plan we always use?" Bones asked.

Jim and Spock looked at him. "What plan is that?" Jim asked.

"Just jump in the middle and work our way out."

Jim rolled his eyes at that. "Bones, this is serious."

"I'm serious. I refuse to believe we're gonna do this any other way."

"You always are the one who is so sarcastic," Solan remarked.

"So? You know it's true."

"Yeah, but you don't have to say it."

"Guys, can we be serious?" Jim asked. He frowned. "We have no idea what to expect. Riley doesn't even know anything about it."

"Are you that nervous about it?" Solan asked. "Why not just let him go in there and let those…whatever they are do something?"

"We don't know anything about them either."

"Knowing our luck, they're probably some violent critters that will evaporate our ship around us and then just eat us after we die in the vacuum of space," Bones said.

Jim looked at Bones with one of his confused looks. "Let's hope not," he replied.

They all looked out the viewport at the warp field. "I guess we don't have any choice but to go in there," Solan said.

"No, we don't," Jim replied. "We'll do what we always do and just improvise."

Bones shook his head. "Except this time, we could be stuck in there…a long way from anyone." He looked at Jim.

"Let's just have a little optimism, Bones."

"I'm trying."

Jim walked over to Anakin. "Do you think you'll be able to help us when we get in there?" he asked.

"I'll do my best," Anakin replied. "I think I can help but you know how it is, just gotta get there and see the circumstances first."

Jim nodded. "Yeah…the story of our lives. I'd like you to stay here with Mister Sulu until we get through this."

"I'll be here."

Jim looked at Sulu. "Let me know as soon as anything changes," he said.

"Yes sir," Sulu replied.

Jim walked over to Spock. "Now, I want to know more about our guest," he said.

"She was a good first officer," Spock replied. "She was also a good friend. As I said before she was first officer to Captain Pike."

Jim looked wistful about that a moment. "Maybe she knows more about him than I do," he said.

"Perhaps. He was very adamant in her defense."

"Why didn't they listen?"

"I am not certain."

"If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't know about this plot. That's worth a lot, and I intend to find out why someone so loyal to the Federation was treated like a criminal."

Spock raised an eyebrow. He knew whatever Jim put his mind to, he would accomplish if possible. "I have no doubt that people will be persuaded to talk," he said.

Jim looked at him with one of his sarcastic looks. "Is that supposed to be funny?"

"Humor is not easy for me to accomplish."

"I'd say it's impossible," Bones murmured. "Jim, what are we about to do while we wait for this maniac to go into this network?"

"We're gonna talk a while, that's what."

They followed Jim from the Bridge and to the conference room. Jim plopped down in the chair at the end of the table and sighed. Bones and Spock sat down at the table, as well as Solan. "What are you thinking about?" Bones asked.

"This mission," Jim replied. "What if we never get back?"

Bones frowned. "Let's just try to be a little optimistic," he said.

Jim, Spock, and Solan all looked at Bones. "Huh?" Solan said. "Say that again?"

Bones folded his arms. "Okay, so I don't usually have optimism, but I don't want to be lost in space somewhere. I'd like to get back to my wife and daughter, and besides that, Jim said to try and have a little optimism. You all don't look at him like that when he says it."

"Good answer, Bones," Jim said. "I want to get back to my family too."

Just then, the intercom chirped. Jim pressed the button. "Yeah," he said.

"Admiral, we're receiving a transmission from Admiral Winston," Uhura said.

"Put it through to the conference room."

Admiral Winston appeared on the viewscreen. "Admiral," Jim said.

"Where are you headed, Admiral Kirk?" Winston asked.

"We're after Kane. He intends to go into something called the Mycelial Network." Jim paused. "Do you know anything about that, Admiral?"

Admiral Winston frowned. "I've only heard of it," he said. He looked at Jim. "If you go in there, chances are, you might not come out."

"We have to stop him, Sir. He intends to spread tiberium throughout the galaxy."

"I agree he has to be stopped."

"We couldn't fire on him."

"Oh, yes, I heard from Captain Smith that you let him know in no uncertain terms."

Jim felt just a little streak of anger and resentment toward Smith for that. "Yes, sir, I did," he said.

"I also let him know in no uncertain terms that if you give him a command, he's supposed to listen."

"We're going to attempt to follow him into this network and we're going to stop him. We have Anakin with us and I think he will be a valuable asset in this."

"I'm sure he will." Admiral Winston was silent a moment. "Good luck, Admiral Kirk. I believe if anyone can get in there and get back out, it will be you. I'm sure you'll have some interesting things to tell us."

"We're gonna do our best, Sir. Just don't give up on us."

"We won't. Let me know when you're going in. Winston out."

Jim ended the transmission and just sat there a moment. "Are you worried, Admiral?" Spock asked.

Jim looked at him. "Yes, I am," he said. "I'm taking all of you in there and…I'll be responsible if something happens."

"Now, hold on," Solan interrupted. "We're going in there with you."

"Yeah, but I'm the Admiral, the highest ranking officer on this ship so that makes me responsible for all of you."

"We would not allow you to go alone, Jim," Spock declared.

Jim smiled slightly. "Wouldn't allow me?" he asked. "You couldn't stop me. I outrank you, remember?"

"There's no need to even discuss this, because it's not happening," Bones butted in. "You can't go in there alone. That would be crazy." He looked at Spock. "Don't even let him talk about that."

"He is correct, Jim," Spock agreed. "You should not consider going in alone."

"I wasn't really," Jim replied. "What if we never get out? Shouldn't everyone on this ship get a choice?"

"That is up to you."

"I think I should give them the choice and let them get on a shuttle and get out when we come out of warp."

"I will announce it for you if you would like, Jim."

"Go ahead. You take care of the Bridge. I'm just thinking."

Spock left the conference room, and Jim sat there thinking of what they were about to do as he heard Spock begin his announcement. "I just wish we knew more about that network," Jim said as he leaned on the table.

"No way to know more," Bones said. "No one has ever been in there…or at least anyone who came back out. Admiral Winston didn't seem too enthusiastic about talking about that. You should have asked him more questions."

"Like what? He probably told us all he knows."

"Well, maybe you should go and talk to that Riley again."

"I may just do that."

Solan just sat there quiet. He felt as though he did not have anything to lose by going in there. Since he had lost Priscilla, he had not cared much about risk taking anymore. They had not been married long before…he hated thinking about it. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever feel like he did not have a big hole in his heart. He had dreamed of that moment she died so many times, wishing somehow he could have stopped it from happening. In that moment, he had not even known he had stood up in the line of fire himself and would have died if Jim Kirk had not fired at that Admiral.

"Solan, are you here with us?" Jim was saying.

Solan looked at Jim and realized he had been zoned out. "Yeah, I was just…thinking."

"Well, I think I'm going to have a talk with Riley and see what else she knows that might help us."

Solan nodded. "Sure."

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine."

Jim was not so sure about that as they headed out of the room. He looked at Bones who was concerned as well. "I'll talk to him," he said quietly.

Jim went on toward the guest quarters, and Bones went after Solan. "Hey, Solan," he said. "Why don't you come to the medical bay?"

"For what?" Solan asked. "Scotty probably wants me to crawl into the access tubes."

"He can wait."

Solan followed Bones to the medical bay. "So what's wrong?" Solan asked.

"I was about to ask you that," Bones replied. "You were zoned out in there."

"So, can't a guy think?"

"Sure, but when you're thinking that deeply, it looks like something's troubling you."

Solan sat down in a chair and folded his arms. "Sometimes I can't help but think about Priscilla," he said. "I just get lost in thought. It never happens when I'm doing something important."

Bones sighed as he sat down. "Unfortunately, that hurt never really goes away," he said.

"I've dreamed about it so many times, thinking why couldn't I have done something. Why didn't I see her?"

"You can't torment yourself like that. None of that was your fault."

"I shouldn't have let her go. She had never been on a mission like that. I was just thinking about wanting her with me. I didn't think…"

"Solan, she wanted to go on that mission, and it wasn't your fault."

"I just wish I could have done something."

"We all do. Remember, we were there with you. We saw your grief. You think we didn't want to take that pain away from you?"

"I try not to think about it, but sometimes it just crashes down on me and I can't escape."

"I dread this mission too. It's not even funny."

"There's never anything funny about our missions…except maybe your sarcastic attitude."

"Well, you know you can always talk to me or Jim…even Spock when you're feeling like this."

Solan sighed. "I don't want everybody to feel sorry for me. I just…I don't know how I feel."

"I would say I don't feel sorry for you, but I kinda do, but I care about how you feel, so don't just stay off to yourself."

"I'll try."

Jim arrived at Riley's guest quarters and rang the door chime. "Come in," she said and the door slid open.

Jim walked into the room which was practically empty except for a bed, table, and two chairs. "I wanted to talk to you," he said.

"Well, welcome, Admiral. Have a seat."

Jim sat down at the small table and Riley sat down across from him. "So I hope you feel comfortable here," Jim said.

"Yes, I do," Riley answered.

"I just wanted to know if you know anything else that might help us in this matter."

"All I know is he intends to spread tiberium throughout the universe."

"Why? What's his purpose?"

"He thinks the tiberium will make everyone like him…and me. He thinks it will stop sickness and all."

Jim scowled at that. "Can it?"

"I wouldn't think so. He has to be in a regeneration chamber for years if he's injured badly enough."

"I don't think that was the case with Khan."

"No, it wasn't, and it's not the case with me either."

"So did they use tiberium for you?" Jim asked. "How long has this been going on?"

"I had never heard of tiberium until now. After all, I was a child when I was enhanced."

"Would your people know?"

Riley considered that. "I'm not sure now," she said.

"I'm sure we couldn't find out before we get where we're going."

"From what I hear, you're used to winging it."

"I guess I am, but this is one time that I wish we had more information."

Jim was silent a moment. "So, what kind of captain was Captain Pike?" he asked.

"He was serious but he wasn't afraid to make a joke," Riley replied. "He didn't like space really, and he didn't want to get his crew into danger, but we always seemed to end up in danger anyway. He wanted to find a diplomatic solution."

"But that didn't always work, huh?"

"No. But I can tell you, he wanted you in Starfleet so you could take his place. He had a lot of confidence in you."

"I know. I never knew why."

Riley laughed slightly. "He knew you would bring excitement back into the Federation," she said. "He thought it had grown stale and wasn't any good for what it was created for, and he knew you jumped into situations and got to the heart of the problem."

Jim scowled at that. "Okay, well, I guess I do have a knack for getting into trouble," he said.

"Trouble? Do you ever think of all the things you've accomplished?"

"Not really. I just do what I do." Jim looked at her. "I intend to make sure you're heard and that life changes for you."

"Pike used to talk like that, but they never listened to him."

"Admiral Winston always listens to me."

Riley smiled. "I'm sure he does. You're hard to ignore."

"I've just about driven him crazy."

"Well, I'm with you all the way, Admiral. I'll help any way I can."

Jim nodded. "I have no idea what we're going into so I guess we'll know when we get there."

"I think I'll rest up. I didn't know how tired I was until I got into this room."

Jim stood up. "Okay. If you need anything just let us know."

"Thank you, Admiral. I think Pike was right about you all the time."

Jim just smiled slightly. "I'll see you later."

Jim left there and went to the medical bay to find Bones, who was still there doing what he was usually doing…studying. "Bones, did you talk to Solan?" he asked.

"I did," Bones replied. "It's just what we thought."

"Oh yeah? What did we think?"

"Okay wise guy. He's still grieving."

"I can't imagine trying to get over something like that. Is he okay?"

"Yeah, it just struck him when we were talking about being stranded in that Network. He knows why we don't want to be stranded there." Bones looked at Jim. "Why do things like this have to happen?"

"Don't ask me that. I don't know. I'd do almost anything to bring Priscilla back. I've thought so many times…what could I have done to prevent that?"

"I think we all have. I've wondered several times if I gave up too soon. Maybe…I don't know."

"Right now we have to focus on what we're about to do. I keep thinking about this and it's like going in blind."

"Jim, it's nothing you haven't done before. You'll do what you always do and think on your feet."

"I hope so, Bones."

"I just wish someone knew something. Why would Kane go into this network without knowing anything about it? That's another question."

Bones considered that, and just then, Spock walked in. "Admiral, do you have any new information?" Spock asked.

"We were just talking," Jim said. "Why would Kane go into this network without knowing anything about it? How does he know it exists, how to get into it, and how does he know he can use it for his purpose?"

"You are suggesting that he has been there before?"

"I don't know. What do you think?"

Spock considered that. "It is logical to believe that he may have a theory and simply takes it as the truth rather than only a theory," he said. "After all, it has been said that this individual is not mentally stable, and in fact is considered insane."

"So you just think he's around the bend and doesn't really know whether his plan will work or not?"

"Precisely."

"You could be right. Let's just hope it won't work."

"I never heard so much guessing and hoping on a mission," Bones said. "Can't be a good sign."

Jim paced back and forth. He did not want to admit how nervous he was about this mission. They had been stuck in another galaxy before…more than once, but this was probably worse. It wasn't even in a galaxy…it was somewhere in between, or he supposed it was.

"Stop that pacing," Bones said. "You're making me even more nervous than I was."

Just then, Kuaya walked in. "Admiral," he said. "May I speak with you?"

"Of course," Jim replied. He had almost forgotten that Kuaya was on the ship. He walked over to him. "Is there a problem?"

Kuaya considered that. "I am wondering what my job is in this situation," he said.

"None of us know that right now, Kuaya. We are giving everyone the choice of leaving the ship. If you want to go back to Earth to your family, you're welcome to do that."

"My family is safe, and they understand that our mission is to try and keep the planet we now call home safe. I would not abandon you when things become dangerous, Admiral."

"Thank you, Kuaya. I'm not sure what anyone's job is in this situation yet. It's one of those situations where we just kinda wing it."

"I will help in any way that I can."

Kuaya folded his wings around himself. "It is quite cold here," he said.

"Space is pretty cold. You can have your quarters at the temperature you like though."

"I did not know this."

"Yeah, just tell the computer what temperature you want."

"I am not certain what that would be. I have studied some of your language but I do not understand temperature in degrees."

Jim smiled. "Okay, well, I'll let Spock help you with that."

"I will be glad to show you how to use the thermostat," Spock said.

"Thank you, my friend," Kuaya replied.

Jim watched Spock and Kuaya walk out of the medical bay. He had picked up several friends on his trek across the galaxy. Kuaya had been an enemy at first, but now he was quite a good friend. Jim frowned. He was taking all of his closest friends into that network not knowing what to expect. He knew they would argue that they would go in there anyway, but he wondered what they would do if they were on the ship with someone else in command. He had seen them be very defiant and even border on insubordination and mutiny.

Bones walked up beside Jim. "Why don't you get some rest?" he asked. "No need to fret until we get there."

"You should get some too, Bones," Jim replied. "Instead of whatever it is you're doing over there."

"I'm studying that tiberium, that's what I'm doing. I wanta know its composition and what to do about it if someone comes in contact with it. That's what I'm gonna be doing the next few days."

"Great. Just get some rest too."

"Don't worry."

Jim left the medical bay. He supposed he might as well rest up because he figured they would be awake for hours on end when they got wherever they were going.