Chapter 9

Kirk stood alone in the conference room, staring out of the full-length window. Data and Deanna had gone to the transporter room to meet Riker as he was beamed aboard from the research station. Standing here viewing the vast expanse of space that was surrounding him, it occurred to Kirk that being on this ship felt very much at home.

"It never changes," he muttered, walking the length of the room, never taking his eyes from the scene of beauty. "The stars never change. The peacefulness of the unknown darkness holds such mysteries, waiting for us to solve. How can I give all this up? This is where I belong. This is where I must be!"

He heard the others entering the room and turned to face the returning first officer. He nodded at Will, and held out his hand. "It's good to meet you Commander Riker."

Riker accepted the hand in his own firm grip, noting that Kirk's calm and casual expression belied the solid, demanding grasp. "I'm not quite sure I know what to say to you," he acknowledged.

Kirk turned to the android, "Data have you acquainted Commander Riker with what has taken place?"

Data glanced quickly at Riker, noting the darkened scowl which had settled on the officer's face. "Yes sir, I have."

Riker looked at Kirk suspiciously, "I'd like to hear it from you Captain."

Kirk pointed to a chair. Riker was quite a bit taller than Kirk and Jim needed to be in full control at this moment. He decided that he wanted to face Riker eye to eye. "Have a seat Commander."

Will took a quick glance at Data and Deanna, and made the familiar gesture of pulling on his tunic before he took his usual seat. Putting on his most serious expression Will turned to the seat Kirk now occupied, the one in which Jean-Luc usually sat. He began, his attitude icy, "Go ahead Captain Kirk, I'm listening."

Once more Jim recounted the story of the holodeck accident. He finished with a deep breath and, "I hope I will have your support Commander."

"Support for what Captain? What do you plan to do?"

"I am in command of the Enterprise Riker, and I need to know how you feel about that!"

Riker briefly mulled over what Kirk had said. He would need to check out Kirk's unbelievable story. It was obvious that the rest of the crew had been taken in by this person claiming to be Jim Kirk. But Riker wasn't about to fall for this deception. He knew he needed to keep his wits about him. He would find out exactly what had happened to Jean-Luc, and if he had to, he would gladly risk his life in order to rescue his captain. He decided that he needed to gain Kirk's confidence. It was imperative that he not arouse Kirk's suspicions.

If this were an alien impersonating Jim Kirk, he would need to stall for time so he could devise a plan. As he began to answer the captain, an escape plan began to tickle at his consciousness. "Before I can answer that Captain, I need to contact Starfleet."

Data interrupted, "Commander that was the first thing Captain Kirk had us do."

Riker was unable to hide his surprise. Either all this was really what happened, or this stranger had somehow fooled the rest of the crew. He questioned the android, "And what was their reply Data?"

Data slightly lowered the timbre of his voice to emphasize what he was about to say. "Starfleet has supported Captain Kirk's command decision. Until the holodeck accident can be reversed, the present situation is to be maintained and supported. They agreed to have him assume command of the ship."

Deanna felt Will's skepticism, and decided she should give Will her impressions. "Will, he really believes that he is Captain Kirk. I sense no secrecy from this man. I am not aware of any falsehoods about who he thinks he is."

Before anyone else said anything, Kirk tapped his communicator, "Mr. Worf."

"Yes Captain."

"Please apprise Starfleet we now have the first officer aboard. Inform them we will continue in the pursuit of the Ferengi pirates."

"Yes Captain," came the Klingon's reply.

Will shook his head and tried to figure out how Worf had been duped into believing this was Kirk.

Kirk pushed back his chair and stood looking down at Riker, "If there's nothing else, ladies and gentlemen, let's get back to work."

The crew stood and quickly left the room. As Deanna passed Will she lightly touched his arm and drew close. "From an empathic point of view, he is telling the truth. We don't know how or why this happened, but I do accept that he believes he is Kirk."

Will brushed the side of Deanna's face and smiled back at her. "Even she believes this absurd story," he thought as he watched her leave the room. He knew he had to come up with some answers to the many questions running through his mind.

Kirk noticed that Riker seemed to be waiting for him. "Something you wanted to say, Commander?"

"I am second in command, and I believe the Enterprise should now be placed under my control," Riker told Kirk in the most authoritative manner he could muster.

"I can understand your logic and I respect you for this Commander but unfortunately I am going to have to decline your request." Kirk responded, in the most no nonsense tone he could.

Will looked intensely at Kirk, knitted his brows, and asked, "May I inquire why Captain? What exactly is your purpose here? I don't know if I really believe there was some kind of holodeck accident. How is it that you are here now?"

Kirk looked thoughtfully at Riker, "You know Will, I don't know how it happened, and I don't know why it happened, but what I do know, is that right now, right here, I am in command of the Starship Enterprise. I also know that you are my first officer."

Riker's eyes opened widely. "Might I ask Captain, just what steps you are taking to find out what happened to Captain Picard?"

"Data and Geordi are working on a way to reverse what has happened. I'm really not sure how successful they have been."

Jim decided he liked Riker. He seemed to be a straightforward officer, obviously fiercely loyal. Will reminded him of Spock in a way. Both men would stop at nothing to save their captains. Kirk also knew that Riker was the consummate Starfleet officer. For that reason alone, he knew he would be able to count on the commander when he had to.

Riker grasped his hands behind his back. "I'd also like to do whatever I can to help."

Kirk shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Of course Will, if you have some theories, please go ahead. Help them in any way you can." Kirk paused but then abruptly decided to continue. "Will I don't want to have to battle you, the way we are battling the Ferengis. I want to find those damn pirates, and put them out of business. Now you have one of two choices. You can help me in the best way a Starfleet officer can, or if you prefer, I can relieve you of duties."

Riker narrowed his eyes as he contemplated Kirk. This being who called himself Captain Kirk was surely convincing. He found himself torn by conflicting feelings. It occurred to him that maybe Kirk was responsible for Jean-Luc's disappearance. On the other hand whoever this was, he was playing his part to the hilt. He was behaving in a manner that was definitely 'Starfleet'.

Riker made a flash decision based on what was growing as a gut feeling. Unless something occurred to change his mind, he would go along with this icon from the past, or at least until Kirk did something that would prove him to be a fraud. But he also knew that if he were wrong, he would spend the rest of his life regretting his decision.

"What gives you the impression that I want to be relieved of duty?" he asked cynicism dripping from his voice.

Kirk merely shrugged as Riker continued, "I'm on your side Captain Kirk, and I'll help you in any way I can, because those are my duties. Not to Starfleet and not to you. It is my duty to Captain Picard."

The two officers, more alike than they knew, contemplated each other.

Finally it was Kirk who spoke, "That's good enough for me, Will."

Once more he held out his hand to Riker and this time Riker clasped it as firmly and solidly as he could.

Kirk returned to the bridge and took the command chair. Looking to his right he nodded as Riker sat down, and his peripheral vision discerned Deanna settling in her chair.

Kirk nodded at Deanna and Will, "Now that things are a little more settled, let's get on with our mission. Ensign plot a course to take us directly to research station Naylest 19. What's our eta?"

"Sixteen hours, twenty-five minutes at Warp 3, Captain."

"Take it easy ensign, let's not announce our arrival." Kirk had a plan, "When we get closer we will cut our engines and let our inertia carry us in. See if you can park us behind their moon."

Kirk rose, "I'll be in engineering, Commander, you have the bridge."

Will set his chin defiantly, squared his shoulders and answered, "Yes Captain."

---------------------------------------------------------------------