Chapter 13

It was deep in the night and the couple were lying together, when a slight popping sound could be heard. A slight temporal distortion appeared in the bulkhead at the far corner of the room. A male head popped through the distortion.

Surveying the couple he droned, "Yechh! Enjoy yourself kiddies, the show's almost over."

* * * *

Sometime in the early morning hours, Data interrupted the couple. "Excuse me Captain, we have arrived at Naylest 19."

Kirk's eyes fluttered open, his consciousness snapping to attention. "On our way, Mr. Data."

Leaning over Beverly, he kissed the velvety softness of her earlobe.

"Mmm, that's nice." Crusher said, opening one eye and stretching. "You're up," she added, turning over and tucking her hands under her head.

Kirk grinned down at her as he moved to get up. "We've arrived at the outpost. Time to go to work, Doc." He patted her bottom playfully. "Race you to the shower," he said as he strode to the bathroom.

"I'm right behind you, Captain," Beverly yawned, rolling out of bed.

Thirty minutes later the couple left their quarters after a brief kiss at the door.

In the turbolift, Kirk smoothed the front of the fresh uniform he had donned after the shower and a glass of cold orange juice that they shared.

"Jim, are you okay?" Beverly asked tentatively, wondering what he was thinking.

"I'll be fine. How about you doctor?" He smiled and touched the side of her face.

Kirk and Crusher quickly exited the turbolift and took their places on the bridge.

Deanna turned to Crusher, "Morning Doctor."

"Morning Counselor," Beverly coolly replied.

Kirk heard the strain in their voices, but decided it would probably be best if he stayed out of it. He turned to Data and asked, "ship's status Mr. Data?"

"We have just cut our engines, Captain. We are in high orbit and have begun evacuation from planet side. We should have complete evacuation momentarily. The 'Daagh' is in close orbit to the research station. They seem to be waiting for something. They have not taken any provocative actions."

After several minutes the Klingon security chief interrupted, "Captain, we are able to detect transporter activity from the 'Daagh' to the surface."

Kirk tapped his communicator. "Bridge to engineering."

"La Forge here, Captain."

"Geordi are you ready?"

"Aye sir. We have evacuated all the station personnel to the Enterprise. We have located and targeted the underground structures. Equipment is logged in and we are ready to begin transporting on your signal. Research and Federation data downloaded to the Enterprise's computer. The data bank here has been purged and reloaded with gibberish."

Kirk hesitated only a second, "Now Geordi!"

Only a couple of minutes had passed when Kirk heard Geordi's signal. "We're ready Captain."

Once more Kirk signaled. "Kirk to transporter room."

"Chief Michaels here sir. We're ready."

The bridge crew looked around somewhat uncertain as to what was about to take place. They hadn't been made aware of any plan. It was obvious though, Kirk had something up his sleeve.

Kirk paused, counted to ten and rose to his feet. "Lt. Worf, open a communication channel to the planet's surface."

Worf scowled, "Shall I secure that channel sir?"

"No Lieutenant."

Riker listened to the conversation between Worf and Kirk, unable to determine what was going on.

"A public channel sir?" The Klingon asked his question skeptically. "The Ferengi will be able to monitor our transmission."

"That's exactly what I hope happens Lt. Worf." Kirk grinned.

Will turned at stared in disbelief at Kirk. Having no idea what he was up to he leaned forward, muscles coiled, gray matter snapped to attention, waiting for the opportunity to challenge this has-been hero.

"Captain..."

Kirk's arm shot out in a 'halt' position without the captain's attention wavering for even an instant.

Riker pursed his lips as his eyes narrowed and smoldered. He wasn't about to let this guy do something he shouldn't. This wasn't the way to run a ship. Picard always included his senior staff or at least his first officer in any slightly unorthodox schemes. That was the way Starfleet was supposed to do things. If only one thing was certain, it was that Kirk was definitely not Starfleet.

"Channel open," the Klingon fairly growled.

"Kirk to planet surface."

"La Forge here Captain."

Jim put on his most serious sounding voice. "La Forge, I don't care what it takes, but do whatever you must to hide that cargo. We have transported all the station personnel. It's the equipment I'm really worried about. I don't intend to lose the single most important piece of technology the Federation has developed since warp drive. Can you imagine what the Romulans would give to have this device in their hands? They would pay any amount for this stuff. If they got hold of this instrument, Starfleet could be destroyed. Hide it Geordi. We can't transport it to the ship for fear the Ferengis could intercept the transmission. Don't let those conniving little Ferengi pirates near the stuff."

"I'll do my best sir."

Will sat in stunned silence, his head slowly shaking in disbelief. Who was this being, or man, or whatever he was? And exactly what was he talking about? There was no secret invention on this planet. He would know about such a thing. It was merely an out of the way research station.

If he remembered correctly they were doing some kind of study on the local plant and animal life. There was no monumental Federation technology stored here. "This guy must be nuts," he thought. "What the hell is he going on about?"

Deanna too sat in her seat, eyes opened wide, watching Kirk. She sensed Will's feelings and could understand the confusion he was experiencing. She herself had no idea what Kirk was talking about. She could feel Kirk's confidence and integrity about what he was doing. There was nothing insidious about his plans. She decided to wait and see what developed.

"La Forge to Captain Kirk"

"Go ahead Geordi."

* * * *

Banal, the young Ferengi navigator turned to Kan'da. "Dai Mon, we are intercepting another transmission from the humans."

Kan'da was seated in the central command chair, with five of his crew surrounding him, at various bridge stations. "On audio." Kan'da blurted out his request, his excitement mounting. His favorite attacks were when the personnel from the research stations put up a good fight. It always made his victory a little sweeter.

Kan'da leaned forward, trying to hear what was being transmitted. He couldn't believe how stupid that Federation captain was, thinking he could outsmart a true Ferengi.

* * * *

"We have hidden the equipment in the underground storage holds. I am sending exact coordinates now. The Ferengis shouldn't be able to track the equipment down here. They probably don't even have an idea that there are solid barillian-lined storage holds on the planet. Their inferior sensors can't scan though barillian."

* * * *

Kan'da smiled to himself. What fools they were. Ferengi sensors couldn't scan through Barillian, that was correct. Romulan sensors, although, could. The 'Daagh' had been refitted with Romulan sensors and weapons. Kirk didn't have a chance.

Standing up, Kan'da strode to the aft station that housed the computer devices for his sensor array. Leaning down he studied the panel readouts. "Tie in your sensor to their coordinates," he yelled.

"There!" yelled Yit'ti, an older, battle worn Ferengi. "There! We have the storage location locked in."

Kan'da squinted trying to decipher the readouts. "What's in them?"

Yit'ti studied the panel and then turned to his Dai Mon, a smile crossing his face. "Large metallic equipment. There are twenty-two pieces in total."

Kan'da's fist hammered on the console. "Let's go!"

* * * *

As Deanna began to gain an understanding of what this man was intending to do, she started to smile. Although she didn't know exactly what Kirk had up his sleeve, she could sense that he was about to teach Kan'da how to play their own games. She caught Will's glance and winked at him. He still looked confused, but decided not to say anything.

"All right Mr. La Forge, continue to monitor the status of the equipment. Most importantly though don't let those damn pirates find out the real value or purpose of the equipment."

Kirk turned to the Klingon, "Mr. Worf, please track the movements of the Ferengis. Transporter room do you have Geordi?"

"Yes sir, he's back."

"Captain," Worf said, "All but two of the pirates have beamed to the planet." With a decidedly unpleasant frown, he added, "They have easily located the equipment hold."

The captain still was not ready to let the bridge crew in on his plan. Kirk turned to Data, "Data are you familiar with an old Earth term 'ventriloquism'?"

Data's eyes rapidly moved from side to side, as if he was reading something. "Ventriloquism - one who speaks from the belly - the practice of speaking so the voice seems to come from some source other than the speaker. The act of carrying on a pretended conversation as with a large puppet or dummy."

Kirk nodded in agreement and smiled at the android, "Exactly. They could make you think a voice was coming from behind a closed door or from a box."

Data continued, "They were often called voice throwers. Although in fact they did not throw their voices. Actually it is more of a forming of the words lower in the throat, so that the sounds seem to emanate from a distance. But sir, I do not believe I comprehend why one human would want another human to believe that an inanimate object such as a box could somehow gain consciousness and would suddenly begin to converse. It would seem that . . ."

Kirk held up both hands and he interrupted, "Commander Data, can you do it?"

Data looked over at Kirk, cocked his head, raised his eyebrows and answered succinctly, "Yes sir, I can."

"Could you make the voice that of the Ferengi pirate?"

Data made a sound approximating that of clearing his throat, and in an exact duplication of Kan'da's voice, he answered, "Yes sir, I can."

Kirk smiled, "Good. Make the two pirates on the ship believe that their captain is ordering them to the planet surface."

Turning to the Klingon, Kirk instructed, "Mr. Worf, tie in the ship's communications to the planet surface module Geordi has rigged."

Worf continued to scowl as he followed Kirk's orders. "Done captain." He still did not fully understand what Kirk had in mind, but so far nothing terrible had transpired.

Once more Deanna and Will exchanged glances though this time, Will settled back more comfortably in his chair. He had figured out what Kirk was up to. It wasn't quite a Starfleet approved technique, but Will deduced it would work.

"Data, order the Ferengis remaining on the ship to transport to the surface. Tell them you have discovered within the array of equipment hidden by the Federation puppets, incredible devices the Federation wanted to keep secret. These units would replace conventional transporter arrays. Explain that with these units, they will be regarded as heroes in the Ferengi homeworld and the Federation will be destroyed. The universe will be theirs for the taking."

Data began talking from the Enterprise. What the two members of Kan'da's crew on the 'Daagh' heard was their leader telling them about the incredible new technology the Federation puppets were trying to hide. Within seconds the two remaining Ferengis had beamed themselves to the planet.

Once more Kirk tapped his communicator and called for Geordi.

"La Forge here Captain."

"Engage subspace dampening field Geordi."

A brief pause and Geordi announced, "Engaged Captain. They will not be able to contact the computer on the ship."

Kirk stood, turned to the Security Chief, "Mr. Worf, lock tractor beam on the 'Daagh."

"Locked on captain." Worf's voice had lost its edge. He understood the plan.

"Fine, let's tow her to the closest Starbase. Ensign, lay in a course and engage."

Will turned to Kirk. "Sir, are we just going to abandon them?" Now that we have evacuated the Starfleet scientists the Ferengis will be virtually marooned on the planet."

"Well Commander, we have provided them with a lush, fruitful planet for themselves. There is lots of vegetation, small animals and such. They won't go hungry. At least not if they are smart. Some of the equipment we transported down earlier were generators and other things they will need to build shelters and feed themselves. Oh, by the way, somebody remind me to send a subspace message to their home planet. It's only fair to contact the Nagus. I'm sure he will look after the situation. Gee I hope I remember where we left them. Oh, and one more thing," tapping his communicator Kirk hailed the transporter room.

"Michaels here, Captain."

"Mr. Michaels, please transport our little energy lifeforms. Direct them to the equipment. It seems they prefer chewing on computer isolinear chips so I'm sure they will find it very comfortable down there. I think our Ferengi friends might enjoy the company."

* * * *

Two lifeforms hovered in space unaffected by the deadly cold and vacuum outside the ship. They stood on the clear skylight atop the bridge and gazed down at the crew. The tall male laughing hysterically, very human tears running down his face, clutched at his sides. "I'm sore from laughing! This holier than thou captain of yours is my kind of commandant, ma chère. This, this dauntless gallant purveyor of Federation balderdash is fairly plucky. This one would have been a stalwart adversary. Mmm, how could I have missed such a worthy opponent."

The female drew herself close to his body, and placed her hands atop her ample hips. Even her eyes blazed with indignation as the warp speed of the Enterprise whipped the folds of her garment around her legs. "You wouldn't have lasted a moment in a round with this one, you miserable 'gindalax'."

The male abruptly stopped laughing and narrowed his eyes. His voice took on a chilling tone, "Ahh yes, isn't that what you use to call those sweet little pussycats on your world?"

She snorted, "Those sweet little pussycats had 125 razor sharp teeth, and would have minced you into ground round, you ludicrous excuse for a man." She looked down through the clear dome high above the bridge, to the figure sitting in the captain's chair. "This one was more a man than you could ever wish to be."

"Wish to be? I could be anything I want." He drew close to her, "I could even make you into anything I want." He snickered and straightened up, "I would no sooner wish to be this one any more then I would wish to be your other dear captain wimp. But this one would have been so much fun. Let's let this one stay just a little longer. I'm having such fun. In fact, let's just eliminate Picard and keep Kirk!"

She grabbed his throat with two dark hands and squeezed. Once more, though, he vanished with only the sound of his laughter ringing in her ears.

* * * *

Deanna had remained silent throughout the maneuvers, but chose to voice her concerns at this time. This Captain Kirk was completely different from Picard. Jean-Luc would have never abandoned the Ferengis. She ruefully thought, "Even Will is going along with all of this." It occurred to Deanna that Will was going to have a hard time explaining this to Starfleet.

"Captain, do you think that stranding the two completely different lifeforms together is the best answer?"

Kirk looked over at the counselor and noticed the concern in her eyes and in her tone of voice.

"Well Counselor, the last time I marooned somebody on a planet, it came back to haunt me years later. I guess I'll just have to take my chances."

A signal from engineering interrupted Kirk. "Kirk here."

"Captain, I believe we are just about ready for you on the holodeck."

Kirk took a deep breath and rose from the command chair. Turning in a full circle he addressed his bridge crew. "Well this has been quite an adventure ladies and gentlemen, but I fear the play is over and it's time for the genie to put me back in the bottle."

Worf interrupted what Kirk was about to say, "Excuse me Captain, we are receiving a coded subspace signal from Romulus."

"Go ahead, Lieutenant," Kirk responded, his voice edged with surprise.

The Klingon looked up from his console, "It is for you Captain. It's tagged confidential."

"I'll take it in the ready room." Kirk moved swiftly to the room and seated himself behind Picard's dark translucent desk, its coolness chilling Kirk's warm hands. He took a deep breath before turning on the communication screen and wondered who was calling him. Tapping the 'ready' sensor pad he saw a Romulan insignia and shortly thereafter the screen beheld the image of Kirk's closest ally.

"Jim, it is you!"

Kirk's hands shot out, each grabbing a side of the screen. Fingers locking he held on, not believing what he saw. His heart pumping, adrenaline coursing through his body he gasped. "Spock! Is that you? How did you find out?"

"Perrin sent me a communiqué through an underground relay."

Still in shock, and shaking his head, Kirk answered, "There was a holodeck accident. Somehow, Captain Picard and I exchanged places, although it isn't permanent. Geordi and Data are working on a way to try to transfer the two of us. They believe there is no way to save us both."

"I see," Spock was quickly assessing the situation, trying to find a way to save his old friend.

"Captain, if you can wait a little longer, I will come to your position. I might be able to help in some way."

Kirk answered quietly, almost wearily, "Spock, do you really think you can do something Data and Geordi can't?"

"Jim, it is logical to at least attempt it. I can be there is 9.2 hours."

Kirk stared at Spock, eyes searching for the answer. "It can't be only my decision." Quickly tapping his communicator, Kirk called Data, Geordi and Riker to the room. A few minutes later the four listened to what Spock proposed.

"I can arrive in just over nine hours. I might be able to help save Captain Kirk."

The three Enterprise officers exchanged glances and Riker gave his two comrades an affirmative nod. Riker turned to the screen, "We will wait Ambassador Spock. If there is something that can be done, we're prepared to give you the chance."

Riker reasoned that had the roles been reversed, Picard would agree to something as dangerous as having Spock leave Romulus to meet the Enterprise in order to try to save Kirk.

Data added, "I will transmit the telemetry and all pertinent information once you are on your way. Contact us then and good luck Ambassador." With that, the trio left the ready room to prepare for Spock.

Spock looked at Kirk. There was much Spock wanted to say to this man he hadn't seen for over seventy years. But where to begin was the problem. "I'm afraid luck will have very little to do with this Jim."

Kirk glanced downwards. In his own mind he and Spock had seen each other merely days ago. With an effort he was trying to holdback the panic he felt rising, clutching at his muscles. How could he make Spock understand this was a last chance for happiness? "I know Spock, I'll wait for you."

The transmission ended and Kirk sat back in the chair. He clasped his hands loosely in his lap and swung around to face the darkness of space. His eyes closed and in a silent prayer, he asked for one more miracle.

The door signal chimed only minutes later interrupting Kirk's thoughts.

"Come in," he announced, turning his chair to face whoever was there.

Riker strode once more into the ready room. "Captain, may I have a word with you?"

Kirk decided to let Riker have his say, "Go ahead Commander."

Will's serious expression gave way to a warm grin and his eyes took on a decidedly mischievous gleam as he sat in the comfortable chair opposite Kirk. He leaned forward, cupped his chin and rested his elbow on his knee. "I would have loved to serve with you Captain."

Kirk grinned back and with a look of complete wonderment and a shrug of his shoulders, he asked, "Why?"

"Well, for one thing, you have some unique, and unorthodox methods of dealing with Ferengis. You must have had some incredible adventures on your Enterprise."

Kirk grinned widely, "We never had Ferengis, Will."

"No, I know that. They only achieved space travel comparatively recently, about thirty years ago. Their technology is usually advanced through plundering other worlds. The universe hasn't been the same since."

Riker leaned back in his chair. He understood Kirk and even though he may not agree with the Captain's technique, he did respect Kirk.

Both men smiled. Kirk leaned back, and closed his eyes, briefly imagining how he might have dealt with Ferengis back in his own day.

"Captain..."

Kirk opened his eyes, straightened in his seat aware that Riker still had something on his mind. "Yes Will."

"I wanted to tell you that no matter what happens, it's been an honor to serve under you."

"Oh, so now you believe my story?" Kirk asked smiling.

"Well I looked over the holodeck logs and I've spoken to the crew. I don't know how it happened or for what reason, but, yes I believe you are Kirk."

Kirk stood up and walked around the massive desk and held out his hand once more to Riker. "Thanks Will."

This time there was no hesitation in Riker's movements. More than just a handshake passed between the two men. There was admiration and respect in Riker's eyes, and in Kirk's there was sadness. He didn't want this life in the twenty-fourth century to end. He silently prayed for another one of Spock's miracles.

* * *

Two formless spheres of energy unfolded in the far corner of the room. Soft pulsating light went unnoticed by the two men. In wordless communication the female heard, "This is going to make me throw up. Prepare for the finale."

She answered, "No, no wait! Not yet! Just a little longer! Maybe there's some way we can let it happen. Give me a minute to think!"

* * * *

As the Enterprise towed the Ferengi ship, Kan'da stood, watching his crew testing the Federation equipment, not yet aware that his ship no longer orbited the planet. His face was awash with smugness considering the coup he had just pulled.

"Those stupid humans made this easy. I'll be sure to spread the word what a simple task it was to fool those Federation idiots. Never before have I had such an effortless time stealing from humans." As Kan'da continued to watch his men, a new emotion began to tickle the edges of his reasoning.

Apprehension crawled slowly down his spine, ending in a knot in his stomach. "Maybe, just maybe, this raid was too easy."

Banal repeatedly scanned the equipment and each time the results were the same. There wasn't anything unusual about these devices. As a matter of fact, the technology of the instruments was archaic, even by Ferengi standards.

He crossed the chamber to Kan'da and reported the failures. The pirate's face slowly changed from joy to doubt and finally to an expression of loathe as the young Ferengi explained the uselessness of the equipment.

As the deception became clearer, Kan'da's heart sank when he understood what had happened. His anger boiled up flooding any sense of reason. "We have been duped by the Federation scourge!"

The rest of Kan'da's crew threw down whatever they were holding at the moment and looked towards their Dai Mon for direction.

Kan'da looked around at his men. Making a mental note of how many crewmembers were standing alongside of him, he gritted his teeth, "Banal, how many men are still aboard the ship?"

"There are none Dai Mon. You ordered the entire crew to the planet."

The pirate blanched, anger mixed with frustration settled on his face. He pulled out his communicator and barked, "Transport me to the ship." Nothing happened. He turned once more to Banal. "Try your communicator."

After each crewmember had unsuccessfully attempted to contact the ship, the realization hit them that that they had been stranded on this planet.

Kan'da clenched his fists and lifted his face upwards and screamed with a combination of anger and frustration. Lashing out he knocked his navigator clean off his feet. Bellowing into the sky, he let loose with a series of curses best expressed in Ferengi old language. Simply translated he vowed to find Kirk, and destroy him.

A gentle clicking sound emanating from the Federation devices, caused the pirates to turn their attention away from their situation. They gasped with fear as the equipment that surrounded them began to take on a strange purple glow.

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