Chapter 16

Kirk's pulse raced. His old friend had arrived and triumph was only a miracle away.

Several minutes later, Kirk and Beverly walked into the shuttle bay to join Geordi and Data just as Spock emerged from the craft. The two old friends stared at each other for several long seconds before embracing.

Spock hadn't seen Kirk for almost eighty years and he felt his human emotions surging forth. His hands grabbed Kirk's two shoulders and he grinned a very human expression.

This man had been his best friend for many years before the accident aboard the Enterprise B and his disappearance. Spock was the first to recapture his composure. He straightened his uniform and stood erect. To the rest of the crew in attendance he looked restrained and totally composed. Only Kirk understood the gleam in his old friend's eyes and he nodded and smiled in acknowledgment

"It is agreeable to see you again, Captain Kirk."

Kirk shook his head, "I can't believe it Spock. Is that a touch of gray I see?"

Spock's right eyebrow arched in a most familiar manner before he answered, "I'm told it gives me an air of sophistication, Captain. It's been over seventy-five years since you and I last saw each other. It is logical that my features have aged. Although Vulcans do live longer than humans, we do age in relation to the passage of time."

"Spock, you look great to me." Kirk grinned at first and then grew more serious, "Spock, can you do it?"

Spock clasped his hands behind him. "It would be logical to at least attempt to save both you and Captain Picard."

The Vulcan turned to Data. "Mr. Data, I have some theories I wish to investigate. I would like access to the holodeck program."

Before Spock left he once more turned to Kirk. "Before we proceed, I believe it would be reasonable to ascertain if this is indeed Captain Kirk."

"What do you have in mind Ambassador?" Geordi asked, turning to glance at Beverly and Data for their acknowledgment.

Spock looked deep into Kirk's eyes, "A mind meld."

Kirk understood the necessity of having Spock absolutely sure of who he was, "Go ahead Spock."

Spock spread the fingers of both hands and moved closer to Kirk. He placed his hands on both sides of Kirk's temples and upper jaw, tenderly adjusting for maximum depth of reading. His eyes closed and seconds ticked by as Spock's face, once impassive, took on a mask of sadness.

In a voice not quite his own, Spock quietly moaned, "Please... don't... end... my... life..." Disjointed images revealed themselves to Spock's consciousness, "Enterprise... Captain... Bones... my ship... David... death..." Spock felt he was falling

deeper and deeper, "Scotty... Uhura... Space... Death..." Spock abruptly broke the connection. Pulling his consciousness higher and higher, until it felt he was finally surfacing from a deep, dark well.

He carefully lifted his fingers from Kirk's skin. Both men opened their eyes and studied each other. Kirk had felt the probe, felt the intrusion and then felt the gentleness of Spock's scrutiny. Before Spock left Kirk's mind, he planted the notion of trust and belief.

"He is who he claims to be," Spock gently acknowledged, still recovering from the deep probe. He turned to Data, "It is urgent we begin now, Commander."

"Yes of course Ambassador. This way." Spock and Kirk followed Data with Geordi and Beverly in tow.

As they walked, Kirk had something else to discuss with Spock. "I was able to contact Bones and Scotty. I'm worried about Bones."

"Dr. McCoy is old Jim – even by conventional standards. He is doing quite well on Earth. I have seen him recently. I'm afraid the Doctor is becoming somewhat disoriented but Mr. Scott and I have seen to all the doctors' needs."

"Thanks Spock."

Spock studied Jim, "Did Dr. McCoy know who you were captain?"

"It took some explaining but I think he understood."

"Then you have given him something Mr. Scott and I have not been able to."

"And what's that?" Kirk asked smiling.

"You!" came the abrupt reply.

When they arrived at the holodeck, Spock set about working on the programming panel, Data and Geordi helping whenever they could. Jim stood close to Beverly watching his old friend.

Spock leaned back on his heels and muttered, "This is all we can do from here. We must move to engineering."

The entourage moved to engineering where the three computer experts put their combined knowledge to task. After two hours Spock announced, "I believe there may be a chance to have both Picard and the Captain exist outside the holodeck!"

* * * *

While Kirk and his saviors were occupied in engineering, Worf announced an incoming communiqué from Admiral Jefferies, Starfleet Command to Will as he sat in the Command chair.

Riker glanced at Deanna before responding. "I'll take that in the Captain's ready room," he replied as he rose from the chair. He strode purposefully from the bridge into the ready room. He mentally rehearsed answers he knew would be asked momentarily.

As he entered the room he automatically glanced at the couch which was where Jean-Luc would often sit and read. Will moved quickly behind the desk and lowered himself into the Captain's chair. He turned the screen in order to afford the best view. Just before he touched the transmit pad, he tugged at his uniform and squared his shoulders and took a deep breath.

As the screen changed from blank to the Starfleet insignia and then to the Admiral, he began, "Good day, Admiral Jefferies."

"Good to see you Riker."

The Starfleet Admiral leaned close to the screen with a definite scowl on his face. "Tell me Riker, what the hell is going on there?"

Here it was, "now" he told himself "keep cool and calm him down." Will looked puzzling at the image on the screen. "I was under the impression that Starfleet had been apprised of the situation here, Admiral." Will figured he would try to find out just how much Starfleet knew about the activities on the ship.

"I know about the malfunction on the holodeck, yes, Riker but I have just been informed by outpost 125, they have taken possession of the Ferengi vessel, 'Daagh' except that there are no Ferengis onboard. In addition, through our underground intelligence, I have also learned that Ambassador Spock is aboard the Enterprise."

The Admiral stopped talking and studied Riker's face. "Like I said, what the hell is going on there."

Will could see that the Admiral was a little upset. At least Will assumed so because of the veins strained and bulging out on either side of the Admiral's temples. He wasn't sure how to respond and while he hesitated, the Admiral continued to fire questions at him, "And exactly where is Captain Kirk?"

"He's umm, taking a rest I believe." Riker didn't really want to disturb Kirk and Beverly, but he had to ask, "Do you wish to speak to him sir?"

"No, no that's not necessary."

Will continued, "Ambassador Spock is presently in engineering working on a plan to correct the holodeck accident."

Jefferies jaw was tight and his eyes flashed, "Exactly how would Ambassador Spock find out about this so-called accident, Commander?"

"Ambassador Spock and Captain Kirk were, I mean, are old friends. I guess news just travels fast, sir," he added murmuring.

"What did you say?" Jefferies fairly screamed the question.

"I mean, umm, well I understand Captain Kirk, spoke to some of his old crew members and I guess someone must have gotten in touch with Ambassador Spock sir."

"So someone could get news through highly confidential and classified agents to Spock, but you're not sure how. Is that right Commander Riker?"

"Yes sir." Will responded cautiously, not knowing how much he should or shouldn't say.

"Mmm, and just where is the Ferengi crew, Commander?"

"I believe they are on Naylest 19 sir. It was all in the report I made to the Commander of Outpost 125."

The Admiral ignored that part of Will's explanation. "You abandoned them, Riker?"

"Uh, well sir, they all transported down to the surface and failed to leave personnel on the ship and at that point we dragged their ship away. They were left, so to speak, holding the evidence."

The two men looked at each other and as the Admiral contemplated the twinkle in Riker's eyes, he gained a subtle understanding of the situation.

"I see Commander, and did you do anything to help in their situation?"

Will smiled and leaned back in the captain's chair, aware that he had gotten over the most difficult part of the Admiral's questions. "We sent them down some generators, replicators and a few other odds and ends."

"And do you realize that Starfleet will now have to contact the Ferengi home world, and get in touch with the Grand Nagus to explain this."

"Yes sir. I understand that. I believe that the Grand Nagus is most anxious to catch these men as we were sir. I'm sure he will be most grateful."

Riker didn't envy Jefferies and his job with the Ferengi. If the Grand Nagus was anything like that little troll on DS 9, he knew Jefferies would have his hands full.

Jefferies closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. Looking once more into Will's face, he asked, "Anything else I should know, Commander?"

"No sir." Will responded.

"Jefferies out." Abruptly the screen went dark. Will leaned even further back in the chair, lifted his chin while he closed his eyes and breathed, a sigh of relief.

* * * *

Spock sat back in his chair. He turned and surveyed the scene in engineering. He could sense the strain and tension in the crew. Spock had the distinct impression Kirk had endeared himself to many of the crew of this Enterprise.

"Mr. Data I believe it is time to begin, please locate Captain Kirk and instruct him to meet us in the Holodeck."

"Computer," Data began, "present location of Admiral Kirk?"

"Captain Kirk is presently in Ten Forward."

"Is he alone?"

"Doctor Crusher is seated at the same table as Captain Kirk."

Spock and Data exchanged knowing glances. "Maybe we should join them on our way to the holodeck Commander," Spock suggested. He wanted to give his old friend as much time as possible.

"Yes, I believe you are right, Ambassador."

Spock and Data walked the corridor in silence until they entered the turbolift and then Data asked, "Ambassador do you think it will work?"

"Based on logical assumptions, I believe there is a 92.7% chance of success in duplicating the accident and in bringing back Captain Picard." Spock answered only a fraction above a whisper. "Much depends on the strength of will of Picard and Jim, as well as the precise programming of the holodeck program. It is difficult to believe this situation has even occurred at all. Scientific laws of the universe have been shattered by this accident. Recreating it will be most difficult. To be able to have Jim and Picard exist from a single spatial matrix may be impossible."

Spock entered through the wooden doors and was amazed to find so many crewmembers in the room at this late hour. News of the attempted re-creation had prompted many of the Enterprise's crew to seek out Kirk, shake his hand, or merely tell him of their pleasure in finally meeting this legend.

The couple talked in quiet whispers and Kirk was the first to notice the arrival of Data and Spock. He stood up as the pair approached the table.

Spock still felt the same amazement at seeing Kirk as when he first saw him in the shuttlebay. As impossible as it seemed, Jim was here before him. He felt the connection to the man he hadn't seen for eighty years. They had been through so much together, and they were about to pass though one last test. Would he be able to save his lifelong friend?

"Spock, what do you think?"

"I believe we may be able to bring back Captain Picard, without losing you, Captain."

"When Spock."

"Now Jim."

In a wordless gesture, telling her how much he needed her support, Kirk stretched his hand to Beverly and she held it lightly as she rose. They left the room together with their fingers brushing lightly as they walked.

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