Jim, Spock, Bones, Solan, Ajah, and Tony Stark all gathered in the transporter room to go down to Kronos. Tony swallowed hard as he stepped onto the pad. He was not used to going to other planets. "Hold on," he said and stepped off the pad. "What is this thing?"

"It's a transporter," Jim replied. He realized Tony was not conscious the first time he rode the transporter. "We'll disappear here and then we'll be on the planet."

"You do this all the time?"

"Yeah."

Tony stood there a moment unsure of whether he wanted to ride something like that or not, but he was always game for new technology so he got back onto the pad along with his suit. "So, what's gonna happen?"

"Just hang on," Jim said. "Scotty, energize."

Tony felt that wave of anxiety as light swirled around him, but he stayed still. And then suddenly, he was standing on a planet, which was not the most alarming thing as he stood facing beings he had never seen before. He did not want to have one of his anxiety attacks here in front of all these people but he was afraid it was going to happen.

"Tony," Jim Kirk said. "These are my friends, Korax and Grakar." Jim had seen anxiety before, and he knew Tony must be embarrassed about the whole thing.

Bones had seen it plenty of times, even in Jim. "You alright?" he asked as he walked over to Tony. "The first time on a transporter can be unnerving…literally."

"I'll be fine," Tony said as he realized everyone was looking at him. "So, where are we working?"

"We will show you to the lab," Korax said. He began walking beside Jim. "It is good to see you, my friend. How is your family?"

"They're fine," Jim said. "They're aboard the Enterprise."

"Will they come down to visit? We have much cleaner air now."

"I see that." Jim could definitely see that the sky was not as green as it had been in the past. "I'm not sure there's time for them to come down. We have a big problem."

"Spock has informed us of it."

"Mister Stark here is going to help us improve our electro-suits. We're sharing technology with him, and he's sharing technology with us."

"It sounds like a fair deal."

They soon arrived at the lab where Tony would be working. To his delight, there was hologram technology in the lab that he could use. He was soon busy. Jim watched him a moment, but then went out with Korax.

"You are deeply concerned," Korax said as Grakar joined them.

"I am," Jim replied. "We have a new enemy. He's taken over Caleb Four. It's gonna be hard to get back on the station."

"How do you intend to do this?"

"I haven't exactly figured that out yet. If we can get onto the station, we can take it back using the suits because even if he does compromise the life support systems, we won't be affected."

"Then we would need a suit as well."

"If you go with us. Our friend in there intends to create a diversion while we get onto the station. There are only two of them unless they recruited more help."

"It is possible. Many questionable characters frequent space stations."

"I know. You think any Klingons would help them?"

"I do not know, but if they thought they could prevail, some would. Although the rogue Klingons are scattered, there are still some."

"We just have to be expecting anything," Jim said.

"Your family is aboard the Enterprise?" Grakar asked.

Jim nodded. "I didn't know we would be getting into something like this."

"You can leave them on Kronos. They will be protected."

Jim thought he might just do that. He had no intention of taking them into some battle. He would have to discuss that with Carol, but he was not even certain that they would be taking the Enterprise back to Caleb IV. He thought maybe they should use Solan's ship, which was more of a cargo ship.

Solan walked up as Jim stood thinking. "You think his adjustments will be reliable?" Solan asked.

"Well, you saw his suit, right?" Jim asked.

"Yeah." Solan looked into the lab. "He seems to know what he's doing, and he also seems arrogant."

"Maybe he is, but we need help with this. We have to get that station back."

"Have you even talked to him about those two guys who hi-jacked it?"

"Some. I intend to talk to him more before we go on this mission."

"You got any plans yet?"

"I think we're gonna take your ship. Maybe it won't be so noticeable coming up to the station."

"You could be right. What are we gonna do though?"

"You remember the monstrosity, don't you?"

Solan's mouth dropped open slightly. "We're gonna do it that way?" he asked.

"I think so. Since Mister Stark enhanced the shields on the Enterprise, I think it can be part of the distraction."

"Are you sure it should be?"

"I haven't really decided that yet."

"The Klingons will create a distraction for you," Korax declared. "We will fight."

"See? This is falling into place already," Jim said.

"So what am I gonna do?" Solan asked.

"You're going with me, along with our saboteurs and whoever."

"Oh, right. Do you have the team together yet?"

"No, but that'll be the easy part."

Later that day, Jim returned to the lab and found Tony sitting in the floor outside the door. "You alright?" Jim asked as he squatted beside him.

"Yeah," Tony answered. "Just waiting for calculations."

"You know, you can take a break," Jim said. "Come to the Enterprise, get some rest." He held out a communicator to Tony. "I wanted you to have one of our communicators in case something happens and you need it."

Tony looked at it. "Just lay it down there. I don't like for people to hand me things."

Jim scowled at that, but he put the communicator down on the floor and sat down. "So, what else can you tell me about our adversaries? What are they planning? Why would they want the space station?"

"Hammer is not the type of genius that Vanko is. Vanko copied my arc reactor technology. If you go into the space station, you'll have to deal with him. I mean, if he's gotten into the system, he could make it do whatever he wants if it's capable or if he can make it capable." Tony paused a moment. "What does he want? He just wants recognition."

"What do you want?" Jim asked.

Tony frowned. "I just want to be remembered for doing something good."

"You know, if you're having some kind of problem, our doctor is very efficient."

"What makes you think I'm having a problem?"

"Because I haven't seen you rest one time since all this started."

"You're very observant."

"I'm an admiral. It's my job to be observant."

"So, I have insomnia. Big deal."

"Everyone needs rest."

"I rest when I can."

"How's the suit coming along?"

"Very well. The specifics should be ready by tomorrow, and then we can start putting it into action. Jarvis is doing the calculations."

"You invented Jarvis?" Jim asked.

"Yes. He's based on my parents' butler who took care of me after they were gone."

"My father died on a ship being destroyed by a Romulan from the future. He died trying to save his crew, including myself and my mom."

"I didn't really know my father although I was grown when he died. What do you think your father would have been like?"

"I'm not sure. My mom has told me a lot about him. That's all I know. You got any kids?"

"Not yet. Hoping eventually. Do you? I met your wife."

"Yes. We have two."

"Two. What's that like?"

"Challenging sometimes, and fun most of the time."

They were silent a moment. "I guess when we eliminate this threat, I'll have to figure out how to get back to my own time," Tony said. "I haven't actually researched that."

"We'll help you all we can," Jim replied.

"I'm just wondering what I'm gonna do if I never get back."

"You can stay with us as long as you like. We never leave anyone out in the cold."

"Thanks."

A Klingon walked by as he was walking down the corridor. "I've never seen anyone quite like the Klingons," Tony said.

"You never will either," Jim replied.

"I understand you've had run-ins with some violent species."

"We have, but we've learned to get along with the Klingons and they've learned to get along with us. They're really not all that bad when you get to know them."

"So, do you have a plan yet?" Tony asked.

"I'm working on that. We intend to get inside the space station. That's still the plan. It won't be the first time we got inside something to take it over."

"Then you guys are just the right crew to have around in an emergency."

"I don't know but we've been through a lot."

Tony looked at Jim Kirk. "And you led them through all of this?" he asked.

"Some of the time," Jim said. "Several times, the enemy was after me. They thought if they could get the captain of the ship, they would have the crew under their thumbs."

"Not the case, huh?"

"Not quite. We got in some very tight situations."

"I'd like to hear about some of them. You deal with problems on a galactic scale, and I deal with them on a worldly scale."

"Alone?"

"No, but I like to do things alone most of the time. I take care of my corner of the world."

"Great."

Tony stood up. "So, what do we eat on this planet?" he asked.

Jim smiled as he stood up. "Well, that's a very interesting adventure in itself," he said.

They walked down to the Klingon dining room where Azetbur sat at the table. "Admiral Kirk," she said.

"Azetbur," Jim replied. "I'd like you to meet Tony Stark. We'd like something to eat."

"Of course. Sit down and I will bring you something."

Tony looked around the dining room which was like nothing he had ever seen. "Is everything dark like this?" he asked.

"Most things," Jim said.

They sat down at the table. "What do you think they'll feed us?" Tony asked.

"They've been importing human food, so I'm sure they'll have something good."

"The atmosphere of this planet is very interesting. That greenish tent to the atmosphere I'd say is caused by chlorine, maybe some methane and that's why the sinuses burn slightly."

Jim scowled at that observation. "That's very…observant."

Azetbur came back into the dining room with a plate for both of them. "I hope you will find the food pleasing," she said.

"I'm sure we will," Jim replied. "Thank you."

Tony took a bite of the food. "That's very tasty," he said.

Jim agreed. As he ate, he thought about what they should do to regain control of the space station. "I'm sure we can get the station back," he said. "I mean, there are only two people there."

"Yeah, but you have to remember that one of them is a technological genius who can hack into the entire system from one standpoint."

"But he's not expecting us to get on there and have suits where he can't kill us by turning off the life support systems. What do you think his plans are? I mean, he must know that he's not gonna keep that station unchallenged."

Tony considered that. "I'm sure they're planning something because he knows I'm not gonna leave him alone," he said. "He knows I'm gonna come back over there and blow him to kingdom come. You know that's what we have to do, right? There is no negotiating with this psychopath."

"We'll just see about that," Jim said. "You're not in charge of this mission."

"Just creating a diversion, I know."

When they were done eating, Tony went back to the lab, and Jim went back to the Enterprise. Spock was waiting for him when he arrived. "Admiral, have you devised a plan?" he asked.

"Not completely yet," Jim said. "But I think we have to watch our newfound friend."

"Explain."

"Not that he's dangerous or anything, but I'm not sure he's gonna stay within our plan. He wants to blow our adversary to kingdom come."

"Admiral, I believe he knows more about this adversary than we do. Perhaps it would be wise to listen to his suggestions. It would not be the first time we had blown an adversary to kingdom come."

Jim rolled his eyes at that. "Spock, are you trying to be funny at a time like this?"

"I assure you, I am not."

"We have to do something about this, but we have to figure out how to get into the station first."

"I have studied the station, and there is a hatch at the bottom of the station which may be opened to gain entry. I believe we would be able to use this hatch to get into the station."

"A hatch, huh? I guess we need to find out whether it has an alarm on it or whether you have to have a code to open it."

"I believe so, Admiral. However, since we have the overseeing admiral onboard our ship, we should be able to get any code that we wish."

"Good thinking, Spock."

"Thank you, Jim."

They arrived at the conference room. "So, I think we're gonna do a jump from Solan's ship," Jim said. "I think he can still remotely control his ship. He can send it back to the Enterprise, and I think the Enterprise may help Ironman. They can come in after he has Hammer's attention."

"A sneak attack?" Spock asked. "What about the individual who is controlling the station through the computer system?"

"He's our real problem. We have to find him, and once we take him out, the other guy, according to Mister Stark, won't be able to control the station himself."

"Suppose they have acquired more help on the station?"

"We have to be prepared for that contingency too. I don't know how long they were there before we arrived, but it couldn't have been very long. But, we also know that it wouldn't be hard for them to recruit people on the station who are criminals anyway."

"I agree."

"We'll be well-armed and ready for anything."

"As usual, Jim."

Jim went to his quarters to spend some time with Carol and their children. "So, how is everything going?" Carol asked.

"Very well," Jim replied. "We're developing a plan. There's a hatch underneath the space station, and that's gonna be our way in. Once we're inside, we'll have to find the guy controlling the station."

"He could be anywhere."

"Well, Ironman is going to create a diversion, helped by the Klingons, and later by the Enterprise so that maybe he won't know we're coming in until it's too late."

"Sounds like a plan. Do you think he'll have others there?"

"It's possible." Jim paused a moment. "I want you and the kids to stay on Kronos during all this."

"I had a feeling you would say that."

"It's because that station has powerful weapons. I don't want the kids in the middle of a battle."

"Nor do I."

Carol put her arms around his neck. "I know you are going, but I wish you were staying too," she said.

"I can't do that," Jim replied. "I have to help with this. I'll be as careful as I can, and the suits we'll be wearing will be better than we've ever had."

"I'm glad of that."

"This situation was unexpected but we have to do something. I'm thinking they won't be expecting us. We're gonna study the station and work it like we did during the monstrosity mission."

"Oh yes, the ship. That was quite different."

"Not much."

Carol lay her head on his shoulder. "Jim Kirk, you best come back to me," she said. "I don't want to live without you."

"I intend to come back," Jim said as he tightened his arms around her. "I think you'll be well protected down there on Kronos."

"I'm sure we will be, but I'll still be worried about you."

"We won't be going before tomorrow," Jim said. "Mister Stark thinks he'll have it done by then, and could be the next day. Either way, we have to have what we need to take the station back."

"So, you can take us down to Kronos," Carol replied.

"Maybe we can get in one of those hot springs together."

Carol laughed. "Oh, that sounds wonderful."

"It felt good that one time I sat in one. It would probably be even better when I'm not sick or something, and even better with you there."

"What about the children?"

"I'll find a babysitter."

"Sounds good."

Tony stood in the lab on Kronos looking at the readouts for the suits he was creating. He thought he was starting to just enjoy the thought of creating some sort of suit now. He intended to incorporate some of the technology into his own suit, especially that "black hole" technology. He had often looked for stealth technology that would be compatible with his suit, and now here it was in front of him. He was sure the admiral would not mind…and even if he did, he could not forget that he, Tony Stark, was giving him something as well.