The next day, Tony began constructing the suits with help from Artemus Gordon, Carol, Spock, and of course, Jarvis. He found that none of them, despite being in the 23rd century, were used to talking to an AI like Jarvis. Tony was not sure what to make of Ajah, but he took notes about everything and seemed to be rather a servant for Admiral Kirk.

By that evening, they had a test suit ready. Jim arrived at the lab because he intended to have the first test run. "So, how do I get into this thing?" he asked.

"You don't actually get into the new technology," Tony replied. "You get into your suit, and then the rest is pretty easy."

Jim scowled at that. "It's not alive, is it?"

"No. It will have your own control system. I didn't install flight systems because we really don't have time for that, but you do have the hand controls. They can be used as weapons."

"Well, it's time for a test," Jim said. "So what do I do?"

Tony directed Jim over to another area of the lab. "The technology is incorporated into your original suit," Tony said. "So you get into it first."

Jim went into the next room and put on the electro-suit. Then he went back into the lab. The suit was still solid black with the gold stripes that ran from his shoulders to his waist, but there was one difference, and that was the glowing circle on the chest and one in each hand.

"Now, just hit that," Tony said referring to the glowing chest circle.

Jim hit it and the suit began changing as though it had scales, and it was almost exactly like the Ironman suit, although still black and gold. The helmet came up and closed over his head as well, but that was not new. Bones and the others were watching. "That's unbelievable," Bones said.

Jim stood looking at the suit. "This is awesome," he said. "So, it has all our technology and yours."

"Yes," Tony said. "You should be able to get through the station in that. And don't forget the hands can be weapons."

"How do you operate this?"

"That, my friend, is what we're all gonna learn tonight."

When the others had their suits on, they went to the holodeck with Tony, including Jim, Spock, Solan, Artie, Scotty, Bones, and Ajah. "I feel so bad in this thing," Solan said as he looked at the palms.

"Lesson one," Tony said. "Don't point that at anyone but an enemy."

Jim stood beside him. "We're gonna do a jump from Solan's ship to the station," he said. "Bring up the schematic."

Tony punched in the program and they were looking at Caleb IV. Jim pointed to the hatch on the bottom of the station. "That's our way in," he said. "You guys know how we took the monstrosity. That's what we're gonna do here."

"I sure hope this won't involve Nausicaans," Bones declared. "I could go the rest of my life without seeing them."

"I wouldn't think we would meet up with anyone like them. But we can expect more than just the two time travelers."

Tony showed them how to use their new technology, which was quite powerful. Jim smiled a satisfied smile as he thought that weapons was better than a phaser, but they would have to be careful because they could destroy something vital in the space station. They would not have to worry about communicators because that was built in.

"I think we're ready," Jim declared as they were ending that session of training.

"I will have to deactivate mine while we're on the station if I intend to use my own powers," Ajah said. "I will only need the suit in space. I'm sure Helek would like to be in this."

"I'm sure he would," Jim replied. "I guess you'll have to write about it."

"I'm sure I will."

Jim left the holodeck. They all intended to get some rest. He thought the anticipation of the mission would keep him awake but he would try. It had been quite a while since he had gone on a mission like this, but he supposed it was something that one got used to and even missed when things were quiet.

The next morning, Jim was up early as usual. He had breakfast with his team on Kronos, including Tony and the Klingons who would be going along. He had asked Korax to stay on Kronos and take care of Carol and the children. "If I don't make it back from this, see to it that they get back to Earth," he said.

Korax saluted with a fist across his chest. "I will protect them as though they are my own," he said.

"Thanks."

Jim stood with Spock and the others. "Admiral, do you believe we should take extra weapons?" Spock asked.

"I do," Jim replied. "We want to be careful inside the station."

Admiral Shapel walked up to them. "Admiral Kirk, good luck," he said and offered his hand.

"Thank you, Sir. I'm hoping this won't take long, and maybe it won't be as difficult as we think."

"In my experience, one would never take over something like a space station without a plan to keep it."

"You're right about that."

Jim and his team walked onto Solan's ship. "Let's test our communication equipment," Jim said as he activated his helmet. "Can everyone hear me?" He heard affirmative replies from everyone. "Alright, let's get going."

Tony got out of his own suit and sat down in the galley. "Are we all exiting at the same time?" he asked.

"No," Jim said. "You can exit earlier so that you get their attention before we ever get to our drop point. But once we get inside, you should come in as well."

"That's the only way to stop them is from the inside. I suppose I'll wait until you're inside and then I'll find the hatch."

"I'll give you the code. Once we're inside, we'll take care of anyone else who has joined his team."

"You think he could have recruited enough to cause us problems?"

"I don't know, but we'll be ready in case he did."

Jim sat down in the galley as the ship went to warp. "It'll only take us about a day to get back over there," he said.

Tony looked around him at the ship they were now occupying. "You traded the Enterprise for this?" he asked.

"No, I didn't trade it," Jim said. "We use this ship when we need to be in something less noticeable than the Enterprise."

"Why doesn't he pretend he wants to land on the space station instead of sneaking in the other way?"

"That would only work if others are coming to the station. There's been a message sent out warning them not to come there."

Tony thought about that. "Then he could send a message inviting any lowlife criminals to help him keep the station."

Jim scowled at that. "How could he pay them?" he asked.

"Does everyone in this…galaxy expect pay?"

"Probably."

"Except you."

"Well, I work for Starfleet so I am paid."

Tony stood up and paced a moment. "We have a good plan," he said. "I just don't see how it can work."

"It can work because we know how to sabotage the station," Jim replied.

Tony stopped pacing and looked at Jim. "Sabotage?"

"Mister Scott and Mister Gordon are saboteurs…and Solan is when he wants to be."

"What kind of sabotage are they planning?"

"Well, let's just say that our enemies won't be able to have so much control over it."

"And what if they don't succeed?"

"We'll get to that if it happens."

"Yeah," Bones interrupted. "We just jump in the middle and work our way out. That's how we do things."

"Doctor, we do not always know what to expect," Spock said. "Therefore, we improvise when needed."

"Yeah, after we jump in the middle."

"Is there any other way?" Solan asked as he came into the galley.

"There could be," Scotty declared. "But I wouldn't go against the admiral's plan."

"Thank you, Mister Scott," Jim said, wondering if Scotty actually meant that.

Ajah sat in another seat in the galley. "I can't use my electrical powers while wearing this suit," he said. "It would short circuit everything. How can I remove only the gloves?"

"That's easy," Tony said. "I'll show you that before we get there. What electrical powers are you talking about?"

Ajah stood up and brought his "electrifying personality" into full focus. Tony backed up a step. "Okay," he said. "So, I guess you don't need the suit. You're human, right?"

"Yes," Ajah replied as he was back to normal.

"How did you get like this? Or were you born like this?"

"No. I got like this through experiments."

"What sort of experiments? Don't tell me you did it to yourself like someone else I know."

"No. I come from Nervala Four where the scientists and government were experimenting on their own people. Admiral Kirk and his crew rescued me from there while they were on their five-year mission. My friend also, although he is more like a brother."

"So there are two of you."

"Yes."

"You couldn't reverse the experiment?"

"No, but it comes in quite handy at times."

"You wouldn't want to be normal again?"

Ajah considered that. "I am not certain," he said. "I think that it has become part of me now…much like your chest piece has become part of you."

Tony supposed that was right. He could have gotten the shrapnel removed…so why did he not? He supposed it was because it was driving him to do what he wanted to do in helping people. "I suppose it has," he said.

"If you could get rid of it, would you?"

"I don't know yet. I suppose I could have gotten rid of it already but I didn't want to."

"Why?" Ajah asked.

Tony sat down. "I'm not really sure," he said. "I guess it drives me."

"I protect my admiral as much as possible when we are on a mission. I am more than just a personal assistant."

Tony thought about Pepper Potts. She had been his assistant for so long he could not imagine his life without her. "So you do errands and all that?"

"Yes. I work in the office, rewrite his logs."

"Let's not go there," Jim said. "I never claimed to be a writer."

"I'm a bodyguard too," Solan said. "I just like doing it."

Tony thought if he was stuck here, he would like being around these people, but he wanted to go back to his own time. "How many bodyguards do you have?" he asked.

"I have several when I need them," Jim replied and folded his arms. "They're overprotective sometimes."

"I've had one like that before. What do you guys usually do when you're on a trip like this?"

"We worry and wonder if we're gonna make it back," Bones declared.

"And Bones there tells us everything that could possibly go wrong," Jim said.

"You need somebody to."

"If you didn't, Solan would."

"Hey, I'd just as soon not dwell on doom and gloom," Solan said.

They were all silent as they thought about what they were about to do. Jim remembered well what all happened when they were trying to take the Monstrosity. It had not been an easy mission and there were a few times when he thought they would not make it. However, there were only supposed to be two people controlling this station, but they were not certain of that, and one of those two people was an electronics genius. Jim knew well what Artie and Scotty were capable of doing, and he also remembered what all Mac could do. He figured this would be something like that.

"We've tangled with electronic geniuses as well," Jim said. "He even broke into the Starfleet Headquarters computers. That took some work. We still haven't figured out how he did that."

"If I can get to the right place, I can take control from that guy," Artie said.

"Wherever the right place is. Spock, have you figured out where he would have to be to control the whole space station?"

"Negative," Spock said. "However, I am certain that he would not be at the central controls."

"So, he had to hack in somewhere?"

"I believe so. But I do believe he may have changed his position to the central controls by now if he wishes to control the entire station and maintain it."

"Where would Artie have to be to hack in?"

"That is hard to say, Admiral," Spock said.

"I could probably get Jarvis to break in," Tony suggested.

"I do not believe that would be possible. It will most likely have to be done from the inside. That is how our adversaries gained control…from the inside. Signals from the outside cannot penetrate the shields easily."

"Right."

The next morning, Tony was looking out the viewport. He really did not like being in space. It reminded him of…well, he did not want to think about it. He thought maybe he should tell Admiral Kirk about his anxiety attacks. Just thinking about it made him feel short of breath. He rubbed his face. "No, you can't let this happen again," he said to himself, but it was happening. He got out of the cockpit and sat in the corner behind it so he could not see out into space. He did not like feeling afraid, but he had been through an incredible amount of fear and anxiety in the last few years. He supposed it was catching up with him. He trembled as he struggled for breath.

Just then, Solan walked in on his way to the cockpit. Tony stood up trying to act like nothing was wrong. "Hey, good morning," Solan said.

Tony swallowed hard. Solan went on to the cockpit to adjust the course, but he looked back at Tony. "You alright?" he asked.

Tony thought about lying, but he supposed he should just admit it. "No," he said.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I've been having these anxiety attacks."

"Why don't you talk to the doctor?"

"I don't know him."

"So? He's a good doctor."

Solan could see Tony was truly having a problem. "So, what triggers this?" he asked.

"The thought of being in space," Tony said.
"You been in space before?"

Tony sat in the co-pilot's seat. He could not tell that story. Solan sat down in the pilot's seat. "Sometimes it helps to tell about something," he said.

"I can't," Tony replied.

"You could if you tried."

Tony shook his head and then got up again and got out of the cockpit. Solan followed him. "Talk to Doctor McCoy," he said as he caught up with him.

"This is embarrassing," Tony said.

"You better do something because in just a few hours, we're gonna be space jumping."

Tony stepped into his suit and it closed around him, but he could not stand up in it in his present condition. Solan just stared at him a moment. He would have to tell Admiral Kirk. They could not go into this situation with someone like this. "If you don't tell Admiral Kirk or the doctor, I will," he declared. "We have to be able to depend on you."

Tony looked up at Solan through the glowing eyes of the suit. "You can depend on me," he said, his voice sounding synthesized.

"Not if you're gonna freeze up when we start our plan."

"I won't."

Solan squatted in front of him. "So, you only feel safe inside your suit," he said. He could not believe the suit actually looked a little sad although it had no expressions.

"I won't let you down."

"You still have to tell Admiral Kirk so if something happens, he'll know how to improvise."

"You know about it. Why isn't that enough?"

"Because he's in charge of this mission."

"Fine. I'll talk to the doctor if I can talk to him without everyone else."

"Sure. I'll go get him."

Solan went back to the sleeping area which was just bunks on the walls. McCoy was still asleep. Solan shook him, startling him out of his sleep. "I need you to come up here," Solan whispered.

"Okay," McCoy said and got up. He followed Solan to the front of the ship yawning as he went. "So, what's going on?"

Solan pointed to "Ironman" who was still sitting in the floor. "He needs your help," Solan said.

Doctor McCoy was immediately alert and squatted. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Tony had his facemask off, and he looked at the doctor. "I'm having anxiety attacks," he admitted. "I don't know what to do about it."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because…because I didn't want to."

"Right. Male ego. You have to fall over dead before you think you need a doctor. Then it's just too late, right?"

"He has terrible bedside manner," Solan said as he left the room.

Bones sat down beside Tony. "So, tell me about this and when it started," he said.

Tony considered that. "I can't," he said.

"Why not?"

"I panic every time someone even mentions it. You think I can talk about it?"

"You still feeling nervous now?"

"Not as much. Thinking about being in space is what triggered it this time."

"So, something happened in space?"

Tony leaned on his hand, covering his face. "Come on and tell me," Bones said.

Tony told him about the aliens that they had fought in New York, and then he stopped. "I was the only one who could do it," he said.

"Do what?"

"I got rid of the missile and stopped them at the same time."

"I'm assuming this was in your time, so I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yeah, it was in my time, after I met up with Justin Hammer. I…I wish you could have just seen it." He thought of something. "Jarvis, do you have footage of that incident?"

"Yes, Sir," Jarvis answered.

"Can you show it to them?"

"Of course."

Solan was curious now so he came back into the room as Jarvis projected the footage for them to see. Tony did not watch, but Solan and Bones were shocked at the events. "But you survived," Bones said.

"Well, that's obvious," Tony replied.

"I mean, what makes it so upsetting to you?"

"Seeing that cannot let you know what it was like for me."

"That's why I'm asking you. I know I would never have wanted to do that. You survived until we found you."

"But my suit is different now. At that time, it couldn't survive in space."

"So, you almost died, then?"

"You ever felt your breath just cut off and there was no way to get it back?"

Bones thought of the time he had been captured by the telepath who was dunking him under water every five minutes. "Yes, I have," he said.

Tony looked at him. "Did you have nightmares?"

"Yeah."

"Did you feel like you were drowning?"

"Yeah. I woke up with my friends standing around me. I had thought I was still being held prisoner."

"But you don't feel afraid now?"

"Not as much. I went to counselling."

Tony frowned. "Most of the time, I don't feel afraid when I'm in the suit," he said.

"But you're dreading going out in space again?" Bones asked.

"I am, but I'll do it anyway. This is my mess to clean up."

"It's not your fault."

"Thanks for the talk. I feel better now."

"We'll be there soon," Solan said as he came back. "This is how we usually go into situations. We have no idea what we're gonna do till we get there."

"You have to see the situation before you can know what to do," Tony replied.

Bones shook his head. "We're always the ones."