Author's Note:

Hello everybody. I know I said I'd try and update quicker but again I took ages and again I really have no decent excuse. Thank you for your support and reviews and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I don't own Star Trek.

The Admiral Comes

It had been a long few days on the Enterprise as they waited for Admiral Archer to arrive.

They had found no trace of their missing friends and Lientov had not been in contact since they told him Archer was coming. They had continued to scan but Spock was certain that they were now without a doubt beyond the solar system containing Zeta IV, with no leads on where they could be and no way to narrow down their possible location at this moment there was no choice but to wait where they were for the Admiral and a communication from Lientov.

Despite this they had been far from idle; Nyota and several other communication officers had been studying the copies of Lientov's comm. signals and were now confident that they could get his rough location when he contacted him again, Hikaru had been in constant meetings with other crewmembers trained in navigation and helming locating possible planets and planetoids where Lientov could be as well as looking for any anomalies that could suggest a previously unknown spacecraft or station, several of Scotty and Spock's science officers and engineers had been studying the little information they had on the device that transported the captured three in the hope that they could work out where it sent them or where it was made. Though he was keeping a close eye on the progress of the crew, Spock would often vanish for long periods of time and what he was doing was unknown to the rest of them. Eventually McCoy made the decision to find out what he was up to and went to find him during one of these periods.

Spock was studying something on a PADD when McCoy entered one of the briefing rooms; it wasn't long before the doctor spoke, "What are you looking at on that thing?"

Spock placed the PADD on the table before answering, "Every piece of information Starfleet has on Lientov Chekov, it has proven most interesting. It seems that Lientov started his criminal career very early on and showed signs of criminality even as a child." McCoy picked up the PADD and began reading as Spock continued, "Much of the information was only discovered due to Admiral Archer's investigations, Lientov has been connected to many thefts, heists, murders and embezzlements as well as Tarsus IV, a mining disaster on Delta Beta and even various other crimes thought to have been committed by the Orion Syndicate."

"He's been connected to all of that?"

"Indeed Doctor and this is only the information we have from when before he disappeared, it is highly likely that he has been responsible for a lot more in the time he was considered dead."

McCoy shook his head disbelievingly, "It sounds like he is behind most of the crime in the Federation."

"As improbable as it would normally sound I am inclined to agree with your statement Doctor. Lientov Chekov is undeniably a master of his chosen craft and a criminal genius."

"It almost sounds like you admire him Spock."

"I am merely stating a fact Doctor, there is no logic in denying what he is regardless of his character."

Leonard sighed and then looked back at the PADD, "So why are you studying his history?"

"I am trying to understand his thought processes so that I may predict his actions better but so far I have been unable to understand his most recent actions, they contrast his previous ones greatly."

"How do you mean?"

"All of his previous operations have been well-thought out, careful, precise and expertly calculated but this one is almost irrational and leaves a great deal to chance. He had no guarantee that the Captain would beam down to the planet and into his trap yet he has undoubtedly built this plan on the Captain's significance as not only a Starfleet captain but as a well know person throughout the Federation, a very risky gamble as a competent engineer would have uncovered his trap as he delayed the beaming to capture the Captain. Furthermore he has revealed himself to not only Admiral Archer but to the entire crew of the Enterprise as well meaning that he'll have to find a way to conceal himself again once this is over as we can all recognise him and inform others."

"What are you getting at Spock?"

"I believe that, for whatever reason, Lientov is no longer thinking as rationally as he has before."

McCoy had sat down while Spock had been speaking and he now leaned forward across the table, "You think he might be slightly insane?"

"It is possible Doctor but if he is indeed no longer in his correct mind then that leaves us with the question of whether that makes him easier to deal with or more dangerous."

There was silence as they pondered this question before it was broken by Nyota's voice through the comm., "Commander Spock, Admiral Archer is about to beam aboard from the USS Excelsior."

"Understood Lieutenant, myself and Doctor McCoy will meet him in the transporter room."

They were standing in the transporter room ready when Archer materialised on the pad. The admiral wasted no time, "Commander Spock, what is the current status of the situation?"

Spock was swift to reply as they began to head in the direction of the bridge, "Since his second communication Lientov Chekov has not contacted us. Communications under the command of Lieutenant Uhura have been studying the two communication recordings we have in an attempt to locate their origin point, though we have no definite location they are certain that they can get a rough location when he contacts us again. Lieutenant Sulu and Navigation have also been studying our collected data on nearby star systems to also assist in this task and Engineering and Science have been studying the few scans we have of the beaming device in an attempt to again locate Lientov."

Archer gave an approving nod, "Very good Mr Spock, maybe they'll be able to locate him so we can attempt a rescue."

They eventually reached the bridge and almost as soon as they arrived Nyota called out from her station, "Admiral I have an unknown communication coming in, it is most likely Lientov."

Archer was quick to answer, "Understood Lieutenant, put it on screen and do what you must to locate its point of origin."

"Yes Sir."

Lientov's face appeared on the veiwscreen and he broke into a huge smile, "Admiral Archer, it's so very nice to see you again. I don't believe we've spoken since you revealed all my little operations to the galaxy."

Archer spoke bluntly, "You wanted to negotiate with me about the safe return of Captain Kirk, Lieutenant Commander Scott and Ensign Chekov."

Lientov looked disapproving, "Admiral you are exceptionally swift to get to the point when we have so much to catch up on."

"I have no wish to bandy words with a criminal when he is holding Starfleet officers hostage. Stop wasting time and tell me what you want in exchange for your three hostages."

The other man gave a dramatic sigh and spoke resignedly, "I suppose that I should tell you what I want seeing as you're all dying to know but…" he straightened, "I don't have three hostages Admiral."

Archer quickly hid his surprise, "What do you mean?"

Lientov's smile returned, "I mean that I will only be exchanging Kirk and Scott."

The admiral was careful to keep his voice neutral, "What have you done with Ensign Chekov?"

The smile turned into a smirk, "Nothing much Archer but seeing as he was in my care before your meddling I have decided to keep him with me. As such Pavel will not be a part of our negotiations and will not be returning to Starfleet. In short Archer…" here Lientov leaned forward with his expression hard, "Pavel Chekov is now mine!"

PS-So there we go and there is yet another plot twist. We should be back with the captured trio next chapter so keep an eye out and please review.