Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek, I don't own the terms that are canon. Pretty
much if you recognize it, I don't own it. Most of the characters are my own.

Summary: Before Leaving the Trickan system, news
comes about a certain member from a crew member's
past.

Special Guests:

T'Espera

Serren

Two Nameless Security Officers

The Ares hadn't been travelling in the Andromeda galaxy for very long, and they already had a planet of people, whom most seemed happy to meet them. Unfortunately, they had to leave the planet and continue out into the Andromeda Galaxy. However, they were still in the Trickan system when a ship approached, hailing the Ares.

"Open a channel Lieutenant," the captain ordered. A face, familiar to one on the bridge appeared.

"Grandmother?" Jace Knight said confused for a second.

"Hello Jacey Wacey," the Vulcan-looking woman said with a smile, but then turned serious looking towards the captain, "Captain Richards, my name is Admiral T'Espera. I request an audience with you. May I board?"

"Yes, of course, you may come over immediately," the captain said then tapping her badge, "Captain to Transporter Room 1 -"

"That won't be necessary I will beam over myself," T'Espera replied then ending the transmission. Soon a figure formed on the bridge. "I am sorry for the abruptness of this meeting, however it is urgent. Gather your senior staff and we will meet in ten minutes. I would ask if Jace could be part of this too, as it concerns him as well." Jace looked at his grandmother curiously but she simply stared at the captain who had stood up at this point surprised at the fast response and the beaming directly onto the bridge.

"It will be done Admiral," the captain nodded, tapping her badge once more, "Captain to all Senior Staff, report to the Briefing Room in ten minutes." T'Espera peered at Jace for a second, however quickly turned away.

"What's wrong Admiral?" Jace said standing up walking closer to T'Espera.

"You'll find out soon, be patient Ensign," T'Espera replied walking away towards the Briefing Room. Jace followed, as did the captain, first officer and Chief of Ops, Eris Landon.

"Admiral?" Jace said as they waited for the last senior staff to report, which happened to be Celes.

"Yes?" T'Espera replied.

"May I ask you a question?" Jace asked.

"You just have, but you may ask one more, however I do not promise to give you an answer," T'Espera answered sprouting only a small smile which hid itself then.

"How is Mom and Dad doing?" Jace asked. T'Espera remained silent. Before Jace could ask again, Celes ran through the door.

"Sorry," the brunette haired Bajoran said, her Bajoran earring swaying from her run just now, "I thought I could finish my diagnostic…"

"It is alright Lieutenant Akorem," the admiral replied, "You have three seconds to spare."

"Whew," Celes said happily wiping her head sitting down out of breath.

"Now that we all are here," the admiral began looking around at the staff, "Let us get down to business. A few days ago teams of Vulcan doctors discovered completely on accident a Romulan spy. He went by the name Serren." Jace looked confused at this note, and his eyes widened understanding what it had meant.

"Admiral," Jace interrupted, "Are you quite sure it was Serren?"

"Positive," T'Espera replied locking eyes with Jace for only a second, "However it was too late to apprehend Serren, and he left on a Vulcan ship. We were able to trace him up until a light year from this wormhole, before he cloaked. A message was sent beforehand by Serren, saying only two words. 'We know'. Starfleet Command believes this is a message telling us that the Romulans indeed know about the wormhole, and Serren has entered it."

"Romulans? How did they find out?" the captain asked curiously, though some bitterness could be heard in her voice.

"We believe somehow Serren found out, and informed the Romulan government," T'Espera answered, "Starfleet has sent me to tell you this. We could not risk a transmission because the Romulans may have intercepted it. We want you to be on yellow alert and be watching out for Serren. He will be in a Vulcan cruiser." Jace stayed silent leaning back in his chair looking off into space.

"But wait, why would this involve Jace?" Celes interjected tilting her head in wonder looking towards Jace.

"Serren was my son. Apparently when Serren was around 25 years old, he was abducted and replaced by the Romulan," T'Espera replied then peering at Jace and keeping her eyes at him this time. The group all turned towards Jace.

"My father was 45 when he married mom, and he was the only son of the admiral," Jace stated staring off in space. Jace stood up then turning around facing away from the group. The senior staff remained silent for a time, before Ciro spoke up.

"I'll understand if you want a transfer or to be kept in the loop about him, you know, because he's your father," Ciro stated.

"I would like to be kept informed," Jace said quietly.

"So would that mean Ensign Knight is part Romulan, not Vulcan?" Celes asked breaking the silence.

"Technically, yes, however his genes would most likely be mostly Human and Vulcan, with some Romulan, because it was found that Serren's DNA was altered to be mostly Vulcan; logic would conclude that Jace received the altered genes," T'Espera answered in the obvious Vulcan unemotional tone.

"So he's Half Human, Half Vulcan, with a Romulan father?" Eris piped up.

"Exactly. And his father was a spy and must be captured," T'Espera confirmed, "Are there any questions?" No reply came, "Good. This meeting is adjourned." Each person slowly got up, leaving just Jace in the room.

"Ok, you have got to stop," James said picking up the last glass from Jace.

"What does it matter? I don't have no work tomorrow," Jace replied laying his head on the counter in front of him.

"Come on, Jace, what happened? No one seems to know, or they won't tell me," James said bending his knees so his face was next to his.

"That's cuz they don't wanna have rumors spread," Jace replied looking into the counter, as if counting the atoms in the counter, "My damn father is a damn traitor. He's a damn Romulan stupid spy. The guy who raised me, a Romulan!"

"Calm down Jace, it's going to be ok," James said quietly, "Drinking yourself to death won't do anything. It'll only delay the pain. Come one, let's go. I'll get you to your quarters."

"No!" Jace yelled getting up stumbling slightly, "I want my dad! I want to kill him!" James quickly helped stabilize his walkind.

"Ok, ok, I'll take you to him, just follow me," James said taking Jace's arm and draping it around his neck.

"Good good. Imma kill him yah know that?" Jace to James as they made their way to the turbolift.

"I know, I know," James replied slightly worried.

"Oh yes, he was a real mess last night," James said as he poured a drink of fresh orange juice the next morning.

"Poor fellow," Ciro replied shaking his head and taking a drink of his coffee.

"I wish I could cheer him up somehow…" Eris sighed taking the orange juice James handed to her just then.

"I dunno what you could do for him," James replied, "He seemed to be set on… finding his father and making him suffer." James shook his head pouring another glass of orange juice for himself.

"Poor fellow," Ciro repeated, then adding, "I just hope he's going to be ok, I mean it's a huge thing to find out your father is another species, and a traitor to the Federation."

"Maybe I should talk to him," Eris said.

"I don't think that will help, Eris," James said, using her first name since they were off duty, and she didn't mind, as most didn't, "I mean Jace is not a complicated guy to read. He wants to work it out by himself, not by talking."

"I guess you're right," Eris replied sighing then getting up setting her glass of slightly full orange juice on the counter, "I've got to go finish a report." Eris walked out of the mess hall, leaving the two men who watched her leave.

"You know that's the most she's talked off the job," Ciro stated.

"I agree, quite odd," James replied, "Though if I were to guess she just wants to help Jace out. Haven't you heard about her parents? Killed by a couple of Romulans, though they weren't Federation citizens, so the Federation didn't do anything."

"Really? I never knew that," Ciro stated looking back at the door as if Eris was still there.

"Yep, and apparently she was extremely talkative before, but now, she's usually silent, holds her words," James said looking towards the door as well.

"I suppose their death affected a lot," Ciro said thinking about it for a second.

"Either that, or that her best friend at the time died a week before, rough year for her," James explained, "Don't tell her I told you, she'd be angry at me. It's almost like I can sense people's past, and present feelings. Like you and Celes, you both are obviously great friends, and well I think that you would like something more."

"Ha! Yeah right, I mean I've thought about having a one night stand with her before, but I prefer to be friends with her, there are plenty of others to have," Ciro stated confidently.

"Right," James said rolling his eyes, but then laughed. Ciro laughed as well taking a drink of his coffee.

Jace was in the holosuite, in one of Ambassador Kordak's Klingon fighting programs, which took place in a lit cave.

"Computer Level 10 Difficulty," Jace yelled after destroying the enemy before him. Jace growled at the sight of his new ugly enemy. He swung his Ba'leth at the enemy, who block his move, but the sword of his enemy had broken, and Jace stabbed the enemy who fell. In frustration Jace through his Ba'leth at a nearby wall, nearly breaking the sword. Jace roared and yelled at the computer once more for another enemy.

This time Jace had gone at the enemy with no weapon, catching the enemies sword in his hands and tossing it to the side. As Jace did this, Eris entered the holosuite silently, and watched Jace finish off the highest level enemy with his own bare hands.

"Jace?" Eris said walking up to Jace who was breathing heavily.

"What?" Jace breathed.

"Are you ok? You were called a few times to the bridge," Eris said in a small voice looking into Jace's eyes curiously.

"Tell them I'll be there in a second," Jace breathed.

"I will… Jace?" Eris said turning around then turning back towards Jace.

"What now?" Jace said slightly raising his voice.

"You don't have to deal with this alone. We all want to help you, just let us," Eris answered in a small voice again, before she turned around and left the holosuite.

"Lieutenant full power to phasers! Fire at will!" the captain shouted the ship rocking and sparking about ten minutes later after Eris had returned. The Ares was turning around and the phaser began firing at the Vulcan ship, which seemed to be overpowered for a simple Vulcan ship.

"What's happening?" Jace shouted as he arrived on the bridge.

"We met your father!" the captain shouted back, "Hurry up and take your post!" Jace ran over to his console taking over for the ensign who was currently on it, and punching in some evasive maneuvers.

"We've lost power to the forward shields, warp engine offline!" Eris shouted, "Trying to reroute power to the forward shields!" The Ares shot again at the small Vulcan ship, but it was a lot harder to hit a small target than it was a larger target.

"Captain open a channel! Let me try to talk to my father!" Jace shouted.

"Fine Ensign, do not be wasting our time," the captain shouted, "Open a channel to the Vulcan ship!"

"Father!" Jace shouted at the screen, but the Vulcan ship kept firing, "Father! It's me Jace! Your son! Please I want to talk to you! I know who and what you are, you don't have to hide anything anymore!" The Vulcan ship stopped for a second before a face appeared on screen. It was the face of an older Vulcan looking man, though he really was a Romulan in disguise.

"Jace? Is that really you?" Serren asked tilting his head slightly, very un-Vulcan like.

"Yes it's me," Jace said standing up, as the crew kept working on the repairs.

"What are you doing here?" Serren asked suspiciously looking at the half Vulcan man.

"I'm part of this crew, Father. I don't care that you're a Romulan, Father, but what I don't get is why you are such a traitor to the Federation," Jace stated staring at his father who looked much like him.

"I am working for my people, you should be proud of me, it's everything I taught you," Serren replied with a smile, though a troubled one.

"You taught me that I should protect my people, MY people. And you lied to me all this time. You might be Romulan, but you lived with Humans and Vulcans for longer than you did with Romulans! You fell in love with a human, and you claim it's for your people?" Jace explained furiously.

"I loved your mother, but I love my people more. I will give you, and only you my son, a choice. You can come on this ship and live, or stay there with your people and die," Serren stated, "You have one hour to decide. It is obvious that my ship overpowers your ship by so much more." The transmission ended there. Jace already knew his decision.

"I'm going," Jace stated.

"What? Ensign what are you thinking?" the captain asked outraged and surprised.

"Think about it, once I'm aboard, I can sneak off and sabotage his ship, give you a fighting chance," Jace explained.

"But once he finds out, he could do something to you," Ciro interjected.

"I'm willing to take the chance, sir. Please captain, I want to do this, even if it means betraying my father. He's already betrayed me, and I still love him, but I won't let him kill all of you," Jace insisted, "Plus he values family over everything else, he won't harm me, maybe lock me up, but nothing too bad." The bridge was silent and the tense situation could be felt all around.

"Go, but not until your hour is up, we need as much time as possible," the captain finally decided.

"Thank you," Jace said, "I dunno if I will be able to get back, so if this is my last hour with you guys, well I'll make sure it's useful."

"Good, now get to work Ensign!" the captain said with a smile. Jace nodded and hurried to his console again and began working. Ciro came over to Jace and patted his back.

"Good luck Ensign," Ciro said before getting to work to help with the repairs.

The hour was almost up, and Jace was still hard at work.

"We're going to make sure you are back here safe by the end," the captain stated with a smile, "I can't be short a helmsman." It had been like that for the past forty-five minutes, people telling him good-bye and that they wouldn't leave him behind, or something like that. Jace was getting much more confident with each comment, but sadder and sadder thinking he wasn't coming back.

"Serren is hailing us," Eris stated.

"Put him through," the captain ordered.

"Your hour is up, what is your answer son?" Serren asked.

"Beam me over, I'm ready. You are family afterall," Jace replied.

"Ha! Captain couldn't keep you from your true calling afterall," Serren laughed almost mocking the captain and the whole crew of the Ares.

"I haven't been on the Ares but a few weeks, you are my father, no matter what I do. I do not condone what you do, but you are family, and I will respect you," Jace stated.

"Good, prepare to be beamed out my son," Serren said with swelling pride in his son, not knowing it was just foolery, "Prepare to die captain. I hope you lived a full life."

"I do not plan to die today," the captain stated before the transmission ended and Jace was dematerialized. "Raise shields, evasive maneuver pattern Delta! Fire at will!"

The Ares turned firing both torpedoes and phasers at the small Vulcan ship.

"Direct hit, but no real damage to the Vulcan ship," Eris stated.

"Knight better hurry up, keep firing!" the captain shouted.

"Phasers are down, Captain, we're sitting ducks!" Eris shouted over the alarms going off and the sparks firing everywhere.

"Wait, they stopped firing," Eris stated looking at her console.

"Knight came through, try locking onto the life signs and beam them up directly to the brig," the captain ordered, "Commander Rodriguez you have the bridge." The captain ushered to a few officers, including Jemelle, Eris, and a couple of security officers.

"You!" Serren shouted towards Jace, "You did this? You betrayed your own father? Why?" Jace stayed quiet and simply waited, as the security officer released him from his cell.

"You may be my father, but these are my people," Jace stated turning towards his father, then walking towards the door, where he met the captain, Jemelle, Eris, and a few security officers. Eris hugged Jace quickly before standing back normally.

"Serren! You will be transported back to Earth, once the USS Washington arrives to take you. You will be questioned and tried in a court of law," the captain stated, "And you ensign, come here." Jace slowly made his way towards the captain unsure of what was going to happen. She tapped her badge and stated, "I, Captain Liron Richards, hereby grant Jace Knight a field promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade." Jace simply looked at the captain, not happy nor sad in his face, invoking his Vulcan emotion control he learned as a child.

"I am honored to accept this Captain. Thank you. Now if you excuse me, I must go to the holosuites, I have a session planned with Ambassador Kordak," Jace said bowing his head.

"You may leave, Lieutenant," the captain said with a smile. The officers who were with her all smiled, except Jemelle who seemed to not be caring or something like that, as he always seemed to be like that.

"Oh, captain," Jace said turning around, "Don't mention this to Mom, at least the part about me giving Dad up, she doesn't need to know that does she?"

"Of course not, I will see what I can do," the captain replied with a smile, then tapping her badge, "Captain to Akorem. I want you to analyze the weapons Serren was using, and find a way to use them, or defend better against them. Now the Romulans know about this wormhole, we need to be expecting more."

"Aye Captain," Celes replied in confirmation.

Hope you liked it! I hope you'll keep reading on!
Please! R&R please! I love any and all feedback!