I would have posted this chapter earlier because of the snow day, but my computer decided not to connect to the internet. I would have done it on my phone but typing on a phone is too frustrating. Any way here it is with a delay. Use your imagination for the courtroom by the way.

Jim's room

Jim flopped down on his bed a few hours away from Starbase 12 needing some time to collect his thoughts before they arrived. His bridge crew had been throwing him sympathetic looks for a while now, because McCoy had gotten himself trapped by Uhura and Sulu. When he heard about it amusement was his strongest emotion. His gruff CMO had gotten trapped by two younger officers, and Uhura had been worried about him. Now he was just weary and annoyed by the looks he kept getting on the bridge. They didn't know the half of it.

While on duty he had successfully avoided thinking of his past on Tarsus /. Not only had he had to watch innocent people be marched off towards their death, but also had to listen to Kodos himself give a speech to justify his actions. He let his thoughts idly stray which of the other Tarsus 9 survivors had the courage to testify alone.

"I wonder if Drew survived?" His crew had been taken away from him when they were captured only to be brought outside to be publicly executed. JT had screamed for them not to, for him to take there place but to no avail. He still remembered each of their faces before they died some with defiance, fear, hope, and regret. Shaking himself out his thoughts, he still found it painful to think of them.

Laying on his back he felt a touch of guilt from never trying to find out what happened to Drew after everything that happened. He lay like that for hours remembering his friends.

"Captain." Spock's voice over the intercom jerked him out of his thoughts.

"Yes Mr. Spock."

"We are arriving at Starbase 12 Captain."

"I'll be right up. Kirk out."

"Spock out, sir."

On Starbase 12.

Sitting stiffly in the courtroom, with the bridge crews of other various Starships was Jim. Since only the bridge crew was required to witness the trial all non essential personnel of the Enterprise and the other Starships were enjoying shore leave. "Lucky them" Jim thought miserably "They don't have to see the man who killed their family and friends." He recalled what that Pike had said he just had to walk out if he decided to testify. Then he would help justice be served.

A few chairs down McCoy was watching his friend worriedly. He noted how Jim was sitting more stiffly than he usually did, and his eyes weren't focused as if he were deep in thought. "Of course he is you idiot" McCoy reprimanded himself. "He's about to see the person responsible for killing his friends, family, and more importantly his first crew. And if things things get even worse he may have to testify himself." Shaking his head to himself McCoy looked forward and let his thoughts stray to something like, who went through everything Jim did, yet still had the courage to testify by him/herself.

The captain is rather tense, Spock noted. Being seated right next to his captain Spock was able to notice this. "His shoulders are straight and tense, he is not slouching in his chair like he does at any normal time, and he does not seem to be aware of his surroundings." Spock listed to himself the evidence for his assumption. "Captain." he tried, experimenting his theory. "I'll get to that later Spock" was his unusual response. Fascinating, he appears to be tuning out his surrounding, and half aware when he is spoken to. Deciding to leave his captain with his thought, he turned to his own, contemplating reasons for why Jim as he insisted on being called would be acting as he was.

Sulu, Uhura, and Chekov were also semi-worried, and semi-curious about their Captain as well. though with gossiping and presumptions.

"Do you thi-" Sulu was interrupted mid question by the admiralty calling everyone to order.

Immediately everyone was at attention. About ten minutes in the prosecution called the first of the Tarsus 9 to be revealed.

"We now call the first of the Tarsus 9 to volunteer." He waits as if daring the doubters to speak up and say there is no Tarsus 9. When no one speaks up he continues announcing the first eye witness. "I call Cadet Drew Conway."

A young woman walks toward the stand. Spock estimates around the captain's age. McCoy is dumbfounded trying to remember why the name is familiar. Sulu, Uhura, and Chekov wonder with various degrees of awe as they see a strong, proud, and brave woman walk in. Last but not least Jim is remarkably speechless. "She still puts others first" Jim mused. Hr remembered the girl who held as much responsibility for the other kids on Tarsus IV.

They all snap out of their own thoughts when they realize the questioning has begun.

"State your name for the record." The prosecutor says.

"Cadet Drew Conway." She states without fear or hesitation. "One of the survivors who saw Kodos in person" she adds, determination and defiance flash across her eyes for just a second.

"How old were you when you saw him?"

"Twelve." Her response was followed by gasps and confirmation of Spock's estemait.

"Do you still remember his face?"

"I will remember it for the rest of my life."

"Why were you on Tarsus IV."

It seemed irrelevant to the audience, but to their surprise she answered. "I went there because my family decided it was time to move." Spock noted how she avoided saying Tarsus IV and specifics about her family.

"When did you see Kodos?"

At this everyone leaned in to hear what she said. "I along with some other kids who did not make it saw him as he gave his speech, claiming that killing half of us would be for the good of the colony."

"How did you survive to give a testimony today?"

For the first time Drew stiffened not wanting to answer. Giving it anyway she said "I survived by hunting for food with a group of other kids."

"If you saw Kodos again would you recognise him?"

"Yes."

"Is this man here Kodos Governor of Tarsus IV?" He said pointing at Kodos.

"He is Kodos the executioner. He no longer deserves the title of governor." Was her cold reply. Her Voice was cold and full of hatred as she said it, you couldn't even question her statement, for no one can be deceived with that much hate. Her eyes no longer warm and happy, suddenly became cold, dark, and hating. Everyone in the room was shocked by the way she had responded. They turned to Kodos expecting him to a least flinch under her gaze,but to their amazement did not even acknowledge her stare.

Clearing his throat the prosecutor got everyones attention. "You may question the witness" he said with a smirk.

The defender walked up unfazed and started trying to undo what the prosecutor's questions had done. Tried to convince them that it was not Kodos. "As you all know after the Tarsus tragedy Starfleet claimed that there were 9 survivors who could identify him, yet did not release their names after Kodods was presumed dead. Now out of the blue here comes Cadet Drew. One of the so called Tarsus 9 is conveniently available even though the press will be all over her, and she joined the people who were too late to save the rest of the people she knew. Why did you decide to trust Starfleet and enlist Cadet Drew?"

"I want to make a difference. To try and make sure that justice is served, and protect our own people from anything. The difference between your client and Nero is that Nero killed in greater numbers. If I can protect people from people like them then I see no reason for my past to impede my future in space. Do you know one that is logical and in not based on my feelings that I have found a way to use to my advantage?"

Her words hang in the air for a few seconds. Everyone is shocked to say the least, but spock finds it fascinating. This human who has gone through great emotional stress is the most logical human Spock has ever seen.

Kodos' defender just sneered. "Spoken like a Starfleet recruiter. Did they pay you to do this? Promise a future in the 'Fleet."

Drew just sighed. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, but I'm not the only one here who is prepared to testify. And to answer your questions no, and no. I don't like bribes, or any form of cheating. You would do well to learn that yourself."

The defender looked infuriated, but instead just waved her away. Her testimony was done.

The prosecutor rushed forward "The next witness to be called is Cadet Kevin Riley."

He stated his name, his age at the time (seven), why he was there which was the same, how he survived, if he would still recognize Kodos, and if the man was Kodos. The trouble came when he was passed to the defendor.

"You were seven at that time, right?" Was the defender's question.

"That's right."

"He was barely the age of reason and you expect us to believe his testimony?" the defender exclaimed. "He survived because of secret basement stocked with food, yet Starfleet officers still found him. There are many gaps in that!"

At this Jim decided to put his voice with theirs. Turning to Spock "I need some air" and briskly walked unnoticed out of the courtroom.

Meanwhile the defender was near the end of his rant. "He is just another young Cadet the 'Fleet has obviously bribed." He ended with. "Now I believe these were your only witnesses if we-" he didn't get to finish.

"There is one more witness." the prosecutor cried before regaining his composure. The prosecutor waited for the defender to once again take before continuing. "May I call Captain James T. Kirk"

In unison everyone gasped (excluding Spock but he did raise his eyebrow) and started muttering as Jim walked in. Uhura turned to Sulu, and Chekov who were exchanging looks. McCoy swore under his breath. Drew's eyes grew wide in surprise, then filled with joy.

The prosecutor confirmed his name, and what age he was then Jim's answers became different. "Why were you there?"

"I was visiting my aunt and uncle."

"When did you see Kodos the executioner?" He asked, careful not to use his old title.

"I saw him as he gave his speech."

"How did you survive?"

"I lead a crew of other kids to survive working together, then I got capture with the rest of them. Kodos then killed each one of them while I watched trying to find out where the other survivors who never saw his face were."

"Would you recognize Kodos?"

"It would take a major change, or amnesia to make it so I wouldn't"

"Is it true that if you give a false testimony you will lose your ship?"

"Yes it is"

With that the prosecutor exchanged roles with the defendor. "Why did you join Starfleet? Your father died in the line of duty and it took too long for them to save your aunt and uncle, so why?"

"I did it to make a difference. To protect people from threats. I did it to make my life meaningful, and I have."

"How do we know you didn't just help Kodos round up the other kids who escaped. You could have handed over the kids in your crew." He said the last word as an insult.

A voice suddenly filled the room anger evident. "JT is not lying." Everyone looked around and saw Drew standing a look of anger etched on her features.

"What did you just call Cadet Drew just call you?" The defender voiced the question everyone was thinking.

"Cadet Drew just called me by the name I was known by on Tarsus. Drew is the only person from my crew who survived."

After that outburst the trial went by fairly quickly. It ended with a unanimous vote that he is indeed Kodos, and shall be punished as the admiralty saw fit.

A few hours later recreation room 3 on Starbase 12.

Drew sat quietly thinking of the trial. "Drew." JT's voice rang through the air.

It may seem like the place to stop for some people but I have and adventure in store for the Tarsus survivors who have found each other. It's a long chapter but I didn't feel like making it into multiple chapters. I will take into consideration any ideas for what they should go through, and how they all get stuck together. Just thought it may be interesting to know that this chapter is half of the whole story so far.