Imperial Palace, Ra'tleihfi, ch'Rihan
Standing on the balcony overlooking the coast line for the city of Ra'tleihfi, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Teelis i-Ra'tleihfi t'AAnikh allowed a smile to cross her lips as she watched the setting sun. Looking upward she could see the two moons of Pirek and Elvreng as night began to fall over the city.
While it was true that her role as the Empress of the Romulan Star Empire was a ceremonial position, she could not but help that a mad man brought the weight of the entire Alpha and Beta Quadrant down on them because of something that had yet to happen and could be avoid. Captain Nero nearly actions was bring unwanted attention to the Empire, Teelis wonder if there has been anyone on that blasted ship who remembered the mnhei'sahe.
The reports from her Legate and her spies in the Senate was that Praetor Vrax ir-Phi'lasasam tr'Khellian was foaming at the mouth when the Federation Ambassador informed him that Captain Kirk had been rescue and was on his way back to away from the view, Empress Teelis walked back into the stateroom and turned toward her shadow, "What news do we have from the Tal'Diann, Legate."
Legate Kalabam ir-Fethraie was wondering how to break this news to his Empress when he just decided to tell her, "Jolan'tru, Our contacts in Lloannen'Galae has informed us that the Lloann'mhrahel's ship will reach Earth in two more day. I was also informed that your rinam is pregnant with Kirk's veoth."
Kalabam has to stop talking as the Empress began to laugh as she moved toward her seat. It took her a few seconds to calm down before she could look at her friend.
"I'm sorry Kalabam, it just I find it so funny that my heir and sister is with child," the Empress replied, "I would love to have seen Vrax face when he was informed..."
"The Praetor has not been informed as of yet," Kalabam said, "It seems that the Tal'Diann is misdirecting both Tal`Shiar and the Committee. It is my understand that Enriov t'Rllaillieu is really enjoying using her resource to make Khren tr'Hheinia work to finding out what happened to her agent."
Nodding the Empress turned to watch as the last ray of sunlight went over the horizon before turning back to her chief aide.
"Before you leave for the night, I need you to inform Enriov ST'Nnerhin tr'Riuurren that I would like my flagship ready for launch in the morning and please ask galae'Enriov Lhaes ir-Aihai if he is able to spare a squadron to escort me to Earth. I think it time we make peace with the Lloann'mhrahel before the Khe'lloann'mnhehorael get to them."
"Your Majesty, you realize that by doing this so openly the Praetor will be required to speak," the Legate asked as he looked at his Empress.
A cold smile crossed the face belonging to Empress Teelis i-Ra'tleihfi t'AAnikh as she looked at him, "Since Nero destroyed Vulcan, the people of the Empire want action before more blood is spilled across the universe. The people are afraid and rightly so, the Federation is more advance then us; and those klivam had years to study Nero ship. We can't afford a war and the people know it, if he speaks against going to the Federation he will not be in office much longer."
Dismissing her aide, Teelis often wondered if the older generation made a mistake with the Earth-Romulan war, the human race were a force upon itself. If you backed them into a corner you could expect both the best and the worst from them in that they never gave up, even if a fleet was in orbit. The protected their young and the fought tooth and nail to survive, this was her chance to make history and she wasn't going to let old men like Vrax ir-Phi'lasasam tr'Khellian and Enriov Valdore i'Kaleh tr'Ihaimehn get in her way.
Two Days Later
Presidential Office, Palais de la Concorde, Paris, France, Sol III
Claton Mintaine looked around the room from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of State an Andorian named Thalev th'Clevalrl and the Secretary of Defense a Tellerite named Jarv. Also in the room were Chadwick Takach, the Federation Security Advisor and the Romulan Ambassador to the United Federation of Planets, Taev tr'Kota and the Klingon Ambassador to the United Federation of Planets Molar, Son of Shora, of the House of Koloth.
"Are you telling me that the Empress and the Praetor of the Romulan Empire are about to cross the Neutral Zone with fleet of fifteen ships," Claton asked as he looked at the Ambassador tr'Kota.
"Yes, Mister President."
There was silence in the room before Molar began laughing at the shocked expression on the Federation face, "Mister President, I can inform you that the Klingon Empire frankly doesn't care what she is coming for."
Nodding the President of the Federation turned to look at the Romulan, he barely even notice the Klingon leaving the room before turning towards Admiral Heihachiro Nogura, "Who do we have near the Zone for escort duty?"
Heihachiro Nogura may have been the Commanding Officer of Starfleet Command, but he himself turn toward the Starfleet Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Colby Mika and Chief of Starfleet Operations, Rear Admiral Mattea Hahn.
"We have the USS Nautilus, which has Rear Admiral Pike and Captain Kirk aboard, we also have the USS Troy, USS Washington, USS New York, USS Essex, USS Omega, USS Justice, USS Cairo and the USS Enterprise, all of those other than the Enterprise are shadowing the Nautilus. Since it gone quiet on the Klingon border we have moved some ships and Pike is a Flag Officer."
"What was the last report from the Medical Officers on the Nautilus?"
At this point Vice Admiral Harris Eggleton spoke up since he was the Starfleet Surgeon General, "Last report from the doctors were that he on limited duty of course there was a note that they may have to take him off if he doesn't take it easy, Mister President. I'm going to be honest and just say it, he took a beating while in enemy hands and this is something he not going to forget. However, this is James T. Kirk we are talking about, so we know he will bounce back. He just may need to talk to someone in the Psychology Division, in fact let make it a requirement."
In his corner of the room General Thani ch'Vahi gave laugh, "If he didn't talk to one after the Battle of Vulcan, what make you think that he is going to talk to one now, Harry?"
Everyone turned towards the Commandant of the Federation Mobile Infantry before turning back to Eggleton.
"I don't know Thani, maybe because it would be a requirement for him to get back in that damn chair," Harris replied, "He should have done it when he got back but certain people wanted to save face with the galaxy and so the youngest captain in Starfleet didn't get a psych evaluation like he should have, in fact no one on that damn ship had one."
Thani had to contain his smile as the Surgeon General anger was turn from him and place on the three highest ranking officers in the room. This argument came up a lot in staff meetings and he had a feeling it would always come up until it was done. Eggleton took his duties very seriously and no one could get in his way when he had a bone. However, this was not a normal Joint Chiefs meeting, they were in the Office of the President and Claton Mintaine was no softie.
"Harry, just leave it allow for now," Claton said as he regained control of the meeting, "Deal with it after this mess is over. Mattea, I want you to order all of those ships to meeting Imperial Fleet at the border and I want Kirk back on duty."
"Mister Ambassador if you would please inform the Empress and the Praetor that they will be met on our side of the border by the Enterprise and her Task Force."
Ambassador tr'Kota nodded as he took his leave, he had to rush back to the Romulan Embassy to get a message off to the Flagship before they got to the border. The Federation official watched the Romulan leave the room and once a light appeared above the doorway, Claton turned his attention toward this Security Advisor "Get in contact with Ambassador Spock; I want his opinion on this mess, dismissed."
The President has to suppress a smile as he watched the military officers left their seats and assume the position attention before the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs led them out of the room. Turning his chair around, Claton took in the view of Paris as he heard his doors open once more.
"You know this could be worst, she could be coming here to declare war."
The chair containing the President turned around so fast that the Presidential Chief of Staff felt that she had upset him and looking into his eyes; Lindsy Winslett knew she has to pushed the wrong button, but it need to be said.
"I'm sorry, Mister President, but it need to be said," Winslett said as look at him, "Since the Battle of Vulcan and this Nero Incident, we have had some breathing room. The Klingon Empire is in a state of disarray with the lost of forty-seven battleships, that in itself means they have lost a lot of man power and it weakens them and Romulan is playing catch up to use and the Empire with regard to technology wise. The Kelvin's crew brought back those scans years ago and it open the door for us. I know you don't want to think about it, but we caught a break."
"I realize that, but Nero changed Starfleet," Claton replied as he watched the shuttle traffic around the Federation's capitol city, "Hell, Tarsus changed the game when the son of a hero was the only thing keeping the children alive and fighting against a mad man. It is my hope that maybe Starfleet can get back to exploration, but there always seems to be someone that want to push us and we end up in a fight, send in the next person on my calendar, Lindsy."
Four Hours Later
Bridge, Deck A, USS Enterprise
The bridge of the USS Enterprise was quiet as the ship raced towards the Romulan Neutral Zone, it was also hushed was another reason as the airlock doors opened allowed the entrance of true master and commander of his ship.
James Kirk was walking with a limp as he walked toward his chair, behind him stood Admiral Christopher Pike who moved toward and empty station in the back of the bridge. It took a few second for Jim to get to his chair, but he didn't sit down as he looked around the room.
"I normally don't do something like this but, I know the risk you took to get me back and all I want to say is thank you for coming to get me," Kirk said as he looked at his senior staff, "Thank you for everything. Now, I have been informed that we have a new mission, something I never thought possible, Mister Sulu what is our ETA to the border."
"ETA is five hours, Captain," Sulu replied as he checked his data.
Nodding Jim took his seat and release a breath, he would never admit but walking to the bridge had been hell on his ribs. He was sure Bones would have kept him down in sickbay if not for the fact that the Surgeon General of Starfleet gave him the order to release Kirk.
"Commander Spock, any word on from the rest of the group," Kirk asked as he turned his chair toward his first officer.
"The USS Nautilus is formation with us, in approximately three hours we will be joined by the USS Troy, USS Washington, USS New York, USS Essex, USS Omega, USS Justice, USS Cairo. It should also be noted that Starfleet Command has assigned Rear Admiral Pike operational command."
"I should note that I will not be taking personal command of any ships," Pike said as he looked at Kirk, "I may be the Senior Officer, but this is your ship and personal I know none of those Commanding Officers want a Admiral on their ship.
Jim rolled his eye as he turned around and looked at the view screen, he was about to ask question of his senior navigator, when the doors of the bridge opened allowed two women and two security guards to enter the room. At this point Jim really want to go and hide as he looked at his mother and the woman now carrying his child.
"Can I help you ladies?"
Winona Kirk decided to take the lead since she was the matriarch of the Kirk family, "I would like to speak to my son, Jim let's go."
Jim looked around and he really wanted to find somewhere to hide, he knew that tone. The voice was the voice for the matriarch of the family and she only got like that when she had something she wanted to talk about or when he was in trouble.
"Commander Spock, you have the bridge," Kirk said as he realized he couldn't put this off.
Standing up, Jim led his mother and Eviess into his ready room, which was just off to the side of the bridge. The security officers tool up position outside the door allowing the family some privacy.
Once the door had fully shut, Winona looked at her son before pointing him toward the couch that was in the room. She really didn't see the point with Starfleet putting him back in the chair, he was barely healed up.
"So may I ask why the mother of one of my grandchild is still being confined to sickbay and has a security detail?"
"Commander Spock has informed me that it for her protection, but if she wants I can remove them," Jim replied, "As for her confinement to sickbay, I can see if we have any guest quarter..."
Winona shook her head as she looked at her son, "She will be moving into your quarters, Jim. She is carrying your child and you will be nearby, clear."
A shiver went down Jim's spin as he really knew tone of voice, it meant that there would no argument from him and he would follow it fully.
"Now, I will leave you to return back to your bridge while we go look at your ship," Winona said as she grabbed the other woman and rushed out of the room.
Author Note: I'm providing the translation for you guys. Also I'm working on An Army of One.
Lloannen'Galae = Starfleet
Lloann'mhrahel = United Federation of Planets
Rinam = sister
Veoth = Offspring
Enriov = Senior Commander or Admiral
Khren = Police General
Khe'lloann'mnhehorael = Klingon Empire (common; informal)