Chapter Two

Hanging gracefully in the large web-like structure of the dry-dock. The main systems of the Enterprise activated slowly as the large and powerful vessel came to life, the largest and most powerful vessel designed by Starfleet roared into life in the airless vacuum of space. Sitting in the command chair and confidant in his mission, Captain James Kirk smiled to himself as he watched the bridge crew of his first command report readiness to launch the powerful and sleek vessel. Finally finishing the personnel files of his bridge crew, Kirk felt he knew them as well as he knew his own brother while he looked on with pride ever building within him.

"Uhura, signal the Dockmaster we are ready too launch. Sulu, thrusters at full on my order only. Once clear of Spacedock, set course for the neutral zone… maximum warp. Mister Chekov, as acting chief of security… I want full battle drills for the crew. We need to be in top shape for this, just incase"

"Aye sir" They said in unison.

"Scotty, status?" Kirk called out in the intercom.

"Fully operational sir, recommend we push slowly to warp. This system has never been fully tested"

"Understood. You heard the man Mister Sulu"

"Aye sir" Sulu replied.

"Captain Kirk, Dockmaster reports clearance to launch given"

"Sulu… Engage!"

Bursting into life, the Ambassador Class USS Enterprise NX-300-A roared into life as it slowly pushed forwards out of dry-dock. The sleek new design slipped slowly into open space as her powerful impulse engines exploded into life and left Earth orbit once again for the vast void of open space.

Rather then the now familiar design of the Ambassador Class Starship, she looked almost futuristic compared to the rest of the fleet. The main feature of the new design was a slight forward pointing oval shape saucer section, the nacelle struts of leading to the warp engines had a smoother curve and rounded edge to them as well as being held back at an angle pushing away from the main body of the vessel. It had almost seemed as if every sharp angle on the Enterprise had been rounded out to give an illusion of speed. Even the neck structure of the vessel had been lowered by two decks and rounded out to match the new lines as built into the structure was a four port torpedo launcher facing forward. Once clear of the inner planets of the Sol System, the ship leapt into warp and disappeared from the home system towards an uncertain mission ahead.

Captain's Log: Stardate 1423.12

Captain James T. Kirk Recording.

We are finally on our way towards the Neutral Zone in the hopes of ending what has become a terrible bloodstain on the hands of Starfleet, the Federation and old friend. Two days ago, we contacted the Romulan Senate and informed them of our departure from Spacedock, our arrival at the rendezvous co-ordinates are in three days

I have grown fond of my crew and vessel, battle readiness and reaction times are up by 75% due to Ensign Chekov's drills. I have made a deal with him, if he can get the crew upto 90% before we arrive, I'll promote him to Lieutenant.

On a personal note, I have too inform a member of the crew, my first officer, of the death of his old friend and Mentor… Ambassador T'Pol. A man named, Sarek has taken over her duties until a replacement can be found.

End Log Entry

Stopping outside the quarters of the Half-Vulcan officer, Kirk adjusted his uniform as he took a deep breath. Delivering bad news to crewmembers was not something he had looked forward to however; he felt it was his job to do so. Ringing the chime on the door, a voice called for him to enter as the doors slide open without effort. Stepping inside, Kirk looked around the darkened room as he saw a figure standing over a bed. Once again taking a deep breath, he walked towards the figure as he spoke.

"Commander Spock"

Much too his surprise, the darkened figure turned to face him with a slight smile on its face. Shocked, Kirk stepped back and turned around with respect as the figure spoke.

"Captain? I was erm…"

"No need to explain Miss. I need to speak with Spock, do you mind?"

Picking up her clothes, she nervously walked towards a second darkened out room; voices echoed from within as moments later, Spock entered wearing a bathrobe, much to Kirk's amusement.

"Captain?"

"Busy?" Kirk laughed.

"I was…"

Straightening himself up, Spock stood at attention as Kirk smiled slightly at the discomfort in his first officer's face. He had heard from many of the crew of Spock's attention towards Uhura nevertheless, he felt as if he had walked in upon his own parents in the throws of passion.

"If you're decent Spock. A word in private!"

"Of course Captain" He said with his usual stoicism.

"Can we talk here; I know that Uhura has an excellent ear, from what I read of her file her CO thought she was a security risk"

"Anything you can say in front of me…"

"Of course. We've received a message from Vulcan regarding Ambassador T'Pol. I'm sorry Spock, she passed away this morning"

"I see. Anything else Captain?"

"What?" Kirk replied quickly. "Spock, she's dead!"

"I am aware of that Captain. Her death is a great loss to Vulcan, who will be taking over her post?" He said calmly.

"Her assistant, his name is Sarek"

"He is the logical choice"

"Logic? Spock, your mentor is dead…"

"And I will grieve as a Vulcan should. Sarek is the logical choice as a replacement" He said calmly.

"What do we know about this Sarek?" Kirk replied, slightly annoyed.

"An accomplished diplomat in his own right, he settled the secondary accords with the Klingon Homeworld. A member of the Vulcan Science Academy and Board of Elders… sits on the High Council in T'Pol's proxy and married too a Human woman"

"You seem to know an awful lot about him Spock, anything I should know?"

"Sarek has a son, currently serving Starfleet… Stationed onboard this ship" Spock replied.

"The only Vulcan is… You?" Shock rippled through Kirk as he continued. "You, are Sarek's son?"

"Yes, sir… I am a son of Sarek, son of Amanda Grayson of Earth and half brother of Sybok"

"Sybok?" Kirk said with interest.

"Sybok's mother was Vulcan Priestess… upon her death, Sybok and I where raised as brothers"

"So he is also Half Human?" Kirk smiled.

"No! As I said Captain… it is a long story of which we do not speak. He was banished from Vulcan for following… a different path. A path that emulates our Romulan brethren"

"One day, tell me about him" Kirk smiled.

"As you wish sir" Spock said with a slight smile.

"If you need anything Spock, my door is always open… By the way, Uhura… Nice!"

"My eyes are up here Captain" She laughed.

"I made my choice. Well, I'll leave the both of you alone. We should arrive at the rendezvous point at 1315 hours tomorrow… I expect you both decent"

Smiling slightly too himself, Kirk left the two officers alone and made his way towards his new quarters on the ship. Although he had been onboard, his new command for three days, he had yet too unpack his belongings. Perhaps now was the appropriate time to do so.

Finally entering his quarters, he stopped at the door and looked around the large room. Almost larger then his apartment on Earth, Kirk let out a deep sigh as he saw the small bags placed on the floor next to a large sofa he had been sleeping on since his arrival on the ship. With a deep sense of satisfaction, he stepped inside as the lighting automatically activated when the internal sensors detected his arrival.

"Welcome home Captain James T. Kirk. You have fourteen new messages pending" Called out the ships computer. "Would you like to hear them now?"

"From whom?"

"Eight messages of ship status, three messages from Doctor McCoy, two messages from Starfleet Command, one message from Admiral Christopher Pike and one message from Carol Marcus"

"Computer, play message from Pike!" He smiled slightly.

As he walked towards the bags on the floor, he picked one of them up as the large computer screen on the far wall illuminated with the image of Admiral Pike. As he sat on the sofa, Kirk placed the bag on a table before him and began to unpack his belongings as the message played.

"Hello Jim, I hope you've already settled in nicely… Spock not giving you a hard time I hope. He can be difficult at times, but he is a fine officer and will make an excellent addition to your new crew. Use him wisely Jim. He may resent your promotion to Captain over him but, in time he will adjust…"

"Computer pause!"

With the request given, the computer paused the playback as Kirk stood with a bundle of clothing including Starfleet uniforms and civilian attire. As he stood and walked towards the bedroom, he placed the carefully in one of the many cupboards that aligned the room before he walked back into the room. Completely oblivious of his surroundings, Kirk walked towards the sofa once more and hit his leg on the large table before him. Cursing to himself, he sat down and rubbed his leg as he ordered the computer to resume the message as he returned to his unpacking.

"… By now, he may be aware of the passing of Ambassador T'Pol. I know Spock very well, he may show no emotion over her death, but as his mentor and close friend, he will grieve in his own way. In many ways Jim, T'Pol was more then his mentor, she was the closest thing he had to a sister. Even her son, Lorian is like a brother to him since his own brother was exiled many years ago, perhaps more so because they share a similar ancestry with Lorian being one quarter Vulcan. But you wouldn't know it if you met the guy, from what I have read of his father… they are one and the same. Well, take care of my ship Jim… she means a lot to me. Enterprise is a fine ship with a long heritage, treat her well Captain and she'll always bring you home. I should go now and leave you too your business, good luck Captain Kirk. Rear Admiral Christopher Pike, Starfleet Operations… out"

"Wow!" He smiled slightly. "I can't get used to being called Captain"

Slowly, his eyes drifted too the many awards he had accumulated over his career, with a slight smile, he picked up one specific commendation award, bearing the logo of Starfleet Academy. Cadet James T. Kirk. Awarded citation for impressive display and original thinking during Kobayashi Maru Test. running his fingers over the certificate, he laughed to himself slightly as he read the hand written note at the bottom of the certificate. Next time Kirk, we'll beat you! Admiral Addams. Picking up many of his awards and medals, he once again walked into the large table and cursed to himself as he hobbled towards the large desk in the left corner of his personal quarters.

The desk was almost a mirror of the space in the Captain's Ready Room, his ready room. A large leather bound chair occupied the space behind the computer desk, which was perfectly equipped with a computer screen attached to the desk showing the standby screen of the ships status, a standard display for all computer screens that where not in use. However, unlike many consoles and personal desks around the ship, a large glass-like display on the desk surface displayed a touch-screen like console from which he could access any system on the ship, if required. Directly behind him, was a small personal food and drink replicator. Although they where standard throughout the ship in crew common areas such as the mess-hall and gymnasium, only senior staff and guest quarters had been equipped with the new version, the rest of the quarters onboard ship where equipped with the old style food dispensers, an upgrade of the less advanced version of the system originally designed for the NX-Class ship and subsequent Starfleet vessels.

Ordering his favourite drink, he retrieved the beverage and sat down in the large comfortable chair for a much-needed rest. Taking his first sip, he smiled slightly at the perfectly replicated coffee like drink which had been banned throughout the Federation as it originated in the Klingon Empire, a dangerous and deadly enemy of the Federation. Stronger and spicier then the usual coffee served throughout the Federation, he had acquired a taste for the drink after being introduced to it by a former lover many years ago. Although banned in the Federation, Kirk had kept a small supply of the original blend for use with a replicator once he had access to one.

It was a matter of Starfleet record, that James Kirk was an impressive officer, yet he had a long list of charges made against him by rival officers throughout the fleet for his unusual command style and as one officer put it 'A Gung-Ho' attitude, due to his approach of not backing down from a fight and refusal to obey orders in certain positions. Most notably, many years ago during an away mission. It was supposed to be a simple geological survey of an unexplored planet on what had become known as 'The Deep Range', an area of space outside side of Federation held territory. Occupied by a peaceful and spiritual species, a young and brash Lieutenant Kirk refused to leave a single man behind on an away mission once the planet was being attacked by a hostile species no known as Cardassian. The young and injured officer was placed onboard his old ship as a last minute crew replacement and the personal Academy nemesis of Kirk, Lieutenant Sean Finney. An Academy upper class-man who took it as his personal mission to harass Kirk during his training. Shot by an enemy weapon and severely injured, Kirk was ordered to leave the behind by the mission commander, refusing to obey the order, Kirk ran towards the injured officer and carried him on his back while under heavy fire towards the awaiting shuttlecraft. Once they returned to the ship, the mission commander attempted to place a reprimand in the file of Kirk, one that was dismissed by the Starship commander and a promotion given in its place for conspicuous valour and the rescue of a fellow officer while under fire. An act, which made Kirk and Finney, close friends for life.

Returning with a fleet of Eight Starships, Lieutenant Commander Kirk led a ground assault on the Cardassian held forces to liberate the peaceful Bajoran species from the oppressive grip of the Cardassian Union, a close ally of the Romulan Star Empire. Over the next few years, Kirk arose through the ranks to his current position as the Bajoran people had applied to join the United Federation of Planets to which they where welcomed with open arms.

Assimilating the Bajoran militia into Starfleet was an easy task as the world brought a much-needed spiritual aspect to the Federation and the first Starbase type structure had begun construction around the Bajoran homeworld one year ago. Due to the enormous distance between Bajor and the rest of the Federation, it was known that the Starbase would take over twenty years to complete. However, once completed, Starbase Deep-Space Nine as it is to be called, would be the furthest reaching Federation installation and perhaps one of the Federation's most important outpost to date.

After drinking the coffee, Kirk listened to the rest of the awaiting messages until he finally reached the one from his old flame, Carol Marcus. With a deep sense of trepidation, Kirk deleted the message from his former fiancée and for the first time since he boarded the Enterprise, slept in his new bed.

For almost three hours, he slept comfortably until a message awoke him. Groaning slightly, he sat up in bed and looked at the clock next to his bed as he sighed deeply.

"What?" He yawned.

"Jim, McCoy. I need you in the Med-Lab… now!"

"Bones? Now?" He moaned.

"Now Jim… make it fast, I've had a breakthrough"

"Can it wait until the morning?"

"Kirk, let go of whatever Ensign you are with and get down here"

"I'm alone Bones… I'll be down soon. Kirk out!"

Exhausted, he threw his legs out of bed and walked slowly towards the large shower in the room facing his bed. After showering, he dressed in scruffy looking trousers and an old battered t-shirt before he left his quarters. Stopping at the door, he turned and walked towards the sofa to pick up an old paper folder with the hand written notes on the Langaran plague. As he left his quarters, he once again hit his leg on the large table in his quarters. Quickly turning on his heels, he kicked the table in anger as he moaned too himself. 'I've gotta move that damned thing!'

Limping towards sickbay, he entered as McCoy stood in the doorway with a slight smile on his face.

"Took you long enough. What's with the leg?"

"Had a fight with a table, I think I got in a good shot or two"

"You're an idiot, you know that!" McCoy laughed.

"Personal battles aside, what is it Bones?"

Walking towards a small console set up in a small room, instantly recognisable to Kirk as one of McCoy's own equipment and not Starfleet standard equipment, McCoy sat down at the unusual equipment as he spoke quickly.

"I received an encoded data-stream from our… friend, all tests look positive. Think we've finally nailed this bastard down. Doctor Selana has had good results from her test subjects, from what I can tell, they look promising"

"Hallelujah!" He declared to the room.

"I wouldn't celebrate yet Jim; we've got a long way too go. It's based on a formula found by my father, but it's based on… the droppings of a bat-like species on a world beyond the deep-range"

"Eww!" Kirk said quickly.

"I know, I remember smelling it for months after his research was abandoned. Damn it Jim, he was so close, but medical technology back then wasn't sensitive enough to… you get the idea"

"Just about. What is that smell?" He moaned.

"Ohh that! Nurse Chapel is working on the serum as we speak…"

"Didn't do it yourself?" He laughed.

"What? I grew up with that smell Jim, reminds me of home"

"If home is a fertilizer plant, then I pity you"

"Ha-ha! Very funny" He mocked. "How's the leg?"

"Shove it!" Kirk said with a wink.

McCoy and his family had been a close friend to Kirk's for many years, although older then Kirk, he almost had a brother like relationship with the country style doctor. Kirk even envied his way with his patients for many reasons. Not taking any sign of disrespect from anyone, even Admirals. McCoy had a certain charm about him that made everyone around him gravitate towards him. Meeting in a bar once, during one of Kirk's many bar fights, they had developed a close bond after being on opposing sides during the fight. However, it was not the bar fight that had drawn them closer, it was the time spent in a Starfleet Security brig that had drawn them closer.

Always a point of argument between the two of them, Kirk had made his move against a young woman in a bar, a young woman which happened to be McCoy's wife at the time. Spending the night in the brig, they had laughed off the incident and refused too explain to Starfleet Security who started the fight and what it was about. Eventually becoming fast friends, Kirk had even become the godfather to McCoy's daughter, Joanna. Yet, after his divorce, Jim Kirk had comforted his friend by taking him to the pleasure planet known as Risa, first visited by humans over a century ago by the NX-300 crew under command of Admiral Archer after the Romulan War came to its eventual end.

"Well, I might as well take a look at that leg while I explain this whole thing to you. Take a seat Jim!"

Limping towards a bio-bed, Kirk's exhausted body slumped onto the end of the bed as McCoy rolled up his trouser leg to reveal a large bruise on his shin. Laughing aloud like a mad man, McCoy almost lost his balance as Kirk snorted slightly at the bedside manner of the ships doctor.

"Hippocratic Oath Bones, remember?"

"I was wrong Jim; you're not an idiot… more like a blistering idiot!"

"Ha-ha, very funny. I think you mean a bruised idiot… Doctor" He said with a laugh.

"A simple bruise Jim. Nurse, hand me a dermal regenerator… too avoid further injury… Captain, you may want to consider moving the offending table"

"Ohh, I've got the perfect place for it Bones. How about that report?"