Ch 16 Who's Zooming Who
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ENTERPRISE
Kate chases Kirk to the transporter room like a small puppy nipping at his heels. Finally, the Enterprise has dropped into orbit around a planet. Joanna brought up the schematics on Star Base 11 and details about the capital city. Although the planet and base are small in both size and population, Kate is chomping at the bit to get off the ship. She has spent the past two days, ransacking the Enterprise for the Holocron with no luck. Kate is ready for a break, but Kirk's announcement that she will remain on the ship for at least the morning has set Kate off.
"I am not staying here," Kate protests loudly. "Why can't I go? I will be soooo quiet. Please let me come with you."
"This is a closed meeting Kate. No kids allowed," Jim never breaking his stride rounding a corner. Michaels and Paulson trail the pair at a respectable distance. The two security officers have prepared for a difficult day. All the kids are scheduled to go off the ship at some point except Kate. With the Jedi lurking in space, Kirk has refused the various offers from the crew to take his daughter dirt side. Kirk had planned to take her early this morning, but a surprise meeting with Admiral Komack from Star Fleet headquarters derailed that idea. Jim wishes he never answered the comm call from yesterday.
"But the meeting is ABOUT a kid. This kid," Kate argues jumping into the turbo with Jim. "I'm the kid. Just let me sit outside the meeting in case you have any questions that need to be answered."
Jim raises his eyebrows. "Because you have been so forthcoming with answering questions in the past," Jim playfully reprimands her. "Look we all have to follow orders," Jim presses the button for deck 12. "Pike ordered me to go. I am ordering you to stay here. It is called chain of command and you my dear are the last link." Jim taps her nose with a finger and exits the turbo.
Kate hates the idea of being low man on the totem pole of Star Fleet. "I promise no funny business. Star Base 11 is secure right," Kate tries to look as innocent as possible.
"Yes but no," Kirk ends the circular debate about if it is so secure, why can't she come before it starts.
Kate tries a different angle. "I just want to feel a breeze, or rain, or the sun, or anything but florescent lighting and canned air." Jim stops dead causing Kate to bump into him. He loves the Enterprise but understands the need to 'get out of the house and get the stink blown off you' as his mother used to say. Kate is no different from everyone else on the ship. They are just looking for a change in scenery. Kate sees his actions as a chink in his defenses. "Í have to get off this ship," Kate begs. Jim brushes hair back behind her ears. "I have been in space a month. A month," she makes it sound like an eternity. "I think I am suffering from space sickness."
"Baby you would still be on a star base. I am not going to the planet for the meeting," Jim tries to let Kate down gently. So far, things have been improving between them. Kate is outwardly less hostile and seems to be allowing some people into her world. Not he, of course, but Jim is happy Kate will let anyone in. His time will come and he will be ready. "Look I promise to take you dirtside after the meeting." Jim kisses her forehead before continuing to his destination.
"Can I go with someone else down to the planet," she chases him, "like Dawson or Michaels. What about Bones or Sulu? Will you stop," she yanks on his arm. Kate hates when Jim just dismisses her.
Jim stops pulling his arm from her grasp. "Kate when I get back I promise," he says becoming annoyed. He is trying to remember she is a kid, but Kate needs to understand the concept of no.
"I AM going with one of them. I will let you pick who," Kate glares defiantly at him.
"Oh, you are are you," Kirk crosses arms. Kate has gone from toeing the line to pole vaulting right over it. "Try it and you'll be standing for your meals. Now stow your attitude, Kate." Jim walks on praying Kate shuts her mouth before he has to shut her down. He has enough on his mind that he doesn't need her bullshit today.
"Stow yours," Kate yells back. Part of her wishes she hadn't pushed him into a corner, but he needs to understand she is far more mature than the rest of the kids on the ship.
"And you were so close to not having to be punished. How can I send you down with anyone if you are acting like a spoiled brat," Jim thinks knowing her flippant back talking needs consequences. "Kate you are to stay on the ship period," Kirk uses his command voice. Kate trails after Jim into the transporter room. "Mr. Pols, inform all personnel that my daughter is confined to the ship. If she tries to leave...throw her in the brig and anyone who lets her off can join her." Kate watches his form beam away.
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MESS HALL
Hey," Ronin nudges Cameron holding his breakfast tray, "why is she over there alone?"
Cameron shrugs his shoulders. "Kirk had an early meeting and I heard they got into a fight in the hall. I asked her to sit with me. Told her everyone would be here in a few minutes but she did not want to move to a bigger table. I figured she wanted some space," Cameron takes a bite of his sandwich. "Should I have made her move?"
"Naw dude," Ronin says walking over to Kate's small two-seater table. "This seat taken," Ronin asks sitting before he is invited.
"Guess it is now," Kate says sourly poking a piece of waffle in syrup.
Ronin gives her five minutes before he starts talking. "I get what's wrong with you Kate probably more than anyone else on this ship," he takes a huge swallow of his orange juice. Kate's expression does not change as she still plays in her syrup. "I can't image what it would be like to be adopted into a family not once but twice in your life. Make you doubt if anything is ever gonna last right?" Ronin sees she is at least listening by the crinkle between her eyes and that she is no longer playing with her food. "Jack and Sam adopted me when I was two," Ronin shares.
"You're adopted," Kate says fully focused on Ronin.
"Yeah," Ronin leans back getting ready to share his story. He doesn't like to talk about his past even though he doesn't remember a time without Jack or Sam. "My home world was called Sateda. It was located along the Federation–Romulan border but didn't belong to either side. The Romulan's attacked one day and the Federation decided to intervene. The Romulan's leveled the planet. Jack found me in the rubble. Apparently, I was there for days. There was a ton of other orphans but for some reason Jack had a soft spot for me. Brought me to Earth and they adopted me," Ronin finishes the story.
"Do you remember any of it," Kate's heart goes out to Ronin. She saw so many orphan refugees from the Yuuzhan Vong war. "Do you remember your parents?" Kate dares to ask.
"No," Ronin gets a far off look on his face. "I mean I think I remember them, but their faces are like faces in a dream. You can see them, but they are never in focus. Sometimes I think I just want to see them so bad my mind comes up with something." Ronin leans forward in his seat. "Look the whole reason I am telling you this is that I get what you are feeling now. I may not actually remember losing my family, but a few years back it really hit me I was adopted. Jack and Sam never tried to hide I was adopted. It was a rough few months before I realized they would always love me whether or not I was their biological son."
"So how does this pertain to me," Kate asks trying not to be insensitive. "I am Kirk's kid according to some damn DNA test."
"Ah but you weren't Han's right," Ronin's question confuses Kate. "Han essentially adopted you and you see him like I do Jack. Han is your father. No one can ever replace him but now Jim pops in. In some weird fucked up cosmic karma, Jim takes you from your family and adopts you into ours. It is almost like one of those girly movies Erika loves to watch." Ronin can see he is totally losing Kate. This is the reason he will never ever be a therapist. "What I am getting at is you are blaming Jim for something that is not his fault. Trust me if Han lived here, Jim would move heaven and earth to get you back to him," Ronin hopes Kate understands what he is telling her. "Jim would do it not because he doesn't want to be your dad but because it is killing him that you are this sad. A real dad will do whatever he has to for his kid even if it crushed him. Jim would not give you back to Han but would work it out so that you are not so scared and lonely. He just doesn't have that option Kate. I know you are pissed but cut him a break. This is as hard on him as it is on you maybe even more so. What if it was reversed and you wanted him for a dad, but he was like no way," Ronin sees Kate glance away. He hopes he is not going to make her cry. He only wanted her to see the other side.
Kate never thought about it from Jim's perspective. She hates Ronin for making her think. "So why do you call them Jack and Sam if you are so close," Kate tries to get the conversation off her and back onto him.
Ronin gets a sly smile before responding. "Jack and Sam are mom and dad. I just used their first names to grab your attention."
The arrival of his youngest brother ends the conversation. "So any reason why you both are sitting here alone," John asks coming up with his empty tray.
"Trading Erika up for the newer model," Ronin jokes throwing his balled up napkin on his plate.
"I wouldn't let her hear that," John teases pretending to be serious. "Mom and Dad said move your ass or they are leaving you here," John says giving Kate a half smile before walking away.
"So you and Erika are," Kate lets the words trail until she gets a nod in response. Kate fiddles with her straw in her drink while talking. "That means if Jo and Cam are a pair who does he like," Kate jerks her head towards John at the trashcan.
"You," Ronin says like it is the dumbest question he has ever been asked.
"Because he was a third wheel until I showed up," Kate surmises. "Me being here is just working out better and better for everyone but on this tin can."
"I thought you were supposed to be a genius like your dad. If you can't tell John likes you for you then someone added your IQ up wrong. I know you are new here and all but my brother would not be paying attention to you simply because he doesn't want to NOT be without a girlfriend. Trust me John doesn't ever need help making girls like him. In fact, John has never talked a specific girl to me before last night. Take that for what's worth," Ronin picks up his tray to leave. "Are you going dirt side today?"
His question is innocent enough but makes Kate feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. "Yeah, later Kirk and I are going down," Kate flashes her everything is cool smile. As with everyone else in the universe, Ronin believes it walking away. Kate goes over the conversation in her head she had with Ronin. He was right. She can have the best of both worlds. It only took three weeks to get here. Kate can use the Enterprise as a vacation spot when Han makes her crazy. She just needs to get home first.
.
STAR BASE 11
Kirk palms the door lock entering the small office. "Captain Kirk please take a seat," Komack indicates a chair across from him.
"Thank you admiral," Kirk sits stiffly. He has never been in a meeting with Komack that works in his favor. The slight smile on Komack's face sets off red flags in Kirk's mind.
"Did you have a safe trip," Komack leans back in his chair. His relaxed body posture designates his false belief that he has Jim in the inferior position. The only thing inferior to Jim is that he holds less rank.
"For the most part sir," Kirk mimics the relaxed posture of his superior officer.
"Excellent. From the report, I have read you did an excellent job with the situation. You will all receive commendations," Komack flips a stylus end over end.
"What are you up to," Jim muses listening to the false praise spewing from the Admiral's lips. "Thank you. My crew performed admirably but as the flagship of the fleet I expect nothing less," Kirk accepts the compliment on edge. Jim waits for Komack to play his cards. People like him need to feel powerful by talking. Jim waits letting the silence between them force Komack's hand.
"So do you have any leads on the Jedi?" Komack acts as if the response Jim gives is inconsequential.
"We have a working theory on how to track them. Once hammered out we will find them their ship. Lt. Commander's Scott and O'Neill have found their ships emit ion particles for exhaust," Jim hands over a PADD detailing the results of their findings so far. Other Captain's would want the credit for solving the issue, but Jim only wants the issue gone. He has left out numerous parts in his Captain's logs detailing the supposed weapon and Kate's sympathetic loyalties to the Jedi as best he could.
"So Kirk let's cut to the chase and deal with the issue at hand," Komack straightens in his seat ready to crush the young Captain seated across the desk.
"Other than the Jedi," Kirk gives Komack his full attention. "What is your end game," Kirk's mind races. He has already given Komack every detail about the mission and all reports associated with it.
"Your Jane Doe," Komack's voice takes on a steely tone.
"My Jane Doe sir," Kirk is temporarily lost in the conversation but Komack's next statement clears up any misunderstanding and divulges Komack' plan.
"The fourth Jedi,"
Jim's posture stiffens. Komack is going down a road that has no return. "If you are referring to my daughter Katherine Kirk you should know she is not a Jedi."
"That remains to be seen and calling the child Jane Doe gives us common ground. We should not jump to conclusions about her skills or parentage.
"Parentage?" Jim's voice is laced with acid. "Sir with all due respect sir, she is my child. Dr. McCoy ran the test three times to confirm. He also cross-analyzed it against my wife Lauren Shan Kirk's DNA profile producing a 100% genetic match."
"I am sure you feel the results are accurate but I, we… at Star Fleet need more," Komack grins like he has won. "You understand don't you Jim?"
"Sure thing Admiral. Let me just pop on down to Star Fleet Family Services and get you that birth certificate," Kirk is getting angrier by the minute but is managing to control it.
"We need to make sure this is not an attempt for a personal gain," Komack gives Kirk the reason for the medical exam.
"Personal gain?" Jim is temporarily lost in the conversation. "What would I have to gain? Katherine Kirk is my daughter. This makes zero sense. You have repeatedly stated that I am no better than a child myself. Why the hell would I claim a kid that's not mine?" Kirk says the last question slowly as bile rises in his throat.
Komack leans in locking eyes with Jim. "She is a powerful weapon."
Instantly Jim knows what there is to gain and who is behind this. "Excuse me Admiral," Jim's mood is turning murderous. "She's a scared 12 yr. old child…my child. Kate is not a weapon. Now if you excuse me," Kirk stands placing his hat on his head. This meeting is finished in his mind.
"Not scared enough to take over your ship under your nose," Komack glares at the audacity of the young Captain preparing to leave without being dismissed.
Kirk spins tightly on his heel about facing until he locks a deadly blue stare on Komack. "Prove it. You have my official reports and that of my senior staff. Find anywhere in those reports that a twelve-year-old girl staged a one manned mutiny on my ship." Jim watches Komack flinch. Never did Jim Kirk ask for anyone to falsify their reports, but as a family, Jack, Spock, and Bones have submitted reports that will protect Kate as if she were their own.
"Then explain the maintenance requisitions for the security office and the floor panel replacements submitted by your crew," Komack flings a PADD at Jim.
Jim lets a small smile creep onto his face enraging Komack further. "This one says Dawson's was attempting to activate the alien tech when he slipped and fell against the weapons locker. I don't care how many times I tell them they never believe me that playing with marbles in that room is a bad idea." Komack's face turns red at being made a fool of by Jim. Jim opens the next maintenance report barely able to read it without laughing. "And Ensign Thomas has claimed full responsibility for not tightening the screws enough on the deck plates allowing the Jedi to fall through. Everyone was complaining about how squeaky that section of the floor was. I think we should just thank our stars the Jedi haven't filed a law suit against us for not having up a repair sign like they do in bathrooms after mopping. We are clearly at fault for any injuries they sustained." Jim plans on having a ship-wide professional development day once they are in deep space again complete with hot dogs, beers, and volleyball in the main shuttle hangar. The meeting will be titled "How Superior Officers Should Thank Their Crew After the Shit Hit the Fan."
Komack turns purple in rage seeing the enjoyment Jim Kirk is having at his expense. "I want all the footage from the ship covering the main security office, Brig, Sick Bay, and surrounding hallways," Komack demands slamming his hand down on the desk causing the water in the glass to ripple.
"Not a problem. Have you spoken to my chief of security," Jim leans forward feigning interest. If his crew went to this much trouble with the reports, there is no way anything is caught on the security feeds.
"That man is incompetent. He is unable to locate the exact times requested. Everything he has sent was either twenty-four hours before the event or video of maintenance repairing the damage from after." Komack is so angry spittle flies from his lips.
"Nice one Jack," Jim keeps the smirk off his face. "I will look into it," Jim promises. Without the video, there is no physical proof that Kate even participated in freeing the Jedi. Based on the actions of Spock and Jack, there will be no verbal confirmation of the event either.
"I bet you will Captain," Komack's tone turns icy. "I see you think this is funny."
"No sir I don't," Jim grows serious. "I find nothing funny about you including my daughter in the group of terrorists that were on my ship."
"Then you will love this." Komack slides an actual piece of paper across the table to Jim from a folder on his desk. Jim picks it up reading the official Star Fleet heading. Komack takes great satisfaction watching Jim turn red with rage. "Kate will submit to an unbiased full medical battery here at Star base 11. Pending the results, she will be transferred back to a secured facility at Star Fleet HQ for monitoring and observation."
Komack gloats as Jim crumples the court ordered document into a ball. "No sir she won't. Kate will remain in my custody. You nor Star Fleet can separate a child from its parent without just cause," Kirk leans forward on the desk white knuckled.
"You will retain certain rights, but I will take temporary custody of the Jane Doe…I mean Katherine Kirk while you finish your tour of the Enterprise," Komack looks gleefully at Jim thinking he has won.
"I would love to see you try it sir," Jim sits back down ramrod straight in his chair.
Jim's tone sets Komack on edge. "Excuse me son. You had better watch your tone Captain," Komack stands looking down at Jim. "If she is your child and that is a big if you can sue for legal custody."
"Say that again. I know I did not hear you right," Jim spats, anger rolling off him.
"Kate is now a temporary ward of Star Fleet. Her mother is not available to collaborate or substantiate your claims," Komack gives his flimsy excuse for how he got the court order. "From what I have heard Kate says you kidnaped her from her mother."
"You heard wrong. She is my kid," Kirk's voice begins to shake slightly expressing the rage building in him.
"Pending the results of a paternity exam,' Komack matches Jim's angry tone.
"Dammit Admiral,"
Komack talks over Jim not caring what the Captain has to say. "Refuse we take immediate custody of Jane Doe,"
"Try it I dare you," Jim leans over the desk speaking at the same time as Komack does. "Kate stays with me she is,"
The fight is broken up by an emergency comm call from Bones. "Jesus Jim you need to get your ass up here now. We have a situation."
"What is it Bones," Jim's eyes burn with fury staring at Komack.
"Kate was beamed from the ship by two Star Fleet officers. They entered my quarters and removed her. Joanna commed security but by the time Dawson arrived they had initiated a site to site transport," Bones explains.
Jim straightens his hat. "We are not done here sir. Not by a long shot," Kirk threatens heading for the door.
"No, we are not," Komack says smugly to Jim's back. "Let Jim run to his ship," Komack thinks. By the time he finds out where his daughter is, the tests will be completed. Kate will have provided Section 31 with their needed information and be heading to a secret base somewhere at the edge of the galaxy. A brief pang of guilt enters Komack's heart. If anyone had ever tried to separate him from his children, Komack would have reacted just as Jim did. The difference is that his kids were not possible threats to the Federation.
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GO CART TRACK
"Hey," John bitches as Ronin cuts him off at a turn. Ronin's actions generate two warnings: One from the security attendant and the second from their mother Samantha.
"What," Ronin throws his hands up in disgust as only a thirteen-year-old boy can do as he flies past his mother.
Jack watches the scene from the snack bar. "That is ninety-two credits," the teen-aged clerk slides the tray piled with food through the window.
"Ninety-two credits," Jack repeats pulling his credit card from his wallet. "Is this a restaurant or snack bar?"
"Seven hot dogs, three cokes, two orders of fries, and a beer," the cleric goes over the order taking his credit card. "Those your boys," the bubble gum popping teen nods with her head.
Jack turns to see John almost run Ronin off the course swinging wide in a turn generating another series of whistle blasts from the attendant and reprimands from his wife. "No. I got those two quiet girls," Jack lies pointing to a set of twin pig-tailed red-heads quietly licking ice cream cones. Jack gathers up his food. He holds the plastic cup of beer between his teeth not wanting to make a second trip back to the snack bar.
"I am serious stop trying to run each other off the course. Don't make me get your father involved," Samantha O'Neill yells leaning over the safety rail as John and Ronin zoom past giving the "yeps" and "fines" indicating they aren't really ignoring her but not paying attention either.
"What is their father getting involved in," Jack asks sliding the tray on the table.
Samantha sits down in a huff. "They keep trying to run each other off the course," Sam whines. "See," she gestures as the boys race for the choke point to gain the lead. Samantha is a great mother, but she has never really caught on that a brother's sole purpose in life is to piss off one another. Jack slowly chews his hot dog trying to think of a way to appease his wife but side with the boys. From his point of view, Ronin and John are doing what every boy their age does.
"Well, at least they are taking turns," Jack nods his head showing Ronin sliding into the lead. Sam rolls her eyes taking a hot dog off the tray. After three more laps the boys come off the track smack talking about who is the better driver all the way to the food.
"Dude you only got me two hot dogs," Ronin whines seeing John snatch two from the tray.
"We will go to Red Robin for dinner. It'll be cheaper than buying another round of hot dogs, "Jack jokes polishing off his beer.
"So you up for the batting cages old man," John smack talks his dad finishing his hot dog.
"Old," Jack feigns being hurt. "I'll show you old." The rapid chirps from Jack's communicator kill the mood for the boys and Sam. "O'Neill," Jack answers it raising his hand as if everything is going to be okay.
"Sir we have a stray puppy. The Yorkie. Ten minutes ago from McCoy's quarters," Dawson reports. "She is at the Medical Center on the base. Beaming you to away team coordinates." Dawson doesn't wait for confirmation of orders. Jack de-materializes in front of his family's eyes.
"So how about taking me on in the batting cages," Sam tries to be upbeat. John and Ronin exchange furtive glances. Being the sons of the COS, they are more familiar with the security codes of Star Fleet than most of those under Jack's command. "Hey, everything is fine. Trust me," Sam smiles reassuringly. Her attempts to console the boy's fail. Everyone at the table knows what a stray puppy means. A stray puppy is code specific for the Enterprise referring to a kidnapping of one of the kids
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MEDICAL CENTER STAR BASE 11 KATE'S POV
Kate sits at the edge of the bed in the isolated room of Star Base 11's medical center. This is one problem she can't blame on Kirk nor he on her. Kate had spent the better part of the morning scouring the ship for the Holocron. It has been several days since the Jedi escaped and she allowed her attachments to the crew interfere with her job. Kate has tried to distance herself, but the crew is making that difficult. On the bright side, if they didn't try to be so friendly, Kate would have been alone and not hanging with Joanna. Sighing deeply Kate prays Joanna isn't too upset after the incident. Kate swings her legs in slow circles staring at her shoes waiting for someone from the Enterprise to come get her. The man that comes through the door is not the one she expected to see. "Rogan," Kate says barely above a whisper. He doesn't address her but pretends to be looking for medical supplies in the drawers.
"Boonowa fa hocan (You find it yet)," he asks in Huttese.
"Nobata (no)," Kate replies hiding her fear and anxiety well on her face. Rogan can feel her tension in the Force so Kate attempts to take deep mediating breaths to calm herself.
"We can't understand if you are simply stupid, inept, or planning to cross us," Rogan snarls in Huttese. "How can it take this long when he has given you free range of the ship? Hugo Brene will not be pleased," Rogan allows his words to sink in.
Kate can't hide being stunned. "Admiral Brene of the Intrepid," Kate repeats for clarification. Brene is a strange choice for extraction. There have been rumors he demonstrated sympathetic ties to both the Remnant of the Empire and more recently the Yuuzhan Vong. Kate knows this conversation has to be taped by the cameras. The fact they are using Huttese will stump Star Fleet but Jim Kirk will recognize this language as Huttese. She is going to have to speed this up.
"Yes Brene. Your lack of action has demanded his attention. His orders are simple. Retrieve or destroy the Holocron," Rogan's voice is smooth like a silk as he approaches Kate. "We have tried to contact you but you refuse to answer the comlinks." Kate feels her chest tighten unnaturally making it hard to breathe.
"Not again you mother fucker," Kate thinks. Kate envelopes her body in the Force preventing Rogan from choking her. It happens so effortlessly both Kate and Rogan are taken by surprise. "They took the comlinks, my saber, everything," Kate bites back. "I sacrificed it all in your release. Thank you would be the polite thing to say to me."
Rogan ends the defiance in her with his next utterance. "In three days the Intrepid will hunt the Enterprise down destroying her and all her crew if the Holocron is not delivered. Do not be on the ship at that time." Rogan then leans in whispering in a softer tone. "Be the force of life not the harbinger of doom." Rogan hands her a comlink before slinking out of the room. Kate shoves it in her pocket as her mind races. Admiral Brene is ruthless in battle. He will crush the Enterprise like an empty ale can and toss her over his shoulder in a battle. The thought that Kirk and his crew will die in three days unless she finds the Holocron makes Kate's head hurt. She is so focused on the problem of Brene and the Star Destroyer Intrepid; Kate misses the soft rush of air as the door to her isolation room opens.
"Jane Doe I am Admiral James Komack of Star Fleet. You were brought here for a medical exam. Your cooperation is appreciated but not necessary," Komack signals the four larger orderlies into the room. Kate takes a deep breath before closing her eyes and opening up to the Force.
.
MEDICAL CENTER STAR BASE 11 JIM POV
"Talk to me, "Jack materializes on the steps of the medical center as Bones', Jim, and a squad led by Dawson get ready to enter the building.
"Kate was taken from Bones' quarters fifteen minutes ago by men two men dressed in Star Fleet uniforms," Dawson fills Jack in.
"Joanna hurt," Jack begins to evaluate a threat assessment wondering if he should recall Erika and Cameron to the ship.
"No. According to Jo, they entered the quarters. Told Kate she was to come with them. Kate gave a response filled with several colorful metaphors before they beamed her off the Enterprise." Jack can just image what come out of Kate's mouth. "Joanna contacted security, but they used a site to site transport negating our ability to stop the transport in progress. We comm tracked her to the Med Center," Dawson rounds out his report. Jack nods turning his attention to the conversation occurring between Jim and Bones.
"Look Bones we don't have time for this. If Kate is still in this building it won't be for long," Jim rants barely able to keep his tone civil with his friend.
"Turbo lift to level 10," Dawson instructs reading the coordinates off the hand scanner displaying Kate's location as a pulsing blue dot overlaid on the building schematics. When Jack instituted the STRAY PUPPY protocol Jim thought Jack was being overly cautious. He understood the need for extra security regarding the kids, but Kirk felt intelligence grade comm badges was a bit excessive. Not being a parent at the time, Jim approved the request and moved on. Two years later, Jim is glad Jack's obsession with security is making it so easy to find his daughter.
"I have Spock contacting Pike and Archer for confirmation, but we both know this is not legitimate. Komack is on a witch hunt and I will be damned if Kate is going to be put on trial," Jim steps off the turbo gesturing disgustedly at Dawson for directions.
"Down the corridor and to the left," Dawson replies quickly.
"They know?" Jack was only five minutes late to the conversation, but he can easily decipher what is going on. Komack may be the face of the operation but it reeks of Section 31.
"They know enough that there is something that causes one to be a Jedi that isn't species specific. Since they have all admitted to different home worlds, it rules out something planet specific making one a Jedi. The only thing left is a genetic component," Bones informs the group. Bones looks at Jack realizing for the first time he is out of uniform wearing jeans and a cotton t-shirt. "How was go carting?"
"Eat before you go," Jack responds still annoyed with the hundred-credit lunch of hot dogs. "So they are using the paternity excuse to find a medical reason for being a Jedi?"
"Yeah," Bones confirms. "They are treating her like she is test subject. They want neural imaging scans, spinal taps, bone marrow samples, Detronal scans, Electrophoretic dialysis, Genetronic Replication, Greenfield filters, Hyperencephalograms, Microtomes," Bones lists test after test. One look at Jack and Jim's face tells Bones he is losing the group on 90% of the tests he is naming. "Microtomy involves cutting thin sections of organic tissue from a dead host."
"Dead," Jack's blood runs cold.
"Oh yeah. It can be done on live hosts but only as a last resort for the terminally ill. I don't have to tell you it is a procedure you don't EVER opt for," Bones' look of revulsion quickens everyone's pace.
"How much further Dawson," Jim's voice is tight with dread. The sound of a child's scream breaks the group into a run for the room at the end of the hall.