CH 28 HOW TO SAVE A LIFE

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CARGO BAY ENTERPRISE

Kate finds the cargo transporter room on Deck X easily following the ship schematics. The room is vast and almost completely filled to capacity. Luckily, Kirk runs a tight ship. All the cargo that was unloaded from Star Base 11 is neatly stacked against the walls clearly showing the huge transporter platform used to ferry bulk good on and off the ship. Kate prays this transporter works just like the others because she has one shot at this. She slides Jack's command access card into the slot giving her control of the ships systems. She locks the doors on all levels while cutting internal communications. Although the comm badges link everyone like an electronic beehive, severing the link will require face-to-face communication slowing everyone down. This will create a huge red flag to the command staff; however, Kate needs less than a minute to finish her task. "Master Zala Tsu, I am preparing to transport to your vessel. Stand by," Kate announces not bothering for a response as she sets the controls for beaming to the Jedi ship with a three-second delay. Her finger hesitates over the energize button wondering if she shouldn't have told Kirk everything. Exhaling loudly she makes her choice depressing the button. She can't take the chance Kirk will refuse to help her mom. She looks around one last time at her current home as she gets the slightly falling feeling as a swirl of white lights whisks her across space to the waiting Jedi ship. Regardless if the choice was correct, she only can follow through with her current plan of action.

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SICK BAY

Jack paces the Sick Bay. When he gets his hands on the Captain's daughter, he is going to wring her scrawny neck. "And you could not stop her?" Jack yells taking off his hat and slapping it on his leg before replacing it on his head. John knows this is his Dad's hallmark sign of frustration. Not only is he mad about the fight, but he is concerned about Kate.

"She is a girl and the Captain's daughter," John protests loudly removing the ice pack from the bridge of his nose. "The only way to have stopped her would have been knocking her on her ass. Would you have rather I did that?" John fires back replacing the ice.

"Watch your mouth kid," Jack reprimands before exhaling loudly. "No, I didn't expect for you to hit a girl nor is this your fault. We will just limit all contact with Kate and you guys until we get this Jedi thing straightened out," Jack decides. Kate has more skills than he gave her credit for. His boys are tough. For Kate to take one of them down only means Jack underestimated Kate. He will not make this mistake again.

"I could have done it, Dad. I just didn't want to hurt her. She is only scared. I would be in her position," John does not know why he is defending Kate except that he feels sorry for her.

Jack gets a half grin as he looks at his youngest son. John's ability to size up a situation is improving with his age. One day John will be a formidable Captain. "I know John. I know she is," Jack frowns frustrated he still can't figure out Kate's purpose on the Enterprise. The three Jedi are obviously using her, but Jack can't figure out for what which bugs the shit out of him. Jack removes the ice pack investigating John's nose and wincing at its size. "Okay so as soon as you are cleared by a doc I am going to show you how to take down a girl."

John gets an appalled look on his face. Jack waves a hand like his last statements were inconsequential and not against everything, he has taught his sons. "Son…girls can be tougher opponents than men. Typically, they are smaller and weaker so when they strike they tend to do it harder and faster. Since you don't want to ever hurt a woman I will show you how to incapacitate one all proper like while still retaining you gentleman status." John laughs at his dad's choice of words but finds the idea intriguing. If Kate is going to remain on the Enterprise, he knows he will need it eventually.

A thunk by a crewmember walking face first into the glass doors of the Sick Bay draws Jack's attention. "It's locked," Nurse Chapel says inputting her codes several times into the control panel.

"What do you mean locked," Jack says striding to the door as he reaches for his command access card. "Son of a…I am going to kill her," he says throwing his hat across the room. Not only did she steal his command access card giving her senior level command control to the ship, but she broke his son's nose for a second time. As Jack walks over to the door panel ready to hot-wire the controls, a pneumatic hiss signals the door is now working.

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SITH SHIP BEACON OF LIGHT

Kate opens her eyes. The sight of the familiar environment should have given her great relief. This is what she has dreamt of for the past week. To be going home to her family, yet Kate feels the icy waves of the dark side suck the every breath from her lungs. She watches Zala Tsu walk over with the grace of a cat stalking its prey. Kate opens herself to the Force letting wash over her body. Like a blanket taken directly from the dryer, Kate instantly feels the warmth of the light side of the Force envelope her. It gives her the strength to square her shoulders and face her enemies. "We need to go now. Captain Kirk knew the moment I beamed off the ship. It won't take him long to figure out where I have gone."

"Are you kriffing serious," Rogan screams taking the pilot seat of the shuttle. "You really drilled the woofer on this Kate. If Abeloth didn't need you, I would space you and watch you die. No wonder why your mother left you. You are pathetic and worthless."

Kate is used to others saying things like this to her. Her entire life most of the adults responsible for her spent their time informing Kate she was a nothing but a drain or burden. Only when she came to live with Han did this change. The Solo's and Skywalker's gave Kate a sense of self-worth and purpose. Maybe this is why Rogan's words hurt so much. Kate regrets not asking Kirk for help. Even when Kirk had no idea Kate was his daughter, he never was this cruel. Forcing the derogatory comments from her mind, Kate concentrates on the newest piece of information she has learned. "Who is Abeloth? I thought we were going to save my mother."

"Abeloth is the true ruler of the galaxy. She will cherish you my pet when you deliver the Holocron to her. You are giving her the universe. She is your only concern now," Zala Tsu cups Kate's cheek with her palm sending icy stabs of revulsion along Kate's flesh. "Tell me pet, where is it," she asks staring Kate in the eyes.

"Stay calm and show your Sabacc face," Kate tells herself as she swings the backpack off her shoulder and opens it slightly for Zala Tsu to see the Holocron nestled among her things. "But we serve the people not the other way around. Domination and subjugation are not the ideals of the Jedi." It is clear to Kate that these three Jedi have not lost their way but willingly embraced the dark side of the Force. They are Sith and now her enemies.

"And we are not Jedi and soon you won't be either," Da-Mu-Unka sneers taking the co-pilot seat as the Beacon of Light prepares to make the jump to light speed.

"Never," Kate hisses rearing back releasing her face from Zala Tsu's grasp.

A shrill cackle fills the cockpit of the ship. "Abeloth is the Lady of the Sith. The one, who everyone will serve," Zala Tsu says grabbing Kate by the chin roughly, "or die. She turned your mother easily enough."

Consumed by rage, Kate summons the Force pushing Zala Tsu away from her. It is a feeble action, moving the Lady Sith backward a few feet but not far enough to do any good. Anger flashes in Zala Tsu's eyes as she directs her full mastery of the Force on Kate shoving her into the far wall. Kate's head impacts the wall with a sickening thunk causing her to see stars as she drops to the deck. Defiantly but slowly Kate rises to her feet. "Luke will stop you and if he won't I will. Now where is my mother being held," Kate says.

"What the kriffing mradhe muck is going on here?" Rogan seethes realizing their position has been compromised. "Say good goody bye to Daddy sweetheart. I am about to kriff up his day." Rogan's fingers fly across the controls unloading the eight Dymek HM-8 homing concussion missiles at the Enterprise.

"No," Kate screams reaching up to activate her shirt comm. Hopefully, the signal can penetrate the shields of both ships.

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ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 5 MINUTES EARLIER…

As Kirk walks to Uhura's station, she immediately starts to relay the information. "Sir, the transmissions are definitely from the Jedi. Exactly ten minutes ago, there was another transmission. I can only assume it was meant for Kate When I triangulated the transmissions location, I discovered they all originated from somewhere in orbit of the planet.

"They must be masking their location from our sensors," Chekov says running a sensor sweep again looking for the Jedi ship.

"Son of a bitch," he says hitting the console with his fist. "She must have a communication device hidden on board the ship," he says crossing the Bridge to his command chair. "Kirk to security I need," Jim begins before realizing the comm badge is not connecting to the Security department. "Uhura why are internal communications down," Jim growls low tensing.

Before she can answer, Sulu interjects. "Whoa," he looks at his display as the shields flicker off. "Sir, shields are recalibrating." Kirk's grips the edge of his chair until his knuckles turn white.

"Get them up Mr. Sulu," Jim keeps and even tone as his blood boils.

"Captain I am detecting an energy signature rising from between the planet and the moon. It appears the Jedi ship was using the gravitational forces between the planet and moon to hide from our sensors," Spock explains.

"Mr. Sulu move us into a position to intercept and get me my shields. Uhura, send our Jedi friends a message stating they are to lower their shields and prepare to be beamed aboard the Enterprise," Kirk commands. "Those bastards have been sitting there the whole time under our noses," Kirk says icily from his command seat. "Well, game on assholes. Let's finish this once and for all people. Mr. Sulu, if we can safely take the ship fine but be prepared to fire if engaged."

"Aye Sir," Sulu says laying the course. Kirk watches as the Jedi ship comes into visual range on the bridge's viewport. Four bright flashes illuminate the sides of the Jedi vessel. "Captain, it appears the Jedi shuttle is firing weapons and attempting to escape into hyperspace." Spock says. "The weapons appear to be a form of concussion missile."

"Concussion missiles," Kirk says smugly before the first missile impacts the shields. It's highly compact energy pack erupts against the shields causing the Enterprise to rock almost imperceptibly; however, the next three in succession create an impact felt by all on board.

"Sir, port shields holding at 80%," Spock reports. "It appears the missiles can penetrate the shields if fired in succession at the same location."

"Sir four more missiles launched," Sulu reports laying in a course of evasive action before Kirk can command it.

Kirk sits erect and ready for battle in his Captain's chair. He is going to eliminate this Jedi threat for the last time. "Mr. Sulu bring the Enterprise to bearing 6.591 and fire when in range. I want that ship disabled. It can't be allowed to leave this system," Kirk orders as Sulu swings the Enterprise into a wide circle on a direct course with the Jedi ship. The Jedi ship may have superior speeds in a long distance chase but as predicted, the Enterprise is more agile and in position within seconds. "Son of a bitch," Kirk curses as the last four-concussion missiles impact the port side of the Enterprise rocking the ship enough that several bridge crew fall from their seats.

Sulu releases two proton torpedoes at the enemy vessel before Kirk can reissue a command. "Firing proton torpedoes Captain," he reports calmly. The photon torpedoes impact the Sith ship just forward of the engines as Rogan attempts to engage the hyperdrive. The torpedoes snap the main support beam housing the weapons control arm at the top of the ship. Jim sits in his command chair watching the control arm crush the top of the vessel like a soda can. Kate's assessment of the Sky River's ships being less maneuverable in real space is false. He wonders if she said this on purpose to give the Jedi an edge. "Sir the ship is attempting to jump to hyperspace," Sulu reports.

"Mr. Sulu take out their engines and prepare to beam over the ship's crew," Kirk commands sitting ramrod straight.

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BEACON OF LIGHT AS THE ENTERPRISE IS FIRING

As the two photon torpedoes hit the Sith ship, everyone is thrown from their feet. Da-Mu-Unka's head strikes the a bulkhead producing a smacking sound like a wet towel hitting a tile floor. Kate stares into his dead glassy eyes as the blood trickles down his temple pooling the floor. Zala Tsu hisses in anger pushing herself upright taking the copilot seat next to Rogan.

"We cannot make the jump to hyperspace. The hyperdrive-motivator has blown," Rogan reports fingers flying over the controls as the Enterprise looms into his viewport. "Hold on. They are firing again. Set shields to maximum," Rogan demands as Zala Tsu transfers all power to the shields. "Kate get your kriffing ass back to the engine room and get the hyper drive back on line," Rogan orders as the two balls of phaser light impact the ship.

They are going to need more than a swap out to get away from Kirk. Kate needs to stall for time. The Beacon of Light is powerful but without the hyperdrive operational, they don't stand a chance of escaping. "Dad! Dad! Stop. I am on the ship," Kate screams into the communicator attached to her shirt as the phasers pound the Sorosuub vessel like an iron hammer. Not wearing a safety restraint, Kate crashes into a console. Searing pain erupts from her hip as her upper body whiplashes over the top but her lower half is stopped by the metal structure.

"Captain stop firing. Kate is on board the Beacon of Light," Uhura yells spinning from her seat opening a comm line directly from the Enterprise to the Sith ship while replaying the message sent by Kate. A dead silence falls as Alpha crew witnesses the Sith ship coming apart before their eyes.

It takes a moment for Kirk to register what Uhura has said. "Katherine Kirk is not aboard the Enterprise," Spock confirms running a ship-wide scan looking to confirm Lt. Uhura's statement. Kirk has to mentally remember to breathe as all the air is sucked out of his lungs watching the internal explosions rock the Jedi shuttle from the inside. Wisps of smoke and flashes of fire seep from various cracks and holes in the Sith ship. "Captain their shields are failing. Hull integrity is down to 50%. Life support systems appear to be holding and steady. I'm detecting an energy build up in the aft section of the ship," Spock report causes Kirk's pulse to rapidly increase.

"The ship is gonna blow," Kirk says as Spock simultaneously responds, "The vessel is set to explode."

Kirk has to remain calm. "Mr. Chekov beam the survivors directly to Sick Bay," Kirk orders resisting the urge to shove Pavel from his seat and do it himself.

"I can't get a lock. They need to lower their shields," Chekov reports desperately trying to find a way around the situation.

"Stop…stop firing," Kate screams pushing herself upright surveying the damage to the Sith ship. Sparks and small fires add a red, hazy glow to the emergency lighting. The caustic scent of smoldering metal is rapidly burning her eyes and nose. She pulls off her shirt to use as a filter to help her breathe. The phaser shots have snapped the main support beam for the bridge crushing the last two Sith at the controls. Rogan's body is severed with his torso pinned under the beam and his lower body still gushing thick black blood over the seat like a horrific waterfall. Kate spies Zala Tsu pinned under the same beam not moving. Forcing the images from her mind, Kate makes her way to the pilot's seat. She has to save the ship. It is her only way home. If she can just get the engines on line, she can make repairs later. Kirk will not fire any longer knowing she is on board. Her feet slide in the coagulated blood as Kate attempts to access the controls around Rogan's body. Needing both hands, Kate sets the communicator on the console.

"Captain sensors show two life readings with one rapidly decreasing," Spock reports calm as always.

Kirk has a sinking feeling in his stomach. "Kate…Katie. Do you hear me," Kirk clenches his jaw waiting for her answer. When he has no response, he tries again. Kate just spoke to him. She can't be the one hurt or dying.

"Keptin if she puts the comm unit on I may be able to use it as a lock to strengthen the signal and beam her over," Chekov commands. The young lieutenant has no idea of this will work, but it is his only option. "For some reason she has removed it."

"Kate the ship is coming apart. Get your communicator so we can beam you over," Kirk repeats the information from his chair. Instead of the relaxed calm, he assumes 90% of the time in the captain's seat; he is poised to jump up at any second as if to reach out and physically grab her. He silently curses himself for not being there at her side now. "Don't panic baby girl. We've got you," he says to himself trying to calm down.

Through the cracked readouts, she sees the chance of getting the ship operational is impossible. It would take several people working frantically to repair the damage. With the rocking of the ship, Kate knows she does not have long before it's destroyed or boarded. She prays for the boarding option so she can salvage the ship, but with Sulu's excellent aim and the shields failing, she doesn't think it is likely. Kirk has already said he is going to beam her back. Kate sinks to the navigator seat in a daze looking at the comm unit. The minute she touches it, Kate will be back on the Enterprise. She reaches out but stops herself inches from the device. The smoking ruin of the ship is a visual symbol of her life. Soon it will be destroyed as will any chance for her to ever return home. Doing some mental calculations, Kate concludes she has about five minutes until the hyperdrive overloads. Her world slows down and a buzz fills her ears.

"Kate…Kate honey I need you to talk to me," panic edges Kirk's words. The thought of her lying dead or hurt on the vessel overwhelms him. Kate looks up as his voice echoes through the cockpit of the Sith ship. Kirk can no longer sit and not take action. "Mr. Spock you have the conn. Uhura have the hangar prep a shuttle," Kirk sprints from his seat.

"Captain you must think logically. The ship has less the five minutes. You cannot make the journey to the Jedi ship and back in time. It will kill you both," Spock firmly states blocking the Captain's path. The Vulcan prepares for Kirk to fight back as Jim's eyes fill with rage. Spock may purport not to have feelings, but he understands the fire burning in his friend's soul. He felt the same emotion when his mother died during Nero's attack on Vulcan.

"I am not fucking leaving her to," Kirk screams venomously at his first officer

"Get up," a voice wills Kate to stand. "Run Kate run. Do not take lives but save them," it says firmly in her mind. Kate has no idea who the voice belongs to, but the message is clearly from the Force. She has heard the voice only one time before and that was on Sernpidal before it exploded. Kirk's words registers in her mind. She knows what Kirk is about to do and can't let him. Too many people have died in Kate's life for her to sit back and idly allow Kirk to throw his away.

"I'm fine," Kate finds her voice snapping out of her daze. Life is always better than death. This is just a setback. She will get home and give the Holocron to Luke. It just may take longer than she expected. "Give me a second. I need to get something," Kate's voice fills the bridge with momentary relief until the crew processes her words.

"Katie baby you don't have a minute. The engine is going to explode. We need to beam you off now," Kirk stands in front of his chair waiting for Kate to tell them she is ready. Instead, she makes her way to the small crew quarters of the ship. Running to her bunk, she grabs the backpack holding the meager possessions she brought: a change of clothes, PDA, spare light saber, and the holo of her mom and Kirk. Leaving the room, she grabs Han's old pilot jacket she always wears off the hook by the door.

Kate needs to make sure she has everything before Kirk beams her off. "Almost done," she yells coughing as the smoke gets thicker. Kate wishes she had brought her shirt to filter the smoke from her lungs. The Enterprise bridge crew hears over the comm line the cracks and pops from metal and electrical systems coming apart. Sparks are flying and thick dark gray smoke is slowly filling the bridge of the ship. The acrid, electrical burning smell is strong. Kate puts a hand under her nose to try to block it.

Kirk leans forward slightly in his chair processing her statement. "There is nothing on that ship worth your life Katherine. Put the comm unit on now. You don't have a second. Put it on," he orders clenching his jaw shut to avoid screaming and causing her to panic. A long moment goes by without her responding. "Kate!"

"Yeah. I'm almost ready. We both know this ship isn't going to make it," she quickly scans the common area for anything useful. This is a sinking ship and she has only a minute to salvage what she can from her old life to keep in this new one. Zala Tsu's light saber rolls across the decking and she gathers it up sticking it in her pants. She grabs a deck of Sabacc cards, a bottle of Whyren's Reserve whiskey, and a pack of Kubaz cigarras off the table in the back.

Kirk is rapidly losing patience with his daughter. "Chekov beam her off now," he growls low.

"Keptin she needs to be in contact with the comm unit so I can get a lock. There are no life signs around it to lock onto," Chekov states desperately.

"Kate put your comm unit on now or I will permanently glue it to your body," Kirk rants losing his cool. When she gets back, he and she are going to have a very pointed talk about removing the comm device and the result will be she never does it again.

Kate opens the door to the engine room finding it blocked by debris. Flames shoot out singeing the hair on her face and arms. Instinctively she slams the door closed sealing off the fire. "OK. Just another second," she says hurriedly but without a trace of panic in her voice. Opening the weapons lockers Kate stuffs blasters, charging packs, and comlinks in her bag. As an afterthought, she grabs a medkit with Bacta patches for Bones as a peace offering for the broken nose. A violent shutter causes Kate to rethink her salvaging plans.

"Put on the comm!" Kirk orders in an authoritative tone reserved for those times someone is panicking and needs a cooler head to think the situation through. "We don't have time, baby. The ship is coming apart. We need to lock on to your signal."

"Hull breach eminent," Spock confirms with a hint of stress lacing his normally calm demeanor. .

"Chekov," Kirk says through clenched teeth.

"Sir, I'm having difficulty locking on to her signal. She needs to have the communicator for a lock," Chekov says with his fingers flying over the controls trying to extend the radius. If he can make it large enough maybe he can beam her to the cargo bay she left out of on Deck X.

Kate runs to the navigational computer ripping it out the hard drive sending a shower of sparks across the console. If she can't use the ship to get home, maybe Sulu can make some sense of the navigational maps and Kirk can take her home. "Kate. Stop what you are doing and get the communicator on. Baby, you have no more time. Don't make me watch you die," he repeats one more time in a patient but demanding tone.

His words stop her cold. She can do without anything else from the ship. "I'm ready," Kate says reaching for her shirt and the comm unit.

"Are you going to leave me to die," Zala says in a gurgled voice next to her. Kate's eyes widen as she drops her bag running to the injured Twi'lek.

Zala Tsu's voice sends icy chills through Kirk's body. As idealistic as Kate is, Jim knows she won't leave someone to die. "Kate what the hell are you doing over there. Put on the comm and we'll beam you out," Kirk commands.

"I can't leave. Master Tsu is alive." Kate says. She grabs the beam pinning her to the ground lifting with all her might. Panic swells in her chest. If Luke were here he could levitate the beam and save her, but Kate is too panicked to focus. "Help me, Master Tsu. Use the Force and help me," Kate screams.

"I am too weak my pet. You must do this alone. If you fail you will have my death on your hands," Zala Tsu fights to incite the rage in Kate that will force her to react. Her injuries are too severe for Zala to concentrate on anything but keeping her broken body alive.

"Spock status of the ship," Jim demands knowing he has only seconds to get Kate off safely.

"Hull breach eminent" Spock confirms looking up watching the ship die like everyone else on the Bridge.

"Kate you are out of time. The hull breach is eminent. Baby, I need you to listen to me," Kirk pleads.

Kate ignores Kirk trying to free Zala's body. "I can't get this off you. I need a lever," Kate says grunting.

"Katherine Kirk," Jim snaps desperate to pull her attention to him and not the dying Jedi.

"Kirk she is hurt. Give me a minute to help her," Kate begs staring at the ceiling.

"The emergency escape ship will get us home," Zala plants a new idea in Kate's head. "It is pre-programmed for Coruscant. If you stop the hyperdrive from imploding, we can leave and find your mother. I was a double agent sent by Luke to look after you. Jedi do not leave their own," Zala smiles. She has the Captain where she wants him. Kate won't leave her side due to Luke's teaching of selflessness and Kirk won't leave Kate because she is his child.

"The ship is smashed beyond repair," Kate fights to release Zala Tsu. "The control arm for the weapons caved in the only access to the escape hatch. We can't get to the starship."

"Mr. Sulu tractor beam that ship. Hold it in place," Kirk sits in his chair. If Kate gets in the escape ship, she is at least off the doomed vessel, which is his only goal at this time. "Kate you're coming home. The ship is doomed. The engines are on overload. Baby, I need you to put the comm on so we can beam you off.

"If you leave me you will die lost, alone, and forgotten," Zala Tsu says. "You call yourself a hero, but you will have blood on your hands."

"Stop talking," Kate screams covering her ears. "I can't think." Kate coughs as smoke filling her lungs.

"NO! Put on the fucking comm," Kirk screams back at Kate.

"Shields at 20% and failing," Spock says.

"Kate you're going to die unless you get off that ship. Last minute heroics are only in the movies. Put on the comm and we can beam you both off the ship," Kirk plants the only suggestion he knows will get Kate to listen to him.

"Do that and he will kill us both," Zala Tsu coughs up blood.

"Kate you know us. We will not do that. Just put on the damn comm unit and we can beam you off," Kirk reasons through gritted teeth.

"Use the Force pet. He is lying. There is only one badge. He will beam you off and leave me to die. Give me the badge Kate." Zala says. "Let me go first. That way he won't leave me to die."

Kirk feels sick. If Zala Tsu gets the comm badge, she could destroy it for spite just to kill Kate.
Kate do not give her the badge," Jim orders.

"I have to," Kate says . Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she grabs the comm unit to affix it to Zala.

"Keptin, I have a lock," Chekov reports initiating the transporting sequence.

"Now! Now! Do it now," Kirk orders Chekov flying to his feet as the ship makes a low groan as the stress on the metal begins to slowly buckle under the immense pressure of space. Almost simultaneously with his words, the ship implodes crushing the hyperdrive causing it to explode in a fiery show of sparks, flames, and metal debris. Kirk's chest tightens as the explosion fills the screen. "Kate," he screams silently in his head but as the Captain, he has to hold it together. She did not come from across the universe to die in front of his eyes. Kate is constantly telling him to trust the Force and he prays she is right. The Force brought her to him for a reason. He knows his crew has never let him down. "Chekov," he states with an edge to his voice that only his closest friends know is laced with panic.

Chekov looks at the Captain and replies, "We got her. Cargo Bay 6 Deck X, sir. I tried to get a wider circle to beam the surviving Jedi but," Kirk flies from his chair and is on the way to Deck X and the cargo transporter before Chekov can finish his sentence.

"You did well, Lt. Chekov," Spock says in a neutral tone taking command of the Enterprise. The young navigator visibly sinks into his seat as the adrenaline courses out of his body. This was a true test of his skills. If he had been a millisecond slower, Kate would have died. The what if's run rampant in his mind. Losing Kate would have destroyed Kirk and Chekov would never have been able to look him in the eyes again. If he wasn't feeling his heart racing with the increase of adrenaline surging in his system, Chekov might have taken a moment to be angry for the position she put him in.

He steals a look at Sulu who is coming down from his sudden surge of adrenaline after realizing his shot had so crippled the ship containing the Captain's daughter. The normally steely helmsman, who never blinks in a fight, has his head in his hands breathing heavy. Sulu knows Chekov is looking at him and utters, "I hate Jedi."

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DECK X CARGO TRANSPORTER

Kate opens her eyes breathing clean air for the first time. Her lungs burn from the smoke and chemicals she has inhaled. Looking around she finds she is alone. Kate hides her bag among some crates and barrels stacked along the wall. Most of the items are things she will share with the crew, but the lightsaber, whiskey, and cigarras are meant only for her. There is no need for Kirk to know of their existence. When things have calmed down, she will come back for them. Her next priority is to find Kirk.

Jim does not remember entering or exiting the turbo shaft. Nor does he remember the full out run from the turbo shaft to the cargo room. The first thing he remembers since leaving the bridge is Kate standing small and alone in a dark room on the transporter pad with a slight smile. "Kate," he yells rushing to the pad and she falls into his open arms.

Kate molds her body into his laying head on his shoulder as he strokes her hair. "I knew you would come. I never doubted it or that you would save me." Kirk pulls her out of his arms to give her a kiss before crushing her to his chest again.

"Kate don't ever do that again. I love you but not to death. You're lucky to be alive. Are you hurt," he examines her body quickly before brushing the loose hair from her face to look her in the eyes. She seems fine from his cursory exam except that she has grease smudges on her face and smells like smoke.

Kate coughs a little wincing at the burning in her lungs. "Nothing I am not used to. Just a little smoke inhalation," Kate's voice sounds raspy in Kirk's ears. "There was this time around Sullust…"

"Enough, Kate," Jim holds her tight against his body again. Jim doesn't want to hear about her life prior to arriving on the ship. That life caused her to almost be taken from his once again. Jim makes a vow to never let her be in that situation again ever. "Just let me hold you kiddo."

Kate lays her head on his shoulder. This is the first time in a long time she has felt safe. "I am sorry to have put you in that position, but I had a good reason for going."

"No, you didn't. You are a kid not a soldier. Let me worry about everything for a while," Jim struggles to keep the rising anger in his body out of his voice. There is time to talk about the consequences of her actions later.

"Jim is she okay," Bones' voice breaks the silence in the cargo room.

"Yes just some bruises and minor burns," Jim wipes the grease with his thumb off Kate's cheek getting a soft smile from his daughter.

"Then why the hell is she not in sick Bay! You are the Captain not a doctor so get her ass up here now," Bones rumbles cutting the line.

"You did this yourself," Jim stands taking her hand. "I don't want to hear any bitching when he reads you the riot act." Kate stifles a laugh as she follows Jim to Sick Bay.

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SLANG TAKEN FROM WOOKIEPEDIA

Drill the Woofer originated in the lowly cantinas of the galaxy, during the early years of the New Order. A slang phrase, it meant that a being was particularly bad at something, as in "You really drill the woofer!"

Flaming Flotz: alien curse

Kriff/Kriffing Imperial swear word, a derogatory modifier similar to the "F" words

Mradhe Muck: a curse, as in "What the blinkin' mradhe muck is going on here?"