"The most dangerous follower is the one whose defection would destroy the whole party: hence, the best follower." –Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), German philosopher, classical scholar and culture critic
Flashback
The Borg cube cruised on a trajectory that would have it going past the planet Saturn. Three Earth Alliance Olympus-class corvettes flew at the cube from the vicinity of the Saturnian moon Titan. The Borg easily destroyed the corvettes one by one. Almost without a pause, the cube moved on towards Jupiter.
President William Morgan Clark at his desk in EarthDome, looking serious and sorrowful. "Fellow citizens of Earth, I have heard your pleas for increased planetary security in the face of this alien threat…."
A river of golden glowing squid-like objects appeared out of nowhere. The Ancient torpedoes immediately swarmed at the Borg cube in Jupiter orbit. The river seemed to almost wrap itself around the cube, burning its way into various parts of the vessel, blowing the Borg apart.
Kirk chuckled. "It is our fate to die sooner or later. I prefer later."
The ruined remains of the Borg cube tractored in the Enterprise's stardrive section until the starship's warp core breached and destroyed the Borg in a mini-nova explosion.
The human interrogator collected his papers and folder, stuffing them into a leather briefcase. A flicker of regret and distaste crossed his long face as a beefy EarthForce officer took his turn with Kirk on Mars. The officer, after having Kirk restrained at the table, almost lovingly caressed the captain's knuckles with the tip of a bat. He lifted the baseball bat, swung it around in a circle like an ax, and with all his strength, brought it smashing down.
Judicial Captain Areel Shaw said, "The Federation does not take kindly to having its citizens, especially one so esteemed like Captain Kirk, abducted."
"Suppose this cockamamie plan of yours start a full scale war?" said Doctor McCoy.
The starship Excelsior ran straight through a field of defense satellites protecting Mars. Thin laser beams from the satellites struck its shields, lighting up small points. The starship expertly retaliated with phaser fire—a series of quick bursts, destroying the satellites with ease.
Areel's smile didn't have any humor in it. "Then, quite frankly, Doctor, we can clean their chronometers."
The terrifyingly familiar visage of a huge spidery vessel seemingly made of black crude oil rose from the surface of Mars. A shriek sounded.
Captain Sulu half-stood from his command chair with wide eyes. "My…God!"
Screaming, the Shadow pivoted and fired at a Soyuz-class starship. The purple beam rammed into the starship's shields, causing it to be pushed back, exposing the underside of its saucer section. Still firing, the Shadow beam quickly drained the shields in a few seconds and drilled straight through the saucer section.
With a final scream, the Shadow ship shimmered and faded out of sight.
"Lemme tell you, Spock," said Dr. McCoy. "I think there's something fishy going on at Starfleet Command."
Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan studied his son in the monastery at P'Jem.
Captain Bruce Finnegan said with a sly smile, "Watch your back, Spock."
A Shadow ship phased into normal space and made its way to its homeworld, backlit by a flame-colored nebula.
"Z'ha'dum," said Kosh.
In his quarters at Earth Spacedock, Admiral Spock lit a single candle in front of a mirror. He studied himself the mirror in the darkness held at bay by the candle. The Vulcan turned to a glass of chamomile tea sitting on a dresser. He studied himself drinking the tea.
The door to his quarters chimed for his attention.
"Enter."
The door opened and the figure, darkly silhouetted by the bright light of the outside corridor, stepped in. Spock tensed.
The person came closer to the candle's light, bringing well known features into view.
"Hello, Spock."
The tea glass slipped from Spock's fingers and fell to the floor. Both the tea glass and Spock's world shattered in the same instance of time.
Doctor McCoy nearly ran down the corridor. Turning a corner, Uhura appeared to join him.
"Got the message, didn't you?"
"Yes, Doctor."
The message had sounded frantic, if a Vulcan's calm voice could be called frantic. McCoy had thought it frantic because it sounded tense and slightly hurried. For a Vulcan, that was getting close to hysterics.
They arrived at Spock's door and went in without the usual courtesy of warning of their entrance. They halted in their tracks and gaped at the spectacle. Spock was standing by a mirror, the shattered remains of a tea glass beside his feet, and standing before him was a man they had thought dead.
James Kirk.
"Jim? My God!"
Kirk shrugged casually. "Remember I said that it's our fate to die sooner or later and that I prefer later? Guess it's later for me."
McCoy glanced at Spock. Spock had been adamant about losing his sense-bond of Kirk which could only mean that he died. Maybe he did die and was somehow restored to life.
Restored by whom? And how?
Uhura looked concerned. "Captain…. Are you all right? What happened?"
Kirk shrugged again. "I escaped. It's what I do best."
McCoy had to give him that. He did have a peculiar talent for escaping impossible situations. Though Jim's eyes shifted around the room as if he didn't feel safe. Well, he had been tortured and then kidnapped. He'd had his share of torture experiences and surely he'd reached his limits at Mars. Anyone would be nervous after that. Speaking of torture…. The experienced doctor could see that Kirk's right hand looked stiff.
The captain saw McCoy studying his hand. Self-consciously, he held and gently massaged it with his left hand. "It was worse than it looks right now. It's fine."
McCoy nodded, saying nothing. He was relieved to see that Kirk was perfectly fine.
"How did you get here?" The question came from Spock.
Kirk blinked. "In a ship, of course."
"Spock," admonished McCoy.
The Vulcan glanced at the doctor coolly. "James, how is it that you came into this universe without Starbase 10 knowing of your passage?"
Both McCoy and Uhura were surprised. Spock had called Kirk 'James' instead of 'Jim,' a sign that he no longer trusted him. The doctor could see that Kirk noticed.
"There are…agents. I didn't want them to get wind of me until I'm safely here, at Earth."
"Agents," echoed Spock, giving no hint of his opinion.
"Yes. I was kidnapped because of agents and I'm not about to let them touch me again."
McCoy saw a hardness come across Kirk's face that went with the steel edge in his voice. He'd seen him hard before, but this was a different kind.
He didn't want to see him pushed to open anger.
Still, Kirk went through terrible torture and who knows what other experiences! He exchanged a look with Uhura. She noticed as well. She appeared to be compassionately sympathetic toward Kirk.
Kirk continued, "Because of those agents and other forces, the Federation's in danger. Maybe the greatest danger since the last Terran global war." Spock arched an eyebrow at that. "Which is why I'm here. I'm meeting the Admiralty about this very soon." Kirk saw the time on Spock's chronometer. "Which is just a few minutes from now. I have to go. Well, Spock, Bones, Uhura. It's good to be back." With that, he left the quarters.
Once the doors closed behind the captain, McCoy turned on Spock. "What's the hell wrong with you?! The man went through a horrific experience and you…you were cold to him! I imagine that's not the kind of welcome he'd want."
Spock coolly looked at the doctor. "You are aware of my previous bond with him. He died. Of that, I am certain. When I came back in the fal-tor-pan ceremony, the bond came back. This time, it has not come back. Something's changed. James is not Jim."
Uhura looked uncertain. "Still, Spock, he's human. Anyone would change because of the kind of experience he went through."
"Do you know what he has experienced, Nyota? Leonard?"
Uhura and McCoy were silent.
"That is what we must find out."
Starfleet Headquarters
San Francisco, North America, Earth
The debriefing was over. The medaled brass of Starfleet rose out of their seats and filed out of the conference room. The room was empty except for James Kirk and a middle-aged admiral.
Kirk said, "Admiral Toddman. It's good to see you again, sir."
The Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet shook hands with Captain Kirk. "What is Starfleet without its best starship commander? With you and your crew back home, hopefully it will be a little easier to deal with the problems facing the Federation today."
"Hopefully," agreed Kirk. "I know that I'm due for retirement, but the Federation's in danger. Something has to be done about the Borg and these Shadows."
The Fleet Admiral nodded. "That's where you come in. Due to your experience, you know more about the Shadows than anyone else in Starfleet. You're one of the few to ever survive a direct confrontation with the Borg. That's why, effective immediately, I'm promoting you to admiral and giving you back the post of Starfleet Operations."
Kirk grinned. He didn't seem surprised. "Thanks, Bill. I know it takes a lot for you to promote someone who has been as allergic to desk jobs as me."
Toddman chuckled. "Just think of it this way: you'll be commanding many starships all at once instead of just the one."
The newly-promoted admiral only smiled back in silence. It has been well known that James Kirk wasn't suited to the admiralty. The best position for him was in the command chair of a starship. But these were new days, different times. Once, a single starship was enough to handle individual crises. Now there were several crises facing the Federation at the same time: the war footing with the Earth Alliance and the Centauri Republic, the menacing specter of the Shadows, the rising tensions with the Romulan Star Empire, the support of the new InterStellar Alliance which could fracture at any moment due to old League legacies, the possibility of further Borg incursions and the possibility of a conflict with the Vorlon Empire.
One starship cannot handle all of that. That was part of the debriefing.
"Congratulations, Admiral Kirk," said Toddman. He added with a humorous wink, "Again."
"Thank you, sir."
"Oh, Admiral, before you go, the Vice-President wants to see you."
Kirk was slightly surprised. "Talbot? What does he want?"
"I think you'd better go to the Palais and find out."
Earth Spacedock
Spock's flagship shook under enemy fire. The Vulcan's face twisted with anger and frustration at the Klingon ships making maneuvers in his viewscreen. Vengeful disruptor beams lashed the fleet that Spock was leading.
"Admiral! We must go!"
Spock looked to a young Vulcan woman. "T'Val. This is not the time to argue."
"No, Admiral. We must go. You are too important."
The flagship lurched under phaser fire, causing Spock to stumble. He watched with satisfaction as glowing blue stars of the augmented photon torpedoes flew from beneath the viewscreen and exploded into the enemy armada. Truly, the dreadnought was living up to its promise. Sadly, it wouldn't be enough to deter the enemy alliance.
"Remember, Admiral: The needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many."
"Illogical." But Spock said that with wry humor. He looked upon T'Val with barely hidden pride. "But you have a point. There is no logic in delaying. Perhaps I have thrown too many stones in our glass house."
T'Val was confused. "Glass house?"
Giving her a hint of a smile, he said, "It's a human phrase."
"Well, if the Alliance had its way, human phrases won't even survive. Come on, Father!"
Spock looked at the viewscreen. A Cardassian ship, at this moment, was ramming into a refit Constitution-class starship. Flames swallowed both before quickly dying in the cold vacuum of space. In the viewscreen, hundreds of starships and thousands people were dying. In it, a glass empire was shattering.
"Very well."
T'Val stepped up to her father, looking very image of her mother, T'Pring. She looked at him for a while and shot him with her phaser.
Spock woke.
He managed to force the impulsive sigh to escape slowly through his nose. The dream was another piece of memory that drifted from his subconscious. It was a result of his first transition from his universe into the Babylon 5 universe. During it, he experienced many of the alternate lives he could have had as well as the lives he led in alternate universes. One of the lives that he didn't care to remember was that of Spock in the Terran Empire. In it, he watched Tiberius murder Christopher Pike for the Enterprise's captaincy; turn Balok into a stuffed specimen after torturing him for First Federation secrets; leave Pavel Chekov in an agony booth set on a low setting for days until he became a dried up corpse; amputate Carol Marcus' hands before slitting her throat; drain the blood out of Captain Garrovick's body; had twenty people, including Leonard McCoy, Montgomery Scott, Janice Rand, Hikaru Sulu, Nyota Uhura, Marlena Moreau and Jabilo M'Benga, hanged at the gallows in front of Starfleet Headquarters in an Imperial purge.
And then he betrayed Emperor Tiberius in a coup. Even though Spock knew that Tiberius was nothing like Jim Kirk and that it was in another life and another universe, his heart and mind rebelled against the concept of betraying one who had been his dearest friend.
After reforming the Terran Empire, Spock witnessed the bloody replacement of the Terran Empire by another empire even more abhorrent, thanks to his own reforms.
Spock shut his eyes against the memories. He knew that he shouldn't feel guilt at permitting the actions. He wasn't the Spock that allowed such atrocities to occur.
Yet, he was intellectually intrigued by such a different turn that the Mirror Universe took. Just as he was intrigued by the fact that instead of T'Pring in the Mirror Universe, he mated with Saavik and still had a daughter named T'Val in this universe.
He shivered as he remembered a warning he gave to the mirror Sulu: "I do not want to command the Enterprise, but if it should befall me, I suggest that you remember that my operatives would avenge my death…and some of them…are Vulcans."
Why was he dreaming of life in the Mirror Universe now? Spock knew that the human mind sometimes tossed pieces of answers like a person tossing bread pieces for the pigeons. Since he was half-human, he sometimes allowed himself the temptation to analyze his dreams.
What was his subconscious trying to tell him?
Palais de la Concorde
Paris, European Alliance, Earth
The Third Empire style edifice stood tall, overshadowing the Place de la Concorde and the River Seine. On the fifteenth floor, Admiral Kirk was entering the Red Room.
The Federation Vice-President stood behind his desk. The last time Kirk had seen St. John Talbot was when the Enterprise returned home from its adventure at Sha-Ka-Ree. He had been the Federation representative at the failed colony of Nimbus III until Sybok came and the three major powers had to admit the failure of the Planet of Galactic Peace.
Talbot smiled. "Admiral. It's been a long time. I'm sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances."
Kirk shrugged. "The galaxy always needs rescuing. It just can't help it."
Talbot blinked at the blunt statement and then laughed before seating himself, prompting Kirk to take a seat as well. "I've gotten too used to politicians and their oblique way of talking. You are exactly what we need."
The admiral was puzzled. "I am? I'm an admiral and the Chief of Starfleet Operations. What more can I do?"
"Plenty more, I hope. Precautions are advisable in these times. The incident at the alternate Mars has convinced me of that. I believe that the threats warrant a change in Federation government."
"What…kind of change?" Kirk appeared suspicious. He had known that Talbot supported more government involvement in Federation affairs. His choice as Vice-President had been controversial among many of the member worlds. But the Council accepted him with the condition that President Ra'ghoratreii did not acquiesce to Talbot's federalism and continued the presidential role of being merely first among the Councilors.
"We had thought that we wouldn't need the militarism of Starfleet anymore once we signed the Khitomer Accords with the Klingon Empire. Your discovery of the alternate universe has changed that."
"I thought you were a man of peace?"
"Oh, I am, Admiral. I have come to realize that the security of the Federation cannot be maintained without an intimate cooperation between the civilian government and Starfleet."
Kirk appeared concerned. "What are you proposing?"
"Don't worry. I'm not trying to blur the line dividing the civilian and military authorities. My proposal is this: that you join the President's Cabinet as the Starfleet liaison in the Palais."
"Don't you have a Secretary of Defense for that?"
"Yes, yes. But she's not currently serving in Starfleet. And she's not in the thick and thin of Starfleet Command. We need someone to bring Starfleet Command directly to the President."
Kirk stood up. "I'm sorry, Mr. Talbot, but I must refuse."
Talbot sighed heavily. "I wouldn't normally propose this, but these aren't normal times. We are suddenly faced with a whole new set of nations, many of which are hostile to us."
"We can handle the Earth Alliance and the Centauri Republic," Kirk said stiffly. "Sulu has proven that at Alliance Mars. I've proven that at Babylon 5. Besides, the Centauri have their own problems with their conquests and are busy on more than twenty war fronts, and the Earth Alliance is in a state of civil war."
"And the best way to unite a nation is to have a war with another nation," replied Talbot dryly. "Thanks to your debriefing, we now know that those nations are allied with a powerful and advanced species. We cannot afford to ignore that. And we cannot afford to alert them by officially acknowledging the fact. Admiral, this new position would be a precaution. Besides, they are not the only ones we need to deal with. There's the Vorlons and the Romulans."
"Then deal with them one by one. May I suggest dealing with the Romulans first?"
Talbot sighed heavily again. "There's only so much I can do. Ra'ghor will be disappointed with your refusal. Very well." The Vice-President jotted down a note in a compadd. "I don't know how we can deal with the Romulans. It's a very sticky situation. Their government is understandably upset about our new alliance with the Klingons but the Klingon Empire isn't strong enough yet to support us if it comes to blows with the Romulan Empire. That's in spite of the fact that the Klingons are fighting a proxy war with the Romulans through the Narns and the Centauri. And if it does come to blows, we would have to reduce our economic support of the Klingon Empire which then might very well return it to its path of 50 years of life."
"Isn't Romulus sending someone to replace Nanclus?"
Talbot smiled softly at fond memories. "Yes. Ambassador Caithlin Dar."
"You once had a connection with her. Use it. If she still remembers you, use her to open negotiations with the Romulan Empire. We may need them later."
The Vice-President brightened at the idea. "Say! Ra'ghor would love adding another historic peace treaty to his presidential résumé. Admiral, you may not be the Starfleet Liaison at the Palais but you're already giving us good advice."
Unsmilingly, Kirk said, "Glad to be of service."
Earth Spacedock
Admiral Spock was working at a desk computer. He didn't like how the destruction of the Republic has been ruled as the result of an accidental warp core breach. It was too convenient. Moreover, it only reinforced Sarek's warnings. A short beep announced the activation of the starbase intercom system.
"Control Tower to Admiral Spock. Minister Taerik of Vulcan Security is standing by on a secure channel."
The V'Shar was prompt as usual. Spock pressed a button in his desk. "Put it through to my computer."
The desktop monitor activated, displaying the image of Taerik, a middle-aged Vulcan man dressed in a dark grey uniform, sitting at a chair in a bronze-colored office on Vulcan.
"Greetings, Admiral. How may I be of service?"
"Minister, I wish to know the object of the intended meeting between Ambassador Sarek and V'Shar."
"I do not understand."
Spock blinked. As Minister of V'Shar, Taerik should have known everything significant that occurred within the Ministry and to its operatives. And Ambassador Sarek was certainly significant. "Minister, my father informed me that he was on the way to meet the V'Shar concerning…a certain threat to the Federation. The ship he was on, the Republic, was destroyed en route."
There was a pause as Taerik seemed to be thinking. He looked at Spock with a puzzled expression. "Admiral, I believe there is a problem. Ambassador Sarek was not scheduled to meet us. If that was indeed his intention, then it was with individuals claiming to be operatives of V'Shar or operatives that have not reported to me."
Spock looked blankly at the screen for a moment. As a Vulcan, the Minister had no reason to lie, especially when trusted with something as important as the security of Vulcan and her colonies. Then he started to realize something. "Minister, I would appreciate any information on the Republic and Ambassador Sarek that you can divulge at any time."
Taerik nodded solemnly. "Very well, Admiral Spock."
Once the monitor screen replaced the Vulcan minister with the Federation symbol, Spock immediately pressed the intercom button in his desk. "Admiral Spock to Control Tower."
"This is Control Tower. Go ahead."
"Did Admiral Kirk come in a ship?"
"Yes, sir."
"Which one?"
"Let me check. Please hold on, Admiral."
Spock waited. It would only be a moment, thanks to the famed Starfleet efficiency. But then, the wait stretched on. Vulcans were disciplined to be a patient people but such a long wait was unusual even in Starfleet's convoluted bureaucracy. Spock was momentarily tempted to tell the operator to hurry up but that would be the height of rudeness and illogic.
"I apologize for the delay, Admiral. It appears that the information has been classified."
Spock raised an eyebrow. That was unusual. "By whose authority?"
"Fleet Admiral William Toddman."
Now Spock raised both eyebrows. Why would the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet classify the identity of a vessel? What was he hiding? "Thank you, Control Tower. Spock out."
Now there was only one person who may help him. He pressed the intercom button once more. "Admiral Spock to Captain Uhura. Please report to my quarters."
xXx
Captain Uhura had to create circumstances in which she could excuse herself from work. Technically, she was stealing time but Admiral Spock was a friend and a colleague with whom she had worked for over two decades. Nothing could push that kind of relationship to the side. And knowing him, he would only call for her for good reason. She wondered what could have caused Spock to call for her so urgently.
When she entered Spock's quarters, she could see Spock contemplating a bronze bust of a helmeted Vulcan male. She wondered why he had this particular bust brought to his quarters. It depicted Shariel, the ancient Vulcan god of death.
"Admiral Spock, is there something I can do for you?" she said with a fond smile.
"I need to…corroborate someone's story."
"Whose?"
Spock paused, internally debating the logic of this. It had been impulsive of him, which was very un-Vulcan of him. Even so, he was already committed. "James Kirk."
The simple statement wiped the smile off of Uhura's face. Clearly, Spock had not forgotten their disturbing conversation about Kirk the day before. She had been hoping that on second thoughts, Spock would restore his friendship with Jim.
Guardedly, she said, "Go on."
"Are you aware that the identity of Kirk's ship has been classified?"
Uhura was surprised. "Who classified that? Why? What's the point?"
"Fleet Admiral William Toddman. As for why, I do not have sufficient information."
Now Uhura was worried. Why would someone so highly placed as the Fleet Admiral classify the means by which Kirk came back home? "Do the others know this?"
"As far as I am aware, I'm the first to discover this. Captain Uhura, I want to know why it has been classified and exactly what has been classified."
In other words, Spock wanted her to use her position within Starfleet Intelligence to find out. Uhura bit her lower lip. She was still new to the position although much has already been put at her disposal. "I could find out, Spock. But we have to be careful. It could be grounds for a court-martial. We have enough of that lately."
"Indeed. It could also mean murder."
"Murder?" Uhura was aghast that Spock would think that could happen.
"Yes. My father and his colleagues have mentioned the…'accidental' deaths of several Starfleet officers just before Sarek died on the Republic during an 'accidental' warp core breach. Captain Finnegan named some of these officers: Xon, Harry Morrow, James Styles and Shakti Jataras. I do not believe they are accidental deaths."
She nodded, trusting Spock's powers of reason. "Okay. I will make sure that all records of our investigation are erased before anyone else catches it."
"Logical. It would be most inconvenient if we were caught by individuals inimical to our cause. That will be all, Captain."
Uhura was tempted to bite her lips, but she merely nodded and left Spock's quarters. She had begun working at Starfleet Intelligence and already, she had a dangerous mission to do, albeit unsanctioned by Intelligence.
Starfleet Headquarters
San Francisco, Earth
Admiral Kirk was looking through the windows of the main lounge at Starfleet Headquarters. Beyond the windows, the lights of San Francisco spread out like an inverted starry night sky. The faint hum of antigrav cars and transports was carried by the gentle night breeze. Like every other city on Earth, San Francisco was a city at peace. In the past, Kirk had grown impatient with the perfection of this world: its boringly scheduled weather; its world government that was annoyingly free of conflict; its pervasive lack of excitement and challenge.
All of it endangered by the unfriendly galaxy.
Perhaps paradise was not as bad as he thought. At least in moderation.
The sound of footsteps alerted Kirk. He had thought that no one would be in the lounge at this hour. He turned to the source of the sound. Doctor McCoy and Admiral Spock entered through one of the large doorways.
"Admiral," said Spock in greeting.
"Admiral," returned Kirk.
McCoy frowned and harrumphed. He hoped that Kirk and Spock would restore their relationship despite the damned Vulcan's misgivings. "Do I detect a chill in the environmental system?"
"Spock hasn't exactly welcomed me with open arms," said Kirk petulantly.
"Don't tell me. Tell him," retorted McCoy. "You have been friends for…I can't count that high." He pointed harshly at Spock. "You died at the Genesis Planet and came back. Right from the start, you were friends again with Jim. Okay, not right from the beginning but when you found your blasted personality again, you were." The doctor now pointed harshly at Kirk. "This man died. Or so we think. Or as good as died. I don't know! He has come back. Don't you think it's time you repaid him what he has done for you?!"
Kirk and Spock stared at each other silently and uncomfortably.
"Well? Get going to it! Talk, kiss, shake hands, whatever it is you do to make up!" McCoy turned to walk away, throwing up his hands. "I'm a doctor, not a counselor!"
Spock said archly, "You are being facetious, Doctor. You have often kept watch on our psychological health, and in so doing, indeed acted the role of counselor on the Enterprise."
"Look who's being facetious! Now stop insulting me and get to it!"
As McCoy walked off to another part of the lounge, Spock and Kirk were now effectively alone.
"All right, Spock. What's going on?"
The picture of Vulcan innocence, Spock turned to Kirk. "I am merely adjusting to the shock of seeing you alive after we have accepted the fact of your death. Humans do not practice similar beliefs as Vulcans do regarding the katra, so seeing a human 'resurrected' is highly unusual. As far as I am aware, human history records only the mythologies of Osiris, Dionysus, Tammuz, Adonis, Mithras, Ishtar, Persephone and other gods, the Judeo-Christian stories of Elijah and Elisha each raising a boy from the dead, and, of course, the feats of Jesus. These stories come from Earth's distant past and, as such, are of doubtful authenticity. Furthermore, you must understand that the death of my father is still recent."
Kirk looked at Spock with skepticism. He had learned long ago that the longer one of Spock's answers was, the more likely it was that he was hiding the truth. Spock was evading his question.
"I don't understand, Spock. My…'death' doesn't matter. Vulcans are logical. You shouldn't be distracted by such…esotericism."
"Esotericism cannot be substantiated," Spock said. "I will concede that Vulcans sometimes seem to have esoteric practices, but—"
"Spock!"
Spock widened his eyes at Kirk's outburst.
"Forget about esotericism. Forget about death and resurrection. What is wrong with you? I say there's something you're not telling me."
Spock looked away from Kirk.
Kirk was interested in Spock's silence. Despite the popular belief to the contrary, Vulcans could lie. Spock had certainly proven that over the years. He wouldn't do it for his own benefit, but he didn't hesitate in misleading enemies or in serving a greater good. One thing that Kirk knew was that Spock would never lie to him. Spock's silence meant that he was restraining himself from revealing a truth or from lying outright.
The silence stretched on. Finally, Kirk nodded. "Good night, Admiral. Thanks for the talk." He started for the main exit.
Spock didn't let him take more than three steps. "Jim, wait."
Kirk stopped, but didn't turn back. It was the first time since he came back that Spock called him 'Jim.'
"Do you remember Surak?"
Kirk slowly turned back to Spock. "What?"
Spock looked troubled. "Do you remember Surak?"
Confused with the apparent sidetracking of the conversation, Kirk answered, "Yes. I remember Surak on Excalbia. You were there. What about him?"
Spock appeared to shudder as he closed his eyes. He shuddered!
Spock was at this moment remembering Lady Morella's prophecies. He recalled them in full: "You must reunite your people or the stars will be rent in blood and fire. You must beware the man who remembers Surak's face. If you would have your friend live, he must die."
Was James Kirk the man and the friend? Spock didn't want to have Kirk die, whatever his misgivings about him. Perhaps Morella meant someone else. The Vulcan did have more than one friend in both universes. He had hoped that his traumas in the alternate universe helped Kirk to forget about Surak. It was illogical, not to mention irrational of him to hope so, he knew.
"Well, Spock, tell me exactly what's bothering you."
Spock took a breath before deciding to take a risk. He remembered how his father tried to find out his allegiances by touching his shoulder. He didn't know how that was done, but it was likely it would be readily apparent if Kirk wasn't who he appears to be.
He reached out and touched both of Kirk's upper arms.
He felt nothing. Nothing except Kirk and his uniform under his hands. The human was giving Spock an odd look.
Spock felt relieved. Perhaps the sense-bond, which had returned upon the completion of the fal-tor-pan ritual on Mount Seleya, didn't apply to human resurrections. It could be restored later. "My father, Ambassador Sarek, informed me of odd incidents within the Federation. Officers like Harry Morrow and the Fleet Admiral's aide Shakti Jataras have died in circumstances that have been classified as accidents. Some of the orders coming from Starfleet Command appear to be preparing key sectors of Federation space for a hostile takeover. After informing me all this, Sarek died on the Republic with all hands aboard. Command has classified that as an accident as well. I do not accept that classification."
Kirk looked down at the lounge floor. There was no anger in his heart, no adrenaline call to action. Only disappointment. Sharp and overwhelming.
"Spock, I want to ask. Why didn't you tell me all that at the beginning? But I know the answer."
Spock looked at him silently, his thoughts and feelings hidden by Vulcan training.
"You think I might be involved," Kirk said, each word a knife to stab the air between the two friends. "Involved with the deaths, the reorganization of Starfleet and the Federation, all of it. The truth you were trying so hard to hide is…you don't trust me."
Spock chose his words carefully as if this was as difficult for him as it was for Kirk. "The last time we saw you was on the Enterprise at the Borg encounter in the Earth Alliance. As far as we knew, you were…under restraints at Mars and then taken by the Shadows. We knew that no one goes to Z'ha'dum and comes back unchanged. That is evident in your unusual acceptance of the post as Admiral and Chief of Starfleet Operations. I felt that you were…compromised."
Now Kirk showed anger on his face. "Spare me the speeches, Admiral. The lies, the half-truths, the evasions. The plain and simple truth of it is you don't trust me. After all I've done for you…to be treated like this is…is unacceptable."
Contritely, Spock said, "Admiral, when the fal-tor-pan ritual was completed at Mount Seleya, I…had felt an immediate connection to you. It was our sense-bond returning. This time, I do not feel it."
Kirk felt the bitter shock of betrayal. "Don't you dare try to excuse yourself, Admiral."
Uhura skidded to a halt as she entered the lounge. She had immediately felt the tension in the air. Taking advantage of the distraction, Kirk turned away from Spock.
"What is it, Uhura?" asked Kirk sharply.
McCoy was immediately at her side. "Don't take this out on her, Jim. I see that putting you two together was a mistake." He turned comfortingly to Uhura. "What is it, my dear?"
"I…came looking for Spock." She looked at the Vulcan admiral nervously.
"I am here. Speak." Spock was still recovering.
She glanced uneasily at McCoy and Kirk. Understanding her meaning, Spock said, "You may speak in front of them. What you have to say has relevance to the discussion we were having just as you came in."
"Well…. I tracked down the officers who manned the Spacedock's Control Tower when Admiral Kirk came home."
Kirk looked at her with interested curiosity. Uhura continued.
"James Kirk came in a Federation shuttle called the Plato. The shuttle came from a starship labeled NCC-1371. The USS Republic."
Vast silence reigned in the lounge as McCoy turned with wide eyes at both Kirk and Spock.
Spock's face darkened and he held a trembling finger toward Kirk. It shook with an outrage so strong that it could not be fully restrained by Vulcan training. "You accused me of lies and half-truths. You dared to accuse me. You dared to distance yourself from the deaths in Starfleet. You killed my father! You murdered Sarek!"
"Spock…," said Kirk quietly. "I…."
"Admiral," growled Spock, still trembling with rage. "Leave me. Leave me before I do something that we will regret."
Kirk looked to McCoy and Uhura for help. They were looking at him with shock and pity. There would be no help there. He nodded curtly at them and walked stiffly out of the lounge.
Doctor McCoy and Captain Uhura watched fearfully as Spock labored to bring himself back under control. Suddenly, he grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at a wall bearing the logos of Starfleet and the Federation. The vase shattered.
Spock immediately calmed himself as he looked at the remains of the vase. "Interesting. That was oddly satisfying."
McCoy and Uhura wanted to reach out to Spock, but they were afraid that anything they do would break the Vulcan's self-control once more.
The Vulcan admiral drew himself up straight and faced them. "I no longer have any desire to remain here. Goodbye, my friends." With that, he left.
"What…," McCoy breathed, "the hell happened here?"
Uhura could only agree with the sentiment behind the question.
Palais de la Concorde
Paris, European Alliance, Earth
Caithlin Dar went up to the fifteenth floor of the Palais in a turbolift. She was glad to replace the fool Nanclus. He had humiliated the Star Empire by getting caught in the Khitomer Conspiracy. In spite of the rising tension between the Federation and the Star Empire, she hoped to use her new position to get a seat in the Imperial Senate.
The turbolift stopped its ascent and opened its doors. Gathering up her shimmery silver robes, Caithlin went down a corridor until she reached the Federation Vice-President's office in the Red Room.
Technically, she was supposed to see President Ra'ghoratreii first. But she couldn't wait to see St. John Talbot. She had shared an adventure with him along with the Klingon ambassador, General Korrd at Nimbus III and Vorta Vor. Thanks to Sybok, he had sobered up and gone from his position of disgrace straight into the Palais itself. That was to be commended. Besides, it nicely served the purpose of the tensions by snubbing the President.
"Hello, St. John."
The Vice-President stood up behind his desk, looking delighted. "Why, hello! Our new Romulan ambassador! Welcome to Earth, Miss Dar. If General Korrd was here, we'd have a full reunion! I must say I'm glad to have you for ambassador instead of that bore, Nanclus."
Caithlin smirked at Talbot's British humor.
"Nanclus was in it for himself, St. John."
"Oh of course, Miss Dar. Of course. The one good thing in Nanclus' involvement in the Conspiracy is you. We get to have a good ambassador from Romulus for a change."
Caithlin gave a short chuckle. She wasn't sure whether the Vice-President was flirting her or insulting her government. She decided that he was just being friendly with an old friend.
The door chimed.
Talbot frowned. "Oh, pardon me, Miss Dar. I wasn't expecting anybody at this time." He pressed a button in the desk to open the doors.
It was Spock dressed in black Vulcan robes with silver script running down a side.
"Mr. Talbot. Ambassador Dar."
"Spock?" Talbot was puzzled. "Your appointment isn't till tomorrow." He glanced at the Romulan ambassador. "I am in a meeting, as you can see."
"Indeed. I apologize, but this cannot wait." He turned to Caithlin, executing a Romulan bow. "Ambassador, I wish to go to Romulus."
Caithlin and Talbot were surprised, to say the least. The Englishman sputtered until he found his voice. "Admiral, are you saying you want to defect?"
"I am not defecting as this is off the record. Even unofficially, I am not defecting. I am taking an unofficial mission to Romulus."
"Whatever for, Admiral?!"
"The present tension with the Romulan Empire can only escalate into a war if something is not done in the cause of peace. I wish to take that cause upon myself."
Talbot glanced at the silent Caithlin. "Are you mad? Who would listen to you? You're an Admiral in Starfleet!"
"First of all, Mr. Talbot…," Spock said as he put a hand into the folds of his robes. He took out his Starfleet badge and rank insignia. Setting them on the Vice-President's desk, he said, "I am aware that as Vice-President of the United Federation of Planets, you do not have a place within the Starfleet chain of command. Nevertheless, I am resigning my commission."
Talbot gaped at the badge and insignia on his desk as if they were a coiled poisonous snake.
"Second of all, Ambassador Caithlin Dar, as I understand your culture, you owe me a debt of honor due to the events that transpired at Sha-Ka-Ree."
Caithlin Dar had recovered from the shock. "Certainly. Thank you for this opportunity to repay it to you."
Spock nodded formally. Vorta Vor was the Romulan name for the planet that Sybok and Spock called Sha-Ka-Ree, the humans called Eden and the Klingons called Qui'Tu.
Spock bowed to Caithlin again. It was time for him to realize part of Lady Morella's prophecies before it was forced upon him.
Starfleet Headquarters
"What is it?" Kirk hadn't intended to be curt. It had been four weeks since his falling out with Spock and he was still in a bad mood.
Fleet Admiral Toddman winced at Kirk's tone. He had heard about the falling out. Sometimes the grapevine relayed more information in Starfleet than Starfleet Intelligence. At least it made Admiral Kirk throw himself into the work.
"I apologize for disturbing you, Admiral. There's something you need to know."
"Yes?"
The Fleet Admiral stepped deeper into Kirk's office. "Three weeks ago, one of our officers disappeared. He left no word of his destination." Toddman moved toward Kirk's desk and activated his computer. "Two days ago, Starfleet Intelligence reports placed him on Romulus. I assure you it's an unauthorized visit."
"A defection?" Kirk frowned. It was just what they needed, with the tensions with the Romulan Empire.
"If it is, the damage to Federation security would be incalculable." Toddman turned to Kirk's computer and tapped a few instructions and then gestured for Kirk to look.
A fuzzy, out-of-focus picture, with margins showing, appeared on the screen. Obviously, the picture was taken on a very long lens. There were several blurred figures, none of them identifiable.
"Taken on Romulus by long-range scanner. Computer, enhance image in section four-delta."
The image came into sharper relief—the part with the center person particularly—and as it focused, there was the unmistakable image of Spock, dressed in Romulan clothing.
Kirk was shocked.
Hall of State
Ra'tleihfi, Romulus
The sun shone on the capitol city of Romulus. The city appeared bright and clean with metal, chrome and glass on high rises of various dynamic shapes. In the middle where the city stood on the shore of the Apnex Sea, the circular Imperial Forum rose above a river. In the center of it was the monumental and round Hall of State containing the Imperial Senate Chamber and the Praetor's offices.
The Praetor's office has a stateliness, suggesting great power. It had very clean lines and was orderly and spacious with understated luxury as befitting the chief executive of a great empire. A chime sounded at the door.
"Enter."
Senator Pardek came in with Spock. Praetor Ael Saren Charvanek rose from her chair and came forward to greet her guests.
"Praetor," said Pardek in greeting.
"Yes. Pardek. Come in." Ael didn't dare let the senator know that she recognized Spock.
Pardek introduced the Vulcan. "Spock of Vulcan."
"Praetor."
Ael was glad that Spock was smart and perceptive enough to play along. "Please. I've never liked titles since…a certain incident with a Federation starship. I am Ael Saren Charvanek. How is it done…?" She held up a hand in the traditional Vulcan greeting. Spock returned it.
"I am honored."
"Good."
Ael and Spock looked at each other for a while until Pardek nervously said, "Permit me to withdraw."
"Will we see you at the state dinner tomorrow?"
Pardek bowed. "Yes." Smiling, he withdrew from the Praetor's office.
Ael looked at Spock and smiled conspiratorially. "So, Spock in the heart of the enemy."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "The Romulans are not an enemy of the Federation."
She scoffed. "The days of friendship between the Federation and Romulus ended when Nanclus got caught in the Khitomer Conspiracy. Many of the senators and much of the military are scared of your alliance with the Klingons."
"It is my hope that my presence on Romulus will help allay their fears."
Ael laughed as she sat. "Still the idealistic Vulcan! Let me tell you something, Spock. We're going to start something here, you and I, that will redraw the face of the quadrant." She leaned forward on her desk toward the seated Spock. "We're already changing politics in the quadrant."
A raised eyebrow: "How so?"
Ael smiled ferally. She pressed an instruction in her desk computer and turned around to face a viewscreen hung above a fireplace. It activated and showed a human woman in a business suit seated at a desk in the main Federation News Service broadcasting center.
"…the impeachment of Vice-President Talbot in the Federation Council reached a fever pitch when evidence of a relationship between Mr. Talbot and Romulan Ambassador Caithlin Dar was revealed in the Council. It was also revealed that Mr. Talbot helped facilitate Admiral Spock's defection to the Romulan Star Empire. In light of the new evidence, Councilor Gar of Tellar accused the Vice-President of inappropriate Romulan sympathies." The newswoman paused as she held a hand to an earpiece. "We're getting a development in the impeachment process. President Ra'ghoratreii has called for a press conference at the Palais. We go now to the Palais de la Concorde."
The image changed to that of the Efrosian president of the Federation standing at a podium in front of the Federation Great Seal. Spock could only watch with growing surprise.
"This scandal is a sad event for us all. We have been given a mandate by the peoples of the Federation to lead the Council through times both good and bad. The scandal indicates a failure to carry out that mandate. The continuation of this shameful chapter in Federation history would be a betrayal of the spirit of the Federation Charter. We need concord among the citizens of the Federation." Ra'ghor took his spectacles off as he paused in his speech. "That is why, as of twenty minutes ago, I have accepted the resignation of St. John Talbot from the office of Vice-President of the United Federation of Planets."
A murmur sounded off-screen as reporters and spectator reacted to this announcement.
"As per the Federation Charter, I will submit the nomination of Fleet Admiral William Toddman to the Federation Council as a replacement for St. John Talbot. To respect the spirit of the Federation Charter, Admiral Toddman will resign his commission in the Federation Starfleet. Thank you for your support, your patience and your understanding. That is all."
The viewscreen deactivated just as Ra'ghor turned to leave the press conference room. Spock was reeling from the revelations.
"You will agree, Spock, that we now need each other just as our two worlds need each other in reunion."
Grimly, Spock could only agree.
Starfleet Headquarters
San Francisco, North America, Earth
James Kirk looked up when the door to his office opened.
"Ah, Captain Finnegan. Thanks for coming."
The blond man beamed at Admiral Kirk. "How's everything, Jim?"
Kirk smiled wearily though there was no real humor in the smile. "Fine, fine."
"It's funny. I was an upperclassman at Starfleet Academy when you were a plebe. Now here you are, an Admiral and me, a mere ship captain."
Kirk now gave a real smile at the fond memory of the torment that Bruce Finnegan inflicted on him in the Academy. "I want you to do one thing for me."
"Anything for my Jimmy boy. The Farragut is at your service."
"Take my nephew Peter Kirk to Starbase 10."
"Ah, pulling strings for the family, huh, Jim?"
"You could say that, Bruce. I don't trust many people these days. I can't. Peter is family, so he's the best person to watch the rift and the Romulan border for me."
Finnegan executed a smart old style military salute. "Alright, yes, sir, Admiral, sir."
"Thanks, Captain." Kirk was sincere.
"Say, Jim, now that ol' Bill is gonna be Vice-President, who's gonna be C-in-C?"
Kirk shrugged. "I don't know. That's up to the Federation Council."
"Ok, Jim, I better get to the taxi service for your boy."
Once Finnegan was gone, Kirk returned to his work. But he paused for a long time to think. Whoever would be Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet would need to deal with the crises facing the Federation in tandem with the Palais.
He hoped that it would be easier from now on.