A/N: Thanks to everyone for reviewing! I should warn you though, I'm almost at the end of my rope. Meaning that what half-formed ideas I had for this have almost all been written. (zones out) Okay, I might have a few more now. We'll see. Enjoy!

Joxap had apparently given a call that sent all the Nekati scurrying for the buildings. Carimend and a few of his men were already speaking with the Demetrian delegation, where one carried a white flag. The Admiral did not seem pleased.

"What's going on here?" Kirk asked cautiously as they pulled up.

A Demetrian turned towards him and flashed a bright smile. "Ah, the starship Captain! Hello, it is very nice to meet you at last."

Kirk inclined his head but never took his eyes off the man. He was as charming as a snake.

The Demetrian turned to Carimend. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Carimend seemed livid but squelched it down. "Captain, this is Tornilv, in charge of the forces in Vilsa. And some of his cohorts."

Tornilv clucked his tongue. "I believe you mean, some of my comrades. I don't call your men conspirators."

"I'm Captain James Kirk and these are my men, First Officer Spock and Doctor McCoy," Kirk cut in before it could get out of hand. "What do you want?"

Tornilv licked his lips. "I want to be sure that the Federation's 'neutral party' isn't playing favorites."

"Favorites? Because we're in Pentarii?"

"Yes," he said smoothly.

"If you require medical aid we will provide it," Kirk said seriously, glancing at McCoy. Then he had to look back for a moment.

McCoy's expression chilled him like it always did. It was the one seen on the planet when they were held by Klingons, when the Capellans killed Grant, and when they'd transported into the parallel universe. Kirk hated it, because it was so blank. He was just waiting, watching to see what would happen to them next. It was like trying to decide whether to fight or fly. Kirk only saw it in situations where danger was confirmed.

But there was no danger here, was there?

"Truthfully," Tornilv was saying. He was extremely suave. "Since seeing some Starfleet personnel walking around, we have decided that this would be an excellent opportunity to discuss terms."

"Terms for what?" Carimend spat.

Tornilv looked at him. "Armistice."

Clearly not expecting that, Carimend shut his mouth.

The Demetrian turned his cool, indifferent gaze back to the captain. "Would you be so kind as to mediate, Captain?"

After a shared look with Spock (McCoy wasn't quite looking at anyone) Kirk nodded. He held out a hand in a general gesture. "Lead the way."

Tornilv grinned (it was like shark teeth, Kirk thought) and his delegation started for Carimend's camp. The rest of them fell into step behind them. As Tornilv joined his comrades, he cast a smug grin back over his shoulder and made a clicking sound in his throat.

Behind them, McCoy jerked violently backwards into Spock. "Sonuva…" he whispered. Spock reached out a hand to steady him but he pulled away, clenching his fists as a shadow of dark anger passed over his face.

For the first time, Spock wondered how much of McCoy's mysterious seething was self-directed.

McCoy, for his part, was chastising his overreaction. But that S.O.B. wouldn't get to scare him like that again.

Suspense and mystery! But I should probably write about what happened with McCoy before I get a riot on my hands. It looks like that's gonna be the next chapter. Don't know when I'll be able to update, though. It might be a couple days... ;)

I'm evil and I know it. ;)