STAR TREK
PHASE ONE

BLOODY CLOUDS

UNITED SPACE AGENCY; Starfleet Command.
Archer Island; off the coast of Miami Florida

Archer Island, the massive artificial island that the United Space Agency was stationed on off the coast of Daytona Beach Florida, was indeed an engineering fete of an unparalleled scope. The island's tall buildings could be seen from the beaches along the Florida coast. Seeing the massive skyscrapers on the island, as the early morning fog broke, sometimes gave a strange haunting look to the island.

With the threat of hurricanes now diminished, thanks to weather controlling advances in the past two decades, the building of constructs on the ocean surface large enough to hold cities would help the growing population issues that were becoming more a burden as each year passed. A large part of the world's population was against the artificial islands, seeing them as yet another example of man ruining the ecology of the world in the short-sighted attempt to ease population concerns.

James Kirk and Gary Mitchell stepped out of the Lear-jet which had just landed at the massive island airport. It was obvious to Kirk that Gary was somewhat exhausted, due to the fact he hadn't said much during the flight.

"I guess you're enjoying your new jet-setting life style?" James asked with a smile as they walked through the boarding ramp.

"You're telling me," Gary replied. "Last night Moscow, this morning San Francisco, and now Florida." Gary rubbed his eyes. "But it's okay James," Gary added, "I'm going to help you find your son. That's what friends are for."

"Thank Gary," James said. "I appreciate it, I really do."

Gary nodded. What James Kirk didn't know was that if and when they found the person who kidnapped baby David, Gary would kill them in the most horrific way imaginable.

Sometime later, James Kirk and Gary Mitchell had arrived at Colonel Pike's office the main United Space Agency building on the island. They came there under the guise of an ordinary briefing; in fact it wasn't. James had made secret contact with the Colonel via a seldom used cellphone number the Colonel only used for covert needs. Only a select few knew of the phone number. In fact, not even Pike's wife and daughter knew of it; but James Kirk did.

Upon entering the Colonel's office they sat down in the chairs on the other side of the desk from where Pike sat. There were several printed reports arrayed on his desk. Even in the mid 21st century, paper reports were still being manifested daily. It was clear that some things the military had done would never change despite whatever attempts technology made.

"What is it you two boys found so important to contact me on my uber-private line like that?" Pike asked as he lit up a cigar. "You know that line is only intended for emergencies."

"Colonel," Kirk began without even so much as a beat. "Someone has kidnapped my son, David."

Pike froze at the words.

"How is that possible?" Pike asked. "Only the three of us, and Doctor Crusher, even know the child is yours."

"For all we know Colonel," Gary added, "Someone from Carol's past is behind this."

"But," Kirk added, "The more likely scenario is that it has something to do with my past. As to what purpose someone would want to use the kidnapping of my child against me, I don't know. But who ever took David told Carol to keep it secret, or David would be killed."

Pike didn't respond. He motioned to the large screen T.V mounted on the wall.

"I think you should both see this." Pike finally said. "What I'm about to show you Jim," Pike added, "is potentially very damaging to you; to all of us in fact. I received this video about two months into your Martian mission. I have kept it secret for this long for what will be obvious reasons. But I must say, that whoever sent me what I am about to show you; has kept it secret as well."

A recorded image started to play. It was obviously filmed footage shot inside of the men's gym on the other side of the island from where Pike's office was at the massive training facility. On the monitor a young female can be seen, totally naked, approaching a man standing by his locker. There is no audio. The two eventually go inside of one of the stalls where another video camera records their more intimate moments.

As James watched the tape, he knew exactly when and where it was filmed because he was the man on the tape. And he was with Pike's daughter. The video ended.

"I'm so sorry Colonel," James said softly.

"Ummm, Colonel," Gary said to Pike, "Do you want me to hold James down while you kick his ass?"

Pike shook his head. "Shut up Mitchell," Pike said sharply. Then he turned to James. "Jesus Christ," Pike said, "I can't totally blame you, Kirk. I was practically throwing her at you the past couple years. I bear some responsibility for you two being together."

"How did you get this tape?" Gary asked.

"Someone had gone in and cut this material out of the security tapes," Pike said. "Intel and Starfleet have both known for quite some time about the missing footage, but no one could ever find it; until it ended up in my lap all those months ago."

James Kirk had remained silent.

"It's okay James," the Colonel repeated. "I mean, it isn't okay, but it's okay."

"How did you get the tape?" James asked. "Does Christine know about it you having it?"

"Yes, she knows I have it," Pike admitted. "But I have since sent her to Italy, under heavy security, to finish her college career there. Now as to who sent it? I do not exactly know. When I confronted my daughter she told me that she met with the man who blackmailed her. He made her give him access, among other things, to personal files of the crew of the Enterprise."

"Why?" Gary asked.

"I don't know," Pike said as he lit up a cigar. "So far the damage has been contained; until now."

"Colonel, Carol didn't inform me she was pregnant until after that footage of your daughter and I was made. How long did this outside entity have access to our files?" Kirk asked.

"We don't know. The person who blackmailed her revealed very little about who he was and who he worked for. She told me that his name was Tom Garak. I have…"

Kirk stopped Pike.

"The man who came to Carol's house and took my son was named," Kirk said with a pause, "Tom Garak." Kirk said with silent anger.

"Are you sure of this?" Pike countered.

"He is," Gary said for Kirk. "I heard Carol's account as to what happened as well. Tom Garak was definitely this asshole's name." Gary said, barely able to contain the anger inside of him.

Suddenly one of the lines on Colonel Pike's phone started to blink. He pressed the button and answered the phone.

"What is it?" he asked the caller. He listened to the person on the other end. It was his secretary Pam. Pike covered the phone with his hand, and looked to Kirk and Gary. "Someone by the name of Tom Garak is on the line. Pam is going to transfer the call."

Pike hung the phone up and pressed another button.

"This is Colonel Pike, and who might I be speaking with?"

"My name is Tom Garak," a voice responded. "I believe we have a great deal to discuss."

"Where's my son!" Kirk yelled at the phone's outer microphone.

There was a slight pause and then Kirk and the others could hear a baby playing in the background noise.

"Captain Kirk, your child is doing fine, for now," Garak finally replied.

"When I find you I'm…" Kirk said before being cut off by Pike.

Kirk sat back in his chair. Gary patted him on the shoulder and gave him a confident smile.

"What is it you want?" Pike finally came back with. "Why all this back door effort? Kidnapping the child, the security tape footage?"

"Trust me, Colonel Pike," Garak said, "I don't relish that aspect of my job. But it is what it is, and right now I have a job to perform."

Moscow; Russia…

Nadya Chekov opened her eyes. She had lost track of all time, and her memory was murky. She had no idea where she was as the fog of sleep began to wear off. Then her vision began to focus. She was in a room, most likely a hotel room.

She was naked under the blankets lying on a large bed. And to her astonishment; she was sharing the bed with two other people.

Next to Nadya, to her right and in the middle of the bed, was Ivan, naked as well, but above the blankets. Next to Ivan was another man, nude as well. But more importantly, both the men were dead; their necks having been slashed. Pools of blood had collected on their necks and to the side of their bodies where the blood had drained.

And as she clinched her fist, Nadya realized she was holding something in her left hand. She pulled her arm out from the warmth of the blankets and was mortified at what she saw in her grasp: A bloodied knife.

Continued….