Nogura was busy in his office that night. He could not believe a single word the young captain told him. That bastard. He would make him pay for all those lies. Winona told him the kid was a liar deep in the bones.
He first started looking for Winona's ex-husband, Frank. She told him she left the man because he cheated on her, vanishing from the face of Earth after the divorce.
To say he was shocked about what he was reading, it's nothing.
Apparently, the man was really convicted for multiple child abuse, not only on James but his brother Sam as well. He got arrested after beating the younger almost to death for driving a car out a cliff.
A coincidence.
He went searching the manifests for the people on Tarsus IV. He found a James Davies arrived on the planet, but could not be found after the massacre. How convenient for the captain. Score one for Nogura. He kept reading the rescue teams reports all night long, crossing few times the name JT, a young boy who saved more than 15 children. Calling the night, he sends out to Archer and Pike a message he would need to meet them to talk about that liar apparently everyone loved.
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Nogura woke up happy. Today was going to be the day he deleted that stupid James T. Kirk from Starfleet's face. And to give the Enterprise to a more proper Captain. He dressed quickly, had his coffee and headed to HQ.
The meeting he called the night before was in Archer's office.
He triumphantly entered, finding Admiral Archer and Admiral Pike already talking vividly.
"What made you so happy in the early morning, Josè?" Asked Archer.
"Well, my friends, I have proofs that Kirk is a fraud and a liar.
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Archer and Pike looked at Nogura like he grew a second head.
"Why are you looking at me in that way? Here the proofs! He cannot joke about Tarsus, and there is no Kirk landed on the surface."
"Do you really think after what he went through, he would use his father's name? Of course, there is no Kirk, since his aunt was Davies. And here there is, James Davies."
Nogura didn't back down.
"Who can testify they are the same person?"
"As a matter of fact, I knew a woman on the planet who gave me great stories about a boy learning like a sponge what she could teach him." Archer said.
"Probably she didn't know Kirk's identity and of course mislead you."
"Are you serious Josè? That woman was Hoshi Sato, my father's communicator officer. She was the one helping in making the universal translator. And she was pretty sure about the boy's identity, his eyes are unmistakable. And his father's sacrifice."
In the heat of the moment, Nogura kept his line.
"And here, the list of survivals, no James Davies. What about it now?"
This time it was Pike to talk.
Well, you see, there is a name some young survivals kept saying and asking about. It was J.T. That is a name on the list."
"Mmm. Kirk told me about him. A friend, of course! But doesn't prove anything! Can't you two see it? He fooled you both!"
Pike got up angrily, hitting the table with his fists.
"Do you know who were the first responders to the tragedy? The USS Farragut. And guess who was on that ship? Me. I was the one discovering a dirty, filthy boy imprisoned in the dungeons under the Governor's palace."
"How can you be sure he was Kirk! Come on! Kids are all the same at that age!"
Pike was really mad now.
"How dare you! I could never forget that day!"
"Now you two calm down. No need to fight."
Archer had to get into the conversation to avoid the younger admirals killing each other.
Pike composed himself and continued his story.
"You see, I was George's friend, back at the academy. I went sometimes picking up the children and taking them somewhere. Those baby blue eyes are unforgettable. When I found JT in prison, and he saw me, he called me uncle Cri, a name only Jim used. So yes, I'm sure JT is James. Also, the full name is James Tiberius, J.T. After the journey to come back on Earth, he vanished from medical before he could be interrogated. Go take a look at the pictures we got left. I hope we answered you."
Seeing the look of surprise in Nogura, Archer added:
"If you need something else, you can call us later. Now go, and think about it and how wrongly you were to Kirk. He is definitely his father's son, but he is his own persona, with his skills and personality. Have a good day Josè."
The three of them left the room.
That day, Admiral Nogura dug more in the rescuers photos and reports. He was shocked to recognize the young captain in JT's face.
He promised himself to ask forgiveness for his words and attitude next time.
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Uhura sent the call to the captain's quarters stating it was from Nogura and was a priority One call.
Kirk was already alone since the shift started one hour before.
"Patch him through Uhura, it's not a problem."
"Are you sure captain? Will you be OK alone?" Asked the officer alarmed.
"Yes. Thank you."
The screen showed Admiral Nogura.
"Good morning Admiral, what can I do for you today?" Asked the Captain.
His superior seemed uncomfortable.
"Look, Kirk. I was wrong. Completely and one hundred percent. My deepest apologies."
"Thank you, Admiral, I appreciate that."
"I'll give the Enterprise the order to investigate that Klingon conversation since you are the most qualified officer in the Fleet. Just keep me updated, please."
Kirk simply nodded.
"Well captain, I don't want to stress you more. Have a good day, and stay safe. I will not bug you on your job anymore, at least not for the little things. You deserve it. Nogura out."
The screen was replaced with the Starfleet logo.
Kirk was a little surprised on the Admiral's change, but he was sure Pike and Archer had something to do with that.
Happy about the change, he contacted Uhura, telling her to keep her ears open for more klingon's conversations, and as soon as the new order would come in, to inform Spock.
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Hours and hours listening, but Uhura and Kirk finally did get somewhere: apparently, the Klingons stole the cloaking device from a romulan ship who landed on a deserted asteroid, leaving the crew dead and the ship alone.
Nogura was happy to have news and informed Kirk that another ship would be sent at the coordinates given to investigate.
They were also granted a free exploration pass (not something usual eh eh) until the next mission.
Kirk was ecstatic. What a nice day.