Jim Kirk had gotten his tribunal after about two months, even to the disapproval of Admiral Winston and most of the other Admirals in Starfleet. However, many others wanted some answers, and Jim intended to get them. Michael McNeil was with him, and so was Michael Burnham. "You think you're going to be in trouble for this?" McNeil asked.

"It doesn't matter," Jim replied. "We're going to bring this out in the open so everyone can know exactly what happened."

"We'll stand with you," Burnham said. "I'll tell them what I know too."

"Good."

Carol came up to Jim and slipped her hand into his. "I'll be with you too," she said.

Jim squeezed her hand. "Now, I know I'll win."

Carol smiled. "Flattery will not get you out of this."

There were three judges in the tribunal, and they would hear the whole matter and decide what would be disclosed to the public, although Jim thought it should all be disclosed. The head justice was Admiral Jeremy Billingsly. He hit the podium with the gavel. "This tribunal will come to order," he said. "We're here to discuss the events of the past few weeks. We will find out how all this came about and what should be done about it, whether there should be precautions taken in preparation that these events could happen again, and whether there are other dangers."

Bones and the others were all there in the courtroom because they would most likely have their say as well. They watched as Jim walked up to stand before the court and speak. "Admiral James T. Kirk," Billingsly said. "We will hear your complaint."

"Thank you, Your Honor," Jim said. "This is not really a complaint. I'm here because we have just been through a difficult war that was unexpected, and I think could have been shorter, and maybe even prevented if there had been preparations and knowledge of all these situations that brought this on."

"Continue."

"There have been many events that have led up to this, which were mostly in pieces, and no one knew they were all connected. I believe the first of it was the development of genetics and the incorporation of that into developing a superior race…if that is what you want to call it, and in time, they achieved the development of Khan Noonian Singh and his army who were given the task of peace keeping, which was really just the destruction of anyone who disagreed with them, and we now know that Kane was part of that group. All the time, the development of Khan and his army was accomplished with the discovery of Tiberium, which was kept a secret, and which led to the war with the Scrin the first time when Starfleet was actually known as the G.D.I., or Global Defense Initiative. After that war, Khan and his people left Earth in a ship in stasis because they were considered criminals, but Kane was left behind. The ship was damaged by the ion cannon, which afterward was hidden inside the Earth Spacedock and also kept secret. Admiral Marcus insisted that War was coming, although everyone thought he meant a war with the Klingons, but he was actually referring to another war with the Scrin because he had discovered that tiberium could be used to make weapons, and he searched for Khan and his army because Khan had the knowledge to create these weapons. Khan was most likely responsible for the first Scrin war when he set off a tiberium explosion on Earth that took out half of Europe. Well, Admiral Marcus created that lab to study the tiberium and to create weapons from it, and he had created a super ship. Khan blew up that lab, hoping he would create another tiberium explosion, but it didn't happen at that time. Khan knew exactly what type of war Marcus was talking about. Now, all these years later, we finally find out what he was talking about when Cabal shows up on my ship, along with his controller, Legion, after they had been in the Delta Quadrant for who knows how long, and are most likely responsible for creating the Borg, and had the Tacitus which recorded the whole thing, and has all the information, which is why the Scrin wanted the Tacitus so that they can make themselves unstoppable. My question is: why was all this kept a secret? There could have been much worse consequences if Cabal had managed to get control of the ion cannon to create their tiberium explosion on Earth. They woke up this maniac, Kane, who was also part of Khan's group, and we find out that Starfleet, or G.D.I., also had someone in stasis, who thankfully, knew how to use all that equipment to defeat them, and knew what tiberium could do to someone. So, here we are, we have no idea where Kane is now, nor whether the overlord went back to his galaxy or whether he and Kane, along with who knows what else have stayed in this galaxy to show up again, and next time, might even have the Borg with them."

There was such a silence in the room, Jim wondered if everyone stopped breathing. "That's just a summary," he said. "And I want to know what's going to be done to make sure we're prepared for it if this happens again. I have several people here who can speak about this as well. My personal assistant, and secretary, Ajah, was almost taken over by this Cabal, who has the ability to think for himself. Since then, Ajah has recalled some of the information that was left behind in his brain by Cabal. I would like to know why all this was not disclosed, because as you know, we were in the mycelial network. You have my report. And we were in an alternate timeline, or mirror universe, where tiberium was dominant. I don't think we want that here."

"Admiral Kirk, your concerns have been noted by Starfleet," Admiral Billingsly said. "We intend to create a course in Starfleet Academy concerning this. It will contain information about everything that has happened. As you say, we should be prepared, but to make all this public would only bring panic."

"I don't agree, Sir. People are used to aliens and all. We have fought Klingons and others who attacked, and they should know about this too. How can you prepare for something or report weird things if you don't know about it? Whether people like it or not, there is an underworld."

Bones almost cringed at that. He thought Jim was just too outspoken sometimes. "Admiral Kirk, are you calling this court prejudiced or unconcerned?" Billingsly asked.

"No, Sir."

"Has Doctor McCoy treated anyone who was exposed to tiberium?"

"Yes Sir, he has, and he also treated Ajah. Bones was able to create a serum to counteract the affects of the tiberium but only because he was able to have samples. Imagine if he had known about it before all this happened. He might have alleviated some of that suffering sooner."

"Admiral Kirk, you are on the edge of insubordination."

"Your Honor," someone said.

Jim knew that voice and looked around to see Admiral Winston standing. "You wish to speak, Admiral?" Billingsly asked.

"I do," Admiral Winston replied. He walked up to the front of the room and stood beside Jim. "Admiral Kirk does not speak with disrespect. I have…shall I say, 'dealt' with Admiral Kirk for many years now, and although he is outspoken, he has no disrespect for those over him. He is concerned, and he has great reason to be. He not only has a family, but many people who depend on him. To tell you the truth, I've never seen a captain or admiral who had more respect from his crew and everyone who works for him. They're loyal to a fault. I didn't agree with this hearing when Kirk brought it up to me before, but I see his concerns, and it's going to take more than a course at an academy to beat this threat if it rears its ugly head again. I think there should be a plan in place, and I think that people should be aware so that they can have plans as well."

Jim was surprised that Admiral Winston was defending him, and Bones and the others were equally surprised. "As the head of Starfleet, I do request that preparations and precautions be made in the event that something like this happens again," Admiral Winston said. "I have to admit, it was very difficult to get everything and everyone organized with a bunch of people who had no idea what was going on. We had to take the time for them to learn the situation."

Billingsly was silent a moment. "We'll talk more about this, Admiral Winston," he said. "I and the other justices will take a recess to discuss this, and we will reconvene after lunch at thirteen hundred hours."

As the gavel came down, Jim breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Admiral Winston who was slightly taller than him. Jim suddenly stood at attention. "At ease," Winston said. "I've thought about this a lot, Kirk. I realize you're correct about your concerns."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I still don't like that you went ahead with this before I gave you my approval."

"Yes Sir."

"I still say you're becoming a legend, Kirk. Don't be late after lunch."

"Yes Sir."

Admiral Winston left, and Jim just stood there as Carol and the others came to him. "Well, that went better than I thought it would," Bones said.

"That is not surprising," Korax declared.

"What do you think they will do?" Ajah asked.

"I'm not sure," Jim replied. "But it's all before them now. We gave them the information, our reports, and everything, so let's go eat lunch."

Jim got a long table at the restaurant they chose, and he sat at the end. Bones got on one side of him, and Carol got on the other side. "Jim, do you think those things will attack again?" Bones asked. "You can't help but wonder if the overlord will return if he didn't go back with the rest of his bunch."

"He won't have Cabal to help him now," Jim said.

"You think he's got them ready to come back here when he's ready?"

"Bones, do you have to come up with the worst possible thing that could happen?"

"I'm serious, Jim."

"I've thought of all this. There's really nothing we can do until he shows up or is discovered somewhere else."

"Yeah, like in the Delta Quadrant that we've never been to."

"Bones, it would take years to explore the Delta Quadrant."

"But you know that's where Cabal had been with Legion."

"Yes, I know that, but Kane isn't going to live forever if they can't put him in stasis again, or even put him in one of their drones."

"Yeah, just imagine if they figure out how to improve their drones and they aren't so easily defeated."

"Well, they don't have that Tacitus to help them, so they're not going to get that technology."

"They may find the Borg though."

"Doesn't matter if they do. The Borg are not ones to make treaties and alliances."

"How do you know what they'll do? If they figure out that these beings helped create them, they may just fall into line."

"Bones, can we eat and not think about this right now?"

"Sure."

Jim ordered his food as did everyone else. "Jim, after this hearing, let's go home and just stay there for a day or two," Carol suggested.

"I'm all for that," Jim replied. "I'm tired of worrying about alien attacks."

"We'll get the kids and go and spend an afternoon relaxing in our own home."

"Sounds great."

"I want to get back to Pacifica too," Bones declared. "But I want to make sure everything here is okay."

"Bones, why don't you just move back here to Earth?"

"I don't know. I might decide to one day."

"So, after today, we'll just go back into our regular routines, huh?" Solan asked.

"I suppose so," Jim replied.

Solan sighed as he thought of making those lonely trips doing deliveries. "I hardly ever see anyone on my job."

"Come on, Solan. You see lots of people."

"Yeah, but not my friends."

"So come back to Starfleet, and I'll assign you to Spock's ship."

Solan sipped his drink and thought about that. He had to admit he got very lonely being out there doing deliveries. He had enjoyed his time on the Enterprise. "I'll think about it, but I don't want to give up my ship."

"Don't worry about that."

"What about me?" Mac asked. "Me and my…twin over here need something to do too."

"I'll find something for all of you," Jim said.

"Admiral, do you think it would be a good idea if I wrote a holonovel about this whole situation?" Ajah asked.

Jim scowled as he thought about that. "You know, that probably wouldn't be a bad idea," he said. "Nothing like having something that people can read and study to learn more. Make it public."

"Yes, Sir. I will begin to work on that."

Jim thought Ajah should be able to make a very detailed novel since he always knew everything. "I suppose I will be part of your team as well," Michael Burnham said. "What will I be doing?"

"Like I said, I will find a place for everyone," Jim said. "Don't you want to take a vacation and relax after all the things you've been through?"

"Sure, but I think I'd like to serve with my brother for a while."

"I can assign you to his ship as his first officer since his previous first officer is resigning to pursue other interests."

"That sounds like what I'm looking for."

"I would be proud to have you," Spock said.

"She'll give you someone to argue with again, Spock," Jim remarked.

Uhura smiled slightly. "I would also like to take some time and visit Spura on New Vulcan," she said.

"That's between you and Spock. All of you just give me some time and I'll get all of you settled in."

"Even me?" Kuaya asked. "I too must return home for a short time."

"We're all taking some time. That's an order."

After lunch, the court reconvened, and the justices decided that there should be more preparations made in the event that the Scrin returned since they did not know what became of the overlord or Kane. They also agreed to have a course at the academy about the situation, and that more information would be released to the public. Jim was satisfied with that because he supposed he was not going to get anything better.

When they got out of there, Jim and Carol picked up their kids and went to their apartment. Jim changed into jeans and a t-shirt which he had not done in quite a while. He lay on the sofa while the children played in the floor. He wondered how long it had been since he actually relaxed. Carol came in there. "Jim, are you going to sleep the afternoon away?" she asked.

"Probably," Jim replied. "Why don't you come here and join me?"

"I don't mind if I do."

Carol crawled onto the sofa. She thought it had been a long time since she relaxed too. "That ion cannon was quite powerful," she said as she lay on her back staring at the ceiling.

"It looked like it. Was it hard to control?"

"No. It was quite simple when we figured out how to bring it online. I supposed it had been offline for all those years. I'm just glad Artemus was there. He's very intelligent with that sort of thing."

"Yeah, I know. I think he's going to be the new navigator on Spock's ship, as well as other things he will do."

"Oh, I'm sure he's too valuable to be only the navigator."

"Navigators are very valuable. Too bad John doesn't want to be there anymore. I'm not even sure where he is."

"Last I heard, he resigned from Starfleet altogether. I'm sure Doctor McCoy knows where he is. They seem to be close."

"Yeah. I hope our kids will always be close."

"I'm sure they will." Carol looked at Alex. "Right?"

"Of course," Alex said.

Two weeks later, Jim went back to his office, and Ajah was already there. "Good morning, Sir," he said.

"Morning," Jim replied. "Anything new happening?"

"No. No one has seen anything of any more Scrin or anything."

"Good."

"Mister Scott did contact you about the computer that contains the good Cabal, however. He wants to know what you want him to do with it."

Jim stopped a moment. "Me?"

"Yes Sir, he says he wants to know what you want done with it because he doesn't feel like it's safe just being passed around in Starfleet."

"What about the Tacitus? Is Cabal helping them get access to it?"

"I'm not sure about that, Sir, but I'm sure he can tell you."

"Right. Okay. I'll contact him."

"Also, Solan would like you to contact him as well."

"Anyone else?"

"Not yet, but I think Mac and Mac will be in soon, and even McNeil and Michael Burnham."

Jim sighed. "Okay, well, I'll get on all this."

Jim went into his office and called Scotty right away. "Mister Scott," he said. "Tell me something."

"Admiral, I want to know what you want me to do with this thing," Scotty said. He turned the laptop he had around so that Jim could see Cabal's face on it. "He's very cooperative, Sir, but if he fell into the wrong hands, it could be disastrous."

"Why do you think he's going to fall into the wrong hands?"

"You never know, Sir. What do you want me to do with him?"

Jim leaned on the desk. "Are you wanting me to give you permission to do something, Scotty?" he asked.

"No, Sir. But don't you think this thing would be safer if it was within your reach and sight?"

"Where is the Tacitus?"

"I don't think I want to say that over this channel, Sir."

"Alright, Mister Scott. Come to my office, and we'll figure out something."

"Yes Sir."

Jim thought Scotty sounded awfully relieved. "Kirk out."

Jim ended that transmission and called Solan. Solan answered, and he was wearing his headset as he was sitting in the cockpit of his ship on his way to make a delivery. "Solan, you wanted me to contact you," Jim said. "What's on your mind?"

"I've heard some rumors I thought you should hear," Solan said.

"Like what?"

"I hear tell of an odd ship that was seen out around Caleb Four. From the description, it looks like it could have been that Scrin ship."

Jim frowned. "The overlord?"

"Probably. It wasn't there long, and then went on toward deeper space."

"Nothing since then?"

"No. I mean, that was weeks ago. They could be no telling where now."

"And they're just telling us now?"

"Yeah. Looks like someone would have reported that."

"Did Admiral Cornwall at Caleb Four know about this?"

"I don't know, but if he did, it looks like he should have reported it…unless he did and they just didn't tell you."

"I'm gonna find out. Keep your ears open, Solan."

"I will."

"Kirk out."

Jim leaned back in his chair. He hated to get into this again. He had already argued with the Admirals until he thought they would send him away from Earth. He pressed the button on the intercom. "Ajah."

"Yes Sir," Ajah answered.

"Get Admiral Winston for me, and when Scotty gets here, send him on in."

"Yes Sir."

Jim sat and waited, and soon, he was talking to Admiral Winston. "Admiral, Solan gave me a report about an odd ship that was seen out at Caleb Four," Jim said. "Did you hear about that from Admiral Cornwall?"

"What sort of ship?" Admiral Winston asked.

"From what Solan said, it was most likely the overlord's ship."

"I haven't heard anything about it. How did Solan find this out?"

"One of his contacts. I wasn't told about it either until now. He could be anywhere."

Admiral Winston sighed. "I will contact Admiral Cornwall and find out why he didn't report this," he said. "Winston out."

Jim was glad he did not have to hear that conversation. He was sure it would not be pleasant. Just then, Scotty walked in. "Admiral Kirk," he said.

"Scotty. Have a seat."

Scotty sat across from Jim and set the laptop on the desk, along with a box. Jim looked at that box and then at Scotty. "What is that?" he asked.

"It's the Tacitus, Sir," Scotty replied.

"What are you doing with it?"

"They turned all this over to me, Sir."

Jim absorbed that a moment. "What do you mean, they turned it over to you?"

"Well…"

"Scotty, did they give it to you to put into storage?"

Scotty looked rather nervous and as though he had a huge secret. "Well, I couldn't just leave it there, could I? I mean, look what happened with Khan before."

"Scotty, do you know what kind of trouble we could get into for just having that here?"

"Admiral, you know we can't put it in that warehouse and leave it. It'll be stolen and then could really get into the wrong hands."

Jim had to agree with that. "But it's logged in there, right?" he asked.

"Well…"

"Scotty."

"Yes, Sir."

Jim rubbed his face. "So you stole it?"

"No, I did not steal it! I…just didn't leave it there."

Jim stood up and paced a moment. "Scotty, I'm not sure what we should do about this," he said. "I could get court marshalled, and so could you."

"I don't think so, Sir," Scotty replied. "We need a safer place for it."

"Like where?"

"Well, I had a thought about that."

"Do I want to know about this?"

"I don't know, but I think someone besides just me should know."

Jim sat back down and leaned on the desk. "I suppose I'm already involved in this anyway because I have the sneakiest and most devious bunch in the whole of Starfleet under my command," he declared. "You can't just take something out of the warehouse and think no one is going to notice."

"I had to, Sir."

Jim understood Scotty's apprehension. "I understand how you feel, Scotty, but…" He thought a moment, and then a thought came to him. "I think I know a place for it, or maybe two places, whichever one would be the best."

"Do I get to know?"

"I don't think so. You need to get out of this and let me handle it."

"But Admiral, what if there's trouble? I wouldn't want you to take all the blame."

"Don't worry about it, Scotty. Just forget it."

Scotty was not sure about that, but he did not argue. "I'll go on to the ship then," he said. "Are you sure this will be okay?"

"I said don't worry about it."

Scotty left, and Jim sat there a moment. He pressed the intercom button. "Ajah."

"Yes Sir," Ajah replied.

"Come in here."

Ajah went into the office and sat down across from Jim. "Yes Admiral."

"Ajah, we have a big secret."

"Is something wrong?"

"Sorta. Scotty brought me this laptop and that box. You know what's in there?"

Ajah stared at the items a moment and then looked at Jim. "Why did he bring that here?" Ajah asked.

"He was nervous about it being in that warehouse," Jim said.

"Oh. What are you going to do?"

"I think I'm gonna take a trip with Spock on the Enterprise."

"Am I going?"

"I haven't decided yet. Send Spock a message and let him know I want him to come in so I can talk to him."

"Yes Sir. I'll get that message to him right away."

Ajah went back out to his desk. He had thought this situation was over, and now it seemed it wasn't. He wondered what Jim had in mind.

An hour later, Spock came into the office. "I am here to meet with Jim," he said.

"Yes sir," Ajah said. He pressed the intercom button. "Admiral, Captain Spock is here."

"Send him in," Jim replied.

Spock went into the office. "I came as soon as I could, Admiral," he said.

"Close the door," Jim said.

Spock closed the door and went over to the desk. "Is there a problem?"

"Have a seat. We have something to discuss."

Spock sat down and then noticed the laptop and box on Jim's desk. "Are these what I think they are?" he asked.

"I don't know. What do you think they are?" Jim asked.

"Perhaps you should tell me."

"Spock, I'm going with you on your next trip, which starts tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

"We're gonna take Bones home, and you're gonna drop Uhura off at New Vulcan, right?"

"Yes."

"Good." Jim leaned on the desk. "We have to put this somewhere that it will be safe."

"Are you suggesting that it would be safe on New Vulcan?"

"Don't you think it would?"

"They would take the most precautions. However, I am not certain that this should be put into other hands."

"Then where can we keep it? Scotty's right, Spock. It shouldn't be in that warehouse. It could be stolen and get into the wrong hands. With Cabal there, they can analyze all that information and learn how to create weapons."

"Did Mister Scott take this from the warehouse?"

"Spock, it was never put there."

"Are we participating in something illegal?"

Jim sighed. "You're right. I shouldn't even be talking to you about this," he said. "I'll do this another way. Just forget I asked you about it."

"Admiral…"

"You're dismissed, Spock."

"I did not intend to offend you, Jim."

"You didn't."

"Do you still intend to make the trip with us?"

"I'm not sure. If I decide to, I'll let you know."

"Yes, Admiral."

Spock reluctantly left Jim's office. He stopped at Ajah's desk. "Something wrong?" Ajah asked.

"I am not certain," Spock said. "Do you know what his plans are?"

"Not all of it. I know what it's about though."

"Let me know if Jim starts to leave Earth."

"Okay."

Spock left there and went back to the Enterprise. Uhura was in their quarters. "Something wrong?" she asked as she saw Spock looking as concerned as he ever did.

"Yes," he said.

"What?"

"I cannot tell you at this time. It is a secret."

"Admiral Kirk told you something?"

"Yes. He had intended to go with us on our trip, but I am not certain that he will."

"Why? Is he in trouble?"

"No. But I believe he could be soon. I cannot tell you everything now."

"Okay, Spock."

Jim packed the laptop and the Tacitus into a duffle bag so that he would not look like he was carrying anything too important. He headed out of his office, but when he got out into the waiting room where Ajah was, Admiral Winston was there. Jim thought his heart might have skipped a beat. "Admiral," Jim said and stood at attention.

Admiral Winston walked over to him and stared at him a moment. "Admiral Kirk," he said.

Jim tried his best not to swallow hard. He wondered why Admiral Winston did not tell him to be at ease. "Yes Sir," he said.

"Where are you headed? To the gym?"

Jim thought he might not be breathing. He knew Admiral Winston knew something. "Uh…Sir?"

"I think we better talk in your office."

"Yes Sir."

They went into Jim's office, and Jim glanced back at Ajah, who looked worried. Jim closed the door and went over to his desk. "Have a seat, Sir," Jim said.

"No, you stand at attention, Admiral Kirk," Winston said.

Jim stood at attention. "Now, Kirk," Admiral Winston said. "I know that neither you, nor Montgomery Scott would be involved in a theft…am I right?"

"Yes, Sir," Jim replied.

"I kept telling myself, and I told the others that there's no way Admiral Kirk nor anyone who works for him would steal anything, but the council is not convinced."

"What do you mean, Sir?"

Winston stopped and stood right in front of Jim. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Kirk," he said. "Mister Scott never put that tacitus or that laptop in that warehouse, did he? And you know where it is, don't you? As a matter of fact, I think it's probably in your possession."

"Sir, I…"

"Let me finish. I think that those items should be kept in some safer place than that warehouse, and that maybe someone is planning to put decoys in there so that it won't be known that they're missing."

Jim was a little flabbergasted. He had thought of no such thing. "Who do you think is doing that?" he asked.

"It is the only way that I think anyone could stop the suspicion."

Jim was not sure where this conversation was going. "Sir, can I be at ease?" he asked.

Admiral Winston just stood there a moment. "At ease."

Jim relaxed. "Sir, are you suggesting that…"

"I'm not suggesting anything! I know you know what happened to those items, and you best get something into that warehouse before you take your trip to wherever you're going."

"Yes, Sir."

"Don't let anyone else know about this either."

"I won't, Sir."

Admiral Winston left the office. Jim just stood there a moment, and then Ajah came in. "What did he say, Admiral?" Ajah asked.

Jim scowled. "I think he was agreeing with us," he said.

"About the Tacitus?"

"Yes. We have to get busy on this. We have to make some decoys."

"Decoys?"

"Yes. We have to put something in that warehouse in place of these."

"Is that what he suggested?"

"Sorta. You just monitor calls and everything. I'll see you later."

Jim grabbed the duffle bag and headed to his own apartment. When he got there, it was quiet because no one was there. He changed out of his uniform into some more casual clothes, hoping that he would not stand out so much. He had to figure out what to do with those items and it was not an easy task. If he took it out on the Enterprise, he could implicate Spock and everyone else on that Enterprise if he were charged with anything for stealing. If he asked Solan to take him somewhere to hide it, Solan would be in on it. If he took them to Kronos and asked the Klingons to hide them, they would be implicated. He supposed he would just have to do it himself. He knew a place where they could be hidden and no one would think to look there. He just had to get in touch with that planet.