Chapter 5

La'an walked onto the bridge to find Captain Pike in a heated discussion with Admiral April. Una saw her first and nodded at Chris who interrupted the Admiral. "Sir, Lt. Noonien-Singh is here."

"Sirs," she went to attention.

"At ease Lt," the Admiral directed. "I hear several congratulations are in order."

"I was just doing my job sir."

"Don't be modest Lt. Had you not been there, well, let's not discuss that."

"Yes sir."

"Our situation is a delicate one with the Gorn."

"I can imagine sir."

"We are on the brink of war with them." La'an remained silent. "We're trying to negotiate a truce."

While La'an managed to keep a straight face, Chris did roll his eyes. "I saw that, Captain."

"My apologies sir."

"Indeed," the Admiral murmured then addressed La'an. "I would like to speak with you privately."

"That is highly unusual, sir." Number One interjected.

"If there is anything you want to say or ask my Chief of Security, I should be there," Pike rushed out having a feeling of dread.

"Normally I would agree with you, but this needs to be a conversation between the Lt and myself. Privately."

Chris looked at La'an, essentially telling her that if she wanted him to, he would tell the Admiral to go to hell. La'an offered a nod of appreciation then looked at Uhura, "If you would patch the Admiral through to my quarters, I will be there momentarily."

"Thank you Lt," April acknowledged then, "I promise you Chris, you will know the full extent of our conversation after we have it."

"Somehow that does not leave me feeling better."

"I understand."

La'an left at that. Her mind reeling of what the Admiral had to say to her. She was also, like the Captain, filled with a sense of dread about what he might say to her.

Less than ten minutes later, it turned out, she was right to have the feeling of dread. La'an turned off the monitor and fell back onto her bed, trying to way the pros and cons. Ultimately, what the Admiral had told her, had asked of her, would prevent war—at least temporarily. However, it would come at a great cost and there was no guarantee that the Gorn would keep their word. Still, if it would save her friends…it was worth thinking about.

"I don't like it."

"Neither do I Number One but it the Lt can hold her own with the Admiral. Whatever it is, she knows we have her back."

"What do you think he wants with her?" Uhura asked.

"Honestly, I have no idea. There's just something that tells me it's not going to be good for the Lt, no matter what."

"So, what-" Ortega's question got interrupted by Uhura, "It's the Admiral sir."

"Put him on the screen."

"Command personnel only in five minutes. Lt. Noonien-Singh will join you." The screen went blank.

"Well, shit," Ortega said.

Four minutes later all of the command personnel were in the conference room, including both Kirks. Given his Captain in Training status, Jim had talked himself into the room.

"Care to give us a warning of what we're about to hear Lt?" Pike asked.

"I think it would be better to wait for the Admiral sir." Her demeanor was straight and professional yet held a bit of sadness to it as well.

"La'an," Chris began a bit more softly, "whatever the Admiral asked of you—"

Her eyes flashed but La'an remained stoic, "I know you have my back sir. All of you."

The screen flashed and Admiral April appeared. "Very well." His eyes scanned the room settling on Noonien-Singh. "Lt."

"Sir."

"I'm sorry I couldn't give you more time to think about your course of action."

"I understand the need for urgency, Admiral." La'an paused and the Admiral waited for her to continue. "I weighed the options. And while I would, and will if ordered, do what negotiations have asked of me, I do not think it is a viable solution. I do not believe that the Gorn will hold up their end of the bargain."

"Neither do I, nor most of Starfleet Command," April sighed. "Yet…"

"This action seems like the best course to prevent war for the time being."

"Yes. It is a heavy load that we have asked of you Lt. No matter what happens, I'm sure there will be second-guessing for some time to come on what was the right thing to do."

"And just what has Command asked of Lt. Noonien-Singh?" M'Benga asked.

"The Gorn have agreed to do a complete withdrawal and leave the Alpha Quadrant," the Admiral said hesitantly.

"At what cost?" Pike asked.

"That I be handed over to them," La'an said simply.

"You can't be serious." "You aren't seriously-" "There's no way Starfleet would ask." "Are you insane?" "This is not what we do." "We are not handing over—" and more chaos ensued with everyone speaking at once.

Well, almost everyone. Jim was astounded at first but then he saw La'an looking calm and reserved. He somehow knew that she had accepted her fate, whatever it was. He had never been prouder to have served with someone that was so selfless. He also had never been more furious at Starfleet for even considering giving her up.

Somehow, seeming to sense his turmoil, she met his eyes. There was a sadness in them but also an understanding of what was being asked. One to save the more. However, that was not what Starfleet did.

Kirk wanted to scream and then take her away somewhere far far away. He was about to demand such a thing when La'an suddenly spoke. "I did come up with a plan that may get us what we want without going to war."

The room went silent. "I said MAY, but I think it's worth a shot. I would gladly give my life if I thought it would do any good. I've learned the hard way that the Gorn cannot be trusted. I do value my life and the lives of everyone else here. I think that we may be able to use what the Gorn want to turn the tables with little to no loss of life."

"What do you have in mind Lt?"