Jim sat in the captain's chair staring out the viewport. They had been waiting for two days, and Chancellor Valorum had used the conference room to have a virtual meeting with members of the Senate. Jim and the others had not been part of that meeting, so they had no idea what was going on now. The chancellor had gone back to the planet since then. Anakin had not returned to the ship, nor had Qui-Gon or anyone else.

Spock came onto the Bridge. "Admiral, are you concerned about what is happening?" he asked.

"I sure am," Jim replied as he stood up from the chair. "We haven't heard from anyone about anything."

"I have no suggestions of what we should or should not do."

"Well, at least we're on the same page."

The next to come onto the Bridge was Korax. Jim had almost lost track of everyone who had come with them aboard this ship. It was a mixed company of everyone who had fought against the Scrin and Kane to stop them from taking over the Earth. "Admiral, do you believe we should stay here, or should we go back to our own galaxy?" Korax asked.

"We can't just leave without Anakin or at least hearing from him," Jim said. "After all, his family is on this ship."

"What do you believe is happening?"

Jim sighed as he looked out the viewport. "I wish I knew. Maybe they're coming to some sort of conclusion."

"Do you believe this ship could be in danger?"

"I don't know that either, but I do know that if Anakin or any of the Jedi thought it was, they would find a way to contact us."

"We must simply wait," Spock said.

"This waiting is getting old. I mean, can't someone contact us and let us know what's happening?"

"Perhaps it is better that we do not know."

"How could it be better?"

"Admiral, we are not from this galaxy, and we do not know how we have traveled to it…whether we have traveled through time or not."

"I know, but we're here anyway."

Jim paced back and forth, and then Michael Burnham came onto the Bridge. "What do you think they're doing?" she asked.

"I wish I knew," Jim replied, feeling like he was repeating himself.

"Do you think we're in danger here?"

"I don't know."

"There's an awful lot of space travel around this planet. How do you know someone isn't watching us? Surrounding us?"

Jim scowled at the suggestion and looked out the viewport. "Mister Sulu, do you see any patterns forming around here?" he asked.

"No, Sir," Sulu answered. "Just seems to be normal space travel…except different from ours."

"Any ships that have passed by us more than once?"

"I'd have to run a scan."

"You best do that and make sure someone isn't secretly spying on us or trying to track us in some way. I mean, our technology is different from theirs."

"Right."

The next morning, Jim was awakened by his communicator. "Yes," he answered as he flipped it open.

"Admiral, we are receiving a transmission from the planet," Spock said.

"From who?"

"It is from Anakin."

"Give me a minute."

Jim got dressed in a hurry feeling like he had hardly rested at all as Carol sat up in bed. "What do you think is happening?" she asked.

"I don't know, but I hope I'm about to find out," Jim replied.

Jim went to the Bridge. "On screen," he said.

Anakin appeared on the screen. "Good morning, Admiral," he said.

"Morning. What's happening?" Jim asked.

"There's a lot happening. We've had to take the Tacitus. The Senate wanted to see it, but it wasn't a good idea. They're claiming that we and Chancellor Valorum are hiding something that could harm this galaxy. I explained to them that he had nothing to do with it, but there are some who are convinced, others who accept the truth."

"What are you going to do?"

"You were right about taking this thing from here. It holds too much information to leave it here. If the Sith ever got it, they could manipulate it and find out even how to create your technology."

Jim frowned. "Then it was a mistake to bring it here," he said.

"It's not your fault," Anakin replied. "We just have to take it out of here. Qui-Gon intends to go with us through the mycelial network. Master Yoda believes that is the best place for it. Without it, no one can go in there…not even me."

"That means we can only go in one time. We won't be able to bring Qui-Gon back without creating another rift in space."

"That's his choice, not ours."

"When will you be ready to leave?"

"Well, we have to get off this planet and get back to the ship. We are concerned about Chancelor Valorum though. But Yoda says we need not worry…worry not, do what you must you should. I wish he wouldn't say that."

"You're probably going to get the same line from Spock…only in a different order. How can we help you?"

"If you come down here, you run the risk of being arrested."

"Do you think they will try to attack the ship?"

"Not attack, but they may order you to let them aboard. They know you have strong shields. If you run, they will count you as fugitives."

"How are you going to get off that planet?"

"Just let us handle that. We have to make sure the chancellor is safe first."

Jim thought all this sounded impossible. "So, what if they do come up here to threaten us?" he asked.

"Stall them until we get there," Anakin said. "Qui-Gon and I have to get that Tacitus out of here and get off the planet with it with everyone else wanting it."

"So that Sith lord wants it."

"Yeah, but he's not getting it."

"Has he shown himself yet?"

"Not really, but he's right in the middle of it. Whatever you do, don't let them aboard your ship. If you do, they could bring a Sith aboard. We don't really know how many there are. They could wipe you out."

"No one is getting aboard this ship."

"Good. I'll contact you again."

The transmission ended. Spock stood beside him. "What do you suggest, Jim?" he asked.

"We'll do what he said. We won't let them aboard this ship for any reason," Jim replied. "Make sure Scotty has those shields at peak performance, and make sure they're scanning for anything unusual." Jim walked over to Sulu. "Did you finish that analysis?"

"Yes, Sir," Sulu replied. "It doesn't detect anything unusual, unless you count all this space traffic unusual."

"It's not unusual here. So no patterns around us?"

"No."

"Good. Keep an eye on that."

Jim thought as he walked back over to the captain's chair and sat down since Spock had left the Bridge. He knew they would have to make a hasty retreat if Anakin and the others came bringing a whole battle with them.

Anakin and Qui-Gon had retrieved the Tacitus, which was still in the case Jim and the others had brought it in. They were silent as they walked through the tunnels under the Jedi Temple. They both knew what they were facing. "He's only using the Force enough to locate us," Anakin said.

"Yes," Qui-Gon replied. "But not enough for us to locate him."

"I should learn how to hide in the Force. Maybe he can locate me because…"

"Yes, but hiding in the Force takes patience and training. We must focus on our mission right now. It is vital to this galaxy."

"Do you think the reporter will go through with it?"

"Of course. He wouldn't miss such an opportunity. He may save the chancellor's life. I fear he has a long road ahead."

"Are you sure we should leave?"

"There are many Jedi. The two of us are not so vital. It's only the curiosity that would keep us here."

They walked in silence a few moments, feeling the tension in the Force as they moved through the tunnels to get to a place to be transported. "Do you think we can get out of here before he gets to us?" Anakin asked. "I feel urgency in the Force."

"Yes, I feel it also," Qui-Gon replied. "The only thing he wants is this Tacitus so that he can use the knowledge contained within it. He would have what he wants and needs to ravage this galaxy."

By the time they came out of the tunnels at the lower levels of Coruscant, they were running. They could see the ship graveyard ahead and hurried that way so they could be transported inside the old hideout. Before they got there, they were met by two whom they had not seen before. However, before the aggressors could attack, a ship came over them and they were transported.

Qui-Gon and Anakin were surprised as they were suddenly inside a shuttle from the Enterprise. They looked up front, and none other than Jim Kirk was in the pilot's seat. "You guys glad to see me?" he asked.

"You were right on time," Anakin replied.

Jim headed up toward space, but the shuttle seemed to stall. Anakin closed his eyes and made motions with his hands, and suddenly, the shuttle was released. However, before he got into space, two ships came upon him. "Unknown shuttle, you are ordered to land!" someone said.

Jim frowned. "Now what?" he asked. "If I land, they will arrest me."

Anakin sat in the copilot's seat. "We don't need to land," he said as a suggestion.

"You don't need to land," the voice over the intercom said.

"We can go on about our business."

"Go on about your business."

"You go on home and figure out something better to do."

"I'm going home and figure out something better to do."

Qui-Gon looked amused. "I'm sure he will not think it's better later," he said.

Jim chuckled at that. "Well, let's get out of here now," he said.

They left the atmosphere of the planet and headed for the Enterprise. "We're coming that way," Jim said.

"Admiral, we have been contacted by Coruscant security," Spock said. "They are demanding to board our vessel."

"When we get aboard, we're getting out of here."

"I am not certain that we will be able to."

"Why?"

"We are surrounded."

Jim frowned. He looked at Anakin and Qui-Gon. "What do we do now?" he asked.

"Keep going toward the ship," Qui-Gon said. "We will get out."

Jim accelerated toward the ship. "Spock, get ready for us," he said. "We're coming in."

"Shuttle bay one is ready, Admiral," Spock replied.

Jim turned the ship toward the shuttle bay, and he could see the doors opening. He guided the ship in. "Close the doors," he said. "Don't let anyone else get in."

Jim set the ship down and shut it down quickly, and then he ran out the back, along with the two Jedi. "Get us out of here, Spock," he said as he was going toward the Bridge.

Sulu turned the ship away from the planet, making sure the shields were up, and the ships that were attempting to block them fired on them. Jim almost fell as the ship shuttered with the firing. He finally reached the Bridge and looked at the viewport. "Fire back!" he commanded.

The Enterprise began firing back as they were moving from among their attackers. "Admiral, if we fire on them and destroy any of their ships, we will be considered galactic enemies," Spock declared.

"Target their weapons," Jim said. He looked at Spock. "I think we're already enemies. They're firing on us."

"But we do not want to return their aggression. I fear we have changed the course of this galaxy and perhaps made it worse."

"I don't think so. Let's get out of here as soon as possible, Mister Sulu. We're not letting them have that Tacitus."

When Sulu got a gap, he went to warp. Jim blew out a breath. "Do you believe they will know where we are going?" Spock asked.

"Let's hope not," Jim replied. "I'm ready to get back home after we get rid of this thing." He looked at Anakin and Qui-Gon. "You guys alright?"

"We are well," Qui-Gon replied. "Thanks to you."

"Maybe we can contact Coruscant when we get there. We should be able to find out something after four days."

"I agree. Hopefully, it will be good news."

After four days, the Enterprise came out of warp at Tatooine. Jim stood looking out the viewport. "Anything weird going on?" he asked.

"Not that I'm detecting," Sulu replied.

"Let's get out to our position and make sure no one follows us in."

Sulu steered the ship toward their usual area where they went through the rift. John was scanning to make sure no one was following. "I don't see anything out there," John said.

"Let's hope no one comes out of hyperspace while we're going through," Sulu replied.

Qui-Gon came onto the Bridge. "We contacted Coruscant," he said. "Things are changing, especially after our reporter friend made his report. I believe this galaxy is making a turn for the better."

"That's good to hear," Jim replied. "I'm just glad we didn't mess things up more."

They soon arrived at the point of exit. "Anything?" Jim asked.

"Nothing sir," Sulu answered.

"Mister Scott, get ready."

"Ready down here, Sir," Scotty replied.

Jim blew out a breath. "Let her rip, Scotty."

Bones was standing on the Bridge and shook his head. "Do you have to say that?" he asked.

"Yeah."

They soon saw the rift and were pulled in like usual. They were soon on the other side and were back where they started from, and the rift closed. "I wish there was a way to make that ride smoother," Jim said. "Now, we have to go into the mycelial network the same way we did before, but we do not want to go to the mirror universe."

"I'll guide us," Anakin said as he sat down at the helm. "Don't worry."

Spock had brought Cabal and the Tacitus onto the Bridge. Cabal connected with the Tacitus and began their journey into the mycelial network. They were soon there, and Anakin tried not to be overwhelmed but it was very difficult. It was Qui-Gon's turn to be overwhelmed. "It's incredible," he said. His eyes glowed but not quite as brightly as Anakin's.

Anakin stayed at the helm as the red and green swarm came to them again. He found it easy to communicate with them this time, and Qui-Gon was in it as well. They agreed to take the Tacitus into their care, and it would never escape the mycelial network. "How do we give it to you?" Anakin asked. "And we have to get back to our galaxy."

The swarm let him know that they would be able to get back to their own galaxy and they would take the Tacitus if they ejected it. "They said to eject it," Anakin said. "Can you do that?"

"We can," Jim replied. He gave the Tacitus to Spock. "Get it out there to them."

"Yes Admiral." Spock left the Bridge with the Tacitus, and it was soon off the ship with the swarm.

"They said farewell," Anakin said as they watched the swirling red and green mass take the Tacitus away. "I guess there's nothing left to do but get out of here."

Qui-Gon frowned. "We will never be able to get here again," he said.

"We have to get back," Jim said.

"Yes, I know."

They were soon out of the mycelial network, and it closed behind them. Jim stood up. "I'm not sure where we should go first," he said. "But then again, I'm sure the other Mac has left Pacifica by now."

"No way of knowing where he is," Anakin said. "Unless we get close to him."

Jim looked at Bones. "Well, where do you want to go?" he asked.

"I'm going with you right now," Bones replied. "I'm not staying on Pacifica without knowing what else is going on."

"Take us to Earth, Mister Sulu," Jim said.

As they went to warp, Jim left the Bridge and stood in the corridor. Spock and Bones walked up to him. "What are you thinking about?" Bones asked.

"I'm just wondering what we're going to find when we get back there," Jim said.

"We should contact Admiral Winston," Spock suggested. "I am certain he would like to know that we are back."

"He doesn't even know we left the galaxy; I wouldn't think."

"Do you intend to tell him?"

"I don't know…I mean, yes, I most likely will. Why wouldn't I?"

Just then, Anakin came into the corridor with his eyes glowing more than they were before. "So, are you going to contact Admiral Winston so we can know what we're going into?" he asked.

"Yes, that's what I'm going to do," Jim replied. "Spock, have Uhura send a message to Admiral Winston. We'll talk to him in the conference room."

"Yes, Admiral." Spock went back to the Bridge.

Jim still just stood there. "You're worried," Bones said.

"We won't even get there for four days," Jim replied. "A lot can happen in that time."

"Nothing we can do about it right now. We might as well enjoy the quiet and get some rest."

Qui-Gon came from the Bridge. "That was quite a fascinating experience," he said. "I am rather overwhelmed at being in another galaxy. It is odd not to feel the other Jedi."

"You're not getting homesick already, are you, Master?" Anakin asked.

Qui-Gon smiled. "Not quite. I suppose it takes some getting used to."

"It does, but you'll like it here."

"I still wonder how things will go in our own galaxy."

"There's nothing we can do. We would have been arrested and our friends too."

"Yes. We did not have much choice."

"I'm going to see how Carol is doing," Jim said. "If you'll excuse me…"

Jim walked down to his quarters and found that Carol and the children were there. "So how did they take the ride?" he asked.

"It was not easy," Carol replied. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. We're on our way back to Earth. I don't know what we're going into."

"You'll contact Admiral Winston, though, right?"

"Yes. I'm just hoping everything has settled down."

"You're looking rather glum. Why don't you come and rest?"

Jim sat down on the sofa with Carol. He felt like it was the first time he had relaxed in days as he leaned his head on the back of the couch. Carol watched him a moment. "Jim," she said.

Jim was almost startled. "I think I'm tired," he said.

"I think you are too. Go to bed. I'll make sure you're not disturbed."

"I can't. I have to talk to Admiral Winston when he answers." Jim stood up. "I should just stay up until he calls back."

Carol watched him a moment. "Jim, you can't stay awake all the time."

"I know. I know, but I have to right now."

"After you talk to him, you're going to rest."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Jim smiled as she folded her arms. "I promise." He kissed her. "I feel like it's been days since I did that too."

"It has."

"Right. I think I'll just go to the conference room and wait."

"I'll have a good meal fixed for you when you get back."

"Great."

Jim left his quarters and yawned as he was going down the corridor. He thought all that adrenaline was wearing off. "Admiral Kirk," someone said.

Jim looked around to see Michael Burnham coming that way. "Yes," he said.

"What are we about to do?"

"We're on our way back to Earth. I'm going to talk to Admiral Winston when he answers."

"So you don't know if we're going right back into that war."

"No, I don't, but we have far less chances of having anything they want because Cabal can't access the mycelial network without the Tacitus…and neither can we."

"There is another way, but you don't have the technology."

"I don't want to know this. No one needs to be going back there."

"You're right. It's just good to be back in my own universe."

"They won't be able to get here, will they?"

"I don't think so, but that Jim Kirk is very intelligent, although he can't create a Tacitus and he has no Cabal to find it either."

"He did have an Anakin though. Our Anakin could find it…maybe. He could navigate through it."

"That's not the same thing."

"So, what are you going to do now that you're back home?"

"Oh I don't know. If the war is really over, I think I'm going to take a long vacation."

"Sounds good."

"Admiral," Uhura said over the intercom. "Admiral Winston is waiting."

"I'll take it in the conference room," Jim replied.

Jim went into the conference room where Spock and Bones were waiting, along with Anakin, Qui-Gon, and Solan. Jim turned on the intercom and Admiral Winston appeared. "Admiral Kirk," he said. "It's good to see you alive. We were rather worried when we didn't hear from you for so many days."

"Well, we took care of that problem," Jim replied. "What's happening there, Admiral?"

"It's mostly quiet, but there are still some stragglers who are still trying to fight and cause trouble. Also, we're trying to figure out what to do with that Tiberium. The Scrin appear to have gone back to their universe or wherever they came from and took Kane with them."

Jim nodded. "That's good news too."

"Maybe. I won't ask you where you've been for all this time, but as long as you took care of that problem, I suppose it doesn't matter."

"What about that Mac? Did they find him?"

"No. That's another worry. Are you sure there's no way for him to find his way back there and bring that Jim Kirk and others back here?"

"I don't think so, Admiral. We can't go back there again. The key to it is…gone."

"Good. I'll see you when you get back. Winston out."

The transmission ended and Jim breathed a sigh of relief. He thought he might just fall asleep standing up. "I'm going to get some sleep," he said. "I will see all of you later."

Jim left the conference room. "Well, that was short and abrupt," Bones said. "They didn't find that Mac. This is not over as long as he's out there. He could pollute anything with that tiberium."

"Let's try not to be so negative," Solan said. He sighed. "Where would he go?"

"I don't know but I'm sure he's going to be a lot like our own Mac, and a lot more evil and cunning."

Solan frowned at that thought. He was not sure he wanted to take on that enemy…

Jim arrived at his quarters, and Carol was waiting for him. "Come right in here, my darling," she said and led him to the bed.

Jim lay down on the bed, and he did not even remember going to sleep. Carol stroked his cheek softly. She would see to it that he was not disturbed…and not only while he was sleeping. Sometimes, she wanted him so badly that she felt like dragging him off that Bridge. They would have some time alone when he was not exhausted.

After about five hours, Jim started to move a little. Carol sat on the bed reading. She watched him turn over onto his side and go right on sleeping. However, after another hour, he started to move again. "Jim?"

Jim opened his eyes and stretched. He looked at her. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked.

"About six hours."

"Six hours?" Jim sat up.

Carol got over to him and shoved him back down on the bed and crawled up over him. "You're not going anywhere," she said.

Jim looked up into her blue eyes. "Yes, Ma'am," he said.

She kissed him. "You're going to spend some time with me and be very occupied." She started to kiss him again, but the communicator chirped. She frowned and grabbed it from the table and flipped it open. "Admiral Kirk is occupied and will be for quite some time." She closed the communicator and tossed it into the corner.

Jim's mouth dropped open slightly. "You know, they're gonna know what we're doing now," he said.

"I don't care."

Jim smiled slightly. "Dim lights," he said.

The lights dimmed and he rolled over on top. "I wanta see what I'm doing just a little," he said.

Carol laughed. "Hey, where are the kids?" Jim asked.

"Don't worry," Carol replied. "They're fine."

Scotty and Solan looked at each other as that transmission ended. "Well, I guess he's busy," Solan said.

"Yes…well, we'll just talk to Captain Spock," Scotty replied.

"What we should have done anyway. After all, it's his ship."

Scotty called Spock next. "Yes, Mister Scott," Spock answered.

"Captain, there's something I want to show you in engineering," Scotty said.

"I will be there shortly. Is there a problem?"

"I'm not sure right now."

Spock soon arrived at Engineering. "What seems to be the problem, Mister Scott?" Spock asked.

"Take a look at this." Scotty led him over to the warp core so they could see it.

Spock noticed immediately that it seemed to be glowing brighter than normal. "What is it doing?" he asked.

"It seems to have absorbed some energy from the mycelial network," Scotty said.

"Is it harmful?"

"No. It's running at peak efficiency and even better. Not sure what happened, but I thought you should know. Solan and I will study it to try and understand it better."

"Keep me informed. And you're certain there is no danger to the ship or crew?"

"No. There are no power fluctuations or anything unusual, but it seems like it's an independent power source."

"Explain."

"It's not using the ship's power. Everything else is at maximum capacity, running like a top. No radiation, and…it seems cooler."

"Cooler?"

"Yes. The energy is much cooler than what we normally use, but it's fantastic."

"Fascinating. Keep me informed, Mister Scott."

"Yes, Captain."

Spock left Engineering rather puzzled, but he supposed if it was not posing a threat, they might as well not question it. However, he thought maybe Anakin could give his opinion. He went to Anakin's quarters which he shared with Padme and their kids. He rang the door chime, and soon, Padme came to the door. "Spock, come in," she said.

Spock went in and stood like he usually did. "I would like to speak to Anakin about the mycelial network," he said.

"I'll get him. He was resting."

"I can return later if he is not ready to speak to anyone at this time. I would not want to disturb him. It is not a pressing matter."

"He was very tired."

"I will speak to him later then. Good day."

Spock left there and thought maybe he could ask Qui-Gon, but he thought Qui-Gon might be resting as well. He remembered how he felt in the mycelial network. It was definitely a different experience. Then he thought of Cabal. He went to the vault where Cabal was being stored, so he took him to the holodeck. "Computer, display Cabal as a human form," Spock said.

"What human form would you prefer?" the computer asked.

"Choose a random form."

Just then, Michael came into the holodeck because she had seen Spock go in. "What are you doing?" she asked. "I've never been on a holodeck."

"I am about to question Cabal about something, and he can be displayed here."

"The display is ready," the computer said.

"Display," Spock said.

Soon, a man appeared who looked altogether like a Four-Star Admiral. He stood up tall. "Cabal?" Spock said.

"Yes," Cabal answered in his normal voice. He looked around him. "How did I become human?"

"You are not human. You are a hologram which can access all your data."

"This is rather fascinating."

"I have a question for you."

"I am ready."

"Our warp drive seems to have absorbed energy from the mycelial network and is running off that energy rather than the power from the ship. How is this possible?"

"I believe the Jah-Sepp has gifted this to you for giving them the Tacitus. It should make the warp drive more efficient than before."

"Oh, yes, it is doing that. Is there any danger?"

"No. They would never endanger your crew. They were grateful for your respect."

Spock scowled at that. "That is a good thing."

"May I remain here. I like having a consciousness."

"I am afraid not. I would have to clear that with Admiral Kirk, and he is not available at the moment." Spock paused a moment. "What do you mean, a consciousness? You are a hologram that has access to your database."

"But it is a consciousness of sorts. I can see you."

"I cannot keep you here without the admiral's permission. You must be deactivated for now."

"I understand. Does Admiral Kirk trust me? Does he think I am dangerous? Am I only allowed to be activated when you need help?"

Spock thought a moment before he answered that. "Yes, he trusts you. However, I cannot allow you to stay without his approval."

"Don't worry," Michael said. She wondered if computer programs worried. "You won't be forgotten for your help."

"Acceptable."

"Computer, deactivate the program," Spock said.

Cabal disappeared and Spock detached the program. He looked at Michael. "I am not certain that this is not dangerous," he said.

"I'm not either, but Cabal has never shown any signs of betraying us in any way."

"That is comforting, but I must speak to Jim about this. Everyone is resting now, so I will talk to him later."

"Why don't we have dinner together?" Michael asked. "Now that things are quiet, maybe we can catch up a little more."

"That would be enjoyable. Uhura would like it as well."

"Then it's set. We'll talk later."

Spock left the holodeck feeling as uneasy as he ever allowed himself to feel. He thought Jim was right about Cabal and that was why he was careful how he answered when he was hooked up to the system. He returned Cabal to the vault and decided that he would talk to Scotty again about this situation.

When Spock entered Engineering, he could hear Scotty and Solan arguing as usual. He had no trouble tracking them down. "Mister Scott," Spock said as he came around the corner where they were.

"Captain," Scotty replied. "What can I do for you?"

"Is the ship running efficiently still?"

"Yes. It is running quite well. There's more power to all the other systems since the warp drive isn't taking any power. What did you find?"

"I found that we were gifted this by the Jah-Sepp because we gave them the Tacitus. It seems that it belonged to them."

"So, how long will it last? Is it a way back into the network?"

"I do not know. However, I have questions to ask you about Cabal."

"Okay."

"I took Cabal into the holodeck to ask him questions, and he was displayed as a human. However, he described his experience as having a consciousness. He requested to be able to dwell in the holodeck. Do you believe he could be a danger to the ship from there?"

Scotty scowled as he thought about that. "If he got into the systems somehow, he could, Sir," he said. "I don't know enough about this. You know that the other Cabal took over the entire ship from the holodeck."

Spock nodded. "This Cabal, however, seems to have no ill will toward us," he said. "I do not know if I trust him, and Admiral Kirk is not available."

"Oh…yes, I know. Carol let us know that."

"Anakin is also resting. I have not found Qui-Gon, but I assume he is also resting. It has been a difficult journey."

"Right. Well, I don't know if I would trust him, Sir. You know he could become hostile."

"He's right," Solan agreed.

"Your opinion is good enough for me. I will however discuss this with the admiral and with Anakin. If you wish to speak to them, I will invite you to the meeting."

"I would," Scotty said.

"Very well."

Spock turned and went back to the Bridge. "Mister Sulu, is the ship running efficiently?" he asked.

"Yes Sir," Sulu answered. "Better than ever."

"You have the Bridge for now. I will return later."

"Yes, Sir."

Spock left the Bridge again. He decided he would get some rest himself. It had been a very long ordeal…

When Jim came from his quarters, he went to the Bridge. He was surprised to not see Spock in the captain's chair. "Where's Spock?" he asked.

"I think he went to get some rest," Sulu answered. "I'd like to do that myself, Sir, if you'd take the Bridge."

"Absolutely. You're dismissed."

Jim sat down in the captain's chair. "Sir, Mister Spock wanted to talk to you earlier," Sulu said. "Not sure what it was about, but I guess he thought it could wait."

"I'll talk to him later."

Jim looked at the viewport. They would be at warp for a little more than three more days. It got awful boring when they were just traveling through space sometimes. He looked at the pad that was always beside the captain's chair. He could not believe Spock had not made his duty roster yet. He started working on that especially since they had more people on the ship right now. He had really not had time to get to know some of them. He wanted to know more about Una Chin Riley. She had known Captain Pike very well. He had not mentioned her at all during the time he had known him, but he had heard about her, although he did not know all the details. He intended to change her destiny because he would not allow her to be imprisoned for something that was done when she was unable to even make her own decision. They would listen to him whether they wanted to hear it or not.

Bones came onto the Bridge next. "Well, how's everything?" he asked.

"Quiet," Jim replied. "Everyone seems to be resting up."

"That's what I've been doing. I don't think I even remember lying down."

"I don't either. I remember waking up." Jim tried not to grin about that.

"So, Admiral Winston says everything is pretty quiet."

"Yeah, except for some stragglers."

"I heard there was something weird going on with the warp drive."

Jim scowled at that. "What?"

"Spock said something about the warp drive. Scotty called him to Engineering about the warp drive."

Jim knew why he did not know about it. That must have been why someone had called him on the communicator. He pressed the intercom button. "Mister Scott," he said.

"Yes, Sir," Scotty answered.

"Were you calling me earlier?"

"Yes, but I talked to Mister Spock. Everything is fine, Admiral."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, Sir. I do think Mister Spock wants to talk to you."

"Okay. I'll get with him later. Kirk out."

Jim just sat there wondering what was going on that he did not know about. He looked up at Bones. "You got any idea what it was?" he asked.

"Nope," Bones answered. "Why don't you get Riley up here to watch the Bridge while you investigate?"

"I don't think that would be within protocol, Bones. She was…" Jim considered that. He knew she was not guilty of anything. "I can't do that. What about Michael Burnham?"

"That's a choice."

Jim pressed the button to the intercom. "Michael Burnham?" he said. He was not sure what to call her except that.

"Yes, Admiral," Michael answered.

"Could you come to the Bridge?"

"Yes, Sir. I will be there right away."

Jim waited for her and soon she arrived. "Do you know anything about what Spock was doing?" he asked.

"When?" Michael asked.

"Earlier today."

"Oh yes. He was investigating why the warp drive had absorbed energy while we were in the mycelial network."

Jim just sat there dumbfounded. "Will you watch the Bridge a few minutes?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir."

Jim got up and left the Bridge, followed by Bones. "Where are you going?" Bones asked.

"I'm going to engineering," Jim answered. "I want to know what's going on."

Jim walked into Engineering looking just a little angry, and everyone he passed by moved out of his way. "Mister Scott!" he called.

Scotty came around the next corner, almost running into Jim. "Yes, Sir," he said.

"What is going on?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Sir?"

"What's this I hear about something weird going on with the warp drive?"

"Oh, that. Yes, well, it seems to have absorbed some energy from the mycelial network. According to Cabal, it was a gift from the Jah-Sepp for giving them the Tacitus, which belonged to them in the first place."

"Wait a minute. What do you mean it absorbed energy? Is the ship in danger?"

"No Sir. It's running better than ever. Everything is running better because the warp drive isn't even using power from the ship."

"Then what is it using power from?"

"The power it absorbed."

"So, he asked Cabal?" Jim asked.

"Yes. He hooked him up in the holodeck somehow, and by the way, Cabal said something about having a consciousness and wanted to dwell in the holodeck, but I told Spock that…" Scotty stopped as he saw the look on Jim's face. "Well, he didn't leave him there, Sir."

"I want to talk to all of you in the conference room…NOW!"

"Mister Spock said he would be having a meeting with you and a few others as soon as he got some rest."

"Okay. I want to know as soon as this meeting is going to take place."

"Yes, Sir."

Jim turned and almost ran into Bones who was standing behind him. He followed Jim out of Engineering. "Are you mad?" Bones asked.

"I'm just a little confused," Jim said. "And yeah, I might be just a little mad."

"The back of your neck always turns a little red."

Jim stopped and looked at Bones. "This is not a joke. How do we know what that's doing to the ship? And why didn't they tell me?"

"All I know is that Carol told them that you were unavailable."

Jim nodded. "Right. Well, I guess everything's alright for now, but I like to know these things."

"Don't blame it on me. I'm just the doctor."

Jim frowned. He thought Bones always knew everything…