"Captain's log, stardate 6012.3. The Enterprise is currently en route to the nearest starbase to report our findings on the new planet, currently unnamed and in the outer regions of Federation space. The material that was found is currently being tested as a possible fuel source for starships as a possible, more reliable, form of dilithium crystals. I hope that they find success."

The familiar click of the button on Kirk's chair was loud enough for everyone on the bridge to hear, including that of Mr. Spock, but he didn't seem to give it any mind. Looking around, the Captain was pleased to see that his crew were continuing to perform their jobs in an efficient manner. Very professional and coordinated, especially during their survey of the planet. With a small smile, he turned to the viewscreen. While only that of space showed itself, Kirk couldn't help but enjoy the view. Taking a breath, he turned to Lieutenant Sulu.

"Mr. Sulu, ahead warp factor 4, I hope to get there as soon as possible."

"Warp factor 4, sir." Sulu replied, following the order without question."

Standing up from his chair, Kirk walked over to Mr. Spock's station, where he was currently busy looking over unique materials that were located on the planet. From what they could tell, it was some kind of mineral that could be used as a fuel source, like coal was to the Earth of the old.

"Find anything useful, Spock?"

Spock looked up at the Captain. "Negative, sir. Only what we already know. However, I haven't performed all of the tests as of yet."

"I wonder what it was used for. It's bizarre, however. No life forms located on the planet, none at all. Any assumptions?"

"The only logical assumption would be that no life existed on the planet at its creation. Not even colonization which would continue the theory that life, if it is in this part of the galaxy, is very minuscule."

Before Kirk could respond, the communications officer turned to face her superior.

"Captain, sensors are picking up a signal to our port side, approximately two light years away...it's a Federation signature, sir." She noted.

Kirk squinted. "Federation? But, we're the only ship in the area. Are you certain, Uhura?"

Checking the signal again, Uhura nodded. "Yes sir. Sensors are functioning perfectly."

"She is correct, Captain." Spock clarified, looking through the port to his computer. "It is Federation in nature, similar to that of a starship."

Taking only a few seconds to process the information, Kirk walked back to his command chair.

"Mr. Sulu, lay in a course to the signal. If it is a starship, I want them to know what to expect. Ahead, warp factor 6, I want it to be quick."

"Aye, sir." The navigator responded.

The Enterprise drifted through space swiftly, excited at the possibility of meeting another sister ship. So many of their lives had been lost deep in space or on dangerous missions. The Constellation sacrificed herself saving her life; The Exeter losing her crew to an unknown virus; The Defiant, lost to another realm, isolated forever from her true family. With the memories quickly fading, The Enterprise continued on its journey, hoping and praying that they were alright.

After traveling for a time, the object was displayed on the viewscreen, but at a further distance. Taking a breath, Kirk gave his next order.

"Full magnification."

The viewscreen swirled in place, until the object itself was clearly visible. It was exactly as Spock had described. A starship, however, it was drifting in place.

She gasped at the sight.

"No, please. Not again."

"Mr. Spock, what's her status?"

The science officer paused for a moment, reading the information being given to him. "It is the starship...U.S.S Excalibur, sir."

The name brought Kirk back to stardate 4729.4, otherwise known as date of the war games to demonstrate the power of the M-5 computer unit created by Dr. Richard Daystrom. The man had gone mad from his past and seeing the full power of what his machine was capable. Constantly claiming that man mustn't lose their lives in space, yet, it murdered with little care. The situation would always remain ironic in his eyes, perhaps to many others as well.

She couldn't bear it. Fratricide. A term used by the people who created her. Her beloved sister, her crew dead. She wished she could turn away from the ship.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"That's impossible. The Excalibur?" Kirk stated, confused. "Wasn't it destroyed?"

Spock shook his head. "No, sir. Only lost in space. During the battle, it drifted too far out of range, however, our sensors were damage during the battle, not allowing us to know where exactly it had drifted."

Kirk's eyes lowered. "So many people lost that day; Certainly something that shouldn't be repeated. At least, I hope it won't."

Looking back to his computer, Spock lifted an eyebrow. "Captain? There is a life sign aboard the Excalibur. It is very faint, but it is readable. It is human, sir."

"Human? But, wasn't the whole crew lost?"

"It seems that the M-5 had made a mistake, Captain. However, I am unsure as to how."

"I don't think it matters much now, Spock. If this is a member of the crew and the life support was still functioning, even if at a low level, could it be possible to survive?"

"Possible, sir. But I estimate that the air will only last a few hours. It is interesting that it has lasted this long without re-supply."

Kirk took in the information and nodded accordingly.

"Please, Jim. Don't do it."

So many times he would risk his life on stupid missions. He was a good captain; a good man. Why would he risk his life so often?

"Something is very wrong here, Jim. You know there is. There always is."

Walking back to his chair, Kirk pounded the communication button, the light on the arm notifying him that his voice was broadcasting.

"Dr. McCoy, Lieutenant Commander Braxley and Ensign McNeil, report to the transporter immediately, Kirk out."

Dr McCoy was an obvious choice. If there was someone alive aboard the ship, the good doctor was always welcome company. As much as he wanted to bring Lieutenant Commander Scott along, he only figured that he would be aboard for a short time and there would be no need to bring him. McNeil was studying in medicine and this would be a good opportunity for him to learn from McCoy. Braxley was an odd choice, even to Kirk. Braxley was a security officer that had served aboard the Enterprise for one year. It was a hunch, only one of many.

"Mr. Spock, you have the conn." Kirk said as he walked towards the turbolift.

"Sir, are you certain about Lieutenant Commander Braxley? It would make more logical sense to keep him stationed aboard."

"Who knows? Maybe I'll need the extra muscle." Kirk smiled, walking into the turbolift, the red doors opening and closing in a very quick process.

She wasn't entirely surprised. He was always one to seek adventure and this was only one more to be added. There was no reason to worry for him as he always found a way to impress her. Accepting what came next, her engines gave a small sigh.

"Be careful, Jim."

Kirk walked into the transporter room to see the three crewman already standing on the pads, awaiting his arrival.

"How many times do I need to say it, Jim? What's the problem with taking a shuttlecraft?"

Rubbing his forehead, Kirk walked onto the front pad. "You already know, Doctor." Turning around to face the transporter operator, he gave them an approving nod.

"Energize."

Dr. McCoy could feel the his particles coming apart once more. He hated the feeling. So damned much. He supposed that shuttlecrafts only became more and more taboo after the third year. Like it really mattered anyway.

As the landing party formed on the Excalibur, the operator noticed odd readings coming from the console. Almost instantly, blue sparks shot out, which transformed into a mini-explosion pushing the man against the wall with a severe amount of force; his back breaking in multiple place and face burned, the man fell to the ground, lying motionless.

"NO!" The Enterprise called out as many systems across her were being disrupted.

It happened instantly and without reason. No logical reason, as Mr. Spock would often describe it as. The half human/half Vulcan hybrid was very intelligent and a very good asset aboard her. How often she would long for his logical conversations.

Now wasn't the time for reminiscing, however, she was beginning to drift, feeling woosy from a sudden lack of maximum power. She did her best to try and maintain her balance in the vacuum of space.

Kirk's mouth fell agape at the sight of the sickbay. He slowly looked around to see large doses of blood covering the room. It was splattered all over the walls, even covering parts that were unreachable by human standards. Ensign McNeil leaned over and expelled what he had eaten for breakfast.

"I'm sorry, sir." McNeil said, trying to sound like he would act better.

The Captain wasn't paying any mind to him, only attempting to take in what he was seeing. Corpses littered the room, some piled together on the beds, while others were simply scattered in multiple different places. McCoy scanned them with his medical tricorder, but all of the readings said exactly the same.

"They're all dead, Jim." He muttered, knowing the situation was serious.

"Let's look in the other room. There was one life sign." Kirk said, walking into the main room, only to be struck across the midsection with a metallic rod.

He took hold of the weapon and ripped it out of the attacker's hand, punching them to the ground with ease. As he collected himself, he paused when he saw a man, wearing a red shirt; a single stripe across his sleeves and a unique insignia that was almost like two figure-eights meshed together in an odd, yet beautiful way. His eyes gave him the appearance of mania, as if the crew was his enemy. Kirk signaled to Braxley to restrain him.

"No! I'm not insane! Just, don't put me to sleep! I'm begging you!" He cried, desperately wanting Kirk to hear him.

Despite his warnings, McCoy acted quickly, pulling out a sedative-filled hypospray and injecting it directly into his left arm; Braxley helped the doctor place the unconscious body onto a medical bed, which, due to the low power, wasn't taking the man's readings.

"Jim, we need to get him the Enterprise. He needs proper medical treatment and I'm not going to be able to provide it here."

"Good idea." Kirk flipped open his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise, please come in."

The lack of an immediate response was odd, but not unusual.

"Kirk to Enterprise, please respond."

Once again, no response.

"What the devil is going on?" Kirk asked, impatient. "Kirk to Spock."

Three times and yet, no response. Kirk's concern grew. Mr. Spock had no reason to ignore him, let alone others aboard the bridge. Surely even Uhura would be willing to answer if she was the only one on the bridge. Instead of attempting to contact the bridge, Kirk set his communicator to the transporter room.

"Kirk to transporter room." Kirk's voice was becoming irritated.

He then set his communicator to all settings.

"Does anyone aboard read me?"

Nothing. Perhaps his communicator was damaged in the transport...somehow. He looked to McNeil, who handed him his own.

"Kirk to Enterprise." Kirk repeated, static being his only response.

This solidified his new belief adopted from the moment his crew failed to acknowledge him. Something was wrong aboard the Enterprise and he knew that it was something more than a communications issue. His gut screamed at him for this to be the case. He also knew that this man had some idea as to what was happening, which he could tell, wasn't good news.

"Jim?" McCoy asked.

Looking to his landing party, Kirk took a small breath.

"Gentlemen, we've...lost contact with the Enterprise."

The information gave the crewmates a chill down their respective spines, knowing that if the Enterprise didn't respond, they would suffer the same fate as those aboard the ship through suffocation.

Something had to be done and Kirk wasn't going to allow his crew to perish.

He couldn't allow it.