Happy friday! I'm working hard to finally finish this story. I already have another 2-3 stories planned in my head, but for those in the US we have 2 Eclipses coming in the next two years and I was just granted funding to travel to all 50 states to train educators on them. I want to make sure this gets done before then!

I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think! Getting reviews really makes my day :)

Chapter Sixteen: Undiscovered Country

"Alright, I think it's time to head back."

The crew blinked blearily at the captain, standing around the kitchen table at two o'clock in the morning. They were already awakened because of the shouting match between Charlie and her father, and incident she'd already apologized for. Kirk figured since they were up, to get the ball rolling. The only one sleeping soundly was Lucy with her arm wrapped around a stuffed sehlat Spock had made for her.

Scotty squinted at the piece of paper handed to him, moving his arm back and forth like a trombone trying to zero in on the numbers.

"Mr. Scott, what do make of this?" Jim asked the engineer.

"Well, from wha' I can see, aye, looks right." He closed one eye, then the other. Turning the paper on its side, he squinted again, then nodded. "Aye, I think we could do it. But we're gonna need some energy, and a lot o' it based off these calculations."

"May I?" Spock asked.

"Oh, aye." Scotty handed the paper over to the Vulcan.

Spock scanned the page, his brows rising with each line. "Your father developed this?" he asked Charlie.

She shrugged. "Not just him, but I guess a lot of different people."

"Fascinating." It wasn't often Spock was impressed. He returned to the paper. "They even accounted for the weight of the ship, although we may need to adjust. The only question is the issue Mr. Scott raises. Where are we to find the available energy to create the wormhole?"

"Well it's obvious, isn't it?" Bones stated. The silence lengthened, everyone else not understanding the doctor, their minds still on their comfortable beds. "Oh come on, I'm a doctor, not an engineer and I know what to use."

"If you would care to share?" Sybok growled. Vulcan sass was strong in both brothers apparently.

McCoy shot a glare at the Vulcan but continued. "Whatever that substance was we found was good for what? Half dozen nuclear bombs? And I sent a tiny portion of what I collected."

"Could it work?" Jim turned to both his Vulcan First Officer and his chief engineer.

"Oh aye," Scotty nodded rubbing his chin. "But we're gonna want ta get at least . . . twenty or so light years away from here in case, well, it doesna work."

Kirk paused a moment, the gears working in his head. A moment later he rounded on Sybok. "I know we said that we'd wait, but after what we've learned we don't have the time. As Captain James T. Kirk, SC 937-0176, I am commandeering your vessel by Starfleet Regulation Order 19, Section C."

Everyone's eyes grew huge, turning slowly to Spock's brother.

"Well I was going to say that I am ready to return home, but if spouting Starfleet regulations makes you feel better, don't let me stop you."

Charlie hid her smirk behind her hand, pretending to yawn instead. She could appreciate sarcasm in any form, but from a Vulcan it was extra delicious. Catching Uhura's gaze, she read the same thought.

"Oh," Jim said, the wind thoroughly gone from his sails. "Ok, good."

"I need twenty-four hours to get my affairs in order," Sybok added. "That should give my brother time to make the necessary adjustments in any case. I have found all I needed in this century. It's time to return to my own."

A day later, as the sun began to set over the western mountains, the crew plus Spock's brother and Lucy made their way to the ship. The bay door was open on the beach, the ship hovering barely a whisper over the water of the loch.

Spock and Scotty had spent the hours double checking the calculations while Bones had retrofitted the last of the black goo and some of Kirk's blood into a small projectile that once launched, the ship's phaser banks would be able to ignite. Hopefully, that ignition would be enough to open a wormhole to send them back.

Charlie was the last one to step up to the ramp leading into the ship. She paused, her jacket held over her shoulder as she glanced back.

Golden hour made the hills of Scotland sing, awash in shinning hues as the sun set. The birds crooned in trees for the end of the day while the flies and midges skimmed the waterline. She took a deep breath, a bittersweet constriction filling her heart.

"You coming?" Jim asked at the top, understanding in his gaze.

Clenching her jaw, Charlie took one last glance around, her dark eyes taking in the scenes of nature, and of memories she was leaving behind. With a resolute nod she turned and took Jim's outstretched hand, following him into the bowels of the ship. He gave her hand an encouraging squeeze once they were on the bridge.

"Alright, we set?" Kirk asked, Sulu in the pilot's chair with Scotty manning the engineering station.

"Bay door sealed," Sulu answered, flicking switches and pressing buttons. "Inertial dampeners online. Landing gear up."

"Warp core primed, Cap'n" Scotty added. "She's ready for warp."

Jim caught Charlie's gaze. There was the pain of leaving home there, but she gave him a small smile and dipped her head.

"Alright Mr. Sulu, take us out."

"Aye, Sir."

The ship rumbled as it lifted into the sky, smoothing out as its nose pointed heavenward. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they passed through the atmosphere, the small turbulence easing as they entered into space. Charlie headed to the small window on the port side, watching as her planet and her time disappeared behind her. Something told her that this time, she wouldn't be coming back. She shed one tear for what might have been, then steadied herself with a quick nod. She was where she belonged.

Once they cleared the Moon's orbit, Sulu engaged warp, the ship lurching to the faster than light speed as the blue swirls of moving space rolled over the ship like water over rocks.

Charlie came to stand by Jim's side, the captain occupying the center of the bridge.

"You ok?" he asked her. The red rim of his eyes was growing, but when he caught her gaze it dimmed a bit.

She nodded, giving him a small smile. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just have always hated good-byes. No matter how hard I prepare, they just hurt."

Jim leaned down and laid a small kiss on her temple. "I understand. I will say this trip has been illuminating for me in understanding more about you, and where you came from. I know we can't replace your family, but I hope we're a good substitute."

She took his hand firmly in hers, bringing it up to her heart. "Jim, you are my family. And so is this crew. What I left behind was memories, and what ifs. And a bit of sadness because I do love them. But even with everything my father told me, I would be limited there. I will carry them in my heart, but I have journeyed farther with you and I'll continue to grow with you. I wouldn't if I stayed with them. I know that. It's just . . . bittersweet."

"Two minutes out," Sulu announced.

Jim smiled, his crystalline eyes shining with love. He knew she loved him, had given up everything she knew to be with him. But the last few weeks had shown him what she had actually left behind, and what he had gained by her arrival. Something told him that had she never entered his life, he would have remained the rakish captain who would grow steadily within the ranks of Starfleet. Kirk knew he would have been fine with that, that his life would still be fulfilling. But he never would have experienced the love they shared, the fear, hope, and happiness that came with it. In the end, Kirk knew his life was better because Charlie was in it.

"Dropping out of warp in three . . . two . . . one," Sulu counted. Just as fast as they had jumped to warp, they were out of it again, the Sol system light years behind.

"Right-O," Scotty said, rubbing his hands together. "Let's get this show on the road. Mr. Sulu, release the wee goo bomb."

"Launching."

The probe McCoy filled with the goo and a drop of Kirk's blood was ejected into space, a small bit of gas escaping behind it as it traveled away from the ship.

"Waiting on you, Commander," Sulu announced as they watched the viewscreen show the distance of the probe.

"Mr. Scott, prepare to fire phaser banks in three, two, one. Fire," Spock ordered.

A blast of green light shot from the ship, detonating the probe. Within seconds a large black, churning mass grew from the center. Charlie had read about the Nero incidents, and while there was no lightening, the mass looked eerily similar to the images she had seen in the data packs. A black center devoid of light with gray gases swirling round in a clockwise motion occupied much of the viewscreen. If anything it looked like a black sunflower.

"Mass should reach maximum volume in thirteen seconds," Spock announced. "Lieutenant Uhura, have any Vulcan ships noticed our presence?"

"No, Commander," Uhura announced from her station. "I've kept us running silent and there does not appear to be any ships in the area. We're clear."

"Well, here goes nothing," Jim said. "Mr. Sulu, take us—"

"Ahem," a voice coughed. The crew turned to Sybok in the corner. "I believe it would be prudent for Miss Noland to navigate this part of the trip."

"Me?" Charlie choked, her eyes huge. "But I have no clue how to drive a Vulcan cruiser."

"Seeing as it's flying, I think we can agree this isn't a good idea," Sulu added glaring at Sybok.

"Do you want to return to our time? Or do you want to become stranded somewhere else without any hope to return? The girl flies."

"We will lose any hope of returning if we do not enter the mass in the next ten seconds," Spock calmly said.

"It has to be her," Sybok affirmed. "Trust me."

Everyone turned to Charlie, her gaze wide in astonishment. She swallowed visibly.

"I guess I'll give it a shot."

Sulu huffed as he vacated the chair. Charlie slid into it, the screen in front of her a mass of unknown characters. It's soft blue glow illuminating the fear and uncertainty shining in her eyes.

"But I could use your help, Sulu," she added turning to him. "No one can fly like you."

Placated, he kneeled next to her, letting her know what symbols did what.

"We need to enter at three quarter impulse then jump to warp factor two once we cross the event horizon," Spock directed.

Charlie nodded, her hands grabbing the accelerator as Sulu helped arrange her fingers to direct them in. She increased their impulse speed to match what Spock ordered.

As they crossed the horizon, all light beginning to dim, she hit the warp drive, immediately taking them to warp two. Then everything went black. Like every other time before, Charlie felt the lurch in her stomach, that terrifying moment when one begins to fall. Light was replaced with sound, touch with knowing. She could feel all the consciousnesses of those who traveled with her, from the child, to Sybok, to Jim. Each one a different pitch, a different hum unique to them.

Although she could not feel her hands on the display, she knew she directed the ship through the stream of time and dimension. She listened to her heart, felt the current like that of a river pull her in. She thought of the ceremony, of the destruction they left behind. Like a beacon in the dark, a small pinhole of light opened before her eyes on a horizon. She focused on the light, her mind trying to find the best landing point. She thought of returning near the inner edge of Kuiper belt, close to Neptune. That way they could cruise back to Earth instead of appearing out of nowhere.

The light grew stronger like the coming dawn, her fingers moving on their own accord. She felt them shift, the speed they had accelerated to slowing. Like the pop of a stopper, they were thrown out of the other side of the wormhole into bright light of the Sol sun, it closing behind them as if it never existed.

Charlie took a deep breath, the constriction of anxiety around her lungs easing. She glanced around the crew, their looks as startled as her.

"Did we make it?" Uhura asked.

"Oye, I'm alright if we never do that again," Scotty grumbled, a hand to his head and his face a little green.

"We're where I was thinking," Charlie said glancing out the view port. "I was thinking of popping out near Neptune.

"Thinking?" Uhura said incredulously. "You got us here just by thinking about it?"

"It is as I predicted," Sybok said, the pleasure on his face. "Miss Noland, well done."

Charlie reached up to rub the back of her neck. "Yeah, it's a long story Uhura," she muttered sheepishly. "Truth be told, I didn't know it would work, but here we are."

"We are in the Sol system," Spock commented, his hands flying across the controls at his station. "But we do not yet know as to when. Lieutenant. Do we have a connection to Starfleet?"

"Let me check," Uhura still looked confused, her brows lowered. She fitted the earpiece back into her canal and adjusted some of the controls.

"I'm picking up transmissions," she said, her head cocked as she listened. "They are Starfleet. I'll see if I can connect to the nearest post and get the star date."

Charlie quickly rose from the pilot's chair. "Here, Sulu. That was fun and all but I'll let you get us the rest of the way home."

Sulu grinned, sliding back into his chair. "Hey Charlie." She turned after taking her position next to Kirk. "Nice driving." She grinned.

"Alright, got it," Uhura announced. "Star date is 2260.62. Looks like we've only been gone about two weeks."

"What information is there about the attack, Uhura?" Kirk asked turning to his communications head.

"I'll see what I can find out."

"What are you thinking, Captain?" Spock asked, one brow raised.

"The Black Sun has been two steps ahead of us since the ceremony. The only advantage we have currently is they don't know we figured out how to get back. I don't want to announce our return if they're still looking for us."

"There is an active investigation into our disappearance," Uhura said. "It's gone all the way up to the Joint Chiefs. Admiral Jemison is leading the investigation herself."

"That cannae be good if Jemison is involved," Scotty shuttered. "Makes Admiral Archer look like a wee puppy dog."

"Uhura, see if you can find Carol and Chekov," Kirk ordered, his eyes flashing as his brain ran a thousand thoughts a minute. "Since they didn't follow us, we can only assume they stayed here. They may be trying to find us on this side. Let's figure out what they know."

"We should try to find Lucy's mother too," Charlie added. "Bet the woman is besides herself. I know I would be."

"Carol and Chekov first," Jim said. "Then we find Lucy's mother."

They were cruising past Saturn, the rings bright and yellow when Uhura grinned. "Got them!"

Jim turned to the viewscreen. "On screen, Lieutenant."

Instead of the sixth planet, Chekov and Carol's smiling visage filled the screen.

"Yomayo! It is zem!" Chekov exclaimed. "Welcome back, Keptin. Mr. Spock."

"Good to be back, Chekov," Kirk grinned. "What'd we miss?"

"Quite a bit, Sir," Carol chimed in, a tight smile pulling at her lips. There were dark bags under her eyes, and her normally sleek bob was disheveled and frizzy. "First question we need to ask was if you were able to find a child that was also taken when you all disappeared? Her name is Lucy Harewood, she's about nine years old, dark hair, skin and eyes."

Kirk's brows rose, glancing to Charlie before back at the screen. "We got her. She's hanging out with Bones in sickbay."

"Sickbay!" a voice exclaimed. Suddenly, the dark skinned woman Charlie remembered meeting at the ceremony shoved her way into the frame. "Why is she in sickbay? What's wrong with her? What happened?"

"She's fine," Jim quickly placated, his hands raised. "My Chief Medical Officer is just babysitting. She's safe, and we're on our way to Earth to bring her home."

The relief was instant and potent. "Thank the stars," she signed, falling back. "Can I see her? Can I talk to her?"

"Uh—" For once Kirk was at a loss. He turned to Charlie instinctually, unsure what to say to the terrified mother.

"We'll bring her up in a minute," Charlie said gently. "I swear to you she's alright. You have an incredibly strong daughter. But we have little time before Starfleet picks up the ship on their sensors, and there's a lot to discuss."

"Of course," the woman nodded, straightening up, a mantle of strength remarkably similar to the child below their feet falling across her shoulders. "Forgive me. I just want to see her. I was worried sick."

Charlie smiled reassuringly. "I understand. We were not going to stop until we found her and brought her back. She's safe. But I don't know for how long." Charlie turned to Kirk, the red ring making his eyes look tired, the strain of keeping whatever demon was inside back more evident each passing minute.

"Fill us in," Jim ordered. "What happened on your end while we were gone?"

"Da," Chekov nodded. "One question, Keptin, where did you go? Ze energy signature was unlike anything seen since Charlie came."

The crew on the Vulcan ship shared a knowing glance. "Let's just say I'm appreciating our century a bit more," Jim derided. "Did you figure out who attacked us?"

"Yes," Carol cut in. "They are called the Black Sun. They seem to be a cult focused terrorist group. They are old, and we're not entirely sure they haven't already infiltrated Starfleet."

Eyebrows shot up among the crew.

"Are you certain?" Spock asked.

"Da," Chekov nodded. "We don't know to what depths zeir treachery goes…"

"But there's enough to think at least Section 31 is compromised," Carol finished.

"Section 31?!" Charlie exclaimed. "But they were disbanded? At least, wasn't that what we were told after the hearings?" Her question was directed at Spock who led the Enterprise crew during that time while Jim recovered.

"That was my understanding," Spock agreed. "All Section 31 ships were recalled and any projects were ended."

"Well they lied," Carol frowned. "We found multiple logs from missions carried out starting about six weeks after the last hearing."

"Those mother fu-"

"What else can you tell us?" Kirk interrupted, his face hard as he sent a warning glance to Charlie who stood fuming at his side.

"It seems this group, with the help of Section 31, are preparing for something called the Rising," she continued. "We were tracking your signatures when we found their secret lair if you would believe it. We were able to overhear some of their plans. They said something about a coming war, past and futures selves working together, and using conductors for their work? Some of it was nonsense, but they are actively looking for the augments-"

"-which is why zey wanted you and Lucy," Chekov interrupted. "Khan's blood is in both of you and zey need you for something we can't decipher."

"We learned that as well," Kirk agreed, rubbing the tension from his forehead. "They also attacked us - multiple times - trying to get to me and kill Charlie. When we were able to locate Lucy, we also ended up finding what can only be described as a mass transporter capable of sending an army through."

"Iisus Khristos!" Chekov exclaimed.

"That's not possible," Carol breathed out, her blue eyes huge. "Where on Earth did you go?"

"Colorado, circa 2016," Charlie answered, the blinking stares of shock unsurprising to her. "Yeah, trust me, didn't expect to go home either. And while that thing wasn't sleek, it was definitely powerful. They found some kind of - what was it called?" She turned to Kirk. "Vril goo? Miniature warhead? Negative energy?"

"Negative energy?!" Rima finally spoke up. "What? How? Where did you find it?"

Charlie blinked, surprised by the ferocity of her attention. "They had it with the transporter. McCoy took a sample, and when it combined with Jim's or Lucy's blood it created an enormous amount of energy. That's how we opened the wormhole to come back."

"So our theories were right," Rima said, glancing between Chekov and Carol.

"Captain, we're almost in comm range for Earth," Uhura interrupted. "With what everyone is saying, we may not want to identify ourselves at this moment."

"Uhura's right," Charlie agreed. "Starfleet doesn't know we've returned. If what Carol and Chekov say is true, that the Black Sun may be within Starfleet, we're actually at the advantage right now. Ghosts are hard to track."

"They're going to want our call sign and docking information," Uhura pointed out. "Sooner, rather than later."

"Carol, Chekov, we're going to need your help getting into Starfleet," Kirk ordered. "We'll send you our coordinates when we land. See if you can find us somewhere to hide out until we figure out a plan."

"Aye, Keptin," Chekov nodded.

"We will see you all soon," Carol added. The viewscreen ended the transmission, switching to the view of Mars as the Vulcan ship glided past.

"And again, I seem to come to the rescue," Sybok drawled from the corner, having simply observed the exchange. There was a smirk to his gaze, his smugness as loud as every other emotion he's displayed.

"Please provide the requisite information to Lieutenant Uhura, Brother," Spock ordered. "Since you seem to already have the information we need."

Sybok's smirk widened. Rising regally, he sauntered over to Uhura. Taking the comms from her so that no one could recognize her voice, he provided the information as they passed the Moon and Earth entered into the viewscreen.

While the planet looked exactly like the one they left not a few hours ago, Charlie felt the difference deep in her bones. This was home, her point of origin to which she would always belong. Her resolve hardened then. She would not let whatever chased them win. She wasn't fighting just for an ideal, she was fighting for her home, and her people. And that was a strength that unbreakable.

"We have clearance," Sybok announced. "Mr. Sulu, please proceed to coordinates 259 mark 350. There is a private hanger they are allowing me use. It seems Sarek's name can still open doors."

Spock frowned as the ship passed through the atmosphere. "I do not believe our father would be pleased you are using his name so carelessly."

"What our father doesn't know, won't hurt him," Sybok snarked.

"Entering Starfleet airspace," Sulu announced, glancing around with an extremely uncomfortable visage. Most were just glad he ended the sibling disagreement before it could get out of hand. Vulcan or not, siblings were still siblings.

"Uhura, send these coordinates to Chekov," Jim ordered.

"Aye, Captain."

"Bridge to McCoy," Kirk announced as Sulu maneuvered the ship into an empty space on the edges of the large campus.

"McCoy here," Bone's voice echoed.

"We're about to land. If you and Lucy can get up here, we're going to hold until we hear from Chekov and Carol."

"On our way. McCoy out."

"Why didn't you let Lucy know about her mom?" Charlie asked.

Jim shrugged. "I figured it would be a nice surprise. Besides, I'm not sure I want an overly anxious nine-year-old bouncing around here while we wait for them."

Charlie opened her mouth to argue, paused, then closed it quickly. "Not wrong," she acknowledged.

With a gentle 'thump', the Vulcan ship touched down, Sulu powering down the engines as McCoy and Lucy walked up the ramp to join the rest of the crew.

Ten minutes passed when Uhura's comm station beeped. "Sir, Carol and Chekov are outside. They say they have a safehouse to take us to."

"Wonderful." Kirk walked up between the two consuls and turned to face his crew, catching each of their gazes. "Guys, I know this has been an eventful few weeks, and we'd like nothing more than to go to our own homes, but until we know what we're dealing with, I'm advising we stay together—"

"Did you think we were going to be doing anything different?" McCoy scoffed, interrupting him.

"Aye, what the good doctor said," Scotty confirmed. "I donnae think I'd trust that those buggers won't show up while I'm in the most vulnerable position."

"Oh, well, I was just checking—"

"Jim, the mission isn't done," Charlie added with a smile. "You know we have your back while we figure this out."

"We have only just discovered this group and their supposed plans," Spock added. "We must rectify their egregious behavior before others are hurt."

Jim's smile softened. "Then let's get going."

With a quick maneuver of his fingers, Sulu opened the hatch to the ship as the crew made their way out. Lucy was holding McCoy's hand, chatting about something fascinating she saw in sickbay when she spotted the woman standing just beyond Carol and Chekov in the hanger bay.

"Mommy!"

"Lucy!"

They ran to each other, colliding as Rima dropped to her knees while Lucy launched herself into her mother's arms. She was quickly enveloped, tears streaming down both their cheeks as they held tightly on, afraid to let each other go.

"Well if that ain't the sweetest thing I've seen," McCoy remarked with a small smile.

"Holy crap, did we find your soft spot?" Charlie teased, bumping him with her shoulder.

"If you think for one second, you're gonna use a moment like this against me…"

The crew laughed, the exchange breaking the tension. Quickly, hugs erupted between the crew left behind and the ones leaving the ship. They shuffled around each other, smiling and laughing.

With Lucy's hand held tightly in her own, Rima turned to Jim and Charlie.

"Nothing can ever express my gratitude for you bringing my daughter back to me."

"We weren't going to come back without her," Jim replied. "And she led us to discovering what they're really doing. Your daughter is very brave."

"Thanks, Captain," Lucy smiled from her lashes, swinging her mother's hand with a blush on her cheeks.

Charlie gave Jim a cheeky smirk, leaning over to whisper, "Do I have competition?" She winked. Jim just laughed, his arm going around Charlie's shoulders as he tucked her into his side.

"While it's great to see everyone," Uhura interrupted. "It won't be long until a patrol passes."

"The Lieutenant is correct," Spock nodded. "Dr. Marcus, Ensign Chekov, you indicated you have a safe house?"

Rima stepped forward before they could answer. "You're staying with me in my suite. It's the least I could do for all you've done for my family. Plus, no one should be able to tie you to me."

"Da, Rima will hide you," Chekov added. "Starfleet knows Carol and I are here."

"And we're still not entirely sure they haven't been checking up on us."

Chekov nodded vigorously, his curls flapping against his head. "Da. Admiral Jemison ordered me to let her know whatewer we find out. I don't know whether to trust her."

Charlie could see the indecision in the ensign's eyes, knowing he was betraying a direct order, but doing so to protect his crew.

"Don't worry about it, Chekov," Jim assured the young officer, squeezing his shoulder in support. "Once we can figure out who to trust and who not, it'll work out."

"Uh guys, can we go?" Sulu gestured.

"What about you, Sybok?" Charlie asked turning to the Vulcan who continued to lurk in the corner. "Where will you go?"

He smirked. "I did not forget our bargain if that is what you are inferring. I will be around should you need me again. Or if I need you, I will be in touch." Without another word he turned and walked away with his hands behind his back.

"You're brother's a weird one," McCoy said to Spock. "And that's after knowing you."

"Indeed," Spock frowned after his brother's retreating back.

The crew turned in the opposite direction, following Rima out into the fading light of dusk.

It didn't take long for the crew to find themselves holed out in Rima's accommodation at the nicest hotel in San Francisco. Decked out in creams and golds, the two bedroom suite, while perfect for the mother and daughter, was going to be cramped with the extra seven bodies that needed a place to stay. But none of them complained. They were back in the 23rd century, with all the amenities that came with it. They could rough it in a hotel room for a while.

While mother and daughter reacquainted themselves in the main bedroom, Rima refusing to let Lucy leave her sight for a moment and Lucy so tired from her ordeal to speak, Jim described what happened the minute they fell through the wormhole while Carol and Chekov filled in the gaps from what they learned. Kirk left out the whole 'TV Show' information however, knowing that was going to be a longer, stranger conversation than he was willing to deal with at that moment.

"So Rima's husband set off the detonator?" Sulu said after both sides finished updating each other.

"After that bastard used that lovely child as collateral," Scotty added with a sneer. "If he wasna hidden away, I'd wake him up fer Mr. Spock ta pummel him again."

"I'm still stuck on what you found during their ritual, or whatever it was," Charlie cut in. "Run it by me again. They are looking for conduits? Conductors? Transporters? For the Vril."

"That's how it seemed, yes," Carol answered. "And now that you've filled in who, or in this case, what the Vril are, it makes sense. The information on interactions with 4th dimension beings is limited at best, and always seemed to involve, well, possession is the best word."

Charlie glanced at Jim from the corner of her eye. Could the Vril have something to do with his demon? His face was stony as he listened, the red rim around his blue irises giving him a haunted, almost demonic look.

"That's not all," Carol continued. "We began trying to track who could be in the Black Sun and where they were hiding, which is how we stumbled upon Section 31 still active."

"Da," Chekov nodded. "We managed to crack some of ze codes from Rima's source but not all. I'm actually really glad to have you back Mr. Spock," he added, turning to the Vulcan. "We could use your skill deciphering ze rest. We zink zere is a list of who is inwolwed, but so far ze key has eluded us."

"I am happy to contribute," Spock agreed from his stance against the wall, Uhura to his side.

"Have you figured out how this group is moving undetected?" Jim asked from the couch across from Carol and Chekov. Charlie continued to frown at him from his side, her hand possessively on his knee. Although he told the others what happened, Jim also omitted his personal struggle with the demon lurking inside. A fact that had both her and Spock concerned.

"It's the strangest thing," Carol answered, her brow furrowed. "The best comparison we can make is they move like ghosts."

Everyone paused. "You want to run that by me again?" Sulu's deep voice echoed around the room.

"Here, it might be easier to show you." Carol pulled up a map of Federation space with the Sol System in the center on the consul separating the two couches. The clear screen was now alive with blue light, reflecting off those around them. "Here is the security footage from the attack two weeks ago." Several videos showed varied views of the first explosions, the rubble shooting into the air as people ducked for cover. Like Carol described, materializing from the mists the Black Sun glided into the courtyard like wraiths. No detectible transporter signal, they seemed to appear from the very mists themselves.

"Now look at this attack from Rigel V."

The stardate was three weeks before the attack on Earth. Again, like materializing from the very air, Black Sun agents attacked the colony.

"Now Celes II."

Exact same scenario, only two days after they left.

"Veytan VII." Four days ago.

The crew sat forward, their eyes glued.

"What the hell?" Sulu voiced.

"Carol, do me a favor," Charlie asked, her dark gaze riveted to the screen. "Cross reference known Section 31 ships with these attacks. Add in any Klingon or Romulan border raids with their stardates."

Carol's brow furrowed.

"What are you thinking, Cadet," Spock questioned.

"A hunch. It's all I have, but after what my dad said, I'm thinking my instincts know more than me."

Spock nodded to Carol who began inputting the code to have the computer pull and analyze the information. Slowly, a picture began to emerge. Not only was there an uptick in Romulan and Klingon skirmishes on the borders, but like a spiral, dots began popping up mirroring attacks with Section 31 ships coordinates.

"Oh my god," Uhura inhaled, her dark eyes wide and her mouth agape. "It's all coming from here."

Charlie's eyes shifted between each plot point, her gaze narrowing in concentration as she tried to rectify all the information thrown at her in the past, to what they just learned.

"Someone is, or was, controlling this," she voiced. "It's too perfect not to have a central orchestrator."

"Here, Mr. Spock," Chekov spoke up, handing his PADD to the Vulcan. "We need whatewer is in that file. I zink it will connect the rest of zese dots."

Spock nodded, his attention moving the computer in his hand as he began manipulating the code and numbers.

"I have it," Spock said after a moment. With a few deft keystrokes, the map of the Federation was replaced by a list of names, along with ranks, addresses, birthdays, everything one could want for a master list.

"One, they are stupid for keeping all this," Charlie remarked.

"Oh aye," Scotty nodded. "What type of person doesna think this information couldna be activated?"

"Someone who doesn't understand our technology," Spock answered. "This is clearly comprised by someone who would not understand our advancement and ability to locate information. Although I can understand how Mr. Chekov would have had an issue, after our time in the 21st century, the code was clearly easy to decipher."

"Don't need to say anymore, Commander," Charlie said rolling her eyes. "This is definitely the work of someone from my century. This is screaming Nigerian Prince scam."

"To what our you referring?" Spock asked with the rest of crew giving her questioning expressions.

"Long story," she shook her head. "When we're not trying to save the universe….again, I'll explain it. But Spock is right. My generation was considered the 'first' computer generation. Our computers would look like cavemen to you even though it was advanced for us. It's easy to assume that someone from my century would think they encrypted something than no one could get to, and to all of you, it would seem so basic as to not know how to process it. Think of it another way. Our biggest security is a basic combination lock. You guys have biometrics. You just need a big hammer to get through our security, but if you've never seen a combo lock, would you know how to break it?"

"Spock, can you isolate any names we'd know?" Kirk asked. "There's probably thousands of names here."

"Yes, Captain."

Spock's finger flew across the PADD.

"Yomayo," Chekov breathed, his doe eyes huge.

"Oh no." Carol agreed.

"You've got to be kidding me," McCoy added.

Names were highlighted by Spock's search. Names like Dr. Robert Sagan. Hitler. Colonel Phillip Green. Admiral Alexander Marcus. Names of Starfleet Admirals, United Earth Military, 20th and 21st century general and military leaders. Prime Ministers, Presidents, Monarchs.

"This is not a good list," Uhura remarked shaking her head as she scanned the names. "Any current Admirals?"

Spock nodded. "One. Admiral Karen Marshall."

"She's been at all the meetings with Chekov!" Carol exclaimed.

"Da, and she took a particular interest in me, wanting to guide me since you all were gone," the ensign added.

"And she leads Section 31," Sulu said. "She was the one who tried to recruit me a few months back."

"Section 31 tried to recruit you?" Uhura asked, her brows raised skeptically.

"I didn't know it was Section 31 at the time," he shrugged. "Figured it was smaller missions and the Enterprise was still in space dock."

Jim frowned. "Spock, see if you can get a lock on Marshall's whereabouts and activity."

Scotty squinted at the name. "Is Jamison on the list?"

"Doesn't appear to be," Carol answered, scrolling through.

Charlie breathed a sigh. How much harder would it be if the Commander in Chief of Starfleet was a Black Sun member.

"Carol, pull up the map again," Jim ordered, his brows drawn low as he sat forward.

"Aye, Sir," she said, quickly doing as requested.

"Look at this." Jim pointed to the neutral zone between the Romulans and Federation. "There's what, three times the number of Section 31 ships coming and going. And look," he manipulated the screen, zooming closer to the border. "There's probably twice the amount of Romulan interactions."

"What are you getting at?" McCoy asked.

"Look at the names Spock just showed us. What do they have in common?"

"Lots of military," Charlie noted.

"Leaders too," Sulu added.

"If the Black Sun are moving as ghosts to infiltrate and cause chaos, like Carol implied, they wouldn't want lowly ensigns as their targets. No offense," Jim added with a wink to Charlie.

"None taken. I think."

"Kirk's right," Uhura said, coming around and pointed out several points. "These are not random points. These point to a more aggressive stance."

"That's it then," Charlie breathed, standing up and beginning to pace. Suddenly it all clicked. Everything her father said, everything they learned. Something inside her lit up with what course she needed to take.

"What's it?" Sulu asked.

Charlie spun, her gaze roaming over the crew. Her family. The very people she hoped wouldn't think her insane.

"Hear me out. We're going to need to go to Qo'nos."

"Are ya oot of your mind, woman!" Scotty exploded. Well, at least not that insane.

"Charlie, you can't be serious," Jim groaned. "We just got back."

"I'm more than serious," she countered, pacing in front of the window. "The Black Sun are looking for the cracks of instability to start a war and create this reordering of chaos or whatever they call it." She gestured her hands wildly in the air. "The Federation and the Romulans are too far apart, especially after Nero. Look at these skirmishes. Someone or something is goading them, and they're falling for it. But if we can align ourselves with the Klingons, a strong, warrior empire, our alliance would be strong enough to resist a Romulan advance. And from what I know of Starfleet history, we become allies of the Klingons in the future anyway. Might as well get started now."

"Uh, how do –" Carol tried to ask but McCoy interrupted.

"But you hate the Klingons."

Charlie turned to Carol. "Hi Carol, sorry we didn't explain this before. I'm from the past, but not your past, different universe's past, and I know your future. At least I know A future, but not sure if it's yours or not. And I don't hate them," Charlie spun to address the doctor, ignoring the look of shock. "I don't necessarily trust them, but I know more about the Klingons and their culture to be able to bridge a gap the Federation hasn't been able to forge. And from the time Uhura's put into teaching to me their language, I am at an advantage, a bigger advantage than you all ever had."

"This is a suicide mission."

Charlie paused, letting the red recede from Jim's eyes. "Maybe. But not going means inevitable destruction. The Romulans may already be involved. I have to try."

"Why you? Why does it always have to be you?"

"Because with great power comes great responsibility," she sarcastically replied, rolling her eyes. "Whether we like it or not, this seems to be my destiny. You heard what my father said. What my grandfather learned. I think I'm meant to do this."

"And how are you going to convince Starfleet of that, Spitfire?" McCoy asked, counting on his fingers. "One, you can't just go gallivanting off to the Klingon home world without someone at Starfleet knowing, and two, you're just a cadet. How in blue blazes are you going to persuade the admirals to let you go when most of them haven't even tried?"

"Bones, I thought you knew me?" Charlie smirked.

"Ah hell, that smirk always means something bad is about to happen."

"Not bad, but always messy," she laughed. "We're positive Jemison isn't leading the Black Sun on this?"

"All indication say it's Admiral Marshall," Carol acknowledged, glancing back at the screen. "Thanks to Mr. Spock's analysis, the messaging to the Black Sun masquerading as Section 31 ships all originate from her computer."

"Then that settles it," Charlie addressed the crew. "We need to see the C-in-C. Tonight."