CHAPTER 3

On a loan space station in an unknown location…or at least, it was only known to those who needed to know…Dr. Elena Petrova worked in a lab, studying all the research on Tiberium that had been conducted while she was in stasis. "Doctor Petrova, how are things going?" Kane asked as he came into the lab in his usual manner, as though he were very important.

"I am fascinated by this new research," Petrova replied. "It will not be difficult to perfect you with this. I would also like to meet one of these Borg."

"I am afraid that would not be possible. It would take much too long, and we must hurry before our enemies discover our plans. Once the Scrin have perfected their existence, we can defeat the G.D.I. and take over Earth."

"Yes, and use it for our own and those with us to even conquer the galaxy."

"We think very much alike. Perhaps we can use these Borg as well to help us take over. It may be possible to use the Scrin technology to travel from here to what is known as the Delta Quadrant in hours rather than years."

"The Borg will work like a well-oiled machine."

Solan and Una entered the bar that Solan so often went to when he was looking for information. "So this is the type of place you frequent?" Una asked.

"Sometimes," Solan replied.

"And who has information?"

"We'll see."

Solan went over to the bar where the bartender was wiping up some spilled water. "Solan," he said. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Hello, Arthur," Solan replied. "You heard any talk about androids or anything like that?"

"You know, I think we're all doomed. You guys may have gotten rid of those things that attacked the Earth, but I don't think we've seen the half of it."

"You could be right, but if you know something, why don't you tell me?"

Arthur leaned on the bar. "There is so much talk going around, it's hard to know what's true," he said.

"You know anything about…Daystrom?" Solan asked, making sure to whisper that last word.

"I've heard of it, and I've heard they left Earth and took some of those others with them. They hired a ship."

"What do you mean? What ship?"

"Let's just say, it wasn't their own."

Solan scowled at that. "Whose was it?"

Arthur looked at him directly. "It was one of your own," he said.

"Are you telling me that someone in Starfleet helped them get off Earth?"

"That's what I'm telling you."

"Do you know who?"

"I don't, but Hawke over there might."

"Who's Hawke?"

"Ha! Someone you don't know?"

"Well, you know, I haven't exactly been frequenting this place that much," Solan said.

"Yeah, well, he's trustworthy. About like you, I think."

"Where is he?"

"He's usually in the pool room."

"Thanks."

Solan and Una headed for the other room. As they walked in, they could see some pool games going on and others were sitting around playing cards and drinking. Solan walked over to someone standing and watching a pool game. "Where can I find Hawke?" Solan asked.

"What do you want to know for, Solan?" he asked.

"Do you know him or not?"

"He's over there at the third table."

"Thanks."

Una caught up with Solan. "You have to tell me how everyone seems to know you," she said.

"I get around," Solan replied. He walked on over to the third table where there were two guys. One was tall, and Solan could tell he was a pilot just by his demeanor. The other seemed more secretive, and he eyed Solan when he walked up to the table.

"This table is occupied," the guy said.

"I see," Solan replied.

They stared at each other. "Do I know you?" the man asked.

"I don't think so. Are you Hawke?"

The man frowned. "Who wants to know?"

"I'm Solan."

Hawke stared at Solan a moment. "I've heard of you."

"I'd like to talk to you."

"You still working for Admiral Kirk?"

Solan scowled at that question. "Yeah, I am."

"Let us finish this game and then we'll talk."

Solan nodded. Una stood beside him and folded her arms. "You are quite a character, Solan," she said.

"Thanks."

When Hawke and the other finished their game, Hawke went over to a table and sat down. Solan and Una sat across from him. Hawke looked at Una with his seemingly permanently narrowed eyes, although they could see he had blue eyes, and he had short-cropped hair, and seemed to be permanently suspicious too. "So, what do you want?" Hawke asked as he looked at Solan.

"We're trying to find Daystrom," Solan replied.

"What makes you think I know where it is?"

"I didn't say you knew. The bartender up there said you might."

"Did he?"

"Do you know?"

"I'm not certain, but I've been told to avoid certain areas, and I've been told that if you don't avoid them, you may never be seen again." Hawke leaned on the table. "They don't have a space station like Starfleet thinks."

"What do they have?" Solan asked.

"What's in this for me? I'd like to serve on the Enterprise."

"I don't have any say in that, and I don't know you, so I can't recommend you to Admiral Kirk. We're in a time right now that we can't trust many people."

"I'd like to talk to Admiral Kirk myself."

"Give me something to tell him."

"Is he staying on the Enterprise?"

Solan frowned. "Why does it matter where he is?" he asked, getting very suspicious.

"Look, I don't have anything to do with Daystrom or whatever it is, but I know the location. I just want to talk to him."

"Fine. We can call him."

They left the bar and went to Solan's ship. Una kept a phaser in her hand. Hawke sat down in the co-pilot's seat beside Solan. Solan called Jim…

Jim sat in Spock's ready room, when the intercom chirped at him. "Kirk here," he said.

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

"I'll take it in here." Jim turned on the intercom. Solan soon appeared, along with someone else. "Solan, you found out something?"

"Maybe," Solan replied. "This is Hawke. He says he has some valuable information."

Jim looked at the other man with his narrowed eyes. "So?" he asked. "What do you have to say?"

"Admiral Kirk," Hawke said. "Do you know how long I have wanted to get to talk to you?"

"What for?"

"I want to work for you."

"I'm not that hard to get in touch with."

"Oh yes you are."

"Well, we'll talk about all that later after we avert another crisis. What do you know?"

"We've been told to avoid Delta Vega. You know it was abandoned by Starfleet after Vulcan was destroyed and after Admiral Winston got into power. They say if you go there, you won't be coming out."

Jim scowled at that. "That's it?" he asked.

"Someone said there are experiments going on there and you'll be part of them if they catch you."

"So, they think they've taken over that old Starfleet base as their lab?"

"That's what I think, and it's what a lot of others think. What better place to stay than one that's already equipped with what you need? And it has been said that they were taken there by one of your own Starfleet ships."

Jim was a little surprised by that. "What Starfleet ship?" he asked.

"I don't know," Hawke said. "That's just what I've heard."

"Thanks for the information."

"Is that all I get?" Hawke asked.

"It is for now. How do you know Solan?"

"I don't know him, and he doesn't know me. We're just…similar."

Jim nodded. He figured he knew what kind of man this was. "We'll talk later. If you find anymore information, let me know."

Hawke stared at him a moment. "I will. Do I contact you? Or do I have to go through Solan?"

"You can contact me. I'll inform everyone that you're to be transferred directly to me."

Hawke was surprised by that. "Yes, Sir."

Jim looked at Solan. "Good work," he said. "I want you to get back here so we can check this out."

"Admiral, wouldn't you rather we do it ourselves?" Solan asked.

"No."

"What about me, Admiral Kirk?" Hawke asked. "I would like to help."

"Right now, we have people seeking information for us everywhere," Jim said. "You will be another line for us."

"Okay."

"Come on back, Solan."

"I'll be there soon," Solan replied. He ended the transmission and looked at Hawke. "So, now you talked to him."

"You think he really meant what he said about me contacting him directly?" Hawke asked.

"Of course. Don't worry, he won't forget you. And like he said, we need information, so anything you find will help."

"I'll be on the lookout. I don't think we're going to find much here though."

"Neither do I. But I have to get back."

"Right."

Hawke left the ship and wished he were going with Solan. He would find information because he wanted to be in that group…

Solan glided his ship back into the shuttle bay on the Enterprise. Jim was waiting for him when he came down the boarding ramp. "Admiral," he said.

"Do you believe he's telling the truth?" Jim asked.

"Yes. He wants to impress you too much. He wants to be in your circle."

"Oh. Now, we have to find out if they're really on Delta Vega." Jim sighed. "I don't even like the idea of going to that planet again."

"You been there?"

"Yeah…against my will."

They went to the Bridge where Spock sat in the captain's chair. "Spock, we have some new information," Jim said.

Spock stood up. "Should we discuss this in the conference room?" he asked.

Jim looked around them. "Yeah."

They went into the conference room with Solan and Una. "We have information that suggests they may be occupying the abandoned base on Delta Vega," Jim said.

"Is it reliable?" Spock asked.

"Yes. Solan found this out…somewhere."

"How do we prepare for this mission?"

"That's something we have to figure out. I know an escape pod can get on that planet without anyone knowing."

"Yes, Admiral."

"Maybe you should go on this mission."

"I will if you send me, Jim. However, I would think it logical that someone who has already been there would have less trouble finding the base."

Jim shook his head slightly. "I probably will go, and I'll take the Jedi with me and a few others," he said. "I want you to try and get in touch with Michael and McNeil. We need to let them know about this somehow, and I would like them on this mission as well."

"Do you want them to meet us there?"

"We need them to meet us somewhere. Are they still on Caleb Four?"

"I believe so."

"We will go there and then backtrack to Delta Vega. Maybe it'll make it look less suspicious. Is Admiral Winston onboard?"

"He has returned to Earth for the time being."

"We need to let him know what we're about to do."

"Should we summon him back to the ship?"

"Summon? I don't think I would use that word. Just ask him if he wants to go with us and if he wants to know what we've discovered."

"Yes, Admiral."

Jim went back to his quarters and lay down on the bed. He still had some pain from that injury, but it was not as bad as before. He would just rest until something else drastic happened…

An hour later, Admiral Winston was on the Enterprise. Spock was waiting at the transporter. "Welcome aboard, Admiral," he said.

Admiral Winston looked around the room. "I expected Admiral Kirk to be here," he said.

"As did I, but he must be otherwise occupied," Spock replied. "I am certain he will meet us in the conference room."

"You said you had more information."

"We do. We also wanted to let you know what we are about to do so that you can make the decision whether you will accompany us."

As they walked down the corridor, Spock was beginning to wonder where Jim was. He had expected him to be in the transporter room. "Admiral, if you will wait for us in the conference room, we will be there shortly," Spock said.

"Don't keep me waiting too long," Winston replied.

Spock went to a computer terminal. "Computer, where is Admiral Kirk?" he asked.

"Admiral Kirk is in his quarters."

Spock went down to Jim's quarters and rang the door chime. He waited and rang the chime again. "Computer, override door lock. Authorization, Spock two-two-four-nine."

Just as the door was opening, Carol came around the corner. "Spock, what's going on?" she asked.

"I am about to find out."

They went into the quarters and found Jim lying on the bed. "Jim," Carol said as they went over to him. "Jim."

Jim did not respond. Spock took out his communicator. "I need a medical team to Admiral Kirk's quarters immediately," he said.

Bones was soon there and began scanning. "What happened?" he asked.

"We don't know," Carol said. "We found him here."

Bones looked at the scan. "This can't be right," he said. "We have to get him down to the medical bay now!"

They hurried to the medical bay, and Bones began working. "What is happening?" Carol demanded.

"Somehow he's been poisoned with Tiberium," Bones replied.

"What? How?"

"I don't know, but I don't have time to answer all these questions."

"Did it have something to do with his injury? Is that how this happened?"

"It could have been, but it would have had to be in some form that I don't know about." Bones was starting an I.V. in Jim's arm, and that caused him to stir. "Lie still."

"Bones, what is going on?" Jim asked.

"I don't know, but you've been poisoned with Tiberium."

"What? How?"

"I think I'm hearing an echo," Bones murmured.

Jim grimaced. "What is it doing to me?" he asked.

"I'm taking care of that now. Just relax."

Bones watched the I.V. fluids go into Jim's arm a moment. "This is different than anything I have seen," he said as Spock walked up beside him.

"Will he recover?" Spock asked.

"Yes, but I'm not sure how this happened unless there was something introduced to his body with the bullet he was shot with."

"Or unless our intruder is at work."

Bones looked at Spock then. "How would they do this to him without infecting anyone else?"

"I do not know. We simply do not know enough about Tiberium. I must go and meet with Admiral Winston. I will get this ship underway as soon as possible."

Spock left the medical bay and went to the conference room where Admiral Winston was still waiting. "Well, I thought you had forgotten me," Admiral Winston said. "Where is Admiral Kirk?"

"He is in the medical bay, Admiral," Spock replied. "He has become infected with Tiberium. Doctor McCoy is treating him now."

"How did this happen?"

"We do not know, but Doctor McCoy believes it could have happened when he was shot. The Tiberium poisoning was delivered with that. Admiral, with your permission, we are about to go to Caleb Four. I would like to get this ship on the way if you would like to accompany us."

"I would. Get it moving."

"Yes, Sir."

Spock went to the Bridge and gave the order for Sulu to take them to Caleb Four. "Yes, Sir," Sulu replied. He had left his own ship docked with the space dock so that he could help with this mission. He even brought some of his crew onto this ship to help since they would know them.

"Mister Sulu, take charge of the Bridge as well as pilot the ship," Spock said. "I will return as soon as possible."

"You got it. What's going on now?"

"Jim has been poisoned with Tiberium," Spock said quietly.

Sulu looked alarmed. "How? Is he alright?"

"The doctor is treating him. We will let you know."

Spock left the Bridge and went back to the medical bay where Admiral Winston now stood observing the situation. "So we're on our way," Winston said.

"We will be momentarily," Spock replied.

"Spock, we have a transmission," Uhura said over the intercom.

Spock went back to the Bridge. "On screen," he said.

Hawke appeared on the screen. "Captain Spock, before you go, I would like to request to accompany you," he said. "I spoke to Admiral Kirk earlier, and I helped Solan with some information. I have more information that I think you would like to know. Can I bring my ship aboard?"

Spock had not seen this individual, but Jim had informed him of him. "Wait a few minutes," he said. "I will get back to you. End transmission. Mister Sulu, hold for a moment."

"Who is this?" Sulu asked.

"He is simply an informant. I will return."

Spock went back to the medical bay. Jim was conscious now. "Jim, our informant, Hawke, wishes to come aboard and accompany us," Spock said. "He says he has more information."

"Artie checked him out," Jim replied. "He didn't find anything that would suggest he's anything but a pilot trying to make his way in the universe. Let him aboard."

"Yes, Admiral."

Spock went back to the Bridge. "Uhura, hail Hawke."

Hawke soon appeared on the viewscreen. "You may dock in shuttle bay two," Spock said. "You will be subjected to a scan when you come aboard."

"Yes, Sir," Hawke replied. "Thank you."

The transmission ended. "Mister Sulu, as soon as he is aboard, take us out," Spock said.

"Yes sir."

Hawke's ship was soon in the shuttle bay, and he walked down the boarding ramp to meet Spock, and Solan was with him. "Thank you for letting me aboard," Hawke said.

Bones came in next with his scanners. "Just hold still," he said. He scanned Hawke and did not find anything. "He's clean."

"Thank you, Doctor," Spock said. "Mister Hawke, if you will come with me, your ship will be inspected as well."

"Okay."

Hawke followed Spock into the ship and felt the ship go to warp as they were going down the corridor. He was on his way now, and he wondered if they would ever trust him. Would he finally make a turning point in his life?

They arrived at the conference room. "Have a seat," Spock said.

Hawke sat down feeling rather nervous. "You got some water?" he asked.

"Yes."

Spock gave him a glass of water and then sat at the table. "You have no need to be nervous as long as you are honest with us," he said.

"I heard something else about what they're doing with tiberium," Hawke said. "They have created these bullets that are infused with it, and it can infect someone. They have armed some bounty hunters with it."

Spock would have frowned if Vulcan's frowned. "I believe we have already discovered this, as Admiral Kirk was infected in this way."

"He has? Is he…dead?"

"No. He is quite alive and is being treated by our doctor."

"So it is true."

"Apparently. You are confirming our suspicions. I will assign quarters for you, and if you can be of any help, we would greatly appreciate it."

"So, what do I do? Just wait?"

"You may rest in your quarters for now. Perhaps when time allows, we will show you around the ship."

"Okay."

Spock called James West to show Hawke to his quarters. West had been searching for their intruder, and he was not sure why a new person was brought aboard for him to deal with, but he would do what he was told. They arrived at the guest quarters. "Don't be roaming around the ship," West said. "If you're caught in areas where you don't belong, you can get into trouble and be a suspect. If you need anything, ask."

"Thanks," Hawke replied. "Am I being confined?"

"No. But be careful if you leave your quarters and you should ask someone before you do."

Hawke nodded. "Okay." He went into his quarters which was more than he really expected. He thought he would be glad to lie and sleep for a while. He dropped his bag at the end of his bed and took off his jacket. He sighed as he finally felt like he was making some progress. He would just rest for now.

Spock went back to the medical bay. Bones came over to Jim's bed. "Well, did you find out anything?" Bones asked.

"Yes," Spock replied. "I believe our suspicions were correct. Hawke has heard tell of bullets that are infected with Tiberium that have been sold to bounty hunters. He believes they have come from that lab."

"Why are they making something like that?"

"It seems they are trying to recruit more to their side, or perhaps they are experimenting as to whether they can administer it in this way."

"Well, the treatments are working for Jim, but it's taking time because the Tiberium is trying to grow back almost as fast as the serum can work. It's a slow process."

"What if he were to be infected further? What would it do to him?"

"I'm not sure. It caused him to have a high fever, but it looks like he would become something like Khan and his bunch…kinda invincible, but that's just theory. I'm not sure of that. He already thinks he's invincible so I don't think it would make much difference."

"I heard that," Jim said. "So this is not killing me?"

"It doesn't seem to be, but we can't be sure of that. Obviously, you're one of those who wouldn't die from it, but you could become a brute. And on top of that, it seems to give everyone infected by it delusions of grandeur. I think you're arrogant enough."

"How long will this treatment take?"

"I don't know, but we're on our way to Caleb Four, so hopefully by the time we get there, you'll be ready to move."

"Right now, I feel like I can't move at all."

"You're not going to."

"What about our guest, Admiral?" Spock asked. "Would you like to meet him?"

"Hawke?" Jim asked. "Sure. Why not?"

"I will bring him to meet you." Spock looked at Bones. "Jim's condition isn't contagious…is that correct?"

"Yeah," Bones said.

"I will return."

Spock left the medical bay, and Bones began scanning again. "You feeling any better?" Bones asked.

"I'm not sure," Jim replied. "Where did Carol go?"

"She's working on plans and trying to get all the information together."

"Bones, I know I don't believe in no-win scenarios, but this just almost seems impossible."

"When have you ever let that stop you?"

"Any ideas about who the intruder is yet?"

"No, but I think Anakin and Qui-Gon are working on that."

Anakin was wandering the corridors of the Enterprise trying to follow the elusive intruder. He was not certain how this person could elude him in such a way. His eyes glowed brighter as he used the Force to track the intruder. He was not sure why his eyes glowed now. It was something that just stuck with him. He smiled as he thought of how Padme had liked it. But he had to keep his mind on what he was doing. Qui-Gon had tried to help him track this person, but even together they had problems. He knew it was not a Sith lord.

Anakin came around the corner of a corridor and startled James West, although Anakin had known he was there. "What brings you down here?" West asked.

"I'm attempting to find our intruder," Anakin said.

"I guess you knew I was here, huh?"

"Yes. Have you seen anything unusual?"

"Not really. No."

"Anyone in places they shouldn't have been?"

"Only Ensign Comer. She's always getting lost. She has the worst sense of direction I have ever seen, but she's only been on the ship for two weeks. It is a big ship."

"So where has she ended up that she shouldn't have been?"

"Nowhere that she could send messages or cause any trouble."

"Anyone else? Someone you don't know who acts strange or like they are too helpful? Anything?"

West considered that. "There is this one new guy. He seems like he keeps to himself more than normal on a ship this size."

"What do you mean?"

"He works down on Deck Fourteen, and he eats alone in the mess hall. He's always working on something on that pad, like he can't even eat without working. Maybe he's just a workaholic."

"Has he done anything unusual other than that?"

"Well, before all this happened, I did catch him at the computer core station down there," West said. "At the time, I didn't think anything about it, but now…"

"How long has he been on the ship?"

"Probably two weeks like so many others."

"You know where he is now?"

"Not at the moment, but he works on Deck Fourteen."

"His name?"

"Ensign Fred Plummer."

"Thanks."

Anakin thought maybe he had something to follow now, so he went down to Deck 14. As he walked down the corridor, he did not think the feeling was any stronger, but he kept going. He reached out with the Force even more and felt some sort of awareness that he was there, and then it was gone. Anakin stopped a moment. He could not understand how someone could know he was probing unless they were a Sith. He thought perhaps he should call Qui-Gon, and perhaps he would if this got any more confusing.

Anakin continued down the corridor which seemed abandoned, but he knew not many people worked on that deck. He took out his communicator and called Qui-Gon. "I'm moving down Deck Fourteen," he said. "There's something here, but they seem to know I'm here too."

"This is very strange," Qui-Gon replied. "This may be something we have not encountered."

"Could it be a Sith?"

"Anything is possible."

"How could a Sith get here?"

"Remember, we encountered others from another universe. Perhaps they are different than anyone from our galaxy, but if anyone can find them, I believe it would be you."

"Thank you, Master, but even I'm having a hard time."

"Remember, there are others who can read minds in this galaxy besides Jedi and Sith. Perhaps this individual is another type, such as Mister Spock."

"Oh. I didn't think of that. So maybe I'm looking for a Vulcan? Mister West didn't say anything about this person being a Vulcan. I think he would have mentioned that."

"I have done research and there are others," Qui-Gon said.

"Yes, I've heard of Betazoids. Perhaps this individual is one of them."

"Perhaps."

"That would be a reason they could elude me." Anakin stopped a moment. "Maybe Spock would know more about that."

"It would be worth asking."

"I'll talk to you later, Master."

Anakin continued down the corridor. He knew a Betazoid did not look much different than a human. However, he had to find someone on this deck before he could suspect them of anything. He finally came to the computer station and there was a young woman there. "Hi," Anakin said.

"Hi," she replied.

"Have you seen Ensign Plummer?"

"Yes. He was here a few minutes ago."

"Do you know where he went?"

"I'm not sure, but he went that way." She pointed to Anakin's left.

"Tell me something, do you notice anything strange about him?"

"Not really. Why?"

"Is he a betazoid? Vulcan?"

"He's not a Vulcan. Is he in trouble?"

"Never mind. Thanks."

Anakin walked on. He sure did not want someone warning another that he was after them…

Ensign Plummer knew well that Anakin was on Deck 14. He had never felt such a strong presence, and it was difficult for him to elude him all the time. He was indeed a Betazoid from the other universe. He had been planted on the ship when the others infiltrated it. He had been in touch with Mac and his newfound partners, but he was on this ship to find information and to see how their experiment with Jim Kirk progressed, although Doctor McCoy had figured out how to counteract it. He was also there to let the others know how far this crew was getting at finding them, but everything had suddenly become eerily quiet. No one knew anything, and he knew that could mean only one thing: they knew there was an infiltrator. He thought it was no wonder Jim Kirk and his crew always outsmarted their enemies. They always knew when something was not right or different. The others had thought this would be easy, but it was not…not with someone like Anakin Skywalker around, and even Jim Kirk and his crew. Jim Kirk…the one from his universe was nothing like this one. He thought he could win everything with brute strength and threats, but this one was a strategist, and he had never seen a team that worked together so well as this one. He could not get off this ship so he would have to continue evading Anakin Skywalker until he could get off. He did not even know where they were going because they were not letting anyone on the ship know. Obviously, they suspected there was a threat. He would have to contact the others when they arrived wherever they were going…