As they entered the Nibiran System, Jim could not help but scan Nibiru. He did not care what anyone thought, he thought he made the right decision in saving that planet. Of course, the scan did not detect any technology on the planet. They approached New Vulcan and were hailed when they got close.

"Admiral Kirk," Sarek said. "I'm pleased to see you return."

"Thank you," Jim replied. "We'd like to visit the planet if that's okay."

"Of course. We will await your arrival."

Jim thought Vulcans were always short and to the point in their conversations. "You ready to go down, Spock?" Jim asked.

"I am," Spock replied.

They met some others in the transporter room and were soon down on the planet. Sarek was waiting for them. "Greetings," he said.

"Greetings, Father," Spock replied. "I trust you are well."

"I am."

Michael stepped from behind Spock. Jim could even see the surprise on Sarek's face. Michael smiled. "Hello, Father," she said.

"I must hear this story," Sarek said. "We will have a meal together."

Jim and Carol held hands as they walked through the corridor gazing out at the landscape of the planet. Although the Vulcans had only been there a short time, they had already carved dwellings. "It's quite extraordinary, isn't it?" Carol asked.

"It is," Jim replied. "How many years would it take us to carve something like this?"

"More than a lifetime. Perhaps we can build ourselves a house though."

"Maybe."

They soon arrived where the visitors had been staying. Alex and Joy were glad to see them. "Dad, this is a nice planet," Alex said. "We even met Karf. He's Korax's son."

"Yes, I know. He's here learning."

"He's not like most Klingons I've seen."

"How so?"

"He's a lot calmer."

Jim smiled at that. "That's good, right?"

"Yeah."

Jim did not think they would stay on New Vulcan for very long but while they were there, he wanted to learn more about the planet and what they were doing. He could not help but notice that there were a lot of young Vulcans on the planet. He supposed they were succeeding at rebuilding their race.

Jim, Carol, and the kids went outside into the arid environment of the planet. "It does look rather like the original planet, doesn't it?" Carol asked.

"Yeah it does," Jim said. "Red, dry, and hot."

"It's not all that way."

Just then, Solan walked up. "Admiral, I want to talk to you a minute," he said. "I don't want to take away from your time here, but you remember, we have that problem on Delta Vega."

"I do," Jim replied.

"What are we gonna do about that? If he ever got off that planet…"

"I know. We're gonna take care of that as soon as we get our families back to Earth. We also have the prisoners that are in our brig too. I haven't even talked to Admiral Winston about all that yet."

"He hasn't been talking much?"

"He's been in meetings nearly the whole way home, and now he's on Earth. Probably in meetings there too."

"What do you think they're going to do?"

"I don't know, Solan, but I'll tell you this: I think this is far from over. I just wish there had been a way to talk to Mac. He may have known a lot."

"According to Michael, Mac was gone. It wasn't really even him anymore."

Jim nodded. "It's too late now, but where's Zander?"

"I don't know that either."

"We need to find him. What if they had him too?"

"I'll see what I can do and get Uhura on it too."

Jim looked at Carol. "It's not over yet," he said.

"It never is, it seems," Carol replied as they started to walk again. "Do you think we'll ever just sit on a little porch and rock and wait for the kids to come back from space?

Jim smiled. "I hope so. That sounds nice."

"We still haven't found that piece of land yet and built that little house."

"I know, but we will. I have to finish this."

They watched the kids running ahead of them, along with Spura and Karf. "I wonder what that little bunch there will do in the future," Jim said.

"Oh, I'm not sure the galaxy can handle it," Carol replied.

"You think it will be groundbreaking?"

"I'm sure it will."

When they were done visiting the planet, Jim and the others went back to the Enterprise and headed back to Earth. Michael had stayed on Vulcan to visit with her father. She had been away so long, she wanted to be on the peaceful world.

The Enterprise came out of warp at Earth. As they looked at it, they could still see some glowing green even from space. "We're being hailed, Captain," Uhura said.

"On screen," Spock replied.

Admiral Winston appeared on the screen. "Captain Spock, I'm glad you are all back," he said. "Where is Admiral Kirk?"

"He is with his family preparing to disembark when we dock with the spacedock."

"Let him know I want to see him."

"Yes sir."

"Winston out."

The transmission ended. Spock tried not to contemplate what that meant, but he was sure it meant some sort of trouble. "Once we are docked, you are all dismissed," he said. "I am going to find Admiral Kirk."

Spock left the Bridge. He was not sure where Jim was, so he stopped at a computer station. "Computer, where is Admiral Kirk?" he asked.

"Admiral Kirk is in his quarters."

Spock went to Jim's quarters and rang the door chime. Carol came to the door. "Spock, come in," she said.

Spock entered the room. "I need to speak to Jim," he said as he heard the delighted squealing of a child.

Carol smiled. "I'll get him. He's playing with the children."

Spock stood and waited. Jim soon came in there with a smile on his face. "Spock, what's up?" he asked.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Admiral," Spock said. "However, Admiral Winston wants to see you as soon as possible."

Jim's smile faded slightly. "Alright. You got any idea what's up?"

"No. As you know Admiral Winston is not one to divulge information except to the one to whom it is intended."

"Right. Well, I don't intend to get into that dress uniform. I'm getting my family home and then I'll go."

"Would you like me to accompany you?"

"I don't know, Spock. He might just do what he always does and make you stay in the hallway."

"You are correct. I would like to go home for a while. I am rather…tired."

"Me too, Spock. I'm not leaving this planet…well, I don't know. We might be back in space sooner than we think. We have to take care of that situation with Mac too, you know, just in case that control thing can still manipulate things on Delta Vega. Who knows if they left anyone there?"

Jim thought Spock actually looked rather disappointed. "Then, I am guessing that our time here is short," Spock said.

"You might say that. I'll get us as long a rest as I can."

The Enterprise was soon docked, and Jim and the others went out into the space dock. "Dad, we never get to come to the space dock," Alex said as he was walking like he was balancing on a beam.

"The space dock is not for children to play in," Jim replied. "That's why we don't stay here much. You just get off your ship and go down to the planet."

"Are you going to talk to Admiral Winston when we get down?"

"Yes."

"I want to go with you," Joy said.

"Go with me? Now what would you do at a meeting with Admiral Winston?" Jim asked.

"Why it might just liven the whole thing up," Carol said.

"Oh yes, I'm sure it would."

"Take her. I want to see what happens."

"Carol."

"Jim."

As Jim and the others headed down to Earth, Admiral Winston contacted him. "Meet me at my office at Starfleet Headquarters," Admiral Winston said.

"Yes Sir," Jim replied. "I'll be there as soon as I get my family home."

The transmission ended. "You didn't tell him you were bringing Joy with you," Carol said.

"Well, even Admiral Winston needs a surprise sometimes," Jim said.

When Carol and Alex were home, Jim picked up Joy and walked to the door. "I'll see you later," he said and kissed Carol.

Carol smiled and almost laughed. "Good luck," she said.

"Bye, Mommy," Joy said.

"Bye, Baby. You behave."

"I will."

Jim went out the door and headed down to get a transport to Starfleet Headquarters. When he walked outside, John McCoy was there with a car. "Admiral, I'm here to drive you today," he said.

"Okay," Jim replied. He got into the car with Joy.

"I don't think the Admiral is expecting you to bring your baby."

"Well, that's too bad. Let's go."

They were soon at Starfleet Headquarters, and Jim walked in. He did not feel so nervous today. "Daddy, where is the admiral's office?" Joy asked, although it did not come out quite that plain since she was only two years old.

"It's way up nearly at the top of this building," Jim said.

"We have to get on the turdo lift?"

Jim almost laughed at that. "Yes, we will be getting on the turbo lift."

They got on the turbo lift, and it started up after Jim gave the command. Joy laughed as she could see outside as they went up. "It's fast," she said.

"Yeah. Everything seems to be fast these days."

They were soon on the right floor. Jim could not help but notice some damage around there as he walked, but he had been assured that everything was up and running, including the security. He went to Admiral Winston's office which had the door open. He stood in the doorway. "Admiral James Kirk reporting as ordered," he said.

"Come on in, Admiral Kirk," Admiral Winston said. He glanced at Joy. "You like to create surprises, don't you?"

"Sometimes, Sir."

"Have a seat."

Jim sat down, and Joy sat on his lap. "Admiral Kirk, as you know, everything is mostly under control," Winston began. "However, there is still the problem of Control still at that facility on Delta Vega."

"Yes, sir, Spock and I have been talking about that. We know it's something we have to deal with."

"Can he be dealt with? Or would it be better to destroy it remotely?"

Jim frowned. "Sir, I would like to make sure Mac is not still in there or anyone else for that matter," he said.

"According to Michael Burnham, there's nothing left of him when Control takes over."

"I know what she said, but as you know, I don't have the same opinions that she has about situations, but if we see that we can't reach him…we'll do what we have to."

Joy looked up at Jim. "Daddy, are you going to blow Mac up?" she asked. "He was nice."

Winston looked at Joy and then at Jim. "Some conversations are not rated G, Admiral Kirk," he said.

"I know that, Sir," Jim replied. He looked at Joy. "No. You just don't worry about that." Jim looked back at Admiral Winston. "There are also the prisoners we brought back. They're being held on the space dock. What do we do with them?"

"They should be held in the brig at the GDI station," Winston said. "They will be sentenced later. Right now, we have to deal with these other things."

"We don't want them to get loose."

"They won't. They will be under twenty-four hour guard."

"Sir, I don't mind saying that I think there are others involved in this that we don't know about yet."

"I agree, but we don't know all of them."

"I think we have to be careful who is guarding these people."

"I agree with that too. Don't worry. I'm not going to be careless."

"I didn't mean to imply that you would, Sir. I just…"

"I know, Admiral Kirk," Winston said. "You're as concerned about this situation as I am."

"Once we get all this situation under control, I want to have some time with my family. Carol and I have some things we want to do."

"You won't get an argument from me. I want to know how you think you're going to find out whether Mac is savable or not."

"We're trying to locate Zander. If anyone can get to Mac, he can, if Mac is even still there. Who knows if that was really him?"

"If that's possible, Kirk, but don't risk anyone else."

"I won't."

"I don't think you've even begun to write a report about all this."

Jim frowned. "I really haven't even thought about it. So much has happened."

"You should write one," Winston said. "We need it. You know more about all this than anyone."

"Yes, Sir. I will get that started as soon as possible. I'm sure Ajah can get it together quickly."

"I'll be waiting for it." Admiral Winston was silent a moment. "You remember what we talked about before, Kirk…while you were in the medical bay."

"Yes, Sir."

"Don't forget that. You may be the last hope for the federation."

Jim was not sure what to say to that, but Admiral Winston stood up. "Let me know when you're leaving on your mission," he said.

"Yes Sir," Jim replied.

"Dismissed."

Jim left that office. He frowned as he thought of what the admiral said. He wondered if any other admirals knew of Admiral Winston's plans. Felonia was in the outer office. "Admiral Kirk, how is Ajah?" she asked. "I haven't seen him in a while."

"He's doing fine," Jim replied.

"I tried to contact him, but I guess he was busy."

"Well, we have been very busy. I'll make sure he contacts you."

"Admiral, is there any way I could go on the next mission?"

Jim paused a moment. "How do you know there will be another mission?" he asked.

"Well, Admiral Winston has mentioned it."

"You want to go with Ajah?"

"Yes."

"I'll see about that."

Jim walked to the turbo lift and walked in. Joy was falling asleep now. He thought about Felonia. He was not sure how she would know about any missions they were going on because he had not discussed it much with Admiral Winston, and he could not believe the admiral would discuss it with his secretary. He would just have to look into that situation.

Carol was waiting when Jim got back home. Joy was asleep. "Oh, it was just too much excitement for her," she said.

"I don't know about excitement," Jim replied.

They put the baby to bed and then went to their own room. Jim lay down on the bed. "It feel so good to be home," he said as he sighed.

"I know," Carol agreed. "But I want to hear about your meeting."

"The admiral is worried about that mission to Delta Vega. We're gonna take time to locate Zander before we go there, so we're not going today. There's something else I'm concerned about though."

"What's that?"

"On my way out of the office, Felonia was there. She seemed to know that we're going on another mission. She said she hasn't talked to Ajah in a while."

"And why would it matter if she knows?"

"Because I don't know how she knows. I don't think Admiral Winston would be sharing all this information with his secretary."

Carol sat up and looked at Jim. "Are you telling me that you think Felonia is a traitor?" she asked. "Don't you think that's just a little farfetched? I mean, maybe she's a little nosy, but so what?"

"I didn't say that. I just was kinda suspicious. She wants to go on the next mission with us."

"I'm not sure what you're getting at."

"I guess I'm not getting at anything, but I don't like it when people outside the loop ask me about things that were said in private, and that are secret."

Carol lay back down and thought of that. "I suppose you're right. What are you going to do about it?"

"I'm gonna have someone find out more about her."

"So you're going to activate one of your spy friends?"

"Yeah."

Carol laughed. "Before you do that, don't you want to investigate me?"

Jim smiled. "You? Are you guilty of something?"

"OH yes. I'm guilty of being in love with an admiral…a fleet admiral at that. I'm aiming for the top."

Jim laughed. "Well, Admiral Winston did remind me of our talk while I was in the medical bay."

They turned over and faced each other. "Are you going to frisk me?" Carol asked.

Jim could not help but laugh at that. "I probably should. You're carrying concealed weapons."

"This is getting worse all the time."

They started to kiss, but then someone rang the door chime. "You have got to be kidding," Jim said. "I think they're spying on us."

Carol laughed and got up. "I'll see who it is."

When she got to the door, Solan was there. "Is the Admiral here?" he asked.

"Yes, come on in," Carol replied.

Jim came into the living room. "Hello, Solan," he said.

Carol smiled at him as she passed by on her way back into the other room. Jim walked over to Solan. "You found out something?" he asked.

"Yes I did," Solan replied. "Zander is still on Caleb Four. He never left there. Been trying to find information about his brother. He didn't even know Mac was on Delta Vega. It was all I could do to get him to come back here and not go there to try and find him."

"He's not going there, is he?"

"No. He realized he couldn't do anything by himself."

"Good. I have another spy operation for you."

"Oh? Who is it this time?"

"Felonia."

Solan looked surprised. "Felonia? Admiral Winston's secretary?"

"Yeah."

"Oh brother. What has she done?"

"She knows a little too much, and she is connected to Ajah."

"I know that. I know that very well."

"Is there something I'm missing?"

"Admiral, he's planning to marry her."

Jim frowned. "I hope it's nothing, but I want you to look into who she's connected with and exactly where she came from and all that…you know, where she's been."

"I'll get Artemus on it. I'm sure he'll be ready to do this."

"Let's keep this from Ajah."

"Don't worry."

"So, how are things going between you and Una."

Solan folded his arms. "Fine."

"Solan, you don't have to feel guilty," Jim said.

"I know that, but I can't get rid of this feeling yet, so I'd rather not talk about it."

"Okay. Just look into that for me."

"I'll get on it. And I'll let you know what we find."

Solan left, and Jim turned toward the bedroom. He walked slowly toward the door, but just as he got to the door, Carol jumped into the doorway. Jim would not have wanted to admit how startled he was. "Are you trying to make me jump?" he asked.

"Yes," Carol said.

"Well, it worked."

Carol ran for the bed, and Jim was right behind her…

Solan left Jim's apartment and went to the transport he had taken down there. Sometimes he missed his ship although it was bigger than he wanted to travel around in on Earth. Una was not with him today since she was taking some time to relax after all the trouble they had been through. He sighed as he thought of his relationship with her. He thought he might love her but when he thought of that, he felt his heart cringe. He had not gotten over the death of his beloved Priscilla. He supposed someone might think he was silly because of that, but he had loved her more than his own self. He wondered if Admiral Kirk thought he was silly, but he did not think so. He could always see the understanding in his friend's eyes.

Solan made his way over to the central security section, which was where Artemus Gordon worked. Artie had proven himself highly trustworthy, and no one questioned Admiral Kirk. He landed the transport outside the building and started to walk in, but met up with Admiral Green. "Solan, where are you headed?" he asked. "On some secret mission for Admiral Kirk?"

Solan had never particularly liked Admiral Green because of his apparent contempt for Admiral Kirk. "I'm on my way to see Artie," he said, not willing to divulge anything he was doing.

Green frowned at Solan. He had never liked the loyalty of Admiral Kirk's friends in keeping secrets. "I have a right to know what you're doing."

"Then why don't you ask Admiral Kirk? I'm not at liberty to say what I'm doing, and since I'm a subordinate, you can't make me."

Green's face turned just a little red. "You can be defiant, but eventually you won't have Admiral Kirk to protect you from insubordination charges."

"I won't need it because when he's gone, I will be too. So, if you will excuse me."

Suddenly, Green had a phaser in his hand. "No. I won't excuse you. Now, if you will just come with me."

Solan glared at him. "What do you think you're doing? And just how do you think you are going to get away with this?"

"By not trusting you at all."

Solan had his hand in his pocket. Jim had made sure they all had a safety button on their communicators. He pressed the button. Scotty was on the Enterprise and saw the alert. "Solan," he said. He activated the transport, and soon Solan appeared on the transporter pad.

Solan looked around him. "Scotty! We have to get in touch with Jim!" he said.

"What's going on now?" Scotty asked.

"I'll fill you in."

To say Admiral Green was angry would have been an understatement. He hurried into the security station. He would find Artemus Gordon…

Solan signaled Jim, and he and Scotty waited. "What do you want?" Jim answered on the communicator.

"Jim, we've got trouble," Solan said.

"What kind of trouble?"

"You know Admiral Green?"

"Yeah."

"He just tried to kidnap me."

"What?!"

"He tried to kidnap me. If I had not been able to signal Scotty, I don't know what he would have done. I was about to go in to see Artie."

"Transport Artie to the ship if you can. Call him. I'll get Spock too."

Solan grabbed his communicator and signaled Artie. "Yes," Artie answered.

"Artie, are you alone?" Solan asked.

"Yes. What's wrong?"

"We need to transport you to the ship right now."

Artie stood up from his computer and went into an isolated area. "Go ahead," he said.

Artie was soon standing on the transporter pad. "What is going on?" he asked as Solan and Scotty entered the room.

"I was about to come in down there to see you, and Admiral Green tried to kidnap me," Solan said. "Did you see him?"

"No."

"He might not have gotten to you yet."

Soon, Jim and Spock were on the ship. "What is going on here?" Jim asked.

"I told you everything I know," Solan replied.

"I told Admiral Winston about this. Why would an admiral be trying to kidnap you?"

"I don't know. I had not even talked to Artie yet except when we located Zander."

"Has Admiral Green talked to you, Artie?" Jim asked.

Artemus thought about that. "I have run into him on occasion, but I have not discussed anything about our missions with him," he said.

"Has he asked you about it?"

"He has been rather curious about you and what you're doing."

Jim scowled at that. "Why?" he asked. "I don't get it."

"I suppose the only one who can answer these questions is Admiral Green himself," Spock said.

"You think he's mixed up in this mess with Kane and his bunch?" Solan asked. "Is he involved with this Section Thirty-One…Daystrom?"

"I don't know," Jim said. "But we have to find out. I can't figure out what his intention was to kidnap you, Solan."

"It is logical to believe that he wanted to capture Solan to get to you," Spock said. "However, another question would be: how did he know where to find him?"

Jim scowled at that. "I didn't tell Solan to go there over the communicator," he said. "I told him…"

"Where?"

"At my place. Scotty, transport us down to my apartment building now. Artie, bring a bug sniffer."

Jim strapped on a phaser, and Scotty transported him, Solan, Artie, and Spock down. They ran into the building, and to Jim's apartment. He entered the code and went into the apartment. Carol came from the bedroom, noticing that Jim was wearing a phaser and that his friends were with him. "Jim, what's happening?" she asked.

Jim sighed with relief. "Has anyone been here while I was gone?" he asked.

"No."

Artie scanned the apartment and found a listening device. He held it up for Jim to see. Jim knew that could have been put in there any time while they were gone. He took it and stomped it. "I'm tired of this," he said. "It's time Starfleet got on the offensive. Artie, I want you to go back to the Enterprise and do some work from there. I want you to find out everything you can about Felonia, and I want you to do research on the whereabouts of every admiral in Starfleet, and anyone else who comes up. I know it may take a long time, but I want it."

"Yes, Sir," Artie said. He called Scotty and was transported back to the ship.

"What are you gonna do?" Solan asked.

"I'm thinking," Jim replied. "You should all sweep your places and find out if anyone is listening in."

"Jim, we must consider the possibility that this has something to do with Control as well," Spock suggested.

"Can more than one person be under his control?"

"I do not know, but there are ways to find out. I suggest we do research into this matter."

"I'll do it," Solan volunteered. "I'll get Artie to help."

"Good. Do that. I want to know everything you can find about that thing," Jim said. "Meanwhile, I am going to talk to Admiral Winston. Carol, I want you and the kids to not let anyone in this apartment, or you can go back to the ship."

"I would rather stay here for now," Carol replied. "What do you think their goal is?"

Jim sighed. "I can only think of one goal they have for wanting to create weapons from that tiberium," he said. "Dominance. Galactic war?"

"Admiral, we need to find Admiral Green," Spock said. "If he alerts our adversaries that we have discovered him and that he did not get Artemus, there is no way of knowing what they are capable of."

"I think it's too late, Spock. I think we are already entering this war. There's no way we got everyone who was involved with Section Thirty-One. We have no way of knowing what their intentions are."

Spock and Carol were rather stunned. "You think they're going to start a war?" Carol asked.

"I don't know what else they would be intending to do," Jim replied. "I have to get over there and talk to Admiral Winston." He looked at Carol. "Be careful."

"I will."

They kissed, and Jim left the apartment. Spock looked at Carol. "Do you intend to go back to the Enterprise?" he asked.

"Not now," Carol replied. "Let me know if you need my help."