The next day, Jim was much better because Bones had upped the dosage of his treatments. "Can I get out of here now?" Jim asked.

"Yes, but I have to check you three times a day," Bones replied. "No excuses!"

"Yes, Sir."

"And don't sass me. I'm serious, Jim."

"I know. Thanks."

Jim walked out of the medical bay and met Anakin in the corridor. "Admiral, I guess you're better today?" he asked.

"Yes," Jim said. "Any luck at finding that intruder?"

"Yes and no. I do believe it is an ensign called Fred Plummer, and he works on Deck Fourteen, but he seems to know when I'm tracking him."

"How?"

"I'm not sure. I don't think he's a Sith or Jedi, but I think he may be a Betazoid."

Jim frowned. "From the other universe?"

Anakin nodded. "Probably got on the ship while we were there."

"He can't avoid us forever. Can you hide yourself in the Force?"

"I'm not practiced at that, but I can try. I would have to study with Qui-Gon, but I don't think we have time for that."

"Right. How close do you have to be to detect him?"

"OH, I can detect him right now, but he detects me too and eludes me."

"How does he know how to do that?"

"Maybe he was trained to."

"Then we will just have to trap him."

Anakin followed Jim to the Bridge where Spock sat in the captain's chair. "Admiral, I am pleased to see you up," he said.

"It's good to be up," Jim replied. "I want to talk to you in the conference room."

"Mister Sulu, please take the Bridge."

They went to the conference room. "Spock, do you know Ensign Plummer?" Jim asked.

Spock considered that a moment. "I have met him."

"We think he may be our intruder."

"Explain."

"We think he came aboard with Mac somehow and infiltrated your ship, making himself look like a legitimate Starfleet officer."

Spock went over to the terminal and brought up information on Ensign Plummer. "There is nothing suspicious about his information," he said.

"That's the point," Anakin replied. "I think he's a Betazoid. Does it say that?"

"Yes. He would not be able to hide that fact from medical scans."

"That's how he's avoiding me." Anakin looked at Jim. "So, how do we find him and trap him without letting him know we're coming?"

"Spock."

Spock looked rather confused. "Explain."

"You are versed on controlling your emotions and intents. Chances are, he wouldn't know you're coming, and Anakin could herd him right into your path."

"Perhaps I should simply visit him," Spock said. "After all, I am the captain."

"Right, but you know how those people on the lower decks are. They are hardly ever seen. And if you call him or something, he's gonna be suspicious."

"How would he know we are truly after him?" Spock asked.

"He knows when Anakin is coming after him."

"I will do what you order, Jim."

"Alright." Jim thought a moment. "If Anakin goes in on one side of Deck Fourteen, and you go in on the other, you may trap him between you…and then bring him to me."

Spock raised an eyebrow at that last statement. "We will attempt to trap him," he said.

"Good. Let me know your progress. If he knows we're after him, he may try to get off the ship at Caleb Four. We need to find him now while he can't escape. I'll have Solan and some others on standby. We have to catch him."

"Yes, Admiral."

Spock and Anakin went down to Deck 14. They stopped a moment outside the turbo lift. "He's here," Anakin said. "You think we should shut this turbo lift down?"

Spock locked the turbo lift with his authorization. "He will not leave this deck on the turbo lift," he said.

"Good. I'll go this way, and you go that way…Sir."

Spock nodded slightly. "I agree."

They went in opposite directions and Anakin began tracking their quarry, and Plummer immediately knew. Spock simply walked around the corridor of Deck 14, having no thoughts of where he was going or who he was looking for.

Plummer began moving away from Anakin without letting urgency be felt…but then he stopped. He thought he sensed something else for a moment, but then he continued. He knew Anakin could track him. He had eluded him the day before, but today, he seemed more intent and did not seem to be hiding the fact that he was there.

As Plummer came around the next corridor, he met up with Spock. "Ensign Plummer," Spock said.

Plummer was surprised that he did not detect Spock, but he remembered he was supposed to stand at attention, so he did. "Captain," he said.

"I would like to speak with you if you would come with me."

"Am I in trouble, Sir?"

"No. Come with me."

Plummer went with Spock, wondering what was happening, and he knew Anakin Skywalker was coming that way. As they arrived at the turbo lift, Anakin joined them. Plummer noticed Spock unlocked the turbolift as well. They went in and went up to deck 1. As they entered the conference room, Plummer almost stopped cold when he saw Admiral Kirk. He jumped to attention. "Admiral," he said.

Jim looked at the newcomer and walked over to him. "Ensign Plummer," he said. "How are you today?"

"Fine, Sir," Plummer answered.

Jim stopped in front of him. "I'm not gonna beat around the bush," he said. "Are you a Betazoid?"

"Yes, Sir."

"And have you been evading Anakin? Are you in conspiracy with other beings from other universes and galaxies?"

Plummer stared at Jim a moment. "I'm not sure what you mean," he said, trying to sound innocent.

"We know who you are. We don't know what you are…yet, but we will find out."

Plummer just stood there a moment and then glared at Jim. "You won't win," he said.

"Do you know how many times I've been told that?" Jim asked. He looked at Spock and Anakin. "Get him out of here, and make sure he's secure in the brig."

"I will see to it, Admiral," Spock replied.

Anakin and Spock left with the intruder. Jim wanted to know who this was and how he knew how to elude Anakin. He would talk to him later once he was confined and unable to communicate with anyone outside this ship. He wondered if this one had been in on the attack on him with Mac. He would have certainly had access to a lot of stuff since he was on this ship.

An hour later, Jim met up with Solan, Spock, and Anakin, along with Carol. "Bones scanned that guy in the brig," Jim said. "He's definitely enhanced with Tiberium, and he's a Betazoid. We think that's how he could elude Anakin. We don't know much about that other universe, but we did get enough information to find out that he is what they call an inquisitor. That is someone who infiltrates enemies and weakens their defenses against those in power. He also is an assassin when it suits him. He seems to think he's still going to win. I don't know what Tiberium does to these people, but they seem to have delusions of grandeur above anything I've ever seen."

"I agree," Spock replied.

"Unfortunately, there's no way to know more unless Michael Burnham knows something about this. Hopefully she is still on Caleb Four."

"She is, Admiral. I have spoken to her."

"Good. When we get there, maybe we can get more insight into this mess and try to get to that lab and shut it down. That will be our primary goal…to shut it down."

"Admiral, Qui-Gon and I might try to get more information out of this being," Anakin said. "Or Spock and I."

"Unfortunately, that will not work on a Betazoid," Spock replied. "We would kill him if we tried."

"Oh. So much for that idea."

"We'll see what we can do when we get to Caleb Four," Jim said. "But we still have to keep this secret. We don't really know that there's not another."

"I haven't felt anyone else," Anakin said. "I can try."

"Do that, but if this one was so good at evading you, one who was more experienced would be even better."

"True. Nevertheless, I'll try, and Qui-Gon as well."

"Good. Solan, have you found out anything else?"

"No," Solan said. "Hawke wants to know if he can be out of his quarters."

Jim scowled at that. "I don't know," he said. "We have a lot going on and I don't want someone else lurking around the ship…not that I think he's in on this, but we don't really know him. If he's with you, he can go where you go."

Solan nodded slightly. "Right. Me and my big mouth. Maybe he can crawl around in the access tubes for Scotty instead of me."

"You take care of that. Let's just get everything we can before we reach Caleb Four."

Everyone scattered, but Carol stayed with Jim. "Are you feeling okay?" she asked.

"I'm better," Jim said. "I have to go and let Bones scan me three times a day but other than that…"

"I wonder how this is going to turn out. We have no way of knowing whether they can bring the others here. We don't know what that overlord is capable of."

"I know, and since they were able to get someone on this ship like that, we have to really be on our toes."

"Artemus did a background check on that guy, and everything looks legitimate, with his academy time and everything. How did he manage that?"

"Maybe he…" Jim stopped at his thought. "Maybe he knew where his counterpart was and traded places with him."

"Then where is the real one?"

"Good question. We'll have to deal with that later. Right now, I have to go for one of my exams today."

Just as Jim said that, his communicator chirped. "Yes."

"Where are you?" Bones asked. "Am I gonna have to come and track you down?"

"No. I'm on my way."

"Good."

Jim closed the communicator and looked at Carol who was looking amused. "It's not funny," he said.

"You and your friends are hilarious." Carol kissed him. "I'll see you later."

Jim went on into the medical bay where Bones was waiting for him. "Lay down there," Bones said.

"Why do I have to lay down?" Jim asked. "Can't you scan me standing up?"

"No."

Jim got on the medical bed. He folded his arms as he was still thinking about the situation. "Did you find anything else weird about that guy in the brig?" he asked.

"No," Bones said. "He's about like Khan and his bunch though. That's why he's hard to spot."

"I was thinking he probably traded places with his counterpart here."

"Could be right." Bones gave Jim a hypo-spray. "The treatment is working, but we have to be consistent."

"Right." Jim sat up. "I think Michael Burnham will know more about this. We still have to be secretive because we don't really know that there aren't others."

"If there is anyone else, they may be better at fitting in."

Jim scowled at that. "Or better at looking innocent," he said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?"

"Something Anakin told me about another ensign who works on Deck Fourteen."

"Is Deck Fourteen becoming a crime deck?"

"They know they can be inconspicuous down there. I want to look into this other one. Are you done with me?"

"Yes, but don't forget to come back this evening."

"I won't."

"And don't be going down there after somebody by yourself."

"I'll take Ajah with me."

Jim left the medical bay and took out his communicator. "Ajah."

"Yes, Admiral," Ajah answered.

"Where are you?"

"I'm in the holodeck."

"Well, I'm on my way there to talk to you."

"Yes, Sir."

Jim walked into the holodeck, and he was in a forest. "Ajah?"

"I'm over here, Sir," Ajah replied.

Jim walked a little further and found Ajah. "What are you doing? Creating a holo-novel?"

"Yeah. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. Are we the only ones in here?"

"Yes Sir."

"Alright. Well, you and I are about to go down to Deck Fourteen and look for somebody."

"I thought they already found that intruder."

"There could be another."

"I'll go with you, Sir."

"Just follow my lead."

"Yes Sir." Ajah looked at the computer terminal. "Computer, save my progress."

"Progress saved."

Ajah and Jim headed down to Deck Fourteen. "We're going down there to visit Ensign Comer," Jim said. "I'm thinking she could be the main one."

"Why?" Ajah asked.

"Just a gut feeling."

They arrived at Deck 14 and walked down the corridor to the computer station. Ensign Comer was there. She jumped to attention when she saw Jim. "Admiral," she said.

"At ease," Jim said. "What do you know about Ensign Plummer? You both came on the ship at about the same time."

"I don't know that much about him."

Jim could see this ensign also had very dark eyes. "You know he's a Betazoid, right?"

"I…no, I didn't know."

"Are you a Betazoid?"

"Why do you ask? Am I in trouble?"

"I don't know. Are you? You're avoiding my questions. Now, did you know he's a Betazoid?"

"Yes Sir. Why? Is he in trouble?"

"You know exactly what happened. As a matter of fact, I'd say you are probably the main conspirator."

"Conspirator?"

"Yeah. You and your partner have infiltrated our ship to give your companions out there information."

"Me? I wouldn't know anything about that."

"You chose Deck Fourteen because it isn't frequented like others."

Ensign Comer looked from Jim to Ajah. "How did you come to this conclusion?" she asked.

"Just a hunch," Jim said. "In your universe they call them inquisitors, I believe. They're assassins, whatever is needed."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Okay. Ajah, bring her along. We're going to the medical bay."

Comer tried not to look nervous as they led her out of Deck 14. She stood in the turbo lift between them. Jim left the turbo lift, followed by Ajah and Ensign Comer. They went into the medical bay, and Bones came over to them. "Scan her," Jim said.

"Step over this way," Bones said.

"I want to know what this is about first," Comer replied.

"I already told you," Jim said. "Now move over there."

Suddenly, Comer was not so cooperative and innocent looking. She elbowed Ajah in the stomach and tripped him, and she was out the door. "Intruder alert!" Jim yelled. He went over to Ajah. "You alright?"

"Yes," Ajah answered.

"Come on. Let's go find her."

As they went out into the hallway, the alert system had been activated and red lights were flashing. Spock came up next. "What has happened?" he asked.

"It's Ensign Comer," Jim replied. "She knows how to mask herself better than the other one, or he was just the guinea pig to cover her up."

"She could try and free him."

Jim grabbed a phaser rifle from one of the banks and ran for the brig, with Ajah and Spock behind him. They came upon Solan and Hawke. "What's going on?" Solan asked.

"Just follow us!" Jim said.

They arrived at the brig only to find that the intruder had already been there and killed the security guards and got her comrade out. "How did she do that that fast?" Ajah asked.

"I told you," Jim replied. "She's the main one."

As they were leaving the brig, Anakin was arriving. "He escaped?" he asked.

"Not just that," Jim said. "There are two of them, and the other one probably knows how to conceal herself from you even better than the first."

They hurried down the corridor to the next corner. "Where would they go?" Jim asked thoughtfully.

"They can't get off the ship with us at warp," Solan said. "They would be hunting a place to hide, I think."

"Like where?"

"I don't know of any place they can hide that scanners can't find them."

"We'll have to split up and find them."

Just then, James West came up. "Admiral, I just heard the prisoner escaped?" he asked.

"Yes, have you seen him or Ensign Comer?" Jim asked.

"No."

"Do you have any idea where they would be?" Spock asked. "You said you had caught them where they didn't belong before."

West thought a moment. "I have, but I'm not sure where they could hide."

"We must run a diagnostic of the ship to determine if anything has changed about any systems."

They stopped at a diagnostics station. "Spock, you take Mister West, Solan, and Anakin with you after you're done with this," Jim said. "I'll take Ajah and Hawke with me, and once you find something, let me know."

"Yes, Admiral," Spock replied.

Jim, Ajah, and Hawke headed down the corridor. "They could be hiding in the holodeck," Ajah suggested.

"If they hid in there, all I would have to do is end the program," Jim replied.

"Not necessarily. If they are capable of all this, they can lock even you out, and turn of the safety protocols too."

Jim went to a computer terminal. "Computer, is the holodeck in use?" he asked.

"No, the holodeck is not in use."

"Is there anyone on the holodeck?"

"No."

"Well, that eliminates that idea," Jim said. "Where else?" Just then his communicator chirped. "Yeah."

"Admiral, there is nothing unusual going on with the systems in the ship," Spock said. "They have not diverted power or anything."

"There's one place on this ship where sensors can't detect someone, and we all know it."

"My ship," Solan replied. "Would they really go there? If they do, Una is not going to like it."

Jim smiled slightly. "Well, how about we go rescue them from her."

They all headed for the shuttle bay where Solan's ship sat on the deck. Hawke walked up beside Jim. "My ship has a cargo hold too," he said.

"If they're not on Solan's ship, we'll check yours next."

"But how would they know about mine?"

"Could have been spur of the moment."

As they neared Solan's ship, Una was coming down the boarding ramp with the two intruders at gunpoint. "Hello, Admiral," she said. "Are these the two you're looking for?"

"They sure are," Jim replied. He glared at them as he walked up. "Get them in the brig, in separate cells."

The two intruders were soon in the brig, and the two whom they had assumed were only ensigns had a totally different attitude now, especially the one who had been Ensign Comer. "And just what is your real name?" Jim asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she asked.

"Your little plan didn't work. So, why don't you just tell me who you really are. We know you're from the other universe and we also know you are the main one in this plot…to do what?"

"Why should I tell you?"

James West walked up beside Jim. "Why did you act like an air head?" he asked. "I thought your kind only wanted to climb to the top."

She glared at James West. "You may think you're high and mighty right now, but you won't for long," she said.

"Is that a fact?"

Jim cleared his throat. "Mister West, you should find out if there are any others. Get Anakin to help you."

"Yes Sir."

Anakin came over to Jim. "Wouldn't you like me to try and make them talk?" he asked.

"You can't," Jim said. "These two are Betazoids…or at least that's what we think they are."

"Right. I'll see if we find anyone else then."

Jim took out his communicator. "Bones, can you come to the brig?" he asked.

"I'll be right there," Bones replied.

Bones soon arrived. "Scan her, and scan him again," Jim said.

Bones started his scan. "What are we looking for? Same thing?"

"Yes. Are they Betazoids?"

"Yes, but they're enhanced with tiberium. Might be good to do a blood test."

"Go ahead."

"I'll have to get the equipment for that."

"I won't give you a blood sample," the woman said and folded her arms. "I don't have to."

"You will or we will take it," Jim replied. "You're an intruder on this ship. I'm sure your people would do no less."

Bones soon returned to get blood tests. The two cooperated because they did not have much choice. He got the blood samples and went back to the medical bay. Jim walked over to Spock. "Make sure they are guarded," he said.

"I will see to it, Admiral."

Jim left the brig and met Anakin in the corridor. "Admiral, I don't think they're Betazoids," Anakin said.

"How do you know?" Jim asked.

"I've encountered a Betazoid before and these two have not tried to manipulate any of you to free themselves. They talk to each other out loud, and they don't try to communicate telepathically with each other."

Jim scowled at that. "Then how did they manipulate the scanners to think they're Betazoids?" he asked.

"I don't know. I believe it could have something to do with the Tiberium. They may have some sort of technology that we know nothing about."

"A cloak?"

"Could be. I'm sure the doctor will know more when he looks at that blood sample."

"If they're not Betazoids, then, maybe you could make them talk."

"I don't think so. There's something strange about them. Qui-Gon and I have studied them in the Force, and I think it's the Tiberium that makes them different in the Force. It is similar to the ones in the other universe."

"Then they are most likely totally different beings than what they appear. How do we get rid of that cloak?"

"I'm gonna study that. Qui-Gon will help me too."

"Good. I'm gonna talk to Bones…and Artie. If anyone can figure out something like that, it's Artie. And there may be others on this ship. If we can find the frequency of that cloak, we can find any others."

"Good thinking, Admiral. We'll look into the Force."

"Good."

Jim went down to the medical bay. "Bones," he said as he met him. "Anakin doesn't believe those two are Betazoids."

"I don't think they are either," Bones replied. "Take a look."

Jim looked in the microscope. "What? It's Tiberium."

"Not only that. That DNA scan is not Betazoid DNA."

"What is it then?"

"Human. I don't know how they're fooling sensors to look like Betazoids."

"Anakin thinks they have some sort of cloak. If we can figure out that frequency, we can find any others who are on this ship."

Bones nodded. "Good thinking. What kind of cloak is this? Something like what we have in the electro-suits?"

"No. It's different. I'm going to see Artie. Keep working."

Jim left the medical bay and went down to the science lab where Artie and Carol were working. "Have you two discovered anything else?" he asked.

"No," Carol replied.

"I have something else for you to do. Those two in the brig are not really Betazoids. They have some sort of cloak that hides their true identities. Can you scan them to find out and deactivate it?"

"We will figure out how."

"If we can find that frequency, we can find others that may be on this ship."

"We'll figure it out, Jim."

"Good. Let me know what you find."

Jim left the science lab. He was not sure what he wanted to do next, but he knew he wanted to see all the new people on this ship. They would be the first to be scanned once they found that frequency. Right now, all he could do was wait. He would just go and spend time with Alex and Joy while he waited. He went down to his mother's quarters where the children were at the time.

"Well, what have you been up to?" his mother asked.

"Investigations," Jim replied. "We think there may be others on the ship besides the two we know of."

"How many?"

"I don't know. Just don't let the kids be out alone. Where are they?"

"They're in the other room. I think Alex is reading, and Joy is playing with her toys."

Jim went into the other room. "Are you two so busy, you don't know when I come in?" he asked with a smile.

"Daddy," Joy said.

Jim squatted beside her. "What are you up to?"

"I'm building a castle with blocks for my doll. She's a princess."

"Oh. Well, she needs a castle then."

"Can you help me?"

"Absolutely." Jim lay down in the floor to help her build a castle with the blocks. As he stacked them, he thought of the situation they were in. He looked at Joy and Alex…his young children. They knew nothing about the danger they were potentially facing. Sometimes, he wished he did not always have to know.

An hour later, Jim's communicator chirped as he was lying on a pallet with Joy. "Yes," he answered.

"Admiral, Doctor Kirk and I believe we have created a scanner that can detect the cloaks and even deactivate them," Artie said, "and show us the frequency."

"Excellent. Meet me in the brig."

Jim headed for the brig. He called Bones on the communicator. "Bones, meet us in the brig," he said.

Jim walked into the brig where the two spies were being held. Artie and Carol soon arrived and Bones as well. "Alright, let's get started," Jim said.

Artie walked over to the cell where Fred Plummer stood and activated his sensor. He began the scan and detected the cloak. "Aha, there it is," Artie said and pressed a button.

Plummer suddenly looked very different, being a little taller and having red hair and blue eyes. He glared at Artemus. Jim walked over to the cell. "Who are you?" he asked. "And what are you doing on this ship? And how many of you are there?"

Plummer stared at Jim with his light blue eyes. "You will never stop us, Admiral Kirk," he said.

"We'll just see about that." Jim looked at Artie. "Deactivate hers."

Artie went over to the other cell and deactivated the cloak on Comer. She, too, looked very different. Carol looked at Jim. "Now what?" she asked.

"We have some people to meet," Jim replied. "When we get to Caleb Four, I want Michael Burnham brought aboard this ship."

"You think she may know them?"

"If anyone would. We'll get to the bottom of this."

Jim called Spock on the communicator. "Spock, I want you to get everyone on this ship who joined it within the last two weeks," he said. "We've made a breakthrough here."

"Yes, Admiral," Spock replied.

"I want them all in the conference room as soon as possible, but don't let them know you're calling any of the others."

"It will be done."

Jim looked at Artie. "You and Carol come with me," he said. "Bones, I want you to scan them again."

Jim, Artie, and Carol went to the conference room. Soon, others began arriving, along with Spock. There were twelve people in the room. Jim folded his arms. "Okay, Artie, do your thing," he said.

Artemus began his scan. "Oh, yes, Admiral, we definitely have some cloaks here."

Anakin walked in next and stood beside Jim. "Glad you could make it," Jim said.

Artie deactivated the cloaks and there were five decloaked people. Jim still held his phaser rifle. "Don't move," he said. "Let's get them down to the brig, the others can go back to their stations."

The others were soon in cells, including a Klingon…and a borg. Jim stood in the brig. "How could this many intruders get on this ship without us knowing?" he asked.

"They obviously know how to manipulate the computer systems," Spock replied. "As far as the records are concerned, they are legitimate members of the crew."

"Which they are not. Find out how this happened. I have to report this to Admiral Winston. Artie, I want you to figure out how to integrate that scanner into the Enterprise so we can scan this entire ship."

"Yes, Sir," Artie replied. "That shouldn't be difficult. I will get with Mister Scott."

"Good. Once we get to Caleb Four, we will figure out who our intruders here are."