Nexus
"Are you sure about this, Jim?" McCoy asked finally.
"I'm sure. I can't send someone else to do this."
"A single torpedo and..."
"Bones, Some two hundred million lives will depend on stopping that man."
"We could arrest him the moment he's on the Enterprise," McCoy suggested.
"On what charges? Based on what evidence? At best, he'd get out, more desperate and paranoid than ever. At worst, he exposes and destroys the incalculable value of a major intelligence asset."
"You'll forgive me if I'd rather not be there to see it, Jim."
"If by some chance, I come out of this alive?" Kirk said.
McCoy raised a glass. "Either way... See you on the other side."
"I need help. Now if you were to come back with me..."
"I can't. I'm already there. Remember? But I bet I know someone who can. And from his point of view, he just got here too."
Jean Luc Picard recognized instantly the face of James T. Kirk, Starfleet hero and legend. The surroundings were a little perplexing though. It took Picard a minute to recognize the bridge of the second starship Enterprise... On second thought, it looked to have elements of the other starships Enterprise as well.
And Kirk sat in the center seat.
"Welcome, Captain," Kirk greeted him.
"I'm Captain Jean Luc..."
"...Picard of the starship Enterprise" Kirk finished. "I assume this is the Nexus?"
"That's right. But how...?"
"Come now, I know that you and your command were... Are one of the primary topics of the Sunset files. Now tell me the situation."
"Certainly... although I wonder... How is it that the Nexus doesn't seem to have as strong a hold on you?" Picard wanted to know.
"You think it doesn't?" Kirk countered. "Look around you. The remnants of over thirty years in command and... even now, ...I want it more than anything. But... It's living in a dream." He looked around the bridge with a frown. "Nothing matters... Nothing makes a difference here. That's not what we're all about Captain."
"Then come back with me! Help me stop Soran! Make a difference again!"
"Who am I to argue with the Captain of the Enterprise? What's the name of that planet? Veridian III?"
"Yes," Picard replied. "Now... We need a plan..."
Captain Picard entered Ten Forward, scanning the room. Spotting Soran gazing out the viewport, he paused only a moment to nod to a powerfully built Earth Pony wearing the gold of security before striding over. "Doctor Soran."
"Yes? Ah! yes! thank you for coming!" Soran greeted him eagerly, shaking his hand.
"I understand there's something urgent you wish to discuss with me," Picard noted calmly as Lieutenant Sundance Apple stood patiently by the entrance.
"Yes, I must return to the observatory immediately. I must continue a critical experiment I've been running on the Amargosa star," Soran explained.
"I would like nothing more than to help you, doctor but I'm afraid your time has run out."
A look at Picard's face told Soran that somehow, Picard knew. Soran's eyes widened in panic. He had to get away! If he could get to a transporter, he could beam to the observatory and maybe hide until the Duras sisters arrived to beam him out. Pushing away from Picard, Soran scrambled, only to be met by a left hoof from Lieutenant Apple.
"Eenope!"
Soran looked up to see the massive pony staring down at him as Picard caught up to them and was joined by another man, whom Soran vaguely thought he recognized. Soran's attention was drawn to the old style hand phaser the man leveled at him.
"Impeccable timing, Captain." Picard complimented.
"Call me 'Jim'."
A few minutes later, Commander Riker turned with a start as he saw Captain Picard enter the bridge with James Kirk following.
"Captain, this is Commander William Riker, my first officer. Commander Riker, this is Captain James T. Kirk. I understand you've heard of him?"
"A little sir," Riker answered trying to maintain his poise.
"Good. Now, Commander, You've been informed that Doctor Soran has been taken into custody?"
"Yes, sir." Riker wondered just what was going on.
"That leaves us with one other matter to deal with. Captain?" Picard invited Kirk to continue.
"There is a Klingon D-12 class Bird of Prey out there Commander. And we don't dare let it get away."
"Certainly, between the two of you, Number One, I can think of no one better to handle Lursa and B'etor under these circumstances," Picard stated.
"They're not exactly my type," Kirk quipped. "But I think we can handle a Bird of Prey with a defective plasma coil."
"Well then! Number One, Captain Kirk has the conn." Picard announced
"Understood sir. And where will you be... Captain?"
"In my ready room. My brother's family should be in San Francisco by now and I have a little catching up to do."
"With all due respect, sir. Is this the time for that?" Riker asked.
"Ordinarily not, but between the finest First Officer in the fleet and the Greatest Captain in Starfleet history, I think this situation is well in hand, and... Let's just say I need to make up for lost time."
"Of course, sir. Will there be anything else?"
"Yes, Commander. Once you've taken care of the Duras sisters, I need to address the crew. We've received Special Orders from Fleet Admiral Garrett...
Stardate 49827.5
Captain Kirk glanced around the bridge of this new Sovereign class Starship Enterprise, a guest of Captain Picard.
"So, Captain? What do you think of the new Enterprise?"
"She looks to be a fine ship, Jean Luc. She's got a good Captain and a good crew."
"Definitely. Will you be aboard for our inaugural cruise?"
"I'm afraid not Captain. You aren't the only one with a ship to tend. Once Mister Scott finishes looking over your engine room, Lieutenant Stadi, Captain Scott, Commander M'ress and I will need to get back to our own ship. We have a launch date of our own to meet."
"Fair enough, Jim." The two men shook hands once more. "Then until our paths cross again, Bon Voyage Captain."
"And good luck to you and to the crew of the Enterprise."