> Where No Pony Has Gone Before: Supplemental Logs.
>  by FoalsHalf
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Shopping For Heroes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shopping for heroes

Sunset and Trixie walked through the portal. If one had chanced to witness them, one would be inclined to suspect they were only humoring gravity by walking and not literally floating on air.

“I still can’t believe it, Sunset! We were actually on the USS Enterprise! I actually touched her dedication plaque.” Trixie breathed.

Sunset remembered as they both read the plaque in the turbolift alcove. and Trixie running her finger (hoof actually but that was merely semantics) on the edge of it with all the awe and reverence a Trekker could muster, a single tear forming, quickly wiped away in denial.

“And you got to sit in Captain Kirk’s chair!’ Trixie reminded Sunset. “Probably a better choice than Trixie. Trixie would have exploded in emotion. You were so calm, Sunset!”

“Only on the outside,” Sunset admitted.

“Trixie must admit that chair looked good on you.”

“You think so?” Sunset asked. “Hmm…. Sunset Shimmer, Captain of the Starship Equestria! Nah! Sounds like a bad fanfic!” 

They both laughed.

“You know what? Trixie was thinking… We should get them a few gifts before they leave Equestria. For all that they’ve given us.”

“We DID give them a guide to the future,” Sunset noted.

“Yes, but that was ‘in the line of duty’, for the Galaxy and all that. This is personal: The two of us thanking them for everything.”

Sunset considered this. “All right, but we don’t have much time! First, we need to make a list of who we’re getting gifts for. We should be able to figure out some decent gifts.”

“Logical as always, Captain!” Trixie replied. “Of course we can’t get Doctor McCoy any Kentucky Bourbon or any Scotch Whiskey for Mister Scott…”

“Sulu likes to collect antique guns but that’s not happening here…” Sunset noted.

“At least Trixie has an idea of what we can get Captain Kang. Who would have thought the Klingon would be the easy one to shop for?”

“We really don’t have much time, especially if we have to shop online. One or two day shipping only!  Tomorrow is Saturday, so we will meet at the library for a staff meeting to discuss ideas before we commence ‘Operation Mall Drop’. Check the record tapes, consult Memory Alpha, whatever you can. I want options!”

Trixie  nodded, “Of course, and where will you be, Captain?”

“Figuring out how we’re going to pay for all this.” Sunset grinned, “And I think I just might have an idea!”






“Thanks for seeing me, Twilight. I know you have to be terribly busy right now,” Sunset told her a short time later.”

“Well, Spike is making sure I take reasonable breaks, so it’s not a problem. So, what’s up?”

“How much longer do you think the Enterprise and Kang will be here?” Sunset asked.

“Well, in two days, I’m planning to present both Captain Kirk and Kang with my proposal for shared access to Equestria’s Dilithium resources. Add another day or so for the formalities, So, three, maybe four days. Why?”

“That’s tight timing,” Sunset mused to herself, then addressed the puzzled alicorn. “Trixie and I wanted to find a few gifts for Kang and for the Crew of the Enterprise before they leave. We wanted to thank them for everything they’ve given us and more importantly, what they mean to us. Three days is tight but manageable. That leaves one glaring problem.”

“What’s that Sunset?” Spike spoke up as he brought in a tray off dandelion sandwiches. “I made extra, so help yourself!”

Sunset used her magic to lift one of the offered sandwiches to her mouth. Taking a bite, she savored it, then swallowed. “Mmmm…. I haven’t had a dandelion sandwich since I left Equestria. It’s not a normal part of a human diet after all.” She shook her head. 

“Anyway, the problem is that Trixie and I don’t exactly have the budget this is going to require, not with our part-time jobs,” Sunset told them, then smiled. “Fortunately, Equestria’s economy operates a little differently than those on Earth.”

“How so?” Twilight asked.

“Equestria’s currency is backed by gold. When Equestria was founded, they had to have a single common currency every tribe would accept, so they agreed upon what we know as the standard Bit: A gold coin of a consistent size and weight. That makes it worth the same everywhere. On Earth, the various countries needed to expand the money supply beyond what could be supported by gold. Money there is called ‘fiat’ currency, meaning it has value because the issuing government says so. So, the value is tied to people’s faith in their government. This is usually okay in strong economies because everyone knows their government will be there next week and so the money will still have value. But that means that the value of gold is not tied to the value of the local currency and well… A standard ten-bit coin would pay for a nice lunch in Equestria. The gold in that coin is worth thirty times that on Earth, So, I was kind of hoping to arrange a small loan?” Sunset looked at Twilight sheepishly.

Twilight grinned. “Spike! What do we have in the book budget for the rest of the month?”

Spike frowned in thought. “Well, we haven’t had much chance to do much book shopping since this whole business with the Federation and the Klingon Empire came up, so about five hundred bits?”

“Will that be enough?” Twilight asked with a grin. 

“Twilight… are you serious? That’s… Yes. More than enough.”

“Good! Since I know they have libraries, I assume they have bookstores?”

“Of course,” Sunset replied.

“Just use the rest to buy books that we can’t get in Equestria. I’m sure Rarity would almost kill for a few books on human fashions.”

Sunset nodded in realization as to what Twilight wanted. Luckily, Twilight’s friends and Sunset’s had similar tastes.”I can handle that.”

“Great! Oh! If you could get me a book or two on advanced physics?”

“Consider it done,” Sunset promised.

“Great! Spike! If you would get my safe box?”

“Right!” Spike affirmed and hurried to retrieve the box.

“You know,” Twilight ventured. “I’ll bet if you asked Princess Celestia, she probably has your stipend saved away for you.”

“Maybe,” Sunset conceded. “Maybe next time.





Three days later, in celebration of the success of negotiations between Equestria and The Federation and The Klingon Empire, one final celebration was held before the Enterprise and  K'naiah's Pride were due to leave orbit.

“Before we go further,” Princess Celestia announced. “I have been informed by Princess Twilight that two special guests would like to make a few presentations to both Captain Kirk and his crew and to Captain Kang and his crew. It is my pleasure to present Sunset Shimmer and Trixie Lulamoon!”

This time wearing formal gowns created by their friend, Rarity, Sunset and Trixie strode out, Sunset towing a small cart in her magic. Looking to Trixie, who merely nodded, Sunset walked up to the microphone before Princess Celestia’s gathered guests.

“Thank you, Princess Celestia,” Sunset said speaking from the depths of her heart. “Trixie and I considered wearing our Starfleet Costumes but on this day, we seek to honor those who earned those uniforms and those who have earned the right to be called Klingon.”

“In our world, you represent a vision, a hope for a better world and understanding between all peoples. Trixie and I have been fortunate enough to see a glimpse of that vision turned reality. In gratitude for that look, we would like to present a few gifts to the officers and crew of both the USS Enterprise and the Imperial Klingon Ship, K’naiah’s Pride.” Sunset grinned. 

“There were two complications in selecting your gifts: One is that we didn’t want to get something that you could probably just call up on your computers and the other is that anything we got had to be legal for a couple of teenagers to buy. My apologies, to Mister Sulu, I’m afraid that we could not get you that Walther PPK I know you’ve been wanting to add to your collection.”

Sulu blinked. It was true that that would have been a nice piece for his collection but he hadn’t mentioned that to anyone recently.

“And as much as we would have liked to present Mister Scott with a bottle of Scotch Whiskey, that’s also not possible. I do hope you’ll like what we were able to find for you.”

“I’m more than certain, lass.” Scotty replied.

“With that said, “ Sunset continued, looking out over the assembled Starfleet officers, “we present to Commander Montgomery Scott with the following: One case of duct tape, useful for a multitude of purposes, including NASA’s official cure for space madness, instructions are included in the box. Also a copy of Semiconductor Circuit Approximations: An Introduction to Transistors and Integrated Circuits, a transistor radio kit, and two other items: We noticed among the differences in your history and ours is the pending existence of a third aircraft carrier to bear the name USS Enterprise, CVN-80. We trust she will earn her place of honor among her forebearers and those to follow and present a model kit for that ship with the hope you might find an appropriate place for her aboard the starship Enterprise. And in consideration of that, we also present to you, a model of what the Enterprise will look like she completes her upcoming refit, the finest and most beloved ship in Starfleet.” Sunset selected the appropriate items from the cart in her magic and set them on the table before Scotty.

“Thank ye… Thank ye both.”

“Our pleasure… Scotty.” Trixie replied.

Sunset nodded. “Next, to Mister Spock: We knew any book on science or technology would be completely useless to you so instead, we have The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collections as well as the latest movies based on the character. Hopefully, you will enjoy the interpretations of someone who finds puzzles as fascinating as you do.”

“I am certain of that, Miss Shimmer,” Spock responded.

Trixie nodded gravely, arching one eyebrow in reply before Sunset moved on.

“And of course, to Doctor Leonard McCoy: While we couldn’t get you any Kentucky Bourbon, we soon realized that there was something harder to get in space if you want to make a good Mint Julep and that’s fresh spearmint leaves! These and a hammered silver Mint Julep cup, our offering to the finest surgeon in Starfleet.”

“Well now! Thank you.” The doctor smiled as Sunset deposited a large bag of fresh mint leaves and the silver cup in front of him.

“And to Nyota Uhura, did you know it took decades for us to learn your first name? For a while, Uhura fans believed your name to be Penda Uhura. Translated, I’m told that means ‘She who loves freedom.’ Very appropriate. To you, we would like to present an iPod with some forty thousand songs recorded over the past several decades. We would also like you to have a copy of Beowulf in Old English and the Canterbury Tales in Middle English.”

“Thank you,” Uhura smiled. “I will treasure these.”

“Now, to Hikaru Sulu: Strangely enough, antique firearms aren’t the only thing you collect. We happen to know that you have quite a collection of swords. The trick was in finding one you probably did not already have: So we found one based on the story of a wandering swordsman who swore never to kill again. For that reason, he commissioned a reverse blade sword. We present you with a replica of Kenshin Himura’s reverse blade sword and a collection of discs telling his stories for you to enjoy.

Trixie sighed. “We see that Lt. M’Ress and Mister Arex could not be here. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of our world and time, we never got more than a tantalizing glimpse of either of them. For each of them, we present figurines sculpted in their likenesses. If Lieutenant Uhura would be kind enough to take charge of these items and see that they go to the right individual?”

“Of course,” Uhura agreed.

“Now, to Pavel Andreivich Chekov: We have Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’, a copy of Dostoevsky’s ‘The Brothers Karamazov’, and in recognition of one of the greatest Russian accomplishments we present you with a model kit of the Vostok 1 Spacecraft in which Yuri Gagarin became the first earth human to cross the threshold of space.” Sunset placed his gifts before him.

“Thank you wery much!”

Trixie grinned. “We also would ask you to refrain from looking for Nuclear Wessels.”

Chekov blushed.

Sunset paused. “Before we get to Captain Kirk or to Captain Kang and his crew, we have a presentation for the recreational enjoyment of the entire Enterprise crew.”

“Mister Tanzer, I believe that’s your department,” Kirk noted, nodding to Harb.

Sunset continued. “To the crew of the Enterprise, we offer this Playstation Four game console and a good selection of compatible games.”

“I know the crew will appreciate these,” Harb told them.


“We’re glad,” Sunset replied. “Now, to Engineer Kellet, we present a kit for a model of the Vor’cha class Attack Cruiser. If the details are as accurate as everything else seems to be, we are certain that an engineer of your caliber might be able to tease loose some of her secrets.”

“I am up to the challenge!” Kellet told them.

“Kai! The Engineer!” Trixie answered.

“To Mister Worf, We provide a gallon of a true warrior’s drink!” Sunset passed the glass container to the mystified young officer.

Sunset continued on: “To Commander Mara, we present this Mek’leth. May it always hold a blade as sharp as you.”

Mara smiled, running her finger along the edge and nodded in satisfaction.

Trixie frowned. “It is to our loss that we do not know the rest of your crew enough to offer them suitable gifts, Captain Kang, except our undying respect and admiration.”

Lieutenant Tarqus leaned forward and at her Captain’s nod, answered for the crew of K’Naiah’s Pride. “ On behalf of the crew of K’Naiah’s Pride, we accept these most treasured of gifts.

“Thank you,” Sunset answered. “This brings us to our Captains. To Captain Kang, we present this engraved Bat’leth. ‘In Recognition That The Galaxy is Better for Klingons.’” Sunset presented the blade to an astonished Kang.

“I humbly accept this worthy gift.” 

“And finally, to Captain James Tiberius Kirk,  We would like to present you with this book, ‘Abraham Lincoln: His Speeches and Writings’. We also have two framed photos for you.” Sunset raised the first in the air for all to see, it was a photo of Captain Kirk, or at least the actor playing Captain Kirk grinning and looking very self-satisfied as he leaned forward in his seat.

“In case some of you can’t see the caption, it reads: “I can’t hear you over the sound of how awesome I am!” Sunset smirked as everyone, including the Klingons laughed and applauded at that.

Sunset then passed the other photo along with an old style video cassette and a copy of a letter Trixie had found. “Just a little bit of a reminder for what you and the crew of the Enterprise have meant for OUR world. Also, the other photo… Consider it good advice from yourself.”

“I’m certain I speak for myself and my entire crew to say… Thank you.” Kirk replied.

“Thank you Captain, for everything.”





Later, aboard the Enterprise, Doctor McCoy and Spock reported to Kirk’s quarters.

“You wanted to see us, Jim?” McCoy queried.

“Yes Doctor, You and Spock didn’t see the other items that Sunset and Trixie gave me. I thought I’d show them. Two of them were meant for all of us anyway.” He held up the video cassette. 

“What’s that? Did someone make a really bad holiday special about us?” McCoy asked. Spock merely raised a resigned eyebrow at this.

“No… It looks like… interviews… With our counterparts, discussing what it was like to be… us.”

“Don’t tell me, some poor fella was glad to be Spock now?”

“Really doctor, I admit to feeling a degree of empathy for anyone having to regularly assume your identity.”

“You two will have to watch it later with the rest of the senior staff. There was also a letter, I’m going to post it in the main recreation deck.” He handed it to McCoy.

“Well, how about that…” McCoy commented, passing the letter to Spock. “What about the other photo? We noticed neither Sunset nor Trixie said anything about it”

Kirk gestured to his desk where the photo sat. In the picture, a much older looking Jim Kirk sat on horseback facing another man in what appeared to be some variation of a Starfleet uniform. From his studies of the discs provided by Sunset Shimmer and Trixie Lulamoon, Spock recognized the man as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Recalling the exact scene, Spock mentally approved.

"There's a message with it," Kirk noted that the frame had an audio playback feature.  Before his two closest friends, Kirk pressed play…









Having returned home with Sunset, Trixie spared one last look at the portal. “What an adventure. I envy them! The things they will see!”

“I admire them but I can’t say I envy them, Trixie.”

“How can you say that? They have space travel! A society growing across the stars!”

“True… But the things they have? We’re going to build!”
> Options and Favors
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Options and Favors

“Well, that was entertaining,” Q noted with a smirk as the closing credits began to roll.

“Yes.” His compatriot replied. “It’s too bad that they’ll never come to pass now.”

“Oh! That would be horrible to let them simply vanish from all reality after they’ve managed such a spectacular triumph!”

“Well, it's a done deal, Q.”

“Not quite. I have until Spock finishes watching the movie.” Q replied and snapped his fingers.





Behind the starship Enterprise, the former Romulan mining ship Narada was being consumed as singularities spawned by the eruption of Red Matter grew and merged with one another, their pull also growing, threatening to drag the Enterprise in as well.

“Scotty! Why aren’t we at warp?” Kirk called into the intercom.

“I’m givin’ her all she’s got, Captain!”

“That’s not good enough! What else you got?”

Down in engineering, Montgomery Scott’s mind went into frantic overdrive as he tried to think of a solution before the Enterprise was torn apart. “If we eject and detonate the warp core, the shockwave might push us out of the way!”

“Do it! Do it! Do it!” He heard Kirk call over the com circuit. Scotty rushed to eject the core. He pushed the button…

Nothing happened.

“Ejection failure! I can’t eject the core!

On the bridge, Kirk swallowed. This was it. Then from the other Spock’s memories, he saw a chance. “The Narada originally passed through an event like this when it entered our history. Maybe we can do the same thing.”

“Even if that theory were correct, we have no idea where or when we might emerge. We might not be able to return to our reality.” Spock warned.

“Maybe, Mister Spock but we’re all out of ideas,” Kirk told him.

Spock nodded. “Logical.’

“Mister Sulu. Take us in. Maximum Warp.”

Enterprise arced around and plunged into the event... 

… Finally, she emerged and the shaking subsided. 

“We’re through,” Sulu reported in relief, looking over at Chekov and smiling.

“Bring the Stellar Inertial Navigation System online. Let’s see if we can figure out where we are. Uhura, monitor Starfleet channels. Time is a variable too. This could get interesting.”

“Picking up the automated beacon from Starbase 7,” Uhura announced. “Stardate 6017.08.  That’s nearly twelve years into the future…”

“Inputting time adjustments into SINS,” Chekov reported. “Adjusting for stellar drift, I can confirm we are now near the boundaries of the Klingon Neutral Zone.”

“Are we on our side at least?”

“Yes, Keptin.”

“Captain,” Uhura called. “We’re picking up a Star Fleet hail.”

“Put it on the screen.” The viewscreen brightened to reveal a bridge considerably more compact than that of Enterprise. In the center sat a man with pepper gray hair and the cuff insignia of a Commodore.

“This is Commodore Robert Wesley of the Starship Lexington. Please identify yourself and state your intentions.”

Kirk leaned forward in the command seat. “This is James T. Kirk, acting Captain of the USS Enterprise. We have suffered damage and casualties in combat with renegade Romulan forces. We would appreciate any assistance you could provide sir.” 






“The Enterprise… From an… alternate reality?” Captain Kirk questioned a short time later. 

On screen, Commodore Wesley shrugged. “What can I say, Jim? I’ve gone aboard and spoken with Captain Pike and seen their records and logs. They’ve got a very interesting ship, 1100 crew along with survivors from several other Federation ships and members of the Vulcan High Council. The ship is about seven hundred meters long. She’s going to be a beast once we’ve upgraded her to current technology.” 

“Anyway Jim, The Lexington has been ordered to Altair VI. We'll be rendezvousing with you in six hours. The other Enterprise will accompany you home to Earth. Along the way, you can take some time to help them adjust.” Bob grinned, “Think of it as a chance to get to know yourself better.”





Raven studied the tall biped standing in Princess Celestia’s flower garden. Beside her, Sergeant Iron Helm and Private Swift Edge watched the being warily. Physically, it resembled the off-worlders that Her Highness had been meeting with, a mare if she judged correctly, it seemed confused more than anything else. Its attire was much drabber and covered even more than the garb of the other bi-peds. It turned toward them, noting the guards’ weaponry with a tinge of concern but not responding in either threat or panic, merely caution. Raven noted that Swift Edge had raised his spear in a more defensive stance. The Royal Aide’s horn glowed for a moment as she gently pushed the Private’s weapon down.

“I don’t see any need for that. We pride ourselves on our hospitality after all.” She addressed the stranger directly. “All are welcome in Equestria as long as they come in the spirit of amity. Of course, we prefer our visitors not simply appear out of thin air in Her Highness’s private garden but as Celestia would note, simply being is hardly a crime. Perhaps if we started with a name? It’s much easier to hold a conversation when one knows whom one is addressing. Mine is Raven, aide to Princess Celestia.”

The human, Raven was now fairly confident about that, looked at her curiously and then spoke.

“My name is Amanda Grayson, wife of Sarek of Vulcan.” She glanced around once more. “This isn’t exactly what I pictured the hereafter to look like.”

Raven laughed. “Well, the garden is quite lovely this time of year, but It’s hardly the Fields of Elysia... So Amanda Grayson, do you know how you ended up here?”

Amanda smiled ruefully shaking her head. “That would have been my question also.”

A smug and unapologetic voice from behind Raven spoke. “That would have been my doing.”

Raven and Amanda turned to see a tall Earth Pony in a red colored uniform of some sort. Raven noted that the insignia on it greatly resembled that worn by the Federation people. 

The pony made an exaggerated bow with an added flourish of the right forehoof. “Admiral Q at your service, ladies.” His expression turned more serious as he looked at Amanda. “Let’s just say that at some point in the past future… Future past? Well, at some point I did and will owe your son a favor and so I’m taking the opportunity to settle that now. I’m certain your sons will be delighted to see you.”

“But I only have one son.”

“Yes, and they’re both unbelievably stubborn.” Q groused then straightened himself. “Well! I must be going! While you may be welcome here, my dear,” he told Amanda. “I fear that Celestia would be less than pleased to see me. I won’t get into details. Anyway, there’s a Dax problem I need to fix and the perfect time to get on it.” With that, Q stamped his right hoof into the ground and vanished in a blinding flare of light.

“Aren’t you forgetting something Q?” A voice queried in his head.

“And what might that be?”

“The girls?”

“Oh! Them! Oh, no, they are quite safe. A little Japanese Cherry Blossom and a Georgia Peach in a land of Apples!”

And the others?

I left them with a bunch of Centaur Corsairs from Calvaria.

That was rather cruel, Q!

No, they won't hurt the pirates too badly... 





After all the excitement over the past week, the CMC was actually ready for things to go back to normal in Ponyville. Although Scootaloo was anxious to hear Rainbow Dash tell about her trip to the giant starship, it was time to get back to crusading.

They climbed up to their clubhouse when they all heard a voice coming from inside:

"I don't know where this is but while my momma might not care, I'll just bet your folks are worried sick! I'd better find some food for us first. after that, I'll figure something out. I hope..." 

Applebloom shoved open the door to the clubhouse.

"We got aliens!" Scootaloo exclaimed as they saw the two humans inside. The larger one frowning at them as she rocked the baby in her arms. 

"Dang it! I'm a McCoy! Not an alien!"
> Countdown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Countdown

Captain James T. Kirk entered the office of the Chief of Starfleet Operations. In another reality, this would have been his office... At last for another few weeks until a very disillusioned Kirk would use the twin threats of an impending crisis and threatening to publicly resign from Starfleet to force Admiral Nogura to restore him to the command of the Enterprise. All that had changed with the mission to Equestria.

A glimpse into the future had been enough to shake the plans of both Kirk and Mister Spock and left a rather smug Leonard McCoy (who so very carefully avoided actually saying 'I told you so')  overseeing the rebuilding of the Enterprise sickbay. Kirk had seen that the prize offered him by Nogura was akin to a trap. Spock; meanwhile, had been given much to think about as he returned to Vulcan. Although Spock had resigned his commission for some months, in the end, it seemed only logical that if it were true that the Kolinahr disciplines did not hold the answers Spock sought, then he should not waste either the time or efforts of the Vulcan Masters or his own.

Instead, he would spend his time preparing for the forthcoming confrontation with The Intruder... V'Ger

Yet, for all the advanced warning, it still might not have been enough to keep Admiral Nogura from maneuvering Kirk into accepting the position of Chief of Starfleet Operations but for the unanticipated arrival of the man seated before him: Admiral Christopher Pike. It had been about seven years since Kirk had seen the Christopher Pike native to this timeline, a vital man whom fate had left in a broken, useless body. It was providential that the inhabitants of Talos IV had chosen to offer Fleet Captain Pike refuge on their world, where with the power of their illusions, Pike could experience a more fulfilling life than the Federation could provide.

But this man had never suffered the devastating injuries his counterpart had. Here were the same vitality and drive that existed in the man that Kirk had succeeded in commanding the Enterprise, the same intellect and sharp instincts. Though having experienced a somewhat different history, this man was every bit the equal of his counterpart.

Admiral Nogura hadn't known what hit him. After seeing to their welfare and standing down his ship and crew, Pike had seized the position of Chief of Starfleet Operations with a vengeance. Upon his recommendation, Captain Kirk had been assigned to head a special group entrusted with refining Starfleet's responses to 'Code Sunset' information and the handling of assets gained or preserved as a result. Today, however, Kirk would be relinquishing those duties to return home. The man who would replace him, the same man sitting in front of him.

"Well, Jim?" Pike asked. "Have you gotten your gear off my ship?" Pike asked mildly, for while Kirk's ship went into dock for reconstruction, Pike's ship had been named flagship for Task Force Sunset as the engineers made less drastic but still vital repairs and upgrades to her. It was also a place where Pike could keep an eye on his crew, making sure they adjusted to their new reality. Pike still looked back in amusement as he introduced Captain Kirk to his new First Officer.

Captain Kirk, meet Mister Kirk. Jim, Captain Kirk has been an instructor at the academy and has just completed almost five years of commanding a Starship. Ask him to tell you about his experiences with the Kobayashi Maru test sometime.

"The Enterprise will be ready for her Captain," Kirk promised. "I don't expect that Admiral Nogura was too happy with the news?"

"When is Nogura happy about anything?" Pike replied. "On the other hand, he was destined to be looking for a new body to sit in this chair in a month anyway. Maybe Admiral Ciana, more likely Morrow or Enwright, maybe Stone but that's not our worry, Jim."

"Commander Sonak reported in this morning," Kirk noted, changing the subject.

"Good. I need him to start helping get the Enterprise buttoned up for launch, just in case."

"I certainly... hope... that won't be necessary."

"You and me both, Captain." He looked at Kirk appraisingly. "Now why don't you tell me what's on your mind, Jim?"

"In a few hours... I'm going to have to tell Captain Decker that I'm replacing him as Captain... And then..." Kirk fell silent, burdened by his knowledge.

"His father was a good friend of yours, wasn't he?"

"Matt Decker... One of the finest Captains in the fleet... And I sat there and watched as he... And now... If all goes as we think it will... I'll just stand there and watch history repeat itself."

Pike had; of course, seen the discs as well. "It's the cruel other half of the gift we were given Jim. It's the knowledge that while we can save possibly billions of lives, we can't save everybody. All you can do is let Captain Decker and Lieutenant Ilia's choices count for something." 

"I know."

"Now..." Pike said, rising from his chair with a wry smile, "Let's go! I need to make sure my first officer hasn't picked up too many of your bad habits, Captain."
> Nexus
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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."
> Ambush at Betazed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ambush at Betazed

“All the information we have fits.” Fleet Admiral Garrett stated as she and her guest peered into the holomap. "The Dominion is going to launch an attack on Betazed in three weeks.”

Admiral William Ross shook his head doubtful. “Intelligence reports that the Dominion are massing forces in the Kalandra sector. Betazed is too far from their main supply lines. Especially to risk a major engagement caught between Tenth Fleet and our fixed defenses.”

“I wish I shared that opinion, admiral but my information not only says they are capable of such a move, we know the exact date. We also know that the Tenth Fleet will be caught out on maneuvers when the Dominion fleet arrives. The fixed defenses won’t be enough and then the Dominion will reinforce. We’ll end up bleeding three fleets trying to dislodge them. This is not an acceptable situation.”

Ross frowned. He had never encountered a ‘Sunset’ file before. Only a select few knew what they contained or where they had come from, although their existence was popularly confirmed in the fleet eight years ago when Starfleet had successfully evacuated all but a skeleton staff from the New Providence colony and the non-essential crew and families from eighteen starships prior to the Borg invasion attempt of 2366, saving an estimated five thousand lives. It also demonstrated that this knowledge had its limits.

“Forgive me, admiral but how certain are we that this information is accurate or that it hasn’t already been compromised to the Dominion.”

“Sensible concerns admiral,” Garrett answered him. “This is why you hold the position you do.”

Ross felt a slight chill at Garrett’s words. It was widely believed that whatever information was in those mysterious files had led to more than one career being brought to a close over the past hundred years. That Garrett’s group had known about Admiral Leyton’s intended coup two years earlier all along and had allowed it to proceed to make certain that all of Leyton’s conspirators were caught and sacked in the ensuing investigation and that something contained in those files had resulted in the forced retirement of Admiral Dougherty among others during the past century.

If Rachel Garrett noticed the discomfort in the younger Admiral’s eyes, she paid it no mind as she continued.

“There are benchmarks in the files we use to see if the butterflies have flapped too hard, admiral. So far, our information still tracks well. We do our best to nudge the right pieces into place even if the board shifts a bit. As to whether we’ve been compromised? Even Section 31 has had fits trying to worm its way into our midst.” She looked at Ross sternly. “And I know they’ve reached out to you, admiral but that is a discussion we will have another day.”

Then Garrett’s eyes seemed to twinkle. “I believe you’ve met Commander Gordon, my staff security chief?” She gestured for the man to step over.

“Yes,” Ross confirmed.

“Then perhaps you should meet Commander Apocrites.” At a nod, Commander ‘Gordon’ was enveloped in a pillar of green flame. When it subsided, in his place stood a being that resembled nothing so much as an insect built on an equine frame.

“Commander Apocrites is an Equestrian Changeling. He has an unstandable knack for identifying things that are a little… ‘off’. We’ve had Equestrian Changelings helping ensure the integrity of this project for nearly eighty years. In that time, we have recorded attempts by Section 31, the Tal Shiar, The Obsidian Order, the Parasite Conspirators, The Klingons have made a few attempts, just to make sure we’re on our toes, I think. No, the intelligence is solid and now we’re going to act on it.”

“With what?” Ross asked. “If we hold Tenth Fleet in system indefinitely, the Dominion will just hit us somewhere we can’t so easily predict.”

Garrett nodded, relieved that Ross was beginning to accept what he was being told. “Fortunately, we don’t need to order Tenth Fleet to do anything. Admiral. In fact, we don’t want them to do anything. We want the Dominion to attack. I’m certain it will please Admiral Uhura to know how well her preparations have protected a few secrets we’ve been keeping. No Admiral, while it won’t win the war, we are in a position to catch the enemy by surprise. We’ll save countless lives.” /Maybe it might even convince the Breen to stay out of the war, though I doubt it. They know we can’t promise them the whole quadrant and we still can’t guarantee we’ll be ready for that Breen energy dissipator. Of course, Kang might have a surprise for them…’

Dismissing such thoughts for later consideration, Garrett pressed a key on the holomap interface and a new icon appeared, hovering over Betazed in a ghostly fashion. 

“The 12th Fleet, Admiral., we’ve been gathering assets for some time and now we can reinforce those ships with ships we’ve pulled from the Romulan border.”

“Pulling what forces we have off the Romulan Border is a dangerous gamble,” Ross warned.

“Not since we’ve been slowly mining the border for decades. The field goes ‘hot’ today. As for the rest of it, well, Captain Scott and a few other engineers with first-hand experience on older designs have been giving the fleet reactivation program a boost for several years. That, along with other assets means we have quite a significant force “

“It’s still a risk and what if we change things too much? Your intelligence source may become worthless.”

“The ‘Sunset Files’ were never a bottomless, unending well of information, Admiral. Most of the fruit has already been carefully picked. I suppose I could simply protect the gains, knowing we’ll win anyway, but Risk is our business. In my judgment, the potential to save lives means I am willing to gamble much of what we have gained in both material and lives. And yes, I want the Dominion and its allies looking over their shoulders every time they even think about making a move for the rest of this war.”

“Very well then,” Ross agreed finally. “Let’s hope the gamble pays off.”







Aboard the massive Dominion battleship. Kilana, Kilana 4, to be exact, stood patiently as the Dominion-Cardassian fleet dropped out of warp as they arrived at the edge of the Betazed system. It seemed that their intelligence had been correct: While not an unimpressive force, the Federation Tenth Fleet, or rather its commander had gotten predictable in scheduling his ‘training maneuvers’. By the time Betazed’s defenders could sound an alarm and the missing ships could be recalled, Gul Revok’s troops would have secured the system’s fixed defenses and the planetary capital. Without the orbital weapons platforms or powerful ground-based phasers, the Federation fleet would be too weak to force them out. 

Thinking of Revok made the Vorta’s skin crawl but all that mattered was that his actions served the will of the Founders. Of course, if the Founders ever decided his services were no longer required, Kilana would gladly see to his execution if the Founders willed. For the moment, however, there was a mission to perform. 

Turning to her Jem Hadar First, she simply nodded. War was what they were created for so it was best to let them fulfill their purpose as the Founders intended, a lesson that some other Vorta never seemed able to grasp: The Vorta stood where the Founders intended as did the Jem Hadar. Petty displays of power only made for wasteful friction.

The First responded by ordering all weapons readied and a scan of the system. He regarded this Vorta better than most. The Vorta carried out its role without meddling outside its scope.

Currently, the soldier manning the sensor station completed his initial scan. “No Federation ships detected, First. Defensive Batteries identified. They have not gone active.”

“Good.” The First turned to the Vorta.

Kilana nodded. Everything was going exactly as expected. “Instruct Gul Revok to begin landing his troops.” Even as she gave the order, something nagged at the back of her mind.





“Sensor beacon seventeen has been tripped, Admiral.”

“Thank you, Commander. Signal the fleet to battle stations.” 

As the klaxon sounded, Garrett circled around from tactical to the command chair of the Galaxy-X Dreadnought. She would have preferred her chair on her own Enterprise but the command and control facilities aboard a Yamato class were far superior. Still, her old ship was in good hands with Captain Castillo. Good luck Captain. Take good care of her today.

“Open a discrete channel to the Enterprise -Σ.”

“Channel open.”

“Captain Kirk, your party.”

“Thank you, Admiral.” The channel changed to a general broadcast.

“This is Captain Kirk. All ships standby to commence Operation Gorkon… Execute!”

Slowly, the Enterprise -Σ rose up from the atmosphere of the largest Gas Giant in the Betazed system. Behind her rose the Galaxy-X Dreadnoughts Yamato, Enterprise, and Odyssey. Across the system, Federation starships emerged from hiding.

Captain Kirk leaned forward. “Ready phasers, load quantum torpedoes.”





“First! New contacts!” The soldier manning the sensor station reported in alarm. “Federation starships.”

“How many?” The First demanded. 

“Two hundred and thirty-six.”

Too late, the pieces fell into place in Kilana’s mind. We didn’t see a thing! If surprise had truly been on our side, there should have been something moving in system! A cargo hauler… something! How could they have predicted us so completely? Unlike the Jem Hadar, who already considered themselves dead, Kilana feverently wished to survive. She only hoped the Founders would be merciful. 

“We must escape this trap!” She ordered.

“The Cardassian ships are already pushing into the inner system. They are already fully committed.” The First replied. 

“Unfortunate for the Cardassians. In the meantime, we need to make certain their heroic sacrifice is not in vain.”

“Understood.” While the First might not have liked the idea of abandoning the battle, obedience was life. And the Vorta is correct. They are only Cardassians. 





Around the Dominion fleet, the ghosts of the Federation’s past had risen to haunt them. Instead of perishing at Veridian III, the Enterprise -D was here, reborn alongside her sisters Yamato and Odyssey. Rather than dying in a desperate battle at Narendra III, Enterprise -C was here along with her sister, Horatio. Their sister ship Yamaguchi, risen from the wreckage of Wolf 359 joining the starships Kyushu, Princeton, Chekov, Firebrand, Buran, and both starships Melbourne all resurrected from  the tragedy, all reclaimed out of dire need. 

Other ships for whom the threads of fate had changed… USS Farragut, Drake, Olympia… Starships Proxima and Maryland, who were no longer destined to be casualties in an undeclared war. 

Nor was the USS Cairo, which instead of waiting to be ambushed patrolling the Romulan Neutral Zone, was now one of many ships quietly withdrawn from the border, fighting alongside the Enterprise -B and the Defiant-class USS Valiant. 

Older ships, Constitutions, Constellations, and Mirandas descended on the Cardassian troop ships. Gul Revok, who might otherwise have lived to betray Legate Damar and his anti-Dominion resistance, died as his ship came under fire from a pair of Constitution class vessels.

They’re all here, Garrett thought. “All but one at anyway. Hopefully, she’ll be in time to join the party.





Aboard the Dominion flagship. Kilana winced as the massive battleship shuddered under hammer blows from a volley of quantum torpedoes. The Cardassian ships were clearly too deep in the enemy’s grip to escape but fortunately, it seemed that the majority of the Jem Hadar ships would yet escape. Rather than push a fight to the finish, the Federation forces seemed mostly content to whittle down the large numbers of Jem Hadar fighters. Kilana would settle for this. Just a little longer. We’re almost clear.

“New contacts dropping out of warp!” 

Kilana’s eyes went wide as the sensor plot changed. So… No escape after all…





“Message from Captain Picard, Admiral.”

“On screen,” Garrett ordered. The image of Captain Picard appeared. “Well, Captain! Good to see that you and that fancy new ship of yours could make it.”

“Indeed Admiral and good to see you and to see my old bridge again.”

“Comfortable chair. I think I may keep it.”

“Quite understandable. And the Chancellor sends his regards.”

“Accepted with thanks. And now that you and our Klingon friends have arrived, we’ll finish this fight.”





Aboard the Enterprise -Σ, Commander M’Ress turned to Captain Kirk. “Incoming message from K’naiah’s Pride.”

“On visual, Commander.” Kirk leaned back as the bridge of a Vor’cha class ship came on with a very familiar face sitting in command.

“Ah! Captain Kirk! A true pleasure to see you again.”

“And you as well, Kang. Your timing is impeccable.”

Kang smirked. “Tell me, Kirk! Do you know what is best in life?”

“To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women," Kirk replied.

“Ah! So you remember more than just Shakespeare! But you can never truly appreciate Conan until you have read it in the original Klingon!”

“You’ll have to send me a copy. In the meantime…”

“In the meantime, let us crush our enemies and drive the Founders to lament that which they have brought about…”
> Caretaker Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The release of Star Trek: Picard inspired me to write a little more.  Note that in this timeline, Star Trek: Picard will never happen because  Romulus and Remus will not be destroyed, Spock's efforts starting sooner and thus, succeeding in saving Romulus.

Caretaker Part 1:

Kathryn Janeway, the recently appointed Captain of the new starship USS Voyager,  stepped uneasily into the spacious office of Fleet Admiral Garrett. The older woman eyeing her seemingly with a touch of amusement. Janeway was hardly uncertain of her abilities but this was the 'Hero of Narendra  III', who had been invited to attend the installation of K'mpec as  Chancellor of the Klingon Empire by Kang: the Arbiter of Succession and  was reputed to have shepherded the careers of some of Starfleet's best officers over the last twenty-five years and had ended others with a  word. One such incident had come in 2358, when the Admiral swept aboard the USS Pegasus, relieving Captain Pressman on the spot.

Given that, Janeway could not help but feel just a little apprehensive,  especially after having received ciphered orders, delivered by courier no less, for Voyager to report here... Wherever 'here' actually was. Upon arrival, she had been surprised to see the USS Equinox here as well. Word had been that the Equinox had been scheduled for a mission near the Badlands where Voyager  would soon be heading when she had unexpectedly been pulled. If there was trouble brewing out there, Janeway had reason to be concerned.

More so, as Admiral Garrett's orders had included reassigning her helm  officer and her medical staff without replacement or explanation, noting that her XO, Commander Cavit would have to pull double duty as chief  helmsman until Voyager returned from the Badlands. Given the  sudden loss of key crew coupled with the specter of trouble in the  Badlands, Janeway wanted answers. She only hoped that her career would survive demanding those answers from a Starfleet legend.

"Welcome to Starbase Independence, Captain," Garrett greeted. "According  to the original plans, it was to be named 'Starbase Yorktown' but  Starfleet had already built Starbase Yorktown. The designs are similar but as you can see, Starbase Independence is on a somewhat grander scale."

"I take it those plans arrived with Admiral Pike?"

Garrett looked at her appraisingly. "How much do you know, Captain?"

"I know that rumor had it that then Fleet Admiral Nogura was grooming  James T. Kirk to be the next Chief of Starfleet Operations when Admiral  Christopher Pike was chosen instead. An utter impossibility since Fleet  Captain Pike had been horribly injured during an inspection tour on a  cadet ship. Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan suddenly could be found  negotiating with Azetbur of the Klingon Empire at the very same time  Ambassador Sarek was also mediating with the Tzenkethi..."

Garrett raised her hand. "That will do, Captain. And yes, An alternate version of the USS Enterprise  did, in fact, arrive in our reality in 2270. I take it you noticed that  we have a rather large number of ships stored here?" Just outside her  window, one could see a row of what looked like giant Constitution-class ships.

Janeway wondered exactly what she was being tested for. "Yes, It is certainly very impressive, admiral. But I'm more curious about the  orders that brought me here. Orders so secret that they had to be hand-delivered, with our course programmed into the computer by your  Lieutenant Monroe. No explanations are given and I'm informed that my  own Chief Helmsman, my ship's Doctor and Nurse and my entire astrometrics department are to be reassigned here. Again, no  explanations are given and right before we're due to head off to the  Badlands. This seems very suspicious and I would like an explanation."

Surprisingly, Garrett smiled. "You have a great deal of promise,  Kathryn." she slid over a sealed folder bearing a unique emblem, a  stylized sun- half yellow and half red- and marked 'Top Secret:  Authorized Personnel Only.' "I'll specify I ordered you to read it,  Captain. I assume that you are familiar with Code: Sunset?"

"Like the Omega Directive. If encountered, it supersedes all other  Directives, including both General Order One and the Omega Directive."

"That's correct Captain. Project Sunset has existed for a hundred  years." She inserted a Disc into her terminal and turned the screen for  Janeway. On the screen, a disturbingly familiar figure began to speak.

"I am Locutus of Borg. You will disarm your weapons and escort us to  Sector 001. If you attempt to intervene, we will destroy you."

Wolf 359, Janeway thought. But the video playback featured shots and angles no ship could have recorded. On-screen, the bridge of the USS Saratoga exploded.

"Let's get the civilians to the escape pods, lieutenant..." 

No recording is this complete! Where did this come from? 

Garrett paused the playback. "Yes, Captain. Those are the events of Wolf 359. But they were recorded over a century ago."

"But how? Time Travel? I'm sure temporal investigations would be more than unhappy about possible tampering with the timeline."

"Not time travel." The admiral tapped the folder. "Something more incredible than that..."
> Caretaker Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A fresh update. 

Caretaker Part 2

Starbase Independence: Stardate 54985.4

It had been a whirlwind time for Captain Janeway since Voyager's successful return to Earth. From debriefing at Starfleet Command to interviews with FNN and other Federation media outlets, it had been dizzying but now she was facing the one officer in Starfleet that gave her the most conflicting emotions.

"Captain Janeway."

"Admiral." Janeway's response to Garrett was chilled. "You knew." That single statement was an accusation.

"Yes, Captain. I knew. I knew... Admiral Sulu knew. Admiral Pike knew. Captain Kirk knew. We've known for a hundred years."

"Yes... Project Sunset! I'd get a cold chill every time a Code Sunset was tripped. But worse..."

"Worse was when you had no warning at all and people died," Garrett said calmly. "Project Sunset isn't magic, Captain. We caught a lucky break that allowed us to save a great many lives but it wasn't all-seeing. I  had to let a war with the Dominion start. It was a war that was destined to kill millions because as we spent a century looking for solutions,  we found that even if we averted THIS war, one would still be as inevitable at some point and we had to fight the war we knew we could win. Yes. At Betazed I made a calculated roll of the dice but I had to allow Operation Return to happen as predicted, even knowing we were going to lose thousands of lives because it was necessary if we were to have any chance to win. Even when I did intervene... I called off the  Attack on the Tyra system because I knew it was going to be a disaster but fleet morale still plunged as everyone wanted to know WHEN we were going to hit back! We were able to save Ninety-eight starships but even so, it was not without consequence.

"It was no different with your crew. The good you have done in exploring the Delta Quadrant and making contact with dozens of new races has been immense. And there is how you've reduced the Borg threat. If I had scrubbed Voyager's mission, that would never have happened. So I did what I could. Taking away Lt. Stadi, your medical staff, and your entire astrometrics department to save their lives. Giving you information to save others but knowing that some WOULD still die and it was a price that had to be paid and sits on my head because I had to make that call.  I regret it but I won't apologize for it, Captain. Because that is the responsibility that comes with command. If you can't accept that then you shouldn't be wearing that uniform. If you can...

"I've had this responsibility going on thirty years now. The Husnock have raided Federation ships and it's because I decided to spare a  single Federation Colony. Had they destroyed the Rana IV colony, an aggrieved being of unimaginable power would have destroyed the entire  Husnock race. Fifty Billion people all gone in an instant but because that was prevented from happening, Federation citizens will die. And even after a century, there is still more to come. In the years ahead,  more billions of lives will depend on what the person in this office chooses to do. I need someone who can make those choices to succeed me here.  Are you up to the job?"

Janeway looked at the admiral stunned. 

"You don't have to decide right now. We have... Time..." Garrett actually smiled. "In the meantime, I need to go speak to another Captain  Janeway. Her ship still has a long way to go. It will take her crew time but I expect they'll make it back sometime in the next sixteen years or so. Sooner if we can help it."
> Kang's March
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A look into the Klingon side of things...

Kang's March

Qo'noS, 2343

Kor, Dahar Master studied his long time comrade, Kang with a mix of  annoyance and befuddlement as Kang, as per his usual pattern ever since  Kor's appointment to the Imperial Academy's Oversight Board, had come,  with Koloth in tow and plucked Kor's candidate list from his hand. Kang  would read it without speaking a word and then return it without  comment. It was perplexing and a little irritating.

This time was different as Kang paused about a quarter of the way from  the top. He seemed to be scrutinizing one name. "This one." He thrust  the PADD back at Kor, who took it and stared dismissively at the name.

"Ah! Yes! Martok! A peasant from the Ketha Lowlands. What of him?"

"His family has served the Empire for fifteen generations."

"As common soldiers, Kang. it is clear that young Martok forgets his place."

"I believe this one has great potential. I would sponsor him myself but I would prefer that you do so, my old friend."

"More of your secret information, old friend?" Kor smirked. They all remembered how Kang had arrived at the Battle of Khitomer escorting the Federation Starship Excelsior. Kang  had offered no explanation to the High Council but to Kor and Koloth,  he had confided that information of Chang's treachery had come from the  same source as the information which had helped them track down the  Albino with help from Kruge.

"Indeed. Fate has marked Martok for great things, my friend. It would be  wise to travel with the river than against it. BUT do mind young Martok  that he had better prove worthy of your confidence."

"THAT I can do."

"I thought you might."

"Is he really that good?"

"Do you know Linkasa?"

"Of course! His is a great noble line!"

"Young Martok is destined to conquer the heart of Linkasa's daughter Sirella."

"Sirella? Well then! Who am I to stand in the way of any young man who  can manage that!" Kor laughed, raising a cup of blood wine. "Now tell  me..." He said then took a drink, savoring it. "What does the Fleet  Design Bureau have up its sleeve next? I see you've ordered every D-12  pulled from the fleet."

"Indeed. Defective plasma coils. I believe the last ship off the line is in service to the House of Duras."

"A House full of schemers," Koloth spat in disdain."

"On that, we certainly agree," Kor replied. "I wonder if their blood is a bit thin?"

"Perhaps," Kang noted. "But it will be the duty of others to end their  line. At any rate, We'll be adding more Vorchas to the fleet. Kellet's  triumph is a masterpiece but requires much in the way of manpower.  There's nothing to be done for it. The Imperial Fleet takes precedence  over the House fleets."

"So... Another blow is struck against the feudal fleets."

"Indeed. The safety of the Empire is much more important than the glory of a single House."

"Quite."
> Last Mission
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Mission

In the Year 2355:

"Captain's  Log: We are en route to the Maxia Zeta star system to conduct a routine survey of the system. Hopefully, once our survey is complete, we will be given permission to proceed to Starbase 217 for repair, resupply, and shore leave. This Old Girl and her crew and Captain are due for a  rest." With that, Jean-Luc Picard closed the log and glanced around the familiar bridge of the Stargazer. The ship was long overdue for overhaul and modernization but little was likely to ever be done. while hailed as part of Starfleet's 'Next Great Leap' when introduced in the late  2280s, the Constellation-class had been perhaps a leap too far. The design never met expectations. The Constellations became the fleet's  'lost children'. Never first in line for the new upgrades, only soldiering on while the Excelsiors and then the Ambassadors drew the plum assignments and the funds for upgrades.

But to Jean-Luc Picard, none of that mattered. Stargazer was HIS ship... his Lady.

And he was her Captain.

Over at tactical, Lieutenant Vigo frowned as an alarm chirped. At that moment, all the bridge monitors lit with the same odd emblem.

"What...?" Picard's voice was a bare whisper.

"We're dropping out of Warp. Helm controls are not responding," The helmsman replied.

Code Sunset? Picard thought. He had been briefed upon Code Sunset and the Omega Directive when he was given official command of the Stargazer but the briefing had  been frustratingly vague. It only stated that Code Sunset material was not to officially be entered into the ship's logs or discussed without prior authorization. Directives given under Code Sunset were to be followed to the letter even if those directives violated other Starfleet orders or even to the point of violating General Order One itself. Even the Omega Directive was to be considered less binding than a Directive issued under Code Sunset. Picard had heard the rumors, like many in  Starfleet. Of course, he didn't believe in Celestial Prophecies. It was  all very odd and yet now he had an actual Code Sunset on his hands. He input his command code and the Sunset emblem ended.

"Helm controls have been released, Captain. Shall I resume course?"

"Negative  Lieutenant. Hold position." Picard turned to the tactical station.  "Vigo, Bring us to Condition Yellow. I want our shields up and maintain a  full sensor sweep of the area. You have the bridge, Number One. I'll be  in my ready room."

"Aye, Captain!"

Leaving  the bridge for his ready room, Picard quickly seated himself at his  computer terminal., where the mysterious 'Sunset' insignia was still displayed. "Authorization Picard  Tango One-one-four."

"Acknowledged,"  the computer voice responded in that very familiar tone. It would possibly have been of mild interest that the ship's computer voice was that of Adrianna Chapel, First Officer of the USS Enterprise a century earlier. As it was, it was no more than a minor curiosity. On his screen, the image of a Star Fleet legend spoke.

"Hello Captain," The image of Admiral Christopher Pike greeted him. "Sorry for the dramatic introduction but we had to get your full attention.  Information in our possession leads us to believe with near certainty that a hostile vessel is waiting for you in the Maxia Zeta system,  hidden on one of the moons of Maxia Zeta IV, we believe. Now... With some quick thinking and innovative tactics, you would be able to destroy your attacker... And NO, Captain. They will not stop to talk things out... But by that point, USS Stargazer will be a loss. Light casualties among your crew but we can avoid that and would prefer to do so if possible. So here's what we're going to do about it..."


***

A  short time later, Picard returned to the Stargazer's bridge. His First  Officer rose from the command chair. "Sir? Any idea of what's going on  here?"

"I'm not completely sure, Number One. But at least we have instructions to follow." He turned to Vigo. "Send the following message on Starfleet Frequency Four,  tight beam."

"Frequency four, Captain? That frequency hasn't been used in decades!"

"Never-the-less, Vigo. Send the following message: 'Lafayette Awaits.'"

"Aye, sir." Vigo acknowledged. Orders were orders after all... Even if they didn't make sense.

"Message sent sir."

"And now we wait."


***






Approximately an hour later, Vigo jerked upright. "Captain! I'm picking up another ship, closing fast! She's now dropping to sublight."

"Big ship..." The First Officer noted. "I've only seen colony movers that big."

Picard nodded.

"We're receiving a hail."

"On screen."

"Lafayette... We have arrived," the woman seated in the center of the screen announced. Then she gave a wry look. "Don't look at me, Captain. that was put in my mission packet before either of us was even born."

"Admiral... Garrett?"

"Yes, Captain Picard. I'm here because we have a delicate situation to deal with here."

"So I'm told," Picard replied skeptically.

"I  felt the same way eleven years ago when Admiral Sulu summoned me to her  office and informed me that I was about to take my ship and crew into a  hopeless battle."

"But Narendra III was a decisive victory, both for the Federation and for our relations with the Klingon Empire."

"But imagine if I had taken my ship into that fight alone. I, my ship, and my entire crew would be dead. So, based on personal experience, I take  this information VERY seriously." 

"Of course, Admiral."

"The  Stargazer will accompany the Enterprise Sigma to Maxia Zeta. The  Enterprise has just come out of dock with a few upgrades to her shields and weaponry. We should be able to handle a single Ferengi vessel."

"The Ferengi?" There were rumors about the Ferengi but very little was actually known.

The  Ferengi may be the least of Starfleet's worries in coming years but shouldn't be dismissed out of hand. It's a dangerous galaxy out there.  Perhaps more now than in any other point since the foundation of the  Federation."

"Whatever is out there, we'll be ready to handle it."

If you only knew, Captain, Garrett thought. There were times she dearly wished she could have refused Admiral Sulu's invitation to succeed her in charge of 'Project Sunset' but the knowledge was now her burden to bear. Including the knowledge that not all horrible things could be avoided. "While en route," Garrett said, not replying to Picard's comment, "You have some homework. In your mission packet, you will find information on the 'Picard Maneuver'. Study it well and draw up a report on its implementation. You'll be giving a report on it back at Starfleet  Academy in six weeks."

"The... 'Picard Maneuver'?"

"I  would assign you to do a report on the 'Riker Maneuver' but that's a  tale for another day. In the meantime, have your ship take station off  our port quarter."

Picard turned to his helmsman. "Make it so, lieutenant."

"Aye, Captain."

"Until our rendezvous with the Ferengi, then, Captain. Garrett out." The main viewscreen cut back to an external view as the helmsman maneuvered alongside the massive Enterprise Sigma.

"Well, then, Number One. You have the bridge! I'll be in my ready room... studying."


***






"I  am picking up signs of the Ferengi vessel near the second moon of Maxia  Zeta IV," Enterprise's science officer, an Equestrian Mare named  Shooting Star reported. A one time student of Twilight Sparkle, Shooting  Star had a penchant for questioning everything her teacher said. This posting seemed a 'logical' outlet for Shooting Star's energies.

"Very good, lieutenant.," Garrett acknowledged. She turned to her com officer. "Open hailing frequencies."

"Hailing frequencies open."

"Attention,  Ferengi vessel. This is Admiral Garrett. Quoting rule 125 of the Rules  of Acquisition: You can't make a deal if you're dead."

"We're receiving a response."

"On-screen."

The main viewer switched on to show a young, Ferengi male glowering back at them. "What do Hoo-mans know of the Sacred Rules of Acquisition?"

Garrett smirked predatorily, recalling the 48th Rule of Acquisition: 'The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife'. "I know Rule number 7: 'Keep your ears open'. That's good advice to follow if you don't want to pay  more on this transaction than necessary."

"The 2nd rule. But Rule 190 states: 'Hear all, trust nothing'."

"Well spoken... But trust this: If you think that 'War is good for business',  then you are, of course, welcome to attack us. But I would suggest that  'Peace is better for YOUR business.' We value the lives of our people as you value latinum. So Imagine the lengths we will go to to protect what we hold of value. Your ship is outgunned and your shields are paper  compared to what my weapons can do."

"You would not boast so loudly if you ACTUALLY had the power to back up your threats... Hoo-man."

"Unless I stood to profit from sparing you..." The Admiral's grin widened.

"What profit would that be... Hoo-man?"

"Your father... Daimon Bok... Now owes us a favor. We will collect it when we are ready. In the meantime, consider that knowledge and patience equal profit. And remember... You will find that attacking the Federation may bring small, quick profits... But the price ALWAYS comes due. Now. Let us have a mutually profitable discussion. Shall we...?"


***






Onboard the Stargazer, Jean-Luc Picard watched the Ferengi ship go.

"The Enterprise is hailing us."

"On screen." Picard waited as Admiral Garrett's visage appeared once more. "An impressive display of 'diplomacy', Admiral."

"Thank you. Now... Unfortunately, I have new orders for you. The Stargazer  will proceed with us, under our tow to an undisclosed location and stand  down upon arrival."

"Admiral... I don't understand! The Stargazer is..."

"Your ship, Captain. Believe me. I know. She's old, overworked and underpowered, on the verge of flying apart at the seams sometimes. But she's your ship.  And that's why, Captain. Because while the day will come when the Federation WILL need her again, that day isn't today. We need you and your crew now but the Stargazer is going to get the rest and refitting she deserves. I hope you bring the same dedication to the  next ship placed in your care..."


***






Sixteen Years Later

Captain  Jean Luc Picard felt the pain of the altogether familiar scene as the  USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D, entered Starbase Independence for decommissioning.

"Have you ever been here before, Captain?" He asked Captain Kirk, who took the mission specialist seat on Picard's left.

"I  was here when it was built. Back in those days, there weren't quite so many ships in here. The Reliant... The Grissom... And a lot of open  slips."

At tactical, Mr.  Worf looked up. "We are receiving instructions to moor in slip nineteen.  Admiral Garrett will be waiting there."

"Acknowledge, Mr. Worf." Picard turned to the conn officer. "Make it so."

"Aye, sir."

As the Enterprise slid into her last mooring, Picard noticed a very familiar ship in the next berth over. Except this ship was glistening,  pristine from bow to stern.  On the saucer, Picard could clearly see the registry: USS Stargazer, NCC-2893. So here now was his pride and his first love, berthed together. Unlike Admiral Garrett, Jean Luc Picard had no idea what awaited him. But for the moment, he felt content. The next adventure lay ahead, yet to come.
> Red Squad
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Red Squad



"I can't say I'm happy about any of this," Benjamin Sisko said with an appraising look at his guest. 

"No," Captain Kirk replied. "And we'll leave the call in your hands. But it seems Mister Nog has the potential to be a good Captain. Unfortunately, you and I both know the sort of things that shape a Captain."

"And Jake? He's not the same boy who used to build model starships."

"No. He's a young man who is learning to make sound judgments and someone Mister Nog listens to." Kirk pointed out. "At least this will be a simulation."

"That's true. I wish they didn't need to go through this but at least they'll be safe."

"As well as the crew on the Valiant," Kirk pointed out. 

"May I ask a question, Captain?" 

"By all means."

"Do you ever wish you never knew?"

Kirk paused in thought. "I'd be lying if I said I had no regrets. At first, I couldn't help but think about the missions already come and gone. The Constellation, the Intrepid, the Defiant, the crew of the Exeter, the Excalibur, Captain Garrovick and half of the crew of the Farragut, lives lost on the Lexington, Hood, Potemkin, and others lost on my own ship. If only... But that's like cursing good fortune for not being fortunate enough."

Kirk shook his head. "No. Then came the lives I couldn't save, even with advanced knowledge. By fixing one thing, do I cause  worse damage elsewhere down the line? That's our responsibility. Lives depending on what we do or fail to do. But we have a chance to make a difference and I'm grateful for that. Besides, it's all partly your fault anyway."

"My fault, Captain?"

"Why yes... Lieutenant Sisko. It was your appearance at K-7 that convinced me that it would be possible to make use of the information in the discs we were given. And... now I know who it was tossing tribbles at me."

"We were looking for a bomb, sir."

"Yes, and you have my thanks for that. Death by exploding tribble isn't exactly the way I intend to meet my maker."

"Not exactly the way to Sto-Vo-Kor," Sisko commented.

"Not exactly..."


***


Cadet Collins stood at rigid attention as Captain Kirk stood in front of her. She had no idea why  a genuine Starfleet legend had any interest in her. She might have been part of Red Squad but as some of her classmates reminded her,  occasionally, she had only barely made the cut. Still, she was here,  alone of all of them. It was quite perplexing. She and her fellow cadets had been summoned to report to the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-Σ. Perhaps this had been meant to replace the canceled cruise of the Valiant.  Everyone was eager to find out.

"Cadet..."  Kirk began, his voice surprisingly mild. "You and your fellow cadets are here to participate in and test a new series of training simulations. We used the profiles of the members of Red Squad to program the base simulation: A small starship... in this case, the Valiant...  Is stranded behind hostile lines. Only cadets are left to man the ship.  Being part of Red Squad, you should be able to notice any flaws in the program. For the purpose of this exercise, you will not be told which of your fellow cadets are your actual classmates and which are holograms to prevent observer bias. The same for anyone you encounter while in the  simulation." He fixed her gaze firmly. "I will tell you and you alone that there will be two outside participants introduced into the simulation at a certain point. They have not been told this exercise is a  simulation. This is very important as their reaction to the simulation will be further confirmation of the effectiveness of the program.  Understood?"

"Yes sir!"

"Good. Dismissed."


***


Later the next day, Captain Sisko joined Captain Kirk in watching the ship's four holodecks. In Holodeck One, Ensign Nog was awake from his nap, now manning the simulated helm of the runabout Shenandoah, he and Jake Sisko having been beamed off the actual Shenandoah as they slept. Holodecks  Two, Three, and Four were already running simulations of the USS  Valiant, cadets having been randomly admitted to one of the Holodecks or other slowly over the course of the previous day. The sole exception was Holodeck Two. Only Cadet Collins had been sent there. At the appropriate time, Jake and Nog would be beamed into Holodeck Two for the remainder of the simulation.


***


"It was a good ship, with a good crew... That made a mistake."

Benjamin  Sisko felt a touch of pride listening to Ensign Nog. Even as he felt an even greater pride in his son. Jake had seen the warning signs clearly.  Had done his best to convince the Valiant's crew to see reason. Nog had fallen into the trap of wanting to be part of the group, wanting to be seen as their equal but in the end, Nog had seen their folly.

"He didn't fail us... We failed him."

Cadet  Collins, on the other hand, had not yet accepted the truth. It was time to bring the simulation to a close on Holodeck Two. The simulations on  Holodecks Three and Four were still in progress, their programs augmented with the data from the simulation run on Holodeck Two.

"Cadet."

Cadet Collins jumped to her feet as Captain Kirk entered the room with Captain Sisko.

"At ease. You three have been through a lot. Now, it's time for you to understand just exactly what and why. If you three will look at the monitor. Computer! Play 'Deep Space Nine' episode 'Valiant.'

The three young people watched in mute shock as the incidents they had just experienced, recorded long before they were born, played out.

"What was that, sir?" Nog asked, his curiosity warring with the sick pit in his stomach.

"That,  Ensign,' Captain Sisko answered. "Is what really would have happened. A  ship lost and a crew dead. And a proud father relieved that his son and  a damn good officer had survived."

Cadet Collins shrank, noting her exclusion.

"Cadet,"  Kirk spoke firmly. "My evaluation of your performance: You performed your duties admirably. You believe that you failed your ship and  Captain? Let me ask you: What could you, personally, have done differently. And if you can't find another answer other than to go down  with the ship, then I submit to you that you didn't fail." His tone became almost gentle. "You were failed. What we need to decide is by whom. And you need to decide what you are going to take away from all this."

Collins nodded shakily. "Yes sir."

"Good.  Your fellow cadets are still running the simulation on Holodecks Three and Four. I want you to join Captain Sisko and myself in observing.

"Aye, sir."


*** 



After watching the other simulations reach their expected conclusions, Kirk waited a couple of hours before assembling the cadets on the recreation deck.

"What you all have just experienced was a simulation. But it all too just as easily could have been real. In which case, you would all be dead and a valuable ship  lost." He looked at Cadet Waters. "Any second thoughts, cadet?"

"Sir?"

"Cadet,  I'm going to tell you something... All of you. In Command... It is not a  Captain's duty to ensure everyone under his command survives. There may be times when you are required to send men and women under your command to their deaths. And you'll do it because you have to. Because if you don't, more lives will be lost. That said, it is your responsibility that those lives are not wasted. You may be called to defend a convoy or a colony. You may be part of a fleet. But sometimes... During my first tour in command of the Enterprise, we encountered a planet-destroying weapon of immense power after it had already hopelessly crippled another  Federation starship. The sole survivor was an old friend of mine: I  will dare you to find a better man or a better friend than Matt Decker.  But his experiences had distorted his perceptions. Taking command of the  Enterprise, he insisted on continuing to attack the machine that destroyed his ship. He had the legal right to assume command... But had  Mr. Spock not relieved him, the Enterprise and her crew would have been lost."

He looked over all of them. 

"That  is what Starfleet expects of you: To perform your duties and follow orders, of course. But not blind obedience. Never that. Remember: you aren't invincible. You can and will make mistakes. You need to learn to recognize and admit to them. Because none of us are perfect.  None of us are invincible... And none of us are immortal. Luckily, you  all still have the chance to learn."

Kirk looked straight at Cadet Waters.

"Not everyone gets another chance. Make the most of it."


***


Later that day, a very frustrated Cadet Karen Farris sat in the mess hall, staring at her datapad. With an irritated sigh, she slammed the pad down on the table.

"Ye seem to be havin' quite the dilemma, cadet," a Scottish burr spoke. Farris looked up.

"Uh! Captain! I..."

Captain Scott sat down with a paternal smile. "Call me Scotty." He gestured to the pad. "It dinnae insult ye, did it?"

Farris,  against her own will, blushed and smiled slightly. "Uh... No sir...  um... Scotty... It's... I was sure these torpedoes would cut through the  Jem Hadar Battleship like nothing! I can't find my mistake! All the  math says it should work!"

Captain Scott chuckled. "Lass! Have ye ever heard of 'Perera's Field Theory...?"
> One Nation, Under Kahless
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

One Nation, Under Kahless

First City: Qo'nos

"Lord Kang, Valkris reports finding signs of The Albino. What appears to be a small base in the Mempa Sector. While I do not expect the  Albino to be in residence, I request permission to make an attack and  see if any of his... associates might be willing to... discuss... his  whereabouts."

Kang nodded, a thin smile playing at his features. Kirk had been correct in his assessment of Kruge. Of course, Kruge was extremely ambitious but that was balanced by the fact that the man was also extremely capable. 

"Granted, Kruge... And advice from an older warrior to a younger warrior..."

"Certainly, Lord Kang?" While Kruge trusted himself more than anyone, the Dahar Master had long earned Kruge's respect. Allying with  Kang's now rising fortunes certainly seemed to have been a wise choice on Kruge's part and so he was quite happy to take the wisdom of a proven warrior.

"Great Houses require two things to be successful: A strong and capable man to lead it and an equally worthy Lady by his side. It would be a  foolish Klingon who allowed the Lady Valkris to slip through his  fingers." Kang withheld a smile at the expression on Kruge's face. 

"But first, he must prove himself, My Lord. A Lady such as Valkris is not moved by empty poetry. Also, her aim is much too good to waste time  in... traditional... courting."

"And prove yourself, you shall, Kruge. And so you shall! Qa'pla!"

Kruge returned his salute and cut the link. Kang chuckled. Kruge was a  valuable asset and one that Kang was carefully cultivating. Kruge was a  sharp blade and that made him potentially dangerous if one slipped in handling him. 

In the game of 4-D chess that Kang found himself involved in, he now took stock of the board:

His allies: Koloth and Kor... Brothers bound by fate, blood, and battle.  Even if Kang occasionally needed to temper Koloth's haughtiness or  Kor's arrogance, both could be counted upon to stand at his side no matter what. Perhaps the survival of his son might keep Kor from becoming the 'Drunken Master'. I hope so. The Empire needs him.

Naturally, Kang equally trusted his own crew. They would stand with him to Gre'thor and back. He regretted that he would not be able to protect young Worf's family from some of the misfortune it would face but his grandson was a lynchpin of what was needed to be. Somehow, Kang did find it amusing that the grandson of Worf was a character perhaps more central to what was, after all, a human tale than any of the humans themselves. At the very least, Kang would look after Kurn when the time came. 

Beyond his cherished comrades and his crew, Kang considered old General Korrd as a possible ally. That was if Kang could draw the old warrior out of his own lost battle with a barrel of bloodwine without a mad Vulcan mystic to do the job, as Mister Spock had solemnly sworn that no such Half-Brother actually existed. Of course,  Kang would have to be careful. At present,  Korrd's standing in the  Empire was non-existent even though once, Korrd had been as revered as any warrior in the Empire. Under the right circumstances, both Korrd and the young Captain Klaa would be good allies.

On the other hand, Kang did not feel at all comfortable with either the future Chancellor Gorkon or the future Brigadier Kerla. True that Gorkon was a good man who would give his life to lead the Empire away from its own destruction and Kerla was honorable enough, but they were still both political animals and Kang admitted that politics always turned  Kang's stomach sour. Gorkon's daughter, Azetbur, would prove to be a  remarkable person in her own right but Kang wondered if Gorkon's death was one of those 'missed opportunities' of history yet to come. While it was essential that General Chang and his followers be taken out of the game, much time and political capital would be spent securing Azetbur's position as High Chancellor. 

And there Kang saw it: The single most weakening factor in the Empire's future: The Noble Houses of the Empire. The struggle of various Klingon  Houses for supremacy in the Empire at the expense of the Empire as a  whole. The ships popularly known in the Federation as 'Birds of Prey'  were symbolic of this. These ships with their smaller crews and planetary landing capability made them ideal for the various Houses to wage war with each other. The D7s, K'T'ingas, and the later Vorchas  (Once Kellet unraveled how to build one) were ships of the state as a  whole. United, the Empire was a force to be reckoned with. Forces divided amongst petty chieftains, the Empire's strength was dissipated.   Not to mention that House fleets rarely bothered with logistics.  Paperwork might be a pain but logistics were key in winning a war and armies or fleets that neglected logistics in favor of 'getting every gun possible' tended to fail. In Earth's history, the Imperial Japanese  Navy neglected logistics and the resources to protect such assets. Their failure to secure a quick victory doomed them to be choked AND crushed at the same time by an opponent who did not skimp on the logistics required to keep their forces fighting. The Imperial Fleet was a  force that had given the Federation pause. The Feudal divides of the  Klingons sapped that strength and provided cracks for the Empire's enemies to pry at.

But even if Gorkon's survival might help stem the resurgence of feudalism, Kang had to permit Chang and his followers to conspire with  Admiral Cartwright and the Romulan, Nanclus so that all their rot could be cleared out.

Of course, that didn't mean Kang had to let them succeed.

The trick was in making certain that the Empire's potential wasn't uselessly wasted. The Empire could not drift into war with the  Federation and like it or not, the Romulans too had a part in saving them all, so launching a war to remove the backstabbers permanently wasn't an option. And not a way to engender good relations with the  Federation. 

As for Praxis, Kang had no desire to see Qo'nos suffer from its destruction but it had been the loss of Praxis that had been the impetus for peace with the Federation and the rise of Chancellor Gorkon from relative obscurity. The Empire needed an impetus for change. 

Kang had considered it carefully from every angle and he believed he had an idea of how to both stop the destruction of Praxis and present a  situation where the Empire needed to make a rapprochement with the Federation. Perhaps the Empire needed to expand its horizons a bit. The  Empire needs to reassess the galaxy. The Romulans are not our friends... The Breen are still out there... The Ferengi will steal from anyone... And The Cardassians await. there is an answer in this somewhere.

As for Gowron... I can only wait and see. Duras cannot lead the Empire but nor can I allow a single Klingon's jealousy and envy to waste the lives of Klingons. 

One era at a time, Kang. One era at a time...
> TMI
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

TMI
Canterlot High- EQG Universe.

"Alright, Twilight. See you next week."

"Right! Thanks again, Sunset, Trixie!"

"No prob!" Sunset waved. "Just keep us in the loop on how things are going."

"Of course!" Twilight replied and stepped through the portal.

As Sunset turned around, she saw Trixie with a thoughtful expression.

"What?"

"Trixie is thinking we might be able to help more."

"How?" Sunset asked.

'We gave them the movies and five series but what about Beta Canon?"

Sunset looked at Trixie with alarm. "Are you insane? Beta Canon is a confused mess of contradictions! Giving them that could be worse than useless!"

"No,  Sunset, Trixie has not gone insane. Hear me out." Trixie held up a  hand. "We know that certain authors have already shown some reliability:  We know that Pirates of Orion actually happened, so Howard  Weinstein's books should at least be considered. We met Harb Tanzer and  Ensign Naraht: That means Diane Duane's works should be considered. Forged in Fire we're already gambling as being correct due to the connections to known episodes. So those authors should be considered. And it seems that John M. Ford's Final Reflection and the Klingon Dictionary have legitimacy also."

"That's true but what about Marshak and Culbreath? I just can't take Triangle or Prometheus Design as making any sense in relation to what we know to fit. And Duane may have been mostly right but the USS Inaieu seems unlikely. At least as she's  portrayed in the book."

"I said some  veracity. Better that they have access to the ones which have some veracity on record. But yes... Trixie would not include Marshak and  Culbreath. Dreadnought also reads like a self-insert fic. I mean, the Franz Joseph Technical Manual aside, do you really believe anyone in the Federation would name a ship Star Empire? We DO know that the Federation did build the Federation, Saladin, Hermes, and Ptolemy classes...  But Trixie does not buy an advanced Dreadnought secretly built by a  renegade admiral right under everyone's nose to start a war with the  Klingons to be any more believable in Dreadnought than in Into Darkness. But we can ask Twilight to check a list of names to see if anything comes up."

"Wow! I see you've given this some thought!"

"Naturally. It is my duty to provide facts, not speculation."

"And if there IS a chance that a bunch of nutcases are going to detonate an anti-matter bomb and kill a million people... We can't ignore it."

"We actually might want to hurry on that one. My reading suggests that if it happens, it will be soon."

"This is one story I really hope is wrong."

"It probably is but a couple of inquiries that turn out negative? Trixie can live with. A million innocent people dying and the defense system proceeding to shoot down everything in the sky? No."

"Good point." Sunset conceded. "Anything else that jumps out at you?"

"I'm going to concentrate on checking anything scheduled to happen prior to  2363. Especially anything scheduled from 2269 to 2293. Beta canon is  nothing to make certain plans around but having contingencies is  logical."

"Anything else? FASA? SFB? Exeter, New Voyages, Farragut?"

"SFB is by its own admission, a completely different universe. They aren't even allowed to use the name 'Enterprise'  beyond the ship rosters. And I would take fan-films with a planetoid size grain of salt. FASA seems to have more potential  but I'm not sure how much. Maybe Scotty can check the viability of some of the ship types  but a LOT of the material got contraindicated by TNG and other  sources."

"Well, at least we'll know we've done everything we can."
> A Cup of Water From the Oceans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Cup of Water from the Oceans

Starbase Independence- Year 2372

"You know, Captain, Temporal Investigations would flip if they knew what you were about to pull. I've had a look at their file on you: Seventeen  separate temporal violations..." Admiral Garrett smirked.

Kirk chuckled. "Only seventeen? I guess someone wasn't paying attention."

"Well, we both know how potentially dangerous this mission is."

"But necessary," Kirk replied. "Starship crew don't grow on trees. As for Temporal Investigations, as Spock once said: A difference which makes no difference is no difference."

"Speaking of the Ambassador, how is he?"

"He's fine. He and Captain Spock have been training together. They tell me they are certain they can close the loop on their end. Hopefully,  Captain Satak will be open-minded."

"Hopefully," Garrett agreed. "And Captain Scott? has he finished installing the cloaking device that Kang sent us?"

"He wasn't exactly thrilled with it but he's got it running."

"I'm not thrilled either. I sacked Eric Pressman for violating the Treaty of  Algeron and here I am, with all the best intentions. violating that  same treaty."

"Well, when we get back, we'll ship it back to Kang and you can drink a bottle of  Romulan Ale in penance," Kirk replied. "But Scotty's complaints are more  about the cross-patching he had to do to get the thing hooked up, to  begin with."

"Ah! Well, as  long as it works then, I can live with it." She answered. "Have you decided your targets? We can't exactly justify snatching Judge Crater,  after all."

Kirk nodded.  There had to be limits on the stunt they were planning and one of those limits was that the targets of interest at least had to have potentially useful skills to justify possibly shedding his engines on. That placed the extreme limit at the mid-22nd century. Kirk and his officers decided that the year 2161 was a practical limit to their exercise.

"We came down to five possibilities. The earliest and easiest would be the USS Essex NCC-173.  We know where she went down and when her last contact with Starfleet was made. We can head her off and evacuate the crew. There's no way a Daedelus class could survive Warp Breakaway. We'll have to scuttle the ship."

Garrett nodded. "And the others?"

"I gave serious thought to the USS Defiant,  NCC-1764. We had very strong arguments for intercepting the ship before she reached Tholian interspace. We could save the ship and her crew.  The Defiant was practically a new ship, fresh out of spacedock and she could definitely survive Warp Breakaway. Morally... Knowing now where the ship went, we could yank the teeth on a dangerous reflection of our own selves. Prevent centuries of slaughter and oppression."

"But..."

"But that would directly affect my own timeline. There is a small but  definite chance that would affect my judgment on the Sunset Files with  my experiences no longer including that particular set of memories."

"And potentially undoing all the good we've done."

"Yes. I don't like it. But we can't save the Defiant."

"And the others?"

"Possibly..."


***


2267




"Captain's  Log: We are fast approaching planet Omega IV. Given the time index on the logs recovered from the Exeter, we should arrive soon after Captain  Tracey's beam down. As soon as his landing party beams back, we will begin jamming subspace frequencies. I will then attempt to make contact  with the Exeter's crew while there is still time."

Captain Kirk switched off the log and turned to Spock. "Preliminary scans?"

"The Exeter is currently in orbit. Life signs indicate that the crew is quite alive, Captain."

Kirk stood up from his command seat and went over to the science station.  "Very... good, Spock." He turned to Communications. "Commander M'Ress,  begin tapping the Exeter's com system."

"Aye,  Captain." Her arms stretched over her console almost reflexively. After a moment, she almost seemed to grin predatorily as the Exeter's MC1  circuit chattered through the air. After a few minutes of routine  intraship chatter, they finally picked up the signals they had been  waiting for:

"Landing party to Exeter, Commander Nash here. Prepare to beam us up. Captain  Tracey will be staying ground side for a bit but we've found the source of the signal. Looks to be an old Earth survey drone. Check the database  for anything on the ECS Philidelphia."

"Acknowledged, Commander. Beam back at the original coordinates then sir?"

"Affirmative, lieutenant."

"Exeter standing by."

"Five to beam up! Energize!"

Spock turned to his station. "They're beaming aboard now, Captain."

"Commander M'Ress, begin jamming communicator frequencies."

"Beginning jamming," M'Ress answered. "I'm sending an ionic pulse into the atmosphere. That should scramble dirtside communication for a while."

"Good.  Hopefully long enough to convince those people over there what just happened... Hopefully, their own words just might convince them..."


***

"I  just can't believe it..." Commander Nash shook his head sadly as he read the report. "I never would have believed the Captain would go that  far."

"Not your fault, Commander," Doctor Carter told him as they sat in Enterprise's main briefing room some several hours after Captain Kirk's hail. "You've been aboard six months. I've worked with the man for years and  I wouldn't have predicted it." He turned to Kirk. "I guess we never  know what we're truly capable of until we're pushed to the limit."

"Well, speaking for myself and the rest of the crew of the Enterprise... We wouldn't have survived without your courage, doctor."

"So what happens next, Captain?" Nash asked.

"Starfleet needs good officers, Commander... Even in the 24th century. We have some stops to make first but eventually, we'll be in the year 2372.  You'll be asked to renew your commissions and if you do, you'll be  trained on new equipment and then reassignment to a new ship."

"So... Captain, that Emergency Medical Hologram," Doctor Carter noted. "Is that standard?"

"I  know what you're thinking, Doctor. For a program, he has his moments.  But rest assured that we need flesh and blood physicians as much as  holographic ones."

"Good to know, Captain."

In the meantime, copies of the Exeter's logs from the mission that so nearly had been, were now being entered into Exeter's computer, and Spock had gone aboard with a copy of Doctor Carter's log, ensuring that the Surgeon's log would be found when the Enterprise boarding party arrived in six months time. The bigger task had been to lay out the empty uniforms and piles of chemicals to complete the scene. An unsettling task to be sure, but one that needed to be done correctly...

In the briefing room, a chime sounded.

"Bridge to Captain Kirk, Lieutenant Stadi here. We're now entering system L-374..."