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Same headers and notes apply from last prologue.
In the Delta Quadrant on a planet known as Chandilar, the night was peaceful. It was unseasonably warm, and the moons shone brightly on the capital city.
The Temple of Sharra and K’ythri sat near the city center and, as it was late, stood mostly empty. Lilandra Neramani gathered her cape around her as she walked up the temple steps. The guards by the door knelt when they saw her; she bade them to rise, and they did.
“It is awfully late, Princess,” one guard said to her. “Do you not have more important matters of which to attend?”
Lilandra paused. “There is nothing more important than paying my respects to our Gods. I shan’t be long.”
“By your leave, Princess,” the other guard replied. “Do you require an escort?”
“I require nothing except my privacy,” she said without looking back as the large double-doors were pushed open. “Fifteen minutes is all I need.”
“Of course.” The guards kneeled a second time as she walked inside. The temple was dark; the only lights were the odd candle and the glow of the three moons through the windows.
As silently as she could, Lilandra made her way through the temple to the object she sought. She crept behind a corner and stayed hidden in the darkness.
It was about time for the guard to change; she would have approximately two minutes to steal the artifact and get out of the chamber. Sure enough, the guard on duty began to leave. She left her alcove and walked to the item: the most precious belonging of the Empire.
A pink crystal about a meter across, it was faceted in a way that it appeared to glow from within. It was called the M’Kraan crystal, and it belonged to the Shi’ar for countless years.
Taking a quick look around her to make certain she was alone, Lilandra entered the code to release the crystal from its stasis field. The field went dark, and she grabbed it, securing it to her waist using a special anti-gravity belt. Her robes billowed enough that it was not visible.
She then pulled out a flat disc and placed it where the crystal sat. A hologram sprang to life of the crystal; it was three-dimensional and programmed to have the same lighting as the real thing. Lilandra then turned the stasis field back on before turning to leave the chamber.
She could not help but clutch her robe around her as she passed the new guard. Just a few meters more, and she would be out. It would be over for better or for worse.
At least, it would be over until she left on her starship.
Lilandra stepped through the polished double doors, nodding to the new guards. As casually as she could manage, she made her way down the steps and away from the temple.
Behind her, she heard an alarm go off. Without even looking back, she ran; her ship was not far. As soon as she was in range, she would be transported onto it. “M’kraen,” she called as she raised her wrist communicator to her mouth. “Beam me up. They’re onto me!”
Lights materialized around her, and she teleported onto her starship. Several crewmembers saluted at her as she stepped off the pad and onto the floor of the ship proper. Her ship’s crew was a skeleton; there were few people that Lilandra trusted with her mission, and those few had pledged their fealty to her, and more importantly, to preserve the Empire.
“I have it,” she said with more authority than she really felt. “Let’s go, before they start to pursue us.”
“At once, Princess,” her pilot said from his console. He steered the ship out of Chandilar’s orbit, and immediately engaged the engines to full throttle. Lilandra handed the crystal to M’Kraen, her first officer and trusted friend.
Quelling her nerves, she slipped into her normal role as admiral. “Set a course for the Sol system in the Alpha Quadrant,” she said.
Her crewmembers all paused.
“The…Sol system?” The pilot looked confused. “Admiral, we haven’t…they haven’t ever encountered us before. Won’t our sudden appearance cause an incident?”
Lilandra thought before answering. “While the inhabitants of the Sol system are unaware of the Shi’ar, we have known of them for centuries. The Federation may be our only hope to safeguard the crystal.” The stars began to form streaks on her view screen as the vessel picked up speed. “I only pray that we make it before my brother catches on to our plan.”
-----
Captain James Tiberius Kirk sat in his chair as he watched his helmsman, Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, maneuver the ship into position. “Be it ever so humble,” Jim said to no one in particular. “There’s no place like home.”
Ensign Pavel Chekov turned around to grin. There was a loud clicking sound as the ship connected to the dock.
Sulu sat back with a smile. “We’re in, sir,” he said as he turned around to face him.
Jim smiled and nodded. “Those system upgrades will hopefully be done smoothly,” he said.
Again, Chekov grinned. “It will be nice to be home for two weeks,” he said as he checked a screen on his console.
“Yeah,” Sulu said. “My folks are taking me out to dinner to celebrate.”
Before Jim could reply, Uhura spoke. “Starfleet command has been notified, Captain. The shuttles are in place; they are ready for us to disembark.”
“Awesome,” Jim said as he stood. He tugged on the hem of his tunic, smoothing out a non-existent wrinkle. “Begin the disembarking procedure as soon as possible. We don’t want to make the natives restless.”
“Aye, sir.”
Jim walked toward the door. “Spock, you have the conn. I’ve got to see a man about a horse.”
Spock, who sat at his console observing the docking procedure, looked confused by his words. He looked over to Uhura, who simply shook her head no. “Yes, Captain,” he answered. With that, Jim stepped off the bridge and began to make his way to his Ready Room.
By way of Medical.
It was a short ride down the turbo lift to deck six, and before long Jim was in front of the Medical wing.
Bones would probably be in his office, finishing up his last minute paperwork. He, Bones, and Scotty would be the last three officers off the ship, so he figured he would shoot the shit with Bones until it was time to disembark.
It wasn’t like he didn’t hang out in Medical all the time or anything.
Jim walked through the Med Bay doors, nodding as he went to the various staff members on duty. Christine Chapel smiled at him before gesturing to the office. Jim gave her a wink before pushing the entry code and stepping inside. Sure enough, Bones was at his desk typing something on his computer. “Jim,” he said without looking up.
“Hey Bones,” Jim said as he took the seat across from him. He smiled at his friend. “What’s shaking?”
“Same shit, different day,” Bones answered without looking up.
Well, that wouldn’t do.
“Ready for two weeks off? Going home to see your aunt and uncle?”
Bones did look up that time. “You already know the answer to that.”
It was true, Jim did know the answer. Bones was going back to Savannah to spend ten days with his family on their horse farm just off Whitemarsh Island. Jim would be staying in San Francisco to attend some meetings the brass scheduled for him, which was fine as his mother and Sam were both off-planet. He wished he could go to Georgia and be with Bones, but it wasn’t in the cards this time.
Jim grinned and changed tactics. “I’m visiting you from the Department of Redundancy Department. So sue me.”
Bones snorted but went back to his work.
Jim watched him type for a while, noticing the way the computer screen highlighted the green flecks in Bones’ eyes. “I’m going to be stuck in so many boring meetings.”
There went the eyebrow.
“Seriously, it’s going to be all ‘first contact this’ and ‘diplomacy that.’ It’s torture.” He waited for Bones’ usual answer along the lines of don’t be an ass, Jim.
“You’ve been tortured,” Bones said without looking up, and Jim’s grin widened at his success. “I put you back together after.”
Jim watched Bones with delight; he played perfectly into his hands. “Yeah, and I’d rather have that than these meetings.”
Bones stopped typing. “Perspective called, Jim, and she asked me to tell you that she misses you.”
Jim threw his head back and laughed; victory at last. “I just don’t know how I’ll deal with these meetings without having you to bug.”
Bones smiled: not a full smile like most people would give, but just the slightest upturning of his lips that told Jim he was genuinely happy. Something in Jim’s chest caught and constricted, and he smiled back.
“Won’t be long before we’re headed out on the shuttles,” Jim said. The look on Bones’ face predictably soured.
“God damn deathtraps,” Bones replied.
Jim became curious. “Why do you hate them so much, anyways?”
“I hate them because of...” Bones stopped typing and stared off into space for a second. Something crossed his features, something almost unspeakably sad. It faded, and he cleared his throat. “Reasons.”
Jim blinked. “You hate them because of reasons?” Even for Bones that was a thin excuse.
Bones’ eyes narrowed into little slits. “It’s a phobia, Jim. I don’t have to have logic for it,” he snapped.
Jim held up both his hands. “Okay, okay. Sorry; I won’t ask again.”
The anger receded, and Bones’ eyes focused on Jim. Fond exasperation danced in them, and Jim confirmed that it was a good look on Bones. “Don’t you have work to do?”
Jim leaned back, propping his feet up on Bones’ desk. Bones didn’t glare at him, but instead he chose to sit the same way. Their boots were only a couple of centimeters apart. “Nah, I finished all my paperwork yesterday. Pike wants to see us though, when we arrive on Earth. Spock too.”
“Better not take too long,” Bones replied. “I have a flight to catch tonight.” Bones typed a couple of commands and then shut down his computer. “Two flights in one day.” He looked up towards the ceiling. “What did I ever do to you?” he asked.
Jim smiled. “It’s all the alcohol, loose women, and swearing,” he said in a chipper tone.
Bones snorted. “Alcohol and swearing I’ll grant, but loose women? You must have me mixed up with you.”
Jim rolled his eyes. “I’m not as much of a slut as everyone assumes, not that there would be anything wrong with it if I was. You know me better than that.”
“Yeah, I do. I can’t help myself sometimes. If you want me to stop...”
Jim raised both eyebrows. “And lose your incredibly charming disposition and witty repartee? Never.”
Bones snorted, before taking one of his feet and knocking it against Jim’s boot. He did it a couple of times, his green eyes meeting Jim’s blue ones. They looked at each other for a long while as Bones continued to lightly kick Jim’s foot.
The buzzer to Bones’ office door rang. It was enough to break the...whatever, and Jim cleared his throat and looked away. Bones dropped his feet off the desk and sat normally in his chair. Pushing the button for his intercom, Bones said, “Come in.”
The door slid open, and there was the kindly face of Jabilo Geoffrey “Geoff” M’Benga. He smiled. “We’re about to take off,” he said. “Just wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything else before we all leave.”
Bones smirked and shook his head. “No, I think I can handle it, Geoff. Thanks for asking, though.”
“Of course,” Geoff answered back with his eyes twinkling. He smiled at Jim, who smiled back. “Captain.”
“Geoff,” Jim said. “Ready for two weeks off?”
“It will be nice to get home to Darfur,” Geoff answered. “Although I do have some meetings with a couple of Vulcan healers the first few days of our leave. T’palla is a friend going back to my days at the Science Academy.”
Jim and Bones both nodded.
“That’ll be nice, to catch up with an old friend,” Jim said. Bones nodded a second time.
“Yes, it will be.” Geoff grinned. “Anyways, if there’s nothing that you need, Leonard, I’ll go ahead and excuse myself to finish getting ready for the shuttle.”
Bones smiled. “Yeah, of course. Have a good shore leave, Geoff.”
“You too,” Geoff answered with a wave as he closed the door behind him. Bones and Jim watched him walk through the medical wing to the main door, a couple of the nurses following suit.
Uhura’s voice suddenly came over the loudspeaker. All crew members departing on shuttles alpha through gamma, please report to the shuttle bay at this time. Repeat, all crew members departing on shuttles alpha through gamma, please report to the shuttle bay at this time.
Jim and Bones looked at each other, the captain opting to stand and stretch. “Guess I should let you finish so you can be ready for when our shuttle departs,” he said.
Bones smiled at him again, that same slight upturning of his mouth. “All right then, Jim,” he answered. “See you in about an hour.”
As Jim made his way to the door, he grinned back at his best friend. “See you in an hour!”
With that, he made his way to his quarters to get his bag.
-----
Lieutenant-Commander Verbecke stood outside of his door on Starfleet’s new research facility, StarCore One.
“Hey Verbecke,” Doctor Peter Corbeau said with a smile. “I was going to watch a movie in the rec room. Would you like to join me?”
Verbecke smiled at Peter. “Actually yeah. Nothing too serious, though, and none of those cheesy rom-coms.”
Peter smiled. “I was thinking a classic screwball comedy actually.”
Nodding his head, Verbecke pushed the entry pad to his room. “Sounds great. Just let me take care of something really quickly.” The door slid open, and he stepped inside.
Doctor Corbeau made his way to the rec room; it was quiet on StarCore One. Most of the crew on the research station kept to themselves over the last few months. Things had started out social enough, but for some reason the situation changed.
He sat in the rec room and queued up one of his favorite old movies, Bringing Up Baby!. He paused it at the opening title sequence, choosing to wait for Verbecke instead of starting it without him.
Thirty minutes passed, and Peter frowned. Better to see what was going on, he decided, and he left the rec room, making his way back to Verbecke’s quarters. He pushed the entry bell and waited; it only took a second, but Verbecke answered.
Something was different, though. His expression and eyes were completely empty, like he was a shell.
“Hey,” Peter said, and it came out hesitant. “Are we still watching the movie?”
Verbecke’s eyes clouded over for a minute. It passed, and he turned to Corbeau with a smile that seemed artificial. It was too bright, too wide for when they were basically still acquaintances. “No, thank you,” he said. “I’m pretty tired. I plan on sleeping early tonight.”
With that, and without so much as a goodbye, Verbecke closed the door. Peter stood with a perplexed look on his face. That was almost...rude.
Oh, well. He’d worry about it later. For now, turning in early seemed to be a good idea.
He walked the rest of the way to his quarters, input his security code, and stepped inside. That was funny...the lights were dim, but not dark. He was positive he left them off entirely when he departed that morning. “Lights,” he called, and the room’s lights rose to their full brightness.
His quarters consisted of a large sitting area with a bedroom and bathroom off to one side. In the sitting area was an overstuffed easy chair.
In that easy chair sat a man.
He had to be at least seven feet tall, going by Peter’s estimation. He was in red armor of a curious nature; Peter had taken Interspecies Protocol like everyone else at Starfleet Academy, and he had never seen anything like it before. There were red chest plates that ended at the abdomen, exposing the man’s stomach. He also wore a red helmet with large protruding points. The strange ensemble ended with red armored leggings tucked into red boots.
“Who are you?” Peter asked.
“It does not matter,” the man answered in Standard. “I’m only here because you’re the last one.”
“The last one of what?”
The man stood, and his smile was unkind. “The last person on this primitive station.”
“Primitive?” Peter started to back towards the door. “This is the most advanced research facility Starfleet has made to date.”
The man in red began to laugh. It was haughty and horrible. “Exactly my point. You puny Terrans. You honestly believe that you are the first ones to explore space at large.”
“Not the first ones,” Peter said, and it came out defensive. “After all, the Vulcans came to us.”
The man scoffed. “The Vulcans are just as pathetic as you Terrans. Their vaunted logic counts for little compared to the intellect and will of my people.”
“And...who are your people?”
“You shall see in due time, when my Majestor takes his rightful place as The End of All That Is,” the man answered. “This will be painless if you do not struggle.”
Peter managed to open his door and start backing out of it. “I highly doubt that.”
The man laughed. “You are far more perceptive than your peers. There is great pain involved in what I must do, but I promise I will be more gentle if you cooperate.”
“Not bloody likely,” Peter snapped, and with that he turned and ran out of the room. He was two decks below the communications hub. It wouldn’t take long for him to reach it and send a message to Starfleet command that there was a security breach.
Unfortunately for him, every Starfleet officer on his deck opened their doors and pursued him. They ran after him, and their steps were in sync with each other. All of them had empty looks on their faces and they followed him without care of their own safety. This meant only one thing.
Mind control.
Cursing under his breath, Peter wondered why he hadn’t put two and two together about it sooner. The weird way the crew had been acting for the last few months...this person subverted them.
He continued to run as fast as he could to the turbo lift. Two officers greeted him as the door opened. He skidded to a stop before running in west. He heard their footsteps, like marching, follow him as he ran. Their sheer numbers won out as an Andorian security officer tackled Peter, and two Terran scientists held his arms. “Get off of me,” he shouted as the man in red made his way over to him. “I haven’t done anything wrong! Let me go!”
“You’re running to tell your precious Starfleet,” the man answered as he pulled a tube out of his leggings. “I cannot allow that.” There was something in the tube that glimmered. It was purple, with a light that blinked every couple of seconds. “At least, I cannot allow that until Majestor D’Ken has what he needs.”
Two more of the crewmembers held his wrists to the ground. Peter tried to thrash in their grip, but he couldn’t move at all. The man smiled.
“Flip him onto his stomach for me,” he said with a grin that could only be described as psychotic. “The implant goes in the back of the neck, just like it did with all of you.”
Without a word, Peter was picked up from the ground and shifted so that his back was to the red man. He heard the sound of the tube being uncapped, and then he felt a metal object climb up his spine. “Whoever you are,” he said, “Starfleet will come after you for this! They’ll figure it out and----”
At that, the metal thing pinched in the back of his neck. It burned, and he choked out another scream. Sweat poured down his face, and he again thrashed in the other officers’ grip.
He heard the man say “Shi’ar Agent Davan Shakari, codename Erik the Red, reporting to the Emperor...we have StarCore secured. All of the personnel have been subverted. Emperor D’Ken may arrive when he so desires.”
Everything went black.
-----
“I still can’t believe this,” Bones said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
He, Spock, and Jim were standing at Starfleet Academy’s shuttle port. They were waiting on the arrival of the shuttle they would be taking to StarCore One, a new research facility near Venus.
“You know we have to go,” Jim said. “Like Pike explained, we’re the heroes of the Narada incident, and we’re coming off the first year of the five year mission. Us going gives StarCore some more legitimacy, even if it is just a publicity stunt.”
Spock, whose expression looked nauseated, nodded his agreement. “StarCore One is a new facility, and it was hard won for the Research and Development Department. While I admit I am not thrilled to have my plans to spend the leave with Nyota’s family disrupted, it is part of our duty as Starfleet officers.”
“Although it was really entertaining to see you go off on Pike like that,” Jim added. “I felt like I could taste your rage, Bones. That’s impressive.”
Bones sighed. “I’d probably be sent to Delta Vega if I didn’t already have an assignment.”
Jim smiled, but his eyes were sad. “Yeah. I’m sorry,” Jim began, and Bones looked at him with a curious expression. “I know how much spending time with your family means to you.”
Bones sighed. “It’s all right. I’m more pissed about not being given the option to say no than I am at the fact that I’m here.”
Jim’s eyes lightened a little, and a smile formed. Before he could retort, Spock cleared his throat. “It is a bit late for that to be of such concern to you, Doctor,” the Vulcan explained, “seeing as that is the very nature of an established chain of command.”
Growling a little, Bones immediately drew himself up to his full height. That no-good, Vulcan jackass. “I understand that, Spock, and I’m not stupid. It can still piss me off, though.”
Jim’s hand tightened on his shoulder, squeezing it. The smile on his face said he was amused, but the softness around and in his eyes was nothing but supportive. Bones decided to not pay too much attention to how his best friend looked, instead choosing to roll his eyes at Spock.
Still though, the fact that Jim was supporting him was pretty great, if he was being honest.
“Getting upset at things that are a clear facet of your existence is highly illogical,” Spock continued. “It is pointless to be disappointed with things one cannot change.”
Bones was quiet as he considered his words. “As much as it pains me to say it, you’re not wrong about that. However, getting upset at the hand fate deals us, while illogical, is a very human thing to do. Things that are human aren’t inherently good or bad, they’re just different from what you’re used to.”
For once, Spock looked like he didn’t know what to say. Jim’s eyes were sparkling in pleasure, so Bones figured he could chalk this one up in the win column. Jim squeezed his shoulder again before letting go of it.
Bones tried not to notice how that felt like a loss.
Well, okay.
He noticed.
He noticed it a lot. That wasn’t the problem.
The problem was that Jim didn’t notice.
At all.
Bones sighed. Jim raised an eyebrow, and he gave him a questioning look. Bones opened his mouth to reply before closing it.
Randomly blurting out I want you was probably a terrible idea.
Bones sighed a second time and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nothing. Just…still mad.”
Jim patted him once on the back. “There, there tiger.”
It took every ounce of Bones’ willpower to not lean into it. “Thanks.” He turned back to Spock. Bones didn’t often win these verbal sparring matches, so he wasn’t above a bit of gloating. “What’s wrong, Spock? Cat got your tongue?”
This brought Spock back down to Earth, figuratively speaking. “That idiom is a very nonsensical way of querying the reason for my silence, Doctor McCoy.”
Bones shrugged. “I didn’t come up with it, but I’ll be sure to pass it along to whoever’s in charge.”
A man in a security uniform came to greet them. Jim looked at him curiously. “Lieutenant Leslie.”
“Sir,” Philip Leslie said with a salute. “I’m here to go to StarCore with you all.”
Bones gave Jim a look; the captain looked more perplexed than anything else. “Pike didn’t tell me we were going to have a security detail,” Jim answered.
Leslie, who still stood at attention, didn’t even blink. “It’s just me, sir. Admiral Pike requested one officer go with you.”
“At ease, for God’s sake,” Jim said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Leslie relaxed. “Why wasn’t I told about this at the briefing with Pike himself?”
It was momentary, but Leslie hesitated. This caused Spock to raise an eyebrow, and both Jim and Bones to narrow their eyes. “He just wants me to go along as a precaution,” the lieutenant finally said. “Just in case.”
“In case of what?” Bones couldn’t help but ask.
“He didn’t say, sir,” Leslie admitted, and Bones could tell by the earnestness on his face that it was the truth. “He just said I should keep an eye out for you all.”
Now Jim looked irritated. Bones sighed; Jim always got frustrated when he felt that the brass was keeping him in the dark. This was proving to be no exception. “Well, if Pike ordered you along, then so be it,” Jim said. “Come on, I think our shuttle’s about ready.”
Bones gave the shuttle a quick glance. Indeed, it appeared to be ready. He hadn’t had nearly enough alcohol for this. Instinctively, he reached for his flask. Right, he was on duty.
That meant no flask.
God damn it.
Bones sighed a second time. Jim gave him a sympathetic look. “Want me to hold your hand?” he asked with a bit of a smile.
Yes, Bones thought. “Thanks, that won’t be necessary,” is what came out. Jim nudged his shoulder with his own before turning to the shuttle pilot.
Something told him to not board the shuttle, though. It wasn’t his usual anxiety setting in...this was different and more foreboding.
Like he wasn’t going to come back this time.
Something caught Bones’ attention out of the corner of his eye; it was a bright flash, as if a star fell from the heavens. He turned his head to the left, and there it was.
It was in the shape of a man, but it appeared to be made of living flame.
Bones froze.
It couldn’t be.
The being continued to watch him, although Bones couldn’t say if it was being friendly or not. It also looked like a person he should recognize, but he couldn’t immediately pinpoint what it was that made him feel that way.
This shouldn’t have been possible.
He imagined that whole thing the day his Momma died.
Hadn’t he?
The being took a step towards him. It raised a hand to beckon him closer.
“Bones?”
Bones continued to stare at the creature as it took another step. “Yeah?”
Jim stood next to him and looked in the same direction. “What are you staring at?”
Blinking, Bones turned to look at Jim. He then turned his attention back to the fire being; it was closer now and still waving at him. He looked to Jim again.
Jim was staring at the same spot but with a confused set to his mouth.
Bones was smart enough to deduce what this meant. It meant that Jim couldn’t see it; it likely meant that Bones was the only one who could. Bones thought about the last time he told someone about what he had seen. His father said a lot of placating words about concussions and brain swelling.
Above all, his father didn’t believe him.
Jim would react by sending Bones to Starfleet General. He’d become rather concerned for him, but he wouldn’t believe him either.
It was a quick decision to make.
“Nothing,” Bones said. “I just was thinking and got carried away.” He cleared his throat and ignored the flames. “It’s nothing.”
Jim gave him a look that said he wasn’t convinced, but they walked towards the shuttle.
Bones almost didn’t turn to look at the light one final time as they boarded.
Almost.
And as he buckled into his safety harness next to Jim and across from Spock, it clicked as to why the fire creature looked familiar both times.
It looked familiar because...because it looked like Bones.
Prologue | Chapter Two
In the Delta Quadrant on a planet known as Chandilar, the night was peaceful. It was unseasonably warm, and the moons shone brightly on the capital city.
The Temple of Sharra and K’ythri sat near the city center and, as it was late, stood mostly empty. Lilandra Neramani gathered her cape around her as she walked up the temple steps. The guards by the door knelt when they saw her; she bade them to rise, and they did.
“It is awfully late, Princess,” one guard said to her. “Do you not have more important matters of which to attend?”
Lilandra paused. “There is nothing more important than paying my respects to our Gods. I shan’t be long.”
“By your leave, Princess,” the other guard replied. “Do you require an escort?”
“I require nothing except my privacy,” she said without looking back as the large double-doors were pushed open. “Fifteen minutes is all I need.”
“Of course.” The guards kneeled a second time as she walked inside. The temple was dark; the only lights were the odd candle and the glow of the three moons through the windows.
As silently as she could, Lilandra made her way through the temple to the object she sought. She crept behind a corner and stayed hidden in the darkness.
It was about time for the guard to change; she would have approximately two minutes to steal the artifact and get out of the chamber. Sure enough, the guard on duty began to leave. She left her alcove and walked to the item: the most precious belonging of the Empire.
A pink crystal about a meter across, it was faceted in a way that it appeared to glow from within. It was called the M’Kraan crystal, and it belonged to the Shi’ar for countless years.
Taking a quick look around her to make certain she was alone, Lilandra entered the code to release the crystal from its stasis field. The field went dark, and she grabbed it, securing it to her waist using a special anti-gravity belt. Her robes billowed enough that it was not visible.
She then pulled out a flat disc and placed it where the crystal sat. A hologram sprang to life of the crystal; it was three-dimensional and programmed to have the same lighting as the real thing. Lilandra then turned the stasis field back on before turning to leave the chamber.
She could not help but clutch her robe around her as she passed the new guard. Just a few meters more, and she would be out. It would be over for better or for worse.
At least, it would be over until she left on her starship.
Lilandra stepped through the polished double doors, nodding to the new guards. As casually as she could manage, she made her way down the steps and away from the temple.
Behind her, she heard an alarm go off. Without even looking back, she ran; her ship was not far. As soon as she was in range, she would be transported onto it. “M’kraen,” she called as she raised her wrist communicator to her mouth. “Beam me up. They’re onto me!”
Lights materialized around her, and she teleported onto her starship. Several crewmembers saluted at her as she stepped off the pad and onto the floor of the ship proper. Her ship’s crew was a skeleton; there were few people that Lilandra trusted with her mission, and those few had pledged their fealty to her, and more importantly, to preserve the Empire.
“I have it,” she said with more authority than she really felt. “Let’s go, before they start to pursue us.”
“At once, Princess,” her pilot said from his console. He steered the ship out of Chandilar’s orbit, and immediately engaged the engines to full throttle. Lilandra handed the crystal to M’Kraen, her first officer and trusted friend.
Quelling her nerves, she slipped into her normal role as admiral. “Set a course for the Sol system in the Alpha Quadrant,” she said.
Her crewmembers all paused.
“The…Sol system?” The pilot looked confused. “Admiral, we haven’t…they haven’t ever encountered us before. Won’t our sudden appearance cause an incident?”
Lilandra thought before answering. “While the inhabitants of the Sol system are unaware of the Shi’ar, we have known of them for centuries. The Federation may be our only hope to safeguard the crystal.” The stars began to form streaks on her view screen as the vessel picked up speed. “I only pray that we make it before my brother catches on to our plan.”
Captain James Tiberius Kirk sat in his chair as he watched his helmsman, Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, maneuver the ship into position. “Be it ever so humble,” Jim said to no one in particular. “There’s no place like home.”
Ensign Pavel Chekov turned around to grin. There was a loud clicking sound as the ship connected to the dock.
Sulu sat back with a smile. “We’re in, sir,” he said as he turned around to face him.
Jim smiled and nodded. “Those system upgrades will hopefully be done smoothly,” he said.
Again, Chekov grinned. “It will be nice to be home for two weeks,” he said as he checked a screen on his console.
“Yeah,” Sulu said. “My folks are taking me out to dinner to celebrate.”
Before Jim could reply, Uhura spoke. “Starfleet command has been notified, Captain. The shuttles are in place; they are ready for us to disembark.”
“Awesome,” Jim said as he stood. He tugged on the hem of his tunic, smoothing out a non-existent wrinkle. “Begin the disembarking procedure as soon as possible. We don’t want to make the natives restless.”
“Aye, sir.”
Jim walked toward the door. “Spock, you have the conn. I’ve got to see a man about a horse.”
Spock, who sat at his console observing the docking procedure, looked confused by his words. He looked over to Uhura, who simply shook her head no. “Yes, Captain,” he answered. With that, Jim stepped off the bridge and began to make his way to his Ready Room.
By way of Medical.
It was a short ride down the turbo lift to deck six, and before long Jim was in front of the Medical wing.
Bones would probably be in his office, finishing up his last minute paperwork. He, Bones, and Scotty would be the last three officers off the ship, so he figured he would shoot the shit with Bones until it was time to disembark.
It wasn’t like he didn’t hang out in Medical all the time or anything.
Jim walked through the Med Bay doors, nodding as he went to the various staff members on duty. Christine Chapel smiled at him before gesturing to the office. Jim gave her a wink before pushing the entry code and stepping inside. Sure enough, Bones was at his desk typing something on his computer. “Jim,” he said without looking up.
“Hey Bones,” Jim said as he took the seat across from him. He smiled at his friend. “What’s shaking?”
“Same shit, different day,” Bones answered without looking up.
Well, that wouldn’t do.
“Ready for two weeks off? Going home to see your aunt and uncle?”
Bones did look up that time. “You already know the answer to that.”
It was true, Jim did know the answer. Bones was going back to Savannah to spend ten days with his family on their horse farm just off Whitemarsh Island. Jim would be staying in San Francisco to attend some meetings the brass scheduled for him, which was fine as his mother and Sam were both off-planet. He wished he could go to Georgia and be with Bones, but it wasn’t in the cards this time.
Jim grinned and changed tactics. “I’m visiting you from the Department of Redundancy Department. So sue me.”
Bones snorted but went back to his work.
Jim watched him type for a while, noticing the way the computer screen highlighted the green flecks in Bones’ eyes. “I’m going to be stuck in so many boring meetings.”
There went the eyebrow.
“Seriously, it’s going to be all ‘first contact this’ and ‘diplomacy that.’ It’s torture.” He waited for Bones’ usual answer along the lines of don’t be an ass, Jim.
“You’ve been tortured,” Bones said without looking up, and Jim’s grin widened at his success. “I put you back together after.”
Jim watched Bones with delight; he played perfectly into his hands. “Yeah, and I’d rather have that than these meetings.”
Bones stopped typing. “Perspective called, Jim, and she asked me to tell you that she misses you.”
Jim threw his head back and laughed; victory at last. “I just don’t know how I’ll deal with these meetings without having you to bug.”
Bones smiled: not a full smile like most people would give, but just the slightest upturning of his lips that told Jim he was genuinely happy. Something in Jim’s chest caught and constricted, and he smiled back.
“Won’t be long before we’re headed out on the shuttles,” Jim said. The look on Bones’ face predictably soured.
“God damn deathtraps,” Bones replied.
Jim became curious. “Why do you hate them so much, anyways?”
“I hate them because of...” Bones stopped typing and stared off into space for a second. Something crossed his features, something almost unspeakably sad. It faded, and he cleared his throat. “Reasons.”
Jim blinked. “You hate them because of reasons?” Even for Bones that was a thin excuse.
Bones’ eyes narrowed into little slits. “It’s a phobia, Jim. I don’t have to have logic for it,” he snapped.
Jim held up both his hands. “Okay, okay. Sorry; I won’t ask again.”
The anger receded, and Bones’ eyes focused on Jim. Fond exasperation danced in them, and Jim confirmed that it was a good look on Bones. “Don’t you have work to do?”
Jim leaned back, propping his feet up on Bones’ desk. Bones didn’t glare at him, but instead he chose to sit the same way. Their boots were only a couple of centimeters apart. “Nah, I finished all my paperwork yesterday. Pike wants to see us though, when we arrive on Earth. Spock too.”
“Better not take too long,” Bones replied. “I have a flight to catch tonight.” Bones typed a couple of commands and then shut down his computer. “Two flights in one day.” He looked up towards the ceiling. “What did I ever do to you?” he asked.
Jim smiled. “It’s all the alcohol, loose women, and swearing,” he said in a chipper tone.
Bones snorted. “Alcohol and swearing I’ll grant, but loose women? You must have me mixed up with you.”
Jim rolled his eyes. “I’m not as much of a slut as everyone assumes, not that there would be anything wrong with it if I was. You know me better than that.”
“Yeah, I do. I can’t help myself sometimes. If you want me to stop...”
Jim raised both eyebrows. “And lose your incredibly charming disposition and witty repartee? Never.”
Bones snorted, before taking one of his feet and knocking it against Jim’s boot. He did it a couple of times, his green eyes meeting Jim’s blue ones. They looked at each other for a long while as Bones continued to lightly kick Jim’s foot.
The buzzer to Bones’ office door rang. It was enough to break the...whatever, and Jim cleared his throat and looked away. Bones dropped his feet off the desk and sat normally in his chair. Pushing the button for his intercom, Bones said, “Come in.”
The door slid open, and there was the kindly face of Jabilo Geoffrey “Geoff” M’Benga. He smiled. “We’re about to take off,” he said. “Just wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything else before we all leave.”
Bones smirked and shook his head. “No, I think I can handle it, Geoff. Thanks for asking, though.”
“Of course,” Geoff answered back with his eyes twinkling. He smiled at Jim, who smiled back. “Captain.”
“Geoff,” Jim said. “Ready for two weeks off?”
“It will be nice to get home to Darfur,” Geoff answered. “Although I do have some meetings with a couple of Vulcan healers the first few days of our leave. T’palla is a friend going back to my days at the Science Academy.”
Jim and Bones both nodded.
“That’ll be nice, to catch up with an old friend,” Jim said. Bones nodded a second time.
“Yes, it will be.” Geoff grinned. “Anyways, if there’s nothing that you need, Leonard, I’ll go ahead and excuse myself to finish getting ready for the shuttle.”
Bones smiled. “Yeah, of course. Have a good shore leave, Geoff.”
“You too,” Geoff answered with a wave as he closed the door behind him. Bones and Jim watched him walk through the medical wing to the main door, a couple of the nurses following suit.
Uhura’s voice suddenly came over the loudspeaker. All crew members departing on shuttles alpha through gamma, please report to the shuttle bay at this time. Repeat, all crew members departing on shuttles alpha through gamma, please report to the shuttle bay at this time.
Jim and Bones looked at each other, the captain opting to stand and stretch. “Guess I should let you finish so you can be ready for when our shuttle departs,” he said.
Bones smiled at him again, that same slight upturning of his mouth. “All right then, Jim,” he answered. “See you in about an hour.”
As Jim made his way to the door, he grinned back at his best friend. “See you in an hour!”
With that, he made his way to his quarters to get his bag.
Lieutenant-Commander Verbecke stood outside of his door on Starfleet’s new research facility, StarCore One.
“Hey Verbecke,” Doctor Peter Corbeau said with a smile. “I was going to watch a movie in the rec room. Would you like to join me?”
Verbecke smiled at Peter. “Actually yeah. Nothing too serious, though, and none of those cheesy rom-coms.”
Peter smiled. “I was thinking a classic screwball comedy actually.”
Nodding his head, Verbecke pushed the entry pad to his room. “Sounds great. Just let me take care of something really quickly.” The door slid open, and he stepped inside.
Doctor Corbeau made his way to the rec room; it was quiet on StarCore One. Most of the crew on the research station kept to themselves over the last few months. Things had started out social enough, but for some reason the situation changed.
He sat in the rec room and queued up one of his favorite old movies, Bringing Up Baby!. He paused it at the opening title sequence, choosing to wait for Verbecke instead of starting it without him.
Thirty minutes passed, and Peter frowned. Better to see what was going on, he decided, and he left the rec room, making his way back to Verbecke’s quarters. He pushed the entry bell and waited; it only took a second, but Verbecke answered.
Something was different, though. His expression and eyes were completely empty, like he was a shell.
“Hey,” Peter said, and it came out hesitant. “Are we still watching the movie?”
Verbecke’s eyes clouded over for a minute. It passed, and he turned to Corbeau with a smile that seemed artificial. It was too bright, too wide for when they were basically still acquaintances. “No, thank you,” he said. “I’m pretty tired. I plan on sleeping early tonight.”
With that, and without so much as a goodbye, Verbecke closed the door. Peter stood with a perplexed look on his face. That was almost...rude.
Oh, well. He’d worry about it later. For now, turning in early seemed to be a good idea.
He walked the rest of the way to his quarters, input his security code, and stepped inside. That was funny...the lights were dim, but not dark. He was positive he left them off entirely when he departed that morning. “Lights,” he called, and the room’s lights rose to their full brightness.
His quarters consisted of a large sitting area with a bedroom and bathroom off to one side. In the sitting area was an overstuffed easy chair.
In that easy chair sat a man.
He had to be at least seven feet tall, going by Peter’s estimation. He was in red armor of a curious nature; Peter had taken Interspecies Protocol like everyone else at Starfleet Academy, and he had never seen anything like it before. There were red chest plates that ended at the abdomen, exposing the man’s stomach. He also wore a red helmet with large protruding points. The strange ensemble ended with red armored leggings tucked into red boots.
“Who are you?” Peter asked.
“It does not matter,” the man answered in Standard. “I’m only here because you’re the last one.”
“The last one of what?”
The man stood, and his smile was unkind. “The last person on this primitive station.”
“Primitive?” Peter started to back towards the door. “This is the most advanced research facility Starfleet has made to date.”
The man in red began to laugh. It was haughty and horrible. “Exactly my point. You puny Terrans. You honestly believe that you are the first ones to explore space at large.”
“Not the first ones,” Peter said, and it came out defensive. “After all, the Vulcans came to us.”
The man scoffed. “The Vulcans are just as pathetic as you Terrans. Their vaunted logic counts for little compared to the intellect and will of my people.”
“And...who are your people?”
“You shall see in due time, when my Majestor takes his rightful place as The End of All That Is,” the man answered. “This will be painless if you do not struggle.”
Peter managed to open his door and start backing out of it. “I highly doubt that.”
The man laughed. “You are far more perceptive than your peers. There is great pain involved in what I must do, but I promise I will be more gentle if you cooperate.”
“Not bloody likely,” Peter snapped, and with that he turned and ran out of the room. He was two decks below the communications hub. It wouldn’t take long for him to reach it and send a message to Starfleet command that there was a security breach.
Unfortunately for him, every Starfleet officer on his deck opened their doors and pursued him. They ran after him, and their steps were in sync with each other. All of them had empty looks on their faces and they followed him without care of their own safety. This meant only one thing.
Mind control.
Cursing under his breath, Peter wondered why he hadn’t put two and two together about it sooner. The weird way the crew had been acting for the last few months...this person subverted them.
He continued to run as fast as he could to the turbo lift. Two officers greeted him as the door opened. He skidded to a stop before running in west. He heard their footsteps, like marching, follow him as he ran. Their sheer numbers won out as an Andorian security officer tackled Peter, and two Terran scientists held his arms. “Get off of me,” he shouted as the man in red made his way over to him. “I haven’t done anything wrong! Let me go!”
“You’re running to tell your precious Starfleet,” the man answered as he pulled a tube out of his leggings. “I cannot allow that.” There was something in the tube that glimmered. It was purple, with a light that blinked every couple of seconds. “At least, I cannot allow that until Majestor D’Ken has what he needs.”
Two more of the crewmembers held his wrists to the ground. Peter tried to thrash in their grip, but he couldn’t move at all. The man smiled.
“Flip him onto his stomach for me,” he said with a grin that could only be described as psychotic. “The implant goes in the back of the neck, just like it did with all of you.”
Without a word, Peter was picked up from the ground and shifted so that his back was to the red man. He heard the sound of the tube being uncapped, and then he felt a metal object climb up his spine. “Whoever you are,” he said, “Starfleet will come after you for this! They’ll figure it out and----”
At that, the metal thing pinched in the back of his neck. It burned, and he choked out another scream. Sweat poured down his face, and he again thrashed in the other officers’ grip.
He heard the man say “Shi’ar Agent Davan Shakari, codename Erik the Red, reporting to the Emperor...we have StarCore secured. All of the personnel have been subverted. Emperor D’Ken may arrive when he so desires.”
Everything went black.
“I still can’t believe this,” Bones said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
He, Spock, and Jim were standing at Starfleet Academy’s shuttle port. They were waiting on the arrival of the shuttle they would be taking to StarCore One, a new research facility near Venus.
“You know we have to go,” Jim said. “Like Pike explained, we’re the heroes of the Narada incident, and we’re coming off the first year of the five year mission. Us going gives StarCore some more legitimacy, even if it is just a publicity stunt.”
Spock, whose expression looked nauseated, nodded his agreement. “StarCore One is a new facility, and it was hard won for the Research and Development Department. While I admit I am not thrilled to have my plans to spend the leave with Nyota’s family disrupted, it is part of our duty as Starfleet officers.”
“Although it was really entertaining to see you go off on Pike like that,” Jim added. “I felt like I could taste your rage, Bones. That’s impressive.”
Bones sighed. “I’d probably be sent to Delta Vega if I didn’t already have an assignment.”
Jim smiled, but his eyes were sad. “Yeah. I’m sorry,” Jim began, and Bones looked at him with a curious expression. “I know how much spending time with your family means to you.”
Bones sighed. “It’s all right. I’m more pissed about not being given the option to say no than I am at the fact that I’m here.”
Jim’s eyes lightened a little, and a smile formed. Before he could retort, Spock cleared his throat. “It is a bit late for that to be of such concern to you, Doctor,” the Vulcan explained, “seeing as that is the very nature of an established chain of command.”
Growling a little, Bones immediately drew himself up to his full height. That no-good, Vulcan jackass. “I understand that, Spock, and I’m not stupid. It can still piss me off, though.”
Jim’s hand tightened on his shoulder, squeezing it. The smile on his face said he was amused, but the softness around and in his eyes was nothing but supportive. Bones decided to not pay too much attention to how his best friend looked, instead choosing to roll his eyes at Spock.
Still though, the fact that Jim was supporting him was pretty great, if he was being honest.
“Getting upset at things that are a clear facet of your existence is highly illogical,” Spock continued. “It is pointless to be disappointed with things one cannot change.”
Bones was quiet as he considered his words. “As much as it pains me to say it, you’re not wrong about that. However, getting upset at the hand fate deals us, while illogical, is a very human thing to do. Things that are human aren’t inherently good or bad, they’re just different from what you’re used to.”
For once, Spock looked like he didn’t know what to say. Jim’s eyes were sparkling in pleasure, so Bones figured he could chalk this one up in the win column. Jim squeezed his shoulder again before letting go of it.
Bones tried not to notice how that felt like a loss.
Well, okay.
He noticed.
He noticed it a lot. That wasn’t the problem.
The problem was that Jim didn’t notice.
At all.
Bones sighed. Jim raised an eyebrow, and he gave him a questioning look. Bones opened his mouth to reply before closing it.
Randomly blurting out I want you was probably a terrible idea.
Bones sighed a second time and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nothing. Just…still mad.”
Jim patted him once on the back. “There, there tiger.”
It took every ounce of Bones’ willpower to not lean into it. “Thanks.” He turned back to Spock. Bones didn’t often win these verbal sparring matches, so he wasn’t above a bit of gloating. “What’s wrong, Spock? Cat got your tongue?”
This brought Spock back down to Earth, figuratively speaking. “That idiom is a very nonsensical way of querying the reason for my silence, Doctor McCoy.”
Bones shrugged. “I didn’t come up with it, but I’ll be sure to pass it along to whoever’s in charge.”
A man in a security uniform came to greet them. Jim looked at him curiously. “Lieutenant Leslie.”
“Sir,” Philip Leslie said with a salute. “I’m here to go to StarCore with you all.”
Bones gave Jim a look; the captain looked more perplexed than anything else. “Pike didn’t tell me we were going to have a security detail,” Jim answered.
Leslie, who still stood at attention, didn’t even blink. “It’s just me, sir. Admiral Pike requested one officer go with you.”
“At ease, for God’s sake,” Jim said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Leslie relaxed. “Why wasn’t I told about this at the briefing with Pike himself?”
It was momentary, but Leslie hesitated. This caused Spock to raise an eyebrow, and both Jim and Bones to narrow their eyes. “He just wants me to go along as a precaution,” the lieutenant finally said. “Just in case.”
“In case of what?” Bones couldn’t help but ask.
“He didn’t say, sir,” Leslie admitted, and Bones could tell by the earnestness on his face that it was the truth. “He just said I should keep an eye out for you all.”
Now Jim looked irritated. Bones sighed; Jim always got frustrated when he felt that the brass was keeping him in the dark. This was proving to be no exception. “Well, if Pike ordered you along, then so be it,” Jim said. “Come on, I think our shuttle’s about ready.”
Bones gave the shuttle a quick glance. Indeed, it appeared to be ready. He hadn’t had nearly enough alcohol for this. Instinctively, he reached for his flask. Right, he was on duty.
That meant no flask.
God damn it.
Bones sighed a second time. Jim gave him a sympathetic look. “Want me to hold your hand?” he asked with a bit of a smile.
Yes, Bones thought. “Thanks, that won’t be necessary,” is what came out. Jim nudged his shoulder with his own before turning to the shuttle pilot.
Something told him to not board the shuttle, though. It wasn’t his usual anxiety setting in...this was different and more foreboding.
Like he wasn’t going to come back this time.
Something caught Bones’ attention out of the corner of his eye; it was a bright flash, as if a star fell from the heavens. He turned his head to the left, and there it was.
It was in the shape of a man, but it appeared to be made of living flame.
Bones froze.
It couldn’t be.
The being continued to watch him, although Bones couldn’t say if it was being friendly or not. It also looked like a person he should recognize, but he couldn’t immediately pinpoint what it was that made him feel that way.
This shouldn’t have been possible.
He imagined that whole thing the day his Momma died.
Hadn’t he?
The being took a step towards him. It raised a hand to beckon him closer.
“Bones?”
Bones continued to stare at the creature as it took another step. “Yeah?”
Jim stood next to him and looked in the same direction. “What are you staring at?”
Blinking, Bones turned to look at Jim. He then turned his attention back to the fire being; it was closer now and still waving at him. He looked to Jim again.
Jim was staring at the same spot but with a confused set to his mouth.
Bones was smart enough to deduce what this meant. It meant that Jim couldn’t see it; it likely meant that Bones was the only one who could. Bones thought about the last time he told someone about what he had seen. His father said a lot of placating words about concussions and brain swelling.
Above all, his father didn’t believe him.
Jim would react by sending Bones to Starfleet General. He’d become rather concerned for him, but he wouldn’t believe him either.
It was a quick decision to make.
“Nothing,” Bones said. “I just was thinking and got carried away.” He cleared his throat and ignored the flames. “It’s nothing.”
Jim gave him a look that said he wasn’t convinced, but they walked towards the shuttle.
Bones almost didn’t turn to look at the light one final time as they boarded.
Almost.
And as he buckled into his safety harness next to Jim and across from Spock, it clicked as to why the fire creature looked familiar both times.
It looked familiar because...because it looked like Bones.
Prologue | Chapter Two
