MLK's Star Trek Saga

"...Ah, captain Picard, it is good to see you." Riker shook his former commanding officer's hand. "Welcome aboard sir." He was bright-eyed, persona radiating with joy.

"Thank you captain." Picard wore his new admiral uniform. "and that's admiral Picard now captain." He brushed lightly over his uniform with assuring pride.

"Sorry sir, I wasn't aware..." Riker neglected to pay close attention to the subtle but obvious changes in Picard's uniform. The unexpected arrival of his friend filled him with jubilation. Enough to make him unaware of Picard's uniform change. "Congratulations sir." He shook his hand again. "This was a sudden change?"

"Yes, yes it was." Picard agreed as they sat in ten-forward.

The bar was almost empty with just a few off duty officers sitting in the shadows of the bar. Ambassador Spock, Leonard McCoy, and the other shuttle passengers had since departed to captain King's stateroom for private conversation.

"Why the abrupt promotion to admiral if I may candidly ask, sir?" Riker took a sip from his half-filled glass of romulan ale. He seemed to whisper as he spoke, unsure of whether or not Picard wanted this discussion over-heard. He glanced behind the bar quickly and scanned the Orion barkeep. For just a brief moment, his thoughts centered on Guinin. He missed her presence.

"You may ask commander," Picard followed Riker's sip with one of his own. His seemed longer in comparison. Perhaps the alcohol prepared him for his next statement. "however, I am...not disposed to discuss matters of this nature at present." Picard held one hand against his mouth, as if directing his voice only to Riker. His eyes stressed the importance of his words. "I will say captain that Starfleet intelligence believes that a Borg attack of some kind is in preparation." He whispered.

That was all Picard said of the matter and that was enough for Will Riker. He wanted to ask more but he realized that further questioning would not only extend the boundaries of friendship but violate federation orders. Many thoughts plundered his mind. It had been quite some time since the Borg threatened the federation. Since their defeat in earth orbit years ago, they had remained reclusive and distant. Many people believed that their defeat, on that faithful day when commander Data formed a link between himself and the collective minds of the Borg, ended their tourney once and for all. Still, it was inconceivable that one ship would represent the entire existence of the Borg.

Starfleet preserved this thought as well. The council secretly deemed the Borg as a universal threat. Preparations for their return continued to progress forward. New ships, weapons and even cloaking technology was being considered as a defense against the maniacal cyborgs.

"...Well," Riker seemed consumed by Picard's words and his thoughts. "now for something completely different." There was just a hint of a smile on his face. The threat of a Borg attack or retaliation was a serious matter indeed. Though he was successful in his mission to stop the invaders in the terra-system, it was definitely a task that he would not want to repeat. "Any word from Worf, Geordi or Data?" Those words were spoken but the talk of a Borg incursion was fresh in his head.

"Well, yes as a matter of fact, Commander Worf is still on Deep Space-9." Picard snapped to the question though he seemed just a little nervous. He was however content to change the subject. His dealings with the Borg were far more personal. The scars that they inflicted upon him would never heal as far as he was concerned. There was not a day that did not go by when the pains of those events did not haunt his mind. The discussion of DS-9 brought a shrew of memories since Benjamin Sisko's wife was killed in the attack that he led as Locutus. Since that time, his relationship with Ben was strained to say the least. They had never really made peace between each other and though Picard was blameless in the matter, he could not help but feel an overwhelming, undeniable sense of guilt. He blamed himself to a degree. "He is a special operations officer onboard the station." Picard seemed proud. "I hear that he received an original commendation for his participation in the Klingon/Cardassian occupation."

"Yes, I heard the same." Riker acknowledged. "And if I know Worf, he's enjoying every challenging moment of it."

"Yes, I'm sure he is. And as for Geordi and Data, all I know is that they have been reassigned." Picard took another drink. "You know number one," He stopped himself in mid-sentence. "I'm sorry...captain." He corrected. "I guess it'll take some time getting use too." They exchanged grins. "Today will mark a special day in history. This vessel is carrying some of the most legendary figures in Starfleet history." Picard was bright-eyed and giddy. "Jim Kirk was a man of many friends."

"Indeed he was admiral." Riker nodded. "And it is truly an honor to be a part of this ceremony."

"How long before it begins?" Picard asked.

"In about 40 minutes" Riker told him. "Sir, you never told me how it was to actually stand along side him." Riker tried his best to not allow his anxiety to show. He was very interested in hearing Picard's tale.

"It was like..? Picard could not find the words. "Riker, this was a man that pioneered early space travel. If it were not for Jim Kirk in the early years of space exploration, the boundaries of the federation would not stretch as far as they do today." Picard tried to separate his personal dealings with Kirk from the man he knew of in history. He did not want to let those events overshadow or undercut the man that only days, stood along side him in his fight against a madman. "The academy teaches the historical rhetoric of the man but in actuality, I feel that Jim Kirk was no different than you or I. He was a Starfleet officer who did all, if not more, than he could to uphold the values of the United Federation of Planets."

"You know, I never really thought of him that way." Riker admitted. "I had always known those characteristics of him existed but Kirk has always been a larger than life figure to me. His missions were extraordinary and he was the ideal military leader." Riker's forehead perplexed. "He was dashing, heroic, charming, romanticized and ran a tight ship. Kirk was the captain Horatio Hornblower of the 23rd century."

"Yes he was." Picard nodded. "And when he gave his life in the line of his duty on the mountain top of Veridian III, I realized just how committed to life Jim Kirk was. Well, I had better prepare myself before the ceremony." Admiral Picard hopped off the bar seat. "I'll see you shortly captain."

"Affirmative sir." Riker got up as well. "I'll be on the bridge."

Both men exited ten-forward.

Admiral McCoy sat across the room only a few feet away from ambassador Spock. They were alone in captain King's stateroom.

McCoy stared into the Vulcan's eyes with a warm grin while Spock, on the other hand looked on in his usual fashion. The silence continued. It was apparent that McCoy was attempting to goad Spock into beginning the conversation. He continued to stare. A few moments passed and McCoy realized that it was futile.

"...Something's never change, huh Spock?" McCoy sat up in his seat, where he was slumping before the conversation started. His baby-blue eyes sparkled with anticipation of perhaps...another argument. After all it had been years since he had talked, least of all, argued with his Vulcan friend.

"Yes, that statement is quite true doctor." Spock raised an eyebrow. "It would seem fate that our paths will cross until the day we die." Spock anticipated McCoy's intentions. "Fortunately, we are both approaching that destiny." Spock won the first point.

"...Touché." McCoy remarked. "Now that's the Spock I remember. Though my mind isn't what it use to be." McCoy leaned forward. "How have you been Spock?"

"I have been busy, doctor." Spock told him. "My work for reunification on Romulus has kept me both busy and weary of universal events."

"Will it happen Spock?"

"Perhaps doctor but the majority of the romulan people choose not to see the benefits of unification. As with all things, it will take time." Spock was not as formal as he had been with the others onboard the ship. He was relaxed with his friend of long ago.

"I see." McCoy was not giving him all his attention. Like many times, he viewed Spock's dialogue as endless rambling. Though unification would accomplish a great many things, McCoy knew that if it's author was Spock, it would succeed. That is just how much faith he had in his Vulcan friend. "Spock, you spoke of universal events." McCoy said. "What about them?"

"Though we may have been a willing part of pioneering early space travel, it's apparent that the dangers that we faced still exist today." Spock told him. "The Borg, the Dominion and the Q continuum prove to be extremely dangerous enemies."

"Spock, if I didn't know any better, I'd almost think that you are...worried." This was not meant as an insult or joke. McCoy was being concerned.

Spock did not take it that way. "Your perceptions are quite true doctor. As illogical as that may seem, I do find myself concerned with the state of the universe. However, as I once told lt. Valeris, we must have faith."

"...Faith?" McCoy raised a familiar eyebrow.

"That the universe will unfold as it should."

McCoy stood up and strode to a nearby window. He glanced down at the planet. He was silent but his mind gave a quick respect to Jim. The doctor continued his stare into oblivion.

"...Doctor," Spock stood as well. He stepped to the viewer's port behind McCoy. "is all well?"

McCoy paused for a moment. "Doctor's loose patients all the time, blast it, But when you loose a patient that you didn't even have a chance to save..." He paused again, gathering his thoughts. "Well, it hurts a whole heck of a lot. Especially when that person is someone you...love." The old man broke into tears, loosing his balance in the process. Spock was there to catch him before he made a complete fall.

"It's all right doctor." Spock held onto him with affection as a mother would hold her child. "I am here."

McCoy tried to hold his tears. He did not want Spock to see him at a time of weakness. "I'm fine Spock." McCoy snapped. Spock assisted him to the chair that he sat in just moments ago. "I said that I am fine." He snapped again. "Blast you, Spock, I am the doctor around here." Spock stood at his side not bulging. He wanted to make sure that McCoy was really all right.

"And as you are so fond of saying doctor, that I am the one that is stubborn?" Point number two.

"...Touché, again." McCoy was back to his irascible self. "I just lost my footing in my own grief Spock. Nothing more." He cleared the air. "To put that Vulcan sense of worry to rest, my health is quite good for a 145-year old human being." He said proudly.

"Very well doctor." Spock returned to his chair, across from the doctor. "Come." An almost faint door chime sounded. A medical aid to McCoy came in with a hypo to administer his daily dosage of medicine.

"Hello Leonard." The feminine voice was clear and distinct. She approached McCoy with the hypo poised and ready. McCoy pulled up his sleeve, although doing so was not necessary. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Debbie, don't treat me like a senile old man." McCoy snapped. "Best personal nurse this side of the antares maelstrom but she does tend to get overly mushy." This was directed to Spock, who McCoy could tell was enjoying the whole event.

"Can I be of assistance nurse?" He really was not interested in administering a shot to McCoy. This was his way of keeping the arguments going.

"...Hey Deb, while you're at it, you'd better give old green blood a shot too." McCoy smirked. "That Vulcan blood is getting very thin."

Debbie was precise with the hypo as she injected cortozine into McCoy's arm. She could not help but smile at the banter being tossed back and forth between the two men who she could tell cared a great deal for one another. "Thank you admiral." She exited the room.

"That woman makes me wish that I was 20-years younger." McCoy grinned.

"...Twenty?" Spock raised an eyebrow.

"...Well, maybe 80-years younger." McCoy laughed. "Oh Spock, I was sorry to hear about the death of your father, Sarek."

"Thank you doctor." Spock said. "I have missed him very much."

"...And speaking of missing," McCoy saw his chance. "have you finally given up that idiotic idea of preventing Jim's death?" He was straight forward.

"I see that you are the one captain King has spoke of." Spock thought as much before now. "No doctor, I still believe the idea to be feasible." he admitted.

"Spock, are you out of your Vulcan mind?" McCoy sprang from his seat. "You can't do it!"

"Yes doctor, I can." Spock said. "I have spent years studying the events, time-streams, etc. I believe that I have finally calculated the correct pattern that will have the least effect on present continuity."

"But can you risk that Spock?"

"I see no other alternative."

"Spock," McCoy moved closer to him. "I loved Jim just as much as you did but going back in time to save his life on the Enterprise-B is not what Jim would want."

"Can you be so sure doctor?" Spock interrupted.

"Yes I can." McCoy spat forth. "Other than you my friend, I was Jim's best friend. I knew him better than any person in the universe so believe me Spock when I tell you that Jim would not want you to interfere."

"Jim came back for me." Spock's voice grew heavy. "In his attempt to save me, he lost his son, the Enterprise and his rank."

"Yes but saving you didn't involve time travel." McCoy pointed out. "It's time to put this guilt to rest Spock. Jim's gone...and as much as it hurts, you have got to stop allowing it to eat away at you. It's not your fault. It's just the way things went."

"...Are you certain that present events is what the captain would want?" Spock asked.

"Positive." McCoy told him and moved to sit on the couch beside him. "Jim was a soldier, and I just bet Spock, when it was all over on Veridian III and Picard found him underneath all that rubble...he thought that it was...fun."

"Yes...I agree doctor." Spock had carried Kirk's death and his guilt for 79 years without expressing it. Now was the time, with his friend McCoy. The tears began and McCoy watched them trickle from the Vulcan's eyes onto his face. He had seen this only twice in knowing Spock. This was the third, and each time hurt tremendously. How do you comfort a Vulcan? He asked himself over and over but came to no answer.

McCoy did what he only knew to do. He placed his arms around Spock and held him. His eyes were heavy as well and a tear or two escaped from them. He held onto Spock while the Vulcan expressed himself.

McCoy failed to realize what hurt more; Jim's death or Spock's reaction to it. At any rate, he would be there for his friend at all costs. "Don't you worry Spock, the doctor is...in."

End of Part 5

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