Genetics

Chapter 2

Finally, they had met at the rendezvous point. Kirk kept a straight face although the panic that he'd felt hadn't gone away completely. Luckily, Spock had been the only one to notice how Kirk really felt. If the crew had found out he was panicking on the inside, who knows what would happen.

"Captain," Uhura said, "they're hailing us."

"Alright, on screen," Kirk responded.

There, on the screen, she appeared. Admiral Sanders. Her brown hair, which was streaked with grey, was tied back in a tight bun. Kirk recalled only meeting her once before at Admiral Pike's funeral. It hadn't been too pleasant, Admiral Sanders was a very serious person. Her eyes, which were marked with crow's feet, were hard and brown. As if she was always annoyed with something.

"Captain Kirk," she said, "I will need you, you're first officer, and you're chief medical officer to transport over here immediately."

"May I ask why," Kirk said, only half kidding.

"Funny," she said in a bored tone, "You'll find out when you get here."

"Alright then," Kirk said, "We'll be right over."

"Good."

The transmission ended abruptly, and Kirk sighed.

"She seems nice," Chekov said in his thick Russian accent.

"Very," Sulu responded.

Their sarcasm made Kirk want to laugh, but of course he didn't. Instead, he got up, called for Dr. McCoy to meet him in the transporter room, and then he and Spock left the bridge.

~~~

When Spock and Kirk arrived at the transporter room, McCoy was already there.

"Mind telling me what the hell's going on?" McCoy asked Kirk as soon as he entered the room.

"That's what we're about to find out," Kirk said.

"What I want to know is why I don't have the clearance to go with you," Scotty said.

"Mr. Scott, the reason may simply be that you are unnecessary for what star fleet has planned for us," Spock said.

"Well that makes me feel better about myself," Scotty said sarcastically, "Now on the transporter, all of you!"

The three obeyed and quickly got on the transporter.

"Beam us there Scotty," Kirk said.

Scotty did as he was told, and soon the three were on the bridge of the Explorer.

~~~

"Hello," Admiral Sanders said as soon as they were on board.

"Hello," Kirk said almost automatically, "So why are we here?"

"Follow me. I'll tell you in the conference room," she said as she started to make her way to the turbo-lift.

McCoy, Kirk, and Spock followed her obediently until they had arrived at the conference room. Inside of it, was a long table with multiple chairs around it.

"Please, take a seat," she said. The four of them sat at the edge of the table, and Admiral Sanders began to talk.

"First of all, I cannot stress the importance of this meeting enough," she began, "only you three, and the top officers at star fleet are aware of the mission I'm about to assign you, Captain. All in all, only ten people know what is going on. Four of them are us."

"What mission?" Kirk asked.

"I'm getting to that," she said, "We've been hearing rumors, rumors that the Romulans and Klingons have been working together to start a war with the federation. Captain, you will go to Romulas, and find out if there is any truth to this. You'll have one month to prepare, and then you will spend a month on Romulas. It will be dangerous, and there is a chance you will be caught, but no matter what you will tell them that you are not working with the federation. One more important thing, there will not be a rescue mission. As you can see, there is

no room for failure. The fate of the federation depends on this."

Kirk swallowed hard. He could do this, he'd done harder things. He died and came back to life for crying out loud! He could spend a month on Romulas. He wouldn't fail this mission or the federation, at least Kirk hoped he wouldn't.

"Great," Kirk said, "Sounds...fun."

"This is no joking matter," the Admiral said quickly, "The month of preparation will be when you will take time to learn the Romulan language and customs. You will also learn the story of who you will be on Romulas. The day before you depart to Romulas, Dr. McCoy will surgically alter you're ears and you're hair color will be changed. Mr. Johnson, an expert on Romulas, or as much of an expert one can be with the little we know about the Romulans, will teach you everything you need to know. Everything else is in this packet."

Admiral Sanders slid a packet to Kirk. Kirk hadn't noticed the packet earlier. It must have been his nerves.

"Mr. Johnson is already on the Enterprise, he was transported there right after you were transported here," she finished, "Any questions?"

"Yeah," McCoy asked, "You can't possibly be serious. This is a suicide mission!"

"I am serious," the Admiral responded, "and there is a chance of survival if all goes according to plan."

"If all goes according to plan," McCoy repeated, "because everything always goes according to plan."

"That is enough Dr. McCoy," she said, "Now are there any serious questions regarding the mission?"

"Why was the Captain chosen when I am clearly a better candidate?" Spock said, "there would be no need for surgical alterations and the Romulan language is a direct variation of Vulcan. Thus it would take less time for me to learn."

"Wow Spock," Kirk said, "Thanks for your faith in me."

"It is not a matter of whether or not I have faith in you, but who would be the more convenient choice for the mission," Spock said.

"Really? Because it sounds to me like you're saying I'm not good enough for this mission," Kirk responded.

"What I am saying is that it would be less difficult for me-"

"Enough," the Admiral said, "I understand what you're saying Spock, but we've chosen Kirk for a reason. The Romulans are aware of his death, but not of his revival. Now is that all?"

The three were silent.

"Then we're done here," she said, "Come, I'll show you to the transporter room."

They all got up, Kirk grabbed the packet, and they were on their way.