Everything's Relative

They stood in Leonard's temporary quarters at Starfleet headquarters, staring at the screen in sombre silence as their father explained the situation.

"I will do everything I can to avert this coming disaster," he said.

"Good luck."

He nodded and held up his hand.

"Live long and prosper, my children."

"Peace and long life, Father."

The vidscreen went blank and Amanda turned to Leonard.

"It is a dangerous, almost suicidal, mission it is not right that he should do it alone," she said.

"I agree, but you know, as well as I, that father will risk no one's life but his own in this endeavour; it is his way."

"Of course, but it is logical to have an alternative plan should this fail."

"Indeed, and even if he is successful the environmental costs to Romulus will be enormous. They must be evacuated."

"Agreed."

They fell silent again, running their fingers across their mouths in trepidation. Regulations were going to be smashed to pieces for this. They quickly removed their comm badges so they could not be traced, and two more joined them on the table.

They looked up to see T'Par and Salak standing across from them.

"You don't think we are going to let you ruin your careers alone do you?"

They needed a ship to perform the enormous task ahead of them, and thankfully one was available. Leonard stared out the space-dock window, seeing her resting all crisp and quiet. She had been brand new not even a decade ago. The crew that had manned her had a new one now. It had been necessary though. This had been a ship built for exploration, for families, for a Federation that had never heard of the Borg or the Dominion. He didn't need a battleship for this mission though, he needed space; and Picard's old girl had it in abundance.

A shuttlecraft was quickly secured and they got on board without detection. Then they quickly went to work preparing the ship for departure, with far less than a skeleton crew, but that didn't mean they didn't have any tricks up their sleeves.

As Salak worked on the engines Leonard got the rest of the crew in order, laying in course headings, and making sure they wouldn't crash the ship into the spacedock doors.

One last adventure for an old space dog, Leonard thought, walking around the bridge. Running his hand along the captain's chair he sighed softly, before getting his act together and hitting the comm.

"Engineering...Salak, are we prepared?"

"Yes, sir, the automation system is fully set. Two raw cadets and a tribble could run her now."

"Thank you, Salak, I'm sure we will all try not to take that as an insult. All hands prepare for departure."

Shaking his head in amusement Leonard moved to the back of the bridge; coming to her station.

"Have I neglected something, Captain?" T'Par asked.

"Never, but I remind you that you don't have to do this."

"I have always been by your side before and I will do so as long as it is feasible. It is my duty, and my pleasure."

He moved closer to her, pressing his chest against her back and letting his fingers brush against hers, before going back to the centre seat and sitting down at last.

The engines fired up and the Enterprise D headed for the spacedock doors.

They were halfway there when the comm system crackled and a woman's voice filled the bridge.

"Enterprise you are ordered to stand down."

Leonard quickly assumed authority.

"I'm afraid your message is breaking up, Admiral Janeway," he said.

"Kirk, you do this and you'll never sit in the captain's chair again."

Leonard resisted the urge to snort at that so called threat. When he had been a young man of thirty that kind of talk would have worried him, but well into his seventies now such words were hollow. No matter what Starfleet said in their PR campaigns, about letting you do the job for as long as you were capable, it didn't change the fact that his last five missions had been little more than milk runs; away from the frontier, away from the battlefronts. Experience apparently counted for nothing in the brass' eyes. They had been 'encouraging' him to retire. Still Leonard sat back in the chair wondering, just for a moment, if it was really worth it. Then he did snort, there was no real decision to be made. His career, what little was left of it now, for the lives of countless others, enemy or not, there could be no other logical choice.

He looked at the helmsman.

"Punch it."

With that command the Enterprise D flew out the spacedock doors.

"Engage cloak."

"Cloak engaged, Captain."

"Ships in pursuit?"

"Scanning…All systems negative at this time," T'Par responded.

Leonard nodded and moved the ship on course to Delta Vega.

As the Enterprise D assumed orbit over Delta Vega the bridge crew took a moment to admire the view. So many domes, containing so many different environments, all connected up in an ever growing community; on what had once been thought of as a giant floating ice ball in space.

Then Leonard and Amanda went down and met with the leader of the colony.

"Saavik."

She walked briskly over to them, putting a hand on their shoulders.

"It has been too long you two. I'm sorry we could not meet under better circumstances."

"Has father spoken with you?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, and he said he was returning to Vulcan to take a ship to help, but I was led to understand there was more planning for this event."

"There was," Leonard responded, "but it has happened earlier than predicted. He has gone to help, as you know, but we will bring everyone we can here as a precaution."

"We will be ready to receive them."

She hugged them then, smiling at those she called family.

"Good luck."

As the smaller crafts continued runs to the planet as normal, the larger ships and the Enterprise D prepared to go as a convoy. Leonard poured over files of the volunteers, looking to see what could be taken off the automation system and what must remain on it. He looked up when Amanda came in, with her arms full, putting several supplies next to him. Leonard stared at the instruments.

"I'm a captain, not a doctor."

Amanda scowled and tossed the medical belt into his arms.

"Now you're a doctor. We will mind-meld on-route and I will teach you what I can."

"Why?"

"Well, I could give you the logic of having at least two medically able personal in case we are separated, but in this case I'll simply say that thanks to your need to be in that captain's chair and 'make a difference' as you say, I out rank you, Mister! We do what I want."

Leonard chuckled. "Very succinctly put, Admiral Kirk."

"Thank you, Captain Kirk."

As the convoy made its way to Romulus Amanda went to be with Salak. She found him in engineering of course, looking at the hastily made, but functional, cloaking device with pride.

"If we get back I must give my regards to Montgomery Scott," he said, as she approached.

She wrapped her arms around him.

"You deserve credit for it too, Salak, and all the other improvements you made on such short notice," she said, thinking back to the new EMH in sickbay.

Salak put one arm around her shoulders.

"You know I desire to spoil you, and it is logical to have as many medics as possible for the mission."

"Of course."

Amanda leaned her head against her husband.

"You have such a brilliant mind, my love."

"My dear, are you saying you only love me for my mind?"

Amanda smiled and kissed him.

"I did not say only."

The convey passed the neutral zone without detection, and then the hard work began. The smaller ships reached capacity quickly and left for Delta Vega in small groups. Until only the Enterprise and two cargo carriers were still in Romulus' orbit beaming up anyone and everyone they could. All personal working franticly to find space, keep some semblance of peace, and keep the transporters working. The underground movement and their relatives had been beamed up first. That had gone well enough. Many had been aware that a problem was brewing and were ready to accept help from Starfleet and the Federation. Beaming people up at random though was bound to cause some difficulties.

Despite a less than enthusiastic reaction by many the brig, cabins, Ten Forward, and the holodeck were being stuffed full to bursting Romulans of every age, class, and lifestyle.

On the bridge tensions ran high as they monitored the changes in the space near them. The clock was ticking down. The latest report of the star came back and it wasn't good.

"Energy readings are off the charts, Captain," T'Par announced.

Leonard closed his eyes and then answered in grime realization.

"He isn't going to make it."

"Sir, Romulan warbirds on the approach from the planet!"

"They are searching for us," T'Par said.

"Took them long enough," Leonard said. "Evasive manoeuvres."

The Enterprise moved through space, trying to avoid their attackers.

"Shields, Captain?"

"Negative we need to keep getting people on board, and she can handle a couple of shots from them."

One warbird fired and the ship shuddered as they took the hit.

"Damage report."

"Port side is weakened but holding steady."

"Do they know they hit us?"

"Unlikely, Captain, they have not changed formation."

Several more shots were fired at empty space before one ship got lucky hit them again.

"They shorted out the cloaking device, sir!"

"How bad, Engineer?"

Salak's voice came over the comm.

"I can have it back online in 12.4 minutes, without it will be fully visible in 2.68 minutes preciously. Ill start-"

"Negative, Salak. Transfer remaining power to the engines, keep them in top shape; and keep reserve power for the shields."

The pilot turned to Leonard in shock.

"Sir, when the rest of the Romulans know where we are they will give chase immediately."

"I know and that's exactly what I want."

"But why?"

"Because if they're firing at us that means they are away from the planet. Keep transporting people aboard until the last possible second, then raise shields, and get us back to Federation space. All hands to battle stations, red alert!"

They followed his orders preciously as the clock ran down. Finally, when they knew that nothing more could be done, the Enterprise D and the two ships that still remained went to warp.

The star had gone nova and the effect was immediate.

"The cargo ship Alpha is hailing us, sir."

"Put it on audio."

"Captain Kirk, a plasma conduit has overloaded! We cannot contain the breach! We need help! Our passengers must get to safety!"

"Prepare to beam them aboard."

"Sir, they are shielded from our transporters. The shockwaves from the supernova are causing interference."

Precious minutes slipped by as they worked, trying to find a way to break through the interference.

"Captain, someone has overridden the codes to access the shuttle bay."

"What idiot…" but then Leonard trailed off in horror, he knew.

Not even checking her station to confirm it Leonard raced down to the shuttle bay to confront her.

He found her there, working controls, her blond hair flying freely and her skin shining with sweat.

"T'Par you can't do this."

She looked at him, her gaze steady. "It is the best solution and you know it. We must get them onboard and without the transporters we must use the shuttlecrafts."

"Then I will send someone else."

"The best pilot is already trying to get this ship back to Delta Vega with the same amount of bulkheads we started with. The energy field out there will be fatal and we cannot afford to send personal out there as cannon fodder. Due to my physiology I have a chance to rescue several groups before succumbing to the inevitable radiation."

"Then let me check the roister see if there are others capable of doing this."

She stepped away from the controls.

"All right."

He turned away to check the computer and T'Par leapt into action. Her hand pushed firmly against the side of his neck. Leonard felt his body stiffen but his mind remain fully alert. T'Par yanked them towards the panel, palming the large button that began the countdown to depressurize the hanger. He would have no time to stop her now.

"Cheater," he rasped.

With a twinkle in her eye she placed her other hand to his face. "I learned from the best, Captain. Remember."

She turned him towards her, letting his body regain movement, and kissed him goodbye. Their hands were slow and lingering, their mouths hot and fast. Then she broke away and went into the shuttle; and he quickly cleared out of the hanger and let her go.

Meanwhile, other lives were also going to hell.

Salak had been pulled from engineering to fix one of the transporters and then the desperate call came from the other cargo ship. Some of the passengers had panicked and tried to take over the ship, only succeeding in damaging the vessel. The people were now trapped in what they would only describe as a raging inferno.

"There are hundreds lives on that ship, most of then women and children, Amanda."

"Surly you could work the transporters from here."

"Our transporters would never be able to lock onto them in this kind of disarray, I've barely got this one room working despite the interference from the nova, and they're already in a full blown panic over there."

Salak squeezed her shoulder firmly.

"I have to go and help them, you know this."

She grabbed his shirt and kissed him firmly.

"I'll be monitoring you," she said softly, as she pulled back.

"Will you do something else for me?"

"Anything."

Like quick silver his hand reached for the side of her face.

"Remember."

Salak had gone over and the civilians and crew were beamed over as fast as the transporter could work. Amanda remained at the station on the Enterprise to make sure her side kept working, and to check for causalities.

"How many left?" Amanda asked, as she helped work the controls, sweat pouring off of her from heat that belonged to the other ship.

"Four."

There were still five working pads on her side and she knew immediately that he had not balanced the remaining power to include himself.

"Salak! You-you mustn't leave me!"

"The fire has damaged the controls, it must be done manually, my ashaya."

He coughed as smoke continued filling the ship before falling silent as he beamed the last group aboard.

On the Enterprise the transporter controls sparked. "I love you!" Amanda cried as her body slumped forward. She felt the flames course over her body, they heated the air, and then just as suddenly it stopped, and the air filled with static.

Amanda gripped the edges of the transporter console, bending the metal beneath her grip.

"Is anyone injured?" she finally asked.

Silence filled the room.

"I repeat, is anyone injured?"

There was a shout and a woman came through the crowd clutching her swollen stomach; clearly in the last stage of pregnancy.

Another Romulan broke through the crowd as well and struck her across the cheek.

"You show of weakness to an outsider is shameful!"

Amanda grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the woman.

"You keep your hands to yourself or I'll give you something to yell about!"

Amanda turned to woman, who had tears running down her cheeks.

"My husband-my husband wasn't on the ship. He's supposed to be here!"

Amanda slipped one arm around her shoulders and held her gently.

"Everything is going to be all right, trust me." She turned her head to two nearby Romulans. You and you with me! Everyone else, try and make yourselves useful."

The sickbay was flooded with people. In one corner the curtains were drawn in what was a mocking attempt at privacy as Amanda worked to bring a life affirming situation to the den of misery.

"One more push, come on now."

The woman did and the baby was out. The cord was cut and the afterbirth cleaned up. Amanda fought back tears while placing the child in her mother's arms. Then she sat back, wiping the sweat off her face, and a voice called out in her mind.

Amanda...the shuttle is coming back.

I'll be with you.

She made it there in time to see the shuttle skid into the far wall of the bay. Leaving the passengers to her team she went in with Leonard.

T'Par was still in the pilot's seat and when she saw them she tried to get up, and slumped to the floor. Leonard looked at Amanda, and her heart broke at the hope that still lingered there; wanting her to overturn what even his fledging medical knowledge was clearly telling him.

"She can be made comfortable, nothing more."

Leonard went over and gathered his wife into his arms. Amanda closed the shuttle door, allowing them privacy. Then Amanda went over herself and held her hand.

"It was logical," T'Par said evenly.

"That is not going to make it hurt any less," Leonard said, kissing every unblemished piece of skin that he could find.

"It...will in time."

"I love you, T'Par."

"And I you."

T'Par raised her free hand and let her fingers touch his.

"Live long and prosper…oh, promise me you will, Leonard."

"I promise."

Leonard held her tight as life left her.

When it was all over Amanda opened the door and the medics came in. Leonard let them take the body as Amanda helped him to the shuttle bay door. He was needed on the bridge.

They stood strong in the turbolift, Side by side as they had done for many years. Still, their mental shields were strengthened. By keeping the link open with one katra they had been tempting fate enough. Two was to invite disaster. Touch was still permitted for some time yet though so Amanda inspected her brother. Leonard flinched as her hand moved over his side.

"Those ribs are cracked."

"I know, it was one of passengers' way of saying thanks. I think she was a bouncer in a nightclub."

"I'd liked to look at them in sickbay."

"I know but you already have it at standing room only in there. And since I am still standing that's makes this wound superficial, so there is little to be done at the moment."

Amanda sighed. "I know...just don't make them worse."

The alarms blared and the lights flickered as the Enterprise D still raced across the vastness of space, trying to outrun something you couldn't outrun. Energy waves coming from the supernova tossed the ship through the darkness.

"The deflectors are offline, sir!"

Leonard stiffened in the captain's chair

"How soon can you get them back online?"

"We're maxed out trying to keep the engines going!"

"I need that repaired or none of us are going to make it, Mr Kyle! Engines or no engines!"

Amanda had been treating an injury on the bridge and suddenly felt her body stiffen and her mind ripple, as if see was seeing things from under water. Under control that was not her own Amanda made her way to area for the needed repairs.

Why does everything important on this ship have to be in such a stupid spot! She thought in frustration as she twisted her tired body in the small tube reconnecting wires at a frantic pace. Half a dozen connections later the proper lights came back on.

We did it!

The ship jolted once again and she lost her grip and fell the length of the tube. She heard the crack as the leg bone shattered on impact with the ground, and she cried out in agony as the bone tore through her skin. The sent of copper filled the air as blood flowed out of the damaged artery.

Leonard screamed in pain and fell out of the captain's chair. His hands immediately went to check the wound only to see that there wasn't one. No blood, no heat from torn muscles. It was a phantom pain, not his own. Without a moment's hesitation his shields dropped and his mind reached out for hers. As a voice from a lifetime ago, speaking to someone else, rang in his ears.

You'd better get down here…better hurry.

"Take the conn!" he yelled to no one in particular, and made for the turbolift.

Focusing on the bright spot in the chaos he made for her location. Suddenly the ship shuddered again as the gravitational waves slammed into them. Leonard hit the nearest bulkhead and a menacing fire of pain filled him as the now broken rib twisted inwards and pierced through his right lung. He coughed hard and tasted blood.

Using years of mental training he forced himself to keep moving. Finally, at the end of the hallway, he found her. Sprawled on the floor just outside the jeffries tube, the pool of green beneath her growing by the second. She looked at him.

"Put pressure…on it."

He nodded, grabbing a pressure backing from his medical belt, and pressed his hands hard against the wound. His own body started to spasm and more blood dripped off his chin

"Keep your-your breathing slow and shallow. Don't…make it worse."

"Don't care…about me."

"Then do it for her. I can't-can't get everybody to Mount Selya myself."

Leonard nodded and tried to regain control. "It might be in vain…this whole ship is on the edge of that nova. If we cannot maintain a safe distance we will-" he was cut off as the view outside showed the wall of energy as it suddenly swirled and vanished into a newly created gravity well.

"Father."

Leonard actually managed a smile. "Think he'll ever-ever stop saving our asses?"

"No."

With that pronouncement the rest of the medical team finally arrived.

"Commander."

"Sir?"

"Start processing the refugees and getting together any families you can, stand-down from red-alert, and begin all needed repairs," Leonard said firmly, and then toppled over as the sedative kicked in and the world went blissfully dark and silent.

(End Chapter 8)