The first blast hit about ten meters off to their right, a bright red fireball that slammed hard into the rocky mountain. The ground trembled under their feet as the three travelers hurried down the maze of stone slabs. 

"Surprised to see me, admiral?" came a mocking voice through their helmet speakers. 

"Rokar Meg," said Harper as she dodged a boulder. She was in the lead, with the other two following close behind. 

"Charlie!" said Strickland out loud. "We could use some help up here!" 

"Your friend's in no position to help anybody," Meg's voice replied calmly. The ship did a slow turn, circling the summit behind them. 

Harper heard herself gasp. Oh my God–-Charlie! she thought. What's he done to Charlie? 

A growl came from McGovern's throat as he dashed down the mountain. Stupid stupid stupid! He thought. First time in my life I get caught without a weapon... Something slapped against his thigh; it was the grappling hook, the one they did not need after all. McGovern's mind raced as he jumped over a shoebox-sized rock. The bridge was just ahead. Harper paused at the ledge and turned to look behind them. The Evacado Peach had rounded the summit, and was coming down the rocky slope at a painfully slow pace towards their position, about twenty meters above them. She scanned the hull, but saw no obviously vulnerable points.  Strickland came up to her and stopped. "Go, go!" Harper insisted, waving him past her. 

Strickland grabbed hold of the belay rope still strung across the gap. Without even thinking of the voids on either side hurried across the bridge, sliding his hand along the rope. He stopped at the other side; in amazement, he turned to survey what he'd just done. "Huh!" he said. 

"No capturing for ransom this time, Rokar?" Harper said as she followed Strickland across the bridge. She was stalling for time. "No more auctions?" 

"No ransoms! You destroyed everything I had, admiral," said Rokar Meg's voice, "so now, I'm going to destroy you!" McGovern had made it to the landing. He pointed off behind the other two. 

"The cave!" he said panting. "Head for the cave!" The Peach was looming closer as Harper and Strickland turned and hurried around the far side of Picnic Rock, McGovern close behind. 

"There's no place to run!" Rokar Meg was saying as they rounded Picnic Rock. The hollow caves came into view. Strickland stopped at the opening; he ducked his head to peek inside. It looked big enough to hide them, but for how long? Harper and McGovern appeared, and Strickland waved them into the cave. He followed close behind them. Inside, it was all rough, dark rock, about the size of a large bathroom. The three travelers climbed as deep into the cave as they could go. The hugged the back wall as the ground just outside the entrance disappeared into shadow. The Peach was hovering directly overhead. 

"Damn it, where did you go?!?" howled Rokar Meg. All around them, the walls of the cave vibrated from the power of the ship's engines. After a few moments, the shadow moved on. 

Harper raised one finger up to her visor, signaling the others to be quiet. She tapped the side of her helmet. Through her visor, the others could see her lips mouth the words He can hear us! 

Strickland and McGovern nodded in understanding. 

Strickland's gloved fingers worked at a set of buttons on the collar of his suit. Through his visor, the others could see a line of tiny status lights along the bottom rim. One green light suddenly turned red. Strickland then went to Harper and McGovern, changing the controls on their suits. When all had the same red lights, he bumped his helmet tight against Harper's. "Can you hear me?" 

"Yes!" said Harper. "Can he still hear us?" McGovern understood and leaned over, putting his helmet in contact with the others. 

"No," said Strickland, speaking louder than normal. The planet had just enough atmosphere to allow the sound of their voices to transmit through the helmets. "I just turned off the broadcast. We can still hear him." 

"Is that why we couldn't hear Charlie any more?" Harper asked, her eyes wide and frightened. "Oh, God. Did he–" 

"We can't think about that now," McGovern interrupted. "We gotta think about ourselves. Charlie's..." Dead, is what McGovern's mind told him. Probably dead. "...on his own," is what he said, carefully controlling the tone of his voice. 

Harper did not believe him. She had lost too many crewmen in her years commanding starships to not recognize the same lie she had herself used before. She bit her lip as horrible images of carnage flashed through her imagination... but Strickland tapped his hand on her visor to get her attention. 

"No waste! No waste, Frannie, remember?" he was saying. "Rokar Meg wouldn't have destroyed a ship he could sell later, right? I'm sure Charlie's okay! He couldn't destroy the Peach, and he wouldn't have destroyed the Esmeralda. Charlie's okay! All right?" Harper stared at him for a moment, then closed her eyes, her body slumping with relief. 

"A diversion," McGovern was saying to himself. "We might be able to get back down the mountain if we had a diversion..." 

"All right! You want to play games, fine!" boomed Rokar Meg's voice in their helmets. "Here's a game. I'll make you a deal, admiral. You give yourself up, and I'll let the others live. How's that? Your life for theirs. You got five minutes or I start blowing this whole planet apart!"  

Strickland's eyes looked at his companions. "Would he do that?" 

"He would, if he could," McGovern said. "...But he can't. If he had the firepower, he would've just picked us off back on the slopes. I'm guessing he's only got one or two shots left on his disruptors. He's saving them," he said, looking at Harper, "for you." 

Harper leaned back against the hard wall of the cave. She let out a deep breath. "So that's it," she said finally. Her jaw was set, her eyes clear. She faced the cave entrance, and took a step forward–- 

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Strickland said, as he and McGovern both pushed her back at the shoulders. "Where do you think you're going?" 

"If he gets what he wants," she said slowly, "I... He said he'd let you two live! I don't want anybody else to get hurt!" 

"Frannie," said McGovern, "he's a crook! He's lying. Of course he's lying. He's not gonna leave any witnesses. Even if he doesn't kill us outright, he'll just maroon us here. Same thing." 

Harper yelled at McGovern through her helmet. "Well, do you have any better ideas?!?" 

"Yeah," said Strickland, suddenly getting the others' attention. "I think I do." He looked into Harper's eyes. "But you're not gonna like it much." 

*** 

The attack came from nowhere. Gordon was listening to the conversations on the mountain when the blast hit the ship, slamming into the hull like the hammer of Thor. He briefly blacked out. When he came to, most of the ship's power was gone. He thought the primary power coupling was hit, but that could only be inspected from outside. He did manage to get the secondary batteries on line, but communications was still down, and the ship still would not move. 

It was maddening to not know what was going on up on the mountain. By re-routing some of the jumper cables, he managed to get the forward sensor array online just as the mystery ship opened fire near the summit. He kept trying to reestablish communications, but nothing seemed to get through. Without a suit, there was nothing he could do to help. Then, he spotted something in the corner of the ship's bay. It wasn't much, but it might be enough... 

On board the former Evacado Peach, Rokar Meg was getting frustrated. "Where the hell is she?" he grumbled. Beside him, Salpen Meg eyed his brother carefully. The journey through Klingon space and across the Outremer had been dangerous, but Rokar would not be persuaded from his vengeance. 

"Rokar," Salpen said quietly, "maybe we should give up this chase. We still have the ship. There are other prey to catch, maybe over in Romulan space..." 

"Never!" Rokar growled. "She dies! The bitch dies to--there they are!" he pointed suddenly. He leaned over the ship's console, pointing out the main view port at the scene below. It was hard to see things clearly through the blowing dust. Salpen could see three figures in mining suits emerge from a cave at the base of the tall rock. Two figures started running clockwise around the base, while the other took off running in the opposite direction. 

"That's her!" Rokar said. "The smallest suit. I'm getting heat signatures on all three. That's gotta be her!" 

"What are they doing?" Salpen wondered to himself as Rokar turned the ship. Maneuvering thrusters strained and whined as the ship gave chase. The figures below dodged rocks and thick slabs of stone. 

"Get the blaster cannon ready!" Rokar barked. "I'm gonna blast-- the hell?!?" From the mists of the orange sky, a large, rectangular box appeared out of nowhere and slammed into the view port directly in front of Rokar Meg. The appearance was such a surprise Salpen brought the ship to a halt, hovering next to the black, stony pinnacle called Picnic Rock. 

McGovern came around a corner in time to look up at the ship stationary high above him. He watched as Gordon's storage container flew back and forth across the ship's main view port, pausing only to slam into the transparent aluminum over and over. McGovern smiled as he ran. All right Charlie! he thought. Ahead, two figures appeared from around the base of Picnic Rock. McGovern waved, and the two stopped, yellow dust swirling around their feet. McGovern dropped what was left of the roll of rope he'd been laying out behind him, and started swinging the grappling hook in a wide arc. 

In the Esmeralda far below, Gordon concentrated on the hand controls for the storage container. The unit came with a camera and remote viewscreen, but they were features he never had the need to use. He launched the container as soon as he could, if only to see what was going on atop the mountain. When he saw the ship pursuing the others, he decided to do what he could to slow it down. 

"Where the hell did this flying suitcase come from?" Rokar Meg was saying. The view port was holding against the assault, but each attack made a loud noise that aggravated his already frazzled nerves. Rokar Meg kept getting angrier and angrier. Yellow dust blocked his vision, as well. "Damn it! Can you see them down there?" 

Salpen squinted as he looked down. "I see two of them. They're running... they're leaving one behind!" Rokar looked for himself. Indeed, two figures were running clockwise around the rock, but not the same two that started that direction. He craned his neck, and directly below saw the third figure lying on the rocky ground. 

"Ha!" laughed Rokar. "They grew a brain and left her behind!" He leapt for the disruptor controls. "Take this, you stupid--damn!" Rokar cried as the container made another run at the view port, making a loud, startling noise. It shook Rokar's hand so that when he fired. The disruptor blast went wild, striking the base of Picnic Rock with a fiery explosion. 

Twenty meters ahead, the two figures stopped. McGovern watched as the other brought up a length of rope with a carabiner tied securely to the end. McGovern held up the other end of the rope, now trailing from the bottom of the pursuing ship. The other figure clamped the biner on the extended rope. McGovern nodded, and slapped the other on the arm. The two rushed away, headed back the way they came towards the crest of the mountain. They suddenly felt the ground vibrate beneath their feet. 

On board the ship, Rokar Meg was cursing at wasting one of his remaining shots. "Damn it! Hold position--I want to get a clear shot this time!" He focused his attention on the disruptor controls, targeting the prone figure below. "This time, I won't miss!" Salpen looked up from the thruster controls in time to see the tall pinnacle of rock next to their ship ...move. The disruptor blast weakened the base of the rock, and it was cracking under the strain. Thirty meters of solid, volcanic rock, which had stood against the elements on that dead planet for millions of years, was buckling under its own weight. Salppen watched breathlessly as the tremendous rock tumbled away from them. It even caught the attention of Gordon, who flew the container out of the way. 

Picnic Rock tumbled over and smashed into the spine of V761, rocking the mountain. It landed right on the edge over the north slope, and teetered on the edge for a breathless moment before quietly rolling over. As it rolled, the rope secured around it's base coiled around the moving stone and grew taunt between it and the ship above. 

The sudden jerk of the ship took both brothers by surprise. Picnic Rock rolled over the edge and pulled on the underside of the ship. The sudden torque turned the ship on its starboard side. Maneuvering thrusters that had been holding the ship above the surface were now pushing it down towards the surface. Salpen struggled to compensate, but it was too late. 

On the crest of the mountain, the two figures stopped to look back as Picnic Rock rolled over the edge, pulling the ship down with it. In a whipping motion, the ship was pulled ahead and landed dorsal side on the north slope ahead of Picnic Rock, which crashed down on top of it. The ship rolled end over end down the slope, with the rock shattering against the hull. The impact shattered the fragile structure of the slope, and the whole side of the mountain broke away and came raining down on top of the rolling ship. Chunks of the ship broke away and rolled along with the rest. 

Gordon watched in horror as Harper's figure, still prone at the former base of Picnic Rock, was swept away in the avalanche, disappearing in a gigantic cloud of charcoal-colored dust. "Frannie!" he cried. "Oh God, no!" 

The jumble of rocks and fragmenting ship hit the rocky gully the travelers had so carefully climbed, and cascaded down the remainder of the mountain. Gordon looked up from the container remote and watched the avalanche come crashing down the base of the mountain, spilling out onto the narrow valley floor. Boulders and pieces of the ship rolled within a dozen meters of his location. The dust settled, and all was still. 

Gordon's hands were shaking. He couldn't breathe. Frannie, he thought. Frannie's gone. Something moved on the container remote's tiny screen. The two figures he recognized as McGovern and Strickland were waving. Taking a long, shaky breath, Gordon used the remote to direct the container back down to their location. He brought it in for a landing. Silently, he watched as the two used their last coil of rope to fashion a harness around the container. Secured to the sides, Gordon levitated the container and flew it down the side of the mountain, the two figures riding along. 

What happened up there? Gordon kept asking himself. Why did they leave her? He decided he would never know until he got the others were back down the mountain. 

Gordon brought the container in for a landing next to the Esmeralda. He watched as the two figures unhooked themselves and stepped up to the bay hatch. Shielding his face with one hand, Gordon used the other to open the hatch. Billowing yellow dust rolled into the bay as the two figures entered. As soon as they were both inside, Gordon slid the hatch shut. 

A hundred questions swirled around in Gordon's head as the yellow dust settled in the ship's bay. He could see McGovern's face through the visor as he struggled to remove the helmet. Gordon turned to face Strickland, but the other suddenly pivoted around and fell back flat on his back, arms and legs quivering. 

Gordon was stunned. Was he having a heart attack? Had he run out of air? Just as Gordon kneeled down beside Strickland, he stopped moving. Suddenly, something pushed against the inside of the suit. With a ripping sound, the shiny point of a blade came poking out of the chest and tore down the abdomen. A hand appeared. It pushed aside the narrow opening. Gasping, her hair slicked back with sweat, Harper's face appeared in the aperture. 

"Frannie!" Gordon cried. "You're alive!" It was then he noticed how much bigger Strickland's suit was than McGovern's. 

"Charlie!" Harper sang, her voice melodious to his ears. "Get me out of here!" Her elbows appeared, and Gordon hooked his hands under her shoulders and pulled her up. She was wearing only her underwear, and it was soaked with sweat. She stepped out of the suit and onto the ship's deck. Gordon couldn't believe his eyes. 

"My God," he breathed, hugging her close, her skin wet and sticky. "I thought you--I thought..." 

"Me, too," she said to his ear. Her voice was quivering with emotion. "I thought you were..." She kissed him hard on the lips, pulling him tight against her. 

Strickland, still flat on the deck, managed to twist his helmet off. It rolled over to the side. His arms and legs flailed on the floor. "Hey, could somebody give me a hand here?" McGovern laid his helmet down on the deck and kneeled down to help Strickland. Gordon pulled away to look at Harper. 

"You must be thirsty," he said, grabbing a canteen and handing it to Harper. She opened it and gulped down water furiously. He got her a blanket and wrapped it around her. "What happened up there?" Gordon asked. 

"Well," McGovern said, "when what's-his-name showed up and we couldn't raise you, we figured you were dead." 

"We had to get back down the mountain, but we needed a diversion," Strickland said, sitting up in the torn remains of his suit. He sighed. "Aw, man, this suit's a loss." 

"The guy was gunning for Frannie, so we figured to give her to him," McGovern said, pulling himself out of his suit. "These things are expandable, so Frannie got out of her suit and hid inside Warren's." 

"I used the compressed air canisters to inflate her suit," Strickland explained. "I figured we could use that to distract him long enough to find a better hiding place. It was Dave's idea to tether off the ship to slow him down." Harper handed the canteen to Strickland, who took a long swig. "Man, who knew Tellarite rope was so strong?" 

"Best in the universe," said McGovern. "What did I tell you?" 

Harper looked up at Gordon. "So, what happened down here? How bad are we hit?" 

"They fired on the ship," Gordon explained. "Main power is down, but life support still works. I don't know how bad the damage is." 

"Give me a minute to catch my breath," McGovern said, "And I'll suit up again and go take a look. Anything to eat around here?" 

Gordon pointed to a box in the corner. "I think there's still some pod packs left." 

Strickland laughed. "That's what we used inside Frannie's suit-- to make a heat signature on scanners." 

"The bad guys would've caught on it was a ruse otherwise," McGovern explained, looking through the box. 

"Best use of a pod pack I could think of," Harper said to herself. 

Strickland kicked off the legs off his suit, and sat back against the bulkhead, canteen in his lap. "You know," he said, "if we need any spare parts, we could probably give the Peach a look over. Salvage something. There might be--" 

"Uh oh," Harper said suddenly. The others followed her gaze forward, through the main view port. Someone in a black space suit was limping across the rocky valley floor, headed straight towards them. In one hand he held a Romulan disruptor. He raised it and pointed it straight at the ship. 

"Look out!" McGovern cried as the man fired. The blast struck the front of the ship. Lights flickered as the ship rocked from the blast. 

"Can you hear me, admiral?" came Rokar Meg's voice over the loudspeakers. "Salpen's dead--my brother is dead, and it's all your fault!" He fired again, the blast rattling the front end of the ship. Cracks spider-webbed across the main viewport. 

"This sucks!" McGovern spat. "No weapons, only one suit, and we can't take off. We're sitting ducks out here!" 

"That viewport won't hold for long," Strickland said. Harper wrapped an arm around Gordon. He put his arm around her shoulders and held her close. She did not feel afraid. 

"You've taken everything from me!" Rokar Meg was ranting. "I don't care if it kills me, I don't care if I die on this stupid rock, I'm gonna kill--!"  

The ground at Rokar Meg's feet erupted in a half-dozen tiny explosions, scattering dust and pebbles across his legs. Wide shadows suddenly appeared swooping across the valley floor. A thick, blue beam of light came down right next to Rokar Meg, exploding a meter-wide hole in the rocky ground. The travelers could see the criminal's expression through his faceplate, frozen in astonishment. 

"Attention," boomed a new voice over the loudspeakers. "This is Commander Eudaly of the Federation starship Independence. Throw down your weapon or we will open fire." Harper edged out of Gordon's grasp and closer to the viewport to take a look up. In the orange skies above, four gleaming white Starfleet shuttles circled overhead. Each carried the mark of the Independence on its side. A fifth was coming down for a landing directly between the Esmeralda and Rokar Meg, it's phasers aimed directly at the criminal. 

Rokar Meg stared at the ship in front of him, then looked at the ships circling above him, and growled in frustration. With intense effort, he finally threw down the blaster. It bounced away from him harmlessly. "Why does everything happen to me?" he whined. 

*** 

The ride off-planet was surreal. Gordon later remembered scattered images: Starfleet security in riot gear, framed in the pale light of the open bay hatch; momentarily breathing the stale atmosphere as they transferred to the shuttle; the face of the scarred planet drifting away as they ascended into orbit. It all came back into focus as they arrived on board the ship. Captain Kofmel herself greeted the travelers personally as they disembarked in the shuttle bay. Crew members stared at their tattered, dusty appearance. "Thank you," Harper told her sincerely. "To you and your crew." 

"Our pleasure, admiral," Kofmel returned, smiling. 

"What about Rokar Meg, captain?" Gordon asked, his arm around Harper. 

"In custody," Kofmel reported. "He'll be a guest of our brig until the various jurisdictions decide who gets to punish him first." 

"I guess you've got a lot of questions for us," McGovern said, patting dust off his shoulders. 

"There will be plenty of time for that tomorrow," Kofmel said. 

"Tomorrow?" Strickland asked. "We're not leaving right away?" 

Kofmel shook her head. "We have to salvage the Peach and get that ship of yours off-planet before we leave. The high levels of radiation make it impossible to use the transporters, so we've got to do it the old-fashioned way. My engineers say the operation will take at least 72 hours... although I expect them to have it done in 48." She looked sternly at an officer behind them, who looked down and hurried away. "In the meantime, I'd like my doctors to take a look at you, and then you'll be shown to your quarters." 

"Thanks, captain," said McGovern. "We really appreciate it." A lieutenant waved them towards an exit, and the four travelers followed. 
 
As they were going through the main hangar bay entrance, Kofmel turned and said, "This whole trip, this whole adventure of yours... It was really about just climbing a mountain?" 

The travelers slowly nodded their heads. "Yeah," Strickland said. "Pretty much." 

Kofmel chuckled to herself, then looked away. "Remarkable." 

The quick run through Sick Bay showed cuts, bruises, stressed muscles and slight dehydration, but otherwise the travelers were in good shape. Gordon was surprised at how much weight he'd lost since leaving Earth. The same lieutenant escorted them to a suite on Deck Five, which had four bedrooms. "We'll only need three," Harper said, taking Gordon's hand. The two smiled at each other. 

The lieutenant stared for a moment, said, "Ooooookaaaaay then," and bid a quick exit. The first order of business was showers-- long, hot showers with real water. Then, they fired up the replicators for their first real meal in days. McGovern finally got his t-bone steak, although he left half of it behind to go to bed. The others retired to their quarters soon afterwards, with Harper and Gordon sharing one for themselves. 

The next morning found the four eating together at the table in the suite's central area. A note from the captain requested their presence for debriefing at 0900. Their personal effects were also delivered from the Esmeralda, which was currently undergoing repairs. The ship had been identified as the Arkansas, a prototype for the Starfleet Runabouts, salvaged by pirates from the wreck of the USS Melbourne after the battle of Wolf 359. 

"What's going to happen today?" Strickland said over a stack of pancakes. 

"Well," said Harper, "by Starfleet protocols, they'll talk to us together, and then split us up to get separate statements." 

"Meetings," McGovern said, scooping up a pile of scrambled eggs. "If there's anything Starfleet does better than anybody, it's meetings." 

"I'll need to report to Admiral Beck, at some point," Gordon said. 

"He'll be so proud of you," Harper said, patting his hand. 

The meetings started promptly at 0900. As Harper predicted, they outlined their movements since leaving Earth. When Captain Kofmel was convinced they were not spies, suicidal or defectors, she separated them into different rooms to give individual statements. The lieutenant interviewing Strickland was interested in how he sabotaged the Evacado Peach's replicator; an emotional Strickland detailed the slave labor camp on Kartikay run by Emby Shipping. The ensign assigned to Gordon only seemed to care about the various ships they traveled on. No less than a commander talked to Harper, mostly about interstellar law and cultural etiquette. The officer talking to McGovern only wanted to talk about the incident on Tellar Prime. 

The debriefings took a break lunchtime. The four travelers retired to their suite for lunch. Their rooms featured a picture window off the port side. They were finishing their meal when McGovern who noticed a Klingon ship alongside them in orbit. Strickland spotted another ship through a different window, though he couldn't identify it, and Gordon sighted another Starfleet ship in stationary orbit far off in the distance. 

"Is it just me," Strickland commented, "or has it gotten really crowded out there all of a sudden?" As they made their way back to the meeting room, crew members stopped whatever they were doing and to look at them. An ensign even held the turbolift doors open for them as they entered. 

Captain Kofmel greeted the travelers when they returned to the meeting room. First Officer Eudaly and two other officers were with her. "I've been asked by the Federation to look into the incident on Tellar Prime," she explained as she sat down. 

"Hey, we're retired," McGovern said. "You can't hold the Prime Directive against us." 

"I am aware of that," Kofmel replied. "However, Dr. Gordon here is still a Starfleet officer. If any charges were to be filed, they would be against him." 

"Me?" Gordon said. "All we did was bury a dead body." 

"The body of a hero," McGovern added. "He was a brave soldier who deserved to be buried properly." 

"But not in a restricted area," Kofmel pointed out. "Your actions also caused a riot, which caused a general strike, martial law, and the flight of––how many is it now?" One of the officers showed Kofmel the screen of a nearby PADD. "So far, over twelve thousand Tellarites have left Tellar Prime, and are now in refugee camps in three neighboring star systems." 

"All Downam, aren't they?" Strickland said. "They've never been allowed to leave before." 

Harper raised her hand to speak. "We are aware of our actions, captain," she said quietly. "We are also aware of the consequences. The only issue at hand, however, is if any laws were broken. Am I right?" Kofmel and the others nodded. "When Tellar joined the Federation, the government was eager to trade with other star systems. The other systems, however, particularly Earth, were disturbed by the apartheid laws that separated Tellarites into Dow and Downam. So, Tellar changed its laws. If you look closely, you'll see that Tellar's constitution prohibits discrimination in all areas of life... and, in this case, death." 

Kofmel and the others spoke in hurried, hushed tones to each other. One officer turned to a computer console set in the wall and began running a check. "But, the Downam were still treated as second-class citizens," said Commander Eudaly. 

"Correct," said Harper. "But, the Downam class were not allowed to immigrate to other planets --where they would have told their side of the story-- so the Federation stayed unaware of the discrimination which was banned by law, but continued in practice." 

"It's like the American south after the slaves were freed," Strickland explained. "Legally, everyone was equal, but the social system kept black people suppressed for a long time." 

"So we didn't break any laws," McGovern concluded. "If anything, it's those guys that threw rocks at us that were breaking laws–-assault and battery." The others agreed. 

Kofmel turned to the officer at the computer; he nodded to her, indicating Harper was correct. "Well, then," Kofmel said, "I see no reason for the filing of charges against Dr. Gordon." 

Gordon breathed a sigh of relief. Harper patted him on the knee and smiled at him. "Thank you, captain. For a while there, I wasn't sure what my future was." 

"Actually, doctor," said Kofmel, "your actions in this... mission... have shown you to be dedicated and resourceful. Precisely the kind of person I like in my crew. If it's acceptable to you, I'm going to put in a request that you be transferred to the Independence." 

"Ship duty?" Gordon gasped. "Here? It's... it's all I've ever dreamed about! Thank you, captain!" Harper smiled at his laugh. 
 
"That just brings up the issue of the twelve thousand refugees," Eudaly interjected. "Any ideas where they should go?" 

"The Federation is a big place," McGovern said, spreading his hands. "Lots of places for people to seek a new life for themselves." 

"Plenty of opportunity," Strickland added. "The Downam are dedicated, hard workers; they'll be welcome anywhere." 

"I guess there won't be Dow Tellarites and Downam Tellarites anymore," Gordon commented. "Only ...Tellarites." 

McGovern rapped his knuckles on the table. "As it should be!" 

"In fact," said Strickland, "they might find work on Klingon farming planets, raising the new crops of dungtit." The travelers chuckled to themselves. 

"There is another possibility," came a voice from behind them. Two people had entered the room, wearing long robes of teal and turquoise. It took a moment for Gordon to recognize the face of the one in front. 

"Rabi!" said Gordon. "It's you! How are you feeling?" 

"Very well, thank you, doctor," Rabi said. He turned to his companion and said, "This is the human who helped me in the mines." The second Romulan turned and gave Gordon a short bow. 

"Everyone," said Captain Kofmel, "may I introduce Senator Sorsic, special envoy from the Romulan Empire." Sorsic was a tall male with long white hair, who carried himself with quiet dignity. "Senator Sorsic was on board the Evacado Peach when it was seized by Rokar Meg." 

"The pirates killed most of my delegation," Sorsic explained, "and took the rest to that dreadful mining base." 

"That's how Rokar Meg was able to navigate the Outremer so easily," Strickland said to himself. 

"We came upon the senator as he and several others were fleeing the Kartikay base," Kofmel explained. The starship Icaria is there now, evacuating the remaining slaves. Acting Governor Kysoria is aiding in the evacuation." 

"Governor Kysoria?" Harper asked, looking at the others in surprise. 

Strickland said, "He's certainly moved up in the world." 

"We can all say we knew him when," added Gordon. 

"The new Praetor originally sent me on a mission of peace to the Federation," Sorsic said. "I find myself now in gratitude to the Federation for my freedom and that of my countrymen." 

"As an expression of that gratitude," Rabi elaborated, "the envoy is willing to concede the dilithium mines of Kartikay III into Federation hands." This was a surprise to everyone in the room. 

"That is very generous," Captain Kofmel said finally. 

"As reprehensible as the slave labor camp was," Sorsic said, "it would be impractical for the mines to be abandoned completely, to fall back into the hands of criminals." 

McGovern snapped his fingers. "And you were thinking maybe those Tellarites could work the mines, instead of slave labor?" 

"It is one possibility," Sorsic said. "The Romulan Empire acknowledges there is much work to be done. This is new ground for many in our government, and we need someone familiar with Federation law to work with us. Someone trustworthy. Admiral Harper: we would like you to assist in diplomatic negotiations." 

"Me?" said Harper. Her face lit up. "It––it would be an honor, Senator. So long as the Federation approves, of course." She was blushing at the attention. 

Kofmel frowned. "The Outremer is a dangerous place. If Federation citizens were to work in the Kartikay mines, there would have to be a Starfleet presence to protect them." 

"They will be protected," growled a new voice. Entering the room were two Klingons in full battle armor. "Nothing is more secure than the protection of the Klingon Empire." 

Kofmel looked up, blinking. "And you are...?" 

"General Rigg, commanding the Bird of Prey Clawtex. In the name of the High Council, the Idalya System and the mines of Kartikay III now under the jurisdiction of the Klingon Empire." 

"The Klingon Empire is expanding its borders into the Outremer?" Kofmel exclaimed. "This is... unprecedented." 

"Pirates have had the run of the Outremer for, well, forever," Strickland pointed out. "They won't give up a millimeter of space without a fight." 

Rigg's eyes narrowed, and his face widened in a broad smile. "It will be ...glorious." 

The second Klingon stepped forward. "General McGovern," he said. "I am Commander Tallank. You are said to be an honorable man. My cousin Ru'Med has spoken highly of you." 

"You're Ru'Med's cousin?" McGovern said. "How's he doin'?" 

"He is well," said Tallank simply. 

"The operation to secure the Outremer will stretch the resources of the Empire," said Rigg. "The High Council recognizes supplementary resources may be required." 

McGovern eyed the Klingons suspiciously. "What are you getting at?" 

"On Ru'Med's advice," said Tallank, "we offer you the position of military advisor to the Klingon Empire." 

McGovern laughed out loud. "You want me to work for the Klingons?" He laughed again, then became serious. "Are you offering me a command?" 

Harper turned to McGovern. "You're not seriously thinking of this, are you?" 

"I'm exploring options!" McGovern said. 

Kofmel leaned over the table towards McGovern. "Starfleet might not be too happy with you working for the Klingons." 

"I'd like to see them try to stop me!" He turned to Rigg. "Would there be a rank and title involved? 

Rigg shrugged his shoulders. "Such things would have to be approved by the High Council." 

"Well, then," said McGovern, leaning back in his seat, "I guess I'll have to talk to them in person." 

Rigg laughed, then turned to Tallank, a satisfied look on his face. "He is just as you described," Rigg said. 

"Federation citizens working in a Romulan mine in Klingon space," mused Strickland. "The logistics will be quite a challenge." 

"Now, now," said Harper, spreading her hands. "There's plenty of space for everybody." 

"Agreed," said Sorsic. "The Romulan Empire will not oppose a Klingon incursion into the Outremer, but it will be interested in sharing it's resources." 

"The Federation will be entitled to some fair compensation, as well," Harper pointed out. 

"If the Klingons take over this part of space, then," said Strickland, "then what they're gonna need is somebody to coordinate commerce, regulate trade, secure worker's rights, stuff like that. Somebody familiar with trade practices in both the Alpha and Beta Quadrants." 

Sorsic looked at Strickland. "Would you be interested in the position?" 

Strickland looked stunned. Before he could say anything, McGovern slapped him on the back. "He's your man for the job," he said loudly to Rigg. "This is one of the most honest men I've ever known. And honorable. Big on honor, this guy!" 

"I must say, Captain Strickland," interjected Kofmel, "your reputation, your experience, and particularly your honesty in the case against Emby Shipping would go a long way towards the Federation approving such a position." 

"I–-I don't know what to say," Strickland finally said. He was nervous, surprised, and a little shocked... but excited at the whole concept. 

The meeting broke up into smaller discussion groups after that. Harper mediated a talk between Rigg and Senator Sorsic, while Tallank discussed tactics with McGovern. Captain Kofmel went over the history of the Independence with Gordon, while Strickland debated interstellar trade with Rabi. It was late afternoon when everyone decided to break for the day. The first thing Harper when they returned to their suite was to make a call to her niece Miriam back on Earth to let her know everything was all right. Miriam could not believe her saintly aunt traveled all that way to climb a mountain. 

"The next time you do something recklessly childish, let me know first, okay?" 

"Of course, dear," Harper told her. 

Everything moved at a whirlwind pace after that. Gordon finally contacted Admiral Beck, who was irritated at the lack of reporting but not unwilling to approve a transfer to ship duty. The Romulans were delighted at Senator Sorsic's rescue from the slave colony, and cautiously optimistic about the scores of former political prisoners scheduled to be repatriated back into Romulan society. McGovern and the Klingons got along like brothers. The High Council was even friendly to the idea of allowing some of the Human Legion to leave Q'onos –temporarily– to assist in the conquest of the Outremer. Strickland's knowledge of trade routes and shipping practices were invaluable to Kofmel and the Romulans, as well as providing strategy for the Klingons. Gordon spent his time walking around the ship, getting to know the crew, and familiarizing himself with Sick Bay. It was in Sick Bay that Harper found him, looking over a computer display of unstable molecules. 

"Hi," she said. 

"Hi," he returned. He stood and gave her a tender peck on the forehead. "How are the negotiations going?" 

Harper sat down; he noticed she had a stunned look on her face. "They're talking about me being ambassador to the Romulan Empire!" 

"That's great!" Gordon said, giving her a hug. He looked at her face. "That's not great?" 

"Yes. Or, to put it another way, no. I don't know," she said, shaking her head. "This is all happening so fast." 

"Tell me about it," Gordon said, pointing at the computer display. "One minute I'm sorting enzyme samples, the next I'm on the other side of the galaxy. It looks like Starfleet will be sending me to training on Starbase 42 before reassigning me out here. A ship, Frannie! I'm gonna be on a ship!" 

"I know," she said, touching his face gently. There was a sad look in her eyes. "I know." 

"Frannie," Gordon said quietly, "It doesn't matter if there's millimeters or light years between us, we'll always be together." She closed her eyes and smiled, a tear of relief rolling down her cheek. 
 

Epilogue  

Two days later, the skies above Concordia VI were busy. The Evacado Peach was back in orbit, unearthed, repaired and under tow by the Independence. The Bird of Prey Clawtex stood by to take McGovern back to Q'onos. A Romulan warbird waited for Harper and Senator Sorsic. 

The four travelers found themselves in the hangar bay of the Independence, standing in front of a Runabout christened the Brazos. "So, you'll be going with me to Starbase 42?" Gordon was asking Strickland. 

"Yeah," said the old man. "The UFP wants to swear me in or some such nonsense." 

"Under-secretary of commerce for the Beta Quadrant," said McGovern proudly. "It couldn't happen to a nicer guy." 

"Thanks, Dave," Strickland said. He noticed something on McGovern's belt. "Is that Frannie's Bowie knife?" 

"Yeah," said McGovern, turning to show it off. "I traded my butterfly knife for her's. She figured I'd need it if I was gonna be working with the Klingons." 

"You and the Klingons," Strickland said, looking heavenward. "God help us all." 

Harper was standing nearby, but noticed Captain Kofmel off to the side, waving her over. She joined the captain, who was holding a package under one arm. 

"Admiral," she said, speaking confidentially, "I couldn't help but notice your... relationship with Dr. Gordon. May I ask a personal question?" 

"Shoot," said Harper. 

Kofmel searched for the words. "You're... he's... there's decades of difference between you two. How long do expect a relationship like that to last?" 

Harper shrugged. "As long as it can. If there's one thing this trip has taught me, it's to grab for every little crumb of happiness there is in this world, because you might never get another chance." 

An officer stepped out of the Runabout Brazos. "We're ready for takeoff," he announced. Harper and Kofmel joined the others. 

"Before you all go your separate ways," Kofmel said, "I wanted to show you this." She pulled the package out from under her arm and removed the brown wrapping. Holding it up, the others saw it was a framed 2-D picture: Harper, Strickland and McGovern standing on the stony summit. The angle showed their faces through the helmet visors, their expressions full of glee. "We pulled this image from your tricorder, admiral," the captain said. "This picture is being sent to the Navigator's Club, San Francisco, Earth. I thought you might like to autograph it first." 

The travelers were delighted, and happily signed the picture. The three climbers insisted Gordon sign it, too. "This will commemorate your achievement of being the first humans to climb to the summit of V761." 

"Actually," said Strickland, "we were talking it over last night..." 

"And since we climbed it," said McGovern, "we figured we had the right to give it a proper name." 

"Mount Flynn," said Harper proudly, "after Terry Flynn, whose memory got us started on this fiasco in the first place." She noticed Commander Eudaly coming up behind Kofmel. 

"Excuse me," he said, pointing at the picture. "The crew and I were wondering if it would be all right if we put up a copy of that picture in our Mess Hall." 

"Of course," said Harper, the others nodding approval. Eudaly signaled to a lieutenant, who brought up an identical framed picture. 

"Would you please autograph this one, too?" 

Autographs, smiles and many hugs later, the shuttle was ready to depart. The four travelers stood together in front of the Brazos saying goodbye. 

"Keep in touch," Strickland said. 

"Watch your back," McGovern said. 

"Take care now," said Harper. 

"Be seeing you," said Gordon. 

The four turned to leave. Kofmel looked at Eudaly. "Amazing, isn't it? Going on the adventure of a lifetime like that? And now they're all going their separate ways. Who knows when they'll all be together again? Hell, it'll be a race just to see which one of them gets back to Earth first." 

The four travelers stopped in their tracks. One by one, each turned to look at the others. It was McGovern that looked over at Kofmel, a grin on his face, a gleam in his eye. 

"Did you say, a race..?"