Star Trek

The Imperator Somnium shuddered under the massed volley of energy shots. The fleet of xenos ships were close to overloading the void shields around the great ship. An interstellar phenomena had brought the Imperator Somnium out of the warp to investigate, which led to the ambush by what looked to be Klingon ships.
They weren't travelling with a fleet as this was meant as a quick trip off world to check out a geological event on a world that had just joined the Imperium. The phenomena caught their attention nearly a week out from their destination.
"Malcador, take the Primarchs and make for the savior pods," the Emperor said. "I'll send the bank of them out to cover you. Get away from the fleet and get reinforcements."
"Yes, lord," Malcador said, he didn't look happy with the assignment, but he understood. "Primarchs."
Horus stayed a moment, looking up at the Emperor who had turned back to the tacticarium display to make his next move. Malcador called his name, but he didn't come until Sanguinius grabbed his arm and started dragging him.
"What is Father doing?" Angron asked. "He can't beat a whole fleet, not with just the Imperator Somnium."
"He's not trying to beat the fleet," Malcador said as he hurried the Primarchs down the hallways. There was another shuddering of the deck plates and a warning klaxon started, announcing boarders.
"The shields must be down," Alpharius said.
"Leman! Stay together!" Malador called as Leman tried to run down the corridor to his quarters.
"But Freki and Geri are in my room!" Leman called back.
"We don't have time to get them," Malcador said. "We need to move fast if we're going to make it to the savior pods."
"But," Leman said, warming up for an argument.
"Your father will keep them safe," Malcador said, hoping he was right. Leman hesitated, but then returned to Malcador's side and they headed off again.
They were nearly to the pods when a Klingon boarding party swung around a corner. Malcador got in front of the Primarchs, but was a second too slow to block the bolts of disruptor fire and took two direct hits. Reeling, he planted his staff in the floor trying to focus through the haze of pain. The Lion, Perturabo, Rogal, Mortarion, Vulkan, and Corvus formed a tight circle around him. Magnus beat both Jaghatai and Angron to the first kill, the lead Klingon falling to a psy-bolt that took his head out.
The last Klingon alive had one more trick for them, pulling a knife out of his sash, he threw it at Malcador, who was barely standing with the aid of his staff. It struck him just above his heart, causing the Sigillite to crumple. The last Klingon fell as the first one had, nearly his whole body disappearing in the psychic manifestation of Magnus's anger.
"I can see the savior pods," Roboute said. "We can carry him that far. There's supposed to be a medikit on all of them."
"I... can walk," Malcador managed to rasp. "Lorgar... carry my staff. Magnus, Vulkan.... help me."
"Are you sure?" Horus asked. Malcador nodded, his breathing was heavy, as if he had just run a long distance. Blood was dripping from his wounds, staining his robes.
They made it to the savior pod, Jaghatai lowering the embarkation ramp. Ferrus ran in and activated the vox to inform the Emperor that they had arrived. Magnus and Vulkan helped Malcador to one of the seats in the pod. Mortarion got out the medikit and began rifling through it.
"What are we going to do about the knife?" Lorgar asked. "Take it out?"
"No," Mortarion said. "I want to, but I don't know if it was barbed or not. I really don't want to do more damage getting it out."
"What have we got for food supplies?" Horus asked.
"There's a week, maybe two, of food for a human normal," Roboute said. "This savior pod wasn't meant for us though, nothing for post-humans."
"We'll have to make do," Horus said. "When is Father sending us out?"
"Now," the Emperor said over the vox. "You all heard what I told Malcador. Keep each other safe, protect Malcador."
"We will, Father," Horus said. "We'll be back to get you."
The Emperor didn't respond. The savior pod moved as it slotted into its firing tube. Mortarion finished bandaging Malcador and set secured both of them just as the pod was shot out and away from the Imperator Somnium. Perturabo took the pilot's slot, intending to use the short-ranged engine to get them away from the fleet and towards the nearest Imperial planet.
They were nearly free of the fleet when a shot landed a blow to the engine. They spun wildly before Perturabo could get the stabilizing thrusters to slow them. Horus checked on everyone, and noted that Malcador had lost consciousness at some point. The Primarchs realized that they were now drifting in space.
"We're free of the fleet," Perturabo announced.
"I'll activate the distress beacon," Ferrus said. "Hopefully someone will be close and pick us up before we run out of food."

***********************

"Captain, I'm picking up a distress signal," Uhura said, turning to look at Kirk in the command chair. "It's not on a Federation frequency though."

"On speakers," Kirk said. He looked over to Spock, who checked his station. 

"Savior pod 145-98 of the Imperator Somnium," the message played, looping over again.

"Anything on sensors, Spock?" Kirk asked.

"Yes, Captain," Spock said. "A small craft, the message is coming from there. It appears to be a distress beacon."

"Clearly, Mr. Spock," Uhura said. 

"Can we open a channel to it?" Kirk asked, turning to Uhura.

"I think so," Uhura said as she adjusted some dials at her station. "Hailing frequencies open."

"This is Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise," Kirk said. "Are you receiving, savior pod 145-98?"

There was a long moment of silence. Kirk glanced back at Uhura who indicated that the channel was still open. Finally a child's voice came back over the comm. 

"My name is Horus Lupercal," came the voice. It sounded young, and like the boy was trying to not be afraid. "We read you."

"How many are in your pod?" Kirk asked.

"Nineteen," Horus answered. "Our engine got hit as we were escaping."

"We can bring you aboard," Kirk said. "Do you, or anyone on your pod, need a special environment?"

"No," Horus said. "But Uncle Malcador needs medical treatment."

"We'll have a medical team standing by," Kirk said. "We'll pull your pod in with a tractor beam." With that he turned to Scotty at the engineering station, who nodded. 

"I've got a lock on them," Scotty said. "Pulling them into the shuttle bay now."

"Do you want me to talk to you while we pull you in?" Kirk asked Horus.

"That won't be necessary," Horus said. "We'll talk when we're aboard?"

"Yes," Kirk said. "I'll meet you in the shuttle bay." He got up, and signaled for Uhura to close the channel. "Spock, with me. Scotty, you have the bridge when you're done with the tractor beam."

"Aye, sir," Scotty said as the turbolift doors closed on Kirk and Spock.

**********************

They arrived in time to see the savior pod using its landing thrusters to put down in the shuttle bay. The engine was a slagged mess, clearly having been hit by a Klingon Bird-of-Prey. One end opened, forming an embarkation ramp that remained empty for a moment. Then a young boy, Kirk put him at about thirteen, appeared at the top of the ramp. His head was shaved, and he had brown eyes that were clearly concerned. McCoy entered just then with a medical team just behind him.

"Are you Horus Lupercal?" Kirk asked. 

"Yes," the boy said. He looked relieved now that McCoy had shown up. He turned to look back into the pod. "We should all come out so they can get Uncle Malcador."

With that, he came down the ramp, followed by a small stream of other boys. They came down the ramp and lined up by some arrangement that made sense to them. There were two gaps that remained, one was larger than the other. After a second pause another boy came out with a tall staff. It appeared to be mostly made of iron, but it was topped with a sculpted eagle that sat in a basket of low-burning flames. He took the smaller open spot next to Horus, who was near the end of the line up.

"Neither will budge until the medicae get him," the boy with the staff said to Horus. "Mortarion's still mad that Magnus won't pull his hair back."

Horus looked up the ramp, and sighed. He then turned to look at McCoy, "Is it alright if two of my brothers are still in there?"

"It's not a problem," McCoy said, and headed up the ramp himself. 

Inside he didn't have to look for his patient. The man was ancient, the boys had managed to bandage his chest without removing the knife. McCoy found himself impressed.

"Why didn't you remove the knife?" he asked the boys as he pulled out his Feinberger and ran it over the old man.

"We aren't sure if it's barbed," said the hooded boy. "He's strong, but we don't want to make it harder for him than we have to."

"A good precaution," McCoy said. "However, Klingon knives aren't barbed. Do you have anymore gauze?" 

"No," the hooded boy answered. "I've had to change the bandage twice. He took two energy shots before the knife."

"I see," McCoy said. He reached into his medikit and pulled out a square of gauze. "Who has the faster reflexes?"

"Magnus," the hooded boy said, pointing to the other boy, who was a bright red, and only had one eye.

"Here," McCoy said, handing it over. "I'm going to pull out the knife, you're going to put the gauze in place and make sure it sticks."

"Alright," Magnus said quietly. He turned his attention to the old man. McCoy grabbed the knife and pulled it straight out. Magnus got the gauze on almost as soon as the tip of the knife was visible. He smoothed it and tucked the corners into the rest of the bandage already in place.

"Good job," McCoy said. "Now, both of you go wait outside. There's two other people with a grav stretcher out there, tell them to come up when you get out there."

"We will," the hooded boy said, turning and heading down the ramp. Magnus hesitated, and then followed his companion. The rest of the medical team came up a moment later. They disentangled the old man from the restraints and gently set him on the stretcher. They moved out, heading directly for sick bay. McCoy paused next to Kirk.

"I'm taking him directly to surgery," McCoy said, indicating the old man. "He's taken some low power disruptor shots."

"We'll keep our other guests out of your way," Kirk said. McCoy headed out, and Kirk noted the hooded boy grabbing the red one's arm to keep him from following the doctor.

"What happened to your ship?" Kirk asked.

"We were checking out a space phenomena," Horus said. "Then a fleet of ships appeared. Father sent Uncle Malcador to get reinforcements, and to get us to safety."

"How did your uncle get injured?" Kirk asked.

"There was a Klingon boarding party," Horus answered. He seemed to be the spokesman for the group. "We encountered them near the savior pods."

"Where is your ship from?" Spock asked. They had lost their galactic location after going to through the anomaly to escape the Klingons.

"Terra," Horus said. "The one that used to be called Earth."

"Used to be?" Kirk asked. 

"Before Father unified it," Horus answered. "It's the center of the Imperium of Man."

"And your father is it's leader?" Spock asked.

"Yes," Horus said. "He is the Emperor of Mankind."

"What stardate is it?" Kirk asked. He was curious now, wondering what had happened to the Federation. Horus looked up and down the line as if hoping one of the others would answer.

"Ferrus?" Horus asked, leaning around some of the others to look at a boy with silver eyes and metallic hands. The other boy shook his head. 

"Father didn't make the Imperial calendar compatible with the stardate system that they use."

"What date is it by your system?" Spock asked. 

"358 M30," Ferrus answered. "That's the year and millennium. I'm not sure about anything more specific on the local time frame."

"We've been off Terra for two weeks, ship time," another boy put in. He was yet another who was shaved. He also had machinery grafted to him.

"That doesn't give us the year fraction," Ferrus replied. "If we were writing this down for the Administratum this would fall under a 9 for the check."

"True," the other boy admitted. Spock raised an eyebrow at the group.

"Alright, let's try a different question," Kirk said. "Do you guys know how to read a star chart?"

"Yes," Horus said. "We can tell you where the nearest Imperial planet is."

"That's good," Kirk said. "We'll go to the bridge then and get on our way."

"What about Uncle Malcador?" the red boy asked.

"We'll give Doctor McCoy some time to do the surgery he wanted, and then we can check on him," Kirk said. "We'll also set you up with quarters."

"I'm hungry," said one boy with wiry red hair.

"And food," Kirk said. 

"Only one of us needs to set up a course for Brisol," a boy with long white hair said. "I can do it. If we share quarters I pick sharing with Ferrus."

"I was going to claim you as bunk mate anyway," Ferrus said. "Who else would I chose?"

"Perturabo?" the boy suggested.

"Maybe," Ferrus said. "But then who would you be stuck with?" 

"Good point," the boy said with a forced giggle. Kirk realized that they were all concerned about the old man.

"Doctor McCoy is very good at his job," Kirk assured the boys. "What are your names?"

The boys introduced themselves as they headed towards the turbolift. Kirk and Spock shared confused glances at the fact that some had last names, and others didn't.

"Why do only some of you have last names?" Kirk asked.

"Not all of chose last names," Fulgrim said. He would be going up to the bridge with Spock to determine their location and set a course for the nearest planet.

"There'll be reinforcements at Brisol?" Spock asked. There was a brief silence from the boys.

"Maybe an Expeditionary Fleet?" Horus said questioningly. "I know none of mine are there."

"If there's anything there, it won't have Legion support," Roboute said. "Unless something changed without one of us being informed."

"Even if there isn't a fleet at Brisol, they have an astropathic choir and we can make contact with one," Horus said. "Just about every Imperial ship in the area will show up if they are able."

"Alright," Kirk said as the turbolift stopped on a floor. "This is where your quarters will be." Seventeen of the Primarchs got off with Kirk, leaving Fulgrim and Spock headed for the bridge.

"Can we also have one prepared for Uncle Malcador?" Horus asked Kirk.

"Of course," Kirk said. He took them to a row of visitor quarters the boys could use. "Do these work?"

"Yes," Horus said as he took a look in one of the room. "We'll go two to a room. We already know who Ferrus is rooming with." The others paired up easily enough, they selected a room for Malcador before heading off to the mess hall.

"What is an astropathic choir?" Kirk asked once the Primarchs had food.

"It's a group of psykers who send messages across space," Magnus said. "Psykers are people with psychic powers."

"So they're telepaths?" Kirk asked. 

"Yes," Horus said. "Though there are other types of psykers. Magnus is one, so is Uncle Malcador."

"Can you tell me more about your uncle?" Kirk asked.

"He's only sort of our uncle," Horus said hesitantly. He glanced at all the others before continuing. "He helped Father make us, and helps raise us."

"I think I missed something there," Kirk said.

"We aren't normal humans, like you," Horus said. "We're considered post-human. Father made us using his own genetic material. This means we have enhanced senses, and organs that others don't have."

"How old are you?" Kirk asked. 

"Roughly eight, Terran standard," Horus answered. 

"You mentioned Legions," Kirk said, trying to find something more solid for him.

"The Legiones Astartes," Horus said. "They're trans-humans, implanted with something called gene-seed, created from our genetic material."

"I think I understand," Kirk said. "But they aren't near here?"

"No," Horus said. "It's more likely to be an Army Fleet."

"What are the Expeditionary Fleets?" Kirk asked.

"They are the forces of the Great Crusade," Horus said. "We are trying to reunite the colonies of humanity and claim the stars."

"That I understand," Kirk said. "And it's one of those we are likely to get."

"More likely than Legion help," Horus said. "There aren't any Legion backed Fleets in the area, and we're a bit far from Legion recruiting worlds."

"Can we check on Uncle Malcador now?" Magnus asked. It was becoming clear to Kirk that Magnus was closest to the old man. 

"Let me see if Doctor McCoy is done with surgery first," Kirk said. He stood and went to a comm unit on the wall. "Kirk to sick bay."

"Sick bay, McCoy here," came the quick reply. "If our guests are asking, they can come see him now."

"They were asking," Kirk said. "And we're on our way."

*************************

They arrived in sick bay, and were greeted by McCoy. He lead them over to a recovery room that had the door closed. Then he turned to the Primarchs with a serious look on his face.

"I don't want more than three of you in there at a time," McCoy said. "He needs to rest to get better."

"Understood," Horus said. "Magnus, I won't keep you from going first."

"Thanks, Horus," Magnus said as he went in. Mortarion followed a moment later. Lorgar went to follow, but McCoy stopped him. 

"I don't want that in there," McCoy said. "At least not while it's on fire."

"They aren't real flames," Lorgar protested. "They're psyflames. Uncle Malcador controls them, not even Magnus can put them out."

"Psyflames?" Kirk and McCoy asked together.

"An expression of Uncle Malcador's power," Lorgar said. "He's the second strongest psyker in the Imperium. Magnus might edge him out when we are older, but as it currently stands only Father is stronger."

"It's also his staff of office," Horus said. "He'll want to know where it is when he wakes up."

"What office?" Kirk asked.

"He's called the Sigillite and First Lord of Terra," Horus explained. "He's father's adviser and friend."

"What's the proper form of address?" Kirk asked, confused by the terms Horus used.

"Lord," Horus said. "He's almost never addressed as Sigillite."

"I think you should go in there, Jaghatai," Mortarion said stepping out the room. Jaghatai nodded and headed in. Lorgar looked to McCoy, still holding the staff.

"Alright," McCoy sighed. Lorgar went in and carefully set Malcador's staff in a corner of the small room. McCoy entered a moment later to make sure they were being quiet.

Malcador laid on the bed, wearing a grey coverall instead of his robes. McCoy assured the boys that he had sent it to get repaired, he left again after checking the biobed's readout. Lorgar didn't stay long, looking like he couldn't bear it and Leman entered. The Primarchs alternated with only Magnus staying the entire time. McCoy entered again after Alpharius stepped out.

"I want to stay until he wakes," Magnus said. "Is that alright?"

"Yes," McCoy said. "I was hoping one of you would so he knows where he is and what's happening."

"That's exactly why I want to stay," Magnus said, managing a small smile. 

**************************

"I could take you on a tour of the ship," Kirk suggested after McCoy informed them that Magnus would stay. "I also want to check on the bridge."

"Let's go there," Horus agreed. "Make sure Fulgrim isn't getting us lost."

"He's not," Ferrus said as they entered the turbolift. 

They arrived on the bridge moments later. There was some tension from Fulgrim as he tried to avoid looking at the six-limbed, orange xenos at the navigation console. He spoke directly with the helmsman and the enginseer.

"Do we have a course?" Kirk asked.

"Yes, Captain," Sulu answered. 

"We're just tryin' to figure out how long it'll be," Scotty added. 

Fulgrim nodded. "It doesn't help that we have a shared term that has different meanings."

"What term?" Kirk asked. He didn't like always being the one asking questions of the boys, but he needed the information.

"Warp," Fulgrim said. "You use it to mean faster-than-light. For us it's a separate dimension that allows for interstellar travel."

"It makes things harder to calculate," Perturabo said. "Your rate of travel is different from ours. There's also less need for a Mandeville point, just a gravipause."

"How long in your terms?" Spock asked. 

"About a day and a half to the Mandville point," Fulgrim answered.

"Based on the Terran standard day," Ferrus added.

"What is your speed of travel through this warp?" Scotty asked.

"It's hard to tell that," Horus said. "Time doesn't flow in the normal way in the warp. It's a dimension created from collective subconscious."

"We'll be to the gravipause in about two days," Konrad said suddenly.

"You're sure?" Spock asked.

"Yes," Konrad said. He didn't elaborate on how he knew it.

"Then let's head out," Kirk said. 

**************************

Malcador stirred slightly and opened his eyes. It was obvious that he wasn't in the savior pod anymore. A flicker of light to his right caught his attention. Turning his head that way revealed his staff leaning neatly in the corner. He tried to sit up, but fell back as a sharp stab of pain flared in his chest. The door to the room slid open and Magnus entered.
"Uncle Malcador!" Magnus called out, clearly happy to see the Sigillite awake.
"I take it we're among friends," Malcador said quietly. They weren't in an Imperial ship and he knew that without needing to see outside the room.
"Yes," Magnus said. "Seems it wasn't just Klingons that showed up as a result of that phenomena."
"The Enterprise?" Malcador guessed. Magnus nodded. "The one with Kirk as captain."
McCoy entered the room just then, Malcador's attempt to sit up had caused an alarm to go off in his office. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been shot," Malcador grumbled.
"Well, I think you just made a joke," McCoy said. "That's a good sign."
"Where are the others, Magnus?" Malcador asked.
"I'm actually not sure," Magnus said. "Fulgrim I know was on the bridge telling them where we are and how to get to Brisol."
"Captain Kirk is taking the others, including Fulgrim, on a tour of the ship," McCoy said. "We've started toward Brisol."
"Good," Malcador said. "Are they alright?"
"No one else got seriously hurt," Magnus said. "Angron did get cut, but it's already almost gone. He's mad that it won't leave a mark."
"That's Angron," Malcador said. His chuckle turned to a pained gasp as his injury twinged. McCoy whipped out his Feinberger and began a scan. "I'm alright."
"The hell you are," McCoy said. "People your age aren't 'alright' after taking two disruptor shots."
"He'll get better," Magnus said confidently. "I can tell because he doesn't want to be fussed over."
"Magnus," Malcador said. "Join your brothers. Make sure that the bridge crew know to get one of you should they be hailed by any ship. I would also appreciate knowing if we have an estimated time of arrival for Brisol."
"I'll come back with that information," Magnus said. "It shouldn't be too hard to find the others." With that the red Primarch left, pausing at the door to look back at Malcador. It was like he wanted to ensure that he knew the other was alright.
"They're all brothers?" McCoy asked.
"Yes," Malcador said. "They're all made from my lord's genetic material. I'm the second adult that they met, making me 'uncle'."
"They all call you that it seems," McCoy said.
"Really?" Malcador asked, turning his head to look at the other man. "They must really have been worried. Normally only Magnus calls me that."
"They have been worried," McCoy said. "And all the ones I've heard mention you have called you that."
"Who?" Malcador asked. "Horus?"
"Yes, and Lorgar," McCoy said, Kirk had provided him with the Primarchs' names. "He was insistent on bringing your staff in here. Horus was certain you would want to know where it was."
"He was right," Malcador said. "They explained what happened?"
"Possibly," McCoy said. "I took you straight here and missed any explanation they may have given. I know Klingons are involved."
"That was probably obvious," Malcador said. "I remember getting a knife to the shoulder. Did they take it out?"
"No," McCoy said. "I did when we got your pod aboard."
"I see. You intercepted us?"
"No, we picked up your distress beacon," McCoy said. "Seems your engine got hit on the way out of the ambush."
"If all the others are with your captain there's no hope of salvaging it," Malcador said.
"Oh?" McCoy said.
"Perturabo, Ferrus, and Vulkan would be working on it if there was a chance," Malcador said with small smile.
"Why make sure the bridge gets one of the Primarchs if we get hailed?"
"A few reasons," Malcador said. "I don't think I'll be up to it if one shows up soon. We also need to make sure the hailing ship is friendly. Imperial ships won't fire on a ship with the Primarchs on it. It'd be tantamount to firing on the Imperator Somnium or the Bucephelus."
"We can spot a Klingon ship," McCoy said.
"I don't doubt it," Malcador said. "However, there are other enemies in space."
"True," McCoy said. "What if they can't identify a ship?"
"They're made for war," Malcador said, he was getting tired. "If it plies the void, they can identify it."

****************************

"Is this your training hall?" Angron asked. They had entered an area that reminded him of the gym at Nova.

"We use it mostly for exercise," Kirk said. "But some people do training here."

"Exercise is a form of training," Angron said. "It builds strength for using weapons."

"Magnus!" Jaghatai called as the door to the gym opened to admit his favorite brother. "How's Uncle Malcador?" 

"Determined not to be fussed over," Magnus answered. "Any idea how long until we reach Brisol?"

"Two days before we drop out of their warp drive," Konrad said. "Then another three days to get to the planet itself."

"Right," Magnus said. Kirk was still confused by the others's acceptance of Konrad's proclamations. He wasn't sure if he wanted to ask though as no one had offered an explanation.

"You missed the engines," Perturabo told Magnus. "This is our last stop on the tour."

"It's five days to Brisol," Magnus said. "I think I can make it down in that time."

"One of us should stay on the bridge," Horus said. "In case a ship makes contact with us."

"Uncle Malcador was concerned about that too," Magnus said. "I think it was because he isn't up for it himself."

"Alright," Kirk said. "There isn't a lot of room on the bridge, so you'll have to keep to a small area."

"We can do that," Horus said. "Right?"

"It can't be smaller than Swift Runner's bridge," Angron said. Kurt had brought him to the bridge a few times. "I managed that alright."

"You weren't behaving like you," Horus said.

"Yeah I was," Angron said. "It was just my name that I was keeping from them."

"If you say so," Horus said. 

**************************

The Emperor looked up as a group of three Klingons stepped in front of his cell. Two of them aimed their disruptors at him while the third folded his arms across his chest. The Emperor rose and stood before the third one, knowing him to be the leader.

"Why did you attack us?" the Emperor said. "We did nothing to provoke you."

"You brought us here," the leader said. "That does not count as provocation?"

"We did not bring you here," the Emperor stated firmly.

"Lies!" the Klingon cried. "But your ploy to trap us will not work. I saw you launch  your survival pods, and had them all destroyed!"

This announcement caused Valdor to stop sharply in his pacing across the hall. The Emperor barely noticed it as he sent his mind racing away from the fleet, seeking Malcador's soul-light. 

He couldn't find it. 

What he did find was something akin to a psychic blockade at the edge of the Klingon fleet. It was comprised of the xenos's war-mongering and aggression. His mind couldn't go past it.

Knowing the Klingons to be thorough in their warfare, the Emperor sank to the floor of his cell. Unable to reach Malcador, he couldn't refute the claim. His mind spun with the implications of the savior pod being destroyed. How would he handle the Legions? What about Omegon, hiding amongst the Alpha Legion back on Terra? The staff at Nova? The students who had befriended his sons?

How would he run the Imperium without Malcador? It had been the two of them from the earliest conception of the Imperium. He wasn't sure if it could run without the Sigillite leading the civilian side of things, keeping him in touch with the masses he ruled over. 

"You had best hope these cells contain us," Valdor said harshly. "You will find no mercy should we get out."

*************************

The Enterprise passed into the system without issue. Perturabo and Ferrus worked together to coax some information from the cogitator on the savior pod. With that they were able to determine the location of the Klingon fleet when they found the Imperator Somnium. The Enterprise's sensors didn't have the range to see if they were still there.

Malcador was released from sick bay once they entered the system. The Primarchs kept a close eye on him, but tried not to fuss too much. He tolerated it because he knew that it wasn't just him they were worried about. 

"Your father will be fine," Malcador assured them later that day. Alpharius was the one on the bridge just then. Horus had set up a rotation that Malcador approved of. "A Klingon won't be able to do anything to him."

"You're right," Horus said, clearly trying to convince himself.

"He's not alone," Roboute said. "Valdor is there, along with other Custodians."

"That doesn't stop us from worrying," Lorgar said. "Even you're worried."

"Allfather also has Freki and Geri," Leman said. "They'll listen to him. It'll be a surprise to the Klingons." A whistling sound emitted from the comms unit on the wall. All of the Primarchs turned around to look at the unit. Vulkan approached it.

"This is Alpharius," Alpharius' voice came over the unit. "Uncle Malcador, can you come to the bridge? We've made contact with a ship."

"On my way," Malcador said, pulling himself up with the aid of his staff. "Let them know I'll be a bit."

"Alright," Alpharius said. 

"Lion," Malcador said. "Can you help me get to the bridge?"

"Alright, Uncle Malcador," the Lion said. He was due to relieve Alpharius soon on the bridge. Malcador hadn't been to the bridge before now. They entered the turbolift and the Lion grabbed one of the control wands before giving it a vocal command to go to the bridge. 

"It is alright if the rest of you want to stop calling me uncle," Malcador said as the turbolift carried them through the ship. He knew he would miss it, but he didn't want to get too used to it. That would make it hurt worse when it stopped. 

"Maybe once we have reinforcements," the Lion said. "Or at least have sent the call out. And Magnus will never stop."

"He will some day," Malcador said. 

"Not until he gets his Legion," the Lion said. "And you are still our uncle, even if we don't call you that all the time."

They arrived at the bridge and Malcador's attention turned to the ship on the viewscreen. It was an Imperial ship, one of the smaller classes often used for system patrols. The shipmaster was getting impatient.

"Where is your proof?" the man demanded.

"What proof will you consider sufficient?" Kirk asked, not realizing that Malcador had arrived.

"Since you claim your hololith is out, I want direct vocal contact with the Sigillite before I believe you."

"You have that," Malcador announced. "Alert the Imperial governor at Brisol that I will be arriving by a non-Imperial ship."

"Prove you are the Sigillite," the shipmaster said, clearly unprepared.

"How shall I do that?" Malcador asked. "Is your astropath on your bridge?"

"He is," the shipmaster replied. "That would be sufficient."

Kirk looked over when Malcador remained silent. He opened his mouth to ask a question, but the Lion shook his head. Malcador himself had his eyes closed, the psyflames on his staff flickered a bit, but nothing else seemed to be happening.

"My deepest apologies, my lord," the shipmaster said. "We will inform Governor Treylan of your approach."

"And you will have other patrol ships informed?" Malcador asked, his eyes snapping open.

"Yes, my lord."

The ship veered off, allowing the Enterprise to continue on it's way. Kirk waited a moment before speaking to Malcador. "What happened, lord?"

"I spoke with their astropath," Malcador said. "All ships carry one as they have a longer reach than the vox."

"And we are continuing on to the planet?" Spock asked.

"Yes," Malcador said. "We'll need a stronger astropath than one sent on system patrol to reach the nearest Imperial fleet."

***********************

They continued on. Brisol itself was more welcoming, now aware of who they were receiving. Governor Treylan sent out an escort ship to guide them the rest of the way to the planet. This shipmaster offered to take Malcador and the Primarchs. Malcador refused stating that he was on the ship he needed to be on.

"I won't be offended if you want to be on one of your own ships," Kirk said. 

"It's not about offense," Malcador said. "We'll need you to teach us about how to fight Klingons in void combat."

"That doesn't mean you need to stay here," Kirk said. "We'll have to bring the ship captains together anyway."

"We're settled in," Malcador replied. "Perturabo and Ferrus would cause problems if I pull them away from your ship. They want to be able to tell their father about it when we return to the Imperator Somnium."

"If that's the case, I think Scotty wants them to stay too," Kirk said with a chuckle. "He likes having people who understand what he's saying."

"Those two are good for that," Malcador agreed with his own chuckle. 

"It's nice to see some different architecture," Rogal said. He was the Primarch hanging around Malcador just then. They still had one Primarch on the bridge to help facilitate communications between the Enterprise and the escort ship.

"You don't have ships like this?" Kirk asked.

"No," Rogal said. "Our ships are more baroque in design."

"What does the Imperator Somnium look like?" Kirk asked. 

"She's massive," Rogal said. "Comparable to a Legion battle-barge. She's not quite as well armed though. The Bucephelus is Father's warship. The Imperator Somnium is aimed more at diplomacy and statesmanship."

"And you always travel with your father?" Kirk asked. He hoped he didn't sound prying. He felt he got cheated of growing up with his father, who had died when he was born.

"Not always, but often," Rogal said. "It depends on if Father thinks it's safe. If not he'll leave us on Terra."

"Who watches you?"

"I do usually," Malcador said. "If it's not safe for the Primarchs, I usually stay and run the Imperium in my lord's name."

"I see," Kirk said. "What if you both had to go off planet?"

"That hasn't happened where one of us couldn't take them," Malcador said.

"Valdor could probably watch us for a few days," Rogal said. "If he wasn't with Father."

"Who's Valdor?" Kirk asked. There seemed to be quite a few people involved and he was having a hard time keeping them all straight.

"Constantin Valdor," Malcador said as they passed into a rec hall. "Is the leader of the Custodian Guard. They are the Emperor's bodyguards."

"And you don't have bodyguards?" 

"When I am near the Emperor, or serving in his name I will," Malcador said. "But typically no, I don't."

"We're serving that role for now," Rogal said. "Father asked us to."

"When was that?" Malcador asked. 

"Just before he launched the savior pod," Rogal said. "Didn't you hear him?"

"No," Malcador admitted. He only had faint impressions of getting onto the savior pod. "I may have blacked out just before that."

"What's going to happen when we reach Brisol?" Kirk asked. They were getting close and he didn't want to breach protocol.

"We'll meet Governor Treylan on the surface," Malcador answered. "The astropaths will send out the message, and then we'll wait."

"For replies," Kirk said.

"And for ships to start coming in," Malcador said. "We'll want to muster near the system edge. Your ship's lack of warp capability, as we know it, makes keeping together harder."

"Couldn't we slip into this dimension behind a bigger ship?" Kirk asked. "Tethered, maybe?"

"It is difficult to pull another ship through the warp," Rogal said. "And the Navigators of both ships need to be in constant contact with each other."

"Lieutenant Arex is an excellent navigator," Kirk said. He was well aware of the tension between his Imperial guests and the alien members of his crew, but didn't understand it.

"He may be," Malcador said. "However, he is not what Rogal meant by a Navigator. Those are psykers who guide ships through the warp. That is not the only problem though, you lack Geller fields which are vital to warp travel."

"So we'll have to travel separately from the fleet," Kirk said. He didn't know what a Geller field was, but didn't want to ask. Malcador and the Primarchs seemed rather hesitant to explain the warp and things connected to it.

"The warp isn't an easy thing to explain," Malcador said. "None of the laws of reality apply to it, and the laws it does abide by are fluid and unfathomable. There is also the unfortunate tendency for people to go mad if they don't have the proper training."

"That's why we have warp shutters on our ships," Rogal said. "To keep people from seeing it."

"Check," Sanguinius called from the tri-level chess table. Spock was teaching him how to play.

"But not checkmate," Spock said. 

"Yet," Sanguinius asserted. Spock made his move and Sanguinius countered. "Now, it's checkmate."

Spock raised an eyebrow as he looked over the board. He then realized that he had been utterly trapped. "You're a quick study. This is only our second game."

"It has similar rules to Regicide," Sanguinius said. "Learning the extra level is the only thing that threw me off in the first game."

"Are all of you like this?" Spock asked. 

"For the most part," Sanguinius said. "Though you wouldn't find Angron to be a good opponent. He's the least subtle of us all."

"How many have you taught?" Malcador asked as he made his way over, Rogal hung back as Sanguinius got out of the chair and turned it around the right way. None of the chairs on the Enterprise had slots on them, so he sat backwards in all of them.

"Four," Spock said. "Would you also like to learn, lord?"

"If you don't mind playing against another new player," Malcador said as he sat. Sanguinius pulled up another chair so he could watch. 

"I find playing against new players to be more of a challenge," Spock said as he set the pieces up. "They seem less restricted in their moves."

"You mean easier to trap," Malcador said. Spock raised an eyebrow, but finished setting the pieces up. 

"I can give you hints," Sanguinius suggested. 

"No," Malcador said with a chuckle. "Unless I'm getting a rule wrong." Spock explained the rules of the game and how the pieces moved. He then sat back and looked to Malcdor.

"You've given me the black pieces," Malcador said. "The first move is yours."

"How long do you expect reinforcements to require?" Spock asked as he made his opening move. Malcador studied the board a moment before making his first move, a mirror of Spock's.

"Several days unfortunately," Malcador answered. "Meeting them at the system's edge will cut down that time."

"Jaghatai and Angron might not like that we have to wait," Sanguinius said quietly.

"Angron's the only one that worries me," Malcador said. "Jaghatai will understand, even if it frustrates him."

"Why those two specifically?" Spock asked.

"Jaghatai likes speed," Sanguinius said. "Being forced to wait for days will make him antsy. Angron wants to fight, and more importantly he wants to be able to hurt something. He doesn't want to have to hold back, like when we spar with your crewmates."

"You have been holding back in your sparring?" Spock asked. He hadn't yet sparred a Primarch, but had watch Kirk do so.

"Yes," Sanguinius said. "It's sparring, we want to be fair. I'll spar Angron when we're done here and you'll see what I mean."

"I still want you both to be careful if you do that," Malcador said. "I'm as responsible for you as you are responsible for me." Sanguinius nodded. 

"Maybe Lion and Leman can spar," Kirk suggested. He had sparred with both and wanted to see what would happen as their fighting styles were very disparate.

"We don't want that," Malcador said while Sanguinius burst out laughing. "We still need a void-worthy ship."

"Oh?" Spock asked, eyebrow raised.

"They have a problem of not stopping until one is out cold, or my lord intervenes," Malcador said. He then turned his attention to Sanguinius who was laughing so hard he was having problems breathing properly. "Breathe, Sanguinius, you're making my ribs hurt."

"You also look like a seal," Rogal said. "What would Fulgrim say?"

"Probably what you just said," Malcador answered. "Where is Fulgrim?"

"I'm not sure," Rogal said. Sanguinius was still catching his breath, but he had stopped laughing.

"I... think he's... checking out their galley," Sanguinius gasped. "Ferrus is with him."

"Naturally," Malcador said.

"Those two seem close," Spock observed. He found the Primarchs fascinating as he had no siblings himself.

"They have similar drives," Rogal said. "Both want to excise weakness."

"Bridge to Captain Kirk," Uhura's voice called through the comm unit. Kirk got up, waving for the two chess players to continue their game.

"Kirk here," he said. 

"We've reached Brisol, sir," Uhura reported. "They've cleared an orbital slot for us."

"Establish orbit, I'll ask how we're expected to get to the surface," Kirk said. "Kirk out."

"So we've arrived," Sanguinius said when Kirk returned to the chess table.

"You could hear that over here?" Kirk asked.

"Yes," Rogal and Sanguinius said together.

"Who's going to the surface, and how are we getting there?" Kirk asked Malcador.

"You, Jaghatai, Sanguinius, Magnus, Horus, Vulkan, and myself," Malcador said. "If that many will fit in one of your shuttlecraft."

"We can take that many," Kirk said. "Wouldn't the transporter be faster?"

"Yes, but it would be an unnecessary display of force," Malcador said. "We don't need the Brisolians fearing the worst."

"Understandable," Kirk said. "What about the Primarchs staying aboard?" He left off asking about Spock.

"Roboute will be in charge," Malcador said. "Rogal, Sanguinius, find your brothers. Those coming with me should go to the shuttle bay, the others can stay where they are, but be aware of the situation."

"One of us should stay with you," Rogal said. "I can get to everyone."

"Konrad's just out in the hallway," Sanguinius said. "I believe he's trying to prank the captain."

"Why would he want to do that?" Kirk asked.

"Pranking you would be like getting the whole ship," Sanguinius explained. "He knows he doesn't have time to actually get to everyone."

"I guess that makes sense?" Kirk said questioningly. "Will he actually pull it off if we leave?"

"Not with me leaving with you," Malcador said. He stood, staggering slightly as he reached for his staff. Sanguinius nudged it towards him. 

"You don't have to come down to the planet," Kirk said. "I've done diplomatic meetings before."

"No," Malcador said. "You're obviously not Imperial Army, it'll make it look like you have captured us and mean them harm." He sighed, "Alright, Sanguinius, you'll stay with me. Konrad can help Rogal tell the others." 

"But what about this prank?" Spock asked.

"Konrad will dismantle it when he hears me coming," Malcador said. "He considers me off-limits for pranking for now."

"You think that'll change?" Kirk asked.

"Not for awhile," Malcador said. "He'll avoid pranking me until he can be sure I won't be hurt by one."

They stepped out into the hallway and found Konrad dismantling something. He gave Malcador a sheepish look, and avoided Kirk's questioning gaze. Malcador sent the pale Primarch off with Rogal to find their brothers. 

"Is there any reasoning behind the Primarchs we're taking with us?" Kirk asked as they headed towards the shuttle bay.

"I'm bringing Jaghatai so he can vent some of his cabin fever," Malcador said. "I also want to give Sanguinius a chance to stretch his wings before we head back into the fray."

"I'll get to fly while I'm planet-side?" Sanguinius asked, interrupting Malcador. His face lit up like he just been told he was getting a puppy.

"Yes," Malcador said. "I know the Enterprise has a few spaces where you can fly, but none are large."

"Thank you, Uncle Malcador!" Sanguinius said cheerfully. He turned his head sharply as he heard something the two adults couldn't quite. The sound was soon audible to them, becoming the sound of running feet, followed by Jaghatai and Magnus barreling around a corner.

"You could have met me at the shuttle bay," Malcador said. "Magnus and Horus are coming because both are likely to try something foolish if I leave the ship without them. Vulkan is friendly which makes him easy to get along with."

"You're bringing him because he's the tallest," Sanguinius said. "In case you need him."

"That was a secondary consideration," Malcador admitted. His wounds were healing slowly, and sometimes he did need the help. Vulkan's height made it easier for Malcador to hide how bad it was.

Horus and Vulkan had chosen to meet them in the shuttle bay, waiting near the damaged savior pod. Kirk spoke to the deck crew, having them prepare a shuttlecraft for the seven of them. As they waited, Sanguinius's comment in the hall hit Kirk with a start.

"You can actually fly?" 

*****************************

They arrived on Brisol, the Primarchs forming a protective circle around Malcador once they were out of the shuttlecraft. A corridor of soldiers led them to a pair of men standing a short distance away. Both men were waiting expectantly as the group from the Enterprise made their way over. Kirk noted with some surprise that one didn't have eyes at all. 

"Welcome to Brisol, lord," the other man said. Kirk assumed this was Governor Treylan. "I've brought my chief astropath, Larth, at your request. How may we assist you?"

"I need your choir to signal the nearest fleet," Malcador said. "A new xenos threat has arisen and taken the Emperor captive."

"I'll send the signal at once, my lord," Larth said. He turned and hurried away, guided by a sonic cane.

"We can further discuss this distressing news in private," Treylan said. "Shall we step inside?"

"Yes," Malcador said. "The quieter we keep this the better."

"What of the others with you?" Treylan asked.

"Magnus and Vulkan will stay with me," Malcador said. "Captain Kirk, I assume you can handle three Primarchs for a short time?"

"Of course," Kirk said, hoping he was right.

"I'll have someone escort you and the Lord Primarchs to the gardens," Treylan offered. "There is plenty of open space for them there."

"Thank you," Kirk said. A gesture from Treylan had a soldier stepping from the ranks to lead Kirk and the three Primarchs with him away. Once they entered the gardens Sanguinius spread his wings and leapt into the air. Jaghatai began to explore the area while Kirk watched Sanguinius in flight.

"He'll be up there awhile," Horus said. "Uncle Malcador or Magnus will be able to call him back down when it's time to go."

"Do you always call him uncle?" Kirk asked.

"Magnus does," Horus said. "The rest of us don't usually, but these aren't usual circumstances."

"I see," Kirk said. "Sanguinius won't go too far will he?"

"He'll stay close-ish to here," Horus said. "We've never been to Brisol before so he doesn't want to get lost."

"Close-ish?" Kirk asked, sounding concerned.

"He might see how high he can go before losing sight of us," Horus said. "But that should be the farthest he goes."

"He's easy to find, even if he does get lost," Jaghatai said as he rejoined them. "The wings make him stick out anywhere."

"But what if he loses sight of us?" Kirk asked. "We aren't as easy to spot."

"Sanguinius has enough psychic ability that he can sense Uncle Malcador," Horus said. "He could also make it back if he can find the shuttlecraft."

Kirk found a bench and settled in to wait for Sanguinius to return. He kept an eye on the other two as they looked around the garden. Horus found a pair of fallen tree branches, handing one to Jaghatai they began to duel. It was light-hearted play fighting. Kirk realized that it was a distraction for the two. One would disarm the other, then they would reset and start again. 

"Excuse me?" A member of Treylan's staff had appeared in the garden, Kirk turned to look at him. "Are you Captain Kirk?"

"Yes," Kirk said. 

"Lord Malcador has requested you join him," the man said.

"What of the Lord Primarchs?" Kirk asked. As if to answer his question, Sanguinius dove down into the garden, landing near his brothers. Jaghatai and Horus had stopped dueling.

"They are to come with as well," the man said. 

"Alright," Kirk said. They followed the serf into the meeting room where Malcador was waiting for them. Chairs had been made available for them, including one with a low back for Sanguinius. 

"What can you tell us about the Klingons, Captain Kirk?" Treylan asked.

"They're a warrior race of aliens," Kirk started. "They are highly aggressive and view humans as a weak, soft, race with little standing in the galaxy."

"They had the element of surprise when they captured the Imperator Somnium," Horus said.

"They also had numbers," Sanguinius added. "There's only so much that can be done in a situation like that."

"Will you be staying here for a response?" Treylan asked Malcador.

"No," Malcador said. "We'll go back to the Enterprise. We will need to move quickly once ships start coming in."

"I understand," Treylan said. 

The Primarchs stood, clearly catching that the meeting was over. Kirk stood a second later, Malcador hesitated a moment before looking to the others.

"Vulkan," Malcador said quietly. The dark Primarch didn't need to be told what to do, Magnus grabbed Malcador's staff while Vulkan assisted him to his feet.

"Are you well, lord?" Treylan asked, startled.

"I was injured by the xenos while departing the Imperator Somnium," Malcador said. "I will recover. Captain Kirk's chirurgeon has me well cared for."

"You should stay here, my lord," Treylan said. "Send Captain Kirk with your seal and others will follow."

"No," Malcador said. "My place is at our lord's side, and I will return to it. Also, if I stay it will cause issues among the Primarchs."

"How so?" Treylan asked.

"We would have to chose," Horus said. "Going to save Father, or staying with Lord Malcador. That's a hard decision for any of us."

"I won't subject the crew of the Enterprise, or any ship to that," Malcador said. "Between the Primarchs and Doctor McCoy I will be well tended to until we free the Imperator Somnium."

"Very well, lord," Treylan said, admitting his defeat.

***********************

Malcador's earlier prediction of how long it would take for reinforcements to arrive was accurate. The 367th Expeditionary Fleet were the ones who answered Malcador's call. They met the Enterprise near the jump point that was closest to the last known location for the Klingons.

Despite the Fleet's commanders being eager to go, Kirk took two full days teaching all the shipmasters about Klingon void warfare. This complete, the 367th headed out. Kirk, Sulu, and the Primarchs had spent the time waiting for the fleet to arrive to determine what warp factor the Enterprise needed to use to keep up. Jaghatai was the Primarch on the bridge when they left the system.

"The hunt begins."

***********************

The Emperor watched Valdor pace in the cell opposite him. He hadn't stopped moving, trying to find a way out since they had been put there. The Emperor himself hadn't moved since Koloth, commander of the Klingon fleet, had informed them that the savior pods had all been destroyed. He had tried to tell himself that he would have sensed Malcador's death, but he couldn't reach the Sigillite.

"They can't have gotten all of the pods," Valdor said suddenly, breaking the silence. "You would know if they were lost to us."

"I can't reach Malcador," the Emperor murmured. "I can't reach anyone beyond this fleet."

"That doesn't mean he's dead," Valdor said. He had stopped pacing, and sat facing his liege lord. "We have to get out of these cells and find out for ourselves what happened to them."

"The aggression of the Klingons is making it difficult for me to focus my powers."

"That may explain why you can't reach Malcador," Valdor said. "The Primarchs are all capable of piloting a savior pod out of danger."

The Emperor opened his mouth to reply, but was distracted by the sound of claws tapping on decking. Freki came around the corner, sniffing along the corridor. Geri followed, the two wolves stopped in front of the Emperor. 

"How did you two get here?" the Emperor asked. He thought they had been put in cages somewhere else in Koloth's ship. He was pleased they hadn't been killed out of hand, as that would have devastated Leman. As it is, they may be all I have left of him the Emperor thought bleakly.

The wolves of course didn't reply. An idea struck Valdor. The Klingons had confiscated his weapons, but left his armor on. He activated a small targeting light on his arm. Freki and Geri were known to try and attack the dot of light that it made on walls. He wiggled it around to catch their attention. Freki leapt at it first, smacking into the wall near the panel set into the wall. Geri tried next, causing the panel to light up.

Valdor couldn't read Klingon, but he saw a red button that he wanted to be green. Moving the light again, Freki managed to hit the button. It turned green, and the door to the Emperor's cell opened. The Emperor paused a moment and then stepped out of the cell, and released Valdor from his cell.

"Now we can find out the truth," Valdor said, stepping away. The Emperor remained where he was, staring into the distance. Freki began to nuzzle the Emperor's leg, as if trying to cheer him up. Geri made a high-pitched whine.

"My lord?" Valdor asked. He was finding the Emperor's despondency distressing.

"I've lost them," the Emperor said. "Even if it was a glancing hit, they've been gone for days. Not even my sons can survive that long without food."

"We don't know if that's the case," Valdor said. "If their pod was damaged they would have activated the distress beacon. Any Imperial ship who caught that would have come running at full burn."

"Malcador was injured," the Emperor said. Ferrus had mentioned it when he had informed the Emperor that they were on the savior pod. "What if he didn't make it?"

"The Primarchs will have done everything in their power to keep Malcador alive," Valdor said. "We have to have some faith in your sons."

"Yes," the Emperor said. He slowly followed Valdor as the Custodian headed down the hallway, looking for a cogitator terminal. Valdor hoped the Emperor could read Klingon and figure out the interface with the cogitator. Then they would be able to find the sensor logs. Freki and Geri trotted ahead of them, turning back if the Emperor fell behind.

"Can you use these cogitators?" Valdor asked, spotting an interface.

"Yes," the Emperor said. "I'll see what I can find."

"I'll keep watch," Valdor said. Freki and Geri came back to the Emperor, both now nuzzling his legs until Valdor stepped in and got them away. The Emperor was quiet as he worked his way through the sensor logs for Koloth's ship. Finally he found records of the capture of the Imperator Somnium. He looked through the sensor logs, searching for anything to disprove Koloth's claim. 

"They were hit," the Emperor said. "The engine was destroyed."

"They could still have been picked up," Valdor said. "We need to get away from here, find a way to keep them from going too far from where the fight was."

"You're right," the Emperor said. He turned and headed towards the engines. "If they were picked up, we need to slow the Klingons down so they can find us."

*************************

The Enterprise arrived at the site of the battle in time to see a few warp tears close. The 367th Expeditionary Fleet was organizing, slowly moving into formation. Kirk pressed a button on his command chair.

"Bridge to Lord Malcador," Kirk said. Malcador had been steadily improving, though the Primarchs still insisted on calling him "uncle", and having one of their number attend him at all times.

"What is it, Captain?" Malcador asked.

"We've arrived at the battle site," Kirk said. "Though it doesn't look like all of the 367th is here."

"They're still translating," Horus said. To prove his point a wave of warp tears opened, disgorging ships.

"I'm on my way," Malcador said. "Is the Minuteman here?"

"Yes," Kirk said. "I'll hail them." 

He closed the internal channel and looked over to Uhura. She nodded, indicating that frequencies were open.

"Enterprise to Minuteman," Kirk said. "Admiral Swallow, do you read me?"

"I hear you Enterprise," Admiral Swallow said. "I'm sending you my spacial coordinates. Has the first lord been informed?"

"Yes," Kirk said. "He's on his way to my bridge now."

"Excellent," Swallow said. Malcador and Leman appeared on the bridge, taking in the debris of the void battle. 

"It's mostly Klingon," Spock reported.

"But there is more Imperial debris than I would like," Malcador said.

"The Imperator Somnium had fighter wings on it," Horus said. "There isn't enough debris here for the ship herself to be lost."

"And she's not here," Leman noted. "Looks like they did capture her, and are going somewhere."

"Probably to find Qo'nos," Kirk said. "That's their homeworld in our universe."

"That could cause issues," Malcador said. "There isn't a Qo'nos  in this one."

"Are we even in the Beta Quadrant?" Sulu asked.

"We're in Ultima Segmentum," Malcador said. He then looked to the two Primarchs. "Where does that equate to?"

"It overlaps Delta and Gamma quadrants by their map," Horus answered after a moment. The Imperial Segmentums were based with Terra as the focal point. However, the Federation mapped their quadrants with the center of the Milky Way as the focal. This made it difficult to compare maps.

"Well, that answers your question, Sulu," Kirk said. "Seems we're on the far side of the galaxy."

"Only sort of," the Lion said. "We're still on one of the spiral arms, just far from Terra."

"I'm picking up engine emissions," Arex reported. "I have a heading."

"Admiral, we've picked up the Klingon's trail," Kirk reported. 

"So have we," Swallow replied. 

"We'll track them," Malcador said. He was concerned for the Emperor, the only reason he knew his lord wasn't dead was because the Astronomican still functioned. "Admiral, stay in real space."

"At your command, first lord," Swallow replied. He cut the subspace channel, turning to organizing his fleet.

"Let me know when we make contact with the Klingon fleet," Malcador said. 

*********************

The 367th made good time following the Klingon's trail. The xenos weren't going very fast, clearly trying to figure out where in the galaxy they were. This pleased Admiral Swallow, but left Malcador in an odd spot. He didn't want to be involved in another fight, but knew that the Enterprise was going to get into the thick of it once they caught the Klingons.

"We'll all stay with you," Magnus said. "Unless you want one of us to stay on the bridge."

"No," Malcador said. "You'd only be in the way there. We'll find a place to stay while the battle occurs."

"I think Rogal's ahead of you on that one," Magnus said. Rogal had picked a common area near their quarters and begun fortifying it. In a strange twist, Perturabo was helping him with it. He had been trying to keep it quiet, but all of the Primarchs knew.

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me," Malcador said.

An alarum began to wail and the crew of the Enterprise began to run about the ship, clearly securing it for battle. The Primarchs began to stream into the corridor as well, dodging around the crew. Magnus and Malcador headed towards the fortified room. However, the crew in the hall was making it hard for Malcador to move.

"CLEAR A PATH!" Magnus yelled, trying to help. The crew parted, and Malcador was able to get to the room. It was then that Malcador learned the Primarchs had been adding other things to it. Most of them had gotten the replicators to create something similar to their chosen weapons.

"Kirk to Lord Malcador," the captain's voice came over the internal comms unit in the room. "What shall I do with Lorgar?"

"Have a pair of your security men escort him to me," Malcador said. He wasn't going to take any risks in case of boarders. Lorgar was known to be the weakest Primarch in combat. Capable, but not confident in his strength. Malcador didn't want him to encounter Klingons without weapons, armor, or back up.

"He's on his way," Kirk said. "Do you want the security to stay when they arrive?"

"That won't be necessary," Malcador said. "The Primarchs have our security well in hand."

"Very well, Kirk out."

The ship lurched, throwing everyone to the floor. Magnus and Vulkan helped Malcador to his feet and into one of the chairs that Rogal had left in the room. Konrad and Mortarion had lifted a medikit from sick bay and put it in as well. Malcador waved Mortarion away when he approached with it.

The door opened and Lorgar stumbled in as the ship took another hit. Ferrus took out his auspex, and went to interface it with the Enterprise's computers. The interface was something that Perturabo had been working on when he was helping Rogal. 

"What's it looking like out there?" Horus asked after Ferrus was set up.

"The shields are holding," Ferrus said. "The 367th are committing their forces as Captain Kirk suggested. The Minuteman is approaching the Imperator Somnium. No contact with Father."

"Yet," Horus added.

"Yet," Ferrus echoed.

"Can you sense him, Uncle Malcador?" Magnus asked. Malcador shook his head.

"The Klingons project so much anger that it's hard to focus," Malcador said. "I can't feel him yet, and it makes me concerned about trying to reach out."

"I understand," Magnus said. He could also feel the Klingons's anger creating issues in the warp.

"Maybe once we are more among the Klingons," Malcador said.

"Father's here," Sanguinius said. "I've seen it."

"So have I," Konrad said. 

****************************

"Who's attacking us?" Valdor asked as Koloth's ship shuddered again. The material of the ship was unfamiliar to Valdor, making it difficult to tell what kind of weapon was hitting them. The Emperor worked at the computer interface. Freki and Geri prowled, both growling as if they wanted to join the fight.

"The Army," the Emperor said, perking up for the first time since they had been captured. "It looks like the 367th Expeditionary Fleet." He frowned, looking at the readings again. "And the Enterprise."

"Can you reach Malcador?" Valdor asked. "Or Magnus?"

"Not yet," the Emperor said. "Alert your men, have them free those who haven't gotten out yet."

Valdor issued orders over the vox. The time for secrecy was past and it pleased him. He had occasionally had to leave the Emperor with just Freki and Geri to retrieve information, and food. It hadn't sat well with him as the Emperor still seemed to be in a dour mood.

A small group of Klingons appeared around the corner. They had finally noticed the Emperor's unauthorized computer uses. One got to fire a single shot, but it was only one. Valdor released his pent up frustrations at the situation and they all died in seconds.

"Is there somewhere that would make it easier for you to contact the fleet?" Valdor asked. He wanted to move now that Klingons would know their position. 

"Maybe," the Emperor said. "I need an open area free of Klingons."

"We'll find one," Valdor said. "Or make one."

*****************************

"There's something happening on the main capital ship," Ferrus announced. "It's slowed its rate of fire."

"Is it damaged?" Mortarion asked.

"Not that I can tell," Ferrus said. "Its shields are still relatively intact. The Minuteman has taken some shots at it."

"Running out of ammo?" Perturabo suggested.

"They use energy weapons," Rogal pointed out. 

"Maybe their going through their energy banks too quickly," Jaghatai said. 

"Maybe," Ferrus said. 

Malcador cocked his head suddenly, as if trying to catch a sound that the Primarchs had missed. Noticing his movement, the Primarchs quieted down. They looked expectantly at Malcador, some glancing at Magnus as well.

"I can sense your Father," Malcador said. "I think I can reach him."

"Where?" Horus asked.

"On the ship you've been discussing," Malcador said. "Corvus, inform Captain Kirk, have him relay it to Admiral Swallow." Nodding, Corvus headed over to the comms unit.

+My lord+ Malcador sent, reaching for the presence of the Emperor. 

+Malcador+ the Emperor replied quickly. +How did you get here?+

+With the reinforcements you requested+ Malcador replied. He could sense the Emperor's relief and elation at speaking with him.

+Are you alright? Ferrus said you were injured, I heard Mortarion mention a knife.+

+I'll live. Your sons have been doing a good job of ensuring that.+

+What of my sons?+

+They are fine, just worried about you. Any idea what's happening on the ship you're on? Ferrus has noticed a decrease in fire from there.+

+On Earth this would have been called a 'jail break'+ the Emperor said. +We will work on freeing ourselves and returning to the Imperator Somnium. Is the ship still in Klingon hands?+

+It won't be for long.+ Malcador said. +Admiral Swallow just launched a boarding attack to cleanse the ship.+

+Good+ the Emperor said. +Have him informed that I will be returning to the Imperator Somnium soon. Which ship are you on?+

+The Enterprise. I'll have them move closer so we can return as well. Leman wants me to ask about Freki and Geri.+

+They are well+ the Emperor said. +They escaped the cages they were put in, and accompany me.+

+That will make him happy. The fight goes well for us, we should see you soon.+

+Indeed, my friend+ The Emperor severed the link, though he seemed a little reluctant to.

"Your father is well," Malcador announced. "Freki and Geri are with him. Captain Kirk, are you there?"

"I'm here, Lord Malcador," Kirk answered. 

"Move us towards the Imperator Somnium," Malcador said. "My lord is effecting what he called a 'jail break' on the main capital ship in the Klingon fleet. He intends to return to the Imperator Somnium soon."

"We'll get you over there," Kirk answered. "Does he need any assistance?" 

"No," Malcador said with a slight chuckle. "He has a group of Custodians and a pair of Fenrisian wolves to help him get off the ship."

"Do I want to know what Fenrisian wolves are?" Kirk asked.

"These two are my wolf brothers," Leman said. "Freki and Geri are their names. Fenrisian wolves are larger than the Terran ones of old."

"I see," Kirk said. He didn't sound very sure of that.

They felt the ship turning. Some of the power normally sent to the engines was being routed to the shields, causing the ship to move slower than normal. Angron scowled a bit. He had been somewhat hoping that the Enterprise would be boarded and he could use the axes that he had made. Then it occurred to him that they could potentially be allowed help cleanse the Imperator Somnium of the xenos.

The Enterprise bucked beneath them. Causing Malcador to be dumped unceremoniously from his chair. The Primarchs were there in a heartbeat, helping Malcador back into his seat and making sure he was alright. Ferrus grabbed his auspex, checking on what was happening.

"Shields are down," Ferrus called. "No sign of boarders yet."

"We're ready if there are any," Horus said. Angron nodded, adjusting his grip on his axes. They turned towards the door, forming a barrier between it and Malcador. Nothing happened for a long time. The ship moved under them, clearly performing evasive maneuvers.

A shimmering effect in the air alerted the Primarchs to the presence of intruders in their haven. Spinning about, they fully encircled Malcador, who had risen from his chair. He was not fully recovered, but he could still fight. Five Klingons materialized from the effect. They were startled by the sight of eighteen children with weapons glaring at them, prepared to fight.

They shot at Malcador, but he had already brought up a shield to protect himself. The Primarchs surged forwards, a cacophony of battle cries creating a wall of sound that forced the Klingons back. They fell in short order, overwhelmed by the ferocity of the Primarchs.

The door opened, and the Primarchs spun about again. The security team that had entered that way skid to a halt, showing a healthy mix of confusion and fear. Malcador indicated for the Primarchs to lower their weapons.

"Are they all dead?" the head security officer asked.

"Yes," Horus said. "Though we thank you for coming to check on us." He added that last part because he was tense from the brief fight.

"Do you want us to stay?" the officer asked.

"Ferrus, how far are we from the Imperator Somnium?" Malcador asked.

"we're almost there," Ferrus answered. "How are we going over?"

"We'll use their transporter," Malcador said. "Could you escort us there?"

"Of course," the security officer said. He lead the group to the transporter room, where they discovered a problem. The transporter only had six pads on it.

"Three groups of five and one group of four," Horus suggested after a moment. "That should work."

"Agreed," Malcador said. "I'll go in the last group."

Angron had already charged up the short stairs and was on a pad. Horus took the second one. Leman also went up eagerly, though he cast an almost apologetic look to Malcador. Sanguinius stepped up after a moment. Jaghatai looked torn, he clearly wanted to go, but kept looking back at Magnus.

"Go," Magnus said. "I'll stay with Uncle Malcador."

"Alright," Jaghatai said and took the second to last spot.

"We should go with you," a security guard said. "I'll go with the first group."

"Very well," Horus said. He looked to Malcador who nodded. He couldn't keep watch over all of the Primarchs once they were over, the security guards would be the best substitute.

The Lion, Fulgrim, Perturabo, Rogal, and Ferrus made the next five Primarchs. Roboute, Lorgar, Vulkan, Corvus, and Alpharius made the last group of just Primarchs and a security guard. This left Konrad, Mortarion, and Magnus with Malcador and the last two of the security team.

"You could have gone earlier," Malcador said to Konrad. 

"I wanted to stay with you, uncle," Konrad said. "You're important to all of us. I'm not very good at demonstrating that."

"You feel the same way, Mortarion?"

"Yes," Mortarion said. "Also, I still have the medikit we took from Doctor McCoy."

"I should be telling you to put that back," one of the remaining security guards said.

"It might be handy," Malcador said. "We'll try to return it when we have secured the Imperator Somnium."

"That's acceptable," the guard said. They then stepped up and arraigned themselves on the pads. 

The Enterprise faded, and a grand hallway on the Imperator Somnium appeared around them. Malcador knew it really was the other way around, but perceptions were what they were. The other Primarchs had waited for Malcador and his last group to arrive before moving on. 

"To the bridge," Malcador said. The future wasn't his area of expertise, but his lord's mind was one. He knew where to find the Emperor, and headed off. The Primarchs flowed around him, the security guards stayed in the back, not wanting to get lost on the much larger ship. 

They moved slowly through the ship, keeping to a pace Malcador could maintain. The Lion, Jaghatai, Angron, and Corvus went a bit ahead of the group, scouting for danger. Halfway to the bridge, Malcador stopped, and called the forward Primarchs back. He had sensed the Emperor, and turned the group towards him.

The hallway they turned down was short, and ended in a charnel house. The Emperor and Valdor stood in the middle of the carnage as Malcador's group entered what had once been a grand junction. 

"Father!" Horus cried out, breaking ranks and running for the Emperor.

"Horus," the Emperor said, a smile lit up his face. "My sons."

That was enough to open the flood gates. The Primarchs rushed forwards, almost knocking the Emperor over as they all tried to attach themselves to him at once. Even Leman went to the Emperor before Freki and Geri, who were also in the junction. The two wolves yipped in excitement. The Emperor looked like he was trying to hold all of his sons at once, and failing. Valdor watched with a mix of amusement and relief at the reunion. 

The Primarchs finally broke away from their father. Leman went over to Freki and Geri, who did succeed in knocking him over. The others turned their attentions to Valdor as Malcador came deeper into the area. The Emperor turned his attention to his friend.

"Malcador," the Emperor said, gently pulling the Sigillite to him. "I thought I'd lost all of you."

"You should know by now I'm not that easy to get rid of," Malcador said. He didn't resist the Emperor's embrace, knowing it would be futile. "And we made it hard for the galaxy at large to kill the Primarchs."

"I believe we still have a ship to reclaim," Valdor said, trying to gently extricate himself from the Primarchs. "We have yet to reach the bridge." 

"Indeed," the Emperor said. The Primarchs pulled away from Valdor, moving back to surround Malcador again. Leman lagged behind a moment as he escaped from under Freki and Geri. The two wolves joined him, staying close to his side. The security guards watched them nervously.

"It's alright," Malcador said. "Just try not to get in their way."

"We'll try," said the senior security guard.

The Primarchs spread out more now that they were back with the Emperor. Jaghatai, Konrad, and Angron were easily the furthest ahead. Konrad was looking to punish Klingons for the situation they had been in. Angron just wanted to fight, his war cry announcing the discovery of Klingons.

It was a larger group than Angron had anticipated. The outriders fell back to the group, and the xenos invaders poured down the hallway. Malcador fell back further, behind the security guards from the Enterprise. They moved forward, familiar with the threat and wanting to help. A series of bolt rounds ripped into the Klingons from behind, followed by a golden blur that took out the remainder. Cavlor stopped, aiming his guardian spear at the redshirted guards.

"What of these ones, my king?" 

"They are allies," the Emperor said. Cavlor nodded, lowering his spear and joining the Emperor's party. 

A teleporter flare deposited a large group of Klingons around them. The security guards edged forwards as the Primarchs dropped back, Freki and Geri moving with Leman. Valdor, joined by Cavlor and the security team, began to fire. The Klingons charged, not seeming to understand what it was they were charging.

+Leave none alive+ the Emperor instructed his Custodians. The Primarchs heard it as well, Angron let out a happy whoop. 

The fight was relatively short. The main thing slowing it down was the number of Klingons involved. Four of the five security guards died, three to Klingons, and one to a a deflected strike from Cavlor's spear. They paused after the last Klingon fell, the Emperor turning to the remaining security guard.

"Lieutenant," the Emperor said, taking a quick glance at the man's sleeve braiding. "Can you raise the Enterprise?"

"Yes, sir," the man said taking out a compact vox device. "Decker to Enterprise."

"Decker, where are you?" Kirk answered.

"The Imperator Somnium, sir," Decker said. "Lord Malcador requested to be sent over with the Primarchs."

"I see," Kirk said. "Report."

Decker hesitated, he realized he had just been asked to hail the Enterprise, and had done so, without being told why. He looked to the Emperor, who nodded his head.

"We've found the Emperor of Mankind," Decker said. "He would like to speak with you."

"The leader of the Klingon forces is Commander Koloth," the Emperor said, carefully taking the communicator from Decker. "Will you come over and take custody of him?"

"We'll be right over. Kirk out." 

"Who did he mean by 'we'?" Cavlor asked.

"Another security team, and probably Mister Spock," Decker said. "Doctor McCoy might come along as well."

"My thrones are on him showing up," Malcador said. 

"You think he's taken inventory since then?" Mortarion asked, gesturing to the medikit he had slung on his back.

"No," Malcador said with a chuckle. "I don't think he likes his patients running into active battle zones."

"Technically, you haven't been running," the Lion pointed out.

Another teleporter flare, this time clearly Federation, stopped the Lion from saying anything further. A second group of five security guards showed up, securing the hall. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy showed up after a secondary flare. McCoy, with his own medikit, marched over to Malcador, weaving his way through the Primarchs. 

"What are you doing here?" McCoy asked briskly. Malcador smiled slightly as the doctor ran his scan.

"Returning to my lord," Malcador said. "I was hardly in any real danger."

"You probably thought that when you got shot," McCoy said.

"That was due to slow reflexes," Malcador returned. 

"I want to end this," the Emperor cut in. McCoy put his Feinberger away with a harrumph.

"I want you to stay in the back, lord," McCoy said stiffly.

"As if I was going to be anywhere else," Malcador said. 

To prove his point the Primarchs flowed around him again, putting him well behind them. The Emperor stayed in the back with Malcador. Partly because he wanted to stay close to his friend, but he could also watch all of the Primarchs from there.

+They are all fine+ Malcador could sense the Emperor's lingering concern, despite his lord's attempts to hide it.

+I... lost myself a moment+ the Emperor replied. +I didn't know what I was going to do. What was I supposed to tell Omegon?+

+That I don't know+ Malcador said +You would have figured out something.+

+Then there was the Imperium as a whole. I'm not sure if I could do it, and my other projects, without you.+

+You flatter me+ Malcador placed his free hand on the Emperor's arm as they moved through an area damaged from the original take over.

They could hear the sounds of Admiral Swallow's boarding teams as they too tried to converge on the bridge. Magnus paused close to a room that looked relatively intact and was easily defend-able.

"Maybe Uncle Malcador should wait here," he said. "The fighting seems to be intense ahead."

"Agreed," the Emperor said. He restrained himself from having all of the Primarchs stay as well. Angron at the least wouldn't accept it.

"I'll stay with Uncle Malcador," Magnus said.

"Me too," Konrad said.

"I make three," Rogal said. 

"I will also stay," Cavlor said. The Emperor nodded, the five split from the group, settling into the room.

************************

The bridge fell, returning to the Emperor's control. Koloth surrendered when he came face to face with the towering wrath of the Emperor and the majority of the Primarchs. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy remained on the Imperator Somnium while Decker and the other five security guards returned to the Enterprise with Koloth.

Jaghatai darted away to retrieve Malcador and the others. Seeming to understand that the danger was over, Freki and Geri started rubbing themselves against Leman, knocking him over again. Kirk looked ready to step in, but Horus waved him back.

"Those are Freki and Geri," he said. "They're just really excited to have Leman back."

"Fascinating," Spock said. "Are they adults?"

"No," Leman called over. "They aren't full grown yet."

"Fenrisian wolves take longer to mature," the Emperor explained. He left out the part about debates concerning whether there were wolves on Fenris at all. 

Jaghatai and the others entered the room. Cavlor noting that there were no threats on the bridge. Konrad looked around, half hoping that there would be someone for him to punish. He didn't think it likely, and accepted that he chose to stay with Malcador instead of fighting for the bridge.

"Now all that remains is to return Captain Kirk and his ship to their proper universe," Malcador said.

"That implies we can discover how we got here in the first place," Spock said.

"We have sensor logs of the space phenomena that seems to be where you all came from," the Emperor said. "If we can determine what caused that, we can reverse it to send you home, and close it so no one else can come through. From either directions."

"We also have sensor logs of the phenomena on the Enterprise," Spock said. "We can provide it."

"That might be helpful," the Emperor said. He reminded himself to focus on the matter at hand. What he really wanted to do was gather his sons close to him, and ensure that all was well with them. This would not be possible for some time, and he knew it. A door opened to admit Admiral Swallow.

"My lord," the man said, kneeling. "The Imperator Somnium is secure. The xenos fleet have surrendered."

"What of the crew?" Malcador asked.

"They are being released from the xenos ships, lord," Swallow said. "Shipmaster Kaal is being seen by my medicae aboard the Minuteman."

"Have the 367th escort the xenos fleet to the phenomena," the Emperor said. "It is there we will get answers."

*****************************

Once again the Imperator Somnium approached the strange phenomena. A raw wound in the fabric of the universe, it had similarities to warp tears, but was clearly different. More studies were made of it, and strange tech that was found on one of the Klingon ships. Spock and the Emperor were frequently moving between the ships, trying to get a better understanding of what they were dealing with. 

The Emperor made time every day to visit with Malcador and the Primarchs, who wanted to help him.

"You should let them help," Malcador said one day. The Emperor had so far been keeping them from the project. 

"I know you're trying to protect them," Malcador continued. "But they need you. They want to be close, this was a distressing situation for them. Letting them help will help them work through what happened."

"You're right," the Emperor said. "On all of those points. We're hitting a wall in the research. Maybe some fresh eyes is what we need to figure out how to send them home. What about you?"

"Don't worry about me," Malcador said. "I've been through more upheaval than they have."

"I'll still visit," the Emperor said. If anything it would be easier to make time to see Malcador if the Primarchs were helping him. He wasn't sure if he was helping Malcador, or the other way around. Right then it felt like they were both stumbling through the dark together.

"I didn't ask you to stop," Malcador said. He liked the daily visits, it made the fact that most of the Primarchs had stopped calling him uncle all the time sting less. It was also far more like things were normal, the two of them chatting in a barely caught moment between doing the myriad of other things that had to be done to keep the Imperium up and running.

The Primarchs were excited when the Emperor announced that they were to help with the research. Perturabo, Ferrus, Magnus, and Vulkan were out the door before the Emperor could say anything else. They were headed to the Klingon ship to see what they could learn of the devices found here. 

Konrad and Mortarion left after the other four, heading to the Enterprise. Mortarion had yet to return the medikit, and Konrad wanted another chance at pranking Captain Kirk now that Malcador was safely out of the line of fire. The other Primarchs stayed longer to work out what they were doing to help.

"Well, that happened," the Emperor said as the other Primarchs dispersed.

"It was the right move," Malcador assured him, sensing his lord's disquiet.  "They've been antsy since we arrived back here."

"Could you pass along my appreciation to Master Kaal?" the Emperor asked. He knew that it hadn't been easy for the shipmaster dealing with the Primarchs while directing repairs to the ship.

"Of course," Malcador said with a chuckle. Now back aboard the Imperator Somnium the Primarchs had stopped attending his every move, but Cavlor seemed to have taken up the task. This request seemed to have come from Valdor, who was still monitoring the Emperor closely himself.

"Thank you, my friend," the Emperor said. He then turned to get back to the research.

************************

It took three more days before they discovered how the devices worked. The Lion was able to get the information out of one of the captured Klingons after a long interrogation session. He and the Emperor had kept the crew of the Enterprise away from the cell while the interrogation was happening. Both were certain that Captain Kirk would not have approved of the Lion's methods. This was not including whatever thoughts Doctor McCoy would have undoubtedly added.

They made the required changes to make the gateway, and the 367th forced the Klingons through first. There were Starfleet officers on the surviving capital ships to keep the fleet under control. Captain Kirk received the Emperor aboard the Enterprise, along with the Primarchs, Malcador, and Valdor to say their farewells.

"Apologies for the low ceilings, lord," Kirk said to Valdor, quickly realizing the Custodian was going to have a hard time on his ship.

"It is not your fault," Valdor said. "You do not deal with those of trans-human size."

"True," Kirk said. "I have a few questions, if you don't mind?"

"What are they?" the Emperor asked.

"How did you escape from the Klingons?" Kirk asked. He had heard stories of brigs on Klingon ships, and he didn't expect it was easy to escape from.

"Freki, Geri, and some ingenuity from Valdor," the Emperor said, simply.

"How did Freki and Geri escape, Allfather?" Leman asked. He had agreed to leave the wolves on the Imperator Somnium. 

"From what I can tell, they peed on the energy barrier," the Emperor said. "It must have short-circuited."

"How did they get you out of the cells?" Spock asked, having joined them in a briefing room.

"That's where the ingenuity comes in," Valdor said. "I have a targeting light on my armor they enjoy playing with." He activated the light to demonstrate, only to have the Lion and Leman smack into each other as they went of the light at the same time. "The wolves were more coordinated."

"They have a dominance order," Horus said. "Lion and Leman don't."

"We should return to the Imperator Somnium," the Emperor said. "It's time for Captain Kirk to depart."

"Yes, Father," the Primarchs chorused. 

"Thank you for helping us," Horus said. "We greatly appreciate it."

"You're welcome," Kirk said. 

McCoy approached Mortarion, holding out a medikit. "Take this, a souvenir."

"Thanks, Doctor McCoy!" Mortarion said cheerfully. He intended to learn from the various medicines inside.

"Keep Lord Malcador out of trouble," McCoy added. "He's still not alright."

"We'll keep him safe," Magnus said.

"I'm not an invalid," Malcador grumbled, earning him some giggles from the Primarchs.

"I never said you were," McCoy protested. "Just that you should be kept away from danger. At least until you are fully healed. That should help with the slow reflexes."

"You didn't need to tell them something they are going to do already," Malcador said. 

The Emperor's group split up into four groups, three of six and one of three. Valdor returned with the first set of Primarchs. He found the Enterprise to be confining. The Emperor waited, staying with Malcador to go in the last group. Each group attempted the Vulcan salute as they departed for the last time. This was accomplished with varying degrees of success. Those Primarchs finding they were having a hard time were using their other hand to make it work. 

Kirk signaled the transporter chief to wait a moment before sending the Emperor over.

"You're sons, and Lord Valdor, have been giving us an appropriate salute," Kirk said. "But is there one we should make to you?"

"There's the sign of the aquila," Horus said after a glance at the Emperor. He demonstrated the gesture, folding his hands across his chest. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy made the sign of the aquila, as the Emperor, Malcador, and Horus made the Vulcan salute. Malcador forced his fingers in the right position with his mind.

"Thank you for caring for my sons," the Emperor said. "And for treating Malcador."

"You're welcome, lord," Kirk said. "Energize."

***********************

The Enterprise returned to her own universe. Several Starfleet ships arrived to take control of the Klingon fleet. A bone-tired Kirk made his way to his quarters. It had been days since he had been there, running on stimms and lectures from Bones about getting adequate rest. 

He opened the door, and went through, only to find himself suddenly face-planting on the floor. Rolling over, he found a fine wire stretched over the entrance to his quarters. It took him a moment to realize what had happened: he'd been pranked. And he knew who had done it.

"KONRAD!!!"