Whilst cataloging gaseous anomalies in the beta quadrant, the USS Excelsior, under the command of Captain Sulu, is struck by a shockwave, eminating from Praxis, a Klingon moon and major energy producing facility.

In a highly classified and secret meeting, Kirk and the rest of his crew are reunited. The purpose of the meeting, to discuss the Klingon Empire. They can no longer afford the hostilities with the Federation. Gorkon, leader of the High council proposes peace.

Captain Spock suggests that the Enterprise, under the Command of Captain Kirk, be sent to escort the Chancellor through Federation Space.

Kirk is opposed to the idea, he still can't forgive the Klingons for the death of David, but follows his orders.

The Enterprise rendezvous' with Kronos One, Gorkon's ship. In an attempt to improve relations with the Klingons, Kirk invites the Chancellor and his crew to a social gathering aboard the Enterprise.

The evening starts off well, but soon the differences between the two crews begin to show.

After the evening's cock-up, Kirk bans Romulan Ale at diplomatic functions, and goes to sleep it off. He is awoken by Spock who has discovered a radiation surge.

As Kirk enters the bridge, the Enterprise apparently fires upon Kronos One. Whilst the ship is disabled, 2 Federation-uniformed persons beam over to the Klingon vessel, and fire upon the Chancelor.

Uhura opens a comm-link with the Klingon ship, and hears the firing over the speakers. Kirk and McCoy beam over to offer assistance.

McCoy is unable to save Gorkon's life. Both men are arrested by General Chang for the murder of the Chancelor of the High Council.

After a 'show' trial, Kirk and McCoy are found guilty, but in aid of diplomatic relations, they don't incure the death penalty. Instead they are sentenced to life-imprisonment on Rura Penthe, a Klingon Penal Colony.

Azetbur is named Chancellor and she wants the peace negotiations to continue, on one condition. The prisoners are not rescued, and they will not be extradited.

After speaking with Starfleet Command, she decides on a neutral location, the identity of which is to be kept secret, in the hopes that another assisination will not occur.

Down on the icy planetoid, Kirk and McCoy try to stay alive whilst finding a way to escape. They meet Martia, a Chameloid, who knows how to get out of the prison, Kirk assures her he can get them off the planet.

With Martia's help they make it onto the icy surface. All they have to do is make it outside the protective shield, and beam up to a ship before they freeze to death.

Back on the Enterprise, Spock assumes command. He begins an investigation into the attack on Kronos One. He orders a search of the ship for Magnetic boots, and has Scotty go over the torpedo manifest.

Scotty discovers the magnetic boots, and is able to account for all the torpedoes. The Enterprise wasn't responsible. Spock comes to an astonishing conclusion, a Klingon Bird-of-prey which has the ability to fire whilst cloaked.

Spock discovers the identity of the people responsible for Gorkon's assasination, unfortunatly, they are dead.

On Rura Penthe, Martia has set up Kirk and McCoy, in order to get her sentance reduced. Kirk is just about to discover the people behind the conspiracy, when the Enterprise beams them up.

Kirk and Spock discuss the situation. Kirk suspects Valeris, as she was in earshot of the personal log that was used against him in the trial. However, the two men need proof.

They orchestrate a clever plan. In sickbay Valeris comes to kill the two crewmen, before they are able to be questioned, little does she know that they are already dead

Instead, she finds Kirk and Spock.

After contacting Sulu onboard the Excelsior, Kirk discovers the location of the new peace conference, Camp Khitomer. Spock forcibly mind-melds with Valeris, and discovers the identity of the other conspirators - amongst them Admiral Cartwright and General Chang. She also confirms that one experimental bird-of-prey can fire whilst cloaked.

The two federation ships proceed to the peace conference.

The Enterprise arrives first, and is attacked by the cloaked bird-of-prey, commanded by Chang. Kirk is unable to warn the conference of the conspiracy, as subspace communications are being jammed

Whilst Spock and McCoy do a little surgery on a Photon Torpedo, the Excelsior joins in on the battle. Both Federation ships sustain considerable damage

With a torpedo equipped with locating the tailpipe of the Klingon Vessel, the two Federation ships are able to destroy it.

Kirk, Sulu, the Enterprise and Excelsior crews beam down just in time to prevent the assasination of the President of the United Federation of Planets.

Admiral Cartwright and the Romulan Ambassador are arrested. The peace negotiations continue.

© 2001-2 Emma Rouse-Deane