Kirk was momentarily distracted by a flash of sparks that jumped up from the open console surrounded by technicians, down on the bridge proper. “So I have a mission. Picard has a mission. And then…there’s a third mission?”
Janeway wasn’t going to give up anything more. “Maybe even a fourth or a fifth,” she said, almost as if she deliberately meant to taunt him. “This has all been arranged by Starfleet Intelligence. I’ve been told what I need to know. And now you’ve been told, too.”
Kirk studied Janeway carefully. He didn’t know her well, but he had read of her astonishing voyage through the Delta Quadrant. He had been impressed that against impossible odds, she had brought her crew and her ship back from certain death, like a modern-day Shackleton. And he had met her Mirror Universe duplicate, held her in his arms and fought at her side, and from that experience knew firsthand the inner strength and force of will that was common to both reflections of the woman.
But he hated the fact that she stood before him now not as a legendary starship captain, but merely as a Starfleet functionary. Somehow, he doubted that she would be entirely comfortable with that role. He decided to find out.
“Admiral,” Kirk asked her, “when did you stop being a captain?”
He saw her eyes narrow, knew she understood the criticism he intended. But to Kirk’s disappointment, she held herself in check, revealed nothing of what she might really be feeling. “We’re on the same side, Captain Kirk.”
But Kirk shook his head. “No, we’re not. Unless—and until—you tell me what the real purpose of this mission is, you’re just noise in the signal.”
Janeway forced a smile. “Then get used to the static.”
Part of Kirk appreciated the fact that Janeway wouldn’t back down, that for all that she made a point of showing him respect, she treated him as an equal. He hoped she felt the same about the way he treated her.
But if there was anything more to be said between them, that conversation would have to wait, because suddenly the office door slid open again, and Joseph skipped in, clutching his much-too-large duffel bag to his chest.
“Hi Dad!” His voice was bright, full of energy, full of promise. Kirk, as always, was astounded at the effect his child had on him, as if some of that energy miraculously flowed into him, recharging, reinvigorating. Suddenly, Janeway and her Starfleet machinations weren’t that annoying, or important.
“Hi Joseph.” Kirk reached out to rub his hand over Joseph’s ridged, bald scalp.
“Hello…Admiral,” Joseph said to Janeway.
Kirk was surprised. He didn’t think Joseph and Janeway had met. He glanced at the admiral, but she wasn’t looking at Joseph in acknowledgment. Instead, she was looking at something past him.
Kirk followed her gaze, expecting to see something more going on on the bridge. Instead, he saw the sensor patch that controlled the sliding door.
“Joseph,” Kirk asked, “have you met Admiral Janeway?”
“No, sir.”
Kirk hadn’t expected that answer. “Then how did you know who she is?”
“Uncle Scotty said she was here.”
Janeway held out her hand to shake Joseph’s. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Joseph.”
The child squirmed with his duffel until Kirk lifted it from him. Joseph eagerly started to reach out his hand to take Janeway’s, then stopped, looked at his palm, then quickly wiped it against his red coveralls.
“Sorry. I was in the mess.” Apparently convinced his hand was clean, Joseph earnestly shook Janeway’s hand. Kirk hid his smile as Janeway surreptitiously wiped her own hand against her slacks.
“So what do you think about this ship?” Janeway asked.
Joseph looked up at Kirk. “Permission to speak freely?”
Kirk saw Janeway smile at that phrase, but Kirk was pleased that Joseph remembered proper etiquette for talking with adults.
“Permission granted,” Kirk said.
“Well, it’s sort of messy,” Joseph said. “But Uncle Scotty says the engines are outstanding! Under the dirt. He doesn’t like the dirt. But Geordi says they can’t clean it off.” Joseph screwed up his face. “How come?”
Janeway looked at Kirk, passing the question on to him.
Kirk was already uncomfortable with having Joseph on this mission, even though no one expected danger. The worst that could happen was that the Romulans would prevent the Calypso from entering their system. But Kirk had always insisted on complete honesty from his son, and the only way he could expect Joseph to keep that commitment to his father was to be completely honest in return.
“Remember how we’ve talked about operational security?” Kirk asked. He ignored Janeway’s flicker of puzzlement.
“Top secret. Need to know,” Joseph said gravely.
“Very good,” Kirk confirmed. “The answer to your question is top secret, so you can never tell anyone else about it. Understood.”
“Is the admiral cleared?” Joseph asked.
Janeway put her hand over her mouth and coughed.
But Kirk had had a great deal more experience in not laughing at Joseph’s unexpectedly adult pronouncements, and kept a serious expression. “She’s in charge.”
“Understood,” Joseph said.
Kirk looked to Janeway. “Admiral…if you’d care to, uh, brief Joseph.”
Janeway shrugged, clearly amused. “Very well, Captain.” She took on an extremely serious demeanor as well, and turned to Joseph. “The Calypso is what we call a Q-ship. It’s a Starfleet vessel, but it’s in disguise. From the outside, it looks like a slow-moving civilian ship. But on the inside, it has Starfleet’s best engines and shields.”
Joseph’s eyes widened. “Oh, oh! So if…if Orion pirates board the vessel, and they go into the engine room, they’ll see all the dirt and think the engines are junk!”
“Exactly,” Janeway said. “But for the disguise to work, you can’t ever tell anyone about it.”
“Yes, sir!”
Janeway gave Kirk an inquiring look. “And what year of the Academy is Joseph in now?”
Joseph laughed. “I’m not in the Academy!”
Janeway played along. “You’re certain? You’re behaving exactly like a proper cadet. I’m very impressed.”
Joseph looked at Kirk, and Kirk could see his son, only five, going on ten most days, going on seventeen from time to time, had no idea what to say. Kirk helped him out. “Admiral Janeway has just paid you a compliment.”
Joseph remembered his etiquette again. He actually stood at attention. “Thank you, Admiral.”
“You’re very welcome.” Janeway turned her attention back to Kirk. “I think we’re finished here, Captain Kirk. Jean-Luc will be able to fill you in on any details we’ve missed.”
“Uncle Jean-Luc?” Joseph asked excitedly. “Is he here?” And then Joseph tensed as he realized his mistake, and added, “I apologize for interrupting.”
“Not necessary,” Janeway said gracefully. “And, uh…Uncle Jean-Luc should be arriving within the hour.” She nodded at Kirk. “And I should be getting back to the Titan.”
Janeway started for the closed door.
“Will you be staying on the Titan?” Kirk asked.
Janeway paused by the transparent door. “No. Between you, Jean-Luc, and Captain Riker, we’re in good hands.” She tapped the door. It didn’t move. Then she waved her hand over the sensor patch, and the door opened. She looked back at Kirk. “You should have your engineers check the lock on this door. It’s supposed to be keyed to command staff only.” She smiled professionally at Kirk, then looked at Joseph. “A pleasure to meet you, Cadet.”
Joseph jumped to attention again. “A pleasure to meet you, Admiral.”
Then Janeway left and the door closed behind her.
As she stepped into the turbolift a few steps away, Kirk waved his hand over the sensor patch, and the door opened again, then closed at his second wave. “There’s nothing wrong with this.” He looked at Joseph. “Is there?”