"What do you think, Ladies Man?" Joshua Kirk asked his friend and fellow commando. "Yeah, you're right," Billy Marx replied quietly. "Five hundred Jem Hadar guarding one small building? Yeah, we gotta hit it!" "Big Daddy!" Kirk said to Oskar Schmidt, the oldest member of Starfleet Special Forces. "How many HEAP rounds ya got for that there 30mm?" "Why Joshua, my boy," He replied as he crawled forward. "I have a full magazine of ten." "Why don't you empty it into that structure," Kirk said as he grinned. "Just to see what'll happen." "Sounds like a plan!" He shot back as he prepared his weapon. "Billy, lay some 60s among the Jemmies," Kirk said to Marx who quickly readied his grenade launcher. "So they don't feel left out." "Excellent idea," Marx replied. Climbing to his knees, Marx began firing high explosive grenades into the Jem Hadar as Schmidt fired into the building. After Schmidt's third round, the building exploded in a massive fire ball that mushroomed into the sky, the shock wave throwing Kirk and the others back. "Big Daddy," Kirk said as he watched the flames shoot skyward. "I think we got something." "Yeah, I think you're right!" Oskar said as he grinned, staring at the destruction. "Fuck me!" Marx grunted. The others spun about to find Marx on the ground, his right arm gone above the elbow. Joshua quickly pulled an auto-tournequete out of his first aid kit and slipped it over the bloody stump and activated it. "Oh bloody hell," Matt Brown, who was part of Jacob Tanaka's team, muttered over their com gear. "Boys, get out of there now! There must have been a couple hundred Jemmies in that hanger. And they're all heading in your direction." "Then let's head back to the extraction point and wait for Invisible Hand to come into range," Joshua said as he jumped to his feet. "And don't forget to leave those nice new party favors the big heads at r & d gave us to pass out to our pokey headed counterparts." "I got Billy," Schmidt said as he scooped Marx off the ground. As one, the men of Joshua's team sprinted through the forest to the south east, all the while tossing aside the new 1.5 cm proximity mines that had been developed for them. They were set to arm themselves two seconds after hitting the ground, and any object that came within two meters would cause them to detonate. Which they soon began doing. As they arrived at the extraction point, Kirk readied his rifle and headed back ten meters and jumped into one of the trees and climbed up till he found a branch to sit on and waited for their pursuers to come into view. "How long until Teshal gets in transporter range, Big Jake?" Joshua asked his uncle, Jacob Tanaka. "Two or three minutes Josh," He answered as several more of the mines went off. "Okay then," Kirk said as he began firing at the pursuing Jem Hadar, dropping one after another. "I'm just going to get a little target practice in while we're waiting." "There is only one Human who is that accurate," The First said to his Second. "Joshua Kirk. If we can capture him, we can make up for the dishonor of losing both a Founder and our Vorta. Prepare to fire explosive rounds at the base of that tree. "It will be done, First!" The Second replied as he and two more Jem Hadar began firing at the base of the tree where the Human was perched. They immediately dropped, dying. To his annoyance, he saw Kirk drop out of the tree to make his escape as the explosives landed at the foot of the tree. And as he did, he was thrown to the side by one of the blasts. "Get him!" The First shouted as the last ten troopers jumped up and ran the thirty meters to get to the Human. He then followed. "Take him alive!" Joshua glanced about frantically for his rifle. Spying it at his side, he reached out for it, but paused when he saw he'd lost his left hand. Pulling his sidearm, he bagan firing at the Jem Hadar while stopping the blood flow to his arm and shutting down his brain's pain center. When he'd fired his last round, Kirk threw it aside and grasped the barrel of his rifle and leapt at the last trooper, bringing it down upon his head, crushing it. As he did the forest became fuzzy, then disappeared, soon to become the transporter room of Invisible Hand. "Sickbay get ready!" Jacob Tanaka said after activating the ship's intercom. "We have two wounded!" "Josh?" Billy said groggily as he stared over Big Daddy's shoulder as all ran to sickbay. "I want one of those fancy bodies with five hearts like you got." "Talk to Doctor Alvine," Kirk quipped. "Though I heard there's a rather involved process to get one." "Yeah," Jacob said as they entered sickbay and placed Marx on one of the beds. "It's involves five years of engineering a fertilized egg." "On the bed Kirk!" Doctor Janda said as she exited her office. She and the rest of her medical team surrounded Marx and began stabilizing him. "We'll get to you when we're through with this big guy." "I'm good," Kirk said as he sat on a bed. As he turned about to lay down, he saw the others grinning at him. "What?" "Boy!" Oskar said as he stepped forward. "That was the most incredible shooting I've ever seen!" "Every shot was a kill shot!" Big Jake said as his nephew lay on the bed. "We counted fifty-eight kills." "But I counted fifty-seven," Joshua said. "You're better than you think," Jacob said. "You took out two of them with one shot, but you couldn't see it up where you were." "Yeah, get a load of this," Oskar said as he played back his memory of Joshua's double kill. Kirk saw one of the rounds he'd fired enter the side of one Jemmies head, only to exit and enter the left eye of another, dropping him. "Heh," Kirk laughed. "Even by accident I'm the best!" "Watch that arrogance," Janda said as she worked on Marx. "It does not suit you." "I'm sorry Dr Janda," Kirk said as he grinned. "Arrogance is a weakness," She told him. "A weakness that can be used against you." "Arrogance?" Jacob asked as he turned to stare at the Andorian doctor. "Doc, you are talking about a man who refused to accept the Medal Of Honor." "You refused the Medal Of Honor?" She asked as she finished her work on Marx. "Finish here and set his arm up for a re-growth sheath." "Yes Doctor Janda," One of her doctors said as they lifted one of the devices from a tray that floated at the bed's side. "Now let's get a look at you, idiot," The woman said as she examined what was left of Kirk's arm. "Idiot?" Kirk replied in a tone of mock offense. "I'll have you know I have three doctorates, and am working on my fourth!" "Which didn't stop you from doing something stupid like refusing the Federation's highest honor," She said. Her head jerked back in surprise when she found the remains of a metal cylinder embedded in the man's forearm. "What is this?" "Ah damn!" Kirk muttered. "My injector!" "Why do you have an injector implanted in your arm?" Janda asked as she pulled the fragments out. "They implanted it because there's the possibility we eight could enter Rapid Onset Growth," Kirk told her. "It held a drug that would put me in a coma." "So all of you have one of these in your arm?" "Yeah," He said as he watched the woman place the fragments on the tray beside the re-growth sheath. "They changed the dosage every year as we were growing up." "That's nice to know," Janda said as she turned to Joshua Kirk. "Idiot." "Again, she calls me an idiot!" Kirk said to his companions, who as one agreed with the doctor. "Don't feel singled out," She said as she stared him in the eyes. "I felt the same way about your father and grandfather for passing up the chance to command Enterprise." "Lady," Kirk said as he stared back and smiled. "They felt the same way as they were doing it. But they still feel it was the right thing to do." "Why would you refuse the Medal Of Honor?" The doctor asked. "You don't realise what it's like for me," Kirk told her. "For me, it's like everything is in slow motion. It's not really a level playing field." "Excuse me," Janda said as she held up what was left of Kirk's left arm. "What do you call this? It looks like the Jem Hadar did a good job of leveling the playing field to me." "General Marx," Joshua called out to his CO as he walked down one of the halls of the Starbase with his daughter Sasha. "Walters said JAG has sent some investigators out here. What complaints am I facing now?" "The usual," William Marx said as he grinned. "A complete disregard for the lives of the Jem Hadar and the best shooting I've ever seen. Not to mention breaking your rifle over the head of the last Jemmie with one hand gone." "No!" Kirk said angrily. "You can't do this to me!" "It's been done!" Marx told him, irritated. "Your men made the recommendation, and I agreed, sending it up the ladder. Which is not a long trip. And your parents have told me that if you refuse this one, they'll come out and personally kirk your ass in front of everyone. It looks like you're going to get the Medal Of Honor, whether you want it or not!" "Shit!" Kirk exclaimed in frustration. "There are worse things than being honored by your people, Josh," The elder Marx said as he gestured at Kirk's laft arm. "They say your arm is now fully functional again." "Yeah," He muttered. "All they have to do is give me a new injector and I'll be combat ready again." "Good," Sasha Marx said as she stepped around her father. "Because you are a miserable bitch when you're on the injured list. Now head to your private hanger, we're having a cookout there." "A luau sounds good," Joshua said as he turned to head to the Starbase's hospital. "I'll be there as soon as they put that injector into my arm. They said it'll take ten minutes." "I'll tell everyone you're coming then," Sasha said as she jogged in the direction of the private bays. "Warrior Joshua," Zanat said as she dried off after their shower. "Why is it every time we get together you leave me all sticky, sweaty, and tired?" "That's because I am a Kirk, and we Kirks are thorough," He said. "And you don't know how happy I was to see your ship parked out there this morning." "Not as happy as I was to learn you were still here," She said as she began dressing. "Think the cookout is still going on?" "Yeah, these are an all day thing with us," he said as he stepped over to peer out at the hanger. "Oh yeah, they're still out there. Oh shit!" "What is it?" She asked Joshua, wondering what had gotten him so excited. "It's Gond!" He said as he continued to get dressed. "The son of the Dahar Master Kang?" Zanat asked as she leaned over to peer out herself. "Mmmm, I see him. You should really introduce us." "Now that sounds like a good idea," He told her as he walked out into the main living quarters of his yacht. "I think you two would be perfect for each other." "I don't know, though," She said uncomfortably. "I don't come from a great house. What could I offer him?" "None of that!" Kirk said as he spun about. "Kang raised his son right. He'll not think any less of you for coming from one of the lesser houses. That's Kor's hang up." "Do not talk ill of a Dahar Master," Zanat said as she followed Joshua to the galley to grab several bottles of alcohol. "I would never bad mouth Kor," Joshua assured her. "He's just a firm believer in the old ways. Now let's introduce you." "Do you think he'll be interested in me?" She asked as they stepped out of the Wanderer. "Are you kidding?" Ha said as he turned about and stared at her. "You command a Bird Of Prey! If he wasn't duty bound to command his fleet from Fist Of Kahless, he'd be commanding a Bird himself." "He's old school as you would say it?" "Hell yeah," He said as they began placing bottles on the table. "Damn boy," Oskar said as he sat on the hanger's deck. "Why is it a one minute trip to grab some booze turns into a two hour wait with you?" "Because he is a Kirk," Zanat said. "And if Kirks are anything, they are thorough." "Hey there Zanat," Oskar said when he saw the Klingon woman. "We heard about what you did. Everyones proud of ya girl!" "Brother Joshua!" Gond said loudly as he crossed the hanger, a bottle of blood wine in each hand. "I brought the good stuff!" "Now that's a good big brother for you!" Joshua said as he took one of the large bottles. "Gond, I would like to introduce you to Zanat of the House Berrissa." "House Berrissa has produced some very impressive warriors," He said to the woman as he gave her a nod. "I heard one of your ships managed to replicate Lurchok's slingshot move." "That would be Zanat," Kirk said as Gond perk up. "She's one of the best Bird Of Prey commanders in the fight." "Then I'm very glad we've had the chance to meet," Gond said as he grinned. "Tell me all about it." "Hello?" Joshua said testily as he opened a channel to who ever was calling him at 0300. "Hello to you too," Nancy Kirk said as she smiled at her son. "Oh, hey!" He said sitting up, smiling. "What's happening on your side of the war?" "Same shit, different day," She said. "Who are you talking to?" Hannah Kilroy asked as she sat up, placing her head on Joshua's shoulder. "She's pretty." "This is my mother," Joshua said. "You know, the admiral commanding the fourteenth fleet?" "Oh that's nice," The redhead said as she lay back down once more. "Who is she?" Nancy asked as she grinned. "She's one of the Humans who fight for House Berrissa," Her son told her. "She's Zanat's weapons control officer, Hannah Kilroy." "I heard that girl done gone and pulled off Lurchok's sling shot maneuver." "Hell yeah!" Josh said excitedly. "I saw the playback of the recording Dureshta made from his ship. Lurchok is very proud of her. Oh, and I introduced her to Gond." "How did that work out?" Nancy Kirk asked. Joshua gave her two thumbs up. "That's good to hear." "Why have you called?" Joshua asked, though he knew why. "You and Billy have been approved for the Medal Of Honor," She said before cutting off his reply. "And no, you will not refuse it this time!" "Yeah!" He said dejectedly. "So everyone tells me!" "Joshua, do this for the people of the Federation," His mother pleaded. "They need heroes. This war is taking a toll on them." "Are things going that bad?" Joshua asked her. "Yes," She replied. "But we're finally getting more ships on the line that can resist the Breen energy draining weapon. And we're also building more ships that can go toe to toe with the Dominion ships." "Good, we need them!" Joshua said vehemently. "We also got an intelligence team out to Crata IV, to see what you men took out," She said. "It was a weapons development lab. And they found the remains of a Founder there, so you guys did very good. Though that's not going to lower the bounty they've put out for your capture." "Yeah, it sucks being popular!" Joshua said as he grinned. Hannah sat back up and stared at the man. "You killed a Founder?" She asked before smiling. "Well we'll have to celebrate that when you're done talking to your mother." "I've said all I need to say," Nancy Kirk said as she shook her head. "You two kids get to it!" "Later then," Joshua said as he severed the connection. Turning back to Hannah, he grinned. "Let's celebrate!" "That's an impessive bit of metal you two have there," Worf said as he held his cup of bloodwine aloft. "Here's to the warriors Joshua Kirk and William Marx!" The others raised their cups and drank to Kirk and Marx. "What have you guys been up to yesterday and today?" Nancy Kirk asked her son. "And why did three teams come with you?" "We tested the security around the president," Joshua said as he glanced around the room. "And we found it to be bad. Very bad." "Dear God," She muttered in frustration. "How bad?" "Pretty bad," One of the Klingons said as he stepped forward. Nancy Kirk shook her head as his form shifted to that of the president. "How long did you pass as the president, Constable Odo?" She asked as a smile formed on her face. "Twelve hours," Odo said as he shifted his form back to that of the Klingon. "What did you do with the president?" "I had the honor of hosting him on the Defiant," Worf told her. "And he is a magnificent story teller." "They took command of the presidential protection detail away from Jan Dason," Billy Marx said. "And she was pissed!" "Well she can cry me a river," She muttered angrily. "She should never have removed the Enhanced Humans from the protection teams. We're one of the few who can smell a Founder." "I do not trust that Human," Worf told the others. "Why would one do such a thing? It would only help our enemies." "I think she's a Hater," Joshua said. "Well we know she hates you," Billy Marx told his lifelong friend, before turning to Joshua's mother. "And we managed to hack Dason's computers. She's with Section 31." "Really?" Nancy asked excitedly. "And we found out she was the one who was behind most of the accusations against Josh and Mack," Billy rumbled angrily. "Back when she was in the Senate." "I'll destroy her!" Nancy shot back. "She'll regret being born!" "You will do nothing," Joshua said, shocking his mother. "We were able to get into Section 31's system. If she goes down, we'll lose that link. So for the moment, we just have to ignore her." "Here ya go," Nancy's brother Jacob said as he handed his sister a PAAD. "This has a lot of information on their doings. See that our sister gets it Big Red." "You got it!" She said. "There is also a list of every member of Starfleet who works for them," Jake told her. "And about a third of them are not doing so voluntarily." "And mother?" Joshua said as he took the PAAD and pulled up one of the names. "Look who's on the list." "Your uncle Mike?" She asked as she stared at the name Michael MacKenzie. "Check his file!" Worf said in awe. "Him and his Hunting Party were involved in classified missions deep into Romulan territory. Some on Romulus itself!" "Amazing," She said quietly as she read some of what the PAAD held on her husband's uncle. "A toast!" Joshua said loudly as Warf placed a cup of blood wine in Nancy Kirk's hand. "To the greatest warrior Starfleet has ever produced! To Michael MacKenzie! To the Hunter!" "To the Hunter!" The others shouted. "No, don't call Big Mike the Hunter!" Nancy said quickly. "He hated what he became, hated the Hunter." "Then here's to St Michael St Patrick St Columba MacKenzie!" Warf said, holding his bloodwine aloft once more. "One of the greatest warriors to ever live, and owner of one of the most impressive names ever."