Earth, 2250

George was blunt.

"Professor Uhura, if my ex-wife ever calls up again, making demands, the list of charges against her shown on this file should make her think twice."

"George? Who is this woman?"

"I'll give you a hint, Professor. She's ....with the Blue Dress On. Don't worry--she and I will talk matters over. A lot of matters."

Before he left, George found 14-year old Nyota still in shock. He pulled up her chin to look at him.

"My son loves you. Time will take care of all obstacles between you two. Accept the word of one who knows."

Nyota Uhura's parents saw their little girl smile for the first time in several hellish weeks.

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SAN FRANCISCO

John Gill, Master Of The Terran Order Of The Ancient Destroyer, looked in horror at his destroyed secret room. Memorabilia of Earth's 20th Century German Third Reich, all of it irreplaceable, was now powdered. Posters of the legendary Fuehrer had been replaced with those of Charlie Chaplin. The various marches and themes he had cued to play on entrance had also been replaced. "When Der Fuehrer Says--We Is Da Master Race---Then Ve Heil! Heil! Right In Der Fuehrer's Face!...."

The brilliant man with the tiny minded goals looked about and screamed.

"KIRRRRRRKKKKK!!!!!!"

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Sam Kirk had been suddenly ripped from the transport he was in, and hurled towards the Earth below. The ocean was coming up fast, and he was crying his eyes out. Just as suddenly, though, he was inches above the water, and a powerful hand held him fast.

"What's the matter, son? Can't take a little joke? Now lay off your younger brother---for good."

Sam was too scared to open his eyes.

"dad?"

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Brianna Kirk awoke, stepped out of her bed--and nearly off a cliff. But not just any cliff.

"Not--not here!!"

A voice known to her spoke.

"Why not here, Bri? After all, here is where you killed my wife—your own sister."

Her hand balled into a fist, which was summarily seized and broken.

"You've browbeaten my older son."

 The other hand was almost crushed.

"You beat Jim to a pulp."

A roundhousing leg had its kneecap popped.

"You put him in a coma."

"You terrorized that dear girl Nyota and a family that lives to love, unlike you."

She felt her foot be crunched.

"George--please--don't hurt me anymore."

He slapped her across the face.

"I've never hurt or touched you this way before this, Bri. I always feared what I might do. But now, you're to learn a lesson. The First Rule Of True Strength is as follows......"

He slammed her in the gut so hard, it felt like he went right through.

"........There's Always Someone Stronger."

George flew off then, using abilities that skipped a generation. Brianna was obliged to enter a program for her abusive tendencies. It changed nothing.

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USS CONSTITUTION, NCC-1700

In the ship's Sickbay, a young man awoke from a one-month coma.

"Dad?"

George smiled.

"Son, we need an extra hand. Will you hang here for a time, helping me and Captain April before you rush off to The Academy?"

With many old accounts settled, George Kirk spent the next few months restoring the spirit of his second son. A tradition was continued that would one day turn back the eternal night.