Authors Notes: I'll admit, this particular story is really an outlet for my perspective on the issue of religion and spirituality, but isn't that what Star Trek was for Roddenberry? An outlet for him to tell us his vision of the future? Anyway, this story isn't meant to be some sort of answer to the question of God and spirituality. It's just a look at another event having to do with the Prime Directive, so let's see how it goes.

Chapter 4

Spirituality

Engineering was much larger then Velma anticipated. She had been down here often since she began serving aboard Justice, but she would never get used to how big the area really was. She was looking for the chief engineer, Car'los, and spotted him near the warp core.

Car'los's species, the Gun'Dam, had only joined the Federation a decade earlier. Their skin was mostly brown, and almost looked reptilian. They had no hair, but the back of their head extended a little farther than most other species. They were known to be a very spiritual species, and Velma needed his opinion on this. So'Gam had a short time to come to a decision, and Velma needed whatever input she could get to help him make one.

"Lieutenant Commander Car'los." Velma greeted him.

"Ensign, how can I assist you?" Car'los responded politely.

"I need some advice…you're aware of the current situation, you attend the staff meetings along with the other bridge officers. You know about the oppressive religion that rules over the planet we're orbiting…"

"Yes, an interesting dilemma, isn't it?" Car'los asked. "I would imagine you and the admiral are at some sort of impasse. Do we act and force our values on the planet or not?"

"It's gotten worse. We need to decide if we're going to stop an invasion on a continent that is trying to make reforms to its own government. I don't want to trample all over their religion, but if we interfere, it feels like we are."

"That's not good…" Car'los looked off into the distance, a sad look in his eyes. "Reminds me of the several discussions I had with Loran…"

"Sorry, who?"

He snapped out of it, looking back at her. "Oh, my apologies. Loran was the chief engineering officer before me, a Bajoran. We used to have very long discussions about the nature of spirituality and our religions. He would speak very fondly of the Prophets and how he saw the Federation as an extension of the Prophets will, citing Benjamin Sisko as an example of that. He was a good friend, and I get the feeling he could have helped you more with this problem then I."

"I see…what happened to him?"

"He was murdered in an incident aboard the original U.S.S Justice three years ago. I wouldn't bring it up with any of the senior officers or the admiral, they don't like discussing it. Casualties are an unfortunate reality in Starfleet, but the circumstances around his death were particularly distressing. Of course, we're not here to talk about that. You need advice."

"I do…I'm an atheist, I don't really believe in anything considered supernatural, and Vulcan's don't either, considering how they view the world. I think the Prophets exist, but that they're just very powerful aliens, not gods. I don't believe that a ship or a ship's warp core can be personified as some kind of woman that needs to be coaxed into running efficiently."

"I don't believe that as well." Car'los said with a grin. "I never understood why so many engineers do that. The warp core is just a machine."

"Really?" She asked in disbelief. "I figured you did…"

"Because I happen to be a spiritual person?"

"Yeah…sorry, that sounded really offensive…"

"It's all right. But as for your problem, I think you do need an explanation about the difference between religion and spirituality. Spirituality is meant to enrich a person's life. To give someone that little extra push when nothing else will. It can help guide someone's life and motivate them to better themselves. You have your own means of motivation, but it is not universal. Some people are simply spiritual, and they need some sort of outlet to express themselves. Usually, religion comes to mind…"

"That makes sense…" Velma said. "I mean, I think it does…what do you make about the way they worship their god on Regorlia?"

"Obviously, their original religion was twisted and reformed to serve the interests of whoever was in charge. Any sense of spirituality has been lost."

"Then we aren't really fighting against their religion, just a tyrant that wants everyone to think that we are. Great…" She sighed, grabbing a hold of a nearby handle bar. "This just gets better and better. I know in my mind what I want to do, what I feel needs to be done, but I can't find a way to justify it. The Prime Directive won't allow it…"

"It is my understanding that the Prime Directive has been broken before. If you know in your heart what you have to do, then trust in it."

"That sounds pretty cliché…but what the hell. I guess I can't argue with myself. Thank you, Car'los." She said, waving him goodbye as she made her way to the turbo lift. She knew what recommendation to give So'Gam now.


The skies above the coast city in Grelade felt silent. The men in the streets, holding tightly to their weapons, were standing ready. They knew they were in for a fight, as the Grand Ruler had a technological edge over the civilian population. Hundreds of hovercrafts were floating above the ocean, ready and waiting for a signal to attack from their leader.

In one particular hover craft, in the middle of the army of aircrafts stood the Grand Ruler. His black trench coat made him stand out against the military personal aboard the ship. He had his arms crossed, overlooking the coast city they were about to sack. Still angry about the loss of his captive, the alien from outer space. He had no time now to worry about the Federation, though. He had to make an example of Grelade.

He raised a hand up. "All attack crafts, prepare to…" His eyes suddenly widened at the sight above them. Something was parting the clouds, descending from the heavens.

Everyone looked up and saw the large ship. The hull was first, and slowly, the saucer section came into view. No one could understand the language that was written on the ship, though if the people of Grelade could have, they'd see the irony of the situation.

"The Regorlian army has spotted us." Mi'key reported from the helm.

"Helmsman, move us between the Regorlian army and the city. They may not understand what is going on, but that should be a clear sign of what we are doing here."

"Understood. Firing atmospheric thrusters."

The thrusters of the U.S.S Justice roared as it moved through the sky, placing itself between the two opposing armies.

"Fire on that ship, fire everything!" The Grand Ruler yelled. Every hovercraft fired its blasters upward at the Justice. The shots pelted its shield, only becoming slightly visible for a moment before disappearing from sight.

"Our shield power is down 0.003 percent." Mi'key reported.

"I'd be more inclined to think that was just a normal shield fluctuation then actual damage." Vi'cky said.

"They really don't like us…" Velma said from her console on the bridge.

So'Gam stood up from his seat. "Was this the course of action you wanted me to take?"

"Pretty much. I had to have a talk with Car'los to come to this decision, how did you already make it first?"

"This is why I am an admiral." The other bridge officers smirked at So'Gam's response.

"You know, the Federation Council is going to have our heads for this."

"Then I intend to file a recommendation for you in whatever fleet we end up serving in."

Vi'cky looked down at her console. "Sir, the hovercraft army is retreating. We're getting primitive broadcast signals from the city. Seems they're trying to contact us. They seem pretty happy down there…"

Velma couldn't help but smile a bit. What they just did broke almost every rule in the book, but the outcome, to her, was worth it. "All right, captain, what's our next move?"

"We insist that delegates from both sides sit down and discuss their differences and their future."

"I'm gonna wanna be there for that one…"

Authors Notes bonus: Go to youtube, search "Sub Prime Directive" song from the newest Star Trek movie, play it and start reading from the scene when the U.S.S Justice appears. Then you will have imagined the scene the same way I did.