The three highly decorated officers sat around the conference table. Kirk reached up and rubbed his hair with his hands.
"Spock what do you know of the planet Goleea?"
Spock launched with computer like precision, "Goleea is a Class M planet in the Raythelon-5 galaxy. It is the fifth planet from a star very similar in size and mass to the earth. Goleea is comprised of many loosely linked City-States. Its development is categorized as that of Earth in the mid to late 22nd century. The Goleeans have not developed warp powered flight. They have however developed sophisticated communication technology and have contacted civilizations outside their solar system through these systems. Some of Goleea's City-States have expressed interest in joining the Federation. The Federation sees the rich mineral content of the planet as desirable. Many ambassadors also feel that if Goleea joined the republic it would be a stabilizing influence in that region. There is concern in the Federation that since Goleea does not have advanced space flight technology, it is not advanced enough to become a Federation planet. Others are concerned with human right violations reported in some regions. Also, since Goleea does not have one unified government some analysts fear instability amongst the individual City-States. Almost all governments on Goleea have relations with Godeea, another class M planet in the same solar system. Godeea is the third planet from their sun. This is problematic since Godeea has been reaching out diplomatically to Romulus. The Goleeans are generally regarded as peaceful."
"Thank you Mr. Spock. Computer, cross index any information matching words clone or cloning with the word Goleea."
The computer responded, "Negative, there are zero matches, sir."
The captain paused for a millisecond, realizing how much the computer sounded like Dr. Chapel. "Mr. Spock, were you able to pull up Chapel's travel logs? How soon did she go to Goleea after she left the Enterprise?"
Spock answered, "Yes, Captain. I was able to ascertain that Dr. Chapel immediately procured private transport to Goleea and arrived 8.3 days after she left the Enterprise. I attempted to pull any correspondence or messages from her com unit for the last three months. I discovered that all information was wiped from the system. I was unable to reconstruct it, sir."
"Ok, Spock. I'm open to any theories or ideas. Clearly this is out of character for the Dr. Chapel that we know. What do you make of it?"
The captain turned to his first officer hoping he would have the solution.
Instead of answering the Captain, Spock directed a question to Doctor McCoy.
"Dr. McCoy, is it common procedure to run a full psychiatric diagnostic on defendants in Starfleet detention facilities?"
"Of course," McCoy answered in a mildly annoyed sounding voice, "I reckon it is. But why do you ask?"
"I found Dr. Chapel's use of profanity out of character and was wondering if..."
McCoy could not let Spock finish.
"Why Spock, you can't imagine Chris cussing you out? Let me assure you as a Starfleet medic Chris has heard and used profanity on many occasions. I have been on the receiving end of much worse than what she directed at you."
McCoy sounded indignant.
"My guess is that Chris was cursing out of anger - out of anger and hurt."
"Anger?" Mr. Spock asked as he slowly lifted one eyebrow.
"Why yes, you pointy-eared inquisitor. You and the Captain sound as though you've already convicted her. And Spock, seriously where do you get off, lecturing her on shame and honor! My god, how condescending and sanctimonious can…"
Kirk jumped in, "McCoy please. We're meeting here because we wish to help Dr. Chapel, if it is at all possible. But, if she's done this, we have no responsibility. And Bones, I got to tell you, her responses don't give me a good feeling."
"Damn straight, you should want to help her. When I think how many times that little lady has saved our lives, held our hands when we were sick," McCoy gave a hard look at Spock, "fed us soup when we were ailing, " McCoy met Spock's eyes with an even more piercing glance, "I can't imagine not getting to the bottom of this. Chris is no terrorist. You both know this. She is the kindest, most compassionate person I've ever met."
Kirk was looking hard at the desk, "McCoy, I know, I know…but how do you explain the evidence, the crazy talk about clones? Why doesn't she just tell us the truth?"
McCoy sighed deeply and looked hard at his cuticles.
"Look, I know something about Chris that you and Spock don't. Hell, I'm breaching doctor patient confidentiality, but you need to know. I can't explain why Chris was bombing a research lab. But I know it has to be linked to this. You see, Christine Chapel was created from a single cell in a biolab. Christine herself is a clone."
For the first time this evening, James Kirk's mouth bent into a half-smile, a disbelieving smile.
Kirk repeated McCoy's words but raised his voice at the end, "A clone?"
Spock quickly chimed in, "Yes, Captain. A cell, cell product, or organism that is genetically identical to the unit or individual from which it was derived."
"Look, I'm just a country doctor. But, I've seen a world of good done with genetic and reproductive medicine. In vitro fertilization has been successfully used for centuries. I've seen fetuses with birth defects cured in the womb with genetic medicine. These are all wonderful and positive technologies. Back when Christine first told me about her background, I did a lot of thinking about this cloning business. I've never heard of good coming from cloning. I'm not talking about the child that is born from it. A cloned child would be no different than any other baby. It's the motivation to make a duplicate being that is problematic. The wish to make an exact copy of another sentient being is the wish to alter the cycle of life. Historically, cloning has been done by mad scientists - narcissists and megalomaniacs. I have a feeling this was true in Christine's case as well. I know Chris had a sad childhood. Her first years were spent in the lab where she was created. I don't know all the details. It's not something she wanted to talk about. Later, she was sent to live in some sort of convent by her sister who was also her guardian. At some point the convent got a bit freaky and her sister rescued her. I think she enrolled in the university soon after."
"Sister?" Kirk asked.
"Number One was also a clone and genetically identical to Christine. I compared the DNA profiles myself at Christine's behest. She was also Christine's legal guardian after the doctor that made them was arrested."
"Number One?" Spock and Kirk asked in unison.
"Yes, that Number One, First Officer to Captain Christopher Pike on the Enterprise," McCoy replied.
"Number One has been missing and presumed dead approximately 8.3 years." Spock flatly stated.
"Yes, I remember there was a search for her. It was all very sad," Kirk paused for a moment seemingly lost in thought, "But let's go back to the matter at hand. What do the both of you suggest we do now?"