Chapter Seven:

Tensions on the bridge of the USS Enterprise had risen since Kirk had relieved Sulu and Spock from duty, the tension of the past few days few days had taken it's toll on the usual emotional captain of this vessel, his reactions where different, quicker to anger signs of stress had shown in his face as large dark shadows had begun too take their horrifying hold on Jim Kirk. Thoughts had begun to run threw Kirk's mind, had he been too hard on Spock? No… he with held evidence in an investigation, but Sulu? He tried too make a joke that four days before he would have laughed at. But Spock? Why would Spock betray him? Why would he delete logs rather then come too him first? Did Spock realise he was risking everything? His career, his pension… even his family name. Kirk decided too take matters into his own hands now and confront Spock about his actions over the last few days, if he knew Spock as well as he thought he would still be continuing his investigation regardless.

On the long slow walk threw his ship Kirk found himself out side Sulu's quarters he had almost decided to past his quarters throwing his fist into the bulkhead almost feeling a crack in his wrist as he turned back to the door and pushed the bell cursing to himself as the doors slid open with Sulu stood in the doorway with a smug grin on his face.

"Captain?"

"Return too your post Mr Sulu"

"Aye Sir!"

Showing concern for his Commanding officer as he looked at the blood dripping from his left hand he stepped into his quarters and grabbed a towel for his Captain.

"Take it sir, your getting blood on the deck, what happened too your hand?"

"A slight accident Lieutenant nothing too worry about, and thanks. As for my behaviour on the bridge I apologise I was out of line, their will be no marks on your record. You're a good officer and a great pilot… the best I've served with in years"

"Thank you sir, that means a lot coming from you. May I make a suggestion sir?"

With a slight nod from Kirk, Sulu stepped into the corridor.

"Go too sickbay, that hand looks broken and you look terrible"

"Thanks for your concern, but I have another stop on my way"

"Mr Spock? Good luck… Jim"

The first time since he had known Sulu he had called him by his name and not rank or salutation, with a slight smile he left his pilot and made his way along the corridor until he finally reach the door of his science officer.

As he got to the door about to ring the buzzer the doors opened as Spock stood in the doorway with this usual emotionless expression had been replaced with what appeared to be a look of concern for his captain and friend.

"May I come in Spock?"

Stepping too one side Kirk entered slowly as he looked around, His quarters had changed dramatically almost empty of all personal items.

"What's happened too your quarters?"

"I was just about too come too speak with you sir"

Reaching into a pocket on his robe Spock handed Kirk a data chip.

"I have been contact with Starfleet command and have requested retirement"

"You've retired? Why?"

"It has not always been easy for me too work around humans and recently it has become even more difficult, I have decided too return to Vulcan once this mission has ended"

"What?"

"It was not an easy decision for me sir, but I have also been in contact with my government and requested training in the Kohlinar ritual and assume a position at the Vulcan Science Academy"

Shocked Kirk sat back in a chair and hung his head slightly.

"If this is about what happened on the bridge…"

"Sir, the decision has been made, a Vulcan ship will rendezvous with the Enterprise in two days and take me back too Vulcan, for the duration of this mission Mr Chekov has agreed to assume my post as bridge science officer until your return too space dock next month pending the completion of the ships mission"

With a slight nod too his old friend Kirk left Spock's quarters possibly for the last time.

Aboard the USS Federation Commander Montgomery Scott crawled over shattered bulkheads that once held the large engine room, from all scans the warp core was damaged beyond repair from what he had been told the Washington was in even worse shape, this grand lady that was once the pride of the home fleet was held in orbit by tractor beams from Enterprise and other ships in relief efforts to stop the crippled vessel falling into a fiery death above the planet's surface.

A voice echoed from the far side of the engine room.

"Sir I think I can get navigational thrusters back online, although it would only be at 40% operational status"

"Aye lad, that would be better than nothing, it may even take some stress off Enterprise, do what ya can"

"Of course, I may have too use power from the phasers"

"I don't think we'll be using them for awhile, nice work Ensign"

With one more bulkhead to climb over Scott finally found what he was looking for, the dilithium chamber, the valuable crystals will be removed and distributed threw the fleet along with the Washington's to supplement the fleet's stores that have been rapidly depleted over the past few days since the power requirement of keeping the two crippled ships in orbit had placed a huge strain on all vessels.

Hours past quickly as Flint's deadline was fast approaching, with many of the injured crew still down on the planet under the tender care of the Enterprises' chief medical officer, Scott was rushing around attempting to regain some control over the Federation.

"Sir I believe I am ready to try a test fire of the thrusters"

"Very well, Enterprise, we're ready to test fire"

"Understood Scotty, deactivating tractor beam"

The ship shuddered violently as she broke free from the Enterprises' grip and began to drift towards the planet below, with a nod to his engineering crew they prepared to fire the thrusters.

"On three… One… Two… Three, fire the thrusters!"

Once again the port thrusters burst into life as the Federation violently shook throwing crewmen too the floor, quickly Scott jumped too his feet and checked the computer read outs, a large smile ran over the engineer's face as the ship began to stabilise her orbit. Cheering rang threw the fleet as one vessel began to slowly come back to life.

"Keep an eye on the read outs, Ensign you're with me… Enterprise, the Federation is secure, two too transport to the Washington, we'll try the same with her"

With a slight nod too the young officer by his side the two engineers transported too the other crippled vessel.