Chapter Eight
Kirk rubbed his temples for the third time within the hour. Saratoga had responded, however was being very unhelpful and as uncoopertive as a bull- a thick headed one at that. She wasn't the one Kirk was talking to, but rather her First Officer, Mr. Mason, who was a bulky fellow. He seemed to be in charge of the entire conversation, but Kirk knew Saratoga was hearing it all and relaying her responses to Mason who would in turn relay them to Kirk.
"Mr. Mason, I consider it an insult that you would so openly challenge us after coming two hours off course. Besides that it's completely illogical, in the words of my missing First Officer. If he were present, I'm sure he'd find a logical way of dealing with you, however if he were present, there would be no need. So I am going to say this. Either choose or put on your superior officer, Ms. Saratoga." Kirk said. On Mr. Masons signal, the transmission ended. Sulu glanced back at Kirk.
"I feel bad for you Captain." Sulu said. "But I must say your doing well."
"Sulu you do realized with Spock, Chekov, and Scotty gone, you are the next person who gains control of the Enterprise when I'm not around?"
"Yes sir." Sulu replied.
"Good, it's our turn to be difficult. Your going to be the speaker from now on, I'll be listening in my quarters, relaying answers via the intercom." Kirk said. Sulu nodded, took the captian chair and stuck the headphone in his ear to hear Kirk.
The transmission was back on shortly after Kirk had left. Sulu hoped Kirk was ready from his position in his room.
"Ah Kirk…?" This time, the voice was feminine, and a moment later the screen revealed a lovely black-hair Alaskian with dazzling blue eyes.
"Kirks shift is up, I'm Lt. Sulu." Sulu said.
"Ah, I see Kirk still likes getting even." The female said. "I'm Saratoga, Captain of the Roosevelt."
Kirks voice suddenly filtered into Sulu's headphone. "Tell her Captain Kirk is still the best at getting even."
"Well Saratoga," Sulu said, "Our Captain is still revered as the best for getting even. He has repeatedly asked for your decision, may I have it?"
"Just what is the Roosevelt expected to do?" Saratoga asked.
Sulu waited a second before replying, however, Kirk's response never came. "You are to help us search for our five missing crewmen, including First Officer Spock, Ensign Chekov, and Chief Engineer Scott." Sulu said. "The details of this search can be related in a private meeting after you've decided. You are also asked to give any extra hands if we decide to beam down a force, or attempt to beam anyone up."
"Sulu, I couldn't have said that better myself!" Kirks excited voice said. "Keep thinking like that and you'll be in the Captians chair permantly before long."
"And what if I say no?" Saratoga asked.
"Well then it's just another sign that the apprenticeship method your instuctor believed in doesn't cover everything necessary- like comradeship with others." Sulu retorted. Kirk could be heard clapping over Sulu's headphone.
Saratoga glared at the Asian, almost looking like a wolf. Sulu held her gaze. She was the one to look away. "Very well, we agree, I'll beam over within the hour with two of my officers to discuss plans. Two security guards will be with me." Saratoga said. "In the mean time, tell Kirk his eavedropping isn't as secret as he'd like."
"A Captain has his rights, except when she abuses them." Sulu replied hotly. This Saratoga sure could get under peoples skin. Sulu ended the trasmission, leaned back, and let out a loud long sigh.
Chekov sobbed. He was alone, and the memories and the marks that proved the memories to be true were the only necessary cause. However, Chekov was hungry, tired, and weak. He was completely alone and he felt as worthless as a piece of old machinery that was so outdated it could be considered ancient.
He couldn't remember his crime, but his punishment was too terrible to forget. Kirk, Sulu, and Uhura, always hurting him. Sulu had even burned a mark onto his leg which hurt constantly. The mark was like a backwards 'S' with a dot inside the bottom curve. Chekov just sat there and starved.
After the crimes he'd apparently committed, he didn't even care.