Chapter Eight

Nathan Harris, Captain of the Excalibur, was feeling more than just tired – he was feeling absolutely, utterly drained. While there had been moments in the past year when he'd felt as if some days were longer than others, the time he and his crew had spent so far on Space Station K-3 was beginning to feel much, much longer. What was worse was that it wasn't because they were in the midst of some battle or dealing with a diplomatic problem: no, the problem was internal, and from a person he had least expected problems to come from.

When Doctor Ethan Gamble's name had come up on a list of candidates for the position of Chief Medical Officer of the Excalibur, he had thought he could do worse than choose this man, who came with a strong resume and the recommendations to match. An interview with Gamble only confirmed his choice. Gamble struck him as cool, calm, and ready to take personal risks as long as they ensured the safety and health of the crew, and this was what impressed Harris the most.

When Gamble requested that he be allowed to bring on Doctor Rebecca Sanders as a part of the medical staff, Harris had permitted it, rightly suspecting that Gamble's choice of primary trauma surgeon was both professional and romantic. To her credit, Doctor Sanders came with strong recommendations as well, with many of her professors citing her ability to work in the worst conditions with optimal focus – something which Harris considered very important in a trauma surgeon. And since Harris really wasn't one of those old hard-liners who believed that romance was a deterrent to the efficiency of a crew, he accepted Sanders as a part of his crew.

For the first year of the Excalibur's mission, he had not regretted his decision at all. As far as he could tell, not only were Gamble and Sanders professional in their work, but they made an excellent team. Though the Excalibur's crew had found itself in trouble more often than not, with those two tending to them, there had been minimal loss of life. It helped, too, that Sanders was a very pleasant sort of woman, willing to make friends with other people, compensating for Gamble's rather antisocial personality.

If only he had known what that antisocial nature of his really meant, then perhaps he would not have accepted Sanders on the Excalibur, might have let someone else on the fleet take her on. It might have spared the poor girl so much grief…

"Captain? Is something the matter?"

Harris glanced up at Commander Min Zheng, and smiled slightly. "Nothing is wrong Commander. Simply… Regrets, I suppose. I think it didn't have to be this way, but here we are." He paused, simply looking at Zheng. "Did you know of this beforehand?"

"I suspected, sir, but I let it slide," Zheng replied, keeping her voice low. "I disapproved of the affair to begin with, but since you yourself did not seem to find anything wrong with their relationship, I decided to simply keep my ideas to myself. I didn't think it was my place to reprimand them."

"And you did not speak to me of this because…?"

"As I said, sir, I did not think it was my place."

Harris sighed. If only Zheng had spoken up, maybe he would have paid closer attention, and this disaster could have been avoided. "We have been serving together a year, Commander, and I had hoped you have come to understand that you have the freedom to tell me anything, if not publicly on this bridge, then privately. I'm not omniscient, after all; I don't always know what's going on with every single crewmember on this ship. Neither do you, I'm sure, but between the two of us we can manage somehow."

"I'm sorry," Zheng murmured. "I know I had the privilege you speak of, but what I felt was merely disapproval for the situation. I had some suspicions regarding Gamble, but I dismissed them as foolish."

She did not speak for a while, and the both of them were preoccupied with minor preparations in lieu of the Board of Inquiry to contacting them via the bridge's viewscreen. Both the Enterprise and the Excalibur were docked at Space Station K-3, and the Board of Inquiry was also present in a physical sense in the same place, but it was thought best for the crews to stay in their respective starships, to keep both out of trouble.

Not that anyone from either side would want to do such a thing, Harris mused. His people were good people, and so were Kirk's. They weren't the sort of folks who would start fights over this affair. And besides, as far as he could gauge his own crew, they were clearly appalled by what had happened to Doctor Sanders, many of them firmly on her side in this.

When Zheng spoke again, she asked, "Are you really letting Doctor Sanders transfer to the Enterprise?"

Harris nodded. "I am." He raised an eyebrow slightly as he glanced at his First Officer. "Do you question my decision?"

"I merely think it would be a waste. We need Doctor Sanders more than the Enterprise does. With Gamble gone, we could have her promoted to Chief Medical Officer, keeping her talents on this ship."

"Practical, as always." And that, Harris thought, was why he'd chosen Zheng as his second-in-command: the woman was not anything if not practical. Sure, Kirk had the renowned Vulcan Spock at his side, but Harris was downright proud of his choice for First Officer. "However, I think this time it would be wiser for Doctor Sanders to be transferred."

"Why?"

"Speaking in a practical manner, I don't think she is capable of becoming Chief Medical Officer after everything that's happened. She's in a very emotional state, and I don't need that in someone who is going to be in charge of Medical Bay. Also, she does not have enough experience yet to take the position. She has served this ship well, to be sure, but I simply do not think she has enough leadership experience."

Zheng nodded slowly. "A good point." She sighed softly then. "But don't you think Captain Kirk is getting a bit greedy with his crew? He has the cream of the crop on his ship. I know the Enterprise is the flagship, but seriously…"

Harris couldn't help but smile in amusement. "Are you saying our crew is not the best? Certainly, Captain Kirk has a great deal of talent on his side, but the Excalibur is a good, strong ship, crewed by some of the best people in Starfleet – and by that, I don't mean they have the best resumes or the most talent or even the strongest recommendations." He gestured to the bridge. "The people on this ship, here and now, are the best because they are precisely what the Excalibur needs – and people whom I, as Captain, trust with my life."

A smile – so rare on the face of the woman most people called the "Iron Dragon" – appeared on Zheng's face, and she bowed her head in graceful acceptance of the compliment. "Thank you, Captain."

"Captain," called Lieutenant Dominic Anders from the communications station, "the Board is contacting us, requesting a conference feed."

Harris nodded as he straightened in his chair. "Very well, patch them through."

"Yes, sir."

It did not take long for the feed to come through, and in no time flat they were in a virtual conference with Kirk and his officers on the Enterprise's bridge; the Board of Inquiry in the Space Station's main conference room; and, in a feed from Earth, the key members of the Starfleet Medical Board, headed by Doctor Shamira Hakim, Starfleet Surgeon General. The Enterprise and the Excalibur represented the aggrieved parties, while the Board of Inquiry represented both the Federation and Starfleet, with the Federation standing for civil laws and Starfleet for its own military codes. The Surgeon General, on the other hand, represented the specific power to whom all doctors in Starfleet answered, and hence the only governing body that could truly strip any Starfleet doctor of their power to practice medicine.

All the Powers That Be had gathered to decide on how to rule on this situation, and Harris knew, judging solely by Doctor Hakim's presence, that things were about to get unpleasant for Gamble.

There was much talk going back and forth – formalities, really, as far as Harris was concerned. They all knew the facts: Gamble had been beating and drugging Sanders, due to some heretofore unknown sociopathic tendencies no one had seen before. If Sanders had not contacted Captain Kirk when she had, it was highly likely she would have had to continue suffering with Gamble, if she did not die from a drug overdose before then. Reports and interviews from both the crew of the Excalibur and the Enterprise, as well as from Gamble and Sanders themselves, had pretty much made everything clear.

At last, the head of the Board of Inquiry, which was headed by Undersecretary Amal Lupei, said, "And in light of the evidence provided by both sides, this Board would like to ask Starfleet Medical Board for its recommendations on how to sentence Doctor Ethan Gamble for his crimes."

All eyes now focused on Doctor Hakim, who was staring straight at the screen and was not even paying attention to the soft conversation going on around her. Harris knew that look. It was the look Doctor Hakim got when she was most displeased with something, and had made up her mind about what she was going to do about it. Harris ought to know: he had been treated by Doctor Hakim before, and he had seen that look on her face more often than not.

"The ruling of the Starfleet Medical Board," Doctor Hakim said, her voice low and almost frighteningly soft, "is that the medical license of Ethan Gamble is to be permanently revoked, forbidding him from practicing medicine in the Federation and amongst the Federation's allies. Furthermore, this Board recommends that he be incarcerated in a Federation reorientation center, with a sentence suitable for professional negligence of the scale he has committed. We also recommend that Starfleet strip Ethan Gamble of his rank, and dismiss him from the service with a dishonorable discharge."

Harris winced at the mention of dishonorable discharge. It was the last thing any self-respecting Starfleet officer ever wanted to hear, even if it was meted out to someone else.

Captain Grant Odell of the Anubis, who was Starfleet's representative on the Board of Inquiry, nodded his head. "The Medical Board's recommendation has been noted, and it will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities when a Starfleet court-martial can be convened."

"The Federation also notes the Medical Board's recommendation, and shall carry it out immediately," Undersecretary Lupei said. "The defendant, Ethan Gamble, is therefore sentenced to incarceration in the penal colony of Jaros II (1), to be held there until a Starfleet court-martial can rule on his fate, and to return there if the court wishes that it be so."

There were a few more words exchanged – more formalities, just like in the beginning – and the screen showing the Board of Inquiry blipped out, so that only the Starfleet Medical Board, the Enterprise, and the Excalibur were left holding the conference. There was, after all, still the matter of Doctor Sanders' transfer to the Enterprise to deal with.

"Captain Harris," Doctor Hakim began, "have you received Captain Kirk's request for the transfer of Doctor Rebecca Sanders to the Enterprise?"

Harris nodded, relaxing slightly when he saw how Doctor Hakim, too, had relaxed a little. "I have, and I see no reason to refuse the transfer. Captain Kirk has recommended Doctor Isaiah Sandoval as a replacement for Doctor Sanders, whom I find eminently suitable. I'm also considering promoting Doctor Sandoval to Chief Medical Officer, in line with what has happened to Ethan Gamble."

"Hmmm, yes, that sounds appropriate," Doctor Hakim murmured, a small smile curling her lips just so. "Doctor Sandoval would make a good choice for Chief Medical Officer." There was a slight shift in her eyes as her gaze focused on the other screen, the one showing the Enterprise's bridge. "What of you, Captain Kirk? Are Doctors Sandoval and Sanders amenable to this arrangement?"

Kirk nodded. "Doctor Sandoval is ready and waiting for orders to transfer. As for Doctor Sanders…" He glanced to the side, and Harris saw Sanders standing between Spock and a man whom he recognized as Doctor Leonard McCoy.

Doctor Sanders stepped forward from between the First Officer and the Chief Medical Officer, looking as if she had just been put on the spot. Harris wondered if she had even made a decision yet. He hoped she had made up her mind, because he didn't really feel like ordering her to stay on the Enterprise. As Captain, he knew he could do it, but he would much rather have the decision be her own, rather than something he forced on her.

She glanced, first at McCoy and Spock, and then at Kirk, before her shoulders seemed to shift as she sighed, and she replied, "I've decided to accept the transfer. It would be an honor to serve aboard the Enterprise."

Harris exhaled the breath he didn't know he'd been holding, and smiled as he watched Doctor Hakim nodded approvingly. "Well gentlemen, if everything is settled, I would like to put this issue to rest for now, and go home to my daughter. Good night from Earth, Captain Harris, Captain Kirk."

The screen showing Doctor Hakim went dark, leaving only Kirk and Harris in the conference. Harris nodded at the younger captain, and smiled wearily. "Looks like we can get on with our lives again, Kirk."

Kirk nodded, and though his face had fewer lines compared to Harris's face, it was clear to the older captain that his younger counterpart was just as relieved as he was that this was all over. "Honestly looking forward to that. Can't wait to get out of here."

Harris nodded in agreement. He could not wait to get out there again and start exploring. "Doctor Sanders, I will be waiting for you on the Excalibur to finalize your transfer."

"Yes, sir," Sanders replied, her voice soft and tired. Well, that was no surprise, Harris thought. If anyone would be tired after all of this, it would most certainly have to be her. "We'll let you see to your business, Kirk, and we shall see to ours."

"Of course, Harris. Some other time then."

"Some other time – and hopefully under better circumstances. Excalibur out."

As the images on their screen disappeared, Harris sighed heavily. While he was glad it was over, it had been an extremely trying situation for him, and he was tired. He stood up slowly from the command chair, gesturing to Zheng as he said, "You're in charge, Zheng. Inform me when Doctor Sanders arrives, but until then, I shall be in my quarters."

"Yes sir," was Zheng's murmured assent to his command, and she took her seat in the command chair just as he entered the turbolift and made his way to his own quarters.

My kingdom for a good three hours' worth of sleep, Harris thought, and chuckled to himself at the Shakespearian reference; he'd never really liked Shakespeare, but somehow the line was appropriate. He only hoped he had enough time to rest before Sanders came; the last thing he wanted to do was face her acting like a grumpy old man.

--+--

"You really are going to push through with this, aren't you?"

Rebecca nodded as she folded her comforter as small as she could, and put it in one of her less overstuffed suitcases. "I am. And not just because there are two captains who insist I do, and because Doctor Hakim herself approved."

Min Zheng approached, and sat down on the edge of her bed. "Then why?"

Rebecca paused in her packing, and looked at Zheng. The other woman had a resigned look on her face, so she wasn't trying to convince Rebecca to stay, but was trying to find out why Rebecca would want to leave the Excalibur now that the cause of all her pain was gone.

"I'm not like you, Zheng," Rebecca murmured at last. "I can't stand to be around this ship – not for now, anyway. Everything about it reminds me of him, and I always have the feeling that if I turn around the next corner, he'll be there, waiting for me. I know he's already on his way to Jaros II, but even on the Enterprise I was so afraid he'd come out of nowhere and come for me. I mean, they both look the same, so…"

"That's not what I meant," Zheng replied. "I don't expect you to be like me; we're two very different people, after all. What I want to know is this: why can't you trust this crew to take care of you, to keep you safe? Don't you trust us to stand by you? You've saved our lives often enough. The least we'd want to do is protect you, even now that he's gone."

Rebecca did not respond, touched by what Zheng had said. Zheng was not the most vocal of people, that much she knew, but she was also a very keen observer of people, and Rebecca knew that if Zheng said so, then it must be true.

"I'm sorry," Rebecca said at last. "I know everyone on the Excalibur would do that for me, but I really can't stay here. I thought hard on this, and at first I thought I could manage staying here despite everything that's happened, but I can't." She spread her hands in a scattering gesture. "I need to pick up the pieces again, Zheng. I need time to put my life, myself, back together again, and I can't do that if I stay here."

Zheng did not say anything, merely looked at her, and for a while Rebecca wondered if Zheng could really understand what she meant. After all, whenever there was a crisis, Zheng was always right on top of it, as if she could handle any sort of major disaster, whether it was external from herself, or personal.

At last, Zheng nodded, and smiled – the first time Rebecca had ever seen her do so. "It's a pity, though," she remarked. "You made going to Medical Bay just a bit more tolerable because you were never grouchy. Impeccable bedside manner."

Rebecca couldn't help but laugh. "Doctor Sandoval, so I hear, is no grouch, and he likes to socialize with the crew." She wiggled her eyebrows. "I hear he plays a good game of backgammon."

Zheng's smile became cheekier. Rebecca knew she was an inveterate backgammon player in her spare time, playing games with the crew in her spare time, whether with those who knew how to play the game, or teaching it to those who didn't and were interested enough to challenge her. "Does he now? How did you know about this?"

"I spoke to him a while before coming here, and I saw him packing a set into his bags." Rebecca finished up packing, and straightened up to face Zheng. "I wish we'd had more time to talk."

Zheng shrugged as she, too, stood up. "So do I, but perhaps you and I could get together with some of the other crew when the Excalibur and Enterprise find themselves at the same place."

"I would like that very much." Smiling, Rebecca held her hand out to Zheng. "It was an honor to serve with you, Commander Zheng."

"And it was a pleasure serving with you, Doctor Sanders." Zheng shook her hand firmly, and with warmth. "Take care of yourself, and good luck."

"I wish you the same, Zheng. And thank you."

"You're welcome."

--+--

Kirk walked onto the bridge, feeling particularly upbeat. He'd just formally welcomed Rebecca onboard the Enterprise, and was letting Bones show her around the Medical Bay – not that there would be much to show, because he knew Rebecca had spent a lot of time in there already, but it was really to introduce Rebecca to the rest of the doctors and nurses who worked in Medical, as well as allow her the chance to build her own team.

But that was something he could ask her about later, during the dinner he was hosting in his quarters: his own way of celebrating their reunion as family, as well as the chance to just be glad she was safe and sound. In the meantime, there were other things he wanted to do: namely, get out of this space station.

Sulu nodded at him as he entered. "Maneuvering thrusters and impulse engines at your command, sir."

"Weapons systems and shields on standby," Chekov reported from his station, his youthful face eager for the journey ahead.

Through the intercom, Scotty's brogue rang out loud and clear on the bridge, comforting in its enthusiasm. "Dilithium chamber at maximum efficiency."

The sweep of Uhura's hair as she swung her chair around to face Kirk was graceful and elegant. "Dock control reports ready for departure."

And finally, there was Spock from the science station: "All decks report ready for launch, Captain."

With a satisfied smile, Kirk sat down on the command chair. He was right where he belonged, he thought, right at home in this place, surrounded by people he knew he could trust. And while their unplanned shore leave had allowed them time to fix the Enterprise and renew their stores, now they were all raring to go and have more adventures.

"Sulu, proceed ahead at maximum warp," he ordered, and the helmsman quickly turned to his station to input the necessary data.

"Where to, sir?" Sulu asked, although from the knowing look on his face, it was apparent that he already knew what Kirk was going to say.

Kirk grinned, and waved his hand in the general direction of the great expanse of space that stretched out before them. "Out there, thataway."

To general chuckles of amusement from the bridge crew – save for Spock, of course – the Enterprise's nacelles started to glow, and a few seconds later, the giant starship jumped into warp, leaving nothing but empty space where it had once been.


NOTES:

1 - This is a canonical planet used as a Federation penal colony, but it is mentioned only in The Next Generation, and only in one episode, at that. Its existence as a penal colony before the twenty-fourth century sounds reasonable to me, either way, so I have used it here instead of having to make up a planet to use.