4/6/2258
Bridge
3:00 PM

This morning the Captain had announced that the USS Yorktown would be rendezvousing with them.
At 14:30 hours, shortly after they had passed the New Vulcan colony, it had arrived and Admiral Pike
had come aboard – apparently on inspection.

A very casual inspection so far. Ordinarily in such an event, the Senior staff and Department Heads would
wear dress uniforms and stand at attention in the Hangar bay while they were questioned about their duties
and responsibilities. Of course that was usually after a banquet and a tour which perhaps would be scheduled
for later this evening; the Captain hadn't told them how long the Yorktown would be with them.

In the meantime, Admiral Pike apparently wanted to see how the Bridge ran on an ordinary day.

As the Admiral wheeled through the corridors, many heads turned. In the two months since his torture at Nero's
hands Pike had gone through extensive physical therapy. While he was able to walk for short distances, he still
relied heavily on his wheelchair. Despite that he was as impressive as ever and it was easy to remember that
he had once commanded the Enterprise.

He and Kirk were both on the Bridge when the Admiral casually suggested that he would like to see the good
Doctor McCoy, who Kirk promptly summoned from Medbay.

And then….

Pike moved his wheelchair in front of Kirk and said formally: "Captain James T. Kirk, I relieve you of command."

The room filled with shocked gasps.

Kirk ignored them. Rising from the Captain's chair he nodded at Pike. "I am relieved."

McCoy silently handed the Admiral a PADD with his resignation.

Pike gently placed a hand on Kirk's shoulder. "I'll be along in a few minutes to help you pack," he said quietly.

Kirk nodded silently and then he and McCoy turned and left, without so much as a backwards glance at
the gaping Bridge crew.

Pike turned to a Spock who, despite all his efforts, was visibly stunned.

"The Enterprise will be getting a new CO as soon as can be arranged." The Admiral's tone was so cold that
it could have put an iceberg to shame and he looked at Spock like the Vulcan was something that he'd stepped in.
"Until then this ship will be under your…questionable command."

The Admiral abruptly turned and cast an equally scathing glare at the rest of Bridge crew. He then headed
to the lift without another word.