Jim walked down the corridor wishing he had a dress uniform, but he had nothing but what he was wearing. He went to Admiral Simmons' office and stopped at the door. He did not want to go in there. He turned and went on down the corridor. Admiral Simmons would not know when he got out of the medical bay anyway. He intended to inform Admiral Winston of what was happening here.
Jim went to the communication center and sat down at a terminal. He sent a signal to Earth which reached Ajah. "Admiral Kirk, it's good to see you, Sir," Ajah said.
"I need to talk to Admiral Winston," Jim replied. "I need to talk to him now. Is he busy?"
"I don't know, Sir, but I can find out."
"Ajah, in case I have to end this transmission, I want you to take down this message for Admiral Winston, and I want you to send it to him now."
Ajah grabbed a pad. "I'm ready, Sir."
Jim told Ajah what had happened that day. "I also want you to send him a copy of that report I gave you earlier," he said.
"I'll get right on it, Sir."
"Find out if I can talk to him."
Ajah switched to another channel which went to Felonia. "Hi, Ajah," she said with a smile.
Ajah could not help but smile. "Hi, Felonia," he replied.
"What can I do for you?" she asked in a teasing manner.
"Is Admiral Winston busy? Admiral Kirk needs to speak to him right now if he's not busy. I also have something I want you to send to him."
"Sure. I'll find out if he's busy. Hold on."
Felonia left her desk and went to Admiral Winston's door. He was sitting at his desk when she looked in. "Sir, Admiral Kirk needs to speak with you," she said. "It's urgent."
"Put him through," Winston replied.
Jim soon saw Admiral Winston appear on the screen. "Admiral," Jim said sounding relieved.
"Kirk, what's this about?" Winston asked as he was looking over the report he had received. He looked at Jim. "I didn't even know you had left Earth until Ajah told me earlier."
"Sir, I had no intention of leaving Earth. We were looking for Solan."
"I see." Winston read over more of the report, plus the message Jim had sent him about what was happening on the station. He leaned on his desk and looked at Jim. "Are you accusing Admiral Simmons of being biased?"
"No, Sir. But he's not listening to what happened."
"You're on his station, Kirk. You're subject to his rules until you leave there."
"But, Sir…"
"I'll look into it, Kirk. Just don't cause anymore incidents on that station."
"I'm not causing any incidents, Sir. I was just sleeping. We didn't intend to come here. We were kidnapped."
"I realize that. The ship was destroyed because he set it on self-destruct. Doctor McCoy took out the bounty hunter, Cax, against your orders."
Jim frowned. "Yes, Sir, he did."
"And now, Admiral Simmons wants you to file charges against him for disobeying a direct order."
"Yes, Sir."
"Don't you think that's what you should do?"
"Sir, I know why Doctor McCoy did what he did. I know he disobeyed an order, but I couldn't have stood there and do nothing, and I don't know how I could expect him to do it."
"I realize you were all on a ship together for five years, and missions like that create bonds, but you still have to go along with protocol. File the charges, Kirk. He'll get a fair trial."
Jim frowned. "Yes, Sir."
"Winston out."
The transmission ended, and Jim sighed as he sat there a moment. If he did not file, he would face court martial himself, and would lose his rank. If he did file, Bones would most likely be out of Starfleet all together, and then if he were going on another mission, he could not call him up to be the ship's doctor while on the mission.
Jim reluctantly went to the command center where he would file this report. Bones knew he had to do it, so he sat down at the computer terminal and found the correct file. As he filled out the report, he wondered if it would be so bad if he lost his rank. At least he would not have to do things like this. He felt like he was throwing Bones under the bus…he remembered saying that to Spock all those years ago when he had filed a report about what happened on Nabiru. Whether he liked it or not, Spock had done the right thing. He had learned that the hard way, and he had learned to listen more to his first officer after that. He was rather impulsive, and Spock kept him from making as many mistakes as he would if he were not around.
Jim filed the report and then left the command center. He felt like he had betrayed his friend. He went back to the communication center and sent a message to Spock on the Enterprise. He received a reply very promptly. "Spock, how are things going?" Jim asked.
"Very well, Admiral," Spock replied. "We have finished our delivery and will soon return to Earth. I have received word that you have had some trouble."
"Yeah. Spock, can you swing by Jupiter Station and pick us up?"
"Yes, Admiral. We can be there in approximately twenty-four hours."
"That's good."
Spock paused a moment. "Jim, is there something wrong?" he asked.
"Yeah, Spock, there's a lot wrong," Jim said.
"Are you at liberty to discuss it?"
"Spock, I had to file a report on Bones."
"What sort of report? Is the doctor well?"
"Yes, he's fine. I guess you know Cax tried to take us to the Klingons. Well…" Jim rubbed his face. "I don't even know where to begin. We managed to escape from him onboard the ship. When we got here, I tried to bring him aboard the station, and he jumped me. He set the ship to self-destruct and threatened to let it blow up if they didn't let him take me. Well, I ordered Bones to stand down, but he shot him anyway. We just barely got the ship far enough from the station to keep it from causing major damage. Admiral Simmons is furious and he demanded that I file charges against Bones for disobeying an order or I face court martial. So, I just filed charges against my best friend."
"Jim, you did what you had to do. Doctor McCoy must know this. He would not have you sacrifice your own career for his."
"He may know, but I'm afraid that won't be enough."
"I do not understand."
"I'm afraid he's gonna hate me later on. What if he's court martialed, Spock?"
"It is likely that he will be cleared of the charges due to the circumstances. However, he may face some punishment."
"He's not a Vulcan, Spock. He can't just let something go like this."
"I believe your friendship is stronger than that, Jim. Doctor McCoy cares deeply for you and your family. Friendship such as this does not die because of an unavoidable situation."
"I hope you're right. I'll see you tomorrow, Spock."
"Until then."
The transmission ended, and Jim left the communication center again. He would have to go to Admiral Simmons' office whether he wanted to or not, so he went on around there again. This time, he knocked. "Enter!"
Jim went into the office and stood at attention. "Admiral James Kirk reporting as ordered, Sir," he said.
Simmons just kept working on whatever he was working on as though he did not hear Jim. Jim just stood there wondering why this admiral wanted to make things hard for him. To his knowledge, he had never even crossed this admiral's path. He could not remember ever meeting him at all, although he had heard of him before. He thought Admiral Simmons was on Earth during his academy days.
"Have a seat, Kirk," Simmons said breaking into Jim's thoughts.
Jim sat down in the chair in front of Simmons' desk. "I see you filed the report I asked for," he said.
"Yes, Sir," Jim replied.
"Do you know why I demanded that you write that report and file those charges?"
"No, Sir."
"Because I didn't really think you would do it."
Jim scowled slightly at that revelation. "Sir?"
"I didn't think you would do it, and I thought I'd get the chance to court martial you."
"Why? Pardon me, Sir, but I don't remember us ever meeting before."
"We haven't met, Kirk, but I've certainly heard plenty about you. It's been said that you were becoming a legend even before you got done with your five-year mission."
Jim was not sure where this conversation was going so he waited to see what Simmons would say next. "That was supposed to be my five-year mission, Kirk," Simmons said finally. "I could have been out there discovering new worlds, but I get sent here to Jupiter Station while some young misfit gets a five-year mission. How would you feel if that happened to you? I guess you'll never know, will you? You even got through the Nebula. Can't go anywhere without someone knowing who you are, can you?"
Jim definitely remembered most places he had been, someone knew him…after his five-year mission, and not only on Federation worlds. "I'm not sure what you mean, Sir," he said.
"You stole that mission, Kirk, while I worked my butt off here on this station to prove myself worthy of being an admiral. Why they promoted you to admiral, I've never understood. You're reckless."
"I'm not so reckless now, Sir."
"Oh yeah, you even married Admiral Marcus's daughter. I wonder what he would think of that."
Jim had often wondered that himself. He knew Admiral Marcus thought he was a misfit and pompous, but the best decision he ever made in his entire life was marrying Carol. "Carol and I love each other, and I don't think he would have ever tried to stand in the way of his daughter's happiness," he said.
"Maybe not, but today, the exhaust vents on this station need to be cleaned. All of my personnel on this station are just too busy to do it, so I think it would be a perfect job for you."
"Sir, I don't know the first thing about…"
"Oh, don't worry. You'll learn really fast. That's something else I've heard about you. You're a fast learner. Go down to maintenance and give them this."
Jim took the pad that he offered him. "They'll tell you what to wear and what to do," Simmons said. "Dismissed. And no lolly-gagging."
"Yes, Sir," Jim replied.
Jim left that office and stood in the corridor for a moment. He thought this admiral was trying to get him to disobey an order. Well, he had until the next day to find something that he would not do. He headed on down to maintenance and as he got closer, he realized it was much warmer there than anywhere else he had been on this station. He entered the maintenance office, and wondered just what all maintenance did on this station. He was sure someone had to keep it clean and make sure everything kept functioning correctly. He found two people sitting in an office watching a holo-program while eating. They were both surprised when they saw him and jumped to their feet.
"At ease," Jim said. "Is this where I get assignments?"
"Assignments, Sir?" Lieutenant Griggs asked.
Jim gave him the pad and waited. Griggs looked at Jim with his surprise showing clearly. "Who gives assignments here?" Jim asked.
"That would be me, Sir," Griggs said.
"Then you saw the orders. Tell me what to do."
"Yes, Sir."
Griggs glanced at his friend who had been sitting in the office with him. "Right this way, Sir," Griggs said. He led Jim down to a small room that Jim thought looked like a closet. "You have to wear one of these coveralls, Sir. You can find your size."
"Thanks. Oh, and you can drop the sir until I get done with this assignment. Just treat me like you do anyone else who works for you."
Griggs frowned. "I could never do that, Sir. I mean…"
"I know what you mean, but it's alright. It seems I'm being tested while I'm here."
"I'll show you what to do once you're dressed, Sir…I mean."
"Thanks, Lieutenant."
Griggs left that room. He stood outside wondering why Admiral James T. Kirk was having to clean the exhaust vents. It was the worst job on the entire station. He would practically be space walking part of the time. It took him months to learn this job, and he did not know why Admiral Simmons would want Admiral Kirk to do such a job.
Jim came from the room with the coveralls on, and they even had a helmet that fit to the top. "I assume there's a reason for this helmet," he said.
"Yes, Sir," Griggs replied. "You'll be…on the outside of the station part of the time. Sir, if I may ask: have you ever done this job before?"
"No, Lieutenant, I have not."
"This job can be dangerous for someone who hasn't been trained to do it."
"I'm sure that's why I'm here. How dangerous?"
"You'll be out…there."
"I've been out in space before."
"Maybe I should go with you…"
"That won't be necessary. Just tell me what to do and stay in contact."
"Yes, Sir. Come this way, Sir."
Jim followed him further into the nether part of the station which was rather noisy, although not unbearable. Griggs showed Jim what he had to do. He figured he would be doing this for the next 24 hours until the Enterprise showed up. Jim took the tool he had to use. "Well, just don't blow me out into space, huh?" he said.
"No, Sir," Griggs replied.
Jim crawled into the exhaust chamber, and he could already see what he had to clean out. Griggs frowned as he did not think that job enhanced the dignity of an admiral, but he closed the hatch.
Jim started working as he wondered what that admiral would do to him next if he finished this before the Enterprise arrived. He intended to get on that ship and he never wanted to see Jupiter Station again. After two hours of working, Jim did not think he had made much progress. He was still in the same chamber, although the first half of it was rather shiny now.
Bones was looking for Jim. He had no idea that Jim was doing maintenance on the space station. He had already looked in the barracks, but of course, he did not find him. He stopped and thought a moment and then went to the communication center. "Lieutenant, have you seen Admiral Kirk in here?" he asked.
"Not for over two hours now."
"You got any idea where he is?"
"I heard someone say he had to report to maintenance."
"Maintenance? For what?"
"I don't know."
"Thanks."
Bones found his way down to the maintenance area and found Lieutenant Griggs. "Lieutenant, is Admiral Kirk down here?" he asked.
"Yes Sir," Griggs said.
"Well, where is he? What's he doing here?"
"He's…cleaning the exhaust chambers."
Bones just stood there dumbfounded for a moment. "He's what?" he asked.
"He's cleaning the exhaust chambers. He was ordered to do it by Admiral Simmons."
"Where is he?"
Griggs showed Bones to the chamber where Jim was and opened the hatch. "Jim, what are you doing in there?" Bones asked.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Jim asked. "I'm cleaning."
"Is this some kind of joke?"
"Doesn't feel like one. My knees and back are killing me."
Bones climbed into the chamber. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "Does it have something to do with me?"
"No. It has nothing to do with you. Admiral Simmons just likes to exert his authority over me. He informed me that I stole his chance to go into deep space, and since he is in command of this station, he wants to torture me while I'm here."
Bones watched what Jim was doing. "This is ridiculous!" he said. "Did you talk to Admiral Winston?"
"I did. He said I need to do what Admiral Simmons says and not cause any incidents while I'm on this station…so that's what I'm doing."
"Jim, we just went through an ordeal. Can't this admiral show you a little compassion?"
"Apparently not. I don't think that word is in his vocabulary."
Bones felt like this was all his fault. "Well, I might as well help you. I'm as much to blame, or more, than you are. You're not to blame at all." They were silent a moment. "I'm the one who got you into this mess."
"I don't think so, Bones," Jim replied. "I got myself into this when I decided to become the ambassador for the Klingons. It all started there."
"That's nothing to hang your head about."
"I'm not hanging my head. I'm just saying that's where it all started."
"If you wanta get technical about it, you could say it all started when you decided to save the Klingons from annihilation."
"Oh, yeah, that too."
"None of that merits being treated like this. You're an admiral. You shouldn't be cleaning exhaust vents. This is menial work."
"Bones I'm gonna do it. Okay? Complaining doesn't change the situation."
"Right."
They finished that vent after two more hours and then moved on to the next. "You know, if you stay in here with me, you're gonna end up space walking," Jim said. "I have to go outside and clean that too."
"I guess that's why you're dressed like that," Bones replied.
"I'm prepared. Griggs in there told me I'd have to go outside to finish this. You know, I think I'd like to recruit that guy to work for me, maybe on one of my ships."
"It would probably be a step up in the Galaxy for him after working here."
"I'm sure it would."
After working all morning, Jim and Bones crawled out of the exhaust vent they had been working on looking very much like they had been doing maintenance work. "I don't like this job," Jim said. "Why isn't it automated?"
"Maybe there is no automation for that," Bones declared.
"There should be. No one should have to go outside like this."
"How many more of these vents are there?"
"Two. There are four vents, and once we get this in here, we have to go out there and get the outside of them."
"Jim, do you think that admiral is gonna be looking for me?" Bones asked.
Jim scowled at that. "Is that why you're here?" he asked. "You're hiding?"
Bones considered that. "Maybe. I don't wanta be put in the brig."
"Bones, you're not gonna be put in the brig."
"That admiral is capable of anything."
"Come on."
Lieutenant Griggs jumped to attention when Jim came into the room where he was. "At ease," Jim said. "Where can we get something to eat without going to the mess hall?"
"I can get you something, Sir," Griggs replied.
"How about a big steak?" Bones asked.
"If that's what you want."
Jim and Bones told Griggs what they wanted, and he left there. They sat down at the small table in the room. "It actually feels good to sit down," Jim said.
"How did we get into this?" Bones asked. "One minute we're investigating where Solan went, and now here we are, being punished for something we had no control over."
"Bones, I think Admiral Winston will clear all this up. He knew where we were going."
"Yeah. None of us knew we'd end up in the hands of another maniac wanting to cart you off to the Klingons."
Jim thought no one could turn a phrase like Leonard McCoy. "I won't allow them to court martial you," he declared. "I just won't."
"How are you gonna stop it?"
"I don't know, but I'm not going to allow it."
"Jim, I'm not that much a part of Starfleet anymore anyway. I'm just a country doctor."
"Bones, I'm not going to allow you to lose everything again. You haven't done anything that anyone else wouldn't do. After all we've been through, they're going to understand that. I don't want to hear anymore about it. That's an order."
Bones frowned. "You always have to say that when you don't want us to argue with you," he said.
"Yeah. It's the only way to shut you and Spock up."
Griggs soon returned with their meals. Jim sat and thought while he ate. He would do what he could to stop this court martial. He was not sure what Admiral Simmons had against them, but he intended to find out more about it…
