DEGUELLO - Chapter 18
by Trish Bennett
Commander Spock strode through the corridors of Federation Starbase Eleven, a massive station which served as both a docking port and a central command post. He knew the layout of the station from his one previous visit, when Captain Kirk had been brought to court martial for negligence resulting in the apparent death of a crewman.
The situation was fortunately resolved when it was discovered that the crewman had fabricated his own death in an attempt to enact revenge upon the Captain. In this case, however, Spock could foresee no such tidy resolution.
He made his way to the Admiral's office and hesitated only a moment before sounding the buzzer. At the sound of Fitzpatrick's voice, the doors slid aside, and Spock obediently stepped through the opening.
"Commander Spock," he announced. "Reporting as ordered, Admiral."
Fitzpatrick looked at him over the viewscreen he had been studying. He appeared much more calm and controlled than he had been at their last communication. He reached out to switch off the viewer and motioned Spock to a chair across from his desk.
"Have a seat, Commander."
He leaned back in his chair as Spock lowered himself into his own. The Admiral gazed at the Vulcan intently.
"The ship's log has been downloaded to the Station's computers," the Admiral informed him. "I have reviewed them as well as the First Officer's log regarding this incident."
Spock waited in patient silence for the Admiral to come to the point.
"Commander, I'm sure I don't have to tell you how relieved I am that things worked out the way they did. No one was more surprised than I was to find out the Organians actually responded to this emergency." He hesitated briefly. "But Commander, you must also be aware that your actions in the Neutral Zone were somewhat reckless and potentially devastating to Federation security."
Spock knew what the Admiral was leading up to. He had been prepared for it since he made the decision to enter the Neutral Zone. Spock's eyes met Fitzpatrick's without wavering.
"I have decided," the Admiral continued, "to exonerate the crew of the Enterprise for their involvement in this matter. They were following the orders of their superior officer and cannot be held accountable."
Fitzpatrick reached for a switch at the corner of his desk. The doors behind Spock opened almost immediately, and the Vulcan did not need to turn around to know that a Security team had just entered the Admiral's office.
"However..." Fitzpatrick said, "I regret to inform you, Mr. Spock, that you are under arrest. The charges...insubordination, and the willful violation of an established Neutral Zone." He studied the Vulcan's face intently. "Do you wish for me to clarify either of these issues for you, Commander?"
The question was properly phrased according to established Starfleet protocol, but frankly Spock saw little need for it. He rose smoothly to his feet and clasped his hands firmly behind his back as he faced the Admiral at rigid attention.
"No, Admiral," he replied calmly. "I understand them very well."
Spock turned toward the Security men, but the Admiral stopped them before they reached the door.
"Commander..."
Spock turned back to face him.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Spock," he said at last. "I have no choice."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"...Jim..."
The voice emanated from the fog ahead of him. His brother was trying to scare him. George Samuel Kirk loved to play tricks on his little brother.
"Sam?" he called out. "Is that you?"
"...Jim..."
He wanted to ignore it, to turn around and go back to the house. But the voice was so persistent.
"Jim!"
He moved closer and peered into the fog. Something caught him by the shoulders...
Kirk's eyes opened. McCoy was shaking him.
"Jim!"
It took several moments for the realization to set it. "Bones?" He looked into the Doctor's weathered face, trying desperately to focus his eyes. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Listen to me, Jim," McCoy insisted. "Spock's been arrested!"
The urgency in his voice got Kirk's attention more than the actual words. "What?"
McCoy spoke deliberately, accenting every word. "Spock beamed down to meet with the Admiral, and they arrested him!"
Kirk sat up much too fast. Waves of pain shot from his chest to his head, then back again. The room was spinning. He reached blindly for the intercom by his bed, more from memory than sight, and fumbled for the switch.
"Kirk to bridge."
"Bridge," replied the lilting voice. "Lieutenant Uhura here."
"Uhura, get me Admiral Fitzpatrick. Hurry!"
The "Aye, Sir," was barely out of her mouth when he broke the connection and started to his feet.
McCoy started to protest. "Jim, you can't..." he began, but he broke off as Kirk pushed past him and lurched awkwardly toward his desk.
He felt as though his limbs were not his own. The pain shot through his legs up into his spine, and it was all he could do to reach the chair and lower himself into it. His heart was pounding, and he broke into a cold sweat. After a moment, he realized he was trembling.
McCoy was at his side. "Dammit, Jim, you're going to kill yourself if you don't take it easy!"
The Doctor pushed him, chair and all, up behind the desk, then stepped back quickly and ran his scanner through the air around the Captain.
Kirk could not seem to catch his breath. He closed his eyes, placed a hand over his throbbing ribs, and made a concerted effort to breathe. Inhale...exhale...A steady stream of daggers pierced his lungs, but they seemed to grow considerably duller with each breath.
The Doctor stepped back as the intercom sounded, and Kirk attempted to straighten himself in his chair.
"Captain," Uhura said. "I have Admiral Fitzpatrick on screen."
Suddenly the image shifted to the Admiral seated behind his own desk, his hands clasped together before him. His kindly, aging features appeared much more solemn than usual.
Kirk was in no mood for diplomacy, but he rallied to appear calm. "Admiral," he acknowledged succinctly.
Kirk's image seemed to have an immediate impact on the Admiral. His gaze softened, and he let out a low whistle.
"My God, man!" he exclaimed. "You look terrible!"
Not nearly as terrible as I feel, Kirk thought morosely. It was a constant struggle to keep from doubling over.
"I understand my First Officer has been taken into custody."
Even as he said it, Kirk found it hard to believe. What was Fitzpatrick trying to do? Just a few short days ago, Kirk had been a trusted friend and confidante. Now he felt like nothing more than a subordinate...and he began to feel betrayed all over again.
"I'm afraid so, Captain," Fitzpatrick replied. There was just a tinge of regret in his tone.
"Might I ask why?"
"Do I really have to explain it to you, Jim?"
"Yes," Kirk insisted. "I'd appreciate it."
The Admiral nodded in reluctant concession. "All right," he said with a weary sigh. "Commander Spock disobeyed the direct order of a superior officer. He jeopardized Federation security..."
"Admiral, you can't be serious..."
Fitzpatrick eyes flared, and he leaned forward in his chair shoving his face toward the screen.
"Your First Officer willingly took the Enterprise into hostile territory. In doing so, he risked not only his own life, but the lives of his crew as well. Your crew. Not to mention the fact that the violated the Neutral Zone against my direct orders."
The Admiral was breathing hard in anger that he was trying desperately to control.
"I'm going to be perfectly frank with you, Captain," he continued more calmly. "You, personally, have disobeyed more Starfleet orders than I even care to remember, and you always come out of it smelling like a rose. Believe me, I know that's as much my fault as it is yours. I let you get away with it because you are who you are, and dammit, you're the best I've got. But now you've got your crew doing it as well. So what's next? Word travels quickly, Captain, even in space. This behavior will trickle out into the rest of the fleet. I have to draw the line somewhere."
Kirk stared into the Admiral's face and tried to keep himself from trembling. He hoped Fitzpatrick didn't notice.
"You promised me," he said angrily, trying to steady his voice, "that the Enterprise would not be involved in this. I have three dead crewmen, Admiral, and my First Officer is about to be court martialed. What exactly is your definition of not involved?"
The Captain ignored the stunned gaze of the Doctor at his side and kept his eyes trained steadfastly on the viewscreen before him. Fitzpatrick's gaze softened considerably, almost apologetically.
"I promised you that I would do everything within my power to keep the Enterprise out of danger. Things went drastically wrong, but I still tried like hell to keep that promise." He was breathing heavily now, but trying to keep his voice as calm as possible. "But I was light years away when it happened. Hell, I threatened Spock with mutiny if he crossed into the Zone, and he did it anyway. If he's not going to follow orders, what more could I have possibly done?"
"You should have known..." Kirk muttered softly. "You should have been ready."
"I know, Jim," Fitzpatrick said earnestly. "And I am sorry. But you have to try to understand this. If it hadn't been for the Organian stepping in, things could have turned out much differently. I can't just let this go."
Kirk was at a loss for words. He suddenly felt sick to his stomach.
When Fitzpatrick spoke again, his tone was gentle, even soothing.
"Jim, listen...I don't claim to know what you've been through, although I can imagine. And I really am relieved that you came through it all right. But Commander Spock had no way of knowing what he would find when he went in there. The Enterprise, by herself, could have been destroyed, or worse yet, captured. That would have created an irreparable breach of security."
Kirk remained silent and listened.
"He took a terrible risk by going in to rescue you. Your ship...your crew...the Federation itself were in grave danger."
"He did what he thought he had to do." Kirk's voice was nearly a whisper.
"Believe me, Captain, I know what it's like to be out there, light years away from Starfleet. And when you're in the middle of a confrontation, it seems like the most important thing in the universe at that moment. But I have to look at the big picture, Jim. And I cannot allow the end to justify the means."
Kirk found that he could no longer look into the Admiral's eyes. He focused sullenly on the edge of his desk.
"So what happens now?"
Fitzpatrick exhaled loudly. "Commander Spock has declined a preliminary hearing. Therefore, a panel of jurists is being assembled as we speak. A formal trial will convene in five days to review the details of this case." He paused. "As it stands right now, the only outcome I can see is a general court martial."
Kirk looked back into the Admiral's face. "May I at least speak with him?"
Fitzpatrick exhaled another heavy sigh. "He asked not to be disturbed."
Kirk's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure he would make an exception, Admiral." But once the words were out of his mouth, he was not at all certain that he would.
Fitzpatrick picked up a report cartridge from his desk. "His exact words were, and I quote: There can be no defense for the crime with which I am charged. Therefore, I decline counsel. Furthermore, I decline the right to a preliminary hearing and request that general court martial proceedings be initiated immediately. I prefer not to be disturbed...by anyone...until that time.""
"That's Spock, all right," McCoy muttered under his breath.
The Captain glanced quickly at McCoy, then back to the viewscreen before him. The Admiral now appeared deeply concerned.
"Jim, you really don't look well. Maybe you should see one of our base doctors. No offense to Doctor McCoy, but our medical facilities are much better equipped..."
"I'm satisfied with the care I'm receiving from my own staff," Kirk said firmly.
"I see. Well, if there's anything you need, just let me know. Fair enough?"
"What I need," Kirk said quietly, "is my First Officer."
The Admiral heaved a sigh but otherwise did not acknowledge the request. "Fitzpatrick out."
As soon as the screen went dark, Kirk slammed his fist against the desk in frustration.
"Damn you, Spock!" When he was finally able to calm himself, he looked into McCoy's face. "Bones, they're going to crucify him."
"You son of a bitch," McCoy said quietly. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"
Kirk looked away from his questioning eyes. "Not exactly this way," he confessed softly. "And not nearly so soon, but...yes. I knew something was going to happen."
"Did Spock know?"
Kirk shook his head.
"Don't you think it would have been nice if you had told him?" McCoy sounded as angry as the Captain felt.
"Yes, Bones, it probably would have," he snapped back. "But I couldn't." He breathed deeply, trying to clear his jumbled thoughts. "Have the senior officers left the ship?"
"No, not yet."
"Good. Tell them I want to see them all here in about an hour. In the meantime, I'll go through the logs. There's got to be some way to get him out of this."
McCoy stared at him solemnly a moment, then leaned forward and rested his palms on the edge of Kirk's desk.
"All right," he agreed. "But just remember something. Spock got himself into this mess in the first place trying to save your life. If you kill yourself trying to defend him, all of this will have been for nothing."
"Why, Doctor..." Kirk said, finally allowing a small smile to cross his lips. "Do I detect a note of sympathy in your voice?"
McCoy straightened indignantly. "Sympathy?" he said gruffly, but his blue eyes flashed with amusement through the grumpy facade. "For Spock?" He turned for the door, muttering just loud enough for the Captain to hear. "You must be joking! The day I start feeling sorry for that green-blooded computer circuit is the day I ought to have my head examined..."
Kirk continued to smile even after the doors had closed behind McCoy.
Some things never change.
by Trish Bennett
Commander Spock strode through the corridors of Federation Starbase Eleven, a massive station which served as both a docking port and a central command post. He knew the layout of the station from his one previous visit, when Captain Kirk had been brought to court martial for negligence resulting in the apparent death of a crewman.
The situation was fortunately resolved when it was discovered that the crewman had fabricated his own death in an attempt to enact revenge upon the Captain. In this case, however, Spock could foresee no such tidy resolution.
He made his way to the Admiral's office and hesitated only a moment before sounding the buzzer. At the sound of Fitzpatrick's voice, the doors slid aside, and Spock obediently stepped through the opening.
"Commander Spock," he announced. "Reporting as ordered, Admiral."
Fitzpatrick looked at him over the viewscreen he had been studying. He appeared much more calm and controlled than he had been at their last communication. He reached out to switch off the viewer and motioned Spock to a chair across from his desk.
"Have a seat, Commander."
He leaned back in his chair as Spock lowered himself into his own. The Admiral gazed at the Vulcan intently.
"The ship's log has been downloaded to the Station's computers," the Admiral informed him. "I have reviewed them as well as the First Officer's log regarding this incident."
Spock waited in patient silence for the Admiral to come to the point.
"Commander, I'm sure I don't have to tell you how relieved I am that things worked out the way they did. No one was more surprised than I was to find out the Organians actually responded to this emergency." He hesitated briefly. "But Commander, you must also be aware that your actions in the Neutral Zone were somewhat reckless and potentially devastating to Federation security."
Spock knew what the Admiral was leading up to. He had been prepared for it since he made the decision to enter the Neutral Zone. Spock's eyes met Fitzpatrick's without wavering.
"I have decided," the Admiral continued, "to exonerate the crew of the Enterprise for their involvement in this matter. They were following the orders of their superior officer and cannot be held accountable."
Fitzpatrick reached for a switch at the corner of his desk. The doors behind Spock opened almost immediately, and the Vulcan did not need to turn around to know that a Security team had just entered the Admiral's office.
"However..." Fitzpatrick said, "I regret to inform you, Mr. Spock, that you are under arrest. The charges...insubordination, and the willful violation of an established Neutral Zone." He studied the Vulcan's face intently. "Do you wish for me to clarify either of these issues for you, Commander?"
The question was properly phrased according to established Starfleet protocol, but frankly Spock saw little need for it. He rose smoothly to his feet and clasped his hands firmly behind his back as he faced the Admiral at rigid attention.
"No, Admiral," he replied calmly. "I understand them very well."
Spock turned toward the Security men, but the Admiral stopped them before they reached the door.
"Commander..."
Spock turned back to face him.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Spock," he said at last. "I have no choice."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"...Jim..."
The voice emanated from the fog ahead of him. His brother was trying to scare him. George Samuel Kirk loved to play tricks on his little brother.
"Sam?" he called out. "Is that you?"
"...Jim..."
He wanted to ignore it, to turn around and go back to the house. But the voice was so persistent.
"Jim!"
He moved closer and peered into the fog. Something caught him by the shoulders...
Kirk's eyes opened. McCoy was shaking him.
"Jim!"
It took several moments for the realization to set it. "Bones?" He looked into the Doctor's weathered face, trying desperately to focus his eyes. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Listen to me, Jim," McCoy insisted. "Spock's been arrested!"
The urgency in his voice got Kirk's attention more than the actual words. "What?"
McCoy spoke deliberately, accenting every word. "Spock beamed down to meet with the Admiral, and they arrested him!"
Kirk sat up much too fast. Waves of pain shot from his chest to his head, then back again. The room was spinning. He reached blindly for the intercom by his bed, more from memory than sight, and fumbled for the switch.
"Kirk to bridge."
"Bridge," replied the lilting voice. "Lieutenant Uhura here."
"Uhura, get me Admiral Fitzpatrick. Hurry!"
The "Aye, Sir," was barely out of her mouth when he broke the connection and started to his feet.
McCoy started to protest. "Jim, you can't..." he began, but he broke off as Kirk pushed past him and lurched awkwardly toward his desk.
He felt as though his limbs were not his own. The pain shot through his legs up into his spine, and it was all he could do to reach the chair and lower himself into it. His heart was pounding, and he broke into a cold sweat. After a moment, he realized he was trembling.
McCoy was at his side. "Dammit, Jim, you're going to kill yourself if you don't take it easy!"
The Doctor pushed him, chair and all, up behind the desk, then stepped back quickly and ran his scanner through the air around the Captain.
Kirk could not seem to catch his breath. He closed his eyes, placed a hand over his throbbing ribs, and made a concerted effort to breathe. Inhale...exhale...A steady stream of daggers pierced his lungs, but they seemed to grow considerably duller with each breath.
The Doctor stepped back as the intercom sounded, and Kirk attempted to straighten himself in his chair.
"Captain," Uhura said. "I have Admiral Fitzpatrick on screen."
Suddenly the image shifted to the Admiral seated behind his own desk, his hands clasped together before him. His kindly, aging features appeared much more solemn than usual.
Kirk was in no mood for diplomacy, but he rallied to appear calm. "Admiral," he acknowledged succinctly.
Kirk's image seemed to have an immediate impact on the Admiral. His gaze softened, and he let out a low whistle.
"My God, man!" he exclaimed. "You look terrible!"
Not nearly as terrible as I feel, Kirk thought morosely. It was a constant struggle to keep from doubling over.
"I understand my First Officer has been taken into custody."
Even as he said it, Kirk found it hard to believe. What was Fitzpatrick trying to do? Just a few short days ago, Kirk had been a trusted friend and confidante. Now he felt like nothing more than a subordinate...and he began to feel betrayed all over again.
"I'm afraid so, Captain," Fitzpatrick replied. There was just a tinge of regret in his tone.
"Might I ask why?"
"Do I really have to explain it to you, Jim?"
"Yes," Kirk insisted. "I'd appreciate it."
The Admiral nodded in reluctant concession. "All right," he said with a weary sigh. "Commander Spock disobeyed the direct order of a superior officer. He jeopardized Federation security..."
"Admiral, you can't be serious..."
Fitzpatrick eyes flared, and he leaned forward in his chair shoving his face toward the screen.
"Your First Officer willingly took the Enterprise into hostile territory. In doing so, he risked not only his own life, but the lives of his crew as well. Your crew. Not to mention the fact that the violated the Neutral Zone against my direct orders."
The Admiral was breathing hard in anger that he was trying desperately to control.
"I'm going to be perfectly frank with you, Captain," he continued more calmly. "You, personally, have disobeyed more Starfleet orders than I even care to remember, and you always come out of it smelling like a rose. Believe me, I know that's as much my fault as it is yours. I let you get away with it because you are who you are, and dammit, you're the best I've got. But now you've got your crew doing it as well. So what's next? Word travels quickly, Captain, even in space. This behavior will trickle out into the rest of the fleet. I have to draw the line somewhere."
Kirk stared into the Admiral's face and tried to keep himself from trembling. He hoped Fitzpatrick didn't notice.
"You promised me," he said angrily, trying to steady his voice, "that the Enterprise would not be involved in this. I have three dead crewmen, Admiral, and my First Officer is about to be court martialed. What exactly is your definition of not involved?"
The Captain ignored the stunned gaze of the Doctor at his side and kept his eyes trained steadfastly on the viewscreen before him. Fitzpatrick's gaze softened considerably, almost apologetically.
"I promised you that I would do everything within my power to keep the Enterprise out of danger. Things went drastically wrong, but I still tried like hell to keep that promise." He was breathing heavily now, but trying to keep his voice as calm as possible. "But I was light years away when it happened. Hell, I threatened Spock with mutiny if he crossed into the Zone, and he did it anyway. If he's not going to follow orders, what more could I have possibly done?"
"You should have known..." Kirk muttered softly. "You should have been ready."
"I know, Jim," Fitzpatrick said earnestly. "And I am sorry. But you have to try to understand this. If it hadn't been for the Organian stepping in, things could have turned out much differently. I can't just let this go."
Kirk was at a loss for words. He suddenly felt sick to his stomach.
When Fitzpatrick spoke again, his tone was gentle, even soothing.
"Jim, listen...I don't claim to know what you've been through, although I can imagine. And I really am relieved that you came through it all right. But Commander Spock had no way of knowing what he would find when he went in there. The Enterprise, by herself, could have been destroyed, or worse yet, captured. That would have created an irreparable breach of security."
Kirk remained silent and listened.
"He took a terrible risk by going in to rescue you. Your ship...your crew...the Federation itself were in grave danger."
"He did what he thought he had to do." Kirk's voice was nearly a whisper.
"Believe me, Captain, I know what it's like to be out there, light years away from Starfleet. And when you're in the middle of a confrontation, it seems like the most important thing in the universe at that moment. But I have to look at the big picture, Jim. And I cannot allow the end to justify the means."
Kirk found that he could no longer look into the Admiral's eyes. He focused sullenly on the edge of his desk.
"So what happens now?"
Fitzpatrick exhaled loudly. "Commander Spock has declined a preliminary hearing. Therefore, a panel of jurists is being assembled as we speak. A formal trial will convene in five days to review the details of this case." He paused. "As it stands right now, the only outcome I can see is a general court martial."
Kirk looked back into the Admiral's face. "May I at least speak with him?"
Fitzpatrick exhaled another heavy sigh. "He asked not to be disturbed."
Kirk's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure he would make an exception, Admiral." But once the words were out of his mouth, he was not at all certain that he would.
Fitzpatrick picked up a report cartridge from his desk. "His exact words were, and I quote: There can be no defense for the crime with which I am charged. Therefore, I decline counsel. Furthermore, I decline the right to a preliminary hearing and request that general court martial proceedings be initiated immediately. I prefer not to be disturbed...by anyone...until that time.""
"That's Spock, all right," McCoy muttered under his breath.
The Captain glanced quickly at McCoy, then back to the viewscreen before him. The Admiral now appeared deeply concerned.
"Jim, you really don't look well. Maybe you should see one of our base doctors. No offense to Doctor McCoy, but our medical facilities are much better equipped..."
"I'm satisfied with the care I'm receiving from my own staff," Kirk said firmly.
"I see. Well, if there's anything you need, just let me know. Fair enough?"
"What I need," Kirk said quietly, "is my First Officer."
The Admiral heaved a sigh but otherwise did not acknowledge the request. "Fitzpatrick out."
As soon as the screen went dark, Kirk slammed his fist against the desk in frustration.
"Damn you, Spock!" When he was finally able to calm himself, he looked into McCoy's face. "Bones, they're going to crucify him."
"You son of a bitch," McCoy said quietly. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"
Kirk looked away from his questioning eyes. "Not exactly this way," he confessed softly. "And not nearly so soon, but...yes. I knew something was going to happen."
"Did Spock know?"
Kirk shook his head.
"Don't you think it would have been nice if you had told him?" McCoy sounded as angry as the Captain felt.
"Yes, Bones, it probably would have," he snapped back. "But I couldn't." He breathed deeply, trying to clear his jumbled thoughts. "Have the senior officers left the ship?"
"No, not yet."
"Good. Tell them I want to see them all here in about an hour. In the meantime, I'll go through the logs. There's got to be some way to get him out of this."
McCoy stared at him solemnly a moment, then leaned forward and rested his palms on the edge of Kirk's desk.
"All right," he agreed. "But just remember something. Spock got himself into this mess in the first place trying to save your life. If you kill yourself trying to defend him, all of this will have been for nothing."
"Why, Doctor..." Kirk said, finally allowing a small smile to cross his lips. "Do I detect a note of sympathy in your voice?"
McCoy straightened indignantly. "Sympathy?" he said gruffly, but his blue eyes flashed with amusement through the grumpy facade. "For Spock?" He turned for the door, muttering just loud enough for the Captain to hear. "You must be joking! The day I start feeling sorry for that green-blooded computer circuit is the day I ought to have my head examined..."
Kirk continued to smile even after the doors had closed behind McCoy.
Some things never change.