Chapter 8

Bridge – Masor Asteroid Field

"Good work, Helm," Captain Dent said, patting the Helm officer on the shoulder.

"Thank you sir," Lieutenant Aureli said, "those holodeck programs you recommended before we arrived helped greatly piloting through the field."

"Take a break, Lieutenant. I believe you're going to need it later on." Dent moved to the back of the bridge, joining Chief Engineer Lambs near a large monitor displaying the area around them.

"You were right about this field, Captain," Lambs said just as Venax entered the Bridge, nodding to the exiting Helm officer and making her way over to the men, "the heavy ore content will mask our presence quite effectively."

"Excellent. From what I read before this mission the Zardanians use this field as one of their supply areas because of its Thorium deposits. They should be sending along a mining ship at some point very soon."

"All ships in the Zardanian Empire fall into their Fleet military jurisdiction, even mining craft," Venax observed.

"I know."

"Isn't it a little dangerous for us to be here then, Captain?" Lambs questioned.

"No, Mr. Lambs. What we need is more recent and detailed information than what Starfleet sent us. What we need is a Zardanian database."

Lambs eyebrows shot up in surprise, "You're going to raid one of their ships?"

"Right again. Venax, ready a strike team. We'll be boarding the first available ship that comes along."

"Captain..." Lambs began.

Dent ignored the Engineer for the moment, "I'll give you the operational parameters of the mission within the hour. While I'm away you'll be in command, Lt. Commander."

"Sir? Am I to assume you'll be leading the strike team?"

"Correct, Venax."

"Captain, it is against Starfleet protocol for a Captain to lead such a team."

Lambs snorted, "That's a little hotshot even for you, isn't it Captain?"

Dent eyed both officers and breathed deep, letting it out slowly, "I've given this a great deal of thought. The crew has been through a lot and I'm going to be asking even more from them. Normally they would have time to adjust to a new officer but we no longer have that luxury. They have to know that whatever orders given them I'd be willing to do myself. The only way I can do that is by showing them. I said I'd get them home safe and if I have to drag them kicking and screaming through this mess I will. If I have to lead every mission myself then I will. I won't give up on them because of rumours and innuendo among the crew. I'm going aboard that Zardanian ship and I'm going to bring back the information we need to survive the next little while. With it we can access their communication lines and see their recent fleet movements. I'd say that is information vital to our mission, wouldn't you?"

Lambs looked down at his feet and then up again, "It's going to be dangerous, Captain. The Zardanians are deadly when up close. I'd almost prefer Klingons."

"Mr. Lambs is quite correct, Captain."

"All the more reason I need to lead this strike myself. The crew has to know that they can count on me," he said. Then he laughed mildly, adding, "Besides, it's not like I've never done this before."

"Very well, sir. I'll have my best men waiting for you in Transporter Room Two."

"Have Mr. Haro select someone from the Science team as well. Inform them of the mission and that we need a Zardanian database once we arrive."

"Aye sir."

Venax and Lambs moved into the turbolift, watching as Dent leaned over the console and began switching through the schematics of enemy mining craft. When the doors closed Lambs leaned over and asked, "What did he mean by having 'done this before'?"

"Are you familiar with Captain Dent's service record?"

"Just the highlights. I've been pretty busy."

"To summarize what he spoke of, while he was on an exchange program with the Klingon Empire he led a boarding party against a D'Deridex class starship. Because of his performance the Chancellor at the time deemed him suitable for a medal of honour."

Lambs rubbed his temple, shaking his head and grimacing, "A Klingon medal of honour? My God, who is this guy?" he asked incredulous.

"Computer, pause turbolift," Venax ordered. The tall Vulcan turned and faced the Engineer, her tone low and firm. "Mr. Lambs, you are going to have to set aside your animosity towards Commander Dent."

"Well, it's not quite that easy, Venax," Lambs said harshly.

"I realize the death of Captain Patterson and the other officers is difficult. I grieve for them as well. However, you must set your feelings aside for the moment..."

Lambs slammed his fist into the nearest wall, his voice rising in the small quarters, "I'm not a Vulcan, dammit! I'm human and we have emotions! We can't just shut them on and off like a bloody faucet whenever it is convenient, Lt. Commander," he stepped closer to the Vulcan, "I know you had your problems with the Captain, Venax. I know you were looking for a transfer..."

"Stop right there, Mr. Lambs," Venax said coolly.

"No, I won't stop there, Venax. I was close to the Captain. We all were! Closer than you would ever be because your kind is made from damned ice water. Captain Patterson was the best Captain I've ever served with and I'll not just toss his memory aside because of the situation."

"Captain Patterson failed in his duty, Mr. Lambs. He was an inferior commanding officer."

Lambs jaw dropped, his expression looking as if it were stricken. Venax continued, "If the Captain had listened to Commander Dent then he and the other members of the Bridge would still be alive. However, he decided to pursue a course of illogic that continues to elude me. He repeatedly neglected the advice of his First Officer and instructed those under him to ignore the Commander. Orders you yourself, the Chief Engineer of a starship, followed despite the fact that they were obviously outside the bounds of the regulations we are sworn to abide by."

"How dare you..."

"His dereliction of duty survives in you. Tell me, Mr. Lambs, are you angry with me or are you angry with the fact that you owe your life to Commander Dent?"

Lambs stared at the woman for a long moment, then turned away and looked at the floor. "I don't know," he quietly said, "all I know is I lost a close friend, Lt. Commander. A loss that should have been preventable. I was blinded...blinded by my own arrogance. Maybe we all were. To damn cocky to think we could have been wrong."

"A very human arrogance that continues to affect your judgement, Mr. Lambs. Right now that man on the Bridge requires our help. I apologize for speaking to you so harshly, especially about Captain Patterson, but the situation warrants it. It was Patterson's own conceit that is partially to blame for this. I had my problems with the man...I found his command skills lacking but ours is not the only ship that was attacked."

"Believe me, I know. I can still see those other ships burning in space when I close my eyes."

"Jeffery," Venax said, grabbing the Engineer's arm, "Alex Dent is the only hope this crew has of getting out of here safely. You must realize this."

Lambs nodded, albeit reluctantly.

"He must have our support. The crew can sense your unwillingness to follow his orders and your hostility towards him. They look up to you and follow your lead. Any pause or misstep at this stage could cost us further loss of life. We are truly alone out here. Starfleet or our allies cannot help us. The only way of making it home is by trusting that man. Trusting Commander Dent."

Lambs patted the Vulcan's hand, "I know, Venax. Deep down, I know. I guess I just had to have someone tell it to me."

"Very well. Computer, resume turbolift."

"I'll bet you wish you got that transfer after all, huh Venax?" Lambs asked.

"Perhaps, Mr. Lambs. However, the day is not over yet."