J. B. Tilton/Page 6
TEN
The Enterprise set course for its next destination as the Stephen Hawking set course for Earth. Archer sat in his command chair looking over the status reports.
"Captain," said Hoshi, "Captain Lavene just messaged us. He wants to wish the Enterprise a safe journey."
"Send back the same message, Hoshi," said Archer.
"Curious," said T'Pol. "I have read that in Earths past, a large portion of Earths population favored capital punishment for crimes such as the one Commander Marks committed. The reaction of the crew of the Stephen Hawking seemed more of pity than vengeance."
"Well, T'Pol," said Archer, "in the past, all some people were concerned with was revenge. Punish people for what they had done. I'd like to think we've progressed beyond that. That we try to understand why people like Commander Marks do what they do so the behavior can be corrected."
"It seems clear to me," said T'Pol. "Commander Marks desired his own command. And he was willing to commit murder to attain that goal. An action which itself proves he is not fit for command."
"The ends justify the means," commented Malcolm. "Some people think that anything they have to do is okay as long as the end comes out okay."
"A very human outlook," said T'Pol. "Vulcans believe that ones actions are at least as important as the outcome. To believe that performing immoral actions to achieve a moral goal does not seem logical."
"For once we're in agreement, Sub-Commander," said Archer. "Marks forgot that being a ships' captain is more than just sitting in this chair and giving orders. In many respects, being a captain is a state of mind. That his responsibility to his crew is more important than being in command. Maybe Commander Marks will learn that one day."
"I have learned that humans are quite capable of change," said T'Pol. "With sufficient motivation."
"Anyone can change," said Archer. "Unfortunately, it sometimes takes something like this to affect that change."
"Yes," said T'Pol. "Now, if Commander Marks had been a Vulcan, perhaps this could have all been avoided. His emotions obviously clouded his judgment."
"I suppose," said Archer. "But having emotions is part of what makes us human. I would have thought you'd have learned that by now T'Pol."
"I have, sir," said T'Pol. "I only meant to say that if Commander Marks had looked at the situation logically instead of emotionally, he might have realized the inappropriateness of his actions."
"So you're saying his emotions, not Commander Marks, is responsible for what happened?" asked Archer.
"Perhaps in a manner of speaking," said T'Pol.
"Captain," said Malcolm, "I believe the Sub-Commander just insulted us. She just accused us of being slaves to our emotions."
"That was not my intention," said T'Pol, stifling a defensive reaction. "I was simply trying to point out that unlike emotions, logic is . . ."
Her voice trailed off as she suddenly realized that the entire bridge crew was watching her with smiles on their faces. And she also realized what had just happened.
"I believe," said T'Pol, "that this is what humans would call 'setting me up'. Would I be correct in that belief?"
The rest of the bridge crew just laughed.
"Don't take it personally, T'Pol," laughed Archer. "It's just sometimes it's so easy to get you going. Sometimes humans can't resist yanking someone's chain, so to speak. Call it a human failing."
"I certainly would," responded T'Pol.
"No offense intended, Sub-Commander," said Malcolm, smiling.
"Disrespect and insubordination are hardly matters for levity, Lieutenant," said T'Pol. "By Star Fleet regulations, such actions are subject to a general court martial."
"Court martial?" questioned Malcolm. "Sub-Commander, I can assure you I never meant to . . ."
"Interesting," said T'Pol, cutting Malcolm short, "it would seem that 'yanking a humans chain', as the captain put it, can be easy to do as well."
Everyone on the bridge burst out laughing as Malcolm suddenly realized T'Pol had actually been joking about the court martial. Something he would never have expected from the Vulcan.
The End
