Captain's Personal Log: We have intercepted the USS Sturgis and have taken one surviving terrorist into custody. However, Lorza's actions on the away mission were… upsetting to say the least. What she did… could lead to some serious trouble for her. I would do anything for my wife, but I honestly don't know if I can help her this time.
Aboard the USS Dynasty, Jack is in his ready room, seated behind his desk. In front of the desk stands Lorza.
"Now that you've had a couple of hours to cool off, we need to talk about what happened." Jack says.
"I lost control. I'm angry. Not just about the girls being taken. It's who took them that makes this even worse. Zarayn is a traitor to my people. He's been on the run ever since our world was attacked by the Dominion fourteen years ago. I had a chance to kill him during the attack. I chose to help a group of children to an escaping transport instead." Lorza says.
"You made the right call." Jack says.
"Did I? If I had killed Zarayn that day, maybe… none of this would have ever happened." Lorza says.
"You don't know that. For all we know, someone else might have risen up in his place. Besides, you're not a murderer, Lorza. You're better than that." Jack says.
"I don't feel better right now. I screwed up. Big time." Lorza says.
"Yeah, you did. What you did… has put me in a very difficult position." Jack says.
"I know that, and I'm sorry." Lorza says.
"Hating someone is one thing. Acting on that hatred is another. You allowed your personal feelings to affect your judgement. I know that once you're in a blood rage, you basically have no control, but… you made the choice to let your anger control your actions. You almost killed an unarmed prisoner. That… is not how Starfleet officers are supposed to behave, and you know that. I can't just let this go. I can't cover it up." Jack says.
"I don't want you to cover it up. I'm the screw up. This one's all on me." Lorza says.
"I don't enjoy this at all, but right now, I have to… be your captain. Our actions have consequences. I need you to learn that." Jack says.
"I understand. Do… whatever you have to do." Lorza says. Jack gets out of his seat, and walks to the window behind his desk. He looks out into space for a moment.
She's my wife, and I love her, but… she's also a member of my crew. I hate punishing her, but… sometimes… we have to learn our lessons the hard way. Jack thinks. After about a minute standing in silence, Jack turns to face Lorza.
"You are… suspended from active duty, effective immediately. Until further notice, Ensign Suro will handle ops. I'm sorry, Lorza, but… I have no choice." Jack says.
"It's okay, Jack. You're doing your job." Lorza says.
"You let your crew down today, and… you let me down, too." Jack says.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry…" Lorza says, voice breaking as she begins to cry. Jack walks to his wife, and embraces her.
"I love you. I hate what I just had to do, but… it had to be done. I hope I never have to do it again." Jack says.
"You... wouldn't... be a very good captain if you... didn't punish your officers when they screw up. I'm your wife, but... I'm also a Starfleet officer. When I put on this uniform, I'm expected to do my duty. Today, I failed." Lorza says, as she regains her composure.
"We all make mistakes. That's part of being alive. The trick… is to learn from our mistakes so we don't repeat them." Jack says.
"Then, I had better work on that if I want to stay in this uniform." Lorza says.
"We know what ships Zarayn's people have now. I'll contact Section 31 and ask them to help with the search. We'll get them back." Jack says.
"I hope we find the girls soon, Jack. I'm afraid of what Zarayn might do to them." Lorza says. Jack pulls her into his embrace. Lorza wraps her arms around her husband, and leans her head on his shoulder.
"I know. Me too." Jack says.
Jack and Lorza stand in each other's embrace for a while. After a few minutes, they slowly separate.
"So, am I… confined to quarters?" Lorza asks.
"No. But… I would like you to take this time to think about what you did. I don't know what's going to happen after the mission's over." Jack says.
"I'll probably be thrown out of the service." Lorza says.
"Not if I can help it." Jack says.
"I'll take whatever consequence comes my way. Now, I think I'd like to be alone for a while. I'll be in our quarters… doing a lot of thinking." Lorza says.
Jack kisses his wife, and says "I love you."
"I love you too." Lorza says.
Lorza takes a moment to calm herself, then leaves the ready room. Jack taps his combadge.
"Commander Dalton, report to the ready room." Jack says.
A few minutes later, Jack is now joined by his first officer, Commander Jen Dalton, who is seated in one of the chairs facing the captain's desk.
"So… how did it go with Lorza?" Jen asks.
"After what happened on the away mission, the regs left me no choice but to… relieve her of duty. One of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but… it had to be done." Jack answers.
"You did the right thing, Jack. She crossed the line this time. I'd be amazed if she didn't get demoted, or tossed out of the service altogether. This isn't her first incident." Jen says.
"No, it's not. She knows what she's done, and she's accepted that there will be consequences." Jack says.
"How long are you suspending her for?" Jen asks.
"I haven't decided yet. I'm her husband, and I want to help her in any way I can. On the other hand, I'm her captain, and I have a duty to Starfleet." Jack says.
"You're in a very difficult position. I don't envy you at all." Jen says.
"It comes with the territory. When you're a captain, you get the authority, but… you also get the responsibility." Jack says.
"I guess I'll find that out for myself someday." Jen says.
"You could've had that fourth pip two years ago." Jack says.
"I'm comfortable right where I am. Most of my friends are here. I'm not ready to go anywhere just yet." Jen says.
"I don't blame you. It's your career, but… if you ever want to move up, you might want to take any opportunity that comes your way." Jack says.
"Like that promotion you turned down six months ago?" Jen asks.
"I have no interest in a desk job. The only way I'd take the stars is if I can keep the center seat." Jack answers.
"That doesn't happen very often, does it?" Jen asks.
"Other than commodores, not really. Even then, less than half of them hold field commands. Maybe I will take one of those desk jobs someday, but I'm not ready to stop flying just yet." Jack says.
"And I'm not ready to leave this ship just yet. I like it here." Jen says.
"Alright, then. I guess we'll keep you around for now." Jack says. Jen chuckles.
"You're handling this well." Jen says.
"No, I'm not. I'm just better at hiding it than Lorza is. Even with the Starfleet training, she's still Kasari. They're a much more... emotional people than we are. They gain more control eventually, but it takes years. Even decades. She's in a lot of pain right now, so that made my decision to suspend her even harder." Jack says.
"You had to, Jack. Otherwise, command would punish you for violating regulations." Jen says.
"I know. Now, we still have a mission to complete. Thanks to the data we recovered from the Sturgis, we now have a list of ships being used by the Order of Kodar. I've already sent our intel to Starfleet Command… and Section 31." Jack says.
"So, you're bringing 31 in on this? Don't you think that… having Vezzi here is enough?" Jen asks.
"I know how you feel about Section 31, Jen, but they have resources that others don't. They can be a big help to us on this one." Jack says.
"Okay. I don't like it, but okay." Jen says.
Suddenly, the voice of Lieutenant T'Gor comes over the ship's comm, and says "Captain Thomas to the bridge, please."
Jack and Jen exit the ready room, and enter the bridge, having been summoned by Security Chief T'Gor. The two approach the horseshoe shaped tactical console, where the klingon lieutenant stands.
"What's the situation, lieutenant?" Jack asks.
"We have picked up a signal on the long range sensors." T'Gor answers.
"What kind of signal?" Jen asks.
"It appears to be the emergency transponder for the USS Belgrade." T'Gor answers.
"The Belgrade? That's one of the ships on our list. According to the intel from the away team, that's the enemy flagship." Jack says.
"Why would they reveal the position of their own flagship?" Jen asks.
"Maybe it's intentional. Maybe Zarayn is daring us to come for him." Vezzi says, from her place in the third command seat.
"It's possible. There's another possibility as well. Zala and Zyri might have found a way to activate the transponder. If the two of them can hack replicators and holodecks, then turning on an emergency transponder wouldn't be too much of a challenge." Jack says.
"They actually have the skill… to do that?" Vezzi asks.
"Zyri's tech knowledge could put most ensigns to shame, and Zala's not far behind. The way they're going, they'll be finished with school by the time they're twelve, and in the academy once they're old enough." Jack answers.
"You know, when they get old enough…" Vezzi says.
I know you can't say it in front of the crew, but I know what you're implying. My daughters are not joining Section 31. Jack thinks.
"We can discuss my children's career opportunities another time, commander." Jack says.
"Aye, sir." Vezzi says.
"Right now, we have work to do. Ensign Suro…" Jack says, looking at Raven Suro, who is seated at the helm.
"Yes, captain?" Raven asks.
"Take over ops, please." Jack answers.
"Aye, sir." Raven says. Raven gets out of her seat, and takes over the vacant ops station.
"You're putting her at ops? Where's Lorza?" Vezzi asks.
Vezzi will not be pleased with my decision, but… I'm the captain. I have to make the hard choices. Jack thinks.
"Not available. Ensign, how long will it take us to reach the source of that transponder signal?" Jack asks. He walks to the front of the bridge, and approaches ops.
"At maximum warp… thirty seven hours. However, if we use slipstream, we can cut that down to about eighteen hours, captain." Raven answers.
"Alright, then. Helm, set a course for that signal, and engage slipstream on my command." Jack says.
"Aye, sir." The vulcan ensign at the helm says. Jack approaches his captain's chair, and takes his seat.
"Engage!" Jack says.
The Dynasty activates its Quantum Slipstream Drive, which allows it to travel much faster than the maximum speed of traditional warp drive. Eighteen hours later, the Dynasty emerges from slipstream near a massive asteroid field. The stolen USS Belgrade is within the field, with two support ships.
On the bridge of the Dynasty, the ship is now at red alert. Jack gets out of his captain's chair, and approaches the ops station.
"Report, ensign." Jack says.
"USS Belgrade… confirmed, sir. There are also two other ships. Looks like… two light cruisers of Orion design." Raven says.
"Are there any ships nearby that could get here in time to back us up?" Jen asks, from her first officer's seat.
"I've already taken care of that. We have three ships on the way. They'll be here in about twenty minutes." Jack answers.
"Four against three. Good odds." Jen says.
"Yeah, but reinforcements are still twenty minutes out, and… we can't let the enemy get away." Jack says.
"So, what then? We take them alone?" Jen asks.
"We can stall them until our back up gets here." Jack answers.
"Assuming those three ships haven't been fitted with more advanced defenses, can we take them on?" Jen asks.
"Tactical assessment, lieutenant?" Jack asks, looking at Security Chief T'Gor.
"It's possible. Although it would be best to attempt to separate each ship and engage them one at a time. One on one, we have superior firepower to any of those ships." T'Gor says.
"Then, we have a plan." Jack says.
"Captain, if we're going into a firefight, don't you think it might be a good idea to have… all hands on deck?" Jen asks.
Jen has a point. Even though she's suspended, we need Lorza on the bridge. Jack thinks.
"Agreed. You have the conn, Number One." Jack says.
Jack leaves the bridge, and heads to his quarters. Inside is Lorza, suspended from active duty due to her actions on the recent away mission. Jack enters the room to find his wife reading a book, and listening to relaxing piano music. She is out of uniform, and dressed in a green robe. As Lorza sees Jack enter the room, she puts her book down.
"Computer, pause playback." Lorza says.
"So, what's that you're reading?" Jack asks.
"Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I thought I could use a little humor right now." Lorza answers.
"Is it helping?" Jack asks.
"Yeah, I think so." Lorza answers.
"Good. I came to tell you… we found the Belgrade. They're in an asteroid field, with two Orion cruisers as support." Jack says.
"Thanks for letting me know. Looks we're about to head into a fight. You should be on the bridge. Go. Get our girls back." Lorza says.
"About that. I need you there too." Jack says.
"I thought I was suspended." Lorza says.
"Right now, it's best for this ship and the success of this mission to have you on the bridge, doing your job. So, you're reinstated for the rest of the mission. As far as what comes after, I don't know. I'll do what I can for you." Jack says.
"I'm the one that screwed up. Whatever happens, I'll accept it." Lorza says.
"As far as I'm concerned, you've learned your lesson. I want you back on the job. It's where you belong." Jack says.
"Alright. I'll get changed, and report to the bridge." Lorza says. Jack kisses his wife.
"See you soon." Jack says.
A few minutes later, Lorza enters the bridge, now in uniform. Jack notices her arrival, and turns to face her.
"Take your station, commander." Jack says.
"Aye, sir." Lorza says.
Lorza makes her way to the ops station. Raven gets out of the seat, and returns to her usual place at the helm. Lorza and Raven acknowledge each other with a nod and a smile, then Lorza takes her seat.
"Ensign Suro, take us in." Jack says.
"Aye, sir." Raven says.
The Dynasty enters the asteroid field. Despite its massive size, the Galaxy-class starship navigates the asteroids with ease, thanks to Raven's piloting skills. The three enemy ships seem to take no action as the Dynasty approaches.
Aboard the Belgrade, Grand Emtoc Zarayn is on the bridge, seated in the captain's chair.
"Identify approaching ship." Zarayn says.
"Sensors identify it as the USS Dynasty, Grand Emtoc." A man stationed at tactical says.
"Isn't that the ship on which the traitor serves?" A woman at the helm asks.
"Indeed. Her mate… is the captain." Zarayn answers.
"An outsider mated with one of our own! Blasphemy!" The woman says.
"Infidel vessel will be within weapons range in three minutes." The man at tactical says.
"Then, let us welcome them properly. Activate all combat systems and stand ready to engage the enemy." Zarayn says.
"Yes, Grand Emtoc." The man at tactical says.