The captain is the last star witness for the defense.

~The Captain~

The defense finally called Captain James T. Kirk to the stand as a character witness and after the computer read Captain Kirk's long list of accomplishments, Miss Shaw asked him a few questions to establish that he and Spock were not only colleagues but also close friends.

Kirk sang Spock's praises and concluded by saying, "There is no one I would rather have by my side on the bridge or under any circumstance riding into unknown danger with me than Commander Spock."

Then it was the prosecution's cross-examination, and it was not unexpected. "Captain Kirk, you sing Spock's praises now but tell me, how did you feel when he took unlawful command of your ship?"

Miss Shaw objected, "Assumes facts, not in evidence."

"Okay," Wyatt said, "Captain Kirk, did Mr. Spock ever take command of the Enterprise without your knowledge or consent?"

"He did."

"And how did you feel about Spock, your friend, when he committed such a betrayal?"

"I knew Spock must have had a good reason to do what he did."

"And what was the excuse he gave you?"

"I'll just say I agreed with the reason he gave me and found it sufficient. Evidently so did Starfleet."

"Yes, Starfleet. Are you familiar with Starfleet's General Order Seven?"

"Yes."

"And what exactly is that order for those who may not be up on regulations?"

Kirk recited, "no vessel under any condition, emergency or otherwise, is to visit Talos IV."

"And if someone were to break general order seven and visit Talos IV, what is the penalty?"

"The penalty for breaking general order seven is death. It's the only Starfleet regulation in existence that still carries such a harsh penalty." The captain dutifully explained.

"Captain Kirk, to your knowledge, has anyone ever broken General order seven?"

"Objection, your honor this is irrelevant," Shaw interjected.

"Your honor, I intend to establish that the defendant has a history of breaking Starfleet regulations. Please direct the witness to answer?"

Commodore Stone responded, "Captain Kirk, please answer the question? To your knowledge, has anyone broken the order?"

"Yes," Jim answered.

"And who exactly broke the directive?" Wyatt asked.

"The Enterprise broke the directive by visiting the planet."

"Captain Kirk, are you testifying that you led the Enterprise to Talos IV, breaking the Starfleet law?"

"No, I did not command the Enterprise at that time." Jim retorted.

"Then who commanded the Enterprise?"

"Mr. Spock."

"Mr. Spock? Captain Kirk, how did Mr. Spock come to be in command of your ship? Why were you?"

"I was here on Starbase 11 at the time." Jim begrudgingly admitted.

"Is that so? Why were you on Starbase 11 instead of on the Enterprise?"

"The Enterprise received a message from the base requesting our immediate presence," Kirk explained.

"How does that explain your absence from your own ship while it was breaking the law?"

"When we arrived, I learned that there was no communique sent from the base. While I attempted to investigate that incident, the ship left orbit without my knowledge."

"Under whose authority did the Enterprise leave Starbase 11 without her captain?"

"The ship left orbit under Spock's command using fabricated orders from Starfleet."

"But your Dr. McCoy testified to this very court that Vulcans do not lie. How do you reconcile this contradiction?"

"Spock is the most honorable man. And while it is true Vulcans are not known to lie, there are some occasions where anyone on a starship may be called to do so. Under pressure, in the heat of battle, you may have to bluff your way out of a confrontation or use subterfuge to achieve a goal or save a life. Mr. Spock has been required many times to use deception in the cause of justice. For a Vulcan like Spock, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one."

"How convenient that the biggest crime in Starfleet history, the mutiny of a starship, and the only crime that draws the death penalty was committed by none other than Commander Spock."

"Objection!" Shaw said. "Assumes facts, not in evidence. My client has never been found guilty of any crime, certainly not a capital offense."

"Your honor I would like to submit the sworn affidavits of the crew aboard the Enterprise during the time that Mr. Spock was in command. The sworn testimonies show that Mr. Spock held Captain Pike in the sickbay against his will while he absconded with him to Talos IV."

"Is there sworn testimony from Captain Pike that Spock held him against his will?"

"No, your honor."

"We will let the record show that Spock was in command of the Enterprise when it entered Talos IV space. Nothing more."

"Yes, your honor." Mister Wyatt said, but he was not pleased with that ruling. Still, he pushed on.

"So Captain Kirk, according to your testimony, Commander Spock committed a mutiny of your ship?"

"Objection! Improper Characterization, my client is not on trial for the mutiny of the Enterprise and has never been charged or convicted of such a crime."

"I will withdraw the question, your honor. Captain Kirk, do you know Captain Pike?"

"We've met briefly."

"Do you know where he is now?"

"I am not at liberty to say, why don't you ask him?"

"I would if I could find him. However, he seems to have disappeared without a trace; from Starbase 11 I might add."

"Is that so?" Kirk asked.

"Yes, it is so, Captain. And did you know that the last known sighting of Captain Pike was aboard your Enterprise while commanded by your friend Mr. Spock?"

"I am aware of some reports of Pikes whereabouts at the time."

"Oh, it's more than just "some reports" Captain. I'm sure you know your own chief medical officer filed a report on Pike's condition when he was beamed aboard your ship. So do you still intend to testify that you don't know where Pike is now?"

"I did not say that. I said I am not at liberty to say where he is. His location is classified."

"Classified? How convenient? Just as your ship's mission to Talos IV has been classified, it seems whenever Mr. Spock commits a crime against humanity it is classified."

"Objection! your honor, I don't see how these questions pertain to the case."

"Your honor, Captain Kirk is a character witness for the defendant. He is Spock's commanding officer and best friend. If anyone knows the true character of Mr. Spock is James Kirk!"

"Not even his wife, Mr. Wyatt?" Miss Shaw asked.

"Not professionally, no." Wyatt countered.

"Mr. Wyatt, make your point without the theatrics." Stone said.

"Your honor I have here a subpoena from Starfleet command. It verifies the prosecution's request to have the Talos IV incident declassified. I move to submit exhibit A into the record."

"So ordered," said the Commodore. "Now please move on."

"Captain Kirk, would it be true to say that Mr. Spock took command of the Enterprise on stardate 3012.8 and escorted Captain Pike and crew to the forbidden Talos system on his own without orders from you or Starfleet command, breaking General Order Seven?"

Kirk sighed. Why was Wyatt harping on this old incident? "To the best of my knowledge, yes that is what happened," he conceded.

"Then did Captain Pike return safely from the Talos system with you Captain Kirk?"

"No, he did not."

"So again I ask you, where is Captain Pike?"

"Again I tell you I do not know!" Kirk responded, finally losing his temper.

"Then where did you last see him?"

"On Talos IV."

"Where you left him?"

"Yes."

"No further questions."

Shaw approached the witness stand. "Captain Kirk, just a few more questions. How do you know that it was Mr. Spock who took Command of the Enterprise without orders from Starfleet or the Federation?"

"I don't follow you?"

"Why Spock and not some other officer?"

"Well, no one else had the skill and ability to do so. And... he confessed."

"Did he really?"

"Yes, he admitted to me that he fabricated the tapes with the falsified orders."

"So, though a bit delayed, Mr. Spock did in fact tell the truth?"

"Yes, he did." Kirk eagerly agreed.

"And what was the reaction of Starfleet command to these actions? Surely such a confession merited punishment to the fullest extent of the law?"

"Starfleet command closed the case to their satisfaction and labeled the incident classified."

"So Starfleet command brought no charges against commander Spock for any so-called mutiny including breaking general order seven?"

"That is correct."

"And with the records sealed and classified, technically it's as if the incident never officially happened?"

"That is correct."

"No further questions for this witness."

Captain Kirk left the stand wondering what both sides were playing at. What did the Talos IV incident have to do with Spock's assault charges now?

"Your honor I would like to submit an entry into the record, from Captain Christopher Pike, the so-called victim of Mr. Spock's mutiny and abduction from Starbase 11."

"Objection! Captain Pike is not here to be sworn in or cross-examined and even if he were, he is physically incapable of testifying. The last medical records for him show he is little more than a lump of flesh."

While Miss Shaw and the prosecutor argued their points, Spock was left stunned at the defense table. He was not satisfied with the way the proceedings were going. Under no circumstances did he want Captain Pike brought into this sordid affair. He was the guilty party, not Pike nor any of his friends who had testified to defend him. When Miss Shaw returned to her seat at his side, Spock told her this. He did not want his former captain and mentor involved.

"Don't worry, Mr. Spock. Remember, you are to trust me? You agreed to let me defend you to the best of my ability. Let me do my job. Just watch."

A view screen was lowered from the ceiling and after a moment or two of subspace interference, a video feed with Captain Pike appeared. But not the battered disfigured Pike from their last meeting. This was the vision of Pike as Spock remembered him when he was his commanding officer. Strong, tall, and smiling broadly, and there was the girl Vina, standing at his side. She was holding an infant in her arms, and another toddler stood clinging to her skirt.

Spock had not known the fate of Pike since he left him on Talos IV, since communication with the planet was forbidden. He had no idea if the man was indeed able to adjust to the illusions and eke out a life for himself with Vina but by the looks of them, it appeared that he had. They looked like a happy family.

Captain Pike addressed the court stating his name, rank, and relationship to Spock. He testified that Spock was a good and honorable friend and confidant. He explained he knew no finer officer than Commander Spock, and Pike expressed gratitude to Spock for delivering him "safely if unexpectedly" to Talos IV, where he could receive very "experimental" Talosian treatment for his injuries.

"And I just want to finish by saying that Commander Spock is a credit to both the Vulcan and the Human people," Pike said and then his expression turned serious.

"Spock, I can never repay you for my life and that of my family. I am forever in your debt. So, if you should ever need me for anything, for any reason at all you know where to find me." Pike grinned mischievously again while he turned to Vina wrapping his arm around her, hugging her close. "Isn't that right little Spocky?" Pike patted the downy head of the baby Vina was holding.

Someone in the crowd guffawed at the mention of the baby's name. No doubt McCoy could not contain his amusement, but Spock didn't care. He couldn't take his eyes off the screen and the man who was like a father to him when his own father had turned his back on him. If he were not a Vulcan, Spock suspected Pike's praise would move him to tears. Still, he was affected enough to raise his hand in the Ta'al and he hoped his mentor knew just how much his words meant to him.

The screen went dark, but Spock continued to stare at it while Miss Shaw stood to announce that she rested her case.

That's it, folks. The end of the Court Martial Saga. I spent a long, long time working on this court-martial section, but now it's time to move on. Even though I have a lot of ideas for what happens next, the updates will slow down again. I need to give some of my other stories some love too.