Chapter Four
It Didn't Seem that Far Away
The Enterprise went into orbit around the planet Exodus. Exodus was a deserted planet with atmosphere similar to Earth. The Federation of United Planets used it for training purposes for their crews.
Kirk was at his chair on the bridge when he turned to Lt. Uhura and said, "Give me ships communication, please."
"Yes, Captain. It's ready."
"This is the Captain. The following ensigns report to the central recreation room." He proceeded to name off the 24 new officers from memory.
"Scotty you have the com, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy join me please."
The three senior officers waited until all ensigns had arrived. They stood at attention as Captain Kirk walked the line from end to end.
He smiled and said, "At ease. Today is a training exercise for you. Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy will pass out a backpack to each of you. Inside will be your phaser set in a permanent light stun. We wouldn't want any of you hurting each other by mistake. Also your communicator and various items for survival are included. There is no human life on the planet, a few animals and vegetation and water. You have one water bottle and solutions to purify any water you find, also some rations and first aid supplies."
He stood back as each officer examined the contents. "We have a map for each group that you will use to get from point A to point B. We will divide you in groups of four and you will be beamed down at various points. It is up to each group to assign a leader and accomplish the mission. Any questions?"
Someone asked, "About how long will it take, Captain."
"Do you have an important date you need to get back for, Jerry?"
Everyone laughed and he said, "No, sir."
"Good. It will take you as long as it takes you." The Captain and Spock picked names at random into the six groups.
They gathered in the Transporter Room. "Good luck, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you all succeed."
When they beamed down, McCoy said, "This should be an interesting study of human behavior, 'How I killed my best friend'."
Kirk laughed and said, "We were hoping to split up Lucas and SJ, but random is random."
Spock added, "I only expect the best from them, Doctor, do you not?"
"Spock, you just put two of the most stubborn ensigns together and they have to choose a leader, what do you expect?"
Kirk laughed, "Come on gentlemen, it will be awhile before we hear from them."
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When Ensigns Lucas, SJ, Mick and David beamed down, they found themselves in a grassy field. Short hills were to the west and mountains to the North.
SJ commented, "I hope we don't have to go north."
Lucas said, "First we'll choose a leader and go from there, any suggestions? There was silence. "Come on guys we have to pick someone. Let's draw sticks." Lucas found four sticks and made one shorter than the rest. "Short stick, wins."
He held them up evenly and he let the other three pick first. His was last, and his was the shortest. He grinned. "Okay, gentlemen, let's get out of this sun and make a plan."
They gathered under a tree and pulled out the old map and compass. "This is it?" David asked, "Where's the tri-corder?"
Mick said, "Aye, where's me steak dinner, Lads?"
SJ said, "We are here," he pointed on the map, "and unfortunately the shortest distance to point B is up that mountain. It looks like there are several trails that lead up. We have to find the fastest.
Together they talked over different strategies and Kirk decided on the final trail. "Okay, let's get going."
They headed north toward what they thought would be the easiest. According to the map there was a small canyon that led between the two mountains. They hoped they would find water and a faster trail that way.
The day had gotten warmer and all they had accomplished was getting snarled in a dense thicket of vines and vegetation. SJ was the tallest so they made him go first. Abruptly he stopped, and Mick almost ran into him. "What's up?"
SJ squatted down and the others followed, "I thought they said there were small animals, look at that," he pointed.
Rumbling a few yards in front of them was a huge black furry animal, It had four legs, a short tail and short ears. It grumbled as it foraged for food.
Kirk came up front. "Where?" he whispered.
SJ pointed to a large thicket.
Kirk saw it and whispered, "That's a bear. Remember on the ranch,
SJ, I told you to watch for bears, well, that is definitely one."
All four stayed hidden and hoped it would pass. Kirk said, "I hope it's not a mama, if her baby is near by, we'll have to make a wider circle around her."
They could hear someone's stomach growl. Kirk looked behind him, "Who was that," he whispered.
Mick raised his hand.
"Jeez, Mick, you'll get us killed," Lucas whispered.
Kirk motion for the others to follow him and to be quiet. First he looked for signs of another bear, but didn't see any. They made a wide path around the bear, anyway, and finally found their way out of the thickets. They continue to walk up the trail, but stopped for a snack.
They found a spot to relieve themselves, and then stretched out in the shade of some trees. While they ate, they glanced at their maps and tried to figure how far they had come.
SJ was happy with their progress, but he also knew they had a ways to go yet.
Kirk said, "Let's see how much food we were given." They searched their packs and counted enough for three days. "Three days. It must be further than we think."
Mick said, "It didn't seem that far away when we beamed down."
David laughed and said, "It's because you're always thinking of your next meal."
Kirk interjected, "We may need to ration our food that last day, but we'll need the calories now. Let's get going and see how far we can go before it gets dark."
The afternoon became more difficult. The terrain was steeper and the trail had not been used. Trees and limbs continually blocked the trail. Climbing over or under was their only choice.
As they rounded the trail with SJ leading he slowed and said, "The trail changes here, Lucas. It looks more rocky. We'll have to be careful as we go."
Soon the trail narrowed to the down side of the mountain. They leaned inward as they walked.
Kirk asked, "David, don't you have a fear of heights?" There was no response, and Kirk turned to look. Fifty feet back, David stood frozen in the spot. "Oh, Jeez, hold up SJ. Mick come back with me."
They walked back to David and tried to coax him down the trail. "Come on, David, we're almost past this spot. It'll get better."
David was sweating and shaking his head, "Lucas, I don't think I can do it."
"Yes, you can, come on. Mick, will be right behind you and I'll be in front. Here, grab my arm, you won't even have to look. I'll talk you down the trail the whole way. Just don't look. Okay?"
Mick went behind him and said, "I'll hold onto your waist, let Lucas walk you. We'll make it."
He froze in his spot.
Lucas sternly said, "Come on, Ensign let's go. That's an order."
Lucas nodded to Mick and Mick gave him a small push. They pushed and pulled until they had caught up with SJ. The trail sloped down for a few feet and then cut between a dense row of trees and scrappy bushes. The loose stones would make it slippery.
"You made it, David" Lucas said.
"I have to sit, guys," David said.
SJ said, "It's time for a water break anyway."
They sat in silence, knowing their friend was embarrassed.
Lucas broke the silence and said, "David, we're a team. We work together. I think we passed our first test."
David looked up and smiled, "Thanks."
SJ continued to lead the way. As they turned easterly on the trail he looked back to make sure he wasn't too far ahead of his teammates and lost his balance. He slid sideways down the gravely trail and fell on his side, and kept on sliding.
"SJ!" Lucas yelled. "Oh my, gosh." SJ continued to slide down the hill grabbing at anything he could.
Lucas started to go after him when Mick yelled, "Don't Lucas, let's find a different way down."
The three crawled through some underbrush. They were at the top of a steep hill and all they could see were thick bushes and trees all the way down.
Lucas said, "We have to try it. We'll use trees to grab onto. Just go slow."
They each started down and slowly slid their way from tree to tree.
David let out a yell as he stumbled and rolled. He landed up against a small tree. He picked his head up and yelled, "I'm okay, I think."
Lucas and Mick dug their heels into the loose soil as dirt and small rocks rolled ahead of them. Lucas said, "It looks like we're almost to the bottom. Over here to the right."
They managed to slide and jump their way to the bottom of the hill. SJ was sitting up against a boulder with dark blood going down his arms. His shirt was torn, with one sleeve hanging.
Lucas ran to him and said, "How bad are you hurt?"
His face was scraped and bloody, "I think mostly scrapes, but I ripped my pants and my shirt is a mess." He stood up and his undershorts were showing.
Mick said, "Wow, SJ, are those regulation shorts?'
Lucas said, "Knock it off, Mick. Get the first aid kit. SJ sit down, we'll clean your face and arms first."
Mick washed off SJ's face and arms. They put disinfectant on him and wrapped up the wounds. When they pulled the front of his shirt away, he was dripping in brown blood.
"Eww," all three said in unison.
SJ yelled, "What, what's wrong?"
Lucas said, "Your brown blood is all over your stomach. It looks like gooey pudding."
"I am a quarter Vulcan. Green and red make brown."
Lucas said, "Fix him up, Mick, but I don't know how we're gonna keep those pants on you."
David said, "I'll go through our bags, maybe the surgical glue will hold them together. I'll fix the front of his shirt too."
SJ flinched when Mick tried to clean his wounds. "You really scraped the skin away."
SJ moaned and said, "I'm going to be sick." He leaned over and retched near the boulder.
Mick and David made faces and turned away. Lucas helped him to sit. "Mick, wrap up his stomach so we can let him lay down for awhile. David, can you close up his shirt first?"
"Yea, I'll give it a try." After a struggle of meeting torn pieces together they were able to mend his shirt. They used the torn sleeve to wrap his pant leg to his leg and glued the backside of his pants.
Lucas smiled and said, "You're a mess."
SJ smiled and asked for water. They were down in a valley and the sun was half-way blocked by the mountainside. Lucas said, "David, can you scout down that way for a distance and see if you can find water, we've got to set up camp for the night."
They let SJ rest and when David returned he said, "Good news and bad news. There is water down there, but it's big, it's deep and it's not on the map. So either we are lost or this map is a piece of shit."
"How far is it?" Lucas asked.
"Half a mile at the most. Can you make it SJ?" Mick responded.
He nodded his head and stood up, "We have to keep going."
As they made their way to the river Lucas wondered how SJ would feel in the morning. He made a mental plan, at this point he was more concerned about his injured friend than finishing the mission first.
The closer they got to the river, the air felt fresher and cooler. They stared at the wide river in front of them.
Lucas said, "Let's find a flat spot and set up camp. We can refill our canteens and get some food. Mick get some wood, I want a big fire to keep the bears away."
"Bears?" the other three said.
Lucas nodded and said, "If there's one, there's usually more.
They found a flat, grassy area away from the water. Kirk piled rocks in a circle and started to stack the wood. He used his laser to heat the rocks and start the fire. Darkness set in and they rolled out their sleeping bags.
Lucas knelt by SJ as he ate, "Tell me the truth, how are you feeling?"
He looked up at his friend, "Sore, just really sore."
"Get to sleep if you can."
"I will begin a healing trance. Don't wake me." Lucas nodded
The other three huddled by the fire and used a flashlight to look at their map. They were too deep into the valley to get their bearings by the stars.
Lucas finally said, "We'll just have to trust our compass. Maybe one of the tests is to make us doubt ourselves, thus the poorly drawn map. Who draws maps on flimsy paper, anymore?"
They threw a large limb on the fire and tried to sleep. Lucas could hear SJ moaning occasionally throughout the night. He awoke just before sunrise and poured water on the fire. Steam escaped and hissed.
"Rise and shine, gentlemen."
Mick and David ran into the woods and SJ slowly crawled out of his bag.
"How are you feeling, SJ."
"I feel like I fell down a mountain and hit a boulder."
"Need help to the woods?"
"No, thanks."
Lucas ate his breakfast ration and made sure his water was filled. The sun would barely make it in the valley until later, but he wanted to get up the final side of canyon as quick as they could.
The three returned and Lucas gave SJ a Vulcan pain med, "I want you to take this S J, it will help with the pain. We have a long day ahead of us."
SJ nodded. They packed up and stood at the edge of the river. Mick took SJ's backpack so it wouldn't rub on his skin.
David said, "I'll run ahead and see if I can find where this river narrows a little, we can't cross here."
Lucas nodded, "Go ahead, and we'll catch up."
The trail narrowed again as they followed David's foot prints in the mud. They heard his voice calling to them.
"Come on, we can cross here."
The river had split into two separate rivers. It looked shallow enough to cross.
Lucas started across, "I'll go first and see how it is." He raised his backpack above his head and stepped into the river.
The other three stood by in case Lucas needed help. He sloshed through the river, chest high in one spot. He crossed to the land bridge that separated the two rivers and easily waded to the other side. He waved them across and Mick and David started out. They turned to help SJ, but he was just standing.
David said, "Are you okay?"
"I, I can't swim very well."
The two went back and each hooked an arm through his. David said, "We will make it."
When they came to the deeper water SJ began to squirm, the water on his cuts made him shiver. Lucas could see what was happening and he crossed to the land bridge. "Come on, SJ, you can do it."
The other two half dragged and half pushed him through the water. They made it to Lucas where he grabbed their backpacks and they waded through the other river together. When they got to the other side, they laughed at their predicament. Straight up was the side of the other mountain.
David said, "I know, I know, it's my job to scout ahead and see where this canyon was suppose to be. You guys can drain the water from your boots."
After a half an hour they got up to follow David down the trail. Lucas stopped short and said out loud, "Trail, there's a trail here and it's not on the map either." He was getting more frustrated with the map and wanted to throw it in the river.
David came running back and said, "I found a crossing between these hills, but I'm not sure how far it goes. But it does start to climb up, and the compass tells me we'd be headed in the correct direction."
They followed David and began the steep incline. Lucas was glad to see the sun. He looked back at SJ and his face was bleeding again.
"Let's stop and get some water. SJ we need to check your wounds."
"I'm fine, Lucas."
"Yea, you look real attractive with brown blood dripping down your face."
They found a grassy area and Mick wiped off his face and they retied his pant leg. His wounds looked red and flaming. Mick asked, Lucas, "Do you think it's infected?"
Lucas was a professional sick bay visitor so he new what to look for, "No, not yet. He's sweating and it's irritating the scrapes. I'm not sure how pure that river water was either. Need to sit for awhile,
SJ?"
He shook his head and they continued up the trail for several hours.
Mick's stomach began to growl again. David laughed and said, "Dinner bell."
Lucas was hot and tired and he knew SJ was just forcing himself forward. He finally called for a rest. "Let's eat and then keep going."
The four looked at the map again and wondered if they had gotten someone else's map. Lucas looked up the trail and he decided after a brief rest to send David up ahead to scout. They followed slower behind him. SJ insisted on carrying his own backpack and Lucas made him take two more pain pills.
They had not gotten far down the trail when David came running back in a panic. "You're not going to believe this, but over the hill is a small group of Klingons."
Lucas scowled, "Quit being a dope, David."
"I'm not kidding."
Lucas went up the trail himself and carefully looked over the top of the hill. If David was kidding him, he'd get even later. Lucas could not believe his eyes. He slid back down and joined his group.
He stared at the other two and nodded. "This planet is in Federation space and we have four Klingons over this hill. Our phasers won't stop them for long."
SJ said, "Lucas, we can't fire on them, we'll start a war."
"I know, I know. I hate to say it, but we have to contact the Enterprise. This is above our pay grade." He thought for a moment and he wondered out loud, "You don't suppose this is a set up, do you?"
The four discussed the possibility as their heart rates returned to semi-normal. Lucas said, "We still have to contact the Enterprise."
He took out his communicator and spoke, "Ensign Kirk to the Enterprise, come in."
"Enterprise, Captain Kirk, here."
Lucas cringed. "Sir, we have to report a small patrol of…Klingons about a half a mile over the ridge from here and we're requesting instructions, sir." He waited for laughter to start from his father.
But instead the Captain answered, "Klingons?"
"Yes, Captain."
Kirk replied, "Just finish your mission, Ensign."
"Finish our mission, sir?"
"Yes, that's what I said, Kirk out."
He looked at his three friends in suspicion. "Alright, you guys, did you just set me up?"
They all vehemently denied it. "Well, let's just finish the mission, like the Captain said."
The four crawled to the top of the ridge, but all four Klingons were gone. Lucas rolled on his back and said, "I'm sure they're having a big laugh on our account right now.."
All four said in unison, "We were set up."
They continued on their way for a few more miles. The fall was taking a toll on SJ. He was flushed and straggled behind. They were all hot, tired and needed a rest, but Lucas pushed them on for another hour. The terrain had leveled off and it was easier to travel.
Mick glanced at the sky and ran up to Lucas, "I'll be dark soon, and
SJ needs to stop."
"I know, I'm looking for a good spot to camp. See those three trees over there?"
Mick looked and said, "Yes."
"We'll stop there for the night. I have no idea how far we have to go tomorrow, but we'll head north."
The four made a similar camp as the night before. SJ's clothes had become pulled apart, so Mick pulled out the surgical glue and mended his shirt again. All they could do was tie his shredded pant leg on with his torn off sleeve.
They were all very hungry and exhausted. They had filled their canteens mid afternoon, and they hoped it would last until they came upon another river.
In the light of the campfire Lucas studied his friend. His coloring was wrong, even for a quarter-Vulcan. He said to him, "SJ how much water have you drank today?"
He shrugged his shoulders and looked into the fire.
Lucas walked up to him and felt his forehead. He was warm to the touch, "Did you go through at least two canteens today? One from this morning and one this afternoon?"
SJ looked at his friend and fell over.
"Oh, Jeez, he's passed out. Mick, get my canteen." They sat him up and slapped his face. Lucas poured the cold water in a cloth he had in his pack and put it to SJ's forehead. "David, get a flashlight. I wonder if he hit something on his fall down the mountain. He may have internal injuries or he's dehydrated."
They laid SJ down on the ground and Lucas lifted the front of his shirt. He looked for a large bruise but there were too many to tell if one was worse than the other. SJ began to stir.
David asked, "What do you think, Lucas?"
"I don't know, mix up some water with sugar in it."
SJ's head bobbed on his chest. "Come on, SJ, wake up." He slapped his face and threw some cold water on him.
David handed him the mix and Lucas poured a little in his mouth, "Come on, SJ swallow."
He continued to give him sips. SJ finally said, "If you give me anymore, I'm going to spit that disgusting sweet stuff in your face."
"Well, we're feeling much better." Lucas said. "You're going to have to drink it. It's all we have until we find fresh water. How are you doing?"
He shook his head. "I just need to sleep."
"Take another big swig. We're waking you up every hour to dump more down your throat. You're an idiot for not drinking your water during the day. And I'm on the first shift."
"I do no require as much water as you do."
Lucas said, "Of course you don't, but you passed out anyway. Drink."
Exhaustion set in and by 0300 hours, Lucas decided SJ had had enough fluids. They slept soundly until Lucas startled awake. He stood up and spun around so disoriented he hit his head on a tree limb.
"Shit!" he said holding his head. "Damn that hurt."
The other three sat up and Mick threw a stick at him, "Quiet, I'm sleeping."
Lucas rubbed his head and came away with blood on his hand. "Not anymore." He kicked the fire to put it out. "Let's eat…."
The other three said over him, "and then keep going."
SJ looked better than the night before, but he was in a lot of pain. Lucas gave him more pain pills and made him finish his sweet water.
Lucas tied a bandage around his head, but the blood kept seeping through.
David was looking at the map and said, "If this map is generally correct, we should only have half a day of hiking, if it's not correct, your guess is as good as mine."
Lucas took the lead and hoped they would find water as they went. The terrain got hillier again and clouds began to build in the west.
Lucas looked at the sky and SJ stood next to him.
SJ said in a bad centuries old western accent, "Looks like a storms a brewin', Lucas. We best take shelter."
Lucas laughed and said, "You're an idiot. Feeling better?"
"Yes, I think I'll make it."
"I'm glad, because if anything happened to you, your Father would kill me for loosing a good science officer."
The wind picked up and the four walked as fast as they could. Stopping only for natures call and a quick snack, they topped a ridge, where Lucas came to a halt.
Below them in the middle of a field was point B with the biggest blue flag marking the spot. "Let's glass the area and make sure it's not another trap."
All four scanned the area with binoculars and agreed that the road had come to an end.
When four scruffy, dirty and exhausted officers beamed aboard the Enterprise, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy were there to greet them. They stood at parade rest the best they could.
The Captain came forward and looked at each of them, "Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, have you ever seen such a scraggly bunch of officers?"
In unison they replied, "No, Captain.
Captain stood in front of SJ and said, "You're out of uniform, Ensign."
SJ looked sharp and said, "Yes, sir. There is not much left to it."
The Captain looked over the other three, their uniforms were torn and dirty. Lucas had wrapped his head in gauze with blood stains showing and Mick's stomach was growling.
"It looks like you ran into more trouble than imaginary Klingons." He grinned and the Ensigns endured the laughter of their superiors. Only Mr. Spock remained silent.
Lucas addressed his father and said, "Sir, request permission to go to our quarters, and Ensign Spock is in need of medical attention."
McCoy spoke up, "Actually all four of you are to report to sick bay for an exam. But shower first, you all smell like a campfire and I won't have my sick bay reeking of smoke."
Kirk said, "Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," they answered. Ensign Spock hesitated and walked backwards out the door with his three friends blocking the other's view of his backside.
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Later after resting in their rooms, all 24 officers were called to the recreation room
A sharp line of officers in new uniforms stood at attention.
"At ease ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad to see you looking fairly healthy. Dr. McCoy tallied the injuries and among you, you had 3 sprained ankles, one broken hand, and numerous scrapes and a lot of bruises. I think we accomplished the purpose of the mission. Team B came in first and the rest came in shortly after. What did you learn from your adventure?"
He waited and a few responded, "Leadership, patience and fortitude," they said.
The Captain purposefully turned to Ensign Kirk and asked, "Do you agree with that, Ensign."
He hesitated but responded, "The most important thing we learned was team work, sir."
The Captain asked a few more questions of the group and then finished by saying, "You have tomorrow off to rest, but I'd like a detailed report from each of you. Most importantly you are ordered to keep this exercise classified. We wouldn't want to tip off any crews who have not been to Exodus, yet. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," they responded.
"Dismissed."
Lucas walked up to the Captain and said softly, "Sir, request permission to speak with you."
"Ensign, can it wait? It's been a long day for everyone."
"No, sir."
"Very well, I'll meet you in my office in 15 minutes."
"Thank you, sir."
After the Captain spoke with Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock he made his way to his cabin. He wondered what was on his son's mind.
A few minutes later his door buzzed and he said, "Enter."
"Captain."
"Ensign, business or personal?"
"Both, sir."
"Let's sit at the round table," he pointed to a corner.
Lucas sat down and folded his hands on the table. Kirk joined him and waited.
"Go ahead, Ensign."
Not knowing how to start he blurted out, "Captain, I wish you wouldn't single me out in a group."
"What are you talking about?"
"Sir, I purposely didn't respond to your questions today because I didn't want you to show any favoritism."
"I was not showing favoritism."
"May I speak freely?"
"I wish you would, Ensign, you're confusing me."
"It's difficult for me to have you as my commanding officer, and I'm never sure what I should say in front of the others."
"We are on a training mission right now and I have the right to find out how tough all of you are. If I ask you a question, I expect an answer," he said starting to get angry.
"Let me remind you, sir when we were involved in the shuttle scuffle, I was disciplined for a week with push ups from all of the officers, plus Lt. Commander Sedgewick …"
He was interrupted by his father's voice that had become louder, "Can't take it, Ensign? Not tough enough? Maybe you don't belong in Starfleet? If I remember correctly, I saved your ass from the Admiral that day, too? Earlier, I also saved your cadets from not graduating."
Lucas responded louder and slammed his fist on the desk, "And you always remind me of it, too, Sir."
Captain Kirk reined in his anger, "You are also one lucky son of bitch to be this far in Starfleet at this age. You worked for it, and you earned it. It's my job to keep my crew trained and ready to serve in all situations. And do I know what it's like to have my father as my commanding officer, no, I do not know what it's like. My father was not, available."
Lucas felt ashamed. He looked down and wanted to shrink away.
Terrifying silence lay between them. He knew he was borderline insubordinate.
His father stood up and said quietly, "I have a feeling this is about something else. When you are ready to discuss the problem truthfully, I will listen. Anything else?"
"No, sir," he said.
"Dismissed." The Captain turned and entered his private quarters.
Lucas looked up as his father retreated and he felt sick at heart.
Exhaustion and guilt prevented Lucas from sleeping that night.
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The next day Captain Kirk gave orders to Chekov, "New orders, Mr. Chekov, plot us a course to the outpost on Desperian, bearing 18.5, mark 4.18."
"Aye, Captain, course bearing 18.5, mark 4.18."
Spock and Kirk discussed what they would find at the outpost. Starfleet had lost communications with them 2 weeks ago. Spock said, "We'll scan the post when we get closer, Captain. You look tired, Sir."
He shook his head and said, "I think I'll go to my quarters and do some paper work. Call me if needed."
"Yes, Captain."
Kirk read through the 24 reports on his file. He was proud of his new officers. The most impressive were the three reports given by Ensigns Spock, David Esper, and Michael Cooley. They praised Lt. Kirk for getting them around the bear, his medical knowledge, leadership and friendship. Kirk was proud of his son, but wondered if a transfer may have been a better fit for him. He contemplated what his son's anger was about.
He decided to ask his friend Dr. McCoy his opinion of the situation.
"Bones, I'd like to read those reports to him so he knows how his crew mates respect him, but right now I think I'd rather kick his ass from here to the Moon."
"Let me ask you this, Jim, if he were any other crewman, would you read the reports to him?"
"I don't know, Bones," he paused. "yes I do, I would not."
"It sounds like to me you're looking for a excuse to have a conversation with him."
Kirk looked at his friend and said, "You can be wise, once in a while."
"Wise, or wise-ass," he laughed.
"Both. Thanks, Bones, I'll think about it."
"Jim, all it is, is the typical competition between a father and a son. You should keep the communications open between you. Try some one on one time. If he's like Joanna, they're angry about our absence as they grew up."
"It got pretty ugly, Bones."
"Just try, Jim."
Kirk left and returned to his quarters. He drummed his fingers on his desk and made his decision. He spoke into the intercom, "Ensign Kirk, report to the Captain's office, please."
"Aye, Captain."
Lucas buzzed his father's door. "Enter."
Lucas walked in and the Captain said, "Come in. Have a seat."
Before he sat, Lucas blurted out, "Sir, I want to apologize…" he took a few steps towards his father, "I behaved rudely and I was insubordinate. I am sorry, and I present myself for discipline."
"It always takes two, Lucas." Kirk extended his hand and shook it. "I'm so sorry I let it escalate. We're both hot headed and stubborn."
Lucas laughed and said, "I don't know what happened, Dad, I just snapped. I guess I was tired from all of the hiking. Please forgive me."
His eyes were so sad it broke his father's heart to look at him. He had his mother's bright blue eyes. "Lucas, there are things we will both have to look at differently. I will be more understanding of your situation, but you must also realize there will be times when you'll just have to suck it up. Understood?"
"More so than you know."
His father hugged him and asked. "Can you stay for a game of chess?"
"No, sir, I have to return to duty."
Kirk smiled and said, "Okay, have a good day, then."
Once the door slid shut, the Captain wondered if having family serve together was the wisest decision. He had to have the safety of his ship and crew utmost in his mind. The pressure to be both father and captain was a difficult dance to do.
