Chapter Eight
On the Romulan vessel, Tomahawk was grinning with satisfaction at his success. Then all of the sudden, his bridge lights went dimmed and then he turned to his tactical officers and growled out a question, " What's going on with our power?"
"I don't know sir, but I'll contact main engineering right away." stuttered the Romulan tactical officer.
"Get this problem solved quickly!" roared Tomahawk.
"Sir, the Galaxy is hailing us.", informed the communication officer.
"Well, they must be prepared to surrender to us. Put them on the main viewer!" Tomahawk smiled as he leaned back into his chair.
On the bridge of the Galaxy, Jaret finally arrived and nodded to David to contact Tomahawk's ship, and took his seat next to Ryan who was happily relinquishing his command over to Jaret again.
"So, how was your first taste of command Ryan?", asked Jaret grinning.
"I'll ask for it when it's really time for me, not for my first year sir, I still have lots to learn and of course, I'll learn all that from you." smiled Ryan.
"Sir, Tomahawk appearing on main viewer.", alerted David.
Jaret's attention switched to seeing Tomahawk's very surprised face and Jaret had the urge to do something very childish but he refrained from doing it. He didn't want to appear rude to him.
"Ah, Tomahawk, long time no see, did you miss me?" greeted Jaret coyly.
"You are, you're supposed to be dead! How? Why?!" stuttered Tomahawk loudly.
"Well, I do have to give you some credit after all, your spy did well on not being found but she made one mistake and that was not making sure I was dead. I knew who had attacked me but I don't know why she would side up with you. Oh, if you're currently having problems with your power, shields and weapons, please by all mean consider it a gift from me to you since you intended the same thing for my ship!", growled Jaret lightly.
"So, you caught my spy, bravo Jaret. So that must have been you that send the message to me regarding the next orders. Did you forget something, I believe you did, after all, I still have the hostages on board my ship." Tomahawk baited Jaret, hoping to anger him enough to do something stupid.
"The hostage, that's right, I had thought of that, but just ask the officer who is standing next to you, the officer who is no doubt afraid to tell you what we know. The hostages are no longer onboard your vessel Tomahawk, they're on board mine. We just didn't disrupt your power supply; we also tampered with your transporters. We took your hostages back without even setting foot on your ship. Now I believe this is what I call Checkmate' Tomahawk. We won on the same very terms that you stipulated to us." smiled Jaret.
"You didn't win, you cheated!" roared Tomahawk defiantly.
"No, I didn't cheat; I simply used what available tools that I had. But to be polite I just turned the table on you. It's over Tomahawk, we got what we needed back and we also beat you fair and square. Go home and tell your superior that you lost and you can tell them why. It's the end of the line for you.", calmly noted Jaret as he stood up and turned his back on Tomahawk and nodded to David to cut the communication.
"I'll make you…." Tomahawk started but was cut off as David effectively shut him down.
"Well, that was enlightening." mutter Tressa as she stared to Jaret with disbelief at him.
"Don't start Tressa, but now he has to deal with the other Romulan vessels that were on the side watching all of this." sighed Jaret tiredly as he sat back down in his chair.
"I thought I should wait till you finished your conversation with Tomahawk before I mentioned this. You have one of the warbirds contacting us. Shall I put them on the main viewer?" asked David.
Jaret smiled, "Please do, and I'm interested in this."
The view screen went on and on it came an older Romulan male with black hair that had streaks of grey in it., "Capt. Pieper, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad to know that you survived."
"Thank you, but May I ask who I am talking to?" asked Jaret feeling very confused for the moment.
"My name is Adm. Salen Reilu. It is my understanding that you had an agreement with Tomahawk regarding the hostages of Aldrea?" sighed Adm. Reilu.
Jaret was stunned and leaned back into his chair, his hand going through his hair and looked back at Adm. Reilu, "I'm afraid you're right. Tomahawk wanted this ship pitted against us, but unfortunately I didn't plan for a saboteur to be on board following his orders. I should've of expect it but I didn't, that sort of says a lot about my lack of experience here. Despite it all, I survived that and was able to turn the tables on Tomahawk. As you are aware, we have detained several of his soldiers in my brigs. The hostages of Aldrea are back on board where they belong. Tomahawk attacked them from orbit, and I find that distasteful. There is no honor in his tactics and I don't trust him. My advice to you would be the same, don't trust Tomahawk, he has way too much ambition for his own good."
Adm. Reilu nodded, "Yes, I am aware of that. There is a reason why I was sent here to observe this. Some of us have suspected Tomahawk of doing things outside the chain of command. He lied to us time and time again. He informed us that he had a spy among you, but the spy was one of ours who underwent a cosmetic change to look like you but apparently that wasn't the case. I hate to inform you, but Tomahawk hadn't intended to keep her around for much longer. One of my own trusted aides have found out that he had a written order for her execution on the side once you guys were taken care of. He's been suspected of dealing some foul plays back on Romulas. Now, we really know how far he intended to go. Please, accept our humble apologies to you and the people of Aldrea. Its time for us to leave things alone. Tomahawk has been arrested and will be dragged back to Romulas to face charges of his own making. By all means Captain, you and your ship are free to go. Please inform the people of Aldrea that they will no longer be bothered by anyone in the Romulan Empire."
"Very well, I will transport his people back to the ship. Good luck Adm. Reilu and I hope we don't have to meet again in such circumstances such as war." agreed Jaret as he signaled to David to let the brig know that they'll be returning their guests back to the Romulan Warbird.
"As for your traitor, she is yours to take care of. She was never endorsed by us and we ask that you take that into consideration. However, I know she has broken some of your laws and that you have to deal with that. Good bye Capt. Pieper and good luck." signed off Adm. Reilu.
Jaret looked at the view screen when it switched back to the view of the stars and saw that the Romulan Vessels were turning away and leaving them alone. He heaved a huge sigh in relief. It was finally over, the whole stressing is over.
"Jaret, what will you do with Twyla?", asked Ryan with concern.
"To be honest, I don't know, but I will deal with her when I can. I have some thinking to do. But now, all I want to do is head over to medic bay and see how the hostages or rather, the survivors of Aldrea are doing. Ryan, you have the bridge once again. Helm,
Please take us out of Romulan space quickly. I have no desire to remain here any longer." Jaret asked as he got up from his seat and strode over to the turbolifts with his shoulders hunched down.
"Aye sir, good luck." acknowledged Ryan as he got up from his seat and sat down in Jaret's seat once he vacated it. He watched him go and was concerned, he looked to Tressa.
"I know Ryan, believe me, I know. Jaret is asking himself some hard questions now. He's been avoiding it for some days but now, he has no choice but face up to it." Tressa stated as she wringed her hands in worry too.
"I thought he would've talked to you by now? He's going to talk to Tammy again right?" asked Ryan.
"I don't think this is something that Tammy or I can help him with. He needs to talk to someone with far more experience than we do." Tressa shook her head.
"Oh, I haven't thought of that." Ryan suddenly knew what she meant by that.
Lisa watched the two of them from her station and was just as worried as they were. She knew that they were all young and new to all of this but she was so proud on the inside that they have rose to the challenge quite well.
In the turbolift, Jaret was leaning up against the railing and was in deep thought. He sighed again. Sometimes just when he thinks its over, it isn't. Was he fooling himself that he could do this? The computer beeped to let him know that he had reached his destination and the door glided open. He looked up and saw that various people were walking about and were back to their normal routine.
Meanwhile, in Medic Bay, Tammy was very busy treating the survivors of Aldrea. She was busy conversing with one of her assistants over the medical care of a young woman who had a minor phaser burn on her arm. She pointed towards the instrument that would help facilate her healing. Before Tammy could step away to look at another patient she was stopped by another.
"Excuse me miss?", asked the middle age man.
Tammy turned to hand the data padd over to her assistant and went to the man, "Yes, may I help you?" she asked as she grabbed the data padd that was on the bed next to the man. She noticed that he hasn't been looked over yet and reached into her coat pocket to get her tricorder out to scan him.
"When will I be seeing your Capt. Pieper?" he asked as he sat on the bed while she was scanning him with the medical tricorder.
"You know Jaret?! Who are you?" Tammy looked up in shock at that question and dropped her tricorder on the floor.
"I'm sorry, how rude of me, my name is Capt. Terran James, but most folks calls me James since I don't like the name I was given when I was born. And who do I have the honor of speaking to?" introduced James as he helped Tammy to retrieve her fallen tricorder off the floor and handed it back to her.
Tammy was still in shock when she reached for her tricorder and looked at the reading before replying to him, "So you're the former captain of this ship, well, I'm Dr. Tammy Livingston. And as for Jaret, he should be coming down once he deals with Tomahawk." smiled Tammy.
"Well, speak of the devil, he's already here." chuckled James.
Tammy whirled around and came face to face with Jaret and smiled at him, " Gee, you're fast. Well, before you ask, everyone is fine despite some minor wounds and malnutrition. All that is being taken care of. We received no injuries on our side dealing with the intruders. And as for you James, you're okay health wise, but you need to get some food and fluids in you. At your age, it's not a good thing to make your body stress out. Jaret, he is all yours and he can leave Medic Bay providing you don't push him too much."
James was helped off the bed by Tammy and Jaret before he turned to her, "Thank you Doctor. I know what you mean about stressing me out. My doctor says the same thing, you must be twins."
"I don't know, but I did read your medical history in the computer logs. You're the type that will sneak away for a physical but you never do. Just take it easy, and consider that an order." Tammy smiled as she made a note on the data padd as she ushered the two of them out of her way.
"Spoken like a medical officer, very well, I shall not overtire him, happy now?", teased Jaret.
"Yep, now get out of here you two, I have work to do.", smiled Tammy as she went back to oversee her assistants and patients.
James and Jaret left Medic Bay to Tammy knowing full well if they don't leave, she'll drag them out in order for her to do her work in some peace and quiet. Once in the corridor, James stopped Jaret and asked, "What's wrong Jaret?"
Jaret looked at James and looked back down at his feet. He was struggling with some inner turmoil and James picked up on that. Despite Jaret's attitude in Medic Bay, James knew that something was really bothering Jaret. He just stood there waiting for him to say something.
Jaret suddenly sighed and he barely spoke loud enough for James to hear, "I need advice from a former Captain on something very important."
James noticed the crestfallen look on Jaret's face and nodded, "Very well, any place where we can talk so we can't be interrupted."
"Yes, the best place would be my quarters, please, come this way James." motioned Jaret towards the turbolift. James nodded and placed his hand on Jaret's shoulder all the while they were walking towards the turbolift. James knew that he needed to talk and he had a feeling it was very important but he just didn't know exactly how important.
Several minutes later, James and Jaret were in his quarters while James was drinking some coffee and Jaret was having a glass of root beer. James just listens while Jaret was having the most serious discussion in a long time.
"So what advice do you want from me to impart?" asked James after he finished his cup of coffee as he set it down on the coffee table.
Jaret looked at his drink wistfully and looked up at James and sighed sadly, "There's a whole lot you don't know since we last talked on board Tomahawk's ship. We were only 2 days into our mission when I was attacked by one of our own. Only thing is that, she was never one of us, she may have agreed to help us but she betrayed us by allowing herself to be a double agent. She was working for Tomahawk. She had orders to kill me. Now she got caught, since I survived and I knew who had attacked me. We have her in the brig currently and Adm. Reilu released her from Romulan Control since she wasn't fully endorsed by their government. Now, the question remains, what do I do with her? I've tried talking to her, but she won't say anything. She won't tell us why she joined up with Tomahawk. It's so frustrating not knowing what to do."
"That's a handful you have to deal with now. Normally, if we were still in my day and age, she would be handed over to face the board of Inquiry to figure out what punishment should be meted out. Unfortunately that isn't the case here. Is there anyone you trust? Adult wise? You can always go to them and let them know what you want done or ask them for their opinions.", suggested James.
"That sounds like a good idea. One of them I know is involved in the law on a daily basis. So what do I do with her till we get back to Earth? Do I tell her about what Tomahawk had originally planned and that she was really never endorsed by the Romulan government?" agreed Jaret.
"I think you should let her know, the truth of the situation will force her to come to terms with what she had done wrong. In fact, I make a bet on that she will realize that she did do some wrong and will accept any punishment for her. Talk to her anyway Jaret. It's important to let her know that she's not going to be left alone to deal with this. She has to know that she's forgiven for what she done. Doing that might also help the both of you to heal. You've been beating yourself up for too long since the attack and I bet you haven't really talked to anybody except me about this." pointed out James as he filled up his cup with coffee again and took another gulp of it down.
Jaret understood what was being said to him, so he put down his drink and looked back up at James, "I guess this is the only duty no captain wishes to undertake right James?"
"I'm afraid so, I have to say personally Jaret, I don't envy your position here and I haven't been in your situation yet and I hoped not to ever.", winced James in understanding.
"To err is human, to forgive divine. Thanks for your advice, that took some of the weight off my shoulders but I still have a lot to do.", thanked Jaret as he got up from his seat and walked around the coffee table.
"Not a problem. Now…I have a question for you, how long till we reach Aldrea?" asked James as he changed the subject, as he placed his unfinished drink back on the table he too got up from his own seat.
"Three days, John wants us to take it easy on the engines after all, this ship was buried for a long time. He just wants us to take it easy, since we left Earth, we've been on the go constantly, its time we take it easy and plus we want your people to recover from their ordeal. Tressa made a note of that yesterday to me and I agree with her. Their might be some residual trauma but she wants to make sure they'll be okay when we do get back and help you repair the damage done by Tomahawk.", chuckled Jaret.
"It'll be good to get home. How bad was the damage?", asked James cautiously.
"I'll send a copy of the reports to your quarters, you can see it for your own eyes rather than me telling you. If you have any other request, please don't hesitate to ask Me.", advised Jaret as he extended his hand out to James.
"Thank you Jaret, now if you can excuse me, I'll be heading back to Medic Bay to see if the rest of my people are being released from Medic Bay and then I can finally rest a bit.", smiled James as he took Jaret's hand and shook it briefly before he let go and left Jaret's room.
Jaret watched James walk to the door and saw him go. When the door swished closed behind him, Jaret went to his desk and turned on the monitor and started to punch in some commands to the computer. The computer chirped in response as it was working on Jaret's request. He just stared past his monitor and looked out the window of his quarters. Saw the stars slipping past him as the ship was in a low warp. He smiled a bit and leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
Back on Earth, at the Estevan Police Station, Chief Gerald O' Hara was in his office, going through his stack of messages that has somehow has climbed a bit too high for him to deal with. Every morning he comes back to work, more messages were waiting for him and every time he had tried to get it down to a reasonable height it climbed right back up at him. It was a never ending battle for him. He hated having to answer the same questions over and over for he didn't know as much as the parents did. Perhaps it was time for him to retire? An early retirement is what he might want to do now but he shook his head and wondered why is he thinking of giving up? He had a job to do and he'll keep on doing it no matter how hectic it might become. He sighed and leaned back in his chair as he put the newest stack of messages on top of the old ones. Then suddenly the phone buzzed, and he knew it was from his secretary. Normally she just takes the messages so she can leave him alone but this was new.
He reached over and pushed the button on the intercom and growled, "What is it Mary Anne?"
"Sir, you have a long distance call, I suggest you take it, it's a real long distance call." replied Mary Anne in an urgent tone in her voice.
Gerald was puzzled, he heard that tone in her voice that said it was no doubt important but who could it be? So he sighed loudly again to himself and pressed the blinking line one button, and picked up the cradle to talk.
"Chief O' Hara speaking, how I may help you?" asked Gerald.
"Hello Chief, how are you holding up?" asked a cherry voice that the Chief could easily recognize.
Gerald's eyes widened in surprise and looked at his stack of messages then cleared his voice before speaking, " Jaret!? Is that you? How is that possible? That is one long distance call you are making! What is going on? Is everything okay? Did something happen, what happened anyway?!"
"Yes, it's me. You can let the parents of my crew know that we're all okay. Nothing bad happened among other things. We will be returning to Earth in about a week or so. First off, we're dropping the survivors of Aldrea back and we're going to help them rebuild their city since the damage from the attack by Tomahawk was a little extreme. Would you please let Mr. Cryer know that when we do get back, John wanted to have a meeting with the School board on how we could go about rebuilding the school? Since it will be a brand new school, perhaps we can make some changes with the layout or something. John wants to do this as a gift. He is still feeling quite badly about the damage and that he was forced to tear the school down. But, before I get off topic, I wanted to let you know though, as soon as we get back, you'll have to take custody of a former crew of mine.", explained Jaret.
"Custody? What happened?" asked a startled Gerald who immediately got concerned.
"Her name is Twyla Mosely. Just ask Mr. Cryer about her and have him contact her parents. I have a feeling they might want to hire a lawyer right away. The reasons why is that, two days into our mission, she attempted to kill me. What we found out later is that she was working for Tomahawk at that time. We have her in custody but seeing as I do have some authority to punish her but I don't think I could do that being a bit involved about the whole situation. I can't think neutral about this as it is a bit emotional for me. When we do get back, just have a cell for her for us to transport her. I would rather give the court my recommendation about what to do with her but I don't want her off too lightly. I hope you can do that?" informed Jaret.
"Very well, I shall see what I can do. You want GPS coordinates for the cell?" asked Gerald.
"Yes, that will do, and we will do the rest. Till then, take care and have fun letting that stack of messages get cleared up!", signed off Jaret.
The phone line went dead and Gerald hanged up, and he looked at the messages and groaned because he then realized that it would be another long night for him. No rest for the wicked he thought and he sighed and pushed the speaker to his secretary, "Mary Anne, please bring me a pot of coffee, looks like I'll be here all night. Also, please phone Mr. Cryer and have him come here, he might as well help me out with all these messages we're going to be doing."
"Is that all sir? I shall do that right away." Acknowledge Mary Anne.