Title: Family
Time Setting: At the end of Star Trek IV.
Codes: Kirk, McCoy and the rest of the original crew.
Summary: The crew contemplates their fate prior to the Court Martial.
Disclaimer: Star Trek and characters are Paramount's property, I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. Any original characters, situations, and story are the property of the
author.
Copyright 2005
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Chapter 5
Lt. Spears entered the waiting room with Scotty close on his heels. "Commander Chekov, the panel will see you next."
From his spot by the window, Pavel looked up and grimaced. Each person's report of the questions they were asked and the attitude of the panel did not help him to look forward to his interview or interrogation as he had begun to think of it. Sulu gave Pavel an encouraging smile and pat on the back
Scotty joined the rest of the gang and Jim Kirk continued to stay separate from the group. "Leonard, I agree with you, I think they are building a case of the Admiral being incompetent."
"Well, what do we do about it?" Uhura asked.
"First off. We work on Jim. He has to get his edge back if he wants to save his career," Bones looked pass Uhura and Jim still ignored them. "The only question is how do we get his attention."
Uhura stole a quick look at Kirk and then suggested, "What about Mr. Spock, he might listen to him?"
"Aye lassie, that's a good idea." Scotty couldn't think of anyone else who could talk sense to the Admiral.
"I'll talk to the lieutenant and see if he can get a message to Spock." Bones moved over to Spears' desk and let him know he needed to contact Spock. Spears said he would relay the message immediately.
Commander Pavel Chekov took his place in front of the panel of physicians as he tried to remember why he had agreed to the interview. His main thought was to just get it over with as quickly as possible.
Admiral Webber started the interview with the same question he had asked the other Enterprise crew members. "Commander Chekov, how many years have you served with Admiral Kirk?"
"I have served with the Admiral since I left the Academy. Of course, I vas on the Enterprise during the refit vhen the Admiral vas at Starfleet Command. And, I vas First Officer for Captain Terrell for several veeks but the majority of my service has been vith Admiral Kirk." Pavel usually could turn his accent on and off as he wanted but when he was nervous or under pressure it became more pronounced and he hated that.
Webber followed up with a second question, "What is your impression of Admiral Kirk?"
"Vhat do you vant to know? No other Starfleet Captain can compete vith him. He was my captain right out of the Academy. I never thought the captain of my first ship vould even know my name. Admiral Kirk met vith every crew member and made an effort to get to know the entire crew. I have never been able to figure out how I caught the Admiral's attention. Vhatever I did. he took an interest in my career. But that is only one part of the story, Admiral Kirk is an amazing commander. Being the Captain of a ship is his first, best destiny. Every being has their niche in life, and Admiral Kirk's is commanding a starship." Pavel hoped he could make this team of physicians understand how important it was to return Admiral Kirk to command of a starship.
"Commander, why did you choose to disobey Starfleet orders and follow Admiral Kirk to the Genesis planet?" Admiral Stevens leaned forward as he waited for an answer.
"Because he couldn't do it alone," it was that simple for Chekov.
Webber jumped in, "Excuse me."
Chekov turned to face Webber, "I said, because Admiral Kirk couldn't do it alone." Chekov spoke each word slowly as if he was talking to someone a little slow on the up take.
Admiral T'San interrupted what he anticipated would become an emotional exchange. "Commander Chekov, I understand the Admiral could not return to Genesis without help. Why did you determine you were the individual to help Admiral Kirk?"
"I . . . I don't know . . . maybe because ve are like family. Admiral Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Sulu, Uhura, and Scotty ve are like family. There vas no way I could refuse to help. How could I even consider saying no after every thing Admiral Kirk has sacrificed over the years? He has never left a man behind and if there vas any chance Mr. Spock could be saved ve had to go." Pavel had felt insecure over the years about his command abilities and felt he would never reach the standard set by Admiral Kirk. But with his recent experience with Khan he found he had the inner strength to stop himself from killing Admiral Kirk. And, a grieving Kirk had taken the time to talk to him and reassure him there was nothing he could have done to stop Khan. The thought of refusing to help Kirk had never even entered his mind.
Captain Lewis asked, "Were Admiral Kirk's orders reasonable during the trip to Genesis?"
"Reasonable? I don't think I understand, there vasn't much to order us to do on the trip to Genesis?" Chekov could see what Nyota was talking about, they appeared to want information on Admiral Kirk's emotional state.
"I understand, Admiral Kirk's son was killed on the Genesis planet. How did the Admiral deal with his son's death?" Captain Edwards asked.
Pavel was becoming disgusted with this line of questions, "How do you think he reacted? He vas horrified and sick vith grief but he did vhat he had always done. He put his grief aside and did vhat he had to do."
Admiral Webber looked at the other physicians and they shook their heads indicating they had no other questions. Webber buzzed for the Lieutenant and said, "That will be all Commander Chekov." As Lieutenant Spears entered Webber ordered him to escort Chekov back to the waiting area and summon Commander Sulu.