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
Chapter 8
Fleet Commander Cartwright slowly walked back toward the guest quarters where the Enterprise officers were detained. He quietly wondered how he had totally lost control of the situation. "It still amazes me how Kirk always comes out smelling like a rose. During his five-year mission, he always seemed to turn the worse situations to his benefit. He had accepted a ground assignment and promotion then V'ger came along and command of the Enterprise is given to him again. He steals the Enterprise and breaks every rule in the book and what happens? When he heads back to Earth, he manages to save the Earth by time traveling to the past to get two whales. Now the Federation Council will decide his fate, just because I threatened to invade Mt. Selaya. I gambled the Vulcans would refuse to protect a group of humans. Well I can gain control again. Once the Council makes their decision, I will use the information gained by Webber to destroy Kirk if the Council is lenient. And, if they aren't lenient I will use the info to put him away for the rest of his life. Once Kirk's gone, my worries are over."
Fleet Commander Abe Cartwright climbed the steps to return to his office. And as he came even with the buildings, he caught a movement in the shadows. His training kicked in as he jumped to the side in anticipation of someone accosting him. "It's only me, Cartwright," Admiral Webber stepped out into the light.
"Derrick, you nearly got your head knock off. What do you think you are doing skulking around in the shadows? You should have just called me." Cartwright pushed Webber closer to the building. Being seen with the head of Starfleet Medical did not fit into his plans at this point.
"The last thing we need is a trail of communication logs showing we have talked . . . frequently." Webber moved even closer to the building he doubted anybody could tell who he was as the fog had moved in land but he wasn't taking any chances. "Okay, update me and then we can get out of here." Cartwright kept an eye on the walkway but no one was coming.
"At this point, I think we can build a good case for Kirk being mentally incompetent. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get my hands on his psych scans. I was hoping to be able to doctor them but Admiral T'San interfered. He volunteered to obtain the scans and I couldn't come up with a reason to say no."
"Webber you were supposed to handle this." Admiral Cartwright's expression revealed his displeasure.
"I'm handling it. But, Vulcans can out logic anyone." Cartwright had moved closer and Webber backed up until he could feel the rough brick of the building.
Cartwright grabbed Webber's shirt and shoved him hard against the wall. "You remember, if I go down so do you. I have enough on you to take you with me."
Webber shoved Cartwright hard enough to make him let go of his shirt. "Listen to me, Abe. I'm doing all I can. I told you not to threaten to invade Vulcan and so did half of your staff. But, you wouldn't listen to me or anyone."
"Just don't forget Kirk needs to go down and I mean hard." Cartwright turned on his heel and headed off into the night. Webber looked around and made sure no one was watching and headed in the opposite direction.