STAR TREK

"The Garbage Scow"

Dustin Fields failed at his cadet cruise. But no one ever failed the Academy. The cadet became a marine ready to meet Nathan Parks.

"Why did you do it?" inquired the dean.

"I was weighing my options," he told him. "The Kobiashi Maru is a civilian ship."

"So," he then replied, "you failed to grasp the meaning behind the test. You have violated General Order One."

Raising a finger, "Learn all that is learnable? I was trying to save lives."

"Is this guy kidding?" a student said.

"It was a civilian ship within Klingon space," the cadet said with desperation. "It was practically a garbage scow!"

"With life aboard, sir."

"Violating the zone means war!"

"Then you've failed the test. But I'm putting you on the U.S.S. Bode none the less."

"Of the Ptolemy-class?" replied Dustin. "I sense that I have bad grades."

"Yes, and you'll repeat your cadet cruise," he quickly responded.

With a smile, "Sure, why not."

"Something else," he returned with his head in some papers. "You must control your temper."

"Control my temper, sir?"

"Yes," commanded the dean.

"I thought I do," the cadet said headed out the door to perform his mission.

Students in the classroom spoke, "Why do you think he failed to act?"

"If the Kobiashi Maru was real, we would all be dead," one stated.

"Let's hope that day never comes," another responded.

"I thought this was combat training," smiled the young officer.

"Nice joke, Marine. It is."

Klaxons sounded, "Red alert!"

The cadet looked up to state, "Are we under attack already?"

"Lock yourselves in your quarters," the captain ordered of everyone. "This is not a drill. An unknown threat is coming our way."

Always with the jokes, the cadet said, "What's an unknown?"

"Ha!"

"Seriously?" he joked further. "Bunks for four?"

One said, "You know, when I get out of this, I'm going to Rigley's Pleasure Planet."

As he floated, Dustin responded, "I'm going to Cignet Fourteen."

"Just pass the air," an officer told them.

By the time it was done, they had lost power to replicators. Gravity was also not working. They were attacked by a Doomsday Machine.

"Captain Nathan Parks here," he stressed in the desperate attempt to save lives.

"Star Fleet responding."

Under duress, he explained, "U.S.S. Bode was on a simple cadet cruise when, all of a sudden, a Doomsday Machine flew right by us."

"Can we make a visual?"

"Yes, Star Fleet."

A two-way image was created. Everyone began to laugh. Wiping the sweat from his brow, the captain said, "This is not funny."

"I've got an idea," Dustin Fields expressed after a silence.

"What are you doing?" asked his superior.

"I know where we can get power," the hero replied. "I need a spacesuit."

The chief engineer, Rush Logan, said in terror, "Shawn Thompson, status, please."

"I'm sorry," he mournfully said. "These children are going to die."

"Check the power levels again," he forced as they floated.

"That takes power," the honest man said. "Sir, I don't think we're going to make it."

Equally as mournful, "Then tell everyone it's time to say goodbye to their loved ones."

They moved to get the order out. Then the cadet appeared in a spacesuit.

"Cadet," it was spoken, "identify yourself."

"Dustin Fields," he replied. "From security."

"Take off the helmet," Rush Logan said with a look of contempt and arms crossed.

"Oh," he replied. "I have a plan."

"A…plan," it was said.

He started, "Well, more like a suggestion. If we dump the warp core, the engines might still work."

For the sake of the crew, and his engines, the chief engineer asked, "Dump the warp core?"

"It could work," an ensign stated. "We have a navigational deflector. If we entered full impulse with it on, we could get back home."

"Thompson," he ordered the helmsman.

"Yes, sir?"

He said with a smile, "You have permission to save the ship."

"Yes, sir!" he responded with a salute.

"This is the shortest cadet cruise I've ever been on," the cadet responded.

"Plan on being assigned here," became the response.

"Star Fleet wants him back," said the dean.

"Why?" the captain inquired.

"He saved your ship," he smiled. "We're giving him a party whether he likes it, or not."

Nathan Parks coldly turned off the viewer.

"I don't think you can force him to stay," his yeoman said.

"Why?" he replied.

"Because he's standing right behind you," she directed with a pen.

After a thought, "Then put him in the brig. I will not tolerate decent in my command."

"What the hell are you doing?" a cadet spoke. "Hey, I'm talking to you, soldier!"

He was punched in the head. The cadet hit the floor and fell unconscious.

"You're mad!" another cadet on the bridge stated. "You're responsible for this. The great Captain Nathan Parks thinks he can kill his own."

"Do you want to be next?" he said pointing a phaser at him.

Meanwhile, back in the brig, someone was already there, "What are you in for?"

"I don't know," he said with his head down.

"My story is a little different," she replied.

"I would love to hear it," he said with wonder.

"I am the captain's yeoman," she started. "Or, at least, I was before this cadet cruise."

"Okay," he said. "I think the mistake I made was listening to my father when he suggested I join Star Fleet Academy."

"Release him and put him in munitions," the captain stressed. "This never happened."

McCoy, at Spacedock, spoke, "We have to gas the bridge."

"How do you know?" was the question.

"Someone has been pistol-whipped by the captain," he answered.

"In Spacedock?" one said. "Go."

Another shouted, "Sir, there are cadets on the bridge!"

"Just trying to save lives."

Later, in a Star Fleet courtroom, Captain Kirk was there fresh from a classified battle where he lost one of his officers.

Records exposed the truth to the court. He demanded, "Is that what happened?"

"Yes, sir."

"This is not a game, Marine," he told him. "Five of your comrades are wounded!"

"I know. I was there," the response was.

Throwing up his hands, he cried, "I give up."

The judge stated, "For all I care, Dustin, you can serve on any ship you want."

His father was disappointed. He failed to prove Star Fleet was not the way.

The court was surprised, "Nathan Parks, you are on extended leave for what you did."

"I choose to take the leave on my ship," he answered in anticipation.

"I'd like to serve on the Bode," Dustin said in the end. "How about that party?"

"Why are you upset, Jim?" his doctor stated.

"I've never lost a fight in my life – both of them must have been related."

"How?" McCoy inquired.

"I can tell," he replied as he flipped open his communicator to speak.

"Star Fleet, repair the Bode, slowly."

"Yes, sir."

"Then give Dustin Fields another attempt at the Kobiashi Maru," Jim ordered with his communicator closing. "I'm going to have some fun."

"Come on, man," an instructor said. "How often do you go to the gym?"

"Not as much as this," the cadet noted as he failed his last pushup.

"Take Dustin Fields out of line," a female officer commanded.

She handed him papers, "You have orders from Star Fleet to redo the Kobiashi Maru."

He was ready to try the no-win scenario again and would do his best.

"Zone secure," a cadet spoke. "We're in the Neutral Zone. Ready for orders."

"Prepare to beam them out."

"Captain," one cried, "it's a fake signal."

"I was ready for this," spoke the acting captain. "Signal our surrender."

"Captain Kirk," he added as the captain came onto the bridge with an apple.

Then it got real, "As to be expected, you have galactically failed this test. It's a combat test, not a test of logic."

"You passed it?" he asked him.

"Yes, I did. Did you enjoy being referred to as captain, Marine?" Jim asked.

"Very much so," Dustin Fields said with a smile.

"I don't see it in your future. But you may act as a munitions officer on this ship."

"I am honored," he told him.

The Enterprise captain said as he entered the turbolift, "Thanks for wasting my time."

It was a big achievement. And, with a smile, he changed into his uniform.

"McCoy, sir?" a cadet inquired of the doctor.

"Yes. Just lay still," he returned.

"You are the best doctor in the galaxy," he replied. "To what do I owe this honor?"

"None deserve to die like this," Lenard said as he treated him.

Another victim asked, "Are you going to save the captain, too? What about him?"

"I will meet him on the street," he said leaving the room. It was realized the doctor was upset at the captain for some reason.

For the first time in his life, Dustin Fields felt like he was able to confront his father.

He hugged him instead. He was tugging on his shirt when a female voice coming from behind the officer said, "Hello, Dustin Fields."

"You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard," he started. "I mean, what's your name?"

"Gloria Dawson," the voice said. "I have been assigned to your command."

"I have been to Germany," he began. "I have been to France. I have been to the Benelux. I dream of New York. But you are my new favorite place."

With a smile, "Is that an order, sir?"

"God loves the fleet," he was quoted as saying as he embraced her.

Nathan Parks, on the bridge, nursed a bruise on his face, "Well, I believe we have accomplished our mission. Is my ship ready?"

"Yes, Captain," Commander Selok said onto him. "Repairs are complete."

"Good," he smiled. "Thrusters ahead."

"Thrusters ahead," the navigator informed him. "Leaving Spacedock."

"Engage," he said as he rose.

With a beauty pass, U.S.S. Bode launched into warp speed. Its mission would invariably continue. For king and country, the United States Starship had a mission to perform in the depths of space.

"Noble but Useless"

Nathan Parks carried the rank of captain on the stalwart U.S.S. Bode. It was a tug that had been damaged in battle. It needed repair.

A traveling therapist beamed aboard to say to an engineer, "God, I love to hate this job. But it pays very well. What do you think, kind sir?"

"I think you're under arrest," he returned as he tapped his badge. "Like your work."

As the therapist was cuffed, he stated, "You should tell my Q-ship to leave without me."

"There is nothing I'd rather do," the engineer smiled contacting the bridge. "The therapist for our wounded has been put in custody."

On the bridge, the message was redirected to sickbay. It was the ship's safest place.

"Put in custody?" inquired the captain. "I'm in need of him here. The Klingons killed many."

His smile faded, "I do not think he is up to the challenge. He cursed our wounded men."

Meanwhile, Nathan Parks went back to work in sickbay as he was with an injured crewman, "Your friends told me you like to play cards."

He replied with warmth, "Not really, sir. Look on the backs of the cards."

"Oh," the captain said cocking an eye. "There are naked women on the backs."

He gave the cards back to the patient. It was intensive care on the Ptolemy-class ship.

"Okay," the captain said. "Here it is. We have to send you home. Your injury needs a closer look."

The patient became violently ill. He had been hit with delta rays, "Don't send me back! My career started only a few years ago."

"You're going back home!" Nathan cried as he held the ensign in his arms. "You will be given better attention at a starbase."

In the brig, they did not see the new prisoner as much of a threat. He still had his tricorder. He used it to interact with a computer.

Downloading information, he had been known to escape from brigs. In this case, it would not be difficult. That deck had a hull fracture.

For this man, a brig was cobbled together. In medical garb, he performed an escape.

He was foiled. The captain struck him with his fist, "On my ship, I will not arrest you twice."

There was a hearing. It was clear they were dealing with a hacker. His name was not known, "I want answers. What is your hacker alias?"

"Then what?" he asked as he smiled like the Cheshire Cat. "I get sent to prison?"

Pauses took place around the table. Captain Nathan Parks used a computer, "Computer, what is the device our visitor brought with him?"

"It is a medical tricorder used by Star Fleet."

The Vulcan first officer spoke up, "Who is the tricorder issued out to, computer?"

"A Star Fleet hacker by the name Loki."

"Hey," the therapist pointed out. "You got the name wrong. My real hacker name is…oh."

It had become clear they were dealing with a skilled liar, "Selok, did you study the tricorder?"

"Yes, Captain," the first officer stated. "He was downloading intelligence from a computer with the intent to escape in one of our shuttles."

"Then why would he steal a tricorder? It does not make any sense. He would get caught."

"Exactly," the Vulcan told him. He was known to be honest to a fault. It confused him.

As he was being cuffed, he said, "I think I like the name Loki. After I become a solid citizen, I do believe that name will retire me."

"Good for you," Nathan Parks said with a smile as security escorted him out the door.

As the cuffs got uncomfortable, he turned to the captain and told him, "This does not make us friends, though. Not by a longshot."

Rubbing his hand, the fist he used to strike him with started to hurt, "Captain?"

"I have to do some research in my cabin," he responded. "Our guest looks familiar."

The captain was kicking himself in the head on this one. He knew Star Fleet would never convict. He once saw him on the news as a war hero.

"Master Revealed"

In deep space, the Bode was faced with the Gorn Hegemony. There was a ship stalking them. In time, talk of total war would take place.

"Working," a computer stated. "Gorn cruisers have sacked three systems. They reported it as an accident. This started three days ago."

Hearing of this, Captain Nathan Parks turned to the Vulcan first officer, Selok, "What do the Gorn have against the Federation anyway? This ship has orders to destroy trespassers."

"New orders coming in, Captain," Selok said to the helpless officer. He was getting nervous.

"Enter the attacked space by request of a Gorn ambassador," he read. "The stalking ship will make contact with us as soon as possible."

"Deliberations?" Nathan inquired. "That makes no sense. They have sacked us three times."

The Bode always followed every order to the letter. It made its way to the Gorn border.

Once they got there, a Metron appeared before the captain on the bridge. There was a pause.

Standing up, the captain negotiated, "Please tell me you're the ambassador whose coming was foretold. At least, tell us your name."

Selok, with a tricorder in hand, stated, "It's a Metron, Captain. We have records of them."

"What is a Metron?"

With a smile, the humanoid dressed in silver said onto him, "Your question will be answered when you touch my cloak. It activates a teleporter."

"No. I will not."

He vanished anyway, "Captain! Put the ship on red alert, Thompson. We have to find him."

The superior teleporter of the Gorn took them to the stalking ship. The Metron explained, "This is the brig of a Gorn frigate. I cannot tell you its name for security reasons."

"You mean, you will let me go?" Captain Parks responded in relief. Guards were outside.

"If you're lucky," he continued. "Would you like to see the captain? She's on deck one."

"Yes, take me to the captain."

Upon arriving on the bridge, it was a Metron female in command. It was obvious. On a leash, she had a baby Gorn as she sat in her chair.

"Helmsman Thompson, take us on a course into Gorn space," Selok said as the first officer.

"Yes, sir," he responded rubbing sweat from his brow. They engaged engine power.

The chief engineer contacted the bridge via intercom, "Repaired engines turned on."

Selok responded, "The bridge thanks you, Rush Logan. Ready phasers and prepare to fire."

Meanwhile, on the Gorn starship, "So this is a frigate in your fleet? Looks nice."

"Yow, Nathan," the Metron said. "Pay attention to me. I am offering you peace between us."

"I think not," Nathan replied. Just as he made this claim, the Gorn people got upset. He was at the center of the room ready to die.

He continued, "Why did you sack three of our systems? That's why I'm here this hour."

The Metron stated, "It was an attack that the others in our race would like to forget. The attacks cost us six ships. Humans fight with hate."

"What do you propose?" he asked. Guards were standing over him ready to defend the two.

The Metrons looked toward one another. Then the female said, "If you defeat the baby Gorn at the foot of my chair, we will let you go."

Nathan Parks looked at the screen to see his command being attacked by Gorn needles. It was then the baby Gorn was freed. It was struck by the human in midair.

Captain Parks was bitten in the arm when he was not looking. The whole bridge watched as the captain took the beast by the collar and hurled him into the viewing screen.

"Ouch!" he said in horrible pain.

This did not make the Gorn happy. They were reaching for their disruptors. With the wave of his hand, the Metron halted them, "Captain, I will take care of your injury. This conflict is over."

Once he was treated by the Metrons, he was treated by his own crew. Sensors were found in the rattled man. Nathan craved shore leave.

"Paws of Crime"

On an ordinary mission within the dark abyss of space, the U.S.S. Bode carried a pod. It traveled at low warp speeds. Tugs did this for cargo.

"Are we going to be on time, Commander?" the captain asked the Vulcan first officer.

"Yes," he spoke. "For once, we are on time. Our cargo will reach its destination."

"Good," the captain responded. "I am going to take a bath. Ensign Mara Clark, you will care for the bridge until I get back."

Meanwhile, not too far, the U.S.S. Rebuke was met by the Kzinti. The captain of the Burke-class ship hoped it might end peacefully. He started, "This is the starship Rebuke. I am Justin Drake. Please respond – why are you in our space?"

"We come baring gifts, Earthman," spoke the leader of those catlike people.

As the Kzinti came on board, helmets and all, it became necessary to lead them to deck one.

"We offer you a truce between us," one Kzinti said. "All you have to do is brake this seal."

The captain inquired, "You mean, all I must do is open this treaty and we are allies?"

"No, Captain," his yeoman and wife said. "It's a trap. Peace does not come so easy."

It was too late. He already broke the seal. Gas came out, killing the bridge crew. The Kzinti took control of the ship by gassing all decks.

Back on the Bode, the captain returned from his bath. Taking command again, Selok said to the captain, "Nathan, the Rebuke is off course."

"Send it a message to help."

"There is no response," Selok spoke. "They are coming right for us, though."

Panting, Nathan Parks replied, "Put them on the screen. And remember to raise shields."

The superior frigate opened fire upon the tug carrying a pod. The cargo was their goal. They made tactical hits on all vital systems.

The bridge exploded. The captain came to his yeoman's aid. She was dead. Nathan ordered, "Drop the pod. Enter warp for base station."

Helmsman Shawn Thompson didn't waste time on the order. He quickly obeyed the captain.

The Kzinti spoke to each other, "Why? Why does our enemy not attack us?"

"They left their pod. It's full of treasure," one said in response. As the gas was wearing off, the cat people, known as the Kzinti, took up arms to get to the cargo. It was a fight to get there.

"Nathan Parks, we saw the moments of your battle. This is K-7. Beam to my office, alone."

The captain was in trouble. Upon arrival, repair of the ship began. He did as he was told. He went to the office of the man in charge.

"How are things going in the lucrative base station business," the captain smiled. "I hope you are always busy. Still orbiting the Federation?"

"Don't patronize me," he barked. "According to our scans, you gave up a pod just like that!"

Nathan didn't enjoy being snapped at. He had a defense, "What about the frigate that was stolen from the Federation? You must find it."

"Go to hell," the man in charge told him. Then security took the captain by force to the brig for one whole day. Selok and the crew were given rest on the station. They took it as shore leave.

The Vulcan lied to save his captain, "It was a pseudo pod. There was no actual cargo."

"Okay," he responded. "I'll remove him from custody tomorrow. He's a free man."

As they shook hands, Selok explained, "It is a fact that the Kzinti may be floating around without gravity, lifeless, as we speak."

In the main lounge, the men and women of the starship Bode were enjoying themselves.

Gloria Dawson raised her glass, "To the captain of our ship, the founder of this leave."

"Yeah," Dustin Fields complied. "I would do as she says. She outranked me in no time."

They toasted to the captain knowing he was in the brig. He walked into the room.

He was redeemed and promised to keep the cargo pod a secret between him and Selok. But, to remain honest, he struck the first officer.

"Prime Universe"

It was Star Fleet Headquarters. For the crime of striking his first officer, Nathan Parks had been sentenced to two years. It was done.

"Where are you going to go?" Selok asked as he left the brig. He was being sincere.

"I'm out of Star Fleet," he tearfully said. "I have to make another home in space."

Nearby, a hacker was going up and down the corridors begging anyone for the name Loki. As a matter of fact, he had been caught several times selling information to the Romulans.

"I must have this alias!" the hacker said. "I'm not exactly changing my real, legal name."

Star Fleet responded once more, "That name was already taken as a hacker alias."

He had been doing this for months.

Star Fleet sent a message to the U.S.S. Bode so that they could pick up their former captain. Its marine major had become the new captain.

"Mary Chase here," the captain replied to the message sent by the massive starbase.

"Captain, the reason we are contacting you is for the sake of your former captain. You have orders to take him home and off our hands."

Always with a smile, she stated, "We will dock at once. Helm, take us inside."

The chief engineer, Rush Logan, was ready for shore leave just like everyone else.

"Yes, sir," he said looking back at her.

At Star Fleet Headquarters, the hacker with no name asked, "Might I change my real name?"

"Yes, but I don't think that's legal," she said. "I will have to do a background check."

As the hacker was waiting, he thought he was in trouble. He did not have a good record. He had the uncontrollable urge to snack.

She came back to tell him, "It's okay. Your son is a rather skilled Star Fleet officer."

"Me, too," he leaned over to tell her.

It was a total lie. The innocent woman fell for it anyway. With access to a computer, his son was found there. It elated him to be aware.

He heard from a computer, "Dustin Fields, you must halt your repairs and transport over."

"Big station," he mumbled under his breath.

As he gathered up all his things, the message would go on to say, "Your father is here."

"I'll get to it," he said. Dustin signed away the day to meet his father. It had been a while.

"Are you here to challenge me with honor," a certain former captain cried with intent to kill the hacker with a phaser. He blamed him for the things that changed in the last two years.

"I used to not have a legal name," he then replied to the challenge. "But my hacker alias has always been Thor. You see, I don't care."

"If that was true," Nathan spoke, "I could have been a fleet admiral by the time I was born."

"Put on a spacesuit and fight," Nathan Parks continued as gravity had made them both fools. Loki turned to Dustin Fields. He would speak.

"I think I should kill him," he told him. "There is a phaser inside my pocket. It's set to vaporize."

They put on their suits. Dustin would close the airlock. He knew that his father would win.

They ran at each other with fists. Loki meant to kill him. Nathan dodged a bolt by jumping with his fist smashing the helmet of his attacker.

Nathan Parks was beamed to the Bode while the captain asked, "You killed a terrorist with that move? Computer, give me a channel to Star Fleet Headquarters. I want to talk to them."

"What do you think you are doing? We have found a body floating outside our window. It was a murder committed by Nathan Parks."

"I demand that he be reinstated as the captain of the U.S.S. Bode. You said to take him home," she continued. "My crew is united on this one."

"If you don't," Captain Mary Chase started, "I will self-destruct and take all of you with me."

"Standby," Star Fleet replied. "Yes."

In the gym, Nathan Parks was getting back into shape. Mary Chase would return to her duties as marine major of the United States Starship. With the stars before them, the two found a home.

The End