Star Fleet Fiction

by JK1701

Dustin Fields had a knack for getting into trouble.

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 anger."

"Control my anger, 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. Also gravity was 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 crossed arms.

"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 would be pistol-whipped. 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 his 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 Earth dock, 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 Earth dock?" 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 people.

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 cadets are mortally 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 gonna have a little 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 a 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 streets," 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, from the bridge, nursed a bruise on his face, "Well, I think 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 Earth dock."

"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 the 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 attacked by Gorn nimble ships. 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.

"Seductive Pause"

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, close by, the starship Rebuke was met by the Kzinti. The captain of the Burke-class ship hoped it might end peacefully. He started, "This is the U.S.S. Rebuke. My name is Greg Philips. 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 a 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 cargo pod full of treasure," one said as the gas wore off. The cat people, known as the Kzinti, took up arms to reach the pod. It was a challenge to get to the transporter.

"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 inquired 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. To know he was there elated him.

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 confront 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, the captain was getting back into shape. Mary Chase would return to her duties as the marine major. Nathan had made a home.

"The Space Patron"

Honesty motivated Dustin Fields. His superior approached him with a truth. She was so pretty that he was always nervous around her.

In a corridor, she began, "Good morning. You serve below as Lieutenant Dustin Fields."

"This is true," he responded with people in the corridor with them. "How does this affect me?"

Mary Chase smiled at him, "Change of orders from Star Fleet. You've been promoted."

"We are on schedule to return to Earth dock as soon as possible," Mary told him.

Realizing something, "That's why the captain told the crew shore leave was coming."

"Good luck," she said to Dustin as she shook his hand. Just then, what felt like weapons struck them leaving a big hole in the U.S.S. Bode.

As everyone ran to their posts, Mary heard a message, "Captain! Defectors have been hit!"

"I thought we were at warp five."

On the bridge, Commander Selok asked upon arrival, "What has happened in here?"

A yeoman spoke, "The navigational deflectors were not as solid as we thought they were. We were simply going too fast."

"Why?" Captain Nathan Parks asked. Then he recalled each and every battle.

There was a silence.

The ship came out of warp hard and fell into the atmosphere of a deadly planet.

"Captain," the ship's doctor expressed.

With a bump on his head, he replied, "Get those shields up! I read a hole on deck seven! Give me status on each deck! Yes, doctor."

"We have wounded here," she began. "Is there anything you need? You hurt, Captain?"

"I'm alright here," he looked to Selok. "We are starting to explore the planet."

In spacesuits, Selok commanded a team. One was Marine Dustin Fields. Doctor Dede Smith was also coming with them, "Here we are."

"There's nothing here," Dede said as the three started to walk around the planet surface.

Something hit the commander. It was a spear lodged in his shoulder, "Are you alright?"

"I'm prone on the ground," Selok spoke.

Lieutenant Fields fired at the primitives who attacked the Vulcan he served under. The doctor noticed, "Selok, my communicator won't operate on this planet. Why could we not foresee this?"

"All our power was in life-support," he told his command with a spear in his shoulder.

Meanwhile, on the Bode, Captain Parks was treated in the transporter room. He had to strike a burn victim to make it to the controls, "Shall we activate an interplanetary distress beacon?"

Dustin asked, "Doctor, could you show me an image of my starship before I die?"

She took out her tricorder and said, "Sure. It's the Callaghan-class U.S.S. Delta. Look."

"Thank you," he began. "Now I have to take the spear out before we get eaten or something."

Dede quickly stated, "But he's still wearing his spacesuit, Marine. It's not a good idea."

"Trust me," the man said. He pulled it out with the assistance of the wounded first officer.

Suddenly, they were transported back to the Bode with the malfunction in Selok's suit. It had a chip inside for times like these.

Gas had filled his lungs. Dustin asked while the medics came, "How did you locate us?"

"As his suit failed," Nathan Parks replied in an assuring voice, "it told us where you were."

In Earth dock, the police escort was hailed on an open channel, "You must rescue a Ptolemy-class ship that has collided with a rock."

"Why am I going to do that?" the acting captain replied. He was not ready to go anywhere.

Being with a skeleton crew, the response was lazily simple, "One of your marines is there."

U.S.S. Bode was in trouble, "We are clear for departure. The rest we'll handle later."

In the sickbay, Commander Selok was stable after they were picked up by the Delta. He healed in record time. It was indicative of his race.

"Honor the Sphere"

He was a department head on the Delta. It was of the Callaghan-class. Dustin Fields served as a marine. His captain dined with him.

"Your old captain retired after the destruction of the Bode," Eric Flint noted at the table.

Dustin Fields responded, "You know, he struck a person in every mission he went on."

With the sound of his voice, officers moved to other parts of the lounge. They did not like the idea that Nathan Parks could be Thor.

"What?" Dustin asked. He merely stated a truth and had a pet peeve about being shunned. He, as a marine, had to defend his old captain.

It didn't last long. He was outnumbered ten to one. With his head down, Lieutenant Fields entered a cell in the brig. His captain spoke, "Your skills are noted. But only start fights you can win."

He saw the other officers in the fight enter the cell next door to him. Hatred formed there.

For starting the fight, Dustin was never to be promoted again. He assumed the captain liked him and always wanted him as a marine.

He fell asleep. When he woke, a disruptor was in his face. Holding it was a Klingon female, "I am Kur. You will come with me."

Dustin spoke, "I will take you to the bridge. You must have been locked out of there."

He paused to see the ones in the cell next to him lifeless and dead. Kur told him, "My ship returns in five hours, human. It is the I.K.C. Smite."

Bodies were everywhere. Klingons carried the fight, but deck one had not been taken.

By the time they got there, Dustin summed up the strength to claim his freedom, "Please tell me that's a Star Fleet officer."

"Yes, Captain," he responded. "The U.S.S. Delta still fights. Do you need anything—"

The half dead Captain Eric Flint was sitting in his chair when he pulled him close, "I need you to lock the bridge and drive the ship back home."

He did as he was told. They would make it back to Federation space before it was too late.

Eventually, the crew of the Delta took back the ship from the Klingon boarding parties.

Kur held her head up as she entered the same cell she found Dustin, "Marine, I'm the head of our department. What is your name?"

"Sean Brink, sir," a proud corporal spoke as he loaded the brig with more Klingons.

"Okay," Kur began. "I'll confess. I was sent into battle to locate a sphere which assures victory in every conflict. You must have it, I'm sure."

Dustin paused, "Do you see this? It's a disruptor drained of power. And you're going to tell me this was all for a Klingon lucky charm."

"If we do not return with it," she started, "the next warship I will have is a freighter."

Sean added, "One named Lucky Charm."

"Exactly," she continued. She believed all she need do was stare to make her problems disappear until her beloved warship came to her rescue.

"All you had to do was say please, and we might have given you a fake sphere."

The crew was so small it could barely operate at warp speed. And it had limited weapons.

Soon they would return to Earth dock. It was the time to talk about the sphere, "From what I see here, they're looking for a ball, Captain."

"Could it be that simple?" Sean asked him.

"It never is with the Klingons," Dustin said to everyone in the room. "It has to be a special Earth ball. Let's give them a baseball then."

In the brig, they prayed for release. The marine company approached the Klingons with a ball, "We have your sphere. Please ward off your F5 frigate before it comes back to kill us."

"Let us out," Kur ordered. "Beam us to our ship to fight once more. Give us the sphere."

Marine Fields handed them a baseball made from a material fabricator, "Here it is. And there's only one in the whole universe. Peace be with you and all of mankind. Let's both shake hands."

"Thank you," Kur said to him.

In the end, it was a victory for the Delta. Dustin Fields was never promoted again. It was their time to count the dead and lick their wounds.

"Independent Man"

It would be quite a day for the Callaghan-class starship. As a police escort, the Delta needed to be aware that Orion borders fluctuate.

"Report," Captain Eric Flint stressed to the one that would be his first officer. He requested Selok and got him fresh from medical leave.

Pausing, "Captain, we are coming up on a large freighter adrift in a nearby system."

"Lieutenant Commander Owi-Ben, can it be an option – getting to the large freighter?" the captain asked the Andorian at the helm.

With an assertive voice, he replied, "If we enter the Orion Syndicate, and retrieve it, we can."

The captain only wanted to do this if it was a Federation freighter. Down below, Fields and Brink drank synthetic alcohol together, "The U.S.S. Delta is a nimble ship? That helps in battle."

"Lock tractor beam to carry the large freighter back into our space," ordered the captain.

Owi-Ben responded, "Freighter Cherry Boy has been locked onto our course at impulse."

"Dede Smith here," the ship's doctor said over the intercom. "Selok and I require the entire marine squad of four for the next mission."

They came from the transporter room. It was required to wear spacesuits, "Life-support has been turned off. We have to find the engine room."

"Move out," Dustin Fields stated to Sean Brink and two privates. He had feelings of fear.

"I can restore gravity to the Cherry Boy," Selok said to himself. "Gravity is turned on."

"Look out!" Doctor Smith cried as a very large beast from the cargo bay attacked. It smelled the fear in Dustin Fields. Sean fired a phaser.

The beast tore a hole in his spacesuit. Doctor Smith ran to treat Dustin's wounds. Selok was the one to find engineering, "It's here."

"I found the main console," he said as the three marines surrounded Selok to guard him.

The medical officer spoke, "I must beam back to the Delta to care for Dustin Fields. You guys can survive without a doctor on the team."

As she beamed back, Selok moved for the main engineering console. It exploded. The marines came to his aid, "Are you alright, Commander?"

"What's going on there?" the captain asked in curiosity. Eric was still on the bridge.

"Beam the first officer back. I must remain to secure the Cherry Boy until you send a repair team to come down here and fix this."

Later, Sean Brink went into sickbay to see his friend Dustin, "Hey, Dusty. How are you?"

"Fine, man," he stated. Then, as a reaction, the doctor lost the patient. He started to twitch.

"What did you do?" Dede inquired of him in her office as the dead marine was put on ice.

"I don't know," he replied. His head was down as he felt great shame in the matter.

Looking at her computer, she returned, "It says here, you did not change clothes."

"I'll do that now," he said quickly returning to the bunk he shared. He cried real tears.

Eric Flint wanted to speak to him. The captain talked to next of kin. He was in his quarters.

"Come in corporal. I'm almost done."

"Ma'am," the captain began, "your son is not in trouble. He was leading a mission and—"

"Oh, that's wonderful. I knew he would make something of himself," she started to show pictures from his childhood. "You're Nathan Parks?"

"I'm sorry. He's dead," Eric replied. "He was on another ship and slowly passed on."

"So I don't hear from my husband, and now I've lost the very person he warned about Star Fleet in the first place," she cried. "I'm going to sue."

He felt a smile, "You do that."

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Sean said as he expected the worst from the captain.

"Sit down, soldier," the man told him lighting a cigar to respect the dead. "I want to know what to do with you. Do you, yourself, have any ideas?"

The marine took full responsibility for actions resulting in the death of his friend. He was forced to take on the medal of his superior officer.

The End