Chapter 509

INTERIOR VIEWING DECK

SPACEDOCK 1

IN ORBIT AROUND EARTH

Nogura used an oversized pair of scissors to cut the ribbon. "We now declare Spacedock 1 in service. Job very well done." The crowd clapped. Nogura took a pen out and signed the scissors and passed them around to be signed by the dignitaries.

Spacedock 1 was Starfleet's most ambitious project yet. It was essentially a large hangar bay, however the word large was underestimated. Huge, gargantuan would be better. The bay was essentially circular, about two miles across and a half mile tall. Starfleet could dock several starships inside in a protected area at once with plenty of room to spare. The advantage was that the bay was pressurized and work could be done in relatively light suits. The pressure was only 5PSI but it was enough for just a breather to be used. Astronauts for centuries had spacewalked with suit pressures of 5PSI with no problems. The breathers were mostly 100% oxygen, and the bay was pressurized with Helium, a very plenteous noble gas that was not chemically reactive to anything. This allowed the building of starships or repair of starships to be done in almost a shirtsleeve environment. The workers would still wear some protective gear, but they did not have to wear and work in bulky pressure suits. This also allowed turn time for damaged ships to be greatly reduced. At least that is the theory.

The Secretary of Starfleet said, "Any questions?"

The GNN news reporter asked, "How is the investigation into the USS Wisconsin's violation of the Prime Directive progressing?"

The Secretary inwardly cringed. He smiled graciously and said, "I'll let Admiral Nogura handle that one."

Nogura already had a small smile on his face before the question was asked, and did not change his features at all. It was hard to not react, as the implication of the questions was to be for the new facility. Reporters, they are worse than sharks. At least sharks will bite on what you want them to.

"A review board conducted here at Starfleet headquarters has determined that the Wisconsin has acted in accordance with the Prime Directive, no wrongdoing was done by the crew." Nogura answered.

The reporter pressed, "That is already known. What about the Mission to Maghreb?"

Nogura raised an eyebrow. This is a new tack. "I'm afraid I don't follow you."

"The Prime Directive violation that was done on that mission. The interference in Maghreb society. The overt display of our superior technical power to a primitive society."

Nogura said, "That matter is under review. We will publish the board's findings when they are complete. Are there any questions on this new facility?"

The GNN reporter pressed, "Admiral, how is Starfleet going to explain these incidents with the Starfleet oversight committee?"

"That will be handled if they ask those questions."

A different reporter asked, "What is the official status on the missing ships?"

Nogura smiled inwardly, the cover story must be sold well. "We are not in contact with four ships. I am not of course at liberty to say where they were when we lost contact with them. Starfleet is of course doing everything possible to regain contact with them and we are sympathetic to the families." Nogura's new aide made a small motion that signaled high priority. "I'm afraid I must be on my way, please enjoy our hospitality and our new facility. Mr. Secretary." Nogura gave a curt nod to the secretary who nodded back.

Nogura walked up to his aide, who said, "The President wants you to report immediately to his office. He sounded very mad."

Nogura let a smile come through. The information chain was very short. This was good news. "Right on time, let us go. It is not good to keep the President waiting. Please inform our friends the operation is underway."

FEDERATION PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

PARIS

The President's Chief-of-Staff ushered in Nogura and his aide. The President did not even offer them to sit. "Nogura! What is this I hear that the Wisconsin is engaging in battle!"

Nogura looked at his aide and said, "You are dismissed." The aide left the room. Nogura said to the President, "I suggest you dismiss your Chief-of-Staff."

"Why? Anything you say to me you can say in front of him!"

Nogura shook his head. "That is not so sir. You no doubt have the room set to record every word I say. If you want to replay what I say to you later to your staff, you can. I offer you the option if you want to keep it within just us." Nogura kept his gaze even.

The President was suddenly chilled at Nogura's gaze. Something was unsettling about him. Nogura was always a cagey old bird, extremely intimidating when he wanted to be, but this is another aspect of Nogura's personality the President had not seen before. The option sounded good, the President looked at his Chief-of-staff and nodded. "Sir! I need to be here!"

"The Admiral is right; I am going to record this and play it back to you if needed. All of you leave us now." The Chief of staff and the others left. It was just Nogura and the President.

"Nogura, what is going on at Organia?"

"What was the reason for calling me like you did?" Nogura asked.

"I'm asking the questions here!"

"Sir, you have gotten stirred up at something. For me to handle it correctly, I need to see what you are so concerned about. Your original message said about the Wisconsin attacking?"

The President said, "I've been told that the Wisconsin is attacking the Klingons at Organia."

Nogura had thought this out previously. "I am not aware of a message about that. What message are you referring to? Do you have a copy?"

The President handed over a datapad. Nogura read it, it was Ressler's fabricated message. Nogura asked, "Where did you get this message sir?"

"I am asking the questions!"

Nogura took his communicator out and took a picture of the display screen. "Sir, you are in possession of a classified document. According to the timestamp on this document, it has been in Starfleet's possession for too short of time for proper processing. So, I ask once again, how did you get this?"

The President blinked. Nogura could see that he was surprised at that. "Sir, may I remind you that if this goes outside this room, I will be required by law to get the Justice Department involved as to how you got a classified document before processing. That could be very dangerous to your administration."

The President was cornered. Jameson was so insistent and persuasive that he got wrapped up in the fervor of the moment. The President did not want this to come out openly, it could reveal a whole lot of other problems. "You will keep it quiet?"

"If you cooperate, Starfleet will not reveal this breach as coming from you." Nogura said. He said it explicitly for the recorders in the office.

"Senator Jameson gave it to me."

"Senator Jameson is a traitor." Nogura stated.

The President felt trapped. Nogura pressed, "Just from the timestamp alone, this message proves that it has not been processed properly. Jameson got this from outside our normal communications line, that is espionage."

The President had an idea, "But the message about attacking. The Wisconsin is…."

Nogura cut him off. "This message was part of a trap, one that has unwittingly caught you in it. We have been trying to plug a leak in our secure communications, and now that is here in the office." Nogura paused for effect. "Sir, you are my superior officer. You have treated Starfleet mostly with respect; however, Senator Jameson has been using his influence to have you further his agenda. You need to stop this from happening and make decisions solely on what you think is right, not based on Senator Jameson's input. You are indicating that the leak now comes from Senator Jameson's office. You now indicate that Jameson has an illegal back-door into our computers, and that is espionage."

"But he is the head of the Starfleet oversight committee. He needs to give advice to me."

Nogura nodded, "I can accept that, but everything the Starfleet oversight committee does is on record, and this action is outside of the law."

"You are blackmailing me for your own purposes."

Nogura shook his head. "No sir, I am not. I am telling you what legally I must. I am offering you an out."

The President thought for a bit, "Are you acting alone on this? This is just your word against Senator Jameson's."

Nogura shook his head. "Sir, I hope that our experience together would indicate that I don't pursue a matter without planning it properly." The President felt a chill. What else did Nogura have up his sleeve? Nogura said, "Sir, what have you told Ambassador Nucatola about the secure file Peanutbutter?"

President Bennet's blood went cold at the mention of Peanutbutter. "Why do you ask?"

Nogura stated quietly, "There is a leak concerning the contents of that file."

"What have you done?"

"I have informed all this to whom I am required to do." Admiral Nogura stated. "Sir, please call the Senate Intelligence Committee in secure room 1."

"Why?" "They are waiting. Be careful what you say." Nogura said.

The President felt trapped. He placed the call. The screen came alive and he could see the entire committee in the secure conference room. Chairman Matt Douglas answered, "Mr. President, this is on as secure a line as we can possibly make. Thank you for calling us." Chairman Douglas was in the same party as Senator Jameson and the President. "Admiral Nogura, how is everything?"

"All is as we discussed."

Chairman Douglas said, "Very well. Mr. President, we have met to show you that Admiral Nogura is acting with cooperation of this committee, and in full compliance of the law."

"Matt! We are of the same party! You endorsed my run for President!"

Douglas said, "George! When did you first put your own interests ahead of the Federation?"

"I have not. I just made decisions that…"

The minority lead Marshall interrupted, "Could be seen as helping Jameson out. We are here to let you know that you need to distance yourself from him."

President Bennet was thinking hard. There were a lot of dealings between him and Senator Jameson, it would not be easy. How many of those dealings were illegal? On the border, maybe? Time for damage control. "I hear you. What is it you want from me?"

Douglas said, "We just want you to make decisions independent from Jameson. We will mark this point as having counseled you. All this will be classified. Further, we want to meet with you for a secure session and inform us of everything you have done at Senator Jameson's request."

"Impossible! Everyone will know something is wrong." Bennet argued.

"Not so, it will be the Chairman and myself." Marshall stated.

"And Mr. President, please do not try to use party affiliations concerning this breach. The committee is united concerning intelligence matters and if you hold back, I will sink you myself. Admiral, thank you and congratulations on your operation. Intelligence committee out." Douglas closed the channel.

Bennet looked angrily at Nogura. "I was in your plan all along?"

Nogura shook his head, "I sincerely prayed no, but had to be prepared."

The President asked, "How much else do you have on Jameson?"

Nogura stated flatly, "I can't say Mr. President."

President Bennet shakily said, "I never expected this."

The foolish never do, Nogura thought. Better to live a life that is true.

SENATOR JAMESON'S OFFICE

SENATE OFFICE BUILDING

EARTH

Gold walked into Jameson's office. "Senator, we have trouble."

Jameson looked up, "How so?"

Gold handed a datapad over. Jameson started reading it while Gold summed it up, "Cogley just arrived on Earth. First thing he did was check to see if the committee has complied with the subpoena…"

"I know which subpoena. Short answer is no. It says here that now the judge has given me 24 hours to comply. I think it's time to get my appeals filed." Jameson pushed a button. "Get me Howard Trimple."

Soon, a voice came through, "Charles, how are you doing?"

"Just fine Howard. And you?"

The jovial voice said, "Getting too much sun. I'm due back from the Caribbean. What's up?"

Jameson pushed a button, "I'm sending over that subpoena and a judicial order along with an appeal. I'd like this to go away."

Trimple's voice turned serious. "Charles, this is deep. I just cannot make it go away. Did you try to bury whatever information you do not want to give Cogley?"

Jameson shook his head, "I thought about that, and am prepared to dump so much that it'll take him a month to go through it all, but I'd like to do that as a last resort."

"What are you planning?"

Jameson smiled, "Something big, but not right now. I would like to delay giving the information over for about a month."

Trimple's voice sounded thoughtful. "Ok, you have filed with the First Circuit. I am the Head of it and can delay ruling on your appeal for about a week." "Only a week?"

"Maybe longer. First, I'll have to review the petition formally once I get back to my office." Trimple's voice was tentative. "Tomorrow."

Jameson smiled. "Good. Thank you, Howard."

"No problem. See you in a couple of days."

Jameson looked at Gold. "It's a start. What of the Wisconsin? Has the President ordered Jacobs' to be removed as Captain?"

Gold nodded. "I don't know. They just had a meeting, but I have not heard any order yet."

Jameson sat thoughtfully. "They better do it soon."

Gold reminded him. "Remember the time difference. It takes about a day to get information from Organia. Whatever has happened over there is probably over. The Wisconsin has already done what it wanted to do."

Jameson smirked. "And if they started an action, we will have what is needed to bring Starfleet to its knees. Nogura himself tasked the Wisconsin for this mission. I can get the committee to clean house."

Gold said, "We may need those people if the Wisconsin starts a war."

Jameson waved his hand, "The Organians will stop an all-out-war."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Jareau turned around, "Captain Nirf hailing us."

Jacobs was standing by the engineering station looking at the displays for damage. There were still wisps of smoke in the air, but at least they were not getting hammered by the Klingons. "On screen." Jacobs stepped down and stood in front of the helm-nav console.

Nirf's image came on the screen. "Captain Jacobs. You claim there was another ship here in the system?"

"Yes."

"A Klingon ship?"

Jacobs nodded. Simple answers probably were best. "Yes."

Nirf said, "I do not trust Federation information, the data you sent me earlier, you say it is true?"

"All the data from my ship is true. The data from the T'Pal I also trust."

Nirf shook his head, "How much do you trust it? I do not trust the T'Pal. Their Captain is pompous and full of himself. The Ambassador is from your government, and I know the Federation is not above lying."

Jacobs said, "Then disregard the T'Pal's data. We detected, shot, and hit a cloaked vessel. The size and configuration approximately fit a Bird-of-Prey, which is what the T'Pal recorded."

Nirf nodded. "You are Jup-qorDu to house of Kang?"

Jacobs nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Will you state on your honor that your recordings are true? Be aware of the consequences."

Jacobs' imagination started going wild. With Klingons, it would probably involve some ritual fight to the death, or the use of pain sticks, or worse. "What are the consequences if my data is bad?"

"You will have impugned the honor of the house of Kang. He will be required to sever ties from you." Nirf stated.

Jacobs thought. Not bad, so there must be more. Nirf continued, "In order for his honor to remain intact, he will be required to kill you."

Jacobs nodded. There is the gotcha. Nirf continued, "By dragging you to the planet Klin, chaining you to the rock of punishment in the great desert, and let the scavenging birds pluck the flesh from your bones." Ok, that is really bad.

Jacobs nodded thoughtfully. "I can say that the data from the Wisconsin has not been forged in any way, it is true. That is what I am willing to stand by."

Nirf nodded. "Very well, Captain. We too picked up an… event. Just before you set off your mines, we detected a cloaked ship that went to full impulse power. The sensor readings are consistent with a Bird-of-Prey. I also just have been warned by our ambassador on Earth that our sensor net detected a third Klingon ship in the vicinity, having arrived here before we did."

"Then why go through all the melodrama if my data was good?" Jacobs asked.

"Because I wanted to see for myself your honor." Nirf nodded. "I agree to a stand-down between us, however that cloaked ship is still in the vicinity. We have not detected it going to warp from the system."

Jacobs nodded, "It may not be possible, we hit it at least once."

"What of this weapon you observed?" Nirf asked.

"You don't know about it?" Jacobs asked. Nirf shook his head. Jacobs looked at Leonaidas, who gave a shrug as if to say, 'I don't know.'

Jacobs stepped over to the science station. "My science officer, Lt Maya will describe it."

Maya started, "The weapon is an extremely localized energy field. We did not detect any mass in it. It does not however travel fast for an energy weapon. It is faster than torpedoes, but not at the speed of subspace or light. As far as we can determine, it is an unguided weapon." Nirf nodded understanding. "The effects are to render any electrical equipment inoperable. Computers do not work, motors do not run, wiring will not even conduct electricity. From the logs of the T'Pal, the weapon when used properly can cause a catastrophic warp containment breach."

Nirf nodded. "Then you must be diligent. We will leave."

Jacobs asked, "You don't want to investigate further?"

"There is no need. We will take this information back to the Klingon Empire."

"What of the Organians?"

Nirf leaned toward the screen. "Isn't it obvious? They are no more." Jacobs raised an eyebrow while Nirf continued, "Captain, you are honorable so I will give you this. There are elements within the Empire that want war with the Federation. With the Organians gone, expect trouble."

Jacobs was thinking quickly, "Captain Nirf. You're welcome to stay. It might be better for you to stay a little while."

Nirf asked, "How so?"

"We still have that Bird-of-Prey out there. We can give mutual protection, at least until your shields regenerate." Jacobs offered.

"You would do that to someone you were just with in combat?"

Jacobs nodded, "I would, in this case."

Nirf stated, "I'm no longer a threat."

Jacobs shrugged, "I would not say that, I would say you are no longer a threat to us. With the Christpher Pike joining up, I bet that Bird-of-Prey will not pick a fight. If he does, we can fight together."

Nirf slowly smiled and started laughing. "Then we will stay for now. At least until our shields regenerate. I see why Kang chose you. Nirf out."

Jacobs nodded. He could see the Tad maneuvering into a loose formation. "JJ, call the Pike. Ask them to form up on us. We still need to protect ourselves from Klingon -3. Staff meeting in fifteen minutes in the briefing room. Leo, you have the conn." Jacobs got up and entered the turbolift, Octavian followed.

Leonaidas got up and sat down in the command chair, someone replaced his spot at operations.

Santini looked at Leonaidas with a knowing look. Leonaidas gave a look back of exasperation. "Remember the time when we could easily identify our enemies?"

Santini nodded. Leonaidas continued, "This trying to figure out who is the good Klingon and who is the bad is going to give me grey hair."

Octavian looked at Jacobs, "You look beat."

Jacobs shrugged, "Everybody is beat. We cannot let our guard down now." Jacobs pushed a button on the turbolift. "Sickbay."

Octavian said, "You should get some rest."

"Not yet. You know we cannot rest just yet."

Octavian nodded. "An old battle axiom, you are at the greatest vulnerability just after a great victory."

"Napolean. We cannot relax just yet. How about you?"

Octavian said, "I'll start making my rounds." The doors opened and the two started down the short walk to sickbay. To the port side of the ship, they could see it was dark with floating objects.

Jacobs and Octavian walked into the sickbay, and it was chaos. Jacobs saw Dr. Mallard in an operating room and walked to the window overlooking the room. Mallard and Blake were working on two different tables in the same room, crowded as it was. Dr. Tam walked up wearing used surgical garb. "Captain?"

"How bad is it?"

"We lost five of the T'Pal's crew in the raid, two of our own. We are trying to catch up but with half of sickbay inoperative, that is being difficult." Tam said.

"We will try to get the sickbay fully running for you. Total casualties?"

"45 casualties and two dead. That is between the raid and starship combat." Tam said apologetically, "Sir, I need to prep for my next patient."

"Please do. We are having a staff meeting in fifteen minutes."

Tam shook his head, "We can't break away from here."

Jacobs nodded, "Give your report to Ian, he will report for you guys at the meeting. Pastor?"

Octavian nodded, Jacobs turned around and headed out into the corridor. He started walking down the corridor looking at some of the damage and the crew rushing around dealing with the damage. The briefing room was a few decks up, might as well get some exercise and view some of the areas. Jacobs reached a Jeffries' tube and climbed up the ladder to the next deck.

SICKBAY

USS WISCONSIN

Octavian walked around the powered part of sickbay taking a quick survey. He also saw Ambassador Nucatola and Captain Broderick in their respective beds unconscious. Octavian saw Nurse Brody changing a bandage on one of the patients. "Nurse Brody."

Brody looked up and smiled, "Pastor."

"I'm here getting a report for the captain. I know he will be interested in those two. Are they up for questioning?"

Brody shook her head, "No, not for a while."

"How bad was it?"

"Bad enough that we still have people in triage. This side is full, we have some of the less serious cases Portside."

Octavian looked toward the dark part of sickbay, it curved around the bulkhead and he could not see far, but could see some glowsticks. "You have people in there?"

Brody nodded, "Had to. We have them strapped to the beds to not float off, and some glowsticks were all we had for illumination. Eventually we will have to move them to parts of the ship that have gravity."

Octavian nodded his understanding, "Healing the bruises?"

Brody smiled a wan smile. "Zero gravity doesn't help the body pool and get rid of bad blood."

Octavian nodded, "Thank you Nurse." Octavian walked over to the portside portion of the sickbay and expertly negotiated the transition to zero gravity in the unpowered section. He could see a lot of the crew tied down to beds with little glow sticks near them. There were some battery powered lights stuck on the ceiling just to give some light, but it was still mostly dark. Lt Magnum was almost invisible in the dark but still standing guard in the area. Octavian floated over, "Magnum, how is it?"

"We are secure here sir. Is the shooting done outside?"

Octavian nodded, "The Christopher Pike showed up, and the Captain managed to get the Klingon Captain to listen. We still have one out there though, and he is cloaked."

"So, we could have more boarders." Magnum said dryly.

Octavian nodded grimly, "Yes. Keep sharp Marine."

As Octavian floated away, Magnum said, "Aye aye, sir. Semper Fi!"

Octavian smirked, "Semper Fi." He turned and walked out the door.

BRIDGE

IKV LOMQA

Chuk watched as the Christopher Pike formed up. The three ships had a good formation, not too tight but good enough to cover each other. Chuk spat, "How could this happen? We almost had the fight completed."

"We can't do anything now; we might as well leave." His XO said.

Chuk's eyes narrowed. "Not yet, we might be able to do something, we must formulate a new plan. Right now we could probably could take out one."

The XO said, "The other two would kill us."

Chuk angrily snapped back, "THEN WE DIE! We have our mission. Has the Tad sent a message back to the Empire yet?"

The communications officer shook his head, "No, but the Wisconsin just sent a message back to the Federation."

Chuk ordered, "Start jamming Klingon channels. Maneuvering! Random course around the three, be careful not to pass between the planet and them."

BRIEFING ROOM

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs walked in and everybody sat down. "Thank you all. I have just had a short walk through the saucer section including the area hit by that weapon. I've heard your explanation Maya; do we have a defense?"

Lt. Maya shook her head, "No sir, that weapon came through our shields and was largely unaffected. It will take more analysis to adjust the shields to protect us, if that is even possible."

Jacobs winced, "Ok, let's go to damage. What about it Dom?"

Santini said, "We have temporary lights strapped around the blackout area, as you well saw. We are restringing power lines for basic services such as lighting and grav plates. For now, people in the area will have to use communicators for communication."

"What about phasers and shielding?"

"Non-functional, I do not know what it was, but the warp plasma converters for the phasers absolutely refuse to work, the shielding depends on basically the same converters, and the warp field control conduit is depolarized in the section that was 'hit'." Santini said. "There is so much that is damaged there it will take time to replace. We think the problem extends to the conduit itself and that needs to be replaced, not only the converters. It will take time to fabricate that."

Jacobs asked, "What kind of time? An hour? A day?"

"A month. Less with the Pike helping us."

The room was quiet. Jacobs spoke up a bit, "Troy, did you hear that?"

Captain Simmons, who was on the Pike, voice came through the speaker. "Yes, we're already working on fabricating some of what you need."

Jacobs said, "Thank you Troy. Now what about casualties?"

Octavian said, "There were 45 casualties of the crew, 2 dead. The two that died were in sickbay when it got attacked. We also lost more from the T'Pal. The Ambassador and Captain are still alive, but not able to talk. I was not even able to talk to Ducky, but Dr. Blake came out of surgery just after you left and gave a brief report. If I may suggest, we put the Sick Bay power restoration on high priority. They could use that other operating room. Also, half of sickbay is zero–gee and needs artificial gravity badly. The trauma cases will not recover without it."

Lt Grimm said, "Sir, we need those shields and phasers now. We still have -3 out there."

All was quiet and everyone was looking at the captain. Jacobs asked, "I agree, the ship needs those weapons and shields. What about shipping some of the cases to the Pike? Troy, can you handle some of the load?"

Again, Simmons' voice came over the speaker, "We would be glad to. I will beam over my Chief Surgeon immediately."

Jacobs looked at Octavian, "Escort him to Sickbay Pastor."

Octavian smiled and stood up. "On my way." Octavian trotted out the door.

Jacobs looked around. "What of our tactical situation? Ben?"

Grimm said, "That depends on what you think of the Tad over there."

"Explain."

"Sir, we went from fighting to the death to now we are allies? They beamed into our sickbay and killed wounded people!" Grimm said.

Jacobs nodded, "Fair question. My priority was to try to deescalate the situation. Once Captain Nirf stopped shooting and started listening, he realized we were no longer the enemy. I know what he did, and I'm not going to go out and avenge those dead. I am going to bring all our people home. We still have a problem with -3 out there somewhere and I would rather have Nirf shooting at him than at us. Does that sound reasonable?"

Grimm nodded, "Yes sir, but I wouldn't trust him."

Jacobs said evenly, "I do not. The main purpose was to get the bad guy to stop shooting at us. I have even managed to get one bad guy to be ready to shoot at another bad guy."

Grimm said, "Yes sir."

Jacobs asked, "What about finding -3? How are sensors?"

Lt Maya said, "Unaffected actually. We are looking for any sign of the Bird-of-Prey. So far, nothing."

Jareau chimed in, "I have been detecting signals randomly around us. I think it is jamming signals, but nothing I can lock onto."

Grimm added, "If you find him, I can shoot him. We have regained control with the lower hull weapons. We no longer need to coordinate with the secondary bridge."

Leonaidas asked, "What do you intend to do now, sir?"

Jacobs said, "Lick our wounds for now. Let us get the casualties to where they are being treated and restore power to the inoperative areas of the ship. I do not know how long Nirf will hang around, but for now I consider him an asset. Eventually, I would like to do some investigating on the planet."

Leonaidas asked, "The wreckage?"

Jacobs nodded, "We might be able to recover some evidence, perhaps parts of the computer core. Also, I'd like to see what has happened to the Organians. We need to determine that for sure. Any other ideas?" None were offered. "Very well, lets get back to work. Dismissed."

BRIDGE

IKV TAD

The communications officer said, "Sir! I'm unable to get a message through to the High Command. We are being jammed."

Nirf growled, "Can you determine where the jamming is coming from? Is the Federation responsible?"

The communications officer shook his head, "I do not think so sir. The jamming is on Klingon channels."

Nirf snapped, "That just means they know what we use."

The communications officer pointed to a display. "Still, I do not believe they are at fault. I've been trying to determine where the jamming is coming from. I cannot be precise, but it's not from where the Starfleet vessels are."

The XO said, "The Black Fleet ship is still here."

Nirf's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps."

GNN STUDIOS

EARTH

"In other news, the investigation by the Starfleet Oversight committee into Prime Directive violations continues. Tonight, we have Samuel T Cogley with us, representing the captain in question. Mr. Cogley, thank you very much for coming."

"Thank you, Jeannie." Cogley answered with a pleasant smile. He hated these things, but sometimes you must do the unpleasant.

"What is the latest on your side of the investigation?"

"Well Jeannie, Starfleet has already done the investigation, as actually requested by the captain of the ship." Cogley stated.

"Why would a Captain request an investigation? That is like inviting the wolves to dinner, isn't it?"

"Not at all. It is routinely done. If a Captain either inadvertently violated or intentionally with good reason, they can request an investigation. It's called self-reporting and it is done all the time. Starfleet gets to learn a lot of what is happening out there in deep space they otherwise would not get through 'normal' procedures." Cogley explained.

"So, what is it that your client said he did wrong?"

"My client did not do anything wrong. He requested an investigation because he knew his actions could be called into question." Cogley stated. "Starfleet has looked into the matter and has ruled there were no violations."

"That's not what the Senate Committee has said."

Cogley took a grandfatherly tone, "Not exactly Jeannie. No one else on the committee has made any statements, in fact the committee has not said anything officially. Senator Jameson has, and has done so improperly."

"Which was the cause for your subpoena?"

"Yes. After Starfleet cleared my client, Senator Jameson came across with accusations. I merely want to know what evidence he has behind those accusations."

"And your subpoena?"

"Correctly filed and properly ordered by a Judge. Senator Jameson has passed the deadline, and now is stalling." Cogley stated.

"That's not what his office says."

Cogley smiled, "Then you know more than I. His office is not talking to me as required. I just got a response that he has appealed my subpoena, after the expiration date. If it was wrong, why wait until it was too late to respond?"

The reporter said, "Senator Jameson's office made a statement when queried that they couldn't respond to open investigations."

Cogley added, "But they do comment, openly, in public. They are impugning an innocent man and ship. This is all political and he is using the media to smear my client's reputation. I am here to find out exactly what dirt he thinks he has on my client and to make him stop if it is false."

"What if it's true?"

"Then he should not be commenting in public about an open investigation. He is using you in the media illegally. Senator Jameson is breaking the law." The newslady started to show an expression that she thought Cogley was overreacting. Cogley timing was perfect. "And GNN and the other news agencies that reported this are complicit." "Now Mr. Cogley, we just report the news."

Cogley shook his head, "No you do not. You are reporting the juiciest facts out of context in order to sensationalize the story and feed your public. That is at best. At worst, you are trying to manipulate public opinion by slandering people and hide behind your freedom-of-the-press principle. I am here to proclaim the truth and let public know they are only getting part of the story. Thank you." Cogley stood up and left the stage while they were on air.

Jeannie was dumbfounded. She tried to recover. "Well, Mr. Cogley's reputation for theatrics doesn't disappoint. We will keep on this story and bring you whatever you need to know."