Chapter 812

VIP LOUNGE

STARFLEET ANNEX

FEDERATION CAPITAL

PARIS, EARTH

Officers were filtering in from the hearing, Admiral Nogura was helping himself to a cucumber sandwich while talking to Admiral Adama. Jacobs thought 'So the brain session isn't done, Nogura is still planning.' Well, that fits, this is going to be a relatively relaxed debriefing plus a skull session for tomorrow.

Jacobs noted that Nogura's communicator went beep, he answered it then nodded to Adama, then left the room. Jacobs walked over and asked, "Admiral, what happened to Admiral Nogura?"

"He was called away on business. I didn't ask."

Jacobs nodded and caught the hint. Cogley and Cdr Hotchner walked up and greeted them. Jacobs saw the look in Cogley's eye. "What's up Sam?"

Cogley said, "Cdr Hotchner and I have some opinions on Senator Jameson."

Jacobs gave a wan smile, "Well, shoot Sam, I have opinions on the Senator."

Hotchner said, "Captain, we think Senator Jameson is degenerating."

Adama rasped, "I can see that, Commander. What have you guys noticed that we would not see?"

Hotchner answered, "Forgive me, Admiral. We noticed he is degenerating in a particular way."

Cogley continued, "He is showing that he thinks of himself as an elitist. Lt Maya's testimony unbalanced him."

Adama sipped his glass. "We know about his arrogance too."

Cogley nodded. "Yes, but Cdr Hotchner and I think that Lt Maya pushed him over the edge. He usually checks himself. But not today. Maya got to him."

"He asked for it." Jacobs murmured.

Adama had a slight smile. "He sure did. He didn't know what he was getting into."

Hotchner mused, "There was no good reason to call Lt. Maya."

Cogley added, "For him there was a reason. His weakness towards women is well known, and Lt Maya is a beautiful woman."

Jacobs asked, "He did that just to flirt with her?"

Cogley nodded, "Yes, but she saw it. And she was able to draw it out and get him off guard. It happened a couple of times. First was when he learned of her background."

Jacobs was quizzical. He could not remember specifics. "How so?"

Hotchner stated, "He is an elitist. Lt Maya unknowingly triggered this. He is hung up on positions and titles. Senator Jameson really didn't know how to handle her because she suddenly went from being a relatively Junior Officer to head-of-state. He was internally confused and betrayed that he not only thinks of a difference between those that rule and those that are ruled, but he actually stated it."

Cogley added, "And he couldn't understand her and her father's position."

Jacobs said, "You mean Mentor? He can't understand a leader who has been trained in a science?"

Cogley shook his head. "No, he can't understand why a leader would do a menial job such as research and development."

Adama asked, "So what does that mean for us?"

"He will have a preference for elite positions. And I'm not talking military but government. The higher the better. I believe he will tend to identify with leaders of states." Hotchner said.

Jacobs was thinking ahead. "And our mission to Maghreb."

Cogley nodded, "We already know he didn't like the rescue mission, the arrest of their President and turning him over to the Klingons, and the treaty."

Hotchner said, "He will take offense to the arrest of President Kurbish and turning him over to the Klingons."

Jacobs nodded. "How can I use that?"

Hotchner raised an eyebrow. "It depends on what you want to do. He will feel antagonized as it is, the taking of the Maghreb president will only make that worse."

Cogley said, "As Hotch laid this out to me, I think Jameson will become particularly unhinged when you come across the point of giving the President to the Klingons. He will see it as you turning him over to the Klingons."

Just at that time, Kang and Kor walked in. Jacobs welcomed them into the gathering. They picked up some juice cups. Kor said, "Jacobs, you brought some of your Pag along?"

"It's POG. The original place it came from is Hawaii, and I had some shipped here for the meeting." Jacobs chuckled.

Kang complemented, "I appreciate your Lt. Maya. She got the gospel out quite nicely."

Cogley nodded, "Yes. One thing I've noticed is how the gospel is getting out during these hearings."

Octavian nodded. "That has not escaped me either. I had not anticipated it, but it is happening. A lot more than I imagined."

Kor said, "And I know our little adventure will get more out."

Jacobs nodded. "Perhaps. Are you entertained with the hearings?"

Kor smiled, "Absolutely. So is Ambassador Gorkon."

Adama asked, "I figured he was paying attention."

Kang said, "In more ways than one."

Jacobs caught a little hint. "Is he…."

Kang smiled and raised his glass. "A Christ follower."

Octavian laughed. "How?"

Kor said, "Beyond the saving Grace, he asked about Kang and I getting our legendary blood fued settled. So we told him."

Octavian asked. "How is that going to affect him in the Empire? Or you two for that matter?"

Kang eyed Kor, not wanting to divulge the future potential ruler. "I believe all will be just fine. You need not worry about us. You should be focused on the matters at hand."

Kor shifted subjects, "I am interested in the particular hatred of you that Senator Jameson has."

Jacobs shrugged, "He has always had it in for me."

"Had it in?"

Jacobs chuckled, "An expression. It means that Jameson has always seemed to be disapproving of the Wisconsin and crew."

Kang added, "Remember Jacobs, I watched the entire commissioning review your Senate had over the Wisconsin. Senator Jameson does have a particular hatred of you, personally. Most irrational."

Octavian eyes focused. "Interesting. Kang, as an outsider, you may have a particularly unique perspective. Has Jameson's hatred always been there?"

Kang's face turned from almost smiling to deep thought, which for him almost looked angry. "Perhaps not. He has had an antipathy for Starfleet, that much is obvious. I believe that as the commissioning hearings went on, his antipathy seemed to have grown and focus on you." Kang suddenly had a realization. "No, this time around it is much more. And his hatred is getting stronger. It's almost like he is resisting something."

Octavian nodded. "I believe Jameson is under conviction. He is resisting. He is resisting the Holy Spirit." All looked at Octavian. "It may be one reason why the gospel is getting out. God is still trying to show his love to Jameson. Jameson does not want to humble himself and ask forgiveness, rather he attacks whatever may be showing that he needs forgiveness."

Captain Jackson munched on a piece of celery. "He'll lose. Nobody can resist God. I tried, and failed."

Octavian shook his head. "He will not be successful I agree. But he can resist God. God doesn't make Salvation irresistible; He will be persistent. Remember in I Timothy 2:3-4 the Bible says essentially that God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. But God still leaves the decision to the individual."

Jackson nodded, "True. I know I had the choice. I made the choice. God made the consequences of the choice real."

Octavian cautioned. "The point is that we don't know where his heart is right now. I can think of multitudes of people that rejected God and made it a point to persecute God's people because of Christ. I'm oversimplifying it, but that is true too. Think of Paul persecuting Christians before he was saved."

"But Paul eventually got saved." Jacobs said.

"True. And also you have Nero, who burned Christians at the stake and fed them to the lions for entertainment."

"What's your point?" Jacobs asked.

Octavian breathed deeply in. "Twofold. First, we don't know what is going on with Jameson. He may be under conviction, he may be filled with evil, we don't know. Second, our warfare isn't in the hearing room with the best lawyers fighting it out," Looking at Cogley, Octavian said, "Sorry."

Cogley gave a knowing nod, "No offense taken, please continue."

"And the warfare isn't physically with the best warriors or weapons." Looking at Kang and Kor, "Sorry once again."

Kor smiled, "Right."

"But our weapons are spiritual and mighty through God. To be able to tear down strongholds."

Kor said, "Second Corinthians 10:3."

Octavian smiled, "Exactly. You've been studying!"

Kang said, "We have to catch up."

Adama asked, "So how does that affect what we do?"

Octavian said, "Whatever goes on in there, recognize it is a spiritual battle. Matthew 5:11 says to count it a blessing when people do all evil against you for Christ's sake. Whatever Senator Jameson dishes out at us, he is actually doing it to Christ. We are there for Christ's sake."

Hotchner was listening intently and thinking. "Just to change the subject slightly, or maybe make a parallel course. I find Eli Gold fascinating. His mannerism fit more of what you were thinking under conviction."

Cogley added, "I agree. Gold does not want to be in that room, his discomfort starts before he even enters, and grows the closer he gets to Jameson. Now that you mention it, I do believe Gold is being convicted of the Holy Ghost."

Hotchner nodded. "To be convicted, truly, is to also feel regret and that is all over his body. Furthermore, Senator Jameson is still having him do things that Gold finds distasteful. It will be interesting to see where that leads."

SECURE CONFERENCE ROOM

STARFLEET ANNEX

Admiral Nogura walked in and the door shut down behind him. "Computer, maximum isolation procedure."

"Standby."

The computer screen in the center of the table showed the procedure checklists being completed. "No unauthorized power signatures located. This room is secure."

Nogura sat down and said, "Computer, please open a secure channel to the Federation Intelligence committee secure conference room."

"Authorization please."

Nogura took out a slip of paper from his pocket and typed in the lengthy security code. Nogura chuckled at Briggs' security procedures. Briggs had made up several codes, wrote them on paper, and given them to Nogura to be used. They were an extra decryption key. A final measure.

"Authorization accepted."

The Intelligence committee conference room came up on the screen with the committee and FID chief Briggs in the room. "Good afternoon. What can I do for you?"

Senator Douglas said, "In order to keep Clayborne from getting a contempt of Congress charge, we are thinking that we should advise Clayborne to testify at the committee. What do you think Admiral?"

Nogura thought a few seconds. "It's not just to keep him from trouble. What is the real reason?"

Briggs said, "The thinking is to unnerve Jameson. The subject matter is where we flipped Clayborne and started our whole investigation on Jameson. This may unnerve Jameson into making further mistakes."

Nogura nodded, "I know what my goals are. What are the Intelligence Committee's goals?"

Douglas said, "Jameson is from my party and I'm ashamed to admit that. The amount of testimony we have received from Clayborne has sickened me. I've always thought he was arrogant, but he and I worked together on many of our accomplishments. He has never strong-armed me, but Clayborne has testified that he has done that with many Senators and Congressmen to get his agenda passed."

Nogura nodded, "Forgive me for being blunt, but that's politics."

Douglas looked a little hurt. He knew Admiral Nogura was honorable and did not mean the statement as a stab. "Yes, it is. To a point. But there are lines you don't cross. Bribery, blackmail, actual strongarm intimidation, threatening people's families."

Nogura nodded. "Granted. Once again, what are your goals?"

Douglas continued, "He is now running for President…."

Nogura shook his head, "Now you are playing politics again, Senator. Committee. You must be clear on this. What is your goal? For this goal to not only succeed but stand the test of time, you need the right one. Archangel knows what I'm talking about. I want to hear it from the committee."

Archangel, dressed in his traditional white. Leaned back slightly in his chair. The committee members looked at each other and started muttering questions to one another. Briggs leaned forward and said, "Nogura and I are asking you to think like a citizen, not a politician. Make it simple."

Douglas, usually the all-knowing wise elder statesman, now sat with a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

"You do not accuse a man or gather intel to prevent him from being President. We started this investigation before he announced he was running. Do not focus on that. Why did we start the investigation?"

Douglas nodded, "Because we wanted to get rid of a dirty politician."

"Simple. Simple works. Even if Senator Jameson withdraws from the election, we continue. Because he is dirty. Simple." Briggs said.

Nogura added, "And that's something I can get behind. What about immunity for Clayborne?"

"We continue the present deal. No more jail, no retirement. As long as he is forthright."

Nogura nodded, "Good. Make it simple for Clayborne as well. If he testifies, Jameson will have less chance of making Clayborne stumble. I endorse allowing Clayborne to testify. The goal would be to discover even more wrongdoings by Jameson. How is the investigation going?"

Briggs said, "The amount of corruption by Jameson is staggering, it goes far beyond what I've suspected over the years. The big problem is that it's mostly uncorroborated. It will be Senator Jameson's word against a former Admiral of Starfleet."

Douglas added, "We don't have a tenth of the evidence we need."

Nogura's brow furrowed at that. "So, even with all that we have, we won't get a conviction?"

Douglas nodded, "That's right. We have a lot of evidence, but it will take a lot more to make a conviction a sure thing. I don't think we even have enough to keep him out of the election. I know I know, politics. But Politics is the game until the legal system has enough to sink its teeth into."

Nogura was thinking, and it came out aloud. "How do we get hard evidence on what Clayborne's allegations are?"

ELI GOLD'S APARTMENT

PARIS, EARTH

The door opened and Gold walked in tiredly. He dropped his briefcase on the table and took his jacket off. He went over to the food processor and said, "Filet Mignon, medium. Asparagus and cheesy potatoes." The processor started working. Gold walked into his room and started changing into comfortable clothes.

He warned Jameson not to call Lt. Maya. Rule number one in a court of law was ask no question that you already do not know the answer. Funny. Law rules were always in don'ts or nots or nevers. Point being, Jameson never prepped to see if Maya was going to be a good witness or not. Jameson didn't have a clear goal as to what he wanted from her testimony. She, however was prepared fully for questioning.

Actually, she wasn't. She did not have a plan, could not have a plan. She just knew to answer honestly, and to address the questioner with motive. It was more than that. The God of Jacobs also protected her too. Maya's God was powerful. Funny thing to note. God of Jacobs, Jackson, Maya, Cogley was all the same. And he was powerful.

Maya mentioned that God overcame a planet destroyer. What was it she said? That computer, Psyche, was corrupting the people around it? She would have turned evil in the end? Gold then thought of his own life, if he could somehow use the excuse of a powerful organic computer able to warp minds to make him do evil things, but he cannot. It was just him. His own choices. Maya did say that her God was able to overcome all the evil inside her. Could her God overcome Gold's evil? What about the massive guilt he felt? Could God overcome Gold's guilt.

Gold was in easy clothes and took his plate from the food processor. He started chomping on the meat. Normally he had something on the viewscreen, such as the news services. He had to keep apprised of everything to be able to do his job. Not tonight. He was just drained and this thought of Jacobs' God kept filling his mind.

He could see the power behind Jacobs. Jameson usually could handle himself well in hearings. That was part of Jameson's magic, he could navigate and spin facts to whatever he wanted. Not today. Jameson not only could not stick to the plan, but he was totally inept. He could not stick to plan. Jameson was so purposed to see Maya on the stand as to destroy his own plan. Overcome with a fault? That sounds familiar too somehow. Whatever the cause, the outcome was that Gold felt that today actually helped Jacobs more than Jameson.

His communicator beeped. Gold wearily answered it. "Gold."

"Eli, call the boys with Mitchell. I want him in there tomorrow. We got to humiliate Starfleet tomorrow."

"Tomorrow is the Mission to Maghreb. You sure you want to go ahead with it?" Gold asked.

"Sure? I'm counting on it. We can show for once the band of pirates Jacobs has on that ship!"

Gold shook his head. "I'm not sure sir. Admiral Clayborne is still out there. He could be really be damaging to us."

"Clayborne is a fool. Why he has not answered anything from us is beyond me."

Gold said concerningly, "We really don't want him. If he shows up, he could be real trouble. We haven't had contact with him in months. You don't know if he has flipped."

Jameson was quiet. Initially. "He wouldn't flip on me. I've got too much on him."

Gold said. "We don't want him."

Jameson said, "If he shows up, I'll call him if I want. I don't need you to tell me what to do."

Gold sighed. Jameson will do what he wants to do. "Whatever you wish, sir."

Jameson finished, "Good. When I want your input, I'll ask for it." Jameson killed the line.

Gold leaned back in his chair. This situation is deteriorating. Jameson actually listened to him in the past. He is so full of himself that he has shut everybody else out. This will not be good. Gold grabbed his communicator, might as well warn Mitchell's team.

ELI GOLD'S DESK

SENATOR JAMESON'S OFFICE

FEDERATION CAPITAL

PARIS, EARTH

NEXT DAY

Eli Gold just walked into the office and was arranging things for the hearing that morning. His communicator went beep and Gold flipped it open. "Eli Gold."

"Gold, It's Clayborne. I'm answering the summons. I'll be at the committee today."

"Admiral! Where are you?"

"I'm not an admiral anymore. If you need me, you can call me on this line." Click. Frequency cut.

Gold sat bewildered. This is not going to be a good day. These hearings are a disaster. Beyond disaster. Epic disaster. Biblical disaster even. Gold did a double blink. Where did that come from? What does it mean?

Gold walked over to Jameson's office. "Senator, Admiral Clayborne just called in, he's answering the summons. He will be in the hearing today."

Jameson looked up from his chair. "He is? He's too late."

Gold shook his head. "He had until conclusion of the hearings to report in. He has."

Jameson snapped. "First you said we don't need him now you're arguing for him! Which way is it?"

"I'm only trying to let you know what the facts are."

"I KNOW THE FACTS!" Jameson fired off. "Our plan is to show just how mismanaged the Wisconsin was. I also aim to show how badly that treaty Jacobs made with Kang was."

Gold said, "Please do not call Captain Kang. Our strategy did not involve the treaty."

"That treaty was horrible! We did not get…"

Gold snapped. "That treaty was confirmed in the Senate! If you start raising a ruckus over that you're libel to make trouble for yourself. We can't afford that right now!"

"ELI!"

Gold pointed his finger at Jameson, "Listen here, Senator, you should have been listening to me all along. You have made this hearing a mess, going off script, not thinking things through! Then you blame me when I was telling you all along how NOT to handle it! Don't call Clayborne, he will destroy us!"

Jameson glared at Gold. After an uncomfortable pause, he said, "Get in the hearing room. Prepare for my arrival."

Gold turned without acknowledging and left.

PRIVATE SHUTTLE F-4RGHF

DECENDING INTO PARIS

Mitchell was with the others. All was quiet as they descended into the Federation Capital. Mitchell was looking out the window at the Paris landscape and thinking about the testimony for the day. They had been rehearsing it for the last few days as well as watching the hearings, just to be caught up. Mitchell mused; it was not going well for his team. His team? Was Senator Jameson on his team? No. The thing that Mitchell was thinking a lot about was that the more correct thing was did Senator Jameson consider that Mitchell was on his team? Mitchell had concluded no. He was just an instrument, to be discarded afterwards, like tape. He was going to go back to prison after all this was done. No matter what. Jameson may have had the clout to get him early parole, but not now. Not after what he had seen.

The door opened and the 'others' started ushering Mitchell out of the shuttle and across to the Capital. Mitchell looked around. They blended in quite well, no attention drawn to him. After a short walk, they were completely blended into the sea of humanity going into and out of the Capital. They were now inside the building, with all the great symbols of state around them, visitors to the Capital, tourists, Senators, Parliamentarians, teems of people. Great to be lost in a crowd.

They were now outside the hearing room, and were just entering the room when for some reason, Mitchell turned and looked down the hallway. In the distance, Mitchell saw Captain Jacobs. And even worse, Jacobs' was turning and happened to look at Mitchell. For an instant, their eyes met and locked. No doubt, both knew each other had seen the other. The men accompanying Mitchell pushed him into the hearing room.

Jacobs was walking with Cdr Leonaidas and Lt Jareau. Jacobs stopped and turned to Jareau, "JJ, I just saw Mitchell. Call the ship and get whoever we need. Get them down pronto."

Admiral Nogura overheard, "Problem?"

"Mitchell just walked into the room. I'm telling JJ to bring down whoever we may need."

Nogura nodded, "Lt Jareau, I'll authorize the use of the Starfleet pad in the annex, that will get them here as fast as possible."

Jareau nodded. "Right away Captain." Turning to Nogura she said, "Admiral." And left.

The Starfleet contingent started walking to the room again. Nogura asked, "You didn't tell her who?"

"No time, and I would probably miss somebody. Lt Jareau will get the right people. I trust her judgement."

Nogura had a small smile, "Mr. Chebev's class in leadership?"

Jacobs smirked, "Exactly. That Andorian knew how to teach leadership well."

"How many papers got thrown in the garbage can?"

Jacobs chuckled at the memory, "All of them, including mine."

Mitchell walked into the room and made his way to his assigned seat. It was in the gallery right behind the Klingons. Kang saw him and had his customarily stern glare on his face. Kang's face changed slightly when he recognized Mitchell. It was still stern but somehow it made Mitchell's blood run cold.

The Starfleet contingent walked into the room. The Klingons were already there sitting at their table. Mitchell was sitting right behind the Klingons behind the banister for the gallery. Mitchell eyed the Captain and the rest of the Starfleet contingent. They were not unfriendly, they were neutral. Jameson walked in behind the Senator's benches and made eye contact. Mitchell looked for some appreciation, but Jameson offered none. Jameson was talking to the other Senators.

Then just before they closed the doors, in walked four more Starfleet officers. Mitchell saw Lt Jareau, Lt Maya, Lt Anders, and Ensign Pell. Pell made eye contact and gave a concerned look to Mitchell. Mitchell saw where he could be, just like he felt earlier. But now in the room, he now saw he could be on the other side instead of where he was at.

Senator Jameson gaveled the hearing into order. Jameson looked around at the gallery and saw all the players. He saw Mitchell, but when he saw Captain Jacobs, he had a flash of hatred wash over him. Jameson said the first thing that came to his mind. "Captain Jacobs, we are going to move onto your next mission. Your mission to the planet Maghreb."

Jacobs sat quietly and didn't offer anything. That made Jameson even madder. "Captain, I want to start by asking you how you run the Wisconsin."

All was quiet for a little while. Jacobs realized it was a question, sort of. "I don't understand."

"You had Lt Mitchell on board, and he later was convicted of the Manslaugher of Lt Sharon Valerie. Why did you let him stay on board? I thought you said you would get rid of troublemakers quickly."

Gold typed frantically on his pad and leaned forward to show it to Jameson. "This isn't the plan! Get off this question and work it to make Mitchell the victim of the crew!" Jameson ignored the message.

Jacobs started to respond. "Senator, your question is all over the place concerning the timeline. To set the record straight…"

"I know what the record is!" Jameson bellowed.

Jacobs eyed the senator evenly. "Perhaps, but the audience may not. When Lt. Mitchell came on board the ship, he starts off with a clean slate. Very quickly we notice he was causing problems, and had some talks concerning his behavior."

Jameson exclaimed, "Really? You could not identify a real troublemaker that fast? I thought you were a mind-reader and can fix anyone."

"Senator, when we saw behavior that needed to be addressed, we addressed it. I was also trying to give him every break, I did not want to jump to do something that would harm his career if we could get through to him before he did something irreparable."

"And you waited too long." Jameson said.

"Perhaps, and I noted that in my log. Point being, I was trying to give Lt Mitchell every break."

Jameson asked snarkily, "So the Parisse's squares match was your idea of 'fixing' him?"

Jacobs shook his head, "No. He had made repeated challenges to Lt Anders and would not stop. Lt Anders repeatedly refused. I was getting word in from the crew that Lt Mitchell was making unwanted advances toward the women of the crew, he was also arrogant concerning learning the helmsman role on the Wisconsin."

"I thought that he already was a helmsman." Jameson said.

"He was, but when a crewman joins a starship, they need to learn the particulars of that ship. It takes time."

Mitchell was reliving that time on the Wisconsin as Jacobs was talking. He looked at Pell, who gave a pitying look. Mitchell remembered that Pell was trying to tell him to cool it.

Jameson sneered. "So you let Mitchell take on a professional Parisees squares champion."

"Yes, I endorsed it."

"You authorized the beating…"

Jacobs said, "Since Lt Mitchell was bent on challenging Lt Anders, I thought it would solve several problems. The rules of the match were strictly followed according to UFPParrises squares rules."

Senator April was leaning to one side trying to suppress a chuckle. "I'd like to see the match."

"We don't have time for that." Jameson said.

"Perhaps not. Captain, did you record the match?" April asked.

"Yes, we did."

April said, "We need to see the match. Senator Jameson is characterizing the match as a beating." I want to see if that is accurate or not.

Jacobs turned to Jareau and said some words quietly. Then he turned around. "Senators, we can have the footage up quickly. How many of you have watched or played Parisses squares?"

Jameson said, "That is irrelevant!"

Jacobs shook his head, "Not so. It is completely relevant. I'm an old football fan. Understanding the game of football is important to understand which hits are appropriate. The same with Boxing. I've never watched a boxing match, and don't know what is appropriate or not."

April suggested. "I've played when at the academy. Let's get someone from the UFPPS in here and they can testify as to the legitimacy of the match."

Jameson said, "That will waste time. We will be already wasting too much time."

Senator Bim Freshligm offered, "I have an aide that did UFPPS officiating two years ago. He is in my office."

April said, "I make a motion to watch the match and for Bim Freshligm's aide to give testimony as to how clean the match was."

The motion quickly passed. Almost unanimously. April offered, "I suggest a small break before the match."

As everyone stood up to stretch, and people were filtering in and out of the room, Mitchell was still sitting quietly in his assigned seat. Cdr Hotchner quietly said to Jacobs. "Captain, if I may."

Jacobs turned and said, "Yes, Hotch?"

"I've been watching Mitchell."

"Me too, he always was a loner."

"Yes sir, but he now shows remorse." Hotchner observed.

Jacobs looked at Mitchell again. He could see it now. "I see it now Hotch. Thanks."

Senator Jameson gaveled the room back to order and said, "Over my objections, we will watch the match. Please proceed."

Jacobs nodded to Jareau who started the recording. It was three regulation periods. Anders vs Mitchell. 1 vs 1 Parisses squares where normally it was 4 on 4. The match went on for three regulation periods. Anders scored 22 points in the first period, at the end of the second period it was 22-1, and then the third period was the smack-down. It was some hard body-checking. Then Mitchell had his illegal choke hold, and penalty time. It was during that time that Anders made his speech to Mitchell:

"Hey Maverick, that chokehold isn't smart. This was supposed to be a friendly game."

Mitchell was getting madder, "Friendly, never. You're cheating!"

"Give me an example."

Mitchell said, "You know when the goals are going to change, and where they are going." At that time the goals changed. The goal on the ceiling that Anders was anchored to was his goal. Anders threw the ball down to the floor and caught it on the rebound.

"Not so, these goals have been changing according to the association rules."

Mitchell said with disgust, "No one can predict that, it's too complex."

Anders laughed, "A good squares player needs to predict that, particularly for the team. That's something you've never figured out."

"What?"

"How to work with a team. That's how you got your callsign, you work alone. The rest of us mere mortals just drag you down. You are out only for yourself." The goals changed and Anders bounced the ball off of the wall, floor, wall and caught it back.

"Showing off?" Mitchell sneered.

Anders shook his head, "No, we did this in practice. Mitchell, you should have figured out some things by now."

"Like what?"

"Like it takes a team to do anything. A team put this ship together. A team operates this ship. A team put this court together."

Mitchell said sarcastically to Anders, "But you're the only one in here."

The goals changed and Anders intentionally hung on the ball. "No, I'm not. I'm in here with the team. And now you're going to lose."

What followed was basically looked like a brawl. On Mitchell's behalf, he was outright fighting, or at least trying to fight. As far as Anders was concerned, he used legitimate Parisess squares moves and acceptable hits. The match finished with Anders taking a deliberate 30 second penalty with only 25 seconds left, but Mitchell so tired that he couldn't score a goal. The match ended 22-1, Anders.

Jameson stated flamboyantly, "That looked like a beat-down to me!"

April interjected, "Before we make judgement, I'd like to hear what Bim Freshligm's aid thinks about the regulations of the match."

The aide said, "It was a clean match. Lt. Teal'c did a very good job officiating. He would be a good candidate to officiate Official matches."

Jameson exclaimed, "But what about the violence we saw?"

The aide said respectively, "That's 'squares. Pardon the pun, but it was a 'Square Square match'."

April had an insight. "What about your opinion of the match? Not as an official, but as a fan of Parisses squares."

The aide said, "It was masterful. Mitchell's arrogance in challenging a professional player to a 1 on 1 match is remarkable. Anyone looking at Lt Anders can tell he is still in shape, and should not be trifled with. Ander's strategy was remarkable. The first period he scored, passing up obvious chances to 'beat down' Mitchell in favor of scoring. Then the second period he passed up chances for his own scoring to simply prevent Mitchell from scoring."

April asked, "And the third?"

"He set up Mitchell the first two periods to make him so frustrated as to lose control. The third period was to physically ruin Mitchell."

Jameson said, "See! The assault! Lt Anders and Captain Jacobs should be under charges!"

The aide looked at Bim Freshligm, who nodded understanding, or permission. The aide said, "No Senator, It was a clean match. I particularly liked Ander's speech in the third match. Anders showed that in order to make a good Parisses squares player it takes something that Mitchell doesn't have."

April asked, "What is that?"

"Discipline."

Mitchell sat impassively throughout this whole time. Jameson was exasperated. On a whim he asked, "Will Peter Mitchell please approach the witness table." Mitchell stood up and walked past the banister. He was sworn in and then Jameson asked. "Mr. Mitchell, what were the circumstances of the match?"

Mitchell was not prepared. This was not on the list. Nothing was. Jameson was not following his plan, and his plan initially was to paint Mitchell in a favorable light. All that had happened today was to make Mitchell look like a fool.

Mitchell thought about it. A fool. His arrogance. Seeing the match from the point of outside looking in, he was a fool. And now he clearly sees he was being played a fool. If the questioning got to the point of the crash and the circumstances leading up to it, everyone would want his Manslaughter conviction to be changed to murder.

No, he was a fool, and he clearly sees that now. He also could see that the Wisconsin crew was trying to make him change, he was just too stubborn to change. Interesting, Pell was sitting next to Maya, Anders next to Jareau. Mitchell could really be over there at this time. If he only had learned. If he only had given up his stubbornness.

"Mr. Mitchell? Can you hear me?"

Mitchell blinked. He had been lost in thought. "Yes, sir."

Jameson was a bit ruffled at that. "Did they set you up for a beat down?"

"No sir."

Jameson shook his head in disbelief. Gold rolled his eyes. This was not going to go well.

"I beg your pardon!" Jameson said.

"It was as they said. I asked for the match."

Jameson angrily pointed a finger, "That's not what you told my staff earlier!"

Mitchell nodded, "Senators, if I may address the committee?"

It was quiet. April saw it was now in his time period. "Go ahead Mr. Mitchell."

Mitchell stood up. He suddenly did not realize why he did, and then he did. "Excuse me, Senators. I was taught at a young age to stand for what is right. What you heard from the Wisconsin was right. I was a jerk, I am arrogant, and self-centered. As you know, I was convicted of Manslaughter. I recklessly handled a shuttle during landing, taking control away from my instructor. Because of that, my ship crashed and killed Lt Valerie. The conviction was just, I am guilty of that, and I regret my actions."

"Furthermore, I realize the Wisconsin crew was trying to help me change, but I was too stubborn to change." Turning to Captain Jacobs. "Captain Jacobs, I regret my actions while on the Wisconsin. I realize now what you were trying to do, and regret deeply the loss of Lt Valerie. Lt Anders, Lt Jareau, Lt Maya, I'm sorry for…. Everything. Captain, please convey my apologies to the crew."

The room was silent. Mitchell said, "I am on release from Lunar Penal. It was implied that my sentencing would be modified given my testimony today. I did not testify as to what they would want, so I need to return to Lunar Penal. Thank you for your time."

Jameson said, "Guards! Escort this man back."

The Capital police came forward and started escorting Mitchell out. Jacobs caught Octavian's eye and thumbed Octavian to go after Mitchell. Octavian nodded and rose up and followed the escort out. Outside the room the escorts saw Octavian and said, "Hold up, Commander. He's going back to Prison."

"And I'm going to accompany you. As you can see, I'm Starfleet Clergy and his Pastor. He is entitled to that."

The two looked at each other then to Mitchell. "Do you want the Commander to accompany you?"

Mitchell was being overwhelmed with guilt and silently nodded. The escorts said, "As you wish. Please follow us."