Chapter 801

PRESENT DAY

SENATOR JAMESON'S OFFICE

PARIS, EARTH

"Sir, here are the latest reports." Eli Gold brought in a datapad and set it down on the desk.

"Good, Eli. Have you heard back from our clients on Starbase 5?" Senator Jameson asked.

"Yes sir, they are complaining that the local courts will not hear their cases." Gold said.

Jameson started scanning the information on the pad. It was official reports from the recent action that Starfleet had with the Klingons. He already knew most of the information already, this was just 'official' information. "They will get their way once they appeal to the sector judges. We own them. Have you read these reports?"

Gold did not like it anymore, the idea of Jameson's corruption organization. Gold personally made a fortune organizing it and keeping it running. The brainchild was Jameson's of course and the driving force was Jameson's. Lately, Gold had a new perspective on the organization. One small part of the corruption was on how certain businesses on Starbase 5 had received contracts with Starfleet and then did overruns, holdups, etc. to get more money from the government. When it was found out that the Klingons were possibly going to attack the Starbase, Starfleet had needed a massive build up to prepare, and the normal suppliers were not up to the job. Starfleet started terminating contracts, especially when it was proven of kickbacks and corruption of the suppliers. Jameson and Gold went out to try to stop the contract termination. Jameson headed back to Earth, but Gold got stranded on the Starbase.

Gold could not escape the Starbase and when he turned to their 'clients,' they would not help Gold. The only source of help was with Samuel Cogley. Cogley extended a helping hand and Gold got to see the fervent preparation for the Starbase and nearby city. To say it gave him a new perspective was an understatement. Gold had truly feared for his life during the attack and invasion. The attack also forced him to question a lot of his positions and values in life.

Jameson was starting a punishing crusade against the corporations that helped the Starbase out. It could not be allowed to interfere with the contracts he had no matter what. Gold now saw the effect of corruption in hurting good people, the people who saved his life and extended the hand of friendship to him.

"Yes sir, I have. Basically, the reports say what we already know." Gold said unenthusiastically. It will change nothing. Jameson already had his mind set up.

"Ok. What about the agenda for tomorrow?"

"All ready. The subpoenas are ready too." Gold said.

"Good, after we get the committee to approve the subpoenas then we get to work. These hearings should catapult me to the Presidency. I would not be able to buy advertising time like this." Jameson said.

Gold tried to hide the sour look on his face. More innocent people getting hurt.

COMMANDER IN CHIEF STARFLEET'S OFFICE

STARFLEET COMMAND

SAN FRANCISCO, EARTH

Admiral Nogura was on a teleconference with an Admiral out at Jupiter station when he heard a beep. His secretary would not interrupt without a good reason. Nogura said, "Excuse me Jim, could you give me a minute."

"Sure Isamu."

Nogura pushed a mute button. The screen that he was using for the conference instantly switched to Starfleet Command's logo. Nogura pushed another button. "Yes."

"Mr. Clayborne is here to see you sir. He says it's urgent."

Nogura thought back, Clayborne was cooperating well with the Intelligence Committee and they were sealing up all sorts of holes in fleet security that Jameson had created with contracts to his corrupt companies. The only reason Clayborne was here was because of some sort of trouble. "Send him in. And tell Admiral Quinton that I'll have to get back to him."

"Aye aye, sir."

Former Admiral Clayborne walked in formally. Any cordial relations had long since evaporated with the betrayal of Starfleet that Clayborne had done. The only reason why he had not ended up in prison was because he had valuable information and was helping deconstruct what he knew of Jameson's corruption empire. It was clear that he only was involved in a small portion, but even that was damaging to the Federation. Admiral Nogura said formally. "Mr. Clayborne."

"Admiral. Thank you for seeing me. I have important information."

"You have cooperated so far very nicely. We do appreciate it. What is this new information?"

Clayborne handed over a paper document sheathed in a folder. "I've been summoned by Jameson's committee."

Nogura took the paper and read it over. Sure enough, he was summoned alright. Nogura asked, "Any idea what sparked this?"

"The last conversation I had with Jameson he was wondering why I was not cooperating with him. He told me he was going to pull me in front of the committee if I did not start working with him."

"Why would he do that?"

Clayborne said, "To destroy me. He is trying to figure out what I am up to. I am surprised it took this long."

Nogura thought hard. He copied the summons and said, "Thank you. We have some time before this hearing happens."

Clayborne had a worried sound, "If they ask me, I'm going to have to tell that I've been cooperating with the Intelligence committee."

Nogura nodded. "Of course. Our agreement was that you would not go tell him behind our backs. I'll let them know."

Clayborne said, "What if you don't?"

Nogura nodded at Clayborne's paranoia. "Stay here and watch me. I'll notify them now." He pushed a button. "Mr. Ressler, would you get Director Briggs, Senators Matt Douglas and Senator Christopher Marshall on the comm. For me? Tell them it is urgent."

"Aye aye sir, right away."

Clayborne relaxed. Nogura started reading the summons again. "Mr. Clayborne, relax if you can. You can tell them yourself. You have held up your end of the bargain well. We will not stab you in the back. You have had enough of that from Jameson."

SHAFT 14C

LUNAR PENAL COLONY

Pete Mitchell was working on a vein of quartz. It was hard work, but there was some payoff. He had been sentenced to thirty years because of crashing his shuttle during a training landing. He had taken over from his instructor when his instructor tried to abort the landing, and caused the crash that killed his instructor. This and led to his court-martial and sentencing at the penal colony.

He was working on reducing that sentence a small amount with the labor. A guard came up and said, "Mitchell! Come over here! You got company."

Mitchell left his tools on the ground and walked down the tunnel to the guard. "Yes sir?"

"Get in the transport, you got a visitor back at the dorm."

Mitchell tried to think who it could be. This was not the month for visitors, and his lawyer would not be coming for another week. The two rode the transport down the tunnels to the base. Cleaning up was no trivial matter. The lunar regolith attached itself to everything and had the color of charcoal. Finally, Mitchell made it to the visiting room and was led to a booth. The other side of the booth sat an attractive blond lady. Between them was a panel of transparent aluminum. Mitchell sat down and pushed the com button. "Who are you?"

The lady said with a Texas accent, "I'm Meg Austin, Associate Lawyer to Samuel Cogley."

Mitchell smiled with his boyish, mischievous smile. "Well, I wish I had you defending me, it would have been a lot more fun."

Austin did not smile back. "I'm not here to help get you out."

Mitchell sat back, "Then what are you here for? Isn't Cogley known to have clients in Starfleet? I heard that he even defended Captain Kirk in a Court Martial."

"He does."

"Then he can get me out of here."

Austin shrugged. "I'm not sure that would be in his interest."

"Then what do you want with me?"

"The Starfleet oversight committee is going to be holding hearings concerning the USS Wisconsin's activities during its first year out of spacedock. We know that the committee is going to subpoena you, and would like to depose you prior to the hearings." Austin stated.

Mitchell's smile melted away and he leaned forward. "I gave all my testimony at my trial."

"The Committee will probably go places that weren't covered in the trial."

Mitchell blinked at a thought. "Who do you represent? Starfleet? They would have a JAG lawyer in here."

"No, we represent one of the officers on the Wisconsin."

"Which one?" Mitchell said suspiciously.

"Captain Jacobs."

Mitchell leaned back and laughed. "Why should I tell you anything? It was him and his officers that put me here."

Austin shook her head. "No, you were convicted of Manslaughter of Lt. Valerie. It was your gross negligence that caused her death. You pleaded this deal out."

Mitchell nodded and said sarcastically. "Right, I pleaded it out to a JAG judge with a JAG prosecutor having a JAG lawyer as my advocate. Any wonder why I ended up in the armpit of the universe?"

"You agreed to the plea deal." Austin forcefully said.

"I had no choice. The Wisconsin's officers had their complete story made up airtight." Mitchell said smarmily.

Austin retorted, "It's called the truth."

"Not making your case for help, councilor. Why should I help them? They turned on me."

Austin shook her head, "Not true, they tried to straighten you out, you came on board with a chip on your shoulder, thinking you were God's gift to women and Starfleet."

Mitchell shook his head, "Exaggerations. They had it out for me from day one. Like getting that ringer to beat me down for the Parisees squares match?"

"Lt Anders? You challenged him." Austin said.

"Me challenge a professional player? Nobody would be that stupid. No, they suckered me into a match and had the whole ship watch. That ship is brutal. It was like a gladiatorial match."

"You repeatedly insulted him. Not only him, but the ship as well."

Mitchell shook his head and angrily said, "He is supposed to not let his emotions get away. How could I have known about his professional status? I was baited into the match. No, I will not help Jacobs out. I will do whatever I can to ruin him. I hope the Committee guts him like a Creasil worm."

Austin snapped back. "They will not be able to do that. I am offering you an opportunity…"

"For what? Nothing I say will help Jacobs out. I will do whatever I can to hurt him."

Austin silently sat for a few seconds. The two were staring at each other through the glass. Austin stood up. "Thank you, Mr. Mitchell." She turned and left.

Mitchell was stunned. She left, just like that. What was up with that? Mitchell stood up and walked to the door. "Guard." The guard opened the door and Mitchell went through and went back toward the prison.

Meg Austin walked to the checkout. One of the guards started handing her property back to her. She asked, "Can I have my recording?"

The guard smiled and said, "We can either transmit it to you or give it to you here."

"I'd prefer both."

The guard nodded and typed a few buttons. A datacard came sliding out of a slot. "Here you are Miss Austin."

"Thank you. How do you keep cheerful with all these prisoners?"

The guard shrugged. "I do not let them get me down. They all deserve what they got. It's not my job to rehabilitate them. Somebody else has to do that."

Austin said, "How does that go?"

The guard shrugged again. "It varies. Your friend Mitchell is a hard case. Arrogant, cocky, doesn't let anyone tell him anything. He also is not kidding about him hurting your case. He will do as he says."

Austin smiled and put the datacard safely in a pocket. "I know. I'm counting on it. Thank you."

OPERATIONS SHACK

PLANETER'S WORLD

"Commander Paoto! We just got a message! It's from the Federation!"

Paoto struggled walking through the mud to the shack. Inside the shack, it was a struggle to keep it clean because the mud. He walked over to the boot rack, sat down, and took his boots off. "Is it from the Wisconsin? We have not heard from them in a little while. Erily has been asking about them."

Diron shook her head. "No, it's the Federation. Not even Starfleet. It's from one of their Senators. This message came all the way from their Capital on Earth."

Paoto had his inside slippers on, it was a small convenience, but necessary with the fall rains. Otherwise, the insides would be as muddy as the outside. "What's the round-trip time for an answer?"

Diron looked at the encoding. She was getting good at interstellar communications. "Two weeks."

Paoto said, "This will take a little while. Go ahead and play it."

Diron pushed a button and the image of Senator Jameson came on screen. "Commander Paoto, I am Senator Jameson from the United Federation of Planets. I want to congratulate you on the accomplishment of your civilization's first colony in another star system. I have been going over the report that the Wisconsin has sent on their mission to your planet and your home planet and find it fascinating on the whole mission. What Starfleet did for your civilization was absolutely incredible, I would like to learn more about it and what your colony's plans for the future are. I extend the invitation to you to come to Earth and tell us all what you can about Planter's world. You would be honored guests and we would very much like to help you out with a standard colonist package that we give our colonies. That would leap you forward not only in the necessities of life but also in comfort as well. Please respond as soon as you can. If you are unable to come, we do have a list of questions appended to this message. It would be far more helpful for you to show up. I await your response eagerly."

Paoto asked, "Diron, do you have any idea how long it would take them to come get us and bring us back?" He shook his head, knowing the answer would be bad.

Diron typed on the Federation computer. "If I'm doing my math correctly, it would be months."

Paoto grabbed his radio from his pocket. "Lrnta, if you can, come to operations. I'd like you to see something."

"On my way."

Shortly later, Lrnta Paoto showed up. "What is it Nefe?"

"We got a message from the Federation. Watch." Commander Paoto played the message.

Lrnta watched it, then had it played back to catch more information. Her husband asked, "What do you think?"

Lrnta stated, "I can't go. I can't leave the people here for that amount of time."

"I agree…."

"Don't trust him. He is self-centered." Lrnta interrupted. "His eyes say one thing while his mouth says another. He is after something else."

"I get that too. We need to talk to the others about the offer though." Paoto said.

Lrnta didn't look pleased. "I don't trust him."

Outside the operations shack the next day the whole colony met. The ground was still soft from the rain, and the air was crisp and cool. Fall had set in. Commander Paoto stood in front of everyone and said, "Thank you all for coming. This is a matter that we need to address. I've been offered by the Federation to go to their Capital and essentially give them a briefing on what happened here this spring."
"But you will be gone for months." One of the Planters said.

Paoto nodded, "Yes, but I should be back before spring. In exchange they offered to give us their colonist package."

"What is a 'colonist package'." Another Planter asked.

Paoto turned to Diron. Diron explained. "It varies from planet to planet. What we would most likely get is their pre-fab habitation modules…"

"We wouldn't be living in cabins anymore?"

Diron shook her head. "No, the pre-fab modules are much nicer. About a thousand square feet, insulated well, able to maintain a shirt-sleeved environment from -40 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, able to withstand winds of 200 miles per hour including debris, self-contained power units, a communications system, data center, numerous scanning devices, land and air transports, heavy equipment, 3D printers, and a forge capable of making high-temperature alloys."

The crowd started stirring and murmuring. Paoto said, "As you can see this is our dilemma. If I were to go, there is no guarantee that I will get back."

"I thought we liked the Federation."

Paoto said, "We like the Wisconsin. They did us a huge service. Captain Jacobs did mention to me that some in the Federation would not like what he did."

"Why not?"

Paoto explained. "Their highest law is something called 'The Prime Directive'. Among some things it prohibits interference in other civilizations."

"How did they interfere with us? They helped us."

Paoto continued, "Captain Jacobs told me that some would think that he should not have saved our babies."

The crowd murmured. Another in the crowd said, "The Federation would have let us die childless? Can we trust them?"

Paoto said. "Now you see that it's not a guarantee. The tantalizing thing is the colonist package. That would make our life immeasurably easer and put us years ahead. Those 3D printers can make anything from parts for our bulldozer to high-tech items."

Lrnta mentioned, "I also think there is the possibility that someone in the Federation could be using this as an opportunity to hurt the Wisconsin."

"Hurt? How?"

Lrnta shook head. "I'm not sure, but if my husband goes to get debriefed, the questioning may be slanted for political reason. Think about what we have learned about the fall of Tangia. Think about what we are gleaning from the satellites there now. If he does not go, then we can control the tempo of the answers and tone of the questioning."

Paoto said, "We must be willing not to get the 'colonist package'."

The crowd milled and talked back and forth. Finally, one of them said, "You should not risk it. We have no obligation to them except what we agreed for the interstellar transmitter." The rest of the group agreed.

Paoto nodded. "I wanted to talk with you all first on this. I will turn down the offer to go to Earth, which means most likely no 'Colonist Package'. In the meantime, let's come up with answers to the group of questions."

CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS

CARGO SHIP NEAR VEGA COLONY

"Captain Shoron, we have a message from Corporate." The communication officer said over the com.

"Send it to me here." Shoron said. He looked up from his datapad and touched a button on the wall. Captain quarters on this ship is not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination. Still, it was relatively comfortable compared to other quarters on the ship. The modest screen on the wall switched and no less than the CEO of the Cargo Company came on screen.

"Captain Shoron, we have been contacted by Senator Jameson's office. You have been summoned for a hearing back on Earth. We are going to take you off the ship once you arrive at Vega and you will be placed on transport to Earth. I don't want you to worry about your salary, that is being covered by the Senator. I'm sorry about having to remove you from your ship, but our legal department says this summons is in order. We will also have some lawyers accompany you on your trip to Earth and also while you are there."

"I'm not sure what the subject is about. The summons is coming from the Starfleet Oversight committee, so I'm guessing it is concerning the wargame you were part of earlier in the year out by Starbase 5. Go over all your logs, and work with the legal team to make sure we are well positioned for the questioning. Thank you." And the image disappeared.

Shoron leaned back in his chair, his antennae relaxed into a contemplative role. He pushed the com button. "Captain to XO."

A short time later the speaker clicked and he heard, "Hargraves here. What is it sir?"

"Can you come to my cabin? I need to talk to you." Shoron said.

"Right away."

Shoron pushed the button ending the call. He kept thinking. Hargraves was an excellent XO. The ship would be in good hands with him. Shortly later, the doorbell dinged. "Come in."

Hargraves stepped in and asked, "What is it sir?"

"There is going to be a change of plans when we get to Vega. I'm being taken off the ship."

"What for?"

"Remember that Wargame we were part of earlier?"

Hargraves nodded. "Yes, I remember we won."

Shoron said, "The Starfleet oversight committee wants to talk with me. The company is taking me off the ship. I'm going to send a recommendation up the food chain to have you placed in command."

"But sir, if they do that…."

"You have earned it. You have been through command training to be XO. The crew is comfortable with you. It's time." Shoron said.

"What about you?"

"I don't know. I have a feeling it will be linked with my performance during the hearing." Shoron said wistfully.

PRISONER'S QUARTERS

LUNAR PENAL COLONY

A guard walked up to the clear door and opened it up. "Mitchell, get up. You have a visitor."

Mitchell stood up from his bed. "I'm popular this month. Who is it?"

The guard said, "You'll find out."

Mitchell came in and sat down at the visitor's booth. This is now getting familiar. Mitchell looked at the visitor. Definitely a lawyer. "What's with you?"

The lawyer said, "I'm here to offer you something."

"What?"

"I work for the Starfleet Oversight Committee. We would like to get your perspective of the time on the Wisconsin."

"You're the second person to ask me about that recently."

The man smiled. "I know that Miss Austin was here. Let's say I'm here to get your perspective of everything that happened."

Mitchell was suspicious. "What's in it for me?"

The man looked around. "Different living conditions for one."

Mitchell said, "A prison is a prison. I want my freedom."

"I can't do that."

Mitchell snapped. "I know who you really work for. It is no committee. It is Senator Jameson. He has the pull…."

"To get a person convicted of Manslaughter out of prison? File an appeal."

"I have. It won't work. Starfleet is against me."

The man said, "You need a sympathetic court. I can arrange that. That is if I am properly motivated."

Mitchell sat back. "Ok, now we are talking. Get me into that sympathetic court. Get me a lawyer that isn't a JAG officer. I want a guarantee."

The man nodded. "That will depend on what you say. Tell me the story."

"Get me out of here."

The man looked back. "I thought you would say something like that. Here is proof of my good will. I have a court order releasing you to our custody. That should be enough to prove that I have the pull for getting you into a favorable court."

Mitchell nodded. "I want somewhere nice."

"It will be nice but remote."

Mitchell said, "Let's get going."

"I'll see you in Customs." The man stood up and touched his coat sleeve.

The man was collecting his personal items. The guard said, "Mr. Mitchell is clearing customs now. He will be ready at the transport for you. You sure you can handle him?"

"Yes. I have my own guards at the transport. Do you have my session recording?"

The guard handed it over. "Yes, I do. I must apologize, something happened to the audio. It is all garbled." The guard suspiciously looked at the man. "I've never had that happen before."

The man did not react. "That is ok. Mitchell did not say anything useful to me. That is why I had the order. It's going to be a long debrief. Have a good day."

The guard nodded as the man walked out the door. He is going to have to have the recording system checked.

WORKBEE 1

SURVEYING USS WISCONSIN

IN ORBIT AROUND STARBASE 5

Jacobs was gliding along in the workbee. The workbee was a great tool in outside work on a starship. It filled the gap from EVA suits and construction sleds or arms if in a drydock facility. It was a single-person cockpit, with high-visibility windows made from transparent aluminum and a hardened durasteel frame. The frame was painted in high-visibility yellow, hence the workbee name. Overall, it was barely larger than a person sitting down, but was comfortable and very useful. It could attach itself to cargo pods and maneuver them as necessary with its thrusters, hook up to a welding sled and perform heavy-duty welding, or connect with an arm attachment and be used in heavy duty repair or construction. Today, Jacobs had the arm attachment with a sensor pod on one of the arms.

"Dom, I'm over by the primary heat exchanger. It looks like it is completely fused."

"Sir, if you can move the sensor pod aft along the whole heat exchanger, we can get some good scans of that as well too." Santini's voice came over the speaker.

"Any chance of getting this nacelle working?"

"No sir." Santini's voice sounded disappointed. "That weapon did not slag the entire nacelle, but it did render it useless. I'm reading some interesting readings in the metal though. Starfleet science will want to take a look at this."

"No doubt Dom. Biggest problem we have is we are a one nacelle ship designed for two. I got a message from the Admiral that the one nacelle earmarked for us is going to one of the one nacelle ships."

"I hope they don't want us to go anywhere in a hurry."

Jacobs chuckled as he adjusted the workbee's drift. "If they do, they will have to be patient." A chirp happened. "Hang on Dom, I got a message." Jacobs pushed a button. "Jacobs here."

"Josh, it's Admiral Adama."

"Yes Admiral, what can I do for you?"

"I'd like you to come down here for a meeting in one hour." Adama said.

Jacobs smiled, "I'll be right there."

"Adama out." Click.

Jacobs pushed a button. "Dom, I'm back. The Admiral wants to see me."

"You're going to the principal's office."

Jacobs finished the scan and turned back toward the hangar bay. "It isn't my first time." He said with a grin.

STARBASE 5 COMMANDERS OFFICE

STARBASE 5

Jacobs walked into Adama's office. Adama motioned for a seat. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"Water please."

Admiral Adama poured out a glass of water and handed it to Jacobs while he sat down. Adama said, "One of your friends contacted us this morning."

Jacobs said, "Friends really or friends sarcastically?"

"No, a real friend. It was Commander Paoto on Planter's world."

Jacobs let out a wide grin. "Glad to hear. What is the latest news from them?"

"Senator Jameson."

Jacobs was surprised. "What about him?"

"The Senator is offering him a 'Colonial Package' for Paoto to come to Earth for a talk."

Jacobs did the mental math. "He would never leave his colony for that amount of time."

Admiral nodded, "You are right. Jameson included questions to answer. Paoto answered them and gave us a copy. I'm sending a copy of Paoto's correspondence to Mr. Cogley."

Jacobs nodded, "I told him to forward messages to the Wisconsin through Starbase 5, and he has been regular in correspondence. Why did he send the message to you and not me?"

Adama nodded. "It seems that your friend Paoto is learning fast the problems of long-distance communications. He felt that time was important and that we might have to start moving before the message got to you. For a pre-warp man he learns quick."

Jacobs raised an eyebrow. "They are the best and brightest 100 people from a world. His wife Lrnta seemed a good judge of character. Did Paoto include anything from her?"

"Yes. Commander Paoto mentioned that his wife felt suspicious."

Jacobs nodded knowingly. "Then the Senator is up to no good. But we know that already."

Adama nodded, "Yes we do."