Chapter 811

BEHIND SENATE HEARING ROOM

FEDERATION CAPITAL

Lt Maya walked up being escorted by an Andorian Ensign. During the break the hallway was a bustle of people. She saw Captain Jacobs in the hallway with a few of the other officers. She turned to the Ensign, "Thank you Ensign, I see the Starfleet delegation."

The Ensign nodded and walked off. Lt Maya made her way through the crowd and met Captain Jacobs. "Captain."

Jacobs was talking with Hotchner and turned, "Lt Maya. Thank you for showing up."

Maya nodded at Lt Cdr Hotchner, who nodded back. "Yes sir."

Lt Cdr Hotchner asked, "Who is on duty for science?"

"I called Ensign Dietrich. I gave him the task of running diagnostics on the new sensor upgrades. How about you? Any word when you'll be back?"

Hotchner said, "Six weeks."

Maya looked at Jacobs, "Captain? Any way we can drag out these hearings that long?"

Jacobs chuckled. "Even Senator Jameson I think will want this done by then, maybe we can all endure long enough to get you back. What was relayed to you?"

"JJ said that Senator Jameson has a crush on me and wants to flirt with me."

Jacobs smiled, "That's about it. Don't be fooled, he still is up to no good."

Maya asked, "How do you want me to play it?"

Jacobs looked at Hotchner. "Don't let him get to you. Just answer the questions."

Hotchner said, "And possibly use your sense of humor too."

Maya smirked and looked at the Captain. "How much?"

Jacobs thought a bit. "Not as much as on the ship. Up there you're with family. Down here we are in the spotlight." An idea came to mind. "I remember the briefing that Captain Bennion gave when he rescued you."

Maya raised an eyebrow. Jacobs said, "He described you as Regal as well as humorous."

Maya nodded and smiled, "I understand."

Admiral Adama walked past and said, "They are reconvening. Let's get in there."

Jacobs motioned with his arm. "After you all."

SENATE HEARING ROOM

FEDERATION CAPITAL

Senator Jameson sat down. Gold handed a tablet over to Jameson. "Here is the personnel file on Lt Maya."

Jameson started scanning. Gold said, "Don't try to make a case today. You should read up on her before questioning her. I still don't understand why you want to question her, as pertaining to the hearing."

Jameson gave a nasty look. Gold added, "Senator, I urge you to keep it simple, and get past her and on to your plan as quick as you can. Remember we are being broadcast live. The numbers are quite high, in fact I've never seen them this high before."

Jameson let out a snort. "It will still be people with nothing to watch elsewhere. I doubt if its that many."

Gold shook his head, "The viewership is large like a major sports event. Whatever happens here we will not be able to spin away mistakes. Once again, please don't call her to the stand."

Jameson ignored the remark and turned around and gaveled the room to order. "I would like to ask Lt Maya some questions."

Admiral Nogura leaned forward. To his left in order was Admiral Adama, Lt Maya, Captain Jacobs, and Samuel Cogley. "Once again, I protest that you are demanding to see one of my officers without prior notice."

"Are you blocking me from investigating what happened?"

Nogura stated, "No. I am merely protesting. This is highly irregular and improper. I want it on the record that I protest this questioning."

Jameson scowled and looked at the new officer. "Noted. Are you Lt Maya?"

Maya was sitting straight and said with a neutral face, "I am."

"It's just 'Maya'? Nothing else?"

"What else would you like to know?" Maya asked neutrally.

Jameson let out a brief smile and exhaled. "I'm not familiar with your race, your customs. Your people."

"I am Psychon."

"How do your people call you? How do you address each other?"
Maya asked, "The most basic is simply 'Maya'. In the public, I would be introduced as 'Maya, daughter of Mentor.'"

Jameson on a whim asked, "What about formally, as in these proceedings."

Maya said, "In these proceedings, as you have stated with my Captain, I should be called, 'Lt. Maya'." There were some chuckles from the crowded gallery.

Jameson brushed the comment off and decided to apply some charm. He smiled warmly. "What about with your people?"

Maya took in a deep breath. "Maya, daughter of Mentor. Princess of Psychon. Heir to the Commonwealth."

The room was instantly quiet. Senator Jameson said, "You're kidding."

Maya sat still and now had a stern look on her face. It was amazing. She did not look like she moved a muscle, but she had stature now. She was regal in appearance, and it was all her poise. After an uncomfortable pause, Jameson said, "You are a princess? To a world? Why are you in Starfleet?"

Maya said, "To answer all those questions; Yes, yes, and because they rescued me."

Jameson blinked in surprise, "What do you mean by that?" Behind him Gold physically rolled his eyes. Cogley saw that.

Maya said, "Yes, I am a Princess, rightful Heir to rule the Commonwealth of Psychon, and lastly I'm in Starfleet because I was rescued from Psychon."

Jameson asked, "How were you rescued?"

Senator April interrupted, "How do we address you?"

Maya raised an eyebrow again and said with a smile, "Lt Maya is appropriate, Senator April."

Jameson irritatingly said, "Senator April, I was getting to that." Turning to Maya he asked, "How did you get from Princess to Lieutenant?"

Maya smiled regally. "Thank you, Senator. As I said before, I was rescued from Psychon. Captain Bennion was the one who rescued me just before my home planet blew up. I am the last Psychon alive. Captain Bennion and his crew were very hospitable during the cruise to Starbase 8. He was also the one to sponsor me under refugee status to Starfleet Academy. I graduated in four years with a Doctorate in Astrophysics and a Doctorate in Molecular Biology."

There was a hush in the room. Senator Bim Freshligm asked, "How did you do that so fast?"

Maya said, "My father trained me ever since I was a little girl. He was one of the foremost scientists on my planet."

Senator Jameson asked, "I thought he was the leader of the planet." Lt Cdr Hotchner noted a twinge of irritation in his voice and looked at Cogley. Cogley caught the look and meaning.

Maya continued. "What would you expect him to be? He was the leader. He had to know at least how to analyze data and problem solve. My Father's Father thought that science was good for leaders to know, and so Mentor was trained, and so I was. I was rigorously tested and received credit for my scientific knowledge that was imparted to me."

Jameson asked, "How old are you? I don't know what the normal for your race is."

Maya turned her head slightly to the side and said slyly, "Now Senator, I understand in your culture it is like mine; it is considered rude to ask a lady her age."

There was chuckling in the gallery. Jameson was about to say something when Maya continued. "Suffice to say I'm in my mid 30's." Gold visibly sighed. If Jameson only would prepare properly. Maya continued, "I was able to advance quickly mainly due to my scientific knowledge. About two years ago I was posted to the Wisconsin and have been serving under Lt Cdr Hotchner and Captain Jacobs."

Jameson was trying to think straight. This Maya was intimidating. She was also charming; it was apparent with the gallery and probably other members of the committee. He had to slap her back for that comment. "Thank you, Miss Maya. I…."

Maya said, "Senator, you publicly berated my Captain for his not using your title. I have earned mine. Please return the practice of using titles with me, as I am due."

Jameson was trying to think. Which title is she referring to? Lieutenant? Princess or whatever? "I'm not sure exactly what to call you."

Maya said, "I've already answered that. Senator April knows what is the proper way to address me."

Senator April said with a smirk, "Indeed I do Lieutenant."

Jameson showed a little irritation. "Yes, but what do you want to be called? What is your status?"

Jacobs was trying to suppress a smile. Maya had caught Jameson in his own trap. Jacobs leaned forward, "If you look in her file, Senator, she does retain officially head-of-state of her people. The Federation recognizes her as the leader of the Psychon Commonwealth."

Jameson glanced at the datapad and saw that line, "Yes, I know, but as I understand it Psychon is a dead world." There were gasps in the room. Jameson looked up, "I'm sorry, Princess Maya."

Maya said, "If you look further in my file, I requested to be formally referred to my Starfleet rank. The titles of Psychon are not relevant to me."

Jameson sat the pad down. "Why not? Surely, it's more prestigious to be the leader of a society."

Maya raised an eyebrow. "I look at the people I'm around. I worked hard for my rank. As you so bluntly put it, Psychon is dead, I'm the leader of a dead people, last of my kind. What I saw with Starfleet was a chance to be part of a community. A group of people who cared. They have become my people."

Jameson realized he was way off track. "Then why didn't you request to go back to Captain Bennion?"

Maya said sternly. "Because Captain Bennion and my original shipmates were killed by a Klingon attack. One that you had classified and I did not know what happened to them until I checked into the file PEANUTBUTTER. That happened a little over two years ago. If they had known that there was a possibility that the Organians would not intervene, they may have been better prepared." The crowd gasped.

Jameson flushed, "A Starfleet Captain should always be prepared to defend his ship."

Maya continued the stern look, which she could do very well with her pointed eyebrows. "Yes, but a little context could also help the situational awareness of a Starfleet Captain. Senator, I resent the judgement that you just passed on my original Captain. You do not know the situation. Senator, do you know where they were attacked?"

Jameson was struck dumb. Maya gave him just enough time and just before Jameson was going to say something she added, "Or do you know how many ships attacked him?" Once again, another moment of silence. "Is this your pattern of behavior, Senator? To make accusations without knowing the facts?"

The room was silent. Jameson was red with fury, once again, just as he was ready to speak, Maya started, "Now, enough irrelevant talk about me. Surely, that is not the reason why you called me here. You must have some questions about my time on the Wisconsin. Let's get to that, Senator."

Gold turned around to face away from the cameras. He was afraid of this. He looked at one of his sub-aides and they had a look of shock on their face. Gold turned back around and tapped a few words on his screen and laid the pad down in front of the Senator.

Jameson looked down. 'YOU'VE LOST CONTROL AND THE MOMENTUM OF THE HEARING. GET IT BACK NOW. ASK HER ABOUT HER PART ON THE MISSION TO TANGIA'

Jameson looked up sternly at Maya, who was staring right back at him. Jameson tapped another pad. "What is your role on the Wisconsin?"

Maya relaxed a little bit, "Senator, I'm the executive officer of the Science Division. I assist Lt Cdr Hotchner in running the Science department on the Wisconsin."

"And on the mission to Tangia?"

"I assisted in the analysis of the data that we were getting from the surface."

Jameson accusingly said, "You were on the landing party as well. On the mission to kidnap the babies."

"Senator, I was on the ground mission. To kidnap babies is a gross mischaracterization." Maya said flatly.

"What did you do?"

Maya took in a deep breath. "My position was not only to provide a scientific assessment of whatever situation we came across, but to also help the landing party infiltrate the city."

"How would you do that?"

Maya said, "My file does mention that I am a metamorph. I can change my appearance at will."

"You can? Show us." Jameson said.

"No sir. I will not. I do not want to give away any more information than necessary."

"But I want to see it."

Maya looked at the other members. She was still regal in poise. "I do not want to be the instrument that denigrates this committee to a circus act. Suffice to say that my ability would let me change my appearance to whatever Tangian we needed."

"By posing as one of the leaders of Tangia."

Maya smiled, "Yes. That was most effective."

"What did you think of the plan to snatch babies?"

Maya said, "I thought it was brilliant and necessary. I already know that you did not want those babies saved, but the plan was sound. It was also morally correct."

"What do you mean morally correct? We have our laws." Jameson snorted.

"Which you can use to hide behind or to do the right thing."

Jameson decided to switch points. "So, you are following the lead of your Captain. I've had a particular problem with his choice of moral points. He often lets his emotions get in the way. Surely, as a scientist you see that."

Maya said, "So we are switching from my involvement to my assessment of the Captain? Sobeit. Captain Jacobs has a strong moral character and a very ordered, logical mind. His primary decision-making process is not by emotion."

"Strong, moral character? Where does he get that from? Where is his moral base?" Jameson asked accusingly.

Maya stated frankly. "You would say it is from his faith. Or his religion."

Jameson sighed a tired sigh. He noted the time. "Senator April, your time is starting."

April sat bemused. "I yield my time for now to you. You can continue your question."

Jameson was a little bewildered. "Ok, Miss Maya."

"Lieutenant."

Jameson had a frown. "You see his moral compass is his religion. Surely, you don't accept that with all the science that you know."

Maya shook her head, "You make a big mistake, Senator. You assume a scientist cannot be a Christian. I see no conflict between Christian faith and Science."

Jameson blinked. "You don't have a problem with Jacobs being a Christian?"

Maya said, "Why would I. I'm one too."

Jameson was dumbfounded. April said, "I take my time back. Lt Maya, please tell us your story."

Maya said, "After I was rescued, I was devastated. A person alone in the universe. I was going to be an alien to everyone. Captain Bennion and his crew were great in welcoming me to the Federation, in particular in my time of exceeding grief. Starfleet Academy was good in my learning of the Federation and how to belong and operate in Starfleet. I started feeling like I belonged to a community when Captain Bennion's ship was ambushed."

Jameson said, "How did you survive?"

Maya said, "I was back at Starfleet Academy getting my checkout for Starship line operations. This was to make me a line officer, in line of command of a Starship, not just merely a scientist. During this time, I lost Captain Bennion and my crew." The room was silent. "I have survivor's guilt twice over. I lost everyone I knew, twice. To say I was devastated is an understatement. It was during this time that I met Lt Jareau. She had a tenderness about her, a sensitivity. She told me about the building of the Wisconsin and I requested a transfer and was quickly accepted."

Jameson scoffed. "You needed help being a princess?"

Maya looked at Jameson sternly. Jameson felt like she was burning a spot right between his eyes. "Yes, Senator, I did. Desperately. I do not see people as below me, rather the opposite. The Federation and Starfleet have so many wonderful people, how can you not see this?"

Maya shifted her gaze to the other members. "Committee, Captain Jacobs and his crew welcomed me wholeheartedly into their crew. After being with them a short time, I realized that as bad as my need was for community, I needed something far worse. I needed the saving power of Christ in my heart."

Jameson exclaimed, "Power? From a dusty, old religion? What kind of power?"

"Absolute. My heart was wretched." Maya looked at each one of the members and said strongly. "Hear me now! The power of salvation in Jesus Christ is capable of forgiveness of sin, overcoming guilt, and healing. I've been saved twice in my life, once physical, once spiritual. The need for forgiveness and cleansing in my heart was needed not only because of my original sin-nature, but also because of how I grew up."

"My Father was a good, honorable man. He was working furiously on trying to save our planet. He invented a powerful organic computer called Psyche. At the time we didn't know it, but Psyche affected the people in close proximity to it. It turned my Father into a morally vacant man. I didn't realize it at the time, but it also was affecting me. I would have ended up evil too. Lt Jareau, Pastor Octavian, and the rest of the crew showed me the transforming power of Christ, saving me from the effects of Psyche and my nature."

Jameson said, "Should we be worried you'll turn evil some day?"

Maya looked directly at Jameson. "If we say we have no sin, we are a liar. If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You have nothing more to fear from me than anyone else."

Jameson stated, "I've met Christians, they come across as weak. They hide behind 'their God' but are weak."

Maya said, "There is nothing weak about God. He has the power to change lives. He overcame a power inside me that tore a planet apart. Psyche not only destroys hearts, it destroyed my planet. God overcame that."

The room was silent. Maya said, "God overcame all of that by showing me love. The overpowering love of his people, Christians as you call them. I'm one of them now. And now he has given me a new home. I've never been happier in all my life."

Jameson angrily said, "You don't sound like a scientist."

"Senator, I'm not worried what you think of me. The degrees I've earned at Starfleet Academy say otherwise." Maya said.

Jameson exclaimed, "You should be! I have the power to wreck you and your precious crew!"

There was silence in the room. Maya stated in a strong voice. "Senator, you only have the power to do what God allows you to do. You may not realize it, but if he doesn't want you to destroy us, you won't be able to."

Jameson yelled back, "My power is absolute in here!"

"No Senator, you are not. In here your power is limited by the vote of the committee. You also have rules to run this committee such as sharing the time for questioning. Your exclamation of absolute power diminishes both you and the other members of the Committee. It is obvious that you didn't have a real set of questions for me, I wonder why you asked me to come testify." Maya looked at the other committee members. "Committee, are there any further questions for me?"

The committee was silent. Jameson was so mad he could spit. Maya said, "I ask the Committee to dismiss me. I have important duties back on the Wisconsin."

Senator April looked around then said, "Thank you Lieutenant. May I extend condolences for your losses. And congratulations on the blessings on your life."

"Thank you, Senator." She looked at the committee. "Good day." Maya rose and turned. She briefly looked at Jacobs, who gave her an approving nod. Maya walked out of the room to total silence.

Senator April asked, "May it please the chair to have a fifteen-minute break."

ITN NEWS

"Another explosive day today at the hearings. We are still looking into what is happening at the Starfleet Oversight Committee hearings. Right now, they are on a break, but how would you sum up today, Stan?"

"This seems to be about a mission to Tangia, evidently the Wisconsin… grabbed? Rescued? I do not know how to put it. I would think the term rescued is appropriate. Senator Jameson obviously has it out for the Wisconsin and Starfleet. I think he is wrong in this case. The rescuing of those babies is remarkable. Captain Jacobs' main argument is that it would not affect Tangia as they were going to kill those babies anyway."

"But the surprise was the calling of Lt Maya. What do we know about her?"

"Literally nothing. I have never seen her species before. It sounds like she had a tragic past, and has some peace with the crew of the Wisconsin. She mentions getting religion or something like that. It obviously has been good for her, but I'm trying to figure out why Jameson called her. She only answered a few questions related to the mission."

"Yes, it seemed like to me that Jameson was going to try to get incriminating information from her or to have her turn on Captain Jacobs."

"I think you're right. She did turn it back on the Senator."

"Right now, we are getting word they are getting ready to reconvene. Please keep watching the hearings on ITN, we are carrying this live in the Sol system and will continuously broadcast to the rest of the Federation. Incidentally, the numbers of viewers keep growing as the hearing goes on. This is remarkable to watch. Thank you, ITN News."

SENATE HEARING ROOM

People were up stretching and talking. There was the general mill of conversation in the room. Cogley and Hotchner were conversing about something. Adama looked at Jacobs, "Lt. Maya put on a show."

Jacobs shrugged. "Yes, she did. Jameson was asking for it." Nogura walked up after talking on his communicator for a short bit. Jacobs looked at Nogura, "Admiral, I hope that Lt. Maya didn't go too far. We talked a bit and I thought with Jameson's issue on titles it would be a good thing for her to play with that a bit."

Nogura smiled, "Not at all. I do not have a problem, I am glad she testified the way she did. I caught some body language signals and I believe that is what those two are talking about. How did you ever come across her?"

"Lt Jareau was back at the Academy getting her line checkout as well. The two became fast friends. JJ mentioned to her that we were filling out staffing for the Wisconsin and offered her an interview. Lt Cdr Hotchner interviewed her and thought she would be ideal for the science department."

"Did you interview her?" Nogura asked.

"No, I trust my people. Cdr Leonaidas and Hotchner did the interview. As she said, Starfleet credentialed her, but a deeper look into what she was like at the Academy shows she is far more capable. She has been an invaluable crewmember. She fits in with the Wisconsin family."

Nogura nodded, "As well as Dr. Mallard, who you really didn't get a chance to select."

"No, my original Doctor had to back out at the last minute, practically. Dr. Mallard pieced together a staff that on the whole has been remarkable."

Nogura added, "Except for Nurse Griffin."

Jacobs nodded, "Yes, except for her. Our hope was to help her out but she was too stubborn."

Nogura looked at Adama, "Captain Jacobs, I do want to recognize that you have done a good job in assembling your crew. No ship is perfect, but you have set a high bar. Regardless what this committee says, I think you have done a good job. You have managed to get good people." Looking at the Senators, "I think we are about to start up again."

They all returned to their seats as the room quieted. Cogley was typing on his pad then showed Jacobs what he typed. "HOTCH AND I THINK JAMESON IS DEVOLVING. HE IS GETTING MORE AND MORE PETTY; HE IS ALSO SHOWING POORER IMPULSE CONTROL. SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF. HOTCH AND I THINK THAT MAYA MAY HAVE OPENED MORE CHINKS IN HIS ARMOR. SHE DID WELL. REMEMBER, WHEN YOU ANSWER QUESTIONS NOT TO MAKE IT ABOUT YOURSELF."

Jacobs looked at Cogley and nodded understanding.

Senator Jameson gaveled the room to order once again. "Now on to the next mission…"

Senator April interrupted. "No so fast, Senator. You've asked a great many questions; we still haven't finished up with this mission."

"We've asked everything for this mission that we need."

April shook his head, "No. I have more questions." Jameson checked the clock and waived his hand. April continued, "Captain Jacobs, I'm going to go into your motivations. While Senator Jameson's questioning was borderline chaotic…" Jameson's face flushed at that. "It did raise up the point of morality. Forgive me, but some of these may be difficult questions."

Jacobs shifted in his seat. April was friendly, but what was going to happen? "Yes Senator."

April started, "Thank you Captain. Let's start with the Prime Directive. How did that factor into your mission?"

Jacobs said, "To restate, the Prime Directive is our highest law. First, it states that the Federation can't dictate to a planet how it should govern its society. Second, it states that we cannot interfere with the natural progression of a planet. That is what prohibits contact with pre-starfaring civilizations."

April asked, "Right out of the textbook. How do those principles apply to the Planters and Tangians?"

"Senator, after careful review, my crew and I determined that the Planters met the conditions for first contact."

Jameson interrupted, "You should've asked for permission!"

Jacobs said, "A round trip answer would have taken days to receive. That is why you have Starships manned instead of robotic Starship probes. It was a clear-cut decision that the Planters were star faring. They did travel from one star system to another, and set up a colony."

"But they are stranded. They cannot do it again." Jameson said.

"That is not the requirement. Merely that they have the capability."

April knowing what the answer would be asked, "Why?"

Jacobs said, "The Federation decided that a civilization that possesses technology to make it to another star system would not be damaged by contact with aliens. The meeting must happen sometime, it seemed like a reasonable or logical requirement to make. The Planters knew that by going to another star system they stood a high chance of coming across aliens."

April nodded. "And what about how you did first contact with them?"

Jacobs said, "I thought it best to send a shuttle down. That was a big day for them. No need to overwhelm them with transporter technology or fly the Wisconsin down and hover over their colony. Better to do the welcome to the interstellar community in small chunks."

Jacobs looked at the committee. They were intensely waiting. "The progression of the mission seemed to be straightforward. We made initial contact. Had a nice meet-and-greet."

Jameson scoffed, "You mean you had another time to eat."

Jacobs smiled, "Yes, Senator, we had a grand picnic. It was a good chance to introduce our good will to them with something beyond words. They met more of our crew, and we them. Everyone that went down filed a report on who they met, and the stories are good to read."

"You're always having a banquet."

Jacobs looked at the Klingons, who sat bemused. "Senator, you ought to really try it. Serving food is a great way to make new friends." Many people in the room chuckled. Jacobs continued. "We talked about our mission with the Planters, and we offered them a chance to go with us to Tangia to find out what was happening there."

April asked, "How did that idea come up?"

Jacobs said straightforwardly, "It seemed obvious. We could have some people right on the ship to interpret the culture there. They could provide insight that would take us a long time to develop. We left a medical team behind to give some checkups and see what else we could do for the Planters."

"Arriving at Tangia was as I described before. The Prime Directive did not prohibit contact, merely that we could not affect their progression as a society. So, we controlled where and when we would have landing parties."

"And a little girl spotted you." Jameson scoffed again.

Jacobs chuckled, the committee members saw this and talked in hushed tones with each other. "As I said before, Erily is a very special young girl. In general, one of the risks that landing parties have is that we are often spotted by the children of the planet first. Children notice everything. We may look like the locals, but we do not have the right body language, we move different, even with universal translators we may use language differently. Children are always the biggest risk at being discovered. Starfleet has known this for years."

Jameson sneered, "Then maybe you shouldn't go down and contact primitives."

Jacobs said, "Then we would not need Starfleet. That is our mission. To seek out new life, new civilizations. We have known it is just part of the risk for a hundred years. To get back to the mission. Erily had noticed our arrival. As I said before she studies the sky, she spotted, and tracked our ship. When she saw us in the nursery, she spotted the differences and made the conclusion that what she saw was a ship and we were from it. That goes to her intelligence."

"We learned that the Planters were sterile, therefore doomed to extinction about the same time we found out that the Tangians were literally throwing away their babies. I saw that we could rescue some babies, treat their infirmities, and transport them to the Planters all within the Prime Directive."

April nodded, "Now for a difficult question. What role did your religion play in this?"

Jacobs thought a bit before answering. The room was quiet. "I'm not sure exactly how to answer this question."

Jameson said loudly looking at the camera, "SEE!"

Jacobs said calmly, "The question makes it sound like I did something to please my religion. First, I'm not religious. We can go into that later. I do have a sense of what is right and wrong, and before lots of questions go over that, I believe it is wrong to kill babies. Period. Federation law backs me up. Killing babies is called murder. So, I see that it is morally wrong, a belief that is supported by Federation Law, to kill babies. I also see a chance to prevent some murders, also supported by Federation law, and not violate the Prime Directive. That is the decision that I made."

April looked at Jameson, keeping him silent. He turned back to Jacobs. "Thank you for that. Now what about the decision to give them to the Planters?"

Jacobs nodded. "We checked with them if they would be willing to adopt the babies. They were. I saw this was also ok with the Prime Directive. Since we established relations with a new civilization, we can render assistance to them. And this is what was done. Now, the Planters have their original colonists plus the babies."

Jameson snapped, "Plus Erily."

"We discussed that earlier, Senator. Yes, plus Erily."

"And you could not say no. You should have left her behind but you could not. Why didn't you leave Erily behind? Was it your religious morality that could not leave her behind?" Jameson baited.

Jacobs thought a bit. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Jacobs looked at Nogura, who nodded slightly. What did that mean exactly? He had a thought already but was trying to determine how to put it without being adversarial.

Jameson was salivating. Senator April had placed Jacobs just where Jameson wanted him. Jacobs was now having to answer the question that could sink his career. If Jacobs admitted to acting out of emotion, he would be finished. Jameson waited with great anticipation. He glanced at the other members of the committee; they were hanging on the next words.

Hotchner and Cogley both saw the body language, they wanted to warn Jacobs of being careful of the answer, but they could not. Not without looking like they were coaching him.

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

The turbolift doors opened and Lt Maya stepped onto the Bridge. She saw on the main viewer Captain Jacobs. Glancing around, she could see every eye was on the viewer and it was totally silent. Maya asked, "What did I miss?"

Jareau said, "Senator Jameson just asked if the Captain decided to save Erily out of emotion. This could be catastrophic."

Maya looked at Jareau. "Then I suggest we pray quickly."

ENGINEERING

USS WISCONSIN

Santini just happen to step out of a cluttered mayhem of work in main engineering. There were many people doing various duties for the repair/upgrade of main engineering. There was plenty of noise. Lots of cutting, grinding, yelling from one place to another to communicate. Santini's door slid open and he stepped into his office to check on some schedules. The door slid closed and it was suddenly quiet. The monitor on the wall had the hearing and Santini heard the last portion and Jameson's question.

Santini realized immediately that this was critical. "God, help him."

BADGER DEN

USS WISCONSIN.

Lt Gibbs walked in and sat down at a bench with his firearm rifle. There were several Badgers lounging in various places in the room, but zero activity. All eyes were on the viewer with the hearing. Gibbs started field stripping his rifle while listening to the hearing, then Jameson's question came up. Gibbs stopped and looked up at the screen.

Denozzo was uncharacteristically serious. "Is this it?"

Lt Teal'c was standing behind the couch watching as well. "Indeed. This is critical. Badgers, let's pray." He knelt and started praying. Gibbs did the same.

CHALAB DAIRY

WESTERN WISCONSIN

Brad had been in from doing morning chores and his wife was watching the hearing. "How is the hearing going on Dear?"

Emmy said, "It's incredible. We will have to play back earlier. I think Senator Jameson has it out for the Captain because he's a Christian."

"He certainly hates Jacobs. You think it's because he's a Captain?"

"From what I'm hearing, a lot of his crew are Christians as well. Brad, I think this whole thing is to ruin them because they are Christians."

Brad finished fixing a sandwich and started chomping. "It could be. Yesterday, it seemed like it was more his violating the Prime Directive."

"I know, but I think that Jameson will use whatever to get at them. Listen!" Jameson's question came up.

Brad nodded, "Point blank, are you a Christian. Honey, let's pray for Jacobs."

"And his crew." Emmy said.

"And his crew."

SENATE HEARING ROOM

FEDERATION CAPITAL

Jacobs finished a quick, silent prayer. 'Lord, give me your words.'

"Senator Jameson, Committee. The decision to take Erily was deliberate. I detailed that out in my original report. Senator Jameson is trying to make it sound like I chose to save her out of emotion and violate the Prime Directive. You have my previous testimony and the reports. I stayed consistent with the Prime Directive. In fact, there was a time on the mission where I could have taken her, but that would have led to a Prime Directive violation. As it was, she was discovered at the beginning of a firefight, the Central Authority knew she had stowed away on the truck with the babies, and too many people were involved. If I left her behind, she would tell a tale that could violate the Prime Directive, namely it could cause the Tangian Society to change course. In a moment, I saw that the best way to preserve the Prime Directive was to take her with us at that moment."

Jameson went from being eager to angry. "What about saving her from that society! What about giving her opportunity in a new life! What about what you said yesterday about getting her away from a society that had no love!"

Jacobs calmly nodded. "Your question was concerning my decision with regards to the Prime Directive. I'm glad you did process the other benefits that were discussed as well, Senator Jameson. But your question and my answer were centered around the Prime Directive."

Jameson was so incensed he could not speak. Senator April offered, "I think that's enough for today. May I have a vote to adjourn?" The committee voted. April waited a few seconds. Jameson seemed locked in thought over something. April said, "Then we are adjourned until tomorrow."

People rose up from their seats and the room filled with talk. Nogura said, "Let's go to Starfleet. Invite the Klingons."

Jacobs nodded. He walked over to the Klingons and said, "We're heading over to Starfleet. Admiral Nogura is extending an invitation."

Kang and Kor looked to Ambassador Gorkon. Gorkon said, "I have business to get caught up, but you two head on over. I'll see you tomorrow."

Kang said, "We'll be over after escorting the Ambassador."

Jacobs nodded, shook their hands, and went to the Starfleet contingent.