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Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17

Chapter 13

As the Captain is settling into her chair, she hears a communication hail behind her. Ensign Gamble explains, "Captain, I have an incoming transmission from the Nathan Hale."

"Put it on screen please, Ensign," she says as she stands up.

Captain Gastineau's image appears on the main view screen and they both smile. "Captain Gamble, the Nathan Hale’s repulsor beam is fully functional and standing by," he says.

"Thank you, Captain. Engineering will transmit the coordinates to you so that we can get this comet on a new, and somewhat friendlier, course. I am moving the Ulysses into position now. The comet is in sensor range and we have a little less than an hour," she warns.

"Very well, the Nathan Hale will be moving into position. Hale out," he says and his image is replaced by the starfield.

As she is sitting back in her chair, the console beeps again. Ensign Gamble says with a note of surprise, "Captain, I have a priority message coming in for your eyes only."

"Very well, Ensign, I'll take it in my ready room," she says as she stands up. "Commander Ison, you have the bridge until Commander Gengo returns," she orders as she walks towards her ready room. Entering and crossing over to her desk to activate the screen, Captain Gamble unconsciously starts and stands taller as the image of Admiral Hanson appears. "Admiral Hanson, what a nice surprise. We are in position to divert the comet and place it in a new trajectory that will take it a safe distance from the planet and its moons."

"Captain, I have not established this link to discuss the situation with the comet. We received your first report about the destruction of the major cities on the planet and the damage to your ship. Based on this report, I am enroute to your position and will be convening a court-martial inquiry against you and Captain Gastineau. The two ships were dispatched to divert a disaster, not to become part of one," he says brusquely.

"Admiral, I would like to explain to you the circumstances surrounding the meteorite collisions," she says in stunned disbelief.

"You will be able to give your defense at the inquiry. If we find against you, the two of you will return to Earth and face a general court-martial," he states coldly.

"Does Captain Gastineau know of this, sir?" she asks stiffly.

"Yes, he is being informed by Admiral Slocum. If you both feel that you are competent enough to accomplish the movement of the comet, then you may retain your command until then. After that time, you will confine yourself to your quarters until we arrive," he says emphatically, before signing off.

Chapter 15, Top of Page

Chapter 14

The captain opens his mouth to protest when Admiral Slocum snaps, "Captain Gastineau, you are not to speak with Captain Gamble for any reason until the inquiry. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir, but I have one question. How can we coordinate our efforts to move the comet without speaking?" he asks innocently.

The response he receives isn't totally unexpected. "Captain, I realize that you and the 'other' captain have a good time together, but if either of you discuss this case, this will become a full court-martial instead of an inquiry. Do you understand me, Captain?" he snaps and, before Nathan can respond, signs off.

Nathan taps his badge, "Commander Tajalle, please report to my ready room." As he hears the chime, he barks, "Come."

Dee walks in with a puzzled look on her face, "What's wrong, your voice sounds....." She stops as she sees the look on his face. As he begins explaining, she sits down in the chair in front of his desk. "They're basing this whole inquiry on one report," she says with disbelief.

"Admiral Slocum says we will be given the opportunity to defend ourselves at the time of the enquiry," he states grimly. “But the first thing we have to do is move that comet. Are we in position?"

"Yes, everything is ready, and we are waiting for the comet to come into range. Nathan, as your friend and XO, what are you planning to do?" she asks.

"Honestly Dee, I have no idea. I know that we have Mandy’s report, which explains that the meteorites came out of a wormhole flux. That made them impossible for the sensors to pick up until too late, and allowed them to pass through the Ulysses' shields. She was damn lucky she wasn't destroyed. That aside, while I am confined to my quarters, I will be going over every piece of evidence I can find to bring to the inquiry, and I know that Juanita will be also. So let's go move a comet," he finishes with a ring of resolve and starts towards the doors leading to the bridge.

They walk out and Nathan says, "Open a channel to the Ulysses." He walks over to the center of the bridge and waits for the image of Captain Gamble to appear on the main viewscreen. As the image appears, it is obvious to Nathan by her blank expression that she is holding herself under rigid control, and Nathan tries not to cause the eruption that is waiting below the surface. "Captain Gamble, we are in position and awaiting your final orders," he states expressionlessly.

"Excellent, Captain. The comet will be in range in one minute. Prepare to activate the repulsor," she delivers in an equally flat tone. As the seconds tick by, both captains are fighting the urge to talk about the recent development. "Captain Gastineau, activate your beam. Helm, activate the Ulysses’ repulsor beam," Captain Gamble orders her own crew.

Both ships activate the beam at almost the same instant. Their combined beams arc towards the comet and touch it gently. At first, it doesn't seem to have any effect, and then the comet slowly alters trajectory. The beams continue to push the comet gently into its new path past the planet and its moons.

"Disengage repulsor beam. Helm, is that a sufficient distance?" she asks, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, Captain, the comet will miss the moon by a distance of 2 miles, and that will prevent any disturbance from occurring due to its passage," Lt. JG Hester states.

"Captain Gastineau, thank you for your help and I shall speak to you again soon, I hope. Ulysses out," she says curtly as the screen goes back to the starfield. She turns towards Pam and states, "Commander Gengo, you have the bridge and the Ulysses." Without waiting for a reply, she walks to the turbolift and exits.

Commander Gengo looks at Lt. Commander Ison with a puzzled look and says, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Mandy says quietly and with concern, "Before you returned to the bridge, she received a priority communication from Starfleet that she took in her ready room. When she came out, she was fighting to control her expression. Captain Gastineau was acting strangely as well. My best guess is that something has come up that involves both of them."

"Well, it sounds too much like she has been relieved of command. Contact the Nathan Hale," Pam orders urgently.

Back to Chapter 13, Top of Page

Chapter 15

As the doors slide shut, Captain Gamble allows herself a moment of rage and then brings herself under control. She tells herself that everything is going to turn out ok and then wonders who she’s trying to kid. Realizing that the lift isn't moving, she snaps, "Captain's quarters." The movement of the lift relaxes her, and she determines to begin research in her defense as soon as possible.

On the bridge, the tension is palatable from the captain's terse exit. The main viewscreen changes and an image of Commander Tajalle appears. "I take it your captain has been relieved of command also," she comments when she sees that the captain is not on the bridge.

Pam nods. "Dee, what is going on? As soon as the comet was moved, she gave me the bridge and the ship."

"I'm not sure. All Nathan said was that he is to be confined to quarters until the admirals arrive," Dee says.

"They aren't really going to court-martial them are they?" Mandy asks in disbelief.

"Your guess is as good as mine. I know that I don't want to take over the Hale like this," Dee says with consternation.

"Commander Gengo, the admirals' ship is coming into this sector," Lt. JG Hester interrupts quietly.

"Thank you Lt. Well, Dee, I guess that means we shouldn't be talking anymore. Lt, what is the ETA of their starship?" Pam asks curtly.

He checks his console and replies, "14 minutes at their present speed."

The bridge falls silent. Commander Gengo and Lt. Commander Ison exchange a look. What were they going to do?

Captain’s Quarters

Captain Gamble has spent the last half hour searching for all the reports and sensor readings dealing with the asteroid impacts on the moon and planet. Sitting back in her chair for a brief respite, she can see in her mind’s eye Nathan doing the same thing. She hoped to god that their combined efforts would be enough.

Back to Chapter 13, Back to Chapter 14, Top of Page

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17

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