Ison: (at edge of clearing) Comm. Ison to Ulysses.
Gengo: Gengo here.
Ison: Capt. Gastineau has been taken into custody but has not been able to speak to Captain Gamble, they are being kept apart. We are to be witnesses to the trial. Do you have anything to report?
Gengo: The Centurion is on her way, so you will need to stall the Klingons.
Ison: We will do our best. Ulysses out. (to Lt. Perez who is standing next to her) Now, how in the world am I supposed to stall them? Any suggestions, Lt?
Perez: Well, let's see, we could break into song, tell them a story or maybe do a dance.
Ison: That's great. Any helpful suggestions, David?
Perez: Well, we could just walk up there and ask them to wait until the Marines land. Do you think that they'll believe that?
Ison: Probably not, so it's worth a shot. Let's go.
Perez: Let's? Do you have a mouse in your pocket Comm.?
Ison: We don't have pockets. It was your idea so you're coming with me.

As they begin walking over they are stopped

Tom: (standing in their path) Where do you think you're going? We don't need any more prisoners if you're volunteering?
Perez: (whispering to Ison) I told you that Klingons are the trailer trash of the Universe.
Tom: What did you say? I believe that we can use you for target practice in preparation for your captain's death.

He grabs David and shoves him over next to Nathan

Tom: Stay here and shut up.
Nathan: (as Tom walks away) Well Lt., that was very creative. So what can you tell me?
Perez: Thanks, I thought so. Comm. Tajalle has sent for the Centurion, but they are an hour away. We're supposed to stall until they get here.
Nathan: Ok, let's see what your commander comes up with?

Roy has noticed the problem with Mandy and walks over to her

Roy: (to Mandy) Human, what gives you the right to interfere with us?
Ison: Well, the fact that you are holding two Federation captains hostage would be a good one to start with.
Roy: They are criminals and will be punished.
Ison: Your people and the Federation are allies and this could jeopardize that air of friendliness.
Roy: Very creative Comm., but meaningless. Your captains destroyed our shuttle.
Ison: Chancellor, the shot that destroyed the shuttle came from below the Ulysses, not from inside it.
Roy: That would be almost believable if there was proof.
Ison: There are sensor logs that prove it.
Roy: Well Comm., I think that those logs should be here for the trial. If your Captain Gamble is found guilty the punishment will be death.

The chancellor walks away on that dread note. He has Nathan put next to Juanita.

Ison: (taps badge) Ison to Ulysses
Gengo: (voice only) Go ahead.
Ison: Comm., we need the sensor logs here. They are going to execute the captain if she's found guilty.
Gengo: Execute?
Ison: Yes, I think that you and Comm. Tajalle should come down here.

Aboard the Ulysses

Gengo: Alright, we're on our way. Ulysses out. Lt. Hester, get me the Hale.
D: (voice only) Pam, we have been monitoring your communications, I will meet you there.

Ison: Chancellor, why will she be executed?
Roy: One of your Federation captains found a way off of Rura Penthe, a penal colony is not an acceptable alternative, but there is no way to escape from death.
Ison: That would be an act of war.
Tom: (intervenes) The Federation has already done that.
Roy: Enough of this, why are you trying to stall?
Roy: (turning on the two captains) What are you two up to?
Gamble: Nothing.
Roy: Splendid. You have the heart of a Klingon. We'll see if you die like one.
Gamble: If that's what you decide, then you'll release everyone else and let them leave.
Roy: Agreed. I like you Captain. Captain Gastineau by walking into this clearing you showed great courage. You would both make good Klingons. (He walks away)
Nathan: (sitting) Well, I'm glad that they think we'd be good Klingons, but I'd rather be Federation off planet.
Gamble: Yes, at least I'd be a live Federation Captain instead of a good dead Klingon.
Nathan: They're not going to kill you. We have the sensor logs showing that the phaser discharge came from below the Ulysses.
Gamble: But without someone else to blame, that still leaves me.
Nathan: There has to be some way to prove the cloaked ship theory. It worked with Captain Kirk so it can work for you.
Gamble: Yeah, Captain Kirk and I have so much in common. Where the hell are The Marines?
Nathan: According to your first officer they'll be here within the hour. We have to stall until then. Maybe we should have Mandy do a song and dance routine.
Gamble: Yeah, you go ahead and tell her that you want her to entertain the Klingons.
Nathan: So, what about those Raiders?

Roy walks over to see what they are laughing at.

Roy: Captain Gamble, your life is on the line and you are laughing?
Gamble: Well, you Klingons have your saying, that perhaps today is a good day to die, we were just discussing the weather, and what a nice day it is.
Roy: You may make a good Klingon and friend, if you survive. Prepare the court, we are going to begin.
Tom: (grabs them and yanks them up) Get up, move over there.

They begin walking and she trips

Nathan: (catching Juanita as she falls) Easy Captain, you don't want to fall in front of our new friends.
Gamble: Yes, they've been so friendly up to now.
Ison: (stepping up to Tom) There is another away team that is going to beam down.
Tom: Why do you need more? I think there are enough humans here.
Ison: They are marines to ensure that the trial goes without problems.
Tom: What are you trying to say, that Klingons aren't honorable!
Ison: What I'm trying to say is that we want our captains to have the best chance for a fair trial.

Roy walks up

Tom: Chancellor, now they want to have their marines here.
Roy: For what purpose?
Tom: To ensure that we don't try to kill their captains.
Roy: The more the merrier.
Ison: (taps badge) Ison to Centurion, you are free to transport. Be advised it won't be a warm welcome.
Truman: (via communicator) Understood. Centurion out.

As they materialize into the clearing they begin to walk towards the captains.

Tom: You're not allowed to speak to the prisoners.
Cyndi: We must speak to them to ensure that they have not been mistreated.
Nathan: We're fine. Captain Gamble was injured before she was captured. Stand at ease.
Tom: Now you know, move over there with the others. You, (pointing to the Klingon standing next to David) bring the creative prisoner over here also. We will need him so that we can make sure that our aim is good enough. He is going to be the first.

David is brought over to stand next to the captains. Pam and D materialize in the clearing and walk over to Mandy.

Ison: Comm. Gengo, Comm. Tajalle, they are preparing to start the trial.
D: Did they say anything about a jury?
Ison: No. They haven't mentioned it.
Tom: Attention, the Chancellor is going to speak.
Roy: (from center of clearing) This trial is going to start now with four Federation and four Klingons to stand in judgment.
D: Lt. Lucas, Lt. Tajalle, and two marines will move over to that spot. (gesturing)

Lts. Lucas and Tajalle and Truman and Cyndi move over next to the four Klingons that have moved into their position.

Roy: Now we will begin. (facing the accused) (to Tom) Please read the charges.
Tom: (reading from his PADD) The criminals are accused of destroying a Klingon shuttle and the death of two Klingon warriors. The captain of the Ulysses ordered the attack and the beam came from her ship. The captain of the Nathan Hale was an active participant.
Roy: Does the Federation have anything to say on behalf of the criminals?
D: Yes, we have sensor logs from both ships that show that the beam came from beneath the Ulysses not from it. We also picked up a spatial disturbance beneath the Ulysses right after the shot was fired. We have seen these readings when monitoring your cloaked vessels.
Roy: Very creative Commander, do you have any evidence to support your fantasy.
Ison: (steps forward) Yes we do. I have the sensor readings showing a cloaked vessel below the Ulysses. The ship was able to fire the phaser without uncloaking. I believe you have that technology thanks to General Chang.
Gamble: Great, we're dead.
Roy: (takes the PADD from Ison and examines the contents) Give me that and I will consider it.
Roy: (after looking at the logs) Only one of our ships is equipped with that technology, the Feklehr's Pride, Captain, did your ship destroy that shuttle?
Trish: (From the sidelines) My ex-husband was on that shuttle and he needed to be destroyed. I became tired of his constant harassment and threats.
Gengo: (in disbelief) So you just thought a Federation starship was a good scapegoat, they just happened to be in the right place at the right time?
Trish: Yes you were and you were very helpful.
Gamble: I can't believe this, you threaten to kill me and all this happened because someone was angry at their ex-husband and decided to kill him.
Roy: (announces) This trial is over, the Federation people are free to go.
Nathan: Is that it, nothing's going to happen to her?
Roy: No captain, what she did was perfectly legal in the Klingon Empire. Our ways are different from yours.
Cyndi: Are you going to apologize to the captains at least?
Tom: No. Leave.
Nathan: Let's go before they change their minds. Get your people together and let's get back to the ships.

On the Ulysses speaking to Nathan on the viewscreen

Gamble: Captain, we're returning to deep space nine to pick up some new crew and make some repairs. I think that I need to get a stronger pair of boots for the next shuttle crash. The dr. says that he was able to mend my ankle so I shouldn't have any trouble with it later.
Nathan: Ok, rub it in. We're going to head out to sector 5 for some real exploration. See you around. Hale out.

Blackness appears and a voice is heard

Section 31: Computer, end program.

The lines of the holodeck appear and Captain Gastineau finds himself facing the head of Section 31.

Nathan: Damn.

He watches Section 31 walk out.

The End