Star Trek: The Klingon Gambit by Robert E. Vardeman

Author:Robert E. Vardeman [Vardeman, Robert E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780743412100
Google: EEGzLmMqfnMC
Amazon: B000FC0QNY
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2000-05-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Captain’s Log: Stardate 4736.0

Ensign Chekov’s action will be reviewed by the senior officers aboard the Enterprise. If they so recommend, a general court-martial will be convened when—if—we return to Starbase. I sympathize with Chekov; I feel he had only the best interests of the ship at heart. However, he failed to adequately analyze the situation and nearly plunged the Federation into a brutal, no-winner interstellar war with the Klingon Empire.

“The Board of Inquiry is hereby convened,” intoned Kirk, picking up a small mallet and ringing an ancient seafaring ship’s bell three times. “Is the defendant present?”

Chekov stood to attention.

“Do you request legal assistance during this hearing? Such is your right. However, I must point out that no criminal charges will be heard at this time.”

“No counsel is required.”

“So be it.”

Kirk glanced up and down the table in the wardroom. At the far end sat McCoy, looking grim. Next to him sat Scott, a worried look on his face. Lt. Patten of Security sat on the far side of Spock. Kirk turned his attention back to Chekov.

“The charges are serious Ensign. While technically you were in command of the ship and entrusted with responding to any emergency, subsequent study of the Klingon transmission and analysis of the situation shows no imminent danger to the Enterprise. In such an instance, you are required to call a ranking command officer. You failed to do so. Are there any extenuating circumstances this board should be apprised of?”

“No, sir.” Chekov stood bravely, waiting for the verdict. If he was lucky, the discipline would be slight. A notation of incompetence would be entered in his record followed by a drumming out of the fleet. If he wasn’t lucky, the court-martial would convene at Starbase and find him guilty of a command error. He’d spend the rest of his life on a prison asteroid worrying over the single mistake that had put him there.

“I wish to enter extenuating testimony into the records, Captain,” said Spock.

Kirk looked up, surprised. “Very well, Mr. Spock. Computer, please record and evaluate.”

“Working,” came the feminine voice from the computer console.

“I have recently spent several planetary rotations on the surface of Alnath II attempting to determine any adverse factors in the makeup of the planet,” Spock began. “I failed to reach any scientifically defensible conclusions; however, I feel that certain statements stand on their own due to empirical observations.”

“He feels?” said McCoy, under his breath. “This is a new one. I’m glad the computer’s recording this. I want copies.”

Kirk silenced the doctor with a glare. “Proceed, Mr. Spock. And please remember that personal feelings are not admissible evidence for this hearing.”

“I understand, Captain. While I failed to find the source of the field or fields of unknown origin, duration and composition, there can be no denying the fact that the crew of the Enterprise—and, ostensibly, of the Klingon ship, Terror—has behaved in atypical fashion since attaining orbit of Alnath.

“The reasons for this are not discernible yet. The effect of the planetary system is obvious.

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