Star Trek: My Brother’s Keeper by Joe Haffner Captain’s Log Stardate 5923.5, the Starship Enterprise is en route to Brannock Station – at Rigel VII - to pick up the new President of the United Federation of Planets – S’kol, and then take him to his home planet - Vulcan - for the upcoming inauguration ceremony. In addition to the Enterprise being ordered to escort the new President to the aforementioned political function, Starfleet Intelligence has informed us of a far more pressing issue in that one of our own may be using his position and resources to pursue a personal vendetta. Kirk turns off his log recorder, lifts his eyes above an ancient leather-bound hardback copy of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. While lifting his gaze from the dusty pages in his hands, his eyes fixate on his reflection in the mirror. He is astonished at the toll the five-year mission is taking on his appearance. “I have crows’ feet.” Jim mutters while touching his tired eyelids. His hair is starting to show more white and gray strands, betraying his youthful age of 36-years. Kirk puts his book down on the nightstand, gets out of his chair and pulls on the bottom of his gold tunic. “It’s too tight.” The Captain mutters, realizing the garment is much tighter than he remembered. Too many hours of over-indulging in drink and heavy meals and not enough time exercising. No doubt that would be Doctor McCoy’s diagnosis during the next medical physical. The Captain acknowledges that the uniform he is now wearing was measured to fit his body at a time when he was a few pounds lighter. But he does not have the time to worry about such matters now. Kirk has a mission to complete and he cannot show his discomfort to his crew. “Computer, time?” Kirk asks as he combs his hair. He looks down at the P.A.D.D. on his desk, reviewing the itinerary for the next few days. Ironically, this is a part of the job that he both enjoys and loathes at the same time. While he is uncomfortable having to be responsible for the safety and comfort of a powerful politician, it is a boost to the ego to know that he has an opportunity to get to know the new President on a somewhat personal level. But more importantly, to ensure that the Federation will survive and possibly thrive for many generations to come – just so long as he and his crew are able to ensure the incoming leaders safety. “Seven-hours, 50-minutes.” The computer replies. Kirk pauses for a moment, lost in thought. He flips another comm switch. “Mr. Spock, report.” The Captain says after flipping the comm switch on. “Good morning, Captain.” Spock said in an almost uncharacteristically cheerful tone. Kirk smiles briefly as his First-Officer seems to finally being comfortable using a simple Earth custom. It’s taken a number of years but at least for a moment it could finally be happening. Kirk quickly dismisses the thought of commenting about Spock finally loosening up and instead checks off a few items on the P.A.D.D. with his stylus. “Good morning, Spock.” Kirk returns the gesture. “How long before we arrive at Brannock Station?” 1 Star Trek: My Brother’s Keeper by Joe Haffner “At our present speed, four hours.” The First-Officer replies. Kirk nods. “Good. Call all senior officers to the Conference Room for the morning briefing. Also notify Mr. Gibbs to attend as well. We’re going to start a little earlier than normal.” “Acknowledged, Captain.” Spock replied, glancing at the chronometer at his station. “Spock out.” Yeoman Julie Brady pushes a food cart toward the conference table. The top of the cart’s chrome-colored surface is holding a large silver tray filled with cups, two large pots of coffee, two pots of hot water along with a massive plate of breakfast pastries and small cups of fruit. She places the refreshments at the center of the table near the monitor and walks out of the room. The six senior Enterprise officers, Mister Scott, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Mr. Sulu, Mr. Chekov and Lieutenant Uhura are in their respective seats as Kirk enters the Conference Room. The team is busy comparing notes, exchanging ideas, preparing for the day ahead as the Captain surveys the crews reactions. “As you all were.” Kirk nods to everyone who was about to stand up. “As you were.” The Captain repeats himself, noting that regulations strongly encourage the formality of subordinates to rise when a commanding officer enters the room – however Kirk personally dislikes the gesture. Kirk discouraged the practice very early in his captaincy, feeling it was outdated and it grew tiresome to the point of being annoying – so he nixed the practice. Jim pours a cup of coffee for Lieutenant Uhura, then himself. Kirk hands the pot to Scotty, who then hands it off to McCoy, on to Sulu and then finally Chekov. The Captain sits down in his chair, with his back to the main doors. He inhales and begins to speak. “Time for us to get to work.” Kirk says as he turns on his monitor. Just as the Captain finishes his opening statement, the conference room doors open again and this time a young lieutenant-commander, a Caucasian male in his mid- 40s wearing a red shirt, enters the room. He’s slightly winded, mildly embarrassed about entering the room when the Captain is talking. Yet he manages to hide the discomfort from his face. A few eyes watch this veritable stranger circle around the table. He sits down on a vacant chair at the far end of the Captain. “Welcome to the senior officers meeting Mr. Gibbs.” Kirk says nodding at the young man. “Thank you Captain.” Gibbs acknowledges, feeling like an underclassman late for his first day of class at the Academy. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is our new Security Chief – Lieutenant-Commander Tony Gibbs. He joined us during the last crew transfer with the USS Missouri eight weeks ago.” 2 Star Trek: My Brother’s Keeper by Joe Haffner Everybody nods and makes quick congratulatory remarks to the young man. “Mr. Gibbs, please update us on security preparations that you and Starfleet Security have made for our guests.” Kirk says putting his cup down. “Thank you, Captain.” Gibbs leans forward, presses a couple switches on the panel in front of him. The 3-panel Lazy-Susan monitor in the center table lights up at the same time as the monitor in the back of the room. “After careful consideration of the layout of the Enterprise, our team has assigned two guards to be with President-elect S’kol and his staff at all times anytime they move anywhere on the Enterprise. The security guards will be armed with phasers set on stun. Out of courtesy and out of the request of the President-elect and his staff for peace and quiet, we have set up quarters for our guests on Deck 14. This was made possible after modifying parts of the Observation Lounge into temporary housing.” Gibbs stops, looks around. “Sounds like a crotchety old man.” McCoy mutters to himself. Kirk looks over at the Doctor and shakes his head. McCoy leans back in his chair, choosing to stay silent to his Captain’s admonishment. “Very good, Mr. Gibbs. Any questions?” Kirk asks. No one says anything. “Now we have another emergency situation developing folks. Starfleet Intelligence will have details for us in a moment.” Kirk puts down his coffee cup and taps the keyboard in front of him. “It seems that the Captain of the USS Yankton has gone on silent running and is operating his vessel against Starfleet orders. The Yankton was last seen in this sector harassing and in some cases attacking Kimbarian vessels.” Some of the crew begin exchanging puzzled glances at one another, along with whispering about what would drive a Captain to go to such lengths as using a ship out for his own gain. “Computer, open private channel 47 to Starfleet Command – attention Admiral Kara Flanders.” “Please state verbal access code to continue procedure.” The Computer says plainly. Kirk replies, “Authorization code Alpha-Delta-two-two-seven-five-two-nine – enable.” The image of a human female in her mid-50s appears on the screen. She has strands of long blonde hair mixed with streaks of white hair. She is wearing a dark gold tunic with the Starfleet insignia in the upper right of her chest and a pair of antiquated eyeglasses drooping over her eyes. “Good morning, Captain.” Flanders says, nodding at the Captain then his crew over the view screen. “Good morning, Admiral.” Kirk says, feeling his heart sink a bit. When he was a cadet at Starfleet Academy, Flanders, then a Captain, was one of Kirk’s many instructors. She instilled in the Captain to always remember that humanity is universal, 3 Star Trek: My Brother’s Keeper by Joe Haffner regardless of what race you encounter. “Anything new concerning the rogue element, Admiral?” “Nothing yet, Mr. Kirk.” Flanders replies, glancing down at her desk. “Captain, I am sending you the latest intelligence reports we have on Captain Kirsch Begraoph, along with biographical files of his crew, in particular his senior officers. It’s hard to accept that one of our own has gone on silent running, but it seems that Captain Begraoph has crossed a very thin line. But we need more evidence Captain before we can file criminal charges against him.