Return to Epsilon - Chapter Two

Watt walked along the corridors of the Valkyrie. As he walked Pendragon saw him and called out to him. The two of them were soon walking together.
    “I’ve just heard from Starfleet Command.” said Watt.
    “I take it the news isn’t good.”
    “The Attorney General won’t be available to handle this case for another six weeks. Starfleet Command has given Commodore Throne the necessary power needed for this case.”
    “And Captain McCloud?”
    “Is the only other available officer of sufficient rank. The nearest starship is three days away, so it will have to be Throne, McCloud and myself.”
    “I don’t envy you one bit. But maybe we’ll find out why he did it.”

    Soon they were at their destination. For the court martial hearing Holodeck One had been turned into a Federation court. At the head of the room Commodore Throne sat reading through his notes. Next to the table sat McCloud in his wheelchair. Not far from the head table were two other tables. At one sat Magus, who did not look very happy. At the other Sutek sat alone, deep in thought. Watt took his place next to throne while Pendragon sat with the other main officers behind Magus and Sutek. When it seemed that everyone was present Throne picked up his gavel and banged it on the table.
    “I now call this court martial hearing to order. Computer, let the record show that the court martial committee consists of Captain James Watt, Captain Connor McCloud and Commodore Jose Throne. Appearing for the prosecution if Ambassador Phineas Magus. Commander Sutek, I notice you are alone. Who have you chosen to defend you?”
    “Commodore, I choose the right to represent myself.”
    “So be it. Computer, let the record show that Lt. Commander Sutek has chosen to represent himself. It is normal in Federation hearings for both counsels to give an opening statement. Ambassador?”
    Magus got to his feet.
    “Members of the committee, I have be chosen to prosecute a man I have known for nearly ten years, almost his entire tenure in Starfleet. I would like to do on record as saying that I prosecute very reluctantly, and do so under the order of Commodore Throne. However, I will not let my reluctance stand in the way of my duty.”
    “Commander Sutek?”
    “I have very little to say. Although I seem guilty the evidence I will be providing will help my case.”
    Throne banged his gavel on the table.
    “In all court cases the prosecution is always the first to present their case. Ambassador?”
    Magus once again got to his feet.
    “Commodore Throne, I call Doctor Gourlak Singh.”
    Dr. Singh got up from his seat and took the stand.
    “Dr. Singh, you were asked to perform a full medical scan on Commander Sutek after the incident. Did your scans reveal anything?”
    “They revealed that Commander Sutek is in perfect health.”
    “What about the brain scans, the synoptic scans?”
    “There was nothing abnormal there. As I said, Commander Sutek is in perfect health. I got the same results from his medical two weeks ago.”
    The next witness Magus called was Pendragon. Pendragon told of how Sutek led him to the holodeck and was rendered unconscious by a Vulcan neck pinch. Next to the stand was Lt. Amarus, who had been in command of the bridge prior to Sutek’s arrival. He told how Sutek began behaving oddly and ordered that the Valkyrie be diverted to the Epsilon-Beta system. Tompkins soon followed Amarus on the stand, Tompkins, ever the loyalist, told of how he was ordered to the Epsilon-Beta system. Although he had questioned the order he obeyed because he was always loyal to his superior officers. Then Magus called his final witness, Counsellor Trospheo.
    “Tell me Counsellor, what is your opinion of Sutek’s stare of mind?”
    “Like all Vulcans he is very logical in his thinking. He is exceptionally loyal to his commanding officer. I did notice, however, that when Captain McCloud served on the Valkyrie last year he seemed very pleased to see him.”
    “How so?”
    “It’s hard to describe. You see, Captain McCloud was Commander Sutek’s first commanding officer after he graduated from the academy. I have noticed over the years that most Vulcans are always loyal to their first commanding officers.”
    “Are you saying that Commander Sutek took over the Valkyrie so Captain Watt could retake command?”
    “No. I’m saying that Commander Sutek took over the Valkyrie for a very valid reason. Even though he brought us here to Epsilon-Beta, a world deemed off-limits by Starfleet Command, I believe he did so for a good reason. For what reason I don’t know, but I believe it will become clear during the course of this hearing.”
    Not long afterwards Magus concluded his case. He had not liked trying to prove Sutek’s guilt, but it seemed the odds were stacked against the Vulcan. After Magus concluded his case Commodore Throne declared a one hour recess. So one hour later the court martial hearing was open again. Throne banged his gavel on the table.
    “This hearing is now in order. Commander Sutek, it is now time to start your defence. Please call your first witness.”
    Sutek got to his feet.
    “Commodore throne, at this moment in time I have no witnesses to call. To show why I did what I did I would like to show a recount of the Valkyrie’s last visit here to the Epsilon-Beta system last year.”
    “You may do so.” said Throne. “If the rest of the committee have no objections.”
    Watt and McCloud indicated they had none.
    “Very well.” said Throne. “You may proceed Commander.”
    “Computer.” said Sutek. “Please dim the lights and activate the view screen.”
    The lights were dimmed and the view screen was activated.

    The first scene that appeared on the screen was an outside view of the Valkyrie. The scene changed then to one of the bridge. It was the same as it was nearly a year ago. The Valkyrie was on a routine mapping mission in the Epsilon-Beta system. At that moment in time Watt was on shore leave on Earth, making sure Magus was alright after his ‘death’, so McCloud was placed in temporary command of the Valkyrie until Watt returned.
    Those gathered in the holodeck watched the proceedings of one year ago unfold. McCloud walked onto the bridge and took the captain’s chair. Pendragon and Trospheo sat either side of him. McCloud looked around at his surroundings and smiled.
    “It’s good to be back at the helm of this old girl.” he said. “A pity it’s only until Jim returns from Earth.”
    “Message coming in from Starfleet Command.” reported Amarus at tactical. “From Captain Watt. Magus is doing well, he will return in three weeks.”
    “How long until we reach the Epsilon-Beta system?” asked McCloud.
    “Forty seven minutes.” Tompkins replied.
    “You have the bridge, Commander Pendragon.” said McCloud. “Call me when we reach the sector. I’ll be in the Gresley.”
    The scene changed again, this time to one of the Gresley bar.
    “Pause screen.” said Throne. “Commander Sutek, there are no recorders in the Gresley? How can you have a recording of the bar?”
    “I can not explain at this time.” Sutek replied. “I only ask that the committee continue to watch the recording.”
    Sutek ordered the recording to continue. In this scene McCloud could be seeing sitting at the bar, a glass of synthahol in his hand. He appeared deep in thought as Dr. Singh approached him.
    “May I join you?” he asked.
    McCloud nodded. Singh took the stool next to him.
    “Is anything wrong, Captain?” asked Singh.
    “It’s nothing Doctor.”
    “Captain, I may not be a psychologist, but I can tell something is troubling you. And if you can’t tell your doctor who can you tell?”
    McCloud took a sip from his glass.
    “It’s this while thing.” he said. “Ever since the Lohengrin was destroyed I’ve been shunted around as if I was in a railway goods yard, keeping the seat warm while a ship’s captain takes a holiday.”
    “You could have requested shore leave yourself. You could have gone back to Scotland.”
    “Earth is the last place I want to go. Surely you’ve studied my medical records? Whenever I return to Earth I stop ageing. That’s why I took a voluntary demotion. When I’m in space I’m mortal!”
    “You don’t have to return to Earth, Captain. I’m sure someone of your vast experience and knowledge would make a fine ambassador.”
    “I hardly see myself as a diplomat.”
    “Then why not migrate to one of the new colonies in the Thiros quadrant?”
    “And become a pioneer of the future? Hardly my scene.”
    “Then it seems you are in a catch twenty two situation. You want to leave Starfleet but no other career interests you.”
    Then a call came through from the bridge.
    “Pendragon to McCloud.”
    “McCloud here.”
    “Can you report to the bridge, Captain? We’ve found something that will interest you.”
    The scene changed back to one of the bridge. McCloud entered.
    “We’ve picked up a planet on the sensors.” said Pendragon. “Mr. Greenleaf?”
    “A class M planet sir. Oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, no visible life forms.”
    “I was involved in the study of the information of the probes they sent out here nine years ago.” said Pendragon. “They reported no planets in this system. A planet like this would take millennia to reach this stage of development.”
    McCloud stroked his chin.
    “You have the bridge, Commander Pendragon. I’ll lead the away team on this one.”
    “But Captain..!” protested Pendragon.
    “It’s a lifeless planet with no life forms.” said McCloud. “What harm could become of me? And don’t forget, I’ve nearly a thousand years of combat experience!”
    McCloud gestured at Amarus and Tompkins.
    “Commander Sutek report to transporter room three.”
    The scene changed, this time to one of the transporter rooms. McCloud, Amarus and Tompkins entered. Sutek was already there.
    “It’s a routine scouting mission.” said McCloud. “The usual things, soil, rock samples.”
    “I would feel safer if we all had phasers.” said Amarus.
    “You of all people have no need for them.” said McCloud.
    The away team stepped onto the transporter pad.
    “Energise.” ordered McCloud.
    The beam was energised. The scene changed once again. This time to one of the Epsilon-Beta planet.
    “Hold picture.” said Throne. “Commander Sutek, I would like an explanation on all this. How can you have pictures of the planet’s surface? The logs show that the away team, of which you were a part of, carried only tri-corders and no other recording equipment.”
    “I urge the committee to be patient.” said Sutek. “As I said before all will be revealed in a matter of time. Computer, resume recording.”
    The recording resumed. The scene started with one of McCloud, Sutek, Amarus and Tompkins arriving on the surface of the planet. The sight that greeted them was one of a barren wasteland, a sort of desert/mountainous-type terrain. As soon as they had materialised Sutek took out his tri-corder and began scanning.
    “Anything?” asked McCloud.
    “I am detecting nothing.”
    “Pan out a little.” McCloud ordered. “Take the usual samples and readings.”
    A few minutes passed as the away team carried out their tasks. Then Amarus found something and called the others. They soon joined him.
    “Steps?” puzzled McCloud.
    The steps lead to what appeared to be a ledge. Sutek climbed the steps and reached the ledge. He began scanning with his tri-corder.
    “I’m picking up an energy reading, of a type I’ve never seen before, from inside the mountain.”
    “How can that be?” asked McCloud.
    “Unknown.” Sutek replied. “But there appear to be a network of caves below the surface.”
    McCloud joined Sutek on the ledge.
    “If there’s caves below then there must be an entrance on this ledge.” he said.
    McCloud began to feel around the wall of the mountain, looking for a lever or something. Then suddenly a glow surrounded McCloud, and a second later he was gone. Sutek activated his communicator.
    “Sutek to Valkyrie. Captain McCloud is gone.”
    Sutek held his tri-corder near the wall of the mountain.
    “There appears to be some sort of life shaft behind this wall.”
    “Move out of the way.” said Amarus.
    Amarus raised his hand at the mountain, and using his natural heat generating ability unleashed a huge continuous fire-burst at the mountain. Rocks and rubble began to fly, and it appeared as if Amarus was having some sort of effect against the mountain. Then he stopped his fire-burst. He had managed to burn his way through the rock of the mountain but he was unable to get through the metal doors. Sutek scanned the area.
    “The door is made of adamantium. There is no way your fire-burst would have been able to penetrate it.”
    The scene again changed, this time to a sort of cave. In this cave the walls seemed to be constructed out of some sort of brick-like material, except for one wall which was transparent. In this scene McCloud could be seen lying on a bed in the centre of the cave. He held his head and then got to his feet. He walked over the transparent wall. He began to feel around the wall but could find no way of escape. He did the same with the brick-like wall, but again no luck. He looked out of the transparent wall and could see a long corridor. There appeared to be other caves like his along the corridor. He could also hear others in those caves. Then from the end of the corridor he noticed a door open. Two large humanoid beings walked out of the doorway. Behind them was another, and this one was restraining what appeared to be a human woman, about twenty two years old. They approached McCloud’s cave. One of them pressed a button on a panel, and the transparent wall opened. McCloud attempted to make his escape, but the other man pushed him back into the cave. The third then threw the woman into the cave with McCloud. The transparent wall was then closed. The three humanoids left via the door. The woman got to her feet. McCloud began to ram the transparent wall with his shoulder. It didn’t budge.
    “Who are you?” he asked.
    “My name is Capria. I’ve been here for seven years.”
    “Impossible. The Valkyrie is the first manned starship to visit this sector.”
    Then McCloud turned around again and he saw what appeared to be a female watching him from the other side of the transparent wall. She stood silently watching McCloud. McCloud approached the wall.
    “Who are you? Where is this place? What am I doing here?”
    The woman was silent. She continued to stare at McCloud.
    “Why don’t you answer me, damn you?”
    McCloud again rammed the wall with his shoulder. The woman flinched.
    “Interesting. The subject shows violent tendencies, a savage side. We must study this more.”
    McCloud seemed amazed. The woman had spoken without moving her lips.
    “How did you do that? Is it some sort of telepathy?”
    “All will become clear within time Captain McCloud.”
    The view screen then went blank. Commodore Throne turned to McCloud.
    “Tell me Captain McCloud. Is this how it happened? Is this what happened on the planet’s surface?”
    The light on McCloud’s panel flashed once, along with one beep. Commodore Throne then turned to Amarus, who was sat in the row behind Sutek.
    “Can you confirm this?” he asked.
    “I can confirm what happened outside the cave.” Amarus replied. “But not what happened inside.”
    “Very well.” said Throne. “You may continue with your defence.”
    Sutek reactivated the screen. The scene was one of the bridge again. In this scene Commander Pendragon paced up and down. Sutek was seated at the helm. Pendragon kept glancing at him.
    “How long is this going to take?” asked Pendragon.
    “I am going as fast as I can.” Sutek replied.
    “Well work faster!” Pendragon snapped. “I want you to find that energy source!”
    A few minutes later Sutek found what he was looking for.
    “The energy source is far beneath the planet’s surface.”
    “Can we beam a rescue party into the caverns?” asked Pendragon.
    “No Commander. The energy source is creating some sort of force field between the surface and the caverns. The transporter signal would just bounce off.”
    “Then the only way in is through the entrance.”
    The screen went blank once more.