Very quietly I asked, “So, what have you two learned from this?”
Both of them opened their mouths to speak before they looked at each other, then one nodded.
The second crewman said, “Sir, we learned that we should not come to you with minor problems such as this.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head before replying, still in the same tone of voice, “If that is what you learned, then you learned the wrong lesson. In this case, you were both partly right. Each of you had the answer for a part of the problem, but not all of it.”
After pausing for a few seconds while I watched their faces to see the impact of my comment, I continued, “If you were willing to listen to each other, to take each other’s ideas on board, you would not have needed to ask for my input, you would have figured it out for yourselves. Hell, once we were able to get the two of you to listen to each other, you did find the solution, not someone else, you two found it. By not listening to each other, you were disrespecting each other. I can tell you right now, there is not a single crew-member on this ship who does not deserve the respect of every other crew-member. Sometimes, there will still be situations when my direct input is needed. On those occasions, you will still need to come to me for help. I cannot be everywhere on this ship all the time. There is only one of me. In this case, the problem is neither of you seemed to be willing to concede the other had a single valid point. I cannot fulfill my obligation to all of you if you don’t do everything you can to help me. That means all of us need to be pulling in the same direction, trying to achieve the common goal. For now, that common goal is to repair this ship enough so we can take her back into Federation space. I, no we, need to get this ship and her entire crew home safely. I cannot do that without your full and wholehearted support. Am I clear?”
They both nodded before replying, “Yes Sir, sorry Sir” in unison. I dismissed them both so they left. I rested my forehead against the desk and groaned as soon as the door to my office closed.
MOBILE AGAIN
Finally, two days later, we completed the repairs so all the maneuvering thrusters were ready for operation, at least all of the thrusters we would be able to fix prior to reaching a port where parts and supplies were available. I ordered all the repair crews to stand down for another full day of rest, partly because they deserved the reward, partly so they would be safe and partly to make sure they were well rested and ready to work once we stopped the tumbling. The repair crews had made a mighty effort with the repairs so far and they’d been able to achieve our first goal much sooner than I’d thought possible. We would now be able to stop the ship’s tumbling and align her stern in our direction of travel. I ordered an announcement to be made to inform everyone on the ship we would be maneuvering in three hours then sat back to wait. The crew knew what was required, all loose items were to be stowed and all personnel were to be secured by the time we started maneuvering. As the time approached for us to make our attempt at stopping the ships tumbling motion, I had the communications officer to signal secure for maneuvering. The crew all immediately moved to stow any remaining loose items before strapping themselves into acceleration couches ready for our coming maneuvers.
When all the acknowledgments came in, I gave the order for the helm to stop the tumbling. I could not be as specific as Captain Carlon was when he ordered the ship flipped before exiting the Zafar system as I didn’t have the knowledge to do it, instead, I needed to trust the crew to do their jobs. I’d already discussed the issue with the helmsmen and we’d modeled the ships behaviour, along with the limitations in the computers. We then configured the helm controls as a simulator and found a way to achieve the necessary result without me needing to order every single thruster burn. During our simulations, we tried various scenarios on the helm simulator till we were confident we could achieve the desired result in the shortest possible time and using the least amount of reaction mass. We already knew we simply could not afford to make too many mistakes or waste too much reaction mass during this effort. The Tangesha at the helm concentrated as he manipulated the helm controls. His job was slightly more difficult than it might have otherwise been due to the missing thrusters. It took him nearly an hour, but finally, he managed to stop the tumbling. By now, the ship was moving through space with the bow pointing forty-seven degrees to the port and with a positive sixty-one degrees’ azimuth.
We’d already discussed how we would reorient the ship once the tumbling was stopped but we had not yet worked out how to point the ship in the direction we wanted. We secured the ship from maneuvering, which released the crew to go about their normal duties till we were ready for the next stage. This also gave the helmsman time to bring the helm simulator back on-line so he could practice and find the best way to reorient the ship in the direction we wanted her. Thankfully, the ships final attitude would actually assist us in achieving our goal with the minimum possible consumption of reaction mass. The helmsman practiced for two hours before announcing he was ready. Once again I ordered the ship to be secured for maneuvering. Once again, we waited till all the acknowledgments came in. Once again, the Tangesha at the helm station concentrated as he manipulated the controls, slowly rotating the ship till she was oriented the way we wanted her, stern pointing in the direction of travel. We finally had FNS Destiny under some semblance of control. We were still on a purely ballistic trajectory but once we were able to repair the damage currently disabling the main engines, we were already set up so we could first stop the ship in her trajectory, then begin to move the ship back towards the jump point.
I decided I should allow the crew to rest for the remainder of that shift and the next, knowing they would be starting fresh on the following one. I left the bridge to take a walk around the ship, trying to connect with as many of the crew as possible on the way. By now, I’d come to the realisation the crew really needed to see me on a regular basis. Seeing me reminded them someone was in charge, someone was working to help them go home. Normally, their immediate superiors were their point of contact with the Captain but given that I was to all intents and purposes the only officer available, I needed to be seen as often as possible.
First, I headed to the main engineering compartments. I needed to keep my finger on the pulse there because there was no one to lead the engineering staff other than me. I’d found a senior engineering rating who was very good technically, but unfortunately, he had no leadership talent whatsoever. My observations suggested to me the other engineering ratings did not really possess the temperament for leadership except to a very limited extent. I’d seen human engineering staff like that as well so I didn’t think his issue was solely a Tangesha trait. I found him monitoring the ships environmental readouts, making a few small adjustments. He noticed me coming and greeted me warmly. I smiled and returned his greeting before asking him how the department was running.
“Things are looking quite good actually”, he replied, “The successful completion of the maneuvering thruster system repairs had a huge positive impact on morale. The crew believe we will be able to go home soon, just as you promised. Outside of weapons, shields and main drives everything is nominal. No problems at all.”
I asked, “Why did we sustain so much damage to the power feeders and control lines for the drives and maneuvering thrusters?”
He looked at me for a second looking a little puzzled so I continued, “My understanding is that FNS Destiny is based on a warship design. While she has been able to keep us alive, even with a significant amount of damage to the outer hull, I am struggling to understand why so many of the critical power feeds and control lines were located where ours are, where they could be so easily damaged. If this were a real warship in any sort of major action, it seems clear to me we would most likely be in serious trouble, more serious than we currently are.”
As I continued I saw the understanding dawning on his face till soon I could see he was ready to answer me.
“Many of those power and control feeds had to be m
oved to accommodate some of the changes to FNS Destiny’s design from the standard warship hull. Those changes came about because of our different mission and were deemed acceptable because we are not supposed to be fighting in battles. The ship needed to have spaces made available for laboratories and other crew compartments in what on the original cruiser design would have been engineering spaces. As I said, this ships designers never anticipated her having to fight any kind of significant battles. We are simply supposed to run away from trouble”, he said.
“OK”, I replied, “I think I understand. Thank you for your explanation. I will leave you to it for now, I shall see you later.”
He nodded to me as I turned to leave. After exiting the engineering spaces, I made my way up to the mess area. When I arrived there, I carried out a quick hygiene inspection before choosing some food. By then, it was a few hours since I’d eaten and I was starting to feel a little hungry. I thought about all the duties I had now and realised I needed to find a way to divest myself of at least some of them. I thought, perhaps I could have someone in medical carry out the necessary hygiene inspections but then dismissed the thought because all of the medical staff were already grossly overworked. I wondered if any of the colonist refugees could do it. I decided to pursue that line of enquiry with Kari, she knew them best.
As I moved around the ship, I could sense a new found optimism among the crew. Even the captive pirates seemed to be happier. Once again, it seemed to me they were almost identifying themselves as being part of the crew. As I pondered this, I thought, at least they have a chance at life now, especially if they only go to prison. I decided then to go see how Ani and Shasi were progressing in the medical bay. I remembered Eri promised Shasi she may be discharged that day. I thought both of them would be happy about that, Shasi because she could find something to do other than lying in bed, and Eri because she would have one less bored, grumpy Trooper to tolerate.
When I arrived in Medical, Eri was looking a little harried. I asked her, “Are you OK? You are looking a bit stressed.”
She gave me a wan smile and asked if I had some light duties I could assign to Shasi, and for that matter Ani when she was well enough for discharge.
I thought about it for a few minutes before I asked, “Would being my minder be too heavy?” Then I clarified, “You know, following me around, making sure I eat and sleep on a regular schedule, making sure I do at least some light exercise.”
Eri looked thoughtful before replying, “Actually that might be perfect. I know she will keep you in line. For that matter, I know you will listen to her. I also know you will look out for her. Alright, I will release her to you. That will at least get one of them out of my hair.”
I just laughed before walking in to the area where Ani and Shasi were. As soon as I entered I could see they both looked much better.
I said to Shasi, “How about I spring you from this joint.”
Her face lit up as she said, “You can do that?”
I replied, “Yes I can. Eri will come in shortly to complete the formalities. You will be acting as my watchdog, making sure I eat and sleep on a regular basis.”
She seemed quite happy about the conditions so I continued, “You will remain with me while you are on duty but, I order you to tell me if you are struggling to keep up. Remember, you are on light duties. That means if you become tired you tell me then return to your quarters for sleep. You do not push yourself to exhaustion. Do You understand?”
She replied, “Yes Sir, I understand.”
I could see she meant it. Clearly, she knew when it was time to do what she was told. I turned to Ani to see how she was. Even I could see she had a little way to go before Eri would be able to discharge her.
I told her, “Once Eri decides you are well enough for light duties, you will be doing the same duties as Shasi. But be warned, do not think I will accept you giving Eri a hard time to make her discharge you. Do you understand?”
She also replied, “Yes Sir, I understand.”
I noticed she seemed much happier. I think she could see a light at the end of the tunnel. Just then, Eri came in to examine both of them.
After she finished she told Ani, “Two more days in here, then we should be able to let you out of here to take on some light duties.”
Ani looked even happier at this piece of news.
Eri turned to Shasi and told her, “I will discharge you from medical now but only for light duties. No heavy physical activity and you are to report to me every day after you eat the first meal of the day for me to check your progress. I may need to keep you in overnight from time to time for further healing medications.”
Once Eri completed laying down the law to Shasi, she told her she could leave whenever she wished. Shasi asked me for permission to go clean herself up, change and eat. Then she asked me if I had eaten recently. I answered her second question first, telling her I’d eaten just prior to coming up to visit her and Ani. Then I told her to go do what she needed to do. I asked her to meet me at the Captains office when she was ready. I told her if I was not there when she arrived, to go inside and wait as I would not be very far away. She nodded, thanked me then left to do what she needed. I stayed, talking to Ani about various things for about another half hour before taking my leave. On the way out, I asked Eri if she knew where I could find Kari. She told me Kari was off shift just then and probably sleeping. I thanked her and decided to try to catch her when she went to eat next.
I left the medical bay and made my way to the Captains office. Shasi was waiting for me inside when I arrived at the office, sitting quietly in a seat. I seated myself in another one and asked her how she was feeling. She told me she was fine but needed to do a lot of work to raise her fitness levels again. Of course I told her not to do too much, not just yet anyway, and to take directions from Eri. She agreed she would do this so I let it slide for now. I already knew she would try to ramp up too fast, just as I had, but I also knew Eri would find out what was happening and would take steps to slow her down. If necessary, I would tell Eri what was happening and have Shasi confined to Medical where we could keep her under control.
I’d asked Shasi to join me here for a very specific purpose, so I plunged right into it.
I asked, “What can you tell me about the Federation legal system, and about its prisons?”
She gave me an appraising lock before answering.
“We have four levels of court. The lowest is the Petty Court. It is used for minor matters, matters that do not usually result in direct physical harm to an innocent bystander. Things like being under the influence of some drug and making a nuisance of yourself, of breaking into a property to steal something. The next level is the Minor Court. Broadly speaking, the Minor Court is for criminal activity where someone, perhaps an innocent bystander is accidentally hurt, or for more serious property offences.”
“The third level is the Major Court. This one is usually used when someone has committed a serious crime, for example murder, piracy, slave trading, even serious fraud. The final level is the Federation Council. This usually hears political matters or matters that have taken on some level of political importance although it is also is used as the final court of appeal if someone can show a miscarriage of justice in one of the lower courts” she said.
I pondered this for a second before asking, “Is someone before one of these courts allowed legal representation?”
“Yes”, she said, “they are. In fact, it is an entitlement for all people appearing before our courts. The representatives are all given a fixed fee to appear but they can earn performance incentives if they perform particularly well. Those incentives are awarded by an independent panel who watch them in court. I believe on Earth the best legal representation will often go to people with the most money, that does not necessarily happen here in the Federation. Theoretically, neither the defendant nor plaintiffs have the option of choosing who represents them. Of course, from time to time, a little corruption creeps in
but when such corruption is detected, the penalties are very severe, both for the person who offered the bribe and the one who accepted it. Sometimes, a legal representative may request to represent someone in a case but that is quite rare and usually only happens when the representative has some kind of personal stake in the case. A defendant may refuse a representative if they believe the representative is not acting in the best interests of the defendant. Again, this is very rare.”
She asked, “Are you worrying about what will happen to you when we reach the Federation?”
“A little”, I replied, “I am just wondering what will happen then. Right now, I have no money, actually I have nothing other than what I’ve been given since I woke on this ship. I don’t know where I will live, what I will eat or even how I will pay for it all.”
Shasi reached over to touch me gently on the arm before saying, “There are a lot of people on this ship who will make sure you don’t end up on the streets, begging for a living. We all owe you, far more than you can possibly realise. You have far more support than you would believe possible even just among the crew on Destiny. I am no expert on legal matters, but I am quite sure that when we get back you will end up OK. I expect you will need to go through some kind of trial, that is after all legally required, but such a trial will mostly be about justice being seen to be done. I suspect the authorities will find some way to make sure you go free when it is all over. Remember, you will have the support of this entire crew. At the end of the day, everyone knows you are no pirate, even Federation authorities will know it when they look at the evidence. After all, what would a pirate have to gain by bringing FNS Destiny back to the Federation, then voluntarily handing her over to lawful authority when we get there.”
Star Man 1: Star Bourne Page 25