Pardon Me, Please !

The two ships now became one and the command crew was back onboard. Commander Loris politely made arrangements for the Leviathan to use their space dock to put the ship in repairs for which the captain was grateful.

The Hellcat sat down gently on the battle ridden Leviathan, and excitedly, Brayden and Counsellor Devore exited the small ship. Also exiting the ship was Lieutenant Junior Grade Malakia Savage. She had come aboard from the *Sniper* along with the Brayden. The Vulcan hybrid seemed to know everything what people were thinking, but refused to show it. In the past Captain Devore has had some run ins with Vulcans, so he gave the new Lieutenant a wide birth, but something gentle was seen in her eyes. Where was he going to assign her was the prevailing question on Devore's mind during the *Hellcat's* approach. *Possibly security.* He had thought.

Captain Devore was gathering his things following Lieutenants Shaka and Rashad, when Commander Toran grabbed Devore by the arm.

"Sir.. I have something to tell you," Toran said.

"What is it old man? I know, I know it is good to have me back but....." Devore said jokingly.

"Well it has to do with you and me."

Something started to make Devore uncomfortable, didn't know what, but he was feeling it. From the doors walks Captain Phanan and a two security guards both armed and pointing at Commander Toran.

"Captain. I am glad that you are alive and back," Captain Phanan said shaking Devore's hand. Phanan was genuinely pleased to see the captain back. " However I must perform one last duty before you resume command. Lieutenant Commander Toran. You are hereby placed under arrest under charges of mutiny and high treason. Take him to the brig."

Captain Devore mouth dropped. "What!" The security detail grabbed Toran by the arm. "Crewman hold on. What is going on? "

"I think that we need to talk," Toran said solemnly.

"Fine to my ready room NOW!" Devore said angrily.

For the past hour, Toran explained his side of the story, as did Phanan. Even the ships' logs, and Commander Harris' personal logs were reviewed. Devore sat at his desk peering at the two officers, two officers for whom he had developed a special friendship with. Only one was missing never to be there again, Commander Harris. Without saying a word Devore stood up and walked over to the replicator.

"Computer coffee, black, hot!" Devore said without offering anyone anything. The computer replicated the cup of Java. Devore took it and sipped it.

"You know gentlemen." He finally said after sipping the hot liquid again. He walked to the port hole and stared speaking to the stars and not to them. "I don't know what happened while I was away and honestly right now... I don't care. The Leviathan has been damaged both emotionally and physically and I am more interested in patching her up and progressing on with the assigned mission but right now, I don't know if that can be done. At least in its present shape. Changes have to be made."

"I totally agree," Captain Phanan said.

"Please captain, don't patronise me. That is another thing. I don't like the phrase *captain*. There usually is only one captain on board ship and I am it." Phanan squirmed slightly in his seat. "From what I have seen from the logs and from your own admittance, you have done a superb job protecting my ship. Thank you Major."

The cloud of confusion set on Phanan's mind. *Where is he going??? I don't believe it I commanded his ship while he was gone and now he is going to ream me a new a...... MAJOR?* He thought. "Sir?"

"Yes Major Phanan. I think that you have deserved this for some time. Congratulations Major Phanan. Go to the replicator after this and get into uniform."

A major-type smile formed on Phanan's face. "Yes sir!"

"Now to the issue at hand," Devore said sitting back in his chair looking at Toran. "You know Commander, Mutiny and Treason are serious charges. I should have you executed or even hung from the yard arm.

"I know sir. But Harris was making no attempt to find you. YOUR friend was simply abandoning you, so ........."

"So you violated direct orders, commandeered a Federation vessel and gathered a few officers to follow YOUR orders and disobey their superior officers'."

"Higher rank sir, not superior."

"Old Man! Do not joke with me at a time like this! I am placed in a very precarious situation. You too are my friend, but Starfleet regulation still demands justice." Devore spun his chair around to where he said looking out the window again. He propped his feet up and steepled his fingers. "If I was not involved in this 'mutiny', I would say that you are to be demoted and shot out of the first airlock. But I am! My wife and I have had a very hard time. We both were assaulted and actions that I normally would not have done I did. The way I am looking at it now, is that if I was still to have remained there then I would not be the same Marc Devore I was before this whole incident happened. However, both Counsellor Devore and I are alive and breathing and totally, indebted to you. So speaking as a man and a husband, I don't care if you mutinied. From what I was just told, you had to to rescue us.

"As a Starfleet officer, I have to do my duty and execute protocol. But Major Phanan! If you are willing to drop the charges seeing that Commander Harris is no longer among us, we can overlook this discrepancy. Major?" All eyes were now focused on the new promoted officer.

"Sir permission to speak freely."

"Always Major."

"I never agreed with Harris' intentions or motivations therefore, yes sir. I am willing."

*Yes!* Thought a relieved Toran.

"That will be all," Captain Devore said to the security detail. They turned and left the ready room. " Normally Starfleet doesn't recognise the means but the ends. So I am going to as well. Computer. Beginning Stardate 60419.1 seal all files regarding mutiny of Lieutenant Commander Toran."

<Command Authorisation Required.>

"Command Authorisation Devore Alpha 1-1-3"

<All specified files have been sealed.>

"Now the to take care of our pressing business. I want the senior staff assembled in the conference room at 14:00 hours."

"Understood," Toran said with a gently smile.