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Message #:333
Time to look for the author...***#1928 "A Memnt of Choice" by Capt. Hunter |
The fire crackled hungrily in the old stone fireplace, casting glittering shadows of light in the small living room of the cabin on Chincoteague Island. Jim Hunter sat watching the glowing embers. In his hand was a glass of old Saurian brandy......untouched. Hunter didn't really want to drink it. He held it more for the atmosphere that went along with the warmth of the hearth. Outside, the wind howled across the water, bringing with it a typical North Atlantic storm. As usual, he was alone. He desired no company other than that of his own thoughts. He didn't desire those either......but he wasn't able to divorce himself from those so easily.
At the sound of the knock on the door, Jim stirred from his silent communion with the flames. Placing his untouched glass on the end table, he moved to answer. There, standing before him......was his brother Mike. As usual, he was smiling. The fact that his brother would come visiting wasn't such a big surprise. It was the company he was keeping that caused Jim to raise his eyebrows. Standing tall and proud in his Starfleet uniform was Captain Jackson Archer......late of the starship Patriot. The other figure however, was the one that really made Hunter's stomach flutter. Ambassador Sakkath of Vulcan. What the Hell is he doing here????
"Jimbo. Are you gonna invite us in......or just stand there gaping??"
Hunter stepped aside, motioning them all to enter. "Mike. Good to se you. Captain Archer. Long time. Are you sure you want to be here sir?? I'll bet Ross would have your hide if he knew."
The tall Captain gave the shorter man a wry grin. "What makes you think he doesn't know??"
Jim chuckled. "You wouldn't be here if he did."
Hunter turned to the tall, austere Vulcan. "Ambassador. I must admit some surprise at seeing you here. It's been what......five years??"
Sakkath pulled his hood back away from his features. He inclined his head in answer. "Five years, two hundred twenty-seven days to be more precise. The last time we met was prior to your mission aboard the Challenger. May I express my sympathies at the loss of your vessel Captain. In my experience, men who command ships develop a fiercely loyal affection for their vessels."
Jim experienced a momentary flash of pain at the mention of his beloved ship. "Thankyou Ambassador. But the past is what it is. It can't be undone. Challenger did everything she was supposed to do. She got her crew home. No Captain could ask for more. Also......I'm not a Captain anymore. It's Jim now. I gave up any right to the title of Captain."
Sakkath nodded. "As you wish......Jim."
There was a long moment of silence as the four men all glanced around at each other. Finally, Mike Hunter broke the deadlock. "So......gonna offer us something to drink?? It's bloody cold out there."
Jim moved to the small cabinet. "Ambassador, can I offer you some tea?"
Sakkath gave a slight shake. "In the spirit of the moment, I will accept a small brandy along with the others."
Hunter gave a small smile at pun of spirit of the moment with 'spirits'. He didn't think anyone else caught it. But he did. And he appreciated it.
Once the drinks had been served, Jim gave his brother a questioning look. "Now......are you gonna explain why the three of you are here??"
Mike grinned. "The three of us are here to present a unique proposal to you. Now Jim......I want you to listen to what we have to say before you decide. Can you do that??"
Hunter nodded. "This better not be another offer to run a new division of Hunter Enterprises. I'm done with playing the clean cut corporate exec."
Mike shook his head. "Nothing so esoteric my brother. We are here to make an offer to be something that will have what we hope are far more wide-reaching positive repercussions. We want you to declare your candidacy for the Office of President of the United Federation of Planets."
A silence filled the cabin......broken only by the crackling of logs on the fire. Finally, Jim responded. He laughed out loud.
"You've got to be kidding. Me?? President?? Mike......if I didn't know you better, I'd swear you'd been indulging in some inexpensive, non-prescription pharmaceuticals from Rigel Ten. Me. President of the Federation. That's funny. You guys honestly came all the way out here to tell me this?? Don't tell me that. It's a joke. More than that......it's pathetic."
Jack Archer stepped forward. "Why?? Why is it pathetic Hunter?? You blew the whistle on what was happening. Have you even been watching the news since you did that?? People all over the Federated worlds are still talking about it three months later. You've become a folk hero to many. The man of the people. The one who wasn't afraid to risk everything he had to do what's right. Jim......I don't necessarily agree with how you went about things. But I do admire your guts. And like you......I know what's going on out there. I know what's coming. We can't afford to waste time fighting among ourselves. We need to take action. And honestly......I think you're the person to do just that."
Jim was taken aback. He and Archer had a history......and there had been bad blood between them. He'd resolved some issues with an alternate version of this man......and that had helped to cure Jim of his anger towards Jack. Now, to hear this man tell him what he'd just heard......was humbling.
"Jack......you have no idea what that means to me. You and I never cared for each other, and it's very touching to have you say that. But I'm not President material. I haven't got the first clue about politics. They'll eat me alive."
Sakkath leaned forward. "That is not entirely correct Jim. As a starship Captain, you've been trained to respond to unknown and difficult situations. More than that, you've been taught to use your own personal gifts to their best advantage. In addition, the very fact that you are not a career politician would be something in your favour. Logic would seem to dictate that you are the embodiment of what the people hope for. An individual who is above secrecy and corruption."
Mike jumped up. "Exactly!! Bro......I've been doing some research the past three months. Opinion polls and such. Out of all the people we spoke to, you have the highest approval rating."
Jim raised an eyebrow. "What was it??"
"Thirtyseven percent."
Jim coughed. "I'm supposed to be pleased at that?? Sheesh!!!!"
Mike smiled. "President Bain only got nine percent. And remember......we aren't in official election mode yet. Those numbers are bound to go up......and his will go down. It's a poorly kept secret that the Federation Council is going to issue a recall over all of this. Bain will have to face the people again. Why not give him some competition?? Push this issue back into the public eye. Let the people decide."
Sakkath inclinded his head. "While I do not share your brother's emotionalism, I do agree that in this instance, your very inexperience is something that will appeal to the people of the Federation."
Jim shook his head. "Guys......you don't get it. I failed!! I was a big part of the whole issue. Had I not screwed up during my last mission aboard Endeavour, I might still be a big part of it. I'm not the one to lead the fight. Get Ross to do it. He came out okay during his last broadcast."
Mike Hunter shrugged. "He polled at around eighteen percent. But in a survey about who people trust more, you still come in way ahead. Jim......we need you. There is a darkness coming. You have to help. You can't hide here while it gets us all!!"
Jim stared his brother down. "Who paid for all those surveys??"
Mike returned his stare. "I did."
Jim replied, never letting his eyes drop. "Better be careful, or people will think you're trying to buy the Presidency."
Mike kept his focus. "I don't care what people think. You want to know something little brother?? I've given the order for all our facilities to begin setting up as if we're in war time. The factories on Deneva have reworked the HSC vessels so they can be used for system defense and as mine-layers. I've spoken to Tucker Industries......our biggest competitor. We've agreed to suspend any profit ventures and share knowledge and technology to help the Federation during this crisis. And that's just the beginning."
Jim watched the flicker in Mike's blue eyes......eyes that were identical to his own. "Why are you doing this??"
Mike watched the flicker in Jim's blue eyes......eyes that were identical to his own. "Because......I want there to be a world for my kids to have kids. I want there to be a tomorrow for them. I'd give all I have for that. And I'm not alone. Jim......you inspired this in me. You. I'm not doing any of this for self-gain. Self-preservation, yes. But not self-gain."
Two sets of eyes stayed locked. "I don't know if I can."
Never wavering. "I don't either. But I think you're the one to give it the best shot."
Finally......Jim looked around at the others. Archer nodded. Sakkath inclined his head in a respectful bow. Archer spoke. "I wouldn't have risked coming here if I didn't think you were up for it. Past history aside......your enough of a thorn in everyone's side to be able to pull this off."
Sakkath focused on him. "To deny your abilities would be illogical. To deny that of anyone, you have the best possible opportunity to reunite a fractured Federation would be to do you a injustice."
Jim dropped his eyes. "I don't want this."
Mike placed a hand on his shoulder. "Which is exactly why you have to do this."
Jim turned away......walking to the window to stare out at the storm-tossed sea. "I have to think about this."
Mike nodded. "I know. You can reach me at home later. We'll leave you alone. Jim......please. Give it a try. That's all we ask."
He listened to the sound of them leaving without turning to say goodbye. His mind was more troubled than it had ever been at what they'd proposed. What scared him the most was......what if he won??
