archives:with_justice_for_none
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| As the secretive individual left the booth, Saal shook his head muttering, " | As the secretive individual left the booth, Saal shook his head muttering, " | ||
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| As Klaus stepped off the turbolift, he approached the corridor section that hosted the operations main office. There were uniformed engineering personnel huddled around the door, and as the lieutenant approached, he noticed that they were putting the finishing touches on the office door. The horizontal brown ID lines located three-fourths the way up from the bottom of the entrance were altered: | As Klaus stepped off the turbolift, he approached the corridor section that hosted the operations main office. There were uniformed engineering personnel huddled around the door, and as the lieutenant approached, he noticed that they were putting the finishing touches on the office door. The horizontal brown ID lines located three-fourths the way up from the bottom of the entrance were altered: | ||
| - | <WRAP left round box 60%> | ||
| **0827: CHIEF OF OPERATIONS\\ | **0827: CHIEF OF OPERATIONS\\ | ||
| ENSIGN NARUKO KUGA** | ENSIGN NARUKO KUGA** | ||
| - | </ | ||
| - | |||
| Klaus sneered in contempt at the change. Thomas Sullivan' | Klaus sneered in contempt at the change. Thomas Sullivan' | ||
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| < | < | ||
| <fs x-large> | <fs x-large> | ||
| + | " | ||
| + | Leon Cromwell was sitting in his quarters with shoes off and feet up on a footrest as he watched the news of the hearing recorded earlier in the day. The viewscreen flickered alive with images of the defendants coming out of the courtroom, and the flock of observers in the background holding signs that read "Gorns Go Home," " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "As you can hear from behind us, they have gained quite a crowd of supporters, mostly young adults from various university campuses in nearby star systems. The defense claimed they were following Federation by-law 1789 which states any citizen has the right to defend their home, absence of Starfleet or any other duly appointed protective organization, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "As the hearing reconvenes tomorrow morning, Galactic News Network will be there to bring you all the details . . . | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | As he walked along the corridors in deck eight, Leon could not help to notice a group of three engineers gathered in front of a door. It had formerly belonged to Counselor B' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Watching the engineers, Leon could tell that they were finishing up with changing the stenciling on the door. Gathering their equipment, the trio of technicians paid the doctor no mind as they walked away down the to the turbolift. Without another glace, Leon turned his attention to the horizontal brown identification stripe located three-fourth' | ||
| + | |||
| + | **0872: SHIP'S COUNSELOR\\ | ||
| + | LT CMDR REITTAN TOLKATH** | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Must be our new counselor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leon shook his head. "They can get their own guide," | ||
| + | |||
| + | Counselor Tolkath looked over his office. A sense of uneasiness lingered, but with all the chaos on the starbase and aboard the starship he couldn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The doctor walked in, almost hesitantly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reittan sensed a complex cascade of emotion emanating from the visitor. "Ah, Doctor Cromwell. What can I do for you?" Counselor Tolkath asked as he greeted his guest with a warm smile. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leon blinked. For a brief moment, he questioned himself on how this stranger knew who he was, but before saying anything, he answered his own question. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I don't know if you've had anyone formally greet you," Leon began. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No, I've only the chance to report into the Captain," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Well, in that case, let me be the first." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Taking Cromwell' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We haven' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you Doctor Cromwell. You will have to excuse the clutter." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you," he replied, sliding into the chair in front of Reittan' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Do you have Vulcan ancestry?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reittan smiled; a hint of pride swelled within him. "My paternal grandfather is Vulcan." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I had a Vulcan doctor in sickbay, recently," | ||
| + | |||
| + | The sorrow that Reittan had sensed earlier from Doctor Cromwell was beginning to become stifling. He sensed this wasn't the only loss that this good doctor had experienced, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No, it wasn't easy. But then, this ship has lost a lot of good people during the past year. Including a captain. Overall, though, I'd say the crew has handled it well." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sensing something inside the doctor wanted desperately to talk; the Counselor decided to continue. "So, tell me a little about yourself. How did you get involved in Starfleet?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | At the mention of the war the counselor felt a surge of emotion against the barrier that had been so painstakingly been erected in Leon. "So you were involved in the Dominion war?" Reittan inquired intent on tearing down Leon's barriers that were long overdue for demolition. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes, that's right," | ||
| + | |||
| + | At this point Leon's subconscious cries for help were almost deafening to Reittan' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leon felt a sense of nervousness rising in his stomach. Not towards Reittan, but towards the subject they were discussing. The doctor had talked about his experience in the Dominion war dozens of times, but never had he felt like this. It was as though his fear and anxiety about the war, which he had worked years to suppress, were rising within him. A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his head. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The doctor paused in confusion. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Suddenly, his throat tightened, and tears welled in his eyes. Leon thought that the pain of those days had long since subsided, but the anguish he now felt as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. With the sound of blood rushing past his ears, he grasped the armrests of his chair in attempts to hold back his tears. Moments passed where Leon worked to control his breathing, and as he did so, heard Reittan' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leon sat in the chair with a surprised expression, as if someone or something reached deep into the emotional recesses of his mind and brought to the surface the merest fraction of his life's pain. As it slowly receded back into the abyss of his soul, he wiped his now red, swollen eyes before looking back at the counselor. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "How did you do that?" Leon whispered in amazement. "I had no idea those feelings were still with me . . . " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The doctor was impressed, to say the least. Although Leon had visited numerous counselors to work on his post-traumatic stress from the war, he had never experienced a counseling session with an empath before. It was the most unique, introspective experience he had ever had. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We all get drawn into our own life dramas at sometimes the strangest times.'" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Standing up, the doctor had a quizzical look on his face. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reittan escorted Leon to the door, and the two shook hands. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No problem, doctor. I also look forward to the tour of the Republic. Also, make sure to schedule an appointment for our next visit." | ||
| + | |||
| + | As the door to the office closed, Leon shook his head in disbelief. Although he had not expected to show his personal side in front of a complete stranger this evening, the doctor felt as though a great weight had lifted from his shoulders. Leon proceeded down the corridor to the turbolift, feeling no need to keep his mind busy with holodeck training programs. He felt genuinely tired and no longer on edge. Deep down inside, Leon knew that tonight he would sleep well for the first time in weeks. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | Throughout the Federation, a maze of subspace relays and communication nodes float in the depths of space, carrying with them the burden of a civilization' | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP center round box 80%> | ||
| + | // | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | Priority Green-3 (low)\\ | ||
| + | To: Cmdr John Carter, U.S.S. Republic, NCC-76241\\ | ||
| + | From: Lieutenant Cmdr Victor Virtus, Sol three, SB-1\\ | ||
| + | Stardate 57806.5 | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | Hello John, | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | Sorry I could not write sooner. Plenty of time, just not for leisure. I hope the trial is going well. There' | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | I apparently missed the Doc by less than an hour. I was coming in from a ' | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | Keep an eye out for a paper on breakthroughs in warp field resonance and it's effect on matter/ | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | I'd be happier if I could both claim full credit for the discovery, and that that had been what I was researching, | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | Take good care of Captain Roth. She got a raw deal a few years back, as I'm sure you know. I knew her CoE in that snafu, we were at the Academy together. She knows her stuff, but there' | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | I wish I were going with you, but what I'm working on now ' | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | Look after the old girl for me. She's not sleek and nimble like the Valiant II, she's graceful and dangerous, like that flutist you were dating on Risa. (After the first time you decided to fly too close to a quantum singularity.) Speaking of Risa, have Burke tell you the one about the Horta and the Magnetic Flux Interpolator. I heard it second-hand from one of his old chiefs and I can remember the punchline, but not the build-up. | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | Be careful out there John, you're a pain in the butt sometimes, but a lot of folks would really miss you. If I have to drag you through space/time again, I'll be most cross. | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | My love to Shannon, and warmest well-wishes, | ||
| + | -Vic | ||
| + | " . . . look upwards . . . " | ||
| + | \\ \\ | ||
| + | End Transmission**// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | **Location: Main engineering, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Space is big," Lieutenant Pakita repeated to the new ensign. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I don't understand", | ||
| + | |||
| + | Maria sighed. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Donavon pondered that, and as comprehension dawned within his eyes, Maria' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "So . . . there' | ||
| + | |||
| + | . . . before plummeting to bounce off the deck plating. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You betcha Ensign. But I'm not allowed to talk about it. So mum's the word. If I hear any such nonsense in the future, I'll deny it under oath, understood?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ensign leaned in as well, "Aye aye, Lieutenant." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Back to work then, these engines aren't going to maintain themselves. We've got a checklist nine meters long. Both of our transporter specialists are incapacitated, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The poor ensign' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Lieutenant Pakita mentally slapped her palm to her forehead, while physical nodding in agreement, " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Maria winced internally, waiting to see how Donovan would react to the barrage of numbers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes Lieutenant! Cargo Bay Two, Level 3 diagnostic, circuits 5 thru 9. Aye aye," he confirmed, nodding and heading for the turbolift. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The lanky Caribbean girl watched him go with a brief smirk, and glanced around. Finding no one within earshot, she sat down at a terminal, put her elbow on the display and let her chin rest on her fist. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| < | < | ||
| <fs x-large> | <fs x-large> | ||
| + | **Location: 86th moon of Beaufort IV** | ||
| + | |||
| + | The small escape pod was almost all covered by snow, there was no chance that the transceiver array would still work tomorrow. The nights were intolerable. With life-support offline, a thermal blanket was little comfort for nights at -50 Celsius. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hranok was meditating. Not that it was his way to deal with difficult situations, but he had nothing else to do. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "This is finally the end", he told himself. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He survived alone 3 weeks inside the wreckage of the saucer section of the Odyssey, a galaxy-class vessel trapped inside the Gamma-quadrant. He has been captured and tortured in a Dominion Prison Camp. He climbed Mt Milana on Betazed in only two weeks, with three broken ribs. But now, even after only five days, THIS is definitely too much." He knew he was in hypothermic shock, he couldn’t feel his legs. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | After he survived the destruction of 15 ships, after the war, he chose to switch from security to science. He wished that he could finish his career, happy, in an untroubled office, if possible with a window or two. He saw himself working in a lab at the Bureau of Temporal Investigation at Nairobi. When you don’t serve on a ship, there’s no chance that it’ll explode. Instead, he joined an officer exchange program with Romulus and served on the Imperial warbird Levek. He was then assigned to various Oberth-class science ships exploring temporal distortions and was chosen as Operation Officer on the most ambitious project Starfleet and the always-mysterious Temporal Bureau of Investigation even created: the U.S.S. Paladin. Hranok never thought that the project could go wrong; everything was planned and set accordingly. Now that the Paladin was destroyed, with obviously no survivors, the Temporal Bureau of Investigation would certainly close. Everything he worked for during the last three years would be destroyed . | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | **Location: Delta Flyer** | ||
| + | |||
| + | With practiced ease, Lieutenant Commander Thomas Eugene Paris, Executive Officer of the Starship Voyager under Captain Chakotay, slipped the agile shuttle of his own co-design from warp. As the stars fell relaxed back to their normal appearance, Tom felt a mixture of emotions he had felt dozens of times before since their return from the Delta Quadrant. Relief, a sense of home, a sense of wonder, and a sense of longing for the days - as hazardous as they where - when the stars where as unfamiliar as they had ever been. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Now entering the Beaufort system." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Around them, and throughout the system, chunks and metal and other miscellaneous substances drifted unnaturally between the various planetoids. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "This debris is from a Federation Starship," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Oh, that helps." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "What is it with you pilots and dropping the inertial dampers just when your about to do loops and weaves?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Space sick, darlin'?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Only because your here." She shot back with a sarcastic smile. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "If you two love birds don't keep it down, we're liable to miss our moon." Paris interjected. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I coulda told ya that," Hawk said, remembering his first day aboard and the liquid-metal surgical suite he'd created at Cromwell' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Here we are, 86th moon of Beaufort IV." Paris announced, plowing the ship forward into the planetoids minimal atmosphere. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Who n'the hell named this system, anywho?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Scan for that transceiver, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Clumsily, not used to non-navigational sensors, Hawk complied without response. Though it took three scans, the transceivers fading signal finally came back. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Can we get a transporter lock?" Teague asked. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I sure hope so," Paris replied, "the Arctic looks more inviting than this place." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Just think how the survivors feel." Warner replied, unapologetically. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I just meant it'll be a lot easier if we can just beam them up, that's all." Paris replied, defensively. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "One a these days, yer gonna sass the wrong person, missy, an then yer gonna have ta fight with a lot more than words." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Knock it off, you two! We've got a job to do here!" Paris demanded. After a few quiet moments, he couldn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Can you get a transporter lock?" Paris asked. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Hawk, if you don't stop following me, you're really going to earn that nickname 'Death Wish' of yours," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Hawk? Nathan Hawk? The Nathan Hawk from the 85th Attack Squadron?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | The reporter smiled at the young pilot. "Well, once again, your reputation precedes you." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I know you?" Hawk asked, ignoring Warner' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I saved yer ass!" Hawk exclaimed with a grin. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Oh yeah, you did!" the Bolian agreed, coughing, but with a big smile. "That dogfight with the Cardassian raider was really something. We were talking about that for months afterward." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Well, now I dun saved yer ass a second time." Hawk said. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "How modest," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "A debt that I’m willing to pay with a bottle of romulan ale if you want?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Wait, you where the tactical officer on the Bismarck?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I switched to science a few years ago, after the war." he said more seriously, still suspicious about the civilian clothing she was wearing. "And you are?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Leah Warner, FNS," the woman said, not mentioning what she was doing there anyway. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "A reporter? For me? Wow, I didn't realize I was so special." | ||
| + | |||
| + | From the cockpit, Lieutenant Commander Tom Paris appeared. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hranok knew that he would have to answer questions he didn’t want to. He needed a way out. The hypospray injected by Teague made tingle his right arm, he grimaced and kept silent for a few seconds. He was visibly trapped and needed a way to get out. "Who is Commander Claudel?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The Traffic Coordinator of the Sector and Strategic Operations officer at Starbase 39-Sierra," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "How can you be sure?" Paris asked. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hranok never answered. A reporter, officers he didn’t know… the risk was too high. He just smiled and closed his eyes. He would take care everything on Sierra-39 . . . | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| < | < | ||
| <fs x-large> | <fs x-large> | ||
| + | **Location: Observation room, unit 327, residential level 1138, south complex 72B, Starbase 39 Sierra** | ||
| + | |||
| + | As usually, the room was dark, and the only available light came from the expansive viewport that unveiled the billions of minute points of light amongst the blackness of space. The scene was quiet. Perfectly still, save the barely noticeable twinkling of the stars and the occasional spaceship either entering or coming out of warp. This was the way Arthur Cromwell liked it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | His face had grown weary over the past week, but the first day of the hearing robbed him of sleep the previous night, and the dark circles under his eyes were yet another signatory that his mental exhaustion was at a new low. The half empty bottle of scotch sat on the window sill as Arthur stared into the stars, and like his soul, the level of the whiskey had slowly leeched away overnight in despair. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As he gazed out into the vastness of space with bloodshot eyes, Arthur' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leon silently walked into the room allowing the closing door to signify his presence. More than a minute passed before his father acknowledged him, and by the fact that there was no irritable tone in his voice, it suggested a man who was at the end of his rope. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | He took another sip of whiskey from a short glass he held in his right hand. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Worse yet, I'm starting to believe them." | ||
| + | |||
| + | A knot formed in Leon's stomach as his worry for his father swelled. This was a man he had held in the highest respect as a boy, if not spite as a teenager and adult. Yet now he holds back the anguish of watching him wither into an old man whose heart has lost all hope. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Dad . . . you couldn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You couldn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Arthur was taken aback that his son was actually defending him, especially since every domicile in the Federation was having second thoughts about his role in the incident. Still, it gave him no joy, and he only turned around to face Leon with sad, tired eyes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | He tried to take a step towards the door, but in his inebriated state, he swayed, and nearly fell down if it were not for Leon who he grabbed at the shoulder. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | **Location: Commercial Transport Liner " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Doctor V. X. Virtus drummed his fingers on the arm of the faux-leather and faux-hardwood chair in his nicely appointed but tiny cabin aboard the Seaswift Two. It'd had been an agonizingly long journey at warp three. Starfleet ships-of-the-line spoil it's crewmen with warp speeds in the five to eight range, causing a sense that anything slower was the equivalent of crawling through space dragging a Class M planet with a ninety-year old tractor beam. Comments like "would it help if I got out and pushed?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Assuming a logarithmic asymptotic warp curve, the closer one gets to warp ten, the closer one's subjective velocity gets to infinity. Thus, warp one being equal to the speed of light as measured by a stationary outside observer, warp three is several times the speed of light, and warp eight is, well, very-very fast. But the true break-throughs in warp field research are now in ' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The good doctor mentally re-ran through his request to the Starfleet Corps of Engineer' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The computer chimed, and a melodic woman' | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | **Location: Counselors office, deck 8, USS Republic** | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reittan finished his dictating his notes from the doctor' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Post-traumatic stress disorders were strenuous to him. It took a great amount of energy and concentration to guide the person, understand their emotions, but not experience them. Depending on the empathic ability, to a novice the task could seem insurmountable because of the intensity of emotion tied to the ordeal. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The view-screen began flickering, coming to life on its own. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the back of his mind he heard familiar voices. Just then the door chime sounded alerting him of someone outside the door. Reittan turned his chair to face the sliding door. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Come in." he invited. | ||
| + | |||
| + | At the sound of his voice a visitor outside the door laughed, giggling like a giddy school girl. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Lieutenant Commander Tolkath couldn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "She is not the only one here. She is just the only one who was too excited to not giggle. But can you blame a mother?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Well, what are we waiting for? He said come in." Jaren asked aloud to the rest of his party and took a step towards the automated door. Sensing his presence, the doors gave way with a hiss. Reittan' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "How are you, my child?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Now Grandmother, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Smiling, the matriarch of the family proudly looked over her grandson in his Starfleet uniform, began picking at it, and said jokingly, "Ooh, look who's teaching who etiquette." | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Lieutenant Commander warmly embraced each member of his family. When the time for his Vulcan grandfather to receive a welcome arrived, Reittan raised his hand, separated the fingers, and stated admirably, "Live Long and Prosper." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Counselor Tolkath had learned much from his very polarized family; this polarity would save his life. His gift would return the favor, paradoxically, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Who is B' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Counselor Tolkath shook his head and the whole story unconsciously quickly cascaded through his mind " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The conversation ebbed and flowed from one topic to another. Finally Grandmother asked, "What is all this news about the trial? The air is so thick with confusion, chaos, and anxiety that you could almost cut it with a knife." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank the Four I am not the only one who feels that way." Reittan thought to himself. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No you are not." Yaxara spoke aloud unconsciously. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reittan then spent the next hour explaining what he knew of the invasion of the Gorns. Upon the mention of Tuvok' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Did the Federation learn nothing from the Dominion invasion of Betazed? I am going to march right up there . . . " said a livid Grandmother. Her diplomatic duties had taught her to usually use candor, but because the wounds of the war were so fresh, she had forgotten all tact. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "It is illogical that a man can not protect his own home . . . What does the Federation have to gain . . . " Reittan' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Jaren stood up, walked over, and leaned up against one of the Republic' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reittan paused a moment, then asked hesitantly, "So, what is the verdict with the amendment to the Code of Sentience? Are they going to put a provision for the usage of telepathy in a time of life or death situation?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Grandmother looked down at the pale floor. The topic was a sore one for the family. "They are still in debate." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The memory haunted Reittan; he knew he had done what he should have. After all, it was that incident and the Dominion invasion that lead him from being a Doctorate degree holding Psychologist to a Starfleet officer. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "It was the logical thing to do." Jaren and his father eerily chimed in at the same time. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Oh, I'm sure my humanity played into it, too. But, Reittan remember you saved people' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reittan raised his eyebrow. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | With that the family headed out of the counselor' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Location: Room B-4, residential compartments, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Doctor Virtus looked around his modest new quarters aboard the Republic, and estimated how many steps there were between his door and Main Engineering. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP center round box 80%> | ||
| + | Step 1. Out the door turn left\\ | ||
| + | Step 2. Down the corridor into the turbolift\\ | ||
| + | Step 3. Override security permissions\\ | ||
| + | Step 4. Lift down to deck 36\\ | ||
| + | Step 5. Out the door turn right\\ | ||
| + | Step 6. Convince engineering personnel he was not a crackpot in the middle of a emergency as panels explode and people are falling from gantries and Borg are beaming in and Nat is flying beyond the tolerances of the inertial dampers while John goes EVA hand to hand with a hideous, tentacled beast to protect a beautiful unknown alien race female wearing a strangely see-through shapesuit. | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Fifty-six strides walking, four-two at a combat jog. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | A an electronic warble sounded in response to his voice. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " . . . I'm home." | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | "Chief Engineer' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I haven' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Shen Baowen separated his shoulder helping to unload science equipment that had been abandoned in place. Doctor Cromwell says it looks like he'll be remaining on Starbase to recuperate. So, I set about finding a replacement Maintenance Officer. I'm pretty much decided on promoting a young woman named Rota Sonji to the post. Rota, who's been an operations manager on Farius Prime (Upsilon Andromeda) is in the same boat I was in not too long ago (5 months since I came aboard from Earth–time flies when you're having fun and realigning the warp coils!) She says she makes some strong hasperat. She also mentioned something about with azna with flaked blood fleas. I told her about my string green beans and dried onions recipe and she sounded like she was interested in an exchange. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| < | < | ||
| <fs x-large> | <fs x-large> | ||
| + | **Location: Conference room 6, Starbase 39 Sierra -- " | ||
| + | Inside the confines of the conference room, Judge Wade spoke in stern tones. "All right then folks, let's get back to business shall we." He nodded toward Mister Cole who seemed eager to continue his attack on the assembled members of Republic' | ||
| + | |||
| + | With reptilian ease, Cole nodded. "Thank you, your Honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | As a door to the front of the room opened, the surly Andorian, dressed in the black fatigues of the Imperial Guard of Andor, walked to the witness stand, took the pledge of truth, and dutifully sat down. | ||
| + | |||
| + | John Carter' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Next to Carter, Nat Hawk chuckled. "Jeez, Cyclops, how is it we always run into the people you pissed off?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter turned his head slightly and skewed his face into a sour scowl. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | On the floor of the conference room, Cole gave the Andorian in Intelligence black a glance. "Will you tell the court of your duty position during the events in question?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I was a security officer at the Cestus three intelligence outpost." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The outpost that is currently under investigation by the Federation Council for possible treaty violation?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok raised an eyebrow at the prosecution' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Now, I understand that that investigation is ongoing, and does not pertain to any of the charges being brought against these defendants, but can you tell me what your orders were when the Gorns began to invade Cestus three?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We were to observe only, and not interfere." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And did you?" Cole asked. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Did I what?" Anathon asked with a twitch of his antenna. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No, I did not." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Are you sure?" Cole second-guessed the Andorian. "Think carefully." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I did not interfere," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The state would like to turn the court' | ||
| + | |||
| + | A bailiff pushed out a grav-cart with three similar looking black backpacks aligned next to one another. Anathon' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Now, Mister Anathon," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "If they' | ||
| + | |||
| + | A bead of sweat trickled down the side of Anathon' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole nodded his head, seeming to accept the reply. He then turned towards the defense table, making an announcement to the court. "The state submits that Mister Cromwell committed not only one offense of pre-meditated murder, but two. With the assistance of THOSE individuals." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "On the contrary," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The state would like to present exhibit F, sensor footage from a Gorn security sweep of downtown Cornucopia during the events in question. They were provided to us by the Gorn government for these proceedings." | ||
| + | |||
| + | A viewscreen to the right of the judge' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Suddenly, a loud explosion is heard in the background, and the Gorns quickly turn towards the direction of the sound. The street began to buckle all around the building, and as craters begin to form, troops, transports, and event the structure started to collapse below ground. Screams and curses sound as wisps of white smoke begin to obscure the sensor' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The screen flipped off, leaving the courtroom silent with a few whispers and an occasional sob at the shock of the scene. Even Lins shed a few tears at the defense table as Arthur, Skip, and Wey stared blankly at the now deactivated viewer. After a moment, Cole, while staring at the ceiling in thought, continued his questioning of Anathon. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Can you identify the source of the explosion, Mister Anathon? Do you know of anything that can rip through one-meter thick streets of tritainium concrete resin?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "A very power explosive substance," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Not antimatter?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No, but almost as bad," Anathon gulped, not sure of his next words. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "A military explosive . . . " the prosecutor nodded his head. "The Gorn's analysis indicated nitrate charges. Does that seem possible to you?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Somewhat surprisingly, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Is it jest me," Hawk commented again, "Or did your lawyer…" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Our lawyer, Hawk." Carter whispered. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Or did YOUR lawyer skip one hell of a chance to scuttle blue-boy' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter looked on in silence, not pleased with the idea that he was agreeing with the young lieutenant. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Presenting another PADD from his briefcase at the prosecution table, Cole brought it over to Anathon at the witness stand. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "These are the contents of the backpacks found among Mister Cromwell and his cohorts," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Whispers were once again shared among the observers as Cole came to a close. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No further questions." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole spun slowly, taking his place back at the defense table. "Very well, Mister Cole," Judge Wade said from the bench. "Your witness Advocate Tuvok." | ||
| + | |||
| + | With calm, measured steps, Tuvok approached the witness box, where Anathon fidgeted slightly." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade nodded. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Your Honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the box, Anathon continued to sweat, then nodded. "Yes, I have served on the Valiant II." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok nodded and turned to pace in the opposite direction. "And who was responsible for that evaluation?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Anathon swallowed hard and spoke after a brief pause. "The captain and first officer of the vessel." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I do not," Anathon leveled his icy blue eyes at Tuvok, " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I would like to enter Defense exhibit A. Crew manifest and fitness reports from the U.S.S. Valiant II; Excelsior class cruiser, Galaxy Exploration Command. I would like to point out that Mister Anathon' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok nodded. "I see. In point of fact, you gathered the other Andorian members of the Valiant II's crew, and tried to kill John Carter, did you not?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Anathon' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I did." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Your Honor, I move that this witness' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole stood up, showing the first signs of annoyance throughout the two days of deliberations. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you, your Honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole developed a furrow in his forehead. A fissure was developing in his case against the defendants. Although his argument against the Shadowforce members was solid, the connection to John Carter and the other Republic personnel was starting to unravel. It was time for desperate measures, and although he had one crucial witness in mind to bring to the court, it was a very risky gamble . . . | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade smiled slightly at Cole's obvious annoyance. "Call your next witness, Mister Cole." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole smiled and slicked his pinky along his eyebrow. "Thank you Judge Wade." Cole turned, rifled through a few briefs on his desk and looked back at the defense table. "The defense now calls Lana Taylor to the stand." | ||
| + | |||
| + | With an astonished look, both Carter at the defense table and Leon in the observation floor glanced at one another as a Starfleet lieutenant, acting as bailiff, escorted the station' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "As I have mentioned before, your honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | Nodding his head, Judge Wade agreed. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Of course, your honor." | ||
| + | |||
| + | As Lana was held to the pledge, she sat down looking both innocent and slightly confused. Doctor Chambers stood beside her along with the bailiff. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Miss Taylor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Y . . . yes . . . " she said with vague recollection. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | A snicker came from Nat Hawk as Tuvok gave him a stern look. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You need not worry about that, Miss Taylor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | Rolling her eyes in thought, a pause occurred where Lana quirked an eyebrow. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Would you say that John Carter resented James Marshall' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes, I would," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Oh, that's IT!" Carter said in full voice as he shot to his feet. "This is unbelievable!" | ||
| + | |||
| + | His face wide in shock, Cole spun and looked back at the judge. "Your Honor! Please?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | The judge hit his gavel on the bench, and the loud clap rang through the room. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole turned in surprise to face the judge. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade looked at Cole sternly. "Get that poor woman off the stand now, Mister Cole. I don't care who you work for, I will not have someone paraded about for humiliation in my court." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole nodded, "Yes your Honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "As for you, Mister Carter," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | There was an uneasy silence as Lana Taylor was led away and order descended, reluctantly, | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | After a few moments, the judge hit his gavel to bring the proceedings back into session. This time, however, Cole decided to change tactics. If he could not make a connection between John Carter and Shadowforce, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The prosecution' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Very well," the judge agreed. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok, in turn, had elected to start the presentation for the defense with John Carter on the stand. The irritated Martian gave Cole a sour look as we walked to the podium, agreed to the pledge of truth, and sat down. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We ran and hid a lot." There was a small murmur of amusement from the gallery, quickly silenced by a hit from judge Wade's gavel. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The captain ordered me to assemble an away team and make contact with any intelligence assets on the planet." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok tilted his head. "You weren' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No Sir, I was not." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You were not ordered to assist in the liberation of the planet, or aid the members of Shadow Force?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Not specifically, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And yet," Tuvok added with some caution, "you included the members of Republic' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "When Republic was ordered to Cestus three, it was to investigate communications failure with the colony. We had no idea that the Gorn had even set foot on the colony. When we arrived in system, we counted 14 assault ships along with one command cruiser and several smaller capital ships." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "How many Gorn ships were in orbit when you arrived?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok raised one eyebrow in classic Vulcan fashion. "You approached Cestus three in shuttle craft? Why was that?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter gave his head a slight nod. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And what was Captain Marshall doing while you were heading for the surface?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The nature of the captain' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter turned his head to look back at Cole. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok nodded. "And that was the last time you spoke with your captain?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Tell me Mister Carter, " Tuvok paused and turned, then continued to pace, "How did you first become aware of Shadow Force' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter smiled a bit, looking sideways at Arthur Cromwell as he answered, "We followed the signs of the explosion." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "As far as I'm aware, yes." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I decided to lead the civilians back to the settlement in the Gordonian Mountains so that we could sort this whole mess out." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "But you didn't get the chance did you?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No, we didn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No further questions," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Your witness, Mister Cole." | ||
| + | |||
| + | With the look of a predator that had just been provided a sedentary meal, Cole slipped out of his seat at the prosecutor' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And wasn't it also true that he informed you that he was planning to duel with the Gorn Captain?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I don't remember." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | //"We lost track of you somewhere in the upper mesosphere, we had atmospheric readings all over the place, we thought you'd broken up."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | //"No sir. Just . . . skipped across the pond."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | //"I see. The Gorn have . . . re-accepted my challenge. We'll be departing within the hour, you have your orders."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | //"Aye sir. Good luck."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Turning back towards Carter, Cole continued his line of questioning. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "What did ' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "He must have been referring to his arrangement to duel the Gorn captain," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I see," Cole acknowledged smoothly. "Did you make any attempt to further understand what he was talking about?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No. I had immediate concerns." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I didn't know about the duel!" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You didn't know about the duel, but yet you still wished him good luck at the end of the communication?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "He was going to enter negotiations with a hostile power. He needed all the luck he could get." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You doubted Captain Marshall' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter glared at Cole. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "But it is what you meant." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Had I known, I would have said something!" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Oh no," Cole looked very soberly at Carter with squinted eyes. "You knew. Maybe not about the duel, but you knew he was departing the ship. And you also knew the next in the chain-of-command was your friend Mister Virtus. Whether you did not hear the captain, or whether you heard him but chose not to act, which from Miss Taylor' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I did that to get at the truth!" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And just how did you think that would help the Marshall family, Mister Carter?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "When the Away Team and I arrived and we discovered that there were in fact Starfleet Intelligence assets on Cestus three, I realized that no one was playing straight with us. I was sick of the lies and sick of all the deception. I wanted to make sure that no one could hide what happened to Captain Marshall." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole looked at Carter with a calm expression, content to let the monocular officer explain himself. Cole was confident that Carter' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter sat back with a confident smirk. "I can't tell you." | ||
| + | |||
| + | The shock was visible on Cole's face. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter scanned the gallery. "You might, but they don' | ||
| + | |||
| + | At the defense table, Tuvok felt the corners of his mouth tighten in the barest hint of a smile. In an effort to incriminate John Carter, Cole had inadvertently ran afoul of the Federation Official Secrets Act. This century-old legislation made it illegal for any federation citizen, whether Starfleet or not, to divulge any classified information. Tuvok had cautioned Carter, Forrest, and Hawk against becoming complacent because of the civilian nature of the trial. At this moment, he was pleased to see that his client had paid attention. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole, who had just realized he had cornered the prosecution' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Very good," Cole responded condescendingly. "Now, was the Republic a licensed media outlet?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yet, despite your noble act of transmitting this sensor footage to prevent a cover-up of James Marshall' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok rose to his feet as Cole moved to seat himself at the table. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | In response, Wade simply nodded. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok nodded. "And if the captain leaves the ship, would you, as executive officer be under any obligation to return to the vessel?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No, Advocate. That's what the chain of command is for." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Chain of command. Indeed. The prosecution said previously that Mister Virtus, whose deposition has been entered into the record, should have been in command when Captain Marshall left the Republic." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Is that in fact what occurred?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carter nodded. "Yes, but only until Captain Marshall was murdered." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok felt his eyebrow raise, despite his formidable emotional control. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | John shook his head. "He was savagely cut down and poisoned for no good reason. I've seen the logs. It was murder." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok looked sternly at Carter. "Your Honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | At the Prosecutor' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | John Carter paused briefly, then answered. "The duel was moot. Even if Captain Marshall would have won, the colony would have been lost." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I can't sir," Carter offered. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok turned again to regard Judge Wade. "For the record, the witness is referring to Admiral Vladimir Kostya, Chief of Starfleet Operations. Federation information requests have revealed that Admiral Kostya had strategic command of the Cestus three situation as James Marshall' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "If we are to establish the events of what occurred after Mister Carter' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "As Mister Carter has already mentioned," | ||
| + | |||
| + | As Cole saw it, if he couldn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The defense disagrees," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "If we were to concede to what amounts to an illegal order, then there is no way that Mister Virtus nor the crew could have enforced it." Tuvok, too, was engaged in the staring match, leaving Judge Wade to warily shuffle his eyes back and forth between the two. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As for the judge himself, he had not heard about interposition orders since it was mentioned occasionally in the media during the Dominion War. Apparently, there were some high brass in Starfleet who felt it necessary to issue orders that prevented the normal changeover in the chain of command on large capital starships and control cruisers when the commanding officer was incapacitated. This had to do with the possibility of Dominion changelings infiltrating the ranks, or something to that order. Wade never really understood it, and certainly didn't expect it to ever appear in his courtroom. Nonetheless, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The court declares the issue of the interposition orders to be a Starfleet issue. Any future litigation pursuant to the legality of these orders may affect the outcome of certain portions of this hearing, and therefore, the case may be reopened at that time. However, until then, the issue is to be considered out of the realm of a civilian court. Prosecutor, I assume this affects your case against Mister Virtus?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes, your honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "So be it," Wade ordered with a slam of his gavel. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you, your honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes, I would you're honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | As Cole walked back to the witness stand with his usual predatory smile, John Carter rolled his eyes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And, although you may not have been required to return to the Republic when your commanding officer had mentioned he was meeting with the Gorns, your lack of doing so resulted in James Marshall' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | With a moment of silence, the Vulcan raised his eyebrow, computing the actual change in statistics with John Carter' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "They would," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The observation floor erupted in whispers of uncertainty as Cole spun around and returned to the prosecutor table. "No further questions for Mister Carter, your honor." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Very well," Wade acknowledged. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | As John returned to his seat, he posed an irritable expression that made Nat Hawk slightly uncomfortable, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Ya don't seemed too worried about all this, c' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Without concern, Forrest glanced down at his wrist chronometer. "Hawk, the sum total of things I know that you don't would fill several, by which I mean many, many, books." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Well, that's a relief," | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hawk, if he was at all concerned about his situation, showed absolutely no outward sign. Tuvok, on the other hand, was very worried. In a swift maneuver, Cole had successfully turned John Carter' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok was coming to grips with the reality of the situation. With his clients anticipating his response, he simply interlaced his fingers, raised an eyebrow, and admitted failure for the first time ever since receiving his Federation Bar license. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No, your honor." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Very well," Wade replied, turning to the smiling Cole. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The state rests, your honor. We request that all defendants; Arthur Cromwell and Shadowforce for murder and accessory to murder of the Cestus three colonists, and John Carter and the away team, for accessory to murder and violation of the Fair-Coverage Media Act, be charged, detained, and prosecuted in a Federation court at the earliest possible convenience." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "So be it," the Judge responded somberly, raising his gavel. However, before it could be lowered thus sealing the fate of the defendants, the doors to rear of the courtroom opened to the surprise of the two attending Starfleet bailiffs. An aged man in a black uniform walked silently towards the defendant' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Judge Wade was not accustomed to interruptions, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole immediately shot to his feet. "Your Honor! I STORNGLY object. The defense has rested their case. You can't . . . " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade leaned back at the bench, shaking his head slightly. "Why in the world did I think this one would be easy." Wade rose his left hand and motioned ahead of himself. "All right, Advocate. Let's have it." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The defense calls Douglas Forrest to the stand." | ||
| + | |||
| + | The next few minutes were all testament to the give and take of courtroom procedure. Cole objected, to which Tuvok countered; like verbal fencers with thrust parry and riposte. Eventually, precedence was met, procedure satisfied, and the oath of truth administered to Douglas Forrest. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "State your name and occupation for the record, please." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You were present during the Landing Party' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I was." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And, as an accomplished Intelligence Officer, what information can you offer to explain the origins of the Cestus three occupation by the Gorn." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The stoic Vulcan rose to his feet and walked toward the bench holding the PADD he had recently been given. "This document, Judge, is an executive order from Admiral Owen Paris; Starfleet Commander-In-Chief. It re-affirms Mister Forrest' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade scowled. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok allowed himself a small nod, then turned to face Douglas Forrest. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Was there a duck blind on Cestus three?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Where was it?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Forrest remained silent for a moment, looking squarely at Cole. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok nodded. "And in a geo-political context. Where is it?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Point six meters inside the Gorn sensor-control zone on Cestus three. An area designated by the Metron Treaty where no sensory equipment could be deployed because, due to planetary rotation, it constantly faces Gorn space." | ||
| + | |||
| + | There was a collective gasp in the courtroom as the enormity of Forrest' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No shit," said Nat Hawk. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "That is correct." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And what bearing would such an arrangement have on the Treaty of Metron?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Forrest sat quietly for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "It effectively gives control of the planet to the Gorns." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Who else, beside yourself, knew these facts?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes sir, he should have." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "In fact, would that not explain why Mister Carter and the away team were instructed to find any intelligence assets, rather than the colony' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole, who had been surprisingly silent during Forrest' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "It is." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok turned looking at the table full of stunned defendants he had so recently thought he had let down. Reluctantly, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Advocate turned again to look at Forrest who's expression in the witness box was remarkably, disturbingly, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "All told, twenty-two years. Sixteen in `Fleet, the last six as a civilian contractor." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you," Tuvok said. He then turned to Judge Wade. "Your Honor, I would like to take advantage of Mister Forrest' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade cradled his chin as he propped an elbow on the bench. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Your Honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade nodded. "Relax Advocate," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you, your honor." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Each piece of gear is tagged with a special code that is constantly scanned for and verified by the computer in the theater of operations." | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And what about the explosive itself?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Forrest looked puzzled. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok regarded Forrest sternly. "Do not all Starfleet issue explosives, including those used by Starfleet Intelligence, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Forrest smiled. "Yes, yes they do." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade scowled from the bench. "Share with the rest of us Advocate?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the Gallery, Nat Hawk whispered again. "Note to self; make sure all my lawyers are ex-tactical Special Forces vets." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "No shit." Carter agreed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "That being the case, the nitrate charges used by Shadow Force should be traceable, should they not?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Again, Forrest smiled. "Yes, Advocate." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And Mister Forrest, do you know, SPECIFICALLY where the nitrate charges Shadow Force used to destroy the reclamation plant came from?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes, Advocate, I do." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Your Honor, I must protest! Where is Mister Forrest going to conjure this proof from? Thin air? The prosecution has not been made aware of any such evidence." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok spun quickly to face his adversary. "As the prosecutor is aware, this is only a preliminary hearing. Should we proceed to trial, discovery will dictate that both prosecution and defense gets copies of everything we have." | ||
| + | |||
| + | From the bench, Wade slammed down his gavel. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Both Cole and Tuvok nodded. "Of course your Honor," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you," Wade said. "Now, Mister Forrest. If you please, answer the question. Where did the nitrate charges come from?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The charges came from the Cestus three duck blind stores Your Honor." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "And how do you know this?" the judge asked directly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "From the standing orders to the duck blind' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade nodded. "And you can confirm this?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Yes, Your Honor." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Then I'm satisfied," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you, Judge." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Forrest looked more grim than usual, inhaled deeply and answered. "To covertly assist the colonists in the event of an invasion." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Thank you, Mister Forrest." | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The young blonde was just one of dozens of reporters crowded around the conference room of Starbase 39-Sierra as the so-called `Republic Eight' exited the room that had been their crucible for the better part of two weeks as Tuvok and Cole went back and forth. All the news services could report for sure was that new evidence had come to light in the closing hours of the hearing which SOMEHOW drastically changed what all the experts KNEW would happen. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We just got word that the hearing was concluded, and the prosecution has decided to deal. Judge Wade did issue a statement explaining that he had been approached by Starfleet JAG, and that the investigation was, quote, ongoing." | ||
| + | |||
| + | The young woman shook her head. "In that event, Tobin, I don't know when or even IF we'll ever find out what went on in there." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "So that's it?" Asked the Effrosian anchor, " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Bajoran reporter nodded. " | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| < | < | ||
| <fs x-large> | <fs x-large> | ||
| + | **Location: Judge Wade's chambers, Starbase 39 Sierra** | ||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The picture of Vulcan calm, Tuvok held his hands loosely against his robes; a common gesture of contemplation or resignation. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "He broke the damned law, Advocate, or have you forgotten that?" Cole shot back with hostility. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Apart from the release to the media, Carter followed the letter of every order he was given, as did those in his command. In fact, the orders that the crew did not comply with can easily be shown to be at best unadvisable, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "You want me to pin the loss of one of the Federation' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the corner of the room, Judge Wade watched with appreciation as Tuvok let the full weight of his rhetorical and legal prowess fall on Cole's shoulders. It seemed to the judge that Cole had not argued a case that was less than air-tight in quite some time, and it had likely been longer since he'd argued with a Vulcan. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade let out a small grin as he wondered how Cole felt now that the tables had been turned on him. 'How unnerving is it,' Wade wondered, 'to face a man who holds all the cards and knows it?' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "As an advocate, I am sworn to defend my clients and seek the truth, however, I am also a Starfleet officer, and sworn to defend the Federation. Public disclosure of this conspiracy to take the Gorn to war serves neither of those goals. It is enough that you and I know the truth and let history discover it later, but if you would rather not wait . . . " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole braced himself against the table with his head slumped down. He'd been picked as prosecutor of the trial to see to it that the ' | ||
| + | |||
| + | What Cole hadn't counted on was the testimony of Douglas Forrest, Republic' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cole shook his head slowly among Section 31 operatives, failure was bad, but discovery was deadly, and given a choice between the two, Cole would elect to take the smaller defeat, and live to fight another day. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "He caused an explosion! He killed hundreds, HUNDREDS of foreign nationals, and instigated his own guerilla war, complete with his own army!" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "A war which a rogue element in Starfleet not only anticipated, | ||
| + | |||
| + | "None the less," Cole continued, "While the Black Shirts might have planned it, Cromwell actually did it. And what's worse, he'd probably do it again." | ||
| + | |||
| + | This time, it was Tuvok who had to concede a point. While the crew of Republic did not actually engage in hostilities, | ||
| + | |||
| + | An oily sneer crept across the prosecutor' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tuvok nodded, seeing the logic of Cole's position. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "In addition, the members of Shadow Force are guilty of being accessories to multiple counts of murder, act of war or not, and they will have to agree either to confinement, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Grimly, Tuvok nodded. It was a good deal, and one that, while distasteful on some levels, would leave the battered reputation of Starfleet, let alone the Federation intact. "I believe," | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the corner, Judge Wade regarded the scene. "Do we have a deal gentlemen?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I believe we might." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I can work with it Judge." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Very well then," Wade said as he stood back up, heading for the door. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | As the trio exited Wade's chambers, headed back to the makeshift courtroom, he felt the weight of his antique gavel in his hand. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wade crossed into the light of the main conference room. The bailiff stood and addressed the gallery. "All rise for the Honorable Judge . . . " | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| < | < | ||
| <fs x-large> | <fs x-large> | ||
| + | **Location: Outside of conference room 6 (" | ||
| + | |||
| + | As people poured out of the courtroom, encountering members of the press and student protesters, everyone intermingled as they moved away from the doors to keep the exit clear. Leon was among the crowd, and moved aside to wait for his friends and family. As expected, two Starfleet bailiffs escorted a somber Arthur Cromwell through the exit causing the press to explode like a powder keg. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "What about the Gorn soldiers? Do you grieve for them and their families?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Would you do it again, Mister Cromwell?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The bailiffs held off the press corps while Leon and Arthur had a last moment together. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Well, dad," Leon started. "I guess the outcome could have been worse. I'm glad you chose not to take this to trial. They might have come down harder on you." | ||
| + | |||
| + | "I know," Arthur replied. "I just wanted it to be done with. No amount of courtroom litigation or guerilla warfare will bring Janice and Ann back. There just doesn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | He looked back at the press as they closed in on Tuvok and Cole, badgering them for information. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Oh no," Leon replied. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | His father looked at him with tired eyes, wondering if this would be the last time he ever sees his son. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The two looked at one another, father and son, and without spoken words, twenty five years of animosity evaporated in the realization that all the family they had left was each another. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leon and Lindsey embraced in a tight hug as she approached. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Well, that all depends," | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Back to Cestus," | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We will," Lins concluded. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As the bailiffs escorted Arthur away, and the remaining Shadowforce members made their way to the docking level, Leon looked after them deep in thought. He could not help but wonder where each of them would be a year from now and what they would be doing. Suddenly, a voice woke him from his day-trance. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Hey doc," Carter said, causing Leon to turn around and see not only him, but Hawk and Forrest as well. "Hell of a hearing, wouldn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Dare I ask, what you're talking about?" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leon looked at Nat, realizing that the helmsman had made an accurate correlation. Starfleet and the Federation had indeed made a mistake with respect to neighboring empires. Twice. And both times, a war had broken out allowing the powers that be to admit a mistake while the headlines were focused mainly on the war. Both times, the real perpetrators escaped justice. | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | " | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Be sure to dodge the media," | ||
archives/with_justice_for_none.1601690642.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/03 02:04 by cromwell
