"Command Performance"
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Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 6, Corridor
Stardate: 60326.1945
Looking at the closed door leading to the conference room where the preliminary hearing would be held the Romulan/Terran hybrid reviewed one last time her list of arguments she would be presenting on behalf of David's defence. Having discussed the upcoming procedure with Lt. Cmdr. Ryan, the JAG envoy had made it clear that she would be there to help should the need arise, but that as the CEO's XO it feel upon the hybrid to address the evaluation committee who would decide if a court-martial was necessary.
Taking in a deep breath the XO of the ANUBIS glanced back at David and the security officers surrounding him before stepping forward causing the doors to part allowing the dress-uniformed officers to walk in despite their desires to be anywhere else in this universe.
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Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 6, Conference Room
Stardate: 60326.1945
Taking their places at the table that had been set for them, the Romulan/Terran hybrid along with the JAG envoy and the defendant took their seats and studied the table on the other side of the room which was hidden by a veil of darkness. If achieving a dramatic setting had been the reason for this unexpected discovery the plan had worked, the XO finding her apprehension of this formality increasing with each passing second.
Speaking from beyond the shadows a single voice greeted the new arrivals as the doors slid shut behind them and a single light came on over the distant table revealing only one command level officer, Admiral Charles Koniki. "Shall we start?"
Responding to the question of the base's flag officer with one of her own the ANUBIS' XO stood from her chair openly displaying her surprise and concerns. "Admiral, with all due respect, may I ask where the other members of the disciplinary panel are?"
Grinning as only the Admiral could, the CO of the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex appeared almost happy that the Romulan/Terran hybrid had questioned the logistics of the preliminary hearing, giving the Admiral the chance to explain some basic ground rule about how the secret Intel base was run. "This is only a preliminary hearing Commander, meant to evaluate if there are grounds to hold a court-martial against Lt. Dawson. As Commander in Chief of this base it is my right to preside over this hearing on my own. Should a court-martial be deemed necessary then and only then will a panel of three command level officers be called upon. I hope that you will not have any objections about my exercising my privileges as CO of NEW ALEXANDRIA?"
Looking at the Admiral with an increasing level of defiance the Romulan/Terran hybrid had been ready to voice her discontent at the decision made by Koniki to be the sole person who would decide on the outcome of this hearing. Stopping the XO from saying or doing something that she might regret, Lt. Cmdr. Ryan reached out and touched the hybrid's arm calling her attention onto the JAG envoy who motioned her to lean in closer. "Under the code of justice for Intel operations, the Admiral is within his right to preside alone over the hearing. This was meant to allow for disciplinary situations to be more rapidly resolved while involving the least possible number of personnel."
Wishing that she had been somehow made aware of this before now the Romulan/Terran hybrid found herself with no other choice but to accept the decision of the base's CO and hope that he would be open-minded enough to accept their evidence as facts. Returning to her seat with visible reluctance the XO voiced her uneasy agreement to the format of this hearing selected by the Admiral. "I have no objections, sir."
Knowing that he would win this fight should it have been made into one the Admiral kept any outward display of satisfaction hidden, instead carrying on with the task at hand. "Lt. Dawson, please stand."
Glancing over to the two women in charge of his defense the CEO did as he was ordered to while dreading the next few minutes as they would more than likely redefine the rest of his life in a way that he would never have imagined.
Meeting the CEO's eyes ever so briefly, the base's CO lowered his gaze onto the PADD that he had in his hands and began to read the charges that had been brought up. "Lt. Dawson, you are here-by accused of the following: three counts of blatant insubordination, three counts of actions unbefitting a Starfleet officer, one count of theft of Starfleet property, four counts of destruction of Starfleet property, and lastly one count of murder of a fellow Starfleet officer. Lt. Dawson, you have heard the charges that have been made against you, how do you respond to them?"
Thinking back to the thousands of time he had rehearsed his reply David actually found it hard to bring the words out as the full weight of the charges which had been levied against him sunk in. Richard had been thorough in his work to discredit his living brother and for the first David faced the full possible consequences of the actions that he had been physically responsible for, if not conscious of.
Noticing that David had become distraught by the lengthy list of charges brought against him, the Romulan/Terran hybrid rose to her feet and spoke for the ANUBIS' CEO. "Admiral, Lt. Dawson cannot be held responsible for the actions leading to the charges that have been brought against him base on the fact that his mind and body were under an external influence."
Nodding Admiral Koniki entered the plea in the official log of the proceedings and returned his attention to the two standing officers, his facial expression as cold space itself. "Very well, Lt. Cmdr. Serenna you may proceed with the presenting of the proofs on this SDS."
Not actually surprised that the Admiral had done his research as to how the Romulan/Terran hybrid had intended to prove David's innocence, the ANUBIS' XO presented every piece of information gathered to the Admiral under the hopeful stare of the ship's CEO.
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Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 6, Corridor
Stardate: 60326.2230
Stepping back into the corridor after almost three hours of trying to explain to Admiral Koniki the reason as to why David had acted as he had and why he should not be held responsible for it, the Romulan/Terran hybrid visibly looked tired. Echoing the feelings, Lt. Cmdr. Ryan stepped out of the conference room looking beaten, giving a general clue as to how the preliminary hearing had ended.
Following the two women out, the expression on the CEO's face left no doubt as to how the Admiral had concluded the proceedings. The flag officer of NEW ALEXANDRIA had judged that there had been sufficient cause for Lt. Dawson to be placed on trial, the reason given by the Romulan/Terran hybrid to explain what had happened apparently not having been sufficient to dismiss the charges laid against him.
Heading back to the ANUBIS, the XO and JAG envoy tried their best to appear hopeful as the CEO was being dragged back to the detention area by Lt. O'Riley and several other members of the base's security.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #428
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
