"Again From The Top"
(Previous Post: Tiffany's 'Nothing, Absolutely Nothing')
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Setting: Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section G, Level 1 Containment Area Alpha
Stardate: 60327.1400
"...and after beaming back to the ANUBIS, I was taken to my quarters where I was told I was under arrest and that's where I remained until we arrived back here at NEW ALEXANDRIA."
"Perfect" Lieutenant Commander Abigail Ryan said to David after they went over the answers to the questions Serenna would be asking him if he took the stand.
"Now David, most people who are charged choose not to take the stand to defend themselves..."
David looked at the JAG envoy oddly, "Why wouldn't they? If they had nothing to hide."
"The charges you're facing are heavy Lieutenant. After looking at your service record, I have to admit it looks like a clash of personalities."
"Meaning?" David asked.
"As far as your work goes, it speaks for itself. High proficiency ratings, having and running a top notch engineering department, your 'fly by the seat of your pants' methods have placed you among the best of the best that Starfleet engineering possesses."
"I sense a 'but' coming" David said dryly.
"But you have 7 reprimands for insubordination going back to your rookie cruise. You've been relieved of duty 5 times, and *all* attempts of following orders to talk to a counselor have fallen on deaf ears. Now I don't know Captain Rikar as well as you do, but if I were in her shoes that would be an issue I'd press."
"But we know that it was my brother's doing. I should be exonerated."
"You sure?" the JAG envoy asked producing a PADD, "if you were a sitting member of the panel that's going to make the final decision, what would you believe? Some far fetched story that the officer in question made up to save his career?"
David's eyes narrowed at her as she held up her hands.
"Easy. I'm only telling you what I've seen. I've been in the JAG corps for more than 20 years David and I've seen officers with almost the same charges you're facing and because of some outside force... they've fallen by the wayside."
David folded his arms across his chest. "So you're saying I should just go in there and tell Koneki to throw the book at me and save everyone the time?"
Ryan shook her head. "No... I'm not saying that at all. What I *am* saying is that you *must* be prepared for the worse because as I said, the charges are heavy. Starfleet doesn't look away from theft and destruction of property. Then there's Commander Enaii's murder..."
"I didn't kill her!" David replied tersely, "From what I was told, I was still on the planet when she died so how am I responsible for her death?!"
"Captain Rikar could cite negligence."
"What?!" David exclaimed, "how?!"
"As the chief engineering officer your duty is to the successful operations of all ships systems. If that be the case, how could you if you were on the planet surface. In other words..." she let her voice trail off to see if David saw what she seeing.
"I should have been on the ship."
"Exactly" Ryan replied.
"But me leaving wasn't my doing. It was all Richard's fault." David said as he switched gears, "have you heard anything from Maya? Or Lea and Susan?"
Ryan shook her head, "I haven't. This SDS is proving to be problematic in seeking a cure."
David frowned. "There has to be something we're missing..." as his mind drifted back to what his grandfather told him.
**Remember David... with every start, there *must* be a finish. Some things end and start again, but in the *very* end, it must end.**
David shook his head and groaned.
"I can't believe that my career..." and he stood, "my very *life* is based on SDS." and he paced.
"We're doing everything we possibly can David." Ryan said.
"But we're running out of time Commander" David replied looking at the chronometer above O'Reily's desk, "in less than 26 hours it'll be me standing before the tribunal. *Me*" the CEO said thumping his chest.
"Trust me David... we're working on it."
David nodded. "Commander... what have my former COs said about me."
Ryan produced another PADD. "You received high remarks from Captain Perry and Commodore Simmons. But both of them mostly said the same thing. As an officer you are the hardest working engineer they've ever met. But your temper is what gets the best of you."
"What about Commodore Reardon-Marxx?"
Ryan frowned, "I spoke to Commodore Simmons about that one. He informed me that since we're *here*" she said for emphasis referring to the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex, "she's out of her per view. And that when she was promoted and took over operations on OLTHAR PRIME your latest bouts with your temper where while he was your CO."
David frowned. "Damn." He didn't want to ask, but he had to know. "And Captain Rikar?"
She shook her head. "She has chosen not to comment."
David started pacing again. "But why? I mean..."
"She's prosecuting you David. It would be a complete oxymoron."
"What about the crew?"
Ryan shrugged, "Your crew mates are somewhat split. You have few supporters and a lot of disbelievers."
David frowned again. "That doesn't bode well."
"You needn't worry yourself over that. Here's a tip David... you're quick with numbers. Play the odds. If we get two of the tribunal members to see that you're innocent you're set."
"I hope you're right Commander." David replied sitting on his bunk, "Serenna."
"Excuse me?" Ryan said.
"Serenna. Where is she?" "She had to deal with an internal issue on the ANUBIS. That's why she isn't here now but she'll join us as soon as she's done. Now... are you ready?"
"Again?" David groaned.
"Yes again. David, you have to be on point about this. Now... what did I tell you."
"Keep my answers short and to the point."
"That's one" Ryan replied.
"Don't give them anything they *don't* ask for."
"Two" Ryan said.
"And keep emotional outburst to zilch."
"You got it." Ryan said as she picked up another PADD.
"Those are what got me into trouble." David added, "my emotional outbursts."
"Well... that's why were going over the answers to the questions so you can work on keeping your temper in check. Now... on the day in question, where were you?"
David sighed and repeated the same answer he had said more than a dozen time over the past 2 hours. As he answered, there was a little light in the back of his mind. Why hadn't there been more information about SDS? What was taking Maya, Susan, and Lea so long? And when would this ordeal be over?
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Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
as
Lieutenant David Dawson
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #453
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
