"Loose Ends…"
[Previous Post: "Nightmares are Nothing Compared to This"
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Stardate: 61015.1335
Ensign Stormwind entered the room and slowly walked down the aisle.
Wearing his full dress uniform he felt just that little bit conspicuous as
he looked warily over the many spectators. The room was not overly large
though it did have balconies for the public, the main floor was reserved for
Federation observers and Starfleet personnel, it was packed by many of the
representative worlds.
Derek stopped behind one of the two tables that sat on either side of aisle.
Looking up at the three empty chairs on the raised dais in front of him he
used every Vulcan relaxation technique he knew, this would not be the time
for his human side to manifest itself. Glancing at the other table he was a little disturbed to see the prosecutor was a Klingon, with two Vulcan assistants.
The room lights dimmed as a chime rang a slow beat. The chairs behind the dais
sunk out of sight only to slowly rise again, only this time each held a Starfleet officer of Flag rank. The chimes ceased as the central officer spoke... "This Justice Tribunal will begin with the reading of Particulars."
The Klingon prosecutor stood, "With Respect…it is the contention that the
accused Ensign Stormwind did with total disregard for the Prime Directive,
act in a manor detrimental to the Federation, Starfleet, and his crewmates of
the USS ANUBIS. In that during an away mission his interference did cause
not only injury, but irreparable damage to an unaligned world, it is also our
contention that he used a non-certified vessel during the commission of
said actions."
The half Vulcan stiffened at the last comment, the use of an un-certified vessel during official was not a charge he had expected, if found guilty it would leave Captain Rikar also open to charges. This was not a planned for or even acceptable result for his actions.
The primary judge looked down at the ANUBIS’S FCO a slight look of concern crossed his face. "Ensign I do not see your counsel, has he been delayed?"
Straightening his shoulders the pony tailed Vulcan answered as calmly as he could. "Sir, I see no need for counsel, I therefore have elected to forego any representation other than my own."
The secondary judge, a Betazoid, looked at the Ensign… "It is a well known axiom of the human race; He who serves as his own counsel … has a fool for a client. Are you a fool Ensign Stormwind?"
"No… Admiral I do not believe so" Derek answered.
"Very well … we shall proceed. To the charges and specifications how do you plead?" stated the Primary judge.
Standing tall and attempting to keep the quaver from his voice the ANUBIS’S officer replied… "Sir with all due respect… I am guilty….."
"Computer end program…What do think you are doing my friend? Asked a shocked Ensign Uxtar as he entered the holodeck. "You cannot serious believe this will help you deal with what happened on IRRAJ?"
Derek turned to confront his best friend on board the ANUBIS. The big Hirogen SEC/TAC had what passed for a concerned look upon his face. "Your one to talk, how many Royal Guards did you destroy in your holodeck excursion?"
Before the Hirogen could answer the FCO went on. "Uxtar you and I are not that different, we both failed ourselves and our crewmates and people got hurt. You blame yourself for not being able to protect them and I… well I violated the Prime Directive to some degree which resulted in the same result. You went on a hunt and destroyed untold numbers of Royal guards and Jem’Hadar. This is my way through the system."
"Ah my friend it is true what you say, I wonder what our Captain would think of our answers to failure." Uxtar stated flatly.
"Well I for one do not plan to tell her," Replied the Vulcan. "Perhaps my friend it is time for us to do what we do best in trying situations."
The big Hirogen's face almost lit up… "Agreed… I believe it is your turn to buy too!"
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Derek and Uxtar had been knocking back drink after drink for the last few of hours. Neither of them appeared to be overly intoxicated, although many of the crew had been giving them a wide berth. The marines of the IRRAJ rescue party where also drinking at a near by table. Both groups were in very down and dark moods.
Everyone knew that when marines drank in this condition it was unwise to antagonize them, someone should have warned the young marine corporal that it was also unwise to antagonize a drunk Hirogen and an equally drunk Vulcan.
The brawl that erupted after an exchange of words between the corporal and the FCO lasted less than 5 minutes. Many witnesses agreed that the odds were more equal than it first appeared 5 against 2; The brawl only ended because ships security stood at the doorway and stunned all the participants. Luckily as drunk as they all were injuries were light among all the combatants.
As Derek was carried away between two security officers he was only vaguely conscious. But the thought that percolated in both the human and Vulcan halves of his mind were the same. :: "Damn not again, I proved the Captain right]:: The last thought that entered his mind as he passed out, was ::Susaannn…::
Brian Matthews (dragonsslayer@excite.com)
As
Ensign Derek Stormwind 2006 post #217
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Holodeck
Stardate: 61015.1800
Setting: USS ANUBIS: The Black Hole crews lounge
FCO
USS ANUBIS
