Save'ena - Weekend Excursion - Part 6: Tribunal - Discovery

Posted on Tuesday 5 June 2018 @ 22:16 by Lieutenant Colonel Kachiko Bayushi & Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix

Mission: Academy Days
Location: San Francisco Star Fleet Academy
Timeline: 0900 hours, September 22nd, 2389 SD
2420 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Sav, dressed in her Cadet Formal Whites, was sitting at the defendants desk with her assigned Defense Lawyer, Ensign Gabin Dubois, and her student Advisor Captain Bayushi Kachiko, Marine. Sav kept herself still, trying to keep her fears tamped down to a manageable level. All of this setup reminded her of the initial proceedings back on Apollonia, and the outcome of that was not anything she would wish on her worst enemy.

At the other desk facing the area where the three high ranking flag officers would be sitting was the Prosecution desk. At it sat a Lieutenant Commander JAG Officer with the two Seniors who had been wounded on the weekend excursion.

Sav glanced to the left at her defense lawyer and remembered what Commander O'Dell had said about him, 'he had never won any case, and why he was probably assigned to Sav'. Of course, he was telling Kachiko this, but she had managed to overhear despite their whispers. She already knew the deck was stacked against her, all it was now was a waiting game to see who got what of the spoils of her life. Small trembles could be seen running through her body once in a while because of the movements of her fur.

Besides the bailiffs, Kachiko was the only armed officer in the room. Encased in her usual all-black uniform, she sat opposite of the young lawyer next to the frightened Mephetian.

Sav glanced over to her right at Kachiko, smiling wanly before returning her attention to the desk in front of her. Across it was several pieces of evidence, most gathered by Kachiko and Commander O'Dell, rather, Savin. There was her deposition, signed, saying that while it had been in self defense, yes, she had clawed a student and would do what was needed to remain at the academy. She would not give up her right to her side of the story, no matter how much Ensign Duois had pleaded with her to. She would not be kicked out of the Academy because of a lie.

The petite Marine gently touched Sav's hand under the table, before whispering, "Calm yourself, Cadet." Sav's ears flicked to show she heard.

A Lieutenant Aide stood up and called the Tribunal to order. Sav stood up and waited. Three Admirals came into the room, two Rear Admiral's and one Vice Admiral. The Aide called out, "Rear Admiral Torenson, Rear Admiral Clinton, and Vice Admiral Lempkins presiding." The three admirals were seated and the aide called out, "At ease, you may be seated."

Rear Admiral Torenson spoke out, "I am calling this Inquest to order. This is not a court martial or other JAG judiciary court proceeding. In the case of Star Fleet Academy versus Cadet Tillatix, even though no charges are being pressed, as two cadets were wounded by a third, in inquiry into what happened must be done and appropriate steps to make sure this doesn't happen again. Prosecution, please present your evidence."

Lt. Cmdr Timbor LaSade stood up and came around. "Sirs, I have the tricorder recordings sealed and signed by StarFleet Security from the campsite as Prosecution Evidence A. Next, I have the medical tricorder readings by Cadets Paulson and Ananias, two Senior Cadet Medical Doctors, of the wounds and subsequent treatment of those wounds. These wounds were from an unfortunate series of events. As the Seniors were not expecting Cadet Tillatix to be up and about yet due to the bender the Cadet Ladies had done just a few hours before, they surprised Tillatix performing Latrine duties. However, even more unexpected was Cadet Tillatix having large claws that come from within her hands and feet and to rake them. However, as Cadets Reslynn and Kennedy had accidentally come across a private matter, they are not pressing any charges and only desire to keep Cadet Tillatix from possibly harming another. As no charges are being leveled, and the scans back up my clients, we only desire what is best for the defendant."

The Aide picked up the two scans and brought it to Rear Admiral Torenson. The three admirals did a quick perusal of the medical scans. Rear Admiral Torenson said, "Medical scans back up that the Cadets were injured, the wounds were treatable, and no permanent harm was done to the Cadets, this time." He looked at the Defense Table. "Defense, please present your evidence."

Ensign Dubois stood up. He nervously glanced at Captain Bayushi, then returned his attention onto the three Admirals before him. "I have advised my client against this, but she is wanting to proceed. I have special Ops Tricorder and HUD recordings bearing out that Cadet Tillatix was not performing latrine duty but had woken up bound by or being bound by ropes by the two Senior Cadets in question, and that is why she lashed out with her climbing claws, to get the ropes from off of her, with the unfortunate side affect of getting the two Senior Cadets in question as well as they did not back away in time. I have here Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and also pictures and recordings of several wrists and ankles of first year cadets showing rope abrasions. Something other than a friendly camp-out was occurring, and my Client only wishes that it be checked into as a crime against the first year Cadets may have occurred."

The Aide dutifully brought the three exhibits up to the three Admirals for their consideration. Rear Admiral Torenson put in the HUD evidence and quickly checked the first part of the scans, then looked at the pictures. They filed those away. Rear Admiral Torenson now said, "Any further comments before we recess to consider the evidence and anything that might protend for the future of the Cadets from it?"

Commander LaSade spoke up, "Yes Sir. The rope marks the Defense is so eager to point out is from an over exuberant tug of war contest the night before the cadets in question went to sleep. It is all collaborated in the depositions already given to the Tribunal. Also, Cadet Tillatix, as a civilian, has been in trouble with Starfleet before with outlandish imaginings against prominent members of her Society on Apollonia. I feel this is just another imagining by her to explain why she cut the Senior Cadets, her way of coping with a situation she truly did not want to happen, but had to be more than just 'surprised going pee'."

Kachiko barked out with laughter at that last comment, "Tugs of war do not tend to leave rope burns on wrists and ankles, Commander."

The three Admiral's frowned at the outburst. Rear Admiral Torenson now asked, "And, who might you be?"

"Admirals, sirs, Captain Bayushi, Ninth Fleet Covert Operations and Starfleet Security. I'm the Operator that made the defense recordings as I was the first investigative officer on the scene," the small woman then glanced at some of the cadets present. "I have reason to believe that the evidence was tampered with after I passed through searching for Cadet Tillatix. Finally, I have a brief recording."

She held out a mobile holo-projector, which activated into the life sized hologram of the Vulcan Vice Admiral Chen, which then spoke, "My friends, I am Vice Admiral Yu Xsin Chen, Director of Starfleet Intelligence. At this point in time, Cadet Tillatix's file prior to her arrival at the Academy is sealed, by order of the President of the United Federation of Planets. You are directed to not admit any evidence of the Cadet's past. I have directed Captain Bayushi to ensure that nothing of this is spoken of in this hearing. The Captain has been directed to arrest anyone who violates this directive. Am I understood?"

A dark shadow passed over the face of Vice Admiral Lempkins, who just happened to be the father of Senior Cadet Paul Lempkins. One of his Ace cards was just taken from him. Rear Admirals Torenson and Clinton both raised an eyebrow. This was an unexpected event. Rear Admiral Clinton's nephew was one of the Senior Cadet's involved, but at least their last names were different. Rear Admiral Torenson was the unknowing party out as he had no stake in any of the Senior Cadets involved.

Rear Admiral Torenson now said, "Then the last remark about Civilian Tillatix will be stricken from the recording and is not allowed in any evidence consideration. Commander LaSade, you will forthwith remove any remarks or prosecution notes about that time from any further remarks or evidence to be given to this tribunal, do I make myself clear?"

Lieutenant Commander Timbor LaSade nodded and replied, "Clearly understood, Admiral Torenson."

Rear Admiral Torenson continued, "Final closing remarks?"

Commander LaSade said, "Nothing further, Admiral."

Ensign Dubois shook his head, saying, "Nothing from me."

Looking amused, Kachiko shook her head when the three man panel looked at her, otherwise remaining silent.

Rear Admiral Torenson looked over the two parties and said, "All presented exhibits will be taken into consideration. If there is any evidence of such foul play within the submitted findings today, it will be quickly given to JAG for prosecution. We will reconvene in exactly one week to render our inquiry findings and to render our judgement on what are the next steps for findings of this Tribunal. That is all."

The Aide called out, "All rise." The Admiral's left with the evidence. After they were gone, the Aid called out, "All parties, Dismissed."

The two Senior Cadets came over to Sav's table. They smiled, saying, "Cadet Tillatix, hey, girl, no hard feelings. We are not pressing charges, and have no ill will towards you. Things happen, we would love to go out partying with you again. You are one wild child with some drink, that is for sure. We wish you all the best, alright?"

Kachiko growled, "From this point forward, the two of you are on probation and are restricted to Academy grounds. Also per the Vice Admiral. You are also commanded to not approach Cadet Tillatix at any time or you will be taken into custody. Am I making myself clear?"

Senior Cadets Cadets Reslynn and Kennedy felt their blood drain a little bit. They were only trying to show no hard feelings, that, and well, see if Sav would grow angry and slash at them to provide more evidence for the Tribunal. Instead, she seemed to be shrinking from them, no anger seen, even as Kachiko had let it be known about their situation right now. Jon Kennedy responded, "Sir, yes Sir, understood." He tugged on Josh Reslynn's arm, "Common Josh, let's go, we're in restricted space right now."

Josh seemed shaken and confused as his weekend fun next to his friend kept getting deeper and deeper into things he wanted nothing to be about or deal with. Still, he had went along at the urging of his friend and his friend's peers, and now he just might pay the price. He nodded, saying to Kachiko, "Ma'am, yes Ma'am, understood." He left.

Sav had unwittingly shifted to be closer to Kachiko and be farther away from the two boys, well, as space would allow. She watched them go, then shifted back over to be between Ensign Dubois and Kachiko. As the prosecution was packing things up, Ensign Dubois turned to his charge and her advisor and said, "That went better than I expected." He looked at Kachiko and asked, "So, Captain Bayushi, why didn't you let me know you had that trump card? We could have played it during evidence hand over."

"Need to know, Ensign," Kachiko said simply.

Ensign Gabin Dubois mused as he moved his head back and forth, then said, "Yeah, until they pulled that stunt, it was not for the tribunal to know. Okay, I will see you two back here in one week." With that, he left, knowing Sav would be under good protection by the Intelligence Officer.

Sav waited till the prosecution left, then turned to Kachiko and asked, "What are my restrictions, Captain Bayushi. No one has said anything yet, and there must be some." She snorted in humor, then her ears pointed towards the vacated bench, "After all, there is a Vice Admiral Lempkins on the presiding Tribunal and I am sure Senior Cadet Paul Lempkins is related somehow... always this way in my messed up life, always."

"I'm going to have some discussions with Vice Admiral Chen and some other flag officers I know. Vice Admiral Lempkins has to recuse himself as his son is involved, though I will tell you now that he will resist the call to recuse."

Sav looked at Kachiko with a surprised expression, "His son? Paul Lempkins is his son? Then why..." She shook her head, then sighed. She returned to look at Kachiko and said, "Yeah, he will, and even though forced, I bet still having his fingers in the pie, tis the way it is." She sighed, then said, "You still haven't told me my restrictions... that bad, huh?"

Kachiko shrugged, "You're restricted to the campus as well. I request that you turn away elsewhere if you walk in somewhere and any of the Seniors in question are present. No sense in causing a scene."

Sav perked up, churring slightly at this news. She responded, "Restricted? That's all?" She snorted out in slight humor and continued, "I can do that, and as far as staying away from the Seniors, no problemo. I will stick to my building with its exercise room, my room, and have Rina be with me to scout ahead for getting food and commissary items." She swallowed, then said, "Thanks, Kachiko, for sticking with me on my side of the story. Its just false that I would claw someone for just being surprised... yell, cover up, be indignant, yeah... but that would be all. And, why was I tied up? What was going on?"

Kachiko's face darkened briefly before she spoke, "Nothing that I can tell you, Cadet. Not yet, anyway. Let's go, I will escort you back to your dorm."

Sav shook herself to clear her mind and spirit, only grimacing lightly at the tugs from the mesh within her body. She smiled to Kachiko and followed her out of the tribunal room.

OFF:

Cadet M'Katerina
First Year Student - Caitian
San Fransisco StarFleet Academy

Ensign Gabin Dubois
Special Defense Counselor
JAG SFIS
San Fransisco StarFleet Academy

(Marine) Captain Bayushi Kachiko
Academic and Student Life Advisor
Starfleet Academy, Earth