And The Hammer Comes Down

Posted on Sat Aug 2nd, 2014 @ 2:26pm by Commodore Samantha York & Commander Alexandra Vance

649 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy
Location: Ready Room

Thomas Shanks proudly strolled down the ramp on the bridge to the Commodore's ready room fresh off some great news....for him at least. The Judge Advocate General had granted him permission to pursue a court martial against Commander Alexandra Vance, a thorn that he longed to remove from his side. Such a case would be a crowning achievement given Vance's stature within the intelligence and starfleet community. Putting her down would be his finest hour, now he would take his first steps.

As he hummed a merry tune he activated the chime to the Captain's ready room door.

Sam turned off her computer console and turned to the door. "Come in," she said.

Thomas entered the room with a little jump in his step stopping before the Commodore's deck bowing to her with a smile matching that of the Cheshire Cat. "Commodore York, pleasure once again. I have come to tell you that I, representative of Starfleet Command have officially placed charges against your former XO Commander Alexandra Vance. She is being relieved of her duties effective immediately. The Judge Advocate General has been informed and I am hoping to hear within a few days whom will be presiding over the court martial. If you have any questions about the proceedings I will be happy to entertain them, if not I will return back once I have heard from the JAG office."

Sam stood slowly. "In spite of my personally countering each of your charges?" The man was a prat. A bureaucratic, narrow-minded prat. His glee at taking down her First Officer was obnoxiously hard to ignore.

"The evidence has been reviewed by the Judge Advocate General and I have been authorized to pursue a case against Miss Vance. However if you would like to lead the defence of your officer you as her Commanding Officer are well within your rights." Thomas replied politely maintaining his smile.

"I'm not sure as yet," Sam replied. "However, I will be talking to Admiral Burke about this. I would like her to recommend someone."

Thomas bowed his head respectfully. "So long as we have a chance to review the recommendation before hand and the person is sanctioned by the Office of the Judge Advocate General you will hear no protest from us."

"Of course," Sam said. "This will be done by the book." At least, the choosing of a judge and a defense. She hoped Admiral Burke knew someone. "Will the trial be held aboard the Calypso?"

"I see no reason it can't be. We can have transport arranged for the dignitaries as the majority of us are already here. The brig facilities here are also quite satisfactory for holding Commander Vance. If there is a requirement to relocate her post trial we can have the necessary transports routed for both prisoner and dignitaries.

Sam didn't like this man and she didn't like his methods. He had Alexandra tried and convicted and was quite gleeful abut it. She wondered how he'd feel when he lost? "Good. I'll contact Admiral Burke and make sure she is here for the trial." Sam was also going to see if she could get Vance back in her quarters for the trial. Even if she was on house arrest, she should at least have the dignity of being able to stay in her own quarters.

"Of course. My office has made her well aware of the proceedings. If you will excuse me, I believe I have some research to do. Until next time ma'am." Thomas said bowing to Samantha graciously.

"Yeah, me, too," Sam said after the door closed behind him. Vance would be cleared, that wasn't the question. What she wanted to know is why this man had such a vested interest in taking down her XO.

OFF

Commander Thomas Shanks
Desk Jockey and Royal Jerk
Starfleet Command

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

 

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