The Court Martial of Alexandra Vance (part 1)

Posted on Sat Aug 16th, 2014 @ 10:31am by Admiral Kathryn Burke & Commander Alexandra Vance & Lieutenant Ignatz Jones & Admiral Maximilian 'Max' Hunter
Edited on on Sat Aug 16th, 2014 @ 12:43pm

1,116 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy

ON

A room was set aside on deck two for the official proceedings. Presiding was Rear Admiral Blackcat Panthera, a retired JAG judge who agreed to oversee the proceedings.

Kathryn got to know him during the trial of Captain Emily Woodhouse and was pleased that he agreed to come at her behest.

She herself had chosen to work with Max, who chose to defend the Commander as Commodore York could be considered biased, especially as she was evidently the reason Vance left the Calypso. Still, Burke could not fault either woman for her actions -- which was one of the reasons she chose to personally handle the defense. Another was the opportunity to work with her husband, who was helping her and Commodore York gather information.

Alexandra entered the room with four security guards in tow. Thomas Shanks had seen to extra security in case she had decided to make a break for it, a habit of hers he would not satisfy. She did not look at anyone in the room instead looking straight ahead thought the Caitian judge before her. She knew the man only by reputation, Shanks would not get an easy trial. The group of five moved over to the defense table where Admiral Burke sat. Vance took a seat beside her but did not acknowledge her. A smirk crossed her face as she was humoured by the fact even her own Commanding Officer would not defend her, she left that to some bureaucrat...Touching.

Thomas Shanks followed Vance's entourage walking up the isle and making his way to the prosecutor's table. "Greetings your honour." he said bowing respectfully to the Caitian before him. Despite his protest to Starfleet Command he was unable to stop Kathryn Burke's selection of Blackcat. "Admiral Burke." he said turning to her and giving her a respectful bow in turn.

"Commander Shanks," Kathryn replied. The man did seem to fit the description she'd received from Samantha and it made her smile.

Blackcat nodded at the greeting, then waited for the rest of the witnesses and observers to enter the room, trying not to scratch. He'd forgotten how itchy these damnable robes could be. He'd forgotten the silk ones he had packed away on Inti and had to replicate a normal one. He growled lightly and the courtroom grew quiet, though whether out of fear or respect was up to question. "Let the Courts-Martial of Commander Vance begin. Prosecution, present your opening statements."

Commander Shanks stepped forth from his table taking a few steps and placing himself before Blackcat. "Good day your honour. As you may well know I am Commander Thomas Shanks, representative of Starfleet Command on behalf of the prosecution to see Justice brought upon Commander Alexandra Vance. In this court martial, the prosecution will prove that over the course of a twenty nine year career Alexandra Vance has on numerous occasions stepped across the line breaking countless Starfleet regulations, the most recent being during the incident involving the Orion 'Nero'. During the rescue effort the prosecution will prove, beyond a reasonable doubt that Commander Vance's action constitute dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming of a Starfleet Officer in direct convention to Starfleet's Judicial Code of Practice. Thank you your honour." Thomas said bowing once again to Blackcat before taking his seat.

Blackcat's tail twitched, something that was hidden behind the podium. His face betrayed nothing, though his thoughts would show he was agitated. He had read not just Vance's Jacket, but her entire starfleet file, including the parts this fop in front of him didn't have access to. Not only that, but he had become an expert in reading behind the lines. "Defense, your opening statement, please."

Admiral Max Hunter slowly stood up, taking a moment to pull down on his admiral uniform. He didn't like wearing these things, but he always made sure they were pressed and clean. This was the second time he had to wear it on board the Calypso and secretly, he was already planning on not wanting to do it again.

Max took a moment to clear his throat, looking over to Blackcat with a quick nod like greeting. "Good Morning, your Honor. And, if I can say, it's good to see you again in a different scenario than the last time we crossed paths." He took a moment to clear his throat again before speaking up again. "Admiral Maximilian Hunter, Starfleet Intelligence, Special Operations Division. I am representing Commander Vance, your Honor. As both a friend and former handler, I can tell you that Commander Vance's record does have its share of marks. She is an Intelligence Operative, and we have come to expect this. She was trained to think on her feet, much like many of our other officers. To do the job given and do it with minimal casualties, however in life, we all know, nothing ever goes as planned. If we are to judge her on her past transgressions, then we should also judge her on her past successes, which outweigh failures. I would like to make it a point to state that this is not what this is about. This is about her most recent one which she succeed in doing what she was taught. Thinking on her feet. Doing what she knew was necessary. This is who she is. This will not change. To Court Martial this woman is to place a blemish on her character and her record. To put into question her decisions, not only past but present. To ensure a black mark on an officer who has successfully, and proudly, done her duty and wore the symbol of the Federation and Starfleet. We cannot punish someone for doing what we taught her to do by think and reacting how we taught her to think and react. We made her, and if she is to be placed on trial, we must all be placed on trial." Max took a moment to looked around, before sitting back down in the chair.

"Very tempting, Mr. Hunter, but I have no desire to put an entire branch of Starfleet on trial, deserving as some twigs may be." Blackcat surveyed the courtroom. The trial was a farce, someone had pissed someone else off, and somebody was putting pressure on the JAG department. That he had to leave a tropical paradise to be a tool of some jackanape... Counsels approach the bench, Miss York as well."

(To be continued...)

Admiral Kathryn Burke
Commander
Theta Fleet

Commander Alexandra Vance
Executive Officer
USS Calypso

Rear Admiral Blackcat Panthera
Judge
Starfleet Command

Commander Thomas Shanks
Prosecution
Starfleet Command

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

 

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