Facing the Music

Posted on Wed Sep 8th, 2010 @ 3:49am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Fala Awen

Mission: Episode 1.3 - "The Time of Trial"
Location: Station Commander's Office, Deep Space Four
Timeline: Mission Day 02, 1052

ON: [[Station Commander's Office, Deep Space Four, Mission Day 02, 1052]]

Joseph (NPC) stood before the large viewport that took up one wall of Admiral Bullock's (NPC) office, his attention fixed on the sleek Luna-class starship that had arrived not less than thirty minutes ago. Everything seemed to be moving so quickly, too quickly.

"All I'm asking for, is a little more time, sir," Joseph said, turning away from the viewport to face the admiral, "I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I could just examine the prosecution's evidence." This was something that he'd been afraid would happen when he'd first learned that Arnold (NPC) was leading the prosecution in this case. Contrary to judicial tradition, Arnold tended to keep his opponents on their toes by keeping just enough information to himself that they couldn't be sure which direction he was coming from.

Gareth regarded the man before him and sighed. "I understand your concerns, Captain, but I'm afraid we can't delay the inquiry. I can sympathize that you've not had time to prepare with Rear Admiral Iluvar and properly look over the evidence." Frowning, he contemplated the best course of action. "The best I can do is order that the inquiry hearing start the day after tomorrow... Admiral Richards won't arrive until very early tomorrow morning, so that will give him a chance to settle in before we begin."

Knowing that it was unlikely he would get any greater concession than that, Joseph knew enough to take what he was given. "I understand," he said, turning back to the viewport as the doorchime sounded.

Nodding, Gareth looked towards the door, "Enter."

"Good morning, admiral," Arnold said with a wry smile as he entered the room, "Ahh...and Joseph is here too, very good. I see our guest of honor should be arriving soon."

"Yes, Captain, he'll be arriving shortly," Gareth confirmed, watching the newest arrival. Iluvar was likely en route, or soon to be en route, since the Pandora had recently arrived.

As if on cue, the door chime sounded again. Joseph glanced at the doorway, then turned his attention to Bullock to see how the admiral would handle this situation. He already knew that Arnold wanted to get the inquiry rolling as soon as possible, but he had also gotten assurance from Admiral Bullock that they would not begin the proceedings until the day after tomorrow. Thank goodness for small favors.

"Come," Gareth said as he heard the door chime. He could only imagine what was going through Iluvar's mind up til this point. Shortly he would get some answers, though Gareth knew they wouldn't be pleasant.

The door slid open and Iluvar stepped across the threshold into the room. He took notice of the two other men standing on opposite sides of the room from one another. Though they had not yet been introduced, Iluvar knew that they were all there for the same reason...to discuss his inquiry. The only way he was going to be able to face the situation he found himself in was with confidence.

"Good morning, admiral," Iluvar said, turning his attention to where Admiral Bullock sat at his desk, "You asked to see me, sir?"

"Yes, Admiral, I did," Gareth replied. "This is Captain Mercer, who will be heading up the prosecution, and this is Captain Wells, who will be heading up your defense team," the Admiral explained as he gestured towards the other two men.

Iluvar nodded politely to each gentleman as he was introduced to them. Regardless of the situation they found themselves in, there was a certain amount of respect that he held for every individual, regardless of whether they were friend or foe. "I thought this was supposed to be a board of inquiry, sir," Iluvar said to Bullock.

Gareth nodded, "It is, Admiral. However, given the nature of the charges that Captain Mercer is bringing before the board, it seemed best to appoint a defense team for you."

"I see," Iluvar said.

The man seemed to be very calm, considering what it was that was about to transpire. If Joseph had found himself in Iluvar's position, he doubted that he would have been able to seem so confident. As far as he knew, Iluvar had not been told anything other than that he was to appear before the board.

"What is it that I am to be charged with," Iluvar asked. Judging from the fact that Admiral Bullock was the highest ranking officer present, it seemed most logical to think that he would be serving as the presiding officer for the inquiry board. It was for that reason that Iluvar directed his question toward the man seated at the desk.

Frowning, Gareth turned towards Arnold, "Captain Mercer, since you're bringing the charges, why don't you go ahead and explain what exactly you're charging Rear Admiral Iluvar with?"

"It would be my pleasure," Arnold said with a smile. He glanced down at the PADD in his hand, as if reading the information to be sure he had it correct. In fact, he knew the information by heart as it was he who had written it. As far as anyone else was concerned, this was going to be an open and shut case.

"Rear Admiral Iluvar," Arnold began, looking up from the PADD, "You are hereby ordered to appear before a Board of Inquiry that has been convened to investigate decisions you have made while in command of the USS Tethys and the USS Pandora. These decisions have put the lives of your crew and the integrity of the Federation at unnecessary risk. I think you'll find all the information you need on this PADD."

Arnold held the PADD out and Joseph immediately snatched it up. He skimmed through the first few lines of information before scowling. "Why haven't I seen this before," he demanded, glaring at Mercer.

"I do believe that this has been our first opportunity to meet with the defendant," Arnold replied.

"Gross professional misconduct, insubordination, conduct unbecoming an officer, two violations of the Temporal Prime Directive, three violations of the Prime Directive," Joseph read off as he continued to skim the list of charges, "Admiral, I must protest..."

Gareth held up his hands, "If you want to formally protest the charges, you'll have to do so at the beginning of the proceedings. It's already in motion and I alone cannot change them."

Joseph sighed as he looked down at the PADD in his hand again. Arnold had managed to slip yet another thing past him and there wasn't anything he could do about it. If this was any indication of what he was to expect during this inquiry...

"That is quite a list of charges," Iluvar said to Mercer. He had been considering the situation very carefully since before he had even set foot in the room. Interestingly enough, the list that had just been read by Captain Wells had given him quite an insight as to what he could expect in the coming days when he appeared before the inquiry. "I am fortunate to have been appointed such accomplished representation," he continued, glancing over in Wells' direction for a moment, "as I trust that you have gathered sufficient evidence to support these charges."

"I have," Arnold replied. The confidence in his words and on his face was unmistakable, but there was something else there as well. It was almost as if he was looking forward to putting Iluvar to the test...as if it was an anticipated challenge.

Turning to Bullock, Iluvar said, "Admiral, I would like to request time to meet with Captain Wells to discuss these charges."

"Captain Wells has already spoken to me about that, Admiral. You'll have the rest of today and all of tomorrow. The day after that, the inquiry will begin," Gareth told him.

"Thank you, admiral," Iluvar replied, nodding politely in the man's direction, "If that will be all, I should very much like to make the most of that time." He looked over in Wells' direction again and Joseph couldn't help but feel a little more confident about the situation, despite his frustration with Arnold. If this man was still willing to put up a fight in the face of all these charges, Joseph wasn't about to let him do it alone.

Gareth nodded, "I have nothing else." He glanced over at Arnold to make sure he didn't have anything else to add.

"Nothing at this time," Mercer replied.

"Dismissed," Gareth announced to the men. Time was short...and based on the charges Arnold had filed, Joseph and Iluvar would need all the time they could get. He frowned slightly; this would not be pleasant.

OFF

A JP by:

Admiral Gareth Bullock (NPC)
Station Commander
Deep Space Four
Played by: LtCmdr Fala

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

Captain Joseph Wells (NPC)
Legal Officer
Starfleet Judge Advocate-General
Played by: RAdm Iluvar

and

Captain Arnold Mercer (NPC)
Legal Officer
Starfleet Judge Advocate-General
Played by: RAdm Iluvar