A Sense of Loyalty Pt. I

Posted on Sat Oct 23rd, 2010 @ 7:53am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Earlond

Mission: Episode 1.3 - "The Time of Trial"
Location: Courtroom, Deep Space Four
Timeline: Mission Day 04, 1042 hours

ON: [[Courtroom, Deep Space Four, Mission Day 04, 1042]]

Joseph (NPC) looked down at the PADD on the table before him before glancing over in Iluvar's direction. He wasn't exactly sure that this was the best course of action, but the man had made a personal request to speak on Iluvar's behalf. "The defense would like to call Commander Earlond to the stand," Joseph said, turning his attention toward the empty witness stand.

Well, it was time. Maybe now he could finally do something to help Iluvar. Slowly, Earlond stood from where he sat and made his way to the witness stand.

"Please state your name and position for the record, commander," Joseph said, looking directly at the man seated before him. He had a pretty good idea that the man's response would give Arnold an opportunity, but it had been a rather personal request on Earlond's part. It was possible that such a personal testimony might give them an advantage in this case.

"Commander Earlond, former Executive Officer of the USS Pandora," Earlond said curtly, his face emotionless and not displaying any of the thoughts behind the mask. In truth, Earlond was still questioning his decision to do this. Hopefully, it would still be less beneficial to the enemy than to Iluvar. Earlond almost let a small smile slip as he realized that he still thought of any threat to Iluvar - no matter what kind - as an automatic enemy.

"Thank you commander," Joseph said, rising slowly to his feet, "Could you tell us how long you have served under Rear Admiral Iluvar?" It was always best to start at the beginning and to start simple.

"Two years, nine months, and six days, sir," Earlond replied, again hiding his true feelings, this time a bit of pride - pride for Iluvar, that is. It had been an honor serving under him for the entire time, even when their views differed sometimes drastically.

Nodding slowly to acknowledge the response, Joseph stepped around the table and closer to where Earlond was sitting. "In that time, did you ever encounter a situation where you felt the admiral to be acting with deliberate disregard for Starfleet protocol," he asked, pushing a little deeper into the question.

"No," Earlond replied. "He kept me in check when I was straying outside the boundaries of protocol." These were dangerous waters - Earlond might get himself in trouble. If it would help clear Iluvar's name, though, he'd take the fall. Iluvar - a much better man than Earlond - was much more valuable to Starfleet and anyone in need of help.

Joseph paused. He knew how important this testimony was to Earlond, but there was also the matter of the inquiry itself. If they weren't careful, Arnold would surely find something more to use to his advantage. "Just answer the question, commander," Joseph said as nicely, but as firmly as he could, "You have never felt the admiral to be acting with deliberate disregard for Starfleet protocol?"

"That is correct," Earlond said, realizing he hadn't made himself clear earlier. "He has been very strict about adhering to regulation and protocol."

"Thank you," Joseph said, relieved that the commander had not felt the need to elaborate any further, "Have you ever witnessed any action by the admiral that would cause you to question his ability to make sound command decisions?"

"Objection, the witness has no certification with which to make an objective assessment of the admiral's ability to make sound decisions," Arnold said, raising his hand slightly to get the attention of the board.

Joseph fought the urge to reply to Arnold's interruption and turned to the board instead. "Respectfully, the question was meant to determine the commander's assessment based on his experience as a member of the admiral's command staff," he said, quickly looking for some way to reword the question if necessary.

Gareth (NPC) looked from Mercer to Wells as he considered the situation. "Overruled," he said after a moment, "You may answer the question, commander."

"I have never had reason to question the soundness of Iluvar's judgment," Earlond said in reply to the question. He decided to leave it at that for now - elaboration was only necessary when called for.

"Indeed," Joseph replied. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Arnold was surveying the situation confidently. It seemed as if the commander's testimony so far had opened up an opportunity for the prosecution to exploit. The only way for Joseph to ensure that Arnold did not take advantage of that opportunity was to make sure that he maintained control of the questioning. Don't make me regret this decision, Joseph thought to himself. He gave an inward sigh and turned his full attention back to Earlond. "Is there anything further you wish to add to your testimony," he asked, hoping that this would not be a mistake on his part.

Earlond took a breath. Here we go, he thought. It wasn't easy to - in his eyes - let down his guard and reveal personal information. But it was time to step up to the plate and defend his superior. "When I arrived on the USS Tethys, I was the Chief of Security to serve under Iluvar as CO," Earlond began, "At our first meeting, I indicated that I would be doing as I saw fit with the Security and Tactical department. In turn, he informed me in no uncertain terms that I would be expected to remain both within his command structure and within protocols and regulations set forth by Starfleet Command. For the past two years, he has held me unswervingly to that order. I highly doubt that he himself would violate it."

"Thank you, commander," Joseph said, letting out a breath that he hadn't realized that he'd been holding in. From what he could tell, the commander's testimony had not been that bad. He had been expecting something a bit more 'dangerous' that would give Arnold a further advantage. Then again, it was a little early to be counting his chickens. "No further questions," he added, returning to his seat.

No sooner had Joseph turned away from the witness stand, than Arnold was rising to his feet to take the floor. "It certainly sounds like you and the admiral have fostered a strong working relationship," Arnold observed casually, "Is that correct?"

"That is correct," Earlond agreed, deciding that elaborating with this person would not be the wisest choice - at least, not now, anyway.

"If that's true, how do you explain the fact that you were removed from your position as executive officer and confined to quarters just prior to the Pandora's arrival at Deep Space Four," Arnold asked.

"I would point out that a strong working relationship does not negate the possibility of disagreement," Earlond said, not exactly avoiding the question but not entirely answering it, either.

Arnold raised an eyebrow at the commander's response. The fact that Earlond had chosen not to directly answer the question gave clear indication that there was something more there. Perhaps that explained why Joseph had been treading so carefully during his questioning of the witness. "No, it does not" Arnold said slowly, "but could you be a bit more specific? Why did Rear Admiral Iluvar remove you as his first officer and have you confined to quarters?"

"I disobeyed orders and jeopardized the safety of four crewmen," Earlond said, meeting Mercer's gaze directly.

Nodding slowly, Arnold folded his hands behind his back and asked, "Is this the first time you have disobeyed an order from Rear Admiral Iluvar?"

"No, sir," Earlond replied.

Joseph shook his head slightly. This was already not going very well and there wasn't anything he could do about it. He had called the commander to the witness stand and he had taken his opportunity to question the commander. Now all he could do was watch as Arnold continued to direct the questioning.

"Is this the first time that your actions have jeopardized the safety of members of the ship's crew," Arnold asked, pushing the question a little further.

"No, sir," Earlond said. "During one of the security drills I commanded, someone could have tripped and stubbed his toe." Though his face remained passive and tone neutral, Earlond had decided to ignore his elaboration rule.

Again, Arnold quirked an eyebrow. He had clearly touched a nerve with the commander and, judging by the man's response, it was a line of questioning that certainly needed to be pursued. Instead of responding directly, he glanced in the direction of the inquiry board.

Gareth noticed the look from Mercer (NPC) and knew exactly what the captain was waiting for. It was pretty clear that the commander was not taking the question seriously and that a little reminder might be needed to keep the inquiry on track. "Answer the question, commander," he said in a firm tone, "Need I remind you, you are under oath?"

"No, sir," Earlond replied. "I understand." Turning back to Mercer, he said, "It is true that I have, on occasion, endangered the safety of the crew. However, it was never intentional - at least not on my part."

"Care to clarify that statement, commander," Arnold asked, glancing over in Iluvar's direction before turning his focus back on the man seated in the witness stand.

"By clarify, I assume you mean the 'not on my part' clause," Earlond said. He could see how Mercer was trying to make it sound like Earlond's near-careless comment could apply to Iluvar. "I am merely alluding to the various...outside personnel who I have had dealings with, and who also have caused problems for our crew in some way or another."

Iluvar had been watching the exchange from his seat without any apparent indication of concern, despite the fact that he knew full well which occasions Earlond was referring to. It was a dangerous line of questioning that threatened Earlond's career in Starfleet and it was possible that Captain Mercer would find a way to put some of the responsibility on Iluvar as well. He leaned over and whispered something into Wells' ear before sitting up in his chair and fixing his attention on the witness stand again.

"Admiral, the defense would like to request a brief recess," Joseph said, raising his hand slightly to get the attention of Admiral Bullock. He could still see the smug look of accomplishment on Arnold's face, but he did his best to ignore it. Hopefully, Iluvar knew what he was doing.

"Does the prosecution consent to such a motion," Gareth asked, turning to Mercer with an inquisitive look on his face.

Arnold's gaze flicked between Joseph and Iluvar for a brief moment. Finally, he replied, "The prosecution will consent."

Gareth nodded slowly and looked at the gentlemen seated to either side of him for affirmation. Once he was certain that they were in agreement, he turned back to the room at large. "This inquiry is in recess for the duration of one hour," he said, "we will reconvene at 1150 hours."

As people began rising from their chairs to stretch, Iluvar kept his attention on his former first officer. They had much to discuss and only an hour in which to do it.

OFF



A JP by:

Admiral Gareth Bullock (NPC)
Commanding Officer
Deep Space Four
Played by: Capt Iluvar

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

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

and

Commander Earlond
Former Executive Officer
USS Pandora