RP Log: Trial of a Slug, Part 1
| Roleplay Log | |
|---|---|
Participants:
|
|
Location(s):
| |
Stardate:
| |
| 2024-01-13 20:24 | |
- Bridge Conference Room <USS Excelsior NCC-170100>
- This slightly curving room is used primarily by the captain and the department heads to stage meetings. The central feature is the large, glossy black table that curves along with the perimeter of the room. Set into the deck alongside a viewport that stretches across one bulkhead, this eight-seater table contains advanced holographic technology as well as a small control panel at each seat. The head of the table is indicated by a larger panel, a small personal monitor built into the desk and the high backed chair positioned behind it. A large LCARS panel is built into the far bulkhead, and their are two light-blue doors set into the bulkhead opposite the viewports. The whole room is bathed by a soft glow from the overhead lighting panels.
- Out the viewport: The yellow hue of the nearby star can be seen.
Tarir is not talking to Sutil, a betazoid might note she detests the man. But they are seated together, for the moment at least.
T'Shaav enters the conference room in dress uniform. She takes in the site of her former captain. Betazoids would sense that she is, A. committed to doing her duty to the best of her ability as always no matter the outcome, and B. that she has no true taste for what she must do.
deGrut steps into the room and looks at everyone gathered. She sniffs before heading to join Kemper at the table at the front of the room.
An aide comes over to Sutil and says, "Grand Gul, for these proceedings, a seat has been reserved at the front of the room." Sutil follows, and completes the triad of high ranking peoples at the table.
deGrut takes her place next to Kemper and gives another look around the room. She says, "We are about to begin. Please take your seats."
T'Shaav moves to the prosecution's place and sits.
Tarir is both relieved and at the same time not, when Sutil moves to a different location. Tarir remains out of the way, being only an observer for these proceedings.
deGrut nods to the aide, "Have the accused brought in."
Coil is escorted into the room, hands cuffed. He is led to the defendant's place and stands there, looking over the Admirals and Grand Gul without expression.
"Admirals," T'Shaav says, "a question if I may."
Turning her gaze to T'Shaav, deGrut says, "Yes, Captain?"
"What is Grand Gul Sutil's role in this proceeding, sir?" She asks, noting the Cardassian's place with the presiding officers.
Tarir watches as they bring in Lieutenant Commander Coil. Mostly to herself, "But that's not...", she trails off, clearing her throat, trying to mask she said anything.
deGrut sniffs and answers, "That will become clear when we begin, Captain. Do you have any questions that are germaine to the proceedures before the Board is empaneled?"
"No others at this time, Admiral," the Vulcan says.
Sutil nods with satisfaction as the lesser officer is put in their place. At least that is how he sees it.
deGrut nods and gestures to the aide which rings the bell calling the session into order. The aide calls out, "All rise. This Court is now in session. The Board consists of Grand-Gul Sutil of the Cardassian Military, per request of the Council due to the extraordinary circumstances involved, Branch Admiral Samantha deGrut, and presiding Vice Admiral Samuel Kemper. The accused is Lieutenant Commander Kellen Coil."
Tarir shakes her head and smiles. A forced smile, perhaps, or maybe a realization.
T'Shaav stands. She waits for the admiral to finish her opening comment. There may be more the human needs to add.
Kemper takes his seat and is joined by deGrut and Sutil. deGrut, apparently taking the role of manager of the trial, says to T'Shaav, "Captain T'Shaav, will you present the charges."
Coil stands impassively as he waits to hear what he's accused of formally at last.
"I will, Admirals. But first, I object to the presence of Grand Gul Sutil sitting in judgment of this matter. The accused is a Starfleet officer charged under the regulations of the Starfleet Code of Justice, and we are in Federation space. Respectfully, sirs, I acknowledge the Cardassians' right to be here, but no officer of a foreign power should be sitting in judgment of a Starfleet proceeding." She keeps her gaze squarely on the board. "No more than the DeTapa Counsel would allow a Starfleet officer to sit in judgment of a Cardassian legal matter in Cardassian space. I want my objection noted for the record, sirs."
Sutil says, "And if we had had our way, this man would be standing trial on Cardassia, and this matter would have been resolved a week ago. However", he pauses, "In the interests of diplomacy, a compromise was made."
deGrut sniffs, "Captain, you were involved in the investigation for the Prosecution. Did the incident occur in Cardassian space on a Cardassian military ship?"
"It did," the Vulcan replies stoically, well of course, stoically.
"Your observation is noted in the court minutes," deGrut says. She waves her hand, "Continue with the charges, Captain."
The Vulcan does so. "The defendent, Lieutenant Commander Kellen Coil, currently Chief Science Officer of U.S.S. Phoenix, NCC 170100-A, is accused of striking a Kalean fellow prisoner while in detention aboard a Cardassian warship. The act was committed seemingly in the absence of overriding considerations such as self-defense or the duty to escape. Nor was the accused in the custody of the victim at the moment of the act. The blow, being deliberate, was also fatal to the said Kalean, the proximate cause of his death. Lieutenant Commander Coil is charged with one count of second degree murder under the Starfleet Code of Justice. The prosecution will present direct and circumstantial evidence in support of this charge."
Tarir sits quietly, but listens intently to the charges. She is aware of them, but runs through them in her head as they are explained.
deGrut glances at her fellow board members before looking at Coil, "Commander, do you understand these charges against you?"
Coil nods in acknowledgement, "Yes, Admiral, I understand the charges."
T'Shaav waits motionlessly for the next question.
Once he speaks, Tarir is confident this Lieutenant Commander Coil is who she thinks he is.
Sutil looks a little bored, but courtrooms often are that, boring. Until sentencing of course.
The Admirals and Grand Gul rise as deGrut says, "Very well, the arraignment is complete. After a short break, we will begin the examination phase. Captain T'Shaav, Commander Coil, please have your witnesses ready to be called."
T'Shaav says crisply, "Understood."