Popular Post Tony, aka Rouiancet Posted September 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted September 26, 2024 Just endlessly impressed by the scope and talented simming on display here. Incredible work, @Lhandon_Nilsen, @Kimonzi Lahl, @Josh Herrick, @Avander Promontory, @Morro Caras, @Erik Johnson,and @Alora DeVeau! Quote A Starfleet officer is accused of a crime. A special team is sent to get to the truth. OOC: Welcome to a very special premiere episode of Star Trek: Special Criminal Investigations, a presentation in 5 parts. Setting Port Coray Dramatis Personae Lhandon Nilsen The Accused Special Agent T’Reth Criminal Investigator Lexiudex Magistrate Astrolabe Quirky Forensics Analyst Kimonzi Lahl Impromptu Defense Counsel Gigranal Witness/Suspect Sa phto Witness/Suspect Cambrimi 45 Witness/Suspect Morro Caras Character Witness Sahiana Ordana Medical Investigator (ME) Ty B Dieter Lead Agent [Worene] Shdarn, a Wadi Dead Guy Starfleet: Special Criminal Investigations (Starfleet: SCI) USS Themis (modified Nova-class, recently assigned to Deep Space 14) Notable Crew: Officer/Agent Specialty/Deployed from Notes LtCmdr Ty B Dieter Security/Internal Affairs Lead/Commander [Worene] Special Agent T’Reth Investigation/DTI Vulcan Astrolabe Forensic Science Quirky Human Sahiana Ordana Medical Examiner Dachlyd THE JP: Even in the post-scarcity social utopia of the Federation, there is a need for criminals to be brought to justice. Amoungst Starfleet’s best and brightest are a group of special investigators that investigate the most significant of crimes. Their only loyalty is to the Truth and Justice. These are their stories. dun dun Part I (( Magistrate’s Council Chambers, Port Coray )) Nilsen stood in the dock of the makeshift courtroom on Port Coray. The dock was in the middle of the courtroom, and the assembled crowd was packed in on two levels, smelling blood and having come for the spectacle. Sweat trickled down his brow, but he didn't dare wipe it away; his every move was being watched. His hands, clammy and cold, gripped the edges of the chair. The room seemed to close in around him, and his breath came in shallow, uneven gasps. He could feel the eyes of the audience boring into him, judging him, condemning him. The audience was on both of his flanks, two columns to each side, and he was sat in the center, a small table on a raised dais with a railing around it that might as well be a cage. With him were a few of his crewmates that had been pressed into becoming his impromptu defense team. Above him, scores of people from all around the gamma quadrant packed into the gallery, they peered down upon on, some with smirks, enjoying the show. At the front, seated higher than anyone else in the room, was the magistrate prime, Lexiudex. As magistrate prime, she handled the more complex cases or where the bribe to make it disappear was too high. Today was different. The notoriety, the buzz, this was the potential for her to gain more power and influence, should the trial and verdict play out well. Looking out to the crowd, today seemed auspicious. All the seats were full of passionate station dwellers and as she laid her orange irises on the defense, she could see why; the infamous Starfleet she heard about had attended dressed in their uniforms. These people, galavanting all over her quadrant causing mayhem; she’d needed to teach them a lesson. As she stood, the entire courtroom fell silent — a smirk crept across her face until it turned into a broad smile. Power. Control. Over the years, the residents learned not to cross the imposing figure. As she spoke, she started directly into the accused eyes. Lexiudex: (To Lhandon) Normally, we’d have already dispatched you. An eye for an eye, a murder for a murder. We like to balance the scales here and distribute justice…fairly. And in time, we’ll come to that. But, our UDP ‘friends’ have indicated that we must at least hear your side of the story or our shipping lanes could dry up. There were boos from the crowd, which echoed the magistrate’s own feelings. Normally the judge, jury and executioner, did not enjoy being under the heel of the UDP — but she’d play nice in the sandbox for now, best not anger those that could bestow more privilege in the future. Down in the docks, Kimonzi was nervous, while it was true that Audriy Lahl was one of the preeminent criminal defense attorneys on Trill, and she had all of Audriy’s memories, the Lahl symbiont hadn’t been a lawyer in hundreds of years, and she was just a twenty-six year old ensign who happened to have the memories of a lawyer. However, that apparently was the best Starfleet could do on such short notice, especially considering that the alternative was Nilsen being immediately killed. She had been starting to like Nilsen, it would have been disappointing to have him die. She was glad she decided to forgo the dress uniform, let alone the full dress uniform, as this was decidedly a casual affair. Above them all in the upper gallery, T’Reth was beginning to question her decision to leave the Department of Temporal Affairs and join Starfleet’s Special Criminal Investigation team. While returning to being an explicitly criminal investigator was a plus, the sheer amount of bureaucracy in the new role was taxing. In addition to the proliferation of team members, they had been assigned a jurisdiction far from Federation space. Their first assignment was to help a Starfleet officer who had been (allegedly wrongly) accused of murder by a separate sovereign entity. T’Reth wasn’t convinced of his innocence, but she also was not persuaded that he was guilty. The Vulcan simply did not have much concrete evidence at this point, one way or the other. This trial–if you could call it that–likewise didn’t impress her much. She kept her attention on the presiding magistrate. Lexiudex: You’ll need to convince me to stay in my hand. Normally the accused advocate for themselves.::motioning half-heartedly to the defense:: Who be you all? Lahl: Ensign Kimonzi Lahl, Magistrate. I will be representing Lieutenant Junior Grade Lhandon Nilsen. I thank you for your willingness to hear me out. The magistrate narrowed her eyes as she looked the ensign up and down, making a gesture to roll her eyes before the next one piped up. Promontory: Lieutenant Commander Avander Promontory. Representing the United Federation of Planets. oO And, hopefully, some semblance of Justice… Oo Lhandon felt a wave of relief come over him, he hadn’t noticed Promontory arrive, he was buried too deep in his own head. He couldn’t express the gratitude he felt now that his new XO was here Seated by the rest of the officers from the OEB, Ensign Morro Caras did not feel good about these proceedings. In the Vale, where he came from, there was no real justice. This place seemed closer to the Vale than it did the Federation. They thought of this mostly as a circus and a show, a novelty. He was here to speak about Lhandon’s character. He was hoping he could be persuasive enough without showing his biases. He had gotten out of similar situations before with other factions that resided in The Vale, but those were actual crimes that Caras committed, this was different. It wasn’t in defense of himself and his sister, and nor was the accused actually guilty. He would have to reverse engineer this system as well, but this was not a starship, best he could do was find out what traits that this society valued, and show that Lhandon possessed them. Caras: Ensign Morro Caras, I’m here as a character witness for the defense. Luxiudex’s eyes flicked to each of them for a moment, taking stock. Lexiudex: Make no mistake, while the UDP may have stepped in to get you this ‘trial’, their weight is not infinite and I will not tolerate lies and falsehoods to exonerate this accused.. I will grant ::looking at the timekeeping device:: 2 cycles (days). She bared her sharp and jagged teeth in a mock smile. Lexiudex: Given you’re Starfleet, that time should be more than enough and I’d suggest you take it before I move to summary judgment. Lahl: Thank you Magistrate, we will be ready. In the upper gallery, T’Reth looked over to their team lead. He seemed to be indicating that they should go. Dieter’s tail was more flared out than when they first met, a tell that the Worene was less than thrilled with the opening statements.. Dieter: Let’s vamoose before she ::nodding his head to the magistrate:: gets any ‘bright’ ideas and he’s hauled off before we get a fair shot at proving his innocence. It seems like we have our work cut out with her. T’Reth: Agreed, there is little we can learn from these proceedings. Our time is better spent investigating. Ty B Dieter had been at the SCI for several years already, but he’d never worked with anyone from the DTI. That department had been known for its standoffish manner and rather intense interrogations, but that was on their ground. He wondered what T’Reth would be like, a slave to logic, now on assignment in the far-flung lawless land of the Gamma Quadrant. Dieter: I’m thinking we head to the scene. (beat) I’ve heard that the body is still there. T’Reth: I am both surprised and not. It is doubtless contaminated, but it would be good for us to learn what facts remain unperturbed. Dieter: (nodding) Apparently the UDP wouldn’t let them fold up the crime scene until we had a chance to examine it ourselves. The Gamma Flotilla Expeditionary Task Force has been slowly building out some decent relations over here. T’Reth: The smallest of boons, I’m sure. Dieter: ::looking around the room:: Did you bring your ‘pocket change’? I doubt anyone here is going to be forthcoming without any incentive. T’Reth: A bribe? Has the Federation authorized that sort of expense? Not that the Federation didn’t have the means, but in T’Reth’s experience, the Federation’s moral standards often barred that which was efficient, practical, or even logical, in the circumstances. Dieter: As long as whatever we get is legitimate, I don’t think anyone here is going to worry about how we facilitated it. Out here, you gotta flex a bit to fit the mold. I guess we’ll have to make due with what I brought and see how far it gets us. T’Reth nodded her ascent and followed the team lead past the scores of onlookers as the trial continued. With a last look back to the dock, the SCI team slipped out the door. TBC – Starring: Sahiana Ordana Medical Examiner Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team && Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen Assistant Chief of Operations. USS Octavia E Butler O240007LN1 He/Him/His (Both player and character) Ensign Kimonzi Lahl Engineering Officer U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler O240107KL4 Lieutenant Ty B Dieter Lead Investigator Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O240005JH3 / O239910AP4 && Lexiudex The Right Honorable Prime Magistrate Autonomous Authority of Port Coray O240005JH3 he/him/his (player) Special Agent T’reth Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O239910AP4 Ensign Morro Caras Engineering Officer USS Octavia E. Butler O240106MC1 Astrolabe Forensic Scientist & Gigranal Undular Witness al...@blar.net M239008AD0 Quote Part II (( Shdam’s Arcade and Ancient Amusements (Scene of the Crime), Port Coray )) The crime scene was the small cramped staff room of the arcade, a small replicator stood in the wall watching over the circular table and four chairs. A counter top was provided on two walls for any further food preparation. A bright harsh, but workable, white light was embedded into the ceiling. The walls were, at one point, something resembling white but now in addition to years of smoke, dust, and whatever else was in the air, they were now decorated with a small smattering of blood that had been lazily wiped clean. If those walls could talk, they’d scream, just like the victim did in their final moments. The victim, one Shdarn, a Wadi male, was lying face up. His head mangled and mutilated from several strikes to the head and body. One noticeable laceration cut right across his face from the bottom right of his mouth, across his nose, and up to the corner of his eye, splitting the eyeball into two pieces. Dried blood had since sealed the wound At this gruesome scene, the medical investigator was already getting to work. Sahiana Ordana wore a thin black jacket, which had a formality akin to military style, buttoned entirely to the base of her thick scaly neck. Her shoulders were wide, and she towered over most whom she met; her voice, like many of her fellow Dachlyd, had a slightly raspy undertone. Her green scales, however, did not follow the same perfection she demanded from her clothing choices. An almost black trail of dark scales started from the tip of the ridges on her forehead, over the top of her eyes, and then towards the back of her head. It then curved around her ear, which was further back than other humanoids, and then down her neck and under her jacket. Life was cheap on the Port, and once you were dead there was rarely anyone to pick up the corpse and while the scene was contaminated, something which brought annoyance to all involved Ordana: There is most certainly something fishy at play here. Just this crime scene alone has had the footfall of half the quadrant. T’Reth raised an eyebrow at the assertion that half the quadrant had trod through this narrow space. In her opinion, exaggerations had no place in a criminal investigation. In fact, she felt exaggerations just had no place among intelligent conversationalists. Nevertheless, the team would benefit from a medical specialist, despite their somewhat irksome mannerisms. Dieter: (responding dryly) The bashed in face wasn’t a give away? This place certainly doesn’t look like a hotbed of criminal activity. T’Reth: Did the deceased put up a defense? Ordana: I don’t believe Lt Nilsen did it at all. Look how he was acting down there, I’m not a psychologist, but it’s clear he’s taking the fall for something here. T’Reth strained her neck to apperceive what the doctor was trying to indicate. She wasn’t sure she saw anything noteworthy. Maybe she misunderstood the doctor. T’Reth: (archly) Perhaps we should leave such speculation to a psychologist. Is there any more to learn here? T’Reth didn’t particularly mind gruesome crime scenes, but their time might be more productively spent elsewhere. Plus, the floor was sticky. Dieter: Our goal is to get enough reasonable doubt that we can cast suspicion elsewhere. Starfleet’s looking to not have their name get too muddied in all this. (beat) And, that kid certainly looks and acts guilty as hell. Ordana had been watching proceedings on her PADD. She wouldn’t normally do this as it would often lead to an unconscious bias being formed, but given the exceptional circumstance of this case and the rather curious lack of procedure from the authorities here in regards to crime scene preservation, she elected to make an exception! Ordana: He might be nervous, yes but he clearly has nothing to hide. I think we should be careful with him too, I wouldn't be surprised if our friendly magistrate tries to make him buckle. At this point, he looks as if he’ll confess to anything just to get this over with. As her curiosity got the better of her; she ended up watching those proceedings prior to the arrival of the rest of the team. She felt a concern for Nilsen. One she couldn’t place and the only words she had was “wrong place, wrong time” T’Reth: Our role is not to coddle the accused. (beat) And not make assumptions about guilt or innocence. Just to follow the facts. Dieter: (nodding) Let’s get on with it then. T’Reth: Here (pointing) and here. These appear to be security sensors. Dieter’s head turned and followed the path toward where she’d pointed. Dieter: Good catch… but they look in rough shape. T’Reth: Despite their damage, they may still have recorded something vital. Perhaps we can have… our lab analyze it. One of the perks to traveling with this team was that their ship, the Themis, while only a small Nova-class, had been refitted to fully support criminal investigation and as such, had an extensive forensics lab. Ty pulled out his tricorder and scanned the two cameras, and after a moment, reached up, grabbed the camera in his paw and pulled it out of their wall. Dieter: There is some fragmented local storage. (beat) The axe may have silenced the victim, but this camera kept recording. ::putting on his SCI-issued shades:: Now, let’s see who’s on the chopping block." (( Corridors near Shdam’s Arcade and Ancient Amusements, Port Coray )) In the few hours since they had sent the recordings to their lab technician on the Themis, Dieter and T’Reth had interviewed dozens of potential witnesses. Most had little to say to the pair of interlopers from the Alpha Quadrant. Some of the characters, like the clone Cambrimi 45 and the vaguely avian Sa phto, seemed more likely to have witnessed the crime because they committed it, rather than as innocent bystanders. Then there was the surly, Ng Go’rin, a large creature that mostly growled at the investigators. He was guilty of something for sure, but perhaps not this murder. The latter three were larger aliens, which corresponded to the footage their analysis had managed to recover thus far. Only 25% of the data could be reconstructed, even with the angles of the 2 cameras, they’d only captured the perpetrator’s grainy back. In the blurry footage there was an individual with a frame similar to Nilsen. But something felt off to Ty, he just couldn’t place his paw on exactly what. Now they were doing a second round of questioning with the witnesses. An associate of Sa phto claimed to have witnessed suspicious characters around the time of the attack and they were trying to compare their accounts to the data recorded. Ty let T’Reth continue on as he focused on the witnesses' responses. T’Reth: And you are certain that the individual you saw was a Starfleet officer? The woman stared wide eyed at T’Reth, and for a moment she didn’t respond, but finally nodded and replied. Gigranal: Yes, it was, it was a Starfleet officer. They had one of those strange triangles on their shirt. The Undular nodded, the various wisps of what was something between hair and fur floated about her head in a cerulean tuft that was reminiscent of a giant puffball. Every movement sent it flittering in the middle, but the ends remained strangely still, as if only the center of the orb that consisted of her head was allowed any motion, and the tips were frozen. T’Reth: Surely you don’t mean that literally. T’Reth was beginning to lose patience with these unproductive interviews. It was already a conceded fact that the accused had been a frequent patron of the deceased’s establishment. Too much time had passed since the crime and too much publicity for her team to be getting accurate witness testimony, even from the best of witnesses, which this individual certainly was not. Gigranal: Why wouldn’t I? I’m saying what I said. I saw what I said. Why would I not be literal? The officer wore a triangle. T’Reth: (pulling up a holo) Did it look something like this? A floating image of the standard Starfleet issued uniform appeared, spinning slowly with the ‘triangle’ delta insignia. Leaning forward, Gigranal paused, and everything froze, not only the tips of her hair, but her entire being, as if she had been captured in a painting and forever immortalised in that particular position. A minute passed, and then she moved again, and while the tips of that hair shifted from one place to another, they remained set in the exact spot within their relative positions to one another. Gigranal: Yes, that was it. This again felt off to Ty, she should’ve been able to tell instantly if that was indeed what she saw. Instead, she made it appear that she was carefully assessing the details. It seemed however that their witness had enough of the holo show. T’Reth: And the rest of their attire? Gigranel: Yellow. Bright yellow. Too harsh on the eyes yellow. T’Reth: Can you say which of these most closely matches what you saw? A new image replaced the hovering uniform, this time an array of 12 different men that had similar but distinctly different features. It reminded Deiter of those ancient human shows that his friends used to drag him to… what did they call this… a lineup? Once again, Gigranel’s head turned, but those tips remained fastened in place. The eyes, completely devoid of any colour beyond white and set within a pale gray face fell upon the man in question and one of her nine fingers upon her left hand jabbed at the accused. Gigranel: That one. T’Reth: Thank you. That will be sufficient. Deiter: Yes… thank you. One more thing, we just need a voice ident on him as well. It looks like they were arguing, and at one point he was shouting at the victim. Did you observe that as well? Gigranel blinked, her bulbous eyelids winking the stark white out of sight, then revealing them as the curtain’s rose. Gigranel: Could you not hear the argument? Deiter: (shaking his head) Unfortunately the surveillance devices didn’t have audio recording enabled. oO Probably safer if they were backroom dealing. Oo I’m going to play a sample of the suspect’s voice, and you let me know if it matches. Ty played the audio clip; unbeknownst to Gigranel, it was not Lhandon’s voice on the tape but a young woman’s. To anyone that’d heard Nilsen’s pitch and Gaultan speech patterns, it would be obvious that this was not the man’s voice. Gigranel: Yes. Yes that’s his voice. T’Reth: And you are as certain about this as you were about your visual identification? Once again, the puffball hair froze, as iff the ends had been caught in a stasis, even though the head itself nodded. Gigranel: I am. Is there anything else? T’Reth exchanged a knowing glance with Ty, who bowed his head appreciatively. Deiter: (smiling) No, thank you. (( Conference Room, Deck 1, USS Themis )) Just off the main bridge in the compact Nova-class ship the conference room had been designated as their “Crime board” room. Every wall space was covered with screens and holoprojectors, displaying all the information the investigators had turned up to this point. It wasn’t much. Dieter: So do we have any likely suspects? T’Reth: Ng Go’rin is a plausibility. If it’s not Mr. Nilsen. Dieter: I’m leaning toward Gigranel, or an associate of hers. Everything just seemed off, like she was overly prepared for our presence, and then the incorrect voice ident. ::pounding the table:: Damn those cameras… we need more. T’Reth: Lack of evidence is not evidence of lack The lead agent stared at the Vulcan, waiting expectantly for her to elaborate further. T’Reth: Just because we do not have the necessary information, it does not mean it does not exist. The damage to the camera is unfortunate. (beat) It may have been deliberate. Ty nodded, given ti was tucked away in the corners of the ceiling, it was likely subject to foul play. Dieter: Did they leave behind any prints… 9-fingered handprints? T’Reth: Nothing that we’ve been able to ascertain thus far. Two of the beings we interviewed earlier might be worth a second look– An alert ping across their devices. T’Reth: It’s the lab, they have something for us. TBC -- Starring: Sahiana Ordana Medical Examiner Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team && Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen Assistant Chief of Operations. USS Octavia E Butler O240007LN1 He/Him/His (Both player and character) Ensign Kimonzi Lahl Engineering Officer U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler O240107KL4 Lieutenant Ty B Dieter Lead Investigator Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O240005JH3 / O239910AP4 && Lexiudex The Right Honorable Prime Magistrate Autonomous Authority of Port Coray O240005JH3 he/him/his (player) Special Agent T’reth Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O239910AP4 Ensign Morro Caras Engineering Officer USS Octavia E. Butler O240106MC1 Astrolabe Forensic Scientist & Gigranal Undular Witness al...@blar.net M239008AD0 Quote Part III (( Magistrate’s Council Chambers, Port Coray )) The next morning, a summons had been issued to Lahl, Promontory and Nilsen. The prime magistrate demanded an update on their progress so far. Since the opening commentary, there had been a frenzy of gossip around the port with folks shocked that Lexiudex had not yet issued her judgment. The fact that the deceased’s face was repeatedly bashed in with an axe, to the point that he was unrecognizable, and that the accused’s blood on the victim would have already been enough for Lexiudex to issue the death penalty. But that wasn’t all. The Port’s own investigative team had retrieved fingerprints off the murder weapon, and this Nilsen had visited the establishment a number of times over the last several cycles. Lexiudex had a handheld energy weapon secured under her throne, and had used it several times in the past when a verdict didn’t go the way the defendant wanted. She contemplated using it now on the man, a show that would be long remembered, but the invisible weight of the UDP bore on her. She recapped the facts to the room, and then looked directly into Lahl’s eyes. Lexiudex: So… you’re telling me that despite all this, the man’s innocent? ::laughing incredulously:: Nilsen: Yes I’m innocent, I wasn’t there at the time. He was a friend to me as well. I wanted the place to succeed Promontory: Lhandon, quiet, let your counsel do the talking. Lahl: Indeed Your Honor, this man was not invol- Port Coray Constable: (cutting him off abruptly) And that’s not all, apparently ::pointing to Nilsen:: He’s also a telepath. Whispers erupted throughout the room, and as Lexiudex shot a glare at the galleries, silence fell. Lexiudex: Is that how you committed this crime ::looking at Lhandon:: you brainwashed him into a trance and then took it out on him? Lhandon looked to both Promontory and Lahl, he struggled for the words. Nilsen: No, I didn't brainwash him. I don’t even know how… Promontory: (quietly, but severely) Lhandon–lawyer! Lahl: Your Honor! The manner of his telepathy hasn’t even been confirmed by anyone in this case! For all we know he can just hear things that people are thinking on the surface. There is no proof that he can control anyone’s minds! A genuine smile appeared on the magistrate; she was worried that this girl was just a timid little pawn of the Federation. Nilsen: I’m not even that kind of telepath, I need to work with others, I don’t how to use it myself. Avander placed his palm to his face as he mouthed the words “let your lawyer do the talking kid.” Lahl: Indeed Your Honor. Lieutenant Nilsen is not the perpetrator of that crime. Lexiudex: So present your case on why I shouldn’t just end this trial right now. Lhandon really projected his voice, what was it that they didn’t understand? It was simple. His voice pitched a little higher, he was short of breath Nilsen: Because I didn’t do it. It’s that simple! What do you… Lhandon once again looked to Promontory and Lahl, the panic in eyes, the half-spoken words wanted this whole thing to be over. Lahl: Because if you do so, then there will be no trust in the justice system here. Promontory: (rising and straightening his back) Due to the extraordinary nature of this case involving jurisdictions that literally span our galaxy, I’m sure that everyone present would like to ensure a precedent is set for future incidents to be according justice beyond reproach. (beat) I understand the United Dominion of Planets is particularly interested in this matter being resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned parties. Lexiudex: (frowning with resigned acceptance) Very well, if only to satisfy our UDP friends. (( a short time later… )) (( Private rooms adjoining Magistrate’s Council Chambers, Port Coray )) The audience had slowly dissipated, some waiting for the next part of this drama with bated breath, others no doubt ready to update their Tidbitter account with the latest updates twisted out of context. Lhandon moved slowly as he stepped down from the dock and soon the two had the space to themselves. His wrists were still bound in front of him and the guards didn’t afford him any reprieve. Nilsen: I…I’m dead…they’ve made up their mind. That relief from before had passed. He didn’t speak with the clarity or energy he or anyone else who knows him is accustomed to, rather he spoke as if he was staring off into the distance. Kimonzi felt Audriy Lahl take over again as she spoke with Nilsen. Lahl: No, you’re not. Not yet. This isn’t the worst case I’ve had to defend. Nilsen: I didn’t do a thing Lahl. Lahl: I know, I know. Nilsen: I’m innocent ::tear forming in his eye:: I swear on my life, on my family, on all six of my sibling's lifes. I didn’t kill him. Lahl: I know that, and you know that, and Starfleet knows that. What I need you to do is shape up, because this kind of attitude wins you points in the Federation, but it’s not going to win you points here. Understood? Kimonzi knew she was taking a risk talking to Nilsen like this, but Audriy had always been a bit rough with her clients. Lhandon felt the anger well inside him but he knew that it wouldn’t serve him here, and the others may use it as even more evidence against him, so he just resigned himself to whatever this feeling was and pushed it down. Nilsen: But why would they…? Kimonzi didn’t even respond to that. She just gave him the look Audriy gave many of her clients back in the day. She even sometimes browbeat prosecutors into submission with it. Nilsen: Yeah…I get you. He wiped the tear from his eye. Lahl: We’re going to get you through this. Nilsen: It's just how can. ::pausing to think:: it's not just about proving me innocent, we need to find someone else to be guilty. I mean, how messed up is that? There were a hundred and one thoughts inside Lhandon's head and he felt the anxiety in the pit of his stomach and his heart beat as fast as it could. Lahl: It’s insanely messed up. But we just have to be better. Nilsen: Alright, What do we need to do? None of my diplomatic stuff is going to work. Lahl: I need to convince the magistrate that someone else did it. There was a touch of reservation from Lhandon, he felt the objection coming over him. Nilsen: But would He then shut that up and nodded. Nilsen: Alright, yeah, let's do it. Eh, what have I got to lose? Aside from his life for starters. Lahl: ::giving him a look again:: Keep your chin up. We’ll get through this. Nilsen: You know, I'd always thought I'd die heroically, doing something that had a hundred explosions, some kind of punk rock music playing and saving a million billion lives. I didn't think this was a way I could die. Lahl: Well, you’re not going to die here, so you have plenty of time to die a tragically heroic death. Nilsen: Yeah, I know. Listen, on my database, there's a bunch of files, you'll find the folder easy enough. In it there are messages to friends and family, if they do ::his mouth goes dry:: kill me, can you make sure they get them (( Forensics Lab, Deck 4, USS Themis )) The walls were lined with metal and lights, all streaming down upon a cavern that served as Astrolabe’s lab. With great glee, the human who had been assigned to the Themis as a resident forensic scientist, flittered from one side to the other. Every single machine was put to use and currently ran a series of analyses - not a single one lay idle, much like the person who couldn't seem to sit down even for a moment. As soon as one computer beeped, she hurried over, jotted down some notes, and was pulled away when another caught her attention. She would be on the fourth or fifth when the original would chirp yet again, a reminder that she herself had set to make sure she returned and documented every single detail. Such details were never instantly made, for she had far too many processes to allow her to simply sit and do one at a time. Or perhaps it was simply the way her mind worked, whirling so quickly that she could not remain still more than a moment, and thus while everything got done, it was concurrently so, and no process would get finished on its own - they always came in sets. She was right in the middle of said processes when the doors to her lab opened and the stoic Vulcan entered, followed by the lead investigator. Vulcans were sometimes entertaining, and she greeted the woman with a cheerful ‘hello!’ but did not stay still long enough to offer anything more. Instead, she hurried over to another console and continued documenting where she had left off several moments before when a different console grabbed her attention with its own results. T’Reth: I assumed you called us down here because you made a breakthrough. Astrolabe: Oh yes, yes, I did, a breakthrough indeed, I ran a program of my own design, yes, and it’s a very clever one indeed. It’s really useful for clearing up recordings like you sent to me, yes. T’Reth: (intrigued, despite herself) Some sort of Guassian Defragmentation program? Astrolabe: Yes, and no, and yes, and maybe. It’s more of a DeGaussian retrofragmentation declutterer…well, something along those lines. Just a moment! She held up a finger coupled with a beaming smile and hurried over to another console to jot down some notes. After that, a different console received her attention, this one set apart from the others. It was only used to show information that she had gleaned from her study of evidence provided to her, so that her work consoles weren’t cluttered up. Astrolabe: Let’s see…let’s see…no, not the pickled Pachua case….wait…wait…no, not that one. Oh yes, here it is! Tapping at the controls, she brought up a still image, though with another tap, it was set into motion. Still smiling, the expression seemingly frozen upon her face, she stepped aside and motioned to the screen. T’Reth: That is not Mr. Nilsen. Although, to be fair, the build was somewhat similar. Astrolabe: It isn’t? Oh…yes, well, I guess it isn’t! Astrolabe wasn’t particularly familiar with any of the crewmembers in question, she only provided the necessary information and researched and dove and sought out the truth, sifting through the lies that others wove. T’Reth: But what about— Astrolabe: What about what? Dieter: What about the fact that face completely vanished for a second and then reappeared? The Vulcan nodded. Astrolabe: Oh that was nothing, a bit of interference. But if you’re referring to how it helps your case, it’s clear to you that this isn’t your Mr. Nilsen, but that’s only because I was able to draw the truth out of the matter. Dieter: Given how ‘fair’ the magistrate has been up to this point, I think we’re going to need more than just grainy footage to motivate her away from a guilty verdict. T’Reth: Anything else? Astrolabe: Oh yes, the DNA samples! Dieter: oO Oh yes, probably should have led with that! Oo Go on… Astrolabe clapped her hands together as if her visitors had made the most delightful comment in the entire galaxy, and that smile beamed even more brightly, a deed which would have surely seemed impossible but a moment before. Inserting herself back at the console, her fingers went tippity tap and the next bit of data scrolled upon the screen. Astrolabe: From what I can see, it does have the same markers as Nilsen’s blood. T’Reth: (matter-of-factly) So he is guilty, after all? Dieter: I’m hoping you’re going to delight us with something here because if it’s going to be that he’s guilty, I’m not sure I want to hear it — plausible deniability and all. Suddenly, she lifted a finger, as if pointing to a lightbulb, and if it were possible that one could have truly shone above her head, it would have been drowned out by the cheer upon her visage. Astrolabe: The degradation rate proved that the blood was more recent! T’Reth: (cautiously following-along) Meaning someone placed or planted it post-mortem? Blood could be sourced from a number of places. Perhaps the accused had gotten into a bar fight and someone had seized an opportunity. Hopefully there was a more parsimonious explanation. Dieter: I’m not sure that the magistrate’s going to dramatically alter her perspective if this is what’s on offer. That’s all? He didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but a recovered video and blood degradation would not prove Nilsen’s innocence in this court. Astrolabe: Is that all? Yes that is all. At least I think that is all…wait….wait…just a second. She paused, that finger still in the air, only it began to move in tiny circles and her eyes went wide, giving the smile a crazed tone. Astrolabe: But wait! There’s more! T’Reth raised an eyebrow and waited. Dieter: (impatient) More as in… Astrolabe: Yes, yes there’s…wait… The finger wavered and she blinked as if she had forgotten what she was going to say. Which was exactly the case. Astrolabe: Oh dear…it’s slipped from my brain. Dieter: ::motioning to T’Reth:: C’mon… Astrolabe: No, no, give me a minute! Turning back to her console, the woman began pounding at the controls as if frantically searching for the lost thoughts. Astrolabe: Oh, yes! T’Reth: (nonplussed) What is it? Motioning for the others to come closer, she bent over the console even as she brought up more information. Astrolabe: I found some interesting files. I can send this to you. T’Reth: Hmm. Please do. Dieter: Would you care to elaborate on what is so interesting about these files, or are you leaving it up to us to figure it out? oO Lab weirdos, they’re all the same. oo Straightening up, Astrolabe affected a more serious and somber expression. Astrolabe: Pay attention to the dates. Dieter: Ugh… bank records. oO Did I say that out loud? He looked at the complex array of financial transactions across an elaborate number of accounts, Astrolabe had somehow retrieved a full history of the accounts and traced the connections. Partial transfers, numbered accounts, mysterious banks. All of the transactions happened within an hour of the murder. This more than made up for the forensic scientist’s other shortcomings. Dieter: ::tapping the floating holo a bit too excitedly:: So we just need to find out who “Client X412SA#4” is and we’ll have them. TBC – Starring: Sahiana Ordana Medical Examiner Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team && Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen Assistant Chief of Operations. USS Octavia E Butler O240007LN1 He/Him/His (Both player and character) Ensign Kimonzi Lahl Engineering Officer U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler O240107KL4 Lieutenant Ty B Dieter Lead Investigator Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O240005JH3 / O239910AP4 && Lexiudex The Right Honorable Prime Magistrate Autonomous Authority of Port Coray O240005JH3 he/him/his (player) Special Agent T’reth Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O239910AP4 Caras Ensign Morro Caras Engineering Officer USS Octavia E. Butler O240106MC1 Astrolabe Forensic Scientist & Gigranal Undular Witness al...@blar.net M239008AD0 Quote Part IV (( Private rooms adjoining Magistrate’s Council Chambers, Port Coray )) Ordana: We have some good news. Lhandon almost seemed to perk up at that news, like a little bit of life had been restored to the one who believed he was framed. Nilsen: Really Lhal: Thank goodness, this guy is an absolute downer. Ordana was able to expand upon the team's overall thoughts and feelings.Yet it came as a poisoned chalice by virtue of the port's unique method of justice. Ordana: We don’t suspect that you did it. Nilsen: That’s great, does that mean you found who did it? Lhal: They’d say so if they had. Ordana: Unfortunately, no, we also can’t prove that someone else did it. That news made Lhandon’s heart sink. He protested with a tired temperament. He wanted to speak further but the short burst of energy Ordana’s previous news brought him had dissipated. Nilsen: But that…I mean…I didn’t do it. Lhal: ::Kimonzi stood up on a stool and gave him a gentle smack to the back of the head:: Yes, yes, we know that you didn’t do it. I’m going to need you to buck up when we’re in public. I can’t be having you moping about in public where you can be seen by the magistrate. It looks bad. Ordana: It would be, but I fear this part of the galaxy is a little more lawless and uncivilized. Lhandon just put his head in his hands and sighed. Lhal: Indeed, thank you sir. Ordana: Well, that’s all I have. The finer details have been sent to your PADD, Ensign. Lhal: Thank you. The ME stood up and went to leave but turned back just before reaching the threshold of the door. Ordana: For what it’s worth, Lieutenant, I don’t think you did it. ::Beat:: You’re too much of a wimp. Lhal: ::giving her a patented “Audriy Lahl” look:: What’s that supposed to mean? The door closed, and Lhandon and Lhal were left to discuss this new information. Nilsen: Erm…so that’s good, right? Lhal: It’s better than we had before. Nilsen: But, like, how do we do it? How do we prove someone else did it? That, what she said, that should be enough to show it wasn’t me. Lhal: Unfortunately, it’s not going to be enough. This place needs someone’s blood. And yes, before you ask, that is barbaric. Lhandon leaned back in his seat and sighed. He tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling. They would let him die, would they? he thought to himself. He tried to steel himself with the thought that even if this trial doesn’t go his way, like it’s shaping up to be, and he is sentenced to death, someone will rescue him. Ro will order him to be beamed out or something, or Maxwell will come charging in with every marine. Or, another thought, Starfleet would choose the Port’s justice and continued relations over his life… they wouldn’t do that, would they? ( (Meanwhile, on the Octavia E Butler )) The news was still fresh, Toxin was in shock, his old friend Lhandon was on trial, a trial that could cost him his life. They’d not been close lately, but that was no reason to see his life come to an abrupt end, especially when he was innocent. To the esteemed Port Conroy courts, I, Lieutenant Toxin Arlill, respectfully request a moment to testify on behalf of Lhandon. Despite our recent distance, I've known him for years as a man of unwavering integrity and compassion. Lhandon has consistently demonstrated a deep respect for life and a willingness to help others, often at personal cost. I firmly believe that a person of Lhandon's character is incapable of the crime he's accused of. His life has been one of service and kindness, not violence. I urge the court to consider his past actions and positive impact on our community. In the face of adversity and chaos, Lhandon has shown true courage and dedication to his crew and principles. It is with this unwavering belief in his character that I’m asking you to advocate for justice and exonerate this innocent man. As Toxin sent the message he couldn’t help but reflect on what losing Lhandon might mean to everyone on board. (( Magistrate’s Council Chambers, Port Coray )) Lahl had finished reading the letter from Toxin to the open court, but it appeared to land on deaf ears. Most of the gallery had their personal devices out, browsing TidBitter or playing the latest strategy game that had hit shelves, a first person RPG of the Dominion War. Lexiudex: I hope you have something more impressive than a letter where the individual couldn’t even be bothered to show up… his boss nonetheless. Today she’d chosen to wear tinted glasses, making her irises appear blood red. Lexiudex: (sneering) I hope you have something else to offer us? Lahl: Yes, the Defense calls Ensign Morro Caras, Starfleet. The gold-cladded green ensign rose from the gallery, and took his place in a chair directly in front of the magistrate. Lhal: Ensign Caras, could you please state your full name and rank for the record? Caras: I’m Ensign Morro Caras, I work with the accused. Lexiudex: (interrupting) Work how… specifics please young man. Caras: We serve on the USS Octavia E Butler together as operations officers that wear gold uniforms. I am in engineering and he is in ship operations. I have served with him on a mission. Morro felt it best to be fully honest and not exaggerate anything that didn’t need to be exaggerated or anything that would be easily fact checked. Z’Mat, His sister had coached him on what to do when they were caught. This wasn’t his first trial, but it was his first trial where she wasn’t going to burst in and save him. Lhal: And how would you describe Lieutenant Nilsen? Caras: Lhandon might be a big strong guy but deep down he’s more possessive than one might attribute to him. He is jovial, headstrong, and intuitive. Caras had picked his words carefully, Port Coray did have a reputation for thinking it was a friendly place. He was trying to endear him to those here that were not Starfleet Lhal: What do you and Lieutenant Nilsen usually do together? Caras: My activities with Lhandon usually include athletics. We consistently workout together and exchange chat while fulfilling our daily regimens. The ensign didn’t want to play this up too much. That they were becoming very close. The large amount of bias seemed like it would not play well with the magistrate. Caras knew he would have to play it down to not get instantly dismissed, even if it maybe hurt Lhandon. He’d rather have Lhandon be mad at him than dead. Lhal: And how would you characterize Mr. Nilsen in a stressful situation? Caras: I have worked with Mr. Nilsen in stressful near death situations. In neither of those scenarios did he hold animosity for myself or any other crew member to the best of my knowledge. He is usually the last to draw his sidearm. Morro hoped that didn’t make Lhandon seem weak, or like a bad officer, but it was the truth. Lhal: Thank you Ensign Caras. Lexiudex: (flatly) Sooooo, you work out together? Caras: Yes I would say that Lhandon can regularly lift weights using only his arms weighing around 50kg. Lexiudex took out her personal tablet and punched some numbers into it, her eyebrows raising. Lexiudex: Would you say that he’s more fit than the average being of his species? Caras did not like where this line of questioning was going. Caras: Yes, I would say that Mr. Nilsen is… reasonably strong for a human. However I don’t know species very well, I hadn’t seen a human until I was an adult. Lexiudex: And what type of recreational athletic activities does he take part in? ::a wicked smile appearing:: Remember, you Starfleeties said you’d answer honestly in this court. Caras: He does tend to enjoy more aggressive athletics. One of the first excursions he invited me to was a club on board our ship that involves large amounts of contact, known as Rugby. Caras didn’t really see this as a negative for selling Lhandon to the crowd. In port Coray he knew a popular betting sport was very rough wrestling matches similar to twilight combat in the Vale, and brought in a similar type of crowd that might like a rough game of Rugby. Lexiudex: So, it’s not improbable that this man ::pointing to Nilsen:: would have the physical ability and aptitude to subdue or kill another individual. Caras: Physical aptitude, sure. Ability, I don’t think I would say that menta..(interrupted) Lexiudex: No need to continue; I don’t need you to excuse your previous answers nor justify them. ::looking towards Nilsen, then Lahl:: Off to a stellar start. Anyone else you want to put in front of me? I’ll give you a bit of free advice, so far you're only hindering your case. Lexiudex was brutal and this was her court. No one else mattered but her. Morro was convinced that she had already decided the verdict. She cared nothing for truth or justice, this was just an inconvenience to her. Morro should have come in more prepared. Opposition research, called in some favors. No he couldn’t do that, he was Starfleet now. He had to play by the rules. He had to. Lexiudex lifted her shades up and the sterile room lighting caught them enough that they sparkled. It was clear she was enjoying where this was heading. (( a short time later… )) A large alien that could only be described as ‘fluffy’ took the stand. From the information on the PADD that the Starfleet investigators had sent the being had some sort of strong feelings towards the deceased and some related business dealings. It wasn’t much to go on, but the alternative was to submit to summary judgment. Lexiudex: ::eyebrow raised:: And you are? Ng: Ng Go’rin. Lexiudex: And what is it you do? Ng: I run transport shuttles between Port Coray and Port Loray. Lexiudex: ::glancing to Caras and then back to Ng:: Thank you for being specific. He’s yours little one. ::winking at Kimonzi:: Lhal: How did you feel about the victim? Did you hate him? Ng: No, I didn’t hate ‘im! I… (mumble mumble) Lhal: I’m going to need you to speak up sir. Ng: (angrily) I said I loved him! There were gasps in the audience, even Lexiudex covered her mouth. Now folks were paying attention. Lhal: You loved him? Would you ever want to harm him? Ng: No, of course not. Lhal: Hurt him in any way? Kimonzi could feel Audriy’s frustration. The problem was that she had to violate the first rule of questioning a witness. “Never ask a question you didn’t already know the answer to.” Ng: I would never. Lexiudex: (chiming in) I doubt he’s going to just outright confess to a murder… She gave Lahl a warning glance and the counsel pressed forward with her questioning. Lhal: Where were you at the time of the incident? Ng: I was drowning’ my feelings at the canteen on the other side of the station. Lhal: Are you at that canteen often? Ng: Oh yeah. I’m a regular. Ask anyone. Lhal: Can you name any of them? Would any of them actually vouch for you? Ng: Get stuffed! The angry ball of fluff stomped off the stand. Lexiudex cleared her throat, it was obvious that her interrupting was going to be the theme of the day. Lexiudex: (loudly) Are there any other canteen dwellers here today, maybe that are supporting your fellow bar mate. Is he being truthful, was he getting drunk that night? Several folk raised their hands and nodded. At which point a sharp cackle erupted from the magistrate and a tear rolled down her face. Lexiudex: I was going to move to summary judgment, but these testimonies are just too good. It’s so rare to see someone’s defense make their guilt so concrete. I’ll give you another cycle, just so that me and the gallery can be inspired by your infamous skills. She cackled again, and the rest of the gallery along with her. TBC – Starring: Sahiana Ordana Medical Examiner Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team && Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen Assistant Chief of Operations. USS Octavia E Butler O240007LN1 He/Him/His (Both player and character) Ensign Kimonzi Lahl Engineering Officer U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler O240107KL4 Lieutenant Ty B Dieter Lead Investigator Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O240005JH3 / O239910AP4 && Lexiudex The Right Honorable Prime Magistrate Autonomous Authority of Port Coray O240005JH3 he/him/his (player) Special Agent T’reth Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O239910AP4 Caras Ensign Morro Caras Engineering Officer USS Octavia E. Butler O240106MC1 Astrolabe Forensic Scientist & Gigranal Undular Witness al...@blar.net M239008AD0 Special Guest Star Lieutenant Toxin Arlill Chief of Operations USS Octavia E Buttler NCC-82850 Writer ID.: O239910TA4LT Quote [[OOC: and now, the stunning conclusion...]] Part V (( Conference Room, Deck 1, USS Themis )) T’Reth: So if it wasn’t Mr. Nilsen, and it wasn’t Ng Go’rin, who do we have left as plausible suspects? Ordana: If you take all of them at face value, and assume all are telling the truth, then Mr Nilsen is innocent, and our ‘friendly’ suspects Ng Go’rin and Gigranel are also innocent. Which technically make our list have a grand total of zero names. T’Reth: (icly) Is that your medical opinion? Dieter: Opinions or facts aside, if we don’t find something soon, Lieutenant Nilsen isn’t going to need our assistance much longer. T’Reth looked at the human forensics specialist, Astrolabe, who seemed to be having a conversation with an entirely different set of beings, invisible to the rest of them. Ordana: Exactly my point, we can’t trust any of them at face value. Dieter: Here? Of course not. I trust them as much as I would signing a contract with a Dosi or a Ferengi. Someone has to know something… we’re just missing… something. T’Reth: There are two witnesses whose stories were suspect. There were actually more than two witnesses whose stories were suspect but T’Reth had a reason for singling out these two in particular. T’Reth: Cambrimi 45, from a race of clones and Sa phto, of unidentified species. In addition to conflicting accounts, they both also are large enough to be plausibly mistaken for the accused. Ordana: I wonder :beat: Agent :To T’Reth:: are you planning on speaking to them again? T’Reth: They are currently being held by Port Coray authorities, being prepped for integration. Ordana: Perhaps bring me with you, let’s play in the mud with them, I’ll be bad cop, I’m sure few of them out here have never seen a Dachlyd as pretty as myself out here. Perhaps let me stand in the corner, looking menacingly at them. I’m sure that meer suggestion of what someone who looks like me can do to them will be enough to get them to talk. T’Reth: I do not see the value in bringing an ME to an interrogation. (beat) Unless the interviewee is dead. A slight smirk crossed Ty’s face for half a second. At first he hadn’t looked forward to working with the Vulcan, but she was useful and had a humorous streak. Ordana: What? I’m a large green scaly thing that can growl. I look nothing like anything they’ve seen before. Let’s take advantage of this. Ty took the opportunity to show off his more seemingly-intimidating physical attributes. He extended the claws from his paws and brandished his fangs. Dieter: We can be plenty intimidating but ::returning to normal:: I doubt the magistrate will entertain a confession based purely on fear. She may rule her courtroom that way, but she alone will be responsible for the decision. (beat) We need to make it impossible for her to issue a guilty verdict. They needed irrefutable proof that it wasn’t the flyboy pilot, and soon. Ordana: Okay, alright. There was a small part of Ordana that was hoping she could have some fun playing bad cop T’Reth: (Vulcan equivalent of an eye-roll) We will let you know if we require further services from the medical examiner. (( Dingy Rooms, Constabulary, Port Coray )) While the Themis had state-of-the-art integration rooms with built-in biometric analysis, authorities on Port Coray were not willing to give permission for the Federation to take possession of their residents. Instead, they allowed some limited additional questioning to take place in the station's constable’s offices. The interrogation room provided by the station was archaic in design. The floors had stains of blood from previous suspects, and the chairs on the opposite side of the table had cuff-like devices at ankle and forearm heights. The station security had ‘obtained’ the two suspects at T’Reth’s request, though were not happy when informed that it was not desirable to have them constrained. As Ty and T’Reth took their seats, they were silent a moment as they took the two individuals in. Towering over the others, even as she sat, Sa phto had a regal and hawkish face with detailed patterns on either side of her head. Hair that looked more like feathers. Her neck was fully extended. She wore a simplistic cloak that made her look a bit larger than she actually was. Possibly as an intimidation tactic. Cambrimi 45 was almost the exact opposite. He had a complexion of a potato and the shape of one. The investigators learned that looks could be deceiving however. His designation of 45 meant that he was the 45th clone in his line; an amalgamation of rigorous scientific cloning and something called a “genetic tournament” that his own people did on themselves. He might look a bit squat, but the rumor was that he was strong, and possibly had skin that was impenetrable by most weaponry this side of the galaxy. Finally, the Vulcan interrogator broke the silence. T’Reth: One of you is holding out on us. Cambrimi 45: Cambrimi has no idea what you are talking about. I have answered all of your questions truthfully. To Cambrini, that was the truth. In his eyes, however, they weren’t asking the right questions. He thought they were pretty bad at this investigation game. That and there were no stakes for him, only for them. He saw no fun in that. Dieter: ::narrowing his eyes slightly:: Have you? Cambrimi 45: You’re asking the same question just with different words. That might have been fun for Cambrimi 39, maybe even up to 41, but I am the best version. Ty let out an audible sigh, he’d read about the Oto-omarian–some ancient race that the Dominion had exploited to uplift Vorta-like clones, but didn’t realize how tiring they could be. Then again, being cloned 45 times would likely lead to some drift, and it appeared neurological. T’Reth: There have been some… inconsistencies between your accounts of recent events. Sa phto: I don’t care. Are we done here? T’Reth: We will be done when we have the truth. Dieter: … And we’re nowhere near that point yet. Cambrimi 45: Cambrimi sees everyone that goes in and out of the arcade. Those who like to play games are good customers when they become bored with the arcade, Cambrimi knows what they are looking for. Dieter: So you’re there often? In-person? Cambrimi 45: As you know, Cambrimi has a recorder outside his establishment, it gets everyone who comes in and out. Cambrimi already handed what he had to your men when you came by the first time. Cambrimi never goes there in person, it’s no fun! Cambrimi shifted in his seat. He was tired of Starfleet snooping around. Sure they hadn’t got what they wanted from him, and it made him look markedly guilty. He knew from stories from the other Cambrimis, this still was not as bad as the Dominion. The Dominion would already know. Sa phto: Well then there is your guy. ::ponting at Cambrimi:: he has the holotapes, he covered it up. He knows who went in and out, but conveniently doesn't know who killed your victim. Your guy takes the fall for it, perfect excuse for him. Cambrimi looked at Sa phto with rage. He balled up his fists a little bit, but said nothing. He knew if he lashed out at her, it would just make him look guilty. He wouldn’t be played like that. Not to her. He knew who she was, or at least more, what she was. T’Reth:Perhaps it would be best to finish this interview separately. Dieter: (nodding) Agreed. T’Reth exchanged a glance with Dieter and led Cambrimi to another, even smaller room. (( A short time later, Smaller Dingy Rooms, Constabulary, Port Coray )) T’Reth reviewed the documents the clone shared with her and pulled up the records from Astrolabe. T’Reth: But that means… She left the room in a hurry. (( Magistrate’s Council Chambers, Port Coray )) The spectators were getting unruly; they’d begun a chant that the UT had approximated as “Kill him.” Lexiudex raised her hand, but the crowd didn’t stop, instead getting louder. She placed a finger behind her ear, and invisible speakers roared her voice. Lexiudex: SILENCE! The whole room vibrated from the invisible speakers, and immediately quietened. Lexiudex: You will compose yourselves, or none of you will see the result of this verdict. ::grinning evilly:: And wouldn’t that be a shame with how things are shaping up. Now, ::checking her chronometer:: I believe we should reach our decision rather expediently, lest we keep the poor man waiting. She brandished the murder weapon in front of him and then set it down on her side. Lhandon's hands were shaking, he tried to steady them. Nilsen: o0 She wouldn't would she 0o A single tear formed in his eye and his head was shaking ‘no. ‘ Nilsen: ::Quietly, voice shaking:: They wouldn’t really? They wouldn’t kill me right? Promontory: Lhandon… Whatever happens, it’s a big wide universe out there. Even death is just a transition for our consciousness. There was not much else that could be said. The officers of the Butler steeled themselves for the end of the trial, but before the magistrate could speak again, the doors in the rear burst open. The special investigators strode through. T’Reth escorted Sa phto into the chambers while Ty Dieter ran past them and handed a PADD to Lahl. Lahl: Your Honor, if I may, I have one final witness. An exasperated sigh filled the room. Luxiudex: If I feel you’re wasting my time, then you’ll share the same fate as the man you defend. If you’re so confident and willing to accept this risk, then proceed. Lahl: The Defense calls Sa phto to the stand. Sa phto: I don’t recognize the authority of the Federation. The magistrate pulled the energy weapon from underneath her seat and pointed it directly at this new individual. Lexiudex: I assume though that you do recognize my authority here, and the Port’s. If you know what’s good for you… Sa phto: (begrudgingly) Yes… Sa phto couldn’t deny this. Port Coray was core to her business. If she suddenly turned tail on them, she’d have the whole port coming for her and her employer. She needed to play this carefully. As the magistrate motioned the weapon from her to the chair, Sa phto took the centre stage seat. Lexiudex: ::looking at Lahl:: I’m waiting… and this will be the last time I remind you that my patience is not infinite. Lahl: Understood your honor. Were you ever at the establishment where the murder took place? Sa phto: Yes, I was a patron, lots of people were. Lahl: ::The young Trill approached the witness with a PADD:: Could you explain this transaction please? Sa phto: That was a legitimate business transaction. Lahl: But that would mean you were at the establishment at the time of the murder, no? Sa phto: I was never– Lahl: You were never there? So this transaction isn’t legitimate? This transaction is fraud then? Which is it, is this a legitimate business transaction or is it fraud? And if it’s fraud, how can we believe anything you say?! ::She was getting worked up, but was doing it intentionally for effect.:: Lexiudex leaned forward, this interrogation was more interesting that all of the previous ones combined. She wondered how Lahl was going to muddy this one up. Sa phto: No. No, I… Ng: (from the crowd) Ng Go’rin knows you are a liar. Ng SAW you there! Lahl: We have an eyewitness that saw you at the scene of the crime! Sa phto: It wasn’t me, it was that Starfleet monster. He sliced that face off with some sort of heavy metal blade… Lahl: How would you know if you weren’t there?! Is anything you said actually the truth?! Is your name even Sa phto?! Sa phto: (stammering) Well.. uh, I heard it from… that clone. He has the tapes! He erased them. She knew that he didn’t have the tapes from that segment. She had sent her drones to interrupt the datastream before she conducted her “business”. Plus she knew it was in Cambrimi’s best interest to cover for her and her employer. Lahl: Oh, Mr. 45? Funny thing about him. He gave us this. ::casting from her PADD onto a holoemitter the evidence given from Cambrimi 45.:: This appears to be a series of messages to you stating that you took money to frame my client. Sa phto: They said that was untraceable! That little liar. Sa phto practically spat venom at the audience who let out a collective gasp. Her eyes dilated, looking for her new prey Cambrimi 45. Her avian features now wild, feathers out, hawkish face pulled back. The face of a true predator. Lahl: Your honor, if I may address the Court, I believe that means my client is innocent of this heinous crime. As Lahl looked expectantly at the magistrate, her mouth opening and closing several times to account for this bombshell development. Lexiudex could feel the burning gaze of everyone’s eyes, waiting for her to do something, anything. She firmed up her posture, and then spoke evenly. Lexiudex: So, you killed the shop owner, Shdarn or whatever the Wadi’s name was, and then set up Starfleet? Your justification for this was? It wasn’t that the magistrate wanted to kill Nilsen per se, more that she’d already made such a grand show of convicting him that this would be a black mark against her reputation. She prayed there was some excusable reason. Sa phto: What? No one wants them here. They are an infestation. One of them shows up, then another. You’ve all heard the stories. Everyone here has said it, they don't have real wealth and anything of value they have they won’t trade. None of you ::she looks to the audience:: Want them here ::turning neck 130 degrees:: . (to judge) You weren’t doing anything about them. They needed to be taken care of, otherwise they’ll take over us just like the Dominion did. Offering peace for a pittance. With Cambrimi 45 nowhere to be found, Sa phto had decided that Lexiudex was her target. How dare she let her suffer this in front of others. How dare she even give Starfleet a chance to have a voice. Lexiudex was going to answer for this. As Sa phto gripped her chair handles, this was enough of a sign for Lexiudex to know what was coming next. Within her weapon still in hand, she slightly altered the angle and applied pressure to the trigger. An agonizing scream filled the court from for several seconds as the beam first enveloped the body, and then disintegrated inward. It was not built for efficiency, but for show. What was left were just the skeletal remains. Lexiudex: (addressing the pile of bones) What you failed to realize is that distaste for a race is not enough to justify your actions — particularly with how much revenue the Wadi bring with trade and gambling. The ego on you ::scoffing:: She then stood and turned her attention to the defense table. Lexiudex: A decision has been rendered, and justice is satisfied. (beat) Now leave this place, this station. We’ve had enough of your presence here for some time. Make sure that the next time you visit, you don’t try to make any more ‘friends’. ::turning to the galleries:: All of you, out! She turned briskly, and walked through the rear door to her chambers. Lhandon let out the biggest sigh of relief, and put his hands up to his mouth in shock. Nilsen: Oh god! He was free to go, proven innocent and at least one part of the guilty party had been found and executed on the spot. He stood staring at the judge and executioner frozen in place. It was Lhal who nudged him out of it. Lahl: Lhandon, you cotton headed ninny-muggins, get moving, we need to get out of here. Lhandoned nodded, he wasn’t going to argue Nilsen: Yeah, let’s go. Sa phto: (bones crackle and then collapse) In her mind T’Reth couldn’t help but note that the suspect was, indeed, dead and, therefore, the purview of the medical examiner. Promontory: C’mon Lhandon, let’s get you back to the OEB before the magistrate changes its mind. (scornfully) Whatever this was, it wasn’t justice. As the officers of the Octavia E Butler filed out, the special criminal investigators were left to their final assessments. T’Reth: I find this resolution… adequate. Dieter In the end, Sa phto's lies… ::slipping on his shades:: couldn't withstand the heat. ~ END ~ – Starring: Sahiana Ordana Medical Examiner Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team && Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen Assistant Chief of Operations. USS Octavia E Butler O240007LN1 He/Him/His (Both player and character) Ensign Kimonzi Lahl Engineering Officer U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler O240107KL4 Lieutenant Ty B Dieter Lead Investigator Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O240005JH3 / O239910AP4 && Lexiudex The Right Honorable Prime Magistrate Autonomous Authority of Port Coray O240005JH3 he/him/his (player) Special Agent T’reth Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team O239910AP4 Caras Ensign Morro Caras Engineering Officer USS Octavia E. Butler O240106MC1 Astrolabe Forensic Scientist & Gigranal Undular Witness al...@blar.net M239008AD0 6
Lhandon_Nilsen Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 You're too kind to us Tony ❤️ We had so much writing this. 1
Nera Ay Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 Well done! I'll look forward to reading this 2
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