SaveronWitnessFedvsRajel2397
| USS Constitution-B | ||
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((Court Room - Starbase 104))
Aubrey: Thank you, Commander Yito. You are dismissed, but the court reserves the right to recall you if there is a need. Commander Skepus, do you have another witness to call?
Skepus: Yes, Your Honor. A character witness, one I may request the court to consider as a hostile witness given the relationship between the witness and the defendant. Commander Saveron of the USS Constitution-B.
Being slated to appear as a witness, Saveron had not been present for the earlier part of the hearing. Rather, he had spent time in the ship’s saloon, checking regulations and the facts of the case as he had them and providing impromptu moral support to Commander Blair, the man suddenly in the hot seat, before arriving at the designated waiting room at the appropriate time.
His dress uniform was immaculate, his black hair slicked back, his expression completely neutral as he entered the courtroom and assumed the position assigned to the witness. Grey eyes swept those assembled, noting the members of the crew and reporters from the FNS, pausing for a significant moment to meet Jalana’s gaze. He could only trust that she would understand why he was there. He could only hope that they all did. He was taking a significant risk on his colleagues’ good will, appearing as he did. But someone had to do it.
The Vulcan Counsellor regarded the Andorian legal aid with the same stoic expression.
Saveron: I do so swear. ::He said solemnly.::
Finally he turned to the prosecutor, and marshalled his thoughts.
Skepus eyed him quietly in turn. The verbal fencing was about to begin.
As the Vulcan took the stage, Skepus eyed him with quiet suspicion. The meeting in his office hadn’t gone as planned. But hopefully Saveron would be more…. forthcoming on the stand.
Skepus: ::pointedly politely:: Commander Saveron, like Lieutenant Commander Yito, you have served admirably during your tenure in Starfleet thus far. One can only imagine where the future may take you. Also, you are someone with a particular and unique vantage point on this whole situation: you were not on this fated mission, you are a friend and confidant of the Fleet Captain’s, a ship’s counsellor, and a Vulcan. You know the Fleet Captain better than perhaps most. Have I spoken accurately?
Saveron was unaccustomed to hearing himself summed up in that manner. Clearly Skepus was endeavouring to establish his credibility; an interesting move when he had warned in their interview that he intended to request Saveron be deemed a hostile witness. The superlative language wasn’t what one associated with a Vulcan either. If they were in a less combative situation, Skepus might have proven an interesting conversationalist.
Saveron: Affirmative, Mister Skepus. ::He spoke mildly, remembering the photos of the man on his office wall.::
Skepus: Very well. I will get to the point: have you ever personally witnessed Jalana Rajel bend or break any Starfleet regulations? How about General Orders? ::adding:: In your personal opinion, of course.
He had sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and he would do so. He trusted those with whom he served would understand what he was doing. The Constitution had become too much like home to want to transfer.
Saveron: Affirmative. ::He said again.:: Regulation 12, paragraph 5, and Starfleet protocols on-
Skepus: I see. We needn’t get into the details, as it will only muddy the waters and those instances are not on trial here. Would you describe this as a pattern of behavior?
The words flowed off his tongue as his eyes registered the faintest spark of excitement. Surely Saveron wouldn’t fall for that again, but fortunately he wouldn’t need to do it a second time. All Saveron needed to do was plant the seed of an idea: that the good Fleet Captain wasn’t all-so-good.
The Counsellor paused, not expecting to be cut off. It was rude, in Vulcan culture particularly so. Perhaps a little too late, Saveron realised how Skepus had played him. He’d intended to elaborate to show that what Jalana actual ‘crimes’ were the mildest of infractions, nothing on par with what she had been accused of and common in the fleet, but the man was one step ahead of him.
That required recalculation. Suddenly the stakes were higher. It seemed that he had misjudged Skepus, and he could put the trial in a very difficult situation. Skepus no doubt felt that he knew Saveron, typical Vulcan that he was; but did Saveron know Skepus? He had been overconfident. He would need to not make the same mistake twice.
In the audience, Ensign Carter commented to the unfamiliar man next to her.
The Counsellor focused on the prosecutor, and did a quick mental calculation.
Saveron: That depends.
It was the kind of answer that required explanation.
Skepus: A curious response, implying that from certain vantage points the answer is yes.
Skepus: A curious response, implying that from certain vantage points the answer is yes.
Saveron: It depends on the infraction. oOAsk me to elaborate. You have to.Oo
Skepus: Interesting. Please elaborate.
Saveron: With regard to Starfleet protocol on proper address of a commanding officer, Captain Rajel violates it regularly, preferring to be on first name basis with her crew. With regard to Regulation 12, paragraph 5, I have witnessed only one incident, from five missions.
That was the regulation stipulating that the Captain and First Officer should not be on an away mission at the same time. They’d done so when the crew had taken Argo buggies on a rescue mission across Gamma Orionis VIb to rescue scientists from a damaged research installation. She was hardly the first, and wouldn’t be the last. If they wanted to pursue Captain Rajel for going on an away mission at the same time as her First Officer, they would need to charge half the fleet.
Their eyes met, locked for a moment before Skepus raised an eyebrow an iota.
Skepus: No other incidents?
Saveron: I have witnessed no other infractions.
He spoke calmly, hands clasped formally behind his back. The sum total of Jalana’s crimes in his eyes were wanting to be friendly, and participate in away missions. And those were the facts. What Skepus wanted was opinions and supposition, but if he knew logical Vulcans, then he knew that they did not deal in such things. No doubt Justice Aubrey knew that too, and Skepus had already established his credentials.
Skepus: Interesting. So, a pattern of flaunting Starfleet protocol. Not exactly a punishable offense, mind you, but a pattern. You’re a counsellor, Commander. An expert on the topic of mental and emotional wellbeing. In your professional opinion, if a member of the crew could not respect the protocol regarding addressing a commanding officer, would that reflect positively or negatively on them? What might it say about their emotional wellbeing?
The Counsellor regarded the Prosecutor thoughtfully, trying to work out where Skepus was going with this line of enquiry.
Saveron: If a member of the crew could not respect the protocol regarding addressing a commanding - or superior - officer ::he added, deliberate jab:: it could indicate a lack of respect for the individual, for the institution, or potentially a mental instability. But where the commanding officer has expressed a preference for an alternate form of address, it could be disrespectful not to acknowledge that.
Aaaaand he might be guilty of that one himself. Saveron almost always addressed Jalana by her rank when they were on duty, in front of others. First names were for use in private or off duty. He glanced at the Captain for a moment, before looking back at Skepus.
Skepus: I grant you that, yes–it could be indicative of any number of underlying mental or emotional issues. Then how about this: are any of these hypothetical reasons positive, as in *beneficial* for the crew or the ship?
It was actually an interesting question. Was informality beneficial? He knew that Jalana certainly thought so.
Saveron: If the commanding officer had indicated a preference for an alternative form of address which indicates a more informal, friendly atmosphere, then assuming that it is appropriate, adhering to that can generate a greater sense of camaraderie and belonging amongst the crew. Heightened good will, if you prefer.
And the crew of the Constitution were certainly close. The instinctive jail-break reaction following her arrest and responses of incredulity to her charges clearly showed that.
Skepus: ::reinterpreting Saveron's words:: The rules don’t apply to them because they mean well? Surely that’s not what you are saying. That’s exactly why we are here! The Fleet Captain clearly *intended* to help the people of Xatrac City after her interference triggered an attack. She clearly *intended* to procure a rare and powerful resource for Starfleet. So, Commander Saveron, I ask you again: if a member of the crew could not respect the protocol regarding addressing a commanding officer, does that ultimately hinder the ship? Or is Starfleet simply wrong about the importance of the chain of command?
The sense of victory in Skepus’s words was almost palpable; one certainly didn't need to be an empath. Clearly he had a train of logic in mind and felt he’d led the Counsellor along it. Saveron himself thought that there were a few sleepers missing from the tracks - a metaphor he now understood since researching the ‘Wild West’ for Jalana’s promotion ceremony - but perhaps others might not see that and likely Skepus was counting on that.
Could he manage a derailment?
Saveron: If a member of the crew did not respect the protocol of addressing a commanding officer when the commanding officer had not specifically requested them to do so, it could potentially indicate a lack of respect for the chain of command, which could hinder the ship. ::He allowed.::
Skepus: with all due respect, Commander Saveron, you’re mincing words.
This was it. Saveron didn’t take a deep breath, because he suppressed his emotions and deliberately gave no outward cues. He simply met the other man’s gaze frankly.
Saveron: Your logic is flawed. ::His tone was cold.::
Vulcan fighting words.
Internally, Skepus was beaming. He’d gotten under Saveron’s skin. Externally, however, he met Saveron’s cold tone with an even icier glare.
Skepus: Hardly, but attempt to enlighten me.
Saveron: Because Jalana is the chain of command. ::For once he acquiesced to the Captain’s request.:: She is the one who stands accused, not the crew who call her by her name, at her request. She cannot disrespect herself.
Skepus: But the Fleet Captain is responsible for her crew, which in part means encouraging them to be the best officers they can be, regardless of whose ship they are on. How is flaunting protocol going to help that? ::Beat:: Actually, I retract that question as it is mere speculation. ::To the Judge:: My apologies, Your Honor. ::To Saveron:: So we agree that the Fleet Captain is willing to disregard Starfleet protocol when it suits her, regardless of the impact it may have on the fleet writ large. And she’s willing to violate Starfleet code as well by beaming down with her first officer on an away mission. In addition to eschewing a proper security detail. Are we in agreement on these points, Commander, even if we *feel* different about their relevance?
Another jab: *feel.*
There was customary courtesy between Vulcans, and then there was Skepus. It was the height of rudeness to accuse a follower of Surak of an emotional response, and the prosecution did so with obvious deliberation. He’d also become quite animated during his speech, whilst trying to twist Saveron’s word, and was far too obviously pleased with his efforts.
The truth of the matter became obvious; Skepus was v’tosh ka’tur. A Vulcan Without Logic.
Saveron: We can agree that Captain Rajel has a expressed preference for a more personal form of address, in violation of Starfleet Protocol, and has on one occasion violated Regulation 12, paragraph 5. As previously stated, I have witnessed no further infractions.
And that was important. Whether or not there had been any other violations he had not seen them. Someone who’d been on the recent mission might even have witnessed a violation, but Skepus was asking him, and Saveron could only comment on what he had seen. Facts were the antidote to Skepus’s wild speculation.
Of the over 100 General Orders, over 30,000 Starfleet Orders and over 70,000 Special Orders, Fleet Captain Jalana Rajel had violated two of them. Saveron doubted they could find a commanding officer who’d violated fewer.
As Saveron replied, Skepus scanned the room for the first time, briefly locking eyes with the Fleet Captain. Her confidant had served the courts, and justice, well.
Skepus: Very well. You and I need not agree on all the fine points, that is for the judge to decide.
The Counsellor only regarded Skepus blandly. Since there hadn’t been a question, there was no need for him to reply. He was done playing chess with this particular pigeon.
Skepus: Thank you, Commander. I commend you for your service of the court. Taking the stand is no small task, especially when friends are concerned. ::To the judge:: Your Honor, I have no further questions at this time.
It was one thing to do one’s duty with enthusiasm, but in his parting words Skepus was clearly trying to rub salt into whatever wounds he imagined might be there. He wasn’t simply a lawyer doing his job, with that move he was proven a Disagreeable Individual.
The Counsellor gave him a cool inclination of the head in acknowledgement of the thanks, as though they were entirely well received.
Maddox: I do, Your Honor. Commander Saveron, it is a pleasure to see you again. I have just one question for you. In your professional opinion, would calling Captain Rajel Jalana ease the mental burden of being in space and away from natural families easier in terms of providing a surrogate family?
It was a relevant question, and echoed some of what Saveron had said in response to Skepus earlier.
Saveron: It has the potential to do so. ::He confirmed.:: Captain Rajel has encouraged the crew to view themselves as a family.
Maddox: Thank you Commander Saveron, I have no further questions and I thank you for being here.
Aubrey: Thank you, Commander Saveron. You are dismissed for now. Please remain at hand should the need arise to recall you to the stand.
Saveron: Acknowledged, Your Honour.