JacobHorneWitnessFedvsRajel2397
| USS Constitution-B | ||
|---|---|---|
 ACTIVE STATUS | ||
| ||
((Court Room - Starbase 104))
Earlier in the day Jacob had recevied notice that he was on the list of potential witnesses for the defense. He wanted to do whatever he could to help Jalana but he'd be lying if the notice didn't give him a bit of anxiety.
He sat nervously in the courtroom as the proceedings unfolded. He had some run-ins with the law as a youth so this wasn't totally foreign to him but he had thought he days of being in court were over.
Maddox: I have a few witnesses and new evidence to enter in. I would like to begin by calling Lieutenant JG Jacob Horne to the stand.
Jacob stood, wiped his sweating hands on his pants, and nervously made his way to the witness stand. He stood and faced the court room with a few heavy dry gulps to try and re-salivate his mouth.
Jacob raised his hand and listened to the oath to tell the truth.
Horne: I do. I promise to tell the truth.
After answering he sat down.
Maddox: Thank you. Lieutenant Horne, you are an Engineering Officer, is that correct?
Horne: Yes ma'am, currently assigned to the Constitution.
Next to the witness Jacob saw a table with a carafe of water and an empty glass which he quickly filled. Aria allowed him to pour some water, hoping it would give him a chance to collect himself.
Maddox: And you were present during the relief effort, is that true?
Horne: That is correct. Yes. Uh uh. oO Calm down and just answer the questions Oo
Aria tried to ask simple questions so he wouldn’t get too agitated and maybe could keep calm.
Maddox: Can you tell me more about the tools and replicators that were left behind? What are their capabilities as they stand?
Aria gave him an encouraging nod.
He tried his best not to sound nervous but he was sure anyone listening could here the nerves in his voice.
Horne: Basic hand tools. Tricorders to help diagnose which sections or the supports under the city needed to be replaced. Hyperspanner and wrenches and things like that to assemble the components that make up the diving platforms and equipment and even the piping systems. The replicator was programmed with a limited list of items to be replicated like additional tools and some of the materials we encountered in the diving area to help rebuild and make it safe.
Maddox: Would you, in your professional opinion, say that these would pose a threat if they fell into the hands of the enemies of the Federation?
Horne: To be completely honest. ::he paused as he looked around the court room:: I, um, well, earlier in the mission I brought up the idea of leaving a replicator and Lieutenant Davis told me it would be a bad idea and potentially a violation of Prime Directive. And Jalana, I mean, Fleet Captain Rajel never asked me to leave anything behind. ::He paused as he took a sip of water. He hand shook a bit as he set the glass back down on the table beside the witness stand:: I made the decision to leave it behind.
Aria looked at Admiral Aubrey to gauge her reaction and turned to look at Jalana.
Horne: The conditions were bad to begin with but after the razaar attack and the explosions I just felt like we needed to do something to help them rebuild.
Maddox: What about their threat if in the hand of our enemies?
Horne: Oh, enemies. Right. Short answer is no. Replicator technology is common throughout most of the alpha quadrant. We have it, Cardassians, Ferengi, Romulans, maybe even Klingons - it's fairly common technology. The Zeltions did not have it so I shouldn't have left it.
His voice trailed off a bit at the end as he admitted fault. His mind started racing thinking what his own court martial would look like.
Aria was a little concerned for Jacob. He may have opened his own can of worms, but it may help Jalana now.
Maddox: Was Captain Rajel aware of the relicators and tools that were left behind at the time of the USS Constitution’s departure?
Jacob was suddenly lost is his own world and didn't heard the questions.
Aria noticed his lack of focus and waited.
Horne: I'm sorry could you, uh, could you repeat that last questions?
Maddox: Was Captain Rajel aware you had left things behind at the time of departure? Had you notified her or turned in your reports?
Aria hoped the answer was no.
Horne: No, I don't believe so. I remained behind to help with the repairs while a lot of the rest of the crew were working on finalizing other mission related tasks. I enjoy getting my hands dirty and spent the entire time working. I didn't file any reports until we were back on the Constitution and en route to Starbase 104.
Maddox: Thank you Lieutenant Horne, I have no further questions.
As scary as the experience had been with Aria completing her line of questioning it meant that things were about to get worse for Jacob. Much worse. He watched Skepus rise. A lump formed in Jacob's throat.
Skepus: Thank you, Your Honor. Yes, I do. ::To Jacob:: There’s something I want to be clear about. What is the threat, exactly, of the Zeltions getting replicator technology? As you noted, all of the major and many minor players in the galaxy have it or something similar.
Horne: Well, um, with the technology being prevalent I would say no direct threat. The way we set it up the Zeltions could only use it to improve conditions and safety.
Skepus: No, Mister Horne. it would allow the Zeltions to increase the output of the apparently wondrous resource that Federation enemies and threats were already purchasing in bulk. The threat was never someone ordering a sandwich, it was a Klingon Empire that suddenly is able to fully support the dilithium needs of a few hundred more ships. It was a Breen Invasion force! It was increased Nausicaan raids on supply lines!
He had allowed himself to become somewhat incensed. Not because he was overwhelmed, but because he wanted to fully convey the seriousness to the court.
A wave of anxiety swept over Jacob. He was having trouble trying to organize his thoughts. Jacob knew that the replicator wasn't programmed to replicate dilithium plus as far as he knew it was still impossible to replicate usable dilithium but maybe the Zeltion gas could be used to produce more? They hadn't ever really gotten a straight answer on what the gas was for, just that it was important and had something to do with energy efficiency. If this was the case...Jacob suddenly felt like he had made a grave mistake.
Horne: It's possible, but wait, no, I mean, um...I uh....
Jacob didn't know what to say. He didn't know if he was incriminating himself or Jalana or both. He looked around desperately for guidance in the faces of the courtroom. His mouth was moving, trying to convey the thoughts that were racing through his head but he wasn't able to produce any sounds. The silence was deafening.
His hand shook as he reached for his glass of water, and continued to shake as he took a sip, causing himself to dribble water down his chin and onto the chest of his uniform. Skepus had gotten to him.
Maddox: Objection Your Honor, the witness is not on trial.
Skepus: ::a hint of sneering, looking at Jacob:: No further questions.
Jacob tried to stand as he was excused but found himself feeling weak at the back of the knees. He braced himself as his stood and gingerly walked out of the courtroom to take a few deep breaths and try to compose himself.