MaxwellTraenorWitnessFedvsRajel2397
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((Court Room - Starbase 104))
In order to not compromise his integrity as a witness, Maxwell Traenor had avoided most of Jalana Rajel's trial to this point. He had worked hard to ensure that he could not be considered anything but an impartial witness, though of course he was anything but. He held a deep, everlasting loyalty to the Trill who demanded nothing but, not through demand or expectation, rather by her own words and deeds. Maxwell had known immediately that he and Chip Foley had found the proverbial smoking gun, and he was not going to risk bringing any of it into question by his own voyeuristic urges of the court proceedings and his overwhelming friendship.
Now, however, the day had come, and Maxwell was waiting for his turn at the stand. Watching Commander Skepus verbally spar with Cade Foster, it laid bare that all the rumors and gossip about the prosecutor's acumen was true and then some. The witty wordsmith was highly adept at twisting and weaving throughout the narrative, painting even the most benign topic in the worst possible light. Were they not on diametric poles on the issue, Maxwell would have to admit a grudging respect for his skills. Now, he was intently watching the last part of Cade's questioning to ensure that he was prepared for a similar verbal onslaught. If he was able to present the data succinctly enough, though, there might be no opportunity to question his contributions.
Cade returned via the same witness's paddock that Maxwell was seated, and he gave the embattled man a warm, reassuring smile. Cade had shown an amazing level of restraint under very trying circumstances, and Maxwell hoped that Cade knew his efforts were appreciated by all. Commander Maddox started to speak again, so Maxwell turned his full attention to the court again.
Maddox: I have one more witness; Commander Maxwell Traenor. He has joined the crew in Captain Rajel’s absence and with him, I would like to introduce new evidence. ::looking between Aubrey and Skepus:: Before I proceed. I want it on record that three separate Starbase 104 engineering and science teams have reviewed the findings and concur that they are authentic and accurate.
Aubrey nodded. This kind of eleventh-hour evidence was not unheard of. And Aubrey herself had signed off on the Commander's involvement in searching for any evidence that may have been missed. It was, after all, in the interest of justice to have all the facts.
Maxwell rose, finally and properly able to meet Jalana gaze to gaze. The corner of his mouth twitched in the merest expression of his trademarked smirk and he spared her a wink before making his way to the witness stand. He took his oath, sparing only a moment's thought for how many of these types of court proceedings he had been involved in already, and took his seat. He looked impassively out over the court, hoping for just an ounce of resolve to maintain his composure like Cade had done.
Maddox: Here are the original, undoctored orders for the USS Constitution-B’s mission to Zeltin IV. It shows that Captain Rajel was ordered to negotiate trade. Commander Traenor, can you walk us through how you and Ensign Foley uncovered this as well as walk us through the details of the document?
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected that kind of evidence to have been uncovered.
There were a few muted murmurs as the new parties to the information parsed over it, and Maxwell gladly delayed the start of his explanation until the full weight of the new evidence had sunk in on the court.
Traenor: The metadata obscuration protocols and packet traffic trace details are appendicized in the presentation to the court. I can elaborate on the technicalities if required, but otherwise will condense our findings. On Stardate 239706.01, on the orders of Commander Maddox and with the authorization of the court, Ensign Chip Foley and I completed a thorough parse of related mission communication logs embedded in the USS Constitution's computer core. File size metadata inconsistencies, elaborated in Appendix I, between Starfleet Command and the Constitution were noted. Following the packet data routing outlined in Appendix II, it was found that the communication files in question were altered on Stardate 239704.26.
Aubrey was not an engineer or data scientist, but she was following along with Commander Traenor's description easily enough to understand.
Maxwell paused for a moment, ensuring that everybody in the court was keeping up with his description. He had a rapt audience, so he continued.
Traenor: Despite having a skilled decrypter in Ensign Foley giving me assistance, the terminal point metadata had been expertly obscured. We were able to ascertain that the alteration had occurred from someplace within Starfleet Headquarters, but no further. The instigator of the comm log alterations had sufficiently covered their tracks. That is, except for one small overlooked packet regarding travel distances to Zeltion IV. Once we were able to parse that metadata, it gave us the key to unlock the altered metadata on the rest of the communication logs at question. We were able to not only unlock the original orders as they were received, but were able to pinpoint the terminal responsible for the alterations, and narrow it all down to one individual, thanks to that one overlooked message.
Skepus: Your Honor, I– … This is highly irregular!
Maxwell paused again, but this time in surprise. Based on anecdotal and personal experiences of Skepus's oratory skills, he had expected a more concise objection to the evidence he was presenting. However, Chip and Maxwell and Aria's team of defendants had built up this evidence to a bulletproof quality, with redundant expert analysis of the original findings. Skepus could have made an impassioned objection, which Maxwell would have expected, but a logical objection? Very unlikely.
Aubrey looked at Skepus. There was no legal footing to stand on for an objection.
Aubrey: Defence' prerogative to enter new evidence, Mister Skepus, as you well know. I agree that the scope of this new entry is significant, but it is irrefutably verified in its integrity. Carry on, Commander Maddox.
Maddox: And with whom did this document originate? How high up the chain of command are they?
Traenor: The key document, which allowed us to verify the alterations of all other listed comm documents, originated from the terminal of Lieutenant Dolen, personal adjunct of Admiral Fraser. You will find their dossiers and their personal and professional links to the Zeltion IV mission in Appendix III.
Maddox: Please keep in mind the three independent teams reviewed this prior to my submission into evidence.
The murmurs from the assembled court were sussurating throughout the chamber again, as Maxwell fought to keep a straight face. He looked to Jalana again, hoping this gift was a small restitution for his unplanned absence from her crew.
Aubrey didn't know Fraser, but that a flag officer would do something like this... Aubrey would not be permitted to preside over his trial, so she allowed herself a moment to feel some disdain for the man.
Aubrey: Indeed. The verifications are authentic and the evidence has been entered as an exhibit.
Maddox: ::bowing her head::Thank you Commander Traenor. I have no further questions.
Aria walked back to her seat and smiled at Jalana. Skepus’ case was non-existent. Aria was very excited, the gallery behind her was alive with hushed murmurings. Gasps just audible to her ears made her square her shoulders in pride.
Skepus had always told her that emotions would be her downfall, blinding her to the truth, but his logic had blinded him from the truth by not allowing him to see what was meant to remain hidden. Though it could have happened to anyone. Everything had lined up so perfectly against Jalana; and if Aria hadn’t had a feeling about her, she wouldn’t have found it either.
His deposition had gone just as Aria had indicated it would, though when they had rehearsed the exposure of this evidence, they had expected more pushback from Skepus. They expected it not because of any inherent flaws, which they had worked overly hard to eliminate, but rather because of the death blow it would give to the prosecution's case. Now was not the time to gloat, though, for Maxwell feared that Skepus would become ever more dangerous once backed into a corner, and his questioning was now upon them.
Skepus: Your Honor, in light of recent evidence, I withdraw my case. :: To Aria, cooly :: Perhaps we will resume this at a later date.
If his jaw hadn't hit the stand, it was only through sheer luck. Certainly, Skepus wanted the chance to skewer and twist Maxwell's words? If not, then Traenor was pleased beyond words, for it meant that the defence team had been more successful than they had dared hope. Maxwell watched Skepus return to his seat dispassionately, almost daring to feel sorry for how the prosecutor had been fundamentally blindsided. Almost.
Aubrey imagined that took all of Commander Skepus' willpower to get out. As a former prosecutor herself, she knew when a case was over. Admitting it to the court was a whole other thing.
Aubrey: Commander Skepus, your motion to withdraw your case is accepted.