Posted by Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Court Martial of Cara Esmé O’Farrell
The courtroom felt pristine and clinical but also familiar and safe. The cases were being tried in one of the small diplomatic rooms on the ship. This made it feel familiar to those from the USS Atlantis with its familiar furniture and decor. What made it feel antiseptic was the arrangement of the room. A large table sat along the left wall with five chairs filled with five Admirals occupying the spot a jury normally sat. The accused sat in a chair perpendicular to the Admirals and facing McDevitt along with the opposing counsel James Hudson. There were no other seats in the makeshift courtroom which was by design. This was not going to be a spectacle. Starfleet wanted the trials over and done with minimal disruptions.

Cara was laughing internally at the curious and confused expressions on the Admiral’s faces as they stared at her lawyer. They had chosen not to explain why she was graced with the counsel of Regent Drekn Noggra. She had been informed that he was not only a direct descendant of the founder of the Klingon Nobel House Noggra, but was the former Klingon Ambassador to the Federation and Romulan Empire. They had decided that allowing that information to come to light during the trial would only provide strength to the proof this was a dishonorable court. When asked to enter the plea, he entered the plea of ‘Not Guilty’ to all charges. To say Cara was honored by his representation would not begin to cover how she felt. The appearance of Drekn Noggra to her defense had made quite clear the situation she had gotten herself into.

When Cara was called to the stand Regent Noggra simply grunted, and she stood and walked to the center chair. She placed her hand on the scanner, and the computer intoned loudly. “Verify Lieutenant Cara O’Farrell. Current Assignment: USS Atlantis, Head Counselor. Star Fleet Command Decorations: Archer Ribbon for Conspicuous Bravery. Federation Council Decorations: Federation Star for Distinguished Service.”

“So Lt. O’Farrell, how long have you been a part of the crew of the USS Atlantis,” Hudson asked the woman.

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The counselor smiled politely at Hudson as if they were having a friendly conversation. “I arrived on the Atlantis on Star Date 2398070.7 So two years, nine months, and six days.”

Lt. O’Farrell, counselor