Posted by Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Court Martial of Cara Esmé O’Farrell

Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Court Martial of Cara Esmé O’Farrell

Posted by Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Court Martial of Cara Esmé O’Farrell
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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 her lawyer, a very large and imposing Klingon 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. Star Fleet Command Decorations: Archer Ribbon for Conspicuous Bravery. Federation Council Decorations: Federation Star for Distinguished Service.”

Lt. Hudson inwardly held back his eye roll. People on trial always thought that their prior good deeds meant they would never be beyond reproach. It was as if a past action would exonerate any future wrongdoings. Hudson had no doubt the woman was an expert in her field and earned those merits in the past. The keywords in Hudson’s mind were past. It would be up to the judges to determine if the current charges would be erased or a blot on the officer’s record from today forward. Standing up he moved to the center of the room looking at Cara.

Cara was an expert in body language, and Hudson wasn’t so well versed in hiding things that she didn’t pick up on the dismissal of her awards. Well that was fine, what he didn’t seem to realize was she was entitled to have the whole thing read, AND it had bearing on the charges against her.

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

JAG lawyers

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

“Has Captain Bordeaux been your commanding officer during your time here or have you served under another commanding officer on the USS Atlantis during that time,” James asked matching the friendly tone being exhibited by the officer on trial.

“Aye, she has been. She has never been removed from her position. She was, of course, in sickbay due to the life threatening injuries she sustained. The CO of record was never altered. Though a Captain Primrose did try without orders ta bypass the ship’s chain of command and take over. If he had orders he never formally or informally presented them. But ta succinctly answer yer question, No, I have never had another commanding officer while on board the Atlantis.”

“And how would you describe overall your career experience on the Atlantis over that time generally speaking? Has it been fulfilling, stagnating,” Hudson let his voice trail off waiting for her to respond.

Hudson JAG

Cara smiled even more, “Oh I find my role as a counselor quite fulfilling. And the use of stagnating is quite far from that. If ya had checked my most recent qualification, Sir, ya’d see that I’ve added some qualifications ta my resume. That was done by my own wish, and with the full support of the command staff, my DH, and the other officers servin’ in counseling with me.”

Lt. O’Farrell, counselor

“So it is safe to say you support your captain? Have faith and trust in her command decisions.” Hudson was careful with his choice of words.

hudson

Cara laughed softly. She could play games with words too. “Sir, I am no privy ta the Captain’s specific orders. I am not a member of the senior staff. Well, I am now, but that is a recent development since my return from Leave. Before now orders have been disseminated after the Captain has confered with her senior staff. I believe it is more accurate ta say I trust the Captain ta weigh all the information and perspectives of her officers and make the best decision she can. My orders have never caused me ta question my ethics nor asked me ta break any Federation law.”

Lt. Mardusk, counselor