Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé Mardusk (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 Lieutenant Cara Esmé Mardusk (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Court Martial of Cara Esmé O’Farrell
Posted by… suppressed (14) 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

“But you have an conduct unbecoming of an officer violation,” Hudson read the charges. “Tell me Lt. who is Donovan O’Hara.”

Hudson

Regent Noggra stood. “Objection: the opposing counsel is providing Hearsay. The Lt has not been found guilty of the charge.” The Admiral, “Sustained. Counselor Hudson, you will refrain from acting as judge of these proceedings.”

Noggra sat down and the Admiral looked at Cara, “You may answer the question, Lt.”

She smiled at him. “Of course, Admiral.” She looked at Hudson. “Donovan O’Hara is the older brother of a boy I went to school with.”

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

“So you know the family,” Hudson stated further probing her statement.

Hudson JAG

“I’m sorry counselor, could ya be more specific? As I’ve stated I am aware of who Donovan O’Hara is and that his younger brother attended the same the same school as myself. Know is such a broad term, and has varying levels.” Cara smiled, seemingly eager to answer his question. Regent Noggra gave her an approving look. Ask for specifics, and don’t give him a chance to twist her words. It would happen eventually if Hudson was as good of a lawyer as it was claimed. No need to offer it up like a trag for dinner.

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

“So would you say you know him only in passing as know the face of someone as in walking down the street or in reputation as in That is Donovan O’Hara?”

Hudson JAG

“If he were ta walk down the street, and I saw him, I would be able to say, ‘that is Donovan O’Hara,’ yes,” the counselor answered sweetly.

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

“And is that because everyone in the town knows him or it is because it makes you feel powerful and special knowing the local drug dealers? Let me repharse that,” said Hudson knowing the objection was coming before the opposing counsel could state it.

“Objection” Regent Noggra boomed as he stood. Yes Hudson was rephrasing, but he made the official objection anyway.

“Tell me Lieutenant is it your practice to be in places where known drug dealers live and work close enough that if you walk down the street you know them not only by name but also by face and familial relations?”

Hudson

Cara looked at him like a specimen in a bottle. “Does it make you feel special and powerful ta spend yer time in places where potential criminals are?” The smile faded, “Or is it simply a byproduct of yer job?”

Hudson stared at Cara with a neutral expression. Lt. my job is to be where potential criminals are. I don’t do it for fun like you apparently do. He kept his comment to himself. Her arrogance on the stand would only impact her case.

She shook her head, “Lt Hudson, I come from Comeragh, Ireland, Earth. It is so small a village it’s not on a map. Our population is anywhere from 200 ta less than 500. We all know each other by sight.”

She leaned back in her seat, folded her hands, “As for hangin’ out where drug dealers live, I don’a know of any on the Atlantis. Perhaps ya should check with security. None have been referred ta me.”

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

“As you stated Mr. O’Hara is not part of the crew. Your comment is not relevant. He is not on trial. You are.” Walking back to his table, he stayed “Tell me about the last time you had contact with Mr O’Hara”

Hudson JAG

Regent Noggra stood looking thoroughly disgusted, “Objection. My client never accused anyone of criminal activity, no did she state anything about Mr O’Hara’s profession or lack thereof. I respectfully request the court to refrain Counselor Hudson from drawing conclusions and putting words in my client’s mouth.”

“Sustained. Hudson refrain from creating testimony. We are more than capable of drawing our own conclusions”

“Thank you, your Honors.” Then he turned to Cara on the stand, “Do not answer that last question, Lt.” Cara smiled sweetly and nodded. Noggra turned back to the judges. “The incident to which Counselor Hudson is referring is a current criminal investigation by Star Fleet Security, the Federation Security Agency, and the Klingon High Council. My client is not legally allowed to discuss it. If the court insists, I must insist that you contact Director Rujat Suwadi of FSA and Rear Admiral Bennett,” who was of course all of their bosses and the head of the Star Fleet Judge Advocate General’s office.

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Hudson nodded and decided to move on. “Lt. do you own a pair of tarq’s?”

Hudson JAG