Posted by Lieutenant River Styxx (OIC Marine) in Court Martial of River Styxx

Posted by Lieutenant River Styxx (OIC Marine) in Court Martial of River Styxx

Posted by Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Court Martial of River Styxx
Posted by… suppressed (6) 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 and Ty’lin 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.

River sat in the dock her cold eyes scanning the room and noting each person in it. She was clearly unaffected by the situation, she seemed relaxed and showed no signs of stress. She wore her dress uniform her chest adorned with all her medals, two full rows of them. River hated medals she hated formality and above all she hated the medals star fleet gave her to appease her after the first cluster truck of a trial she went through. None the less Ty’lin had told her i was regulation and it was also a visual statement. Here is what any would call a war hero being put on trial for the second time, for almost the exact same thing, doing her duty.

The four medals Ty’lin had told River to emphasize on were her Acheron medal, it consisted of a federation standard A in front of a crossed bath’let and a Romulan rifle. It was awarded to all who served at Acheron, the only deference being that River’s was gold, because she as the commander of the Acheron forces. The next was her Pike medal of Valour a medal that as the stuff of legend , this was followed by her order of Khaless from the Klingon empire and finally her Sontaric citation form the Romulan star empire. These medals served two purposes one to highlight Rivers achievements and second to show that the Klingon Empire and the Romulan star empire supported River the whole way.

Again River’s trial could mean another political nightmare, if things where seen as unfair or mishandled. Just like the last time. This was certainly not lost on some of the admiralty present. After all they would be aware that despite their best efforts they had been contacted by the Klingons and Romulans to express their anger and annoyance that a hero of both their empire was once again on trial for what looked like nothing charges. With requests for political asylum already being submitted for River.

It was part of Ty’lin’s non legal plan. Not only had her recent victories effected star fleet reputation and image, but now the same officer was being put on trial by the same organisation not two years later. And with River connection to the other lead factions in the area, it put star fleet more and more on edge and in the corner. Public perception was shifting and not for the better. After all Ty’lin was A Romulan and Political subterfuge was in her DNA.

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

JAG lawyers

“Marine Lieutenant. I’m not Star fleet” River corrected, normally she didn’t care about the official title and she had been going by Lieutenant the whole time on the Atlantis. However in times like this River liked to be technical. It often embarrassed her opponent and River meant it when she said she would destroy her opponent. “six hundred and three days, eight hours, twenty one minutes and thirty six seconds” she added flatly.

“I stand corrected,” Hudson stated in a formal tone. “Marine Lieutenant Styxx can you tell me,” he started before Ty’lin interrupted his course of questioning.

Just as River finished talking Ty’lin stood up “Consular Hudson. I’m afraid I cannot allow this trial to continue” she said tapping her padd as she did a highlighted text appeared on a nearby screen in full view of everyone =^= Computer please read the highlighted text=^= she said

=^= Star fleet Marine corps regulation 3.816. Any trail or court marshal of a star feet marine corps officer or servicemen must, where possible be conducted by a star fleet marine corps jury. If not possible then at least one marine officer of equal or greater rank must be on the jury. Failure to follow this protocol will result in a mistrial. =^= The computer’s monotone voice said .

“As a result of the breach of this protocol and the well known fact that the Star fleet Marine corps is a separate entity to Star fleet. This trial is illegal” Ty’lin said as she looked at Hudson and then the assembled admirals “I see five Star fleet Admirals but no Marine officer aside from my client. This means that all five venerable admirals and consular Hudson are in breach of regulation. A marine officer must be assigned as soon as possible or this trial will be dismissed and classed as a mistrial.” she said coldly but with a well rehearsed undertone of fake respect.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC) and Ty’lin (Lawyer)

Hudson might be a lawyer for the prosecution but he was a lawyer. He had no issues trying anyone who had presumably broken the law. He had an issue when laws were twisted to make that case in such a blatant fashion as it was here.

“Early in my career, I pursued a commission in the Marines. After my victory at Tualant V, Starfleet they felt my expertise would be of more use in the general ranks.” Longfellow sent a side glance at Perkins with a sly smile. “I am your Marine representative. My Marine rank ended equal to yours so I am your representative.” Longfellow straightened some in his seat with an arrogant smile.

Judge Marshall internally grimaced. He knew this request would be coming from Ty’lin. The lawyer was brilliant and efficient. He had half expected to receive the request before proceedings started. Either way, the determination had been deliberated at length on the trip over here. Ty’lin’s request was logical. That did not mean the law was always logical. He had been chosen as the head Judge because he had no affiliation with the McLaren side or the Perkins side which made him the only unbiased one on the jury. McLaren had furiously argued that River’s case be thrown out due to Ty’lin’s claim which was fact based. Perkin’s demanded the charges hold and found the one court case that allowed the trial to proceed on a technicality of the law.

“Due to the high profile nature of the case, it was determined that Admiral Longfellow’s previous duty as a Marine Lieutenant in the Starfleet Marines would be ample representation,” Marshall stated. The words felt like metal in his mouth but there had been a lot of cases and rulings he did not enjoy over the years. His fairness was what most people respected in the trials. Ty’lin was more than a capable attorney. If this Marine was innocent, Marshall had no doubt the Romulan lawyer would prove River’s innocence.

With the judges ruling, Hudson proceeded. “So in this time of six hundred or so hours under the command of Captain Kelly Bordeaux, have you ever had a time that you disagreed with her commands or orders such as the order to board the alien vessel the Beacon of Hope?”

Hudson JAG

Ty’lin’s mouth twisted for a second into what could only be described as a smile, but a smile on a Romulan weas never a good thing. “Before my client speaks I must state that this trial is still illegal” She said pulling up another file onto the Screen. This time it was Longfellow’s service record. How Ty’lin manged to get such an officers file was unknowable but it was of no consequence, what was of consequent was the part of his file that was highlighted.

“Your file states that you where awarded the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines. This rank is still too low as you can see by the rank structure of the Marine corps” Ty’lin said splitting the screen and showing the rank structure of the marine corps “A second Lieutenant is one rank below my client. Thus it is not sufficient for the purposes. I can understand the confusion the marine corps structure is a lot different to that of Star fleet or many other organisations. However the issue is still undeniable” she said as she used the images to highlight her point to a level that even a child could understand it and leave no room for doubt.

“Luckily my client and I. Being firm believers in justice and a fair trial. Have come up with a solution. If the Admirals would like to hear it” Ty’lin said after a long enough pause for the information to sink in. River was barely managing to hide her amusement at how incompetent the Admiral looked so far and they had only been in session for a few minutes.

Ty’lin (Lawyer)

“I will allow it but tread carefully,” Marshall leveled a finger at Ty’lin, “your job is to defend your client who is a Starfleet officer regardless of whether or not they are a Marine or not. Our job is to determine the guilt or innocence of the officer standing accused regardless of whether they are a Marine, a scientist, or security officer. Starfleet has determined this is a fair and appropriate jury. I am granting you this moment out of respect for you as a lawyer. Please do not disrepect me and all my years as a judge to think I am biased because I did not spend my time in the Marines.” Marshall would allow Ty’lin to speak but it would take something extraordinary to alter his mind as to the composition of the current jury.

Marshal (head Judge)

Ty’lin nodded “I am not questioning your fairness Admiral. I know you to be a fair and honest man. The public does not. If we do not follow protocol in this situation, then whatever conclusion you draw from these proceedings will be questioned. If you rule in favour then people will say that you didn’t follow all the rules so you could let one of your own off. If the conclusion is against my client hen people will say that, this trial was a farce and you failed to follow the proper protocol.” she said pausing for a moment “We all know that despite your best efforts their are many eyes on this trial, from within and outside of the federation.” She said looking at marshal she wasn’t calling Marshal out but she was calling Perkins and his goons out. The fact that Perkins was even here and the stupidity of the charges, showed how truly unfair the trail actually was.

“You have already stated that this case is high profile ands as a result we must follow protocol to the letter. Because the last time it was not followed the trail was thrown out and had to be rescheduled and reverified. none of us want to have to come back in a few weeks and do ths all over again.” she said her tone professional and respectful.

The admiralty would know Ty’lin was right. After Acheron River’s first trial was thrown out because star fleet failed to follow the exact same protocol Ty’lin was quoting now, they had also failed to provide a truly unbiased jury and witnesses form other faction in favour of their own yes men. It resulted in the diplomatic incident Ty’lin had hinted at, where by the Klingons, Romulans and the marine corps where furious that they had been cut out of a trial of one of their own. It had cost the career of at least one admiral and put so much pressure on the federation council that they had no choice but to step in and reorganise and rearrange the entire trial.

“In addition. I am not trying to recognise the jury. That is not the capacity in which the marine officer is to serve. They are there to make sure that where a cross over of marine and star fleet regulations takes place, they can provide the relevant perspective. They are also there to answer any questions that the Admiralty might have as well as make sure that any punishment is followed by the marine corps. I do not seek to change anything or effect your decision, i am merely trying to make sure my client has what she is entitled to by her rights as a citizen of the federation. Because not matter how we spin it, and i will reiterate this. The star fleet marine corps is an entirely separate organisation from star fleet. They have generals not Admirals, they have their own HQ and Commanding officer. They have their own facilities, weapons and gear. completely different and separate from Sar fleet.” Ty’lin said as she took a sip of water.

“That is why I reached out the General Ramsey officer commanding of the Star fleet marine corps. He was gracious enough to allow me to ask for any officer willing to observe this trail. There was surprising number of offers. including a Major Mina Tepes. However in the end i settled on General Black. if you allow him he can join the trail and the protocol will be achieved.” she said surveying the Admirals then settling her gaze onto Marshal making eye contact with him.

Ty’lin (Lawyer)

Marshall’s face remained stoney. Nothing Ty’lin said seemed to influence the man one way or another. He maintained his neutral expression throughout her objection and for several long seconds after. It was anyone’s guess at to whether he would grant the Romulan lawyer’s request or not. “Sustained and motion granted,” he finally granted before holding up a hand. Pointing a finger at Ty’lin he spoke in a stern tone.

“Do not take this action as any indication of sympathy or leniency towards your client. I have read the transcripts of Styxx’s prior case. The evidence set your client free. That is your job in this trial. To avoid any more theatrics I will poll the appellate judges and they will remove one member of this jury. I hope you know what you are doing.”

Marshall’s words were more of a warning than a threat. Before this the jury was perfectly balanced with two for one side and two for the other. General Black had a reputation as fair and open-minded however if they removed Perkins or Longfellow, there would be a cause for mistrial. Perkins and his cronies would see to that. This meant either McLaren or Ginsberg would be gone. “We reconvene at 0800 hours tomorrow. If Black is not here by then the justice that he is replacing will keep his seat until he does arrive. Session closed,” he banged the gavel and stood up.

Judges

OOC: I will let you start the next “day” since you can introduce Black and we get rid of Ginsberg? ~ Kate

Ty’lin nodded “Thank you. General Back is already on his way and will be here in more then enough time.” she said respectfully but inside she was smiling happy with her victory for now. She eyed Perkins form across the room, a silent challenge in her eyes. River in the dock mirrored the look but her eyes were far colder and burrowed far deeper into ones soul.

True to Ty’lins word two hours later the Atlantis’s sensors would pick up another ship entering her quadrant. This was the USM Valour. one of only five marine ships in the federation. The Valour was the flag ship of the 1st Marine fleet and the flag ship of General Black. It was the same size as the Atlantis but its offence and defensive systems where equivalent to a ship two steps up the size chart.

General Black had spent the journey going over River’s case and the role he was to play in it. He had received the document before he had been involved directly, after all a marine was being put on by star fleet, so he was entitled to them. He like many others had seen them for what exactly they were BS. He couldn’t believe the charges but then he saw the name attached to the case and it became clear as to why they had been put forward.

As he finished up his preparations for the trail the door to his office chimed “Come” he called as she double checked everything. The door opened and a young major walked in snaping to attention she saluted as Black turned to face her.

“Already Sir” she asked her tone respectful.

“Already Mina” he replied retuning the salute an then smiling. Mina Tepes had served under Black for many years now. She was as close a friend as he had and they had a mutual respect for each other. He walked out of his office with Mina falling into step.

“What do you make of it all Sir?” Mina asked as they reached the turbo lift.

“It’s a circus. The only thing is I can’t tell who are the clowns and who is the ring master.” Black said sighing as the lift doors opened and they walked to the transporter.

“Do you think River can win?” Mina asked s she took her spot on the transporter.

“Well Ty’lin has played it well so far. She used Marshal’s love of regulations and being by the book to charge one ember of the jury. Now River has two for her and two against. Which means their is only one person left to convince, Marshal. Ty’lin has managed to take out four fifths of her targets.” Black continued as he and Mina materialised on the Atlantis. They followed their guide to the jury room and once inside Black took his seat while Mina left and set about her task of getting the crew’s overall feelings on the many Trails going on.

“Admirals” he said nodding to all but Perkins “Perkins” he added coldly. Black made no attempt to hide his hatred for Perkins.

“Now that I am here all protocols have been observed, and I hope no more lapses will occur so we can continue this Circ..... I mean Trail” he said his tone professional and stern. Black looked to Marshal and to the opposing council waiting for the trail to start.

General Black and Major Mina Tepes

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