Posted by Civilian Urg’tohn, Son of the House of Duroc (Klingon Warrior) in House Duroc Embassy- Righting the Wrongs

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in House Duroc Embassy- Righting the Wrongs

Posted by Civilian Urg’tohn, Son of the House of Duroc (Klingon Warrior) in House Duroc Embassy- Righting the Wrongs
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

She gave a subtle nod to Urg and focused her attention back on Luis, moved by his own emotions. “Luis, if you wanted to still be a Starfleet officer, we would be honoured to have you. I would be honoured to have you. And I know Captain McBride can use more people here on Oed that actually understand the colony. We can make however you want to move forward work, whether it’s here or not.”

Luis looked at her and his eyes rimmed with tears that he quickly stifled with a look at Lord Duroc. For his part, Urg looked at Luis and nodded in understanding.

Dasca drew in a breath. “Which leads me to the rest of my news, which I’m sure you’re both curious about,” she said as she handed Lord Duroc the second padd which contained the whole official report of her investigation for the embassy to keep on file as proof that the affront presented by Ans’lik was taken very seriously. But she focused her attention on Vargas.

Urg snatched the PaDD and began reading. Anyone who was careful to note such things would see that he read incredibly quickly.

“After our discussions here, I returned to my office and began an investigation.” She blew out a breath. “By the end I had to resist the temptation to come back here and borrow a bat’leth,” she said, entirely seriously. “Long story short, I uncovered a long history of nepotism, negligence and cover-ups. I have given a sworn statement to the Judge Advocate General’s office and we have a key witness that can verify the large chunk of evidence I’ve turned over as they were the ones who gave me somewhere to start. And I just heard back from the JAG office that they are proceeding with arrest warrants for the following individuals with the following charges: Lt. Commander Ans’lik for Conspiracy, Conduct Unbecoming, Noncompliance with Procedural Rules and Misallocation of Resources. Lt. Commander Balindre Hdla-C’thol for Conspiracy, Cruelty and Maltreatment, Falsifying records, Conduct Unbecoming, Noncompliance with Procedural Rules, Communicating Threats and Misallocation of Resources. Commander Gren C’thol for Conspiracy, Cruelty and maltreatment, Falsifying records, Conduct Unbecoming, Noncompliance with Procedural Rules and Misallocation of Resources. Lt. Commander Jackson Hyde for Conspiracy, Falsifying records, Conduct Unbecoming and Misallocation of Resources. Those are the principal parties but this did not end with them. Everything that happened was facilitated by Admiral Durellian Q’inn who is being charged as an Accessory to Conspiracy along with Conduct Unbecoming and Misallocation of Resources.”

Luis stared wide-eyes at Eela and then cast a look at Urg. The massive Klingon grinned and said “Star Fleet may not care about deciding a criminals fate with a blade; but I can assure you that their bureaucracy can cut just as deep.” and he chuckled.

Eela barely paused before she continued. “You should also know that Commander C’thol and Lieutenant Commander Hdla-C’thol were due to go on a deep space mission lasting at least two years with the USS DeepBlue and that mission has been delayed until proceedings begin and they can find a new First Officer and Chief Engineer. As for Counsellor Papadimitiou, he actually got into notable trouble and already was given a Dishonorable Discharge and lost his license. There was a question about Captain Bertrand, and though he probably should be struck with negligence, he has since retired, and I think the public knowledge that so many of the senior staff under his command turned out to be criminally terrible officers might just be enough and it follow him. But in any case, the JAG office feels they are better to stick with the larger cases they can effectively prosecute.”

Luis nodded and said “At least they will pay and it will be known what they did.”

She blew out a breath. “It’s not over, Luis. I did what I could but it’s out of my hands now. I have no powers of precognition and we have no idea how these court martials will go. I cannot guarantee justice beyond the fact that their crimes are about to be aired very, very publicly and there will be few in Starfleet that don’t know about their actions.” Dasca offered him a smile. “But for you? It’s done. The JAG office may ask you to testify, or at least give a sworn statement to be read in court, and I hope you’ll do so, but know that this will not happen to anyone else. They will not bully or terrorize anyone again. That I can guarantee. And Admiral Q’inn might have some very powerful friends in Starfleet who I’ve probably now made enemies of, but”-she leaned in towards him-“but I’m notoriously hard to kill,” she said, her eyes alight with amusement. She said all this knowing all too well the very big and bright target she had painted on her back. But in Eela’s mind it was worth the risk a thousand times over.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Urg grinned a very malicious grin. “You have aided one of my house, Captain. Returned their public honor. If anyone tries to harm you, they have to go through House Duroc first.” Vargas looked at Eela and said “I have lived in this House, and I have learned what honor and family is. You have helped me, so I am honor-bound to help you. I will testify. I will look them in the eye and tell the galaxy the kind of people they are. And I will spit in their faces should the opportunity arise.” He looked at Urg. “My Lord, I would like to leave House Duroc and return to Star Fleet. It has always been my dream.”

Dasca’s own eyes glistened as he heart swelled. That day she looked into his eyes and tried to tell him that it wasn’t Starfleet that was the problem, she wasn’t sure he’d ever believe her, believe in what it stood for. But perhaps everyone just needed a reminder now and again, across the board, at all levels. Sometimes it took disaster and chaos to remind you what you stood for. So Eela was glad for him, glad he as keeping true to his heart and not just let anger dictate his path.

Urg looked at Luis and shook his head. “No. No one ever leaves House Duroc.” Luis looked momentarily confused, but Urg said “You will always be a Son of House Duroc. No matter where you go or who you work for. Bring honor to you and our House, Luis Vargas. Show the Federation what a Son of Duroc really is.” He stood up and went to a large stone and wood cabinet on the side of the room. He opened it and pulled out a red and black metal baldric with a large gold seal of House Duroc on it. “Stand up, Vargas.” Luis stood and Urg set the baldric over his right shoulder. He looked at Eela and said “This will be worn by him while in uniform. I trust you can make that happen.” Luis seemed to grow several inches taller and he looked Urg in the eyes. “Thank you, my Lord. I will never bring harm to your- … our… House.” Urg set a hand on his shoulder and said “Of course you won’t.” Urg then looked at Dasca and said “He needs to pack. Do you need him for anything else?”

Urg, Lord Duroc

“There are exceptions that can be made for the uniform code and this will go on his record,” she said to Urg’ton before standing to face Luis, her hazel eyes filled with pride. “I’m just a retired captain, but I know how to make people listen when I need them to. Tell me what sort of assignment you want to serve at, where your heart is being called Lieutenant Vargas and I promise you I will do my best to make it happen,” she said, offering him her hand. It was more than just solidifying a deal between them because Eela was Haliian and a touch-telepath. This was an invitation for connection, her way of showing him she meant all her words. this was how she had always operated, and for this brief moment she felt once again as she had standing on the bridge of her ship, larger than herself, larger than them all.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Vargas took her hand and the first feeling to come off of him was an almost avalanche of determination and pride. “I want to go onto the Deep Blue, the ship you said those maggots were going to. And I want them to know that I am going to it, Captain. I am a damn good engineer, Lord Duroc can attest to that. I know that I can contribute… and that ship deserves better than the likes of them.” Urg smiled and then laughed loudly. “Yes! Spoken like a true Son of the Builder!” and he looked at Dasca. “A finer engineer you would be hard pressed to find.”

Lord Duroc

She beamed at both of them before setting her gaze on Vargas again and clasping her other hand on his. “Consider it done. And with a couple more glowing recommendations you may be surprised at the position you find yourself in.” She inhaled deeply. “Go live your best life, Luis, and I know it might take weeks for them to get here, but I damn well get letters from you. I want hear what you’re up to. Understood?” She framed it like and order but the glint in her eyes said it was entirely a warm request.

Letting his hands go, she considered the young man. “If I may offer a bit of advice? Take it from someone who’s known her share of bitterness… they’re not worth it. You don’t owe them your forgiveness, but don’t let them rob you of a second more of energy or thoughts. it’ll be the greatest gift you give yourself.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.