Exposing A Jubb (part 2)

Posted on Wed Apr 30th, 2014 @ 1:05pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Commander Rylie Cattmor & Lieutenant Commander Dylan Blake & Lieutenant Commander T'kaarch & Chief Petty Officer Adriana Keen

980 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Landreah
Location: USS Ranger
Timeline: After the teams capture

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

Jaenero's jaw clenched as T'mpest accused him of being no better than Jubb, that mass murdering, homicidal maniac who proposed to hold peace and non-interference in the highest order. "You only have to look at my world to see the handiwork of that butcher!" he spat before calming slightly and continuing, "Jubb released bio-toxins from orbit before he escaped almost ten years ago, leaving my people sick, or dying, dropping to the ground for no apparent reason. Water and soil contaminated across half the planet's surface. We had no idea he'd be a part of this seemingly innocent peace delegation. Varik may be a despicable criminal, commander, but even I can admit that he and his band of followers have reason to be upset, and causing instability to this region. And at this moment, the process of our judicial system should not be of much concern to you. I will release no-one. Perhaps the others are members of your crew, perhaps not; the extent of their guilt will have to be determined by the war crimes tribunal."

[NEW]

He paused momentarily before deciding to be at least a little magnanimous. "But... in the interests of talks proceeding to bring that much needed stability, even after this sorry affair, although I cannot grant permission to interact with it, I will allow you to visually monitor the trial to ensure that it complies with your humanitarian values."

"I insist that I be given the evidence you have against Jubb. If what you say is true, then he will spend the rest of his life in prison. I also insist you give me the opportunity to prove my crew's innocence. I mean no disrespect, but I know nothing of your culture or your laws. I will not simply turn my people over to you and hope for the best. I'm sure you would feel the same way if the situation were reversed."

"Perhaps, but you are talking a Federation prison, commander. You are not exactly in a position to insist or demand anything either; Varik has proven he controls a couple which I would not be able to rectify within his deadline to you, but I hold the rest of our planetary defenses, and even a ship as advanced as yours would not be able to withstand that amount of fire." Jaenero shifted his stance a little, "While you may not know us, commander, I have done considerable research on your Federation culture and its history. Do you know of the old saying 'an eye for an eye'? Jubb's crimes were committed here, against my people. He must stand trial here, by my people, and if their ruling is a guilty verdict, he will be executed."

Jaenero paused momentarily but went on before anyone else could, "If you absolutely insist on attending the trial, commander, given Varik's threat and the fact of him holding other members of your crew, I cannot guarantee your safety. But you should be quick, the trial begins in one hour." And at that the channel was shut off, leaving just a view of the planet as the Ranger orbited it.

T'mpest turned to Blake. "Notify Petty Officer Keen. She has a right to know what happened to her husband. Then get me all the information you can on those ships we encountered." She then turned to Rodney, "Mr. Rodney, do a full sensor sweep of the planet. Verify what Mr. Jaenero said, compare it to Starfleet technology, and work with Commander Wells. I want everything you can find to either confirm or deny the charges against Jubb. Mr. Decker, get the records of the prisoners to prove that they weren't responsible for what Jubb did. I'll be in Intel. We have one hour. Do your best."

Blake nodded mutely feeling weak at the knees after the newest admission and summoned his colleague. Then began to pull together the limited information they had recorded for the unknown ships that captured Captain Halliwell and had plagued them.

It only took a few minutes for Adriana to pop onto the bridge. Well, maybe not 'pop,' she was slowing down a little bit as she started to grow a little rounder around the stomach. She wasn't quite in maternity uniforms yet, but you could tell at a glance she was pregnant. "You wanted to see me, Lieutenant Blake?" she asked brightly, tucking her handkerchief back into her pocket after having another sneezing fit in the turbolift.

Blake looked up at his name being called and instantly swallowed heavily at Adriana's presence. Did Michaels want him to tell her? Having already been burdened with the painful task of submitting Halliwell's disappearance Dylan wondered if the Commander holding a grudge against him. "Yes, Adriana," he hesitated his gaze lingering on her baby bump recalling with a sense of chilling horror the heated argument he had with Sehra on that topic. He tried not to consider those sharp words could have been the last they shared. "Come, take a seat," he extended the retractable bench beside his station.

Adriana almost drew back at the serious and somber look on her Department Head's face. She bit her lower lip nervously though and moved to the seat. "Is- Did I do something wrong?" she asked, confusion and apprehension clear in her voice and body language. If she was being disciplined for something, he would have called her into his office, not the bridge. But if she was being complimented in public, not an unusual occurrence and a practice the built morale and respect for leadership, he wouldn't have looked so shell-shocked and serious.

(To be continued...)

Governor Jaenero (NPCd by Rylie)
Governor of Landreah

Commander T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer

Ensign Rodney (NPCd by T'kaarch)
Science Officer

Lieutenant Dylan Blake
Chief Operations Officer

Petty Officer First Class Adrianna Keen
Operations Officer

 

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