Exposing A Jubb (part 1)

Posted on Mon Apr 28th, 2014 @ 12:23pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Commander Rylie Cattmor & Lieutenant Commander Dylan Blake & Lieutenant Commander T'kaarch

1,056 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Landreah

ON

It had been two hours since the two away teams left, and an hour since any word had come from either group. T'mpest was beginning to grow concerned. "Mr. Blake, any word from either of the away teams?"

If T'mpest was worried she wasn't showing, meanwhile Lieutenant Blake was on edge over Sehra's wellbeing. "No, nothing yet Commander."

T'mpest didn't like the news. The pieces she had didn't make sense, but she had a strong feeling something was amiss. "Open a channel to Governor Jaenero."

"Yes, connecting you now." Lieutenant Blake keyed his console bringing up the details for Jaenero before establishing contact.

"Mr. Rodney, scan the surface again for sign of our people."

"I'm scanning, Commander," Rodney answered, "But I cannot pickup their comm-badge signals, which may signify a dampening field... I'll look for any anomaly."

T'mpest nodded. "Keep an eye on those other ships as well."

"Commander," Blake called to the centre of the bridge as his panel lit up, "we have overlapping signals coming in from the surface; Governor Jaenero, and someone called Varik Maas."

"On screen, Mister Blake." T'mpest replied calmly. At least on the outside. She knew something was wrong and hoped that at last she would find out what it was. At the same time, she had a sinking feeling she wouldn't like what she learned. "Gentlemen, what can I do for you?" she asked as the images of the two men came on the main viewer.

"Varik," the Governor spat with contempt, "I might have known that you..."

"Save the speeches, Jaenero." Varik interrupted. "We are not behind this one, at least not all of it. We know you have hostages of your own, so do we. The Federation has no right to be here, and the damage they have caused, either directly or indirectly is of no consequence at this moment." Turning to T'mpest, Varik went on, "Commander, I have several of your crew including your Executive Officer, your Intelligence Chief, two security officer's, a counsellor trainee in my custody, and your Federation Ambassador. Unless you agree to make a complete Federation withdrawal from the system and head back home never to return, you will leave me no choice but to start executing these prisoners, starting with Captain Halliwell."

At those words, Halliwell appeared at gun point on the screen. "And don't think for a moment that I won't keep my word. If per chance you do think I'm bluffing, I should warn you that we have also acquired access to two defense batteries on the surface, and I won't hesitate to use those on your ship either. Just to prove I'm serious..."

There was a poignant pause as T'mpest waited for Maas to finish his sentence before the alarm dawned on the bridge, "Sir, incoming energy pulse from the..." Decker called with alarm from tactical, however he never got to finish his sentence as the shot barely grazed the shields.

The news of Sehra's capture and the reappearance of Captain Halliwell shook Lt. Blake so much he flinched at the passing danger as it streaked past them.

"Starfleet does not take threats lightly," T'mpest warned him. "If any of my crew are harmed, not only will we not leave, you will have a dozen more starships at your door demanding answers. If you have a legitimate complaint, we are more than happy to talk it over, as long as you free your prisoners."

"Talk is cheap, commander. Halliwell's first, then your Ambassador. You have one hour." Varik ends just as the channel signal is cut off and the view of Jaenero's stunned face fills the screen.

"Varik is a criminal, commander, and the leader of the..." Jaenero started to say before --

"I will deal with Mister Maas later," T'mpest said, cutting him off. "I want to know why you are holding more of my crew captive, including a Starfleet Admiral."

The governor's face hardened more so than it was already. "If you only knew, commander. Varik is not the only criminal in our midst. Your so-called Admiral, has been detained on charges pertaining to war crimes dating back to our, and your conflict with the Dominion. The rest of his staff are being held as conspirators. We will not let this happen again, and he will answer for what happened."

T'mpest's face grew cold. "Then tell me. If you had a complaint against Admiral Jubb, you should have gone through the proper channels and had him tried as a war criminal. The Federation takes a dim view of Starfleet officers who misuse their authority. He will be tried for his crimes, providing you have evidence he committed any. As for his staff, those are members of my crew. They were not here during the Dominion War, they have nothing to do with Admiral Jubb and if you don't release them immediately and help me free the rest of my crew, you, too, will be tried for your crimes. Right now you are no better than what you claim Jubb to be, Governor. Is that the type of justice your planet offers?"

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."

(To be decided...)

Commander T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Dylan Blake
Chief Operations Officer

Ensign Rodney
Science

Governor Jaenero
Landreah Governor

Varik Maas
Rebel Leader

 

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