Captain Addison MacKenzie - High Crimes
Addison MacKenzie
((Open-Air Courtyard, Betazed Prison Colony World, Present Day))
Savel’s attempt to get information had resulted in a Betazoid woman scared out of her wits, and a Starfleet team with no more information now than when they started. As they worked to piece together the puzzle based on tiny bits they could glean from their surroundings, a set of jailors made their way into the compound. Unfortunately, they also weren’t in the business of providing answers.
MacKenzie: Where are we? How did we get here?
The lead jailer pulled back his fist and quickly landed a punch to her jaw that sent her to her knees. Her hand cradled her jaw and she spit out blood from where her teeth bit part of her cheek. She looked up to the others.
MacKenzie: Getting information will likely be more difficult than we think…
Gnai: Cap-! ::it stopped itself, recalling Ensign
Savel's words earlier, suit speakers cutting out mid-word::
Savel: They certainly do not
seem willing to share what they know.
Salkath: If we comply, we may avoid further unnecessary violence.
Addison stood slowly, her gaze shifting between
the thugs that now surrounded the officers.
Lead Betazoid Jailer: ::raising his fist and voice, a threat of
further violence:: Speak to me, or don't speak at all!
She rolled her eyes at the lame assertion of
authority. Fortunately, Savel spoke up sharing the tone and intention she had
been thinking.
Savel: I believe she was intending
to speak with you, yet you offered punishment for doing so. If your goal is to
maintain control over us and the rest of the population, clear orders would go
a long way in accomplishing that. If we are confused in what behavior you
desire from us, we will continue to act contrary to your wishes.
Salkath: ::still employing an
undertone:: Caution, Ensign. Logic will have little sway with this
ilk.
MacKenzie: ::flatly:: That much is certain.
Lead Betazoid Jailer: It's your lucky day, Starfleet. You're up for further processing.
Further processing?
What did that mean? Had they just gotten here? Was the reason for their imprisonment
still up for adjudication? The inflection behind the voice clearly communicated
that whatever it was, it brought pleasure to the jailors and should make the
Starfleet officers quite concerned.
Savel: I would further advise you to complete all processing prior to
exposing incoming detainees to the rest occupants to your facility. Your
current system appears inefficient.
Addison closed her eyes, lowered her head and shook it slightly from side to
side, hoping they wouldn’t strike Savel or any of the others in response to the
unintentionally back-handed comment.
Salkath: ::with a questioning glance towards MacKenzie, requesting
affirmation:: There is no further need for violence. We will comply.
MacKenzie: Please, lead the way.
A few silent nods were exchanged between the guards before they all stepped
forward, each restraining and escorting a member of the Starfleet team.
Savel: ::in a low tone:: Perhaps they are taking us somewhere that will
provide answers.
MacKenzie: I would be very surprised if that were the case, Mr. Savel…
Salkath: We should keep alert, any opportunity afforded by a slip of
tongue from our captors or errant view of privileged information may aid
us.
The Artemis crew members were escorted from the courtyard toward the metal portal from which the jailors entered. As they were led through the yard, the rest of the inmates had scattered, leaving an unobstructed path. Addison looked up toward the sky, wondering if it would be the last time she would see a sun, uncertain of what “further processing” might mean for them.
((Inmate Transfer Corridor, Betazed Prison, Present Day))
The portal closed behind them in the same manner with which it opened – noisily, as though its intent was to be imposing through sound. The facility's interior was as plain and unremarkable - the walls painted a drab color, the floors no better, the only differentiating marks were arrows meant to serve as guides for the inmates.
As soon as they were brought inside, they were lined up at the direction of the lead jailer.
Lead Betazoid Jailer: I will remind you all that you are expected to walk single file. Should you be given an order to stop, you will immediately comply and face the wall. Failure to do so will result in harsh repercussions. ::to MacKenzie:: Since you seemed so eager to lead your little group outside, you can be up front.
MacKenzie: Lucky me.
Savel: Are we still to direct all questions and statements to only you?
Addison wondered if Savel was able to pick up on her telepathically telling him to knock it off.
Gnai: Response
Lead Betazoid Jailer: ::to Savel:: Your kind doesn't tend to last long in here. Do the logical thing and keep quiet. Maybe you'll last longer. ::to the rest of the group:: We're going to Processing. Let's get a move on.
MacKenzie: Then let’s go already…
She intended for the tone to cut… maybe Savel had the right idea after all.
Gnai: response
The crew lined up as they indicated with MacKenzie in the front, followed by Savel, then Gnai, with Salkath in the rear. As they walked the nondescript halls, Addison kept her eyes peeled for anything that might offer clues as to their whereabouts or their captors.
Salkath: I've never seen architecture like this on Rodul before. Is this place newly constructed?
The guard spit at the ground in disgust.
Fourth Guard: Silence. Would you like it if I called you a Romulan?
Salkath: I would be ambivalent. Though I would likely correct your mistake out of courtesy to alleviate your ignorance. Romulans and Vulcans have a shared ancestry -
The guard interrupted Salkath by giving him a rough shake. The Vulcan persisted.
Salkath: I have known a few Rodulans. They can be tempestuous. Perhaps in your own ancestry...?
Another violent shake. Salkath’s persistence led her to believe that he was more annoyed than physically injured by what was meant to be an act of intimidation.
Salkath: No? If you insist. But if you are not Rodulans, then who are you? Your insignias are foreign to us.
Fourth Guard: Don't play ignorant, Starfleet. It's not becoming of you. And you talk too much.
Salkath: ::raised eyebrow:: You have the ability to determine if I'm being duplicitous in my assertion, do you not?
Fourth Guard: We're nearly at Processing. Keep quiet or else.
The guard forced Addison to stand against the wall. Presumably, the others would be made to follow suit, but for what purpose, they didn’t yet know.
MacKenzie: I will ask again, since I now know to whom I should direct my questions: why are we here?
Lead Betazoid Jailer: You are charged with High Crimes against the Dominion.
Salkath/Gnai/Savel: response
Well, at the very least, they were starting to get somewhere. It didn’t seem like they were going anywhere fast as one-by-one the other members of the Starfleet team were lined up facing the wall next to her.
MacKenzie: And what high crimes might those be?
Lead Betazoid Jailer: Terrorism and conspiracy. You are to be put to death via hard labor.
Addison turned slightly to look at the others down the line.
Salkath/Gnai/Savel: response
Tag, and TBC!
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Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Captains Council Member at Large
V239601AM0