JP: Nilsen, Lahl, Dieter, T'Reth, Caras, Astrolabe: Star Trek: SCI (5 of 5)
Avander Promontory
[[OOC: and now, the stunning conclusion...]]
Part V
(( Conference Room, Deck 1, USS Themis ))
T’Reth: So if it wasn’t Mr. Nilsen, and it wasn’t Ng Go’rin, who do we have left as plausible suspects?
Ordana: If you take all of them at face value, and assume all are telling the truth, then Mr Nilsen is innocent, and our ‘friendly’ suspects Ng Go’rin and Gigranel are also innocent. Which technically make our list have a grand total of zero names.
T’Reth: (icly) Is that your medical opinion?
Dieter: Opinions or facts aside, if we don’t find something soon, Lieutenant Nilsen isn’t going to need our assistance much longer.
T’Reth looked at the human forensics specialist, Astrolabe, who seemed to be having a conversation with an entirely different set of beings, invisible to the rest of them.
Ordana: Exactly my point, we can’t trust any of them at face value.
Dieter: Here? Of course not. I trust them as much as I would signing a contract with a Dosi or a Ferengi. Someone has to know something… we’re just missing… something.
T’Reth: There are two witnesses whose stories were suspect.
There were actually more than two witnesses whose stories were suspect but T’Reth had a reason for singling out these two in particular.
T’Reth: Cambrimi 45, from a race of clones and Sa phto, of unidentified species. In addition to conflicting accounts, they both also are large enough to be plausibly mistaken for the accused.
Ordana: I wonder :beat: Agent :To T’Reth:: are you planning on speaking to them again?
T’Reth: They are currently being held by Port Coray authorities, being prepped for integration.
Ordana: Perhaps bring me with you, let’s play in the mud with them, I’ll be bad cop, I’m sure few of them out here have never seen a Dachlyd as pretty as myself out here. Perhaps let me stand in the corner, looking menacingly at them. I’m sure that meer suggestion of what someone who looks like me can do to them will be enough to get them to talk.
T’Reth: I do not see the value in bringing an ME to an interrogation. (beat) Unless the interviewee is dead.
A slight smirk crossed Ty’s face for half a second. At first he hadn’t looked forward to working with the Vulcan, but she was useful and had a humorous streak.
Ordana: What? I’m a large green scaly thing that can growl. I look nothing like anything they’ve seen before. Let’s take advantage of this.
Ty took the opportunity to show off his more seemingly-intimidating physical attributes. He extended the claws from his paws and brandished his fangs.
Dieter: We can be plenty intimidating but ::returning to normal:: I doubt the magistrate will entertain a confession based purely on fear. She may rule her courtroom that way, but she alone will be responsible for the decision. (beat) We need to make it impossible for her to issue a guilty verdict.
They needed irrefutable proof that it wasn’t the flyboy pilot, and soon.
Ordana: Okay, alright.
There was a small part of Ordana that was hoping she could have some fun playing bad cop
T’Reth: (Vulcan equivalent of an eye-roll) We will let you know if we require further services from the medical examiner.
(( Dingy Rooms, Constabulary, Port Coray ))
While the Themis had state-of-the-art integration rooms with built-in biometric analysis, authorities on Port Coray were not willing to give permission for the Federation to take possession of their residents. Instead, they allowed some limited additional questioning to take place in the station's constable’s offices.
The interrogation room provided by the station was archaic in design. The floors had stains of blood from previous suspects, and the chairs on the opposite side of the table had cuff-like devices at ankle and forearm heights. The station security had ‘obtained’ the two suspects at T’Reth’s request, though were not happy when informed that it was not desirable to have them constrained. As Ty and T’Reth took their seats, they were silent a moment as they took the two individuals in.
Towering over the others, even as she sat, Sa phto had a regal and hawkish face with detailed patterns on either side of her head. Hair that looked more like feathers. Her neck was fully extended. She wore a simplistic cloak that made her look a bit larger than she actually was. Possibly as an intimidation tactic.
Cambrimi 45 was almost the exact opposite. He had a complexion of a potato and the shape of one. The investigators learned that looks could be deceiving however. His designation of 45 meant that he was the 45th clone in his line; an amalgamation of rigorous scientific cloning and something called a “genetic tournament” that his own people did on themselves. He might look a bit squat, but the rumor was that he was strong, and possibly had skin that was impenetrable by most weaponry this side of the galaxy.
Finally, the Vulcan interrogator broke the silence.
T’Reth: One of you is holding out on us.
Cambrimi 45: Cambrimi has no idea what you are talking about. I have answered all of your questions truthfully.
To Cambrini, that was the truth. In his eyes, however, they weren’t asking the right questions. He thought they were pretty bad at this investigation game. That and there were no stakes for him, only for them. He saw no fun in that.
Dieter: ::narrowing his eyes slightly:: Have you?
Cambrimi 45: You’re asking the same question just with different words. That might have been fun for Cambrimi 39, maybe even up to 41, but I am the best version.
Ty let out an audible sigh, he’d read about the Oto-omarian–some ancient race that the Dominion had exploited to uplift Vorta-like clones, but didn’t realize how tiring they could be. Then again, being cloned 45 times would likely lead to some drift, and it appeared neurological.
T’Reth: There have been some… inconsistencies between your accounts of recent events.
Sa phto: I don’t care. Are we done here?
T’Reth: We will be done when we have the truth.
Dieter: … And we’re nowhere near that point yet.
Cambrimi 45: Cambrimi sees everyone that goes in and out of the arcade. Those who like to play games are good customers when they become bored with the arcade, Cambrimi knows what they are looking for.
Dieter: So you’re there often? In-person?
Cambrimi 45: As you know, Cambrimi has a recorder outside his establishment, it gets everyone who comes in and out. Cambrimi already handed what he had to your men when you came by the first time. Cambrimi never goes there in person, it’s no fun!
Cambrimi shifted in his seat. He was tired of Starfleet snooping around. Sure they hadn’t got what they wanted from him, and it made him look markedly guilty. He knew from stories from the other Cambrimis, this still was not as bad as the Dominion. The Dominion would already know.
Sa phto: Well then there is your guy. ::ponting at Cambrimi:: he has the holotapes, he covered it up. He knows who went in and out, but conveniently doesn't know who killed your victim. Your guy takes the fall for it, perfect excuse for him.
Cambrimi looked at Sa phto with rage. He balled up his fists a little bit, but said nothing. He knew if he lashed out at her, it would just make him look guilty. He wouldn’t be played like that. Not to her. He knew who she was, or at least more, what she was.
T’Reth:Perhaps it would be best to finish this interview separately.
Dieter: (nodding) Agreed.
T’Reth exchanged a glance with Dieter and led Cambrimi to another, even smaller room.
(( A short time later, Smaller Dingy Rooms, Constabulary, Port Coray ))
T’Reth reviewed the documents the clone shared with her and pulled up the records from Astrolabe.
T’Reth: But that means…
She left the room in a hurry.
(( Magistrate’s Council Chambers, Port Coray ))
The spectators were getting unruly; they’d begun a chant that the UT had approximated as “Kill him.” Lexiudex raised her hand, but the crowd didn’t stop, instead getting louder. She placed a finger behind her ear, and invisible speakers roared her voice.
Lexiudex: SILENCE!
The whole room vibrated from the invisible speakers, and immediately quietened.
Lexiudex: You will compose yourselves, or none of you will see the result of this verdict. ::grinning evilly:: And wouldn’t that be a shame with how things are shaping up. Now, ::checking her chronometer:: I believe we should reach our decision rather expediently, lest we keep the poor man waiting.
She brandished the murder weapon in front of him and then set it down on her side.
Lhandon's hands were shaking, he tried to steady them.
Nilsen: o0 She wouldn't would she 0o
A single tear formed in his eye and his head was shaking ‘no. ‘
Nilsen: ::Quietly, voice shaking:: They wouldn’t really? They wouldn’t kill me right?
Promontory: Lhandon… Whatever happens, it’s a big wide universe out there. Even death is just a transition for our consciousness.
There was not much else that could be said. The officers of the Butler steeled themselves for the end of the trial, but before the magistrate could speak again, the doors in the rear burst open. The special investigators strode through. T’Reth escorted Sa phto into the chambers while Ty Dieter ran past them and handed a PADD to Lahl.
Lahl: Your Honor, if I may, I have one final witness.
An exasperated sigh filled the room.
Luxiudex: If I feel you’re wasting my time, then you’ll share the same fate as the man you defend. If you’re so confident and willing to accept this risk, then proceed.
Lahl: The Defense calls Sa phto to the stand.
Sa phto: I don’t recognize the authority of the Federation.
The magistrate pulled the energy weapon from underneath her seat and pointed it directly at this new individual.
Lexiudex: I assume though that you do recognize my authority here, and the Port’s. If you know what’s good for you…
Sa phto: (begrudgingly) Yes…
Sa phto couldn’t deny this. Port Coray was core to her business. If she suddenly turned tail on them, she’d have the whole port coming for her and her employer. She needed to play this carefully. As the magistrate motioned the weapon from her to the chair, Sa phto took the centre stage seat.
Lexiudex: ::looking at Lahl:: I’m waiting… and this will be the last time I remind you that my patience is not infinite.
Lahl: Understood your honor. Were you ever at the establishment where the murder took place?
Sa phto: Yes, I was a patron, lots of people were.
Lahl: ::The young Trill approached the witness with a PADD:: Could you explain this transaction please?
Sa phto: That was a legitimate business transaction.
Lahl: But that would mean you were at the establishment at the time of the murder, no?
Sa phto: I was never–
Lahl: You were never there? So this transaction isn’t legitimate? This transaction is fraud then? Which is it, is this a legitimate business transaction or is it fraud? And if it’s fraud, how can we believe anything you say?! ::She was getting worked up, but was doing it intentionally for effect.::
Lexiudex leaned forward, this interrogation was more interesting that all of the previous ones combined. She wondered how Lahl was going to muddy this one up.
Sa phto: No. No, I…
Ng: (from the crowd) Ng Go’rin knows you are a liar. Ng SAW you there!
Lahl: We have an eyewitness that saw you at the scene of the crime!
Sa phto: It wasn’t me, it was that Starfleet monster. He sliced that face off with some sort of heavy metal blade…
Lahl: How would you know if you weren’t there?! Is anything you said actually the truth?! Is your name even Sa phto?!
Sa phto: (stammering) Well.. uh, I heard it from… that clone. He has the tapes! He erased them.
She knew that he didn’t have the tapes from that segment. She had sent her drones to interrupt the datastream before she conducted her “business”. Plus she knew it was in Cambrimi’s best interest to cover for her and her employer.
Lahl: Oh, Mr. 45? Funny thing about him. He gave us this. ::casting from her PADD onto a holoemitter the evidence given from Cambrimi 45.:: This appears to be a series of messages to you stating that you took money to frame my client.
Sa phto: They said that was untraceable! That little liar.
Sa phto practically spat venom at the audience who let out a collective gasp. Her eyes dilated, looking for her new prey Cambrimi 45. Her avian features now wild, feathers out, hawkish face pulled back. The face of a true predator.
Lahl: Your honor, if I may address the Court, I believe that means my client is innocent of this heinous crime.
As Lahl looked expectantly at the magistrate, her mouth opening and closing several times to account for this bombshell development. Lexiudex could feel the burning gaze of everyone’s eyes, waiting for her to do something, anything. She firmed up her posture, and then spoke evenly.
Lexiudex: So, you killed the shop owner, Shdarn or whatever the Wadi’s name was, and then set up Starfleet? Your justification for this was?
It wasn’t that the magistrate wanted to kill Nilsen per se, more that she’d already made such a grand show of convicting him that this would be a black mark against her reputation. She prayed there was some excusable reason.
Sa phto: What? No one wants them here. They are an infestation. One of them shows up, then another. You’ve all heard the stories. Everyone here has said it, they don't have real wealth and anything of value they have they won’t trade. None of you ::she looks to the audience:: Want them here ::turning neck 130 degrees:: . (to judge) You weren’t doing anything about them. They needed to be taken care of, otherwise they’ll take over us just like the Dominion did. Offering peace for a pittance.
With Cambrimi 45 nowhere to be found, Sa phto had decided that Lexiudex was her target. How dare she let her suffer this in front of others. How dare she even give Starfleet a chance to have a voice. Lexiudex was going to answer for this.
As Sa phto gripped her chair handles, this was enough of a sign for Lexiudex to know what was coming next. Within her weapon still in hand, she slightly altered the angle and applied pressure to the trigger.
An agonizing scream filled the court from for several seconds as the beam first enveloped the body, and then disintegrated inward. It was not built for efficiency, but for show. What was left were just the skeletal remains.
Lexiudex: (addressing the pile of bones) What you failed to realize is that distaste for a race is not enough to justify your actions — particularly with how much revenue the Wadi bring with trade and gambling. The ego on you ::scoffing::
She then stood and turned her attention to the defense table.
Lexiudex: A decision has been rendered, and justice is satisfied. (beat) Now leave this place, this station. We’ve had enough of your presence here for some time. Make sure that the next time you visit, you don’t try to make any more ‘friends’. ::turning to the galleries:: All of you, out!
She turned briskly, and walked through the rear door to her chambers.
Lhandon let out the biggest sigh of relief, and put his hands up to his mouth in shock.
Nilsen: Oh god!
He was free to go, proven innocent and at least one part of the guilty party had been found and executed on the spot. He stood staring at the judge and executioner frozen in place. It was Lhal who nudged him out of it.
Lahl: Lhandon, you cotton headed ninny-muggins, get moving, we need to get out of here.
Lhandoned nodded, he wasn’t going to argue
Nilsen: Yeah, let’s go.
Sa phto: (bones crackle and then collapse)
In her mind T’Reth couldn’t help but note that the suspect was, indeed, dead and, therefore, the purview of the medical examiner.
Promontory: C’mon Lhandon, let’s get you back to the OEB before the magistrate changes its mind. (scornfully) Whatever this was, it wasn’t justice.
As the officers of the Octavia E Butler filed out, the special criminal investigators were left to their final assessments.
T’Reth: I find this resolution… adequate.
Dieter In the end, Sa phto's lies… ::slipping on his shades:: couldn't withstand the heat.
~ END ~
–
Starring:
Sahiana Ordana
Medical Examiner
Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team
&&
Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Assistant Chief of Operations.
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)
Ensign Kimonzi Lahl
Engineering Officer
U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler
O240107KL4
Lieutenant Ty B Dieter
Lead Investigator
Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team
O240005JH3 / O239910AP4
&&
Lexiudex
The Right Honorable Prime Magistrate
Autonomous Authority of Port Coray
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player)
Special Agent T’reth
Starfleet Criminal Investigative Team
O239910AP4
Caras
Ensign Morro Caras
Engineering Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240106MC1
Astrolabe
Forensic Scientist
&
Gigranal
Undular Witness
M239008AD0