JP: LtCmdr. Teller and Dr. Rahman: No Win Scenario (Part 1)
richyulin
((Outside of the Computer Core, Deck 18, USS Juneau))
Hyden: I’m sorry Commander, but in all good consciousness I cannot permit you to go any further.
Teller stopped at the warning tone he heard in the young Lieutenants voice. Turning slowly, he noticed her hand resting on the butt of her phaser.
Teller: That so, Lieutenant?
A voice spoke up from behind him, somehow adding to the tension of the moment.
Rahman: What’s going on you two?
Hyden: Commander Teller I hereby place you under arrest on the suspicion of breaking Starfleet Regulation 49.09. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?
Geoff's brows knitted together in frustration and exhaustion. This was the last thing he needed. His tone was cold.
Teller: I do, Lieutenant. You just go ahead and do what you have to do.
Still standing close behind Teller, Doctor Rahman's voice cut through the sudden chill in the air.
Rahman: Lieutenant Hyden, explain what’s going on?
Hyden: He killed a prisoner with no provocation and didn’t seem to hold any remorse.
Geoff nearly laughed out loud, but his response instead was a strangled growl. He'd spent the last two hours chasing a saboteur into the bowels of the ship before disarming a booby trap and getting in a firefight with a swarm of drones whose weapons had melted the deck plating near his head. No provocation, indeed. As far as a complete and utter lack of remorse - that seemed mostly accurate.
Rahman: And you’re certain about this?
Hyden: Yes, I saw it with my own eyes.
Rahman: All right, then. In light of this, Commander, I agree that you’re confined to your quarters pending further investigation about what happened.
As Teller began to try and justify his actions Rahman held her hand up to indicate he should stop.
Rahman: Commander, I advise you to remain silent until we clear this up.
Out of a deep respect and the abundance of trust he shared with his commanding officer, Teller stifled his protests with grinded teeth.
Teller: Ma'am.
Rahman: Lieutenant, if you’ll escort the commander to his quarters.
Hyden: Yes, Ma’am
Being lead to his quarters gave Teller a moment, when he and the ship weren't in imminent danger, to consider his actions. He didn't particularly resent the young Lieutenant for sticking by her conscience. His was, at the moment, entirely clear.
Hyden: I’m sorry.
As the door slide shut and locked, Teller quietly spoke to the inside of his otherwise empty compartment.
Teller: Don't be. You're doing your duty. Just like I was.
((The next day, Teller's quarters))
After opening the doors and stepping inside, Roshanara took a look around. Like the rest of the ship, Teller’s tiny quarters reflected the unfinished state of the prototype. With exposed pipes and wiring along the walls and lack of carpeting, his quarters already were something of a brig in itself.
When she saw him, the engineer was sitting on the small twin bed along the wall.
Rahman: On your feet, Commander.
TBC…
Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Teller
Chief Engineer
USS Juneau - NX-99801
Captain Oddas A., Commanding
V239509GT0
&
Dr. Roshanara Rahman
Mission Specialist
USS Juneau
I238705TZ0