Darkness Falls

Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#01-015) 7//16/00

Conference Room - Level Five - Station 419 - [IC]

The conference room is of a spacious, clean design, just large enough to have a slight curve to the steeply sloping outer wall. A line of wide, elliptical floor to ceiling viewports are set into the outer wall, offering an exquisite view of space. A large flat viewscreen dominates most of one wall, with a sleek grey podium situated to the right of it. A burnished bronze pike stands at a slight angle to the right of the podium, upon which is hung a sky blue banner enblazoned with the great seal of the United Federation of Planets in silvery grey. A replicator station is recessed into the center of the wall at the room's opposite end, flanked by a pair or narrow grey tables. Much of the remaining floor space is taken up by widely spaced rows of comfortably padded medium grey chairs. Although the lighting is sufficient, the muted blue-grey walls and medium grey carpeted deck serve to soften it, creating a calming effect.

The anomaly can be seen flashing its blue-white streaks of light via one of the transparent aluminum viewports.

The podium has been replaced with three tables. Sitting at the central table is Admiral Whitehorse. At the side table, sits Commander Montero. The third table is currently empty. The flag of the federation rests behind it. Sitting among the rest of those crew assembled are Commander Balin, Ensign Tyler and Admiral Sinclaire.

During these types of inquiries, Admiral Whitehorse is in the role of Judge Advocate General. He runs the proceedings. Montero is principal investigator. He directs the questioning. The third table is for those being questioned. Just sit back for a moment and let the proceedings go underway.

Montero sits with formal and correct posture near Whitehorse. Her hands are clasped on the desk in front of her, holding a PADD in the manner that some men would hold a nightstick or riding crop. She observes each entrants progress as they pass the door until they take a seat- silent, impartial, assesing.

Whitehorse stands. His countenance is quite impressive as he regards those assembled, for an old man he is fit and quite spry looking. "Computer, let the record reflect that these proceedings have begun at stardate 51479.6."

Montero checks her PADD, waiting until the computer's 'court recorder' function has processed and verified the order before taking any other action. She looks to Whitehorse and nods a second later.

Ghorev takes a seat, quietly.

The computer chirrups acknowledgement. The Admiral's voice is soft, but there is an undercurrent of strength and dignity there. He sits, saying, "Mr. Montero. You may proceed. Call your first witness."

Montero rises, "Thank you, Admiral. This investigative panel would call Mr. Alexander Jade." She says crisply, then looks over the assembled group for said individual, glancing brifly at her PADD again.

Ensign Tyler shifts in her seat, uncomfortably.

Accolon sits in his seat, attentive and straight. He doesn't speak, or appear like he will. He watches the procedings with interest and anticipation.

Gwen sits very still, her posture has no hint of a slouch. Her gaze flicks from speaker to speaker, occasionally sweeping over her fellow officers nearby.

Crae tries to catch Jade's eye as he approaches the table. She smiles reassuringly just in case he happens to see her.

Commander Balin is regarding the proceedings with an emotionless cast. He stares at them, blinking, but otherwise, his posture is relaxed.

From his position towards the rear of the room, flanked by two members of Starfleet Security, Jade steps forward, leaving his escort behind. His progress towards the third table is even, measured, paces long, arms swinging by his side. Alex's expression, though sober, belies little of this thoughts, save perhaps the darting of his eyes as he walks. To Crae... Poole... lingering on Accolon and Tyler... and Sinclaire... and then to the table at which he finds himself. Unsure of the exact protocol, he remains standing, clasping his hands behind his back and tilting his head to regard the JAG officers, silently, evenly.

Admiral Sinclaire watches on with boredom.

Ghorev, for his own part, sits quietly in a seat, watching the proceedings with keen interest, his eyes narrowed.

Montero inclines her head slightly towards the third table. "You may be seated, Mr. Jade." She turns back to study the PADD once more.

Jade slowly draws out a chair and slides into it, neatly, hands clasping on the table before him, fingers lacing.

Tyler watches Alex take the stand. She glances toward Poole, then Balin, then turns and takes a long look at Admiral Sinclaire.

"You have been briefed of your rights, duties and obligations under this proceeding, Mr. Jade?" Mntero asks in that again slightly clipped tone. Not really waiting for an answer, she continues. "Mr. Jade, what is your relationship to Ensign Wendy Tyler?"

Sinclaire glances to Tyler from her place at the back of the room, and then looks back to Mr. Jade.

Tyler turns to look back to the proceedings as Alex starts his deposition. She shifts as her name is mentioned.

Whitehorse turns slightly to regard Mr. Jade.

Accolon watches on, blinking his eyes slowly. His focus seems distant.

Ghorev draws his gaze from Jade, to Tyler (as her name is mentioned), back to Jade, and 'round to Sinclaire, then back to Jade again, watching the man deal with the questioning stoically.

Jade swallows once more, draws a breath. A tad drily perhaps. His eyes half turn to the amassed crew, then dart back. "After a confrontation with Admiral Sinclaire, I went to see Ensign Tyler." He pauses a moment, lips tight set. "I asked her certain questions the answers to which, though I did not know it, could only be answered by being shown Science Two."

Gwen looks over to Wendy from where she sits nearby, offering the girl reassuring smile.

Crae closes her eyes and takes several deep breaths. The tightness around her eyes and mouth seems to slowly melt away. She lifts her right hand up to the side of her head and uses her index and middle finger to tap quickly and lightly just behind her ear. After several seconds her hand drops back to her lap.

Montero nods again. She looks Jade over before continuing. "Perhaps you'd like some water before we continue, Mr. Jade?" Her tone warms a little, and she looks to one of the security officers who have been selected as balifs, then to the replicator, and awaits his reply.

"Thankyou. I would." Jade replies, a little more clearly annunciating, and with a nod. He shifts in his seat.

Commander Balin crosses one leg over the other and drapes an arm across the back of the chair beside him. He drums his fingers over the top of it impatiently.

Montero nods to the balif. "Some water for Mr. Jade." She says briskly. She waits while the order is carried out, standing stiffly 'at ease', clasping her hands behind her back, still holding the PADD. The balif sets a short tumbler of ice water on the table in front of Jade and returns to his place at the wall. "Now where were we?" Montero asks, inclining her head to Jade.

"I was giving a decontextualised version of the reasons and means for my entrance to Science Lab Two." Jade answers, still even and sober. His eyes carry no cheek in that statement. "Is there anything else you wish to know about them?"

Montero nods. "Would it be easier for you to give your deposition in a contextualized version, Mr. Jade?" Her tone and phrasing are remarkably void of ...anything. It barely sounds like a question anymore. "If so, I'd encourage you to do so. If not, can we continue?"

Jade raises his glass to his lips, nodding as he does so to the bailiff who fetched it, and Montero, in thanks. A sip. "It would be easier and, I believe, more helpful." A beat. "We...Ensign Tyler and I had agreed not to even speak of Science Lab Two. We kept to that agreement. Until the evening that Admiral Sinclaire saw fit to command her to cease contact with me, and to threaten me with suffering and probably physical termination." He tilts his head. Voice still emotionless. "So you see it's really not simple. Had the Admiral not intervened, the circumstances which led to my journey to the Lab would not have arisen."

Sinclaire looks nonplussed by this testimony.

Whitehorse looks to Mr. Jade. "The panel will draw its own conclusions, Mr. Jade."

"I see. And you termed this intervention earlier as a 'confrontation'. Can you elaborate on what this confrontation was about?" Montero queries.

Tyler squirms in her chair. She clearly doesn't want to be here.

Accolon smiles crookedly and unenthusiastically at the testimony and glances momentarily toward Tyler.

Jade looks to Whitehorse. "Of course, my apologies." A glance to Montero and Alex draws a slow breath. And pauses before he speaks: "Admiral Sinclaire forbade me to continue in any contact with Ensign Tyler." A beat. "My integrity was questioned, and I was told that... what little remained of my life would be a living hell... or words to that effect... if I did not comply."

Admiral Sinclaire continues to watch on, quietly, not moved by any of this testimony. She looks at her nails at one point.

Montero says, "You've stated that." She looks vaugly exasperated at this witness' testimony so far. "Very well. So after this confrontation, you asked your 'friend' Ensign Tyler some questions about Science Lab Two, despite your earlier agreement not to broach the subject. And may we surmise that you recieved answers to your questions in the course of the resulting actions of yourself and Ensign Tyler?"

Crae turns her head just enough so that she can catch a look at Admiral Sinclaire. Her head tilts slightly to one side as one of her eyebrows raises questioningly.

"Indeed. Specifically, what could be so important that the Admiral's words could be justified, and what she was afraid Ensign Tyler would be distracted from." Jade replies, then exhales, slowly.

Gwen listens, though it's clear she doesn't care much for the current witness. She let's out a deep breath, then looks over to Accolon, shaking her head.

Montero sighs, turns away for a moment, clasping her hands behind her back again before turning back to Jade. "I see. Could you tell the court in your own words what you found in Science Lab Two then?"

Accolon returns Poole's glance, a frown on his brow. The corner of his mouth does lift in something of a hopeful smile, as if to say 'hang in there' or something.

Gwen nods to Accolon, then fixates her gaze on Jade, waiting for his answer to Montero's question.

"Well..." Jade's eyes close a moment. Remembering. "Ensign Tyler and I entered, and I saw the artifact in the centre of the room." He pauses an odd moment, and glances at the ceiling, as if at an internal thought. "She explained to me that it was alive, and had been watching events on Station, even intervening. Also its nature, and why it was such a threat and potential tool for the Federation." Another pause, Alex swallows. "Do you wish a physical description, or...?"

Whitehorse looks to Jade, nodding once. "I would."

Montero deffers to Whitehorse, and nods to Jade in a gesture that conveys: continue.

"It appeared to be a large... formation... of crystals, a few metres across." A pause, and Jade's eyes slide to the corner of the room, in recollection. "Shaped like..." His hands shape the air in gestures "A stump? Like the roots of a plant. Blue, blue crystals." A beat, and his eyes flicker back to the Admiral and Montero. "It was quite beautiful."

Ghorev stiffens as these facts come to light.

Whitehorse nods, glancing down at his PADD.

Commander Balin remains stonefaced, except for a single, small twitch at the top of his left cheek.

Montero nods. "Is that sufficient, Admiral?" She asks.

Whitehorse nods. "Proceed."

Gwen shifts in her chair, perhaps a memory was stirred by Mr. Jade's words. She closes her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

Montero nods. "Thank you, Mr. Jade." She studies her PADD she says, not looking up. "You were taken into custody subsequent to your visit to Science Lab Two were you not?" Still looking down at the PADD. "I don't seem to have the security records regarding that incident here." She comments and looks to Jade again. "Perhaps you can give us your version of those events?

Crae suddenly glances at Lt. Ghorev, a startled look washing quickly over her face and then disappearing.

Itaani slips in almost soundlessly as the proceedings carry on, taking a seat out of the way to observe.

Whitehorse looks up to the new entrant, then goes back to his PADD. After keying in a few taps on the device, he sets it down and looks back to Jade.

Jade's attention slides momentarily to the faces in the crew, as if mustering memories. His account is delayed momentarily by some of the expressions in the crowd, but he then murmurs, "I had not transferred any information regarding the incident outside my accounts. I was asleep in my quarters when a group of black uniformed Starfleet officers entered and drugged me." His words are quick, low. "When I awoke in a holding cell, Admiral Sinclaire informed me that Ensign Tyler would be court martialed, I would be imprisoned...and the artifact would be destroyed."

Montero nods again. "I see." She waits a moment, turning impassively to face the gallery, then asks: "You were subsequently released on the orders of Commander Tarsis Balin, yes?"

"I don't -know- but I presume that to be the case." Jade murmurs, shifting again, folding his arms across his chest.

Gwen perks up at that last bit from Jade, then glares in Sinclaire's direction. She shakes her head, and looks away.

Montero nods again, and looks to Whitehorse. "I have no further questions for this witness at this time, Sir." She says flatly.

Whitehorse nods. "You may step down, Mr. Jade." He gestures for the escort to take Jade down to his seat.

Jade opens his mouth as he stands, drawing a breath as if for an objection, but then releases it, closes his lips. Shrugs his eyebrows, and turns, nodding, towards the escort.

Montero nods, looks at the PADD again. "The panel requests Ensign Gwendolyn Tyler to the stand."

Tyler gulps audibly, and stands up slowly. She starts to make her way toward the stand, passing Alex on the way. She doesn't look at him as she passes. She holds her stomach as she makes her way toward the stand.

Jade returns to his place towards the rear of the room, though he does look at Tyler. He sits slowly, leans forward. His hands rise to clasp together, support his chin, as he looks over the crew again, then to Tyler, and watches.

Accolon folds his hands together on the table. He watches Jade as he moves from the table, impassively. His eyes then turn on the officers leading the investigation. There's a hint of some wonder about them.

Montero indicates the chair at the third table. "You are aware of your rights, duties and obligations under this proceeding, Ensign?"

Tyler nods quickly. "Yuh-yes, sir."

Sinclaire looks to Tyler with no expression.

Montero nods. She calls something up on her PADD and reads aloud from the display. "Ensign Gwendolyn Elizabeth Tyler, Jr. Science Specialist, assigned to research project regarding the contents of Science Lab Two. In fact, you are heading up that research, are you not?" She doesn't really pause for an answer. "'..the contents of Science Lab Two.' That seems to relate directly to this matter. Perhaps you could elaborate, Ensign, regarding the results of that research?"

Tyler nods slowly, then looks up to Whitehorse. He nods once to her. She looks back toward the assembled, then, focusing on Accolon, then Sinclaire. Balin watches with anticipation. She starts, slowly, though her fingers are winding about each other. "The artifact is a creature from a different galaxy. It appeared during a recursive chroniton event. The anomaly. It is symbiotic."

Ghorev listens intently, now, leaning forward in his chair, eyes narrowing to slits.

Accolon sits up straighter with the narrowing of his eyes in fascination. Likely, he's hearing this from the source for the first time.

Montero nods. "Symbiotic?" is her one word.

Jade's eyes flicker to Accolon, remaining there a while, and he tilts his head forward slightly. Then glances back to Tyler for her answer.

Tyler nods, straightening up some. She doesn't mind talking about this, it seems. "Yes, s-sir," she stammers. "Though, Admrial Sinclaire would be the expert on that sir."

Crae focuses her attention on Admiral Whitehorse and breaths deeply. She's not staring and not really studying him. It is almost as though he is an anchor for her concentration.

Montero nods. "I see. Do you feel unqualified to give testimony on this matter, Ensign?" She says gently.

Accolon glances momentarily toward Sinclaire, a strange wash of expression on his face for a moment. A mix of feelings. He turns back toward the proceedings.

Tyler says softly, "Not in the least, sir. I know quite a lot about the artifact, sir. Just.. Not much more than sketchy details about its origin. But I do know that it needs to move. If we keep it here, it will die. That's why we will be placing it on board the USS Aegis-B."

Accolon snorts a soft laugh, glancing to his sides. He blinks rapidly and settles back into his chair.

Jade's brows shoot upward at that and he shifts, hands falling between his legs. His eyes shift across the faces of rank in the room.

Commander Balin looks to Accolon, his expression dark. Not at the laugh, but in comiseration with Jinn. He looks back up to the proceedings, his mouth tightening.

Whitehorse looks up from his PADD. "Order," he says quietly. He looks to Montero. "Please continue."

Montero nods. "It is my understanding you are one of the most qualifed people to discuss this subject available, Ensign." She says curtly. "So it is 'alive' in your estimation. According to testimony from Mr. Jade, the artifact has been 'observing' and 'influencing' events around the station. Do you concur with this testimony, Ensign Tyler? And if so, what would level of consciousness does this 'living artifact' possess, in your estimation?"

Tyler nods in concurrance, saying "Yes, sir." She then looks to Montero, then the rest of the room. She hesitates a moment, then in one word, she sums up her last question. "Sentience."

Montero pauses, nods again. "In your estimation." She adds primly. "Now, from the high level of classification surrounding this project, I surmise that this artifact may be considered a security risk in some capacity. Ensign Tyler, what are the expected capabilities of this artifact? What does it do, Ensign Tyler?"

Tyler shifts a bit, looking to Sinclaire, then to Montero again. She swallows. "It can travel any distance in short amounts of time, using a temporal phase subspace rift. With effort, it is theorized that it can travel forward, backwards.. And sideways, through time, essentially, sir."

Accolon listens with amazement, though he also nods to himself, having peiced some of it together already.

Ghorev frowns, deeply, and rises from his seat, quietly, turning for the door.

Crae's eyes open wide in surprise. She turns to look out a viewport at the flashing blue-white light of the anomaly. After several moments her contemplation is ended and she glances once more at Ghorev...a....concerned look on her face.

Commander Balin listens on, his face growing more relaxed as it shifts to more wonder and curiosity about this artifact.

Montero nods. "By sideways, you would be refering to the theory of the existance of divergent timestreams based on variying outcomes from single event sets?" She doesn't really wait for the answer again, but adds, "Thank you, Ensign Tyler."

Tyler nods to Montero. "Yes, sir."

Montero nods to Tyler, then looks to Whitehorse. "I have no further questions for this witness at this time, sir." She says, like she's said it a thousand times. Probably has at that.

Tyler steps down from the stand. Whitehorse looks to Montero. "Call your next witness, Mr. Montero."

Montero glances at her PADD, and looks up to address Admiral Whitehorse. "This panel would call Lieutenant Jinn Accolon to the stand."

Accolon stands to his feet, and nods toward the panel. He crosses the room to settle into a seat at the third table, adjusting the chair underneath him. If he's nervous, it doesn't show.

Montero turns to face Accolon. She smiles thinly, reading from the PADD. "Jinn Accolon, Lieutenant Junior Grade, Assistant Science Officer, Station 419 Upsillon. Your service record is commendable, Lieutenant." A brief pause, then, "Can you state your part in the events we have heard of in preceeding testimony, particularly pertaining to your involvement with those people mentioned therein?"

Accolon narrows his eyes for a moment, almost as though the question pained him. He asks, politely, "Where would you like me to start?"

Montero looks to the PADD, "From the beginning, Lieutenant. Though in this case, perhaps we should confine our inquiry to recent events. What is the nature of your involvement, if any, with the artifact project?"

Accolon says, "I was the ranking science officer on board the station, when the anomaly and artifact was discovered. Afterward and until recently, I conducted a series of tests and experiments dealing with mostly, the artifact itself. Much of my own experimentation was fruitless. After awhile, the duty I was doing with the artifact in the lab was more of... keeping things in order, so that Ensign Tyler could conduct her own experiments, under the guidance of Admiral Sinclaire, in secrecy."

Montero nods. "I see. Were you privy to communications from Admiral Sinclair regarding the project? Were you privy to communications from Admiral Sinclair regarding any other matter, Lieutenant?"

Admiral Sinclaire continues to watch in silence, seeming half interested.

Accolon considers the question for a moment, then says, "She gave me no information about the artifact itself. I believed that the sensitivity of the project came from Starfleet Command and that its secrecy was righteous in keeping out infilitrators and espianage agents, the likes who we've dealt with on more than one occasion. However, I was privvy to certain dealings she had with Mr. Alexander Jade."

Montero nods. "I see. Do you now, or did you previously consider Mr. Jade to be one such infiltrator or espionage agent? Can you elaborate on the information you were privy to, regarding dealings between Mr. Jade and the Admiral?"

Accolon nods his head. He says, "Yes, I can, sir..." He pauses for a moment, taking a breath. "Admiral Sinclaire spoke to me in the Warding Room on one occasion. She showed me Mr. Jade's record, a record which showed him to be suspected, in the past of being an espianage agent. An 'information broker.'" He glances toward Tyler for a moment, with a saddened look in his eyes. "She seemed to realize that I had certain...feelings for Ensign Tyler. We had a friendhip, at times, I had perhaps hoped for more. Mr. Jade at that time had proclaimed a love for Ensign Tyler and could be seen around the station in each others company." He pauses a moment, clearing his throat to get back ont the point. "Admiral Sinclaire asked me to put a stop between their relationship. To these ends, she threatened persecuting Mr. Jade and Ensign Tyler for their venture into Science Lab Two. And also, to scrap the artifact project altogether. She didn't need to threaten me however. It was obvious to me Mr. Jade was attempting to use the untried Ensign to his advantage, to gain access to information about the project."

Montero nods. "Were you privy or part to the alleged coersion of Mr. Jade?

Tyler frowns and looks down.

Accolon says, "I must admit, I was both. But I was acting only on what our security should have long before." He shrugs, glancing around uncertainly as though not meaning to offend any other officers , "I went to see Mr. Jade in an attempt to reason with him, and do as the Admiral had ordered. Although she told me I was to harrass, threaten and make miserable his life, I felt it could be done without any such activity. After all, it is clear with his past record, his visit to the lab and according to Mr. Jade's own words, he had indeed used the Ensign for just such a person."

Crae looks towards Ensign Tyler....her face echoes a concern from the inside.

Montero nods again, "Thank you, Lieutenant." She looks to Admiral Whitehorse. "I have no further questions for this witness at this time, sir. May I confer with you a moment?"

Whitehorse nods to Montero, then turns to Accolon. "You may step down, Mr. Accolon."

Accolon stands to his feet, brows furrowed. He glances apologetically toward Tyler and moves back into his seat.

Tyler doesn't look up from her feet as he passes her.

Montero steps over to where the admiral sits. She brings something up on her PADD and sets it on the table. She points to the display twice, and mutters a few words.

Montero mutters to Whitehorse, "... commander... next?".

Whitehorse looks to the padd, then mutters something back to her.

Whitehorse mutters to Montero, "... from Admiral...".

Montero nods. "Very good, sir." She says, stepping back from the 'bench' and consulting the PADD again. "This panel would call Winnifred Elizabeth Sinclaire to the stand."

Sinclaire stands and makes her way toward the third table. She sits down primly and folds her hands before her.

Crae looks long and hard at Admiral Sinclaire's back. Her eyes close a little and something....suspicion???...crawls over her face. She steeples her hands in her lap and a determination comes into her eyes...almost as though she intends to use them to drill into Sinclaire's head.

Montero says "Admiral Winnifred Sinclaire. You are aware of your rights, duties and obligations under these proceedings?" Again, not much pause for a reply. "In the testimony we have heard so far, the court has heard statements that could be taken as allegations against actions you have taken." She looks to Whitehorse. "This is being a deposition, not a trial, I would ask permision to ask the Admiral if she admits or denies these possible allegations, sir?"

Whitehorse nods to Montero. "Proceed."

Sinclaire looks to Montero. Her voice is steady and calm. "I deny nothing. I admit to doing my duty to the Federation and Starfleet."

Accolon smiles a little sadly and listens in with a keen interest.

Montero nods, smiles, looks to Sinclaire. "I see. If that is true, then that is commendable. Would you care to elaborate on what you felt compelled to do as required by duty to the Federation and Starfleet in the matter of the Artifact?"

Sinclaire regards both Montero, Whitehorse, and the rest assembled with a measured calm as she speaks. "Starfleet Intelligence placed the highest priority upon keeping the artifact and its secrets under intensified lock-down, especially in light of the nature of the creature."

Montero nods. "I see. And can you elaborate, in your own words on the nature of 'the creature'? And you would concur with the other's testimony that the artifact is indeed 'alive'?"

Sinclaire looks to Montero. "Ensign Tyler has stated all that is known about the artifact. I do not dispute her testimony, nor do I have anything to add."

Montero nods. "I see. So you would concur that the artifact is indeed sentient then?"

Sinclaire states, "I concur."

Montero nods again, checks the PADD, looks back to Sinclaire. "And your stance on the other actions you have allegedly taken, in particular, reference to Mr. Alexander Jade," She says, lapsing into a legal phrase for the benifit of the computerized court recorder, "Is that these actions were undertaken with a sense of duty towards Starfleet and the Federation. Do you claim that as well regarding withholding information regarding the artifact from Starfleet Command, in light the ethical questions raised regarding the artifacts possible sentience?"

Sinclaire says "Mr. Jade was merely going to be frightened to keep his secrecy. He would not have been harmed, as he or Commander Balin would have you believe. And I do believe that in doing so, I was doing my duty, in regards of protecting the Federations interests in the artifact project. Any ethical questions were dismissed when it was discovered that the creature could jump time."

Montero nods. "I see. Dismissed by who, precisely, Admiral?"

Crae cocks her head to oneside and eyebrows knit in puzzlement....obviously she doesn't quite follow the Admiral's statement.

Sinclaire states, "By me, in the best interests of Federation security."

Montero smiles coldly. "So you would say that the dismissal of those ethical questions pertaining to sentient lifeforms was carried out with a sense of duty towards Starfleet and the Federation, as in the best interests of those?"

Sinclaire nods once. "That is exactly what I am saying, Commander Montero. I did what I did for the good of the Federation. And I think if you knew what I do, you would not hesitate to follow in my shoes."

Nevaren stifles a snort, looking down at his boots with disgust.

Commander Balin looks back disapprovingly to Lt. Nevaren.

Admiral Whitehorse, the JAG officer in charge of the proceedings looks up from his PADD. "Order," he says.

Nevaren recomposes himself and be's very still and quiet.

Ensign Tyler is sitting a few rows from the front, quiet and thoughtful. She's not watching, but she is listening.

Montero slaps the PADD down on the table abruptly. "And I would say your sense of duty is sorely misplaced, 'Admiral', in that the Prime Directive is considered Precicely that. Prime. As in of first importance to Starfleet and the Federation, before any other possible good, including our security." She maintains her rigid military posture throughout this, and her voice barely increases in volume, but she draws a deep breath at the end of her oration, turns to Admiral Whitehorse and snaps to attention like she's facing a drill sergeant. "I have no further questions for this witness, Sir!"

Sinclaire states as she stands, "I have seen your futures." Then with a grim smile. "I sincerely hope that you are prepared." She glances toward Tyler as she turns, moving back to her position at back of the room.

Nevaren grits his teeth, not liking any of this one bit.

Whitehorse looks to Sinclaire as she walks away, frowning to himself.

Accolon twists his lips thoughtfully and looks toward the Admiral as she departs the stand. Something in his look, seems betrayed and hopeful at the same time.

Montero collects the PADD from the table, drawing a breath and squaring her shoulders. She looks over the display, and then to Whitehorse questioningly. Her gaze does not follow Sinclair out. In fact, it rather seems to disdainfully avoid it.

Commander Balin shakes his head, but his face remains stoney.

Whitehorse looks to his PADD.

Crae watches Admiral Sinclaire as she leaves the stand. Her face holds a mixture of pity, and disbelief.

Ensign Tyler says nothing, her eyes staying focused at her feet.

Whitehorse looks to Montero. "Proceed, Commander."

Montero studies the PADD, turns around to look over the gallery again, and back to Admiral Whitehorse. Se nods. "Aye, sir. The panel would now call for the deposition of Counsellor Lycea Crae, regarding the current station commander, Tarsis Balin."

Crae stands up from her seat and straightens her uniform as she makes her way to the third table. She sits down and nods towards the Commander and the Admiral.

Montero nods to Crae. "Do you have a prepared statement in that regard, Lieutenant Crae? If so, you may begin your testimony when you are ready. In brief, what is your assesment as a councellor of Comander Tarsis Balin?" She says, partly perhaps to lead Crae to her testimony, but also for the benifit of the court recorder log.

Crae shakes her head, "As far as a prepared testimony goes, I do not have one Commander. I have only been on the station for 3 station daycycles and have not had enough time to form a detailed and professional assessment of Commander Balin." She pauses for several seconds and collects her thoughts, "I can; however, give you the impressions I have formed during my contacts with him. If that is acceptable Commander?"

Montero nods. "Yes. Considering the situation, that is understandable. Your impressions will be sufficient until you have had time to compile a more complete profile if that is required, certainly."

Crae steeples her hands and rests them under her chin, "I have been....concerned....by the Commander's state of mind. There is no obvious dysfunction is his reasoning ability or his ability to carry out his duties as a Commander." She turns her attention from Montero to Whitehorse, "However, he has recently suffered a deep personal loss. It is often hard for people to understand how much Betazoids' telepathic abilities are part of their being. The loss of these abilities are somewhat akin to losing a sense--say sight, taste, or touch. I'm not yet sure how well he has handled the loss of these abilities--on a personal level. He seems to be coping well with the loss on a professional level..."

Nevaren looks very troubled and grieved at the metioning of Cmdr. Balin's loss... he looks away from the proceedings, his face wracked with guilt.

Balin regards this dourly. He obviously doesn't like it being brought up that he's lost his telepathy.

Accolon's brow creases, as this must be news to him. But otherwise makes no overt reaction.

Crae lowers her hands and then slowly expands them in a wide gesture as she speaks, "It is my personal opinion that he is doing a remarkable job dealing with the stress of....well... the stress of commanding a station on the edge of Federation space...far from home in the middle of a war."

Balin just nods once in respect to Crae. He glances toward Accolon, then regards the proceedings again quietly.

Montero nods, consults the PADD again. "Is your impression that he is -not- coping well with this development on a personal level, Lieutenant Crae? Do you feel that, despite there being no obvious lack of an ability to carry out his duties, that his ability to do so has indeed been compromised? Starfleet has very high standards, as you know.." She pauses, continues. "You find his choice of coping mechanisms regarding those stresses to be appropriate considering his duties and position?"

Crae focuses her attention solely on Montero and gives her the weight of her gaze for several moments, "Commander Montero, I'd say that he is coping extremely well on a personal level considering the circumstances. From all accounts he has found outlets for dealing with his personal loss--such as pursuing hobbies and personal interests like playing chess, and golf." She tilts her head slightly, but still focusing her attention solely on the Commander, "He does seem a little on the tense side at times, but if you were empathic you'd know that most of the people in this room have been tense during the course of these proceedings. I'd say that the Commander has shown some of the most restraint and control during the time that we have been in here." She turns and looks at the Station's Commander, "No, I do not at this time think or feel that the Commander's ability to perform his duties have been compromised."

Montero nods at this. "Thank you, Lieutenant." She turns to Whitehorse. "I have no further questions for this witness at this time, sir." She says quietly. While waiting for Whitehorse's response, she consults the PADD, and pulls up a chronometer.

Whitehorse nods. "You may step down." He looks at his padd, then back up to those assembled. "It is indeed late, Mr. Montero," he says as he looks at his chronometer. "We will reconvene this hearing at 0800 hours tomorrow."

Nevaren sighs a breath of releif

Crae nods professionally towards the Admiral and towards the Commander. She stands up and runs her hands down her uniform's jacket before making her way back through the gallery and out through the door.

Nevaren shakes his head, standing and working the kinks out of his neck. His face is stony as he turns on his heel and walks out of the room.

Sinclaire stands and walks out without a word.

Commander Balin remains seated at his place, still watching.

Whitehorse gathers up his PADD, stands up and states, "Computer, record time and end log."

Montero nods. "Computer, download the log of these proceedings into file judges-alpha-nine for future reference." She tucks the PADD under her arm, and stands stiffly 'at ease' awaiting Admiral Whitehorse. When he passes, she will fall into step a pace or so behind.