Laying Down the Law

Posted on Mon Jun 27th, 2022 @ 4:40am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: XO's Ready Room
Timeline: After End Game
1035 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary sat at his desk and quietly fumed. He was waiting for Commander T'kara to arrive so he could have a serious talk with about her actions on the bridge concerning Admiral Highlaw. T'Kara had attempted illegal mind meld with the traitorous Admiral to get his access codes. Only to be stopped by Phoenix in her Lily Kass disguise. This was unacceptable and could and would not be tolerated. T'Kara needed to be made aware of this in the strongest terms possible.

T'Kara pushed the door chime.

Hearing the chime, Gary called out "Enter.'

She entered and stood at attention.

Gary looked at her as she stood in front of the desk, he didn't ask her to sit down. "Care to explain your actions on the bridge?"

"I must apologize for my actions. They were unwarranted." T'Kara noted.

"Apologize? Unwarranted? You have a mastery of understatement Commander." Gary replied coldly.

"You desire an explanation?" T'Kara noted simply. "Explain how a fleet admiral rose through the ranks of Starfleet Command? And then proceeded to build a full-blown crime syndicate, and no one realized what he was doing until he was a Fleet Admiral? And by that time it takes not Starfleet officer, but a collection of mercenaries to stop him after he puts a bounty on this ship, this crew. As humans would say 'what is wrong with that?'"

Gary got up and came around the desk to stan in front of T'Kara. "There was nothing to indicate Highlaw was a traitor. His early career was impeccable. However as he rose in the ranks, so did his desire for power and with that power, he was able to hide his black heart and traitorous intent. However I'm not here to talk about him. I'm here to talk about you. You attempted to mind rape Highlaw and you would have if Captain Lalor hadn't stopped you. This is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated." His voice hard and cold.

"No Commander. Explain how Starfleet Command got so corrupt they needed hired mercenaries to deal with someone who rose to the rank of Fleet Admiral.. And then put a bounty on our heads." T'Kara noted. "Maybe Starfleet is not what I thought it was.. if it takes mercenaries to reign in a Fleet Admiral. Maybe it takes mind-melds to make sure they're not corrupt." The anger could be heard in T'Kara's near passionless voice. "And how can anyone trust the next person with that much authority?"

Gary shook his head, "You proceed from a false position Commander. In case you have forgotten or didn't get the memo. the team, the team that took down Highlaw and his network were not mercenaries at all. But highly specialized Starfleet Officers, handpicked for this job. Starfleet cleans its own house and takes out its own trash. We don't need any help from outsiders. As for trusting the next person, it is a gamble but I'm sure there will checks and balances in place to drastically reduce the possibility of it happening again. However if it does, we'll answer the call again."

"How can I trust anyone who's in Command of the fleet not to abuse the power they're given.?" T'Kara noted. "They put a BOUNT ON US!!! A BOUNTY ON MYNE!!!! THERE SHOULD BE NO ADMIRALS." T'Kara clenched her fists.. "Control... Logic.." She sighed. "No one should be trusted with that much power. Not even any of our so-called leaders. This is like the Kir-Shara incident."

" Don't you dare raise your voice to me." Gary answered is voice even harder than before. "Control yourself or I'll throw you in the brig right now. You don't need to trust them. That isn't your concern. What is your concern is that you need to trust Phoenix that is Captain Lalor, you need to trust me. Captain Lovejoy and others, trust the people you know to protect and look out for you and the crew under their command."

"Indeed. One corrupted leader falls, another takes their place." T'Kara noted. "Is there anything else, Sir?"

"Your lack of confidence in your direct superiors is truly uplifting Commander." Gary replied sarcastically. In addition your whole general attitude is piss poor. I see counseling in your future."

"Very well. But know this.. The next person they replace Admiral Highlaw with.. They have an agenda. Is there anything else, Sir?" She just saw a fleet admiral betray everything he ever stood for. There was not going to be any trust for superior officers. She was just glad she was in science.

"Oh, indeed there is Commander. You are confined to quarters for thirty days with the exception being your bridge shifts. At the end of those thirty days, you will attend weekly counseling session for at least three months when at that time a review will be done and if needed your counseling session continued and extended. Also, a reduction in rank is held in abeyance." Gary finished, his eyes on her. "Get yourself together Commander." He warned.

T'Kara stared at Gary for a moment her thoughts coalescing. 'Maybe Starfleet does need oversight... Strict oversight. I'm wondering if the Starfleet Oversight Bureau needs an ally on the Elysium.' She pondered to herself. "Permission to be dismissed?"

Gary met her gaze head on. he wasn't intimidated. "Permission denied." As he continued, "Is that a fact? And you think or see yourself as an ally to the Oversight Bureau? I have good news for you, you'll have plenty of time to wonder as you cool your heels in your quarters for the next thirty days." Gary sighed and shook his head T'Kara had blinders on. Only saw what she wanted to see and right now what she saw was that the upper command of Starfleet was corrupt and that all the admirals should be arrested and charged. While he agreed there were a few bad apples in Starfleet. (Highlaw was a perfect example) he believed in the organization and its ability to police itself. He looked at T'Kara again. "On second thought T'Kara, you are dismissed." Effectively ending the conversation and her punishment.


Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium

Commander T'Kara
Science Officer
USS Elysium

 

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