The Trial - Part 1

Posted on Tue May 26th, 2026 @ 9:10am by Lieutenant Commander Serenity Triannth & Petty Officer 1st Class Kara DeSotto & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Commander Rin & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Commander Kyle Reece & Legate Andrinn Orin & Lieutenant Commander N'vok Holv & Lieutenant Anna Esquivias & Lieutenant Damien Blackford & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor] & Lieutenant Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik} & Captain David Tonelly [Reece] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor] & Lieutenant JG Caden Tharos & Lieutenant JG Calista Haelant & Cadet Junior Grade Elaria Carlyle

Mission: Interlude
Location: Court Room- Deck 5
Timeline: MD9
3956 words - 7.9 OF Standard Post Measure

The doors to the **Courtroom** opened precisely on the hour.

Unlike the smaller hearing chamber used for preliminary proceedings, the main judicial courtroom aboard the USS Elysium had been designed for matters of lasting consequence. The room rose in tiers of polished steel and dark wood accents, with a vaulted ceiling carrying the Starfleet delta inlaid above the tribunal bench. Formal lighting cast the chamber in cool clarity. Wall-mounted displays stood ready for evidence presentation, while recording systems quietly tracked every word and movement for the official record.

Security officers were positioned at each entrance and along the side aisles in full duty uniform. Their stance was ceremonial, but their sidearms and rigid posture left no doubt that this was still a warship in hostile space.

The public gallery was already full.

Senior officers occupied the forward rows. Department heads, academy instructors, and selected crew sat behind them. Along one side, cadets from the Academy Annex waited in immaculate uniforms, their silence more telling than any whisper. Some had come for justice. Others for answers. Many for both.

At the front of the chamber stood two opposing tables.

At the **prosecution table**, Lieutenant Serenity Triannth reviewed the morning’s schedule with methodical calm, a stack of padds aligned with almost surgical precision.

At the **defense table**, Lieutenant JG Caden Tharos stood beside the empty chair reserved for the accused, expression unreadable as he watched the room gather around the weight of the day.

Then the side security door opened.

Two guards entered first.

Between them walked **Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen**.

The accused moved with controlled precision, every step measured, every line of his posture disciplined. He wore a detainee duty uniform, absent rank insignia, his hands free but under escort. If he noticed the eyes fixed upon him from every corner of the room, he gave no outward sign.

The guards brought him to the defense table and stepped back into position.

A low chime sounded.

“All rise.”

The entire courtroom stood as the tribunal panel entered through the rear judicial doors and took their seats upon the elevated bench beneath the Federation seal. Commodore Phoenix Lalor- Richardson, Commander Rin, Lieutenant Anna Esquivas, Lieutenant Commander N'Vok Holv, Lt Colonel Azhul Naxea, and Legate Andrinn Orin.

Only when the final chair was occupied did the command come.

“Be seated.”

The room settled into complete silence. The presiding officer activated the central console. The seal of Starfleet Justice illuminated above the bench. “This tribunal is now in session.” The words carried through the chamber with practiced authority. “Convened aboard the USS Elysium under emergency judicial authority, Case File JAG-2398-173-E, regarding the conduct of Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen during the hostile boarding action on Deck Fifteen.”

A beat of stillness followed.

“Let the record reflect that the accused is present, represented by counsel, and that the tribunal panel is assembled.” The presiding officer's - Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson- gaze lowered toward the floor of the court. “Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, rise for the reading of charges.”

At the prosecution table, Serenity Triannth closed her padd and stood. At the defense table, Caden Tharos placed one steadying hand beside his client. In the gallery, cadets leaned forward without realizing it. The first day of trial had begun.

Savar rose with fluid precision. His posture perfect his eyes on the panel seated to judge him. He took no notice of Tharos's hand or the cadets staring at him. Their emotions clear on their young faces.

“Court Recorder, read the charges.”

From the station beneath the tribunal bench, Ensign T’Lira rose with crisp precision. The young Vulcan adjusted the padd in her hands, then activated the central display. Case identifiers and service records appeared in clean lines of text above the chamber floor.

Her expression remained neutral, her voice calm and exact.

“For the official record: Starfleet Judicial Proceeding, Case File JAG-2398-173-E. Accused: Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, assigned to the USS Elysium, counseling division.”

She turned her eyes briefly toward the accused.

“Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, you stand charged with the following alleged violations of Starfleet Code of Conduct and Emergency Operational Directives.”

The courtroom seemed to still even further.

"Charge One - Dereliction of Duty Under Combat Conditions" A pause, then. “That during an active hostile boarding action on Deck Fifteen of the USS Elysium, you, as the senior Starfleet officer present, did knowingly withdraw from an active combat corridor without issuing orders, organizing the retreat of subordinate cadets, or taking reasonable action to preserve their immediate safety.”

She paused and let that settle. "Charge Two - Reckless Endangerment of Cadets" Another pause, more for affect than for breath. “That your actions, by sealing access to a place of relative safety and leaving Starfleet cadets exposed to hostile forces at close range, created an unnecessary and substantial risk of death or grievous bodily harm to those cadets under your command presence.”

"Charge Three - Physical Misconduct Toward a Fellow Officer. That during the same incident, you did use physical force upon Lieutenant Junior Grade Heather De La Rosa by compelling her movement into a Jeffries tube access without consent and under circumstances outside established command or medical necessity.”

Another pause as if she was waiting for a reaction that she knew would never come. "Charge Four -
Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Discipline. That your conduct during and immediately following the incident did materially damage the confidence of subordinate personnel in the reliability and leadership obligations of Starfleet officers during combat operations.”

Ensign T’Lira lowered her padd by a fraction. “These charges are allegations only. No finding of guilt has been entered.”

There as a slight murmur from the cadets but it was stilled by a look from the Commodore.

T'Lira looked to the bench. “The charges have been read.”

Phoenix gave a single nod, then turned her attention to the defense table. “Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, how do you plead to the charges before this tribunal?” Every eye in the courtroom shifted to the accused.

"Not guilty Commodore." His voice even and controlled despite the pressure of the situation and the seriousness of the charges., His eyes locked on the panel as he stood ramrod straight before them.

Phoenix looked at the Ensign who nodded. "Your plea is recorded." Came the response from the Commodore. "Take your seat."

Savar sat down, his posture straight. His gaze never looked toward the gallery it remained looking straight ahead.

Phoenix turned to Serenity. "Prosecution. You may commence."

Lieutenant Commander Serenity Triannth rose from the prosecution table with composed precision. She gathered one padd, then stepped into the open floor of the courtroom. Her posture was immaculate, her expression controlled. “Presiding officers. Members of the tribunal.” She inclined her head respectfully. “This case is not about whether Deck Fifteen was chaotic.” A measured pause.

“It was.”

Then a brief silence. “This case is not about whether lives were in danger.” Another beat. “They were.” She let her gaze sweep quickly across the room. “And this case is not about whether Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen faced a terrible decision in a matter of seconds.” Her eyes moved briefly toward the accused.

“He did.” She let the room settle.

“This case is about what Starfleet requires of its officers when those moments come.” Serenity turned slightly, allowing the words to carry through the chamber. “When fear rises. When blood is on the deck. When cadets look to the nearest senior officer and wait to be told what to do.” Her voice remained calm, but sharpened with purpose. “Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen was the senior officer present in that corridor. Before him stood wounded cadets under active pursuit. Beside him stood Lieutenant Junior Grade Heather De La Rosa and two children. Behind them, hostile forces closed in.”

Serenity paused. “And in that moment, he chose only three people.” The silence deepened. “He moved into safety. He sealed the hatch. He gave no orders. He offered no covering fire. He made no attempt to organize the cadets’ withdrawal.”
A glance toward the cadet gallery. “They were left believing they would die.” She stepped back toward the centerline.

“The defense will speak of pressure. Of triage. Of imperfect choices made in war.” A slight incline of her chin. “And they are right about one thing: officers are not required to be perfect.” Her next words landed harder for being quieter. “But they are required to lead.” She placed the padd on the rail before her. “The evidence will show that those cadets survived not because of the accused’s actions, but because others arrived in time to do the duty he abandoned.” She turned fully to the panel.

“At the conclusion of this trial, the prosecution will ask you to find Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen guilty of dereliction of duty, reckless endangerment, physical misconduct toward a fellow officer, and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.” A final beat. "Because in Starfleet, rank is not privilege. It is responsibility.” Serenity returned to her seat.

There was silence in the chamber, and the audience, and the panel turned their gaze to the defense.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Caden Tharos rose slowly from the defense table, adjusting the front of his uniform before stepping into the open floor. He did not rush to fill the silence. “Presiding officers. Members of the tribunal.”
He inclined his head respectfully. “The prosecution has spoken of duty.”

A measured glance across the room. “So will I.”

He turned slightly toward the gallery. “Duty is not tested when corridors are quiet and systems are stable. Duty is tested when the enemy is ten meters away, a cadet has just died in front of you, and there is no time to ask for guidance from anyone.”

He let that image settle.

“On Deck Fifteen, there was no ideal option waiting to be chosen. There was no safe route. No pause for debate. No clean tactical diagram.” His tone remained calm, deliberate.

“There were only seconds. Children. Cadets. Hostiles. And one officer forced to decide what could still be saved.”

He motioned lightly toward Savar. “Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen does not deny his actions. He entered the Jeffries tube. He secured Lieutenant Junior Grade Heather De La Rosa and two dependent minors. He withdrew.”

A brief pause. “What he denies is that this was criminal.”

Tharos clasped his hands behind his back. “The prosecution will ask you to measure a battlefield decision with the certainty of hindsight. To treat an emergency triage judgment as though it were calm misconduct made in a conference room.”

He took one slow step. “The evidence will show that the cadets were armed. They were already engaged. They were capable of resistance. Reinforcements were moments away, though no one in that corridor could know it.”

His eyes moved to the panel. “The evidence will also show that two children in that same corridor had no weapons, no training, and no chance without immediate protection.”

Another beat. “Starfleet officers are sworn to preserve life. All life.” He allowed the words to hang.

“You may ultimately decide Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen’s judgment was flawed.”

A small nod. “But flawed judgment under fire is not the same as dereliction. A desperate choice is not the same as misconduct. And survival of some is not proof of betrayal of others.” He turned once toward his client, then back. “This trial is not about whether anyone wishes events had gone differently.” His final words were steady and clear.

“It is about whether an officer who made an impossible decision in impossible circumstances should be branded a criminal for making it.” Tharos returned to his seat. “The defense is ready.”

==Audience Reactions==

In the audience Alicia sat her eyes focussed solely on her beloved husband in an unwavering show of support. Emotions were high but her focus was higher and no matter what she would see this through.

Sitting in front of his cadets, David watched the opening statements quietly. He had been at the location in question seconds after Savar had abandoned his cadets to die at the vicious paws of the Galatonians. While he had not seen Savar's actions personally, and the internal sensor readings had been sealed upon Savar's arrest, the Academy Annex Commendant could only go by what his cadets had told him. He didn't know Savar personally, however, he had never known a Vulcan to act out of fear, only logic. Aa much as he hated the fact that more of his cadets could have lost their lives by Savar's actions, David's long life of experience told him that there had to be a, as the Vulcans would say, logical reason for the man's actions. However, they were not on a Vulcan ship or following Vulcan laws. He was unsure how the Tribunal would rule, following the end of this case.

Damien stood to the side of the courtroom, duty uniform crisp and pristine. Standing to full attention, his eyes were locked upon the proceedings. He didn't know the Commander personally. Indeed, until Commander Reece has brought him along to the arrest, he'd didn't think he'd ever said more than two words to him. But, based upon everything he'd heard about him, he thought he must have had a good reason for his actions, but Damien honestly couldn't think what they could be. He wasn't sure how the ruling was going to go, but he hoped that the Vulcan, despite his reasonings, hadn't thrown away his career.

In a Jeffries tube, T'sai watched the progress of the trail on her datapad. She could not believe that Savar had done anything wrong, so she needed to see what happened.

==Panel Thoughts==

N'vok watched and listened, absorbing the data, trying to understand exactly what had happened during those few minutes.

Anna's expression was heavy as she listened to the plea and the opening arguments. This was not a happy day for anyone.

Naxea listened to both sides. Both had points. One thing was certain --Deck 15 wasn't a battlefield. It was a bloodbath as Gunnery Sergeant Gami had described it. She herself had arrived after securing other decks.

==

The Commodore looked to Serenity. "Commander, you may call your first witness."

"We call Cadet Elaria Marie Carlyle to the stand."

Elaria came out of the witness section, her uniform pressed and neat. She walked confidently to the witness stand. She gave her oath with a quiet dignity and took her seat.

Serenity stopped a respectful distance from the witness stand, hands clasped lightly behind her back.

“Cadet, for the record, please state your full name, year, and training track.”

Elaria sat straight-backed despite the tension visible in her shoulders. “Cadet Elaria Marie Carlyle. Second Year. Security and Tactical Operations.”

Serenity gave a small nod. “Were you present on Deck Fifteen during the hostile boarding action?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What was your assignment at that time?”

“I was part of Emergency Response Group Delta. We were attempting to fall back toward safer positions after contact with the enemy.”

Serenity paced one slow step to the side. “Describe the conditions in the corridor when your group reached the Jeffries tube junction.”

Elaria drew a measured breath. “It was chaos. We had wounded with us. We were being pursued. We’d already taken casualties, and everyone knew the enemy was close.”

“How many cadets were with you?”

“Five others when we entered the corridor. Fewer by the time it was over.”

“Had members of your group already been injured?”

“Yes.”

“Were hostile forces actively pursuing you?”

“They were.”

Serenity’s expression did not change. “When your group encountered Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen and Lieutenant Junior Grade Heather De La Rosa, did one of your fellow cadets attempt to report the situation?”

“Yes. Cadet Junior Grade Clary Henderson.”

“What happened?”

Elaria’s jaw tightened. “She started to warn them there were more enemies coming. Before she could finish… she was hit.”

A hush settled deeper over the chamber.

“Hit how?”

“A projectile bolt. It went through her chest.” Elaria swallowed once. “She died immediately.”

Serenity allowed a beat of silence before continuing. “How close were you when that occurred?”

“Less than two meters.”

“What effect did that have on your group?”

“Shock. Fear. Some of us froze for a second.”

Serenity turned slightly toward the panel, then back. “After Cadet Henderson was killed, what did Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen do?”

Elaria answered without hesitation. “He moved Lieutenant De La Rosa and the children toward the Jeffries tube.”

“Did he give the cadets any orders?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Did he direct a tactical withdrawal?”

“No.”

“Did he provide covering fire?”

“No.”

“Did he remain in the corridor with your group?”

“No.”

“What did you observe him do?”

“He took the children, pushed Lieutenant De La Rosa into the tube, went in after them, and sealed the hatch.”

A murmur stirred somewhere in the gallery before dying just as quickly. Serenity’s voice remained level. “At the moment the hatch was closed, where were the hostile creatures?”

“Very close. Closing fast. Maybe ten meters.”

“How much time did you believe you had?”

“Seconds.”

“What was the emotional state of the cadets then?”

“Panic.” Her eyes flicked downward briefly. “We thought we’d been left to die.”

“Did anyone say that?”

“Yes. Cadet Tillman shouted, ‘They left us.’ and some profanity around that.”

Serenity let the words hang in the room. “Cadet Carlyle… did you personally believe you were going to die?”

Elaria held her gaze. “Yes, ma’am.”

“What happened next?”

“Phaser fire from the cross-corridor. Commendant David Tonelly and other personnel flanked the hounds and engaged them.”

“How close were the hostiles when help arrived?”

“Too close.”

“In your view, what would have happened if assistance had been delayed?”

Elaria’s answer came quietly. “We would have been killed.”

Serenity stepped nearer the witness stand, though her tone softened only slightly. “At that moment, was Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen the senior officer present in your corridor?”

“Yes.”

“As a cadet, what did you expect from a senior Starfleet officer?”

“Leadership. Orders. Protection. Something.”

“Did you receive it?”

“No, ma’am.”

The chamber was silent enough to hear the faint hum of environmental systems. Then, Serenity asked one final question.

“Cadet Carlyle… why did you choose to testify today?”

Elaria looked past Serenity for a moment—toward the panel, toward the room, perhaps toward memory itself. “Because Clary doesn’t get to.”

Serenity held the silence for one respectful beat, then inclined her head. “No further questions.”

Caden Tharos rose slowly from the defense table, buttoning his jacket as he approached the witness stand. His expression was composed, his tone courteous.

“Cadet Carlyle.” He offered a small nod. “First, let me say this: no one questions your courage on Deck Fifteen.”
A pause. “I only have a few questions.” He clasped his hands lightly behind his back. “You testified that events in the corridor happened very quickly. Is that fair to say?”

Elaria answered carefully. “Yes, sir.”

“We are speaking of seconds rather than minutes?”

“Yes.”

“You had been under attack before reaching that corridor?”

“Yes.”

“You had witnessed injuries before arriving there?”

“I had.”

“And then you witnessed Cadet Henderson killed at close range.”

Her jaw tightened. “Yes.”

Tharos nodded once. “So at the time you observed Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen’s actions, you yourself were under extreme stress?”

“I was.”

“That would be true of everyone present?”

“Yes.”

He paced one measured step. “You also testified that two small children were present.”

“Yes.”

“They were unarmed?”

“Yes.”

“They were not trained cadets?”

“No.”

“They were entirely dependent on the adults with them for survival?”

“Yes.”

Tharos let that settle. “When Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen moved toward the Jeffries tube, the hostile creatures were already closing?”

“Yes.”

“So there was no extended opportunity for a conference, debate, or carefully coordinated plan?”

“No.”

“You wanted leadership in that moment. That is understandable.” He inclined his head slightly. “But wanting more time does not mean more time existed, does it?”

Elaria hesitated, then answered. “No, sir.”

He continued gently. “You testified no orders were given. In that moment, were cadets already armed?”

“Yes.”

“Already aware the enemy was behind you?”

“Yes.”

“Already attempting to defend yourselves?”

“Yes.”

“So even without verbal instruction, you knew the danger you faced?”

“Yes.”

Tharos stopped, turning slightly toward the panel before looking back to her. “You told this chamber you believed you were going to die.”

“Yes.”

“But you did not die.”

“No, sir.”

“You and the surviving cadets fought, held position, and were reinforced.”

“Yes.”

“And because of that, you are able to testify here today.”

A quiet beat.

“Cadet Carlyle… is it possible that Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen believed saving two children and their mother was the most urgent action available in those seconds?”

Elaria’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Possible, yes.”

“Is it possible he made a decision you disagree with… rather than acting out of malice?”

Another pause. “Yes.”

Tharos inclined his head. “No further questions.”

Serenity was on her feet as he spoke. "Redirect"

Phoenix nodded slowly.

Serenity smoothed the front of her uniform before approaching the witness stand again. Her expression remained composed, her tone precise. “Just a few additional questions, Cadet.”

Elaria gave a small nod.

“Cadet Carlyle, defense counsel asked whether events unfolded in seconds. They did, correct?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And in those same seconds, Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen was still capable of moving three people into the Jeffries tube and sealing the hatch?”

Elaria answered without hesitation. “Yes, ma’am.”

Serenity took one measured step. “Before the hatch closed, did he give your group a single order?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Did he tell you to retreat?”

“No.”

“Did he tell you to take cover?”

“No.”

“Did he tell you where to fall back or how to hold the corridor?”

“No.”

A quiet beat passed through the chamber. “Did he fire a weapon in your defense?”

“No, ma’am.”

Serenity’s voice remained even. “After the hatch was sealed, who saved your group?”

“Commendant Tonelly and the others with him.”

“Was Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen among them?”

“No, ma’am.”

She inclined her head slightly. “One final question, Cadet. The defense asked whether Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen may have believed he was doing the right thing. Does that belief change what you saw happen in that corridor?”

Elaria’s eyes stayed forward. “No, ma’am.”

Serenity held the silence for a beat, then stepped back. "Thank you Cadet." She looked to the Panel. "Does the panel wish to question the cadet?"

"I have no questions," Rin replied, waiting for the others to answer as well.

"I've got nothing to ask at the moment," Orin said as well, waiting to see if anyone else had any sort of questions.

Naxea felt for the cadets to be faced with such horrific conditions. "Nothing as of now."

*Defense table*

Savar leaned toward Caden and spoke in a whisper. "Counselor, something you should be aware of. When I was with Lieutenant De La Rosa and her children on deck fifteen, I never had a phaser so I was unable to provide any fire support for the cadets. A fact that has failed to be mentioned."

Caden nodded and took note. Then "Noted. Let us save that." He whispered back.

Savar nodded briefly and resumed his position of his gaze unwavering, looking straight ahead. His posture stiff and straight.

TBC