Rise of the Phoenix (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 10 Dec 2013 @ 5:23pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Min Zhao

1,890 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: Earth - Starfleet HQ
Timeline: MD -19: 1120 hrs

Previously, on Rise of the Phoenix (Part 1)...

Vorlek was less than impressed by his more emotionally inclined colleague. the T'Sal only accept the best students in their field, an institution that two of his children had themselves attended when they were younger.

"The question we should be asking ourselves is do we wish to have an officer serving in the Fleet that is of a questionable moral and ethical nature?"

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

Larsen pondered the conundrum for a long moment while remaining silent. Both of the other admirals had brought up valid points and it was indeed a difficult decision to make. "I think she's got potential," he thoughtfully remarked. "She's very accomplished for someone so young, and I think it'd be a waste to see her spend the next several years in a rehabilitation center. And...she does seem to be apologetic. I didn't sense any bullshit coming out of her." He paused and let out a sigh while drumming his fingertips against the tabletop.

"Well, I can't deny she made some bad decisions," he continued, looking at the Vulcan, "but maybe the rear admiral is correct; she most likely needs some structure and a support system to help her through the next few years, especially if she's expecting a child. Starfleet can offer that to her, and in return, she can offer us her service and expertise. What about putting her on restricted duty aboard a starship away from the front lines? Give her a chance to get her feet wet again so we can re-evaluate her in a couple months? See if she's making progress?"

The Vulcan, had he been able to accept emotions, would not have felt happy at the prospect of returning a fugitive to active duty. Nevertheless, he felt that it would be a more prudent move to allow his more emotionally-active colleagues to make the call.

"Very well...however I would insist on a ship as small as is available - less crew on board for her to inappropriately fraternise with."

Larsen nodded. "I can't argue with that," he concurred, then began to do a mental checklist of the smallest crewed Federation ships. "Can't put her on a Defiant, they're out on the line too much and there's no facilities for a pregnant woman. Saber's are mostly deployed on border patrol -- similar situation. What about..." the lightbulb went off in his head, "a Nova Class? One-hundred total crew compliment and their sole objectives are planetary surveys. It would be a pretty docile assignment."

"A Nova class would be a suitable choice - large enough to avoid too intimate a situation however small enough to prevent wayward officers from hiding in the background. A logical suggestion Admiral Larsen."

The Vulcan agreed, picking up a PADD and flicking through the array of vessels within Starfleet that were currently showing less than maximum crew complements. After a few moments he stopped on one particular vessel, and smiled - albeit wryly and with a certain "Vulcan-ness" to it.

"The USS Galileo - Nova Class under the command of Captain Lirha Saalm - a former Intelligence operative - her service record indicates she is capable of dealing with the more difficult elements of her crew rather well. Your thoughts?"

Larsen's eyes went wide for a moment at the mention of the young Orion captain. "Saalm? Well, she is a good captain and rather unorthodox with her style of command, but...good lord, man. You want to put a young woman with inappropriate fornication habits with a captain who also has questionable fornication habits?"

It was no secret among the admiralty that Saalm enjoyed intimate time with others including her own crew, but whether or not it was simply due to her Orion genetics and the stress of space travel, Larsen wondered if it wouldn't complicate Zhao's situation further.

"Her Orion biology is not to be called into relation with her command capabilities. Plus I believe her Executive Officer is an ex-Academy instructor - surely someone who would be able to keep a new officer in line?"

The Vulcan frowned at the thought of making a decision based on one's race above one's capabilities. Nevertheless it was a good point that would need to be addressed.

"There simply are no other Nova class starships in the fleet with a free position - it is a case of either assignment to the Galileo, or assignment to a Federation penal colony."

Drumming his fingertips on the tabletop once again, Larsen silently debated the option before looking at the other, more senior admiral present. "What do you think, Jameson? Would Galileo be a good fit for her?"

"I have to agree with Adm Vorlek. The Command Staff's credentials and track record speak highly of their ability to appropriately manage their crew, even potentially troublesome ones like Lt Zhao here." He paused to take a sip from his glass. "I also think putting her on a ship where fraternization is allowed and accepted may make it easier to satisfy any urges she has without resorting to sneaking around on duty."

With a hesitant shrug and not entirely convinced it was the correct decision, Larsen nevertheless saw some the logic in the assignment. "Fine then," he said. "Then it's decided? Assignment to USS Galileo on restricted duty? With quarterly status updates from Saalm about her progress?"

Jameson nodded his assent. "Only other stipulation I'd place on her is that she has to complete a retread before we let her in front of any systems. She has been out over two years and there are systems changes she'd not be familiar with."

"A logical choice." The Vulcan replied, already busy writing up the transfer orders to move the Lieutenant back to active service as soon as the Galileo returned to Earth.

"Recall the defendant." Vorlek called out to the security officers manning the doors, content that the tribunal was now ready to issue it's decision to the waiting Zhao.

Min looked up as one of the guards opened the door and motioned for her to enter. "They are ready for you Lieutenant."

Min silently nodded and followed the guard into the room. Going back to where she stood not 20min before, Min stood before the tribunal, her hands clasped behind her back, as much assuming a position of respect before the tribunal as it was keeping her shaking hands from view. The next few minutes her fate was to be pronounced.

When the young pregnant officer returned to the room, Larsen neatly stacked the PADDs in front of him into an organized pile, an indication that he -- along with his fellow admirals -- had reached a judgement.

"Lieutenant Zhao, we've had a chance to thoroughly look over your case and discuss it, and we've decided upon an appropriate course of action. We're obviously not pleased with the decisions you've made in the past, and we especially feel they're in direct violation of Starfleet's Code of Conduct. So much so that you could easily find yourself in one of our rehab facilities for quite some time." He paused to let the words sink in.

"However," Admiral Larsen continued, glancing briefly at his colleagues on the panel, "we realize that all of us make mistakes, and we don't ultimately feel that punishing you further would be in yours or our best interests. You've suffered enough already, or else you wouldn't voluntarily be back here in front of us awaiting sentencing. You're a smart and promising young officer who we feel has the potential for a solid career in the fleet, and we're going to give you another chance."

Larsen picked up the PADD on the top of his stack and queued up the details of her new posting. "We have decided to recommission you with your original rank of lieutenant junior grade and assign you to USS Galileo, a Nova Class starship under the command of Captain Saalm. It's a small survey vessel which belongs to Starfleet's Planetary Sciences Divisions, and she operates off of the front lines -- usually near our frontiers. We believe this new posting will give you a chance to experience Starfleet life again in a controlled and less stressful atmosphere. Of course, a formal reprimand will remain on your record and you will initially be on restricted duty. Captain Saalm will be sending us quarterly evaluations of your progress, and we hope to see increased job performance from you over the next year. And, of course, since you've been away from the fleet for so long, you'll need to spend a couple weeks retraining with our computer systems and learning your way around a Nova Class starship. Starfleet's made some advances in computer technology over the past two years and we need to bring you up to speed with our new systems."

"Understood Admiral."

"My fellow Admirals and I did not agree to this choice of action lightly Lieutenant....should you show the slightest possibility of relapse then I will immediately order your recall and incarceration into a Federation rehabilitation centre until you are deemed to be suitably healed. Is this understood?"

The Vulcan was not one to mince words, and would, at a moment's notice not hesitate to follow through on his threat (which to a Vulcan was simply a statement of fact) if need be. Raising one eyebrow he waited for the rest of the tribunal to finish their speeches.

"Yes Admiral. This is clearly understood." Min could feel her hands trembling as they read the verdict reinstating her with certain limitations and restrictions. This was the best of all possible outcomes and she had to work hard to contain her emotions. The weight of the past few months lifted off her shoulders and she could feel. despite her best efforts, tears start to form in her eyes.

She looked at each Admiral in turn. "If I may be permitted to speak?"

Larsen gave an open motion of his hand, indicating for Zhao to say whatever was on her mind. "Go ahead, lieutenant."

"I know my word, given my past actions, does not carry the same trust as it once did. I am however grateful for the chance to prove myself again to starfleet and you have my word, such as it is, that I will not repeat the mistakes that brought me here in the first place. It is my sincere desire that the next time I stand before a panel, it will be for promotion hearing, and not for actions causing disrepute to myself or my uniform."

She paused, her body trembling. "Thank you for taking the risk."

"No thanks is necessary. This tribunal does not act on kindness, merely fact and logic. If there is nothing further then I move to declare this session closed."

Vorlek replied, again as unemotional as ever, and seemingly ready to conclude these proceedings sooner rather than later. After all, once a decision was made it was only logical to finish.

[OFF]

--

LTJG Min Zhao
Asst. Chief of Operations
USS Galileo

ADM Larsen
Judge Advocate Deputy
Starfleet Command
[PNPC - Saalm]

ADM Jameson
Disciplinary Chair, Fleet Operations
Starfleet Command
[PNPC - Zhao]

ADM Vorlek
Judge Advocate Deputy
Starfleet Command
[PNPC - Holliday]

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