Clear and Present Danger

Posted on Thu Jan 26th, 2023 @ 9:19am by Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Edited on on Thu Mar 9th, 2023 @ 5:00pm

1,387 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: Starfleet Command, San Francisco, Earth
Timeline: 21 June 2395

[ON]

Malcom mused to himself, as he sat waiting for the Admirals to enter the court, that he really had gotten himself into trouble this time. And there was nobody except himself to blame. The Romulans had taken a member of his crew, even if he was a civilian. The idea of letting Xavi's kidnapping go unchecked was not something he had been willing to do. A captain did not leave his crew behind. That was one of his guiding principles. It was also something that had nearly gotten him killed more than once.

The door from the judges' chamber opened and Malcom stood, assuming the position of attention. He was dressed in his formal uniform, the appropriate uniform, and wore all of his medals. His legal advisor, Commander Jones, thought it would remind them of his successful service to Starfleet and might be just enough to sway them from his impending doom. Malcom didn't agree. He was sure he was about to get booted from Starfleet if he was lucky. If he weren't, maybe he would spend a little time in prison.

One of the few saving graces of the entire situation was that the Firebird's non-sanctioned mission had foiled the efforts of two different factions: the faction that saw Xavi as an alternative to Empress Sela, and Sela's own faction that wanted to eliminate Xavi as a threat.

Only after the Firebird had rescued Xavi, at significant cost, had Sela announced that she had not endorsed the scheme and meant her young relative no harm. She'd also executed ten high-ranking Romulan officers.

Of the three Admirals that would decide his fate, he knew only one, Admiral Amarante Lebel. He could see the face of his former officer, Luka Stern, in her mother. They had the same face shape, and nose, and keen intelligent eyes. Malcom didn't know if her being on the court was good or bad. She'd worked both with him and against him over the course of their working relationship. He respected her as an officer but they didn't always see eye to eye. She didn't look at him as she took her seat. Neither did the other two Admirals. Admiral Kang'ta and Admiral V'ref. It was quite the cross-section of Starfleet Admiralty, actually.

Admiral Lebel cleared her throat. "The court will resume our session regarding the matter of Captain Malcom Llwyedd and the USS Firebird. Computer, resume recording," the said.
"Recording," the computer said.

Admiral Lebel looked at Malcom and her eyes were hard. The stone in his stomach grew two sizes but he maintained his stoic look, meeting her eyes without flinching.

"Captain Llwyedd, this court has thoroughly reviewed the events around the Xavi Incident. We have conducted interviews with all of your crew that survived, especially your Second Officer, Commander t'Aegis. We also interviewed the Ferengi delegation regarding the destruction of their trading outpost at your hands. Finally, we were able to attend the interrogation of the Romulan prisoners and heard their descriptions of what happened, limited though they were. We have deliberated over this case for the past three weeks and are prepared to deliver our verdict," she said. "But first my fellow judges have a few words." She nodded to Admiral Kang'ta.

The Klingon Admiral, well known for his exploits in the Dominion War, spoke. "Captain Llwyedd, as a combat commander at heart, I thought it was necessary to express my admiration for what you accomplished. Your ship, a frigate, wrecked great havoc against those who wished the Federation harm. You destroyed three Romulan cruisers, and severely disabled another. You managed to insert two rescue teams onto a Romulan planet, undetected, broke into a top secret Romulan base and successfully rescued a member of your crew, whose death or possession could have tilted the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant against the Federation. I salute you and your brave crew," the Admiral said, his voice full of passion as he describe the outline of what the Firebird had done. "But... I am no longer a combat commander. I am an Admiral in Starfleet and I also see the recklessness in your actions. You disobeyed direct orders and engaged in combat that could have easily resulted in the death of your entire crew."

The glimmer of hope that Malcom had been nursing, was snuffed out as Admiral Kang'ta finished speaking. He didn't have time to dwell on that though as Admiral V'ref began speaking. She was a slim Vulcan who spoke in soft tones and Malcom had to concentrate to make out what she was saying.

"Captain Llwyedd, I have analyzed every decision you made, using the Firebird's computer as my primary resource. I have also read all records related to your past service and those of your crew. Ultimately, your reaction and subsequent actions become quite predictable. Your combat history on the USS Iowa, your emotional outbursts as captain of the Firebird, your close relations with your officers both past and present all shaped your command style. The outcome was logical. Your course of action was against Starfleet regulations in a myriad of ways. And yet, when evaluating the outcomes, this court cannot ignore the data. The Federation is safer and stronger now than it was before your actions. In fact, it is logical to surmise that you have at the very least delayed an outright war with the Romulan Empire. Finally, I do not condone the idea of punishing an officer without examining those above them. Some blame for your actions rests on their shoulders as well," Admiral V'ref said and glanced at Admiral Lebel.

Well that was interesting Malcom thought.

Admiral Lebel cleared her throat again. "I thank the court for their service and their work," She said. "Captain Llwyedd, for your actions during the Xavi Incident, you are hereby demoted to the rank of Commander. Additionally, letters of reprimand are being placed in your file. Similar letters are being placed in the files of all members of your crew who participated in your rescue mission. You are to be put ashore for no less than six months and assigned to a remedial command course."

Her words were crushing to Malcom. The idea of a demotion had never entered his mind. He had been so sure of his dismissal from Starfleet. But her last words shook him from his stunned silence.

"Command course, sir?" Malcom said.

Admiral Lebel nodded. "Yes, Commander, command course. This tribunal has decided that your use to Starfleet exceeds your liabilities. Some of us do not agree," she said and Malcom knew that she had been the dissenting voice.

"And what of the Firebird and my crew?" Malcom asked.

Admiral V'rem spoke. "Reviewing your service records, your crew has taken the least amount of shore leave of any ship its size in the fleet. We believe this strain contributed to their poor decision-making. They will also be put ashore for six months minimum and each will have retraining opportunities."

Malcom understood what she was really saying. The crew was going to be parted out for six months, run through their individual wringers and then sent on to further stations. It was as bad of an outcome as possible for their careers.

"Computer, pause recording," Admiral Lebel said.

"Recording paused," the computer replied.

"Malcom, off the record, I'm encouraging you to resign from Starfleet," she said. Admiral K'tanga glared at her and Admiral V'rem frowned. "Your career is essentially over and your reputation will proceed you wherever you go. Haven't you done enough damage?"

For a moment, Malcom considered what she had said. She wasn't wrong, except for one point.

"Admiral, I've never denied my actions in this entire affair and I respect the court's decision. However, I don't consider rescuing a member of my crew and stopping a potential war to be damage. Quite the opposite. So, respectfully, no, I will not resign," Malcom said.

Admiral Lebel sighed. "Very well, Computer resume recording."
"Recording resumed," the computer said.

"I declare this case closed and sealed per Starfleet Regulations. I further order that Commander Llwyedd be processed and assigned at the earliest convenience of the fleet. This case is adjourned."

[OFF]

Commander Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

RSS Feed