Uncomfortable Arrival

Posted on 11/08/2020 @ 10:52pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers & Lieutenant JG Larissa Syndel

Mission: S3E1: Time of Change
Location: Earth Orbit
Timeline: Day 79 at 0800

For once, returning to his adopted world held none of the pleasures it once had. As the Crazy Horse entered the Sol System, he felt as though the ship were returning under a shroud of grief and shame. Communication traffic picked up as it always did once they'd past Jupiter and he was not surprised that Starfleet Security was already requesting permission to come aboard. He granted his permission which meant that Syndel, because he had long since given up referring to her by the rank she no longer deserved, would soon be in prison on Earth awaiting her court martial. Nor did it surprise him particularly to discover that Admiral Rynott also wished to speak to him at his earliest convenience (which, in Admiral speak, meant as close to immediately as was possible).

"Assume standard orbit, Mr. O'Hara," Cian ordered. "Notify the transporter room that a Starfleet security team will be coming aboard. I'll meet them myself."

"Aye, Sir," O'Hara responded with just a touch of Ireland rolling through his voice. Like everyone else on the Bridge, the trip back had been a sober one with crew members dealing with the death of one of their own, over 400 traumatized colonists, and of course, their notorious prisoner, Larissa Syndel. There wasn't anyone on the ship who hadn't discussed that topic to death on the way back. "Transporter Room 1 is waiting for your arrival."

"I'll be in the Transporter Room then," Cian said as he rose smoothly from his seat. "Have security bring the prisoner to the Transporter Room and inform department heads that I am authorizing shore leave for the crew." He headed to the turbolift and only when the door closed, did he lean back against the wall, eyes closed. "Deck 4."

[Transporter Room #2, Deck 4]

Cian entered the transporter room shortly ahead of the security detail. "Anytime you're ready," he said to the transporter technician. Privately, he amended, Let's just get this over with.

Moments later the door opened and Larissa; her arms handcuffed in front of her stepped through followed a moment later by two armed security. "Captain, Lieutenant." She greeted the pair though they no doubt didn't want anything to do with her at the moment.

Normally Alex was not the sort of person to fraternize or gawk over a prisoner. However, this one was going to be special: an Orion Lieutenant. While there was no doubt in Alex's mind that the Orion was guilty (She would not think of her as Lieutenant Larissa Syndel because that would make her a person and criminals were not people.), she was more than a little curious why she did not use her Orion wiles to accomplish her goals. After all, Orions were famed for their ability to seduce and dance their way into men's hearts, or more correctly, pants.

So, with this curiosity, she had to peer into the Orion's eyes. Alex wanted the Orion to know that she knew of her guilt and at the same time take stock of this creature. The sooner that Alex convicted her, the sooner Alex figured that she could move on with her life and rid the Federation of someone truly dangerous. Now, if she could just assist get her pseudo boyfriend to stop finding himself in the wrong places at the wrong time....

"Commander," Cian said as, ignoring Syndel completely, he watched the officer move to stand directly in front of the prisoner. It was easier somehow to think of her in those terms. Prisoner as opposed to valued member of his crew. Prisoner. Betrayal of the ideals he stood for and lived by. It had been thirty-eight days of travel. The time it had taken for the ship's return to Earth meant had given him time to get over the initial shock and do what processing was possible. "We are officially turning Lieutenant JG Larissa Syndel over to you pending court martial."

Alex looked at Cian and immediately apologized, "I am sorry that you had to return to Earth for this." She gestured disgustedly at the Orion, not yet daring to look into the horrible woman's eyes. "You can have your officers take her to the holding cells. I just came to greet you and express my sympathies at your loss."

"Thank you, Commander," Cian said. "The Master Chief will be missed." He turned toward the security detail and said. "Escort the prisoner to the holding cells and return here when you're done."

"Aye, Sir," the largest of the three answered as they guided Larissa up onto the transporter pad and took up positions around her. "Transport us directly to the prison complex," he said in a flat, no-nonsense tone. "Make sure you notify them of our arrival." There would be no chance for escape as far as he was concerned. What trust and good will she had earned with him, as a member of the senior staff, had evaporated on that station.

Larissa stood on the transporter pad waiting for the beam out looking at Cian, she doubted she'd ever see most of them again, except for at the trial. "Goodbye Captain, I'm sorry." A few moments later she and her escort dematerialized.

Cian met her gaze, his expression hooded and unreadable, but there was a wealth of sadness in his voice when he turned toward the commander. "We've already delivered the data we have to your office," Cian said, "but if there's anything else you need. We're at your disposal."

Sorry? She apologized? For what? There is no excuse for killing. "I would like to know more about the Defendant, Captain. Can we set up a meeting for later today?"

"Of course," Cian said politely. He found the idea distasteful but then, it wouldn't be the first time he'd had to do something unpleasant. And certainly not the last. "I have a funeral to attend at 4:00 but I'm free otherwise. Let me know when and I'll make it a point to be there."

"Very well. How would 1800 be? Dinner?"

"That would be fine," Cian said. "1800. I'll let you know when I get back."

"I will wait for you to ring my comm. Please give my sympathies to the family of the decedent."


A Post by:

Captain Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse

Lieutenant JG Larissa Syndel
Prisoner

Lieutenant Commander Alex Rahmer
Prosecuting Attorney
JAG