Just When You Thought It Was Over....

Posted on Tue Jan 16th, 2018 @ 10:03am by

1,304 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Unknown Life, Unknown Dangers
Location: Starfleet Starfighter Corps
Timeline: Current

Zan had spent more time in transit than anything else, constantly being recalled back to SSC to account for his actions in the plan outlined to separate the infected nacelle from the bulk of the ship. SSC were less than impressed at the image created when the reports came in and scans of the Dreadnought would easily establish it was Federation weapon signatures that were the cause.

So far the talks were rough as Zan sat waiting outside the office of General Sokar Age. A talented pilot with a decorated history but forced out of the cockpit following a bad landing after an ejection leaving her with spinal issues. Though she was ruthless she was also fair to a point, even after the blasting she gave Zan when they got back she entertained him with opportunities to say his piece and add to his statements. He was sad to know of the 10 pilots he started the mission with, only 4 remained. Of the 5 that left 2 resigned to be civilian pilots, one a aeronautical contractor. This was a blow for Zan as it was becoming harder and harder to build a solid team with people leaving and new people arriving.

"The General will see you now Lieutenant." The Generals Aide de camp spoke as she stepped out of the door.

Zan stood up and tugged on his uniform before stepping in. It wasnt just the General this time though but a panel. The General, a Commander in yellow and another in red and both had consoles in front of them.

"Take a seat Lieutenant." The Commander in yellow spoke.

"I do not believe we have been introduced." Zan spoke as he took a seat.

"They are my aids." General Age replied.

"With all due respect General, if I'm to explain my actions or be accountable, I have the right to know who I'm explaining or accounting them to." Zan spoke.

"Commander Bruce Harot of the operational logistics branch and Commander Sarah Tort of the personnel branch."

Now that that was out of the way Zan could focus his attention to the General. Considering this had been an ongoing issue since the moment they disembarked the Dreadnought he was keen to get it behind him and move on with his career or if it was the end of it, find something else to occupy his time with Amanda.

"Lieutenant, we have reviewed the sensor logs of the entire wing on board the Ascension class, U.S.S. Dreadnought. Reports including your own also indicate that the plan devised by the Chief Engineer a Lieutenant James Bradshaw was put forward to severe the nacelle which had been contaminated by an unknown hostile bio organism that was spreading through the ship from that origin point." Commander Harot spoke.

"I'm not sure how many times I can tell the same information, the reports are there, collaborated by 9 other pilots, sensor logs, logs from the Chief Engineer, Command Authority and the Chief Medical Officer. This thing was hostile, aggressive and a contagion that was infecting everything it touched." Zan spoke from his chair in front of the three.

"I'd like to hear it for myself." Commander Tort replied.

"Under the articles I'd like to request a trial by court marshal." Zan spoke.

"Are you sure you wish to persue that avenue Lieutenant?" General Age spoke.

"General, I have been back and forth from here and my temporary quarters since the ship arrived explaining what happened. I have explained it to three investigators, two flight data specialists, a pair of security officers and examined by 3 corps medical officers and yourself General. I have told the same sequence of events every time, explained every action, detailed in depth every step and measure taken by myself and my department. I refuse to explain myself again unless it is in front of a full judiciary board of enquiry." Zan was clearly agitated, this poncing around was a waste of his time, he had a job to do, a department to rebuild and a Fiancee to see.

A silence befell the room, glances exchanged between all in the room.

"General, you yourself were a pilot and you believe that duty, honour, integrity and skill make a good pilot. I may not be the best pilot you have seen, I know I've seen some better ones in my time but I have tried to be the best that I can be, do my duty and do it well. All of this, reviewing, analysis, cross examination is wasting everyones time. I followed orders from my Captain, I didn't like it, I didn't want to fire on the ship I called home but I did it, I pulled the trigger first and I have to live with that." Zan started to explain.

"But I take with me from it knowing that I did what I was ordered to do, what I had to do to save the ship. Who knows what that thing could have done had it reached a population centre, a starbase or a planet, but I did it. As per my request General. You can of course ground me, revoke my flight status and take my wings away or you can grant my request for a trial." Zan concluded.

"Do you believe that such extreme measures are required Lieutenant?" Commander Tort replied.

"Commander, what I believe is I am here to be labelled the scape goat, to be thrown to the wolves and torn apart so that face can be restored, honour and integrity polished in the hopes that this blemish you see this to be can be buffed out. I have come to believe that this is no longer about doing what is right, but a witch hunt on who to blame. If you want to blame me then blame me and charge me with something, I pulled the trigger first and I have never hidden or left that part out." Xan calmly spoke but that calm held a price.

"If we can't resolve this issue, today. Then I believe that it might be the only way to bring closure to these proceedings and I can get on with my duties or, move on with my life." Zan took a breath. "Through all these talks and interviews, not once has anyone touched on that I saved the Chief Engineers life, or aided in the saving of the crew, only what bad has come of this, never the positive. That is what makes me believe what I do now."

Zan looked at the General. "Do you grant my request General?"

"Very well. You have exercised a right by the articles, I am required to allow it. With the right permitted and being key to the case to be presented your flight status will be suspended. As no charges have been laid you will be permitted to return to the ship and resume duties but not in the role of CAG but you will present yourself via holographic communications once the hearing starts. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly General."

"Dismissed."

Zan stood, nodded and then left. For once he felt a small measure of closure. No more running about, saying the same thing repeatedly. Just one more and then it would be done.

Back in the office however things were not as peaceful. "It was a mistake to grant his request General. We need him."

"I can not stop him from using his legal rights..." The General spoke softly, her face hard and chiselled as she looked at the door Zan just left through.

"We should have been up front with him." Commander Tort spoke.

"I needed to see if he was the best choice." General Age replied.

"He may be lost to us now. The Dreadnought is the only ship large enough." Commander Harot added.

"I know...."

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