Captain Wallace, Commander Loran, Chief Murphy, and Commander Kelly were in side Star Fleet Command's JAG, Court room. Wallace and Garek, along with Murphy sat behind the defendant's table. Commander Kelly, sat motionless, his attorney was a Lieutenant with some 5 years of service.
The Courtroom, was full, of Starfleet Captains, Admirals, and observers. It was quite, and Wallace felt a sense of gloom over this. All involved in this trial wore their wrap around uniform. Garek sat patiently, and was off doing something in his mind.
"All rise." The court bailiff announced as a Captain, that was acting as Judge step forward, to a desk that was level to the rest of the court. To his left were 5 line officers, who would act as jury, for the Defendant. Everyone stood up, and showed the usual respect for a judge.
"This General Court Martial is now in Session. All those who have evidence or part in this Court Martial step forward and you shall be heard." The Judge said, the Judge was a old human veteran of Starfleet.
The Government's attorney was a male Vulcan Lieutenant Commander. He stood up, and walked over to the jury, and spoke.
"Will, Chief Petty Officer Woodrow Murphy please take the witness stand."
Murphy stood up, and walked over to the witness stand. "Chief do you swear to tell the truth, so help you."
"I do. " Murphy responded.
"Please state what happen on April 18, 2384."
"Gladly sir. We were engaged by the Son'a and suffered minor damage. We then went to engage the Hirogen, and a torpedo struck the deflector array. I ran to the bridge to get a good clear picture, of what exactly was going on. When I got there, Commander Kelly was unable to answer any questions, and when he came to he said, We are all going to die. Abandon ship." Murphy was quite for a minute, then finished.
"I protested, that we leave, before we do anything else, mainly the wounded, but he struck me, and three good personnel died."
It was quiet for a minute, but then the attorney for the Government said no further questions. Kelly's attorney, stood up, and cross examined the Chief.
"Chief what damage did the torpedo do to the Arizona?"
"Extensive, sir"
"According to Supply Base 901's sensors, the navigation and deflector array were destroyed, and the port phaser cannon was destroyed."
"Yes, but the Arizona, had ablative armor. Let alone refractive shielding!" Murphy was getting clearly upset.
"Chief how many battles you been in?"
"Four, Sir."
"Have you graduated Starfleet Command school?"
Then the Vulcan Commander, stood up, and objected. "Objection your Honor. Chief Murphy is an Engineer, not a command level officer."
"My point exactly your honor."
The judge was quiet and then said he'd allow the question.
"No, sir."
"No further questions, Defence calls Captain Richard Wallace." Wallace stood up, and walked passed Murphy with out saying a word. Wallace did the usual oath, and then took his seat.
"Captain, when your sensors on the station sent back the data that told a horrible story. What did you think?"
Richard was quiet, and didn't say much, then he spoke."When I heard that I was worried for my ship, and crew."
"What were you worried about, your ship, or crew?"
"Crew, and the ship, but more so the crew. I wasn't worried about neither I knew Kelly's record, and he was a able Command officer. But he was one that was always, a little gun shy since the Son'a killed Ensign Parker. He had a responsability to his crew and ship, Lieutenant but was more worried about saving his own behind."
"Captain Wallace, according to your records you never graduated the Academy. Is that true?"
Wallace hated and saw the fact that Kelly was using every dirty trick in the book. "Yes." Wallace said with disgust.
"So it's safe to say your not fit to judge Commander Kelly's command judgment."
The Vulcan attorney jumped up, and came to Wallace's defense."Sir May I remind Lieutenant Hanson, that Captain Wallace is a decorated officer, and holds the position of Command over Commander Kelly, cause of his vast experience."
The judge leaned forward, and said,"Watch yourself Lieutenant."
"No further questions."
"Captain, Wallace would you please tell the court, what Kelly should of done." The Vulcan asked.
"Well, he should of secured the wounded, and then repair the damage systems, or at least try. When abandon ship order was given, he should of been the last to leave the bridge." Wallace said looking over the Jury, who was made up of mostly Commanders.
Star Fleet's Attorney then sat down. Kelly's attorney then came at Wallace again. "Are you aware of General order 12-Alpha, sub paragraph 2?"
"Yes, but nobody's life except the wounded were threaten. He should of order Murphy to get help with the wounded." It was clear the defense was not going anywhere, then the defense was given a bad blow, by Star Fleet. "It please the court to have Captain Wallace a Command, and combat expert."
"Yes."
Wallace then walked off the stand, and took a seat behind Commander Kelly. Then the Government, called a witness that was an expert in her field. Government calls Commander Kulna. A female commander stood up and walked to the stand, her wrap around was blue.
"Commander please, state your professional medical opinion about Commander Kelly's well being."
"Commander Kelly Suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and paranoid delusion. Cause by the death of one Ensign Greg Parker, and the torture inflicted by the Son'a, and the massacre of the New Canada Colonist. He basically snapped, under pressure."
It was quiet for a few minutes, then came words Wallace wanted to hear.
"Government rest."
"Defence rest."
Wallace and the other two crew members stood outside near a shade tree that had a view of the bridge. Wallace sort of felt bad about having to punish his officer, but knew the man was a loose cannon. Murphy took a seat on bench next to his Captain, and remained rather quite then he spoke.
"Sir, he killed Pat, and Nugent. He should be punished."
Two hours later everyone was in the courtroom again, and the verdict was being read. Kelly stood up, along side his attorney. The judge read the findings."Commander Vincent Kelly on the charge of Cowardice we find you guilty. On the charge of failure to safely abandon ship, guilty. On the charge of destruction of federation property. Not guilty.
I take in to account your excellent service record, and do this for the best interest of you and Supply Base 901. Your reduced in rank to Lieutenant Junior Grade, your security clearance has been revoked to a Lt Jg status, your striped of your position on SB901, you'll finish your tour there and then retire. Your assignment will be Captain Wallace's aid. Your to never be in charge of an away mission, or be left alone.
This General Court Martial is over." The judge slammed the ships bell.