"Plausible Deniability" (Part 12 of 12)"


Author: Major Johnny Chee
Stardate: 2461184
Earthdate: March 8, 2384
Location: Flor

Peace Treaty of Portanus, Article One:

Whereas further armed conflict between the T'rais and the United Federation of Planets, as represented by the starship Virgo, is in neither party's interests and will only result in further loss of life, all hostilities between the T'rais and any and all Federation elements are hereby declared over. Neither side claims victory.

Peace Treaty of Portanus, Article Two:

Both the T'rais and the Federation recognize the independence of Portanus V, referred to by its inhabitants as Flor, and the right to its inhabitants to self-determination. The Federation and the T'rais recognize the sovereignty and authority of the reigning monarch of Flor in all manners pertaining to this planet and will in no way undermine the monarchy. Unless specifically requested by its reigning monarch and upon the approval of its duly-elected Parliament, neither the T'rais nor the Federation will maintain any settlements or bases on this planet. The T'rais who had been inhabiting the planet will be relocated by their government to legitimate T'rais territories. All prisoners held by all sides shall be repatriated immediately upon the execution of this treaty.

Peace Treaty of Portanus, Article Six:

The T'rais formally apologize for their illegal invasion and occupation of Portanus V and will pay reparations in the form of all military, engineering, and logistical support equipment used by their forces in said invasion and occupation, along with no more than five hundred unarmed advisors to train local personnel in the use of said equipment for a period not to exceed six months. In addition, the T'rais agree to supply Portanus V with three automated manufacturing facilities and a fusion power plant. Any and all space vehicles manufactured and commissioned by the legitimate government of Portanus V will be granted free passage through T'rais space upon displaying appropriate identifying credentials.

Peace Treaty of Portanus, Article Eighteen:

In the event that the T'rais should attempt to reoccupy Portanus V by force or calumny, the treaty shall be declared null and void. The inhabitants of Portanus V may call upon any Federation assets available to assist in their defense should this occur. Unless supplanted by any future treaties, this provision does not apply to conflicts between Portanus V and other worlds. In no way shall it be construed to apply to any acts of aggression perpetrated by Portanus V upon other worlds, including those occupied by the T'rais.

Peace Treaty of Portanus, Article Twenty:

This treaty shall be lodged in the seats of governments of the Federation, the T'rais, and Portanus V and shall be considered binding in perpetuity upon all parties herein named.

________________________________________

In a ceremony in the Great Hall of Flor, before the Assemblies of Nobles and Commoners, the principals of all three sides; Captain Maruu, Sector Commander Krax, and King Zdeev; signed a hard copy of the treaty. Maruu showed Zdeev how to execute the treaty on a PADD, and the deal was done. Portanus V, now called Flor, after its first city, was officially an independent nation!

Beyond the city walls, Johnny, in his last official day as General of the Armies of Flor, was training a group of Portanan, now Floran, officers in the use of the T'rais weaponry. Most of it was similar in operation to the older equipment they'd been using, but lessons on tactics and strategy were needed as well. Among these officers was Machi, a cousin of Vinzi and now leader of the Soldier's Guild. Machi would replace Johnny as General. A transport awaited the release of the T'rais prisoners from Flor's dungeon, while unarmed T'rais shuttles looked for what was left of the enclave that had been stranded for either a thousand years or six months, depending upon what side of the time anomaly one was on.

Using a tricorder to analyze the science texts in Johnny's former library, now the official library of the University of Flor, Jenara determined that the Florans had been testing a warp field in the city that once stood on the site of the crater. The Florans had no particular interest in space travel at the time although they'd developed a rudimentary warp drive and had visited all the planets of their solar system with it. However, they were fascinated by time travel and interdimensional travel and had built up a large body of fiction on this topic. Ground Zero of the blast had been at a research lab where a warp-powered interdimensional doorway had been generated. That would explain why the T'rais were assumed to be demons, Jenara thought. The Florans must have thought they'd inadvertently opened a door to the underworld! It also explains the time distortion.

A knock at the door disturbed her studies. "Come in," Jenara said.

At the door was Taya. "I hope I'm not disturbing you. I'm told you're the wife of Johnny," she said.

"That's correct. How may I help you?"

Taya suddenly looked embarrassed. "I don't know how to tell this to youS"

Jenara could already sense what she wanted to say. "Just go ahead and say it. That usually is easiest," she said, in as friendly and welcoming a fashion as she could.

"There was a day, a few months after Johnny arrived, when I did something inappropriate. I knew he was married and was feeling alone and I..."

"I know nothing happened between the two of you, Taya. He wouldn't let it happen and I don't think you really wanted it, either. If nothing happened, then there's no need to apologize," Jenara answered. Explaining Tiadara might be a little more than this peasant woman turned royal consort could handle.

"Thank you!" Taya said, relieved. "Would you like me to show you around the city? If you're not too busy, that is."

"I'd like that very much!" Jenara answered.

________________________________________

Location: USS Virgo

Alysa was going out of her mind in the brig. Not because of the incarceration, but because of something she kept seeing. At his own request, word that Johnny had been found alive had been kept from Lieutenant Sinclair.

But this damned dog kept staring at her! She recognized the breed eventually as a coyote.

"Lieutenant," she said, addressing Sitto. "Are you sure you don't see anything in this corridor?"

"Absolutely, ma'am." Sitto was one of the few who knew what was going on. He knew what Sinclair was seeing, but his own perverse sense of humor didn't permit him to say anything.

It had been like that for three days. Finally she couldn't take it. There was no way she could ever tell the entire truth, not without compromising something larger, and something more promising. But the right deception might work.

"Guard, could you get Commander Benton for me, please?" she asked the security crewman standing watch in the cell block. "I wish to make a confession."

Benton, who was also aware of what was going on, kept a straight face. Then again, that wasn't hard for Benton to do anyway. "Yes, Lieutenant. Computer, record Ms. Sinclair's statement and place it under Security seal.

Authorization Benton omega three four. Please begin your statement with your name, rank and service number."

Sinclair did so, and gave her explanation. "I am responsible for the death of Major Johnny Chee, the attempted murder of Lieutenant Jenara Tomme-Chee, Ensign Bortu, Adrianna Chee, and fifteen other Starfleet personnel, in addition to the assault on Ensign Francesca Milano, the crime for which I am currently being held.

"My motivation was love. I wanted Johnny since we rescued him from the Ilion, but he never paid attention to me: it was always Jenara. After they were married I couldn't tolerate it anymore. If I couldn't have him, nobody could! So I arranged for Johnny to end up in a runabout in space my intelligence intercepts indicated was very hostile. Ensign Bortu was little more than collateral damage. I did not know him and had no reason to kill him.

"But it wasn't enough for Johnny to die; everything that had ever had claim to his heart had to die. That meant Jenara. I mined Johnny's office and their quarters to ensure that I got at least one of them. The Marine barracks were mined because I knew Johnny was there frequently and because I feared they may avenge their commanding officer once my guilt was discovered.

"I need help, and with this statement I wish to plead for clemency," Sinclair finished.

"Very well. Your court-martial is scheduled for Stardate 61189, two days from now. Your statement will be entered along with the rest of the evidence," Benton said before leaving.

He returned to his office to find Kalmar there. "It worked," he said. "How did you know what to do?"

"Many Starfleet officers are conditioned to think on a purely rational level. In fact, they tend to avoid the realm of superstition entirely. Johnny, however, retained the superstitions of his people and is well-known for having done so," Kalmar explained.

"Sinclair is purely interested in rational explanations. Anything on a spiritual level is suspicious to her, in fact, it unnerves her. All I did was confront her with a superstition that, if she cared to research it, could be connected with Johnny. The rest was just a matter of time. Jenara gave me the idea."

"So she confessed thinking she was being confronted by Johnny's spirit in the afterlife. Brilliant!" Benton exclaimed.

"No, she has not confessed," Kalmar said. "She gave you a very convenient lie designed to ensure clemency on the part of a court-martial. However, you should go ahead with this statement. Her true guilt, of attempting to twist the principles of your Federation, among other things, will be revealed soon. And she'll receive the punishment she deserves. For now, though, use her so-called confession."

"Why, if it's not the truth?"

"As the philosophers of thousands of worlds have discovered, sometimes even a lie can be made to serve a greater truth. Plausible deniability is one of many terms for this that humans have developed. It's also the principle under which Sinclair had hoped to operate. By accepting her statement as truth, we can flush out an even greater evil and save thousands, if not millions, of lives."

"I see," Benton replied. "But if you knew all this, why didn't you prevent what happened?"

"Believe me, I've prevented a great many tragedies surrounding this incident. You will never know just how bad things may have gotten," Kalmar said before leaving. "Some things must forever remain in the realm of the gods."

________________________________________

Location: Flor

Jenara was amazed at what Johnny had done since coming to Flor. Young children were being instructed to read using their people's holy book. Chamber pots were being carried to centralized septic tanks for emptying rather than being dumped in the streets. Jenara overheard two Florans discussing how to contain the methane from the septic tanks as an energy source. Healers were vaccinating children and adults. And the city, even after the war and the subsequent celebrations, was so clean!

"Johnny showed us much about ourselves and our true place in the universe that we'd forgotten," Taya explained. "Yet he always was careful not to give us too much at once. He didn't want us going beyond what we could handle. Even when he was Dictator of the city he showed incredible restraint; far more than any other leader we've had!"

Johnny as Dictator? Jenara thought. This I've got to hear about!

"He's a remarkable man," Taya finished. "Hold onto him as tight as you can!"

"After these past few days, I don't intend to let him out of my sight!"

________________________________________

Stardate: 2461189
Earthdate: March 10, 2384
Location: USS Virgo

Two days later, after all personnel from the Virgo had beamed up, the Virgo left the Flor system to its own devices. For the first time in well over a year the T'rais conflict wasn't a major threat. Other issues, however, still had to be dealt with.

A court-martial, the first in Virgo's history, had been convened. Captain Stephen Maruu presided. Given the circumstances, and Sinclair's confession, the trial was open-and-shut. It took only a few minutes to cover the evidence.

"Lieutenant Sinclair, you have confessed to all the particulars of this court-martial. An examination by this ship's Chief Medical Officer has determined that you have a serious mental instability that contributed, if not prompted, your crimes. Ordinarily you would be consigned to a Federation rehabilitation facility, but there does not happen to be one nearby," Captain Maruu stated. "And the nature of your crimes, while heinous, is mitigated by your mental condition. Our brig is not an appropriate place to incarcerate a mentally ill individual.

"Checking the precedent records, I find that Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager was presented with a similar situation in crewman Lon Suder thirteen years ago. At the time, Voyager was stranded in the Delta Quadrant, decades away from any Federation facility, and forced to deal with a psychotic crewman. Janeway responded by confining the crewman to quarters for the duration and ordering him to undergo intensive counseling. Given the similarities between these situations, I hereby impose the same sentence. You will be confined to quarters for the duration of our tour in the Gamma Quadrant, and remanded to the custody of a rehabilitation facility if and when we return to Federation space. In the meantime, you will undergo counseling at the direction of Chief Medical Officer Dana Maruu. Crewman Suder eventually was rehabilitated and was instrumental in saving the lives of Voyager's crew before he was killed in the line of duty. It is my hope that you can be rehabilitated and returned to a position of honor.

"Due to the charges, I have chosen to strip you of your position on this vessel. You will be assigned no duty until further notice. Additionally, your rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade will be removed, also until further notice. All secure and nonsecure files must be turned over to Security Chief Benton immediately. All requisitions beyond food, clothing, and toiletries must be cleared by either Commander Benton, Commander Lataro, or myself.

Computer, enter the judgment into the record!"

<Acknowledged. Judgment entered at 1230 hours on Stardate 61189.>

"Commander Benton, escort Ensign Alysa Anne Sinclair to her quarters and execute the judgment of this court-martial."

Benton led Sinclair away in restraints. As the door slid shut, Captain Maruu and the assembled senior officers laughed. They knew what was coming.

Benton and Sinclair arrived at her quarters. He keyed open the door and scanned the room with a tricorder for weapons. Benton retrieved two phasers and several hand-to-hand weapons. "Naughty, naughty!" he said as he ordered the weapons beamed to the armory.

"Oh, stuff it!" she said.

"Let's not be bitter. The sooner you start working on your rehabilitation, the sooner you'll be able to get out of here," Benton told her. "Now, transfer those files to Security."

Sinclair tapped some commands on her console and transmitted everything. Soon, very soon, it's not going to matter anyway, she thought.

"Is that everything?" Benton asked. "Remember, you are under the order of a court-martial and in exchange for your cooperation you are being given extremely lenient treatment. That treatment could become much worse if it is found you're withholding evidence."

"That's everything, Commander," she said through gritted teeth.

"Very well. Dr. Maruu will be here at 1600 hours for your counseling session," Benton said before leaving. "Computer, Security seal on this door in accordance with the order of the general court-martial entered at 1230 hours on stardate 61189. Admit only individuals specified in the Captain's general order number 13720. Erect a Level Five force field should Ensign Sinclair attempt to leave. Authorization Benton omega three four."

<Acknowledged. Orders implemented.>

Benton then left the room.

As soon as Benton left, the lights went out.

"Computer, lights," Sinclair requested. The lights went on. Sitting in front of the door was a coyote.

"Computer, is there an unauthorized life form in my quarters?"

<Negative.>

"Display library file regarding the Earth life form known as a coyote. Highlight all cultural and historical references."

The file scrolled up to the indicated section. Sinclair read the entry with alarm as she sat down. A very audible click sounded as she placed her weight on the chair.

"What do you want from me?" she pleaded. "I've been tried and convicted, and I may end up spending the rest of my life here! Must you torment me as well? I never thought they'd actually kill you!" Sinclair pleaded with the coyote.

"They didn't," a voice behind her said. She swiveled in her chair to see Johnny standing behind her. He was dressed in a Starfleet uniform once again, his hair cut high and tight. The scars he bore both inside and outside made him look much older and more menacing. "I'll give them credit for trying, though. Your days, however, are numbered."

Sinclair was confused. "What do you mean?"

"My time on Portanus V, or Flor, I guess we should call it now, gave me a lot of time to work with my hands. Making simple machines, fixing things, stuff like that. Something I find I enjoy doing, which is good because

Jenara's been after me to find a hobby that doesn't involve a holodeck. I also learned about a number of ancient devices that are still useful today. You're sitting on one of those now. It's called an antipersonnel mine.

That click you heard was the trigger. If you try to get up, the mine will detonate. It's not much of a charge, I may have to shower off the blood, but I'll be unhurt. You, on the other hand, will have to be sponged off the overhead by Maintenance."

Sinclair's face went white.

"That whole court-martial proceeding you just went through? It's a sham. With the exception of a few thousand Florans and T'rais who would've probably killed each other anyway, nobody died. Not me, not Jenara, not Ensign Bortu or any of my Marines. And the Florans are actually better off than they were before your little scheme. Someday they may even join the Federation voluntarily. I hope so. We need people like King Zdeev and Vinzi the Wizard a hell of a lot more than we need manipulative Intelligence pukes!"

Johnny continued in a casual tone. "Those of us who were trapped in your little web have decided not to press charges. Your "confession" was a nice touch, I'm flattered, really, but everyone knows it's a lie. There's very definitely grounds for attempted murder, coercion, interfering with the chain of command, assault, unauthorized use of explosives, and willful damage to Starfleet property. I'm really upset about that one, you destroyed the parchment High Mage Glybothar gave me back on Xenon III! And then there's that nasty little problem involving General Order Number One, better known as the Prime Directive.

"But you're not going to be charged with any of these things. Even the Prime Directive violation, thanks to our new-found friends the T'rais, and the fact that the Florans actually were warp-capable six months ago, the PD doesn't apply. I discussed this with the Captain, and he agreed, all charges are being dropped in exchange for you getting psychological help!

"I hope you do get help, Ensign. And I hope you recover, I really do. But you don't belong in Starfleet. If you represent the real Starfleet then I think I'll call up the T'rais and sign up with them. They may be bastards, but you always know what to expect from them. I don't know what your future holds. But one thing is true:" Johnny said, his tone suddenly going flat, his eyes staring straight into Sinclair's.

"I still reserve the right to press charges, and thanks to the nature of the crimes there is no statute of limitations. If I find out you are pulling any more crap like this with any member of the crew, or any member of Starfleet, for that matter, I will press these charges. And if you ever threaten my wife or any member of my family again, I will find you and rip the living heart from your body. Do I make myself clear, Ensign?!"

Sinclair nodded, her brow wet with sweat.

"Now, get up!" Johnny ordered. "Go ahead; it's perfectly safe."

Slowly, Sinclair got up. Something popped out of her seat. Someone behind her caught it. It was a wooden object, shaped and painted vaguely like an insect, with a metal spring inside.

"This is cute! What is it?" Jenara asked.

"It's a jumping toy I designed for the kids on Flor. It was an instant hit there. I thought the baby would enjoy it," Johnny answered, matter-of-factly.

"You haven't seen her yet, have you?" Jenara asked.

"You know, you're right! I think I've put that off a little too long. Shall we go?" Johnny said, walking over to Jenara and taking her arm.

"Why, yes! I think Maintenance is finished rebuilding our quarters, too! I might need some help redecorating, though," Jenara said as they left Sinclair's quarters.

Sinclair fainted once the door shut behind them.

________________________________________

"She's beautiful!" Johnny said, holding his daughter for the first time. He could have been with Adrianna much sooner but wanted to clean himself up first. Adrianna looked up at him, her eyes twinkling. She rooted as Johnny touched her cheek with a callused finger. "She looks just like her mother!"

Jenara put her arm around him. They stood in their newly-rebuilt quarters. They were bare of everything but standard-issue furnishings, but more elaborate decoration could wait. The door chimed. "Enter," Jenara said.

In walked Kalmar and Benton, each bearing objects in boxes. "We thought you might enjoy some housewarming gifts," Kalmar said. He handed a box to Johnny.

Johnny opened the box. Inside was a rolled parchment scroll. He unrolled it and found the Nine Sacred Glyphs of the Nirkno.

"Of all the things you had, I knew that one was the one you valued most. So, in a spare moment, and let me tell you, there weren't many, I paid a visit to Glybothar, told him what happened, and he made you a new copy! By the way, everything is going well on Xenon III and the High Mage sends you his best wishes," Kalmar told him.

"You didn't have toS I could have replicated a copyS" Johnny said, speechless.

"Hey, I'm a god! It's my job to think of the little things!" Kalmar said.

"Francesca wanted to give this to you at the baby shower, but with everything that happened you never had one," Benton said, presenting a box to Jenara. She opened it to reveal a tribble.

"Its name is Snarf. It's one of Spot's progeny, but don't worry!" Benton said as Johnny and Jenara looked alarmed. "Dana assures me it's completely sterile."

Jenara took the baby from Johnny and set her in the bassinet along with Snarf. The young tribble sidled up to the baby and began purring. The baby curled around the tribble. The gift was a definite success!!!

[Barek to Major Chee, come in please,] Johnny's com badge sounded.

"Sergeant, I'm not to be disturbed unless it's an emergency. What's happening?" Johnny asked, irritated that his first break from business in over a year had been interrupted.

[I can't get into it right now, but you'd better get to the quarterdeck immediately!]

"Uh, folks, it looks like duty calls again," Johnny said reluctantly. "Hopefully this won't take long."

"Go ahead; take all the time you need. We'll be here," Jenara said as Johnny left.

The three waited a few minutes as Johnny went further down the corridor. Jenara picked up Adrianna and all of them headed to the quarterdeck as soon as Johnny was out of sight.

Johnny entered the quarterdeck, also completely rebuilt, to see the platoon assembled in formation. With them was Commander Lataro and Ensign Bortu. Bortu was holding a large, flat, wrapped package.

"Sir, compliments of King Zdeev of Flor," Bortu said, presenting the package to Johnny. Johnny unwrapped it. It was the old T'rais poster of him, in a gilt frame from the Artists' Guild of Flor. An inscription along the edge, in English, read:

WITH THE COMPLIMENTS AND GRATITUDE OF THE PEOPLE OF FLOR

Johnny laughed. "Not everyone has their own 'wanted' poster in a frame!" he said. "Who did the inscription? I was careful not to speak any Earth languages while I was there."

"I helped them out," Jenara said, as she walked into the room with the baby, making a rare appearance on the quarterdeck. Kalmar and Benton followed her. "They told me what they wanted to say and asked me to translate it into your language. I don't know Navajo so I settled for English."

"Wise choice. Do you know how long that inscription would have been otherwise?" Johnny said, laughing, once more amazed by his wife. "They'd still be engraving it!"

"Two more things," Lataro said. "Minor personnel things, but things I thought you might like to be aware of. First of all, Ensign Bortu is now a combat-qualified pilot, with two kills on his record: one T'rais bomber and one cruise missile. Good work, Ensign." Everyone in the room applauded.

"Just doing my duty, sir."

"Secondly, Major, you may notice a slight difference in Private Zelansky's uniform." Johnny looked closer and noticed that Zelansky was wearing a blue collar: medical blue. "His test scores are in, and given his successful record in the role he is now officially a Starfleet medical technician, attached to your platoon. Your recent evaluation of his performance played no small role in the decision by Dr. Maruu to confer that status." Before the time loop Johnny had given Zelansky a performance rating of "excellent," the first one he'd earned honestly in his entire career.

"Good! Now I know who to go to for my next hangover!" Johnny said. Jenara gave him a sharp elbow to the ribs.

"Major," a voice behind the group startled everyone. "I, too, have something for you."

Everyone turned around to see Captain Maruu standing in front of the door.

Stephen tossed a small black box at Johnny. He spoke as Johnny caught the box and opened it. "For your valor, bravery, leadership skills, and pretty much all the rest of the values you demonstrated on Flor which, if I were to mention them all, we'd be here as long as this mission lasts, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Colonel. Congratulations, Colonel Johnny Chee."

"And finally," Barek said, turning all eyes back to the front, "some bad news: in the destruction of your office the unit colors were completely destroyed. The mine was placed directly behind them. So, we've had to commission new colors. Upon discussion with certain interested parties, and given the nature of recent events, we came up with an appropriate design. Gentlemen!" Two Marines stepped forward and held up the new flag between them. The flag bore a silhouette of a coyote howling at a full moon.

"Major, may I present the USS Virgo Marine Detachment: Chee's Coyotes!"

"Beautiful!" Johnny exclaimed. "I love it! One question, though," he said, looking around.

"What might that be?" Jenara asked.

"If everyone's here, who's watching the tribble back in our quarters?"

Benton rolled his eyes.