It was a difficult morning for Commander Richard Wallace he had been informed that after nearly facing certain death and destruction he was being investigated and formal charges will being brought fourth. He knew that the Article 32 hearing was to present evidence and if the ruling judge thought the evidence was enough he would order a court martial.
This was a very hard thing for Richard to take. He had given 22 years of his life to serve and protect the Federation it's citizens and fellow Star fleet officers and crew alike. Now he believed he was being punished for doing what he thought was right.
To further the pain Star fleet put Commander Wallace's own father in charge of his defense without his approval or consent. Bitterness was all Richard knew how to feel right now as he sat in the Harp Irish pub as he drank a real Irish ale and read over the possible outcome if the court did find enough evidence to charge and convict.
Two years in a Federation Penal Colony and dishonorable discharge. That is what I get for a thank you. Damn rules, which were written by some brass that never faced anything more then a replicator malfunction. Richard thought to himself as read the possible out come to himself.
"Hello Commander, mind if I sit?" Chief Kirkland asked holding a pint of ale in his hand.
Richard looked up and saw his old friend, someone he had trusted and put his life in his hands many a times.
"Of course Pete." Richard replied throwing Chief Kirkland off, for he had not done that in a long time call him his first name in dear utmost affection.
"So have you heard?" Richard asked.
Taking a sip and remaining quite for a few seconds he just nodded his head in agreement of us he had heard.
"Most of Colony knows by now. Damn shame too, sorry you were relieved of duty until further notice."
Being relieved of duty was another blow. In all of Richard Wallace's years of duty he had never been let go of his duties like this.
"So Chief what you think I should do?"
Chief Kirkland was silent he had no advise to give his friend that would help him out. "I don't Rick. Did you violate the rules of engagement? I mean your a mustang and underneath those pips your still a tactical Chief Petty officer. You know how from time to time we violate rules and officers look the other way. However now you can't do that, officers are the one they come after in situations like this."
It was silent for a few minutes, and Richard knew his friend was correct. "Chief I did fire without warning which may of escalated the incident and may not of. However we will never know."
"Commander accept responsibility for actions. Remember Lieutenant Green our Company commander in the Rangers?" It was quite for a few seconds it had been awhile since either had thought or brought his name up.
"Yes, as a leader accept responsibility for your actions no matter the outcome. Thanks Chief that is a real big help." Richard stood up and left the pub and tapped his comm badge. "Commander Wallace to Commodore Hunter come in."
[Yes Commander?]
"I need to speak with you now it's important."
[Commander it's 1630 hours I am getting ready to go home to a nice dinner. Can't it wait?] Hunter's tone was rather aggravated with every right to be.
"No sir."
Hunter agreed and wait for 15 minutes for Wallace to arrive in his office. Upon entering the office Hunter could smell alcohol on Wallace's breath and wasn't too pleased with that but kept those feelings to himself.
"Sir I wish to enter into record that I did not properly ID the Franklin or our intentions. I don't feel that a Article 32 hearing is warranted since three charges must be filed in order for it to go through. I will accept any punishment that you or Star fleet is going to deal out." Richard stood tall and proud.
Hunter gave a sigh and shook his head. "Commander are you drunk?"
"No sir one pint of ale is all I had. I remember what my Company commander said that If things went bad it's your fault, that is the cost of being an officer."
"So your entering into record that you acknowledge your violation of the two rules of engagement?" Hunter asked turning his desktop screen on.
"Yes and violation of the Peace."
"Very well as your commanding officer. You are Herby ordered to the brig for five days for firing with out proper cause, and violation of the peace. However you are order to attend the hearing on September 8th for destruction of the USS Benjamin Franklin. I have noted it in the log. Anything further you wish to say?"
I can do this.
"Sir I wish to put in for retirement My 23 years will be up in December of this year." I did it after all this thinking about it I've done it. Richard stood tall and proud.
Hunter was not too happy with Wallace. Here was a man that could of easily walked into the hearing and won. A man of principles and now he was taking the easy way out.
"Commander Richard Wallace, I am very disappointed in your chose. Can I trust you to walk yourself into the brig or do I have to have Mister Academy do it?"
"Yes you have my word sir."
"Dismissed." Hunter took a seat and took a few deep breaths to calm down.
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