Preparing Things

Posted on Wed Feb 22nd, 2023 @ 6:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Faith Benson
Edited on on Wed Feb 22nd, 2023 @ 7:28pm

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: The Hunt Begins
Location: JAG Office - Deck 6 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD003 1130 hrs

Kidd had assigned her a second chair. She was OK with that, usually, but did it have to be a woman? Kelly didn't work well with women. Not because she hated them, or something like that, but because they were more likely to have drama and Kelly didn't have time for that. A quick review of Benson's file was actually promising. How did a security officer have a background in the law?! She had no idea, and she didn't care, really. If the woman was capable, she was welcome.

The woman was supposed to report to her office here anytime. Kelly replicated herself another cup of coffee while she waited. She BETTER be on time; Kelly was a busy woman, and had things to do.

Faith, honestly, wasn't expecting to get that poke. She was kind of happy she did though. Regardless of her promotion in position, leaving her slightly a bit more work, it was still all the same. This was different, or hopefully it was going to be different. Regardless of her abilities, she didn't need them to know that if Commander Miller was wanting her for something, it meant either about a case in one aspect, or to help with a case investigation. Either way, it was leaning more into her mostly unused wheel house. It was exciting, so she was more than on time, she was there ten minutes before expected. Pushing the chime.

Kelly stood at the chime. Good, hopefully this Benson woman was here. She spoke. "Enter." Sure enough, it was Benson. Impressive. "Thank you for coming. Please, sit down." Kelly didn't offer her anything to drink. People were responsible for that themselves. "Kidd has tapped you to be second chair. To me. If you wish. I understand you have a background in the law." She let the words hang there for a minute. "IF you accept, I'll need you to start immediately. We have the Breen trial coming up. I will not lose."

She stepped in and as always with any other room she's not been in before, looked around for all personal items. Indicators towards said persons room. Who they may be. Insight. Returning her gaze to Kelly. "You're welcome." Moving to sit down, crossing one leg over the other just at the knee. "Oh he did? I'd love to do as such to be honest. That should help as well considering that I was very involved in that Breen incident. It won't however, make me biased in the prosecution."

Kelly nodded. "I don't doubt it. We all were there. Still, we're the only prison ship in this part of the Galaxy available, and I don't think they'll call another one just because you saw some Breen shoot at the boat. Commodore S'vrock won't take the time; I've argued a few cases under him, and he doesn't mess around. Vulcan. I like them, they're very by the book. I appreciate that." She had watched Faith look around the sparse room. The only thing she'd see was Kelly's various awards and degrees on the wall, some art print she liked and bought on an R&R at DS12, and nothing else. She kept her personal photos and the like in her quarters. "I'll tell Kidd, and we'll do the paperwork. He'll get with you to work out what he needs from you. On my end, just an approval. Did you argue any cases outside of the Academy?"

"What is the actual details of this case however, since I'm just now knowing about being assigned to the case. I'd rather you worked with me about it. Not having to wait on the Captain for working on it." Faith took a breath a moment, "And I have a number of them out side of the Academy."

Kelly nodded. "Good. It's pretty basic-the Breen we were able to capture will be brought up for treason and violating protected air space. Maybe also humanitarian violations; they had a few prisoners aboard. They weren't treated well." It wasn't anything too technically difficult, and the proof was irrefutable. As far as she was concerned, anyway. "Good, you have some practice. How come you didn't sign up for the Defense job before Corwin came aboard?"

"That doesn't surprise me. It's Breen after all, rumors are still out only a handful of people know what they look like and that they are not all one actual race either. Hence all the same helmets and uniforms." Faith gave a shrug at the last question, "I don't, I guess I lean more towards finding the truth. If someone isn't guilty, I'd rather know that before they are up for trial and find the real person who should be."

Kelly shrugged. That made sense. "That makes sense." She paused a moment. "The CIs will work with us to identify the Breen we were able to round up, and science is working on IDing the victims-they've been transported to a hospital ship for care, as you know." Hopefully she did. "Tomorrow, we'll go down to the holding cells with the CIs and see what we can find out. I do like to interview the defendants before we try them-even though I personally think they need to face justice, if there's someone at the top I can get, I'd like to know that, too." She stopped talking then, to let Faith absorb her words and to respond if she wanted to.

"There's a problem with that however, ma'am. If the defendants have 'lawyered' up. We can't talk to them without their council present. Even then that doesn't really mean they will even say anything. Or possibly just told to keep quiet."

Kelly smiled. "The simple answer to that, Lieutenant, is that all we can do is try. After we're done here, I'll arrange it with Griffin." She shrugged. It was all the COULD do. "If they do refuse, that's ok. We'll just use what they said on the Comms system during the skirmish. It's more than enough to establish intent. The Breen ONLY operate on the intent of their leaders-they do NOT independently think." She nodded once. "But that really IS an excellent point, and I appreciate you bringing it up." She handed off some files.

"Here, read these tonight. Be ready to go tomorrow. I am done." With that, her demeanor went from "slightly less horrible" to "detestable" almost as if someone flipped a switch. "You may go unless you have more things to say."

Faith opened her mouth to say something, and then shut it. Pausing while she gave a thought. The gears were turning. "I have a better idea. We lie. As long as it is not in open court, or being recorded during and interrogation or consultation, it cannot be used as admissible. On our end. Then again though if it's not being recorded and they admit to something, same thing. However, if we lie about something in a certain way to get them to give up information and make sure to turn the recording on before they say it. We can use it as evidence." Taking was was given to her and flipped through them. "Done. There is..a little more. Would you like to talk about what else is on your mind?"

Kelly sat back. That was...unexpected. She nodded.

"I have before, but it's not something I would make a habit of-it WILL blow up in your face eventually." It was why she'd lost her last case before she'd joined the Artemis. She was still salty about it. She'd lied about having a piece of evidence that she said she had but didn't (though it existed), and the person she was interrogating caught on. "But I am willing to try it." She paused another moment.

"What else is on my mind? I have nothing else on my mind besides going back to my quarters and hitting the rack after a cup of tea, Lieutenant, unless mind reading is one of your stronger El Aurian skills."

"We don't have telepathy that I am aware of, ma'am. I still feel there is something else you want to say, however, before you go and get your tea."

Kelly shrugged. "I don't think so, Lieutenant. Please, have a good night. I'll expect to meet you at the jail at 0730." She didn't care if the other woman wasn't scheduled to start until 9; she did things on HER schedule. "Lt. Kaida will be meeting us, as will security. NOW, is there ANYTHING else?"

Faith lifted hand up to brush a lock of hair out of her own face, tucking it behind her ear. Stepping within touch distance of Kelly. The violet eyes giving a look over her counters face. Pursing her lips a moment and even verbalizing a 'hmm...' After another pause, she simply reached out quickly to cup Kelly's cheek and pressed her lips to Kelly's. Holding it from a moment and then backing off, without a word or explanation.

Kelly froze. Her brain, normally sharp and fast to come up with a jibe or rude word, was short-circuiting. Her FIRST instinct was to throw something. Her second was to return the kiss. Her third was to hit the woman; not out of anger, just the sheer...hubris. Really, it was ballsy. She went with the second option. She stood, and crossed to where Faith stood. Without a word, or any kind of emotion, she pushed the woman gently against the wall, and kissed her back. "Have a good evening, Benson," she said, as she left the office. "Turn the light off, will ya?" She called out behind her.

Faith really had not expected any kind of response back, not in the manner she just got. She expected to either be slapped, reprimanded, scolded or any of the four. The fourth not being one that needs to be thought about. Even if it was, it wouldn't have been pleasant. At the push back, she didn't resist. Curling her arms around Kelly's neck lightly when the new kiss was given. A little...near moan, escaped her lips against Kelly's. Faith wasn't going to hold or keep Kelly there for the moment, as she figured that both actions were very impulsive and they had to process what just happened. "It's Faith...Kelly." Her cheeks about as red as the red alert lights would be. Shoving off of the wall, and reaching up to touch a finger to her lips. The thought, just made her blush even more. "Okay, okay...work, work. Case..I can turn the lights off when I get done."

A Joint Post By

Lieutenant Commander Kelly Miller
JAG Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

Lieutenant Faith Benson
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Second Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

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