Legal Tiptoe
Posted on Wed Jul 12th, 2023 @ 1:39pm by Lieutenant JG Andrew Griffin
Edited on on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 @ 12:23am
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
The Sins of History
Location: Security Office - Deck 10 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD003 1100 hrs
Andrew wanted to punch the wall. But he knew if he did that Lieutenant Benson would not be too happy with him. The Cardassian version of Starfleet's JAG was being very obstructive in his search for information about Gul Vancets son. They kept mentioning the information was filed in a Red File and legally they could not allow him access.
Andrew knew who he needed to speak to. He did not want her to hear how angry he was. So he drank a glass of cold water and took a time out. Then once he was now calm he pressed a comm switch.
“ Lieutenant Junior Grade to Lieutenant Commander Kelly Miller. Sorry to bother you ma’am but I need your help with a legal issue.” He said.
Kelly was at her desk, of course. She was starting case research for the new case, and getting herself steeled to go planet-side. She hated that kind of thing-it was always stressful because she often butted heads with the locals or the people in charge. Most weren't used to her personality, and even less expected that she did as through research as she did. She didn't sleep much anymore, so she had time to ensure that every single "I" was dotted, and every "t" crossed.
Her comms badge chimed. It was Griffin. What the hell was this? They weren't friends. She'd need to make sure he understood what the hell an "emergency" entailed. Still, with a deep sigh of unhappiness, she tapped back. ==/\==What do you need?==/\== No hellos, no small talk. It better be a good reason to interrupt her.
Straight to business. Andrew hoped this conversation would not turn into another argument.
“ =/\= I have a couple of questions regarding some legal issues. Firstly what is our stance on Bajoran religious law and secondly in your dealings with the Cardassians have you ever come across something called a Red file? =/\=“ Andrew asked.
Her eyes closed for a moment. Just as she'd suspected, the Cardassians were going to stonewall them. ==/\==Yes, Lieutenant, I have. Where are you? I can come to you or you to me. I am in the office.==/\== She would need to make a strongly-worded call to HQ, clearly. Kelly wasn't good at diplomacy. She'd rather just use her phaser to extract the information she needed if someone was being obstructive. Still, she knew that this had to be handled far more delicately.
“=/\= I’ll come over to you ma’am. Lieutenant Junior Grade Andrew Griffin out.=/\= “ Andrew said
-JAG office-
A few minutes later Andrew stood outside Millers office waiting for her to allow him in.
She heard the chime, and this time she was slightly warmer to him. "Come in, please," she said. As he entered, she spoke to him, though she didn't smile. "Do you want something from the replicator? I need more coffee," she said. She basically lived on coffee these days. She indicated a chair. "Please, sit." She paused a moment. "Please explain what is going on exactly. I need to know as many details as you can tell me in order to help. I can make some calls but you need to tell me what you need."
Andrew declined Millers offer of a drink.
“ We now believe that Gul Vancets son may of been responsible for the disappearances we have been looking into. The only close identification we can get of him or one of his associates is from a monastery they visited to track down a Vedek who was a prisoner of Gul Vancets. Unfortunately under the Bajoran Religious law of Privacy they won’t allow us to see any records of this visit.” Andrew said.
OH. That was more hairy than she thought. "And you're absolutely certain that no one else can properly identify him? I am reticent to trod on people's religious beliefs EVEN IF it is in the name of justice. Though I may not understand or agree with the beliefs, they are culturally necessary. BUT..if it is the absolute only way we have a snowball's chance in Hell of justice...I'll see what can be done through diplomatic legal channels. I know a Bajoran who is a JAG officer, actually. He may have some suggestions. I'll call him once we're done but I WILL NOT force anything that goes against his beliefs. Can we get someone on the inside?" She suggested. Kelly was many things, and many people would say many other things about her, but no one would say she lacked morals. She just simply couldn't legally overstep a religious belief. It seemed wrong to her. "We have a Bajoran aboard the ship. Have you approached him to help? He may be able to make inroads that you and I, as outsiders, can not." She shrugged. It was worth a shot. He could cooperate. He could tell them both to go to hell. It was anyone guess. "I can approach him, as well, if you'd like but...given our history, it might be best coming from someone else."
“ Before we travel down that road there is something else. The Cardassians are being extra unhelpful if that is possible. They say and I quote we can’t speak to you about Gul Vancets son if he had one because the information is in a Red file and cannot be viewed by non Cardassian eyes. I have never heard of a Red file before have you come across such a thing?” Andrew asked.
Kelly let out a deep sigh. "Of course they are," she said, under her breath. "They really need to be careful; their standing in the Federation is still conditional, and you wouldn't be remiss to remind them of that," she said. She always encouraged strength of character. "But I am not really surprised. They are a culture that relies on the surface picture looking good. Any deviation from that throws that image into chaos, and they don't like that." In a way, Kelly sort of understood. She, too, hated any suggestion of vulnerability in her own self. "If you know much about the history of intelligence, a Red File might be something akin to an "eyes-only" file in old Earth lingo from their former military or intelligence. For example, a Red File might contain national security information, and therefore, cannot be read by any old person, even a President or something. Only select individuals. HOWEVER. Even back then, they had legal avenues-subpoena, really. Occasionally, a body like a Monarchy or Senate or Parliament could ask for them, but usually, it had to come from solely very high legal avenues. The PROBLEM is finding a judge who would issue one that would be understanding of the need to see it," she said. Or at least, that was what she would currently anticipate. This may even be beyond her pay grade. "I can assist with that in whatever way you need me, but I suggest you exhaust every other avenue FIRST. Do a bit of research into Judge Commodore Sv'Rock. He's our district judge. He's a very logical man, and if you show him you have already done due diligence, he MAY be willing." Even SHE didn't try her fakery with that man. She settled back, waiting to hear what Andrew would say.
“ Thank you. I will of course do as you suggest. It makes you wonder though. It’s no secret that the Cardassian occupation of Bajor was quite brutal. I would have thought that the Cardassians would want to show. That they are doing all they can to bring the culprits of all the murders and tortures inflicted on the Bajorans to justice. Instead of covering all this up with red tape. If they did indeed get some high up Judge or whatever their equivalent is to slap on this Red File nonsense. Surely it shows they have no intention of any recompense for their actions during the occupation.” Andrew said.
By now, Kelly's hands were on her temples, rubbing circles. It wasn't Andrew that was the problem-this time-it was the situation. "The Cardassians are ALSO a race that prides itself on appearances. ANY deviation from appearing perfect isn't ok. That's why they're so terrible to mixed breed people, and are a bit weary of outsiders. As more and more join the Fleet, it's getting better, but you'll find the people who still live there and in their territories are a little...xenophobic, I'd say." She said. "So I don't doubt that they would SAY that they are righting wrongs, but actually not doing anything to do so. A friend of mine is Bajoran, she's always felt that the Federation, and to a lesser extent, StarFleet, dropped the ball on justice for them. I don't know if I necessarily agree, but I can see her argument. There's more we can do that we just-don't. For a variety of reasons, most of them political." She should check in with Nirut, actually. "If they're protecting this person, there is a reason. He has dirt on someone powerful, most likely. See if you can use that as leverage in the meantime?" She suggested. She was now grasping at straws-frankly, their only options were diplomacy-or disruptors-and both had unsavory outcomes.
“ Well what springs to mind dirt wise is this guys father. Gul Vancet never once apologised for his crimes. He worked people to death in his forced labor camp. Said it was for the good of the planet he claimed that before the Cardassian occupation the people had become lazy and were consuming the planets resources at an alarming rate. He was helping by finding new resources plus getting the people back into shape. Now it is possible his son is contemplating joining Starfleet and having a war-criminal father still walking around could be a but a bit of a shadow over things. We all know how some cultures behave towards the children of parents who have done terrible crimes. Just look at the Klingons.” Andrew said
Kelly considered for a moment. "Do it," she said. "Go tell this kid what you know. See if he'll roll over on his father. I've seen it happen before, it's worth a shot. I can come with you, if you'd like, or take Corwin," she said. "For the legal side of things." She paused. "I do understand...my own parents were Starfleet and it's true that legacies-good AND bad-follow you. Same with spouses," she said, with a small laugh. "When I was in my first posting as a new lawyer, we were part of the team that went to liberate Bajor. Some of the children we "saved," she said, making air quotes with her fingers, "have or did join the Fleet. I know a few of them have faced some trouble from other races for that. Mixed children have it bad..." she said. "I've heard stories." She sighed.
"See what you can do. I'll make my calls here, as well. See what we can get to shake out of the trees." She offered.
“ That’s the problem trying to find this kid. I’ll team up with Sorine two heads are better than one. Thank you for help.” Andrew said.
Kelly nodded. "You're welcome. Good luck, keep me looped in," she said. She stood up. "Here, let me see you out," she said. She opened the door for him to leave. "See you around."
A Joint POst By
Lieutenant Junior Grade Andrew Griffin
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Commander Kelly Miller
JAG Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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