CHAPTER 9
Stardate: 53246.9 (31 March 2376)
Starbase 17
Courtroom 3, United Federation of Planets v. Windslow
Again, Ethan Windslow felt the glare his wife’s eyes upon the back of his head. He had been too prideful to confide in her during the last few months. Once Windslow knew an investigation had begun, his first impulse was to confess. He was ready to. Then, Admiral Ross called.
*****
…Stardate: 52930.2 (6 Dec 2375)
“What do you mean, ‘don’t cooperate with the investigation?,’” a dumbfounded Ethan asked.
The long face of William Ross responded, “There is an opportunity for you here, Captain. I can make the evidence against you disappear, but I need to know you won’t crack.”
“I don’t understand,” said Windslow, “why would you want to do that?”
The admiral shifted in his seat, “There’s a position opening up on a very important ship. I want to see you get the job.”
Ethan knew the consequences of his actions if he were convicted. He couldn’t believe what he had done so far. How had I become someone I hate?
Ross must have seen Ethan’s contemplation. He cut in, “It would be like it never happened, Captain.”
There was a time I respected myself, thought Windslow. Oh god, what if my family finds out? …The things I’ve done…the terrible things I’ve done.
The admiral tempted, “All you have to do is stay quite.”
…They would never know….how could they? The ship is destroyed, they all died. …they all died. …They were already dead.
“I need an answer, Captain.”
Ethan looked up at the dark-haired man, “Ok, sir.”
*****
His mind now back in the courtroom, he still debated. Why am I still lying? The answer, he decided, was that he was a coward; a coward without the moral fortitude to come forward. He still clung to the lie as if it were a lover.
Prosecutor Morichi rose to lay out the case to the court. “According to Starfleet records, on stardate 52857, the USS Bismarck was ordered to detach from the Second Fleet to provide humanitarian relief to the recently liberated Cardassian colony of Pentath III.
Two days later, Captain Windslow and his ship arrived. Long range scans from a Romulan cruiser confirm that. After being there for only six hours, the Bismarck left orbit and rendezvoused with the rest of the fleet; minus 25 officers.
Captain Windslow reported that the 25 were KIA and the colony was not secure. The fleet commander accepted that.
Two weeks later, on stardate 52917, the Bismarck was destroyed in a skirmish along with two other ships by a Dominion patrol. It was only when the recovery team accessed the logs did they discover the now deceased first officer’s report alleging the crimes of the captain.”
The Zakdorn continued as she purposely wondered the room. “According to the late Commander Kalana, Captain Windslow abandoned his officers on the planet and deleted sensor records proving his guilt. Commander Kalana attempted to contact Starfleet, but outgoing communications were being blocked by the captain. The ship lacked a CMO because of the incident, so Captain Windslow couldn’t have been deemed unfit for command. The first officer had little recourse but to make a log entry and bid her time.”
Ethan focused on some unseen point on the table. A mix of annoyance and grief as his former XO reached him from beyond the grave. He dared not look back at Susan.
Admiral Miller, the presiding officer, turned to Lieutenant Commander Horlem. “Your response?”
Horlem, an un-joined Trill nodded as he left his chair. “The prosecutor left out some very important details. First, all outgoing communications were restricted throughout the entire fleet due to the realities of war. Second, she forgot to mention the details of the final battle that lead to the Bismarck’s fate.”
He gestured dramatically at his client, “Captain Windslow fought gallantly for a year as captain of the Bismarck. His first battle as captain was the raid against the shipyards at Torros III. Later, he commanded the Bismarck as part of Operation Return. The Second Fleet lost two-thirds of their ships before the recapture of Deep Space Nine. The Bismarck was also part of the fleet that liberated Betazed. In all that time, Ethan Windslow performed as captain well and with no complaints by his superiors.
Horlem looked directly at the court, “In the Bismarck’s final battle, Captain Windslow put his ship between a disabled Saber class and the enemy; providing time for that crew to escape. Unfortunately, in that particular skirmish, the Dominion destroyed every escape pod they could. The only reason why Captain Windslow survived was because he was the last person to get off his ship. Something any good captain would do. His pod was so close to the explosion of the Bismarck, that it was rendered powerless and the Dominion didn’t find it in the debris.”
Morichi spoke out of turn, “It is rather convenient how only he survived. But lets…”
The Trill ran to defend Windslow, “Are you implying that my client nearly froze and suffocated to death as part of a plot?”
“I’m just stating…” began the Zakdorn.
“That’s enough,” boldly stated Admiral Miller, “End the speculation; let’s get down to the charges at hand.”
Both Morichi and Horlem offered a, “Yes, sir.”
“Much of the data in the Bismarck’s computer was irretrievable,” began the prosecutor, “but there is a gap of sensor information on stardate 52863.4; the very time that Captain Windslow was at Pentath III.”
Horlem dismissed the statement, “That proves nothing, sirs. Data is often lost after the destruction of a ship.”
The Zakdorn’s face lit up, barely containing her satisfaction, “The data block in question had no physical damage. The data was simply erased. After some extensive work, engineers were able to recover some information, though not the sensor data itself. The command for the erasure was logged as having Captain Windslow's authorization code.”
Ethan’s only outward reaction was a long blink. Susan was numb, her mouth ajar. Admiral Miller and the two captains shared some brief glances.
Miller’s tone was professional, “Is there any other forensic evidence you wish to present today?”
Morichi gave a reluctant shrug, “It is difficult to retrieve any additional evidence from Pentath III, so unfortunately, no sir.”
The Trill stood, “For the record, sirs, it is difficult to get evidence from Pentath III because Starfleet still considers the colony hostile.”
The admiral nodded, as she reached for the bell, “So noted. We will recess until tomorrow, at which time, witnesses will be called.”
All stood as the three court members left. The prosecutor moved out as well. A smattering of people whom had come to witness the trial began leaving too. To Ethan’s relief, Susan also exited.
The second she left, a look of horror descended upon Windslow’s face. In a near panic, he grabbed Horlem by the arm, “Witnesses! How can there be witnesses? They’re not going to believe the word of a Cardassian will they?”
The Trill looked down at his client, with a cold look in his eyes, he informed Ethan, “The witnesses aren’t Cardassian.”
END OF CHAPTER 9
Stardate: 53246.9 (31 March 2376)
Starbase 17
Courtroom 3, United Federation of Planets v. Windslow
Again, Ethan Windslow felt the glare his wife’s eyes upon the back of his head. He had been too prideful to confide in her during the last few months. Once Windslow knew an investigation had begun, his first impulse was to confess. He was ready to. Then, Admiral Ross called.
*****
…Stardate: 52930.2 (6 Dec 2375)
“What do you mean, ‘don’t cooperate with the investigation?,’” a dumbfounded Ethan asked.
The long face of William Ross responded, “There is an opportunity for you here, Captain. I can make the evidence against you disappear, but I need to know you won’t crack.”
“I don’t understand,” said Windslow, “why would you want to do that?”
The admiral shifted in his seat, “There’s a position opening up on a very important ship. I want to see you get the job.”
Ethan knew the consequences of his actions if he were convicted. He couldn’t believe what he had done so far. How had I become someone I hate?
Ross must have seen Ethan’s contemplation. He cut in, “It would be like it never happened, Captain.”
There was a time I respected myself, thought Windslow. Oh god, what if my family finds out? …The things I’ve done…the terrible things I’ve done.
The admiral tempted, “All you have to do is stay quite.”
…They would never know….how could they? The ship is destroyed, they all died. …they all died. …They were already dead.
“I need an answer, Captain.”
Ethan looked up at the dark-haired man, “Ok, sir.”
*****
His mind now back in the courtroom, he still debated. Why am I still lying? The answer, he decided, was that he was a coward; a coward without the moral fortitude to come forward. He still clung to the lie as if it were a lover.
Prosecutor Morichi rose to lay out the case to the court. “According to Starfleet records, on stardate 52857, the USS Bismarck was ordered to detach from the Second Fleet to provide humanitarian relief to the recently liberated Cardassian colony of Pentath III.
Two days later, Captain Windslow and his ship arrived. Long range scans from a Romulan cruiser confirm that. After being there for only six hours, the Bismarck left orbit and rendezvoused with the rest of the fleet; minus 25 officers.
Captain Windslow reported that the 25 were KIA and the colony was not secure. The fleet commander accepted that.
Two weeks later, on stardate 52917, the Bismarck was destroyed in a skirmish along with two other ships by a Dominion patrol. It was only when the recovery team accessed the logs did they discover the now deceased first officer’s report alleging the crimes of the captain.”
The Zakdorn continued as she purposely wondered the room. “According to the late Commander Kalana, Captain Windslow abandoned his officers on the planet and deleted sensor records proving his guilt. Commander Kalana attempted to contact Starfleet, but outgoing communications were being blocked by the captain. The ship lacked a CMO because of the incident, so Captain Windslow couldn’t have been deemed unfit for command. The first officer had little recourse but to make a log entry and bid her time.”
Ethan focused on some unseen point on the table. A mix of annoyance and grief as his former XO reached him from beyond the grave. He dared not look back at Susan.
Admiral Miller, the presiding officer, turned to Lieutenant Commander Horlem. “Your response?”
Horlem, an un-joined Trill nodded as he left his chair. “The prosecutor left out some very important details. First, all outgoing communications were restricted throughout the entire fleet due to the realities of war. Second, she forgot to mention the details of the final battle that lead to the Bismarck’s fate.”
He gestured dramatically at his client, “Captain Windslow fought gallantly for a year as captain of the Bismarck. His first battle as captain was the raid against the shipyards at Torros III. Later, he commanded the Bismarck as part of Operation Return. The Second Fleet lost two-thirds of their ships before the recapture of Deep Space Nine. The Bismarck was also part of the fleet that liberated Betazed. In all that time, Ethan Windslow performed as captain well and with no complaints by his superiors.
Horlem looked directly at the court, “In the Bismarck’s final battle, Captain Windslow put his ship between a disabled Saber class and the enemy; providing time for that crew to escape. Unfortunately, in that particular skirmish, the Dominion destroyed every escape pod they could. The only reason why Captain Windslow survived was because he was the last person to get off his ship. Something any good captain would do. His pod was so close to the explosion of the Bismarck, that it was rendered powerless and the Dominion didn’t find it in the debris.”
Morichi spoke out of turn, “It is rather convenient how only he survived. But lets…”
The Trill ran to defend Windslow, “Are you implying that my client nearly froze and suffocated to death as part of a plot?”
“I’m just stating…” began the Zakdorn.
“That’s enough,” boldly stated Admiral Miller, “End the speculation; let’s get down to the charges at hand.”
Both Morichi and Horlem offered a, “Yes, sir.”
“Much of the data in the Bismarck’s computer was irretrievable,” began the prosecutor, “but there is a gap of sensor information on stardate 52863.4; the very time that Captain Windslow was at Pentath III.”
Horlem dismissed the statement, “That proves nothing, sirs. Data is often lost after the destruction of a ship.”
The Zakdorn’s face lit up, barely containing her satisfaction, “The data block in question had no physical damage. The data was simply erased. After some extensive work, engineers were able to recover some information, though not the sensor data itself. The command for the erasure was logged as having Captain Windslow's authorization code.”
Ethan’s only outward reaction was a long blink. Susan was numb, her mouth ajar. Admiral Miller and the two captains shared some brief glances.
Miller’s tone was professional, “Is there any other forensic evidence you wish to present today?”
Morichi gave a reluctant shrug, “It is difficult to retrieve any additional evidence from Pentath III, so unfortunately, no sir.”
The Trill stood, “For the record, sirs, it is difficult to get evidence from Pentath III because Starfleet still considers the colony hostile.”
The admiral nodded, as she reached for the bell, “So noted. We will recess until tomorrow, at which time, witnesses will be called.”
All stood as the three court members left. The prosecutor moved out as well. A smattering of people whom had come to witness the trial began leaving too. To Ethan’s relief, Susan also exited.
The second she left, a look of horror descended upon Windslow’s face. In a near panic, he grabbed Horlem by the arm, “Witnesses! How can there be witnesses? They’re not going to believe the word of a Cardassian will they?”
The Trill looked down at his client, with a cold look in his eyes, he informed Ethan, “The witnesses aren’t Cardassian.”
END OF CHAPTER 9
