Leslie Sutton worked her jaw slowly, testing the stiffness as she chewed through her third solid meal in nearly two weeks. The soreness had faded days ago, but the chief medical officer insisted she remain under observation. If she made it through the night without complications, she’d be cleared for limited duty, with regular check-ups for the next week.
With her jaw previously immobilized, the simple act of chewing felt foreign, the muscles tight and unfamiliar. She raised a hand, fingertips brushing the side of her face, feeling the tension pull beneath the skin.
“Are you in pain?” the attending nurse asked, his voice measured but concerned. His ensign’s rank gleamed on the cuffs of his white medical uniform with the olive green turtlenecked undershirt.
Sutton gave her head a slow shake. “No, sir. Just feels... different. Tight.”
“Doctor Morris said that might happen,” the nurse replied, his tone kind. “Is it bothering you too much? Want me to have her take a look?”
Sutton shook her head. “No, sir. Not unless the tricorder picks up anything unusual.”
The nurse gave a quick nod and ran the device over her cheek with practiced precision, his gaze focused on the readout. “All clear,” he confirmed after a moment. “I’ll send these results to the doctor, just to be sure everything checks out.”
Sutton offered him a small smile. “Thanks. I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
“Not a problem,” the nurse replied warmly. “Now… if you’re finished with breakfast, there are some folks from JAG waiting to speak with you.”
At the mention of JAG, a flicker of tension crossed Sutton’s face, but she quickly masked it with a neutral expression—a skill honed by months of keeping her emotions in check. “Oh? Is that right?” she said, her voice measured. “Well, I suppose I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Still working on getting my appetite back.”
The nurse gave her a reassuring smile. “Should I send them in?”
Sutton nodded politely. “Yes, sir. Thank you.”
He gave her a nod. “If you need anything, just hit the call button.” With that, he slipped out of the room, the door hissing shut behind him. Muffled voices drifted from the corridor, low but distinct, signaling the preparation of the approaching team.
Within moments, the door slid open again, and five people entered. All but one wore Starfleet uniforms—the exception being a tall, dark-skinned woman in civilian attire.
The civilian stepped forward with a measured smile. “Petty Officer Sutton?” she began. When Sutton gave a small nod, the woman continued, “I’m Agent Ursula Onyango, Starfleet Division of Criminal Investigations.” She briefly displayed her badge before tucking it away. “Joining me is Commander Leo Verde, leading the JAGMAN team from Starbase Eight. To his right, Major Reter, who will be acting as your counsel. Chief Saego will record our conversation, and Yeoman Zenn is assisting Commander Verde.”
Each individual gave Sutton a polite nod at their introduction, and she returned the gesture with a calm demeanor, meeting their eyes. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” she said, offering a polite smile despite the tension settling in the room.
The Edosian male, clad in the midnight-black marine variant of the Starfleet uniform, stepped forward. His three feet moved with practiced precision across the carpet, positioning him beside Sutton while facing the others. His deliberate stance conveyed to everyone present that his sole focus was on safeguarding Sutton’s best interests.
Though she had never met Major Reter before, his composed demeanor brought Sutton an unexpected sense of calm, as if his mere presence helped ground her amidst the tension hanging in the air.
“Petty Officer,” Leo began gently, his voice low and measured, “I know you’ve been through a lot, and I want you to understand—none of this is personal. But we need to proceed by the book.” His heterochromatic eyes shifted to Ursula, giving her a brief but meaningful glance. “Agent?”
Ursula returned the nod and stepped forward with ease, her words flowing with the effortless cadence of someone well-versed in procedure. “Petty Officer Sutton, you have the right to remain silent, and any testimony you provide may be used as evidence in this investigation. Should formal charges be filed, your testimony could be used in adjudication.” Her voice remained calm but firm, a reflection of years spent navigating the nuances of law enforcement. "You also have the right to counsel. Major Reter is present as your designated counsel for this interview, though you may request alternate representation, or, if you prefer, proceed without counsel. You are protected against coercion, intimidation, or deception throughout these proceedings."
Ursula’s dark eyes locked onto Sutton’s, ensuring the weight of her words registered. "Do you have any questions about the rights I’ve just explained?"
Sutton’s gaze swept the room, her eyes pausing on each individual as if gauging their intentions. When her glance reached Reter, the Edosian met it with a steady, reassuring nod. The subtle gesture seemed to anchor her, providing a sense of security amidst the tension hanging in the air.
She shifted her attention back to Ursula. “I have no questions, ma'am,” Sutton said, her voice soft but composed.
Ursula gave a brief nod, her expression neutral. “Do you fully understand the rights as I’ve explained them?”
“I do, ma’am.”
“And do you wish for Major Reter to act as your legal counsel during this discussion? If not, we can arrange for alternate counsel, or, if you prefer, you may proceed without representation.”
Sutton straightened slightly in her seat, her confidence beginning to solidify. “I will accept the major’s offer of counsel at this time, ma’am.”
Ursula offered a smile and a nod. "Very good. Let's all take our seats and begin."
Ursula began with her first question, her tone even. "Can you walk us through your involvement in the environmental systems cross-training with Petty Officer Turan?" She observed closely as Sutton’s gaze flickered toward Reter for reassurance before answering.
"Yes, ma'am," Sutton began. "I signed up for cross-training in two departments back in December—environmental tech and master-at-arms."
"Why those two departments?" Ursula pressed, her tone remaining gentle but probing.
Sutton shifted slightly, weighing her response. "I wanted to diversify my skills. I thought it would help me earn my SOQ—Starship Operations Qualification," she explained, referencing the set of proficiencies that demonstrated an enlisted crew member’s competence across critical areas of shipboard life. It was recognized as a symbol of versatility, professionalism, and leadership potential. After a brief pause, she added, "And I figured it’d strengthen my case when I eventually applied for an officer's commission."
Ursula offered a knowing smile. "That speaks well of you, Petty Officer—having that level of ambition." She glanced down at her PADD, scrolling through the notes for the next topic. "While you were cross-training, were you given any specific duties or assignments involving the environmental subsystems?"
Sutton's eyes shifted to Reter, seeking his guidance. He gave her a small, reassuring nod, signaling it was safe to answer.
"Ma'am," Sutton began carefully, "as you mentioned, I was assigned to Petty Officer Turan for eight weeks, starting in January. Her duties covered the NCO quarters on decks seven and eight. I shadowed her for six weeks of that time until I had to stop because of the injuries that sent me to surgery."
Reter leaned in slightly. "Petty Officer," he interjected calmly, "stick to what you know. Only describe your assigned duties and direct observations. Let’s avoid assumptions or unnecessary elaboration."
Sutton gave him a grateful look and nodded in understanding.
Ursula, observing the interaction, nodded approvingly as she jotted notes with her stylus on the PADD's surface. "Understood. Now, let's shift focus. I'd like to talk about your interactions with Petty Officer Th'qilres. When would you say the issues with him first began?"
Sutton shifted in her seat, her fingers tightening briefly on the edge of the blanket draped across her lap. She exhaled slowly, glancing at Reter before answering Ursula's question.
"The issues started about three months ago, ma'am," she began cautiously. "At first, I chalked it up to Andorian bluster—rough around the edges, but nothing I couldn’t handle. But over time, it became more than just words. The comments turned into physical interactions, and it felt like he was testing how far he could push me."
Reter leaned forward slightly, his voice calm and precise. "Petty Officer Sutton, let’s keep the responses focused on objective details—what you observed, when it happened, and anything relevant that can be corroborated."
Sutton nodded, recalibrating her response. "Understood, Major." She straightened her posture, hands clasped in her lap, her tone more measured. "It started when he was assigned to do maintenance in the main shuttle bay. Th'qilres would call me in to inspect onboard equipment outside my duty hours. At first, I thought he just needed extra help. But over time, it felt less about work and more like… testing how far he could push me."
Reter interjected, his tone professional but gentle. "Did you document any of these instances? Logs, messages, or reports?"
Sutton shook her head, regret flickering across her features. "No, sir. I didn’t log anything. I didn’t think anyone would believe me—he outranked me, after all. And things like that…" She hesitated briefly, then finished, "They aren’t exactly the kind of problems you put in an after-action report."
Reter gave her an understanding nod, then turned to Ursula. "Agent Onyango, I’d like to note for the record that the absence, deficiency, or lack of formal documentation should not be interpreted as an indication that these incidents didn’t occur. It's common in environments with hierarchical imbalances for junior personnel to avoid reporting incidents out of fear of reprisal."
Ursula acknowledged Reter’s statement with a brief incline of her head but kept her focus on Sutton. "So, to clarify, Petty Officer Sutton—Th'qilres' behavior gradually escalated, leading to physical interactions that you found unwelcome. Is that correct?"
Sutton exhaled, her hands pressing together tightly. "Yes, ma'am. It felt like every time I pushed back, things would just get worse." She cast another glance at Reter, who gave her a slight nod of reassurance. Buoyed by his support, she continued, "That’s why I signed up for the cross-training with Sheriff Taki in security and with Turan in environmental systems. I needed to figure out how to handle him—without dragging anyone else into it or getting Chief Covington involved."
"You mentioned earlier that he outranked you," Ursula continued smoothly. "How did you feel that dynamic impacted your interactions with him?"
Sutton took a slow breath, her hands clasping and unclasping as if working through the tension. "It made things… complicated, ma'am. When someone outranks you, especially someone with his reputation, you don’t really have room to argue. He always acted like it was his job to toughen me up, and anytime I hesitated, he’d push harder—like it was a test I had to pass."
She paused, her gaze flicking to Reter for reassurance. The Edosian gave her a calm nod, folding his arms in a way that communicated his presence without intrusion.
Sutton continued, her voice steadier. "I knew that if I reported it to Chief Covington, it might turn into a bigger mess. Covington is a good chief, ma'am. But, he is one against many and I knew if I involved him, it would put his role at risk of being targeted by the Gold Ring. I didn't want to make things worse—for myself or for my section. So, I kept trying to handle it on my own, hoping it would stop."
Reter leaned forward slightly, his tone neutral but firm. "For the record, Petty Officer Sutton, it’s important to note that feeling trapped by hierarchical dynamics is not uncommon in these situations. You made a good-faith effort to manage things internally, but your hesitation to escalate is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing."
Sutton nodded in acknowledgment, her voice soft but resolute. "I just... I thought I could manage it. I thought if I learned how to protect myself—learned enough about the systems he worked on—I could figure out a way to keep him from coming near me again. I didn’t want anyone else caught in it, and I sure didn’t want to get my friends or Chief Covington in trouble."
"Given your hesitation to report the issue to Chief Covington, may I also infer that you felt similarly about bringing your concerns to your Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Master Chief Esumi Benten?" Ursula asked in a measured tone.
Sutton gave a small, deliberate nod. "Yes, ma'am. I didn't think going to the Command Master Chief would help me—or Chief Covington. Involving her would’ve put a spotlight on the whole situation, and I thought it would only make things worse. If it became a command issue, it might have backfired on everyone involved, especially given how things work under the Gold Ring."
Reter leaned forward slightly, raising a hand to interject. "I’d like to clarify, Agent, that the culture aboard
Detmer, as described by Petty Officer Sutton, suggests a reluctance to escalate issues through formal channels. This reluctance shouldn’t reflect poorly on her judgment—it’s a learned behavior shaped by the environment."
Ursula nodded at the clarification, scribbling notes on her PADD. "Understood, Major. Thank you."
Sutton exhaled softly, her tension easing ever so slightly at Reter's defense. "I just... I was trying to survive, ma'am. Getting through each day without making enemies or drawing more attention to myself felt like the safest option."
"Did you feel that you could resolve the situation on your own?" Ursula asked next, her tone calm but probing.
Sutton hesitated, glancing briefly at Reter, who gave her a reassuring nod. She took a breath and responded carefully. "At first, I thought I could, ma'am. I tried avoiding him, taking different shifts when I could, staying away from the areas he worked in. But..." She trailed off, her voice faltering momentarily as she searched for the right words. "That wasn’t enough. He kept finding ways to interfere with my day, pulling me into tasks that weren’t mine, cornering me when no one else was around. It felt like no matter what I did, I couldn't escape him."
Reter leaned in slightly, his voice calm but deliberate. "If I may, Agent—it's important to note that the toxic dynamics Sutton describes may have created a perceived lack of safe avenues for recourse. In environments like these, individuals often believe their only option is to handle matters independently."
Ursula gave a small nod of acknowledgment, her expression neutral but thoughtful. "Thank you, Major. That context is noted." She returned her attention to Sutton. "So, with your back against the wall, you decided to act preemptively—taking steps to protect yourself?"
Sutton swallowed hard, her voice steadier now, though still edged with vulnerability. "Yes, ma'am. I... I didn't think I had another choice. I just needed him to stop." She exhaled slowly, as if releasing some of the weight she had carried. "But I never meant to... I didn’t want him to d-"
"Petty Officer," Reter cut in smoothly, raising a hand between Sutton and Ursula. His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable note of caution. "Before you continue, I advise, apprise, and counsel you to take a moment and reflect. You are under no obligation to explain or justify your actions beyond the facts we discuss. Anything you say here could be interpreted in a way that might not serve your best interest."
Sutton blinked, processing his words. Her fingers curled slightly against the edge of her blanket, and she glanced up at him gratefully.
Ursula’s expression remained neutral, though the briefest flicker of irritation crossed her eyes—a flash so subtle it was gone before anyone could call it out. "Thank you, Major," she said evenly, her tone carrying the slightest edge. "Thank you, Major. I understand. We will focus on the circumstances leading up to the incident for now." She shifted in her seat and looked back at Sutton, her tone measured. "When you say you felt you had no other choice, can you tell me what steps you considered before things escalated?"
Sutton took a steadying breath, her eyes shifting briefly between Reter and Ursula. After the brief pause, she answered carefully, weighing each word.
"I didn’t have many options, ma’am," she admitted softly. "I knew that going through the chain of command wouldn't do much. Chief Covington... well, he's a good chief, but he doesn't want to bring the officers into things unless it’s absolutely necessary. And going to the Gold Ring—Master Chief Benten—felt just as bad. I figured she’d just tell me to toughen up, that I needed to handle it like an NCO."
Sutton paused, her hands clasping together in her lap. Reter, watching her closely, gave her a small, approving nod, signaling that she was treading safely—for now.
"I thought maybe if I trained harder—worked with Sheriff Taki and learned more through environmental systems—it would help me find a way to manage Th’qilres on my own. I wasn’t trying to break the rules, ma’am." Her voice grew firmer as she continued, her confidence gradually building. "I just wanted to protect myself without dragging anyone else into it."
Ursula leaned forward slightly, her expression neutral but listening intently. "And when you say ‘manage,’ what exactly do you mean by that? What was your plan?"
Sutton's shoulders tensed again, and Reter caught the subtle shift immediately.
"Agent," Reter interjected smoothly, his three hands folding together, his tone polite but firm. "I remind you that the phrasing of your question may unintentionally lead the petty officer into speculative testimony. I must caution my client that she is under no obligation to speculate or interpret her actions beyond factual accounts."
Sutton exhaled softly, clearly relieved at Reter’s intervention. "I was just trying to make sure he backed off, sir," she said, glancing between Ursula and Reter. "That’s all. I figured if I could sideline him long enough to finish my training and qualifications, I’d have the leverage I needed to get away from him—for good."
Ursula nodded slowly, jotting down notes on her PADD. "So, your intent was never to harm him beyond what was necessary to stop the harassment?"
Sutton gave a solemn nod. "That’s right, ma’am. I only wanted him out of my space—long enough that I could focus on my work and my future without him breathing down my neck."
Reter placed a hand on the edge of the table, drawing Sutton’s attention once more. His voice was low and reassuring. "You’re doing well, Petty Officer. Just stick to what you know. No need to elaborate beyond the truth."
Sutton gave him a grateful look and adjusted her posture, sitting up a little straighter.
Ursula tapped a few notes into her PADD, her tone remaining measured as she asked, her eyes still on the screen, "Petty Officer Sutton, forensic analysis detected your DNA on components within the environmental subsystems for section eight-sierra-one-one-three—Petty Officer Th'qilres' quarters. Can you explain how it got there?" As she finished, Ursula's gaze lifted, sharp and intent, locking onto Sutton to capture every nuance of her response.
Sutton stiffened at the mention of the environmental subsystems. She inhaled slowly, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. After a long pause, she looked to Reter, who gave her a subtle, encouraging nod—reassurance without direction.
Meeting Ursula’s gaze, she spoke quietly but with clarity. "Yes, ma’am. As part of my cross-training, I worked on the environmental subsystems. I placed the Eilinium canister in the intake—" Sutton paused, her voice lowering, "—because I thought it was the only way to make him stop."
Reter shifted slightly, his expression neutral but attentive. His presence by her side signaled his readiness to intervene. "Petty Officer," he said softly, "you’re not obligated to say more right now. Think carefully before you continue."
Sutton gave him a brief, grateful glance but didn’t waver. She turned back to Ursula, her voice low but unwavering. "I know what I did. I put it there because it felt like the only way to stop him. Th'qilres kept escalating—getting physical, using his rank to push boundaries." She exhaled, frustration flickering behind her words. "I didn’t want to kill him, ma’am. I thought... I really thought the gas would just knock him out, keep him off duty long enough for me to breathe. I wasn’t trying to kill him. I just needed space—somewhere in this ship where he couldn’t reach me."
She exhaled shakily. "I just needed him to
stop."
Ursula leaned forward slightly, her expression sharp but unreadable. "And you were aware that Eilinium is toxic to Andorians when you placed the canister?" she asked, her voice calm but piercing.
Sutton hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Yes, ma’am. I thought it would incapacitate him—make him leave me alone, at least for a while. I didn’t expect it to kill him. I just… I needed it to stop."
Reter stepped in, his tone measured and deliberate. "Agent Onyango, my client’s statement clearly indicates that her intent was self-preservation, not premeditated harm. The context of her actions should be given serious weight."
Ursula gave a slow nod, her eyes locked on Sutton. "Our goal is to understand what happened and why, not to make assumptions. But I appreciate your honesty, Petty Officer."
Sutton exhaled deeply, some of the tension lifting from her shoulders. "I know it was reckless. I know I should’ve found another way. But I felt like I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t think anyone would help."
Reter gave her a reassuring look. "We’ll make sure the record reflects that, Petty Officer. Intent matters."
End of Part Nine
