Pre-Trial - in the case of Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen V Starfleet
Posted on Tue Apr 21st, 2026 @ 11:02am by Lieutenant Commander Serenity Triannth & Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Commander Rin & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Commander Kyle Reece & Legate Andrinn Orin & Lieutenant Commander N'vok Holv & Lieutenant Anna Esquivias & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor] & Lieutenant Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik} & Captain David Tonelly [Reece] & Lieutenant JG Caden Tharos & Lieutenant JG Calista Haelant & Cadet Junior Grade Elaria Carlyle
Mission:
Interlude
Location: Hearing Chamber 2
Timeline: MD4
3088 words - 6.2 OF Standard Post Measure
Lieutenant Serenity Triannth stood as the doors to Hearing Chamber Two parted, the low murmur inside falling away almost immediately. The room had been prepared with deliberate simplicity—command dais forward, counsel tables set to either side, recording systems active, security officers positioned unobtrusively along the bulkheads. No grandeur. No spectacle. Just procedure.
Beyond the reinforced transparisteel viewport, the stars of the Circinus Galaxy burned cold and distant, indifferent to what was about to unfold.
At the center of the chamber sat the accused.
Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen.
To one side, a row of observers had been granted limited attendance rights: senior staff, department heads, and representatives from the Academy Annex. Among them sat cadets who had survived Deck Fifteen, their youth making the room feel heavier rather than lighter.
Serenity moved to the central station and placed a padd on the desk before her. When she spoke, her voice carried clearly through the chamber.
“This pre-trial hearing is now in session. Convened under the authority of the commanding officer of the USS Elysium and in accordance with Starfleet Judicial Code, Article Nine, Emergency Field Proceedings.”
She allowed the words to settle before continuing. “The purpose of this hearing is to determine whether sufficient cause exists to proceed to formal tribunal regarding the conduct of Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen during the hostile boarding action on Deck Fifteen.”
Her eyes briefly lifted to the accused. “The charges under review are as follows: dereliction of duty under combat conditions, reckless endangerment of cadets, and physical misconduct toward a fellow officer.” A beat of silence.
“Let the record show the accused is present, in custody, and has been advised of his rights.” She turned slightly toward the command dais. “Commodore, the chamber is ready.”
Phoenix looked at the assembled officers in the gallery then at Savar. "Is the accused council present?" The panel was Commodore Phoenix Lalor- Richardson, Commander Rin, Lieutenant Anna Esquivas, Lieutenant Commander N'Vok Holv, Lt Colonel Azhul Naxea, and Legate Andrinn Orin - All in dressed uniform, arrayed at the panel table.
Caden Tharos stepped up. "Yes Commodore."
"Prosecution?"
"Yes Commodore." Serenity replied calmly.
"Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, you have heard the charges. How do you plead?"
Savar stood and came to attention. "Not guilty" He answered simply and without fanfare, His voice even. and calm.
Phoenix nodded. "Noted. This is a hearing before the trial. Mr Tharos?"
Lieutenant Caden Tharos rose from the defense table with deliberate calm, adjusting his uniform jacket before placing one hand lightly on the desk before him. His expression was composed, his tone measured. “Presiding officers, Commodore, members of this hearing.” He inclined his head respectfully. “We are not gathered today to determine guilt or innocence. This is a pre-trial hearing. The purpose of these proceedings is narrower, but no less important: to decide whether the charges should proceed to formal tribunal, and what status should govern the accused until that time.” He turned slightly toward the chamber.
“No one disputes that Deck Fifteen was a scene of chaos, fear, and imminent danger. Hostile boarders had breached the vessel. Cadets were wounded. One cadet died in the corridor. Decisions were made in seconds, not after careful review in the comfort of hindsight.” A brief pause. “My client, Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, has acknowledged his actions. He entered the Jeffries tube with Lieutenant Junior Grade Heather De La Rosa and two dependent children. He sealed the hatch. He ordered retreat. He has not hidden from that fact, nor sought to evade scrutiny.” Tharos’ voice remained steady. “What he contests is the assumption that these actions arose from cowardice, malice, or contempt for Starfleet duty. He maintains—as he did in his initial statement—that he acted to preserve those he believed least able to survive the immediate threat.”
He let that settle before continuing. “The defense is not asking this chamber to absolve him today. That is the purpose of a full tribunal, where evidence may be tested properly and witnesses heard in full.” He glanced toward Savar, then back to the panel. “We are asking for proportionality. My client is a commissioned officer with an established service record. He surrendered without resistance. He has cooperated fully with investigators. He poses no flight risk, no security threat, and no danger to this crew. Continued confinement in the brig prior to trial serves no protective purpose—it serves only optics.”
A slight shift in tone, firmer now. “Accordingly, the defense petitions this chamber to release Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen from brig confinement pending tribunal, and place him under restricted quarters—house arrest—under guard and subject to all command limitations deemed appropriate.”
He began to enumerate with precision. “Confinement to assigned quarters. Suspension from duty. No access to command systems. No contact with witnesses except through counsel. Security monitoring as ordered.”
Tharos spread one hand slightly. “That arrangement preserves discipline, protects the integrity of the investigation, and respects the principle that accusation alone is not conviction.” His eyes moved once across the chamber. “If this ship stands for justice, then justice must be practiced before the verdict as well as after it.” He returned to his seat. “The defense requests conditional release pending trial.”
The chamber was silent as they waited for the rebuttal.
Lieutenant Serenity Triannth rose from the prosecution table with the same measured composure she brought to every proceeding. She gathered no theatrics to herself, made no display of indignation. When she spoke, her voice was calm, precise, and impossible to mistake. “Presiding officers, Commodore.” She inclined her head, then turned slightly toward the chamber. “The defense is correct on one point: this is not a trial. We are not here to determine final guilt. We are here to determine whether sufficient cause exists to proceed—and whether the accused should remain in custody pending that tribunal.”
She let the distinction stand. “The prosecution submits that both answers are yes.”
Serenity activated the padd before her. A timeline appeared on the chamber display: Deck Fifteen, internal sensor markers, casualty alerts, corridor telemetry. “The accused has acknowledged the core facts. During an active hostile boarding action, Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen entered a place of relative safety with Lieutenant Junior Grade Heather De La Rosa and two minors, sealed the hatch behind him, and left armed cadets in immediate contact with hostile forces.”
Her gaze moved briefly to the panel. “Those cadets were not abstract tactical variables. They were trainees under Starfleet protection. One had just died in front of them. Others were wounded. Panic was already present.” She deactivated the display. “The defense characterizes brig confinement as optics. It is not. It is procedure.” Her tone sharpened—not emotional, but firm. “The accused is a senior officer formally charged with dereliction under combat conditions, reckless endangerment of cadets, and physical misconduct toward a fellow officer. He remains in a direct chain of familiarity with witnesses, has positional authority over portions of this crew, and is the subject of intense scrutiny among both cadets and officers.” A beat. “Conditional quarters confinement cannot replicate the control, neutrality, or evidentiary protection of secured custody aboard a vessel currently operating in a crisis environment.”
She clasped her hands behind her back. “The prosecution is not alleging flight risk. We are alleging command influence risk, witness integrity risk, and material disruption risk. Those concerns are sufficient.” Her eyes flicked once toward Savar, then returned to the dais.
“Nor should the chamber overlook the accused’s current position. He does not merely acknowledge his actions—he stands by them. He continues to assert that abandoning those cadets was the correct decision.”
The words landed harder than if she had raised her voice. “That is his right as a defense posture. It is also compelling evidence that the conduct at issue is neither resolved nor understood by the accused in a manner that supports release.”
She drew a controlled breath. “The brig is not punishment. It is temporary restraint pending adjudication.”
Serenity straightened slightly. “The prosecution therefore requests that the charges proceed to formal tribunal and that Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen remain in secured custody until those proceedings are complete.” She returned to her seat. “The prosecution is ready.”
Lieutenant Caden Tharos rose once more, waiting for recognition before speaking. “Briefly, presiding officers.” He took a breath. “The prosecution argues that my client’s continued belief in his decision justifies confinement. Respectfully, disagreement with the prosecution is not evidence of dangerousness, nor is it grounds for pre-trial punishment.” He glanced only briefly toward Savar. “Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen has been cooperative, compliant, and available to this process from the outset. The question before the chamber is not whether his judgment was correct, but whether secured custody is necessary before that question is tried.”
He inclined his head. “The defense maintains it is not.”
Phoenix held up a hand. Then she hit the privacy screen to block the panel from the rest, so they could discuss in private.
"Ladies and Gentlemen - Your thoughts?"
"Even his counsel agrees this should go to tribunal," Rin said. "I see no reason to disagree. The prosecution clearly has evidence worth putting forth, and, again, counsel seems to agree with that. He believes this will be a debate about motive, duty, and responsibility, and that is a matter for trial."
As for where he stays," Rin continued. "He's certainly not a flight risk, nor do I think he is a danger to others. He is not accused of inflicting direct injury: this is not a matter of assault or homicide. His quarters can be properly secured: limiting the replicator, shutting him out of computer systems, limiting his access to communications and restricting visits to his quarters. He is already relieved of duty. No one is expected or required to follow any direction he gives. I see no reason why he cannot be confined to his quarters with the understanding that if he attempts to subvert or evade any of those limitations he goes back to the brig."
N'vok nodded. "I am sure that he has a clear chain of thought for his actions. It will be interesting to hear. But, I agree, Lieutenant Commander Savar is no threat to others or the ship."
Naxea shifted in her seat as she looked at Savar, Serenity, and Lieutenant Tharos. "I agree with the others. "I do not believe Commander Savar to be a flight risk nor a danger to others. Confinement to quarters and monitored by Security is more than enough until the trial."
Andrinn had been sitting and listening to everything that was being discussed and as the Chief Diplomat onboard, he understood the need for hearing all sides before making a decision. Andrinn finally replied, "Yeah, I think I agree with what most everyone has been saying. I don't think that Commander Savar to be a flight risk or anything."
"I guess I agree with everyone else," Anna said. "I think this should proceed but I don't think he's a flight risk. I don't think he's a risk for influencing anyone in his quarters, which is all his counsel asked for. He's entitled to a presumption of innocence. That doesn't necessarily mean there can't be pre-trial detention if there's good cause, but that burden is on the prosecution. I don't think the sheer fact that he maintains his innocence is enough, even with his position on the ship."
Phoenix nodded and lowered the screen.
==
Alicia sat quietly listening to all that was being said, as wife of the accused she would simply be seen as supporting her husband, and by being present she was doing just that. She couldn’t imagine her life without Savar, and if trial didn’t go in his favour that was what would happen. If she had to resign her commission to be near him then that was what she would do, but she had faith when the trial came Savar would be found not guilty.
Heather also sat quietly listening, she was horrified that Savar had been brought up on charges for saving her life, and that of her children. At the time she had been worried about the cadets, but she understood Savar’s motives. She just hoped her honest testimony when the time came wouldn’t count against Savar.
==
Phoenix looked at the assembled people. "The court agrees that the accused is not a flight risk. He will be remanded to his family cabin and his access to the ships compute, communications and to people outside his family will be restricted to his counsel. Commander Reece will make sure of it." She looked at the Panel and then said "He will face a trial however, in 5 days as we find evidence sufficient to proceed to trial."
As she finished a cadet stood, the cadet was one of those left in the corridor "Commodore! You cannot be serious! He left us to face death and RAN FROM it! He should be out a fracking airlock! COWARD!"
"CADET!" Phoenix snapped. "SIT DOWN. You will have your chance to speak at the trial. Until then you sit down or you will find yourself in a brig cell for contempt of court!"
The cadet glared at Savar, his gaze full of absolute hate. The other cadets around him pulled him back to his seat, all giving Savar the same glares.
Phoenix looked at Kyle Reece and Blackford. "Make sure security is extremely tight around the quarters." She banged the gavel. "Five days people we will reconvene then."
Kyle nodded from his position near the defense table. He had given the cadet a stern look after the outburst, successfully cowing the young man into silence. "Aye, Ma'am!" He then looked over at Savar, who was looking straight ahead. While a part of him could empathize with the man, as the Chief of Security, he knew that he could not allow any personal feelings to interfere with his duties to the ship and crew.
Alicia had felt the anger coming from the cadets, but she was relieved Savar would be coming home. As much as she hated the idea of having guards present on the door, she knew that was the way it had to be.
Phoenix dismissed the hearing.
Before the rest left, the cadets gathered and left in a group, all giving Savar and his supporters looks filled with anger.
As the collected group of observers started to leave, Kyle nodded to his team as he stepped over to where Savar was standing, as he held out the shackle brace to secure the Vulcan's wrists in front of him. "My team and I will escort you to your family quarters, Lieutenant Commander." He then waited for Savar to place his wrists into the open shackles.
Savar nodded "Of course Commander." He replied evenly as he held his hands out in front of him so Kyle could lock the cuffs on. The sooner it was done the sooner he could be back in the cabin he shared with his family.
Once the restraints were locked, Kyle and his team started to escort Savar out of the Hearing Chamber and made their way to Savar's family quarters. Kyle instructed two of his security officers to stand post out in the corridor, as he entered the cabin with Savar.
Once inside, Kyle removed the restraints. "Please sit," he said politely. He then tapped his commbadge, "Avalon, are you online?"
The AI appeared. "Commander Reece."
Turning his attention towards the holographic woman, Kyle spoke clearly. "In accordance with the Commodore's orders, for Commander Savar's house arrest, I need you to lock out the computer interface terminals in these quarters, save for the emergency channels and civilian-authorized access for Savar's family. Savar himself will have zero access to the computer, unless his counsel is present, and then only insofar as to work on his defense." He took a breath, then continued. "No one but legal counsel, the Commodore and X-O, sickbay and security will be allowed to contact anyone inside these quarters for the duration of the legal proceedings." He paused as he considered what else needed to be set. It wasn't everyday that he had set up house arrest for a fellow member of the crew.
"Finally, lock out Savar's commbadge, with the only exceptions being those that I stated earlier. If anyone else attempts to contact him or his family quarters, they are to be hunted to security. Finally, set the replicator to only provide food items. No material items shall be allowed while he is on house arrest. This includes metal utensils. Plastic utensils only. Do you understand these orders?"
The AI nodded. "Completed." She said "And Acknowledged."
"Thank you, Avalon. That is all for now." He then looked back at Savar. "Until the legal proceedings are completed, you can only leave your quarters under escort. If you attempt to do otherwise, or attempt to break any of the other limitations you now have, your house arrest will be immediately revoked and you will spend the rest of the time of your trial in the brig. Do you understand?"
Savar's cool eyes looked at Kyle and he nodded as well as spoke. "I understand perfectly Commander. I will abide completely by the rules in place that cover my house arrest."
Kyle waited for a half instant, then nodded in understanding. "I'll inform your council that you are settled and ready to start working on your case." He then turned and stepped out into the corridor, the door sliding shut and locking behind him, leaving Savar alone for now.
Out in the corridor, Kyle restated to his officers what the limitations are for the commander. He then left and made his way back to his office.
Inside the cabin, Savar took a deep, steadying breath. It was the only sign of emotion he showed. He was home and even with the restrictions it was better than the brig.
Alicia wasn’t far behind as she arrived home, having arranged for their children to spend the evening with friends so Savar could have a night to rest and enjoy his limited freedom. It would be an evening just for the two of them.
Savar was seated on the couch when Alicia entered their quarters. He was grateful she was here with him as he relied on her quiet strength and support to help get through the current situation.


