The Trial- Part Four

Posted on Thu Jul 9th, 2026 @ 1:28pm by Lieutenant Commander Serenity Triannth [PPC] & Petty Officer 1st Class Kara DeSotto [ADMIN NPC] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Commander Rin & Commander Kyle Reece & Lieutenant JG Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [PPC] [Taylor & Captain David Tonelly [Reece] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor] & Lieutenant JG Caden Tharos [SHARED NPC] & Lieutenant JG Calista Haelant & Cadet Junior Grade Elaria Carlyle

Mission: Interlude
Location: Court Room- Deck 5
Timeline: MD9
1865 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

"Next witness is Captain David Tonelly." The Ensign called the Academy Commandant to the stand.

From where he sat, David stood and made his way between both council tables and to the witness stand. After responding to the court officer's initial questions of stating his name for the record and that he swore to speak truthfully, the El Aurian sat, waiting for the questioning to begin.

Serenity moved to face him, her face set. "Please state your name and position for the record."

With a clear, powerful voice, David replied. "Captain David Tonelly, Starfleet Marine Corp. Current assignment, Uss Elysium Academy Annex Commendant."

"And what was your role on the day in question?"

"After the Galatonians boarded us, I assembled my instructors and cadets, armed them, and we formed up to both secure the Annex, which has one of the ship's secured emergency bunkers, and to go out into the surrounding corridors, to help any that needed it."

"And what did you witness when you came across the cadets on Deck 15?" Serenity asked.

"As my group and I arrived," Davide replied evenly, "the scene was horrific. There were several dead on the deck, one of my cadets being among them. A group of those creatures were advancing on my cadets. Thankfully the beasts did not see us advancing, so we laid into their flanks, eliminating them in rapid progress."

Serenity allowed a brief pause, giving the court a moment to absorb the image Captain Tonelly had painted of the scene.
“And after you and your team secured the corridor, did you speak with the surviving cadets about what had occurred immediately before your arrival?”

He nodded crisply as he replied to the question. "Yes, Ma'am. I was told that Cadet Henderson had been killed, then Commander Savar chose to abandon the rest of the cadets, escaping with Lieutenant De La Rosa, and her two children."

"And what was your conclusion from the information provided to you?" Serenity asked.

David was quiet for a moment, considering his words carefully. "Looking back on the stress of the situation now, it is difficult to be one hundred percent certain." He let out a short breath, then continued. "However...in the heat of the moment, with what I knew of the situation, I did think that he abandoned my cadets to die, to save his own skin."

"Objection!" Caden called out.

Serenity looked at him. "I asked for his conclusion. That is what he gave."

Phoenix nodded. "Sustained. Sit down Counsel."

Serenity turned back to David. "Thank you Captain. I have no further questions for you." she walked back to her table.

Caden stood. "It was chaotic wasn't it Captain? The scene you came upon. Cadets panicking, those creatures advancing."

David nodded and replied plainly. "It was."

Caden nodded thoughtfully. "It was. And you did not witness Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen's decision to enter the Jeffries tube yourself, did you?"

"I did not," David replied evenly.

"You did not witness the death of Cadet Henderson?"

"No," his voice got a bit quieter, when Caden mentioned one of his cadets.

"You did not witness the conversation between Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen and Lieutenant De La Rosa?"

A little annoyance started to seep into David's voice as the questions started to seem repetitive. "I have already stated that I was not there."

"So your understanding of those events came entirely from the reports of the surviving cadets after the engagement was over."

Sitting a bit straighter, David's stared straight into Caden's eyes, not liking what the counselor was seeming to infer. "It is. My cadets told me something happened, and I have no reason to consider that their words are false or incorrect in any way."

"Is this going somewhere, Lieutenant Tharos?" Rin asked. "If you're attempting to establish that Captain Tonelly was not present, you have done so, and the Captain has never said otherwise."

"Withdrawn" Caden said easily. "Why did you, Captain, take Cadet Carlyle to Commander Reece's Office?"

"After the battle had concluded, and we had started to pick up the pieces, Cadet Carlyle came to me, as her superior officer, and filed a complaint over what she witnessed. After hearing what she had to say, I felt it was prudent to inform the Chief of Security, as the complaint involved a senior officer."

"And you believed her?" Caden asked. "I have seen her records. There are complaints about her and Cadet Henderson bullying younger Classmates."

"OBJECTION" Serenity was on her feet. "The cadet's record has no baring here!"

Caden turned. "She and Cadet Henderson were accused of bullying by cadets. This is a record."

"And this is about An officer abandoning cadets in battle. Or are you saying that Cadet Henderson got what she deserved and that Cadet Carlyle should not expect to have an officer actually do their job because of those complaints?" Serenity snapped back.

Caden chosen then to say "Withdrawn". He looked at Phoenix. "No further questions."

Phoenix took a breath. "Thank you Captain, you may step down."

David nodded to Phoenix, then stood. "Yes, Ma'am." He then returned to his seat in the gallery.

Caden and Serenity exchanged looks and she nodded. Caden stood. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I call Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen to the stand."

Hearing Caden call his name, Savar stood fluidly and moved to the witness stand. His face an expressionless mask.

After the aide swore him in, his Counsel moved around the desk. Serenity was leaning back in her chair.

"Commander," Caden said as he approached the witness stand. "You have heard everything said and done in here. Now we want to hear from you. Please tell us, what happened."

Savar gave a brief nod and began speaking. he didn't look right or left. he kept his gaze on Caden. "When the alert sounded I was on my way to Alicia and my quarters. I stopped in front of Lieutenant and Senior Chief Petty Officer De La Rosa's quarters. I knocked on the door and found Lieutenant De La Rosa and her two young children inside. As we exited the quarters we were witness to mass carnage. Lieutenant De La Rosa wanted to stay behind but I disagreed saying I would not deprive the children of their mother and suggested we find a safe space, where we could hopefully Find Senior Chief De La Rosa and then return to help. We were both unarmed when entered into the corridor." He paused and continued "As we entered the corridor a group of cadets including Cadet Henderson appeared. She started to say something but was shot by one of creatures following the cadets. At this point Lt. De La Rosa pointed out the Jeffries tube and we moved to it. I opened the hatch, got Lt. De La Rosa and her children in the the tube. There was no time to get to the cadets to move to the tube as the creatures were upon them." He paused again a bit longer this time. "I regret deeply that I could not formulate a plan to help the cadets. I intended to return once Lt. De la Rosa and her children were safe and I had a weapon to use."

"You are not a security officer Commander, you are a counselor. Are you tactically trained?" Caden asked.

"No, I am not Counselor." Savar replied direct and to the point.

“Commander… in that corridor, in those few seconds you had… who, in your mind, was least capable of surviving if you made the wrong choice?”

Savar's answer again with a simple and direct. "Lieutenant De La Rosa and her children."

“At any point in that moment, Commander… were you choosing your own life over theirs?”

Savar's eyes locked on Caden boring into the man like twin phasers. "Absolutely not." His normal coolness when he spoke now glacial in it's tone.

The questions continued.

Hours later....

Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson rose from the tribunal bench. The courtroom fell silent as every eye turned toward her. "Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, please stand."

She waited until he was on his feet before continuing. "Having carefully considered the evidence presented, the testimony of the witnesses, the submissions of counsel, and the findings of this tribunal, the panel has reached its verdict."
A brief pause settled over the courtroom. "On the charges before this tribunal, you are hereby found guilty."
Phoenix's voice remained steady, neither harsh nor sympathetic.

"In determining an appropriate sentence, this tribunal has considered both the gravity of your actions and your otherwise exemplary record of service. We accept that your decisions were made under extraordinary circumstances and without malice. However, we also find that your actions constituted a serious failure in your obligations as a Starfleet officer, resulting in a profound loss of confidence by those under your protection."

She looked directly at him. "Accordingly, this tribunal sentences you as follows:
• Effective immediately, you are reduced in rank from Lieutenant Commander to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
• You are confined to the brig for a period of one month.
• Upon completion of your confinement, you will undergo twelve months of mandatory retraining at the USS Elysium Academy.
• Upon completion of your retraining, you will remain under eighteen months of command oversight and professional evaluation.
• Finally, you are permanently relieved of your assignment within the Counselling Department and, upon release from confinement, reassigned to the Academy Counselling Staff, where your performance and suitability for future service will be continually assessed."

She allowed the weight of the sentence to settle before delivering her closing remarks. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen, this tribunal does not find you to be a man without honour. Rather, we find that in one terrible moment, your judgment failed the standards expected of a Starfleet officer. It is the sincere hope of this tribunal that, through reflection, retraining, and renewed service, you will once again earn the confidence of those you are sworn to lead."

She looked to the security officers. "This sentence is effective immediately." The Commodore struck the gavel once. "This tribunal is adjourned."

Savar stood expressionless as the Commodore delivered the sentence and her comments. Internally his mind was awash with emotions. His career was in tatters perhaps it would be best to seek a transfer to another department bur where could he go where there wouldn't be whispers and pointed fingers? When the Commodore finished, he turned his head, his eyes seeking out Alicia. He would need all her love and support in the upcoming months.

As soon as the Commodore finished speaking, Kyle and two of his junior security crewmen, stepped forward in front of Savar. "Mister Savar," Kyle said professionally, but with a touch of understanding in his voice. Afterall, he took had been court martialled once before for actions he took during a combat situation. He knew that the only reason he was still wearing the uniform was that he had saved as many lives as he did. "If you will come with us."

"Of course Commander." Savar replied quietly though he was silently relieved at Commander Reece's professionalism in the handling of this most difficult situation.

OFF