Joint Duty Log | Capt Ivanova, LtCmdr Waterhouse, LtCmdr Neyes, Cmdr Parsons - "A Proper Summons - Part II"

Posted on Tue Sep 23rd, 2014 @ 7:13am by Commander Gabriel Parsons & Admiral Rochelle Ivanova & Commander Amelia Waterhouse & Commander Tristan Neyes PhD.

1,873 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Are You Touched?
Location: USS Vindicator

= / \ = Part II = / \ =

"Alright." Rochelle replied, her eyes quickly flitting to Tristan's in understanding. The crew of the Vindicator was close knit, carefully woven as a family should be. Their wordless communication was complex and often hard to crack. Tristan, however, read like a book most uncharacteristically. She'd be amused by his antics later, for the time being she was bound to the professionalism that was expected of a Captain on duty.

Rounding her desk again, the tiny little phoenix found her seat and set her mug down on the desk. "I don't know how eager you are to get started, Commander, but I have heard whispers on the wind that one of my security officers is losing sight of her objectives in a manner that could be detrimental to the ship." She said, searching for and retrieving a PADD. "Lieutenant Ebonheart was assigned as the security detail for a potentially dangerous situation hiding under the guise of diplomatic immunity." The Captain continued, her palm pressing to the PADD to turn it on and unlock it before handing it to the uptight Commander.

"She was seen engaging in a rather overt display of affection in the lounge and entering his quarters all while being on duty. I'm not asking you to do much more at this juncture other than be aware of the issue as I plan on tackling it when we're not pressed for time." Even as they spoke Rochelle could almost hear the clock ticking down the seconds until they reached the planet and intercepted the distress signal the Klingons had discovered.

Gabriel sighed audibly, unsurprised by the Captain's first note of legal concern. Like most Commanding Officers Ivanova would likely have many requests like this one. While aware of acute situations of unprofessional fraternization, most in command were unaware of the insidious and systemic problem such behaviors alluded to. A crew as large as the Vindicator was sure to have its share of what Ivanova had described, but when it happened to the degree and in the frequency he knew was present aboard the ship there was a deeper, more cultural problem that required attention.

Unfortunately for him that problem fell in his lap.

Had Parsons been offered a choice no such case would ever fall within his responsibilities. Criminal matters, issues of constitutional concern, and deeper more intellectually complex legal issues prompted him to join JAG--not the personal squabblings of lovesick Ensigns. Fortunately for him his department would serve as a buffer, if only slightly, against the most petty of legal situations.

"I understand, ma'am," Gabriel replied, taking a deep breath before continuing with the business he wished to discuss. "I would like to discuss the accommodations and general logistics regarding my staff." He procured a padd from his duty jacket. "As I'm sure you are aware, as is the Commander," he turned his head and shared a look with the XO, "a naval JAG contingent of this size requires ample resources. Likewise, the arrival of a JAG contingent is certain to cause a bit of confusion, and in some cases fear among your crew. " He tapped the padd, sending the data on his screen to the Captain's display. "My primary assisting officer, Lieutenant Commander Morrow will be in-charge of all officer related representation. In the situation of officer misconduct she will be in charge of assigning the accused a personal advocate. Due to the nature our adversarial judicial system I, as Advocate in Charge will investigate and litigate all concerns of misconduct on behalf of the Judge Advocate General. Assisting me in prosecution, as I've listed here," Gabriel highlighted the appropriate column on the display through his padd, "is Lieutenant Seleki. And finally," Parsons swiped through more redundant data to one final officer profile, "Lieutenant Trotke will lead up all defense investigations, or should a conflict of interest arise, internal investigations on behalf of the Judge Advocate General."

Parsons paused for a moment, crossing out the list of mental reminders one by one in his mind, "I'm sure you were aware of this ma'am, however, in my experience I have encountered command teams unversed in JAG protocol and find it necessary to explain our structure. Should you or Commander Waterhouse require any additional information my yeoman would be more than happy to sit down with you," the last bit was necessary, if ever so slightly condescending. Gabriel took no pride in appearing to talk down to the Captain and Executive Officer, but he'd rather work through the rough edges now than get tripped up mid litigation in three weeks.

A slender sanguine brow arched high over Rochelle's left eye as she listened to the man speak. There was several moments of silence that passed between his last word and the time she drew breath for her own. "Well then," She said with a shake of her head, "I think we need to address some ground rules." The touch of her finger as it slid across the screen of the PADD displaying the planetary system they were headed towards immediately killed the holographic image, leaving the screen dark and devoid of life.

"I don't know how you're used to running things, Commander Parsons, and frankly I don't care. On this ship anything and everything will be run past me, not your yeoman and certainly not you." The polite smile was back, painting itself across her delicate face with gracious ease as she leaned back in her chair. "You see... I'm the jury, the judge and the executioner here on the Vindicator. You? You play the role of the spook my crew scatters from and who's chain I tug on when my own internal investigations glean something worthy of your rather archaic talent of persecution."

Rochelle paused long enough to take a sip of her coffee, her brows furrowing as if suddenly realizing she'd made an error as she sat the mug back down. "I'm sorry. I meant prosecution. Please forgive me, it's been a long day." Her eyes, however, betrayed her. The faux pas of the tongue had been an intentional one. "Bottom line? You may not report straight to me, but I still have four pips on my collar and unless you want to find yourself missing one of your three, I suggest you learn to play nice or else this is going to be a very long and very hard road to perdition. Not that you're any stranger to that." The bitter cold of the woman's eyes spoke volumes, they flashed with warning and glittered with amusement all at the same time as she watched the officer in front of her as she made it known just how much of his history she truly knew.

Gabriel cocked his head slightly to the side, obviously interested in the Captain's display of authority. Again, the scene was far from unique, though he did appreciate Ivanova's color language. When most Commanding officers marked their territory they either stumbled over their own inflated ego, or turned it back on him personally--she had managed both.

"I assure you, ma'am, I have no intention of playing anything but fair," his lips pursed together. "I'm not sure if that qualifies as 'nice' or not, but I can assure you it guarantees due process of law. My mission directives are clear, and I do not foresee a situation where they might conflict with your own. On the off chance that happens I will be more than happy to put you in contact with my superiors. I respect your command of this vessel, I only ask you respect the position I have been appointed."

"Good answer." Rochelle replied, not quite satisfied with the lawyer's suave effort at soothing her with a well placed attempt at diplomacy. It would seem round one of their posturing was over and round two was ready to have it's sounding bell rung when Rochelle pulled out another PADD and began working through it. "Your accommodations will be the same as every other senior officer, however your associates will find themselves in junior quarters."

It was magic, really, the way the fullness of her lips quirked into the sweetest of smiles and her eyes lit with sheer enthrallment. "The only open office space I can find that would be accommodating is on deck seven between cargo bay three and our fighter lanes. Consider it yours." Rochelle almost chirped as she handed the man the PADD. "Commander Waterhouse can show you the way if you'd like, she needs to bring orders down to our fighter wing that they're to be running CAP every three hours when we're not moving."

Gabriel turned to the Executive Officer, "Shall we?" He offered no outward signs of resentment towards her or her Captain. He'd gone nearly a week reading briefs in nothing but emergency lighting when he prosecuted a Chief Engineer for abuse of power aboard the USS Superior. The captain's attempts to intimidate and annoy him wouldn't amount to much. He and his staff had endured worse, much worse. If she truly wanted to play this game she'd have to try much harder.

Amelia sat and watched silently as Rochelle and the new JAG officer exchanged fire. She considered herself capable of doing many things that most people would consider crazy, but there were some things Daddy had taught her never ever to do. Up there with spitting into the wind was fucking with JAG. When she'd still been Intel, JAG was nothing, but without the cloak of protection afforded by being a ghost? Amelia was inclined to follow her father's guidance about them. Rochelle either had some trick up her sleeve Amelia wasn't privy to, or her asshole was so clean you could serve dinner out of it... because all Amelia could see was her friend staring down a grizzly bear, and it was ready to charge.

"Of course," Amelia responded to the Commander's request, standing from her seat with a smile. Right now, there wasn't much else she could do but take the dynamite and run. Hopefully the fuse was long enough she'd be able to pass it off before it blew up on her. It wasn't that she feared this man... it was that she respected the damage his position allowed him to do. Until she had a better idea of how straight he played it, all Amelia could do was handle him polite and professional. And hope that Rochelle would quit baiting the bear.

"Captain," Gabriel stood and nodded to Ivanova. "I'm sure we'll be seeing much of each other."

Tristan looked at Rochelle as Waterhouse and Parsons left to go about their duties. His eyes leveled with hers and his soft eyes grilled over her under an elevated brow. He had been seated in complete silence for the entirety of the exchange, and what he'd witnessed was far less productive than it could have been. Rochelle might not agree, but then she was now his primary concern.

He spoke coolly, not breaking eye-contact.

"I think we need to talk."

---

Captain Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR

Lieutenant Commander Amelia Waterhouse
Executive Officer
USS VINDICATOR

Commander Gabriel Parsons
Judge Advocate in Charge
USS VINDICATOR

Lieutenant Commander Tristan Neyes
Chief Counselor
USS VINDICATOR

 

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