8
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or its related properties. All such rights and considerations belong to CBS/Paramount.
This is the 20th installment of the Special Investigations Division series. I strongly urge going back and reading previous installments before proceeding with this one. Other recommended reading is the Vignettes featuring Ro Laren since they record the early careers of many of the principle characters.
Lt. Commander Senecka was in her office within the JAG Corps' designated space inside of Deep Space 3. She was reviewing evidence pertinent to an old case that had crossed her desk once again. It had been two years since Brin Macen and his wife T'Kir had been sent to the penal colony on Yuros. Macen had received a twenty year sentence for murder. T'Kir had gotten a seven year sentence as an accessory. She had the option to stay on with her husband as he completed his term.
Senecka had been their defense attorney and it still galled her that she'd lost. Macen had killed Bertram Sindis, the notorious head of both the Orion Syndicate and the criminal Meirkus Conglomeration. Her first initial appeal had been tossed out. Now, two years later, she was allowed to appeal again.
Senecka's outer logical calm was a façade that she adopted to allow her to avoid scrutiny from the Vulcan authorities. She secretly belonged to an emotional dissidents' movement and T'Kir was their hero. All of the Vulcan colonists that had lived on Shial were their heroes. Unfortunately, the Cardassians had wiped out the colony and its inhabitants, who followed the tenets of Sybok rather than Surak. T'Kir's family had been wiped out in that attack along with everyone she knew.
While Senecka, as a loyal Starfleet officer, couldn't approve of T'Kir's reaction to those events, she could certainly understand how they drove her to the Maquis. And it seemed to have been an act of fate since that's where she'd met her husband. Their courtship had been turbulent, almost resulting in a literal murder but they'd moved beyond those woeful days.
Senecka was examining the forensic evidence when she noticed something odd with the DNA. She ran it through library search and it was the appropriate DNA…only it wasn't. She checked every tissue, blood, and DNA sample and ran them through a comprehensive battery of tests. She filtered the autopsy reports through the same lens and discovered that Bertram Sindis wasn't the murder victim…his clone was.
It took all of Senecka's considerable restraint not to jump and scream, "Yes!"
She hurriedly filed her results under a new folder within the same investigation. Activating the comm function of her comp/comm, she contacted the Judge Advocate General's office. She was informed that Admiral H'k'k'k'k'l was busy but if she'd leave a description and a copy of her case file, he'd get back to her.
Her fervent hope was that H'k'k'k'k'l would get to it today. The admiral was the first insectoid to climb to the Admiralty in Starfleet. Although to be fair, the admiral's love of structure translated itself into the law. He breathed, ate, and drank rules, regulations, and legal precepts. No other branch of Starfleet could have developed his talents and pushed them so far.
Now, all she had to do was wait…
Two hours later…
Her wait was a short one. The Admiral replied personally, "Commander, it seems you have discovered a great travesty. I have conferred with my fellow officers about dispatching Internal Affairs to DS3. They can get to the bottom of this in short order. I'm ordering you to re-present your briefs and motions in light of this new information."
"My first filing will be for a declaration of a mistrial." Senecka warned him.
"An appropriate choice." H'k'k'k'k'l commended her, "I look forward to reviewing your case."
The comm went dead and Senecka finally cheered. Her coworkers stared at her but she quickly comported herself with dignity and began redoing her entire defense.
Two weeks later…
Macen came through the door of his shared quarters. He shared them with T'Kir and he couldn't imagine it any other way. He knew her sentence was officially up in five more years but she fully intended to stay and wait out the rest of his twenty year sentence. As an El-Aurian and a Vulcan, that time was felt but nowhere near as badly as a human would experience it.
Macen taught at the day college program. His students worked the night shift. Of all people, it had to be Taryn Argus that taught at night. She was here to serve a life sentence. Macen wondered if Starfleet had any idea of just how long that would be; after all she was another El-Aurian.
T'Kir ran a software company out of an office space provided to her. Her every action on the computer was monitored to make certain she wasn't contacting someone off world and planning an escape. She'd discovered that her "minder" was a trustee. She'd taken up a policy of indignation in her presence. So far it hadn't gained T'Kir anything but the satisfaction of the snub.
"So how was y'r day?" T'Kir asked as she came bounding into the room. Macen sat down his padd at the door and looked over T'Kir. He'd been prepared to tell her a brief overview of his day but when he saw that she was completely naked, all thoughts of students went out the window.
"So, y'got anythin' that y'want t'give me?" she asked with a naughty grin.
"I can think of a few things." Macen admitted.
"Y'd better hurry. They way y'r bulging, I expect your coveralls to split open any second now." She chewed on her finger while she said this.
"How about I give you a five second head start?" Macen grinned slyly.
"Oh goodie!" she declared as she scampered towards the bedroom.
Macen was stripping out of his colonial coveralls as he swiftly moved into the room after her. She jumped onto the bed and tried to crawl away but he grabbed her ankles and dragged her back to him. Cupping her breasts, he lifted her up and back so that she leaned into him. He nuzzled her neck and she began making soft little moans.
The door chime rang out. At first Macen ignored it but it kept ringing and was getting really annoying. He moved away from T'Kir and went to answer the door. T'Kir twisted to say, "Waitaminute!" when she fell off the bed. Macen closed the bedroom door.
He released the front door and it slid aside to reveal two guards and the warden. Macen was wearing a black tee shirt and blue denim shorts so he wasn't as exposed as T'Kir was at the moment. She thoughtcast an angry retort into his mind and he grinned.
"Professor Macen, could it be you know why we're here?" The warden asked.
"No." Macen chuckled, "I was laughing at something my wife said."
It took a moment for the warden to recall the couple's permanent telepathic rapport. It unnerved most of the colonists. He cleared his throat, "We have been informed that your time with us is done. These deputies will take you to the administrative center where you will gather your belongings and change into them. From there you will meet with your legal counsel and she will provide transportation off of Yuros."
"We're free?" T'Kir bellowed as she threw open the bedroom door. She wore her coveralls but they were unzipped, revealing more than a little bit of her bosom.
"T'Kir, you might want to zip up." Macen cajoled her.
She jerked the zipper up, "Yah, yah, whatever."
"We expect all of your present belongings to be recycled. I look forward to processing your release." The warden bowed and went away. The two guards lingered.
"Look, a little privacy please." T'Kir pushed them out the door and closed it. She turned to Macen and pumped her fist, "Yeeeesss!"
"Not that you're thrilled by this." Macen smirked.
"Of course I am, you doof. Y'really thought that I wanted to spend twenty years here? The last two have `bout driven me nuts." T'Kir complained.
"Not that you would know what that's like." He cheekily said.
"Watch it buster, an' remember, you busted me outta the nut house." She reminded him.
"Best decision I ever made." He grinned.
She smiled, "Y'r just sayin' that."
"Nope. Ranks right up there with asking you to marry me." His grin broadened.
She slid in underneath his arms as he began to hold her and rested her head on his chest, "Tell me y'knew this was gonna happen."
"Actually, it's pretty much a surprise. I only saw one probability where we got out early. I guess we're lucky." He admitted.
She excitedly bounced out of his arms, "C'mon! Let's clear outta here and get our lives back!"
After that she was a whirlwind. They were ready in less than ten minutes. The guards took them to the administrative center where they each received a basket. Each basket contained the clothes they'd been arrested in. Their utility belts and phasers would be returned to them as they prepared to depart the planet.
Yuros was blanketed in transport inhibitors so one had to use a shuttle or a runabout to depart. The warden had said that their counsel, presumably it was still Senecka, would be providing transportation. The couple wondered how far that transportation would take them.
They were brought to a well appointed conference room. Senecka sat at the table fidgeting and playing with her padds. She sprang to her feet when the couple was brought in.
"At ease, Commander. We're here now." Macen joked.
"How are y'doin', sweetie?" T'Kir hugged the other woman.
"I am doing much better now that you two are freed." Senecka admitted, "I had always suspected foul play in your case but until I recently confirmed it there was nothing to be done." Senecka revealed.
"What kind of foul play?" Macen wondered.
Senecka motioned for them to sit down and then passed each of them a padd, "The man you killed wasn't Bertram Sindis. It was his clone. This information was covered up by Thomas Barclay, who until recently, was DS3's Chief of Security. He has been removed from that position following an investigation by Internal Affairs. His malfeasance tainted every aspect of his investigation into your alleged crime."
"A so-called crime we were convicted of." Macen reminded her.
"Your convictions have been overturned and a mistrial declared." Senecka smiled.
"What about the clone?" Macen asked, "Under Federation law we could still be found culpable of his death."
"The investigation was so tainted that it has been thrown out. Even sensor logs were erased and altered and eye witness accounts differ to the point of cancelling one another out so there really is no recourse for the courts but to reinstate you back into society with an apology for holding you against your will for the last two years." Senecka revealed.
"Damn straight!" T'Kir heartily agreed.
"Does that include reissuing my Latter of Marque?" Macen inquired.
"Yes." Senecka confirmed it, "The way is clear for you to return to Outbound Ventures and for you to accept contracts from the SID."
"Is that from Admiral Forger?" Macen asked.
"You can ask her yourself. She's in orbit and wishes to speak with you ASAP." Senecka explained.
Macen exchanged a grin with T'Kir. He commented with, "Then we'd best not keep the Grand Lady waiting."
Admiral Forger was aboard the Ambassador-class USS Yorktown which was breaking orbit as it readied to receive the Type-6 shuttle they rode in. As the shuttle landed, two runabouts could be seen in the bay. Since runabouts weren't typically part of an Ambassador's complement Macen wondered why they were here.
Senecka said her goodbyes in the bay and went to one of the waiting runabouts upon hearing from a yeoman that her pilot was awaiting her. The lawyer's trip back to DS3 was well in hand. Macen and T'Kir exchanged a knowing nod. The other runabout was for them.
The yeoman took them to Forger's offices. That the admiral had a dedicated office suggested that this ship was her flag command just as Nechayev had the USS Sovereign. Amanda would be a gentler commander than Alynna though. Nechayev had commanded starships while Forger had always been an investigator. She'd let others do the driving.
The yeoman took his place behind the reception desk and paged Forger. The door to Forger's office opened a minute later and revealed Forger herself. She was ecstatic to see them both and gave each a warm embrace as dear old friends should. As Macen and T'Kir sat down in the chairs provided, Forger returned to her desk. They each noticed that her right foot dragged slightly as she walked.
She noted their concern, "I see you've noticed my little infirmity. Considering I was paralyzed from the waist down the last time you saw me I'm just happy to be able to walk again at all."
"Too true, Amanda. For reasons out of our control we weren't able to check in with you to see how your recovery was going." Macen replied.
Forger smirked, "Just because Starfleet Security thought I might try and break you out?"
"They really thought that?" T'Kir asked.
"Ed Noyce certainly did. Alynna was convinced as well so a communications black out was instituted." Forger explained.
"Not only with you but with everybody." T'Kir grumped.
"Well let me fill you in on the highlights. First on Starfleet's side. The membership of the Council of Five remains unchanged. The SID still remains an almost entirely civilian affair. Run by Starfleet but with paramilitary operatives."
"Elias Vaughn retired last year on his 110th birthday. Kira Nerys became an admiral and Ro Laren was promoted to Commander and made CO of DS9. She's fast tracked for Captain. I was promoted as well." Forger showed off her bracketed double pips. Macen and T'Kir congratulated her and Forger continued, "About your team, Tom Riker took command of the Obsidian. My sister Shannon remains his XO. The team roster remains unchanged. All of the surviving members are still with the unit but they've never filled the vacant slots which limits their flexibility. Frankly, I've relegated Riker's team to secondary assignments."
"The best news concerning them is I asked for some investigators from Starfleet Security to look into Annika Ryst's case on Barrinor. She's been cleared of all charges seeing as how she was falsely imprisoned." Forger reported.
"How is Celeste taking being relegated to the backfield?" Macen wondered.
"She's the only one complaining. She's threatened to return to her PI agency if I don't start taking the team seriously." Forger sadly admitted.
"We'll see how our return affects that." Macen offered a ray of hope.
"It'll certainly change what kind of contracts I offer." Forger promised.
Macen grinned, "That's good to know."
Forger smirked, "In fact, I have one right up your alley."
"Do tell." T'Kir suddenly brightened with anticipation.
Macen gave her a wry look, "I thought you were the one that always said we should minimize our field work."
"Look, I've been borin' my butt off f'r two years. Two years. I ain't about to turn down the chance f'r some mischief." T'Kir retorted.
"All righty then." Macen was contrite.
"One week ago, Bertram Sindis magically came back from the dead. Evidently he knows we know about his dupe. He's going to be on Ferenginar in a week at a high stakes tongo tournament. We've managed to secure two things: access to the tournament and extradition rights. Outbound Ventures is among the security firms providing coverage for the tournament and its players. Each player has their own security contingent but they are excluded from the gaming room. Grand Nagus Rom won't let us arrest Sindis in the gaming room so it has to be done discreetly outside of the casino." Forger revealed all of that without taking a break, "I can get you in. Can you get Sindis?"
"He's already proven he's a hellcat. I won't lose any more people to him so I can't promise I can get him alive." Macen warned.
"I've been authorized at the highest levels to inform you that Sindis is to be removed. The means are up to your discretion and governed by your conscience. His ultimate disposition is negotiable." Forger divulged.
Macen smirked, "I think we can get the job done."
"Then we need to get you back home." Forger declared. She commed her yeoman, "Philip, have Roberts get off of her butt and get the Volga prepped for immediate launch. It's time she did something besides play poker with the shuttle pilots."
"Yes, ma'am." The yeoman's amusement could be heard.
Forger looked crestfallen, "I wish I had more time to spend with you but I'm cleaning up a diplomatic mess that one of the SID teams created on Andor."
"Good luck with that, Chief. The Andorians are even more hard headed than Klingons." T'Kir offered.
"Tell me something I don't already know." Forger stood and came around her desk. The couple rose and Forger smiled as she hugged each one, "I know we already did this but we've lost so much time already."
"Have no fears `Manda, we're back!" Macen assured her.
Forger opened her office door and peeked out, "Philip, it's time."
The yeoman led Macen and T'Kir back to the shuttlebay and straight into the open arms of the waiting Volga. Roberts was impatiently waiting for them, "We've already got our clearance to leave so if you'll take your seats we can lift off."
"Y'r takin' us to Serenity Station, right?" T'Kir had to ask.
"That's the destination on my orders but I'd never heard of it before. Apparently it's the hub for some security firm." Roberts relayed.
"Outbound Ventures." T'Kir supplied the name.
"Yeah, do you work for them?" Roberts asked.
"We own the company." T'Kir bequeathed a sweet smile upon her.
Roberts looked like she swallowed a very tart lemon, "I'll be sure to get you there in record time, ma'am."
"We have faith in you." Macen promised as he tugged at T'Kir's arm. They went to the crew lounge in the rear compartment and had a late dinner. Afterwards they cuddled on one of the two beds since there were no couches.