In the conference room of the USS Enterprise, Data, Laforge and Worf
listened carefully as Paris and Kim explained what Riker had told
them. Everything from the factional in-fighting at the Admiralty to
the revocation of Chakotay and Torres' field commissions. The
Doctor, Seven and Neelix listened in stunned silence.
While Seven looked impassively at them, The Doctor stared horrified at his crewmates. This was not the Federation he had expected to find upon his return. Neelix seemed undisturbed. He's handling it rather well, The Doctor thought.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Neelix mumbled.
Tuvok frowned. "My colleagues at Starfleet Intelligence told me about the recent upheavals in the Admiralty. I was not aware, however, that a crisis was imminent."
"It's a high-stakes game," Kim sighed. "Everyone's hedging their bets. Waiting for the other side to make their move."
"Capt. Janeway is pressing her allies on the Federation Council to hold an emergency session tomorrow," Seven stated, ". despite my advice to the contrary. This course of action may make her vulnerable to the Cavalry Faction."
"They can't move against Janeway," Laforge concluded. "Word is that she's up for advancement. Cmdr. Riker's right: she's our best card right now."
Tuvok's communicator chimed. "Commander? You have a priority message from Starfleet Intelligence."
"Mr. Worf," Data stated. "Escort Cmdr. Tuvok to the secure communications station on deck 25."
"Understood, sir," Worf replied.
"Let's just hope those encryption protocols of ours do what they're supposed to," Kim hoped.
"I've uploaded the Enterprise's databases of the Badlands conflict onto Cmdr. Riker's terminal at Starfleet Command," Data stated. He paused for a second. "The commander tells me that the Admiralty is holding a secret session tonight."
"If it's a secret," Paris wondered, "how come he knows about it?"
"He would not name the person who contacted him," Data admitted. "Only that a highly-placed source had told him. This source also asked if the Enterprise was in orbit."
"Curious," Seven replied. "Why would a member of the Admiralty break the confidential nature of this meeting?"
"Normally, he wouldn't," Laforge pondered. "Unless . he wants us to know!"
Kim and Paris stared in disbelief. The cloak-and-dagger nature of the situation was bewildering. "Whoa, whoa, back up a bit," Kim insisted. "This source wants us to know about this meeting?! To what end?."
"If we attempted to spy on the meeting," Data theorized, "Starfleet's terrestrial sensors would immediately trace it. Leaving us vulnerable to espionage charges."
"Starfleet Command has an earth-based firewall to protect its communications," Laforge continued. "Nothing goes in or out without their knowledge. But it's land-based. Since we're in orbit, we might be able to bypass this firewall ."
"Perhaps masked as routine sensor sweeps?" Kim suggested.
"Commander, Ensign Kim, see what you can do about penetrating Starfleet's communications," Data ordered, "specifically those covering the Admiralty Hall. Tell no one what you are doing."
As Laforge and Kim raced out of the room, Data turned to Neelix and The Doctor. "Doctor, please keep an internal log of every formal order I issue within the next 48 hours. Should members of the Cavalry Faction take action, I want to ensure there is an objective record of the events."
"But wouldn't such a record implicate you?" The Doctor wondered. "If the faction's comrades retrieve the log, you will likely be arrested. You will lose your command."
"Yes, that is the risk," Data replied indifferently.
"But why?" The Doctor demanded.
Neelix understood. Data wanted to protect the subordinate officers. If Ravvik's allies did retrieve the log, they would see that it was Data who had ordered these acts of espionage. Data hoped that Paris, Kim, Laforge and their conspirators wouldn't be blamed directly.
Data, though, would bear full responsibility.
"Doctor," Neelix confided, "It means Acting Capt. Data will take the fall if things go sour."
Paris stood up, let out a frustrated sigh, and looked outside the window. Towards Earth. "Looks like the honeymoon's over for the Voyager crew," he muttered.
The room doors slid open, as Worf and Tuvok returned.
"Neelix, Lt. Paris you have your orders. You are dismissed." Tuvok ordered. "Doctor, please wait outside for a moment. I wish to speak with Acting Capt. Data."
Tuvok whispered something in Data's ear. The android nodded, then turned his attention to Seven.
"Seven, you are to go to San Francisco," Data stated. Tuvok slid a data pad towards Seven.
"The address listed is a safe-house," Tuvok revealed. "Remain there and let no one in - except Lt. Cmdr. Worf. When the time comes, he will provide you with further instructions."
Seven skimmed through the data pad. "These are directions to the Starfleet Armoury. Clearance codes. Why are you giving me this?"
"That is on a need-to-know basis," Tuvok replied. "Worf will provide you will civilian clothing, then beam you directly to San Francisco."
"Understood," Seven nodded, then left. Worf hesitated. "Has the situation . come to this, Captain?" he asked.
"Cmdr. Riker told me this is a time for men of conviction," Data remarked. "We must be ready for any eventuality."
Worf grasped the severity of the crisis. If they succeeded, they would have saved Starfleet from ruin. If they failed, the plotters in the Admiralty would brand them as traitors.
"Good luck, sir," Worf stated, then left the room. Paris immediately pounced upon him, followed by The Doctor and Neelix.
"What's with all these nudge-nudge-wink-wink spy games?" Paris wondered.
"Like you," Worf replied, "I do not like this shadow world of two- faced schemers. But, it is so. This cavalry faction has chosen the path of cowards. It is hard to trust others in such an environment."
"You can trust us, Commander," The Doctor declared.
Worf leaned towards the Voyager shipmates. "These are dangerous times. The next 24 hours are critical. Your friends before the Maquis Inquiry will need your support, now more than ever. When it is time to act, I will call upon you. Be vigilant."
He nodded goodbye and boarded a turbolift. Paris shook The Doctor's hand.
"Good luck on your mission, Doc," Paris said. "You're the only one who'll keep the facts straight if this whole thing goes down the drain. I've got to retrieve Chakotay and B'Elanna's logs from the Voyager databases."
Neelix slapped The Doctor on the shoulder. "We're counting on you, Doctor!" He sprinted to catch up with Paris.
The Doctor gulped. He had joined a conspiracy, where pretense and deception were the accepted tools of the trade. This was not medicine, he grumbled to himself. He nodded politely as an officer walked by.
Starfleet was on the verge of ruin . and he had to smile as if nothing was wrong.
Inside the room, Tuvok fell silent. He didn't quite know how to react to what he had just learned from his contact in Starfleet Intelligence.
"You seem troubled, Commander," Data noted.
"My contact informed me that Section 31 is watching the developments in the Admiralty closely," Tuvok stated.
"The secretive - and outlawed - organization responsible for acts of subterfuge," Data replied, "supposedly in the name of Federation interests."
"If they were to enter the fray," Tuvok hypothesized, "that could tip the scales in favour of the Cavalry Faction."
"That is distressing news," Data answered. "The current political situation at Starfleet Command makes it difficult to separate fact from rumour. But we have no reason to discount Section 31."
Tuvok strolled to the monitor, tapped a button and revealed a digital flowchart of the Starfleet hierarchy.
"We can assume Section 31 has sleeper agents at Starfleet Command," Tuvok concluded. He pointed towards the Admiralty branch. "Should they side with the Cavalry Faction, and take control of the Security and Intelligence branches, they could paralyze the Federation's ability to act upon its own directives. The fleet would be frozen by indecision. In effect, they would achieve a coup d'etat without firing a single phaser shot."
"We cannot allow that to happen," Data decided. "I will monitor the events at the Admiralty and inform you of any developments. I will inform Cmdr. Riker, too. As discussed, The Doctor will remain aboard the Enterprise for 48 hours."
Tuvok stood up. "Then I wish you well, sir. Paris will transmit those logs Cmdr. Riker requires for tomorrow's inquiry." He paused in front of Data. "You are taking a great personal risk, sir. If we have miscalculated, you can expect a court martial. Ravvik's allies will want to silence further voices of dissent."
"That is why I alone must take responsibility for these actions," Data declared. "It would be best to refrain from discussing these theories in the open. We do not want to create unnecessary panic among our crews."
"Agreed," Tuvok replied as he left the room. He hoped the next 48 hours wouldn't become what he feared most: a civil war, fought between Starfleet officers aligned with each faction.
Was this what Starfleet had become?
In the morning, Torres and Chakotay paced in the foyer of the hearing room. Riker had breakfast with them at 0800 hours, then excused himself to retrieve files for today's inquiry. He appeared down the hall with a portable coffee flask.
"I hope you're both well rested," Riker noted. "Ravvik might have us here for the better part of the day."
They took their seats at the steel committee table. They were the only people there.
"How's Capt. Janeway doing?" Chakotay inquired.
"She's at the Federation Council for an emergency session," Riker stated, "but I fear that everyone's nervous about the power shifts in the Admiralty. If anyone's got the prestige at this moment to prod the Council into action, it's Janeway."
The doors slid open. "All rise," a human Starfleet captain announced. Riker and the Voyager shipmates stood at attention. Another commander in the gold uniform of the Security branch followed the captain. Admiral Ravvik was the last to enter.
"Let the record show that this session of the Maquis Inquiry for the Protection of the Federation has begun," the captain declared. "Will the defendants raise their right hands?"
Chakotay and Torres raised their hands. The captain continued. "Do you pledge to tell the truth to this inquiry as fully as possible, with no omissions or errors?"
"This whole hearing is based on lies," Torres muttered under her breath.
"Not now, B'Elanna," Chakotay pleaded.
"My clients so pledge," Riker replied, hoping that would satisfy the inquiry commissioners. The captain gestured that they can sit down.
"I'm filing a motion to dismiss all conspiracy and treason charges outright," Riker presented a data pad to the commissioners.
"On what grounds?" the captain demanded.
"Whatever actions they may have done," Riker explained, "they can discuss them before the Federation's Reconciliation Committee: the only body sanctioned to sort out the fallout of the Cardassian occupation of Federation outposts in the Badlands and subsequent Maquis political actions."
"The Committee was responsible for hearing the grievances of serving Starfleet officers, their Cardassian counterparts and Federation citizens who justifiably took up arms in that conflict," Admiral Ravvik droned. "We are operating on the fact that the Maquis are illegitimate combatants . and therefore not protected by the Federation's prisoner-of-war rules. We have suspended the Reconciliation Committee's mandate indefinitely. This inquiry replaces the committee's work."
"The motion is rejected, Commander, so move on," the captain announced.
"We are not about to get into a discussion about the Maquis' political views," Ravvik added. "The terrorism and sabotage charges are based on two incidents ."
"The Maquis attack on the starship USS Hadrian," Riker answered. "in which neither of my clients were participants. And the other incident?" He glanced nervously at his Voyager clients.
The USS Hadrian was sent into the Badlands six months before the armistice between the Federation and Cardassia. Its purpose: to enforce the neutral zone. Maquis raiders continued to harass any ship - Federation or Cardassian - that violated its claimed airspace. Riker was aware of this case, but not the other incident. More surprises, he grumbled to himself.
"The second incident was the shameless sabotage of the science vessel, USS Vancouver," the commissioner in the security uniform stated. "We allege that both Chakotay and B'Elanna Torres - both senior operatives in the Maquis - not only had knowledge of the sabotage, but in fact ordered it. The Vancouver lost all hands on deck."
"Starfleet reported that the Vancouver's destruction was an accident," Riker protested. "It was a faulty warp core containment field."
Chakotay and Torres gasped. "Might we have a momentary recess to confer with our advocate?" Chakotay requested.
"I would like to see all files related to the Vancouver incident," Riker stated. The captain picked up a stack of data pads and placed them on the defense's table.
Riker studied the first pad. The de-classified Starfleet Intelligence Report outlined that the Vancouver was a science vessel. But it was not on a scientific mission.
Maquis attacks had increased dramatically that time, as their supporters tried to derail the negotiations between the Federation and Cardassia. Starfleet was under pressure to relocate settlers in Federation outposts to be ceded to the Cardassians.
The Vancouver had conveyed a covert team from Starfleet Security. Their mission: to disrupt Maquis activities "by all means necessary." They were to use Maquis tactics against the Maquis. Riker felt his stomach churn uneasily. Sabotage against fellow Federation citizens. It disgusted him.
"Chakotay," Ravvik interrupted. "Were you not unit commander of Maquis Brigade 167?"
"Don't say a thing!" Torres emphasized. "This entire process is corrupt!"
"They intend to call us terrorists for defending our way of life," Chakotay argued. "I won't lie to feed their lies!" He glared defiantly at the admiral. "Yes, I was the unit commander."
"Did you review the Vancouver's personnel manifest?" Ravvik inquired.
Riker blanched as he read the names. He accepted their deaths years before, since it was an accident. 200 people. Former classmates, friends, colleagues . lost in an unfortunate warp core mishap. Those were the risks of space exploration.
If the Maquis knowingly caused the deaths of Starfleet officers in the line of duty, then it was no act of war. It was a crime.
"I'd like a recess to digest this new information," Riker replied.
"You have a half-hour recess," Ravvik agreed. Ravvik smiled. He had planted a seed of doubt in Riker's mind.
Riker hastily gathered his files and walked briskly out of the room.
"Cmdr. Riker, please let me explain," Chakotay pleaded.
"I don't like being left in the dark," Riker snapped, "Had you told me about the Vancouver incident, I could have prepared a rebuttal. I can't do my best to defend you if you don't tell me everything about your Maquis activities!"
"That inquiry could never understand!" Torres exclaimed. "The Federation had turned their backs on us! They were going to give up our homes to appease Cardassia. We fought because we had no choice!"
Riker spun around abruptly. "That's where you're wrong. Instead of waiting for a diplomatic solution, you chose to take up arms. If the Vancouver's accident was the result of sabotage, your impatience with diplomacy cost the lives of 200 Starfleet officers!"
"What makes them different from the Maquis?" Torres demanded. "They were planning to undermine everything we believed in!"
"They wore the Starfleet uniform with distinction," Riker snarled, "and died believing in the Federation. Could either of you say the same . when you were attacking Federation ships?"
Chakotay held up his hand to try to halt the bickering. "What we did in the Badlands . is more complicated that you realize. This inquiry wants to paint all Maquis with the same brush. That's not fair."
Riker regained his composure and sat on a nearby bench. "Then help me understand."
"The Maquis weren't Borg," Torres replied calmly - keeping her temper in check. "We weren't one, unified group. We were groups with diverse interests cobbled together into an alliance. One of necessity. We had our share of moderates and militants."
"Like those we're seeing now in the Admiralty," Chakotay commented.
Riker sighed, realizing the irony. "Point taken, Commander. Look, we're all under stress. Ravvik wants to exploit that to drive a wedge between us. He wants to discredit you, so it will be easier to persecute other `sympathizers'."
"That settles it then," Torres concluded. "We have to win this case. No matter what." Riker handed them several data pads. "Tell me what you know of the accident on the USS Vancouver."
"I won't name names," Chakotay stressed, "but I will tell you what I know about the situation."
As he listened to Chakotay's explanation, Riker began to appreciate the desperation within the Maquis ranks. Time was running out. The Federation had ceased negotiations with their representatives. Protests seemed to fall on deaf ears at Starfleet Command.
They felt they had no choice, Riker pondered. But at the cost of the 200 lives aboard the Vancouver? Were they freedom-fighters, or terrorists? He drank another cup of coffee.
The answers to these questions, Riker believed, would be the key to saving two officers. Officers who once challenged the Federation's authority by force.
TO BE CONTINUED SOON ...
While Seven looked impassively at them, The Doctor stared horrified at his crewmates. This was not the Federation he had expected to find upon his return. Neelix seemed undisturbed. He's handling it rather well, The Doctor thought.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Neelix mumbled.
Tuvok frowned. "My colleagues at Starfleet Intelligence told me about the recent upheavals in the Admiralty. I was not aware, however, that a crisis was imminent."
"It's a high-stakes game," Kim sighed. "Everyone's hedging their bets. Waiting for the other side to make their move."
"Capt. Janeway is pressing her allies on the Federation Council to hold an emergency session tomorrow," Seven stated, ". despite my advice to the contrary. This course of action may make her vulnerable to the Cavalry Faction."
"They can't move against Janeway," Laforge concluded. "Word is that she's up for advancement. Cmdr. Riker's right: she's our best card right now."
Tuvok's communicator chimed. "Commander? You have a priority message from Starfleet Intelligence."
"Mr. Worf," Data stated. "Escort Cmdr. Tuvok to the secure communications station on deck 25."
"Understood, sir," Worf replied.
"Let's just hope those encryption protocols of ours do what they're supposed to," Kim hoped.
"I've uploaded the Enterprise's databases of the Badlands conflict onto Cmdr. Riker's terminal at Starfleet Command," Data stated. He paused for a second. "The commander tells me that the Admiralty is holding a secret session tonight."
"If it's a secret," Paris wondered, "how come he knows about it?"
"He would not name the person who contacted him," Data admitted. "Only that a highly-placed source had told him. This source also asked if the Enterprise was in orbit."
"Curious," Seven replied. "Why would a member of the Admiralty break the confidential nature of this meeting?"
"Normally, he wouldn't," Laforge pondered. "Unless . he wants us to know!"
Kim and Paris stared in disbelief. The cloak-and-dagger nature of the situation was bewildering. "Whoa, whoa, back up a bit," Kim insisted. "This source wants us to know about this meeting?! To what end?."
"If we attempted to spy on the meeting," Data theorized, "Starfleet's terrestrial sensors would immediately trace it. Leaving us vulnerable to espionage charges."
"Starfleet Command has an earth-based firewall to protect its communications," Laforge continued. "Nothing goes in or out without their knowledge. But it's land-based. Since we're in orbit, we might be able to bypass this firewall ."
"Perhaps masked as routine sensor sweeps?" Kim suggested.
"Commander, Ensign Kim, see what you can do about penetrating Starfleet's communications," Data ordered, "specifically those covering the Admiralty Hall. Tell no one what you are doing."
As Laforge and Kim raced out of the room, Data turned to Neelix and The Doctor. "Doctor, please keep an internal log of every formal order I issue within the next 48 hours. Should members of the Cavalry Faction take action, I want to ensure there is an objective record of the events."
"But wouldn't such a record implicate you?" The Doctor wondered. "If the faction's comrades retrieve the log, you will likely be arrested. You will lose your command."
"Yes, that is the risk," Data replied indifferently.
"But why?" The Doctor demanded.
Neelix understood. Data wanted to protect the subordinate officers. If Ravvik's allies did retrieve the log, they would see that it was Data who had ordered these acts of espionage. Data hoped that Paris, Kim, Laforge and their conspirators wouldn't be blamed directly.
Data, though, would bear full responsibility.
"Doctor," Neelix confided, "It means Acting Capt. Data will take the fall if things go sour."
Paris stood up, let out a frustrated sigh, and looked outside the window. Towards Earth. "Looks like the honeymoon's over for the Voyager crew," he muttered.
The room doors slid open, as Worf and Tuvok returned.
"Neelix, Lt. Paris you have your orders. You are dismissed." Tuvok ordered. "Doctor, please wait outside for a moment. I wish to speak with Acting Capt. Data."
Tuvok whispered something in Data's ear. The android nodded, then turned his attention to Seven.
"Seven, you are to go to San Francisco," Data stated. Tuvok slid a data pad towards Seven.
"The address listed is a safe-house," Tuvok revealed. "Remain there and let no one in - except Lt. Cmdr. Worf. When the time comes, he will provide you with further instructions."
Seven skimmed through the data pad. "These are directions to the Starfleet Armoury. Clearance codes. Why are you giving me this?"
"That is on a need-to-know basis," Tuvok replied. "Worf will provide you will civilian clothing, then beam you directly to San Francisco."
"Understood," Seven nodded, then left. Worf hesitated. "Has the situation . come to this, Captain?" he asked.
"Cmdr. Riker told me this is a time for men of conviction," Data remarked. "We must be ready for any eventuality."
Worf grasped the severity of the crisis. If they succeeded, they would have saved Starfleet from ruin. If they failed, the plotters in the Admiralty would brand them as traitors.
"Good luck, sir," Worf stated, then left the room. Paris immediately pounced upon him, followed by The Doctor and Neelix.
"What's with all these nudge-nudge-wink-wink spy games?" Paris wondered.
"Like you," Worf replied, "I do not like this shadow world of two- faced schemers. But, it is so. This cavalry faction has chosen the path of cowards. It is hard to trust others in such an environment."
"You can trust us, Commander," The Doctor declared.
Worf leaned towards the Voyager shipmates. "These are dangerous times. The next 24 hours are critical. Your friends before the Maquis Inquiry will need your support, now more than ever. When it is time to act, I will call upon you. Be vigilant."
He nodded goodbye and boarded a turbolift. Paris shook The Doctor's hand.
"Good luck on your mission, Doc," Paris said. "You're the only one who'll keep the facts straight if this whole thing goes down the drain. I've got to retrieve Chakotay and B'Elanna's logs from the Voyager databases."
Neelix slapped The Doctor on the shoulder. "We're counting on you, Doctor!" He sprinted to catch up with Paris.
The Doctor gulped. He had joined a conspiracy, where pretense and deception were the accepted tools of the trade. This was not medicine, he grumbled to himself. He nodded politely as an officer walked by.
Starfleet was on the verge of ruin . and he had to smile as if nothing was wrong.
Inside the room, Tuvok fell silent. He didn't quite know how to react to what he had just learned from his contact in Starfleet Intelligence.
"You seem troubled, Commander," Data noted.
"My contact informed me that Section 31 is watching the developments in the Admiralty closely," Tuvok stated.
"The secretive - and outlawed - organization responsible for acts of subterfuge," Data replied, "supposedly in the name of Federation interests."
"If they were to enter the fray," Tuvok hypothesized, "that could tip the scales in favour of the Cavalry Faction."
"That is distressing news," Data answered. "The current political situation at Starfleet Command makes it difficult to separate fact from rumour. But we have no reason to discount Section 31."
Tuvok strolled to the monitor, tapped a button and revealed a digital flowchart of the Starfleet hierarchy.
"We can assume Section 31 has sleeper agents at Starfleet Command," Tuvok concluded. He pointed towards the Admiralty branch. "Should they side with the Cavalry Faction, and take control of the Security and Intelligence branches, they could paralyze the Federation's ability to act upon its own directives. The fleet would be frozen by indecision. In effect, they would achieve a coup d'etat without firing a single phaser shot."
"We cannot allow that to happen," Data decided. "I will monitor the events at the Admiralty and inform you of any developments. I will inform Cmdr. Riker, too. As discussed, The Doctor will remain aboard the Enterprise for 48 hours."
Tuvok stood up. "Then I wish you well, sir. Paris will transmit those logs Cmdr. Riker requires for tomorrow's inquiry." He paused in front of Data. "You are taking a great personal risk, sir. If we have miscalculated, you can expect a court martial. Ravvik's allies will want to silence further voices of dissent."
"That is why I alone must take responsibility for these actions," Data declared. "It would be best to refrain from discussing these theories in the open. We do not want to create unnecessary panic among our crews."
"Agreed," Tuvok replied as he left the room. He hoped the next 48 hours wouldn't become what he feared most: a civil war, fought between Starfleet officers aligned with each faction.
Was this what Starfleet had become?
In the morning, Torres and Chakotay paced in the foyer of the hearing room. Riker had breakfast with them at 0800 hours, then excused himself to retrieve files for today's inquiry. He appeared down the hall with a portable coffee flask.
"I hope you're both well rested," Riker noted. "Ravvik might have us here for the better part of the day."
They took their seats at the steel committee table. They were the only people there.
"How's Capt. Janeway doing?" Chakotay inquired.
"She's at the Federation Council for an emergency session," Riker stated, "but I fear that everyone's nervous about the power shifts in the Admiralty. If anyone's got the prestige at this moment to prod the Council into action, it's Janeway."
The doors slid open. "All rise," a human Starfleet captain announced. Riker and the Voyager shipmates stood at attention. Another commander in the gold uniform of the Security branch followed the captain. Admiral Ravvik was the last to enter.
"Let the record show that this session of the Maquis Inquiry for the Protection of the Federation has begun," the captain declared. "Will the defendants raise their right hands?"
Chakotay and Torres raised their hands. The captain continued. "Do you pledge to tell the truth to this inquiry as fully as possible, with no omissions or errors?"
"This whole hearing is based on lies," Torres muttered under her breath.
"Not now, B'Elanna," Chakotay pleaded.
"My clients so pledge," Riker replied, hoping that would satisfy the inquiry commissioners. The captain gestured that they can sit down.
"I'm filing a motion to dismiss all conspiracy and treason charges outright," Riker presented a data pad to the commissioners.
"On what grounds?" the captain demanded.
"Whatever actions they may have done," Riker explained, "they can discuss them before the Federation's Reconciliation Committee: the only body sanctioned to sort out the fallout of the Cardassian occupation of Federation outposts in the Badlands and subsequent Maquis political actions."
"The Committee was responsible for hearing the grievances of serving Starfleet officers, their Cardassian counterparts and Federation citizens who justifiably took up arms in that conflict," Admiral Ravvik droned. "We are operating on the fact that the Maquis are illegitimate combatants . and therefore not protected by the Federation's prisoner-of-war rules. We have suspended the Reconciliation Committee's mandate indefinitely. This inquiry replaces the committee's work."
"The motion is rejected, Commander, so move on," the captain announced.
"We are not about to get into a discussion about the Maquis' political views," Ravvik added. "The terrorism and sabotage charges are based on two incidents ."
"The Maquis attack on the starship USS Hadrian," Riker answered. "in which neither of my clients were participants. And the other incident?" He glanced nervously at his Voyager clients.
The USS Hadrian was sent into the Badlands six months before the armistice between the Federation and Cardassia. Its purpose: to enforce the neutral zone. Maquis raiders continued to harass any ship - Federation or Cardassian - that violated its claimed airspace. Riker was aware of this case, but not the other incident. More surprises, he grumbled to himself.
"The second incident was the shameless sabotage of the science vessel, USS Vancouver," the commissioner in the security uniform stated. "We allege that both Chakotay and B'Elanna Torres - both senior operatives in the Maquis - not only had knowledge of the sabotage, but in fact ordered it. The Vancouver lost all hands on deck."
"Starfleet reported that the Vancouver's destruction was an accident," Riker protested. "It was a faulty warp core containment field."
Chakotay and Torres gasped. "Might we have a momentary recess to confer with our advocate?" Chakotay requested.
"I would like to see all files related to the Vancouver incident," Riker stated. The captain picked up a stack of data pads and placed them on the defense's table.
Riker studied the first pad. The de-classified Starfleet Intelligence Report outlined that the Vancouver was a science vessel. But it was not on a scientific mission.
Maquis attacks had increased dramatically that time, as their supporters tried to derail the negotiations between the Federation and Cardassia. Starfleet was under pressure to relocate settlers in Federation outposts to be ceded to the Cardassians.
The Vancouver had conveyed a covert team from Starfleet Security. Their mission: to disrupt Maquis activities "by all means necessary." They were to use Maquis tactics against the Maquis. Riker felt his stomach churn uneasily. Sabotage against fellow Federation citizens. It disgusted him.
"Chakotay," Ravvik interrupted. "Were you not unit commander of Maquis Brigade 167?"
"Don't say a thing!" Torres emphasized. "This entire process is corrupt!"
"They intend to call us terrorists for defending our way of life," Chakotay argued. "I won't lie to feed their lies!" He glared defiantly at the admiral. "Yes, I was the unit commander."
"Did you review the Vancouver's personnel manifest?" Ravvik inquired.
Riker blanched as he read the names. He accepted their deaths years before, since it was an accident. 200 people. Former classmates, friends, colleagues . lost in an unfortunate warp core mishap. Those were the risks of space exploration.
If the Maquis knowingly caused the deaths of Starfleet officers in the line of duty, then it was no act of war. It was a crime.
"I'd like a recess to digest this new information," Riker replied.
"You have a half-hour recess," Ravvik agreed. Ravvik smiled. He had planted a seed of doubt in Riker's mind.
Riker hastily gathered his files and walked briskly out of the room.
"Cmdr. Riker, please let me explain," Chakotay pleaded.
"I don't like being left in the dark," Riker snapped, "Had you told me about the Vancouver incident, I could have prepared a rebuttal. I can't do my best to defend you if you don't tell me everything about your Maquis activities!"
"That inquiry could never understand!" Torres exclaimed. "The Federation had turned their backs on us! They were going to give up our homes to appease Cardassia. We fought because we had no choice!"
Riker spun around abruptly. "That's where you're wrong. Instead of waiting for a diplomatic solution, you chose to take up arms. If the Vancouver's accident was the result of sabotage, your impatience with diplomacy cost the lives of 200 Starfleet officers!"
"What makes them different from the Maquis?" Torres demanded. "They were planning to undermine everything we believed in!"
"They wore the Starfleet uniform with distinction," Riker snarled, "and died believing in the Federation. Could either of you say the same . when you were attacking Federation ships?"
Chakotay held up his hand to try to halt the bickering. "What we did in the Badlands . is more complicated that you realize. This inquiry wants to paint all Maquis with the same brush. That's not fair."
Riker regained his composure and sat on a nearby bench. "Then help me understand."
"The Maquis weren't Borg," Torres replied calmly - keeping her temper in check. "We weren't one, unified group. We were groups with diverse interests cobbled together into an alliance. One of necessity. We had our share of moderates and militants."
"Like those we're seeing now in the Admiralty," Chakotay commented.
Riker sighed, realizing the irony. "Point taken, Commander. Look, we're all under stress. Ravvik wants to exploit that to drive a wedge between us. He wants to discredit you, so it will be easier to persecute other `sympathizers'."
"That settles it then," Torres concluded. "We have to win this case. No matter what." Riker handed them several data pads. "Tell me what you know of the accident on the USS Vancouver."
"I won't name names," Chakotay stressed, "but I will tell you what I know about the situation."
As he listened to Chakotay's explanation, Riker began to appreciate the desperation within the Maquis ranks. Time was running out. The Federation had ceased negotiations with their representatives. Protests seemed to fall on deaf ears at Starfleet Command.
They felt they had no choice, Riker pondered. But at the cost of the 200 lives aboard the Vancouver? Were they freedom-fighters, or terrorists? He drank another cup of coffee.
The answers to these questions, Riker believed, would be the key to saving two officers. Officers who once challenged the Federation's authority by force.
TO BE CONTINUED SOON ...