Personal Log, Crewman Simon Tarses, Stardate 44790.18

I'm on the Excalibur now, and it's going to be a long two weeks until we get to Earth. I have been confined to quarters, and the few crewmembers I have interacted with have been cold toward me, almost as if they regard me as an enemy. I wonder which is the aberration: the warm and friendly Enterprise personnel, or the cold and untrusting Excalibur personnel. I suppose I will find out soon enough.

Simon tried to call his family to let them know that he was on his way, but the computer said, in her increasingly annoying voice, "You do not have authorization to make subspace transmissions."

Simon poked his head out of his door to speak with the guards posted outside. Sure enough, the Tellarite was among them. Simon did not know his name, but he had a personal nickname that he used only in his head. He remembered a story his mother told him as a child about seven dwarves. He decided that the Tellarite guard was the eighth dwarf, Surly. "What do you want?" snapped the guard.

"Sir, I request permission to call my family to let them know when to expect my arrival."

The guard responded sarcastically, "Permission denied. You're lucky you're in quarters, and not the brig. A Romulan spy is not allowed to call his mommy. For all we know, she could be one of those pointy-eared, green blooded hobgoblins in disguise."

Simon quickly retreated into his quarters before he lost the ability to suppress the urge to deck Surly on his pig-shaped nose. He couldn't believe that he had just insulted his mother like that. He walked over to the chair and started pummeling it instead. He got in three good hits on the cushion, and then he missed, cutting his hand on the side of the chair.

He looked down at his hand and saw a trickle of blood begin to ooze out. Red blood, just like his mother's. He reached into his bag and pulled out a dermal regenerator to repair the damage. The rhythmic action of the dermal regenerator served to soothe him, and he soon calmed down.

Official Log, Commander T'Lara, Judge Advocate General Corps, Stardate 44820.2

I have been assigned as defense counsel in the court-martial of Crewman Simon Tarses. He is accused of falsifying his Starfleet entrance application, stating that his paternal grandfather is Vulcan, not Romulan. Crewman Tarses is currently en route to Earth, and will arrive in a few days. We will then discuss how to proceed with the case.

My backup line of argument will be that since Romulans are descendants of Vulcans who left at the time of Surak, Crewman Tarses is not actually lying. This will solve the case at hand; however, I have a much more interesting line of argument which has the potential to create a positive precedent in Federation law.

Commander T'Lara said, "Computer, end log recording, and encrypt. Place it in the confidential client file directory."

T'Lara then put in a call to the head security officer in charge of the case. The screen flickered to life, and a human in his mid-thirties appeared. "This is Lieutenant Michael Eddington. How may I help you?"

"I am Commander T'Lara, from the Judge Advocate General Corps. I am counsel for Crewman Simon Tarses. It has come to my attention that my client has been denied contact with his family during his transport to Earth to face a court-martial."

"That is correct, Ma'am."

"May I remind you, Lieutenant, that Mr. Tarses has a right, under Article 8, section 4 of the Federation Uniform Code of Justice to make one supervised subspace call to his family," stated T'Lara.

"With all due respect, Commander, that right does not extend to suspected Romulan spies."

"Mr. Tarses has not been charged on suspicion of spying for the Romulans, or for anyone else, for that matter. It is illogical and unjust to deny a Federation citizen a fundamental right, merely on suspicion of his parentage. There is also ample case law to support this right being upheld for defendants in perjury cases."

"I don't care if Surak himself came back from the dead and told me how logical it is. I am in charge of security for this case, and I say that he can't make the call."

T'Lara raised her eyebrow at Eddington's profane use of Surak's name, and at his insubordinate attitude, and said, "Very well. I will be lodging a formal complaint with the judge. T'Lara out."

T'Lara filed the complaint and then put in a subspace call to Mars. A man wearing civilian clothing, with blond hair and pointed ears answered. He looked visibly shocked at seeing a Starfleet officer on the screen, but recovered and said, "I am Victor Tarses. How may I be of assistance?"

"Greetings Mr. Tarses. I am Commander T'Lara. I have been assigned as your son's defense attorney in his court-martial. He will be arriving on Earth in two days."

"I'm surprised that I haven't heard from him. He spoke to my wife while he was on the Enterprise, but that was before charges were filed. He is the type who would call to let us know when he would arrive."

"Crewman Tarses has the right to make a subspace call. However, the security corps has denied him that right. I have lodged a formal complaint. It would be logical to assume that this whole situation is quite distressing to him, and I believe that it would ease his emotional state if his family members were present to greet him when he arrives."

"Will Starfleet security let us be there?"

"They will only allow me to meet him at the transport site. However, after that, I will escort him to my office for our initial consultation. You may wait in my office and see him there."

"Thank you, Commander. We'll take the next flight to San Francisco."

"I will send you all the necessary details. T'Lara out."

The Excalibur reached Earth, and Surly escorted Simon to the transporter room. Simon stood on the pad and was relieved to finally be getting out of this place. Surly addressed the transporter chief and said, "Get him out of here."

"With pleasure, Sir," replied the transporter chief.

Simon materialized in the transporter room at Starfleet security. He was promptly greeted by a woman in a red uniform with three pips on her collar. "Greetings Crewman Tarses. My name is Commander T'Lara. I am your defense attorney."

He snapped to attention and said, "Pleased to meet you, Ma'am." He thought to himself, 'Great. Just what I need, a Vulcan lawyer. She'll probably say that it's illogical to put on a defense when I'm so obviously guilty.'

T'Lara said, "At ease, Crewman. Please come with me. We need to go to my office to discuss your defense."

They walked in silence and arrived at T'Lara's office in a few moments. When they got to the door, T'Lara said, "After you."

Simon walked in and saw his parents. He immediately ran to them and said, "Mom! Dad! I'm so glad you're here. I tried to call you, but the security guards wouldn't let me. How did you know to come?"

Victor Tarses said, "Commander T'Lara contacted us and told us that she believed you would want to see us. She arranged for us to meet you here."

'Maybe she won't be so bad after all,' thought Simon.

As soon as Simon was done speaking with his parents, he noticed a man standing in the shadows. He stepped out into the light, and Simon saw the familiar pointed ears and brow ridge. His voice caught in his throat as he said quietly, "Grandpa."

Nivel embraced his grandson. Simon looked up with tears in his eyes and said, "I'm sorry."

T'Lara stood back and observed the scene. One thing that she had come to notice in her career is that certain things are common among all sentient species. Wherever people gather, regardless of their origin, they gather into families. She decided that she was going to expend her best efforts to make sure that Crewman Tarses was not condemned for his family origin. It would be illogical.

Nivel and Mr. and Mrs. Tarses departed. T'Lara addressed Simon and said, "Please have a seat. We have much work to do."

Simon sat down and said, "Commander, thank you for inviting my family here. It means a lot to me."

"You are welcome."

A moment of silent understanding passed between them, and then T'Lara spoke. "I have reviewed your case file. You are charged with making a false statement on your Starfleet entrance application, namely, the race of your paternal grandfather, Nivel. If you are convicted, you will most likely be dishonorably discharged from Starfleet, and you could face up to two years in a penal colony. Do you have any questions so far?"

"Permission to speak freely, Ma'am?"

T'Lara raised her eyebrow. Crewman Tarses was the most by the book member of Starfleet she had met in her professional dealings. Usually, she dealt with insubordinate screw-ups. Everyone spoke freely in her office, but he was the first person to ask permission to do so. She said, "While we are in this office, you always have permission to speak freely. It is essential to a productive attorney-client relationship that you are candid with me at all times."

Simon cleared his throat and said, "I admit it. I lied. I wanted to be in Starfleet so badly, and I didn't think they would let me in if they knew that my grandfather is Romulan. Romulans aren't exactly looked upon favorably by the Federation. I thought it would be so easy to just say that I'm 1/4 Vulcan instead. It worked until Admiral Satie started her witch hunt. I'm not proud of what I did, but I'm even less proud of why I had to do it. You're probably going to say that the logical thing to do is to go to court, admit it, and get it over with. It probably is, but my secret's out, I don't have to pretend be logical anymore."

T'Lara was unsurprised by Simon's outburst. Humans are known for being an emotional species, and that trait is especially pronounced in the young. She said, "You are incorrect about what I am going to say. While 'going to court and getting it over with' as you so colorfully stated would be the path of least resistance, that does not automatically make it the logical choice. Indeed, sometimes logic requires a long and difficult road. You are correct that the societal forces that pressured you into perjuring yourself are shameful. This is what I wish to address in your defense."

T'Lara continued, "It is not merely an act that matters, for sentient beings are not automatons. Motivation is relevant as well, and it would be illogical to ignore that motivation. I am ethically bound to present a vigorous defense on your behalf and to make sure that justice is done. This I will do. I give you my word."

"How?" asked Simon, with wide eyes.

"Generally, a simple charge such as this would be handled by a General Court-Martial, which is composed of a single judge, usually an Admiral, and a jury of four officers and four enlisted personnel. A verdict would be rendered after the trial, and if you were to be found guilty, you could appeal based on a point of law, but findings of fact would remain undisturbed. However, the prosecutor moved to have this case tried before the Federation Supreme Court, citing an issue of Federation security. There will be no jury, and the members of the court would decide both fact and law. Ordinarily, I would oppose such a move, but in this case, I believe that it would be beneficial because judges are usually less prone to emotionalism than jurors."

"Okay."

The next morning, the Federation Supreme Court convened for the arraignment. Simon and T'Lara were seated at a table on the left side of the room, both wearing their dress uniforms. The prosecutor, Captain Johnson sat at a table on the right side of the room. The bailiff said, "All rise. The Supreme Court of the United Federation of Planets is now in session. The honorable Chief Justice Shriall presiding."

Everyone rose, and eleven judges walked in. Shriall, an elderly Andorian male who had been on the court for 85 years, motioned for everyone to be seated. He rang the bell and said, "The court will hear the arraignment of Crewman Simon Tarses. Crewman Tarses is charged with one count of perjury for making a false statement on his application to join Starfleet. How do you plead?"

Simon rose and said, "N-not guilty, Sir."

Shriall said, "The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty. This court will reconvene in two weeks for trial." Shirall rang the bell, and court was dismissed.