Cease and Desist
Half a day later, I got my response, exactly as I imagined it would come:
From: JAG
To: KT
Subject: CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE re; Admiral Ashcroft
Ms Terev,
It has come to the attention of the Judge Advocate General's office that you have raised several, to date unproven and unsubstantiated, allegations as regards to the character and conduct of Admiral Thomas Ashcroft.
Admiral Ashcroft is a decorated combat veteran who has served Starfleet Tactical with honour and distinction for 18 years. His service record, including commendations for bravery and exemplary leadership, speak to the highest calibre of professionalism and merit demanded by Starfleet. To accuse such an officer of criminal conduct without evidence is not only an insult to his character but a direct affront to Starfleet's integrity
Such allegations, in our legal opinion, constitute clear examples of journalistic bias and libel, and will not be tolerated any further.
Effective Immediately, you will cease and desist any further inquiries into unsubstantiated and unproven allegations of any officer of Starfleet.
If you chose to ignore this notice, be advised that the office of the Judge Advocate General will not hesitate to pursue action against you, including but not limited to:
Permanent revocation of your press credentials and access to any Starfleet ships, facilities or personnel.
Strong consideration to permanent denial of any further cooperation with the Federation News Network.
Admiral Ashcroft reserves the right to pursue civil claims for damages as appropriate.
A referral to the Federation Broadcast Standards Committee for investigation into your adherence to ethical journalism standards.
A referral to the Federation Security Agency for investigation into criminal harassment.
Any and all other actions as appropriate.
Govern yourself accordingly.
Signed:
Captain Philipa Louvois, Judge Advocate General, Sector 144
I was honestly impressed. I've gotten many, many, c notices in my career, but never from the Starfleet JAG's office, and certainly not signed by someone with the clout of Philipa Louvois. I had the letter printed and framed for posterity, and I hung it on my trophy wall beside my MIT Communications degree.
But before I could celebrate any further, my terminal pinged yet again.
Unknown User has added you to the chat. Say hi!
Unknown User: I'll say this… when you decide to piss someone off, you don't do anything half-assed! The Data Decision judge herself?! That's impressive!
KT: you're reading my mail too?
Unknown User: mail, transmissions, messages… it's all signals. Signals have to go somewhere. You just have to know how to read them in the middle.
KT: W.E, you got something real for me? I was having a good day until you pinged me.
[file upload:]
KT: ?
Unknown User: I've never designed a magazine cover before. You like it?
KT: Kinda amateur… but I've seen worse. You want me to go public? You always turned that down before.
Unknown User: Conditions have changed, and you've opened a new vector for us, one I hadn't expected in full honesty. Even getting a hint of what we know on the air is going to turn the heat all the way up on Blackjack.
KT: And make him lash out at the same time.
Unknown User: We've planned for that, haven't we? Besides, even if he does, just one more thing the crown can throw on the charge sheet.
KT: well, at least its something I'm good at for a change. And it's been a while since I've done a live broadcast.
Unknown User: you're gonna do, and look, amazing. Blue sequin dress was the best broadcast dress.
KT: Weirdo. You ever gonna show me your face?
Unknown User: I've got a table for two at the River Café on Halloween night, 1830. Look for the Tanqueray '46.
Unknown User: We're almost at the end. I couldn't have done this without you. Don't forget to look up.
Unknown User has logged off.
Don't forget to look up. He always ended our chats with that line. I've never figured out what he meant by that. Look up at what? The sky? It was starting to get darker day by day, and I'd rather not have rain hitting my face.
But the Source had a point. The drama was at the point where the end comes into view. I had to drive it home.
For two weeks, I did a whirlwind tour of all the major broadcasters. FNN prime-time. The Tengrove Report. Starfleet Daily Briefing. I kept the specifics out of the broadcasts, but my message was the same no matter what show I was on.
Blackjack Ashcroft is a fake, a fraud and a criminal. And if he disagrees, Starfleet can refute my evidence in a public forum.
The reaction was almost immediate. My broadcasts were the top-rated shows in the entire Federation since the Dominion War. I got three C letters a day from the JAG office. But something else happened that I didn't expect. On the final day of my shows, I went public with Blackjack's involvement in what happened to Colonel Bagsley. No specifics, but I alluded that his orders resulted in the Squirrels getting trapped on Archanis IV, which made Bagsley's capture and torture Blackjack's fault.
Hours later, John called me while I was flying back to my apartment in NYC.
"I'm assuming you're watching the news?" he asked. As a personal rule, I don't watch news broadcasts after I make them, so I told him I hadn't.
"You stirred up the hive, Kirin. The black-and-whites haven't been this busy since Layton's coup."
He patched me in a feed from the Fed-Sec Patrol Division's bodycams. It seemed that after my broadcast, the Fishies and Sharkies started brawling all across the planet. Bar fights between Starfleet Officers and Federation Marines aren't uncommon for any of the myriads of reasons two interservice would rivals would start fighting. But tonight was something completely different.
Murderer!
Thug!
Blackjack's a dead man!
You shut your mouth about a real hero, Sharkie!
They were out for blood, both groups. To the Marines, Starfleet had wronged one of their own, a family member. To Starfleet, the Marines were questioning a man beyond reproach. A dozen uniforms on both sides threw punches, kicks, glasses. One Starfleet officer picked up a chair, and the Fed-Sec beat cops – just trying to keep the peace – were forced to draw their phasers and stun the crowd. What a mess.
"Its gonna get worse before it gets better," John relented, "Robbery-Homicide is making good progress on shutting down his assets, particularly with Captain Markstrom's Ais able to run down his accounts faster than anyone in Cybercrimes ever could. But unless the fleet cooperates, all this isn't going to mean anything. Blackjack can just get himself reassigned and start all over again in a few years."
John wasn't wrong. We needed Starfleet to tighten the leash. When I got back to my apartment, I poured a martini, and then braced myself for a call I never wanted to make.
─•~:~•─
