The Trial of Captains Sanchez and Taurik

[Andrew Yates]

=A= Admiral Yates to Commanders Freeman and Spock=A=

"Gentlemen please report to Ops we are in need of your assistance."

[Randall Sanchez]

*Sanchez takes a deep breath.*
"When I returned to Avalon station last, I received news from admiral Vorak that the Evolution was to be decommissioned. Then, I received news that Zayan, who was pregnant with my child, was captured by the Loxian government and was scheduled to be executed. Zayan, who fought for the Loxian exiles, with whom we have, after all, good relations thanks to the project at Vontak Nor, the Cardassian station in the Dark Passage, that is now shared by Starfleet, Cardassians and Loxians in a peaceful way. I felt it was my duty to inform the admiralty of this situation, and offered to perform a rescue mission myself. I asked this directly to admiral Vorak, but he claimed there was no ship available. He refused to allow me to take any ship because he did not want Starfleet to be involved in the Loxian civil war. The thing, however, was that there was one ship still capable of spaceflight, and not in use... the Evolution. It was only just decommissioned and had not been entirely taken apart, so despite its obvious damage, it was still of use."
*Sanchez takes another deep breath.*
"I admit that I have stolen the U.S.S. Evolution, though decommissioned, to go to Loxius. It would appear to have been for the good, because the Loxian government was at first winning, but our arrival turned the tide in favour of the Loxian Exiles. I need not remind you again that the Loxian Exiles are on good terms with Starfleet, while the Loxian Government has broken off diplomatic relations before, who knows what their next move would have been had they won this war."
*Then he faces Taurik on the other side of the room.*
"But before we got to Loxius, the Evolution was halted by the Rivendell. It is true that me and captain Taurik have been friends for many years, so I would never cause him harm, and he knew this. That is, no doubt, why he knew he could beam over alone. I don't expect that anyone else understands this seemingly illogical decision of his, but it appeared to me that the senior staff of his ship was more interested in pulling out the guns, rather than have a diplomatic discussion. Taurik chose the latter and beamed over to my ship, proving to his crew that I meant no real harm. The fact that he is still sitting here, and can testify that I never even tried to make an aggressive move on him, proves that my intentions were good."
*He then faces Matthews again.*
"We talked for a while, and I explained him the entire situation. After all, how can one judge of another's actions if you don't even know the reasons why. Once I had explained this to him, he realized that we had but two choices... we turn around to Avalon Station and comply to Starfleet orders, knowing that people will die unnecessary, including my child, and allow a potential enemy of Starfleet to grow stronger, or disregard our orders and save lives instead. We chose to do the latter, and we succeeded in this mission. And to prove that I have no ill will toward Starfleet or anyone, I have thereafter voluntarily allowed security officers to take me to the brig, and I came here without protest."
*He then faces Vorak, Karelia, and everyone else in the room.*
"I realize that I violated direct Starfleet orders, and I submit to the punishment you choose for me, but I need to ask of every single one of you... had it been your unborn child that was in serious peril, would you have turned back instead?"

[Will Karelia]

"Very well. Ensign, you may begin."

[Randall Sanchez]

*Sanchez, standing up while listening to the verdict, lowers his head and sighs deeply.*
"As I feared..."
*He glances at Zayan and their child she's holding, and takes a deep breath.*

[Taurik]

Taurik turns his head to Sanchez, also speaking softly. "Captain, I admire your willingness to further sacrifice yourself for me, but it is unnecessary. I will not lie to the judges. If court-martial is what is decided for me, I will embrace it."

[Will Matthews]

"Did Captain Taurik want to persue a diplomatic solution to the situation?".

[Will Karelia]

"The prosecution may now cross-reference the captain."

[Eugene Archer]

(OFF: The Academy teaching position has indeed already been taken. Admiral Hobson is now the medical teacher. Sorry for interrupting this trial)

Edit from Hobson: Admiral Hobsons holographic double specifically http://www.expansionfleet.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[Will Matthews]

"And so to confirm, clearly, for the observing admirality and prosecution. All of your actions, beginning with the taking of the Evolution, were indeed for the better good of Starfleet, and life of any form. Be it your unbord child, and the lives of Loxians, and Starfleet officers of the future? Who might have been killed in a conflict with the Loxian government. As well as if the conflict between Loxian exiles and thier govermment had been left unassisted".

[Randall Sanchez]

*Sanchez gets up and returns to his seat next to Taurik.*

OFF: I won't be able to post between tomorrow, Friday Aug. 4 and Monday, Aug. 7.

[Will Karelia]

"This new evidence will be reviewed when we make our deliberations."

The tribunal judges listened as the defense and prosecution made their closing statements, then retreated into their deliberation chamber. Fifteen anxious minutes passed in the courtroom before the judges entered again. WIll banged the gavel to get the congregation's attention.

"We have reached a verdict."

Will read from a PADD. "Captain Taurik, on the charge of treason, we find you not guilty. Your actions have caused no damage to the Federation, and that charge will be dropped. On the charge of aiding and abetting a known criminal, we find you guilty. You directly disobeyed orders, and as such, a formal reprimand will be applied to your record. Consider yourself lucky."

Will turns to Sanchez, and begins to read the most anticipated part of the verdict. "Captain Sanchez, on the charges of treason and of violation of the Prime Directive, we find you..."

He paused, as the entire room hung on his every word.

"Guilty."

[Baphomet]

OOC: Yes that still applies, but is the one and only exception to the rule of no capital punishment.

[Will Karelia]

"Very well. The defense may now call their own first witness."

[William Taylor]

Ensign Taylor rises and approaches the Captain.

"Captain Taurik, after hearing your answers i gather that you did indeed involve yourself, after Captain Sanchez's explanation, in the affairs of the Loxian government and people. Do you admit to violating the prime directive captain?"

[Zayan]

OFF: that would work, but it is a question of where they are at.  Or the medical staff of the Evolution could be temporarily stationed there or something.