Repercussions

Posted on 13 Jan 2013 @ 2:06pm by Lieutenant Jacob Pendleton

2,494 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: Vega Colony - Vega Police Department 9th Precinct
Timeline: MD 13 1130

[ON]

Jeremy went through the corridors of the ship, pulling up the file on Lieutenant JG Pendleton as he did. Sergeant Anders said the victim had positively identified the Lieutenant from his Starfleet facesheet photo. Though, judging from the description, there was little doubt left after a positive ident.

The computer directed him to where Pendleton was after Jeremy stopped by his office to obtain a phaser pistol, which he set to stun. Niggling in the back of his mind, he knew he should contact Holliday but...with the events of a few hours ago still fresh in his mind - and anger - he decided he would wait until after he spoke with Pendleton and saw how events unfolded.

He went to the tall person, pretty sure that would be Pendleton judging from his stats. "Lieutenant Pendleton?" Jeremy asked, trying to sound neutral and friendly. "I'm Lieutenant Stone, Chief of Security and I'll need you to come with me."

Jacob was deep into reading the local cyber-paper when a voice broke him out of his concentration, "I'm Lieutenant Stone, Chief of Security and I'll need you to come with me." Jacob smiled up at the Lieutenant and replied, "Well met Sir." He got up from the table, extending his hand in greeting, "What's this all about, Sir?"

Jeremy completely disregarded the offered hand. "Local police have received a report about your involvement in an attack on another gentleman last night. They have made a request to have you brought down to their office for an interview regarding the events. I'm here to escort you." He tried to keep himself neutral, even though he was entirely too frustrated. He expected Holliday to bust in at any moment and deny this as well - frustrating the local police force and letting them know that Starfleet was above even enforcing their regulations and laws on their people. "I hope you will comply."

Jacob shrugged, "Not a problem Sir. A young woman was being attacked and I intervened. I will gladly go with you to their office."

Jeremy frowned. "You should know that you are being considered her accomplice. She's wanted for theft, burglary, solicitation of prostitution and several other charges. You will be asked about those crimes as well as your attack on her last victim." He stood to the side and indicated Pendleton should proceed him out the door and to the transporter room.

"Very well Sir. I know nothing about any of this new information so, they can ask as many questions as they like." Jacob proceeded to the transporter room without further comment.

Police Headquarters, Vega IX Colony

Jeremy waited until the transport was done before looking around. Not many people seemed to notice their arrival, but then again he was expected. However one man, average height, going a little soft from what appeared to be a hard life, approached them. He wasn't uniformed but did wear a badge and a weapon on his hip.

"Lieutenant Stone," he said, smiling and extending a hand in greeting. He left it there for a few seconds while Jeremy ignored it. "You're Lieutenant Pendleton?" he asked looking at the larger man.

"I am Officer." Jacob said in a neutral tone of voice. "And I am ready to answer any questions or concerns you have."

"That would be good. I'm Sergeant Anders, of the Vega Colony Police Force," he held out his hand to shake Pendleton's. Then led them to a small room. Another man dressed casually entered with them, leaving the room cramped with the four of them.

"Lieutenant," Anders began. "The reason we asked you to come down here today is to talk about an incident that occurred last night between you and David Salvederis. Wait...let me back up here a moment. I just want to make sure you understand, you're not in custody at this point. You're here of your own choosing and you can leave whenever you want. You understand that right?"

"Of course, Officer." Jacob replied plainly. "if you are speaking about the man I dumped into the local hotel pool; well, he was threatening a young woman, and nobody does that in my presence officer."

Anders glanced at Stone and the other detective before pulling up a photo on a PADD. "This 'young lady' would be Annabelle Truman?" he asked as he showed Pendleton a photo of the lady in question. "The same lady you left with after the incident?"

"Huh, she said her name was Starr." Jacob said quizzically. "And yes, we had drinks at the cafe on the corner about three blocks from here; then we both left and went our own ways. Nothing more."

Anders exchanged another glance with the other detective. "So you do know this woman?"

Jeremy shifted uneasily, frowning at the local police forces. "I want to make it clear that this is a civilian action, conducted by civilian authorities and not a Starfleet operation. Are we in agreement on this?"

"Yes," Anders said, casting a dark look at Jeremy. "Mr. Pendleton, you said after you attacked Salvaderis you left with this 'Starr'?"

"That is correct Officer. He yelled, berated and intimidated her; I told him to back off and leave her alone as she was quite frightened of the man. He became even more belligerent. I got out of the sauna, picked him up by his collar, intimidated him to leave her alone and unceremoniously tossed him in the pool. The young woman was a but surprised but grateful that I intervened on her behalf and asked me if I'd join her for a drink at the cafe, which I did." Jacob told the story in as matter of fact a voice as one could tell a story then waited for the next question.

"Okay," Anders said, setting the PADD to the side. He gave a quick glance to Jeremy as he stood. "Jacob Pendleton, I'm now placing you into custody to be charged with aggravated battery, solicitation of prostitution, conspiracy to commit burglary and theft. Please stand and place your hands behind your back."

Jacob looked bewildered for a moment, but did as instructed, "Officer," he replied, "what in the world are you talking about? I just told you everything that happened. It is obvious there was none of the solicitation nor burglary nor theft. Where is your evidence for those chargers sir?"

"You'll face the evidence against you at your trial," Anders said, moving cautiously to apply the restraints.

Jeremy shook his head. "This isn't what we agreed to," he said. "You told me he wasn't going to be taken into custody."

Anders nodded at the other man to continue restraining Pendleton. "We also didn't think he'd admit to the charges against him."

"Which he did not do," Jeremy said. He wasn't an advocate but he knew enough of the law and criminal procedures to know that. "He admitted to the battery, which is a misdemeanor crime under Vega penal code."

"Aggravated battery," Anders stated simply, wondering why the unccoperativeness now.

Jeremy shook his head, "No. Aggravated battery requires the commission of several other misdemeanors, battery upon a protected class of persons such as officers or elderly or the commission of battery during felonies."

"Yes," Anders agreed as he watched Pendleton restrained. "In this case, theft and burglary, as well as conspiracy to commit each."

"But you have no evidence of the conspiracy nor his participation in those felonies. You have suspicions but nothing to prove them."

Anders sighed. He pulled up the PADD. "Truman placed a subspace message to a shuttle earlier that day. You believe it's coincidence that the call was placed to the same transport vessel that brought Pendleton to Vega? Then they just 'happened' to run into each other again later that night at the hotel?"

Jeremy frowned. That was...circumstantial but damaging. "Lieutenant?" he asked turning to Pendleton. "At this point you are not to answer any questions but routine demographic questions. You are in custody and therefore rights apply."

jacob nodded and replied, "Understood sir. I want legal council. I am innocent of these accusations other than the battery charge. That is all I will say until legal gets here."

Anders sighed. He had hoped that Stone was the security officer he had thought he was, but now he seemed to be on the side of the criminal. However, he couldn't fault the advice. It was Pendleton's rights. Not that he needed to question him much more at this point, he already admitted to the one crime which was enough to take him into custody.

"Sgt. Anders," Jeremy continued. "I have assisted you in good faith. If you have some evidence more concrete than circumstantial then I would like to see it and will drop this issue. If you are not willing to show it to me, then I will ask that you keep to the original agreement and allow me to take custody of Pendleton until the date of his court appearance. Pendleton will agree to whatever bond requirements you may have, including confining himself to the Galileo for the remainder of its stay here. Correct Lieutenant?"

"Yes sir." Jacob said in a tone of voice worthy of a Star Fleet officer ready to do whatever he had to make things correct.

Jeremy nodded. "You have and admission of the battery charge. That should be enough to start your legal proceedings. I will ensure that he is available for any and all proceedings through subspace as necessary, up to and including holographic appearances. I will also comply, to the best of my ability, with any court order to produce Pendleton."

"Look, Lieutenant," Anders said, still looking at Jeremy. "This is just a little bit more than a simple battery charge-"

"Which you have very little evidence of at the moment."

"That you know of," Anders said.

"Then if you have the evidence, Pendleton will be confined to custody of a starship in deep space until such time as he's returned to face charges. He has admitted to one crime, denies the others, and gives the word of a Starfleet Officer that he will comply with all release agreements. Further, you have my word as an agent of the law that he will be in a form of custody until the legal matter is resolved."

Anders sighed. "I'll need to get it cleared. And he'll still need to be processed into our system."

Jeremy nodded. "Agreed. Just release him back to me when you're done and I'll take it from there. I'll make sure you have a direct access to me on the Galileo for whatever you need."

"Come with me," Anders said, nodding to Pendleton. "Let's start the processing and see if we can't get you out of here. You're damned lucky, most security chiefs would let their officers rot in a local jail."

Jacob nodded but said nothing and let the process be done.

The process took nearly an hour, having Pendleton booked into their system, photo taken and then given conditions of release: confined to his ship during their stay, reporting to Galileo security chief twice a day, agreement to abide by all court orders and appearances.

Jeremy waited for him in the lobby. He turned as Pendleton was led out. "Lieutenant," he said. "Ready to return to the ship?"

"Yes Sir." Jacob walked out with Lt. Stone his head held high and as soon as the two were nearing the ship he said, "Thanks for the assist back there Lieutenant. I can't believe the other charges they are trying to put on me. I didn't realize Vega Colony authorities were so corrupt." He shook his head in disbelief.

Jeremy grabbed the Lieutenant's arm to turn him around, facing the taller man. "Lieutenant," he started. "If the Vega police were that corrupt, you would be sitting in a holding cell waiting transfer to a detention center. You would be declared AWOL from the Galileo and left to face the charges alone. It is because of their integrity that you have been charged with the crime you did commit and let into my custody. If they have a case to build on the other charges, they will build it and you will have your chance in court to answer them."

He glanced to the ship. "This situation is of your doing, Lieutenant. You thought it as noble to run into a situation without thinking or a full understanding of what was happening. You didn't take even a moment to consider what was really happening. Take responsibility for your mistake and don't try to throw the blame onto police officials."

"And I will take responsibility for what I did Sir; however, I will not take responsibility for the other charges against me that are false. I certainly hope you would not want me to take the blame for something I didn't do." Jacob replied in a plain tone that only hinted at his steadfastness of his own innocence towards the other charges laid against him.

"I am unaware of your guilt or innocence regarding those charges and have no opinion either way. I have not conducted the investigation nor seen evidence either way. If charged with crimes you are innocent of, I expect you to obtain an advocate and defend yourself. In the meantime, you are cautioned that you are not to speak of these matters to anyone who is not your advocate. You will be in violation of your rights by doing so. Not to me, any of my staff, your superiors or fellow crewmates. Doing so may cause implications in your case."

He sighed. "You will check in with me, personally, every morning at 0815 and again at 1800 every night until this matter is resolved and your in lieu is exonerated. Further, I will be placing a tracker on you. You leave this ship outside of my presence, you will be arrested, thrown in the brig and sent back here as a fugitive. Is that clear?"

Jacob nodded. "Absolutely sir."

"You should also be sure to inform your senior officer regarding the situation you find yourself in, not details. Understood?"

"I will follow the protocol to the letter Sir." Jacob nodded again in affirmation and awaited to have the tracker placed on him.

"Go report to Lieutenant Panne, Lieutenant," Jeremy said pulling out his PADD and starting the process of attaching the locator trace to Pendleton's combadge. "Make my life easier and stop tipping at windmills."

"I will try Sir." Jacob remarked with a slight sigh, "If only Don Quixote was here to advise me in that Sir." He tried to smile at the Lieutenant a bit but just decided to head towards his department and just move forward.

[OFF]

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

LTjg Jacob Pendleton
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

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