All Roads Lead to Rome - Part One

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 4:26am by General Ranik Solusar & Admiral Kurso Teska & Division Admiral Talon Yeager & Post Captain Davijaan "Oddball" Yeager & Post Captain Harmon 'Hammer' Rabb Junior.

Mission: Mission 55: The Measure of a Woman
Location: Various Locations - Starbase 12
Timeline: 0800Hrs - January 21st, 2392

The time of the appointed date and hour had come as the various people began filing into the courtroom, Talon herself was present, Davijaan Yeager was also present as he was sitting i the room, along with many of the other witnesses and the like except he was one row behind Talon.

He smiled at her regarded her, before he gently touched her on the shoulder and as she leaned back, he gently kissed her on the cheek. "Its gonna be okay."

Talon smiled despite her grim mood. "Alright."

Commander Harmon Rabb Junior was seated next to her, he was busy checking his notes before he smiled at her. "Almost time." as he placed a couple of water bottles on the table before them. "Its gonna be okay..."

"I hope so."

Meanwhile at the Prosecutions table. Commander Theodore Lindsey was busy checking his own notes as he gave Rabb several rather evil looks, all of which Rabb completly chose to ignore. Seated next to him was Rear Admiral Jerome Hunt who likewise was completly ignoring his Ex-Wife.

In the crowd were several others, mostly Yamaguchi's but several Hunts too. Carol Hunt sighed. "Must Jerome do this again?"

"Well he is convinced that Talon is unfit... I can't believe we failed so drastically with him.."

"I know... Devon turned out so well. Balanced, with wife kids and work... where as he loves his work only.." Carol shook her head miserably.

The last of the guests all strode in to find their seats before the bell struck the top of the hour, the Bailiffs closed the doors as the black door at the front of the courtroom opened and out walked the judge.
"All RISE!" one of the front bailiffs called.

Everyone in the room proceeded to stand up, Talon included.

Loran strode briskly over to his chair while saying," You may be seated."

Once he took his seat on the judge's chair, he began an impartial explanation of the case," Morning everyone, This is a child custody case, Talon Yamaguchi v.s. Jerome Hunt in the custody of Noel Hunt. this case is to decide whether Talon Yamaguchi should regain custody of Noel Hunt, or should Noel hunt remain with her Grandparents, or should she be placed in an institution capable of meeting her specific needs. Attorneys, you may make your opening statements."

Rabb rose to his feet as he turned. "Your honor... officers of the jury. This is a simple case. This is a case where the child was taken away from her mother without her permission by the father... Its an injustice that I aim to correct. Thank you." Rabb then sat own.

Lindsey looked around. "This case is about who gets to raise a dangerous child who has abilities that can hurt or kill a human." he shrugged. "presently, she is safe and happy... she should remain so. Thank you."

Up in the 'Jury', Firespirit and Kurso Teska where two of the three members making the decision on the case. Neither of them had any particular opinions on the case yet.

Ranik Solusar looked, watched and waited patiently, he knew this was going to get interesting but this idea of a 'dangerous' child intrested him, but he couldn't help but be thankfull that he had resolve the matter with his son and daughter in law the previous evening, he sighed softly as he watched and listened to the proceedings that were unfolding even now.

Rabb meanwhile glanced over at the jury, he found two of them unreadable but the look on Solusar's face told him he was not going to have an easy chance of this.

Lindsey smiled, he was sure of himself.

Loran looked at Lindsey. "The prosecution may call its first witness."

"Thank you, your honor... I call James Watkins to the stand." Lindsey stated.

"Why this guy?" Talon whispered.

"He's wanting to showcase Noel as a very dangerous child... its the hardest... I can see why he went for it first." Rabb explained.

Talon's nervousness only increased as the man approached, he then sat down and was quickly sworn in. "I do."

"Alright Mister Watkins, how are you acquainted with the child?"

"I was the first responder at a childs birthday party, I had to resuscitate a child who had apparently 'hugged'-" He took a moment to insert virtual quotation marks around the word 'hugged'. The child in question, needless to say had I not been present at the time, the child would have died. Noel electrocuted her-"

"Thank you." Lindsey commented evenly. "Did the other child live?"

"Yes she did..." Watkins responded.

"I see... was he or she injured?"

"Other then some minor burns, no."

"Thank you.." he turned to Rabb. "Your cross?"

Rabb rose to his feet as Lindsey went to his chair and sat back down.
"First question I have is .... Would you kind finishing your statement please... To the first question?"

Watkins paused. "Oh... Noel electrocuted the child after the child hugged her from behind." he explained.

"Thank you." Rabb smiled softly. "Could the child have survived had you not responded?"

"I could not see how.." Watkins responded. "It was a child's party and I was a friend of the family... it all happened so fast."

Rabb paused a moment. "No further questions your honor.... however. I'd like to reserve the option to recall this witness later."

Loran nodded. "Very well, you may recall the witness when needed."

Solusar raised an eyebrow, a child that could use electricity had all sorts of benefits but also a lot of problems too. "Mmmm.."

"Your honor. I call Anthony Cabel to the stand." Lindsey stated evenly.

The man rose from where he was seated, be was lad to the witness chair before he was sworn in after sitting down. "I do."

"What job do you do?"

"I am a trauma counselor. I work with just about everyone from six six to six hundred." he explained.

"How well are you antiquated with this case?"

"I was the one who treated the children involved with this accident, along with some of the parents too."

"I see... How did people take the fact that this child was dangerous?"

"Objection: Council is badgering the witness!" Rabb protested.

Loran, unfortunately, didn't agree with Rabb's protest, so he simply said, "Overruled, its a valid question."

Rabb nodded his head as Lindsey regarded the person who was sitting on the stand.

Cabal raised an eyebrow. "The people I worked with were happy when they heard that whatshername was designated as dangerous, she was out of control and I for one am grateful that she is under lock and key."

Lindsey smiled. "Thank you... No further questions.." he turned to Rabb. "You're cross."

Rabb rose to his feet as he regarded the person sitting in the stand. "Mister Cabal. Do you have any experience with children who are not human?"

"No." Cabels answer was simple but blunt. "All of my experience has been with human adults and children..."

"So... you've never talked to Noel?"

"No." he answered a second time.

"Have you looked at Noel's file or her casework?" Rabb inquired.

"It never came across my desk." he answered. "I also did not ask about it."

"Why not?" Rabb inquired.

"Because she is not one of my clients, and the idea that a child has the ability to electrocute people... sounds a little far fetched to me.."

"I see... Yet you said she was dangerous.."

"Yes.. she killed someone because they took her by surprise." Cabal responded. "It was fortunate that the medic before he was able to revive the child."

Rabb shrugged, his next words were to the judge. "Your honor... I have in my hands peoples exhibit one alpha, the Medical report submitted at the hospital in regards to this case.... May I have it entered into evidence?, for the court to read it?"

Loran nodded. "You may."

Both Kurso and Firespirit continued to remain silent. Lindsey had made some decent headway at first, but he had made his first blunder with them that caused both of them to doubt his case. Had they been human, they might have not minded the fact that Cabel's had no experience with non human children, but neither of them where human, and both Kurso and Firespirit doubted the credibility of Cabel. Kurso remained purely expressionless on the matter, but Firespirit failed to hide his distaste for Cabel. He had a major dislike for human doctors inexperienced with non-humans made ignorant comments about non-humans. Ryuukei whom was also observing quickly noticed Firspirit's distaste of Cabel.

Solusar also was unhappy with Cabal, but for his own reasons. He only saw a threat where as he was talking about a child. To him, a child was still a child regardless of where he or she came from and there was something special about a child that had to be looked after and nurtured.

Rabb smiled as he decided to continue. "Alright... It says here that the child was stunned and not killed." as he read aloud from the report but before he could ask the man to account for this, he decided not to as it would be calling for a conclusion on the part of the witness. "Now I'm no doctor but-"

"Yeah,. no kidding, leave the Medical science to the guys who are qualified." Cabal muttered.

"I'm Sorry... Would you mind repeating that... just a little louder... I don't think everyone heard you." Rabb smiled. "Please... share with is what you just said..."

"Objection, Council is badgering the witness.." Lindsey demanded

"Your honor... I'd like the witness to repeat what he said for the court..."

Loran gave Lindsey a stare, one that clearly told him to be silent," Overruled." He then turned his attention to Cabal," Mr. Cabal, there will be no muttering under your breath in my courtroom, you have something to say, speak clearly."

Cabel growled softly. Rabb held his silence as he had already said what he wanted.

"Fine.... I said leave the medical sciences to those who are qualified and know what they are doing."

"Thank you." Rabb said. "Now that we have that straightened out.." he sighed softly. "How many children or adults for that matter have you treated that are not human..."

"None."

"So... you have no idea of what makes this child unique... other then her electric abilities?"

"She's dangerous because of those abilities."

"That is not what I asked." Rabb responded bluntly. "Answer my original question please?"

"No... I don't know whats special about it."

Rabb assumed the 'it' was the child in question, he noted the switch in tone. Up in the panel, Solusar also noted the change in tone as he narrowed his eyes. His daughter in law was also not human as she was a strong telepath, that was a straight she would pass along to Solusar's grandkids if and when she got around to having them with Ranik's son.
'I don't like your tone buddy.' Solusar thought to himself, he now began to wonder if there was something more going on.

Rabb paused. "Your honor... I'd like your permission to treat this witness as a hostile witness..."

Loran gave Cabel the stinkeye, then he said to Rabb. "Permission granted."

He then turned his attention to Cabal. "Mr Cabal, you need to tone it down, or I'll have you thrown out in contempt."

Firespirit was much more visible in his dislike of Cabal, his ears where already starting to turn backwards and his teeth ever so slightly bared.

Cabal growled softly.

Rabb sighed. "Mister Cabal. Please?" he paused a moment. "Now..Lets proceed." he added. "So prior to Noel Yamaguchi... you had never treated an Alien before?"

"No."

"So... I assume that you were not qualified... and if this is the case... why were you treating Noel for.... anything?"

"Because I was there at the time.."

"Thank you.... Mister Cabal. Nothing further.." Rabb responded.

Cabel was guided out o the box and back to his seat where he gave Rabb and Talon both a rather evil glare, Yeager noticed as he simply smiled. 'You... are mine.' he thought to himself.

Lindsey added. "I call Doctor Steven Drake to the stand please..."

A moment later the man in question was escorted from his seat to the stand before being sworn in. "I do.."

Lindsey started the examination. "Please tell the court who you are and what you do.?"

"Certainly. I am Doctor Steven Drake, PhD, not an MD. I'm a biologist and I specialize in xenobiology." he explained.

"Okay... How do you know the subject in question?"

"I was asked to examine Noel Hunt by request of her.... well guardian..." Drake explained. "Its part of the protocol for sectioning. I am assigned usually to ascertain whether or not the child is dangerous and if they are... then I usually recommend their removal from the environment in question."

Lindsey paused. "Is it a dangerous job?"

"Not usually." Drake responded. "Though every call is different..." Drake explained. "In this case it was two Starfleet officers who had issues-"

"Thank you." Lindsey responded with a smile. "Please describe Noel when you examined her."

Drake gave Lindsey a rather evil look but he kept his emotions under control. "She is nearly identical in size and stature to the average human child of her age, she however has several points, six on each hand that are black in color, these I found out through examination are the discharge points for the electricity that she can discharge."

"When you say discharge... you mean like a weapon?"

Drake raised an eyebrow. "No." he responded. "The object or person must be in direct contact with all twelve points for her to use her abilities. Also.. she can control how much she wishes to shock something."

"Someone you mean."

"Objection, Your honor, the witness is not on trial.." Rabb responded.

"Sustained," Loran announced," Lidnsey, stop putting words into witnesses mouths."

"Yessir." Lindsey responded.

Solusar frowned as he saw exactly what Lindsey was trying to do and he was having none of it, but he couldn't exactly protest, but the evil glare he was giving Lindsey was not lost on Rabb or Yamaguchi.

Lindsey's whole argument suddenly found itself getting derailed as he turned suddenly to Rabb. "Umm... ummm your.. ummm cross."

Rabb rose to his feet. "Alright... Mister Drake." he paused a moment to consider his argument. "How much can Noel discharge in terms of electricity.?"

Drake indicated the PADD on the table. "My notes are there." he explained.

Rabb placed a hand on the PADD in question. "This PADD."

"Yes."

"Okay.. Your honor... I'd like to have this PADD introduced as evidence." Rabb explained as he lifted the PADD. "Alright."

"She can discharge twenty volts at one time." Drake responded.

Rabb nodded his head. "Would you say that Noel Yamaguchi is a threat?"

"No more so then any other child." Drake responded evenly.

"Thank you." Rabb responded. "I call Jane LaBrosse to the Stand please"

The two people indicated switched places before the overweight woman was sworn in before she got comfortable. "Tell me something Miss LaBrosee... You've worked with children who are unwanted ... right?"

"Orphans and Children who are generally abandoned yes." she responded. "We house them as best as we can."

"I see..." Rabb picked up a PADD. "Then if it pleases the court.. I'd like to read aloud... a letter from Noel to Talon Yamaguchi dated the fifteenth of September of this year."

Talon slowly smiled but she said nothing. Jerome frowned as he didn't know anything about this.

Loran looked at Rabb. "You may read it."

"Thank you your honor."

Rabb proceeded to read the letter slowly and carefully, making sure he didn't miss anything it painted a rather stark and dark picture of this child life. The entire letter took him a minute or so to read aloud.

"Ms LaBrosse...?" Rabb inquired. "Isn't it possible... that Noel is-"

"That little bitch is completly and totally wrong... she's a misbehaving little witch who isn't deserving of anything."

Talon looked like she wanted to say something but Yeager was able to stop her. "No... Let her say her piece.."

"But-"

"Don't Talon... Don't do it.." Yeager said quietly as the fat woman on the stand had a complete and total meltdown.

Loran banged his mallet on the desk several times, then announcing very very loudly. "Miss Labrosse, settle down or I will have you thrown out in contempt."

LaBrosse was yelling at Rabb and then she shifted her attention to Talon who shot to her feet, rage on her face as the people watching all began to look at each other.

"You want that vile little bitch assed whore.. you can have her... " she screamed at Talon. Talon couldn't believe it as Yeager gently gripped her hand. "It'll be okay... Its gonna be alright.." he said softly to her.

Loran gave one look at security," get her out of my Courtroom."

Both security guards nodded and quickly moved on LaBrosse. One guard grabbed one arm and the other Guard grabbed her other arm and they quickly too her out of the room."

Loran then looked around the court room and commanded. "Alright clearly this case needs some more investigation work, so this court is adjourned for 30 days. Lindsey and Rabb, both of you come here."

Lindsey protested. "I did nothing wrong." where as Rabb came over in silence. "Your your honor?" he however had an excellent idea as to why he was being asked to approch the bench.

Rabb turned. "Lindsey, Stop talking Already!" he growled which effectively silenced the other man, mid tirade as Rabb nodded. "Your honor.?"

Loran stared down Lindsey. "I have no interest in hearing your excuses Lindsey, both of you have brought in some rather disruptive witnesses. Next time, I expect that your witnesses will be better behaved. Rabb, your dismissed, go do your casework."

"Yessir." and with that Rabb turned and fled Loran's wrath which he was sure was about to come out any second.

"Its not my fault these people are assholes... I can't control what they say and do." Lindsey retorted.

Loran gave him a very poisonous look, "I did not give you leave to speak. first off, you not only brought in disruptive witnesses, but Racist witnesses as well. You should know better. Not only that, But both myself and the admiral know full well you do not do your homework, so I am going to pass to you a message. Do your homework, or you are done, got it. You do not have to win this case, but you do have to do your homework and perform well. And no Racist witnesses, do you understand?"

"Yessir." Lindsey responded before he nodded his head. "I understand sir."

"Then you are Dismissed," Loran ordered.

Lindsey turned and fled.