Illness Or Ill Intent

Posted on Wed Apr 2nd, 2025 @ 8:37pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Lt JG Adalyn O'Rourke Ph.D.
Edited on on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 1:17am

3,867 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Office of the Ship's Profiler - Deck 9 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD012 0800 hrs

Adalyn exhaled slowly as she read and then reread the medical report on Gul Vamcet. Medical examinations were still being conducted to determine the next steps, but one thing was clear: their Cardassian war criminal had a brain tumor, and that was going to make a psychological evaluation, not an easy task under the usual circumstances, given the complexity of all of the factors that contributed to sentient behavior and psychological functioning, even more difficult.

Coordination with the medical team would be necessary to form a complete evaluation, but for right now, Adalyn wanted to gather her own baseline psychological assessment before the particulars of his medical condition were identified. It was the best way she could offer a fair assessment without the major influence of his medical condition coloring her read of his culpability.

Vamcet had settled into his cell in the Prison ward. The Captain in charge there seemed genial enough, and all in all he was relatively comfortable. This was indeed a far cry from Cardassian prisons. At the moment he was escorted into an office by two security guards. His hands were bound in cuffs but that was the only discomfort at the moment. When he walked into the office he found a young woman sitting in a chair with an empty chair opposite her. He expected this, now was the time they made sure he was sane. "Morning Counselor. I hope this day like all the others finds you well." He smiled broadly in that manner that only Cardassians could. The way that made you unsure if they were genuinely happy or plotted your demise.

"Good morning, and thank you," Adalyn greeted politely, gesturing for Vamcet to take a seat. Seeking to offer a professional evaluation didn’t require her to be impolite. Still, she had to behave practically, which is why she resisted her initial instinct to request the prisoner's cuffs be removed. Electing to compromise, she offered, “My name is Dr Adalyn O’Rourke. I am a forensic mental health specialist here aboard the Artemis. May I get you something to eat or drink?“

"A glass of kanar would be most efficacious. However, I doubt that you have any. So, if your replicator could make a decent cup of red leaf tea that would go a long way for me. Although I have to ask. How am I supposed to drink this tea with my hands bound thusly." Vamcet presented his cuffed hands as if to further prove his point. "I assure you that I will not harm you. But, if you are worried about that perhaps one of these guards can cuff me to the chair. This way I can enjoy my tea and still not be a nuisance."

“I think cuffing you to the chair would be a fair compromise between your comfort and protocol,“ Adalyn replied, offering a nod to the nearby security officer to make the adjustment while she went to the replicator. Not only did she offer the refreshment to help build rapport, but it also served as an opportunity to conduct a general assessment of his demeanor, and some of his capabilities. He presented as polite, and thus far, not only socially aware, but his suggestion he be cuffed to the chair demonstrated a degree of problem-solving that was certainly part of any cognitive assessment. She made sure he was being attended to before she turned her back to him to retrieve his requested drink from the replicator. She was not an ogre and knew building rapport was important, but she was not reckless either.

In a moment and with swift deft movements the security officer removed Vamcet's cuffs and then connected his left wrist to the arm of the chair with cuffs. The guard then returned to his post by the door. "Thank you for this." Vamcet said to Adalyn as he massaged his right wrist. When he was handed the tea he placed the saucer on the table next to him and took a deep sip. The flavor and the warmth washed over him, his cheeks colored pink slightly as his internal temperature changed from the beverage. "That is most delicious. Almost as good as the leaves grown in the Delak Province back home."

When his request had been properly fulfilled, Adalyn sat once again across from him and asked, “ I’d like to start by asking what you understand about why you were brought aboard?“

"It is my understanding that both the Federation and Bajoran governments believe that I have committed a number of crimes while in command of the Porchet Labor Camp. Not the least of which was murder. While I understand that is the reason that I have been brought aboard. What I do not understand is why anyone thinks what I have done is a crime." Vamcet spoke with some emotion but did not show any on his face. His last statement was said not in humor but with the utmost sincerity.

Adalyn's expression was one of professional inscrutability. She was calm, attentive, but otherwise unreadable to anyone, but those who shared true empathic or telepathic abilities. It was especially important for someone in her position to appear as the traditional, psychological blank slate. Otherwise, her evaluation could be tainted, influenced by things the subject believed she wanted to hear. “Perhaps we should start with what you actually did before putting labels on it?“

Vamcet sat there as a man torn between two worlds. On the one hand he actually wanted to talk, wanted to repent as it were. For it was only then that his real healing could begin and he would be ready for the end of his journey. On the other hand he had been trained and lived a life where information was never given, and never free. At the moment it was that side of him that won out. "I believe you may have the right of it. You may proceed." He was not going to give anything that she did not ask for first.

If Adalyn were less experienced, she may have frowned and even blinked in surprise. Proceed? Hadn't she done exactly that? She decided to try again, recognizing his response could be the result of cognitive impairment rather than obfuscation. "Tell me about how you came to be in command of the Porchet Labor Camp?"

Vamcet crossed his legs rather nonchalantly and sipped his tea with his free hand. Now this was an interrogation. She starts simple and moves to the meat of the matter. Like every good interrogator should. Vamcet thought. "Prior to my appointment to Porchet I worked as an Information Officer in Central Command. Now, you should know that an Information Officer in the Cardassian military is a lot different than what it is in Starfleet. My job was to quite literally gain information as required in any means needed. I was exceptionally good at my job and so when the time came to open the camp my work was rewarded and I was promoted. It helped that I had a healthy fascination with what made inferior beings tick. Of course when I say inferior I mean anyone who is not Cardassian."

"I see," Adalyn replied. "You mentioned you were exceptionally good at gaining information from inferior beings. I'm wondering how your approaches compared to those of your colleagues of the same rank and position?"

"I approached this facet of my job as a teacher would a class, or more accurately how a trainer would an animal. You see Bajorans are simply untrained chattel. So, if you train them, teach them what they are they will respond in kind and do what they know deep down they should. My colleagues would simply torture and cause pain ultimately killing the animal. Then what good is it, I know they are animals but their purpose is to serve us. A purpose they cannot fulfil if they are killed." Vamcet spoke as calmly as one might when they are discussing their last meal. He seemed in good spirits and rather enjoyed the interest Adalyn seemed to show in his work.

All subjects engaged in impression management during forensic interviews. People who understood they were being accused of a crime and could potentially spend their lives incarcerated naturally had every reason to actively present themselves in a way they believed would confirm how they wanted to be viewed by Adalyn. O’Rourke’s goal was to determine how he likely wanted to be viewed, and then determine whether his responses were working for him or against him in that regard. Truthful information didn’t favor one viewpoint over another more heavily, but was usually somewhere in between. Adalyn got the distinct impression her subject wanted her to see him as not only more benevolent than most, but also more enlightened. “What methods did you use to provide in your words, ‘ proper training‘?“

"I used similar techniques to what would be done to train a riding hound, corrective training. When the animal does something that is correct, or what is desired, you reward greatly. Conversely if the animal does what is not desired you punish just as greatly. I found that when the chattel receive some comforts. Just enough to prolong their life I find them ready to do anything. Additionally, and with the help of doctors we would experiment on the chattel. We would seek to learn all we can about them. For it is in knowledge of your livestock that you can have a fruitful stock. Some of my people found the female of the species attractive and chose to breed with them. I believe this was mostly soldiers who needed, shall we say release. I, myself have never engaged in such beastiality. But the offspring of these matings did provide some excellent test subjects." Vamcet sipped his tea and savored the flavor. If he had remorse for all that he had done it certainly did not show.

Adalyn noticed he didn’t provide any specifics about what he actually did. She wasn’t sure if that was by design or if he just assumed she understood what he meant and he believed he had an ally in her. “I’m curious to hear specific examples of the sorts of comforts you would offer?“

Vamcet sat in silence for a moment. He eyed the woman who sat across from him. It was at this moment that he realized that she sought to learn about him and not his deeds. This was something that he should not allow and yet he found himself wanting to tell her everything. "Well... As I said I approached as if a dog, and as with a dog treats usually work best. Prisoners were typically given the bare nutrients to survive, what humans would call the bread and water treatment. However, if they behaved and did as they were told I would offer a full meal. Even at times giving them food from their homes that they enjoy. You make them associate the work with the reward. After the food if the work was still up to par they would be given more comfortable living quarters. Hell, I had one of them so willing to serve me that they assisted in getting more of their people in the camps." He laughed a loud boisterous belly laugh, a guffaw. "You see they are not a people. Tell me would you turn over your friends, your relatives to me for experimentation for a mere hasparat. Something tells me you would not."

"I suppose it depends upon how badly I wanted to survive," Adalyn offered evenly. "You've told me of the comforts you offered, but what of the punishments? You mentioned that others' punishments were merely meant to torture, cause pain, and kill. What was different about your approach?"

"That my dear Counselor was simple. You split the animals into three groups. The first is the work group, these are specimens that are fit to serve and relatively easy to manage. The ones who as I said would work for food and the like. The other group went off to experimentation. This group allowed us to learn about our stock. Ultimately however, this group did not survive. The third and final group was simply sent to be euthanized as they are useless for any purpose. Punishment was being moved from one group to the other. Often meaning death. I found for a people so attached to their gods they were rather reluctant to go meet them." Vamcet sipped his tea again. He seemed in good spirits and rather enjoyed this stimulating conversation.

“It surprises you they didn’t want to die?“ Adalyn‘s tone was one of genuine curiosity.

"No in fact they did not. Which is what shocked me I must confess. I would have thought that a herd such as Bajorans would want to go meet their maker or whatever it calls their gods. No matter it is a mere curiosity of mine." Vamcet sipped his tea again and smiled. "Tell me Lieutenant if I may ask. Why are you asking these questions? Now do not give me a line about curiosity for I know better than that. What do you think of me?"

Adalyn shrugged. “I’m still getting to know you. As I explained, you’ve been accused of many crimes, and it’s my job to provide a psychological assessment, that will help determine what happens next. I am curious. If you were in my position, what would you think of me?“

Vamcet set the tea cup down and crossed his legs. In the moment it seemed that the doctor came out in him. For Adalyn may have not known it but Vamcet was a profiler of sorts from the time of the Occupation. "Now, that is an interesting question one that as I see it has two sides. I will address it from both sides. First there is the idea of me Gul Vamcet evaluating you a Lieutenant in Starfleet. I would say that you are a creature of duty. You follow orders very often without question, and in most cases you are not too interested in your cases. However, when it comes to me and this case something has piqued your curiosity. You are interested in what I have to say more than just professional interest. In fact I think if I am guilty of half of what I am accused of I disgust you and yet you want to know why." He paused and tilted his head as if to look at her from another angle. "Now, the second side to look at this from is if you were me and I was you what would I think of myself. Nice try Lieutenant I commend you for the attempt. But, I am not going to tell you how much I am appalled by what I did. For I am not, I did what I had to whether it is wrong or right. I did my duty just as you do yours."

This was the closest Adalyn had gotten to hearing her subject offer any degree of insight into himself and his self image. Of course, anyone who had been arrested would be able to recognize someone thought something he did was criminal, but his assertion that he had done his duty and his assumption that she would think his actions were in particular disgusting suggested an ability to see his behavior from the point of view of others, not just those within Starfleet, but members of his own culture as well. In short, he seemed to have a clear understanding of right and wrong.

“One could argue your duty was simply to get information out of others, but it seems your experimentation Took your duties one step further than most of your colleagues. I’m curious, what did they think of your efforts?“

"They loved my efforts. Loved everything I did. But, it is you who have jumped the proverbial gun here. It is quite presumptuous of you to know what my orders were. I was not gaining information from them. I was tending the herd. What I did was the same that farmers have done for centuries. But then again..." Vamcet's speech seemed to slow for a moment, as a person who suffered from dementia may have when they lost their thought. Gone was the confident Cardassian officer and in his place was a man who seemed sad, depressed, and resolute. "But they are people are they not. What gives us the right damn it. Yes... Counselor, yes... it is time."

“Time?“ Adalyn‘s tone was even. She took note of his sudden confusion, but simply decided to wait. She knew it was highly possible this was an act. She didn’t know if it was, but she wasn’t going to assume either way.

"Time. Time, to pay the price for a life poorly spent. I will tell you here and now that everything the Bajorans accuse me of is true. All of it plus more. What I presided over was genocide of the first order and it is time that I clear what is left of my conscience and give the Bajorans what they want and in truth deserve." Vamcet seemed less obtuse as he was. For the first time in perhaps his whole life he was honest and bared for all to see. "Counselor if I may be so bold. I offer you some advice from one old military officer to a young one. Do not ever simply follow orders. Question them, question them with all that you have. Allow others to question your orders and your methods for only then can we all learn and grow as people."

The sudden shift in attitude perplexed Adalyn internally. Vamcet presented a puzzle in which the pieces didn’t quite fit together, and it was going to take some time for her to come to the most evidence based assessment. This wasn’t an unusual circumstance for her, as people who understood the role her opinions played in their cases would frequently work to create a particular impression. She had no reason to think he didn’t understand why she was there and what her opinion could mean, a realization she wasn’t sure he fully had at the beginning of the interview. Was what he was saying now the truth? She decided to address it directly. “If you don’t believe you’ve done anything wrong, as you said earlier, why do you believe it’s time for you to pay a price? What exactly would you be paying for in your view?“

"Ah, and there it is one of the questions for the ages when it comes to people like us, people who serve. I did not do anything wrong. For following orders in the service of your people is not wrong. Particularly in a society such as the one I lived in. One where questioning orders was simply not done. Now, while I have not done anything wrong legally does that mean I have done nothing wrong morally. That is the question you should ask. Since you have not I will ask it and answer it in turn. The answer is yes... What I did while not legally wrong, and in fact bettered science on my world was morally reprehensible and it is about time that I cleared that air. Despite what my people would say or think." He rambled and his voice got somewhat louder as he spoke. The passion that Cardassians could be known for showed through in full force here. Vamcet had to make her understand, so that she could make others understand.

Adalyn noted the change in volume of Vamcet's speech, and she briefly wondered if that was an attempt to feign passion and sincerity. She would have to review the interview in its entirety to render her opinion, but for now, she pressed forward. "Morals are influenced by culture. Would an average Cardassian agree your actions were immoral?"

Vamcet laughed, heartily, but the laughter was a mixture of genuine humor and something maniacal. "My dear sweet Counselor you tell me. You have known Cardassians. Do you think any Cardassian would take pity on another if it did not benefit themselves. I love my planet and my people but I will be the first to tell you that we are a self centered people. So, in answer to you question no... No other Cardassian would agree that my actions were immoral. In fact my people are actively trying to stop me. My son in particular." He sighed heavily and leaned back into his chair. "In total honesty I am not sure what Bajor can do for me or to me. As I said legally I did nothing wrong, and their legal system does not hold sway here anyway. But I digress. I suppose if my death at their hands can bring closure than it will be worth it."

Adalyn knew she had gotten all she was going to get from him, and as much as she would’ve liked to continue talking to him, she knew there would be no point to delaying the inevitable. She needed time to review the interview and its entirety, and then render her opinion, doing her best to put the pieces together. “Closure is a myth. What we are after is some semblance of justice.“

Vamcet had conducted many interrogations in his day. As such he knew when an interview approached its end, and it seemed that was where they were here. He smiled and raised a hand as a professor might if they wanted to make one more salient point before the class was over. "If I can leave you today with a thought to ponder, as you ponder me. What exactly is justice? One person's justice is another's injustice."

Adalyn simply nodded, the answer more consistent with the defiant man that began the interview. She stood and offered her hand for him to shake if he so wished. O'Rourke was a professional and she recognized he didn't have to say anything to her. "Thank you for your time, sir."

Vamcet took the hand offered and shook. He relished in the brief contact and the warmth from her hand. With a smile he spoke. "No, thank you Counselor. It helps to get some things off my chest. I also relish the fact that the powers that be will have some knowledge about me before I get there. I am sure we will be talking again soon." With that he turned and exited the office. Two guards waited for him on the other side of the door and escorted him to his cell on the prison deck.

---

A Joint Post By

Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit


Lieutenant Junior Grade Adalyn O'Rourke
Ship's Counselor/Profiler, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

 

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