Into The Mind
Posted on Sat Apr 12th, 2025 @ 9:21pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Commander Mariko Tao & Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin & Lieutenant Vincent 'Ghost' Zandrell & Cassandra Frost
Edited on on Sat Apr 12th, 2025 @ 9:28pm
5,553 words; about a 28 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Interrogation Room 5 - Deck 13 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD010 2000 hrs
Things always seemed to go from bad to worse first Fisher and now Benson. Solving the Benson problem would be a lot easier than finding a new JAG officer. To that end Marc summoned his XO, Frost and Zandrell to the Interrogation room prior to Vamcet being brought in for questioning. He would have to push Frost right into the fire as it were.
It almost felt like deja vu being called down to the interrogation room. As she walked through the doors Mariko felt like she'd done this many times before but quickly shook that feeling as her eyes met her captains. "Good evening sir." she spoke softly as she bowed her head slightly towards him.
"Evening Commander. Thanks for getting down here. In a moment they are going to bring Vamcet in here for interrogation. But, I just received word that Benson was transferred. So, I am going to have Ms Frost and Lieutenant Zandrell take the lead on this one. Hopefully we will get some answers." The stress of the past few hours took the toll on Marc. Between Fisher and Benson leaving in the middle of the case just did not bode well in Marc's mind.
Walking up to the two senior officers with her own XO behind her, Cassie was curious why they had been called up to the interrogation room. Last she knew, Lieutenant Benson was dealing with Vamcet's interrogation. Perhaps something had gone wrong. Coming to a stop next to Commander Tao, Cassie looked between the Captain and the XO, "reporting as ordered sirs. Has something gone wrong?"
Vincent walked behind Cassie, in his ESU Uniform, the only addition was the empty shoulder holster for his EM-Pistol. When Frost came to a stop, so did he, placing his hands behind his back. He gave the Captain and XO a nod before taking a position by Cassie's side.
"Thanks for coming. In a moment Vamcet is going to be brought in for questioning. I am going to observe and take notes as I am apparently going to try this case. However, I would like the two of you to question the Gul. It seems that Faith has been transferred so as of now Cassie I want you to run the Security Department. Vincent you are going to take over the ESU department and work as Frost's assistant. I am sorry it has come to this, but the fleet waits for no one and neither should we."
Cassie stood there stunned for a moment before finding her tongue, “excuse me sir? Did you say you want me to run a department?” She asked, still not believing what she’d heard.
Vincent was thrown off by the sudden change as well. Frost certainly had been there longer than him, and certainly developed more of a connection with her given how he spoke of her, but he thought he would be the last person on the list to take command of the team if something were to happen. Given his history, Starfleet would certainly want someone else in the lead besides him.
Marc nodded as he spoke with Cassie. "Yes, I want you to take the department. Department Heads are Captain's prerogative and I think you have what it takes. When it comes to the case I want you to work together. Two minds looking at what he has to say is certainly better than one."
"hang on, hang on. You want me out of everyone on this ship to be chief of security?" Cassie asked, still not believing what she was hearing. "I don't even have an official commission"
Marc smiled sympathetically. "While that is true that you do not have a commission, the reason for that is debatable. Right now I need the most experienced person I have and commission or no that is you."
Vincent stood there silently. The most experienced person sounded like a reason that was used to hide the truth of really was going down. If that was the reason then, given Frosts time in a penal colony, there would certainly be hesitation for the choice. The choice, the Captain, seemed determined to get despite the fight that came with it. Maybe it was her time on the ship or their relationship, whatever it was, her questioning of it made sense. Despite the decision, Vincent was now lead of the ESU. Whether it was by choice of circumstance, his responsibilities just got bigger. As well as the lens over his head. He was curious if there was more to the decision, but he wasn't about to question the Captain and stir up trouble. There was enough tied to him already.
The door to Interrogation Room five opened and a large Cardassian man in civilian clothing was escorted in by a guard from the prison deck. He was accompanied by his defense council Lieutenant Johnathan Corwin. Vamcet looked around with a smug smile on his face. He knew off from the start that this would not be anything like a Cardassian interrogation, and fact was that would be a shame.
Jonathan sat next to Vamcet and huddled in closely and talked in hushed tones. " Remember, If they wander into territory that could damage our case I'll give you a que or advise you not to answer. My job is to insure that you get a fair and speedy trial and that you are shown the respect and dignity that you deserve. I pause for a moment. Gul Vamcet, Could I ask you a question? On Cardassia when a person is brought to trial, the verdict is already known before the trial even starts and the verdict is always guilty. If the verdict is already known, then why bother with the trial in the first place? That is one point of Cardassian law that I have never understood."
Vamcet nodded in agreement with his counsel's advice and then smiled. "My dear counselor the trial is simply for public appearance. If you allow the public to think they are in charge then they will be more docile. You must show them that justice is done and it is fair."
Walking into the interrogation room, Cassie strode over and took the chair opposite Vamcet and Jonathan, "My name is Cassandra Frost, I will be conducting this interrogation. Mr Vamcet, have you been read your rights and do you understand your rights?"
Vincent followed behind Frost. He was quiet and seemed to hold onto a firm, yet emotionless, expression on his face. He slowly eased the other chair across from Vamcet out, so as not to cause a stir, before taking it and easing it forward again. As he placed his hands on the table, he looked over to Vamcet and only Vamcet. It was like Lieutenant Corwin wasn't even there. His eyes were locked on the Cardassian. No expression. No emotion.
Vamcet smiled in that manner that only Cardassians could, that way that always looked sort of like the big bad wolf of old. "Yes Ms Frost or is it Mrs Frost I wonder. No matter I have been read my rights and I understand that Lieutenant Corwin is here to look after my rights and make sure that everything is fair and equitable. Who may I ask is this man with you?"
He sat there quietly for moment. Allowing the silence to build slightly, before replying in a calm and soft tone. "Lieutenant Vincent Zandrell." His lock on the Cardassian never faltered. It was a if ever moment, ever movement, was important and he didn't want to miss it.
"Now that introductions are out of the way...." Cassie said, pulling out a PADD and starting to flick through the information on it. Conducting an interrogation on the fly was going to be tricky, but Cassie had an idea of how to do it, "Mr Vamcet, you were the commandant of Porchet Labor Camp yes?" she asked, wanting to start off by confirming what information they actually had on him.
"Yes that was my posting." Vamcet's reply was short and clicked tones. What one would expect from someone who served in the military who was being interrogated.
"And your responsibilities of said posting were?" Vincent asked immediately.
"One quick interjection here, if I may?" Stated Jonathan. "From here on out please refer to my client as Gul Vamcet. He earned his rank and should be shown the proper courtesy that is befitting his rank. So kindly refrain from referring to him using a civilian title. Please proceed with your questioning."
Vamcet smiled in the direction of Corwin. It was as genuine of a smile that anyone had ever gotten from a Cardassian. He appreciated that his attorney would mention that. Definitely not like the legal counsel on Cardassia. "My responsibilities were much the same as say a Captain of a starship. I was responsible for the day to day operations of the camp, for all those that were under my command and for all the cattle that were kept there. I also had orders that sadly I cannot share as they are still classified. I am sure that you can understand that."
"So you are happy to admit that you had full knowledge of the activities of the officers under your command and did nothing to stop them?" Cassie asked, gritting her teeth as this man described people as cattle. "You were aware of the atrocious actions performed at your camp?"
"Aware? My dear Ms Frost you wound me. Most of them were my idea. But I feel I should correct you a tad. Atrocities can only be performed on people. These were not people, they were cattle, or chattel if you prefer. My point is they simply put are property and therefore no atrocities were done. I mean do you consider the slaughter of livestock for food an atrocity?" Vamcet spoke clearly and with an even tone. However, when he mentioned that everything was his idea there was a tinge of remorse in his voice. As if what followed was a cover up.
Vincent felt the appreciation from Vamcet. The pride of hearing his rank being uttered again. As he struck the word cattle there was something else. Something he couldn't place, but it didn't feel like remorse or regret. They wouldn't refer to those under them as cattle unless it was a way to distance themselves from their actions. To kill a person would be wrong. To kill something like cattle was just for survival or necessity. Still, despite all this, Vincent remained externally calm, while inside he was completely different.
"Well..." He said softly as he kept his eyes locked on Vamcet. "It's not like you could trust them to govern themselves. If you did then it would have been chaos at that camp. Someone had to be trusted to keep the riff raff and the degenerates at bay. Who else would teach them from right and wrong? Teach them respect and errors of their ways? You were handed a big responsibility, Gul Vamcet, by your people. The fact that you did all this and were never given the rank of Legate is the crime here."
Vamcet laughed boisterously, it was an outright guffaw. "Lieutenant Zandrell you miss your mark. I was offered the rank of Legate more times than I care to count. However, if I were to accept it I would no longer be able to finish my crucial work. As to the rest of what you had said, you are subscribing traits to a group that should not have them. The ability to govern, the riff raff, degenerates and all that you mentioned would be subscribed to a society of people. Once again these were not people they are animals."
Listening to Vamcet's words, something stuck out to her about how he was describing the Bajorans. Latching on to the idea of them being 'animals', Cassie thought that could be an interesting avenue, "but even animals have some rights don't they? While we do use them for food and labour, most civilized people have laws against animal cruelty."
Vamcet smiled and leaned back in his chair. "My dear Ms Frost nothing gets by you. You are too right, too right indeed. And there is the crux of the position that I was in. Do I better the galaxy through my experiments or do I simply let things be and allow these lesser beings to amount to nothing. No... no I had to make something work and so I did. Besides all that I was ordered to do so. If I may be so bold I would like to propose an idea to both of you. One that I hope will lead you to answer a curiosity of mine. The idea is, if you were ordered by your Captain or even above his head perhaps an Admiral to destroy an entire race of beings. Further you were told that in doing so you will better your people. So, you do as ordered. But, one has to wonder was a crime even committed."
In the observation room Marc leaned forward in his seat as he took notes. "Mariko that is the defense he is going with is it? The I was only following orders. It can't hold up and won't. I hope Corwin steers him away from that."
Mariko had been listening intently to the exchange between all four of the individuals in the room. "One of the oldest and in my opinion most ridiculous attempts at a defence. On Earth Hitler's Lieutenants during World War II didn't get off with simply saying 'sorry, I was told to do that'. You are responsible for your own actions, in the military, in life. There is no self respecting judge that would let anyone off with a shrug and 'my boss made me do it'."
Vincent's eyes remained lock and his expression solid. Despite hearing all this talk about how Vamcet felt the Bajorans were animals, lesser beings, he did his best to keep from replying to the comments. Although, there was a temptation to do so. To retaliate and even lash out at him, Vincent remained calm and cool. He knew it was Frost's lead, now that she was Chief of Security, but the door was open. He couldn't help himself. Maybe he was playing to Vamcet's ideals or just asking out of his own curiosity, but he had to know. "Only if you tell us what the consequences would be for a Cardassian to disobey orders. We know what it would be for one of us, Starfleet Officers, would have to deal with when it comes to us turning down an order. No matter who it comes from. However, we have no experience when it comes to a Cardassian doing the something similar. We're not part of the Cardassian Militia. So, if you want to hear our answer, the least you can do is inform us. How else is this whole argument of yours going to work if we don't know what you would have faced?"
"Ultimately I don't think it matters, the choice to follow orders or not here is a moot point. Mr.....I mean Gul Vamcet has already testified that he relished in his work. Following orders is simply a convenient formality for him" Cassie added, keeping her eyes on Vamcet. To her, he was guilty, plain and simple, and any Bajoran court would come to the same conclusion. The trouble with Federation Law as she understood it was, even though the act was illegal to them, it might not be to the Cardassians, and as such was not seen as a crime. This was the tight rope they had to walk in this particular case.
"Humor me, Frost." Vincent replied quickly. "I still want to hear the answer. He opened this door, didn't he. Let him walk through it and see where it leads. Who's to say it leads where he thinks it does."
Jonathan turned his attention to Gul Vamcet. "Gul Vamcet, I think I can answer part of your question. If we were given an order to eliminate an entire species that would be an unlawful order and would be proven in the court martial hearings. The only way that the Federation would do such is in self defense and would most likely try to go through peaceful discord when the enemy couldn't fight back and would only continue the attack if the enemy wouldn't cease their actions. Genocide isn't an action that any Starfleet personnel would follow as an order as it is against our laws and part of our prime directive." Jonathan paused for a moment. "Last night I started reading The Never Ending Sacrifice, I hear it is considered one of the greatest pieces of Cardassian literature ever written. I am hoping to gain some insight from it's reading."
The conversation that unfolded told Vamcet a lot, a lot more than he could have learned without being there. For example he found it fascinating that the man with rank had to defer to the woman who held none. This could be something he can use to his advantage if he needed to. However, at the moment the question that Zandrell proposed intrigued him. "Lieutenant Zandrell I will answer your question. However, I ask that when I am finished you answer mine and tell me what you would do if faced with the situation that I proposed." Vamcet waited a moment so that his words could sink in. "First off Lieutenant Corwin I want to thank you for your insight. Lieutenant Zandrell, on Cardassia, well on my Cardassia. Things have certainly changed there, but I digress. On my Cardassia should you disobey an order at first it would seem like all is well. You would be spoken to of course, but you would retain your rank. At that time trained officers were hard to come by. Despite all that they would go after your family. Your spouse, children etc. would become ostracized and in some extreme cases killed. Now, I am not sure if you are aware but family is in fact the most important thing to a Cardassian. So, you would follow orders without question, you would talk yourself into believing that the orders are justified and even correct. For if you didn't you would lose everything. Now, it is your turn."
Cassie sat there listening to Vamcet’s words. At first she was looking for anything she could use to pin him, but as he spoke she realised that he might have felt obligated to follow orders, not for his own sake but for the sake of his family. From the way he was talking about Cardassian punishment, it was almost like the soldiers of the Cardassian Militia were held hostage by their superiors. Essentially, each Cardassian had a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads the whole time.
"I'd like to think that there is a table of smart beings, perhaps from every planet in the Federation, who can think of solutions for scenarios like the one you are asking. The universes smartest who can, at the drop of the proverbial hat, advise ships on how to deal with situations like that. But there isn't. If there was, they wouldn't train Starfleet officers in no-win-scenarios. Preparing you to make a bad decision, even when you know its a bad decision, because the outcome of you not making that decision is much worse. Each of us, in Starfleet, are judged by our own decisions and when that decision is given to us by a superior we are expect to follow said order. We can debate it and throw alternatives, should they ask us or we see something they don't, but the decision still has to be made and our superiors can decide for us. Much like every soldier, Gul Vamcet, we have the safety of knowing that because it was an order we had no choice." Vincent said calmly, his eyes locked onto the Gul, taking in all he could from him. "But that doesn't save you if you were someone raised with morals or guilt. Because lives are still lost and, no matter the reason, they were snuffed out because someone who didn't live in their shoes decided what was best for them because they saw the benefit of removing them having never given them the opportunity to make the decision themselves or explored every avenue. I get it, when the clock is ticking and you have little equipment, there isn't much you can do. But when there is no clock and you have a starship full of technology at your fingertips, then how is that for the benefit of everyone involved? Where is the harm of taking the time to figure out a solution when you've made it a point to proclaim yourselves a smarter and peaceful organization that values exploration and helping those in need. We make it a point to rush to someone's aid when they send out a distress beacon, but we are just as quick to snuff them out if its to our benefit or we see no other alternative? I don't see that as an order, Gul Vamcet. I see that as hypocrisy. Some people, when they've been around long enough, see themselves as the bigger and better species. Until they meet another one, like the Borg, and suddenly that superiority is asking... pleading... for help. To the Borg, we are the lesser species, but it didn't stop us from fighting. Did it?"
There was a silence that hung in the air for quite some time. It seemed that the very air thickened with a combination of Zandrell's words and the tension that they may have caused. Then slowly and methodically Vamcet stood, and applauded. If one looked closely one would see a slight tear as it welled in the corners of his eyes. "Please stop me if I am wrong but I believe this is the appropriate response to show appreciation and commiseration with something that one witnesses on Earth. Lieutenant Zandrell for what it is worth you have just earned my respect, for you hit on the very crux of the issue. Legality versus morality. For what I did was not legally wrong, but it was morally wrong and it is time that I clear my conscience. However, there is a distinct possibility that my conscience will never be clear enough. What was done to those people has no redemption. You mention the Borg and there is a difference between the Borg and myself. The Borg assimilate for their own survival it is in a way how they procreate. We Cardassians did this for our own sadistic enjoyment." The tears began to flow. It was an awkward moment to see a Cardassian cry. "There can be no redemption and so I face the judgement of those I wronged." He sat down resolved to what was to come.
"So why now? why come forward now after all this time?" Cassie asked, sitting forward in her chair, "you could've stayed hidden. I'm sure someone like yourself would've had the resources to find a no-where planet to retire on."
"Because Ms Frost everyone hits their breaking point. Everyone gets to the point where they say enough is enough." Vamcet tried to continue, tried to explain yet he just couldn't there was no way to go with the answer and so the steam in which he started fizzled out. He exhaled heavily Not having anything else to say.
He sat there calmly, but internally there was confusion. Vincent felt the emotions from Vamcet. Genuine emotions, for what he was saying, but his prior words seemed to conflict with them. The man sat there, only moments earlier, claiming to be watching over the Bajorans like they were animals. Now, he claims he gave himself up for redemption and willing to face judgement from those he had wronged. Vincent didn't get it and he certainly felt there was more to it.
Zandrell sat there quietly before finally adding. "But... you aren't being judged by those you have wronged. You are sitting here with a Federation Attorney who is preparing you for a trial in a Starfleet Courtroom which, if memory serves, conflicts with both the Cardassian Judicial system and the Bajoran's who are the true victims of your crimes. The actually people who should be seeking redemption from." He paused for a moment, holding up his hand to Corwin as he felt he was about to interrupt. "Let me finish, please. I am sure we are supposed to be acting as neutral ground, but your own people aren't sending someone to defend you. They are allowing you to act as a sacrifice to satisfy those same lesser beings. Your words, not mine. That makes no sense to me, because if you are admit to all your crimes, it allows more Cardassians who have done similar things, for the very same reasons you described, to be placed in the spotlight as well. It allows the animals to seek redemption and demand judgement. And they can't allow that to happen, because it question the superiority of the Cardassian race. It makes your people look bad, no matter what reasoning they use." He paused for a moment. His tone never changing. Never becoming aggressive or weak. Remaining calm and steady the whole way through. He finally added, looking Vamcet in his eyes. "How can they allow that happen? Makes no sense. Maybe that's just my... lesser being way of thinking... not putting it all together like your Cardassian mind would."
Vamcet nodded in agreement with Zandrell. The investigator was quite astute and had impressed the Cardassian with his logic. Calmly as if having a intellectual discussion about the beginnings of life Vamcet spoke. "Lieutenant Zandrell your logic is mostly impeccable, a Vulcan would be impressed. However, there is one flaw. You are operating under the assumption that my people actually care about what I am doing here, or about what the Bajorans think or do. They in fact do not. As a point of fact they are only worried about me being here because they are afraid of what I may tell you all. I am here because I wanted to be found, because I made sure I was found despite everything my son tried to do."
Mariko had watched the exchange between Zandrell, Frost and Vamcet. For a time she felt it would go around in circles for ever. A Cardassian would never tire of attempting to be the being in the room whom had the highest intellect. Satisfied with the interview she looked at the captain as she wouldn't speak before him.
Marc stood and turned toward Mariko. "Well that certainly is a change of pace. I think I believe him, he seems genuinely interested in making good on what he did. Of course I am not sure that the Bajorans will believe him or go easy on him. In a way this confession of sorts may have just made things worse."
"Is that because of the medical condition he has though?" Mariko countered. "The mass on his brain may be pushing all the wrong buttons and if it is removed he may revert back to his old self. Also any interview under those conditions, that under medical impairment, may be inadmissible..." She spoke aloud. "Also, not being impartial, I don't think the Bajoran's should. If it were Humans, would you?"
"No, I suppose not." Marc said by way of response. Fact was Mariko had hit the nail on the head. "As to the rest of what you said therein lays the problem. I hope that JAG gets us someone and fast. I have no idea what I am doing here."
Mariko remained silent as she pondered her response. "We will get through this together sir."
Jonathan wasn't exactly pleased with how this questioning session had turned out, but this was the hand he had been dealt and would do the best with it to the best of his ability. He would make sure that Gul Vamcet got fair representation for his defense. " I still have a few more things that I need to take care of before the hearing begins and some more facts and reports to go over as well. Are we done here or do you have further questions for my client? "
As if Johnathan's words had some sort of magical effect they brought Vamcet back to his previous demeanor. He sat up a bit straighter and his fingers were tented on the table. The trademark Cardassian smile was on his face. "Yes I believe I need a rest. Perhaps a recess is in order. But never fear my dear Starfleet officers I will be happy to continue this conversation after a brief respite.
Vincent kept his eyes locked on Vamcet, not wanting to miss any feeling or thought that seemed to stray. None of this made sense to him. He's met Cardassian's in the past that allowed their feelings on something to rotate, depending on whether it was necessary at the time, but nothing like this. The sudden jump from one way of thinking to another was damn near insane. He saw the report of how the Vamcet just gave up without a fight, even when his men was willing to protect him, but that seemed to come off as a back up plan if you take into account the bomb they discovered on the shuttle. However, to witness it in person, was something Vincent wasn't expecting. He was familiar with how people could switch their way of thinking, but that generally happened gradually. Mentally, someone telepathic or empathic, could feel the switch happen slowly as the subject would begin to adjust their way of thinking. But a sudden switch, like Vamcet just did, made no sense what so ever. From calling the Bajorans animals to saying he wanted to be redeemed and judged by them felt like there was more. Cardssians don't give up and demand redemption unless there was something else going on. Someone they weren't seeing.
"Yes." Zandrell suddenly said, replying to Vamcet's comment about wanting to continue the conversation. "I'll look forward to such a conversation." He added as he looked calmly to Vamcet.
"Very well. This has certainly been a most enlightening talk. If I could be taken back to my cell. Captain Shingoen has promised a game of Kal-toh and I would hate to be late." Vamcet stood up and waited for the guards to take him out.
Jonathan called for the guards. "Please escort Gul Vamcet back to the holding area and make sure he is comfortable, I'll be along shortly." He waited until Vamcet was clear from the room and out of earshot first. "This interview has just made everyone's job much harder. The Cardassians want him back so they can execute him themselves and tell the Bajorans that we took care of your problem to keep your hands clean. The Bajorans will parade him around like an animal for their own PR and try to taint the image of the Cardassians by blasting broadcast across the galaxy showing how cruel they were treated before they execute him. And we know that he has a mass on his brain that is making him act this way and could get the whole case tossed out because he's not fit to stand trial as he is. The only solution I can see that would be fair for my client won't be liked by either the Bajorans or Cardassians, and that would be to have him committed to a Federation mental health institution for the remainder of his life to help him recover. His crimes would be exposed to all, so the Cardassians wouldn't like their image being tarnished and showing them to be the aggressors. That and the Bajorans won't like the fact that they won't get their PR circus before extracting their pound of flesh, but in the end Gul Vamcet will get the medical help he needs to live a better and full life as long as he stays there. What are your thoughts on this?" He asked not knowing how it would be received.
A Joint Post By
Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Commander Mariko Tao
Executive Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin
Defense Council, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Cassandra Frost
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Vincent Zandrell
Criminal Apprehension Officer, USS Artemis
Commanding Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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