The Laws of The Land
Posted on Thu Aug 28th, 2025 @ 4:21pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Edited on on Fri Aug 29th, 2025 @ 1:06am
2,053 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 3 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD013 0900 hrs
Marc stepped into his Ready Room and ordered what must have been the umpteenth cup of coffee for the day from the replicator. He motioned toward the couch under the windows of the Ready Room. "Have a seat. Can I get you anything?"
Layal eyed the couch and then the replicator. "That depends. Are you more or less likely to permit me to speak candidly if I order a cup of tea? I know Humans have similar customs to Bajorans when it comes to using food and drink to mitigate potentially difficult conversations."
Marc chuckled at her remark. "When in private I encourage all of my Senior Staff to speak freely to me. As to the beverage that is just to make me not feel bad when I drink in front of you. Add to that pretty much all the conversations that I have had since taking this command have been difficult. So, what's on your mind and what'll it be?"
Layal gave the Captain a gracious nod of her head. Her expression remained serious, though her lips turned in a not-quite smile. "Cela tea, half-sweet would be nice. Thank you, Captain."
She walked toward the couches that the Captain had pointed to, but didn't sit down right away. "I'll start with asking: the exercise of asking everyone's opinion in the senior staff meeting and then taking those opinions to the Commodore. How does that relate to what I am expected to do here? Do you tell me what to argue in court? Because as a prosecutor I've never had anyone tell me what to do in court who isn't working directly for JAG's prosecution office. You can see my concerns."
Marc immediately saw that there was a miscommunication somewhere. He wasn't sure exactly where it happened, but that didn't matter he could straighten this out right away. He brought the drink over to Layal with a smile. "Asking the opinions has nothing to do with what you argue. It was more for me to work out what is in my head. I work better by bouncing ideas off my team. The ideas discussed are not going to the Commodore, at least not unless you want them to. What I want brought to the Commodore is the information about the Gul's medical condition. It may entirely be possible that in light of this new development the Federation may not want to try this case any longer. That would not be a decision for me or you to make. Finally, I would never tell you what to argue in court. I may offer some advice or opinions, those which I hope you would consider. But never tell you how to do your job." He hoped that this explanation would assuage the anger that seemed to be welling up within his prosecutor.
Layal softened somewhat at the Captain's assurances that she maintained autonomy in the courtroom, but remained somewhat guarded. "Vamcet's medical condition does not change the need for prosecution. If justice looks the other way, there is nothing stopping him from seeking treatment elsewhere and going about his old ways. And while I understand there may be a medical reason for his sudden change in heart, you'll forgive my skepticism, Captain. I'm sure it doesn't surprise you that many criminals miraculously find remorse once their backs are pinned against the wall."
With a smirk she added, "That's not to mention the Bajorans. Even if the Federation were to officially pass, they will want to take over jurisdiction. And we know how Vamcet's current attorney feels about the legal system there."
Marc chuckled slightly at the comment made about her opposing counsel. He was relieved to see her relax somewhat at his assurances. "You have said nothing that I do not agree with. However, as I said if the Federation wants to pass that is their decision to make and they should me made aware of the facts so that they can make that decision. The Federation and by extension you, are only trying this case as a favor to the Bajoran Government. I often ask myself why Bajor is not simply taking this on themselves. I mean they could have easily asked Starfleet to pick Vamcet up, and we would have. But to perform the trial as well, it is a curiosity of mine."
"I can think of at least a few," Layal replied as she finally took a seat on the couch. "Optics. Even as Bajor asserts its independence, we respect the Federation and understand that a ruling from a Federation Court would be widely accepted. Putting the onus on the Federation also lessens the likelihood that there would be retaliation against our government, should the Cardassian people -- or even enough of Vamcet's loyalists were to deem the process unjust."
"Hmmm, yes that makes sense." Marc decided that perhaps it was time to not only get to know the prosecutor but to allow her to get to know him. "Over the past day or so I have found myself dwelling on the condition of Gul Vamcet. I make no mistakes about it, when he did those atrocities he knew what he was doing, and was in full control. The question I ask now is; Is he remorseful for what he did? It seems that he is. However, with this condition in his brain one does not know. Add to that why would he not want to be cured?" He laughed as he finished speaking. "These are not things they teach you in Command School."
Layal studied the Captain's expression as he spoke. He seemed genuinely troubled by Vamcet's fate. This struck her as unusual, because in her field opinions for someone with a record like Vamcet's were generally that sentencing laws were too soft.
"Are you an optimistic then, Captain?" She asked. "I feel like you might be, to think, to give someone like Vamcet the benefit of the doubt in this situation."
Marc looked at her thoughtfully for a moment and then began to speak softly. "I would not be a Starfleet Captain if I did not give him the benefit of the doubt. I believe that everyone is always attempting to make themselves better. To overcome the problems of their past. However, I am also a realist. I know that repentance now does not excuse what he did. Since I was given this command by Admiral Ford I have often asked myself if the death penalty is something that should be used. I have come to the decision that no, a death does not justify anything. Vamcet dying is not going to bring back those he killed, it is not going to take away the pain from those he hurt. Punishment is meant to teach, and how can one learn if they are put to death."
Layal shook her head. "I never called for his execution either, Captain. I've been a Starfleet officer for... well long enough that I'd rather not say and show my age," she replied daring to let him see her smile.
"That's good. That you can believe everyone is always trying to be better. I wish I shared that sentiment. I want to share that sentiment. I just suppose I have shared close quarters with too much evil to hang on to that notion. I've become distrustful."
"You know, when I was a child in the camps, I thought that some of the guards were nice?" The statement was made incredulously, as she looked back in judgement of the naivete of her youth. "The ones that brought us extra food, or clothes for the winter. But, as I matured I learned that there's a difference between acting out of goodness and acting out of guilt. The guilt just caught up to some of them more quickly than others, I guess. But they were still complicit."
"I agree and complacency makes you just as guilty. But that is perhaps a discussion for another time. Perhaps, in due time you will encounter some new and interesting cases here and discover your ability to believe that everyone wants to do better. The galaxy is always darkest before the dawn." Marc waxed poetic as he thought about the current situation, and the future. He rather enjoyed seeing his prosecutor loosen up a tad. When she smiled he was reminded that Bajorans can light up a room with a smile.
Layal's head turned suddenly at something the Captain had said. Something she had been wondering based on a few of the senior staff member's reception toward her. "Are you requesting my transfer here be permanent?" The question felt blunt, but she was never one to mince words.
Marc snapped his fingers with a smile. "You got me. The request has already been made with the JAG office on Earth. I believe they were going to wait until after this case to officially ask you if that is what you wanted. However, since the cat is out of the bag. The job is yours if you want it."
Layal forced a smile, and a nod. "I see. I never anticipated a permanent starship posting," she replied choosing her words carefully. "At least not after I shifted my major and became an attorney. Your ship, it's one of a kind. You think it's a good model?"
"The Luna Class seems tailor made for what we do. It is large enough to accommodate our unique needs. But not so large that it is a city in space." Marc smiled and took a sip of his omnipresent coffee. "I would hate to have you pack up the office after you have settled into it. I will tell you what, if you stay here I will steer clear of your cases, and you steer clear of the bridge. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two about each others jobs along the way. Whaddya say?"
Layal glanced around the Ready Room, taking note of small personal effects that the Captain had added as she wondered more about who the man was behind the position. It seemed for this particular the line was thin, if there was a line at all.
"If I could think about it for a few days, Captain," she asked her tone laced with more respect than when she first walked through the doors. "When I left Earth, I didn't even pack my office up back home."
"I will tell you what. You have until you get a verdict on Vamcet. If you decide to stay we will send for your belongings. If not, I will have a pilot and a shuttle return you to Earth. Either way you will be taken care of. But, I would make a request that you consider the Artemis your new home. I for one would love to have you on the hunt." Marc smiled with a twinkle in his eye. He knew that it was a hard decision, but something told him that Layal would be staying on the ship.
The hunt. The turn of phrase piqued Layal's curiosity, though she didn't press. She knew she had taken enough of the Captain's time already. It did make her realize that the position here would offer more an opportunity to be a part of the investigations aspect. The exciting parts that she always read about in reports.
Layal simply nodded, though the thought of an adventure had ignited a spark in her eye.
"That sounds fair, Captain. I'll have your answer by then." She stood slowly. "I know you likely have a busy schedule. Is there anything else I should be doing?" She asked.
"Other than getting to know the lay of the land, I don't think so. Thank you Commander." Marc watched as she left the Ready Room. In this short conversation he had learned volumes about the prosecutor. What's more is that he realized that there are volumes more to learn.
A Joint Post By
Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Judge Advocate General, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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