The Price That You Pay
Posted on Sat Jul 25th, 2026 @ 12:39pm by Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal & Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin & Commodore S'vRock
Edited on on Sun Jul 26th, 2026 @ 7:35am
1,394 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Courtroom Complex - Deck 6 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD017 1600 hrs
Corin pondered on the points brought up in the court proceedings and thinking of how the evidence might be viewed. I also know that these proceedings are being viewed by both interested parties of both the Bajorans and the Cardassians and they will be hearing the verdict at the same time we do in the interest of fairness to all concerned.
"So Gul Vamcet, both sides brought up valid points for this case. On our side we presented the protection of family and a commanders duties to his government and military obligations verses excessive force and criminal intent. They even hinted at attempts of genocide. How do you feel our chances are for the defense? I would say we have a decent shot at it and I know the reputation of the S'vRock will only bring down a verdict that is logical and inline with the the current laws, So he will show no favoritism."
The Cardassian sat for a time simply staring. He stared at nothing in particular, just appeared to be lost in thought. When Johnathan spoke Vamcet seemed to be present again. "Oh, have no fear my good man I will be sent away. I will make sure that you are described as fighting valiantly against a losing cause when they tell this tale. The Vulcan judge will have no choice but to send me away. That was a foregone conclusion from the beginning of this, you are unfortunately the sacrificial lamb."
Layal leaned against the far wall behind her counsel's table, her arms folded across her chest. She wasn't sure how long the judge would keep them waiting. Ten minutes, an hour? She thought about pacing the hallway, or even returning to her quarters and waiting until they called her back in for the verdict, but if Corwin was keeping his client here, she wouldn't be the one to keep the judge waiting. There really was no question as to what had happened, not even who did what to whom - outside of the missing bodies, who Layal assumed were burned or floating in space somewhere - blasted through an airlock. No, the real question was one of responsibility - liability. Layal could think of a dozen different ways to find justice than this trial.
Still verdicts made her nervous. And try as she may, she still always took them personally, even though she didn't care to admit it.
Talia stepped into the courtroom. As she placed a PADD on the bench she looked around to make sure everyone was present. It still unnerved her to see a relatively empty room. These holocourts were interesting to say the very least she thought. Her PADD chimed and when she looked down she saw a note from the Commodore, he was ready to proceed. Right on schedule. "All rise!" Talia began the usual speech that opened court. As she spoke the room filled with holographic images of people who wanted to observe. This included a few Bajoran dignitaries. "The Fourth District Court of the Federation is now in session. The Logical Commodore S'vRock of Vulcan presiding."
As soon as Talia finished speaking the image of S'vRock materialised in the chair at the bench. "Be seated." He said and everyone did as he had requested. "This case presents a number of questions. The question of guilt is not one of them. By his own admission Gul Vamcet has admitted his guilt to crimes he is being accused of. However, he argues that no crime has been committed. That his actions were legal at the time he performed them. I would like to address this first. The argument is sound, and logical. However, there is a flaw in the logic. That flaw is that Cardassian law did not have purview over these events either, Bajoran law did. Bajor did not give up their claim on their world, for if they did then they would not have fought so hard to regain it. That said we are not here to discuss Cardassian politics. This court does understand the actions of war, and occupation. That certain leeway has to be granted to actions in such times. Propaganda is a potent weapon and the former Cardassian government used propaganda to make sure that its people performed acts that would normally be viewed as wrong in society. Genocide and subjugation is wholly illogical. Unfounded assumptions about biological superiority has no value in any society. Cardassia's foundational assumptions were unsupported by evidence. Its policies elevated emotional prejudice above reason, and diminished the intellectual and economic potential not only of Bajor, but of its own society and the galaxy as a whole."
S'vRock leaned forward on the bench on his elbows, his fingers tented as he continued to speak. "The evidence has been examined and verified. It establishes beyond reasonable doubt that the accused knowingly participated in the unlawful persecution and extermination of sentient beings. The defense has presented no evidence sufficient to negate intent or responsibility. In fact the defendant has actively spoken to the opposite. The assertion that one merely obeyed orders does not absolve one of moral or legal accountability. A rational being retains the capacity to evaluate the consequences of their actions. To surrender that judgment is itself a choice. The crimes before this tribunal were not acts of military necessity. They were the systematic application of ideology over reason, prejudice over evidence, and domination over justice. Such conduct cannot be reconciled with any logical system of ethics. This tribunal therefore finds the accused guilty on all applicable counts."
S'vRock paused as there was a slight murmur from the gallery. He allowed his words to sink in and then continued. "I have reviewed the reports from both Doctor O'Rourke and Dr Canak of the USS Artemis. Based on these reports Gul Vamcet is sentenced to live out the rest of his natural life under medical care on the planet Bajor. The sentence imposed is not an act of vengeance. Vengeance is an emotional impulse. The purpose of this judgment is to affirm the rule of law, acknowledge the suffering inflicted upon the victims, protect future generations, and demonstrate that no individual is exempt from responsibility for their deliberate actions. The law is absolute. Justice is not diminished by the passage of time. Logic requires that responsibility follow choice. The accused made their choices with knowledge of their consequences. The verdict reflects that reality. This court stands adjourned." S'vRock taped his gavel signalling the finality of his statement and the end of the trial.
Layal listened intently as S'vRock read his verdict and waited for him to just get to the point. Like most judges he saved the part that everyone was waiting for until the very end. An old boss of hers who had been elevated to the bench had said that it was because people stop listening once the actual ruling was read - and she had to admit, there were times she enjoyed watching defendant's sweat it out.
The sentence - medical care on Bajor. She pressed her palms against the table, the cool surface quickly turned warm beneath her hands. As Court adjourned she stood silently, trying to imagine the reactions back home. Bajor would be handling the enforcement. This could be interesting. Resisting the urge to turn to Vamcet to see his reaction, she turned swiftly and exited the courtroom.
As the Bailiffs came for him Vamcet stood. He shook Corwin's hand with a smile. The look on his face did not require any words. It spoke for itself, and it said that he knew this would be the outcome. It was a forgone conclusion and Vamcet was ready for it. "Thank you Lieutenant. Do come visit." Was all he said as the Balifs took him away from the courtroom and to Bajor.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Judge Advocate General, USS Artemis
Second Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin
Defense Council, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Commodore S'vRock
Fourth District Court Judge
Federation Unified Court System
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