High Powered Lawyers

Posted on 2026, Sun Apr 12th, @ 5:39am by Rear Admiral Jacob Hawks Esq, SMH PMV & Vice Admiral Jack Reacher Jr & Lieutenant Daven Voss & Captain Annika Hansen 'S

1,292 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 1 "Operation Iron Justice" USS Halo, Star Base 113, USS Vigilance
Location: SB 113
Timeline: MD-03

As the new Enterprise-G slid into its berth in the cavernous bay inside of Starbase 113, there was a large group of legal officers and other professionals waiting near the main airlock. They were ready to get right to work on the case of Starfleet v Reacher, it was one of the most high profile courts-martial that had occurred in Starfleet for decades.

Commander Sam Reynolds was the lead Trial Counsel on behalf of the Command, and from everything he had seen and read sp far it seemed like a slam dunk case of an Admiral assaulting a foreign dignitaries security staff. If he was successful in getting a conviction by the 3 helical judges, the Admiral would likely receive a demotion and be removed from command of the Theatre..

To his left was his right hand man, "Did you send out the notifications to everyone we have to depose tomorrow?

Lieutenant Nora Aria stood at Commander Reynolds' left, PADD in hand, her expression carrying the focused professionalism of eight years in the JAG Corps. She'd built a solid reputation for meticulous case preparation and strategic legal analysis.

"Witness notifications were transmitted at 0630 this morning, sir," Lt. Aria replied with characteristic precision. "All Starfleet personnel have been issued orders to appear or face penalties under Starfleet Rules of Court-Martial Article 46, subsection 3. Non-Starfleet witnesses were served subpoenas through the Starbase 113 Embassy." She said. As Trial Counsel it was her responsibility to coordinate the appearance schedules for both prosecution and defense witnesses.

She pulled up her prepared case files. "The investigator and paralegals completed witness interviews last week. Fourteen individuals total—eight Starfleet personnel present during the incident, three civilian station personnel, and three members of the diplomatic delegation." She noted. "Including the statements of Commander Riley and Lieutenant Devan Voss, both of which serve on his staff." She said.

"But the thing that troubles me the most, sir, is that Admiral Reacher turned down the Convening Authority's offer of a Pretrial Agreement: Resignation in lieu of court-martial—it would have let him leave Starfleet on his own terms, avoid public trial, preserve his service record. Most flag officers in his position would take that deal immediately." Lieutenant Aria said. In her experience, a Respondent turned down such generous terms if they were arrogant or knew something that Trial Counsel didn't.

"Well the Admiral is a former LA police officer, so it stands to reason he knows the law well enough, and if he rejected the agreement, it also could mean that he either feels the sentence isn't justified by the crime, or he has an ace up his sleave too." Reynolds

Captain Hansen looked to the JAG officers. "I do have one question for you all, Command didn't state how long this would last, If its going to last more than a week, I'm going to want to allow my crew some shore leave"

Lieutenant Nora Aria looked at Captain Hansen, her professional composure firmly in place despite her internal commentary about trial duration estimates.

You better pack a snack, because this trial might be awhile. The Lieutenant wanted to say aloud, but she knew such a flippant reply wouldn't land well with a superior officer.

"Sir, trial duration is difficult to predict with precision," Lt. Aria replied with measured professionalism. "After Command calls its witnesses—which could take several days depending on cross-examination length—the Respondent has the right to call all of their witnesses. Then the panel deliberates. There's no reliable way to estimate how long deliberations might take." Lt. Aria replied.

Lt. Aria met Captain Hansen's gaze directly. "Admiral Reacher rejected a very favorable pretrial agreement, which suggests his defense counsel has a comprehensive strategy. If they plan extensive cross-examination of Command's witnesses or call numerous defense witnesses, we could be looking at minimum one week, possibly two."

"Maybe 3 weeks by the time things are all said and done. Feel free to grant that leave to your crew Captain." Reynolds confirmed.

((SB 113, Auditorium))

The 300 seat auditorium had been selected as the venue for the trial. The judges had been selected, RAdm Hawks, Fleet Captain House, and Captain H'Lai, as the 3 senior ranking flag officers in the region, it would be up to them to decide Jacks fate. The prosecutors were already at their desk, and the gallery was beginning to fill with various journalists, staff, and other audience members who wanted to see the spectacle.

Curiously, the defense desk was empty, with no sign of the Admiral or his legal counsel. With only 10 minutes to go before the first session was due to begin, the courts bailiff, translator, and clerk entered through a side door and took their positions.


((Down the hallway from the auditorium))

Reacher was sitting in a near by office waiting with Lt. Voss and Kade. who had just gotten back from dropping off Woolheater.

"Is the Plan in motion?: Reacher asked.

Lieutenant Voss looked up from his PADD, where he'd been reviewing final operational parameters and confirming that all insertion protocols had been executed correctly.

"Yes, sir," Lt. Voss replied with professional precision. "Captain Woolheater has been successfully inserted at the civilian transport sector. Captain Kade handled the drop-off without complications. Elias Mercer is now in transit to Zytchin with all necessary equipment and documentation." he said.

Lt. Voss paused, his analytical nature prompting a question he probably shouldn't ask but couldn't quite suppress. "The plan is in motion, sir. But... shouldn't you be more concerned about your court-martial? Trial starts soon, and you're sitting here asking about undercover operations instead of coordinating with your defense counsel."

"Voss, What Sams doing might very well determine how this case ends, and if my carrer ends" Jack stated firmly. The weight of Sams mission was big.

Lieutenant Voss absorbed that statement with visible surprise and mild confusion, his analytical processing momentarily stuttering.

Wait. What? Nobody mentioned that connection during the entire week I spent building his cover.

"Sir," Lt. Voss replied carefully, the slow pace of his speech masking confusion, " I built Elias Mercer's cover to investigate Torvak's Tal Shiar connections and gather intelligence on Zytchin III threats. I wasn't told that it was going to be connected to your court-martial." The Lieutenant said incredulously.

Just then, Commander Riley chimed the door, and Reacher casually shouted for whoever it was to enter.

"Morning sir. I know the trial is about to begin here shortly but I just wanted to inform you of some recent staffing requests that came across my desk, and let you know that the Halo will be setting off on its next mission midday tomorrow, with your permission. Admiral Hawks and I discussed the situation out on the frontier and we both feel that time is of the essence in this case." Riley offered Reacher a padd with the updated operational orders, for him to enter his thumbprint on.

"Sounds prudent Commander... what are the staffing requests you mentioned?" The soon to be defendant said as he enter his thumbprint and passed the padd back to Riley.

"Oh, Commander Thira will be taking out the Halo on her next mission since F/Captain House is involved in your trial. And Captain Carver will be in command of the Bonnie temporarily for uh...the same reason.

"I actually changed that Commander, I gave the Halo to Captain Kade" Reacher state firmly.

"And Commander Thira? Or Ralen, I think she is Bajoran.so I always mess up the name, where are you puting them."

"Personal problems have caused the Commander to take leave of absence till further notice" Reacher stated plainly.

"Understood sir. I'll uh, let you all continue. Sorry for the interuption." Riley nodded at Kade and Voss before exiting.

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