Filing Charges

Posted on Mon May 18th, 2015 @ 9:45pm by Ensign Corrine Steiner & Enlisted Cadet Jasmine [P: Steiner]
Edited on on Sun Jul 12th, 2015 @ 3:52pm

Mission: Blooming Friendships
Location: Fleet Offices

[ON]

After notifying Cadet training officers, Ens. Steiner kept Jasmine in Ops. She gently pulled the details out of the tearful girl concerning the Ferengi. Upon completing her questions, Corrie began explaining about Ferenginar culture.

Jasmine surprised her, however, when she gestured a stop hand. "Ma'am... there is no need. I am well familiar with the exploitive mentality." She received the doubtful look from the human. "They are not dissimilar to the Brilayan Star League. Workers are born, live, and die in their gigantic space factories."

Corrie gave her a look of horrified disbelief, "They never can travel?"

"All they know are living modules and production posts." She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "My error in judgment was, I did not anticipate that exploiters would pervert the news about Captain S'er'in'e's act of kindness."

"Look, Jazz, your intentions were good but foolishly naive. Fortunately, your error wasn't a serious matter."

"Corrine! It was! For a Shokirian to cause harm in our devotion is... It is as a Klingon who fails to show courage. It is as a Vulcan who displays emotions."

Corrie sat close and put her arm around her. "It is also forgiven. You can mourn if you need to, but come tomorrow morning you FIDO."

"FIDO?"

"I learned it from the Marines. 'Forget It and Drive On'. You need to remember, you're the victim, here. Those surrats blatantly crossed the line this time, and they're going to be held accountable for it."

"But Corrine, I-"

"Noooo, you're not going to wallow in Betazoid-style empathic pain." She held up the newly recorded deposition, "I am going swear out criminal charges. Youuuu... are going to get away from the situation for a while so you can do a little healing. Go back to cadet-town and stay there. USS Wainwright is going to be pulling out for training mission anyway. Focus on that. After you've gone through training, come back to me and I'll make you my assistant." Noting the hesitant look, Corrie gave a bright warning smile, "Don't even think of arguing with me. I'm healthier and stronger, now. I'll be fine."

Acknowledgment came in the form of a weary, slumping sigh. Corrie helped her up and escorted her back to cadet barracks. She informed the duty officer, "Cadet Jasmine just got mauled by Ferengi. They set a trap. Would you look after her?"

"Absolutely, ma'am!"

Corrie exhaled through gritted teeth. "Now..." She looked to the D.O., "If you hear screams on the far side of starbase, just ignore it!"

"Good hunting, ma'am!"

Even turning Choople over to the vengeful Klingon Gob'kick didn't seem like enough. "That's too easy." Ens. Steiner fully intended to have security arrest the three profiteers after she shot them with a stiff phaser stun. Wisdom prevailed, fortunately, by the time she got her hands on a weapon. The perps might escape on a brutality technicality. Instead, the angry woman filed a priority message to her CO, the XO, and to base security.

"INCIDENT REPORT - TYPE: FELONY.
Perpetrators: Ferengi Merchant Choople & Associates.
Charges:
1. Aggravated Unlawful Detainment.
2. Conspiracy to commit Bribery & Fraud.
3. Unauthorized use of military jamming equipment, (2 counts).
Victim: Shokirian Enlisted Cadet Jasmine.
Deposition: Attached.
Charges filed by: Ens. Corrine Steiner, Chief of Operations."

After hitting 'send', Corrie briskly walked to the security station. Her burning hope was that the Ferengi would display even the slightest hint of resistance.

[OFF]

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Ens. Corrine Steiner
Cadet Jasmine

Starbase 332
Pegasus Fleet