EXETERRPG: (2 - 1530) AeroDir Vice Admiral Dale Bracken and CO Cpt Trip Williams

[Mark Howard]

Mission: A new day dawns


Day: 2


Stardate: 2446.01.29





(Starfleet Aeronautics - Admirals Office - AeroDir Vice Admiral Dale
Bracken and CO Cpt Trip Williams -1530)



She knew the next interview would be difficult for all involved. Looking up
at the Officer in front of her, that she had known as a babe in arms, she
sighed gently. “I’m not going to give you the preamble, Captain. You know
why you’re here. There was an incident at today's game, of what can only be
described as a melee. In a moment I’m going to lead you through a recount
of the events. First however, I will draw your attention to the terrified
young legal cadet first class, who saw fit to hand in an assignment late,
and now has a 3 thousand word essay due on due process on current cases.
Should you refuse permission that is of course your right. My adjutant is
sat to my right and he has carte blanche permission to overrule any
question that he deems unfair, leading, or otherwise irrelevant, given the
nature of our past, and our families kinship. Fair?”



"Fair." Trip replied.



“So, Captain. Build up to the game. Talk to me. Crowds in full voice?
Atmosphere good? Bad?”



"Everything seemed fine. A bit chilly, but nothing out of the ordinary. No
animosity. No chippiness. No off color language."



“Normal friendly then. Party atmosphere. What next?”



"It wasn't until Ensign Jori plunked the cadet with a pitch did things get
unreasonable. He charged the mound, she defended herself and everyone lost
their collective minds."



“Okay.” She nodded, “Unfair question regarding pitch. Talk me through
Jori’s pitch.”



"Honestly, I umm. wasn't paying attention. I was thinking about Ronnie. She
called bacon piggy strips. it's cracked me up all morning."



Dale laughed. “Fair point. Gamesmanship? Wrongfooting or more sinister?”



"Hard to tell. From my angle in the outfield, I couldn't see her eyes, or
finger placing. Can't tell if it was intentional or poor control. The cadet
charged as if there was history there "



“So there were problems at the first pitch.



"Normally, unless you are really pissed at the person or team, you throw
far inside or behind, but not at. throwing and hitting a batter is either a
control issue or retaliatory "



“So…and I’m being careful now. Pitch was tossed, batter took umbrage. All
hell broke loose then. Any idea why it got so heated so quickly?”



"Officer plunks a cadet, cadet charges the mound. At that point it becomes
tribalism."



“Okay.” She nodded. “Seems that you in the stands reacted faster than the
game stewards?”



"Well, I was actually playing in the game. So I was closer to the action.
Game security did nothing but they were rent a cops. Civilian security
contracted to do the game. Not Starfleet security. Maybe one or two were
off duty, but just like med staff were volunteers, same. Most were there
with families so they attended to them first. But yeah I was playing in the
game so my involvement was to restore order, but I was already on the
field."



“Of course, that had slipped passed me. Thank you for reminding me.” She
said honestly. “I’m going to need you to think carefully now, did you hear
anything other than normal ‘fighting talk?’” Dale asked carefully.



"not over the music no. The music made it hard to think, focus. Honestly,
may have drowned out my orders to stop. But i heard nothing. May have
broken a kids arm. I regret that, but it was self defense and
unintentional."



“Of course. You’ll be pleased to know that as things stand there are no
lasting injuries to anyone apart from wounded pride, and potential for ill
feeling next game.”



"Yeah. something like that."



“Any details that struck you, that I may have missed? You can speak freely
as you know. You’re not on trial.”



"other than having a chat with my officers about how to best respond to a
brawl, not really. It was a shit show. Its like everyone lost their
collective heads. But I take the blame. I should have been the one to call
real security. I tried to get order, but my gut said call for help. however
I thought they wouldn't listen to the orders of a Starfleet Captain. I
thought I could get it under control, resume the game, no one would need to
get in trouble. But it got out of hand fast."



“I’m not here to apportion blame as yet, more to ascertain a cause, if any,
or indeed all of them if many..” Dale sighed. “You can take whatever
training scenarios you see fit from this of course, and that would be
favourable. It’s perfectly clear to me that there were numerous failings,
the game security will get a reaming like you won’t believe. Off the
record, you know what your old man is like with baseball, he wants
someone's head on a platter.”



"yeah. well thats what you get with rent a cops and security who are
volunteers. Trained to make sure no one is smuggling a phaser, not
necessarily Trained to stop combat trained personnel in a brawl. As for my
dad, I agree with him. This was unexcuseable."



Before I file my reports, Captain. Do you have any questions for me. Once
again, you may speak freely.”



"I take full responsibility for the actions and failings of my crew. no
questions. just that."



“Very commendable, but as far as my investigation goes no fingers will be
pointed toward your crew, recommendations for procedural updates maybe
training foci, that kind of thing. That is of course preliminary, and
should other statements and or evidence counter that standpoint I or
Admiral Williams will inform you immediately.”



“Thank you.”

“If there’s nothing else you need to add?”



“No Ma’am.”



“Dismissed then Captain, and thank you for your cooperation.”



Trip stood up and made his way to the door. Turning he said softly, “Of the
record, you should probably go visit your granddaughter.”



Dale nodded gently. "I intend to Trip, thank you for reminding me. I'll
head over as soon as I can. I was so worried when I read Ailynn’s reports."



“Yeah, well…Life, uh finds a way.”



"I know. We'll have a proper chat soon. I hope you can make it to the villa
for my birthday?



“I’ll do my best.” Trip nodded.



"Later then. Thank you Captain."



(Reply none)

(Posted by Will and Mark)
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