Lieutenant Eseri sat across the desk from Captain Wren Walton as she presented the finalized translation to the concerned face of Fleet Captain Geronimo Fontana on the console screen.  “Experiment is an incomplete failure.  Ahon’s life is in contempt.  The price is death being an end.  The contract is empty.  Her death will be completed.  Removal of Ahon will constitute an act of war.  We have her life on our hands.  We are her judge, jury, and executioner.”

Wren watched her CO’s face through the screen.  She added, “We’ve gathered the JAG files on her.  We know she’s wanted for…a lot.”

Fontana stared at them. “What you’re asking for is guidance.”  Walton could see his eyes shifting to search his office.  There weren’t a lot of options when it came to working with the Tholians on anything.  “Commander Davidson has requested to be included in future discussions as Sector Judge Advocate. For once, I agree with him.  Doctor Galdrid Ahon built a significant rap sheet during her time.  We can’t ignore it.”

Walton scowled, “Don’t tell me Archie wants to hold a trial?”  He was pretty low on her list of people she enjoyed dealing with on a good day.  Today was not a good day.

“A trial was held when Commander Davidson arrived for assignment on Montana Station.  She was convicted in absentia.  Her term of imprisonment was determined to be life without parole at a high-security prison.”  Fontana drummed his fingers on the desk.  “Captain Ki suspects the Tholians…or whatever outlier sect of Tholians is involved, that there is an additional layer of game playing – directed at us.  There’s a new ambassador to the Tholians from the Rimward Traders Guild here on Montana.  We will try to do some work to reach out to this group of Tholians.”

Wren’s scowl hadn’t lightened.  If anything, it deepened.  She asked, “In the meantime, what do you suggest we do?”  Fontana’s silence made her nervous.  The lack of concrete direction in this case was aggravating. Any other alien species would be an easy ask.  Of all the places to be assigned, a hop, skip, and a jump from the Tholian border was turning into a complicated bit of diplomatic headache.

“I’m going to dispatch Captain Ki and Commander Davidson with teams to your location.  Based on the language of the message, there’s a possibility of us being able to act on Doctor Galdrid Ahon…as long as we don’t remove her from the facility.”

Eseri asked, “Sir – outside of giving her her wish to die…what else can we do for her?  I’ve read the files.  She was right.  I wish I’d never put my eyes on them.”  The Andorian’s face was pensive, and Walton empathized.  The files were filled with blood spilled in the pursuit of a maniacal dream of perfection.

“I wish I had an easy answer, Lieutenant. Ki and Davidson will arrive tomorrow morning.”  Walton watched him search the room again.  “I’m ordering you and your teams to do a complete workup on that ship, top to bottom.  Take another look at the planet for any other…odd readings or incongruent data.  Whatever complicated branch of Tholian culture we’re dealing with…we need as much information as possible.  Fontana out.”

The channel closed.  Walton sat back in her chair.  “It’s about to get crowded out here in the rimward.”

Eseri’s antennae swirled in curiosity. “I am not familiar with Commander Davidson or Captain Ki.”

Walton chuckled, drawing further curiosity from the Nova’s science chief.  Wren replied, “One’s JAG, the other’s from Intelligence.  You’ll learn they’re both…useful in the right moments.”  She stood from her chair.  “We’ve got work to do, Lieutenant.”  She walked to the door, turning to see Eseri still in her chair.  “Lieutenant Eseri?”

The Andorian turned in her chair, a concerned look flooding her face.  “Did I do well, Captain Walton?”

Wren cocked her head to the side.  “You did well, Lieutenant.  You were able to add layers to the translation that the others didn’t see, and you were able to ask questions of a senior officer.”

“No, ma’am.  What I mean is…when I asked my question on the planet.  Did I do well?”  She turned her eyes to meet Wren’s. 

Walton walked back and leaned against the wall by the science chief, “You’re asking if you did something wrong.”  A hasty nod from Eseri.  “You did exactly what a chief science officer should do.  We all know this woman.  We’ve seen what she’s done in her reign of terror across the rimward and beyond.  We can get lost in the intensity of our emotions…and forget what we’re supposed to do for a second.”

“Would someone else have spoken up if I hadn’t?”

Wren pushed off the wall, “More than likely.  We may be human and flawed…but we usually find our way back on the good path.”

Eseri’s face squished a little, “You said usually.”

Walton shrugged, “Nobody’s perfect, Lieutenant.  That’s why we have a crew full of ideas, perspectives, beliefs, and feelings.  Keeps us all honest.”

“Is there a usually at the end of that statement, ma’am?”

Walton shook her head and repeated it with an addition, “It keeps us honest.  Always. At least on our ships. Does that help?”

Eseri’s eyes seemed distant momentarily before returning to Walton’s gaze, “It helps me understand my place in the larger part of the universe around me.”

Walton replied as she walked back toward the door, Eseri now following, “Consider yourself lucky.  I’m still trying to figure that out.”