20 Rule of Acquisition #285
Some days later, thanks to the Dyson Sphere gateways, the USS Nexus found itself back on the other side of the galaxy in the Beta Quadrant, docking at a Starfleet spacedock for extensive repairs. While en route to the Beta Quadrant, Anzyl submitted a comprehensive and detailed report to the Khitomer Alliance. Soon, word of the incident and the crew's survival spread to the leaders of the Alliance.
Despite the brutality the crew of the Nexus endured, a disheartening priority one communique reached the captain, for his eyes only.
"I'm being sued!?" Anzyl yelled at the terminal in his ready room.
IN KHITOMER ALLIANCE COURTS
SUBPOENA
TO: Captain Anzyl Praxas
You are hereby commanded to appear before the Milky Way United Courts to address charges brought against you by several races. The charges include the failure to adhere to, respect, and disregard individual funeral rites of the victims numbering 1,784. Additionally, it is alleged that you claimed racial ownership over said victims and conducted an ancient Human rite, thereby preventing adherence to the funeral wishes of their respective home worlds. This, in turn, resulted in the abduction and assimilation of the victims into the Kobali culture and life without granted permission.
You are required to report for a court martial to address these charges. Failure to comply may result in legal consequences.
DATED STARDATE: 87080
KHITOMER ALLIANCE COURTS"
---
Moments later, Neil confirmed, looking over the Captain's shoulder as he read the subpoena. "You're being sued, alright. What a bunch of bureaucratic bull!"
"I know!" Anzyl exclaimed. "We barely make it out of there alive, lose 36% of the crew, and have 57% hospitalized. All the Alliance can do is sue me for not contacting every individual race, in an emergency situation on the complete opposite end of the galaxy, about how they wanted their dead buried!?" Anzyl ranted, collapsing into his office chair.
"Do you even know any lawyers?" Neil asked. "I don't recall you ever getting a court martial before."
"I did! 200 years ago as Azre Praxas, but not now, not as Anzyl," he huffed in frustration.
"Do you want a court-appointed representative, at least?"
"No, not really," Anzyl pouted. "With my luck, I'll get a Cardassian as an attorney, and the entire galaxy knows they are the WORST defense attorneys."
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" Neil continued.
"Only thing I can do," Anzyl exhaled. "Find my best courtroom uniform."
---
"Captain's Log, Stardate: 87094.1 .The space station has a holodeck currently running a courtroom scenario. The courtroom may consist of photons and force fields, but the four judges overseeing my tribunal are very real. A representative judge from each of the four major factions of the Khitomer Alliance; a Vulcan from the Federation, a Klingon from the Empire, a Romulan from the Republic, and a Vorta from the Dominion. In short, I'm outnumbered four to one, all because I didn't do things the way others would have."
The small gavel knocked on the counter, signifying the court was now in session. The Vulcan Judge, the honorable T'Ro, began, "Captain Anzyl Praxas, you are hereby charged with the failure to adhere to, respect, and disregard individual funeral rites of the victims numbering 1,784. You are also charged with claiming racial ownership over said victims and conducting an ancient Human rite, resulting in the abduction and assimilation of the victims into the Kobali culture and life without granted consent or permission. How do you plead?"
Filled with infuriating rage, Anzyl stood up. "These charges are absurd! I've lost nearly 36% of my crew, with 57% in critical care due to the Fek'ihri. Yet, all you can do is bicker about why I didn't consult their races on burial preferences? Some were so badly mauled, there was nothing TO return!"
The Klingon judge retorted, "Preposterous! The Fek'ihri are fairy tales, stories to make children behave!"
"Tell that to my dead and dying crew!" Anzyl yelled back defensively, standing up slamming his hands on the table.
"ORDER!" The Vulcan banged the gavel. "Captain Praxas, restrain yourself! Now, how do you plead to the charges?"
"I... I..." Anzyl struggled, attempting to collect his thoughts amidst anger and frustration.
"My client pleads 'Not Guilty,' Your Honor," a young man's voice declared from behind. Anzyl turned in his chair to see a 2-meter (6'5") tall Na'vi, well-groomed and in a professional business suit. He must have been no more than 20 years old. He flickered slightly, indicating it was a hologram, which also explained the small height for a Na'vi. "I also request a 10-minute recess to confer with my client."
"He declined a court-appointed attorney," the Vulcan retorted.
"Ships logs and communications indicate he was not asked if he wanted or did not want one. That statement is an assumption," the young Na'vi snapped back, "and an inaccurate one at that, something I will most definitely be adding to my counter-suit."
"Your request for a recess is granted…" the Vulcan replied.
Anzyl sat there frozen in surprise, and the young man pulled out the chair next to him, and with a touch of his own forehead and motioned it to the Captain, he said the Na'vi greeting "Oel ngati kameie, Captain."
"I see you to...wait… Tey'un?…. No…" Anzyl spoke in quietly, "Kayuli!?!" sputtered the Captain, "You're a Lawyer?!" The Captain's face was of shock, surprise, and disbelief.
"Yes," he nodded, "I hold 3 Ph.D.s in science, 2 masters in engineering, and am also a licensed and certified Lawyer with Starfleet," sitting next to the captain, resting his data pad on the table.
"Holy… eesh…" Anzyl was dumbfounded. "I knew your people were probably the smartest living things in the galaxy, but…and a lawyer?!... Really?!"
"Have you met my brother?!" He blurted out, eyeing the Captain, "That mouth of his has caused him to sit in your chair more times than I am willing to count," he plainly said, then getting serious about the situation. "Now, do you want me to win your case, or shall we continue our little banter?"
"Yeah sure, go ahead...how are you here!?..." Anzyl looked around for a large water tank.
Kayuli looked at the captain like he was an idiot. "Holographic transmission from Cetacean Observations. Now… Can we please get started?"
"Yeah.. sure.. and…um" Anzyl continued. "Captain, for your own validity and hope of winning this case, let me do the talking and, please take this with the greatest possible respect, but Zip Your Howling Screamer." Kayuli glared.
Realizing he was at the mercy of this young man and the court, the Captain silently nodded. "We are ready to proceed your Honors." Kayuli bowed his head in respect to the tribunal.
"I'm sorry, but WHO are you exactly?" The Vorta asked, "Does your world even belong to the Khitomer Alliance? How old are you?"
"I am a Tulkun from the planet Eywa'eveng," he answered plainly, "I have a license to practice law with the Federation," pulling up a hologram displaying his certification to the court, "I also fail to see how any of your personal questions toward me matter in this lawsuit against my client." Kayuli's stance indicated the young man meant business.
"You may proceed, counselor." The Vulcan stated.
Kayuli stepped forward towards the tribunal and began his argument.
"We gather here today not merely to recount the events during the Fek'ihri attack but to examine the principles that underpin our existence in the Milky Way. Captain Anzyl Praxas faces accusations of disregarding funeral rites and performing an ancient Human rite.
Our defense centers on Captain Praxas's commitment to life, unity under the Khitomer Alliance, and the pursuit of survival. The pivotal argument revolves around prioritizing immediate survival over intricate cultural practices."
He motioned towards the holo display screen outlining his arguments.
" 1: Emergency Life-and-Death Situation" he started "Our foremost argument is grounded in the unprecedented emergency situation presented by the Fek'ihri attack. In the face of peril, Captain Praxas had to make split-second decisions to ensure the survival of the Nexus. Funeral rites cannot take precedence over safeguarding lives."
"The Fek'ihri do not exist!" The Klingon argued.
Kayuli looked at the Klingon judge like he was an imbecile, "A review of the video and data sensor logs will render your statement invalid," he retorted. "Is it logical to believe that 5,000 eye witnesses are incorrect?"
The Vulcan, Romulan, and Vorta nodded; the Klingon held onto his viewpoint.
Continuing, Kayuli pulled up his second point.
"2: Unified Ship and Forfeiture of Rights. The Khitomer Alliance and the USS Nexus aimed to bring together disparate races. In this pursuit, individual rights had to be forfeited for the greater good. Captain Praxas made choices to create a cohesive environment, recognizing compromises were inevitable for various species."
"This point can be argued," the Vulcan replied, "but there is logic to your reasoning."
"And the third point, of many may I add," Kayuli reiterated, "is Impossible Logistics for Court Appearance. The nature of interstellar travel makes it practically impossible for representatives from each race to appear. Denying Captain Praxas the right to face his accusers infringes upon justice principles. Such a logistical challenge should render this case null and void."
The four members of the tribunal could not refute this point.
Kayuli continued, "4, Limited Captain's Autonomy. Captain Praxas, as the leader of a multi-species crew, faces challenges in navigating cultural diversity. The autonomy of a captain is limited by the need to balance different races. In the pursuit of unity, Captain Praxas had to make decisions that may not align perfectly with each race's customs."
Resting his case, Kayuli ended his argument, "In conclusion, Captain Anzyl Praxas acted in the best interest of collective survival and unity. His decisions were borne out of necessity and a profound commitment to the greater good. We implore this honorable court to recognize the extraordinary circumstances faced by Captain Praxas and exonerate him from the charges. The preservation of life and the unity of our galaxy must remain paramount in our pursuit of justice."
The tribunal thought for a moment, and the Vorta spoke up, "And what of the charge about actions that lead to the Kobali?"
Kayuli immediately refuted, "Captain Anzyl Praxas had no control over the deceased once committed to space, and any subsequent actions were beyond his authority. The charge of leading to abduction and assimilation into the Kobali culture lacks a basis in his actions or intentions."
The Vulcan spoke up, "I move for a 30-minute recess to deliberate and discuss this case and your arguments."
Kayuli nodded in agreement. He turned to a stunned Anzyl; he had never in his life seen such a definitive defense using the law. He was genuinely impressed.
---
In the hallway outside the holodeck, the Captain paced back and forth, nervous about the verdict.
"Captain, I suggest you sit and calm down." Kayuli suggested.
"They are ready for you." A security officer in a red Starfleet uniform informed the two gentlemen to return to the courtroom.
Anzyl and Kayuli walked back into the courtroom and sat at the Defendant's table.
The Vulcan knocked on the counter with the Gavel. "In the case of Khitomer Alliance versus Praxas, the court finds the defendant Not Guilty. All charges are to be dropped and removed from his personal file."
Anzyl let out a deep sigh of relief, and let his head drop back, hands covering his mouth. "Oh, Kayuli, you were amazing! Thank you!"
Kayuli smiled and grinned at the victorious verdict, "It was my pleasure, Captain."
---
Back on the USS Nexus, Anzyl and Neil relaxed by the Cetacean pool, enjoying the aquatic spectacle. Anzyl, sipping his whiskey on the rocks, glanced at Neil.
"So, the kid really won the case fair and square, huh?" Neil chuckled, sipping his glass.
Anzyl grinned, gesturing toward the majestic whale gliding gracefully in the pool. "Sure did! A whale lawyer saved my slug butt!" They both burst into laughter, celebrating their victory.
