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Table of Contents
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It was exactly two hours and forty-four minutes after adjournment when the review board reconvened. Filing in emotionless and avoiding eye contact with either Janeway or Paris, they sat quietly for a minute, shuffling data padds and conversing quietly. Although it was a brief period of time, Paris had the feeling it was much longer. Eventually Admiral Thrawn brought the already-quiet room to order by rising. Then he read from one of the data padds in a monotone voice, "Voyager's saga will no doubt be the subject of many discussions and even a few classes at the Academy. Part of those discussions and classes will include the unusual crew and their actions during their seven year journey.
"At this hearing we are concerned primarily with the actions of one particular crewperson, Thomas Eugene Paris. Whether at his usual post as chief pilot or performing tasks as assigned or volunteered for, we find that he performed admirably and, in many cases, far above expectations. As to the incident with the Moneans, we believe Admiral Janeway acted in accordance with Starfleet guidelines, exercising her judgement as a command officer in the subsequent punishment described by her and verified in ship's logs."
In so doing, we also acknowledge the unusual circumstances in which Admiral Janeway acted. As captain of the ship, with limited personnel, and under the assumption of a much protracted mission, she acted as we would expect in the best interest of that mission, her ship and of course, most importantly, her crew. Her actions were appropriate and we do not question her handling of the situation.
"As to the issue of Mr. Paris' parole and conditional pardon, we find the civilian authorities have already conditionally concluded a hearing in his favor. That gives this review board a positive impression that he will continue his promise to change previous behavior.
"In addition, the many examples of Mr. Paris' continual contributions to the ship, quite often without regard to his own safety, make it abundantly apparent that he indeed embodies the tradition of service in Starfleet.
"Therefore, we recommend full retention in Starfleet with the following provisions. First, he will return to Starfleet Academy to complete course work. Perhaps while there, he may pick up a few items he missed, which will undoubtedly help in his 'rehabilitation.' Second, the director of Starfleet personnel will be reviewing his fitness and evaluation reports on a regular basis. Next point, whether Admiral Janeway wants him or not, he will be assigned to Voyager as soon as he completes his work at the Academy. Since Voyager will be at Utopia Planetia, receiving a major and much deserved refit for an extended period of time, the timing should be just about perfect. Last of all, we recommend that Mr. Paris be restored to the rank of lieutenant. However, at the completion of his course work at the Academy, he shall be awarded the rank of lieutenant commander.
"We trust all these conditions will be agreed to and met by all parties..." he looked at Paris and Janeway, both nodding and smiling "... then this hearing is closed and the board has concluded its business in the case of Mister Paris."
The celebration lasted many hours. Friends gathered at the Paris residence in San Francisco. Tom, B'Elanna, Miral, Janeway, Chakotay, Seven and many of the Voyager crew were on hand to lend their support to a proper observance of Tom's reinstatement. Strangely though, Admiral Paris and Tuvok were missing. When Tom mentioned it to Janeway, she smiled and responded cryptically with, "They'll be here soon."
As night time approached, the crowd began to thin out until just a handful remained. Chakotay was about to leave when Admiral Paris and Tuvok arrived. Tom and B'Elanna were busy with Miral and they watched as the new arrivals went straight to Janeway. Then the trio disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes before emerging.
Janeway and the elder Paris went to Tom and B'Elanna while Tuvok did his best to socialize with the remaining guests.
Tom was more than a little worried. 'What now?' he thought, but tried to remain cheerful. "You have a lot of catching up to do. Hope you found something left to eat in the kitchen."
"Your father and Tuvok have been doing some investigating for me. On a hunch, I had them look into official records of the penal system and Starfleet. They uncovered a few interesting facts. But our main concern is the next round of hearings. Admiral?" Janeway stepped back and let Tom's father 'have the floor.' At this point everyone present was listening intently.
"What it boils down to is this. Command's original idea was to review each one of the Voyager crew members who were involved with the Maquis in two groups: first, those who had been in Starfleet and deserted and, second, anyone else in the Maquis. But I've managed to get that changed." Admiral Paris smiled cryptically.
"What about the crewmembers from the Equinox?" Tom asked innocently. "They don't fall into either group."
Janeway stepped forward, "They will have a separate hearing as a group after the Maquis issue was been resolved."
"Doesn't sound like the Equinox people have much of a chance, almost as if Starfleet is putting off the worse for last." Torres was more than a little disappointed. "Isn't there something we can do to help them?"
"Plenty, after we've cleared all of you." Admiral Paris explained, "If Tom is present at the hearings, he will be a strong reminder of the previous hearing and its favorable outcome. For Voyager crewpersons who were not originally assigned to the ship, that could help considerably. Voyager's circumstances were unique in Starfleet history, a mixed crew of former enemies and questionable personnel..." he nodded to Tom and smiled "... resulted in a remarkable and very successful mission. It goes to the very heart of what the Federation stands for, combining the many differences of all to make it a better for all. Voyager couldn't have made it without everyone, Tom's case proved that and it was a first step and we can build on it. Starfleet is taking this one step at a time, just as B'Elanna said, from the easiest to the most difficult. It actually works in our favor."
"Had they gone the other way, hardest to easiest, they may have just simplified the whole process and concluded that no one was worth reinstating." Tuvok had vocalized what most were already thinking, but it didn't make it any easier to accept.
"So who's next?" B'Elanna asked.
"All those who were serving Starfleet and left to join the Maquis." Admiral Paris responded frankly.
"You mean... deserted?" Chakotay asked quietly.
"No." Tuvok stated flatly, "I have been searching Starfleet records to determine that very point. We must make a clear distinction and show that each person on Voyager who had prior service in Starfleet was either forced to leave or gave official notice of resignation."
Tom brightened a bit, "Do we have that?"
"Yes!" Although it probably wasn't possible, the Vulcan seemed pleased with his answer.
"With that, we have an excellent chance to win our case!" Admiral Paris smiled broadly.
Chakotay was more than curious. "You keep saying we, sir. How are you involved?"
"Because, Admiral Janeway and I are acting as your advocates. Me, as usual behind the scenes and Admiral Janeway, front and center, with some help," He winked at Janeway.
A hopeful B'Elanna asked, "A top legal mind or a senior JAG officer?"
"Neither -- it's your husband, Lieutenant Tom Paris." Janeway now smiled.
"Wait a minute! Me? I'm no lawyer. How can I help?"
"As we explained, by example." The admiral paused and put his arm around his son, proud and somewhat sentimental. "You stand with your fellow crewpersons. It's an age old tradition in Starfleet."
Tom seemed to accept the fact as realization struck him. "Wait a minute. I have to sit through another hearing?"
Tuvok corrected him, "Actually, two more, Lieutenant."
Now Tom looked depressed but refocused on B'Elanna and smiled. "Well, if it would help the mother of my child, why not?"
Janeway stood patiently, but just barely, waiting for Magistrate Markham. He had been avoiding her for some time and she was tired of his missed appointments, reschedules, postponements and other such inconveniences. He was playing a game and not only did she not have time for it, she didn't like it one bit! Evidently he was hoping she'd get tired of the game he was playing and that she would forget whatever she wanted to discuss. Maybe he thought that once the hearing was over they no longer had anything to talk about. Either way, that wasn't the case.
After some checking, she learned he was to be in a meeting in the central office of the Terran Penal System in The Hague. What exactly the meeting was about was anybody's guess, but the admiral didn't care. It was time for a two-person meeting between him and her. She would not accept any more postponements or reschedules or missed appointments.
After standing in a crowded corridor for over an hour, she finally heard stirrings inside the large meeting room, followed by laughter and informal conversation. Then the doors opened and people began to file out in a very leisurely manner, a little too leisurely to suit her. She wondered if it was an indication of how things got done in this particular bureaucracy.
Just when Janeway was convinced Markham wasn't in the room, he finally exited engaged in a deep conversation with a much younger Betazoid female. He was smiling and trying hard to impress the lady when he caught sight of Janeway. His expression and attitude changed immediately and the smile disappeared altogether. The change was so stark and sudden, it prompted the Betazoid woman to turn and see what had caused it.
Markham was now trapped and tried to evade Janeway, "Oh, yes, Admiral, sorry we haven't been able to get together, but I've been very busy and I can assure you we will -- "
"You're right, Magistrate and right now!" Janeway was not going to be brushed off again. If he didn't want to meet in the privacy of his own office, she would 'air out the dirty laundry' in public. "I am also a very busy person and I don't have time to play your game of hide and seek!"
Her elevated and agitated voice drew the attention of many of the people who had just left the meeting, not to mention those in the crowded corridor, lobby and adjacent offices that suddenly became drawn into the admiral's tirade and she did not hold back or disappoint anybody looking for 'a show.' "You've been avoiding me far too long so we're going to discuss something that's long overdue!"
Markham was desperate and tried to extricate himself from an embarrassing situation but before he could speak, Janeway cut him off. "In the matter of Lieutenant Thomas Eugene Paris, you did your best to keep him from receiving his well-deserved reprieve. Not only did you try to sabotage his chances at the hearing of the parole board, you did everything possible to retain him despite overwhelming evidence that he had lived up to the terms of his parole!"
Now the gathered crowd was becoming more than interested. Unbeknownst to Janeway, security personnel arrived and were about to intercede when an important looking Tellerite woman in elaborate robes waved them off.
The action briefly distracted Janeway and Markham tried to disappear into the crowd. However, the admiral wasn't so easy to evade and grabbed him, none too gently. This time the security people moved forward despite not being sure how to handle an angry Starfleet admiral. There was no phaser visible, but... you could never tell.
Again, the Tellerite restrained security as she recognized Janeway and wanted to hear her out.
The Starfleet officer was 'on a roll' and continued her verbal assault. "If that wasn't bad enough, you had the board include a statement in the verdict indicating that the approval, which he did get and that you personally opposed, was provisional. Tom had to go before a Starfleet fitness hearing with that hanging over his head when he should have been cleared prior to that very important hearing!" She finished on a near yell of accusation.
Now security and the mysterious woman stepped forward into Janeway's view. "Is there a problem here?"
The question had to be the understatement of the year and Janeway tried hard not to show a crack in her armor, far less a smile. "I'll say!" She never stopped staring at Markham and continued to explain. "This man was responsible for getting my plan approved to have Mister Paris released in my custody for a special mission. Yet, when it became apparent he might be criticized for cooperating with me, he tried to have Mister Paris discredited."
"How do you know that?" The Tellarite asked. When Janeway seemed hesitant, the mysterious woman introduced herself. "I do have an interest in this... situation, Admiral. I am Chief Magistrate of the Federation Penal System, Paj."
Somewhat embarrassed, Janeway became quieter but remained firm in her convictions. "Chief Magistrate, I had my security chief check the records as to who ultimately approved the special mission which I spoke of. I had submitted a request through regular channels and presented my case to an official who passed it on for review. Ultimately, it was approved by Magistrate Markham. At that point, he commented that it wouldn't be a problem as Mister Paris probably wouldn't survive anyway and there would be one less 'undesirable' to keep track of."
Now the impromptu meeting in the corridor became dead quiet. Magistrate Paj looked at Markham but spoke to Janeway. "And again, how do you know this?"
"Because, Chief Magistrate, my security officer asked the person who handled the request and spoke to Mister Markham, Helen Armstrong, Head Clerk at the Probation and Parole Department." Janeway now finished and turned again to face Markham. His expression said it all.
Magistrate Paj wasn't through just yet. "Admiral, I trust you stand behind your security chief."
"Commander Tuvok's record is impeccable. However, if you wish, you may check my facts for yourself."
Paj waved off the suggestion. "No need, Admiral. I know of your reputation for integrity and fairness. I have no reason to doubt you. I merely wanted Mister Markham to hear and understand that."
At that point it sounded as if the entire building was quiet. All eyes were on Markham who was now ashen white and lowered his head.
Janeway was satisfied that she finally had the chance to speak her piece. She was even more pleased when she turned to see what seemed like half the people in the building watching her 'encounter in the corridor.'
Now Paj motioned the security team to escort Markham to an unspecified location. Then she confronted Janeway in an official but friendly manner. "Admiral, I'd like to speak to you again sometime, preferably under better circumstances and in a more suitable location."
"I'd like that, too," Janeway smiled in an equally friendly manner. "If you don't mind though, for now my duties dictate that I begin preparing for another hearing."
"Then some other time; and Admiral...?"
"Yes?"
"I can promise you, Mister Markham will be... dealt with."
"Thank you, Chief Magistrate. I look forward to our next conversation." Janeway moved as quickly as possible through the crowd and made her way outside the building into the Dutch sunshine, smiling all the time. The smile came from a sense of deep satisfaction but also for another reason. She'd have a great story to tell Tom!
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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