Star Trek Cowboy

Beginning of the end

The morning of the trial came all too quickly for Kesta's liking. The day dawned hot and sunny, with no sign of the storms that had plagued First City throughout the summer. Kesta busied herself getting herself ready.

For the first time in years, Kesta had donned the black uniform of Starfleet Intelligence. Fastening the heavy belt buckle, she reached across the table and picking up a little wooden box. Opening it, she removed the insignia that proclaimed he to be a First officer or XO and fastened it to her collar. She glanced at herself in the mirror and shook her head at the sight. It felt odd to be wearing this uniform again, but it was appropriate. It had been in the capacity of XO that she had committed the crimes that had led to this trial.

Klingon Space, Qo'noS, sector

"Spike, you'd better come and look at this..."

Spike looked up from his seat, irritated by the interruption. He'd told Faye, Ed and Jet he didn't want to be disturbed. It was not strictly true; that's when he noticed the new broadcast. Kesta T. Riker was on trial – by the Klingons?.

To make things worse, it was an unfortunate and undeniable fact that Kesta had done the things she was accused of. A guilty verdict was inevitable. And if that were not enough, as an outsider, a non-Klingon, she was barred from the proceedings! What on Earth, she wondered in annoyance, was Jm'Pok playing at? Could he not have at least waited until the war was over to pull a stunt like this?

"Jet...."

Je shook himself mentally, and with some effort, brought his attention to Ed. This was no frivolous interruption, he realised, seeing the very serious, almost worried look on her face. "What is it, Ed?"

"There's a newscast just gone out," she informed him. "I've got it on my screen; you need to see it."

Sensing that he wasn't going to like this, Jet was immediately on his feet and following her to where Spike and Faye were in the living quarters.

Ed leaning over her console to activate the playback before stepping back to let Jet see the screen.

"This is Koval of the United Qo'noS News Service reporting from outside the Court of Justice where a few minutes ago the trial of first officer Kesta T. Riker got underway. The session is closed to civilians due to the classified nature of some of the material being discussed and we can therefore only speculate on what is happening inside. However, we understand from a leaked document that the first officer is accused of treason against the Klingon Empire. We do not at this time know the reason for the accusation. It is believed that the Federation is not opposing this."

...

Jet stared in absolute outrage. "Are you fucking kidding me?" He demanded to know. "The Federation isn't getting involved cause it can't!"

"Obviously!" Faye snapped back.

"It's not done yet," Ed aide advised them, her worried look giving way to a faint smile. "This is where it gets interesting. Keep listening..."

"As we previously reported, the USS Revenge , under the command of Captain Tuvok and XO Riker, were credited with several heroic acts including the single-handed destruction of a Jem'Hadar weapons production facility. In the four months that the ship was missing, it is believed that it was also instrumental in the capture of a Cardassian ship and Breen energy weapon and the destruction of a Jem'Hadar warship, not to mention the liberation of a significant number of prisoners. It is not yet known whether these actions relate to the trial or if they will affect its outcome in any way.

"A few days ago, the Empire officially hailed this woman as a hero, now it is putting her on trial for treason. A guilty verdict would certainly mean the death penalty for the accused. Is this how the Klingon Empire rewards its war heroes?"

Public opinion... Jet froze, his outrage fading. That damned sneaky... J'Ula's strategy was cleverer than had given her credit for, he realised, with dawning admiration. This had been carefully planned. The matriarch knew very well what she was doing; the supposedly straightforward soldier had proved herself to be every bit as good at politics as Jm'Pok was. Right now, Kesta was the flavour of the month, the people's heroe, and the presiding judge would be all too aware of that. Just as public opinion had made it impossible for Starfleet to court martial her, J'Ula was relying on it to save Kesta's life.

"Nicely played, J'Ula," Jet muttered under his breath. "Nicely played!"

"What are going to do?" Faye asked.

" We're going to rescue her " Jet said

" And piss of the Klingons?" Faye said slightly worried.

" That's the fun part " Spike replied.