Mounting Pressure

Posted on Mon Nov 1st, 2021 @ 4:54am by Rear Admiral Thomas Romanowski & Fleet Admiral Sturnack

Mission: Episode 2: 18th and Constitution
Location: Judge Advocate General's Office, Starfleet HQ
Timeline: Mission Day 17 at 1300

[Judge Advocate General's Office]
[Starfleet Command]
[MD17, 1300 Hours]

Thomas sat at his desk in his spacious office as he scrolled through the PADD he held in his hands. He furrowed his brow as he read the information contained on the device. The embassy bombing was proving to be a jurisdictional nightmare. Both Starfleet Intelligence and Homeworld Security were jockeying for primary jurisdiction, while the Romulan government was asserting the right of sovereignty since it was their embassy. Thomas knew the diplomatic corps was working overtime trying to mend the Federation's relationship with the Romulan government.

At that moment the comm panel on his desk chimed. "Admiral, I have a transmission from the CinC for you," Sandra, his administrative aide, said after he activated the device. "Thank you Sandra," he said as he pressed a few buttons and the communications monitor rose up on his desk. The Federation seal on the screen was replaced with the view of Fleet Admiral Sturnack from his temporary office at Starfleet Medical.

"Fleet Admiral Sturnack, you are looking well today," he said as he set the PADD down on his desk and looked at his superior officer. "I trust that the doctors at Starfleet Medical have you chained down after you left early," he said with an upraised brow. Since his promotion to Judge Advocate General, Thomas had enjoyed working with Sturnack and he was glad that he was recovering from his injuries sustained in the bombing. Thomas had been one of the few who were not particularly thrilled with the conduct of Rear Admiral Whitford during his brief tenure as the Interim CinC.

"Doctor Cowell has, I admit," the Vulcan arched an eyebrow, "chained me quite thoroughly. Thankfully, no situations have arisen that would require another abrupt departure," Sturnack said, steepling his forefingers in front of him. The Fleet Admiral had, since Romanowski took office, developed a great deal of respect for the Judge Advocate General. Calls to discuss legal matters of potential decisions were not a rarity; sometimes such calls were even a daily occurrence. The Commander-in-Chief was nothing if not thorough in ensuring his decision-making was always done with respect for and collusion with the law.

"And you, Admiral? I understand that untangling much of the mess we are in has fallen on your shoulders," the Vulcan used a human aphorism. "Are you handling the pressure with aplomb?" Sturnack was seated in his hover chair, the office serving as his room in bokeh relief behind him. Over the commlink, faint announcements calling Doctors to various wards could be heard -- the normal aural trappings of a hospital under siege with patients in critical condition.

Thomas nodded his head in acknowledgment. "This isn't the first difficult situation I've been involved with, though it is proving to be a jurisdictional nightmare, " he said as he picked up the PADD he had been browsing before. "The good news is that the casualty list has been finalized and everyone has been accounted for. The bad news now is determining who will conduct the official investigation. Both Homeworld Security and Starfleet Intelligence are asserting primary jurisdiction for investigating the bombing, but the Romulans are being quite difficult to negotiate with, " he said as he looked back at the Fleet Admiral, "The Romulan government is asserting sovereignty rights and are insisting on conducting the investigation themselves. They've even sought an injunction in the Interstellar courts prohibiting any Federation investigators from accessing the site."

Thomas placed the PADD back on his desk and leaned back in his chair a bit, "The Federation Ambassador to Romulus has conveyed our offer of a joint investigation, but it appears the Romulans are quite adamant that since it was their embassy they should be the only ones to determine who and how," he said.

"Yes," Sturnack nodded, "President Patel mentioned the same to me earlier. She has been trying to get Praetrix Donatra to exert some pressure over the Senate, hoping that if the Praetrix called for collaboration with us, the government would listen. I do not," the Vulcan continued, "get the impression that such will be the case, however. The Praetrix and her people are quite dismayed at what has happened. As such," he looked directly at the viewscreen, simulating eye contact, "we'll need to proceed as best we can without the Romulan's cooperation at this juncture."

"I'd like you to set up a meeting with Admirals Hurroo and Van Groesbeck," Sturnack began again. "Perhaps, if you got them into the same room, you could help them navigate the jurisdictional legalities? I believe both Admirals truly wish to help the situation rather than hinder but..." he trailed off, "both are new to their posts. As with many newly established Directors," he let that hang in the air, "there is often a desire to prove oneself overtly and as quickly as possible." Had Romanowski done that? The Vulcan did not say. "With some of your guidance, perhaps the tripping over of each other could be tempered?"

Thomas nodded as he typed out a note to arrange the meeting with the two. He looked back at Sturnack, "Of course sir. I'll make the arrangements and send over a report of the meeting. With regards to the Romulans, there is no legal precedent for their request for the injunction. Legally speaking it is the home government's responsibility to ensure the physical security of an embassy. The only potential issue I can forsee is the Romulans not adhering to the court's ruling, no matter the outcome. The Romulans are an observing power of the Interstellar Law Treaty, but not being a signatory member does not guarantee their compliance."

Thomas raised an eyebrow as he continued, "I know I don't need to remind you, but proceeding without Romulan cooperation is highly risky and could jeopardize our relations with them. No matter how open we are with our investigation, I don't believe they will accept our results no matter the outcome."

"President Patel has reiterated the same," the Vulcan replied neutrally. "However, because our own interests are at stake as well," Sturnack said, "the investigation must progress. That is where your involvement will be vital, Admiral. You must ensure that Admirals Hurroo and Van Groesbeck do not violate the law, no matter the fervor of their intentions. As you intimated, it is a...tricky situation. What, if anything, do you need from myself at this juncture?" The CinC leaned back in his chair, fingers brought together in a cascade of points.

Thomas nodded as his commander spoke. He agreed with the sentiment because the longer they waited the less evidence they could secure. When Sturnack had finished he shook his head, "No sir. I'll meet with Admirals Hurro and Van Groesbeck today and advise them of your orders. You have my assurances that our investigation will be well within the law and will leave no stone unturned. This way when the Romulans protest we can have something to give them." He leaned forward and tapped out a few notes on his PADD. "That was all I had sir. Should anything arise from our meeting I will be sure to advise you. In the meantime I look forward to your official return," he said this with a slight chuckle. With the call over, he reached over and pressed the comm button on his desk.

"Sandra, please advise Admirals Hurroo and Van Groesbeck I'd like to meet with them in half an hour per Fleet Admiral Sturnack's orders," he said and thought for a moment before continuing, "See if you can arrange a secure conference room for us to meet. It would be best for this meeting to take place on neutral ground."

=/\= A joint-post by... =/\=

Rear Admiral Thomas Romanowski
Judge Advocate General
Starfleet Command

and

Fleet Admiral Sturnack
Commander-in-Chief
Starfleet Command