Chapter Text
“Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani, reporting here from outside the courtroom where Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev and Admiral Gareth Bullock are over seeing these proceedings, along with Rear Admiral James Bennett representing Starfleet Judge Advocate General Office. The case before the court is to determine the rights of two former Borg drones that have been serving on board the USS Voyager while it was lost in the Delta Quadrant. The UFP News Broadcasting Agency has been granted permission on this exclusive coverage as any classified materials have been covered by last weeks closed door proceedings. Let’s go live into the proceedings now that will determine if this hearing will be followed up with a court martial of these two non-commissioned officers, or if this will set a historic precedent for any future liberated Borg drones. We all know is now possible thanks to the action taken by Captain Janeway and her crew when they infiltrated the Borg collective with a lethal virus when they blasted back into the alpha quadrant just last week! Stay tuned for updates directly after the trial. Al-Jilani signing off for now.” Journalist al-Jilani spoke just as the doors to the courtroom were to open and allow entrance into the proceedings that afternoon.
The members of Voyagers senior staff slid into seats in the back of the room, the only one among them missing was Tuvok who was now on Vulcan receiving treatment for his medical condition. Meanwhile, Chakotay followed Kathryn into the front of the room to sit at a table facing where the Admiralty board would soon be assembling.
“Why do I feel like this is graduation day from the academy?” Chakotay asked her as he leaned over to talk to her quietly while they waited for the admirals to enter the court room.
Kathryn smiled slightly and nodded. “I know what you mean, my stomach is all in knots. It’s all I can do to keep my lunch down.”
“I’ll be sure to get you a fresh cup of coffee as soon as we are out of here.” He smiled gently at her. He was still concerned for her over the events that took place during their early afternoon lunch date. He wanted to hold her hand or touch her arm to soothe her apparent nerves, but he did not dare act anything outside of the normal behavior of a first rate xo. Which meant he was locked in to having to act reserved and that he could only offer support through their personal shorthand of looks and off the cuff remarks.
Kathryn looked over to her right and saw that Seven and Icheb were sitting together at a table across from her and Chakotay. The captain noted that Seven sat closer to Icheb than normal. Seven apparently was feeling protective over the young man and her posture was the only indication of her nervousness over the hearing that would determine their future. Aside from sitting closer with Icheb, not a hair was out of place for Seven and they were both wearing the official non-commissioned uniforms that had been provided for them to wear. Instead of their traditional everyday outfits that Kathryn was accustomed to seeing both Icheb and Seven wear, Admiral Paris has strongly advised the two to wear the uniforms for the official proceedings. He had stated that it would be a good idea to show that they were both willing to follow even the smallest policies. Apparently, Seven and Icheb had taken the advice to heart and had followed through by wearing the uniforms. Kathryn smiled inwardly at their bravery and could tell they would do all they could to win the favor of the Admiralty board.
Kathryn’s heart went out to them, she wanted to go over and talk with them, to try and reassure them. But the formality of the day did not allow it. The whole room felt stifled with the high-strung situation before them. While Kathryn believed that her crew members would be cleared of any and all possible charges, there was always a possibility that some in Starfleet may be looking to make an example of the liberated Borg. Everyone knew this case would help to set a precedent for any possible future liberated Borg and it had even caught the attention of general public. It was the biggest news piece since their arrival home.
Kathryn glanced at the back of the room over her shoulder and caught sight of her senior staff alongside Owen Paris. She wanted to smile at them in encouragement, but then she caught sight of the journalist standing just behind them with their cameras and sound devices. She did not want to give the wrong impression with smiling and have that twisted in the headlines as if she were not taking the proceedings seriously.
Turning back around she leaned just slightly towards Chakotay and whispered to him. “The vultures are circling I’m afraid.”
Chakotay raised an eyebrow and then looked over his shoulder casually to see what she could possibly be referring to. Once he caught sight of the journalist, he instantly recognized one of them from the ones who had accosted them outside Sandrine’s with the rest of their crew. The one who had written false statements about their being there alone on a date and had caused them issues with their own review panel from the admirals.
Turning back in his seat fully he simply sighed and shook his head ever so slightly in a maneuver that Kathryn recognized instantly as if he were telling her to just forget about them for the time being and focus on the proceedings that were about to take place. They had enough on their plates to worry about at the moment, than a few lousy reporters who were looking for their next big scoop.
=/\=
Tom and B’Elanna sat quietly together with Admiral Paris sitting on Tom’s left. In Tuvok’s place sat Mike Ayala and Harry Kim to his right on the second row of seats in the back behind them.
Harry leaned forward and whispered to Tom, “Do you think it’s a good sign if the proceedings are short or if they deliberate a little over the evidence?”
Before Tom could reply to Harry, Owen whispered over his shoulder in response to Harry’s question. “Generally, they have already reached a verdict before coming in. The proceedings are just a formality, especially for something along the lines of determining the culpability of any direct crime. This is mainly because this type of hearing is to determine if the inquiry produced enough evidence to clear them of any charges, or if there will be further action taken such as a court martial or something along those lines since they are both non-enlisted officers that have been serving Starfleet on Voyager.”
B’Elanna wanted to state that the whole thing was ridiculous, but she was trying to put in a greater effort to control her Klingon-side, especially for Tom’s sake in front of his father so she just sat there quietly and observed the journalist who were clearly paying attention to their conversation. Before she could say anything, they were all called to attention to stand formally.
The admirals took that moment to enter the room and the whole atmosphere shifted to an even more somber quality than it had already carried, as everyone had spoken in hushed tones while waiting for their arrival. Now as the Admirals filed in, all in the room stood at formal attention and waited to be seated in respect of the council board of admirals that would dictate the future of Seven and Icheb and feasibly any future liberated Borg.
The Admirals took their seats as Admiral Bullock banged his gavel and called the room to order.
“We are all gathered here today to review the possible charges that may be brought against two persons Seven of Nine and Icheb. We are here in order to determine if there will be any further action taken, or if there has been sufficient data provided to clear these individuals who have both been serving on board the USS Voyager as non-commissioned officers. There are many who have reviewed the evidence pertaining to this case. However, Admiral Nechayev and Bennett representing the Starfleet JAG Office, along with myself will be conducting this hearing. I call this hearing officially to order for the case of determining the liability of the two individuals before us in regards to the actions taken by them while they were functioning as Borg Drones. We will also take into account how these two persons functioned after their liberation by Captain Janeway. The record for the actions that these two individuals did or did not take, during their service on Voyager will speak as evidence during this hearing. Admiral Nechayev, I yield the rest of my time to you, you have the floor.” Admiral Bullock spoke in a serious tone with a hint of impartiality and detachment in his tone of voice.
Admiral Nechayev addressed all present in the room. “Thank you, Admiral Bullock, I take the floor. As my esteemed colleague stated, a panel of the Admiralty have reviewed all materials related to this matter at hand, including analysis of the testimonies given during the inquires performed last week upon Voyagers arrival back into the alpha quadrant. And they have handed in their analysis of the individuals in question, Seven and Icheb, former Borg drones who have been serving on Voyager as non-commissioned officers. Since the individuals being considered during these proceedings are not at this time being charged with any crimes, they have both chosen to waive their Federation rights to have personal counsel and have instead requested the Captain and First Officer of the Starship Voyager to represent them and speak for them during the process of this hearing. What say you, Captain Janeway? Commander Chakotay? Are we set to move forward with this hearing as outlined?”
Janeway and Chakotay both stood formally and nodded as they answered in unison “Yes Admiral.” Kathryn added, “We are willing and able to proceed as outlined.” Sitting back down as if they were tied together be an invisible string, Kathryn took solace that Chakotay was there by her side as he always had been. He was her anchor that kept her present in the moment and kept her from allowing her mind to travel all the various paths this hearing could take for her crewmembers and future liberated drones from the collective.
Nechayev gave a slight polite smile and nodded once, “Alright then, let us proceed. Admiral Bullock, I yield the rest of my time back to you.”
Bullock nodded and drew up a padd from which he read. “The Starfleet oath is the oath taken by every commissioned and non-commissioned officer serving within Starfleet. Those on Voyager, including Seven and Icheb took this oath as reflected within the official records and logs of the USS Voyager. This oath provides protections related to fundamental rights that are extended to everyone, even non-Federation citizens, while on Federation territory, such as a Starfleet vessel. However, we have rule of law in this Federation, and one of those rules is that you cannot simply seize people and experiment on them to satisfy scientific curiosity or to engender those individuals into a life of servitude. Today we are set out to determine if Seven and Icheb are guilty of any crimes they may have committed especially while they were serving as members Voyagers crew. I want to highlight that this may also connect back to their past as former Borg drones, thus the debate of any charges that may be brought up here today and placed against them...”
Kathryn stood and addressed the board formally. “Admirals. If I may interject. I would like to request that you remember the Federation Code of Justice. Which includes the provision that an individual is considered innocent of a crime, unless found guilty and set free if found innocent of that crime. I put forward that Seven and Icheb should be found innocent of any crime against humanity through their association with the Borg, as there is no known evidence of their complicit acts while they were enslaved by the Borg Queen. I also postulate that there is ample evidence within Voyagers records, that supports not only their exemplary service but also their record of fidelity to the previously mentioned oath which they both took to uphold Starfleet’s principles and guidelines.”
A mummer rose in the room, clearly from the far back where the journalist stood listening with rapt attention. Flashes went off from the back of the room capturing Janeway as she stood facing off the admirals.
Chakotay could just see the headlines now in his mind’s eye. ‘Captain Janeway stands for her accused crewmembers to the bitter end.’
He rubbed his ear and had to bite back a smile that they had hardly been two minutes into the proceedings before Kathryn had leapt into action to voice her opinion over how her crew should be treated and demanding their judgement for innocence was pure Kathryn. She always spoke her mind, even if the timing was not the best.
With a bang of the gavel from Admiral Bullock he called the proceedings back to order. Rear Admiral James Bennett representing JAG cleared throat to gather the attention of the room, after Captain Janeway had finished speaking and sat back down.
“The records from Voyager do show Seven of Nine went above and beyond the call of duty by trying to free a species being actively assimilated during her own kidnapping by the Borg Queen. A species who tried to flee during the forced coercion from the Queen, as she threatened Seven with the safety of the Voyager crew. Who by that time, according to logs and records, had become like a second family to Seven. A crew who had placed their lives in her hands countless times beforehand. Seven’s recording from her cortical node, of her time on the Borg Cube with the Queen was entered into official logs and backs up this example as hard evidence of her fidelity to Starfleet code of conduct. Evidence that has been thoroughly examined and passed muster for any possible tampering. All further evidence of Seven’s and the crew of Voyagers’ validity in their claims of her innocence and trustworthiness have also been reviewed and upheld by many within Starfleet’s upper ranks. Which this Admiralty board upholds in their determination to not proceed with filing any charges against her. Seven of Nine, nee Annika Hanssen, is here by cleared of any and all possible charges in relation to her actions that she performed while being part of the Borg Queen’s Collective. She may if she so chooses, to proceed with the legal proceedings for entry as an official non-commissioned officer of Starfleet Command. She may also proceed if she so chooses to file as a Federation Legal Citizen with all rights and privileges, with protections in place as a member of the UFP. She was originally born as a UFP citizen and she is here by granted the ability to reclaim all those rights and privileges.”
The back of the room once again lost all sense of restraint from interfering with the case being adjudicated. Sounds erupted from the far back of the room with gasps of surprise from the journalist, while Voyagers senior staff, who were sitting together in a show of solidarity for their friends and commanding officers, broke out into loud cheers of elation.
Kathryn covered her face with one hand in embarrassment. She felt mortified that her senior staff had lost all sense of decorum and propriety during an official hearing. As much as she wanted to celebrate along with them, she also worried about the Admiralty’s reaction to being interrupted with such an outburst of excitement from senior officers.
Bullock banged his gavel three times. “If I have to call these proceedings to order once more, you will all be removed. Press accessibility or not. Do I make myself clear?”
The room instantly quieted down as if they had all been scolded by a stern father. Not a sound could be heard from the back of the room, not even from the holo-cameras in use.
“Good.” Bullock nodded back towards Bennett and stated, “You may continue Admiral.”
Bennett nodded and looked towards the table where Seven and Icheb sat, both sitting straight in their chairs with unreadable expressions on their faces. Though Kathryn could tell by the way Seven sat just a few inches closer to Icheb that she must be feeling anxious for the young man in question. All attention fully went back to Bennett as he began speaking once more.
“Icheb, is a fine young man who has been as I understand it, studying to gain admittance into Starfleet Academy. From his first acts in ending a threat towards the Voyager crew away team on board the damaged Borg vessel, to stopping an even more detrimental threat against Voyagers when another young drone posed a danger towards the ship and her away team. He then later on has a sterling record from his experience on his own home planet, when they too proved to be a danger toward not only himself, but also others. He chose Voyager and her crew over his own race and family by upholding the principles outlined in the oath he took when he became of age during his time under Seven and Captain Janeway’s tutelage. He chose to leave a home on the Brunali home world. A place where he could have achieved greatness among his own kind. They were a humanoid species whose home world laid at the mouth of a Borg transwarp conduit in the Delta Quadrant. Once an advanced spacefaring civilization, frequent Borg attacks in the late 24th century forced them to become an agrarian society, with only scattered settlements of less than ten thousand. Still, they are advanced scientifically among other elements of an advanced culture. He chose to stay and venture to an unknown quadrant of space, far from his own kind. This panel believes it is the least we can do to show this fine young man the better side of the alpha quadrant and Starfleet by not only pardoning any possible charges against him, but also extending an open invitation to join Starfleet Academy with his transcripts from his studies on Voyager into the next semester, if he still desires to join Starfleet. If not, he will also be granted the same offer as Seven of Nine to attain full citizenship within the UFP and all that comes with being a member of our society here on earth.”
Before the room could erupt into anymore applause or disturb the proceedings further, Admiral Nechayev spoke. “In regard to the two individuals in question during this hearing, we find that both are innocent. No charges will be filed against them, and none are necessary, nor will any be pursued with further judiciary proceedings. What say you, Captain?”
Captain Janeway stood at attention as she formally addressed the court and Admiralty to enter in the official response to the verdict declared for Seven and Icheb.
“We thank the Admirals and this court for reviewing all material and logs pertaining to both Seven and Icheb’s record of service. We are also grateful for the justifiable findings that these two fine individuals have been declared fully innocent of any and all actions that were carried out through the control of the Borg Queen that overrode their individual rights and consciences. It is our hope that they will be able to find peace in the determination handed down by the Admiralty review and enquiry panels.”
Admiral Nechayev banged her gavel and stated officially, “I hereby call these proceedings and this hearing completed and closed. All judiciary standards have been met and answered to.” She turned her eyes directly towards Seven and Icheb, “Congratulations to both of you. May your future endeavors prove this verdict correct and honorable.”
Then the room could not contain itself any longer as the senior staff moved forward to join their commanding officers and their friends Seven and Icheb at the front of the court room. Both Seven and Icheb were quickly enveloped in countless hugs as the journalist snapped their holos and begged for interviews of the now pardoned former Borg drones. As the admirals filed out with decorum, no one noticed that Admiral Paris quickly exited among them.
=/\=
Voyager’s crew huddled close together while exiting the court room. They were clearly trying to ignore the press and fend off the cameras being thrust into their faces with as much restraint as possible from their roped off press section of the entrance within the halls. Just outside the courthouse more journalist met them where they had taken up positions on its steps as they started broadcasting the details of the hearing and verdict for both Seven and Icheb. Among them was the journalist from UFP Broadcasting, al-Jilani.
“Within minutes the room was packed with newsfeed journalists and the senior staff of Voyager, aside from the Second Officer that was not present due to personal medical reasons and was stated to be on Vulcan receiving treatment. Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev and Admiral Gareth Bullock were appointed to oversee these proceedings, along with Rear Admiral James Bennett representing Starfleet Judge Advocate General Office. Both Seven of Nine and Icheb were absolved of any crimes they may have committed during their time as Borg Drones. There was also no charges brought against them for any possible misdeeds they may have carried out while serving on Voyager while lost in the delta quadrant and cannot later be tried with any future evidence as that would be considered Double Jeopardy. This sets a historical precedent for any future liberated Borg drones of possibly retaining absolution of any charges brought upon them for actions taken while being under the control of the Borg Queen. These are exciting times we are living in as Starfleet Command continues to push forward into the future and an exciting era of healing and justice being obtained for all of those who were turned into powerless victims when they were assimilated into the Borg collective! Stay tuned to UFP Broadcasting for your daily, minute by minute, hour by hour coverage of these unprecedented times that we are all witnessing firsthand through our newsfeeds. I’m Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani signing off for now . ” Reported al-Jilani.
As the senior officers exited the building, the reporter caught sight of them and immediately took her chance to approach. As she rushed towards the group, they all saw what was about to happen and surrounded Seven and Icheb in the middle of their team. Seven taking a protective stance in front of Icheb. Harry stepped close to her right, with Icheb on her left side. Chakotay and Ayala took position in front of them with the Captain taking point as Tom and B’Elanna covered the rear of their group walking together as a unit. They moved together pressing forward, while trying to not give the journalist any room to advance further inside the group or get too close to Seven and Icheb.
The reporter thrust her mic into the captain’s face as the bright lights of the recording holo-imager flashed in Kathryn’s eyes. The journalist and her crew stood in front of the group doing their best to block the Voyager team’s path of escape.
“Captain. Al-Jilani with the UFP Broadcasting Network.” The journalist watched the group closely for any reaction as she launched into her inquiries. She walked backwards with them at an impressive speed, not missing a step behind her as they all moved down the steps of the courthouse.
The group continued moving forward as the journalist tossed out her questions in rapid succession with hardly a breath in between. They were pressing forward towards a personal transit shuttle that had appeared at the curb, where Admiral Owen Paris stepped out and waved them over towards it.
“Will Seven and Icheb be required to stay under any supervision by Starfleet now that they have been pardoned?”
“I think you already know the answer to that question, I believe I saw you in the court room during the hearing.”
“Captain! Do you think that your being the daughter of a former Admiral has garnered you and your crew special treatment during your trials?”
“The merits of our records speak for itself.”
“Have the former maquis on your crew committed to staying with starfleet or will they be going back to their former lives as terrorists?”
“I am not going to dignify that question with a response. These men and women have proven themselves with seven years of loyal service to Starfleet. What they choose to do now that they are home will be between them and Starfleet.”
“Has the marriage of Tom Paris, Admiral Paris’ Son, to former maquis B’Elanna Torres, helped to sway the Admiralty in the favor of pardoning the former maquis on your crew?”
“B’Elanna Torres is a fine Starfleet Officer and has earned her merits within the Fleet. Her marriage has nothing to do with the decisions made by the Admiralty review board regarding her or any other former maquis on my crew. And just so we are clear. There are no maquis on Voyagers crew, only Starfleet Officers.”
With that the crew managed to make it to the curb, as they quickly moved to board together on to Admiral Paris’ private transport.
al-Jilani turned to face her holo-imager crewman and spoke into her mic, with the back drop of the senior staff stepping into their awaiting transport shuttle. Showing Admiral Paris and Captain Janeway assisting the crew to board on to the shuttle while holding back the approaching crowd of journalist that were now rushing towards them in unison.
The other journalist nearby had caught sight of the UFP journalist and who she was talking to. Within moments there were twenty reporters rushing towards them with their own questions being shouted and flashes of the holo imagers taking their photos, however they were too late to gain any answers as the Voyager crew quickly boarded Admiral Paris shuttle.
“Captain! Do you have a few words for what just took place during the proceedings this afternoon? What do you think about your chances for further victory this afternoon when you and your crew reconvene for the hearing covering decisions that you made during your time in the Delta quadrant? Are the rumors true that you and commander Chakotay are in a relationship?”
al-Jilani turned back to face her holo-imager team with a bright satisfied smile. As she worked in the ending of the interview that would air later on during the early evening special that her producer was compiling after that day’s events.
“And there you have it, the former commanding crew and the senior staff of the USS starship Voyager and their straightforward Captain’s response to the questions that are burning within the minds of the federation’s citizen’s. We’ll have more information after the hearing this afternoon regarding holograms and individual citizen rights. The return of Voyager has truly brought up some hard-hitting questions for the Federation and Starfleet post-war. You can rest assured that UFP Broadcasting will be here to keep you apprised of any further updates as they are made public. And I, al-Jilani will be here to be your eyes and ears on the ground. For now this is Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani signing off.”
al-Jilani felt she deserved a raise after she had just scored the hottest inside scoop that every journalist present was starving for. Plus, she had just managed an impromptu interview with captain Janeway, all while the other journalists had been left in the dust. She helped her holo-imager crewman box up their equipment so they could move to where the next hearing would be held that afternoon. Smiling as she saw the other journalist had received no response to their questions as they shouted towards the captain who was the last to board, ensuring that her crew was safe. She turned and glared at them all with her passive captains stance as the shuttle doors were closing. Journalist al-Jilani turned and gave the captain a smirk, both knowing that they would meet again much to the captains dismay and the journalists delight.