I know that the Captain has to offer the option of a Full Court Martial to Chief Crane, as it is her right but I would think that is the last thing the Captain would want at this point.

The way I see it, during a court martial, the details of the situation involving the illegal proceedings in the Science lab would have to come out and that the involvement of the Captain in those proceedings, namely his approval, might cause problems for the Captain.

There will probably be a Court Martial for Lt. Tensenbaum (?), key witnesses, such as Chief Crane, might be called, especially since she reported it. It might be in the Chief's best interests at this point to ask for the Court Martial and be bound over to Star Fleet where she might be able to work out a deal where her testimony might get her a light, or even no, punishment for reporting a breach in Star Fleet Protocols.

Just something for Chief Crane to consider maybe? I doubt though that she would do such a thing, as it seems she is dedicated to the ship and probably wouldn't do something that would harm it.

...nobody wants a full court martial to go ahead in this instance. Crane's best option is to accept the outcome of the NJP for what it's worth (likely a reduction in grade and conduct unbecoming marks at the very least) as a full on Court Martial would likely see her career come to an abrupt end (along with one or two others, I imagine, depending on what comes out at the tribunal), also, she'd run the risk of incarceration on a penal colony as opposed to just confined to quarters or restricted duty.


Crane, I'm sure, sincerely regrets her actions (it's been obviously stated that she never considered the fact that Tesenblen would be arrested and/or that things would have worked out the way they did for her, either)... she simply put the cart before the horse as she thought she had no other recourse and her concern for the mission (toxic plants + ambassadorial visit + potential oopses and such= no bueno). Her biggest mistake was circumventing the Chain of Command (thereby exhibiting a lack of faith in her crew, to an extent). *shrugs*

Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee...

As Drake pointed out, he absolutely does not have to offer the court martial. Were she a commissioned officer, she could demand a court martial instead of the NJP; as an enlisted, she does not have the right. However, with the ship being under weigh, Drake might still be able to force the NJP on even a junior commissioned officer... an NCO like Crane has literally no standing here. Drake's offer is made to show that he is willing to be utterly impartial.

A court martial could indeed open an investigation into why Captain Drake allowed an illegal operation on board the ship. However, he doesn't seem to be too worried about that - note his interaction with Starbase security regarding the matter. He makes no secret of it.

If Crane insists on a court martial, her career is over, and as Eol has pointed out, she will do real time on a penal colony. The only possible way that she would be able to avoid this would be if she had first attempted to resolve the matter via proper channels and discovered that neither Drake nor Zai would hear her concerns - AND if she could prove that her concerns were valid. Even though the plant is illegal, it is not some super weapon that would jeopardize the ship (as you may see, depending on how the NJP goes).

Bottom line, she violated one of the basic tenets of military discipline in a serious manner, and in doing so, caused severe harm to her department head. She's not going to have anywhere near the mitigating circumstances to prevent serious punishment at a court martial.

The NJP is not going to be fun for her, but it's her best choice by far.

For those that are curious enough to check, Wikipedia has a fairly decent (and brief) entry regarding NJP's that can be read here.

As you can gauge from the article, Crane would be well served to accept the NJP and suffer the reduction to PO1 and whatever restrictions are imposed. 7 days in the brig as a PO1 is preferable to 5 years on a penal colony as a convict.

Also - I'm currently reading back to some of the Crane-centric posts to make sure I've got a grasp on the personality that's been established, then, I'll get a post (or two) in the works.

Yes, NJP is her best option. Not trying to suggest that she should do otherwise. Just random thoughts really.

Don't mind me, things pop in my head and I often say, or write, them without do thought.

I do stream of consciousness all the time!

Crane will likely be as compliant as possible having done her own research the night before and feeling absolutely horrible about the whole affair.

Eol, are you wanting to do a backpost with Crane and Tochi or just continue with the Captain's Mast?

...I've started a backpost bit but have only just gotten Tochi to Chief Crane's door. If you'd like to toss it back and forth, I'm happy to do so.

I see Eil and Brom taking turns being signed in so I know you two are working a collaboration. Come on and post it, I'm dying here.


I plan to post something here myself later. Nothing big, just being a fluffy Boo Boo bear.

A conspirEolcy even!

And I've no other quip to add to that... I've posted something lengthy to tide people who are interested in reading over until Eol and I finish out collaboration, though. Or, of course, until Olan posts his continuation.

Hey folks sorry I've been AWOL, I've been pretty swamped with writing assignments and it leaves me not terribly keen to write more. I have a break in the action coming up so I should be able to be a little more active as of then. I felt like I should at least provide an explanation for my prolonged silence.

But we understand. Use voice-to-text... there's no writing involved.

Ok, got my little fluff post up.

Brom, very nice post there. Love the indecision about the message.

... Brom and I are coming close to wrapping our collab.

My plans are to take that, tie it in with a post at the Captain's Mast, and get a post up to keep us moving. I also have designs on playing out Tochi's lunch with Asovil (because 1) it'll probably have some bearing on the proceedings and/or his relationship with the lovely Andorian from this point forward, and 2) I just love playing with Brom! Even when our characters don't get along! )

Anyhoo... post for Tochi at the trial tomorrow at latest.

Edit: Also... Just read Boo Boo's latest post! Nice little "filler," dear one! Thanks!