It was disturbing, the amount of irony that landed upon Captain Frederick A Tylers head in a single moment. There in his luxurious diplomatic quarters aboard the Soval, he stared at the padd, eyes wide, and jaw agape.

They’re were the nicest quarters he had ever had the honour to be assigned. In the last few days he had helped negotiate a minor, yet consequential series of Accords between the 3 parties that inhabited the Duwalla system, he had just presided over his first Court Martial as a flag officer(though Captains did not hold Flag ranked in most regulators senses, for the purposes of a Court Martial conducted in the field, any CO of a capital ship or designated facility was considered ‘of flag rank’. An eclectic but noteworthy distinction), and had just put in many of his senior staff and crew for commendations and medals…but the official communique he had just recieved from Starfleet Command was the worse news he could have recieved.

The communique read;

To: Captain Tyler, Commander Wong, 4th Fleet JAG, Federation 3rd Circuit Regional Court

From: Starfleet Command HQ, Internal Affairs Counsel

Re: Notification of Legal Proceedings

Greetings,

We, the counsel of record, for Starfleet Internal Affairs, Operational Division, hereby inform you that the following charge are being filed against one Captain Frederick A Tyler, serial number C-69510233;

2 Counts of Failure to Maintain Due Discipline Aboard a Starfleet Vessel Whilst on Active Operations

1 Count of Making False Public Statements Detrimental to Proper Discipline

1 Count of Negligent Conduct Causing Death of a Subordinate

1 Count of Negligent Conduct Causing Undue Damage to Federation(Felony, over 5 million credits)

18 Counts of Direliction of Duty Causing Grevious Harm.

A preliminary investigation has been conducted, and the listed charges has been forwarded to a Grand Jury of the Federation 3rd Circuit Regional Court. If approve by the Grand Jury, you will be notified of further legal action and your responsibilities in regardless there to. You have the right to submit any evidence or testimony you amd/or your attorney wish to in regardless to the incidents listed in the attached Appendix B.

You are hereby notified that any contact between you and Peter Schwarz, PhD, LCdr Bill or LCdr Ken about any of the incidents listed in Appendix B or any of the conduct or actions listed or implied in Appendix A may constitute or result in Obstruction of Justice or Witness Tampering.

You maintain the right to defend yourself and be represented at all proceeding related to these charges.

Tyler leaned back on the couch in a pure bewilderment and anxiety. He was ruined. Even if he beat all of the charges, he’d never be a  trusted officer in the eyes of any who heard about this case.

There was only realistically two different people that any person in this predicament would call. Their mother, and their lawyer. And that’s exactly what Tyler did. It was nearly 2am back at the Tyler family home in Victoria, BC, Canada, but Freds mom dutifully answered the call from her one and only son, just like any mother would do if they were in the same situation.

“Hey dear, how have you been? Its been months since we’ve talked. Do you know how late it is here?” Old lady Tyler asked.

“Yeah, I’m sorry mom, but I just got some really bad news, and I didn’t know who else to call. I’m just got word from Starfleet Command, I’m being charged with a bunch of crimes that I’m not even sure how to respond to. Is dead still friends with Mr. Caffrey from his academy days? I could really use a good lawyer by the looks of things. These are some heavy duty, super serious charges.” Tyler admitted to his mother.

“Um, yeah, they just played golf together last weekend I think. I’ll send you his contact info right now.”

“Thanks mom.” Tyler said as he proceeded to break down in tears.