The Rule of Law

Posted on Wed Nov 4th, 2026 @ 2:01pm by Colonel Jack Patton & Lieutenant Commander Sitka Kline

1,095 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 6 - Candy Leads to Cavities

Sisi slid into seat across from Col. Patton. Sitting down, she could ignore how much taller the man was than her. “Colonel, do you know what I was thinking as I woke up this morning? I was thinking ‘You know, I bet my new XO is smart enough to understand the awful optics of a Marine officer arresting a civilian journalist, not matter what the charges, when she poses no immediate threat and Security is right there.’ So you can imagine how disappointed I am to start my day with grumblings about Starfleet overreach and attacks on freedom of the press.”

Jack slid a PADD across the table. "Commander whoever is complaining to you can take it up with the right people. I did not arrest Ms Templeton, Starfleet did not arrest Ms Templeton. The Federation Council arrested Ms Templeton. As you can see this warrant came from the civilian Federation Council. I was doing my sworn duty to uphold the rule of law for the civilians. All of that said there is no Starfleet overreach, no attack on freedom of the press. Her charges are things she allegedly committed, nothing to do with her reports, sources or anything of that nature." Jack paused for a moment and decided to add one more thing. "Additionally, if she is guilty of these charges she is perhaps the largest Security threat to this station."

"Oh, so you weren't involved in taking her into custody, and I'm not going to have her lawyer using that to argue that any piece of evidence you've so much as been in the same room as must be excluded because Marines have no law enforcement jurisdiction when it comes to civilians and allowing it would violate her rights six ways to the Budiara galaxy?"

"That is correct. Seeing as the arrest was made by myself with the Chief Security Officer, her rights were read in full view. My being a Marine has nothing to do with anything, that is unless you want to make it something. Fact is I performed my duty as Executive Officer of this station." He turned to face the JAG officer and folded his hands on his desk. When Sitka first arrived, Jack was ready for her arrival. He expected that JAG would come to talk to him. However, her insistence that because he wore green meant that he could not perform his duty was simply wrong, and it irritated him to say the very least.

"And I'll argue that you were there in your capacity as XO, not as a Marine, but I'm also going to suggest your involvement remain administrative from here on out, at least until a judge throws out the jurisdiction argument." Her cheeks puffed out as she sighed. "Or at least until I'm done unpacking. This whole case is going to be a mess, even if we don't hand Ms. Templeton's lawyer additional angles to argue."

"As far as I am concerned my job in this case is over. I was asked to make sure that she was arrested in accordance with proper procedure and so I did. Ms Templeton is now in the custody of Starfleet Security, pending a questioning I am sure etc... So, the proverbial ball is in the court of Lieutenant Sidero." All at once jack decided that he would keep any personal opinions about Candy to himself. Not that they would help the situation in any way.

“Good. Just…. Good” She pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. “Look, Colonel, I’m not trying to be a pain in your ass, I swear. But I didn’t even have a chance to finish unpacking before I had to deal with this.”

Jack smiled broadly. "Welcome to life out on the fringe as it were. I didn't have a chance to unpack my unit let alone myself or my wife before the proverbial horse dung hit the fan. I find that the need to roll with these punches is more here than anywhere else that I have served."

The mental image of the colonel removing Marines from a box produced an undignified snort. "Well, let's hope the punches stay metaphorical."

"Agreed Commander. I will admit that there seems to be a need for a touch more order around here. Between this station and the events that are occurring on Faltan. And, in the interest of complete honesty. I hope that Ms Templeton realizes exactly how much trouble she is in at the moment. Whether or not she did this. If she did then she is going to get the book thrown at her. If she didn't then accusations such as these can destroy her reputation beyond repair. At the moment though it seems that she thinks all of this to be insignificant." Jack did not particularly like Candy. But, he did not want to see someone dragged through the coals for something they may have not done.

Sisi shrugged. "Did it or didn't do it, my job is the same. I'm here to represent the interests and needs of the Federation, not Ms Templeton. Her interests are her lawyer's job." And, yeah, sometimes the interests of the Federation were petty and selfish, but she still had a job to do.

"In that case Commander we will get along famously. My ancestor had a maxim “Staff officers of inharmonious disposition, irrespective of their ability, must be removed. A staff cannot function unless it is a united family.” That is something that I try to subscribe to as well. Speaking of is there anything I can get you?" Jack raised his cup of coffee in toast after he asked.

Sisi shook her head. "No, I'm good. And I think I have everything I need from you."

She wasn't so sure she liked the Colonel's idea of staff as family. She'd met some pretty dysfunctional families in her life.

"Well Commander it seems that you have your work cut out for yourself. If you need anything my door is open." Jack said with a broad smile. This meeting started out on the wrong foot, but as far as Jack could tell it ended on the right one.

"If I couldn't handle this much work, I wouldn't be wearing this many pips." She stood, dusting at the seat of her pants. "I'll check in with Security and see if Ms. Templeton has retained counsel yet.

Lt. Cmdr Sitka Kline
Chief Legal Officer
Faltan Station

Colonel Jack Patton
Executive Officer, Faltan Station
Commanding Officer, The Kingsmen

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