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LIEUTENANT KEEGAN Khaliban
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Simone Brown
graduated near the middle of her class, but she rose in rank faster than
the valedictorian or any of the others. She took the most difficult
cases she could get, pursuing the truth and the safety of the people of
the Federation as passionately as any deepspace explorer. Many years
earlier, she prosecuted Tom Paris. His father wanted it done right,
without a hint of bias. A way of teaching his son. She begged for the
opportunity to prosecute Philip Keegan. She found many of his comments
disturbing. Reviewing her own life, third generation Starfleet with
enough officers in her family for a tactical fleet, she realized she had
never dated outside of Starfleet. Her studies prevented dating before
Academy acceptance. Afterward, she found only other officers could keep
up with her mentally or physically. Then there was the revelation about
that book.
"When I was
twelve, I wanted to marry you," Commander Brown said.
"That's a
tough book to read at twelve," Phil replied.
"It took
several tries. I strongly considered science because of 'Kieron
McCray'."
"I'm sure you
chose the right path," he said.
"In light of
this evidence, I'm willing to improve your deal. The tribunal has
agreed."
"I believe
you."
The commander
closed her eyes and shook her head. "I can see why you frustrate Admiral
Janeway so much."
"Commander, I
want to remain in Starfleet for more reasons than those described by my
sister. I will not leave unless forced out."
"I believe
you," she replied. "I understand why you hate Khan so much, but you
don't need to pay for his crimes."
"First, you
don't know why I hate Khan. Kashmira left out the worst part of that
event, and she didn't have the chance to include some later details.
Second, it's more than just Khan's crimes."
"There's...worse?" she asked.
"You have no
idea."
"Very well,"
she said. "Mister Keegan–"
"Lieutenant."
"Lieutenant
Keegan, are you certain that what you are doing is in the best interest
of the Federation?"
"No, I believe
what I am doing is necessary."
"As you wish.
You understand, my sympathy for you will not interfere with my
responsibilities."
"I understand,
Commander," he said. "I expect nothing else."
"Understand
this as well, a painful past does not make you a good officer. Starfleet
considers revenge a poor motivation," she told him in a steady voice.
"It's not revenge, Commander," he
replied. "To be honest, I don't want the job if I don't deserve it."
Her head
tilted to one side. "You don't actually know, do you?"
"A Federation
trial is about finding the truth."
"I look
forward to it, Lieutenant."
* * *
STARDATE 55244.86: Tenth Day of The
Trial
"Admiral
Janeway," Commander Ponomarev said, "Please describe your relationship
with Lieutenant Keegan."
"I served as
his commanding officer for seven years." She understood why Lieutenant
Keegan chose Ponomarev to question her, but she was embarrassed that it
was necessary.
"How did you
come to view him?"
"For most of
that time, I barely knew him."
"Yes,"
Ponomarev said, "An away mission brought him to your attention. How did
he perform on that mission?"
"He risked his
life to save another officer."
"Yes. Ensign
Nureek. We've heard his testimony." Ponomarev rose from her chair and
walked to the front of the table. "You ordered him to design a method of
helping the Quagaar. How did he do?"
"Very well,"
the admiral said.
"Better than
your Chief Engineer, in fact."
"The problem
was one of geology, not engineering. Lieutenant Keegan was better suited
to the job."
"You planned
to promote him to the bridge, is that correct?"
The admiral
nodded. "During gamma shift, yes. I wanted him at the science station."
"Why?"
"He could do
the job."
"So could many
others. Why him?"
Janeway looked
over at Keegan, then back to the commander. "I felt he showed a lot of
potential."
"How do you
feel now?"
"I feel the
same."
Ponomarev
shrugged. "Is it really a lot of potential?"
"What?"
Janeway asked.
"He's a
eugenic. Is he really showing more potential than he's worth?"
"I don't
understand."
"As a
eugenic," Ponomarev continued, "He's not really showing potential. He
never risked his life to help Ensign Nureek. The Quagaar problem never
challenged to him. What did you reward?"
Janeway
scowled. "I rewarded his dedication," she said.
"You said you
rewarded his potential. Did he show his true potential?"
"No," Janeway
said, looking at Phil again, "He held back."
"Then, what
did you respond to?"
"He did his
duty," Janeway said, "Whether he wanted to or not."
"Thank you,
Admiral." Ponomarev returned to her chair.
"Admiral
Janeway," Commander Brown began, "You consider Lieutenant Keegan a good
officer?"
"Yes," she
replied.
"And you would
serve with him again?"
"Yes."
"He lied to
you. Often. He falsified information and corrupted Voyager's database.
How can you forgive that?"
"His lies were
personal, not professional. The information was likewise personal. I
have the right to withhold embarrassing information from my commanding
officer, for example."
Commander
Brown contemplated the admiral. "What do you believe is his worst
crime?"
The admiral
sighed. "Interfering with the development of a sentient."
"The ship's
doctor?"
"Yes," Janeway
said.
"Why is that
his worst crime?" the prosecutor asked.
"It violated
the Prime Directive," the admiral answered.
"Didn't you
yourself violate the Prime Directive your first day in the Delta
Quadrant?"
"Yes," Janeway
said.
"Please," the
commander continued, "Explain the difference." She spoke in an even tone
without sarcasm.
"I did it to
help the Ocampa."
"And
Lieutenant Keegan?"
"Lieutenant
Keegan," the admiral said, "Reprogrammed the Doctor to help himself."
Brown paused
over the words. At last, she said, "Tell us about the mutiny."
"Lieutenant
Keegan took control of Voyager to prove a point," Admiral Janeway said.
"Did it work?"
"Yes."
"What exactly
did he prove?"
"That he did
not need to command those around him," Janeway said.
"Why did he
even think of it?" the commander said.
The admiral
glanced at the tribunal. "I am not permitted to answer that fully," she
replied.
"Yes, of
course. But, was his action necessary?"
"No," Janeway
said.
"What should
he have done?"
"As a
Starfleet officer, it was his duty to provide his captain with any
information the Federation deemed important."
Commander
Brown said, "And that included his background, whether he fell under the
scope of the regulation or not?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because,"
Janeway said, "He was a Starfleet officer. At the very least, he had the
responsibility to tell me my questions entered personal territory.
Instead, he deceived me."
"What would
you have done, had he told you?"
"Put him in
the brig and had him watched."
"That was
hardly in his best interests," Commander Brown said.
"His interests
were not the issue."
"Then, as a
Starfleet officer, he doesn't have the right to defend himself?"
The admiral
scowled openly at Commander Brown. "Not when it interferes with his
duty."
"He did his
duty when saving Ensign Nureek."
"Yes, he did."
"Does he have
the right to pick and choose when he will obey his oath?"
"No. Starfleet
regulations are clear."
"Thank you,
Admiral."
"Defense?"
Admiral Chauhan said.
"Thank you,
Your Honor," Ponomarev said. "Admiral Janeway, when you discovered what
Lieutenant Keegan was, what did you do?"
"I ordered him
stunned on sight."
"Was your
action justified?"
"No. I owed
him the same loyalty I owed any member of the crew."
"Have you been
charged for your action?"
"No."
"When did
Philip Keegan alter the Doctor's programming?"
"In his third
month aboard Voyager."
"Was the
Doctor sentient at that time?"
"I don't
know."
"Doctor
Zimmerman himself testified that was unlikely."
"I trust his
answer."
"Then tell me,
when does Lieutenant Keegan's crime begin?"
The admiral
sighed. "When Mister Keegan realized himself that the Doctor had
achieved sentience."
"When was
that?" Ponomarev said.
"I don't
know," the admiral said slowly.
"Is the Doctor
sentient now?"
"I believe
so."
"Can you prove
it?"
"No," Janeway
said. "I cannot."
"Doctor
Zimmerman also testified that the amount of influence from Lieutenant
Keegan's addition to the Doctor's program was minimal. Does that
matter?"
"I don't
know."
"You altered
the Doctor yourself, didn't you?" Ponomarev said.
"His ethical
subroutine entered a feedback loop. Lieutenant Torres made the actual
change."
"How is this
different?"
The admiral
lowered her head while she thought. "Mister Keegan's action was
selfish," she said at last.
"Would the
Doctor withhold Lieutenant Keegan's secret if asked?"
"He is
programmed for doctor-patient confidentiality."
"Yes,"
Ponomarev said, "What would cause him to violate that?"
"Evidence of a
crime."
"Is Lieutenant
Keegan's eugenic heritage a crime?"
"I don't
know."
"In your
opinion," Ponomarev said, "Could the Doctor know?"
"Do you mean,
is he programmed for it?" the admiral asked. "No. He is not."
"Would he have
informed you of the Lieutenant's background?"
"He might."
"Would he have
that right?"
"I don't
know," Janeway said.
"Did you
consider these factors when you punished him for this act?"
"No."
"What did you
consider?" Ponomarev asked.
"I believed
Lieutenant Keegan was a good officer trying too hard to prove himself to
those he felt stood in judgment of him. I believed he made a mistake of
innocence."
"And now,
would you alter his punishment?"
"No," the
admiral said plainly.
"Thank you,
Admiral."
* * *
"Ambassador,"
Keegan said, walking to the door of his cell, "This is most unexpected."
"I am not
pleased to be here," Ambassador Spock replied. "The solidarity created
by the Dominion War between the Federation and the Romulans has allowed
me this time away from my work. I did not wish to spend that time
sitting in defense of a eugenic of old Earth. I believe I have
experienced more than enough of your people."
"I apologize,
Ambassador. You are correct, of course. I know more than any the
difficulties Khan could create for those around him. What he did to you
and those aboard the Enterprise are but the least of his crimes."
"His crimes
and yours are not dissimilar," Spock said.
"'Never argue
with a Vulcan.' Commander Chakotay once mentioned that," Keegan said.
"You are correct again. I am not arguing innocence, Ambassador, I am
arguing motivation."
"I know
neither your mind, nor that of Khan."
"It is not
your place to know, sir. It is your place to deliver testimony. The
tribunal sits in judgment. You can provide information of particular
importance. That is all I ask."
The ambassador
shook his head. "You understand, your claims are difficult to believe."
"Yes,
Ambassador. Tell me this, can you imagine what Khan would have been like
as an elder sibling? Or as a surrogate father?"
"Supposition
in the absence of sufficient information is not logical."
"Damn Vulcans.
Again, yes. I can tell you, sir, no one from the Enterprise could hate
Khan as much as I do. That is not supposition."
Spock regarded
the statement with slow precision. "I am not pleased to see one of your
kind in a Starfleet uniform, but I wore one long enough to know the duty
it commands. I have reviewed your career aboard Voyager. It is a
dichotomy, but one that supports your claim. But, you also had access to
Voyager's historical records. You are certainly intelligent enough to
learn from Khan's mistakes. I will present the evidence you ask. That is
my duty. I will also consider the possibility you are deceiving the
tribunal. If I see evidence of that, I will make that information
known."
"You
understand humans very well," Keegan said. "Do you understand penance?"
"I have seen
it."
"I have lived
it for seven years. I will not deceive anyone. I want very much to prove
I am what I claim." Phil lowered his eyes and raised them again with
determination. "Tell me how he died."
"You have read
the records."
"I have," Phil
said. "I want to know what he was when he died."
"He was a man
who pursued the mechanism of his own failure."
Phil sighed,
slow and stuttering, a primal release. "Thank you, sir. That is more
than I hoped for. When this trial is ended, I would like to speak with
you again on a very different matter."
"Perhaps,
Lieutenant. You remind me a great deal of someone I once met. I am
interested to discover just how similar you are."
"So am I."
* * *
"...His final
act was to attempt to destroy the Enterprise," Spock told the court.
"And your
response?"
"I gave my
life for my ship and crew."
"Tell me,
Ambassador," Keegan said, "Have you reviewed my analysis of the history
of the Vulcan people?"
"I have,"
Spock said.
"Do you
consider the ideas valid?"
"They are
worthy of investigation."
"How similar
are eugenics to Vulcans?"
"Vulcans are
slightly stronger and faster. Endurance and intelligence are
comparable."
"And, you are
telepathic."
"There are
human telepaths, though they are rare."
"And not as
gifted," Keegan said.
"It is not a
gift. It is a quality of the species."
"But, your
species is superior."
"That is not
an accurate conclusion," Spock said.
"What is the
accurate conclusion?"
"Lieutenant,
you know as well as I that a perfect determination cannot be made. You
are asking why Vulcans are allowed into Starfleet and eugenic humans are
not. Eugenic humans have shown mental instabilities. Vulcans have not.
Humans, in fact, are the only known species to use eugenic manipulation.
If my long distant Vulcan ancestors manipulated themselves to this point
or evolved here naturally is not known. We may never know. However,
Vulcans can control their emotions and deal more effectively with their
advantages. Humans do not show that same capacity. You wish to know if
you remind me of Khan. You do not. Neither do you resemble a Starfleet
officer. Lieutenant, you control your advantages better than Khan. That
is all I can say."
"Thank you,
Ambassador," Keegan said.
Commander
Brown stood. "The prosecution has no questions for this witness."
"Very well,"
Admiral T'Lara said. "Ambassador, the court thanks you for your time."
* * *
"Lieutenant,"
Ambassador Spock said. "You are a curiosity."
"Is that
good?" Keegan said through the security field of his cell.
"I did not
apply morality or quality to the comment. It was only an observation."
"I want your
approval, Ambassador. I want to know what you value."
"I value the
truth. I value logic. I value what helps the many. I thought you would
know that."
Keegan nodded.
"Yes. I hoped you valued redemption."
"Redemption is
a selfish act. Do not redeem yourself, Lieutenant. Do what is right for
the people of the Federation."
"I struggle
with that, sir. I hope I will select the correct answer."
"I doubt I
will be here to see that," Spock said. "I will likely die on Romulus. I
suspect you are honest about your origin, but I am not certain that
fully frees you from your heritage."
"No,
Ambassador, you are correct, it does not. That will require vigilance
and determination."
"That is the
most correct comment you have made, Lieutenant. I hope you will
succeed."
* * *
"Did you
reprimand Lieutenant Commander Data for his action?" Keegan said.
"No," Captain
Picard replied stiffly, "I did not."
"Please tell
the court why."
"Lieutenant
Commander Data believed he protected a developing sentient lifeform. It
is the duty of Starfleet to seek such life, not order it to its death."
"Are they
alive?" Keegan asked. When Picard did not answer, he said, "Captain? Are
they alive?"
"Further study
indicates only a rudimentary intelligence, but enough to justify Mister
Data's actions."
"Those actions
did not bother you?"
"No. He did
his duty as a Starfleet officer."
"That duty
permitted him to put your life at risk?"
"Yes," Picard
said.
"If I served
aboard your ship, how would you react to my actions?"
"Dismiss you
immediately," the captain said.
"Why?"
"Your crimes
were selfish."
"How so?"
"Objection,
your Honors," Commander Brown said. "Lieutenant Keegan is fishing for
rationalization. Jean-Luc Picard was not his captain and does not sit in
judgment of him."
"I agree,"
Chauhan said. "Mister Keegan, keep your questions more relevant."
"Yes, sir,"
Phil replied. "Captain, do you fear Lieutenant Commander Data?"
"No," Picard
said harshly.
"Why not?"
"He has proven
himself to me."
"Did you fear
his brother?"
"What?" Picard
said.
"Did you fear
Lore?" Keegan pressed.
"I was aware
of the danger he represented."
"How was
Data's construction different from that of Lore?"
"Your Honors,"
Brown said.
"This will all
be made clear when I question Mister Data," Keegan said.
"This tribunal
is not fond of tricks, Lieutenant," Chauhan said. "Keep that in mind.
Captain, you may answer."
"The
difference is one of programming only," Picard said.
"How would
you, as Mister Data's commanding officer and friend, define the
difference?"
"It is,"
Picard said, "one of character."
"Thank you,
sir."
"No
questions," Brown said.
"Your next
witness," Admiral Pek told Keegan.
"Lieutenant
Commander Data." Data took the stand. "Mister Data, I asked you to
review my analysis of Starfleet Academy. What are your conclusions?"
"Your analysis
has merit."
"Describe the
differences between the Academy and the eugenic program that developed
me."
"The Academy
was not a conscious effort at eugenics. Development in the Academy is
also much slower and does not exhibit the same emotional instability
that affected many of your kind," the android replied.
"Very good,"
Keegan said. "Tell me, Mister Data, are you more intelligent than me?"
"Yes."
"Are you
stronger?"
"Yes."
"Are you
faster?"
"Yes."
"Longer
lived?"
"Potentially."
"Why?"
"Well," Data
said, "For one, my servo motors generate–"
"No, Mister
Data," Phil said. "Not how. Why? Why are you stronger than I am?"
"I do not
understand."
"I know how
your body is stronger than mine. I am asking you why. Why did Doctor
Noonien Soong make you that strong?"
"I do not
understand."
"Is your
strength necessary for your operation?"
"I must be
capable of movement to perform my duties."
"The same
could be said of a lawn mower. Could you still function–"
"Objection,
your Honors," Brown said, rising. "Mister Keegan is badgering a
respected and decorated Starfleet officer. I move–"
"Objection
overruled, Commander," T'Lara said. "We will hear this out."
Keegan waited
for permission from the court before continuing. "Could you still
function," he said, "if you were only as strong as a normal human?"
"Yes," Data
said.
"Or as fast as
a human?"
"Yes."
"Or with the
lifespan of a human?"
"Yes."
"Then," Keegan
said, "Why are you stronger than me?"
"My father
designed me that way."
"Yes, he did.
He also designed your brother that way, did he not?"
"Yes."
"Your brother
was shut down and you were built because Lore frightened the colonists
of Omicron Theta. Is that correct?"
"Yes, it is,"
Data said.
"Would Lore
have been as frightening if he did not have his superior physical
abilities?"
"I do not
believe so."
"If Doctor
Soong knew those physical abilities made humans nervous, why build you
the same way?"
"I do not
know."
"Speculate.
You are the foremost authority on Soong-type androids and Doctor Soong
himself. Why would he do this?"
"Perhaps he
felt safe with my programming."
"Why not
simply transfer Lore's brain to a weaker body?"
"My brother
would have rebuilt his original body," Data said.
"Why?"
"He did not
want to be...," Data said, looking at the tribunal, "To be as weak as a
human."
"Isn't that
eugenic manipulation?"
"He is an
android."
"Yes,
Commander, but isn't it the android equivalent of eugenic manipulation?"
"Objection,"
Brown said. "Mister Data is not an expert in eugenics."
"Mister Data
holds a degree in exobiology," Keegan replied.
"The court
will hear Lieutenant Commander Data's analysis," Admiral T'Lara said.
Data
continued, "One could argue that interpretation."
"And," Phil
said, "If that interpretation is valid, you yourself are eugenic. Is
that correct?"
"That is also
plausible."
"Should you be
in Starfleet, Mister Data?"
"It is not my
duty to make that determination," Data said.
"No, it is
not. It is the duty of a Federation tribunal. Will you request such a
tribunal?"
"No," Data
said.
"Why not?"
"I want to
remain in Starfleet."
"Thank you,
Mister Data." Phil returned to his seat.
Commander
Brown stood and walked to the center of the room. "Mister Data," she
began. The commander tapped her PADD.
"Commander?"
Data said cautiously.
"Have you ever
placed your own interests above that of the Federation or the crew of
the Enterprise?"
"Once, when my
brother deactivated my ethical subroutine."
"Have you, of
your own free will, acted against the people of the Federation or
violated the regulations of Starfleet?"
"No,
Commander," Data said slowly, "I have not."
"Thank you,
Mister Data."
* * * Page 6 Page 8
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