Checking Out of the Drunk Tank

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 2:52am by Cailus Griffin & Commander Owen Nash & Ensign Dorian Rochester (Deceased)
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:41pm

Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: Deck 17 - Brig
Timeline: Current

It had been a few hours since the call had been made that all Starfleet crewmembers should return to the ship. As always happened when stopping at port after a long mission, various people had taken the opportunity to let their hair down and cut loose, often dramatically, resulting in the general sensation the following morning that the entire ship was hungover. Certainly, there were quite a few crewmembers who reported for duty that morning bleary-eyed, disgruntled and badly in need of a few more hours in their beds.

Most such incidents weren't noteworthy, and the Chief of Security had mostly disregarded them. Reports of the Marines being rowdy in a club were concerning, especially since the still fragile Lieutenant Arnaldo had been involved, but given that there were no injuries, Cailus had quietly smoothed it over. In truth, he would've been concerned if the Marines hadn't caused some sort of ruckus the previous night. Jarheads would be jarheads. Rumours were also circulating about Raven Mattel's dramatic partying and more than one crewman had apparently enjoyed a romantic liaison,

There was one problem, however, that would not be fixed as easily. With the ongoing murder investigation Cailus and his personnel were up to their ears in work, and so when Ensign Dorian Rochester had come back aboard in a thoroughly disgraceful state, he was promptly thrown in the Brig for a few hours to sober up. Finally the Brig guard called Cailus, and he walked into the Brig, glancing at the lone occupied cell.

"Status?" he asked the Brig Officer quietly, ensuring that Rochester couldn't hear through the forefield.

"Sober, sir," the Betazoid man replied just as quietly. "We ran a tricorder scan a few minutes ago and there's no alcohol left in his system. We got him plenty of water, but he's in for a nasty...what do humans call it? A hingeover? A hungunder?"

"Hangover," Cailus corrected absently, rubbing his chin. Then, with a sigh, he tapped his combadge. =/\=Griffin to Commander Nash. Mister Rochester is sober, sir, and ready to see you at your earliest convenience.=/\=

Hearing the call from Cailus, Owen had made his way down to the Brig to Ensign Rochester about his recent escapade on Paradise Station. Knowing that there was an investigation underway, he had to leave no stone unturned.

Knowing that there was some history that involved Rochester within the Parallel Universe created by the Indigo Cloud, Owen knew to tread carefully.

As he walked into the Brig, Owen nodded to the officer on watch before meeting with Cailus. "So, is Mr Rochester ready to talk?" He asked quietly.

Cailus nodded, the Security Chief looking more taciturn than usual as he stood next to the door, where Rochester couldn't see them. "Yes, Commander. He has also had a shower, which from what I'm told, was most certainly necessary. When he was found on Paradise, Mister Rochester here was half naked, intoxicated and attempting to evade local law enforcement as he somehow managed to accrue substantial debts in only one night. If not for the assistance of Lieutenant Sandoval and the others, he likely would've ended up in the custody of Paradise law enforcement."

The Security Chief crossed his arms, frowning. "This isn't the worst that I've seen someone manage while on liberty, but it isn't far off. There's no evidence thus far suggesting that he was involved in the murder, but even so, his conduct while on liberty was not stellar."

"Very well," Owen said before making his way over to the cell where Rochester was being held. He could tell there was an air about the man straight away he didnt agree with.

"Ensign, I need to ask you a few questions regarding an incident on board the station where reports state you were involved," Owen stated.

Dorian sat in the Brig, calm and composed, arms folded across his chest as he waited for the High and Mighties to finally speak to him. “What incident?” He asked with a shrug.

"My understanding from these reports is that your conduct in one of the clubs wasn't very...honourable shall we say. Reports confirm you were in a drunk and disorderly state and you managed to lose some of your clothing," Owen explained. "So I'd like to hear the truth from you, Ensign. What happened?" Owen asked him.

"Is it against the law to get drunk while on liberty?" Dorian asked obtusely, "Why don't I see others here in the Brig then? Or is it only a crime when I do it, Commander? Seems like I'm being singled out."

Owen stood fast from Rochester's comment and decided to go one better.

"Mr Rochester, if I wanted to single you out for every small discretion that was made whilst every officer was on liberty, trust me, the list would be a lot longer," he explained sternly. "In this situation, witness reports and security reports clearly identify yourself. I understand that, so far you're on the only officer from the Pandora that managed to lose clothes during your time aboard the station and act in a drunk and disorderly manner..."

Owen stepped closer to the forcefield before continuing. "I believe that those responsible for their transgressions should pay for them and no one else. As this activity involves you only, it's you I'm speaking to. I just want your side of the story." He stoood waiting, hoping that Rochester got the clear message that Owen meant business.

The thing about Dorian Rochester though, was that after his experiences in the Bubble universe, which he fully remembered, his connection to Starfleet and command especially had been irreparably broken. He simply didn't care anymore. As he often thought to himself, 'I'm all out of fracks to give.' Nothing that had happened since returning to reality had been able to heal over his total disconnection to this ship or regain his respect for the service; and in fact had only enforced the idea that his career in Starfleet was over and he couldn't be happier to leave. Attempts to intimidate the young man, therefore, would only result in derision and mockery.

"Those responsible." He scoffed loudly, letting out a laugh as well. "You don't want my side of the story, you've already made up your mind. You've got your little reports from the Diplomat and his girlfriends. My word means nothing compared to them, so why should I bother? Oh!" He suddenly stood, a sneering smile on his face as he sauntered towards the cell's force field. "I know why. Because you don't have evidence, do you, Commander? You've got some statements but they're all second hand gossip. I returned to the ship with clothing and without restraint, so you're trying to get me to incriminate myself with your standover tactics. You have no grounds for keeping me here and continuing to do so is a violation of my rights."

“You can add insubordination if you choose to, Commander,” Cailus said quietly, and then his tone grew harsher as he fixed his eyes on Rochester. “You’re an intelligent man, Rochester. I know that much from the Bubble. Now, work it out. Last night there was a murder on the station, a murder where evidence suggests that it was a Starfleet officer who committed it. If local law enforcement had caught you before you got back to the ship, what would have happened?”

Owen stood to one side as Cailus explained the situation to Rochester, waiting for a snark or glib remark from the Ensign. He decided to add to the argument his friend had made. "Its simple Ensign. I want to help. I want to hear your account of last night so I can determine if your incriminated in this situation or if your movements can exonorate you. I dont care about your previous actions that have landed you in the position you find yourself," he explained before waiting for the next accusing barrage.

"Oh I see. Somebody dies and you all coming looking for me, is that it?" Dorian scoffed again. "I may have enjoyed myself a little too much on Paradise but I sure as frack didn't murder anyone. In fact, if you check with local law, I'm sure they'll tell you I was in the Entertainment district for most of the night. I made quite the name for myself over there, that should be enough of an alibi for you. I'm not gonna be your scapegoat."

Owen stood fast for a moment and understood why Rochester was such hard work. But his explanation offered an alibi for him.

"We're not looking for a scapegoat, we're looking to understand your explanation of your movements on the station," Owen answered sternly. "Now that you've done that, we'll liaise with the station."

Before Rochester had a chance to answer, there came a chirp over Griffin's comm badge. =/\= Temple to Griffin and Nash? =/\= The Captain spoke.

Owen tapped his combadge. "Nash here, Captain," he answered.

=/\= I've just heard from the station, they've sent us the data files from the PADD they found.=/\= Nyx said gravely. =/\= It was indeed an official Starfleet PADD, from the Pandora. And it belonged to First Lieutenant Arnaldo. =/\=

=/\= That's interesting Captain, do we know how this ended up on the station as yet or are there any clues as to who had it?=/\= Owen asked.

=/\= We know the culprit had been using Arnaldo's access codes while he was in the Brig, so it's possible they stole his PADD too. However, geo-location data from Paradise shows the same PADD was present in the transport cube he used to enter the station. =/\= Nyx replied.

"Hey! Hey!" Dorian shouted from his cell. He went to knock on the shielding then thought better of it. "I was with Mauricio when he left for Paradise. He was dressed for a night out, and he didn't have a PADD on him at all." The Ensign paused for a moment, then quickly added, "Neither did I, by the way."

Owen looked over at Rochester for a moment with a raised eyebrow, taking note that the officer had suddenly offered information without being difficult. To Owen, that meant that there was an element of truth to his statement.

"Thank you Mr Rochester, we'll take note of that information," he confirmed, looking at Cailus.

"I can tell you who did have a PADD." Dorian added, now crossing his arms. "But I want to be moved to my quarters. I'll accept isolation in my quarters but I'm not staying here. Let me out and I'll tell you what you need to know."

Owen looked at Cailus with a raised eyebrow after hearing Rochesters demand before he handed over information relating to the investigation.

"Mr Rochester, as a Starfleet Officer, its your duty to inform us if you know anything that relates to this investigation," Owen explained. "Therefore, you can tell us right now, whilst you stay in your cell."

Despite understanding how this situation would work out, Owen wasn't used to being held to ransom with important information at stake...and he wasn't starting now.

Dorian let out a slow whistle and shrugged, shuffling back to his bench. He sat down and crossed his legs. 'They keep forgetting, I don't care.' He thought wryly to himself. He could hear how petulant and disobedient he was being to the Commander. His younger self - the one that had graduated the Academy successfully and so looked forward to serving on a ship like this, would have hated how he was behaving. But he couldn't help himself now, he just didn't care for their regulations or rules, and least of all, for their threats. There was nothing else they could take from him.

He replied with a cold tone, "I seem to have forgotten."

Considering Rochester, Cailus sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose wearily. "Like hell. Whatever problems you have, however much you might hate me and the Captain, or even yourself, you aren't a bad person. If we don't find this murderer in the next fifteen hours, then troops from that station will board this ship and we won't have the manpower to fight them off. People will get hurt. And there are people on this ship who you still care about, no matter how much you may pretend otherwise."

The Security Chief paused, then scowled, plainly hating what he was about to say. "When this mess is over, you, me and the Captain will sit down and work this all out. What happened in the Bubble, what happened afterwards, your future on this ship and in Starfleet, all of it. I made too many damned mistakes with you in the Bubble in the years after the Captain died, and you have a right to be angry with both me and him. But for now, for right now, just tell us what we need to know so that we can keep everyone safe. We'll deal with the rest later."

Glancing at the XO, Cailus added reluctantly, "And we'll confine you to quarters, after I have a team run a sweep and configure them for confinement." And there'd be hell to pay for directly undercutting Commander Nash's authority in front of a prisoner, something that Cailus wasn't looking forward to, but the choice was made.

Owen stood for a moment, taking in what Cailus had done and then swiftly decided he was needed elsewhere. He nodded at Cailus before turning on his heel and leaving the Brig .

Dorian watched the Commander leave with a passive face. He couldn't smirk, he couldn't frown. Instead, he paused, pretending to consider the offer, but he didn't really have much of a choice. "It's a deal. The only one with a PADD was Lieutenant Vicuno. He was waving it around like a fool, showing off the room he'd booked in the casino. He pretended like he was just showing her... I mean, Ensign Vieers... but really he was being a boastful little toad."

Rochester looked to the Security Chief with all the sincerity he had, "Vicuno is the killer, Lieutenant Griffin."

Cailus locked eyes with Rochester through the forcefield, assessing him coldly. “You sound very confident of that. Do you have more to base it on than Lieutenant Vicuno waving a PADD around?”

Dorian cautiously opened his mouth, worried that he was giving out all the information before getting anything in return. But the Lieutenant had made his promises in front of the Commander, the Brig team, and what he suspected were several surveillance cameras, so he couldn't go back on it now. He said, "I saw Vicuno later in the evening. It appeared not even an expensive room in the casino could keep Vieers from leaving him. He was around the Parlour. You know, that little sex motel in the back of the Entertainment District? He didn't look happy. They probably didn't accept Pandora holodeck credits as payment." He snorted a laugh. "Anyway, one of the Guards came after him and they were arguing. He still had the PADD in his hand, I remember because he was waving it around. They disappeared into the alley, that's probably where he did it. He killed the Guard."

Considering for a moment, Cailus finally nodded tersely. "Very well, Ensign. I'll look into it. In the short-term, get comfortable. I'll have a team configure your quarters this afternoon then have you moved over at 1400 hours. You will then remain confined to quarters and relieved from duty until the captain decides what to do with you. Your insubordination towards Commander Nash won't have helped your case." He moved towards the door before stopping and glancing back. "And for your sake, Ensign, I hope that you're not lying."

If Dorian was lying, his face wasn’t showing it. He regarded the departing Lieutenant with a deadpan stare, safe in the knowledge that he had managed to secure at least a partial release.

OFF