He Said, She Said MISSION START

Posted on Wed Aug 12th, 2026 @ 2:21pm by Cassandra Lennox & Gema Melero & Robert Skye

2,156 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Justice
Location: Captain Skye's Office, SS Europa
Timeline: 20 December 2012, 1000 hours (10am GMT)

Ensign Duncan Smith was being escorted to Captain Skye's office by one of the marines of the ship's security detachment. He was unsure about the reason for the summons as the restoration of power to Thistledrift from Europa's electrical system was actually proceeding ahead of schedule. He arrived at the door and knocked.

Cassandra sat there in silence other than politely conversation over the weather and relief to be back in port. “Enter.” Robert declared as he looked between the two people. He did not like the tension and he liked the subject of this meeting either less.

Duncan entered the office and took note of the serious expressions. The Captain looked annoyed, First Lieutenant Crawford deeply concerned, but Cassandra Lennox seemed to seethe with open hostility. He looked at each of them in turn before posting in front of Captain Skye's desk at attention and saluting. "Ensign Smith reports as ordered Captain." His expression neutral but guarded.

“At ease Ensign.” The Captain leaned and leaned back in his chair properly. He had read all the information, he had spent over an hour speaking to Cassandra and even spoke to several of the women in their own settings. “We have had some complaints about your behaviour towards several young women in town,” the Captain said staring at the man straight in the eyes.

Duncan dropped his salute and stood at parade rest before the Captain. He returned Captain Skye's gaze with a disciplined expression. "Complaints regarding my behavior sir? Could you be a little more specific sir? Who has been making complaints and what exact behavior am I being accused of."

“Sexual assault … behaviour unbecoming… requesting favours for fixing issues.” The Captain said putting several paper files down as he said each complaint. “There are at least ten women.” The Captain had lost count at ten and he was sure there was more. He glanced to Cassandra but she was just looking at Duncan sipping her tea. She had promised to stay silent and just observe.

Duncan maintained his stoic demeanor. "While it is true that some ladies have been...grateful for my efforts in doing electrician work throughout Thistledrift. I assure you that I have never coerced a woman into performing sexual favors. Behavior unbecoming. I will admit to flirting with the occasional lady at the pub. Sexual assault. Never." He glanced at Cassandra and quirked an eyebrow. "I have been aboard the Europa for nearly seven weeks. Why is it only now that these women have come forward? What evidence do you have that corroborates any of these accusations."

“Ensign… These files contain their statements and some of them line up to injuries that you have gone to sickbay with. One woman quotes she tried to gauge your eyes out so you could not squirm your way out of it.” He looked up and saw a scar across the man’s cheek. “I have spoken to the women and whilst you are here every woman who is serving on this ship is being pulled aside by their watch officer and asked about you.” Cassandra just stared back at the man as he looked at her.

“Women talk eventually. Only talks one person to open a flood gate.” Cassandra said quietly finally deciding she needed to speak up.

Duncan gave a sigh. "Let me guess. Lola. Yes, she and I were on a date the last night in port. I walked her home and I did kiss her. Just a kiss. She went mental. She kneed me in the groin and shoved me off her porch. She stepped off her porch and kicked me in rhe stomach and then spat on me before going inside and locking her door. I lay there in the snow for a minute before getting up and returned to the ship. Perhaps I shouldn't have given her a kiss. It was our third date and I thought you go for it. Perhaps she had a bad experience on a date long before she met me." He turned to the Captain. I have served aboard Europa for more than two years now. I'm the best electrician on this ship. You granted me a direct commission four weeks ago." He turned to Nathan. "You wrote my first Officer Efficiency Report two days ago and gave me the highest praise on my technical ability. I am going to ask one more time." He turned to Cassandra. "What evidence do you have?"

“You speak to me Smith. Ms Lennox is here to make sure this is done fairly for you and for the port.” The Captain took in a deep breath. This was so much more complicated without Portsmouth and Command. “”Miss McDowell was not the only one Ensign. There are no injuries from that night.” The Captain said with a sigh. “But there have been others haven’t there. The scratched up eye lines up with this statement. That black eye that you claim was from a tree lines up with this one. So I turn it back on you Ensign what evidence do you have that all these women have made it up.” The captain looked at Nathan. “Have I missed anything?” He demanded.

Duncan shook his head. He didn't exactly smile, but his voice took a slightly mocking tone. "Well, I should count myself lucky then. According to civilian and military law. I don't have to prove myself innocence. The prosecution has to prove my guilt."

“This isn’t something you can just mock Ensign. This isn’t some court of law from before the undead could rise. We have your guilt. You are telling me that ten women are wrong? That they have some vendetta against you?” Cassandra looking at the Captain surprised. Nathan had been cool and aloof but the Captain seemed to be seething under the surface. He glanced up as the door was knocked on. “Come in!” He called.

The door opened and in step Melero holding a note. She passed it over ignoring the man stood in front of the desk.

Nathan had remained quiet from time Duncan had entered until this moment. He didn't particularly doubt that Duncan was guilty of everything he was being accused of, but he didn't believe in summary justice either. The crew of the Europa had spent nearly two years trying to fight this plague, to reunite far flung outposts of humanity. "Captain, Ensign Smith is right. We can't dispense summary justice like this."

Duncan looked at Nathan curiously for a moment. "Thank you Commander Crawford it's nice to know someone is on my side."

Nathan spun towards the cocky Ensign. "Let's get one thing straight Ensign. I don't believe you're innocent for one second. I do believe you have the right to a fair trial though."

“He gets a a fair trial in town. Five of my people. Five of yours. Names picked out of a hat from anyone who is not going to be a witness. But until then he does not go anywhere with out an escort ashore.” Cassandra said looking at the note that said several crew members onboard have spoken up as well. “What he does on here is your business. Gema can you escort me to the gangway.” Cassandra said rising gracefully.

“Um… sure. Captain. Sir.” Gema inclined her head to the officers.

Duncan looked at those in the room. "I would like an officer to act as barrister for my defence?"

The captain raised an eyebrow at the request and instantly knew where this was going to go. “And who did you have in mind Ensign?” The man wondered already fearing who he was going to pick out of the limited options. Gema stood by the door waiting for Cassandra who had paused to listen to the final part of this ridiculous conversation.

Duncan glanced at Nathan before turning back to Captain Skye. "I choose Commander Crawford as my advocate."

Nathan shot a surprised look at Duncan and stared for a ten count. He can't be serious, Nathan thought. He wanted no part of the shit storm a trial would cause. The last year had seen a remarkable cooperation between Thistledrift and Europa. This trial could destroy that trust if things got out of hand.

The Captain shook his head. “Of course you did Ensign. Cassandra can you send the Marine waiting back in when you leave.” He said gently as the woman just nodded and glanced at Nathan for a second before she left with Gema.

Duncan awaited the marine guard as he watched Cassandra and Gema prepare to leave the office.

Cassandra left the room as Gema looked back at Nathan confused. The door did not close before the marine appeared. “Escort him back to his berth and secure him there until his watch officer comes.”

“Yes Sir,” the marine said. Robert waited until the young man was well out of ear shot and the door closed.

“You have just been played you know that yes Nathan?” The Captain demanded.

Nathan slowly nodded. He turned to Robert. "What worries me is that this could destroy everything we have built between the town and the ship." Including, he thought, his relationship with Cassandra.

“If it has not already Commander.” The Captain sighed as he looked at the pale younger man. “3 female crew members have spoken up.” He said scrunching up the note in his hand. “Do you have any idea about being barrister that isn’t from Law and Order?”

Nathan shrugged as he released a long sigh. "I had to testify one time in a court martial, but that was a single day and the evidence was overwhelming." He shook his head. "Sir, I request permission to be taken off the watch schedule to prepare for the trial. I have a lot to prepare."

“I will arrange it.” The Captain said quietly as he started to gather everything together to organise and make copies. He was going to have to talk to Holyhead and NATO about this and he did not want to at all.

Nathan turned and headed for the door. His hand grabbed the doorknob and paused. He turned back to the Captain. "Sir. What if we don't include the three crewmembers in the charges levied so far? We have the Master-at-Arms conduct a thorough investigation quietly. Build an ironclad case and if Smith is found not guilty of charges brought by the townsfolk. We could still bring court martial charges without tying double jeopardy to the civilian criminal proceedings."

“It’s a sexual assault case Nathan. It does not matter for double jeopardy but I will consider it. You know you are not going to be able to see her until this is over with right? I am sorry it’s going to ruin any plans you had.” The captain was not as high strung to not think on that.

Nathan was thoughtful for a moment. "The Thistledrift complaints are numerous and there's a lot of evidence to support those complaints, but it's all circumstantial. There's not one eyewitness that could testify to anything beyond Smith showing a romantic interest in these women. Which, in and of it's self doesn't rise to the level of criminality. There's more to this than we're seeing. I have to say, I am a little surprised at your take on the matter. You usually have me run point on any issue that involves the townsfolk and Europa's officers or crew. Especially if the dispute involves Cassandra's involvement."

“I have no issue with the woman other than she reminds me of my daughter.” Robert finally revealed. “Right down to the mannerisms.” He added with a huge sigh and a shake of his head at being called out on his feelings for Cassandra.

Nathan grew concerned about how things were progressing. "One thing we have to consider. Smith may have members of the crew who for some reason are helping him cover criminal behavior. If that's the case, we have a much bigger problem. One that could seriously impair our operational status."

“I will be talking to command this evening but I am also going to spread out the NATO and Royal Navy crew to … dilute things if that is the case but he has always struck me as an odd duck.” The captain said. “I would use Melero to gauge reactions once word gets out.”

Nathan nodded. "Anything else we need to discuss at this time sir?"

“Not overly.” The older man sighed already looking drained by how bad today had turned out to be already. Why did it have to be his crew that caused issues that could affect everyone and everything. “Try to get some rest.” He advised knowing the man delved into work to avoid stuff.

Nathan nodded. He doubted he would, but wanted to reassure his commanding officer he would at least try. He opened the door and left.

 

RSS Feed