We need to talk

Posted on Thu Aug 13th, 2026 @ 11:39am by Cassandra Lennox & Nathan Crawford

1,263 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Justice
Timeline: 24th December

Cassandra sat alone in the library that she had decided was the perfect place to hide from all the Christmas cheer. She was feeling decidedly lonely and detected from it all after the last week of the Europa returning and the odds that she felt at with Nathan. She looked at the lights that flickered and got up and just turned them off, the space was nicer with candles anyway.

Nathan had looked for Cassandra at the Christmas party in the pub, but nobody had seen Cassandra for several hours. He had searched a good portion of the town until he had found Maureen at the end of Christmas Eve services and found out that Cassandra sometimes took refuge in the library when things weighed heavily on her mind. He saw the electric light extinguish, but noone exited the building. He took a deep breath as he put a hand on the doorknob and quietly entered the building. He spotted candlelight reflecting of bookshelves near the reading area and made his way over. He called out softly when he spotted a lone figure seated in one of the cushioned reading chairs. "Cassandra?"

Cassandra was curled up with a book but not at all reading it her mind was else where trying to contemplate all the choices she had made over the last few weeks that had led her to sitting there with a cold cup of tea hours old. “Hey Commander.” The was said sitting up a little better.

Nathan stepped into the reading area and took a seat in a chair a few feet away. He studied Cassandra’s expression for a moment before gesturing at the book. "How is the book?" He hated making small talk at the best of times. The last few days had been exceptionally difficult and circumstances had put not just a physical distance between them, but an emotional one too. "I feel like I owe you an apology. Please, understand. I didn't want to be Duncan's defence barrister. I didn't have much of a choice."

“It’s a book that I’ve read the same paragraph five times.” She said slowly closing it and put it down. “You can’t be here really talking to me.” Cassandra said gently. She was not giving anyone any excuse to cause trouble or anything more devious when Smith had chosen the man purposely in her opinion.

Nathan sighed. "I know I shouldn't be here, but it's Christmas and...well. I've missed you."

“Well unfortunately Nathan we cannot do that. He knew what he was doing.” She hissed sitting up frustrated. She hated how this last week had put so much distance between them.

Nathan nodded. He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Cassandra. "I have updated my witness list for the defense. I will be calling Doctor Parrish and Mister Rouen to testify once the prosecution rests. There's also two members of the crew on the crew as well. You might want to let them know."

“Why are you giving this to me? Bartholomew is doing all of this? Or is he refusing to speak to you like Samuel?” She wondered taking the piece of paper and put it in her notebook to add to her to do list.

"I am heading back to the ship to continue preparing for the defence." He looked at Cassandra and then averted his gaze.He was quiet for a moment before looking back at her. "I have to do my best for Smith. I don't want to do this. Mostly...because I am afraid I might lose you in the process."

“Defence?” Cassandra laughed. “How can you defend someone like that?” She demanded bitterly. He was so fucking moralistic, she thought to herself as she shook her head. “Do you think Lola is lying? Megan? Mrs Hinch?”

Nathan felt his temper rise. "I don't think any of them are lying. That's not the point. When we, Thistledrift and Europa, started working together. It was to rebuild what this world once had prior to the Fall. Personally, I think he is guilty as sin. I think he and some of his crewmates have done the same things or even worse when Europa has put into port on the Continent. If we start dispensing summary justice then we will fail to achieve what we have worked on. So yes. It is my job now to defend this filth to the best of my ability, despite what I believe. It means I am going to have to ask people questions, under oath, that will be meant to raise doubt in the jurors minds. We can't have one set of rules for the people we like and another for people we don't like. We do that...we're no better than York."

“It is what it is. Merry fucking Christmas Nathan.” Cassandra muttered standing up blowing out the big candle leaving them in the semi darkness.

Nathan watched her blow out the candle. He sat there his temper cooling just as quickly as it had flared. It was replaced by the same feeling he got when Duncan Smith had named him as defence counsel. Fear froze him in place. He couldn't even speak as Cassandra started to leave.

“We will always be better than York but your officer sounds like he belongs there.” Cassandra said gathering her things and shoved them into the rucksack she used.

Nathan stood up. "I hate what this situation is doing to us, to all of us. Justice will prevail. I promise you that."

Cassandra looked at the man seeing the frustration on his face. “Promises are no good right now. I know it’s he said, she said but the evidence is overwhelming and he is going to drag you down with him Commander.”

Nathan nodded. He knew she was right. If he didn't do a good job defending Duncan, it could lead to mistrust amongst some of the crew if it appeared he was throwing Smith under the bus for the sake of the town. If he ruthlessly tried to discredit witnesses and convince the jury that the evidence was circumstantial at best, the townsfolk would see him as protecting one of Europa's own. "I have to do what I have to do as barrister for the defence. If for no other reason then to show that I stand by the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty under the law, despite the court of popular opinion."

“I hope it’s worth it.” Cassandra said looking sad as she shook her head. This hurt but she could not save anyone, fuck she could not even save herself right then and there.

Nathan stepped outside with Cassandra. He heard noises of celebration coming from the pub. He turned to Cassandra. " You should go to the party. One, you look like you could use a drink. More importantly though. Your people need to see you standing strong." He glanced at the library and then in the direction of her house. "They need you to reassure them that things will turn out for the best."

Nathan leaned in and briefly kissed Cassandra's cheek. He then turned in the direction of the ocean and headed back to his ship. The holidays were meant to be a time of joy and celebration. This one was turning into doubt and division. He wondered if the coming trial would bring down only sorrow and the destruction of everything that had been built over the last year and a half.

 

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