"Arrested Development"

[STSF Seiben 0]

"I guess it shouldn't really be much of a surprise really" Seiben said quietly as he was being led to the Security Office. The sense of shock at being arrested long since past. "I guess not. I assume you were aware of the consequences when you chose to marry the Roman Ambassador" replied Commodore Riley who was still walking with him. "Yeah, I had a feeling something like this would have happened" mused Seiben. Riley glanced over at Captain Seiben. She couldn't tell how he was feeling based on the stoic look on his face. "Then I trust you've been thinking on who you'd want to represent your case?" asked Riley.

 

Seiben shrugged. "Well, no not really. I was kind of busy chasing Orions and trying to get my memory back after that mine explosion. It kind of slipped my mind" he smirked. Riley smiled. "Keeping your sense of humour to the end, I see?" Seiben shrugged again. "Yeah, it helps in sticky situations" he said with a bit of a smile. After being processed in Security and escorted into a brig, Seiben spent two or three hours alone where an official looking man walked up to his cell to meet him.

 

He hadn't met this man before, but Seiben had a feeling he knew why he was here. A guard appeared and lowered the forcefield surrounding the cell, allowing the man to walk in. "Good evening, Captain" the smartly dressed man said. "I'm Stanford Locke, I'll be your defence attorney for your impending trial" Seiben sat up and shook the extended hand of Stanford Locke. "I shouldn't be surprised the Admiral found a defence attorney for me so quickly" Seiben said

 

"Well, you were too busy to worry about that. Admiral Seiben simply saved you the trouble. Locke stood up as several guards appeared. Seiben wasn't sure if they were the same guards that escorted him here in the first place. "The trial is to take place at Starfleet Headquarters. You are to be transported back to Earth aboard the USS Kentucky, which is leaving in the next half hour" Locke stood up and stepped aside as one of the guards helped Seiben up.

 

"That's quick. I hoped to at least be able to contact my crew and let them know I'm okay. I'm pretty sure they've heard of my arrest through the grapevine" said Seiben. "You can do that once you're on board the Kentucky" replied Security chief, a gruff bulky Tellarite. "And my wife?" asked Seiben. "She has been notified and will join you on the Kentucky. Captain Henriksson has arranged a VIP suite for you both to stay in for your trip back to Earth" said Locke. "Oh well, that's awfully kind of him"

 

***

 

A short time later, Seiben was reunited with his wife Julia aboard the Kentucky. They were escorted into a rather plush looking quarters, roughly twice the size of his own quarters on the Challenger. "I trust it meets the satisfaction of you and your lovely wife?" asked Captain Eric Henriksson stood by the door.

 

"Yes, thank you Eric" said Seiben to his old Academy roommate. Interesting how things sometimes worked out like that Seiben thought to himself. Henriksson smiled and nodded, then turned to exit. While Julia explored the suite, Seiben looked out of the window as the Kentucky began pulling out of her berth. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the Challenger.

 

The Challenger was brightly lit in her berth and was swarmed by several work bees and other support craft in the processing of being disassembled. It was always tough for a captain to see their ship in this vulnerable state, but especially tough for Seiben, not being sure if he was ever going to see or command that ship again.