Interview - King

Posted on Fri Aug 6th, 2021 @ 9:03am by Commander William Gerhard & Major Samuel King

Mission: Mission 4 - Eden
Location: Deck G - Temp Security Interview Room
Timeline: Day 166 18:00
1669 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

It was an odd sense of worry as Petty Officer Jackson stared at the Marine Commanding Officer across the table from him. The man had been reported to be acting strange by Warrant Officer Walker and Lieutenant Darru and had been asked to accompany the Brig Officer somewhere they could wait for the armoury office to arrive.

"I am sure he won't be long Sir." CJ muttered for what he felt like the millionth time.

Sam rolled his tongue across the front of his teeth, a small tsk noise made as he sucked aired through. "If this is an attempt to make me anxious, it is not working." he said leaning back as the doors opened.

William entered the room holding a PADD and made his way over to the table. "Major King, my apologies for making you wait this long," he said apologetically as he pulled the chair back and sat while placing his PADD on the table in front of him. "Thank you Petty Officer, if you would please wait outside while we conduct the interview."

“Um… Sure Sir.” CJ murmured a bit unsure but nodded going outside of the room to watch on the monitor that had been set up to allow someone to observe.

William pulled a stylus from his front pocket and used it to call up a blank page on his PADD for notes. Then he placed a small audio recording device on the table next to his PADD. "Now Major, I would like to advise you that per Starfleet regulations this interview will be audio recorded for the investigation file. I know that our present situation means that Starfleet JAG may never review this interview, but per Captain Leroux she wants us to do this by the book," he said as he looked up at the Major. He noticed the fresh bandage on the Major's forearm and made a note of the injury on his PADD.

As Sam had his arm now across the table, forearms down for support, he simply lifted his hands up in acceptance of the terms of the interview. "I suppose we had better get this started then. I've got things I need to do."

William nodded and activated the recording device on the desk, "This is Lieutenant Gerhard, Chief Armory Officer conducting an interview in regards to the homicide of Lieutenant Aurelius Davis. With me is Major Samuel King, Atlantis MACO detachment commanding officer. Current time is 1800 hours."

William then looked up at the man seated across from him, “How did you know Mr. Davis?”

"Not very well at all." Sam said simply. "As a MACO we are still acclimatising to life fully mixed with Starfleet personnel and as a member of the senior team I have tried to encourage the mixing of both but I have been just as guilty of staying with my own group."

William nodded slightly and made a note on his PADD, “Were you and Mr. Davis on good terms?”

"As good terms as we could have been," Sam replied.

William made another note and then looked up at Major King, “When did you last see Mr. Davis?”

"When we were on the other ship."

William made a note and asked, "Did you notice if he was with someone else or was he alone?"

"He was with another crewmember but they had their back to me." Sam replied cracking his knuckles. "I couldn't get a look to see who it was unfortunately."

William asked, “Do you know anyone who wanted to kill Mr. Davis?”

"Nope. Do you know anyone capable of killing to such a degree? Has it been confirmed they were murdered at all?" he asked in return.

William nodded slightly and made another note, "Dr. Avira confirmed that Mr. Davis was murdered." William then looked back at the major, “Now Major King, I understand that you were found without an escort after Mr. Davis was found, so I must ask where you at the time of the murder?” He made sure that his face did not reveal anything as he asked this question.

"Given that I do not know when they were murdered I cannot answer that, can I? he asked. "I was in Engineering for most of my time on the ship. Took a tour of the deck to see what I could find, anything useful at all."

William checked his notes before answering, "According to the autopsy results, Mr. Davis was murdered between 2100 and 2300 hours yesterday." He then looked back at the Major, "Dr. Avira found defensive wounds on Mr. Davis which indicates he struggled with his killer. She also reports that the killer demonstrated a proficiency with bladed weapons. You were found unescorted on the alien ship with a wound on your forearm." As he said the last bit, William motioned to the fresh bandage on the Major's arm, "Given these coincidences I must ask you again, can you account for your movements between 2100 and 2300 hours yesterday?"

"I was with my scouting partner, Crewman Settle. Between those hours we were scouting out lower decks for signs of life, or useful intelligence. We unfortunately could not find any and returned to the ship at 2330 hours by my watch." Sam replied resignedly. "I am glad Davis put up a fight, the killer deserves to be found and justice brought. However, there are plenty of people on board to who can kill with a blade, and where as I have already explained that Settle ran off that is merely coincidence and stupidity on their part. My arm was carelessness, not a result of a fight. If I wanted to kill anyone I would not have any marks on me to show it, nor would I have left a body to be so easily found." he remarked.

William wrote the times and Crewman Settle's name down and made a note to verify the Major's alibi. He looked back up at the Major, "So just to get things straight, you were with Crewman Settle scouting the lower decks last night. Then today you were with Crewman Settle again only this time he ran off from you and you didn't think it pertinent to follow him?"

"I am not the guys babysitter, Gerhard." Sam stated before relaxing a little. Being grilled always put him on edge, he felt that it was a slight on his character to even suggest the chance of guilt even if they were only doing their jobs. "I'm sure he will turn up.

William sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest, "Did Mr. Settle say anything when he took off, or are you just saying he just all of the sudden took off running down a corridor leaving you in a bewilderment."

"Look, I was talking to him about the MACO program as he had expressed an interest. Told him I used to be part of the international SEAL team on Earth due to my time in the Royal Marines and I noticed he had went quiet. Next thing I know I am turning around he hear quickening receding footsteps and I turn around to see the guys arse turn a corner. When I followed to that same corner it split into 3 separate corridors. So yes, leaving me in bewilderment as to why he ran off but I obviously chose the wrong corridor to go down or he was just moving at at a careless pace throughout an unknown vessel."

William looked at the Major as he told the story. He didn't let his face reveal anything and made a few notes on his PADD before looking back up at Major King, "Now let's go back to when you last saw Mr. Davis. You said he was with another crewmember, but you did not see who it was. Are there any other identifying characteristics for this unknown person: height, weight, hair color, or uniform division color?

"They had their back to me so I only saw them from that angle." Sam began. "From what I could tell they were taller than Davis, well built and male. Dark hair although I cannot be more specific and they did not appear to be in standard uniform which makes division colour something I cannot give. They looked formidable, and I don't use that word lightly."

William furrowed his brow as he listened to the description of the individual. He wrote down the description on his PADD and looked back up at King, "Is there any member of the crew you can think of that matches that description?"

"There are a number of the crew that match that description. Corporal Cipriani, Petty Officer Karev, Lieutenant Han to name a few." Samuel answered.

William nodded and wrote his last notes before setting his stylus down next to his PADD. "Alright Major King I think that about covers all the questions I have at this time. Is there anything else you wish to add on the record?"

"Nothing at this time. I think you have covered all bases here."

William sat forward and leaned towards the recorder, "Interview with Major Samuel King is concluded at this time. Current time is 1845 hours." He then stopped the recorder and deposited it into his uniform pocket. He then looked back up at the Major, "You are free to go Major. If you think of anything else please let me know."

"Be the first person I call Lieutenant." Sam said with a wink before walking out of the door. As the doors behind him closed he felt fake fresh air hit him, rooms and experiences such as the one he had experienced could be stuffy, stifling.

William watched the major exit the room and then leaned back into his chair. The revelation that Aurelius had been seen with another individual aboard the alien vessel was a key development in the case. There was something over there that the AI was not telling them, but he was sure they would find out soon.

 

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