Aggressive Tendancies

Posted on Thu Aug 12th, 2021 @ 7:59pm by Ensign Michael Sloan & Commander William Gerhard & Petty Officer, 3rd Class Callistus 'CJ' Jackson

Mission: Mission 4 - Eden
Location: Deck G - Temp Security Interview Room
Timeline: Day 166 - 1700 hours
1595 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

CJ walked into the room and sat down with Gerhard across from Sloan. Two people needed to do this interview due to just how awkward it was going to be interviewing Sloan. No one liked to interview someone who was a friend and colleague turned potential traitor. CJ did not want to be there but this interview was one of the last ones that they needed to conduct to get the full picture of the crew's movement. "Good Evening Ensign," Jackson said trying to cut the atmosphere with a knife so that they could all get this over with.

"Good evening," Sloan responded to his former subordinate. Given his own mental situation, it was only natural that he would be a suspect in just about any crime or mystery that happened aboard the Atlantis. He could not fault CJ or William for doing their job, Sloan would have been the first person he would have interrogated given their position.

William nodded his greeting and placed his audio recorder on the table between the parties. He then placed his PADD in front of him and brought up his notes with his stylus. "Ensign Sloan, while I am sure you are aware of the regulations, I am required to inform you that this interview will be audio-recorded and transcribed into the investigation file." He then looked up with an arched eyebrow at his former Department Head, "Shall we proceed?"

"Of course," the Romulan-turned-Human replied. He knew the drill more than most. Michael was even impressed that they were sticking close to Starfleet law this far away from Earth.

William nodded and placed his audio recorder on the table between them. He activated it and then spoke into the microphone, "This is Lieutenant William Gerhard, Chief Armory Officer, conducting a preliminary interview of Ensign Michael Sloan in regards to the homicide of Lieutenant Aurelius Davis. Also present is Petty Officer Callistus Jackson, Atlantis Brig Officer."

CJ looked between the men and coughed wondering if he should just start defused the situation. "Ensign...How did you know the deceased?" CJ wondered speaking the first question.

"This was our first assignment. I knew him as the helmsman of the ship and we were both present on the away mission where I..." Sloan took a moment to breathe as he remembered the change that happened to him, "The mission where I was captured by the Vrav."

William wrote a note onto his PADD and looked back up at Sloan, "How was your relationship with Mr. Davis? Did you ever have any problems with each other?"

"We never had any arguments, but we weren't friends. We simply served on the ship together."

CJ nodded, that was logical not everyone could be friends. Sometimes people were simply colleagues even in a situation like their own. Not all personalities mixed well. "When did you last see the deceased?

"I last saw the deceased during the Vrav invasion of the Atlantis. Since then, I've been confined to the Armory, the Mess, and Quarters."

William was writing notes on his PADD before continuing, "Can you account for your whereabouts last night?"

"I was in my quarters. The Captain was with me at the time, she had brought some books to help keep me occupied."

William nodded slightly. He had expected the answer since he had already spoken with the Captain about it. "And what time was this," he asked.

"I'm not sure on the exact time the Captain entered," Sloan thought for a moment. "I had been looking at the stars from my bunk, lost in my thoughts."

William looked at Sloan and arched his eyebrow, "So the captain just stopped by and dropped off some books. What time did she leave?"

Growing clearly uncomfortable about having to reveal personal details about the Captain, Michael took a moment for a long blink before revealing, "The next morning."

CJ looked at everyone a bit confused for a moment having not been aware of what had happened but that would explain so much that had happened since. "Thank you for saying that Sir. That will stay between us. Do you know anyone who wanted to kill the deceased?" It was an obvious question and he was pretty sure he knew the answer to it all but you never knew.

Shaking his head, Michael replied, "I do not. I have not been a popular person aboard the ship in some time, so I am a bit out of the loop when it comes to schemes and plots."

William sat back in his chair, "Since you've been on restricted duty, had you run into Mr. Davis at any point? Sit with him in the mess?"

Shaking his head, the Romulan replied with a gentle, "No." Looking between the investigator and the table, Michael added, "When words like traitor are thrown around, I tend to avoid people as much as I can. I don't want to cause any unnecessary issues because of my presence."

William nodded slightly. He decided to shift the tone of his questioning, "It must be difficult to listen to that kind of talk. Did he say something that made you upset? Perhaps while stargazing you decided you couldn't let something he said to you go"

"Specifically him?" Michael clarified before shaking his head. "As I said before, I had not had contact with Lieutenant Davis since the events of the algae garden and my rescue from the Vrav," he explained. Acknowledging the fact that Gerhard was going to play the bad cop, it fit the Lieutenat well. Instead of playing the uncaring prisoner, Sloan decided to switch tactics by giving the truth, "In fact, the last time I even saw the Lieutenant was on the Bridge at the wormhole. The entire compliment of Senior staff was present and there were far more important things happening than my species identity. He was a fantastic pilot and had the makings of a good morale officer."

“He did have the makings of a good morale officer.” The Petty officer agreed absently.

William nodded slightly and made a note on his PADD. He noticed that his shift in tone had made Sloan respond, so he decided to continue on the route he started. "Indeed he did have the qualities of making a fine morale officer. Given our current predicament stranded 150 years from home, he would've proved to be an invaluable asset to the mental health of the crew," he said and then looked up at Sloan, "The alien ship provides good cover doesn't it. I mean how convenient that we discovered an alien craft with only a hologram aboard and then our morale officer is murdered over there." He then leaned back in his chair again, "Come on Ensign, you have to admit that it's pretty convenient timing."

CJ cringed at how awkward this interview was getting. This was not going well at all. What was Gerhard doing? It was not the approach they had agreed but it seemed it was what the man wanted to do. We’re they really saying that the Captain was covering for him when he had given her as an alibi.

Shaking his head slightly, Sloan had enough of this. Instead of lashing out at how William seemed to be pinning his emotions about who Sloan was influenced his judgement, Sloan had a better idea. He leaned back in his chair and placed his crossed legs on the top of the table as if he were relaxing. But, he did wiggle his top foot a bit to indicate the anklet bracelet that the Captain had ordered when he first left the brig.

"As a quick search of the computer will show, I have not been over to the alien ship," Sloan nodded toward the device on his ankle. "I've only had access to quarters, the mess, and my designated work area," he pointed out. Pointing at the device as if he were really bringing home the argument, "That is my alibi and will back up everything. It'll even tell you how often I've gone to the bathroom if you're so inclined."

"I do not believe that will be necessary Sir." CJ stumbled through resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Right Lieutenant?" The Petty Officer prompted hoping that it was over or at least everyone was going to leave the room without hitting anyone else.

William did not react and instead stared at the ankle monitor and back at Sloan. Sensing he had struck a nerve, he let a small smile creep on his face before leaning forward and resuming taking notes on his PADD. He then looked back at Sloan, "All right Ensign Sloan, I think we've gone over enough. If we have any further questions after verifying your alibi, I'm sure we will know where to find you." He then turned his attention to the audio recorder, "Interview is concluded, current time is 1745 hours." He then turned the recorder off and looked back at Sloan, "I believe your due for your shift in the Armory Ensign."

"On my way," Sloan said as he rose from the table, emotionless. He immediately had a come back loaded about an excused tardy, but decided not poke the bear. With a nod toward CJ, and a look toward William, Michael exited the interrogation room. The situation in the room had shown him exactly where he stood. He would expect no favors and a shadow of assumed guilt for anything that arose in the future. This was going to be a long trip home.

 

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