<USS Avalon> Redemption of Ketchum?

 
Redemption of  Ketchum?

Dawson  stood up, ready to question his son, Keith.

âCaptain Ketchum, I would  like to thank you for your testimony thus far, and 
I had a couple of questions  for you.â

Keith nodded.

âTell me, how many battles have you been  in, during your career with 
Starfleet?â

âProbably too many to  count.â 
âAny particular battles where the destruction of the  opposing vessel were 
warranted.â 
âI recall one, that being during a battle with the  Borg.  They were 
relentless and would not relent.  We could have flown  away, but they would 
have 
followed and probably destroyed us.â

âSo, you  compare the destruction of the Borg vessel and the destruction of 
the Ferengi  vessel in the same category.â

âWhen it came down to the safety of the  crew, I felt that if we tried to 
retreat after the recovery of the Romulan, the  Ferengi would have done more 
extensive damage to the Avalon, including  destruction.â

âThank you for the clarification.  I have a couple of  questions about John 
Forester.â

Keith nodded.

âYou were notified  that John was your son, prior to his birth, correct?â

âThat is  correct.â

âAnd you tried to abide by his mother's wishes that you not  reveal this 
information to anyone.â

âYes.â

âAnd when John Forester  was serving on the Avalon, you did not approach him 
with this  information?â

âI did not.  I kept away to allow him his own  advancement in career 
choices.â

âDid you at any time make suggestions to  Commander Marksbury for his 
inclusion into the extraction team?â

âI did  not.â

âIf it would please the court, I would like to provide certified  letters 
from other Captains, specifically Fleet Captain Marc Offenburger and  Captain 
valQIS Kat, who both advise that the Captains decisions when it comes to  
destruction of other vessels are not something they take lightly.  And as  both 
have 
served with Captain Ketchum, they note also that he would not take  that 
decision lightly either.  They would appear in front of the panel, but  due to 
their current missions, they are unable to.  Hence the reasoning  that they 
submitted certified letters for this preceding.â

The judge took  the letters and read them, âThese have been placed in the 
record as Item A and  B.  Copies will be provided to the panel for their 
review.â 
âThank you, We are complete in  the questioning of this witness.â 
Cardonas stands, âProsecution  restsâ 
Praz, who was still walking back  to the table, turns, âDefense rests.â

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