Audra accepted the answer and
moved on to start the interview. "Specialist Edwards, this interview is going
to relate mostly to the conversation you and your team had with Admiral
Lysarra Izata and myself a short time ago. Do you remember that conversation
and what it referred to?"
"Sure. We talked about the shuttle
that was used to carry the Venasian dignataries that blew up. I remember
that."
Audra nodded. "That is correct. Specialist Edwards, how well do
you know General Aamon of the Venasian military?"
"I can not say all
that well. I mean I was briefed on who was to be on the shuttle, and
that included a small bit about him and his trip to San Francisco. They
told us that he was here, along with a member of the Venasian Assembly,
to speak with the Federation Council. In our briefing they said that he
was to inquire about allowing limited access to Federation Space to Venasian
Military craft and to press for more support in finding a new homeworld for
his homeless people." Edwards said rather a matter of factly.
This was
a bit strange to Audra. It was her understanding that the exact nature
of his trip were not released until after the meeting with the Federation
Council. How would he get that information in a briefing.
Furthermore, no one else that she had spoken to, or any one that security had
interviewed as part of their initial investigation, had mentioned any of that
as part of thier briefings...
She also got the impression that he was
putting on a PC spin to things. He had some feelings about the Venasians
that he would rather keep secret. Perhaps a search warrent would be
helpful for his work area and his quarters, e-mail, communications tap.....
Audra tapped in a note to herself about getting a search warrent for
Edwards' quarters, work spaces, and communications as she spoke. "Who
gave you this very informative briefing prior to your assignment, Mr.
Edwards?"
"It was a standard briefing that we get
daily. I think that it was Lt. Kreig, the watch officer that day.
Yes, I am sure that it was Lt. Kreig." Edwards replied.
"Do you know any members of
the Venasian military?"
"Not on a first name basis. We all got
the chance to speak wiht Chief Investigator Telax, the Venasians investigator
on this. I also spoke with one or two of the General's guards who
inspected his shuttle before departing the station. But in either case
it was just to answer a few questions, nothing more."
Perhaps he was
telling the truth. Perhaps he was not directly involved with the
Venasians, but rather dealt with a middle man. Afterall this was not
something that could be done alone...
"How do you feel about
Venasians, Mr. Edwards?"
"They are not my favorite
people. Always nitpicking over the shuttles and the like. They are
a bit too damned picky for people who want so much and offer little in
return." he said with a touch of attitude leaching
through.
Audra picked
up on that in a heartbeat. While it was widely known that the Venasians
would not trade any of their advanced technology (weapons, medicine, or the
like) they did push hard for the Federation to help find them a new home
world. That did not always sit well with many within the
Federation. Perhaps this would explain things..... or perhaps
start another path of investigation.
As Edwards finished his answer,
Audra heard a tapping on the door to the converence room. She got up and
moved over to the door, which opened before her. When she saw who it
was, she stepped out after excusing herself.
"Commander, I figured
we'd come down and offer you assistance if you need it. How's it going?"
"I am not sure that Edwards was the only person involved, but he is
definitely one of the people." She handed over her PADD which was
maintaining a transcript of the interview.
(response)
"You are
welcome to join the interview, gentlement, if you would like."
(response)
Audra nodded as the three made their way into the
conference room. "Mr. Edwards, Captain David Boulay, the Attorney
General, and LtCdr Joseph Garibaldi would like to sit in with us in this
interview. Would you mind?"
The lawyer replied now, "This is a bit irregular... for the JAG Chief
and someone from the Inspector General's office to be present at a preliminary
interview. Just what kid of charges are you trying to pin on my
client? What kind of arm twisting are you trying to pull here,
Commander?" he asked honestly concerned for his
client.
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