[MisterJuan]

I usually don't post my character backgrounds in this format, but for this particular one, it seemed very appropriate.


-Interrogation Transcript, Operation Typhoon-

Major Tores: So, let's get this started. Could you please state your full name, rank, and unit, for the record.

Commander Singh: Sharmila Singh, Commander, Terran Navy 3rd Special Operations Groups.

MJR Tores: Where were you born?

CMDR Singh: Kolkata, India.

MJR Tores: How long have you been serving with the Navy?

CMDR Singh: 14 years.

MJR. Tores: As you know, Commander, you are bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice to answer all questions trutfully and any failure to cooperate will be taken as a violation of that code.

CMDR Singh: Yes sir.

MJR. Tores: Very well. You were in charge of... of Operation Typhoon, is that correct?

CMDR Singh: No sir. To the best of my knowledge, that would be -INFORMATION DELETED-

MJR. Tores: Ah yes. Of course. I beg your pardon. So, you were part of Operation Typhoon, yes?

CMDR Singh: Correct sir. I was assigned command duty aboard the destroyer class Seraphim for the operation.

MJR. Tores: Was this your first command?

CMDR Singh: No sir. I was previously CO aboard the escort class Bandit, XO on the destroyer Nomad, and CAG of the Interceptor Wing Alpha, aboard the carrier Elemental.

MJR. Tores: So, it is fair to say you are... how should I put it... and experienced commander.

CMDR Singh: I believe so, sir.

MJR. Tores: So, you were especially recruited by -INFORMATION DELETED- for Operation Typhoon, and given command of the Seraphim. What was your mission?

There is a long pause in the recording.

MJR. Tores: I assure you Commander, I posses the security clearance for this. Go ahead.

CMDR Singh: Operation Typhoon was a deep convoy raid, well inside enemy space.

MJR. Tores: What was your target, exactly.

CMDR Singh: A prison ship, escorted by 3 small size combat vessel.

MJR. Tores: And you were to?

CMDR Singh: Our orders were to infiltrate ennemy territory and strike at the convoy while it was isolated from reinforcement. We were to destory or disable the escort crafts, deliver two teams of Marines to the prison ship and extract -INFORMATION DELETED-.

MJR. Tores: Why this officer in particular.

CMDR Singh: -INFORMATION DELETED- was part of the Navy task force that organized perimeter defense fo Terra. He was captured during combat operations, but our intel said he hadn't been properly identified by the enemy.

MJR. Tores: So, in short, they didn't know who they had?

CMDR Singh: That is the jist of it, sir.

MJR. Tores: So, it was only a matter of time before he was found out, and properly interrogated.

CMDR Singh: Yes sir.

MJR. Tores: How many POWs were on that transport, Commander.

CMDR Singh: 871, sir.

MJR. Tores: So, what happened, Commander.

CMDR Singh: We were able to take the convoy by complete surprise. In a few seconds, two of the three escort ships had been destroyed, and the third had surrendered.

MJR. Tores: What did you do with the surrendering vessel.

CMDR Singh: We ignored its hails and destroyed it, sir.

MJR. Tores: You shot at a surrendering ship?

CMDR Singh: Yes sir. The only good enemy is a dead enemy.

Again, there is a long pause.

MJR. Tores: And after?

CMDR Singh: We disabled the prison ship, and positioned ourselves to deliver the boarding party. A large flotilla of enemy ships appeared on our sensors. Taking into account their heading and speed, there was simply to possibility of extracting our target before the ships engaged us.

MJR. Tores: Could you have engaged the enemy?

CMDR Singh: The sheer number of ships would have made it a futile attempt.

MJR. Tores: What was your decision.

CMDR Singh: I ordered a firing solution on the prison ship. The Chief Gunner refused to carry out the order. I issued my command a second time, and he refused again. So I took my sidearm and shot him.

MJR. Tores: You shot your Chief Gunner.

CMDR Singh: Yes sir. Time was of the essence.

MJR. Tores: You couldn't simply relieve him of his duty?

CMDR Singh: And what if the Assistant Chief Gunner had also refused? I could not take that chance. I shot him, and issued my order again. All weapons were fired, destroying the prison ship. We then jumped away.

MJR. Tores: Let me just make sure we're clear on this, Commander. You fired on an unarmed prison ship, carrying...

The sound of keystorkes can be heard.

MJR. Tores: Carrying 871 Terran POW?

CMDR Singh: Yes sir.

MJR. Tores: You willingly killed 871 men and women of the Terran Navy.

CMDR Singh: I believe some were also captured Marines and Army personel sir.

MJR. Tores: Why?

CMDR Singh: Since I could not rescue the intel, and could not afford to have it fall into enemy hand, I took the decision to destroy the intel.

MJR. Tores: I see. So you took the initiative of destorying the “intel”.

CMDR Singh: Incorrect sir. I was instructed to destory the target if it could not be secured.

MJR Tores: Are you saying you were told to kill -INFORMATION DELETED- if he could not be rescued?

CMDR Singh: No sir. I was told to destroy the prison ship.

There is a long pause in the recording.

CMDR Singh: Is there a problem, Major Tores? You already read my report, haven't you?

MJR. Tores: I have. I was just hoping you'd have a better story than that.

CMDR Singh: Well Major, all I have for you is the truth.

MJR. Tores: Yes... Well, I'll take this to the review board and we'll see how things go.

There's the sound of a chair moving.

CMDR Singh: I accomplished my mission Major. I followed my orders.

MJR. Tores: You did Commander. You were clearly the right woman for the job. I just hope you can live with yourself now.

CMDR Singh: My conciense is a small price to pay to ensure victory. I knew very well the risks that were involved with the mission.

There's a pause, then the sound of someone gathering papers.

CMDR Singh: You can tell the Admirals I won't name them.

MJR Tores: I beg your pardon Commander?

CMDR Singh: They're going to throw me out to the wolves, and they should.

MJR Tores: That's ridiculous Commander! The Navy looks after its own.

CMDR Singh: Do not insult my intelligence, Major. Tell them I won't put up a fight. Tell them they can drag me through the mud and hang me for this.

There's the sound of feet moving away and a door opening.

CMDR: But tell them they've got as much blood on their hands as I have on mine.

There's the sound of a door closing, and a bolt being lock.

-END OF TRANSCRIPT-

Sharmila Singh is now 38 years old, and has been working as a freelance pilot for the past few years. Born in India, she has slight tanned skin, with large brown eyes, high cheekbones and long black hair, which she usually pulls very tight in a pony tail or a bun. Standing at about 5'5'', she carries herself rigidly and rarely has anything else but a stern look on her face. Not a particularly friendly person, Sharmila has a well deserved repution of being ruthless, but extremely efficient.