I know... You are going to say something about Security Forces Standard Procedure for these types of incidents. Or, psychological evaluations are required for all Security Forces officer involved shootings. Blah, Blah, Blah.
I just don’t see the point in having a bunch of “Doctors” sit around asking me questions about a situation you will likely never be in, so you can assess if I am “normal” enough to return to work. I mean, how many of you have even shot an L-Pistol in aggression, let alone kill a man? Add to that it was my best friend and partner, and I think a few nightmares are a normal reaction.
I just want to get back to work. I know I got to wait for a new partner, but I am sure they are waiting for your evaluation on that.
Anyway, I understand you plan to ask me a few questions about all types of situations, not just the incident I am being evaluated for. So let me give you the formal information you need and we can get on with this.
Name: Michael Carlson
Rank: Corporal
Division: Protective Services
Location: E.S.S. Australia
So, fire away. (Perhaps not the best phrase to use considering why I am here.)
Second, after you fully answer the first one is what type of nightmares and how many?
Third, even though this one seems very basic but you can think of it a way to explain things to people who have never fired in L-gun in aggression even though you might be surpriosed. What does a L-gun do to someone? Again in your own words, not what the training manual says.
Well, what does it do to a person, well frankly it is a deadly weapon so it tends to cause great bodily injury or death. Its the last resort. In the case of my old partner, it really did neither. He survived, though I prefer to think he is dead. Instead he is locked away in New Alcatraz. How he escaped the needle, is beyond me. I suppose the system still fails, sometimes.
Why did I shoot him? Well the report was written in my own words, so surely you must know exactly the events that happened. Or at least what Security Forces and the Navy have authorized you to know.
But if you want to know why, the answer is simple: I shot my old partner because I feared for my life when he began shooting at me.
The nightmares. I knew I would have to explain these, though I would rather not. Most of those are just reliving the events of the incident. But, usually I don't get back in time and the Captain is dead. In one my old partner shot and killed me. In another no matter how much I fired, I could not seem to hit him. They are not every night anymore. In fact, they are getting sporadic.
As my colleague implied here the purpose of this isn't to see what you think we know or don't know. We want to see and hear you describe what happened. If it would help to have you think we are a bunch of nattering nabobs of ignorance go ahead but answer our questions clearly.
Why would your partner want to kill you? And what happened to the Captain?
The Captain was found badly injured in an attempt to extract command codes and other information.
I am sure understand I mean no disrespect to Doctors of any nature. This was a trying event that involved constant recounting for The courts, Admirals, Generals, and Politicians. Also, much of it has now been restricted, even to Doctors.
The more clearly you answer each question, the sooner we’ll be done, and have you on your way.
Now, what happened? Please start at the beginning, and walk us through each decision and each assumption.
So no more stonewalling to avoid this. Then, perhaps we can get on with more questions. Fair?
Okay. So here we go. (Heavy Sigh)
As you know I work the graveyard shift Protection Services. It was about 0300 standard hours when he and I needed more coffee. I got up and offered to go down to one of the ship stores and get more. I left the Captain's quarters and went down to get some. About halfway there I realized I left my payroll card back on post. I went back and tried to open the door. It was locked. My command code did not unlock it. I radioed inside but he did not answer. I radioed Australia Control and the overrode the lock. As soon as the door open, I took fire. I radioed Australia Control with the situation and they sent backup. I returned fire with a then unknown suspect behind the sofa area. As backup arrived, we moved into the room as the suspect was reloading. That was when I discovered our suspect was my partner.
My duty is to the Captain so I went to her room as the others restrained my partner. I found the Captain with an elctro-knife in her right hip. There were signs she had been beaten and strangled. Fortunately she has recovered.
As for my thoughts on the issues. I really don't know. I have worked with him for over six years, four on patrol and two with Protective Services. He was my best friend. There was never even the slightest hint he had any problem with the Captain or her issues. Official reports said he wanted some access codes, but that seems like a stretch. He has not said a word about any of it no matter how much approved force is used. Like I said, he should have got the needle, but he didn't.
(Long Silence)
So now that you know what happened, out of my own mouth, what else do you want to know about me?