by Dale Musser
“While all of these transgressions are of a serious nature, I concede that none of them constitute treason by definition. We might court martial Tibby, based solely on these offenses, and strip him of his rank, or imprison him for a time for violation of Federation laws, but none of these actions, alone or together, represents treason. They do, however, set the precedent for the one action – a most despicable action – that does constitute a treasonable offense.”
I had to admit Wingutt was good. I was even starting to hate myself, just listening to the way he spun his words to influence the assembly.
Wingutt continued, “While his motives remain unclear, Tibby has formed some sort of alliance with the androids – not merely on a personal basis, but on a mutually profitable basis. This alliance is one that threatens the Federation in a way that pales to the war with the Brotherhood. I will demonstrate that Tibby has passed on classified technical information of a military nature to the androids and provided them with equipment and plans that give them the capability to produce a fleet of warships equal to our own. In return for these advantages, the androids have been selling Tibby some of these ships, which he has then sold to the Federation. We can only surmise that he is using these funds to further enhance the fighting capabilities of the androids and, hence, we must seriously question his motives in providing this technology to our sworn enemy.
“We do not know what the status is of the androids as an organized community. Are they reproducing themselves? Building up a new and stronger army and training to attack us once more? If so, what is Tibby’s role in this truly frightening development? Is he planning to install himself as their leader? The mere act of passing on the details and design plans of our fastest and most effective warship to the androids is alone an act of treason. Doing business with the androids at all is illegal, as there is a long-standing and well-known embargo against any and all trade with this most dangerous enemy. We must ask ourselves how much farther do his acts of treason go beyond what has been uncovered, and what is the true magnitude of the danger he poses to the Federation?” With that, Senator Wingutt turned away from the podium and returned to the accuser’s box.
Chief Justice Terralisa spoke. “Are the accusers prepared to present evidence and testimony to support their claims at this time?”
“We are, Your Honor, ‘Wingutt replied.”
“You may call your first witness,” instructed Terralisa.”
“I wish to call Lieutenant Commander Ghareth to the stand,” Wingutt stated.
A tall man in a Federation military uniform rose to his feet. He was not someone I recognized, but then there were millions of Federation personnel I’d never met. The Lieutenant Commander took his seat in the testimony chair and a truth band was attached to his head. On the vid screen above him, a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen displayed a colored band that would change in color depending on the level of truth the witness was relating, at least to the extent that the subject believed the information to be true.
I noted that Gareth did not look altogether comfortable with being called to testify and I suspected that his presence was forced by subpoena.
“Now, Lieutenant Commander, would you state for the record your name and rank and the unit under which you currently serve.”
“Lieutenant Commander Ghareth, attached to the First Fleet as a supply acquisition officer.”
“And specifically, what sort of acquisitions do you handle?” Wingutt asked.
“Ships, sir, anything from corvettes down to lesser craft.”
“Does that include Nijang Fighters?”
“Yes, sir, it does.”
“Just where are the ships acquired?” Wingutt asked.
Gareth paused for a moment before answering. “From shipyards all over the Federation, sir,” he replied.
“I see. Could you give us a few examples?”
“Well, Nibaria for one, and Fordan. Those are two of our biggest suppliers, but there are hundreds more.”
“What about the Nijang Fighters? Do you get them from all over the Federation as well?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who is the biggest supplier of Nijang Fighters to the Federation?” Wingutt asked with a victorious look on his face.
Gareth paused again. “Admiral Tibby, sir.”
“Admiral Tibby? Does he have a shipyard?”
“No, sir, not that I know of,” Ghareth answered.
“So where do you think Admiral Tibby is fabricating the ships he is providing to the Federation forces?” Wingutt asked as he glanced about the hearing hall judging the reactions of those present.
“I don’t know, sir.”
“Tell me, Lieutenant Commander, how many ships that list Tibby as the supplier have you processed during your career?”
“I can’t say for sure, sir. Possibly something close to one million.”
“One million fighters – ships of war – have been supplied by Tibby to the Federation military and we don’t know where they originate. Doesn’t that seem a bit strange to you, Lieutenant Commander?”
“I don’t know, sir. I never really thought about it.” During Gharet’s testimony, the truth monitor stayed green, indicating he was telling the truth as he believed and understood the situation.
“Very well. I have no other questions for Lieutenant Commander Ghareth. I would now like to call Sergeant Irella to provide his testimony,” Wingutt said.
Ghareth left the stand and returned to the accuser's box and a shorter man with light brown hair took a seat in the testimony chair. After the truth band was attached to his head and a technician tested to make sure it was working properly, Wingutt approached him and began his interrogation.
“Would you kindly state your name and rank for the record,” Wingutt said.
“Sergeant Noresta Untella Bota Diresea Irella.” Unlike most of the Federation, where only one name was used, Irella apparently came from one of the few worlds where multiple names were used. There was probably an interesting story behind that string of names, but I never learned what it was.
“And what is your duty in the military, Sergeant?” Wingutt asked.
“I’m assigned to the Materials Transport unit of the First Fleet in Sector 1.”
“And is part of that duty to transfer ships from shipyards to the fleet supply depot as part of the delivery protocol?” Wingutt asked theatrically.
“Yes, sir. My unit receives orders to take delivery of military aircraft and fly them either to carriers or through the nearest Cantolla Gates and directly to the supply depots here at Megelleon or at Plosaxen.”
“What about the fighters that Admiral Tibby supplies to the Federation? Have you ever taken delivery and transported these craft to the supply depots?”
“Yes, sir, a number of times.”
“And could you tell us where it is you take delivery of these ships?”
“No, sir, I can’t.” answered Sergeant Irella.
“Can’t! You can’t? Why is that? Have you been ordered not to reveal the information?” Wingutt exploded dramatically.
“No, sir, I can’t because I don’t know where the sites are – or – were,” Irella replied with some discomfort.
“I don’t understand. Please explain your answer.”
“Well, sir, when we respond to orders to take delivery of ships supplied by the Admiral, we pass through a Cantolla Gate assigned to top secret, temporary, one-time destination coordinates. The destination of the second gate is unknown to us. When we arrive, we usually find ourselves on some barren planet or moon or, at least, in an uninhabited region that we – I – don’t recognize. Usually, it’s a flat desert area where we find the ships just sitting there waiting for us. We dispatch the necessary transport pilot to each ship and then depart back through the gates, which are then dismantled. We then continue to either Plosaxen or Megelleon – or sometimes to a carrier.”
“So when you arrive at these locations to pick up the ships, who is there guardi
ng the ships?” Wingutt asked.
“No one, sir. No one that I’ve seen, anyway. The ships are organized in departure formation, just waiting for us.”
“No one is guarding them? They’re just there for anyone to take?”
“I guess so. But the ships aren’t there long. To my knowledge, they are staged there just shortly before we arrive.”
“Why do you believe that?”
“Well, for one thing many of the ships are still warm from recent operation; and on one occasion, due to a technical error, we arrived early, just as the last ship was delivered to the staging area.”
“You arrived early? So then you saw who delivered the ships?”
The sergeant became visibly uncomfortable as he realized that he’d been backed into a trap by Wingutt’s line of questioning. “Yes, sir. At least the last one.”
“And will you tell us clearly, please, exactly what you saw?” Wingutt asked intently.
“The fighter was just landing as we came through the gate. It was some distance from us, but I could clearly see when the hatch opened that it was an android that exited the ship. He turned and, when he saw us at our own gate, ran quickly in the other direction to a nearby Cantolla Gate from which, I imagine, he had just arrived with the ship. He leaped through the gate and, just a split second afterward, the gate shut down.”
“And you’re absolutely certain it was an android?”
“Yes, sir. Two others saw it as plainly as I did.”
“Why do you suppose that Admiral Tibby has the ships delivered in this manner?
“Suppositions by the witness are not to be solicited, as they are irrelevant to this hearing,” interrupted Chief Justice Terralisa. “Please restrict your questioning to the disclosure of facts only.”
“Pardon me, Your Honor, I’ll rephrase the question,” said Wingutt.
“Sergeant Irella, have you ever before or since received ships for transport from any other source than from Admiral Tibby using this method?”
“No, sir, I haven’t.”
“Has anyone ever explained to you why this method is used?”
“No, sir, no one has.”
“Thank you, Sergeant. That will be all.”
During Sergeant Irella’s entire testimony, the truth indicator had remained green, in spite of his visible discomfort during questioning.
“I would next like to call Captain Yarratta to provide testimony,” Wingutt announced.
A tall, well-muscled man in a captain’s uniform rose from the accuser’s box and walked to the testimony chair. However, before seating himself, he turned to face Chief Justice Terralisa, announcing in a stiff, military tone, “Your Honor, I will not give testimony against First Citizen Tibby. If my refusal means I must go to prison for failing comply, so be it. But I will not assist this tribunal by way of any testimony in bringing to ruin the greatest hero the Federation has ever known.”
Before Terralisa could address Captain Yarratta, Wingutt interrupted. “There, there, now, Captain. I have no intentions of asking you anything about Admiral Tibby. In fact, I promise you he will not be mentioned or referenced in any questions I ask you. I promise that, if I do ask any such question, you may object and I will withdraw the question. Now, is that agreeable to you?”
“I guess so,” Yarratta said.
“Fine. Now, if you’ll kindly take a seat and allow the technician to prepare you for your testimony, we’ll begin.”
The technician again fitted and adjusted the headband for the truth monitor and performed a brief test. Wingutt wasted no time approaching his new witness for questioning.
“Now, Captain, will you state for the record your rank and full name?”
“Captain Garus Bidic Yarratta.”
“And tell us, Captain, what is it you do in the Federation military?”
“I’m a fighter pilot.”
“A fighter pilot! You are in fact a highly skilled fighter pilot, are you not? You hold one of the highest records for shooting down enemy ships in the fleet’s history. Is that not true?”
“Only in Sector 1, sir,” Yarratta replied. “A number of the more recently commissioned Ruwallie Rasson fighter pilots have achieved double the number of enemy ship kills that I have.”
“Ah, yes, but we’re not talking about the Ruwallie Rasson fighters who fly all over the Federation. We’re talking about performance here in Sector 1. You are the top fighter pilot in Sector 1, are you not?”
“Yes, I guess so. I don’t really know for sure.”
“Well, I do. I instructed my staff to check into your credentials and statistics and it is undisputed that you are, in fact, Sector 1’s top fighter pilot. Now, tell me, Captain, what type of fighter do you fly?”
“Well, sir, I fly all sorts of fighters from the ALI class to the Nijang Fighter.”
“What ship do you currently fly most often?”
“The Nijang Fighter.”
“Tell me, Captain, as one of the top fighter pilots in the Federation, what do you think of the Nijang Fighter craft?”
“Outside of the carriers, they’re the best ships in the fleet for combat.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, for one thing, the technology is far superior to our other ships. They’re also faster and equipped with more fire power than the other ships. The Nijang Fighter is smaller and requires a smaller crew and, as far as I understand, they’re quicker to build and repair. I would imagine the Nijang Fighter also costs less to build.”
“Tell me, Captain, to your knowledge, does the enemy have any ships as capable as the Nijang Fighter?”
“No, sir, not to my knowledge.”
“How would you feel if the enemy was to get their hands on the technology for the Nijang Fighter?”
Chief Justice Terralisa interrupted. “Senator Wingutt, again, please restrain yourself from asking any questions that solicit subjective answers. You are permitted to obtain only facts from your witnesses. The feelings of the Captain are not relevant to this hearing.”
“I’m sorry, Your Honor. I will rephrase my question.
“Captain, as a seasoned pilot who has fought the enemy in numerous significant battles, what impact would it have on the progression and outcome of the war if the enemy were to gain access to the technology of the Nijang Fighter craft?”
“It would have a very serious impact. Casualties would certainly increase in future battles.”
“So, if some member of the Federation were to give that technical information to the enemy, it would be an act of treason, would it not?”
Yarratta sat stone-faced, refusing to answer, as he stared at Wingutt.
“Never mind, Captain. I withdraw the question,” said Wingutt smugly. “Honorable Chief Justice Terralisa, I have no further questions for Captain Yarratta and no further witnesses to call at this time.”
“Very well, then,” said Terralisa. “First Citizen, Fleet Admiral Tibby, do you wish to address these accusations now or do you wish we postpone your testimony until tomorrow, so you might have time to consider today’s testimony?”
“If it pleases Your Honor, I would just as soon address the issues now.”
“Very well. Please be seated in the testimony chair so the technicians might attach the truth detection headband.”
The technician once again attached and tested the truth monitor before Chief Justice Terralisa continued. “Please state your full name and rank in the military. Thereafter, you may proceed with your statement.”
“My name is Thibodaux James Renwalt. I serve the Galactic Federation military forces as Fleet Admiral,” I began. I could see on a small screen before me that the truth indicator maintained a solid green color.
“I have been accused of many things this day. Most of them, misrepresented as they may be by Senator Wingutt, are to some extent true. However, none of these actions constitute treason or have in any way or at any time posed a threat the Federation,” I began.
I instinctively g
lanced at the truth monitor to see it still showed a solid green color.
“Senator Wingutt has pointed out that the Federation has bestowed on me great wealth and fame. This is true. It is also true that I have never asked for or wanted any of it. It has been far more of a headache than a blessing.” The green glow on the monitor remained within my peripheral vision as I continued to address the assembly.
“The Senator has also pointed out that it was not until my arrival here in the Federation that any hostilities with the Brotherhood occurred. To that, I cannot respond, as I am unaware of the nature of the Brotherhood’s intentions or the relationship between the Brotherhood and the Federation prior to my arrival. However, as to the conflicts that occurred after my arrival and my involvement in them, I can only attest that it was a matter of chance and circumstance – not by design, or desire for fame and glory – that I was involved. Quite the opposite, I would gladly have avoided all of those events and chosen to reside quietly and peacefully someplace here in the Federation in relative obscurity.”
“Senator Wingutt has pointed out that, shortly after gaining citizenship with the Federation, I made a rather urgent trip to a non-aligned world, Alle Bamma, where I engaged in battle with the Brotherhood who, I learned after my arrival, had developed an elaborate drug operation to produce the illegal drug, God’s Sweat. I discovered that the Brotherhood had enslaved the natives of Alle Bamma, kidnapping them from their jungle homes and forcing them into prison work camps, where they were required to cultivate and harvest the plants needed for the Brotherhood’s illicit drug production. To hear the Senator’s version of my travels to Alle Bamma, one would be led to believe that my original intent – my motive, as he would say –was to initiate a violent confrontation with the Brotherhood upon my arrival. The truth is that I, nor anyone in my employment, was aware of the Brotherhood’s presence on the planet at all. The original reason for my expedited journey to Alle Bamma was that my bond mate, First Citizen Kalana, had been poisoned by a Brotherhood assassin at a ceremony here at Megelleon, as many of you will remember. Her condition was terminal and, due only to the superior skills and swiftness of my staff, she was stabilized only moments from death. She survived in a state of suspended animation inside a stasis capsule aboard my yacht, while we raced to get the only known cure, which could be found only on Alle Bamma.
