For a change, it was Bickford’s father who paled. Digging up the athletic field? Had the Marine meant what he said?
Amanda was still contemplating that when Admiral Saito, followed by his Flag Lieutenant, came and sat down next to her on the floor. “Miss Cross, my apologies for the mess I have made.”
“You made?” Amanda had no idea what he was talking about. And why was he talking to her?
“Oh, yes, quite.” He looked up and saw the colonel sitting down at a table with Amanda’s father and the older Marine gunnery sergeant flanking him. “We’ll have to be quiet now.” His last words to her were the most confusing. “My honor, Miss Cross.” This time a bow in her direction.
Colonel Levi rapped his fist on a table; it sounded like a gavel. “Please be quiet.”
There was a hush that spread quickly across the room. Quite a few parents, Amanda saw, were already in the bleachers, and more continued to filter in.
“I am Colonel Judah Levi, commanding the Fourth Marine Brigade assault team, Fleet Marines. I hereby convene a Federation Special Board of Inquiry to examine the events that occurred this morning at The Peak School. This Board was requested and required by Vice Admiral Ito Saito, Commander of the Solar System Military District, the individual who commands the Defense of Earth.
“Admiral Saito has since tendered his resignation. I am advised by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Fleet Operations, Admiral of the Fleet Ernest Fletcher, that for the time being, the admiral’s resignation has not been accepted, but his actions are subject to review by this board, as are all of the actions of the other participants earlier today.
“The first witness shall be Dr. Bernard Gomez, Headmaster of the Peak School. Sir.” The colonel gestured in front of him, and Amanda saw the headmaster walk up and stand in front of the three board members, his back straight, and his eyes forward on the court.
“Before you start, Doctor Gomez, I would briefly like to address those who gather before this Tribunal,” the colonel announced. The headmaster nodded.
Colonel Levi lifted his eyes to the spectators, then after a moment turned his gaze to the students sitting isolated. He spoke as if to the detainees.
“This is a Federation Special Board of Inquiry. We are tasked with investigating the events at the Peak School this morning, involving a number of assaults on Fleet and Marine personnel and the penalties that should be invoked for any criminal acts that occurred.
“The rules here are Federation Emergency Rules, not the usual ones Americans and most people in the Federation are accustomed too.
“Perhaps the most important difference is that we do not swear in witnesses. Each who testifies before us today should be aware that testifying falsely to a Special Board is a capital offense. You will be shot forthwith if we ascertain that you have deliberately uttered falsehoods with the intent to deceive this court. Simply that; you will be taken from this room and shot at once. We are not interested in your promises -- only your actions, only your deeds. Tell the truth! Or the consequences visited upon you will be dire indeed!
“So, we will call individuals to testify. Those individuals will be called by name; the content of their testimony is left to their sense of duty and their conscience -- and the knowledge that punishment will be swift and final if we find that they failed in either one.” The colonel nodded at the school’s headmaster.
“Sir, please state your direct knowledge of the events of this morning.”
“Practically none, Colonel. I was having a last minute meeting with my department heads. One of the teachers came in with a report of a disturbance in front of the school and that the security guards were dealing with it. A minute later, we heard shots. We came out and found...” He shook his head. “There had been a riot. The students...” He shook his head again. “I have no idea what happened. None. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“You saw nothing of the events, heard nothing during the events?”
“Later, but the officer you asked to assist me said not to mention anything that I heard later.”
“That is correct, Dr. Gomez. We are interested in direct, first-hand observations of the events. Tell me, Doctor Gomez, what were the students doing outside?”
“This is Evaluation Day. The first day of each new academic year, we reevaluate everyone. This is to insure that the students are adequately prepared for the academic year ahead.” He explained for a few minutes the procedures.
“Doctor Gomez, if you would, please stand there.” The colonel pointed to a spot a few meters from where the headmaster was currently standing.
“Am I finished?”
The colonel pointed again and a Marine came and prodded the headmaster.
“Is there anyone in the room who wishes to contradict or expand upon Dr. Gomez’s version of the events, as he related them?”
There was silence in the room.
After a moment, Dr. Gomez stirred. “Colonel, may I ask a question?”
“Certainly, sir.”
“I don’t understand this. Yes, the students got carried away and there was a fight. Fights aren’t common at The Peak School, but we’ve had them before and dealt with them. All of this seems... out of proportion to the offense.”
Amanda watched the colonel as he sat still for a few moments. If Amanda had to apply one word to the emotion she thought the colonel was feeling just then, she’d have to say, “rage.”
“Sir, a serving officer of Fleet Aloft presented herself to this school this morning, with orders signed personally by the President of the Federation Council that she do so. She attempted by various means to communicate with representatives of The Peak School and was ignored. Then that officer was attacked by students from this school. When additional Fleet Aloft personnel attempted to go to her assistance, they were also attacked.”
“It was just a fight,” the headmaster maintained.
“Sir, do you know what the penalty for assaulting a Fleet officer on duty is, given the emergency rules?”
The headmaster grimaced. “It’s serious, I suppose.”
“Sir, you are culpably ignorant. Given the emergency rules, this Board may sentence all who had the least thing to do with what happened here this morning to be shot. Students, faculty, and you, the headmaster.”
Dr. Gomez recoiled. “I wasn’t even there!”
“As Hitler wasn’t present when the Jews were exterminated a few hundred years ago. I’m afraid, sir, that’s not exculpatory.”
“You’ve already made up your mind! You speak of the events...”
“You mean I don’t use the word ‘alleged’ at any time?” The colonel shook his head. “Sir, I’ve seen the recordings. The events were clearly recorded. We will, sir, attempt to insure that our understanding of the recordings is correct, and then we will seek ameliorating explanations. Then, and only then, will we attempt to render a decision. Now please, unless you have something further to add to the inquiry, remain silent.”
The headmaster was pale and shaking and stood quiet.
“Mr. Dennis Potter,” the colonel intoned.
They brought Potter up to face the three judges. Two Marines had to frog march him to stand in front of the Board; Potter kept trying to shake loose from them.
“Mr. Dennis Potter, if you would, please relate the events of this morning, from your point of view.”
Potter glared at the colonel. “I don’t recognize the authority of this kangaroo court!”
“It is immaterial, Mr. Potter,” Colonel Levi said directly to him, “whether or not you recognize anything. This Board has authority over you, whether you like it or not. This Board does not require your cooperation, sir; we merely request it. It’s your choice.”
“Colonel.” It was Amanda’s father speaking. “Perhaps it would clarify the matter in Mr. Potter’s mind, plus any others who might have questions, if the charges and specifications were to be read.”
The colonel shrugged. “Certainly, Dr. Cross. However, I would remind you
that once the charges and specifications are read, the Board may then assume that the material consequences of the outcome of the charges affects testimony; or, in simple terms, we may then decide someone is lying, based on our own judgment of the individual and testimony presented. And render a verdict that might seem at odds with any or all testimony received.”
Amanda’s father nodded and turned to Mr. Potter. “Sir, do you recognize this young woman? Fleet Aloft Senior Lieutenant Willow Wolf?” Her father waved at the spacer girl. A full lieutenant; Amanda still had trouble believing that.
Potter glared at them and said nothing.
“You should understand, sir,” the Marine gunnery sergeant spoke for the first time, “that this Board may take your failure to testify as tacit agreement with the testimony of others, even if showing you at fault.” What he said was nothing at all like a question -- it was a simple observation like where the sun came up every morning.
When Potter didn’t respond the gunnery sergeant glanced sideways at the colonel. “With all due respect, Colonel, I am in agreement with Dr. Cross. We should read the charges and specifications.”
The colonel picked up a piece of paper without further words. He read it silently, before looked up at Mr. Potter. When Potter said nothing, the colonel started to read aloud.
“At 0720 Arizona local time, August 28th, 2445, Lieutenant of the Fleet Willow Wolf did present herself at the Peak School with an order from Fleet Headquarters Liaison, Federation Council, to have her civilian academic records adjudicated. Lieutenant Wolf has filed a preliminary written report to this body that stated that agents and representatives of The Peak School refused to comply with that order. That she inquired of the students for assistance and that after subsequent rude remarks was physically assaulted by one individual, subsequently identified as Brian Bickford. She reported that she disabled the aforesaid student after he repeatedly struck her. Lieutenant Wolf was then further assaulted by others of the assembled students. The lieutenant reported that she noted one student who came to her assistance, subsequently identified as Amanda Cross.”
“My daughter,” Amanda’s father said. Not proudly, just stating the fact.
“Quite,” Colonel Levi said, obviously not pleased at the interruption.
The colonel continued. “At this point Admiral Ito Saito and his party arrived, intending to provide Lieutenant Wolf transportation to an awards ceremony scheduled for the lieutenant earlier today with the Federation President, Emil van de Veere. It is noted by this officer, that the lieutenant’s orders for her records evaluation were personally signed by the President of the Federation, by his own hand. That the Federation President was intending to present Lieutenant Wolf the Fleet Legion of Honor, the second highest decoration for bravery currently awarded by the Federation, plus confirming a number of other decorations, previously awarded.”
The colonel looked up at the assembly, his eyes wandering curiously over the spectators. After a moment, he continued.
“Finding a disturbance in progress, a Fleet officer being assaulted, Admiral Saito ordered his flag lieutenant and his guards to intervene, forbidding the use of weapons. In the ensuing confrontation, his two guards were injured, one has several fractures of the arms, legs, ribs and a skull fracture, caused by repeated kicks from his assailants; most of his injuries received after he had fallen. He is currently at the Fleet Hospital in Phoenix; his condition is listed as critical. The other has cuts, contusions and a broken arm and a broken nose and a concussion. He also is at the Fleet Hospital, Phoenix; his condition is listed as stable, but guarded.
“The admiral’s flag lieutenant, Fleet Marine Captain Jaan Martii, alerted the Ready Force, and then fired over the heads of the crowd, ending the disturbance. The school has surveillance cameras -- these events were recorded in adequate detail on them. For the record, all members of the court have reviewed those records, plus a number of preliminary written reports by officers and others involved.
“This officer notes that only one student was observed going to the aid of Lieutenant Wolf -- Miss Amanda Cross. She was knocked down, hit and kicked repeatedly, yet when the disturbance was over, she was the first to render medical assistance to Lieutenant Wolf.” The colonel looked up at Potter.
“Those, sir are the specifications.
“The charges, sir, are that you, Dennis Potter, did personally obstruct and delay Lieutenant of the Fleet Wolf from her duty, ignoring the direct, lawful orders of the President of the Federation Council, the Federation then being in the state of Race Emergency. That Brian Bickford did, with malice and intent, assault Lieutenant of the Fleet Wolf, obstructing her in her assigned duties and causing her bodily harm, thus diminishing the Fleet in its defense of Earth, the Federation then being in the state of Race Emergency. That further, Brian Bickford did incite the gathered students with inflammatory gender and origin based slurs against Lieutenant of the Fleet Wolf to riot, the Federation then being in the state of Race Emergency.
“That sundry of the aforesaid students did riot and did cause further bodily harm to Lieutenant of the Fleet Wolf. That sundry students did further obstruct Lieutenant of the Fleet Wolf from her duty, and when ordered to cease and desist by an officer of Fleet Aloft, did cause grievous bodily harm to two enlisted personnel of the Fleet thus further diminishing the Fleet in its defense of Earth, the Federation then being in the state of Race Emergency. That in the course of said riot, sundry students did attempt to assault Fleet Vice Admiral Ito Saito, Commanding, the Defenses of Earth and his Flag Lieutenant, Marine Captain Jaan Martii, causing said officers to be delayed and obstructed in their duty, their specific duty being the furtherance of the Defense of Earth, the Federation then being in a state of Race Emergency.
“Dennis Potter, having been apprised of these charges and specifications, this Board is permitted to conclude from a refusal to testify that the person so refusing does not dispute the truth of allegations against him or her. Mr. Potter, the charges against you are considered to be Treason Against the Human Race. If you are found guilty of the charge against you, you will be taken from this room and summarily executed. I would suggest, sir, that you reconsider your refusal to testify.”
The colonel looked at Potter, who stared back at him, not nearly as defiant. “I demand a lawyer!” Potter screamed shrilly after a few seconds.
“Dennis Potter, a Special Board is an inquiry into facts. The specifications are a list of the events that provide the context for the investigation. They may be disputed. Charges, sir, are a list of criminal infractions an individual or individuals are charged with. They may be disputed. If we ascertain the charges and specifications to be true, this Board may act according the rules and regulations specified for these Boards. If even one person on this Board believes there is the slightest doubt that you are not guilty as specified and charged, then you will be afforded a proper trial, with the standard legal safeguards. Otherwise, not.”
The colonel was silent for a moment as he looked out at the spectators. “The purpose of a Special Board is to cut through the chaff and get to the bottom of events -- to reward individuals who have done well and kill the sons of bitches who stand in the way of our Race’s very survival.
“Mr. Potter, three months ago, nearly a hundred billion people would have defended your right to legal representation, a trial heard by a jury of your peers. The current fifty-odd billion survivors of the Human Race aren’t as concerned about the fine points of those rights as they might once have been. Mr. Potter, the fact of the matter is that if losses continue at current rates the human race will be extinct shortly after Christmas. Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter.”
Amanda’s father spoke again. “Mr. Potter, do you know who I am?”
“The father of one of the students,” the teacher said, his voice angry and bitter.
“Well, yes, I am that. I was once a Fleet Officer, Mr. Potter. I resigned in protest, thinking that the Fleet spent entirely too much time preparing for war and not ne
arly enough in exploration and discovery or preparing to render assistance in the case of flight emergencies.
“I have spent the last eleven years, lobbying all and sundry to that effect. While I have served under Admiral Saito, neither of us would regard that service as particularly satisfactory, even though both of us were decorated after the rescue at Tenebra.
“What I am trying to say in a rather round about way, Mr. Potter, is that you need to speak to the questions at hand. If you do not do so, I will, however reluctantly, conclude that the events, as related, are true and correct, and that no matter how I personally feel disposed towards some other result, I will vote to have you shot.
“You sir, may challenge the specifications -- that is the description of events here that were just presented. You may challenge the charges laid against you; that is, the actions attributed to you and others that appear to be contrary to law. I warn you, sir, that doing neither would not be a wise choice.”
The colonel continued smoothly. “Did Lieutenant Wolf present her orders to you?”
“It is Evaluation Day; several times in the past students have used a variety of imaginative schemes to get a head start on the others. That person,” Potter pointed at Lieutenant Wolf, “appeared at the door, demanding to be admitted. As per policy, I refused. That person is not in uniform and I did not know she was in the military.”
“Did she show you her orders?” the gunnery sergeant asked.
“She had a piece of paper; I didn’t pay any more attention to it than I did her.”
“Lieutenant,” the colonel spoke to the young lieutenant. “May I see your orders?”
Lieutenant Wolf took the page from her folio. The folder had several splatters of blood on it, Amanda saw.
Starfarer's Dream (Kinsella Universe Book 4) Page 26
