Dark Space
Page 11
“Yes, sir,” Shawn said formally.
Hansen nodded slowly. “Lieutenant Branson, will you please read the charges against the commander.”
Branson held up a computer tablet. “The charges against the accused are as follows: tampering with Sector Command hardware and materials. Unauthorized use of Unified Collaboration of Systems property. Unsanctioned use of a jump gate. Intentional destruction of Unified Collaboration of Systems property. Deliberately disobeying the direct orders of a superior Sector Command officer. And finally, the results of these actions leading to the final charge: that of the commander being instrumental in, and fully responsible for, the death of a fellow Sector Command officer.”
When Branson lowered his computer, Hansen looked at Shawn. “Commander Kestrel, do you understand the charges as they have been indicated against you?
What could he say? They were all, in one way or another, absolutely true. Without hesitation, Shawn nodded once. “I do, sir.”
“Very well. Lieutenant Branson, call your first witness.”
“The court calls Captain Richard Krif.”
This is not starting off well.
Krif, dressed in full military regalia, entered the compartment from the left to stand beside Branson.
“Captain Krif,” Branson began, “do you understand the charges as they have been levied against Commander Kestrel?”
“I do.”
“And do you further attest that your testimony will be truthful and honest, to the best of your abilities and your knowledge?”
“I do.”
“Very well. Please be seated.”
Krif moved to sit in the empty chair beside the view screen.
“Captain Krif, as succinctly as possible, describe your relationship with Commander Kestrel.”
Krif, never turning to look at Shawn, addressed only Branson. “I would say it was professional, but not without its difficulties.”
“Could you be more specific about these difficulties?”
“The commander can be, at times … argumentative.”
Branson hummed in consideration. “He questions your orders?”
Krif nodded. “At times.”
“Would you say more often than not?”
Krif shifted slightly in his chair, almost imperceptibly. “In my opinion, the commander believes that his way of doing things is often the best course of action. At times, that comes into conflict with prescribed standard procedures.”
“I see,” Branson nodded. “But would you say this is more often the case?”
There was a pause. “Yes, I would agree with that.”
“Has the commander ever openly questioned your orders in front of others?”
There was no pause. “Yes.”
“Has the commander ever become combative during your discussions?”
“Yes.” This was hesitant … almost drawn out. What was Dick up to?
“Has this ever happened in front of others?”
Krif’s head wagged slightly. “At times.”
“Has the commander ever, in the past, directly disobeyed your orders?”
To this, Krif seemed visibly flustered. “He has. Yes.”
Branson looked at Shawn, then to Admiral Hansen, then finally back to Krif. “That doesn’t sound very professional at all to me, Captain. In fact, it sounds quite subversive, wouldn’t you agree?”
Krif regarded the question a moment before speaking. “When taken at a macroscopic level, I can see how the commander’s actions could be perceived in that manner. However, that’s not to say he still isn’t a fine officer.”
“Would you agree that one of the fundamental principles of a well-performing officer is to obey the orders as he has been given them by his superior officer?”
Krif pursed his lips and nodded. “I would.”
“Yet here you say that Commander Kestrel has a habit of disobeying those orders as he sees fit.”
Krif nodded. “Yes. And often times he produces favorable results. Sometimes even stellar.”
It was plain to see that Krif was staying true to what he’d told Shawn in sickbay. Shawn was just wondering why Krif was trying to help him. There’d never been any lack of contempt between the two, before or after Sylvia’s death. Why should Krif care what happened to Shawn at all?
“Often,” Branson acknowledged Krif’s statement. “But not always.”
“No, not in my opinion.”
“And, in those times when advantageous results are not forthcoming, you feel that it is precisely because the commander failed to obey orders?”
“That’s my opinion, yes. But it’s just that.”
“I see.” Branson paced to the opposite side of the room. The lieutenant brought a hand to his chin in contemplation as he stepped back toward Krif. “Captain, what is the current status of Commander Kestrel’s wife?”
Shawn slipped his hands to the armrest of the chair, out of sight of everyone, and involuntarily tightened them.
Krif was caught off guard by the question. “She’s dead.”
“And when did this happen?”
“During the war against the Kafarans.”
“And you were serving with the commander at the time?”
Krif nodded. “In a manner of speaking.”
Branson brought his hand down to his side. “Could you elaborate more on that?”
Krif leaned back in his chair as be began to recall the events. “I had family located on the same planet that the commander’s wife was present on. I was on leave visiting them when we got word of a pending Kafaran invasion force heading in our general direction.”
“And which planet was this, Captain?”
“Corvan.”
The young lieutenant nodded. “I see. So where was Commander Kestrel at the time?”
“He was on board the carrier Fahrenwald, located several sectors away.”
Branson nodded again. “He was near the front lines, then?”
“He was,” Krif acknowledged.
“So, back to the planet. You received a report about a pending invasion. What happened next?”
“The governing body requested that the colonists evacuate the planet as soon as possible.”
“And how was this to be accomplished?”
“There were several civilian transports available, more than enough for the colonists.”
“And what about the military personnel?”
“There was a small Marine base on the planet. They were also evacuated.”
“On their own craft or civilian ones?”
“On their own transports,” Krif nodded.
“And you left with them?”
Krif nodded. “I did, as per regulations.”
“And the commander’s wife?”
“She was a civilian. Colonial Operations procedure mandated she remain with the colonists.”
“And what about the military transports? Was there enough room in them to also transport civilians?”
Krif nodded slowly. “Had the situation warranted it. However, as I said, the civilian transports had more than enough room in them for the entire colony.”
“And, had the situation warranted it, as you say, who would have been the deciding officer? Who would have ultimately given the civilians authorization to board military craft?”
Krif shifted in his chair. “The ranking officer nearest the particular transport. They would have assumed responsibility.”
“And you would have been that person on the ship in which you ultimately departed the planet?”
Krif nodded. “As a senior lieutenant, I would have. Yes.”
“And the commander’s wife was in close proximity to you at the time of the evacuation, correct?”
“She was. Her duties often brought her to the Marine camp. We happened to be there at the same time that day.”
“So, per procedure, you informed her to reach the nearest civilian transport to evacuate.”
“I did.”
Branson began pacing the room. “Which was how far away?”
“The spaceport was located on the far side of the city, about two miles from the base.”
“And you were evacuated a short time later?”
“I was.”
“And what happened next?”
“The military transports left the planet. As soon as we reached the nearest jump gate, we departed the system.”
“And the civilian craft?”
Krif looked down to his lap for a moment. “Only three of ten made it out of the system. Not long after the Marines jumped, the Kafarans arrived. A handful of evacuees made it to the gate before the Kafarans destroyed it.”
Branson stopped pacing. “So are you telling me that the military personnel fled the system while the colonists remained?”
“Absolutely not,” Krif said as he straightened. “Four military units jumped ahead of the colonists, as per regulations, in order to scout the area around the target jump gate. Another three remained behind to make sure everyone made it out. None of those three ever made it to the gate.”
“And the commander’s wife? What about her ship?”
Krif looked back to his lap, and Shawn saw a definite look of sorrow on his face. All Krif could do was shake his head. “There was nothing we could have done. I was fully intent on taking a squadron of fighters back through to retrieve the stragglers, but the Kafarans had destroyed the gate.”
“I see,” Branson said. “Can you tell me how the commander reacted when he heard the news?”
Krif looked at Shawn for the first time. “He was as distraught as I’d ever seen anyone, given such news.”
“He was angry?”
“Yes?”
“Grief-stricken?”
A nod. “Of course.”
“And what about after he was provided your official report … when he learned that you could have taken his wife with you as you evacuated, yet you told her to take a civilian transport instead? What was his reaction?”
“He was angry. I believe it was understandable.”
“Resentful?”
“Yes.”
“Would you say it damaged your relationship?”
Krif nodded, his eyes darting to Shawn for the second time. “Without a doubt.”
“Would it be safe to say that he blamed you for her death?”
A nod. “I’m sure he does.”
Branson looked at Shawn and then back to Krif. “Are you saying that he still, to this day, blames you for the incident?”
Krif nodded somberly. “I believe he does.”
“Would you further say that this anger filtered down to the entire service?”
Krif looked at him, confused. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Well, you said it yourself: standard Sector Command procedures were followed with regard to the civilian and military personnel with respect to their evacuation orders. Those same policies resulted in the death of his wife. So, would you say that Commander Kestrel now bears a grudge against Sector Command policies and procedures in general because of that incident?”
“A lot of people lost loved ones during the war, and they went on to lead extremely successful careers in Sector Command.”
“Captain,” Branson admonished, “you’ll forgive me, sir, but we’re not talking about others. We’re talking about Commander Kestrel.”
Hesitantly, the captain nodded. “I’m sure her death has something to do with it.”
“Thank you, Captain Krif. I have no further questions. You may step down.”
Krif stayed seated. “I’d just like to say, for the record, that Commander Kestrel’s performance prior to that incident was beyond reproach.”
Admiral Hansen cleared his throat. “Thank you, Captain. That will be all. You may step down.”
Krif slowly stood, nodded to the board of officers, and then quickly left the room.
Admiral Hansen took a quick glance at the officers flanking him. Getting nods of approval from both Ramos and O’Connell, he turned back to Branson. “Lieutenant, you may call your next witness.”
“The court calls Sergeant Trent Maddox to the stand.”
Finally, someone who can paint me in a better light.
As Trent entered the room, he glanced first at Shawn, then at Branson. After he was sworn in, Trent took the seat Krif had vacated.
“Sergeant, I have only a few questions for you,” Branson began in an easygoing tone.
“Okay,” Trent replied, obviously nervous about being under the spotlight.
“You’ve known the commander for a long time, is that correct?”
“That’s correct, sir. A very long time.”
“And you consider him more than just a superior officer. He is a friend, yes?”
“Yes. Very much so.”
“And you’re aware why you’re here, and what the charges are against the commander?”
Again, Trent looked nervously to Shawn before answering. “I do.”
“In the time leading up to the incident in question, the commander requested you meet him in the hangar bay. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“For what purpose?”
“To see that his fighter was ready for launch.”
Branson nodded. “Did he have authorization to launch?”
Trent looked to Shawn, then back to Branson. “I assumed so, at the time.”
“So you prepped his fighter for launch.”
“I did.”
“And when did you learn that he did not, in fact, have authorization to launch?”
Trent shifted in his seat, much as Krif had. “When he asked me to open the launch bay doors.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“I said that was out of protocol. You see, they normally do that from the bridge and …”
“And what happened next?”
“Well … it was clear he wanted the doors opened in a hurry, and seeing that it might be an emergency …” His eyes darted back to Shawn.
“Please, Sergeant, if you will kindly address the court and not the accused.”
This brought Trent’s eyes immediately back to Branson. “Yes, sir.”
“Let me be blunt, Sergeant. Did Commander Kestrel forcibly order you to open the doors after you mentioned to him that doing so would be a violation of standard procedures?”
Shawn watched as Trent swallowed hard. While it was admirable that Trent might try to stick up for him, Shawn knew that doing so would only make for another court-martial for his friend. In the end, Trent nodded.
“He did, sir.”
Good boy, Trent.
“I have no further questions. You may step down.”
Trent slowly got up from his chair, and when he passed Shawn, he tossed an apologetic look in his direction.
Admiral Salus Hansen looked to the two captains at his side, then down to Branson. “Call your next witness.”
“Admiral, the court believes we’ve firmly established that the commander has a history of blatantly disregarding orders whenever it suits him, this matter being no different than at any other time in the past. The commander has a documented history of malevolence for the service and all it stands for, and the court requests that judgment be rendered against him for the stated crimes committed.”
Well, that was quick, and after only two witnesses.
Hansen nodded. “So noted. Commander Kestrel, are you prepared to answer for the charges brought against you?”
Shawn stood from his chair slowly and stood at attention. “I am, sir.”
“Commander, I find myself wanting to make my point quickly. I have but one simple question for you: Did you willfully, without regard to yourself or the property under your care, perform these actions of your own accord?”
What could he say? The only thing left was the truth, and the truth was that he took matters into his own hands. For better or for worse, he had known he would have to answer for the crimes of his actions. He accepted
that, just like he had finally accepted that the death of his wife was not Krif’s fault. Shawn would be drummed out of the service, and likely never given the chance to speak to Krif again about the matter. And what about Melissa? What was to happen to her … to them? And Trent? And everyone else on board. Everything he’d accomplished was about to come crashing down around him, and it was a rock in the pit of his stomach. That Shawn still felt fully justified in his actions was beside the point. He was to be made an example, and whatever honor was left in him would be displayed in his answer to Hansen.
“Yes, sir. I am fully responsible for my actions. I am … guilty as charged.”
Admiral Hansen nodded. “So end it, Commander. The court is ready to render its verdict. Captain Ramos?”
No deliberation? That’s almost as unusual as not getting any council appointed to you.
Ramos stood and faced Shawn. “On the charges brought against you on this day, Commander, the court has no choice but to find you guilty as charged.”
The pit was now a full-fledged stone.
Ramos continued. “Commander Kestrel, until further notice, you are relieved of all duties until such time as you can be properly processed out of Sector Command. This will take place at Sector Command outpost twenty-two within one solar week. You will be ferried there no later than this afternoon. Do you understand the verdict as it has been rendered?”
“I do, sir.”
Ramos looked to Hansen, nodded, then sat down. Captain O’Connell took a moment to lean over, whispering something brief in Ramos’s ear. The admiral turned to the captain with a grave look on his face, nodded, and then turned to face Shawn. “Then these court proceedings are ended. You are all dismissed.”
As Hansen clanked a metal gavel on the desktop, Shawn was convinced he could feel the rock in his stomach turn end-over-end.
“It really bothered him that he had to leave everyone out of the loop. I could understand that. In fact, I was an expert on it. I mean, here was Shawn Kestrel and my only daughter, being sent off to God knows where to find God knows what … and I had to trust that he’d take care of her … that she’d take care of him … all the while knowing that I myself still hadn’t told either of them everything I knew about what was going on. Secrets were layered upon secrets, like some tiered wedding cake that was liable to come crashing down on us all at any moment.”