Crineal Chronicles 1: In Hera's Service (17 page)

An
hour later, the discussions were over and the two captains saluted and left.
Crineal eased back in his chair and looked at Cyndora. “Sorry about this,
Cyndy. There’s a call I need to make now. I don’t know how long it’s going to
take, but you need to be in on it. Pull up your chair to just behind me and to one
side so you can see… and be seen. Please don’t speak unless you’re asked a
question. Ok?”

Nodding
her affirmation she pulled her chair over to the indicated spot and Crineal
punched in a request for a long distance hyper relay along with an
authorization code. A holo display sprang to life and a computer sim head
appeared.

“State
your name and request,” it said.

“General
Crineal wishing to speak with Lord Sar’Clax on a most urgent matter,” Crineal
stated crisply.

“Wait
one moment, General,” the talking head replied and after a few seconds it was
replaced by a human face. The man looked well over middle-aged with graying
hair and piercing black eyes. There were some lines starting to form around
those eyes and at the corners of his mouth. Even through the display Cyndora
felt the man radiated a keen intelligence and she didn’t miss his glance as he
noticed her presence.

“Crin,
my boy, always a pleasure to hear from you, even if it is a little late here.
How’s my favorite Earther?”

Respectfully,
Crineal replied. “I apologize for the lateness, My Lord, it’s not even midday
here. I’m doing well, thank you.”

“So
what can I do for you? You’re about as much for social pleasantries as I am,” His
eyes were focused on the general, taking in every detail of Crineal’s
expression.

“Sir,
a situation has arisen that I think you should be aware of. It’s likely to have
serious repercussions, good or bad, depending on how it is handled.” The old
man nodded at him to continue. “Earlier today, a Commander Del’Tarim forced
entry into my quarters with an illegal, uncoded key card. His intention was to assault
and rape my recreation assistant, the one you see sitting behind me.” Sar’Clax
nodded minutely to Cyndora. “Yesterday he attempted to coerce her into allowing
him access to my quarters with this intent. When Cyndora failed to cooperate he
used the key card to open the door and enter. Despite his threats to her on the
previous day to remain silent, she had immediately informed me of what he had
said and threatened. Therefore, I, the marine colonel in charge of ship
security, and two guards were waiting for him when he forced entry. He is now
under arrest and is aware that he is charged with possession of an illegal key
card, attempted coercion of a junior crew member to gain access to senior
officer’s quarters and unauthorized entry into the quarters of a flag rank
officer. What he doesn’t know yet is that the last charge is about to be
escalated to a malicious intent charge. The colonel is currently making
investigations and may have other charges to prefer,” Crineal finished and
waited for Sar’Clax’s response.

Staring
at him narrowly for a few minutes Sar’Clax eventually sighed. “You never bring
me anything easy do you, Crin? I assume that this commander is the son of
Del’Herat, our esteemed Imperial Council Vice Chairman?” Crineal nodded but
Cyndora felt the underlying sarcasm of the old man’s use of the word
‘esteemed’. “Does Del’Tarim seem to be aware that even as the charges stand it
could mean the death penalty?”

Crineal
shook his head. “No, Sir, I think his arrogance has blinded him to how much trouble
he really is in. I think that he believes his father will be able to buy him
out of that trouble.”

Pondering
this for a moment, Sar’Clax said, “That’s entirely possible. So what do you
want me to do?” he asked, cutting to the chase.

“First,
Sir, I wondered if you, as First Lord of the Space Corps, could pack the court
martial panel with cast-iron, honest and incorruptible officers?”

Sar’Clax
chuckled. “You don’t want much do you? I can do that I suppose, but why? Do you
hate him that much that you want to guarantee his execution?”

“You
know me better than that, Sir. He’s a total low-life, but I’m not interested in
petty vengeance. It did occur to me that if he were found guilty on capital
charges, you could use that as leverage against his father for concessions and
lobbying in the Imperial Council, suggesting that you might be willing to
consider a lesser sentence in exchange for a lot of good will.”

The
surprise on Sar’Clax’s face was worth the call. “I’m impressed, my boy. Your
political awareness and skills are improving all the time. And what would a
lesser sentence be?”

Crineal
didn’t hesitate. “Seven years on Dalgon VI.”

“Why
not just shoot him instead? It would be quicker.” Sar’Clax’s features took on a
puzzled expression.

“Because
the offer of parole under incredibly harsh restrictions could be offered after
a year of his sentence. The parole offer being conditional on the continued
co-operation of his father with the understanding that any cessation of said
co-operation or violation of the parole conditions will land Del’Tarim back on
Dalgon VI.”

Nodding
appreciatively Sar’Clax agreed. “This might help us forward our agenda
tremendously. You have some idea about these parole conditions?”

“I
just happen to have a data file ready to send you, Sir,” he said modestly.

As
Cyndora listened to the conversation she came to realize that although Sar’Clax
had a genial air about him, there was an underlying implacable steel resolve.
He would do whatever was necessary to further his aims, whatever they might be.

“Of
course you do, Crin.” He turned his gaze on Cyndora. “Well, young lady, are you
prepared to stand by the general here, despite whatever you may be offered or
threatened with?”

Sitting
up straighter, Cyndora looked back at him defiantly. “Yes, My Lord. I already
owe him far too much to let him down.”

Sar’Clax
shook his head. “How do you find such loyal people, Crin?”

“I
learnt from my old commanding officer, Sir.”

“Flatterer.
Alright, Crin, send me the data file and I’ll set things in motion.”

“Yes,
Sir. Good to talk to you again, My Lord.”

“You
too, Crin,” and with that the display flickered off.

Cyndora
looked at Crineal. “So who is Lord Sar’Clax?” she asked, imagining him to be
another imperial noble scrambling for position and power.

“He’s
my old commanding officer. The one I was with when we found those ships.” He
caught the look of distrust for the nobility on Cyndora’s face. “He was born an
average Imperial citizen, rose through the ranks and made a name for himself
fighting the rebels. He’s also totally loyal to the Emperor and wants to see
the Imperial Council purged of corruption. The Emperor made him a lord for his dedicated
service and put him in charge of the Space Corps. He’s trying to clean up the
Corps from the outside, whilst I, and others committed to his ideals, are
setting examples and trying to do the same from within.” He looked a little
dispirited. “It’s slow going but this may give us the wedge we need to make
some real progress.” Crineal stood up. “Let’s go visit Lieutenant Feldea and
then get some lunch. It’s been a busy morning.”

Del’Tarim
was incensed again. He’d been sitting in this room for hours and no one had
been to see him. The bitch of a colonel hadn’t returned, no guards had come in
and his lawyer hadn’t appeared yet. Just wait until his father heard about
this. The door to the interrogation room opened and a commander, sporting the
shoulder tabs of the legal branch, walked in with a data pad tucked under his
arm.

“Commander
Del’Tarim? I’m Commander Junon. I’ve been appointed to represent you.” The
slim, hatchet-faced man sat down at the table, facing Del’Tarim.

“Appointed?
By whom? Where’s the legal team my father is arranging?” Del’Tarim arrogantly demanded
to know.

Raising
an eyebrow, the legal commander looked at him coolly. “Appointed by the admiral.
External legal advice is not permitted under the Code of Justice. I am your
advisor, unless you wish to request that the admiral appoint someone else,
Commander.” Junon fervently wished that Del’Tarim would do exactly that.

Fuming
at this high-handed treatment of his rights as he saw them, Del’Tarim gestured
to Junon, “Then get on with it, Commander. Advise me how we can end this legal
charade quickly so I can return to my duties.”

Junon
fought to contain his temper at the outright arrogance of the man in front of
him. He activated his data pad. “I’ve been provided with the list of charges
against you,” and began to read out loud. “Possession of an illegal key card,
conspiring with a junior crew member to obtain an illegal key card, bribing a
junior crew member to subvert security, attempted coercion of a junior crew
member to gain access to a senior officer’s quarters, intent to assault and
rape a junior crew member, unauthorized access of a flag rank officer’s
quarters with malicious intent.” He looked up at Del’Tarim. “Also contained in
the file are the recordings, statements and other evidence gathered by the
investigating Security personnel. Having studied this evidence, my advice to
you is to plead guilty, claim a mental breakdown caused by stress and throw
yourself on the mercy of the court.”

Del’Tarim
exploded. “That’s it??? Give in. Claim I’m nuts and hope they let me off? What
kind of counsel are you? These charges are nonsense. Utter rubbish. You’ve only
got to look at them to see that,” he stormed, face crimson in fury.

Staring
at him with more than a little amazement, Junon inquired. “Which charges are
you talking about, Commander? As far as I can see they are all legitimate.”

Del’Tarim
spluttered. “Coercion and intent to rape a junior crew member for a start.
She’s a prisoner, a slave of the Empire.”

Junon
shook his head. “You’re misinformed, Commander. It’s a common misconception,
but, under the agreement that these people sign to avoid prison, they become
members of the Space Corps. They are no longer considered prisoners, and
certainly not slaves, and they do have limited rights. Therefore, the charges
are valid as stated. Which other charges do you feel are wrong?”

“Conspiracy
to obtain a key card and bribing a crew member to subvert security. What the blazes
are they talking about?” Del’Tarim was starting to feel less certain about his
position but continued to bluster.

“The
bridge crew tech you obtained the card from has already confessed to providing
it to you and is being charged separately. His confession is in the file along
with records provided by him substantiating the transaction.” Junon sat there
stony faced as he watched the commander sitting opposite him squirm. “I should inform
you, in case you are unaware, that the last charge is the most serious. It
carries a mandatory death sentence.”

Del’Tarim
scoffed at this. “Total nonsense. The only charge we have for that is treason.”

“Indeed,
Commander, and in a time of declared war, any offence against a flag rank
officer is deemed to be treason.”

“But
we’re not at war,” he countered with a smug expression.

Junon
looked at him in surprise. “Don’t you ever talk to your father, Commander? Twenty
years ago Councilor Del’Herat submitted a motion in the Imperial Council that
the fight against the rebellion should be considered a war and that all war
time measures should be enforced. The motion was passed and, thanks to your
father, the Space Corps has been in a state of war ever since. If you’re found
guilty on this last charge alone, you will be shot.”

Reality
finally started to seep into the young noble’s brain. “They can’t do this. My
father won’t let them. It’s an outrage. The Council won’t stand for it.”

Consulting
with his data pad Junon looked up at Del’Tarim once more. “As of one hour ago,
the Emperor personally appointed Lord Sar’Clax to oversee this case and to
ensure justice is done according to the law. Neither your father, nor the
Imperial Council, have absolutely any authority to intervene in any way following
that appointment.”

Del’Tarim
went white in shock. “But what can I do? Advise me, damn it!” he demanded.

“I
already did: plead guilty, go for diminished responsibility and pray for
mercy.”

“I’ll
get the admiral to appoint another lawyer for me if you won’t fight,” Del’Tarim
snapped.

A
smile appeared on Junon’s thin face. “Please do. I’m only here because no one
else would take the case and the admiral ordered me to do it as the most senior
legal counsel on the ship.” He picked up his data pad and stood. “I’ll leave
you to consider your options. Let me know what plea you wish to submit. If it’s
Not Guilty then I advise you to refuse to take the stand and I’ll do my best.
But frankly, they’re probably already taking lots for the firing squad.” With
that the legal commander turned and left the room.

Cyndora
spent the following day tagging around after Crineal, which didn’t rate high in
the fun factor stakes for her but it was better than sitting alone in his
quarters worrying.  She woke up the day after that to find Crineal checking out
his flight suit. After their usual morning routines, he suited up, took her
down to the med bay and sat with her and Lieutenant Feldea until the marine
guard turned up. Cyndora was sure that it was the one from the arrest detail
that seemed happy, almost eager, to shoot that piece of slime, Del’Tarim.
Cyndora felt more secure as he stood watch whilst she and Fel discussed clothes
and Earth history.