Last Measure of Devotion (TCOTU, Book 5) (This Corner of the Universe) (23 page)

Miller
faltered, then looked down at his datapad.  After a substantial silence, he
finally blurted out, “Beyond the scope. This has nothing to do with Captain
Heskan’s testimony about the holo-logs.”

The
elder judge smiled slightly and returned her attention toward the shark in dark
clothing.  “Counsel, I must ask you how this pertains to his earlier testimony
before we make a ruling.”

“Certainly,
your Honor.”  Her voice grew in volume.  “Will the court amanuensis please play
the audio from the holo-log in question at time thirteen twenty-six point
thirty-two.”

A
moment later, Heskan heard a recording of his own voice:  “I don’t think, I
know
! 
This is
Captain
Heskan and I am now the ranking officer of this fleet. 
Any ship captain that breaks the line without proper authorization will be
shot
after this battle!”

Audible
gasps rippled through the courtroom as the harsh words sliced their way through
those in attendance.  Even the judges’ stoicism wavered down the panel before
being replaced with their customary, emotionless masks.

The inquisitor
made no effort to conceal her lethal grin.  “Whose words are those, Captain?”

Heskan
looked across the courtroom at Miller.  He was feverishly swiping his fingers
over his datapad.  “Those are mine but—”

“Thank
you, Captain,” she interrupted.

“Counsel,
let the witness finish his answer.”  The mandate had not come from the
archjudge but a small-statured man sitting at the far end of the bench.  The minor
rebuke from the magistrate earned a flicker of surprise from Miller.

Heskan
dipped his head gratefully.  “Thank you, sir.  Those are my words but I didn’t
mean them.”

The
predator’s smile grew wider.  “Please replay the holo-log.”

Heskan
cringed with the realization he just bestowed a golden opportunity upon the
woman to have the cruel words echo through the chamber again.

“Does
that sound like a man who doesn’t mean it?” she asked.

Heskan’s
hands came up in frustration.  “It was for motivational purposes.  The fleet
was on the verge of surrender… I had to do something.”

The
woman in black took a moment to look at her datapad.  Heskan watched her eyes
sweep from left to right and back again.  Finally, she looked back at Heskan
and asked, “I’m sure being threatened with a firing squad is very
motivational.  Is that how Secure Solutions motivates its sailors?”

“Objection,
your Honors!” Miller practically screamed.  “Privateer Confidentiality.”

The archjudge
hesitated.  “I don’t believe this would be covered under that clause although
we will tread lightly with this subject, Counsels.”  She looked pointedly at
Heskan.  “Captain, you are instructed not to reveal any proprietary methods of the
privateer firms you were employed by and neither will you discuss any past or
present actions while under their auspices.  Now please answer the question
within those confines.”

“Your
Honor,” Miller pleaded.  “This is outside the scope of his earlier testimony
again.  This doesn’t relate to the holo-logs.”

“The
witness brought this up himself, not from my question, your Honor,” his
opponent retorted with a wicked smile.

“Quite
so,” agreed the archjudge.  “We’d have your answer, Captain.”

“Um,
what’s the question again?” Heskan asked shyly.

Subdued
laughter rippled through the chamber but was cut short by an icy glare from the
central judge.

The
court amanuensis recited, “I’m sure being threatened with a firing squad is
very motivational.  Is that how Secure Solutions motivates its sailors?”

Heskan
parsed his words carefully.  “To my knowledge, no.”

The
woman’s eyebrows arched up in staged surprise.  “Then where did you learn that
particular technique?”

Miller’s
voice boomed again through the courtroom.  “Objection, Privateer Confidentiality!”

“Sustained
and I’m disappointed by the question, Counsel,” the venerable judge scolded.

The
woman in black raised her arms in mock confusion.  An insincere smile tarnished
an otherwise beautiful face.  “You misunderstand me, your Honor.  I know better
than to ask of Captain Heskan’s former allegiances.  I’m asking
where
he
learned this strange motivational technique.  Surely that information doesn’t
threaten the proprietary integrity of any firm he may have worked for.”  Her
eyes returned to Heskan and glared defiantly.  “Which star system, Captain
Heskan.”

Heskan’s
stomach lurched. 
I can’t answer that without giving away my origins.
 
He searched for an escape hatch and reached for the first avenue he thought
of.  “To be perfectly honest, I’ve never made that threat before.”

The
advocate chuckled but slowly shook her head.  “I didn’t ask you when the first
time you threatened the lives of your sailors was.  I asked where you learned
such an atrocious tactic.”

Heskan
stared desperately at Miller.  The man was whispering frantically to his
assistant.

“Your
Honor,” the black-clad predator pushed, “can you please instruct the witness to
answer the question?”

Before
the judge could speak, Heskan blurted out, “I can’t.”

Miller
ceased his conversation and stared hopefully at Heskan.

The inquisitor
threw her arms up in exaggerated frustration.  She glared at the panel of
judges and spat out, “Your Honors, I move to find the witness in contempt of
court for failing to abide by his contract.  He refuses to answer the question
and must be sanctioned per Rule Four Forty-five.  The sanction should bar him
from participation in any upcoming corporate activity for a length of time
determined by your Honors but not less than five years.”

The archjudge
brought an unsteady hand up to silence the advocate.  When order in the chamber
had been restored, she looked at Heskan and asked, “Captain, why do you believe
answering the question breaks the Privateer Confidentiality protections?”

Heskan
opened his eyes wide to appear as sincere as possible.  “I don’t believe it does,
your Honor, but it would break the security oath I swore to a corporate-recognized
government.”

“He
cannot be forced to violate that oath and reveal a state secret in open court,”
stated the judge from the end of the panel.  The man’s statement of support
drew curious expressions around the room, including some from his fellow
magistrates.

“Agreed,”
the archjudge declared.  She turned to Heskan’s nemesis.  “Move on, Counsel.”

Heskan
resisted the urge to smile as he watched her come to grips with the ruling. 
The line of her mouth twisted maliciously as she moved closer and glared
fiercely at him.  “
Who
taught you that technique?”

Without
waiting for Miller’s objection, Heskan replied, “State secret.”  He suppressed
his smile.

Through
clenched teeth, she spat, “What ship were you serving on when you learned it?”

The
answer returned like an echo.  “State secret.”  Heskan let himself smile this
time.

Disgusted,
the woman whirled away from him while asking, “Your instructor’s rank?”

“State
secret,” both Heskan and the inquisitor said in unison.

“Fine,”
she accepted with a heavy sigh.

Heskan
began to rise from his chair but paused when he saw the woman turning slowly. 
Is
she not done?

“You
never did answer my original question, Captain.  Were any Seshafian sailors
shot after the skirmish?”

Heskan
blew his breath out in disgust and reseated himself.  “Of course not.”  He bit
down hard at being forced to acknowledge such a denigrating question.

“You
don’t like the insinuation, do you, Captain?” the huntress asked demurely as
she approached Heskan once more.

Heskan
squinted at the woman and mustered all his outrage before answering.  “No, I do
not, Madam.  You may see me as nothing but a butcher but I’m a professional
officer who abides by a strict code of ethics that includes honoring the
sacrifices of those who serve with me.”

“You
were promoted to fleet commander over all Seshafian naval forces, yes?”

Heskan
answered warily, “Yes.”

“Congratulations,”
the woman said acerbically.  “I cannot help but notice your rank remains
captain.  Were you not elevated to admiral upon this promotion?”

“No.”

“And
to ensure I am addressing you properly,” the woman said in an exaggerated
politeness, “because you were not promoted to admiral, you were not bestowed
with a
fons honorum
title of baron, correct?”

“I
was not,” Heskan replied hesitantly, his suspicion growing.

The
advocate smiled evilly.  “A pity for you.”  She glanced down at her datapad and
announced, “Your Honors, I am flashing you a countersuit joining Captain
Garrett Heskan to this hearing.  Based on the witness’s own testimony, Viscount
Wallace has no choice but to levy the countersuit asserting violation of the
rules and ethics of the Nobility Articles as they pertain to corporate officials
in the Lesser Magellanic Arm.”

The
archjudge called for quiet over the rising fervor of the spectators in
attendance.  After several moments, she asked, “What specific violation do you
hold as your client’s cause of action?”

“Disparagement
of a noble by an untitled citizen.”

“And
your proof?” Miller called out from behind his table.

The
archjudge shot a withering look at the young man.  “I will not tolerate another
outburst such as that, Counsel.”  Her point made, she readdressed the
huntress.  “You must present your evidence, Counsel… swiftly.”

The
woman in black raised a hand upward as if gesturing to the courtroom’s speakers. 
“Please play the holo-log in question at time thirteen twenty-seven point
eleven.”

The
speakers flared to life, replaying more of Heskan’s words: “And could you
really trust your lives to the man who just murdered his long-time friend in cold
blood?”

Heskan
saw Miller cringe and lean toward his assistant in another agitated
conversation.  Seconds later, the assistant rose from her chair and bolted for
the exit.

The
woman in front of Heskan smiled victoriously.  “The public and outlandish
accusation of murder against an official without sufficient proof is a clear
violation of the Nobility Articles.  Viscount Wallace does not seek archaic remedy
via duel but rather through this court, as civilized men ought.  Further, we’ll
forgo the punishments allotted by those same articles and settle for simple, judicial
chastisement following an immediate judgment.”

A
stern eye from the archjudge quieted the rising clamor from the crowd.  She
turned toward Miller.  “Counsel?”

Miller
stood and opened his arms wide in submission.  “Your Honor, please.  I need
time for consideration of the evidence.  Time for lead counsel to appear.  The
Nobility Articles are so rarely referred to.”

The
woman in black shook her head.  “There are no questions of fact in this
countersuit.  The facts are not in dispute.  This is purely a question of law. 
Is denying my client his right to immediate judgment proper, solely because the
plaintiff has not deemed this hearing worthy enough to have a functioning
counsel in attendance?”

“It
is not,” agreed the archjudge.  She cast an eye toward Heskan.  “Captain
Heskan, the defense is joining your alleged violation of the Articles of
Nobility into the present hearing.  Do you understand this?”

Heskan
looked at Miller.  The attorney’s head was back down in his datapad again. 
“Not really, ma’am.”

The
judge at the end of the panel explained while pushing up his spectacles.  “Defense
is accusing you of violating the Articles of Nobility based upon your statement
during the battle.  They are waiving the punishments normally applicable and
are simply asking for immediate judgment from us, which limits any punishment we
might impose to what is available under the code relating to immediate judgments. 
If we find you guilty, your punishment ranges from simply verbal chastisement
from this bench to a sanction that would prohibit you from participating in
corporate events inside the LMA.”  The old magistrate clarified further.  “By
asking for immediate judgment, the harsher punishments such as loss of liberty
or stripping your citizenship are taken off the table.”

Heskan
shrugged.  “I understand, sir.  So the worst that can happen to me is that I
don’t have to attend those dreadful balls?”

The
audience laughed again but was cowed into submission by the archjudge’s gaze.

“It’s
more than that,” the end judge continued.  “Corporate events include combat. 
If found guilty, you may be prohibited from participating in any LMA conflicts
for a length of time determined by us but not to exceed two years.”

Heskan
felt his heart sink at the troubling news. 
This has been her end game the
entire time.  They don’t care about my origins, they’re trying to remove me
from their upcoming invasion.

“Your
Honors,” Miller interjected, “defense has not even established the necessary
elements of disparagement of a noble, namely whom my client’s statement was
directed toward.”

The shark
circling near Heskan rolled her eyes.  “Captain Heskan, who was the last
statement played by the court amanuensis directed at?”

I
might be trapped,
Heskan thought,
but I’ll be damned if I don’t own up to my own words.  And
since they’re going to be recorded for all posterity...
  “Oh, my words were
most certainly directed at the man who obviously arranged for the cold-blooded
and most dishonorable murder of Admiral Cooke.”

The
woman bit down hard at the unrepentant words and realized she would be forced
to grant him another swing of the verbal sword.  “Who specifically, Captain?”

“Admiral
Wallace, who, by virtue of this defense, is unwilling to accept the
consequences of his actions and is attempting to use this forum to escape
accountability for his deeds like the coward that he is.  I’m not—”

“That
is all, Captain Heskan,” the irritated attorney interrupted loudly.

“I’m
not at all surprised,” Heskan persisted, “that Wallace isn’t seeking relief
against my accusation via a duel and, instead, cowers behind these eleven esteemed
officials.”

“That’s
enough!” the inquisitor shouted.  “These transcripts will be read in the corner
office of every corporation!”

“Captain
Heskan,” the archjudge spoke as a disapproving parent might to an unruly
child.  “That will be enough of that.”

Heskan
looked to the elderly woman and nodded penitently.  Past her, Heskan noticed
the judge at the far end was concealing what might have been a smirk.

“As
you can see, your Honors,” the woman in black summarized, “the witness is unashamed
of his reprehensible smear against a noble.  Were his criminal actions allowed
to pass without sanction, this court would only encourage the marginalization
of those souls entrusted with positions over their subjects inside the LMA.”

Miller
stood once again and pleaded, “Your Honors, we passionately request a continuance
so that the accused can be made aware of his rights.”

“The
captain has already been made aware,” the huntress countered.  “Archjudge Perry
has seen to that.  Defense requests a ruling for our countersuit as provided for
by the law.  This court has stressed to defense counsel repeatedly the urgency
of current matters and the need to avoid unnecessary delays, including the
denial of defense counsel’s request to postpone this hearing for many months. 
Is it not incumbent upon the court to follow its own directives?”

The
archjudge looked to each side of the panel.  After a brief discussion among
them, she cleared her voice and addressed Miller.  “All rules and procedures relating
to immediate judgment have been followed by defense counsel and the court must
fairly and properly enact the application of that process.  Consequently, your
motion for continuance is denied.”  The elderly woman rapidly stroked the
controls of the inlaid screen in front of her.  “It is the finding of this
court that Captain Garrett Heskan is guilty of the violation of the LMA’s
Articles of Nobility, specifically public disparagement of a noble by an
untitled citizen.”

The
woman in black stepped close to Heskan, smiling deliciously at him in
anticipation of the sanction.

“As
a result of this violation, Captain Heskan will be barred from all corporate
events for the maximum period under law, two years.”  She raised her gavel and declared,
“It is so ord—”

“Those
articles are antiquated,” Miller beseeched before the judgment could be
rendered.

The
archjudge stopped her gavel in mid-downstroke and glared angrily at the man. 
“That is your last outburst, Counsel.”  She restarted her proclamation. “Two
years.  It is—”

“One
moment, Madam Archjudge,” interrupted the small judge at the end of the panel.

The
senior judge looked curiously at him.  “You wish to add something to the
record, Judge
Bäcker?”

Bäcker stared across the courtroom at Miller. 
“Your statement about the antiquity of those laws is interesting yet
irrelevant.  This
court cannot simply ignore established precedent just because it may be
venerable.  However, there are instances in history of noble titles being conferred
through one’s deeds, rather than through ceremony.”

The
archjudge paused pensively before announcing, “This is the Honorable Judge
Bäcker’s area of expertise.  I shall
defer to his opinion.”

The
line of
Bäcker’s
mouth
twisted upward faintly.  “Mr. Miller, is it your argument that Captain Heskan
is a noble, not through standard
fons honorum
but
per factis non
verba
?”

Miller
gaped uncomprehendingly at the judge.  “Uh, yes, your Honor.”  In his
astonishment, he had forgotten to stand.

“Then
you bring up an interesting historical point,” the judge complimented the
bemused attorney.  “You are, undoubtedly, citing the Tricia Ripley Nine
Thirty-two case as your precedence.”

Miller
scrambled to his feet before parroting, “Undoubtedly.”

Heskan
watched the turn of events in fascination before an epiphany struck him. 
Judge
Bäcker m
ust be the representative
from Seshafi!

“Then,
given that precedent, you must cite two examples of
honorem implicatio
,”
the judge instructed.

The
courtroom was deathly silent as Miller consulted his datapad.  “Oh yes, um, implied
honor.  Yes, your Honor.”  Again, his head tilted down as he scanned his
datapad feverishly.  A smile slowly grew, replacing his self-doubt.  “Can we
please hear the excerpt from Elathra’s holo-log starting at time fourteen oh
eight point seventeen?”