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“And before we go on, I would like to give a short list of Captain Brooks’s accomplishments,” Vandoss said. “Though I am sure all present are well aware of what Ian Brooks has done that has brought pride to the Voidfleet, humanity, and the Sapient Union, I believe that for the record they should still be stated.”
Kernos nodded. “Very well, Admiral.”
The older admiral cleared his throat; “As a junior lieutenant in the Trade Fleet Ian Brooks was able to prevent the armed freighter the Calliope Muse from falling into the hand of violent extremists near Tarragon, and became captain of his own tradeship not long after – all before the age of thirty.”
Vandoss gave that a moment to sink in, then continued. “After joining the Voidfleet and being among the top-scoring students of all time in several areas, he graduated with honors. After earning a promotion to the cruiser Kilimanjaro, he became ExCom after only six months. During the Battle of Terris, when the captain of the Kilimanjaro was killed, Brooks took control and saved the ship and most of her crew from a fate worse than death, while leading elements of Battlefleet C on their withdrawal. After this, Brooks has had two further encounters with Leviathan-class entities, the only man ever to have done so and lived to tell the tale.”
He swept his eyes over the tribunal, to the assessors, the Chairman, and then finally let them linger on Freeman.
“I spit on the idea that Captain Ian Brooks could have shirked or failed in his duties. It is an insult to every being who wears this uniform that he is being accused of this.”
Brooks struggled to keep his unhappiness from showing, as Vandoss said the last part. It was bad enough having to hear your praises sung – it never sat right with him – but the admiral’s ending was not going to win them any sympathy.
The Tribunal members, however, did not show any outward sign of reaction.
“If that is all, then we shall continue,” Kernos said brusquely. “This panel has already reviewed much of the evidence on this case. But before any judgment can be imparted, we have some questions to ask.”
The man gestured to the Dessei, Nuuan, who stood.
Advisor Nuuan put his eyes on Brooks. “I would like to know more about your Emergency Action Command that sent a team to the Terris system.”
Before Brooks could say anything, Admiral Vandoss leaned forward and spoke. “Director Nuuan, that order is not under any official scrutiny.”
“I understand this, System Admiral. Nevertheless, I wish to know.”
Vandoss frowned heavily and looked to Brooks, leaving the decision to him.
Brooks leaned forward. “Go ahead, Advisor.”
“You stated for the record that you believed your EAC was justified by the possibility of threat to MS-29. According to statements from Director Freeman and Ambassador Kell, the being was connected to the system as you feared. Do you stand by your decision?”
“I do,” Brooks replied.
“Very well,” the Dessei said with a nod, then turned to look at Freeman. “Director, I understand that you have raised no objection to Captain Brooks ordering this mission.”
“I do not,” the man replied. “I believe it was entirely warranted. Though I believe that after establishing this fact, Captain Brooks panicked and violated my commands.”
Vandoss bristled. “This entire line of questioning is immaterial to the matter at hand.”
“I agree that the Emergency Action Command is not up for discussion at this time,” Kernos said, tapping a rounded sphere on his desk. A sound echoed through the room, putting all to silence. “This line of inquiry has gone far enough. If there are no more questions, then this Tribunal wishes to begin to call witnesses.”
Other Terrestrial 