-Yes, ma'am...-
Still somewhat confused about what was going on, Aria took a seat in front of her commander. She folded her hands in her lap, trying to look as proper as she could with her uniform in the state that it was. Her major was such a stickler for proper dress and appearance. Aria tried to wait patiently, as Major Tal'in picked up a data reader, a hand-held tablet device. She seemed to be looking something over.
-Well, I'm very glad to see that you made it back in one piece, Lieutenant,- Major Tal'in finally said. She put the data reader down, clasping her hands on top of her desk and giving a slight smile. -I must say, I was quite worried when you failed to report in. We had no idea what had happened to you, and we'd just about given you up for lost when we received your distress call. Your family has been quite merciless in badgering me for updates, and I was glad to be able to finally give them one.-
-My family?- Aria asked. She felt her chest tightening, a lump rising in her throat. -Are they here now? Can I see them?-
Major Tal'in shook her head. -They are not here, and if they were you could not see them. Not until after the hearing, at least. Speaking of which, let's get down to it.-
Aria swallowed past the lump, doing her best to focus on the matter at hand. She desperately wanted to see her father, sisters, and brothers, but unless she could do something about her present situation she would never have that chance. -Yes, Major. Of course.-
Tal'in gestured to the data reader, lying on the desk. -I've been reading over the report you filed on the way back. You seem to have left nothing out. Very commendable.- She leaned back in her chair, stroking the back of one of her hands with the other. -Is everything I've read accurate? And I think you know to what I am referring.-
Looking away, Aria felt a rising sense of shame, her ears flattening to her head. She had known her commander would not approve. -It is all true, Major.-
The major abruptly rose from her chair, turning and stepping to the window, looking out. She clasped her hands tightly at the small of her back, remaining quiet for several long minutes. -I didn't want to believe it, you know. You have been such an exceptional officer, perhaps one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of commanding.- She turned around, facing Aria once more. -Why would you throw away such a promising career? Especially considering your mother...-
-I...I just did what I had to...to survive...-
-Don't insult my intelligence!- Major Tal'in snapped at her, slamming a hand down on her desktop. -While coercing the human into aiding you was an appropriate measure to take, everything beyond that was completely crossing the line! It was an egregious dereliction of your duty to the Ascendancy!- She turned away again, obviously trying to calm herself down.
Aria hung her head. She felt more low than she ever had in her life, except for that night when she had told Jack she regretted their relationship. Aria hated disappointing her commander, hated feeling like a failure. Even if she'd felt right about her choices when she'd made them, obviously her people did not share those feelings.
The major turned back around, seeming to have gotten control of herself. -In my view, you have fouled up unbelievably, Lieutenant.- She let that pronouncement hang in the air for a while, staring at Aria. -However, you're also one of the best officers I've ever known. And your mother was a person of invaluable service to the Ascendancy.- Tal'in sat down in her chair again. -Apart from that, it's my duty as your commander to defend your honor in these proceedings. I'm not going to give you any illusions that I can save your career, Lieutenant. I doubt anyone could do that. But I'll do my best to save your life. I think you're owed at least that much.-
Aria looked up, suddenly feeling hopeful. -Major, I...- She swallowed, looking back down again. -Thank you...-
-Don't take this as approval for what you've done,- Major Tal'in cautioned her. -I think it's shameful...But unlike certain people I don't allow my feelings to cloud my sense of duty. That's a lesson
some
people...- She looked pointedly at Aria. -...could stand to learn.-
Aria did not respond. She thought her commander was wrong, very wrong. But she was not going to ruin one of the most important advantages she had to tell her so. And on some level she also agreed with Major Tal'in. She just didn't care as much.
-Now, I imagine the hearing is about ready to begin.- The major stood up, retrieving the handcuffs from her belt. -I'll have to put these back on. Are you ready for this?-
-...No,- Aria said. But she still stood up, turning so that Major Tal'in could secure her wrists behind her back. -However, I will have to face it anyway.-
******
The hearing chamber was the singular most intimidating thing that Aria had ever experienced. When Aria entered, she was faced with a nearly empty room, composed of several gradually elevating rows of seats behind long, continuous tables. She was escorted in by a small company of armed guards, accompanied by Major Tal'in. Taken to a smaller table in the center of the room, she was made to sit and her hands were released from the handcuffs. The major took a seat next to her, and the guards retreated to cover the exits.
Sitting directly in front of her on the first level, were eight of her fellow Ailians, all of them senior military officers. Seven admirals and a staff officer of the rank of commander, the most senior rank below admiral and one rank above major. Behind them, on the next row up, were five civilians, all clad in the flowing white robes of nobility. Aria was slightly relieved to see that Li'ren, the representative of the Empress, was seated in the center of them. The regal blue Ailian met eyes with her, but made no other sign that she recognized Aria.
The officers were speaking among themselves, holding data readers and seeming to compare notes. The conversation continued for several minutes, and then Li'ren stood up, manipulating a control on the table in front of her. The lights in the room flashed three times in rapid succession, and the talking quieted.
-On behalf of Her Lady the Empress, I call this hearing in session,- Li'ren said. Her melodious voice echoed around the chamber, clearly audible to everyone. -This hearing is to determine cause for the charges of treason and fraternizing with the enemy against Lieutenant Aria Me'lia. Is the accused prepared to hear the charges of this court martial?-
Major Tal'in stood, her hands flat on the table. -She is, m'lady,- the major replied in a strong voice. -The report of Lieutenant Me'lia's ordeal has been distributed to all concerned parties, and we waive the right to the reading of the charges. We understand them and are prepared to offer our preliminary defense.-
-Then please, Major,- Li'ren said, waving a hand to her. -We will hear your statement.-
-Objection!- the admiral in the front row called out. He stood. The admiral was a formidable male, russet red fur contained in his crisp black uniform, decorated with rows of battle awards and medals. The male was Chief Admiral Jin Te'rou, an Ailian who had been born on a distant colony world of the Ascendancy. He was the highest-ranked officer in the Ascendancy military, a post that just twenty years go would have been unattainable for a male soldier.
Li'ren inclined her head to the admiral. -Her Majesty will hear your objection.-
-Thank you, Lady Amani.- The admiral smoothed the front of his uniform, and clasped his hands behind his back. -This hearing, and this court martial, is a useless endeavor. The regulations in this matter are clear. Any soldier accused of either of these charges in wartime is subject to summary execution. I submit that these proceedings be halted, with execution to be carried out immediately.-
A murmur of talk rustled through the chamber. Aria felt ice water flowing through her veins, knowing that the admiral was speaking the truth. In numerous similar circumstances throughout Ailian military history, such executions had been carried out. Aria saw two of the admirals and one of the civilians nod in agreement, though the others did not seem quiet as certain. She opened her mouth, intending to protest, but Major Tal'in kicked her leg underneath the table, and she closed it again.
-Order, please,- Li'ren said calmly, and the room again quieted. She looked down her muzzle at Admiral Te'rou. -Your objection is entirely correct, Admiral. However, if you wished for Lieutenant Me'lia to be summarily executed, you should not have agreed to hold this hearing. Now that the proceedings have begun, Lieutenant Me'lia has the right to have her case heard.-
Admiral Te'rou's eyes blazed in irritation, the fur on the back of his neck standing up, but he took his seat. -Objection withdrawn,- he muttered sulkily.
-Thank you, m'lady,- Major Tal'in said. She flashed a triumphant look at the admiral. Aria knew that she'd never approved of his gaining such rank, in much the same way she did not approve of most males in high-ranking positions. The major stepped around the table, and began pacing back and forth in front of the assembled court. -Lieutenant Me'lia cannot contest the details laid out in her report, for the obvious reason that she wrote it. By technicality, we must concede that she is guilty of the actions which are contained therein.- The major held up a hand. -However, Lieutenant Me'lia respectfully submits that she found herself in extreme circumstances. Her ship was engaged in combat with an armed civilian vessel, and she found herself stranded on an unknown planet containing hostile forms of life and a hazardous environment. Too, she was stranded on this planet with a human being the only other form of intelligent existence.
-The circumstances, as I have just said were extraordinary. One can hardly expect a single person to have expected to survive this event on their own. Lieutenant Me'lia did ally herself temporarily with a human whom, it must be noted, she did capture properly as a prisoner of war. By her own account, the lieutenant pressed this human into service and compelled him to assist her in traversing this planet in order to find a means to communicate a distress call back to her superiors. I submit that these actions were a means for survival, and not at all intended to be treasonous.-
The major stopped her pacing, standing still in the center of the room at parade rest, her hands held behind her back while her tail hung straight behind her. One of the admirals who had expressed agreement with Admiral Te'rou stood to speak.
-That is well-said, Major,- she stated. -However, you cannot extend the excuse of survival to her other actions. As is clearly laid out in the report, she engaged in inappropriate behavior with this human. She mated with him.-
Aria winced at the tone in the admiral's voice, but Major Tal'in appeared unmoved. -That is so, Admiral. But you must remember the extraordinary circumstance she found herself in. Think of her state of mind. Lieutenant Me'lia had no way of knowing for certain whether she would live to get off of that planet. She can perhaps be forgiven for engaging in certain behaviors in desperation.-
-Maybe, Major, but this is not a simple matter of an officer forgetting herself and engaging in an illicit relationship with an enlisted man,- Admiral Te'rou growled from his seat. -This was an unnatural act that she engaged in. It is conduct unbecoming.-
One of the civilians seated near Li'ren, a male, stood up as well. -Ridiculous,- he said. -I will admit, it is concerning behavior, but unnatural? We have no such regulations against relationships with our allies, the Nuretans, for example. Indeed, one of our most prominent ambassadors is mated to one of theirs. Is that any less unnatural?- A smattering of agreement sounded through the room, and Aria saw one of the admirals who had previously sided with Te'rou nod in grudging acceptance of that argument.
-That is entirely different!- Admiral Te'rou objected. -We are not in a state of war with the Nuretans and have not been for nearly three centuries!-
-Nevertheless, it is a compelling point,- Li'ren said. She tugged the sleeve of her robe to straighten out a wrinkle. -I would say it is the central point to the lieutenant's defense. Would you agree, Lieutenant?-
Truth be told, Aria had not considered it in that way before now, but she was not about to argue with something that could be said in her defense. -Yes, m'lady,- she agreed, trying to keep the intense relief free from her voice and failing. Li'ren favored her with a very covert smile, likely not noticed by anyone else in the room.
-This is all well and good,- Admiral Te'rou said. -But even if we allow that her actions may be...understandable...- He looked disgusted even as the words came out of his mouth. -That still does not excuse them. They were still treasonous acts. If the aim of this hearing is to absolve the lieutenant of her responsibilities, I shall not allow that to occur!-
Major Tal'in, who had returned to her seat next to Aria, slapped a hand on the table. -Then put it to a vote. We have stated our defense, and you have the charges before you. We request a vote towards whether the court martial shall move ahead or the if the charges shall dismissed.-
Li'ren nodded. -Is there a second for this request?-
-Second,- the commander seated with the other officers said, raising his hand.
-Then the vote is called,- Li'ren pronounced. -Members casting votes shall stand to signify their position. All in favor of dismissal?-
Li'ren remained standing. One of the civilians joined her, along with the commander and three of the admirals. Aria held her breath, waiting to see if anyone else would stand. Six of the thirteen court members assembled were now standing, and all she needed was for one more to join them for the charges to be dismissed. However, none did.