NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: This will be a court martial based on events at the International Incidents forum at the International Mall. It will be invite only. If you want in, please TG me and I'll consider it.]

Admiral Marcus Patinkin breathed slight sigh. It was almost a sigh of relief, but there wasn't too much relief to be had when a country was just carpet nuked.

The war in Cam III was finally over. After two peace negotiations and three rounds of hostilities, Cam III was finally no longer a threat. Patinkin left the bridge with a stunned look on his face. President Mike Sarzo, a man he had just called a "tree-hugging moron" ordered a full-scale nuclear retaliatory strike against Cam III for three attempted nuclear strikes against Sarzonia.

The bad news was, not only was Cam III glassed, the city of Townshend, where Patinkin had his home, was destroyed. Patinkin walked slowly to his quarters. He wanted a stiff drink, but most of all, he wanted to relax.

He just popped open a case of Syosset brandy and poured himself a glass when his communications device beeped.

Damn them! Patinkin thought. I gave them strict orders not to contact me unless it was an emergency. He decided he'd humor them and then give them night shift duty until they put back into Wilmington.

"Patinkin."

"Admiral, we're receiving a transmission from Navy Command in Nicksia."

This can't be good, Patinkin thought.

"Yes?"

"Sir, may I see you in private?"

Patinkin raised an eyebrow. Now he knew something was wrong.

"Just tell me."

"Sir," the voice began in almost a stage whisper. "You are being ordered to return to Nicksia to stand trial for a court martial."

"A court martial?!"

"Yes sir."

"What are the charges," Patinkin asked. His voice shook and his face lost expression.

"For violating the Woodstock Convention by sinking CorpSacian subs and for your actions during the peace negotiations with the CorpSacian general."

Patinkin shook his head. He had to act crazy to get the CorpSacian general to pay attention and gain the upper hand in the negotiations.

"Set a course for Nicksia. Have the rest of the fleet sail to Wilmington once we hit Sarzonian waters."

"Aye, sir."

The Vengeance made its course change and Patinkin was left alone to his thoughts, which now began swirling around faster than the events that led to Sarzonia fighting two wars. Since the journey would take several weeks, it gave Patinkin plenty of time to process his emotions and he put his head in his hand and cried.

Navy Chief John Newman was on the phone about to set the ball in motion for the one aspect of his job that he hated. He was about to court martial one of the most decorated naval officers in Sarzonia and he hated court martials of any kind. But Parliament was insisting on the court martial and President Mike Sarzo signed the measure to allow the court martial.

He knew the country would be watching intently. Patinkin was nothing short of a war hero in Sarzonia. There were already plans to name a ship the ISS Patinkin and the naval officer's school was in the beginning stages of being named the Marcus Patinkin College for Naval Officers. He knew that he risked a Pyrrhic victory even if Patinkin were found guilty.

He contacted the lawyer for the prosecution, Vice Admiral Clay Ruskin, and he knew Patinkin would call his own attorney, and he knew just who Patinkin would be calling: Commodore Brynne Napier. They would have to assemble the case and they hoped that whatever happened, the sentence would be light. Newman knew that full-scale riots could happen if Patinkin were harshly punished.

Meanwhile, Patinkin picked up the phone and called Napier.

"Brynne, it's Marcus."

"Yes, sir?"

"Have you heard the news?"

"I did. I'm sorry."

"Are you willing to be my defense attorney?"

"Of course."

"Thank you."

They chit-chatted about other things, mostly to help Patinkin get his worried mind onto other things.

Damn it, it's not fair he thought to himself. The wars are over, I should be relaxing now. I can't when my career might be at stake.

The Vengeance neared the harbor in Nicksia.

"We have arrived," Commodore Stephen Marcus said on the ship wide intercom.

"And I'm going to be herded like some common criminal," Patinkin muttered after hearing the announcement. He took his suitcase with him.

"That prat Cullen's probably dying to testify against me," Patinkin said as the military security officers approached him.

"We can't answer that, sir."

"Of course you can't."

The officers led Patinkin away to his holding cell where he would await trial.

*bump*

Sorry i know i;m not invited i just want to say Thats a damb good RP

Sorry i know i;m not invited i just want to say Thats a damb good RP

[OOC: Thanks, I appreciate the comment!]

Sarzonia check TGs.

Sarzonia check TGs.

[OOC: Done. Already replied.

Also, I'd like to ask that your admiral who was part of the negotations testify, presumably on Patinkin's behalf. My ambassador to Praetonia will testify against him.]

[OOC: Yes of course as we discussed]

OOC: Check TGs.

OOC: Check TGs.

[OOC: Got it.]

OOC: Adm. Sorenson from the Cam III civil war will testify for Patinkin as a leadership and command witness.

Patinkin was brooding silently in his holding cell. Three hours had passed since he was led there in handcuffs, but to the admiral who made his living on the seas, it seemed like an eternity. Suddenly, as his mind started wandering back to all the losses he'd dealt with over the years, he heard the keys turning. In walked Commodore Brynne Napier, who would serve as his defense attorney.

"I just posted your bail. You'll be released on your own recognizance," Napier said.

"That's a relief."

"I know, but we've got a lot of work ahead of us. "I've secured the testimony of Admiral Sorensen of the Morathanian navy."

Patinkin's eyes widened.

"Sorensen?"

"Yes. He was adamant that he wanted to testify on your behalf."

"That's a comfort."

"The Praetonian admiral who was in the negotiations with you is en route to Nicksia now. He also will testify on your behalf."

Patinkin nodded. He knew that the Praetonian admiral had seen exactly what was going on in those negotiations. He figured if anyone could get the point across about what he was dealing with, he could.

"What about Commodore Marcus?"

"I think the prosecution may get him, but we'll see."

Patinkin shook his head. That good for nothing opportunist, he thought.

Two uniformed security officers escorted Patinkin out of the building with Napier striding step for step with the admiral. They were led to Napier's car where she would drive Patinkin to the guest house where he had agreed to stay while he was house hunting.

I guess the real world will have to wait a bit, Patinkin mused wanly. He took off his uniform and changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and flipped on the television. The Sarzonian national team was in the final seconds of their 1-1 draw with Lovisa in World Cup qualifying.

I'd forgotten about that, Patinkin thought. Wonder how we're doing?

When the whistle signified the end of the match, the Group 9 standings flashed on the screen. Sarzonia and Lovisa remained tied atop the standings.

Not bad, Patinkin said, finally allowing himself to smile a little bit.

Commodore Stephen Marcus walked out of his meeting with Vice Admiral Clay Ruskin shaking his head.

He had been non-committal about taking part in the trial, calling it a "kangaroo
court" when talking to his closest friends. Most observers predicted that Commodore Marcus would side with the prosecution since he questioned Patinkin privately about the sinking of the submarines. He was also bewildered when Patinkin ordered the prisoners readied for execution.

However, the commodore had a way of looking at every facet of an issue, and things just didn't add up to him from the prosecution side. While he disagreed with the decision to destroy the submarines, which was a violation of the Woodstock Convention, he thought privately that it might send a message to CorpSac. He also replayed the audio transcripts of Patinkin and studied his intonations closely.

Before joining the Navy, Marcus had been a speech pathologist, so he could tell when someone was hiding something. He listened intently and picked up on Patinkin's bluff. No, Patinkin wasn't crazy. He may have intended to follow through on his threat, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to undergo a lot of soul searching about it.

Ruskin quizzed him intently and had dismissed him brusquely when Marcus refused to take the stand against Patinkin.

"Don't you want to be an admiral someday," Ruskin intoned pointedly, as if Marcus's career could be at stake otherwise.

"That's not as important to me as showing loyalty to my commanding officer," Marcus had shot back. "Whether I like the man or not."

It was no secret that Patinkin and Marcus weren't exactly best of friends. Patinkin saw him as an opportunist and a young punk and Marcus thought the admiral was overly cautious. But what people didn't realize was that Marcus also valued loyalty fiercely. He was not going to testify against his boss just for the sake of his own career. In fact, he'd be willing to risk everything to save the man's legacy.

Marcus went home to his apartment and opened up a book on Sarzonian military law, absent-mindedly flipping through it. He saw something that made his eyes bulge.

No officer may be compelled to testify against another officer with his commission and pay in the balance, Article XIV, Section 6, Clause C read.

"That bastard," Marcus thought to himself. "Wait until I get called to the stand. I'll show that creep Ruskin."

Meanwhile, Ruskin sat down with his secretary and gave her some notes.

"Put down Commodore Marcus as our second witness. As a hostile witness."

[OOC: Since it would likely take too long to do a joint dialogue (either by taking up way too many posts or by trying to come up with something via AIM or other features), the format for the trial is going to be different from a standard question and answer court session.

The way it's going to work for this RP is, when I call a character to the stand, the character is going to make an initial speech stating his or her case. The attorney cross examining the witness (or the attorney calling the witness to the stand in the case of the hostile witness) will then ask a question to challenge the witness. The character being cross-examined may respond with one post.

Once both prosecution and defense attornies rest their cases, each attorney will make a closing statement, then the judge will render a verdict and pronounce sentencing.

That's at least what I'm thinking about having. If you have any feedback, please TG me.]

"All rise!"

The bailiff, Bryan Losicker bellowed those words at the courtroom in the Charles A. Wilson Sr. Naval Building and Judge Jackson Walker strode gingerly to his seat.

The people in attendance at the courtroom all rose. Vice Admiral Ruskin had a smug grin on his face. He never lost a case and he didn't expect to lose this one. Commodore Napier's look of grim determination belied her heart's rapid beating. Patinkin's countenance bore a somber look of someone whose stomach was churning. He was wondering if he could ask Judge Walker to be excused to go vomit.

"You may be seated.

"Today, we have the case of People vs. Patinkin. Admiral Marcus David Patinkin, you are charged with violating the Woodstock Convention by unlawful, unjustifiable acts of wartime cruelty. How do you plead?"

Patinkin rose, trying for all he could to look as commanding as possible even though he felt like that made him the world's biggest fraud.

"Not guilty due to extenuating circumstances, sir."

"Extenuating circumstances can not be part of a plea, Admiral. Either you're guilty or you're innocent."

"Not guilty." Patinkin insisted.

"Very well. Prosecution attorney Ruskin, please make your opening statement."

Ruskin rose confidently, fixing a withering glance at Patinkin. He opened his mouth to speak.

"That man," Ruskin sneered, pointing at Patinkin, "is a verifiable sneak. He's a low down, treacherous, warmonger."

"Objection, your honor," Commodore Brynne Napier snapped, quickly rising from her chair with anger seeping into her voice.

"Sustained. I remind counsel to concentrate on the facts and cut the editorializing. This is your only warning," Judge Jackson Walker said, fixing a glare at Ruskin that threw a shiver into the spine of the crotchety vice admiral. Ruskin had heard Judge Walker's reputation for not putting up with anything in his courtroom and, even though the judge was pushing 70, you didn't dare mess with him.

"During the war against CorpSac, the enemy fleet was destroyed by a barrage of missiles from the Praetonian mainland. Of the massive force sent by CorpSac, only a few submarines remained. Those submarines surrendered, and the fleets led by the defendant collected the sailors and sunk the submarines in direct violation of the Woodstock Convention.

"If that weren't enough, the defendant held the CorpSacian sailors as hostages and threatened their lives," Ruskin said, his nostrils flaring and his eyes widening in mock outrage. "He also acted as an officer unfit for command by threatening nuclear holocaust against CorpSac."

"Those facts are not in dispute, your honor. I move that the court find Admiral Patinkin guilty and punish him to the fullest extent of the law. We must do that to maintain our honor in the international community." His arrogant facade lifted for a moment as he briefly expressed the true sadness he felt about the task ahead of him. "Even if it comes at the expense of one of our greatest heroes.

"Our opening statement is done."

"The defense may begin its opening remarks now," Walker said.

Napier rose to her feet. In her high heeled shoes, she stood no taller than 5'4" but she was still a commanding presence nonetheless. She opened her mouth and began her speech.

"Your honor, Admiral Patinkin is no common criminal. He's a great man who had a lapse of judgement."

"Objection, your honor. Editorializing."

"Sustained. Commodore," Walker said, fixing a steady look at Napier.

"Understood. We do not dispute that Admiral Patinkin violated some aspects of the Woodstock Convention. However, we argue that many extenuating circumstances existed that forced Admiral Patinkin to act in ways he was unaccustomed to in light of the grave danger presented to the security of the country.

"If you'll recall, the CorpSacian fleet sent to engage Praetonia went with the idea of squashing that country's sovreignty."

"Objection your honor!"

"Overruled."

"Your honor!"

"I read the newspapers," Judge Walker said. "Anyone with even the slightest grasp of current events knows what happened there. Your objection is overruled." Walker turned his head and looked at Napier. "Counsel, you may continue."

"I argue that Admiral Patinkin acted in that manner as a statement against the threat to Praetonian sovreignty. In addition, the events of the negotiations with the CorpSacian general forced Admiral Patinkin to act crazy since the CorpSacian general was crazy. Logic and reason weren't getting through to the general, so in an effort to turn the tide, Admiral Patinkin did the only thing he could, and that's use what leverage he had -- the prisoners -- to buy time.

"Marcus Patinkin is not a war criminal. True, he did some things that we in Sarzonia frown upon. But he acted with the best interests of his country at stake. For that, he should be hailed as a hero, not treated as a criminal.

"My statement is finished, your honor."

Napier said that as Ruskin rose to object to the last sentence of the statement and finished her words before he could utter the word objection.

Walker turned to Ruskin.

"Counsel, please call your first witness."

Ruskin took a breath. Napier was quick. Too quick he thought.

"I call John Cullen, ambassador to the Democratic Imperium of Praetonia, to the stand."

Cullen stood up and walked to the witness stand and raised his right hand.

"I do hereby affirm that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth under penalties of perjury."

Ruskin started to walk slowly toward his star witness.

"Please state your affiliation with Admiral Patinkin," Ruskin began.

"He and I were part of the negotiating team during the peace talks with CorpSac," Cullen said.

"And what happened during those peace talks?"

"Basically, Admiral Patinkin risked the safety of all of Sarzonia and Praetonia by making threats and he just lost total control."

"Objection," Napier said.

"Overruled."

"Just what did Admiral Patinkin do that caused his loss of 'total control'?"

"He said he had the CorpSacian sailors and he threatened to kill them if CorpSac 'harmed so much as a hair on a Sarzonian or Praetonian head.' The man is psycho if you ask me. Psycho."

"What do you think the Navy should do about Patinkin."

"Send him to a psychiatric ward. Get him off the high seas."

"Nothing further your honor. Commodore, your witness."

Napier walked over to Cullen with a scowl.

"Ambassador, you say Admiral Patinkin 'lost control' during the peace negotiations, but isn't it true that the CorpSacian general was crazy as well?"

"Objection, your honor. The state of the CorpSacian general is irrelevant to this case."

"I beg to differ, your honor," Napier responded, drawing a raised eyebrow from Ruskin. "The state of mind of the CorpSacian general has everything to do with this case."

"Overruled."

"Answer the question, Ambassador."

"Yes," Cullen said, exhaling.

"And, isn't it true that Admiral Patinkin was not, as you put it, 'psycho' during the entire set of negotiations?"

Cullen paused for a moment and inhaled.

"It's true."

"And, might I ask, what are your qualifications to make a psychological evaluation?"

"Objection!"

"Overruled."

"What do you mean," Cullen said. It was a desperate ploy, but it was an attempt to throw Napier off for at least a moment. However, the commodore would have none of it."

"I believe you know exactly what I'm asking," Napier said. "Shall I repeat the question?"

"I admit I may have limited skills in psychology."

"Limited? According to your transcript, you flunked Psychology 101 in community college. Not only that, but you were evaluated as having a phobia of military personnel. In fact, is it not true that you were a frequent anti-war protestor?"

"Objection!"

"The question is withdrawn," Napier said. "I have nothing further for this witness," she said, scowling at Cullen as she walked back to her desk. She didn't get her last question answered, but it didn't matter. She planted a seed in the jury's mind, which was her aim.

"The witness may return to his seat," Judge Walker said.

Cullen stood up, his face ashen and walked, avoiding the gaze of Admiral Patinkin.

"Call your next witness, counsel."

"I call Commodore Stephen Marcus," Ruskin said. Patinkin groaned almost inaudibly. He still wasn't sure what Marcus had in mind. However, in just another second, his mood changed dramatically.

"As a hostile witness."

Commodore Stephen Marcus stood up from his seat and quietly stalked toward the witness chair, giving Ruskin a scowl. Ruskin noticed the scowl and turned away for a brief second so no one could see him wince. He then returned his confident veneer and strode toward the witness stand while Marcus was repeating the affirmation.

"Commodore, how long have you known Admiral Patinkin?"

"Objection!"

"Overruled."

"I have known him for about three months now, ever since I was named his executive officer for the CorpSacian war. I knew who he was for the past six years."

"You've only worked closely with him for three months, then. Is that correct."

"It is, sir."

"In your written briefing to the court, you indicated that you believed that Admiral Patinkin was not unfit to command the fleets and he was not crazy during the peace negotiations, yet you were on the bridge of the Vengeance, is that not correct?"

"That is correct, sir."

"Then how would you be able to determine the admiral's state of mind during negotiations when you weren't there? Nothing further, your honor."

"Your honor, may I respond to Vice Admiral Ruskin's question?"

"In cross examination only," Walker replied. "Your witness."

Napier walked up to the witness stand. She knew Marcus was on their side and she also knew what he had in mind. She was glad that Ruskin called him to the stand; it allowed her to get an advantage.

"Commodore Marcus, please state your civilian occupation prior to your naval service."

"Objection!"

"Overruled."

"I was a speech pathologist," Marcus said. "And we had constant radio contact with Patinkin and the negotiating team."

Ruskin groaned. His strategy of attempting to discredit Marcus was backfiring before his eyes.

"I made a career of studying speech patterns for clues. I minored in psychology at the University of Bausch."

In Townshend many of the people in the crowd thought to themselves. The images of the mushroom cloud slowly rising above a war torn southern city was enough to make even the hardest man wince.

Marcus continued.

"So I was listening intently to Patinkin while he was talking to the CorpSacian admiral. He sounded like he was crazy, but I could tell that it was an act."

"How so?"

"His voice patterns were slightly exaggerated," Marcus said. "It was slightly theatrical, but it was very well done. If I didn't know the man personally, I would have thought he was serious."

"Did you think he would seriously kill the CorpSacian prisoners?"

"If CorpSac attacked first, he would have," Marcus said. Several people in the room gasped audibly.

"I have one more comment," Marcus said. "It's related to this case."

"Objection," Ruskin bellowed.

"What is your comment," Napier asked.

"Objection overruled."

"According to Article XIV, Section 6, Clause C, "no officer may be compelled to testify against another officer with his commission and pay in the balance," Marcus said. "Vice Admiral Ruskin asked me to testify against Admiral Patinkin. When I said no, he said, 'don't you want to be an admiral someday?' Clearly, that's a violation of Sarzonian military code."

The crowd murmured audibly and Walker banged his gavel four times.

"Order! Order in this court!"

"I have nothing further, your honor," Napier said.

"You may return to your seat," Walker said.

Marcus walked back to his seat and gave Ruskin a glance. Ruskin's face showed a scowl, but the scowl betrayed the look of panic on his face just seconds earlier. Ruskin stood up uneasily.

"The prosecution rests."

"Defense, please call your first witness."

"I call Morathanian Admiral Sorensen to the witness stand."

*bump*

[OOC: For simplicity's sake, Morathania can most likely draft a statement of support. I'll then have Ruskin ask a question to which he responds, then I'll call the next witness, which will be Praetonia.]

Admiral Sorenson, one of the top three admirals in the Morathanian navy, walked stone-faced toward the stand. He was then sworn in.

Admiral Sorenson, one of the top three admirals in the Morathanian navy, walked stone-faced toward the stand. He was then sworn in.

[OOC: I would have skipped that particular step since I figured that a cross ex would be difficult to impossible to do on the boards, but anyway... if you want us to do a full-on cross ex, that may take some time but I'm open to it.]

Commodore Napier walked over to Admiral Sorensen, trying to suppress a smile.

"Admiral Sorensen, please state the reason you have come to testify on Admiral Patinkin's behalf."

*bump*

"Well I have worked with the honorable Admiral Patinkin several times during the Cam III CIvil War and the your own civil war. I respect the man and in my opinion he is a sane, levelheaded man who only attacks when provoked and only responds as the situation merits."

"Well I have worked with the honorable Admiral Patinkin several times during the Cam III CIvil War and the your own civil war. I respect the man and in my opinion he is a sane, levelheaded man who only attacks when provoked and only responds as the situation merits."

"I see," Napier said, nodding her head.

"Nothing further, your honor."

"Counsel, your witness," Judge Walker said.

Ruskin walked up to Sorensen. He suppressed an urge to sneer at the Morathanian Admiral. Whether the man is in our navy or not, he still outranks me, Ruskin thought. Besides, Sarzo'd have my head in a minute.

"Admiral Sorensen, I note that you have only worked indirectly with Admiral Patinkin, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Then what gives you the qualification to answer for the motives of the accused when you weren't present when the events discussed in this trial are taking place?" Ruskin gave a sideways glance that was as close to a scowl as he felt he could give Sorensen without incurring the wrath of Navy Chief Newman, and by extention, President Sarzo.

Judge Walker delayed for a moment. Usually the judge was quick to tell witnesses they could return to their seats. However, he was thinking if he should allow Sorensen an opening to answer the question. He decided to do so.

"The witness has the option of answering the question put to him by counsel for the prosecution."

"Objection!" Ruskin shouted. "That's a direct violation of Article XVI, Section 2, Clause 1."

"Overruled," Walker replied. "If you read Clause 2, it outlines a distinct exception to that rule, 'if the judge deems it necessary under extenuating circumstances that the witness be given the opportunity to respond, he may grant the witness the option of answering the question.' Under these particular circumstances, I choose to exercise judicial prerogative."

Ruskin scowled, but Walker met it with his own.

"Counsel is reminded that I may hold him in contempt," Walker said in a tone that, while quiet, still resonated with firm command.

Ruskin sat down. He realized that even if he were right, unofficial Sarzonian precedents were that, when all was said and done, the judge made the rules of the courtroom to fit his needs as long as there was no flagrant violation of the rule of law.

"Admiral Sorensen, the choice is yours entirely. If you choose to answer counsel's question, you may do so. Otherwise, you are free to return to your seat."

"I will answer the consuls question. I was not their for the events that took place but what I can say is that Adm. Patinkin is a level headed man who would never do anything that the situation didn't account for. For you to accuse a man of Patinkin's stature and service would be like the British court mashalling Nelson after Trafalger. I was not their, sir, but I can say that Adm. Patinkin is not the crazed warmongering, loontic that you are protraying him."

"You may be seated, Admiral Sorensen," Walker said.

As the admiral returned to his seat, Napier stood up and walked toward the witness stand.

"I call the Praetonian admiral to the witness stand." [OOC: I know this is awkward, but I never saw a name established for him/her.]

*bump* for Praetonia

The Praetonian Admiral, Marcus Dio, stood up from his seat and walked towards the witness chair. He had not visited the trial in person until now, although he had had members of his enterage report back what was happening. He was a quiet and secretive man, most of the Sarzonians didn't even know his name.

He repeated the oath and waited for the first question.

The Praetonian Admiral, Marcus Dio, stood up from his seat and walked towards the witness chair. He had not visited the trial in person until now, although he had had members of his enterage report back what was happening. He was a quiet and secretive man, most of the Sarzonians didn't even know his name.

He repeated the oath and waited for the first question.

"Admiral," Napier began. "You were present for the negotiations with the CorpSacian general, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"And, in your opinion, did Admiral Patinkin at some point 'go crazy'?"

"Objection, your honor! Prejudicial," Ruskin snapped.

"Overruled," Walker responded.

"Admiral, if you may?"

All eyes in the courtroom fixed on Admiral Dio, waiting for his response. His comments would likely decide the case in a way that even Patinkin could not and everyone knew it. Even Ruskin knew that Dio would be the key witness in the trial.

Dio opened his mouth and began.

*bump*

"Admiral Patinkin did not, your honour, at any point during the negotiations, or at any other time for that matter, "go crazy". Admiral Patinkin's choice negotiation tactics were merely in responce to those being displayed by the Corpsacian Delegate. At all times while I have known him he has been of sound mind.

I further wish to add that Admiral Patinkin's decision to sink the supposedly surrendered Coprsacian submarines was also the correct decision to take. At the time both I and everyone in my staff believed that the submarines possessed a sufficient number of nuclear torpedoes to anihilate all Praetonian and Sarzonian forces in the area; a fact later proved to be true by an independant enquiry, which found nuclear torpedoes in the wrecks, along with strategic weapons including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons capable of striking both of our nations.

Therefore the submarines were still a threat, as their surrender could hardly be believed as they had not even surfaced by the time the Sarzonians arrived, and Corpsac had hardly been trustworthy in the not too distant past. In conclusion, your honour, the very notion that Admiral Patinkin be arrested for his honourable conduct in the war strikes me as ludicrous."

Napier nodded.

"Nothing further, your honor."

"Counsel?"

Ruskin walked up to the Praetonian admiral. He knew this would be his hardest task of all. If he tried to deconstruct the testimony of a man who saw first hand what occurred in the talks, he would have to spend a great deal of time, and he realized that time was of the essence.

"Sir," Ruskin began. He tried to sound authoritative but he decided to drop the arrogant veneer he usually brought to the questioning. He realized that Dio knew Patinkin's conduct in the negotiations far better than he did. He figured his only chance would be to play up Cullen's testimony rather than attempt to challenge Dio's authority in the matter.

When Sorensen testified, he knew he had the advantage in the fact that Sorensen didn't see first hand what Patinkin did. However, Dio did.

"Ambassador Cullen asserts in his testimony that Patinkin did in fact 'lose control' during the peace negotiations with the CorpSacian general. Yet you state quite the opposite. Why should this court believe your testimony over that of the ambassador, whom I am told actually was able to speak privately with Patinkin and still firmly believes that the admiral has 'lost it'?"

Ruskin was tempted to end the questioning and walk to his seat without giving Dio a chance to reply, but he knew that Walker would cite his prerogative and give Dio the option to answer, so he chose to wait expectantly for the answer, even though he knew it would make matters much more difficult for his case.

*le BUMP*

*bump for Praetonia's answer*

Admiral Dio spoke immediately. He spoke like a true commander, he did not raise his voice, but everyone in the room could hear every word.

"You, Mr Ruskin, are not a military man. Neither is Ambassador Cullen. I have spent my life with soldiers and sailors, and I know when such a man as "lost it", I have seen in happen many times. Admiral Patinkin did not "lose it" either during the negotiations or at any other time. Let me ask you a question, Mr Ruskin, have you ever sat on the bridge of a ship three miles from a nuclear expolsion?"

Ruskin reacted angrily to Admiral Dio.

"With all due respect, Admiral, I am a Vice Admiral in the Sarzonian Navy," he said with veins starting to bulge in his head and his eyes and nostrils beginning to flare.

"Just who the hell are you to--"

Walker banged his gavel thrice.

"Order! The counsel will refrain from such language and will cease this response immediately."

Meanwhile, President Mike Sarzo was watching the drama unfold from his location behind the courtroom on closed circuit television.

As Ruskin began to tell Dio about his rank, Sarzo thought, I can make sure we fix that. He made a mental note to talk to Navy Chief John Newman about disciplinary action for Ruskin. It was all he could do to keep from barging into the courtroom himself, but it would have taken Sarzonia One about three hours to get to Nicksia, even without an escort.

Ruskin realized the judge wasn't going to let him continue his diatribe against the Praetonian admiral. With a look of exasperation, he told Walker, "nothing further, your honor."

"Admiral, you may be seated."

"Counsel, call your next witness."

Napier stood up. Now was time for her to play her trump card.

"I call Admiral Marcus Patinkin to the stand."

Patinkin got up, his face still looking wan and his gait somewhat unsteady in spite of the mounting evidence in his favor. He slowly walked to his seat and repeated the affirmation, then gingerly sat down.

"Tell me, Admiral, what do you think about all of this?"

Patinkin did his best to show grave determination, but his face just looked worn out from the physical and mental stress of two wars and a court martial.

"Frankly, I think it's ridiculous that we're even here," Patinkin said slowly, making sure to enunciate carefully. "Besides the obvious danger presented by the CorpSacian submarines that my esteemed Praetonian colleague pointed out, the intelligence we had on CorpSac indicated they were not to be trusted. Destroying the submarines was a precaution we felt we had to take. In addition, we felt it necessary to send a message to CorpSac."

Ruskin smiled slightly. That "message" gave him an opening.

"As far as the peace negotiations are concerned, it was my belief that the CorpSacian general had little interest in brokering a peace accord. The fact that they sent a general who proved to be crazy is proof of that."

"Objection," Ruskin bellowed. "The psychological state of the CorpSacian general is not on trial here."

"Overruled," Walker said.

"Your honor..."

"I find counsel for the prosecution to be in contempt of court," Walker said, banging his gavel.

"I'm trying to hide my contempt for this court," Ruskin muttered to himself.

"Court will be in recess for 30 minutes," Walker said, banging his gavel. He looked up at Ruskin. "Counsel, please see me in my chambers."

The people in the courtroom started murmuring among themselves while Ruskin smugly walked to Walker's chambers. As soon as he and Walker went in, the judge closed the door.

"Clay, what the hell are you doing?"

"I beg your pardon Jack?"

"You have been nothing but a nuisance to this court from the moment you opened your mouth."

"I have half a mind to call you to the witness stand for the way you're trying this case."

Walker scowled, then he drew himself up to his full height and walked over to Ruskin. Even pushing 70, the man was still an imposing presence and he towered over Ruskin. Even though Ruskin was a vice admiral, he was pretty much just an attorney and little more. As such, he got nervous when the judge got in his face.

"You have been making the kind of mistakes first year law students would make when it comes to basic strategies of law," Walker said, snarling. "When Commodore Napier has reacted inappropriately, I've warned her. Unlike you, she knows when to shut up.

"Now we can do one of two things. We can either go back into that courtroom and try the case fairly, or I can have you dismissed from the case and have Newman find another attorney. Which is it?"

"I'll finish out the case," Ruskin said, stiffening. He started to inch away from Walker in discomfort.

"Very well, counsel. Now get back in there and do your job right."

The two men walked back to the courtroom and took their places.

OOC: I thought that would annoy Ruskin :) . It's kind of funny to see him flip out whilst trying to accuse someone else of doing so...

"As far as the peace negotiations are concerned, it was my belief that the CorpSacian general had little interest in brokering a peace accord. The fact that they sent a general who proved to be crazy is proof of that."

"Objection," Ruskin bellowed. "The psychological state of the CorpSacian general is not on trial here."

"Overruled," Walker said.

Once back in the court room, Napier looked at Patinkin and asked him, "do you have proof that the CorpSacian general is 'crazy'?"

"The way he acted throughout the negotiations should be proof enough."

"I'd like to enter Defense Exhibit A, the transcript of the negotiations, into evidence."

The baliff brought the transcript over to Walker, who skimmed it.

"The CorpSacian government has refused to release any psychological evaluations of the general," Napier said.

"I see," Walker said. He set the transcript aside, set to read it during his decision making process.

"What made you decide to "go crazy" as the ambassador suggests?"

"I saw that logic and reason were not getting through to the general. I saw that he seemed to be making sport of trying to get under my Praetonian colleague's skin, so in an act of sheer desperation, I decided to fight crazy with crazy.

"I tried to explain to Ambassador Cullen without blowing my cover what I was doing, but he fell for the trap. Unfortunately," Patinkin said, his voice trailing off.

"That seemed to be a turning point in the negotiations, is that correct," Napier asked.

"Objection," Ruskin said. He knew there was little chance it would be sustained, but he was desperate.

"Overruled," Walker said.

"It seemed to be. It looked like that got to him."

"No further questions.

"Counsel, your witness."

Ruskin walked up to the witness stand slowly and deliberately. He knew he only had one card left to play and he hoped that might plant the seed of doubt needed to save face. He started pacing as the questions started running in his head.

"Admiral," Ruskin began. He delayed asking his question for a few seconds, trying to pose it in such a way as to leave the question in the mind of Walker.

"In your personal logs, it notes that you called the President a, and I quote, 'tree hugging moron,' end quote. Is that true?"

"I called --"

"YES OR NO," Ruskin shouted."

"Objection, the admiral's views on the President are not pertinent to the case."

"I beg to differ, counselor," Ruskin said with a sneer. "They could have incredible bearing on this case."

"Overruled," Walker said. "Admiral, please answer the question."

"It is true," Patinkin said. Many in the crowd murmured and gasped. Walker banged his gavel twice and said, "order!"

"However."

Ruskin cut him off.

"You called our President a 'tree hugging moron' in spite of the fact that he was the administration's biggest proponent of building a strong navy; one that can send a massive fleet as if it were nothing. In spite of the fact that he is your biggest ally in the navy. And you repay him how? By denigrating him on the bridge of your ship! No further questions!"

"But," Patinkin stammered.

"You may step down."

"I didn't know he was forced into the peace talks with Cam III," Patinkin said.

"I move that the witness's last statement be stricken from the record," Ruskin said. "It happened after the cross examination."

"The statement is stricken from the record. Admiral, please take your seat."

Patinkin walked back to his seat in stunned silence. He knew he just jeopardized his chances of winning the case right then. He somberly sat in his chair.

"Any further witnesses, counsel?"

"The defense rests," Napier said.

"Closing arguments; prosecution?"

Ruskin strode confidently to the center of the courtroom, stabbing Patinkin with steely eyes of a man with all the scorn of a confident lawyer.

"Admiral Marcus Patinkin is a man with no principles. He is a man who willfully violated the Woodstock Convention, who threatened the lives of prisoners of war with terrorist tactics, and who pretended to go crazy just so he could instill fear into an opposing negotiator. He is a man who insulted our President during a war. It is for these reasons that Admiral Patinkin should be made an example of and punished to the fullest extent of military law."

Ruskin sat down. He felt he did the best he could to salvage his case, but he figured it wasn't going to be enough.

Napier rose. "Your honor, Admiral Patinkin is many things. He's a father, he's a fine military officer, but most importantly, he's an honorable man. He has faced more threats than any single Sarzonian naval officer has and he has remained steadfastly loyal to his country. He assessed the threat by the CorpSacian submarines and destroyed them out of necessity. He changed his negotiating tactics and came up with a brilliant strategy that turned the negotiations in his favor.

"His 'threat' to the prisoners was meant as a tactic to force the enemy to stop their own threats against countless Sarzonian and Praetonian lives. It also bought time, valuable time that gave the Praetonian government the opportunity to complete its investigation and return the equipment back to United Korean Nations that started the war. I believe when you read the transcript, you'll see that shortly after Patinkin's 'threat,' the CorpSacian general kept saying he wanted something that would allow his emperor to say he won the war. That is a direct result of Patinkin's brilliance, your honor. I move that Patinkin be found innocent and completely exonerated."

"Court will be in recess and I will be back with my decision," Walker said.

Walker sat in his judge's chambers, reading the transcript of the negotiations between Patinkin and Dio and the CorpSacian general. He was pretty much sure where he was going to side, but he wanted to read that before he made his final decision.

He looked at the transcript, particularly the point when Patinkin said, "we have your men." He read that part very carefully.

On the face of it, it looks like he had gone crazy Walker thought. But he realized that Dio in particular saw first hand what was going on.

He read it again and he thought.

This is too sudden a change in negotiating tactic for him to have completely snapped, Walker thought. He pulled out a law book with key excerpts from the Woodstock Convention. He looked up the prisoners of war section and he looked up the surrender of naval vessels section.

Finally satisfied after looking through both, he strode deliberately toward the courtroom, two hours after entering the chambers.

"All rise," the baliff said.

"You may be seated."

"This case is one of the most difficult I've ever had to judge. Ironically, that comes on the heels of what is likely my easiest decision.

"Did Admiral Marcus David Patinkin sink the submarines? Yes. Was it in violation of the Woodstock Convention?" He drew a heavy sigh. "Yes."

"Did he threaten the lives of prisoners of war? Yes. Was that a violation? Yes.

"But both of those fall under the category of 'extenuating circumstances.' The intelligence reports suggest that CorpSac was not and is not an honorable country. Under the circumstances and under the threat of war, Admiral Patinkin acted in the most prudent manner he could. I find the defendant, Marcus David Patinkin guilty due to extenuating circumstances on the charge of violating the surrender terms of the Woodstock Convention.

"On the charge of the threat to the prisoners, it must be noted that the CorpSacian general threatened billions of lives of Sarzonian and Praetonian citizens. His maneuver was a brilliant executed strategy that forced the enemy to delay its plans in a way that the normal negotiations and the war footing did not. I find the defendant not guilty on this charge.

"I feel like I must address the comment about the President being a 'tree hugging moron.' While that casts the admiral in a fairly negative light, the heat of battle often compels military people to say things they otherwise might not. Vice Admiral Ruskin, it is clear that you have never commanded a vessel or a fleet under the circumstances that Patinkin has had to deal with constantly."

Ruskin stiffened in his seat. He did his best to suppress his smouldering anger over the shot delivered from the bench. He was very touchy about being a "desk admiral" rather than one who built a career on the high seas and now Walker was calling him on it. And there was nothing he could do about it because Walker was right.

"Therefore, the sentence for the charge Patinkin was found guilty of is an 18 month suspension with pay and a reduction in rank to Vice Admiral. However, because of the extenuating circumstances, the reduction in rank is nullified and 16 of the 18 months of the suspension are commuted.

"Admiral Patinkin, your sheer bravery in the face of the most trying circumstances and your ability to think on your feet have saved this country time and time again. Since the suspension is mostly commuted and your rank remains the same, and since the verdict is 'extenuating cirumstances,' in the eyes of the law, you are hereby exonerated.

"I urge you to take that suspension and take a vacation. Your psychological evaluation indicates that you haven't taken a single day off since your promotion from Commodore. You would do well to get some rest.

"This courtroom stand adjourned." Walker banged his gavel once and the court martial ended.

Finally, Patinkin did something he didn't feel he could for a long time. He smiled a big, toothy smile.

Even Ruskin, a man who just lost his first case smiled. He knew that if Patinkin were found guilty, it could result in a violent uprising. He knew that he was facing a no win situation. He walked over to Commodore Napier.

"Congratulations Brynne. And you too, sir," Ruskin said, turning to Patinkin.

Napier half-heartedly shook Ruskin's hand. Ruskin didn't offer his hand because he knew Patinkin likely wouldn't shake it.

Vice Admiral Sorenson got up and went over to Bryne and Patinkin.
"That was good work out their commodore. If I ever get in trouble with the paper pushers in Hamilton I would love to a defense lawyer as capable as you. And Patinkin. I new you sly son of a bitch would be able to get off easy. You should have you deserved it and you only did what was necessesary. Anyway its good an ally like Sarzonia didn't loose a good man and a good leader like you Patinkin."

Napier smiled.

"Thank you Admiral Sorensen," she demured. She realized if Sorensen called her to defend him, she'd have to bone up on Morathanian law. But then again, she was able to get Patinkin a light "sentence" that was little more than a vacation in the eyes of Sarzonian law.

"That man over there is the real star," Napier grinned, pointing at Praetonian admiral Dio. "He was the whole basis for our case."

An audible gasp interrupted the congratulatory talk by the people in the case. President Mike Sarzo walked in, surrounded by secret service agents.

"Congratulations Admiral," Sarzo said with a slight smile. He was clearly happy with the result, but anyone who knew him well -- like Patinkin did -- knew he had other matters on his mind.

"Marcus, I'm giving you a pardon from the two month suspension. However, the judge's admonishment about taking a vaction still holds. You need the break."

"Yes sir," Patinkin said. He started to salute but the President had already turned to the real focus of his visit.

"Vice Admiral Ruskin, may I and Navy Chief Newman see you for a moment?"

Ruskin gulped silently. It was not a request that could be answered "no." He walked slowly behind the President as he walked over to Newman's office.

The two men entered the room and the door closed behind Ruskin.

"Clay, have a seat," Newman said. Shaking slightly, Ruskin took his seat. Sarzo took the seat next to Ruskin. Newman drew a breath and Ruskin knew it wasn't going to be good.

"We've looked over your military record," Newman said. "And the President and I have determined that you haven't exactly distinguished yourself on the high seas. We think a transfer is in order."

"But sir, with all due respect," Ruskin began until Newman raised the palm of his hand in front of him in a "stop" motion.

"The President and I are in complete agreement that a stint on the high seas in command would give you some valuable insight into the practical applications of the Woodstock Convention," Newman said.

"We believe that there are times when going by the book places you in greater danger than you would otherwise face," Sarzo said. "We think that if you were in command of a ship or even a fleet that faced true life-or-death calamity, you would have a better understanding of the pressures Admiral Patinkin faced."

"The admiral called you a 'tree hugging moron' sir," Ruskin said.

Sarzo scowled.

"I am well aware of what the admiral called me. Without all the information in front of him, it probably looked like I just backed out because I was scared of war. But he never let his personal opinions of me stand in the way of doing his duty. If he didn't earn my respect before, he's certainly earned it now.

"Here are your new orders. You are to command the ISS Ithaca and send it to help escort Admiral Dio back to Praetonia."

"But sir?"

"You have your orders, Admiral. Be glad we're not reducing your rank," Newman said. "Dismissed."

With that, the secret service agents escorted Ruskin out of the office. The Ithaca was waiting for its new commanding officer.