NationStates Jolt Archive


Trials and Promotions

-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 12:29
The middle-aged man was led into the large court room by a Bretonian police officer. His arms were unshackled when he reached his position to the left of the judge's bench, and he was allowed to sit down. The Bretonian police officer stepped back and leaned against the wall, letting one of his hands rest on his shock-stick. Just in case.

This was Commodore Yates. He squared his shoulders and put his hands behind his back, confident right up until the end.

The courtroom was large, with a high, elegant ceiling, dark wooden-panelled walls, lush red carpets and comfortable-looking benches for the audience. The judge's bench itself was high and adorned with gold.

The judge stepped up and sat down on his bench, and slammed his hammer down repeatedly to hush the audience.

"Commodore Derek Yates, you have been brought to trial in this court for the following charges," the judge bellowed, and pulled up a list. "Assisting in total genocide of a sentient species. Illegally claiming the sovereign territory of a sentient species as our own. Overstepping your authority and declaring war on a sentient species without prior permission. Ignoring a direct order from the Admiralty. Resisting a direct order from an officer on special assignment. Disregarding the Omicron Rules of Engagement. Drawing a weapon on a Bretonian Naval Marine. Refusing to stand down when you were relieved of command. And ordering your crew to engage in illegal activities. How do you plead to these charges, Commodore?"

"Not guilty, your worship," Yates said proudly.

"I thought as much..." the judge sighed wearily. "Very well. Prosecutor, please... get on with it."

A man in a formal Bretonian Armed Forces Uniform stepped up and bowed his head to the judge, before walking over to stand before Yates.

"Where were you on the 21st January, 805 A.S., Commodore?" he asked.

"I was onboard the HMS Norfolk," Yates snorted. "The ship that I commanded until I was framed."

"And where was the HMS Norfolk on this date?" the Prosecutor asked.

"In orbit of planet I33D - B," Yates said.

"This is the planet you are accused of attacking unnecessarily, yes?" the prosecutor asked.

"That is correct."

"Did you fire nuclear torpedoes at this planet, Commodore?" the Prosecutor asked.

"I did not," Yates shook his head.

"Very well," the Prosecutor nodded. "I show the court exhibit 'A'; a holo-recording of the bridge of the HMS Norfolk, 1412 hours, 21st January 805 A.S."

He walked to a centre table and clicked a button.



An image was projected above the table. It showed Yates, in his uniform, sitting on the bridge of the Norfolk. Through the windows could be seen a planet, and wreckage of numerous ships.

"About time," Yates snorted. He clicked a button on his chair. "Torpedo room 3, fire all torpedoes, authorisation *scrambled noise*."

He looked over at the tactical officer as the four familiar 'chunk' sounds rocked the ship gently.

"Torpedoes away sir," the tactical officer nodded. "They're splitting up and acquiring individual targets."

"Add some flak to the fun," Yates nodded.

"Aye sir," the officer nodded, smiling.

The planet surface was illuminated by eight massive blasts which spread through entire cities and towns, devastating everything they came into contact with. Several flak blasts impacted with other areas, gouging huge craters into the planet. On the other side of the planet, several ships of alien design pounded it with their own weapons.



The Prosecutor switched the display off, and looked up at Yates.

"Your worship, I would like to add 'lying in court' to the list of charges to be brought against Commodore Yates," he said, smiling.

"Objection, your worship!" a man said, jumping up from behind his desk. He also wore a military uniform. "The question posed to Commodore Yates was 'did you fire nuclear torpedoes'. That holo-recording clearly shows that he did not do anything of the sort."

"Sustained..." the judge sighed.

"Very well," the Prosecutor nodded. "Obviously, you did not personally go down to the torpedo room and fire those torpedoes manually. You gave someone an order to do so, yes?"

"Correct," Yates nodded. "I ordered the torpedo room to fire those torpedoes."

"And a commander must take responsibility for the actions of his crew," the Prosecutor nodded. "Especially if he gave the order."

"The crewmen did not have to fire those torpedoes just because I told them to," Yates shrugged. "Section 56, paragraph 12 states that if the orders of your superior officer are deemed immoral or unjust, you do not have to obey until a higher-ranking officer can evaluate. Those crew members did no such thing."

"Did those crew members know what it is they were shooting at, exactly?" the Prosecutor asked. "What would you have done to those officers if they had disobeyed your orders? You were eradicating an entire species; I for one might be a little fearful of what you may be capable of. Commodore; you have an affinity for command regulations, I wonder if you could tell me what section 10, paragraph 1 states."

"The Commander is responsible for those he commands," Yates sighed.

"And, in your professional opinion as an expert in tactical and strategic operations, would you say that this planet posed you some kind of threat?" he asked.

"There was no immediate danger posed by that planet," Yates said. "However, they had unofficially declared war on our people by attacking the HMS Shropshire. There was no telling how long it would have been before they built up a new force of ships and came to wage war upon us. In my 'professional opinion', it was a necessary step for the preservation of Bretonian security."

"Your worship, we have both seen this man clearly ordered the orbital bombardment of an entire world," the Prosecutor said. "The rules clearly stipulate that the commander is responsible for these events. Even if this recording was absent from these proceedings -- Commodore Yates' ship fired torpedoes at a populated planet. I have no further questions on this issue, your worship."

"You may be seated," the judge nodded. The prosecutor bowed his head and moved back to his desk. "Mr. Barratt, do you have anything to say on behalf of your client?"

"I... uh... yes, your worship," the man said. He was the one who had jumped up before. Commodore Yates' defence. "One or two, sir."

"Get on with it then," the judge said. He appeared to hate his job. Why he still sat there was anyone's guess.

"Commodore Yates," Barratt addressed Yates as he walked to him. "How did you first encounter this species?"

"We responded to a distress call from the HMS Shropshire," Yates told him. "They had been attacked and crippled by unknown enemy forces, and we were going to investigate. The attack was completely unprovoked, and there was no response to their messages of peace."

"Are you quite sure that these are the same people you attacked later on?" Barratt asked.

"Yes, sensor logs confirmed it," Yates nodded.

"So these people quite clearly couldn't be reasoned with," Barratt said thoughtfully. "They attacked without warning or provocation. And they did not respond to messages of peace. Correct?"

"Correct."

"Your worship, I would like to call Captain Jennifer Jelico to the stand as a witness," Barratt said, looking over his shoulder. The judge nodded and pressed a button. Down the far side of the room, the large wooden doors were pushed open and Jelico limped in. She had crutches, and one of her arms was in plaster, but she attempted to walk upright. She stepped up to the stand and sat down on the stool provided for her.

"Do you swear not to lie on the life of Her Majesty?" an officer asked her.

"I swear," she nodded. The officer stepped away.

"Captain Jelico," Barratt addressed her. "You were in command of the HMS Shropshire when she was first attacked, were you not?"

"Yes I was," she nodded, wincing when she realised her neck still hurt.

"Did you or did you not broadcast the standard friendship message when you first detected this vessel?" Barratt asked.

"I repeated my message twice," Jelico nodded. "The vessel made no attempt to respond."

"And then what happened?"

"They opened fire," Jelico said. "We just had time to launch some torpedoes before the ship was completely crippled."

"So we see, your worship, this 'sentient' species was not very civilised after all," Barratt said. "Attacking strange ships without even attempting to communicate, even after receiving friendship messages? Are these species even sentient at all?"

"Objection," the prosecutor shouted. "We know these species to have communicated in a sentient way with the alien vessels shown in that holo-recording."

"Sustained," the judge nodded. "Mr. Barratt, please refrane from attempting to judge how sentient a species is."

Barratt nodded. "Even so, your worship, these are a people with excessively violent tendencies, who obviously have no interest in peace. As Commodore Yates said, how long before they rebuilt their armies and came looking for us? There is one other species which acts this way. Terrorists. Do we allow terrorists to roam free? Or do we crush them, decisively and finally? I have no further questions for this witness." He nodded to Jelico and he walked back to his desk.

"Does the prosecution wish to question the witness?" the judge asked, sighing as he knew the answer.

"Yes, your honour," the prosecutor nodded. He stood up and walked over. "Captain Jelico; you say the alien vessel disabled your ship, yes?"

"That's correct," Jelico nodded.

"Were they driven away before they could finish you off?" he asked curiously.

"No, they left of their own accord," Jelico said.

"So, this savage race didn't attempt to completely destroy a helpless vessel?" he said, stating it rather than asking it.

"No, they did not," she shook her head.

"Does this sound like the act of a savage and senseless species to you?" he asked.

"Not really..."

"When Commodore Yates ordered the bombardment of this species' planet, would you say that they were helpless also?"

"I... wasn't in a position to tell," she shook her head. "We had been forced to abandon ship; our knowledge of what was going on was limited at the time."

"Hmm. No further questions, your worship," he nodded, and moved to sit back down.

"Very well," the judge nodded. "This court is adjorned until tomorrow to allow the jury time to assimilate this information." He slammed his hammer down several times before standing to his feet and heading into his chambers behind.
The Imperial Navy
02-02-2005, 12:40
Is this trial televised? Because We have info that could get 'em off the hook.
-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 12:45
OOC: Reporters aren't allowed to take cameras/recorders into the court, but they do take minutes and release them on the newsnets after each session.
The Imperial Navy
02-02-2005, 12:55
OOC: Ok thanks

IC: Having seen recent news, we wish permission to send a representative to testify. We feel that we have a just reason for his assistance.
-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 13:14
"Judge Connor has considered your petition to join the proceedings, and has ruled that you be allowed to do so. He feels as an involved party you could offer a new perspective on these events.
You may send a ship; it will be cleared to proceed through the jump gate that will take it safely through the Great Barrier. The Border Station on the other side will give you directions. Please bear in mind that for the moment our jump gate network can not accommodate ships much larger than the HMS Victoria, so if you intended on coming in a larger vessel you may end up taking a shuttle all the way to New London."

2nd Lieutenant Hardy
Alpha-Epsilon Border Station
The Constitutional Monarchy of Bretonia
The Imperial Navy
02-02-2005, 13:16
Don't worry. The representative will be sent on board a Helios class Light frigate, the smallest vessel we have before shuttles.

OOC: Just assume I got there-I hate to RP journeys.

IC: The vessel touched down, and the ambassador climbed out, awaiting to meet the officials.
-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 15:49
The rains of New London were harsh and polluted, sometimes even mildly acidic. The drops pelted the high-rise metal platforms, which were supported thousands of feet above the ground, making an almost relaxing tapping noise. The oppressive black sky loomed overhead, occasionally bursting with light as electricity shot down to some of the lightning pylons that protruded from the tops of the gothic skyscrapers, followed by a deep rumbling a second or two later.

Barratt stepped out of the bar and into the rain, pulling a hood over his head, and briskly walked over to the landing platform. Luckily they'd made this dark-grey flooring have some sort of grips on them otherwise he'd have fallen over the edge a long time ago.

He shoved past the three guards that stood casually near the ship and moved towards the alien visitors.

"Hello!" he shouted, over the noise of the rain and thunder. "I am Mr. Barratt, Commodore Yates' defence. I'm sorry for the lack of a formal greeting... the Queen is away at a concert or something, the Prime Minister is on Planet Leeds, and Admiral Rochester is busy planning some kind of massive offensive. The judge was going to come out and greet you, but I thought if I got here first I might beat the prosecution to it. Please, come right this way, it's a little warmer -- and a lot dryer -- indoors."

He led them down a metal gangplank onto what was apparently a sidewalk, suspended high above the ground and sandwiched between two rows of gothic 'scrapers. The neon signs that hung overhead suggested it was probably normally a busy place during the daytime, or just when it wasn't raining. He passed by the closed stores and down some metal steps, and continued walking until he reached an official-looking building that towered above the other 'scrapers. Stone decorations adorned it, from pillars and arches to gargoyles. Soggy flags of Bretonia hung limply above the large metal doors, fluttering a little in particularly powerful gusts of wind.

He placed his hand against a panel, and it scanned him. After bleeping, the doors hissed open and he stepped into the illuminated lobby and shook himself dry. Once the aliens -- and the three guards who had followed -- were indoors, he shut the doors again and removed his drenched coat. The lobby was a bright room, with a dark wooden reception desk at the far end, a bright cream-coloured carpet, and several comfortable-looking seats lining the walls of what was probably a waiting area of some kind. The centre of the thick carpet had been dyed with the symbol off the Bretonian flag, definitely suggesting it was an official building.

Barratt gestured for them to sit down.

"Now, you've come a long way," he said. "I assume there's something specific you have to add to all this. I have to ask though... why are you so concerned by what happens to the Commodore?"
The Imperial Navy
02-02-2005, 15:55
"He assisted us in our combat, because he felt indetted(Sp?) to us. We saved his ship from destruction by the Hyacombe Federation, and for saving us they volunteered to assist us in our capture of the planet. We feel his actions should be noted."

He licked his lips.

"Would it be possible to get a Jardin Tea? Oh yes, and my name is Ambassador Falkiri."
-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 16:08
"Well, genocide is a pretty serious charge for anyone, let alone a Commodore of the BRAF," Barratt sighed. "I went into this case expecting to lose. It's not the sort of charge you can easily wriggle out of on a technicality, so I hope whatever you've got is good. Even if I can get him out of that, I still don't know how I'm going to get him out of the other charges. I've seen the prosecution's evidence; they even have a holo-vid of him pulling a weapon on a Naval Marine... best thing I can come up with for that is 'acting on instinct', or temporary insanity - which he doesn't like the sound of."

He looked around at a vending machine that stood in the far corner between two of the chairs. Several names of what were apparently popular soft drinks were written on it, as well as Cambridge Black tea, corillian coffee, plain water and something called 'Fruit Pops', which just fruit juices of various unknown fruits. They were all listed as 1 credit each, except for the Cambridge Black which had a '2c' next to it.

"I'm afraid I don't think I've heard of Jardin Tea before," he said apologetically. He pulled out a few small blue chips, which appeared to fit in the slot on the side of the machine, and handed them to him. "But if you see anything there that take's your fancy, it's on me. Otherwise I'll see if I can get the restaurant to rustle something up drink-wise, instead."
The Imperial Navy
02-02-2005, 16:20
"I'll take that coffee."

Holding the cup in his hands, he sat back down.

"We had officers on that vessel at one point. He seemed like a regular commander... I may be able to take a closer look at the footage. I think it could be fake."

Taking a sip of coffee, he looked at the man.

"I think somone wants the commadore out of the way..."
Moleland
02-02-2005, 16:26
TAG BTW: If you want, you can have Admiral Striker Testify via 'Video link'
-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 16:42
"Well if they're fake, I should clip the Commodore around the ear later on," Barratt sighed. "He already admitted to giving the order to fire on that planet in court today. Say, you know more about that species than we do. Do they have normal citizens, like we do? Innocents? Women and children? If we could somehow prove that the planet was a threat, we could at least try and convince the jury that it wasn't so ill-guided to shoot at it. Anything bad about that race you can tell 'em would only help. We need 'em to look like evil, scummy bad-guys with eye patches, who bathe in the blood of virgins. Or something.
"You also have to bear in mind that whilst he might look like a regular commander to you, the jury might just associate that with differing ideologies and laws. For example, a homicidal psychopath probably looks perfectly normal to a terrorist. He doesn't really need a character witness; he's pretty well-known, and used to be well-respected.
"And if the other holo-vids are fake, I need to track down the HMS Victoria," he said thoughtfully. "Captain Williamson's even more well-respected than the Commodore... um, used to be. He would never have played a part in something like that. If he were to tell the jury what really happened, they'd completely disregard the holo-vid and go with him! Of course, we also run the risk of him confirming what the holo-vid showed... If he did that, then they'd have an almost religious belief in it. Yates'd go down for sure. But the Victoria was sent on an urgent mission just after they dropped Yates and the evidence off; something to do with that big attack I mentioned."

He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a small PDA-like device, and handed it over to the Ambassador.

"That has the video on it I was talking about," he told him. "The prosecution also has communication logs which apparently show the Commodore pretty much telling Williamson what to do with the Admiralty's orders right before the shoot-out, though I haven't had a chance to hear that yet."

TAG BTW: If you want, you can have Admiral Striker Testify via 'Video link'

OOC: Sure, I'll try and fit that in somewhere tomorrow. I'm going to have to start pretending to work soon though :D..
The Imperial Navy
02-02-2005, 16:49
"Well if they're fake, I should clip the Commodore around the ear later on," Barratt sighed. "He already admitted to giving the order to fire on that planet in court today. Say, you know more about that species than we do. Do they have normal citizens, like we do? Innocents? Women and children? If we could somehow prove that the planet was a threat, we could at least try and convince the jury that it wasn't so ill-guided to shoot at it. Anything bad about that race you can tell 'em would only help. We need 'em to look like evil, scummy bad-guys with eye patches, who bathe in the blood of virgins. Or something.

"They were... they were planning to wipe out all life on Earth... pretty good reason to kill them all, right?

"You also have to bear in mind that whilst he might look like a regular commander to you, the jury might just associate that with differing ideologies and laws. For example, a homicidal psychopath probably looks perfectly normal to a terrorist. He doesn't really need a character witness; he's pretty well-known, and used to be well-respected.

"I see your point."

"And if the other holo-vids are fake, I need to track down the HMS Victoria," he said thoughtfully. "Captain Williamson's even more well-respected than the Commodore... um, used to be. He would never have played a part in something like that. If he were to tell the jury what really happened, they'd completely disregard the holo-vid and go with him! Of course, we also run the risk of him confirming what the holo-vid showed... If he did that, then they'd have an almost religious belief in it. Yates'd go down for sure. But the Victoria was sent on an urgent mission just after they dropped Yates and the evidence off; something to do with that big attack I mentioned."

"Lets face it, it's all or nothing. And justice is important to us."

He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a small PDA-like device, and handed it over to the Ambassador.

"That has the video on it I was talking about," he told him. "The prosecution also has communication logs which apparently show the Commodore pretty much telling Williamson what to do with the Admiralty's orders right before the shoot-out, though I haven't had a chance to hear that yet."

The ambassador removed a similar PDA from his own pocket, and it began to make a strange noise.

"This is a Vid-analyser. I will need a few hours, but this will prove either it's genuine or fake. The only thing we need to do then is convince them of our technology."
-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 16:58
"They were... they were planning to wipe out all life on Earth... pretty good reason to kill them all, right?

"Now you see, he doesn't tell me these things," Barratt sighed. "How does he expect me to defend him when he leaves out details like that? Heck, I could've used that today. An old-fashioned 'ends justify the means' argument. Can I get you to say that tomorrow?"

"Lets face it, it's all or nothing. And justice is important to us."

"Well, it'd be justice either way with Williamson," he shrugged. "He's either guilty, or he's not. Williamson'll tell you the truth whichever way it went down."

The ambassador removed a similar PDA from his own pocket, and it began to make a strange noise.

"This is a Vid-analyser. I will need a few hours, but this will prove either it's genuine or fake. The only thing we need to do then is convince them of our technology."

"Cool," Barratt said, looking at it. "It'd take five days to get techs to scrutinise that. Of course, getting the jury to believe in your technology, as you said, is another matter. You might have to show them how it works, maybe get a Bretonian scientist from Cambridge to confirm it."
The Imperial Navy
02-02-2005, 17:02
"Now you see, he doesn't tell me these things," Barratt sighed. "How does he expect me to defend him when he leaves out details like that? Heck, I could've used that today. An old-fashioned 'ends justify the means' argument. Can I get you to say that tomorrow?"

"Of course. I'll write up what to say."

"Well, it'd be justice either way with Williamson," he shrugged. "He's either guilty, or he's not. Williamson'll tell you the truth whichever way it went down."

"Very well."

"Cool," Barratt said, looking at it. "It'd take five days to get techs to scrutinise that. Of course, getting the jury to believe in your technology, as you said, is another matter. You might have to show them how it works, maybe get a Bretonian scientist from Cambridge to confirm it."

"I'd be glad to do that for you."

OOC: Judging from your system and planet names, I assume you based your nation on Freelancer? I love that game.
-Bretonia-
02-02-2005, 17:08
"Of course. I'll write up what to say."

"Great," Barratt nodded.

"Very well."

"I'll see if I can track them down then," Barratt nodded. "I might have to go through Admiral Rochester's office, so it could be a while."

OOC: Judging from your system and planet names, I assume you based your nation on Freelancer? I love that game.

OOC: Yep. Although, I had to change a few things. Mainly, how they got there (as in, in my version they've always been there), where they are, and then merge a few aspects of the other Houses in, seeing as the other Houses don't exist for these Bretonians. Plus a few technologies and stuff...
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 12:15
"Alright, alright, shut up," the judge yelled, slamming his hammer down until people stopped talking. "Court is in session. Arbiter Barratt; Arbiter Kelly; I have a date with a 22 year old stripper in a few hours. Get on with it."

Barratt and Kelly looked up from their desks and raised their eyebrows curiously. Barratt shook his head and stood up.

"I would like to establish what sorts of people this alien race truly were, your worship," Barratt said. "I think it may have some bearing on this issue."

"What? Oh very well, proceed," the judge nodded. Barratt bowed his head in respect and walked back towards Yates' bench.

"Commodore, you are charged with 'assisting' the genocide," Barratt said. "Who were you assisting?"

"Two powers we had not encountered before," Yates said. "Moleland and The Imperial Navy."

"Why would they wish to exterminate an entire sentient race?" Barratt asked. "Wouldn't it be more profitable in the long run to simply subjugate them, assuming this was an imperialistic move?"

"Apparently, the species intended on destroying all live on one of The Imperial Navy's major planets," Yates said. "I think they called it 'Youth', or 'Earth', or something like that. Moleland were apparently long-term allies."

"Interesting," Barratt nodded. "I would like to call a witness, your worship."

"Proceed, Mr. Barratt," the judge nodded.

"I would like to call Ambassador Falkiri of The Imperial Navy," Barratt said.
Moleland
04-02-2005, 12:17
*Still watching with interest*
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 12:24
The Ambassador walked in, taking his place on the platform.

(Assume he takes any oaths he has to make.)
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 12:37
Two officers had a quiet discussion about what exactly the Ambassador should be swearing against. For five minutes they argued over whether he would have any respect for the Queen and whether swearing on her life would mean anything to him. When the judge started sighing and scowling at them, they simply asked him to swear on his own life, which he did.

"Ambassador, we are all honoured by your attendance here," Barratt said, nodding his head in respect. "To start off, perhaps you could tell the court a little about your people's past experience with the species the Commodore is accused of helping to exterminate?"
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 12:49
"It started 12 months ago... An imperial explorer group, was investigating a new sector. We discovered their planet, and engaged cloak. We then intercepted transmissions between their vessels. They were preparing to invade Earth. Not only that, they intended to destroy all life on the planet, and replace us with their people... A genocide of their own. Further investigation of their culture make it certain. The only way to stop them was to wipe them out ourselves. We prepared weapons based from captured technology we stole in raids on their convoys."

He turned on a vidlink he bought with him.

"Computer, interlink with Imperial command and display holonet"

The link suddenly turned on, and a 3D map of Imperial technical data appeared... all the research on the Hyacombe federation.

"As you can see, we were fully prepared to launch a counter-invasion... but they started early."

The vidlink shows the remains of Imperial outpost X-19

"They attacked and destroyed outposts along our border. Then they attacked the commadores vessel, crippling it. We were forced to begin our counter-invasion early. After rescuing you bretonian commadores vessel, he pledged to help us in thanks. We agreed, and met up with battling moleland ships on the way. Our ambush worked, and their fleet was anialated. After allowing moleland to collect prisoners, we ensured no Hyacombians would survive. We bombaded the planet with Bio weaponary. Currently we are rebuilding the planet, renamed Celeborne into a new Utopia. Your commadore did fire the missiles, but we discovered why."

He then turned on another vidlink.

"We detected this on the surface."

The vidlink showed Missile silos on the planets surface, ready to fire.

"Your commadores missiles hit that exact spot. We think that your commadore saw it and acted with vigelence. We of the Imperial Navy consider him a hero."

With this the Ambassor fell silent for the next question.
Moleland
04-02-2005, 12:51
*The plot thickens...*
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 13:00
"So the Commodore, either knowingly or unknowingly, eliminated a dangerous threat to his and your ships by firing those torpedoes," Barratt said. "Even in defeat, these aliens wanted to lash out and kill just one last time. And from this we also gain an insight into their thinking; given the chance, this species would commit genocide of its own accord, and unlike us, they would probably not show any remorse over the event."

He smirked at the prosecution and looked back at the Ambassador.

"Tell me sir, what is the approximate population of this planet 'Earth'?" he asked. "I assume innocent women and children live there, possibly even oblivious to the existence of this Hyacombe Federation."
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 13:03
OOC: Based on the NS world

IC: "There are so many it is hard to estimate... but i'd say at least 12 Trillion people."
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 13:20
"12 trillion people," Barratt emphasised. "And there could be more than that. And these aliens wanted to simply kill them all. In your opinion, Ambassador sir; were these aliens capable of carrying out their threats, if left unchecked? Would they have continued to attempt to carry out this goal, no matter how many times you defeated them, if you didn't wipe them out? And, perhaps most important to this case -- do you think there is a chance that, with knowledge of our existence, they would have turned their attentions on someone like us afterwards?"
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 13:25
"In the transmissions, we learned the horrible truth-they seek to wipe out all life in the universe, and replace it with their own. They were relentless. And determined. Without our intervention, Earth would be no more, as well as most of the solar system. We also discovered that your system was next on the list after us-as your system was close."
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 13:35
"It sounds to me that even if Bretonia wasn't at threat from this species, they're not the sorts of people you would want to have gallivanting around the cosmos unrestricted," Barratt said. "Genocidal, egotistical maniacs who would stop at nothing to annihilate all life in the universe. An acceptable reason for destroying them? Why are we putting Commodore Yates on trial, your worship? He should be given a medal if nothing else."

Barratt nodded at the Ambassador.

"Thank you Ambassador. I have no further questions of this witness for the moment." Barratt nodded at the judge and moved to sit down.

"Prosecution, do you wish to question the ali... the witness?" the judge asked, looking at Kelly. The man nodded unenthusiastically. "Yes, your honour."

He stepped up to the bench and looked over at Ambassador Falkiri.

"Ambassador, it is an honour," he nodded. "I have never spoken with an extra-Bretonian before, I just wish it were under better circumstances. Now, Ambassador, I notice earlier you mentioned that the Molelandians took... prisoners? Did I hear that correctly?"
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 14:01
"Yes. A moleland Admiral named Striker was rather upset at our decision of Genocide. Seeing as we are allies, we granted them permission to take citizens as prisoners. However recently they were dumped on a waste-planet after moleland found them no use and overruled Admiral Striker. It is disapointing that we allowed them to survive, but we left them with no means of getting off the planet, so they should be fine there."

He opened an Imperial profile on Admiral Striker.

"An excellent man who is the reason we are friends with Moleland. The first commander we ever met. A great man, but he has a weak concience. We see a concience as a sign of weakness, no offence."
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 14:10
"Now, Ambassador, I assume that these aliens are capable of reproduction," Kelly said. "Assuming they can survive on this 'waste planet' at all, does that not leave open the possibility, however slight, that their race survives long enough to either figure a way off the planet, or find someone willing or stupid enough to free them from the planet?"
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 14:13
"Now, Ambassador, I assume that these aliens are capable of reproduction," Kelly said. "Assuming they can survive on this 'waste planet' at all, does that not leave open the possibility, however slight, that their race survives long enough to either figure a way off the planet, or find someone willing or stupid enough to free them from the planet?"
"The planet is a waste, and deep in mole space. They're all crowded in a biosphere. I'm sure in 200 years or so their children will have forgotten and settle down. And if they ever seem to be becomming a threat we shall wipe out what remains of them."
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 14:25
"If they are fanatical enough to wipe out all life in the universe, I think it would take more than a few generations for them to simply 'forget'," Kelly said. "Please answer the question, Ambassador; does the possibility exist, however slight, that these prisoners will find a way off the planet? A yes or no answer will suffice."
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 14:30
"No. not as long as Moleland exists."
Moleland
04-02-2005, 14:31
OOC: I wonder if the prosecution will call striker as a witness...
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 14:34
"Tell me Ambassador; have you got any idea how many sentient lifeforms were inhabiting the aliens' homeworld?" he asked, pacing up and down in front of him. "Celeborne, I believe you call it now. Do you know how many people lived there? Are you certain that all the people of that planet wanted to eradicate all life in the universe? Was their government of a democratic nature, or a dictatorial nature?"
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 14:35
OOC: I wonder if the prosecution will call striker as a witness...

OOC: Barratt will; as an independent eye-witness. TIN was here first, after all :D.
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 14:36
"Their government was... odd. The people would elect a group of people who would choose the leader. In basic, Democratic. On the other subject, there were about 6 Billion Hyacombe citizens on the planet."
Moleland
04-02-2005, 14:36
Occ: Ok!
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 14:39
"Their government was... odd. The people would elect a group of people who would choose the leader. In basic, Democratic. On the other subject, there were about 6 Billion Hyacombe citizens on the planet."

"I'm going out on a limb here," Kelly began. "But do you have any idea how many of those might have been women, children, people who were indifferent to the whole 'let's kill everything' ideal of the people you dealt with directly? People who directly opposed the entire thing?"
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 14:42
"Research indicated that the entire population had been brainwashed for decades-they were 100% loyal, and would have been a loss to rehabilitate. We felt they were a lost cause."

He thought for a second.

"There was one thing. Their leader is still alive, and captive in The Imperial Navy. After much persuasion he revealed to us many secrets-like there are other Hyacombe planets out there."
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 14:58
Barratt's eyes widened, and Kelly mimicked the smirk that he had received earlier.

"Other Hyacombe planets?" Kelly asked. "Fascinating. So in actuality, Commodore Yates' actions have not really achieved what the honourable defendant is arguing. A serious threat still exists, and all Commodore Yates has done is killed a lot of their people, thus angering the remaining people and making us a bigger target than we ever were before. I hope this new information greatly helps the men and women of the jury make their decision when the time comes."

He paused for a second, then looked at the Ambassador again.

"I have no further questions, your worship." He bowed his head, and moved back to be seated.

"The court will take a thirty minute recess," the judge said miserably. "I need some painkillers to numb the pain of boredom..." He grumbled and slammed his hammer on the bench a few times, before stepping down and going through a door at the rear of the court.

Barratt jumped over his desk, to the amusement of Kelly, and ran over towards the Ambassador.

"You didn't tell me that!" he whispered. "Is there anything else I should know?"
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 15:02
"Hmph... do not worry... the prisoner has already informed me that the rest of the Hyacombe federation is not even in this galaxy-they are a colonial group that got a bit big-headed."

He looked over as the Prosecutor left the room.

"Hmm... amusing how he is so desperate to win the case... yet he is so weak minded, so feeble. If I were to examine him in a court case, he'd brake down straight away... fool."
The Imperial Navy
04-02-2005, 15:14
Well I'm off to my weekend of work. I shall see you tuesday. Please pause until then-or interview moleland.
-Bretonia-
04-02-2005, 15:15
"He was grasping at straws through most of that, and he knew it. He thought you'd given him a great big huge vacuum cleaner when you told him that, though," Barratt nodded. "That news just became the only part of his entire questioning that'll actually matter to the jury, so I better make sure I straighten that out as soon as things start again. If he doesn't have that, things will be looking rosier for the Commodore, I think.
"With the whole genocide thing out of the way, he's just looking at maybe a short custodial sentance, and demotion to Commander, or Captain if he's lucky. Unless I can find a way to get him off the hook for the disobeying orders thing and pulling weapon on another soldier, too. I don't have much hope of that though...
"Hey, thanks for your help though. I *think* we did enough to convince the jury on that charge. Stick around for a while just in case I need to call on you again though. Grab something to eat while you're waiting; the restaurant is out those doors, to your left, third door on the right."

Well I'm off to my weekend of work. I shall see you tuesday. Please pause until then-or interview moleland.

OOC: Roger-roger. Have a good 'un.
-Bretonia-
05-02-2005, 02:21
"Order!" the judge shouted as he stepped up to the bench. "I dislike drawn-out trials, gentlemen. I will not tolerate exploitation of technical loopholes and twisting the letter of the law; find out if this man is innocent or guilty, and then finish your case. Now get on with it!"

"I call Admiral Rochester as a witness," Kelly said, standing up. After a few moments, the courtroom doors opened. A tall man, probably 50 years old or so, stepped into the court. He walked with an air of confidence, wearing his red, white and gold dress uniform as though it were his own skin, proudly displaying the numerous medals he had won on his left breast. He stepped up to the bench, his clumpy black leather boots thudding heavily down on the wood work, and held his hand up.

"Do you swear not to lie on the life of Her Majesty?" an officer asked him.

"I swear," he said calmly but firmly. The officer nodded and he lowered his hand. Kelly stepped up towards him and bowed his head in respect.

"It is a distinct honour to finally meet you, Admiral," Kelly said. "We are all aware of your reputation, sir, so I will not doubt your word for a picosecond."

"Kind words, Arbiter," Rochester said. "I am a busy man, though, so please try not to draw this out."

"Oh, oh of course Admiral," Kelly said. "I apologise. Now Admiral, is it true that a day before the incident in question, you ordered Commodore Yates to return to his pre-assigned duties?"

"Correct," Rochester nodded. "I specifically ordered the Commodore to return both the HMS Norfolk and HMS Shropshire to their previous duties. Captain Jelico was, at that point in time, operating under the orders of the Commodore."

"And what was the Commodore's response, sir?" Kelly asked.

"The Commodore informed me that his immediate task was more important," Rochester told him. "He then ignored future communications, probably hoping that I would believe him to be out of range, or in an area of interference."

"How did you respond to this, Admiral?" Kelly asked.

"After a debate with the rest of the Admiralty, we all decided the best course of action would be to grant a field officer a level one mandate to relieve the Commodore of duty and secure his ship, and release the Shropshire from his control," Rochester explained. "The HMS Victoria was not only nearest, but also the only ship powerful enough of successfully tackling the Norfolk should it have come to that. Captain Williamson was the commander of the Victoria, and we granted him a class one mandate of superiority over the Commodore to allow him to relieve a superior officer of duty."

"All standard procedure," Kelly nodded.

"Indeed," Rochester said. "A Commodore disobeying direct orders is a serious issue; we had no idea what his state of mind was. He was in command of a ship capable of levelling the surface of an entire planet, and we needed to make sure that, no matter how low the risk, he could not use this power for illegal means. It seems we were too late, however."

"Indeed," Kelly nodded. "I would like to bring exhibit B to the attention of the jury."

The judge nodded, and he walked back over to the small console that sat in the centre-front of the court, right in front of the judge's bench.



"Audio log recording, 20th January 805 A.S., 2057 hours," a computer voice said. There was a pause, and then a clicking sound.

"HMS Norfolk, this is the office of the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces Admiralty," a voice said. "Admiral Rochester speaking."

"This is Commodore Yates of the Norfolk, receiving you, sir," Yates' voice replied.

"I understand the situation over there, Commodore," Rochester continued. "But for the moment the government doesn't want to involve us in things that could jeaprodise our future exploration endeavours or diplomatic standing with any races."

"With all due respect, Admiral, our future endeavours [i]are jeaprodised," Yates protested. "The attack upon the Shropshire yesterday proved that."

"The Shropshire was intruding in the territory of an alien race, Commodore," Rochester said. "They were exercising their rights. We should be thankful that they left the Shropshire without destroying her."

"Maybe so sir, but we must ensure that the name of Bretonia is a strong one," Yates said. "We need to prevent others from doing the same in the future."

"Commodore, I am ordering you and your ship to return to your original duties," Rochester sighed. "You will also release Jelico from your command and allow her to continue on her original flight plan, is that understood?"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, sir," Yates said after a pause. "This is more important."

"Commodore, I am ORDERING you to return to your original duties," Rochester said firmly. "I hope that you understand what you are doing."

*Silence*

"Commodore?"

Another clicking sound.

"Audio log complete," a mechanical voice said after a few seconds.



"I would also like to add the following transmission," Kelly said. "Exhibit C was a short transmission which never received a response."

"Proceed..." the judge nodded. Kelly pressed the button again.



""Audio log recording, 21st January 805 A.S., 0743 hours," a computer voice said. There was a pause, and then a clicking sound.

"HMS Norfolk, this is the office of the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces Admiralty," a voice said. "Admiral Rochester speaking. Commodore, I am ordering you to return both the Norfolk and the Shropshire to Bretonian territory at best speed. If you FAIL to comply with this very SIMPLE order, I will have no other choice but to relieve you of your command and have someone else do your job for you."

There was a long pause.

"Commodore," Rochester said. "You will NOT get another chance after this."

Another pause.

"You leave me little choice then, Commodore," Rochester sighed. "You are hereby relieved of your command. That ship is coming home one way or the other."

Another clicking sound.

"Audio log complete," a mechanical voice said after a few seconds.



"I think, your worship and the jury, that this recording speaks for itself," Kelly said. "And a well-respected officer has confirmed it. I have no further questions." He moved to sit down.

"Defence, do you wish to question the witness?" the judge asked. Barratt looked up from his desk and sighed.

"I've got nothing, your honour," he sighed. "Maybe... 'original duty' means 'protect Her Majesty and the Queen of Bretonia... but..."

"Mr. Barratt, if you have a point to make, make it," Connors shouted. "Otherwise, just shut up."

"Yes your worship," Barratt sighed. "Oh, just a quick point: I would like to mention to the jury that the other Hyacombe planets the Ambassador mentioned in the previous session are not even in this galaxy. Had Mr. Kelly not been so zealous in closing the questioning, we could have cleared that up."

"Noted," the Judge said. "This court is now adjourned for the weekend. I need coffee, and lots of it. Reconvene Monday, first thing in the morning, please people. Witness, you are now excused."

The judge nodded in respect to the Admiral and stood up, walking out of the courtroom. As he did, all the other people slowly stood up and filed out, whilst the Commodore was taken away by two guards.
The Imperial Navy
07-02-2005, 11:26
The Ambassador had been going over the Security camera footage for hours... he'd found what he wanted...

"It's a fake! I knew it! But who is trying to get rid of this guy? hmm... a conspiracy in Bretonia... I must find the defence representative at once!"

OOC: I'm not here long today, just posting what I can in the short time I have.
Moleland
14-02-2005, 12:41
OOC: Has this finished or something?
The Imperial Navy
15-02-2005, 11:32
I have no idea... Bretonia has gone missing...