[trial1.txt - The Trial, Part 1]

The Trial
by
Sheryl A. Simpson

 "Based upon the evidence brought before this court I have no choice but
to find you guilty of murder. You are hereby sentenced to life in prison
without the possibility of parole."
   At first, I was stunned. Then I became angry. The verdict was wrong.
There was no way the evidence proved that a murder had taken place. In
response to this idiotic conclusion made by the court, I decided to take
matters into my own hands. Apollo stopped me.
   "Don't do it Starbuck,"  he said as he grabbed my arm.  "You'll only
make matters worse."
    "Worse?"  I replied with more than a hint of anger in my voice. " How
could things get any worse? She is going to the prison barge. The other
prisoners will kill her."
   Apollo didn't appear to have an answer to that. He knew I was right. 
The residents of the prison barge would not hesitate to kill Cassie.
That's  right, Cassie. I have a hard time believing it myself. She didn't
kill anyone.  Not that it seems to matter. She was still convicted. Which
means a prison sentence. And because she is a close friend of mine, that
sentence might as well be one of death.  I've made many enemies over the
yahrens and several reside on the prison barge. They would just love to
get back at me by killing someone I care about. Then there are those
prisoners who would kill her just because I'm considered a hero to many
in the fleet. Sort of a way to make others suffer the way they feel they
have. In any case I knew there was no way  I was going to let her be
taken there.
    "Starbuck, I know you're angry,"  began Apollo. 
   I cut him off.
    "Damn right I'm angry. Now let me go; Captain,"  I growled as I
yanked my arm out of his grasp. I stood up intending to do something,
anything to rescue Cassie.
   Apollo grabbed the back of my jacket.
    "Lieutenant sit down !"  he ordered. To emphasize this he pulled me
back into my chair.
    "Apollo's right,"  added Boomer as he too grabbed my jacket.  "Making
a scene isn't going to help. Right now you need to calm down and start
thinking rationally. Otherwise Cassiopeia really will be in trouble."
    "Let me go, Boomer,"  I  said not really listening to him.
    "Or what?"  he asked. "You'll attack me? And Apollo? Go ahead and try
it
Bucko. The only thing you will succeed in doing is facing a trial of your
own. So don't be stupid. Just calm down and let us think of something.
Cassie is our friend too and we know she is innocent. And the only way we
are going to prove it is by not overreacting."
   Whether it was Boomers speech or just common sense finally taking over
I finally realized that my friends were right. If I tried anything now it
would just make matters worse. So I relaxed and stopped struggling to
free myself.
After a micron, Boomer released his hold on me. When I made no move to
flee Apollo also let me go. They seemed relieved that I didn't attempt to
go through the guards surrounding Cassie.
    "Now what ?"  I asked.
    "If they follow procedure,"  Boomer began,  "then we should have at
least three cycles before Cassie will be transferred to the prison barge.
This gives our side a chance to file for an appeal or a mistrial. 
    "Why wouldn't they follow procedure ?"  I asked.
    "For one thing we aren't on the Colonies anymore. Since the prison
barge is so easy to reach now the court might decide to send her there
immediately.
It wouldn't take much effort to bring her back here for a new trial if an
appeal was granted. Also the Gemonese representative may try to influence
the court. Since he was the one who filed the charges, in the first place
the court may listen to him." 
    "Where does that leave us ?"  asked Apollo.
    "Well, for starters we need to make sure that Cassie's defender is
going to make a motion for a new trial." 
    "What are we waiting for ? Let's go find her,"  I said.
    While we had been talking, Cassie had been brought back to her
holding cell. Normally a defender would go with his or her client to
discuss the next steps to be taken. But we found Ophelia in the corridor
outside the trial room. 
She was listening to an impromptu press conference being conducted by
Sire Verick. He's the one who instigated this ordeal.  I didn't like him.
    "Ophelia,"  I began.
   She didn't give me a chance to complete my thought. " I'm so sorry
lieutenant. I never expected it to turn out this way." 
   As angry and frustrated as I was I didn't blame her for the way things
had gone. I knew she had done what she felt was right. But sometimes
doing what's right isn't good enough. I told her as much.
    "Just so you know I have already filed an appeal,"  Ophelia said. She
motioned us to follow her away from the crowd. We followed.
    "You don't sound too confident,"  observed Apollo.
    "To be honest I'm not. Sire Verick has made many powerful and
influential friends. If he has his way there's not much I can do that
will make a difference." 
    "But Cassie is innocent,"  I said.  "And what difference does it make
if
Verick is powerful . The justice system is supposed to treat everyone
equally."

    "In theory, yes. But in practice, I'm afraid it doesn't always work
that way. Verick wants a seat on the Council. He thinks this trial is the
way for him to get there." 
    "Great. Because some idiot want's to play politics an innocent person
suffers. So if you don't think you have a chance why did you bother to
file an appeal ?"  I asked sarcastically.
     "Believe it or not lieutenant, even though I know how the justice
system actually works I am not ready to call it quits."  Ophelia said
with a hint of anger creeping into her voice.
    "Starbuck that's enough."  Apollo said with his I'm not happy with
you voice. He knew I was looking for an argument. Fortunately, I decided
to listen to his warning. 
   Trying to change the subject  I asked if I could go see Cassie.
Ophelia thought this was a good idea. While I made my way to the holding
cells, she took Apollo and Boomer to the Officers Club to talk further
about the trial.
   I was deep in thought as I approached the guard station. It wasn't
until I reached the desk that I realized who was sitting behind it.
Reese. The number one reason I don't like Council Security. Too stupid to
be a viper pilot and barely smart enough to make it in security. At least
that's my opinion. 
And he knows it too. Unfortunately, someone decided that Reese was
suitable for a command position and made him Security Chief. We've had
our share of confrontations. I didn't expect this time would be any
different. Nor was I disappointed.
    "Come to see the convicted ?"  he asked with an evil grin.
    "Yes,"  I replied. I wasn't in the mood to play games. Reese was. 
  "Too bad." 
    "Excuse me?"  I asked. Politely.
   "I said too bad. No visitors allowed." 
    "Since when ?"  I was beginning to get upset.
    "Since right now."  Reese looked like he was enjoying himself. I
wanted to choke him.
    "Care to elaborate on that ?"  I wanted to know.
    "You're a risk. I can't allow you near the prisoner. Sorry. Why 
don't you try again later".  
    "What do you mean I'm a risk ?"  I asked trying not to let my growing
frustration show.
    "You have in the past demonstrated a disregard for rules and
regulations as well as for members of security. You also attempted to
escape from these facilities." 
    "I did escape you idiot,"  I replied. I couldn't help it. Reese has
the ability to really irritate me. 
   " So you can understand why I can't let you in" 
   Swallowing my anger I calmly said,  "I'm not going to try anything."
 
    "Of course, you're not because you're not getting by me."  Reese
leaned back in his chair and smiled.
    "Yes I am."  I said this very calmly and quietly. Reese should have
realized he was in danger. He didn't.
    "Nope,"  was his answer. His grin widened.
   I'd had enough. The day had gone from bad to worse and I really was
not interested in playing diplomacy anymore. So I did what I had wanted
to do in the first place. I let my anger take over.
   Without warning, I shoved the desk, trapping Reese against the wall.
Then I reached across and grabbed him by the front of his tunic. He was
gasping for air. The force of the desk had knocked the air out of him.
Too bad.
    "You were saying?"  I asked.
    "I'm not letting you in,"  he managed to choke out.
    "Wrong answer,"  I replied. To prove my point I pushed a bit more on
the desk. 
   "I can't breath,"  he said between gasps for air.
    "You know,"  I commented,  "I really don't care." 
    "I'll press charges. "
    "Go ahead. I'll wait here."
   He didn't seem to appreciate my sense of humor. His loss.
    "Starbuck, let me go,"  he finally  begged.
    "Let me in,"  I said.
    "OK."
   Reluctantly I moved the desk just enough so he could move. Stupidly he
made a move for the intercom. I grabbed him long before he could reach
it. Pulling his arm behind his back, I began to pull it upward. I could
feel the bones start to creak. Sweat broke out on Reese's forehead and he
began to whimper. 
   "You're breaking my arm,"  he cried.
  "Well ? It's your choice. What'll it be?"  I asked as I increased the
pressure on his arm.
    "Ok. Ok,  he practically screamed.  Ill let you in. No more tricks. I
swear. Now let me go." 
    "Say the magic word." 
    "What ?"  he asked sounding confused.
   " I said, Say the magic word."  I emphasized this with a bit more
pressure to his arm. A bit too much considering I heard a bone snap.
    "Please,"  he begged while tears streamed down his face.
    "That's the word,"  I said as I let him go.
     "You broke my arm,"  Reese complained.
    "Your point?"  I replied.  "Now let me through." 
   Reese gave me a very dirty look but finally led me down the corridor
to the cells. He was pale and looked ready to pass out but managed to
stay on his feet. He was probably afraid of what I would do if he did
collapse. Wise man.
    "I'll press charges,"  he said.
    "You've said that before,"  I offered in return.
   "I mean it. You won't get away with this Starbuck." 
    "And I'll press charges of my own. You had no right to keep me from
seeing Cassiopeia." 
   Reese said nothing else. By this time, we were outside of Cassie's
cell. He unlocked it and let me through. Locking it behind me, he walked
back down the corridor cradling his arm. I hoped that he would come back
to let me out. 
Not that it mattered . I was where I wanted to be. 
   Cassie practically fell into my arms. Tears were streaming down her
face.
Not knowing what else to do I held her tight and let her cry. For several
centons, we stood this way neither one of us saying a word. Finally, the
tears began to slow.
    "Feeling any better ?"  I asked gently. Then I immediately mentally
kicked myself for  saying something so stupid. Why would she feel better
? She was just convicted of murder for crying out loud. 
   " A bit,"  she admitted. " I just couldn't  hold it in any longer."  
   "Oh, um good,  I didn't know what else to say.
   To my surprise she laughed. Not much; but it had definitely been a
laugh. I gave her a questioning look. That made her laugh even more.
    "What?"  I asked now totally confused.
    "I've never seen you at such a loss for words. If you came here to
cheer me up you're doing a good job." 
    "But I haven't done anything." 
    "You've been able to get me to think about something other than this
damn trial. To me that is something." 
    "Oh. I guess that is good. Its just,  I trailed off not really
knowing where I was going with this thought."
    "Just what? You didn't expect this to happen ?"  she asked with a
hint of sarcasm.
    "Well you have to admit that anyone who knew us and who hadn't been
watching IFB lately would assume that I was the one who was locked up
here." 
    "You do have that type of reputation,"  she admitted with a glint of
humor in her eyes.
    "Thanks." 
    " I didn't say I believed it,"  she said.
    "You didn't say you didn't either, " I added.
   Before she could say anything else, I changed the subject. Well sort
of.
   " It's not fair,"  I said finally able to vent some of the frustration
I was feeling.  "You didn't do anything wrong." 
    "The sire did die,"  was her response.
   "So what? It wasn't your fault. He was dead the micron the beam fell
on him."
    "Tell that to the Sire Verick,"  she said ruefully.
    " I did. He wouldn't listen. Just like the judgment panel didn't
listen.  Or IFB. Everyone is so set on pointing blame at someone when it
was an  accident."
    "It's easier to accept something like this when you can place the
blame somewhere. It gives his death more meaning." 
    "At your expense." 
    "Unfortunately." 
    "At least the panel didn't send you straight to the prison barge.
This gives us a chance to ask for an appeal."
    "What good will that do?"  Cassie bitterly asked.  "There's nothing
new that can be added to my defense. And I don't expect Sire Milage to
suddenly come back to life."
   My attempts to cheer her up had suddenly failed.
    "Don't give up yet Cass,"  I said.  "There's always a chance to win
the game no matter how bad the hand." 
    "Does everything have to revolve around wagering ?"  she said
angrily.
     "No, it doesn't."  I replied with more force than I should have.
What she had said was true; but it still hurt. 
    "You just don't understand." 
    "Yes, I do. Being on trial for murder isn't something that you
quickly forget." 
    "You weren't convicted." 
    "No,"  I agreed.  "But I do know what it is like to sit in a cell not
being able to do anything to prove ones innocence. And to lie awake at
night wondering what will happen if you are convicted. It's not easy.
Especially when all there is to do is watch IFB reporters tell the Fleet
what they think of you." 
   Cassie shook her head in disbelief.  "You're impossible."
    "Me ?"  I asked innocently.
    "You were on trial for murder, facing a life sentence and you were
worried about what the IFB was saying about you ?" 
    "Why not ? After all, I do have a reputation to uphold." 
     "I know. Some reputation." 
    "You still like me."
   At that moment Reese interrupted; which was probably a good thing
considering the way the conversation was going. Cassie can certainly dish
it out with the best of them. I think she's been around Sheba too long.
Get the two of them together and I am sure to be picked on. Not that I
really mind.
Its makes me feel like part of a family. 
    "Times up Starbuck,"  Reese said.
    "Just a centon," I replied.
     "You've had your fifteen centons. Now let's go."  He didn't sound
too happy; probably because his arm was still hurting. I was surprised he
hadn't called in a replacement so he could go to the Life Center. But it
wasn't my business and I wasn't too interested anyway so I didn't
question him about it.
    "I said just a centon Reese. And I mean it,"  I said.
    "It's all right Starbuck,"  said Cassie.  "I'll be fine." 
    "I'll get you out of this,"  I promised as I brought her close to me
and gave her a parting kiss.
   " I know,"  she replied as I went out the cell door that Reese has so
thoughtfully opened.
    "Yeah, right,"  was his intelligent comment.
    "Shut up you little snitrat,"  I said as I shoved him out of my way.
   Reese stumbled against the wall but managed to stay on his feet. I
moved to hit him but a quick glance in Cassie's direction made me stop.
She had a look that said Don't do anything stupid, please. I didn't want
to disappoint her.
After all, if I were locked up in a cell too I couldn't very well do much
to help her. So Reese would have to wait for another time.
   To his credit, he didn't say another word. He made sure the cell door
was secure and then escorted me back to his desk. From there he sat down
and pretended to be busy filling out reports. I left to join the others
in the Officers Club.