chapter 40
Jethro was told he was not permitted any form of electronic reader in case it secretly held some form of communication hardware in it so he was given a paperback copy of Lord of the Rings which was quite rare and valuable, so someone must be pulling for him.
He managed to read it from cover to cover three times before anything else happened.
The door opened and he saw that Lieutenant Ruby Truth was outside in the passageway. A tag was fitted to his neck and he was released into her custody. She was tagged on the ankle. Jethro was always to stay within one hundred metres of her and he was only allowed to go along a prescribed route from the cells to a prescribed room that had been prepared by the defence team to be secure from outside surveillance.
Any problems with the arrangements and within fifteen minutes he would be terminated by an electronically controlled cheese-wire as part of the tag around his neck and Lieutenant Ruby Truth would have her ankle removed by a similar cheese-wire around her ankle.
The fifteen minutes was to allow unforeseen events be communicated to the controllers and the tags switched off.
Jethro said nothing whilst being led to the interview room but he felt incredibly uncomfortable wearing the tag. What would happen if it failed? What would happen if there was a fire, or an earthquake, or they were invaded by aliens?
Fortunately the tag was removed once he was in the interview room so he felt a little more at ease.
The interview room was the most human place he had been in since he had been on the Blackbird and that wasn’t exactly a luxury hotel. There was a soft floor covering, not quite a carpet like one his parents had at home but soft underfoot. There was an attached bathroom with a door for privacy. In his cell he never felt as though he was in privacy doing his ablutions as he felt he was always being watched. There was a small kitchen area with drinks machines and even a fridge.
“Sit down Jethro,” an old man wearing a suit asked.
Two younger women were scanning the room with handheld detectors of some sort. The old man said nothing until they had finished and pronounced, “it’s clean, sir.”
Lieutenant Truth sat next to the old man. “We can talk freely now Jethro. You’re among friends.”
The two detector women went to the kitchen area.
“Would you like a drink?”
Jethro could barely get out the words, “Can I have tea, milk no sugar please?”
“Of course, what kind of tea?”
“Twining’s Green and Black Tea Blend.”
One of the women, programmed the drinks and brought Jethro a mug of hot tea. The other women brought drinks for the old man and Lieutenant Truth, coffee by the smell, black for the old man and dark brown for the Lieutenant. The two women made drinks for themselves and remained in the kitchen area. Occasionally one would get up and rescan the room then give the thumbs up to the old man.
Lieutenant Truth was rifling through her papers and passing some over to the old man. Jethro cradled the mug in his hands. He sniffed the tea which was still far too hot to drink and almost too hot to hold. Then he put the mug back down on the table and put his head in his hands instantly feeling the heat from his hands on his face.
Days of stress and events surfaced in his mind and although he tried to push them back as he had done successfully so many times in the last few days this time it was all too much and he sobbed into his hands.
He heard the old man say, “let him be, he needs this moment.”
Finally Jethro felt more relaxed. He sat up and immediately one of the women took him over to the sink in the bathroom where she already filled it with hot water. Jethro washed his face and then dried it.
“Thanks.”
“Are you ready now, Jethro?”
“Yes. I am.”
“Before we begin my two experts will connect you up to the analyser. This will record everything you say, everything we say and also your pulse, heart rate, blood pressure and brain activity. Is that OK?”
Jethro welcomed being connected to a lie detector. The experts put the helmet on his head and connected other probes to his chest and arms then set it up. They asked Jethro a couple of simple questions like what his name, age and profession was. Then asked him to briefly describe an idyllic day. Jethro recounted a day on Dartmoor on his hoverbike taking care of the sheep on his family farm. The experts were satisfied and went back to their seats with one occasionally getting up to check the analyser.
The old man started. “Tell us exactly what happened. From the beginning.”
Jethro began from when the Blackbird was on Asteroid mining patrols and he received the first messages from Maddy to the moment he and his squad were arrested on Moonbase.
The old man interrupted again and again, asking questions like “Did you log this?” “Is there a video record of this?” “Tell me exactly who was present on this occasion.” “Did you give the orders to do this?”
Occasionally Lieutenant Truth asked questions like, “What was your state of mind when you saw that?” and “How did that make you feel?” and “Are you sure?”
Jethro was exhausted when he had finished relating the events.
The old man asked Lieutenant Truth if she had any more questions. She shook her head. He then asked Jethro if there was anything he wanted to ask or say.
“Do you believe me?”
“Yes,” said the old man. “We believe you.”
“Then why is this happening to me?”
“Because,” said the old man. “There is no evidence.”
“What about my logs and video logs. The whole squad wore head cams. Where are they?” Jethro couldn’t believe it.
“They’re gone. Disappeared. The story that came from Moonbase is that they were not there when you arrived. They say they searched everything.”
“They’re lying. They must have them.”
“Sit down Jethro. I know this must be frustrating for you.”
“You’re damn right it’s frustrating. Earth is going to be invaded and nobody believes me.”
“We believe you Jethro. But we need proof and your word is not enough.”
“What about my squad? They’ll agree with me. They went through it all, just like me.”
“Your squad Jethro,” said the old man in measured tones. “Have signed a non-disclosure agreement which means they agree with your earlier statement that they were obeying orders. But according to reports we have seen, none of them said anything about aliens. The Gunny was reluctant to sign. Loyalty. I like that. But he was persuaded. They were sentenced to twenty years in the mines on the far side of the Moon.”
“But that’ll kill most of them.” Jethro knew the mines on the far side of the Moon as one of the most dangerous places in the Solar System. They weren’t called the Death Mines for nothing. They would be mining Helium 3 using machines but the machines broke down frequently and teams were required to clean the machines of rock and dust and do maintenance on the machines, which was dirty and dangerous work.
“So what’s my defence based on.”
Silence from the old man and Lieutenant Truth.
“You mean I don’t have a defence,” Jethro was beginning to see the gravity of what was happening to him.
“No you don’t. There’s no evidence. Like I said before. It’s your word.”
Jethro stood up. “My word as an officer.”
“You don’t understand Jethro.”
“Don’t understand what?”
“There are members of the Ministry of Defence who fought in the war against Mars. They didn’t want peace. They wanted victory over Mars. And now they see their chance to get it.”
“But they won’t get it. The aliens are already defeating Mars and they will easily take the Moon and then they’ll attack Earth. Why don’t you believe me?”
“I do but I need proof. I need something to show the Court Martial Board as evidence.”
I’m screwed.
“There are tw
o things I’d like you to do,” asked Jethro.
“If we can we will. What are they?”
“I’d like you to tell my parents I love them both very much.”
Lieutenant Truth dabbed her cheeks with a silk cloth that she produced from her hip pocket of her dress jacket.
“We can do that for you,” replied the old man. “And the second thing?”
“Can you tell Lytton everything?”
“Lytton?” asked the old man. “You mean the UK’s minister for Defence on the Earth Government?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll certainly try but I can’t absolutely guarantee I can get to him. He might not give me the time.”
“If you mention my name he will,” said Jethro, hoping that was true.
“As I said. I’ll try.”
The old man looked down at his papers then over to Lieutenant Truth. She nodded at him.
“I’ll be honest with you. You only have two choices Jethro.”
“And they are?”
“You can admit the charges stating you were under stress in your first leadership role and sign documents to that effect and accept whatever punishment they give you.”
“Which would be?”
“Forty years minimum plus a dishonourable discharge, out in thirty five for good behaviour.”
“And if I don’t admit the charges?”
“Jethro. When I said you have two choices. I meant you only have one.”
“Sir? What happens if I don’t admit the charges?”
The old man looked down at the table as if he didn’t want to meet Jethro’s eyes. “You will probably be sentenced to death.”
chapter 41
The News
Ted: “And finally we return to Squid news. A Squid fisherman was recorded being pulled into the sea when he was pulling in his nets.”
Alice: “Yes. Warning this footage contains some disturbing scenes.”
Ted: “Eww. Alice that was horrible.”
Alice: “I agree Ted. Let’s hope we don’t have any more Squid news for a while.”
Ted: “Thanks Alice. So that was World News for today. Remember peeps, unlike other news channels we deal in facts. We don’t make this up.”
chapter 42
Jethro was in his number one best uniform as he was led into the court room. The room had a large table facing the door where the three judges would sit. Jethro was taken to a table one side of the court where the old man, now wearing a General’s uniform, and Lieutenant Truth were sat. Opposite the General’s side of the room was a similar table with three senior officers that Jethro assumed would be the prosecution. In the centre of the room was a solitary chair with space around it and slightly to rear of this at either side were tables and chairs where various court officials appeared to be positioned.
“Morning Jethro.”
“Morning Sir and morning Ruby.”
“You’re looking surprisingly cheerful. Have you made up your mind?”
“Yes sir. I’m going to plead not guilty.”
“What?” Ruby nearly fell off her chair. “But you can’t. You know the consequences—.
The General put his hand on Ruby’s arm. “Lieutenant Truth.”
“Sorry Sir.”
“Jethro. Why have you chosen this course of action?”
“Because it means I can make a statement to the Courts Martial which will be recorded and published on the Mesh. I must make that statement.”
“Do you understand the consequences?”
“Yes sir. I understand the consequences.
“You’re a very brave man Jethro.”
That’s your view. Dad always warned me that bravery is too close to stupidity for comfort.
“Do you also realise Jethro, that the authorities will do everything in their power to quash that recording and make sure it is never released?”
“Yes sir. But look around. There are over twenty people in this room who will hear that recording, and the tighter the authorities quash, the more of it will leak.”
“Maybe so Jethro but are you absolutely sure?”
“Sir. I have the advantage over you. I have seen these aliens up close. If the Earth does not prepare, we are doomed as one of my men keeps saying. I guarantee that. I would rather die trying to save the Earth than be locked in a cell waiting for the aliens to come and kill me.”
The General turned to Jethro and lowered his voice. “You know son. I actually believe you. I will do everything in my power to make sure your testimony gets out to the rest of the World.”
“Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me.”
There was no seating for guests or the Media or other types of hangers-on because this wasn’t a public court room it was a military Courts Martial.
Jethro and his lawyers waited and after a few minutes the large wooden doors at the back of the room opened.
“Will the Court please rise.” Everyone stood at the request of the doorman, a Corporal in the Space Marines.
Five people shuffled in. The first was a Lieutenant who carried a massive pile of papers and folders and he sat at the far right of the big table. Following him were three senior officers, the first an Admiral, the second a Lieutenant General and the third another Admiral. They sat in the middle three places at the big table facing the Court. Last in was a Lieutenant Commander, also carrying a large stack of papers and folders which he put down at his end of the table and proceeded to arrange them into neat piles.
When the five were seated the Corporal motioned with his hands and the room sat down.
One of the Court Officials, a Petty Officer stood up and asked, “Will the accused please take the stand?”
Lieutenant Truth ushered Jethro to go and stand in front of the chair in the centre of the Court, facing the three judges.
“Please state your name, rank and number.”
Jethro answered. “I am Sub-Lieutenant Jethro Tull, C1533536F of the Earth Defence Force.”
“Please be seated.” Jethro sat.
The judge in the centre of the table nodded towards the court official.
The court official read out the charge. “You are charged with high treason in that you deserted from the Earth Defence Force and you offered your services to Mars in a proposed war against Earth. Further, you destroyed the Blackbird to prevent it from returning to Earth and killed the rest of the crew. Finally you flew to Moonbase with a plan to sabotage the base so that Mars could invade and takeover the base and use it as a staging post to attack the Earth.
“Do you understand the charges?”
Jethro was doing his best to stop from shouting out liar and a ship load of worse profanities at the court official but he found that by clenching and unclenching his fists as he had programmed himself to do whilst meditating that he was able to contain his anger.
He turned towards the official and said, “Yes I understand the charges.”
“Sir, please will you address all comments to the senior judge in the centre and please will you address him as your honour?”
Jethro had already been briefed on court room protocol by his team but he had temporarily forgotten it in the heat of his suppressed anger.
“I’m sorry.” The court official was only doing his job. Jethro turned to face the bench.
“Your honour. I understand the charges.”
Jethro could feel the tension go from the room and particularly his defence team as he replied.
The court official continued. “How do you plead?”
Jethro paused to ensure he was in complete control of himself and his breathing. He knew the ramifications of what he was about to do. He couldn’t offer a defence because he had none. It was his word against whatever evidence the Prosecution had. His defence team had warned him that there was no trace of any records, vlogs, or anything that might help his case. The Prosecution had not revealed to the defence team what evidence they had, as was their right. But as Jethro knew, it must be prefabrication and lies. B
y not offering a defence he believed he would be allowed the opportunity to make a statement in court which could not be refuted or retracted and would be recorded and available to those with the right security clearance. Jethro believed it was Earth’s only chance.
He could plead guilty and accept a reduced punishment of twenty years but Earth was in danger and that affected Mum and Dad and his friends. Jethro was prepared to sacrifice himself. It was the most stupid thing he had ever done but it was the right thing to do.
He could feel the tension rising again. Deep breaths. Count slowly to ten.
“I plead Not Guilty your honour and I reserve my right to offer no defence, but in view of this, I also reserve my right to make a statement which will be recorded as part of the court records.”
Absolute silence. Nobody moved. Nobody appeared to even breathe. Jethro had the room in his hands. The judges looked at one another but didn’t say a word. Jethro looked at the court official who nodded at him and he waited a respectful amount of time before he sat down
Finally the senior judge, said, “highly irregular.” He was ill at ease with what Jethro had said. “Fifteen minute stand over.”
The court official repeated the statement. “Fifteen minute stand over. Please rise.”
The court stood and the three judges, left, but the two who had entered with them remained in the room. As soon as the judges left everyone relaxed and the prosecution team immediately got into a huddle and had an animated conversation in whispers.
Jethro returned to the table where his defence lawyers were sat.
After fifteen minutes the three judges returned to the court room and Jethro returned to his chair.
Jethro stood and the senior judge addressed him. “The court accepts your plea of Not Guilty. We were not in unanimous agreement over the idea of you making a statement to the court. However the Manual of Military Law Issue 2418 Volume 3 clearly states that in view of your Not Guilty plea combined with the… err… unusual circumstances of not offering a defence, entitles you to your fifteen minutes. Have you prepared a statement or would you like some time to prepare it and present it to the court tomorrow?”
Red Dust of Mars Page 15