by Krystyn Dean
“Mac, I want you to take command of the Monserate, and I am giving you a battlefield promotion to the rank of captain. The promotion requires the approval of Admiral Miller, but I don’t anticipate any problems with that. The crew from your former command, the Venture, is here aboard the Reagan. You won’t have enough people to crew a destroyer, so check the crew manifests of other ships in Bravo and submit them to me, I will do my best to get you the people you want. I don’t want any of the people who served under Velions to remain aboard the Monserate. Those that resisted the mutineers will be spread throughout the fleet, but other than that pick who you will. There will be some positions that some officers may bid for, but your old crew get first choice.”
Mac said, “thank you Admiral, I promise I will not let you down.” “I know you won’t Mac. You and your crew have earned this opportunity and I am proud to have you under my command. Here are your orders, go take command of your destroyer. Congratulations Captain McCreary, and good luck.”
Putting Mac in command of the Monserate had been a pleasant duty, one I was happy to do. However, I now had some duties that were distasteful at best and I dreaded having to deal with them. I called the brig. Master Gunnery Sergeant Applewhite answered the comm. “I said, gunny, please have Captain Velions brought to my ready room. Full restraints and a marine guard.” “Aye Sir, right away.” Ten minutes later Jensen opened the hatch, Gunny Applewhite and three other Marines walked Captain Velions in to my ready room.
“Gunnery Sergeant Applewhite, with the prisoner, reporting as ordered sir.” “At ease Gunnery Sergeant. You can leave the prisoner here with me, wait in the outer office, I will call when I need you.”
Captain Velions began to bluster immediately. “I resent being incarcerated and dragged in chains to your office. You have no jurisdiction over me. I demand I be returned to Earth for a fair trial by my peers.” I replied, “Captain Velions, your peers are not on Earth, they are here in the Solar Federation Navy. It is my duty to advise you that anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. A defender will be appointed for you. You are hereby notified that you are being held for a General Court Martial which will be held within the next fourteen days. The court-martial will be held under the UCMJ SOL/FED Navy as developed by the Solar Federation Military committee.”
“You are charged with Treason, piracy and cowardice in the face of the enemy. Each of these charges may carry a penalty of death.” “I have nothing more to say to you at this time. I advise you to stay silent. Your defender will meet with you in your cell sometime in the next eighteen hours.” Velions paled and said, “you can’t be serious, I am a citizen of Earth. You can’t do this.” I replied, “Captain Velions, you swore an oath of loyalty to the Solar Federation Navy. You failed to fulfill that oath. You will be tried here on this very flagship, and if you are convicted your punishment will be carried out on this flagship or a prison colony in the quadrant. Now I have neither the time nor the stomach to deal with you further sir.”
“Gunnery Sergeant Applewhite, return the prisoner to his cell.”
Captain Hudson Patton of the Cumbria had graduated from the United States Naval academy, he then received a law degree from Fordham University School of Law. After Captain Patton, had served a tour with the JAG corps he had opted for a change in career path, asking for a combat role. Captain Patton had also served on the committee that developed the Universal Code of Military Justice for the Solar Federation Navy.
I gave Captain Patton a call and asked him to take the position of Military Judge, he reluctantly agreed. Maria Twain, Captain of the Ellen Baker agreed to serve as the Trial Counsel and Captain Liam Oxford of the Connecticut would serve as Defense counsel. Both officers had graduated from law school. The panel of Court-Martial members consisted of Commander Winston Galloway of the Corvette Vesta, Captain Ethan Kuan of the Wyoming, Captain Austin Van Dien from the Armstrong, Captain Willum Okonjo from the Angel of Orcas. The Court-Martial would be held in the Wardroom of the Carrier Ronald Reagan.
The Court Martials
There would be seven Courts Martial. All but six of the crew were allowed to plead guilty to a charge of mutiny and piracy with mitigating circumstances, they were sentenced to a term of life imprisonment at hard labor on a prison planet to be named. The six crew members considered to be the core group of hijackers were to be tried for Mutiny, piracy and murder for the deaths of the fifty-five Marines serving on the Monserate who were taken prisoner and killed under the order of then Captain Velions. They were also charged with treason and piracy. The decision of the officers of the Courts-Martial panel was guilty on all counts, the sentence was death by hanging.
The Court Martial of Captain Velions was the last to take place. Captain Maria Twain began by calling Commander Jarvis Eastbourne, Executive officer of the Monserate during the hijacking. “Commander Eastbourne, can you tell us what happened in the days leading up to the time when the fleet was preparing to engage the Eldirelian fleet at Apsis Prime?” Commander Eastbourne said, “I had noticed the captain and several other officers and crew in conversations during the time it took to get to our final jump point. It seemed we were jumping a little later each jump. There was something going on, I just wasn’t sure what it was. When we arrived at our final jump, Admiral Anderson set the jump time and destination jump point. We waited when the other ships jumped. The Captain said we had been waiting for the Venture and that now that she had returned we would make the jump. Captain Velions said that he would handle the jump and suggested I turn in so I would be fresh when we exited our jump point. It seemed logical to me so I went to my cabin and tried to get some sleep. I don’t really enjoy FTL jumps, so I had a problem dozing off. Finally I decided if I couldn’t sleep I might as well be on the bridge, but when I tried to open my cabin door it was secured and I couldn’t open it. A few minutes later we jumped in to FTL. After several hours, members of the crew opened the hatch and put me under arrest for unspecified charges. I was taken to the Brig where The Chief of Engineering had been taken as well. Over the course of a day, crew members were being brought in to the brig from all over the ship, but no one seemed to know why. Finally, Captain Velions came to the brig and made an announcement. He said the Monserate was leaving the fleet and that we were joining a fleet of ‘freedom fighters’ who were opposed to the Federations Empire building. He said we would be allowed to return to our posts if we agreed to join him and took an oath to join the ‘freedom fighters’ supporting the Eldirelians. A few people agreed to join The Captain, most of us did not. We asked if he would drop us off at a neutral world, but he said that we were prisoners of war and would be dealt with as such. Later, He forced us to watch while he had the Marines on board marched, in restraints into the airlock. He then released them to space. He called it ‘spacing’, he seemed to enjoy it. As for me, it was the most horrible thing I have ever seen. Captain Velions comment was, “that will be the fate of anyone who gives me any trouble”. We made several jumps over the next three days, we finally arrived in, what we now know is, the Alhena System.
Apparently, we were expected. Everyone in the brig was terrified. We had no idea what was going to happen to us. Finally, we heard the signal for battle stations, and we were left alone. Without the crew members that were locked up in the brig, the Monserate was very shorthanded so when battle stations sounded our guards left for their stations and we were all left alone locked in our cells. Just a few minutes later Sascha Farmer, William Godley, Chase Velix and Blaze Wozniak-Bouchet came in to the brig. Sascha said they had agreed to go with Captain Velions as a ploy so they wouldn’t be locked up, but now that the SOL/FED fleet had arrived we needed to take the ship back from the mutineers.”
“Sascha and the others released us and we went straight to the armory, it was locked, but Sascha had the keys. We armed everyone, then divided up and each group took a separate area of the ship. The agreement was no radios until the bridge had been secured. I took the bridge group and we sta
rted forward. At the hatch leading to the bridge I stopped everyone and said be careful of the consoles, they don’t react well to plasma shots, but shoot anyone who even looks like trouble. As I stepped in to the bridge, Captain Velions new Executive Officer, Draymond Liberto, looked like he might be going for a weapon. I shot him. I had never shot anyone before, but I found that it was not difficult. I still remembered the look of pleasure he had on his face when Captain Velions spaced those poor marines. Besides, I never like the SOB.
The rest of the skeleton bridge crew were mostly taken by surprise, two were shot when they tried to bring weapons to bear, but none of the others put up any resistance. Captain Velions was cringing in his command chair. We were not gentle as we restrained him.”
“I put a call on the ships intercom saying that we had recaptured the bridge and for all sections to report in. I also announced that we were going to do a sweep of the ship. Anyone who had not surrendered would be shot on sight. A few of the mutineers we had missed turned themselves in to loyal SFN crew members.”
“After we had secured the hijackers and put them in the brig, we decided to sit tight and not even use the ships radios. We were afraid if we tried to join Admiral Anderson we would be fired upon by both the “freedom fighters” and the SFN fleet.
It didn’t take long before The Cruiser Ellen Baker showed up and started hailing us. We explained what had happened and they sent Marines aboard to secure the ship.” Captain Twain turned to Captain Velions and said “Your Witness.” Against all the advice to the contrary, Captain Velions had chosen to serve as his own counsel.
Captain Velions said “Commander Eastbourne, isn’t it true that you and your friends were in the brig because you were the ones who had tried to mutiny? And because I had told the crew that I knew where the Eldirelians and the pirates were hiding and I decided to go talk with them and try to defuse the insanity that Admiral Anderson had brought us to?” “That I was making an effort to save our fleet from almost certain defeat because of the poor tactics Admiral Anderson was employing?”
“Objection” said Captain Twain, “Admiral Anderson is not on trial here and Captain Velions is testifying.” “Overruled” said Captain Patton, “I believe the panel needs to hear Commander Eastbourne answer. You may answer the question Commander Eastbourne.”
Commander Eastbourne said, “for the most part we were all taken in to custody in our quarters, many while they slept. We were never charged with anything, and the first communications we had from you or any of your crew of mutineers was when you told us the Monserate was leaving the fleet and that we were joining a fleet of ‘freedom fighters’ who were opposed to the Federations empire building. You also said we would be allowed to return to our posts if we agreed to take an oath to join the ‘freedom fighters’ supporting the Eldirelians.” Captain Velions said, “so you say, but in fact I was the legal Captain of the SFN Destroyer Monserate right up until the time that you and your mutineers took control of the ship. Perhaps it is you who should be on trial for piracy. After all, we did nothing wrong other than fail to follow orders that would almost certainly have seen our ship destroyed and our lives lost.” Captain Velions then said “you don’t have to answer that Commander; I believe the facts will speak for themselves. My crew and I did nothing wrong except try to save our ship and ourselves from a demented Admiral in league with Aliens who want us to fight and die for them.”
Captain Velions turned to the Trial judge and said I have no more questions for this witness”. At once Captain Twain stood up and said, “redirect you honor?” Judge Patton said, “go ahead counsel.” Captain Twain turned to Commander Eastbourne and asked, “Commander, Captain Velions said he and his crew did nothing wrong, do you agree with his statement?”
Commander Eastbourne said, “if failing to follow the legal order of the Admiral in command, taking a warship and joining the enemy, and ruthlessly murdering fifty-five helpless Marines is not wrong, then I am in the wrong Navy. I think the lying bastard should be hung for what he has done. That is what I think, Captain.”
Witness after witness told basically the same story. Lorenzo Akhriev was the last prosecution witness. Captain Twain said, “Ensign Akhriev, were you present when the fifty-five marines were ejected from the airlock?” Ensign Akhriev said “yes I was.” Captain Twain said “are you aware that all of the recording devices were found to be disabled in the landing bay where the airlock in question is located?” “Yes, mam” said the Ensign. “So, there is no recording of what happened in that landing bay is there Ensign?” “Yes, Mam there is,” said Ensign Akhriev. “When I was taken from my quarters by the mutineers, I slipped my Kindle Plasma inside my trousers, I wanted to have something to pass the time if we were going to be locked up for a while.” “When Captain Velions forced us all to go to the landing bay, I thought we might be going to our death. I wanted to record a message for my parents, even though they probably would never see it. When Captain Velions spaced those Marines, I recorded it on my Kindle. I have it here with me.” “Objection” screamed Velions, “the defense knew nothing about this recording. That is evidence that should have been presented to the defense before this proceeding. I demand the recording be excluded.”
Captain Twain said, “your honor, three days ago a copy of the recording was given to the defense. It is listed as item number sixteen - Kindle Plasma.” “Defense had every opportunity to review the evidence, it should not be excluded simply because the defense didn’t do its homework.”
Judge Patton said, “I am sorry Captain Velions, but prosecution is correct. The recording will be placed into evidence.”
The video was put up on a large screen at the front of the wardroom. It showed clearly the fifty-Five Marines, in shackles being dragged to the airlock by Velions mutineer crew. They were place inside the airlock. The Marines, led by Lieutenant Nicholas Hilsen faced their murderers, and came to attention. They stood at attention that way until Captain Velions himself pressed the button purging the airlock and sending the fifty-five brave marines to their death.
The verdict was no surprise, Velions was found guilty. The penalty, death. The method of execution was a shock to me. Captain Velions was to be spaced.
Task Force Bravo had returned to the Apsis Prime system before all the trials had been completed. No sentences had been carried out to this point. I chose to hold the prisoners and delay the sentences until all the cases had been reviewed by Admiral Miller and the Jag corps back on Earth. We sent an FTL message drone to Titan Base with transcripts of the entire proceedings and a report of our battle in the Alhena System. I expected to hear from Admiral Miller within a few weeks.
Of the 390 crew members aboard the Destroyer Monserate, 135, including the Executive Officer and the Chief of Engineering, refused to serve with Captain Velions in his takeover and hijacking of the ship. They were placed in the brig by the hijackers and held to either be sold as slaves or executed. They were not charged in the hijacking of the Monserate.
We had been back in the Apsis Prime system for a little over two weeks. I had anticipated that we would be ordered back to Titan to refresh our supplies and make whatever repairs were needed, but nothing had come through. We were in our night cycle and I was asleep in my quarters when heard the alarm for General quarters. Jenson had my uniform ready I dressed and went to the bridge. Fritz said, “Admiral we have eight ships that just jumped out of FTL about two hundred and fifty thousand kilometers out.” “No transponders codes?” I asked. “Not yet Admiral.” I said, “Lieutenant Allan, have the Cantabria, the Toronto, the Congo and the Delphi take up a course to intercept those ships.” “Aye Sir” said Lieutenant Allan.
Fritz said, “Admiral we just got the transponder codes, they are SFN ships sir. OK Fritz, have the four-ship formation continue their intercept, they can escort our visitors into orbit. And stand down from General quarters for the fleet. The four-ship formation should stay at General quarters until we have them identified, just i
n case. I am going back to sleep, wake me if we get any communication from the new arrivals. A little later the incoming ships were identified as a SFN cruiser and three SFN destroyers, but the cruiser is of a new design we haven’t seen before.”
A few hours later I was on the command bridge. Lieutenant Allan said, “Admiral incoming message from the cruiser Magellan, it’s Admiral Miller sir.” “Good morning John,” said Admiral Miller. I replied “Good morning sir, good to hear your voice. If I had known, you were coming I would have had a welcoming party waiting.” “Thanks John” said Admiral Miller. “I came because of the courts martial and a couple of other things we need to discuss. If it is alright I would like to come aboard the Reagan, and I wouldn’t turn down a hot cup of Jensen’s’ coffee if you have one.”
“No problem Admiral Miller, I will have my shuttle pick you up and bring you right over.” “That’s not necessary John, I can make the trip on my own.” Within minutes, and to the amazement of the bridge crew, Admiral Miller materialized on the bridge. Apparently, Dr. Garret had perfected a transporter system.
“Sorry to startle you John, but I just couldn’t resist” chortled Admiral Leland Miller. I led Admiral Miller to my ready room and Jenson brought us both coffee. Admiral Miller said, “I don’t know how he does it, but Jenson makes the best coffee in the SFN Navy, one day I’ll have to get his recipe.”
Admiral Miller got serious right away. He said, “John the Solar Federation military committee has signed off on the sentences as pronounced by the Courts Martial. The sentences are to be carried out at our earliest opportunity.” “Velions father came along to witness the execution. I could not dissuade him.” “He said he wanted to talk to his son if he could, but that decision is up to you.”
I replied, “of course he can talk to him Leland, I would never deny him that.”
“Alright, now that is out of the way I have some good news,” said admiral Miller. “The committee signed off on the idea of a Training base for the Sol/Fed Marine Corps. The committee has really gotten behind it. There is a formation of ships about two days’ behind. Most of them are freighters carrying the equipment and materials it will take to set up the Marine Training base. One of the freighters is carrying personnel. We have recruited several retired Marine drill instructors and enough retired Marine corps officers and men to build at least one and perhaps two training battalions.” “General Mark Rodgers will be arriving in a few weeks; he will be setting up his command structure here on Apsis Prime.