Solbidyum Wars Saga 5: Desolation

by Dale C. Musser

  Any one judge could object to a question being asked by another judge if he or she felt it violated some law or the rights of the accused, if the third judge agreed with the objection, the questioning judge was over ruled and the question need not be answered. Lawyers could advise their clients on questions and answers, and could tell their clients of their personal rights and explain any aspects of the laws not understood by their client. The lawyer could, on behalf of his client, file an objection to a verdict reached by the court if there was sufficient evidence that such a violation had occurred. Transcripts and vids of the trial, along with vids of the deliberation of the judges and the jury would then be sent to the Federation Legal Review Board (FLRB), the equivalent of the Supreme Court in America back on Earth. If the FLRB found evidence supporting the objection, a new trial would be convened with different judges and jury; otherwise the judgement stood and the sentence carried out. Because witness and defendants testimonies were all administered with the use of electronic truth or lie detecting equipment, verdicts rendered by the judges were seldom challenged or overturned. Trials were usually short and rarely lasted more than a day and resulted in hearings taking place within days of the offense and not weeks or months. In the case of Rinncal, the trial was held three days later.

  Rinncal was charged with personal assault on a high-ranking Federation military official, and attempting to interfere with military actions taking place during a time of war. The first offence could have received a sentence of a severe fine and short imprisonment of two to five years in prison based upon the severity of his assault if he was found guilty. The second offence carried a sentence with a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment depending upon the severity of action taken. Rinncal probably would have gotten off with the lightest sentences if he had not been so arrogant and self-absorbed; as it was, under testimony he said more than he should have and wound up compiling his charges and his sentences.

  The trial had barely begun when the question was raised by one of the judges, as to why Rinncal believed the DUSTEN taking him to Nigan was more important than going to help defend two planets against a Brotherhood attack. “The Brotherhood is no real threat,” Rinncal answered, “I have billions at risk. All the planets need to do is pay the Brotherhood off with a few million credits, and they would have been left alone.”

  “You believe the Brotherhood would not attack them if they were paid a few million credits?” another of the judges asked.

  “Certainly,” Rinncal said smugly, “I pay them several million credits each year to leave me and my businesses alone, and I’ve never had any trouble with them.”

  “You paid the Brotherhood several million credits!” the judge said in astonishment. “Just when did you pay them last?”

  “Why, just a few weeks ago,” Rinncal said smiling smugly, “I’ve been paying them off for years; it’s simply a cost of doing business.”

  All three judges sat with looks of bewilderment on their faces before one said, “You do realize that with the implementation of the War Powers Act last year, that giving money to the Brotherhood for any reason is an act of treason and can result in life imprisonment or even death?”

  Rinncal’s composure became a bit more sober, and the truth monitor over his head flickered between green and yellow as he contemplated his answer.

  “I’m a very wealthy and powerful man,” he began, “surely those laws don’t apply to me. Why, I would be out of business if I didn’t pay a tribute to the Brotherhood.” The monitor over his head flickered green, then yellow and then red as he answered.

  The judges spoke privately for a moment before one of them turned facing Rinncal and said, “Rinncal Haf-joab, as an officer of the court I charge you with treason by way of aiding the enemy. Once this trial is completed, regardless of its verdict, you will be remanded into custody for trial on these charges.”

  Rinncal’s face turned ghostly pale as he realized what was happening, and he wavered for a moment and nearly passed out as he started muttering, “but I’m Rinncal Haf-joab. I'm a very rich and powerful man. You, you can’t do this to me.”

  The rest of the trial went by quickly with Rinncal being found guilty on both of the original charges. On the first sentence, since his assault was of a minor nature, he received a fine of 1,000 Federation credits and two weeks imprisonment. On the second charge of interfering with a military action, he received the minimum sentence of two years in prison. The Federation laws did not allow for sentences to be served concurrently, so Rinncal was facing two years and two weeks in prison. He could receive more if he was found guilty of treason, and supporting the enemy under provisions in the War Powers Act.

  Of course, the entire event was covered by the Federation news and the story of me referring to Rinncal as Wrinkles Half Job from buttocks, was playing on the ship's news channel. It would eventually reach Megelleon and the other planets, where I am sure it would also get a lot of air time. Information about the Cantolla gates had not leaked out yet, and we were still trying to keep it secret, so the news media and private citizens were still dependent on GW message pods for long distant news and communication. Everywhere I went on the ship, I noticed that as soon as people saw me, they would start to grin, and I knew it was the Wrinkles Half Job from buttocks statement they were thinking about. I didn’t think the man would ever outlive that name.

  By now, we were nearing Kendrop and Gochian. Our mirage fighters arrived there and joined in the battle earlier that day, and they were targeting the few HAPRIN weapons that were still functioning. The constant fire on the Gravity Wave generator at the ship's bow was slowly doing its damage, and it was highly unlikely the ship would be able to get it working in time to flee the system. Neither the cloaking nor the RMFF was working, and A’Lappe surmised the reason was because the Brotherhood engineers could not figure out how either system worked. It was also possible the explosions in the hangar bay did far more reaching damage to the interior of the ship then we had anticipated, and the RMFF and cloaking device were damaged beyond repair.

  I was sitting in a small conference room with Rear Admiral Regeny, Admirals Stonbersa, Wabussie, and Kophious as well as Captains Wanoll, Marranalis and Slater for a weekly update two days later in a planning session when Wabussie announced he had some new information for us.

  “As soon as I got the report about Rinncal Haf-joab,” I heard several chuckles around the room and heard someone mutter, 'Wrinkles Half-job,' as Wabussie continued, “I ordered an immediate investigation into his recent activities. His association with the Brotherhood was a bit more than just paying them a tribute. We’ve uncovered clear evidence that he has also been supplying them arms through associates from outside the Federation and that one of his businesses has been running a drug-smuggling operation for the Brotherhood as well. Rinncal is up to his neck with involvement in Brotherhood operations.”

  “So he’s Brotherhood then?” I asked.

  “Not that we know of. He’s an opportunist and has no real sides; he simply wants to make as much money anyway he can, even if that involves playing off both sides,” Wabussie replied.

  “Is there any way we can use him to our advantage?” I asked,“Possibly using him as a double agent?”

  Wabussie answered, “I don’t think so. I would certainly advise against it. Rinncal is too self-absorbed with no scruples at all. At the first chance, he would sell us out.”

  “How about if he were made an offer that would reduce his sentence with the Federation; do you think he might provide us with any information about Brotherhood operations that would help us?”

  Admiral Regeny spoke up, “We can’t do that, Tibby. Federal regulations specifically prohibit reducing a sentence for providing information.”

  “What about reducing a charge before a trial or sentencing? Say we drop the treason and aiding the enemy charges?”

  “We can’t do that, either, nor would I want to,” Regeny said, “Too many people know the d
etails of his being charged and the charges against him. We would be setting a terrible precedence if we did it, and it would weaken the citizens’ trust of the legal system.”

  I hated to admit it, but I could see their point. Back on Earth plea bargaining and reduced sentences had made a mockery of the judicial system in my time, to the point that there were no deterrents left for crime, and I didn’t want to see that happen here. “Well then I guess we will just have to make the best of what we have that we can and investigate more into his workings,” I said. I looked at Wabussie, who seemed to be deep in thought about something, but he didn’t say anything. I had been able to do some negotiating with a Brotherhood prisoner we captured returning from Earth, but I was on the NEW ORLEANS then and not on a Federation starship and I was not an admiral at the time either. We were not bound by Federation laws outside Federation space unless our captain chose to use those, but now we didn’t have that liberty.

  “We’ve been picking up some Brotherhood transmissions in Sector 2,” Admiral Stonbersa said. “It’s been scant, and about all we have been able to discern from it is that the Brotherhood is reshuffling their ships planning for some new offensive sometime in the future. We have no idea where though.”

  “We have also been getting similar bits of conversation in our sector,” Admiral Kophious added. "Moreover, we've seen a small reduction in the number of Brotherhood encroachments in our sector as well.”

  I looked at Wabussie, who was slowly spinning his pen on the table top. “Wabussie, you have anything to add to this?”

  “I think it’s a trap,” he said without looking up. “I think they are deliberately leaking the messages with the idea we will bite and pull forces away from Sector 3.” I was interested in hearing more, because I had a nagging feeling he was correct. “Tell me what makes you think that?”

  “We’ve looked at, and listened to, the data both Admirals Stonbersa and Kophious sent us. The one thing that doesn’t make sense is that the ships transmitting the messages seemed to have no purpose in the sectors they were in. They were not on recon missions, nor did they engage any Federation ships or bases, or attack any settlements on the planets. They simply appeared and sent out partly garbled messages essentially to no one. The conversations are all one sided. They were deliberately sent with the full intention we would intercept them.”

  “That’s an awful lot of speculation, “Regeny interjected. “What do you think, Tibby, you’re usually right about this stuff?"

  “I think Admiral Wabussie is right, sir. I think it’s a trick to draw us out of Sector 3. My bet is that Sector 3 will be their next big offensive.”

  “But what about the HAPRIN at Kendrop and Gochian?” Regeny asked. “You don’t think the Brotherhood intended to abandon her, do you? For all we know, Roritat and Ming are still aboard her.”

  “Roritat and Ming are NOT aboard her!” Wabussie said emphatically. “They left the ship before Tibby and Kalana were rescued from Desolation.”

  “When did you find this out and why weren’t we told of this until now?” Regeny fumed.

  “I only learned of it late yesterday myself,” Wabussie said. “The agent who supplied me with the information just arrived back from his mission last night. He was unable to contact us earlier as he was traveling on a freighter and had no access to any instant communication equipment.”

  “How accurate is his information?” Regeny asked.

  “Very, sir,” Wabussie answered. ”I have a vid that he brought back with him. Here, see for yourself.” Wabussie took his small vid pad and entered some commands, as he did a panel at the far end of the room slid aside to reveal a large vid screen. Wabussie entered a few more commands, and suddenly an image appeared on the screen to reveal Roritat, Ming, and Garfreed Aliquatee, who had headed the FOI, along with several of the turncoat senators who had fled with Roritat. They appeared to be seated at a large table at an outside dining area, either at a restaurant or a private estate. From the looks of their actions, it was not a friendly meeting and Roritat appeared to be shouting at some of the more sullen senators. “Is there any audio to this?” Regeny asked.

  “I’m afraid not, sir,” Wabussie said. This shot was taken from nearly a kilometer away using a high-powered lens. It was as close as our agent could get to the location undetected. What he could learn is that Roritat, Ming, and Garfreed left the planet the next day aboard the space yacht called PLEASANT LADY, and that the ship left orbit for destinations unknown.”

  “Where did this all take place, and how long ago? I asked.

  “It was on Ostettle. It's one of the planets that broke away from the Federation just before Roritat attacked the Senate at the Capitol. The planet claimed independence from the Federation but doesn’t acknowledge any allegiance to the Brotherhood, though there is strong evidence they are supporting and aiding them. These vids were taken about two months ago.”

  “Can you show me on a star chart where Ostettle is located?” I asked. Wabussie entered some more commands into the vid pad, and a star chart filled the screen, and a light began blinking in one area indicating the location of the planet. “Now, can you highlight the area that comprises Sector 3? Suddenly, a transparent balloon area flashed in a pale red color showing Sector 3 in a 3D display. I heard a gasp around the room as it could clearly be seen that Ostettle was just outside the edge of Sector 3. “Can you show me what the size of Sector 3 was before Roritat attacked the Capitol?” Wabussie fingered his vid pad once more and suddenly the sector expanded to include several more stars. “How many of those star systems have inhabited planets that once belonged to the Federation?” I asked. Wabussie looked at his screen. “Eighty nine, sir,” he answered.

  I looked at Regeny and the others sitting around the room before I asked, “Anyone still have their doubts about where the next major offensives for the Brotherhood will be?” The room was silent.

  As soon as we adjourned, I headed for the Cantolla gate that connected to the NEW ORLEANS; I felt like a fool with two troopers leading the way and two following. I knew it would be even worse off the ships, as then I would have no less than eight, but for now it was only four, and those were four too many. Of course, Marranalis was at my side, and honestly I would have felt just as secure with just him. However, regulations were regulations and admirals were required during times of war to always have a bodyguard contingent of no less than four at any time. When we arrived at the NEW ORLEANS, two of my NEW ORLEANS security team members were waiting to relieve two of the Federation troopers. The exchange took only a few seconds, and I was on my way to A’Lappe’s and Cantolla’s lab. I was almost at the lab when Kerabac caught up with me. “Tibby, I heard you had just come aboard. I was wondering how things are going and what your orders are for us.”

  “Where is the NEW ORLEANS now?” I asked, as I suddenly realized I had no idea where in space we were.

  “We’re still at Desolation,” Kerabac answered as Marranalis opened the door to the lab, and we started to enter. “You never gave us any orders to go anywhere. We’ve more or less been waiting for some orders and while Regata tried to communicate with the star being.”

  “Damn, Kerabac, I’m sorry, truly I am. You have no idea all the stuff that has been happening.”

  “Actually, I do sir. Marranalis has been keeping us informed.” Kerabac said calmly.

  “Well I do have orders for you. I hope Regata is done with his communing with the star child or whatever it is; if not he has a choice of staying here or going with you. I need you to fly the NEW ORLEANS to Goo’ Waddle and take up orbit there. Arrange for a meeting with Andy and let me know when everything is set up.” By now, we were all inside the lab. A'Lappe had noticed us and was headed our way.

  “Ah, First Citizen. Welcome back. I think we have some good news for you, several pieces, I think.”

  “Good, do we have a conference room we can use?” I asked.

  “Certainly, we can use the same one we used last time,” A’Lappe said.<
br />
  “If you’ll excuse me Admiral, I’ll get back to the bridge and get us headed to Goo’Waddle.” Kerabac said.

  “That can wait, Captain,” I stated, “I would prefer you stay here and take part in this meeting.”

  We headed into the meeting room and were about to sit down when Cantolla came rushing in. “I hope I’m not late?” she exclaimed.

  “Not at all, Cantolla, we just arrived,” I answered.

  Once everyone was settled, and Cantolla had sent an assistant to get us all foccee, I started, “I need to know what progress you have made with the Cantolla gates, as well as the ship design I asked you for. Also, I want to know we can to about setting up transfer stations in different sectors.”

  Cantolla looked at A’Lappe, and he said, “You go first.”

  “Well, we have completed our calculations to make gates large enough for starships to go through, and though we haven’t tested it yet, we are relatively sure they will work. We can set the hardware up in patrol ships like we discussed; and using three patrol ships at each end, we can create a large enough gate for a starship to traverse through. The basic problem we were having was trying get the ships positioned to less than a micron in precision in 3D space. No matter how hard we tried, we could never get the ships positioned to that precision.

  “Then A’Lappe came up with the idea that we didn’t need to get that close with the ships; if we got within a few centimeters, we could simply fine tune the precision of the nodules mounted in the ships and not the ships themselves. That made the entire process much easier, and we can do it within less than an hour frame. The components can be produced here on the NEW ORLEANS and transferred to the nearest starship or base with a gate and then installed on patrol ships there. We will have to train technicians to fine-tune the gates, and we will need one technician on each patrol ship with a node. We’ve already begun training some of our people, but we’re going to need to train military people from the Federation to operate the equipment from the ships.”