Chapter 53

 FIFTY-THREE

There was a hushed murmur as Trigger and Cossette walked into the courtroom. Despite them both being in Osea for over a month, there had been little news about Cossette’s extended stay in the country. “So much for keeping this on the down low.” Trigger muttered as he squeezed Cossette’s hand.

“It was bound to happen eventually.” Cossette said tactfully as she ignored the glares from the gallery. Many were officers who had just returned from long deployments to Usea, or civilians who had lost friends or loved ones in the conflict.  In the back of his mind, he could only feel dread. It was the same pit in his stomach he felt only a handful of times before. It made him want to vomit. He exhaled and tried to compose himself as he approached the table. Cossette paused and gave him a reassuring kiss on the cheek before she left him to take her seat. In the first row behind the defense table, table he saw the pilots of the LRSSG, as well as other officers he recognized. Húxiān and Avril had reserved a seat for Cossette and welcomed her in hushed tones as the room settled for the case. Across the courtroom, the Opposing council had already taken their seat and was waiting. 

Roshack was already at the table waiting for him when he approached. 

“You’re late.” The lawyer said unamused. 

“Sorry, Traffic.”

“It’s Oured, what did you expect?” 

“Better weather for one. Its been pissing rain for what feels like a month now.” 

“Could be worse. Was it ten years ago we had a satellite aimed at the city?” Roshack asked rhetorically. 

“Fair point. So when does the show begin?” Trigger redirected. 

Roshack took a quick glance to his wristwatch. “Just a few minutes. Judges haven’t arrived yet. We’ll have opening arguments then the first witnesses will be called.” 

“What is the panel looking like?” Trigger asked in hushed tones. Roshack had explained to him the week prior that the Court Martial would be a “bench trial”, and instead of a standard jury, they would be arguing Infront of a set of judges.

“I was able to get two of the judges dismissed. Personal friends of Clemens for the first and worked in the same office as the prosecution for the second. So, we have Major General Payne, Brigadier Generals Marceaux and Mitchell, and Colonels Altman and McKinley. All hardliners to the law but I think we may still have a shot.” Roshack explained. 

“I hope you’re right. It’s my ass on the line after all.” Trigger replied. 

“Relax. I got this.” Roshack said as the Court’s bailiff approached the center of the room.  

“All those having business with this general court martial, stand forward and you shall be heard. Major General Marjorie Payne is presiding.” The sergeant announced as the five officers entered the room and took their seats behind the bench. 

General Payne looked to Ackerman “Is the government ready to make an opening statement?” she asked. 

Ackerman nodded grinning “Yes Ma’am” he said approaching the lectern.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you’re gonna hear a story today, of wonder, intrigue, maybe a little romance for good measure. But before you let that all fool you, let me lay out the facts of the case. It is a fact; the Major here knowingly had a sexual relationship with the leader of a foreign country and didn’t disclose this with proper authorities. On the contrary he took time to conceal it. It is a fact, he knew and even worked with known members of the Erusean radical faction before their attacks in May of last year killing thousands. It is a fact, the Major, following those attacks, went AWOL and only turned up a month ago. These are the facts of the case. So, when you hear the defenses story today, I want you to remember one thing. It is a story. Nothing more than a fairy tale to twist the details into a romantic narrative. Do not let it get in the way of the facts of how the Major here is guilty as charged.” 

Ackerman returned to his seat when Payne turned her attention to Roshack. Likewise, he approached the stand. 

“Before we continue, I would like to recognize the Major’s service record. This man fought our war, and not only that, did with distinction even while assigned to a penal brigade where, no one would blame him for malingering, or just straight up deserting. But instead, he helped spearhead our push back against Erusea. He fought for us so much we even gave him a name for his actions. Three Strikes.  This man is no traitor, and far from it; And despite what the prosecution may claim, at no point will they be able to prove, without a shadow of a doubt, not one shred of evidence, that the Major is a traitor or was at any point seditious against our country. Let alone being a terrorist or guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer. Not one shred of evidence.”

As he spoke, he started to walk parallel to the bench, emphasizing his speech with sharp gestures. 

“What I have to tell you will be undenied by any one you talk to today. After being assigned to Selatapura, yes, my client developed a relationship with the Princess. Not for any reasons to betray our country, but instead because they both are two young people who hit it off. It’s thanks to that relationship we were even able to make as much headway in Osean-Erusean relations as we have. And even after the attacks, my client continued to work within Osea’s interests abroad, all the while hunted by his own government. These are the facts of the case.” He concluded, returning behind the defenses table. 

The judges shuffled behind the bench. “Good speech” Trigger whispered. 

“Let’s hope they bought it.” Roshack replied. 

“Government, call your first witness.” Payne ordered. 

“May it please the court, Government calls the acting Group commander for the Selatapura Garrison, Captain-“ 

“Aww shit.” Trigger muttered as he heard the name. 

“Relax.” 

“But he hates me.”

“Relax.” Roshack repeated as Ackerman swore the witness in. 

The witness took his seat behind the stand. His uniform adorned with medals and awards, though many noticed his rank was unbefitting of them. However, what Trigger noticed was unlike their last meeting, he was clean shaven, and His blond hair was trimmed to regulation, but despite the makeover, the gaunt face and still ever present shadow that loomed over him was unmistakable to Trigger. 

“Most people just call me Knocker, I don’t see why we should stop here.” He said taking his seat. A small chuckle reverberated through the galley as Ackerman approached. 

“Captain, would you say you have a personal history with the Major?” Ackerman asked 

Knocker nodded. “Yes, we do.”

“Mind telling us what your history is?” 

Knocker glared at Trigger and nodded. “Yes, he arrived at Fort Grays in April of 2019, right before the war.”

“What was your impression of him?” 

“Young. Arrogant. Under the impression he knew more than his abilities could prove.” 

Trigger leaned over to Roshack “I don’t think I was that bad.” He whispered before Roshack motioned him to stay quiet as he listened.

“What happened next?” Ackerman continued. 

“War began. I sortied with Trigger a few times.” 

“And how did things escalate from there?” 

“He wasn’t any better than our other nuggets, but he stayed around. That was until Selatapura of course.” 

“Mind telling us what occurred?” 

Roshack stood up. “Objection; Prosecution is bringing up a case that has already been heard and my client has been exonerated by the court.” 

Payne looked to Ackerman who held his arms out to his side in mock apology “goes to the credibility of the defendant your honor.” 

The judge frowned “Sustained. Continue.”

Ackerman nodded conceding the point. “Did you have any interaction with the accused following the war?” he asked. 

“Yes, my air group was assigned to relieve the Osean units already stationed at the elevator, that was when I reencountered Trigger.” 

“And what was your opinion of him then?” 

Knocker scowled. “My exact words I can’t quite repeat in court, but I assure you my impression of him didn’t improve with the war experience. His entire squadron missed the worst parts and it showed.”

“No further questions.” Ackerman said returning to his seat. 

Roshack approached Knocker. “Captain, what was you’re first actions when you were reunited with the defendant?”

Knocker chuckled “excuse me?” 

“What did you do? You two high five, shake hands, stare and growl? What exactly occurred between my client and you.”

Knocker sighed “I pulled a gun on him.” 

“Care to explain why? He’s an officer like yourself, surely there’s no manual we’re handing out to officer cadets on that being proper customs and courtesy’s.”

“Because I thought, he was still to be treated as a traitor for Harling.” 

“So You were unaware of the Majors exoneration then?”

“No, I was not. Some of use were busy fighting instead of reading the JAG dockets.” 

Roshack smirked at the insult.  “So with that being said, is it safe to say, you and the defendant have a bit of a biased history.” 

“Objection, leading question.” Ackerman shouted. 

Roshack held up his hand “Let me rephrase. How much interaction beyond that first meeting did you have with the defendant?” 

Knocker looked down to the floor. “Only two brief discussions. Nothing more.” 

“And what were those discussions about?” Roshack pressed. 

“The Major was looking for information. What happened to the old members of the Squadron?” 

“And the other discussion?” 

Knocker shrugged. “I don’t recall”

“So, you point a gun at the man but can’t be bothered to see what he talked to you about?” 

“Objection! Badgering the witness!” Ackerman protested

“Sustained, Colonel Roshack please, where are you going with this.” Payne reprimanded. 

Knocker sighed. “I was drunk and angry, Ok? Guess seeing an old place like that brought up memories. If you saw combat, maybe you’d understand too.” 

Roshack gave a self-satisfied smile as another murmur fell through the court “No further questions.” 

“Witness is excused. Government, call your next witness.” Payne directed.

A young wirey looking Staff Sergeant marched forward. Ackerman swore him in. Trigger gave Roshack a confused glance. 

“Sergeant, can you please state your name and posting for the record.” Ackerman asked. 

“Staff Sergeant Anthony J Perraulta, Thirty first Security Forces Squadron.”

Trigger paused. While he didn’t recognize the man’s face, he recognized the voice as one of the men who beat him.

“Thank you. Staff Sergeant, were you present at McKnight Air Base on the night of May 17th of last year?” Ackerman asked 

“Yes sir.”  

“Can you tell us what occurred to you that night.” 

“Of course, remember it like it was yesterday. The base came under attack around nineteen hundred. My unit was sent to make sure the flight line was secure while the rest of the squadron was defending the front gate. That’s where the attack was from. Around twenty-three hundred, a jet landed, it was Erusean. I approached the jet and the Pilot got out and attacked us before running off. Gave me a hell of a beating too.” Perraulta laughed nervously to himself. 

Trigger could feel his heartrate increase as he stared at the man. You fucking bastard. 

“Sergeant, can you identify the pilot who attacked you?” Ackerman asked. 

“Of course. It was the Major.”

“No further questions your honor.” 

Roshack pulled out a stack of papers from his briefcase and grinned to Trigger. 

“Staff Sergeant, Care to explain where you were on the morning of May 19th?” 

“Sir?” Perraulta asked confused. 

“Simple question Sergeant. Where were you that morning.” 

“I don’t remember.” 

“Oh well that’s good. Cause I have a police report here from the local police force with those details. Sounds like you were selling stolen goods is that correct?” He asked, handing the report to Perraulta. The Staff Sergeants face went pale. 

“I thought so. Mind telling me who those goods belonged to?” Roshack pressed. 

“Well you see it must have fallen out of his pocket in the fight and-“ 

“So you sell his phone and wallet as revenge? Isn’t there regulations against that?”

“Well yes but, you know.” He stammered

“No Sergeant. I don’t. But I do have something else of interest. What was at hangar foxtrot three?” 

Perraulta froze. 

“Care to explain the blood found in that hangar along with you and other Oseans assigned to the base on the morning of May 21st?” 

Perraulta didn’t answer. 

“Staff Sergeant?” Roshack pressed, after a pregnant pause, the lawyer turned his attention to the bench, “May it please the court, I motion to impeach the witness.” 

“Sustained. Witness is excused.” Payne ordered as Roshack returned to his seat and Perraulta shakily exited the room. 

“Could have made him squirm more.” Trigger whispered, “He disserved it.” 

“I didn’t want to press too much. But I think our point is across.”

Payne looked to Ackerman “Do you have any more witnesses?” 

Ackerman took a deep breath and sighed “Yes Your Honor; Government calls mister J.R Palmer.” 

“Make it quick.” Payne said annoyed.

The doors at the side of the courtroom opened to an older, sharply dressed man. Trigger recognized him as the OSI Agent who had arrested him in Selatapura. 

Ackerman’s face was hard to read as he took his position behind the podium. “Will you raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you will give to this general court martial will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you god?” as he swore the agent in.

“I do.” Palmer affirmed before taking a seat.

“Mister Palmer, can you please state your full name and occupation for the record?” Ackerman asked. 

“Special Agent Jeffery R Palmer, Air Defense Force Office of Special Investigations.” 

“Thank you, Agent Palmer, what was your first interaction with the Major?”

“It was after the war, around November. We were in Selatapura following leads on another case, and the Major was one of the witnesses we were questioning.” 

“Care to explain what that case was?”

“Objection, Relevance.” Roshack barked. 

Ackerman held up his hand apologetically, “Excuse me. What was the involvement between the Major and your other case?”

“We believed the Major had contact with an individual wanted for espionage and treason. The Major confirmed he hadn’t seen them for some time.”

“Did you have any indication that the Major was involved?” 

“Not at that time.” Palmer said tactfully.   

“What had you pointed towards the Major then?” Ackerman asked. 

“His position mostly. On April 25th we were informed by General Shepards office that the Major would be appointed as a special liaison to the Princess of Erusea. I had to go down and personally debrief him on the situation and the Air Defense Forces’ expectations.”

“Did that raise any red flags for you?” 

Palmer nodded. “When a General Officer makes the call, my first indication was that it was a nepotism assignment. Not a crime but, You know-“he shrugged for effect. “-However, when I saw who it was with. That is what set something off.” 

“Care to explain why?” 

“Its exceedingly rare anyone on their first assignment gets a Liaison position like that, and unheard of that a low-ranking officer would be liaison to a head of state. This compounded with the Major’s personal history did set off some red flags going into our interview.”

“Explain the Personal History. What about the Major’s past concerned you.” 

Palmer steepled his fingers. “We don’t know everything about this war, or even the last. What we do know is that Erusea leveraged Belkan technology and Belkan personnel to its advantage. Same thing happened with Yuktobania. When we have a half Belkan going for a Liaison spot with the Leader of Erusea, that should have been a red flag for anyone.” 

“Objection! Where is the government going with this? A man’s birth has nothing to do with who he is!” Roshack protested.  A murmur moved through the court as Trigger could feel dozens of eyes upon him in that moment. The dread he had been feeling had turned to panic, like he was an animal pinned in a cage. He caught himself glancing to the center of his seat, but to his dismay, did not find the ejection handles.

The Judges spoke in hushed tones between themselves before Payne approached the microphone. 

“Colonel Ackerman, You are on thin ice. Where are you going with this?” 

“Goes to the defendants credibility your honor.”

“The Witness will explain himself.” Payne directed. 

Palmer nodded. “We’ve had three wars in nearly as many decades because of foreign interference. Especially given the Majors’ less than stellar track record. It was cause for concern with my office.”

Payne exhaled sharply “I’ll allow it. But do refrain from doing that again.” She admonished. 

Allowing the disturbance to subside, Ackerman continued. “Did your interview with the Major cause any more concern?” 

Palmer shook his head. “He seemed evasive, but then again, everyone I interviewed in that unit of his was cagey. The answers he did provide I was able to independently confirm so I had no reason to not clear him for the detail. My misgivings notwithstanding.”  

“Ultimately, If It wasn’t your second interview; what pointed you towards the Major then?” Ackerman asked. 

“in May, my office was notified that some Erusean Officers had been found by a special forces team with a weapon of mass destruction. It was following those leads that pointed me towards the Major. Unfortunately, too late to stop anything.” Palmer explained. 

“Please explain more for the record.” Ackerman probed. 

Palmer nodded “They were burst weapons smuggled in from Estovakia. My partner at the time and I were notified on May 10th, and John, excuse me Agent Baxter, went to Cape Rainey to follow up on those Erusean’s service records. Most of them were from that base.” 

“And? What did their records show you?”

Palmer sighed. “Nothing we can show, everything was lost with Rainey. Last report from Agent Baxter was follow up on Colonel Jean Durand, who the Special Forces found with the weapon. Not only did he have connections with the old hardliners of the last Erusean Radical movement, but he also had the ear of many of the pilots at Cape Rainy. One of which was Captain Joshua Esparza. Esparza had been transferred by the bases command right before the war to a frontline unit, along with dozens of other officers. While there Esparza was captured, and after repatriation, he was assigned to a squadron in Farbanti. It was there he and the Major worked alongside each other.”

Ackerman shrugged “So that makes the man a traitor?” 

“No, but after the attack, I continued digging. Found a few key pieces of evidence that pointed me to the Major.” 

“That was?”

“Mostly the social media accounts of the suspected and confirmed Radical officers. We show that on May 14th, the Major had attended a ‘get together’ with a primarily Radical squadron of pilots, to include Esparza. It stood to reason with my office that the Major had significantly more than a working relationship with them.” Palmer explained. 

“But by this time, the Major was declared MIA, assumed to be KIA, why continue to follow the case?” Ackerman asked, Palmer shrugged chuckling “Guess I am that dedicated. When I heard the Erusean’s Strike Wyvern, showed up out of nowhere, I was inclined to believe the Major had survived.”

“Then why did you not report your suspicions at that point?” 

“I was able to keep the wanted search open for him, but a full-on search didn’t have enough evidence to support it. Though we were aware the Wyvern was at Farbanti along with the Major, and he certainly had the aptitude to fly it, we didn’t have him or a corpse to prove or disprove he did. Plus, he was a SERE grad, if he wanted to avoid us, he had the training. We taught him that much.” 

“Why didn’t you interrogate the Princess then since she was also at McKnight?”

Palmer furrowed his brow “Brass prohibited it. Not my place to question. I just went with the leads I could follow.” 

“And what was left then? From the sounds of it your main bases for leads are now two craters.” 

“I had to go back to the original case following the spy. That’s when the Major popped up again. And then he kept appearing in that other case. After that the connection to me wasn’t deniable. He appeared all over Usea. A botched robbery outside of Expo City, then we found an Aircraft with similar markings to ones he flew during an attack in Anchorhead Bay. After that he dropped off the radar until a letter, he wrote went through that spies channels directed at the Princess. That’s when he was apprehended.”

“And when he was apprehended, what happened.”

“He Laughed. Seemed to take the whole thing as one big joke. I didn’t get anything useful from our interview in Selatapura.” 

Ackerman smiled self-satisfied, turning to Roshack. “Your witness.” 

Roshack sighed “So It’s by circumstantial evidence you think the Major is a traitor? Anything more solid than him having a few drinks and the occupation the Air Force gave him?” 

Palmer squinted his eyes “Unfortunately, everyone who would know is dead. Unless you have a Ouija board, that’s the best we can go off of.” 

Roshack turned his attention back towards the judges. “No further questions.” Before he took a seat. 

Trigger turned to Roshack, “What the hell? Just one question?” 

“Theres nothing, he said that you yourself didn’t confirm. We’ll just have to hope the Judges see it as circumstantial and dismiss it as is. This isn’t over yet.” Roshack reassured him. 

Trigger sighed in frustration “You could have fooled me.” 

Payne turned back to Ackerman “Does the government have any further witnesses?” 

“No, your honor. May it please the court, we reserve the right to call rebuttal witnesses as needed; The government Rests.” Ackerman replied.

There was a murmur behind the bench before Payne spoke up again “We will stand in recess until next Monday at ten hundred. At which time the defense will call its first witness.” She instructed. With a strike of her gavel, the courtroom was dismissed. 

“So what happens now?” Trigger asked, turning to Roshack.

“Now? I motion for a dismissal, it will get thrown out, then we work on your defense. Standard stuff.”

“That doesn’t sound standard to me.”

“The Government made its case. It’s a formality the next step, and you wont even have to be there. Don’t worry until we actually start calling witnesses.” Roshack explained assuringly.

“Yeah, but by my count, our witnesses pool is rather slim aside from character witnesses.” Trigger said grimly. 

“Thats is an entirely different problem.” Roshack replied bluntly.

***

Mancuso sat alone in his office. A letter from the Senator Schmidt’s office sat in front of him. 

“What are you thinking boss?” Stanton asked.

Mancuso exhaled a large cloud of smoke from his cigar. “Greg, the fact we’ve made it this far is, nothing short of amazing. So you know what Im thinking?” 

“Shoot.”

“If you can only fall on your sword once-“ Mancuso held the burning end of his cigar to the letter, within seconds it has ignited. “-You best make it count.” 

“Sir, you know the Armed Services committee will have your head for it.” Stanton protested. 

“The teams will survive my actions, Greg.” Mancuso said, pulling a cigar from the box on his table and handing it to his subordinate. “I understand Jack.” Stanton replied, lighting the stogie for himself.