The Phoenix Conspiracy Read Online Free PDF Page B

belonging to the Fifth Fleet's division, had
jurisdiction over dozens of sentry ships, a few frigates, and
eighteen fighter divisions, but the coup-de-grace was a dreadnought
called the Harbinger. The locals bragged about it like it was a
legend and a small debate broke out over whether or not it was a
match for the flagship Andromeda. Most believed it was
not.
    Once the conversation drifted to local
elections and political parties, Calvin became bored and allowed
his mind to wander. Elections in the Empire were only for local
authorities and meant little more than popularity contests between
Houses for status and prestige. Much ado about nothing, a matter of
who ran the administration more than what the administration did.
All local leaders had to conform to the edicts of the King and his
Royal Magistrates, so, with a few exceptions like gambling and
marriage laws, the Empire was the same everywhere.
    When the trial reconvened, Calvin
filed into the chamber between the Vice Admiral and the captain of
the ISS Bounty and they took their seats along with the rest of the
assembly. Once the chamber doors were sealed, the Judicator called
on the Head of Council to read the verdict and
sentencing.
    "The Court, having weighed the
evidence against the accused, including his own confession, is of
the opinion that the accused, Captain Asari Raidan, is guilty of
all charges preferred against him." The Head of Court looked up
from his document.
    "Captain Asari Raidan is hereby
stripped of his rank and officership in the Royal Imperial Navy and
is to be transported as a felon to Capital World,” said the
Judicator. “Where he will be put to death by Nitrogen
Asphyxiation."
    The Consul of the Rotham Republic
stood up, raising a hand of objection. "The Republic demands the
accused be extradited to Rotham space for the execution of the
sentence, which must be performed according to Rotham laws and
customs." Their methods of capital punishment were famous for being
far more brutal than executions in the Empire. For instance, the
condemned might be slowly pressed to death inside a metal
vice.
    The Judicator looked at them. "The
Extradition Treaty cannot be invoked because the incident occurred
within Imperial Space. And the condemned is a full citizen of the
Empire and is therefore immune."
    The Consul looked disappointed but
bowed showing submission to the standing rule of law. "The Rotham
Republic withdraws its demand and instead requests that Rotham
representatives be present to certify the sentence is carried out
and, if possible, that a rotham agent be allowed to activate the
nitrogen machine."
    "This Court is not authorized to grant
or deny those requests. I remind the respected Consul that the
accused, as a full citizen of the Empire, has the right to appeal
this verdict to the Royal Supreme Court on Capital World, though
they may not accept the case."
    "I'm not going to appeal it," said
Raidan from his seat. The Consul appeared satisfied by this and sat
down. Just as the Judicator seemed ready to conclude the trial,
Calvin bowed to his impulses and raised a hand of
objection.
    "The Court recognizes Lieutenant
Commander Calvin Cross of the IWS Nighthawk," she didn't seem happy
by his interruption, which was out of place, but let it
stand.
    "I request a stay of execution until a
full investigation is completed," he almost couldn't believe he was
doing this. "As an intelligence officer I have reason to believe
Raidan's motives, I mean the accused's motives, are more complex
than what this court has found and should be uncovered as a matter
of national security. And since the accused is the most valuable
witness to such an investigation, losing him before we can
investigate would be a terrible mistake."
    His request met with dissonance
throughout the room, especially in the form of hissing from the
Rotham table. The Judicator had to smack her gavel to silence the
chamber. "Further investigation is not necessary because guilt has
already