Prologue
John
„Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, attention!"
I snapped to attention, straightening my back and raising my hand.
The press stared at me like hungry Jackals and the lights of their cameras flashed straight in my face. I squinted my eyes but didn't flinch. Instead I stood proud and tall in front of all of them, including the ones hiding in the darkness.
Seated on the left, Dr. Halsey's steady voice reached my ears.
"Do you know why you're here, John?"
I sensed a certain uneasiness in her, a feeling I didn't usually link with the stern, practical woman. I couldn't tell who was sitting in front of me, I could barely tell them apart. There were five shadowy figures, I knew one of them was Halsey, but that was it. I felt uncertainty creeping up my spine. Without Cortana's aid I couldn't tell what exactly was wrong and that made me uncomfortable in an odd way. Something definitely felt off and I was sure of that, because my senses never steered me wrong before. They may have dulled when I was out of armour, or devoid of Cortana's— the AI's assistance, but were never wrong. People, on the other hand, have tried to deceive me many times in the past.
"No, ma'am. I do not."
"I know you must feel lost..."
"Dr. Halsey", one of the gathered cut her off. "You have not been given permission to explain anything to the defendant."
The defendant? I can almost hear Cortana's amused snort in my ear.
"Captain, I believe that..."
"If you do not comply, you will be removed from the courtroom."
Silence fell again. The ringing in my ears was almost deafening.
Court room. I swallowed. Something cold grabbed my gut and held them firmly, not letting go. I tried to relax. Nothing is wrong, I kept repeating to myself, everything is fine. I'll be fine.
"The court has gathered here today to resolve the case of high treason, filed by United Nations Space Command against Master Chief Petty Officer, also known as Sierra-117, also known as John-117."
Well, shit, I certainly hadn't expected that. I let my hand fall down as I stared in disbelief at the man sitting in the shadows. I was usually hard to surprise, but damn, a court case? High treason?
"You must be joking" I said doubtfully. "Sir", I added after a second.
"Master Chief Petty Officer, you have not been given permission to speak or stand at ease!"
I snapped to attention again, clenching my teeth.
"Will he be not given permission to defend himself?" Again, Dr. Halsey spoke on my behalf.
"Dr. Halsey, last warning. This is a martial court and you will be removed if you won't obey", the man said calmly. "Back to the case. Sergeant Davidson, read the charge."
"Yes, sir!" the young man obediently stood at attention, opened a file and cleared his throat, his eyes straying from the documents spread in front of him to me. I glared at him, meeting his look when he opened his mouth and he faltered for a moment before he started reading. Despite his awkwardness, his voice was clear and carried loud across the room. "We hereby accuse Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 of the act of the high treason. He committed such by the following: allowing the rampant AI Cortana escape and continue with her repulsive plan. Disobeying direct orders. Going AWOL while on a mission multiple times. Insubordination, lack of respect and disobedience towards senior staff."
Silence engulfed the room. I almost heard my heart's hammering inside my chest. My hands were cold, my stomach felt ill. How absurd. Considering my hazardous lifestyle it was a surprise I was feeling fear while standing in a relatively safe place.
"Lack of respect is not a crime", argued Halsey quietly.
The judge glanced at Halsey with his eyes knitted together.
"Lack of respect leads to disobedience, Doctor. Disobedience might lead to compromising the entire squad or mission. There were voices about drastic measures, Master Chief", the man said directly to me and I felt the rare urge to laugh. The whole situation seemed too unreal, staged.
"However, we are aware of your great input during the war. The humanity appreciated what you did for us and therefore you will be treated lightly."
"Permission to speak, sir."
Once again, the room fell silent. After a moment that seemed to extend to eternity, the man nodded.
"Granted."
I folded my hands behind my back, ignoring the surprised mutters of the gathered. The judge's brows got even closer together and I saw him opening his mouth to- probably- scold me again. I stared him down, daring him to say something about it. He didn't.
My voice was as loud and clear as Sergeant Davidson's when I spoke, and I wasn't using a microphone.
"All of my actions were justified. I have never done anything to cause harm to civilians or soldiers. Everything I have done was for the greater good. While that may not be in duty list for a regular soldier, I would like to remind you I was created to think and decide, quickly assess the situation and deal with it in the best way possible. With all due respect, sir, sometimes the best way was not seen as such by the person in command."
This must have been the longest statement I ever gave in front of an audience, I noticed humorlessly. When the silence protracted, straining my eyes to see clearer, I finally understood.
They knew that I was right. They had to. The unfairness of the trial hit me like a power sword. They knew that perfectly, and they were not going to admit it. I became unwelcome, started to itch somebody's back in a place they couldn't scratch by themselves, so they called for greater measures and simply sued me for breaking a couple of minor rules and procedures. I was going to be martial courted as a little more than a common criminal and then, if I was lucky, they'd sent me to some forgotten village on some forgotten planet in a system far, far away to remain there for a very long time— at least until the rich and influential found some new object of interest. Or until another war started.
I straightened and forced myself to calm down. This was just another situation I had to deal with. And I always dealt with the situations, no matter how difficult they might have seemed to anyone else.