Chapter 7

Bud's first encounter with Captain Kirk was that afternoon. She had been assigned to hear the Gonzales case. Major General Gonzales was accused of sexually harassing Colonel Jillian Mills. Bud was pretty sure the General had done all and more than he was charged with. However, he had been assigned as the General's defense attorney, so it was his job to try and clear him, when he would much rather have been prosecuting the case. Commander Turner had been given that job.

He would defend his client to the best of his ability because it was his duty. But, he could hardly stop himself from grinning like a Cheshire cat every time he looked at the Judge's nameplate. Bud couldn't wait to get home to tell Harriet all about meeting a real live Captain JT Kirk! He could even throw in the story about Ensign Collins.

Scoring several points on the lack of evidence presented against the General, Bud was feeling like he was a heel when he saw the distressed lookon Colonel Mills' face. He was impressed however at how well she held herself together under his questioning when she took the stand. Bud could have gone at her much harsher than he had, but he was so sure that she was telling the truth that he got his questions answered with the least trauma to her that he could.

When he took his seat next to the General, Bud could see the man wasn't pleased at how he'd treated the witness.

As Commander Turner got to his feet to question Colonel Mills, the General began to whisper his anger at Bud's handling of the Colonel's questioning in his attorney's ear. Bud tried to ignore the man as he listened to the dialog taking place on the other side of the room. When the General wasn't getting the responses he wanted, his tone changed as well as his volume, eliciting a censoring frown from the Judge.

The General either didn't see the look or chose to ignore it as he continued to berate Bud.

Captain Kirk finally had enough of the General's actions and after banging her gavel for attention asked, "Lieutenant Roberts, do you and your client need a recess or should I just go ahead and find him in contempt of court?"

Knowing he couldn't request the latter, as much as he might like to, Bud instead requested a short recess.

Back in his office, Bud invited the General to have a seat, but it quickly became clear that he was too agitated to do so. Gonzales preferred to pace as he ranted and raved about Bud's lack of 'gumption' in questioning Colonel Mills. He declared that she was a tease who once she incited the interest of a man, then gave him the cold shoulder once he began to show interest in her.

Bud tried to calm the elder man, but Gonzales was having none of it. He demanded that Bud become more forceful in getting the truth from Mills or he would get a different attorney. As much as Bud wished for exactly that to happen he knew it would be a black mark on his record in the Admiral's eyes. So, he assured the General that if he had the occasion to get Colonel Mills back on the stand, he would pursue her questioning as the General wished. Bud, however, would make sure that never came about!

Much to the General's chagrin and shock, the trial ended very shortly after they returned to the courtroom. Even more surprising to the General was how short a time the members were out for deliberation. The call to return came just over an hour after they'd left.

Gonzales was livid when the guilty verdict was read and had to be restrained before the sentence could be delivered. No one, but the General, was surprised when Judge Kirk gave him the maximum sentence.

Bud could tell the man was boiling inside. His face became flushed and his hands clenched. Bud was worried he was about to do something stupid. The Bailiff approached the table to lead the General away, but he shook off the man's hand and turned to Bud demanding, "I want this appealed! But I'll be damned if I let you do it! I want a lawyer that isn't so namby pamby!"

The bailiff once again took hold of the General's arm and said that if he didn't come along peacefully he would cuff him. This time the General allowed himself to be led out.

To be continued…..