The courtroom was fairly small, private, on the opposite end of the base from the barracks. The walls were white and bare of any distractions. The doors leading into the courtroom were located in the back, just in front of the public seating. In front of the public were two tables. The right held the prosecutor while the left held the defendant. At the head of the room were the high ranking officers of the court overlooking the cases. To their left was the court clerk, taking notes of the inquiries events.
The room was bare of most people, save for those that were concerned within the case. Mira was seated at the defendants table along with her officer attorney. Sarge was seated behind the defense, the only officer from Unit 6 called as a witness in the case. She sat straight in her chair, paying close attention to the progression of her inquiry.
"The prosecution calls the defendant, Staff Sargent Vera Dimitrov to the stand." the attorney called.
Mira took a deep breath and rose. She walked across the room quickly. Even dressed in her dress uniform and heels, a healing leg did nothing to hinder her speed or determination. She stopped before the stand by the clerk. He held out the bible.
"Raise your right hand." he said.
Mira followed his ordered.
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you, god?" he asked
"I do." Mira nodded. If god will help me through this. She lowered her hand and took her seat behind the stand.
"Sargent, you are originally from Russia, correct?" the prosecutor asked.
Mira nodded. "I am."
"You also lived there until the age of eighteen?"
"Yes."
"Why did you leave?" he asked.
"Objection!" called the defense. "Relevance?"
"Foreground to the officers involvement to the victim." the prosecutor replied.
"I'll allow it, but get to the point." the officer replied.
"Sargent?"
Mira took a breath. "Have you ever served in Russia within the past thirty years? It's nothing but a warzone. If the elements don't kill you, your neighbors will. At thirteen the convent I lived in was attacked and everyone was killed as I hid in fear. It took five years, but I managed to leave."
"And you came here?"
"Yes."
"How is that?"
Mira swallowed. "I placed an add with an organization as a mail-order bride."
"A mail-order bride?" the prosecutor asked.
"Desperate times, desperate measures." Mira stated.
The prosecutor nodded. "And that is how you met the victim; your husband?"
"It is."
The prosecutor began pacing around the room. "And how long have the two of your been married now?"
"Ten years."
"In those ten years, has he ever laid a hand on you that was forceful?" he asked.
"Yes." Mira answered.
The prosecutors brows rose. "Yes? Did you report them?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"My religion prevents me from dishonoring my husband." she answered. "The events were also limited by my leave from base."
"Did you ever fight back, prior to the night of the incident?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"A wife doesn't refuse her husband without dishonoring him." Mira explained.
The prosecutor nodded slowly. "I see. Then, please explain, why you decided to dishonor your husband?"
"Very well." Mira said. "I wasn't in the mood?"
"In the mood?" the prosecutor asked. "Maybe you should expand on that?"
"My husband wanted sex. As he usually does when I\ come back from leave. I wasn't in the mood and he didn't like that." Mira explained.
"Is that when you broke his ankle?"
"No, that when he hit me and threw me into the coffee table. Then I broke his ankle." Mira corrected.
"He hit you?"
"Yes. Split my lip, blackened my eye, minimal concussion." Mira said.
"And he suffered from a broken ankle." the prosecutor replied.
"Objection!" the defense called.
"Over ruled." the officer replied.
"No more questions for the witness." the prosecutor replied. He turned and walked back to his seat.
"Defense?"
The defense attorney rose from his chair. "You mentioned your husband has been violent with you before. What kind of violence?"
"It consisted of sex when I didn't want it." Mira answered.
"Did he ever hit you prior to the night of the incident?"
"No."
"So this was the first time he's ever hit you?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. No further questions."
"The defendant may step down." the officer said.
Mira stood from her seat and returned to the defense stand. She met Sarge's eyes in the row behind her. He nodded to her as she sat down.
"Prosecution now calls Gunnery Sargent Asher Mahonin to the stand."
Sarge rose from the bench and walked up toward the front of the courtroom. the clerk swore him in and took his seat beside the judge officer.
"Sargent, you've been under the command of RRTS Unit 6 for five years, now. Correct?"
"That's correct."
"How long has Staff Sargent Dimitrov been under your command?" he asked.
"One year."
"In that year, has she ever mentioned her situation with her husband?"
"No."
"No mention of assault or abuse?"
"No."
"Has she ever mentioned that she was married?"
"No."
The prosecutor nodded. "No. Can you offer a guess as to why she didn't say anything?"
"I would guess she wanted her life outside of RRTS kept private. It's not uncommon for soldiers to do that." Sarge answered.
"You don't think she was ashamed of her marriage?"
"Objection! Badgering."
"Sustained."
"Nothing further." the prosecutor returned to his table.
The defense stood up. "The Sargent never showed any signs of a hostile relationship. Those were your words in the report, were they not?"
"They were." Sarge answered.
"Can you tell us, what kind of a soldier, Sargent Dimitrov is?" the defense asked.
"Sargent Dimirtov is one of RRTS 6's best soldiers. I integrated directing into the unit since her transfer. She's proved herself more than a capable soldier and asset to the team. On the first off site training mission, Sargent Roark Gannon nearly fell to his death. Sargent Dimitrov risked her life to save her partners." Sarge explained.
"In what way did she risk her life?"
"The Sargent held onto her partners harness for nearly four hours until the unit arrived for rescue. Sargent Gannon is four times larger than Dimitrov." Sarge answered.
"Four times her weight and she held on for four hours." the defense said.
"That's correct."
"In your opinion, does that show distrust or contempt for men?" he asked.
"Objection. Question based on bias."
"The Sargent has witnessed the defendants actions during the times of assault have taken place. Providing insight into the professionalism of the defendant." the defense replied.
"Overruled." the officer replied. "Answer the question, Sargent."
"Not at all."
"Thank you." the defense returned to his seat.
"Sargent, you may step down." the officer replied.
Sarge made his way back into the row behind Mira.
"Staff Sargent Vera Dimitrov, please rise." the officer ordered.
Mira took a deep breath and rose from the table.
"The court is not blind to the needs of a refugee seeking escape. Though your actions in your escape are questionable, the Corps cannot deny that your record has once lead onto the fact of a questionable future with the Marines. Having said that, the court has decided that the actions taken on the night of April the sixteenth we taken under the guidance of self-defense. And therefore no further actions will be taken." the officer replied.
Relief filled Mira. she released a heavy breath that she'd held. Her body relaxed a fraction, but she remained focused on the proceeding officer's words.
"You are herby permitted to return to active duty under the command of Sargent Mahonin with RRTS 6. Court is adjourned." he finished.
Mira turned to her attorney. "Well done Staff Sargent." He said.
"Thank you." Mira replied. She turned to Sarge, who was standing, looking very pleased.
"Never had a doubt, Mira." Sarge said. "How does it feel?"
"Very, very liberating, sir." Mira replied.
Sarge chuckled. "I bet. Let's move out soldier."
"With pleasure, sir." Mira followed Sarge out of the courtroom and into the hall. As she walked through the hall, Mira felt her surroundings seemed different. No longer threatening to be ripped from her or take away her future, but a greeting of welcoming.
The barracks was uncharacteristically quiet. The only sounds came from the music and game originating from Duke's cot. He sat on his cot, playing his game, but the frequent sounds of fails showed that he wasn't fully concentrating on his game. Destroyer laid back on his cot and tossed a baseball up into the air, catching it in his bare hands. Mac was looming over tech plans at the bench. Reaper sat on the bar of his cot, absently reading. Goat was kneeling by his cot in prayer. The only one who didn't seem to care was Portman. He lay against the back wall, leering at his new magazine.
The faint sounds of a heels step against the hard floor, slowly grew louder. The sound echoed into the barracks, catching the attention of the men, one by one. By the time the sound was prominent, unmistakable, everyone was watching the entryway of the barracks. They watched as Sarge entered first, dressed in his military dress uniform. Not two steps behind him followed Mira.
Goat rose to his feet. "How did the inquiry go?"
Sarge turned back to Mira. "Dimitrov."
Mira nodded and walked down the stairs into the barracks. No one said a word as Mira solemnly reached the ground level. She lifted her eyes to meet everyone and took a deep breath. "No formal charges were pressed, no further inquiry will be made. I am cleared and fit for active duty with RRTS 6."
Duke whopped loudly and jumped to his feet. Destroyer smiled and dropped his ball. Mac nodded approvingly from the desk. Goat smiled and walked to congratulate Mira first. He wrapped his arms around her, giving a small hug.
"Pozdravlyayu." he said, slowly releasing her.
"Com'ere girl!" Duke called. He rushed Mira, scooping her up into his arms. He spun her around several times. "That's my girl."
"Easy Duke." Reaper warned, making his way toward the group.
Duke set her back down on the floor. "Sorry, Mira. didn't mean to uh...ah hell. Who am I shitting? I'm just glad you ain't goin' anywhere. This place wouldn't be the same without ya."
Mira smiled. "Well I'd miss you too, Duke."
"Alright men, look in." Sarge called from above.
Everyone turned toward the catwalk.
Sarge leaned over the edge. "I know we're all glad we're not losing Mira, but right now we need to focus and prep."
"For what, Sarge?" Destroyer asked.
"We got an undercover op." Sarge answered with a smile. "Mira."
"Sir."
"Get your ass out of that uniform and gear up." he ordered. "Air 6 leaves in ten men. Fall in!"
"Juts like old times, eh?" Duke asked, moving past Mira toward the stairs.
yay from free and clear Mira! I know this was short, but we're getting to another mission!
translations
Pozdravlyayucongratulations