Subject: Court Martial – Sarah Hunter, Lt. 2nd Class

Charges: Striking a Superior Officer, Conduct Unbecoming

Evidence Presented: Video of Incident

Date of Offense: March 3, 2149

Date of Court Marital: March 5, 2149

Presiding Officer: Captain Ellen Monk, CO RAFN Storm

Witnessing Officer: Commander Ralex, XO RAFN Storm

Also Present: Ariel, RAFN Storm AI

Video Begins – 08:37 March 3, 2149 UGT

Captain Ellen Monk sat behind her desk wearing a formal uniform. Beside her and to her right stood Commander Ralex, a Silwrath. Also wearing a formal uniform. Sarah Hunter stood at attention with her hands folded behind her back. She was wearing the same flight suit she had been wearing when she was arrested. Her usual impeccable dress and deportment was not present. Her emerald eyes stared straight ahead. Her purple hair was an oily tangled mess. The captain looked up to the pair of armed security officers in full body armor that flanked Sarah.

"Dismissed."

The security team both left the room. Leaving the trio alone. The captain an older human woman of Asian descent looked up at Sarah who even if the captain had been standing would have had almost a foot on her. Ralex was short for his race so was only a few inches taller than the half-Zendrati woman before the pair. Captain Monk sighed heavily rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"At ease lieutenant."

Sarah relaxed her stance folding her hands behind her back and hung her head. She did not meet the gaze of either of her superior officers. The captain stood up and leaned heavily on her desk.

"Lieutenant Hunter this is what the third time you've been in front of me for an offense against the military code of conduct? You were doing so well. I even have your signed promotion papers right here on my desk. You were up for leading Delta Squadron. I was recommending you for a placement on a real carrier. Why are you sabotaging yourself?"

"I lost my temper ma'am, it will not happen again."

Commander Ralex made a gurgling growl. It was what passed for a chuckle for the dragon-like Silwrath. The captain spared him withering glance and he straightened up.

"I have given you a lot of slack Lieutenant Hunter, Sarah, because your father is the commander of the RAF. And because you and I have known each other since you were a baby. I only have so much leeway. I have no choi-"

Ariel interrupted her.

"Ma'am, it is my duty to inform you that as part of this court martial you and your witnessing officer must review all evidence before providing judgment. Also, the officer who is being accused is allowed a defense attorney. I can act as such with permission of all parties involved."

The captain sighed.

"I'm well aware of the regulations regarding on ship court martials. There is no need for formalities it was a family squabble."

Ariel shook her head.

"I'm sorry ma'am the offense was recorded by ships systems and is therefore a matter of record. This court martial must proceed according to regulation 1B Subsection 4R. The injuries inflicted were severe and may even rise to the level of attempted murder."

The captain glared at Ariel then glanced back at Ralex.

"What idiot thought putting an AI on ships was a good idea?"

Ralex shrugged to the captain who motioned to Ariel.

"Fine play the video."

A video dated started playing it was dated March 3, 2149.

The video was filmed in the RAFN Storm's pilot's mess. Sarah was standing opposite her brother 1st Lieutenant James Hunter, his hair was a similar shade and their eyes were identical. She was standing in front of shorter man with brown hair and brown eyes. He was the same age as the pair but smaller build. James was pointing his finger toward the shorter man and was shouting.

"Thompson you are the worst excuse for a fighter pilot that the RAF has ever seen!"

He tried to push Sarah aside. Sarah wasn't moving. The captain glanced at Ralex who nodded. The video continued playing. Sarah in the video of the incident shook her head and her voice was level and calm.

"That is unfair, he is a trained ships helmsman. It is not his fault they assigned him to a fighter wing."

She put her hand on Jame's chest and pushed him back with enough force he was forced to step back a couple of feet. James was still raging and stepped forward again trying to reach past Sarah who blocked him.

"You are going to get someone killed you pathetic human!"

James shoved Sarah back and she bumped into Thompson almost knocking him down. Sarah straightened herself and stepped forward.

"Relax James, you don't need to take this any further. You made your point."

James snarled at Sarah.

"I don't care if he's your current fuck-buddy he is going to get us killed."

Sarah didn't choreograph her next moves she went from calm and rational defensive posture to attacking lunge before anyone in the room could react. Her fist struck James on the right side of his cheek, then as he was reeling from the blow she kicked him in the side. The audible crack as his ribs breaking could be heard on the video. Then when he bent over, she caught him with a brutal uppercut under the chin sending him sprawling across one of the mess tables. He was unmoving. Captain Monk winced. Ralex's toothy grin vanished when the captain gave him a warning glance. The video stopped. The captain looked up at Ariel.

"What was the extent of Lieutenant Hunter's injuries?"

"Four broken ribs, a broken jaw and severe bruising, ma'am."

"How long does medical figure he'll be out of the flight roster?"

"Two weeks, ma'am."

"Confine him to quarters for three and place a discipline warning on his record. Notify him once he is able to, that I would like to see him in regard to his behavior on the date of this incident."

"Noted, ma'am."

The captain sat down again and sighed. She glanced up at Ralex. Neither particularly looked like the wanted to go further.

"Sarah, you were in the right, right up until you struck your brother. You should have called security in to let them deal with the incident."

Sarah nodded. Ariel stepped forward.

"Ma'am, as the Lieutenant has no defense council present, I would like to speak on her behalf."

"You may proceed Commander Ariel."

"Thank you, ma'am. Based on the evidence presented I do not believe the charges laid by Lieutenant Hunter, against Lieutenant Hunter are valid. She was acting in defense of a junior officer and as the one who was initiating the hostility towards the junior officer Lieutenant Hunter James Hunter is hardly in a position to be making these charges. Furthermore, I do not believe her actions rise to the level of conduct unbecoming. While there is ample evidence for the charge of striking a fellow officer, which you would be required to raise on your own: I believe the circumstances and the fact that he was trying purposely to provoke her should be taken into consideration."

"Thank you, Commander Ariel. Your arguments are all valid."

Ariel nodded and stepped back and stood just the rear and left of Sarah. Captain Monk glanced at Ralex and stood up she motioned him to follow her outside the cabin. The video shifts them standing outside her door.

"Commander, this is a mess. Those two are going to tear up this ship James has a worse temper she protects him from it, he lashes out at her, she loses her temper and ends up here. Meanwhile because she's protecting him he never ends up in hot water. She is a good officer, and our best pilot, maybe one of the best in the fleet. We need to get them apart. But honestly if she hadn't hit him, it would be James Hunter in front of us right now."

"I agree Captain. Still the injuries she inflicted were severe. The kind of force she would have to use to injure a Half-Zendrati. She knew exactly what she was doing. I could also tell she held back. Wasn't she up for Intelligence before she joined the crew?"

"She was, I wonder if they considered her too volatile."

"Do you know the circumstances of her assignment here?"

"No, she just showed up on our roster before we left for the shake-down cruise."

"Perhaps we should ask her ma'am?"

"We should. What is your opinion on punishment?"

"Keep in the brig for another month, then promote her. Put her in charge of the Fallen Angels."

"Are you serious? They are the worst squadron in the fleet."

"Yes, but that way she does not lose her promotion. The rest of the ship believes she has been punished because we are giving her the worst assignment possible for an active fighter pilot on ship and her leadership skills and piloting skills can be used to improve the worst we have. The squadron is full of misfits and outsiders, maybe she can make something of them. Once enough time has passed, we can move her to another more prestigious squadron and move on. Also, their quarters, mess and flight deck are on the opposite side of the ship to Alpha Squadron."

"You Silwrath are a devious lot aren't you?"

"Proudly ma'am."

"Thank you for your input commander."

The pair re-entered the ready room. Captain Monk sat down at her desk and Ralex retook his position beside her and folded his hands behind his back. The captain looked at Sarah.

"I'm ready to pass judgment on this court marital proceeding. I have a question first: How did you end up here instead of Military Intelligence? Your record shows you were to be assigned to them after flight school."

Sarah stood at attention.

"Ma'am, I requested a position on the RAFN Storm. I wanted to be a fighter pilot ma'am."

"Hardly as prestigious as Military Intelligence."

"I am a pilot, ma'am."

"Well, you won't be anything unless you get away from your brother."

Sarah nodded. The captain continued.

"Your promotion to 1st Lieutenant stands. You will be confined to the brig until April 9th, 2149. Once you are released you will take command of 202nd Squadron, Fallen Angels. Upon return to Tirol when the shake-down cruise is ended you will be reassigned to Military Intelligence for your own good. Sarah, I used to bounce you on my knee when you were a baby, I've watched you grow from wide-eyed child to a mature, talented young woman. You have a great career ahead of you. Don't throw it away to protect your brother."

Sarah nodded.

"Dismissed. Ariel advise security to escort Lieutenant Hunter to the brig."

Video Ends - 09:23 UGT