* * * * * *
"On My Hands And Knees Your Honour"
At 1000 hours on Monday morning, Lt Colonel Sarah Mackenzie was seated beside Captain Zephyrine Collins grinning to herself, as Commander Sturgis Turner sat opposite them, tapping his pen against the table.
At 1005 hours on Monday morning, Lt Colonel Sarah Mackenzie's grin widened to a smile, Captain Zephyrine Collins began scribbling on a legal pad, and Commander Sturgis Turner started tapping his foot, complimenting the rhythm of his pen.
At 1010 hours on Monday morning, Lt Colonel Sarah Mackenzie's smile broadened even further, Captain Zephyrine Collins looked up from her scrawling, Commander Sturgis Turner ceased all percussive compositions and Lt Commander Harmon Rabb *finally* entered the now silent courtroom.
Ten minutes later, twenty minutes after it was due to begin; the court was called to session.
"In the matter of the United States vs. Captain Zephyrine Collins, this court is now is session. Would the bailiff read the charges?"
"The United States vs. Captain Collins. Charges include failure to obey an order of regulation, wilfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, reckless endangerment, and murder."
"Captain Collins, do you understand the contents of these charges?"
"Yes, Your Honour."
"If neither the government nor the defence have any pre-emptory challenges or pre-trial motions, we will proceed."
He waited for conformation.
"No, Your Honour," Mac and Sturgis replied in near unison.
"Then we will hear the pleas of the accused. Captain Collins, on the charges specified, how do you plead?"
"In meus manì et genua, tuus honòs," she responded.
When met by quizzical looks from all else but Mac, who was glaring murderously, she continued, "Not guilty Your Honour."
"The accused has entered a plea of not guilty. This court will be adjourned until Monday the 7th of October, one week from today at which point we will hear the opening arguments of the government and the defence. Until such a date, this court is adjourned."
Ten minutes later, Lt Colonel Mackenzie stood facing her client in a conference room, staring at the other woman angrily.
"What on earth was that little performance about Captain?" Mac demanded.
"Well, in medieval times when a commoner like myself was brought before a court, they were invited to recite a sentence of Latin. This meant they were allowed to be tried by a church court, the church at that time being very influential in society. In those days, the church courts offered lesser punishments and were more forgiving than the court of the king," she shrugged, "Tradition I guess."
"What did it mean Captain?"
She grinned.
"On my hands and knees, Your Honour."
* * * * * *
A/N: Blame my evil English teacher for the delay in chapter. (I had an annoying assignment to do.)
Oh, and crucify my annoying religion teacher for the further delays. Another assignment, which I am currently meant to be doing.
And blame my music teacher for any incoherence. I'm suffering for a lack of oxygen, I've been playing my flute for 80 minutes, and I'm feeling a little light-headed.
I'll probably update this chapter in the near future, as I've sought of forgotten the technical jargon for what goes on in an arraignment. I've got the whole, they ask the person if they're guilty thing going, but I can't remember exactly how it's said. Will find out and update. Until then, any critical comments would be appreciated. Any praise would be appreciated, but criticism is preferred. (I think. When everyone disses me now, I'll be crawling for praise..)
"On My Hands And Knees Your Honour"
At 1000 hours on Monday morning, Lt Colonel Sarah Mackenzie was seated beside Captain Zephyrine Collins grinning to herself, as Commander Sturgis Turner sat opposite them, tapping his pen against the table.
At 1005 hours on Monday morning, Lt Colonel Sarah Mackenzie's grin widened to a smile, Captain Zephyrine Collins began scribbling on a legal pad, and Commander Sturgis Turner started tapping his foot, complimenting the rhythm of his pen.
At 1010 hours on Monday morning, Lt Colonel Sarah Mackenzie's smile broadened even further, Captain Zephyrine Collins looked up from her scrawling, Commander Sturgis Turner ceased all percussive compositions and Lt Commander Harmon Rabb *finally* entered the now silent courtroom.
Ten minutes later, twenty minutes after it was due to begin; the court was called to session.
"In the matter of the United States vs. Captain Zephyrine Collins, this court is now is session. Would the bailiff read the charges?"
"The United States vs. Captain Collins. Charges include failure to obey an order of regulation, wilfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, reckless endangerment, and murder."
"Captain Collins, do you understand the contents of these charges?"
"Yes, Your Honour."
"If neither the government nor the defence have any pre-emptory challenges or pre-trial motions, we will proceed."
He waited for conformation.
"No, Your Honour," Mac and Sturgis replied in near unison.
"Then we will hear the pleas of the accused. Captain Collins, on the charges specified, how do you plead?"
"In meus manì et genua, tuus honòs," she responded.
When met by quizzical looks from all else but Mac, who was glaring murderously, she continued, "Not guilty Your Honour."
"The accused has entered a plea of not guilty. This court will be adjourned until Monday the 7th of October, one week from today at which point we will hear the opening arguments of the government and the defence. Until such a date, this court is adjourned."
Ten minutes later, Lt Colonel Mackenzie stood facing her client in a conference room, staring at the other woman angrily.
"What on earth was that little performance about Captain?" Mac demanded.
"Well, in medieval times when a commoner like myself was brought before a court, they were invited to recite a sentence of Latin. This meant they were allowed to be tried by a church court, the church at that time being very influential in society. In those days, the church courts offered lesser punishments and were more forgiving than the court of the king," she shrugged, "Tradition I guess."
"What did it mean Captain?"
She grinned.
"On my hands and knees, Your Honour."
* * * * * *
A/N: Blame my evil English teacher for the delay in chapter. (I had an annoying assignment to do.)
Oh, and crucify my annoying religion teacher for the further delays. Another assignment, which I am currently meant to be doing.
And blame my music teacher for any incoherence. I'm suffering for a lack of oxygen, I've been playing my flute for 80 minutes, and I'm feeling a little light-headed.
I'll probably update this chapter in the near future, as I've sought of forgotten the technical jargon for what goes on in an arraignment. I've got the whole, they ask the person if they're guilty thing going, but I can't remember exactly how it's said. Will find out and update. Until then, any critical comments would be appreciated. Any praise would be appreciated, but criticism is preferred. (I think. When everyone disses me now, I'll be crawling for praise..)