The Storm's Path #3

Episode 6: Recriminations And Rewards

Victory needs no explanation, defeat allows none.

-Anonymous-

1340 HOURS – 14 FEBRUARY, 2214

Captain Alvin Ng shifted uncomfortably, his bottom aching as he sat at the edge of the plush, cushioned seat. Somehow, it had not felt right or befitting of his image to be seen lounging back while he was in the witness stand. He had already taken the oath 'to tell the truth and nothing but the truth' and cross examination had taken place in the earnest.

The prosecution had come on strong despite the fact that he had not thought there was much of a case against him. Many of the witnesses that Captain Jurgen, the JAF's prosecutor, had fielded were exo pilots or ship commanders. Some of them had been people that Alvin had known, some for years. But yet, not one of them had been there during his squadron's last battle against heavy CEGA opposition.

So far, all they had given was their expert opinions of the situation that he had faced. But that was just what they were: opinions. And several of those exo pilots who had been called to testify 'against' him had encountered the same proximity mines mounted on the hulls of CEGA ships that had caused great carnage amongst the JAF's exo squadrons. The difference was that only the Deathwings had been wiped out to a man.

Captain Jurgen seemed undaunted by the apparent lack of a damning testimony as he came forward now with his questions. So far, Lieutenant Kristoff, the man assigned to be Alvin's defense counsel, had done a pretty good job of lessening the damage done by the numerous witnesses that the prosecution had already called up.

Now it was finally Alvin's turn to be put on the stand. Jurgen had been trying to prove that Alvin had been reckless in his attack against the CEGA carrier force that they had found over Mars and that every single one of the Deathwings had perished as a result of his conduct in the battle. Without any real witnesses to corroborate that story, Kristoff had assured Alvin that he had a pretty good chance of coming through.

"Captain Ng, having heard the numerous testimonies of the witnesses before you regarding the fate of the Deathwings, can you say that the deployment proximity mines deployed aboard the enemy ships were the turning point in your action against the CEGA carrier group?"

"Many other squadrons faced the same mines and were repulsed." Alvin replied noncommittally.

"Well, we're not here to talk about other squadrons, Captain Ng. Just yours." The prosecutor remarked scathingly. "Why did you choose to close the range between your exos and your targets instead of standing off and hitting them with missiles and other long range weapons?"

"We did not have sufficient firepower to effect enough damage on the targets for the mission to be a success. Also, we had already eliminated the carrier group's escort force and wanted to save the ordnance for a more difficult target."

"And so you closed into plasma lance range?"

"Standard fleet doctrine called for us to do so when enemy exo activity is negligible." Again, Alvin's reply was curt, designed to reveal as little as possible.

"So in spite of the proximity mines deployed aboard those CEGA's ships, you still reverted to blind adherence to doctrine?" Jurgen asked pointedly. "Where is the flexibility in that?"

Alvin felt his temper rise within him and saw Lieutenant Kristoff's mouth moving in the beginnings of uttering an 'Objection'. But Alvin beat his defense counsel to the punch by answered before the word had left the lieutenant's mouth.

"Captain Jurgen, I'm surprised you're making such an unqualified statement in light of all the testimonies that have gone before. After all, the decision to close to range was made before the discovery of the proximity mines." Alvin tried to say as calmly and flatly as he could in order to disguise his frustration. "Every other pilot and squadron commander you called upon did the exact same thing that I did. And do you know why?"

Jurgen seemed slightly taken aback by the exo squadron commander's response and he shook his head mutely.

"Captain Jurgen, a plasma lance, while extremely short-ranged, has a destructive power equivalent to the warhead of our standard MMJ-4 medium missiles. Throw in the fact that each exo can use two of them at a time and literally drag them down the length of a target and you get a most potent weapon. Have you ever seen plasma lances in action?"

Jurgen began to realize that he was losing control of the questioning and opened his mouth to say something. But Alvin could see the answer on the man's face and cut then prosecutor off.

"I didn't think so." Alvin almost sneered as he glanced at the relatively empty space above the prosecutor's left breast pocket as compared to his own which was bedecked with service ribbons, qualification devices and decorations. "With those lances, we can basically peel open any warship as if we were using a can-opener. Exo anti-ship doctrine, as with any other combat doctrine, is based on experience and extensive testing. It is because of these doctrines that we stand a chance of getting the job done each time we go into combat. I'm not sure if you understand any of that, but as a combat exo pilot, I do. Do you need me to expand on the importance of, what did you call it . . . 'blind adherence' to doctrine?"

The prosecutor, realizing that his line of questioning had backfired, scowled before shaking his head curtly. "That . . . will not be necessary, Captain." Jurgen turned his back on Alvin and for a moment, the pilot thought it was over. Then the prosecutor whirled around once more. "So why were the Deathwings decimated to a man if they had followed doctrine as dictated?"

"Because doctrine will only take you so far," came the still-calm reply. "Much of the rest is still based on luck."

"Luck?" Jurgen scoffed and shook his head with mock severity. "I can't accept that, Captain. And I won't. And I am going to prove it was due to more than bad luck that the Deathwings are no more."

2217 HOURS – 17 FEBRUARY, 2214

He had lost track of time very long ago. He had been kept in that dark cramped room for what seemed to have been like days. The only time the lights ever came on was during the first interrogation.

Water had been provided infrequently and food even more so. Corporal Joshua Loke could hardly remember what was the last thing he had eaten. It hadn't helped that he had consumed the unsavory food in complete darkness.

He stretched his body in the darkness, now familiar with the limits of his cell. He wondered if he would ever see that door in front of him fully opened again, instead of the tiny hole which was used to deliver food and drink.

As if as an answer to his prayers, he heard the loud, metallic grind as the door began to shift. Glaringly white florescent light slashed into the cell and Joshua was once again reminded of what the interior looked like before he was blinded. He could hear footfalls as someone entered the room, blocking the light in the doorway.

Just as he looked up in an attempt to identify the newcomer, the overhead lights snapped on, blinding him once more. "Ah, Mr. Loke. I believe the time has come for you to answer my next set of questions," said a familiar voice.

"You . . ." Joshua said even though he couldn't see. "What do you want with me?"

"Why, answers, of course." The newcomer took a step forward, partially blocking the light overhead. With his recovered vision, he could see Special Agent Lois Goh's face once more. And the feline smile on her face was anything but friendly.

"I'll have you know that I'm a Jovian citizen and I have rights . . ."

"Sure, you do." The JIS agent's razor-thin smile remained firmly on her face. "But you will come to realize that as an agent of the JIS, I too have my rights. Which include the right to deprive others of their rights."

1649 HOURS – 24 FEBRUARY, 2214

It had been yet another long day in the courtroom and Alvin could feel the fatigue beginning to creep into his mind. The days had grown longer and the case had swung back and forth as Captain Jurgen and Lieutenant Kristoff took turns presenting their cases against and for him.

Having realized that he could not get Alvin convicted for following standard fleet doctrine, Jurgen had amended his approach, attempting to prove to the court that the defendant had a history of behaving rashly in the face of the enemy. Jurgen had accused him of recklessly opting to stay in the fight when he could have withdrawn. But what had hurt most was that the prosecutor had found witnesses to back up his case.

Alvin Ng's meteoric rise to the rank of captain in his ten years of service was made even more remarkable by the fact that he had spent the first four years of that career as an enlisted man, attaining the rank of Sergeant before attending Officer Training School. Such a career had allowed him to overtake many other officers who were technically senior to him and made him more than his fair share of enemies.

While he knew his uncompromising style and standards may not have gone down well with some of his colleagues in the past, he had not expected to have created so many enemies during the course of his career. More than one officer had been willing to testify that he was a reckless maniac in combat. Even a few of his staunchest supporters had been forced to admit that Alvin's fighting style was more aggressive than most other exo squadron commanders.

Things were looking far less rosy now and he could feel the fatigue creeping in. He had been in combat numerous times in his career but nothing had been as exhausting as this court martial. The media had taken a distinct interest in all military trials that were connected to the Battle of Kurtzenheim. Even after so long, the masses still seemed interested in where the blame for that bloody incident could be placed and anyone who looked likely to shoulder part of the blame (no matter how minuscule) was turned into a celebrity of sorts.

Admiral Gordo Sullivan, who had commanded the Jovian Peacekeeping Force over Mars and had died when the Gilgamesh went down, had already been turned into a villain instead of the martyr that he rightfully should have been. Some had even gone so far as to blame him for ordering the first shots to be fired at the CEGA forces.

Alvin suppressed a yawn as he saw Captain Jurgen stepping out from around his desk after making a show of consulting his notes. He cleared his throat and fixed the exo pilot with that superior, arrogant look that Alvin had long grown immune to.

"Captain Ng, over the last two days, we have heard numerous testimonies about your fighting and leadership styles. They all seem to echo the same thing, wouldn't you say?" Jurgen cocked an eyebrow at him and paused. Alvin refused to take the bait and he remained silent. He was getting tired and he knew it. He had to minimize talking lest he make a mistake.

"Captain Ng, would you agree with the assessment of your colleagues?" The prosecutor scowled, unhappy that he had failed to draw out his 'victim'.

"And which . . . colleagues . . . and which 'assessments' would you be referring to?" Alvin managed to reply without to much malice or frustration. "I was under the impression that the testimonies were all differing in some way or the other."

Jurgen stared at him through slit eyes and considered the response for a moment, then said very slowly. "The opinion that you are an aggressive fighter and leader."

"Good exo leaders are aggressive."

"You're not answering the question." Jurgen said flatly. "Besides, that is not a sentiment echoed by all of your contemporaries."

This time, Alvin could no longer resist the urge and he released a pent-up breath of frustration. "Yes, I am an aggressive person."

"Perhaps to the point of being reckless as some of your colleagues have shared."

"And how would you . . . "

"Your honor," Jurgen said, addressing the president of the court martial. "I would like to submit that by the defendant's own admission, he is an aggressive person and that was certainly something that contributed to the demise of the Deathwings . . ."

"Now hold on a second, Jurgen!" Alvin knew he was rapidly losing his temper. He could see Lieutenant Kristoff waving frantically at him but he was past caring. "I was aggressive, yes! But that's exactly why I was allowed to lead an exo squadron! What do you know about combat, you prissy, rear echelon turd!"

There were several stunned gasps in the courtroom as Alvin rose from his chair and glowered at the prosecutor. "I'd dare to bet you've never known what it's like to be shot at or to have to kill anyone!"

"Your honor . . ." Jurgen looked over to the president.

"Captian Ng . . ." The colonel in the president's chair said soothingly.

"You weep for the Deathwings because they are all dead. But at least they died defending the Confederation. At least they died for freedom!" Alvin was shouting now and he simply couldn't stop himself. The words were just flowing out of him now. "It's assholes like you, Jurgen, who wake everyday to freedom and peace and take it all for granted. I have neither the time or inclination to explain myself to someone who doesn't realize that freedom has to be paid for in blood and then questions the manner in which I help provide that freedom. I would rather you simply said 'thank you' and . . ."

"Captain Ng!" The colonel's voice was firmer now. "You're in contempt of court!"

Lieutenant Kristoff had run out from his seat and had placed a restraining hand on Alvin who was just about to climb out of the witness stand. "Your honor, I'd like to request a recess!"

"Yes, I think that would be prudent." The colonel frowned disapprovingly at Alvin. "And you'd best have a talk with your client about his temper."

Kristoff was frantically ushering Alvin out of the courtroom even as the president banged her gavel. Alvin didn't hear the president declaring a recess, nor could he make out the murmurings of those in attendance. As he approached the double wooden doors in a daze, he felt the urge to say something else.

But he knew it was already too late. The damage had already been done.

Seconds later, still being half-dragged by his defense counsel, Captain Alvin Ng exited the courtroom, and right into the jaws of the media jackals who were already waiting outside.

0402 HOURS – 27 FEBRUARY, 2214

Former Martian Bundesarmee Hauptmann Peter Tan struggled to keep his eyes open. Despite his POW training back when he was a cadet, he had still managed to lose track of time during his solitary confinement in that dark, unlit cell.

Rubbing his hand along his jaw, he felt the thick, prickly stubble that had accumulated there. He had long grown used to being in the darkness, his body familiar with the limits of his accommodations. He kept himself sane with a host of mental exercises that he had learnt during his career, but even so, he knew that he was slowly losing his grip on sanity day by day.

The last interrogation had been about three to four days ago by his reckoning. His meals had been delivered to him irregularly, leaving him with little clue to the actual time of the day. He was almost certain it was a ploy to break him down. For the umpteenth time that day, he began to wonder if he'd ever see the light of day again.

As if on cue, the door to his cell was unlocked abruptly and it slid open to allow in the glaring fluorescent light of the adjacent corridor. Peter shut his eyes against the harsh glare of the light. Then the light softened as someone stood in the doorway. He didn't need to look to figure out who it was.

"Ah, Special Agent Lois Goh . . ." The Martian tried to sound genial despite his mounting discomfort. The corridor and freedom beyond the JIS agent looked invitingly tempting except for the fact that a heavily armed guard in a Decker exo-suit stood guard there. "And to what do I owe this honor?"

The woman made a derisive snort. "My superiors have considered your case and your request," she said in a very flat tone.

"They have?" Peter attempted to sound surprised. The offer he had made would have been most generous in any case and he was actually surprised it had taken the Jovian government so long to consider it. He suspected that the JIS agent standing before him might not have been thoroughly enthusiastic in conveying his proposal to her superiors.

"They have," was the terse, almost hostile reply. It was clear that she wasn't happy with whatever it was that she was tasked to tell him.

"I see . . ." Peter made a show of pondering over her response. And then, trying his best to come across as being nonchalant, he continued, "And?"

"My superiors . . ." She spat those words out in disgust, making clear to him what she thought of them. ". . . have decided that your offer is reasonable."

Despite his best effort, Peter couldn't resist the sharp intake of breath at hearing those words. It took him a few seconds to recover sufficiently to formulate a reply. All the while, the JIS agent was glaring at him. "They have?"

"Yes." Lois reverted to her flat, emotionless tone. "They have."

"I see . . ." Peter couldn't help smiling now.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" She was staring at him with arms folded across her chest. "You ready to move now or not?"

She had stepped out of the cell and away from the doorway now and the light was blinding him once more. His way to the corridor was clear. The doorway was a brilliant portal now. Freedom beckoned. He took a few shuffling steps forward and stumbled out into the light.

He felt a hand clamping down on his shoulder. It was Lois. For a brief, desperate moment, he thought she was playing some sick, cruel joke on him. But then he saw the ghost of a smile forming on her face.

"Oh, and one last thing." She said in her still-serious voice. "Welcome to the Jovian Confederation."

1137 HOURS – 28 FEBRUARY, 2214

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Alvin shook himself for the umpteenth time that day. But he looked around the courtroom and knew that it was all for real. He had gone through the initial hearing and had scoffed at the charges being brought against him, pleading not guilty with confidence that he had done nothing wrong.

Now, after a widely-publicized court martial that had lasted more than a month, the charges of negligent homicide, dereliction of duty and gross negligence did not seem so ridiculous after all. Where he had thought the JAF was merely overreacting to the fact that he had lost his entire squadron in a spectacular but ill-fated attack against a CEGA carrier group, he now began to believe the prosecution did have a case. That he had allowed recklessness to get the better of him and allowed the Deathwings to charge headlong into a situation where they were annihilated in detail.

He had been so convinced that he had done the right thing. But then Captain Jurgen had attacked his defense with unbridled fury following Alvin's violent outburst in court. And even now, Alvin's own seemingly unshakeable sense of right and wrong had suffered from the very pointed questions that were directed at him. Questions that made him doubt his actual fitness to command in the very first place. He was only afraid now that he had allowed the doubt to show.

It was too late to do anything else now. He sat nervously next to his appointed attorney, the young and often optimistic Lieutenant Kristoff who had done an outstanding job arguing his case but had seemed to be outclassed by the government's prosecutor no matter how one looked at it. He glanced at the grim-faced jury who sat to his right. Their decision would decide whether his career would end this very day.

Captain Alvin Ng fidgeted uncomfortably at the palpable tension in the room. He had come under fire numerous times in the past, ejected from a crippled exo early in his career, then got blown out of another at the Battle of Kurtzenheim. Yet none of those experiences seemed nearly as harrowing as what he was going through now.

"The accused and his counsel will rise." The soprano voice of the colonel presiding over the court martial took Alvin by surprised, rousing him from his reverie.

Taking a deep breath, he drew himself fully erect, straightening his already immaculate uniform. He stood, features set in stone, fists clenched by his side awaiting judgment. The colonel looked over to the jury. The senior officer present, an aging captain, was already standing. "Are you ready to publish your findings, captain?"

"We are, your honor." The jury's representative replied in a clipped and measured tone that betrayed nothing.

"Very well. Proceed." The colonel nodded to the captain.

"Captain Alvin Ng, Gamma Division, Jovian Armed Forces," the captain said in a clear, sharp voice that belied his age. "On the eleven charges of negligent homicide, this court finds you . . . not guilty."

Alvin felt an immense sigh of relief escaping him. His complete acquittal from those charges would mean that he was more than halfway to getting off unscathed. At least he wouldn't be facing the certainty of life imprisonment.

The captain went on. "On the charge and specification of dereliction of duty, this court also finds you 'not guilty'."

The former exo squadron commander heaved yet another sigh of relief. At least now he was sure that he still had a career in the JAF. It wouldn't be much if he was found guilty of the final charge, but at least it meant he got to stay in and help fight the war.

And then it came. "On the charge and specification of gross negligence, this court finds you guilty."

Even though he had not been expecting to get away scot-free, that verdict still struck him like the proverbial ton of bricks. He glanced involuntarily at the captain who had delivered the verdict, noting that the man was masking his emotions well. There were several gasps of surprise from people sitting in the benches behind him but a quick glance over the shoulder told him that there were just as many satisfied smiles as well.

"Thank you, captain." The colonel nodded. "This court is in recess until 1300 hrs. We will reconvene for sentencing then." And then she banged the gavel. The court orderly called the court to its feet and the colonel who had presided over the court martial stalked out of the chamber.

"I'm sorry, sir." The Kristoff was saying as people began to file out of the courtroom.

"It's all right, lieutenant." Alvin tried to say reassuringly. "Two out of three is a lot better than what I was expecting."

"But, sir . . ."

"I'll get to stay in the JAF, lieutenant. And I won't be facing long-term confinement. That's enough for me." The exo pilot said in a manner that told the defense attorney that he wasn't expecting to be argued with. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

"Yes, sir." But Kristoff's client was already gone, the young lieutenant's words remaining unheard.

Alvin headed out the open doors of the courtroom . . . into a storm of waiting reporters who made him wish he had stayed put. More than a dozen questions came flying his way the instant he had made his appearance.

Most had already heard about the verdict. Many were asking for his reaction and opinion. Or at least that was what he assumed they were asking since he couldn't really hear most of them individually.

"Sir, sir! Do you think you're being made a scapegoat?" someone yelled.

"Captain Ng, what does this mean for your career?" another reporter bellowed.

"Given that you were once the JAF's rising star, do you think they're now making you a fall guy because they think your reputation can handle it?" That was the reporter from ZONET asking. "Was there a deal between you and your superiors?"

"Are you going to stay in the JAF, after what it's done to you?"

"Sir, aren't you going to protest against this sham? Don't you feel this was just a show trial?"

Realizing he was never going to get past the throng to get to the bathroom and that'd he'd never be able to retreat into the courtroom now, Captain Alvin Ng held up a hand. Slowly, the cacophony of sound began to die down. Alvin knew he had garnered a reputation for always having 'no comment', but now that the verdict had been passed, it was time to speak.

"Contrary to what many of you may think, I am not conspiring with my superiors to serve as a fall guy for the failures that occurred at Mars. I am here because those same superiors believe I erred in my judgment during the Battle of Kurtzenheim and that my leadership was suspect." There was a barrage of noise as he finished that remark and he held up his hand once more to still them. "Now, in retrospect, I must confess now that some culpability does lie in me."

Again the crowd of reporters exploded into conversation and questions were being hurled at him again. This time Alvin didn't bother trying to still them. He knew that if he went on talking and they would naturally fell silent since they wanted good quotes from the man who had evaded them for weeks.

"How can you say that, sir?" someone shouted, louder than the rest and there was a chorus of agreement. "You did nothing wrong!"

"Some of you wonder why am I guilty. Simply because I was in command." Alvin said quietly. This would probably be his last chance to tell his side of the story before the excitement around him died down and he became a minor character in the history of the JAF. "Those eleven pilots were part of my command. They were my responsibility. It is impossible for them all to be dead and for me to be blameless in the matter. As to whether I did anything wrong . . . Maybe, maybe not. It is the price of command. Every JAF commander knows that. This is war. People will die. And the way I see it, people are going to continue to die."

This time he was hit by a virtual avalanche of queries. They were asking his comment on the war and the JAF's performance so far. Some were fishing for positive comments while others were looking for ammunition that would later be used to slam the JAF for its poor showing at Kurtzenheim. Alvin knew there would be no possible benefit to gain from siding either faction and he said so. "No comment."

The crowd of reporters reacted in an ugly fashion. As if they had suddenly had something precious wrenched from their grasp. He tried to squeeze past them but they wouldn't budge. Not unless he did something a little more drastic. They were all around him now and there was no escape. The air around him was getting warmer and he could feel the mounting frustration within him. And the urge to use to bathroom was still there.

He looked around desperately for an escape route. There was none. He tried to think of some way to get out but his mind remained blank. Then as if on cue, he could see some MPs forcing their way through the horde. Kristoff was with them. Despite the press of humanity that surrounded him, still hurling questions at him and insults at the MPs simultaneously, Alvin saw Kristoff opening a narrow passage through the wall of reporters. His defense counsel beckoned and Alvin wasted no time getting out.

Gladly allowing himself to be ushered down the corridor by his attorney, Alvin watched with a certain degree of satisfaction as the court orderly finally appeared and with the assistance of several MPs, formed a cordon that held back the howling media jackals.

"That wasn't very smart, sir." The Kristoff remarked as they moved towards the bathroom.

"Thanks for the save."

"You're welcome, sir."

"Look, I'll see you later, alright?" Alvin's tone made it clear that he still wanted to spend sometime alone.

"Alright, sir. Just watch yourself, the whole place in crawling with reporters." Kristoff cautioned.

Alvin nodded and turned off, heading to the nearest washroom. Making sure that he wasn't followed, he opened the door and ducked in. Only to run into the elderly captain who had headed the jury. "Pardon me," Alvin said as he caught the man before he tumbled back.

"No apologies required." The man said quietly, then he added with an outstretched hand. "Captain Compton, currently with Gamma Division Intelligence Division."

"I see . . ." Alvin said suspiciously, taking the man's hand and shaking it hurriedly. Shaking hands with the man who could have potentially voted him guilty of negligence didn't particularly appeal to him. "A pleasure," he added, not really meaning it.

"Had some trouble with the media just now, didn't you?" Compton's question sounded more like a statement.

"Just telling my side of the story." Alvin said simply. "Before you know it, half of them will be exalting me as some fallen martyr who was made a scapegoat for Kurtzenheim while the other half would be baying for blood and calling upon the court to crucify me."

"Nice analogy, Ng." Compton grinned. "But I don't think you'd have to worry about crucifixion as a form of punishment under the Jovian Code of Military Justice."

"I suppose not." Then the Alvin's wry grin gave way to a look of unfathomable sadness. "You know, regardless of what the court or public thinks, I'll never forgive myself for what happened at Mars."

"And why not?"

"Those were my people who died at Mars. People I'd spent months training. I'd known some of them for years. And then they're all gone. Just like that." Alvin paused and allowed some of the raw emotion to bleed away. "Those damn reporters had no idea just how close they were to understanding the truth. I'll bet no one in the courtroom truly understands the loss. Even if I were acquitted of everything, I'd still be guilty. Guilty of failing my people when they needed me to lead them of a tough situation. I might as well have pulled the trigger on the shots that killed them."

"Now hold on a moment, Ng!" Compton's brows were furrowed in an elaborate frown. "It was a tough fight. And you were almost killed yourself. The odds were heavily stacked against you."

"Fate spared me then." Alvin looked down at himself. "And for what?"

Compton seemed to hesitate, then he finally spoke. "Look, just between you and me, Ng, I'll tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"My son was stationed aboard the JSS Dauntless which got crippled during that fiasco over Mars. Intelligence reports and analysis has showed that had your squadron not have intervened by attacking that carrier group, it would have run into Dauntless and well . . . no prizes for guessing what that would have meant."

Alvin didn't reply. He just stared at the man in silence, unsure of what to think.

"What I'm trying to say is that at least one person is grateful for what you did." Compton put a hand on Alvin's shoulder. "My son's alive today because of what you did."

"So you don't think I was guilty of any of the charges?" Alvin was frowning.

"You know I can't tell you what my decision was." Compton replied somewhat hesitantly. "I just want to thank you for what you did and . . . Ng, are you ok? You look like you're in pain."

Alvin grinned sheepishly as he shook off Compton's grip and began to step past the man. "Look, I really appreciate your thanks and all, but I really need to use the bathroom now."

1300 HOURS – 28 FEBRUARY, 2214

"All rise!" The court orderly bellowed and everyone in the courtroom came to their feet as the president of the court martial made her entrance. After the exchange of formalities, those in attendance took their seats as the colonel made a show of arranging her notes.

The jury had already been dismissed, their services no longer required and thus the row of seats to Alvin's right were unnervingly empty. Captain Jurgen was seated to his left, his face displaying a mixture of glee and disappointment. Their eyes met for a brief moment and Alvin could see the hate in the other man's gaze. For whatever reason, Jurgen had taken this whole trial very personally and it must have riled him to have only gotten one conviction out of so many charges he had brought forth.

"The accused and his counsel will rise."

Alvin and the young lieutenant who had assisted him so eagerly for the past few weeks rose from their heavy wooden chairs to stand at rigid attention.

The colonel cleared her throat, then spoke clearly and deliberately. "Captain Alvin Ng, of Gamma Division, Jovian Armed Forces. Having been found guilty by this court on the charge and specification of gross negligence, this court sentences you to be reduced to the rank of lieutenant with the loss of two year's seniority."

While it wasn't the very worst punishment that could have been meted out to him, he still had trouble steeling his jaw and looking impassive as the sentence was pronounced. He felt his fists bunching up by his side and saw Jurgen's smirk of satisfaction.

"Court dismissed." The colonel said simply as she banged her gavel for the last time.

"All rise."

Once more, those in attendance rose and waited until the president had departed before taking their own leave.

"I'm really sorry, sir . . . I . . ." Kristoff began to say.

"No, no. I'll be fine." The exo pilot held up a hand to forestall any further comment. "And please do not call me 'sir'. We're of equal rank now."

"But . . . "Kristoff didn't get to finish.

"Told you I'd nail you, Ng!" Jurgen was sneering as he came up to them. Alvin fought for control, resisting the rising urge to lash out with his fists.

"Hey, the trial's over!" Kristoff protested, interposing himself between Jurgen and his client. "So why don't you lay off . . . sir."

"Don't tell me what to do, lieutenant." Jurgen told Kristoff superciliously. "You'd do well to remember your place."

"So you got me, Jurgen." Alvin replied, mentally counting to ten. "Happy?"

"First off, that's Captain Jurgen to you, lieutenant. And no, I'm not happy. You should have gotten it a lot worse. You were just lucky."

"I'll bet I am." Alvin growled in reply. He could tell that Kristoff was eyeing him cautiously. If he even tried anything, his attorney would surely be there to stop him.

"Damn right you are." Jurgen went on. "You're a murderer, Ng. Your men died because you screwed up, plain and simple."

"That's not what the court thinks."

"Well, you and I both know the truth."

"In that case, then you ought to get out of my face before you get added to the list." The exo pilot took a single, menacing step forward.

"Are you threatening me?" Jurgen chuckled, feigning amusement. Alvin could see the twinge of fear in the other man's eyes. "I'm sure you don't want to end up in court again. Of course, if that's what you want, I don't mind getting another chance and nailing you and putting you away for good."

Alvin let out a low growl but he stepped back. His career in the JAF was already in tatters and it wouldn't do to make it worse by doing something as stupid as striking a senior officer. Though it would certainly have felt good.

"Well?" Jurgen was daring him and Alvin knew just how much he really wanted to wipe that smirk off the prosecutor's face. It was so very easy to simply lose control now and allow all the pent up aggression take over. He felt the familiar red haze coming over him.

"No." He made himself say, even though he knew he didn't really mean it. "That won't be necessary . . . sir."

"Oh, you disappoint me, Ng. What happened to all that aggressiveness that supposedly makes you a good exo commander?" Jurgen taunted and Alvin saw Kristoff move a little bit closer towards him to block any aggressive move he might make.

"I guess I lost it." Alvin said softly, then he turned away abruptly, heading towards the exit.

"Hey, come back here!"

Alvin ignored the man, refusing to slow down or look over the shoulder.

"You know what? You're a phony! That's what you are! Nothing but a fake!"

But now-Lieutenant Alvin Ng refused to take the bait and he stepped out of the courtroom, leaving the raving prosecutor behind.

Deep inside his heart, he knew he had left behind something more. He knew that something had died within him as he watched his squadron die around him over Mars. He also knew that something greater had been lost when the court had passed its verdict.

Perhaps it was akin to the ultimate betrayal. In his twelve years of service in the JAF, he had always known himself to be a rising star. Originally choosing the career of an enlisted man and working his way to Sergeant in his first five years of service.

Then had come the dramatic switch when he was selected to go to Officer Training School. In just under six years, he had risen to the rank of Captain, a feat which would normally take eight to nine years for personnel who start their careers in the officer path.

The JAF had meant everything to him. In that dozen years of service, he had served with the elite Elysian Home Guard, graduated near the top of his JECATS (Jovian Exo-Combat Advanced Training School) class and then proceeding to do the same at OTS. He had faced off the CEGA in the Sagittarius Incident and then participated in the Beautiful Dreamer Incident where JAF and CEGA naval forces exchanged fire for the first time.

In his career, he had held numerous prestigious appointments. In addition to commanding the Deathwings, he had been a flight leader aboard the legendary Godsfire, commanded the Solar Flares exo demonstration team as well as the Razorbacks aboard the JSS Flail and also as an instructor at the famous Redeye Station, home to JECATS.

He had fought at Elysée, Europa and most recently in the Battle of Kurtzenheim. In these major actions as well as a few other minor combats, he had managed to amass a kill score of fourteen, making him the twelfth highest scoring exo pilot in the entire JAF.

And this was how the organization had rewarded him. After twelve years of sterling service. After a single battle which he had lost his entire squadron in the face of overwhelming odds while trying to accomplish the mission assigned to him. He had failed just that once. And now they had demoted him, stripped him of command. In a few months, he would probably be forgotten. He was almost certain about that as he pushed his way through the news hounds once more. This time the MPs were already on hand to clear the way for him.

He wanted to tell the reporters to go home. To leave him alone and find another story. In a week or so, he'd be old news. And if anyone in the Confederation did remember Alvin Ng, it would be the memory of the man who had lost his squadron in a disastrous battle with the CEGA and nothing more.

Now that he was convicted and justice had supposedly been served, he would be swept under the carpet while the next batch of rising stars would overshadow him. Maybe someone in higher command would remember that there was a war on. Maybe someone would think that the Confederation would need every skilled pilot it could find to help fight the CEGA. Perhaps someone would decide that while Alvin Ng may not have been the best of exo squadron commanders, he was still worth putting in the cockpit of an exo armor. Maybe . . .

He had kept his back ramrod straight and his jaw set as he left the court complex. It may have made for good footage. The fallen hero, walking off stoically into the sunset for the last time. He may even have fooled the media. But he couldn't fool himself. Deep down inside, he felt his heart breaking into a million pieces.