30 Worlds: Megaforce, Episode XIX: "The Ashes of Destiny"

BOOK TWO*CHAPTER THREE

Ship's Log, supplemental, Ensign Zenon Kar recording.

A hearing is now underway for Commander Una, the A.I.C. officer in charge of the attempt to steal the eighteen "smart bullets" and the person responsible for the death of Queen Scarlett of Cinnabar.

Aboard Dimensional Defense Vessel Enterprise SAV-1701-A, Briefing Room 2

Sofia picked up a small mallet and tapped it three times against the bell on the table in front of her. "This hearing is called to order," Sofia said. "For the record, the trial board consists of: myself, Princess Sofia of Enchancia, High Commander of the Scarlett Army and Grand Key component from the World of Sofia the First; Princess Consort Mal of Auradon, Grand Key component from the World of Descendants; Lieutenant Sito Jaxa, Scarlett Army officer from the Unaligned World of Star Trek; and Dwayne Pride, Grand Key component from the Unaligned World of NCIS."

"Normally, under Scarlett Army regulations, the head of the Army's space defense forces would serve on this board. However, since that individual is emotionally compromised by the matter before this tribunal, he has voluntarily recused himself from this hearing," Sofia said.

In his and Sofia's darkened quarters, William sat in the living area and watched the hearing on a monitor mounted on the wall. "Una of the World of Descendants, you stand accused of attempted theft of dangerous technology and the murder of Queen Scarlett Katherine Felchenerow of Cinnabar," Sofia said. "How do you plead?"

The image on the monitor switched to Una, clad in a prisoner's jumpsuit. "Not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect," Una said. "I have no memories of any events described to me from the Auradon Royal Cotillion Incident four-and-one-half years ago to the moment I was taken into custody."

Sofia nodded. "The plea is so entered," she said. "Agent Pride, you may question the prisoner." Pride nodded at Sofia, then turned back to face Una. "Una, you were last seen four-and-a-half years ago wearing a nautilus-shaped pendant around your neck," Pride began. "What was its origin and purpose?"

Una glanced at a monitor, on which rested ANN (Auradon News Network) archive video of the Royal Cotillion Incident which showed the pendant Pride referred to. "It was given to me on my 10th birthday by my mother, Ursula the Sea Witch," Una said. "She used it in an attempt to take over the Kingdom of Atlantica by holding the voice of Princess Ariel. Mother told me in giving me the pendant that she could also use it to transform from her squid-like form to a human form."

After taking a drink of water from a cup on the table next to her, Una continued: "In giving me the pendant, Mother also warned me that if it was destroyed, I would forever be in the form I was in at the time of its destruction. As such, I will be a human for the rest of my natural-born life, with no access to any magical powers or abilities unless I am able to acquire a magical object—such as Fairy Godmother's wand or your spell book, Mal."

E.R.I.N.'s voice came over the speakers. "Prisoner Una speaks the truth," E.R.I.N. said. "All bodily readings are within .50 of human norms."

"Thank you, E.R.I.N.," Sofia said. "Lieutenant Sito, you may speak." "Thank you, Madam High Commander," Sito said. "Miss Una, you informed Prince William and the away team who apprehended you that your last memories were of the Royal Cotillion Incident. For the record, would you please describe those memories?"

"I remember my exact words on the subject, Lieutenant," Una said. "If you wish, I can repeat them for your record." "That is what I asked you to do," Sito said.

Una took a deep breath, then said, "If my memory is accurate, my words were: ' The last thing I remember was handing King Benjamin's Auradon Prep ring back to him, then swimming away from the Cotillion ship.'"

"Prisoner Una speaks the truth," E.R.I.N. said. Sofia turned to Mal. "Princess Consort Mal, you may question the prisoner," Sofia said.

Mal stood from her chair and moved to stand in front of Una. "I only have one question for the prisoner," Mal said. "If King Benjamin were to sentence you to an academic term at Auradon Prep as part of your rehabilitation plan, would you do your best, as you claimed you would do four years ago?"

"I would," Una said. A deathly silence reigned over the hearing for several moments. Then, E.R.I.N. reported, "Prisoner Una speaks the truth."

"Very well," Sofia said. "This hearing is adjourned for our deliberations." Sofia tapped the bell three times. The screen went blank, plunging the room into darkness.

Half an hour later, the monitor reactivated as the tribunal resumed their seats. Sofia called the hearing back into order. "Will the prisoner please rise?" Sofia said. Una rose to her feet.

"Una of the World of Descendants, on the charges against you, this tribunal finds you not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect," Sofia said. "Per the recommendation of Prince William of Cinnabar, this tribunal sentences you to an indefinite term in the custody of the United States of Auradon to be rehabilitated as King Benjamin and the Royal Council deems sufficient. A follow-up hearing will be held in six months from now to assess your progress."

"A Scarlett Army transport vessel will arrive in six hours to transport you to the World of Descendants to begin your sentence," Sofia continued. "This tribunal is adjourned." Sofia tapped the bell three more times to dismiss the hearing.

William lit two candles.. "I pray that the Almighty Creator in his infinite wisdom and compassion will welcome Scarlett Katherine Felchenerow into his kingdom and guide her to her everlasting reward," William said.

Then, William fell to his knees and cried. The cracking of the candles' flames and his sobbing were the only sounds in the room to mark another loss in William's life.

::TBC::