Chapter 13: Aftermath
Nov. 6th, 1997
Brig, USS Enterprise – 9:00 am
Senator Kinsey sat looking at the walls of his cell and sighed as he wondered, how had this happened? He looked back and knew how it had happened. He had made a mistake, but what? Capturing those two should have forced the others to turn over the ships. But it had failed. Then he made a quick exit the moment that the Sunnydale people invaded the abandonded hospital. He had thought he had gotten away free and clear. But the moment he arrived at home he had found a security detail from the Enterprise waiting for him.
Stargate Command – Same Time
"What do you intend to do," Hammond wondered as he looked at Buffy and Giles. "Commander, Captain."
"Senator Kinsey can be considered a war criminal, General," Buffy said. "The United States government could be considered by kidnapping Jedi Padawan Summers and Jedi Master Maclay to have declared war on the Republic. That said. We know that is not the case, that Senator Kinsey, through your own testimony, and a supposedly rogue group of the NID were working on their own, without official support of the government. Which means we have a handful of alternatives. We try him or you try him."
"And both situations may not be what's best," Giles stated. "If we were to put him on trial, he would have no jury of his peers. It would be only those of us in the Republic that would be part of the court proceedings. Is that fair, likely not. But at the same time we would be hesitant to hand him over to the United States government for trial. Where he might be found innocent of his crimes simply because he is a United States Senator. And has very likely strong political and financial backing, he or the NID could not have done what they did without some kind of backing."
"I see your point," Hammond said. "How about the United Nations World Courts? If the Republic is formally recognized by the U.N. as a sovereign nation that might be the way to go."
United Nations, New York City – 10 am
Joyce was walking into the foyer of the United Nations as her communicator beeped. She flipped it open. "Raiden, here."
"Mom," came Buffy's voice. "After speaking with General Hammond we agreed that Senator Kinsey should be tried before the United Nations World Court once the United Nations reconizes us as a new nation. While not the solution I wanted. It's the fair way to go."
"That's good," Joyce said as she noticed the guards watching her.
"Also the abandoned hospital has been deserted. General Hammond said that President agreed to give us the building for our needs," Buffy said. "When Giles and I learned that we offered for the Stargate to be relocated here. With our technology and our own crews, we can do far more good while still dealing with the nasties that come to the Hellmouth."
"And what did he say?"
"He has to check in with his superiors, before he can give us a yes or no. But he personally thinks they won't have a problem with the deal. Then they plan to give us time to make modifications to the building to house it at which point Stargate Command will move its base of operations to Sunnydale."
"Very good, Buffy," Joyce said. "And what about Cordelia's request for Captain Carter to help with our Stargates?"
"He's giving her the choice, but he doesn't think she will object to the request."
"Alright, Buffy, keep me apprised. Raiden, out," Joyce said as she flipped her communicator closed and looked toward the guards. Even though it was short notice, Hammond had talked to the President who had gotten her an audience with the represenatives of the United Nations. "Princess Kitana Raiden," she said. "I'm here to talk to the United Nations."
The guard nodded as he looked at the schedule and found Joyce on his list. He looked to a fellow guard who nodded and led Joyce through the building and into the council chambers.
Joyce moved to the podium and smiled. "Greetings," she said. "I am Princess Kitana Raiden of Edenia in the galaxy of Andromeda. I am here to discuss with you the events of Halloween night. I am sure you all have seen the news reports. They were all true. Before you start questioning my sanity, I direct your view to the window."
One of the representatives, Joyce was sure he was Russian went to a window. "What am I looking for?" he asked in accented English.
Joyce smiled as she pulled out her communicator and flipped it open. "Raiden to Rosenberg. Willow, now."
Suddenly one of the Blackbirds appeared in a flash of light as it jumped in. Willow over the days since Halloween had tested the experimental stealth fighter to make sure it was flight ready. The Russian delegate as well as other delegates who had moved over to stand beside him watched as the Blackbird buzz the building before disappearing in another flash of light as it jumped away.
"Thank you, Willow," Joyce said as she spoke into her communicator. "We weren't going to have her stay long enough to worry the people of New York. After all the existence of extraterrestrial life is classified by many of your governments who know that it exists. The reason I am here today. I am representing our group and our families, the people of the Valkyrie, Enterprise, the Cylons, and the people of the planet Hapes."
"Hapes?" the United States representative asked.
"If any of you know much about science fiction you will know about Counter Earth. The planet that shares the same orbit as we do. On Halloween night the ships and their crews were not the only things to appear. We now share this solar system with another planet of intelligent beings. While the people of Hapes will likely remain on their planet. They would like a representative in this established body to representative their interests in this solar system. Our group would like also to petition the United Nations that those of us living on Earth be considered either part of Hapes or an independent nation. Separate from all others. With all the protection that comes with it."
"You and your group, with the exception of the Cylons, are American citizens, are you not," The United States representative asked.
"The crew of the Enterprise are not American citizens, well not ones of this reality anyways," Joyce said. "And the Valkyrie before Halloween has only known of Earth as a myth. So they don't either. Now for the core group; unofficially I am an American citizen. I say unofficially because my people are placed in positions in Earth's governments and can set us up with citizenship. And one other person actually has British citizenship. But it has been discussed by our group that those of who stay on Earth will renounce our citizenships if need be."
"We can discuss that after a decision is made on your request."
"Now the Cylons are sentient beings and they must be treated as such," Joyce said. "I have already had the Cylon liason offer the Cylons citizenship in what we are going to call the Republic."
Basestar – Same Time
On the Cylon Basestar Cordelia stood before the Hybrid. "I have an offer for the Cylons from Mrs. Summers and the rest of us from Earth. We want to give the Cylons the opportunity to join in what we are calling the Republic. The Cylons will be given same rights and freedoms that humans will have."
"While this move is not unexpected, Cordelia Six," the Hybrid said. "How do we know that the humans of Earth will recognize our freedom and let us live in peace?"
"We don't," Cordelia answered. "But the first step in bridging that gap is giving the Cylon people citizenship in the Republic. Something the Colonials refused to do, before this Basestar joined the Galactica fleet. We will have to garner the humans of Earth's trust. And this is where it starts."
"We will trust for now, Cordelia Six," the Hybrid said. "But we will also remain on guard till such a time as we are assured that the humans of Earth will not try to take our new freedoms from us."
"I am in agreement," Cordelia said.
United Nations – 3 pm
Joyce had been waiting for several hours as the representatives of the United Nations debated the request she had made. Suddenly her communicator beeped and she flipped it open. "Raiden," she said.
"Mrs. Summers, it's Cordelia. The Cylons have agreed to join the Republic. That said they trust us, they just don't trust the people of Earth. Not that I blame them after what the dweeb Senator Kinsey did."
"I know," Joyce said. "Once the United Nations has made their decision I am going to discuss the possibility of having him brought up on charges before the World Courts."
"Princess Raiden," a guard said, "they have reconvened."
Joyce nodded as he returned to the council chambers.
"We have made our decision," the British representative said. "The Republic will be recognized as a sovereign state, and that the USS Enterprise, Battlestar Valkyrie, the Cylon Basestar and the vessel you captured while battling a hostile force in orbit belong to the Republic. We also recognize that the Cylon people are sentient beings with rights and freedoms. Be aware that not all the nations here agreed to the Cylon people being free and having rights. Since they are machines a few representatives saw them as nothing more than machines. But since the majority of the council agreed to give them the same rights and freedoms they have in Republic. We have agreed to do the same down here. Lastly on the planet Hapes. We have agreed that in the interests of this solar system that we both share, that they should have a say in what happens as far as our solar system goes."
Basestar – Same Time
Captain Samantha Carter stood for the first time on the Basestar. She looked at the Stargate that Willow had recovered in front of her and then over at the Hybrid.
"Cordelia Six," the Hybrid said," informed me that you have knowledge I require to be able to use our Stargate."
Sam let out a sigh. She had not been ordered not to give the information they were requesting. But this was something she believed they were not ready for either. "That is correct."
"Tell me how you interfaced your computers with the Stargate."
"I'm not really at liberty to tell you, you didn't sign an NDA," Sam said.
"Nor could she," Cordelia said as she walked into the room. "The Hybrid is a part of this ship. Her body is the ship. How can you force something that is part of the ship around you to sign an NDA?"
Sam sighed again and nodded. "I see your point. My orders have not forbidden my telling you of course. But I hesitate, because I am not sure you are ready."
"We are ready," the Hybrid said. "Our brethren fought against the Colonials before this Basestar, Cordelia Six, and the rest of the Cylon population onboard joined the Colonial fleet. We have witnessed many atrocities. We understand better than you think what would face our Centurians on the otherside of the portal."
"There is another reason for wanting your help," Cordelia said. "The other Stargate from our captured Goa'uld vessel is now on Hapes. We would like to give it, it's own address. Which would make it easier for trade between Hapes and Earth."
Sam blinked as she looked at Cordelia. She knew that each planet had it own address. If they could figure out how to give Hapes it's own unique address. She would love to know how. "Alright." She then went on to explain how they had interfaced their computers with the Stargate.
United Nations – 5 pm
"Now that the rest of the U.N. has decided on the fate of your new nation. I think its time we discussed citizenship," the United States Representative said to Joyce.
"Well," Joyce said, "the offer to renounce …"
"Won't be needed. The U.S. does allow dual citizenship. Though I don't think we've ever had a citizen of our country as a top ranking official of another. But that doesn't mean we'll ask any of your group to renounce their citizenships, including yourself. Besides this way you can maintain your lives in Sunnydale while getting your fledgling nation off the ground."
"Thank you," Joyce said as she smiled. "One last thing. We want to try Senator Kinsey for crimes against the Republic at the World Courts."
"I will see about getting it set up."
USS Enterprise – Same Time
Marie stepped into the shuttle bay amd walked over toward one of the captured Goa'uld fighters. She saw Scotty working on the Death Glider. "Scotty, how goes the work on on finding out how their systems work and maybe adding in their FTL?" she asked.
"Daw…. I mean, Marie," Scotty said as he remembered she had changed her name so as not to confuse anyone since there were now two of her in this reality. "I have identified the technology, but we need this material." He motioned toward a vial of liquid Naquadah. "To power their systems."
"How long would it take to find an alternative power source?" Marie wondered.
"My current projections say without completely reverse engineering everything, we couldn't. Everything is tied in to needing this material and none other. As far as their FTL goes; one of my teams, coupled with a team from the Valkyrie are on the capture vessel studying the FTL. But till we get this material we're stonewalled. That said what I've learned from Princess Raiden, the Goa'uld version of FTL is completely different than what we have. I expect if we want to incorporate it into the Enterprise's, Valkyrie's or Basestar's systems that it likely will have to be reverse engineered."
Nov. 9th
United Nations World Courts, Peace Palace, Hague – 9 am
"All rise," said the bailiff as the fifteen judges, of the World Courts walked into the room. They moved behind the long table and sat down.
"What is the case?" the lead judge asked?
"The Republic vs. Senator Kinsey of the United States."
"The charges?"
"Kidnapping and attempted coercion to obtain Republic property."
The lead judge peered over his glasses at the defense table. There he recognized Senator Kinsey. And next to him sat Lilah Morgan of Wolfram and Hart. He looked over at the other table and saw a woman sitting there. Behind her he sat a number of teenagers.
Joyce stood up and smiled. "I am Princess Kitana Raiden of Edenia in the galaxy of Andromeda. I am currently the interim President of the Republic till her citizens have a chance to elect someone permanently to the position."
"You have the first witness."
Joyce nodded. "I call Commander Buffy Sera Anna Summers-Raiden, commanding officer of the Battlestar Valkyrie."
The Bailiff rose as Buffy moved to the stand. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I do," said Buffy.
"Can you tell us what happened on the day of of November 4th, five days ago?" Joyce asked as she walked toward Buffy.
"We noticed that Tara and Dawn had not returned home and had become worried. You and I contacted the others in an attempt to find her."
"What happened next?"
"There was a search of the neighborhood and the route between our home and the Sunnydale High School. We found witnesses to the kidnapping, one of which gave us the license plate of the van they were taken away in."
"That is all," Joyce said as she returned to her seat.
"Ms. Morgan," the lead judge said.
"When did you notice they were missing?" Lilah asked.
"That morning," Buffy said.
"Why didn't you start looking for them then?"
"Dawn is a Jedi Padawan, an apprentice, her master or teacher in the Jedi arts is Jedi Master Tara Maclay. We assumed she was with Tara."
Later Dawn sat on the stand giving her testimony. Giles, Jenny, Willow, Xander and Cordelia had already given their testimony on the search. She was now giving testimony on hers and Tara's abduction. "I felt something hit me and then I lost consciousness. When I woke up I was strapped down to a gurney. Senator Kinsey was there demanding that we turn out ships over to him."
"You are not in command of a ship are you?" asked Joyce.
"No," Dawn said, "I am Queen Mother of Hapes and a Padawan in the Jedi Order."
"So in effect all you could be used for is a hostage to force the others to turn over command the ships."
"That is correct," Dawn replied.
"That is all for this witness."
Lilah stood and walked over to Dawn. "As a Jedi it would difficult for anyone to sneak up on you, correct? Your Jedi senses would have alerted you?"
"I am a Padawan learner," Dawn replied. "Think of me as apprentice. I have not mastered all of the aspects of the Force that a Padwan learner would learn before being promoted to knight. Therefor it would be easy for someone regardless of their mastery in the Force to come upon me without my knowing."
"No further questions."
Joyce stood up. "I call Tara Maclay to the stand," she said as Tara replaced Dawn and was sworn in. "Can you tell us what happened?"
"Yes," Tara replied. "Dawn and I were walking, I saw Dawn get hit by what looked like a tranquilizer dart. I was about to turn to find the source when I felt a dart hit me. The next thing I knew Dawn was no where to be seen and I was strapped to a gurney."
"You could have freed yourself at anytime, correct," Joyce said.
"I could have yes," Tara replied. "But since they said they had Dawn. I chose to bide my time so as not to risk my Padawan's life."
"Your Padawan?"
"Dawn Michala Mara Summers-Raiden, is my Padawan learner."
"No further questions."
"I have no questions for this witness," Lilah said.
It was then that closing arguments were given and then the fifteen judges that made up the World Court, adjourned to deliberate.
"We have reached a verdict," the lead judge said when they had returned. "Robert Kinsey, is hearby found guilty of crimes against the Republic. His sentenance at the request of the Republic will be carried out by them."
"What?" Kinsey asked.
"Senator," Joyce said. "Or should I say former Senator. You are hereby sentenced to no less than five years serving aboard the Valkyrie. You will do the most menial chores."
"If you should be exemplary in your service," Buffy added, "I as the commanding officer of the Valkyrie might be willing to promote you to more important duties. If not, you will have a hard five years, if not longer."
Kinsey cursed himself as Dawn and Tara flanked Kinsey. Dawn pulled out her communicator. "Summers to Enterprise, three to transport to the Valkyrie. Energize!" She, Tara and Kinsey were beamed out.
Joyce turned and smiled at the judges. "Thank you for deciding in our favor." And then she and the rest of the Republic contingent left the courtroom as the lead judge banged his gavel and stated that court was adjourned.