National Interests.

That interview was broadcast live across the Federation. Everyone with a working subspace connection watched it. Even Fowler's office in Paris. Below is the verbatim statement released by President James Fowler one day after my interview:

"My friends, and fellow citizens of this United Federation of Planets. I have been made aware of the pending criminal investigation into actions taken by Admiral Ashcroft, and like you, I have witnessed the man's depraved depths in his own words. It is deeply disturbing to me to hear such a man, who once served in the highest echelons of Starfleet, a man who was held as an example for all others to follow, to speak so openly and candidly about actions which constitute the highest possible betrayal of trust expected of any citizen of this United Federation of Planets.

I have also been made aware of the extenuating legal circumstances surrounding this tragic series of events. It must be made clear, however, that no man, not even me, is above the law in a fair and just society. It is not enough that Ashcroft's actions will be judged only by the oaths he broke to Starfleet; it is clear his actions affect far more than just Starfleet. After consultations with the Legal Adjutant, I have chosen to use the vested authority granted to me by the constitution. I declare that this case is a matter of national interest.

His words, his actions, and the trail of suffering left in his wake strike at the very heart of what it means to be a Federation citizen. This betrayal is not just against Starfleet; it is a betrayal of us all. Ashcroft must be held accountable for the countless lives he has damaged with his self-serving, and quite frankly, vile acts.

I vow to you, my friends and fellow citizens, that Ashcroft will face the full force of the law he swore to defend. Justice will be done, and a penance will be had for the lives that this criminal has destroyed.

No one is above the law in this just and fair society. I cannot in good conscience allow this trial to proceed in the shadows. This is no mere Starfleet matter; it is a matter of our great society to reckon with. The actions of this man have damaged lives across the Federation, and I will not allow his betrayal to go unanswered. Justice shall be done.

I know that the brave men and women of the Federation Marines have a particular portion of pain in this matter. My heart goes out to the Marines. I cannot begin to understand the grief and pain that you must be suffering. Even this measure cannot begin to replace the lives that have been stolen from your brothers and sisters in arms.

I can only vow that I will use all my power to ensure that this does not happen again. I implore you to remain calm and to allow the law to do the job for which we entrust it. We must not allow our pain to drive us to lawlessness. The Federation is a beacon of justice and fairness, and it is by holding to these values that we will prevail.

This trial will be conducted in the light of day, not in the shadows of vengeance. I know that the Marines, like all members of our society, seek justice—not chaos. I ask you to stand fast to the principles that make our nation strong.

I pray for the families who have been hurt. I pray for our Marines who feel this loss most deeply. And I pray for the continued strength of our Federation, that we may stand united in the face of this darkest betrayal.

Thank you. May the blessings of God guide us through these dark and terrible days, and may God bless this United Federation of Planets."

At the River Café that night, I was watching the speech over dinner with Lance Corporal Shaun Acadia. Shaun is like so many other young officers in the Federation. Handsome, young, driven, determined to prove himself, to the galaxy and to his peers. The dinner was supposed to be a date, but my job never ends, and politics are no longer confined to the water cooler. Acadia's reaction to Fowler's statement was what so many others in the FMC were feelings.

"Thoughts and prayers," he scoffed, "You know, if I had it my way, that slimy bastard Blackjack wouldn't even make it to the courtroom. It takes two-and-a-half pounds of pressure to squeeze the trigger of Type 3A Wolf Assault Phaser rifle, which takes 150 milliseconds to break the trigger fully back. It takes the average Marine 200 milliseconds to make the decision to take the shot. For a target standing 600 metres from a Marine, it takes 2 microseconds for a beam travelling at the speed of light to hit his head. It takes 1 millisecond for the beam to vaporize his brains."

Acadia's mathematics of murder were strangely fascinating as he continued to explain his formula. "351 Milliseconds. One-third of a second. That's all it takes. Just give me a clear shot, and he's dead before you can even think about saying the words 'He's dead.' That's all the corps needs."

Shaun downed what was left of his drink, knowing that I was giving him a stern look. "I know, I know. I probably shouldn't shoot him. Can you really blame me?"

I couldn't. The sense of betrayal, anger. It was stifling.

A Starfleet Tech who was sitting at the bar overhead the words. He walked over and stared down at my date. "How many times do we have to say it to you idiot Sharkies? You don't talk about Blackjack like that. Innocent until proven guilty mean anything to you, fuckhead?"

I tried to hustle my date out with an offer of visiting my apartment.

Come on Shaun, let's just get out of here. I've got a nice bottle of Tanqueray at my place, and an even comfier bed.

But Shaun wouldn't leave. He stood back up, faced down the Tech, and didn't shout, but hit back with the same coldness that defines the controlled, calculated violence of the Marines. "Fuck you, fuck Blackjack, and fuck your Starfleet court-martials. You've got that same third of a second to walk away, Fishie."

Shaun closed his fists. That's how long it takes. A third of a second. And then the fight was on.

The fists connected, the kicks were thrown, and my favourite restaurant was transformed into a boxing ring. Dozens of chairs, glasses, fists and feet were thrown across the River Café. I myself had to dodge some random – and not so random – fists thrown at me by both sides. I wasn't going to break this up. One little reporter against a dozen Marines and Starfleet Officers? The fights were getting worse by the hour. And the trial didn't even start until tomorrow.


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