Day 2: Opening Statements
FNN put me up in the Four Seasons just two blocks away for the trial. I got up as usual at 0630 to wait for Day two of the trial. Except for the subspace broadcasts, I was the only reporter allowed to be in the courtroom. I tried not to let it go to my head as I walked down the street.
The crowds of protesters from yesterday had doubled, and from what I could tell, so had the anger.
"That rotten son of a bitch!" One Marine shouted while watching the highlights of day one on a big screen just outside the courtroom, "He thinks he can talk to us like that?! He's god-damned lucky we don't just storm the place and hang him right here on the courthouse lawn!"
"I'll tell you what I'll do Pigeon!" another Marine said to me, "First pizza boy I see walking up these steps, we'll put the fuckin' boots to him and his fuckin' pizza!"
The rage of the Corps was palpable. Those threats – and others equally as violent – rang out from their side of the protest line all week. Starfleet once again kept their silence. But I couldn't help but notice that there were fewer Starfleet Uniforms on their side of the line. And they didn't seem as eager to defend this "hero" today.
"What do I think? Blackjack's a disgrace," an unnamed Starfleet Engineer on the line said to me, "At first I stood up for him, like everyone else in the fleet. But after seeing the way he acted yesterday? I don't know… maybe I made the wrong call. Maybe the Fleet made the wrong call."
Right at 0800, Blackjack was once again shuttled down from Sovereign and brought into the courthouse, the jeering and threats from the Marines following him all the way in, but thanks to his pre-trial motion, stopping at the doors.
You're a dead man!
You ain't walking out of there alive Blackjack, you son of a bitch!
One shot boys! That's all it takes. Who's with me?!
We were met with merciful silence that lasted for ten minutes. Beatrix banged her gavel, but before she could lay out the day's agenda, she had to scold Blackjack already. "Admiral. Get your feet off the table and stand up straight in my courthouse. My tolerance for your dramatics is just about at an end."
Blackjack yawned before slowly, very slowly, standing up. "Sorry babe. Terrible sleep last night. The cots in Sovy's brig are like sleeping on a plate of ablative armour. Just stretching my back is all."
"Admiral," Beatrix growled at him.
"Ahem. Sorry. Your Honour," Blackjack replied, all but spitting the last part of her title.
Beatrix shook her head. "Court is now in session, case number 88214, Federation versus Ashcroft. The Court will now hear opening statements. Colonel Jackson, you have the floor."
Robert, dressed in a perfect Marine Class-A uniform, walked slowly in front of the Jury box. In the interests of history, I've reprinted his opening statement verbatim.
"Thank you, Your Honour. Members of the Jury, Citizens of the Federation. This uniform I am wearing is that of a Federation Marine. When I earned the right to wear this uniform, I took an oath. An oath of service, an oath of trust, an oath to place the lives of my marines before my own. I am proud to say that I have served in battle alongside men and women of Starfleet. I know the courage, the loyalty, and the service that defines Starfleet. Thomas Ashcroft does not belong with them. Thomas Ashcroft does not have the right to wear that uniform."
"Members of the Jury, The Prosecution shall show evidence that Ashcroft sold out his oaths and his uniform. Not for a greater good. Not for a reluctant necessity. For the worst reason of all. Greed. Members of the Jury, the Prosecution will present witnesses who will testify to the consequences of his betrayal. We will show you documents, videos, evidence, that this man's actions raised a direct threat to the Federation. Because of this man, my fellow Marines died. My sons in uniform died."
"This man, who has disgraced every man and woman who wears uniform, is guilty of treason, of extortion, of crimes that go against the very meaning of what a Federation Citizen is. Our evidence will prove that to you without any doubt. A Marine doesn't take betrayal lightly. I have the duty here today to make sure that Thomas Ashcroft is held to account for the lives he has taken from us, and the trust that he has destroyed. We, as a nation, owe that to every person who wears a uniform with honour. Thank You."
Blackjack stood up. "Uh, couple of objections there sweetheart? Isn't innocent until proven guilty a thing? And who does this jar head think he is, telling me I don't have the right to wear a uniform. That's clearly bias!"
Beatrix, taking a monumental effort to keep her temper in check, shook her head. "Admiral Ashcroft, the purpose of opening statement is to showcase the evidence to be presented during trial. The evidence as cited by the Prosecution is intended to build a case, but it is with the presumption that the defence, yourself, is innocent unless the evidence proves your guilt. In regard to Colonel Jackson's statement on your right to wear a uniform, that can be interpreted as theatre in his evidence to be presented. Your objection is overruled. And I suppose it's now your turn."
Blackjack didn't stand. He leaned back in his chair, with his feet on the table yet again. "Alright. Enough of the bullshit. This whole donkey show is a joke, and everyone knows it. I mean, let's look around the room here. A bunch of pantywaist bureaucrats trying to pretend like they have the balls to put me, Blackjack, on trial. Treason? Espionage? Terrorism? Bullshit, all of it. Colonel Jackson here couldn't catch a cold, let alone a case to pin on me."
"And while we're on the subject of jokes, let's talk about the so-called Federation Marines. Real tough guys eh? A sad collection of Academy washouts, real criminals, and knuckle-dragging thugs who couldn't think, or fight, their way out of a wet paper bag. Colonel, you and the Corps are nothing but trigger-happy bouncers in cheap jackets, something sent in to break things and look meanwhile the grown-ups in Starfleet are busy doing the real work. The FMC has as much credibility as a Ferengi charity ball."
"But sure, go right ahead. March in every last meat-headed jar head to cry on the stand about how I 'betrayed the Federation.' And let's all pretend like we give half a shit. The truth here is that I'm not going anywhere, except for Risa, drinking something fruity with a pair of Orion girls on my lap. Go ahead, make me the bad guy of your little space drama. I've greased enough palms that this ends with a taxpayer-funded vacation. I'm not scared."
"So, let's get this circus started. Bring out your so-called 'witnesses'—especially those dumbass Marines you're so proud of. I'm sure they'll tell some real heartwarming stories about how I'm the big bad wolf. But here's the truth. None of you have the balls to see this through. Meanwhile, you'll still be here, pretending like any of this actually matters."
"So go ahead. Put on your little show. But we all know how this ends. With me free, rich, and laughing my ass off at every single one of you."
Yes reader. You've just read, verbatim, the most singular insulting opening statement ever made in a Federation courtroom. Why Robert didn't shoot him, or why Beatrix didn't rule on the spot, I'll never know.
Robert made his objections in short order. "Your Honour, this is a mockery of everything this court stands for! The Defence's comments are completely irrelevant to the charges, his language is vulgar and unbecoming of court of law, his personal attacks on the Federation Marine Corps are completely inappropriate, and he has continued to show blatant disrespect not only to me, but to the entire judicial process! I demand that he be held in contempt!"
Beatrix's gavel came down like the hammer of Thor. "Sustained! Admiral Ashcroft, I've spoken to you about this before, and I grow tired of repeating myself. One more outburst, one more incorrect word, and you will be held in contempt. Your right to self-defence does not entitle you to mock this court! Restrain yourself, or I will have you forcibly removed from this court and order a public defender for you if necessary!"
"Just being honest Sweetheart, maybe these Marines should toughen up if they can't handle a little hard truth?"
"Enough! Bailiff, remove the Defendant from the courtroom and return him to custody for the remainder of today's session! The court will recess, and we will reconvene tomorrow at 0800 hours."
Blackjack, hauled to his feet by a reluctant Starfleet Security guard, just kept laughing. "This is hilarious! Just do me a favour sweetheart! Don't cry too much, it ruins your mascara. And Jackson? You and the entire Corps can go straight to hell!"
It took an hour to calm everything down after that. Beatrix called me to her chambers and poured us both a Martini. "I've had more than a few difficult defendants in my courtroom, but that man. He is… testing me."
Was it really that bad? "Oh it certainly it is, Ms Terev. As a Federation Judge, I have a great deal of power as compared to the average citizen. But I use that power responsibly, to read and interpret the law to best preserve the society we live in. But I'm still human. And I find myself wishing my gavel was a hammer to hit Blackjack over the head with."
We sipped our martinis in silence for the rest of the afternoon. We were only two days in, and this trial was already in chaos.
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