Nova (15 page)

Many of the Advocate’s expressed sentiments eerily coincided
with her earlier thoughts when traveling to the planet for the Tribunal. Avara again
fought the surge of anger she felt at erroneously applied emotion and fact. The
only reaction that Serros could garner from Lieutenant Z’arr was a slight
tightening of her shoulders.

After Advocate Betrand returned to his post at the right
wing, the chitin–plated Zirgesh Delegate Garnn announced in his high pitched
voice “And now,  Advocate Mirador, please step forward and commence with your
presentation.”

The elegant yet soberly attired Vosaia Advocate walked at an
unhurried, stately pace to the Speaker’s Platform. Canting her head to one side
and with her pale blue braid swinging with the motion, Mirador laced her
fingertips together in front of her long body. The Advocate then began her
presentation with a recitation similar to Lieutenant Commander Adeline’s
arguments to Goyan Hadarr, conveyed just days ago aboard the
Excalibur
. 
The Advocate’s presentation and evidence summation went far beyond Diana’s bare
report, expanded upon and delivered with a panache and skill no less than
Betrand’s had been. No matter which presentation point she was discussing, the
Vosaia continually threaded the argument with the simple reality that there
were too many quantifiable uncertainties and scant evidence to result in
anything
less
than the legal definition of
reasonable doubt
.

Finally, the moment that Avara had both not been looking
forward to and yet conversely, eagerly anticipating, arrived twenty–five
minutes later when Advocate Mirador announced: “August Delegates, I myself have
little more to add to this presentation. I genuinely believe the identifiable
facts loudly proclaim the very definition of reasonable doubt and thus, a
verdict of not guilty. However, with the Delegates’ permission, there is another
whom I would like to speak on behalf of Agent Z’arr. Quorum Strategic High
Risk, Intelligence, and Enforcement Operative, Captain Avara Ceridwen Serros.”

At the request, a low–keyed murmur flowed through the near–empty
wings and the Delegates Balcony. Though not unheard of, it was unusual that a
person would act as a presenter when not specifically called to speak by the
Quorum to provide clarification or insight. After a moment, the pale haired Vosaia
Delegate Vonn leaned forward and responded, “I do not see this as necessary,
Advocate Mirador. This Quorum has already reviewed and discussed Captain
Serros’s findings and recommendations.”

Before the Advocate could respond, Jamie Sweetwater also
leaned forward over the balcony’s silver rails and announced, “With respect,
Delegate Vonn, I disagree. If Captain Serros, a Quorum Shield Operative,
believes she can add anything to our deliberation, I strongly believe it’s
worth our time to listen. As many here today owe their very lives to her
actions in ending the threat of Operation Blackout, for which, Captain Serros
was granted both the Terran Cross and the Forlvan Signet of Honor, simple
courtesy dictates that we grant a few moments of our time.”

For a moment there was absolute quiet then, obviously not
wanting to appear as a belligerent ass over such a reasonable request, Delegate
Vonn graciously nodded her acquiescence. “Well spoken, Delegate Sweetwater.
Unless there are any objections, you may proceed to the Speakers Platform,
Captain Serros.”

Silence was the only answer to the Vosaia’s query.

Avara nodded and with a brief tug on the immaculate jacket
of her full dress blues and blacks, started walking with smooth, measured
strides to the platform, neither her eyes nor head deviating an iota from course.
When she reached the Speakers Platform, the Captain stopped and clasped her
hands behind her straight poised posture, shoulders pulled, feet balanced and wide
spread, chin firmly held high.

“Honorable Delegates, I thank you for your consideration and
promise to be brief.” Taking a deep breath, Serros swept her eyes to
deliberately meet the gaze of each of the ten Delegates standing above her. “I
shall not waste time reviewing the data that Advocate Mirador has so
competently presented during this Tribunal, only say this. If we remove our
emotions from the equation, the facts and evidence speak clearly to the lack of
proof
legally required
to condemn not only such a valuable asset to the
Vosaia people and the Quorum as STF Agent Z’arr, but also an innocent person. For,
make no mistake, Lieutenant K’llan Z’arr
is innocent
.”

With a conscious exertion of will, Avara intentionally built
and then poured her belief and sincerity, her confidence and sense of justice
into the sun–shimmering halls of the Paladex, the emotive outpour like the
filling of a long dry well after years of wilting drought. “We in this room, whose
actions represent and symbolize the highest ideals of law, justice, and
compassion to trillions of sentients within the Quorum Aligned Systems,
must
make what can indeed be, the hardest call. To do what is
right
, not
merely expedient. To resist the urge to capitulate to driving, lurking menace
and terror crouched in the dark.”

With slow deliberation, Avara removed her right hand from
behind her back and let her fingers gently brush two of the nine glittering
medals that were affixed on the night–black, formal dress sash that rested
across her heart. The first, a gleaming five pointed platinum star trimmed in
royal blue enamel with a small ruby set in the center; the Primus Star. The
second, a miniature crystal pyramid backed by red ribbon, the Summa.

“I know and understand the power of fear in the face of
potential loss of those we love, of our way of life,” Captain Serros continued
in a quieter, yet still resonant tone. The silent touching of those two medals,
earned in the fires of cruel battle against the Karukai in two separate
protracted engagements, added an undeniable gravitas to the meaning of her
message in a form as clamorous as the explosion of a fractured QGST reactor
ripping through a dreadnaught. “Yet we
cannot
succumb to that fear, or
we will destroy all that we labor for, all we represent, and all that we are
and can become.”

The only sound in the chamber was the breathless streaming
of rushing water, the Paladex a blanket of emotionally keyed silence as Captain
Avara Serros again met the gaze of each Quorum Delegate in the room; Vosaia,
Braxien, Human, Shiraneth, and Zirgesh alike. Then, with simple dignity, she spoke
the final words of her appeal in a ringing alto. “August Delegates of the
Quorum, I ask you to make the right choice for
all
individuals of the
Quorum peoples that we attending this Tribunal exist to serve. Here, today, I
ask you to rule Lieutenant K’llan Z’arr
innocent
of any charges. Thank
you for your consideration, Delegates.”

With a single step backward and a respectful inclination of
her head, Serros waited.

Delegate Sweetwater, his mahogany colored countenance awash
with quiet approval, was the first to shatter the spell of Serros’s words that
seemed to grip Delegates and attendees alike. “Captain Serros, we thank you for
speaking and as always, thank you for your selfless service; you are dismissed.”

With a second respectful nod, Captain Serros turned and
retraced her route back to stand in her previous position in the right wing and
with military discipline, consciously did not meet the stares that drilled into
her face and back.

“Attendees, this session of the Quorum shall now recess.” The
Braxien female Delegate Kersa Taaz informed the gathering minutes later. “We
shall resume in exactly one hour and convey our judgment at that time.”

With that, the chime sounded again and the Delegates filed
out. Serros felt the adrenaline that had been coursing through blood and bone
gradually drain as Marcus briefly clasped her shoulder in recognition and
salute.    

 * * * * *

The Delegates filed into the Paladex’s Balcony for the
second time that day with the same unhurried solemnity as before, and try as she
might, even with her Synergy Enhancement, except for a spike of anticipation,
Avara couldn’t get a read from any of them. For just a flash, she did sense a
muted thrill of trepidation from K’llan Z’arr, but it was smothered an instant
later like a snuffed candle.

As one, the ten Delegates proclaimed: “All in attendance
hearken, for thus do we begin this meeting of the Quorum and Tribunal.”

Shifting forward, the Shiraneth Delegate Ota Ney officiously
intoned “Now we set forth the decision of this Quorum.”

With the reedy quality Avara associated with most Zirgesh
tonality, Delegate Ishness Altek announced “This Quorum finds no data
supporting the claim of murder by Lieutenant K’llan Z’arr of the Vosaia Senior STF
Agent Nanzai C’lann.”

“This Quorum also has determined reasonable doubt as to
deliberate and knowing acts of High Treason in regards to the stolen Arca
Technology by Lieutenant K’llan Z’arr.” Delegate Sweetwater added without
embellishment or pause, his dark eyes intense with some contained emotion.
“Additionally, this Quorum shall institute a continued investigation into the
acts of Proconsul Tanad as it is our belief that it is
she
who remains
the prime suspect in both arranging the Arcatech theft and the murder of Agent C’lann.”

Resisting the urge to release an exclamation of joy, Serros
felt the fist that had been hungrily squeezing her heart over the last two
weeks loosen its grip. However, her surging relief was almost immediately dampened
by Vosaia Delegate Errevorr’s next words. “Though this Quorum has found K’llan
Z’arr to be innocent of any act of deliberate treason or of murder, we
do
find her to be guilty of being an unwitting Accessory to High Treason
and
of
excessive incompetence.” The Vosaia Delegate’s features were coldly stern as
she declared, “As such, the Vosaia Consulate has asked the favor that this
Quorum extend the Vosaia Consulate’s civil and military decree here and now at
this place and time. K’llan Z’arr is stripped of all Vosaia military rank and
of her status as a Strategic Task Forces Agent.”

“Furthermore,” Lara’a Vonn pronounced, taking up where her
college had finished, her pale blue eyes severe, “the Vosaia Consulate has
asked that this Quorum also extend the Consulate’s civil and military decree
that beginning one hour hence, K’llan Z’arr be barred on pain of life imprisonment
from venturing planetside upon the Vosaia capital world of Thalia for the
duration of three–hundred Galactic Standard Years.”

“Finally, for the same duration of time and under the same
terms, K’llan Z’arr is forbidden to meet with or be in the presence of her
biological mother, Consul Ry’anlyar Z’arr. The Consulate wishes it to be known
that these terms of banishment as well as forbiddance of access to Consul Z’arr
have been meted out because it has been determined that such would cause
irreparable harm to the Vosaia people.”

With a glance and a nod of respect aimed specifically towards
Captain Serros, the Vosaia Delegate added, “This Tribunal
has
been faced
with a number of hard choices. The members of this Quorum as well as the Vosaia
Consulate believe we do indeed possess the responsibility to represent the
highest of our collective ideals, as well as to ensure justice
.
At the
same time, our consideration must also be based on the fact that we carry the
responsibility for the
safety
and security
of the trillions of members
of our respective systems, whom we represent and serve.”

With a lift of one pebbled, four–fingered hand, Delegate Nerek
Sonalen proclaimed “Attendees, this council of the Quorum and this Tribunal is
formally ended. May Peace Be With You.”

 * * * * *

With Marcus at her side, Avara Serros made her way towards
where the obviously shell–shocked but proudly controlled K’llan stood with her
poised mother, Consul Ry’anlyar Z’arr. Slightly hesitant of offending but
certain of her course, the Shield Operative politely cleared her throat so as
to gather the attention of the two Vosaia, only to find that the younger woman
had already turned her head towards her. “Captain Serros, greetings and deepest
gratitude to you for your efforts on my behalf.” The smoky tone to Z’arr’s
normally clear voice and the haunted look in her violet eyes cut Serros’s
heart.

 “Lieutenant Z’arr. You are most welcome; I only wish we
could have done more.” Somehow, she managed a warm if pain filled smile for Avara
as she replied, “It is now only Z’arr, Captain, and I
know
what you
accomplished on my behalf this day. Gratitude also to you, Commander Perez and to
all of
Excalibur’s
crew.” Z’arr said the last with a gracious nod to
Marcus.

Avara could feel her best friend’s carefully mitigated ire
at the proceeding outcome as he responded in kind to the former STF Agent. She
knew he’d grown rather fond of the Vosaia over the last weeks, and like her,
believed fully in her innocence.

“Yes, Captain Serros, please allow me to also express sincerest
gratitude to you for your care in ensuring that my daughter receive fair deliberation
during the Tribunal. It is a debt I shall not forget, I promise you. One’s
child is irreplaceable.” Consul Z’arr proclaimed, eyes boring into Serros’s own
as she reached out to clasp Avara’s forearm in the Vosaia fashion of true
friendship. Avara felt a powerful surge of thankfulness and respect at the
contact, as well as an intense sense of this woman’s great intellect and will.
For a handful of heartbeats, the almost two thousand year old Vosaia’s mind and
soul seemed unbearably painful in its strength, until it was consciously
tempered and the pressure receded.

With an inclination of her head, Avara replied, “It was
nothing less than my duty and certainly my honor to do so, Consul Z’arr.”