Copyright 2011 by Daniel Zazitski All Rights Reserved in the United States and other countries by virtue of the Berne Convention. No authorized coping by any means, except the use of qoutations for criticism, commentary, or review.
Chapter 1
The next morning on Crescent, President Jonathan Tenlon sat in his office with his Press Secretary to go over his address to the Amderestan people.
At 0700 hours, the State Minister, Education Minister, Commerce Minister, Health Minister, Transportation Minister, and Communications Minister met in the Level 20 Briefing Room to discuss the post-war recovery. President Jonathan Tenlon entered the briefing room with the Amderestan Census Agency Director, Jack Tilsan, who had a five by three inch datapad which contained Census figures on it.
President Jonathan Tenlon said, "Today’s briefing concerns the recovery of the war ravenged areas. The Amderestan Video-Audio Communication Service is reporting a number of planetary systems with disruptions of transmissions. 3 trillion people have been left homeless from the nine years of war, and the Medical Centers are reporting shortages of personnel."
Over the next 10 hours, the six cabinet members discussed a recovery plan for the 4th Amderestan Republic.
Two days later in the Senate building, the Region and State Senators held an emergency meeting to appropiate funding to recovery programs, and organization of tribunals for the senior SSAARDF and YDF Occupational Forces. Senator Linkas, who represented Airiana Seven motioned for a vote to repeal the Conscription Act of 90,002, and was seconded by Conservative Senator Tilsain, representive of Tinlas Eight.
"The motion to vote on repealing the 90,002 Conscription Act has gone through. ”Chief Senator Zeratin said," All in favor of repealing the 90,002 Conscription Act, raise your hand."
The Unionist, Conservative, and half of the democrat senators voted in favor of repealing the 90,002 Conscription Act, while the Republican and other Democrat Senators voted to retain the 90,002 Conscription Act.
"The ayes have 30 percent, while the nays have 70 percent." Chief Senator Zeratin said, “The 90,002 Conscription Act remains in force.”
Over on Amderestan Military-Controlled Calron Three, 25 officers in the 95th ASC Infantry Assault Patrol set up three checkpoints along the main street of Tinlas City, as they searched for SSAAR colaberators over the next eight hours.
Meanwhile on Matilda Five, Commander Talisan sat in the officer’s club with three Security Officers and they played a game of nine ball. At the bar, Captain Lukan ordered a pint of Taronian ale, and was served by the bartender, who poured a blue liquid into a tall narrow glass and slid it over to Captain Lukan, and he took a sip. At a round table, 12 officers from the Calondia AA-3479-J played a game of straight poker for gold or sliver Amderestan Credits.
Over the next three weeks, the Amderestan Census Agency made a list of 60 trillion Amderestans to colonize the ten northern NDEG galaxies. 400 Amderestan Defense Force Combat Assault Groups was selected for deployment to the NDEG Protectorate.
On January 24, 90,010, Sydney Forrester sat in the living area of the Forrester’s quarters on Matilda Four with her twin brother, John-Jack Forrester and mother, Lt. Commander Laura Forrester and they read the Taronia City News on their datapads.
Five minutes later, an Amderestan Civilian Security agent stood outside the Forrester’s quarters with a court summons.
“Miss Forrester,” The Agent said,” You’ve been summoned to appear at the YDF Officer’s War Crimes Tribunal on Crescent.”
Sydney Forrester got up from the couch, and took the datapad from the ACS Agent’s right hand.
“This concerns my witnessing of the massacre of the 10,000 Taronians in the park next to the primary school during the YDF Occupation.” Sydney Forrester said.
“You’re correct,” The Amderestan Civilian Security Agent repiled,” Two Amderestan Military Security teams have been assigned to escort you to the tribunal. The YDF Occupational Officers, who killed those people didn’t want you to see the massacre and they have someone lined up to make sure you don’t testify.”
“When do we leave?” Sydney Forrester asked
“Febuary 1st at 0415 hours.” The ACS Agent said,” Crescent Civilian Security Force personnel have arranged a safe house for your stay on Crescent.”
Eight hours later on the Alantina, six five enlistee Engineering teams stepped out of the main elevator, and they entered the central corridor. 345 feet of electrical power conduits, and relays were recently installed by another Engineering team. 200 feet on the port side, Captain Lewis’ team installed eight Computer Access Terminal Stations and indicator lights in the ceiling. Meanwhile in the Level Four Engineering Section, Lieutenant Commander Mark Talins, a graduate from Amderestan Spacefleet Corp Academy, stood at the Main Power console, and he activated the main power grid for level four, which brought systems online.
On January 25, 90,010, Brigadier General Jonathan Lencon sat in his office on Amderesta 1 ASC-1737-K, and read over the refit reports from the Base Matilda Four Engineering personnel. At 0800 hours, ASCCOS Commander Crentuin contacted Brigadier General Jonathan Lencon via the Video-Audio Communication Screen and his image appeared on the 19” screen.
“Lencon. ”Commander Crentuin said, ”Atorsia Seven Medical Center is short on personnel, and the Acting Chief Medical Officer has requested additional personnel. I’m giving two-thirds of your medical personnel a two year assignment at Atorsia Seven Medical Center.”
“Which ones, sir?” Brigadier General Jonathan Lencon inquired.
“Lt.Commander Reynolds, Lt. Commander Anderson-Lencon, Ensign Talian, Ensign Timmerman, Ensign Calian, Ensign Kedan, Ensign Forrester, and Sargeant Thomas.” Commander Crentuin repiled.
“Sir, my wife has a five year old son.” Brigadier General Jonathan Lencon said.
“I wasn’t aware of the fact.” Commander Crentuin repiled,
At 1100 hours on Crescent, ACA Director Luke Talan met in the Amderestan Census Agency building’s Level 24 Briefing Room with Assistant ACA Director Jack Tilsan and Deputy ACA Director Tom Ankalis. A plan for a 12 level colony ship with a compliment of 3,600 people plus power generators, Communication generators, power cables, and building materials for each group of colonists was contained on a 3 by 4 inch Santurin DA-1571 datapad in the middle of the ten foot table. An eight by twelve window in the wall behind the table, overlooked three Landing Platforms, and six Anti-Grav Planetary Transport Platforms.
ACA Director Luke Talan said, “Several billion Colony ships are being constructed at Amderestan Military and Civilian Spacefleet Bases. Construction should take six to eight months to complete.”
Meanwhile on the Aldancia ASC-9979-F, Colonel Jack Hansen walked down the Level One Central Corridor to the cafateria, and he entered the cafateria.13 Engineering Officers, 14 Medical Officers, 23 Mechanical Officers, 32 Communication Intelligence Officers, 22 Cargo Supply Officers, 24 Weapon Control Officers, and 33 Flight Control Officers sat at several tables with trays of food. Colonel Jack Hansen got a tray from the galley line, and he sat at a table across from his Second Command Officer, Grand Admiral Talakin. The 7 by 4 inch datapad on the table displayed a map of the 50,000 light-year Ranchanian border with the NDEG Protectorate. 14 Amderestan Military Combat Assault Divisions were shown along the Amderestan side of the border in flight formation. 27 RDFCADs were positioned along a 15,000 light-year area.
“Colonel,” Grand Admiral Talakin said, ”Commander Talin has assigned our vessel to an intelligence mission inside Ranchanian space. He wants us to proceed to Spacedock Alpha 27-E. Once there a engineering team will install a prototype cloak generator onboard.”
“What are the Rules of Engagement?” Colonel Jack Hansen inquired.
Grand Admiral Talakin repiled, ”We’re allowed to fire in self-defense if the ship is attacked. Any offensive action will be considered an act of war against the Ranchanian Federation.”
At 2100 hours, the Aldancia ASC-9799-F arrived at Spacedock Alpha 27-E, where the prototype cloak generator was installed by an engineering team from Spacedock Alpha 27-E.
After four hours, Bridge Flight Control Officer, Lt. Commander Tadison released the starboard docking clamps, and increased the Aldancia’s speed to Hyperlight Speed 19, as he set a course to the Amderestan-Ranchanian border.
Over in the command chair, Colonel Jack Hansen activated the intercom and he contacted Level One Engineering, and requested activation of the cloak generator. In Level One Engineering, Engineering Officer Lt. Tadin activated the cloak generator, which plunged the light from it’s normal glow to a bluish tint. The computer then indicated the weapon’s grid was offline.
Nine hours later in Taronia City’s commerical district, four male Taronians who ranged in age from 52 to 68 years sat around a table in the darkened corner of Adains’ bar with four glasses filled with Taronian ale. A 7 by 4” Santurian DA-9700 datapad sat in the middle of the table.
Jack Anivan, the 63-year-old Taronian said,”In four days, Sydney Forrester is going to testify concerning the massacre in the park across from the primary school. If she idenifies us as collaberators with the massacre, we’ll get accessory before the fact charges.”
His brother, Luke Tenian repiled, “One of us can go to Base Matilda Four disguised as a Santurin Computer Supply employee, and tell Miss Forrester her VACS is defective, and give her a replacement with a tracking device.”
Over at a ten foot billards table, two Amderestan Security Officers came over with two cue sticks, and they racked a game of nine ball.
William Tinas pointed to the pool table table, and said, “There’s two Amderestan Security Force Officers at the pool table.”
“Andrew,” Jack Anivan said, as he handed the VACS to him. “Go out the back, and proceed down the alley to the back of Santurian Computer Supply Store 11371. You’ll find an Epsilon Class civilian speeder that has a SCS uniform in it, put in on and proceed to Landing Platform Delta 36-E.”
Andrew Dalian proceeded out the back, and walked ten blocks to SCS Store 11371. He took the SCS uniform from the speeder, put in on and he walked over to Landing Platform Delta 36-E, where he boarded an Epsilon Class Command Shuttle, and set course for the Amderesta system at Hyperlight Speed 12.5 in HSIM.
Four days later, at 0300 hours, Andrew Dalian docked his shuttle to ASC Base Matilda Four’s Level 15 airlock, went down the midship corridor to the intersection with the central corridor, and proceeded to the Forrester’s quarters.
30 minutes later in the Forrester’s sleeping area, Sydney woke up, changed into a blouse and trousers, went into the living area, and she watched ARNN Taronia’s early morning news report. Sydney Forrester opened the door, and she saw Andrew Dalian in the corridor with a Video Audio Communicator Screen.
“Miss Forrester,” Andrew Dalian said, “Santurian Computer Supply has recently discovered the DA-971 Video-Audio Communicator Screen released in 90,005 contains a defect in the AVACS transmission chip. Anyone who has the DA-971 model will get a free replacement.”
Andrew Dalian handed a DA-972 Video-Audio Communicator Screen to Sydney Forrester, and he went back to his shuttle, undocked from Base Matilda Four, and waited behind Amderesta One’s moon.
At 0415 hours, three ASCIS agents met Sydney Forrester in the central corridor, and they proceeded to a civilian shuttle attached to the starboard airlock, and boarded the passanger section. In the shuttle’s bridge, the Flight Control Officer was cleared by Base Matilda Four Traffic Control. He undocked the shuttle, and went to Hyperlight Speed flanked by the Amderestan Military command shuttles.
Andrew Dalian used the tracking device in Sydney’s VACS to follow the three shuttles to Crescent over a four hour period.
At 0815 hours, the three ACS agents, and ten Amderestan Military Security Force Officers exited the shuttles with Sydney, and they proceeded to the court building. Ten kilometers from the building, Andrew Dalian opened fire on the group, and killed four Amderestan Military Security Officers. Sydney took the bugged Video-Audio Communicator Screen, and threw it over the edge of the walkway between the court building’s Level 18 court room, and the platform, which sat few hundred feet above the ground.
Three minutes later, the Security detail, and Sydney Forrester entered the expansive court room. The 200 YDFIAG Commanders, and six YDF Chiefs of Staff were seated in a 20 sqaure foot area protected by a forcefield. 4th Republic Prosecutor, Luke Tanidas sat at an eight- foot table with stacks of 7 by 4 inch datapads. Commander Lonisian sat in the judge’s chair. The six man, six woman jury consisted of two Amderestans, Taronians, Alazenians, Tourists, Swearians, and Parisians. Commander Lonianson glanced over at the Sargeant –at-Arms, who called everyone to rise and be seated.
“Will the defendants please rise?” Commander Lonisian said, and the 206 YDF Officers arose. “You’re charged with the murder of 3 trillion Amderestan citizens opposed to your occupation, Crescent Convention violations, consisting of targeting Amderestan Military medical facilities, extreme torture, unfair treatment of Amderestan Military Prisoners of War, and attacks on civilian convoys delivering humanitarian aid. How do you plea?”
Defense Advocate Timothy Tanns replied, “The defense pleas not guilty, your honor.”
“You may be seated.” Commander Lonisian said to the defense. “Mr. Tanidias, you may begin your opening statement.”
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.” He began, “The 4th Amderestan Republic will prove the 206 defendants are gulity beyond a shadow of reasonable doubt. I implore you to consider the outcry of the Amderestan people, as you consider your verdict.”
“Mr. Tanidias,” Commander Lonisian said, “Call your first witness.”
“Your Honor,” Luke Tanidias replied, “The 4th Republic calls Sydney Forrester to the stand.”
Sydney Forrester got up from her seat, and walked over to the witness stand. The Segeant-at-Arms held an electronic Bible in his left hand.
“Raise your right hand, and repeat after me.” He said, as Sydney Forrester put her left hand on the datapad, and raised her right hand. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.”
“I do.” Sydney Forrester repiled.
“You may take the stand, Miss Forrester.” Commander Lonianson said, as Sydney sat in the witness chair.
“Miss Forrester,” Luke Tanidias said, “Recall for me the afternoon of May 4, 90,007.”
Sydney Forrester replied, “I just got out of school, and the other pupils had boarded the anti-grav planetary transport. As I proceeded to the transport, I stood at the edge of the platform, and noticed 10,000 men, women, and children shackled, handcuffed, blindfolded, and gagged being marched into the adjacent park by Commander Tanian, Commander Sevin, and Commander Calias, who shot them with three blaster cannons, and killed every last one of them.”
“According to your statement,” Luke Tanidias said, “You told the Taronia Region Investigation Bereau, four Taronians: Andrew Dalian, Jack Anivan, Luke Tenian, and William Tinas colaberated with the aforementioned defendants to assemble the 10,000 in the park.”
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