Jeremy could make it to the hearing with only a minute to spare if he teleported there. Locking on to Jewels' mind, he appeared right next to her just as the five judges entered and sat.
::Cut it close, didn't you?:: Jewels' tone was relieved and annoyed.
::You know me, always have to make an entrance.:: He gave her a mental hug and turned his attention to the three women and two men who would hear the case. He tried a covert scan and slammed into their mental barriers. Jeremy was worried. He didn't know if any of the judges owed Maussey favors. If they did, then Jewels stood no chance.
Maussey strutted in, followed by Private Davis Blackthrone, a young man that Jeremy had met yesterday while guarding Jewels' quarters as she slept. The Private had blushed and stammered that he'd met Jewels during the visitors' arrival and had been there during the mental attack. Jeremy recognized the signs of a crush and had firmly sent the young man on his way. He studied the Private's face and it concerned Jeremy. The younger man looked smug, just like Maussey.
The bell chimed and everyone sat. All he and Jewels could do was listen to the charges and evidence that the Brigadier General presented. Jewels would have only one chance to defend herself and then judgment would be rendered. He hoped everything would go smoothly, but he wasn't banking on it.
The middle judge, a woman, spoke first.
"This session of the Fort Blackwater Military Disciplinary Committee is called to order on this day, Thursday, September 9, 2101." She glanced down at the data pad before continuing.
"The charges as submitted by Brigadier General Daryl Maussey against the accused, Special Lt. Jewels Enbran, are insubordination, endangering a foreign dignitary, and failure to comply with orders. A plea of not guilty has been submitted by Colonel Jeremy Lingley on behalf of the accused. We will now hear the evidence."
Maussey stood. "I will let the footage speak for itself."
In the center of the room a 3-d projection appeared. Silence prevailed during the playback as the aliens' landing was displayed.
Jewels sat stone-faced beside Jeremy. Even she had to admit that it looked bad, especially when the zoomed in section showed the Prince and King's reactions to her probe and the agony of their minds infiltrating hers. She grimaced and fretted. If they did find her guilty, she would be in a world of trouble. Maussey would see to it. She twitched and calmed herself as the vid ended and Maussey stood again.
"The Lieutenant's orders were to be discrete and ascertain if the aliens were psionic. A job that was supposed to be a walk in the park for someone of her telepathic caliber. Instead, her probe alerted the visitors to her actions, causing a negative reaction and a near-shooting of the visitors by base personnel who thought the Lieutenant was being attacked. Once I was there, the Lieutenant was slow to respond to my questions about what happened. Instead, she seemed more committed to giving her answers to the aliens. Thus, the insubordination and the near harm of the visitors."
Maussey paused. "Also, the Lieutenant psychically attacked Private Davis Blackthrone when he voiced his opinion, as is his right, about the Gatoans. I brought him here to swear and affirm the truth of his statements to me about Lt. Enbran's behavior."
::Jewels, what is he talking about?:: Jeremy demanded.
She tensed and scrambled to give Jeremy an answer that wouldn't set him off. ::The Private doesn't understand the word 'no,' Jeremy. That's all::.
Jewels knew the moment her words sank in because the bond between them trembled with Jeremy's rage. ::Easy, Jeremy. Please, I need you. Don't lose it in here.::
She felt him struggle and abruptly he relaxed. Jeremy's emotions still swirled like a hurricane in her mind. She put up a small barrier. ::I knew Blackthorne was trouble. Should have kept walking and not talked to him at all.::
::Not your fault, Jewels. He snowed me, too. That's all right though. I don't forget bastards who like to hurt women.::
She needed to focus. Davis had finished giving his edited version of what had transpired between them.
"As you can see, she even violates the orders from the Psi-Ops which is to do no harm to a human unless your life is threatened. The Private only showed concern and he was rewarded with an attack by the Lieutenant."
Jewels stifled a sigh. She felt a headache coming on, but couldn't worry about it because she was called to defend herself. She stood.
"I wish to first apologize if my actions, which I do not think were beyond the scope of my orders, caused alarm. I used my lightest mental touch to ascertain the Gatoans' intent. I was not prepared for the strength of the psionic gifts nor the speed with which they reacted to a perceived threat. As for the Private, he attempted to harm me when I did not share his bigoted views of the visitors. We at Psi-Ops live and die by our creed. I would not violate it, unless it was a last resort."
"Lying bitch!" Davis hissed.
The younger female judge banged a gavel and gave Davis a stern glare. "You will be silent, Private, or we will have you removed."
"Sorry, Ma'am," Davis muttered.
The woman looked at Jewels. "Do you have anything else to add, Lieutenant?"
"No, Ma'am. That is all I have to say."
When the judges called for a small recess, Jewels felt her nervousness return. The decision would either exonerate her or give Maussey power over her. She preferred the former to the latter, but she would manage if the unfavorable option was chosen.
A tense silence had descended on the room and neither party broke it. After fifteen minutes the judges returned. This time the elderly man on the far right talked.
"We have reached a decision. We are unanimous. On the charge of insubordination we find the accused not guilty."
Jewels saw Maussey's scowl. She was glad to know he wasn't going to have a complete victory.
"On the charge of failure to comply with orders, we find the accused guilty. And on the charge of intent to harm a foreign dignitary we find you guilty."
"What!" roared Jeremy as he jumped to his feet knocking his chair backward.
Jewels grabbed his arm and tugged. "Jeremy, sit down," she hissed, not liking the gloating expression on Maussey's face.
"No, Jewels. This is ludicrous!"
"Colonel, you will compose yourself and sit down," the judge ordered sternly.
"Please," Jewels begged and she saw Jeremy's anger vanish.
He righted his chair and sat. He glared at everyone and Jewels wanted to comfort him. She knew Jeremy was beyond angry and nothing she could say would make him feel better.
"You will not be demoted, Lieutenant. However, this hearing and its contents will be noted on your officer record. Brigadier General Maussey, it is the decision of this court that corporal punishment be utilized. For both charges, you shall receive one flogging session. The total number of lashes shall not exceed thirty."
Jewels almost swooned. Thirty lashes? It had been a long time since that particular one had been used. Of course Maussey would pick it.
"What shall be entered into the logs?" the younger female asked, data pad out.
Maussey slowly stood and made a show of considering his decision. Jewels felt sick to her stomach with dread.
"I will lessen the number to twenty-five with one stipulation. The Lieutenant must wear a controller during the discipline session."
Jewels stared at Maussey in horror, frozen in her chair at his words. Jeremy didn't have the same problem. He was on his feet again, fists clenched so tight, she saw his knuckles whiten.
"You vindictive asshole! Are you trying to drive her insane? A controller shuts down all psionic ability. She won't be able to shield her mind!"
"Precisely. You psionics are all the same, thinking you're better than the rest of us. Well, let me remind you, Colonel, that you are part of the military and took an oath to follow our rules. If that means stripping your powers and making you human, then so be it."
Maussey left his table and came over to stand directly in front of Jewels.
She stared up at him, keeping her gaze blank.
"You will report at 2030 to the disciplinary room. No detours and no running away, Lieutenant, or you'll be imprisoned next time."
"I understand, Sir. I will be there at 2030."
Maussey watched her for a moment and then grunted. "We are done here."
"Then I call this hearing adjourned. All information has been entered into the logs and recorded," the youngest judge declared.
The judges rose and filed from the room. Maussey ushered a grinning Davis out as well.
Jewels slumped in her chair and buried her face in her hands. She fought back tears. It was happening again. Just like that time with Lenny. Maussey had done his research and she had no escape.
"Jewels? Jewels, we can appeal this. This is ridiculous!" Jeremy crouched down next to her chair. He tugged gently on her hand and held it. "We will fight this."
"No."
"What?"
"No, Jeremy, don't bother. The more we try to get out of this, the worse it will get. Do you think he's going to let this go? Or let me go unscathed? No, he has a point to make and it will be made. I'd rather this punishment than some other horror he could dream up."
"Jewels," Jeremy stopped and gave her a helpless look.
She cupped his face in her hands. "You are my anchor, but this is one thing you can't shield me from." Jewels stood and felt her legs shake. "I think I'll go to my room. I need space. Just promise to be there with me."
Jeremy snorted. "As if they could keep me away, Kid. No, I'll be there. And don't worry. What goes around, comes around. Maussey will pay for this outrage."
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Maybe." She squeezed his hand, slipped hers free of his, and teleported to her room. She flung herself on to the bed, curled into a ball and let the sobs flow. She knew when she was screwed.