Actions & Consequences VIII
Londinium is really a nice place if you stay long enough. There are guards who have given their names and attendants/legal aides who know how people take their coffee, etc. Today, they have found another top secret location to hold another hearing now that Deadwood's Fate has been determined. Now, comes one of those trials of the man of the hour, that is, Fao McGuire.
Today, the Senator Ramirez (Aka Miss Verbena) is still looking good in her late 40s, today she's dressed in white again, hair and such done well as she's settled at a table with two older individuals, probably other judges, and she leans forward to speak softly. "Your guilt....according to the law, is not on trial today. Today, we are determining, the weight of your actions and how you will be held accountable for your actions. Taking in consideration your age and your previous service to our government, we are today going to accept testimony on who you are as a person. Based on what we know about you, you are not a bad man. A radical. Or even a Terrorist, so perhaps getting to know about you from someone else will help us." <English>
Kyoshiro is sitting quietly in a seat near Fao. He's not sure who've they brought in as Character Witnesses on either him or Fao. Not that today was his trial. Most of this seemed mainly about Fao which he supposes was a good thing. He pays close attention, dressed in what is considered dress uniform for his Division of the Churara. <English>
McGuire nods his understanding and pulls a deep breath. He sits or stands where they indicate he should be for this. His outfit top of the line Core fashion that leaves a hint of his standing and fits in this Core world. He says nothing until asked, and pays attention to those around him. He knows he's on trial, and it could be bad, but he also knows he's not a bad man and will let them prove him otherwise. <English>
There isn't much commotion as Jacob Storn is escorted into the court room by a couple of armed guards. The aging veteran pauses and leans on his cane while he motions with his right arm for the lady he is walking with to enter before him. Once inside the courtroom and in the presence of Allied officials the old browncoat reaches up to remove his wide brimmed hat and nods while listening to the guards telling the witnesses where they are supposed to sit and wait until called. "I hope the trip wasn't too trying on your health, m'lady." He offers Helena in his usual rich southern baritone. <English>
Helena is dressed to impress if uncharactistically in black. An elegent black suit top with a long black skirt. She wears a white silk button up shirt beneath and her hair coiled up. Those who know her would notice she does not look well, but she has enough skill with makeup to do well to hide how much. If she may lean a bit more on the arm of her escort and walk a little slower, that is to be expected. There is a shake of her head at the question. "If it helps him it will be worth it." Upon arrival she shows her credentials as a retired companion. <English>
Character Witnesses have arrived and they are announced by name before the Senator gestures towards the witness stand with a kind smile. "Please, come...we'll take Jacob Storn first...please take the stand. Guards, please show this beautiful woman to her seat. Thank you." Then she looks between Fao and Kyoshiro and back to the witness stand. <English>
Kyoshiro sands as he hears people enter from th back. Narrowing his brows in curiosity he turns to look at Helena and Storn. Slightly, that one good eye of his widens and it looks like he might faint a little. "Wo bu xiangxin..." He says, "I don't believe it..." Repeating the exact words in english. His affirmation is soft. If he was wearing a hat he would take it off, but he remains standing until Helana herself is seated. Storn was a surprise too, but not as much as the former companion who he had not seen in a very long time and who he knew was not well. A flash of worry moves over his face. He looks behind them as if expecting his own family to burst through. There is no more though and perhaps that saddens him a bit. They were smart. They knew not to come to the core where it was dangerous in the masses. <English>
McGuire sits quiet, center of attention this time. He remains calm and collected as this trial begins. <English>
Storn leaves his wide brimmed hat on the back of a chair as he is called to the stand first. He reaches up with his right hand to push his glasses farther back up his nose and winks to Helena in answer to her statement of being worth it. He of makes his way to the witness stand, the cane in his left hand tapping against the floor as he walks with his right leg noticably a little stiffer than the left. "As it pleases this court, Senator Ramirez." Once the big engineer is seated, he leans the cane against the railing and leans back to relax waiting to see what questions they have for him. A pleasant smile crosses his face trying to keep himself composed and nods to his two old friends. <English>
There is a dip of Helena's head at the Senator's words about her. As the guard steps in to take Storn's place, she places a hand upon the man's arm and lets herself be ushered to a seat. Once seated she gives a gracious nod to the guard and she looks up to the stand as Storn goes to give witness. Her arrival may well be a surprise to a few as she was not even seen at her wife's funeral. Though there may have been murmurs of a relapse brought on by Esther's death. <English>
"Right then, can you for the record, Mr. Storn, state your name and exactly how you know the accused?" The Senator begins gently. <English>
McGuire returns the nod back to Storn, feeling good to know he came forward for him. <English>
Kyo waits patiently as well, though glances over to Helena now and again just to make sure she's still there and doing okay. <English>
"The name's Jacob Storn. I've known Fao for going on must be about 27 years or better. First remember meeting him back when I was still crewman on the Tsuko no Inari. We had a crewmember who was a part of the Romani clan." Storn answers the Senator and leans forward to casually rest his elbows on his legs waiting for further questions. <English>
One of the other judges speaks up after taking osme notes. "And can you describe, in detail, what that meeting was like, what were your first impressions of him and his character? Do be thorough." <English>
Asking someone with a perfect memory for details, brings a wry grin to Jacob's lips. "Well, to be honest it wasn't a very good time. Some terrorists had decided to blow up the Romani canrivale on Paquin and our crewmate, Cara, was collateral damage there." He pauses and sighs, "She was such a sweet little wafe of a person, but a great person on the crew to talk with especially for a young man who was still finding his way after the war and having recently lost my cousin who I had traveled with since I was 16. Our captain Morgaine brought me as a veteran with her to meet with Fao and some of the other prominent ship captains she knew and traded with. For it to be such a hectic time for the people of Paquin, I remember a man who radiated both calm and power while restraining fury like the rest of us. It was the first of a handful of meetings as we set about to track down the terrorists who had brought violence to such a peaceful gathering." <English>
Helena sits quietly at her seat, eyes closed and almost seems to me meditating and perhaps she is. After a time she opens them and looks back around the courtroom and to see who is present. There is a nod to Kyoshiro as she sees him. She is here and alive. Well? Maybe not so much, but stubborn enough to attend at least. <English>
Storn tilts his head at the question which of course a twisting of his words, "I admit that this man was calm under duress and a trying situation. Did you serve in the war, your honour? It takes a special kind of person to keep their head about them in that kind of time. My former Captain, Morgaine, was not nearly as inflappable even when I served with her during the war. Though they both were leaders, it is not a power over people. It is harnessing those who follow you and chanelling their emotions, fears, skills, talents, and needs into something whole and complete. At that time, the Inari crew was wanting revenge. Morgaine, Billy, and myself were pushing for finding those responsible for killing Cara and serving justice for them ourselves. As I remember it.." And he taps his noggin, "and my last psych evals will prove that I don't forget anything, Bmal Enyad, was wanting to capture those responsible to turn them over to the authorities.. which a young independence fighter like myself didn't trust at the time. He got our captain to agree on capture instead of kill, and those kind of actions is why when the dust settled and we nearly died because of suicide traps around the terrorists he was awarded a Parlamentary Gold Medal. Me.. I lost the hearing in my right ear and my right leg has never fully recovered. Though that experience taught me how dangerous pride can be, and because of my experience with the Romani during that time.. it softened my stance against the local authorities who try to protect us." <English>
They all take notes and nod to each other as they scribble down notes and the like, the Judge just regarding Storn with an eyebrow as he asks about his service and nods a bit to show yeah, he did but they whisper to each other before going to the next question. "So, knowing how...honorable this man was, how did you feel when you found out he was being accused of treason? More specifically, what were your thoughts?" <English>
Helena listens quietly to the testimony, occasionally closing her eyes as she focuses on staying upright in her seat. As the trial goes on there is a request for some water from the guard nearest her. Once received it is used to take some medications she slips from a pocket though she rests the cup on her knee to take sips of now and again. <English>
Storn reaches up to adjust his glasses one more time. "I do not know. When hostilities were gearing up against the Alliance government and forces this last time, I was advocating caution and trying to work through the system. I'd even got signatures to get my name put on the ballot to join the assembly on my homeworld. As I understand it, the Romani clans and the Alliance have always had an uneasy situation. The Clans self govern themselves and also have been pushing for more representation with the Alliance. If a government does not recognize your sovereignty and continues turning a deaf ear not allowing you a path for greater representation for your people's needs.. are you a citizen who can commit treason, or are you already a prisoner? I have a wife now and the puppy I bought her back at home on Persephone. I don't want to see war, but I'm not really to judge someone who is trying to help his family and people." <English>
"Yes, and one of the reasons we allowed the Senator to recommend you as a character witness is because of your attempts to suggest caution and reason during our most recent conflicts. With that said, did you personally have any idea what Deadwood would be used as a distraction to carry out the theft of the Temperance and consequent spacing of many of its faithful crew? And as such, did you know that this man's ilegal announcement as a repsentative of his people would be used as the exact distraction method needed to carry out the other crime?" Comes the next question. <English>
Storn laughs at this, "Oh hell no, I wasn't involved in anything that gorram fool thought up. I even sent him a wave as such trying to point out he was only making matters worse and not helping his cause. I wasn't on Deadwood at the time, so I cannot tell you what anyone's intentions were. Though.. a thought has often crossed my mind." He points to Fao, "We all have already said the man is honorable, awarded a medal by a government who doesn't allow his people full representation for his acts for that government, and is not totally a fool. Why would he personally have mad a galactic announcement putting a bulls eye on his back to allow the Scot to attack Alliance property in corellation to it? I cannot forgive someone killing others in cold blood the way those crew were spaced. I also do not believe a true man would either. I would have to see hard evidence between him and the planners who captured the Temperance to believe he was more than just a pawn to shift the Alliance's full attention to him." <English>
"Hmm." The judges look at each other and then to the Senator and then back to the people gathered. "Thank you, we have what we need for today. We will take a brief recess and call in the next witness." <English>
McGuire rises to his feet, facing Storn. He bows to the man, showing great respect. <English> Storn nods his head, and turns to get his cane from where it leans on the railing before standing up. "Thank you all for giving me the floor to be a witness." <English>
Kyoshiro Mibu had been in uniform in the closed session court appearances and hearing which would likely be released later after all was said and done. The Public uproar that was caused by Fao's arrival on world was apparent and kept them moving from high end hotel to high end hotel while they awaited their meetings. A lot was accomplished but they still awaited their fates. Kyo, being discrete after a number of attempted security breaches was dressed in a cloak, hood up. There was a pin on that cloak though so he was recognizable to at least one person. 'Jacy for Lord High Marshal.' Years ago we was part of an effort on salisbury to renew the consititution there and update their government but it stalled. Many people liking the way the Alliance handled things. But that was a product of that time. He's smoking a cigar, sitting in a booth in this bar that consitutes seedy for a core world. Though, better here than at a corner street cafe where the press would hound them. He just wanted lunch and to see how she was doing. <English>
Commander Heather Jacy picks her way towards Kyo's table. She's looking less stressed than in recent months, less gaunt and with more color in her flesh. Her gaze takes in the other Commander, a quirk of a smile flickering on her lips at the sight of the pin. "Well, at least you're calling for a promotion and not a decapitation," she says dryly. <English>
"Hey there pretty lady..." Kyoshiro says with a bit of a chuckle and stands up like the gentlemen he is. He motions to the seat across from him before sitting down. He looks to his pin and chuckles taking it off and putting it under the cloak. "Well. I wanted somethin you could recognize me with. I had this stashed with my stuff for some reason. Figured it would work." He looks her over. "You look good, getting some sleep I see. How's the crew?" He speaks of her Command of the destiny and her compliment. <English>
A flicker of some deeper emotion passes behind Jacy's eyes. "We're refitted and back up to full strength," she replies quietly. There's a slight pause, as her eyes, directed at Kyoshiro, don't quite focus on him. Then she snaps her attention back. "How about you and yours?" <English> +Nom: Your +Nom has been accepted. You have 11 left.
Kyoshiro catches the seriousness of the moment and nods simply. He knows what she's feeling. He was there himself not that long ago. "We're doing... okay. Just lots of healing to do after Esther, Amen, and others were killed. It's a tough time for our people to loose such a great stength to us." He frowns a bit. "We will continue on though." <English>
Heather draws in a deep breath, and this time she does hold her gaze. "Yes. Esther was a good woman," she says softly. There's another pause, and she swallows reflexively as though about to say something else. But she says nothing, and instead turns to gaze around the room for a moment before looking back. "She'll not be forgotten." <English>
"I understand how you feel. I loved her too..." Kyoshiro says with a bit of a soft smile. He looks over to the bar, "You want something to drink or eat?" He's not asking about the trial. No, Kyo had more class than that. This was different and something more of two people getting together after a great conflict had ended. He flags down a waiter. <English>
Jacy quirks a smile, "Something to drink. Beer, nothing harder," she replies wryly. Another soft sigh, but her eyes are warm as she regards Kyoshiro. "Dark beer," she adds by way of qualification. <English>
"Lemonaide with you will. Carbonated if you got it." Kyoshiro says to the waiter before looking to Heather. "You can talk to me Heather. I hope you know that. If you have a problem. Anything. I'll listen. Plus I hear this place has white noise scanners so brass ant guna hear." He chuckles at the joke. <English>
"If you're anywhere other than floating in the black without a spacesuit, they can hear you," Heather states, deadpan. Is she joking? It's hard to say." A faint nod. "And I appreciate the gesture. It's not easy to vent." Slowly her smile fades, and she tackles the elephant in the room. "McGuire." <English>
Kyoshiro chuckles then nods. "Aye... This was all his idea. I'm here so he dosn't do something stupid and to try and clear what semblance of a name I have left. Negotiate a better position for my people. It's going well so far. Though. THey are calling character whitnesses now. Storn testified. Helena is here. I don't know who else they supeanaed. What ever it is they decide for him is likely what he'll accept. They don't seem to care to much about what they accused me of." He chuckles and shrugs, "I did my lawyery bit. What I could remember from a few law classes I took here on Londinium but... I've done all I can for now." <English>
Heather looks alarmed. "Who else is going to testify? Please tell me that gorram viking lunatic is being held safely at the other end of the 'verse? Preferably gagged?" <English>
Kyoshiro chuckles, "No... I havn't seen Thor in a while. This is the first I've seen Helena in... maybe a year? SHe's been running things on Jiangyin." <English>
"Who's representing McGuire? Calling witnesses?" Jacy asks, gazing down at the table as she thinks. "And what are the charges, exactly? Sorry, we only just docked this morning, and I haven't been keeping up with the Cortex news." <English>
"Right now it's Treason and they think maybe we had something to do in collusion with the Temperance. Everyone knows Kilbride took that damn ship and tried to blame us for it." Kyoshiro says with a bit of a grumble and a sour look on his face. <English> He's not the only one. Heather's face scowls too at the mention of the Temperance, and she purses her lips to say, "Who's behind the charges? I mean, REALLY behind the charges?" <English>
"We don't know... We've only spoken to Senator Remierez, some Parlimentary Accountants in reguards to the classification and taxation fo Deadwood and now these three Judges. Oh and Woolsworth when we first got here. As far as representation. Well, me I guess. They're keeping this whole case Hush for the time being." Kyoshiro in forms as their drinks arive. He takes his and imbibed in a long sip. <English>
