“So if you watched the recordings of the War Council that we have, you could verify if they are a true-and-accurate account of the meeting?”
“I can do better than that, sir.”
“How so?”
“Before going on watch that evening, I had taken my future husband aside and told him I carried his child. He was overjoyed. A few days later, as the fleet prepared to sail for battle, Admiral Kota informed us that the princess had arranged for any Sailor who wanted a ride back to human space to go with the freighters. Of course, no one on Haruna would think of abandoning their post at such a moment. However, my future husband insisted that I and the baby must return home. He said that they would all very likely die in the coming battle and that he wanted his child to have a chance to grow up. He said it was my duty.”
“So you chose to return.”
Now the young woman studied her hands. “No, sir. I did not want to obey my future husband. I talked with my watch mates, the women who would have to do extra duty if I left. I told them I did not want to obey my future husband. They told me I was being selfish. That my child deserved a chance to be born. They insisted that they could do my work. ‘It is the Navy way always to have more hands than are needed to do the job,’ they said. Only then did I apply for release and was granted it. Admiral Kota himself signed my papers.”
Mr. Kawaguchi frowned. “I am sorry, but I do not see where this is going.”
“My watch officer insisted that I carry two files back with me. He said the admiral was sending a report through channels, but he feared that the report would not arrive where it was supposed to go. My watch officer entrusted me with two copies of the admiral’s report.” And the young woman produced an envelope, still sealed.
“My watch officer told me that Admiral Kota’s report included a copy of the Council of War. He had copied it himself to the file.”
“Your Honor,” from Mr. Kawaguchi was interrupted by “Objection,” from the prosecution. “We have no idea where these files have been or what might have been added to them.”
“We have five copies from different perspectives on that War Council,” said Mr. Kawaguchi. “We have a sealed envelope to examine. If these two files are the same, it seems to me that we are developing a trend, Your Honor.”
“Bailiff, accept the sealed envelope into evidence under objection.”
“If it pleases the court,” came from the gallery. Kris turned to see Captain Miyoshi of Mutsu standing. “The honor of the Navy is very much carried by the content of those devices.”
“The honor of the court is as well,” the Chief Justice said darkly.
“I do not question all the honor those devices bear, Your Honor, I just wish to make sure that the Navy’s honor is respected. If it please the court, I would like to assign a Marine officer to escort those devices.”
“I believe the court can allow that.”
“Lieutenant Suganami.”
“Hai,” said a first lieutenant who came from among the Marines guarding the door to stand beside his captain.
“Is there a technician who can assure the proper treatment of those devices in your guard detail?”
“Hai.”
“You and he will accompany the bailiff and bear the responsibility for the Navy’s honor.” The technician turned out to be a she, but the two of them quickly moved to join the bailiff and move off with him smartly.
“Are you out of surprises, Tsusumu-san?” the Chief Justice asked.
“I believe so, Your Honor.”
“Very good. Mr. Prosecutor, the witness is yours to cross-examine.”
The prosecutor stood, studied his notes for a moment, then snapped. “Who is the father of your unborn child? Remember, you are under oath. The court can order a paternity test to see if you are truthful.”
Kris had heard of attacking a witness, but this approach seemed not only unnecessary but brutal as well.
The young woman surprised Kris with the strength of her reply.
“My future husband was Lieutenant Fujioka Tomio, my watch officer.”
The prosecutor was about to open his mouth, but from the back of the court there was a cry, whether of joy or sorrow or both, Kris could not tell, but an old woman rose to her feet.
Living in Fujioka House, Kris had seen portraits of the dead owner and his wife. They did not do Mrs. Fujioka justice. The woman in the flesh was both soft and hard, like velvet-covered marble. She looked at the witness as the witness broke into tears. “My daughter,” was all she said, as those between her and the aisle made way for her.
“Have you any further questions?” the Chief Justice asked the prosecutor.
“No, Your Honor,” he wisely answered.
The young mother-to-be was dismissed in time to meet the grandmother of her unborn child at the gate to the formal court area.
“Now, do you have any more surprises, Tsusumu-san?” the Chief Justice asked.
“That was not my surprise, Your Honor, but yes, the defense rests.”
The gavel came down. “Court is recessed until nine o’clock tomorrow morning when we will hear final arguments.”
And the courtroom became bedlam as people talked, and reporters hurried out, phones already being talked into, to make their deadlines. Tiny Mrs. Fujioka and her newfound daughter might have been trampled in the haste, but Captain Miyoshi personally led a Marine detachment in forming a wall around the two women and slowly walked them from the room.
Kris was in no hurry, so she waited with her friends and her defense team as calm slowly returned to an emptying room.
“Are all your trials so, ah, surprising?” Kris asked.
“Each trial is unique, but I am always happy to pull a few rabbits out of my hat,” Tsusumu admitted with a smile.
“Do you need any further help from me?” Kris asked.
“No, I think I can compose my closing arguments without any further input from you and yours.”
“Cara and I need an ice-cream sundae, and, no doubt, Jack would like a beer.”
“I suggest you get them at Fujioka House. I strongly suspect every newsie on the planet can hardly wait to shove a mike in your mouth.”
Kris’s Marine guard now arrived to surround her. They rode the elevator down to the subbasement, where her caravan awaited.
Fortunately for Cara and Jack, the kitchen at Fujioka House was quite prepared to support their celebration.
Better, Kris and Jack were left the privacy of the sitting room for themselves alone. They both knew their privacy was insecure, and there were limits beyond which they dare not go, but still, holding and being held, sharing and being shared with, they made a moment that held the fears and terrors around them at a distance.
At least for a few hours.
55
The prosecution led off the next morning. His statement seemed much shorter. Gone were the hints at Kris’s sexual seduction of the admirals. The list of things Kris had done wrong was also a lot shorter. No longer was there a plea for the poor Sailors and Marines who were dragged against their will into a battle of annihilation.
The only leg the prosecution seemed left to stand on was that Kris had initiated hostile actions against the aliens without authorization and without making contact with them.
Even Kris couldn’t argue with that.
But then, she’d been more out of contact with her superiors than any ship’s captain had been since the invention of the wireless radio transmitter. Kris was left hoping at least a few of the judges would remember why ship captains had once been viewed as near gods in their independent commands.