A commissioned officer accompanied by two sentinels came for Eliard. Eliard was already informed that it was the first day of hearings for the court-martial.

The real battle was just beginning. A struggle right along with Lieutenant Commander Conrad Morris.

Eliard was placed in handcuffs and was led behind the officer down a damp and dirty underground corridor. The two sentinels held onto both his arms. They soon exited the bright cooridor and Eliard was placed in a jeep and taken towards an Earth Federation Forces facility.

His hair was blowing in the dry wind. It had been a while since he was outside. He took a deep breath without thinking. As he exhaled, his breath trembled slightly. He couldn’t hide his nervousness.

Today, Eliard would take his fateful first step. The fate of literal life or death. Even on the battlefield he danced with death. However, today was different. Life and death was entrusted to someone else.

As they entered the room where the court-martial would take place, his nervousness rose again. The room was an actual courtroom. A level above was the seat for the chief judge. Already seated there, an officer of the Federation Forces with the rank of Commodore.

Eliard was led to the defendant’s seat and his handcuffs removed. Conrad was beside him.

Looking at his face, Eliard was barely able to regain composure.

“Do exactly as I tell you.” Conrad said, “There’s no need for you to worry.”

“Sir.” Eliard had planned on doing that from the beginning.

Military or civilian alike, this is the first time he’d step foot into a court room. He had no choice but to do as Conrad said.

As chief judge, the Commodore gave his name and announced that court is in session. The man called Georgi Milkov had cold, bluish gray eyes.

“He’s more of a politician rather than a soldier. He has considerable influence in the Federation government.” Conrad whispered to Eliard.

Commodore Milkov read the name of the prosecution aloud and instructed them to give their opening statement. The name of the officer in charge of the prosecution was Captain John Gordon. He too gave off a coldhearted appearance.

Conrad whispered in his ear again, “He’s been with the Intelligence Bureau the entire time. He’s not an easy to deal with opponent.”

With a clear, yet slow manner of reciting, John Gordon explained in detail the four charges against Eliard.

In short, the crime of participating in the “Colony 30 Incident,” the willful and dangerous flight with an Asshimar, desertion in the face of the enemy during the colony laser battle and the last being the personal destruction of a new weapon.

Conrad whispered to him again, “At this point, they’ll ask whether you plead guilty or not. You cannot sit on the fence for this. You will firmly deny it.”

“Right.”

Eliard was called to the witness stand.

He sat up straight and stared straight ahead. His attitude became tense in doing so.

Commodore Milkov asked how he would plead to each of the charges. Four times, Eliard gave a firm “Not Guilty”.

“You may step down.”

Eliard gave a military style right about-face and squarely returned to his seat.

“Well done.” Conrad said.

From there, the prosecution spent a long time providing various proof regarding Eliard’s charges. Even as Eliard was listening, it was convincing.

He submitted various evidence to try and prove the fact that during the “Colony 30 Incident”, the Murphy Team launched from the cruiser Aswan and headed for Side 1. In the matter of the dangerous flight with the Asshimar, he called upon testimony from high ranking officers on the scene. Regarding desertion in the face of the enemy at the time of the colony laser battle, it would be based on Eliard’s own report after returning. Even for the destruction of a new weapon, he would be relying upon Eliard’s report.

Eliard suddenly grew uneasy with Gordon’s flowing explanation and glanced over at Conrad’s profile. Conrad didn’t even take notes, he just listened to what the other had to say.

Gordon soon finished his statement and the chief judge, Commodore Milkov, spoke.

“Does the defense have anything to say on the matter?”

Eliard waited for Conrad’s remarks.

“No, Your Honor.” responded Conrad as he remained seated.

Eliard was astonished. He believed that Conrad was going to take on Gordon’s accusations. However, Conrad didn’t say a word. His trust in Conrad nearly wavered.

“Then this military tribunal is adjourned for today.” Commodore Milkov stated, “The next hearing will be in one week.”

He banged the gavel.

The sentinels approached with handcuffs.

“Why didn’t you say anything?!”

“There’s no need to worry.” Conrad replied.

“One must first size up the enemy, then search for their weak point.”

“So then you’ve found a weak point?!”

“There is a weak point. So, just watch me.”

The sentinels placed Eliard’s hands in handcuffs and led him back to his cell again.