McMasters nodded and gestured to the bailiff. "Ask the members to enter."
This time the bailiff went to the other door in the back of the courtroom, knocking again and standing aside once more. "All rise," she ordered as Captain Carney led his four fellow officers into the courtroom. Carney took his seat in the center of the five chairs, the others sitting to his right and left in order of descending seniority. Paul studied the members of the court as well as his distance from them allowed.
Carney leaned back in his chair with a casual air of command and a demanding expression. Paul could imagine him in the same posture when junior officers reported to him, and almost hear Carney asking them, "What'd you screw up this time?" On Carney's immediate right, Commander Bolivar sat forward, her forearms resting on the table, her eyes searching the courtroom, her face wary. To Carney's immediate left, Lieutenant Commander Cloud seemed cautious as well. The two Lieutenants, seated in the outside chairs on each side, were the only ones who actually looked nervous. Ishiki looked old enough that he probably had enlisted experience, while Kalin seemed almost as young as Jen.
"You may be seated," Judge McMasters instructed the spectators. As Paul and others sat, the judge nodded to Carr. "Proceed, Trial Counsel."
Carr spoke clearly but unemotionally. The exact words she was saying were familiar to Paul. Carr herself had probably memorized them. They were spelled out in the Manual For Courts-Martial, and had to be spoken at the beginning of every trial. "I have been detailed to this court-martial by order of the fleet judge advocate general's office. I am qualified and certified under Article 27(b) and sworn under Article 42(a). I have not acted in any manner which might tend to disqualify me in the court-martial."
Lieutenant Bashir stood up again. "I have been detailed to this court-martial by order of the fleet judge advocate general's office. I am qualified and certified under Article 27(b) and sworn under Article 42(a). I have not acted in any manner which might tend to disqualify me in the court-martial."
McMasters nodded once more, then motioned Jen to stand up. She did so, coming back to attention instead of just standing. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Shen, you have the right to be represented in this court-martial by Lieutenant Ahmed Bashir, your detailed defense counsel, or you may be represented by military counsel of your selection, if the counsel you request is reasonably available. If you are represented by military counsel of your own selection, you would lose the right to have Lieutenant Bashir, your detailed counsel, continue to help in your defense. Do you understand?"
Jen remained at attention. "Yes, sir."
"In addition, you have the right to be represented by civilian counsel, at no expense to the United States. Civilian counsel may represent you alone or along with your military counsel. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you have any questions about your right to counsel?"
"No, sir."
"Who do you want to represent you?"
"I wish to be represented by my detailed defense counsel, Lieutenant Bashir, sir."
"Very well. Counsel for the parties have the necessary qualifications, and have been sworn. I have been detailed to this court by order of the judge advocate general's office of the Commander, United States Space Forces."
Commander Carr stood up and walked to face both the judge and the table where the members of the court sat. "The general nature of the charges in this case allege deliberate sabotage against a warship of the United States Navy, the USS Maury, which resulted in the murders of sixty-one officer and enlisted personnel of the United States Navy and extensive damage to US military property. The charges were preferred by Commander, United States Naval Space Forces, and forwarded with recommendations as to disposition to Commander, United States Space Forces." Commander Carr faced Judge McMasters. "Your honor, are you aware of any matter which may be a ground for challenge against you?"
"I'm aware of none."
"The government has no challenge for cause against the military judge."
Lieutenant Bashir stood yet again. "The defense has no challenge for cause against the military judge."
Judge McMasters leaned forward and looked at Jen. "Lieutenant Shen, do you understand that you have the right to be tried by a court-martial composed of members and that, if you are found guilty of any offense, those members would determine a sentence?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you also understand that you may request in writing or orally here in the court-martial trial before me alone, and that if I approve such a request, there will be no members and I alone will decide whether you are guilty and, if I find you guilty, determine a sentence?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you discussed these choices with your counsel?"
"Yes, sir, I have."
"By which type of court-martial do you choose to be tried?"
Lieutenant Shen still hadn't moved, maintaining rigid attention. "By members, sir."
"Very well. The accused will now be arraigned."
Commander Carr looked toward the defense table. "All parties and the military judge have been furnished a copy of the charges and specifications. Does the accused want them read?"
Jen moved for the first time, turning her head and nodding firmly to Lieutenant Bashir, who nodded back and addressed Commander Carr. "The accused wishes the charges to be read."
"Very well." Carr positioned her pad where she could easily read it. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, is charged with violations of the following articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice."
"Article 107, False Official Statements. In that Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, did, on board USS Maury CLE(S)-4, on or about 5 March 2101, with an intent to deceive, make to officers investigating the damage which had been suffered by the USS Maury, an official statement, to wit her knowledge of events onboard USS Maury, CLE(S)-4, the afternoon of 21 February 2101, which statement was false in that it failed to correctly state Lieutenant Shen's actual knowledge of and role in those events, and was then known by said Lieutenant Junior Grade Shen to be false."
"Article 108, Military Property of the United States- sale, loss, damage, destruction or wrongful disposition. In that Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, did, onboard USS Maury, CLE(S)-4, on or about 21 February 2101, without proper authority, willfully damage and destroy by unknown means military property of the United States, to wit all equipment located within the engineering compartments onboard the USS Maury as well in surrounding compartments as enumerated below." Carr glanced up. "Does the defendant desire me to read through that enumeration?"
Paul saw Jen shake her head. He hadn't seen her expression change as the charges were read. Trying to look as professional as possible. That's good. Isn't it? Or will it make her look unmoved by the tragedy instead?
Commander Carr returned her gaze to the data pad. "Article 109, Property other than military property of the United States — waste spoilage or destruction. In that Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, did, onboard USS Maury, CLE(S)-4, on or about 21 February 2101, willfully bring about the destruction of personal effects belonging to members of the crew of the USS Maury and then located within berthing compartments onboard the USS Maury which were substantially destroyed as a result of the destruction of equipment within the engineering compartments of the USS Maury.
"Article 110- Improper hazarding of a vessel. In that Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, did, on or about 21 February 2101, onboard USS Maury, CLE(S)-4, willfully and wrongfully hazard the said vessel by bringing about by unknown means the destruction of equipment within the engineering compartments of the USS Maury, thereby leading to extensive internal and external damage and creating conditions in which the total loss of the ship could have occurred.