"Article 118 — Murder." Carr paused after the word, then went on speaking. "In that Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, did, on or about 21 February 2101, onboard USS Maury, CLE(S)-4, with premeditation, deliberately murder sixty-one officer and enlisted personnel of the USS Maury by bringing about by unknown means the destruction of equipment within the engineering compartments of the USS Maury." She paused again and once more looked up. "Does the defendant wish the list of victims to be read?"
Paul could see Jen's jaw twitching, but she shook her head steadily once again.
"Article 124 — Maiming. In that Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, did, on or about 21 February 2101, onboard USS Maury, CLE(S)-4, maim by concussion and fragmentation effects eight surviving members of the crew of the USS Maury by bringing about by unknown means the destruction of equipment within the engineering compartments of the USS Maury." Another pause. "Does the defendant wish-?"
Jen was already shaking her head.
"Article 131 — Perjury. In that Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenevieve Diana Shen, United States Navy, did, on or about 12 March 2101, onboard Benjamin Franklin Naval Station, in a statement under penalty of perjury pursuant to section 1746 of title 28, United States Code, willfully and corruptly subscribe a false statement material to the matter of inquiry, to wit her knowledge of the cause of the destruction of equipment within the engineering compartments of the USS Maury, CLE(S)-4, and which statement she did not then believe to be true.
"The charges are signed by Commander, United States Naval Space Forces, a person subject to the code, as accuser; are properly sworn to before a commissioned officer of the armed forces authorized to administer oaths, and are properly referred to this court-martial for trial by Commander, United States Space Forces, the convening authority."
Paul had never before noticed how the charges against a defendant seemed to roll out like vast weights, each one seeming to press down upon the courtroom and oppress everyone within it. He looked at Jen, realizing the weight of the charges had actually fallen upon her, and wondered how she'd been able to maintain her composure.
Judge McMasters looked at Jen Shen again. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Shen, how do you plead? Before receiving you pleas, I advise you that any motions to dismiss any charge or grant other relief should be made at this time."
Jen seemed uncertain for a moment, first facing the judge, then turning to face the members. "I plead not guilty to all charges and specifications." To Paul, her voice sounded stilted, and he realized how much difficulty she was having controlling it. He wondered how it sounded to others who didn't know her as well as he did.
"Very well," Judge McMasters noted. "Do you have an opening statement, Trial Counsel?"
"I do, your honor." Commander Carr studied her data unit, then for just a moment looked up toward Jen. Paul couldn't tell if in that moment she'd also looked at him. Then Carr faced the members of the court and began speaking unemotionally. "The prosecution intends to prove that on 21 February of this year, Lieutenant Junior Grade Shen deliberately and with malice sabotaged the engineering systems of her ship, the USS Maury, not only bringing about extensive damage to her ship, but also executing the premeditated murder of sixty-one of her shipmates, including every other member of the engineering department on the USS Maury, after ensuring for her own safety. Lieutenant Junior Grade Shen then lied about her role in the sabotage and murder, complicating and impeding the initial and official investigations into the cause of the awful events of 21 February. Lieutenant Junior Grade should be found guilty as to every charge and specification and brought to justice for the awful fate she visited upon her ship and the sailors who worked alongside her."
Commander Carr walked back to the trial counsel's table and sat down, resting her chin in her hands so her expression was half-hidden. Her eyes seemed hooded, though. Paul stared at her as an awful realization finally hit. Premeditated murder. That's not just a life sentence. That's a death penalty offense. And Jen's charged with sixty-one premeditated murders. Oh my God.
Paul hadn't noticed Lieutenant Bashir standing and making his own way to the area before the judge's bench. Now Bashir addressed the members as well. "The defense contends that Lieutenant Shen did not commit the acts with which she is charged. The cause or causes of the damage and death on the USS Maury remain unknown, but that in no way justifies trying to pin the blame for that horrible event on an officer who has repeatedly demonstrated her humanity and devotion to duty. An officer who, in the wake of the accident on the USS Maury, saved the lives of twenty-one enlisted personnel who looked to her for leadership in conditions of utmost peril. An officer whose loyalty, skill and dedication to duty has never before been questioned. Lieutenant Shen should be found innocent of these charges, because she is innocent, and because there is no evidence she played any role in the accident or the deaths which we all regret."
Lieutenant Bashir returned to his seat. Paul tried to focus fully on the court-room and not on his internal turmoil. The standard preliminaries for a court-martial were over and the actual trial fully beginning. The judge pointed his ceremonial gavel toward Commander Carr. "You may proceed, Trial Counsel."
"The United States calls as its first witness Rear Admiral Michael Hidalgo, United States Navy."
Rear Admiral Hidalgo marched to the witness stand, his uniform crisp, his manner confident. He watched closely as Commander Carr approached the witness stand and administered the oath. "Do you swear that the evidence you give in the case now in hearing shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I do."
"Are you Rear Admiral Michael Hidalgo, United States Navy, currently serving on the staff of the Commander, United States Navy Space Forces?"
"I am."
"Rear Admiral Hidalgo, what is your exact job title on the staff of the Commander, United States Navy Space Forces?"
"I'm the N4."
"What exactly does that mean?"
Hidalgo broke his gaze on Carr as he answered, looking around the court-room. "That's the staff code for engineering. I'm the senior engineering representative in the fleet."
"As such, are you regarded as an expert on the engineering systems onboard U.S. spacecraft?"
"I am."
"Are you familiar with the engineering systems on ships similar to the USS Maury?"
"Yes. Very familiar. I personally served as chief engineer on the USS Dahlgren, which is one the Maury 's sister ships."
"Sister ship meaning of the same class and design?"
"That's right."
"Were you involved in the investigation of the damage suffered by the USS Maury on 21 February?"
The rear admiral nodded, his expression clouding slightly. "I was. Yes. I was appointed to head that investigation by Admiral Yesenski."
"Admiral Yesenski being the Commander, United States Navy Space Forces."
"Yes. Sorry."
Commander Carr smiled politely. "No need to apologize, Admiral Hidalgo. Can you summarize the results of that investigation?"
"Yes." Hidalgo nodded several times. "In summary, we found that the USS Maury had suffered serious damage as a result of multiple, near-simultaneous explosions caused by overloading and catastrophic failure of most of the equipment within her engineering spaces."
"Were you able to determine what caused that to happen, sir?"
Hidalgo looked unhappy. "No. Too much damage had been suffered and too much evidence either completely destroyed or unrecoverable in space."