“Star Sergeant Xao,” She said. “You were drafted, is this correct?”
“Yes, I was.”
“During your time in training, did you learn about military tactics?”
“I did.” I shifted slightly. “The entire group did. We had the lectures beamed up from Earth. Professor Yu.”
“Furthermore, is it true that you became the first cadet to lead an actual squad in space? And that you personally are accredited with the formation of tactical groups known as stars?”
“No. I mean, yes, I mean…” I coughed, blushing. Shit. I looked at the judge out of the corner of my eyes. He was frowning slightly at me. I looked back at the lawyer. “I was the first to LEAD a star in combat exercises.”
It had made want to piss my suit…but if I hadn’t done it, what would have happened? Would someone else have stepped up and took charge and shoved an mining pick in the Sandcaster? Or would everyone have sat around gaping and gotten splattered.
“But I didn’t create the formation, that was designed by Dr. Yu and other g-groundside personal…”
“But they did not lead them in battle. You did.” The lawyer said, with a look that clearly said ‘work with me here’.
I sat up a little straighter. “T-That’s right, I did.”
She smiled ever so slightly, even as her opponent lawyer stood up. “Objection! Relevancy. What does this line of questioning have to do with the defendant?”
The judge shot a pointed looked at my lawyer. I felt for her. “Sustained.”
“Sergeant Xao is being called to testify on the actions of Daniel Lau. Her knowledge and skill at leading troops and space tactics are part of her testimony, not just her personal observations.”
“Objection!” Her opponent shot back. “Bias. Sergeant Xao has a personal bias against Daniel Lau.”
The judge frowned. “Do you have evidence for this claim?”
“Evidence B3, Visual recordings of Sergeant Xao verbally assaulting my client.”
I blinked. They’d gotten their hands on the com traffic between the Forge and the Hub? I would have thought that would be locked up tight, like most military communication. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so distracted by the lack of proper breathers in the room when evidence had been submitted.
“Objection, immaterial! Sergeant Xao was under duress at the time. This does not prove long term animosity or continual ill will.”
I was starting to lose track of who had objected to who.