Jeffrey Carver - Eternity's End

Commissioner North waved his hand to acknowledge the question. “We’re investigating , as is our responsibility. All allegations will be examined. But there has been no guilt established yet—and it’s the job of the Spacing Authority to determine facts , not allegations. It’s also the job of the RiggerGuild to protect and defend the interests of riggers everywhere, and that includes Rigger Legroeder, as well as his colleagues. So let’s allow the investigation to move forward, and let the evidence speak for itself, shall we?”

The holo cut away from North and back to the news desk, where the anchorwoman continued, “Despite these words of reassurance from Commissioner North, potentially damning testimony by the rigger himself was released by the RiggerGuild…”

The image cut to Legroeder saying, “We steered toward the other ship—” cut to “—the captain told us to maintain our course—” cut to “—we were headed directly toward the pirate ship—”

The holo cut again, to the panelist asking how many had been killed and captured, then to Legroeder snorting, looking with apparent disdain toward the ceiling. Then just his voice, answering, “Hard to say…”

And finally an echo of Commissioner North’s voice: “—let the evidence speak for itself…”

Legroeder’s coffee cup fell and rolled across the floor. He stared at the holo image, scarcely hearing as his attorney repeated, “That’s not the way you said it. We can challenge that. Don’t worry, we can challenge that…”

“The panel has reached its decision,” the chairwoman said, with the barest of opening prelimaries.

Legroeder drew a sharp breath. Reached its decision—? He turned to his attorney.

Kalm-Lieu was already on his feet. “Madame Chair, this is highly irregular! My client has not yet concluded his testimony.”

“Irregular it may be,” said the chairwoman, with a severe expression. “Nevertheless, the decision is made.”

“May I ask why the rush to judgment?” Kalm-Lieu demanded.

“This is not a judgment , Counsel, merely a decision as to the RiggerGuild’s involvement in the matter.” The chairwoman sounded chiding. “The full legal proceedings have yet to begin.”

“Nevertheless—”

“However, I will inform you that the reason for the timing is a request from the Spacing Authority that we move quickly so that the full investigation can begin. This matter is viewed very seriously by the Spacing Authority, and it is the wish of the RiggerGuild to cooperate to the fullest extent possible.”

The chairwoman stared down, clearing her throat. “Now, then. It is the finding of this panel that your actions while serving aboard the Ciudad de los Angeles did in all probability bring harm to the passengers in your care, and to the shipmates with whom you served. Such actions are therefore in violation of RiggerGuild Code—”

Legroeder grunted in disbelief and tried to turn to his lawyer, but his head felt frozen in ice.

“—we find a high probability of conviction for dereliction of duty in Spacing Authority Court, and therefore have determined that the Guild of Riggers should not represent you in this matter.”

“Madame Chairman, I object!” he heard his counsel protesting, miles away, it seemed. “My client has not even been permitted to present his full case—”

“Mr. Kalm-Lieu, please be seated. I repeat, the purpose of this hearing is simply to determine whether the RiggerGuild should take a role in the matter. We have determined that the Guild should not become involved.”

The attorney was clearly flustered. “I really must—I mean, what about the circumstances? What about starship Impris ? You have released misleading information to the press, and have given us no opportunity to—”

“Please be silent, Mr. Kalm-Lieu, while I finish reading the decision. You will have an opportunity to make a statement at the end.”

The attorney stood for a moment, shaking with frustration. Finally he sat down beside his client.

Numbness was overtaking Legroeder. He stared at his thumbs and listened impassively as the rest of the judgment was read.

“Thank you. Rigger Legroeder, your service aboard Ciudad de los Angeles was a sacred trust. If you had acted with greater care and wisdom, you might have saved many passengers and crew from death or captivity at the hands of Golen Space pirates. Instead, in your belief that you had seen the legendary ship Impris , you pursued a phantom. As a result of those actions, your ship was boarded, and all hands taken or lost.”

“Objection! He was hardly the only crewmember involved in the actions! What about the captain—?”

“Mr. Kalm-Lieu, silence! Rigger Legroeder was not the only one, perhaps, but he is the only one to stand here before us.”

There were locked, silent glares for a half dozen heartbeats.

The chairwoman went on, “There remains the question of Rigger Legroeder’s complicity with the society of raiders, in captivity. That we leave to the Spacing Authority to determine. But by his own admission, he participated in as many as fifty or sixty acts of piracy—”

“Before he had the opportunity to escape!” protested Kalm-Lieu.

Was it Legroeder’s imagination, or was his counsel losing spirit?

“—in those acts of piracy, uncounted innocent people may have lost their lives. Therefore, it is the judgment of this panel that Rigger Renwald Legroeder’s membership in the Guild of Riggers shall be suspended, and he shall not be granted the protection of the RiggerGuild in this matter or any other.”

Legroeder sat rigidly silent as the chairwoman concluded, “Mr. Kalm-Lieu, your vigorous defense of your client has been admirable. However, you will not be continuing in this role. Mr. Legroeder, following the conclusion of this hearing, the Guild legal offices will no longer be available to you. You will be remanded back to the Spacing Authority, for their judgment in the matter of your alleged complicity with the Golen Space raiders.

“And now, Mr. Kalm-Lieu. If you or your client would like to make a final statement, this is your opportunity.”

Kalm-Lieu rose slowly, obviously struggling to find words to express his disbelief. “Ma’am, I can only reassert that this is a blatant violation of my client’s rights. I ask for a moment to confer.” He turned to Legroeder. “If this were a trial, I could file an appeal. But under the Guild rules—” He raised his hands helplessly. “This is extremely irregular. I had no idea this was coming.”

Legroeder did not look at his lawyer, but slowly raised his gaze to the holo of the chairwoman. He was beginning to feel his anger burn through the numbness, but he had no target for it. He knew, as certainly as he knew his own name, that this panel could not possibly be acting on its own. It was just too irrational. But who were they acting for? He couldn’t even guess. Finally, he glanced at his attorney.

“Do you want to voice your personal protest, for the record?” asked Kalm-Lieu.

“You’ve said it all already,” said Legroeder. He raised his voice to fill the room. “It’s clear this hearing has been a fraud from the start. So why belabor it?”

Kalm-Lieu grunted. He rose unsteadily, glanced back at Legroeder twice before speaking. “My client… protests the injustice of this hearing, Madame Chairman. He has nothing further to say.” Kalm-Lieu sat again, fidgeting.

With a motion of her hand, the chairwoman sealed the judgment in the computer. “Then this hearing is adjourned.” A moment later, she and the rest of the panel shimmered and vanished.

Legroeder forced himself up, a tightness in his chest.