---GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT---

IMPERIAL SHIPYARDS
PLANET XYBER XVII, MANOS SYSTEM
0945 HOURS, OCTOBER 9, 3034 A.D.

The crew of the Oblivion found themselves once again heading out for Planet Earth. This time, however, they were bringing a special cargo along with them: the crews of the 4 Aradas that had attempted to start the Crescent War once again.

They would be presented as part of the evidence at the Council meeting that was to be held in roughly an hour. The equipment of the ships, which had been well documented and photographed, would comprise another part. The crew was specifically told to not let them go until they had reached Earth.

“Commander, we’re ready for take-off whenever you’re ready,” said Bowser.
“Then let’s go. We can’t waste another second here; the Council meeting’s in an hour.”

The mighty Oblivion was aimed at the Inter-Dimensional Time Gate that had been set for the journey to Earth. The engines roared to life, and the massive craft set out into The Nexus.

C.N.S. OBLIVION
HIGH ORBIT ABOVE PLANET EARTH, SOL SYSTEM
1015 HOURS, OCTOBER 9, 3034 A.D.

The same procedure happened as before. Mike and the other top-ranking officials boarded the dropship that would land them just outside Area 51, escorted once again under armed guard. However, because they also were bringing prisoners, the force sent to escort them was double that from last time.

About 15 minutes later, they were in the Grand Forum of the IGRC. The massive chamber was only just beginning to fill with representatives from across the Universe.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the Council, please be seated.”
Grand Councilor Aleksandr Vasily took the stand. “The Council recognizes the representatives from the Imperial Capital of Xyber XVII.”

The disc containing Commander and the others detached as Mike piloted it to the center of the Forum, in full view of the rest of the representatives.

“Delegates of the Inter-Galactic Races Council,” Commander began, “you certainly must have heard about the recent events brewing at the borders of the Crescent governments. Shortly after leaving the last Council Meeting, we had received a report from one of the Zidagar’s most respected Generals, Zardikis, that Azdgari ships had been spotted near the planet.”

The council members began talking amongst themselves.

“Much to our relief, it had turned out that the ships were in fact Guild of Free Trader ships that had been painted and armed to give the appearance that they were Azdgari. Obviously, we had made sure that our observations were submitted to the other strands so they were aware of what we were doing. We disabled the 4 Aradas with remarkable ease; but our worst fears were only realized after we had captured the ships.”

Mike flew the craft close to the Grand Councilor’s Spire, and handed him a data disc that contained the footage of the crew being detained.

“Our worst fears, ladies and gentlemen,” Commander explained, “was the discovery…of THESE fine gentlemen aboard the ships,” he motioned, and the discs with the traitorous Azdgari, Igadzra, and Zidagar crew members were brought up so all could see.

Stunned, the members of the Council fell silent. Never had they dreamed that members of their own race would turn against the Empire. Vasily began playing the incriminating evidence.

“It was our initial theory that they were most likely members of the strandless; however, background checks revealed that they were actively serving their respective races, and therefore could not possibly have been the case. As much as we hate to admit it, there is dissention amongst our own ranks, heated enough to the point of defection to the JR/VA.”

The entire Council was enraged at the sight. Already, there were people slinging taunts and jeers at the turncoats. Indeed, a great number of members, including those from their own races, were shouting, “Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!” over and over.

Vasily quickly gained control of the situation by banging his gavel, specially modified to send out a hypersonic wave, disrupting the inner ear and causing a loss of equilibrium.

“Thank you Councilor,” Mike announced, after recovering from the harsh method of crowd control. “Representatives of the Council, I move for a vote of conviction on behalf of the strands.”

The response was almost instantaneous. “VOTE NOW!” came the echoing response from all around the Forum.

Vasily agreed. “It has been decided by the Inter-Galactic Races Council, by decree of unanimous vote, to decide the fates of these traitors! The voting will begin in 10 hours!”

He banged his gavel, ending the meeting.

A little while later, outside the Grand Forum…

“Commander, what kind of sentencing do the crewmembers face if convicted?” one reporter asked.
“If convicted, the minimum sentencing is 60 years without chance of parole; if they deem it necessary, however, the Strands could choose to convict them of intent of selling government secrets, which carries either life without parole or death.”

Other officials held back the reporters as he stepped down from the podium, and to the transport back to the Oblivion.

They boarded the dropship, and headed back up to the ship. Their meeting done, they would sit back and let the events play themselves out.

Elsewhere…

OBERON MILITARY BASE
PLANET NEW ALCATRAZ, PARIAH SYSTEM
1357 HOURS, OCTOBER 9, 3034 A.D.

“Agent 35629 reporting,” the Commandarian whispered. “Have infiltrated Oberon Military Base to reveal details about a top secret project discovered by recent Agents to the area.”

Suddenly…

“How are things coming, Major?”

It was Akasi.

“Project Doomsday is progressing speedily along, Lord Akasi. The weapon shall be ready in two weeks.”
“Excellent. It won’t be long before the Imperial Navy tastes my wrath…as they watch their Headquarters World torn asunder!”

---END TRANSMISSION---
NOTES:

With a name like Project Doomsday, you it has to be seriously bad news. :P

It might not seem like Life without Parole would be a harsh treatment, but take this into consideration: the only way a person can die in the Empire is from disease or battle wounds. That said, being imprisoned with no possibility of death from old age or natural causes to end it all is a pretty grim scenario.

This, amazingly, is the first post I've submitted to FA that required no edits to events in the storyline (however, it was still reworded slightly). I hope it won't be the last.

Bowser is © Nintendo
The Guild of Free Traders, Azdgari, Zidagar, Igadzra, and Pozdag-3 is © Ambrosia Software
The Empire, JR/VA, and all characters w/in © Me