The following morning in subjective time, the family woke up, and 'ate' breakfast together. While they were eating in the dining room of the 'resort' Donna had dreamed up, two new beautiful ladies joined the family and the AIs.
Pollux stood to meet them at the door, and gave each of them a hug before turning to introduce them to the family. "Jimmy, Ladies, it's my pleasure to introduce to you two more of our sisters."
Before speaking, Pollux put her hand on the woman closest to her, an Asian lady that had a very serious expression on her face. "I mentioned Teriska last evening, although she has chosen the name 'Athena' since awakening, her image was chosen as a tribute to the last garrison commander; they were good friends. Athena is the Marine Garrison AI."
Athena had the same super-model looks as the rest of the AIs. She had hair so black it appeared to have a dark blue tint to it. Her facial features indicated she had Polynesian ancestry instead of Mongolian. Her breasts were almost too large for her body and seemed out of place on the small, five-foot-one frame. She seemed to be wearing some kind of uniform/body armor/negligee that made her look like she should be on the cover of Guns & Ammo's swimsuit edition.
Pollux put her hand on the other woman's shoulder. This woman was a classic beauty, with her red hair tastefully styled, and wearing an outfit that was casually professional. She looked exactly like what she was: a school teacher.
"This is Anna; the education AI. She will be monitoring each of you when you have a lesson, and will be able to answer any questions you may have from a lesson.
"There are other AIs awakening, however, you won't meet most of them until you return to the real world. So don't be too surprised if you see someone you don't know when you get back. For example, Grista has three other AIs that work with her to control the thousands of different types of droids, drones, and other intelligent machines," Pollux finished.
Senator Gerard Herald sighed in contentment as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Tha' was ahn excel'ent meal, Mrs. Greenway. Thank ya so much fo' invitin' meh."
"It was my pleasure, Senator Herald. I'm glad you enjoyed the meal," Diane Greenway replied, smiling.
"Well, now that we're stuffed, how'd you like a brandy in the den?" Alan Greenway asked his guest.
Alan was the new Democratic Senator from Minnesota. He had just gotten to his office when the President called him to the Oval Office for a meeting. The legislation he was asked to draw up was a career-ender, and he knew it. However, he also saw it as his duty to the American people, and agreed to work with the 'Old Bigot', as the other Democrats called Senator Heralds.
The fact that the legislation was actually part of the platform he ran on was a contributing factor to his selection. He also knew that the bill would most likely pass, since Gerard would be greasing the republican wheels in the background, and the President would work the minority.
"I'd like tha', thank ya," Gerard said as he stood. He'd forgotten about Senator Greenway when President Robertson suggested using a Democrat as a ghost writer. In Gerard's opinion, Alan Greenway was as close to a normal red-blooded, god-fearin' American as a democrat can get.
When they got to the room that Alan was using as an at home office, he took a seat while his host got his drink and began their conversation.
"Senator, I know this whole situation is very unusual, but I must admit, I'm actually looking forward to working with you."
Gerard half-smiled in feigned embarrassment. "I gotta admit, I'm thankful Robertson rec'mended y'all. It seems tah me tha' all the other dem'cratic, juniah senahtors are rather more uh ... liberal, then I fin' comfor'ble."
Alan tried not to laugh out loud at the thought of this redneck and Jayden Heckler in the same room. Jayden was elected because of his obvious relationship preferences. He was a perfect professional while on the Senate Floor, but some of his more flamboyant performances at parties and such were prime fuel for the gossip columnists, and a great source of entertainment for those with open minds.
Gerard continued. "Sorra to git righ' dawn to bus'ness an' all, but have ya'll got anah ideahs on how tah start?"
"A few. Since the idea is to get rid of hydrocarbon burning machines, I thought I'd begin by writing it to completely ban any poisonous or harmful emissions from all petrochemical fueled appliances; no exceptions.
"I'm not sure how to go about it, but since we need to let the repressed technology out, I got an idea. We leak the technology to different oil companies, and offer either a tax incentive or a grant for viable research into alternate sources of energy. That way, it should cut down on the layoffs, and over-all panic about the emissions bill I'm going to write. We'd get the money for it from all the overseas funding programs we're supposed to stop."
Gerard nodded agreement. "Ya'll've got a good head on yer shouldahs, Alan. If'in we pull this off, ya'll're gonna ha' a long c'reer in t' Senate."
"I appreciate the thought, Gerard, but I know that even if we somehow pull this off, I'll be finished in politics. In fact, I'll be lucky to even retain my license to practice law. My career's finished," Alan admitted, sadly.
"Yeah, yer pro'lly right. But if'in ya'll know that, thinn why er ya'll still doin' it?"
"I know you might not believe me, but from the first, I've always saw this as a way to continue to serve the people of our country. If my career is the price I need to pay to keep those people safe, then so be it. I can always find another way to support my family, and maybe even find a different way to serve," Alan said looking down into his drink.
Gerard looked thoughtful as Alan explained his reasoning, then spoke slowly. "Ya'll er goo' peopah, Alan. I recken, 'long th' way some-wheres, ' lot a us forgot all 'bout th' people we'es supposed tah work fo'. Mightent be a goo' thang ya'll be aleavin'. Then aginn, mayhap weel be a needin' more like ya'll." He downed the last of his brandy, and stood. "I gots a couple a meetin' in tha nex' couple-three days, so I'll leave ya tah git workin' on it. Jus' remembah who ya'll be a dealin' wit; make sure theys a lot o' fat fo 'em to chaw on. I'll let ya'll know when I gits back, an' we kin git th' grits in th' grittle."
The move was so sudden; it took Alan completely by surprise. He hurriedly sat his drink down, and stood to show his guest the door. "I hope I didn't offend you, Gerard?" Alan said.
"Nah, you jus' r'minded meh tha' weev gots work tah do. I best be gitten to it. I enjoyed a'meetin' ya famlah, Alan. Please tell ya lovlah wife dinnah was absolutely fabulass. I'll be a-seein' ya in a couple ah days," Gerard said, and offered Alan his hand. "Goo' Luck, Alan."
Alan took the offered hand. "I think you might need it more than I will, Gerard. Have a safe trip."
"I thin' ya'll migh' be right! Thank ya, again." The corpulent man said as he turned and left.
"You're most welcome. See ya later." Alan said after the man. Gerard simply waved as he got in the car. His driver closed the door, and nodded a greeting to Alan. Alan nodded back and closed the door.
When he turned around, his wife was standing there with her arms crossed and a look on her face.
"Gerard said to tell you dinner was fabulous," Alan offered.
"I speak fluent redneck; I heard," she replied, and didn't move. "The Senate majority leader and most powerful Republican in Washington just happened to decide to drop in for dinner? I don't buy it for a second. You hate the Republicans, so I know we're not switching teams, what gives?"
"Let me grab the dirty glasses in the den, then we can have coffee in the kitchen, and I'll tell you, promise," Alan said.
As she turned to head for the kitchen, Diane asked him if he wanted some Irish Cream in it.
"Yes please; you know how much I hate straight brandy."
As the family gathered on the beach once again, Anne was there waiting for them.
"Welcome! As you know I am, Anna. Since you all have so much to learn, we need to get started on your differing areas of interest. Donna, do you wish to proceed with your current school or your area of interest? I should warn you, you will need a bit more basic education than you currently have for Public Law."
"I think I should finish my school first, Miss. But, I have cooking as my hobby, so could we add the culinary arts as an elective?" Donna asked.
Anna smiled and nodded to her new student. "Of course! You can learn whatever you want, Dear." She looked around at the others. "Before we start, would anyone else like to add or modify their interests?"
When no one spoke up, Jimmy asked. "What do we need to do? I don't see any chairs or anything."
"You may stand right where you are, or you can sit on the sand, or even lie down. It doesn't matter. Each lesson will only last a few moments here, although for you, it will seem like hours. I should warn you, that different people learn at different speeds, and some lessons are longer than others. When you return here, except for myself, you may very well be alone. Please keep in mind, no matter how real any of this feels, it is still virtual." She smiled at everyone. "When you're ready to begin, simply close your eyes, and will yourself to learn. We'll do the rest."
Jimmy closed his eyes, and before he could form a coherent thought, he found himself on the dais in what could only be called a court. He was being addressed.
"Lord Arbiter, before you today are the leaders of the Hyclerian People. As a race, they are charged with Negligent Genocide, and as leaders with the unjustified execution of an entire family of their citizens. The People wish this case to be heard, may I proceed?"
Jimmy wasn't sure what race the being that spoke was, but he definitely wasn't human. First off it was a hexapod; it/he/she had four legs and two arms like a centaur. However, unlike a centaur, the body was covered in long shaggy hair. The upright torso was clothed in a wrap around garment much like a toga, but it still managed to look formal.
Opposite the 'Prosecutor' were several beings wearing what had to be respirators. However, they still wore 'normal' clothes. Their clothing looked like a suit you would see on an Amish man on Sunday. (Without the hat) They had bluish skin, and three long fingers, and a long thumb on each hand. Somehow, Jimmy realized he now knew who was male and who was female.
Jimmy stood and spoke, "Litigation may proceed."
That kinda scared Jimmy since he wasn't fully in control of his body, but when he tried to move one of his arms, he found that he could. Something was guiding him through this 'lesson'. Fair enough.
Jimmy paid strict attention while the 'prosecutor' spoke. "The facts in this case brought before you today are simple, but the issue is complex. The Artarian People, that lived on the tidal locked moon of the Hyclerians, Tolian, contracted with a Hyclerian company to create and build a device to shield the moon from an unusually large solar storm. At the time of the contract, it was believed that Tolian's atmosphere would protect the planet, and in case of emergency, the leaders had themselves begun construction on massive storm shelters for their people."
"The Hyclerian company worked for the better part of a local month and finished the device with only days to spare. However, before the engineer that developed the device was sent home, he was ordered by his own leaders to bring the device back with him."
"It seems that the amount of damage the storm would do to the surface of the planet would all but destroy the Hyclerian economy. New information also showed that the planet's atmosphere would not fully protect the planet."
"The Engineer, one Tandar Brein, refused the command, stating that removal of the device from the moon would kill the Artarians. He boarded his shuttle and left a grateful Artarian people for his home."
"The Hyclerian leaders anticipated Mr. Brein's response and sent a team to 'recover' the device and bring it back to Tolien. The Artarians had an agronomic society, and eschewed violence of any kind. So when the military strike team arrived to take the device. No one could stop them, although five of the Artarian leaders were killed when they tried to reason with the team."
"The device was returned to Tolien, and it worked as advertised. It shielded the Tolien atmosphere from the storm. Because he had refused the order to return the device, Mr. Brien and his entire family were executed by firing squad." The Prosecutor took a seat.
Once again, Jimmy stood. This time he faced the accused. "Do you dispute the facts as outlined by the People?"
The 'Defender' stood and bowed slightly to Jimmy. "No, My Lord Arbiter, However, there are other details that you may wish to hear before you render judgment."
Jimmy 'knew' that this was the typical reply for a case like this, and nodded before taking his seat once again. "You may proceed."
"Thank you, My Lord. We would like to address the charges one at a time; Negligent Genocide first," the defender stated, and Jimmy again nodded.
"It is indeed a terrible thing to have lost the Artarian People. It is unfortunate that not enough time remained for them to duplicate the shield device created by our people. However, the device was the property of the Hyclerian People. The company in question failed to properly file a transfer of technology permit and illegally transferred the components up to the moon. By taking back the device that should not have been allowed to leave Tolien to begin with, we were replacing a critical component of our own defenses."
That sounded wrong to Jimmy. "Counsel, are you saying that the device was assembled on Tolien and taken up to the moon?"
"Not exactly, My Lord. Components used in the device were taken up to the moon and assembled there. The device in question was to be assembled on planet as part of our own defenses," the Counsel clarified.
"Counsel, did you, or did you not have extensive bunkers built to protect your people?" Jimmy asked.
"My Lord, the shelters were only part of the plan; we needed the shield to ensure that we could produce food again after the storm passed."
"Did you stock pile food in the shelters to feed your people until the next growing season?" Jimmy asked.
"Yes, Lord. However, we did not have enough to trade for goods and services to rebuild after the storm. There would have been extensive damage, not just to the agricultural areas."
"I see." Jimmy replied. "Was the shield device part of the plan before the device was assembled on the Artarian moon?"
Without hesitation, the being standing before the Dais answered, "Yes it was, My Lord."
"Very well. On to the charge of illegally executing a family. What are your facts on the matter?"
"With respect, My Lord, we feel that is an internal matter, and should not be heard here." The Counselor replied.
"I understand. Are your clients all those that were responsible for the conviction?" Jimmy asked.
"Yes, My Lord."
'At least that was the truth' Jimmy thought to himself. Turning back to the Prosecutor, he asked. "Do you have any more to add?"
The centaur being stood and bowed to Jimmy. "No, Lord Arbiter. The facts carry themselves."
Jimmy again nodded. "Who brought this to the attention of the people?"
"There are five Freighter Captains and their crews that have recorded testimony in this case, Lord. The records are available for your viewing, and the Captains themselves are present should you have questions of them," the prosecutor replied.
"We will adjourn while we evaluate the testimony. We will reconvene when we have finished," Jimmy said and stood to leave.
The litigants also stood, and Jimmy retired to his office to view the Captain's testimony. After viewing the testimony of the Captains, and certain members of their crews, Jimmy felt he had a good grasp of the facts available. The video's had obviously been edited to remove any trace of opinion, and contained on the sworn statements of the Captains and crew that none of the components they delivered to the moon had originated on Tolien.
He felt that he was being 'watched' as he thought this out, and wondered if he would get some help if he needed it. He decided to worry about the case.
That the Hyclerian leaders were guilty of the deaths of the Arterians, and well as Mr. Brien's family was obvious. What wasn't so obvious was who else, if anyone was to be held responsible? The council ordered the return of the device, then ordered their military to dispatch a team to recover it.
It is the duty of a soldier to question obviously illegal orders, and these orders weren't questioned. Did the strike team need to use deadly force on a peaceful resistance to the removal of the device they had built?
He sent a request that the general staff as well as the strike team be brought to the citidel as well as the team of people responsible for the original plan to protect the planet Tolien.
When he was informed that the personnel he asked for had arrived, Jimmy reconvened the court.
After questioning the new people, and thanking the freighter Captains for their assistance in this matter, Jimmy felt ready to render judgment.
"If there are no more facts in this case, I'm prepared to make a decision." He paused to give the litigator's a change to speak up. When neither did, he continued.
"Although the entire race of Artarians was not destroyed, too few remain to repopulate the species without genetic manipulation. Such a loss, no matter to what race, is a terrible tragedy. When it is the result of greed and deceptions, it is one of the worst crimes imaginable. It is not only the people of the Artarians that are the victims, every member of the universe is lessened to some degree by such a loss.
"That the Hyclerian leaders are directly responsible, and through them the whole of the Hyclerian people are accomplices before the fact in the form that the leaders are elected. However, I do not believe that they are guilty of Negligent Genocide, although that crime will fit for the Hyclerian people. I find the Hyclerian leaders, Military strike team, and Vice Admiral Meeds guilty of the far more heinous crime of Genocide.
"The facts presented before me show that, with malice of forethought, and full knowledge of the consequences of their actions, the ruling council ordered the retrieval of the device from the Artarian moon after it was too late to build one of their own. The afore mentioned device having never been part of the original survival plan for the Hyclerians who believed their planet safe from the solar storm. This is premeditated Genocide and carries the mandatory punishment of death. The sentence will be carried out by the Master at Arms at the conclusion of these proceedings.
"For the crime of Negligent Genocide, the Hyclerian people will be placed in a temporal blockade for a period of no less than five years Galactic Standard Time. A drone capable of carrying out the sentence will be dispatched for the surface of Tolien at the conclusion of these proceedings.
"Finally for the crime of illegally executing the Brein family; since the crime for which the sentence was carried out was off planet, it automatically becomes the jurisdiction of this court. Although it is nothing when set beside the billions they have already slaughtered, the Hyclerian ruling council is guilty of the murders of Mr. Brien his wife and two daughters. The sentence for this is death."
"Counsel for the defense; you are found to be in contempt of this court for falsifying testimony, and attempting to manipulate the facts of the case through miss-direction and deception. You will share the same fate as your clients. This court is hereby concluded." Jimmy stood and left the dais.
On the hearing floor bedlam was breaking out as Imperial Marines, summoned before hand, entered and took the convicted into custody. They were taken to the lowest level of the Citadel and prepared for termination. Each being was allowed a call to their family before being lead into the event horizon of an untargeted bridge. The Strike Team, came to attention, and marched themselves into their fate.
Jimmy hadn't been present for the executions, but he was shown them anyway. He felt that his monitor was pleased with his reasoning and the outcome of the 'trial'. The 'Trial' had felt like it had taken days, but Jimmy was back on the beach with Pollux and Anna; No one else was around.
"Wow, how long was I in there?" He asked, although he was a bit more subdued than normal. Neither AI asked him about it, knowing he needed time to come to terms with what he'd learned.
"For us, it was about two hours," Pollux replied. "Are you hungry?"