I stood in a vast chamber. There was little in the way of furniture or decoration. A single spotlight shone down upon me from a ceiling beyond the reach of my vision. Even my breathing echoed in the enormity of this place.

“Roc Wieler. We have found you guilty of violating Republic Military code. Assault against non military targets is unacceptable, and will be punished. Do you have anything you wish to say before sentencing?”

The Tribunal; few things could frighten a man more than them, yet I oddly felt a calming peace amongst the storm. I had been apprehended at Evati VII, Republic Fleet Logistic support, and ferried securely back to Hek. I knew this day would come. I knew I would have to take ownership of my actions. What more could be said?

“No, your honours.” I replied monotonously. 

“Because of your exemplary record, colonel, we are going to go easy on you, though we want it known that things can go very poorly for you, and very quickly, should we ever see you before this tribunal again. Are we making ourselves clear, colonel?” 

It was odd how the tribunal spoke. There were three members, each taking turns speaking, but it was done in a mid sentence rythmn that it made seem like one speaker. 

Regardless, they were taking it easy on me. There were obvious undertones. “We need you, colonel. It’s war out there and we need every available body. Just don’t mess it up again and make us look stupid for our leniency.” That was the real message I was hearing.

“I am but a servant to the Republic, your honours.” I replied with heartfelt sincerity.

“Very good, colonel. You are temporarily suspended from fleet command status. You are to be docked 1200 ISK to cover medical expenses and legal fees for the three victims you are charged with assaulting. You are not to leave Metropolis region for 10 days. Failure to comply with any of these terms of your sentence will result in immediate apprehension and prosecution to the full extent of our power under the Republic military code.”

A loud hammer sounded, and the tribunal was finished. Things could’ve been much worse for me.

—

“And how do you plea, Roc Wieler?” the judge asked. A camera drone whirred by my face, recording this shame for all the galaxy to see. The courtroom was packed, as this was a civil hearing, and open to the public.

“Guilty, your honour.” was my honest reply. A gasp came up from much of the crowd, and I could see the looks of shock on most faces, the look of disappoint on others, the look of smug self-satisfaction on fewer still.

The judge repeatedly hammered his gavel against his desk. “Order in this courtroom. Order!”

It was one of the biggest media events in recent history; Colonel Roc Wieler, hero of the Republic, facing charges for assaulting three civilians on an Evati magtrain. 

For the last four days those civilians had been on television more than coverage of the war. They had become fifteen minute famers, and were eating it up.

I regretted what I had done. Whatever consequences there were to be, I would accept them.

“Roc Wieler, it is within my power to imprison you. It is within my power to lock you away, throw away the key, and nobody will ever hear from you again. Do you understand the severity of what you have done?” 

I nodded my head and replied “I do, your honour.”

The judge continued. “But I’ve read your file, son. I know the pressure you must be under. And before I sentence you, I want it known to you, and to the trillions watching, that I appreciate you, son. I appreciate every soldier out there fighting for our way of life. I salute you personally, and am sorry that you and I are even in this courtroom right now.”

The crowd gasped as the judge stood, saluting me, and continued his monologue.

“With a heavy heart I must act upon the admission of guilt submitted by the defendant. Roc Wieler, I find you guilty on the count of assault, and guilty on the two counts of aggravated assault. You will be fined 700 isk, and released into your own custody. Court dismissed!”

The judge hammered his gavel, and we were done. 

So far, my punishment had been a trivial amount of isk, some well deserved public humilitation, and restrictions on my travelling. Like I said, things could’ve gone much worse.

—

“Roc, I’m sorry, but I can’t have our people acting this way without reprimand.” Cytral said, as we sat in his office at our corporate headquarters. “You’re suspended from active duty without pay. I also have to write this down in your permanent record. One more incident, and I’m going to have to let you go from the company. Geez Roc, just get it together ok?” Cy was a good director; firm, yet fair. He had always been good to us at Freeform Industries. I hated letting him down. I really did need to get it together.

So there it was; no pay, isk fines, flight zone restrictions, public humiliation. Guess I would be out of touch for the next ten days. I guess I should just look at it as a forced vacation.

Merry Christmas, Roc Wieler.

—

OOC: Merry Christmas everyone! See you in the new year!