“We are gathered here today to pay our respects to Spear Lieutenant Daul Halwick.” the clergyman began. The turnout had been more than expected, a testament to the warmth and good hearted nature of the deceased soldier. Many held back tears while others cried in outrage, some holding each other in shock over the entire situation, the reality of it having not yet sunk in.

It was always a tragedy when someone so noble was taken from us too soon.

—

“We are gathered here today to show, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the traitorous intent and actions of Colonel Roc Wieler.” the prosectuor began. The turnout had been more than expected, a testament to the strong response of the very public incident. Many held back tears while others cried in outrage, some holding each other in shock over the entire situation, the reality of it having not yet sunk in.

It was always a tragedy when someone so noble fell so far.

“Colonel Wieler, a good man in his own eyes, will tell you that his motives in this murder were pure; that he is innocent.” the prosecutor continued. “But what I will show you is how both his actions and in his lack of action over the previous several months led to this shocking and unnecessary end.”

—

“Daul Halwick, a good man in all of our eyes; a man of pure motive and innocence.” the clergyman continued. “Those that served with him these previous several months will attest that he was a man of action. To all of us that knew him, this is a shocking and unnecessary end.”

The clergyman paused for a moment, looking at each and every one of those present.

—

The prosecutor paused for a moment, looking at each and every one of those present.

“Colonel Wieler was a slave to the Amarr. While many of us know this isn’t an uncommon past, what is uncommon is the tale of his ‘escape’. A lone man, able to overcome the medically proven and irreversible addictive nature of Vitroc; a lone man able to overpower dozens of highly trained Amarr centurions while suffering from malnourishment; a lone man able to pilot Amarr technology with no previous training; a lone man able to escape Amarr space without incident, to elevate himself to the rank of ‘Capsuleer’, to earn the rank of Matar Colonel within weeks of joining the military; a lone man, whom is obviously not what he seems.”

—

“Daul Halwick was a slave to his past. While many of us know this isn’t uncommon, what is uncommon is how he took charge of his life and overcame his circumstances. A lone man, from the streets of Tanoo in San Matar; a lone man able to generously share food to other unfortunates while he himself suffered from malnourishment; a lone man able to overcome the limitations imposed on him by society and happenstance, a lone man who did better for himself, enrolling in the 105th Minmatar Infantry Corp, earning the rank of Spear Lieutenant within weeks of joining; a lone man, whom was obviously not what he seemed.”

The clergyman cued a cam droid to begin.

Video playback of Daul Halwick filled the room.

—

The prosecutor cued a cam droid to begin.

Video playback of Roc Wieler filled the room.

“I think I’m finally starting to be accepted by them, being treated as an equal.” the recorded voice of Roc Wieler echoed. It was a personal log from several months ago. “It turns out we all have our own prejudices. They haven’t been anything like I expected. I figured they’d be all business, gruff, unkept, without a lick of morality or humour in any of them, but I was wrong. They’re like a family; caring, supportive, there for each other no matter what. Isn’t that something we all want?”

—

“I think I’m finally starting to be accepted by them, being treated as an equal.” the recorded voice of Daul Halwick echoed. It was a personal log from several months ago. “It turns out we all have our own prejudices. They haven’t been anything like I expected. I figured they’d be all business, gruff, unkept, without a lick of morality or humour in any of them, but I was wrong. They’re like a family; caring, supportive, there for each other no matter what. Isn’t that something we all want?”

Another video clip played. This one featured Daul laughing with his platoon mates, enjoying some mischief in an unamed pub. He had a beautiful woman on his arm; she was tall with luxurious brown hair. He looked happy, his eyes glowing with a contented warmth. “To the 105th!” he shouted, a smile on his face. They all lifted their glasses, repeating his toast, then more laughter, more happiness.

—

Another video clip played. This one featured Roc Wieler laughing with the pirates he was assigned to infiltrate, enjoying some mischief in an unamed pub. He had a beautiful woman on his arm; she was tall with fiery red hair. She was later identified as the leader of a known terrorist organization labelled “The Hellcats”. He looked happy, his eyes glowing with a contented warmth. “To the Bastards!” he shouted, a smile on his face. They all lifted their glasses, repeating his toast, then more laughter, more happiness.

Spectators wept. Some began to voice their strong emotions. The prosecutor waited until they quieted before continuing.

Another video played, this one a ship’s camera drone.

It showed a small group of ships, overlayed with identification codes, engaged against a small fleet of the Tribal Liberation Force, the defending force of the Minmatar Republic. The vessel of Roc Wieler was clearly identified, and was easily seen to be shooting upon friendly military ships.

—

Spectators wept. Some began to voice their strong emotions. The clerygman waited until they quieted before continuing.

Another video played, this one an artillery unit’s camera drone.

It showed a small group of soldiers, overlayed with identification codes, engaged against a larger enemy force. Daul Halwick was easy to recognize, seen storming the enemy in a battle frenzy, cutting down his opponent without mercy.

“There is no doubt of Daul Halwick’s bravery. There is no doubt he was a man of honour. There is no doubt he will be missed.” the clergyman said.

—

“There is no doubt of Roc Wieler’s treachery. There is no doubt he is a traitor. There is no doubt he will be found guilty.” the prosecutor said. “The question remains, What do we do now? Do we forget what he has done? Do we turn a blind eye to his despicable acts and continue on naively? No, of course not. There needs to be finality; closure. There needs to be punishment fitting to the crime. An example needs to be made; a warning to those who might follow in his footsteps.”

—

“There is no doubt that Daul Halwick was loved. There is no doubt he was a good man. There is no doubt we will find our lives emptier without him in them.” the clergyman said. “The question remains, What do we do now? Do we forget what he has done? Do we turn a blind eye to his noble acts and continue on naively? No, of course not. There needs to be finality; closure. There needs to be remembrance befitting his life. He has set a high example for any who wish to follow in his footsteps.”

The clergyman closed his eyes.

“I pray that we never forget Daul Halwick, taken from us far too early. I hold true to my pledge that we will uphold his memory with dignity and honour befitting this proud Matari. I encourage each and every one of us to look in our hearts, and to challenge ourselves to live a better life, remembering all the lessons we can learn from Daul Halwick.

Be at peace. Fly safe. Amen.”

—

The prosecutor closed his eyes.

“I pray that we never forget the actions of Roc Wieler. I hold true to my pledge that we will uphold justice and truth, as befitting any proud Matari. I encourage each and every one of us to look in our hearts, and to challenge ourselves to live a better life, remembering all the lessons we can learn from the criminal mistakes of Roc Wieler.

How can there be peace? How can any of us fly safe with a man like this allowed to be free?”

The prosecutor took his seat, his opening monologue to the trial of Roc Wieler finished. He allowed himself a small smile, knowing that not only was he going to win this case, but that he was going to become famous doing so.

—

The clergyman took a seat, his opening monologue to the guests of Daul Halwick’s funeral finished. He allowed himself a small moment of sadness and anger, knowing that not only had they lost a truly pure soul, but that the murderer responsible would never be held to a suitable level of justice for his actions.