The admission of the mis-deed and a willingness to accept the sentence means a long trial is unnecessary. The Council deliberates for a few minutes. In the face of the damning evidence, the accused relents. There is nothing more to be done.
Finally, Graves speaks.
"The Guildmasters wish to deal with this as quickly as possible."
"You have admitted your guilt on all charges. You have breached sacred laws. In the circumstances it might be prudent of us all assembled here to remember some things. Certainly, the Keepers are a ferocious enemy. Certainly, the Omicrons are a war zone. Insofar as the Guild is a disparate organisation, the Core's work necessitates collective action and collective responsibility."
"The Guild Council imposes the following sentence:
Firstly, that you be relieved of your command of the Estal pending psychological review at a later date.
Secondly, that you contribute restitution to the Widows and Orphans Fund to the sum of twenty-five million credits.
Thridly, that you be assigned to standard patrol duties for the period of your review.
Fourthly, Guildmaster Jones has acknowledged that he will take responsibility for some of your actions. Therefore Guildmaster Jones shall also make recompense to the Widows and Orphans Fund the sum of twenty-five million credits."
Stoat fidgetted uncomfortably in his seat. It was hot and stuffy on Capetown, and the atmosphere in the room felt distinctly oppressive. He leaned over to Esther.
"What are we doing here? All I got was the summons to appear, without any idea as to why. You got any idea who that fellow is?"
He sat upright again as Graves' eyes fixed on his. There was little humour there today. Stoat took a deep breath and wondered who was about to speak.
Brooklyn was busy looking at her datapad while waiting for the details of the meeting. Glancing to her right, she opened her mouth to tell something to Stoat - she stopped, as Graves was staring at the accused. It would soon begin. "Best I be quiet" she muttered.
Rheinland Guildmaster DeVirgo leaned back in his chair, thinking, "This trial is a formality to satisfy the forms. The evidence is already clear, as is the verdict. Sentencing - that's going to be the contentious part."
He glanced over at Graves. George was looking a bit worse, if that was possible.
Shaking his head, Max leaned back in his chair to contemplate the accused.
"Cheshire" leans forward... "..what.. another trial? haven t we just had one less than a month ago? - what is that about again. - news doesn t travel far into kusari space...."
Joosua Elonen enters the room in a freshly-pressed uniform, his face still glowing from the sauna he had been sitting in 20-odd minutes ago. He gave the air of being slightly inconvenienced by this unscheduled turn of events.
"Not another one of these. This is becoming a regular occurrence."
He shot Graves a quick glance. "The guy looks like death warmed over. But I don't think the Grim Reaper would want to come by any time soon to claim Graves. He'd probably get thrashed something fierce."
He plopped unceremoniously into his chair. And waited for this scene to play itself out.
One of the Guild Masters stands up and reads off a prepared paper script:
“During this trial you will be required to explain your actions and the reasons for which you took them. You will be allowed to present any evidence you may have to support your claims.”
Staring into the eyes of the accused, he continues to read:
“Captain, you have been summoned before this council under the following charges: endangering Bounty Hunters Guild Core property and lives, namely your AP-12400 Bomber and those of your wingmates. Ignoring Core Protocol #000127MBC - failing to report to a Core medical bay after combat operations in which your ship has been decompressed violently.
Sam Radford whispers "pfft" under his breath and leans back in his swivelling chair, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "What "sacred laws" does the Guild claim to have? We're Bounty Hunters, not some mystic and ancient fraternity."
"Why were all the Guildmasters summoned out to Capetown, anyway? Simply to deal with some petty rules infraction? I have a hell of a lot of paperwork to slough through."