“Thanks for looking out for me, you silly bot. Now let Scotti fix you up.” I got out of the way and let Scotti’s team carry Ruth out. As soon as she was clear of the ship, Angus came aboard, saying, “Now, Boss, you weren’t about to do something stupid, like take charge of the prisoner yourself, were you?” I realized that was exactly what I had in mind, but I said, “Keep you from doing your job, Angus? Why would I go and do that?”
“Because you’re a hardhead, Boss.”
“Ouch! The truth hurts.”
Angus and Ian went in and pulled the nighty-night. Once she came to enough to figure out what was going on, she started cussing. Then she saw me. “Oh look! It’s the mighty Captain, hiding behind his bots again. We could have run this ship so much better than you, you loser. Some dumb hillbilly who thinks he makes a better captain than Academy trained officers? What a joke!” She continued in the same vein as Angus led her off. Mr. Stone said, “That brings back memories, and not good ones. She used to give me the same basic speech every time I disciplined her. You did well, not trying to talk her down, it doesn’t do any good, and just wears you out.”
“Thanks. I almost believed her about some of it.”
“You’re a fine Captain. From what I’ve seen of her Academy classmates, I think you did at least as well as they would have, being dumped into this situation.”
“I surely don’t like what has to happen next.”
“That’s why you’re the man to do it.”
“That makes sense.” I got a text, saying that court was set up in the bay where we did weddings, and they only needed me. I said, “It’s time. Come with me.” Nikki emerged from the cockpit and accompanied us to the transit. She asked, “You ready for this?”
“Ready as I’m going to get. Let’s get it over with.”
As we entered the bay, the rest split off to find seats. I strode to the front, where Sally was standing. She saluted me, and I returned it. She said, “The mutineers are ready for trial, Sir.”
I took my seat, and said, “Present your evidence, then.” She showed the court recordings of the two of them plotting to take over the ship, and other recordings of them actually attempting it. There were more of Jennie’s speeches about how I was unfit to command, and Bill should replace me. I think Bill was a little shocked when Sally showed a recording of Jennie talking to herself about how she planned to take the ship from Bill once he got me out of the way. When Sally’s presentation was complete, I asked, “Will anyone speak for the accused?”
Jasmine stood. “I have that task, Sir. Having researched the case thoroughly, I can find no cause to plead for your leniency in the case of Ms. Stone. The plot was without a doubt her idea, and she manipulated Mr. Richards into helping her. The evidence clearly shows she intended to do away with him as soon as his usefulness had ended.
Mr. Richards, on the other hand, was not the instigator of the plot, and tried several times to get Ms. Stone to abandon the plot. In the end, he did attempt to take over the ship, and for that, he must be punished. He did not, however, make an attempt on anyone’s life, even though Ms. Stone had instructed him to kill Mr. Branham before he tried to take control.”
“I see. Is that all you have?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Would anyone else like to speak?”
Mrs. Stone stood. “I have a few things to say, if you would permit it, Captain.”
“Go ahead. Be advised I will have decorum in these proceedings.”
“I understand, Sir.” She turned to face Jennie. “We tried to get you to understand, the way you treat people would lead you to a bad end. You chose to ignore us. Now your bad end has arrived. I will shed no tears, for I grieved you years ago, when it became clear you had no interest in becoming a decent human being. I sincerely wish we could have gotten through to you, and for that failure, I am sorry. May God have mercy on your soul.” She sat down. Nelly stood. She asked, “May I speak, Captain?”
“You may. You understand I will have you removed, if you cause a disruption?”
“Yes, Sir.” She looked at her Uncle. “Thank you, Uncle Bill, for getting us away from Grandma and Grandpa. We will always be grateful for that. We tried to tell you that the Captain was a good man, and you should do what he wanted you to do.” She turned to me, and asked, “Captain, there is something I need to say, and I don’t know a nice way to put it. Will that be considered being disruptive?”
“No, you are doing very well, so far. I am willing to cut you some slack.”
She turned back to her Uncle. “You wouldn’t listen to us, because you were thinking with the wrong head, and now, the Captain may have to send you for a walk, without a suit. You said you would be here to take care of us, but you threw that away over that woman who wouldn’t even talk to us. Some rescuer you are!” She turned to me, and said, “Thank you, Captain.”
“You’re welcome, young lady. That was nicely done, even if you did need to get a bit crude.”
She sat. I asked, “Anyone else?” No one spoke or stood. I said, “Given the facts, I find I have no choice but to, as Nelly said, ‘Send them for a walk.’ If no one else has anything to present, I will pass judgment at this time.” The room was silent. I said, “I sentence the prisoners
