"Take a seat, Corran."

The starfighter ace sat down across the table without a word. Auriga pressed a key on the holotable marked, 'Holocam REC.'

"Take note that as of now these proceedings are under surveillance by holocameras for purposes of documentation. Anything you say during these proceedings will be part of this case's official record. Any questions on this?"

"No," Stawick said succienctly. He sat motionless, his eyes meeting the Captain's.

"Very well. Flight Lieutenant Corran Stawick, you are appearing here today by the authority granted me under Alliance Fleet Command regulations regarding wartime judicial proceedings. That being said, I call this non-judicial punishment hearing to order. Due to this command's underway status in a wartime environment, by and with the advice and consent of two senior commissioned officers onboard--those being Commander Flynn Arkwright, executive officer, and Lieutenant Dakron Darktrayn, chief engineer--I suspend general courts-martial regulations in favor of underway judgment. Do you object to said suspension of regulations?"

"No."

"The lack of objection is noted. Be it also noted, as presiding officer and summary judge during these proceedings, that I have, by this verbal order, imposed an immediate all-encompassing order of perpetual silence, or gag, on all participants until otherwise lifted. No commissioned officer, non-commissioned officer, or enlisted crewman may discuss or otherwise indicate to anyone, including other participants in these proceedings, any knowledge of the events in question, the proceedings of this court of inquiry, or any other pertinent and/or sensitive information. It will remain my sole perogative to grant waivers regarding this order. Violation of this verbal order will constitute a violation of the Alliance Code of Military Justice under Article 92, Failure to Obey Order or Regulation. Any violators will be subject to arrest, confinement, and underway judgment. The accused will now verbally affirm his understanding of this order."

"I understand," Stawick said. His silence troubled Auriga.

"Very well. Be it also noted into the record that Flight Lieutenant Stawick is appearing here after being notified by formal written correspondence of the nature of this misconduct for which he is accused, of the evidence supporting the accusations, and of my intent to impose non-judicial punishment as due process for his misconduct. Lieutenant Stawick has been notified that he may have a spokesperson attend the hearing, may present evidence to me, and may request that I hear from certain witnesses. He is aware that I must consider any information offered during the hearing, and must be personally convinced that the he actually committed misconduct before imposing punishment. That being said, I invite you to present any evidence you wish on your behalf, Lieutenant."

"I have none."

Auriga paused. "Uhm... Do you want to make any statement at all on your behalf?"

Finally, the accused spoke.

"Grand Moff Dureya is the embodiment of everything that we are fighting. He is a man of pure and limitless evil, responsible for the deaths of millions of innocent beings. He consciously ordered and allowed the extermination of the Ploven. Anything I did to him was long in coming, and well-deserved. If anything I went easy on him." He took a breath. "And that I am undergoing any kind of trial is a farce and a travesty. I never have, nor would I ever threaten anyone loyal to the Rebel Alliance. I've served the Alliance almost since it was created, and will continue to do so until we achieve our objective of freeing the galaxy of the Emperor's tyranny, or until I die. I am a soldier. I fight for freedom. Sometimes in paramilitary forces such as the Alliance, we lose sight of who the true enemy is when we attempt to enforce undue regulations on our fighters. If I am prevented from performing my duties, then the Alliance has lost one more able-bodied soldier, and may be that much closer to defeat."

"Lieutenant Stawick, I remind you that you were invited to make a personal statement, not lecture me on who our true enemy is and what does or does not constitute a farce." Auriga paused, glancing over his notes. He picked up his stylus and swiftly crossed through a line, then sat it down and made eye contact with Stawick. "Your statement has been noted, and after due consideration, I am prepared to deliver non-judicial punishment befitting this case."

"Flight Lieutenant Stawick, you are presumed guilty by virtue of no contest to the following charges as enumerated by the Alliance Code of Military Justice: Article 78, Accessory to the Wrongful Disposition of Military Property; Article 82, Solicitation; Article 92, Failure to Obey Order or Regulation; Article 93, Cruelty and Maltreatment; Article 99, Misbehavior Before the Enemy; Article 107, False Statements; Article 115, Malingering; Article 121, Wrongful Appropriation; Article 124, Maiming; Article 128, Assault; Article 128A, Aggrevated Assault; and Article 133, Conduct Unbecoming an Officer."

Auriga took a breath.

"Your punishment shall include forfeiture of one-half of one month's pay for six months, restriction to the ship when not on assignment for four months, 30 days arrest in quarters when not on duty, mess restriction to a diet of bread and water for a concurrent 30 day sentence, a formal dishonorable conduct reprimand and, by virtue of being found presumably guilty of Article 133, Conduct Unbecoming an Officer, you are reduced in rank to Flight Sergeant until such time as your actions may warrant reinstatement to the officer corps. You are also enrolled in a mandatory psychiatric evaluation process to be conducted by the Medical Department of this ship. You are barred from command duty so long as this examination is ongoing. Your flight status shall be maintained unless either your behavior or the results of your psychiatric examination indicate the need for suspension. Do you have any questions?"

Stawick's face remained stoic. "None."

"If you feel the punishment I have imposed is unjust or disproportionate to the misconduct in question, you may appeal to a higher authority when we next return to port. This allowance will expire following one port call. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Very well. You are released from confinement and dismissed from these proceedings."

Wick stood and left the room, the faintest hint of a smile on his face.

Auriga sighed, pressing the comlink switch again. "Corporal Wereling, bring me Wind."