Everyone knew it was coming. It was the event in the colonies. Praetor Saehir Marrus, the hero of the Romulan people who flew the Branson Bisect as a member of the King's Fleet was going to testify in the Nicole Branson trial. A Romulan giving testimony in a Federation tribunal case would be a first for the Federation.
The whole colony of Medara, the Betazoid Alliance and even Starfleet was paying attention. The testimony of the Romulan regional leader would assuredly sway the trial and provide the necessary ammunition for the Betazoid Alliance to have fulfilled its own surrender obligations in allowing a Federation representative to run a Betazoid Colony until such time as its governance was deemed inappropriate.
More and more, this is being played out as a political game. The Betazoid Alliance reached out to the King's Fleet and the colonists not because of some heroic act but to move a political pawn in the ongoing power struggle with the Federation. Illyan Coren returned to Betazed to flex some muscle only to be pushed back by the Federation.
Illyan backed down and promised to install a Federation loyalist government in one of the Betazoid Alliance colonies. He manipulated Branson and even Vincent, his alleged friend into fulfilling this obligation only to help the Federation prosecutors bring charges against Branson. This is a political game for sure.
Illyan used General Hon'Tihl Kabarann because the Federation wants to make cozy with the Klingons because the Klingons have also been flexing som muscles and the Romulan-Klingon Cheron Conflict is just one example of the growing war machine in the Empire.
Saehir walked into the colony complex with Admiral T'Ros and Commander T'Ken. This triumvirate of powerful women could put the fear of god into anyone. What would Saehir say? Was this the end for Branson.
Branson had been destroyed by the revelation that she had a passing relationship with Dr. Skylight Greene but in many ways the jury had been softened because it looked like Branson met her friend but did not reveal the attack. She did not even try to save Dr. Greene. The jury is now actually wondering if she really did know. Today, that should be revealed for sure.
Fido Powers has done the Antican people proud with his brilliant display of legal prowess and prosecutorial wordplay. Unlike Cleveland Powers in what seems like decades ago now, Fido has been professional and near perfect in his portrayal of Branson as a political climber who sacrificed her own people to rid herself of a bad situation.
Saehir calmly answered his questions. She then stunned the crowd with a provocative response, "These Romulan dissadents who had ran off to play house with Nicole Branson needed to be taught that they are honor bound to stand with the Star Empire. They needed to be taught their place. This is why Christine T'Nley was informed of the impending attack. Not to serve as Paul Revere to warn the inhabitants but instead as the voice of the Romulan Democratic Television Network to broadcast the attack so all dissident Romulans would know what happens to those who stand against the Empire, its infrastructure and its order."
It was like a step back in time with her ultra-centric and dominant approach. Who was this person? A beautiful young lady who was once the lover of Admiral Deveniss of Selay or a phenomenal pilot and commanding officer who flew the Diana along the Branson Bisect to restore Romulus and Vulcan in a temporal repair or this dark leader of the reemerging power of the Romulan Star Empire...
Fido was shocked by the comment but maintain his composure, "Who else was told? T'Nley but who else."
This was the moment of truth. Marrus could destroy Branson once and for all, regardless of the truth. All she needed to do was say that Branson was informed.
"The Romulan Star Empire informed the United Federation of Planets, its military arm Starfleet and the member Fleet commands in order to prevent any armed response.", Saehir bluntly answered.
Fido looked at Deveniss, "Starfleet knew??"
Illyan stood up, "Starfleet knew??"
Fido looked flustered. "Did you inform Governor Branson?"
"We believed Branson would try to rescue the dissidents. We made no such efforts.", Marrus told a stone quiet case room.
"Did you inform Branson?", Fido glared at Admiral Deveniss.
The old Selayan was her friend. He had been the King's Fleet Chief of Staff. He had been the Epsilon Force Deputy Commander in Chief. He did not have to answer.
"We informed Admiral Viceroy and Admiral Tan that the warning from Christine T'Nley should be taken as fact.", Deveniss calmly responded.
Part One Posted by:
Christine T'Nley
Court Reporter - Federation Broadcast Network
