Halo_ Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe - Eric Nylund [175]
WELKER: Why guard that particular section?
[Cole’s eyes now lock forward.]
COLE: I was ordered to do so.
GILLIAM: Cadet, speculate as to the reason required for guarding Perimeter Three.
COLE: Yes, ma’am. There are two reasons. First, we always maintain a guarded perimeter against unauthorized civilian incursions on Academy grounds. Second, there have been recent reports of unauthorized military personnel and supplies moving into the civilian territories.
[The five other cadets who await questioning in the tribunal chamber shift in their seats.]
LIMA: Do you know of any such unauthorized crossing of our military personnel?
COLE: I have not read of any such occurrences in the incident report, sir.
LIMA: That was not my question.
[Cole pauses, looks straight down.]
COLE: I have never seen any such incidents, sir. If I had I would have attempted to stop them from occurring. If I could not, I would have immediately reported it and been required to make a note of it in the incident log.
[Gilliam leans forward and removes her glasses.]
GILLIAM: You say “never seen,” but have you heard rumors or otherwise received any indication of such illegal base crossing on or off your watch?
[Cole swallows, eyes back up, staring past Captain Gilliam.]
COLE: I cannot substantiate any rumors I may or may not have heard, ma’am. I have insufficient evidence to do so.
LIMA: I’m going to remind you once, Cadet, and only once, that obstructing any military investigation is a serious offense that carries a minimum of five years of hard labor.
[Cole gives no response.]
LIMA: I am now ordering you, Cadet, to tell me everything you know about any military personnel crossing the perimeter the evening of the twenty-fifth—or any tampering with security devices or recordings of the region during that time—or any detail of anything unusual that evening.
[Cole inhales deeply, looks directly at Colonel Lima.]
COLE: Sir, no. Nothing . . . unusual.
[Captain Gilliam, Mr. Welker, and Colonel Lima confer among themselves.]
[Cole remains standing at attention.]
GILLIAM: If you are trying to protect a fellow cadet through some sense of camaraderie or honor—it is misplaced. Do not throw away your otherwise sterling service record to protect someone who, to be blunt, does not deserve to be an officer.
[At this time, Admiral Konrad Volkov enters the room and sits.]
[Cole faces the tribunal and cannot possibly see the admiral, but nonetheless stands straighter and begins to sweat.]
COLE: Sir, what kind of officer would I make if I said what you wanted me to say just to avoid trouble—regardless of whether it is the truth or not? Or if I guessed at any wrong-doing to make myself look better? I will not do such a thing.
LIMA: Crewman Cole, you are in contempt of this Board of Inquiry. I’ll deal with you later.
[(Colonel Lima motions for the court guards. The guards move to escort Cole).]
[Cole salutes the presiding officers, turns, makes direct eye contact with Admiral Volkov, and is marched from the tribunal chamber.]
Certificate of Marriage
The State of Mare Nubium County of Newton
To any Judge, Justice of the Peace, or Minister:
You are hereby authorized to join:
Preston Jeremiah Cole, age 21, and Inna Volkov, age XX
In the Holy State of Matrimony according to the Constitution of Luna Confederated States and for so doing shall be your License. And you are hereby required to return this License to me with your Certificate herein of the fact and date of Marriage within thirty days after said Marriage.
Given under my hand and seal this 17 August, 2492.
Quinn Lloyd (Licensing Officer, Newton County), Ordinary.
CERTIFICATE
I Certify that Preston Jeremiah Cole and Inna Volkov were joined in Matrimony by me this Seventeenth day of August, Two Thousand Four Hundred Ninety-Two.
Recorded