SEIA2

=Chapter 2=
==Silent enim inter arma: Tribunals==
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<<<Holo-Recording Begins>>>
(4) Unnecessary Suffering – “It is prohibited to employ weapons, projectiles and materials and methods of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering.”<BR>
-Ares Conventions, article 35.3
"...colonel Tranh Truk Ngo, you are accused of violations of Ares Convention article 35.3.  Fifty one counts of it, the specifics being the execution by impalement of fifty one Rim Worlds Soldiers. you are also charged by this court with article 32.1, torture and abuse of prisoners of war.  These are serious charges, my god man, you used enemy prisoners as bayonet practice!"<BR>
"It was proportional, sir.  the fundamental enforcement mechanism of the Conventions is that violation leads to abrogation-a significant violation of the Conventions of war, especially when directed at civilian populations, requires a proportionally severe response to provide a reason for future or ongoing violations to cease."<BR>
-excerpted from the court record, 2780,<BR> 
SLDF Inquest into field conduct at Running Deer Mountain
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Kernigan Prison complex
Albany, New York Sector
North America, Terra
Sol Star System
Former Word of Blake Protectorate
3078
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Elizabeth lost her aversion to nudity through a rather harsh method-being essentially tortured for ninety seven days of treatment by Clan medical personnel working to treat her Cholmann's syndrome had burned any sense of shame tied to being nude in front of strangers right out.
''
"Place your hands on the circles."  the prison staff had been at least partially replaced by Stone's partisans. This one had a Feddie accent, likely from somewhere near the border with the Combine-a mix of french, drawled English, and slight Japanese clip in her tone.
Liz placed her hands on the circles, as the female Provost officer began the cavity search.
She endured it in silence.
"Okay, straighten up." there was an orange jumpsuit, something made of paper with the word "Prisoner" stenciled on the back and down the sides.  "you can get dressed now."
Liz pulled on the treated paper uniform without a word, and closed the fastenings.
"****** you're quiet." the guard said, "The last couple of prisoners were shouting adamantly."
Liz didn't take the bait, instead remaining silent.
"Wrists." Guard ordered
Elizabeth extended her wrists.
"You've done this before."
Liz eyed her, then decided to speak.  "Not my first ride." she said.
"Really?" Guard surprised.
"Really."  
She allowed them to fasten the leg-restraints as well.  It would let her walk-after a fashion, but the connection to her wrists meant running was right out.
"This way." guard ordered
They shuffled her to a set of doors, and onto an elevator.
The cabin shuddered as it descended.  Liz counted silently to herself, judging the speed of descent based on one gee. Ten meters down. 
The door opened, on a bank of blank doors with quartz-reinforced windows.
"This way." 
"This way, Commander." Liz corrected the NCO.  "I may be a prisoner under arraignment, but my commission is real, Please tell me you don't get so familiar with your own officers."
The Matron snorted derisively and Liz was shoved into a cell with just enough force that her restrained legs couldn't correct, and the door slid closed.
I wonder what they told them. she mused, lying on the floor.  Gonna bruise from that.  She weighed options on whether or not to lodge a complaint, deciding to save it for later.
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Kernigan Prison Complex, Surface Front Entrance
Marine Lt. Colonel Linda Sithers was born a Rockjack, but she'd done two surface tours in the fifties totaling nearly ten years planetside, something rare.  She'd gotten her degree in military law through UW Donegal by extension courses by the end of 3067.  She'd been the closest available JAG officer that could be detailed, and her non-involvement in Operation:Cronus meant she could not be fingered as a co-defendant.
The 'overbag' garment was Marine Tan-and-green, imitating the LCAF's BDU pattern in a slightly larger pattern to account for the Skinsuit and fittings.
"You are..." Prison Clerk questioned
"Lt. Colonel Linda Sithers.." she left off the numerics, Dirtyfeet don't usually accept numerics as part of someone's name "...Lyran Commonwealth Navy Judge Advocate's office.  My client is Commander Ngo, Elizabeth Anne.  The charges are violations of articles of Jus in bello and the Ares Conventions, Articles 35.1 through 36.8."
The man at the desk just looked confused.  "What?"
"I'm here to see the only prisoner you're holding that isn't a Blakist, I'm her lawyer.  Do you understand that, Legal Counsel for the Defense? I want to verify my client is not being abused, and as a part of my duties I'm here to discuss the exact charges against her.  Do I need to go up your chain of command, Subaltern?"
"Just a moment, I need to confirm this is authorized."
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