Chapter 26 - The Tribunal Convenes
The Grand Courtroom at the Washington Navy Yard was packed to the gallery rails with uniform personnel, defense correspondents, and civilian prosecutors. The mahogany paneling seemed to absorb the frantic whispers that rippled through the gallery as Daniel Mercer was escorted into the dock by federal marshals, his expensive suit rumpled, his hair unkempt, his eyes darting frantically toward his legal team.
At the center of the judicial bench sat five senior naval officers, presided over by Admiral Rachel Vance. Her gaze was impenetrable, her presence dominating the massive chamber.
To the right of the prosecution table sat Elena Alden, wearing her Service Dress Blue uniform. Her ribbons were pinned precisely—among them, the newly restored Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism, its blue, red, and gold stripes gleaming under the chandeliers.
"This Article 32 preliminary inquiry and joint civilian-military tribunal is now in session," Admiral Vance announced, her gavel falling with a crack that silenced the room. "The bench will hear testimony regarding the maintenance overrides and procurement falsifications concerning the USS *Resolute*."
The prosecution's chief counsel, Captain Martinez, stood up. "The government calls Victoria Alden to the stand."
A collective murmur swept through the room as Victoria was led through the side door. She was dressed in a simple dark dress, her face pale, her hands trembling as she took the oath. Over the course of the next two hours, Victoria systematically dissected the entire architecture of Daniel Mercer’s corporate enterprise.
She testified about the private meetings, the forged quality assurance manifests, and the calculated plan to publicly discredit Elena at the annual gala.
"Mr. Mercer told me that Elena was an existential threat," Victoria said, her voice shaking but clear. "He said that if Elena ever gained an engineering leadership post, her technical knowledge would lead her straight to the secondary bypass valves. He ordered me to stage an incident at the banquet that would result in her dishonorable administrative discharge."
"And what was your father's involvement?" Captain Martinez asked.
Victoria looked across the room at Arthur Alden, who sat at a separate defense table in civilian clothes, his head bowed.
"My father knew everything," Victoria testified, a tear rolling down her cheek. "He signed the authorization documents from his study at home. He received six hundred thousand dollars in preferential shares forty-eight hours after the *Resolute* sailed."
Daniel Mercer sprang up from his chair, screaming at the bench. "She’s lying! She’s an accomplice! She spent the profits! She bought her cars, her jewelry, her clothes with those funds!"
Admiral Vance didn't raise her voice. She simply brought the heavy gavel down once. "Mr. Mercer, one more outburst and you will be remanded to the brig in restraints for contempt. Sit down."
The civilian guards forced Daniel back into his seat.
"The bench now calls Lieutenant Elena Alden," Vance said.
May you like
The courtroom fell into an absolute, breathless hush as Elena rose from her chair, adjusted her tie, and walked with firm, unhurried steps to the witness stand.
***
