Chapter 46

Latira

Below the capital city of the planet of Latira lay an underground complex. Built once to act as a shelter for the population of Latira in during cullings the complex had been given a new role. This underground complex now served as the meeting place of the Coalition of Planets. Decisions effecting worlds across the galaxy originated from within its chambers. As it had been used once before when the Coalition put members of the Atlantis expedition on trial a new trial was being hosted today.

Sitting on an elevated judge's stand was the panel. Kelore of Latria, Dimas of the Free Peoples of Riva, and Shiana of the Tribes of Santhal would on this day judge the leader of the Genii. Aware that a rescue attempt was possible the Coalition asked Atlantis to provide physical security of above and below ground. In orbit high sat the Ares.

"Colonel Sheppard, we are ready for the defendant" said Dimas.

Tapping his earpiece Sheppard instructed the Ares to beam Prenum into the chamber. In a flash of light the defendant appeared on the podium in the middle of the large room. Looking disheveled and shocked Prenum looked around the room.

"Prenum of the Genii, you stand before this panel today to answer charges brought forth by the Coalition of Planets" stated Shiana.

"What charges? You dare attempt to stand in judgment of me" snarled Prenum.

"The charges will be presented and you will be afforded an opportunity to present your defense" stated Kelore.

"None among you are worthy to judge even the lowest ranking soldier of the Genii" hissed Prenum.

"If you refuse to participate in these proceedings this panel will take that as an admission of guilt and move directly to sentencing Prenum of the Genii. At this time do you refuse to play an active role in these proceedings" asked Dimas.

"I wish to mount a defense" said a visibly deflating Prenum.

"You stand charged with deception of the many people's of this galaxy, coercion of populations not your own, and the murder of three hundred and ten men women and children at the hands of the armed forces of the Genii which are under your control" stated Kelore.

"On the first charge of deception this panel holds to be true that the Genii willfully conceal the nature of their society and military power. Many worlds know the Genii as nothing more than peaceful farmers of the tava bean" stated Shiana.

"How my people depict themselves to outsiders of our culture is not the concern of this panel. I see no crime in leading other worlds to believe we are technologically backwards farmers" bristled Prenum.

"Is it not true then that when you encountered the people of Atlantis and they discovered your ruse they were taken prisoner at force of arms" asked Dimas.

"This is an outrage" screeched Prenum.

"The defendant is directed to answer the question" thundered Kelore.

"Yes, we detained them. Their discovery of our facilities represented a threat to the Genii people. At that time Cowen was leader of the Genii people. I should not be held responsible for the actions of a previous regime" answered Prenum with a hint of desperation in his voice.

The three panel members exchanged looks with one another at that answer. Seeing the logic in the answer given the panel opted to press forward to the second charge.

"Your answer is noted Prenum of the Genii. We will proceed to the second charge. This panel contends that the Genii have engaged in coercion of populations not your own on worlds also not of your own by threat of violence. We have in our possession information that confirms the Genii forced the people of Jakod to mine certain materials from their planet. These materials were then freely handed over to the Genii. To further prove this point it should be noted that you were in fact captured in these very mines" stated Dimas with some disdain in his voice.

"These were the actions of Cowen's regime. I cannot answer in his stead. If you only intend to accuse me of actions ordered by a dead man I demand you release me immediately" demanded Prenum.

"Then let us come to more recent events" hissed Shiana in a threatening tone.

"This panel contends members of the Genii military utilizing weapons and training provided by the Genii did willfully engage in wholesale murder of three hundred and then men, women, and children. This attack was authorized by you and conducted on the Athosian trade world as a means of punishing allies of Atlantis for imagined slights" clearly stated Kelore.

"I find these claims outrageous! You will all pay dearly for this insult" raged Prenum.

"As those that fell on the Athosian trade world paid" asked Shiana.

"Yes! Your people will all meet your end at the hands of my countrymen" bellowed Prenum.

"Then you admit your duplicity in the attack" calmly stated Dimas.

"Wait, no, don't do this" cried Prenum, realizing the magnitude of his error.

"You have stood before this panel and admitted your part in this tragedy, boasting of how other worlds would meet the same fate if we did not bow to your wishes" replied Kelore in an accusatory tone.

"This is the lantean's doing! They are responsible for this! It is them" exclaimed Prenum.

"Do you really expect this panel to believe Atlantis would massacre their own allies, their very first ally in this galaxy, to bring about your fall? The arrogance of that statement offends me" snarled Shiana.

"Have you anything further to add in your defense" asked Dimas.

"I have done nothing wrong! Don't do this" begged Prenum falling to his knees.

The three panel members rose from their seats and exited the chamber to confer before rendering a verdict. In the corner of the room Sheppard looked upon the Genii leader with a knowing smirk. Several minutes passed before the panel returned.

"Prenum of the Genii, rise now while we render our verdict" ordered Kelore.

Unable to speak Prenum remained on his knees sobbing. Two Marines quickly lifted him to his feet at Sheppard's urging.

"On counts one and two we find you not guilty by reason of lack of authority within your people's government. On count three panel how do you find" asked Kelore.

"Guilty" stated Dimas

"Guilty" said Shiana

"Guilty" said Kelore.

"Prenum of the Genii, you have been found guilty by this panel. We sentence you and those captured with you on Jakod to banishment to a world of our choosing. You are to be denied fire and water within one hundred days walk of a ring of the ancestors. Trade with the people of the Genii will from here forth be prohibited among the member nations of the Coalition of Planets. Sentence is to be carried out immediately" said Dimas with a tone of finality.

Tapping his earpiece Sheppard and the prisoner were beamed aboard the Ares. Prenum would be placed in a hold with his fellow Genii. Their destination was an uninhabited planet without a stargate that had been recently selected for the task. With the wheels of justice once again coming to a halt it was hoped that life would return to normal for the nations affected.

White House

"So they found them guilty? Big surprise there" chuckled President Hayes.

"They were found not guilty of the first two charges according to Colonel Sheppard's report" answered Lt. Col. Davis.

"Do they have the death penalty in the Pegasus galaxy" wondered the President.

"Actually Mr. President they were not sentenced to death directly. They were banished to a world without a stargate. Furthermore they were restricted fire and water within one hundred days walk of a stargate" answered Davis.

"So really then it is a death sentence. Didn't the roman's restrict fire and water when they exiled someone" asked Hayes.

"I believe they did Mr. President" admitted Davis.