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Monday 15 November 2021

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Fifteen

    Leo Rumpole marched into the Attorney General’s office, several books and files under his arms, in rather an unhappy mood. He stood near the entrance, trying to find the man he was looking for. He didn’t find him, but he found someone else who could help him.
    “Commander Blake!” he called out, trying to run over to him. “Commander Blake, where is that insufferable Admiral Quinn?”
    Blake, somewhat startled at being shouted at, almost dropped his papers.
    “I’m afraid the Admiral is in a meeting. I can’t disturb him.”
    “Damn that man! I’ve just got the news that I’ve got three days to prepare Thomas Leacock’s defence! How the hell am I supposed to do that?”
    “To tell you the truth I was very surprised when President Servalan called asking for the trial to be brought forward. We were flat out preparing for the Queeg trial so that’s now had to be put on hold!”
    “But how am I meant to prepare a defence for the man? He’s alleged to have done what hasn’t been done since 1963! Leacock’s meant to have killed the President! He’s been charged with committing the crime of the millennium, and I’ve got three days before I go to trial! I just can’t do it!”
    “I’m afraid you’re going to have to, Mister Rumpole. There’s nothing I, or Admiral Quinn can do. The orders came from the President herself!”
    Blake could tell Rumpole was a very unhappy man.
    “Look.” he said. “This is strictly off the record, but you’re not the only one unhappy with this. There are many who believe Leacock is innocent. The only man who could have possibly cleared him was killed on Babylon 5 by a guard. I’ll provide all the help I can Mister Rumpole, but I can’t do anymore!”
    Rumpole patted Blake on the shoulder.
    “I know dear boy. I apologise for the way I spoke to you. I know you’re only following orders. Ah well, I suppose I’d better get back to she who must be obeyed. Farewell Commander!”
    Blake watched as Rumpole left the office, failing to notice that an old man was watching him.

    Scotty quickly walked through the corridors of the Scotsman with a huge smiled on his face. He stopped when he came to Magus’ quarters. Pressing the door buzzer he had to wait a few seconds before he was told to enter. When he did he saw Magus seated in a leather armchair, book in hand.
    “Good news Doctor!” Scotty said. “The warp core is finally online!”
    Magus did not look up from his book.
    “Thank you Mister Scott.”
    Scotty seemed surprised when Magus did not give any orders.
    “We can leave when you give the orders.” he said.
    The wizard did not reply. Then a call came in from the bridge. It was from Winthorn.
    “Doctor, we’re getting a call from Captain Sheridan on Babylon 5. He says he’d like to speak with you about an urgent matter.”
    “Put it through Commander.”
    “He says he wants to see you in person.”
    Putting his book down Magus got to his feet and walked towards the door.
    “Very well Commander, set a course for Babylon 5, warp factor five.”
    He turned to Scotty.
    “You said you wanted to go somewhere!”
    Hours later Magus was escorted to Sheridan’s office on Babylon 5. The two warmly shook hands.
    “Welcome to Babylon 5 Ambassador, or should I call you Doctor now?”
    “Doctor will be fine.”
    “You have my deepest sympathies about your loss. James Watt was a great man.”
    “Thank you Captain, but I don’t think you called me here for that. Why did you ask me here?”
    “Did you hear about the Frankenstein incident here on B5?”
    “I haven’t read the official report yet. I wondered how he could have got all of his equipment on a station like Babylon 5. Surely someone would have checked his cargo?”
    “So did I. Even though the incident took place before I took command here I felt it necessary to investigate everything. Take a look at this.”
    Sheridan switched on the computer terminal and turned the screen around so it faced Magus.
    “I found this buried deep in the computer.” said Sheridan. “As if someone was trying to hide it away.”
    “This is the authorisation for Frankenstein’s cargo. There’s no signature.”
    “I know, but there is an authorisation code. Do you recognise it?”
    Sheridan pointed out the code to Magus.
    “I can’t say I do Captain.”
    “The code belongs to our new President!”
    “To Servalan? Why would she want a Frankenstein-type creature?”
    “We would have asked him if he hadn’t escaped with his creation. We searched through the system but there was no trace of him. But it was after I began to remember the old stories about James Watt, about the few things in this universe that could do him some damage.”
    “Are you saying that Servalan wanted this creature to kill James?”
    “It’s a possibility. When he found out Frankenstein was building this monster she could have used the explosion as her back-up plan.”
    “It all make sense now. Kill her main rival, implicate another rival with his murder, then take control! The bomb plan would have been a back-up plan!”
    “Yeah, but we don’t have any evidence! If we go to the Federation Council they’ll probably laugh in our faces!”
    Magus thought for a few moments.
    “How many more people know about this?”
    “Commander Ivanova knows about the code but not about my theory. Apart from her, just us two.”
    “Good. Tell no one else about this. The less who know the better. Servalan now holds great power, and she could make several people ‘disappear’, if you know what I mean. No my boy, let me handle this. I will confront her with this evidence. It may be circumstantial but it may save Thomas. I will not mention your name in this matter. As far as you and everyone else is concerned this was a routine stop-over, on our way back to Earth.”
    “What about your crew? Can you trust them?”
    “I trust them with my life. All of them knew James Watt, either personally or through his work. They would want to help him.”
    Magus got to his feet and shook Sheridan by the hand.
    “Thank you Captain. I may not be able to contact you. If I do it will be on a coded channel.”
    “Good luck Doctor.”
    Magus left Sheridan’s office and headed back in the direction of the Scotsman. He failed to notice that he was being watched - by acting Chief of Security Burton. He quickly made his way back to his office and opened up a coded channel back to Earth.
    “I know you said I should only contact you in an emergency, but this is one! Magus was just here! Sheridan told him! He’s on his way back to Earth!”

    In Paris Admiral McCarthy and Commander Ro sat nervously outside the President’s office. A few hours earlier they had each handed in their reports, and Servalan was now discussing them with Admiral McCloud. After a wait of several more minutes the door opened and McCloud looked around.
    “She wants to see you now.”
    They could tell just by looking at McCloud’s face that he was not happy. It was as if a decision had been reached that the Admiral did not agree with.
    When they entered the office they saw Servalan once again seated at her desk with Commander Sleer standing beside her. Also there was Major Kemmer from Starfleet Security.
    “Admiral, Commander, I have read both of your reports.” said Servalan. “And I must say that what I have found is most shocking. As far as Presidential matters are concerned there appears to be a distinct lack of security.”
    “That isn’t entirely fair.” said McCarthy. “The tightest security ever was provided for Starfleet One. The ship, everyone aboard, was subjected to multiple scans. The only way someone could have got the explosives on board was with the help of someone who knew the arrangements inside out, and the only ones who knew those arrangements are in this room!”
    “I agree.” said Servalan. “That is why I am placing you and Commander Ro under arrest, for aiding and abetting Thomas Leacock. He could never have done it without inside help. I believe you have him that help!”
    “Now hang on a minute!” said McCloud. “You don’t have any evidence!”
    “Commander Sleer, please repeat what Admiral McCarthy just said.”
    “The only way someone could have got the explosives on board was with the help of someone who knew the arrangements inside out.”
    “Thank you Commander.”
    “I also said anyone in this room could have done it!” said McCarthy.
    “There is no point in going on Admiral.” said Servalan. “As of this moment you are both relieved of your duties. Major Kemmer, place then under arrest. Commander Sleet, as of now you are the Chief of Presidential Security.”
    Kemmer walked over to them and placed restraints on them.
    “This isn’t right!” said Ro. “I had nothing to do with Watt’s death!”
    “At least let me investigate this claim further!” said McCloud.
    “The matter is closed Admiral.” said Servalan. “Major, take them away.”
    Kemmer did not look happy as she led Ro and McCarthy away. As this happened McCloud stood and stared at Servalan.
    “If there anything else Admiral?” she asked. “If not, I am rather busy!”
    McCloud turned and left the office. He did not leave in a happy state of mind. He knew something was wrong.



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