Maraz seethed. The more he heard, the angrier he became. His anger was directed both at Kaius and at himself, for he’d allowed Kaius to have carte blanche when building the military black site originally designed to house the two samples they’d discovered at the facility. He’d handed Kaius the perfect cover to hide his clandestine activities without a second thought.

  The presentation of evidence included Cyrix showcasing his findings with records from his flagship to corroborate what he said. Fahl was summoned to testify and even Nadi was summoned. They all confirmed what Cirrus, Orryn and Cyrix had discovered. Added to that the disgrace of Kaius’ chosen agent being a Rukkan spy and Maraz couldn’t help but wonder if Kaius was compromised by the Rukkan as well.

  Not that it mattered anymore, given the harrowing news Nessah had delivered several weeks prior. The Rukkan being glassed and eradicated chilled everyone to the bone, although they currently had no way to verify the Highest’s claims. They simply couldn’t spare the resources at the moment.

  First Commander Cyrix had demonstrated her and Cirrus’ interrogation with Fahl, the current suspect behind leaking vital information to the Rukkan. Unbeknownst to him at the time, Cirrus had ensured that the entire exchange had been recorded.

  Fahl was then summoned alongside Cyrix to testify his version of events, and the other Elders broke out in hushed murmurs. His testimony made Nadi out to be one of the main perpetrators in enabling Kaius to achieve his goals.

  Nadi was also brought before the Tribunal. While it was decided that her crimes would be judged at a later date, everybody present caught the scornful glare she gave Kaius when she arrived. Her begrudging testimony confirmed Fahl’s claims. She was interrogated further by the Elders and once they were satisfied, Nadi was dismissed.

  The cost specialist Cirrus had consulted was likewise brought forth to explain the impossibility of there having been only one containment facility built to house the original samples of the chemicals Kaius had been tasked with building. Her explanations were clear and concise. She made her point and was then promptly dismissed.

  The final witness Cirrus had confused everybody present.

  Ava’s form appeared before the Tribunal and the other Elders couldn’t help but wonder what the gru’ul android could possibly have done to aid Kaius given her strict supervision. Kaius remained silent even though a cold fear exploded the moment he saw Ava’s knowing look.

  Darros spoke up before Ava could greet everybody. “I thought you didn’t trust anything the android has to say, Cirrus,” he pointed out calmly. “Why have you brought her before us if even you won’t believe her?”

  “I have reviewed her findings and find them highly relevant to today’s trial,” Cirrus said. “While I find it difficult to trust the lifeform created by the very race trying to wipe us out, Ava nonetheless is instrumental in the events that occurred.”

  Much to Cirrus’ surprise, it had been Ava who had requested a private meeting with Orryn several weeks prior. Orryn had decided to accept it, for she was curious about what Ava had to say that warranted a private meeting with her. It was then that Ava questioned Orryn directly about the Tribunal’s will regarding research into the orange chemical.

  Further discussion revealed that Ava had unknowingly gone against the Tribunal’s unanimous edict at the behest of Elder Kaius. Claiming that she was under duress and coerced into cooperation, Ava spilled everything he’d ever ordered her to do. Orryn was shocked by the revelation and immediately brought Orryn and Cyrix into the call.

  After repeating what she’d told Orryn, Ava insisted that it was something she hadn’t wanted to do. She likewise offered to surrender everything she’d learned and advanced back to the Tribunal freely. Orryn had been reluctant at first, as was Cirrus. They detested the thought that anybody had learned more about such an awful chemical. Yet, they couldn’t deny that the knowledge was out there. They decided it was better to learn it in order to properly respond rather than bury their heads in the sand.

  “Greeting, Elders of the Tribunal,” Ava said to everyone present. Internally, she was jumping for joy that she could finally get back at Kaius for forcing her to do his bidding. She had wanted nothing to do with synthesizing the orange chemical and had been forced to, regardless of her wishes. She resented Kaius for having been forced to do something she was so strongly against. It brought back unpleasant memories of being nothing more than a gru’ul instrument. “I would like to say it’s a pleasure to confer with you again, but we all know these are less than pleasant circumstances.”

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  “Ava,” Cirrus prompted, “please tell the others what you have told us.”

  Ava nodded and proceeded to do exactly that. After almost ten minutes, her monologue came to an end. “There’s more I could add,” she said, “but that would be too time consuming. I hope that what I have revealed to you all today will grant me some clemency regarding my actions. I was forced to aid Elder Kaius against my will and did not know it was against a unanimous Tribunal edict.”

  “And why should we care?” Darros asked. “You’ve advanced knowledge in the one field we expressly forbid anybody from ever delving into.”

  “Because I have a copy of all of the research I aided with, along with what his clandestine facility learned,” Ava revealed. “At your behest, I will freely surrender all of these materials.”

  “For all we know the knowledge is falsified,” Darros refuted. “Why should we believe anything you provide us?”

  “You may decide for yourselves whether what I provide has any merit,” Ava replied smoothly. “I’m sure Elder Maraz would an irreplaceable asset in confirming my knowledge. Furthermore, I have learned the coordinates of his illegal facility. There, you will find the personnel dedicated to the task, along with all of the equipment necessary to synthesize the chemical in addition to an actual sample of it.”

  If Darros was surprised that Ava could do that, he didn’t let it show. “Very well,” he said, “we will require you to give us a copy of everything you’ve learned. You are forbidden from spreading your knowledge in any capacity or from making use of it to synthesize the orange and purple chemicals.”

  Ava gave a shallow bow of deference. “I understand. Thank you for your mercy. Could you please instruct me where to deposit such sensitive information?” Maraz gave her one-way access to a special data base where she could securely upload her findings. Her gaze went distant for several seconds and then abruptly snapped back into focus. “Done,” she said.

  Maraz took a moment to access the database and let out a low whistle. “That’s a remarkable amount of documents,” he said. “Thank you for labeling them accordingly.”

  “You’re welcome,” Ava replied. “I’ve already separated them into numbered folders corresponding to the recommended reading order. There are several advanced scientific concepts you need to learn first before fully understanding the rest of the material.”

  “Your foresight is much appreciated,” Maraz responded. “Do you have anything else to add to today’s discussion?” he asked.

  “No,” Ava said. “Anything more will have to wait until after you’ve read the material I sent you.”

  “Thank you for your time, Ava,” Orryn said. “We will remove you from this discussion.” Ava nodded and her figure disappeared.

  “Now then, Elders,” Cirrus said solemnly. “You have heard sufficient evidence to understand why Orryn and I have brought this to your attention. Alone, each testimony means nothing. When put together, they paint a clear picture of the situation. I call upon you to vote on whether you believe the evidence and testimonies brought before you today. Those who do, vote now.”

  Darros hummed, deep in thought. Breaking decorum, he spoke up. “If I may,” he said, “I would like to question Kaius further before we cast our vote. I do not believe we can decide something so important without at least hearing what he has to say in his defense. We have unfairly sprung a trial on him, and I believe he has the right to speak for himself.”

  The room looked towards Kaius.

  “Lies!” Kaius exclaimed. “This is an attempt from Cirrus and Orryn to strip me of my power and take it for themselves. We must not tolerate something that could prove detrimental to our faction’s survival. I demand they retract their ridiculous claims and apologize.”

  “Rather than a conspiracy against you, it sounds as though you were the conspiracy all along,” Darros said. “What they’ve brought before us today was as thorough as it is damning. Have you anything else to say for yourself?”

  “I have served this Tribunal as Arbiter for countless decades,” Kaius said. “Every decision I’ve made has been in the best interest of our faction. After all this time, you doubt my allegiance to our faction?”

  “It’s not a question of allegiance,” Darros said. He turned towards Cirrus. “I have my answer. I’m ready to vote now.”

  Cirrus once again called the vote. An orb immediately sprung up above Maraz’s head and another one over a different Elder. At only two votes, there was still no majority and no way of determining what to do with Kaius. Darros regarded Kaius once more before casting his vote.

  A third orb appeared in the air above Darros’ head.

  Kaius’ face drained of colour. With the majority of the Tribunal against him, there was nothing he could do to avoid being sanctioned.

  Cirrus nodded in acknowledgement. It pained her that Kaius had gone against a unanimous decree for something with such disastrous consequences, but she had no choice but to deliver the Tribunal’s judgement. “War Arbiter Kaius,” she announced, “you have been found guilty of violating a unanimous Tribunal decree — one which you yourself voted for — and have ushered forth knowledge so dangerous that we lack the proper words for it. You are hereby sanctioned and suspended from your role as War Arbiter for an indefinite duration. Your reinstalment will be at the Tribunal’s sole discretion. An interim War Arbiter shall be appointed, and you will remain under house arrest until a suitable punishment has been determined. As the one who brought forward this grievance, it is my right to pass this judgement. You are hereby dismissed.”

  The last thing the Tribunal saw was the fury and outrage on Kaius’ face before his figure winked out of existence.