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The day my trial opened, the council assembled. "We are about to try an officer, whose previous record has been spotless, for a very grave offense!" came the announcement. "Being absent from his command when it was wiped out by the enemy."
Alda, meanwhile, far away at her control panel, had been following my progress daily. She listened intently as the trial was broadcast. She heard the presiding magistrado say, "Larissa, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
Alda's head was pounding. She strained to catch every word. Just then the Chief Operator came along.
"Here! Here!" he admonished. "What's the big idea? You act as though you were personally interested in this trial."
Alda was confused. "Oh," she stammered, "why---er---I---I didn't think---that is, I didn't mean to---" Her superior left, wondering.
Larissa's testimony was devastating! "This girl Alda, who fled," she swore, "admitted to me that she and Nick Cosmos had sold out to the Asternoids---turned traitors!"
"You lie!" I cried out.
"Silêncio!" ordered the general. "You can tell your story later!"
They did let me speak, but the court was evidently prejudiced. I was sure they didn't believe a word of what I said.
Then the verdict came: "GUILTY!!!"
"In the view of your long record of meritorious service," came the General's voice, "you will not be imprisoned. But you are dishonorably discharged! Guards! Strip the prisoner of his insignia and equipment. Then turn him loose to be despised and scorned for life by all loyal citizens of A República."
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