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The destruction of the prison station of Cenar was one such operation.”
    “So, just to be clear, after you’d launched that operation, once the ship had jumped away, was there any way to stop the operation if you were ordered to?”
    She shook her head. “No. Once a ship is out of radio range, there's no way to receive support from Earth. No way to get in contact with your superiors.”
    “And yet both of those operations were successful, despite significant damage to the Pillars, correct?”
    “I’d say they were a success, yes. The primary mission objectives were accomplished, along with significant success with secondary targets and targets of opportunity. All the ships made it back, more or less. Against the Toralii Alliance, I’d be reluctant to classify that as anything other than complete and total victory.”
    Martin, leaning forward slightly, seemed to get to his point. “So even though mistakes were made and the decisions you made were never perfect, you still did the absolute best you could do—and you succeeded despite long odds against a foe you, conventionally, had little chance against.”
    “I’d say that’s an accurate assessment of the Beijing ’s mission history so far.”
    Martin moved to the next section of his notes. “Aside from the Toralii, you encountered another species, yes?”
    “Correct. The Kel-Voran, a warrior culture who frequently skirmish with the Toralii. Their representative was Garn, who held the rank of Starslayer.”
    “And what did Garn say the Kel-Voran call you?”
    “The Butcher of Kor’Vakkar, The Bringer of Terror, Slayer of Varsian the Immortal.” Her lip curled up slightly. “I told him Miss Rowe was the one who actually killed Varsian, and I wasn’t sure about the rest of it.”
    Martin inclined his head slightly, gesturing to the courtroom. “It sounds like they respect you, maybe even fear you.”
    “Something like that, yes. Very few have stood against the Toralii and lived to tell about it. Fewer still, more than once. Garn seemed to know who I was, despite none of our ships having any contact with their species. The Toralii are talking about us.”
    “About us as a species, or about you, specifically?”
    Liao smiled slightly. “About me by name.”
    “And what happened to Garn?”
    Her face fell and she let it happen. “The construct known as Ben ripped the jump drive from our ship, disappearing with it and leaving us stranded. The Kel-Voran gave us one of theirs while the other half of their ship held off the attackers. He died defending us.”
    “It’s interesting that an alien who you’d just met would give his life for you, isn’t it?”
    “That’s their way, but I admit that it is extremely odd. My reputation must have spread far.”
    Martin nodded. “I think we can all agree that it has been well earned.” Then to Qu. “No further questions, Your Honour.”
    *****
    Time passed. The arguments were made, back and forth, and the judge was left in deliberation. Finally, when he returned, Liao steadied herself for his judgement.
    “All rise for the verdict.”
    She did, and Judge Qu took a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking again.
    “Humanity and all its nations exist in an unprecedented time, a time where the ordinary, the routine, the expected, must be treated with a critical, lenient eye. Our first contact with alien species has not been peaceful and we know now that if the species of man is to exist in this vast universe teeming with life, we are going to have to fight for that right. The actions of Commander Melissa Liao while under the command of the TFR Beijing have not been perfect, but they have been shown to be effective. She has, for the large part, acted within the framework of the behaviour we all expected her to, and she has accomplished incredible things. For this, she should be commended.”
    His features hardened somewhat.
    “But there is a certain element of recklessness in her command style, and I