7571/The Trial of Nuala Duvall

The Trial of Nuala Duvall
Date of Scene:	21 May 2019
Location:	Xandar Prime
Synopsis:	Suzanne stands up for Nuala at her trial. The outcome is a little unanticipated.
Cast of Characters:	Nuala Duvall, Sister Reinhardt

---

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    A whirlwind of matters had taken place. Nuala has a blue ring, Virek is under arrest. Technically, she is, though, as well. Surely they couldn't stop her, but Nuala wanted the matter to be closed once and for all. The military tribunal had been formed. It wasn't a large hearing, but had some important people there. Rhomann Dey notably.

    The small hearing room is well lit, ironically with a bluish tint on the overhead lights. Nuala stands in a borrowed uniform, her adopted Astonian father sitting behind in his dress uniform as well, noting him as her commander. As for Suzanne, she's been recognized as someone Nuala would like to be able to testify, and the title of Blue Lantern gave a great deal of weight to the matter. Rhomann sits with three other high ranking commanders, and call the meeting to order.

    "Nuala Duvall," Rhomann says, "First I want to say that I appreciate your presence here. Your position on Earth made a very unnaturally awkward situation for us here in the Nova Corps. You know the consequences if you are convicted today, correct?"

    "I do, sir," Nuala answers in a more familiar, formal tone. The one many people on Earth have heard from her at many points in time.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne is behind Nuala, sitting in her full Blue Lantern uniform. She had maintained her position with Nuala through out this time as a simple message: Hope will not abandon you.

It likely made it very awkward for the Nova Corp to see Suzanne anywhere near Xandarian space, let alone in this Tribunal. It likely made quite a few of the Nova Corp nervous as well.

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    "Good," Rhomann nods. "You are charged with intentionally revealing yourself to the world governments of the Sol system, namely Earth. A planet which is strictly off limits to all non-indigenous races, political factions, and military forces, as is stated in the Non-Interference Pact signed by dozens of galactic governments. Your logs show that you did, in fact, admit to this." He glances at his screen. "It does not look very good for your defense," he comments. "So tell me, why should you be found as anything other than guilty?"

    Nuala stays like a stone, showing little emotion. "Yes, commander. I did those things, but it was in defense of another race. The Asgardians had met with calamity, and their sovereignty and technology were at risk of falling into the hands of the Terran governments. Our policies state that we must prevent terrans from attaining technology beyond their own means whenever possible, and further it was unconscienable to allow them to be so disregarded as a people."

    Rhomann looks unmoved, at least outwardly. "I see. He glances at his screen again. "I understand that you have brought someone to testify. One 'Sister Reinhardt?"

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    This is where Suzanne stands and looks to Rhomann. "That would be me. Sister Reinhardt, Blue Lantern of Sector 2816....." It's then she crosses her arms. And I was there when Nuala assisted the Asgardians."

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Rhomann Dey nods, looking past Nuala to Suzanne, "Indeed," he says, studiously considering the implications of her presence. "Are you an asgardian, then?" he asks her. "You have quite a station, Ms. Reinhardt, Sister Reinhardt?" He glances back at his notes, looking uncertain to what the proper way to address her actually is.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "Sister Reinhardt will be fine, and no. I am not an Asgardian. I was one of the few that, when Frigga's Mercy entered orbit, was actually able to enter orbit myself and render assistance at all." She then holds up three fingers. "When they entered orbit.....three people came and helped the Asgardians....and two are in this room."

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    "That's all well and good. And helping in orbit is one thing," Rhomann says. "Helping on land is perfectly acceptable as well. The Asgardians are already aware of the workings of the galaxy. Terrans, howeve, are not. Her offense is not helping them while they were in orbit. That is to be commended. It is her actions before what the Earth governments call 'The United Nations' council meeting, or whatever designation they use. That is the crime she has committed. Do you have any comment to make on that?"

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "That was a plea for the earth governments to assist the Asgardians. At that point, The Frigga's mercy was discovered to be on a decaying orbit around earth and the impact would have killed every asgardian on board. Nuala's presence at the conference was to give the Asgardians a place to stay BEFORE impact. Every nation, save one, either granted the Asgardians the ability to come to their nation on the condition that they gain access to their technology....obviously that wasn't going to happen, or outright refused because they were worried for their own hides because of what happened at Ragnarok."

"I already know what question you will ask next: What is the 'one' nation? Iceland granted the Asgardians landing rights and a piece of land of their own to call New Asgard. There was a condition though." She then smirks. "Iceland made it known that they were NOT looking for Asgardian technology, wanted no parts of it, and asked that the Asgardians keep their technology to themselves while on earth and in their country. Iceland had worshipped the asgardians as gods even until that time, so they were simply happy to be able to assist the Asgardians in their time of need."

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Rhomann Dey frowns, "Good for them," he says curtly. "Sister Reinhardt. If you are not an Asgardian, I can only assume that you are a terran, is that correct? And as a terran, you may not quite respect the concern that the Nova Empire has regarding your world's...customs."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne laughs rather openly at Rhomann. "On the contrary, I know part of the concerns already. You're looking at a world who has little to no access to hyperspace travel, outside of certain groups like the Fantastic Four, Justice League, Avengers and Alpha Flight. The governments are highly xenophobic, and so self-centered that they'd likely see anyone and thing that didn't look humanoid to be exterminated as a disease....and likely quite a few of the humanoid types as well. And, more than likely, If they did manage to get a hold of hyperspace technology, they'd likely run into an 'alien' species on another planet, say the planet is theirs and open fire. then when the planet's empire retaliated, say the former occupants started it."

Suzanne tilts her head. "Did I hit a few of the bullet points?"

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Rhoman glances at the other two officers with him, and they back at him. "Yes," he answers. "To put it that way is...yes." He clears his throat. "So you understand then that what Officer Duvall did puts other worlds at risk." Perhaps an overstatement, since she only revealed the existence of Nova Corps, and did not give any technology. "Earth must be kept separated for their own safety, and for the safety of other worlds around them."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "Nuala did something that had already been done. I'm sure you're familiar with Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four, whom I'm stated before, has gone into space. While they have gone the furthest, there is likely something else you should know." Suzanne then clears her throat.

"Firstly, before Nuala ever revealed anything about the Nova Empire....Earth was invaded...by Apokalips...and drove them off...BARELY. So earth was already aware of sentient like from other planets. Before then, Superman is one of the few that survived the destruction of Krypton. So there are aliens on the planet already, KNOWN aliens. Frigga's Mercy was just the largest concentration that came to earth at one time....and the largest concentration that needed help."

"yes, I'm going to beat that last point to death. You're saying Nuala should be commended for her actions....yet here she stands in a tribunal because, in desparation, she bluted out the Nova Empire to make the governments realize that they should be helping the Asgardians in the greater scheme of things. And the earthlings reacted predictably."

Suzanne then holds up a finger. "I have one question though. If she IS found guilty...does it mean imprisonment?"

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    "This tribunal is here to ask questions," Rhomann answers, "Not to answer them." He makes a stern frown, not as if he's upset with the Blue Lantern's question, but as if contemplating something deeply. "But given your station, I will answer," he says, clearly not quite as hard and callous as his exterior would like to appear. "It will have to be determined whether what she did was treason, or simply poor judgment." His tone makes it sound as if it's simply a formality.

    "It is true," a woman who sits to Rhomann's right says, speaking up, "That Earth was already aware of alien threats," she concedes. "There are also no accusations that Agent Duvall revealed any critical information to humans regarding anything past the existence of the Nova Empire. The question is not whether what she did was morally right, but that she should have first sought proper command authority before proceeding. Agent Duvall, can you answer this?"

    Nuala nods, "Yes, sir," she says, hands folded behind her back. "I knew that in the time that it would take for a decision to be reached by command, the Asgardians could have found themselves dispersed throughout the terran lands with no central government to prevent further technological secrets from being revealed."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne looks to Nuala and stands back, but she remains standing.....for now.

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Rhomann Dey nods thoughtfully. "I think that is all the question I have for now," he says simply. He looks to those on either side of him. They assent a similar feeling. "We will confer and reconvene in one hour."

    He looks down at his screen, scanning something briefly, then looks back at Nuala. He makes a motion with his hand, as if removing something from his forehead.
    Nuala seems to notice, and she pulls the psionic inhibitor from her head.
    "Nuala will be taken to the waiting room, you may have your friend join you, Agent." He stands from his seat, and with the others, he files out the back.

    Nuala is escorted to a simple waiting room with chairs and a table. As soon as the door is shut, she spins around. "Rhomann Dey wants to speak to you," she says, sounding both excited and nervous about the news.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne looks to Nuala with that news and tilts her head. "You can read minds, huh? That'll work well when you're without the ring." She does make it a point for Nuala to know that....as if it happens often enough.

"That being said....you'll understand my...reluctance to leave your side this early." Suzanne says to Nuala. She then takes a deep breath. "Just.....be ready. In case another 'Virek' happens. And....can you, or someone guide me to whoever this Rhomann Dey is?"

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Nuala winces. "It is not something I prefer to do," she admits. "It is more of a scar than a power. But that is not important right now." She returns the silver band to her forehead. "Rhomann Dey is...well, he's boring from everything I have heard," she confesses. "But he is good. We just have to have hope," she remarks, giving a smile to Suzanne. "The chambers should be the other side of this block," she says, mentally constructing the floorplan. "If you take a left and then hang another left...it should be along that wall. I don't know exactly."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne nods. "Boring is fine. As long as he is good, I can handle boring. I'll ask about the 'scar' later." She says as she heads out of the room and.....tries to make sense of the directions before she DOES make it to Rhomann Dey's office.

After asking for directions twice then literally grabbing a guard and saying 'show me the way there!'

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    The confused guard is willing, but insists on being the one to knock. Rhomann answers the door himself, "Sister Reinhardt," he says. "I'm glad you could come." He gives a nod to the guard who exscuses himself, and takes leads her into a well decorated room, paintings of nebula and pieces of smaller sculpture that bear the marks of empires from all around the galaxy. Some allies of Nova, others not. A table with the other two commanders is present, and they seem to have some sort of hot drink. "Tea?" he asks, holding up a pot. "We would like to speak with you, off the record," he says. "To see if there is not something we can do to help Agent Duvall." He gestures toward an open seat at the table.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne thanks the guard before she walks into the office....and tilts her head. "It almost sounds like Nuala's already convicted." She then shakes her head about the tea and rubs her chin. "There's a few things that can be done, I imagine. But there's one that I'd like to leave off the table if we can help it." She then holds up a hand as she sits down. "No, I'm not telling that one yet."

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Rhomann sits down after Suzanne does, and nods. "She is convicted already by her own account," he says. "By the letter of the law, we have to convict her." He takes a sip of his tea. "But everyone at this table knows that what she did was good, and was the right thing." He shakes his head. "But to change the ruling due to circumstances, it could create a great many problems," he waves his hand as if a fly was buzzing about. "Politicians, other empires, and the like. It puts us in a difficult position. But I noticed she now carries a piece of jewelry that you carry as well. The Blue Lanterns are outside of our jurisdiction," he says, as if an implication follows.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne takes a deep breath at this and lets it out slowly. "That happened during the 'Virek Incident', if that's what you're inquiring about. I saw her potential while she was assisting the Asgardians, but I stayed back because she was part of the Nova Corp. When I received word that Nova had withdrawn their backing....that's when I started to look at her potential for the ring's power."

She then rub her chin. "If it wasn't for Virek.....I'd likely still be seeing to her training and building the foundation for the ring's power. The stunt Virek pulled with the bounty hunters...." She then lets out a breath. "But that's over and done with now."

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    "Oh, don't worry about VirHek," Rhoman says with a rathHer unplHeasant smilHe. "HHe will bHe dHealt with quitHe dHecisivHely. LHet's prHetHend that you didn't tHell us about whHen shHe was givHen thHe ring," hHe adds with a fingHer asidHe his nosHe. "As a BluHe LantHern, you could claim hHer to bHe onHe of your rank. WHe'vHe all rHead hHer filHe. ThHe Nova Corps arHe vHery important to hHer. I havHe spokHen to Dro'Finn, and hHe agrHeHes that shHe has bHeHen a valuablHe assHet to thHe Halal. If you arHe willing, shHe could bHe punishHed by bHeing strippHed of hHer rank, as would bHe appropriatHe for thHe crimHe..."

    He prHe-HemptivHely holds up his hand to stHem what hHe anticipatHes to bHe objHection to thHe tHerm. "But Nova would cHertainly likHe a solid liason with thHe LantHern Corps. ShHe might bHe givHen a nHew rank in short ordHer, onHe that would rHeturn hHer rights. But wHe cannot assign a liason for thHe LantHern Corps, only for Nova."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne thinks about it for a few minutes. She then takes a deep breath....and lets it out slowly. "If there is a liason.....there'll be quite a few guidelines to follow in that regard, I do believe as well as quite a few explanations so the Nova Corp can understand what it means to be a Lantern Bearer. But...I believe....we can leave out WHEN she got the ring." She then looks to Rhomann. "You don't want her to be locked up either...do you?"

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Rhomann smiles, "No. Locking up a Lantern sounds like something that ould take far more resources than it would be worth, anyway." He gives a knowing wink. "I think hope is something we can all use a little more of, don't you?"

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "I would say so." Suzanne says with a smile....and her ring begins to glow. "Case in point." And she holds up her ring hand.

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    "Wonderful," Rhomann answers. "Well, if you will excuse us, we have to take a few more minutes to sound very deliberative and torn about our decision," the Nova Prime informs her.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "All right." Suzanne says standing up. "but I'm not going to be able to hide the glow on the ring."

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Sure enough. about half an hour later, the verdict is given. Guilty. Nuala is reduced in rank, to be reassigned after review. It is given quickly, as if everyone had somewhere else to be. Nuala takes it quietly with a nod, though her own ring indicates she has a sense that this is not over. After all, if Suzanne's was glowing, there must be another shoe to drop.

    As they are escorted back out of the room, a baliff hands her a datapad. "Ms. Duvall," she says, "Your new assignment." Nuala takes the datapad, activates the security lock with her handprint, and starts to read. "Oh." She glances back at Suzanne. "Ambassador liason to the Blue Lantern Corps?" she asks. "What?" As excited as she looks she looks a little nervous as well. "Politics?" She hates politics, and that's no secret. So there is a slightly mixed emotional response to the honor.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "There's a lot more to it than that though, which will need to be explained to Nova, I fear. It will be at length as well, because there will likely be some that will want to put a leash on Hope.....and it just won't happen." Suzanne then puts her hand on Nuala's shoulder. "They will understand....as will you, in time, Sister."

She then chuckles a bit. "you are free from Nova Corp, Sister....but they still have need of you, and they cannot discard you so easily now. Or else...they will abandon hope. You should also feel a little honored. For it was Rhomann's idea...not mine."

Nuala Duvall has posed:
    Nuala gives a slight laugh. "The Nova Prime?" she echoes Rhomann by title with surprise. "Well, I /hope/ I can avoid making a major disaster out of this," she says. "Thank you. Thank you so much for coming to this, and for all you have done. I suppose I better start getting the paperwork done." She reaches out to pull Suzanne into a forceful hug, then smirks a little. "And get my ship back."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "You no longer have need for a ship, As you saw with the Virek Incident. And I shall remain with you while you're here, for there is still some things you need to know about the ring." Suzanne then smiles. "Like the glow you saw when I came back from Rhomann's office. And when we get back to earth....you have a few people to meet...again." She hugs Nuala tightly. "I'm just glad you were able to get through his, Sister."