“ You are the commander of the blood division “ one of the councilwomen questions as she scoffs. “ identify yourself for the court! “ she commands 

funny, I never thought id be on this end of the prosecution. 

“I am Zane Haines, commander of the blood division of the Nation of Stars, I am 17 and a half rotations in age. “I finish speaking. silence plagues the courtroom as the same councilwoman begins to speak again.

“ my daughter and son are the same age as you, this is impossible…” she says lifting her hand to her mouth. 

“ if I may..” I interrupted her “It is true I'm young, and this war has plagued my nation since I was a small boy, but I have chosen to fight, to suffer, to struggle. I understand your reasoning for shock, but I am a soldier, no different to anyone else you've forced your bullshit rules upon. Sentence me to death like all others before me. “I say with no fear, hopefully, then they can return me to my fallen soldiers and companions. the councilwomen and men begin to talk among themselves, probably deciding on what to do with my sentencing. until a climax is reached they stop deliberating and turn around. I always thought my death would come at the hands of a blade, not a gavel. 

The head councilman stands forth from his seat and begins to speak, 

“Let it be known that the council is merciful and in search of peace. This council has come to the verdict, that Zane Haines… was too young to understand his capabilities fully and his place in this war, and so it is this council's belief that he is to be rehabilitated at the Akademia and shown mercy for his crimes.”