[Lauchenoiria]

Irene Sheridan had thought Chevroux was a particularly angry woman when she’d met her – and given that Sheridan had been in a room with multiple Councillors, that was really saying something. Chevroux also had a rather foul mouth – though fortunately Sheridan hadn’t had to spend very much time with her.

“Your honour, Melanie Chevroux did indeed visit Libertas Omnium Maximus during the war – however, the reason for her journey had nothing to do with terrorism. She was present during the Maximusian assault on Carville, and fled in fear of her life during the brutal attack. She travelled via boat to Buttefly Island, from where she boarded the first plane out of Lauchenoiria, arriving in LOM. Upon arrival, she did avoid security, yes, because she feared for her safety as a Kerlian citizen.

She hired a van, yes, and lay low in an old, cheap motel, attempting to assess the situation and determine whether or not it was safe for her to return to Kerlile. She had little local currency, and therefore her choice of motel was a result of her limited funds. She had no contact with this Vilav Trotsky, it is entirely a coincidence that they were residing in the same location. The departure of the van at approximately the same time is a result of Chevroux being, quite naturally, spooked by the presence of police officers, given that she was in the country illegally and a citizen of a nation at was with LOM.

At no point did the two individuals meet. The evidence presented by Mr Blunt is entirely circumstantial and has been used to tell a convenient story that places the blame for a home-grown terrorist situation on the Matriarchy of Kerlile. Kerlile had no reason to destabilise the Maximusian government, and Chevroux did not, in fact, have the financial means to support terrorist activities in LOM. She left LOM shortly after, travelling via Conternia to return to Kerlile after ascertaining that it was safe to do so. Chevroux had nothing to do with this terrorist attack, which was entirely a domestic affair in LOM.”

[Sanctaria]

"Ok, thank you", Churcher said simply. There was about thirty seconds of silence before the Clerk stood again and called the final case.

"We will now hear TRC-D-01, Kerlile v. Libertas Omnium Maximus. This will be the final case this Commission hears".

[Lauchenoiria]

Irene Sheridan stood and smirked at the Maximusian lawyer.

“Your honour, the Republic of Libertas Omnium Maximus was responsible for the slaughter of both Kerlian, Gonhogian and Lauchenoirian medical personnel during their attack on the city of Carville on the 21st July 2018. The attack on Carville was excessively brutal and led to the loss of many innocent lives.

The Maximusian forces began their attack on the city at 22:00 on the 21st July. During the attack, the Maximusians entered areas full of civilians, attacking normal, everyday buildings rather than focusing on military targets. They massacred every individual who was inside the theatre building at the time.

During the attack, a number of Kerlian medical personnel were killed, along with personnel from Gonhog and Lauchenoiria. The Maximusians showed no care for who they were killing, especially when it came to Kerlians and Gonhogians. The Maximusians shot at anyone with a Kerlian accent all too readily, even when that individual was unarmed and clearly attempting to treat casualites.

The Maximusians claim to care about the rules of war, but they do not follow their own rules, preferring to kill indiscriminately.”

With that, Sheridan took her seat.

[Sanctaria]

"Thank you, Ms. Sheridan. Mr. Blunt, are you defending also?" Churcher asked.

[Libertas Omnium Maximus]

Mr. William Blunt, stood once again, straightened his back, and smiled. He was defending his nation's honor. It was a responsibility Blunt was more than ready to take on.

"Your Honor, this was a war. Let me make that clear. In war...people die. Carville was a location of interest for its harbor. It was also the final Junta hold-out in the area. It was a highly logical target. So please, don't read this situation as if my client attacked Carville for no good reason other than out of bloodlust.

Furthermore, Ms Sheridan would have us believe that my client's forces attacked Carville with the intent of maximizing civilian casualties. Nothing could be further from the truth. My client attached at 10 PM, a time when most citizens would be in bed. They also attacked the industrial district at first. Warehouses are hardly ever still operating at 10 PM and none would have been operating since the city was under Gonhog occupation.

I literally have an unreacted memo from General Wallace, head of the Lauchenoiria Campaign, to Colonel Baker, the CO of the op in question. It explicitly states to minimize civilian casualties. That doesn't sound like the type of thing that would result in Maximusian men mercilessly mowing down civilians, as Ms Sheridan might suggest.

Some civilians and unarmed forces were still, tragically, killed during the fighting. With that said, the battle took place from 10 PM, when it was pitch dark, until well into the night. Both sides made heavy use of smoke and flash grenades which would have made distinguishing an unarmed medical personnel and an armed personal very difficult. Using night vision goggles can make it exceedingly difficult to make out people's features.

Any non-military lives that were lost were a tragedy, as were the lives the soldiers, but this was a war and in wars lives will be lost. My client's intent was never to massacre unarmed civilians or anything of that sort. The death of innocents is merely the sad cost of war. The defense rests, your honor.

[Sanctaria]

"Thank you Counsel", Churcher said quietly, without even looking up. She flicked her wrist to check her watch, and looked back down at some of her papers, shuffling them for a few moments. "Clerk?" she said firmly to get the man's attention. He turned around and took a piece of paper that was outstretched to him.

"The Court is adjourned and will meet again on Thursday, July 25th for verdicts and sentencing."

[Sanctaria]

July 25th, 2019

"All rise", was, by this stage, a familiar phrase to the regular attendees of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Over the past four months or so, weekly sessions of the TRC had produced surprising revelations, some courtroom bickering, and even the rare chuckle or two, but the same bailiff crying 'all rise' at the beginning of each session was almost a source of comfort; almost a reassurance, if it was even necessary, that the process was sound. Today was to be the final sitting of the TRC and verdicts were to be pronounced. With the recent election of a new Lauchenoirian government, and the subsequent adoption of a new constitution in that country, today marked what all hoped would be the end of the sorry chapter that was the Second Lauchenoirian Civil War.

The scraping of chairs on hardwood floor filled the chamber as Chief Judge Sylvia Churcher entered for the final time. As she walked to her seat, her eyes scanned the room. Her face gave no hints as to the verdicts and sentences she was about to cast down. She was an experienced, wise jurist, and knew impartiality and even opaqueness to a degree was important to her role. Coaxed out of retirement, she took her role in the TRC seriously. She had to weigh justice for victims against the necessary healing of a nation.

As she took her seat, the room clamoured once more with the pushing and pulling of furniture, a noise all to familiar to the woman who spent over forty years in courtrooms not dissimilar to this. For the first time throughout the process, the chair on the tier immediately below the judge's own desk was empty. No Clerk of the Court today. Today was a day for the casting of judgement and for the font of mercy and justice to be dispensed.

There was an eerie silence throughout the courtroom as Churcher continued to survey her attendees.

"Today marks the end of of the first stage of renewal for the International Democratic Union, and Lauchenoiria in particular, after a tragic period of violence", Churcher began. Her eyes, deep pools of brown, showed no emotion as she spoke. "The judgements being made today have not been taken lightly. I, and my staff, have reviewed reams of evidence, and I have given particular consideration and weight to the arguments of the advocates who appeared before me. I thank them all for their time and their diligence." She paused, not for the sake of the dramatic, but to ensure her words, chosen carefully, were absorbed by those listening.

"I have no desire to wax lyrical about the Second Lauchenorian Civil War, nor do I wish to delay unnecessarily very necessary justice. I shall pronounce verdicts in each case first, and then shall announce the sentence for each." Churcher opened a thick, black leather pad, the cover of which gave a slight, but audible, thud as it hit the wooden desk.

"So let's begin", she said, no hint of a smile. Business was being done. Justice was being done.

"In the case of TRC-A-01, Lauchenoiria v. Conternia, I find the Republic of Conternia at fault for the bombing of Melissa City, and the kidnapping of of Michael Antonin." Churcher didn't look up or even slow down to allow the first verdict to settle in. She moved straight to the next one.

"In the case of TRC-A-02, Lauchenoiria v. Griffiths, I find Ezra Griffiths guilty of the approval of crimes of war against Melissa City and its inhabitants."

"In the case of TRC-A-03, Lauchenoiria v. Kerlile, I find the Matriarchy of Kerlile at fault for the deliberate and wanton mistreatment of Prisoners of War, as well as the torture and execution of Prisoners of War."

"In the case of TRC-A-04, Lauchenoiria v. Greenwood, I find the allegations against Joanna Greenwood unproven, and find her therefore not guilty."

"In the case of TRC-A-05, Lauchenoiria v. Casci, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-06, Lauchenoiria v. Patel, I find Anita Patel guilty of the orchestration of the mistreatment, torture, and execution of Prisoners of War."

"In the case of TRC-A-07, Lauchenoiria v. Pierre, I find the allegations against Pauline Pierre unproven, and find her therefore not guilty."

"In the case of TRC-A-08, Lauchenoiria v. Clarke, I find Charissa Clarke guilty of murder, of the ordering of an execution of a POW, and of identity fraud."

"In the case of TRC-A-09, Lauchenoiria v. Conde, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-10, Lauchenoiria v. Littlewood, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-11, Lauchenoiria v. Docherty, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-12, Lauchenoiria v. Yulov, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-13, Lauchenoiria v. Iovavik, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-14, Lauchenoiria v. Udr, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-15, Lauchenoiria v. Hale, I find the defendant not guilty of orchestrating an illegal attack." Churcher paused, for the first time since beginning her recitation of verdicts. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the Lauchenoirian advocate, Mr. Arenas, before continuing. "However since the issue of identity fraud, usually a domestic issue, was brought up in Lauchenoiria v. Clarke, I would find it remiss of this Commission not to consider that here too. I find the defendant guilty of identity fraud." Without pausing for a reaction, Churcher launched back into her list of verdicts.

"In the case of TRC-A-16, Lauchenoiria v. Juárez, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-A-17, Lauchenoiria v. Moore, I find the allegations against Laura Moore unproven, and find her therefore not guilty."

"In the case of TRC-A-18, Lauchenoiria v. Kelley, I find the defendant not guilty."

"In the case of TRC-A-19, Lauchenoiria v. Santos, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-B-06, Laeral v. Sanchez, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-B-07, Laeral v. Long, the defendant has pled guilty, and I submit that finding to the record."

"In the case of TRC-C-04, Libertas Omnium Maximus v. Chevroux, I find the defendant guilty of orchestrating a terrorist attack."

"In the case of TRC-D-01, Kerlile v. Libertas Omnium Maximus, I find the Republic of Libertas Omnium Maximus at fault for the use of excessive force against and the deliberate endangering of civilians in war time."

Churcher now, for the first time, took a breath. She looked at her courtroom. "I will move on to the sentencing of those found guilty." She took a sip of water from the glass before her, and set off once more.

"The Republic of Conternia. For the bombing of Melissa City, and the abduction of a Lauchenoirian citizen, your nation is fined 150 million Sanctarian pounds, payable to the Federation of Lauchenoiria."

"Ezra Griffiths. For the orchestration of the bombing of Melissa City, the convicted is sentencing to 15 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"The Matriarchy of Kerlile. For the mistreatment, torture, and execution of Prisoners of War, you nation is fined 450 million Sanctarian pounds, payable to the Divine Federation of Sanctaria, who will disperse to the victims and families of the victims of your cruelty. Further, all nations that are signatories to the Haven Accords shall be forbidden from executing trade and other favourable international deals with your nation for a period of five years."

"Lucia Casci. For the orchestration of kidnapping and torture of civilians and prisoners of war, the convicted is sentenced to 15 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Anita Patel. For the orchestration of the mistreatment, torture, and execution of Prisoners of War, the convicted is sentenced to 20 years in a Sanctarian prison. The Matriarchy of Kerlile will extradite Patel to the Divine Federation of Sanctaria. I would remind the Matriarchy of Kerlile that failure to do so will be considered, not just a breach of the Haven Accords, but an attack against the justice system of the Divine Federation - an act which the Supreme Court of Sanctaria considers an exemption to our neutrality clause."

"Charissa Clarke. For the murder of Suleman Caher, ordering the murder of Leanna Walker, and identity fraud, including travelling to Sanctaria on a false passport, the convicted is sentence to 25 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Chloe Conde. For executing and ordering the execution of prisoners of war, the convicted is sentenced to 25 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Amanda Littlewood. For the mistreatment of prisoners of war, the convicted is sentenced to 15 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Gregor Docherty. For the illegal blockade of the island of Aeluria, resulting in deaths of innocent civilians, the convicted is sentenced to 10 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Henrik Yulov. For the ordering fire on innocent civilians, resulting in death and injury, the convicted is sentenced to 10 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Karl Iovavik. For firing on innocent civilians, resulting in death and injury, the convicted is sentenced to 8 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Franzik Udr. For firing on innocent civilians, resulting in death and injury, the convicted is sentenced to 8 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Jennifer Hale. For identity fraud and travelling on an illegal passport, the convicted is sentenced to 18 months probation, and is to be banned from travelling outside the Matriarchy of Kerlile for 4 years."

"Victoria Juárez. For the mistreatment of prisoners of war, the convicted is sentenced to 10 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Anthony Santos. For the murder of Leanna Walker, and the torture of several prisoners of war, the convicted is sentenced to 20 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Eduardo Sanchez. For enabling crimes of war to be committed, and for failure to protect men under his command from committing crimes of war, the convicted is sentenced to 15 years in a Sanctarian prison."

"Henderson Long. For the attempted assassination of Nicholas Brennan, and the injury of innocent civilians, I commit the convincted to a Sanctarian psychiatric institution for 10 years, or until he is deemed to be mentally fit to re-enter society, whichever is later."

"Melanie Chevroux. For the orchestration of a terrorist attack, the convicted is sentenced to 15 years in a Sanctarian prison."

" The Republic of Libertas Omnium Maximus. For the use of excessive force against and the deliberate endangering of civilians in war time, your nation is fined 150 million Sanctarian pounds, payable to the Federation of Lauchenoiria." Churcher straightened up, and took off her reading glasses as she finished reading.

"Judgement having been cast, and the fonts of justice and mercy having been availed of, I pronounce this Commission over."

"All rise", the booming voice returned. More scraping of chairs, but with a different emotion in the room this time. Anger. Relief. It was hard to say. Churcher didn't even look at the room as she exited to her right - she was returning to retirement, albeit with heavier security than she had originally anticipated.

[Kvask]

As Yulov and his comrades stood in the courtroom, digesting what their sentences were, they look to their legal counsellor, who merely shrugged, "I never said you wouldn't get less than 5 years, I said less than life."

Yulov, the eldest at a ripe 68, sat down and hid his face in his hands, knowing that he may die of old age before seeing Kvask again. Udr and Iovavik sat next to the old men and tried to console him, though to no avail.

[Libertas Omnium Maximus]

Blunt and his legal council exited the courtroom quickly. On the one hand, he had brought a dangerous international criminal to justice. On the other hand, he had let his nation down. As blunt descended the courtroom steps he ultimately made peace with his internal dilemma.

150 million is a small price to pay in the end. The money would also hopefully going to repairing Carville or other infrastructure damaged by LOM's military actions. Blunt was pretty sure he could live with that.

He also had put a terrorist and enemy to Maximusian interests behind bars for 15 years. That was one less person LOM would have to worry about.

In the end, Blunt was certain he would sleep soundly. It had been a long war and an ordeal for LOM. It was now finally over.

[Lauchenoiria]

Tomás Arenas was disappointed. He had tried his best, and he had been successful in putting a good number of war criminals behind bars, and yet he was disappointed in his performance in others. In particular, he knew that once he got back home, people would be quite annoyed that Joanna Greenwood still walked free. Still, he knew he had done all he could with what he had been given, and he was still honoured that he had been chosen for this task. He planned to go home, take a long holiday... and invest in an expensive home security system for a house far, far from the Kerlian border.

Irene Sheridan had a knot in her stomach. She had failed Councillor Patel. Patel, who was known to punish people for the smallest mistake. Yet, she had - by some miracle - saved Joanna Greenwood and Councillor Pierre. She hoped they would reward her for her success - or at the very least, provide protection from Patel. Sheridan was not entirely sure what would await her on her return to Kerlile. She knew the trade restrictions would upset the pro-reform Councillors, and she wasn't entirely sure she'd be warmly welcomed. Still, there was only one way to find out.

Jacqueline Mardell was disappointed in Clarke's sentence, but not surprised. Clarke had known she was going to prison, and had even accepted it. "At least this way, nobody in Lauchenoiria or Kerlile can kill me," Clarke had joked to her. Mardell thought Clarke would be just fine.

Alma Toselli hadn't seen the identity fraud charge coming. She hoped Hale wouldn't be too upset with her. At least Councillor Hale will get to raise her baby,, she thought. After all, that is what Hale had told her she wanted most.

Ilene Monahan was ecstatic. Moore had been found not guilty, and Monahan was as relieved as it was possible for a human to be. She knew the verdict would be controversial back home, but Monahan knew that Moore was innocent, and despite the implication that Moore was only getting off because of Arenas' failure to prove her guilt, Monahan knew Moore would be content.

Oscar Neville, Eddie Hobson, Jax Rollins and Austin Beake were all looking forward to going home. Hobson was happy that Kelley had been found not guilty, though he knew that the Laeralians might be upset. Regardless of their opinion on the verdicts however, the Lauchenoirians were all feeling relieved that the whole affair was over. The next flight to Lauchenoiria would certainly have a higher than usual proportion of passengers with law degrees.