The Day of the Court Martial

[OOC: Padstowe looking at Williams, as if it's all his fault. Bleeding officers!]

Good luck! Somehow that did not have the right note of confidence, the certainty even that Padstowe had tried to convey in that midnight conversation. Good luck! was a little too much like things left to chance. Williams did not even dare glance at Hakeswill, but went where the escort led him, into the panelled room. Officers everywhere, mostly in red, but a couple in green. Well, now to see how long it took until his luck ran out.

Padstowe was about to follow the escort in when he heard the commotion of someone arriving late. He turned around, seeing Sharpe had just come in, Pat Harper trailing behind him as ever. Well, at least he wasn't the last one here.

"So nice you could join us today, Richard."

"Sarcasm don't suit you, you know." He sighed. "How's Williams doing?"

"Not too well," he glanced worriedly in the direction of the courtroom. "I hope he remembers to stick to what I told him to say."

Typical bloody officers. Had to stop right in the doorway to hold their conversation, didn't they? Well, he wasn't squeezing past them, so he'd just have to wait out here a little longer. Drat.

"Oh, bloody hell. Don't tell me he won't."

Not that he wanted Hakeswill to get off, but if the Sergeant got off, so did the Private. He hoped Williams knew that.

"I can't be certain. Today is no longer in our hands, but those of The Almighty. And we should be taking our seats inside - this way."

[OOC: Prosecution starts first, I believe, after the court is opened by the president?]

Sharpe sighed and followed his friend inside.

Finally, he could get in. He went automatically to the back of the room, where other curious rank-and-file soldiers had gathered, and found himself standing next to a huge Sergeant of the 95th.

From his seat on the witness bench Hakeswill watched the rest of the court and spectators file in. He frowned as he saw the redcoat officer of the 50th take his place next to Willams on the defence side. So Sharpie's friend was going to try and pin the crime on old Obadiah, was he? Well, good luck to him, because Williams' goose was already cooked.

He watched as Sharpe, as victim, took he seat opposite the witness bench. Their eyes met, and the sergeant saw the complete and utter loathing in the man's eyes. His face twitched, and he smiled back.

Inside, Hakeswill went to the witness bench, Williams to that set aside for the accused. He was glad to see the sergeant go. With his well-cared-uniform and his diligent bright face, he looked the very essence of a proper soldier - until you looked into those blue eyes and saw the madness. Captain Padstowe came and sat next to him, with papers and notebooks as if he really had prepared for this trial.

Williams found his attention wandering during the introductions, and he looked round the room. There, at the back, like a child next to another rifleman, this one a sergeant, he saw Cotton. That gave him heart. At least one bugger cared enough to come.

If he had to look at that creature for whole trial, Sharpe thought he might well throw up. He hoped Cotton was somewhere out of sight, but didn't look for him in case Hakeswill saw him. The less he was reminded of that little incident, the better for all concerned.

The president, a colonel Sharpe didn't recognise, waited for a few moments before calling court to order.

Padstowe risked a small smile at Williams as the court was called to order.

"Just remember what i told you," he murmured quietly. "And don't let yourself be bullied."

Williams threw a disbelieving glance at the man who was supposed to be defending him. "I'm not actually worried about being bullied, Sir. It's more the shooting that I'm against." he murmured at just the right pitch to reach the man next to him and no further.

Padstowe rolled his eyes.

"The shooting comes later, if at all. Just don't let anybody provoke you into saying something you might regret."

The president tapped his gavel and the courtroom hushed.

"I'm Colonel Sheppard, of the Royal Engineers. My colleagues are Major Davy, of the 60th Rifles and Captain Pierce, of the 3rd East Kents. As the accused, do you have any objection to any of us serving on the panel of this court martial, Private Williams?

Well, Williams knew he was here, at least. That was something, anyway. And Major Davy on the panel? He was fair, at least. He didn't know the other two officers.

Williams grinned nervously. "Sorry, Sir. But it'll be all right, won't it. Just stick to the truth, and you'll do the rest. And - I'll try to keep a guard on my tongue. But it's not easy."

Then he heard what the President asked and shook his head, not trusting himself to reply. What difference did it make who was up there?

(OOC - if I can say, playing however many NPCs! - if I completely screw this up, I apologise. I've never been involved in any sort of trial ever!)

"Then I call this court into session. Would the counsel for the prosecution please come forward to take the oath?"

A Captain from the 33rd came forward to swear on the Bible, that he would tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help him God.

"And the counsel for the defence?"

OOC: I was just wondering whether Sharpe as victim counts as a prosecution witness, even if his evidence is defensive. And Hakeswill is clearly prosecution, and Williams (if he's allowed to give evidence?) defense. I've only ever given evidence in a trial in a magistrates' court (and was bullied!), but I've seen Crown Court on TV. I don't think we need an opening statement from the prosecution.]

(I was wondering the same about Sharpe, but there's no way he wants to be anywhere near Hakeswill. And you've got far more experience than me, then!)

Padstowe rose from his seat and crossed to the officer holding the Bible, placed his right hand on the cover and solemnly repeated the words of the oath before returning to his seat.

[OOC: You won't stuff it up. You're doing a brilliant job.

And we do need an opening statement from the prosecution. Otherwise the charge could not be made clear. And Sharpe as victim will be first called by the prosecution, and then later recalled by the defence for cross examination.]

[Sorry - the court needs an opening statement, saying what the witnesses are going to say. But I thought we could just mention that he made his opening statement then cut to what the witnesses actually say, rather than precis it in advance]

[Fair enough.]

(Schizophrenic ain't the word though! I've got two characters in play, plus however many NPCs as well. If either of you want help out, feel free!)

Sheppard again: "Would the prosecution like to make an opening statement?"

The Captain of the 33rd came forward. "On the night of the 23 April, Private Williams of the 3rd Battalion the 27th assaulted Lieutenant Sharpe of the 2nd Battalion the 95th Rifles and was apprehended in the act by Sergeant Hakeswill of the 1st Battalion of the 33rd."

(I've given you a statement, because although you know what happened, you don't know how the prosecution wanted to see it...)