“Yes, I found her in my cabin, not wearing any clothing. She tricked one of our officers into thinking she wished to talk over these charges.”
“And you were the witness in all of these cases, and the officer attacked?” Beth asked.
“Yes, which is why I shall be abstaining from any voting today. I am not unbiased.” Dylan said this directly to Beth but loudly enough the whole room could hear. Auraylia wished the chair could swallow her up at the murmurs this extra charge created. Never had she expected him to mention it and she had to fight to keep herself calm under everyone's watchful gaze.
She sat unmoving and mortified as Dylan recounted in detail for the whole room to hear, everything from her disobedience and reluctance to sleep, to the Thorian encouraging him to see where she did finally sleep, to the attack, and finally her strange behaviour that led to her being naked in his bed. Several of the crew sniggered at this last part and she flushed red. None of the officers spoke in response and she finally dared to look up. Dylan stared at her, but he wasn't the only one. Ben, Thomas and many of the other crew were concentrating on her every reaction. A shudder ran through her at the things they might be thinking and she quickly lowered her gaze to the patterned tiles, trying to lose herself in its swirls.
“Are there any witnesses to any of these events?” Trell asked. “It sounds like you were alone with Auraylia every time.”
“He was, but I was nearby every time. I heard the sounds of fighting and I also saw the weapons she was relieved of. I'm also the officer responsible for taking her to the Captain's quarters and she did indeed do as the Captain said.” The Thorian spoke up, although he didn't look pleased about it.
“As is customary at this point, the person being charged can now tell her version of events. I understand you only have me as the primary witness. Perhaps with explanation from both parties everything can be resolved without needing to find further evidence or witnesses.” Dylan turned from the officers to her and she looked up again. It made sense that she would have to speak but she had no idea what to say. “Auraylia, what do you have to say regarding these events and charges?”
“It is all true. I did as the Captain described. There is nothing I can add to what has already been said, except that I am sorry for my actions. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. Since being on this ship I have learnt that I am not cut out for life in space.”
She stared straight forward, knowing she couldn't look down at this point but not wanting to look at the Captain's face either. Her brain felt like it was trapped inside a swamp. No defence would form and she knew she couldn't say the real reasons in front of so many people. They could never know what had happened to her.
“So you are not going to explain yourself, why you attacked me and why you refuse to sleep, even now when you have been awake for almost two days straight?”
She shook her head.
“If there is a reason, and something is wrong, we will help you, but if you don't tell us anything we will be forced to find you guilty. You will be stripped of rank, employment, and money, and left on the next planet where we make port.”
“I understand,” she replied and wished the Captain would stop talking and let her be taken back to the brig. Pain fluttered in her heart at being unable to defend herself, at him thinking she'd let him down, but she couldn't tell him the truth. Allowing the others to think she was weak and an easy target, yet remain in the crew would be a thousand times worse than having just one person think of her as a liar and a cheat, no matter how much she liked that one person. Whatever happened this ship could no longer be her home. She wasn't safe here, and this might as well be the way she left it.
“Then, officers, with no evidence to the contrary, it is put to you all to decide whether Auraylia Mellarn is guilty of the charges as described,” Dylan said as he put his back to her.
“I would like to put forward some evidence that might explain events.” The Thorian stood up and her eyes went straight to his, begging him to keep silent, but he also presented his back to her and faced the rest of the officers.
“Auraylia told me something when I first found her disobeying orders and not sleeping. I believe it explains her actions, all her actions, and would change the outcome of this case.”
“Then why hasn't she presented it to us herself?” Beth asked. More mutters and whispers rippled around the room. Auraylia wanted to scream, to yell at them all, but nothing happened, her body stayed fixed, frozen to her chair with her hands limp beside her and her mouth glued shut.
“I don't think she finds it possible to say to the crew or even the Captain alone, but she told me how she used to live with someone she trusted, someone who was evidently attracted to her, but she rejected him as she didn't see him that way. This person tied her up while she slept and she woke, unable to prevent him from raping her.” Gasps filled the room and she saw Thomas grin in delight. She stared at the Thorian, knowing it would seal her fate to react. She had to stay impassive. If Thomas or Ben saw that it might be true, they'd assume they could do the same.
“She woke, completely powerless. I think if I were her I'd be scared of sleeping too,” the Thorian said, finishing up and sitting back down again. Dylan looked at her, pity on his face, but she had to deny it. No part of her could own up to the tale.
“Is this why you attacked me? When I woke you up?”