[setup]
        Rhiannon walked across the compound, returning to her dorm from the
mess.  Miyami should appreciate the peace, without the usual fighting
between Rhiannon and Dusty.  What Rhiannon found odd was that she hadn't
seen Dusty since the end of class.  Not that Rhiannon was looking for her,
but with the Commander's orders, Dusty should have eaten with the rest of
the squad.  It just wasn't like her to disobey an order from the Commander,
no matter how much she disagreed with it.

        Movement in the shadows caught Rhiannon's eye.  She stopped
walking, and watched.  Someone was trying not to be seen.  Rhiannon watched
quietly, then followed the figure.  What would anyone be doing sneaking
around the compound this late?  The shadowy figure headed towards the
officers' quarters.  Rhiannon quickly ducked behind a corner as the figure
looked around.  Hearing a door shut, Rhiannon peeked around the corner.
The figure was gone and was probably inside.  Rhiannon dashed to the door
and entered.

        There was no sign of the figure anywhere.  Rhiannon wasn't sure who
she was following.  She walked through the carpeted hall, looking.  Hearing
someone stumble, she hurried to investigate.  Reaching a T junction in the
hall, she saw Dusty run, her hands covered with red.  She didn't seem to
notice Rhiannon at all.  Rhiannon watched her roommate run down the hall
and around the corner.  Going the way from where Dusty came, Rhiannon found
an open door.  She entered, and stopped in her tracks.  The Commander was
slumped over at his desk, a dark pool forming under him.  Numb, Rhiannon
stumbled backwards out the door.  She called for help.

[...]
[investigation, Rhiannon tells people she saw Dusty leave, Dusty becomes
prime suspect.]
[...]

[scene: bar in town]

        "I don't believe it," Miyami said.

        "Neither do I," Lars agreed.  "It's not like Dusty to just give up
like that."

        "That's what the Commandant told me," Rick said.  "Dusty refused
council and won't say why she was in the Commander's quarters."

        "Did you talk to her?" Miyami asked.

        "She refuses to see anyone."

        "Someone has to speak to her," Lars said, "try to get her to be
reasonable."

        Rhiannon snorted.  "Why don't we get galactic peace overnight while
we're at it?  Cadet Tyler will never be reasonable."

        "Don't start, Rhiannon," Rick said, as he held Lars back.
"Everyone here knows how much the two of you hate each other."

        "I'm a witness, remember?  I saw Tyler running away from the
Commander's room."

        "Then you can answer this:  Where's the murder weapon?"

        "She got rid of it, obviously."

        "Where?  You were following her into the building.  She didn't have
that much time."

        "I don't know.  That's for the investigators to find, not me."

        "Normally, but Dusty isn't normal."

        "You're telling me?"

        "Rhiannon," Miyami sighed.  "What Rick means is that given Dusty's
background, who is going to bother looking for the real killer?  Dusty is
the convenient scapegoat.  Damned few people around here are going to care
if she's locked up or executed."

        "You don't think she did it?"

        "She goes out of her way to upset people, but I don't think she'd
kill anyone like that.  If she did, you'd have been killed by now,
Rhiannon."

        "A good advocate should get her cleared of the charges," Lars said.

        "None are willing to defend Dusty," Rick said.  "She's tainted, and
the advocates here don't want their careers ruined by being associated with
her."

        "So who do we get to defend her?" Rhiannon demanded.

        "Why not the top student of our law class?" Miyami suggested.

        "Why would he - Wait one damned minute.  I'm the prosecution's
witness.  Why should I defend her?"

        "Because you're the best hope Dusty has," Lars answered.

        "And you'd be letting the real killer get away if you didn't defend
her," Miyami seconded.

        "She might actually listen to you," Rick added.  "And if you don't
defend her, we'll make your life more miserable than Dusty ever could."

        Rhiannon squirmed under her friends' stares.  "You really believe
she's innocent?"  Her squad mates nodded.  "Alright, I'll defend her.  I'll
try talking to her tomorrow before class, for all the good it'll do."

        "Thanks, Rhiannon," Lars said.

[...]

        Dusty awoke in the drab cell.  Her breakfast was soon brought to
her, but she could only nibble at it.  She passed the time staring blankly
at the wall until a guard returned to take away the tray.

        "You should eat," the guard said.  Dusty only shrugged.  "Your
council is here to see you," the guard continued.

        "I don't have council," Dusty answered.

        "That's what she said you'd say.  Her response is, quote, 'Fine.
Rot in there for all I care.  I'm not leaving until I talk to you.'"

        Dusty blinked.  It couldn't be her.  "Alright, I'll see her."

        The guard led Dusty out to one of the interrogation rooms.
Rhiannon sat at the table, a stack of books piled beside her.  Dusty sat
opposite her roommate, staring at her.

        "Thank you, Corporal," Rhiannon said.  "You may leave."

        "I'm sorry, but I have to stay."

        "This conversation falls under client-advocate confidentiality.
You cannot stay in this room while we're talking.  You can wait outside the
door if that makes you feel better, but I must have privacy with my
client."

        "I have orders . . . "

        "Your orders could jeopardize the prosecution's case.  If she tries
anything funny, I'll yell for you."

        "Yes, ma'am."  Reluctantly, the corporal left.

        As soon as the door closed, Dusty asked, "What are you doing?"

        "I am acting as your advocate."

        "I'd rather have the Republic's president represent me."

        "So would I, believe me."

        "Why are you doing this?  I don't want an advocate."

        "You've been charged with murder of a superior officer.  Do you
know what the penalty is?"

        "Life imprisonment or execution."

        "I've been doing some reading.  Not many superior officers get
murdered in the Guard, but some do.  Of the last ten convictions, only one
got life.  The rest were executed by firing squad, the last one fifteen
years ago."

        "You'd be rid of me, then.  You still haven't answered my
question."

        "Why am I doing this?  When I find out, you'll be the first to
know.  The rest of the squad thinks you're innocent.  They want to know why
you're not fighting the charge."  Rhiannon paused, waiting for an answer.
When Dusty didn't put one forward, she continued, "They don't think you'd
kill someone like that."

        "What if I told you I've already killed a man before coming to the
Academy."

        Rhiannon looked at Dusty.  "I'd believe it, but not for the reasons
you'd think.  Doesn't matter.  I thought about it last night.  If it was
anyone else other than the Commander, I wouldn't be here.  But you could no
more kill the Commander than Rick could give up piloting."

        "You really believe that?"

        "I'd better if I'm going to defend you."  Rhiannon leaned back in
her chair.  "I'm going to see if I can get you out of here in the squad's
custody."

        "You don't need to do that," Dusty protested.

        "It's not my idea.  Miyami doesn't think it's safe for you to stay
here another night."

        "I suppose . . . "

        "What is wrong with you?"

        "What do you mean?"

        "You haven't insulted me once since you came in here."

        "I'm charged with murder and you want to be insulted?  Your tiara's
too tight; it's cut off the blood flow to your head."

        Rhiannon smiled.  "That's the Tyler I know.  I have to get to
class, but have the guards get me from class if you need anything.  I'll
talk to the Commandant at the break to get you in the squad's custody."

        "What class do you have now?"

        Rhiannon checked her schedule.  She chuckled.  "Law."

        "Take good notes.  My life may depend on it."

[...]

[scene: Commandant's office]

        "The Commandant will see you now."

        The Commandant's secretary led Rick and Rhiannon into the office.
The Commandant sat behind a large <something->wood desk.  "May I help you,
cadets?"

        Rick and Rhiannon saluted smartly.  Rhiannon answered, "Yes, sir.
We are here to ask for the release of Cadet Tyler into 5th Squad's custody
until her court martial.

        The Commandant looked away from his terminal.  "You want what?"

        "We would like Cadet Tyler released into 5th Squad's custody, sir,"
Rhiannon repeated.

        "Normally, Cadet, such a request would be made by her advocate, and
since Tyler doesn't have one - "

        "As of 0700 this morning, local time, I am Cadet Tyler's advocate."

        "Cadet Tudor, do you realize the position that you have placed
yourself in?"

        "I do."

        "I don't think you do, Cadet.  You could be placed in a conflict of
interest on the witness stand."

        "You do have my sworn deposition, Commandant."

        "You realize that if Cadet Tyler escapes, the entire squad will be
held responsible."

        Rick answered, "We do.  I speak for the squad on this."

        "Very well.  I'll have the paperwork waiting for you at noon.
Dismissed."

[...]
[evac from <planet>; ambush by Republic forces; starfighters and mecha 
battle; 5th Squad joins in defence; Dusty tries sacrificing herself, taking 
Republic mecha with her; Rhiannon prevents sacrifice, gets her own mecha 
destroyed; both land on <planet3>; Rhiannon tracks down Dusty's escape pod]

        Rhiannon found Dusty's escape pod sitting in a clearing.  The pod's
hatch was still closed.  Fearing the worse, Rhiannon dropped her load and
ran over to the pod.  She opened the hatch, and saw Dusty staring blankly
at the controls.  With a sigh of relief, Rhiannon started unbuckling
Dusty's safety harness.

        "You had me worried, Tyler," Rhiannon said, pulling Dusty out of
the escape pod.

        "Leave me alone," Dusty whispered.

        "No way, Tyler.  I'm not losing this case because the defendant is
dead."

        "I don't care.  Just go away.  Leave me alone."  Dusty tore away
from Rhiannon's grasp and leaned against the escape pod.

        "Not until you tell me why I should."

        "I can't go back.  The Commander . . . the Commander . . . "  Dusty
sobbed softly.

        "That explains something.  I was wondering who your guardian angel
was.  The Commander.  Makes sense.  There's no way you could have gotten in
without his help.  What did he get out of your little arrangement?  Were
you sleeping with him?"

        Dusty slapped Rhiannon, the sound of the smack echoing through the
trees.  "How dare you suggest that?  How dare you even *think* that . . .
that . . . that the Commander would do anything like that?"  Dusty raised
her hand again.

        Rhiannon held a hand over her cheek.  "I'm sorry, Tyler.  I didn't
mean . . .  You were in love with him, weren't you?"  Dusty lowered her
hand and nodded.  "Tyler, I didn't know."

        "No-one did."

        "I can't believe it.  Cadet Tyler can be human."

        "What's that supposed to mean?"

        "Underneath that rough exterior, there's a little girl.  Right now
she's scared, but you can't admit it."

        "What do you know?"

        "The self-destruct sequence.  You had no intention of ejecting.
You wanted to die."

        Dusty collapsed against the escape pod, sliding down its side.  "It
was a suicide mission," she mumbled.

        "You went out to get killed on purpose?"

        "Idiot.  We were sent on a suicide mission.  Who sends raw cadets
out against starfighters?"

        "So you were going to let yourself be killed, is that it?  Never
mind how everybody else feels, you were going to let yourself be killed in
battle.  Can't even do your own dirty work."  Rhiannon unholstered her gun,
then hauled Dusty to her feet.

        "Go ahead, kill me," Dusty said emotionlessly.  "I'm your brother's
murderer.  Kill me."

        "You're not getting out of it that easily."  Rhiannon put her gun
in Dusty's hand.  "Take it.  If you want to die, you're going to have to do
it yourself."

        Dusty looked at the gun in her hand.  She slowly raised it, then
let the gun fall through unfeeling fingers.  "Why?"

        "The best way right now to torment you is to keep you alive."
Rhiannon retrieved her gun.  "Get your survival kit.  We're leaving.  I saw
a settlement nearby."

        Dusty listlessly did as Rhiannon told.  The two women were soon
making their way through the light woods.  Rhiannon took the lead, helping
Dusty get through difficult areas.  Dusty, for the most part, trudged
along, barely aware of her surroundings.  After a couple of hours, Rhiannon
declared a break. She helped Dusty sit on a fallen log before she herself
sat.

        "Tyler, drink.  It's a long trip to go, and longer still if you're
thirsty."

        "May I ask why you're doing this?"

        "Only if I get to ask you a question."  Dusty shrugged.  Rhiannon
took it as a 'yes'.  "Okay.  Why am I keeping you alive?  Damned if I know.
I don't like to lose, Tyler.  To anyone.  I don't want to lose your case,
and definitely not like this.  You die down here and the case ends, and the
real killer goes free."

        "Real killer?  You mean you don't think I did it?"

        "I said so before, and now that I know how you really felt about
the Commander, I'm convinced that you didn't kill him.  Now you answer my
question:  Why do you want me to hate you so much?"

        Dusty took her time before answering.  "Why shouldn't you hate me?
Because of me and my family, your brother died.  Isn't that enough?"

        "I resented your presence at the Academy when I first saw you,
because of my brother, but you haven't answered my question.  Why do you
want me to hate you?"

        "Because I feel responsible for his death."

        "What?  You were - what, sixteen? - at the time.  Your parents made
the decision to defect, not you."

        "I should have been able to change their mind.  Do something.  I
could have prevented it."  Dusty's voice grew small.  "I saw you there.  I
saw you when your brother's <mecha> was destroyed.  Someone important to
you was killed, because I didn't do anything.  Everyone else in the car
joked about it later.  None of them felt guilty."

        "So you took it on yourself.  And to make sure that you didn't stop
feeling guilty, you went out of your way to provoke me into abusing you."

        Dusty nodded.  "I never expected to ever see you on the border.
All I had planned was to get through the Academy somehow, then die in
battle.  I never planned on meeting you."

        "Tyler, I didn't know . . . "

        "Don't pity me, Tudor.  I don't want it."

        "No, you just want my hate.  You don't want anyone to get close to
you.  It's too late for that, though.  The squad cares about you.  Rick and
Miyami like you.  Lars is in love with you, for some odd reason.  Even I
respect you, despite our sniping.  You blew it.  You did the one thing to
me that very few others have done: you ignored the title and treated me
like you did everyone else."

        "Now I know better."

        "That's bull and you know it.  Whatever your reasons for provoking
me were, we both know that we argue now because we *enjoy* it."

        "That's not true!"

        "Don't deny it.  You stopped bringing up my brother's death long
ago.  Despite everything you wished for, you liked being part of the squad.
You liked shocking us with off-hand remarks."

        "So I liked shocking all of you."

        "I talked with Miyami once after one of our more colourful fights.
We talked about you, naturally.  Miyami was confused.  She wanted to know
why you would make such scenes, try so hard to be disliked by everyone,
then turn around and help others."

        "I've never helped anyone at the Academy."

        "That's what I said, too.  Miyami told me about where she got the
money for her parents' visit.   Want to know where Miyami said the money
came from?"

        "She found it in a envelope left outside the door.  The entire
squad knows that."

        "That's not what she told me.  She said that you were the one who
gave her the money."

        "She's crazy," Dusty denied.  "Why would I do something like that?"

        "Because you slipped up and let yourself care for someone."

        "I just couldn't stand having her mope around the dorm."

        "You admit you gave her the money."

        "I admit nothing of the sort."

        "Please, spare me.  I remember the week after the visits.  Many
cadets needed to blow off steam after the visits, including me.  Thanks to
the Commander's order, we had to stay together as a group.  Every other
time we went into town for a drink, you had at least one beer.  After
Miyami got the money, you couldn't afford even that for a couple of weeks.
You drank water or maybe a soft drink.  I have never seen anyone nurse a
soft drink like you did.  Face it, you were broke because you gave Miyami
all your money."

        "Okay, I gave her the money.  What about it?"

        "Then there's Lars."

        "What about him?"

        "Even you can't be so blind to not see how he feels about you."

        "You think I haven't noticed?"

        "I know you noticed."  Rhiannon stretched her legs.  "You could
have rejected him by now.  If you really wanted to be hated, you would have
publicly dumped him."

        "Thanks for the idea."

        "You won't go through with it.  Lars means too much to you for you
to hurt him like that.  Face it, you like his attention too much to really
turn him down."

        "Contrary to popular belief, I do not go around kicking puppies.
That's all that Lars is, an overgrown puppy."

        "An overgrown puppy that you just can't seem to be rid of."

        "Are you done with me?"

        "Not by a longshot.  I've seen you try to get Lars's attention on
someone else.  The best attempt was when you tried to get him to take out
Miyami.  But I've seen you when he takes your suggestions.  You're good at
controlling your expression, but not that good.  You've slipped several
times when you though no-one was watching.  You looked upset that he took
your advice.  You can't have it both ways."

        "Shut up," Dusty ordered.

        "You can't shush me, Tyler."

        "Would you just shut up?" Dusty repeated.  "I thought I heard
something."  She pulled out her pistol.

        Rhiannon followed suit.  "What is it?" she said softly.

        "If you would shut up, I can tell you," Dusty whispered harshly.