[RP] Turn 41, Outreach- MRBC Board of Inquiry, pre-trial preceedings

[Daemonknight]

This thread is for IC RPing of the MRBC's Inquiry into the matter of Lyran Commonwealth(represented by the factional govornments of Skye/Donegal, Arc Royal, and Regent Nondi Steiner) vs the mercenary units  Black Stone Highlanders,  Brion’s Legion, Snord’s Irregulars, Gray Death Legion, Kristen’s Krushers, and the Iron Fist Irregulars.

[Daemonknight]

The MRCB's Board of Inquiry is formed to handle the allegations against the following mercenary units:

Black Stone Highlanders (All Elements):Failure to suppress a  rebellion.
Brion’s Legion( All Elements): Terrorism, Failure to adhere to chain of command (unauthorized movement).
Snord’s Irregulars (also known as Clan Snord): Failure to follow chain of Command.
Gray Death Legion: Failure to follow Chain of Command.
Kristen’s Krushers: Failure to follow Chain of Command.
Iron Fist Irregulars: Failure to Follow the Chain of Command.

In addition, all listed mercenary commands are charged with Breach of Contract.

The Board of Inquiry is made up of the following personnel:
Inquisitor(Senior Judge): Colonel Max Deveraux- Wolf's Dragoons
Sgt Major Alexis Mitchell- Wolf's Dragoons
Captain Alexander Pike- Hansen's Roughriders
Staff Sgt Melissa McDaniels- Lexington Combat Command
Senior Adept Joshua Robertson- Comstar

[Daemonknight]

The following message is sent out to all mercenary commands listed above, aswell as the respective factional govornments of Skye/Donegal, Arc-Royal, and Reagent Nondi Steiner.

****Transmission Begins****

To: Mercenary Commands + Affected Parties
From: MRBC Board of Inquiry, Outreach
Subject: Charges Levelled

**All Mercenary commands are hereby ordered by the MRBC to send a legal representative to Outreach to serve as the judicatory for their unit. They will be tasked with presenting evidence in favor of their command. They are NOT allowed to send representation from a third party, including their current or any past employers. Failure to comply will result in an automatic reduction in Rating for a period of 2 years, in addition to the findings of this Board of Inquiry.

**Regant Nondi Steiner, as the last legal Reagent, and only representative from the previous Lyran administration, is requested to send a legal representative to Outreach to serve as judicatory for Lyran interests in this Inquiry. Failure to comply will severely hinder this Board's ability to accurately render judgment on the matter at hand.

**Governments of Arc-Royal and Skye/Donegal are requested to send legal representatives to assist those sent from Nondi Steiner, to assist in the Inquiry. Failure to comply will potentially hinder the Board's ability to accurately render judgment.

**All other interested parties are to submit a request for audience before the Board of Inquiry. All requests will be granted, assuming they are related to the events pertaining to this Inquiry.

**INN will be granted access to selected parts of the Inquiry, at the discretion of the Inquisitor. Other news agencies will be afforded similar access.

[august]

To: MRBC Board of Inquiry, Outreach
From: Estates General of the Lyran Commonwealth, Directorate of Communications
Subject: Charges Leveled

The government of the Lyran Commonwealth does not recognize the right of the aggrieved parties to file complaint with the MRBC on behalf of the LCAF at this time. General of the Armies Nondi Steiner has thus far shirked her duty in failing to oppose the Free Worlds League, with whom the Commonwealth remains at war. Robert Kelswa-Steiner is wanted by the government of the Commonwealth for questioning regarding the atrocities committed on Hesperus II and his alliance with the FWL. Brion's Legion has acted in full compliance with all orders given by the LCAF mercenary liaison headquartered on Arc-Royal and in keeping with the need to oppose the FWL invasion of the Commonwealth.

It is the position of the Lyran Commonwealth that this hearing represents nothing more than political posturing by those whose loyalty to the state remains variously in question. We advise the MRBC strongly to cancel this travesty of a hearing and not to interfere with the internal affairs of the Lyran Commonwealth.

[Daemonknight]

To: Arc Royal Estates General
From: Colonel Max Deveraux, Wolf's Dragoons
Subject: MRBC Board of Inquiry

It is not the purview of this Board of Inquiry to render judgment on the legitimacy or illegality of factions within the Lyran State. As there is no centralized Lyran government, only disputing factions, the MRBC chooses not to favor one claimant over another.

Likewise, as General of the Armies, and the last legal Reagent of the Lyran Commonwealth, Nondi Steiner represents the sole surviving member of the previous administration, and is therefore considered to be the commanding officer of ALL official LCAF forces and departments, including the LCAF Mercenary Liaison Command. She is therefore the leading military official in Lyran space recognized by this Board.

Duke Robert may indeed be wanted for questioning by the Arc Royal Estates General, however such matters are outside the purview of this body to investigate. If the Duke has issued illegal orders to mercenary units, then those charges should likewise be brought before this Board.

If the Estates General on Arc Royal wishes to further contest the charges leveled, or level charges of its own, they are welcome to send a representative to Outreach to participate as an aggrieved party.

For the record: the Skye-Donegal government has not formally contacted the MRBC concerning these charges as of this message. The Board has been convened because charges have been officially leveled in a civilian court, and it is the duty of the MRBC, and this Board, to inquire about said charges.

[august]

To: Colonel Max Deveraux, Wolf's Dragoons
From: Estates General of the Lyran Commonwealth, Directorate of Communications
Subject: MRBC Board of

Colonel Deveraux,

Your alleged neutrality is betrayed immediately in your recognition of the unratified regency of Nondi Steiner as well as your failure to recognize the Estates General of the Lyran Commonwealth as such.

The MRBC, in ignorance if not in intention, has declared for the rebels and traitors who seek to subvert the Commonwealth. We will not allow the MRBC to serve as a venue for a witch-hunt against mercenaries serving honorably under the flag of the Commonwealth. The contents of your most recent communication reveal that the deck is stacked in favor of the enemies of the proper government (references to no centralized Lyran government, the legality of Nondi Steiner's regency, the reference to "Duke" Robert Kelswa-Steiner when the man has been legally stripped of his title). If the MRBC wishes reappraise its position and recognize the legal government of the Commonwealth as such, we will cooperate with its inquiries in full. Until that time, the MRBC will remain suspect as a passive ally of dissidents and criminals within the Commonwealth.

[Daemonknight]

Colonel Deveraux recieves the recent message from the Arc Royal Estates General. Reading it, he shakes his head slowly.
These people honestly expect someone to view them as legitimate just because they say so? That we are conductng a 'travesty'? Obvously they need a lesson in politics. They are lucky we don't decide that their vaunted Estates General is responsible for the contract breaches, and add them to the MRBC No-Contract list.

Deveraux puts the message through the document incinerator next to his desk, and returns to his computer terminal, continuing his research of the MRBC's past legal proceedings for the coming BoI. He manages not to forget the highly accusatory nature of the message however...

((No return message is dispatched to Arc Royal.))

[Deathrider6]

  To: Colonel Max Deveraux, Wolf Dragoons.

From: Colonel Maria Hasegawa-Russell, LCAF JAG Corps

Re: MRBC Inquiry.


  Colonel,

As the suit was filed by the LCAF Mercenary Troops Liason Officer, Hauptmann Genneral Zec, I was asked to give an outside Legal opinion. From a military stand point the listed commands in fact are guilty of a more severe crime but since these troops are mercenaries LCAF Military code does not necessarily apply. Under LCUCMJ Article 98 these units could have been charged with desertion if they were house troops. Regardless of the state of the Lyran High Command (Tharkad was effectively interdicted). There was no way for Nondi Steiner to effectively communicate the fact she was alive and in charge. This situation could have been avoided if the Commands in question has contacted the local commanders. The senior officer in each Theater or Province has de facto if not de jure command of all forces in their region of responsibility. Due to the special nature of Mercenary contracts this information is stipulated. According to the ruling made in 3068 in LCAF vs Kell Houndsby the Lyran Supreme Court Mercenary Commands are subject to most articles of the LCUCMJ. Exceptions are articles regarding espionage and desertion specificly. Instead these units are usually charged with breach of contract and failure to respect the chain of command.


Signature,


Colonel Maria Hasegawa-Russell
LCAF JAG Corps

[Daemonknight]

To: Colonel Maria Hasegawa-Russell, LCAF JAG Corps
From: Colonel Max Deveraux, Wolf's Dragoons
Subject: Re: MRBC Inquiry

I thank you for the insight into LCAF military law Colonel. However, as the Board has not been officially opened yet, I am unable to do more than comment in a general manner.

As is obvious to all, the MRBC is unable to charge a mercenary unit with desertion: we are a regulatory body, not a command authority. However, the act of desertion would in fact fall into the category of Breach of Contract, and potentially other charges depending on the situation.

The MRBC does not follow the laws, stipulations, or legal precedents set by outside legal bodies. As such, the example you state of LCAF vs Kell Hounds has no bearing on the current case before us. The LC-UCMJ is not the guide for these proceedings, and therefor it's articles are of no use to this body. The MRBC is inquiring into the validity of these charges, because they have been leveled in a House court. The innocence or guilt of the mercenary units in the House court is irrelevant to these proceedings. However, as the primary regulatory body for mercenaries, we are able to impose similar restrictions, and potentially far more severe ones if necessary. Likewise, if they were coerced into any illegal movements, or breaches, the party responsible can likewise be sanctioned in some ways by the MRBC.

If you believe that you have information regarding these proceedings, you are welcome to be present at the Board, and will be granted admission to the proceedings as an aggrieved party.

[chaosxtreme]

Moving into the main office bulding in the long purple robes favored by lawyers in the Free Worlds League were 47 litigators of Shore, Crane and Wilson. 46 awaited in the lobby as one of their number was directed  Colonel Max Deveraux's Office.

Point of order under what legal precedent has this court established that Nondi Steiner is the lawful Lyran Regent?

Point of fact Nondi Steiner was not Archon Peter's designated regent the last time he was incapacitated.

Point of fact Yvonne Steiner-Davion was.

Point of fact much like an Archon Lyran Law specifically the Articles of Acceptance require that a regent  be empowered by the official Estate's General in order to have power of law and authority. As such not even Yvonne has the legal right to assume it without a quorum of all Lyran Estate's General voting in favor.

Point of fact much like the lack of an Archon there is no official Estate's General with bodies in evidence on Arc-Royal, Donegal, arguably Arluna, and arguably New Apollo. All of these bodies have as much legitimacy as any of the others comprising representatives chosen by the Lyran state. however none posses a quorum of Lyran Worlds or Provincial Capitals.

Point of fact, Unless this council has some expartite evidence that contradicts the above statements of fact. You must exonerate my clients and accept my motion for summary dismissal.

Ladies and gentlemen...honestly I shouldn't have to go further but I shall. The ultimate law of the Lyran State the Articles of Acceptance are in dissolution due to the lack of a Estates General and at least one of nine Archon's. Sir's that is the bare minimum needed for a Lyran Government, and a Lyran Government is the bare minimum needed for a Lyran Commonwealth.

How can one breach contract with a government that does not exist? That does not pay? That does not have the necessary governmental, military and logistical support to meet its contractual obligations and has the legal protection in a dispute of non-existence?
 
Point of fact Denny Shore!

[Daemonknight]

Deveraux looked up at the purple robed lawyer from the Free Worlds Leauge, and allowed the man to finish his list of issues with the MRBC's Board of Inquiry. He polietly responded to the man, as he had made several perfectly valid points.

"I admit that i was mistaken in addressing General Steiner as Reagent. The fault is my own. However, as she IS the lawful General of the Armies, she is still in overall command of all LCAF military forces, and is the most senior established person within the Lyran Commonwealth. So despite my error in title, she is still the primary person of interest on the Lyran side of this Inquiry."

The Colonel's face hardened slightly, his voice becoming laced with the merest hint of annoyance as he continued.
"The MRBC does not HAVE to accept your motion. This is not a civilian court of appeals, infact it is not a civilian court at all. The MRBC is within its rights to assess charges leveled against mercenary commands operating under its jurisdiction, as all of the charged commands are."

The Colonel regained his composure, and calmly continued:
"The Archon might very well be dead, and the Estates General wiped out by the blast. However, the lack of an Archon and/or an Estates General does not mean there is no Lyran Commonwealth. It simply means that the centralized governing bodies are disrupted. However, it is not my job, nor the job of the Inquiry to decide what does or doesn't constitute a legal government. The mercenaries were under contract to the Lyran Commonwealth, via the LCAF Mercenary Liasion Command. As the LCAF-MLC falls under General Nondi Steiner's command, she is in fact, the highest authority within the fragmented Lyran Commonwealth that is responsible for the dispositions of mercenary commands."

"Your request for summary dismissal are denied. Now, if the mercenary units under your employ requested your aid, as they surely must have considering you were not contacted individually, then you should know that you are not allowed to represent the mercenary commands yourself. You may, and should, attend to serve the interests of the Free Worlds Leauge, either as advisory counsel to your employed mercenary units, or seperatly. However, if it is found that your actions are the cause of any breaches of contract, illegal negotiations, or anything else that assisted in any of the charges leveled against the mercenary commands, the Free Worlds Leauge itself WILL be held accountable by this Inquiry."

The Colonel pushed a button, and 2 Wolf's Dragoons MPs entered from outside the Colonel's door.
"I am afraid that I am a busy man because of this business. If you wish to further participate in this Board of Inquiry, you may attend the actual proceedings. I cannot allow one party to have unequal access to my time prior to the actual hearings, and so far, I have heard from everyone except the accused.

Good day sir. I hope to hear any testimony you may find pertinent during the hearings." The Colonel motions to have the lawyer escorted out by the MPs.

((OOC: they arn't hustling you out, so you can freely respond to the Colonel))

[DXM]

TO: Colonel Max Deveraux, MRBC
FROM: Amberly McGuinness, Chief Legal Counsel, Blackstone BattleMechs Incorporated
RE: Inquiry into the actions of the Blackstone Highlanders

Colonel Deveraux,

The Blackstone Highlanders are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blackstone BattleMech, Inc, and as their parent company, it falls upon my team to muster their defense.  I assure you that Blackstone intends to fight these charges and preserve the reputation and legal standing of our brothers of the sword.  Myself and a small staff are currently en route to Outreach to participate in your Inquest and will be arriving in another 30-60 days, depending on transit times, and I would appreciate a stay in the proceedings until we are able to attend in person.

Thank you for your time.

[Daemonknight]

To: Amberly McGuinness, Chief Legal Counsel, Blackstone BattleMechs Incorporated
From: Colonel Max Deveraux, Wolf's Dragoons
Subject: Re: Inquiry into the actions of the Blackstone Highlanders

The proceedings are held untill all units have been given sufficient time to send representatives. As such, you are sure to arrive before the Board is officially convened.

However, despite the unit being owned by Blackstone Battlemechs Inc., our communique expressly states that the unit itself is responsible for representing itself. You and your staff are welcomed to serve as advisory counsel, however, I must insist that a member of the unit be the primary judicial speaker for the unit.

Please remember to bring a copy of the contract you received upon the signing, to be compared to the copy in holding withing the MRBC's Contract Archives.

[DXM]

TO: Colonel Max Deveraux, MRBC
FROM: Amberly McGuinness, Chief Legal Counsel, Blackstone BattleMechs Incorporated
RE: Inquiry into the actions of the Blackstone Highlanders

Colonel Deveraux,

You seem to be unaware of the nature of interrelated businesses, so I shall educate you.  The Blackstone Highlanders have no integral legal counsel of their own; they are an affiliate of BBMI and, as such, fall under our legal department.  BBMI provides all necessary legal representation for the Highlanders, from contract negotiations on down to court room defense if a Highlander soldier gets a DUI.  Also, the Highlanders are currently engaged in active combat operations against Clan Star Adder and/or its affiliates in the morass that used to be the Lyran Commonwealth.  Not only are they unreachable through normal civilian channels, I am assured that they require every uniformed member of their organization present for the coming campaign.  If you do not allow my team to provide their representation, then they will receive no representation and that, sir, will expose your proceedings as a show-trial that will cheapen the high esteem with which the Inner Sphere holds your organization.

[chaosxtreme]

Ignoring the annoyance on the Dragoons face Denny just widened his somewhat

Heh, Denny Shore. Im glad this is going to be oh so civil.

Looks up and down the grim faced MP on his left.

"I have to say I really like your gun! I mean it looks like a really good gun. I'd show you one of mine by my partners wouldn't let me bring it in here. Crazy isn't it. Not me of course I just have mad cow."

"Now Colonel, what do you say we get down to the brass tacks of it the MRBC mainly concerns itself with issues of extra-territorial contract law. My firm specializes in such but you should not get it into your mind that I am the last lawyer your going to meet on this issue. You see the FWL In its contract with the mercenaries released due to House Steiner's breach of contract guaranteed legal council to all who were the subject of a complaint by the MRBC, by a Lyran Space Successor Government."

"Oh and Colonel before I forget. You would note that under MRBC rules no government should be so represented on a inquiry board in the manner you have by chance or by collusion acquired for the Terran Hegemony. The Dragoons are a Hegemony House Unit no longer Mercenaries, you have accorded yourself two votes, a third with the Comstar Adept, and finally stacked the deck with the traitorous Hansens Rough Riders! As such we are executing the MRBC legal precedent of recusal of a hostile party.


Denny starts to leave and then turns back patting his chest finding the internal breast pocket he reach's in and takes out several letters. Handing them to the colonel he proceeded to parade march out of his office.


These are for you Colonel. Always a pleasure.

Denny Shore!

Motion of Recusal
Inquisitor(Senior Judge): Colonel Max Deveraux- Wolf's Dragoons
Grounds: They are now a House Unit of the Terran Hegemony and their parents state's hostility to the Free Worlds League is well known.

Motion of Recusal
Sgt Major Alexis Mitchell- Wolf's Dragoons

Grounds: They are now a House Unit of the Terran Hegemony and their parents state's hostility to the Free Worlds League is well known.

Motion of Recusal
Captain Alexander Pike- Hansen's Roughriders

Grounds: Due to there long held Vendetta against House Marik.

Motion of Recusal
Senior Adept Joshua Robertson- Comstar
 
Grounds: They are now a component of the Terran Hegemony Government and their parents state's hostility to the Free Worlds League is well known.

OOC:
Nothing against anybody and I know this is the Traditional MRBC setup.

But accused parties have the right to  recuse one member/faction for potential bias. Since each unit is being treated as its own party each may recuse someone right up to and including during their opening statement.

Depending on the fluff of Hansen's we change our motion on them. If they are formed from traitorous units from Anton's Revolt it is their bias against the FWL. If they are former Davion traitorous units, we move for their dismissal under the grounds they have essentially functioned as a House Steinre House Unit's since their creation.

Also if faction is not going to have any bearing on their IC decision we can just edit out the recusal. Fun is more important then legal nitpicking.

Deveraux looked up at the purple robed lawyer from the Free Worlds Leauge, and allowed the man to finish his list of issues with the MRBC's Board of Inquiry. He polietly responded to the man, as he had made several perfectly valid points.
 
"I admit that i was mistaken in addressing General Steiner as Reagent. The fault is my own. However, as she IS the lawful General of the Armies, she is still in overall command of all LCAF military forces, and is the most senior established person within the Lyran Commonwealth. So despite my error in title, she is still the primary person of interest on the Lyran side of this Inquiry."

The Colonel's face hardened slightly, his voice becoming laced with the merest hint of annoyance as he continued.
"The MRBC does not HAVE to accept your motion. This is not a civilian court of appeals, infact it is not a civilian court at all. The MRBC is within its rights to assess charges leveled against mercenary commands operating under its jurisdiction, as all of the charged commands are."

The Colonel regained his composure, and calmly continued:
"The Archon might very well be dead, and the Estates General wiped out by the blast. However, the lack of an Archon and/or an Estates General does not mean there is no Lyran Commonwealth. It simply means that the centralized governing bodies are disrupted. However, it is not my job, nor the job of the Inquiry to decide what does or doesn't constitute a legal government. The mercenaries were under contract to the Lyran Commonwealth, via the LCAF Mercenary Liasion Command. As the LCAF-MLC falls under General Nondi Steiner's command, she is in fact, the highest authority within the fragmented Lyran Commonwealth that is responsible for the dispositions of mercenary commands."

"Your request for summary dismissal are denied. Now, if the mercenary units under your employ requested your aid, as they surely must have considering you were not contacted individually, then you should know that you are not allowed to represent the mercenary commands yourself. You may, and should, attend to serve the interests of the Free Worlds Leauge, either as advisory counsel to your employed mercenary units, or seperatly. However, if it is found that your actions are the cause of any breaches of contract, illegal negotiations, or anything else that assisted in any of the charges leveled against the mercenary commands, the Free Worlds Leauge itself WILL be held accountable by this Inquiry."

The Colonel pushed a button, and 2 Wolf's Dragoons MPs entered from outside the Colonel's door.
"I am afraid that I am a busy man because of this business. If you wish to further participate in this Board of Inquiry, you may attend the actual proceedings. I cannot allow one party to have unequal access to my time prior to the actual hearings, and so far, I have heard from everyone except the accused.

Good day sir. I hope to hear any testimony you may find pertinent during the hearings." The Colonel motions to have the lawyer escorted out by the MPs.

((OOC: they arn't hustling you out, so you can freely respond to the Colonel))

[Daemonknight]

To: Amberly McGuinness, Chief Legal Counsel, Blackstone BattleMechs Incorporated
From: Colonel Max Deveraux, Wolf's Dragoons
Subject: Re: Inquiry into the actions of the Blackstone Highlanders

If the unit is currently conducting combat operations with it's full TO&E, that is of course sufficient reason to be unable to provide a member of the unit. I would suggest that in the future, your messages are less full of inflammatory comments, and state facts in a civilized manner: as you called it, the morass of the Lyran state makes it difficult for the MRBC to be fully appraised of every mercenary unit under it's jurisdiction. You will be allowed to represent the interest of the Highlanders upon receipt of the Highlander CO's statement that his command is engaged in combat operations and unable to represent itself. If such a document is not received before the Board is convened, he will forfeit his right to be represented.

And let me inform you sir, that I am aware of the manner of interrelated business, and your education is not required or wanted: in case you hadn't noticed, I am an officer of the Wolf's Dragoons mercenary company, and also serve on the MRBC Mercenary Relations and Contracts department. In the future, I would need to insist that personal slights be set aside, and facts(such as a mercenary unit conducting combat ops) be offered without unnecessary comments. Consider this your first and final warning that respect is indeed demanded by both the MRBC and myself in this matter. The charges leveled against the Highlanders are considerable, and no small matter, especially when your company is their primary financial backer. Their innocence or guilt reflects directly on your own company.

I dislike getting off to a bad start with counsel before any proceeding, so let us consider the matter finished, and allow respect to prevail. I look forward to your testimony, and remind you to remember to get the Highlander CO to sign the required documents.

[Dave Baughman]

(OOC: I am going to unlock this thread, but please bear in mind the following caveat:

This thread is for pre-trial motions and similar roleplaying... the actual trial will not occur until next turn. This is to ensure that all interested parties have enough time to decide on a legal strategy and be ready for the hearing)