EdD: The prosecution now calls upon Baron Alain de Sevigny.
[AdS enters the court, takes the stand, and is sworn in as a witness]
EdD: For the record, My Lord, please state your name and position.
AdS: Captain le Baron Alain de Sevigny, Officer Commanding E Troop, His
Majesty's Dragoon Guards.
EdD: It has been alleged that the Defendant willfully contravened
regimental standing orders regarding his recent unauthorized majority
purchase. Can you shed any light on this, My Lord?
AdS: I can confirm that standing orders in the Dragoon Guards have always
stipulated that vacant majorities go to the most senior captain and that
the Defendant was perfectly well aware of this when he contravened them.
Indeed, at the time he publicly stated that he was 'merely demonstrating
some flair in an otherwise moribund regiment' and voiced similar contempt
regards his superior officers and regimental colleagues.
EdD: Regimental colleagues who _had_ followed standing orders?
AdS: Indeed so, Commissioner.
EdD: It is further alleged that the Defendant has since refused to obey
subsequent orders regarding a regimental reorganization, in a similarly
contemptuous fashion.
AdS: The allegations are true, Commissioner, with the result that I myself
have been waiting for three months now to be posted to the First Squadron.
EdD: As a serving soldier, do you consider such a refusal to obey these
orders to be mutiny?
AdS: I do indeed, Commissioner. Had such events occurred in the face of the
enemy I have no doubt but the Colonel would have had him shot.
EdD: How would you rate the Defendant's performance as an officer?
AdS: Appalling, quite frankly. His performance as the regiment's most
junior troop commander was barely adequate and as a Squadron Commander it
has been even worse. He had his squadron standing to arms for a month to no
purpose recently (whilst he amused himself in the clubs) and consequently
no-one in the regiment wishes to serve with him. Even Major de Custaad,
(whom the Defendant held up as the example he was following) is appalled at
his refusal to obey orders regarding which squadron he is to command and
the Defendant's avowed intention to command the regiment as soon as
possible no matter what damage he does to it in the process is having a
dispiriting effect on morale all around.
EdD: Thank you, My Lord. That will be all...
