The Court Clerk, whose job, up until the previous week, was serving as the Assistant Records Officer on the Blythe, approached the judges bench and passed a padd to Tyler.

“The prosecution filed this just a few minutes ago sirs. I wasn’t exactly sure about the procedural steps in this case…I apologize if I should have informed you all before you returned to the bench.” The young Ensign blushed slightly.

“You’re doing fine Djenovic. Thank you. Have you entered this into the record?” Tyler asked as he read the supplemental motion.

“Yes sir.”

“Very well Ensign, we’ll proceed, carry on.” Tyler nodded at her and she returned to her desk off to the side of the judges bench.

“Might be done by the end of the day at this rate.” Tyler said in a hushed tone to his fellow judges and made a copy of the motion and sent it to Priax’s padd, and then passed the Clerks copy to Krey.

As they read the motion Tyler turned on his microphone.

“Apologies all, but we will have a brief delay before we resume the proceedings to consider a motion filed by the Prosecution.”

“If I may sir. The Defense also has a supplemental motion that we would like to file with the court in regards to the presumed content of the Prosecutions supplemental.” Aruin said before exchanging glances with Reynolds.

As Captain Priax finished reading the motion from Reynolds she said “If you didn’t have a motion to file, I would be very surprised by this one.”

“Standby Commander Aruin.” Tyler said.

The Soval’s CO placed the padd down in front of him and a few seconds later Krey did the same. Tyler then turned off his microphone and conferred with Priax and Krey.

“This is my first time judging a court martial. But, given what we’ve just read and heard, I assume this is some sort of late stage plea deal?” Tyler asked.

“Presumably, this is a exactly how one would be presented.” Krey said.

“Indeed, it better be a plea deal, otherwise I got a whole bunch of questions for Reynolds. But yeah, I’ve seen this exactly routine before.” Priax added.

“So how should we proceed?” Tyler asked.

“Well, usually the judges would accept and consider both motions and then meet with the Prosecution and the Defense privately in chambers, and that’s when they’ll present us with the precise details of the plea deal. These motions are basic formalities that have us pause and like I said, meet with them in chambers.” Krey said.

“Yep, that’s our play.” Priax said.

“Alright, lets get on with it then.” Tyler said and turned his mic back on.

“Please filed your motion with the court clerk Cdr Aruin. We will retire to private chambers and consider both motion and then call for both you and the Prosecution to join us shortly. The court will briefly recess.” Tyler banged his gavel.

The Court Bailiff announced, “All rise.”

The convening judges then stood and departed the court. In this case, the ‘judges chambers’ was simply a small office adjacent to the gymnasium.

As the door closed behind them, Krey spoke up.

“I vote we accept both motions as written and adopted the Sentencing reccomendations therein.”

“I second that.” Priax added.

“Well, I guess thats that then. I concur.” Tyler shrugged.

Tyler went over to the desk in the corner and pressed a button “Ensign Djenovic can you send in both the Prosecution and Defense counsel please.”

“Right away sir. Um, Cdr Aruin is also wondering if we should send the defendants back to their cell.”

“Uh, no, this side bar will likely be concluded shortly here. Have everyone sir tight for now.” Tyler replied.

“Counsels are on their way sirs” the clerk responded.