Three weeks later the base courtroom was completely packed with uniformed personnel.
Sunlight beamed down through high windows onto polished wooden courtroom benches.
Major Vance sat at the defense table wearing a plain uniform without rank pins.
His expensive defense lawyer stood right beside him looking over legal papers.
Clara sat at the prosecutor table dressed in her cleanest formal uniform.
Her silver eagle emblem shone brightly under the warm room lights above.
The judge entered the quiet room and everyone stood up in respect.
Judge: We are gathered here to review severe charges against former Major Vance.
Defense Lawyer: My client claims the dining incident was a simple physical accident.
Prosecutor: We have video security footage from the cafeteria to present today.
The large television screen mounted on the wall lit up with bright video.
The high definition footage showed Major Vance grabbing Clara's neck very clearly.
It captured the exact moment he shoved her face into the tray.
Gasps echoed across the quiet courtroom from the gathered military audience members.
The video played her calm response as she unpinned her rank emblem smoothly.
Major Vance stared down at his shoes with a deeply red face.
He could not look at the heavy evidence showing his wild behavior.
Judge: The video evidence is completely clear and unarguable in this matter.
Judge: Do you have anything to say before I issue my final ruling?
Major Vance stood up slowly and grabbed the edge of his table.
Major Vance: I let my tempers ruin my duty and honor that day.
Clara: Honor requires accountability when trust is broken so completely, sir.
The judge nodded his head in firm agreement with her soft words.
He banged his heavy wooden gavel down against the dark desk block.
Judge: The court finds you guilty on all counts of fraud and assault.
Major Vance was ordered to serve five years in a military prison.
He was stripped of his entire military pension and honorable service standing.
Two armed guards stepped forward and put heavy metal handcuffs on his wrists.
They led him slowly out the side door away from the public.
Clara closed her leather folder with a feeling of true deep peace.
She had protected her fellow officers from a cruel corrupt leader today.