28 January, Municipal Courthouse, City K

Looking directly at Richard's mother the judge firmly stated, "Madam Yao, no arguments. I understand the importance of this case for you and your husband, but I need to clarify information in the absence of the two of you, all the lawyers and my court staff. As I sit occasionally as a judge in military courts, I have appropriate security clearance for what I am about to ask, but I know that the court staff do not. If you, your husband or your lawyers can prove they have the necessary clearance I can let them stay. But I suspect no one does. In that case you have two options voluntarily leave the court room for a few minutes or I will have you forcibly removed."

The lawyers all looked at each other and realised that there was nothing that they could do, and knew that cooperating would be in everyone's best interest. Madam Yao, as soon as the judge made his statement started shouting "We should not be removed. It is unfair that you pander to the military."

Her lawyers quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear said "Madam Yao, it is in your interest to comply with the request."

"Why," was the yelled response.

One of the lawyers leaned over and whispered something to her that no one could hear, but as soon as they were finished, she stood up and followed her lawyers out of the courtroom while mumbling loud enough for everyone to hear "it is so unfair that that b*tch is manipulating the court system. Why should my grandson and I suffer for it."

Shaking his head, Matthew stood up and as Lexi's former in-laws and all the lawyers exited the courtroom, he quietly said to Warrant Officer Wang "Once everyone is out of the courtroom through this door, do not let anyone in until either the lieutenant or I tell you that you can."

"Yes sir."

Within a few minutes, the court staff turned off all the recording devices and vacated the room. As they vacated, the Lieutenant pulled from her briefcase a jamming device and turned it on, before saying "Sir, given your order I have taken the liberty of taking an extra measure to prevent any recording."

"Two matters. Firstly, and I must reveal it to everyone I am a reserve member of the military courts and have the nominal rank of Major. Given some of the cases, I must hold the highest-level security clearance. Secondly, I know my military service insignia's and I can see you are both members of the Special Forces."

"We are Sir. I am part of the small internal legal team for the special forces to deal with matters that come in the public system, such as this."

"If I remember reading the appointments notices recently a Colonel MR was appointed to head the Special Forces group at the local base. I am guessing it is you Colonel."

"It is."

"Lieutenant how do you wish this matter to proceed?"

"As you can guess there is potentially national security considerations as to any decision you may make. While I was given my orders in the capital, I have also spoken to Colonel and Madam Rong briefly. Presently the best way forward will be delaying making any decision about the matter until not only are Mr and Mrs Yao vetted but also to allow anyone who will have contact with Dominic outside of his school to be vetted. Additionally the legal teams would need vetting and to be granted temporary top level security clearance for this case alone. That would protect national security through protecting sensitive information about the colonel's position, protect Dominic from potential harm around him, but if the situation necessitates a transfer to the military court system it will enable a quick transition."

"Lieutenant, when it comes to matters involving children, I hate delays. However I suspect that, and my position as a part-time military judge ensured that this case was allocated to me. The potential national security implications are something in the long-term I will have to have, but that will not be a necessity for the present. Colonel, I will require a full briefing to understand all the potential issues closer to the next court date, to enable me to make a fully informed decision for Dominic."

Matthew indicated "Not a problem Major. I will make those arrangements as soon as possible."

Lieutenant Li continued "There is one other piece of information, which relates to the arrangements for military marriages.."

"Lieutenant, the changes recently enacted with respect to marriages changed that."

"Correct, but it did not invalidate previous actions of military members. If a still serving member of the military prior to the cut-off date under the changes had performed all steps save and except for the wedding ceremony itself, the whole process remains valid with a ceremony completing the cycle. Additionally, that process is not invalidated by any civilian actions, before or more importantly after the process started."

"Lieutenant do not dance around matters. Tell me directly what you are saying."

"Sir, Colonel and Madam Rong completed all the processes for a military marriage, over eight years ago. At the time, Madam Rong was only seventeen, but she was under the relevant law able to make all commitments for a military marriage save and except for either participating in a religious of civilian ceremony. That they would only do when she turned eighteen. The relevant doc.u.ments confirming this are all on Colonel Rong's full service file. At present I cannot make that available nor will you be able to request it, but I can confirm that the doc.u.ments show that this was all done before Madam Rong's parents legally executed the doc.u.ments for her civilian marriage to Richard Yao..."

"And technically, that commitment will invalidate the marriage, changing the nature of these proceedings."

"And a lot more. Madam Rong's parents handed over her inheritance in the family company to her first husband, but given the military consideration.."

"They had no ability to do so." The Judge paused and looked directly at Lexi and Matthew "Do you wish for the marriage to be declared invalid?"

Matthew promptly reacted as he could feel Lexi was about to explode "Not presently sir. The problem is that doing that will impact Dominic's relationship with his grandparents and that is something I do not want to happen, simply because his mother and I have married."

"A diplomatic answer Colonel."

"I need to be diplomatic here sir, as whatever happens impacts my wife and stepson."

"Fine. Can you turn off the jamming device Colonel and we will arrange to get everyone back into the court, so I can explain my preliminary rulings."

Hearing that the jamming device was turned off and Matthew quickly headed to the door, indicating to Warrant Officer Wang that it was fine to allow people back inside the court room.

As he sat back down beside Lexi, she leaned over and angrily said "Damn you Matthew, you did not let me say anything. This is my problem to solve, not for you to be involved in."

"Calm down Lexi, the reality was the judge could have thrown you out as well, but he did not. More importantly I am not preventing the matter going through the civilian system, which you know I could. That is for Dominic, as doing that will damage not only his relationship with me, but his relationship with his grandparents."

As they walked into the courtroom, Richard's mother yelled "Lexi Yao, what game are you playing."

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