Morgrim played:

Daniel Fawkes and David Morant

The list was clinical in its details. Under the headings of 'Minor Injuries', Major Injuries' and 'Casualties' were basic identifying details of individuals and what wounds they had received and on occasion a name. Half were linked to photographs.

"We don't know how many dolphins were involved in the initial attack, the warning or the response," David Morant addressed those around the table. "Four presented with bullet wounds and we have two confirmed dead outright from the opening gunfire. The other two captured vessels think they each had at least two individuals accompanying them and it reasonable to assume the escaped one did too, so at least twelve. That's not unusual for a fleet of that composition. The upper estimate is approximately twenty to twenty five."

A greying woman flicked the through the pages of the report. "Only six harmed from automatic gunfire? Are we sure the terrorists were aiming to kill?"

"Yes, it was automatic gunfire and there were deaths which I believe is the aim of pointing a gun at someone and pulling the trigger," Morant snapped back. "As it is some might not have made it back to shore. More likely there are some out there still wounded; water, poor aiming conditions and thick blubber means a far lower injury profile than humans. That doesn't change the fact one of the ship crews committed murder."

The same woman raised her hands placating. "This committee is here to seek facts, not insult you. The reports of the Cetacean Communication Project are the only corroborating evidence we have for the statements given by the accused." The scattered sounds of agreement deflated the CCP director.

"I apologise for snapping," Morant said humbly, eyes still on the table. "We lost Makala. The one that latter died from injuries. Deaths of those you didn't know or injuries that you know will heal don't hit you as hard as the murder of someone you've known for half a decade. I'd love to shoot the bastards myself." A voice from the back helpfully offered to lend him a rifle and received a glare for their troubles. The trial was complicated enough without vigilante action.

Dragging himself back together he resumed explaining the list. "Again, it's unlikely we'll piece together the actions and identity of those warning the island or accompanying the water police back out. If we succeed in more than a skeletal reconstruction we'll pass that on, but obviously the report in front of you is focused purely on the dolphin injuries- which were for the most part less extensive than the human. One death from direct torpedo strike. Some minor to moderate injuries from shrapnel and the concussive blasts. Probably a lot of the cetacean equivalent of migranes. I've been told it was a miracle there weren't more."

Unspoken went the human casualties both from the ships that had sunk and the few on the island, a considerably higher number. All knew it could have been far worse. "On that note, what of the behaviour of the dolphins during the attack?" someone prodded. "Yes, they assisted those that went into the water from both sides and even retrieved a body or two - whether intentionally or not - but they also admit to murdering Talaka. Do we know the individuals responsible? Or the justification given?" She grimaced. "I'm dreading the potential backlash."

The vet standing by Morant interrupted before the older man could begin. "I'm Daniel Fawkes, and I was aboard the Tiberious and fell overboard when our illustrious captain rammed the Hyperion. I was sharing the water with several sodden terrorists and the dolphins were supporting anyone that was willing to hang on and trying to chivvy us out of the lines of fire. All of us. Given it was night, cold and with wet clothes weighing us down there would have been drownings without that assistance.

"It seems Talaka refused to be rescued and attacked the dolphins trying to aid him. They decided he was a threat and responded accordingly. The coroner may have to flip a coin to decide whether to write that drowning or internal injuries killed him first, but the damage is consistent with aquarium sharks that have been likewise attacked. I feel it was execution and not murder," Daniel finished savagely.

Morant took over again before things got heated. "We're not here to call a trial just yet, we're here to provide an aftermath report," he reminded. "We have two more serious injuries. The worst is a wild female I'm astonished made it all the way to the island. Her jaw has been shattered likely by propeller blade. We can't lay completely blame for this one at the terrorist's feet; the blast probably disoriented her and contributed but the vessel could have been one of our own. I'm hoping the current nickname 'Fossie' doesn't stick since she'll have to become a project member since she can no longer survive in the wild. She can't hunt, has lost teeth, and since dolphins hear through their jaws she's currently deaf. We're hopeful she'll recover basic hearing but doubtful she'll echolocate effectively again."

There was a moment of silence as this was absorbed before he continued, "The other is Hakumele. We're not sure of the exact cause but she's been in a coma since three days after the attack. Accidental ingestion of something from the ships, collision, damage from the shockwave... the worst would be deliberate harming. She was the first non-human Citizen which makes her both a symbol and a target. Timing wise we've lost our best translator just when we need them most."

Pages were shuffled closed and nudged slightly away. "The rest we have is speculation or widely scattered but also tangential to the trials and investigation. We will, of course, pass on anything that appears; for now you have our contribution to the Butcher's Bill."