*Whew* That ended up a little longer than I expected, but here's my writing sample. I also put it in my initial post below my CS.
"Arileth, step forwards."
Sea-green eyes blinked twice at the transition, as their owner strode calmly from the shadowed sidelines into the light. A ring of brilliance cast from every angle of the arching roof, granting the illusion that the Thessian sun itself was shining down to watch the proceedings. It blocked out the rings of onlookers, shadowed the walls and ceilings from view, reducing the world of the one standing there to nothing but that ring of light...
That, and the four figures that stood before her.
High-necked dresses clung to every curve of their forms, falling to slit sleeves and concealing skirts. The colors and patterns changed from figure to figure, each matching the unique set of markings that adorned their sculpted faces. Only their gloves, black as pitch yet trimmed in silver, stood the same for each, a mark of their shared station.
"Matriarchs."
Dark clothing of hardened threads adorned the figure in the light, shirt and leggings woven to absorb shock and deflect shrapnel on the battlefield. Hardened plates were layered over these, revealing gaps only were mobility could not afford to be sacrificed. Currently at rest, the power cells contained in the armor would weave shields about her form in yet another layer of defense, excess power routed to improving the effectiveness of her targeting and cloaking systems. Similar to the gloves of the four figures before her, the armor was dyed in black and trimmed in silver, a common sight for a huntress of the Asari military.
And yet, for those watching the proceedings, who could see clearly the figure in the light, even when she could not see them, the differences were telling.
No rank was marked upon her armor, fresh paint glistening in the light were such a symbol would typically be found. No officer stood beside her in the ring, offering support or speaking on her behalf. There was only her, the Asari 'Arileth', her clear voice ringing briefly in response to the Matriarchs before her, sea green eyes never wavering from their gaze.
"You have been called here in response to actions taken during the raid upon the pirate vessel Matchmaker. Please recount for us your mission upon that ship."
"Matriarchs," Eyes closed for but a moment, as Arileth recalled all that had occurred upon that frigate. "Eight standard days ago, I infiltrated the frigate Matchmaker while it was docked at Omega. After finding a secure position, I waited for the vessel to disembark. I remained hidden for roughly thirty-six hours, during which I rigged explosives to the ship's weapon and engine systems, finally detonating them when we passed into Council space."
"And the beacon that attracted a Council cruiser, that was your doing?"
"Yes, I captured one of their engineers after the ship was disabled, forcing them to activate a distress beacon as well as transmit a message flagging their ship as a pirate vessel. After that, I silenced the engineer and hid once more, stowing away on the Council cruiser and returning Home after reaching the Cathedral."
Muffled voices drifted through the light, responses from the onlookers of her deeds. Nothing she said would leave this room, they were secrets to be known only by the military and political leaders of the Asari- those who watched her now.
"You realize that, had you been discovered, the Council would be forced to inquire as to why a Huntress was aboard such a vessel? If you weren't captured as a Pirate from the start."
Simple questions, ones to make sure Arileth hadn't simply acted on impulse. Quick, informed judgments were the pride of the Asari, not rash action. These were regular, predictable questions.
"I saw a chance to weaken a disruptive force to our supply lines, and took it. Despite the risk, I judged our gains to be worth more than my own well-being."
"That may be true, but we already had an agent aboard that ship." More voices drifted in now, as those who watched believed they had finally come to the reason of this trial. "Your actions, intentions aside, rendered that agent unable to continue their own mission. In your eagerness for short-term gains, you cost us long-term control over the pirate forces operating in the Outer Terminus. As an Asari how can you justify such an action?"
"Matriarchs," If Arileth was concerned, she revealed nothing, her voice ringing out with calm confidence. "It was because your agent was discovered that I acted."
Surprise rose from the onlookers, yet the Matriarchs themselves showed no reaction. They had known why the one before them had acted, even before the trial had began. Their words were for the benefit of those watching, to preface a judgment that had long ago been made.
"...Continune."
Arileth answered with a simple nod, fingers dancing upon the holographic interface of her omni-tool. The recording was broadcast upon screens across the building, letting all clearly witness the death of their kinsman, shot dead and left to rot.
"I witnessed this very scene in the alleys of Omega. Believing it at first to be a falling-out among crew members, I later recognized the victim upon closer inspection, and found in her Omni-tool orders to infiltrate the Matchmaker and relay intel to Thessian Military command. Given her discovery, I judged that a second attempt at such an infiltration would be unlikely to succeed, and so chose to incapacitate their vessel and turn them over to Council forces."
That was all she needed. Between her words and the recording, it was clear to those watching what had happened. This was not a rash soldier who stood on trial. These were not the actions of one seeking quick recognition without concern for the consequences. These actions were made by Arileth, a huntress with half a century spent in service to Thessia, who had always acted with the interests of her people foremost in her mind.
It dawned upon the onlookers then. This was not a trial to determine her guilt.
It was a trial to demonstrate her worth.
"In short, you acted swiftly and decisively, in what you believed to be the best course of action. This is something we ask of every Huntress, and bears at least one story that is akin to the one you have just told." One matriarch stepped forward, crimson robes swirling about her form as her voice rose to silence all others. "However, your military history is full of these stories, some overshadowing even what you have told here. Time and time again, you have acted in defense of the Asari and emerged victorious. For this reason, in the shadow of the greatest threat we have seen in hundreds of years, we offer the following judgment."
Arileth never moved, eyes straight ahead. This had all been a formality, a performance for the Asari government. A slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips, revealing itself despite her efforts to maintain discipline. Formality or not, the offer she had accepted -that the onlookers would soon learn of- was one she still could not believe. Finally, a chance to do more than hunt down pirates and mercenaries. She could do what her parents could not: She could defend her people -her homeworld- from a threat that wished to destroy them all.
"Arileth, you have been chosen as one of the Asari candidates, to join the ranks of a new unit designed to serve as a first line of defense against this new enemy. Have you anything to say?"
"Yes, Matriarchs." Discipline failed, the smile grew wide upon her face. "I gladly accept."