Arc 9-49
“Good morning, my lady.”
Rigorson meets me in front of the Cosmian, the continued headquarters of the city’s burgeoning legal system. He reaches out to shake my hand and gives the imp in my other hand a cautious glance before guiding me through the school.
“How are things going?”
“Very good. Your servants have been invaluable and the only reason we’ll be able to start on schedule.”
“Two days till the test and another to process the results. That gives my fledgling court four days to put together a trial. Several of them. Seems a little hasty.”
“I try to stay out of political matters but there’s whispers that they’re looking to make a gesture. To prove themselves to the city…and to you.”
“Oh?”
“They see this trial as a challenge. Some think that if they don’t excel, then you will toss the entire system.”
“The only thing that might make me toss the system is it failing. Which it might do if they rush.”
“Well, this will help things. They won’t be able to do depositions within their four days. Taking care of it now means that the chosen members for the court will merely have to review the material.”
“How did they decide who will take the depositions? I’m assuming they’re conducting this as close to the real thing as possible.”
“They are. As I said, I stay out of the decision making but I assume more politics. Though anyone involved will be competent. None of the factions are the type to let incompetence mess with their agendas.”
That’s good enough for me.
It’s funny; I’m questioning the competency of the people handling the trial when they likely understand my laws better than I do. I didn’t design this system. My biggest contribution was giving Geneva an order to create a system that is resistant to corruption and won’t rely on me to function. I have a general understanding of how things work, but the finer details escape me.
If the people who have spent months studying the charter extensively say this is how they want to handle the situation, I won’t argue. I’ll just take my place at the large table in the school’s meeting room and nonchalantly drink the water placed in front of me.
It doesn’t take long for others to enter; Rigorson holds the door for three people: a dark-haired man dressed in a simple but clean suit, the red band of the CFQ on his right arm, a rougher blonde man with messy stubble, and a brunette in a simple brown dress.
The three take seats at the table; the well-dressed man sits to my left, the blonde at the opposite end of the table, and the woman to the right.
“Morning, lady,” the blond says. One more person enters the room, a young boy, who quickly drops off a pile of paper and a pen. He scampers out of the room and Rigorson leaves after him, shutting the door tightly. The blonde pulls the writing supplies closer, dipping the pen in ink. “We’re here to take your statement in the trial against Callan Atkinson. Mind if we get right into it?”
“Not at all.”
“Good, good. Then, from this point forward, every word said will be noted, for the record.” His hand moves as he talks, scribbling furiously, but each of the odd symbols are written neatly. “I am Carlson, the mediator for today. It is my duty to inform the room that I am here to ensure that all act in accordance with the law. I’m also here to clarify all legal matters for the witness.”
That’s the cornerstone of Geneva’ system. Each proceeding has three sides: one representing the city in taking down the guilty, one representing the accused to make sure the charges brought against them are fair and fully substantiated, and a third to ensure the other two sides are honest. Each side “wins” by defeating the other two, leaving no room for collaboration and ample motivation for everyone to give their best.
“Wilkie Marke, for the defense, representing Callan Atkinson,” the sharply dressed man says, lacing his fingers.
“Maria, for the prosecution, representing New Quest.”
The three turn to me. My turn? “Lourianne Tome-Delarre, uh, witness.”
“All occupants of the room have been named. We will start with the prosecution.”
“Thank you.” Maria leans toward me. “Please tell us what happened the night you detained Callan Atkinson.”
I tell them a story, occasionally interrupted by Maria to clarify details. Carlson scribbles away, somehow noting the entire thing on a single piece of paper; whatever cypher he’s writing in, it must be damn efficient.
“The prosecution has no more questions,” Maria finally says.
“The defense may speak,” Carlson says, finally switching to another page.
I can tell from the way Mr. Suit adjusts his vest that his questions aren’t going to be as nice.
He proves me right immediately.
“You failed to mention the identity of the person who informed you of the actions of the Grand Summoners. Would you care to share their name?”
“No.” If I do that, they can call her to her own deposition. The last thing I need is word of the lady lizard getting out.
“Do you understand that testimony that can’t be cross-examined cannot be admitted as evidence to the charge?”
Ah, right. This was our safeguard against anyone lying to advance their patron’s goals or someone paying any greedy bastard for false testimony. “Sure.”
“Then, you cannot establish justification for your surveillance of the Grand Summoners.”
“…I suppose.”
“Did you know the accused prior to your learning of the Grand Summoners?”
“I did.”
“In what capacity?”
“He was a student of Kierra’s. My wife that is.”
Mr. Suit leans forward, his eyes predatory. “Were you aware that he attempted to court your wife?”
Maria perks up, looking between the two of us. She doesn’t look happy.
“I suspected.”
“Did you assault him when you learned of it?”
“There’s more to it than—”
“Lady Tome,” Carlson interrupts, gaze firmly on his paper and voice hesitant. “Please answer the question in as direct a manner as you are able. Speak plainly, yeah?”
Plainly? The plain truth is that I strangled him in a jealous rage. “We had a conversation. It turned physical.”
“Then, in your words, were you the first to make your conversation physical?”
“…yeah. With good reason.”
“How about legal reason? There’s no need to answer, my lady.” He turns away from me. “I present a formal motion for witness annulment.”
“On what grounds?” the blonde asks, though his tone doesn’t suggest much of a question.
“Lady Tome’s testimony is based on unlawful actions taken in disregard of the city’s charter. Further, there is proof of a grudge between her and the accused. Her statements are biased and unsubstantiated.”
“Counterarguments?”
Maria clears her throat. “I refute that Lady Tome’s actions were unlawful. First, as the governing lady, she is the highest authority of law. If she cannot be called an official, no one can.”
Oh, Mr. Suit doesn’t like that; his impeccable visage is marred by a small frown.
“Given that she is an officer of the law, she has limited powers of investigation outside of official duties. The charter says that officers can conduct limited investigative actions so long as they do not violate the rights and properties of others. She acted within this allowance. Further, she did not take direct action until she confirmed the Grand Summoners, led by Callan Atkinson, had committed a crime. Then, she acted with reserved force to detain him and submit him to the city’s justice. The prosecution argues that Lady Tome acted with outstanding character.”
“The prosecution’s argument is based on the premise that Lady Tome is an officer of the law. We ask for a ruling.”
I have to stop myself from leaning forward or showing any other signs of excitement; who knew this would be so interesting? A part of me is offended that Mr. Suit is trying to discredit me; he’s defending a vile murderer, for saints’ sake. But the majority of me is proud. This is exactly what he’s supposed to do. Condemning people shouldn’t be easy; ending someone’s life should be difficult. The people ready to pass judgment should have to fight tooth and nail to do so. They should have the evidence to bludgeon soft hearts and good intentions. And most importantly, they should judge the people with power, holding them accountable, at least through words.
I have to fight to keep the smile off my face.
“In the New Quest charter, a lawful officer is defined as an entity given authority by the city to enforce, arbitrate, and create law,” Carlson says after a length pause. “While Lady Tome is not a part of any legal body, she is the ultimate power in the lawmaking process. Therefore, Lady Tome is an officer of the law. The motion for witness annulment is denied.”
“I raise an amendment,” Mr. Suit quickly interjects. “Move to have the testimony declared biased.”
“Um, what does that mean?” I ask, lost this time.
“For clarification, biased testimony is to be considered unreliable. The jury may take it into account regarding the witness’ state of mind but they will be advised the statement is not from a credible source.”
Ah, so Mr. Suit is making me look unreliable. Not bad, but it’s not going to help. My words may not be reliable but there is plenty of evidence to seal Callan’s fate. Though this is good practice.
“Counterarguments?”
Maria is quick to speak. “As the creator of just laws, Lady Tome has proven her character. Her actions have proven her just.”
“Defense.”
“Her actions have proven her a mass murderer, a person willing to commit unspeakable acts to advance her personal agenda.”
The brunette is practically chomping at the bit with eagerness to speak as Carlson asks for her response. “The actions of Lady Tome were taken in self-defense. The city of Quest threatened her person and her family, therefore she neutralized the city.”
“She neutralized the city through excessive force without regard to collateral damage. It may not have been unlawful, but it is evidence of bad character.”
“Her character was compromised by the imminent threat to her loved ones. Prosecution argues Lady Tome was in a state of war, nullifying the argument against her character.”
Back and forth they go, throwing out legal arguments, voices remaining level but gaining power. I imagine they can go all day if not for Carlson calling for an end of arguments.
“The court finds both sides to have valid arguments. However, this court will take into account Lady Tome’s past actions against the accused, where she committed an unreasonable act of violence against the accused. The motion to label the testimony of Lady Tome biased is passed.”
Oh, good for Mr. Suit!
He looks proud enough, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied smile. “The defense has no more questions.”
Carlson lets out a sigh; I don’t realize how tense he is until he relaxes. “Then that concludes this deposition. We are officially off the record.” He slouches and shoots me a nervous glance. “Hope that was alright.”
The other two share his nerves but there’s no need for them to be afraid. I let loose the smile that’s been trying to worm its way onto my face for the past hour as I stand. “That was more than alright. It’s everything I want for New Quest. This? This is how we make a great city.”
The way their eyes brighten and they sit a little taller in their chairs makes me think maybe I’m not so terrible at this whole leadership thing.