STORY: “You and Tueller are known enemies. Why should we believe your testimony for a moment?”
STORY: Sergio smiles again, looking Tueller in the eye. “What have I got to lose? I’m receiving nothing for my testimony today, no deals made. I simply wish to see justice done.“
STORY: Becker shakes his head, looks back at Tueller.
STORY: “No further questions, your honors.” He sits next to Tueller, puts a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
TUELLER: “You’re worth every penny I spent on you.”
TUELLER: “And not one more.”
RYO: A skinny, fifteen-year-old Ryo got punched and fell to the ground. A much bigger boy stepped aside, as a girl walked over to Ryo, leaned down, and whispered, “It’s gonna hurt for a while to talk. But you should let your mom know she needs to keep her word.” Then she stood up and kicked him in the gut. Twice. Before she left, she noticed his broken glasses on the floor. She picked them up and tossed them on top of him. “I’m sorry to mess up that pretty face. But get your family in line, Ryo. Now.”
—
STORY: The three of you return to the Ark with your quarries: Yetide, the doppelganger, and, you assume, word of Bilbo’s death spreading. The journey will take you just over a week. What do you do while you travel?
TUELLER: Tueller feeds a memory of Princess Elowyn to the doppelganger. He no longer remembers Elowyn.
STORY: He will again, soon enough.
TUELLER: Sure.
STORY: The doppelganger tells you this isn’t healthy.
STORY: It’s grateful for the sustenance, but it can see you’re not coping.
TUELLER: Tueller tells the doppelganger that, in terms of unhealthy responses Tueller’s had, this is pretty healthy.
RYO: Ryo makes sure that Tueller’s financial situation is under control and that all of his wealth has been appropriately given away.
STORY: You can’t, actually – we keep forgetting, but the onboard computers on Peregrine have been broken since Tux had to rip Noma out.
RYO: Ahh, right.
MILLICENT: Millie does preliminary work on the schematics. Whatever she can do to get ready for combing through them with Noma.
STORY: Millie, why don’t we do Assessment + Interface on that
MILLICENT: Also I’m going to spend 4 XP for the Plan move on this
MILLICENT: /roll 2d6 + 2
STORY: josh rolled 9 + 2 = 11
STORY: Millie, you can do a bit of work on Manaaki’s deck itself, but otherwise Peregrine is offline.
MILLICENT: Okay, that’s fine.
STORY: Millie, you put a Plan together for analyzing the data on Manaaki’s deck once you’re reunited with Noma, and in doing so you do sort through a few other pieces, start to make some kind of sense of it. You think you’re starting to reassemble the file structure for one of the various servers, this one dedicated to keeping data on the ships that pass through the relay.
TUELLER: Tueller also writes up a factual account of what happened in trying to get Bilbo back.
TUELLER: He asks Millie how much he should hang Dr. Gage out to dry.
MILLICENT: Millie tells Tueller to be honest.
TUELLER: Tueller nods, smiles, and writes it up honestly.
TUELLER: If it’s possible, Tueller will transmit this report to his lawyer.
STORY: Not possible yet! You’d have to be within wave distance, so once you get through the jump relay and travel a day or two.
TUELLER: Okay. He queues it up to do so when it’s feasible.
TUELLER: His report on Yetide is just that we picked her up on Mercury with some transitory memory loss.
TUELLER: Tueller watches Yetide and her crew to make sure they don’t get mutinous.
STORY: They’re all still pretty tame. None of them make a move, and seem resigned to their fate. Hanging out with each other, who are all also zombies, seems to slow down their regaining of their memories and emotions.
STORY: It’s also possible the doppelganger is sneaking out to snack.
TUELLER: Tueller is fine with that.
STORY: You arrive at the Ark and are surprised that no messages, no updates from your lawyer or any family, come through – Tux must have disabled that part as well, or maybe it finally gave up. The ship really needs some love.
TUELLER: Tueller tries to contact his lawyer.
STORY: You dock in the Ring and board the shuttle, Figgan staying behind to lock up and secure everything.
TUELLER: For one, we’ve got prisoners on board!
STORY: She’s going to wait with the prisoners – your lawyer doesn’t answer hails, but you contact A-Sec and they say they’re sending someone over immediately.
TUELLER: Tueller is not leaving the ship until the prisoner transfer happens to his satisfaction.
STORY: Okay, the Peregrine’s doors hiss and open and the three of you are greeted with a dozen armed A-Sec officers, weapons drawn.
STORY: They shout at you to get down on your knees, hands on your head.
TUELLER: Yeah, Tueller does that.
TUELLER: “Bringing in prisoners, per the terms of my parole.”
STORY: You catch sight of Officer Madsen in the group, looking unhappy about being there.
RYO: Ryo glances around for a brief moment, confused, then he does the same.
STORY: “On the GROUND!” shouts one of the others.
TUELLER: Tueller doesn’t resist.
MILLICENT: Millie kneels, genteelly, and glares. “What is the meaning of this?”
STORY: You’re all cuffed and brought aboard the paddy wagon they flew over. Figgan’s nowhere to be found, nor is Erwin – they must have ducked into the crawlspace.
MILLICENT: Millie makes notes of badge numbers
RYO: “I’ve never been handcuffed or arrested.”
TUELLER: Tueller is calm and unafraid.
TUELLER: “You get used to it.”
STORY: Once you arrive at the Ark, in a special dock used exclusively by A-Sec, you’re greeted by a sergeant who confirms each of your identities, and upon reaching Tueller, sucks a piece of food out of his teeth.
STORY: “You returning for trial?”
TUELLER: “Of course. With an extra family member to boot.”
STORY: He looks down at his pad. “Bit late. They started you in absentia three days ago. Probably just about wrapping up now.”
TUELLER: “Shit.”
STORY: “Madsen, take this one down. These two your friends?”
TUELLER: Is this an accelerated schedule?
RYO: “What!” Ryo wrinkles up his nose. “That most certainly does not comport with due process.”
STORY: Definitely sooner than you had expected.
TUELLER: “I was told I had more time.”
STORY: “Not my department. Your friends?” He points his pen at Millie and Ryo.
TUELLER: Tueller looks at Millie, and at Ryo and considers a moment. “Yes, my friends.”
TUELLER: “Employers, too.”
MILLICENT: “Also, not fugitives.” Millie gestures to the cuffs.
STORY: He nods, uncuffing Millie and Ryo as Madsen takes Tueller away. “He’ll stand in court 12S, thats on deck S, not floor S. You need directions?”
RYO: “Yes.”
RYO: Ryo rubs at his wrists.
STORY: He points the way and gets back to the other prisoners.
STORY: Tueller!
STORY: Madsen takes you down in an elevator, shaking her head and not making eye contact.
STORY: “Is it true you did it?”
TUELLER: “I am very much behind here; I do not know what I’m accused of.”
TUELLER: “What am I to have done?”
STORY: She raises a disbelieving eyebrow at you.
STORY: Shakes her head again. “I shouldn’t have thought you’d tell me the truth.” The doors open and she manhandles you towards court, where you’re booked, put into prison clothes, and sent out to a tiny waiting room in chains.
TUELLER: “I do not think I’m guilty of anything that would shock the Ark, though.”
STORY: Millie, Ryo, what do you do?
MILLICENT: We go to where we’re supposed to and try to find Tueller’s lawyer.
RYO: Yes. Agreed.
MILLICENT: Also Millie pops on her visor and tries to find some news on all this nonsense. Maybe something made the papers.
STORY: It did, in fact. Aice is dead, and Tueller’s the lead suspect. They’ve accelerated his trial with this new evidence!
RYO: “Well that’s not good. We should, however, be able to prove he wasn’t anywhere near her.”
STORY: You make it to the front of the court and just as you’re entering, Ward Becker bursts through them carrying about six armfuls too many of folders and papers, looking exhausted. He immediately drops half of them and papers scatter everywhere.
STORY: “Shit!” He drops to his knees, gathering everything back together.
MILLICENT: Millie looks at this display critically. “What is going on here, Mr. Becker?”
RYO: Ryo kneels and helps him with the papers.
RYO: “What can we do to assist?” He straightens a pile.
STORY: “Jesus!” He looks surprised to see you. “You’re back?”
STORY: “You brought Tueller?”
RYO: Ryo nods.
STORY: He stands, gesturing back to the papers he couldn’t get to and hurrying down the hallway. “You’re paralegals now, grab those and follow me.”
MILLICENT: Millie grabs papers and fumes. Paralegal?
RYO: Ryo shakes his head slightly, but picks up the remaining papers.
STORY: You could also be kept out of these conversations and just sit around offscreen, if you’re too proud to pretend to be a paralegal for five minutes.
STORY: Becker holds the door for the two of you into a small meeting room, where you find Tueller, cuffed hands and feet, in a powder blue prison jumpsuit.
RYO: Ryo increases his pace to catch up and enters the room.
TUELLER: “Uh hi. What do they think I did because they seem to be more unhappy with me than I wanted them to be.”
STORY: Becker sits at the metal table, pushing his hair back off his forehead. “Well, this went south fast. Where were you on [date]?”
STORY: (You were on your way to Alpha Centauri to rescue Millie.)
TUELLER: “Oh, definitely on our ship, on the way to Alpha Centauri. The jump gate will have logs that we left Ark space.”
TUELLER: “I hope.”
STORY: “That’d be fine and dandy if we could get logs from the jump gate. Are you new to space travel? Nobody can access that shit. What about your ship’s local log?”
STORY: The ship’s local log has been broken since Tux tore out its guts.
TUELLER: “We had a computer crash.”
STORY: He rubs his temples.
TUELLER: “I have many eyewitnesses, though.”
STORY: “Who?”
TUELLER: “The surviving members of my crew.”
STORY: “Okay, where are they?”
TUELLER: “That’s a question for the people who aren’t in jail now.”
RYO: Ryo saw him on Alpha Centauri, right? And Millie?
STORY: He did, but not that date, weeks later.
TUELLER: So we got to Alpha Centauri by jumping with Musimbwa, right?
STORY: Yes, if your memory is right, though, the day he’s asking about was before you jumped to Sol, while you were on your way out of Ark space
STORY: So it was you, Alejo, Jenny, and Figgan onboard.
TUELLER: “Figgan was with us when we arrived. We haven’t seen Jenny because we’ve been out hunting down family members, but hopefully she’s findable.”
STORY: Becker turns to his two paralegals. “Go find them. Fast. They want to wrap this case up today.”
TUELLER: “What happened to her?”
TUELLER: “Aice. I liked her.”
RYO: “I’ll get Figgan. I don’t actually know Jenny. Very well, anyway.”
RYO: Ryo stands. Unless someone stops him, he’ll go get Figgan.
STORY: He shakes his head. “Succumbed to whatever made her sick. They think poisoned. The only gap in her official meeting diary is on that day, they say it must have been then. And they’ve got a star witness coming in today who they say can finger you for it.”
MILLICENT: “I’ll find Jenny.”
TUELLER: “Any word on the star witness?”
STORY: He shakes his head. “I’ve been buried in the rest of this shit.”
MILLICENT: “Do you have a copy of the autopsy?”
STORY: Becker answers you, Millie. “Somewhere in here. Get Jenny, look through the files later.”
TUELLER: “This is not something you can use in my defense, but poisoning is not a thing that I do.”
TUELLER: “Also, I liked Aice.”
STORY: He pushes his hair back, looking at the ceiling. “I’m sure they’ll just take you at your word on that.”
TUELLER: “This is for you, Mr. Becker. I don’t demand you believe me, but I’d at least like you to.”
STORY: “I believe you, but I don’t get a vote, kid.”
STORY: Millie!
STORY: What do?
MILLICENT: Jenny! Find her!
STORY: Where?
MILLICENT: Can you remind me where we last heard from her?
MILLICENT: Is she working with Three?
STORY: Yep
MILLICENT: Millie heads to Three’s office
STORY: Kahn answers the door. He looks surprised to see you, but smiles. “Millie. Hi.”
MILLICENT: Millie smiles back. “Hi! It’s great to see you. I’m actually looking for Jenny, though. Is she in?”
STORY: “Oh no, you didn’t hear?” He takes a bite of a bagel, offers you some.
STORY: “Her mom’s sick, she’s on a transport back to Earth to see her.”
STORY: “Something I can help with?”
MILLICENT: Millie’s face falls. “She’s a material witness to Tueller’s case. They’re trying to pin a murder on him and he was on his way to rescue us at the time.”
STORY: “Shit.”
STORY: There’s a pause.
STORY: “Did he… do it?”
MILLICENT: Millie shoves him.
STORY: “Ow. C’mon, it still hurts.” He holds a hand to his stomach.
MILLICENT: “Sorry. Can I see how it’s healing? Medical curiosity?”
STORY: He shakes his head, smiling, and lifts up his shirt. It’ll be a bad scar, but he’s healing well – doesn’t even need a bandage anymore. The redness and bruising will fade eventually.
STORY: “Look, Millie.”
MILLICENT: “Looks good. You’ve been using that salve.”
MILLICENT: Millie looks up.
STORY: “I have. This is gonna suck to say.”
STORY: “But Tueller, he’s killed a lot of people. He’d be the first to tell you.”
STORY: “Maybe this is his chickens coming home to roost. Maybe we all deserve to pay for what we’ve done, one way or another.”
STORY: He looks down. “Alejo can’t be the one to pay for us all.”
MILLICENT: Millie puts a hand on his. “I don’t deny that we all have some things to answer for. But he’s being set up. And I’ve got enough ornery left in me not to want to take that lying down.”
STORY: He nods, giving you a squeeze. “Good luck, then. Sorry about Jenny.”
STORY: Ryo!
STORY: What do?
RYO: Ryo gets Figgan. He’ll try comms first, but, if necessary, go to the ship.
TUELLER: Where was Erwin on the date in question?
STORY: I think he may have been with you as well, I’m not sure. He wasn’t tagged in that episode, but that’s probably because he had no lines?
STORY: No one’s answering comms, so you sweet talk a couple aect who are going back to their ship into giving you a ride in their shuttle.
STORY: Most of the lights in Peregrine are out when you set foot on her.
RYO: “Hello?” Ryo walks in and turns on some light. “Figgan? Ewrin? Astra?”
STORY: Figgan comes in over the comms. “Oh hey handsome. Fig and Astra went Arkside for some R&R. What’s up?”
STORY: The intercom pops out and you hear her coming down the metal stairs toward the cargo bay to meet you.
RYO: Ryo goes to meet her. “Hello,” he says brightly when he sees her. “Unfortunately, things have gone very wrong with the trial. Tueller needs your help.”
STORY: She’s a story above you, peering down through the space in the central column. “What’s he need from me?”
RYO: Ryo looks up. “He needs your help proving that he wasn’t off killing the ambassador on some date when, apparently, it was you, him, Alejo, and Jenny on board.”
STORY: “Uh. How’m I supposed to help with that?”
RYO: Ryo shrugs. “Some sort of testimony or sworn statement, I presume. I’m not a lawyer.” He smiles. “I am now, apparently, a paralegal, however.”
STORY: “Oh.”
STORY: “Ohhh. Uh. I can’t do that.”
RYO: Ryo nods slowly. “I see. Why, if I may ask?”
STORY: “I’m extremely a criminal. I’m not setting foot in any court, no sir.”
STORY: “Not only would I go straight to prison with Tueller, it’s not like my word means anything anyway. They’d disregard me on character alone.”
RYO: Ryo purses his lips. “Right. Well, got any other ideas? I understand your situation, though we should talk about your future after we get through this mess. I could use someone with your talents, if at some point, after we help Tueller, it’s my time to say my goodbyes. Anyway, first, Tueller. Ideas?”
STORY: “Uh. I mean. Ask someone else? What about Jenny? She was onboard.”
RYO: “Doctor Breedlove is trying to find her. But we should have a backup. Who else could we ask? Remember, I wasn’t there.”
STORY: She shrugs. “The captain’s not really available.”
STORY: “Erwin, I guess, but I doubt he’d speak up. Kid isn’t really in a great place, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
STORY: “First his dad died, then his second dad died, then everyone sort of left him alone and he’s been hanging out with me, and I’m a terrible influence.”
STORY: “You guys all make terrible parents, for the record.”
RYO: Ryo nods vigorously at this. “I agree completely. Listen, we have a lot of faults to correct. But we can’t let Tueller get set up. If for no other reason than that . . . well, you know him far better than I do. Do you want to see him take the fall for something he didn’t do?”
STORY: She shrugs, which is hard to really see since she’s ten feet above you. “I mean… T’s fine and all, but it’s the captain I owe a debt to. He was my anchor here, you know?”
STORY: “Sorry to disappoint, man, but I’m gonna sit this one out.”
RYO: “I do. I miss him, if I’m honest.” Ryo nods again. “I will let the others know.” Ryo gives her a little wave and then goes to look for Erwin.
STORY: You head back to the Ark, and let’s just fast forward through this one – you track down Erwin in an arcade, and he’s terrified at the prospect of getting involved in any of this. Which is fair, because technically he’s not really, like, an established person, and he’s definitely a minor with no family and would go into the foster system on the Ark, a thing he is extremely not interested in doing. You can’t convince him either.
STORY: He feels terrible, but he can’t do it.
STORY: Tueller, while Ryo and Millie are gone, Becker runs through a few things with you. First of all, due to your willing return, Calixta will be released immediately.
TUELLER: OH HEY GET HER TO REPAIR THE SHIPS LOG.
STORY: Second, since they’re wrapping this up today, there’s not a lot left on the docket for this trial. You and whoever you can find to speak in your place can give a brief statement on your character, make whatever defenses you want. They’ll call some witnesses to speak against you. Then the seven members of the council will each render their judgment. Majority decides your fate.
STORY: Millie, Ryo, you can rejoin Tueller and Becker.
TUELLER: Is Aice’s murder the only crime on the docket?
STORY: No, everything else you were previously arrested for is there too.
STORY: The council members will each make a summary judgment, because this is TV and there are no rules.
MILLICENT: Does Ryo maybe have some piece of electronics that has security logs from Chandra’s ship?
STORY: — i just want it on the record that I originally spelled that “coincul mambers”
STORY: — i have brain worms
RYO: Ryo returns a bit sheepishly. He explains that he could not get Figgan or Erwin.
MILLICENT: Millie explains that Jenny’s on her way back to Sol to visit some sick family.
MILLICENT: It’s probably a nil chance that the jury will accept a wave as a testimony?
STORY: She’s out of wave range.
MILLICENT: And will be for long enough for the trial to be over by the time she’s back, I take it?
STORY: Yep
MILLICENT: “I think we’ve been outmaneuvered.”
TUELLER: “Indeed.”
RYO: Ryo frowns. “By who? Maybe there’s another way to deal with this. If we know who the star witness is.”
STORY: Becker looks unhappy.
STORY: “We’re out of time.”
STORY: He stands, looking at his watch. “Come on, recess is over. I’ll do my best, Tueller. Try to look innocent in there.”
MILLICENT: Millie squeezes Tueller’s hand.
STORY: Two guards come and bring you into the courtroom. There are a handful of people watching, none of whom you recognize. You assume a few journalists, as this series of cases has been gathering some interest.
STORY: The seven members of the council sit high above you, in a semicircle, all in black robes. An Aect you’ve never seen sits in Aice’s place.
STORY: Becker stands. “Thank you, your honors, for extending our recess so that I may speak with my client. We’re prepared to pick up where we left off.”
STORY: The presiding member nods. “Carry on, then. Who will speak on Mr. Ya’Makasi’s behalf?”
STORY: Becker turns back to the seats, looking imploringly at Millie, then Ryo.
RYO: Ryo nods, but looks to Millie to see if she’s going first.
TUELLER: Tueller glances over at Millie.
MILLICENT: Millie stands.
MILLICENT: “I’m Dr. Millicent Breedlove.”
STORY: Becker looks relieved and swings the little half-door open for you to come to the stand.
STORY: He beckons you over. “Dr. Millicent Breedlove, your honors, one of Tueller’s companions for the past year.”
MILLICENT: “I hold advanced degrees in…” Millie lists her impressive (for a human) resume and ends with, “and the Sol and Beyond Prize For Advanced Ethics in Science.”
STORY: You’re sworn in quickly. The presiding council member leans over and addresses you. “What have you to say for Ya’Makasi, doctor?”
MILLICENT: “I can attest to his courage, his loyalty, his sense of fair play. And I can state with surety that on the date he is accused of being on the Ark murdering the honorable judge he was in space on his way to see me. I saw him two weeks later, which means he must have been on board the ship he picked me up on.”
STORY: There’s some murmuring. The presiding council member nods. “Is that all, doctor?”
TUELLER: Tueller looks at Millie expressionlessly.
MILLICENT: “Tueller has never poisoned anyone in his life. He had a good relationship with the honorable judge. We have a witness who can attest to his whereabouts on the day in question, but she’s in transit now. She should arrive soon.”
STORY: You don’t know if or when Jenny’s coming back, unfortunately.
STORY: She’s in transit to Sol to see her ailing mother.
STORY: The prosecutor raises a hand. “Your honor, if I may?” The council member nods.
STORY: He approaches you. “How did Mr. Ya’Makasi reach you, on that trip?”
MILLICENT: “By spaceship.”
STORY: “Very cute, doctor. Through what method of space travel, please?”
MILLICENT: “I have to assume they took the relays.”
STORY: “You assume.”
STORY: “If they took the relays, where are your ship’s logs proving his location?”
TUELLER: “May I answer, or should I hold?”
STORY: Becker holds up a hand. “You’re not on the stand, Tueller.”
TUELLER: Tueller nods and is quiet.
MILLICENT: “I’ll answer. The ship’s logs were damaged at the time.”
STORY: “Convenient.”
MILLICENT: “For your weak case, I suppose.”
STORY: “Damaged accidentally? Or did he leave weeks later than you say, wild jump directly to you, and falsify the evidence?”
STORY: Becker rolls his eyes, and calls out lazily, “Objection.”
MILLICENT: Millie laughs.
STORY: “Are you done, Mr. Tengen?” the council leader asks.
STORY: “No further questions for this witness, your honor.”
STORY: Millie, you’re dismissed.
MILLICENT: “Are you insinuating that Tueller Ya’Makasi knows how to do the math to plan a wild jump to a specific location?”
RYO: Ryo stands. Then he hesitates.
TUELLER: Tueller puts his head down for a second.
MILLICENT: “Excuse me, your honor, I hadn’t finished my statement when the prosecutor interrupted. May I continue?”
STORY: “The witness is dismissed.” The presiding council member looks unhappy to repeat himself.
RYO: Ryo watches this exchange, uncertain what to do.
STORY: Becker’s losing, and he knows it. He wipes back his hair, shaking his head and going through papers.
STORY: He glances back at you, Ryo.
MILLICENT: Millie looks to Becker with a Really? on her face.
RYO: Ryo nods. “Hello. My name is Ryo Hanaka. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of Mr. Epaphus dem lo bin Sol.”
STORY: Becker shows you to your seat, you’re sworn in and given the floor.
MILLICENT: Millie huffs off the stand.
TUELLER: Tueller stands neutrally, not responding to anything at all.
RYO: “I’m afraid my accomplishments are far more humble than Doctor Breedlove’s. I am a logistics expert, working for my family’s transport business in Sol, Hanaka Enterprises. But we are not here to hear about me. I will try to be brief.”
RYO: “I have known Mr. Epaphus for the past [x] months, working closely with him. First, and perhaps most significantly, I can verify Doctor Breedlove’s story. I was with her on Alpha Centauri, and I too saw Tueller. As a logistics expert, I can say with great confidence that it would be extraordinary for him be where the prosecution claims he was and then on Alpha Centauri.”
RYO: “Beyond that fact, I also concur in the Doctor’s estimation of his character. Mr. Epaphus is an honorable man. One of the few honorable men I’ve ever known, to be candid. The fact that he returned to this tribunal, having upheld the bargain that was struck for him, should attest to his honesty.”
STORY: The council leader leans forward. “Are you finished, Mr. Hanaka?”
RYO: “Before I end, I feel compelled to object to this process. Material evidence exists that would exculpate Mr. Epaphus. This tribunal has been made aware of that evidence. Due process — a concept universal in all treaties and charters around the known universe — demands that this tribunal postpone judgment until Mr. Ephaphus has given given a fair and full opportunity to muster that evidence.”
STORY: “Perhaps you are unfamiliar with how we carry out justice here, Mr. Hanaka. I’ll advise you to speak with a lawyer on the matter. Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Tengen, any questions?”
STORY: Tengen waves at Ryo dismissively. “None for this one, your honor, thank you.”
STORY: Ryo is dismissed and brought back to the seats behind Tueller and Becker’s desk. Becker’s shaking his head, breathing slowly.
RYO: Ryo leans forward, “Becker, what’s the plan here?”
STORY: “Your honor, calling the defendant, Tueller Y– Ephasus…” He looks at his paperwork. “Tueller Epaphus dem lo bin Sol.”
STORY: Becker leans back towards you, muttering unhappily. “I’m a fucking public defender, Hanaka, you know how many of these I am currently working on? Tueller has a BIG family.”
STORY: “This is the best I can do for him.”
RYO: “Do better.” Ryo says this flatly.
TUELLER: Tueller takes the stand.
RYO: He sits back.
TUELLER: “Hello. I’m sorry for only getting here now; I was told I had more time before the trial. I am only getting up to speed now. I have been accused of many crimes. I haven’t been allowed the time to review them, so I cannot say for sure what the accusations even are. I worked for the Ya’Makasi family, and was a criminal. However. I do know that I did not and absolutely would not kill Ambassador Aice. I would never do so.”
TUELLER: “I was not even in Ark space when it happened, though I unfortunately cannot prove that to your satisfaction. Since I met Aice, where she had been imprisoned falsely by Consolidated Jovan Holdings, she and I were allied in our attempts to bring CJH and the Ya’Makasi family to justice.”
STORY: One of the council members audibly scoffs at this.
TUELLER: “My sister Esinam is wealthy and bloodthirsty, and if I had to guess, she is responsible for this murder, as she is responsible for so many. She oversaw a department called ‘Murders and Acquisitions,’ for God’s sake. She’d find this funny. Aice believed she could bring Esi to justice, and justice is a thing that Esi cannot face. But this is not her trial, it is mine. I am sorry that Aice is dead. I hope that whatever you do to me now, you also continue her good work at dismantling CJH and the Ya’Makasi family. Thank you.”
STORY: Tengen stands.
STORY: “Mr. Ya’Makasi, where is your sister Esinam?”
STORY: “I understand you were returning to Sol to retrieve her for this court?”
TUELLER: “I returned with Yetide, and Bilbo died in an accident on Luna, but according to everything I’ve heard, Esi is bunkered on Io–a large volcanic moon with mobile cities and an orbital weapons network–and any attempts to forcibly remove her have resulted in 100% casualties of the extraction team.”
TUELLER: “I am one man with a lawyer and a scientist for a friend. I cannot assault and extract the head of a criminal organization.”
STORY: “Mm. And your uncle Musimbwa?”
STORY: “I take it he’s also hunkered down with a small army?”
TUELLER: “Musimbwa travels constantly and I have no idea of his whereabouts.”
STORY: “You’ve no way to contact him, then?”
STORY: “I’ll remind you you’re under oath.”
TUELLER: “There is a family computer network to send messages; it was how I was able to contact Yetide. It would potentially work. I did not try to reach him. I had limited time to track down CJH members, so I triaged and focused on the ones who have done the most harm.”
TUELLER: Tueller holds up his hand.
STORY: “The ones who have done the most harm, with the exception of your sister, the leader of this criminal organization, who you decided not to pursue.”
STORY: Tengen cares not for your hand!
TUELLER: “Under oath, I must admit that I like Musimbwa, who was largely on the side of the crimes of Ya’Makasi, and did not seek him out.”
STORY: “No further questions, your honors.”
TUELLER: “Yes, I did not decide to go get myself killed off by my sister rather than return here for my trial.”
STORY: “You’re dismissed, Mr. Ya’Makasi,” comes a voice from above.
TUELLER: “Epaphus, please. I have been disowned by my family and disowned them myself.”
STORY: “You are dismissed, sir.”
TUELLER: Tueller stands and walks back.
MILLICENT: Millie leans over to Ryo and whispers. “Kangaroo court?”
RYO: “Unbelievable. They are not even trying to pretend to hide it,” Ryo whispers back. “You have a plan?”
MILLICENT: Millie shakes her head.
STORY: Tengen gets to calling witnesses. First, Officer Madsen takes the stand, looking calm and professional.
STORY: “Officer Madsen, you were on duty at the [TK] hotel when Mr. Y– Epaphus killed the Maitri leader, is that correct?”
STORY: Madsen looks evenly at Tengen, trying to stay even. “That’s right.”
STORY: “Can you tell me what happened that night?”
STORY: “I was not there, but the Antaam’s body fell off the side of the building, and upon investigation and when we interviewed the new Antaam, she testified to the officers present that Tueller defeated the deceased in single combat, then abdicated to her.”
STORY: “The officers present including you, Madsen?”
STORY: “That’s right, yes.”
STORY: “Thank you, no further questions.”
STORY: Becker leans over to you, Tueller, whispering. “This true?”
TUELLER: “Yes.”
STORY: Becker swallows, then nods. “No questions, your honors.”
STORY: Madsen is dismissed, then they call Officer Metz.
STORY: “Tueller assaulted me while we were conducting A-Sec business.”
STORY: Becker looks at Tueller questioningly.
TUELLER: “He’s crooked; was working for Esi, and we had words and more than words in the process.”
STORY: “He attacked me and knocked me unconscious after I identified myself as an officer of Ark Security.”
TUELLER: “He tried to attack the Doc.”
STORY: Did you say that to Becker or to the court?
TUELLER: Becker.
STORY: “Was she resisting?”
TUELLER: “She was talking. She does that A LOT.”
RYO: Ryo smiles at this.
STORY: Becker nods. “Hard to prove.”
TUELLER: “She was trying to treat a patient.”
TUELLER: “Madsen was also there.”
TUELLER: “Madsen…is also crooked. But less awful about it.”
STORY: Metz is questioned by both sides, Becker suggests that Metz was acting improperly and asks Metz if he was an employee of CJH, which he denies. You suppose it isn’t that weird that he’s lying on the stand.
STORY: He’s dismissed as well.
STORY: Tengen stands. “Prosecution calls Akilah Ya’Makasi.”
STORY: Akilah is led out in an orange jumpsuit, her trial already concluded. She looks ragged and angry.
TUELLER: Tueller smiles in spite himself.
TUELLER: Before she comes out, not when he sees her.
STORY: She sits in the witness chair. The bailiff walks up and tries to swear her in, and she spits in his face and is hauled off in contempt of court.
STORY: “Miss you bud!” she calls out as they carry her out of court.
TUELLER: Tueller blows a kiss as she leaves.
STORY: The prosecution calls its final witness. Sergio Ndrangheta enters, also in prison orange, and takes the stand smoothly.
STORY: He swears to tell the truth.
TUELLER: Tueller laughs bitterly
STORY: “What’s your relationship with Mr. Epaphus, Mr. Ndrangheta?”
STORY: “We were rivals, business partners, occasional combatants, you know. The usual.”
STORY: “And the evidence you have to present?”
STORY: “I know Mr. Ya’Makasi killed the ambassador, because,” he smiles, “I sold him the poison.”
TUELLER: Tueller gives him a weird look, like a confused puppy.
STORY: “He came to me late, alone. Desperate for a solution to his problem. I didn’t know how he intended to use it, I thought maybe he had a local rival, something silly. I didn’t ask questions.”
STORY: “He needed something that would work over time against an Aect, look like an illness. He had plans to disappear as soon as he’d done it, come up with a plausible alibi.”
STORY: “I gave him six ounces of Debarian weedroot and didn’t see him again until today. I have no doubt he used it on the ambassador.”
STORY: The council members murmur between themselves.
STORY: Becker cross-examines. “You were in custody on the date in question, Mr. Ndrangheta.”
STORY: Sergio smiles. “Out with a bail ringer, you’ll find. Putting together my own defense, you see.”
STORY: “You and Tueller are known enemies. Why should we believe your testimony for a moment?”
STORY: Sergio smiles again, looking Tueller in the eye. “What have I got to lose? I’m receiving nothing for my testimony today, no deals made. I simply wish to see justice done.“
STORY: Becker shakes his head, looks back at Tueller.
TUELLER: Was that a “anything to add” look?
TUELLER: Or dramatic pause.
STORY: The latter, you’re not allowed to talk if you’re not on the stand
STORY: “No further questions, your honors.” He sits next to Tueller, puts a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
TUELLER: “You’re worth every penny I spent on you.”
TUELLER: “And not one more.”
STORY: The council calls a recess. You have a half hour.
TUELLER: “Would it have killed you to asked a decent follow up question?”
STORY: The four of you are in your little meeting room again.
STORY: Becker looks unhappy. “This got away from me, Tueller. I’m sorry.”
STORY: “Look, to be fair, it sounds like you really did do an awful lot of crime here.”
RYO: Ryo glares at Becker.
STORY: “The one thing, I believe you, Sergio fucking gets slime on everything he looks at.”
STORY: “But everything else?”
STORY: “Am I wrong?”
TUELLER: “I didn’t kill Aice.”
STORY: “That’s not all you’re on trial for here.”
MILLICENT: “Do you have the list of charges?
STORY: He tosses you a stack of paper. It’s half an inch thick.
STORY: He shakes his head. “I don’t think it’s enough. You left two of the fugitives out there, we don’t have a record of your whereabouts while you were with Peregrine.”
STORY: “I’m sorry, Tueller. I’ve done what I can here, but you might… this might not work out.”
TUELLER: “No shit.”
STORY: “I think we need to talk about making some kind of deal.”
RYO: “What sort of deal?”
STORY: “I don’t know, what have you got? Obviously they’re not going to send you back out after your sister. Are there things you know? Do you think you can arrange a meet for your uncle so A-Sec can grab him?”
TUELLER: Tueller is silent for a bit.
TUELLER: “My deal with Aice was that I was testify about my family’s crimes, and that she would dismantle their organization. I don’t see any indication there’s any desire to dismantle their oraganization, where everyone on the witness stand today was an employee of the organization.”
STORY: “Two of them are already in prison for that association, Tueller.”
MILLICENT: “They’ve got two Ya’Makasi’s at his hand already.”
MILLICENT: “He brings back his uncle they’re going to ask where his sister is.”
STORY: “Yeah, they probably will.”
MILLICENT: “He brings back his sister they’re going to make up new relatives.”
STORY: “Look, man, I don’t know what to tell you. You are a criminal.“
STORY: “You’re unlucky enough to have gotten the council’s attention. They’re taking down as much of these families as you can.”
MILLICENT: “They made a deal. You hold them to it.”
TUELLER: “I’m sorry. Musimbwa is a good guy, who is largely innocent of this family’s crimes. And he is the reason we were able to save Millie and Kahn. I can’t betray him like that.”
STORY: Becker lowers his head and pinches his nose.
TUELLER: “If I go to jail because of that, so be it. But Millie is right. I bring him in and they’d still throw me in jail.”
TUELLER: “They know where my sister is. If they want to get her, I can help. But I can’t do that on my own.”
STORY: Becker takes a long breath. “I’ll see what I can do about your sentence. I’ll give you some time with your friends.”
STORY: He gathers up some papers and steps into the doorway. “I’m sorry about all this, Tueller. I wish you luck.”
TUELLER: When he’s gone. “The one really nice thing about money is the lawyers.”
MILLICENT: “And the whiskey.”
MILLICENT: “The accommodations are nice.”
MILLICENT: “And the sheet thread count?” Chef’s kiss.
MILLICENT: “Sorry, I thought some levity.”
TUELLER: “I meant it. Musimbwa is the reason we got to you. I can’t turn on him. He’s a good guy.”
TUELLER: “I’m out of ideas, guys. Also, they killed Aice.”
TUELLER: “That’s…rough.”
MILLICENT: “I think they’ve won this round, Tueller.”
RYO: “So what’s the next round?”
MILLICENT: “Good question!”
TUELLER: “Well, the smartest woman in some worlds has given up, so I guess I’m done.”
TUELLER: Tueller slumps.
MILLICENT: “I haven’t given up, I’ve moved on.”
MILLICENT: “You can do a couple of months while we figure out who’s behind this and how to expose them. Failing that I am more than capable of breaking you out of prison.”
RYO: “What about going to your sister? Do we have anything to bargain with? This whole trial is a farce. Let’s start working with the actual power here.”
TUELLER: “The actual power?”
STORY: The door slides open and a guard looks at the three of you. “Time’s up.”
STORY: The guards come to get you, Tueller, and lead you back into court where each council member stands to render their judgment.
TUELLER: Tueller goes without any hesitation
STORY: They stand one by one, in order of seniority. The first, newest member, speaks. “He killed the Antaam of the Maitri after she had declared diplomatic immunity for her people. This matter was still under legal consideration while he acted extrajudiciously. Guilty.”
STORY: The second stands. “He has shown his commitment to justice for his family by bringing back his sister Yetide. Not guilty.”
STORY: The third: “In addition, he has eliminated the head of another of the CJH families, Bilbo Bhattacharya. Not guilty.”
STORY: The fourth: “But he has neglected to even attempt to retrieve his uncle Musimbwa. Guilty.”
STORY: The fifth: “Nor has he attempted to reach his sister Esinam, our most sought-after fugitive. Guilty.”
STORY: The sixth: “He has given up his name, his associations with his family, and the entirety of his wealth. I consider this testimony to his breaking all ties with them. Not guilty.”
STORY: And the seventh, Aice’s replacement. “He murdered my predecessor. Guilty.”
TUELLER: Tueller just shakes his head.
STORY: “Let the record show that a majority of council members has voted in favor of imprisoning Mr. Epaphus for his crimes against the Ark and its members. So shall it be carried out. Mr. Becker, please arrange to meet with council representation to negotiate terms of his sentence.”
STORY: Becker looks gutted and nods. “Thank you, your honor.” Tengen thanks them as well.
TUELLER: “It was a fait accompli. Sorry bud.”
STORY: Tueller, you’re led out just as Calixta enters the court and looks over to see you being brought away.
STORY: Calixta looks distraught, then levels her face and tries to wipe emotion away. She raises a hand simply in farewell.
MILLICENT: Millie makes eye contact and mouths, “Coming for you.”
TUELLER: Tueller holds Millie’s eye contact, and gives Calixta a wistful smile.
TUELLER: And then turns and walks out.