Chapter 19: Chapter Eighteen. Arrest and Trial.

Inspector Nic ra Ptocto of Police Intelligence was worried. All he had learned pointed to a growing cluster of problems. It had been three local months since he had met with Rentap Dressiler and the beginning of his partnership with Sessi Dark gen Wattar of the Secret Police. While this had given them both an insight into each other’s world, it did not give him ease. He did not like the implications of what he had learned since then. He turned and looked into the level eyes of the Grey.

“So, you agree,” the Grey spoke without a smile.

“Yes, I do.”

“And?”

“And you would seem to have grasped the core of our problems.”

“Indeed.” The Grey smiled.

The Inspector sighed. There was no choice. He had to say it even though he didn’t want to, but it was only fair as Dark gen Wattar had seen it all coming much earlier. “We are going to see an escalation of problems and soon. There will likely be attacks on companies and individuals associated with the Empire, along with demonstrations at government offices. These will escalate and culminate in attacks directly on the Empire.”

He paused and looked at the Secret Policeman.

“Now what do we do about it?” Ptocto finished.

“We call our patron.” 

“Councillor Trem De Markus?”

“The same.”

“And tell him what? We have nothing to say to him that he doesn’t already know! We need proof!” Nic ra Ptocto leaned back into his comfortable chair, Inspectors have a certain amount of pull. “We need to get a solid hook into these agitators, but how?” He looked at the grey. “You secret police are the subtle ones. Any ideas?”

The Grey looked back. “Let me work on that.” Came with a smile. The kind of smile that whispered of secrets. “I do have an idea or two.” He stood up, “I will be back in touch in a few days. Don’t try to contact me, I will contact you. Keep working the newspaper people. The question of water usage is going to come up soon, so watch who breaks the story. That will give you a lead.”

The Inspector sat back with a frown. He realised that the secret police were privy to inside information that he wasn’t. He also knew that water was a delicate subject for the planet as resources were limited.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

The Grey didn’t smile. “I tell you everything that I can.” He turned and moved to the door of their office.

“Watch your back.” From Ptocto sent Dark gen Wattar out the door.

“I always do.” Floated back the reply.

Nic ra Ptocto stood up and gathered all the papers on his desk. He habitually used hard copies for organising his files. Precisely sorting them into proper order, he filed them into the proper slots into his high-security cabinet. Copies of most of these were already in data form in his comm unit, but there were also other items of a highly confidential nature that he did not want to share with anyone until the right time.

His confidential assistant came into the room. “Sir,” the junior officer said half-jokingly. “You are too well paid for a filing clerk!” 

The Inspector fixed his assistant with a withering eye. “Is that the proper form of address with your superior? Any more like that and you will find yourself chasing members of the underclass through the sewers!”

Detective Jan ot Reppa was unfazed. A dapper and well-dressed man of medium size, he had heard many such threats before. Usually they indicated the level of stress his superior was feeling. The more threats, the less stress. He was sure that the news he carried was not going to make the inspector happy. Young for the position he held, he was still somewhat unsure of himself.

As his assistant tarried, the Inspector watched him obliquely. The detective was stepping backwards and forwards, from side to side. He sighed inwardly. The signs were obvious.

“Out with it,” Inspector Ptocto ordered.

“There has been an attack. Some visitors to the planet have been injured.”

“Where and when?”

“A day ago, in the south east. The city of Welette. They were visiting the local university and some students started verbally harassing them and there was violence when the visitor spoke up. The local police have some of the students in custody. One of the visitors is in hospital. Nothing serious I believe.” Detective Jan ot Reppa paused. “That is all the information I have at this time. I will have full details when the local office forwards them to me.”

“Get onto the local office. I want to know if the Empire, the Legion or any form of off planet government is involved through these visitors. That is of the utmost importance.”

Jan ot Reppa nodded and turned to go. Nic ra Ptocto stopped him and said, “This is important. I have been dreading this for some time. Hopefully we can contain it, but we need to step on it right now.”

Confused at the reaction of his superior Jan turned and looked with a questioning gaze. The inspector stopped questions with an upturned hand. “Get the information and come back.”

It took longer than Nic expected for his assistant to get the information requested. The morning had passed before Detective Jan ot Reppa returned.

“Give me the bad news.”

“Not too bad. Actually, not bad at all,” Jan ot Reppa responded. “There were three visitors, all male and all professors of medicine at a private university on Reptra VI in the 12^th sector. There is no direct connection with either the Legion or any planetary or sector government or the Empire.”

“Tell me straight what happened?”

“The three men were staying at the visitor’s residence on the grounds. They were walking back from meeting with the heads of the medicine course, with one of the local professors; when a student yelled at them to go back where they came from. That is not of course exactly what he said. There was profanity involved.”

“Wait, visitor’s residence, especially for off planet visitors, are always separately located. What was a student doing there?”

“That question came up in my discussion with the Welette office. The student refuses to answer any questions and his replier agrees that he doesn’t have to!”

“What idiocy is this?” The inspector stared at his assistant. Then a feeling of sudden dread came over him. “Who is his replier?”

The detective took a deep breath. “You are not going to like this. It is Wiski Lewes, the writer for one of the news outlets.” With trepidation, he waited for the outburst.

Inspector Nic ra Ptocto stared at his assistant. Then, to Reppa’s surprise, he smiled. “That is very interesting, and a development we can use to our advantage. Go on.”

Puzzled, Detective Jan ot Reppa continued. “There were several other students nearby. No one thinks that this was a coincidence. The local investigators believe that this whole affair was set up in advance and that the visitors played into their hands by engaging with the students in a debate.”

“What happened?” Inspector Nic ra Ptocto asked.

“The debate escalated and the student attacked the visitors. Two other students got involved in the fight while two more were there encouraging them, but not involved in the fighting.”

“So what are the charges?”

“Assault with violence by the first student and generalised assault by the others.” He considered his notes. “The local police are still investigating and considering future charges of conspiracy, which will bring heavier penalties. They are all looking at a whipping at least.”

“And a good one I hope.” Nic ra Ptocto paused. “How did this writer become involved?”

“That has yet to be determined. He was already in Welette, ‘on business’ he says, and refuses to answer any more questions.” Detective Reppa looked up from his notes. “It seems that the local police are somewhat intimidated by Lewes, and are dealing with him carefully.”

Nic ra Ptocto grunted. Welette was a small and obscure city far away from the capital. The south east area was considered a backward area with few industries besides the university, and the local police were unused to dealing with incidents of this nature. Not of a high calibre, in the inspector’s opinion.

He considered his options for a moment, wishing that Sessi Dark gen Wattar was still here and had not gone to ground. Well, he could only do what he could. “We will take over the investigation at once. Get Deputy Inspector Evit ra Docci in here, I will brief him on what the situation is. I also want you to go with the team he takes and you will keep me informed of all developments. Go and do a good job or you will stay there!!” The last came with a smile. Detective Jan ot Reppa was relieved.

“On my way sir!”

*********

Deputy Inspector Docci, a lean man who usually wore a woebegone expression which belayed his excellent arrest and conviction record, was surprised to learn of his and his team’s new assignment. And the protest was vocal. “Am I being punished sir?” He demanded. “Has my work been below standard for you?”

“Not at all. This is our first break in what has been an ongoing investigation for more than a year.” At that Docci started and stared at the inspector.

Nic ra Ptocto didn’t smile, although he wanted to. “I was assigned to work with the Council of Ministers more than a year ago. There are national security questions involved and I report to one Minister who has been given oversight on me. Questions of planetary safety, all intertwined with the Empire. You have seen the news ‘reports’. Someone is trying to stir up our planet into a frenzy, and I am sure that you have read about what happens when the people become crazy like that. We have the job of stopping it and no one wants the military involved, including the military. That is why I had you transferred here. You have your team ready?”

Docci nodded. He was flabbergasted at the revelation of what his boss had been actually working on. It answered some questions in Docci’s mind. While he wanted to know more, common sense kept him from asking.

“Good, now go and get that writer. I want to put him in detention for a long time.”

“Do you really think that will stop the rest?” Docci commented as he rose.

“No, I have dealt with them before. They are all too self-centred and arrogant for that. They never think that they will be caught and some actually believe that they are above the law and can’t be touched.” Nic ra Ptocto sat back and rubbed his face then smiled. “It is our job to show them just how wrong they are! Now go and start teaching them!”

Docci headed to the door after giving a nod of acknowledgement. He now understood the real issues. He had read of riots and campaigns of extermination by various governments and other leaders who preached hatred. Oceans of blood had been spilt on this world and it seemed that someone wanted to spill oceans more. Even though, like many of his fellow citizens, he had no love for outworlders, he was intelligent enough to not want anything like that to happen again. He was ready, as his boss said, ‘to teach them’.

*********

Gathering his team, Docci briefed them on their new assignment. They were all surprised at the assignment but pleased to get it. Working out of the main office, and investigating a major crime that will attract the attention of the Council of Ministers, had both its attractions and its dangers. The main attraction was the independence that they gained by being dispatched to this small town. This was dampened somewhat when they learned that Detective Jan ot Reppa was coming as Nic ra Ptocto’s representative. There were some sidelong glances between the members of the group, but as Reppa was generally liked, the other detectives did not complain.

With the extensive government-controlled ground and air transportation net there was little difficulty in travelling to Welette. Once there, accommodation was secured and the local officers were contacted. Although unhappy, the District Supervisor promised full cooperation, agreeing that a personal call from the Chairman of the Council of Ministers was unnecessary. Docci quietly noted the hand of Inspector Nic ra Ptocto in this.

The team first viewed the location of the attack. All points of audio-visual surveillance were noted. They then began to review all interrogations of witnesses, victims and the accused. Docci pulled together the local team of detectives and patrolmen to discuss the case.

“First, we will get all surveillance data at the university and put together a timeline. I want you to go back over all data from at least a standard month ago and review them to see if and when any of the suspects and their ‘representative’ appear on the data. Understand? Use their implants and barcodes, they are automatically recorded.”

With a collective nod, the detectives went to work. Meanwhile the detectives of the team were going over all information collected before they arrived and identifying all weak points and noting where more information was needed.

“Do you want to interrogate any of the suspects or accused?” Docci was asked by one of the local investigators. A patrolman, older and more experienced, stood nearby. His face, expressionless.

“Not yet.” Docci replied, “I want a fuller picture before we pull them in. I want them to wonder what is going on. The longer they wait, the better.”

“What about Wiski Lewes?” The same local asked.

“He can wait as well, and don’t let him near any of the accused or suspects. If he says he wants to go to court, tell him we need the court date in advance. It is Rule 39114.c.4.j of the justice code. The Scrutineers upheld the rule nine years ago.”

The local detective gaped at Docci. He had been involved in that court action many years prior as a young patrolman, but kept that information to himself. All Docci said was, “Study the Justice Code and learn it, not all of it, but the parts that you really need to know. The rest will come.”

Looking confused, the youngish detective wandered off, watched by Docci and the older uniformed patrolman who turned to the Deputy Inspector.

“Nicely done sir, if I may say so.” The patrolman gave an approving look. “Young he is and promoted just a bit too fast, in my opinion.”

Docci considered the veteran patrolman. He liked what he saw. “I may have work for you.” He said. “It will help put a danger to the planet into detention.”

“Nothing underhand, sir.” Came with a straight look.

“No, not that, I would not do that to any patrolman.” He smiled. “You may actually enjoy it!”

“When you need me, sir, I will be ready.” With a nod, the patrolman returned to his duties.

With a motion Docci called Jan ot Reppa over. “You are ready to give a report to the boss?”

“Soon, when I am finished here.”

“I would appreciate it if you would let me see it first. Not to edit or change it, but if there is a difference of opinion, I want to iron these out first. I don’t want our boss to get conflicting internal reports.” He looked at the younger man. “Understand?”

“Fair enough sir.”

Happy now that; that was settled, Docci set himself down to the process of learning everything about the principal accused.  This took most of the first day as more information was gathered and collated. Additional day’s work with comm unit searches aided the process, especially when combined with implants and barcodes for all the accused and Wiski Lewes.

*********

“The Inspector will be very happy,” Docci commented to Jan ot Reppa three days later as they reviewed the collated information. “This lot will have some explaining to do when confronted with the information we have gathered.” He smiled. “I am actually looking forward to meeting with our friend Lewes.” A soft chime interrupted them.  They looked at each other as both comm units indicated an incoming call. The caller was Inspector Nic ra Ptocto.

“Sir,” Docci answered for both.

“Are you together?” The answer was in the affirmative. “Good, I have news for you. The Council of Ministers has met with The Scrutineers. The death penalty has been reinstated for all major crimes including conspiracy to commit a crime. This is in addition to crimes such as murder, treason, corruption and espionage. Also new is assault of a patrolman. I felt that you should know. The law is being back dated to the first quarter.”

There was a low whistle from the two policemen as they exchanged looks. Then Docci cleared his throat. “I feel that we have gathered enough information to warrant charges of conspiracy as well as assault of a person, sir. We have clear data evidence of meetings and then all of them, including Lewes, carrying out a prior examination of the location where the actual assault took place. In my opinion, it is an open and shut case. The local Accuser for the region agrees. We have yet to confront the accused and suspects. We are letting them stew.” All this brought a smile they could almost see on Ptocto’s face.

“And our friend, the writer?”

“He is here still. We have kept him under observation, but have not limited his freedom in any way. He knows nothing of this.” Docci paused. “I have spoken to a senior patrolman who I think we can trust. He will want to examine Lewes’s travel documents which I already know are not in order, then we’ll have the excuse we need to bring him in.”

“Good, I like it.” The inspector gave his approval.

 Reppa spoke for the first time, “Do you really think that if we bring conspiracy charges, they will get the death penalty?” There was concern on his face and in his voice. “The assault was real, but the victim is out of medical care and wishes to return to his home planet as soon as possible. What is the status of the mode of execution, sir?”

It was with a grimace that Inspector Nic ra Ptocto answered, “Whatever they get is not up to us and I really have no idea what the courts will say. I don’t know. As to the death penalty itself, as you know, there are two options.” There were sober nods. The two options were a quick death by plasma rifle in private, or a slow drawn-out death in public. The last involved hanging by the hands or feet and being first beaten, then eviscerated and left to slowly die. The options of private or public execution were at the pleasure of the court.

“We will start the interrogations today sir. I expect that some at least, when faced with the reality of their position will crack and want to bargain.’ Docci returned to the investigation at hand. “Any instructions on that sir?”

“No bargains for the prime accused or Lewes, but they don’t have to know that at the beginning. You know how to play it.”

“That I do sir. We will get started immediately.” With that, they disconnected.

Turning to Reppa, Docci ordered him to get the team together. Once assembled they were told the news. After the various whistles, comments and concerns were heard and allayed, the detectives discussed the accused and suspected students. Agreeing on a plan of action for the interrogations, the detectives went to work.

Two of the students were not actually in custody as they had not taken part in the actual assault. The patrol however had been keeping track of them and they were quickly apprehended.

The two students in custody, who did take part in the assault but were not the aggressor, quickly caved during the interrogations. Learning about the new laws they protested their lack of knowledge of conspiracy, claiming that all the planning was undertaken by the first student and Wiski Lewes. The two who had not been held, when brought in for interrogation caved even quicker with similar results. All this was recorded under a lie detector and took a single day.

Olan ion Neeses proved to be tougher and more fanatical than the rest. A young man of medium height and build, he surly refused to answer any questions and even refusing to admit any involvement with Lewes. When placed under a lie detector, which recorded every false response, his position was to insist that the device was broken or programmed to give a response that the patrol wanted. When presented with the statements from his associates, he refused to even acknowledge them. And when informed of the new death penalty laws, he laughed.

“No court in Ti Lepus will ever convict me!” Was his final statement, two days after his interrogation began.

“Let’s get our writer in now!” Docci spoke with a certain grim satisfaction. The senior patrolman that Docci had earlier noted had already received his orders.

********

The two patrol vehicles, half patrol and half prisoner transport van, stopped close to the café that Wiski Lewes had chosen to frequent. With satisfaction, Senior Patrolman Loci ion Dempster, noted that Lewes was sitting in his accustomed seat, in a position where he could view all persons while he entertained his accustomed audience. Good he thought, now we will have all the witnesses that the inspector wants.

Heaving himself out of his vehicle, Dempster was a large man, he waved to the other three patrolman following him. “Let’s go do our job,” he said, bringing grunts of acknowledgement from the other patrolmen.

Moving in pairs, the four sauntered up to the café, ignoring looks of dislike that were thrown at them. The second pair held back while Dempster and his partner moved to the far side of Lewes table.

“Good morning, Master Lewes. I have a couple of questions for you regarding your travel pass. You don’t mind, do you?”

Giving the patrolman a suspicious look, Lewes replied that his pass was in order and that he was having a private conversation with colleagues. Did not the Ti Lepus patrol have better things to do then harass innocent civilians?

“Oh, we have many better things to do, Master Lewes. But here, now, this is what I am doing. Your pass, please?” Dempster held out his hand, looking steadily into Lewes’s eyes.

“I don’t have it on me. I can get it later, if you insist,” Lewes’s gave a dismissive wave of his hand to go along with his dismissive look.

“Really? Don’t have it on you? That’s an administrative offence, Lewes. But surely, you are mistaken. Wouldn’t it be a good idea for you to check?” The large senior patrolman didn’t smile as he spoke.

Lewes made no move, but glared at the patrolman. He was used to dealing with the patrol and realised that, for some reason, they were insisting on a minor breach, and he knew that his travel documents were not in order. What he did not understand was why the patrol was after him? His cover was perfect, wasn’t it?

One of the onlookers, a young male student, nettled at the great man’s treatment, started to stand up and opened his mouth to speak. A hand descended on his shoulder. A quiet voice froze him, “Sit down. You don’t want to be involved in this, boy.” He settled back into his seat, cowed by the authority in the voice. Two young women, enticed by others into joining the group, now became frightened and held each other’s hands. Observing their fear, another patrolman moved over to them and in a quiet voice told them that they could leave. They left quickly.

Senior Patrolman Loci ion Dempster remained unmoved, holding his hand steadily out. His gaze fixed on Lewes’s face and ignoring the byplay. The other three were also highly experienced and had been selected for that reason. They had even turned down promotions in the past in order to remain uniformed patrolman. 

Slowly, Lewes reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. The three other patrolmen immediately tensed, hands moving gently to their powered weapons, Dempster did not move. His hand remained out, palm upward.

Slowly pulling his wallet out Lewes dropped it on the table.

Looking down at it, Dempster nodded. “Your documents are in the wallet?”

“They are.”

“I may open your wallet and inspect the contents?”

Lewes nodded.

You are reading story Ti Lepus Dies. at novel35.com

“Please answer, yes or no.” Dempster spoke with a sharp edge to his voice.

Lewes gritted his teeth. He knew that all these activities were being automatically recorded, this was for evidence gathering and also protection of both the patrol and those that they dealt with and he realised that they had not made a single misstep so far. He racked his brains for a way out. “You may examine my wallet.”

The patrolman made no move to touch it. “And its contents?”

“And its contents!” Lewes almost spat out his reply.

Without a smile or display of any emotion, Dempster opened the wallet. First noting the identification. “Wiski ot Lewes,” he noted. The remaining witnesses looked surprised at the low service class designation. The scowl on Lewes face grew deeper. Dempster kept looking, taking his time, but finally pulling out the travel pass. Laying these on the table, he compared them with the identification card and tattooed bar code. The implant would be left for later.

“I see that the name on the pass is different from that of your official documentation Master Lewes. Also, the barcode identification has been changed. These are serious offences. I am afraid that you will have to come with us.”

“Come with you? I don’t think so!”

“Really, you don’t want to add resisting a command from a patrol officer now do you? Or incite these young lads to resist us as well? That would not look good on a list of charges before a judge now.” Loci ion Dempster smiled. “In any case, these other two patrolman are going to interview all these witnesses as to what they saw happened here. Surely, you want them to be available for you later?” As he spoke, he gathered the documents and wallet together.

Lewes glanced at the remaining students. He had only worked on the students during his short time in Welette, preaching his distorted views of racial purity.  He was planning to start working on the rest of the population, but had not had the time. This one look showed that he had been out maneuvered. The second pair of patrolmen had already separated the students and started speaking to them, breaking the group up. Suddenly, he realised that this whole episode had been well planned and a blind rage consumed him. Coming to his feet, he raised both hands intending to strike the hated patrolman.

“Striking a patrolman is now a death penalty offence Lewes. Don’t do it.” The warning penetrated Lewes mind slowly. At a wave of Dempster’s hand, his partner took his hand off his stun gun. It was standard practice for one patrolman to carry a stun gun, while the other carried a deadly pulse gun. They always worked in pairs whenever possible. As Lewes was now calmer, the patrolman pulled out hand restraints and fastened the writer’s hands behind his back.

Dempster smiled, the first emotion that he had allowed himself to show. “Formal charges will be enumerated later, but they may include fraud by using unauthorised documents, using said documents to obtain illegal travel documents and making fraudulent statements to government officials. Do you understand these charges?” As he talked, he guided the writer through the tables and out to the street, his partner right behind.

“I deny any and all of them,” Lewes said, glaring at the patrolman.

“I did not ask if you agreed with or denied these charges. I asked if you understood them.”  Loci ion Dempster gave a somewhat theatrical sigh. “Please answer.”

“Yes.” With another glance behind him, Lewes saw that the group that just a short while ago was hanging on his every word, was now surrounding the two patrolmen and cooperating fully.

“You basticka, you!” The insult just brought a smile to the patrolman’s lips while his eyes remained cold and hard.

“You call that an insult? A well respected writer like you? I am disappointed. If you really try, I am sure that you could do better.”

Lewes suddenly realised that they were at the police vehicle and that his last chance at creating a scene was fast disappearing.  Swinging his head around he looked to see if anyone was watching. While there were many people around, most were ignoring them or simply indifferent.

“Come now, remember the changes to the code the scrutineers have made. Don’t make things worse for yourself.” Dempster cautioned the writer.

With a sigh of defeat, Lewes slumped onto a cold metal seat. There he was fastened safely into position for transport. Closing and locking the door from the interior the two patrolmen moved through another door to the front, locking that door behind them.

Grinning at each other, the two settled into their seats. “Let’s go.” Dempster’s partner had the vehicle moving.

Dempster keyed his comm unit. “Base. This is Senior Patrolman Dempster. We are inbound to base. Have Wiski Lewes in custody.”

“Base copies. Lewes in custody and in transit to base.”

“Dempster. Please advise Deputy Inspector Docci.”

“Base copies. Will inform Deputy Inspector Docci.”

*********

At patrol headquarters, Deputy Inspector Docci was meeting with Detective Jan ot Reppa and Rennie Hanster, the local Accuser, who was a young but experienced man of high status. Dempster had forwarded copies of the Lewes documents and well as details of the irregularities in same. The three were delighted.

“Great work. Under arrest and our hand is not tipped. We have him.” Docci spoke for the three of them.

“Yes, I know Senior Patrolman Dempster. His work is always very tight and gives whoever he deals with very little chance. But I have been in touch with some of my colleagues who have dealt with these writers in the past. They are slippery and are able to get good repliers. We cannot underestimate them.” The Accuser was being cautious as well as delighted.

“We want to get them all if possible, one by one. They are causing a lot of trouble and we don’t want that. I don’t like outlanders, none of us do, but even less do I like trouble makers who seem to be deliberately inciting the people which could cause riots. No, we won’t underestimate them.” Docci was deliberate in his speech and emphasis. The Accuser was relieved and understood that, behind the police in this investigation was the government. This was coming from high in the Ministry, and while that was reassuring, it also meant that his career was on the line. But that did not worry him. He was happy where he was.

“Let us deal with Mr. Lewes now.” Docci said decisively, and straightened up.

*********

Characteristically, Wiski Lewes was uncooperative, denying everything, demanding access to a replier or to be let go if there were no formal charges coming. At the last, the Inspector smiled and replied. “Oh yes Lewes, charges will be forthcoming, are you so eager to see and hear them?”

“I am interested to hear what garbage you will be bringing before a judge.” Lewes sniffed.

“Nothing as interesting as garbage, just the truth. Here are the charges.” Docci offered his comm unit which was brushed aside.

“I refuse to accept them, give them to my replier.”

“But you claimed to be a replier. Claimed it for all the students that were arrested.”

“Ha that was just to help them!”

That admission was music to Docci’s ears. The fool was actually admitting that he had made a false representation as a replier to the patrol. The courts would not like that!

“I see, so do you have a replier?”

“Yes, in Lepus Mal, he will represent me there.”

“But we are in Welette, the case will be tried here.”

Lewes was confused. “I don’t understand. You’re from the capital. Aren’t you going to take me there?”

“No, the crimes were committed here. Here you will face trial and judgement. We just came down to assist the local patrol.” Docci stood and motioned to the door, which slid open as he approached it.

“Wait! We can discuss the charges. Perhaps there can be some accommodation.”

Pausing at the door, Docci permitted himself an inner smile that he was careful not to show. “The case is in the hands of the accuser and the hearing will be tomorrow, in the afternoon. All of you will face the justice of the courts. You will be appearing before Master Judge Radmar Pollotic.” The name meant nothing to Lewes. As Docci left the cell, he turned again. “Oh, you will meet your replier there. I understand that he found your antics … interesting.” The cell door slide shut and there was a soft hiss as locking bolts slide into place.

Lewes slumped on his bed as the reality of his situation began to sink in.

*********

The prisoner’s bench was crowded with the five charged defendants. As Judge Radmar Pollotic entered, the Accuser and the Repliers, one for each accused, all dressed in their formal robes, stood and bowed to him. Although the court hearing was open to the public, the only other people in the courtroom, besides the officials and family members, were the police involved and Inspector Nic ra Ptocto who had made the trip down to watch the proceeding in person. The patrolmen were all dressed in their best uniforms. None of Lewes’s colleagues had deigned to make the trip to support him. Ptocto could have watched it on a vid com transmission, but decided that he wanted to see this in person. Without showing it, he was getting worried. He had expected to hear from Sessi Dark gen Wattar before now, but there had been not a sign. Not a whisper.

“Master Judge,” the Accuser, Rennie Hanster began. “We will, with your permission and the agreement of the repliers, proceed with the cases from the minor ones to the most serious.”

Master Judge Radmar Pollotic, a mild looking man who could have been taken for a doctor or a Peace Giver, nodded. The accuser began with one of the two students who had witnessed the assault, but had not taken part in it. While this was proceeding, Lewes motioned over, his replier, with difficulty as he, along with the others, were manacled. He had tried to get in touch with the one he used in Lepus Mal, but none of his messages had been returned. As well, Lewes had unsuccessfully tried to get in touch with his employers.

“What is going on? When is my case to be heard?” Lewes demanded.

“Yours is to be heard last. I want to get a sense of what the judge is going to do and say.”

Lewes grunted, he didn’t like it and wanted his case to be over so he could get out of this hick town. He expected the fine to be large, but he could deal with that.

The judge’s initial decision had him sitting up in a hurry. “So, you witnessed a beating of visitors to our fair planet. Watched and did nothing but laugh. The recording was quite clear. You, the other student who watched as well, stand up with your friend.” At the urging of the guards and his replier, the now very scared young man stood. “I will deal with you both! What was the agreement?”

The tone was soft, but with an undertone of disgust. The patrolmen, watching along with the inspector and the other detectives, all exchanged glances. They had the distinct feeling that the judge was going to discard all the agreements made.

Ptocto had been introduced to Senior Patrolman Loci ion Dempster the previous night. Dempster, who was sitting behind him, reached forward and tapped him on the shoulder. In a very soft voice he said, “Remember what I said about this judge, he makes his own decisions.” Ptocto nodded, but made no reply.

“The agreement was a fine and corporal punishment to be delivered by the family.” The replier consulted his notes. “The fine was agreed at two thousand Konna.”

“A pittance! The fine is ten thousand and a whipping will be delivered in public. Ten strokes in the proper manner.” There was a hiss of breath being taken in even by the policemen. “Take them away.” The two students were immediately hustled out of the court, stunned by the ruling. The parents of both stood up to leave, but at a glare and a command of “Sit,” from the judge, they slumped back down.

What will this one do with Lewes? Thought Ptocto.

Recovering from his surprise, rarely did a judge dismiss an agreed punishment, the Accuser stood again to deal with the next accused. “Master Judge, the next accused …” That was as far as he got.

“Master Accuser, I have read the charges and note that the next two on the list also have very similar charges. Is that not so?”

With a sideways glance at the two repliers, both of whom were now standing huddled together and whispering, the accuser replied “Yes Master Judge.”

“I bet I could guess what they are whispering about,” Docci whispered to Ptocto. Behind them, Dempster grinned. He received an answering grin from Docci.

“Then appraise me with the next agreement for both of them. That is if you have one!” The Master Judge barked.

Taking a deep breath, the accuser read out the agreement. This was rather more extensive. The two were each expelled from the university, suffered loss of status, were fined five thousand Konna and were to receive ten strokes of the whip.

Looking at the accused bench, Master Judge Radmar Pollotic gestured at them. “Stand up you two and stop cowering! I can’t stand that. You are supposed to be men of Ti Lepus and yet you commit this cowardly act!” He turned back to the accuser and the two repliers. “Again, all the evidence is quite clear. I confirm the expulsion and loss of status. You are both also fined twenty thousand Konna each and will each receive thirty strokes of the whip in due manner, ten per session. Guards take them away." The two were lead away in a state of near collapse. Both of their parents sat shaking in the seats, not daring to leave.

“Now Accuser, the last student, what is his name? Yes, Olan ion Neeses. Let us review his charges. Hmmm.” The judge pored over the desk comm unit. “So this one actually lead the attack. He scouted out the area where the attack took place, and he took the lead in the assaults. That shows premeditation. Surveillance evidence has him meeting with the others for purposes of discussing the attack. That shows conspiracy. Do you agree?”

The accuser agreed and said so. The replier for Olan ion Neeses however raised an objection. “There is no voice recording of any conversations, Master Judge. I respectively submit that the conversations could be about anything. The so-called confessions of the others were coerced from them with threats and promises. As there is no direct evidence of conspiracy, so I ask that the last charge be dismissed.” Knowing the judge, the Replier kept his objection short and to the point.

“Accuser, any reply?”

“All statements were recorded and confirmed under lie detectors, Master Judge. This has been accepted as direct evidence in previous cases and by the Scrutineers as my friend, the replier well knows. Regarding charges of coercion or threats; they never happened and I dismiss them.” The accuser also kept his reply short. “I recommend that the charge of conspiracy be held proven.”

The judge leaned back in his chair and contemplated for a fraction of a period. Everyone in the courtroom held their breath. They all knew that the most serious charge was the conspiracy one.

Abruptly sitting forward, the judge gave his ruling, “I am with the Scrutineers and with previous case history. These precedents have been held for a long time, including by myself. The charges are held proven. Now have punishments been agreed? I see no such agreement provided.”

The replier slumped. Ptocto nodded. The case against Lewes was almost certain now. Almost, he reminded himself.

“There is no agreement Master Judge,” replied the accuser. “However, I do have a recommendation prepared if you wish to consider it.” He had been hastily up grading the terms from what he had already prepared while listening to the punishments being dealt out to the previous students.

“Pass it on up then,” the judge ordered. “I assume that the replier would also like a copy,” he said with a glint of amusement.

“Certainly, Master Judge.”

“Total loss of status; good. Expelled and banned from all schools of higher education; of course. Fined one hundred thousand Konna; again, well and good. Public whipping; fifty strokes delivered ten per session as normal; done. Imprisoned for five years. Hmmm.” The judge stopped and looked up at the accuser. “No death penalty?”

The Detectives and the patrolmen exchanged glances. Tough though they were, none of them considered this a death penalty case.

“The youth of the accused, Master Judge. Also, this is a minor matter of assault,” the replier added his agreement with the accuser. In the box for the accused, Olan ion Neeses, was being held up by two guards. He was looking physically ill. All the parents were huddling, in shock from the harsh sentences.

“Stand up young man!” Snapped the judge. He looked down at the evidence before him then looked up again. “Very well, I will agree with you both in this case. Sentence and punishment confirmed with the exception that I order that the accused be held in a prison of strict detention.” Looking over at the young man, still being supported by the hands of the guards, the judge ordered him out.

“Now let us deal with the last accused. I trust that you are both acquainted with the charges?” The accuser and Lewes’ replier both acknowledged that they were.

“We have serious charges, Master Judge. There is conspiracy, both to commit an assault as well as to defraud the patrol by using false documents.  The act of using false documents, using a false name, using an altered barcode to obtain false documents, using said documents to mislead government officials and last of all, counselling underage students to commit a crime.” The accuser took a deep breath. “Oh, there is one other charge, impersonating a court official, namely, a replier.”

“These are very serious charges, replier, does your client have anything to say? I read that he refused to make any statement to the patrol.”

“One fraction Master Judge, with your permission I will speak again to him.”

Moving to the accused box after receiving a nod of approval from the judge, the replier spoke in a soft voice, “I do not know what you have to say for yourself. But you are in serious trouble, so please make your best attempt. And be brief.”

Having realised at last the truth of the situation, and having no desire to die, Wiski Lewes stood and faced the Master Judge.

“Sir, I humbly acknowledge my faults, which have always been due to my love for my, I mean our, planet. This was an attempt to strike at those who disgrace us by colluding with outworlders who pollute the very ground that they walk on. My actions were, in all respects, in defence of our homeland.” With a bow, he sat down.

Master Judge Radmar Pollotic looked at the writer expressionlessly. “You mean to say that all this was to defend us against outworlders?” Ptocto shifted uneasily at the mention of outworlders by the judge.

Lewes stood again, “Yes Master Judge.”

“I see,” the judge commented softly. At this, the replier seemed to relax slightly. Docci and Ptocto exchanged uneasy glances.

The judge consulted the information before him again. “You have committed serious crimes, you say, to defend our planet? Lied to government officials, obtained and used false and misleading documents, impersonated a court official and conspired to commit an assault on visitors to our planet by corrupting our youth to commit serious crimes. And you justify this with assertions of love?” He stared at Lewes. “Do you believe yourself?” he shook his head. “I find the charges proven. All of them.”

Looking down at the accuser and the replier, the judge asked if they had any punishment agreed to recommend to him. “Or should I just go out on my own?”

“May I suggest, Master Judge,” the accuser replied, “a long period of imprisonment, with a large fine and loss of status, perhaps two hundred thousand Konna? Also a whipping, ten lashes a month for a full year.” The accuser bowed. The replier made no comment.

“Interesting, no death penalty?”

“These are minor offences for death, Master Judge.”

“Really?” Without waiting for a reply, the Judge looked at the replier. “No comments?” He asked.

The replier stood and bowed. “I agree with the Accuser and have no further recommendations to add to those of the learned accuser, sir.”

The judge sat back in his chair, holding his comm unit in his hand, regarding Wiski Lewes in silence. Ptocto held himself still, although he could feel the tension in the courtroom. The other officers also felt the tension, some sitting upright and some leaning forward in anticipation.

“Have the prisoner stand.” Master Judge Radmar Pollotic ordered abruptly.

“I find your behavior extraordinary, Mr. Lewes.” Lewes flushed at the implied insult, being of off-world usage ‘Mr.’ was considered a term of contempt. “You claim to be acting in a spirit of love for our world, yet you induce impressionable youth to act out a despicable crime. You will receive no less than they have and more.” The Judge paused. “On the lessor charge, of impersonating a replier, I sentence you to a term of imprisonment of one year.” He made a mark on his comm unit. “Now, to the more serious charges of using false documents to deceive a government official; as well as altering a bar code and obtaining false documents, and using a false name, all with intent to deceive government officials, I sentence you to ten years of detention.  These two sentences are to be served in succession, one after the other. I also confirm the recommended fine of two hundred thousand Konna. As well, you will have total loss of status.”

“I turn now to the final two charges, which I find the most heinous. That of conspiracy to commit a crime and the crime of counselling others, in this case; underage students, to commit a crime. The last is beyond belief to me and is unworthy of a man of Ti Lepus. On that charge, I sentence you to life imprison with one hundred lashes to be administered at the rate of twenty per month, ten per whipping session. All prison sentences are to be served in an institute of harsh detention.” Lewes moaned.

The Judge made more notes onto his comm unit. “Now, the charge of conspiracy. The Scrutineers have reinstated the death penalty and included this crime in the list of those crimes for which the death penalty is to be applied. The reasons were not given and neither was any guidance. Therefore, I must decide on my own.”

By this time Lewes was sweating. Hoping against hope for another life sentence.

“It takes a certain type for one to persuade another to commit a crime while the one sits back out of danger. You Mr. Lewes along with the five conspirators discussed the crime to be committed, examined the area of the crime and executed the plan. The only part that you were physically not present at was the crime of assault itself. I have found you guilty of conspiracy due to the clear evidence presented before me. I see no reason why the sentence of death should not be imposed and I so do. Further, I order it to be performed in public.”

At this, Lewes gave a soft moan and collapsed in the prisoner’s box. The guards pulled him upright.

“In accordance with established procedure, the imposition of the sentence of death shall be delayed until it is confirmed by the High Court of Review. Should they deem it to be excessive, then I direct that there be an additional sentence of life in a prison of harsh detention be substituted.” Making final marks in his comm unit, Master Judge Radmar Pollotic waved at the guards, “Take him down.”

*********

When she heard of the sentence, she had not bothered to follow the trial, Nikie di Frim just smiled, while, Kirkrup her husband, sat back and laughed.

“A drink to celebrate.” He said, passing to her; her favorite beverage, a foaming mug of local ale.

“So what is next?” She asked.

“We increase the pressure on the assembly with more demonstrations and acts of violence. Not us of course, but those of the underclass and service classes who are up for this. They make useful fuel.” His contempt showed clearly.

“We need to start training small groups of really reliable members of our group.” Nikie mused.

“Train them with what? And how many?”

“Weapons, whatever we can get. And just a few, for a special project.”

“For what purpose.” Smiled Kirkrup, thinking that he knew what his wife had in mind and liking the thought.

“For an act of violence that will set this planet on fire!” She hissed; her face ugly in its hatred. “She has probably forgotten all about me, but I will never forget or forgive her for her insults. Nor her act of betrayal when we were young. And her husband is associated with the empire too.”

Nikie smiled, a predator’s smile. Her husband laughed again.

 

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