Heritage (Under Revision)

Chapter 52: Ethan

It’s a funny feeling, falling from grace. How did things get here? I’ve spent my entire life dedicating myself to an institution that I thought was the brightest light in the galaxy. Only to find out that the light was just a flash-bang that hides the bullets behind it.

My government is nothing more than organized thugs in fancy suits and shiny pins. The whole reason we went to deep space in the first place was so that we could find a better way to do things. A global nuclear war did nothing to deter us from the very thing we were trying to gain when we were fighting amongst ourselves...power.

There’s no way the UEDF and the allied planets therein are fighting the Sekrid for a dead husk of a cosmic creature. There’s something more. There has to be. Argalia has to hold that secret. Lucky for me, my son is already there to find out.

“You may want to watch your head when you get out there. Pissed off people tend to throw things,” A soldier says from across the transport vehicle.

I look him in the eyes.

“You know, I used to look to you. The UEDF’s crown jewel. There wasn’t a single campaign over the past twenty years that you haven’t spearheaded. And once you got that big ass ship...man, you were the shit. Why’d you have to shoot him?”

I give a scoff and a smile “Aren’t you not allowed to talk to me about anything? Let alone the crime I committed?” I ask.

The realization hits him and almost reflexively he responds “Oh, yes sir, sorry,” as he turns away.

“It’s fine. I was just busting your balls kid. And you don’t have to call me sir anymore. Saying one day you and everyone else might understand,” I stare out of the narrow, tinted window, the view turning from city streets to row after row of screaming people calling for my head on a platter.

“Would be the furthest thing from the truth. They already hate me kid. And nothing I can do will change that. You wanna know why I did it?”

I turn back to the guard, seriousness in my face “Simple really. I did it for my family. I could go on and on about how corrupt everything is. The secret plans the government has made with even more secret death weapons and yadda yadda, but in the end, it all boils down to family. He threatened them, I didn’t see a way out, and so I shot him. The funny thing is, no one ever guesses that as your motive. It’s always some grand scheme. But why should it be in this day and age? Just take a look out of the window kid. You can see the indoctrination painted everywhere. I don’t need some grand scheme to prove that. I don’t have to prove anything. I just need to stop it,” I finish.

The kid just sits there, flabbergasted at my rant. His eyes drop to the floor.

He looks back up at me.

“But...how can you do that if you’re locked up?”

I smile wide. “Well that’s the million-dollar question now...isn’t it kid?”

“Reyes...my name is Gabriel Reyes...”

the truck finally comes to a stop in front of the courthouse. A narrow walkway up the stairs is the only path open between the sea of protesting people.

Reyes stands up and moves to the door of the cabin. I stand up beside him.

“Well Mr. Reyes, are you ready to protect me from obscenities and flying tomatoes?” I ask sarcastically.

Reyes chuckles as he quickly opens the door, holding me by an arm and leading me up the walkway. I hear people yelling and cursing my name. It’s a cacophony of noise that I’m glad goes silent after we cross through the courthouse doors to the inside.

The United Front World Court, built both in remembrance to the casualties of injustice before, and in testament to the new law and trial system that reigns today. Unlike the months of courthouse litigation and appeals that the earth used to go through way back when, the new system favors quick, expedient trials preceded by a preliminary hearing that goes over the charges, sentence that will be implemented in cases of conviction, and whether or not the defendant will represent himself or have representation.

After this hearing, there is a three-month grace period in which evidence and cases may be made. However, if the crime is against the government, they manipulate this grace period in order to run propaganda spiels against the defendant in order to pressure a conviction out of the judge and jury.

Most of the time this works. After the three-month period the trial begins and will only last a couple weeks max. Defense liaisons as they are named now are expected to have collected everything they need by this point to prove their cases which leads to a very important detail...all decisions in court are final.

And that door goes both ways.

There are no appeals or continuances. This has allowed for the revival of corporal punishments as opposed to prison time. Things like whippings and limb removal. Maiming and of course, execution.

It’s hard to see how it was such an issue in the history books when everyone agrees with it now. But I suppose if you had the choice of years in prison or taking so many lashes with a whip, you figure, at least you have your freedom.

But wait...it doesn’t stop there.

If you choose corporal punishment over prison time, you still get to serve. You become virtually blacklisted. You have to pay more for groceries and other living expenses such as utilities and rent. Jobs can also retain the right to pay you less. The percentage is based on the crime. It makes it so that an employer can still hire a criminal without looking bad and still have a qualified employee who knows the job.

Most crimes against the government however, are punishable by death. I know that’s exactly where I’m heading. Reyes escorts me down the large atrium that narrows down into hallway and leads me through a set of large oak doors.

Waiting for me are no civilians.

Just empty chairs and some old men and women sitting on an elevated podium in chairs arranged in a semicircle. On the left and right side of me are pews with a boundary wall separating them from the speaking floor. In front of that wall a table sits on either side. A large metal crest adorns the speaking floor. In the center is lady justice, blindfolded, holding her scale and gavel.

What a lie.

The outer ring makes a statement in Latin: Aliquis Planeta, Verum Est, Unum Iustitia.

Only now do I realize exactly what that statement means.

There is only one truth for Earth. Go against that grain and face Earth’s justice.

Reyes escorts me to the center of the crest and releases me. He stands close behind me.

The man in the center speaks “General Blake. How unfortunate we have to meet like this. I am Judge Tomlin and these are my associates. The committee handling your case deemed it necessary to have more than one opinion on this case given the extreme nature and celebrity of it all,”

“A committee? Really? I didn’t think I was worth a committee,” I respond.

A woman next to him speaks next “Don’t sell yourself short General. The President himself grieves over such a monumental case. If I recall you met him twenty years ago when he himself was a young man trying to run a world alone amid so many crises,”

“Kind of you to do some reading on me your honor. I suppose it’s a good thing he has people like you at his side advising him,” I reply with sarcasm in my voice.

The woman gives me a grimace and Judge Tomlin speaks again. “Those things aside I say it’s time we get started with your hearing. General Ethan Blake, you are hereby charged with political espionage, hacking government secrets with intent to sabotage, disobeying lawful orders from a UEDF Defense agent and consequently murdering said Defense agent. Do you understand these charges General?”

“I do,” I notice Tomlin raise an eyebrow at my short, sure response.

“Very well then. Since you have verbalized to the court that you understand these charges I shall now express details as to the punishment in regards to if a conviction should be found during this case. The punishment for said crimes, all considered, regardless if some of these crimes allow for a lesser punishment is death. The execution will be carried out forthwith in the setting of a public forum due to the severity of the crimes whereas a firing squad will be utilized to carry out the sentence. Do you understand these consequences General Blake?”

“I do your honor,”

“Let it be shown that the defendant understands the consequences of his alleged crimes. Now, on to the final matter at hand: Do you plan to have representation, or will you be representing yourself General Blake?”

“My—,”

“I will be representing General Blake,” An unfamiliar voice speaks from the back of the room.

All of us simultaneously look back to see a large, muscular man, sporting a pair of cybernetic arms. He wears a navy-blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, grey dress pants and a pair of black oxfords. I look closer and finally realize who he is.

I turn around to face him as he reaches me “What the hell are you doing here you son of a—,”

“Ethan...shut up. I’m here for Rin’Gal. your son is not the only one he has an eye on. I’m sure my brother would appreciate me doing this too. You need to let go of what you think you know and trust me,”

“General Blake. If you would be so kind as to turn around and stop talking and give us your answer,”

I think for a moment trying to push aside my former prejudices.

I turn around. “Mr. Hall will be my Defense liaison,”

“Let it be noted that Mr. Hall will be General Blake’s Defense liaison for the duration of the trial. With all of these things settled let us now turn to the immediate actions that the prosecution has had approved for this case. The immediate actions are as follows: The defendant’s rank shall be stripped from him until such a time as—,”

“Interjection,” Hall says cutting Tomlin off.

“Something to say Mr. Hall?” Tomlin asks, clear annoyance in his voice.

“Well I did say interjection, didn’t I? The law allows for me to interject and also argue as to the nature of immediate actions placed by the prosecution. I wish to argue the stripping of rank,”

Tomlin raises an eyebrow. “To what point Mr. Hall?”

“I do not see a need to strip General Blake of his rank on the grounds that it has not been proven that he committed these malicious crimes. The law still states innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, I feel that the stripping of rank is merely being done to defame and humiliate the General before a conviction even be passed. If his rank is stripped and he only gains it back on the basis that he was proven innocent his reputation will still be tarnished,”

The judges lean in to each other and murmur inaudible things.

Tomlin returns to his microphone. “We have decided that this shall be taken off of the immediate actions placed. Continuing on with the rest of the immediate actions: the defendant shall be housed also be housed at the Tyr Prison Facility located above the orbit of Jupiter,”

“Interjection. I wish to argue this placement,”

“Let it be known that the Defense liaison wishes to argue placement of the defendant. State your argument please,”

“My client has had a very long career with the UEDF your honor. A career that has entailed subduing war criminals. Many of these war criminals are typically housed in the Tyr Prison Facility. I argue that this location will be too dangerous for my client and he face the potential of being harmed or killed before his trial has even begun. Also, it is a prison for war criminals. Not a man such as General Blake. He has committed no such atrocity nor is there evidence of the fact that has,”

“And where exactly would you suggest we place the General, Mr. Hall?”

“I suggest he be placed where any military personnel who is either awaiting a court case, or has been convicted in one resides. I suggest he be placed in the Capital Military Prison in Virginia,”

More murmurs ensue.

Tomlin returns to his mic. “Very well. The General shall be placed here on the condition that he be placed in the maximum sector of the facility. Twenty-one-hour lockdown with three hours of recreational time. His rec time will also be solitary. He will have no contact with other inmates,”

“I will agree to this placement on the grounds that my client be afforded the same rights as any other maximum classified inmate in that he will be allowed access to commissary privileges and television,”

Tomlin doesn’t even consult with the others before answering. “We will agree to this stipulation. Now, the final immediate action to address is the matter of visitation and vidcom rights. The immediate action states that the defendant may have no contact with any family member during the process of the trial. Do you wish to argue this Mr. Hall?”

“I do actually, your honor. My question to this action is: What would be the point to such an order other than the simple reasoning of attempting to isolate my client from his loved ones in order to punish him before he’s even convicted?”

Tomlin escalates his mood from an annoyed, raised eyebrow to an aggravated sigh.

“The prosecution feels that considering his wife’s involvement in the events--”

“Who there has been no proof what so ever that she played any role,” Hall interjects.

I notice Tomlin’s jaw tighten.

“The prosecution feels that any contact with the General’s family would be considering major security risk,”

“Will the court please state what risks the prosecution is worried about precisely?”

“The prosecution is concerned about travel times and locations in the event of a planned break out as well as more government information being leaked to his family members,”