CHAPTER 21
END DAY ONE
As the extract ended, the Doctor paused and looked up. The prosecutor was already on his feet. "Doctor, would I be correct in assuming you allowed the accused to accompany you in your search for the Benefactor?" Fitzhugh asked.
"You would," the Doctor replied guardedly.
"May I ask why? Considering what we've just seen, it doesn't seem…logical."
The Doctor stiffened slightly, knowing how his reply would be taken. "It was safer than having him roaming the ship on his own."
"Safer?" Fitzhugh replied. "For whom?"
"At the time, I felt it was safer for me."
"In what way?"
"I wanted to keep an eye on him," the Doctor grudgingly admitted. "There was a great deal he wasn't telling me, and I couldn't exactly learn what it was if I let him go swanning off after the Benefactor on his own."
"Indeed. Your logic is…original, Doctor," Fitzhugh replied smugly. "No further questions."
Suddenly Eustis spoke up. "I have a question, Doctor."
The Doctor was taken aback. "My lord?"
"The accused twice mentioned being in the First Circle in a manner that suggests it's of some significance. And while you've supplied ample documentation on the idioms and colloquialisms used in the extracts," the Inquisitor complemented, indicating the stack of folders on his desk, "I see no mention if it."
The Doctor stiffened slightly and threw an apologetic look in Jason's direction, seeing him draw a deep breath and close his eyes. Until now, only the Doctor had been privy to this particular secret relating to the powers he possessed. "The First Circle," the Time Lord began slowly, "is an archaic Alterran reference used to describe those rare individuals who can take on another form without losing or diminishing the powers of their true selves."
There was a stunned silence before Eustis finally asked, "Doctor, am I to understand that this holds true with the accused?"
"It does." The Doctor knew the next question before it was asked. "The barrier generator has the same effect on those in the First Circle as they do with every other Alterran."
Eustis gave him a long disapproving glare before saying, "Thank you for clarifying, Doctor. Proceed."
The Doctor cleared his throat before going on with the defense. "Using the terminal in the interrogation room, we discovered that it appeared the ship's systems were being put back on-line but were unable to learn more when the computer burned out. We were forced to go ourselves to see how close this operation was to completion. This search eventually led us to the area above the engine room. The Benefactor had initiated the ignition sequence by this time and explosions were happening all over the ship. I was knocked unconscious by some flying debris from one such explosion."
The Doctor turned to the screen. "For reasons I did not understand at the time, Prince Jason transported the both of us back to the ARGO. It was there that I awoke. And it was there that I witnessed this…"
oOo
A white mushroom cloud appeared on the surface of Eldeberon, billowing up from one of the continents, flames erupting from within as it blossomed ever higher into the atmosphere. Then the unthinkable happened. The atmosphere suddenly burst into flame. The inferno rolled around the globe like a great wave until the entire surface was awash in its glow. When the blazing light finally faded, it revealed a blackened husk where there had once been a thriving world.
oOo
The atmosphere in the courtroom suddenly seemed heavy, the somber mood now one of shock and horror. The Doctor waited a moment before he brought up the lights. "The fuel that had been dumped into the planet's atmosphere by the Glyateven prison ship had combined with the pollutants already there," he said solemnly. "Over the weeks, it changed the composition of the upper atmosphere into an extremely volatile mixture that needed just one more component, and an ignition source. It found both in the superheated gases of the mushroom cloud. Within minutes, all the oceans boiled away, all the oxygen was consumed, and all life on Eldeberon…extinguished."
Pausing a moment, the Doctor announced calmly, "My lord, that is the last section of my testimony."
Thank goodness, Eustis thought shakily. "The hour is late," he observed with some relief. "Lord Fitzhugh, does the prosecution have any questions?"
"None that cannot wait, my lord," the equally shaken Fitzhugh replied.
"Then we will adjourn until morning." Eustis banged his gavel. He had to concentrate to move at a sedate pace, bowing to the opposing councils as he left the room. He was relieved when he entered his chambers and closed the door, shutting everyone and everything out.
The Doctor sat down, heaving a heavy sigh. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. "That was exhausting," he observed wearily. "Give me Sontarans over solicitors any day."
Jason smiled sympathetically but did not reply. At that moment, Captain Reinhardt appeared to return him to his cell. The officer stopped short when he saw the Doctor still present. "Do you wish me to wait, sir?" he asked politely.
The Doctor looked up sharply. "No, no, you carry on."
The Prince threw him a sideways glance but remained silent. He stood up and held out his hands, waiting patiently as his shackles and chains were fastened into place. It had slipped his mind to step down from the prisoner's dock when he had the chance, the chains on his feet making it difficult to maneuver.
The Doctor silently marveled as Reinhardt gently assisted the Alterran down from the raised platform, making certain he did not fall. Once on solid ground, Jason closed his eyes. The first few minutes after the activation of his bindings completely threw off his equilibrium, and he stood clinging to the officer's arm, wavering slightly on his feet.
The Doctor watched all this and wondered why he had failed to notice it before. Then it occurred to him that this was the first time that Jason had been free of his bindings while in court.
When the Prince opened his eyes, Reinhardt asked quietly, "Ready, your highness?"
"Yes, thank you," Jason replied, equally quietly.
The Guard Captain slowly led his prisoner from the room and back to his cell, leaving the Doctor still marveling. It was all too obvious that Jason's insight into the Captain's character went well beyond his lack of fear towards him.