One month later, Moscow…
"All rise for the verdict." The echoes of chairs scaping across the floor reverberated across the chamber. On the courtroom floor there was about twenty people – prosecutors, their assistants, the four judges from France, Australia, Britain and America, general court aides and the defence. But the focus of all the attention was on the lone figure standing on the defence side of the room, flanked by two burly guards that made her seem smaller and frailer. Ursa had estimated to have lost almost twenty kilograms due to stress while living in the prison compound next to the courts. She was pale, her hair was stringy, and there were dark circles around her eyes. The surgery she had taken years ago to alter her face now seemed undone. The chief justice, Sir Maurice "Murray" O'Connell from Australia, took off his glasses and stared Ursa down from his seat on the bench.
"There are few people in the world who we can say are truly evil – Hitler, bin Laden, Pol Pot, Vladimir Makarov – and you, Ursa Nikolaevna Makarov, are one of them. You enabled your son in his crimes, and soon took over in a class of your own. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people were killed over the past three years, all to carry on a lost legacy and a hopeless cause. Over the past three weeks, the court has heard of your atrocities and viewed the evidence of your crimes against humanity – the dungeons, the bombings and the genocide. The public has labelled you such things as the devil, and a soulless shell. As the court, we have the duty to be impartial to such labels – and the demands for your head on a spike. Before the verdict is delivered, do you have any words for the court?" All eyes turned to Ursa, who shook her head. She had remained silent throughout the three weeks of her trial and had showed little to no emotion through the proceedings – not even at the photos of the pile of bodies in a mass grave or the fiery aftermath of one of her bombings. Judge O'Connell put his glasses back on and took a piece of paper from his assistant. He licked his lips before opening his mouth and speaking in a loud, booming voice that echoed through the courtroom. "In the numerous charges of crimes against humanity, murder, deprivation of liberty, genocide, terrorism and complicity of terrorist acts, this court finds Ursa Nikolaevna Makarov…guilty of all counts." A loud murmur started, with some cheers and laughs from the public gallery which was silenced by the judges gavel "Order in the court! Ursa, this court sentences you to death for your crimes, which shall be carried out by firing squad. This court is adjourned." A loud cheer erupted from the public and the press, with people hugging each other and dancing. Ursa showed no emotion at her sentence as she was led away to the prison facilities by her guards while names were thrown at her.
In the private gallery on the second floor, a group of people left a secure viewing box escorted by several guards. Aleksey never let go of Melissa's hand as they were led out, followed by Levi, Mona, and Rhody Morton and Lorraine. Soap, Rook and Price took up the rear. Melissa glanced back to see her grandparent's glassy eyes, with her grandmother being supported by her uncle and grandfather.
"It is over, Melissa." she turned to look at her father's face. His eyes were glassy as he took out her mother's locket and opened it. Jane smiled back at him in the photo. "Your mother is now at peace. And so are we."
One week later, Ursa was executed in the grounds of the prison where she was being held. It was said that she was calm and composed, with a cold smile on her face until it was covered by the dark bag placed over her head. Her last words were to the captain of the firing squad, when he asked if she had a statement –
"Until we meet again, comrade."
Time of death was 0907 hours, June 18th, 2018.