"Jill Valentine, please rise."

The evidence was in. Chris had given his full testimony. The prosecution and defense had made their closing statements and rested their cases. The justices retired to deliberate. Three days later, they had reached a verdict and reconvened the tribunal. Outwardly, I was cool and collected. Inside, I just wanted to throw up. I stood as requested.

"This Tribunal has heard arguments from the prosecution and the defense, has heard accounts and been given proof of events of unimaginable horror. And you have not denied the role that your presence played in bringing these events about. Under any other circumstances, the case as presented would leave this tribunal no alternative but to find you guilty of all charges.

"But these are far from ordinary circumstances. We have heard extensive testimony in regard to your extraordinary character and commitment to justice, peace, and the protection of innocent lives, and we have not been provided any reason to doubt this testimony. What we have not heard is even a hint of a credible argument as to what possible motivation you might have to suddenly, and without warning of any kind, submit to serve your greatest enemy and advance the cause of those horrors you had theretofore devoted your life to eradicating.

"And all of this very conflicting evidence is mired in science and inventions that are terrible and far beyond the full understanding of the greatest experts in their fields, let alone the members of this tribunal.

"But we do have evidence of the substance that was injected into your bloodstream, the device that was used to inject it, and the physical scarring, however minor, that demonstrates irrefutably that this device was used upon you. Although it will take time to unlock the secrets of the P30 compound, the testimony of the investigators that its subjugation of free will is not merely plausible but likely, as evaluated in the context of the most advanced neurochemical science that has been published, is, in our estimation, fully credible.

"Therefore, Jill Valentine, it is the verdict of this tribunal that you are not guilty in regard to all of the charges that have been brought against you. It is a tragedy that you have had to endure such suffering and to witness as your body was forced to bring about such horror; we can only hope that the support of those you care about can help to ease your burden, and that in the fullness of time you find yourself able and willing again to be of service. Should this come to pass, we are unanimous in the sentiment that we will feel the safer for it.

"The defendant is free to go without condition. This trial is concluded."