Chapter 3
"Let the accused step forward."
The two marines behind pushed him roughly forward. He now stood between Sud and Lee. Both of them had their hands bound. Lee had survived the wrist blades of the Skaarj, but his body will forever retain some of the scars of that battle. Sud meanwhile refused to look at Edmund. He felt betrayed by his commander. He wouldn't be here if it weren't for Edmund.
"Case IA 260787. Edmund Ross. You and your team of marines are accused of insubordination. On the third of January, you and your men were ordered to protect the civilians at the monorail station in the city Alpha Omega. You and your men did well, holding off the Skaarj from three hours. Yet, when you were ordered to retreat, you stubbornly refused. You disobeyed a direct order, and got two of your marines needlessly killed in the process. In fact, your entire squad would have been slaughtered if not for the timely arrival of Bravo Team, who on the way to the Spaceport saw your distress..."
The Skaarj Lord stood over Edmund as he regained consciousness. His two wrist blades were extended, as he prepared to finish off Edmund. Suddenly, Edmund heard the chatter of an Assault Rifle. The bullets knocked the Skaarj Lord off Edmund. Roaring in rage, the Skaarj Lord bounded out of his Edmund's vision. Part of Edmund wished to pick up his weapon and continue to fight. But he was simply too tired. He couldn't move his legs, his arms. He could only wait and listen...
"Case IA 260787. Edmund Ross. You are also held responsible for the lives of PFC George, Jack and Nil, who died trying to save your useless hides..."
Edmund listened.
A Skaarj roar.
"Open fire! Open fire! Let em have it!"
"Team, concentrate on the Skaarj Lord! Nil, where are my grenades? Bring them up."
"Jack here, there's more Skaarj coming down the paths sir!"
"You've got to hold them Jack! Command HQ. We need a hot drop here now! We need to extract!"
"George, to your left, Skaarj warrior!"
"Die scum!" "Got him! Got him! I got him sir!"
"Nil, my grenades?"
"On my way captain!"
"Jack here, things are getting a little hot! Izarians charging forward!"
"Blink!, Go help Jack hold the Izarians!"
"Roger that!"
"God damn it! Where the hell did that Skaarj Lord go?"
"George! Behind you!"
"Aaarrrggghhhh..."
"Man down, man down-"
"Frag him! Frag that bastard!"
"God damn it Nil! I need those grenades! Now!"
"Aaa! No! No!..."
"Nil! Nil! Come in Nil! Anyone seen Nil?"
"Jack here, sir, I can't hold them much longer!"
"You've got to hold private!"
"My grenades Nil!"
"Nil is out sir, the Skaarj Lord took him!"
"There he is! There! Behind that bread truck!"
"Well? Open fire! Shoot!"
A Skaarj roar.
"The dropship's here! The dropship's here! Make way, grab Edmund and his comrades. Jack and Blink, collapse into the compound!"
"The Skaarj Lord is retreating!"
"Collapsing into the compound, aye sir! Come Jack let's go!"
"Right! Haha! Good bye Skaarj! Better luck next ti-"
"What the!??"
"Arrgggh! Captain! Captain! Don't let them get me!"
"Blink! What the hell is going on!?"
"The Skaarj is swarming Jack under sir! Oh God!"
"Captain! Help meeeeeee!"
"Shit! They're butchering him!"
"Come away Blink! We've got to go now!"
"Damn it! Damn this war!"
"Captain Edmund? Captain? Are you with us?" the voice sounded amused.
Edmund drew in a sharp breath. "Yes sir."
"And what have you got to say for yourself?"
Here it comes. Edmund spoke aloud, "Sir. Magistrates of the court. I am innocent! I did what I thought was right. Did the civilians not escape? I made an important decision. I decided to buy them time. And I do not regret it."
There was a sharp laugh. "Innocent? You? You, Edmund Ross disobeyed a direct order to retreat, costing lives of five good men because of your stupidity. The sentence is already ready. You, and your men, are sentenced to for four years to the Unreal Tournament!"
"What?!!" it was Sud. "He was the one who disobeyed the order! Not us! Why should we have to punished with him?" Sud shouted, pointing a finger at Edmund.
"He is our captain, Sud. We should follow him. All for one, and one for all."
Sud sneered at Lee. Stupid butt kisser. Yes sir. No sir. Three bags full sir."One for all? ONE FOR ALL? Was he thinking about that when he disobeyed the order? He didn't even tell us about it! He was thinking of himself!"
"That's enough, Sud..."
"Like hell! There's no way am I going to get punished over a crime I did not commit!"
"Oh? Is that so? Guards, take them all away. They're going to the tournaments, courtesy of the Liandri Corporation..."
Two marines hefted him Sud up by the shoulder and dragged him away. Another each grabbed Edmund and Lee and directed them away from the court.
"Damn it! I will not be taken! Damn you Liandri bastards! Damn you Edmund you selfish idiot! Look what you got us into! We trusted you! We trusted you.."
One of the marines knocked Sud out with a rap on the head. The trial was over. They were going to the tournaments. There, they will die a thousand deaths.
Chapter 4 will be up soon. Working on it. Come back soon!
