December 20, 10:15 AM
District Court - Courtroom No. 5
Day 2
Court Is Now In Session
All Rise
It was time for the trial of Solomon Starbuck to reconvene after a few days of Hiatus. On the defense's side stood Phoenix and Athena, accompanied by Shuichi, Kaito and Connie. On the other side for the prosecution was Blackquill, alone, save for the company of Taka.
"...I suppose... we should reconvene the trial of Solomon Starbuck or something...?" The Judge's voice was heard.
"Hey, Your Honor, you don't have to be afraid, we're safe!" Kaito said. "No more bombs in court, now that the bomber's been dealt with."
The Judge emerged from under his seat. "Oh, yes, um... My apologies. I'm still a little jumpy when it comes to trials involving bombs. I mean, first the courtroom exploded... and then Mr. Tonate self-destructed!"
"(That's one way of putting it…)" Phoenix thought.
"Anyway, it seems that Mr. Justice and Ishihara were wounded by Mr. Tonate's actions. So you, Mr. Wright, will be taking up the defense alongside these new additions...?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, that's right. Kaito is still remaining on. But Mr. Saihara and Ms. Maheswaran will be taking on David's role." Phoenix explained.
"Hmm… Do you all have an understanding of what has happened in the trial so far?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor." Shuichi and Connie affirmed simultaneously.
"And with that, the defense is ready." Phoenix said.
"Is the prosecution ready as well?" the Judge asked, seeing Blackquill ready to go ."Very well, I'll provide the opening statement then, since I'm sure that's what Prosecutor Blackquill expects of me now."
"Wow. The Judge really has gotten used to this. It's almost like he can read Blackqiulls mind." Connie said.
"Well, he's certainly seen more than his fair share of colorful prosecutors. You could say he's something of a veteran of sorts…" Phoenix clarified.
"Let's see. In the previous part of this trial, we learned that the victim, Clay Terran... ...escaped from Launch Pad 1 carrying the defendant, Solomon Starbuck. There were explosions on the second floor of the Space Center and on the rocket itself. The two astronauts used the Launch Pad 1 corridor to reach the boarding lounge." The Judge recalled.
"And?" Blackquill asked.
"How could the victim climb down the ladder if he was carrying the defendant...? That was the mystery that needed to be solved. But Mr. Justice proved that the victim was killed in the boarding lounge. Prosecutor Blackquill, were you able to discover any new facts related to this point?" The Judge asked.
"Upon further investigation, we discovered an oxygen tank fragment in the lounge. It would appear that Justice-dono and Ishihara-dono's argument was correct." Blackquill said.
"So that means the testimonies of the first two people on the scene are suspect." Athena said.
"But, we all know what happened before Detective Arme could come to testify. The courtroom got bombed by that jerk Ted Tonate." Kaito mentioned.
"That accursed fellow! He killed my witness! He killed Detective Arme!" Blackquill said in anger.
"Good thing he's behind bars then." Connie said. "Of course, this means we're back to the question of who killed the victim in the boarding lounge."
"Exactly. In other words, the question of 'who killed the victim in the boarding lounge'...has, once again, become the main focus of this trial." Blackquill said.
"Our argument remains the same from where we got interrupted. There was definitely a third party that killed Clay Terran!" Kaito declared.
OBJECTION!
"Hmph. To make such reckless claims in a courtroom takes a bold man... or a stupid one. There was no third person in the boarding lounge. Or have you gone dotty already... little man?" Blackquill asked.
OBJECTION!
"You're the one who's gonna be called that when I trounce you with my years of experience." Phoenix fired back. "In any case, Mr. Starbuck claims he saw someone leaving the lounge. Furthermore, a Space Center employee also saw a suspicious figure at the scene."
"That account came straight from the mouth of your big sister, in case you didn't know." Connie mentioned to Blackquill.
"So she's been running her mouth again, has she?" Blackquill asked. "No matter. She didn't see this mystery person's face clearly. Therefore, there is no evidence to indicate that this person was not the defendant. In brief, we need to determine if a third person was there or not. To this end, we should hear the testimony of one of the first people on the scene."
"Very well. Bailiff, please bring the witness to the stand." The Judge ordered as the Bailiff opened one of the doors to the lobby.
"Mr. Cosmos, we're ready for-" the Bailiff started before he stiffened and quickly got out of the way as Director Cosmos came through the doors on his scooter.
"Like a shooting star, I blaze forward!" Cosmos declared as he stopped at the witness stand. "Yuri Cosmos, director of the Cosmos Space Center, is here!"
"(Did they really let him bring his scooter to court…?)" Connie wondered.
"Why, I believe I've seen you before in the newspapers." The Judge remarked.
"Of course you have! Of course you have!" Cosmos assured the man. "For it was I, seven years ago, who successfully launched the HAT-1, and-"
"Everyone already knows how brilliant you are. Even I am trying to hold back my tears at seeing such a great man standing before me." Blackquill said, the defense practically seeing the dry sarcasm coming from him. "So could you please proceed directly to your important testimony?"
"Ha ha ha! I see this fine young lad has a proper appreciation of greatness! Then allow me to begin my epochal testimony that will be recorded in the annals of history!" Cosmos declared.
"Looks like Cosmos' all geared up to do some bragging." Athena remarked. "Good thing Blackquill decided to cut him off."
"Now then, Director Cosmos, the condensed version of your illustrious testimony... please." The Judge said.
Witness Testimony: Yuri Cosmos
- What I Saw at the Scene -
Detective Arme and I rushed towards the boarding lounge together.
We went via the Control Room and peeked in from there to see what was going on inside.
We saw a figure standing in the middle of the lounge, and Terran lying on the floor.
I hate to say it, but I can only imagine the standing figure must have been Starbuck.
HOLD IT!
"Aura said that she saw a suspicious figure in the lounge. But she gave the statement that it was too dark to see the person's face clearly. Did you see this figure's face clearly?" Shuichi asked.
"...No, not clearly. The lighter they were holding illuminated the area around their feet at the time. But other than that, I could see little else. That's why I could see Terran, but I couldn't see who the other person was." Cosmos said.
"So as far as you know, it might not have been Mr. Starbuck, correct?" Phoenix asked.
"I would like to believe it. I'd never peg Starbuck as the type to kill." Cosmos said.
OBJECTION!
"When the witness entered the boarding lounge, there was no third person there. Isn't that correct, great Space Center Director?" Blackquill asked.
"Y-Yes, that's right... Only Starbuck and Terran were there by that time. After we peeked in, the lounge suddenly went dark and the figure vanished." Cosmos answered.
"Vanished?" Connie questioned. "Hmm…are you absolutely sure you were watching the scene the whole time?"
"Well… Just for a brief instant, about as long as it takes for a shooting star to go by." Cosmos said.
"Then couldn't the third person have slipped away at that time?" Connie pointed out. "The southern door doesn't have a security lock, after all."
OBJECTION!
"All things are possible, Maheswaran-hime." Blackquill said. "The real question is...do you have any proof? If we're just talking "possibilities," we could each profess whatever we'd like."
"Well…" Connie racked her brain until Shuichi put a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll keep the southern door in mind." the Ultimate Detective stated before he turned to Cosmos. "Dr. Cosmos, do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Of course! I shall impart my wisdom of the universe to you!" Cosmos said. "Well, have at it!"
"Erm… That's all well and good, but we just wanted to know why you were looking away from the boarding lounge for a brief moment." Shuichi said.
"Ha ha ha! There's actually another tale of bravery behind the answer to that." Cosmos laughed. "It was when Detective Arme saw the figure and raised her gun. Being a great humanitarian and protector of mankind, I tried to stop her!"
"You saw her take up arms?" Shuichi asked.
"Indeed!" Cosmos confirmed. "Alas, I was too late to stop her. She identified herself clearly, and then…She fired two warning shots at the figure!"
Present: Bullet Hole
"That's wrong!"
"That does sound like a pretty bold move, but are you sure you were really paying attention?" Shuichi asked.
"You doubt my words, words that will someday be written down in history books?!" Cosmos demanded.
"I don't think that claim was history book worthy." Kaito said.
"What I meant is that you claim that she fired two warning shots…but there was only one bullet hole." Shuichi said.
"What…?" Cosmos asked.
"Shuichi's claim is true. Only one bullet hole means the gun was only fired once. And yet Director Cosmos is saying Detective Arme fired two shots." Phoenix said as he pointed ahead. " No editor would allow such a glaring contradiction into a history book!'
OBJECTION!
"Unfortunately for you and the young detective, the witness's words are true. We confirmed that two shots were fired from Detective Arme's gun." Blackquill said.
OBJECTION!
"Then what did the other bullet hit?" Kaito asked.
"You should already know the answer to that. During the previous trial, a certain oxygen tank was presented as evidence. We've already discussed that it was ruptured in the lounge, have we not?" Blackquill reminded. "Well, it appears that the thing that ruptured it was a bullet. A bullet that was found near the tank, to be precise. This bullet was fired from a .38-caliber gun, the same caliber as the detective's gun. The rifling marks also match up. There's no question that the bullet was fired from Detective Arme's gun." he said as he presented a bullet from the detective's gun.
"Well, so much for that theory…" Shuichi said. "But…there are still a few unanswered questions. For example, this bullet." he said as he presented a different kind of bullet.
Present: Bullet
TAKE THAT!
"We found this bullet In a floor gutter at the crime scene. It looks like the police and prosecution both missed it. Furthermore, this is a .10-caliber bullet...making it much smaller than one of Detective Arme's .38-calibers." Phoenix explained.
"Th-Then that means...!" The Judge realized.
"That's right. One more person must have been there in the lounge. A third person who had a gun that could fire .10-caliber bullets!" Shuichi said, catching Cosmos off guard and arousing the jury.
"And if that's true, it explains why Detective Arme fired warning shots. This third person fired at Detective Arme and Director Cosmos with their gun. And in return, the detective fired her warning shots. Isn't that how it really went down, Director Cosmos?" Phoenix questioned the director.
"Ha ha ha! It looks like you've deduced my miraculous tale of survival! Yes, you're absolutely correct. The mystery person fired upon us!" Cosmos said.
"Wh-What's this now?!" The Judge asked.
"You never breathed a word of this to me before…" Blackquill realized.
"All great men have their secrets, don't you know!" Cosmos declared.
"Is this guy egotistical or just stupid?" Saki asked.
"Aura did warn us about him keeping secrets." Kaibara said.
"We gotta hear more about this! Tell us what you really saw, Director, and don't leave anything out!" Kaito said.
"You may be a very great man, but, in my courtroom, you are just another witness. You won't receive special treatment here. Now, please give accurate testimony!" the judge said.
Witness Testimony: Yuri Cosmos
- What I Really Saw at the Scene -
Detective Arme and I rushed to the Control Room together.
In the lounge, we saw a figure standing in the middle of the room, and Terran on the floor.
We were still in the Control Room to the east when the figure fired at us!
→ the control room to the east ←
Present: Bullet
"That's wrong!"
"Director Cosmos… I'm afraid you're telling a very insidious lie to the court." Shuichi said.
"A great man like me, tell a lie?! Have you ever heard of such a thing in all of history?!" Cosmos asked.
"No, my accusation is based on everyone's positioning." Shuichi said.
"Oh!" Cosmos said.
"The trajectory and where the bullet was actually found contradict each other! Director Cosmos! Where were you really when you were being shot at?!" Shuichi demanded.
"...GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Cosmos screamed as he spun around continuously on his scooter.
"Pfft!" Ajna said, trying not to laugh.
"Losing his nerve, or practicing for the Magic Kingdom's Teacup Ride?" Eddy declared like a presenter. "You be the judge!"
OBJECTION!
"Don't tell me you've forgotten already? Didn't the witness himself just tell you?" Blackquill reminded the defense. "The bullet hit his medal. Of this... there is no mistake."
OBJECTION!
"But, in that case, the bullet should have been found near the east side of the room! Are you trying to say that you can explain this inconsistency?!" Phoenix asked.
"...Of course." Blackquill said.
*Record Scratch*
"Is there something in my ear or did Blackquill just agree with Phoenix on something?" Balthus asked.
"He has a scary look in his eyes…" Bernadetta said, shaking. "Oh…I can't watch!"
"O great Director Cosmos…" Blackquill began.
"Yes?! Is there something you'd like me to expound upon...?!" Cosmos asked.
"You were in fact NOT in the Control Room to the east, were you? You were looking into the lounge from the door to the south, is that not right?"
"...Gaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Cosmos screamed.
"The south door?" Connie asked. "But that would be the opposite of all the testimony he's given so far!"
"But it would explain the bullet's presence, would it not? The killer would fire that way if they were there, would they not?" Blackquill countered.
"Well…yes, that would explain the bullet…" Connie reluctantly agreed.
"Yes. Now then, Director?" Blackquill turned his attention to Cosmos and shattered his cuffs. "If you fail to tell the truth again…you will become but rust upon my sword. I relish the chance to cut down a great man!"
"Oh boy, the chains are off!" Scorpia said.
"All right! I'll tell the truth! Just put your sword away! You are correct... I, the great Yuri Cosmos... ...was looking into the room from the southern door!" Cosmos said as some of the group in the gallery facefaulted.
"And just like that, our third party theory is about to be cut down." Connie said.
"Right you are, Maheswaran-hime." Blackquill allowed himself a smirk. "The director and the detective were near the southern door, meaning the killer couldn't have escaped through there. The western door required print recognition; the corridor beyond, was filled with smoke. The only escape route left was the eastern Control Room door. ...And the only way to get through there was with Director Cosmos's fingerprints."
"Ack!" Phoenix said.
"In short, there would be no escape for any "third person" had there been one!" Blackquill said.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Phoenix screamed.
"Perhaps… But… There could still be one theory here." Shuichi said.
"Oh? Is this something concrete, Mr. Saihara, or are you going to bluff like Mr. Wright? As it stands now, all signs point to a Guilty verdict for Mr. Starbuck." The Judge said.
"Let's just say… Hypothetically, of course, that there is someone who could have escaped from the scene. And that person would be the first person who arrived on the scene. Then, upon entering the boarding lounge... ...the second person to arrive came via the southern door. That's why the first person fled from the room... using an escape route that was accessible only to them."
"Very well. Let's hear more about this theory. Who is this one person who could have escaped from the boarding lounge?" The Judge asked.
Present: Yuri Cosmos Profile
"It has to be you!"
"Of all the people who were at the scene, only the witness could have escaped. The director is the only one with the authority to open the Control Room door." Shuichi said.
"But then that means…!" The Judge said.
"It sounds crazy, but it definitely looks to be the truth." Connie said. "The third person we're after is standing right in front of us, Director Yuri Cosmos!"
"...WHAT?!" most of the courtroom exclaimed in unison.
The jury was abuzz after that before the Judge called for order.
"Order! Order in the court, I say! Defense, you will explain yourselves in more detail!" the judge said.
"We assert that Director Cosmos arrived at the scene before Detective Arme...and entered the boarding lounge alone. Detective Arme arrived after that and...saw a suspicious figure, who was actually Director Cosmos, standing in the lounge. And that's why she fired those two warning shots!" Shuichi said.
"Gaaagh! I've been hit! I've been hit on the starboard side!" Cosmos said as he was sent spinning.
"Captain Saihara! It's a direct hit on the enemy ship, sir! A magnificent shot!" Athena complimented.
"Warning shots fired from the enemy ship! Prepare to intercept!" Cosmos said.
"Cosmos! You have told a lie in this court once again!" Blackquill said in anger.
"I've been hit! I've been hit on the port side! The enemy has called in reinforcements!" Cosmos said. "But my ship will not go down to anything less than the ultimate weapon of evidence!"
OBJECTION!
"But we do have evidence. You could say your battleship bears its scar." Phoenix said. "Once we compare it against another piece of evidence... the mark that you received from the "third party" will be all the proof we need...to prove that you were the one in the lounge!"
"Urgh! Brace for further impact….!" Cosmos prepared.
Present: Bullet from Arme's Gun
TAKE THAT!
"The .38-caliber bullet found on the floor at the scene didn't hit the oxygen tank. It hit Director Cosmos's medal. If we have that ricochet mark on the medal analyzed, I'm sure the caliber will match up. And if that mark proves to be from a .38-caliber bullet...it will prove that you are the third person we've been looking for!" Phoenix declared.
"GAAAAAAAAAAGH! The bridge is destroyed! Losing altitude! All hands, abandon ship!" Cosmos said.
"But if that was Arme's bullet, then what about the one in the oxygen tank?" Kaito asked.
"That bullet was from a .10 caliber gun. In other words, it was fired by Director Cosmos himself." Shuichi said.
"Noooooooo! You've got it all wrong! What? The engines have started again? It's a miracle! I'm not going down yet!" Cosmos boasted.
"Ugh, will this cretin not stand down?" Euphoric Constance asked.
"Director, it's high time you confess already." Shuichi said.
"Are you giving me orders?! Me, the great director of the Cosmos Space Center?! GAAAAAGH! But the cosmos revolves around meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Someone get me off this thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!" Cosmos said before he spun around once more as the jury was abuzz again before the Judge banged his gavel.
"Order! Order in the court! And will someone please stop the witness from spinning?!" The Judge asked.
"One moment." 9S said from the gallery, hacking the scooter as it soon halted in place.
"Phew... Thank goodness we were able to stop him from spinning off the face of the Earth." The Judge said.
"While he was twirling, I took the liberty of running an analysis on the mark on the medal. It was made by a .38-caliber bullet, matching it with the size of Detective Arme's firearm." Blackquill said.
"NGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Cosmos screamed.
"Are you ready to confess the truth, witness?" The Judge asked.
"No! You've got it all wrong! This is just a misunderstanding!" Cosmos said.
"Is he still going on about that? He's just going to pile it on with more lies." Kaito said.
"Aura did warn us about him." Connie mentioned. "We're just going to have to keep proving him wrong until he runs out of lies."
"If it's come to this, I'll tell the truth! It's just as the defense says! I-It's true that I was there in the boarding lounge! I got there before Detective Arme, and when she arrived, she fired warning shots at me! I was afraid people would mistake me for the killer, so I escaped to the Control Room." Cosmos explained. "I then went past the elevators and all the way around to Boarding Lounge 1 again. I came up behind Detective Arme and pretended to be the second on the scene!"
"What a troublesome old man you are, with such convoluted deeds and thoughts…" Blackquill said.
"So, you're still insisting that you did not kill Mr. Terran?" The Judge asked.
"O-Of course I am! When I arrived at the lounge alone... I saw the true killer! The great Yuri Cosmos was a history-making witness!" Cosmos protested.
HOLD IT!
"Shuichi just got done proving that the third person in the lounge was you!" Connie reminded him.
"No! It wasn't me! I saw the person as well! If I were the killer, why would I lie to cover for Starbuck?! I would just leave him to take the fall!" Cosmos replied.
"A lie is a lie, Mr. Cosmos." Connie responded. "So unless you have any proof that you're not the culprit, then we'll keep pressing it."
"Ah! I just remembered! I have an alibi! Ms. Blackquill said that she saw the killer at 10 AM, correct?" Cosmos stated. "Well! I was on the fourth floor helping with the evacuation effort! Ask any member of the staff you'd like! They'll corroborate me!"
"The director is not fibbing to the court, for once. I confirm that he has an alibi for the time specified." Blackquill said.
"Hmm… Very well then. The defense requests that the witness gives his testimony on the matter." Shuichi said.
"Hmm... Very well. Director Cosmos, your testimony, please." The Judge asked.
Witness Testimony: Yuri Cosmos
- What I Really Witnessed -
As I tried to enter the lounge, the true killer inside fired a gun at me!
I hid to avoid getting shot…
...but, when I tried to get another look, they had vanished into thin air!
I was near the elevator side door, and, well, the Launch Pad 1 door…
...and the control room door should've been shut tight to the killer…
"Notice: Discord detected within subject." 153 said to the group in the gallery.
"Hmm… I don't see any holes in his testimony. Maybe we should try a different approach." Shuichi said.
"Let me jump into help, guys. There's some discord in the director's heart." Athena said.
"Good idea. We're not getting anywhere with Cosmos normally. If we use the Mood Matrix on him, we'll be able to get past his piled up lies and finally figure out what's going on with his story." Kaito said.
"Alright then Athena. Let's see what you can do with him!" Phoenix said.
"You got it, Boss! I wouldn't want to miss this chance to delve into a great mind! Yuri Cosmos, prepare to hand over the secrets of your heart to me!" Athena said as she activated the Mood Matrix and inspected the director's testimony. "Talk about mixed feelings! He must be trying to account for a number of contradictions. Maybe this time we shouldn't just look for contradictory emotions... We should also look for emotions that should be there, but aren't."
"Okay…let's do it!" Connie affirmed.
As I tried to enter the lounge, the true killer inside fired a gun at me!
I hid to avoid getting shot…
...but, when I tried to get another look, they had vanished into thin air!
I was near the elevator side door, and, well, the Launch Pad 1 door…
...and the control room door should've been shut tight to the killer…
Pinpoint:
No Surprise (3rd Statement)
Fear (4th Statement)
GOT IT!
"Director, we're detecting two emotional inconsistencies with your testimony." Connie said.
"What?" Cosmos asked.
"First, you expressed no surprise at all when the killer vanished into thin air." Connie said. "And then it seems like you were afraid of the launch pad door. Why is that?"
"Th-The great Yuri Cosmos? Afraid?!" Cosmos stammered. "S-Surely you jest! Why would I be scared of a mere d-door?!"
"Maybe it's because…" Connie started.
Present: Launch Pad 1 Door
"This should do it!"
"...The culprit went through the Launch Pad 1 door to escape?" she finished.
"Yes - I mean, no - I mean…Disaster to starboard! We're going to crash into an asteroid!" Cosmos yelled.
"But the area beyond it was filled with smoke." Kaito said.
"True, but it's the only place he would have gone." Shuichi said. "If we can just figure out what the director is hiding about the Launch Pad 1 door...we should be able to iron out the logical inconsistencies."
"Ngh... Grnk... B-But that door requires fingerprint recognition! Only Starbuck, Terran, and I have access! I don't see how the killer could've opened that security lock! Do you?!" Cosmos asked.
"Yes, I believe I do. They had to use one of your fingerprints." Shuichi said. "With that, I propose that the killer used this person's fingerprints to get past the security lock!"
Profile: Solomon Starbuck
"This is my answer!"
"Solomon Starbuck was unconscious in the boarding lounge." Shuichi said. "Anybody could have easily gotten past the security lock by using Mr. Starbuck's prints, which were exactly what we found on the device's screen."
"Hmm. something just occurred to me." The Judge piped up. "There's a security camera in Boarding Lounge 1, the one that recorded the victim and the defendant. If the true culprit escaped into the Launch Pad 1 corridor...then that might be recorded on the security footage as well! Then, the mystery would be solved!"
"I…hate to discredit you, Your Honor. But it wouldn't work like that." Shuichi said. "The footage is cut off at a certain point."
"Ah, darn!" The Judge sighed. "And I thought it was such a good idea, too…"
"It's alright, you're trying." Connie said. "Anyway, we should continue. Director Cosmos, could you tell us more about when you entered the lounge?"
"Ugh, if I must…" Cosmos groaned.
I hid to avoid getting shot… - Sadness
After the killer vanished, I went into the lounge…- Sadness
...but that's when Detective Arme appeared from the elevator-side door! - Surprise (High)
And then, the detective shot at me!- Sadness, Surprise, Anger
So you see, the killer could've only escaped to the launch pad, right?
Pinpoint: Surprise
GOT IT!
"Director Cosmos. Why were you so surprised when Detective Arme found you, and again when she fired?" Shuichi asked. "It just seemed a bit unnatural."
"Sadly, even great men such as myself have ordinary human feelings. Our bodies are bound by the forces of gravity and emotions. Even a great man such as myself experiences surprise on occasion." Cosmos said.
"And I can see why. But the real point is not your surprise itself, but more what you were surprised by." Shuichi said.
"Pardon me?" Cosmos asked.
"First, you were surprised when Detective Arme found you in the lounge. And, just after that, you were of course again surprised when she shot at you. But, considering what you were surprised about, a strange phenomenon occurs here. Director Cosmos, what is strange about your surprised reaction is the fact that you were more surprised when Detective Arme found you in the lounge." Phoenix said. "The fact that you were more surprised by simply being found than by being shot at...suggests to us that you were conflicted about whatever it was you were doing there!"
"The enemy has acquired a new weapon! Commence operation Hide Under Your Desk! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Cosmos screamed as he spun around again.
NOISE LEVEL
30%
"Guys, I'm getting less discord now! That must mean...he really is hiding something about that launch pad door." Athena said. "I wonder what it could be?"
"If he was doing something suspicious around that door...maybe we can spot some changes between before he came to the room and after." Phoenix said.
"Let's take a look then." Connie said as she took out a photo of the crime scene. "Let's see… This is the footage of the door before Director Cosmos arrived. And this is how the door looked after the director entered the lounge."
"...Hey, look at that!" Phoenix said as he pointed at something in the photo. "Director Cosmos."
"What is it? What have you all been up to over there?" Cosmos asked.
"Finding the answer to what you were doing when Detective Arme found you, that's what. And that answer lies clearly in this footage. All we have to do is compare it to the photo that was taken during the investigation." Connie said.
"Don't be ridiculous! If you really do have an answer, you'd have pointed it out already!" Cosmos said.
"Well, we're pointing it out now." Connie said. "The answer lies in…"
Present: Knob
"I found it!"
"...this knob on the door." Connie pointed out. "In the footage, it's horizontal. But yesterday, it was vertical. That means between before the director arrived and after…" she said, pointing forward. "...someone turned this knob!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Cosmos screamed.
"It was you, wasn't it? You were the only one who was there after the scene was discovered!" Connie pointed out.
"Ngaaaaah! Fine! I admit it! You're right. I did turn that knob. That knob is a safety lock meant to keep the launch pad in place. I was afraid there would be more explosions...so I wanted to move the launch pad away!" Cosmos said.
"You wanted to do what...?" Phoenix asked.
"Hey, didn't Ponco tell us something about how they prepare for launch? She said that once the launch pad's fully assembled, it's moved to the launch site. But the safety lock in the boarding lounge has to be disengaged first." Athena theorized.
"So that's what the knob is for." Kaito said. "So, if the killer escaped into the Launch Pad 1 corridor...maybe they were transported along with the launch pad to the launch site?"
"I don't think so... The Launch Pad 1 corridor was filled with smoke. I don't think they could've escaped through that corridor." Phoenix said.
"So then, where DID the killer escape to?" Athena asked.
"Director Cosmos! I request that you tell us about moving the launch pad in more detail!" Phoenix said.
"Fine! But listen carefully! For I'm about to give a history-making testimony!" Cosmos said.
"Just one more push, and we'll have him for sure. We got this!" Kaito said.
I had no choice but to disengage the safety lock. ← Happiness, Sadness
I feared there might be more explosions…← Sadness
...so I had to cut the launch pad loose.←Sadness
Surely, the only escape the killer had was through Launch Pad 1.←Anger
But that area was a sea of smoke…
Confound it! Where on Earth could they have gone?!← Anger
Pinpoint: Happiness
GOT IT!
"In your first statement, there was just a bit of joy. As if you were pleased with yourself." Connie said. "Almost like you were proud with yourself, accomplishing a task that you wanted to do that had to be done as soon as you could."
"B-But, you have no proof that I had a hidden agenda! And even if I did, I would never, ever tell you! So there!" Cosmos said. "How can you doubt a man like me? One who carries with him great intensity, intelligence, and integrity?!"
SILENCE!
"You? A man of integrity? Don't make me laugh." Blackquill interrupted.
"P-Prosecutor Blackquill?" Phoenix asked.
"You've spouted nothing but falsities since you stepped up to the stand. You're not the kind of man that will be glorified in the annals of history. Not for greatness, anyway... Unless you consider "greatest barefaced liar" an honor." Blackquill said.
"L-L-L-LIIIIIIIAAAAAAAR?!" Cosmos yelled.
"Oh, snap!" Simon said.
"You moved Launch Pad 1 AFTER the explosions? My, how naïve you are. You fail to realize how even the facts themselves have betrayed you." Blackquill said.
"You know... Just a thought, but modern English can be your friend…" Phoenix said.
"And here's a thought for you. Immediately following the bombing...Launch Pad 1 was on the Boarding Lounge 1 side. The police confirmed this on scene." Blackquill said.
"WHAAAT?!" Phoenix yelled.
"L-L-L-LIIIIIIIAAAAAAAR?!" Cosmos repeated.
"So Cosmos really didn't move the launch pad?" Connie wondered.
"Curse my judgment for calling history's greatest liar to the witness stand. Let us leave him to indulge in his lies and war games to his heart's content." Blackquill said.
"L-L-L-LIIIIIIIAAAAAAAR?!" Cosmos repeated once more.
OBJECTION!
"What if that was what Cosmos wanted to do? To have the launch pad be exactly where it was?" Connie asked.
"Young lady, what are you getting at?" Blackquill asked.
"Maybe there's an actual reason the launch pad was moved. I think the director was aiming to switch the launch pad's position with something else." Connie said.
"Switch it? With what?" The Judge asked.
Present: Space Museum
"This is my answer!"
"In the past, there used to be a Launch Pad 2 right at the Space Museum." Shuichi said.
"But they were switched. Meaning the place the astronauts boarded wasn't Launch Pad 1 but the Space Museum." Connie said.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" The Judge exclaimed.
"BALDERDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!" Blackquill yelled.
"But it makes sense!" Kaito said. "Here, look at the Space Center layout, right before everything happened!"
"I see, Launch Pad 1 and the Space Museum have already switched places." The Judge observed.
"That's right. And with the two switched like this...the astronauts entered the Space Museum from Boarding Lounge 1. This allowed the true killer to enter Launch Pad 1 from Boarding Lounge 2...and set the bomb on the rocket." Shuichi said.
"Come to think of it, the door to the Space Museum from Boarding Lounge 2…" Athena trailed off.
"Exactly. Anyone could pass through the door to the Space Museum. There is no fingerprint recognition system on that door. In other words, with the two launch pads switched like that...someone other than Mr. Starbuck could have easily planted that bomb!" Shuichi said.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Blackquill screamed as he was metaphorically cut.
"After setting the bomb on the rocket...the culprit snuck into Boarding Lounge 1 and waited there, concealed...in order to kill Mr. Terran when the two astronauts emerged from the Space Museum. Recall that Ms. Blackquill, Mr. Starbuck, and the director all saw a suspicious figure...who, we can suppose, after killing Mr. Terran...made their escape into the Space Museum. After that, Director Cosmos switched the two launch pads back...without realizing the killer was inside the Space Museum. The killer then left the Space Museum and made a clean getaway!" Phoenix said.
"Ngaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Cosmos screamed, sent spinning again.
"You all really do know how to handle swords." Blackquill said recovering. "But how can I be sure you're not known as Swordmaster Bluffs? Unless you all can prove your theory, your swords are no more than rusty."
"Th-That's right! You have no proof I switched the launch pads!" Cosmos said.
"If the launch pads really were switched, there might be a record of it somewhere." Athena said.
"And it's just the proof we need. Let's compare the image of the Launch Pad 1 corridor, to the security footage." Shuichi said.
"There's something in comparison to this footage that has our definitive proof." Phoenix said. "Proof that, beyond this door, is the corridor to the Space Museum!"
"Very well, then. Answer this for me, if one of you would. What in this footage proves that the corridor belongs to the Space Museum?" the judge asked.
Present: #2 on the floor
"This is it!"
"There's a "1" on the floor of the Launch Pad 1 corridor. But take a look at the floor of the corridor in the security footage. Do you see the number on the floor behind the astronauts? It doesn't look like a "1," does it? That's because what you see is actually part of a "2." Shuichi said.
"Why is it like that? That's because that corridor leads to the space museum!" Phoenix declared.
"And so that means the corridor in the footage was filled with smoke!" Kaito said.
"That's right, because the explosion didn't occur in the Space Museum. The explosion occurred in Launch Pad 1, on the side opposite the Space Museum." Phoenix explained. "And now that we know the two astronauts escaped from the Space Museum...the mystery from the previous trial of how they got down the ladder is cleared up. Mr. Terran, carrying Mr. Starbuck...simply took the elevator from the upper level down to the middle level."
"Just incredible. The two launch pads were actually switched... But you'd think someone would've noticed an event of this magnitude." The Judge said.
"Everyone was down in the basement shelter when the launch pads were swapped back. There's no way anyone could have known what was happening on the surface." Phoenix said.
"GNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGH! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Cosmos screamed once more.
NOISE LEVEL
0%
BYE BYE
(Cue- Pursuit *Keep Pressing On*- Phoenix Wright Dual Destinies)
"No more lies, Director Cosmos!" Phoenix said as he, Kaito, Shuichi and Connie pointed at the director together and said at the same time…
"It's high time you told us the truth!"
Director Cosmos screamed as he was knocked off his scooter for a second, losing his balance. "My honor! My glory! Everything is slipping away! Time to deploy my ultimate weapon!" the director recovered as he slammed a big red button between the handlebars of his scooter. "Galactic Engine... Ignition!" he declared as the scooter revved up, before going left. "WHAAAAAAAAAT?! It's gone haywire! It won't st-stoooooooop!" he yelled as the scooter ran from left to right, stars falling from Cosmos's vest. "M-My stars! My glory! No! Not that way!" Cosmos yelled as his scooter crashed through the door behind him, leaving an outline.
"Well, I suppose that's one way to make an exit." Dhar sweatdropped.
"Bailiff! On your steed and after that witness!" The Judge ordered.
"Right away, Your Honor!" The Bailiff followed as he ran out the room, unable to hide the grin on his face. "I love this job…"
"Hmm... I see we managed to retrieve you before you came to any bodily harm…" The Judge said.
Cosmos was back at the stand, utterly defeated as all the stars on his uniform were gone.
"Director Cosmos, do you admit you switched the launch pads?" Phoenix asked.
"Ngh... I admit it's true... I switched Launch Pad 1 for the Space Museum." Cosmos said.
"Ahh, it is good to hear words I can believe for a change." The Judge said.
"Before you do, Your Honor, two things. First, we don't know if Mr. Terran had prior knowledge of the switch. As for Mr. Starbuck, he was unaware of his surroundings thanks to his medication. Either way, Mr. Terran would've realized the instant he stepped into the Space Museum...that it had been switched with Launch Pad 1. So my first question is, if the Space Museum was perfectly fine...why did Mr. Terran feel the need to put on such a dramatic display?" Phoenix said. As for my second question...I'd like Director Cosmos to tell us...why he switched the two launch pads to begin with."
"Nnngh... Please... I can't... I... I exercise my right to remain silent... But I will say... my hands were tied... I was only doing what I could to keep my men from getting caught in that blast. Nngh... Nnnggggh…" Cosmos said.
"He looks absolutely terrified." Connie said. "He must have a really good reason for not revealing what's going on."
"Probably not a good time to try to pry it out of him, huh." Phoenix said.
"...Excuse me... but would you mind if I picked up my stars? Without my badge of rank, I'm nothing…" Cosmos said.
"I don't see why not. Bailiff, help the director retrieve his stars." The Judge said.
"There's one thing I don't get." Solomon said as he came up. "Why did you do all this, Director? You never wanted the launch to happen in the first place, did you? You tricked us!"
"Starbuck, my boy….I'm sorry. I can't explain the reason why, but I had to do it to protect the Space Center." Cosmos said. "But rest assured, I won't rest until you're back up there among the stars! You will go up there again, my boy."
"The dream, it's still alive!" Solomon said.
SILENCE!
"You're not going anywhere but prison, Space boy. You are guilty of this crime, and I won't have it any other way."
"Even with all the evidence thrown in front of him, Blackquill still thinks Solomon's guilty?" Hope said. "This Phantom business… how personal is it to him?"
"Yes, I accept that the launch pads really were switched... And if there were a third person at the scene, I suppose they could have escaped... But I have yet to see proof of this third person's escape via the Space Museum." Blackquill stated. "You will explain everything you know, Solomon Starbuck. Or so help me, I will cut you down myself!" he declared, ready to strike.
"That's going too far!" Frosta said.
"He's got a mad look in his eye!" Emo said. "He's a hair's breadth away from lashing out!"
"If I'm gonna die, I want to die in space!" Solomon declared.
"Solomon Starbuck! ...Prepare yourself!" Blackquill declared, about to attack Solomon and violate his jurisdiction, before he was electrocuted.
"Now, now, you know violence isn't the answer, Prosecutor Blackquill!" a voice declared as Detective Fulbright appeared in the doorway. "After all…it's in justice we should put our trust in!"
"Where the heck were you?" Shuichi asked.
"Apologies. I was helping an old lady cross the street…then breaking up a catfight. I tell ya, justice never gets a break! But now I'm here…to make sure justice is served!" Fulbright declared.
"Oh, you did mention yesterday that you were gonna find a piece of evidence that perfectly helps us." Connie said.
"And after a long and arduous search…I have delivered! Behold!" Fulbright announced, pulling out a lighter in a plastic bag. "A lighter picked up by the cleaning robots that has Mr. Terran's blood…and the killer's fingerprints!"
"WH-WH-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Phoenix yelled.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Blackquill screamed as he held his chest.
The jury was abuzz as the Judge called for order. "Order! Order! Detective Fulbright! Can I assume that the fingerprints don't belong to the defendant?"
"You bet! Mr. Starbuck is totally innocent!" Fulbright said.
"Talk about in the clutch! Fulbright got the exact piece of evidence they needed!" Kaibara said.
"This does indeed appear to be decisive evidence that proves the defense's claims." The Judge said.
"N-No…there must be some mistake…" Blackquill said, quieter than the group had ever heard him.
"Don't fret, Prosecutor Blackquill, I'm sure this phantom of yours will be found someday." Fulbright said. "I'd recommend turning your mind to other matter. After all, tomorrow-"
SILENCE!
"...Don't discuss those matters again." Blackquill seethed, even as his eyes betrayed a sense of dread.
"Given the body of evidence, I think it's safe to say the defendant is innocent...in light of the fact that it was impossible for him to have committed the crime. A few unanswered questions remain, so I look forward to seeing what you all uncover. But for now, this court finds the defendant, Solomon Starbuck…" the Judge started.
Not Guilty
The jury let out cheers of celebration at the verdict.
"Yes! We did it, everyone!" Athena cheered. "I can't wait to tell Apollo about this when we see him!"
"Good thing Fulbright showed up when he did." Connie sighed in relief. "We were almost done for."
"Now that a verdict has been reached...I'd like to bring today's trial to a close. Court is adjourned!" The Judge said as he banged his gavel.
OBJECTION!
"There must be some sort of mistake. This can't be possible." Blackquill said.
"Oh hahahaha. It sure is. Now then…I almost forgot. To arrest the real killer." Fulbright said as he got out the cuffs and approached the defense. "Isn't that right, Miss Cykes?"
"...what?" Phoenix said as the courtroom fell deathly quiet at that statement.
"Hold on. Let me see the report." Shuichi said.
"Of course." Fulbright said, giving it to Shuichi as he looked in shock.
"What is it, Shuichi? You're looking a bit pale." Kaito said.
"The analysis of the lighter's fingerprints…." Shuichi couldn't believe what he was about to say next. "...were found to belong to…Athena Cykes."
…
"WHAT?!" the entire courtroom exploded in one single exclamation.
"What?! That's insane!" 9S said.
"We just established the killer was the one who had the lighter. So…Miss Cykes…can you explain this?" The Judge asked.
"I know what we established but I know I didn't kill anyone!" Athena said.
At this point, the jury was in complete and total panic, being the loudest they'd ever been in the time the group had been there, all with statements of disbelief and denial.
"Order! Order! I will have order!" The Judge demanded, but the jury didn't stop.
"This is nuts, it's like the world's gone crazy!" Bow said.
The whole room was in complete madness as everyone was attempting to talk at the same time…save for one.
The Bailiff simply stood as he looked at Fulbright as a single thought crossed his mind:
"(This is your idea of cleaning up your mess?)"
*David's Narration: As you can probably tell… We are in the worst possible scenario. Athena is convicted as Clay Terran's killer. The courtroom descended into chaos as thoughts raced from one person to another. Somewhere, somehow, everything had gone terribly wrong... We had stumbled over the edge of reason and into the jaws of a twisted darkness. But… We have not given up. We know Athena is innocent. And we will prove it, as the final battle to bring an end to the Dark Age of the Law…was about to begin.*
