Emperor Ko-Door, leader of the House of War, sighed as he advanced on the
ornate doors to the Drakon Courtroom. A tapestry depicting a battle between
Echidnas and Drakons dominated the door. In the centre stood a Drakon
wreathed in Chaos energy. Nearby stood the figure of a blue hedgehog, a
female Echidna and an elderly male Echidna. The tapestry depicted what
Drakonian scholars called 'The Coming of Chaos', the battle that had begun
the long war of attrition between the two races. Eventually the two sides
retreated. The reasons behind this retreat were unclear to say the least,
as the Drakons who had ordered the retreat had died while escaping
offworld, and they obviously couldn't ask the Echidnas. Shaking himself, Ko-
Door tightened his grip on his ceremonial staff. Such mysteries were for
another time. Now they had much more pressing matters to attend to.
Turning, he sent his two Prosecutor bodyguards away with a flick of his
wrist. It was important not to show any weakness in front of Scholar. He
would show the doddering old fool that he had no need of bodyguards.
Checking to see that they had gone, Ko-Door thrust open the doors and
entered the courtroom.
The Drakon courtroom was of a circular shape. In the centre of the room was a huge sandy pit with two barred doors at opposite ends. At the far side of the pit stood a trembling group of newts, held in place by the firm grip of a Sentinel. Around the pit were rows of seats, occupied by disciples of the Houses of War and Knowledge. At the far end of the room was an enclosed seating area, occupied by three plush thrones. In one sat Scholar. The other was made for the other ruling House's leader, who had decided not to come. No business of hers she had said. The centre throne sat higher than the rest. His throne, Ko-Door thought. Striding across the room he took his place in the seat and gestured to the Prosecutor standing behind him. The heavily armoured Drakon stepped forwards and bent down to put his ear at the level of Ko-Door's mouth.
"Switch on the vid-screens," whispered Ko-Door. The Prosecutor nodded and stood, striding back to the rear of the box to switch on the cameras. Those cameras transmitted images to the huge screens outside; around which were probably already gathered a huge crowd of citizens. As the cameras flickered into life the Prosecutor returned and bowed to the assembled masses. Ko-Door stood and a disciple of the House of Knowledge stepped forwards, holding a scroll that he now unravelled. "Read out the charges," said Ko-Door.
The speaker cleared his throat and began. "On the morn of Detremas the 26th the accused entered the private chambers of the esteemed Master Scholar of the House of Knowledge, with intent to harm. The accused were then captured and placed into captivity. The charges are many. Attempted murder, insubordination, treason, desecration." The speaker then stepped down. Ko-Door spread his arms wide.
"Bring on the Prosecutor!" he shouted. The doors opposite the newts began to open, and a heavily armoured Prosecutor stepped through. Spikes protruded from every area of his suit, and in his hands lay a large stone staff, moulded into a circle at one end. The other end was moulded into a hooked shape, and various ancient runes ran down its surface. This weapon was rare, and was only used in the trial of a traitor. One of the Sentinels standing beside the Prosecutor raised its hands and began to speak its lines.
"Would the court now recognise Prosecutor Da-yetn, who has been appointed Prosecutor for the duration of this trial." The huddle of newts stepped back, only to be pushed back into the arena by one of the Sentinel guards. Ko-Door stood on his throne and made sure the entire court could hear and see him.
"Let the trial begin!"
A Sentinel stepped towards the newts holding five less ornate versions of the Prosecutor's weapon. Trembling, each of the newts took one, gazing with fearful eyes at the advancing Prosecutor. The Sentinels stepped to the edges of the arena as the Prosecutor began to pick up speed, raising his weapon as he did so. The newts scrambled as the Prosecutor slammed into them, his cruel weapon smashing one against the side of the arena, the others crawling and running away from him, often it seemed at the same time. Turning his head marginally, the Prosecutor smashed another newt's legs into pulp with one blow from his fist. As Ko-Door turned he could hear the murmuring of the court.
"Look how the Prosecutor presses his case. The verdict has to be guilty."
One of the newts leapt at its foe, smashing its weapon against the side of his head.
"Look at the vigour which that one fights with though. Perhaps he is innocent."
The Prosecutor shrugged off the blow and grabbed the newt round the waist. Bringing up one fist he began pummelling the newt. Finally, he dropped his bruised foe. The newt scrabbled at the dust of the arena for a bit, then lay still. Striding over to the newt embedded in the wall it pulled it free, then threw it on top of the fallen newt. Striding over to the newt whose legs were broken he did the same. The remaining two newts exchanged fearful glances and ran, scrabbling at the arena walls. Snarling, the Prosecutor leapt at one newt, smashing its head into the wall with one fist. As the newt slid down the wall, leaving a trail of blood and brains behind, the Prosecutor sniffed in disdain. Bending down he picked up the newt's corpse, holding it as if it were some horrible piece of garbage, and threw it at the pile. The corpse slid along the ground to rest on top of one of the immobilised newts, who screamed as dead, white eyes stared up at it. Hearing footfalls behind him, the Prosecutor turned to face the other newt, who was running towards Ko-Door's elevated box. Scrabbling at the arena walls below the Emperor's box it begged and pleaded for mercy. Leering at the newt Ko-Door turned away in disgust. Extending one fist he extended his thumb at a horizontal angle. The newt began to beg on hands and knees as the Prosecutor drew closer. Scowling, Ko-Door rotated his fist to point his thumb downwards. Nodding, the Prosecutor drew its arm back and threw his weapon towards the newt at alarming speeds. The newt barely had time to scream before the weapon smashed through its spine, impaling it to the wall. Ko-Door turned to Scholar, who was smiling and clapping slowly. Turning back to the carnage he stood to address the court.
"What is your verdict?" he shouted. A resounding cry of 'Guilty!' greeted his question. Smiling, Ko-Door turned to the Prosecutor.
"The trial is over! The defendants have been found guilty! Carry out the sentence!"
The Prosecutor nodded and placed both hands of his weapon. Pulling it free of the wall he pushed the corpse off the weapon with one foot. Stepping over to the pile of wailing newts he raised the staff above his head. Then, he brought it down, impaling each of the four newts through the midriff and sticking them to the floor. Turning, he bowed to the cheering court, then exited through the door he had entered from. As he exited four Drakons entered and scraped the corpses out of the arena. As the last corpse exited Scholar turned to Ko-Door.
"An impressive display, Emperor Ko-Door," he said, placing emphasis on his title. Ko-Door scowled inside, but kept a straight face. "It is nice to see that justice still operates in this society," the old fool went on. "Well, I trust that preparations for war are now needed, so I will leave. I hope that you are ready for the war" As he rose, so did all the disciples of the House of Knowledge, bowing as he passed and following him out the doors. As the doors slammed shut behind him Ko-Door made an obscene gesture towards them, which was greeted by peals of laughter from his disciples.
"QUIET!" he bawled, and the room returned to silence. Scowling, Ko-Door spun round and exited through the doors behind him. Striding through the corridors to his chambers he fumed. How dare that old codger insult him in his own House. Ko-Door had been trained to notice the Drakonian diplomatic insults and knew that Scholar's words had been full of them. Striding past statues of the past leaders of the House he pushed open his doors. Stamping through the anteroom he turned right and swung open a door. Striding out onto the balcony he gazed down at the massed ranks of his army. Thousands upon thousands of Sentinels and Prosecutor were loading into cavernous troop ships, each large enough to hold the populations of countries. Huge Master Sentinels were loaded onto ships with cavernous bellies. Small fighters whirled through the skies, blasting apart targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Ready for war?
He was more than ready.
The Drakon courtroom was of a circular shape. In the centre of the room was a huge sandy pit with two barred doors at opposite ends. At the far side of the pit stood a trembling group of newts, held in place by the firm grip of a Sentinel. Around the pit were rows of seats, occupied by disciples of the Houses of War and Knowledge. At the far end of the room was an enclosed seating area, occupied by three plush thrones. In one sat Scholar. The other was made for the other ruling House's leader, who had decided not to come. No business of hers she had said. The centre throne sat higher than the rest. His throne, Ko-Door thought. Striding across the room he took his place in the seat and gestured to the Prosecutor standing behind him. The heavily armoured Drakon stepped forwards and bent down to put his ear at the level of Ko-Door's mouth.
"Switch on the vid-screens," whispered Ko-Door. The Prosecutor nodded and stood, striding back to the rear of the box to switch on the cameras. Those cameras transmitted images to the huge screens outside; around which were probably already gathered a huge crowd of citizens. As the cameras flickered into life the Prosecutor returned and bowed to the assembled masses. Ko-Door stood and a disciple of the House of Knowledge stepped forwards, holding a scroll that he now unravelled. "Read out the charges," said Ko-Door.
The speaker cleared his throat and began. "On the morn of Detremas the 26th the accused entered the private chambers of the esteemed Master Scholar of the House of Knowledge, with intent to harm. The accused were then captured and placed into captivity. The charges are many. Attempted murder, insubordination, treason, desecration." The speaker then stepped down. Ko-Door spread his arms wide.
"Bring on the Prosecutor!" he shouted. The doors opposite the newts began to open, and a heavily armoured Prosecutor stepped through. Spikes protruded from every area of his suit, and in his hands lay a large stone staff, moulded into a circle at one end. The other end was moulded into a hooked shape, and various ancient runes ran down its surface. This weapon was rare, and was only used in the trial of a traitor. One of the Sentinels standing beside the Prosecutor raised its hands and began to speak its lines.
"Would the court now recognise Prosecutor Da-yetn, who has been appointed Prosecutor for the duration of this trial." The huddle of newts stepped back, only to be pushed back into the arena by one of the Sentinel guards. Ko-Door stood on his throne and made sure the entire court could hear and see him.
"Let the trial begin!"
A Sentinel stepped towards the newts holding five less ornate versions of the Prosecutor's weapon. Trembling, each of the newts took one, gazing with fearful eyes at the advancing Prosecutor. The Sentinels stepped to the edges of the arena as the Prosecutor began to pick up speed, raising his weapon as he did so. The newts scrambled as the Prosecutor slammed into them, his cruel weapon smashing one against the side of the arena, the others crawling and running away from him, often it seemed at the same time. Turning his head marginally, the Prosecutor smashed another newt's legs into pulp with one blow from his fist. As Ko-Door turned he could hear the murmuring of the court.
"Look how the Prosecutor presses his case. The verdict has to be guilty."
One of the newts leapt at its foe, smashing its weapon against the side of his head.
"Look at the vigour which that one fights with though. Perhaps he is innocent."
The Prosecutor shrugged off the blow and grabbed the newt round the waist. Bringing up one fist he began pummelling the newt. Finally, he dropped his bruised foe. The newt scrabbled at the dust of the arena for a bit, then lay still. Striding over to the newt embedded in the wall it pulled it free, then threw it on top of the fallen newt. Striding over to the newt whose legs were broken he did the same. The remaining two newts exchanged fearful glances and ran, scrabbling at the arena walls. Snarling, the Prosecutor leapt at one newt, smashing its head into the wall with one fist. As the newt slid down the wall, leaving a trail of blood and brains behind, the Prosecutor sniffed in disdain. Bending down he picked up the newt's corpse, holding it as if it were some horrible piece of garbage, and threw it at the pile. The corpse slid along the ground to rest on top of one of the immobilised newts, who screamed as dead, white eyes stared up at it. Hearing footfalls behind him, the Prosecutor turned to face the other newt, who was running towards Ko-Door's elevated box. Scrabbling at the arena walls below the Emperor's box it begged and pleaded for mercy. Leering at the newt Ko-Door turned away in disgust. Extending one fist he extended his thumb at a horizontal angle. The newt began to beg on hands and knees as the Prosecutor drew closer. Scowling, Ko-Door rotated his fist to point his thumb downwards. Nodding, the Prosecutor drew its arm back and threw his weapon towards the newt at alarming speeds. The newt barely had time to scream before the weapon smashed through its spine, impaling it to the wall. Ko-Door turned to Scholar, who was smiling and clapping slowly. Turning back to the carnage he stood to address the court.
"What is your verdict?" he shouted. A resounding cry of 'Guilty!' greeted his question. Smiling, Ko-Door turned to the Prosecutor.
"The trial is over! The defendants have been found guilty! Carry out the sentence!"
The Prosecutor nodded and placed both hands of his weapon. Pulling it free of the wall he pushed the corpse off the weapon with one foot. Stepping over to the pile of wailing newts he raised the staff above his head. Then, he brought it down, impaling each of the four newts through the midriff and sticking them to the floor. Turning, he bowed to the cheering court, then exited through the door he had entered from. As he exited four Drakons entered and scraped the corpses out of the arena. As the last corpse exited Scholar turned to Ko-Door.
"An impressive display, Emperor Ko-Door," he said, placing emphasis on his title. Ko-Door scowled inside, but kept a straight face. "It is nice to see that justice still operates in this society," the old fool went on. "Well, I trust that preparations for war are now needed, so I will leave. I hope that you are ready for the war" As he rose, so did all the disciples of the House of Knowledge, bowing as he passed and following him out the doors. As the doors slammed shut behind him Ko-Door made an obscene gesture towards them, which was greeted by peals of laughter from his disciples.
"QUIET!" he bawled, and the room returned to silence. Scowling, Ko-Door spun round and exited through the doors behind him. Striding through the corridors to his chambers he fumed. How dare that old codger insult him in his own House. Ko-Door had been trained to notice the Drakonian diplomatic insults and knew that Scholar's words had been full of them. Striding past statues of the past leaders of the House he pushed open his doors. Stamping through the anteroom he turned right and swung open a door. Striding out onto the balcony he gazed down at the massed ranks of his army. Thousands upon thousands of Sentinels and Prosecutor were loading into cavernous troop ships, each large enough to hold the populations of countries. Huge Master Sentinels were loaded onto ships with cavernous bellies. Small fighters whirled through the skies, blasting apart targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Ready for war?
He was more than ready.