Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Power Rangers…this is for entertainment only…
Vinnie's court trial is up! What words will be exchanged between Jen and Vinnie? What will be done to prove the danger of the performance enchangers?
This is beginning to wind down…only one or two more chapters!
Chapter 14 is up! Enjoy y'all!
The Jester's Court
With a shaky hand, Jen zipped up her uniform jacket. Trembling fingers helped her to buckle her belt.
She tied her hair back in a strict ponytail like she normally did. She had been quiet ever since the court summons. She normally wasn't nervous at a trial, but Vinnie wasn't a mutant either. He couldn't be cryogenically detained, or shrunk down to 5 inches of hard plastic.
No, he could be placed in jail, with the chances to escape again.
Jen sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. A strict Lieutenant was no match for a man she feared.
A strong pair of arms went around her waist. "Relax, Jen. He's going away for good, I just know it."
"I wish it was that simple. It's not like we can shrink him down to size. He's smarter then that. He'll find a way to escape, Wes. I have no doubt about it." Her voice shook.
Wes eyed her with soft eyes. "Hey, hey. We've gotten this far, haven't we? He's going down for good, Jen. I promise you."
She buried her face into her boyfriend's shoulder; her arms went around his neck. Wes kissed her forehead and held her tightly. "Just think, soon we'll be sitting on a beach in Hawaii, sipping strawberry daiquiris and listening to the waves crash. You'll be getting a tan while I'll be falling asleep." He heard Jen laugh.
"Can't wait. No Time Force around for miles and miles. It'll be perfect." Jen smiled. Her smile quickly changed into a frown. "I'm just worried what he's going to say, about when he raped me. He can be very convincing, Wes." Jen walked out into the kitchen to get a glass of water.
"Wasn't he convicted all ready? On the crimes he's all ready committed?" Wes asked.
Jen shook her head. "Not the charge of rape."
Wes gave her a confused look. "What do you mean by that?"
"The day of his trial, I didn't show up. I was scared about what he'd say." Jen looked at the clock. 6:45am. "Come on, we need to get going. Trial starts at 8."
Wes took her hand. "Let's get this bastard once and for all."
They locked the doors behind them and left for the courtroom.
At the courthouse
Jen opened the doors to see a circular room with chairs surrounding it. At the head of the room was a large bench at there sat five chairs.
"Lieutenant Scotts, I presume?" a guard asked.
Jen nodded. He looked at Wes. "and Lieutenant Collins."
"Correct." Wes stated.
"Very good." The guard wrote something down on a piece of paper. "Lieutenant Scotts, please follow me."
Jen looked at Wes who gave her a silent notation. With a deep breath Jen followed the guard to a room behind a wall.
Wes watched her go, her hand trembled in his. "This is it." He muttered.
"Wes," a voice said. Wes turned around to see Logan behind him. "Congratulations on your promotion. Once all this mess is all cleared up, we'll give you a proper ceremony."
Wes gave him a smile, but his eyes drifted back to where Jen was hidden from behind the wall. "Don't worry, Wes. With all the convictions against Harting, he won't be released." Logan said.
The Red Ranger sighed. "I'm starting to get an unlucky feeling. Rob, he going to say something that Jen won't be able to counter. I just know it."
Logan watched her walk out of the room. Her face was neutral, but her eyes screamed. "Jen, good luck. Put him away for good, I know you can."
Jen nodded at her Captain. "I'll try." Logan left abruptly before the room began to fill.
"All court members please report to their respected stations at this time, court will begin in 15 minutes."
Jen looked at the speaker, her heart drowned it out. "Jen," Wes took her hands. "I'm here if you need me. Be brave, Jen. He's only human."
"I will." Jen said. Wes gave her a reassuring kiss then the two separated.
15 minutes later
"Judge Chapman presiding." The bailiff said. "All rise!"
The room rose as the Judge entered, and his four other Judges behind him.
From her seat in the witness box Jen rose. Troy burgess as well as a few other officers who witnessed Vinnie rose alongside Jen.
"Your Honor," the bailiff stated. "Court case number three-four-five-two: the State of California versus Vincent Harting." The bailiff directed his attention at the court. "All rise and raise your left hand."
Once the witnesses were sworn in, the court began.
"Let's get this over with." Chapman said. "Bring in the defendant."
With a nod from the bailiff, Vinnie was brought into the room, handcuffs bound him. His lawyer trotted behind him.
From up in the balcony, Wes watched them walk in. Logan leaned over towards Wes. "That's Lyle Whitman. I still can't figure out how he passed the BAR. He's one of the worst lawyers. He was once arrested for comtempt of court. But we have the best lawyer representing the State." Logan smiled. "My brother, Daniel. He'll have this case our of here in no time, and Vinnie locked up for good."
"The sooner we get this over with, the better." Wes muttered. He watched as the Judge spoke.
The judge nodded. "Mr. Logan, your statement." Daniel drew in a breath and stood up.
"Your Honor, this man, Vincent Harting, holds a double life. He may seem to be a do-gooder, but he has a cold heart. I have many witnesses to testify that he is insane, and deserves to go back to prison. One has been hurt by him both physically and emotionally. This man is a menace to society your honor, and he is a danger to our children. He has a whole list of offences that I think shall prove his true inner self, to be a monster. Thank you." A murmur broke out amongst the room.
"Not much for a big statement, huh?" Wes whispered to Logan. He merely smiled.
"Just wait, Wes. It'll get interesting." The Captain whispered back.
Down below, Chapman spoke again. "Mr. Whitman, you may address the court."
Whitman rose slowly. "Thank you, Your Honor." He turned to face the room.
"Ladies and gentleman, my client had but one goal in life, to complete the dream of his father, and his father before him. A better way for humans to live. To be stronger, healthier and live longer. These performance enhancers proved that. My client created something that will benefit mankind." He paused and looked directly at Jen.
Jen's face grew pale. "But there are some people in this world how believed he was doing harm to humanity, when indeed he was doing good. It will be your decision," he walked over to the judges. "to see if my client shall go free for something that will only put him away for doing only good in this world." He paused. "Thank you."
He took a seat next to Vinnie who whispered something to him.
"Mr. Logan, your witness." Chapman said.
Daniel rose. "Your Honor, I would like to call Troy Burgess to the stand."
The bailiff took Troy out of the witness box and escorted him to the stand. Whitman wrote something down, the proceeded with the questioning.
"Mr. Burgess," Daniel began. "have you and your brother always been close?"
"Objection!" Whitman screamed. "His relationship between my client and the witness isn't what's being tried here!"
Chapman rolled his eyes. "Overruled. Mr. Logan, I do trust this pertains to the trial?"
Daniel nodded. "Yes, Your Honor." He turned back to Troy. "Your relationship?"
Troy shook his head. "We wasn't always close. Our mother died giving birth to me. I guess you can say that he blamed me for it. But it was worse once our father died. He was always drunk, and crazy."
Daniel was looking at some papers on his table. He took one picture out from a folder. "Mr. Burgess," he walked over to where Troy sat. "do you recognize this photo?"
Troy looked at it, his face grew pale. "Mr. Burgess, can you tell me what this photo is of?"
"I haven't seen this photo in almost ten years." Troy whispered. "I was ten, Vinnie was nineteen. He came home drunk one night, started yelling at me, saying how everything was my fault, and…"
Whitman's face dropped. Daniel saw this and smiled. "What did he do to you, Mr. Burgess?"
Troy was in tears. "He didn't mean to! He was upset, and drunk! His girlfriend broke up with him! These things happen!"
"Mr. Burgess, answer the question!" Chapman's voice rose.
"Troy, has he ever touched you?" Daniel asked. "Did your brother ever abuse you?"
Troy sniffed. "Just that one night."
Daniel nodded. "I see." The lawyer grabbed his notepad from the table. "Apparently it was bad. It says here that you lost a major amount of blood and woke up with a pretty serious concussion."
"That was three days later." Troy stated.
Daniel nodded. "No further questions, Your Honor."
Chapman nodded. "Mr. Whitman, your witness."
"Troy Burgess," he tapped his pencil. "You are my client's brother, please verify that again."
Troy nodded. "That is correct."
"Then why the name change?" Whitman asked bitterly.
Troy looked at his brother. "Because I wanted it. It gave me a better view of myself."
"And why is that?"
The young man sighed. "My brother was known all throughout our high school as the geek and the loser-"
"So we can say that you did it for your image." Whitmans asked.
Troy began to sweat. "Well—" he didn't know what to say. "I did it for my protection. There are a lot of people out there who didn't like him."
"So you did it for your image, then. For your own personal reasons, not due to the fact that he was your brother—"
Troy shrunk. "I…"
"Objection! Leading the witness." Mr. Logan jumped up.
"Objection sustained. Mr. Whitman, please let the witness fully answer the question." Chapman said.
Whitman nodded. "So you state you did it for your own protection. Why was that?"
Troy didn't answer right away. "He had a lot of enemies in high school. And me being his brother added to these."
Whitman merely nodded. "What type of enemies?"
"Well, the football guys and all. They thought he was weird and all. He spent so much time in the labs."
"So you changed your name in order to protect yourself, and yourself only." Whitman shook his head. "I have no further questions your honor."
"Mr. Burgess, you can stand down." Chapman said.
Troy left the bench slowly, the bailiff at his side.
A murmur erupted throughout the court.
Each witness Whitman called up, he tore apart. But each time Daniel surpassed it and proved something from it.
Two hours later
Daniel has finished up with yet another witness, when Whitman decided to change the motion of the trial.
"Your Honor," Whitman said. "I call Lieutenant Jennifer Scotts to the witness stand."
Her worst fear was here. Now was Jen's time to testify.
From up in the balcony, Wes watched intensely. Jen looked his way, and he gave her a nod.
'Here we go.' Wes thought.
Down below, Jen finally found her seat. Whitman was silent for a moment. Then, he spoke.
"Lieutenant Scotts, you are Time Force's pink ranger, are you not?"
Jen nodded. "Yes, I am."
Whitman looked up. "And you are in love with Time Force's newly appointed Red Ranger are you not?"
"Objection! Persons named are not being tried. I find no need to mention them." Daniel said.
"Sustained, Mr. Whitman, please rephrase your questions, and only mention names who are in this court." Chapman stated.
Whitman eyed Daniel, who gave him a smart smile.
"Ms. Scotts, Lieutenant, if you will. I have been told that you and Vinnie knew each other."
Jen looked at Vinnie. "Yes, we were good friends in high school."
"Ah ha. And I have been told that you and my client had a relationship in high school." Whitman asked.
"That is true, yes. We were going out our senior year."
He walked closer. "Tell me about your relationship in high school, Lieutenant."
Jen drew in a breath. "We were close, practically a couple. I guess you could say we were. I knew he liked me, and as we grew closer, I began to like him more then a friend. Our senior prom, he asked me to be his date. Naturally, I said yes."
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Whitman asked.
Jen nodded. "Of course. I was graduating high school, and I was with the guy I thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. That was until I found him out to be the monster that he was."
"And why do you say that, Lieutenant?"
"Because on the night after our graduation, he was drunk to the point of no return. His father had recently been killed in a laboratory accident and he was taking it pretty hard."
"Ah. It says here that you were going to take a multi-million dollar acting job."
Jen nodded. "Yes, I was on my way there when…"
"When what?" Whitman asked quickly.
She sighed heavily. "When Vinnie raped me."
Whitman sat on the table. "Yes, do you remember this night at all?"
"I've been trying to forget." Jen said.
Whitman sat there for a moment and hopped off the table. "I see. Your witness." He said to Daniel.
Daniel rose with a clipboard in hand. "Lieutenant, can you recall the night that Mr. Harting raped you? I am sure it was painful, but try to remember all you can."
Jen sighed. "I was on my way to the studio to take the job. Vinnie came out of a shadow, drunk to the point of no return. He kept yelling things and saying things that the court wouldn't appreciate me repeating. Then, he forced me back into his car and raped me. He later dumped me off somewhere and I called my father. He was later caught at a drug raid and thrown in jail after his court trial."
"It shows here that you never showed up to your first trial date. Why was that?" Daniel asked.
"I was afraid of what he'd say." Jen confessed.
Daniel chuckled. "Well, I guess we have found something the great Pink Ranger is afraid of, huh?"
For the first time in a while, Jen did as well. "I used to think that, until someone close to me pointed out that we can't run from our fears." Her eyes glanced up towards Wes.
From his seat, Wes smiled.
"So, Lieutenant. Why did you join Time Force?" Daniel asked.
Jen finally relaxed into her seat. "One reason was that I didn't want to see other young woman raped or hurt like I was. I also was interested in law enforcement when I was younger. My dad was in the FBI as well. I joined Time Force to prevent future occurrences like that from happening."
Daniel wrote something else down. "Lieutenant, are you aware of Mr. Harting's conviction of murder?"
She nodded. "Yes, I am."
"So you know that he is being tried for the murder of a mutant you were trying to catch, Galden."
"Yes, I do know of that. I just don't understand why he did it." She stated.
Daniel taped his pencil. "We shall find that out now, then. Lieutenant, you may stand down."
Jen reluctantly got up and sat back down in the witness box.
"Your Honor," Daniel said. "I call Vincent Harting up to the stand."
Daniel followed him to the bench. The room grew quiet as Vinnie sat down. "Mr. Harting, you do know you are under oath." Vinnie nodded. "Very well. You do realize you are being charged with murder, kidnapping, attempted murder and rape, and armed robbery, correct?" Vinnie nodded again. "Do you accept these as your crimes?"
"Objection! Question is opinion and therefore irrelevant." Whitman said.
"Overruled. Question is perfectly relevant." Chapman said. "Continue."
"Yes, I know these are crimes. But they are not my crimes. The only crime I can admit to is trying to make the world a safer place."
"Then what do you call murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and rape? Little petty things to make money?" Daniel asked.
Vinnie didn't answer.
"Why did you murder Galden?" Daniel asked.
"I didn't murder him. He simply couldn't take the pressure. He jumped off of the rafter and was killed." Vinnie stated.
"Oh, then why was his DNA found in the chemical compound you used in the performance enhancers?" Daniel asked.
Vinnie didn't have an answer for that either.
"Do you admit to the kidnapping of Lieutenant Scotts?" Daniel asked.
"The first time we talked. The second time she came on her own." Vinnie stated. "I don't file that under kidnapping."
Daniel glanced down at the floor, trying to think of a question to counter that. None came to mind, though. "Your witness." He said to Whitman. 'There's no way to get through to him.'
Whitman shook his head. "Yes. Now. The one major thing you are being tried for, besides a murder, which I may add he is innocent to, is the rape of Lieutenant Scotts. Tell me about your relationship, and the night she claims you 'raped' her."
Vinnie smiled smugly at Jen. "I knew she liked me, I guess you could say she was infatuated with me. Couldn't keep her hands off me at the prom. I will admit to seeing her the night that she claims I raped her. But she didn't go to the studio."
"Oh, and where did she go?" Whitman asked. A shimmer ran through his eyes.
"She was with me in the back of my car. She kept telling me how much she loved me and wanted me. Naturally, I couldn't say no. Jen kept saying 'Oh Vinnie, I love you so much, just touch me all over.' How could I resist a woman's needs?"
From her seat, Jen's hand clenched into a fist, her eyes went dark. 'He better get this facts straight.' She thought.
"So I guess you can say that this alleged rape was just out of a woman's passion inside?" Whitman asked.
Vinnie gave Jen one last look. "I guess you can say that."
Whitman smiled at his client. "Thank you, Mr. Harting."
The Judges gathered up their papers. Chapman turned on his microphone. "The court will take a sixty-minute recess for lunch. Trial will resume at 11am."
The room emptied. Jen sat in her seat and stared aimlessly at the floor. She soon felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see Wes standing behind her.
"Hey Jen." He said. "You doing okay?"
Jen got up slowly and shook her head. "I don't know. He's twisting everything I said."
Wes led her outside and into a small café for some lunch. "Don't worry, Jen. I'm sure he'll be put away. There's one thing that the court hasn't asked him about yet."
Jen gave him a confused look. "What's that?"
Wes smiled at her. "The performance enhancers. I saw what happened to him, as well as you did."
Someone else walked over. "Ah, Lieutenant Scotts. I've found something that will help greatly. It's something I think will put Vinnie away."
Jen smiled. "Can't wait to hear what it is, Dan."
His face lit up. "And Lieutenant Collins, I am requesting your presence down with me when we get back to court." Wes also agreed. Daniel ran off to meet someone who gave him a briefcase.
"Wonder what he has in mind." Wes said. Jen only shrugged.
Fifty minutes later
Wes and Jen walked into the courtroom just as it began to fill back up. The Rangers followed Daniel down and to the table.
"All rise!" The bailiff called. The Judges walked back in to begin the second half of a trial.
Daniel kept smiling to himself as he knew of what surprise he had in mind.
"All right, let's begin." Chapman said. He then noticed a screen and a computer at the side of the room. "Mr. Logan, what is that for?"
"Your Honor, I would like to submit new evidence, that resides in Lieutenant Scotts' herself." Daniel said.
Wes sat upright in his seat, and so did Jen.
"What evidence would that be?" The Judge asked.
Daniel walked towards a computer. "I have talked with my brother, Captain Robert Logan of Time Force, and the engineers who created the Chronomorphers both Rangers wear. According to him, there is a microchip that records everything that the Ranger sees and is kept in memory for a period of up to seven days. It is 1000 times smaller then a human cell and is embedded into the Ranger's DNA chain when the morpher is unlocked. I am submitting this as evidence to show the danger behind Vincent Harting and his experiments."
Chapman looked at Whitman, who eyed Daniel dangerously. "No objections, Your Honor." He turned to Vinnie. "This'll be interesting." He muttered.
The Judge nodded. "Very well. Proceed."
Daniel nodded. "I have brought in Dr. William Kenneth as the one to administer the drug to Lieutenant Scotts, if she is willing to."
Chapman looked at Jen. "Lieutenant, would you be willing to go through with this?"
Jen hesitated for a moment, but if it would put Vinnie away, it was worth it. "Yes."
"Bailiff, swear in Dr. Kenneth as Lieutenant Scotts is prepared."
The bailiff swore in the doctor as Jen sat down in the chair.
"Doctor, please tell the court what you will be doing." Daniel asked.
Dr. Kenneth nodded. "I was one of the chief developers for the Chronomorphers. They were developed to have a direct link to the wearer through a DNA link. But it was thought that they should serve as a way to find and store images. So before the morphers were given to the rangers, we added a microchip that is 1000 times smaller then a human cell. Once the morphers were activated, a DNA scan was made and the chip was inserted into the DNA chain. This drug will help unlock that data inside this chip and show what exactly happened inside that warehouse."
Wes looked at his own wrist where is Chronomorpher rested. 'Well, that would explain that small tinge I felt when I first strapped this thing on.'
The court watched intensely as the process began.
"Lieutenant, I am going to give you this drug. A few minutes after it is in your bloodstream, you will feel groggy and a bit drunk, but it won't last. You may feel a sting under your wrist. That is the drug accessing this microchip. I will then give you a second drug and you will come back to us again. Understood?" The doctor asked.
"Yes, I understand." Jen said. She took off her jacket.
Dr. Kenneth turned to where Wes sat next to Daniel. "Lieutenant Collins, I am asking if you would please stay by her, for it will be better if she sees a friendly face after she comes out of it."
"Sure." Wes got up and walked over to where Jen sat. "You ready for this?" he asked.
Jen sighed. "The sooner this is done with, the sooner I'll be taking my vacation."
A small laughter came from the Judges and the court.
Once a cable was connected to her morpher, Jen sat back in the seat. Wes took her right hand.
"All right, Lieutenant. I'm going to give you the drug now. Just relax, it'll only take a few minutes." Kenneth said.
With her sleeve rolled up, Jen watched the needle go into her arm and felt the drug being pushed into her bloodstream. She looked at Wes, who squeezed her hand.
A few moments later, Jen felt her head to heavy, her eyes droop. Her head rested against the back of the chair.
"Lieutenant, how do you feel?" Kenneth asked.
"Like sh—" Jen quickly changed her words. "I mean groggy."
A smile came Captain Logan at the slight slip up.
"Let's begin then." The doctor turned back to the computer as an image was projected up onto the screen. Images flashed as they showed Vinnie mixing chemicals and pouring them into a green mixture.
Vinnie gulped down the contents. His eyes went unfocused as he fell, clutching his stomach. He pressed a button that he held in his hand.
Everything went silent.
Jen watched the sight. "Oh shit…"
Explosions rocked around Vinnie as the contents of each beaker blew up, sending chemicals spraying onto the mad scientist. He yelled as he began to grow. His muscles grew, causing his skin to stretch. His eyes changed from a light brown to an evil red.
"TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE." The computer said.
Vinnie picked himself off of the floor. His was taller, powerful and stronger then ever before.
"I've done it. The enhancers…I've DONE IT!" He held up his arms.
Vinnie turned to where Jen sat, fear shown in her eyes. "You're first to go, Jennifer."
More images poured out of the chip. The next one showed Vinnie beginning to mutate. Judge Chapman's eyes widened at the sight.
"He's mutating!" Jen yelled.
The Rangers watched in horror as Vinnie grew, his skin turning green, his eyes blood red. His hair turned a yellowy blonde.
He walked towards the Rangers again. "Open fire!" Datas yelled. Each shot fired pushed Vinnie back.
"Jen, run!" the Red Ranger said. The rolled out of the way as Vinnie hit a rafter overhead.
Jen looked at Vinnie. "He's human on the inside, the mutant gene he created is taking over. We need to kill that part." Jen leapt up. "TIME FOR, TIME FORCE!"
A flash of pink, and she was in her Ranger attire. "Let's finish this, Vin. Just you and me."
An evil smile crept across the mutant's face. "My pleasure." He fired a beam from his palm, and Jen dodged it. She ran around the perimeter, the Red Ranger joining in her chase.
The last image that was projected was Vinnie in his full mutation.
"And the world thought that these would be for human kind. Ha! I'll be the most powerful criminal who even lived…more powerful the Ransik!"
He hovered over Jen. "What's happened to you?" she whispered.
"This is it, Jennifer." He raised his hand as it glowed orange. "Good-bye."
The screen went blank as Dr. Kenneth unhooked the cable, the room was silent.
Each judge looked at one another, then at Vinnie. "We will now go to our quarters, the ruling in a few moments." They got up and left. All they could do now was wait.
Kenneth took out the antidote and administered it to Jen. She lay silent for a minute. Her eyes opened slowly as she leaned forward, almost falling.
"Easy, Jen. Take it easy. Give the antidote a minute to work." Wes's voice said.
A few moments later, Jen squeezed her eyes shut. "What happened? Did they call the ruling yet?"
Wes shook his head. "They just went in. You feeling okay?"
She rubbed her eyes. "My head is spinning."
"It's from the drug." Daniel said. Both he and Wes helped Jen back to the witness box. "I think that did it, Rangers. I think we got him."
Wes led Jen over to the table where she sat and drank a glass of water. With each second longer, the room was growing hot with anticipation.
Finally, the Judges walked out. Everyone rose, then sat down again.
Vinnie saw the look on the Judges faces, it neutral. Chapman turned on his microphone as he drew in a deep breath.
"Out of all the court cases I've tried, this one is the most difficult decision I've ever had to make."
Vinne sat in his chair, anticipating the ruling of the court. Jen sat on the edge of her seat, her hand gripping the armrest. Wes took it and they looked at each other. Whatever happened they would face it.
The room grew to a dead silence as he delivered his sentence.
"It is the ruling of this court…"
Did you guys really think I was gonna say his conviction in the same chapter? hehe…
Will Vinnie be put into the slammer or will Silver Hills have a new villain on the loose?
All will be told in Chapter 15!!!