The table itself was usually used for meetings, there were three empty seats those usually occupied by other high ranking Elites, Kennis, Robin and most noticeably Layth.
On one side sat Livia, Ish and Elisa, neatly dressed in their black uniforms, their hair tied back in ponytails, their faces tense. On the other sat Dayne, Brie and Chase all smartly dressed with serious expressions. Finally, at the top of the table furthest away from the audience sat Dan, his face was white and visibly clammy, his fists clenched to prevent his hands from shaking not just as a result of the previous nights drinking binge but also with a mixture of rage and apprehension.
Ed stood up, his presence immediately commanding the undivided attention of the Islanders seated below even before he had begun to speak.
"We are gathered here today to witness the trial of four Elite members, Choy, Jeremy, Hobson and Layth. It will be left to our jurors and you the audience to decide their fate".
The huge cinema screen illuminates and pictures from the live video links to the cells holding the accused are displayed to those in the auditorium for the first time.
"Before we proceed, I am obliged to remind you of their crimes. Choy, you are charged with extreme provocation, grievous bodily harm, rape and attempted murder. How do you plead?"
The camera zooms in on Choy's cell. He deliberately with his back to the camera and does not answer. Ed repeats the question and still there is no answering comment.
The camera switches shots and zooms in on Jeremy. Jeremy is standing facing the camera, his hands rammed into his jean pockets, his head hanging ashamedly, his eyes down cast.
"Jeremy, you are charged with grievous bodily harm, rape, and attempted murder. How do you plead?"
"Guilty" Jeremy mumbles. "I am guilty" He repeats more clearly. Although, in my defence, I was intolerably provoked, but I still raped that girl and I was one of three who beat her for fighting back. I was angry, I just saw red, I know that it's not an excuse but I lost control". Jeremy looks up and directly into the camera lens. "I am sorry that I raped that girl that I've hurt the only two people who ever cared about me and I'm willing to accept whatever punishment the Elite sees fit". There are tears of remorse and fear brimming in Jeremy's eyes as he finishes speaking.
The camera then zooms in on the cell holding Hobson and those present see a close up of his large, sorrowful, grubby face.
"Hobson, you are charged with grievous bodily harm, attempted murder and as an accessory to rape. How do you plead?"
"Guilty, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hit her or held her down, but he told me too and he said some horrible things about my friends, so I did what he told me so he'd be quiet. It was a bad thing that they did and I helped them do it, I joined in and hurt her and I'm sorry for what I've done to that poor girl". Hobson said his voice breaking as he hastily wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
The camera zooms in on the final room, the cell holding Layth. Layth stood erect and calmly in the centre of the tiny room, his eyes ice cold and void of any obvious emotion, his white blond hair pulled back into it's customary ponytail.
Ed swallowed with difficulty and when he carried on his voice was steady.
"Our final case is not as clear cut as the other three, Layth has committed no actual crime, however, he knew that the others were not following the orders they had been given, he witness three fellow members of the Elite assault and brutally rape an innocent girl but still he did nothing, he failed to radio for backup, he failed to intervene and try to prevent the unprovoked attack, he did not even ask the attackers to stop. Layth you are accused of being and accessory to grievous bodily harm, rape and attempted murder. How do you plead?"
Layth's face was chalk white. "I am a coward. I have betrayed the Elite who took me in, who gave me food to eat, a warm dry roof over my head, clothes, a job and a chance to make a difference. I am sorry I have let you all down, that I have let myself down. I was too afraid to stand up to Choy and Jeremy just as Hobson was, I was afraid that they would turn on me if I intervened, asked them to stop or radioed for backup. As a direct result of my cowardliness an innocent person was assaulted and raped. I am not worthy of the responsibility my tribe bestowed upon me, I am not a worthy member of the Elite. I am guilty of everything you've accused me of and being the worst kind of coward there is".
There was a brief pause before Ed carried on.
"You have heard the accused speak and explain their actions in their own words. Now you will see the video footage of the attack before being asked to make your decision regarding the punishment for each of the four perpetrators".
The screen illuminates once more this time showing the video footage of the assault and rape captured by Layths wrist-cam.
There were gasps of horror and disbelief from the Islanders as they witnessed the events unfold on screen.
