"Duty and Friendship"
Jade sat patiently beside Kitana's bed, slowly drinking from a glass of water. She needed the water because she was still choking from the battle with the smoke ninja the night before. She sat quietly, waiting for Kitana to wake up, who had been sleeping for a while. Jade hoped, for Kitana's sake, that when she woke up she had answers.
After they found Mileena's body, the Emperor demanded Kitana be found. Since Mileena was told to watch over Kitana and only ended up dead...needless to say that did not say much for Kitana. Fortunately, they didn't need to look far. She was found passed out in her chamber, banged up with cuts, bruises, and a stab wound in her shoulder.
Jade shed no tears for Mileena's demise. She and Mileena were never close and Jade always found her to be very off-putting. Very volatile and temperamental. Jade never cared for how Kitana acted while out on missions...being needlessly cruel and vicious...but she at least acted somewhat decent the rest of the time. Mileena, on the other hand, was like that at all times.
And God forbid anyone would compare the two in front of her. More than once she'd come close to killing someone for suggesting Kitana was in any way superior. Kitana was always the weaker of the two...everything was always Kitana's fault...Kitana gets it so easy...she would go on and on with this endlessly. Although Jade never said it, she always found Mileena's seemingly desperate need for attention and proving how much better she was rather pathetic.
While Mileena's murder only added to the suspicions surrounding Kitana, there was still a chance...or more accurately, hope...it was all some sort misunderstanding. Mileena's behavior and the way she felt about Kitana was no secret. Before she died, Jade even told her not to do anything without her. She obviously didn't listen. It wouldn't be too far-fetched that Mileena worked herself into a frenzy and blindly attacked, simply forcing Kitana to defend herself.
However...while that would explain Mileena's death...it wouldn't explain everything else that had been going on. Because of this, the Emperor decided Kitana would be put on trial so they could finally discover the truth about her. In the meantime, Jade was ordered to remain in the chamber and make sure Kitana doesn't try anything.
Jade gladly accepted the task, hoping she could get some answers out of Kitana first. First the suspicious behavior. Then talking with Earth's Liu Kang. Now Mileena's dead. Jade hoped Kitana had a good explanation.
Kitana slowly started to wake up with a groan and Jade said "You're finally awake." Kitana slowly started to sit up with a pained cringe to which Jade added "Take it easy. From the looks of it you had a rough night."
"You could say that." Kitana answered. "What are you doing here?"
"Watching over a hurt friend."
"Thanks." Kitana answered with a slight laugh.
"I'm also guarding you." Jade then said more seriously. Kitana stared at her a moment, then she continued "They found Mileena's body. You're suspected of treason and your father's going to put you on trial. I'm here to make sure you don't try to escape." Kitana answered with a frustrated groan. Jade thought about it a moment, then finally just asked "Is it true Kitana? You have been acting strange for while now. Are you a traitor?"
Kitana stared at her for a few moments with a blank expression that Jade couldn't read. She then said as-a-matter-of-factly "No Jade. Why would I betray my own father?"
"Then why kill Mileena?"
"Jade, I'm going to tell you exactly what I'm going to tell my father: Mileena attacked me and I defended myself. Why she attacked me, I have no idea."
Hearing Kitana's "explanation" and Jade could tell immediately. She didn't need to read Kitana's voice or her eyes. She was lying. For a moment, Jade considered calling her on it and demanding to know why she was speaking with Liu Kang. But because of the coming trial, Jade was ordered not to let Kitana know anything about the mission she was given during the tournament.
Jade instead said in a very deadpan voice "I hope you're telling the truth."
Tanya stood calmly at attention as numerous soldiers and generals scurried around her to get into position. The armies were summoned to meet to get their final orders before invasion. Tanya was assigned to fight with the Extermination Squads, although she'd yet to be stationed with a particular Squad.
The tournament ended rather abruptly with Earth's warriors apparently fleeing back to their realm. Word was they had gotten wind of the Emperor's coming invasion and retreated back to Earth to prepare. No one still knew how exactly Kahn was able to breach the portals to Earth. Rumor was it had something to do with him taking a bride. Some even claimed his chosen bride was the Earth woman Shang Tsung took prisoner from the Mortal Kombat tournament, but that would be ridiculous.
But the coming invasion was not the end of the excitement. Just before the Earth warriors fled Outworld, Kitana supposedly murdered Mileena...apparently tossing her from a fortress tower. Kitana was scheduled to be put on trial shortly before the invasion. Much talk had been spreading about Kitana's actions...but unfortunately for poor little Mileena...she was not mourned.
That much, Tanya thought was very funny. She had only met Mileena once, very briefly...and she did not like her at all. Tanya felt she was weak. A weak-willed simpleton who was no better than the wretched Tarkatan vermin she...by coincidence or on purpose...often associated herself with.
Tanya hoped she would get a chance to watch Kitana's trial to see how it went. Although she couldn't care less about Kitana or her motives, Tanya was curious nonetheless.
"Now listen carefully maggots!" a gruff, deep voice barked in front of Tanya and the soldiers gathered around her. The voice came from General Motaro, a feared Centaur warrior who was promoted to general by the Emperor himself. Apparently displeased with Goro's defeat and not satisfied with his replacement Kintaro, Kahn turned to Centaurs to lead his armies.
"Yes, sir!" Tanya and her Squad yelled in response.
"This unit will be among the Secondary Exterminations." Motaro growled. Tanya always hated listening to Centaurs talk. They growled and often mumbled making it difficult to understand them. Not nearly as bad as Tarkatans though...who were usually drunk as well. "You'll not be participating in the initial invasion. This Squad will be used to hunt down remaining survivors and eliminating them. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Further instructions will be given by your Squad leader." Motaro growled just before he trotted away.
Then a tall ninja dressed in black and purple stepped forward and said "I am Rain. I am your Squad Leader. I only have a few rules: follow my orders, no hesitation, no mercy, we move quickly and quietly, and that is all. Just because we're hunting low level fighters, doesn't mean we should underestimate them. Our job is not to make examples of anyone. We're just clean-up, nothing more. So no show-boating. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. We scheduled to move out in a week, so be rested and ready. You're dismissed." As the squad dispersed, Tanya stood in place staring at Rain who was staring back at her. After a few moments, he said quietly "I want to see you in private."
"As you wish, sir."
Tanya followed Rain to a small empty chamber where extra weapons were stored. They stepped inside, and Tanya crossed her arms, waiting for what was going to be said. Rain removed his mask and said flatly "I know who you are."
"And I know who you are." she answered calmly. "I heard that someone jumped ship."
Rain nodded and said "So what then? I could report you."
"Let me ask you something...are you in this to save your own skin...or are you after something more?"
"I didn't see the point in dying for a lost cause." He paused then added, "But I'm always open to better opportunities."
Tanya smiled then said softly "Then you have nothing to worry about from me."
Jade paced around impatiently in an outer chamber of the High Courts of Outworld. She was to be called as witness during Kitana's trial and she already knew what was coming. She would be asked what she knew about Kitana and she would be forced to tell everyone about how she saw her speaking with Liu Kang.
Kitana was lying. Jade knew it, but she didn't understand why. And now she was being forced into this position. What was she supposed to do? It was a trial and she serves the Emperor. She should tell the truth. Whatever Kitana is up to...good or bad...it needs to be brought out now. So why could she shake this terrible feeling that she was betraying Kitana?
"Lady Jade...are you ready?" Shang Tsung asked approaching her.
"Yes Master Tsung."
"I need not remind you that it is imperative you tell only the truth when you are called, do I?"
"No...of course not."
Tsung stared at her a moment with his soul-piercing gaze and said "I can hear the hesitation in your voice. Need I remind you that the reason you're even here now is because the Emperor wanted to you watch over Kitana?"
"No. My loyalty is to the Emperor. I know this."
"I find it most curious that in spite of that, you still had no idea of Kitana's actions until it was too late. Perhaps you're not doing your job as well as we'd like?"
"That's not the issue." Jade answered quickly. "Kitana hasn't told me anything. I had no idea what she was doing. I still don't, actually."
"For your sake...I hope so, Lady Jade." Tsung hissed. "We've already lost Mileena and we may lose Kitana." He then paused before adding very ominously "Do you wish to join them?"
A wave of fear swept through Jade's blood and she quickly answered "My loyalty is to the Emperor!"
Tanya and Rain decided to watch Kitana's trial in the High Courts. Since they would not be participating in the initial invasion, they had time to watch the "event." Tanya had been talking with Rain much in the time being. He too was Edenian, but he had joined Shao Kahn's forces out of fear for his life...although that's not how he described it.
He seemed to be familiar with much secrets that Tanya did not know about, so she stayed close to him. However, from talking with him, she could tell he was spineless. Joining Kahn was purely out of fear...no ambition whatsoever. Nevertheless, she knew his knowledge and position could still prove useful.
The Emperor and several regional lords entered the court and took their seats. Shortly afterward, Kitana, who seemed very poised and calm, and finally the prosecuting questioner. After initial formality, they listed the charges made against Kitana which were Mileena's murder, treason against the Emperor, and conspiracy with the Earth warriors. To which, Kitana pled not guilty.
As the trial began Rain wondered aloud "Why do you suppose she did it?"
"What do you mean?" Tanya asked.
"Why turn against Kahn? Why would she do it?"
"Why not? She probably wanted to rule Outworld for herself."
"You know she's Edenian, right? And that her father was King?"
"Yeah, I heard."
"I hear she tried to join the Resistance a few years back. She said she didn't know. You think she was telling the truth?"
"Maybe." she answered. "Wouldn't surprise me...Kahn trying to keep it from her."
"Think that's what happened?" he asked. "She found out, andthat's why she turned on him?"
"If that's true, she's not as smart as I thought she was."
Tanya and Rain continued watching the trial through the first series of questions which were mostly about why Kitana would kill Mileena. According to Kitana, she didn't know why Mileena attacked her and simply defended herself. When asked why she thought Mileena would try to kill her, she suggested Mileena sought to take her place. Most following questions and witnesses backed that up...Mileena's jealousy over Kitana was hardly a secret.
After the first series of questions, they began questioning her on the second charge. The prosecutor asked Kitana "Before her death, Mileena claimed she knew you were planning on betraying Lord Kahn. What have you to say about that?"
"I have no idea." she answered calmly. "Perhaps Mileena was spreading rumors about me so when she killed me it would look justified?"
"She claimed she specifically saw you speaking with the Earthrealm fighter Liu Kang in the Living Forest the day before the tournament started."
"Again, she was probably spreading rumors. To name a specific incident in such detail makes it sound true, does it not?"
"So you never spoke with anyone from Earthrealm?"
"Not unless you count my taunts to Liu Kang during my match with him."
"So you never spoke with Liu Kang?"
"No."
The prosecutor was silent for a few moments then said "I would like to call the witness Jade."
From an outer chamber, Jade entered the courtroom. From where she was sitting, Tanya could see a very apprehensive look on Jade's face. As Jade took her seat, her nerves were shot. She felt incredibly tense, as if the back of her neck was on fire. Not once did she look Kitana in the eye.
The prosecutor stepped forward and asked "Lady Jade, you did not enter the Outworld tournament, did you?"
"No, I did not." she answered.
"Why?"
Jade took a short breath, then reluctantly said "Mileena was asked to enter to watch over Kitana. I was told to remain hidden and watch them both."
"Were you at any point in touch with Mileena during the tournament?"
"Just once..." she said before pausing another moment, then finishing "the day before the tournament." From where Tanya was, she could see Kitana cringe slightly as Jade said that.
"And what did you see with Mileena that day?"
Jade was silent for several moments. She kept her eyes locked on the floor and struggled to get the words out. "We saw...Kitana...speaking with Liu Kang in the Living Forest."
The courtroom was in shock. Tanya quietly said to herself "I'll be God damned."
"That'll be all." the prosecutor smugly said.
"Kitana," the Emperor growled, "you will be confined in the dungeons until we reach a verdict."
A pair of guards swooped over Kitana and quickly escorted her away. Jade stood up sharply and said "Can I go now?" Before anyone could even responds, Jade quickly stepped down and got out of the courtroom as quickly as possible.
As the Emperor and the other members of the Council began to leave, Tanya kept thinking about Jade. She actually looked upset about what happened, which Tanya found odd considering Jade always said she never liked Kitana.
"Well, that was a surprise." Rain said.
"Well, Jade did her job."
"You know her?" Tanya nodded slightly, not really paying attention until Rain added "That doesn't surprise me. Edenians stick together."
"What does that mean?"
"Jade...she's Edenian. You didn't know that?"
"She never mentioned it." Tanya paused, then thought about it and it made sense."I guess she doesn'tknow."
"I suppose that make sense." Rain answered. "Her father was a member of the Resistance. I remember hearing him mention a daughter who was supposed to have been killed in a raid thousands of years ago. Said her name was Jade." He paused, then chuckled slightly and added "If only he could see her now..."
Tanya let out a light smile and asked "Tell me more..."
After the trial, Jade went to dining hall of the Emperor's fortress for a drink and to be alone. Being alone wasn't hard since the fortress was already practically deserted because of the Earthrealm invasion. She felt sick to her stomach over what happened. She implicated Kitana in the trial. It was her testimony that proved Kitana was a traitor.
Jade tried as best she could to rationalize it. She had a job to do. Kitana was lying and is a traitor. It was Jade's duty as a soldier to do what she did. Her loyalty was to the Emperor and serving him was her place.
Traitors suffered only the worst punishments...but they wouldn't do that to Kitana would they? Not after all she did for them? Even if she was a traitor...maybe they'll be lenient. Or maybe the Emperor was right and Kitana was just sucked into something she didn't understand? Maybe she can be brought back?
Jade kept thinking these things, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake this horrible thought that she had stabbed Kitana in the back. Her thoughts were interrupted by the hissing sound of Reptile standing behind her. She didn't even hear him coming and his presence startled her.
"Damn it Reptile! Don't do that!" she yelled.
"Massssster Kahn wishesssss to ssssee usssss." he said with his usual hissing voice.
"Why? What is it now?"
"He hassss a mission for ussss. Kitana hassss esscaped."
End of Chapter X