Hyperdimension Neptunia belongs to Compile Heart, Idea Factory, Sega and whomever else worked on it.

It was a beautiful day in Planeptune, the sun was shining, the temperature was pleasant and people were playing games. All in all, a wonderful day to be alive.

Linda, more commonly known as Underling, was not having a good day. 'Dang it...' She thought to herself as she sat on the bench uncomfortably while trying not to fidget and look around the room.

"...And so, your honor, with the evidence given, the state is pushing for Linda, former underling of the ASIC, to be hit with the maximum penalty possible for her role in hypnotizing the White Sisters of Lowee." The plaintiff said to the judge, who listened intently.

"I see..." The judge looked at Linda. "Miss... Linda... As a former member of ASIC, and one who committed various crimes in every nation, you could have chosen to have your trial in any of the nations. In fact, it would have been best to have it in Lowee, they do not have a death penalty there after all."

'No, but you have to survive ten rounds against the CPU in cases like this if found guilty.' Linda thought to herself and thought that her chances of surviving that were lower than surviving an execution attempt in Lastation or Leanbox. "Yes, your honor, I know that."

"You chose Planeptune because there's no capital punishment here, didn't you?" The judge asked with an amused voice. "Sadly, in your case, such a thing wouldn't apply, as you were an enemy to all of the people of Gamindustri."

Linda mentally grimaced but kept her face stoic. 'Dammit, those stupid broads. I'm going to be executed, aren't I? First they kill Magic, then they break up ASIC and now this? Life sucks!' She screamed internally.

"Your honor," her lawyer spoke up, "my client was, admittedly, a member of ASIC, however, she was not the one who hypnotized the CPU Candidates. As both Oracle Mina and CPU Candidate Nepgear's testimony stated, she did so under the orders of CFW Trick and only White Sister Rom was hypnotized by them while White Sister Ram, as my client said at the time, hypnotized herself."

"That hardly makes it better," the prosecutor said and looked at Linda, "does the defendant have anything to say about this?"

"...No." Linda said, her voice soft and defeated as she looked down.

The judge looked at Linda. "Defendant Linda, before I finalize anything, I would like to ask you a question," Linda looked up at the judge, her eyes dull and unhappy, "had you not joined ASIC, what would you have done in your life?"

"...I dunno... Probably starve to death. Been a street rat my whole life."

"I see," the judge said, "we'll have a short recess and come back with the decision."

Linda nodded as she was led out of the courtroom by armed guards.

(-)

Several hours later...

After everyone was re-seated, the judge looked at Linda and then looked at the attorneys. "Very well, during the recess, both parties were able to come to an... Acceptable agreement for you, Miss Linda."

Linda looked at the judge, her eyes still dull as she nodded. "What?"

"Due to... Certain arguments and persuasions that were talked over during the break, we would be willing to reduce your sentence to probation, although you would have to work in factories in Planeptune for the next decade," the judge said, causing Linda to jerk in surprise, "or you could spend the rest of your life rotting in prison. Of course, should you commit any crimes during the next decade, you would be sentenced to life in prison."

"...Even jaywalking, your honor?"

"ESPECIALLY jaywalking!" The judge bellowed, causing Linda to yelp out in fright. "I was kidding. No, anything that would be an arrestable offense. So..."

"I'll take it." Linda knew that working for a decade in a factory wouldn't be ideal.

But it would be better than rotting in prison for the rest of her life. Or being executed.

'I wonder why I got off with such a light sentence though.' Linda wondered as she was led out of the court room.

(-)

Elsewhere...

"You sure about this, Nep Jr.?" Neptune asked her sister. "Didn't she give you a lot of trouble?"

Nepgear nodded at Neptune. "Yes, but... I kind of feel like she's not a bad person, so, I want to give her a chance to prove she's not, at least."

"Better than letting Blanc's court have her." Neptune muttered, knowing the penalty of cases like these up there. "So, wanna play some PVP when we get home?"

"Sure!" Neptune smiled.

Inspired by Reddit posts again.

Also by a certain someone's "Rei Ryghts, Attorney At Law" series.

We never see Linda after Re;birth 2. This is a potential reason as to why.