"Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out." Lauren muttered to herself as she sat in silence in the Vézelay courtroom within the glass-encased box designated for the accused while Niles Seabridge and his team of lawyers sat at a table in front of her reviewing the notes for her case.
It was the next day, in the late afternoon and the courtroom was packed with family, friends, media, and gawkers. Bo, Trick, Eva, Gareton and Livia sat in the very front row supported by Bridgy Talessi, and Javier and Doriane Caron. Despite her position as Minister of Economy and Finance, Raggie Sauvageau was determined on being present to support her friends. Nouria Courte and Roland D'Aramitz were also there, not to mention the world watching the proceedings online. Justice Lars Saunderson and His Serene Highness Jock Prescotti were also there having returned at lunch time from conferring with the Court of Cassation in Paris half the previous night and into the morning. One of the perks of being a Justice on the International Criminal Court (ICC) is one can kick other judges out of bed in the middle of the night. Lauren was glad to see so much support, particularly Bas Cibor, who unabashedly planted himself just outside the accused box on her left to gawking onlookers.
After Lauren had returned to the Beattie estate, she had spoken alone with the children who were oblivious to what all was happening with her, only that they missed her, and she missed them. When her call ended with them, she cried for a time in the dark silence. What broke her out from her melancholy was the call she had received next. From Elena. Jock had updated his sister on recent events who, in turn, kept the rest of the Ruling Family updated. Their Majesties remained ready to act if that is what Lauren and Bo wanted, but Lauren assured Elena they needed to resolve her situation the "Human" way. Crystal had even called and wanted to be thereby her side, but Lauren told her to stay put.
After her calls with Elena and Crystal, Lauren spent a good portion of the night with Niles and his team prepping her legal fight. It all overwhelmed her, but she was grateful because at last her past and her present were about to come together and be exposed to all. In public.
Not only would the world learn about Karen Beattie, but they would come to know Karen was also Dr. Lauren Lewis, the famed Scientist who cured Dementia. And more so, through Ash Pharmaceuticals, in preparations to bring to market the cure for High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure.
But on the flip side, the Fae World would come to learn of her past as Karen Beattie, something Lauren was careful never to expose to the Fae world while she served the Ash and then the Morrigan for she feared it would have endangered her parents. Her association with the Fae could still endanger her family, she thought, as the situation with Mr. Perillard proved, except now she had the resources of the Presidium to protect them.
There was a bit of commotion in the packed courtroom when a door opened next to the Judge's elevated bench and the Judge entered the court. Everyone stood.
"Tous se lèvent!" The Head Court Security Guard called out. "Monsieur le président Alban Michaud!"
Judge Michaud settled himself into his seat, and the courtroom followed suit. He then affixed his glasses, organized his paperwork, and then surveyed the courtroom.
"Bonjour!" Judge Michaud greeted everyone. He received a mixture of greetings, murmers, and head nods in return. The Judge looked between the Defense and the Prosecution. "It is my understanding that while the accused is fluent in French there are parties involved whom are not?"
Niles quickly stood up out of his chair.
"Yes, Your Honor." Niles answered. The Judge looked to the Prosecution.
"Monsieur Royer. It is my understanding you are fluent in English. Do you have an objection with these proceedings being held in English?" The Judge asked.
"No, Monsieur le president." Monsieur Royer answered.
"Then let us proceed." Judge Michaud then looked over to Lauren. "Mademoiselle Beattie, please rise." Lauren stood up and in course, Bas Cibor caught his eye.
"Who is that?" The Judge asked.
"Her personal guard, Monsieur le president." Niles answered.
"Is that necessary?" The Judge queried. "We have sufficient security." Then he surveyed the courtroom and realized there was quite a few guards present. "Do I see more guards than normal?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Niles answered. "Monsieur Kadine, the Head of the personal security contingent here has discussed the matter with the Head of Court Security, and they have reached an understanding. I assure you they will not disrupt the work of the Court." The Judge looked to his Head of Court Security.
"Is this amenable to you?" The Judge asked.
"So long as they do not interfere, Monsieur le president." The Head of Court Security answered.
"Then let us proceed." The Judge said then looked over at Lauren who was stilling standing.
"Please state your full name for the record." The Judge directed.
"Karen Nýidal Osanne Beattie." Lauren answered.
"Have you been made aware of the charges weighed against you?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, I do, Your Honor." Lauren answered.
"What plea do you wish to enter?" The Judge asked.
"Guilty, Your Honor." Lauren answered. The courtroom erupted into pandemonium, people on their feet in a furious cacophony, lights bulbs flashing, cameras clicking all whilst the Judge pounded his gavel to restore order.
"Order! Order!" Judge shouted as he pounded his gavel.
"Lauren!" Bo called out. Lauren looked over at Bo, her family and friends who were all taken aback. They had come with plan; for Lauren to plead not guilty, and Niles stressed they needed to stick with that plan if they ever had a chance at winning her case. Lauren had smiled inside when he said that. When did her life ever stick to a plan? Besides, she was done running. When she spoke with the children, it was intended to resolve herself to this path. If she were ever to be finally free of her past in order to have a future, then she needed to face it in the present.
"Your honor! We need to consult with our client!" Niles shouted over the noise.
"We shall have order in this court, or I shall clear it!" The Judge shouted. The pandemonium died, and people slowly resumed their seats. The Judge took in a breath and then focused back on Lauren.
"Mademoiselle Beattie, do you understand what you have just admitted to?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor." Lauren replied. "I have admitted to acts of terrorism, murder..." The courtroom erupted again with people on their feet. "…and catastrophic damage to property." Lauren finished through the cacophony of noise that deafened the room. The Judge pounded his gavel again.
"That's it! Clear the courtroom!" Judge ordered the Head of Court Security who then turned and directed his staff to clear everyone out.
"Your Honor!" Lauren shouted through the bustle of noise and movement. "Can my family, friends, and my bodyguard please remain?" Lauren asked. The Judge nodded, and sans the family, their supporters, Bas Cibor, the defense, prosecution and administrative staff, everyone else was cleared from the courtroom. Bas Kadine, however, remained inside of the courtroom standing in front of the entry doors while the Bas Maat and the Regnant Guard stood outside the doors in a line formation along with Court Security.
The Court Reporter looked up at the Judge.
"Do you wish for me to shut off the online feed as well?" The Court Reporter asked.
"No. That can remain on." Judge Michaud replied.
"Lauren! What are you doing?" Bo asked in shock. "This wasn't the plan!"
"I know. But know this, I do this because I love you, and I love our children, more than the universe itself, but this cannot continue to hang over our us. Not if we want a future. A truly free future. It has to be dealt with." Lauren replied.
"But Karen…Lauren! It's because of your family that you must fight!" Livia pleaded. Lauren looked at her mother and her father.
"Please forgive me. For Calvin." Lauren replied.
"Is this what this is about? This change in plea? You think we blame you, somehow?" Livia asked but Lauren could only answer with tear-filled eyes. "When will you finally accept that we never blamed you. For Calvin. For any of this! And we have never stopped loving you!" Livia finished.
"Mademoiselle Beattie?" The Judge prompted. Lauren returned her attention to the Judge. "Do you wish to reconsider your plea?"
Lauren took in a deep breath, "No, Your Honor. I am guilty." The Judge then looked around and noticed everyone was still standing.
"Everyone, please take your seats." The Judge said. Everyone had done so. Then the Judge looked to the Head of Court Security. "Please escort Mademoiselle Beattie out of accused box and bring her to the front of me here." The Head of Security did as he was told. Once he had positioned Lauren to the front of the Bench, Bas Cibor went and stood right behind Lauren.
"That is a dedicated Security Guard you have there." The Judge remarked.
"You have no idea, Your Honor." Lauren replied.
"Can he at least stand off to side there a bit?" The Judge asked. Lauren turned to Bas Cibor who then went and stood a few steps behind Lauren off to her right.
"Mademoiselle Beattie you have entered a plea of guilty." Judge Michaud said.
"Yes, Your Honor." Lauren replied.
"But you were not the one who 'pulled the trigger', so to speak. It was your brother, Calvin Beattie." Judge Michaud said.
"I made the bombs. I am guilty." Lauren replied.
"I read the entire case file, the notes, and all the witness testimony, and none of it says or even implies that murder was your intent. Yes, you intended to blow up a pipeline facility, which is an act of terrorism for sure, but you did not intend the murder of 11 innocent people. That act lays squarely at the feet of your deceased brother."
"Nevertheless…" Lauren started.
"Nevertheless, Mademoiselle Beattie I believe you are guilty of your own personal guilt, but not of murder." Judge Michaud finished.
"Your Honor?" Monsieur Royer queried as he slowly rose from his chair, but Judge Michaud raised one hand.
"Stay with me." Judge Michaud advised. Royer resumed his seat. Then Judge Michaud looked over to Justice Saunderson.
"Justice Saunderson, since the International Criminal Offences and Criminal Intelligence Bureau were the two agencies that initially issued the warrants for Mademoiselle Beattie's arrest back when this incident first occurred, I trust any decision rendered here will also be honored and respected by the International Criminal Court?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Justice Saunderson replied.
"Councilors, please stand." The Judge directed. Both the Defense and Prosecution Teams stood.
"Mademoiselle Beattie, your plea of guilty is accepted." Judge Michaud ruled. One could hear audible gasps, but then went on. "However, I am dropping the charge of murder because the scope of liability is a vicarious one." To audible sighs of relief.
"The charge of terrorism remains as you clearly intended to do property harm. That is a felony charge for which I sentence you to 11 years in prison, suspended sentence. With conditions." Judge Michaud declared. "Since you are determined to apply some blame for the deaths of 11 people to yourself, surely you recognize the symbolism in the number 11?"
"Yes, I do, Your Honor." Lauren replied.
"It is my understanding you perform medical missions to local communities?" Judge Michaud queried.
"Yes, I do, Your Honor. The length of the mission depends upon size and scope of need." Lauren answered.
"Then what better way to mete out justice than service to the very communities where the victims lived. Some of the victims came from very small communities where medical help is sorely needed. Given the demonstrable fact that since this incident you have done nothing but serve the public good, discovering the cure for Dementia, and seemingly more discoveries on the way, it would be hard for anyone to argue that society would be benefitted by your incarceration. On the contrary, society would be at a loss if your talents were 'locked up' so to speak."
Lauren said nothing.
"Each year will be with a different community until all 11 communities are served in your 11-year suspended sentence. You and your Case Officer can determine length of each mission based on need."
"Understood, Your Honor." Lauren answered.
"I understand your family set up compensation for the families soon after the bombings as well as paid for the damages to the pipeline?" Judge Michaud queried.
"Yes, Your Honor. We have." Gareton answered. The Judge nodded.
"Since the matter of compensation and damages has been settled, as part and parcel of my ruling you will offer apologies to all 11 families. This may seem trifling to some, but I assure you it is not. It is important for loved ones to understand the full scope of a tragedy in order to find true peace. Your parents have mitigated that responsibility for both you and your deceased brother in the form of compensation. It is now time for you to provide the answers only you can so that everyone involved can finally find peace."
"Yes, Your Honor." Lauren answered.
"Failure to meet any of these conditions and you will be remanded into custody to serve out you're the remainder of your term in jail." The Judge ruled.
"Yes, Your Honor." Lauren answered. The Judge then turned to the Defense Team.
"Mr. Seabridge. I trust these terms are acceptable to you?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor." Niles answered. The Judge then turned to the Prosecution.
"Monsieur Royer, I trust these terms are acceptable to you?" The Judge asked, and right when Royer was about to answer the Judge added, "Please be advised, you can appeal my ruling with the Court of Cassation, however, if a Justice of ICC is present her before us, and has gone on record to say the ICC accepts the will of this Court, your appeal before the Court of Cassation will be…shall I say…futile." The Judge finished. The Prosecutor took in a deep breath.
"The Prosecution will go on record to say we fully accept the judgment of this Court." Royer replied.
"Good." Judge Michaud said then looked straight back at Lauren. "Mademoiselle Beattie, you said you wanted to start living your life with a new-found freedom. Correct?"
"I do, Your Honor." Lauren replied.
"Then no time like the present to formally land on a name going forward." The Judge said. Lauren smiled then turned to her parents who smiled back and nodded. Then Lauren looked at Bo who smiled.
"We know when to say when." Bo said.
"Okay." Lauren replied then turned and faced the Judge. "Your Honor. My name is Lauren Nýidal Osanne Lewis. Doctor, of course." Then looked back at her parents who were both crying tears of joy.
"Let it be entered into the record that the name of Karen Nýidal Osanne Beattie is now Lauren Nýidal Osanne Lewis." Judge Michaud ordered to noises of glee from the family and friends present. "And what I trust will be the very last time this name is said in a courtroom or anywhere for that matter, Mademoiselle Beattie, from this day forward, live the life you choose. This was not a burden you were meant to carry. You have a future all your own. And on that note, your case is closed. Best wishes to you, Dr. Lewis!" The Judge finished then hammered his gavel, stood up and everyone in the courtroom followed suit. The Court Reporter cut off the online feed as the Judge stepped off the bench and then out the door. The rest of the Administrative Court staff followed.
The second after the Judge and Court staff left, Lauren fell to the ground on her knees, her hands cupped to her face, sobbing heavily. Bo ran to her followed by Lauren's parents, and therest of their loved ones. Bo pulled Lauren off the floor and Lauren fell into Bo's arms crying all the while, and Bo with her.
"I'm so sorry!" Lauren pleaded in Bo's ear as she gripped her tightly. Bo broke their hug and gripped Lauren's shoulders.
"Nothing to forgive! Do you hear me? Nothing more to forgive! You are free! That's all I care about! Not another word!" Bo replied, and they hugged again. After another long hug, Bo and Lauren let go of one another so Lauren could embrace her parents, and then the rest of their friends while Niles Seabridge, Justice Saunderson, and Jock Prescotti went over and shook hands with Monsieur Royer.
"The battle is over." Niles said as he extended his hand and Monsieur Royer took it.
"Yes, well it doesn't hurt to have a Justice of the ICC in your corner." Monsieur Royer replied.
"Well, let's go outside and face the hounds together and put this to bed, shall we?" Niles said as he pointed towards the courtroom's front exit. Monsieur Royer went ahead first followed by Niles and their respective legal teams.
As they exited the courtroom, Viceroy Stasio Alesandese entered.
"Stasio?" Bo greeted. Stasio bowed which made Gareton and Livia's friends look between them.
"So, are you royalty or what?" Raggie asked Bo.
"Yeah, what is going on?" Roland added. Bo looked to Gareton and Livia for help, but it was Bridgy who stepped forward.
"Raggie, everyone! It seems like they need to discuss some things privately. Let's leave them to it, and we can harass them later." Bridgy announced then corralled Raggie, Javier, Doriane, Nouria and Roland and herded them towards the exit. "We'll see you outside." Bridgy said to Gareton and Livia.
"Thank you." Livia replied. As soon as they all left, and Bas Kadine closed behind them Stasio turned and surveyed the group. All who remained in the courtroom were Bo, Lauren, Trick, Eva, Justice Saunderson, and Jock Prescotti along with Bases Cibor and Kadine.
"I trust we can now move on from the ridiculous matter?" Stasio asked.
"Yes, it's over." Bo replied. "And what are you doing here? Is something wrong? Is it Dyson?"
"Has he taken a turn for the worst?" Lauren added.
"Dyson is fine. I am here at the behest of Her Grand Ducal Serene Highness to make sure everything has been handled." Stasio answered.
"What do you mean?" Lauren asked.
"After Dyson returned to the County in a near body bag, and Tamsin explained what was going on with you Evony acted."
"Acted? How?" Lauren asked. Stasio replied by pointing straight at the empty bench. Lauren's eyes went wide. "You mean…?"
"Yes. We needed a Fae way out of this mess." Stasio said. Lauren look at him flabbergasted, and didn't know what to say, but Stasio did. "Don't get it wrong, Doctor. You faced justice and justice was served. Besides, you seemingly needed to face justice, if only to absolve your…Human conscience of this entire affair. We just needed this to be resolved transparently, with a Judge more amenable than throwing you in jail, and an Appellate Court willing to back up whatever judgement was rendered, thanks to the Glaive here."
Justice Saunderson smiled and replied, "And to His Royal Highness here whose immediate grasp and eloquent elocution of French law helped secure our defense against any appeal."
"I…I don't know…what to say." Lauren stuttered in disbelief.
"We have larger issues to tackle, and there are unknown forces at play, and I don't know if you've been paying attention, but you will be the next Companion in Rule which has considerations all its own. We don't have time for this conscious cleansing nonsense." Stasio said.
"Well, tell Her Excellency thank you." Lauren replied.
"You recall, the old adage: 'beware of Greeks bearing gifts?' well, I am bearing a doozy. Since you chose not to let sleeping dogs lie, we do have to take into consideration the market implications this mess has created with our business associations for the JFM which will also impact DRM as well. In fact, Liam has already received a call from Andrassian Capitol inquiring about the market impact this whole situation will have, and are demanding to meet with Shareholders." That last sentence caused Lauren and Livia to exchange quick glances.
"What are you saying, Stasio?" Bo asked. Stasio looked straight at Lauren.
"You will have to be removed from JFM and its Operations for the duration of your suspended sentence, and any work you have in progress will be handed over to Dr. Danna for reassignment." Stasio replied.
"Are you kidding? For the next 11 eleven years? She created the JFM for pity's sake!" Trick blurted.
"Your Excellency, I'm not the one who decided to puke my conscience out before the world. She did! And this is the cost! At the Presidium, she can do what she likes, but here, until we are fully transparent on the Human Plane, we still need to play according to its rules!" Stasio replied. Lauren shoulders slumped and then she took in a deep breath and exhaled.
"Well, I'm glad it's over." Lauren said.
"None of this had to happen at all!" Stasio replied.
"Stasio!" Bo cautioned.
"Your Royal Highness, my intent is to stress a hard truth." Then Stasio looked at Lauren. "Doctor, you've lived with the Fae for the last 15 years of your life, and one day you will be its Companion in Rule, over billions of Fae. You need to start thinking like a Fae."
Lauren said nothing.
Stasio then bowed his head, and when it was acknowledged by Bo he straightened himself and added, "I must return to the County." Then he turned and Bas Kadine opened the front entry doors to let him out and then shut them behind him.
"He's a rather bombastic man." Livia commented.
"Fae." Lauren corrected. "But he's right. In everything he said." The group stood quite for a long moment. Then Trick broke the silence.
"I didn't know you had middle names." Trick said.
"Nýidal is the feminine name of the valley my side of the family originates back in Iceland." Gareton answered.
"Osanne is my other middle name." Livia added.
"Now I know why the children have four names." Trick quipped which put smiles on everyone's faces.
"C'mon! Let's get you back to the Estate." Bo said as she put her arm around Lauren.
"I love you, Bo." Lauren replied.
"I love you." Bo replied. Then they kissed.
