Chapter XI:
One word, perhaps two or more could come out of their mouths after the explosion that put an end to the "Seventh Hive" and the Kanker HQ. The deflagration had ended with a whitish glow and from there came the silent "snowfall" of tiny fragments until they disappeared after a time spent in the air. Nobody said anything and when they descended to the ground, they only found a pile of debris and junk, in some cases, huge enemy ships were in the flames, the smoke columns rising to the skies in different shades and the smell of burning permeated, with a powerful nauseating odor that seeped through the nostrils, causing some to want to vomit but they had to endure it. The Eds noticed that a group of soldiers and armed civilians were arriving, accompanied by tanks, trucks and other military vehicles. Eddy looked up and scanned the skies, a "Black Hawk" helicopter was circling and with it more were added.
- It's over.- Minna announced to those present.
- No, My Commander.- Ed interjected seriously, drawing her and the others' attention.- It's not over. The Kankers cannot have been saved from Death. They are like weeds, remember,.- He left those words as a warning about the nature of those three sisters. Erica understood the message and ran to search through the rubble and with the help of the others, they searched every inch of that section of California until, after a hard and exhaustive effort, they found what they were looking for.
There, protected by the last, now dead, members of their "Elite Guard," the Kankers emerged from the pile of rubble and looked at their opponents. Minna, Trudie and the others rose from the ground but when they did, insults erupted against those sisters. It was a logical thing to do and it could happen. That was the price to pay for their Sins. They had caused terrible devastation in their wake, many lost their homes, businesses, entire families were killed and enslaved, among other extremely horrible cases and it would not be long before there would be an outcry to demand Justice or do it by their own hand. But they were not going to let themselves be intimidated by a few simple words, they were Kanker and they had that pride intact in their body and soul.
- So this is how it all ends, Commander Wilcke?.- Asked Lee, showing that mocking smile.- So much fighting for you to be victorious but here is the cost to pay, from your side.
- You'd better shut your mouth, Lee Kanker, there are many people here who want you dead.- The redhead said, but that didn't matter to the other, as she mocked those who insulted them.
- They are and always will be insects on the windshield of the car. They will never understand what our grandfather wanted for this World!.- She exclaimed, but that was the straw that broke the camel's back. As he basked in his hatred, he did not see coming a fierce slap against his face.
She felt the heat of the hand, the skin reddening and from there a couple of drops of blood and saliva fell, intermingled, into the air until they disappeared due to the effect of evaporation caused by the sun. She was stupefied for a while and then turned to see a certain black hair from Italy, accompanied by a short boy, his friends and their girlfriends. Not to be forgotten were the Peach Creek boys and the other "Witches" who were there and who heard that speech loaded with hatred and desire for superiority over others. Lee brought a hand to that cheek and groped it from there.
- Did you have fun hurting people and me with your laser dagger?. Now feel my "retribution" for what you did. You will now bear that "mark" on your face, Lee. You killed countless innocent people along with your sisters but now you want to gloat about an Empire that no longer exists. As Minna said: Prepare yourselves for the trials that will befall you. Not even your influence or what you have on you will save you from your punishment.- Francesca maintained with seriousness in her voice and from there she remained standing with the others.
- You are a...!.- Exclaimed Lee and with her sisters they were going to attack them but the Eds and the others stood up to them, causing them to stumble and the "Military Police" proceeded to arrest them.
- What are you doing? Take your hands off me!.- May ordered two women in police uniforms to take her away in handcuffs.
- Do you know who you're messing with?!.- Marie added, but nothing helped. The agents took them directly to a "Humvee" that was parked right there, while they walked them among the civilians who booed them, spit on them and other acts that they performed for all the pain they suffered in those times.
They wanted to maintain that evil posture but it was no use. When they were put inside the Humvee, the drivers got in and closed the doors, they could only look at the Eds, who were saying goodbye to them.
- You can't do this to us! We wanted to live happily with you!.- Exclaimed Lee, who lowered the glass on that side of the seat, shouting in the middle of the crowd that kept booing them.- Eddy, open your eyes, Eddy!.- She begged, but he shook his head and left with Francesca, holding hands, just like Ed with Erica and Double D with Eila and Sanya.
- My Genius...- Marie ended up breaking down, emotionally.
- My Sweet Ed...- May felt her blood pressure drop sharply and almost lost consciousness from all the shock she had suffered.
At that moment, Commander Minna Wilcke advanced towards them, accompanied by a lawyer representing the victims of the war, as well as Trudie. Her footsteps stopped a few feet from the window facing the passenger seat and with that she read some documents she was carrying.
- Lee, Marie and May Kanker: They are accused of extremely serious crimes against freedom, human rights, private and public property, genocide, forced displacement of people, slavery, violations of the terms established with respect to the treatment of civilian and military prisoners dictated in the "Geneva Convention", among others. The "High Command" will carry out a civil-military trial to make them answer for all their crimes.- She finished speaking to them.- Do you have anything to say?.- She asked, before he gave the order for the "Humvee" to leave the place or there would be a public lynching.
None of them said anything. They were silent, dejected, destroyed, emotionless. They looked like ghosts. Those sisters who caused a cataclysm worldwide and from the point of view of the war battlefield, were now unable to express themselves, to utter even a single word. Minna, Trudie and the victims' lawyer gave them a look of expectation, giving them, as the only "token of kindness", to speak and thus take the burden off their shoulders, but it did not happen as they expected.
- It is noticeable that, despite everything, they keep that pride intact, since it is the last thing they have left but that will not help them in prison.- Warned the Lieutenant of Karlsland, with her arms crossed.
- It's a pity we couldn't exterminate all of you with an atomic bomb.- Lee lamented, looking at those people with contempt and still feeling the warmth of Francesca's hand against his cheek.- I would have liked to see them die and dance on their graves but it wasn't like that. Don't think we're going to apologize, quite the contrary, I'd rather die on the gallows, the firing squad or whatever they give us than say "Sorry, we didn't mean to do it on purpose". On the contrary, we wanted to get the world for ourselves. No one would understand us, just like they did to our grandfather. You destroyed the Future you wanted to give the World with your Justice. We had a legacy but no one would understand us. At that moment, the redhead smiled mockingly and addressed it to the people and military who were still insulting them.- There was a chance for this miserable World to reach a progress never seen before but... unfortunately, there are times when sacrifices must be made, a "few" in order for everything to turn out as it should. But there will always be those who will interfere in the path of progress," she continued speaking and she did not care if insults and curses rained on her and her family.- She continued with her "Verbal Warfare" without any fear.
- And at what cost, to kill and destroy everything in her path?.- Charlotte asked, stepping forward.- I hope you know what you're about.- She gestured with her fingers, marking a small distance, "You know what I mean?
- A Kanker is not afraid of Death.- Marie said with disgust at her.
- Really? They may not be afraid of earthly Justice, but they are not spared from Divine Justice. You may or may not believe in God, but the time may come for you to pay for your sins," said Minna, defending what the red-haired Liberion said. Then, without interfering any more in the judicial path, she turned around together with the others and the lawyer: "You can take those crazy women with you, Captain Rhodes.- She said and from there they started the "Humvee", while the members of the "Military Police" asked to clear the road so that it could move forward without any problem.
Once things calmed down a bit, news of the victory in the Final Battle of Liberion began to spread throughout that huge and vast continent. The people who had been imprisoned in the cities themselves, went out to celebrate, thanking the "Witches", their Allies and the military along with "The Resistance" for having defended them and been there in the midst of such tumultuous and complicated times. However, the celebrations had a bitter taste in the mouth: Everywhere one looked, there was only devastation, buildings, houses, businesses, real estate that saw countless generations, as well as its streets, turned into immense mountains of smoking rubble, ashes and opaque colors that reflected the cost of war. The dead were counted by the millions and measures would have to be taken as to where to bury them, since the cemeteries would be full, not to mention the wounded. Many hospitals and other health centers were going to be crowded with people asking for help to heal what had left such a mark on their bodies, but what about the spiritual side?. That would take time to calm down, recover and move forward.
From Liberion to Suomus and Orussia, only the same "scenario" could be seen: The consequences of the end of hostilities were in full daylight and the waves of refugees wishing to return to find out how their homes were, would not be long in coming. Still, the victory celebrations were not to be left behind. People took to the streets, launched fireworks into the heavens, as well as began the first reconstruction work, the first of them, the removal of debris to recover what was lost.
It would take time, but the important thing was to live in the Present and from there, the "Seeds of the Future" would germinate and grow for the fruits that many longed to see.
The "San Bernardino Maximum Security Prison", in the State of California, had become one of the "concentration camps" for the Kanker's military enemies and where they had their Elite henchmen deployed. Now, with the remnants of their Armies crushed and defeated, the three sisters were facing men and women of flesh and blood, with hearts of steel, just like their adversaries who had beaten them in that war. When the Humvee stopped and one of the soldiers opened the door for them, an armed escort accompanied them to the road that led to the institution where they would spend their time in detention until the trials against them began.
They walked slowly. A part of them was destroyed for having lost the Eds and when they reached the middle of the road, they turned their eyes to see a large number of civilians and military, both local and foreign, who were released from their cells, as well as many slaves and wounded who were put to work in subhuman conditions. So many faces, unknown to them, mere numbers that could be replaced, now felt those silent gazes but charged with a poison that would take effect on their bodies and souls. They could not escape that fate. The war had come to an end but the contempt they got, "thanks" to their actions, was never going to go away.
No one said anything about it. Even so, many wanted to insult them, even climb the fences to give them what they deserved, but they did not have the strength to do so. They just moved forward, but there was no shortage of isolated insults against them.
Inside the prison, a detachment of soldiers and members of the "Military Police" were waiting for them and when the escort entered with them, the Commander in charge of that sector looked them up and down, without saying anything, only with that coldness in his eyes and from there he returned to his seat. He proceeded to work on his computer and with that they began to search what they were carrying. They found nothing, everything they had with them disappeared during the explosion and from there they took their fingerprints.
- You will be transferred to "Block A" for dangerous people.- The Prison Commander informed them.- Do not try to escape, the place is full of troops and they are authorized to shoot to kill against you. You have earned many enemies.- Warned the man, as he turned around and turned his back on them.- Soldiers, take them away.- Finished a group of men and women, armed with M-16 rifles, led them into the corridors of the prison.
Within those sectors there were no other prisoners, since they had been executed by orders of the Kanker to avoid any attempt of "guerrilla movement" in the lands they would dominate. Whether in Liberion or in the rest of the World, the prisons were "cleansed" and not a single record of those who occupied them previously remained. Even so, there was a strong presence of civilians and military who were taken from there or cared for in the Infirmary and in the "Field Hospital" established outside for those who were prisoners of war that the Kankers took as slave labor. From the catwalks, a guard spat on them and that liquid intermingled with mucus fell on May's face, who looked up and wanted to hit the man upstairs back but one of the women hit him with the butt of her gun, knocking the air out of him.
- Is that how you liked to mistreat the police and military you captured, bitch?.- Asked the military woman.- Many of those you killed were my friends. I'm going to have a lot of fun when their time comes.- She swore and shook her hard, pulling her back in line.
- He spat at me. He has no right!.- The blonde tried to defend herself.
- Did my cousins have the same opportunity when they were enslaved and beaten as if they were dogs?.- Questioned another of the Soldiers.- Now I have one of them in a wheelchair, we don't know if he will ever walk again in his life. Walk before I execute them myself.- He ordered and from there they reached their destination.
The "Block A" was guarded by the Elite troops of the Liberion Armies, among them were the members of the "Marine Corps" and the "Rangers". One could see, on the West and East side of the complex, a strong group of snipers who were stationed there and would fire on anyone who wanted to escape. The man leading the escort that led the Kankers to their cell arrived and one of the members opened the doors with a button, giving them free passage and from there they were ushered in.
- I hope you enjoy your stay here: Soon the trials against you will begin.- Said the woman who had beaten May, and they closed the doors.
They were alone, they had no one but they remained intact. It was something worth observing, from a group of madmen that almost exterminated Humanity but failed at the last moment. Now they stood waiting for what would happen at any moment. Lee looked up at the ceiling, occupying his bed, while Marie and May were playing cards, since the dark blue hair had managed to hide a deck during the searches.
The days went by, the first ones were slow, hard, as the reconstruction and debris removal work had begun. Many cities had had to be dismantled almost or completely from their foundations to regain their former beauty. The lives lost were indescribable and even surpassed those of other great catastrophes such as the "Black Death" or the First World War. If the former had been the cause of a small "Ice Age" led to the rodents of the great steppes of Asia turning out to seek fresh pastures to eat and carrying with them the fleas which, with the sea routes run by the ships of Genoa, Pisa and Venice, and then King Ludwig I of Hungary was confronted with Italy for the death of his brother, who was married to the Queen, leading to his losing the war and his troops becoming infected, further spreading the plague.
Every great disaster always leaves its consequences in the short or long term but, also, there was that hope that was never lost. People were going to be able to lift their heads and walk back into the Future, remember their fallen and also thank the Witches and the Peach Creek boys for assisting the Armed Forces during those troubled times. But with the Kankers, hearing that news made their blood boil and they still continued to have those old grudges, hatreds against those who had "stolen" their boyfriends but there was nothing they could do but wait for Justice to rule in their favor.
It was then that, after a long period of confinement, they were taken out of their cell and escorted to the showers. They thought it would be the usual: bathe, have breakfast, be outside, watched and then continue with their "activities" until the end of the day, but when they finished washing up, they were forced to put on their usual clothes, which were washed, and from there the prison commander approached them.
- I hope they had enough rest.- He said, while giving them a cold look.
- It could be said that it was a very "pleasant" vacation.- Said Marie, but the man gave no importance to what she said.
- Anyway, today the trial against you for crimes against humanity begins.- Said the Commander and none of the three said anything.- Get dressed and go with the escort to the vehicle that will take you to the civil-military courts.- He concluded and left.
At the Courts of Justice, where the trial against the Kankers was taking place, a large number of people were waiting there, separated by a large police cordon, while inside, Minna and the others were already there, waiting and when they heard the shouts of the people against that trio of sisters, it did not take long for a series of shouts to be heard, It did not take long for a series of small incidents to take place where they were thrown with any object they had at hand and there was even a civilian who jumped over the security fence to give them what they deserved for all the pain they had caused them, but he was reduced by the members of the "Military Police" who took him away as a detainee until he was released later.
When the doors opened and they were face to face, none of them said anything, they only exchanged glances and from there they went to the courtroom. It didn't take long for court to begin and from there they took their seats. It was going to be a long day and the others to come.
As time passed, Minna and Trudie revealed the documents they had found in the Kanker Headquarters after the victory in the Battle of Berlin, as well as the testimony of many civilians and prisoners of war who had been enslaved. Each passing account of the suffering they had endured in the mines, factories and laboratories, as well as the punishments meted out to those who refused to work, who tried to flee or even of the fake shootings to destroy the minds of these people, caused many members of the jury to weep at the loss of so many lives.
- Your Honor.- Spoke Francesca Lucchini, who rose from her seat to speak.- As you and the members of this Honorable Court can see that these people, if you can call them by that term.- She pointed to where the Kankers were standin.- They are responsible for this war and the deaths caused. I don't know what it will be worthwhile to use against them, but I will only ask for one thing: That Justice falls upon these wretches and that they pay for everything they have done.
- Oh come on, are they crying over a bunch of strangers?.- May asked mockingly and that led to shouting and booing.
- Those "strangers" were people, families, friends, co-workers, people who had their dreams and hopes for the World to be a little better place. Not to turn it into a Utopia but just by making an effort and thus putting their "grain of sand", something that you never understood.- Yoshika told them coldly.
In the midst of the insults, the judge asked to return to calm and from there the trial resumed.
The days went by, one after the other, until they reached the decisive moment. The Jury was deliberating what kind of verdict they were going to take against the Kankers and after a few hours of waiting, they were finally called before the judge to announce the decision. They took their seats, waited for each of the civilians and military to settle down and from there, the President of that judicial body stood up with a folder in his hands. The judge was already in his seat and from there he turned his head to look at the other man, who was already ready.
- First of all, I am going to repeat the same warning I issued a few weeks ago: Any attempt or act of insubordination and/or attack against the detainees will be intercepted and sent to the dungeon of the Courts; so obey the orders.- Said the Magistrate.- Now, please, Mr. President of the Jury Thompson, tell us what verdict you and your close associates have reached.
The man with the black hair and mustache cleared his throat, extended his right hand to take a glass of fresh, crystalline water, wetting the dry area, and then proceeded to address those present. The "Witches" and the Peach Creek boys were gathered, their families waiting outside with the others. It was only a matter of time before the final verdict was read. Thompson remained quiet, calm, the judge was giving him his time to do his thing but it seemed to take forever.
- Whatever you do. Whatever they say, your stupid Justice is not afraid of us at all, nor will he give you back your dead.- Lee whispered quietly, as she was seconded by her sisters.
- Your Honor, before the great amount of evidence both in documents, photographs, videos, etc, added to the testimony of many witnesses, civilians and military, who have seen, described and endured a great amount of humiliations, degradations and other atrocities that would be impossible to enumerate with the fingers or make a list, even, the members of the Jury and I, Marcus Thompson, President of the same, have reached our final verdict.- He announced and it was then that a vacuum never seen before was produced.
The air had become "heavy", almost as if they were in a sauna or in the middle of some South American, African or Southeast Asian Rainforest. There was no telling what or how the people waiting for Justice to arrive would react. The Kankers were waiting in silence, smiling and still showing that disdainful personality with no respect for life. Marcus did not want to look at those girls, he felt, like the others, a deep hatred for all the damage caused, so he decided to put cold cloths to the situation and took a deep breath.
- This Court rules in favor of the families of all those who died during the "Shadow Neuroi War", sentencing the sisters Lee, Marie and May Kanker to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole. In addition to this, they will be charged with the crimes of slavery, deprivation of liberty, violations of the norms established by the "Geneva Convention" on the treatment of prisoners, forced displacement of persons, among many others along with those presented by Officer Francesca Lucchini in Peach Creek when they harassed the Eds for a long time. As she finished delivering the verdict, the World of the three sisters came crashing down, breaking completely before their eyes, erasing that smile of mockery and contempt, now shifting to one of astonishment and anguish.
- "Look who has the last laugh".- thought Francesca, seeing that justice had been done.- "Not only for my beloved Romagna, but also for my Eddy whom they hurt many times: it's over, Kanker. They are going to stay in jail forever".- Concluded the Italian, who held her boyfriend's hands.
- "Did they think they would get away with it?. They will live with this all their lives. The dead and wounded you left in your wake got the justice they craved. You're going to rot in jail until the day it's your turn to go to the 'Other World".- Erica looked at them for the last time and then left with Ed
- "No Ruler lasts forever. They thought they were going to be released from their actions but they were not. Now it's time to pay".- Eila finished with Sanya, as they gathered themselves, in the company of Double D and prepared to leave the Courts.
They could not get out of their astonishment, the remains of their Empire had disappeared forever, the members of the Police were coming towards them, proceeding to handcuff them, while the "Witches" and the Peach Creek kids were contemplating that act of Justice.
- No...NO! Life imprisonment, I am too young to be locked up all my life!.- May refused to accept her fate.
- You sabotaged this, I would have preferred to die rather than be in prison!.- Lee shouted but Minna approached them.
- Did you forget? You said very well that you would rather die behind bars than ask for forgiveness. This is your punishment now, Kanker. It's over.- Said the red-haired Commander.- Officers, proceed to remove these genocidaires from our sight.- She ordered.
- Right away, Commander Wilcke. Let's go.- Said one of the officers and they proceeded to take the sisters, who were screaming, kicking and cursing for their misfortune.
Soon, as they left the courthouse doors, the "Witches" and the Peach Creek boys were being honored, applauded and shown respect for them, while the Kankers were receiving insults and such for what they had caused. Once they left the stairs, they were led to the "San Quentin Maximum Security Prison", where they would spend the rest of their lives behind bars, paying dearly for every single life and city in the World they destroyed with their war.
Justice had shone that day for those who thought they had lost it forever.
[Well, what do you know. In a few months, on September 1*, it will be a year since I started this crossover-remake-homage for Matfix and now we have only the Epilogue left. The Kankers have been sent to prison (I took some time to decide what sentence they would receive and recognized that life imprisonment without parole would be best for all the destruction and death they caused in the World).
Now it remains to find out how the Eds and their friends will go on with their lives with the girls, I'll give you a little heads up: there will be a time jump in this Epilogue. That's all.
I send my greetings and thanks to all of you who have followed and commented on this story, especially to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the other Fanfiction and Wattpad followers.
Take care, friends and I'll be seeing you.
I wish you an excellent start of the day Tuesday].
