AUTHOR'S NOTE: The name of the planet in question - Eldeberon - is pronounced el-DEB-er-on.
CHAPTER 2
INQUIRY
The Doctor took a seat in the empty gallery, which gave him an excellent view of the room. To one side was the area designated for the defense, the prisoner's dock alongside. He shifted his gaze to the opposite side where the prosecution would be making its case. The Doctor thought they looked like opposing pulpits uprooted from an ancient Gothic cathedral and replanted in this hall of Time Lord justice. Between them and directly in front of the gallery was an ornate throne-like affair where the Inquisitor would be ensconced. There was a curved desk before the Inquisitor's chair that already had several folders laid out on it. The Doctor had to fight the urge to sneak down and take a peek at them.
He was still taking in the room when the prosecutor entered. He gave the Doctor a startled look, having thought himself to be the first to arrive. The Doctor was relieved to see he did not dress in the same black garb that the Valyard had in his own trial. In fact, he was nothing like that sinister figure at all. The role of prosecutor had fallen on the unlikely shoulders of a man named Fitzhugh. He was a small, unimposing, bookish looking individual who did not seem the least bit of a threat. Nevertheless, the Doctor knew all too well that looks could be very, very deceiving.
A few minutes later, the defense council Cardinal Shelby entered the room. He exchanged a few words with Fitzhugh before going to his own place to prepare for the start of the inquiry. After seeing the two main players, the Doctor could not help wondering if there were a library somewhere short two of its caretakers.
By the time some far away clock struck the hour, Cardinal Eustis was taking his place at the front of the room. He had changed into the impressive white and gold robes of the Inquisitor of the court, as well as the highly starched ornate collar that rose high above his shoulders. He looked from Shelby to Fitzhugh, who bowed in turn, and then motioned that they be seated. The Doctor made another visual sweep of the room. Other than those seated before him and the guards stationed at the doors, the room was empty.
"This criminal court of inquiry will come to order," Eustis announced, giving his gavel a tap on the desk. "Guard Captain, you may bring in the accused."
All eyes turned to the main doors as Jason was led in, his appearance shocking the Doctor. The Alterran usually took on the form of a tall, slender human male in his mid-thirties. Normally he had a healthy glow about him but now he looked gaunt and haggard, his usually bright sparkling eyes dull and lifeless, his face almost completely expressionless. He was dressed in a dark three-piece business suit rather than the royal finery that was his right, or the jeans and sweatshirt that were his custom. He was also wearing ankle and body chains attached to a pair of heavy handcuffs, which, like the barrier generator, would prevent him transmuting. The Doctor had to fight to keep himself from jumping to his feet and crying out in protest. Then he wondered why Shelby did not do the same.
The Prince did not even look up as he shuffled his way to the prisoner's dock. He stepped up and waited placidly as the chains on his feet were fastened to the floor. His only visibly reaction came when at last he lifted his gaze and saw the Doctor in the gallery, a look of abject betrayal passing across his face.
"The accused will remain standing," Eustis commanded. "Let the record show that Crown Prince Jason of Tel-Shye is present at this court of inquiry, the purpose of which is to establish the facts surrounding his involvement in the events on the planet known to its inhabitants as Eldeberon." He turned to the prosecutor. "Lord Fitzhugh, the charges."
"Thank you, my lord," the prosecutor said politely. He paused a moment to reposition his spectacles to focus on the document in his hand before reading off the litany of charges. By this time, the Doctor had stopped listening, his mind returning to the events on Eldeberon and all that happened after his arrival. It was not until Eustis spoke again that he returned to reality.
"Your royal highness, do you have anything to say in the face of these charges?" the Inquisitor asked. His next statement stunned the Doctor. "And I remind you, your Ambassadorial status has been revoked and will not shield you in this matter."
There was a long silence. Jason stood motionless, his eyes still fixed on the Doctor. Eustis exchanged an inquiring look with Shelby, who shook his head and made a helpless shrug. He had no idea if his client even desired to make a statement. The Inquisitor tried again. "Your highness? Do you wish to make a statement?"
The Doctor saw anger suddenly ignite in Jason's eyes, his expression changing, emotion bubbling to the surface. Upon seeing this, he knew his former traveling companion would be making a statement—Eventually.
Jason slowly lowered his gaze, fixing his intense stare on the Inquisitor, his striking blue eyes locking on his face. The Doctor noticed that Eustis actually flinched and suddenly realized, with a bit of a jolt, that everyone in the room was completely terrified of the captive Alterran.
When the Prince finally spoke, his voice carried every ounce of his suppressed anger. "The charges are true and they are not true. Accurate and erroneous. Deception and reality. I am guilty." He paused and looked straight at the Doctor. "And I am innocent," he stated flatly.
Eustis blinked, exchanging a baffled look with Shelby and Fitzhugh. "I see. An interesting statement, to say the least," he said in a bewildered tone. "My lord prosecutor, if you would begin."
Fitzhugh gave a slight bow and began laying out the prosecution's case. He outlined the events on Eldeberon, using entries from Jason's personal logs as his corroborating evidence. The Doctor listened as the case against his Alterran friend grew stronger and stronger. Many of the facts presented seemed slightly different from his recollection of events. When it came time for him to testify, he wasn't surprised that Fitzhugh only focused on certain aspects of the case. He was, however, more than a little surprised when defense council did not object to several of the statements he made. Even as he made them, the reasons for an objection flew into the Doctor's mind, yet Shelby was as silent as the man he was supposed to be defending.
The prosecution rested its case on the fourth day, and having met its burden of proof, Eustis ordered the inquiry concluded. When court reconvened the next day, it would be as a criminal trial, the outcome of which could well be the Prince's execution.
The gavel came down and Eustis retired to his chambers. The Doctor watched with mixed emotions as Prince Jason was led away. He had been closely observing the Alterran during the course of the inquiry. With each passing day, he appeared more sullen and withdrawn. Then after the Time Lord's testimony, it was as if he had given up entirely, rarely even raising his head.
The Doctor threw a glance in the direction of Eustis' office and sat thoughtfully for several minutes, mulling over the last four days and arguing with himself over the pros and cons of what he knew he had to do. Finally, he resolved to throw caution to the wind and crossed to the Inquisitor's chambers. Eustis was about to hear from the defense a great deal sooner than he thought.