PART TWO
THE DOCTOR'S SIDE
CHAPTER 5
DEFENSE: DAY ONE
The Doctor squeezed as much as he could in the short time he had been given to prepare Jason's defense. He arrived at the courtroom before anyone else and took stock of the room, this time from the defense rostrum. He spread his notes on the console and quickly reacquainted himself with the controls to the Matrix screen. Much of his presentation depended on the information stored in the Matrix of Time and the last thing he wanted was to be fumbling with the controls during court. Everything needed to go smoothly.
The Doctor did not even notice when Lord Fitzhugh arrived and only seemed to return to reality when Eustis emerged from his chambers and carried out his little ritual before calling for the Prince to be brought in.
The main doors opened and the shackled Alterran was led to his usual place at the prisoner's dock, just as he had on all the other occasions. This time, however, his defense council would do his job. As the guard moved to attach his chains to the floor, the Doctor commanded, "Stop!" and turned to the astonished Inquisitor. "My lord, I object! There is a barrier generator already present in court. Is it really necessary to continue to humiliate his royal highness in this manner?"
The dumbfounded Eustis sat staring and found himself wondering what he had let himself in for when he agreed to assign the Doctor as council for the defense.
It was the prosecutor who replied. "The charges warrant such precautions. The accused is a violent criminal."
"The operative word being accused. Nothing's been proved yet," the Doctor replied sharply.
"I can see the new council for the defense is going to keep you on your toes, Lord Fitzhugh," Eustis observed in an amused tone. "The Doctor's objection is sustained. The accused will remain unrestrained while in court."
Jason gave no indication of his feelings one way or the other as his bindings were removed. His only reaction was to rub his wrists as he took his place beside the Doctor, whom he acknowledged with a brief sideways glance. He had been given strict instructions to continue in his silence no matter what happened, which could be just about anything with the Doctor around.
"Let the record show that the Doctor has been designated as Prince Jason's defense council in place of Cardinal Shelby." Eustis stated, tapping his gavel to make it official. Then, just as Jason stated, the Inquisitor went on to transform the inquiry into a criminal trial. When the Doctor was asked if he would stipulate to all that the prosecution had presented, he hesitated, throwing an uncertain look in the Prince's direction. Jason met his gaze and nodded. What did he have to lose, anyway?
"The defense agrees to the stipulation," the Doctor replied finally.
"Is the defense ready to present its case?" the Inquisitor then asked.
The Doctor bowed slightly. "It is, my lord."
"Proceed."
The Doctor drew himself to his full height. "Since I'm rather new at this, I beg the court's indulgence if my presentation doesn't meet the usual court standards."
The Inquisitor gave an amused smile. "You're too modest, Doctor. The court recognizes that you are not a jurist."
"Thank you, my lord," the Doctor said, inclining his head. "And, with all due respect to Lord Fitzhugh, I don't think a few recordings and the secondary opinions of experts—none of whom were present at the events in question—can give an accurate accounting of the facts."
"This court does have your testimony on record, Doctor," Eustis reminded firmly. "And you have been recognized as both an expert and being present at the time many of these events took place."
"Exactly my point."
Eustis furrowed his eyebrows. "I beg your pardon?"
"I wasn't present for all the events."
The Inquisitor sighed heavily. The Doctor's logic was making him dizzy, which he suspected was the purpose. "Your point?"
"My apologies."
As the Doctor gave a slight bow, Jason closed his eyes, and bit his tongue. His friend was laying it on just a little too thick in his opinion.
"My intention is to show the events on Eldeberon as they actually occurred," the Doctor said calmly, "by utilizing the Matrix archive."
"This is outrageous!" Fitzhugh exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "The Matrix is the repository of knowledge, not a…a…carnival peep show!"
"Was that an objection, my Lord Fitzhugh?" Eustis asked astringently.
The prosecutor cleared his throat. "Yes, my lord, that was an objection."
"You are overruled."
"My lord!"
"The purpose of this trial is to put forth the facts," the Inquisitor reminded sharply, "and the Doctor may present his facts in any way he sees fit." The prosecutor opened his mouth only to close it. He bowed slightly and sat down. Eustis turned back to the Doctor. "Would I be correct in assuming your presentation will be a lengthy one, Doctor?" he asked calmly.
"You would, my lord," the Doctor replied.
"Than I suggest we begin."
The Doctor inclined his head. "Again, I ask the court's indulgence. Some of what I'm about to present will seem to repeat the evidence already on record," he began slowly. "It's the defense's position that much of that evidence was taken out of context. With the help of the Matrix, I hope to show this court the context in which these events took place."
The Inquisitor started to turn toward the screen behind him, turning back when the Doctor said quickly, "However, before I begin the extracts, I'd like to recall a witness."
Eustis scowled, throwing a quelling look over at Fitzhugh who looked as though he were about to pitch another fit. "Whom do you wish to recall?" he asked calmly.
"Guard Captain Reinhardt."
Although puzzled, Eustis said, "Proceed. Come forward, Guard Captain."
The equally puzzled Reinhardt stepped forward, bowing to the Inquisitor as he did so.
"You're the one who arrested Prince Jason. Is that correct?" the Doctor asked.
Fitzhugh was immediately on his feet. "My lord, must we go over—?"
"The Doctor did not have the opportunity to question the prosecution's witnesses," Eustis snapped impatiently. "Now unless you have a valid objection, sit down!"
The prosecutor inclined his head and meekly returned to his seat. The Doctor, meanwhile, acted as though nothing had happened. "Guard Captain?"
Completely thrown by all this, Reinhardt suddenly remembered he was supposed to be answering questions. "Yes, sir."
"It's the prosecution's contention that Prince Jason is a violent person," the Doctor went on. "At the time of his arrest, was he violent in any way?"
"He resisted when I attempted to remove him from Cardinal Wythe's office."
"Resisted? Did he strike you?"
"No, sir. He just…struggled," the officer replied.
The Doctor raised his eyebrows. "Struggled? He didn't lash out physically in any way?"
"No, sir. He was just abusive."
"Abusive? I don't understand. You just stated that his highness didn't strike you."
"I meant verbally abusive, sir."
"Ah. In other words, he swore at you."
The Captain shifted nervously on his feet. "Yes, sir. In several languages."
The Doctor saw a smirk creeping onto Jason's face and gave him a quelling look before turning back to the uneasy officer. "Has Prince Jason been similarly abusive since his incarceration?"
"My lord, really," Fitzhugh interrupted in a weary tone. "I cannot see the purpose of this line of questioning."
"Nor I," Eustis agreed. "Is there a point you're attempting to make, Doctor?"
The Doctor gave him an innocent look. "Well, I couldn't help noticing that the duty of moving Prince Jason from place to place belongs almost exclusively to Captain Reinhardt. Considering the fact that he's the one responsible for his arrest and incarceration, I wondered if his highness were resentful and similarly abusive during these times."
Eustis leaned back in his chair. "You raise a valid point," he replied. "Captain, has the accused spoken to you in such a manner since his arrest?"
"No, sir," the Captain replied. "He's the one who asked that I be assigned as his escort."
"What?" the Inquisitor gasped. "Did he say why?"
"Because…I'm not afraid of him," the Captain stammered, adding, "Sir."
The Doctor grinned at the reaction this induced. "Thank you, Captain," he said, adding, "I've finished with this witness."