Chapter 4

"There Must Be an Accounting"

In the days following the surrender of Giovanni Sakami and his fellow leaders, Amanda and I were in the process of trying to put together a war crimes trial for their involvement in disrupting the lives of people and Pokemon alike. Two days after finding out the truth, I headed over to the office of one of my colleagues, Judge Joseph Nolan, who was served as a judge in several small trials over the past few years. If there was anyone who knew how to oversee a war crimes trial, it was him. For he was the one who, after graduating from the Academy the year after me, oversaw the trials of several high ranking Team Rocket officials in a small war crimes trial in 2008, right after the Mumbai attacks in which Team Rocket unleash several powerful Pokemon on the city and ordered them to kill as many civilians as possible.

"Jeff," he said when I stood at his door. "You arrived just in time. I have something to show you."

This was an unexpected development as he had evidence to show me regarding Giovanni and that it was urgent from the look on his face. Heading into the study portion of his house, he handed several photographs that sat on his desk and when I looked at them, I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Unbelievable," I muttered as I looked down at them. "Unbelievable."

"That's why I called you over here," said Joe. "Those pictures were on every wire service: British military officers throwing a party for the leader of Team Rocket and his fellow captives."

The pictures showed pictures of Giovanni and his fellow captives being treated to British Hospitality and taking part in the celebration of their own capture.

"What was Captain Innes thinking?" I remarked.

"I'm told it's a code of honor that transcends politics," replied Joe. "The same thing happened at Hermann Goering surrendered to the Americans at the end of World War II."

"Which inspired you to become a judge," I said. "Considering that you are a World War II buff."

I threw the pictures back onto Joe's desk and took a sip of the water that was right next to me. How could Giovanni Sakami, the man who personally orders the capture of many Pokemon and the deaths of millions of people be treated like a rock star? Why, they would do that is beyond me.

"Captain Innes was reprimanded," continued Joe. "And he was told that Giovanni and his fellow captives be treated no differently than any other prisoners of war."

"Let's keep it that way," I said, looking back at the pictures. "But, the reason why I came over is to see what to do about these people now that they are war criminals."

Joe took another sip of water and replied to my suggestion. For he knew, given his experience was that Team Rocket be treated no different than any other prisoners. However, he also kept a picture of the World Trade Center in his office and we looked up and the towers in their shimmering glory before Team Rocket and Al-Qaeda took them away from us.

"I still can't believe their gone," I sighed. "To me it was like losing an idol, truthfully."

"I was in London on assignment when the news came," said Joe, also sighing heavily. "I'll never forget that moment."

He then turned his attention back to the subject at hand and that was the trial.

"Well, with the end of war in sight," he said. "President Obama had asked me as his confidant to discuss a rather tricky subject."

"And what is that?" I asked.

"What to do with captured Pokemon crime leaders," he added. "It was the opinion of several members of congress that they should be shot for crimes against Pokemon and Humanity. What's your opinion?"

"Well," I replied, taking in what Joe had said. "I think if it's a crime for Team Rocket and its associates to kill people and Pokemon without a trial, how can it match us to do the same thing."

"That's Obama's feeling exactly," said Joe. "But what the President and the Queen want to do is have a trial comprised of the four Pokemon regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh. President Obama wants the best prosecutors in the country; one with reputations for being tough, but impartial. He wants you and Amanda, Jeff."

This was going to be a big step for us both and that it would be our first major case since our days at the Pokemon Academy and that we were hoping that this would be better than our last case where we lost a conviction against a Team Rocket agent who was accused of murdering a flock of Dodrio without a license.

"I haven't prosecuted a case like this in years since we graduated from the academy," I replied. "As well as when we lost that case for the Dodrio."

"Well, this is a major opportunity for the both of you," said Joe. "The trial is yours for you and Amanda to create, Jeff. You both get to set the rules, the place of the trial, even get to pick the defendants."

Everything that Joe was saying was very much true as I hoped that what he was saying was in fact true, giving the fact that there was going to be a trial for Giovanni's mother and it completely unraveled because there was no weight against her.

"But," he said cautiously. "This trial could unravel too, like the last attempt against Giovanni's mother. However, at the same time, we are in a position where we could establish a basis where hunting Pokemon will be dealt with as a federal crime and this is the first step in doing just that."

Even though that I never got the chance to prosecute Giovanni's mother for her crimes, I felt that I was given a golden opportunity to finally put an end to Giovanni's ways for good. We were in a position where we could establish a law keeping Pokemon safe from all poachers, not just Team Rocket and their associates.

Meanwhile, back at Camp Bastion, Giovanni had just woken up after another night in a detention center and Captain Innes walked in with two soldiers behind him.

"Dr. Sakami," he said. "I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to get dressed."

Giovanni was surprised at the sudden about face in Captain Innes' attitude. One minute he was a generous host to him and his comrades and now, he was a stern military leader.

"Where are you taking us?" he asked confusingly.

"Only the humans," he replied, looking down at his Persian. "You and your comrades are being transferred to Rammstein Air Force Base in Germany."

Giovanni didn't quite know what to make of this and became confused at this.

"Well, you know," he said. "Germany is a very pleasant spa, but why must we go there?"

"Because that's where their rounding up Pokemon war criminals," he answered. "The plane leaves in a half hour, be ready."

And with that, he left, leaving Giovanni with the sudden realization that the days of living free were over and that now he and his comrades were now going to be treated like criminals and not innocent people…