Just a little note before we get started: this is sort of a long dry chapter to get through. I realize that, I apologize that it's kind of necessary. Also I am not a lawyer or studying law. I tried to do my research on basic court proceedings but I admit I'm nowhere near an expert. However. This is an alien courtroom. This is not a courtroom on Earth. I mentioned previously the proceedings are loosely based on Earth courtrooms because of the work Superman did with the IGP officials. I don't want to get any reviews telling me "that's not how it works in a courtroom" or "that's not correct." Whatever I say is correct. This is not Earth. If I want everyone in the courtroom to stand up and sing "I'm a Little Teapot" in Tamaranian I damn well can. That wouldn't make any sort of sense whatsoever but that's my point. I make up the laws, I make up the rules.
That being said, I'm sorry it's a court chapter, it's slower paced and there's a lot of dialogue to get through, but I hope you guys still find it interesting.
"Hey, hey it's going to be all right, okay? It's going to be fine," Robin insisted. He held Starfire's trembling hands. She pulled them loose and shook them, her fingertips tingling and numb.
"We are here to support you Kori, always," Ryand'r said, placing his hand on her shoulder. She nodded sharply.
The several months before the trial passed by quickly. Every day her sister's court date drew closer made Starfire more and more subdued. Robin could barely stand her grimness the week of the big date and he was even more worried when she hadn't spoken a word since their long flight to IGP. Her reunion with her brother and Galfore was a somber one and now they were gathered outside the courtroom waiting for the appointed time.
Robin was grateful Batman, Superman, and J'onn were also with the group, milling and talking in muted tones as they waited for the doors to open. Thankfully the press was barred from the area until after the trial was completed and only the authorized audience was allowed in the massive circular hall. Even Debbral was there as court stenographer.
Starfire nervously straightened her crown against her face and smoothed the front of her long slitted skirt.
Raven felt terrible for her. Every ounce of Starfire's weighted remorse was projected out like a fog around her and she feared Starfire might not be strong enough to truly implicate her sister's guilt. Raven brushed her fingers against Starfire's arm and pulled her closer so she could talk more privately.
"Do you want me to help?"
"I do not know... I..."
"You're an emotional mess and I don't blame you one bit. But I can help, remember?"
Starfire nodded. "I remember."
"There's a ladies... um, 'female gendered bathroom' over there," Raven said, indicating the direction with her head. "We can go in there for some privacy."
"But-" Starfire said, looking back to the double doors.
"We have time, it's not going to start for another twenty minutes," Raven soothed, taking Starfire's arm and leading her away.
"Raven," Robin started, but Raven shook her head at him.
"Girl talk, we'll be right back," she said.
Robin frowned but let them go.
Once in the 'female gendered bathroom' Starfire went to one of the sinks that were humanoid designed and splashed some water on her cheeks, careful not to get any near her eye makeup. Raven patted her on the back.
"Am I weak, Raven?" Starfire asked mournfully, not looking at herself in the mirror.
"Absolutely not," Raven said firmly.
"I feel as though I should be stronger than this," Starfire said regretfully. "I should not be so nervous. I should put my sister in jail where she belongs. I should not feel so guilty that it came to this. I am on the right side. Am I on the right side?"
"You've only tried to help her, Starfire. She repaid your kindness with anger, hurt, and jealousy. You can't let her walk all over you."
"If she is acquitted she will not rest until she exacts revenge against me," Starfire said heavily. "I will never have peace."
"That's why you have to do this today. You know this. You love your sister and you always will, but you can't let her hurt you anymore."
Starfire nodded slowly. "Yes, you are right. I know this. I just do not know why I do not feel it."
"Because this whole situation is burying you, there's so many different ways it's pulling you emotionally and you've been hurt too many times and ways to count. I know you're one big jumbled confused mess but that's why I brought you in here. I'll help, at least take away the nerves so you can think a little clearer."
"Thank you, friend," Starfire said, her eyes tearing.
Raven nodded and placed her hand above Starfire's heart. She felt Raven's powers seep through her chest and bundled the nervousness and indecision away, leaving an empty trail in its wake. The weight on her chest felt lighter and even though the worrisome thoughts still swirled in her head the load was easier to bear.
Starfire straightened her spine and nodded to Raven before pulling her in for a hug.
"You'll do just fine," Raven said, giving her a hug back. The two girls exited the bathroom and Robin trotted toward them.
"I heard talking in the room, it's probably just about time," he said. They looked over as the doors swung open.
"Well, it's now or never," Raven said.
"It is now," Starfire responded, standing tall and striding to the courtroom with the rest of the heroes, her family, and the audience following.
She took her seat, Robin sitting next to her and squeezing her hand while the rest of their party filed into the row.
Blackfire was not present yet but as more people filtered in and were seated the doors to the holding cell opened and four very large burly guards led her in, heavily chained and wearing a bright green jumpsuit. Starfire darted her eyes away from her sister when she saw Blackfire looking for her. She felt a surge of loathing for her cowardice and guilt but she just couldn't look her sister in the eye.
They all stood as the Judge made her way in and was seated at the bench and the jury took their places.
Starfire sat back down and felt her stomachs twist into knots as the court was officially called into session and proceedings took place, all of the evidence presented. The Prosecution and the Defense made their opening statements. She waited, her breaths sticking in her throat until she was called.
"Judge Atves, the Prosecution would like to call its first witness to the stand, Princess Koriand'r."
Starfire's hands were shaking as Robin squeezed her one last time. She stepped out of the row and made her way to the witness box. She was sworn in and took a seat.
Starfire's heart was thumping wildly in her chest, her palms moist, and her sister was sending her a death glare from her chair. Though her eyes remained carefully hidden under their masking glow she knew her nervousness was probably evident on her face. She landed her gaze on Robin and for a moment felt a little ease in her chest. He was right here with her and they were going to do this together. He smiled encouragingly at her.
"Please state your full title for the jury, Princess," Rollin started.
"Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran." Starfire glanced over at Debbral, whose tentacles clicked and clacked as she documented everything that was said.
"We are here today because you are pressing charges against your sister for abduction and intent to deliver you into the slave trafficking market, correct?"
"Yes."
"Please tell me what happened on the Earth date July 15th of this year."
"My sister came to Earth."
"And why did she come to Earth?"
"To capture my brother and I."
"Was she successful at that time?"
"No, she was not. She could not detain us both."
"What happened after that?"
"She flew away into space. My brother and I pursued her."
"Why did you and your brother pursue her if you were trying to avoid being captured by her?" Rollin asked.
"While on Earth she claimed her motive for detaining us was to deliver us to the Citadel. Because she could not capture both me and my brother, she claimed she could notify the Citadel of our location. We could not let her do that."
"So you followed her in hopes of stopping her from contacting the Citadel."
"Yes."
"Did you catch her?"
"No. She was too fast for us."
"What did you do after you lost her?"
"We sought assistance from the Intergalactic Police Force."
"And why IGP?"
"Because they were the only organization that could help us mediate. They are present in the galaxies to help with interplanetary disputes. We needed 'the backup' should my sister try anything."
"Did she try anything?"
"She boarded the mother Gordanian Bounty Hunting vessel."
"What kind of message does that send to you?" Rollin asked.
"A very clear one. The Gordanian Bounty Hunters were contracted to deliver me to the Citadel."
"But you never arrived the second time?"
"I escaped to Earth, where I sought asylum."
"Did this not violate the treaty your people had with the Citadel?"
"According to the clause in the contract, no."
"And what clause is that?"
"If I was to become betrothed the right of the Citadel to own me as property would be waived. Galfore had the foresight to add in such a clause while I remained in exile after the Psion experiments."
"Are you betrothed?"
Starfire looked at Robin. "Yes."
"To whom?"
"To Robin, of Earth."
"That young man in the audience?"
"Yes."
"Surely you weren't betrothed when you escaped from the Gordanian ship, Princess."
"No, I was not. They came to the planet to recapture me but we staved off the Gordanian attack and they gave up. Apparently the sum promised to them for my delivery was not great enough for their trouble. I have since learned the Gordanians falsified information and claimed I was missing or deceased so they would not have to complete their mission and be caught in the middle of a war. The Citadelians accepted this lie and Tamaran was left in peace."
"This is how you were able to remain on Earth without hassle?"
"Yes."
"Until your sister showed up."
"Yes."
"Please tell us what happened after you arrived at IGP and discovered the news your sister was residing with the Gordanians."
"I was fearful my sister would involve the Gordanians in her plot to deliver me to the Citadel. It is not improbable that she would promise them a portion of the money she would accrue to aid her in the capture and delivery of me. The Gordanians will do anything for the right price."
"So you and your betrothed went to the Gordanian ship?"
Starfire shifted in her seat. This was where it got sketchy. It wouldn't look good for her case to admit she had purposely gone to the ship to entice her sister to capture her. Time to omit certain parts of the truth.
"Yes. I could no longer sit and wait. I knew if I did not settle things with my sister I would forever be waiting for her to strike, and I cannot live like that."
"So you went to sort it out with her?"
"Yes."
"Why was your betrothed with you?"
"I had intended to go alone. He did the following of me and leaped into my pod as I was initiating take off."
"When you arrived at the ship did your sister contact you?"
"Yes. She invited us to board and made it clear we would have to fight our way to her."
"You sustained several injuries from the Gordanian attacks?"
"I received a wound on my thigh and my arm."
"And your betrothed?"
Starfire became distressed. "He was speared in the back by my sister with a Gordanian weapon."
"How serious was the wound?"
"He was close to death."
"What happened after your betrothed was wounded?"
"I had lost my will to continue battling when I saw he was unconscious and severely injured. The Gordanians restrained me and my sister ordered us to be taken to a cell."
"What was the nature of this cell?"
"It was an illegal chamber powered by xenothium."
"You and your betrothed were placed in this cell?"
"Yes."
"Could you escape from this cell?"
"Under my own power, no."
Rollin turned away from the witness stand and addressed Judge Atves. "Your Honor, we have video evidence of this exchange. I ask that the jury view exhibit A."
A video screen was brought up on a projector and the footage from the Gordanian battle and Blackfire sticking Robin in the back with the spear was shown. Judge Atves shook her head and frowned as she watched the panic in Robin and Starfire's faces as they were assaulted by waves of Gordanian Bounty Hunters. Blackfire was seen diving at Robin, delivering the blow, and they were peddled off to a holding cell. Footage was fuzzy from the cell block but Starfire could be seen resisting as several Gordanians tried to push her into the chamber.
"Your Honor, if I may, this footage is hardly concrete evidence that Princess Koriand'r was held in captivity. It is extremely blurry and hard to make out," Harlingor said.
Judge Atves squinted at the screen. "Yes, it is slightly blurry but that is the nature of security footage. I can still see the Princess and her betrothed. If it is good enough for me it is good enough for the jury. Continue, Rollin."
"Princess, where was the Gordanian ship headed to after you were placed in captivity?"
"The Citadel," she said, a sheen of tears over her eyes. Watching that footage had chilled her to the core when she remembered how desperate she had felt.
"These printouts were taken from the Gordanian ship logs from that day. These coordinates were locked in shortly after Princess Koriand'r's capture. They match with the Citadelian capitol." Rollin handed them to the bailiff who in turn handed them to the Judge.
Rollin nodded at Starfire. "Your witness," he said to Harlingor.
Harlingor finished writing some notes on a pad and stood up while Rollin took his seat.
Starfire twisted her hands in her lap. Rollin's part of the testimony was the easy part. She knew Harlingor would ask difficult questions and try to trap her on purpose. She glanced at her friends and Robin gave her another smile. She returned it shakily.
'You can do this,' he mouthed at her.
"Princess Koriand'r, I noticed you are giving your testimony in English. Why do you not use your native language?" Harlingor started.
"I have lived on Earth for five years now. It is natural for me to use English."
"Natural. So you feel no connection to your home planet any longer?"
"Objection. Relevance to this case?" Rollin spoke up.
Atves looked at Harlingor. "Relevance?"
"I am merely trying to build a picture of the Princess' current state of loyalty to her native planet and her family. Family is why we are here today."
Atves narrowed her eyes but finally said, "Overruled. You may continue your line of questioning."
"Once again Princess. Do you feel any connection to your home planet?"
Debbral's tentacles frantically tapped away at her computer, distracting Starfire for a moment. She was a little stymied at the question and knew her answer could potentially make her look bad. "Of course I feel a connection to my home planet. I cannot forget where I come from."
"But you would like to, wouldn't you?"
"Objection! Leading the witness," Rollin called.
"Sustained."
Harlingor rephrased the question, unfazed. "Would you like to forget your home planet, Princess?"
"I cannot ever forget where I come from."
"I can understand that, but that is not what I asked you. I asked if you would like to forget."
"Would I like to forget? No."
"You wouldn't? Even after all you sacrificed for your planet?"
"I have sacrificed much but I will never forget my heritage."
"I think we are all just trying to figure out where your loyalties are. You live on Earth, you speak like them, you're betrothed to one. Are you trying to become human?"
Starfire looked extremely conflicted. Robin cursed under his breath. Trust the Defense attorney to find one of her major weaknesses and gut her with it on the stand.
"I cannot ever become a human. It is silly to suggest otherwise," Starfire finally answered.
"Well honestly, who could blame you for wanting to become a human?" Harlingor said. "Your father placed you in the Citadel. Surely you harbor resentment toward your family for allowing you to be tortured?"
Starfire's brows furrowed. "I-"
"I object, the Counselor is leading the witness again," Rollin said, exasperated.
"Sustained. Counselor, frame your questions accordingly."
Harlingor started a different angle of questioning. "Princess, were you handed over to the Citadel when you were eleven years old?"
"Yes," Starfire said, distressed.
"How long were you enslaved there?"
"Three and a half years."
"Were you tortured?"
The look on Starfire's face said it all.
"Please answer the question, Princess."
"Yes," Starfire said. Robin could hear the distress in her voice.
"Can you explain in detail for the benefit of the jury what kind of torture you were subjected to?"
"Objection! Relevance to this case, once again?" Rollin was getting angry.
"Relevance?" Atves asked.
"I am merely trying to determine the Princess' state of mind. Her experiences are imperative in understanding how she views her family."
Atves looked at Starfire's stricken face.
"Sustained. The witness does not need to provide the sundry details. We all know the Citadel's reputation."
Harlingor continued unfazed.
"All right then. Let me ask you this, Princess. Was your time in the Citadel pleasant?"
Starfire's face hardened. She couldn't believe Harlingor was continuing the questioning after the objection.
"Careful, Counselor," the Judge cautioned.
"Answer the question, Princess," Harlingor said.
"No," Starfire said between her teeth.
"Would you ever want to return there?"
Starfire was upset and the anger on Robin's face was clearly displayed in the audience. He was proud she had been so clinical and stoic during the trial but Harlingor was doing his best to make her get emotional and prone to unplanned outbursts, which could potentially reveal damaging information.
"No," she said shortly.
"Were you abused while you were in the Citadel?"
Starfire bit her lip. "Yes."
"Did you kill the master who owned you to escape?"
"Objection! This line of question is completely irrelevant and it is causing undue stress on the witness! I ask the jury to strike this from their record and her whole testimony up until this point be thrown out!"
"Me thinks I hear the Prosecution protest too much," Harlingor said, amused. "It seems there are some details of this Princess' life that you wish not to surface, Rollin? I ask you Judge Atves, how are we to decide which girl is right when we do not even know them? When we do not even know who they are, what background they come from? All my questioning is completely relevant to the case, it is relevant in the fact that we are to understand these girls; we are to understand their motives for their actions."
Judge Atves shook her head. "Overruled, on the grounds that their background is relevant to present events. Harlingor, you're on thin ice. Keep your questioning professional."
Harlingor adjusted his collar. "Answer the question, Princess."
Robin balled his hand into a fist. He knew it was totally mortifying for Starfire to admit what happened to her, to admit she had killed.
She looked down as she answered quietly. "Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes I killed my master."
"She killed her master," Harlingor addressed the jury. He paced for a moment, letting that statement sink in before turning back to Starfire. "Is it true, Princess Koriand'r, that you were given Princess Komand'r's right to the throne?"
"Are you not going to ask why?" Starfire spoke up, her eyes flashing.
"That sneaky bastard," Robin growled. "He's not even going to let them know the reason why she did what she had to do."
"Defense attorneys are good at that," Raven said. "They highlight the objectionable points in someone's testimony and purposely offer no explanation or back story as to why the event occurred, making the witness look bad."
"I killed my master because he was going to rape me," Starfire said steely.
"Strike that from the record," Harlingor said. "I did not ask it of her."
"Well you should ask it of me," Starfire said indignantly.
"Calm down Princess and let Harlingor continue," the Judge placated her. "The Prosecuter will have his turn."
Starfire sat in a huff with her arms crossed.
"Once again, Princess. Were you given the right to Komand'r's throne?"
"Yes," Starfire all but snarled.
"Was this because of her appearance?"
"Part of the reason, yes," Starfire said sullenly. "But mostly because she had the temper and was very volatile. The court did not trust her."
"Because of her appearance."
"Because she was snide, secretive, and had ulterior motives," Starfire insisted.
"Do you think your sister developed these personality traits because your people were prejudiced against the way she looked?"
Starfire bored holes into the attorney's head.
"Answer the question, Princess. Does it take a village to raise a child?"
"Objection. This calls for conclusion. This is not fact."
"Sustained."
"Did your people treat Princess Komand'r as an outsider?"
"No," Starfire said. Blackfire pounded her fist on the table and looked furious.
"No?" Harlingor said.
"She was not treated as an outsider. She made the people distrust her with her actions."
"That's a lie!" Blackfire shouted, unable to keep silent.
The Judge pounded her gavel as people began to murmur to each other.
"Order in this courtroom! I will have order! And Princess Komand'r, if you speak out of turn again I will hold you in contempt of court."
Blackfire sat back and simmered angrily.
"Let me just wrap this up. Was any of the harsh treatment the Defendant received on her home planet because her people were prejudiced against the way she looked?"
"Partially."
"Partially, or yes?"
Starfire was mad. "Yes."
"Princess, I know you answered this question already but I'm having trouble understanding your reasoning. Why, if you were trying to avoid your sister and the Citadel at all costs, would you take off for the Gordanian ship?"
Starfire set her jaw. "As I said previously, she was sending a very clear message. I did not wish to reside on IGP for an indeterminate amount of time hiding from her like a coward. If I returned to Earth or Tamaran I would not be safe either. I decided it was best to find her and talk to her."
"Did you think your sister would talk it over with you civilly?"
"I had hoped she would listen. I had hoped it would not come to a fight."
"It certainly did come to a fight, didn't it?"
"Yes, it did," Starfire said.
"Be honest Princess, you're under oath. Is it possible your arrival caused that fight?"
Starfire frowned. "No. I did not instigate the fight."
"You don't think arriving at your sister's location wasn't a purposeful enticement?"
Starfire stopped and opened her mouth; she was being called out. She narrowed her eyes then. She was not going to be fooled.
"I went to the Gordanian ship to negotiate matters with my sister. She started the fight, she stabbed Robin in the back without any provocation and she ordered us to be captured. I did not force her to do any of those things by meeting with her. My sister's actions are completely her own."
Harlingor tried to recover. "Is it possible Princess, if you had stayed on IGP where you were protected, your sister might not have come after you at all? That she may have dropped whatever plans you allege she had of harming you?"
Sneaky. "No," Starfire said flatly. "My sister has harbored a vendetta against me since my birth. I would not feel safe no matter where I was or how much time had I allowed to pass."
Robin grinned. "Shut down, that's my girl," he whispered. Raven smiled and patted him on the hand.
"No further questions at this time, your Honor." Harlingor gestured to Rollin. "Your witness."
Rollin got up.
"Princess, do you know the history that happened on the day of your sister's birth?"
"You are referring to the attack made by the Citadel?"
"Yes."
"On the day of my sister's birth the Citadelians attacked and demolished the western city of Kysarr. They killed thousands of citizens in her name. While she could not possibly be at fault my people link her birth with that unfortunate day."
"Do you know what was special about Komand'r's birth?"
"She was the first princess born in over a hundred years."
"So her birth should have been a happy occurrence?"
"Yes."
"But it was turned into a fateful day because of the Citadelian attack?"
"Yes. My people were happy a princess was born but the Citadelian attack overshadowed Komand'r's birth. It did not help that the Citadelians claimed the attack was in her name."
"Were people shocked at Komand'r's appearance?"
"They were frightened that she was a bad omen. The attack combined with her appearance made them skittish of her."
"Were your people ever cruel to her?"
"No. They merely were careful of her. Komand'r knew she was different and she resented it."
"Lies," Blackfire muttered under her breath. The Judge glanced at her in disapproval but kept silent as the proceedings continued.
"What event caused the Tamaranian court to succeed the throne to you?"
"Blackfire was found guilty of contact with the Citadel."
"What was the nature of this contact?"
"They were bribing her for information on Tamaran's defense systems. While she had not yielded any information, she was in the middle of striking the deal."
"Was your sister angry when her rights were succeeded?"
"Yes."
"Princess, please tell me in your own words what happened between you and your sister in your second year of training on Okaara."
"During a sparring exercise Komand'r hid an illegal dagger in her boot. She attempted to stab me with it."
"The warlords intervened?"
"Yes."
"How old were you when this happened?"
"I was eight."
"You have already testified you were handed over to the Citadel when you were eleven. Do you know who was responsible for the decision to send you to the Citadel as a peace offering?"
"My sister."
"Objection, the witness is lying. It is a known fact her father negotiated the peace treaty and sent the Princess to the Citadel."
"Overruled. Princess, please clarify why you claim it is your sister."
"My sister implanted the idea to my father that I should be sent as a peace offering, just like the princess one hundred years before me. She admitted this to me herself."
There was murmuring in the audience and Atves pounded her gavel for order.
"When you were in the Citadel you spent three and a half years there, correct?" Rollin continued.
"Yes."
"Is there a rule about outsiders and contact with the princess of Tamaran?"
"Yes."
"Please state that rule for me."
"Off worlders are not allowed to touch the Princess."
"Can you tell me the terms of the contract your planet had with the Citadel? Were you to be handed over as a slave?"
"No," Starfire growled. "I was to be treated as a prisoner of war."
"Clearly you were not?"
"I was shackled the moment I arrived."
"Please tell me what happened on the day you escaped from the Citadel."
"My master decided to have relations with me."
"How old were you, again?"
"Fourteen."
"I know this information is a little personal, but did you have your transformation at that time?"
"No."
"So your master was attempting to rape you?"
"Yes."
"Before you had your transformation?"
"Yes."
"This is contrary to their normal behavior?"
"Yes."
"Why did your master attempt to use you before your transformation?"
"He could not wait any longer. The murders of the Tamaranian ambassadors Gregfor and Fuan'a would surely incite a war and he was convinced I would be rescued. He was extremely angry my transformation had not happened yet but his lust overcame his inclinations."
"Princess, please restate that rule for me."
"Off worlders are not allowed to touch the princess."
"If off worlders are not even allowed to come in any sort of contact with you, how did it make you feel that someone was trying to rape you?"
Harlingor was squirming in his seat adjacent to Starfire. She could tell he really wanted to call an objection but could not find grounds to do so.
"It made me furious. It made me feel degraded and shameful," Starfire said, looking down, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
"Was this the first time he attempted to rape you?"
"Yes."
"Was it the first time he touched you in an inappropriate manner?"
"No."
"How long a period of time did you suffer with inappropriate touches to your person while in the Citadel?"
"Two and a half years."
"So for about a year, you were untouched?"
"I was touched, but not sexually. I was a servant."
"You have already confirmed that you were tortured, Princess?"
"Objection! This line of questioning was ruled irrelevant during my examination," Harlingor said crossly.
"I am merely continuing the line of questioning the Defense pursued after the ruling. He asked questions about the witness' time in the Citadel. I am not asking the witness to explain how every torture procedure was done. I am merely confirming that she was."
"Overruled. The Defense asked the witness to explain in detail. She is merely providing surface information. Proceed."
"Princess, were you tortured?"
"Yes."
"More than once?"
"Yes. Often."
"Did you witness others being tortured?"
"Yes."
"Did you witness others being raped?"
"Yes."
"Did the horrific treatment you received during your time in the Citadel contribute to the slaying of your master?"
"Yes."
"No further questions at this time, your Honor."
Starfire returned to her seat, resolutely staring straight ahead and ignoring the heat coming from her sister. Rollin went back to his desk and shuffled through his notes. When he was ready he nodded at Robin.
"Your Honor, the Prosecution would like to call Robin to the stand."
Robin stood up and made his way to the witness box.
"Raise your right hand. Robin, do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"I do," he answered.
"Take your seat."
Rollin approached the witness stand.
"Robin, please state for the jury what happened on Earth date July 15th of this year."
"Starfire's sister Blackfire came to Earth to abduct her and Ryand'r. She was unsuccessful. Starfire and Ryand'r flew into space after her."
"What did you do after Princess Koriand'r had left?"
"We went to the Justice League's Watchtower, where we contacted Starfire and learned she was at IGP."
"Then you went off after her alone?"
"Yes."
"Why did you go alone?"
"It was a poor decision. I was upset at her sudden departure and wanted to work things out with her without any interference."
"This is also why you followed her to the Gordanian ship?"
"Yes. I wasn't about to let her go alone."
"Because you knew of the danger her sister presented?"
"Every time I have met Blackfire it has resulted in a fight."
"Every time?"
"The first time Blackfire was framing Starfire for a crime she didn't commit and was going to let her take her place in Centauri prison. The next time Blackfire traded Starfire's hand in marriage for a jewel with the Drenthax Four Prince. And of course this last time she was trying to take Starfire to the Citadel."
"How did you know that was her plan?"
"She said it out loud. She told Starfire what Korthar was planning. It was disgusting."
"What was Korthar was planning?"
"To do the same thing to Starfire and her brother that was done to the two Tamaranian ambassadors."
There was murmuring in the audience. Atves pounded her gavel.
"That is rather barbaric. Princess Komand'r was going to allow her sister to experience that fate?"
"At one point when she had us captured she laughed and couldn't stop," Robin said.
"When you and Princess Koriand'r arrived at the Gordanian ship, what did Princess Komand'r say?"
"We had to fight our way to her and prove how determined we were to keep ourselves out of the Citadel."
"You boarded the ship, and then?"
"We were attacked by Gordanians. When we made it to the bridge there were too many of them to stave off for long. Starfire and I had separated and Blackfire dove into the middle of the fight with a spear. My staff got caught in another Gordanian's weapon and she had an opening. She stabbed me in the back and that's all I remember until I woke up in the cell with Starfire."
"How much pain were you in?"
"I was dying," Robin said bluntly. Starfire wiped a tear away from her eye.
"You were dying?" Rollin said.
"Yes. I knew I didn't have much strength left. Raven came just in time."
"Your Honor, I'd like to present to you exhibit B," Rollin said, gesturing to the Gordanian spear that was bagged and tagged. "This spear was recovered from the ship. It was tested by the Defense and the Prosecution, and both labs positively identified this young man's DNA in the form of blood on the blade. He sustained no other injuries beside the one administered by Princess Komand'r. Just to refresh everyone we can show the footage of Robin being struck again."
Robin winced as he watched Blackfire plunge the weapon into his back.
"Vicious," Rollin said as he walked back to his table. "Your witness."
Harlingor rose and walked over to Robin.
"The footage is compelling, but it's also blurry. Blood on the end of the blade does indicate a wound, but not how severe. A paper cut would also leave a trace of blood."
Robin's face twisted into a snarl. "What she did to me was no paper cut."
"It certainly looks bad on the footage, but you are still here."
"Because my friend Raven can heal."
"How do you know you were close to death?"
Robin took a moment before answering. "I've been close to dying before. I know what the sensation feels like."
"Sounds like you've led an interesting life."
Robin snorted. "You could say that."
"What I need to know is, how can you press charges against Princess Komand'r when this was an outright battle? You don't see soldiers in the courtroom whining about the injuries they have inflicted on each other. You sent quite a few Gordanians to their medical ward."
"Whining?" Robin growled. "I am not whining. She tried to murder me. I didn't try to kill any of them; I repelled their attacks and I did what was necessary to survive. Blackfire elevated the fight."
Harlingor shook his head and moved away. "Yours," he said to Rollin, sitting down in a huff.
"Robin, are you aware of the extent of injuries the Gordanians suffered when you and Princess Koriand'r fought?"
"Not really, no. I just know I didn't kill anyone."
"Many of them were knocked unconscious, a few broken bones. Nothing remotely close to fatal."
Robin nodded.
"When Princess Komand'r struck you, did it feel like merely an incapacitating blow or did it feel like she was going for a fatal strike?"
"In the few seconds I could comprehend past the pain, I thought I was never going to wake up again."
"Why do you think Princess Komand'r struck you? Why did she not attack her sister?"
Robin's face was very serious. "She was using me against Starfire. She knew harming me would make Starfire stop fighting and would hurt her emotionally."
"So the Princess could be captured?"
"Yes."
"Thank you Robin, you may take your seat," Rollin said.
Raven was called to the stand next. She explained Robin's injuries succinctly, how much blood he had lost and how close to death he had been. She related healing Starfire as well and teleporting them out of the cell.
Harlingor got up for his cross examination.
"Miss Raven, was it?"
"Yes."
"What medical degree do you have?"
Raven frowned and fought not to roll her eyes. "I do not have a medical degree."
"Any sort of formal medical training?"
"No, not formal. I have studied extensively on my own along with Cyborg, who has medical databases stored on his hard drive. My healing abilities give me a unique insight into the body and its condition. It's hard to explain, but I can sense things."
"So no one with a medical degree or even formal training examined Robin while he was injured."
"No, no one with formal medical training," Raven said icily. "But as I said, I inherited a special sense-"
"Inherited?" Harlingor interrupted. "So this is instinctual? This isn't something you learned or were schooled in? This is something you 'inherited'."
Raven was another annoyance away to four red eyes. "Perhaps you've heard of my father. Trigon the Terrible uses his powers to harm, but I use the powers I inherited from him to protect people and heal. Do not discredit my magical reach."
Harlingor certainly was not expecting that.
Raven was fuming. She hated being antagonized to the point of using her dubious heritage as a sticking point. She heard the gasps and whispers in the crowd. Her father's infamous reputation was noted everywhere in the universe and now the whole damn crowd was looking at her. "Robin lost a pint and a half of blood and was going into shock, but even someone with no medical training could see he was close to death."
"Thank you." Harlingor bowed out. "Your witness."
Rollin got up again as Harlingor took his seat. "Raven, could you try to explain your powers for the benefit of the jury?"
"It's a difficult concept to understand but I can cast my powers into any sentient body. I can feel their pain, sense the damage, and then I can fix it. When Starfire's arm was broken by Blackfire, I could feel every crack and crevice in the break, I could sense there was a trace of metal in the composition of her bones. I could line up the ends and then mend them together. Robin's muscles were torn to shreds and his shoulder blade was cracked. I physically restructured all of his muscles with my mind while attempting to cease the rapid flow of blood he was losing. I repaired the cells in his cracked bones, literally knit them together myself. I sped up healing that normally would require extensive surgeries and months to recover, if he would've had the chance to make it out alive before he passed out from shock and blood loss."
Raven looked right at Harlingor. "So no, I do not have medical training, but I understand the human body on a physiological level that no doctor ever could."
"Thank you Miss Raven, you may take your seat," Rollin said.
Raven sat down, in a huff that her testimony should be called into question, especially her medical knowledge.
The rest of the trial dragged on, Superman, Batman, J'onn, and Ryand'r all giving their viewpoints of the fight and what happened. There was a short recess break, then the evidence was reviewed again, the Defense and Prosecution debating whether Robin and Starfire had attacked the Gordanians, making all of the bounty hunters' actions self defense, or whether the two were acting in self defense against the Gordanians.
The slave trafficking was a hot button issue as the proof the Prosecution presented was a transcript of the negotiation between Blackfire and Korthar, promising Starfire in exchange for planetary rule and wealth.
The Defense argued this conversation did not prove Starfire would be a slave as it mentioned nothing explicit and she could have been a prisoner of war like the previous times. Starfire snarled at that since she absolutely was not treated as a POW during her stint in the Citadel. Rollin brought up the conversation from the day Blackfire landed on Earth and how she gleefully related Korthar's plans for the Princess once she was in their hands. Starfire had not been treated as a POW then and the things done to Fuan'a and Gregfor were unspeakable. To insinuate the same would be done to Starfire and whatever unfortunate male ended up there with her, be it her brother or her fiance, did not indicate any sort of POW treatment.
Harlingor fired back that Blackfire's taunting was merely that, taunting, and is in no way a legal binding contract with the Citadel or their planned actions toward Starfire. Rollin reiterated the things Korthar was saying during the meeting at IGP. He was possessive of the Tamaranian Princess and called her many disrespectful slurs. The Citadel's reputation proceeds them. The bodies of Fuan'a and Gregfor were unrecognizable when they were recovered from the Citadel, as was the body of the previous princess who was sent there. Rollin finished by saying that no one in the courtroom would have any doubts about Starfire's fate if she were to be recovered by the Citadel.
Harlingor did his best to disprove each piece of evidence and build his case, attempting to play the jury and make them pity Blackfire for being an outcast while shedding light on Starfire's less than noble behavior. He brought up her master Glorgathor and how she "stole" the throne from her sister. He painted Starfire as a picture of a whiny spoiled child who was favored by her parents and the people.
In the end, after hours of debating and evidence review and testimonies, the session was coming to a close.
"Either of you have a preference to address their closing announcement first?" Atves said. The two attorneys looked at each other. "Harlingor?"
The Defense attorney accepted and took the floor.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," he started. "You have all come here today to decide the fate of two sisters, two princesses of Tamaran. Before you seal the fate of Princess Komand'r, I ask that you put yourself in her shoes. You are the first princess born in over a hundred years. Your parents expect that the people will love you, adore you, you will be exulted, people will speak your name with joy for years to come."
He stopped and paced a few steps.
"But what happened instead? The Citadelians launch a vicious assault on the day of your birth and your people are unjustifiably turned against you. They link you with that horrible day. They whisper your name, shun you, reject you. You are born with uncommon features, your eyes are purple, your hair is black, like a bad omen. The people are shocked. You grow up in this atmosphere, too young to understand why you are on the receiving end of such prejudice."
Harlingor glanced over the jury and appealed to them. "How would you feel? How do you think it made Princess Komand'r feel? To be an outcast when she should have been loved?"
Starfire looked down, pressing her lips together and clasping her hands tightly.
"She has already suffered damage to her emotional psyche and then to make matters worse her younger sister is born."
Starfire looked up, tears in her eyes.
"Princess Koriand'r is praised, exulted by the people. She is the vision of loveliness; she has the glorious red hair, the beautiful green eyes. She is the privileged daughter; everyone loves her. She is given the throne because she represents the planet of Tamaran, not her deformed older sister."
Harlingor shook his head. "Is it any wonder Princess Komand'r harbored resentment against her sister? Could any one of you sit there and say you would not hold the same bitterness? When you go into that room you musk ask yourself the question: would I have done the same thing? Would I have even thought for a second of taking the same measures? This is your reasonable doubt ladies and gentleman. Look upon this young woman and see either hate and judgment or sympathy and understanding. Look upon her younger sister and see the victim or a princess who had privilege and the charmed life. Look at this case and see that just maybe the wrong person is being labeled as the victim here."
Harlingor stood for a moment to let his words sink in. Then he clasped his hands together and took his seat. He leaned over and whispered to Blackfire with a smile on his face as the audience in the courtroom murmured to each other.
Robin was livid. Saying that Starfire had led a charmed life when she had spent years in the Citadel at the hands of her sister. He was ready to launch out of his seat and tell the Defense attorney his assessment as to who was the real victim here. A quick look at the rest of the Titans and the Justice League told him he wasn't alone in that feeling.
Starfire was crushed, he could tell. He knew she felt extreme guilt over her sister and Harlingor's address had not helped those feelings one bit.
"Please issue your rebuttal, Counselor Rollin."
Rollin stood up from his table.
"After hearing the story from these two sisters it is clear there has been much tragedy in their lives. Some of it was not their fault. We all have a choice, a choice to rise above the hardships in our lives or we can choose to become overwhelmed by it. Warped by it. Hurt the ones we love. It was not Princess Komand'r's fault the Citadelians attacked on the day she was born. She could not help her society viewed her as a bad omen. The emotional damage is significant, but what is especially chilling is the ruthlessness in Princess Komand'r's pursuit of ridding herself of her younger sister by any means necessary."
Rollin paused for effect before continuing. "Her first attempt at taking her sister's life was on Okaara when Princess Komand'r tried to use an illegal dagger. Princess Koriand'r was only eight years old. She was eleven when she was sent to the Citadel." Rollin stopped and scanned the jury. "It is ironic, because Princess Komand'r's looks are the very reason the Citadel was not interested in her as a peace offering. Regardless of Princess Komand'r's involvement during the negotiation it does not change the fact that Princess Koriand'r was subjected to the Citadelian facility when she was still a child. She was abused, tortured, and demeaned to the point of drastic measures. Hardly the charmed life."
Rollin strolled around the floor, pleased that the jury was fully captivated by his address.
"Correspondence in the form of video documentation and a paper trail were uncovered proving that Princess Komand'r was trading secrets with the Citadelians. She gave them Tamaran's defense coordinates allowing the Citadel to attack her home city easily. Her parents were killed as a result. Both Princesses were captured by the Psions, were experimented on and almost killed. Princess Koriand'r saved her sister from the Psions. She saved the sister that tried to kill her, more than once."
Rollin shook his head. "Princess Koriand'r was almost sent to the Citadel again when the Regent of Tamaran arranged a deal for peace. Princess Komand'r assisted the Gordanian bounty hunters in the capture of her younger sister. She did not help her sister escape, she did not fight for her sister's freedom. No, she helped the Gordanians capture her sister, restrain her mutated hands from the Psion experiment, and place her in a dark transport cell. It was sheer fate that Princess Koriand'r managed to escape to Earth where she found friends, a betrothed, a family to love her."
Blackfire's mouth twisted.
"And still the trouble between these sisters was not over. While on Earth Princess Komand'r attempted to frame her sister so she would take her place in jail. On a separate occasion she forcefully took over the Tamaranian throne from the Regent and decreed that her sister marry the Drenthax Four prince in exchange for a jewel. And now we come to the reason we are holding this trial."
Rollin stopped his strolling and faced the jury.
"Princess Komand'r agreed to hand over her sister to the Citadel in exchange for ruler ship over several planets. She abducted her sister, struck her sister's betrothed with a Gordanian spear, and attempted to transport them to the Citadel before IGP and members of the Titans and Justice League intervened.
"The vindictiveness in this case is appalling. I put forth to you that Princess Komand'r was damaged by the way her society treated her, yes. She is a victim of a prejudiced culture but she is not the victim in this trial. Instead of receiving help or attempting to alter her peers' feelings about her she focused all of her hatred and emotional turmoil on her younger sister. In hurting her younger sister she felt resolve of exacting revenge on her people. Princess Koriand'r could not help she was born with red hair and green eyes anymore than Princess Komand'r could help that she was born without. It is tragic to see two sisters locked in a battle such as this. It is your decision to choose which sister is justified. I sincerely hope you make the right choice."
Rollin sat down.
"This concludes the case between State of IGP vs. Princess Komand'r. Jury, please exit to your right and decide your verdict."
The jury shuffled and stood, gathering themselves before filing out the door.
Starfire let out a held breath as the audience rose and began stretching. It was up to the jury now. They could take minutes or days, depending on which way they were swayed. Each person was given a button which would call them back whenever the jury was done deliberating.
"Well, want to get some food?" Robin said. "I don't know about you guys but I'm starving."
"Yeah, I'm dying of hunger," Beast Boy said, clutching his stomach. Cyborg agreed eagerly.
Robin looked at Starfire. She looked like she was about to be sick. He wrapped his arm around her waist and led them out of the courtroom.
Starfire picked at a plate of food while everyone else ate. Robin attempted to get her to eat something but she pushed back her tray and rested her head in her arms. The Titans all cast concerned looks at each other across the table but knew there was nothing they could do to help. Robin rubbed his hand on Starfire's back soothingly but even then she shrugged him off.
After the Titans were done eating Starfire begged off to her room, Robin insisting on following. Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg milled around the shopping district with Ryand'r and Galfore. They were annoyed at the press crew following them with cameras but it couldn't be helped. Eventually they went back to their rooms too.
Starfire laid face down on the bed. Robin tried to give her a back massage again but she hunched up her shoulders and refused to speak. He crawled up and lay out beside her then, silently being there for her in any way she'd allow.
It was several hours after the session had been dismissed when the little button started buzzing and flashing red.
Robin looked up as it nearly vibrated off the nightstand next to the bed. Starfire didn't move.
"Hey," he said quietly, shaking her shoulder, "It's time."
She shook her head.
"Star baby, we gotta go," he said, a little more firmly.
She shook her head again and buried it deeper in her arms.
"I know you don't want to, but we only have fifteen minutes to get back there after this buzzes us. We'll be late if we don't go now."
She didn't move. Robin slipped his hands underneath her body and hoisted her up. She growled a noise of protest.
He cupped her cheeks and turned her face to look her in the eyes. "I know this is the hardest thing you've had to do in a long time, but you have to be strong. You are strong, you can do this, and I will be right with you the entire time."
She looked down through her lashes and nodded. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up from the bed.
"Come on, it's almost over."
Everyone gathered back into the courtroom, the audience talking in hushed excited tones.
Judge Atves was brought in and court was called to order.
"Have you reached a verdict?" she addressed the jury.
"We have your Honor," the voice of the jury said, holding a sheet of paper in his hands.
"Please state your decision."
"On the count of abduction of a member of Royalty in free space, we the jury find the Defendant…"
Oh yes, yes I did. I so ended it right there. The good news is I already have the next chapter completely written and it's in final tinkering stage. The reason I took so long to post is because I wanted to have these next two chapters ready at the same time. I knew this one was a tough one to get through and I didn't want to go months in between posts for these chapters. So look for the next chapter in a week or two.
Hope that wasn't too much of a drag, I know it's not the greatest but it sets up for the action wink. Nothing really fun or funny in this, but it is the climax of the story so we're going for drama here.
Next up: The verdict and the fallout