Breakdown

Chapter Eight

File: Analysis of Trial IM-79
Access: Personal – Level 0 – No Exceptions
Owner of File: DePr Joshua Holmes

I. Introduction
It has recently come to my attention that I need to reflect on that first trial to be able to fully understand the Clive Dove case. Should you come to be reading this, I can assume one of two things – either, I have passed to another universe, or, I have skipped Europe for a period of 10 years. Now, this file will be stored within my personal archive. Unless it is of absolute importance to the safety of the general public, the contents of this file must not leave the archive – similarly, it may not be publically disclosed, including the House of Commons. In other words, in the event of my death, I leave the responsibility of this file to my D.C.I., with whom I have made arrangements to pass on access to this archive.

II. Secret Managements
Firstly, within this file is my DNA trace. Note that as well as the standard G-C and A-T pairings, there is an additional set, labelled as 0-1. This has nothing to do with my genetics, but, rather, my origin. Joshua Holmes is indeed my name, but, for all intents and purposes, I am parentless. Neither am I an extra-terrestrial, nor a genetic experiment. To note any more would break a significant number of personal safety guidelines. My apologies. Just be aware that, when I die, I don't exactly pass on, but… move to another timeline. But, that is not important.

III. The Second Day Of Investigation

The first day I spent investigating the trial was not eventful – although I did have a suspect, I decided it would be best to continue my investigation into the next day, to ensure my evidence was absolute. Although I do roughly remember being jolted awake at some point that night, I cannot provide many more details. However, after performing both of the known tests, I can confirm that the un-licenced drug developed by the laboratory involved in Incident 932-T has contaminated my system at some point, in its disrupted form. However, I did wake up at the time at which I expected – soon after 0800 hours. Although I was still in possession of most of my evidence, I found three pieces missing – when I asked my supporting officer, he stated that the evidences couldn't be approved.

All DePr's are trained to expect such things, so I continued with my investigation – and, after respecting the area surrounding the crime scene, as I had planned, I found evidence supporting a different conclusion to my original decision.

Throughout the day, I will confess I experienced some strange symptoms – random losses in focus, random blackouts which weren't recognised by anyone else, slight lethargy, and random outbreaks in hysteria. Focus and Blackouts could be potentially explained by my origin; however, my opinion on the matter has changed radically. However, this is not the thing that has me at a true predicament. The person whom the evidence pointed to was, at the time, deceased. For eight years, in fact.

Claire Folley.

I think now, the reason I need to review this case is apparent. How could I have realistically accused a dead woman? Especially since this woman was provably dead – her corpse was there, after all. So, that means that I underwent some sort of high-tech VR case mock-up.

IV. Retrospective

Unfortunately, I feel unable to go into the trial at this present time. So, therefore, I must ask:

-Who had the need to push away the guilt?

-Who had the power to run the VR?

-Why was the name `Claire Folley` used?

-What actually happened to the missing evidence?

After looking into the lattermost question, I found an eventual answer – absolutely nothing. Apparently, they were still listed under the court rec. – yet, when I looked through my personal copy, I read no such thing. Conveniently, they were all on the final page of the evidence appendix. So, again, why was that so? In addition, even with my surprisingly high test scores, I did find it strange that my first case was a murder trial. Again, after looking this up, I found that a senior prosecutor was working on another trial completely.

I think I likely know what you are thinking. Am I accusing the current Prime Minister of Great Britain, Bill Hawks? Even though he fills all of the criteria above, the use of Claire's name makes the whole scheme far too obvious. However, doubtless, he is involved. The person whom I am thinking of, however, is heavily related to the House of Commons. This person has ample reason to use the name, namely, to shift the blame of this onto Bill – had the need to ensure that the case was declared guilty on someone else's part – had, in two respects, the power to run a simulation, and to push the evidence onto one page. Should I be wrong, naming this person in this file could be used as evidence against me in a case of High Treason – although I am not naming the Monarch, I'm not taking any risks.

V. Conclusion (Only to be read on personal permission – Level 0 Protection)
If you are reading this part, I can trust you. I doubt I'm going to die any time soon – I have plenty of back-up plans, and shouldn't be in any danger of execution. But, to be honest, I'm scared. Scared as I've ever been. The moment I say what I want to say – I won't be able to turn back. This… is me. And… it's become apparent I need to rethink my life a little bit. Because, at the end of the day – this is my Last Hurrah. Goodbye, England. Maybe I'll see you again, but… not for a while. Hey, maybe I'll have a partner by then. But… in another universe, I know… I'll only ever fly over this place, on my own wings…

Behind him, Joshua heard an indistinct shuffling. Soon after, he was swiftly tackled to the ground, as predicted. "…42 and a half. Close enough. Hey Clive! Nice sleep?" The young boy's eyes focused on him. "… What! I needed to find some way of testing you for drugs-" He was cut off by a punch to his jaw. "I… think? I deserved that?" The other boy slowly calmed down, straightening himself up.
"… Have you found out what all this is about yet?"
"… Unfortunately. Clive Dove, I… Give you level zero access to my personal files – now, read it."

As he read through the file, his eyes darkened considerably. "I… see… but – how?"
"I'm… not sure yet. But… I'm ready to go…"
"… Can I come with you? To Germany, I mean?"
"… If you want to. After all –"

"My real Mother died – in an explosion."