Apollo looked across the room at Clay. The other man was sitting in the defendant's chair, legs crossed. He looked back at Apollo, and it occurred to the young defense attorney that there was something new in the astronaut's face.
His eyes were relaxed, and he had a slight smile. It was an expression of equal parts resignation and hope. It was the expression a spacefarer would have before a rocket flew into space. Either it would fly, or it would not fly.
Clay must have made the same sort of calculation for this trial. He would either be declared guilty or innocent. But either way...
Apollo grit his teeth.
Either way his life is in my hands...
The Judge slammed down his gavel three times.
"Court is in session of the trial of Mr. Clay Terran."
Apollo clapped his hands together, appreciating the coolness of the bracelet around his wrist. "The defense is ready, Your Honor." He looked across the room and frowned. There was no one at the prosecutor's stand. There were murmurs among those in the gallery; they seemed to be just as perplexed as Apollo.
The Judge coughed curtly. "Bailiffs, is the prosecutor prepared?"
As if to answer his question, the doors of the room swung open. All eyes were trained on the two figures coming through. One was lively and smiling, and the other dour and weary.
"Detective Bobby Fulbright, reporting for duty!"
Detective Fulbright led his ward to the prosecutor's stand. "As is Mr. Simon Blackquill!"
The stranger stood still at the stand. He wore a prison jumpsuit, but with a prosecutor's badge pinned to his lapel. He kept his hands on the wooden surface of the stand, displaying the handcuffs around his wrists for all to see. Nonetheless, not one person lacked the imagination to see him breaking free and taking down anyone who would get in his way, if it came to that.
"Oh..." The Judge blinked. "I must have misremembered what day the special trial session would be held..."
Apollo slammed his fists on the table, determined to take the lead. "Detective Fulbright, is it? Is that a prisoner with you? Why have you brought him here if he's not to sit where my client is?"
"Not to worry, Mr. Attorney!" Fulbright winked. "Mr. Blackquill has been given a reprieve from Level 6 security to help preside over this trial! Every prisoner needs a job, you know!"
Apollo's eyes widened. This was insanity. As far as he knew, only convicted murderers were kept in Level 6! How could someone like that be allowed to have any power in the courtroom!?
"OBJECTION!"
Apollo pointed his finger forward. "Your Honor, this is completely unprecedented...and completely insane!"
"I'm afraid to say that this will be unprecedented no longer, Mr. Justice." The Judge shook his head. "By special request of the Prosecutor's Office, the work release program has been extended to the courtroom as well."
"That's right!" Fulbright beamed. "So, are you prepared, my friend, or are you prepared?"
"My sword has long kept quiet in the scabbard, Fool Bright." The shackled prosecutor's voice was steel. "But a demonstration is not off the table."
"That's the spirit! Good to know you're prepared for the battle that awaits!"
Blackquill's demeanor and words seemed to have had no effect on the detective. He practically danced up to the stand before saluting the Judge.
"Detective Bobby Fulbright, at your service! Occupation...valiant defender and executer of justice! I will be monitoring Prosecutor Blackquill and ensuring his good behavior!"
The Judge's expression was flat, but Apollo could tell by the twitch of his eyes that he was not expecting a police detective nearly as...energetic as Fulbright, let alone that he would be pulling double-duty as the supervisor for the likes of the imprisoned prosecutor.
"I am happy to report that we have a witness ready, and that she will be instrumental in proving the guilt of that disgrace of an astronaut!"
The Judge nodded.
"Bailiffs! Please bring in the first witness!"
The young woman was dressed in a long white lab coat, and just below the collar one could make out a blue ribbon bowtie around her neck. Her hair was long and red, tied into a long ponytail with another ribbon. Her smile faded as soon as she laid eyes on Blackquill, and Apollo swore for a second she took a step back.
Was there a connection between them? If so...
"Name. Occupation." Blackquill was direct. The young woman hesitated, but nodded.
"Athena Sykes, lab assistant for the Cosmos Space Center...and part-time law student."
"I see." The Judge struck with his gavel. "Please provide your testimony."
"Yes, Your Honor." Athena cleared her throat. She tried to seem studious and determined, but there was an audible tremor in her voice.
"I was late to work on the day of the murder. I ran over when I saw Director Cosmos on the doorstep of the space station. He did not say or do anything when I called out. I knew without getting closer that he was dead. I got my phone out and called for help immediately."
Apollo blinked. He discreetly wriggled his wrist, but the bracelet would not respond. There was not a tell to find...or maybe...
He replayed the tesimony in his mind, and realized that he had been wrong. Athena had tells...plural. A wave of her hand, a flick of her eyes, the quiver of her lip. His senses, and by extension the bracelet, could not keep up with them all.
Blackquill had the briefest smirk on his face. "I'd suggest putting down your sword and leaving this duel while you still can, young man."
Apollo slammed his hands down. He could not let this stand. He could not let the new prosecutor intimidate him.
"I fail to see how this testimony can finger my client! The defense would like to cross-examine the witness!"
-A multi-chapter story; Chapter 40; story idea by CRed1988 and writing by Jerviss.