"The defense can try to muddle the day of the murder as much as they wish." Blackquill kept his shackled arms behind his back, his deep voice laying down the full weight of his authority. "But the events are clear as crystal."

"The Hope Capsule was to land at noon. The cargo, the precious moon rocks, were to be unloaded and transported the next day. However, things did not go as planned. There was a blackout, and while the hapless crew was distracted, the Hope Capsule was stolen from its spot. However, it was left behind in the front lobby. Director Cosmos was found outside, dead."

"The prosecution's position is as follows: Mr. Clay Terran knew he had an opportunity when the Hope Capsule returned to Earth." Blackquill's voice remained severe. But even from a distance, Apollo could detect the levity in the prosecutor's face; there was a gleam in his eye, and a slight smile on his face.

"He believes that if he can just make off with the moon rocks, he can find a buyer somewhere. Soon after the capsule lands, he fools around with the controls. There is a chute leading to them right inside the loading dock. However, time is against him. He's forced to abandon the Hope Capsule in the lobby when Director Cosmos unexpectedly confronts him. He turns his knife against the witness and decides to...cut his losses, so to speak."

Apollo winced.

"Thus, he runs home and is captured by the police a few hours later."

Detective Fulbright saluted. "I'd expect no less from a prosecutor of your caliber!"

"Hmmm..." The Judge scratched his beard. "That is your theory, Mr. Blackquill?"

Blackquill glared up at the old man. "It is not theory. It is fact. Learn the difference."

"Ah, oh, erm..." It took the Judge a few moments to collect himself. "If what the prosecution says is true, it...it will be very hard for the defense to make its case."

"The Hope Capsule had been in police custody since the day of the murder. Judge! The prosecution demands that it is brought into the courtroom for examination."

As the Judge nodded and motioned at the bailiff, something curious happened. Detective Fulbright came up to Blackquill's side and whispered something in his ear. Blackquill nodded a few times, and then looked back up at the Judge.

"The police say that they need to talk to me. I need a brief absence from this courtroom."

Apollo felt uneasy. His eyes shifted from side to side. He did not know what was going on, but...

He shifted his arm.

There was no question. His bracelet was reacting to...something.

The case containing the Hope Capsule was rolled in forthrightly. Everyone's gaze focused on it.

The bailiff pushed his cargo forward on the step roller. The object was steel gray and five feet tall. The bailiff was red-faced and sweating, not from the weight of what he was pushing, but his fear that he might drop something easily worth a few million or more.

The unease had not left Apollo.

He tried looking from one part of the room to another...trying to scrutinize every face, but...but there was nothing. Nothing but the cold pit in his stomach, and the toneless hum in his ears.

Unconsciously, he stepped out from behind the defense stand and took a step forward.

"Mr. Justice?"

Apollo ignored the voice of the Judge. The bracelet was still active.

"Defense?"

Apollo ignored Blackquill, too.

"Apollo?"

By the time Clay Terran spoke up, the hum seemed to drown out everyone who tried to communicate with Apollo. By the time his vision focused, he found himself in front of the metal case.

"Hey, kid! This is evidence held in trust to the court! You can't just..."

Apollo ignored the desperate bailiff. There was a single panel on the metal box, with only a rudimentary lock keeping it open. He unclasped it in a flash, and pulled out what was inside. It was a cylinder with a yellow underside and a white top. The blue insignia was stamped on the side, and the top had a lid.

Apollo was dimly aware of the Judge's gavel slamming down again and again, but he paid no mind. He opened the lid. The capsule was filled with black-and-yellow rocks, no doubt lunar specimens. But what caught Apollo's attention was the device on top of them. It was a small black wedge, with a green LED digital clock. It read 4:35..no, 4:34...4:33..."

There was a small red stick attached to the side of the device.

"Everyone! We have to leave! Right now!" Apollo's voice was shrill.

Clay heeded Apollo's words immediately, practically leaping from the defendant's chair and running towards the nearby Athena, grabbing her hand.

As he ran for Apollo next, practically dragging Athena along, the young woman felt numb.

Clay...are you...maybe...

There were no court records to explain what happened in the next half-hour, because anything that was not a human body was abandoned. Barely ten minutes after the last evacuee left the building, there was a massive explosion that shredded the insides of the old stone fortress of justice.

-A multi-chapter story; Chapter 43; story idea by CRed1988 and writing by Jerviss.