Chapter 14
Trial of Four
Where we last left off, Carolus is transferred to a courtroom of a space station in another solar system. He is there with Gustavus Aldophus, Leonidas, and Clement Stainslaw Charles Gustaf Audie von der Ardennais. (For the sake of this writing, we're gonna call him Charlie.) The large judge slams his hammer down three times.
"How do you four plea?" the judge asks the accused.
"Not guilty!" Gustavus blares. Yelling out his frustrations and slams the table.
"Here here!" Leo also pleas not guilty. He too is also upset.
The woman stands up, "All of my clients plea 'not guilty', your honor." She speaks in a more relaxed and professional tone.
The judge read the charges, "All four of you are accused of your alleged affiliation with the invaders that have attacked Carolea. According to some of the witnesses, one of the invaders have claimed that one of you are related to the so-called, 'God-Emperor'."
The crowd booed the fact that the four are related to someone of the Imperium of Man.
"In further evidence, some of you have suffered a terrible backlash from a clash of two swords that have sent a major psychic wave to the galaxy at large. This further proves you are related by blood! Even worse, the awakening of the Tarasque!" The judge is not happy.
Carolus stands from his seat, "Yet there is also evidence that I personally fought against the monsters that have came to my home and defended some of the people of the planet. As I personally killed the Tarasque!"
The crowd murmur amongst themselves to hear that the unkillable creature has been killed by the young man that just stood.
The judge glares at Carolus, "What is your name, boy?"
Carolus glares back, "Carolus Rex of the Hestia Familia. Citizen of Carolea and to the very Coalition. My loyalty is to the Hestia Familia and to my goddess alone. I fought my way through the battlefield in order to retrieved the body of one of my goddess' after she was killed by the ones in black armor. Once I have completed my task, I have had enough of the slaughtering of my fellow Caroleans and took my vengeance! Killing those monsters should be evidence enough that I side with the Coalition! Are you saying that it isn't enough to prove who's side I am on?!"
The room went quiet all of a sudden.
Carolus continues, "This trial is an excuse to satisfy people's anger, bloodlust, grief and revenge on those who have no actual ties to any of the enemies of the Archaeo Coalition. These three here would tell you the same. Are you personally using this trial as an excuse to satisfy your own hatred? You dare to go against the very laws and foundation the Coalition was founded?" He look at the crowd around him, "And what about the people here? Do you intend to fulfill the need to satisfy your own need for revenge on a bunch of nobodies in this reactionary fuckfest of a sham trial?"
The crowd and the jury question themselves as whispers can be heard.
"Damn." Gustavus is surprised, "Way to make a compelling case."
"Remind me to never piss you off." Charlie leans away from Carolus.
Leo just stays quiet. However, there is a big smile on his face.
"Bring in the first witness."
The first witness is a member of the Gangarella, a Gambol Shroud that was following Carolus. She sat down and holds a tablet in her hand. The Gambol Shroud member shows a video of Carolus Rex killing as many Imperium Guardsmen and Space Marines in his rage up until the point of fighting Roboute Guiliman. The crowd and jury murmur to themselves about what they just witnessed with some siding with the four. More witnesses were brought in for questioning. Members of the Hestia Familia vouch for Carolus Rex and claim that he is not affiliated with the Imperium of Man. Some of the inhabitants of Carolea also stand for Carolus such as the Ristarte Familia, the Hephaestus Familia, the Demeter Familia, members of the Gangarella, and some members of the Coalition Armed Forces.
Some other witnesses are associated of Gustavus that are members of a trading company that tell everyone that Gustavus is just an average worker that worked with shipping containers on the company's freighters. Heck, some of them had drinks with the man on many trips on the trade routes. Members of Gustavus' family (except the father) also vouch for him alongside Veles Familia, which he was originally a part of before joining the trading company. Turns out that Gustavus was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They all also say he does have a bit of a temper.
There are also witnesses for Leonidas. Members of the gang he is affiliated with, Hell's Fuckers. Other gangs and their members also vouch for Leo such as the Hachiko Yakuza Clan, the Iron Dicks, the Screaming Banshees, the Tiger Slashers, the Blue Flame Phoenixes, and a variety of others that also include mobs, yakuza and triads. Leo's gang were a nomadic gang from another planet that caused major havoc towards the other gangs and criminal organizations just for fun along with doing petty crimes that are on his record along with doing some jail time even though he look like a pretty boy. However, he has shown no affiliation with the Imperium of Man.
The woman in black turns out to be a lawyer with the Ardennais Family three solar systems over. She goes into great detail from Countess Martha's diary about Charlie's father, which goes into detail about the Sensei and who they were that further condemns them yet it goes on about the Sensei being hunted down by the Inquisition of the Imperium of Man. Therefore, further proves that the Sensei and their descendants are not the enemies of the Coalition but rather allies that were seeking asylum after the Great Rift from the 13th Black Crusade. There were also details about many other Sensei that have gained asylum as Charlie's father was keeping an eye on all of them and some of their family members. Charlie's father was also noted for helping his fellow Sensei that brought their children under the protection of various Familia, which included Gustavus' and Carolus' fathers. There's barely any mention of Leonidas and his father.
More witnesses of various people of different backgrounds ranging from military to civilian to corporate and more. More evidence were brought in with some condemning the four and other Sensei descendants and some that prove their innocence. People in the court, especially the jury, are having conflicting opinions of the four and trying to find if they are guilty or not. The trial went on for over 15 hours with the four being drained by the process with only a few breaks. And you think the convoluted and confusing Imperium courts and laws were terrible that not even a judge can follow. On the other hand, Imperium trials are known to last for weeks to months to even centuries because of the convoluted and hard to read Book of Judgment that makes no sense. So 15 hours is considered a fast judgment than whatever the hell the Imperium has. For the Coalition, on the other hand, it feels like a month with the longest case being an actual month.
"How long have we been here again?" Leonidas asks while looking tired.
"I lost track." Gustavus is also tired as he leans back and look up at the ceiling, "I think 10 hours or more."
Charlie rub his eyes, "The jury is taking a long damn time." Yet he focus his attention towards Carolus, "Still. You took on the Tarasque? The ancient immortal monster? Damn. That's the type of shit heroes are made of, not criminals."
Carolus has his head down, "Thanks." He gives a big sigh, "I just want to go home."
"Just have to wait for our sentence."
"This is a long wait. Still..." He turn his head to face Charlie while still having it down, "Can't believe your father was keeping an eye on us all. To be honest, I had no idea and I thought my father abandoned me to avoid shit like this." He raise his head, "However, when Hestia told me about me having cousins, I was ecstatic at first. But now..."
"Yeah. I know the feeling."
Leonidas look at his cousins, "Same here. But to me, the gang I hang out with is as close to family as I can get."
Gustavus look at the three, "Here here. Still though, I'm happy to have met my estrange family. Even though we're gonna die by the end of this trial."
Charlie sighs, "Don't remind me."
Carolus sits back, "Any idea what will their other verdict will be since we're...related?"
Gustavus contemplates, "Probably send us to battle because the fact we are related to the fucking assholes that goes against all of its original founding."
"I heard they're going through some major reforms despite the backwards Inquisition stopping them." says Charlie. "To be honest, I think killing the Imperium of Man would be merciful and replace it with something else."
"Where do you get your information, Charlie?" Leo asks.
"I do have some connections outside of the Coalition that are trying to set up outposts in the Milky Way."
Gustavus smiles, "That's a noble for ya. They got all the connections."
"I thought a shipping worker like you would have some connections."
"Nah. I stick with the crew. The captain is the one that does the connecting along with the first mate." He look at Leo, "But what about you, Leo? With all these connections despite the bad blood, do you know about what Charlie just said."
Leo thinks about it for a moment, "Kinda...? To be honest, I don't pay attention as much to whatever the hell is going on unless its important. You know, gang stuff. And to be honest, I wish I knew more now if they decide to send us to the front-lines."
Gustavus groans, "Just hope we don't get to. I still got a lot of work back in the shipping business."
"Just hope that if we don't get sent that you get to keep it." Leo states. "Something like this would damage your reputation and can cause a lot of friction that everyone knows that we are related to some corpse in a golden lighthouse."
"I thought it was a throne." Charlie thinks about it. "Golden throne, I think."
"Same thing."
"But I hope this doesn't ruin my family house. It would ruin any chance I have at my marriage."
Gustavus looks at Charlie with a raised brow, "You're getting married?"
"Yeah. Countess Julia Eztebana Emerald Suzerain von De Nallia of House De Nallia. Over at the Benajeserate System on planet Riku-Ullia. Shame she isn't here, unfortunately."
"Lucky you." Leo grumbles in jealousy, "Still haven't found my girl yet. And this would ruin my chances at getting one now that everyone knows I'm related to the fucking skeleton on our ancient homeworld."
Gustavus shrugs, "Meh. I'm fine with any man or woman or whatever. It would be nice to have someone waiting for me at home after the long trips across our neck of the woods."
"Got mine already." Carolus grins.
Charlie rolls his eyes, "Let me guess, your goddess."
"Well, naturally."
The three just groan at Carolus.
"Oh come on. Something like that is inevitable."
Gustavus cross his arms, "Everyone want to marry their deity in their respective Familia. One thing you gotta realize that there is a bigger galaxy out there and we have been living in a small part of it for ages now."
Before they can continue, the jury came back with the judge as they have come to reach a decision. They all take their seats with everyone else is eager to hear the final verdict on what's gonna happen to the four. Everyone, including family members, friends, associates, frenemies, co-workers, etc. as they hope they get to live and remain in their home planets. Everyone wait with baited breath on what the final verdict of this trial.
One member of the jury stands up, "We have found; Gustavus Adolfus, Leonidas, Carolus Rex, and Clement von der Ardennais... Not guilty."
The four cheer along with many others that are in the Halls of Justice with over 80% of the crowd cheering while the other 20% grumble about the trial.
The judge slams the hammer, "ORDER!" he yells.
"However," the man in the jury continues, "these four men will take part in military operations one year from now."
Gustavus slams his head on the table, "Fuck!"
Leonidas rolls his eyes and cross his arms, "I knew it."
Charlie starts to look a little sad with Carolus being sad as well. Carolus look at his Hestia and see the same sad expression on her face. He looks down with shame that he will not fulfill his vow to his goddess. Charlie does the same as he looked at his mother, who is crying about the verdict.
"But in order to be free from the horrors of the war," the man continues, "they must obtain a kill count. 100,000 Orks. 100,000 Imperium military officials along with a head of one captain each and members of their clergy, inquisition, cybernetic warriors or anyone with a weapon. 100,000 hulking super soldiers that are align with the Imperium. 100,00 members and creatures of the Chaos religion. 100,000 robotic undead monsters and their machines. 100,000 Eldar of any type that are not part of the Coalition. 2,000,000 of those Tyranid creatures of any breed. For the grand total of 2,600,004 to be killed and dealt with. In order to have their kill count reduced, they must kill a general or equal rank. Each will reduce their kill count by 500. There is no due date. That is all."
And so, the trial ends.
Carolus and the rest of the Hestia Familia returned along with many of the inhabitants of Carolea. That night after returning home, Carolus cries on Hestia's lap in the living room with the fire in the fireplace dying out. Hestia also cries as she holds onto Carolus.
"I'm sorry." he sobs, "I won't be able to... I can't..."
"I know." she sobs, "But I know you can do it. I know you can. Once you've finished, you can come back and fulfill your promise to me."
Yuka is in the hallway with the door closed and heard everything. She goes upstairs to her room before she slams her fist on her old desk. Breaking it into pieces before lying on her bed. Crying.
AN: Hey everyone. Finally got a new chapter up. Hope you enjoy. Also, check out Punk'd Up and my new series, World of Darkness: Dark Messiah. Till then, later.