“Marshal David Faulkner was just another adjudicator, a detective that worked for one of the smaller precincts. He was diligent in his work and friendly to most people. He soon found someone to settle down with. At that time, he was a normal everyday person like you. But the life of a marshal is not always a safe one. During an investigation, someone targeted David and he was badly injured. In fact, if the bullet had been one inch to either side of the impact point, he would be dead. The bullet entered the skull and lodged between the two halves of his brain. The trauma alone should have been enough to finish the poor man off, but his will was strong. He went through hours of surgery, almost losing his life a time or two. In the end, he had a small souvenir from his time in service. He would not be allowed to be a detective anymore. In a fit of depression, David was referred to me by someone who couldn’t take how his soul was suffering. They sent him to me for my miracle cure.” Vincent paused again, the memories came flooding back involuntarily.
“The marshal was depressed beyond the normal sense of the word. The job had been his only reason for being. His wife had understood this and taken a back seat to his career. Now being denied that career, he had nothing to live for. He begged me to give him back his job. He begged me to make things right again so he could return to work.” Vincent paused and David nodded.
“Anyway, he needed to be back to work so badly that I offered him my cure. I understood that he had some brain trauma, but I figured he was strong enough to handle it. We underwent the procedure and David came out strong and happy. He was declared fit no questions asked and reinstated to the police department. There was a big return party for him and then it was business as usual. To all appearances, everything looked normal. But something was wrong, very wrong. He was learning new cases with his new mental facilities, but he was forgetting old ones at the same time. It was as if his retention was fading away as fast as he consumed more knowledge. He came to me again, worried this time for things he knew were gone.” I did some tests and found that the brain damage he had suffered affected the area of the brain where short-term memories are transferred to long-term. In fact, instead of adding memories to his mind, he was basically overwriting them. If he reads something now, something else would be lost.” Vincent explained.
“Not anymore.” David spoke up. “I can access the doors now. I can open memories that had been locked away behind walls. I will begin searching through those soon.” He said excitedly.
Vincent took the floor again and waved David off for a time. “His wife was very happy for him, but he was forgetting things about her that she couldn’t deal with. At first it was simple things like the location of their first date. Then it was bigger things like anniversaries and Birthdays. Soon he was forgetting names of family members. The digression of his mind was accelerating, and I had found nothing to do about it. There was scar tissue that just would not reverse. She came to me in a fiery mess. She wanted me brought on charges of destroying his mind. She told me that he would not have been like this if it wasn’t for my procedure. He might have died, but he would have died knowing who she was. She made me directly responsible for everything. She threatened to expose me and the secret society of eternals on board the ship. Then she left to be by his side. I reported the matter to the council and we already know what they decided. She was dangerous and the secret was more important than any one life. So, the council had her quietly killed. Unfortunately, Marshal David’s last memory of her was of her death and he latched onto those words of hers, Vincent was at fault. Vincent did it.”
Vincent took a deep breath and let it out heavily. “So now you know the story.” He said in conclusion.
David looked at Vincent in a new light. “You didn’t send the order?” He asked.
“Of course not. I couldn’t condemn your wife even if she did expose me.” Vincent replied. “Just as I took no action against Lock or Tina when being exposed now. I knew that sooner or later it would happen. The key was controlling public opinion when it came out. For that, I still need to do a lot of work. The people need to understand that I am working in their best interests. I keep things flowing and the gears oiled. I keep the fat cats fat and the rest as comfortable as possible. I am the one who oversees everything. I realize that most people would reject me if they knew that I existed. Therefore, I didn’t tell them. It has been a simple operation so far, but obviously that is about to change.”
Tina broke into the conversation once more. “Aren’t you afraid that someone from the former government is on the ship and will find you now that your image has been plastered all over the news feeds?” She asked.
Vincent looked back and the hurt in his eyes was real. “Yes. It won’t be the same ones, but the government does have a small group aboard ship. Of course, that is redundant for I and my group control all the important facets of the ship and ship life.” He replied.
Lock looked puzzled. “So, you know that the people looking for you are here, yet you let them be most of the time?” He asked.
“Yes, I do. If I were to eliminate them, I become what they fear that I am. No, I mustn’t abuse my power in that way.” He said.
“But you were searching for us to prevent your secret getting out. You were going to eliminate us, right?” Lock protested.
“No, but I was going to lock you away for a bit until this all blew over. It turned out to be a good thing that I sent so many after you. You showed me just how well someone can hide from every asset that I have. You showed me that my network and all of its branches couldn’t handle a couple of free thinkers on the run. I salute you and your efforts to remain at large. In fact, you would still be in hiding now if you hadn’t come to my rescue. That showed me more integrity than I have witnessed since… well ever. I would be a fool not to have you work for me if you will.” He concluded. “But now I’m getting ahead of myself.” Vincent admitted, backing up a bit in his stance. “I need to work on my public image, and we need to get you through your court case.” Vincent said indicating Tina. Then he turned to Lock. “Will you set up my public image? You did so well on exposing me. I figure you are the best man for the job.” He said.
Lock looked back, trying to judge just how serious Vincent was about this request. He had actually just asked the man who exposed him to turn the power of the public into a positive force. Looking back on it, the idea was a stroke of genius, so much so that Lock hadn’t seen this request coming.
“I’ll get to work on that right away.” Lock replied after a moment’s thought.
“Good, I will consider that done then.” Vincent said rubbing his hands together in readiness. “Now, your court case…” He said to Tina. “The members of the council are all people I have enhanced. They understand what is going on here and the video that has been released will surely be a telling bit of evidence. Still, we need to show them that it is not easier for them to just have you disappear.” He said and Tina suddenly got nervous.
“Disappear?” She asked with a gulp.
“Not dead, just locked up until you are no longer a threat, disappear.” Vincent replied. Then he added, “It would be a shame too, wasting all of that potential.” He said.
Mrs. Hull had heard enough. “Listen! You are not going to let them just take away my daughter. You need to fix this, permanently.” She demanded.
Vincent held up his hands in defense. “Or course.” He said. “That has been the goal all along. I just wanted you to know what the consequences are.” He said.
“There will be no consequences because you are going to fix this.” Mrs. Hull continued. “There is no negotiation here. There is no plea bargaining and there will be no quarter. You will get Tina off the hook completely, no community service, no probation, no anything. Got it?” She said pointing an accusing finger at the tall man. Despite his superior intellect, strength, power and even lifespan, he was intimidated by this woman.
“I will do my best.” He said.
“Not good enough!” Mrs. Hull was screamin
g now. “I just told you what is required. Now you must do it.” She said and her tone was cold as stone.
Vincent lowered his eyes. “I will do it.” He said. It sounded like a vow.
Satisfied, Mrs. Hull backed up again. “Good, then let’s get on with it.” She said.
They spoke of strategies and processes for the next hour and a half. They went over Tina’s testimony, the breakdown of the video and the possible questions and appropriate responses from the prosecutor. By the time it was over, Tina’s mind was swimming. Vincent noticed this and told everyone to take a break.
∆ ∆ ∆
Lee Rasmussen sat behind his bench. As a court appointed record keeper, it was his job to log everyone that came into or left the courtroom. Courts no longer worked on a queue for those waiting for their hearing. Justice had become swift. As soon as someone stepped into the courtroom, they were officially on trial.
Vincent stood before him now with Tina and Mrs. Hull. Tina’s face had been plastered all over the video screens for a while so Lee was rather surprised to see her. He looked up at Vincent who towered above them all.
“You here to collect the bounty?” He asked sipping on a steamy cup of coffee.
Vincent chuckled. “No, fine sir, this young girl is innocent. I intend to represent her in court.” He said and Lee choked on his sip.
Lee typed the names into his log and waved the trio into the chamber beyond. The court was electronic, as most courts were. There would be a judge soon and a prosecutor, but most other jobs had been fully automated. It had taken the emotion out of justice, and the humanity.
Tina was led to the podium where she would testify in her trial. Vincent stood off to the side of the podium in case he needed to assume that location as part of his defense. No one spoke in court unless they were at the podium or at the judge’s desk. The judge’s desk was raised a couple meters above the podium to represent his power over the accused. Order had to be maintained. The room was dark except for blinding spotlights on the podium and the judge’s desk. It was almost impossible to tell how large the room was in that darkness.
“Court is in session. All must pay heed and follow court procedures to the letter. Any that are found in contempt of court are subject to the full extent of the law. Defendant, please state your name.”
Tina did her best to project her voice. “Tina Hull.” She said and her voice echoed about the chamber.
“The case of Tina Hull Vs. The People of the Nostos has begun. You are charged with murder in the first degree in the beating to death of the cable installer, listed on the log as Myles Ferindal. How do you plea?”
Tina lifted her chin to show confidence she didn’t really feel. “Not guilty.” She responded for the record.
“I see. The video that has been running through the media system shows you clearly striking the deceased in the head with a blunt object.” The prosecutor pointed out. “This is an open and shut case your honor.” He leaned towards Tina, but he was still too far away to be threatening. “Why don’t you simply confess?” He added to rattle her.
Vincent stepped into the light and Tina was temporarily moved to the side. “Your honor, I would like to address this point personally.” He said.
The judge didn’t seem to even budge. “The court will allow it.” He said followed by “Please proceed.”
Vincent bowed to the judge in respect and then addressed the prosecutor directly. “The real unedited video was released by me only yesterday. It clearly shows that Tina Hull struck Mr. Ferindal in the knee. That was not a fatal blow. It was shortly after that another individual hit the deceased in the head, causing severe trauma and death.” Vincent said. He had even managed to get the original video to play on the court screens. “Just to be clear, I shall step through these points on the video you can now see.” He said. It showed the cable installer entering the apartment and then he lunged for Tina who hit him in the knee. He went down heavily, screaming even as he hit Tina in the head. The force of the blow had been enough to knock her down as well. The maintenance man with the metallic leg came into the apartment and spoke with the fallen cable installer and then he picked up the weapon in question and struck the fallen helpless man in the head. Then he took the dazed Tina away from the apartment. The video ended there.
“So, the court can clearly see that Tina Hull is the victim of these occurrences, not a murderer. I move for a complete dismissal for her and that a warrant be issued for the one-legged man in the video.” He said but he wasn’t finished yet. “In addition, damages to her apartment need to be compensated for. If you can find the credits to repair and maybe even renovate her home, Tina can return to her normal life.” He suggested.
“Compensation for a possible murder suspect? That is preposterous!” The prosecutor complained.
Vincent shrugged. “The alternative is a formal public apology. Which would you prefer?” He asked.
The prosecutor gulped. “I second the motion on the floor for compensation.” He said to the court reporter. Vincent only smiled.
Tina felt the eyes of the world upon her as they watched this play out. The judge sipped from his glass of water and then looked out among the crowd.
“In light of this new evidence, I can see no difficulty in dropping the charge of murder in the first degree. The intruder made the first move and she was actually defending herself.” He looked at Tina directly. “Are you all right young lady?” He asked.
“I’ll live, depending on what you say next.” She replied, trying to be respectful.
“Well put young lady.” He responded with a rare chuckle. “I award damages to be paid in the amount of twenty thousand credits for repair on the apartment. The Defendant is cleared of all charges of wrongdoing and is now a free citizen once more. Case dismissed.” He said and he timed the last syllable with the gavel strike on his desk.
Vincent looked over. “You see, I told you there would be no difficulties.” He said.
Tina was feeling like the weight of the universe had been lifted from her shoulders. “I wonder if this means I can go back to school. I mean, everybody saw those videos, and somebody will believe them.” She said.
Vincent smiled. “I certainly hope so. If your classmates believe you are a killer, they are way more likely to leave you alone.” He said.
Tina smiled back. “I hadn’t thought of that, but I didn’t really have a problem there anyway. I am a loner.” She declared.
“Not quite; you have a clique of friends that worship you. You managed to secure for yourself what took me centuries to accomplish. You have a following.”
“I don’t want a following. But having fellow adventurers is a plus. I admit that.”
“My offer still stands. If you want to come work for me, I have a position available to you. I can even get you a tutor so the rest of your academic life will be behind closed doors. You could probably think rings around your instructors anyway.” He said.
Tina tugged on Vincent’s sleeve. “Let’s get out of here. I’m sure Mom wants to celebrate, and we can discuss the future in a far less public space.” She offered.
“That’s a fine idea.” Vincent replied. He moved with the grace of the well-traveled adventurer himself. The two left the courtroom and the guards let them go. They were both free citizens after all.
The judge looked on. It was not often that Vincent appeared in court and even rarer that he was on the side of the defendant. This particular event had been even rarer. He had thrown one of his own workers in front of the bus to save this young one. That was interesting enough to pause and think about. What plans did Vincent have for this young lady? Could she be important in whatever long-term plans he had brewing? There was nothing he could do to get the answers now, so he sighed and put the thought aside. Time would tell on this pair. In the meantime, he put out the summons for the maintenance man. There would still be a murder case. He would preside over it and justice would be served.
∆ ∆ ∆
A Happy Reunion…
Mrs. Hull was waiting in the lobby of the mass transit section. Her foot was tapping nervously. The screen in front of her usually displayed the latest news. If Tina were incarcerated, that should show up there. So far, there had been nothing. To be fair it hadn’t been all that long for a court case. It was just under two hours. Sometimes the queue was longer than that. People walked past her and hardly noticed her nervous energy.
Vincent and Tina stepped into the lobby, having cleared all of the stations between. They moved with purpose towards Mrs. Hull, making no noise and bumping into nobody. With her concentration on the screen, Tina’s Mom didn’t notice them approaching until they were almost upon her. She looked up with a mixture of surprise and relief.
“You made it!” She said getting up and wrapping her arms around her daughter.
Vincent threw his hands in the air. “I told you I would handle it.” He said in mock defense.
Mrs. Hull pulled back to arm’s reach. “No probation, no community service?” She asked.
Tina shook her head no. “I am a free citizen again.” She announced and the hug resumed.
As they stood there the crowd around them gave them extra space. The only one to approach after that was Lock.
“I understand that you are free to cause mayhem once more?” He asked.
Tina hugged him next, having been caught up in the moment. Lock just let her do it. He still hadn’t told her how much he cared for her and honestly, this didn’t feel like the right moment to do it either. They embraced for a questionably long period of time before noticing that and awkwardly parting. They avoided each other’s eyes.
Eternals Among Us: Book one Page 23
