Rebel Heat

by Cyndi Friberg

  Lyrik sat in the middle, his chair slightly larger than the other two. Lor sat on his right and Elias on Lyrik’s left. Lor wore the traditional gray robs of an Ontarian Mystic. Elias had donned a business suit and the overlord wore a forest-green tunic with an intricate gold design. His black pants had been tucked into shiny black boots and a wide belt accented his lean waist. He looked like a Viking jarl about to preside over the yearly “thing”.

  A melodious chime called the meeting to order and then Nazerel was brought into the hall. Morgan scooted to the edge of her chair, half afraid he’d arrive in chains. He was flanked by armed guards, but to her relief, his hands and legs were unencumbered. He was well groomed and dressed in a suit not unlike the one Elias wore. His head turned sharply to one side then the other. Was he looking for her? Their gazes locked and she blew him a kiss. He smiled and then she spotted the suppression collar around his neck. Damn. No wonder they hadn’t bothered with restraints.

  Dread swept through her as she thought of all he must have suffered during the past three weeks. Confinement, humiliation, endless hours of tedium. It was unlikely he’d been harmed physically. Ontarians preferred head games. She hadn’t been a prisoner and Echo had done her best to be good company. Still, Morgan missed Nazerel so badly, her heart literally ached.

  “It’s my understanding that you’ll be representing yourself during these proceedings,” Lyrik began. Nazerel stood at the podium, so his back was to Morgan. “Is this correct?”

  “It is.” Nazerel’s voice was calm and strong. He squared his stance and clasped his hands behind his back. Without their link or being able to see his expression, it was hard to tell if he was being respectful or defiant.

  She knew he was well-prepared and confident of the outcome, but Morgan missed the insight and instant communication provided by their link. She wanted to know what was going on below the surface and be able to calm him if he grew too angry or encourage him if things looked particularly grim. Mostly, she just wanted to remind him that he wasn’t alone. Their link had only been active for a few days, so why did she miss it so badly?

  Echo reached over and grabbed her hand. Their immediate connection had deepened over the past few weeks. Despite Varrik’s misgivings, Echo was proving to be a real and trusted friend.

  “Why have you refused representation?” Lyrik wanted to know.

  “I have official documents verifying the facts in this case. I will also have live testimony to further substantiate my claims. Unless there are specific procedures of which I am unaware, I believe I’m capable of presenting this evidence for your consideration.”

  “Aden Kantar is the prosecutor on this case.” Lyrik motioned toward the first row directly behind the podium and the prosecutor stood. He was of medium height and build with short brown hair.

  Morgan couldn’t see much more than the back of his head, so she turned to Echo. “Who is he? Why was he chosen for this case?”

  “He’s been around for years and he’s highly respected. This is a military tribunal, so Overlord Lyrik would have appointed the prosecutor.”

  “Do you know Kantar personally?”

  Echo shook her head. “Just by reputation.”

  “Mr. Kantar will detail the offenses of which you are accused,” Lyrik told Nazerel. “Then he’ll present the evidence upon which the charges were compiled. Once he’s finished, you will be allowed to present your defense.”

  “I understand,” Nazerel assured him.

  “We reserve the right to request clarification on any information presented and to cross-examine your witnesses. Do you understand that as well?”

  “I do.”

  “Then let’s begin.” Lyrik motioned to Kantar and the prosecutor moved up to the podium as the guards seated Nazerel in the defendant’s box which was offset on the right.

  “Nazerel, First son of South, you are accused of desertion, illegally teleporting to the world commonly known as Earth, entering into a treasonous alliance with Princess Sevrin Keire of Rodymia, and assisting in the kidnapping of human females for the purpose of genetic experimentation resulting in death.”

  “Do you understand these charges?” Lyrik asked.

  “I do.”

  The overlord accepted the acknowledgement with a nod and then motioned to Elias. “The US government is bringing charges against you as well. You will be transported to Earth for those proceedings as soon as this tribunal has concluded.”

  “Even if I’m acquitted?”

  Lyrik tensed at the challenge in Nazerel’s tone. “If you are acquitted, Elias has been authorized to determine which, if any of their charges still apply.”

  “Thank you for the clarification.” Even though his tone was meek, Morgan didn’t believe the subservience. And, if Lyrik’s hostile expression was any indication, neither did the overlord.

  “Mr. Kantar will now present the evidence collected by the Mystic Militia supporting the charges.”

  Morgan leaned over and asked, “Is it Nazerel’s responsibility to prove the charges are wrong or does the prosecutor have to prove that he’s guilty?”

  “Burdon of proof lies with the prosecution, just like in America,” Echo whispered in return. “Our version of an arraignment, however, is more purposeful and efficient.”

  “In what way?”

  “The judge who presides over the pre-trial hearing is already familiar with the evidence. So if the accused pleads guilty, they’re immediately sentenced. Only those out to prove their innocence move on to the actual trial. Tribunals are a bit more streamlined, but by being here Nazerel is declaring that he is not guilty of these crimes.”

  Morgan looked at Echo in thoughtful silence for a moment. “Do you share your mother’s fascination with the law?” High Queen Charlotte had just finished law school on Earth when she met her life mate and learned that she wasn’t even human.

  “I do.” Echo listened to the presentation for a few moments then elaborated, “It’s not just Ontarian’s system of justice with me. I’ve studied the judicial systems on hundreds of planets and I find…” A security drone paused as it swept the perimeter of the room. Echo motioned toward the hovering device. “That’s a warning. If we don’t hush up, we’ll be escorted from the room.”

  “Seriously?” Morgan glared at the inanimate librarian and fought back the urge to flip it off.

  “I’ll bore you with my conclusions later.”

  Morgan sank back in her seat and rubbed the bridge of her nose as the prosecutor began to explain each of the charges against Nazerel. She’d been involved, either directly or indirectly, in most of the events so he didn’t say anything she didn’t already know.

  Kantar’s approach was factual, clear—and agonizingly detailed. It took twenty-six days for Kantar to present all the facts. He used visual aids and called sixteen witnesses, all of whom testified via vidcom. Morgan felt like she was watching an excruciating reality television show rather than attending an actual trial. Charts, video clips and computer simulations helped move the case along and still Morgan felt as if Nazerel’s turn would never arrive.

  “That is all the information I have, sir,” Kantar concluded late afternoon on the twenty-sixth day. He’d remained grim and focused through each and every day of the laborious presentation.

  “Thank you, Mr. Kantar.” The prosecutor took his seat then Lyrik turned to Nazerel. “You declined to cross-examine any of the prosecution’s witnesses. Once I’ve moved on you will lose that opportunity. Are you sure you have no questions for any of these people?”

  “There is no reason to prolong this, sir,” Nazerel said. “They stated the facts as they saw them. I’m simply privy to information of which none of those people were aware.”

  “All right. Let the record state that the prosecution has completed their case and the defense will begin tomorrow morning.”

  “Tomorrow morning?” Morgan leaned back into her chair with a groan. Would this dreadful thing never end?

  “Sir,
my presentation will take less than an hour,” Nazerel informed the overlord. “Would it be possible to continue?”

  “Less than an hour?” Lyrik looked as if couldn’t decide whether to laugh or berate the upstart defendant. He thought for a moment then said, “You have until five thirty, then I adjourn whether you’re finished or not. Begin.”

  Nazerel stood, straightened his jacket, then moved up to the podium. His ever-present guards shadowed him step for step. Morgan knew what came next. She’d seen the documents and understood how they interacted with the events already described, in painful detail. The only real question was would what Nazerel was about to reveal justify his involvement or would the panel still consider him a criminal?

  Using a small, hand-held trigger, Nazerel activated the holo-projector, suspending an image directly in front of the panel. The projector also created a mirror image for the audience to see. “This is my certificate of citizenship from the Rodyte Empire. Please note the date, which is many years before any of the other events took place.”

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd, but Morgan wasn’t sure if they were surprised or angry. She’d expected the crowd to thin as the days wore on. Who were all of these men anyway? Law buffs like Echo or did they all know females who’d been captured by the Shadow Assassins. They didn’t seem hostile enough for that, so there was another possibility. Were these the men Nazerel was so determined to offer a better life?

  “How did a Rodyte citizen become a Shadow Assassin?” Elias’ angry voice drew her attention back to the platform. The question was technically out of order. Only the prosecutor and the overlord were allowed to question the defendant directly. Still, Nazerel explained.

  “Actually, it was the other way around. I was born in the Shadow Maze, but my uncle insisted on registering my citizenship. It was always his hope that I would leave the Shadow Assassins. Unfortunately, he died before my father, so my uncle’s hope was never realized.”

  “This will run more smoothly if we save our questions until he has completed his presentation,” Lyrik reminded.

  “I’m sorry,” Elias said, though he still looked suspicious.

  “Continue.” Lyrik prompted Nazerel with a smooth hand gesture.

  “For you to fully understand what happened on Earth, I need to take you back a bit farther.”

  “How much farther?” Lyrik asked.

  “To the night the Shadow Maze was liberated.”

  Lyrik grasped the armrests of his chair, both his thumbs tapping impatiently. “We’re all well acquainted with those events.”

  “Two things happened that night that directly pertain to my defense.”

  “Get to the point or this is going to take considerably longer than an hour.”

  It was only taking so long because Lyrik kept interrupting him. Morgan crossed her legs and then uncrossed them, all the while fighting the impulse to climb down from the gallery and shake the overlord.

  “I’ll do my best, sir.” Nazerel sounded almost sincere. “On the night in question, Varrik and Lor, along with two females and forty-six Shadow Assassins were teleported onto a Rodyte ship. Everyone was rescued and the Shadow Maze was liberated, but one important question remains. Who commissioned the capture of the Shadow Assassins and for what purpose?”

  “The Rodyte captain was interrogated at length,” Lyrik responded. “He claims that he was hired by the Crown Stirate, but Quinten denies any involvement in the incident whatsoever.”

  “Stirate Quinten was telling the truth. He had nothing to do with the acquisition, but he was nearly sure he knew who had made the arrangements in his name.”

  “Sevrin, his niece?” the overlord didn’t sound surprised. “We had similar suspicions but we were unable to confirm which of the two had been guilty.”

  Conversational exchanges like this weren’t allowed in an American courtroom, but this wasn’t America. Apparently, Ontarian tribunals were less encumbered by rigid procedures.

  The image in front of the panel changed as Nazerel moved on. “This is a copy of the correspondence between Stirate Quinton and General Garin Nox. For the sake of transparency, I’ll note that General Nox is also my cousin.”

  Lyrik nodded. “We’re all aware of the relationship. Continue.”

  “When Stirate Quinton’s usual sources failed to verify who had arranged the mass kidnapping, he remembered that a member of the Nox family had become a Shadow Assassin. He contacted General Nox and asked if the Nox family had remained in contact with that family member.”

  Lyrik stroked his beard thoughtfully as he asked, “The Nox family member was your father, Elder South?”

  “Correct.”

  “And had they remained in contact?” Something in the overlord’s expression made Morgan wonder if he already knew the answer and was trying to catch Nazerel in a lie. Maybe she was just being paranoid.

  “The Nox family had corresponded with my father and later with me. Unlike the majority of the Shadow Assassins, I had freedom to come and go as I pleased. I made frequent trips to Rodymia and spent time with all three of my cousins.”

  “Was your father aware if these visits?” Lor asked.

  “He encouraged them.”

  “What did the striate want your cousin to do?” Lyrik brought the conversation back on track.

  “He wanted the general to recruit a spy from within the ranks of the Shadow Assassins. If Sevrin had attempted to capture fifty Shadow Assassins—as the striate believed—then it stood to reason that she would try again.”

  The panel grew silent as they scrolled through the entire correspondence which went on for several screens. “The participants use codenames,” Elias pointed out. “Do you have anything proving that this conversation took place between General Nox and Stirate Quinton?”

  The image changed again. “This is an official statement from Stirate Quinton confirming that I am an operative in the employ of the Rodyte Empire. It also confirms that my assignment was to investigate Sevrin’s interest in genetic transmutation in general and the Shadow Assassins in particular.” He paused, giving them a moment to read the statement.

  “When and how did you connect with Sevrin?” Lyrik wanted to know.

  “She contacted me through a messenger until she was convinced that I was a rebellious malcontent who would be easy to manipulate.”

  “She had no idea about your connection to the Nox family?” A flush crept up along Lor’s throat and deepened across his cheeks. His painstakingly constructed case was disintegrating right before his eyes and he didn’t like it one bit.

  Nazerel shook his head. “If she knew, she never mentioned it to me. She knew I was the alpha hunter from Tribe South and that the other alphas would listen to what I had to say. She didn’t seem to care about anything else.”

  Lor scooted to the edge of his seat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the information was taking. “You would have us believe that it was an elaborate ploy? You only went along with Sevrin’s evil plans because you were trying to catch her in the act?”

  “I was operating undercover, which meant I was forced to make certain decisions.”

  “Like how many humans to sacrifice while you attempted to complete your mission?” Lor’s voice rose with each word until he was shouting.

  Lyrik reached over and placed his hand on the younger man’s arm, silently signaling him to calm down.

  “I created a rift between Sevrin and myself, knowing it would give me a reason to disobey her orders. No one under my command harmed any female, human or otherwise. Team South members were never allowed to hunt.”

  The overlord looked at Lor, clearly shocked by the claim. “Is this true?”

  “It depends on your definition of the word hunt.” The overlord didn’t want him to shout, so Lor snarled instead. “Nazerel stalked Tori and Angie. He followed Angie to another state. And the only reason she wasn’t captured was because one of my Mystics was there to protect her.”

  Nazerel actually chuc
kled, which enraged Lor even more. “Either I was playing a role or I am the most incompetent hunter in the universe. I used so many excuses not to capture females that Sevrin was starting to wonder if I preferred the company of men.”

  “There were numerous times you could have ended the pretense before more victims were taken.” Though his voice remained even, anger lifted Lor nearly out of his chair. “Do you place no value on human lives?”

  “Shortly after you raided the Team North house, I felt that I had gathered enough information to make a case against Sevrin stick. She is a princess after all. She would not have been easy to prosecute on Rodymia.”

  “No, Rodytes tend to find more direct means of dealing with dissidents,” Lyrik muttered.

  “As do some Ontarians. Isn’t that what you did with Pern Keire?” Nazerel shot back. “Many on Rodymia would like to know how their crown stirate died.”

  The overlord shot to his feet and stalked to the edge of the dais. “Are you threatening me, boy?”

  Silence rolled across the hall, tense and electric. Morgan couldn’t move, couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Had Nazerel just accused the overlord of murder or was this a horrifying dream?

  Nazerel cleared his throat and rolled his shoulders. “I retract the question and apologize for my disrespect.”

  Lyrik glared at him for a moment longer then slowly returned to his seat.

  “If you had enough evidence to prosecute Sevrin after the Team North raid,” Lor digressed. “Why didn’t you make your move?”

  “That’s when I learned about the new lab. The facility was reported to be state-of-the-art, allowing anyone to step in and carry on even if I arrested Sevrin. I knew I couldn’t reveal my true purpose until the lab had been located.”

  Lor couldn’t argue with that. It was the same reason he’d remained on Earth for so long.

  The device in Nazerel’s hand must have vibrated or made a subtle noise. He flipped it over and looked at the display on the opposite side from the trigger. “My witness is ready to testify.”