Space Crime Conspiracy

by Gareth P. Jones

  ‘Calm down, Skulk,’ said Commander Kevolo.

  ‘Intergalactic law clearly states in clause 3345 of –’

  Commander Kevolo interrupted him. ‘Before you start quoting the whole law book at me, you should know that prosecutor isn’t my only role in tomorrow’s proceedings.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘I’m the judge, Eddie.’

  ‘What?’ said Stanley, Dram and Eddie at once.

  ‘That’s out of order, Jax, and you know it,’ said Dram.

  ‘In matters of security it is up to the commander responsible to assign a prosecutor and judge to a case, based on the most qualified person available at the time. Guess what, boys? That’s me.’

  ‘But that contravenes Armorian guidelines to ensure a fair trial.’

  ‘Those guidelines can be overturned in matters of security such as these.’

  ‘What matters of security?’

  ‘I have reason to believe that Stanley is part of a wider conspiracy against Armoria.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous. This trial will be unfair.’

  ‘Don’t worry. The verdict will still be decided by an independent cross-planetary jury.’

  ‘You’re a cheat and a liar, Jax,’ snarled Dram.

  ‘He set me up in the first place,’ put in Stanley.

  ‘I wouldn’t put it past him.’ Dram’s eyes turned a deeper shade of burgundy.

  Commander Kevolo turned to Eddie and said, ‘Interesting new tactic you’re going for, Eddie – accusing the prosecutor and judge. Do you mind if I quote your client and employee at tomorrow’s trial?’

  ‘Stanley, as your lawyer, I highly recommend you do not make any hasty accusations, which may damage your chances at trial. And Dram, shut up.’

  ‘But he did it,’ yelled Stanley. ‘He set me up so he could become the next president. Everyone knows they didn’t get on.’

  ‘Stanley, I urge you . . . These statements will be highly damaging if repeated in court.’

  ‘The boy’s got a point though,’ said Dram. A hint of blue coloured his eyes.

  Eddie turned angrily to look at him. ‘Dram, keep your opinions to yourself.’

  ‘I’m just saying, it is convenient and I wouldn’t put anything past Jax Kevolo.’

  ‘This is your official line, is it, Eddie?’ said Commander Kevolo, writing Dram’s comments down on a pad.

  ‘No. That’s it, Dram, you’re off the case.’

  The colour drained from Dram’s eyes.

  ‘Why won’t anyone ever believe me?’ protested Stanley.

  ‘Sorry, kid. For what it’s worth, I was starting to, but it don’t matter what I believe any more. Take my advice and listen to Eddie. He’s got your best interests at heart.’ Dram Gurdling left the room.

  Eddie Skulk turned to Commander Kevolo. ‘I request a period of consultation with my client prior to tomorrow’s hearing.’

  ‘Granted,’ said Commander Kevolo, before adding, ‘See you in court.’

  .

  42

  ‘When I showed the prisoner the footage he replied, It’s me’

  The courtroom was an enormous high-ceilinged circular room in the heart of the Bucket. It bustled with noise and activity and was monitored by hundreds of automated cameras. Armed police officers stood around the edges of the room looking menacing. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched as Stanley entered the room. The two officers who had brought him from his cell escorted him to a seat next to Eddie, then stood back.

  ‘There are a lot of people,’ Stanley said nervously.

  ‘Most of them are court officials,’ replied Eddie, indicating those in uniforms seated in front of a high chair at the end of the room. ‘You don’t need to worry about them. The high chair is for the judge, but as Kevolo is the prosecution as well I guess he’ll spend some of his time in the main argument arena in front of us here. To your left is the witness box.’

  ‘Who are his witnesses?’

  ‘I don’t know. The prosecution doesn’t have to disclose anything to the defence in cases like this. We’re basically flying blind. Behind us is the gallery where the journobots are contained. The cameras will be transmitting the case into every home on every contact planet in every corner of this galaxy. But you don’t need to worry about any of that. There are ten people you need to worry about, and they’ll be sitting on those benches to our right.’

  ‘The jury,’ said Stanley.

  ‘The jury,’ confirmed Eddie.

  The main door opened again and the jury entered.

  ‘Let’s see what we got,’ Eddie said quietly in Stanley’s ear. ‘Right, a moon dweller. That’s good. She should be more sympathetic.’ A blue-faced woman took the first seat, followed by four more jurors. ‘Three Armorians and a Gustovian,’ said Eddie. Behind a man in mirrored sunglasses was a tall woman with brightly coloured clothes. ‘A Therapian, that’s good.’ But Eddie’s optimism drained away when the final four jurors were all Armorian. ‘Seven out of ten, that’s not great. There are hundreds of planets not being represented here, but of course Kevolo will argue that since you are being tried under Armorian laws that this is fair representation.’

  ‘Is that true?’

  ‘Unfortunately so. It’s not too late to change your mind, you know.’

  In the short pre-trial consultation, after a great deal of argument, Eddie had reluctantly agreed to go along with Stanley’s plea of not guilty although he pointed out that under Armorian law Stanley, as defendant, wasn’t allowed to speak in court and would have to rely on his witnesses. Eddie had strongly advised him to plead guilty, given the evidence, but in the end it was Stanley’s decision and he was adamant.

  Everyone in the court stood as Commander Kevolo entered and climbed up to the high chair.

  ‘This court is now in session,’ he announced grandly. ‘This is the trial of Stanley Bound, accused of the assassination of President Vorlugenar. This trial is brought to you in association with Solar Fruit Twisties, the perfect way to start your day.’

  ‘Advertising,’ muttered Eddie.

  ‘Everyone please be seated, except for the defendant and his counsel.’

  Everyone except Stanley and Eddie sat down.

  ‘How does the defendant plead?’ asked Commander Kevolo.

  ‘He pleads innocent,’ Eddie announced.

  There was a noisy reaction to this from the journobots in the gallery and from all ten members of the jury.

  ‘Order in my court.’ Commander Kevolo’s cry had the desired effect of calming the hubbub. He continued. ‘Now, I should explain that I have two distinct roles in this case today. As prosecutor I aim to make it clear that Stanley committed this iniquitous crime. As judge I will decide the most appropriate punishment for him.’

  ‘Objection,’ cried Eddie. ‘This is a presumption of guilt before the case even begins.’

  ‘Objection overruled, Mr Skulk. Everyone has seen the video evidence of the president’s death. It’s pretty clear what happened. The prosecution may continue.’ Commander Kevolo barely took a breath before carrying on. ‘Good people of the jury, my case is a simple one. Stanley Bound was witnessed committing this crime by several billion trillion people watching the president’s annual speech. Today I will present three reliable witnesses who will confirm that not only did Stanley Bound confess to this crime, but it was executed with the help of a band of dangerous criminals and that, having been caught, he attempted to flee from justice. My conclusion will be that Stanley Bound deserves the highest punishment available to this court, namely to be put to death.’

  There was a shocked reaction from the Therapian, the Gustovian and the moon dweller in the jury, but the Armorians nodded their heads in grave agreement.

  Commander Kevolo continued. ‘Yes, I realise that this is a punishment reserved for extreme cases, but I mean to show that this is one such case.’ He stood up and made his way down to the main arena. ‘Before you stands a boy with no morals,
a boy who killed our beloved president and does not even have the decency to own up to his crime in this honorable court of law. Before you, good citizens of the jury, stands a liar.’

  ‘I am not,’ shouted Stanley.

  ‘Silence in court! The accused is not allowed to speak,’ snapped Commander Kevolo.

  Stanley felt Eddie tug on his sleeve and he sat back down.

  ‘As the first witness, the prosecution calls Senior Officer Grogun,’ announced Commander Kevolo.

  Grogun looked nervous as he entered the court and took his place in the witness box.

  ‘Senior Officer Grogun,’ said Commander Kevolo, ‘please state your job and the role you played in the arrest of Stanley Bound.’

  ‘I am a senior Armorian Intergalactic Police Officer and, before my promotion, I was the arresting officer of Stanley Bound.’

  ‘A loyal representative of the long arm of the law. Thank you.’ Commander Kevolo rested a hand on the bar between the two of them. ‘And tell me, did the accused put up any resistance when you arrested him?’

  ‘No, he gave himself up without a struggle.’

  Commander Kevolo smiled at the jury. ‘And did you at any stage confront Stanley with footage of his crime?’

  ‘I did, yes.’ For the first time, Officer Grogun glanced at Stanley.

  ‘And what did he say when you did this?’

  ‘Do you mind if I check my notes?’

  ‘Not at all. Take your time, Senior Officer Grogun,’ said Kevolo.

  Grogun pulled out an electronic notebook and scrolled through it. ‘When I showed the prisoner the footage he replied, It’s me.’

  ‘But I meant that . . .’ began Stanley.

  Eddie placed a hand on his arm. ‘Please stay quiet. We’ll have our turn.’

  ‘Aha.’ Commander Kevolo raised a finger. ‘There you have it, good people of the jury. When the accused was shown the footage of this heinous crime he responded with the telling words It’s me. Thank you, Senior Officer Grogun. Mr Skulk, your witness.’

  Eddie stood up and Commander Kevolo returned to his high chair. Eddie made a complete circle before he spoke, smiling at the jury, the gallery and the countless cameras that filled the court. Stanley imagined that it all looked very dramatic on the coverage being shown in homes across the galaxy.

  ‘Senior Officer Grogun, after my client uttered the words It’s me, what happened next? You may consult your notes if you wish.’

  ‘I asked him whether that was a confession,’ replied Grogun.

  ‘And?’

  ‘He said no.’

  ‘There we are then. You see, Stanley merely meant that the murderer of President Vorlugenar looked like him, a fact that we will not be disputing.’

  ‘Objection. Conjecture,’ said Commander Kevolo. ‘Objection sustained,’ he answered himself. ‘Strike the last statement from the records. The jury will consider only facts and not get distracted by products of Mr Skulk’s fantastical imagination.’

  Eddie looked temporarily thrown by this, but he quickly composed himself. ‘Tell me, Senior Officer Grogun, did the defendant seem aware of who the President of Armoria was when you arrested him?’

  ‘Well, funnily enough, no,’ admitted Grogun, ‘but then he didn’t seem to know much about anything. He claimed never to have heard of Armoria or even the basic workings of cutspace. And he wasn’t wearing a translating tag.’

  There was a murmur of amusement amongst the jury.

  ‘So, to sum up, you arrested Stanley on a pre-contact planet on the other side of the universe for the murder of a president he had not heard of, using methods such as cutspace, of which he was unaware?’

  Before Grogun could respond, Commander Kevolo barked, ‘Objection. Counsel is leading the witness. Stanley’s feigned lack of knowledge was clearly a trick designed to maintain his innocence. Objection sustained. Jury, please ignore Mr Skulk’s last statement.’

  Eddie scowled at him. ‘No further questions.’ He sat back down.

  .

  43

  ‘And what position did Stanley Bound hold amongst this group of violent terrorists?’

  Officer Grogun left and a hum rose up in the courtroom as the jury and journobots talked in low voices amongst themselves.

  ‘This is impossible,’ Eddie muttered to Stanley.

  ‘I thought you were supposed to be the best lawyer in the galaxy,’ replied Stanley.

  ‘Even I can’t beat a prosecution who also happens to be the judge. He won’t let me say anything. This is precisely why I advised you not to plead innocent.’

  ‘But I am innocent.’

  ‘You still don’t get it, do you? It doesn’t matter whether you are innocent or guilty. What matters is whether we can prove it,’ stated Eddie.

  ‘Silence in court,’ shouted Commander Kevolo, causing the noise to subside. ‘The prosecution calls the next witness . . . Boosky Retch.’

  Boosky strolled into the room and greeted Stanley as though he was an old friend he had just bumped into in the street. ‘Hey, Stanley, how are you?’

  ‘Please refrain from addressing the accused and take your place in the witness box, Mr Retch,’ said Commander Kevolo.

  ‘How’s he going to make this lowlife look like a reliable witness?’ whispered Eddie.

  ‘Mr Retch,’ said Commander Kevolo, ‘please tell the court your occupation.’

  Boosky clasped his hands together and widened his eyes in what looked like a well-rehearsed act. ‘Until recently, I am ashamed to say that I was a worthless crook. Have been all my life. I come from a bad upbringing, you see. I’ve been in and out of trouble and prison since I was this tall.’ He held out a hand and Stanley noticed that Boosky was wearing his watch.

  ‘And now?’ asked Commander Kevolo, with a note of concern in his voice.

  ‘And now, I’m pleased to say that due to your excellent police force I have seen the error of my ways.’

  ‘I see. So it was the long arm of the law which has guided you on to the path of rehabilitation.’

  ‘Objection,’ yelled Eddie. ‘The prosecution is making a political point. This has nothing to do with the case.’

  ‘Objection overruled,’ said Commander Kevolo, with a dismissive wave of his hand. ‘Thank you, Mr Retch, I think we all value your honesty. Now please tell me, have you ever met the defendant?’

  ‘Yes, sir, twice.’

  ‘Tell me about the first time.’

  ‘I was here on the Bucket, in the incident room, assisting the officers with their inquiries. Stanley Bound was showing some interest in the posters of other wanted criminals. He gave me his watch.’

  ‘He means he stole it,’ muttered Stanley.

  ‘Tell us about the second occasion,’ continued Commander Kevolo.

  ‘I was rescued by a vessel operated by a group known as the Brotherhood under the command of a Gustovian called General P’Tang. Stanley Bound was there too.’

  ‘When was this?’

  ‘It was after he had jumped bail, I believe.’

  ‘And what is the nature of this Brotherhood?’

  ‘They told me they were fighting for a universe liberated from the tyrannical oppression of Armoria.’

  Stanley watched the reaction of horror from the Armorian members of the jury and court officials.

  ‘Using what methods?’ enquired Commander Kevolo.

  ‘I don’t know, but I suppose things like assassinations of presidents,’ replied Boosky.

  ‘Objection. This is speculation,’ cried Eddie.

  ‘Overruled,’ countered Kevolo. ‘And what position did Stanley Bound hold amongst this group of violent terrorists, Mr Retch?’

  ‘They were taking his orders. They only rescued me after he gave the say-so.’

  ‘I see.’ Commander Kevolo turned to face the jury. ‘So Stanley Bound escaped into the protection of a militant band of terrorists.’

  ‘That’s not how it happened,’ protested Stanley.

  ‘I will hav
e order in this court,’ barked Commander Kevolo. ‘Another word from the accused and he will find himself facing a contempt charge.’

  ‘Is that before or after he executes me?’ muttered Stanley under his breath.

  Kevolo continued. ‘The prosecution has now shown that, not only was Stanley Bound consorting with this soon-to-be-illegal group, but he held a position of some authority amongst them. The prosecution also fully anticipates that, as a consequence of this investigation, further trials and prosecutions will have to take place with regard to the dangerous terrorists known as the Brotherhood. Thank you, Mr Retch. Defence, your witness.’

  Stanley felt anger build up inside him. Because of him, General P’Tang and Jupp would be arrested.

  Eddie stood up and addressed Boosky. ‘Mr Retch, please tell me how many times you have been arrested in your long career as a criminal.’

  Boosky chuckled. ‘I’ve lost count.’

  ‘You’ve lost count?’ Eddie raised an eyebrow at the jury. ‘Would you agree that until very recently you have been a career criminal who has never shown the slightest remorse or contrition for his habitual criminality?’

  ‘Objection,’ barked Commander Kevolo. ‘This is immaterial. The prosecution has established that Mr Retch has moved over to the correct side of the law.’ Without drawing a breath he added, ‘Sustained. Counsel, please desist from this line of questioning and stick to the case in hand.’

  Eddie was starting to look worn down by these interruptions. ‘Surely the reliability of a witness is of the utmost relevance?’ he said, an edge of frustration in his voice.

  ‘Please do not question my authority, Mr Skulk, or I shall hold you in contempt of this court.’

  Eddie bit his lip, nodded and turned back to Boosky. ‘Mr Retch, you mentioned the group known as the Brotherhood.’

  ‘I did.’

  ‘The phrase dangerous terrorists was used in relation to this group, but are you aware that they have never actually been tried or convicted of any illegal activities under Armorian or intergalactic law?’