PEFE Inquisitorial Court - 12/9/14

-Luicus avoids Shieldmaiden's gaze during her testimony, looking distinctly guilty. It is only once Phoenix's questioning comes to a halt that Lawrence speaks up.-

Lawrence: The situation within Neo-Galactic at the time of my arrest was... complicated. Whilst I was still nominally the leader of the organisation, the Administrators had made it clear that they were disaffected with my attempts to curb many of their more morally questionable projects and refused to follow my orders as a result. Thankfully, their cruelty had alienated many of their subordinates, and by informing the rank-and-file of their effective coup I was able to incite a fierce if short-lived uprising against them. This diminished responsibility does not mean that I should not be held accountable for the actions of Neo-Galactic as a whole, however. I founded the organisation and served as its leader... it is only proper that I should be considered responsible for the abominable acts of those I enlisted.

-He looks over at Shieldmaiden.-

Lawrence: Oh, and the name is Excubitor. The term was originally used to describe the honour guards of the early Byzantine emperors in the 5th century. Several hundred years later, they were eventually reformed into an elite mainline combat unit independent of the army's command structure. Hence our adoption of the name.

PEFE Inquisitorial Court

-Jacob has been sitting back with his arms crossed, listening, eyes closed-

Jacob: So then... in summary, despite being aware that his father was nothing more than a figurehead, Lucius still decided to go and enact his own justice? And this was after fighting with his team with whom he'd worked with and effectively turning his back on his own organization?

-Shakes his head- Not surprised. You were always too loyal to your own preconceptions. But that makes you far more pure than most humans. Such blind devotion to what one believes to be right... I guess you get it from your dad.

-Does a one-handed desk slam- Regardless, Lawrence's level of authority at the time is irrelevant. He had more than enough ability to coerce loyalty by force if he had to. While I would put it below him to do so, the fact remains he built the organization and is guilty of much greater crimes than simply being in charge of an organization that commits more crimes. Though technically if he was rendered just a figurehead, it would alleviate some of the guilt of the later actions of the organization, seeing as even though he's their technical superiors, individuals are still accountable for their own actions.

I know I just contradicted myself with stating it's relevancy, but Shieldmaiden was not brought here to testify for Lawrence, but Lucius.

PEFE Inquisitorial Court

Jacob: -Deskslams- The second point was actually a compliment. Being true to yourself is one of the things I find most admirable in people.

-Fingerpoints at Lawrence- His goal was amiable yes, it is hard to fault on moral grounds. However, on legal grounds there are many, many ways to fault that. Again I remind you that technically within the eyes of the law being a Superhero is against the law. But that's not what we're here to talk about.

PEFE Inquisitorial Court

Jacob: So he didn't trust the people he worked with enough to believe them?

Courtroom

Polly: Hmm...

Gavel!

Is the witness suggesting there are past events with Lucius, Lawrence, and herself, relevant to Lucius's recent behavior?

Courtroom

~*SHING*~

Mathhew adjusts his glasses

Matthew: Would the defendants and/or witness like to expand upon Polly's suggestion?

Courtroom

-Shieldmaiden glances over at Lucius and Lawrence-

Shieldmaiden: ... He tends to get emotional. I think he was feeling a little betrayed, since no one would support him, and I'll admit I wasn't exactly being reasonable, other.

Shieldmaiden: ... Also, what does recuse mean?

Courtroom

Shieldmaiden: ... Oh.

-she pauses, then frowns-

Shieldmaiden: ... Wait. Wouldn't anyone who testified for or against Titan have some sort of lack of impartiality? I mean, people who would testify against him because he hurt them or something would want to see him punished, wouldn't they? And anyone willing to testify for him would have some reason to want him to not get sent to prison for all eternity. That doesn't seem to make sense.

Ren: I personally have nothing for or against Titan. But I also only know of his actions second hand.

Courtroom

-Shieldmaiden bites her lip-

Shieldmaiden: ... Okay. Um, I spent some time in Orre a while back, and I got into a... bad situation involving Cipher. It left in a bad place for a long time. Titan was around, and... he was the only one who helped me. He eventually got me out. Lucius knew about what was going on, and he tried to help me, but he couldn't. So when I told Lucius that Titan was deposed, he knew I was willing to see the best on him, and he didn't trust me to judge whether or not we should take him down.

Courtroom

-Shieldmaiden rubs the back of her neck-

Shieldmaiden: I mean, some of my friends tried to help me, but... under the circumstances, Titan was really the only one in a position to do anything, so he was the only one who could help.

Courtroom

-Shieldmaiden hesitates-

Shieldmaiden: The situation is... painful to talk about. But essentially, I spent a good portion of time among the Cipher officials. Titan shielded me from their abuse and risked himself and his position to keep me as safe as could be expected. He was also the one to ultimately get me out so I could... recover.