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--V.S.
WAAPT@tropi.us Legacy → WAAPT: In-Universe → Herbert40k's Wrap-Up Thread
GAVEL!
Polly: The various jurisdictions with an interest in Lawrence Cain have indeed extradited his case to us.
The severity of his judgment shall be decided today, but a ruling is premature until all the facts have come to light.
Meanwhile... please elaborate on the events of that day?
Phoenix: <Well, you really shouldn't be asking me if I'm going to punish someone I'm supposed to be defending.>
<Though he hasn't talked enough about his case for me to comment.>
Jacob: It was after this incident that all of Mr. Cain's Pokémon were surrendered to the Rangers, correct? Which reminds me, custody of your seized Pokémon lie with me until the conclusion of this trial, at which point I hold full jurisdiction over their fates. Save Omega who I believe is still hospitalized.
-Looking at piece of paper while he drums his fingers-
Anyways, seeing nothing left to note related to the PEFE section of this trial, yes, elaborating on the events of that day would be the next logical step.
-Lucius starts to look uneasy.-
Lucius: Is this really relevant to the case? All that happened was I put on my costume and went to the base to try and find Titan. I, uh... I'd planned to go alone, but some other superheroes got involved in order to ensure my safety. Whilst everybody was fighting, I made my way to Titan and challenged him to a battle. I took him in if I won, he walked free if I lost, yadda yadda yadda. We were about to start when-
Lawrence: When my Alakazam chose to defy my orders by snapping Omega's neck and fleeing immediately afterwards. Her life was only saved due to the timely intervention of the vigilante known as Shieldmaiden, who teleported her to Pueltown Hospital so that she could receive immediate treatment. I was arrested upon arrival and my remaining Pokemon were indeed confiscated.
-His voice remains level despite his pained expression. He looks over at Jacob.-
Lawrence: Keep them, if you will. I am unfit to act as a Pokemon Trainer any longer. I only ask that you do not take Omega away from me... the least I can do is take responsibility for her care.
Jacob: .... Hm. Lawrence, we'll discuss that after this trial, in a slightly more private venue. Until then, Defense, begin your cross examination. This time however, I will not permit pointless pressing. We are here to get a better understanding of the truth, if you don't already know the situation, I will see it, and I will put an end to the wasting of our time.
Polly: Gavel!
I mean to say, more facts should never be the enemy of truth. We are in Inquisitorial Court, it pays to be inquisitive, no?
-Lawrence nods at Jacob whilst Lucius raises an eyebrow at Polly.-
Lucius: Even if this court wasn't an illegitimate bastardisation of modern judicial practice, we'd still pretty much be here for sentencing alone. The facts are all in front of you. Nobody's denying them, least of all me.
[spoiler]Editing stuff in for Keys
-Phoenix gives a bit of a guilty look at the 'pointless pressing' comment, but continues with his cross examination-
Phoenix: <HOLD IT!>
<Shieldmaiden?>
Murcrow: -calling out to Jacob- <Uh, how private, exactly?>
Ren: to Lucius- "Truth is singular. Facts are words. Lies are words. And words, words."
-Lucius gives Ren a strange look.-
Lucius: Uh... I have no idea what that means, but thanks for the advice, I guess?
-Meanwhile, Lawrence answers Phoenix's question.-
Lawrence: Shieldmaiden is the alias of one of the many costumed vigilantes currently operating in the Ranger Regions. Due to her limited number of public appearances, little is known about her, other than the fact that she is a Dark Obscuric and appears to have had a close partnership with the Auric Avenger before he was taken into custody.
Lucius: Oh come on! We were photographed together all of about once! Why does everyone assume that means we're some kind of item?
-Lawrence raises an eyebrow.-
Lawrence: ...I don't seem to recall ever making such an assumption, or indeed even mentioning the possibility at all.
Phoenix: <Then she'd be able to give testimony for that day as well?>
Keys: <It's called 'Shipping', Titan!>
Ren: "It means neither facts nor words equal the truth."
Matthew stifles a giggle.
Matthew: The defendant doth protest too much, methinks~
~*SHING!*~
The piece of paper is taken out and quickly replaced by another.
Matthew: The perks of being a corporate cog, perhaps~
-Lucius looks as though Phoenix just asked him to swallow a lemon whole.-
Lucius: ...Theoretically, yes. I don't see why she'd need to, though, especially since I doubt you'd be able to talk her into unmasking herself in front of a crowded courtroom...
Lawrence: Correct me if I am mistaken, but most courts are permitted to take measures to protect the anonymity of witnesses should they deem it necessary, are they not?
Lucius: Well, yeah, but...
-He trails off into grumbling before looking over at Ren again.-
Lucius: A shame, since this trial's been pretty much nothing but words with the occasional fact sprinkled on top for flavour.
Mr. Fox: Then present all the facts until the truth emerges, Mr. Cain. Even a little fact can help ease anything you receive at this point.
Ren: How to you do emphasize words on voice synthesizer?
Mr. Fox: I'm just that good.
Jacob: -Has his arms crossed, eyes closed, and smiling knowingly- Oh come now, how many obscurics with shield based skills do we know close to Mr. Cain here?
Lucius: Right...
-He turns back to Jacob.-
Lucius: Hey, it could be Umbra for all you know.
Lawrence: ...As far as I am aware, Umbra is a man.
Lucius: And you shouldn't be judging him for what he chooses to do at night!
Phoenix: <Well, assuming we can keep those measures in place, we should be getting information from Shieldmaiden.>
Murcrow: <I don't think revealing that is your job, Jacob.>
Ren: Can't every obscurist can make a shield? With the quality depending on the person's training?
Lucius' last statement causes Matthew to burst out in a fit of laughter. He doesn't stop typing as he does so
Lucius Cain: And you shouldn't be judging him for what he chooses to do at night!
Matthew LaViolette: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA [deep breath] AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA▾
Jacob: As amusing as that would be, Umbra is a far more potent Obscuric than Shieldmaiden was. That and if I remember correctly Umbra is a ghost Obscuric. Lucius, if there's one thing you should have figured out by now it's that you can hide nothing from me. But at this point we don't need her to testify. But getting back to the point, technically we can hold all your team members for vigilantism as well. Moving on, though, before we call anyone else about the activities Lucius had as a masked crusader, let's get more information about what he did.
-Looks over a piece of paper- I just want you to confirm your base of operations for me, the aliases of your team members, resources, source of acquiring them, standard operating procedure, if there were any differences between how you usually work and your attack on Titan.
-Looks over at Ren- Yes, if you want to be technical. But very few Obscurics are aquianted with Lucius. And fewer still are primarily defensive in their skillset.
-Looks over at Crow- It isn't, but if it becomes necessary, I will. Oh and to answer your earlier question, "Just Lawrence and I" private.
-Lucius glares at Jacob, his hands balling into fists.-
Lucius: I'm not telling you any of that if you're threatening to drag the others into this. This is my trial, not theirs. They never did anything wrong. Lock me up for contempt of court or obstruction of justice or some other overblown charge if you're really that desperate, but none of this is relevant to the case at hand. We're discussing the break-in at PEFE and Titan's criminal record at this trial. Nothing more.
Lawrence: I concur. The information you are requesting has little relevancy to the current matter of discussion. Not to mention that prosecuting superheroes with a largely positive public image would generate a great deal of discontent towards the courts.
Phoenix: <I just thought we could get her opinion as a witness.>
Murcrow: <Hm.>
Jacob: -Shrugs- Okay, then how about this, since you are technically right, this is for you and Lawrence. Though technically, prosecuting "superheroes" is well within my rights, I....
-Looks a little thoughtful- I suppose since aside from that they've done nothing technically wrong. How interesting. You demand justice, but rather just punishment for yourself, even if others might have a hand in the guilt.
-Shrugs and shakes his head- Moving on, Mr. Flight, I agree. In fact... it shouldn't be too hard to get a hold of her. I wouldn't be surprised if she was here right now for this. If she isn't... then well, Lucius, you can get her here. Your attorney wants her to speak on your behalf, what's the worst that could happen?
-Lucius sighs, but gradually begins to calm himself down.-
Lucius: ...Fine. I'll make the call. Could we have a recess, Your Honour?
-there's a blip, and a very confused Shieldmaiden is standing in the courtroom. She is noticeably lacking her usual weapons, i.e. her knife and Snarling Beast-
Shieldmaiden: ... So, um, I'm apparently needed here? What's going on?
Polly: Gavel!
The prosecution is reminded that these superheroes are outside PEFE jurisdiction, and will refrain from badgering the witness.
Polly: A recess is granted, to allow the witness to get his or her bearings.
WAAPT@tropi.us Legacy → WAAPT: In-Universe → Herbert40k's Wrap-Up Thread
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