THE THIRD TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE THIRD TRIAL
(~SK. 17-18)


[When the investigation ends, the D O N G rings throughout the ship, followed by Zero's voice.]

It is time. Everyone, come to the theater. Time is...wasting.

[And so it is. The seating has once more changed to reflect the fallen-Moriarty and now Brain's podiums are draped in black. And, of course, there is no food-

The screens come up, and the mask of Zero appears, ever inscrutable. Their instructions are brief.]

Your Brain is gone, I'm afraid. Cut into pieces and cast aside...and someone here knows why. Now, it's time for you to discover the truth as well...if you can.


[The trial for the murder of Brain, the Blue, has begun.]

Comments

[pegasinister]

Zero. You have said before that we are allowed to reject performing an execution. Is the other end of the spectrum allowed? May we volunteer?

[15unknowns]

Volunteer, you say?


I wonder. Are you so eager to do so?

[pegasinister]

This is, for now, a hypothetical. If this was just a killing of someone I consider an ally I would be enraged but would stay my hand.

But they had the gall to make this a mockery

[he gestures to the evidence of dismemberment and cooking and the hangman's game. Not to mention the "ransom note"]

They called me by name, so I feel quite obliged to answer.

[15unknowns]

Very well. I shall take this into consideration when selecting the executioner.

[exequte]

What if it's Aoi, Hubert?

[She's watching him levelly, not because she really thinks it is, but because this week he's the one who's emotionally compromised and swearing vengeance, so it seemed only fair to return the reality check he'd given her. She had no doubt he'd be able to do it, but that would not preclude regret.]

[pegasinister]

It is only a question, for now. I do not intent to rush in wildly. But if it was then he knew it would be a possibility.

[exequte]

Okay.

[And she steps forward and takes his hand in hers, squeezing gently once before she releases it.]

I know that you know what you're doing. But I know that Brain was your friend, too.

[pegasinister]

I... know I am slightly emotionally compromised right now. I will try to keep it out of the investigation.

[exequte]

[She shakes her head a little.]

It's only natural that you would be. I, at least, certainly don't think you'd let that change the way you handle this.

[yesorwoof]

If you are not the culprit, I believe you would be highly suitable to the task at hand. You'd have my vote if we needed to elect someone.

[pegasinister]

[See, he knew Makima would get it]

Then I have motivation to prove my innocence.

[exequte]

[She may be glaring up at him a little for this because. Hubert. You also have other motivations for that.]

[pegasinister]

[DOES HE? okay yeah he's not looking to die right this moment either or get you all killed by being scaped]