Chapter 56: XVI. How The Turn Tables
Julia lingered the camera longer on the TV that showed the Ice Queen and her crew banging on the door.
"If you are seeking more concrete evidence, then please allow me to identify the duke's best assassin, the Ice Queen. Everyone involved in the government knows that woman very well." Nico pointed out Ice Queen on the TV.
As if either she got wind of our broadcast or someone called her, the Ice Queen stopped. She looked around the door looking for the camera. She stared at it for a good minute.
The next events could only be described as a culmination scene from an action movie. As the militant team outside kept banging, we saw them fall one by one except the Ice Queen.
Celestine asked Yavin if there are other cameras in place to which the butler nodded yes. We had a glance of the reason why the people outside started dropping, Kyatto's armed forces are here.
Clad in a uniform recognized by Geoff, Yain, Nico, and the General herself. They showed a little smile as the armed forces swept down the militant group outside. Like clockwork their movements are precise and efficient.
The Ice Queen realized her situation is now at a disadvantage, she retreated. The armed forces fired at her and they traded fire, she managed to shoot down a couple of the armed forces before securing her escape.
As the fighting died down, one of the armed forces knocked on our door. He revealed his name, rank, and serial number to which General Satsuki approved. She opened the door to him, both exchanged formalities. In that instance we again had a glimpse of the general's work mode.
Nico walked towards the team that rescued us. When the team leader saw their princess it was second nature for them to bow down. Nico insisted they stand.
"Thank you for coming to our aide." Nico told in her voice reminiscent of royalty.
"It was expected given that it is our duty to protect you and your family. Sadly we weren't there when the king and queen died, or rather murdered." The squad leader replied.
"Tell me, what is the congress reaction to my sudden broadcast?"
"It was polarized, but regardless we received orders to rescue you and General Satsuki."
"And how about my uncle?"
"As per your request he is now placed under house arrest."
My brain tried to stay with their conversation but I caved in and looked around which ended up to me not listening. I glanced at my team to see that they still were listening in. That gave me the confidence to look away and be carefree.
I normally listen to these types of exposition heavy conversations. But ever since Strife and Celestine are permanent part of my daily route, I gradually left that responsibility to them.
When I turned back into the conversation, I saw Nico talking to Celestine.
"Thank you for your assistance. As we have agreed, I'll be paying you a sum of a million credits for your services." Nico told Celestine.
The two of them polished their conversation about money, Julia gathered a few clips she could use in case her bosses needed a new documentary, Strife coordinated with the Satsuki family, and I loiter around.
I wrapped my head around the fact that we got a million credits on coincidence, a life threatening coincidence, but we still got paid anyways.
"Excuse me, but is there anything else we can do for you your highness?" Julia being the curious type she is, asked Nico.
"If you would like, you can cover my uncle's trial. You can show the entire galaxy that justice will always prevail." Nico smiled with a burdened yet victorious smile.
Her smile was reciprocated by Julia as she prepared for the next important thing that happened to Kyatto's political landscape
True to her words, it was being broadcasted to the world.
The trial of the century. Duke Reinek, charged with treason and murder or something.
The entire senate gathered in the supreme court of Kyatto, which looked like a mix between a giant courthouse and gladiatorial colosseum. I assumed that either this planet still has trial by combat or they just like warriory aesthetic.
And like all modern day colosseums, there's a giant screen hover overhead.
On the ground was a firing squad lining up. The seating arrangement is as follows; the senators and high class citizens sit near the ground, with the middle class obviously in the middle, and the poor on top.
There is however an exception as the royal family is on the top, along the level of the poor. I think it meant that the royal family is a servant to all of Kyatto. You could differentiate the poor from the royal family with a concrete viewing box.
Inside the viewing box is a seat assigned for the royal family. Well normally the king or any members of the royal family wouldn't be the judge of anything and they'll be doing more important things.
But when it's a case of treason involving a high seated government member, then the king steps in. But since there's no king. For obvious reasons. Nico was the one who entered the gallery along with her two aides.
Everyone in attendance showed respect. All stood up, waited for her to be seated, when she did they sat back down. Below a judge and a sheriff who waited for Nico remained standing.
"The hearing of Duke Rainek for the charges of treason and murder will now commence." The sheriff announced loudly.
The camera shifted from the sheriff to Duke Rainek as he was escorted inside. Alongside him is his lawyer with a couple of guards.
He was cuffed both arms and legs. Everyone watching felt the tension.
Next thing that happened was the oath taking. Everyone involved swore in, the duke and his lawyer, the representatives from the Satsuki manor, Nico herself, and we chose Strife to represent us all.
With that out of the way, everything played out like the second part of every Law & Order episode.
Everyone gave their statements. And since we have been with Nico the whole time, Strife's statement was the longest.
"May I call in the defendant, the duke of this planet itself. Duke Rainek." The judge called out.
Duke Rainek walked in the witness stand with confidence. His looks suggest that the worst he could get is a year in jail. But in fact it isn't, it's a death sentence.
But if he plays his cards right and appeal to his neice's emotion then maybe a year in jail is the worst he could get.
"Is there anything the defendant would like to say?" The judge asked.
"Yes, your honor."
The judge nodded.
"I must admit that yes, I am the one who hired those pirates to kill my brother and sister-in-law. As a matter of fact I consider it a failure that my dearest niece is alive."
Everyone in the courtroom gasped. But Strife, Julia, and Nico didn't. To them it was expected.
"I only did that because my brother brought nothing to this planet but stagnation to its development. He always said that we must nurture peace and healthy relationships to our neighboring planets, but I think we must expand our territories by conquering them. We have been allowing people and refugees to enter and live here, which gives us additional mouths to feed. And that in turn helps us deplete our resources."
The crowd's face was a mix of disgusted and curious expression.
"I am only looking after our dearly beloved planet. And that is why I did what I did. And frankly, all we need is a revolution." The duke capped off his statement as he looked Nico in the eye.
Everyone followed the Duke's eye line.
His uncle's killer gaze sent chills down Nico's spine. His murderous intent seemed to reverberate inside the room as one of her aides pulled a gun close to her.
Nico had an eye to eye with the barrel. And eye to eye with death.
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