“There is the concern of human safety to consider,” Abe said.
“Human safety is human ignorance,” Brynholf said.“Multiple other court cases have stood up to this line of reasoning and found it was better for the 3P Bylaws to stay in place, even given a natural disaster.”
“Begging your honor’s pardon,” Nagisa said suddenly.“I’d like to take the stand, Abe.”
Abe swore under his breath.
“Alright,” he said.“Your honor.Defense would like to call the accused to the stand.”
“Granted, but you’re being dramatic,” Judge Volkheim said.
Nagisa stood, slamming his hands on the desk.
“Is not all of our society one big drama, your honor?”he asked the courtroom.He stood, pacing the length of the floor.Minister Black’s bulging, rheumy eyes watched him as he walked.Nagisa turned, his red coat flapping like a soldier’s uniform behind him.“We are all actors—each of us, members of the Paranormal Community, pretending to be human every day—and I ask of you.What happens when the curtain is called?What happens when the veil falls?When the metaphorical cardboard tree in the background has fallen on stage, are there none who hear its lamentable cry?”
“Stick to the point,” Abe hissed.
Nagisa twirled, accusatory finger-pointing at the crowd.
“What would you do with the fate of mortal men and women in the palms of your hand?”he asked.“Would you retreat?How many of you yourselves have wondered, in the space of a breath, whether or not your undead blessings could help this world of ours in the clutch?How many of you—Phoenix children all—those who died, Plutonian warriors, and screamed their way to the surface of the soil during your glorious rebirth—I ask you.What have you done for the living?What could you do?How much better would their opinion of us be if you could but step forth from the shadows and save their lives?”
“The Accused cannot seriously be calling for an entire dismissal of 3P Bylaws and a restructuring of our society,” Brynholf said.
“That is not the Defense’s argument,” Abe said quickly.
“I dare say, I see his point.”This was a lispy, rather effete voice from the jury box.Lafcardio, quiet for the whole thing so far, watery blue eyes staring at all involved, suddenly spoke.“How can I hold it against him for violating protocol when there was a clear and present danger to human life and limb in the vicinity?At that point, it’s clearly damage control.”
“I tend to agree,” Minister Black said in crusted tones.
“As the only human on the council, I can’t argue with Nagisa’s reasoning,” Agent Maxwell said.
Drusella said nothing.
“Well, you old bat,” Minister Black said.“I’ve a plate of calf brains waiting on me at home, and the sooner we dismiss this farce the better.”
“Here’s the thing,” Drusella said.“The prosecution has a point.”
There was a silence for some time.
“You’re not serious,” Lafcardio said.
“I absolutely am,” Drusella said.She parked her nose in the air, sniffing, as if upset.“This whole matter would have been one hundred percent clearer and less dangerous for our people had these… religious nuts not taken on the very foundation of our own self-preservation.There would be no question of human survivors and whether or not we’ve done the right or wrong thing had they let these things happen.The humans would have been killed, the Regional Forces could have arrived and mopped up the survivors, and we’d go from there.Safe and sound, our existence a secret yet again.”
Judge Volkheim looked at her.
“You realize that we all started as human beings,” he said.
“You, perhaps, but I have always been a witch.From birth.Human kind has never been nice or polite to witches.I see no reason for any olive branch extended in their direction.And are our laws not composed the way they are for a reason?”
“Thank you, Lady Drusella,” Brynholf said.“Flagrant violation of 3P Bylaws happens to be an ongoing issue with this particular City Council, and it’s the opinion of the Prosecution that it’s more than high time we got serious with enforcement.The Prosecution motions that the entirety of the Chicago Council should be held in contempt with extreme prejudice for flaunting the 3P Bylaws.And it is also the opinion of the Prosecution that the Chicago Council be ashamed of themselves for prioritizing human safety over Paranormal Citizen Safety.”
“Oh God,” I heard someone moan behind me.“Politics.I’m so sick of it.”
“Wait a second,” I said.“So you’re saying the Chicago City Council is supposed to contain all breach or violation of 3P protocol singularly, and is regulated, by design, to have no care or compassion for any humans involved in the messes they get tangled in?”
“Human government has excluded our existence.I see no reason why we cannot or should not retaliate in the same way,” Drusella said.
“And since there is not a unanimous decision from the council, the charges remain as they are,” Brynholf said.“Since the Accused has admitted to his crimes, shall we fast forward to his execution?”
