Micky was starting to get his faculties back. However, he made sure not to actually show that yet. His groggy mind still screamed out that he was attacked for not being beaten hard enough. Luckily he was being dragged by his arms in an upright position and not simply being dragged behind a horse or something. Micky wasn’t about to give his captors any ideas either.
No, Micky stayed as unconscious as he could, letting his groggy mind wander. Slowly he got his faculties back like an ox building steam down a steep hill. He had to throttle it though, he didn’t want to wake up completely yet. Instead he found himself in a black space of inbetween. It wasn’t a real place, or realm, or whatever. It was in between blacked out and conscious. He supposed if he was dreaming this would be him still dreaming while also feeling his physical body and somewhat knowing what was going on outside. That particular incident would be relegated to his catalogue of ‘didn’t happen regardless of what they say’ file.
Micky could make out something along the lines of ‘order, order’ and ‘defendant’ and ‘plead’. Micky decided that this was probably the time to wake the fuck up. So he pushed at the edge of the black. “If the defendant doesn’t have a defense then I can only judge guilty.” The man said. Micky let out a grown.
Before the judge could smash his gavel rock he said eloquently “What?” in a surprised voice.
Micky quickly started to wakefulness. “I plead not guilty” He said groggily as he started to tear himself away from the guards that had manhandled him.
“I’m sorry I can’t understand you. Speak up or forever hold your peace.” Stated the judge. No words were truer spoken.
“I plead not guilty your honor.” stated Micky. He shoved off the two guards standing next to him. They reached for their swords but never actually touched the blades. A look from the judge and then the gathered exposition and the judge nodded for them to back off.
“I see, you plead not guilty to the charges of treason, resisting arrest, embezzlement, retreating without authorization, corruption, rape, and even one account of misuse of a company donkey as a pleasure tool. That can’t be right. No, it clearly states that you misappropriated a donkey to pleasure yourself with.” The judge said. Micky nearly spat blood. Had he been drinking something he would have plattered it all over the 200 span (1200 ft) tent.
“I’m sorry, to whom do I charge with slander, you honor? Why the fuck would I use a donkey to… well fuck? Are you trying to say I can’t get a date and need an animal for it?” Micky asked.
“This is a military court in which I am presiding over as the honorable senior centurion Vlad Von Putan, in full view of your peers. Every charge that has been weighted against yourself has been verified to be accurate and truthful. So what is your defense?” Stated Vlad.
“And what evidence do you have against me that states that I used a donkey as a night worker?” Asked Micky.
“From our evidence it wasn’t simply at night. Here, look it over yourself. Is this not your signature?” Stated the judge.
Micky looked at the signature for half a second. It said ‘Micky <3’ in big cutesy letters that were honestly more legible than his own. He was actually kind of jealous of the person that forged this handwriting. “I think I can honestly state that is not my handwriting.” Micky replied while showing the ‘evidence’ to the rest of his peers. Clearly somebody used his name as a prank. He didn’t know how the court got it, or worse, how the requisition form actually got through and allowed somebody to use a donkey in this fashion. But it most definitely wasn’t himself.
The courtroom burst in laughter. Clearly they also knew that this was a prank of some kind. “Order, order, I will not have this preceding be turned into entertainment, and mockery. This is your last warning Mr. Anderson.” Said the judge. Micky bit back that it already was.
“I believe that the honorable judge presiding can tell that this was clearly a forgery. Though I must confess that the courts may have to pursue on behalf of the donkey involved on the grounds of rape charges.” Micky stated. Unbeknownst to him, the court did. It was from a commander from another centuri from the legates faction that had a bit of a wild party. A druid decided to get it on with the donkey. The donkey was traumatized that it FTP and would later have many sessions with another druid psychiatrist specialized in such things, all paid for by the court's judgment. But that was another drama for a different TV show…
After the judge looked through the evidence the judge decided that indeed it was blatantly clear to be fake. He might even have to launch an investigation into how this request was carried out to begin with. “The court agrees, that it may have been a forgery. However, that does not excuse the treason charge for abandoning the line, or any of the other rather long list of charges.” stated the judge.
Honestly, Micky knew that this was all just slander and ore carting at this point. If they really had something, then they would have lead with that. In addition they wouldn’t have had the silly charge for the donkey that clearly hadn’t had anything to do with him.
Not that Micky was innocent, he most definitely stole and embezzled from the army at any given opportunity. But they didn’t need to know that. And Micky definitely wasn’t going to tell them. In fact, if the head quartermaster wasn’t here and still had his head attached they clearly had nothing on him.
“And I would like to face my accusers. I have that right to face them and even challenge them should I find their accusations slanderous.” Micky stated.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
This gave the judge pause. He was going to refuse, at first, but the right of challenge was sacred, at least to most of these noble upstarts sitting in the stands. He looked at the stands. Then he looked at the legate sitting off in the corner of the court. The legate shook his head no. The judge looked back at the stands. “I can allow this. Court will pause for a quarter candle break.” stated the judge.
This gave Micky time to plan. Though he still didn’t know anything. He at least had no doubts as to who accused him of the treason. It was basically to save their own asses anyway. This meant that he had to bring evidence that they had indeed abandoned the line. Micky had sent out messengers to the rest of the line when the encirclement.. The correspondence should be out there. He simply needed to get affirmation. From his understanding several other centurions were very grateful as it had saved their lives before they could be flanked.
When court returned to session there were no accusers. Micky looked towards the judge who was clearly flustered. “If the accusers have refused to announce themselves, am I acquitted of the charges of treason?” Micky asked.
“No, the accusers did not refuse. They have already been arrested, charged and confirmed to have abandoned the line. However, this does not acquit you of the charges. We have a correspondence from them clearly stating that you failed to hold the line against a nominal force.” Stated the judge boldly moving forward.
“A correspondence from them after they had already broken the line? Stating that I had retreated from my supply depot that was behind the lines?” Micky asked. It only took the judge a moment to look up the strategic information at the time. It was set up to damn Micky with evidence. However, it was clear that was BS and after the strategic review was reset to what was more accurate it was clear that Micky was overwhelmed after the line had already broke.
“Is it not acceptable to retreat from over four times my number?” Micky announced, hands spread, looking at several faces in the crowd that hid from his gaze. Instead the crowd started to have slightly heated gazes targeting the judge.
Micky was clear, he had no friends in the court. But that didn’t mean it was all enemies. The neutrals were looking to place the blame, a scapegoat for the massive retreat. Clearly they were trying to throw dirt on everybody and things were coming to light. And that was a problem because practically every commander was involved in something that wasn’t up to military code.
However, if Micky could be blamed for this, they could be blamed for retreating from less. This meant the judge wasn’t getting any favors from this. In fact, he was starting to feel the heat. “Fine, then what of the rape charge?” Stated the judge. He seemed slightly desperate at this point. Rape wasn’t even a real thing in the military. And the fact that the embezzlement, the only thing Micky would actually admit to, even if only privately, wasn’t brought up, meant they had nothing. A fact that the judge had earlier confirmed with another ‘Micky <3’.
“And the accuser?” Micky asked.
“Bring in the accuser!” Announced the judge.
Soon Micky looked on Prin fighting against her capter’s in chains. “Prin Antonav Zamboski, you stand before the court and the accused, having accused the perpetraitor of the crime of rape. Fear not, we shall persecute the heinous criminal to the full extent of the law.” stated the judge.
“What are you on? Get these goons off me! No one has never raped me.” Stated Prin.
“You have not been raped by Micky Anderson, your senior centurion at the time?” Asked the judge.
“What, Micky? Hahaha, No! Micky would never do that to me, or any lady, or any man neither before you ask. No.” stated Prin.
“Do not worry, you can come forward here. This is a safe place.” Stated the judge.
“If it’s so safe, why am I stuck in change with your goons harassing me? If anyone is going to rape me it’s you. Why else would you have your goons chain me up? Do you just like the Princess Laya treatment? Eh?” Stated Prin boldly.
The judges face went red and his eyes bulged in anger. “Are you sure you want to drop your charges? Are you absolutely positive?” Asked the judge. Everyone knew it was a shit show, but he was putting it on a little thick.
Micky could see Prin’s jaw muscles twitch. She wanted to spit at his face so bad she was visibly shacking. But she held back. It would not work out well for her right now. “Yes, I am sure. He has never done anything to me. You however, have laid on false charges, and placed him under false arrest with lack of suspicion.” Stated Prin. Micky was impressed. Trust a bandit’s daughter to know the law inside out and sideways.
The judge smashed his rock gravel into the wooden disk to silence the cocougheny that ensued.. “Order, order in the court!” screamed Vlad. The court never completely regained order but it was enough for the judge to speak.
“It has appeared that the court does not yet have enough evidence to pursue. Release them for now.” stated the judge.
The guard holding Princess down looked back at the judge. “But sir!” He said. But the judge shook his head. If they pursued this line of questioning it would only look bad on them, and not the other way around. Of course the guard took exception. This may have been due to the bloody nose that he was sporting dripping down blood onto the court floor.
“And we shall be reinstated?” Demanded Prin.
The judge glared at Prin. He took a moment, and then glared at her some more. “Yes, you shall be reinstated.” Said the judge through gritted teeth.
“In full?” prompted Prin.
The judge’s glare turned up a few notches. Prin only looked at him like she was educating a petulant child. “In full. And all of your items shall even be returned to you. Is that satisfactory Prin Antonav Zamboski?” Asked the judge demandingly.
Prin nodded her head like she had finally pulled an apology out of a petulant child.
“No! You can’t do this! I won’t allow it! I’m the legate and you have to listen when I talk to you. And I order you to seize this man for breaking the line!” Stated the legate.
“Charles no.” Stated his butler beside him.
“What do you mean no! I’m the legate, you have to do what I say! Arrest him already!” Stated the legate.
“Charles, you know that you aren’t the legate anymore. The orders came this morning. Please stop, the family won’t allow you to embarrass them anymore.” Stated the butler.
“No, you can’t do this to me! I’m going to win this war! I just need more time! I need more time!” stated the former legate.
“Charles, you and I both know that isn’t true. You may have given time and resources, but you can’t anymore. Your marriage is already being decided. The prince of the southern empires is making very favorable offers to your father for your hand.” Said the butler.
“No! I will decide who my partners are! I am not a weak partner, I am not the weak partner! I won’t even marry, I will just have a lot of concubines! You can’t make me! I can still win! I can show them that I am the strong partner! That I can lead!” Stated Charles the spoiled grandson.
The butler turned to the guards and had them usher the young man out. With a nod they grabbed onto the screaming former legate. “No, who do you think you are? I will show you! I can lead them to victory, I just need more time! This is a mistake! They will be lost without me! I’m not a weak partner! I don’t want to be married off to some man! I want to have a harem of women of my own!” Stated the desperate young man trying to literally fight his fate of being sold off to the highest bidder.