“Reporting to you live from Channel 8, the Raven Gallant case is about to begin today. The Gallant case is a special case in under-age criminal inquiries as the defendant, eleven-year old Raven Gallant, killed an undercover officer while avenging the deaths of her parents, murdered by the Hellhound gang earlier that day. As a result of the TSAB officer’s death the case was handed over to the military courts for investigation and judgement.
“An informant has revealed to us that Lieutenant-general Hayate Yagami may actually be on the prosecuting team fighting for an adult-trial and imprisonment of the eleven-year old victim. Now some of you may remember that Yagami, the current Chief of City Defenses, was once herself involved in a military crime from which she was pardoned and given leniency…”
**O**
“These leaked photos of the crime scene clearly show that Raven Gallant, eleven-year old survivor of the Gallant family murder, tracked down the Hellhound gang and murdered them with her father’s Earth gun, killing an undercover officer who was on a mission to bring down the entire crime ring. The last TSAB officer murder occurred five years ago during the Scaglietti Incident, where the guilty combat cyborgs known as the Numbers were directed into rehabilitation programs instead of being convicted.
“Our sources mention that many TSAB officers have expressed their displeasure at the lack of punishment from the government for the deaths of civil servants who have placed their lives on the line to preserve the public peace. They are hoping that the Gallant case will show criminals that the Midchildan government values its TSAB officers and will act to demonstrate their value through convictions of those who murder military officers. This is Channel 32, offering you the latest updates on the Gallant case beginning trial today at nine A.M…”
**O**
“All rise for Judge Grangaitz.”
Chairs squeaked across the wooden floor as everyone stood for the military jurist to enter. Judge Grangaitz marched across the room to sit behind his bench, settling his massive bulk comfortably in his seat. Auris had been glad to hear that it was Grangaitz who had gotten the case—the man was intensely fair, but having once been an Enforcer himself, Grangaitz was familiar with the importance of what the NSIS did, no matter his personal thoughts on the Shadows.
Small advantages make or break a case like this.
“Be seated,” the judge indicated, his face impassive yet managing to avoid seeming cold. “We are here today to discuss the case of Raven Gallant, accused of the murder of Naval Special Intelligence Service Agent Keen Touring, as well as the murder of eleven civilians.”
How ironic—as Touring never managed to complete his mission in collecting evidence on the Hellhounds’ crimes, including the murder of the Gallants, as of the current trial the Hellhounds were still considered civilians and not criminals. Labels covered in red tape, really, and normally they caused no end of frustration for Auris in the rare occasions when she had to send full NSIS reports and not just information through legal channels. Ironic how in this case, it helped drive home the depth of Raven Gallant’s crime.
“Jury, you have all received the official reports and statements for review prior to today’s trial. If there are no objections, then we shall begin.” Judge Grangaitz paused, but predictably there were no protests from the jurors. “Very well. Prosecutors Lieutenant-General Yagami and Director Gaiz, you may give your opening statements.”
Auris flipped open her notebook and stood. “Raven Gallant’s case differs from the other juvenile cases this court has encountered. Precedents set by the trials of Fate Testarossa and Hayate Yagami differ greatly in two major aspects: they did not murder anyone, and they did not murder any TSAB officers.” Auris stared intently at the jury members, casting her gaze around to end on the muttering defence council who were hurriedly shuffling their notes around. So Hayate had called that right—they had thrown their opponents off their game by bringing up the past themselves. Launching into recaps of both cases, Auris could help wondering how much else Hayate had orchestrated in this trial.
“NSIS Agent Keen Touring was a devoted officer of the TSAB for twelve years. He and his family deserve appropriate justice to be served onto his murderer.” Auris met and kept Raven’s gaze.
The little girl looked away first.
“Thank you, your Honour.”
“Very well. Officer Jettal and Officer Favager, your opening statements.”
Flustered, Jettal rose and shuffled his cue cards. Auris could see hastily scribbled words in the margins and crossed out lines.
“The TSAB stands out as an organization that is strong not only in military strength, but in moral character. We understand that children can be led astray, and the TSAB offers second chances to these misled child offenders. Notably, the community service verdict given to…” Jettal winced and quickly skipped over a few lines, “…officers such as Enforcer Fate Harlaown. In recent years, pardons have also been given to Jail Scaglietti’s Numbers, many of whom have returned to contribute greatly to the TSAB or other altruistic organizations.
Our thoughts should be on justice and the well-being of our youth, not revenge. Thank you, your Honour.”
**O**
“Bad fumble, there,” Fate murmured as she watched the defending counsel sit down.
“When he was talking about you, you mean?” Nanoha asked. Her wife’s arms were crossed, a very displeased expression on her face. The Gallant trial was closed-doors as Raven was a minor, but Fate had managed to wheedle enough favours to get her and Nanoha seats in the gallery, on the defendant’s side of the room.
“Just before that. I bet he meant to say something snide about Hayate and how
she also got a light sentence, but he had to change his speech after the one Director Gaiz made,” Fate replied. “Although I’m kind of worried…”
“What?” Nanoha asked, deferring to Fate’s experience in this field. The White Devil didn’t step inside courtrooms as much as her wife. The brunette frowned, thinking. “Something in what he said?”
“Both of them, actually. Their opening statements were strangely emotional instead of logical, so I’m guessing that they’re all keeping their cards close.” Fate felt Nanoha take her hand, and she squeezed back. “And you know how Hayate always wins our poker games.”
“And I bet Auris cheats,” grumbled Nanoha, going along with Fate’s analogy. “So Jettal and Favager are screwed?”
“Who knows?” Fate tried to cheer her up.
Tilting her chin determinedly, Nanoha said in her White Devil voice, “The TSAB is full of good people. They’ll see that it wasn’t Raven’s fault.”
“Nanoha,” Fate said quietly, “It’s on record that Raven confessed to the killings.”
“It’s not what you
do,” Nanoha insisted, turning back to the front of the courtroom as the judge called for their first witness, “but
why you’re doing it, and how you make up for what you did.”
Unhappily, Fate looked down, and whispered a question that Nanoha didn’t hear.
“Even murder?”