first trial

[airlockedmods]

[With the announcement, the Champions are free to decide amongst themselves what order the groups leave in. Once that's done the process of teleporting is automatic and happens in the blink of an eye. Once second they're in the center of the cafeteria before a soft blue light surrounds them and then they're standing in the middle of a circle of podiums.

The room itself it the same shiny, chrome-covered atrocity as most of the rest of the ship save for the sections of floor that aren't the teleporter: those are thick clear glass that show nothing but empty space and stars beneath the Champions' feet. As for the podiums they're the same sort of garish chrome with a digital screen facing toward the center of the circle. The screens each have a name and title associated with a Champion written in green block letters, all save for Chloe Price, the Champion of Max Caulfield, Miki Naoki, the Champion Support and Chitose Karasuma, the Champion of Mediocrity. Theirs are a striking red and, floating above their podiums, are greyscale portraits framed in some kind of bold, mechanical-looking frame.

The Overseers are waiting when they all arrive, standing on a floating platform just high enough to be out of reach and back far enough toward a far wall to have a full view of the courtroom. Both are dressed well, Rox in a pressed grey dress jacket and skirt and Blaze in a black suit with the sleeves rolled up to expose his numerous tattoos.Rox is again the one who speaks up.]

Welcome, Champions, to the courtroom! Twenty of you have entered, but - in the best case scenario - only nineteen of you will leave. The goal here is to compile the evidence that you've gathered and figure out who the killer is. Once you think you have an answer, we'll call a vote where you'll use the podium in front of you to vote on the title of the Champion who you all agree has broken the peace. If you're correct, the culprit will be executed and the rest of you will be allowed to go back upstairs. If you're wrong, however, the killer goes free and the rest of you take the punishment in their place.

There's no time limit, but we reserve the right to call for a vote if things drag on too long. Now let the first trial begin!

Comments

[le_mat]

[he's been listening to this. It's too late to try and form a united no voting front. And if they screw up they all die.

It's a matter of numbers. But... ]

No.

[theoverseeing]

That's your choice. And it does make selections for the next group easier.

[le_mat]

Is that supposed to scare me, Petuu? Even if you took my whole team I believe they would do the exact same thing.

[theoverseeing]

I'll keep that in mind.

[le_mat]

[ignored.]

[lovecolored]

[ Just one word, as firm as can be: ]

Don't.

[le_mat]

I won't be part of this fucking farce. All this showy bullshit, making us vote or die?! This isn't any kind of justice...

I told Miki... When we met. That I wouldn't kill. Even to save myself. And I'm not going to let this BITCH make me into a liar.

[lovecolored]

Of course it ain't! But all you'd be doin' is sacrificin' yourself for nothing! Stay alive long enough to smash Shark Bitch's face in! Don't just die right here!

Look at her stupid smug face! She doesn't care! She won't care if you die tonight, and that's all an A-OK part of their grand plan for this stupid competition! Playin' right into their hands!

[le_mat]

SHE MIGHT NOT CARE BUT I DO!!

[his voice cracks]

I'll have to go back out to that cage and know I let her win! That'll just happen again and I won't be able to stop it!

Just like I couldn't stop Chloe. Like I couldn't stop Miki...

i'm an asshole and hijacking

[andjerry]

[god he has been having enough survivor's guilt as is and this is making it worse - they can't let another person die]

Who's going to leave here, thinking "I couldn't stop Akira"?

[photoshooter]

If you won't do it to save yourself, will you do it to save everyone else here, 'Kira?

[le_mat]

...

[he doesn't remember it. Not yet. But he made that choice once already.

What's right, or the life of touring your friends. He had chosen to fight even though it was pointless.

But Akira as he is now hasn't had that choice yet. So instead he just trembles]

[photoshooter]

It's okay. I won't make... I voted so... so some of you don't have to.

[quadjumps]

[ watching curiously... ]

[challengesfate]

Akira - please...

[le_mat]

This isn't for you. I agree, you don't deserve to die for what happened. I would save you if I could.

But this is to make a goddamned point.

[challengesfate]

...

[She frowns, but nods.]

That's important. But I implore you to choose the stage upon which you fight with care.

[le_mat]

... I've never been good at that.

[theworldsliveliestcorpse]

Normally I'd be right behind ya. Buut...

[Zombina frowns and looks at everyone around them.]

Ya can do more alive than dead. In case ya haven't noticed, ya've been an pretty important leader figure for us. There ain't too many of us that could step up and take your place.

[Appeal with logic!]

[le_mat]

[he laughs, bitter and surprised]

Lead... I have no idea what I'm doing...

[you saw all that blood hijinks]

[theworldsliveliestcorpse]

Eh, s'not like most of the rest of us tried anything. You did though. Sometimes bein' a leader is more about actually tryin' ta get shit done than it is about actually knowin what yer doin'.

[Zombina sure as fuck didn't contribute much.]

Ya were one of the biggest forces in this trial and investigation. That has ta count for something. Hell, even before this ya were pokin' around looking for clues. Ya even managed ta find shit.

[Cough, C.E.C.E., cough.]

[le_mat]

[finally, the tears that started with karamatsu break loose.

>Champion Exalt

> Champion Scorpion]

... I'm so... sorry.

[lovecolored]

[ BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF AND IMMEDIATELY SLUMPS OVER ON HER PODIUM oh my god. why tho. why, crimeboy. why did you do this. ]

[karappo]

[He's sorry, Akira. But at least you're not alone with those tears.]

[theworldsliveliestcorpse]

Akira-kun...

[Fuuuuuck it. First name time. Just... just let Zombina go over there and give the crimeboy a hug. She's not the best hugger- being a corpse and all- but the emotion is there.]

Thank you. We'll get back at 'em later, I promise.