theairlock | The Mock Trial

[Jesse McCree is dead, the first victim of, what the Overseers seem to hope, is a long game of motives and murder for whatever their reasons. With the investigation completed, C.E.C.E.'s voice comes over the system and directs the Champions to proceed to the locked elevator door at the end of the hallway. Once all Champions are on board, the elevator begins a slow descent down beyond any area that they've been able to explore so far. At least the elevator music is charming.

When the elevator door opens, the Champions enter a courtroom with 21 podiums arranged in a circle and each one marked with a name. McCree's face grins casually at the 20 surviving members from one of the podiums, a greyscale portrait in honor of the dead.]

Congratulations. We have now entered the trial portion of the test. I trust that you will do your best to determine who disturbed the peace by committing murder. Once the culprit has been found, they will face an appropriate punishment for their crime. If you fail to determine the culprit, however, they will be allowed to leave the space station and the rest of you will face punishment instead.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[........well this is unfortunate. Naho sighs. She crosses her arms across her stomach.]

I wasn't aware of what you told me that is correct. I have been to multiple dimensions, but I have never been to space before. And I did mean to compliment you on being a competent investigator. I didn't expect to go up against someone with such a sharp mind.

Well. I guess it couldn't be helped.

[She drops her arms and shakes her head.]

Do you remember-- I told you that there was someone I wanted to help with my gifts? He is currently located in a dangerous place. If they had done as they threatened, then he would die, without question. He cannot escape that place. I had no choice if I was to save his life.

[She speaks as if she'd already given up on her own life. Because she has. As long as Kou Kibiki lives, she will gladly forfeit her own life. If that didn't make it clear enough, then let her put it plainly.]

That won't be necessary. I killed him.. Let's just put an end to this farce.

...Yeah. I do remember.

[She is right. There's not much else to say. He can't be that mad at her. She knows she was ultimately wrong. Even if it was to save someone, this--

this is all just wrong. They shouldn't be here, and now.

What are they going to do, kill her?

...

Godamnit they had better not--]

Edited 2017-01-15 00:36 (UTC)

I had wanted to leave this place in order to help him escape however... it does not seem I will be able to do that. It was not my intention to make things more difficult for you.

[Nothing personal. They outwitted her in the end. They should be proud, in her opinion. She just happened to be the loser this time-- ah.]

...here.

[From her suit she pulls a small paper doll. Naho holds it out to him.]

Maybe your fortune will be better and it will allow you to leave this place. My charms aren't to be taken lightly-- let it protect you.

[Better fortune, huh.

After a moment, he takes it, squeezing it. His voice is quiet as he responds, staring at it.]

Thank you, Naho.

(no subject)

misinforms - 2017-01-15 00:58 (UTC) - Expand

...Thank you.

He cannot escape? Even with whatever technology this place has brought us here with?

Well. I suppose if he had the information this place does... then he might. However, he went and did something foolish and used a charm I created to go into another dimension. I went looking for him but... I was unable to find him before I came here. So even if I found a way out, he is on his own right now.

...I am sorry. We will fix this when we return.

misinforms - 2017-01-15 01:00 (UTC) - Expand

have_a_heart - 2017-01-15 01:04 (UTC) - Expand

stitch_in_time - 2017-01-15 01:10 (UTC) - Expand

have_a_heart - 2017-01-15 01:15 (UTC) - Expand

stitch_in_time - 2017-01-15 01:40 (UTC) - Expand

I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to make that choice.

But I did. And so I will pay for it. I did what needed to for the people I care about.

It was nothing personal against any of you.

Yeah, I know.

This is the Overseers' faults.

I suppose I owe you gratitude. You've spared my people a gruesome fate, and given me more time to find a means if escape beyond resorting to senseless death.

[....ah. She hadn't thought about it, but she supposes that this does inevitably mean that none of the other places will be harmed either.]

Some good has come of this then after all. I hope you are able to find a better way then I was.

[He nods and closes his eyes.]

May God have mercy on your soul and forgive the blood upon your hands.

May I ask, why Jesse McCree? Was it simply a matter of convenience, the right place at the right time?

I was looking for someone whom I believed would know very little about the occult and would let their guard down long enough for me to kill them. I didn't dislike him per se. He was just unfortunately the person I thought would fit best.

I see. Very pragmatic.

[Listen, he tried to destroy a planet because ~~someone fucked with his memories and~~ he needed to make things right with someone he cared about. He has NO fucking moral high horse to sit upon.]

If it's any consolation, I had hoped it wasn't you. You didn't strike me as the type. [To be fair, Shadow doesn't people very well.]

You...[If Natsuhi was honest she'd hoped that the girl was too short. Even if that put them back to square one when they running out of time.]

What happens now?

I am certain I will be punished for the crime I committed and for failing to deceive you all.

[She doesn't like it but it seems like she's accepted it.]

For something, they more or less forced you to do...

[Except they'd all been forced into it.]

[Well, there's that. Chanel 3 has heard worse reasons to kill someone- but, whatever, this whole thing has gone on too long.]

So, we're done?

I imagine so.

You really did, huh?

[Her voice is emotionless. She can't say she really feels sorry for her, after all even if she's a kid, she killed someone. Still, it was the Overseer's fault. They were the one who pressured her to kill. They were the real enemies here. And the fact that she still can't do anything about it upset her more than she cares to admit.]

I have no reason to cover for anyone here. I was the one who did it, yes.

Ah, kriff.

[She was just a kid... but he wasn't much more of a kid himself the first time he'd killed anyone... a lot of people, actually, even if they were people who'd destroyed Alderaan and were going to do the same to the moon of Yavin.]

You have...saved more than just the one you care for. I am grateful to you for that. [He bows to her for a moment.]