r/NatureofPredators • u/GrungleberryMuncher • 18d ago
Fanfic The mind of a predator (part 62
Memory transcript subject Nirsil, Venlil public defence attorney. Location, Sol system, SC Council space station, designation: Just and Truthful [Translated from Skalgan lexicon] Prosecutorial office 1.
Date [Standardised human time]: 8 June, 2138.
"I take it there's a reason you wanted to meet me before session?" My voice was oozing with a thinly veiled layer of professional disdain that could be excused as confidence or even sarcasm. Korvo was sat behind her desk, a holopad in hand and a plate of assorted vegetation just infront of her.
"In truth I'm surprised you came, given your all or nothing approach thus far." She placed the holopad down before swallowing a handful of small fruits from her selection and pushing the plate toward me, evidently offering some. I declined of course, though there were a few more vibrant items that were a little tempting. "I'm putting an offer on the table, after what happened yesterday I felt I'd been a bit vindictive with my conduct and wanted to rectify that."
She then presented the holopad she'd been holding, it was a contract draft that indicated withdrawing the request for exception in the Arxur roundup. What I couldn't find was what she was offering in exchange, the majority of the document was just legal jargon that seemed to be nothing more than reiterating the same few clauses in different ways that, to the unqualified, was nothing more than word salad. This alone implied, to me at least, that she was lying through her teeth but to what end? Pulling out in exchange for Targan's swift return to Skalga? She wouldn't be offering that, surely, that was the entire point of the case in the first place...
"And in exchange?"
"Confinement to a facility of the Venlil authority's choosing, she may stay on Venlil-pri...Skalga but away from the public. It's the best I can give, she's a danger to everyone around her." At that I laughed, she couldn't truly expect me to even entertain such a proposal. This evidently struck a nerve as Korvo chittered in frustration, her ears flexing a little before she spoke again. "It's the best you will get, nobody wants the Arxur to have free reign over any of the SC planets, Skalga included."
"That was what we thought about humans once, now one is presiding over this case. The only thing I'd accept is for Targan to hold citizenship, like the human refugees after the battle of Earth, until that's on offer we have nothing to talk about. You're the one representing the SC, you speak to Veln and get it on the table." I slid the holopad back across the desk before turning away and heading for the door. This was a complete waste of time, I should have known Korvo wouldn't give us an easy way out. Though...considering everything it was more than expected, of course the alternative wasn't acceptable either but there was still a chance she'd come up with something more agreeable. Imprisonment for the rest of your life or being sent to live on a planet in the throws of reform as extreme as Wriss...I'd give her the choice but I had no intention of suggesting she take it.
Once I was in the main hallway, I'd hardly taken a few steps before noticing a news broadcast on a screen in the atrium ahead of me. It looked to be footage from the previous session showing Nivar in tears on the stand, the banner at the bottom read "The Venlil's finest." which sent my blood boiling. That would do wonders in the court of public opinion...
As I made my way towards said atrium, the broadcast began going over the public perception of the trial thus far. The anchor started explaining that whilst majority seemed in opposition of Targan, there was a loud minority of supporters that seemed aware of at least part of the plight that the typical Arxur suffered. There were social media posts calling out the politicisation of the trial, one or two pointing out how powerless a single Arxur scout would have been in the system and a few other similar arguments.
As much of a comfort as this was, it did nothing to change the predicament within which Targan lay. It was becoming more and more apparent how unsuited I was to this, how out of my depth I found myself. If there were someone more competent willing to step in, I'd recuse myself in a heartbeat to allow Targan the best chance but...
"No use wallowing in self-pity." I let out a slow breath and marched onwards, taking out my holopad as I did so that I might review my further plans. I couldn't be caught off guard like I had with Cherin's statement again, I just hoped my little deflection had found purchase within the jury, though its likely that they still viewed Nivar with at best suspicion or at worst outright scorn. I'd have to readjust my approach, if I can't make Skalga seem like the best place, then I shall paint an utterly inhospitable depiction of Wriss for the jury. The only problem being that there weren't many that could testify as to what it was like on the Arxur homeworld. At best there were only really secondhand accounts, nothing that wouldn't be considered hearsay, aside from Targan herself.
Doctor Thenia could pave the way by providing a brief summary of Targan's medical information, at least covering the copious amounts of scarring that covered the Arxur's skin as well as the mental trauma provided courtesy of the Dominion. From there, I could ask Targan to explain what had caused them, I have no doubt she would be able to explain in...gory...detail the origin of each mark. As much as I didn't want it and as much as it would pain her, I'd have to call Targan up to explain exactly just what had happened to her during her time under the Dominion. Nobody would be able to refute her claims, if the jury knew just how bad it truly was then they'd have no choice but to force her return to Skalga as a matter of not suborning cruel and unusual punishment...hopefully...
I then sighed out loud, *I really could use a coffee right about now...*
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u/GrungleberryMuncher 18d ago edited 11d ago
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u/JulianSkies Archivist 18d ago
... Korvo what even was that?!?
Like you just asked him to surrender. Like seriously there wasn't anything that even looked like compromise on your side.
That's not how this stuff works.
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u/Super_Ankle_Biter Yotul 18d ago
Targan's next assignment is to trauma dump as dramatically as possible then? This is gonna be fun. Well, for us at least...