The trial had gone through its motions, as they each attempted to impress the jury to their side. It was starting to get very late, the trial had gone on a lot longer then was anticipated.
"You may begin your closing arguments, prosecution."
Edna, slithered her way to the Jury. This was it, the final call... could she sway the them? She brushed her arms across her dress suit, looking very dignified for a Lamia.
"I would remind the jury of the facts. This man was caught destroying evidence that, if his story held true, would have exonerated him. These are not the actions of a man blackmailed, but a man with his cover completely blown. The simplest explanation is often the correct one, and it holds true in this case. Anderson, upset by loss of control in a company he started, arranged for an assault by a known criminal. He maintained an environment of fear against the changed, and took it out on his employers when they stood up against that policy."
She carefully took out the picture. "The fact that this wound was bandaged, is irrelevant. She was wounded in the process. We can argue why the assailant decided this, but it makes little difference. We will never know the mindset of this man, only his actions."
Edna looked again, making sure she had the Jury's full attention. A few of them looked bored... she hated that. The general public always drew those that simply didn't care about justice, and were hoping to go home. This was so important though... "The prosecution rests..."
The judge nodded. "Defence, closing statements please."
Harris got up. This was it... "I would like to remind the Jury, that the burden of proof lies upon the prosecution. The system is innocent until proven guilty. There is no evidence against Anderson. The prosecution has also stated, that the bandaging is irreverent. We disagree. It shows that more must have occurred then an assault. The victim was left with their wallet, and money. No actual harm had been done, besides the effect of the sun... an effect you can not blame upon my client. An event all of us who are human, may have to face up to one day..."
Harris paused at that. He didn't realise how 'inevitable' those words sounded... were humans really going to be wiped out by this strange sunlight?
"I want the jury to consider... has the prosecution proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that my client arranged for Toby's assault?" He stared at each of them. His voice was strong and it looked like he was getting the needed attention out of them. Despite one or two bored ones... "There is no evidence... it is as simple as that."
"The Jury may deliberate," the judge said excusing them.
Anderson watched at the five men and woman left... he wished the majority of them were human though. Still it was a fifty fifty split... he had a small chance. There was a chance! He focused on that as he was lead away.
Effie was still thinking back to Nadine's father. Why did she curtsy? She had never done anything like that before! She wasn't even aware of girls that did that in such an informal modern age. She just did it without realising. It just seemed the way to greet him. Why? Why didn't she just wave or... something? It was like the more resisted her changes, the more pronounced they became. She got up smoothing her dress, as she looked to Dennis.
"I don't understand how this works," She said to him.
"Neither do I." he replied.
"I mean- okay... the human brain is the most complicated machine on the planet. As far as I know, no computer in the world can emulate it..."
"I know," said Dennis.
"Even with every computer in the world dedicating time towards it... is it really enough?"
"Don't forget, Emergence... there are AI's out there, contributing to it. If you link two AI's together, you don't just get double the processing power. It rises exponentially since they are intelligent"
"So there are AI's out there providing run time in a public network system?"
"yes. In a way its cloud computing. We are exploring the net, but all our processing is sent to our Host Mikey. Things we touch, integrate into that run time..." Dennis tried to explain. "Anyway, I've sent a message to Bonzo to prioritise an AI for Nadine. With a little luck, one will turn up willing."
Effie sighed. "In the mean time, she's stuck inside her console though." Poor kid. She wished there was more they could do for her.
"I've programmed firewalls.. she'll be safe." Dennis explained. "She'll have access to the network run time without fearing virus attack or anything else."
"yeah... I e-mailed Bonzo everything I know about the virus. I hope... it will be enough." it should be. Considering Effie suffered massive code deletion on her first day, Digital fairies had to be incredibly resilient programs. A virus glitches them... but could be removed. "So... what do we do now?"
"Well, how about we visit the chat rooms?" Smiled Dennis. "It might be fun to meet others like us. I hear there is also digital food there."
Digital food? Maybe it was to emulate taste... Though she felt a little pang for something to eat, it was probably more suggestion then an actual real need. She had 'consumed' surprisingly little since her transformation. It might be good to know how many digital fairies in the world existed...
Iris looked to Sarah's father. She was relaxing enjoying the sunlight. She decided to see how the new plant was getting on.
"Hello Dearie," she said. "I don't know if you noticed, but Sarah is back from school."
"H-hello," She said. "Yes... I saw her."
"you seem very troubled if I may say so. Why not tell me what's on your mind?" Iris approached closer.
The plant girl looked around, covering her breasts with a little modesty. Iris didn't pay it any mind, but if it made her feel more comfortable that was all that mattered.
"Before... I changed. I had a fight. It was when Sarah ran away..."
"Ah... I see." Iris nodded.
"It started, when Sarah had laid a few eggs."
Iris nodded again. "I had heard the story. Your wife..."
"Yes. She... freaked. And threw an egg at our daughter. I... I was upset. But I was to blame too. I wasn't sure what to do with a harpy. If I could have been more supportive maybe."
"you've been through a lot of stress, it was a natural reaction." Iris tried to comfort. "Honestly... you should have asked for help sooner. You know we're family. No matter what any of us look like. And Sarah is strong, she has already forgiven you both. I don't think it's even in her mind any more.".
The plant girl nodded very glad. "I... guess." Though there was more to her thoughts. "I wonder what I should do with my life now. All I do is provide nectar to my wife..."
"A very important task dear. Without you, she could not survive. And you could not survive without her," she reminded.
"I know... but I wonder if there is anything more I could do. Being here is nice... but I wish I could... do more..." she yawned getting sleepy, as the sun became hidden by a cloud. It was going to set soon as well.
iris gave it some thought. Mr McMillan always had a bit of a proud streak about him before the change. Everyone needed something fulfilling to do with their lives. Even if she could not move around much, there might still be things she could do. There were still bills to pay. She half wondered how the two would react to selling the honey they made.
But then, would that even be allowed? Iris suspected she could sell any silk she might make, but that was very different.
It was an idle thought, but she wouldn't embarrass the plant girl with that idea.
"why don't you rest now while we consider it."
She left to serve dinner for Sarah, glancing as the sun started its decent.
Susan knew something was on her brothers mind during breakfast. Her made very little conversion, but little did he know that she was on to him.
Her brother was up to something. It was so obvious. It had to be something really important. Did he have a girlfriend? She giggled a bit at that thought. She had spied a little in his bag, and it was very obvious he was planning some kind of a camp or sit in... or something.
"What are you doing bro?" She asked herself. More importantly, why did he not tell her? Did he think she was not brave enough?! She'll show him!
Whatever he was doing, she'll do it too. She had packed some small snacks and things. Not quite as much as her brother had given the lack of time, but enough to get by a few hours hopefully.
She'll wait for him after school, to see where he goes...
(A little earlier)
Anderson's trial had concluded...
he looked at each of them, swallowing. oh please! Please... make them believe it! He was the victim here! They had to see that. He tried to explain it in his statement, to make them understand. Five of them were human, they had to understand!
The Jury came one by one. Anderson had heard once, that you can tell if a jury was going to convict you if they looked at you or not. They never looked at a convicted man...
none of them looked at him.
Anderson started to sweat, panting just slightly. Please... Please... He muttered to himself.
"Has the Jury reached a verdict?" Asked the judge formally.
"We have your honour..." the foreman rose. It was a human female. Red hair, wearing a formal dress.
"What is your verdict?"
"We find the defendant..."
Anderson rose slightly in his chair. This was it...
"....Not guilty."
Anderson looked wide eyed. He... got away with it? Holy HELL! He was free! He got away with it! There was a God up there. He was giddy with relief, almost snickering. All the money he put into his lawyer actually paid off! Freedom!
The judge nodded. "Very well... Anderson, it has been decided there is insufficient evidence to charge you with this crime..."
Anderson couldn't help but smile in absolute relief. This was joy incarnate.
"... you will therefore be set free. Please clear the courtroom in an orderly manner," the judge banged his gavel as the trial ended.
Harris looked at Anderson, but derived no pleasure from this. In fact, he felt a little sick to his stomach. He actually won... despite being guilty as sin, he won. With his help... Anderson tried to shake his hand but he refused it. "Good day... Anderson. Next time you get into trouble, do me a favour and use another lawyer. I will not be taking another case from you," he replied ruefully.
Anderson just grinned. Screw him then. What did it matter. He won! WON! He could use this... he could get all those people that victimised him fired, and start fresh again. He would make Jay, and Toby pay for it all! For putting him through all this... He flashed one, very dark but triumphant look at that animal Jay. That little bitch in particular, was going to pay. He was not going to be intimidated by that little freak any more. Now, it was his turn...
There was such a joy in his step, as he walked out... outside the court house, breathing the air of sweet sweet freedom...
... until he caught sight of the sun, still making its decent.
Like a man exposed and on fire he tried to rush into the building again, but it was too late...
Jay stepped outside the court house, quite annoyed at the turn of events. How could it happen! Anderson was guilty... Well she was tired now, and just wanted to go to bed. She then saw the figure of Anderson outside- and changing. The sun was still up, and it seems the man had not realised... the three tailed fox girl watched with horrible fascination, what the sun would do to him. To be safe, she gracefully kept to the side, hidden... not that she had to make such an effort.
Anderson was trapped in his own world, in blind absolute panic.
