Quietly, it was time to get things ready. Monday was the first day of their trial. Anna had to use a new minigame. There was a timer as the person on the stand gave their testimony. It gave her a chance to respond. There were 3 options on what to say. She had to choose what to say that would appeal to the jury. Once that was the case, it either made their opinion change positively or negatively. The meter would move one way or the other to represent it for the Player. On the far right was an open cage. It was also had a blue bird flying out. That meant a full acquittal. On the far left was a roasted chicken on a platter. That was for the death penalty. People could die based on their crimes. In the middle of the bar was a bird ripped in half. That meant a hung jury and a mistrial. Depending on the prosecution, the state might not attempt to do the case over. It would essentially make them free. On the other hand, they could just as easily decide to go again. Halfway between death and the hung jury was a bird in a cage. That was jail. We did not want to lose. I would do my best. It was important.
As the witnesses were called, Anna was sat by her clients. She was taking notes in order to get things organized in her head. The prosecution was an alpha. That was a bad sign of things to come. Her record against alphas was not so good. Anna still had to do her best. She did not have any witnesses aside from a psychologist. The inner alpha was only sort of understood. The same was true for the inner omega. It was a burgeoning science. They gave some support to the idea that people could be taken by instincts and take drastic actions without wanting to consciously. The jury seemed convinced after Anna led him to say things flattering towards the powerful nature of an inner omega. The prosecution had brought the victim and the witness to stands, but she had been able to diffuse their testimonies by openly slandering their character. Anna made them look like angry bitter alpha haters. It was gross, but it had to be done. At the end of the trial, Anna knew the result before the jury came back from deliberation. John and James were acquitted of the charges. It was a nice debut.
That was perfect for Anna. John and James looked her up and down. "That was great work. Can we count on you in the future?' James asked. Anna shook her head. "No thank you. I defended you because that was my job. We don't see eye to eye on omega rights. I will not be open to being placed on retainer." she said. They looked shocked. Neither understood why she would refuse them. "What is that supposed to mean!?" John demanded. She just looked at them. "I am a beta. You beat up a beta because he did not like you sexually harassing an omega friend of his. Was he an asshole? Yeah. Were you in the wrong too? Hell yeah." "So where does that put us now? What if we need you again?" James asked her. "You are free. Don't listen to your inner alpha when it wants you to do crimes. Sometimes, you have to be the one to walk away." Anna answered. That was the best advice that she could give to them in that moment. From there, she took her leave of them. It was better to stick to her guns. They would have a positive reputation now. Percy and Trish had new clients too.
Friday was another trial. A beta was being accused of capitol murder. The death penalty was on the menu if things went badly for her. She swore that it was a matter of self defense. An alpha went into rut when her brother went into heat suddenly. She tried to protect him from the alpha. He did not have his heat suppressants on him. She was beaten by him for getting in the way. An alpha in a rut was a scary thing. There were bruises all over her body to prove it. In order to protect herself and her brother, she stabbed him. He ended up dying on the way to the hospital. Anna was able to get her acquitted too. People in the audience were upset. Things were looking great for her career. Something that she was happiest about was that she was leaning into her principals instead of going against them. Now, Anna was practicing what she preached. Keeping alphas in cheek was something Anna did well. She was very happy to speak with her and his brother for a bit after the trial. They were happy to have this behind them. The Tudis had won cases for all of their clients in the courts as well.
