The Weapon - Lex - part 17
By Diana the Valkyrie
Payment in full
Update: 01/11/2003 to valkyrie05



We got back to the hotel, I changed into my formal courtroom clothes, grey
suit and navy tie, and got a cab to the courthouse.

Outside, there was quite a large demonstration going on. The placards were
"Humanity First", of course, but there was also "Aliens go home" and "Godless
creature" and a few that were really quite rude. When Wendy glided in on those
great wings and landed on the courthouse steps, there was chanting and booing,
and a few people were throwing things at her. This, I thought, is not good.

I met her inside, waited while she cleaned bits of tomato off her wings,
folded them up, and we went to the courtroom. Since we were the defendant, we
sat at the front, Wendy looking demure but impressive, me looking somewhat
defeated by the strength of public opinion. She'd spent the last few days
helping people around this area, and she was still resented by them. I didn't
feel we had much of a chance.

Kate made her grand entrance, I mean Judge Langley, and after she'd taken her
seat and we all sat down, I saw she was looking straight at me, and one of her
eyes sort of flickered. Not really a wink. So I did not really a wink back,
and smiled. She banged her gavel, and said "OK, let's get started. Have you
come to a settlement?" "No, your honour" said Cattermole. Kate looked at me.
"Any objections to any of the jurors?" she asked. I thought, no, they're
probably all equally prejudiced against Wendy, so I shook my head, "No
objections, your honour" "OK," said Kate, "let's hear the plaintiff."

Cattermole stood up, and smirked at me. "Our case is that the alien McCrae, of
no fixed abode, did deliberately and knowingly cause an earthquake which did
damage to the amount of $4.83 billion. It was only by the greatest good
fortune and God's mercy that no lives were lost. We will show, by evidence of
the accused, that the cause of the earthquake was indeed the alien. That this
was premeditated, will be shown by calling witnesses from the California
Geological Institute, who were notified by the alien of the intent. The amount
of the damage will by shown by the sum total of the depositions from the
damaged parties."

She sat down, and smirked at me some more. There was a hubbub in the court as
the huge sum of money being demanded sank home; Kate banged her gavel, calling
for silence. "Mr Mickleshaw?"

I stood up. I looked at the judge, then at the jury, and around the courtroom.
Then I bent over and whispered to Wendy, "Are you sure?" She looked up at me
and nodded. I sighed.

"Your honour, I would mention that by causing this earthquake, the Guardian of
Humanity prevented a far worse one in the future, which would have not only
done far more damage, but which would have led to substantial death and
injury. I would mention that this was with the agreement of the California
Geological Institute, who were consulted on this before any action was taken,
and who agreed that this would be the best way to avoid future loss of life
and property. I would also mention that in my examination of the damage
deposition, I have found substantial padding of claims; the true damage is
less than a tenth of that $4.83 billion total."

I took a deep breath, and glanced at Wendy. She nodded again.

"Nevertheless, my client is willing to pay the $4.83 billion in full."

I sat down.

All hell broke loose. People were shouting and screaming, Kate was pounding
her gavel, but the best part, absolutely the best part, was the look on
Cattermole's face. It very plainly said "What the fuck are you up to, you
slimy Brit?". I gave her my best smile.

Eventually, Kate restored order, after getting the court bailiffs to eject
some of the more unruly elements of the crowd. And the first thing she did
when she got everyone quiet, was to ask Wendy to stand up. "Mrs McCrae, please
stand." Wendy stood up. "I just want to be absolutely clear on this, you're
willing to pay the full $4.83 billion?"

Wendy spread her wings, and rose another couple of feet. "I take
responsibility for my actions," she said, and put her hands on her hips. Kate
looked at me. I looked back, impassively. And I raised a hand. "Mr
Mickleshaw?" said Kate.

I stood up. "Time to pay, your honour," I said, "given the huge sum of money
to be paid, we'd like to pay in twelve monthly installments, starting three
months from now." Kate looked at Cattermole. "Any problem with that," she
asked. "No objection, your honour."

"Costs," I said. "Good point," said the judge, "Cattermole, you're carrying
the costs of the case." Cattermole looked outraged. "But, but we just won the
case!" "You refused to negotiate, this could have been very easily settled out
of court. So, you pay all legal costs. Any more questions?" "No, your honour."
"No, your honour." "OK, case is closed," she said formally.

"One more thing," said Kate, "there's a riot developing outside, we'll need to
smuggle you out." I looked at Wendy. She said "Herbert, you'll be OK, it's me
they're after. I'll let them chase me away, and you can just walk out." I
nodded. Cattermole stalked off, her nose somewhat out of joint from having to
carry the costs. Kate disrobed, and turned to me. "OK, robes off, I'm not a
judge now, and since that case ended so fast, I don't have anything on for the
rest of the day. How about that meal I promised you?"

I heard the roar from the crowd as Wendy showed herself, and then it became
less noisy as she drew the crowd away from the courtroom. After several
minutes, Kate said to me, "Well, it sounds like it's safe to leave now. Let's
go!"