Cyborg Claude
Episode 50
In the previous episode, the amazing one-day trial occurred with Evil Uncle Derrik being hauled out of court and Ramon was detained without permission to return to the freighter.
Cyborg Claude Main Page and Table of Contents
Three long days passed before the jury pronounced it had a verdict.
Claude and the crew spent that time deep in paperwork to complete the transition to the private agency. It did not distract him from thinking regularly of Ramon, who had been kept in custody by the court rather than returning to the ship with his ankle monitor. At least he was not in prison, but in a setting closer to house arrest because of his cooperation.
Reading the actual book that his mother had put all her notes in led to more questions than answers about his choices in life and how to move forward. He had buried so much. Quelin and Stefen had sat him down to really talk about his mental health and the fact that he had plenty of post-traumatic syndromes from how he lost his family, let alone what his career had added.
He walked into the courtroom and sat next to Min in the same spot as they had for the one-day trial. This one was going down in history as the fastest, yet oddest, high-profile trial of the century. It truly matched his life and should put a bookend on a part of it. Never to forget, but in order to march into a new season. He adjusted his jacket and blew out a breath to focus on the room.
The jury filed in. Their faces were grim, but gave no hint of which way they swung for the three men they would set verdicts upon.
Ramon walked through the defendant’s door on his own volition with one guard as escort. He sat quietly at the defendant’s table alone. He nodded to Mister Matsukura sitting at the prosecution’s table. After receiving a nod in return, he faced forward, settling into the chair straight-backed and attentive. He crossed his legs, but his foot moved as if he could not contain his nerves. Despite accepting whatever fate lay before him, the verdict coming in moments had to be pressing in on him.
Claude flexed and rubbed his hands on his pants. Better for his own nerves to have Ramon’s verdict first. He stilled when Min put a hand over his.
The door to the judge’s chambers opened and Judge Gausamanter entered.
“All rise for High Judge Gausamanter.”
Claude rose along with the full gallery. Once the judge tapped his gavel on the block and began the proceedings, a moment of shuffling filled the room as everyone sat.
Judge Gausamanter asked, “Does the jury have a verdict for the defendant, Mister Ramon Farkas?”
A middle-aged man at the end of the first row rose. “We do, Your Honor.”
“Please rise, Mister Farkas.”
Ramon rose and clasped his hands before him when commanded by the judge.
“Please state your verdict,” said Judge Gausamanter.
“On the count of assisting in the explosion of the Zen Free States station, we find him not guilty. On the count of murder of a court guard and injuries to another, we find him guilty. However, we believe the murder ranking should be assisted without intent to do harm.”
“Duly noted.” Judge Gausamanter put his gaze on Ramon. “You have shown a great deal of change and cooperation since you pled guilty at your preliminary hearing. Because of your cooperation, I tested you by allowing you to be under house arrest with an ankle monitor on Mister Claude Burn’s ship until the trial started. You more than complied with the restraints put on you by this court and the agency run by Mister Claude Burn.”
His thin lips spread into what came close to a smile. “The court fines you with all costs associated with the harm you caused on this ship with the android. You will also compensate both families with ten million universal credits each, which is the maximum we can obtain from all your assets. You will forever wear an ankle bracelet so we know where you are and what you are doing. This court will approve where you can live and work for your time in rehabilitation, which is set to a minimum of one year. Be careful with your second chance at life, Mister Farkas.”
Claude’s held breath escaped in a rush. His cousin could live outside of a prison as long as he followed the rules.
“You may go free once the fines are paid and everything is approved for your rehabilitation process. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Ramon’s shoulders relaxed.
“Take him to the room where the processing will begin. Then bring in the next defendant.”
Ramon glanced at Claude, but did not smile. The look was enough that he understood and they could try for what they had seen as the impossible plan. If approved, he would live on the freighter doing menial labor while working through the rehabilitation plan.
The defense lawyer had pled guilty, and the jury agreed. He received the death penalty. He simply nodded in acceptance and let the guard lead him out again.
Derrik walked into the courtroom much calmer than he had left it last. With his back straight and jaw set, he looked like a general ready to go to war, despite knowing he had lost. He did not look into the gallery as they turned him to stand before the defendant’s table.
Claude scanned the expressions of the jury. The clenched jaws or frowns signaled the verdict. They had looked the same for Von Stern’s quiet verdict, but now the room appeared darker and hotter. He shifted in his seat, wishing he wasn’t wearing a tie. That foreboding presence wasn’t even directed at him.
“The jury will state its verdict,” said Judge Gausamanter.
“In the matter of the Zen Free States station explosion, guilty. In the matter of bombing the Universal Court prison and hull penetration, guilty. In the matter of the attempted murder of Claude Burn and Ramon Farkas, guilty.” The juror stopped and looked at the judge.
“What is it?” Judge Gausamanter clasped his hands on his desk and leaned forward.
“There is additional evidence that warrants reopening several cases around deaths and property loss initially deemed accidents because they only had circumstantial evidence at best. However, none of it compares to the station tragedy. Reopening the cases could open up old wounds, but close them correctly.”
Derrik said, “I call for a mistrial because evidence for other cases was mixed in this one.” His neck flushing some and the slight grate in his otherwise even tone revealed the simmering anger.
“The court agreed to combine cases because Mister Farkas gave up his right to his own trial in order to help the prosecution. Yes, there were other cases mentioned in the information. The jury is doing exactly what the court told it to do.”
“Then this was rigged.” The flush rose to Derrik’s face.
Judge Gausamanter held up a slender hand. “They were told to make their decision based on the information for the altercations at both stations. They obviously looked into the other information and gave their opinion. They are allowed to do that.”
“Your Honor, may I explain further the jury’s deliberations.”
“You may.”
“Two items pointing to two texts by Mister Derrik Burnsheklon proved beyond a doubt he ordered his people to do it regardless of the cost. Five more proved he had compartmentalized things, so no one knew the full operation except for him and Mister Von Stern. Because the case against Mister Ramon Farkas was wrapped into the case for the Zen Free States, we had to pursue what happened here. This is where the longest deliberation occurred, Your Honor.”
“All of this is in the jury notes?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
Judge Gausamanter’s fingers tapped the desk until he clasped them and leaned on his elbows. His pale gaze aimed at Derrik.
“I want an appeal,” yelled Derrik.
“I haven’t given your final sentencing yet.”
“This is not how justice works. The jury is most certainly biased.”
Judge Gausamanter picked up his gavel. “If anything biased the jury against you, it was how you handled yourself in this courtroom. You were present for the jury selection process and did not refute the choices.”
“But…”
The crack of the gavel on its block made Claude jump. He had expected something like this. Evil Uncle Derrik had nothing solid to stand on anymore.
“Mister Derrik Burnsheklon, you are sentenced to the death penalty for your involvement in the station explosion in the Zen Free States. Since you have never claimed your son and he was part of this, all of your assets will be sold as reparations for the station, the lives lost, and for the survivors. As for the guilty verdicts beyond the Zen Free States, none of your assets are required for this station’s repair and none of it changes my decision that you will be put to death for what you did. Your motive to gain Nagja Trillium fully in your grasp clouded your judgment and led to the costliest tragedy the universe has seen in a century. My decision is final.”
The gavel tapped against its block to finalize the judgment. Compared to the crack that had stopped Uncle Derrik from speaking, it whispered the end.
Derrik fought the guards until four of them carried him from the courtroom. His shouts about how he would get even with his conniving nephew could be heard through the door for nearly a minute before silence fell.
Claude shifted in his seat. Why didn’t the judge pronounce the end of the trial?
“Please rise, Mister Claude Burn, or should I call you Burnsheklon now?”
Claude rose. His back prickled at the attention of the full gallery. “Either is fine, Your Honor.”
“As majority owner of Nagja Trillium and nephew to the guilty party, you will not impede the process of his shares and other assets being liquidated?”
“I will not. The board is already looking into everything and only requires news of this verdict to sell his shares to the employees. All his assets outside of Nagjan Trillium will be assessed, and I don’t foresee wanting to keep anything of his. The family home is not owned by him, though he acted like he gained that, too.”
“Very well.” Judge Gausamanter turned his attention to Mister Matsukura and the representative of the plaintiff. “Are you satisfied with this compensation?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Mister Matsukura looked at his client, who shook his head. “We have an auditor who can verify the recording and selling of Derrik Burnsheklon’s assets. We foresee no issues.”
“Noted.” Judge Gausamanter rose, still holding the gavel. “Mister Burn, you are a fortunate man. Many people will watch you because of it.”
“Understood, Your Honor.”
“Thank you to the jury for your service.” The judge tapped the gavel to its block. “This trial is concluded, and this session is dismissed.” He walked out.
Claude knew he had become a face the universe recognized. People would watch and try to prove he was a cyborg if they thought anything had changed. Until they worked out where his shares would disperse, he was one of the wealthiest people in the universe. He chuckled and shook his head.
He missed his parents, but closure had arrived in all the ways he would have never suspected. His father had been better at undercover than anyone Claude knew in the various spy agencies he worked for or with. So much so that even after his death, no one could touch his assets for another twenty years except his son. It almost passed on to his uncle because his parents never pulled him into the loop before their deaths. However, the truth came out despite all the choices that could have left it a secret, even from him.
He blew out a breath and smoothed his jacket to do something with his sweaty hands. Now he really had to figure out how to live with this new life, one where he ran a private investigative agency with his soon to be wife. He smiled at Min when she placed a hand on his arm.
“Time to return to the ship and make sure everything is ready to transition with these verdicts.” She winked at him.
Claude laughed. “No rest for the weary.”
“You couldn’t stay in one spot more than an hour unless sleeping or having your mind engaged.” She looped her arm in his.
“Look who’s talking.”
She put on a mildly affronted expression, but he couldn’t miss the amusement in her dark eyes.
Mister Matsukura cleared his throat. “I need to see to Raymond, but you will be our guests for dinner tonight.” He arched a brow at them when Min opened her mouth. Then he laughed as he turned back to the table to pick up his belongings.
“Mom is going to corner me about the date and plans for the wedding she’s been waiting for since I was born.” Min let out a little snort.
“Then let’s not keep her waiting too long.” He swallowed hard as the realization it could happen any time now that everything was settled.
Min pulled at his arm, so he stooped. Her breath tickled his ear as she said, “I’m not sure about this either, but I hope it doesn’t change how we work together.”
He whispered, “It better not unless it is a better thing.”
They walked out arm in arm once their guards could arrange around them. All was settled other than knowing where Ramon could live and work.
Ramon burst into Claude’s office before his escort could knock twice on the jamb of the open door. “I’m ordered to your ship, Commander.” He snapped to attention and gave a sloppy salute.
Claude arched a brow as he rose. “You need to work on that salute.” He laughed as he gave his cousin a crisp salute. He rounded his desk, and the two hugged quickly with slaps on the back.
“So how do you plan to keep me busy with the restrictions the court put on me?”
Claude settled on the edge of his desk and drummed his fingers against it. “Considering your resume stinks for anything outside your restrictions, what do you want to learn first?”
“I have options beyond toilet cleaning?” Ramon’s brows rose, but one corner of his lips turned up.
“This is a busy freighter with a huge crew and plenty of things to do. Besides cleaning, there is the kitchen, freight handling, engine room, and various types of maintenance, which can fit within the restrictions.”
“But some of those use computers.”
“Yes, they do, but most are on systems internal to the ship for security reasons. You can use any computer that does not allow you to connect to someone off this ship.” Claude crossed his arms. “Is there someone off this ship you would want to talk to?”
Ramon’s brows bunched to form a furrow over his nose. Then his eyes widened. “Oh, you mean…”
Claude nodded.
“Umm, well, I was seeing someone before I got pulled into this mess. It was still on the casual side, but regular.” He paused. “And all above board, Nagjan style.”
“And you want to see her again?”
“I was hoping, but who knows what she is doing now. The last time we chatted was just before I sent Conrad off with the android.” Ramon gazed off toward a corner. “I have a lot of things to figure out, but I doubt she would want to continue with a convicted felon stuck on his cousin’s freighter.”
“Won’t hurt to find out. It’ll mean me contacting her and seeing if she will come up to the Nagja station while we are there.”
“Wishful thinking, but might as well see.” Ramon grinned.
Claude rubbed his chin while assessing his cousin. “So what did you do to make yourself happy around your job and dating? Any hobbies?”
“I tinkered some.” He shrugged. “I like puzzles and trivia.”
“Want to try a maintenance job? You could work physically on a variety of ship systems. I know you won’t muck up anything there because it might kill you along with everyone else.”
“Har har har.” Ramon sighed. “Yeah, I get it.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’ll give that a try on one condition?”
“You think you can state conditions?” Claude raised a brow.
“Yes, sir.” Ramon stood at attention better this time. “You need to allow me to help you study. That will help us both through all of this.”
“Religion.”
“It’s a bit more than that,” said Ramon.
Claude held out his hand. “Deal, but my mom left some good notes from her own studies to help me.”
“Even better. My mother wrote a lot of notes that I hope you can get from my flat.” Ramon’s face lit up as if relieved, but then his shoulders slumped. “Will you be selling the place since I can’t live in it?”
“It’s already sold.”
His shoulders sagged. “Where is my personal stuff?”
Claude grinned. “Still there since I own it… for now.”
Ramon sighed as if relieved.
“You have a year of rehabilitation to go through.”
“Right, but wait a minute. I can’t be on off-ship comms.”
“For those calls with my supervision, you can.”
Ramon slapped his forehead. “Right. Too much to think about.”
“You will do fine. Are you settled already, or would you like to meet your new supervisor?”
“I only had a few travel bags. I can sort that out in seconds, so let’s go meet my new supervisor. It’ll be maintenance, correct?”
“Yes, you can talk with him to see what area of maintenance you will like the best.”
Claude led his cousin out of his office, and they took the lift to the bottom level. He stepped through the first door on the left into a large room with workbenches and several men in overalls.
A burly man going gray walked up. “So you don’t mind getting dirty and tinkering with things?” He flashed a wide grin at Ramon.
“No, sir, but I don’t know much about machines.”
“That’s fine. Let’s find you fitting coveralls and I’ll give you the tour.” He clapped a meaty hand onto Ramon’s shoulder to stir him further into the room. He looked over his shoulder at Claude. “I think he’ll do just fine here, sir. I’ve had a few chats with him during his prior stay.”
Claude smiled and gave Ramon a nod in response to an excited thumbs-up. Maybe he needed as much rehabilitation as his cousin. He needed something besides counseling by Quelin. The studying the religious texts of their parents wouldn’t hurt. It had helped Ramon in just days.
He lingered a moment watching Ramon’s introduction to the maintenance crew. Then he stepped back onto the lift.
We’ll all be fine. This is a solid team and we won’t be playing spy games quite like we used to. Unless Conrad drags us into something more around that creepy mind alteration machine Goeken has. He should have enough to make the courts open an investigation.
He laughed. “Let’s do this.” He pressed his thumb on the fingerprint reader and then punched the button that returned him to the bridge.
< Episode 49 | Main Page
Now that the verdicts have been given and plans made for the next season of Claude’s life, there are still things for them to do, but this is the final episode of Cyborg Claude. I have ideas of how to handle what comes next in my sci-fi universe with the idea for a space opera trilogy that ties into the unfinished plot around the mind alteration machines.
Now that this is finished, the goal is to edit it around the next big project for my fantasy world and have it in a polished novel format ready to go not long after I put out the fantasy novel, so it may be around this time next year when it has a book format. I’ll be leaving this free for a few weeks in order for everyone to finish it and give me any other feedback they like. Around mid March it will go behind a paywall other than the first few episodes.
We’ll see how things come together without rushing around life or forcing myself beyond what makes this all fun. Be sure to stay tuned here as I shift gears back to the fun of novel writing. I plan to share some behind the scenes info beyond the monthly newsletter.