Day Two of the trial arrived and we were ready to clear Rusty\u2019s name. \u201cSo, you found no evidence of Dalek coding,\u201d I asked Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot a lick,\u201d confirmed Edgeworth. \u201cNow, if Elkrandek found anything, I know how to dismiss it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere\u2019s hoping it works,\u201d I gulped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe trial is about to begin,\u201d called the Bailiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShall we?\u201d offered Edgeworth. We entered the Courtroom, the same witnesses as last time: Hongo, Wyldstyle, Gandalf, Batman, Elphaba, Rusty, Richard, Emily, and myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll rise for the Honorable Judge Legowltor!\u201d announced the Bailiff. We rose as Legowltor sat in his seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease be seated,\u201d he directed. We sat down and he banged the gavel. \u201cCourt will now reconvene for the trial of the Experimental Portal Operator.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Prosecution is ready, Your Honor,\u201d declared Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Defense is ready, Your Honor,\u201d answered Elkrandek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLast time, the Defense proposed that the witness, Rusty, fell back onto her old Dalek ways and framed the Defendant,\u201d recalled Legowltor. \u201cToday\u2019s proceedings will start there. If the Prosecution could give their opening statement, we will get underway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Honor,\u201d began Edgeworth, \u201cit is no secret that Rusty was once a soldier of the Dalek Empire. However, I hardly see a, pardon the phrase, \u2018True\u2019 Dalek choosing a humanoid form, since they hold the unquestioned belief in their superiority in all aspects, even genetically. The Prosecution will cheerfully clear this slander on the witness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDefense, your rebuttal?\u201d asked Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt IS true, no Dalek likes the humanoid form,\u201d remarked Elkrandek. \u201cHowever, those that ARE humanoid Daleks usually have their hatred increased to a dangerous level. In their minds, they were FORCED to adopt such a state. The defense argues that Rusty was acting in such a state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObjection!\u201d called Edgeworth. \u201cYour Honor, this is nothing but vile slander towards the witness!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe shall see,\u201d remarked Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Honor, I would like to call Rusty to the stand,\u201d suggested Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVery well,\u201d replied Legowltor. \u201cRusty, take the stand.\u201d Rusty obeyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMs. Rusty, could you kindly tell the court a little bit about why you have a humanoid shape?\u201d requested Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…As I said to you in the lobby earlier today,\u201d gulped Rusty, \u201cyou may not believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease, testify on your current genetic circumstances,\u201d insisted Edgeworth. Rusty drew in a deep breath before beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore the Vortech Wars, I WAS a Dalek soldier, in the middle of a war with the humans of the Combined Galactic Resistance,\u201d she recalled. \u201cI had led a normal, hate-filled Dalek life until a battle left me adrift in space. Unbeknownst to me, my casing\u2019s power source had cracked and was leaking radiation. During such time, I saw a star being born and deemed it beautiful, concluding that life will always find a way to continue despite the Daleks\u2019 attempts. The Doctor and their companion at the time fixed me and I almost reverted back to basic Dalek programming until the Doctor linked their mind to mine. I saw what the Doctor saw, felt what they felt, and learned why they hated the Daleks so much. In true Dalek fashion, I saw the Daleks as an evil that must be exterminated. After defeating a Dalek task-force, I went off on my own adventures and met with a Cyberman that didn\u2019t have his emotions removed and remembered who he was; Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. We went on to form a new UNIT, dedicated to keeping the peace throughout the galaxy. We had gotten reports that the Daleks and Cybermen were on a planet in the midst of a cold war. We went to investigate and found the F.N.S wandering around the planet, looking for the Keystone that was discovered to be in the Dalek Emperor\u2019s possession. The Doctor helped out and got us all to Vorton. The Brigadier and I joined Elphaba in operating the Gateway. I was still trundling around in a Dalek\u2019s casing…until one sad day in the F.N.S\u2019 journey. Now, this is where it gets unbelievable. Hiro, possessing a Lambda-class Portal Operator, sabotaged a Star Destroyer under Vader\u2019s command. I went to fix the sabotage, but the radiation penetrated my casing and ravaged my body. I had died, but my soul was preserved in my casing. At the time, I hopped to the nearest data-store under the possession of a Mr. Benjamin Kirby Tennyson; the Omnitrix. Through the Omnitrix, I went to the planet of Primus and used various genetic samples to construct the body you see now. I found a way back to Vorton, revealed myself to the F.N.S, and continued in my efforts to help them stop Vortech.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObjection!\u201d Edgeworth finally called when he found his voice. He had his fist on the railing and was steadying himself with it in sheer shock of what he heard. \u201cWhen you said I wouldn\u2019t believe your testimony, I think you undersold it! You died and came back to life?! How is that possible?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Honor, I must agree with the Prosecution\u2019s objection!\u201d supplied Elkrandek. \u201cIt is clear the witness is deranged in some fashion!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold it!\u201d protested Rusty. \u201cYour Honor, there is evidence that my story is true! Check with Azmuth on all available data within the Omnitrix on the day I died! Also, check with the F.N.S, you will find that they gave me a rather moving funeral!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Honor, the Prosecution already did so,\u201d called Edgeworth, \u201cbut still can\u2019t believe it, even though it\u2019s been checked and confirmed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s been checked and confirmed,\u201d replied Legowltor, \u201cI see no reason to dismiss the witness\u2019s testimony. Objection overruled. Besides, there IS precedence for such an incident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Very well,\u201d sighed Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Defense would like to offer an apology for calling the witness deranged,\u201d interjected Elkrandek. \u201cIt was clearly disparaging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cApology accepted,\u201d replied Rusty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen, I believe this clears Ms. Rusty\u2019s good name,\u201d declared Legowltor. \u201cUnless there are objections?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo objections,\u201d answered Elkrandek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo objections,\u201d confirmed Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSplendid, we can continue with the main topic of these proceedings,\u201d resolved Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Prosecution would like to call the F.N.S\u2019 doctor to the Stand,\u201d declared Edgeworth. Rusty sat down as Emily took the stand. \u201cState your name and occupation for the Court Record, please,\u201d he directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEmily Saunders,\u201d answered Emily. \u201cChief Medical Officer for the F.N.S, Freshman at After Academy, and Captain of the FNSS-01, Virginia<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA CMO and a Captain at the same time?\u201d spluttered Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know it\u2019s unorthodox,\u201d replied Emily, \u201cbut it\u2019s helped the F.N.S on more than one occasion. Besides, we have a system where someone else takes command of the Virginia<\/em> if I\u2019m unavailable in some fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, if the system works, I will not judge, for once,\u201d conceded Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMs. Saunders, you have, on more than one occasion, interacted with the Defendant, correct?\u201d asked Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, but I fail to see where you\u2019re going with such a question,\u201d replied Emily. \u201cWe\u2019ve ALL interacted with the Defendant at some point in our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTell the court what your interactions entailed,\u201d directed Edgeworth. Emily was still confused, but went ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey were centered around general maintenance,\u201d she testified. \u201cI know, again, unorthodox, but he IS labeled as a sentient machine under Article 7, Section 5, Paragraph 3 of the Sentience Act. As such, he\u2019s granted the rights of healing without prejudice. Rusty walked me through on his mechanics and operational systems. Before the Defense even goes there, no, I don\u2019t have the skill to plant such an idea in his head!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow you understand why I asked,\u201d smiled Edgeworth. \u201cYour witness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMs. Saunders,\u201d called Elkrandek, \u201cyour last statement was \u2018I don\u2019t have the skill to plant such an idea in his head,\u2019 correct?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was,\u201d replied Emily. \u201cAre you suggesting someone in the F.N.S did so?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m suggesting you may have suggested it to my client,\u201d explained Elkrandek. \u201cI propose that you planted the idea so it would seem that you would be innocent in all this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTell me, if that were true, why would I bother telling the new guys in secret?\u201d asked Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWh…wh…WHAAAAT?!\u201d shrieked Elkrandek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour Honor, if I may, I would like to testify on that subject,\u201d offered Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy all means,\u201d agreed Legowltor. Here comes more testimony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe vote results we got said that we wouldn\u2019t tell the new guys,\u201d she began. \u201cThat didn\u2019t sit well on my conscience, nor my boyfriend\u2019s, so we told one of the new guys, Deung Moon-kyung, before this adventure was brought to our attention. During the adventure, while the Virginia<\/em> was on course for 5-U-P-3-R-M-4-R-1-0, I told my Chief Engineer at the time, Liam McIntyre, about what went on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI reiterate the Witness\u2019s question,\u201d called Edgeworth, \u201cif she planted the idea in the Defendant\u2019s processors, why would she tell the newer members behind the F.N.S\u2019 back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSimple!\u201d replied Elkrandek. \u201cThe sting of conscience was too great for her!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd yet, X-PO faked the results before she decided to tell the new members,\u201d remarked Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t disprove my theory!\u201d answered Elkrandek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m rather afraid it does,\u201d chuckled Edgeworth as he wagged his finger. \u201cThe time at which the idea would have been planted would have proved far too early to enact it now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere IS a way to do it!\u201d challenged Elkrandek. \u201cIf I recall, there is a magic user among the team Rusty was a part of!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome sort of time spell?\u201d chuckled Edgeworth. \u201cI\u2019m afraid the person you\u2019re describing would testify otherwise. She happens to be the next Witness. If she could take the Stand, please.\u201d Emily and Elphaba swapped places. \u201cYour name and occupation, if you please,\u201d requested Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElphaba Thropp,\u201d replied Elphaba. \u201cFormer Ruler and Wicked Witch of the Western Country of the Winkies in the land of Oz and head of the Gateway Operational Team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMs. Thropp, if you would tell the Court your usage of magic in your day to day operations, it would clear something up,\u201d directed Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy magic usage is limited, actually,\u201d testified Elphaba. \u201cAs many would know, I used to rule the Winkies with an iron fist. The F.N.S and their ally, Kamen Rider Wizard, took Dorothy Gale\u2019s place in dousing me with water. Death brought me back and put me on Vorton. In my world, a full use of magic must lead to the purging of all original desires with the potential to fall to evil, as I did. I was so evil that I became aquaphobic. Water was too pure for my, then, wicked frame that I melted when in contact with the stuff. I came back and learned another path to magic, but it requires that I treat it as a partner, not a slave. I usually experiment with it nowadays. Temporal Magic is rather beyond me at this point in time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold it!\u201d called Elkrandek. \u201cAnother one who died and came back to life?! What is wrong with Death?! Resurrection was forbidden a long time ago, especially for one so wicked!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObjection!\u201d replied Edgeworth. \u201cElphaba\u2019s resurrection was a necessary one! It was another chance for her and allowed her to live life in a different manner! Besides, you heard her! She\u2019s a member of the team! I hardly see how her past can affect her if she is still trusted to this day!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObjection, Your Honor,\u201d insisted Elkrandek, \u201cElphaba is someone who is known for playing the long game!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerhaps in most universes, yes,\u201d replied Legowltor, \u201cbut it is common knowledge that the witness here is a woman who\u2019s long left the Winkies alone and is a valuable ally to the F.N.S. Objection Overruled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHave any more theories,\u201d asked Edgeworth, \u201cor is the Defense grasping at straws? Perhaps you wish to disparage the good name of the next Witness?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd who is the next Witness?\u201d quizzed Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA wizard of Middle-Earth,\u201d replied Edgeworth. Elphaba and Gandalf changed places. \u201cYour name and occupation for the Court Record.\u201d Gandalf blew a smoke ring before answering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Gandalf the Grey,\u201d he introduced, \u201ca member of the Istari and head of the Fellowship of the Ring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMr. Gandalf, have you ever used magic in an ill manner?\u201d inquired Edgeworth. \u201cFor example, have you used it to directly influence anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCertainly not!\u201d replied Gandalf hotly. \u201cThat is a magic more dark than I wish to use!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen please, explain your relationship with the Defendant,\u201d directed Edgeworth. Gandalf blew another smoke ring before testifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMuch like Batman, I had bumped into Megumi\u2019s group during an adventure where I supposedly died in the universe they are most familiar with,\u201d he began. \u201cAfter Frodo Baggins, a dear friend of mine, was kidnapped by Vortech, I was taken in by X-PO along with the rest of the Feudal Nerd Society to fight Vortech. I had no idea I was part of a larger plan. After defeating Vortech, I returned home and spent two years in the Shire in peace now that Sauron no longer dwells in Middle-Earth. Two years later, I responded to a call to arms by Megumi. However, I had no idea we were manipulated in such a fashion until after our initial return to Vorton from other universes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd not once can you claim using magic on anyone within the group?\u201d asked Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot once,\u201d replied Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObjection!\u201d called Elkrandek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMr. Elkrandek, I am getting rather annoyed by your interruptions!\u201d hissed Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour Honor, forgive my interjection,\u201d apologized Elkrandek, \u201cbut there IS something the Prosecution overlooked. In this instance, I must thank Gandalf.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cErm, you\u2019re welcome?\u201d quizzed Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLadies and gentlemen, it is a well-known fact that magic has a trace when used,\u201d explained Elkrandek. \u201cIt has been known to affect machinery. I submit that my client was affected by stray magic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObjection!\u201d argued Edgeworth. \u201cPortal Operator robots are powered by maho-engines; a power source that uses magic! It is highly unlikely the Defendant was affected in such a manner!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cX-PO is an Experimental Portal Operator!\u201d countered Elkrandek. \u201cIt\u2019s unlikely that the shielding for any external magic was perfected when he was built! Stray magic must have affected him while Gandalf and Elphaba were using it within Vorton! In all honesty, I\u2019m a little angry I didn\u2019t think of this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt will be my turn to get angry soon!\u201d threatened Gandalf. \u201cIf you accuse me of affecting X-PO so irresponsibly again, I shall! Then you will see Gandalf the Grey uncloaked!\u201d The courtroom went dark!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGANDALF, NO!\u201d I yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cORDER IN THE COURT!\u201d shouted Legowltor as he banged his gavel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour Honor,\u201d interjected Edgeworth, \u201cI assure you; an examination of any stray magic will determine whether or not X-PO was affected at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDoes the Defense agree?\u201d asked Legowltor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Defense agrees, Your Honor,\u201d answered Elkrandek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen tomorrow\u2019s proceedings will be centered around whether or not it\u2019s possible for X-PO to have acted because he was affected by magic!\u201d declared Legowltor. He banged his gavel. \u201cCourt is adjourned!\u201d We filed out of the Courtroom and spoke with Edgeworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDude, what are you trying to do?!\u201d I yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTell me,\u201d quizzed Edgeworth, \u201chave you seen Gandalf or Elphaba use magic so irresponsibly?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI haven\u2019t,\u201d I replied, \u201cbut that\u2019s hardly my business now, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m proceeding under the belief,\u201d replied Edgeworth, \u201cthat any stray magic would have affected you too. From what I have researched, magic tends to affect organic life-forms quicker than machines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…When are we getting checked out for that?\u201d I asked, understanding where he was going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just need to make some calls,\u201d answered Edgeworth as he got out his cell phone. He dialed a number and spoke with the person on the other end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Day Two of the trial arrived and we were ready to clear Rusty\u2019s name. \u201cSo, you found no evidence of Dalek coding,\u201d I asked Edgeworth. \u201cNot a lick,\u201d confirmed Edgeworth. \u201cNow, if Elkrandek found anything, I know how to dismiss it.\u201d \u201cHere\u2019s hoping it works,\u201d I gulped. \u201cThe trial is about to begin,\u201d called the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":599,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,104],"tags":[269,20,69,16,144,266],"class_list":["post-598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-movie-chaoters","tag-court","tag-elphaba","tag-emily-saunders","tag-gandalf","tag-rusty-the-dalek","tag-trial"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=598"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":600,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/598\/revisions\/600"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}