Record:The House of Light v. Insi Q'so
More actions
[Lighthouse Island. A circular meeting room has been rearranged into a courtroom. A small crowd of consisting mostly of T'vaqis, Deysachnis, and Rossans line the inner circumference. In the center of the room, two tables are arranged next to one another, facing a judge. The Deysachni prosecution prepares its statements. Insi Q'so is chained to one of the other table, twitching as he hears Judge Carraro open the trial.]
Judge Carraro: Let us begin, shall we? On today's order... The House of Light against Insi Q'so. I believe you have been read your rights before, Signore Q'so, but let me repeat that today you are being given a fair and just trial, which will assess your guilt and punishment. Are you of sound mind and capable of presenting your case?
[Insi Q'so appears somewhat emaciated, his body afflicted with a constant shivering. His voice is notably frail.]
Q'so: Something like that.
Judge Carraro: Let us begin then. [He shuffles between his papers, lining them up on the table. He turns to the Deysachnis.] Off to the prosecution. For the sake of everyone else in the room, could you please tell us what exactly Q'so is being accused of?
[One of the members of the prosecution raises a trumpet, but is signaled to not do that by the lead prosecutor. The lead prosecutor stands.]
Tsas: Good day, and white tidings. I stand as the Archpriest Mo'uyhanig Tsas-D'chaimwg, with 46 years as a legal scholar, expert in international law, and one of eleven heads of Modhes Temple.
Insi Q'so stands accused of the counts of War, Heresy, Perpetuation Of Caste, Failure to Surrender, Rebellion against Modhes Temple, Rebellion against The House of Light, several thousand counts of murder, destruction of property, public drunkenness, and being a Demon. While most of these are Deysachni specific crimes, it will be clear to all parties involved of Q'so's activity in orchestrating a war with the Light, causing the deaths of thousands.
Judge Carraro: Uh-uh. [Clears throat.] Very well. From the start, then. Signore Q'so's role in orchestrating war remains the highest accusation, and it seems like a good place to begin.
Q'so: First- First off I'd like to say, I'd like to tell- to tell you all- okay, we'll start there. That was Pili. Loqa Pili. He's still in power up there with the other two. Do you all remember how the war started? It was a trade conflict, T'vaqi and La Rossa, Pili himself tried, what's the word, negotiating, and it went- it went terrible. Next few months we're drowning in tariffs. Wasn't my decision. Ask Marone.
TCP involvement was nothing. We didn't attack until provoked. It's- it's not my problem.
Tsas: The Prosecution raises to La Rossa if there are any crimes committed in the acts of a trade war. The Prosecution raises also to La Rossa what the first attack of the true war was.
Judge Carraro: The TCP's illegal and provocative encroachment upon national and HoL territorial waters was the main cause for the war. I think Signore Q'so may have had cause and effect reversed. Let me remind you that deliberate lying in the courtroom may lead to additional fines and penalties.
Q'so: I didn't lie about shit- about anything. I didn't. We- we had every right to be afraid of your navies. The ships weren't going to attack. They never did. Not even when you took- when you took them hostage.
Tsas: Fear does not bequeath necessity. Molestation of territorial water is infringement manifest.
Q'so: [mumbling] Goddamn linguists.
Judge Carraro: May the prosecution recount Q'so's accusations concerning his wartime efforts. Feel free to call upon any registered evidence or witnesses.
Tsas: War, Heresy, Perpetuation Of Caste, Failure to Surrender, Rebellion against Modhes Temple, Rebellion against The House of Light, several thousand counts of murder, destruction of property, public drunkenness, being a Demon, molestation of territorial waters.
I call as witness, Insi Q'so, to the stand.
[Q'so attempts to get up and walk to the stand, but is unable to do so as he is chained to his table. He settles for simply standing up.]
Tsas: Insi Q'so, you were, during the period prior to and during the war, one of three Grand Magisters of T'vaqi, is that correct?
Q'so: Of course I was.
Tsas: What power does the Grand Magisterial position hold over the actions of the T'vaqii state?
Q'so: Thought you all already knew this. You get to propose bills, and if your coworker agrees, it's law. Each one- each of us is one head on a three-headed Dux. It's like that.
Tsas: What limitations are there upon the ability of the Grand Magisters?
Q'so: The other Magisters. You're kept in check by your own colleagues. It's- really, it's incredibly irritating. Senior Magisters have a say in things too. I stopped trying to understand things a couple layers in. I just had the power.
Tsas: In the situation of all three Grand Magisters agreeing on something, what impedes their ability, legally, to accomplish it?
Q'so: Nothing. I'm- I see your point, sir Archpriest, but there were no unanimous agreements during the war. Ask Aram.
Tsas: Does a vote require a unanimous agreement?
[Q'so glares at the prosecution.]
Q'so: No.
Tsas: What then, does it require, to pass?
Q'so: Majority. You just need the other guy to agree. Get to the point.
Tsas: The Prosecution will not be hectored. How is the matter of T'vaqi's millitary run?
Q'so: One- one guy at the top, the overseer. It's Qhisto now, last I heard. Knew he would betray me. I did.
Tsas: During the time of, and prior to, the war, who was this Overseer?
Q'so: Okay, Archpriest, very nice, you got me. It- it was me. Congratulations.
Tsas: I present Evidence Object 375-A. It is a record of all Grand Magisterial votes pertaining to international affairs or the military, over the course of your tenure in the position. Can you read the number of these votes?
Q'so: [squinting] Fifty-three.
Tsas: And of them, how many were you within the majority vote?
Q'so: Forty-nine.
Tsas: I lastly present Evidence Object 1-A and Evidence Object 1-B. They are respectively the initial declaration of war, and the overall estimated death count of the war. I would like the record to show that this declaration by the state of T'vaqi, and is signed in the name of Insi Q'so, and that the death count is 
My final question for the witness at this time, is this your signature, Insi Q'so?
[The broadcast briefly displays a close-up image of a written signature.]
Q'so: ...Yes.
Tsas: The Prosecution rests at this time. The Witness is given to the defense.
Judge Carraro: Certainly seems like a compellingly open and shut case. Anything to add, Signore Q'so?
Q'so: I'd like to, uh, call- to call myself to the stand.
[Q'so sits down and stands back up again.]
Q'so: You wanna- want to see a real argument? Let me ask you all something, I've done bad things, but let me ask you, who did all of the killing? Who did- havata, shit- I'm not- okay, let me tell you, this isn't gonna be so simple, I've done no more wrong than Pili, put him on trial with me. Why not Aram too, hell, the new guy as well, havata- we're all- we're all- I didn't invade any of your islands, I could have but I didn't, and what do the Utlians and Deysachni do? Let- let me ask you that. Okay.
[Q'so sits down.]
Judge Carraro: I see how it is. Well, thank you Signore Q'so, I will make sure to factor your defense into your sentencing. Onto the next points on the list. "Heresy... being a Demon..." Would the prosecution please elaborate?
Tsas: Insi Q'so was determined by Modhes Temple to be a Demon, a supernatural entity masquerading in mortal form in an attempt to undermine the rule of God. It is believed that he is a surviving lieutenant of Png-Nwi, known also as Libel Slandrason.
Judge Carraro: [Rolling eyes.] This is very much outside of my jurisdiction. How do you go about proving something like that?
Tsas: The Temple has its methods. It is understood, however, that La Rossa may not see eye to eye. The Prosecution is willing to chair the Demonic charge for concession, with respect to future matters.
Judge Carraro: Permission conditionally granted. Don't let it get out of hand.
Tsas: On other charges, it can be stated evidently that Q'so, as head of the T'vaqii government, perpetuated the T'vaqii CC score based caste system and state religion.
In Heresy, it is axiomatic to say that the war, which Q'so's role in has been established, was against the Light. Such also is counted twice in Rebellion, and Failure to Surrender.
Q'so: Objection! Objection. I don't- I accuse the prosecution of the intentional use of confusing and, uh, untranslatable language, you can't accuse me of something I don't understand, this is- this is an attempt- this is an unfair proceeding and I demand a retrial. I do.
Tsas: Legal speech is chosen by intent and specificity. If the defense finds a charge unclear, they are to raise their specific objection.
Judge Carraro: I'm not sure if I'd choose such language, but it is clear that Insi Q'so has perpetuated an unequal system that goes against human morality.
Tsas: Quite.
Q'so: Okay, you- [cough] you can't get me for that, put the other Magisters up on trial too like I said, it's just the way things were and the way things are, not like you guys don't perpetuate- uh, do the same thing.
Tsas: Being non-alone in crime does not make for a non-crime.
Q'so: I- okay I see, I see how this works, okay, sure, I can't win here. I understand, I get it, you guys are having this whole thing for show, why else would I be live on the goddamn television right now?
[Q'so stands up and turns to a freestanding camera recording the live broadcast.]
Q'so: You all see this, don't you? I'm being coerced, coerced against my will, so everyone watching can- you can see I'm not coming out of here successful, they didn't give me a chance, I'm getting wrongfully and unfairly stuck with imprisonment, or- they can't do that. They won't. This is hypocrisy.
Judge Carraro: Quiet down, Signore Q'so. I will not stand for madness in my courtroom. If you are found to be the main cause behind this war, rest assured you will receive a proper punishment for it. Be careful with your words. Make sure they benefit your case.
Tsas: For the crimes listed, the prosecution calls for Inhumane Execution.
The maximum sentencing possible under the crimes not specific to Deysachin bring Q'so up to, by my count, at least fifteen death penalties.
Q'so: The prosecution doesn't call for shit! I'm- you can't- Sir Qararo- Carraro, listen, we might not agree on every count, but I can't- execution, that's- you know for certain I'm not- goddamn- I'm not. You can't.
Judge Carraro: I can assure you only I will be the decider of that. But I cannot say you have made a particularly compelling case for yourself, Signore Q'so.
Q'so: [shakily, under his breath] Havata. Havata-vata-vata-vata-vata-vata.
Judge Carraro: I think we have had quite a stressful start. I see no reason to torture you further, Signore Q'so. I suggest we end the proceedings for the day. The court will commence again tomorrow morning. Have a pleasant day.
[The court adjourns. The courtroom gradually empties as a swarm of people moves towards the exit. Two armed soldiers, of Utlian origin, move to Q'so, unchaining him from the table. Holding him by the underarms, they escort him out of the makeshift courtroom on the way back to his cell. He mutters various curses under his breath.]
Broadcasts ended after this point. They resumed the following afternoon:
[The court reassembles. Q'so once more sits chained to his desk. Judge Carraro runs through his notes.]
Judge Carraro: Alright... This is a continuation of the proceedings of The House of Light v. Insi Q'so. Do you feel ready, Signore Q'so?
Q'so: I do. I, uh, have something to announce. To the court. And everyone else. I- I confess, wholeheartedly and with shame, that I am a Demon lieutenant of the vile P'ni- uh, Png-Nwi. I- I, being of sound mind and body, repent for my existence of sin, and convert to the Modhes- the Modhes faith.
[Q'so breaks down into tears.]
Q'so: I- I recognize my life of heresy and that I will never be- never truly be forgiven. I'm- I only ask that the Lord of Lords accept me as a follower. I fully... fully accept whichever form of life I am condemned to and concede that Modhes is the one true- the only true way of living. I'm sorry.
Judge Carraro: Signore Q'so, have you been in contact with anyone since yesterday's hearing?
Q'so: Only- only the Lord of Lords, sir. Uh. Metaphorically.
[Tsas stares at Q'so with a look of confusion as though a dog might have if brought into space.]
Judge Carraro: Can the guards corroborate?
Utlian Soldier: Yes, sir. He was watched throughout the evening and night, and no one has approached his cell.
[The prosecution whisper among themselves.]
Judge Carraro: Signore Q'so, I will write down an order asking for a psychiatric examination of you later this evening. Until then, the trial shall proceed as normal, and for now I will take you at your word that you are in good mental health.
Q'so: I am.
[Tsas rises from the mass of the prosecution.]
Tsas: I call to question the accused on the stand.
Judge Carraro: Permission granted.
[Tsas signals for Q'so to stand. Q'so immediately rises from his seat.]
Tsas: Insi Q'so, you claim to be repentful, for your actions?
Q'so: I do, Archpriest.
Tsas: Can you name these actions, for which you repent?
Q'so: Being a Demon, mostly. And- and declaring war. On the House of Light.
Tsas: Is that all?
Q'so: Something like that.
Tsas: What of the countless dead? Of the T'vaqii caste system? What of all your life?
Q'so: [sigh] Yes. Those three also.
Tsas: You said before you were fully accepting of whatever form of life you are condemned to. Is this to say, you accept any form of penance? An unconditional surrender, a whole submission of the will?
Q'so: [sigh] ...Any form of life. Yes.
Judge Carraro: Your admission of guilt will be noted down.
Q'so: I don't see any reason this should continue. You've got nothing else to gain. I expect- expect a decision soon, sir.
Tsas: If you are as penitent as you say, then you will expect nothing.
The Prosecution proposes a plea bargin to the defense. Life imprisonment within a Monastery of Maximum Imprisonment. If Insi Q'so claims as he is that he repents, then he will be able to begin on his progress of redemption in this life. There will be daily checks to ensure he is working to aid in the cleansing of his work.
[Q'so lays his forehead on the table. He otherwise does not react.]
Judge Carraro: That is quite a shift from your previous position. Court adjourned until mid-day, to let it all settle in. We will take all of this in mind, but we'll only continue as procedure once the facts can be assessed objectively. If nothing else, it will speed up sentencing, it seems.
[The courtroom doors open, leading a slow shuffle of people to slowly worm out of the room. The judge, talking with the prosecution, walks off to nearby cafeteria. Through the windows, the sun shines on Q'so's face.]