Code Nexus

The courtroom was loud with tension as Cassian entered.

After a swift journey back to AU with Karl securely handcuffed and subdued, the immediate trial was about to commence.

His father, Magnus, was absent from these proceedings, relegating Cassian to take the responsibility of reporting to him only after the trial. Magnus was a figure of authority and command, known not to attend to such trivial things, and Cassian could only imagine the disappointment he'd face if things went awry.

The courtroom was quite authentic. Because of the severity of the crime and the involvement of Libra, things had escalated.

It housed two magistrates presiding over the case, an array of jurors, each one powered by their own thoughts and biases, and a few guards stationed near Karl, who was strapped tightly to a chair, bound hand and foot.

A small crowd of spectators watched with bated breaths, their eyes fixed on the accused, while whispers threaded through the audience.

As Cassian stood at the far end of the room, he observed Karl's forced stillness.

The judge had initially considered folding Karl's eyes in an attempt to prevent any displays of defiance, but he ultimately chose to keep them visible so as to see whether or not there was a murderer in the man's eyes.

"You've killed innocent people, Mr. Millard," he remarked with authority.

Cassian narrowed his eyes at that. The term "innocent" wasn't the right word to use for those from SolTech.

The judge began listing the crimes Karl had committed—crimes that included the illicit acquisition and misuse of his Band to turn people into dolls.

Cassian found his thoughts wandering to the dozens of lives Karl had manipulated for his grotesque ambition. Then, the proceedings began with a clap from the gavel.

"This court convenes to address the charges against Karl Millard, the accused, who stands before us today bound by his own misdeeds," the judge declared. "Mr. Millard, where is your Band now?"

Karl kept his head lowered, the burden of shame weighing him down. He glanced at the judge but didn't make eye contact; he was silent.

A sense of dread could be felt, and Cassian no longer wished to be present, knowing how this would end.

The judge leaned forward, feeling impatient.

"I remind you, Mr. Millard," he began, "that the longer you remain silent, the greater your punishment will be."

To be frank, how could Karl answer the question? He didn't know what happened to his Band after he was defeated back at the mansion.

Cassian, however, knew where his Band was—the very moment Cryus had left, he had taken it as a precaution.

It was to ensure it didn't fall into the merciless hands of AU. He had noted in his report that it had been retrieved by someone after the Libra member's arrival, but the whole truth was concealed for a good purpose.

There was no reason for him to freely give up one of the most powerful devices in the world to a government he planned to eradicate.

"Where is the Band, Mr. Millard?" the judge pressed again.

"I don't know…"

The words came out bitter, Karl's tone low and lifeless, almost defiant.

The judge, clearly unamused, pressed on and asked, "You are digging your own grave with these answers. I'll ask again: who gave you the Band?"

Karl's envied bravado faltered, and he shook his head slowly, saying, "What's the point? You corrupt people are going to have me killed anyway."

Those words further ignited the anger from the judge.

"Your futile attempts at mockery will serve you no favors!" the judge snapped, clearly irritated. "Your time here is not to debate your morality; it is to provide us a proper account of your actions!"

The judge began to further dissect Karl's past—the ambitious man who once was one of the heads of a thriving business, now reduced to a shell.

"Let's talk about your work ethic, your descent from a promising entrepreneur to murderer. Do you still hold any commitment to your ideals, Mr. Millard?"

There was a slight twitch from Karl after hearing the question. Silence filled the room yet again. No response came forth from the accused.

This caused the judge to become disdainful; even the defense attorney's fidgeting indicated an awareness of how poorly the situation had become for his client.

Finally, the judge leaned closer and asked, "Would you like to return to your position, then? Is there any part of you that still values what you once had?"

Karl lifted his head. The weight of the world was clearly visible in his eyes as he said in a low but firm voice, "No…"

He was accepting of his fate.

The judge tilted his head slightly, contemplating what he had just heard. Not many would have been given a question like that, which may or may not have steered the judgment.

"It is a shame that someone so talented would choose death over redemption," he said, half-heartedly.

Every eye was fixed on the front, where Karl was seated.

"Do you think he has a chance?" came one whisper, barely audible.

The speaker leaned in closer to her neighbor, trying to catch snippets of the ongoing discussion.

"I doubt it," another replied. "Those murders shook everything SolTech had to offer. He's fortunate to even be here."

Across the room, a juror muttered to the man beside him, saying, "This trial will set a precedent. If we go easy on him, it sends the wrong message. But look at him—he's a broken man."

A murmur of agreement continued where the jurors were, while others exchanged cautious glances, weighing the implications of their decisions.

Some moments later.

With a heavy heart and a sense of inevitability, the judge turned to the jury.

"Members of the jury, you have heard the evidence presented, and the record of Mr. Millard's actions outweighs any plea for sympathy he may attempt. We can only conclude that Mr. Millard has taken too many lives without justification. He is to be sentenced to execution for the crimes committed against the people of Ekoris."

The implications seemed justifiable, but there was no reason for such a long process in the courthouse.

If it were Cassian, he would have settled the matter by sending Karl to the prison forever. He did not believe in an eye for an-eye or a tooth for a tooth.

Keeping his emotions in check, he exchanged glances with Karl. In that shared silence, the gulf between them seemed fathomless, captive and captor.

Cassian turned away without looking further.

He had wrestled with the concept of morality ever since he had taken Karl's Band. The courtroom, with its shrill judgments, felt like a cage, ensnaring everyone within.

There was no reason to stay.

The seriousness of the trial finally fell on his shoulders. Karl was a monster, one he had witnessed turning innocent lives into rubbery figures devoid of autonomy or essence.

Yet Cassian also understood the fragility of a man's soul.

Gathering his resolve, he turned to leave the courtroom, feeling the eyes of the onlookers. Whatever they had to say or add didn't matter. Yes, he was Cassian Black, son of Magnus, but he was also the person who solved this case.

The thought of facing his father was the next step, one he had been mentally preparing for after taking Karl into custody.

There would be questions—questions he was reluctant to address. And the biggest one would revolve around Karl's missing Band.

While judges and magistrates did have authority in the laws residing over Ekoris, their jurisdiction often fell when a Bandit was involved.

As Cassian exited the court, he could still hear what the judge had said earlier: "Execution for the crimes committed against the people of Ekoris." Those words felt insincere and lacking, for the judge said "the people," not "our people."

He stepped outside, where it was daylight.

The events that transpired with the board members were only a reminder of the greater mission.

Cassian had, of course, tried to reason with Reed and the rest, but they were all in agreement that their loved ones' lives far outweighed their company. They would either file for bankruptcy or sell off the company to a notable buyer.

Regardless of what they decided, SolTech would never be the same again. Cyrus's mission had succeeded—AU's trade involvement with SolTech would end, preventing the government from growing stronger.

Cassian had done what he thought was right by securing Karl's Band. But at what cost?

That Band's ability didn't quite suit him. Even if he wanted to wear it, he'd have to undergo training and learn the proper way to fight with it. Notwithstanding, it was better in his hands than AU.

As he neared the door to his father's chambers, he wasn't at all nervous. No matter the outcome, his mission had still gone successfully, almost exactly like he was assigned.