122 How Do You Plead?

After making my rounds, I backtracked to the private room where the three cubs are now running about. They've mainly been playing king of the hill, with the feisty one that likes to cling to me, typically maintaining his position as king.

Meantime, I tried to access the computer on the desk but failed, so I've instead been going through the documents in the filing cabinet. Everything in here is employee-related, at least the employees of The Two Palm Society. Some documents seem to be missing, like Dr. Wright's file and from what I can tell those exo-soldiers that were with him. This definitely makes me believe that Dr. Wright's affiliation with The Two Palm Society is a bit different than formerly expected.

'Hmm, those documents Eden and I read a while back did mention The Consortium, but it also said they had all left not long before the Moonlight struck the docks. Maybe, that was just in a broad sense? Or maybe he simply didn't know… Well, I guess I don't really know either. That's what the trial is for, so let's not worry about it.' I shut the filing cabinets. 'I'm bringing these files with me… Should I make a jury? That would be fun. I could just be both the jury and the judge. No, no, I'm setting a foundation here; thus, I'll have a real jury. Oh, I'm excited to see what they decide. Probably something pretty lax, but whatever, he's a Drudge either way.'

My attention shifts toward a nearby counter where I've set aside a few dozen employee files. Sitting down, I start to review each of them, combing for my potential jury members.

"Eira. Are you in here?" Abruptly, Eden's voice rings out.

Without looking up, I shout back, "Yes, I'm in the back. Come on, I have something for you to do."

"Okay," she replies, "I have two people with me also."

"Whatever. Just come on." I glance up a moment later to see Carl, Akemi, and Eden march into the study. "How's it going? How was your lesson? Do your poor wee fangs feel any better?" I ask with a laugh, licking my own fangs to emphasize to them what real fangs look like.

Akemi smiles at me rigidly. "Y-yeah. Thanks, uhm… Sister Eira."

She glances at Eden, who nods approvingly.

Again I laugh. "Hey there, Sister Akemi, Brother Carl. It's good to see you two, adapting quickly to your new life." Lifting my head, my gaze falls onto Akemi. "Has anyone explained to you the relationship between Dr. Wright and yourself?"

"Sorta… S-sister Aponi explained the basics to me, but I don't really understand why."

"You'll understand in time. More importantly, the part you don't know is a Drudge is the responsibility of the vampire the drudge is attached to. That means since he's your drudge, it'll be your responsibility to enforce whatever the punishment is."

Her mouth opens and closes. "Punishment?"

"Yeah, you're also supposed to represent him, but I'll leave whether or not you do that up to you since the circumstances are a bit bizarre."

"So is Dr. Wright like my…" She hesitates, but I can already guess what she wants to ask.

"He's a servant, not a slave. Drudges normally serve a vampire for so long, and then one day ask the Goddess to become a full-fledged vampire. Blood Race practice long-term indentured servitude. The amount of time it lasts usually depends on the circumstances."

'Though, we'll have to do whatever is necessary until our numbers and situation have been stabilized and secured. Just as I have done since I came into being.' I continue going through documents as my mind wanders. 'Humans won't understand, and I frankly don't care that much, but in the future, I hope denizens of the Blood Race will understand. Still, if they ever need to, they can blame whatever happens on me, and I'll disappear for a while. The God in Heaven needs to and will pay, but the Blood Race comes first.'

Akemi stays quiet, seemingly lost in thought.

Hence I leave her to them and pick up eleven documents. I sweep my gaze across the room, searching for Eden, who I swear was right in front of me a second ago.

"What's this, Eira?" I flinch, hearing Eden, who somehow snuck up behind me.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then turn around, handing her the documents. "Call for these eleven people on the microphone right here, and ask them to meet you somewhere. When they arrive, check that they're indeed the people in the document."

Eden nods and stares at the microphone. She starts laying out all the files around it to prepare.

"Anyhow, is there a reason you two came with Eden?" I ask Carl and Akemi.

Eden quickly answers for them, "No, I just said they should come to say hello since they didn't say much earlier."

"Well, this works out," I clap my hands together and point, "Carl, you can be my bailiff, and one of the other new brothers and sisters is going to be on the jury."

"...Bailiff? I don't know how to be a bailiff? I'm a neurologist."

"Don't sweat the details since they don't matter. I only need you to bring me files when I ask. The most important part is that you being up there gives us a bit of middle ground for the researchers and the vampires. In fact, that's why I'm putting one in the jury as well. But... hmm, yeah, find a human to be another bailiff as well. We don't really need two, but again, middle ground, good faith, and all that jazz."

He stares at the ground for a moment and releases a small sigh. "Yeah." He goes to adjust his glasses but only pokes himself in the forehead. "Huh? Where are my glasses?"

"They probably fell off when you passed out, Carl. You shouldn't need glasses anymore. If you ever see a vampire wearing glasses, then they're definitely magical in some way, or they're just messing with you. Anyhow, you'll get used to it; for now, I'd like you to go prepare the cafeteria with the others."

We talk for a while longer before I spend some time feeding and entertaining the bear cubs.

…

…

…

A few hours later, I am in the cafeteria, where the trial is set to begin in around an hour and a half. The tables conveniently fold up, giving us plenty of room. Additionally, there was a closet full of chairs behind one of the doors. It seems they've done events like this before, karaoke or something; it's embarrassing for me to think about. Yet, it makes sense; otherwise, these people that seem to basically be paid prisoners might have started to 'rebel' in a sense. When people have something to distract them and entertain them, they are much more willing to put up with unsavory work and life constraints.

"How's it look?" Carl asks.

I stand at the front of the room, where everyone will be watching. My gaze sweeps across the cafeteria from left to right. We've set up twelve chairs to my left; this is where the jury will sit. Directly in front are rows of chairs for the researchers to sit and watch. To my right, is Dr.Wright still tied to his computer chair with an additional chair for Akemi to sit, since he is her drudge. Spinning around, I glance over the desk I transported from Dr. Wright's study as well as the file cabinets. By drag, I mean I dumped almost everything from the ring that wasn't hot or liquid to bring it here. Even so, I wasn't able to fit the filing cabinets and desk at the same time, plus I had to relocate the computer… I'm not actually sure if it was worth it, but it's here now.

'It's not the most impressive setup in the world, but it just needs to be enough to give it an authentic and authoritative atmosphere…' Turning around once more, I purse my lips. 'Eh. Who am I kidding? This setup evokes a middle school assembly feeling. Definitely not the atmosphere of a courtroom. Well, whatever.'

With a shrug and a sigh, I state simply, "It's fine. Good work."

Carl exhales in relief as Sam enters the room. "What's up. You're really doing this whole trial thing, huh…?" Sam stares at the rabid Dr. Wright. "Does he know how to get to Jimmy? Aponi and I are worried."

"No, I already asked, and Jimmy still isn't responding." I cross my arms. "Though, he would maybe know Jimmy's condition."

I undo the seal that has been covering Dr. Wright's mouth. Instantly, he spits out a soaking wet rag. "What is this, farce!? A trial! What do I stand accused of and under what authority!?"

"Damn. We beat your ass earlier. Where did all that energy come from?"

Walking over, I thump the yelling Doctor over the forehead. He seems almost taken aback by the amount of force behind it. I sigh. "As a Drudge, he probably feels better than he has in years. Anyway, tell us what the state of the person you took is, and I'll tell you what we did to you."

"He'll be fine as long as that idiot veterinarian doesn't do anything to him!"

'Oh. I almost forgot about the veterinarian.'

"Does she have a phone number?" I ask.

"Phone? You think people are allowed to have that in a place that's supposed to be cut off from the outside world? Some of the more senior researchers have never even used a smartphone."

Seeing him rather talkative, I decide to see if he'll answer something I've been curious about early. "Why is that these people are willing to be cut off from the outside?"

"It's just how The Two Palm Society does things. Most knew exactly what they were getting into when they arrived. Now, what did you do to me!?"

My gaze turns behind me, where I spot Akemi. "Akemi, come over here." I turn back but hear the sounds of small footsteps nearing. "You're Akemi's servant, assuming your trial goes well. You'll serve her for… Eh, I don't know, it depends on you honestly, could be hundreds of years though." He is about to shout some more, but I redo the blood seal over his mouth. "Akemi, explain to the doctor what will be expected of him now and in the future."

Sam approaches. "So Jimmy's alright, that's good. He's probably in the same condition I was."

"Likely. He'll be hungry when he wakes up. Let's hope that's not when Kardama, that veterinarian, and he are alone. If he gets a hold of one of them, he'll definitely suck them dry. Though I wouldn't worry about Kardama, he's stronger than Jimmy."

Suddenly, some sleepy people enter the cafeteria and walk toward a basket full of bagels and other cold breakfast. At the same moment, Eden walks in with twelve people. Seeing this, I go ahead and take my seat at my desk.

'Hmm, I bet I can make a gavel.'

The twelve people approach as I prepare to tell them what will be happening.

…

…

…

Another hour passes, and everyone has arrived, the jury has taken their seats, and the defendant sits quietly next to his master, Akemi. I raise a gavel I made using blood magic and wack it against a plate I also made with blood magic; unfortunately, instead of a loud whack, it kind of sounds like a hollow thump. It is not as satisfying as I hoped, but it does the job as the entire cafeteria quiets down.

I clear my throat. "I'd like to thank you all for making time in your busy schedule to come to this mandatory meeting. I am sure many of you think this whole thing is probably just some kind of 'farce,' but the reality is this trial will be used to both clear the air and get everyone here on the same page. From what I have been able to gather, some of you know a lot of what is and what has happened, while some others know little to nothing. That changes here. When this trial is over, all the secrets this place holds will be shared among everyone regardless of their position."

The majority of people look around nervously, realizing that their actions will be exposed. This tells me that many have done things they'd rather not come to light.

"Anyhow, the foremost this trial is to address is how Dr. Wright allegedly," I point my gavel at him, "and maliciously shirked his responsibilities as head of the facility, consciously believing he was sentencing everyone in this room to certain death. In short, he seemingly abandoned all of you to be massacred for unknown reasons. If not for my compassionate and charitable nature, all of you would have possibly perished."

Whispers among the crowd resound as I undo the seal over Dr. Wright's mouth. "Now! Dr. Wright, how do you plead?" I dramatically question.