149 Naive

The judge for the Boston Federal District Court was entirely bald; he was pushing 60, after all.

Under the court lights, his bald head shimmered with sweat and oil.

He glared at He Zhichu resentfully as his hands fumbled for the gavel. He struck the table with the gavel and announced loudly: "Silence! The defendant is underage. The court has no jurisdiction over minors—this case is dismissed. The defendant is not guilty. That is all."

The judge hurried away.

He had messed up, big time, and knew He Zhichu would not let him off the hook so easily. He would have to go to the military bigwigs and ask for their help.

He would be retiring soon. The last thing he wanted was to lose his pension over this.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter had not expected the battle to be over before it had even begun. He spat out the gum he had been chewing, and stuck it on the wall.