San Damien and the Red Daggers

by Brian Yapko

San Damien and the Red Daggers: synopsis

In the year 2990 — some 500 years after Earth’s destruction — the Martian nation-state of Xanthe is rocked when terrorists destroy San Damien, an experimental dome in which Martian leaders hoped that the two human races — Trads and Numen — might coexist for the first time. One of the 713 victims of the attack happens to be the wife of Adrian Marlow, who is Xanthe’s premier prosecutor of terrorists.

Marlow’s investigation exposes a planet-wide conspiracy. It promotes fascism, commits genocide and sabotages terraforming, thus threatening to annihilate both Mars and humanity. What can Marlow do to avert catastrophe, and how can he survive long enough to do it?

Chapter 3: The Strong Arm of the Law

G. XANTHEAN PANVISION NEWSCRY TRANSCRIPT

Byline: March 16, 2990 by Alistair McAlistair

EXTRA! ALL SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE RED DAGGERS ARRESTED!

Kaleb Ubora, president of the Numen Confederation, has announced the arrest of the seven known members of the Red Daggers — the terrorist organization which claimed responsibility for the destruction of San Damien on March 9th — a date President Elinor Jana says will be remembered as Mars’ Day of Tragedy. Some 713 victims died in that disaster. The arrests came as the result of a joint precision operation by the Xanthean Peace Force and Numen Security Forces.

Stay tuned for on-going reports updating this story. And remember to buy Albion Spicewater. Refreshing and natural, it’s the beverage that quenches all of Mars!

* * *

H. AIRSLIDE LETTER: ABSALOM POUND TO ADRIAN MARLOW (March 16, 2990)

CONFIDENTIAL & CODED

Marlow, you’ve received your official marching orders. In light of the manifesto issued by the Red Daggers (declassified yesterday), let me add some “off the record” remarks via airslide.

I’ve invoked emergency powers under the Xanthean Constitution and petitioned Justice MacIntosh to dissolve the grand jury. Understand my reasoning. These Numen animals are not Xanthean and do not deserve the rights of decent citizens. Probable cause has been established. We have a destroyed dome and 713 bodies. And we have the Red Daggers’ frepping-damned manifesto. If we can get to trial quickly, we could have executions by May 1st. There’d be singing in the streets.

The Supreme Court has acknowledged original jurisdiction over this matter since Xanthe is a party and it involves terrorism. If Ubora objects on behalf of the Numen Confederation, I don’t give a good goddamn. He’s lost all ability to control his frepping lizard people.

We don’t want Xanthe to fall into anarchy the way Zantium did before going fascist. We have to prosecute this case fast and hard. The people are scared. We need to restore confidence in Xanthean leadership. Our country is at stake.

Ji Bellamy has been appointed defense advocate. The Court will allow the Red Daggers to have a Numen advocate as well. To counter, I want you in that lead chair. And I want your lex-partner, Kiri Gloster, as well.

I’ll be shocked if you don’t get a trial date before April 15th, a judgment of conviction by April 20th and an execution date of May 1st. Our judges are Xantheans first.

We haven’t had a hanging in Aberdeen Nova in two hundred years. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to hearing some necks snap. I’ll bring the popcorn.

Get to work.

A. Pound

* * *

I. AIRSLIDE LETTER: ABSALOM POUND TO ADRIAN MARLOW (March 17, 2990.)

CONFIDENTIAL & CODED

Marlow, a monkey-wrench in our prosecution.

It turns out one of the Red Daggers — Devon Quindes — is only 15 years old. With that fat chest and freakish lizard eyes, who’d have guessed?

I spoke with MacIntosh’s clerk. The Court won’t hear a prosecution against a minor, even a Numen-scum terrorist. It has to go through the juvenile system. Utter bullshit. This will encourage Numheads to bend over backwards to protect his tarry blood, bleeding hearts bitching about Numen rights. Right or wrong, the case against Lizard Boy is on hold.

They’ve assigned a social worker to make sure he is tucked in at night and gets enough to eat. Rats and cockroaches, if I had my way. He should do the honorable thing and put a knife through his belly, zepku like they do in Zantium. It would save us a world of trouble.

I digress. You will prosecute the six adults. Lizard Boy will be tried separately.

You should research whether res judicata can be applied in a criminal case against a minor.

Either way, subpoena Lizard Boy as a witness. He’ll probably be so worried about getting hanged that he’ll squeal about everything. No honor among thieves, eh?

A. Pound

* * *

J. ORDER OF THE XANTHEAN SUPREME COURT (April 1, 2990)

The petition of the Xanthean Ministry of Habitation Justice for emergency trial setting is DENIED. Despite the defendants’ status as extradited citizens of the Numen Confederation, all members of the Red Daggers are entitled to the benefits and protections of the Xanthean Constitution, including adequate time to conduct discovery and subpoena witnesses. Such rights are heightened, not abridged, in the context of a capital case.

Trial is hereby set for July 11, 2990.

IT IS SO ORDERED...

* * *

K. AIRSLIDE LETTER: ABSALOM POUND TO ADRIAN MARLOW (April 2, 2990)

CONFIDENTIAL & CODED

Marlow, I’m still trying to process MacIntosh’s idiotic order. As president, Jana could override the Court but she’s worried it might hurt her re-election chances. She has no balls. I do. If I ran against her for the presidency, I’d override the Court. To hell with the Numen lovers.

Anyway, with trial set for July 11th, we can hope for a conviction on July 13 or 14. We can still have an execution by August and maybe get Lizard Boy set for a juvenile court trial by September. It can all be over by the December 1st election.

Marlow, I’m going to talk to Jana to suggest she withdraw her candidacy for reelection. If I run, can I expect your support?

A conversation for another time. Let’s make justice happen.

A. Pound

* * *

L. PERSONAL NOTES ON SAN DAMIEN FILE BY ADRIAN MARLOW (PRIVATE LOG: PASSWORD CODED) (April 3, 2990)

Alright, Adrian. The most important case of your career. You will handle it decisively, with finesse and your customary brilliance. Pause Anne... I wish you were here to help me. Pause

To business. Prior criminal and arrest information for all of the Red Daggers has been delivered to the Ministry. With three months to prepare for trial, my second chair, Kiri Gloster, and I can get all the discovery we need. We’ve already been served with a request for documents and interrogatories by Ji Bellamy for the defense. He’s a fine advocate; I admire his tenacity. He acts as if there really are questions of fact regarding these Numen terrorists. I’m guessing he has a hidden agenda, maybe eyeing an upper level position in Justice.

I want to subpoena everyone who knows anything about the Red Daggers and MANA. Plus I want to talk to those defendants. I want Pliny Cooper involved as an expert on dome failure. Also a forensic pathologist and, I think, an expert on Numen sociology.

Lastly, I want to talk to that boy, Devon Quindes. Interesting that he has one of the oldest last names on Mars. I’m guessing that he’s descended from one of the Numen pioneer families.

More to be revealed.

ADM

* * *

Proceed to Chapter 4...

Proceed to Challenge 997...