‘Proceed.’
‘I call Ivak Bastorran, High Chief of the Paladin Clans.’
Bastorran stood up.
‘I see no necessity to insist on protocol,’ the judge told him. ‘You may give your evidence from where you are, Chief Bastorran. Please be seated.’
‘Thank you, Your Honour.’ Bastorran sat again.
‘I understand all witnesses have been sworn-in prior to this hearing,’ the judge said.
‘That is so, Your Honour,’ Laffon confirmed.
‘Then let’s get on with it, shall we?’
Laffon turned to the paladin and smiled. ‘I think we can keep this fairly brief. Be so kind as to look at the man in the dock and tell us whether you recognise him.’
‘I do.’
‘And how do you know him?’
‘As a public figure, naturally, whom I have in fact met on several occasions. Social functions, that kind of thing. I also know of him in my official capacity as a law enforcer.’
‘Perhaps you could elaborate on that.’
‘His name has featured in reports compiled by paladin operatives assigned to combating terrorist activities. I’m also aware that other law enforcement agencies have taken an interest in him for similar reasons.’
‘And how frequently has his name appeared in these reports?’
‘Oh, on numerous occasions. There are copious references to him in our files. The paladins have long harboured grave suspicions about him.’
‘How would you characterise the accused?’
‘As a fellow traveller at best, and at worst an active participant in illegality. But up to now he’s proved both too cunning and too well shielded by his dissident cohorts for us to bring charges against him.’
‘Do you regard him as a danger to the state?’
‘There’s no doubt about it. And I base that opinion not only on the evidence, but on the experience I’ve gathered during the many years in which it has been my honour to lead the clans.’
‘Thank you, Chief Bastorran.’
‘The accused may question the witness,’ the judge announced.
Kinsel was startled. No one had told him he would have an opportunity to question his accusers. The guards hoisted him to his feet.
‘Well?’ the judge said. ‘This is a busy court and we don’t have all day. Speak or lose the privilege.’
Kinsel took a breath. ‘You say, Chief Bastorran, that accusations have appeared about me in various reports. Can you tell me what the nature of these reports is?’
‘I can’t answer that question on the grounds of state security.’
‘Would it not be possible, then, to produce these reports here in court so that the judge might see for himself the allegations they contain?’
‘Again, state security forbids such documents being made public.’
‘But surely there’s no one here who could be considered a security risk. Why can’t-’
‘Overruled!’
The judge underlined his decision with a rap of the gavel. ‘The records are secret for sound reasons. The accused will pursue another line of questioning or withdraw.’
‘The people who compiled these reports,’ Kinsel said. ‘Couldn’t they attend court to-’
Laffon was on his feet. ‘I object, Your Honour. The accused is asking the same question differently expressed.’
‘I agree with you, Commissioner. Your objection is upheld. The accused must confine his questions to areas other than those covered by matters of state security.’
‘If I had an advocate,’ Kinsel complained, ‘perhaps the right questions would be asked.’
‘That is not germane. Be seated.’
The guards dumped Kinsel back in his chair.
‘Call your next witness, Commissioner.’
‘Thank you, sir. I call Devlor Bastorran, General-in-Chief of the paladin clans. Tell me, General, from your knowledge of the state’s anti-terrorist efforts, can you corroborate what your unc-what High Chief Bastorran has said about the accused?’
‘I can.’
‘You know Kinsel Rukanis to be a man the security services have taken an interest in for some considerable time, and whom you suspect to have been involved in insurgency?’
‘I do.’
‘Can you add anything to the portrait, so to speak?’
‘Yes. Rukanis’ name has been mentioned on several occasions by people under interrogation. These were felons and enemies of the state who were subsequently found to be culpable in matters of terrorism.’
‘In what context did these criminals refer to the accused?’
‘As a co-conspirator, a comrade-in-arms. Someone as deeply involved in deeds of civil insubordination as they were. But also as a man whom it was hard to gather evidence against. There were even hints that he might be protected by people in positions of influence.’
‘That’s an interesting line of inquiry, General. But one for another occasion, I think. So, to sum up, you’re saying that your assessment of the accused accords with that given by Chief Bastorran?’
‘I am saying that. The man’s a menace to decent folk going about their lawful business.’
‘Thank you, General.’
The judge glared down at Kinsel. ‘Questions?’ he snapped.
‘These people you claim named me under interrogation. Can you produce any of them in court?’
‘Regrettably, no,’ Devlor Bastorran responded, his face a picture of contriteness. ‘You have to understand that they were hardened revolutionaries and outlaws. Some were sentenced to long prison terms in various of the colonies. Several had the death sentence passed on them. Quite justifiably in my opinion. And one or two of the others, sadly, resisted questioning to the extent of deliberately forfeiting their lives.’
‘If their…
interrogation
was anything like mine, I’m not surprised.’
The judge’s gavel pounded his bench again. ‘The accused will refrain from making frivolous and irrelevant comments.’
‘If you can’t bring any of these people here, General,’ Kinsel said, ‘at least name them.’
‘Can’t be done, I’m afraid. That could compromise ongoing investigations. It’s a matter of-’
‘State security, yes. But perhaps you
could
tell the court who the persons of influence were who supposedly protected me?’
‘Objection!’ Laffon stated. ‘It must be obvious even to the accused that such sensitive information couldn’t possibly be exposed to public gaze.’
‘Where are the public?’ Kinsel argued. ‘I see none here.’
‘We’ll have no facetious remarks,’ the judge barked. ‘You’re right, Commissioner. Questions on this subject will not be pursued.’ He eyed Kinsel. ‘Do you have anything else to ask? Anything sensible, that is?’
‘I…’
‘I thought not. Do you have any further witnesses, Commissioner?’
‘Just one, Your Honour. He’s waiting outside.’
‘Well, bring him in, bring him in.’
‘Call Aido Brendall.’
The name meant nothing to Kinsel. But as the clerk directed the man to the witness stand, he recognised him. He was probably in his thirties. His build was average, his clothes unremarkable and his features nondescript. Except for one thing. He had a black leather protuberance in place of a nose. It seemed to be padded, and was held fast by narrow ties that ran round to the back of his head.
