Page 11 of Obsession of the Egoist
TWENTY MONTHS LATER. THE NETHERLANDS.
“ALL RISE. THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICEof the Hague is now in session, the Honorable Judge Steiner presiding,” the bailiff announced, and Kuon got up. Hands icy and numb, he didn’t hear the judge enter the courtroom and take a seat. He heard the judge talk, and how the bailiff called the day's calendar. The noise in his ears grew louder, erasing the following events. He didn’t hear the name of the prosecutor or the attorney introducing himself. He didn’t hear anything at all, just the drumming of his own heart.
“Sergeant Kuon Leiris, you are charged with violations of the Military Criminal Code article 202 subsection (a)—Intentional Failure to Comply with an Order. Which reads: Intentional failure to comply with a lawful order is the intentional refusal to implement the orders of a military supervisor on repeated occasions. If committed during time of war, combat, or mobilization, this offense shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
“You are also charged with violations of the Military Criminal Code article 202 subsection (b)—If two or more persons conspire to violate subsection (a) of this section, and one or more such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be punished as provided in said subsection (a). Do you understand the charges?” The judge’s voice was emotionless, monotonous, and disinterested as if he’d already made his verdict. Kuon knew he had. He even knew the sentence. Eight years of imprisonment without appeal. The trial was a pure formality.
He got up. “Yes, your honor.”
“Would you like to make a statement before the trial begins?”
There was no reason to stretch out the hearing, so Kuon said, “I want to plead…”
Someone cleared their throat, muffling his words.
“My client will not be making a statement.” The unfamiliar, male voice sounded abrasive and assertive. A hand landed on Kuon’s shoulder, pushing him back into his seat. Using the brief pause, the man said to Kuon, “Be quiet.”
“What’s going on?”
“I would like to inform the court that Herr Leiris is requesting a change of defense,” the same voice said. Whispers ran through the courtroom. “As his new attorney, I must ask for a continuance in order to run a properly defended hearing in respect of my client’s best interests.”
“Who the hell are you?” The bile of irritation rushed to Kuon’s throat as he realized that he was flat out ignored. “I didn’t request a change in defense.”
“I said, shut up.” The sharp fingers sunk into Kuon’s shoulder, pinning him in place. “Your honor?”
Seconds ticked. A heavy sigh sounded before the judge banged his gavel. “Granted.”
THE CHILLY ROOM MADEKuon clasp the coffee mug in an attempt to borrow some warmth. His knee bounced as he grew tired of waiting. It felt like at least an hour had passed since he was escorted into this room, but his coffee was still warm. Taking a sip, he sighed. The door behind him opened, and someone entered the room.
Kuon turned around, “I didn’t request the change.”
“No. No, you didn’t.” The abrasive voice came from above, and a paper rustled in front of him. “But someone else did. Sign this contract.”
“Who?”
“Lis-sten...” The chair was dragged against the floor, and the man slumped down by Kuon’s side. The airwave he produced washed a strong smell of aftershave and menthol cologne over Kuon. Just like the man, his scent was overpowering, sharp, annoying. “Don’t complicate my work, okay? Sign the contract, and you will be a free man by the end of the week.”
“No. I’m pleading guilty.”
“You don’t understand… Let me describe your future. Without me, you will spend years in prison. Even if your eyes are fucked, you’re still kinda cute. Ex-military, ex-cop—what do you think will happen in jail to such a pretty boy? I’ll tell you what–”
The mug rattled against the metal table as Kuon pushed it aside. He had no intention of taking the insults from the stranger who never bothered to introduce himself. On his feet, he struck before the man could finish, but his fist swished through the air, missing the aim. The chair banged, falling, and Kuon pushed an angry huff out.
“Ha-ha, that’s the spirit.” The man didn’t sound scared at all, but now he kept his distance. “Sign the contract.”
“Fuck off.”
“You’re a sacrificial goat, you know that, right? By the end of the hearing, you will not only be charged with insubordination, but with intentional actions that brought grievous harm. Every family of every dead kid will curse you for the rest of your life if you let them hang this on you. Sign the contract, and I’ll make it all disappear.”
“I don’t know who you are or who hired you, and why you think I should trust you, but you’re wasting your time.”
“Stubborn idiot…” Kuon heard a nail hitting the glass, then a sequence of tiny, barely audible phone tones before someone answered the call. “It’s me. We’ve got a problem.”
“Who hired you? Give me your phone.” Patience running thin, Kuon stretched out his hand, palm up. “Now.”
The rattle of the lock and a metal screech preceded footsteps coming into the room. Kuon instinctively faced the door.
“I did.”
