David Robbins - Chicago Run

The lower level of the immense reinforced concrete bunker known as B Block was filled to overflowing for the Warrior Review Board hearing.

Every Family member wanted to attend, and except for the three Warriors comprising Omega Triad who were on guard duty on the ramparts of the high brick walls surrounding the 30-acre compound, all were present.

They sat in folding metal chairs, stood three deep along the walls, and packed the stairs leading to the upper level.

Blade sat in a chair at a small table situated between the rows of spectators and the long table at the head of the room where the three presiding Warriors would sit. Lots had been drawn to determine which three of the 18 would sit on the Review Board, and he hadn’t drawn one of the short straws, which had turned out for the best.

He glanced to his left at Yama, who sat beside him in stony silence with his eyes fixed on the front wall. Frowning, he shifted and looked back at the crowd. Among those in the front row were his wife and son. He waved and smiled at Jenny and Gabe, then nodded at the Family Leader, Plato, who sat on Jenny’s left.

Most of the front row had been filled by the ten remaining Warriors, and among them were Hickok and Geronimo. All the Warriors wore grim expressions. They were acutely aware of the gravity of the proceedings, particularly since one of their own stood accused of such a grave breech of discipline.

The hushed conversations taking place abruptly ended when the three presiding Warriors entered and moved toward the long table.

Blade studied them, glad he wasn’t in their shoes.

In the lead walked the diminutive Warrior named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, clad in black as usual, the long scabbard containing his cherished katana clutched in his left hand. His Oriental features were inscrutable as he took his seat in the center of the three chairs positioned behind the long table.

Sitting down on the right was the Warrior called Lynx, a hybrid endowed with the attributes of a feline. His appearance resembled his namesake’s, from his small triangular ears to his slanted green eyes to his coat of short, grayish-brown fur. The cat-man wore just a gray loincloth.

On Rikki’s left sat a female Warrior, Bertha, a lovely dusky woman sporting a full Afro. She had on fatigues and combat boots. Like Lynx, she had been admitted to the Family in recent years, having spent most of her life in the ravaged Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis before being rescued by Alpha Triad.

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi somberly surveyed the chamber, then lifted the gavel that had been placed at the center of the table and slammed it down.

“This Review Board Hearing is now in session. Will the accused please rise?”

Yama stood mechanically.

“You stand accused of one of the gravest offenses ever committed by any Warrior. Desertion is punishable three ways according to the Warrior bylaws. You can be expelled from the Family, never to set foot in the Home again. You can be stripped of your rank and forever denied Warrior status. Or this tribunal can select whatever punishment fits the crime. Do you fully appreciate the seriousness of your offense?”

“I do,” Yama said softly.

“And how do you plead?”

“Guilty as charged.”

Rikki leaned back and regarded his peer intently. “Have you any justification to offer for your actions?”

“I do not.”

Blade quickly stood and regarded the three judges. “If I may, I would like to point out that the bylaws give any Warrior accused of a misdeed the right to defend himself or herself at a Review Hearing.”

“We know that,” Rikki said. “But if Yama refuses to do so, we’ll be forced to render summary judgment.”

Stepping around the small table, Blade indicated the Warrior in blue.

“Yama’s entire future with the Family is in jeopardy here. In light of this grave situation, I formally ask that I be permitted to offer a defense in Yama’s behalf.”

Bertha propped her elbows on the long table and cocked her head.

“This is sort of unusual, ain’t it?”

“Yeah,” Lynx chimed in. “Why should we make an exception for this dummy?”

Blade controlled his temper and replied forcefully. “Because this is a man’s future that’s at stake. Because above all else judges are required to be fair and impartial. And because all of us are Warriors and pledged to do what is right at all times.”

“I have no objections provided the accused agrees.”

Rikki announced, and looked at Yama. “Do you accept Blade’s offer?”

“He asked me yesterday if he could defend me. Although I feel he is wasting his time, I won’t stand in his way.”

“Very well.” Rikki turned to each of his fellow judges. “Do either of you object?”

Bertha and Lynx shook their heads.

“Very well,” Rikki said, nodding at the giant. “You may proceed.”

“Thank you,” Blade said, trying to recall every word of the speech he had worked on until four in the morning. Once he’d realized that Yama intended to meekly accept whatever punishment was meted out, he’d decided to try this unorthodox tactic in an effort to save Yama from himself. “I won’t attempt to dispute the facts. Yes, Yama departed the Home without authorization. Yes, he failed to show up for a scheduled shift. Had he left on his days off he would still be facing the same charges. He is, plain and simple, guilty.”

A murmur broke out among the spectators.

Rikki banged the gavel and gave them a stern look. “Silence will be maintained at all times or the hearing will be conducted in private.” He paused, focused on Blade. “Continue.”

“Since the facts are indisputable I would like to call attention to the extenuating circumstances leading up to Yama’s desertion and the consquences of his act,” Blade said. “We all know about Alicia Farrow. We can all imagine what Yama went through. But can we also imagine the hell he has endured during the two years since her death?”

The three judges listened attentively.

“If you’ve ever known what it’s like to be in love— and I know all three of you do—then you can envision how you’d feel if your loved one was murdered in front of your eyes. And I’d be willing to bet that each and every one of you would go after the party responsible.”

“You’ve got that right, Big Guy,” Lynx commented. “I’d rip the sucker to shreds.”

Polite laughter rippled among the crowd.

Blade gestured at Yama. “Exactly. So think about the torment he endured. For two years he denied himself an outlet for his feelings. He bottled them up inside. And we all know what happens when a person does that. They build and build until they finally explode.” He frowned. “Recently Yama, Samson, and I fought a Technic contingent in Green Bay. I believe that experience triggered Yama’s long-suppressed urge to retaliate for Alicia’s death. He could no longer control those feelings long denied. Although he knew it was wrong, he couldn’t resist the impulse to go after the Technics.”

“Why didn’t he just ask permission to take off?” Bertha interrupted.

“Because he knew such permission would be denied,” Blade replied.

“Had it been, he probably would have stayed and continued to suffer as he had for years.”

“His motivation is understandable,” Rikki said, “but in itself does not justify his offense.”

“True,” Blade said. “But let’s take a look at the consequences of his action. You’re all aware that the Technics have been overthrown. New Chicago has become a democracy and plans to apply for membership in the Freedom Federation.” He shifted so the spectators could also hear every word. “I was told by President Falcone, their new leader, that the revolution wouldn’t have succeeded without Yama. He inspired them to launch it. He singlehandedly attacked the Central Core and disrupted the Technic Government. The people of Chicago hail him as a hero. And to give you an idea of how grateful they really are, their Militia has adopted a dark blue uniform with a black skull on the back.”