บท 208: Taking The Stand #208
Author's note: many people are complaining about the story's slow pace, and to that, I say go fuck yourselves. Get the hint already, my dudes, it's been more than 200 chapters with the same slow pace, and it's not going to change just because you keep whining about it like little bitches.
If you don't like the story then stop reading, or don't. I don't give a shit either way.
...
As he was about to pull the trigger, the strike team leader felt an impact on the back of his head, bashing his face against the roof ledge. He reacted quickly, reaching for his side arm as he turned to face his attacker.
However, before he could aim properly, the attacker punched him in the forehead, knocked him out before he could do anything, and quickly stepped over him to check on the rest of the strike team.
"I took care of the guys on the roofs. What about you, Robin..." The attacker, a man in a tight black and blue costume, said, speaking into the communication device in his hand.
"I just finished dealing with them..." Robin's voice came through the communication device. However, before Nightwing could reply, he froze as he saw a glint on another rooftop nearby.
He looked closer and noticed a man in a similar tactical uniform aiming at the armored truck with a rifle that glinted in electrical currents, seemingly charging the projectile.
Reaching into his utility belt, Nightwing retrieved a ding-wing and prepared to throw it, despite not being particularly optimistic with his chances of hitting such a distant target.
Still, his concern was unnecessary as an insectoid robot suddenly lunged at the man and knocked him out. He still managed to shoot, but the projectile missed the truck's gas tank and hit the side instead.
"Damn... I hope they're alright..." Nightwing said, frowning as he watched the gaping hole in the armored truck's side. Understanding that there was nothing he could do, he sighed as he kneeled next to the strike team leader.
Nightwing removed his mask, and his frown deepened as he looked at the man's face. "Definitely military..." He muttered, sighing as he saw the man's clean-shaven face, his buzz cut, and the many scars and callouses on his hand.
"Looks like Waller's people, but I haven't found any IDs," Nightwing said after rummaging through the man's pocket and finding no trace of any identification papers whatsoever.
"Did you find anything on your end...?" Nightwing asked as he got up and watched the armored truck speed away from the area, causing him to sigh as he shook his head.
"Nope. They all look like ex-military, though..." Robin replied as he finished inspecting the attackers he knocked out. "I'll tie them up and call the police," He went on, and Nightwing agreed as he went to work.
"This is getting out of hand... I hope the trial ends quickly before more people get hurt..." Nightwing said, sighing as he retrieved a small rope from his utility belt and began tying up the strike team leader.
...
Inside the armored truck
The guard sitting next to Deadshot was frozen, rooted in place, and staring at the gaping hole in the truck's body next to his head while his colleagues were frenziedly reporting the sudden attack and asking for backup.
Meanwhile, Deadshot and Lady Vic had blank expressions as they sat still as if the attack didn't even happen, while Harley had a goofy grin on her face as she watched the chaos with amusement.
"See, I told ya we got back up..." Harley said with a grin, getting the guard's attention, and he could only watch in exasperation as he noticed the three convicts' leisurely demeanor.
"But ya sure are lucky, pal..." Harley said with a chuckle as she shrugged her shoulders. "If that thin' was an inch more to the right, yer head would'a gone splat..." She went on, making an explosion with her shackled hand, much to the guard's horror as he shivered.
"We ain't even out of the water yet..." Harley said, grinning as she took great pleasure in the guard's reaction. "I'd stay away from that hole if I were you..." She went, chuckling as she watched him quickly shuffle to the side and hit Deadshot's side.
"Quit yapping, Harley. The ride is already uncomfortable enough without this guy pissing himself," Deadshot said as he glared at the guard before turning to Harley, who merely shrugged and pouted.
"Awe, yer no fun..."
...
"Not wasting any time, I see..." I muttered to myself as I stared into Waller's back, having reviewed the footage from multiple Sentry Spiders that were hard at work neutralizing several ambushes on the witness transport's way.
The clerk didn't even finish swearing in the jury when the first ambush occurred, but I'd already cleared the way to the courthouse, so I could finally focus on the trial.
And just in time, as well.
"Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury: the defendant has been charged with multiple offenses, including corruption, misuse of power, murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, among other equally severe charges," The district attorney remarked as he stood up, addressing the jury and the judge.
"I have evidence to prove the defendant is guilty as charged..." The district attorney concluded, to which the judge nodded, prompting him to sit down.
"Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury: under the law, my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty," Waller's lawyer said as he stood up, prompted by the judge.
"During this trial, you will not hear any real evidence against my client," The lawyer remarked, his tone firm. "You will come to know the truth: That Amanda was merely doing her job as a servant to our great nation," He went, making a decisive cutting gesture with his right.
"We will unravel any misunderstandings regarding her role and the legality of her actions," Amanda's lawyer concluded, sitting down after receiving a nod from the judge.
"Very well. The prosecution may call its first witness," The judge said as he turned back to the district attorney's table, prompting the deputy attorney to stand up.
"The people call the first to arrive at the scene and report to the authorities..." The deputy attorney said as he turned and gestured toward me, prompting the bailiff to walk toward me.
He escorted me to the witness stand. And after several long and dull formalities, such as taking the oath and stating my name for the record, the deputy attorney was finally ready to ask the first question.
"Grayson, you were the first to discover Amanda Waller's crimes and report them to the authorities. Is that correct?" The deputy attorney said as he approached the witness stand.
"Considering how long Amanda Waller has been operating, I don't think I'm necessarily the first to discover her illegal actions..." I said, keeping calm as I turned to the task force director, looking her straight in the eye.
"I imagine people have tried and failed before me, but yes, I am the first to shed light on the matter," I concluded as I turned away from Waller and back to the deputy attorney.
Before the deputy could ask his next question, Waller's lawyer interjected. "Objection, your honor. Speculation," He remarked, to which the judge nodded and sustained his objection.
The deputy attorney cleared his throat and continued. "Briefly, can you describe what you witnessed inside the secret basement," he asked, pausing as he waited for me to reply.
"I witnessed multiple superpowered criminals, who've been reported missing," I replied, nodding my head at the deputy attorney, who gestured for me to keep going.
"They seemed to be under the supervision of former US army colonel Anthony Miller and several other distinguished servicemen," I went on, pausing momentarily to clear my throat.
"They were moving several heavily sedated courier criminals with superpowers to Belle Reve..." I went on, trailing off as I struggled to hide my grin and expectant expression.
Waller's lawyer heard my words and seemed ready to interject and object to my speculation as he stood up, but I quickly shot it down before he could speak out.
"According to what I overheard from Anthony Miller as he spoke to his colleagues, that is," I concluded, raising an eyebrow as I turned to the lawyer, and he could do nothing but grudgingly get back to his seat.
It was a small victory, but one I enjoyed nonetheless.
"I see. And what exactly made you assume Waller was involved in the operation...?" The deputy attorney said, barely keeping his mirth at bay as he asked me.
"Again, I heard Anthony Miller and his colleagues discussing their employer and mention Amanda Waller by name," I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
"Thank you, that is all," The deputy attorney said, nodding at me as he returned to his seat with a satisfied expression.
"Does the defense have any questions for the witness?" The judge said after watching the deputy attorney return to his seat as he turned to Waller's side of the court.
"Yes, your honor."
...
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