The morning dawn was bright, the sky clear and promising.
Ali's stomach felt like lead.
She could feel the eyes of her family, of Lady Melanie, of the colonists whom she'd come to know, all staring at her as they shuffled into the courtroom. All of her secrets were out now. How many of them hated her, or worse, pitied her, instead of her victims?
The screen came to life, and the judges appeared. At the bailiffs call the room rose in respect, then sat again. The Chief Justice's eyes fell up Ali, and she felt as if they were boring into her soul. If there was any clue as to her fate within them she could not see.
The Chief Justice cleared his throat and asked formally, “Before we pass sentence upon you, Alinadar Blacksailor, do you have any final statement you wish to make to the court?”
“Yes, Honored Justice,” Ali replied. She spared one glance at Salli, stealing a last squeeze of her paw, before standing. “In some cultures I'm told, the surviving family members of a murder victim are permitted to make statements to the court, to let the judges know exactly what was taken from them, what hurt they have in their heart. I'm enough of a coward to be grateful that is not the case in Stellar Court. Not that they don't deserve a voice, to speak for their dead, but because...” Ali faltered, then continued. “If I had to see them, to listen to them, they would have been denied their right to see justice done. Because I would have been cowardly enough to take my own life, rather than having names, and stories, and lives attached to my victims.
“If any of those survivors are listening, watching today, all I can say is that I'm sorry. I know that isn't enough, that isn't going to bring back your lost ones. But that's all I can do now. That and accept the judgment that I am given. I won't ask for forgiveness though, because I know I don't deserve any.” Ali lowered her head briefly, pulling in a deep breath to compose herself. “All right, I'm ready.”
( The Judgement )