Arresting Developments.

[makvhug]

A small ship had entered the atmosphere over Xion, the shrine world. Seemingly it was just another pilgrimage, just like any other. After all, the various shrines to the Elder Gods and high immortals rested here, along with the Shrine of the creator. As with part of his yearly routine, Makael was here, paying his respects to the Creator who sent him into the universe.

He paid no heed to the small vessel touching down nearby. He was distracted by his prayers. Large numbers of Pilgrims all around him, most paid no heed either as they went about their sacred duties. Makael himself was saying a prayer for his family, and for his comrades.

A long ramp extended from the small vessel, clunking loudly as it reached ground level. From within, the clunking of heavy metal boots could be heard. 5 troopers, fully clad in heavy, red metal armour. Without heed for the Sanctity of this holy world, they marched swiftly to Makaels location.

As they stopped marching, the lead trooper pointed at Makael, his back still turned. "You there. Is your name Makvhug? Of the organisation Dragos Midnight?" His head cocked, clearly impatient.

Makael said nothing for a moment, finishing his prayer. He then rose slowly to his feet, turning to face the squad of troopers. "There was a time, when I went by that name, yes... but my true name is Makael."

The soldier removed his helmet, revealing an older man, clearly bulky in stature, but old all the same. His eyes looked slightly wild, his lip twitching into a devious smile. "I am Commander Gilder of the Revian security force. Well then... Inquisitor Makael, in the name of the Revian Republic, I hereby place you under arrest for galactic genocide. You will be taken from his place to a holding facility until the Triumvate can decide a fitting manner for your trial."

Makael narrowed his eyes, eyeing the smug soldier quietly. "Very well commander... I will go quietly. I have no intention to see blood spilt on this holy world. I have but one request. Inform my comrades of my situation. They will likely wish to attend the trial."

Gilder nodded. "Of course, that is a fair request and it shall be honoured. Take him away.

The two traded no more words as he was silently led back onto the small craft. It was cramped and uncomfortable, but no less so than dimensional travel. As quickly as they had arrived, the Revians were gone, their cargo in tow.

It was less than an hour before the news story was all over the intergalactic news network. "EXCLUSIVE - Dragos Midnight leader under arrest for mass Genocide." "Former servant of darkness to face justice." "'I was slapped in the face by him once!' Claims old lady."

If Dragos didn't know before, they certainly knew now.

[James]

Deep in the great library of Xion there sat a desk piled high with dusty tomes. Behind the pile of books, Léona sat reading from three books at once, her eyes quickly darted between pages. The pages themselves seemed to turn of their own accord as Léona sipped from a glass of red wine. Her long, flowing white and gold robes flowed over her slim form like water over rock. The scene was one of serenity and study. All that was broken when she sensed the Revians touch down. Their presence was easily detectable in such a sacred, peaceful place. She extended her mind toward them, and was stunned at what she heard and saw: the conversation with Makael, and then leading him onto their ship. She simply wouldn't stand for it.
"Krell, dear," she shouted in the direction of a dark corner of the library, "I'm going out for a while."

The desk and books scattered like leaves in the wind as she flew from the library, her five shining white wings beating powerfully and sending sparks into the air (luckily the books were protected by powerful magic against fire and other things which Léona was likely to conjure in a fit of anger).

The doors to the library burst open before her, the guards outside readied their weapons, but when they saw it was Léona they lowered them and returned to their posts. She spied the ship off in the distance and sped off to follow it to its destination.

[makvhug]

Makael stared quietly at the wall on the opposite side of his cell. It was cramped, and clearly the kind of cell you'd find on a Space Cruiser. Just one guard was posted outside his cell. At least they didn't expect resistance.

The heavy metal door to the brig shunted open. An Elderly man slowly paced in, though despite his old features, he seemed as spry as a young Revian. One of the few immortals who were spared in the destruction of the homeworld.

"Guard, leave us." The soldier nodded, lowering his weapon and marching from the room, the heavy door shunting closed behind him. "My name is Calanon, elder of the Revian people. You know Makvhug, I have long waited for this day. The day I could finally see you face justice for what you have done."

Makael kept his eye on the cell wall, completely unmoved by the old mans words. "My name is Makael, not Makvhug. That name is from an entity that no longer exists." The Elder was clearly angered by these words.

"What you call yourself is of no coincidence. You are Makvhug, the scourge of the universe, and cultivator of genocide on a galactic scale. You willingly indulged in wanton slaughter." The Elder slammed his fist on the bulkhead, immortal strength leaving a dent.

Makael remained unmoved, eyes on the cell wall. "I assume that in my past, I wronged you greatly during the attack." His calm manner and carefully worded responses seemed still to only push the Elder further.

"Did you have to watch as a monster eviserated your whole family?! Wife, children and everyone you ever knew?!"

Makael remained unmoved, but his expression changed a little, into a small frown. "Yes. I did."

"And yet your entire race was spared! Ascended no less! And mine was left to burn! Rot! Only selected members of us were spared! Thanks to you, I have to face eternity alone... and for that, I shall see you burn!"

Makael looked at the Elder now, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and disbelief. "My species were ascended to save them from total destruction. Yours survived despite my attack, thanks to your colony worlds. Selected members of your people were spared, to keep the government together and ensure your survival. I'm sorry for your loss, I really am. But the goal of the universe is stablity, and that is why my people were spared."

"Elder Calanon, who let you in here?" Both turned their heads to see a younger, gritty Revian in the doorway. "Save your hate for the trial Elder. You'll get your say. Now please, leave before you are punished for tresspassing. Elders are forbidden from interfering in Government affairs."

The Elder looked at Makael for a moment, fist tightly clenched, then let out a small sigh, marching from the room in disgust. The younger man bowed before Makael, showing every courtesy. "I do apologise for that Inquisitor Makael, I assure you it will not happen again. My name is Admiral Striker, commanding officer of the 4th Revian defense fleet."

Makael raised an eyebrow. "You addressed me as Makael, and not Makvhug. I am suprised."

The Admiral smiled, nodding at him. "The first rule of Revian justice. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. And unless proven such, you will be shown every courtesy." The Admiral took out a small datapad, punching a few buttons. "Now then... you are entitled under Revian law to choose your own defense council. Is there anyone you would like me to contact to represent your interests?"

Makael nodded softly. "Yes, if you please. Ask the Melaer to send a representative. They are known for neutrality, and I could not ask for a fairer representative."

Admiral Striker nodded back, pressing another confirmation button. "A wise choice, and one that we shall certainly honour. I do apologise for the poor quality cells, but I assure you the trial location will be a little more... comfortable. For now all I can do is advise that you get some rest. Its going to be a long few weeks ahead for you."

Makael smiled softly. "Thank you Admiral. I shall do so."

The Admiral responded with a swift salute, before walking away, issuing commands to send for a defense representative.

[Brett]

"We saw this coming a mile off," Sulen said, smoothing down his Admiral's uniform.

"I find it more surprising he is allowing himself to stand trial," Caelm replied, wearing his formal robes as Grand Magus for this particular event. "I would have expected the Divine Order to step in and drop a, 'shut up we make the rules' on their heads."

Sulen chuckled at this and did up the last button of his uniform which he had left loose while travelling, he looked at Caelm and gave a small shake of his head. "They only do that when someone is really being an arse. Makael went with them freely, I suppose that is why they are allowing it."

Caelm gave a faint sound in response, the look on his face still making it clear he was not liking this one bit. The Alaister Ascendant - named for Melandrisia's greatest admiral - left slipstream so close to the Revian cruiser that its crew must have briefly been having kittens, but the skill and competence of Melaer once again made it a perfect emergence that also cut the travel time between the travel time via shuttle between the two ships to its minimum.

Conventionally the Revian ship would lower its shields and allow the Melaer representatives to beam over, but they were so worried Makael may attempt to escape if they did that Sulen and Caelm were forced to travel the old fashioned way. The shuttle touched down on in the cruiser's reasonably large hangar and both men stepped off along with a small guard contingent who were only there ceremonially, as was tradition.

"Admiral Sulen, Grand Magus Caelm, welcome on board." the Captain said, saluting them both.

"I would prefer to forgo pleasantries and be shown to my defendant now, please." Caelm replied flatly.

"Your... defendant?" the Captain asked, looking taken aback. "I thought you were here to judge with Admiral Sulen."

Caelm looked impatiently at the Captain and narrowed his eyes, "Yes, well unfortunately things in the universe is not only made up of black and white, it can surprise you." he retorted, a clear jab at how he did not approve at all of the Revians taking such an action, the Protectorate on a whole had let it happen but stated they would not join them in 'pressing charges'.

"I-... Yes, well please, follow the lieutenant here an-" the Captain was cut off as Caelm stepped around him, following the lieutenant he had indicated through the ship toward the cell and leaving the Captain stood there in front of the Admiral looking perplexed. Sulen just smiled and said nothing on the matter, though he did offer a frown in Caelm's direction.

Once Caelm and the lieutenant reached the cell he dismissed the woman, after making sure she had let him into the cell because she seemed worried about the 'dangerous criminal'.

"Makael," he said, nodding greeting. "I'll be acting as your defence counsel."

[James]

On the bridge of the Revian ship, one of the crewmen suddenly went very rigid. His movements were stiff as he crossed the room towards a control panel where he pressed a sequence of keys.
"Starboard airlock opening. Keep clear." a metallic voice chimed over the intercom. This caused quite the fuss around the bridge, the man being dragged away by a couple of guards for doing something so strange, his comrades thinking him mad - with good reason, as he claimed to have no recollection of what he had just done. This was true, of course - Léona having taken control of the man's mind, forcing him to open the airlock for her to board the ship. She walked through the ship with a sense of authority, marching straight for where she sensed Makael. Guards tried to stop her, but they were simply pushed aside and held against the ship's walls by overwhelming mental force.

Léona burst into Makael's holding cell, a look of outrage on her face. "Mak! What the hell is going on?!"
She then spotted Caelm and raised an eyebrow, not expecting the Melaer to be there, having been too focused on tracking Makael through space to notice his weaker presence. "Caelm. This isn't your doing, I trust?"

[makvhug]

"Well, seems like things are a little busy in here now."

Makael rose to his feet, standing just in front of the forcefield, looking at the two new arrivals. The forcefield was at maximum, and any mortal touching the field on the inside would probably be roasted. But it had just enough kick to keep Immortals incarcerated.

"I can imagine that the immortal groups are questioning my logic for being here, especially as being immortal myself, I should understand the rules of higher purpose. But the fact is, the mortal races have the right to question the wisdom of the immortal races. We too are flawed, as has been demonstrated."

Makael smiled softly, looking at Caelm. "I am glad you were able to attend. I have asked for a Melaer to oversee my trial due to your neutrality, and your record of wisdom when it comes to justice. The mortal races have the right to this trail, to question if I should be held responsible. The evidence shall be laid out, and once and for all we shall have a judgement. I shall put another demon to rest, so to speak, when this trial ends, regardless of ruling. And regardless of being found guilty or not, this ruling will bring me peace."

Now he turned to Leona, nodding in respect first. "You always were one for overreacting Leona. Still, another face I am glad to see. I would like you to gather the members of Dragos for me. I imagine that they would like to stand with their leader in the trial, perhaps give evidence if asked."

Makael fell silent now, allowing them both a chance to reply.

[Brett]

Caelm sighed faintly. Makael was an idealist and Caelm hated idealists, he himself was a realist but he could not fault his defendant for allowing the Revians their trial, immortal or not all that he had done before had to weigh heavily on his heart. He did not like the idea of an immortal being subject to mortal laws, there were separate laws for immortals to be judged by for a reason, partially because immortal punishment was much more severe when they did do wrong. His frown creased his brow, though he had not aged a day since the time of the events on Asuren, he had an air of age and weariness about him.

"It was not the mercy of the divine order that spared you, Makael." he said faintly. "The wisdom of the divine order is not in question here, it is the wisdom of my cousin that they question."

Alaister Vigil was Caelm's cousin, it was he who had raised Makael out of Hell and given him his second chance, now the man the Revians once called the hero of the Myr'aelaer Wars was having his judgement questioned and Caelm would not allow that. He loved his cousin like a brother, he had been at his side through every battle and would not allow his name to be smeared due to grief or otherwise. Some could not understand that kind of trust, to believe in someone so completely as Caelm did, in his mind it was a sad day when Alaister gave up the crown of Melandrisia to follow his higher calling.

"They attempted to call for execution," he explained, pulled up details on his hand device, the holographic display showing the latest developments. "The Protectorate council voted unanimously against them on the issue, execution has long been forbidden by Protectorate law. Which means your sentence if found guilty will be a life sentence, which in Protectorate terms means stasis for eternity."

Caelm made a small motion with his hand and the holographic display disappeared, he gave Makael a grim stare but it soon turned into a familiar smile, the family connection between Alaister and Caelm coming through quite strongly. "We have many witnesses to testify for you, including some I doubt even the Revians expect would show for such an event. I'm sure Leona here would happily add herself to the number too, if I were to ask nicely."

[James]

Léona frowned and shook her head. "I don't like this, Makael. Even with all the evidence and testimonies we can gather, the Revians clearly still hold on to old grudges. We'll have a hard time convincing them. I'll go to the Midnight realm for you, of course. Maybe I'll time my return to make a big dramatic entrance at your trial."

She smiled at her old friend and placed a hand on his shoulder before turning to leave the cramped cell. She turned back to face them as she stood in the doorway "Oh, and tell them I'm sorry for causing such an uproar."

The guards that she had plastered to the walls all fell gently to the ground as she teleported from the ship, arriving in the Midnight Realm a second later. She headed into the Manor to meet with the highest ranking and longest serving Inquisitors to gather as much support for their leader as possible.

[makvhug]

Makael leaned against the wall of his cell, arms folded.

"This trial is going to be as open minded and neutral as possible. I made sure of that in my requests."

To an immortals eyes, his wings were clearly flickering behind him, a mix of jet black, grey, and shining white feathers. He pretty much always kept them folded firmly on his back.

"To be fully redeemed, I have to stand and let myself be judged for actions I performed in Oblivions name. If they choose to declare I am not responsible, I will accept that. And if they decide my guilt, I will accept my punishment."

He shook his head, looking at Caelm. "I know. What I did was nessecary, and I shouldn't even be letting them put me on trial. I know that I am letting personal feelings get in the way. But I have to do this. I have to. It will put the ghosts of my past, and hopefully those of the Revians, to rest as well. This is both for me, and for them."

He gave a soft smile, a much gentler person than he used to be, faith in the Creator coursing through him. "Alaister would understand... I hope you do, as well."

[Brett]

"Alaister would understand," he repeated quietly, that statement in itself was a bold one, some would even call it arrogant for anyone to presume what the Creator (and Caelm constantly had to remind himself that was what he was now) would or would not feel.

Caelm made his way to the controls of the cell and raised his hand device over it, a blue light exchanged between the control panel and the blue crystal on the palm of the device and the forcefield of the cell was brought down. In his multitude of intelligence, Caelm had used his considerably more advanced device to bypass the locks without causing a security alarm to go off, he then stepped into the cell properly without any fear on his face - Makael was not going to escape or assault anyone and to hell with the Revians if they wanted to make a fuss about it.

"Alaister is not here anymore," he said plainly. "My cousin is long gone, the Creator may where his face but he is not Alaister. The man who freed you will not be at the trial, a pity because he would have been a very solid witness in your defence."

Nobody understood how much Caelm had loved Alaister, the brother he had never had. In a way it was almost worship, if worship was what defined a God then Alaister more certainly had it in abundance and Caelm would be the high priest. He raised his hand device and smiled, Alaister was not what this trial was about, this was about clearing the name of an innocent man - Makael, not Makvhug. He knew exactly what he was going to argue as well, it was something there had been a clear example of recently to draw upon.

"I know how to go about your case," he said, sitting down on the small and frankly unpadded 'bed' of the cell. "It will be a simple matter, but if you would like to put forth any suggestions, I will take them into account. It is after all your trial."

[makvhug]

Makael just gave a warm smile to Caelm as he sat upon the low quality bed. The devotion in Caelm's eyes were clear, and it made Makael feel cheerful.

"He means a lot to you, I see. He was a good man. And he still is."

While his old powers had dulled to be nearly useless, Makael had grown in wisdom, now able to perceive things he may not have seen before.

"He's still out there Caelm, I can feel it. He will be back."

Makael sat down in the bedding, a little distance from Caelm. Taking one of the cigars from his pocket, he put it to his lips and lit it with a little magic, taking a light drag and breathing the sweet smelling smoke into the cell.

"I was able to convince the guards to let me keep these. After all, what harm can a cigar do?"

Makael leaned back against the wall, crossing his legs on the bedding and taking another drag from his cigar.

"So, I'll let you go first. Whats your plan for the trial?"

[sundavar]

The ringing of armoured boots hitting the ground filled the hall, announcing Sundavar's arrival as he skidded to a stop by Makael's cell. A quick glance behind him apparently confirmed that the sound had not stopped, and when he spoke it was with an urgent tone.
"What the bloody hell were you thinking Mak?! Why let them take you?! Gods know you've suffered enough already for what you didm why insist on-"
At this point he was silenced as a squad of soldiers ran towards him and would have tackled him had he not leapt out of the way at the last minute. Ignoring them, he turned to glare at a Revian in an expensive looking suit who had been chasing after the soldiers; Of them all, only Sunny appeared unnaffected by the sprint.
Having barely waited to catch his breath, the Revian advanced on Sunny, appearing angrier by the second.
"I told you, you can't be down here! I don't care if you're a High Inquisitor!
At this Sunny sighed and pulled out a leather wallet, opening it and flashing the Dragos Midnight Symbol and gold bars emblazoned inside in the manner of a Detective's badge.
"Funny you should mention that.."

For a moment the Revian seemed unsure of where to turn, clearly infuriated by Sundavar's nonchalant attitude but either unwilling or unable to do anything about it. Eventually he glanced at Makael and said in a perfectly smooth voice "Fine. Question him if you must. I'l see to it that the animal is put down "for his crimes regardless." before turning and marching back along the corridor, followed by the guards.

Muttering something under his breath, Sunny turned back to Makael.
"Sorry. I thought he was going to kick me off the ship so I wanted answers as fast as possible. He's the prosecution lawyer by the way, real arse. Apparently his great great etc grandparents were on a planet you destroyed..."
He trailed off and shook his head.
"The question still stands though. Why come here Mak? You don't deserve it."

[makvhug]

Makael turned to Sundavar, his arrival interrupting his conversation with Caelm.

"Ah, Fred. You never did manage to get in the easy way."

He stopped to take another long drag from his cigar, the scent now filling the room.

"The question was never about me deserving it. It was about closure. Everytime I think my past is finally behind me, another part of it rears its ugly head, and drags me back down. Once this trial is over, for better or for worse, the Revian Republic will be granted its own closure."

He paused to take another drag of his cigarette, his eyes fixed on the wall in front of him now.

"Without this trial, the Revians would take drastic measures to bring me in. Most likely military action. That could well get them destroyed by the other Triumvate members. So you see, without this trial, I would be indirectly responsible for the second death of the Revian people. I don't think I could live with that."