The guard led Blake down the long hallway to the Trial Room. Silence followed his steps like a wave, as even other prisoners shunned a heretic. Murderers, thieves, Drug-Drug addicts...all turned away. None of the jeering or spitting that other prisoners got - just the silence of shunning.
The door opened into the Trial Room and Blake almost stumbled. The lights were unbelievably bright compared to the cells he had been in for the past month. The steps leading to the center of the room were cut short - a reminder that no matter how high a human placed himself, all differences were insignificant when compared to the All-Powerful.
"This Notification of Trial is called to order." The bailiff was a small man with a weak chin. His skin, the color of old furniture - the kind made of natural wood - was stretched unnaturally tight behind his ears. Presumably, he had been to a Weight Rehabilitation Camp and served his time. The stack of files on the table to his left was over a meter high. The massive calendar book in front of him was pristine and full of writing.
"Sergeant Blake Blakesly, this convening of the court serves to notify you that you will be held without trial for a period not exceeding eighteen months."
"That's it? I don't get to present my defense?"
"Your defense will be presented at Trial. Until then, you are remanded to a work crew in Sharpin."
"Sharpin? But that's -"
"That will be all. You have been notified of your trial. This Notification of Trial is over."
Blake fumed as he was led out. Already, the bailiff had moved on to his next file. Heretics could be held for eighteen months without trial, could they? Sharpin may be notorious for the premature deaths of its prisoners, but Blake knew he could escape. Now, to think of a plan...
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