“Never happened,” Dredd said.
“Four Psi-Division Judges have separately scanned the memories of the Quasarano family and have verified that their recollections of the event are true and consistent.” Gillen tried to stare him down. “It did happen. And it proves you were aware of Rico’s activities and chose not to report or arrest him. That makes you an accomplice to many, if not most, of his crimes. Consider yourself lucky that you’re only getting an iso-cube and not joining your brother on the shuttle to Titan.”
Dredd nodded slowly. “I see. Judge Gillen, I’m not doubting the report of the Psi-Judges, or the recollections of the Quasarano family, but has it occurred to you that Rico and I are physically identical and therefore it could have been him who intimidated the family?”
“Of course it has. But when the incident took place Rico was logged as elsewhere in the sector. Your own whereabouts is uncertain for much of that time.”
“And what was Rico allegedly doing at that time?”
“Taking down a tap-gang operating in Dido Westerbeck Block.”
“I remember that.” Dredd said. “I was the one who initiated the arrest; Rico joined me later to mop-up, and he offered to file the report. Clearly, he switched our names to give himself an alibi. You can have the Psi-Judges scan me if you want proof. If you’d been doing your job, you’d already have scanned Rico to verify it.”
Judge Montag said, “The transport to Titan doesn’t leave for another twelve days, Judge Gillen. You could order Psi-Division to scan Rico now.”
Gillen took a step back. She pulled off her helmet and ran her hand over her hair while she stared at Dredd. “All right... Can’t hurt to take that angle. But you remain cuffed and under guard until I hear back from Psi-Div.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Dredd said.
OVER THE NEXT few hours, every survivor of the storm was examined by Adrian Hanenberger’s medical staff, and assigned temporary accommodation in the refugee camp.
Dredd spent this time sitting on the fractured remains of one of the death-belt boulders, constantly watched by the SJS Judges, his arms still cuffed behind his back.
As night fell, O’Donnell approached Dredd again. “Joe... they found Esteban’s body.”
Dredd nodded. “Figured he didn’t make it.”
The deputy sat down next to Dredd. “Some of the others were saying he fought like a maniac against the Earthers. Even the Earthers themselves were impressed with him.”
“He was a good man. And I know he was your friend. I’m sorry for your loss, O’Donnell.”
“Yeah... They found the preacher, too. Guess he’s on his way to Grud now. Just hope that Grud has the patience to put up with him.”
“Anyone else identified?”
“Conra and Lauren Featherman. They hid out in their basement, along with some of the others. All dead... Joe, what’s going to happen to Hanenberger? Alfonsa, I mean, not her old man.”
“She can’t return to the city, but I’m sure her father will set her up somewhere safe. And far from here.”
“He said he’s going to rebuild Ezekiel,” O’Donnell said. “With much greater security, too. He said everyone who wants to stay on is welcome. I think a lot of them will go for it. Not me, though. I’ve had enough.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll find something. There’s always a need for pilots to run supplies between Mega-City One and Mega-City Two. Trouble is, the shipping companies aren’t too keen on hiring people who’ve grown up in the Cursed Earth... Don’t suppose you’d put in a good word for me? That’d be against Justice Department policy, right?”
“No, but right now I’m not in any position to make promises. If the charges against me are dropped, I’ll look into it.”
O’Donnell patted Dredd on the arm, and stood up. “Good man. Appreciate that. Hey, it’s just a pity that you only recruit five-year-old kids to be cadets. I reckon I’d have made an awesome Judge.”
“Unlikely,” Dredd said. “You lack discipline.”
O’Donnell smiled, and as he began to walk away, Dredd called to him, “O’Donnell, what was it you were trying to tell me during the storm, when you were carrying that old man?”
“Oh, that. Yeah, I said, ‘If I don’t make it, tell Novena that her horse is safe.’ I heard the horse as I was heading for Hanenberger’s shuttle. I couldn’t just leave here there to die... So I put her on the shuttle, set it on auto-pilot. One of your H-Wagons has gone after it. All going well, the horse will be fine.”
“You used the shuttle to save a horse?”
“Yep. I could see that it meant a lot to her. And, you know, she’s sweet. I like her.”
“I was right. You’d never have made it as a Judge, O’Donnell.”
O’Donnell laughed. “Yeah, maybe. See you around, Joe. And... call me Red, okay? All my friends do.”
“THE PSI-JUDGES HAVE confirmed that Rico set you up. All charges are dismissed,” Judge Gillen said to Dredd, and gestured for her colleagues to unlock his cuffs.
“Glad to hear it,” Dredd said. “But not surprised.” He stood up and stretched.
It was night, and their breaths misted in the cold air.
“So the investigation is closed?” Dredd asked.
“For now, yes. But... One thing has become very clear from all this. Cloned Judges are more trouble than they’re worth if we can’t tell them apart.”
Dredd looked around at the devastated town. “What’ll happen to all these people while the town is rebuilt?”
“Hanenberger has said they’ll build temporary accommodation. And the new town will be mostly underground, he said, which should help shield it from the weather.” She shrugged. “He’s pompous and full of self-importance, but he’s not a fool. I think he’ll make good on his promises. Especially now that the Department will be watching him a lot more closely.” Gillen nodded toward a waiting H-Wagon. “Let’s go.”
Another SJS Judge was waiting at the H-Wagon’s ramp: he handed Dredd back his weapons and utility belt.
As Dredd clipped the belt back into place, Gillen said, “Hurry it up. You, Montag and Ramini are due back in Sector 198. According to Sector Chief Benzon, your next shift starts in four hours. There’s no rest for the wicked, huh?”
“None,” Dredd said, slipping his Lawgiver into his boot-holster, “and no shelter from the law.”
About the Author
Irish Author Michael Carroll is a former chairperson of the Irish Science Fiction Association and has previously worked as a postman and a computer programmer/systems analyst. A reader of 2000 AD right from the very beginning, Michael is the creator of the acclaimed Quantum Prophecy/Super Human series of superhero novels for the Young Adult market.
His current comic work includes Judge Dredd for 2000 AD and Judge Dredd Megazine (Rebellion), and Jennifer Blood (Dynamite Entertainment). Judge Dredd Year Two: The Righteous Man is his third book for Abaddon Books.
www.michaelowencarroll.com
JUDGE DREDD: YEAR ONE
Mega-City One, 2080. Judge Joe Dredd’s first year on the streets as a full-eagle Judge. Bred for justice, trained in law, Dredd’s no helpless rookie, but he’s not the seasoned veteran we know either. Three tales follow the first adventures of the future city’s greatest lawman. With an introduction by the Mighty Tharg!
CITY FATHERS
The brutal murder of a Justice Department-sanctioned spy uncovers something new and dangerous in the sector’s murky black market. Unless Dredd can stop it, chaos will be unleashed.
COLD LIGHT OF DAY
A savage killing spree results in the deaths of two highly-regarded Judges, and many consider Dredd to be responsible: a decision he made five years earlier – while he was still a cadet – has come back to haunt him.
WEAR IRON
“Wear iron, that’s the rule.” Paul Strader is a stick-up man, and a stone cold professional. But when he gets in over his head, he has to risk everything on the word of
a corrupt lawman and break every rule he has. Every rule but one
www.abaddonbooks.com
Mega-City One, 2100 AD. Psi-Judge Cassandra Anderson’s first year on the streets as a full-Eagle Judge.
After a string of apparently random, deadly assaults by customers at Meet Market – Mega-City One’s biggest, trashiest dating agency – Anderson is convinced a telepathic killer is to blame. Putting her career on the line, the newly-trained Psi-Judge goes undercover to bring the murderer to justice.
She'll have to act fast. Mega-City One's annual huge, riotous Valentine’s Day Parade is fast approaching, and the killer has a particularly grand gesture planned...
www.abaddonbooks.com
Mega-City One, 2100 AD. Psi-Judge Cassandra Anderson’s first year on the streets as a full-Eagle Judge.
Moriah Blake, leader of the notorious terror group ‘Bedlam,’ has been captured, but her followers are still at large, and Anderson’s been sent to Psych-Block 06 to psychically interrogate her. She’s able to get just one snippet of information – Bedlam’s planning on detonating a huge bomb, somewhere in the sector – before Blake’s followers storm the cell and release her, taking over the entire Psych-Block.
In the chaos immediately after the takeover, Anderson has to make a choice: get out before they lock it down, or stay – unarmed and alone – to find out where the bomb is...
www.abaddonbooks.com
The Righteous Man Page 13