*
The World Court, situated in Lower Manhattan, was colloquially known as the Glass Cabbage, very much because that was what the ten level structure resembled. It stood boldly in the night all the same with internal and external lights blazing and its showpiece Justice Beacon floodlight shooting ten kilometres straight up. It was four thirty in the morning and those milling around the foyer on ground level, waiting for whatever case had brought them there, were looking tired and anxious. The World Court operated on a twenty four hour schedule and there was no favouritism given to hearing times. A good measure of the anxiety could be attributable to the widely held belief that it was in the early hours of the morning when judges were at their most irritable and their sentences at their harshest. Although many of the courtrooms were taken up with corporate and civil matters, Court 14 was dedicated to criminal cases: homicides, assaults and sexual assaults. If the accused were individuals, they were often presidents of companies or governments or the generals of armies. Application 4009HW, however, was somewhat different and it had perked Judge Furtle’s interest even if it barely showed in the droopy, bloodshot eyes. ‘Let me get this straight,’ she said in a commanding tone from her highchair in the direction of the United Nation’s Chief of Lawyers. ‘You’re alleging the plaintiff is guilty of murder because she forced the captain of the magno-chopper to shoot the rest of the crew?’
Oahn Kim was on her feet as she addressed the court. ‘There were not enough jetpacks to go around, Your Honor. Stamford TF must of course bear partial responsibility for this. Nonetheless, it was Mas’s direct assault on the vessel that precipitated the murders. The United Nations contests she has primary responsibility for the incident.’
Judge Furtle pulled a face. ‘An interesting legal argument is lurking there but that is a side issue for us today.’
‘Regrettably so,’ replied Kim, having rushed into court at such short notice, she had not had sufficient time to read up on the subject.
Judge Furtle glanced at the wall clock. ‘I realise the situation must be grave to bring you out at this hour. The United Nations are usually such good sleepers.’ She read through the disposition on her desk once again. Then she looked up to the crowded room of drawn out faces. ‘No doubt the matter lends itself to lawyers quoting precedents at one another; fortunately, we are here to consider a more tangible issue: should the involvement of the Hurt World be warranted?’ She scanned the back pews and sure enough there was Gwen Renaissance sitting quietly with a calm concentration. She was there virtually without exception whenever the Hurt World had an application before the court. It was a signal for a presiding judge to consider the matter carefully, for if provoked, Renaissance was on good speaking terms with most the Presidents of the free world. Having the United Nation’s Chief of Lawyers present the application was another useful ally in her corner. Not quite in the same class as the highest paid corporate lawyers, but not someone to micro-sleep in front of either. Judge Furtle delivered her ruling looking Kim square in the eye.
‘I’m not convinced that the world we live in is such a dangerous place that the fate of an entire population may be jeapordised by the transfer of a single metal canister from a scientist of dubious integrity to a poacher without any known associates or affiliations. If it is a disease, there are cures. If it is a poison, there are antidotes. Weaponry might be another matter, but Dr Gustavo is not known to dabble in such areas. And besides, world threatening bombs are far larger. I do understand, however, the Hurt World Agency wanting clearance to assign its best operatives against Mas considering its past failures in this regard.’ She looked to Renaissance to see if she had chipped any of that calmness from her face. Disappointingly, no. ‘Unfortunately, there are simply not enough grounds to assign Hurt World Level Five to this incident. I must wonder, in fact, if the local police should not be in charge of the case. That being said, the smuggling of animals is no doubt one of the most serious crimes facing humankind today. With more and more species being exploited and pushed to the brink of extinction, those most involved and, dare I say it, most skilled in exploiting this precious resource are certainly creating pain on a global scale. The prospect, therefore, of once again being on the trail of Mas, the notorious poacher, is too important to ignore. The court thus grants Hurt World Level One permission to pursue this case. The specific terms of reference are that the signature dog named Blast is to be recovered and kept alive at all cost and then used to locate and bring to justice the poacher Mas. That completes the matter of 4009HW.’ Judge Furtle stood up and the court rose in turn.
The Chief of Lawyers bowed deeper than anyone else. She found it the best position to be in when she pulled one of the contorted, twitching faces she couldn’t much control when a verdict went against her. She had to move quickly to catch up with Renaissance, who had already left the courtroom for the VIP Atrium.
‘I’m sorry we didn’t get the right verdict,’ she said. ‘Judges just don’t like to label things as genocide.’
‘Yes,’ murmured Renaissance ruefully.
‘Especially when only four people have died.’
Renaissance stopped and glared in the middle of the luxuriously well-furnished lounge. ‘Five.’
‘If you’d like, I can file an immediate appeal. Not on those grounds. But some of the world’s best scientists will be waking up soon. I can have them testify on the kinds of lethal toxins that could wipe out a population.’
‘No, never mind. Not unless one of those scientists is Dr Gustav Fall and you can get him to tell the court exactly which one of those toxins was in the canister.’
‘Unlikely.’
‘And Stamford TF’s cooperation is only fractionally more reliable. If Blast dies now, they will claim that we didn’t move fast enough or provide the best care, and they will wash their hands of the whole incident. They will do it cleverly, for they are a company well versed in using others for its own advantage.’ Despite the urgency in her message, Renaissance sat down in a plush yellow sofa-chair, hooking an arm over the cushioned back. ‘But you can be of use outside the courtroom.’
‘How?’
‘Simply by doing what lawyers do best. Send a bill.’
‘The United Nations doesn’t send bills.’
‘That’s fine, I doubt the receiver will pay it anyway. I want you to send a bill to Stamford TF. Put whatever figure you feel is appropriate. Include in the bill the legal costs for extracting Blast from the Guatemalan criminal justice system and the medical costs for taking care of Blast during her stay at the Leanov Gekko Veterinarian Clinic in Switzerland.’ Renaissance smirked. ‘And don’t offer friend prices.’
Oahn Kim frowned. ‘I don’t get it?’
‘The United Nations network is secure but I can’t be as confident about Stamford TF’s. In fact, if Mas has the resources to shoot down one of its magno-choppers, chances are she can hack its communications as well.’
‘So, you’re laying a trap?’
A United Nations pilot stepped into the exclusive atrium and picked Renaissance out from the sprinkling of other VIPs around the room. ‘Your Air Shuttle is ready, mam.’
‘Thank you.’ Renaissance stood up and eyed the Chief of Lawyers. ‘I would have bought you breakfast, but I must be going to San Francisco without delay.’
‘Before I didn’t think there was much difference between Hurt World and the Peace Keeper Strike Force,’ said Kim, ‘but now I see it. Smithers will only move when he has established a clear target, whereas you will turn your people into the target.’
Renaissance shrugged. ‘It’s a hungry hunter that doesn’t get close enough to be the hunted. Now that Mas is back, I have to wonder what has sparked her appetite. One way or another, it is likely to have the world hurting.’
Hurt World One and the Zombie Rats Page 7