It had finally happened
Jun. 14th, 2023 07:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ali15sonI don't claim to be a writer but this is my story and it was done to the best of my ability.
IT HAD FINALLY HAPPENED
Bodie was sitting in the dock, his face impassive as he listened to the prosecutor's' closing statement. He was accused of war crimes, of killing innocent civillians and torturing prisoners during his mercenary days in Africa. The evidence against him was damning: eyewitness testominies, photographs, documents, even a video recording of him executing a village chief.
The prosecutor painted him as a ruthless killer, a man who had no regard for human life, a man who liked inflicting pain and suffering on others He urged the jury to find Bodie guilty and send a message to the world that such atrocities would not go unpunished.
Bodie felt a surge of anger and contempt. He knew he was not innocent, but he also knew he was not guilty of everything they said. He had done his job, followed orders, survived in a hellish environment. He had seen things that no-one should ever see, done things that no-one should ever do. But he had also saved lives,protected his comrades, fought for a cause he believed in. He was not a monster, he was a soldier.
He glanced at the public gallery, where he saw his former colleagues from CI5. Doyle was there, his partner and best friend, looking grim and worried. Cowley was there too, his boss and mentor, looking stern and proud.They had stood by him, testified for him, tried to help him. They were the only ones who understood him, who knew what he had been through.
He wondered what they thought of him now, after hearing all the accusations. Did they still trust him, respect him, care for him? Did they still see him as Bodie, their mate and colleague, or as a war criminal.
He hoped they would not judge him too harshly. He hoped they would remember the good times they had shared, the missions they had accomplished, the dangers they had faced together. He hoped they would remember that he was still one of them, a professional.
The prosecutor finished his speech and sat down. The judge turned to Bodie and asked him if he had anything to say before the jury retired to deliberate.
Bodie stood up and looked at the jury. He saw fear, disgust and hatred in their eyes. He knew they had already made up their minds. He knew he had no chance.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a calm and clear voice.
"Your honour, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, i have nothing to say in my defence. I admit that i have done things that i am not proud of, things that i regret. But i also deny that i have done things that i am accused of. I have been a soldier all of my life, serving different causes and different commands. I have always followed orders, done my duty, obeyed the rules of engagement. I have never acted out of malice or cruelty or greed. I have always acted out of necessity, loyalty and honour. I do not expect you to understand me or sympatise with me and i do not ask you for mercy or forgiveness. I only ask you for justice. Justice for me and justice for those who died by my hand or others'. Justice for those who suffered and those who fought. Justice for those who lived and those who did not.
I am ready to face the consequences of my actions, whatever they may be, i am ready to pay for my sins, whatever they may be but i am not ready to accept lies or slander or injustice.
I am not a war criminal, i am a professional"
He sat down and waited for the verdict.
Pros lib - yes (if you want to)
IT HAD FINALLY HAPPENED
Bodie was sitting in the dock, his face impassive as he listened to the prosecutor's' closing statement. He was accused of war crimes, of killing innocent civillians and torturing prisoners during his mercenary days in Africa. The evidence against him was damning: eyewitness testominies, photographs, documents, even a video recording of him executing a village chief.
The prosecutor painted him as a ruthless killer, a man who had no regard for human life, a man who liked inflicting pain and suffering on others He urged the jury to find Bodie guilty and send a message to the world that such atrocities would not go unpunished.
Bodie felt a surge of anger and contempt. He knew he was not innocent, but he also knew he was not guilty of everything they said. He had done his job, followed orders, survived in a hellish environment. He had seen things that no-one should ever see, done things that no-one should ever do. But he had also saved lives,protected his comrades, fought for a cause he believed in. He was not a monster, he was a soldier.
He glanced at the public gallery, where he saw his former colleagues from CI5. Doyle was there, his partner and best friend, looking grim and worried. Cowley was there too, his boss and mentor, looking stern and proud.They had stood by him, testified for him, tried to help him. They were the only ones who understood him, who knew what he had been through.
He wondered what they thought of him now, after hearing all the accusations. Did they still trust him, respect him, care for him? Did they still see him as Bodie, their mate and colleague, or as a war criminal.
He hoped they would not judge him too harshly. He hoped they would remember the good times they had shared, the missions they had accomplished, the dangers they had faced together. He hoped they would remember that he was still one of them, a professional.
The prosecutor finished his speech and sat down. The judge turned to Bodie and asked him if he had anything to say before the jury retired to deliberate.
Bodie stood up and looked at the jury. He saw fear, disgust and hatred in their eyes. He knew they had already made up their minds. He knew he had no chance.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a calm and clear voice.
"Your honour, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, i have nothing to say in my defence. I admit that i have done things that i am not proud of, things that i regret. But i also deny that i have done things that i am accused of. I have been a soldier all of my life, serving different causes and different commands. I have always followed orders, done my duty, obeyed the rules of engagement. I have never acted out of malice or cruelty or greed. I have always acted out of necessity, loyalty and honour. I do not expect you to understand me or sympatise with me and i do not ask you for mercy or forgiveness. I only ask you for justice. Justice for me and justice for those who died by my hand or others'. Justice for those who suffered and those who fought. Justice for those who lived and those who did not.
I am ready to face the consequences of my actions, whatever they may be, i am ready to pay for my sins, whatever they may be but i am not ready to accept lies or slander or injustice.
I am not a war criminal, i am a professional"
He sat down and waited for the verdict.
Pros lib - yes (if you want to)
