ONE

Chapter 14: The End Of His First Life (Part 2) [Atharv]

Recap: [From Chapter 6: End of his first life (Part 1)]

"I am Parav Jaspal, commander of the second division east 'Aegis Batallion' Dhilli. Are you Atharv Arya?" He looks at Atharv curiously, as if trying to figure something out.

Atharv hesitating responds, "Yes"

"You have been sentenced to death for assaulting and causing serious permanent damage to three prospective first tiers."

***

State: Dhilli (Central States)

"What do you mean sentenced to death?"

Atharv's mother asks looking extremely startled.

"It means exactly what it sounds. But there will be hearing before that, after all, we are a democracy. You are to report to your college's administrative office by noon today with your parents for further discussion. I will see you there; you have the right to gather your own witnesses and build your case to prove your innocence." Parav spoke in a calm and methodical tone.

Not answering any further questions, he left the envelope he was carrying on the desk and leaves the premises, ignoring the pressing questions that Atharv's mother kept on asking in vain.

The judicial system had lost its significance after Isolization. By the beginning of the National-Civil war, it was completely wiped out replaced with Court-martial. The military was the strength of the people and gradually it came to hold the most power among the people. The Central states were clustered into four different regions, and each region was governed by a General. All four generals were humans and that had always been the case but Kusokans were permitted to hold positions as high as the 'Commander' (The second highest position in a region)

Usually, crimes reported were solved by the police and didn't reach the martial-court, In most cases, crime wasn't even reported but when larger institutions and first-tiers got involved the martial-court had to step in. Even though the court seemed to be harsh by declaring that the punishment, Atharv would be given on failure to prove his innocence would be death it was also what was protecting him. Atharv had openly assaulted children who came from prominent first-tiers families, since the college had raised the case to the military there was not much the first-tiers could do. Even they were afraid of the might of the military. But they could always try to pull stunts illegally, the military had already factored this, and henceforth portraying that were already on the sides of the first-tiers was a right move.

***

Atharv and his mother are sitting outside an empty corridor; his mother holding his hand and chanting something silently. Atharv's eyes were sunken, losing his friend had already almost driven him to the extent of emotional instability. He thought to himself, 'If only...he had done things differently.'

 A warm touch on his shoulder put an end to his thought-chain, his father held him by the shoulders reassuringly while his younger brother looked at him with a concerned expression.

"Every...everything will be okay, I've mostly taken care of everything. Yasu's family has already submitted their accounts of what happened" his father spoke trying to put on the best possible expression he could.

"Brother, we'll get through this", Madin whispered softly to Atharv.

Holding his wife's trembling hands, Atharv's father looked at her with an expression which said that 'Everything has been taken care of'

'But what exactly did he take care of?' Atharv wondered.

A soldier wearing a traditional military outfit approaches them and informs them that the proceedings are beginning. The Arya family started preparing themselves while the soldier walks into the room he came out from. "Remember, don't tell them about the red-markings that appeared on your body", his father spoke sternly looking at him. Atharv nods as he enters the room where the hearing is supposed to take place.