The EXIT Interview

The Law Never Blinks

The next day was buzzing with the apprehension of the President's killer. Mr. Zero was the talk of the day. Both print and digital media outlets cashed in. It was a good day for business. But, not so good for Mr. Zero.

At a secret Government location, he marched at considerable pace behind an armed special force officer. Besides him and behind, high ranking seals walked with a cautious eye cast squarely at Mr. Zero. Of course, they too were armed with guns.

The chain that was employed to fetter his lower limbs rattled with every step he took. His arms were equally not free. They were cuffed.

With a few more steady steps, Mr. Zero was standing before a big double- door entrance. Two armed Police Officers were stationed there.

The duo in uniform opened the doors and Mr. Zero was ushered in.

A group of top ranked security and police personnel made a well arrayed decorum. Alexis had a place amid the invited to the solemn hearing. The Speaker of the house of Representatives, The Attorney General and judges of both the High Court sat at the high table.

A lone chair and a small table was stationed at the centre of the auditorium.

After Mr. Zero was loosed from the fetters, he made his way forward and sat in front of the high profile Government congregation.

"Gilbert Zero," The Speaker remarked. "We are here to understand what happened in that train four days ago. You are hereby accused of killing the President of the Republic. Do you understand the charges levied against you?"

Mr. Zero spoke through the small microphone mounted on the table, "Yes, sir."

"And, how do you plead?" The Speaker inquired.

He answered without thinking twice, "not guilty. "

The room enjoyed a moment of silence. You could hear a pin drop.

"Son, the law never blinks, " the Speaker continued. "It is blind. We are here to simply hear your side of the story before the case can be committed to the courts of law. We've gathered here because it is the President that was killed. If it was any other person, we would not have been here. And, when all is said and done, justice must prevail for our President."

Mr. Zero served the anticipating hearers no reaction. He was calm as he looked at the presiding officer.

"I'm with understanding that at the time the President was assassinated, you sneaked into the drone's pilot cabin and flew the machine. is that correct?" The Speaker inquired.

Mr. Zero leant to the mic and responded, "No, that is not correct. ."

"Where were you at that time?" a follow probe was heard.

Mr. Zero responded almost immediately, "I was in the ICT lab."

A video was beamed through the projector on a large white screen.

Therein, Mr. Zero was was seen sitted in the pilot cabin. His hands held the lever firmly that controlled the drone.

The footage also showed clearly Mr. Zero pressing the firing button. After which he stood up and walked out of the cabin.

"Is that you in that footage?" Mr. Speaker wondered.

Mr. Zero was dumbfounded.

"Mr. Zero, Is that you in that footage"? Mr. Speaker repeated his question.

Hesistantly, Mr. Zero replied, "That's my image. But it was not me in that room."

Chuckles and murmurs rang aloud in the auditorium.

Mr. Zero cleared his throat and continued, "Have you paid attention to that footage?"

"I can confirm that this commission watched it a thousand times before you were brought in here," Mr. Speaker replied.

Mr. Zero further wondered, "how many lights are in the cabin?"

"Agent Alexis," Mr. Speaker beckoned her to Speaker.

Alexis switched the mic on and spoke, "One."

Mr. Zero nodded and questioned, "Where is the light located?"

"At the back of the pilot," Alexis responded.

Mr. Zero gave in to another nod of the head before wondering aloud, "did anyone in this auditorium see my shadow while I flew the drone?"

The auditorium was dead quiet. The video was replayed from all the four angles the tech gurus could afford. All the eyes in the room rested heavily on the screen. But Mr. Zero's shadow could not be picked.

"What's your point, Zero?" Mr. Speaker interposed.

Mr. Zero reverted, "I didn't kill the President."

"No, you didn't," The Speaker teased. "I just wonder, how did you sneak into the drone's cabin?"

Mr. Zero shook his head. "I didn't," he said. "I never had security clearance to enter the cabin nor to operate the drone. I was just some ICT guy who was employed to ensure systems were working."

"May I, Mr. Speaker," Alexis came.

The Speaker beckoned her to speak with a nod of head

"Thank you, sir," Alexis begun her oration. "The pilot's cabin has two security codes that must be entered. One is keyed in by the drone's pilot while I provided the other. Mr. Zero overrode the system. He forced his way to the cabin and shot the President."

Mr. Zero retorted angrily, "I didn't kill him. I didn't!"

He stood up and stared at the speaker. Guns were drawn by the officers on security call and pointed at Mr. Zero. They were ready to gun him down.

"Sit down Zero" the Speaker command, "Sit your ass down!"

Mr. Zero was not having it. He raised his hands and yelled, "Shoot if you are shooting! I can sit here and listen to these stupid accusations you are leving against me!"

"Zero..!" The Speaker yelled at him.

Anger and frustration was fast taking a toll on the proceedings.

"Why is she seated there?! She should know better!" He charged back at a high tone. "She has the security clearance to the cabin, let her say what she kno...!"

He fell helplessly to the floor and passed out. Mr. Zero was shot with a taser gun by one of the officers that had brought him. 

The security that had esorted into the hearing grabbed and dragged him out.

Chuckles mixed with murmurings made ambience but for a moment.

Tension had soared off the roof.

"Order. we have a lunatic on our hands. Let's speed up the court case proceedings and send Zero to hell," Mr. Speaker cleared his throat and remarked. "This hearing is hereby dismissed."