~ Two Years And A Day ~

Hera adjusted the leather collar on her courtroom coat. "You have the script if the truth is warped?"

"Yes."

"You have the mic and access fob?"

"Check and yep."

Hera blew a breath. "Good."

"Hera Si, upon request, you are now permitted to enter," A voice from the overhead speakers called.

"Well. There's my cue." Hera took a step forward. A hand reached out and took hers before she got too far. Hera looked back. A HoloPad and folder where handed to her.

"Don't forget those."

The hand fell away.

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Hera's left leg was propped on her right knee as she sat. Heinz still wore the prison garb that Hera had last seen him in, and bore a light purplish bruise beneath his neck from where she squeezed. I didn't think I squeezed that hard, Hera thought. It was obvious she must've, though, for at times, she caught Heinz rubbing at the spot.

The judge rambled on and Hera ignored until everyone's attention was directed to Heinz. Heinz took a slow swallow. His chest heaved with an uncertain breath. Then his lips broke to start dispersing the words of the guilty.

Hera rolled her eyes. If only others knew the situation, we wouldn't be having this war. Hera touched a small button sized piece on the edge of her collar.

" - said before, I had no evil intentions whatsoever. Maybe I came across as a bad person with this money maker here." Upon mentioning, Heinz gestured to his face. "But all I really was doing was creating a way back into our home orbit field." Heinz pointedly stared daggers at Hera. "Miss Si didn't want me in her limelight. Right, Hera?"

Hera cocked an eyebrow. "You know, as well as I, that isn't true. Are you sure you want to fight this battle of who's right and who's wrong? Cause I already know who's going to win."

Heinz relaxed into the oak chair. "Hah. I'm staying and fighting. I'm not chicken."

"Suit yourself," Hera mumbled.

Heinz's lips produced an evil grin. His mouth opened wide to continue his tale, but it was in a way that truly threw the audience and even Heinz himself. The truth spilled forth from his lips like oil exploding from an underground reserve.

The judge furrowed his brows, the mallet clutched tight within his fist, upon listening to Heinz's story. Once Heinz sealed his lips, the judge spoke. "Well. It seems as if you have been covering. Hera Si," he said, directing his gaze into the audience, "is it true that the original use for the machine was to destroy you, and, maybe, even a newly attached Ground 2."

"NO!" Heinz roared, his body catapulting from the chair and his fists slamming on the podium in front of him. Officers rushed up behind him if he made another false move. "Can't you see? She was manipulating me!" Heinz's eyes plead to the judge.

"You know, Heinz, I'm only human. How could I do such a thing?" Hera asked.

"Well... I don-um. Hmm."

The judge cast a glance at Hera, and then redirected his attention too Heinz. "Heinz. You are detained to life in prison unless later notified of earlier release."

"WHAT!? But she's a liar! She's. A. Liar!"

The officers detained Heinz with handcuffs and took him - bucking and thrashing - away. The judge looked back at Hera, and with a sorrowful sigh, apologized for the whole ordeal. "We are sorry we never believed you. So, to make up for it, we offer you our deepest thanks for saving the population and Earth from any further harm that would've lead to its demise. We grant you with the honor of having your name preserved through the near and coming future. May Hera Lumina Si, and the other two - Eva Erica Si and Soal Loraine Dienze - go down in history."

Applause and cheers rose up from the crowd. Hera sank into her seat, uneasy with the surroundings. But, deep inside, she liked the rumble from a clapping crowd beating inside her chest, and the echoing cheers. It made her feel accepted. It made her feel like a hero. Most of all, it reassured her to know that what she did was right. Never could she doubt the decisions or risks of the three projects. They were all worth it. And she would never want to go back in history to change any of it.

That is how it was.

This is how it is.

This is how it will stay.