"Next I will be calling Ilia Sirminov, son of Mikhail Sirminov."

Leo watched the MEC agent lead Ilia into the room. "Hello, nephew." Niko used a tone that he knew would upset Ilia. He knew that his nephew despised the fact that he had to treat Niko with the reverence and respect of an older family member, even though they were only separated by a year.

"Uncle." Ilia took a seat in the chair that Leo had been sitting in.

"Ilia, thank you for joining us today," Yuri said.

Ilia flashed a filthy sort of smile. "My pleasure."

"I'm told you've applied to the MEC academy in the capital."

"I have, sir. I look forward to helping the republic maintain a stringent sense of morality."

"You may be getting ahead of yourself. I hear they haven't accepted anyone for next year's class yet."

"No." Ilia looked deep into Niko's eyes and it was easy to tell that Yuri was making a show of this particular witness. He didn't have to ask anything, Ilia was clearly prepared to say what ever he needed just to see Niko sent away. "But I have no doubt that my grandfather's honored position as first councilor and my family's close ties to you will give me an advantage."

"That is quite the presumption to make. Nothing in this world comes for free, you know."

"I know."

"Tell me about your relationship with the accused?"

"He's my uncle, unfortunately."

"Are the two of you close?"

Ilia snorted. "They tried to make us close at least. I think my grandfather thought that if we were friends it would make his relationship with my father easier."

"Did that work?"

"No. Niko teased me, treated my like a dog and told me I had to deal with it because he was my elder."

"Oh come on!" Niko slammed his hands against the table as hard as he could given his restraints. "That was just childish teasing. You can't believe what he says, he's clearly still a child if he holds a grudge for that."

Yuri and Ilia both looked at Niko and he tried to look strong despite his broken face. "Ilia," Yuri said without taking his gaze off Niko. "Do you have any evidence to present that would be relevant to this trial?"

Ilia smiled again. It was the same smile Niko had seen his brother Mikhail flash at their father when he seemed to be plotting something dangerous. He reached into the pocket inside his coat and handed a photograph to Yuri. Yuri looked at it and asked, "What is this?"

"That is a photo of me at twelve years old."

"How old was the accused when this photo was taken?"

"Thirteen."

Niko suddenly realized what was happening and he felt his stomach clench.

"I'm assuming the accused is responsible for the defamation?" Yuri tossed the photo on the table. It had been painted to look like Ilia was wearing makeup like a woman.

"Yes, he did it to mock me. Just like he was mocking President Braska."

Niko shook his head. "That's not true!"

"So, you deny that you painted this?" Yuri asked and Niko hesitated.

"No, I did do that and I'm sorry Ilia, but you know I didn't--" That was when Niko realized he had one possible way out of this predicament. "Why would you keep this photograph for so long?"

Ilia looked away from Niko and said, "I kept it as a reminder. When I forget my goals I look at it and it reminds me why I want to rid the republic of deviant filth like you."

"You did this didn't you? You set me up!"

"I did no such thing!"

Yuri arranged the photo of Ilia next to a photo of one of the posters Niko had been accused of defaming. There were some definite similarities between the two. "If I were to take these photos to the council do you think they might decide they were done by the same person?"

"I don't know," Niko said, "I mean, he probably studied my brush strokes or something!"

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ilia. You may go."

"No! This is all wrong, I didn't do it! Ilia did it, I'm telling you!"

"Goodbye, uncle," Ilia said as he was being escorted out of the room. "I do hope that your time at the Patriot Camp will help you learn the error of your ways."

"Good luck with your application to the academy," Yuri nodded to Ilia.

"Of course, thank you sir." When Ilia was gone, the MEC agents followed him and Niko was left alone with the proxy.

Yuri stared at Niko for a long time before finally saying, "I want to help you, Niko, I do but you're making it difficult."

"How? By telling the truth? I didn't do this!"

"I know you did and just like I said I would, I proved it with only two witnesses. You're heading to a Patriot Camp but I'm giving you the opportunity to decide how long you want to go. If you confess, I can make sure your stay is brief. You may even get out of there before any permanent damage is done."

"Damage? I thought the Patriot Camps were educational facilities."

"There is no better way to teach a person than pain."

Niko closed his eyes. He was already in so much pain after his violent arrest in the street. "If I confess, what will happen to my father? His legacy?"

"If you confess and return home reformed, I'll make sure your father's political career will stay intact."

"And if I don't confess?"

"Your father will be faced with a choice. He can either disown you and allow the republic to take you into custody. You'll stay in a Patriot Camp until we decide you pose no threat to the moral fabric of Borrylea. Or he can go down with you. He'd be stripped of his title, your family would be forced from their estate and each and every one of them would spend the rest of their lives begging for change."

"Except my brother Mikhail, I'd assume? After Ilia's statement I'm sure you'd repay my oldest brother kindly."

"I mean, the family of a promising young MEC agent would be well cared for."

"And a reference letter from you explaining Ilia's daring take down of a deviant criminal is sure to secure him a seat at the academy."

"So, what'll it be? Will you confess?"

Niko took a deep breath and considered the options laid out before him. "Fine," he said, "I did it. I accused Ilia because I needed a way outta this but I did it. I defamed those posters."

Yuri smiled and stood up. Niko watched his red scarf slip over his shoulder and the old man tossed it back into place. The tassels attached to the end of the scarf graced Niko's face and excitement shot through him. For a split second he felt the caress of luxury, authority, and color. "You will spend the night in your cell, and I'll return in the morning for sentencing."