Birthright

yourself. Therefore, you have placed all responsibility for all decisions and interpretations solely upon me.

My interpretation is that under Atrian law, murder need not be premeditated, but is defined simply and explicitly as the taking of one or more Atrian lives, by any means whatsoever, with or without motive or preknowledge. Therefore, your claim is disallowed, on the grounds that the charge is not premeditated murder.”

“If my client pleads guilty, the trial will end immediately, will it not?” asked Khalinov. “Yes.”

“Then Heinrich Krantz pleads not guilty to the charge of murder.” “Even though you yourself know that he did in fact commit the crime?” asked the Atrian. “Even so,” agreed Khalinov, studying the Atrian's face for an expression of some kind, but finding none. “Later we may change the plea, but how else can I argue my client's case? After all, I am only obeying the rules of the court.”

“Using them to serve your own purposes,” corrected the judge. “Agreed,” said Khalinov. “Is it not my job to protect my client's interests in any way I can? We are ready for the prosecution to present its evidence now.” “I am also the prosecution,'’ said the judge. “I know as absolute fact that Man Krantz caused the death of fifty-seven Atrians in the following manner...” The T-pack droned on and on with an explicit recounting of the crime.

When the Atrian had finished, Khalinov arose again. “Your honor,” he said, “with the court's permission I should like to present a visual display.” He nodded toward two assistants, and they approached, bearing the Atrian equivalent of a tridimensional video receiver. “Does this exhibit bear directly upon your case?” asked the judge. “Or, more precisely, will it in any way prove that my information is faulty and that your client is innocent of the crime of murder?” “Not directly,” admitted Khalinov, “but it does have some relevance to the subject of murder on the planet Atria XVI, and as such—”

“The exhibit is disallowed,” interrupted the judge. “But your honor!”

“Man Khalinov,” said the judge, “the rulings of this court are not subject to debate or question. Your exhibit will not be permitted. If you cannot prove, absolutely and beyond question, that Man Krantz did not cause the deaths of fifty-seven Atrians, then you are wasting the court's time.” “I gather you've got plenty to waste!” snapped Khalinov. “A man's life is at stake here. I intend to see to it that he gets the best and most comprehensive defense of which I am capable.” “Well spoken,” said the Atrian, “but irrelevant.” “No more irrelevant than the lives of fifty-seven Atrians,” said Khalinov. “My client is a sentient being,