Judge Dredd

THIRTY-ONE

“This is Tommy Waco with the news…

“Bear with me, if you will, ladies and gentlemen. There are—there are times when it’s difficult to do a journalist’s job in the professional and objective manner in which that job should—and must—be performed.

“I’m certain that everyone who’s watching me now is aware of the latest tragic event that has shocked and stunned Mega-City—the ambush and slaughter of five, possibly six Judges—we can’t say exactly how many at this moment—an ambush that took place in the notorious downtown district, Black Quad Nine.

“There are few facts available at this time. What we do know is that the Judges were burned beyond recognition, along with several vagrants. Sources report that an illegal weapon was used in this brutal killing, but that information is not confirmed…

“Sorry, I’m still here, my friends. This is—difficult, as I said. This part of the story has not been on the news. Another person lost his life in that chaotic event in the Black Quad. A colleague, a friend, and a fine journalist. A man you, the viewers, have come to know and respect as a commentator on this station.

“Duncan Harrow died in that same alley tonight. Duncan’s car was found parked several blocks from the alley in question. But Duncan’s remains, along with his blackened video camera, were found several feet within the alley itself, near the scene of the disaster.

“It was like Duncan Harrow to put himself in harm’s way in order to bring you the news. That’s the kind of man—the kind of reporter—Duncan Harrow was. A man very like another journalist we sorely miss, Vardis Hammond.

“Maybe I’m going out on a limb now. Maybe it’s no longer safe for a journalist to speak to you in this manner, but here it is. Vardis Hammond felt that much of the lawlessness in Mega-City could be laid at the feet of those very persons responsible for upholding the Law. I’m speaking of the High Council of Judges itself. If you’re listening, members of this respected body, what’s your answer? Is Mega-City out of control, at the mercy of criminal terrorists? As Citizens, we need to know where we stand in these dangerous times. As the self-appointed guardians of our Society, you have an obligation to let us know. You have an obligation to the living. And you have an obligation to those who have died for the cause of Law and Order. Citizen and Judge alike.

“This is Tommy Waco with the news. Back to you, Katie Chloe, for an on-the-scene report from the site of the tragic Black Quad massacre…”