Memshare: The Tribunal

[voltadomar]

THE TRIBUNAL

(Video clip of this scene -- 15:18 to 21:51)

A gunshot.



It isn't the first of the night, and it won't be the last. Before you stand three mercenaries equipped with ceramic armour and semiautomatic weapons. Behind you, a group of labourers carrying their own firearms. And beside you... your partner on this case. A half-brother. He's the one who fired the shot.

It hit its mark. There is a hole in the cheek of one of the mercenaries. Blood gushes out as he stumbles backward, eyes filled with rage and disbelief -- gurgling, muttering something unintelligible...

You see the mercenary with the ceramic helmet lift his rifle to aim at your partner. Your body moves before you can think, your hand reaching for your holster. You raise your pistol and aim, trying to find a straight line of sight. You won't be fast enough, it's too late...

The helmeted man pulls the trigger, firing six rounds with a single shot. You don't see where they land, but your partner is still standing. You can't afford to take your eyes off your target: the narrow eye slot in the helmet. "God, please..." you say quietly, without trembling.

Two shots ring at once. You hear a scream.

Blood gushes from the helmet's eye-sockets as the mercenary staggers back, disoriented. The sounds coming from his helmet are not human.

Behind you, a dockworker lies dying in a puddle of blood. You realize the third mercenary, the woman, took aim at you and missed, hitting him. You knew that man, if only briefly. And you know those bullets were meant for you.

Another shot rings out. Your partner falls. Chaos follows. Voices shout, gunshots ring out, and your partner bleeds on the ground. You run to his side.

"You're bleeding out!" you cry as you crouch over him.

"No one wants to do anything with me... no one wants to party with me," the half-conscious detective mumbles.

"Yes! Keep talking!" You push down on his wound, hard. "Stay awake! Look at me!"

It looks like he's fading. But suddenly, his eyes widen with fear. "NO!" He hands you his firearm, hand trembling.

You understand immediately. There is no room for hesitation. You take the gun from his bloody hand and fire behind you. A woman screams.