Chapter 5 Global Live-Streamed Trial
# Chapter 5: Global Live-Streamed Trial
Times Square had never seen such crowds. Every massive digital billboard, normally plastered with advertisements for soft drinks and Broadway shows, displayed the same content: a countdown clock ticking down to what social media had dubbed "The Trial of the Century."
Nydia Schmidt, dressed in a crimson power suit that matched her newfound confidence, surveyed the scene from her private helicopter. Below, thousands of spectators gathered in the square, many holding signs with slogans like "CLONE RIGHTS NOW" and "JUSTICE FOR THE RITA COLLECTIVE."
"Was buying every billboard in Times Square really necessary, Mother?" Orion asked, not looking up from his advanced quantum tablet.
"Theatricality matters in the court of public opinion," Nydia replied. "Your father understood that better than anyone."
Aurora, wearing a miniature version of her mother's suit, peered through electronic binoculars. "The crowd analysis algorithm shows 78.6% support for our side. The remaining skeptics are mostly Li Corporation shareholders."
The helicopter banked toward the gleaming Li Tower, where temporary courts had been established for the unprecedented case. International jurisdiction had been granted after evidence revealed Caesar's human experimentation spanned seventeen countries.
"Remember," Nydia instructed her children as they prepared to land, "no matter what happens in there, we stick to the plan."
The twins nodded in perfect synchronization, their amber eyes reflecting a wisdom far beyond their five years.
---
Inside the makeshift courtroom, cameras from every major news network captured the moment Caesar Sims entered, flanked by security officers. Despite his designer suit and practiced swagger, the medical monitoring device strapped to his wrist—court-mandated after his recent collapse—undermined his carefully constructed image of invincibility.
The gallery was filled with Rita clones of various ages, all watching their creator with identical green eyes. Rita herself sat apart, heavily guarded, her plea deal requiring testimony against Caesar in exchange for reduced charges.
When Nydia entered with the twins, a hush fell over the room. The children, poised and unnervingly mature, drew every eye.
"All rise for the International Criminal Court tribunal," the bailiff announced as five judges from different continents filed in.
The head judge, a stern woman from Ghana, addressed the court. "We convene today to hear evidence in the unprecedented case against Caesar Sims and Li Corporation, on charges including illegal human experimentation, forced cloning, and genetic manipulation without consent."
Caesar's lead attorney, a silver-haired man with a $10,000 suit and reputation for miracle defenses, stood. "Your Honors, before proceedings begin, we move to exclude the Schmidt children from the courtroom. Their presence is a transparent attempt to manipulate the court's emotions."
Nydia rose smoothly. "Your Honors, my children are both witnesses and victims. Their genetic makeup is central to this case."
The judges conferred briefly before the head judge nodded. "The children may remain, but will only speak when called as witnesses."
As proceedings began, massive screens displayed evidence of Li Corporation's decades-long program of illegal genetic experimentation. Medical records, laboratory footage, and testimony from escaped test subjects painted a damning picture.
During a brief recess, Nydia received an urgent message from Vera. "Satellite shows movement at Li's Swiss facility. He's activated contingency protocols."
Nydia glanced at Caesar, noting his too-calm demeanor despite the damning evidence. He was planning something.
When court resumed, Caesar's attorney called a surprise witness: Dr. Elena Petrov, Li Corporation's chief geneticist.
"Dr. Petrov," the attorney began, "please explain to the court the medical benefits of the research conducted by Li Corporation."
The scientist, nervous but composed, nodded. "Our work has led to cures for seventeen previously terminal genetic conditions. Over ten thousand children are alive today because of treatments developed through these research protocols."
"And these advances would have been impossible without the genetic research programs?"
"Correct. Conventional methods would have taken decades longer, if successful at all."
Caesar sat straighter, confidence returning as his attorney continued building a utilitarian defense: the ends justified the means. The greater good outweighed individual rights.
Nydia watched the judges' expressions, noting their subtle shifts. The "greater good" argument was landing with at least two of them.
During the next break, she gathered her team. "They're positioning Caesar as a misunderstood visionary. We need to accelerate the timeline."
Aurora nodded. "I'll prepare the Times Square broadcast."
Orion's fingers flew across his tablet. "Facial substitution algorithm ready. Success probability: 92.7%."
When proceedings resumed, Caesar himself took the stand, projecting humble brilliance. "I acknowledge that certain ethical boundaries were crossed," he admitted with practiced contrition. "But I ask the court to consider the thousands of lives saved, the medical advances achieved—"
The courtroom lights suddenly dimmed. All screens, including those in Times Square and on global broadcasts, switched to new footage: Caesar in a lace dress, tenderly cradling a newborn clone in a high-security laboratory.
"Who's daddy's perfect little genetic achievement?" recorded-Caesar cooed in the video. "You're going to help me live forever, aren't you? Yes, you are!"
The footage switched to Caesar injecting something into a screaming toddler clone. Then to Caesar ordering the "termination" of a clone that had developed "excess empathy." Scene after scene of cold cruelty contradicted his carefully constructed public persona.
"This is manipulated footage!" Caesar's attorney shouted as judges hammered for order.
The head judge turned to the technical experts. "Verify the authenticity of these recordings immediately."
Before they could respond, the doors burst open. International police officers stormed in, led by a grim-faced commander.
"Caesar Sims," he announced, "you are under additional arrest for conspiracy to destroy evidence. We have just raided your Swiss facility where staff were attempting to incinerate research subjects and records."
Chaos erupted in the courtroom. Cameras captured every moment as Caesar lunged toward Nydia, his face contorted with rage.
"You did this!" he snarled. "You orchestrated everything!"
Security restrained him, but not before global audiences witnessed his mask of civility completely shatter.
In Times Square, the crowds watched in stunned silence as the screens displayed a split image: Caesar being restrained in court, and beside it, footage of rescued clones being led from the Swiss facility—children of various ages, all bearing Rita's features.
Nydia stood calmly amid the chaos. "I believe this evidence speaks for itself, Your Honors."
---
Three hours later, in a secured conference room, Nydia met with international prosecutors while the twins worked on tablets nearby. The door opened to admit a breathless legal aide.
"Ms. Schmidt, you won't believe this. The viewership numbers for the trial broadcast just surpassed Putin's presidential inauguration. Caesar's meltdown has been viewed over two billion times already."
Nydia nodded without surprise. "And the Swiss facility evidence?"
"Damning. They found forty-seven living subjects, plus records of hundreds more who didn't survive the experiments."
As the legal teams conferred, Aurora approached her mother. "Father's legal team is requesting a private meeting. They're floating terms for a plea deal."
"No deals," Nydia said firmly. "Full prosecution."
The head prosecutor looked concerned. "Ms. Schmidt, even with this evidence, trials are unpredictable. A plea arrangement guarantees some justice."
"Justice isn't my goal," Nydia replied coldly. "Dismantling everything he built is."
As if summoned by her words, Nydia suddenly doubled over, gripping the conference table as wave of nausea hit her. The room spun as she collapsed into a chair.
"Mother!" The twins rushed to her side as security cleared the room.
"I'm fine," Nydia insisted, wiping her mouth. "Just stress and lack of sleep."
Orion's expression turned clinical as he scanned her with a medical device. "Elevated hCG levels. Increased blood volume. Mother... you're pregnant."
Nydia stared at him in disbelief. "That's impossible. I haven't—"
"DNA analysis processing," Aurora interrupted, studying her own scanner. "Fetal genetic structure detected. It's... it's Caesar's."
"That's not possible," Nydia whispered, horror washing over her face.
"Not a conventional pregnancy," Orion clarified, his five-year-old face incongruously serious. "The cell structure suggests stem cell origin. A clone, but with genetic markers showing it's... Caesar's brother."
Realization dawned on Nydia. "The nanobots. When I infected Caesar, he must have... he must have programmed a countermeasure."
Aurora's eyes widened. "Genetic reciprocity. He returned your biological attack with one of his own."
The courtroom doors burst open as Vera rushed in. "Nydia, you need to see this. Caesar's collapsing in court—his medical monitor is showing the same symptoms you had five years ago. Morning sickness. Nanobots. He's expelling them... and they're programmed to seek you out."
On the conference room screen, footage showed Caesar being rushed from the courtroom on a gurney, his attorney shouting about inhumane treatment as medical staff struggled to stabilize him.
"He knew," Nydia whispered. "He knew I'd bring him to trial eventually. This was his contingency plan all along."
The twins exchanged glances, communicating silently as they often did.
"Mother," Aurora said carefully, "this pregnancy isn't conventional. The nanobots are building a fetus using Caesar's genetic material and your uterine environment."
"Can it be terminated?" Nydia asked, hand protectively covering her abdomen.
Orion shook his head. "The nanobots have already established a protective matrix. Attempting removal could trigger their defensive protocols."
Vera placed a steadying hand on Nydia's shoulder. "We'll figure this out. For now, we focus on the trial."
Nydia took a deep breath, composing herself. "Caesar thinks this will distract me, make me vulnerable. He's wrong." She stood, straightening her crimson suit. "If he wants another genetically modified child in this world, fine. But this one will be raised to destroy whatever remains of his legacy."
---
When court resumed the following day, Caesar was absent, his medical condition requiring hospitalization. His attorney moved for a mistrial, citing his client's inability to participate in his defense.
The judges denied the motion after reviewing medical reports indicating Caesar was stable but experiencing "unexplained abdominal distress."
As proceedings continued, Nydia implemented the final phase of her plan. She approached the witness stand when called, placing her hand on the quantum-secured authentication pad.
"Ms. Schmidt," the prosecutor began, "as someone who was unknowingly part of Li Corporation's earliest genetic experiments, can you describe when you first became aware of your status?"
Nydia looked directly into the cameras broadcasting to billions worldwide. "I discovered I was Subject N-37 only recently, when my children recovered my original files from Caesar's private vault. I was born in a Li Corporation laboratory, genetically modified as an embryo, then placed with monitored foster parents to observe my development."
"And you had no knowledge of this until after your children were born?"
"Correct. Caesar selected me as his bride specifically because I was his most successful early experiment. He wanted to combine his genetic modifications with mine to create the next generation of his work."
As Nydia testified, Orion activated a remote protocol on his tablet. Across the globe, previously dormant algorithms awakened, inserting evidence of Caesar's crimes into the public record of every country where Li Corporation operated.
Meanwhile, Aurora initiated the facial substitution program. On millions of screens worldwide, Caesar's face seamlessly transformed into a digital confession, his image admitting to crimes even beyond those charged. The algorithm was so perfect that even AI authentication systems verified it as genuine.
In Times Square, the crowds watched in stunned silence as the "confession" played across every billboard, Caesar seemingly admitting to decades of horrific experiments.
By day's end, Li Corporation stock had plummeted 78%. Shareholders were revolting. Government contracts were suspended. The empire Caesar had built was collapsing in real time.
In his hospital room, Caesar watched helplessly on television as his life's work disintegrated. When the door opened, he expected doctors but found Nydia instead, the twins waiting in the hallway.
"Come to gloat?" he asked weakly.
Nydia approached his bed, placing a hand on her slightly swollen abdomen. "I came to inform you that your latest experiment is proceeding as designed. Congratulations, you've created another life to use as a pawn."
Caesar's eyes widened. "It worked? The reciprocal nanobots actually established a viable embryo?"
"Your brother, technically. Cloned from your stem cells."
A smile spread across Caesar's pale face. "Then I haven't lost everything. That child carries my unmodified genetic sequence—my backup plan."
Nydia leaned closer. "You misunderstand, Caesar. This child won't be your salvation. He'll be your final defeat. I'm establishing the Anti-Substitute Alliance today, with funding from your seized assets. Our first client? Elon Musk's ex-girlfriend, who has some fascinating stories about unauthorized genetic sampling."
As she turned to leave, Caesar called after her. "We're not so different, Nydia! Look what you've done—manipulated the media, deployed biological weapons, used children as tools. You've become exactly what you claim to hate!"
Nydia paused at the door. "The difference, Caesar, is that I'm fighting to end this cycle, not perpetuate it. Your children will be the last generation created as experiments. I'll make sure of that."
In the corridor, the twins waited, their expressions solemn.
"Is he still trying to manipulate you?" Aurora asked.
Nydia nodded. "Always. But his game is over."
Orion looked up from his tablet. "The Rita Collective is holding their first press conference. They're announcing the formation of a global clone rights organization."
"Good," Nydia said, placing one hand on her abdomen as they walked away from Caesar's room. "The world is changing. And we're making sure it never goes back to what it was."
As they exited the hospital, hundreds of cameras captured their emergence. The twins, poised despite the chaos, flanked their mother protectively as they approached the microphones.
"Ms. Schmidt! What's next for the case against Caesar Sims?"
Nydia faced the world's media with steel in her eyes. "Justice is just the beginning. Today we announce the formation of the Anti-Substitute Alliance, dedicated to ending unauthorized genetic experimentation worldwide. No more replacement humans. No more living weapons. No more children born as experiments."
Behind her, on the hospital's massive digital billboard, the final piece of her plan unfolded: Caesar's most private laboratory footage playing for all to see, the ultimate social death for a man who had built his empire on secrecy and control.
