Kaya rose up from her seat. She hesitated for a moment, calmly reviewing her mental notes on the situation. The Dorian court was much different from what she had been used to in Heraklion. There was little semblance of justice here, little benevolence and assumption of innocence. Everyone knew who was in power and Cordoba’s guilt was almost beyond doubt.

What was different as well, is that in one of the very rare occasions, she was not the one making the judgment. Prepared by Chryseis, she’d understood the weight of court rulings and sentences. Yet, here, it all seemed lift away from her conscience.

She took a deep breath.

“Alexander Cordoba, you are standing before the Cretan High Court, accused of treason and collaboration with foreign and hostile elements, acting against the best interest of the Corsair nation. You’ve unlawfully attempted to cause damage to other Corsair pilots by enlisting the services of a mercenary organisation against your own kind. The evidence of your crimes has been presented and reviewed by the Court.”

She paused for a second and looked directly at Cordoba. “You now have the opportunity to present your defence.”

Kaya nodded, keeping cold blood throughout Cordoba’s speech. It was clear to her the man did not understand his situation. She could have perhaps agreed with him to an extent in different circumstances, but here he even admitted his guilt. It was no use. A means of delivering justice did not matter if the result was evident.

And perhaps he may have even had a point. But ultimately, treason was treason. In this case, ends couldn’t justify the means, despite the motivation. She was convinced regardless of the trial’s outcome, Cordoba wouldn’t see the problem with his behaviour.

She turned to the court. “Your Honour, the accused pleads guilty and has nothing in his defence,” she spoke laconically.