May 16, 2014 – Friday – 7:42 AM
Federal Court – Southern District of New York – Courtroom 3C
The courthouse entrance was surrounded by fences, Federal Police units, Secret Service agents, and hundreds of cameras. Journalists were out in force. Protest signs hung from the shoulders of demonstrators: some demanding justice for the victims, others defending "patriots who acted in the field."
Inside the courtroom, in the center of the room Logan Moore.
Silent. Firm. Dressed in black, without a lapel of ego. With the posture of someone who knew that this day was about demonstrating, not declaring.
Judge Henry Matheson resumed the session with military punctuality.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the second day will focus on technical analysis: mission schedules, geolocation data, forensic examination of the bodies, the contractual structure of Atlas Guardian. Prosecution, please."
Logan stood. He looked at the jury. And spoke precisely:
"Today, we won't talk about assumptions. Today we will present physical and digital evidence, cross-checked, audited, and validated by independent experts. The truth is in the details. And the details... are here."
Presentation of Maps and Timelines
Rachel connected the computer to the room's large screen. A sequence of high-resolution satellite maps appeared.
Logan pointed with a laser pointer.
"This is the location where Mr. Mahdi al-Hassan was killed, in Muscat, Oman. Note: residential area, no nearby military presence, no terrorist alert registered by Interpol or the UN in the week of the incident."
"Now, we cross-reference this with the exact time of the shooting: 3:24 a.m. local time."
Rachel displayed the GPS data from the operator hired by Atlas.
"And here we have the path of agent "DELTA-9," the Atlas operator's codename." Arrived at 3:11 AM. Departed at 3:29 AM. Total time: eighteen minutes. Three shots. One dead.
Silence.
"Next," Logan continued, "we used records from ArcoSat's commercial intelligence system, which maps thermal movement and radio emissions. There was no other suspicious activity. There was no combat. There was no militia. Just one target... and one contractor."
Forensic Expert – Specialist Dr. Julian Trent
Julian Trent, forensic physician, took the witness stand.
"Doctor, please describe what you found."
"The bodies of the three victims showed execution-style gunshot wounds—that is, precise, close-range shots, two to the chest and one to the base of the skull."
"Does this indicate?"
"That it wasn't an exchange of gunfire. It was a controlled approach. Professional."
"What else did you notice?"
"None of the victims showed signs of a struggle. They weren't carrying any weapons." No gunpowder residue on their hands. In other words, they didn't shoot. They were targets. Non-combatants.
The defense rose.
"Dr. Trent, did you receive payment from the prosecution?"
"No. I'm an independent expert affiliated with the National Institute of Forensic Sciences. I was requested by court order."
"Are you certain there was no substance in the analysis that might suggest aggressive behavior?"
"We analyzed blood, tissues, toxins, and signs of trauma. Nothing suggests aggressive behavior. They were resting. One of them was even sleeping."
Mutterings. The judge banged his gavel.
"Order in the courtroom."
The Defense's Attempt – Expert in Military Contracts
The defense presented Dr. Arthur Kline, former State Department advisor on emergency security contracts.
"Mr. Kline, what do you say about the Atlas contracts?"
"The clauses are vague, yes. But that's the nature of a military environment. Tactical flexibility is essential."
"What about lethal use?"
"Trained private operatives are presumed to know how to react to threats. It's not our place to judge real-time decisions made by professionals in the field."
Logan asked to speak.
"Dr. Kline, when was the last time you were in a real combat scenario?"
"In 2006."
"And can you tell me if Oman was at war in 2012?"
"Technically... no."
"Then why was this 'tactical flexibility' applied to a sleeping target, in a residential neighborhood, in a country at peace?"
Kline hesitated.
"Perhaps... due to an intelligence error."
"An intelligence error that left no trace, no written order, or formal authorization."
Logan approached the jury.
"Gentlemen, if we call this an 'error,' then we need to redefine intent."
" Attacks on the Whistleblower – Failed Attempt
Halvorsen attempted to discredit the whistleblower.
"We have old emails from A. discussing frustration with Atlas management. Doesn't that compromise his impartiality?"
Logan intervened.
"The email says: 'We are failing our principles, and one day this will cost us dearly.' This is a warning. Not revenge."
The judge allowed the defense to proceed.
"And this social media post, where A. shares criticisms of US military operations?"
"He criticized a lack of transparency. He didn't defend the enemy."
Halvorsen tried to insist.
Logan replied:
"Awareness doesn't disqualify. It strengthens."
Closing of Day Two – Logan's Closing Statement
Before closing, the judge authorized Logan to give a technical summary of the day.
Logan walked to the center.
"Today you saw data. Lives reduced to coordinates. Shots recorded with precision. Deaths too clean to be accidents. Everything meticulously organized… but completely illegal."
"What's at stake is not just what was done. But what we allow to continue being done."
"The country cannot be defended by violating what defines it."
He turned to the judge.
"And justice… doesn't need armor. Just truth."
8:50 PM – Pearson Hardman Office
Rachel and Mike were organizing the evidence for the third day.
Harvey entered.
"If the trial were decided today, you would win," he said.
Logan grabbed a glass of water and looked at the files.
"It's not time to breathe yet. Tomorrow… it's time for political confrontation."
Rachel asked:
"And are you ready?"
"I'm alive," Logan replied. "That's more than they expected."
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