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Fair Game

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The judge looked at the charges again. "Why, the charges do list unlawful taking of a Duccak. I thought I had just misread it the first time through. Alexander, would you care to explain this to me?"

"Well, your Honor, after the Air Force shot one down last May, Congress declared them to be a wild but not necessarily dangerous animal. The statutes of this state say wildlife may only be taken in their proper season. If no season has been established for a given creature, it shall remain protected by the state. By those definitions, I had no choice but to write citations for these men."

"Your Honor," said Cal. "We never denied hitting it. We just don't feel it's right to fine us for not being aware of it's protected status. Besides, I wasn't trying to hit it."

The judge banged his gavel. "Quiet in the courtroom! I need a moment to think." He got up and paced behind his bench for a few moments, shaking his head slowly. After thirty or forty seconds, he sat back down, looked hard at the two men, then turned and looked at the Game Warden for a few seconds. Finally, he turned back to the defendants. "To be honest with everyone present, I was recently kept up half the night from a pair of those things buzzing around my neighborhood. Had a loaded weapon been sitting at my windowsill, I think I would have tried to shoot one down myself. No one knows where these things came from; another planet or another dimension. No one knows when they will leave. But, that's neither here nor there."

"Mr. Smith, I give you credit for providing me with a most unique explanation. Mr. Jones, like your friend, I am as convinced of your trustworthiness. Alexander, I commend you on your devotion to the laws of this fine state. I believe that you two men were out on that lake for the purpose you have stated. What it all boils down to gentlemen is that the law is the law. I hearby decree that you two will be fined ten dollars each, plus court cost. I am charging you, Alexander, with the task of retrieving said craft and returning it to me personally. Court is adjourned."

The two defendants shook their heads and followed the Bailiff out of the courtroom. Once they were gone, the Game Warden walked up to the judge. "Did I understand you correctly?"

"Yes, you heard me correctly. First off, without it, those two boys could file an appeal on grounds of insufficient evidence. We wouldn't want that to happen now would we? Go on, get out there and bring that craft back to my chambers."

"If you say so, your Honor." The Game Warden turned and walked out of the room, shaking his head.

The judge rose and was half way to his chambers when he noticed the court reporter was still in her seat. She had a big, wide grin on her face. "You don't want that thing for evidence. You intend to sell it in some online auction."

"Verda May, I can't slip anything past you, can I? You're as sharp as any counselor that has ventured into my court. In this matter, I'm sure you are worth a counselors fee equal to say... ten percent?"

"I was thinking a case like this deserves thirty percent."

"I would consider twenty percent."

"Consider it done, your Honor." She got up, grabbed her equipment, and then headed for the door. "See you tomorrow Paul."

"Good night, little sister."