“Well, it’s the only claim you have left,” said the judge. “Last time you were here, I ruled your negligence claims were precluded by AMR’s contract with the government. And today I have déjà vu. Not just because you are late again but also because we have essentially the same issue—that your wrongful-death claims are exempt from suit under last year’s general immunity included as part of the cease-fire. A finding Ms. Keller wishes me to make today and grant her client summary judgment.”

“That’s correct, Your Honor,” said Karen. “We dispute all of the allegations in the complaint, which read like they were copied from one of the conspiracy sites. Accidents did happen on the farms AMR helped operate, and some people died. No real evidence has been provided that any camp residents were deliberately killed for their insurrection. But even if they were, such claims are barred by the Interstate Compact for the Cessation of Hostilities, which provided amnesty to combatants on both sides of our recent troubles. We all lost blood and treasure in the conflict. Many of us lost loved ones. And we all agreed to move on in the interests of peace. Mr. Kimoe does not get to make exceptions just because he filed this case before the Compact was signed.”

“As you have copiously briefed,” said the judge. “And Mr. Kimoe has less copiously, but quite colorfully, rebutted in his response. So at the outset let me tell you all that I am inclined to agree with Ms. Keller on the amnesty question. If employees of her client, acting as representatives of the former government, killed insurgents who had taken up arms against that government, whether in the urban battlefield or in the seeming sanctuary of a resettlement farm, that conduct is exempt from suit just as those same insurgents have immunity for their attacks on federal personnel and contractors. But I have also noted the defense’s resistance to providing Mr. Kimoe access to its personnel for depositions.”

“Your Honor,” said Karen, “most of the personnel Mr. Kimoe sought testimony from are no longer in the company’s employ, and it is not our responsibility to locate them. But we have the latest witness Mr. Kimoe requested with us ready to testify today.”

“Which witness you made us subpoena,” said Judge Larriva. “And who Mr. Kimoe claims will persuade me that the immunity does not apply.”

“You have that right, Judge,” said Donny. “And I believe he will also help show there is a more active concealment of evidence going on with respect to the other witnesses we’ve identified. Especially the guards.”

“I’m all ears,” said the judge. “So you can take what’s left of this hour to convince me I shouldn’t dismiss this case and stop wasting the court’s valuable time.”

Six years of work, riding on minutes you could watch roll by on the clock.