Again the judge glanced at the Major, who nodded curtly.

“Good.” Cliff turned and surveyed the crowd, then looked up at the sky. “Well then, your Honor, Major Denison was kind enough to give all these good people half a day off from work. It’s a hot day. Instead of sitting here sweltering in the sun, why don’t you hurry and pronounce sentence and leave them some time to catch a swim or take a picnic to the lake or something.”

As a startled wave of laughter swept through the crowd, punctuated with shouts of approval and a smattering of applause, Nicole stared at Cliff Cameron, and suddenly her eyes were swimming.

“What do you say, your Honor?”

Totally bewildered, the judge again turned to the Major for support, and again Nicole saw the almost imperceptible nod of the head.

He cleared his throat quickly. “Well, then. Since the defendant pleads guilty to all charges—uh—I guess we’re ready to pass sentence. Would the defendant please—oh, yes, you’re already standing.” He cleared his throat nervously. “Dr. Clifford C. Cameron, as the judge over these proceedings, I hereby sentence you to be remanded into the custody of the Guardians. Stage Three implantation is hereby declared permanent.”

Clayne whispered into Nicole’s ear, “They knew what the sentence would be before this ever happened.” The disgust in his voice was evident.

“And also,” the judge intoned, “you are to be placed in a confinement cell for the rest of your natural life.”

Once again the sudden intake of twenty thousand pairs of lungs caused a rippling of sound across the stadium. Nicole felt the tears well over and trickle down her cheeks as Cliff Cameron nodded.

“That concludes this trial,” the judge said, banging his gavel. “Court is adjourned.” Cliff nodded again, then turned and walked back to his seat, leaving his attorney staring at him.

In an instant the Major was up and to the microphone in front of the platform. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please.” The babble of noise quickly died, and the people sank back into their seats. “We want to express our thanks to Judge Lorenzo R. Bradford and to the jury members, who, fortunately, were not needed today.” His voice was tinged with a hardness Nicole had heard only once or twice before.

“The accused now becomes the convicted, by his own confession.” He turned to look at Dr. Cameron. His hand came up and covered the microphone, and Nicole heard his savage whisper. “Travis!”

Even as Travis came off the platform to join him, the Major was back at the microphone. “Dr. Cameron has graciously suggested that we cut these proceedings short. We shall do that, only delaying you a moment or so longer.”