Littelton scanned the room, observing and discerning the emotional temperature of everyone.

“Mister Hashim, since you’ve chosen to represent yourself, do you have an opening statement?”

“I do, Your Honor.”

“Let’s hear it.”

All eyes shifted to Hashim as he approached the jury. The twelve soldiers stepped in closer. The jury flinched in unison at their approach.

Littelton motioned the soldiers back.

The jurors held their gaze on Hashim, who was calm and deliberate as he spoke.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I am sorry for what I’ve done.”

A murmur vibrated in the courtroom.

“I have been misled by a flawed belief. I have misled my people in that belief. And I am guilty of all the charges your government has brought against me.”

The jurors were confused by the confession.

“Is this why you surrendered to the FBI? To come here, into my court, and apologize for the thousands of murders you’ve committed? You believe an apology is what’s required? That it’s enough?”

“No, Your Honor.”

“So tell me. What do you believe is required?”

“A reckoning for all I’ve done.”

“Mister Hashim. It’s not just you who’s on trial. It’s the mentality that has bred you and others like you.”

“I know, Your Honor. And I have come to regret all those actions. We’re wrong for the blood we’ve shed. There’s nothing I can do to bring those lives back. And for that I’m sorry. When I see our young men giving their lives to jihad I have remorse. I have perpetrated that violence and put my people on an abhorrent path. Hate is a painful journey. It is venom that poisons the self. You cannot create freedom from hate.”

The jurors shifted in their seats. They looked at one another. Confounded.

“We’re here today to judge you for the crimes you’ve committed. For the crimes you’ve set forth. For the conspiracy against the United States. Not to listen to a confession.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“What do you have to say in your defense?”

Hashim seemed no longer a man of bloodshed, but a man of shame.

“I have no defense, Your Honor. I must pay for what I’ve done.”

“Mister Robinson. Approach the bench.”

Robinson moved to Littelton.

“Were you aware of this statement beforehand?”

“Not all of it, Your Honor.”

“He didn’t take any of your advice?”

“None, sir. We had to force him to agree to even have me present.”

“Where is Mister Keyser?”

“Uh. He’s not feeling well, Your Honor.”

“That sounds like cowardice.”

Littelton stood.

“I’d like to see you, your client, and only Mister Caulder in chambers. Now. This court will be in recess until further notice.”

Littelton slammed down the gavel and left the room. The three men followed.

No one said a word as the lawyers and Hashim got situated in chambers. Hashim remained standing.