A woman sits quietly at the defense table with her service dog at her side. To everyone else, she looks ordinary, just another defendant with scars and silence. The prosecutor mocks her, the jury exchanges smirks, and the judge himself sighs, impatient, convinced she has nothing of value to say. Then, in the middle of the chaos, she leans down and whispers a barely audible command to her dog. What happens next silences the entire room.

The fluorescent lights of courtroom 237 cast a harsh glow over everyone present, particularly on Ravenna Thorne. She sat at the defense table, shoulders slightly hunched, dressed in a gray blazer and navy slacks—clothes designed to blend into the background. Nothing about her appearance commanded attention, except perhaps the Belgian Malinois service dog, Cipher, resting vigilantly at her feet.

Judge Lawrence Hargrove shuffled through documents with visible impatience, occasionally glancing up to study Ravenna through narrowed eyes. His reputation for efficiency preceded him. Cases in his courtroom moved quickly, especially those he deemed wastes of the taxpayers’ money.

«The state calls Dr. Octavia Wren,» announced prosecutor Elias Blackwood, a man whose tailored suit and perfect posture exuded confidence. Dr. Wren took the stand, adjusted her glasses, and directed her clinical gaze toward Ravenna.

«Dr. Wren, please explain to the court your professional assessment of the defendant,» Blackwood prompted.

«Ms. Thorne presents with severe PTSD and selective mutism, likely triggered by trauma,» Dr. Wren stated flatly. «However, her claims regarding military service with specialized units appear to be fabricated, a common coping mechanism where patients construct elaborate alternate identities.»

Ravenna’s face remained impassive, but her fingers moved almost imperceptibly beneath the table.

«And these delusions about classified operations,» Blackwood continued, «are consistent with paranoid ideation. There is no evidence supporting her claimed involvement in any such operations.»

From the gallery, Iris Mendel, Ravenna’s court-appointed defender, shifted uncomfortably. «Objection, Your Honor. Dr. Wren never had security clearance to verify—»

«Overruled,» Judge Hargrove cut in. «Unless you can produce evidence of these supposed classified operations, Counselor—»

Iris faltered. «My client’s service records appear to have been—»

«Redacted? Classified? Erased by government conspirators?» Judge Hargrove’s sarcasm drew scattered laughter from the courtroom. «I’ve heard this particular fantasy before, Ms. Mendel.»

Ravenna watched the exchange without expression, only the slight tightening of her jaw betraying any reaction. Beneath the table, Cipher pressed closer to her leg. When asked to speak on her own behalf, Ravenna opened her mouth, but no sound emerged. After several uncomfortable seconds, she scribbled something on a notepad, which Iris read aloud awkwardly.

«My client wishes to state that the operation in question remains classified, but Lt. Phineas Walker can verify elements of her service record.»

Lt. Walker’s testimony began promisingly but quickly unraveled under Blackwood’s cross-examination. «So you never actually served with Ms. Thorne directly?» Blackwood clarified.

«Not directly, no, but—»

«And you have no firsthand knowledge of this supposedly classified operation she claims involvement in?»

Walker hesitated. «The details of Operation Ghost—»

«Your Honor,» Blackwood interrupted, «this witness clearly has no relevant testimony to offer.»

Judge Hargrove nodded. «Unless you’re going to tell me the defendant is some kind of secret super-soldier, Lieutenant, I suggest we move on.» From the back of the courtroom, a distinguished older man with impeccable posture slipped in quietly and took a seat. His eyes never left Ravenna.

«The prosecution calls Specialist Rhodes,» Blackwood announced after Walker stepped down. Rhodes, a government expert on military records, took the stand with practiced efficiency.

«Specialist Rhodes, have you thoroughly reviewed all available military records pertaining to the defendant?» Blackwood asked.

«I have,» Rhodes confirmed. «There is no record of Ravenna Thorne serving in any special operations unit, nor any evidence supporting her claimed involvement in classified missions.»

«What about her basic service record?»

«There is documentation of Ms. Thorne’s initial enlistment and basic training, followed by a medical discharge due to psychological issues. Nothing more.»

Iris stood for cross-examination. «Specialist Rhodes, in your experience, are there circumstances where military personnel records might be deliberately obscured or classified?»

Rhodes shifted in his seat. «In extremely rare cases, yes. Such as involvement in covert operations.»

«Objection,» Blackwood called out. «Calls for speculation.»

«Sustained,» Judge Hargrove ruled without hesitation.

Iris pressed on. «Is it true that certain special operations units operate with documentation that would appear, to someone without proper clearance, as if the service member had been discharged?»

«Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is testifying.»

«Sustained. Ms. Mendel, unless you have evidence to support these theories, move on.»