Chapter One There was a large clunk and the distant grumble of motors as the kevlar re-inforced tungsten steel doors hissed their dramatic way open. Dawson stepped into a darkened passage, where he checked in with another guard before being shown to Cell 23. The prisoner was waiting for him there, that blue diamond that acted as his eye coming into view as he used his powered wheelchair to get closer. Yes, very unusual design, thought Daw-son, one could see the associations instantly. "Who, or rather what are you?" demanded the prisoner with an electronically enhanced rasp. Dawson could at least confirm the initial reports of a humanoid creature, akin to homo-sapiens in most respects apart from some minor internal details, who had undergone some radical life-preserving... "I said who or what are you?" Dawson's face made a smile. " I am Sub-judicial unit DA120304WS3949SON TR12-3-405-ooooppp but you can call me Daw-son. I am your appointed legal represenative ." "You are a...robot?" the prisoner croaked electronically. What was left of its face broke into a malicious grimace. Daw-son felt a chill go down his spine. "I prefer the term Autonomous Second Generation Artificial Life-Form: the word Robot means slave, so I understand." "Yes," the creature inspected him carefully. "And why was it deemed, appropriate to hand over my defence to an artificial life form?" "The ramifications of your trial have affected nearly every species in the known universe," said Daw-son in matter of fact tones. "In order to avoid accusations of bias in the delivery of justice the Earth authorities felt it necessary that your legal consule..." "And when did I order this consule? I can't remember putting in a request for legal representation?" The creature seemed to frown heavily at Daw-son who noted a slight subjective decrease in ambient temprature. "You have not; but your lack of interest in co-operating in the proceedings has meant that the Ministry of Justice felt it necessary to appoint a..." "Ministry of Justice!" the Prisoner spat angrily. "A pathetic panel of pious pen-pushers who haven't decided yet what they are going to charge me with!" "And that is why I am here today. They have fixed a date for your arraignment at 10:00 East-Lunar time tomorrow." Daw-son inspected the cell. It was a simple cube with a view screen attached to one wall. The prisoners needs were almost entirely catered for by his artificial chair which also acted as his life-support mechanism. "So, first things first, can you confirm your identity for me please." "Confirm my identity!" screeched the prisoner angrily. "You must know who I am, I am your prisoner, I am Davros, last of the Kaled Race and Creator of the Daleks! I am Davros!" Daw-son sighed; that was one line of defence thrown out of the window. If the prisoner had kept his mouth shut then the prosecution would have no way of verifying who or what this creature was. Until a year ago no one had heard of Davros or knew what a Kaled was. They were acquainted with Daleks (unfortunately) and the Thals had an embassy on Earth. But Kaleds? Only recently had it emerged that this was the race whom the Daleks had alledgedly evolved from and that this person sat before Daw-son's eyes was responsible for transforming one to another. Not only that but he didn't seem to show any remorse for his actions either, this was going to be one hell of a case to fight. Credits: Redfern for Davros Chair, Cranial array and Eye. Raw for Gad Texture Sparkyworld for M3 Vorg texture Awfulsoul for Gothic Prison and Room prop.