"All right, first, let us thank Mr. Bu Lai for his truthful testimony. Is there anything else you would like to add?"
The Superpowered Crime Review Board had convened a hearing on the criminal charges against Nova, Richard Rider. Since Bu Lai had witnessed the incident firsthand, the United States Government had invited him to give an honest account of what had happened.
Brad finished his testimony in a flat voice, his head lowered slightly, as though he could not quite bring himself to meet Richard's eyes. As Richard passed him in handcuffs, he patted Brad on the shoulder.
"It's all right. I committed that crime in a moment of impulse. It had nothing to do with you. You did well. You have what it takes to become a true hero."
Richard had taken off his Nova Corps helmet and armor and wore a gray prison uniform. His eyes were bloodshot, his face lined with wrinkles, and even his hair was a tangled mess.
Clearly, Richard had suffered intense inner torment during his time in custody.
Not everyone could bear the psychological gulf between being a superhero admired by millions and becoming a murderer condemned by everyone.
The cosmic Nova Corps had once been renowned throughout the Andromeda Galaxy. As a centurion of the Xander Military Interstellar Corps, Richard often recalled those past days while gazing at the scenery beyond the iron bars.
He was a superhero, a champion of justice. So when he committed a crime, he had to surrender and await the law's judgment, lest he betray the convictions of his former self.
Richard left the hearing hall in handcuffs. Brad stared absently at his retreating figure. The many superheroes in the gallery-most of them friends Richard had made-saw Brad's dejected expression and rose to comfort him.
Whatever