nextgen_citizen (nextgen_citizen) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2012-11-20 21:27:00

Entry tags:

anya stark, bea dayspring, crosshairs, guardian, team - thunderbolts

Come to Order
"Now, in the interest of erring on the side of caution, this court will have none of 'the subject' or 'the product'. The being self-identifying as 'John 'Jack' Smith', will be referred to as 'him', or 'the individual' if the plaintiffs insist on being clinical." The judge cast a stern eye around the courtroom. There was more than a fair representation both of the Thunderbolts and the Leap Foundation. A few notable superheroes with impressive civilian credentials, such as Doctors Pym and Samson, were also on the witness list.

Some shuffling of papers and agreements are issued, before the lawyer for the Leap Foundation steps up.

"We call Beatrice Dayspring to the stand."

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	anyastark 2012-11-21 10:39 pm UTC (link)
	"You are misinformed," Anya said. "I do not own the property. The Maria Stark Foundation owns the property. I am merely a tenant as is Mr. Smith and the other residents." "Excuse me, could you show me these reports of conflicts? I do not recall any conflicts with the other tenants." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

no_relation
2012-11-21 10:57 pm UTC (link)

"So it's still a Stark name on the deed, then." Primm doesn't respond to being corrected about the matter of ownership any further.

"Exhibits 22 through 31, your honor." He moves over to the evidence table, coming very very close to Jack in the process, who visibly tenses. He doesn't look scared so much as ready for a fight.

Primm brings up a video file from a laptop, putting it onto a projector. Some highlights of various actions taken by the Thunderbolts are shown, the recurring theme being Jack posing for photos or signing autographs. On more than one occasion, he's physically pulled away. In one notable occasion, he seems to be the subject of an attack by The Armadillo.

"That doesn't mean I'm dangerous!" Jack stands up, yelling. His hands briefly turn the color of his costume.

"Young man, the court has not called on you to speak." The judge gives Jack a gentle warning, and he sits back down.

Primm looks smug, as he backs away from Jack cautiously. "Now, Miss Stark... would you say the footage in the videos is an accurate representation of the individual's behavior? The documentation the Leap Foundation surrendered to the court and opposing counsel clearly elaborates on the individual's base programming to serve as a marketing device."

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goesbothways
2012-11-22 12:24 am UTC (link)

Kelly grins.

"Your honor, for the second time, after being warned, Mr. Primm is testifying. He can ask the witness what the information shown on tape is- but he can't testify for her. Now, if Mr. Primm would like to take the witness stand, I would /love/ to cross examine him - if he really wants to be a witness THAT bad. Because he's sure not acting like a lawyer.

So, safe to say... objection, counsel is tesitfying. Your honor, would you please instruct counsel to stick to questions and facts in evidence, because if there's a third time, I'm going to move for a mistrial until Mr. Primm goes to law school."

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nextgen_citizen
2012-11-22 01:12 am UTC (link)

"Sustained." The judge nods, then folds his hands. "Mister Primm, I'm granting both parties a certain amount of leeway in these proceedings due to it's inherently unconventional nature, but I highly suggest you stop the theatrics and stick to standard questioning."

Primm doesn't respond, but clears his throat and nods. "Rephrasing.

Miss Stark, based on the footage in the video and your own interactions with the individual, do you feel i-- he is a source of conflict among your fellow tenants?"

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anyastark
2012-11-22 02:23 am UTC (link)

"Anything can be taken out of context to allow one to show what one wants," Anya said and took her handheld out of her pocket. A few strokes of the keyboard and she had access to Mr. Primm's laptop. "Now if you would have shown the entire footage your clip was from everyone would clearly see that Mr. Rodriguez wasn't attacking Mr. Smith, but the very big threat behind Mr. Smith." Anya put her handheld away.

"One short video taken out of context is no proof that Mr. Smith is a source of conflict among the Thunderbolts. If you have other proof of Mr. Smith being a source of conflict, I would like to see it and know exactly how it was obtained. The building in which I and the Thunderbolts live is private property and acquisition of any surveillance video or audio without a court order is a gross violation of the law and the Stark lawyers would be thrilled to press charges and take you and the Leap Foundation to court."

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nextgen_citizen
2012-11-22 02:50 am UTC (link)

Primm stares back at Anya for a moment. "The Leap Foundation, of course, has no surveillance material that would violate privacy laws.

Your honor, if you'd please direct the witness to answer the actual question?" He turns back to Anya. "Do you feel the individual is a source of conflict among you and/or your fellow tenants?"

The judge nods. "Please answer the question, Miss Stark."

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	anyastark 2012-11-22 12:31 pm UTC (link)
	"Of course you don't," she said. "Mr. Smith is not a threat or a source of conflict." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2012-11-22 06:05 pm UTC (link)
	Primm raises an eyebrow. "Could you please explain your opinion, Miss Stark? And in addition, do you feel the individual's behaviors are capable of change?" He moves towards the evidence table again, picking up a sheaf of papers. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2012-11-22 07:43 pm UTC (link)
	"My opinion? It's not an opinion. It's a fact. Mr. Smith has not done anything that is threatening or caused conflict within the building." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2012-11-24 05:57 pm UTC (link)
	Primm holds his tongue, eyes flicking briefly to the judge, before returning to Anya. "And do you feel his behavior truly exhibits a capacity for growth? The psych evaluation discussed by Miss Dayspring did state a lack of empathy and basic cognitive function in several areas." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2012-11-25 01:30 am UTC (link)
	"Mr. Smith is capable of learning." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2012-11-25 12:11 pm UTC (link)
	"Counselor, there is no precedence establishing that even full-on psychopathy changes an individual's status from 'sentient' to 'toaster.' Do you have any further questions for the witness?" Judge getting bored now. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2012-11-25 02:41 pm UTC (link)
	"No further questions for the witness, your honor." Primm returns to his table, and will call 'Professor Millia Graft', unless the opposing counsel wants to question Anya. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	goesbothways 2012-11-25 07:41 pm UTC (link)
	Since she seems to have filled in so far on knowledge of the law - even if she loves breaking it... and tweaking the opposing lawyer at every opportunity, Kelly steps back up. "Just one establishing question, and a possible follow up. During your tenure as the property owner, did the accused attempt to acquire a hat?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2012-11-25 08:16 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm not sure," Anya replied. "He may have purchased one. I will admit to not being around often since work keeps me moving around the globe." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	goesbothways 2012-11-25 08:43 pm UTC (link)
	"Thank you, no further questions." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2012-11-25 10:29 pm UTC (link)

Professor Graft takes the stand, and she and Primm go through a clearly premeditated and rehearsed discourse on the process of 'Project: Guardian's creation and implementation. She explains in detail how the neural imprinting system was not designed to create a fully independent intelligence, and how 'the individual''s behaviors so far have only been him responding within the parameters of his programming.

"Simply put, this lifeform was built specifically to avoid confusions such as we're trying to resolve today. He may be 'alive', but he is no more a person than the opponent in so many computer games."

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	no_relation 2012-11-25 10:31 pm UTC (link)
	And Jack, hearing all the discussion about his origin, and that final comment... just looks like he's going to cry. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	goesbothways 2012-11-25 11:18 pm UTC (link)
	"Suck it up." Kelly responds, but also making a point of saying it just loud enough to her 'client' to draw some attention to his emotional state, but quiet enough to theoretically be whispering advice to him. Then she looks back to the witness, smiling pleasantly and waiting for her turn. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2012-11-26 12:05 am UTC (link)
	"Thank you, Professor." Primm says confidently, sauntering away from the stand. "Your witness, counsel." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	goesbothways 2012-11-26 12:31 am UTC (link)
	"Professor Graft, had you previously studied any of the history of AI's or cloning intended to create unintelligent, programmable, but independently functioning beings, in your research towards the creation of our client?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2012-11-26 12:49 am UTC (link)

She nods. "Extensively. My doctoral dissertation was on the imprinting of informational algorithms into living brain-structures. I used the existing models of AI's as a template for translating those algorithms into the human brain's electrical impulses."

She points at Jack. "Project Guardian's physical makeup is as much brain-tissue as it is muscle-tissue, as we would know it. I used the same findings to translate those electrical impulses into his entire body, allowing for the simulation of independent thought and stimulus responses."

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	goesbothways 2012-11-26 01:14 am UTC (link)
	"Very good. Are you familiar with the Awesome Android? Ultron? The Vision? Any of the Weapon X cloning programs?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2012-11-26 01:22 am UTC (link)
	"Cloning isn't my forte. The Leap Foundation contracted with other scientists to help with the genetic cultivation process. I am familiar with those AI's, and their criminal records. Their behaviors were prime motivators for why the Foundation wanted their project's end result behaviors to be so closely controlled." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

goesbothways
2012-11-26 01:39 am UTC (link)

"And you're familiar with the Vision's long history as an Avenger, and numerous good works? Orthe Awesome Android's reform, and current active career? I trust you're also familiar with two of those AI's having achieved full recognized status as people?

Incidentally, all of those records have been submitted to the defense and this court as exhibits, and are freely available cases for precedent. What, precisely, makes Project Guardian different? Your degree of programming and control?"