Chit would have been frightened by the electrodes and wires taped to
various parts of his body if it hadn't been for the sheer absurdity of
the reverence with which the two ninjas operated the suspiciously
pizza-shaped device. But somehow he managed to stifle his giggles.

"Now," the white robed ninja said, "All is in readiness. Are you prepared
for your trial?"

"No," Chit said.

"[giggle] Correct. And how lucky for you that you were. For the Sacred
Wheel would know if you lied."

"And then what?"

"And then it *kills* you, Chit!" Kara called out from the cell, "I've
heard about this! They keep asking questions until..."

"Until you prove yourself guilty. [flick]"

"Or innocent," Chit added, "right?"

"[whiskertwitch] Indeed. Are you ready to begin?"

"Sure."

"What is your name?"

Chit was silent.

"Well?"

"That's irrelevant," Chit said at last, cringing slightly. But the Sacred
Wheel failed to strike him dead.

"So it is. Who do you work for?"

"Just *ask* it already!" Chit said, tail writhing in the straps. "For
god's sake!"

The white robe ninja smiled. "The wheel is infallible, Chit. You have
nothing to fear, unless you don't know your own name. [grin] But, if you
insist, I will get straight to the point."

"But master..."

"What, Hopper?"

"The trial is supposed..."

"This trial is not held for your amusement, Hopper."

Red-robe looked ashamed. "No, master."

"Why is it held, Hopper?"

"You know that, master."

"Yes, I do. Do you?"

"We hold this squirrel trial for *your* amusement, master. And if it
amuses you to end it quickly, it is no affair of mine. [meekflick]"

"No, Hopper, that is wrong. We hold this trial because we *must* know
if we truly end it by killing this Chit. I will not see our comrades'
murderer walk free."

"I understand, master."

"Then repeat it."

"Excuse me," Chit said, "But could we just get this over with?"

"Yes," the white-robed ninja said, "We could. [sigh] And I suppose we
shall. Two assassins were sent after you. Can you deny this?"

"Er..."

"Sorry, my fault. [giggle] Were two assassins sent after you?"

"Yes."

"Those two assassins did not return. Were they killed?"

"Yes."

"Did you kill them."

"No."

"Who killed them?"

"Look, I proved I'm innocent, can I go now?"

"Who killed them?"

"I'm not telling you anything else. You know what you need to know to
know I'm not the one you're looking for."

White-robe blinked. "I would think that bravado, Chit, were it not for
the Wheel." Chit blinked. Oh, yeah, the wheel. "But, since you seem
determined... we shall end the trial here. Hopper, remove the prisoner
from the Sacred Wheel."

Red robe fumed. "We *will* find the murderer." Chit just barely managed
to keep his mouth shut. There are times, he noted with some surprise, 
when sarcasm is a bad idea.