Polish Revolt part 5, The Hangman's Escalation

February 10th 2093, Trial of Samuel “Sammy” Kozlowski:

The courtroom in downtown Warsaw is silent as a judge reads off the verdict, 17 year old Samuel Kozlowski, or “Sammy” as friends call him stands accused of participating in a raid against a Ukrainian weapons depot in Poland. The raid did not go as planned and they were betrayed resulting in most of Samuel’s rebel unit being killed while trying to escape, Samuel specifically is to be charged with the death of a Ukrainian MP during the firefight

Judge: Mr Kozlowski, please stand as I read the verdict reached by this Jury

Kozlowski refuses to stand for the Ukrainian judge or face the Jury

Judge: Bailiff, I do believe Mr Kozlowski is refusing to stand

Bailiff: Ay sir

The Bailiff grabs Samuel and forces him to stand up and face the Judge

Judge: That's better, now to read this verdict

The Judge opens the Note by the Jury and almost seems to feel sorry for Kozlowski

Judge: I am sorry Mr Kozlowski, but the Jury finds you guilty of treason against the state and the murder of a military officer, crimes punishable by death. You have 15 days to settle any debts and make your peace with yourself and your family/friends. May whatever god you may worship take pity on you.

Kozlowski is then marched out of the courtroom and almost seems like he knew his time was up from the beginning, he does not turn to face the jury that sealed his fate

February 25th, hallway leading to the garage and transport vehicle that will take Kozlowski to his hanging site:

One of the guards leading Kozlowski turns to face him as he exits his cell

Guard: You know I did a little research on you, Valedictorian, football captain, girlfriend, popular in school, scholarship promise, you truly had it all, but you decided to turn traitor and for what end, I pity you and hope whatever you really fought for was worth it.

Kozlowski smirks and climbs into the truck

The Hanging site as hundreds of people watch:

Kozlowski is lead up the gallows by two police and a priest, once the rope is around his neck, the priest gives Kozlowski his last rites and the officers ask if Kozlowski has any last words prompting him to speak up

Kozlowski: I hope the promise of safety was worth knowing that you and your government have murdered hundreds of people simply fighting for freedom, my friends, family and ancestors smile at me, can all of you loyalists say the same. With that being said, I give my love to all those that have been with me and supported me throughout my life, it's been a short one but a happy one.

As Kozlowski goes silent and has the black hood put on, a presumed group of friends try to push through the crowd but are too late as the hangman pulls the lever and kills Kozlowski

Officer 1: It's almost tragic in a way, don’t you think. I honestly kinda hate this job, don’t you two

Officer 2: Yeah, I wonder if early retirement is still allowed in the force

Before the hangman can respond a bullet pierces his head and guards all around start to look for the shooter as soldiers and upper class Ukrainians who came to watch are gunned down and people are scattering everywhere. Makeshift armored cars with machine guns on top roll up into the plaza and dozens of armed rebels climb out some even carrying grenade launchers, they begin rounding up Ukrainian Soldiers and “nobles” who oversaw the brutal execution, suddenly the rebellion leader Marek Wojcik steps out and grabs a Ukrainian news reporter, steals her microphone and steps in front of the broadcasting camera

Marek: Hello Ukraine, hello mr Soviets, and hello Soriano II, mr war hero or should I say criminal himself, Mr Tytovsky

He points at the gallows

Marek: This little rebellion as you called it, was never supposed to get to the point of murdering actual kids, but you had to send a message, you had to kill a 17 year old who thought he could make a change, so since you’ve proven that Greater Ukraine and the URS are simply becoming  Lunoria Empire part two, consider this a declaration of war. A war that the Free people of Poland will not lose, send all the troops you want, throw everything you can at us, because we aren't holding back either. 

Marek then takes his pistol and shoots the broadcasting camera before ordering that his troops give the loyalist troops one chance to change sides or die for their country shooting any who refuse. 

Marek: Brutality for brutality, let those Lunorian scum learn that their evil will never be forgotten

He turns to the friends of the dead 17 year old and hands each of them a rifle

Marek: I see you want revenge, so I welcome you to the Polish Liberation, let's take our home back

After finishing their attack and gaining recruits where they can, the rebels all make a swift exit and begin fighting their way out of the city