Chief Justice Herman Pratt

Chief Justice Herman Pratt

Archetype: Paladin Leader

The corrupted authority figure with a hidden past

Pratt embodies the paladin leader archetype - the highest authority of law enforcement who commands respect and loyalty - but subverts it through his hidden connections to criminal elements and willingness to compromise justice for stability. His position as Chief Justice masks a complex history that includes ties to the Yakuza, revealing the thin line between law enforcement and organized crime in Horizon City.

Basic Information

• Full Name: Chief Justice Herman Pratt
• Aliases: None known
• Occupation: Head of the Horizon Justice Force
• Status: Deceased (committed suicide with Preston); banished (clone will not activate)

Physical Description

• Imposing authority figure
• Wears the distinguished uniform of the Chief Justice
• Likely older than most Judges
• Commands respect through presence and position
• Described as having a wife and two kids

Story Appearances

• Clone: Preston's superior; concerned about riots and public perception
• Judge: Forces Preston into rehab; threatens Preston with the "Johnson file"
• Solo: Has a history with Ren, the Yakuza leader; seeks Ren's help during the Hall of Justice crisis; agrees to add Preston and others to the banishment list; commits suicide with Preston

Connections

• Judge Preston: His subordinate; commits suicide with him; "We go back a long way"
• Ren Ishikawa: Yakuza leader with whom he has a history; seeks his help during crisis; "We're on the same side, that of what's best for Horizon"
• Horizon Justice Force: Commands the entire organization
• Horizon Appointment Council: Likely reports to them as part of the city's governance

Subversion of Archetype

Pratt subverts the paladin leader archetype in several key ways:

1. The Law Enforcer With Criminal Ties: His history with Ren reveals connections to organized crime, blurring the line between law enforcement and criminality.

2. The Authority Figure Who Seeks Help From Criminals: When faced with a crisis, he turns to the Yakuza rather than using official channels, revealing the interdependence of supposedly opposed forces.

3. The Protector Who Sacrifices His Own: Agrees to add Preston and others to the banishment list, betraying those under his command to maintain stability.

4. The Powerful Leader Who Chooses Death: Despite his position of authority, he commits suicide rather than fighting back when added to the banishment list, suggesting a recognition of larger forces at work.

Role in the Corporate Game

Pratt functions as a major piece who believes he's a player but is ultimately just another pawn. As Chief Justice, he appears to have significant power, but his actions reveal that he operates within constraints set by corporate interests. His concern with public perception and riots shows his primary role is maintaining stability for the benefit of those truly in power. His history with Ren suggests a complex web of compromises made throughout his career. His suicide with Preston represents his final removal from the board when he becomes more liability than asset.

Notable Quotes

• "The public can't know about this." - Revealing his prioritization of stability over truth in Clone
• "I'm putting you on mandatory rehab, Preston." - Exercising authority over his subordinate in Judge
• "We go back a long way, Ren." - Hinting at his complex history with the Yakuza leader in Solo
• "I'm not sure I can let you leave this room if you aren't in handcuffs." - Threatening Preston during the Hall of Justice crisis in Solo
• "I got a wife and two kids, you know." - Expressing his personal stake in the crisis to Preston in Solo