Judge Scott Esquire Preston

Archetype: Paladin

The corrupted law enforcer who believes in justice despite his flaws

Preston embodies the paladin archetype - the warrior of justice who upholds the law - but subverts it by being deeply corrupted while still genuinely believing in justice. His excessive force against "mixers," alcoholism, and compromised ethics exist alongside a sincere desire to solve crimes and protect order, creating a complex character who represents the contradictions of law enforcement in Horizon City.

Basic Information

• Full Name: Judge Scott Esquire Preston
• Aliases: None known
• Occupation: Horizon Justice Force Judge
• Status: Deceased (committed suicide with Chief Justice Pratt); banished (clone will not activate)

Physical Description

• Wears black armored Horizon Justice Force uniform
• Helmeted head with impenetrable visor
• Signs of alcoholism and stress
• Described as hardened by years of service
• Commanding voice through amplified speakers
• Carries standard Judge equipment including stunstick and sidearm

Story Appearances

• Clone: Investigates the Johnson murders; works with the clone Richard to uncover the truth
• Judge: Traumatized by the events at the crime scene where his partner Jim is killed; discovers Tim's underground lab; interrogates Tim/John Doe
• Ripper Doc: Visits Tim at the Hack 'n Slash clinic; accepts a bribe to provide information about the Ancients
• Solo: Suspected of working with the Sinners; added to the clone banishment list; commits suicide with Chief Justice Pratt

Connections

• Jim Alexander: Partner who is killed by the transformed Hammer
• Chief Justice Herman Pratt: Superior who forces him into rehab; commits suicide with him; "We go back a long way"
• Richard/Richard Johnson: Investigates his murder; works with his clone
• Tim/John Doe: Discovers his underground lab; interrogates him; has a complex adversarial relationship; Tim treated an injury for him off the record
• Hiro Fujita: Professional courtesy despite not being aligned
• Big Pappa: Suspected of working with the Sinners under his leadership

Subversion of Archetype

Preston subverts the paladin archetype in several key ways:

1. The Corrupt Enforcer Who Believes in Justice: Despite his excessive force against "mixers" and questionable ethics, Preston genuinely wants to solve crimes and maintain order.

2. The Alcoholic Judge Who Sees Clearly: His addiction and PTSD don't prevent him from perceiving truths that others miss, suggesting his flaws may actually give him insight.

3. The System's Agent Who Questions the System: While enforcing the laws of Horizon City, Preston increasingly doubts the justice of those laws and the institutions he serves.

4. The Powerful Figure Who Chooses Death: Rather than using his position to fight back when added to the banishment list, Preston chooses suicide, suggesting a final recognition of the system's inescapable corruption.

Role in the Corporate Game

Preston functions as a pawn who occasionally moves in unexpected ways. As a Judge, he enforces corporate interests disguised as law, but his investigations sometimes threaten to expose inconvenient truths. His suicide with Pratt represents his final removal from the board when he becomes more liability than asset. His genuine belief in justice makes him dangerous to a system built on injustice, even as he serves that system.

Notable Quotes

• "I am the law." - Standard Judge declaration, increasingly hollow as he recognizes systemic corruption
• "Something's not right about this case." - Showing his investigative instincts despite institutional pressure
• "Jim deserved better than this." - Reflecting on his partner's death and the system's indifference
• "Stop, or I'll shoot!" - Before executing a criminal on Red level in Ripper Doc
• "It was good working with you, Herman." - His final words to Chief Justice Pratt before their suicide in Solo