Marina invited Tippy and Karella to join the farm party as they served no real purpose in the hospital. If Vellina came up with any new ideas, they could return. They agreed so Tippy went to pack up his belongings. Karella was still vacant but seemed content to follow Tippy around and do as he told her. She checked Vellina who looked well but tired. They talked for a while and then Marina sedated her to guarantee she would sleep.
Bromarsh had more to think about while he returned to the Internal Security Department with Marina. Belabeza had already packed her and Adelza’s things and was checking out of hospital. Marina gave them a lift to their apartment, promising to send Charles to pick them up that evening.
Charles popped in briefly to Marina’s office. “Charles, will you drive those going to the farm for me; deliver them to the farm tonight. I’ll be delayed but will join them tomorrow. Return early in the morning to accompany Bromarsh to headquarters, please.”
Bromarsh was reading the report, preparing a comprehensive opinion on it took him several hours. Meanwhile Marina worked on, but she could not decide what to do about Riyal.
“If I let him off unpunished then other personable young men will emulate him. Zenina can’t afford the consequences of being flooded with that muck. If we charge him with the illegal import of 90 percent pure Kurgian treacle, he’ll be deported, with no return, or more probably sold at auction. If Zadina is on court rota, he might be executed for the stupidity of getting caught, if she doesn’t decide to enslave him herself.”
Klivina had acquired Cucat that way. Cucat had been involved in a serious brawl between Zigan space crew and Kurgian space crew. Three Kurgians and one Zigan were left dead. Cucat along with others were brought before Klivina. Most were ordered to be flogged or flogged and deported to Zeninan colonies.
Klivina took a fancy to Cucat. She ordered him flogged and sold at auction. After the auction Cucat found he had been purchased by the judge. This particular piece of corruption was typical of Klivina, who belonged to none of the factions seeking the throne, but could be bought by any of them for a time.
Chapter Fifteen - Summary Justice
Marina entered Riyal’s cell carrying a tray of food. “I’ve brought you something to eat, Riyal,” she said to him.
“Marina, how did you find out I was here?”
“I’ve known for some hours but I’ve been busy so I could not visit you.”
“It’s very kind of you to bother. How long do you think they’ll keep me?”
“I’m responsible for you being here. I was in the Internal Security Department this morning; I remembered I hadn’t arranged to see you again. I didn’t know where to contact you and was too busy to search mentally for you. I asked an officer to delay your ship saying I wished to speak to you. My request was misunderstood. She thought I knew something against you or you’d offended me. So she set out to provide me with proof of your guilt. I didn’t tell her we’d been sexually active together. It puts me in a difficult position. I can hardly reprimand her for over enthusiasm considering what was found on your ship. It’s a great embarrassment to me.”
“I don’t suppose they’d believe me if I told them I didn’t know what the cargo was?”
“Evidence in Zeninan courts is given in mind-link. If you lie to the judge, she’ll probably increase the punishment. Which of your grandparents was Zeninan?”
“I can’t see how it matters, but my mother’s mother is Zeninan.”
“It matters because under Zeninan law, the child of a Zeninan woman is considered Zeninan. As your maternal grandmother was Zeninan, in law so was your mother and so are you. You’d be treated as Zeninan in court; no allowance will be made for your Kurgian blood or upbringing, or that you’ve not reached colour-change.”
“What sentence will I get, if I am found guilty?”
“You are guilty, Riyal. I can’t change that. If you are arraigned on “Conspiracy to commit treason or disrupt Zeninan Society”, the penalty is death, though you can choose the method. You could appeal and might get it commuted to a flogging and deportation to a planet of the judge’s choice. Or perhaps to a flogging and being sold. If you’re found guilty of “Importing an illegal substance into Zenina”, you could expect either of the last two sentences.”
“Is there any way you could get me off? You must know the Director of Internal Security; can you ask her to let me off?”
“I know the Director very well. We go whoring together. She understands how embarrassing this is for me. If I’d gone home to my own bed this morning, I wouldn’t be in this awful position. She thinks you should be punished and it will be an abuse of power to let you go unpunished. I’m furious with myself for being involved in all this. I cannot but deplore your actions. The cargo you carried was despicable. The damage it could do in Zenina is unthinkable. Smiling at me charmingly does not lessen the gravity of the offence you’ve committed. I should insist you’re made an example of, so others don’t emulate you. Your public execution would discourage others from bringing illegal narcotics into Zenina.”
“You won’t help me then? I’m sorry for what I’ve done, but I don’t suppose that is much use now.”
“Your penitence might be seen as a mitigating factor and reduce your sentence. You should feel sorry for what you did. I considered leaving you to rot without visiting you, but decided I shouldn’t be allowed to avoid the consequences of my actions either. So when you’re charged. I will speak in your defence. You should avoid execution and deportation at least. Then I suppose I best try to buy you. I do not like keeping slaves and own only one. He won’t be pleased by your addition to my household. I wouldn’t be allowed to free you for a minimum of ten years. It’ll look like corruption and hypocrisy on my part, but I’ll have to accept the gossip and taunts.”
“Is there anything I can do to avoid deportation or slavery? You are right I suppose I should be punished, but I didn’t really consider the consequences. We were offered so much money to bring the stuff in that it turned our heads. I voted against it, but my officers were unanimous in deciding to carry the cargo. I should’ve dissociated myself from it, but I accepted the majority vote.”
“I think the best thing you can do is write a full and frank confession and self-criticism, perhaps if you appeal to the Director for clemency, she will accept your contrition. She could punish you summarily without going through the courts. You couldn’t then be punished again for this crime. If you are genuinely sorry she might let you off with a flogging.”
“Do you think it really might work?”
“She doesn’t like to be influenced by personal interests. The Internal Security Department would seek assurances you would not repeat this action or act again against the interests of Zenina. The Director will be incensed if she is merciful and you re-offended. She’d be forced to prosecute you personally and your execution guaranteed.”
“I’ll write it, can you arrange for pen and paper?”
“I will ask.” Marina went to the door, returning with a block of paper and pens.
“I’ll leave you to eat your supper and write then,” she said.
“Won’t you kiss me first, at least?” he pleaded.
“You don’t deserve kisses, you deserve a flogging. Oh the Director is a stickler for presentation. Your best handwriting and perfect grammar might help. She can read Kurgian.”
“Do you have to go already?” He put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, attempting to kiss her.
“You do realise everything you do in this cell is seen by the guards, don’t you?” she said slipping from his embrace.
“Let them watch, please don’t leave me yet. If you will not forgive me, what chance will I have with the Director?”
“Unless you can convince her, you are no longer a risk to Zenina. I guess very little. I’ll try and see you later,” and she left.
Riyal sat and attempted to compose his confession and apology for his action. He covered five sides of paper, reread it and
tore it up. It had not convinced even him. It took four attempts before he was satisfied with the wording and then he rewrote it in his finest hand. He had been relieved Marina had not cast him off completely, but surprised she was as angry as she appeared to be.
Kurgian treacle was a widely-used recreational drug with few unpleasant side effects so Riyal could not understand why there was such a big thing about it. He did not take stimulants other than alcohol and caffeine himself, but many Zeninans did without ill effect. Admittedly other governments disapproved of treacle, because it could be eaten or smeared on the body like vanishing cream. Innocents had been smeared without them realising what was happening.
He called the guard and asked politely for his confession to be taken to the Director. He ate his first meal of the day cold and waited. Marina had been busy whilst Riyal composed his epic. Fenzela was waiting for her.
“We have found the man Maz; do you want to see him?”
“Please have him brought to my office.”
Maz was brought in with his hands chained behind him. He had a shock of black hair and bright green eyes. He was of moderate height, but with a look of strength about him. He was deeply tanned but had not changed colour. Marina indicated to the guards to unbind his hands and leave. Marina directed Maz to a chair and suggested he be seated. She seated herself behind her desk picking up Maz’s file. Maz remained standing and glared at Marina.
After a few minutes he considered his position. He was not chained and there was only Marina and no guards. He tried the door; it was locked. The open windows looked out into an internal courtyard, but a force shield across the window prevented his escape through them. He walked to the adjourning room which contained a few cupboards and a bed, the last door was to a bathroom. Escape was impossible so he returned to Marina. She finished with his file and stood to face him.
“Come here,” she ordered and he came wondering why he was obeying.
“I want to look at your mind.” She said moving towards him so he was less than a pace away. She started her examination of his mind and he put up no real resistance to her entrance, but after a few minutes his right hand reached out and brutally grabbed at her breast squeezing and twisting the flesh. She ignored his action continuing with her mental evaluation. He moved closer still and his hands groped her body crudely. Still she made no comment. He lifted her up and carried her to the other room, throwing her on the bed.
She did not protest or resist when he removed her garment and stripped off his own. She lay back passively accepting his mounting and placing her arms loosely around his neck. He was quick, rough and far from considerate. He lay panting on her when he finished. He was pinning her down, but she gently lifted him off from her and sat up.
“I wondered whether you were mentally unstable or unsuited to life as a slave. I find you perfectly sane, I believe you’ll settle down to slavery once you’ve been properly trained.”
“I won’t be told what to do by any woman, Chenza couldn’t make me and neither can you.”
“You’re wrong. I am not satisfied. I want a repeat performance now, please.”
“Go and do it to yourself!”
“Come here,” he found himself obeying though she was not shimmering.
“Make love to me.” His body made no response.
“I said make love to me.”
“I can’t.”
“I don’t think you’re trying. I can persuade you to try harder.”
She reached out her left hand and brushed his wrist lightly. His body stung all over as if his skin was burning.
“Now concentrate,” she said.
“It hurts, stop it,” he whimpered. She increased the pressure a little.
“I am waiting Maz. I don’t wish to hurt you, but you must learn obedience.”
The pain was increasing but in spite of himself he found he was erect again. She removed her hand from his wrist.
“I speeded up your circulation temporarily. Do not keep me waiting again.”
He mounted her warily, but proceeded in a similar manner as before, her arms gently around his neck. The pain started again.
“What have I done wrong now?”
“I am not enjoying this, make me enjoy it!”
The session was very painful but only for Maz. He tried to hit her a few times but the pain only increased leaving him screaming. By the time Marina finished with him, he knelt in her presence and addressed her as ‘ma’am.’ Maz had learnt a little of the respect that is the cornerstone of a good slave-mistress relationship. When Riyal’s confession arrived he was sent to the cells.
Marina read it and called Fenzela. Fenzela entered promptly and Marina tossed her Riyal’s confession. Fenzela read it, chortling over a few phrases.
“Do you realise he doesn’t know I’m Director?”
“Yes, I watched your interview with him; it was a truly commanding performance. I don’t know how you kept a straight face. He is panicking about what will happen to him.”
“What will happen to him?”
“You’ll let him off with a warning, I expect now you’ve frightened him.”
“So you don’t think I should have him flogged?”
Fenzela did not answer and tried to block her first response to that question. It was probably not a good idea to suggest to the Director she ought to order punishment for her lover. It wasn’t the way to endear a man to you, if he was worth keeping. But Marina persisted.
“So how would you deal with him if you were sitting in my chair?”
“I don’t know how to answer you, ma’am.”
“I am surprised Fenzela, I expected you to demand he be punished. Isn’t that the correct answer?”
“Yes ma’am, but...”
“But?”
“But, I got the impression you found him pleasing?”
“I do, very pleasing!”
“Pleasing enough to want him again?”
“Definitely.”
“Yet you really intend to flog him?”
“Not personally, but I shall watch.”
“But he will find out you are Director, he’ll be furious with you for tricking him.”
“I’ve told him no lies, Marina is angry with him, so is the Director of Internal Security. He’ll find out they are the same person soon, but will be more careful in future. He may see the funny side of it afterwards, I hope.”
“He’ll expect to see the Director.”
“She is unavailable and has deputized the Prosecuting Officer to deal with the matter.”
“The Prosecuting Officer? But that is me!”
“Don’t you want to play the farce out?”
“May I? Thank you, I’ll enjoy it. What exactly do you want me to do?”
Half an hour later, Riyal was escorted to Marina’s office. Fenzela sat behind Marina’s desk, reading through a report on the now practically clear desk. Fenzela turned a page and read on for a few minutes. She glanced up at the waiting Riyal. He was still naked and a guard stood beside him. Fenzela dismissed the guard and put the report to one side. She picked up Riyal’s confession and flicked to its third page.
Without offering him a seat, she asked him whether he wished to be dealt with summarily by the Department or formally charged and tried in court.
“I would prefer to be dealt with summarily by you, Director.”
“I am not the Director; she felt under the circumstances of your case, it would be better if I dealt with you. I am the Prosecuting Officer in your case, my name is Fenzela. I gave the order for your ship to be searched. The Director felt if I acted for the Department, the accusation of favouritism wouldn’t stand. I have read your confession, as has the Director and I’ve had the benefit of her advice.”
“I’ve been given full authority to deal with you as I think correct. Before you decide whether you wish me to deal with you or not, it would be fair to tell you I’m not convinced of your sincerity in confessing your guilt. I haven’t noticed a realisation of
the damage your stupidity and greed could have wrecked in Zenina.”
“I’m truly sorry I’ve broken Zeninan law, but would it have been that terrible? Many Zeninans take recreational drugs quite legally. I have never taken treacle myself, but those who take it don’t seem to be worse affected than by other drugs which are permitted in Zenina.”
“The effect would be catastrophic. Other recreational drugs may have hallucinogenic euphoric properties like treacle. They may increase the sexual drive like treacle, though why any Zeninan should want an aphrodisiac, I fail to understand. If our people wish to believe they’re flying or see pretty coloured caterpillars crawling over themselves, we’re not greatly concerned. Nor do we interfere if they drink or drug themselves into stupor in their leisure time. The Zeninan psyche can shake off the effects in a few hours.”
“The effects of treacle on Zeninans, is it dampens telepathic communication. On some susceptible individuals the effects of the drug can linger to upwards of seven days. Do you understand why Princess Marina was so angry?”
“Yes, I think I do, in the hands of an enemy it could be used as a weapon. Will Princess Marina forgive me? I wish there were something I could do to make amends for my folly.”
“Are you prepared to accept my judgement on this matter?”
“Yes, I’d rather get it over with, whatever you decide I will accept it.”
“I sentence you to thirty strokes on the charge of bringing illegal substances into Zenina. You’ll be freed after the flogging at which your officers will be present.”
“Are you prepared to accept the punishment I have set?”
“I suppose so. When will sentence be carried out?”
“In about an hour’s time, we wait only for your officers to be fetched. Will you sign this paper please? Read it first.”
Heroine of Zenina Page 10