Freedom

by Maureen Toonkel

  “Are you sure?” asked Marlana. “You didn’t sleep much either.”

  “No, but I did get more shut-eye than you.”

  “All right. There’s something I need to do anyway. See you in a bit.”

  Marlana walked over to the Guard House. Things had slowed down. Dr. Monroe had completed triaging the long line of Brisulans. There was still an occasional straggler but for the most part his work was done. He was now out assisting with the inoculations. Marlana found what she was looking for, an empty cardboard box that had once contained a supply of bandages. She had cut some holes in each of the four sides of the box before tucking it away behind a wooden beam in the Guard House. Taking the box with her, she jogged over to the Golf Course. Joban and Fabiana were on duty there assisting with caring for the patients—changing soiled linen, refilling cups of water, helping patients eat soup, routinely taking patients for their walks, and carrying out any other tasks requested of them.

  “Hi Joban,” greeted Marlana.

  “Good morning, Dr. Berg,” said Joban in a cheerful voice. He seemed to really be enjoying his work.

  “You seem quite happy these last couple of days.”

  “Yes, I am in very good spirits. It is so gratifying to see all the slaves and the good citizens of Brisula being treated so humanely and to know that they now can look forward to their freedom. I am humbled to be able to be a part of their recovery.”

  “Would you accompany me on an errand?” asked Marlana.

  “Certainly. Where to?”

  “You’ll see. Fabiana can come, too, if she would like.”

  The three of them exited the Golf Course and headed north on the 7 Passageway. They chatted mostly about the patients and the care they still needed. After crossing the Traffic Corridor, Marlana pointed to the left.

  “Are we going to the Apartments or did you need to dispose of that box in the Garbage?” asked Joban.

  “The Apartments,” smiled Marlana. “I want to check on the Flax children. I thought you might like to see Salton before we head out.” They arrived at the Flax home, and Dr. Berg knocked on the door. After a few moments, Salton appeared.

  “Dr. Berg, welcome,” greeted the tall slave. “Are you here to see the twins? They are doing so much better.”

  “Yes, I would like to check up on the children,” answered Marlana. “And, as you can see, I brought along a couple of your friends. I thought you might enjoy their company while I am busy with Tommie and Tossie.”

  “That was most kind of you,” said Salton. He directed Joban and Fabiana to the kitchen where he told them to wait. Then he escorted Dr. Berg to the children’s room. She was greeted by two cheerful and giggling, young children who were dangling a pebble tied to a string. Below the string, Penelope was standing on her hind legs swatting at the moving pebble.

  Returning to the kitchen, Salton stood for a minute scrutinizing his former slave mates. A part of him envied them. They were dressed in clean well-tailored clothes, uniforms matching those of the Captain and the other officers from the Gladiator. Joban’s hair was neatly trimmed and Fabiana’s tangles were replaced by precision-styled, wavy, black curls. He had never seen them looking so happy. Joban especially appeared to be quite content, sprouting a huge smile as he sat on the rickety kitchen chair, holding Fabiana’s hand. The Joban he knew would have been pacing the floor making plans on how to escape. That, of course, was not how it was before they became slaves on Brisula. Back on Pila when they were cops walking the beat together, Joban was energetic, care-free, dedicated to his job, and quite happy with life. On the flip side, he was the low-key partner, yet nervous and always worried about doing things by the book.

  Joban noticed Salton standing motionless in the doorway. He got up and gave his partner a big hug.

  “Man, it is good to see you again,” said Joban, releasing Salton from the tight hug.

  “Yes, I am glad to see you too. And you also, Fabiana. You look quite well.”

  “So, are you ready to leave this planet?” asked Joban. “You know all of the slaves have been freed and will shortly be evacuated.”

  “I have no plans to leave. I will just keep things the way they are now.”

  “But you are a free man. Colonel Flax cannot order you to remain his servant.”

  “He isn’t ordering me to stay. I want to.”

  “But why?” questioned a bewildered Joban. “Why stay here when you can return home?”

  “I like it here. I have a responsibility to the Flax family.”

  “That is nonsense. Our master can find another servant. You have your life waiting for you back on Pila.”

  “Tell him about the call,” inserted Fabiana.

  “Oh yes,” said Joban. “The Captain let us make intergalactic phone calls to our parents. I told my parents to let your parents know that you are fine. I asked them about Lydana. They said that she has never gotten over your disappearance. She believes you are coming home to her. She has not moved on as she is still waiting for you.”

  “Are you serious?” asked a stunned Salton. “Or are you just making this up?”

  “Hey, man, I would never be that cruel. I am telling you exactly what my mother told me. She has no reason to lie. Besides, you know my mom, she is not that type of person.”

  “But why would Lydana still be waiting for me? She is beautiful, intelligent, and funny. A great catch for any guy. I was sure that by now she would be married with children.”

  “Obviously she loves you very much,” said Fabiana.

  “I suppose. And I have never stopped loving her or longing for her, but I don’t think I can leave Brisula.”

  Dr. Berg entered the kitchen at that moment with Penelope in her arms. She picked up the empty cardboard box that she had left in the kitchen. Although Penelope squirmed and tried to resist, the doctor managed to get the cat into the box and close the top. Penelope promptly stuck a paw out of one of the holes and tapped the doctor’s hand in a gesture indicating she wanted out.

  “I overheard some of your conversation,” admitted the doctor. Turning to face Salton, she said, “There is a condition commonly known as Stockholm syndrome. It derived its name in 1973 from an event in Stockholm, Sweden involving four hostages taken during a bank robbery. In that incident, the hostages ended up defending their captors and refusing to testify against them. In cases like this, the individuals being taken into captivity form a bond with the captors. It is basically a coping mechanism that psychologically assists the victims to survive their ordeal. The hostages develop strong positive feelings toward the kidnappers including expressing sympathy for their beliefs and actions. They can even exhibit negative feelings toward authorities who are trying to help, such as the police and social workers. The condition is rare; perhaps less than ten percent of victims suffer from it. At one time the legitimacy of the disorder was debated, but now it is a fully recognized psychological condition. The symptoms usually continue after release but can be minimized and even eliminated with counseling and medication.”

  “You think I have this condition?” questioned Salton.

  “Yes, you are exhibiting all of the characteristic symptoms and behaviors of Stockholm syndrome.”

  “I do not believe it. You are misreading my situation.”

  “No, she is not,” said Colonel Flax in a stern voice. No one had noticed him standing in the doorway as they were all focused on watching Salton’s reaction to Dr. Berg’s words. “Dr. Berg is perfectly correct. You have survived by making yourself comfortable as a slave in my home. While I and my family have all come to love you very much, it is best for you to leave.”

  “But, Master, can’t I stay on as your servant. Not as a slave. I can just keep working for you,” cried out Salton.

  “No, that would not be healthy. You really should return to your home planet,” said the Colonel shaking his head. “However, I do have a proposition for you. If you choose to stay on Brisula, I would like to see that you are offered the job of c
hief of dispatch.”

  Everyone continued to stare at Salton while he pondered his options. Ultimately Fabiana spoke up. “Perhaps Lydana can move here to Brisula.”

  “Now there is a thought,” chimed in Joban. “You can be a police officer again and have Lydana by your side.”

  “I will think about it,” said Salton.

  “Great,” said Marlana. “I will submit an order for you to meet with the UGC psychiatrist once the medical team arrives. In the meantime, I will send down a supply of medication that you will need to take twice a day. Promise me you will take it.”

  Salton nodded. Everyone said their goodbyes to the conflicted former slave. With Joban carrying the cat box, he, Fabiana, Dr. Berg, and the Colonel set out for the Library. It was almost time for a meeting that Captain Stoner was presiding over.

  As they walked along the 7 Passageway, Marlana Berg approached Colonel Fax with something that had been on her mind. “Sir, may I ask you a personal question?” The Colonel nodded. “You certainly don’t have to answer, but I am curious as to how your family has managed to escape being exposed all these years without a doctor detecting your Tradian anatomy?”

  The Colonial shook his head and then replied, “To be honest, until you so easily uncovered my children’s heritage I was not aware that our makeup was different from other humanoids. My family and I have always had our medical care provided by Dr. Polson who is a visiting physician from Imp. He makes a monthly visit to our hospital, and now I suspect he was actually here to care for the Tradians down in the basement.”

  The group arrived at the Library just as the meeting was coming to order.

  Captain Stoner shushed the crowd gathered in the Library’s meeting room. It was made up primarily of Brisulan business owners, leaders, and other citizens. Once the room settled down, Stoner presented an outline with suggestions for establishing an orderly and efficient way to start the rebuilding of Brisula. Just as he had expected, there was little opposition to his proposals. He had the sense that the Brisulans were in need of guidance and would welcome someone offering them a road map they could follow to meet their goal. Josh’s first recommendation was to establish leadership. Earlier he had conferred with Colonel Flax about his ideas, and the Colonel had agreed to the terms. Knowing that he had Flax’s cooperation, Josh told the audience that he proposed that Colonel Flax be appointed as the acting mayor of Brisula City in the interim. Eventually, the citizens could hold an election to properly vote in their leader. Colonel Fax would be free to appoint a staff to complete a governing council. So far, Flax intended to have. act as his deputy mayor and Hom as his liaison to the slave population that chose to remain on Brisula. Flax also told those assembled that if Salton decided to stay on Brisula, he would be instated as chief of dispatch. If not, the position would go to Gus.

  Further discussion centered around removal of the fences, including the one from the Lake; upgrading the freezer units to avoid further spread of Legionnaires’ disease; disposal of the tainted apples; cleaning up the former Tradian Central; and establishing a modern and reliable intergalactic communications system. Commodore Naper would work with the Colonel in the construction of the city, both above and below the planet’s surface. He would in no way interfere in the governing body. Ensign Glenna would be providing some crucial information needed for ensuring environmental safety.

  The United Galaxy Command personnel who included Dr. Meyer Monroe, Ensign Bess Tremont, Lieutenant Selmo Danielli, Ensign Thelma Childs, and Captain Torgerson’s other two crew members would be leaving aboard the Gladiator. All prisoners were to be dispersed in various ways. Chieftain Monks, General Platt, and Dr. Paul Loring would all be transported to the Interplanetary Justice Center on Space Station 17 to stand trial. Lieutenant Danielli would also be brought to the IJC Lieutenant Danielli would also be brought to the IJC to stand before a UGC committee that would determine his fate. Gina Flax would remain on Brisula where judgment would be passed by the new Brisulan government. The rest of the Tradian Headquarters staff would be kept in the Cages, under humane and sanitary conditions, until The Amalgamation of United Planets and Solar Systems adjudicated their future.

  A UGC medical crew was already on its way bringing more medical supplies, skilled nurses, and experienced doctors. In the meantime, Dr. Maxine Campbell would continue to oversee the treatment and care of the current patients while working in conjunction with Dr. Ottman and his staff.

  The meeting concluded with an exorbitant round of applause for Captain Stoner and his crew. Josh was feeling quite proud of both himself and his crew. Yes, he thought, this meeting at the Library has been a very productive one and quite historic. As the crowd exited the Library’s conference room, Josh stopped the Colonel in order to extend one more goodbye.

  “Colonel Flax, I want to wish you the best of luck as you embark on this difficult but highly exciting venture,” said Josh. “Once you get the communications system in place, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I will do whatever I can to assist you. Also just keep in touch.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” responded Flax. “I would very much like to stay connected to you and your wonderful crew.”

  “I also want to say that I am so sorry about how things came about with Mrs. Flax. I hope that somehow you will be able to repair the damage I inflicted.”

  “It is not your fault. This was a long time in coming. We both knew that it was only a matter of time until our differences would come to the surface. I only pray that when I reveal the truth to the citizens of Brisula that they will believe that even though I was born a Tradian, I have become a true Brisulan, both in word and deed.” He paused and then said, “Whether I can convince Gina to denounce her Tradian origins is another story for which I do not know the ending.”

  “Well, if anyone can pull all that off, it is you. I wish you all the best.”

  Time was growing scarce. The Gladiator would be leaving Brisula shortly. Captain Stoner made a final trip down to the planet to confer with Commodore Naper on the next steps for Brisula. Once satisfied that the Commodore was on the same page as he was regarding the rebuilding and restructuring of the planet, he boarded the James K on its last run back to the Gladiator. Upon his return, his first stop was Sick Bay. Wayne and Keith were still in the heated oxygen chamber. Both lay motionless upon the hard, shiny, red copper-coated tables. When Josh approached the chamber’s viewing window, he found three women all standing at the window, intently gazing at the two very ill officers. The women scattered once they spied the Captain. Dr. Loring came over and told Josh that the three women were all extremely concerned about Keith Hampton and they were frequent visitors.

  “Ensign Glenna has been here every few hours, round the clock,” said Paul. “She usually leaves with tears streaming down her cheeks. Ensign Thelma Childs has also been a regular visitor, inquiring each time about Hampton’s chances for recovery. And I have had to pull Nurse Mann away from the chamber and remind her that there are other patients needing her attention. Jill admitted to Amanda that she has always had a secret crush on Hampton.”

  “A popular guy,” remarked Josh with a grin. “So what is the prognosis?”

  Dr. Loring quoted the officers’ vitals and concluded that they remained in critical but stable condition.

  The Captain told Loring to call him if there were any significant changes. Then he left Sick Bay and made his way to Engineering.

  The U.S.S. Gladiator was scheduled to depart for Lexter at 2300 hours. With only an hour to go before heading out, Captain Stoner was busy on the Bridge finalizing all the preparations, including making sure that all personnel had returned from Brisula. Seaman Chase reported that the three prisoners were secured in the Brig. Almost all of the guest quarters were occupied with the extra passengers going to Space Station 17. Dr. Carter had placed the two dead bodies in the morgue vaults and locked the Shasta clone in a storage compartment. The James K and the John Glenn were back on board, currently ha
ving a once-over by Lieutenant Commander Pearson. The crafts needed to be in good working condition for the mission on Lexter and then for the trip to Space Station 17. Before returning to the Gladiator, Dennis had drained the Headquarters by reversing the pumping mechanism so that the water returned once again to the sanitation bags. The bags were then towed back to the ship via the space pods, at which time Dennis attached them to the outer shell of the Gladiator. Unlike all the crew and passengers, who were headed to Space Station 17, the bags were destined for disposal at Sanitation Center 6, a scheduled stop along their present journey. In addition, Dennis had removed the hard drives from the now dysfunctional Tradian computers. Those, too, were being taken to the Space Station. “Who knows what evil is stored on those babies,” Dennis had said to Josh as he piled the disk drives into a secure storage locker.

  The stat phone in the Captain’s pocket vibrated. Taking it out he noticed it was Paul Loring calling. Josh had last checked on the status of Keith and Wayne several hours ago when he returned from Brisula.

  “Stoner, here,” said Captain Stoner into the phone.

  “Josh, please come to Sick Bay,” said Dr. Loring.

  “Do you need me right away? We are due to leave orbit in less than an hour.”

  “It’s not urgent,” said Paul. “Just get here when you can.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Loring.”

  Finally Captain Stoner was satisfied that everything was in place. The GPS system had been reinstalled, and the course back to Lexter had been plotted and entered. At exactly 2300 hours he directed Ensign Saad to deorbit and slowly increase speed to fifty aeroknots. Josh watched the screen as the image of Brisula began to shrink. Someday, he thought, I want to go back and see their progress.

  “I am going to Sick Bay to see what Dr. Loring wants,” he announced to the Bridge staff. He called for the elevator, got in when it arrived, and pushed the button for Deck Six.