by Bev Prescott
“I thought retaking the ship the Strelitzia stole from you was Woody’s biggest concern.” Sharon broke the patty into two pieces, and offered one to Erik.
Tail wagging, he nibbled up the food.
“Good, gentle Erik.” She scratched the dog behind an ear and bit into the remaining half. A salty, earthy tang coated her tongue as she swallowed the starchy patty. “These things are pretty disgusting.”
“Indeed, amiga.” Federico smoothed Erik’s fur. “Woody intends to trade the water for seed potatoes and kale seeds. That’s all that’s available on the black market. Of course, we forage for other things when we can. But foraging isn’t as reliable as a bank of potato and kale seeds our would-be farmers can grow. The black-market seeds and getting our ship back are both essential to our survival when the Thwaites collapses.”
Sharon recalled the looks on Federico and JJ’s faces when they saw the Strelitzia eat the apple he attributed to her. The thing that most unsettled her about the Qaunik is that they hadn’t, at least yet, interrogated her about it. As far as she knew, they hadn’t even searched her satchel. Maybe they had, but intended to manipulate her with silence. “Why haven’t you asked me about the apple the Strelitzia ate?”
“Probably for the same reason you haven’t told us about it.” Federico leaned against his seat. “Whatever you have is not ours to take.”
“You took this water.” She displayed the empty bottle.
“Yes, we did. Because it didn’t belong to NONA. It belongs to Earth. Whatever you’ve cultivated on your own is yours.” He brushed his sleeve up his arm again. “These things on the snowflake are not just talk. The Qaunik believe in them the way the old world believed in its religions. We won’t steal from you. And we’ll tell you the truth. We don’t live by a set of laws only when it’s convenient. We live by a code of humanity. When that code is broken, it’s not a crime to be punished. It’s a breach of faith that results in banishment.”
“Phillip used that word. He said he didn’t want to be banished.”
“Then he shouldn’t have broken the covenants he made with the Qaunik.” Federico clipped each word short as his voice rose.
Erik lifted his head and whimpered.
Federico bent and scratched the dog under his chin. “It’s okay, amigo,” he said in a softer tone. “A little food, water, a bath, and rest have given you strength. That’s a good thing, loyal dog. You’re a fighter. A dog would never break the covenants.”
Erik lowered his head to his paws and resumed his convalescence.
“What are your covenants?” Sharon asked.
“To become a citizen of Qaunik, one must be vouched for by another citizen who recognizes one of the six virtues in the candidate. Even babies born to Qaunik parents must be vouched for once they become adults.”
“I don’t mean to offend you. But that seems a little elitist. Like some cliquish cult.”
“I get why you’d say that.” Federico continued to scratch the back of Erik’s ear. “You’d be surprised. There’s usually someone willing to vouch for another person. Getting in is the easy part. The hard part is staying true.” He gave Erik another pat and leaned against the seat back. “JJ vouched for Phillip. He didn’t just lose Dr. Elan, he lost faith in someone he trusted.”
“I don’t know how you find people with all of those virtues. Seems unrealistic to me.” Sharon touched the scarf at her neck. Eve was the only person she’d ever known who fit that description. Over the years, Sharon had betrayed those virtues time and again in order to keep Eve safe. Like Phillip, she’d probably mess up too. “Doesn’t life get in the way of being virtuous all of the time?”
“Yes, it does. Which is why our covenants are straightforward—with that in mind. Every person must first promise to strive for the six virtues, respect the six great professions, and not keep anyone from the six human needs. People get to choose their professions, whatever it is that they want to do. The only promise is that people must work by carrying the weight they are capable of carrying. We’re all in this together. Therefore, everyone must contribute something of value. Whatever that is.”
Sharon thought of Annie and Inu. Her heart still hurt at leaving him. She had abandoned a little boy, left him with an old lady. Her disgust at herself simmered over. She’d never forgive herself for doing it. But she had made the choice to save Eve. The Qaunik ideal sounded virtuous, but they abandoned people too. “Sounds like you’re exclusive to those who aren’t imperfect, sick, old, or young—the same as me.”
“Oh, Sharon.” Federico shook his head. “You’re coming to all of the wrong conclusions. A person’s contribution isn’t always measured in brute strength, or perfection. To the contrary, the old, sick, and young satisfy some of our greatest needs as an imperfect people. The old give us wisdom, the young give us hope, and the sick, a strength of purpose to survive. All we ask is that people carry the weight they’re able to.”
“Aren’t you also asking for people to be perfect?” She looked him in the eye. “We’re all human. What happens when someone makes the inevitable mistake—or when they get greedy, or lazy?”
“Greedy and lazy aren’t tolerated. But we’re all imperfect. Every one of us makes a bad or tough choice from time to time. That’s why everyone gets three strikes,” Federico said. “This is Phillip’s third. It’s why he’ll be banished.”
“What’s the trial for, then? If his banishment is a foregone conclusion?” A ferocious gust made the ship quiver, whistling through its seams. Erik moved his head from his paws to the top of Sharon’s boot.
“We know the facts of what Phillip did. Even without you as a witness, or his confession, the neuron-incident-scanner does not lie about the facts. He’s already been connected to it and read. The scanner reads a person’s memory of a particular incident. We see, through the scanner, everything that happened. What the scanner can’t read is a person’s heart. It tells us what happened, but not why.”
“So the trial is to learn the why of something?” Sharon asked.
“Yes. The accused gets three strikes before being banished. On the third strike, he is given the opportunity to plead his case as to why he did what he did. If the jury concludes that the motive fits within the confines of the six human virtues, then the accused will not be banished. For some breaches, such as the deliberate murder of another Qaunik, it may not matter how many strikes a person has against them. If the jury believes that the motive of the accused was contrary to every virtue, banishment will be automatic.”
“So the best sob story wins?”
“I like your cynicism, Sharon. I’m not saying this is a perfect system. It’s the best we’ve come up with.”
“What does it mean to be banished?”
“The convicted is ejected from our society. He’ll learn very quickly just how difficult it is to survive alone. In the ire of Earth, I’m certain, most people don’t make it. And if they do, I’m guessing it’s a very desolate existence.”
The OVA flashed white; then a red light in the upper right corner blinked.
“That must be Woody.” Federico brushed his finger over STELA and said, “Video connect.”
The OVA came to life with the image of Woody, flanked by six people all dressed in what looked like the clothes of ancient cultures. Their ages and skin color were as varied as their clothing. Woody looked regal in a dark robe and royal-blue silk hijab.
Erik laboriously got to his feet and woofed.
“Ah, so happy to finally make your acquaintance, Erik the Red.” Woody smiled. “Thank you all for saving the Belostomatid. We’re behind schedule, but thanks to your diligence we’re still able to move forward with our plan to trade water for food. Is the accused ready for his trial?”
“Yes.” Federico reached for a microphone. “I’ll have JJ bring him in.”
Woody held up a hand. “First, I must ask Sharon some questions. Tell me a little more about this person you seek in California. How can we most efficiently find h
im given that we’ve already missed our appointment to trade the water?”
“The man’s name is Elliot Addington. He used to work for my father. What I know is that he works in a labor camp in San Francisco. I’m certain he’s there now.”
“How can you be certain he’s alive, let alone where you say he is?” Woody asked.
Erik was leaning against Sharon’s knees. She reached down and sank her fingers into Erik’s fur reassuringly. “When Elliot left, he gave me a Sat-tracker. I checked it about four months ago. He was there then.”
Woody put her hands on the arms of the high-backed chair in which she sat. “Are you aware that the camp is divided into male workers and female workers?”
“No.”
“We’ll need to implant JJ with a chip from a deceased man from the camp. There’s no way they’ll let a woman waltz in there to find this Elliot you seek. We’re going to need to split up. We’re already a day and a half behind schedule. JJ will find and kidnap Elliot. I ask that you, Sharon, accompany Federico to meet our underground operator to help facilitate the water trade. He could use someone like you to help.”
“I’d rather be useful than not.” Sharon left out the part about not being certain Elliot would be happy to see her anyway. Maybe he’d put up less of a fight being confronted by strangers than by her.
“Thank you.” Woody nodded at Federico. “Please, bring in Phillip.”
Federico spoke into STELA’s audio-comm. “JJ, the quorum is ready.”
Several seconds passed in silence. The people surrounding Woody were three men and three women. Their expressions suggested they understood the gravity of their power to decide the fate of a human being.
JJ entered the room with Phillip, struggling against him. Phillip’s broken nose was bandaged. JJ helped him into a seat in front of the OVA.
“Phillip Guster, formerly of the State of North Carolina.” Woody’s voice was smooth and deliberate. “You violated the virtues of honesty, loyalty, kindness, and bravery. Therefore, you broke your covenant with the Qaunik. Your purposeful actions put the lives of your fellow Qaunik people in jeopardy. In fact, because of those actions Dr. Elan is dead. How do you defend yourself?”
Phillip’s battered body shivered. He lifted his head and stared into the stoic faces looking back at him. “Because I don’t wish to be trapped on a ship in the middle of nowhere waiting to die. You all surely will die of starvation, eventually. I choose to take my chances on land.”
“Perhaps,” Woody said. “But we will not die alone, should your prophecy come to fruition. We will die with our integrity and surrounded by love.”
“You’re fools,” Phillip snapped. “We’re all dead anyway. Some sooner than others, but dead is dead. I did it to be free. Isn’t that one of the essential human needs?”
“Freedom doesn’t come without sacrifice. Freedom isn’t free.” Woody sighed. “All things exist in balance. Without balance, it all falls apart.” She held up her wrist; the snowflake tattoo was like an indictment. “All of this must exist in balance. We need each other as much as we need freedom. One doesn’t come without the other. No human, like a snowflake, is exactly like another. Each has a unique value. But we survive as one. Have you anything else to say?”
“No.” Phillip’s jaw clenched. “I know what’s coming.”
“Then I ask the quorum to vote,” Woody said. “By a show of hands, who votes for banishment?”
Six hands rose. Each bare wrist bore the snowflake of the Qaunik. Woody lifted hers, making the vote unanimous.
“It shall be done immediately,” Woody declared. “Have you packed a last meal and water for Phillip?”
“Yes,” JJ answered.
The Belostomatid shook in a gust as blown sand clawed its windows.
“Can you at least wait for the storm to end?” Phillip pleaded. “Give me a fighting chance to survive my banishment.”
“As difficult as it is to banish another human being, it must be done. We have few resources. We are gracious in our openness to vouch people in. But we must be firm when our covenants are broken. Your choices are not our problem.” Woody turned her attention to JJ. “Give him his pack, and escort him off the ship at once.”
JJ hesitated before gripping Phillip’s elbow. “Come,” he said. “This is your own doing.”
Woody motioned for the members of the quorum to leave. They filed out one by one. “As soon as the storm allows, go to our meeting spot in the Nevada Desert. That’s where you’ll split up.” Like the members of the quorum, Woody seemed weighted by a cloud of sadness over their decision. “We will soon be together. Be safe, my friends.” The OVA went black.
Federico flipped on STELA. A jet of wind-lashed sand blew in as the hatch opened.
Sharon shielded her eyes.
Phillip raised a fist to the dark squall. He turned to those banishing him. “I wish the Qaunik death by a thousand cuts.” He disappeared into the fury.
The hatch closed him out.
“No one can survive out there,” Sharon said.
“You’d be surprised what people are able to survive. If he man-ages to stay alive, he’ll be alone.” Federico brushed his dark hair back with his hands as if trying to brush away Phillip’s banishment. “Me, I’d rather die out there than live alone.”
“Me too, brother.” JJ joined them, all of them staring mutely at the hatch.
Sharon thought of Eve, and her parents, grandparents, friends, and brothers. They had been her people. She felt so alone without them. Except, she wasn’t alone in this moment. In a hushed tone, Sharon said, “You remind me of my brothers. I miss them more than I could ever describe.”
She reached into her pack for one of the two remaining apples, and polished the fruit against her jacket.
A look of caution spread over JJ’s face.
“It’s okay. Trust me.” Sharon smiled and held up the apple. “To brothers, and to Dr. Elan. I’m glad I got to know him, and you.” She bit into the apple. The texture, the sweet, the sour, the juice, it all marked life. It felt good to share. She handed the apple to JJ.
Chapter 13
“Welcome to the Nevada Desert.” JJ sketched a stop symbol on STELA, and tapped it. In sync with the fading drawing, the Belostomatid lowered to the ground. “The hottest and most fucked-up place in North America.” He pressed the water-bug-at-rest icon. The ship’s engines hissed and went quiet.
“Let’s have a look around.” Federico powered and rotated the camera controller. The OVA flashed green and split into two images. The Belostomatid’s left antennae relayed a panoramic view, and the right a selfie of the ship. Nestled among an army of thirsty solar panels anchored in hardpan, the conspicuous insect-like vessel broadcast its presence. “Better put her in defense mode.”
“Scary bug, coming up.” JJ drew a sword. The Belostomatid’s four back legs deployed, lifting the fuselage about five meters. With pincers open, the two front legs swiveled forward. “She’s ready to crush or shoot on command.”
“You’re right, JJ,” Sharon said. “It does look pretty fucked up. It must be at least fifty-two degrees.”
Erik dozed at her feet.
JJ tapped the thermometer icon. “Fifty-four point four, to be exact. That won’t boil water, but it’ll cook a brain fast.”
“So why are we in defense mode?” Through the port window, Sharon watched heat undulate off the arrays gulping the sun.
“As a precaution. This is one of NONA’s military power grids. Even though it’s a dead zone for hundreds of kilometers, they still send out inspection drones.” Federico brushed his palm over the ship’s invisibility icon. “Out here, the Belostomatid will generate more power than she uses. In invisibility mode, we could hide out indefinitely.”
“Except that we’d starve.” JJ drew a circle and tapped it twice. A supply list emerged onto the OVA. “Not counting the water for trade, we’ve only got enough to drink and eat for two weeks.”
“That’ll be remedied once
we get the seeds,” Federico said.
“I have an idea.” JJ made a series of sketches. A satellite image popped up, showing several collapsed buildings near a deep depression. “This is the old Lake Tahoe basin. I’ll pass over it on my way to meet Woody. I could touch down and do a little foraging.”
“Absolutely not. We’ve already lost Dr. Elan. I don’t want to lose you too.” Federico pressed the release on his torso-restraint. “It’s too risky.”
JJ looked defeated. “All right.”
Federico pushed the torso-restraint away and got up. “We’re not deviating from the plan. You take the ship and rendezvous with Woody outside of San Francisco. Sharon and I will take the high road into the city.” He gave JJ a hard stare. “Okay?”
“I guess it has to be.”
“Someday you’ll thank me for not letting youthful bravery get you killed before learning your most important lesson.”
“Which is?” JJ asked.
“That you matter.” Federico beckoned to Sharon. “Please, come with me.”
Sharon released her restraint and attempted to stand. But the sleeping dog anchored her. “Hey, pup. I got to go.”
Erik lifted his head.
“It’s okay.” She stroked the dog’s snout until he resumed his half-sleeping, half-guarding responsibilities. “And what exactly is the high road?” With effort, she maneuvered over Erik.
“Ever heard of El Capitan?”
“Yeah, the big rock face in what used to be Yosemite National Park. In the Sierra Nevada, right?”
“Sí, the one and only. Actually, it’s a rock face in Yosemite Valley, not a mountain. The park boundaries are gone, but El Cap still stands. No one goes there anymore. Which is why it’s the way we’re going.” Federico looked to JJ. “Keep watch on the radar for drones and storms. We’re easy targets in turbo-vests. We’ll need a quiet sky to lift off.”
Erik struggled to his feet. His malnourished body still fragile, he leaned against Sharon.