Shades of Freedom

by McNabb, Linda

  “I just had to come over and show you the new dress I had delivered this morning,” Suan did a very un-ladylike twirl and looked expectantly at Kala for her approval.

  “It’s a very pretty dress,” Kala said tactfully.

  Suan smiled and stopped twirling, Kala’s remark seemed to please her.

  “Are you coming to the concert tonight?” Suan subconsciously patted her hairdo, checking that all was in place, and then glanced around, frowning as she was obviously looking for a mirror that wasn’t there. She settled down onto a sofa facing Kala and made no attempt to hide her matching brand new shoes. Kala thought of her own new clothes and didn’t even bother to take them out to show Suan. She wouldn’t be interested in the least.

  The concert was the one place she could go with Kala, and Suan’s father could not object. Suan’s father had disapproved of their friendship ever since Suan’s family had moved up to Level Two several years earlier. It was open to all levels within the first sector and since it cost only one Recreation Marc, even a Level Three or Four could afford to go.

  “I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Kala replied enthusiastically.

  “Good. I’ll meet you by Station Three at Nine O’clock. They are putting on an all Level carriage so we can ride in together,” a secret smile lit Suan’s lips as she added. “Damon will be there. If we get there early enough we can find him and get a seat next to him.”

  Suan had been chasing after Damon for the last two months and she talked of little else, even though he didn’t appear to reciprocate any interest Suan showed. Kala had only met him once and Suan had dragged him away quickly when he began ignoring her and talking only to Kala. Kala could see why Suan was taken with him as he was definitely attractive and he had a twinkle in his eye that made everyone around him smile.

  “Don’t be late,” Suan added and then stared hard at Kala’s worn dress. “You will be changing your clothes before you come, won’t you?”

  “Of course,” Kala felt sad that her friend was so obviously embarrassed to be seen with her.

  “I’d loan you some of my clothes but you don’t have the proper sized figure. You really should eat more. You are so unhealthily skinny!” Suan gave her an exasperated look. “And your hair… Sometimes it’s hard being your friend.”

  Kala knew it wasn’t meant as an insult and she didn’t take offence. She just didn’t fit the stereotype that Suan thought was everyone’s goal.

  The Holocom beeped as Suan rose to leave and Kala waited until she had seen her friend out before pressing her thumb to the scanner that activated the waiting call.

  The air above the console shimmered white and then took on the unmistakable, thin form of her mother, Petari. For several years Kala had watched her mother get thinner and more tired and this had been the driving force behind Kala’s desire for Level Two. Next week they would be getting someone in to do the housework and her mother could rest.

  It was obvious by the haunted expression on Petari’s face that something was dreadfully wrong and she made no effort to stem the trickle of tears that ran down her gaunt cheeks. Around her waist clung Alissa, with her head buried into her mother’s blouse, and although she wasn’t crying her body shook regularly and she began to hiccup.

  “Mother?” Kala was unable to form a coherent sentence as she tried without success to figure out what could be wrong.

  “We are down at the Justice Hall. Your father has been accused of theft of State property,” a fresh tear slid down her cheek as she spoke.

  Kala paled as her mother’s words sunk in. Theft! Her father had never taken anything he wasn’t entitled to in his whole life. That wasn’t likely to count for much down at Justice Hall though. The adjudicator there assumed anyone brought before him was guilty and the accused didn’t even get to speak. It saved time that way and until now Kala hadn’t really given the matter much thought.

  “When will he be sentenced?” Kala asked woodenly, knowing she had to get there to support her mother.

  “In an hour,” Petari’s voice was flat and lifeless now as if she had lost all hope.

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Kala promised and reluctantly cleared her mother’s image. There was only one chance left for her father.

  Kala walked quickly to her sleeping quarters and from behind a shelf of holovids she brought out a silver bag crammed with marcs. She sank onto her bed and tipped them out on the gold flecked bedcover. She stared at the large pile of green unstamped Marcs. She took the ten Marcs from her pocket and listened to the dull click they made as they landed on top of the others.

  There was no need to count them, she knew exactly how many she had. Including today’s addition there were five hundred and five unstamped Marcs. Five more than she needed to buy her whole family into Level Two. But that was back to being just a dream now. Hopefully it would be enough to buy her father’s freedom and then she would just have to start saving all over again.

  She had to get down to Justice Hall at the State Headquarters Building and sort it out fast. Bribery was highly illegal but most officials simply called it a donation and the right amount of Marcs could buy anything, even someone’s freedom.

  She scooped them all up, filled the bag again and then frowned. It would look odd carrying such an obvious bag of Marcs on the shuttle. She went back into the living area and emptied her work satchel onto the sofa, then pushed the bag of Marcs into it. That was better. The satchel was only a couple of months old as she had given into temptation and spent ten Marcs buying it when she had taken the job teaching the Level One boy.

  She quickly wriggled her feet back into her worn shoes, completely forgetting about her new pair, and left the apartment. It was almost a half hour ride down to State Headquarters and she didn’t have a second to lose.

  She hurried down to Station Three and stood tapping her foot as she waited impatiently in the still stifling heat. The shuttles went past every five minutes but the wait seemed much longer just now. Finally, the shuttle shuddered into the station and Kala pressed her thumb to the scanner and climbed on the Level Three carriage. The carriage was crowded again and she looked enviously at the almost empty Level Two carriage.

  As they came closer to State HQ the carriage emptied a bit and with fifteen minutes to go Kala took an empty a seat. She sat down and clutched her satchel tightly as if everyone must know what she had in it. A young man sitting opposite her tried to strike up a conversation but she was so worried about her father that she just stared at him, unable to take in what he was saying. Eventually, he gave up and went back to staring out the window.

  Kala was the last one in the carriage when it arrived at the Station outside State HQ. She had to fight against the tide of workers heading home as she made her way slowly across the platform. Still clutching her satchel tightly, she reached the formidable building where her father had worked since she was born and where he was now being held for sentencing.

  It was almost dusk and all the floodlights on the outside of the tall building came on simultaneously making it seem like the middle of the day again. It was a sight that had impressed her every time she had seen it. Today she barely noticed as she hurried up the dozens of stairs, hoping she wasn’t too late to save her father.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The walls were painted a flat, dull grey and were not meant to lift the moods of those who looked at them. This was not a place of hope or restfulness, it was a place of punishment and justice. Grey seats lined the walls and offered little comfort, with no cushioning and high straight backs.

  The feeling of barrenness and no hope was an intended one. Anyone who came here knew whoever they had come to watch was already doomed to be guilty. The best anyone could hope for was a light sentence. People gathered in small groups, huddled together as if for warmth in a freezing blizzard.

  This was the adjudicators’ waiting room and it was three levels below ground in the State Head Quarters building. The building towered seventy floors above the
ground and could be seen from most parts of the sector. It was built in the very centre of all the Sectors and the large metal walls that divided the Sectors all met at this building.

  There were three doors at the far end of the room. They had large signs above them that read, ‘Sentencing’, ‘Gallery’ and ‘Officials only’. Petari stood near the elevator at the opposite end of the room to the doors and tried to stop herself looking at them. Alissa no longer clung to her waist but stood limply by her side with her head drooped forwards and her fine straight brown hair hanging over her face. The tears had gone from Petari’s eyes but so had all the life and she stared dully around the room. How had it come to this? She had not had the chance to speak to Roma since he had been charged but she knew he had done nothing wrong.

  The elevator opened with a soft ding that echoed around the quiet room and several people came into the waiting room. Petari briefly looked over, and seeing that Kala was not among them she turned back to her study of the flat grey walls. She was aware someone had stopped next to her but she took no notice of them. Couldn’t they find somewhere else to stand in this large room? Then Alissa nudged her.

  “Mamma, the man wants to talk to you,” Alissa whispered and Petari looked reluctantly at the man who stood waiting patiently next to her.

  His face looked familiar but Petari stared at him for several seconds before she realised who it was. He was dressed in clothes that weren’t State Issue but also weren’t quite the same as those worn by the Level One or Two set. Not as bright and colourful, but well cut and comfortable looking. They were the clothes of the servants and personal assistants to the upper Levels. A Level in themselves, they enjoyed all the privileges of the upper Levels, and the only way into their esteemed Level was to be born into it.

  “Wane?”

  “Yes Miss. I’ve been sent to help,” he bestowed a kind, gentle look on her that immediately filled Petari with hope. Mother had come around at last.

  “You have only to agree to your mother’s terms and I will fix everything,” Wane pulled a crisp single sheet of watermarked paper from the case he carried and handed it to Petari. He smiled at her, but his eyes held a hint of sorrow.

  “Terms…” Petari’s eyes dulled again as she took the paper and looked at the fancy writing that looked so familiar. It was just like mother to use brand new paper, one of the most scarcely available items in Jerrac. She read it quickly and then her face paled and her eyes hardened. She stiffly handed the paper back to Wane. Did her mother really think she would do it? There was no way she would leave Roma and the children just to get back into her mother’s good books. Her eyes met Wane’s and she saw the look of understanding in his eyes.

  “I didn’t think you would agree, but your mother was sure you would see sense. Perhaps she might be convinced to let one of the children come with you?” Wane offered and Petari almost smiled at his devoted desire to see the family reunited.

  “Tell my mother we don’t need her help… now or ever,” Petari drew her thin frame up as tall as she could and her pride showed strongly in her pale green eyes.

  Wane sighed and put the paper back into his case.

  “Good luck Miss. I have a feeling you’re going to need it,” he lifted his cloth cap in a gesture of farewell and turned towards the elevator.

  Had she done the right thing? If she had accepted the offer of help then Roma and the children would be able to go back to their lives as if nothing had happened. The only difference would be that she would no longer be there. But now she had refused the offer what would become of them? Would they go down a Level or maybe even two? It wouldn’t be too bad for whatever happened she was sure they would cope and at least they would be together.

  Petari was devastated that her mother would wait for a situation like this and then try to prise her away again. She gasped out loud as a sudden thought struck her. What if this was all her Mother’s idea in the first place? She had the power and position to set Roma up if she wanted to. Surely Mother wouldn’t stoop that low!

  **

  It took only seconds for the lift to descend the three floors down to the Adjudicator’s Waiting Room and Kala looked briefly at her companions in the lift. They all stared blindly at the walls in defeat and dismay. The doors slid open and Kala had to curb the urge to push past them all and race out to find her mother and sister.

  She still clutched the satchel that was now their only hope and Kala told herself they were lucky to have a chance at all. Kala found her mother easily and she hugged her tightly.

  “Things will be okay,” Kala said confidently and Alissa smiled weakly at her.

  “Whatever happens we’ll manage,” Petari said, trying to look brave, and Kala couldn’t hold back her news any longer. She propelled her mother and sister over into a corner and opened her satchel.

  “Wow!” Alissa exclaimed a little too loudly, as eight year olds are inclined to do, and Kala looked quickly around the room to see if anyone had noticed. Everyone was too caught up in their own misery to care and Kala turned back to her mother.

  “Where did it all come from?” Petari’s voice was cold and flat and it shocked Kala. Why was she so suspicious? “Who gave it to you?”

  “Nobody. I saved it all myself,” Kala was confused. She had never seen her mother act like this before. “I’ve been saving it for years.”

  The suspicion on Petari’s face dropped away and she put her arm around Kala.

  “It’s been a hard day,” she said in apology and Kala instantly forgave her.

  “There should be enough to clear any sentence,” Kala said closing the satchel and glancing around the room again. She had just located the door to the official’s room when it opened and a short fat man in the black uniform of the guards came out. The room had not been very noisy before but now there wasn’t a single sound. Everyone in the room turned to face him and waited for him to speak.

  “The next sitting is about to begin. Families of… J. Morris, Level Five; R Charat, Level Four and P Loris, Level Five may enter the Sentencing area now if they wish. Others may go to the Gallery to view the proceedings.” He sounded bored and didn’t even look at the people he was addressing. He snapped closed the cover on the screen in his hand and disappeared back into the door marked ‘Officials only’.

  A group of people next to them started to shuffle towards the doors and a young girl not much older than Alissa burst into tears.

  Both Kala and her mother breathed a sigh of relief that Roma hadn’t been called up yet. There was still time if she hurried. Alissa was looking confused and Kala put her arm around her.

  “Don’t worry we’ll all be going home soon,” she said as confidently as she could and then headed off towards the third door. There was a scanner by the door and Kala pressed her thumb to it. A small holocom screen lit up next to it and the face of the fat man appeared.

  “I wish to speak to someone.” Kala said not wanting to say too much out in the open. The image looked down at her satchel and then back at her face and a flicker of interest showed on his face.

  “Come in.”

  The door clicked as the lock was released, Kala took a deep breath and pushed it open. The fat man had risen from behind his desk in the small room and he pulled out a chair for her to sit on.

  “What did you want to talk about?” he said with an almost pleasant expression on his face. He had obviously just been eating as a blob of cream was stuck to the corner of his mouth and it wobbled as he spoke.

  “My father’s sentence,” Kala said bluntly and put the satchel on the desk.

  “I’m sure we can sort out this little misunderstanding,” the fat man held out a scanner and Kala pressed her thumb against it. The screen on the desk was on just the wrong angle for Kala to see and the guard stared at it for a few seconds, then shook his head. The blob of cream came free and Kala watched, mesmerised by it, as it landed soundlessly on the desk.

  “Roma Palent,” he verified and Kala nodded with a sinking
heart. What was so bad?

  “I’m afraid the adjudicator decided to make an example of your father. He’s destined for Belgara.”

  Belgara! Only the worst crimes meant being sent offshore to Belgara. Nobody ever came back from the prison island and it was the harshest judgement that could be handed out.

  Belgara was the only other habitable landmass left, apart from their own island of Jerrac, since the rising temperatures had all but melted the polar caps. Belgara was said to be all rock and stone with not a single living plant on it.

  “But he never even…” Kala stopped, knowing it was futile to argue that he was innocent. She swallowed hard and then tipped the unstamped Marcs onto the table. “Will this do anything?”

  “About five hundred…” the fat man estimated after a quick look at the pile. He had obviously taken a few donations before. “… well it might be enough to keep him from going offshore.”

  Kala breathed a sigh of relief and the guard looked at her sharply.

  “You won’t be Level Three any longer,” he warned, punched a few buttons and then looked at the pile of Marcs again. “You’ll be Level Eight… effective immediately.”

  He turned back to the screen and Kala scooped twenty of the Marcs into her pocket without the guard seeing. They would need these. Level Eight. That was a very low level and in another sector but they could save hard and move up again in time.

  **

  Roma kicked the iron pole that his hands and legs were chained to in the dimly lit cell. He listened as the sound the chains made against the pole echoed through the stone corridors. He knew there were other people down here but he had been here for hours and had heard nothing.

  Why was he even here? He could think of nothing he had ever done that could have brought this about. The guards had not answered his questions when they dragged him from his office just after lunch. At first he thought it was just a joke but when they brought him down to the cells below the third basement level he knew they were serious.