As the Gravity Flipped
Page 23
"We saw sweeping changes to legislation at the first opportunity. Members knew the Yao would vote unanimously against any introduction of ballistic weapons. The timing may be coincidental - that is unlikely. It may be opportunistic - that seems suspicious, but isn't beyond the realms of possibility
"What are you saying?" Inge Tomas said, rising to address the Assembly.
Akash banged his gavel. "Representative Tomas. Please be silent."
Inge sat back down with a scowl.
"The second issue is that the Yao have been pushing for a long to time to be able to have unrestricted access to the surfaces of Lunar and Mars," Tshilidzi continued. "Although these proposals have been resisted by the rest of the Assembly, it strikes me that there has been a considerable amount of resentment around this issue.
"A third factor could be linked to the Yao's monopoly on mining and fuels. With license agreements structured the way they are, it makes it impossible for any other individual or group to carry out any speculation or production in these areas. Though this is beyond the scope of my investigation, it seems to me that these licences need reforming for the benefit--."
Tshilidzi started at the sound of Akash's gavel.
"Please keep to the investigation Mister Dumi," Akash said.
"Sorry Chair." Tshilidzi cleared his throat. "So, a monopoly of mining," he said, reminding himself of his train of thought. "It's conceivable then that a group or individual may want to take control of Yao enterprises. If the rumours are to be believed, attempts along this line have already been made." Tshilidzi looked at Inge for a long moment as she refused to meet his gaze.
"Finally, we have the Yao themselves. It's no secret that the Yao's technological advancement has surpassed the rest of the Union. They have managed to protect and control their advances while the rest of the Union stagnates."
"Please avoid drifting into conjecture Mister Dumi," Akash said in a flat monotone.
"Sorry Chair." Tshilidzi scratched his head and took a sip of water. "So this could be another motivator - a group or individual wanting access to Yao technology.
"As I've tried to show, there are four key reasons why these assassinations took place. Now in the next part of the report, I want to crystallise some of these motivations into working out who is responsible for these deaths."
Tshilidzi bit his bottom lip as he felt the tension build in the Chamber. His fingers tingled and mouth grew dry. "When I was first called to conduct this investigation, Secretary Ozu made attempts to prejudice my work by alleging the involvement of the Purdah in these deaths. I have found nothing in my investigation to link the Purdah to these events. I can say that categorically and without reservation."
Takeshi began to rise to his feet, then immediately sat back down. He turned to Akash to see him giving the Secretary a stern glare.
"What struck me most about the events immediately following these deaths was the Secretary's unusual behaviour. Though I don't have physical evidence linking him to the assassinations, I have concluded that Secretary Ozu must have been ultimately responsible for the assassinations."
Tshilidzi felt for a moment as though he had left his body. A pair of guards moved close to Takeshi and placed firm hands on his shoulders as the Chamber descended into gasps and confused whispers.
The bangs of Akash's gavel thundered around the Chamber. The Representatives quietened down.
"Please continue Mister Dumi," Akash said after a long moment of silence.
"Representatives will be aware of the results of the vote legalising the use and production of ballistic weapons across the Union. The record will show the Secretary had not attended a vote in person since he was sworn into office and he had never used his executive powers to force an issue on any previous occasion.
"Next we have the arrest, execution and denouncement of the former Vice Secretary Hayao Kurosawa. Secretary Ozu oversaw the Vice Secretary's arrest, trial and execution. Although he is legally entitled to do so, there has been a number of suggestions that the Secretary inappropriately - perhaps using the Judiciary to settle personal grudges and silencing critics.
"Indeed, there were reports that the Secretary forcefully conducted the cleansing ritual before the Vice Secretary's execution in a way that can only be described as deeply inappropriate.
"The Secretary then moved on to harass the Vice Secretary's widow, Natsuki Kurosawa, culminating in her arrest for the same charges as her husband."
Tshilidzi glared at Takeshi. "And we all know what the penalty for treason is."
He turned to Akash. "If you'll indulge me for a moment, Chair: I understand that Madam Kurosawa has escaped from the Judiciary and is currently at large. I call on this Chamber to grant the Vice Secretary and his widow a complete pardon with immediate effect."
"Thank you Mister Dumi," Akash said flatly. "We'll put that to a vote once you have given your full report."
"So, we've got the weapons vote; we've got the introduction of the Molotok; the execution; the declaration of war against the Purdah; the moves to take over Yao interests; the massacre on V5.
"During my investigation, my office was raided by Molotok agents. And who is their commander?" Tshilidzi nodded towards Takeshi. "Secretary Ozu."
Takeshi's eyes blazed with rage.
"Everything in this investigation points to Secretary Ozu's involvement, and as an investigator it is my duty to order the Judiciary to place Takeshi Ozu under arrest for twenty-three counts of murder, plus I would suggest a charge of treason for recklessly working against the interests of the Union. I'm sure we can also draw up charges of harassment, abuse of power, obstructing justice. I'll leave that to your discretion Chair.
"Charges of conspiracy should also be levelled against Representative Tomas."
Tshilidzi breathed out deeply. "That is all." He watched as the guards led Takeshi away surrounded by a flood of mumbles and whispers. Turning, he handed a hard copy of his report to Akash.
At that moment, a hush descended through the Assembly.
Tshilidzi turned to the main Chamber entrance. He gasped as a short woman dressed in a red tunic walked slowly through the Chamber and made her way to the row of empty Yao seats. Her head was shaved bald save for a spike of black hair, and her face was the same, familiar face of the Yao.
"My name Yao Chao-xing," she declared. "Things are going to change around here."
# # #
Ozu to be executed for Yao assassinations
Originally published by Lunar Enquirer, 29/07/6,544
Former Lunar Secretary Takeshi Ozu was sentenced to death for multiple charges including twenty-three counts of murder following a short trial before the Judiciary.
Presiding Judge Akash Tagore called no witnesses to the trial, basing his conclusions on evidence gathered by Investigator Tshilidzi Dumi.
Mister Ozu denied his involvement in the assassinations of twenty-three members of the Yao family, telling the court that "a great miscarriage of justice is taking place."
He said: "You have made your conclusions that I am responsible for this foul crime, but I maintain my innocence and fear that the killer is still at large."
Judge Tagore levelled further charges of abuse of office, assault, corruption, harassment and ten million counts of reckless endangerment.
Judge Tagore said: "The facts of this case are not in doubt. Takeshi Ozu has acted in such ways that have endangered every life in this Union.
"Your crimes and actions are beyond the comprehension of all reasonable citizens, which is why it will be necessary to deliver the highest sentence it is in our power to give.
"You will be executed by asphyxiation without cleansing."
Judge Tagore announced that charges of treason levelled by the former Secretary were invalid, stating that former Vice Secretary Hayao Kurosawa and his widow Natsuki Kurosawa would have their charges quashed.
He added that Madam Kurosawa would be compensated financially for the false conviction and subsequent executio
n of Mister Kurosawa - the sum was not disclosed in court.
Lunar Chronicle reporter Akira Yamamoto was released from the Judiciary without charge following her unlawful arrest on the orders of Mister Ozu.
Charges levelled against Rep Inge Tomas (Muedin) of corruption were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Following the trial, acting Lunar Secretary Barton Joster said he respected the court's decision.
He said: "We're unclear as to what the next steps will be - we are disappointed at the charges levelled against Takeshi Ozu, but I feel it necessary to back the decision of the Judiciary."
Mister Ozu's execution will take place tomorrow at 12:00 (IST).
# # #
Epilogue
Takeshi: Judiciary airlock, Insularum 2, Lunar
30/07/6,544, 12:01 (IST)
The first airlock hissed shut behind Takeshi as he awaited his fate.
He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind of all thoughts, but instead he felt anger - anger at the cold injustice of it all.
He held his breath as the airlock clicked, wondering again how things could have gone so wrong. He had done bad things, but he always did them for the Union.
Nobody believed he had no part in the Yao deaths - he was dying an innocent man.
He was beyond the point of crying, his eyes already red and burnt from a night of sleepless tears. He was passed feeling betrayed, hopeless. He wanted it all to end.
He turned to the airlock behind him. "I don't want to die," he begged. "Let me out. Please."
The second airlock opened. The air whistled around him.
He slumped to the ground and gasped his final breath.
< < < < THE END > > > >
Author’s note
Dear reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read As the Gravity Flipped. I’m not going to ask you to sign up for any mailing lists to get a free story that should have been in the novel in the first place, but I will ask if you could take a minute to leave an honest review on Amazon. Reviews really help authors and readers.
If you enjoyed it, please tell a friend or get in touch on the Twitter machine @hkstroganoff or by emailing hkstroganoff@gmail.com – thanks, HKS.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction - science fiction at that. I’d be very surprised if anything that occurred in this novel was experienced in the real world, but just in case: it’s all fiction. Any similarities to past, present or future people or events is purely coincidental.
If there’s a psychic link to a post-Earth future that I am unaware of, then please accept my apologies.
This work is copyright 2016 by Herschel K. Stroganoff.