by John Pearce
The Senator thought on, ‘Here again we come out in the open, we offer them through our employment agencies to the whole planet. They become an on demand peace force, cheaper than paying taxes to the Federation.’
‘What about the ten security leaders?’
‘We have no further use of them or their high costs.’
‘There’s a potential hitch there Senator, you’d be asking generals to give up their soldiers! The native army, two hundred thousand of them, owe allegiance to their leaders!’
‘I think I’ve covered that Alfonso, the security leaders can go back to the jungle; the natives can either continue as our peace force under our leadership or get replaced by other tribes. The law change won’t allow them to revolt with impunity, we can call in the military if they get stroppy.
‘Which brings us to our Research Lab Senator.’
‘Exactly Alfonso, we would look good and make a profit by selling a wider range of cheap bio-meds to an enlarged market; from both natives and those who have an interest in keeping them active. Remember, we’re paragons of virtue now.’
‘Our overheads, we would need to trim them?
‘We would be cutting out the expensive leaders from the security services, that would save us millions.’ The Senator’s face flashed a smile for the first time. ‘Most of the Lab guards are redundant now, all will be if there’s a law change.’ Then he flashed a frown. ‘But we owe them lots of platinum.’
Alfonso struck, ‘May I make a suggestion Senator.’
‘You usually do.’
‘We could ensure the natives chase them off, they knew the Guards were involved in trafficking their women, they probably even know the location of the Lab! All we have to do is find a way of stirring them up.’
‘Yes…there’s always been trouble between the Guards and some of the tribes. We’d need to target the wronged tribes, think of the platinum we’d save!’
‘I could find them, make sure they react in the way we want.’
‘You Alfonso?’
‘May I mention the most delicate of subjects Senator?’
‘You’re going to anyway.’
‘The whole of Cyan House knows that you tired of Elena, and that she threw herself at a younger man for solace.’
‘Is that so Alfonso?’
‘If I could keep Elena permanently, as my most personal of assistants, I’d be glad to play the messenger.’
‘Ironic…and politically useful, we have natives take the blame for something that helps us wriggle out of a debt. The Senator grinned. ‘Should we do this before or after the tribunal?’
The grey man gulped. ‘Before Senator, or we’ll get the blame for allowing our new voters to run amok, best we blame them while they’re still classed as animals!’
‘What about our six scientists at the lab, they’re human remember!’
‘I make it clear to the natives that the scientists are innocent of trafficking crimes, and are only working on medicines for the native’s benefit.’
‘An excellent scheme Alfonso, Elena is yours...the Tribunal permitting!’
‘Thank you Senator. Last but certainly not least is the Senate’s embarrassment caused by the maverick behaviour of Admiral Maltravers.’
‘Now we can get rid of him once and for all, leave these politics to me Alfonso.’ The Senator demanded with a triumphant grin.
‘Yes Senator,’ replied the grey man lasciviously, continuing to dream of Elena.
A thousand natives were marching towards the grey suited guards who’d help smugglers traffic their women for years. Many had lost family, whilst others had suffered only the indignity of a poisoning before being left to the possibility of delayed gene switching. All were armed with throwing spears and the accompanying sling that gave their weapons an accurate range of over a hundred metres. They knew how potent rifles were and that being blasted by two hundred lasers would mean carnage. They went forward to hurl their spears vainly at the carbon buildings.
‘The poisoning can’t be doing that Chief?’
‘You’re right, something else has got their blood up, just ignore them, they’ll go away when they’ve cooled off.’
‘Why not blast a few? That’ll shift them!’
‘In this heat, who wants to shift bodies?’
The next interruption was in the form of flaming spears that clattered as they hit the rooftops, setting the camouflage ablaze.
‘Now I’m getting angry,’ cursed the Chief, ‘send out a dozen rifles to teach them a lesson.’
The dozen felt secure as they walked out of the building and under the covered clearing, it was then that they were hit by a horizontal storm of spears, the guards crumpled like quilled creatures screaming their final agonies.
‘Those bastards mean it! Get every man with rifles at the ready, we’ll slaughter them once and for all!’
‘Let’s bring the military in Chief.’
‘Only if we have to!’
Cautiously this time, with rifles firing at every movement, two hundred guards cleared the undergrowth around the clearing. The thousand ran from the uniforms, keeping behind trees where possible, losing a few of their own where not. They still turned, whirling their slings with enough accuracy to down a few of their enemies, then continued running across another clearing and disappearing into trees. The guards followed, but only into the clearing.
‘An obvious trap, keep in a straight line and don’t let them get to within a hundred metres, we can blast dozens with each rifle if we keep them at a distance, keep in the open.’
Twenty thousand natives oozed from the trees and split into two, lining up along each side of the grey procession. Along both flanks, they formed into ten ranks, each a thousand strong.
‘I think we need more men Chief!’
Two thousand spears darkened the sky, then another two thousand until all twenty thousand had been thrown, such a storm left no guard untouched. The natives walked slowly towards the grey and now crimson line, stretched out amongst a plantation of spears. They stared at the bloodied contortions before them as their cries faded away, this time it was their enemies who had fallen.
OUTSIDE THE LAW
The fifteen justices, one from each planet, were called to gather at the Galactic Legislative Court on Earth to consider a new law: Aliens with genetics comparable to humans are to be classed as people with the same rights and responsibilities that humans have.
All telecoms throughout the Galaxy were focused on the Senate based courtroom, packed with hundreds from the media and prominent members of the public. The Origins Society accepted the opportunity to support the new law whilst the Galactic Prosecutor chose to oppose it.
The Prospector sixteen were as excited as the rest of the Galaxy, the court rose to greet the fifteen justices who took their places on the elevated bench. Despite it being the twenty fifth century, the court was well fitted with real oak and brass, the lines being as straight as taste and comfort would allow. The proceedings would be presided over by Chief Justice Stephens from Earth who took the central seat of fifteen. The judgement would be by a majority verdict.
‘Mr Lundstrom,’ started the stony faced Chief Justice Stephens, ‘would you care to open your arguments, in particular, clarifying the difference between this and the present law regarding alien classification.’
The young man stood up, light blue eyes set in a fresh face under blonde hair, slightly built, he was clad in a black two piece suit with a white roll neck shirt; his words were not affected by his shyness. ‘The law before you today differs slightly in its wording but greatly in its meaning. The previous law was so worded that alien genetics had to be indistinguishable from human genetics, then the species could be regarded as a human equivalent. In fact, all it said was that aliens had to be human, never was a greater prejudice committed to statute, masquerading as law. The present motion before you says quite clearly that alien genetics has to be comparable. That’s what most of the legal argument will focus o
n. The material question is: How comparable is comparable? If we compare the genomes of aliens and humans we find that there are no significant differences, except for chromosome count; even compared to other primates we find no significant differences. However, for both aliens and humans, cerebral gene expression is comparable, but more active when compared to other primates. Therefore, the word comparable brushes away the cobwebs of ignorance to leave another clear path of scientific fact that leads to justice.’
The Chief Justice nodded politely and looked at Prosecutor Kwai. ‘Would you care to reply Madam Prosecutor?’
She added a stern look to her pointed features, the petite fair haired middle aged woman, also dressed in black, reminded everybody who she was. ‘The Federation has no arguments with the genetics of this case, we do however question whether insignificant differences in genetics are significant enough to affect choice. Choice is a significant part of intelligent life, contrary to what many believe, this includes lawyers. Sure, genetics do show how we compare with aliens, so called alien people, but they could not possibly show how we compare in choice activity. Therefore, however sentimental we may feel towards other living creatures, we must accept that giving them rights is one thing, but giving them responsibilities is another, and could be dangerous. That is the basis of the Federation’s case.’
Over the day scientists and philosophers were cross examined to pacify not only the Judges but the whole of the Galaxy. Such a law had to be seen to be accepted or rejected. The choice argument was left until the next day.
The masses crowded the foyer, the Prosecutor and the Admiral were in relaxed conversation. Prosecutor Kwai whispered, ‘I hope that young man knows where the law can’t go as well as where it can. I’ll bid him good evening just to be sure.’ The Admiral nodded, she glided away to an admiring throng surrounding the blonde hair. The young lawyer smiled towards his adversary as she raised her finger as a sign of peace. He wrestled his way to her side and lowered his head to meet hers. ‘Don’t forget the Philosophers Case,’ she said as his eyes narrowed, ‘do you understand?’ He looked at her and nodded. ‘Good evening to you Mr Lundstrom.’ His now widening eyes followed her as she retreated.
‘Would you like to make your closing speeches?’ asked the Chief Justice.
Prosecutor Quai repeated her arguments of the previous day, the excitement across the Galaxy as well as the court was growing, was history about to be made? She nodded politely at the Chief Justice and then the young lawyer.
The young man walked slowly to a vantage point in the court, looked softly at her, then started to address the whole Galaxy. ‘In at least one area of human activity the law has shown enough sense to keep away. That is undoubtedly the area of choice. The legal precedent is the Philosophers Case where this is a freedom for all people. All have the inalienable right to choice, not even the law can interfere in a persons’ mind. Ironic is it not, when you look at the spelling of that word, inalienable. If choice is a right, then the contrary must be a right also, that is the right not to make a choice. The prosecution’s case comes down to making choice mandatory! Clearly absurd. The law put before you states quiet clearly that subject to their genetics, the rights and responsibilities of aliens are to be equal to humans. I should have won my case by now, but to be sure of putting human minds at rest, I would remind you that there is no evidence from across the Galaxy of humans being any better behaved than aliens. Even the Senate agrees with this last comment, they have already started talks with aliens…or can I now say people.’
All the eyes and ears in the galaxy turned towards the Chief Justice, distracted by the court clerk moving towards the bench. ‘Before you consider your ruling Chief Justice, I have just had some late evidence from Cyan through Senator Goring, it’s relevant to Mr Lundstrom’s case regarding alien behaviour.’ He handed over a file.
The Chief Justice’s demeanour saddened as he studied the screen. ‘Would you both approach the bench please,’ he asked, ‘I think you need to be aware of this.’
Mr Lundstrom spoke sadly, ‘It changes nothing for us Chief Justice.’
‘I will have to make a comment on this tragedy, to make sure your judgement is based on all the evidence,’ Prosecutor Kwai lamented. She then made a point of walking across the court to the Admiral and whispering for a couple of minutes. She then moved back to centre stage.
The Chief Justice announced to the court, ‘We have some late evidence to consider, please continue Prosecutor Kwai.’
‘There has been a tragedy on Cyan that Mr Lundstrom has considered, but has nothing more to add. The Federation wishes to comment just for the record. It appears that two hundred guards at a research establishment have been attacked and killed by native Cyanese. We have been collecting evidence for some time regarding ongoing friction between these two groups. After due consideration of this evidence the Federation concludes that this tragedy has no bearing on these proceedings.’
Along with murmurings from the court, there was the usual turning of heads from the fifteen justices with no sign that they would retire, this added to the tension. After just a few minutes the Chief Justice looked forward, seemingly to the whole court, but in fact to the whole Galaxy. ‘On hearing and studying all the evidence relevant to this hearing, with a unanimous decision we agree that this law be passed.’ The court erupted into cheering and clapping for many minutes before the Chief Justice could be heard again. ‘And that this classification be awarded to alien species that meet the genetics qualification from tests conducted from this date.’ The court again raised its noise level, the Origins Society personnel rejoiced around their relieved Lawyer. As the floor became crowded, Prosecutor Kwai walked quietly away from the melee to shake hands with the Admiral.
Professor Anton Devereaux and Mick sat motionless, letting their tears slip down their faces. Denton and Tubary nodded at each other, while the twelve warriors joined in the celebrations with their customary warm smiles.
INSIDE THE LAW
‘Good day to you all, and thank you.’ The Prosecutor started, the triumph of her defeat being diluted by her respect for those around her. ‘Put succinctly, I’m here to make sure none of you end up on the penal colony, and of course to make sure that if a crime has been committed, the guilty do.’ The woman with pointed features scanned the array of beings from left to right, seated once again in square formation. She more than ever appreciated how weak the law could be at times when compared with people of action. ‘The main problem we prosecutors have is dealing with slippery people who are well skilled at leaving ambiguous evidence, when they leave it at all. We have a thousand witnesses that say humans on Cyan have been guilty of at least vivisection and probably much worse. The absurd contradiction is that those responsible can hide behind their crime, the witnesses under the old law were not human and could not be witnesses. I understand from Professor Devereaux and Lieutenant Hernandez that it is standard procedure to compare the genetics from those poisoned, with the genetics from the wider native Cyan population. I further understand that you have already conducted such research in the recent past. You did this to determine what genetic corruption had been perpetrated, and what effect it was having on their present behaviour; it was also to predict any delayed gene expression which affected their future behaviour. Testing them and finding evidence of a crime against them, after reclassification, is now admissible as a crime against people. As for this recent massacre, we now know it was caused by choice and not corrupted genetics. Ironically and under the law, the natives were allowed to defend themselves in the manner they did whilst they were classified as animals. People however, have to take a more circuitous route.’ She hesitated awhile. ‘I don’t know, and I probably don’t want to know, what your next visit to Cyan is for!’
The Professor smiled out a statement, ‘All we need is to keep the military’s latest interspecific genetics analyzer.’ The Prosecutor nodded as she smiled back.
‘What stops the guilty wriggling out with a n
uclear accident excuse?’ asked Mick.
‘Any evidence gained includes looking at which particular gene or genes had been targeted, a nuclear accident would show a blast effect on all DNA!’ She looked for and received supportive nods from the Professor and the Lieutenant.
Denton asked, ‘You said new crime, but can the new law be enforced retroactively on poisoning administered before alien reclassification, but took effect after it?’
‘No, the crimes we know of will be vivisection only. If a new crime has been committed since reclassification then we have a legal breakthrough! Certified genetics tests have already been received and processed regarding three species of aliens, now classed as people. We’ve had no response from your people Boss!’
‘We are awaiting advice from our Ambassador.’
‘I suppose there’s no real rush after all this time?’ interrupted the Admiral.
‘I trust there’s no problem?’ Prosecutor Kwai added.
‘No, we warriors remain at your service for as long as you need us.’
‘Thank you,’ she continued, ‘I don’t know who you’ll be scanning next. I hope you can get close enough to them. Most of the Cyanese won’t know of their newly acquired status yet, hopefully most of them wanted it.’
The sixteen and the Military shielded themselves with silence, which Mick soon broke. ‘What do the Cyan authorities say about all this?
‘That it was research into cancer treatments for Cyan natives, which they have belatedly got a licence for.’
‘Cancer?’ asked Boss.
Prosecutor Kwai looked at Professor Devereaux.
‘It’s an old disease they started to tame at the beginning of the twenty first century, about the same time as epigenetics took off. So, guard your genes!’
The Prosecutor felt the need to look hard at everyone. ‘The law is a pain at times, but we must tread carefully! We cannot let the criminals escape on legal technicalities. As for all of you, try not to end up on the penal colony!’