Carbon Life

by HR Ringer

  “The serviceman’s jaw is wired closed as a result of the unprovoked assault I mentioned at the beginning of this hearing, Ma’am,” Steel answered for Joesiar.

  “Off the record, Lieutenant, the fact he is unable to speak will probably work in his favor today. Looks as if he may have insulted the wrong person,” Park replied.

  Steel glanced at Joesiar, then returned his attention to General Park. “As I said, we wish to file charges against SC2 Traynor.”

  “All in good time, Lieutenant. Now, as to skin color, I will answer my own question. I believe SC1 Yuán’s skin color is no different than my own. I also see virtually no difference, with the exception of three or four people…,” she looked at the people in attendance, “…who may have their ancestry tied to parts of the African continent, the islands in the Pacific Ocean, maybe even Central or South America. I am unable to discern from anyone’s facial features their intelligence, capacity to learn or their ability to serve in the Systems Alliance”

  Park returned her attention to Xiùlán. “SC1 Yuán. Of all the complaints the AG’s office received on this matter, yours was the first one filed, and is the only one you have filed. Do you have anything else to add to this report?”

  Yuán stood and said, “I believe the recording says it all, Ma’am. As for complaints, that was the only time I was paired up with Serviceman Joesiar.”

  “Thank you, Serviceman. You are excused,” Park said with a kind smile, then motioned to the guard standing behind her, who requested Heather Gonzales to come forward.

  Once sworn in, Heather took the chair vacated by Xiùlán. General Park played several excerpts of exchanges between Gonzales and Joesiar, then turned to Heather and asked, “Why would you record these conversations, Ms Gonzales?”

  Heather looked straight at General Park and responded without hesitation, “Advice from a friend, Ma’am.”

  “Was Mister Joesiar aware the recordings were taking place?”

  “No, Ma’am. There would have been no point in recording what was being said if he knew about it.”

  “Very well. I noticed that a number of these were not submitted through the AG’s office prior to this hearing. Reasons?”

  “I filed my first complaint in January, shortly after Serviceman Yuán and Serviceman Traynor filed their reports.” Heather glanced at Steele, then returned her gaze to General Park. “Honestly, I truly believed Alliance brass would simply ignore my complaints. I continued to record the verbal abuse, thinking that someone, somewhere up the chain would eventually listen to me.”

  Park replied, “The Alliance can be a bit slow in these matters, Serviceman, but the AG’s office takes every allegation of this kind most seriously. Is there anything else you would like to add for the record?”

  “Ma’am, I have been a member of the Alliance Navy for just over a year, encountered a lot of people from all over the world plus colonies. My right to belong in the Navy was never questioned, my performance capabilities as a woman, my parentage? Never an issue with anyone until I came to this base. I believe Serviceman Joesiar’s education to be the product of late nineteenth and early twentieth century thinking, Ma’am, and totally out of place within this organization.”

  “Thank you, Ms Gonzales. You are excused.”

  General Park had the guard call the next complainant…

  * * *

  * 1330 *

  After a break for lunch, General RaeLee Park returned to her desk, spent a few moments shuffling through the datapads in front of her before finding and extracting the one she needed. Without bothering to talk to the guard, she looked into the group of people sitting before her and said, “Serviceman Third Class Samantha Traynor, please come forward.”

  Sam jumped when her name was called, then looked at Xiùlán, who simply smiled and nodded; Traynor hadn’t expected to be called today, as there were other women that came ahead of her alphabetically. She got up and walked to the table where Xiùlán and Heather had given their testimony, stood by the empty chair and came to attention.

  Park said, “For the record, Serviceman, please state your name, rank, and service number.”

  “Traynor, Samantha, Serviceman Third Class, 8256-DH-7968, Ma’am.”

  “Thank you, Ms Traynor… Have a seat.” Park activated her datapad and studied the information slowly scrolling up the screen. “It appears you have a singular aptitude for electronic intrusion, including the ability to hack secure databases without leaving a trace. Did you use this ability on the afternoon of one October?”

  “I did, Ma’am,” Sam replied quietly.

  “To what purpose, Ms Traynor?” Park wanted to know.

  “In order to provide visual proof, along with my omni-tool recording, of the event that transpired on that afternoon,” Traynor responded.

  “This event to which you refer… it is the reason I’m sitting here today, is it not?”

  “Yes Ma’am, it is,” Traynor answered.

  “Before we view the video from the security system you hacked,” Park replied, “can you explain why you have been training in the art of Jing Quan Dao?”

  “I was physically assaulted once during my freshman year in college and lacked the knowledge needed to defend myself,” Traynor answered. “Serviceman Yuán offered to train me in hand-to-hand combat in exchange for my instructing her in computer server intrusion and quantum communications, subjects that were even difficult for me to master.”

  Park looked at her datapad intently for a moment before observing, “Your record shows you have a BSc in Physics, specializing in Astrophysics; you also studied Math and Computer Science, and took a minor in applied Mathematics and Statistics with an emphasis on analysis.” Park looked up from the readouts and fixed Traynor with a steely gaze. “Ms Traynor, you graduated from Oxford University near the top of your class. With that kind of background, I would be surprised if you couldn’t fly from here to Charon and back using nothing but dead reckoning.” Park looked for and found the datapad with Yuán’s information from the morning session. “It would appear that Ms Yuán began receiving higher scores in the applied sciences around March of this year. Is that when you began her tutoring?”

  “Yes Ma’am.”

  “…and that would also be when you started your physical training, correct?”

  “Yes Ma’am.”

  “I have seen this video footage, Ms Traynor; Yuán’s personnel record from her time here shows that no one wishes to meet her on the mat… I believe the expression is ‘toe-to-toe’? In the eight to nine months she has been training you, it appears she has transformed you into an image of herself. I still have a difficult time believing you have learned to be so… I don’t know…,” she waved a hand in the air, “…brutally efficient.” Park turned to the guard and told him to run the video.

  As the video began, Lieutenant Steele’s mouth dropped open for a moment before he stood and loudly said, “Objection! We were not made aware a record of this incident existed. Serviceman Joesiar is the injured party here… I mean, look at his face!”

  “Your objection is duly noted, Lieutenant, and it is overruled! Sit down, watch and learn,” Park replied.

  With an air of resignation, Lieutenant Steele retook his seat and leaned back, whispering to Joesiar as he did so. They both watched and listened as the confrontation between Joesiar and Traynor unfolded, beginning with Traynor’s apology to Joesiar, his reply concerning ‘his’ air, his instructions for Hobe to grab her so he could ‘teach dis bitch a lesson in manners!’ and Hobe’s misguided attempt to grab Traynor’s breasts, all viewed from over Joesiar’s shoulder; the vantage point then shifted to a view from over Traynor’s shoulder, showing her viciously dropping Hobe to the floor, Joesiar’s subsequent attempt to grapple with her, the impact of her boot in his chest and the triple snap-punch that knocked him down.

  General Park had the guard ‘step’ through the footage a frame at a time so everyone could see her individual punches land on Joesiar’s face. Tra
ynor’s arms were a blur of motion within each frame of video; it looked as if the third punch she landed was probably superfluous, as Joesiar appeared to be unconscious after being hit by Traynor’s second punch.

  There was quiet murmuring among the women sitting around Xiùlán and Heather, which quickly disappeared with a look from General Park. “Ms Traynor, I have never seen two people taken down in such a precise manner. Your instructor should be proud of you.”

  Park shifted her attention to Steele and Joesiar. “So Lieutenant, in light of this audio and video evidence, does Serviceman Joesiar still wish to bring charges against Serviceman Traynor?”

  Steele leaned over to whisper something to Joesiar; returning his attention to General Park, he said, “We request a fifteen-minute recess to confer, General.”

  “Take twenty, Lieutenant. Just make sure you’re ready for the hammer to drop when we reconvene.” The guard said, “All rise,” as General Park rose from her chair, picked up her data pads and left by the door behind her.

  Traynor rose from her table and turned to look for Xiùlán. As she did, Joesiar made a point of walking up to her and muttering through his wired shut jaws, “Ya ‘uckin’ ’rown-skin ’itch! Ya jus’ cos’ ’e uh c’reer in da ’liance.” [You just cost me a career in the Alliance]

  Sam cocked her head and looked at him with a raised eyebrow, much as she had on the day she’d busted his chops. “No Joesiar, the only person to blame for all this is you.” Addressing Lieutenant Steele, she said in a voice literally dripping with venom, “Lieutenant, I suggest you get this goddamned mutherfucker the ‘ell out of my face before I hit ‘im again!… might even get lucky this time… rid the gene pool of his stupidity!”

  To his credit, Steele immediately grabbed Joesiar’s arm without a word and steered him away from Traynor and Yuán, guiding him out a side door away from the crowd of women gradually surrounding Sam and Xiùlán.

  Heather grabbed Sam in a hug and kissed her cheek. “Damn, Traynor. I didn’t realize you’d put those bastards down so convincingly! That was totally amazing.” The rest of the women voiced their agreement, patting her back and shoulders as they crowded around her.

  Traynor gently returned the hug. “Glad you approve. We haven’t won yet, but things do look promising.”

  Releasing Heather, she looked around and located Xiùlán. “What do you think? Next shuttle for Earth?”

  “Bùyào zhǐwàng nǐ de xiǎo jī zhídào tāmen fūhuà,” she said softly, as if afraid she’d jinx the proceedings by speculating prematurely. “Sorry, Sammy - means ‘do not count your chickens until they hatch’. [不要指望你的小雞直到他們孵化] I want to believe we’ve got things going our way, but a slick lawyer like Steele? Anything’s possible.” Xiùlán shrugged her shoulders. “We’ll see how General Park feels when she returns. But Sammy,” Xiùlán took both her hands in her own, “whatever happens, you did great. I am so very proud of you!”

  * * *

  * 1430 *

  “Please be seated.” General Park waited while everyone sat down and the room quieted before clearing her throat. She looked at Joesiar and Lieutenant Steele as she said, “Serviceman Second Class Joesiar, stand and come to attention.” Joesiar looked at Steele nervously as he obeyed the general.

  “In all my years in the Alliance Marines, I have never met an individual, from either branch, that has done more to tarnish the reputations of every man and woman that serves the Systems Alliance with honor and integrity.” General Park continued with, “You sir, are a disgrace to the uniform, and honestly, I cannot imagine how in the name of all that’s good and holy you managed to get through basic training without someone murdering you in your sleep.”

  Lieutenant Steele shoved his chair back in order to stand next to Joesiar. He tentatively raised a hand to interrupt the general, only to receive a stern look as she ignored his motion and continued speaking.

  “The Systems Alliance has enough problems in our contacts with batarians and turians without having to deal with xenophobes within our midst. I can not imagine what would happen to our fragile peace with these two races if a member of either one were to personally encounter your narrow-minded view of the galaxy. Before I announce my decision, do you have anything to say to me that can in any way excuse your extremely offensive behavior during your time here? In light of your facial injuries, I will allow Lieutenant Steele to answer for you.”

  Steele glanced at Joesiar before responding. “The serviceman stands by his earlier assertion that he is in no way racist or misogynistic; he believes all of his attempts at humor have been misconstrued as insults or harassment. Further, he believes the security video as presented proves he was an innocent victim of an unprovoked physical attack by Serviceman Traynor, thus feels he is the aggrieved party, and wishes at this time to file an assault charge against Serviceman Traynor.”

  Traynor literally couldn’t believe her ears; neither could the women seated with her, if their unhappy murmuring was any indication. Heather and Xiùlán, seated on either side of her, each gave Traynor a hand to hold as they waited for General Park to respond.

  The general closed her eyes for a few moments as she massaged her temples between the fingertips of each hand; she opened her eyes and used them to skewer the Lieutenant. “You are sadly mistaken, Lieutenant, if you think for one nanosecond I would entertain the possibility of charging Ms Traynor with assault. She defended herself from not one, but two attackers, both men, at least outwardly. That Mr. Joesiar felt he was going to ‘teach’ Ms Traynor a lesson while he had a friend hold her?… and just what sort of lesson did you intend to teach Ms Traynor, Serviceman?”

  Steele started to speak, only to be cut off by Park. “Stow it, Lieutenant! Not another word. I have made my decision, and it is irrevocable… no appeal, do you understand me?”

  Steele opened his mouth, closed it, then replied with only thinly veiled contempt, “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “In the matter of Serviceman First Class Yuán Xiùlán, Serviceman Second Class Heather Gonzales, Serviceman Third Class Samantha Traynor, et al, complainants, against Serviceman Second Class Joesiar, I find the reported complaints to be verifiable, backed up by certified recordings, both audio and video; I therefore find the person accused in all these complaints to be guilty of conduct unbecoming a member of the Systems Alliance.” Park looked at Joesiar as he stood behind the table with Lieutenant Steele. “Mister Joesiar, your actions have earned you a less than honorable discharge from your position in the Systems Alliance. You are ordered to turn over any and all property and equipment issued to you by the Systems Alliance, including your omni-tool, data pads and uniforms. Upon receipt of said property, you will be issued credits in the amount owed to you for enlistment through the end of the current year. If you wish to remain on base until the 31st of this month, you will be relocated to civilian guest quarters outside of normal base operations. On or before the end of this month you will be provided shuttle transportation to Alliance HQ Vancouver; from there you will be escorted off base. Do you have any questions?”

  Joesiar mumbled something to Lieutenant Steele, who answered for him. “Mister Joesiar wants the general to be expecting a call from Major General Bradley Joesiar.”

  “Duly noted, Lieutenant. If there’s nothing else…?” Park gathered up her data pads; as the guard came to attention and shouted “All rise!” the general stood and left the hearing room through the door behind her desk.

  Xiùlán, Heather and Sam hugged one another as the thoroughly defeated Joesiar and Steele slunk towards the side door like a pair of whipped dogs, tails between their legs.

  Everyone was talking all at once about this turn of events when first Traynor’s, then Xiùlán’s, then Heather’s omni-tools activated, showing incoming messages. Traynor opened hers first, read the message and looked at her two companions. “It’s from the general… General Park. She wants to meet with me in her quarters at 1930.”

  Heather looked at her message; it
was the same invitation, as was the message on Xiùlán’s omni-tool. “Appears to be genuine. Should we be worried?”

  By now, Traynor could find a conspiracy anywhere she looked. “I doubt the general’s personal messaging system has been hacked, but let me do some digging, see what I can uncover.”

  Heather had been ready to accept the invitation at face value. “Why do either of you think it’s anything but a simple request to meet with General Park?”

  Xiùlán replied, “Because Park was here only long enough to hear our complaints and render an opinion. She most certainly would have shuttled back to BC… why stay here overnight?”

  “Exactly! She’s on a tight schedule,” Traynor agreed with Xiùlán. “The shuttle would have waited for her if her business here wasn’t going to take more than a day. Like I said, let me do some digging. Shouldn’t take long for me to learn if the general has left for BC. I’ll message both of you later. In the meantime, check with your friends, Heather… see if any of them received this exact same message. I’m smelling a rat.”

  * * *

  Chapter 8: Aftermath

  Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends. – Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

  * * *

  * BASE VIP QUARTERS, 1925 – 2330 *

  Traynor had checked General Park’s scheduled itinerary and could find no reason to believe the invitations received by Xiùlán, Heather and herself were anything but legitimate; the general was actually scheduled to be on site for another day, and was not due to return to Earth until Saturday morning. Xiùlán was chosen to be the ‘early bird’ after a rather heated ‘rock/paper/scissors’ best two out of three selection process an hour ago – Traynor, having won the game (or lost, depending on the viewpoint), was waiting close at hand with Heather; both would arrive in five minutes.