Shanna

by Bill Nolan

  Robert knew he should stay out of Empire legal matters, but he’d had a feeling about this planet ever since he had known he was coming here. There were threads in the weave that he could not see clearly, but something told him that he should get involved. Without giving it any conscious thought, he heard himself agreeing.

  “I have a few days until this bigwig catches up with us, and this could be amusing. Have somebody give all the documents to me before we leave today. I’ll look them over, and interview the people involved tomorrow. Be sure to transmit to my ship a copy of the official assignment of the case.”

  “Thank you,” Kordon replied, “It’s a simple case and won’t take up much of your time. We appreciate it. What is your full name, for the case assignment?”

  “I’ve been called a lot of things, but my mother called me Bob Masters. What’s the best place to shop on this lovely planet? My wife is looking for souvenirs.”

  “As you’ve already seen, Captain, this isn’t exactly a tourist center. There are some interesting mineral samples in a few of the shops down that way a block or two, but that’s about it. I’ll have those documents waiting for you at your aircar.”

  Jane soon learned that Kordon wasn’t kidding. There wasn’t much of interest in the shops. She finally settled on a rock with several pretty, green crystals embedded in it. Robert didn’t have the heart to tell her that the inch long crystals were emeralds, and she had just spent about as much as she had made in a year back on Earth.

  That evening, on board Shanna, Robert was in his office looking over the documents relating to the case he had agreed to decide, when Jonu came by to see him. “Well, Robert Allen, what’s this I hear about you joining the Empire judiciary? Why are you getting involved in this case?"

  Robert shook his head. “I don’t know. That’s what bothers me. I have no business getting involved in this affair, but I was drawn to it. My vision of the future is cloudy, but a lot of it seems to come from this filthy, little world. I don’t even know if this case is what I’m seeing. And now I have to find this little girl guilty of assaulting the base manager’s daughter, even though she was justified. I agreed to decide this case ‘in accordance with Empire law.’ I can’t see an out. Maybe when I interview everybody, I’ll come up with something.”

  “Maybe not,” Jonu replied. “Do you mind if I look over these papers. Perhaps I’ll see something you’ve missed.”

  “I’d be grateful for the help,” Robert said. “As a Tocal, I am honor bound to find a solution fair to everybody involved, but I don’t see how to do that and stay inside Empire law. The big problem is the base manager’s relationship to the Queen. He’s some sort of distant cousin, so his daughter is an even more distant cousin. What we have here is an assault on a member of the royal family.”

  Robert and Jonu talked about the troubling case for a while, and then about Robert’s plans once they arrived at Earth. They both knew that the products loaded on and around the ship were going to cause some serious disruptions on Earth, and that didn’t even take into account the impact of a bunch of off-world strangers showing up. The shock to Earth’s cultures was going to be immense, and they didn’t see any good way to minimize it. A lot of people were going to be out of work, and a lot of religions were going to be very unhappy.

  The next morning, Robert went down to the surface to interview everyone who had any knowledge of the case. He took Jane, Jonu, Kysandra, and Chofma with him. Kordon had gathered everyone together and set up a room for the interviews. While Robert discussed the details with Kordon, Chofma checked the room. When he came out, he signed to Robert that the room was bugged. Jane was watching for it, but still almost missed it. The To’Ach’an sign language, different in each ship, was physical, and couldn’t be learned in her sleep as she had the other languages, so she was still practicing.

  Robert took Kordon with him and looked at the room. As soon as he saw it, he started complaining that it was just not suitable. This was wrong, that was wrong, and so on, until Kordon asked what he wanted to do. Robert said, “I’ll have a few more aircars sent down, and we’ll just do it on my ship.”

  Kordon objected, but Robert stood firm, so an hour later, everybody had been moved into Shanna. Jonu made sure the various people were kept separate. It did cause a bit of a stir when Robert demanded that the Base manager’s wife be included, but, as he pointed out, she was mentioned in the reports, and he just wanted to be meticulous.

  Kamci, the accused girl, was brought up in a separate aircar. She was a mess. Apparently the base jailors hadn’t seen fit to let her bathe or shower the whole time she was jailed, and it was obvious that she had been beaten more than once. She was in a holding room, by herself, and Robert was watching her on a screen. He got Crylth, the healer, on another screen and asked her to handle it for him. “I’m going to interview all the others first, so get her cleaned up and ready. Be as gentle as you can. It looks like the poor kid has had a hard time.”

  It took Robert almost three hours to finish with the others. He found Suji to be a very unpleasant girl, while Letha and Laurni were just scared. They were sure they would be getting into trouble for what they told him, and they were scared for Kamci. It took Robert 10 minutes to get Laurni to tell him about the beatings from Suji. When he went to his office after the last interview, Jonu was waiting.

  “Well, Jonu, you were right. The little girl, Kamci, is guilty, no doubt. Did you find what we were looking for in Empire law?” He had, and he spent the next few minutes explaining it to Robert. Then he and Robert went up to the room where Crylth had put Kamci. Podara and Crylth were waiting for them outside the door.

  Crylth greeted Robert by saying, “You’d better not be giving her back to them.” She looked like a cobra about ready to strike. Crylth and her spouse had been the first two people Robert had recruited, long ago when he was first in exile on Earth. They had lived in Shanna by themselves, except for Robert’s visits, for almost a year, and had been with Robert for nearly thirty years. She knew him well enough to speak her mind.

  “Take it easy,” Robert answered. “We have a plan.”

  The room, about 30’ square, had a big, round table in the middle, and a few chairs scattered about. Kamci was huddled in a chair by the table, clean and naked. Robert pulled a chair over next to her and sat down. Kamci had her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her knees. She was shivering violently, although it wasn’t cold in the room.

  Robert spoke up. “Please put some heat on this girl. She’s freezing. And have somebody bring something hot to drink.” He looked at Kamci. “Do you know why you’re naked, girl?”

  “N-No, S-S-Sir,” Kamci stuttered out through her chattering teeth. “The missus there had me take off my clothes so I could shower, and she didn’t give them back. I s’pose they were too dirty, Sir.”

  “No girl, that’s not it. Because of security concerns, all prisoners on To’Ach’an warships are kept in the nude.”

  Kamci looked up, clearly startled, and then looked around at Jonu and Podara, who were wearing the distinctive jumpsuits. Her eyes got bigger and bigger, and then she looked down in horror as she lost control of her bladder. That’s when the tears and sobs really started. Podara’s instincts came to the fore. Jonu barely made it out of her way as she strode across the room and swept the girl into her arms. Kamci struggled for a moment, and then gave up and hugged her back. Crylth came over with a damp towel to clean her up.

  Podara sat with Kamci on her lap, holding her and speaking into her ear. In a few minutes Kamci had settled down enough to be able to speak. Podara picked her up and moved to a clean chair by the table. Kamci didn’t seem to notice that a woman half her size had carried her like she was a doll.

  “Sir, I’m so sorry about the mess. I’ll clean it up. I didn’t mean to…”

  “Shhh, Kamci,” Robert said quietly. “Don’t worry about it. We snuck up on you. Listen now, you should be happy this is a To’Ach’an ship.”
r />   “Why?” Kamci answered.

  “Because,” Robert said, “That means I can decide your case the way I want. I don’t work for the Empire. Do you think you can trust me?”

  “I don’t know,” Kamci said truthfully. “I don’t even know you. I don’t even know your name.”

  Crylth handled the introduction. “If I tell you his name, you aren’t going to pee all over yourself again, are you?” Kamci solemnly shook her head from side to side. “OK,” Crylth continued, “This is Tocal Robert Allen, and the ship is Shanna. I’m Crylth, this is Jonu, and you are sitting on Podara’s lap.”

  They watched her eyes get big again. She hadn’t heard of Podara or Crylth, but she had definitely heard of the others.

  Robert took her hand. “Kamci, I know you’re not too used to trusting anybody. You’ve been on your own for a while now, but you’re in an awful lot of trouble. If you trust me, I’ll try to help you. I want you to do two things. I want you to trust me completely for two hours, without question, and I want you to be really brave for that same two hours. Can you do that?”

  Kamci looked toward him, and said, “I’ll do my best.”

  “No, Kamci, that won’t do. Can you do this or not? Tell me now.”

  Kamci stared at him for a few moments. She sensed that she was being tested, but she didn’t know how. Finally, she said, “Yes, I can do it.” She didn’t sound too sure.

  Robert dropped her hand and slapped her across the face. Kamci put her hand to her face, and the tears started to come. Jonu spoke for the first time. “Stop that! You call that brave? Look at me, girl.” Kamci looked up at him. “What does a brave person do if somebody hits them?”

  Kamci looked like a deer in headlights, like she didn’t know which way to run. “They hit them back?” she said in a voice as low as a whisper.

  “That’s right,” Jonu said. “They hit them back. So, brave girl, hit him back, now!”

  Her saucer eyes had returned, but she lifted her hand and struck Robert lightly across the cheek.

  “Harder!” Jonu yelled.

  She slapped harder.

  “Harder!” Jonu yelled again.

  She slapped harder yet.

  It took another few tries before she really slapped like she meant it. They could see it in her eyes. Before, they had seen only fear in her eyes, but now there was a spark of something else. It was a start.

  Robert jumped up. “What do you mean, hitting me, you little wretch!”

  Podara was still holding her on her lap. “Don’t take that! Tell him you’re not a wretch!”

  “I’m not a wretch,” Kamci muttered.

  “Louder!” Podara shouted.

  Kamci was getting the idea. By the third “Louder!” she jumped up, knocking over the chair next to her, and screamed, “I am not a wretch! Don’t ever call me that!” She shoved Robert backward with both hands in his chest. The spark had become a fire.

  “It feels good, fighting back, doesn’t it?” Jonu asked.

  “Yes,” Kamci almost shouted as she whirled to face him, her eyes flashing.

  “I know,” Jonu said. “I know that feeling. Remember it. Don’t let it slip away from you.”

  Robert smiled and looked her right in the eyes. She didn’t look away. “There,” Robert said, “That’s the girl we were looking for. I knew she was in there somewhere. Now, let me tell you what you’ll need to do.” The timing was perfect. Karlona arrived just then with the hot chocolate.

  After Robert and Jonu explained to Kamci the part she would play, they went back to Robert’s office, where Robert put in a call to Jamer, the base manager. He explained that he would be issuing his decision in about an hour, and asked if Jamer wanted to come up for it. Jamer said he would be there, and also said there was a high ranking Empire official coming with him, and that the official might want to inspect the ship after the decision was read. It wasn’t even a very clever threat.

  An hour later, all of the people Robert had interviewed had been shown into a large meeting area and seated facing the podium in the front. Jamer had been seated in the front center, along with his three guards. The Empire official, a General, had chosen a seat on the left side of the room, which would put him on Robert’s right when they went in. Robert had met Kysandra, Chofma, and Kamci outside the room. Karlona had gotten some people together and spent the hour working with Kamci. Her hair was done, and they had added a bit of makeup. Kamci was surprised at herself, and at the way she felt. She couldn’t ever remember feeling so alive, and it showed. Kamci practically pulsed with energy. She looked radiant, and her nudity didn’t detract a bit from the effect Robert wanted. Robert hadn’t told her what his decision would be, but he had told her not to worry, so she didn’t.

  Chofma opened the door, and the four of them went inside. The door they entered was in the front wall of the room, behind the podium. Kysandra took a seat to Robert’s right, while Chofma sat on his left. Like Robert, neither was wearing a jumpsuit. Robert had Kamci stand next to the podium. He noticed that Jamer couldn’t take his eyes off Kamci. “Good,” he thought. He waited for quiet, and then spoke.

  “This was a difficult case, but I agreed to decide it in accordance with Empire law, so that’s what I have done. After looking at all the evidence, I find Kamci to be guilty of an assault on a relative of the Empress.” Robert saw Suji’s look of victory. “I sentence her to pay a fine of one zarig, to be added to her contract. I also sentence her to the time she has already been held.”

  Jamer leaped to his feet. “That’s an outrage. You can’t let her off with no punishment!”

  Robert gave him a quick look and said, “There’s more, if everyone will settle down.” He waited again for quiet. “Empire law clearly requires the person investigating a crime to handle any related or associated crimes he discovers in the course of his investigation. I discovered that Suji, daughter of the base manager, had destroyed property belonging to Kamci. This was done willfully, and with the full intent of provoking an attack. I sentence her to a fine of 110 zarigs, which sum will be paid to the deciding officer, who will donate it to charity. I also sentence her to be flogged 10 lashes. Are there any questions?”

  There was dead silence for a long moment, and then Jamer rushed up to the podium shouting at Robert. “I’ll have you arrested for this. I can try you myself. When I tell my cousin what you’ve done, you’ll never command another ship, I promise you. That sentence will never be carried out, and as for you, Kamci, you’ll be sorry you were involved in this.”

  Robert nodded at Kamci. She stepped toward Jamer and held out her hand. “I have something for you,” she said, and handed him a folded envelope she had been carrying.

  Jamer still couldn’t keep his eyes off Kamci. He took the envelope, looked at it for a moment, and then looked back at Kamci. “What’s this?”

  It was hard, but Kamci smiled very sweetly at him, just like Robert had told her to do, and said, loudly enough for everyone to hear, “That is valid Empire currency in the amount of 110 zarigs. I am acting on my own behalf and as agent for my sister, Letha, and our friend, Laurni. That amount pays off our contracts, with some to spare. You may keep the extra as my gift to you. We are no longer under contract to the mining company.” She smiled at him again. The smile was bigger this time.

  Jamer turned to his guards and said, “Arrest her and take her back to Wotara. We’ll deal with her later.”

  Kamci turned to Robert and said, “Sir, as a free person, I ask for your protection for myself, my sister Letha, and our friend Laurni.”

  Robert simply said, “Granted.” He then turned to Jamer and said, “These girls are my guests, and under my protection. If you attempt to harm them or interfere with them in any way, I will prevent it.”

  Jamer’s face was bright red. He told his guards “Forget her. Arrest him.” The guards began to approach the podium.

  Robert said quietly, “That’s a stupid command, and if they attempt to carry it out, they will be killed. T
he blood will be on your foolish hands.”

  Jamer took a step closer. “You call me foolish? That’s legal grounds. I challenge you.”

  Robert chuckled. “Fine, as challenged party, I have the right to either choose the weapon or name the time and place. I choose here and now. Pick a weapon, base manager.”

  Jamer turned again to his guards. “Have my champion come up to this ship right away. Tell him to bring whatever weapon he wishes.”

  “No,” Robert said, “As a ship’s commander, my rank is as high as yours. You have no right to a champion. Like I said, pick a weapon, and do it now.”

  Jamer was bigger than Robert, but clearly no fighter. He looked at Robert, and didn’t like what he saw. He turned to the General and said, “General Aranna, do something about this.”

  The General stared at him in amazement for a moment. “I AM doing something, you incredible incompetent. I’m staying alive, which is more than I can say for you. Are you awake? Do you have eyes? Please use them. This is obviously a To’Ach’an warship. Why did you think the prisoner was naked? Have you looked around? The stocky man against the far wall is here to watch your guards and kill them if they try to interfere. His eyes haven’t left them since he entered the room. The lovely lady in front of me is here to make sure I do nothing stupid, so I am sitting very still and keeping my hands in sight. The girl in front of you wasn’t paraded in here naked for no reason. Besides security, her nudity was meant to distract you, and I’ll bet she doesn’t even know it. Now, I can find no fault with the law I have seen transacted here today, so the only question I have is, ‘How loudly will your daughter scream when she’s flogged?’”