I lay upon my back in the third fourth. The ship was in dark mode and the dirt beneath me was cool. The ceiling lights simulated stars in a way that was pleasing. I considered the past revolution. I had been stretched to my limit, had nearly snapped, but I persevered. I was a different man and could see life in the armada with new eyes. Having gained higher levels of knowledge and experience, I felt full and satisfied. Stretching my arms wide from my sides failed to reach the extent of my satisfaction. I fell asleep beneath the simulated stars.

I was awakened quietly by Khamuel. He gently kicked the sole of my sandal. As I blinked him into focus, he motioned with his head for me to follow and walked away. I noticed the warmth of a pleasant surprise. On my right side was Ava, her back to me, sound asleep. On my left, Odum slept in a similar fashion, his head nestled in my armpit. It was difficult to rise up without waking them. Several times, one or the other would take a breath, make some noise or move in their slumber. I stopped and waited, I did not wish to wake them. I found Khamuel waiting patiently by the gate.

He said in a low voice, “Nathlan has passed.”

Death always comes with a painful twisting of the heart. We expected it, yet, none of us looked for it. It seemed so sudden. I ran ahead of Khamuel and accessed the transport tree. I ran across the glass floor of the throne ship and took the stairs two at a bound. I ran along the balcony, wide-eyed and winded. Olipharean attendants outside the door stood aside at my approach. In a room pressed with respectful mourners, hushed conversations fell away as I burst through the door.

A sea of faces parted as I strode to the stasis tree, where myriad cables connected the tree to the wall. It sat at an angle that allowed me to look; I saw the face of one as dear to me as my father. Then, suddenly, I felt ashamed. I had failed to visit him, I had allowed personal matters to get in the way. I wanted to tell him I was sorry, but could only stare, unblinking, at Nathlan’s gaunt visage. Words failed me. I was distantly aware that the speaker of the council of twelve had placed his hand on my stooping frame. He offered condolences but I could not hear his voice. Leaning forward, I embraced the cold metal tube and loosed the tears of loss.

I kept telling myself, I had not been there. I had failed to stand by him in his final turns. My hands rested upon a large cable as if I attempted to will life back into my friend and mentor. I had been on my knees I know not how long. Many had left the room. Into that quiet, I actually thought to will my friend to life, but I had not the power. I had nothing in me save a groveling impotence. The tears had long since run dry when I felt a gentle presence wrap arms around me. On his knees beside me, Rigil pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly. As a beaten man, I fell desperately into that haven. An oasis in a desert of grief was Rigil.

Early on the following rotation, Rigil joined me in father’s residence. His cabled tree stood silent by the wall. The council of twelve huddled near the GUF, each, in turn, offering words of praise as they stood before the shrouded body of Nathlan. Guests stood respectfully quiet near the open entrance. All of us loved Nathlan, but I could not look at them. There was only room in my bruised heart for my loss. Rigil was my strength in a turn that weighed on me so that my legs trembled and my knees threatened to give way beneath me. I endured the ceremony, but just barely, and I felt relieved to see the two attendants walk in.

They were the Olipharean techs who had watched over Nathlan. The room was absolutely silent as they lifted the white shroud, folded and set it aside. They rolled the wheeled cart to the GUF and slid the body into the coff. They turned and walked from the room. As we gathered around the pulsing orb, Rigil stood close beside me. Already, I could see the body pale as the matrix was drawn into the GUF. Absorbed, I thought, into what? His ancient frame flattened and faded until even the ceremonial gown was gone. The coff was empty, as was I. One by one, the guests and council members turned away and left. Rigil remained, unable to help, but willing to be with me. With a numb embrace, I finally drew upon my strength and asked to be left alone.

Rigil was gone, the door was closed. I was more alone than I was able to bear. I slid down the wall and sat beside my father’s stasis tree, my eyes heavy and dry as I closed them. In lonely silence, I had watched the body of a dear friend become thin, not thin like slender, but thin like not there. I sat for a while just listening to my heart beat. It, too, seemed thin. If there is one thing immortality can not provide, it is a satisfactory resolution.

With a sigh, I opened my mouth and said, “Well, father, Nathlan is gone. He occupies your GUF and waits for you. I feel lost, a pathetic child with no hand to hold.” I could not tell if I laughed or sobbed. The noise was strangled and lifeless. “There is a hole in the middle of me. I feel the air passing through. Oh, father. What will I do when you are also gone?”

It was three rotations after the release of Nathlan when I received word from Oobulublay. The court of inquiry was set to convene. Mikal would be tried in person. Those who helped him perpetrate his crime against my people would be tried in their absence. In all, three hundred military cadets, one hundred and twenty-six civilians, and practically the entire race of the Alhiisians would be tried before the court of inquiry. I was summoned on the following rotation. I did not at all feel ready, and yet, I burned to be there. I could do no less for my Kee.

The metallic hallway was glaringly bright.  Legals hurried past, Kee assistants trailing with laden arms. I had waited turns while others came and went. Even with my back to the wall, I had no sense of what transpired in the courtroom on the other side. I had invited Lamet to sit in with me. He said nothing but waited patiently. The courtroom door slid open and both of us looked up. Captain Taush stepped through the door and turned to me with a nod. I stood.

“Heir,” said the Captain. “It shouldn’t be much longer.”

He turned away and stepped past the door to the padded seat opposite mine. “A word,” he said curtly.

As Lamet and I seated ourselves, my guards rose to their feet and followed the Captain several steps beyond the door. There, they leaned in to hear whatever it was the Captain had to say. It did not take him long. He turned from them and strode down the hall. They returned to their seats while the courtroom released two witnesses, both pilots, a Huim and an Axerri. It seemed I would be the last to enter the court. I wondered if my testimony would even matter at that point. All the facts had already been laid before the three judges. I wanted Lamet to have a say but I knew not if they would allow it. If nothing else, he would be there to represent his kind.

A court steward stepped through the door and turned to face me. He was dressed in crimson calf-length trousers, a white smock tied at the wrists and waist, white socks, and black shoes. He was an Axerri with a strikingly pointed muzzle. “Heir,” he said with a polite bow. “Follow me.”

The large room buzzed with whispered conversation as I walked in. I was led to the front row of seats on the right of the aisle where the steward seated me on the corner seat. Lamet sat calmly in the seat beside me. The room was packed. The archivists were there to record the news for later transmission throughout the fleet. Some of them stood around the walls while many sat with their equipment on the floor beyond the gate. At the back wall, between two doors, there was a low table, unadorned save for the amplifiers and water glasses. Two stewards stood by the table, one at each end.

The steward on the left side of the long table turned. He walked to the left-most door and opened it. Instantly, all conversation ceased as we awaited the entrance of the three judges. There was a tangible air of expectation in the courtroom as if any one of us might suddenly be called into the disfavor of one of them. They entered, black from head to foot. Their black robes covered their bodies, their black helmets covered their faces. All I could tell of them was their Huim form, yet, even their hands were covered with black gloves. The three of them seated themselves from right to left.

As the steward on the left closed the door and returned to his position by the table, the Axerri steward turned and opened the door on the right. Two uniformed warriors walked into the room. Mikal, in a light gray jumpsuit, walked between them. They took him to the left of the table, where the steward moved to a position behind the left judge, and there chained Mikal’s ankles to the floor. Mikal’s wrists were cuffed as well. He looked gaunt, his hair disheveled and his eyes filled with sullen rage. Then his eyes fell upon me with absolute hatred.

The two warriors left the room and returned with a gleaming metal cage. The steward on the right moved behind the right-most judge, and the warriors rolled the cage into place and locked the wheels. Inside the cage, chained arm, leg, and tail, sat Siri. Her solid metal seat restrained all movement. She had been muzzled. When the warriors were gone, and the steward had closed the door, the center judge tapped the stem of his microphone three times. That was my first time in a courtroom. I felt unabashedly grateful that I was not in a cage.

The judge on the left spoke. “The court of inquiry calls 5E5U, son and heir of the King. Please stand before us.”

I arose, walked through the gate, and took my place before the court of inquiry. I felt nervous and unsure of myself. I had not prepared a statement or list of the facts. All I could do was stand before them, hands clasped in front of me, and wait. I looked at the judge in the center. More specifically, I looked at my reflection in his helmet. The court behind me seemed to settle. I imagined them leaning forward, straining to hear. Then, the judge on the right spoke.

He said, “Please give your testimony.”

I took a breath and began. “My awareness of the situation had formerly been limited to accounts of simple mistreatment of the Kee. After my last AP, I became aware of the collar they were forced to wear. I approached my father to speak about the matter.”

“What was the King’s response?” the judge in the middle asked.

I answered, “I did not get a chance to bring it up. He spoke of other matters. That was when I learned my father was dying. Father had me touch a node inside his residence which took my mind to another place in the fleet. It was as if I had been transported there and stood watching.”

“What did you see?” asked the central judge.

My mind returned to scenes I had witnessed. I replied, “I saw Mikal walk from a dark room to speak and laugh with friends. He was putting on a red jacket. He was sweating. Then, I saw Tiri exit the room.”

“Tell us about Tiri,” said the judge on the right.

“There was blood on her legs,” I said. “She cowered before Mikal, who made as though he would strike her. She fled the room. Then, I was in my father’s residence again. I could scarcely believe what I had seen, but it was true. My father was aware of all the wrongs enacted against the Kee. I could not understand why he did nothing, but he told me I was to bring the matter to the court.”

The judge to my left spoke. “Testimony of the probe has been given. Tell us what you found in the core of the Flume.”

More troubling memories. I took another breath and pressed on. “I found the core filled with young female Kee. The condition of their confinement was horrid. I found Tiri at the far end of the core. She was feverish and nearly dead from infection.”

The judge to my right said, “Please tell the court about your experience on the Lean.”

“Captain Taush and I approached Siri about a finished ship I wished to acquire for the Kee.” I paused when the center judge moved. I thought I would be questioned but there was no query forthcoming. I continued. “We met with her in their sanctum. I will never forget what she said to me. Siri mad at you. You take away Mikal. Good source. It dawned on me that Mikal had not only stolen the Kee into sexual bondage, but he had sold them to the Alhiisians as meat.” 

The central judge said, “I see in the Captain’s testimony that you were attacked. Tell the court what transpired.” It occurred to me that the inside of the helmets had view screens.

“Yes,” I replied. “I was nearly killed by the shuttle pilot. The Captain was also attacked. Had it not been for Captain Taush, I would not be here. When I was attacked, I called out to the Captain for help. The pilot said the Captain was dead and that I would die as well.”

The judge on the right asked me, “In your assessment, do you think the attack was premeditated?”

“I do,” said I.

The courtroom suddenly buzzed with expressions of astonishment. Surprised, I looked about, noting that the archivists had most of their recording devices trained on me. The central judge tapped the amplifier in front of him until the noise subsided. I turned back to the judges.

The central judge spoke. “The court of inquiry is complete. We will continue in a quarter turn.”