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A gong sounded, three rings as the doors to the courts were closed to any late arrivals. It was
a
large courtroom--the largest of its kind, in fact--built in the center of Akie's capitol city, Rokit.
Mainly used for cases dealing with time technology, this courtroom held a particular interest to a
large segment of the general public.
"All persons please note," the arbiter said, "that this time court has come into session at
seven-ten
after dawn on the four hundred and sixty-third cycle after Pelvar three-four-six-one.
Anti-counsel Frie,
please state your argument against the regeneration of craft two-fifty-six, class Browser."
Regeneration was a technology unique to the people of the planet Akie. It involved the
splitting of a
time line to enable a regenerative process. Crew members of their military fleet lost in the line
of duty were
literally brought back to life--into the future. The accident, their death, and even the weeks or
months that
they were dead were not erased. This process often caused deep psychological problems and
that was
why a hearing must always be conducted to determine if potential good outweighed any
potential
psychological trauma.
"Sir," the female counsel member said, standing to approach him, "craft two-fifty-six had one
thousand, two hundred and fifty-three crew members aboard during the moment of its
destruction."
Frei was tall for a female Akodian, with thick, long black hair. As was customary for females
in high
positions, she wore a portion of her hair in a bun, while letting the layers underneath flow freely.
Like all
Akodians, the creases across her forehead were quite predominate, while her nose and mouth
were thin
and pale.
Frei was carrying a plastic capsule about three inches in length. She went to a console setting
against the left wall and slipped the capsule into the drive unit. The twenty-foot screen instantly
came to life,
showing the once-active craft two-fifty-six in flight. She tapped a command on the console and
the image
changed to an elderly man in uniform.
"Captain Eldo was within months of retirement," she told the audience. "I conducted a
five-year split
alternate on him and discovered it was unnecessary. Captain Eldo would have died of natural
causes in
less than four months." This received shocked looks from many. While alive, it was forbidden
to project anyone's natural death, but once someone had been killed in an accident, it was not
only permitted, but often utilized in court situations such as this one. "It would be ridiculous to
consider going to the expense of bringing this man back. Clearly he was not meant to contribute
anything else to this world. We should let
him remain deceased and at peace, so he may be revered for what he accomplished during a long
and rewarding career. Lay testimony to his own words."
She keyed up a video of a speech from Captain Eldo. All fleet officers were required to state
their position on regeneration in the event that they would accidentally die during active duty
and to revise that position once every two hundred cycles.
"In the event of my accidental demise during the line of duty," the image of Eldo began, "I
forfeit my right to regeneration. At this point in my life, I have lived fully, have had a rewarding
career, a good family life, and financial security. My time line knows, I probably don't have
much natural life left anyway."
The anti-counsel paused the video and turned to face the arbiter. "You see, sir, even Captain
Eldo wished that a petition for his regeneration be ignored."
The silence in the courtroom was stifling as all eyes were upon the anti-counsel. This was the
most oppressive reaction to an opening statement. Frie did not know how many of them were in
favor of her argument and how many were not. Although the arbiter held the final decision in all
regeneration cases, it was not uncommon for an audience's opinion to sway him. An Akodian
typically held in his opinion until the last moment, weighing his decision heavily. She decided
to give the floor to the pro-counsel.
"Sir, anti-counsel passes for debate."
"As you wish," the arbiter replied, turning to the other side. "Pro-counsel Thor?"
The anti-counsel took her seat, while her opponent stood and approached the arbiter.
"Sir, the anti-counsel's opening speech is totally ludicrous," Thor said. "While I don't blame
her for
wanting to start her argument with the captain's death wish, I cannot believe she has thus far
overlooked the
other one thousand two hundred and fifty-two crew members aboard craft two-fifty-six. They
were not all
near death. They were not all nearing the end of a very rewarding career. Indeed, many of them
were only
beginning what could have been a rewarding career. For them, I say it is in our best interest to
advocate
regeneration."
Approaching the console, pro-counsel accessed the capsule Frei had left in the drive device.
The
image on the screen changed to a young female Akodian.
"First Science Officer Netmak," he explained, "was only twenty-three Pelvars old. After
graduating
at the top of her class, she had served aboard craft two-fifty-six for one and a half Pelvars. In
that time, she
received several commendations for outstanding scientific research. One can only conjecture
now how
many technological advances she could have aided in, perhaps even instigated. This is only one
of the
many individual cases I could argue for favor of regeneration. I do believe, however, it is
sufficient to make
my point."
Thor turned to gaze at his opponent. "Sir, pro-counsel passes for further debate."
"As you are undoubtedly aware of, sir," anti-counsel commenced, "there has been only one
case in
which an entire ship's crew was regenerated. Many of its crew members suffered deep
psychological
trauma. Some were even unable to readjust to a normal life. Consider their anguish and that of
their
families and other loved ones. We cannot subject others to this fate when we do not possess the
facilities
to offer everyone of them regenerative therapy. Sir, I fully believe in the technology of
regeneration. In
cases where one or two officers are lost and we are able to cope with the trauma of regeneration
both financially and psychologically, I would be one to pro-counsel myself. But I sincerely
believe that this is an impossible situation." She paused in her argument, and she endured a
prolonged stare with the judge.
"Arbiter agrees," the judge said without hesitation, and as the gong began to sound, the crowd
grew tumultuous. Never before had an arbiter rendered a decision at a regeneration hearing so
quickly!
As the crowd filed out into the hallway, Frei pushed passed several annoyed Akodians to
catch up with the pro-counsel. "Thor! she called over the din.
He turned, smiling. Although they were bitter enemies inside the courtroom, they were
actually close personal friends.
"Want to walk me to my vehicle?" she asked. "I think it would be mutually beneficial if we
discuss the alien picked up by the Baum."
"Ah, yes. I couldn't agree more."
As they walked side by side toward the exit, anti-counsel said, "I heard he was carrying a
weapon of some sort. What have you heard about that?"
"That it is capable of multiple settings from a light stun setting all the way up to kill. This
weapon was set at one of the stun settings. I do hope that means his intent was not hostile."
"As do I. How long does our government intend to hold him hostage? You do realize that
keeping him for too long could be perceived as a hostile act from us."
Thor paused just outside the door. "My dear lady, it is my opinion that it is already too late
for our government's actions not to be taken as hostile in nature. I'm quite surprised his people
haven't come looking for him already. If not for a single individual, then for the technology he
possessed. If you want my input into the matter, I believe our government was wrong to take
him in the first place. He should have been immediately returned to his people."
"Yes, I suppose you're right," Frei agreed as they descended the steps. "They'll probably never
return him now."
"And that is what scares me the most."
"Want to join together to petition the high court for his release?"
Thor smile, amused. "Now that would be a new approach--you and I on the same side."
"I'm serious!"
"I bet you are."
They walked around the building to the parking lot in back. After Frei voice-activated the
vehicle to unlock she turned back to her court adversary. "We really should do lunch again
sometime. It would give us the opportunity to discuss this further."
He nodded in agreement. "It's been far too long."
She stepped into her vehicle and flying about twenty meters above ground merged with the
traffic.
