by C. R. Daems
* * *
When we arrived Zaspa, Pannell arranged for several military shuttles, and Tashia directed us to an isolated area where a small city existed. The buildings looked to be a more modernized version of old Japanese style living areas with their curved tile roofs, stone gardens, ponds, and lush vegetation surrounding each of the forty or more small houses. In a separate area sat a larger building with a giant outdoor training area. The village looked to have several hundred females of all ages, from children just learning to walk to gray-haired women over a hundred years of age, judging by their wrinkled and shrunken skin. There were no men.
We were met by five women who looked to be between sixty and eighty but fit and dangerous. Tashia went to one knee and bowed her head. "Elder sisters, I come to use the Circle of Truth, and if I survive, to submit to judgment for my actions and failures."
"Who seeks the truth with you, Sister Tashia?" the eldest of the group asked looking to where I stood.
"Admiral Paulus, a UAS agent. She and I have agreed to enter the Circle of our own free will. Her to obtain this chip, which I have agreed to unlock and give to her, and myself to atone for my actions and to revenge my sister Yanira," Tashia said with her head still bowed. The elder woman waved for me to approach. I did and gave a small bow in respect.
"Do you enter the Circle of Truth of your own free will?" she asked, appraising me through eagle eyes that I'd bet missed nothing.
"Yes, elder. I do."
"Your honor does you credit." She hesitated for a moment. "Sister Yanira was reasonably good, but she was not Tashia's equal. Tashia has some small talent." She gave me a wry grin, which invoked a few smiles from the women with her. "Why do you wish to have the chip?"
"The chip has the location of the women Tashia's group kidnapped, which will help get them found and released from their captivity quicker. It will take longer and we may miss some without that information."
She smiled. "Let us hope the Circle will find the truth. I will see the chip unlocked and turned over to you before you enter the circle. And if she prevails that, she undergoes the trial of Death by a Hundred Cuts."
"Thank you, elder. Everything I've read agrees the sisterhood's word can be trusted."
* * *
Good to her word, Tashia unlocked the chip and after a quick review of the material, I confirmed it contained the location of each woman, a profile, and the money in her account. I was a little surprised by some of the amounts—they were significant by any measure. We were both allowed an hour to get ready. I spent my time quietly reflecting on my life and talking to Red, even though he refused to share. My life had been wonderful, and I had no regrets—well, except one. The pain Alexa would suffer. But I hoped she would understand. At the end of the hour, I rose feeling at peace with what I was doing. I kissed Red, placed him in a small bag that I zipped closed, and handed to Pannell for safe keeping.
"The Circle of Truth has, from time immemorial, been our method of determining truth from lies, good from evil, the true path from the false one. It's the final arbitrator. Since Tashia challenged you, Anna Paulus, you have the choice of weapons."
"Mfw," I said, which was merely a formality, as everyone already knew what I would say and Tashia and I both were already armed with Mfws.
"If I see any other weapon used, I will direct the sentries to shoot that person. If one of you steps out of the second circle, you will have admitted your guilt and I will direct the sentries to shoot that person. And if either of you starts to draw your weapon before the signal, I will direct the sentries to shoot that person. Is that understood?" the elder sister said, looking at each of us until we nodded. "Good; take up your designated positions. At the sound of the gong, you are free to act within the restrictions I've given you. May the goddess judge you and find the truth." She turned and exited the Circle. I headed for the small circle twenty meters near the edge of the Circle from where I stood. When I turned back, Tashia was standing in another small circle some forty meters from me—we stood at the ends of a line that was equal to the diameter of the circle. I decided not to try and outguess Tashia, as that may prejudice my thinking and encourage a poor first response—and probably my last response. Tashia looked as relaxed as I felt.
GONG. The sound of the bell being struck shattered the silence. My hand sought the handle of my Mfw and my fingers folded around it. Tashia also had her hand on the handle of her Mfw. GONG. By the second strike of the bell, my Mfw cleared my holster and my finger pressed against the trigger. Tashia's Mfw also smoothly slid free of her holster. GONG. As the third strike reverberated, I had swiveled my Mfw upward and my finger began to tighten on the trigger. Tashia's Mfw continued to rise toward a normal firing position. As I had thought, neither of us had made any attempt to turn or jump or change position, thinking it would just delay our first shot and make it harder to aim. GONG. As the first strike of the bell echoed in the distance, I squeezed the trigger, thinking, my Mfw level with her intestines. At the same time, Tashia's Mfw reached normal firing position, pointing at my head just as the pop of my Mfw sounded. GONG. The echo of the second crack of the bell sounded far off in the distance. Tashia cried with pain as her body reflectively reacted to the pain. She fired at the same time I fired again, several centimeters higher this time. Her shot hit me in the hip. My second shot hit her in her shoulder as she twisted from the impact of the first shot.
I also spun from the impact of her shot and hit the ground on my side. I rolled desperately onto my back, bringing my Mfw up for another shot. Tashia had been propelled backward by my second shot but managed another shot, which tore through my shirt, and I felt a scorching, burning sensation along my right side. Tashia's backward momentum carried her out of the Circle. She had barely hit the ground when three arrows struck her: side, neck, and chest.
The elder walked into the Circle, knelt, and handed me the chip. "Justice has been served and the truth found." She turned and joined the other four women, who walked slowly back toward the village.
When I looked back, Renata was kneeling next to me, examining the wounds. She looked up at Pannell. "Colonel, you'll be happy to know she'll live. It's serious but nothing we can't fix. I hope the shuttle taped that fight, because I missed it. I heard the gong and then saw Tashia stumbling backward and Anna on the ground."
"Banner," I shouted.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, kneeling on the other side of me.
"Send an urgent message to my mother."
Kidnapping ring destroyed. I'm on Zaspa. I will be stopping home for a hug before picking up the rest of the kidnapped women. Love.
"Sign it Your Wild Daughter."
