Ultimate Justice

by Ultimate Justice (epub)

  “Thanks,” said Tam. “I think I get the gist…”

  “I do,” stated Kakko. “They’ve only been around a few years but most interstellar craft are undergoing upgrades – if the structure can take it, I gather. The significant thing is that an intrahelical system can propel a ship at up to nine-tenths the speed of light compared to the interhelical’s six tenths. This enables them go anywhere they please in this sector of the galaxy.”

  “Have we seen one here before?” asked Shaun.

  “These ships were first built in the Mintu System by the Minians,” explained the scientist, “but the interhelical engines and onwards have been designed across the sector by scientists and engineers in permanent contact through the Interplanetnet. We have done a little bit here on Joh towards it, but this is the first time we will have actually witnessed the finished project.”

  “Wow!” said Shaun. “So I bet you want to go up there even more than my sister.”

  “I guess you could say that. What are your names?” The three young people told him and he noted them down. “Wait here. I’ll be back.”

  The scientist pushed his way to the gate and waved his ID in front of the guard who opened a side pedestrian gate. He walked across the tarmac and into the terminal building.

  Ten minutes later, a young woman in uniform came across to the gate which was opened for her. She approached the gathered crowd and called out Kakko, Tam and Shaun’s names. They presented themselves and she told them to follow her. She issued them each with a pass to put around their necks and ushered them through the gate and across the tarmac into the space terminal building.

  The three young people stood in awe as Prof Rob beckoned them across. He explained what was happening. The government authorities were interviewing the Sponrons to ascertain their status.

  “When they come back out,” smiled Prof Rob, “it is proposed they take me and my colleagues up to the mother ship. Want a trip?”

  “Wow! You mean that?” marvelled Kakko.

  “Of course. We need to keep our young people better informed about the progress of science. Too many of us have our heads in our research and do not pay enough attention to the up and coming generation.”

  “Thanks Mr… er…” said Shaun.

  “Call me Prof Rob.”

  “Thanks Prof Rob.”

  A few minutes later the Sponrons emerged onto a mezzanine balcony with some officials of the Joh immigration department. They looked rather stern, but then so did the Joh officials. The head of the department, Director Ylah, called attention and she began to address the gathered company.

  “Colleagues and representatives. Thank you for waiting. I have ascertained from our Sponron friends from the Medlam System that they have salvaged the ship in orbit, and its cargo, and are anxious to dispose of the cargo to local planets at a fair price in order to lighten the ship and ease the repairs. You will understand that this is an unusual request and the authorities are looking carefully at the legalities of the situation. Our president is consulting the lawyers in the field and is in touch with the United Bureaux of Interplanetary Transport in our sector.” There was a murmur of approval from the gathered representatives. “However, in the meantime you will be pleased to hear that they have consented to a party not exceeding twenty-five persons – the capacity of their shuttle – to visit their ship to inspect the damage and the cargo bays. It is not that we don’t trust you,” she said, turning to the Sponrons, “but you will understand that your visit is unexpected and the community would want us to ensure the safety of all our citizens.” The Sponron who appeared to be the most senior grunted.

  “Mr Gallok, I believe, is the person delegated to select the team.” She looked in the direction of Prof Rob who nodded his assent.

  Gallok stepped forward and addressed the gathering. “I have twenty on my list from various departments. If others would like to join us please approach.” People began moving in his direction. Prof Rob looked in the direction of the young people and gave them a thumbs-up. They were already on the list.

  ***

  Thirty minutes later Tam, Kakko and Shaun found themselves in a meeting room where the strategy of the visit was being discussed. Twenty-five, including them, were lined up to face others who were voicing questions they wanted answered. Prof Rob and the others were noting these down on their e-sheets. Shaun regretted not having his with him but would ensure he took it when they departed.

  After the meeting the twenty-five made their way to the lounge where the Sponrons were being entertained and were introduced as the delegation. It was clear the atmosphere was a bit prickly. The residents of Joh were generally open and relaxed. These people were introducing a dimension not usually found in local discussions and debates. Perhaps it was simply to do with them being from a different place thought Kakko. She was soon to be less patient. The Sponron leader scanned the party, then declared, “No females. In our culture it is forbidden for females to board a ship.” A gasp went around the room.

  “I don’t understand,” said Prof Rob. “What can anyone’s gender have to do with their scientific ability or experience?”

  “In our society,” continued the Sponron, “a female does not conduct science, unless,” he smirked, “she does it in the kitchen.”

  Tam felt Kakko rail. She was going to let fly and he felt that it would be better to leave the reply to Prof Rob. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. She fought him but he whispered into her ear an insistent, “Not now Kakko, later! Let Prof Rob deal with this.”

  “Cool it, sis!” added Shaun from her other side. “Wait…”

  But Prof Rob was already saying, “We would find this hard to accept. Perhaps my senior colleague in the university physics department, who happens to be a woman, would like to comment.”

  “Thank you, Prof Rob. People have been on Planet Joh for five hundred years. From the beginning, equality between the sexes has been accepted as an unwritten norm. Unlike other planets we have had no need for legislation or making provision in our constitution to ensure the rights of women and girls. You will understand, captain, if our people find this difficult – even abhorrent. However, in negotiating with people of different races and cultures, I believe we have to accept that not everyone has the same norms, no matter how objectionable they may be in our own society. But the most important thing is that we send a qualified delegation to your ship, captain, to ensure the safety of our planet. You have agreed to this and we are grateful. Therefore, I am going to nominate my deputy, who happens to be male, to take my place. Perhaps other departments would consider doing the same if they have properly qualified male members.”

  “Thank you,” said Prof Rob, with a stern face. “I just want it noted on Joh that I adhere to the term ‘abhorrent’, but nevertheless, for the reasons stated by my colleague, I am also willing to compromise. Let us adjourn and reconstitute our party.” The people began to leave the room in clusters, many engaged in rambunctious, if not heated, discussion.

  Back in the meeting room, Prof Rob called for order.

  “I apologise for this,” he began.

  “No need,” said a female physicist, “we appreciate your use of the word ‘abhorrent’. You have stated your opinion in the strongest terms and I know you find it as upsetting as we women. However, we are all aware now of what we are up against. These people, or at least their spokesperson or leader or whatever he is, may be trying to engage in as many spoiling tactics as possible. We should be aware that they may be out to deceive, divide, deflect and weaken us. I expect they are hoping that right now we are having a heated row over this. We must not fall into that trap. Let us not be perturbed here but focussed on our objective, which is to inspect their ship as thoroughly as possible. We need to check the damage and the state of repairs. Clearly the engines and space-frame are functioning well enough to have enabled them to get here. We need also to check the condition and the status of the cargo and it’s origin and intended destination. There
has to be a manifest – let us inspect it and photograph it. And let us talk to the other members of the crew and snoop around. So now let us decide on our twenty-five males and allocate our tasks.”

  The women all nominated replacements. Kakko just had to accept she was to be left out. The female scientist approached the three young people.

  “You must be disappointed, young lady. I am so sorry, but this experience has been a lesson to us all. We cannot take for granted that the freedoms we enjoy here pertain throughout the universe. And we must not be deflected from our primary goal in this task. You understand that?”

  “Yeah, I suppose so,” muttered Kakko, “but it’s just not right.”

  “It isn’t. You know that. Joh society knows that, and I hope our Sponron friends are beginning to know that too. No matter how much you tell yourself that you can make up the rules against natural justice, somewhere there are things that come back to discomfort you. What happened today is just another case of someone having to defend injustice – and deep down that drains energy. Those who insist on discriminating have to be on the look out for people discriminating against them. Those who deceive have to be constantly aware of others trying to deceive them. Nothing is certain in such a culture – it is a constant drain on energy. It hinders the growth that accompanies openness. But those who accept natural justice, as we do in this matter, find themselves invigorated and free to develop.”

  “You mean it’s, like, anarchy?” volunteered Tam.

  “Well, not quite,” replied the physicist, “anarchy means ‘no laws’. They have their laws I suspect, but they are probably laws organised to favour the few. Law, for it to be just, needs to be based on the universal values of right and wrong. Justice requires an equal distribution of power and access to well-being. It demands freedom for exploration of the self and of the environment so that each individual can attain his or her potential. Justice demands that we make education universal, for example, and the best possible medical care accessible to everyone in need regardless of their age, sex, race or anything else. I doubt the Sponrons lack laws, what the Sponrons lack is a commitment to natural justice.”

  “But doesn’t giving into him mean they have won? The wrong has overcome the right? Shouldn’t we stand up to him?” asked Kakko strongly.

  “A wise person chooses her time and her battlefield,” replied the scientist. “As I said, in this case it is probably a spoiler to try and deflect us. Now is not the time.”

  “But the right time will come?”

  “Undoubtedly. In their case it might take generations, but it will come. Look how long it took for our ancestors on Planet Earth One.”

  “My father is from Planet Earth One.”

  “Yes? Interesting. So get him to tell you their history of the emergence of gender equality. What is your name?” she asked trying to read her pass.

  “Kakko. Kakko Smith.”

  “Count you blessings, Kakko. Imagine,” she smiled, “you could have been born on Planet Earth One and suffered some of their discrimination, or worse still, a Sponron. Pray for their women.”

  “I will!” stated Kakko vehemently.

  Prof Rob came over. “Sorry,” he said to Kakko. “Where do you work?”

  “I’m studying at the Agricultural Institute, in the engineering department.”

  “An engineer! I shall send you an invitation to visit us at the university.”

  “But I only do agricultural stuff,” said Kakko, not wanting to be misunderstood.

  “There’s no only about that!” said Prof Rob, “we all need to eat. And engineering is engineering. Come and see us.”

  “I will,” replied Kakko. Things weren’t turning out so badly perhaps.

  “Now, you two. I have a job for you. I want you to try to talk to the other Sponrons on this ship. Because you are young they might not see you as posing too much of a threat. While we are looking at the technical stuff, why don’t you ask them about just how they got hold of that ship. Find out how the command structure works. What plans they might have for the future. You know, just in ‘innocent’ conversation. Do you think you could do that?”

  “We could try…”

  “See if you can get them to give you a tour of the less technical parts of the ship – the living quarters for example.”

  “OK. I get it. You want us to, kind of, generally snoop around while you’re all looking at the ‘official’ stuff.”

  “Yes, but do it ‘congenially’. Just be natural. Just show your ordinary enthusiasm.”

  “You mean, like unsophisticated, inexperienced, excited young adults?” said Shaun.

  “Like, be normal!” laughed Tam.

  “Exactly,” smiled Prof Rob. “Don’t try and act. Just be circumspect and listen. Don’t take notes, that’ll put them off talking freely.”

  “Shouldn’t I take my e-sheet?” asked Shaun.

  “No. Let us look official. You just be informal.”

  “What should we wear?”

  “Just come as you are. Be you.”

  “Thanks!”

  “And, once again, sorry Kakko. I mean that. Many people over many generations of both sexes have fought for gender equality in the universe. That is established beyond question and is not about to change on Joh.”

  “Thanks, Prof Rob,” said Kakko. “I think I understand.”

  “Be back in two hours,” said Prof Rob. “Give me your passes, I will get them updated.”

  After a few minutes a secretary returned the young men’s IDs. And as they left Kakko said, “Don’t you two get any ideas.”

  “Wouldn’t dare,” said Shaun.

  “I’ll miss you,” said Tam.

  “Too right you will,” concurred Kakko.

  ***

  Two hours later, after a quick lunch in town and phone calls to Tam’s parents and White Gates Cottage, the two young men presented themselves once more at the gate of the spacedrome.

  26

  The Johian inspection party were ushered aboard the shuttle-craft and directed to belt themselves in. They were all wearing insulation suits with iridescent strips that reflected brightly both in the visible and ultraviolet spectra. Each suit was fitted with a pencil torch attached to the cuff, which emitted a permanent beam of ultraviolet light. Wavelengths in the infrared range, longer than seven hundred nanometres, were detected through a night-vision devise positioned in the helmet that could be activated when called upon. “Knowing where you are and what is around you is the key to self-defence,” the team leader had explained as they were instructed in the suits’ use. Also sewn into the suits was a small flask of oxygen connected to masks if needed. In their left breast pockets was a first-aid kit containing syringes with medication against anaphylaxis and edema.

  As they moved through the craft to the seats, it was clear that a cleaning crew had not been aboard the shuttle for some time. There was a background smell of sweat, oil and dust that contrasted starkly with the fresh air of Planet Joh. Cleanliness was not something that seemed to bother these Sponrons.

  The shuttle’s antimatter impulse engines, however, did not seem to lack the necessary maintenance and they were soon airborne. This was the first time either Tam or Shaun had seen their planet from above; it was an impressive sight. What a beautiful world they had to live on! How privileged they were! This encounter with aliens was helping them to realise just how much they had been taking the wonders of their Planet Joh for granted.

  In a very short time the shuttle was approaching its mother ship. It was impressive. It was huge, almost half the size of the spacedrome they had just left. They were soon to learn that most of it was given over to twelve separate holds, each of them like warehouses. The value of these goods must have been staggering. They docked with a gentle jolt and almost immediately were assailed by the stifling “pong” of on-board air. Shaun reached for his emergency mask. However, a Johian brought along specifically to monitor the safety of the team, shouted out that the air was safe to br
eathe, but that did not prevent Tam and Shaun feeling sick.

  “They will have technology on board for keeping the air fresh and avoiding this smell,” said the man next to Shaun, “but they don’t seem to want to use it.”

  Once on board, the team was addressed by the commander of the ship. He was curt but not unwelcoming. Dressed in a kind of uniform of a different cut and colour to the Sponrons standing to attention behind him, he explained that they were in possession of the vehicle because of a space emergency. The crew of Thenits – people from another planet in the sector – had sent out a distress signal. The intrahelical drive engines had malfunctioned and they were stranded in space with only their low-powered standard, antimatter engines and it would have taken beyond their own lifetimes for them to get anywhere where they could effect repairs. And, even more to the point, they had only a year’s supply of antimatter for full-time operation. The antimatter engines were only meant for close-in manoeuvring.

  That crew were desperate, explained the commander. “Fortunately we were on hand with a ship equipped with an interhelical drive and were with them within three months.” He explained that the original crew were immediately conveyed to Planet Hegeh in their system and all their needs seen to. They then returned to salvage the vessel. Their engineers had worked for many months and were eventually able to get the engines turning again, but only in ‘safe’ mode. They were seriously curtailed in their ability to travel far without over-taxing the repairs. What they needed was, a) to reduce drag on the ship caused by the magnetic silicates they were carrying, and b) to take on more fresh food and water in case the engines failed again and they found themselves stranded for another extended period.

  “Gentlemen,” he continued, “you will understand that under galactic law those who salvage vessels have the right to any proceeds from their sale or repair to offset the cost of the rescue etc. You will understand that we have put in many months and used many men in bringing this ship back into some form of use. Your planet was among the nearest to us and we are turning to you to help us reimburse our costs.”