Heart of the Sun by Pamela Sargent & George Zebrowski

Author:Pamela Sargent & George Zebrowski [Sargent, Pamela & Zebrowski, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spock (Fictitious character), Kirk; James T. (Fictitious character), Fiction, Science Fiction, Space colonies, General, Space flight
ISBN: 9780671002374
Google: l_JNhH2wshAC
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 1997-11-01T07:12:35+00:00

Chapter Nine

HE HAD FAILED his friend. Kirk knew that he would carry the burden of that knowledge for the rest of his life. Unjustly, for him it would outweigh the bitterness the Tyrtaeans would feel if their world and environment were irretrievably damaged or lost, and the almost inevitable court-martial if that happened. His will remained strong, but he wondered if he would have the heart to defend himself, to make the case that his actions had been justified. He thought of the court-martial that had been instituted against him not long ago, when he had been unjustly accused of causing an Enterprise crewman's death. He had thought that might be the end of his career. Spock had saved him that time, by discovering that the starship's computer programming had been altered, and that the crewman, who was working out a grudge against Kirk, was still alive, hiding aboard the starship.

"I am sorry, James."

He turned and looked into Myra Coles's face.

"About Commander Spock," she continued.

"It wouldn't have happened if I'd followed your advice," he said.

"I wasn't going to say that." She looked away. "If our sun is affected, and my world suffers because of that, my people will look for someone to blame. They know that Starfleet will deal with you, but my fate will be in their hands. They'll remember that Aristocles and I insisted that one of us be here to help in exploring the mobile, and that I was here to advise you. Many will remember how I always defended our ties with the Federation. That you didn't listen to me and didn't follow my advice may not be enough to redeem me in their eyes."

Kirk said, "You'll lose the next election, I suppose." He said it as gently as he could.

Wellesley Warren stepped closer to her. "That would be the least of Myra's problems, Captain," the young man said. "When a Tyrtaean commits a grave offense against society--and, believe me, it happens rarely--the punishment is exile."

"Exile?" Kirk asked.

Warren looked uncomfortable. "The accused is tried in a public place before a jury of sixteen Tyrtaeans." He spoke in a monotone. "He must make his own case and speak in his own defense. Anyone who wishes may come forward to offer evidence, either for or against him. If a majority on the jury votes against him, the offender is taken to our northern continent, where the climate is extremely harsh, and given only a few tools, weapons, and some provisions. Anyone who can survive alone there for five years will have his offense forgiven, and is welcomed back into society. Only one person has ever survived exile." Warren paused for a moment. "You see, we Tyrtaeans are a practical people, and such a punishment is much simpler than building a prison or devising original forms of execution--practical also in that anyone who survives exile has demonstrated his self-reliance, earned forgiveness, and proven his worth to the rest of us."

"There's nothing about such a punishment in your public records," Kirk said.

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