Sequestered: A Space Opera Adventure Series (The New Dawn Book 2) by Valerie J Mikles

Author:Valerie J Mikles [Mikles, Valerie J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: V. J. Mikles
Published: 2017-11-02T22:00:00+00:00

The hearing was the most formalized slap on the wrist Sky had ever received. There were ten people in attendance. She recognized the man Jude from the Glass Walls. He had a fading bruise on his cheek, and his view of the situation was that Sky was “perfectly agreeable until the little girl started wailing.” Constable Mace spoke next, summarizing other witness testimonies. Dr. Frank gave an overview of injuries among the crowd, the worst of which seemed to be Hawk’s concussion. Then a wiry, young bookworm-type rattled off a list of the resources that had been lost due to the disturbance. Edwige testified about Sky’s health in general. The Intendant wrapped up the discussion with comments about Sky’s mechanical aptitude, and he played one of the recorders that she’d fixed.

“Sky, we appreciate the balance of contribution you’ve made in such a short time,” the Intendant summarized, addressing the compliment to the device in his hand. “It is the agreement of this counsel that you should be given a chance to adapt to life as a free woman. Going forward, you will be expected to obey our laws.”

“What is the consequence if I do not?” Sky asked.

There was a murmur among the five white-haired men comprising the counsel.

“They don’t need to be here for this. I just need to understand your laws and your system of punishment,” Sky said. “As a punishment, am I made to sit out in the cold until I freeze? Am I forced into some undesirable form of labor? Am I beaten? Am I confined? Are my fingers amputated or my eyes gouged out?”

“If you present a danger to other citizens, you will be kept confined and isolated from the general population until you are rehabilitated or the terms of your punishment are met,” the Intendant explained. “If the nature of your crime warrants death, then you will be put to death, but not in a manner as slow as freezing.”

“What crimes warrant death?” Sky probed.

“Sequestering, abuse or neglect of a child or woman, causing injury to another that inhibits their ability to breed, hoarding of resources, intentional damage or destruction of resources,” the Intendant said, trailing off as though the list of items physically pained him. “Your fight at the Glass Walls could have injured other breeders, Sky. You could have caused irreparable damage to the Glass Walls. Were it not for the mitigating circumstances of your mental health, you would have been put into confinement for at least three months. If it becomes apparent in the near future that you have taken advantage of our forgiveness, then you will serve this term in addition to whatever punishment your next crime bears.”

“Then I will make amends by fixing as many of those recorders as I can,” Sky offered. “I have more questions about your laws, but I would like to go to the yard now.”

“Constable Mace will escort you,” the Intendant said. The room cleared out, and Mace escorted Sky to the yard.

Sky was at the yard only a few minutes before she confirmed that Hawk wasn’t there.

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