The Time Voyager's Obsession

Rejection - II

     He wasted no time, acting upon his threat with the dawn, her arrest warrant flashing across the robotic screen in bold red lettering. “Hana Dari, this is a warrant,” the audio blared, “You are hereby charged with intent to cause civil unrest, slander, and s****l promiscuity. You are ordered to appear before the governing council of Astra Glacies for a psychological evaluation, to be followed by criminal sentencing. If you attempt to run or resist arrest, you are authorizing the use of lethal force and submitting an automatic admittance of guilt. Do you comply, citizen?” 

     The robot’s chest clanked open suddenly, revealing a hidden compartment just large enough for her hand to reach inside. The floor seemed to lurch towards her, and Hana leaned against the doorway for support, her chest tightening with panic. Though Filo’s threats still rang sharply in her mind, she had been reluctant to believe he would act upon them. The reality of her situation sank in like a weight.

     “Citizen, you have ten seconds to provide vocal affirmation. Do you comply?” the ward demanded.

     “I comply,” Hana snapped, swallowing back the tears. She had no doubt she was being watched, and she refused to let Filo see her break.

     “Insert wrist for electronic tag,” the automated voice demanded. She thrust her wrist inside, gasping in pain as the barcode seared into her skin. The smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils, and she coughed into the bend of her elbow. 

     “Do you comply, citizen?” the machine repeated, regarding her through its singular, orbed eye. 

     “Yes, yes, why don’t you just get on with it?” she snarled. 

     “Please follow me. Keep your hands visible at all times. Your movements and vitals are being monitored. This conversation is being recorded by the governing council of Astra Glacies.” The machine wheeled away from her, clattering noisily on its way down the hall. 

     The whole of the Eastern Borough was located beneath the planet’s surface, enclosed within an extensive tunnel system, protecting its population from the volatile weather patterns raging above. As Hana followed behind the cyber ward, she could feel the questioning eyes at her back. Most of the Borough had known her family their entire lives. If you were born on Astra Glacies, you died on Astra Glacies, with few exceptions. That did not make for many strangers, and with the strict enforcement of resource controls, fewer than five hundred residents occupied the Eastern Borough.      

      “Hana?” old Mrs. Ghetz called out from her doorway, her face half-hidden in the dim light. 

     “Citizen, remain in your dwelling,” the robot ordered, its orbed eye turning to face her. 

     The elderly woman shuffled back inside, shutting the door behind her. Hana stared straight ahead, ignoring the whispers that followed at her back. A soft light glowed at the end of the winding corridors, and they emerged into a domed amphitheater, its seats already crowded with spectators. A hush fell over the room as she entered, following the ward down the packed aisle before taking her place on the raised platform. 

     Envoy, and council Speaker, Dayis Centiri inclined his head towards her, before turning to address the cyber ward, “Citizen profile if you would, Ward 265.”

     The robot wheeled forward, its audio echoing across the theatre, “Citizen No. 312546, Hana Dari. Familial association, daughter of Jen and Tibor Dari, deceased. Occupational status, active- historical archivist. Psychological evaluation-,” the machine paused, the great eye settling its red gaze upon her as the scanner moved up and down. “Citizen is sound,” it concluded after a moment, “Arrest warrant served in Astratic year 602, on the 45th sun date of its name. Citizen, Hana Dari, is formally charged with intent to cause civil unrest, slander, and s****l promiscuity. She has appeared, as ordered, before the governing council of Astra Glacies to receive sentencing.”    

     “Thank you, Ward 265,” Dayis drawled, dismissing the robot with a wave of his hand. “Friends, today we consider the sentencing of Hana Dari. This is a most difficult decision. She is a well known and celebrated colleague, a productive citizen of Astra Glacies. Her parents were respected researchers for our Planetary Data Commission, and lost their lives whilst engaged in service to the Eastern Borough. However, she stands accused of grave crimes by none other than the honorable Envoy, Filo Belias.” 

     A murmur passed over the crowd, and Dayis Centiri raised a hand for silence. “We all know Filo as a wise man, celebrated for his acts of bravery during recovery efforts following the seismic collapse of Olympus Mons. His father, another long-serving member of this council, hardly requires introduction. His scientific contributions to the Planetary Data Commission have afforded Astra Glacies multi-system acclaim. These contributions have only been matched by those of his philanthropic missions, providing aid to intergalactic refugees through the generous donations of his company, GenSpec Planetary Transportation.” 

     Rus Belias nodded towards the Speaker in grateful acknowledgment. He was a near replica of his son, if admittedly an older model. His dark hair was meticulously slicked back, graying streaks lending an air of gentile wisdom to his handsome countenance. A pair of piercing blue eyes regarded her with cool indifference, and the cruelty of it stung as much as Filo’s treachery. The man had been like a second father to her only yesterday, but Hana could plainly see he would be of no help to her now. 

     “To surmise, we must consider what stresses could have led to a rift between two such esteemed citizens,” Speaker Centiri continued, “Envoy Belias, would you care to elaborate on yesterday’s events?”

     Hana closed her eyes, willing her body to remain still. The anger pounded in her ears like a drum, and her hands shook with agitation. She could not stand to look at him, and the anticipation of what was to come made her feel nauseous.  

     “Thank you for your kind words, Envoy Centiri,” he replied softly, his voice oozing with false humility. “None could be more surprised by the recent turn of events than I. I have always held the utmost respect for Hana Dari, and I would never have suspected that she would dishonor the terms of our agreement to such an extent.” 

     Hana looked at him sharply, despite herself. His handsome face was a picture of contrition, his thick brows furrowed into a puzzled frown. Hana suddenly wanted to scream or throw something, to disrupt the symmetry of his perfect features. There had been no agreement between them, no contract, nothing more than a friendship that she regretted more with each passing moment. It shocked and infuriated her how easily Filo could lie. She could hardly believe that she had ever been so blind to his manipulation. 

     “Hana and I have been quite close since childhood, an attachment that deepened after the passing of her parents. Tibor Dari was my godfather, you see, and his death was a loss we both felt most keenly. Eventually, our relationship turned from one of familial friendship, to a romantic match. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, Hana,” he paused to smile at her sadly. “We were engaged for nearly a year, before I discovered her infidelity.” 

     A collective gasp erupted from the audience, and Hana closed her eyes, knowing her fate was sealed. It didn’t matter what the truth was, it would be her word against an Envoy’s. He would assassinate her character, piece by piece, until he broke her. Hana did not intend to grant him the satisfaction. She would beat him at his own game, even if that meant the loss of her freedom. Straightening her back, she raised her chin defiantly, her hazel eyes blazing pools of hatred. 

     “At first I was reluctant to believe it, but then the truth became clear,” Filo continued, dragging out his sympathetic tale. “I had hoped we could mend our fractured relationship. First, and foremost, Hana was still my best friend. Unfortunately she didn’t feel the same. She instigated the spread of false rumors, against both myself and my family, claiming we coerced her into an arranged marriage. She even implied that I tried to force myself upon her. This simply wasn’t the case. If I may be so bold, I am not the type of man who needs to harass an unwilling partner. I can't help but wonder what her eventual intent was, if perhaps she thought to blackmail us through the invention of these salacious accusations. In fact, it was Hana herself who attacked me last night while in my father’s study. Her moods have always been mercurial, but as of late her outbursts have escalated to physical violence.”

     Hana could not help but laugh, the audacity of it all was so outlandish. It escaped her lips, a harsh bark, drawing every eye of the amphitheater to her.

     “Do you find hidden humor in these proceedings Hana?” Envoy Centiri asked sternly, calling her to heel. “It is the will of this council that the accused should remain silent unless asked to speak. Do you understand?”

     Hana dropped her gaze and nodded, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from erupting. Filo was already painting her to be some hysterical shrew, and she didn’t care to lend any credence to his claims. 

     “Do you have anything else to add to your statement Envoy Belias?” the Speaker asked, the tone of his voice turned irritatingly amenable. 

     “Only that I hope Ms. Dari can receive the help she so clearly needs. She will always hold a dear place in my heart, and I wish for nothing but the best for her,” Filo returned solemnly, the words flowing smoothly from his forked tongue. 

     “A sentiment I’m sure this council can appreciate,” Dayis said with a bow, “We adjourn for deliberation. The accused will offer her statement once we reconvene.” 

     Conversation filled the room as the spectators began to talk amongst one another, Hana’s presence fading into the background. 

     “Citizen,” the cyber ward rumbled, returning once more to collect her, “Please follow me to holding. Keep your hands visible at all times. Your movements and vitals are being monitored. This conversation is being recorded by the governing council of Astra Glacies.”

     Hana rolled her eyes, but did as she was bidden, her escort clattering before her like a rolling garbage bin. It was an ancient model of cyber ward, and likely unarmed. Automated weapons were outlawed on Astra Glacies, reserved for special military use only. Even in the depths of the archives, there was little record of violence occurring within the Eastern Borough. 

     Though there were illegal channels within the Exeter system, Astra Glacies was often bypassed by smugglers and dealers, as its outer positioning distanced it from points of trade. The planet was sparsely populated as it was, with a relatively large military presence thanks to Mala Fide. Without the distribution of black market arms, most cyber wards had little reason to be outfitted with weapons. The threat of a lengthened sentence was enough of a deterrent for most prisoners, anyhow. 

     The robot deposited her in a vacant cell, the barred door clanking shut behind her. There were no windows within holding, and little distraction from Hana’s unsettling thoughts. She lay down on the metal bunk, staring up at the ceiling blankly. Her heart pounded in her chest, in dread of what came next. Down the hallway, a door slammed, and she rose with a start to peer through the bars. Her lip curled in distaste at the sight of Rus Belias, making his way down the corridor. 

     “Hana,” he said with a smile that never reached his eyes, “I thought maybe it was time we had a little chat.”

     “Did you?” Hana snarled, “You didn’t seem to have very much to say earlier.”

     Rus smiled at her indulgently, shaking his head in mock regret, “Oh Hana, you don’t seem to understand the precarious position I find myself in. I’m pitted against my goddaughter, and my own flesh and blood. Admittedly, Filo can sometimes be a bit brash, but that’s a young man’s luxury. Time will give him more perspective, more discretion” he paused, eyeing her up and down, “and more discernment.” 

     “This was not my doing, Rus,” she retorted cooly, her hands rising to grasp the bars, “Everything he said was a lie, and you know it.”

     He moved towards Hana, closing the gap between them, his face hovered just before her own, “Of course I know it was all lies,” he said unabashedly. “If Filo is going to inherit my legacy, which I intend to see to fruition, then we can’t afford any loose ends, you understand. So tell me Hana, is that what you are, a loose end? We still have time to make all of this go away. I hold the council firmly within my pocket, and my word is law. If I say you lashed out in a moment of mental instability, we can put you on a few little pills, and all of this ‘poof’ disappears. ” He waved his fingers dramatically, like a magician performing a vanishing act. 

     “You would marry Filo, and never want for anything again in your life. It would be the best case scenario for everyone; we’re all quite fond of you really. Or I could see you rot at the bottom of a godforsaken ice crevice for the rest of your days. The decision is yours.”

     “There is nothing you can say or do that would make marriage to your son tolerable. I refuse,” Hana reiterated stubbornly. 

     “A pity,” Rus replied, his face half hidden by shadow, “But then again, the ice mines are always in need of an extra pair of hands,” turning, his measured footsteps retreated down the echoing halls.