“Katie, is this likely to happen again?”
“I am fully under control.”
“I’m not sure I feel comfortable with the situation as it is. I’m going to have to exclude you from the rest of today’s session.”
“I am able to control myself.”
“Bullshit,” said Liss, trying to scratch at her polymer-clad arms.
“I can control myself!”
“Katie. I don’t think that’s true. We’re going to have to look at some other way of involving you in these sessions. For now I need you to go to the infirmary with the medics.”
“If that is what you wish,” she muttered, and left.
I let the remaining members of the group have a short break to allow tension to subside, for the mess to be cleared up by the domestic staff, and also to allow a nurse to take a look at Liss’s arms. There was only a slight abrasion due to the scuffle, and some soothing cream was applied. The others made hot drinks, and we reconvened twenty minutes later around a new coffee table.
What will happen to her? wrote Iokan.
“I think it’s clear her condition is reaching the point where she’s dangerous to others.”
“State the obvious…” said Olivia.
“I’ll have to think about how she can be included in the group.”
“Why bother? Just let her die if she wants to die.”
“That’s not up for discussion. Now, I think Liss had a question? And Pew was going to answer, before Katie interrupted?”
“Oh. Uh. Yeah, “ said Liss. “You want to see the Soo punished, right? I mean you’re always saying that…”
“I…” Pew stopped dead, eyes lost in troubled thought.
“Pew?” I asked.
He looked around the group, then shook his head. “She was right. You can’t punish a whole species.”
“I guess not…”
“They should suffer for what they did. But it’s impossible. What do you do, drop bombs on them?”
The group was quiet for a moment. Iokan tapped his pad. Words came up on the wall.
Worse things have been done. Is this what you want?
Pew was tense and angry as he spoke. “I want them to pay.”
“Doesn’t do any good,” said Olivia. “You can’t kill ’em all. Why bother?”
“You have to do something…” said Liss.
“Oh, of course, says the one who won’t actually do anything herself,” said Olivia.
“You can’t let them get away with it!” said Pew.
“I’m not saying you should,” said Liss. “I’m just saying it’s not your responsibility. There’s someone else who can do it for you.”
“They won’t,” said Olivia.
“You don’t know that.”
“I know this lot. They won’t do a damned thing.”
“You don’t know shit.”
“I know a damn sight more than you do.”
“Olivia,” I said.
“What?”
“Let the others talk.”
She grumped and sat back in her chair.
“I don’t think we finished discussing Pew’s concerns,” I said. “Pew, can you tell us a bit more about what worries you?”
“I… I just think… even if they find the Soo guilty, what can they do?”
Iokan typed. He has a point.
“There are a number of things they could do,” I said. “It depends on the situation. If individuals were guilty, they might be extradited for trial—”
Including heads of state?
“Do the Antecessors have a head of state?” asked Liss.
Iokan looked frustrated. I have stated my position.
“Huh. Whatever.”
I continued. “As I was saying — yes. They might want to put heads of state on trial. I don’t know how they’d get over the diplomatic issues.”
“What if it’s not one person? What if it’s everyone?” asked Pew.
“Well, there are always sanctions—”
“What does that mean?” asked Pew.
“It depends on the situation. The IU might stop all trade with a species, or maybe suspend aid.”
Pew thought about that.
“It’s not enough.”
“Is the IU giving the Soo anything?” asked Liss.
Kwame spoke up. “They have problems with changes in climate. I understand the IU is advising and offering technology…”
“So you’re saying they’ll screw up their planet if we don’t help them? They might die off anyway?”
“It may be a possibility.”
Liss turned to Pew. “Is that enough?”
Pew considered. “No. It should be worse. They should suffer the same way we suffered.”
How can that be justice? Iokan typed with a disapproving look.
“Was it justice when they took us and, and, bred us so we were like animals?”
But they can’t all be guilty. You’d condemn their children to death?
“They did it to us. It should happen to them.”
Not sure you know what this really means.
Pew exploded. “They killed us! They raped us! They turned us into animals! All that happened to you was they made you into a pathetic little toad!”
Iokan was shocked. Pew wasn’t finished.
“Didn’t they kill all of you? Didn’t they kill your family? Aren’t you even angry?”
Iokan’s hand trembled on the pad, and he spoke instead. “I… am not… angry…”
“Why not? Isn’t it a crime? They’re all dead and you’re making excuses!”
“Not… an excuse…”
“Isn’t that wrong? Don’t you want someone to suffer?”
“They are… a higher power…”
“The Soo were a fucking higher power! Look what they did to us! Look what they did to me!” Tears were streaming down his face now. “Look what they did to me!”
“That’s enough,” I said. “Pew. Please sit down. I understand you’re angry but Iokan isn’t well and this isn’t going to help.”
“He doesn’t know… he doesn’t know anything…” Pew collapsed into his chair.
Iokan’s hand shook. Secretly, I hoped a good deal more was shaking than just his hand. And Pew’s outburst was healthy, too: as distressed as he was, he was out of his shell and articulating his pain. Liss went to him.
“Hey. It’s okay. They’ll do something. They’ll investigate and they’ll find out who’s to blame and they’ll do something…”
Pew wasn’t consoled.
“It’s not enough.”
“At least it’s something.”
“It’ll never be enough.”
4. Katie
Katie had become a risk to others as well as herself, so she was fitted with a Mobility Inhibition Suit. This is a one-piece garment covering all the body below the neck, usually worn beneath normal clothes. The fabric of the suit resists movement, stiffening against any violent or impulsive action. If necessary, it can become completely rigid should the wearer need to be restrained. It is the solution of choice for species whose nervous systems cannot be directly controlled.
“The suit is uncomfortable,” said Katie.
“I’m afraid it’s unavoidable for now. You do understand that, don’t you?”
“I am not a risk to you or anyone else.”
“Katie. You were convulsing so violently, you broke a coffee table.” She didn’t reply. “Do you remember doing that? During the group session?”
“I would not have harmed you.”