In the days before my meeting with the Governor and whatever War Council they have, Qamh and I are very busy. I ask her to attempt to organize the refugees and put them in what the System calls a Human Longhouse that has bunks and an attached bathroom facility. I of course upgraded the facility from latrines to modern facilities—either case it’s an upgrade for the cats gathered—powered by a utility plant for the new town I’m apparently building. Maybe I like building towns.
I know I do. This one seems a bit less fun than the Humboldt job.
Oh hush you, you get to pick a courtyard-sized fancy tent to install.
After several more longhouses arranged around a central area near the quarry, I place my residence atop the foothills that the quarry is nestled against. As I promised Tova earlier today, the area within the longhouses is for the big tent. I was thinking something like a circus tent, but Tova selects a Pavillion-style tent with poles and cables, causing the canopy to appear as if floating in the sky. Canvas on another set of cables drape down to shade the sun from the sides as well as visibly break the expanse from the Long Houses. I place a content restricted Ansible next to one of the large pavilion poles to complete the little village. I’ve restricted their access to food, clothing, minor comforts and accessories. We can talk about trade skills and other items in the future.
Earlier this morning, I got a message from the current Captain of Alaris saying that they accelerated their schedule to drop off a shuttle with security personnel for this meeting, with plans to pick them back in a few days when returning from their trip to Earth and the Sol system. If this is the service I can expect from being a Justicar, it’s a bit out of control, but I seriously suspect Penny’s influence. Regardless, I’m glad they’re going to be here as I don’t like my odds against a dozen or more murderous cats.
A few hours before peak heat of the day, Marines and a few Sailors from Alaris arrive at my new residence and I brief them on the layout and tell them that Aria, my well-equipped shuttle will be available for close air support and that I can override the restrictions on the ansible if needed.
“There’s a quarry building nearby that would be a better place for a sniper roost than way up here, but I’m not sure how well you’ll be able to see inside the tent from any vantage.”
“Ma’am,” a Marine sergeant addresses me, “We figure we’ll post two Marines in the tent with you, put the others on the Long Houses. Our pilot will be with our shuttle and our scope over there will find his own place to be and send it to my HUD.” He pauses for me to add anything, or comment on his plan, but as long as their plan is to keep a dozen fridge-sized cats from murdering me, I’m on board.
“I expect several of them to be hostile, but the chance of outright murder should be small with you folks here. If I were alone, they would have absolutely tried to kill me. The Governor looked he was tempted even with the Empress next to me.”
The Sergeant smiles, “Looks like I’ll be owing Gunny a Credit.” He doesn’t explain as he walks back toward the squad he brought.
If a Marine is smiling, they’re probably going to shoot someone.
Ahh. Probably took a bet on me starting a fight today. I chuckle at that; chances are pretty good.
***
\Justicar, Scope has two shuttles coming in from the Northeast. Minimally gunned, not orbit capable.\
/Copy, Sierra. Aria, see if you can’t get more information out of them/
She chirps positively.
“Qamh, they’re close. Are you ready for this?” I turn to my now fully-clothed, well, bare midriff Arabian Nights-like dressed, assistant and see how she’s faring.
“I feel as though you’ve asked if I’m prepared to be eaten alive! It felt amazing to help these people, but now that the Warleaders are coming, I feel so foolish!” It’s odd to see such a fierce looking species look nervous, I’d say it was cute but it would be super offensive. Ugh, I miss my fiancé.
“I’m not going to promise it’ll be fun, but you’re the person they nominated to help me learn your culture. It’s their fault that I learned that their culture should include slavery again.”
“They don’t see it that way.” She lowers her head and fidgets with her hands.
“So I was told. Remember my yelling match with the Governor?” She looks at me and her fuzzy eyebrows twitch. “I’ll take that as a yes. I’m not saying I can take them all, but I am saying that I know the Empress’ mind on all this. It’s a funny thing, but she made me the first Justicar for a reason.”
“But she’s not here!”
I pinch her fuzzy maw together before she can say more. “Qamh. If you can recommend me a new a new liaison in the next five minutes, you can go. Otherwise, you’re on the hook until after this meeting.”
“Noooo.”
I pull on her hand lightly, giving her the chance to refuse, but she comes with me. I don’t know what tint of obligation got her, but I really need a culture consultant for this. I’ve done a lot of reading, but it is all based on their culture twenty years ago. I wasn’t even born twenty years ago!
Aria and the Marines both track the incoming Herrati as they disembark their shuttles calmly. Qamh insisted that cushions be provided in the meeting area if I was protesting chairs. I mostly wanted to hassle the difficult bastards, but the tribal yet comfortable floor seating has its own charm. The incoming members see the layout and don’t seem offended, but several bring additional cushions out of dimensional storage.
As they seem to be situated Qamh brings a tray of tea around to the cats, drinking one herself before pouring the beverage in the rest of the cups. My liaison then sits next to the cushions laid out for me and fidgets.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
/Sitrep./
\Six guards on the shuttle side of the pavilion, two on the far side. A pilot and a guard on each shuttle. No other movement or personnel sighted.\
I click that I copy and make my way into the tent of angry cats.
“Honored Herrati. Thank you for making the journey to meet with me.”
“Was there a choice? Are you not a fist that the Empress will use to further limit our great people?” A man not the Governor spoke. The Governor looks pleased with himself.
I settle back into my cushions and accept the tea that Qamh offers. “There was a choice. We could have met in your offices, but the Governor declined to host us. That said, the meeting itself should be welcome. I get to know you, you get to ask me questions and better know the mind and upcoming policies of the Empress.” A few looks make their way back to their planetary official, though nothing is said.
“I’ll start then. There has been an increasing number of interplanetary parties that wish to have disputes resolved with no judiciary or mediating official other than the Empress herself. I represent the first step towards more dispute resolution between this system and Astoria. That said, I shouldn’t be used as a replacement for attempting to resolve a situation yourselves.”
“We’ve read the judicial reform documents that the Consul of Foreign Affairs sent.” A white and grey leopard laconically drawls as they circle their cup with their fingertip. “We have many such disputes with shipping companies and other economic interests. What we’ve not seen is the need for you to have a physical presence on our planet, or for your meddling in our internal affairs.” The soft tone and lazy manner belies the piercing gaze of their feline eyes.
“The physical presence is so that I may learn of your culture and that your people may learn of me. If I am to adjudicate disputes or rule on crimes, is it merely enough to have read the rules? Should I not also know the circumstances surrounding them and perhaps the motivations that birthed them?” I smirk at the disbelieving stares. “It is also a show of power, of course, and a promise of sorts. After your probationary period is over, and your people become citizens, a certain amount of racial tolerance will be expected of your people. Tolerating a few Humans in this manner for the next decade or so will likely reduce violence in the future. Or so more knowledgeable statesmen tell me.”
“It seems that our demands fall silent on the ears of prey.” The lion man in the room says softly, full of anger. “We have told the Consuls many times since our imprisonment that we will not join the Empire when our restrictions are lifted.”
That is definitely news to me. I raise and eyebrow and send a note off to Zia to see if she knows anything about this.
“Warleader K’thos states a contested viewpoint, though it is quickly becoming a majority,” says the snowy leopard. “Even our moderate views, however, show a distaste for aliens. We wish to return our space-faring ways and this period of stagnation weighs heavily on our minds.”
I hear some desire to return to the ‘old ways’ but that behavior is what got them nearly exterminated in the first place. Penny will not take a kind view to the lion’s position.
“I can help convey your concerns and wishes, but I can’t create new policies like that. I can judge and interpret existing ones, even set precedent where policy doesn’t cover, but as far as I know the discussion on how you fit into the Empire will come when your probationary period ends.”
“With thirty more Astorian years left on that period, I doubt the discussion can wait that long.” The Governor finally decides to talk. I let it hang there, with no real reply that I think would add anything. Like I said, I’m not here to change policy, though I do think Penny is using me in ways not part of my job description.
“With some opening posturing out of the way, perhaps we may discuss the hyenas in the grass? You have come and destroyed three of our prison camps, incurring some thousands of credits in losses. What judgement did you make to warrant such an action?” A panther with peppered grey on his chin and brow asks with a diplomatic flair. I could learn something about phrasing accusations from this man.
“My liaison told me about conditions in her previous work camp, so I looked into it. Prisoner work has been a hotly debated topic in the Astorian Forum in the past, so I understand there may be some nuance. However, the Empress has been firm that prison work must be for public benefit or the prisoners must be paid.” I raise my hand to .” I raise my hand to pause interruptions I suspect are coming. “We’re talking public works like landscaping or trash pickup, things like that. I saw that most of the people at these camps were being paid to some degree, but the amount and lack of access to said funds is suspect. That is not why I acted immediately and with extreme prejudice, however.
“I noticed that two children had been born to prisoners very early in your colonization of this planet. They both ended up in camps with their mothers. They are now 14, being put to work and not being paid, nor are their mothers being paid extra for their labor. Additionally, neither child has been inoculated with Andromeda Matrix nanites, which is also an Imperial Mandate.
“When I went to talk to the foreman about it, he kept lying to me so I used a Talent to see both is Virtues and his Crimes. No one has ever actually been released from their prison sentences, and thus no one has ever been paid. He repeatedly raped the female prisoners, killing several and writing them off as weak constitutions and hazards associated with hard work. When I visited the other camps, I found similar things.”
“Where are these foremen to state their cases? What of their guards? I see no prisoners.” The leopard asks.
“Some of the guards were left alone. Those that fought me were judged, many were found guilty of murder and rape and have been imprisoned in the basement of my new home. They can be remanded to your custody whenever suits you. Each foreman was guilty of slavery. Over a decade of it.” I left the last part unexplained, save for the weight of my tone.
The angry Warleader seems ready to burst. “Prisoners in Herrati society are not people. A child born to an animal remains an animal. I we would no more give an animal Matrix nanites than you would a dog. So you see, the issue of Slavery is non-existant as we are simply training pets and putting them to work.” His growl turns into a self-satisfied purr as he speaks.
What the ever-living fuck. Is this asshole serious? I look around the room and see that none of them are surprised by his views.
“How common is that particular view?” I ask the gathered, hoping more of them put their paws in their mouths.
“It was the way our society was run before the Genocide.” The leopard offers. “Many of the original survivors would see us go back to that.”
Do these people not learn from their mistakes? Or is it the lack of constant monitoring that makes them think that Penny would tolerate this. She can’t know or this planet would be on fire. Or she does know and she sent me to set it on fire. That would definitely be a Pixie Deity approach.
“You do know that most of that is against the Empress’ mandates, yes? Also knowing that slavery only has one sentence under her mandates?” I look around and not a single one of them cares. They are definitely up to something.
They’ve had a fairly sophisticated jamming field deployed since they arrived, and all ansible traffic off planet has been cut off. However, your ansible is linked to the Navy heavy cruiser at the edge of the system and Aria was built by two of the most technologically advanced people in the Empire.
Ahh, so we have comms and they can’t tell that their efforts are insufficient. Nice.
“She has seen fit to ignore us in the past, we will merely say that her newest appointee is busy doing her good work while we massage the data to be more favorable.” The old panther adds.
“Plus, who would tell her?” The Governor grins like a cat who caught the mouse.
Bastard doesn’t know he’s in the arena with Pikachu.
