Chapter 3
The gathered crowd was chattering, rustling and restlessly shifting in their seats. Every so often someone entered the Great Hall and everyone was instantly quiet. They would strain to see whom it was that had just entered. When they saw it was not who they were waiting for they disappointedly resumed their small talk.
Most of the anxious small talk was concerned with the announcement they had come to hear. Tonight was when they would be told who was to be among the first to leave their world with their leader’s sanction.
Others had already left. But, they had done so illegally by building forbidden distress call beacons. They were considered outlaws not only because they had built the beacons and used them, but worst of all they had committed the only unforgivable crime on their world: they had left it.
It was the first law put into effect almost a hundred years ago when the planet was founded. It’s first inhabitants were the original group of Home World Bounders. They intended to start a world that they and their descendants would be born, live and die on: forever. Because they considered roaming around the universe, leaving the world one was born on the most immoral action, it was their first order of business to put this law into effect. This group of people came to their new world of their own free will. So, they thought that the law was more of an offering to the Creator of the Universe than a piece of legislation that would ever have to be enforced. It was a symbol of their victory and beliefs.
This was the haven of Home World Bounders: Natura. To the rest of the solar system it was SatEleven.
Finally, the wait was over. A tall man in a long, plain gray cloak entered. In his right hand he held a wooden staff, which he pounded on the stone floor three times. This was done to get everyone’s attention. He needn’t have bothered, for the moment he walked in every eye in the hall was fixed on him. It was, however, tradition to hail the coming of the People’s Leader in this fashion. He spoke in a thin, loud monotone.
“Children of the Creator. People of Natura. I humbly present our benefactor, the Creator’s representative living among us. The People’s Leader, Nehra Kittamm.”
Everyone was instantly on their knees, clapping and yelling greetings and blessings. Kittamm walked in quickly and straight for the front of the hall. He smiled and waved to everyone; he saw no one. He was a short, thin man with balding gray and black hair. He was wearing the Leader’s customary cloak: long, plain and gray like everyone else’s, with cuffs and neck trim of thick gold braiding to distinguish his position. He reached the long wooden table at the head of the hall and turned to face his people. He spoke in a thick rich voice that everyone present gathered preciously in their ears and minds.
“Children of the Creator. People of Natura. My people that I protect and serve for the will of One that watches over us.
”The path ahead of us is long and difficult. In order to continue serving our Creator we must break the most fundamental of laws. Do not forget that our parents and grandparents, out esteemed ancestors, had to do this once in their lifetime as well. They do so, however, in order that their offspring, we, could be born to live our lives according to the Creator’s plan. But! Surely we will be forgiven, for our actions for they ultimately serve the One above us. And if we cannot be forgiven, then let it be I alone that will be held responsible, and I alone will be due the punishment.”
No one present was sure if one person, even if it was their Leader, could assume moral responsibility for another. But, they were scared and dying and their charismatic leader had a plan that promised them a chance at remaining alive. They cheered.
Kittamm raised his hands for silence, bowed his head and closed his eyes.
When they were silent again he raised his head and opened his eyes that were now wet with tears.
“As you may know, I have tried to arrange for our people to be treated here. But the leaders of those who live Outside of Natura have insisted that we be taken to one of their worlds for treatment of the Sickness. They have built a special place just for us. It is on a world that they call Satellite World Six.
“As you surely know, the purpose of our meeting tonight is to inform you of who will be the first chosen to go to the Outsiders world for treatment.
“I have given many hours of my time in deep prayer to the Creator for guidance in choosing well the first of our people to make this important journey. My assistant, Feyhoth, will now read the list of names.”
Kittamm motioned to the tall man with the staff, who produced a scroll from his cloak. As Feyhoth read the names on the list in his monotone voice, Kittamm stood motionless, head bowed, eyes closed as if in deep thought. Even the occasional desperate outbursts of those called and not yet called did not cause him to move.
It was supposed that the people on the list were the ones suffering the worst from the Sickness and therefore deserved first attention. Indeed, this was the case with most of the list. But, there were also a few on the list that were strong, young, healthy and as of yet completely uninfected. No matter how much anyone may have wanted to question these choices, they would never have done so. For Leader Kittamm, the Creator’s representative himself, and made the list. They didn’t know how or why certain people were chosen and others not. They didn’t want to know. They only wanted to know if they and their family members were on it.
They also didn’t know what to expect of the Outsiders and their Satellite World Six if they happened to be chosen to go. They didn’t know how long they could expect to live with the Sickness all around them if they weren’t chosen. They didn’t know how long it might be until another group of fortunate people was chosen to go for treatment. Or even if another group was planned.
Another thing that his people didn’t know was that Kittamm himself secretly helped and allowed the distress call beacons to be made and used.