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COWARD

by Phair

Part 16

General Leonard, Senator Green, and Judge Elliot, took their seats behind highly polished oaken table. The trio were stone faced. They glared down on the bound defendants from their elevated perch. Each seemed prepared to pass judgment before the hearing was even called to order.

“Scary people,” Rabbit tried to whisper but found herself in competition with her own echo.

“They’re judges, Rabbit. You must stay quiet or they’ll be mad at us. Trust me, we don’t want them mad at us,” Rory hushed.

Rabbit leaned closer to Rory but replied in a louder, more frightened voice than her first comment, “Me no like georges. Georges look mad. Nobody says nothin’ but they be mad.”

Defense counsel dropped his head in his hands when Judge Elliot rapped his gavel on the table. The General prosecuting the case merely chuckled at the statement as she stood. She gave Rory a small wink and half grin before beginning her opening remarks.

“Your Honors, the defense counsel and I have agreed to let the record of the events stand as previously documented during the former Major’s first trial. The only new issue before this court is, the lawfulness of the command issued. At the conclusion of testimony, if you believe the command to hold the bunker and not to return fire before a direct hit was taken was unlawful then you must overturn the conviction.”

Rory studied the woman’s profile as she spoke. There was something familiar about the face but Rory could not pin point where she knew her from. Even more disconcerting was the General’s casual approach to the case. She appeared disinterested in the outcome. Perhaps, like the first time, the conclusion was assured before the trial began.

“However, if the command was lawful then the prosecution requests summary execution of the prisoners.”

“What big word mean?” Rabbit asked Rory with her voice echoing throughout the cold marble chamber.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” Judge Elliot shouted as he pointed his gavel at Rabbit.

“No, wait,…” Rory struggled against her restraints in a futile effort to intervene.

“Oh shit!” The defense lawyer cursed as he jumped to his feet, “A moment to confer with my clients, if it please the court.”

Rabbit was shaking in her chair and her voice was getting louder with her mounting fears, “Me do wrong?” What me do wrong, Rory?”

“No talking,” Rory groaned but she was relieved to see the guards were grinning at the scene instead of striking out at them.

“Your Honor,” the General had a difficult time containing her laughter, “the prosecution is prepared to indulge the Prisoner Rabbit. This is her first hearing. This is her first time out of prison. She is quite out of her element and can not be held accountable for protocol breaches.”

“Come on, Elliot, lighten up,” General Leonard advised. “Young woman, Rabbit is it? You must not speak again unless we ask you a direct question. Do you understand?”

Rabbit looked to Rory for advise.

“Say ‘yes, sir,’ Rabbit”

“Yes sir rabbit,” Rabbit repeated slowly and exactly.

“Close enough,” General Leonard agreed with a grin. “Let’s move things along. General, call your first witness. We still have two other trials to conclude today.”

Rory closed her eyes in an effort to concentrate. She stretched her bound hand, which was fastened to the arm of her chair by the metal bands, as far as the restraint would permit. Her long fingers were able to trace across the skin of Rabbit’s little finger. Rabbit responded by forcing her trapped hand to its own limits and the pair met half way. Barely able to move, Rory and Rabbit managed to connect.

* * *

The first witness was escorted into the hearing without announcement. Rory recognized him but it made her doubt her reality. Fred had aged. A lot. He was leaning on a cane and his hair was more gray than brown. More shocking were the civilian clothes. The career soldier she remembered was no longer military.

“You are Retired Captain Fred?” The prosecuting General asked.

“I am,” his voice was still strong.

“You are also the Former Major’s Parental appointment?”

“I am. Proudly so.”

“Proudly? A disgraced dyke?” The General smirked.

After a heartbeat of silence, Rory managed to kick her lawyer’s chair leg. “Oh, I um, I object. Facts…in dispute? Uhm, no, that’s not right. It should be facts not in evidence. That’s it. Yep, facts not in evidence.”

“Sustained, unhappily so but sustained none then less,” Judge Elliot ruled. “General, you know better.”

The prosecutor nodded and shrugged. “My apologies to the court. Retired Captain, did your unit receive orders from Colonel McShane?”

“Yes.”

“Did Former Major Rory disregard those orders?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing further,” the General returned to her table.

Rory watched her lawyer as he shuffled papers. She could see the sweat on his forehead. The man looked at her and gave a sad smile before standing. She could see the tremor in his legs.

“Great, we’re gonna fry,” Rory thought.

“Um, is the telecom hooked up yet? I know there were problems earlier today with the link,” Rory’s lawyer asked unexpectedly.

Senator Green spoke, “Yes, it’s a live feed to the satellite. We are streaming live across our great nation and the globe.”

“Perfect,” the lawyer grinned with a wicked snare. “Fred, was that cock sucker of a Colonel going to sacrifice his own soldiers to the enemy for political purposes?”

“YES, SIR!”

The judges began to rattle their gavels.

“I’m expecting a objection, General,” General Leonard shouted to the prosecutor.

“No objection at this time, your honor,” the prosecutor replied with an easy grace from her chair.

“How do you know he’d let his own soldiers die?” Rory’s lawyer faced the guards and the cameras for the satellite link but not the judges as he asked his question.

“I was under his command too many times. Barely survived Braemore Island.”

“Braemore! Braemore! Braemore!” The guards chanted the national mantra of grief and stomped their feet in salute to fallen comrades.

“McShane’s responsible for that catastrophe. He ordered the evac site moved to the open shore where the TV crews were located. We had to run for it and pray the guy next to us got shot,” Fred testified. “I lost more friends in that one day than in any of the years combined since.”

“Twenty five thousand soldiers went to Braemore Island,” the young lawyer stated, “Two thousand came home. Colonel McShane ordered the failed siege and the disastrous withdrawal. One single military misadventure which lead to mandatory military service of five combat years for every man and woman between fifteen and thirty five.”

The room went silent.

“I must object,” the prosecuting General interjected, “there has been a gross misrepresentation of fact.”

“Finally,” Senator Green breathed a sigh of relief. “Please General continue.”

“Mandatory military service for five combat years only applies to families with incomes below one million and all non party members. Mid high earners and party elite can be given waivers for their children or home based duties.” The General sat back down, “I just want the record to stand correct.”

“GENERAL!” General Leonard growled. “You have divulged confidential information! There will be repercussions.”

“Cut the satellite feed, for God’s sake,” Senator Green screamed to the technician behind the communication console. “National Security is at stake. Cut that damn feed and I mean now!”

The young soldier behind the console shook his head no. Several guards drew their weapons and moved in around him to protect the area. They meant to harm anybody who tried to interfere with free communications.

“I have no further questions. General, if you would call the final witness,” Rory’s lawyer stated happily.

“Thank you, Andrew.”

Rory was dumb struck by the casual remark, “Andrew? Can’t be. Can’t be Andrew, Andy.”

“Next witness, Retired Five Star General Ronan.”

“FUCK!” Rory hissed in surprise as her father was called to the witness stand.

Her lawyer reached over and put his arm across her shoulders, “Be cool, just a little longer. Be cool. I won’t let him hurt you anymore, promise.”

Rory stared into the lawyer’s sweet, kind eyes and asked, “Andy?”

“Yes, no, well sort of. I am Andrew, Mom.”

Rory had no time to think or speak before her father was wheeled over to the witness box. He was reclined on an elaborate gurney. An IV bag hung over his head dripping clear fluid into needle ports in his neck. Oxygen was pumped in through his nose then to his lungs from a canister placed on the floor next to him. His face and hair were whiter than clouds against a blue sky. Rory focused on his bloodshot eyes. She saw only hate and it was leveled at her.

“Retired Five Star General Ronan, welcome,” the prosecuting General began. “Is Rory your natural daughter?”

“Yes. That miserable bitch came from me. I’m embarrassed to admit it but I’m under oath,” the old man coughed and hocked phlegm out of his mouth and onto his stained Retirement Dress Gray Shirt.

“And, you came here to condemn your own daughter?”

“You bet your ass, girlie. Rory deserves to die. Prison ain’t enough for a traitor of her ilk. Never mind the fact she’s gone gay on us all!” The old man tried to direct his next wad of spit toward Rory but it only splashed back in his face from the powerful air conditioning system over his head.

The prosecuting General, unaware of her witnesses distress, asked, “If Rory had been killed in action, on the battle field, then would you have been proud of her?”

The old man nodded. “Dying would have made up for the whole husband, baby nonsense. I didn’t raise her play that card! I raised a soldier. Somewhere along the way the homo, fag, liberal, bleeding heart, dope heads are to blame, I’m sure. Giving regular people crazy ideas about peace being possible. Assholes! There can never be peace! What would the military be with peace?”

The General ignored his question to ask one of her own, “What would you like to see happen here today?”

“Give me your side arm. Let me shoot the COWARD!” His shout was cut off by coughing and more spitting.

“Nothing further.”

Rory’s lawyer stood, “I have no questions.”

The judges looked to each other and gave affirmative nods without discussion. Judge Elliot motioned for a guard behind Rory to step forward. Rory heard the guard’s gun creak out of the leather holster.

“Love you, Rabbit,” she mumbled as she took several deep breaths preparing to die.

“The initial hearing’s findings are supported. However, this court determines the previous sentence to be too lenient. Prisoners Rory and Rabbit will be executed at once. Guard, step up and do your duty,” Judge Elliot ordered.
“We be deading?” Rabbit asked.

“Yeah, sorry,” Rory was surprised to find Rabbit was not crying.

“Me sorry too,” Rabbit stated seriously. “Liked being fuckin’ dyke with you. Wanted more.”

Several guards laughed out loud at the remark. However, the judges rapped their gavels and shouted for the executions to proceed. The guard with the unholstered gun, released Rory’s restraints. Andrew help Rory to her feet.

“Thank you, Andy,” Rory put her hand on his cheek and he smiled broadly. “Thank you for coming here and trying. There was no way you could win. Don’t blame yourself.”

Andrew wrapped his arms around her, “I won’t. I’m planning on taking all the credit.”

Stunned by the boldness of the statement, Rory was easily pulled off her feet by the young man. They crashed to the floor in a heap of arms and legs. Gun fire started almost immediately. Rory struggled to get up but Andy was too strong.

“STAY DOWN!” He barked as he tried to hold her.

“Rabbit,” Rory screamed. She was certain Rabbit was helplessly caught in the crossfire.

Almost as quickly as it started, it ended. Hurried movement broke out around the room. Rory finally managed to break free of Andy’s hold to search for Rabbit. Just inches away from her feet, the prosecuting General was freeing Rabbit from her restraints in the overturned chair.

“Fred, what’s the tally?” The General shouted after she helped Rabbit sit up on the floor.

“Three dead judges, dead former prosecutor, dead retired general, two dead guards, dead Colonel, although he didn’t wait for us. The bastard hung himself. Oh, and there’s one large scale rebellion on Old Earth.” Cheers went up around the room at Fred’s announcement.

Rabbit took the opportunity to scramble into Rory’s arms. She buried her face in Rory’s chest and sobbed her relief. Rory held her firmly trying, in part, to cover the trembling in her own body.

“Whenever anybody would like to tell me what’s happening, I’d be grateful,” Rory spoke up.

“Boy, you know the story best so you tell it,” Fred laughed as he pulled a chair up and sat down heavily. He was exhausted by his efforts.

The General plopped down with a gasp on the floor next to Rory and Rabbit, “Besides, the boy’s the best educated of the bunch so we might as well put him to work.”

“Fine, tease me all you like,” Andrew blushed.

“Please,” Rory was very serious, “Andy, tell me what is happening. Tell me you’re really him. Tell me Stephen is alive,” Rory felt Rabbit stiffen with the request but she couldn’t beat her heart’s hope back any longer.

Andrew became very sober, “Oh, no sorry, I’m…not exactly…well, I’m Andrew but not the original. I’m a clone. You’re father commissioned me. A replacement, I guess. I’m sorry, Mom. Stephen and the first Andy were both killed in the explosion.”

Rory could not hold back her tears. It was like losing them twice. Rabbit increased the strength of her embrace as Rory’s grip slackened.

“So sorry they deading again. Sorry, Rory. No fair. No fair,” Rabbit was crying too.

Andrew reached out and gently rubbed Rabbit’s back, “It’ll be okay, Rabbit. I’m going to make sure it’s okay from now on. Nobody’s gonna hurt Mom again. I promise.”

“Please stop calling me that! You’re not him. You’re nothing more than a Xerox copy!” Rory snapped back from her heartbreak to strike out.

The young man removed his hand from Rabbit. He eased away from Rory’s side, “Sorry, ma’am. Didn’t mean to offend. Never my intention to upset you.”

“You know, Major, getting you out of prison was Fred’s idea but it was Andrew that figured out the plan. He found the laws we needed to use and risked jail himself in order to help you. You should thank him,” The prosecuting General encouraged. “It’s not his fault your family was killed.”

Fred put his arm around the stooped shoulders of the young lawyer, “Try to remember, Rory, they were his family too.”

Rory wanted to be angry. She needed to vent her rage at something beyond herself. She looked to Rabbit for support but only found a furrowed blonde brow. Rabbit shook her head no.

“Say sorry, Rory. You mean to other Andy. Say sorry. Say you be Momma to him.” Rabbit understood few of the words circling her around her head but understood the pain in the voices that spoke the words, “He ain’t got no Momma but you. Say you sorry. Say you love him.”

“Oh for God’s sake,” Rory rolled her eyes unable to stand Rabbit’s plea, “I’m sorry, Andrew. “

The young man just shrugged. Rory caught a glimpse of her husband’s manner in the gesture. It broke her heart all over again. She let out a sob and Rabbit pulled her into a closer embrace; closer to her heart.

“Andy,” Rory, strengthened by her lover’s reassurance, reached out and took her son’s hand, “I’m sorry. It was a stupid thing to say. If they used my cells then I am your mother. Call me whatever you want.” Rory gave a shrug of her own, much like her son’s, “I’m sorry, you got left alone. I’m sorry, I was nothing more than DNA to you.”

“But, you were more. So much more,” his voice cracked. “What you did to save all those soldiers. It’s the tale to rally a nation. The country wants the war to end regardless of wins or defeats. You’re heroic actions inspired this coupe.”

“WHAT?” Rory was stunned.

The General spoke again. “You, my friend, are a legend. The peace movement began the day you were sent here; twenty five years ago.”

Rory’s mind spun. Twenty five years? It only seemed like months since she was last on Earth. Years had past back home. Rory had barely aged physically. Old Earth had spun on with it’s 24 hour, seven day weeks. Aging her few remaining friends and one remaining offspring well past her battered but youthful body.

“What happens now?” Rory tried to manage to be practical in spite of her complete sense of loss.

The General smiled, “We, the free citizens, need to go back to Old Earth and be sure we secure our new government and then a lasting global peace. After those aims are achieved, teams will review the prisoners incarcerated here and, repatriation proceedings will begin for those deserving an other chance at a life on Old Earth.”

“Sounds like a long process by Old Earth time,” Rory looked directly at Andrew and the young man nodded grimly.

“The prisoners will automatically be released to the surface after the guards are safely away.” The General pointed out the window to the green vista below, “Eighteen supply ships have already landed around the planet. They are loaded with building materials, food, water, seeds, farm equipment, clothes, all the essentials of building a society. But, it won’t be the bureaucratic Old Earth Government elite who planned this venture who receives the bounty. It will be New Earth’s prisoners who enjoy the first fruits of the new world”

Fred laughed, “There are test tube babies too for your very brave new world.”

“That was only reported in the tabloids,” Andrew reprimanded. “We don’t know for certain about future life forms but they did send up books.”

“Rory, I’m about to save you life. Consider it returning a favor.” The General spoke with a big smile, “This is the only chartered map of the surface. It also has the locations of each supply ship and their manifests. You and Rabbit will have a good week’s travel on the prisoners below. Please make the best of it.”

“Why would you do this for me?” Rory accepted the offerings but still needed to know the general’s motivation. “I understand Fred and Andrew wanting to help me but why you?”

The General gave a sharp salute, “I go by my given name now, General Annabelle. However, when I served under your command I went by a family name; Stuart. I was your sentry. You saved my life.”

Rory studied the woman and could finally see the girl she knew long before. “Tell me, Stuart, was it a life worth saving.”

“Rory no be mean,” Rabbit heard the edge in her lover’s voice.

“You’ll have to tell me, Major,” the General responded kindly. “I rose to rank of General. Managed to get global agreement to limit battlefields to direct lines of fire versus covert operations which were killing thousands of children each year. Met a nice guy. We have eight kids between us; his, mine, and everybody’s. I joined with the peace movement and got more than a few generals and senators on both sides of the war to sign on for the coupe.” The General winked, “And, now I’ve returned the favor by saving your life and your lover’s life. Is that acceptable?”

“Very,” Rory spoke softly and extend her hand. “Proud to serve with you, General.”

The group stood. Guards set about preparing for return to Old Earth. Fred hugged Rory goodbye. Both knew they would never have a chance see or speak to each other again. Neither said a word. They merely saluted. The General walked away with Fred leaving Rory to face Andrew.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “If your life sucked, it’s my fault and I want you to know I would never want that for you or any child of mine.”

Andrew nodded and handed her a picture. “I want you to keep this with you. That’s my wife, Jan, and our five kids.”

Rory stared at the picture and took in all the faces. Some of them had Stephen’s eyes and a couple had her nose and one had her mother’s chin dimple and the little guy looked so much like Rory’s own little man.

“You have a beautiful family, Andrew.”

“No Mom, we have a beautiful family.” Andrew stepped closer to her, “Someday, when you are out tending your garden on this new planet, a man looking just like Dad is going to come up to you and ask you to come home with him. It’ll be my Stevie. See, he looks just like Dad.”

Rory followed Andrew’s finger to the little solemn face in the picture. Tears clouded her vision as she realized the boy did look exactly like her late husband.

“When he comes, Mom, you’ll have to decide between staying here or coming back home to me. It’ll be a free choice.”

“Andrew,” Rory took both his cheeks in her hands, “I wish your life could have been…different. That we had a chance to know each other. But, that didn’t happen. You are a descent man. Just like your father. I’m proud I had some small part in the making of you. Stephen and Andy would have been proud of you too.”

Andrew blushed deeply. He cautiously leaned forward but Rory pulled him the rest of the way into a bear hug. She gave him a squeeze.

“Love you too, Mom.”

* * *

Rory hoisted the last sack of grain into the underground shelter. It was filled to the rafters with food stuffs. She climbed up the stairs and slammed the titanium door closed. She engaged the pressure control and all the surplus air was vented out. Rory locked the door with thumb print imaging.

“Harvest is officially and successfully over!” Rory announced to the cool air around her.

“Nope. You be wrong,” Rabbit’s voice rose from behind her.

Rory turned to see her very pregnant Rabbit waddling up the incline from their living quarters. Rabbit still sported dark sunglasses to protect her eyes against the sun. Having been raised underground, Rabbit’s eyes were very slow to adjust to the surface. Rory assumed her lover would always need protection during the daylight.

“Doesn’t matter, dark glasses make her even sexier.” Rory thought to herself before asking, “And, just what am I wrong about?”

“Me no harvest yet,” Rabbit grinned and rubbed her protruding belly. “Baby still waiting.”

Rory walked over to her lover. She wrapped her hands around the pregnant stomach and kissed Rabbit’s soft mouth. As Rabbit responded to the kiss, Rory felt the baby kick.

“Somebody’s awake,” Rory hummed and stole another kiss.

Rabbit broke free and grimaced, “You wake him up. Tonight you massage Rabbit’s back. Get him back again. Get him sleepy again. Rabbit no want pee pee pee all night.”

Rory laughed out loud. “I’ll massage you every minute every of every night for the rest of my life even if you’re not pregnant. But, you’ll still need to pee pee pee cause that’s a gravity thing.”

Rabbit giggled. Rory took the moment to steal several kisses. First from her lips. Then from her hand. Rory pulled gently to start them back on the path home.

“Baby close?” Rabbit asked as they strolled up the well worn path to their Yurt.

“Two, maybe four weeks still. Enough time to finish his own bed; a little cradle for him.”

Rabbit stopped in her tracks. “He no make warm with Rabbit and Rory?”

“We’ve been here more than a year. I don’t think we’ll see the same kind of cold like we did below the surface,” Rory reassured and tugged Rabbit closer to their front door. “And, some nights we are going to want him to sleep on his own. You know, so you and I can be close together.”

Rabbit thought about the explanation while stepping into their cozy home. A blaze of red raced across her cheeks when she realized what Rory was talking about. She gave her lover a gentle push.

“Shh, him hear. No dirty talk,” Rabbit soothed her hands over her belly as she hushed her words.

Rory recaptured one of Rabbit’s hands and tugged her lover to the bed, “Not dirty talk. Lover’s talk. Our sons and daughters are going to know how much we love each other. They’ll see our commitment in our touches and hear it in our words.”

“SonZes? DaughterZes? How many more we have, Rory?” Rabbit asked as she joined Rory on their bed.

“Well, there are thirty doses of sperm in the freezing unit we retrieved. The unit will operate for one hundred years; Old Earth time. So, we can try for as many kids as we want.” Rory sighed happily when Rabbit’s head tucked under her chin. “Of course our new neighbors, want a few samples of our supply.”

“Glad Bearses and his women and Petra and her new men come,” Rabbit curled as much as she could around Rory’s lean body.

“Yep, it’s good to have neighbors you know you can trust.”

The pair stayed still, entangled on the bed. They were enjoying the quiet. Until the baby kick again.

“OUCH!”
“See, Rabbit told you him strong. How you like him inside awake?” Rabbit sat up rubbing her swollen belly.

Rory grinned like a fool, “Come here,” she grabbed her wife around the shoulders and pushed her down on her side. Rory began to need the knotted muscles of Rabbit’s lower back.

“Oooow, yep, there, sssooo hurted, yep, oh Rory, yep, yep there, my Rory, love you,” Rabbit closed her eyes as the blissful massage unwound her constricted muscles.

“Love you too, Rabbit.” Rory felt the tear streak down her face but she refused to cry out her anguish, her joy until she had gotten her lover and unborn baby back to a sound asleep. “Love you both, so much. I’ll do it better this time. I promise, I’ll take care of my family first, this time.”

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