Chapter 24

Dusty wondered about the mushrooms and the effects they had on people.

Rupert still seemed a very angry man. The others all looked at him as he danced around but didn’t say anything. Dusty guessed that Rupert had danced a few jigs already this morning.

“You might need to tone down your insults. As you can see, the cuff is not impressed with your vocabulary.”

“To answer your question, Reni, yes, the cuff has the standard spells on it. For those of you who don’t know, they are a ‘truth’ spell, a ‘do no harm to others’ spell and a ‘courtesy’ spell.”

“We don’t like being called nasty names any more than other people do. We will interview each of you later to get your stories for the record. I could let you out, but to be honest, I don’t think you would live long if I did.”

“There are some very pissed-off people out there who I can’t vouch won’t hurt you if they see you. You wear the cuffs because we were hired to arrest you and take you back to Earth to face the charges of piracy, theft, slavery, murder, the murder of the unborn, rape and forcing pregnancy on unwilling women, to name but a few charges.”

As Dusty looked around at the people in the cells, she could see that the seriousness of their actions was sinking in. Several of the men were crying softly, and others just looked grim.

Being a pirate may have been exciting until you were caught, that is. Many of them rubbed at their wrists but they didn’t say anything to her charges. It was obvious that they had heard that the cuffs wouldn’t attach to them if they were innocent.

None of these people were innocent. Dusty could see that the lustre of being a pirate had faded as the reality of their situation settled in. Some of them might get lesser charges, but the sheer cost of their actions would not be overlooked.

Dusty flicked her eyes back at Rupert when he approached the cell door and puffed up his non-existent chest.

He said with menace, “You can’t arrest me, I am the King of this planet, and I make the laws here. Earth has no jurisdiction. You will release my people and me at once or suffer the consequences.”

He then swore and shuddered violently as an electrical charge of some intensity shot through his body.

After Rupert settled down a little, Zed informed Dusty loud enough that the others could hear, “Mistress, the colonists have planted a flag and claimed this continent. Doctor White helped them make it, and she has been named the Governor of Carmichael County.”

“They can’t do that!” Rupert claimed through gritted teeth. “I found this planet first.”

They all noted that he didn’t get shocked this time, he was telling the truth as he knew of it.

Dusty replied, “You may have found the planet, but Earth’s laws state that no one individual from Earth can own a whole planet. We are also not on the continent you were living on. We moved everyone to the large southern continent because of the unhealthy nature of where you were camped.”

“By planting a flag and claiming it as a new nation that is multi-national, the survivors have probably been able to claim the whole southern continent. Since the pregnant women can’t fly, I believe a lot of the people you captured have decided to stay here.”

“We found a lovely bay to set up in, and they intend to adopt Queen Lee’s Charter and have graciously agreed to house a UNSEC Base. Hence, they get protection from people like you.”

“They also plan to set up a clinic for people who need to get off ships and provide fresh produce to the ships that pass through this system. I can’t see any of the Nations on Earth opposing their claim, can you?”

“Shit, those sneaky bastards stole my idea,” Rupert muttered.

For whatever reason, he wasn’t shocked again. Dusty noticed his eyes looked clearer, and he seemed calmer, too. She thought it very odd and decided to talk to Que about it.

“No, they are making the best of the situation they have been forced into. Since we were able to remove the Napper from their systems, provide food and improve their health, they are more than willing to make a go of living here.”

“UNSEC will also try to help them as much as possible. After all, it’s in my bosses’ and Earth’s best interests to have a thriving community here. Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but we have a ship full of sick people coming down for treatment.”

“By the way, UNSEC has confiscated your property and goods since they were stolen items. We will redistribute them amongst the survivors as compensation.”

“Due to you being a pirate, Rupert, you will also lose any claim to the northern continent, and it will be up for grabs,” Dusty informed a pale and sullen Rupert.

She then frowned and looked confused. She looked at Rupert when she said, “What do you mean the northern continent is mine?”

“Mistress, when the survivors planted the flag, the map of this planet stored in the satellites changed. The southern continent of planet Sheldon was renamed Carmichael County, and the northern continent was renamed McGee County. You have also been listed as the Governor and hereditary owner of McGee County.”

“I believe Queen Lee’s land distribution program was enacted. Since you led the Strike Team and the name Carmichael was used here, it gave your maiden name to the northern continent.”

“Mr Sheldon has been recorded as the discoverer of the planet, so it was named after him even though he has forfeited any claim to any of the lands due to his crimes,” Zed explained.