Chapter 50

Dusty continued with the facts of life for these people.

“The two crews who chased the Farestar have been detained. I have an island on Sheldon where people who behave badly are sent,” she then told them.

“How long will they be there?” one of the older women asked.

“A very long time. If any of you women were married to the men, we can discuss what arrangements you would prefer. Rupert has assured me that if any of you wish to join your husbands, he will do his best to assure your safety.”

“All of the men wear these cuffs,” Dusty informed the people and held a cuff up so they could see. “I can spell them so no man can touch another person’s legal wife if she so wishes,” she said.

She had to stop when one of the women said, “I wish I had gotten one of those for the bastard years ago.”

The subsequent giggles had Dusty smiling, too. Some of the other men chuckled with the women.

“Anyway,” Dusty continued. “If you wish to join them, you can. It is a bit rustic, but it is a nice island. For those of you who can leave, I will organise transport to the planet of your choice.”

“However, for now, I will place a cuff on all of you. If the cuff believes that you are only guilty of misdemeanours and are worth giving a second chance, it will not stay on your wrist.”

“If you are guilty of a capital crime, such as murder, rape, torture, trafficking, or dealing illegal drugs designed to enslave, or selling of weapons, or were actively involved in the enslavement of others, the cuff will not release you.”

“You will be sent to the island. It is a life sentence,” she told them as she flicked her hands forward.

There were several gasps as each person felt a cuff wrap around one of their wrists.

“Get this fucking thing off me,” one of the men yelled.

He was shaking his wrist and then clawing at the cuff. He then screamed and shuddered before dropping to the ground on all fours, panting heavily as his body still shuddered.

Dusty just ignored the man and continued, “The cuff will monitor you, and it will stop you if you try to harm another. It also makes you tell the truth if you are questioned. Think of all you have done here, why you are here and what redeeming features you have.”

Dusty then waited a couple of minutes as she watched the people confront their demons.

She then said, “If the cuff has come off, please come up here to me and tell me what you wish to do in respect of where you wish to live.”

She waited as the people all looked at the cuff on their wrists again.

One of the younger women moved out of the crowd.

She came up to Dusty, handed her the cuff and said, “I want to go home, but I don’t know if they will take me back.”

One of the men stepped forward, “No, you are my wife.”

He went to grab her, but he then yelped as the cuff stung him.

“Not by choice. I want to go home. I hate you, you disgusting pig,” she spat at him.

“Where is home?” Dusty asked the young woman gently.

“I don’t know,” she sobbed. “My parents were going to Terra. I don’t even know if they are alive. I think they got sold, but I’m not sure.”

“Que, will you look after her?” Dusty asked as she turned her head to look at a space near James.

Many of those present started and yelped when Que appeared. They started again when they realised that they were surrounded by MPs as they each appeared around them. Many turned to look at the people who ringed the group.

A man was heard saying, “They are all MPs and mages. We are so fucked.”

Dusty noticed quite a few of the men and even several women were rubbing their wrists and looked quite upset that they had no hope of talking their way out of this situation.

Even running wasn’t an option. Every bad thought they had resulted in the cuff buzzing their wrist. There were a lot of very uncomfortable people facing Dusty with grimaces and fear.

“Are there any more of you who have had the cuff release?” Dusty asked, not happy that only one person had come forward so far.

She almost sighed in relief when five more of the women came forward. Then, two of the men came forward.

One of the youngest men of the group handed her the cuff and said, “I’m not sure why it came off. I knew what Fahra was doing, but I stayed. I was crew on a freighter that was captured. I guess it was because I had nowhere else to go. Bobby here was like me. Oh, I’m Gary.”

“So, neither of you actively participate in the harming of others?” Dusty asked them.

He shook his head, “No, Teha Dusty. We just worked on odd jobs here like trucking water and fixing things.”

“What do you wish to do now?” Dusty asked them.

“Umm, well, can Bobby and I stay here? He needs a friend to look after him, and well, there is a girl in town and, well...”

Dusty chuckled softly and then touched both men. “You may stay. I think if you go see Demetri at the clinic, he may be able to help you find a job and somewhere to live unless you wish to stay and work for me here. You may go if you wish.”

“Thank you, Teha,” Gary said. “I think we will stay here if you don’t mind. Bobby gets confused if he is moved around between a lot of places. He isn’t stupid, just a bit slow, and he is my friend.”