Chapter 6

Two men stepped out of the ship and slowly made their way toward us. I mentioned to Tonho that these two were new to us. He nodded.

We slowly made our way to meet half way. I said, “Good afternoon. I am Josh and he is Tonho. Who are you?”

The older of the two men said, “I am Sir Archibald Davis and he is Gerald Thomas. We are representatives of His Majesty sent to end the hostilities that exist between us.”

I said, “Where is the Captain?”

“He is inside. What is your intention toward him?”

“He will be tried for bombing our village during which a member of our village was killed and bringing further violence to our world resulting in the deaths of five of your people. If convicted, he will probably be sentenced to death.”

“We do not relinquish our officers to local justice. It is against our policy.”

I said, “That’s fine. A state of war continues to exist. We will not start anything. Go back to your ship and leave. This is the last time we will talk under truce. Your words are worthless as they do not admit the possibility of your people being subject to our ways though your insistence upon having rights as human beings on our world continues. Good bye. Once we are at the tree line, the truce is over and we will not allow a truce again.”

“Wait, we will bring Captain Willoughby.” I nodded. Thomas looked back at the ship and said, “Send Willoughby out. He will have to stand trial.”

The Captain, Willoughby, was escorted from the ship and brought before the two of us. Thomas said, “Here he is. Is this trial public?”

I talked with Tonho. I then said, “Of course. They are so rare that we gather in such a manner. Just the event occurs so rarely that the people watch and review what occurs. It is important that justice be done. The accused may call witnesses and refer to any information to be exonerated.” Tonho spoke. I was surprised but translated, “Everyone involved in the trial except as a spectator shall be naked. I am told that the naked truth will prevail.” I grimaced. “That is different. Gentlemen, I will tell you that I am learning about my people because I’ve never seen nor participated in such an event.”

I told Tonho what I had said. I translated his response. “Tonho says that the last murder or wanton destruction of property was almost twenty years ago.” I added. “The costs for property destruction are massive since the entire village was demolished. People will be unable to work their crops while they clean up the mess. They will be hungry or without shelter.”

Thomas said, “We have money to buy food and supply workers.”

“Mister Thomas, that was a foolish statement. From who are you going to buy the food? Who are you going to hire to build?” Thomas was shocked speechless. I thought that was probably a good thing.

People gathered. Willoughby was told to strip. I relayed the message. I removed my few clothes at Tonho’s instruction since I would be the translator for everyone. The headman of the village was Honso and he would preside naked also.

Everyone involved in the trial was naked. The spectators were gathered around a large circular area. Honso commanded Willoughby to come forward and be confronted by his accusers. There were twenty of them.

The first came forward and I translated to Willoughby. His words were, “I am Wilfo. I have never harmed anyone. Without warning, a ship flew overhead and dropped a bomb. Among other houses, my house was destroyed in the blast. I built my house myself while living with my parents for me, for my mate, and for our children when we have them. The logs for the house were from my field. I can’t handle another field. If I don’t work my field, my mate and I will starve.” He looked at Willoughby and continued, “You commanded the ship when it bombed my home. Five minutes sooner or five minutes later, we would have been in our house and killed. I think he meant for me to be inside and die. I claim his life.”

Honso looked at Willoughby and asked, “Did you command the ship that bombed the house?” I translated.

“Yes, but only under orders.”

“Who gave you those orders?”

“No person. Those orders are in our manual of procedures.”

I said, “Under what section? Standard response to cow aboriginals?”

“Uhh.”

Honso stopped him from saying anything. “Following orders that are unconscionable is an illegal activity making you liable. Your life is forfeit by your own testimony.”

Willoughby said, “Had I failed to carry out my orders, I would have been relieved of my command and court-martialed.”

I translated and Honso said, “Does he have anyone here who will support his claim?”

Thomas said, “I will show the manual under which he operates.”

Honso nodded. “Get it and come forward to testify after removing your clothing.” Thomas started but slowly nodded. A large loose-leaf notebook was brought out. After stripping his clothes off, Thomas carried it into the circle.

He said, “I will read from the manual.” I translated as he read.

“In the event of hostile activities, the expedition leader is charged with making a response to stop any danger to the ship or crew using whatever means may be available.” I was helping to hold the manual and read some more and then translated the rest to the villagers and Honso.

“The beginning of this section is labeled responses to native unrest. Other parts contain recommendations for getting natives to accept mastery by those in the ship. It’s obvious that this section deals with persons who aren’t to be recognized as capable of governing themselves and to demonstrate a position of dominance by those from the ship.”

Thomas said, “That’s what it says but we have never met persons capable of governing themselves or others.”

I translated that and people in the circle bristled. I said, “Gentlemen, you are condemning yourselves by your own words.” I said that so my people would know what I said.