It’s really a shame that no matter how much our technology advances, humanity basically remains the same. Avarice, greed and lust have always been and always will be a part of human nature no matter how scientifically advanced we become as a species. I considered this as I thought about the events of the last two weeks - events which changed my marriage and my entire life.

Just two weeks ago, my wife, Charis, and I were on board the faster-than-light interstellar passenger liner Roddenberry as it entered our home system on its voyage from Earth to Pacifica. We had been together exclusively for seven years with five years as husband and wife, and decided to take a vacation from Earth, still struggling to rebound after the Great Nuclear War of 2510, a devastating conflict that lasted only 90 minutes but managed to kill over a billion people. The war had been over for 50 years, but the scars were still present.

Charis and I were part of the effort to stabilize and rebuild what was left of the information infrastructure, which included what people in the 21st century called the Internet. We had been there for three years and decided it was time to take a break. So we headed home for what I thought would be a long vacation filled with sun, fun and of course, lots of wild, uninhibited sex with my beautiful wife, something that seemed to have dropped off considerably in the last couple years, due to the fact that our work had kept us separated for most of our time on Earth.

As I looked out the port in our small stateroom, Charis said she was going to the comm area to place a call to our families, letting them know we would be home soon. I nodded my head to acknowledge my agreement and kept looking out the small window, hoping to catch a glimpse of our home planet.

She returned a half-hour later, having made her calls and came up behind me, looking over my shoulder at the blackness outside.

“We’re still too far out to see home, dear,” she said. “Maybe in an hour or so, we’ll spot it. Don’t worry, we’ll be home soon enough.” I turned to look at her and wrapped my arms around her small waist.

“Yes, we will, and I can’t wait to get you on the beach at Westmoreland,” I said. Westmoreland was an area on the western coast of the only continent on Pacifica that was known for its beautiful scenery and sandy beaches. Of course, the beaches were all clothing-optional with areas set aside for open-air sexual activity.

Charis laughed and pushed me away.

“Dream on, buddy. Just because we’re married doesn’t mean I have to screw you on the beach,” she said, smiling. “Maybe at the dance club, but not the beach. You know I hate to get sand in my pussy and the last time we did it on the beach I got sunburned and couldn’t wear panties for a month.”

“Maybe we need to use a more powerful sunscreen on that shaved pussy of yours,” I said.

“You’re such a naughty boy,” Charis said.

We both turned back and looked out the window, hoping to be the first to spot our home world. Finally, we saw a tiny blue dot and knew we were getting close.

Pacifica, settled over 300 years ago after some 75 years of surveys, was considered to be one of the first successful human colonies outside the Solar System. Like Earth, Pacifica had its share of dangers in the form of poisonous plants, wild animals and carnivorous fish, but the powers-to-be decided the dangers were no worse than what humans had faced on Earth for millennia.

In fact, the benefits significantly outweighed the dangers. The ocean, which covered over 85 percent of the planet’s surface, contained almost everything a human colony would need in the way of food, and desalinization units easily converted the salty water into something fit for human consumption. Better yet, the edible delights that came out of the sea proved to be quite beneficial for the humans who call the planet home. The same applied to the edible plants and fruits that were quite abundant.

As a result, colonists found they lived much longer and healthier lives than they would have on Earth. Researchers suggested that a person born on Pacifica could, in theory, live to be 150 years old if their entire diet consisted of local food. It also helped that the environment was free of the chemical and radioactive waste that polluted and suffocated Earth.

Being healthier and more active meant that native Pacificans tended to be more sexually active than their Terran counterparts - and for a considerably longer period of time. While Terran women were encountering menopause, native Pacifican women were just hitting their sexual peak and Pacifican men were still fathering children well into their 70s.

The founders also wanted to avoid the mistakes that led to Earth’s ultimate downfall. By the time the colony was officially established, the crime rate on Earth had hit an all-time high. Gangs of armed thugs roamed the streets of the planet’s cities taking whatever they wanted - food, money, possessions, women, you name it - with little or no repercussions. Illicit drugs were sold over the counter to anyone with a few pennies to rub together regardless of age and the planet’s sense of morality was all but gone.

As a result, over 95 percent of marriages in the so-called “civilized” nations of Earth ended in divorce, with adultery being the cause for more than 80 percent of them.

So the founders, perhaps imbued with a false sense of righteous indignation, set up a tough system of justice that was swift and at times brutal and to some, unfair. Adultery, for example, was made a felony with harsh penalties. But as imperfect as it was, the system seemed to work and the crime rate on Pacifica was quite low, less than 10 percent that of Earth.

So while Earth continued its plunge into chaos, crime and endless war, Pacifica flourished.

Then the last Great Nuclear War happened, plunging much of the planet into something that resembled the Stone Age. Almost all of the great cities of Earth were completely demolished and all of the planet’s electrical grids were smashed, rendered inoperable by EMP. Many of the remaining occupants of the planet lived in squalor, killing each other for a gallon of fuel or a stalk of green celery.

It took thirty years for the radiation levels to drop enough for off-world teams to begin the job of rebuilding the planet’s infrastructure. And for the last three years, Charis and I were part of that effort. It was hard, to say the least. The hours were long and the work could be backbreaking. Food and medicine had to be imported and security for the teams was tight. Native Terrans had forgotten what it meant to be civilized and would literally kill for a tiny piece of bread or fish.

After three years of that, Charis and I decided we had to come home just to keep our sanity and reconnect.

Finally, the Roddenberry, named after a man who created an ancient but still popular science fiction program, docked at Pacifica Station, an orbital platform that served as a port of entry for the planet. The intercom came to life announcing our arrival along with instructions for disembarking.

“Finally, home at last,” I said, looking at Charis. She seemed lost in thought and didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“Yeah. Finally,” she said quietly.

“Are you okay?” I asked, concerned.

“I’m fine,” she said in a neutral tone of voice. I didn’t quite believe her, though. I would have thought she’d be happy to be home. Something was on her mind but I was unable to figure it out and she apparently didn’t feel like talking.

We left the ship, grabbed our bags and headed for the shuttle that would take us to the planet below. After going through customs and the mandatory medical screening we walked into the main terminal and headed for the exit. My wife said nothing to me the whole time and barely acknowledged my presence.

She suddenly stopped and turned to face me. She didn’t look happy at all.

“I’m sorry, Jere,” she said.

“What? What are you sorry for, Charis? I don’t understand.”

I saw her divert her eyes and sensed the presence of two other men next to me. I looked and saw they were Pacifica Security Police officers. What was this all about?

“Jere Kondrake?” one of them asked.

“Yes,” I answered. “What can I do for you?”

“You’re under arrest, sir,” the officer said. “Please drop your luggage and place your hands behind your back.”

“What am I being arrested for?” I asked. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Adultery,” the other officer said. “To be precise, multiple counts of first-degree serial adultery.”

I looked at my wife who was watching the whole thing.

“Charis, what is this?” I asked. “I’ve never cheated on you, ever. You know that. Why are you doing this to me?” She took a deep breath before answering.

“Like I said, Jere, I’m sorry,” she said, refusing to look me in the face.

“Can you at least call my attorney?” I asked. “These charges are false.”

“I’ve already called your father. He’s contacting an attorney. I think it would be best if we said goodbye here,” she said before turning around and walking away.

My mind was in turmoil. What the hell was going on, I wondered. I’ve never even thought about cheating on Charis, even before we became exclusive. I loved her more than anything and was looking forward to spending my life with her.

The officers read me my rights and escorted me out of the terminal. I felt ashamed, as the eyes of everyone in the terminal were on me. Someone being led off in restraints by police was a rare sight on Pacifica.

I was placed in the back of the police cruiser and taken to jail where I was processed and deposited in a clean but tiny eight-foot by eight-foot square room with a single bar light, a bunk and an infoscreen built into the wall.

An hour later, I was taken from my cell and placed in a reception room where my father was waiting for me.

“What the hell is wrong with you, boy?” he asked. “Why would you even think about cheating on Charis?”

“Dad, I swear to you, I’ve never, ever cheated on her. I’ve never even thought of it. And I resent you immediately taking her side without even talking to me,” I said.

My dad knew that I would never lie to him, not after that one time when I just a child. He could always tell when I had screwed up just by looking at my face. Maybe that’s what made him back down, or maybe it was my tone of voice.

“Okay,” he said. “I just needed to see your response for myself. I believe you. I couldn’t believe it when Charis told me so I had to confront you to your face. I hope you understand and I’m sorry.”

“I understand,” I said. “I don’t know why she would accuse me of this. She’s never said anything and she never gave me any indication that something is wrong.”

“I don’t understand it either. Something about this just doesn’t add up. Anyway, I’ve retained an attorney. He’s the best there is and he should be here any time. I haven’t said anything to your mom yet. I wanted to get your response first,” he said.

“Thanks, Dad, I appreciate that.”

About that time, a tall, well-built man entered the reception room and walked up to my dad.

“Kor Kondrake, good to see you again,” he said.

“Yes, it’s been too long,” my father said in response.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with your son privately first. The prosecutor will also want to interview him. Once I know what we’re facing, I’ll be in touch, okay?”

My father agreed, shook his hand and started out.

“Don’t worry, son,” he said before he left. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

The lawyer sat down across from me and introduced himself as he opened his case.

“Michal Dax,” he said, offering his hand. I did my best to return the shake but it was difficult with the shackles.

“Before we get started, Jere, I’d like to do a quick polygraph if you don’t mind. This isn’t anything admissible in court, but it will give me an indication of your guilt or innocence. I’m not presuming anything, but I do want to know whether or not I’m representing a guilty man. Please take no offense, this is just for my own peace of mind,” he said, pulling out a small box with wires attached to it.

“No offense taken, Mr. Dax,” I said. “What do I have to do?”

“You can start by calling me Michal, please,” he said. “Let’s put these on your fingers, and once that’s done, I’ll ask you a few questions.”

After placing the probes on my fingers, he turned on his tablet, connected the box and turned it on.

“Are you ready,” he asked. I nodded to indicate I was ready.

“Just a few questions to set a baseline, okay?” he asked. “Is your name Jere Kondrake?”

“Yes.”

“Are you married to Charis Kondrake?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been on Earth for the last three years?”

“Yes.”

“At any time since becoming exclusive with Charis, have you ever had sexual relations with anyone else?”

“No.”

“This time, I want you to lie so I can compare the reaction, okay?” he asked.

“Okay.”

“Are you a native Terran?”

“Yes,” I said, lying on purpose.

“Okay, that’s all I need,” he said. “From this short test, I believe you may very well be innocent. Thank you for being so truthful.”

“You’re welcome,” I said. He disconnected the box and the wires and put them back into his briefcase. He closed his briefcase and looked at me, somewhat sad.

“I don’t need to tell you that you’re facing serious charges,” he said. “I haven’t seen the charging documents yet, but I expect they’ll be ready any time now. The prosecutor will want to speak with you, of course. This is very important. Under no circumstances are you to speak with him or anyone else without me there. At no time are you to speak to the media. If they approach you, direct them to me. If you have any issues in here, you contact me immediately, got it?”

“Got it,” I said.

“Tell me, did your wife ever indicate there was a problem?” he asked.

“No, she never did. I don’t know where this comes from. I haven’t done anything wrong,” I said. I felt so lost. Why would she do this to me, I wondered.

“I know you’re scared right now. You’re hurt, scared, confused. You’re probably wondering why your wife would do this. I get it. But I need for you to be strong, okay? We’ll get through this, together. Are you with me?”

“Yeah, but it’s not easy,” I said. He patted my arm.

“It’ll be okay, son. I’ll be here with you,” he said. “Now, let’s see what the prosecutor has to say.”

A couple minutes later, two guards came into the room and escorted us into a smaller interrogation room. A man I presumed was the prosecuting attorney was already there with a stack of documents. He glanced up as we were escorted in. The guard shackled me to a chair, then left, closing the door. Michal sat down next to me.

“So, Michal, I see you’re defending cheating adulterers now,” he said sarcastically.

“My client hasn’t been found guilty of anything, Don,” he said. “He hasn’t even even had a trial yet. He’s presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, or did you forget that part of our judicial system?”

“Normally, you’d be right,” Don said. “Except this is a capital adultery case. And the plaintiff has requested it be fast-tracked.”

Michal looked shocked.

“Aren’t we jumping the gun here a bit?” he asked. “There hasn’t even been any discovery. My client has a right to examine the evidence and so far there’s been nothing.”

“The plaintiff, one Charis Kondrake, says your client has had at least 100 sexual encounters with as many as four women. She also says your client passed on a horrific sexually-transmitted disease requiring extensive medical treatment and she says your client is the father of at least one illegitimate child,” Don said.

“That’s a pack of goddamn lies,” I said, nearly screaming. “She’s lying her ass off. I’ve never, ever had sex with anyone but her since the day we became exclusive.”

Don tossed a folder on the table and Michal picked it up. He opened it and took out three photos, placing them on the table before me. There were also several other documents in the folder that looked like affidavits.

“These photos are fake,” I said. “They’re obvious forgeries. Where did you get them?”

“Your wife provided them to me,” Don said. “She also has video.” Michal held up his hand to keep me from saying anything else.

“Don, I’d like to discuss all this with my client for a few minutes before we proceed, if that’s okay with you,” he said.

“I think that would be very wise given what your client is facing,” Don said, pulling out another folder and handing it to Michal. “Here’s your copy of the charging documents, the request for fast-track and the plaintiff’s disposal request. I’ll gather my things here and step outside so you can confer with your client. Let me know when you’re finished.”

After Don left, Michal reviewed all of the documents and looked at the video, which was, at best, horrible and amateurish.

“I’m confused, Michal, what’s this about fast-track and disposal requests? What’s going on?” I asked. He held up his hand as he pulled his communicator out of his jacket.

“Hang on a second, okay?” he asked, hitting a button on his phone. “Jans, hi, this is Michal. Listen, I have a rush job that needs to get done right now. I need you to contact the Earth Rehabilitation Project office and get me all documents, work requests and dispatch records for both Jere and Charis Kondrake. I need to know every step they’ve taken on Earth for the last three years. Got it? Good. This is an emergency, so I need that information collated and on my desk ASAP. We’ll also need the best audio-visual people available immediately. Thanks.”

After closing the communicator, Michal turned to me.

“This is worse than I thought. You’ve been charged with multiple counts of first-degree serial adultery, which under certain circumstances can carry the death penalty. Your wife has requested it be fast-tracked, which means we have one week to prove your innocence beyond a doubt. Normally, our system says a person is innocent until proven guilty, but there are times when the evidence makes it an open-and-shut case, like if someone is caught in the act of murder. In those cases, the court has said the perpetrator is basically guilty and to save time and money is presumed guilty.

“The disposal is a courtesy extended to the victim of the crime. In cases like this, the victim is given a choice as to how the guilty party is to be, well, disposed of. It seems your wife has a rather vicious streak because she requested that you be executed by mukla after being publicly castrated. Worse yet, the prosecutor’s office has approved it.”

At that moment I felt like my insides were going to be turned inside out and I fought a strong desire to pass out. Mukla fish were vicious creatures, somewhat analogous to piranha on Earth, but far deadlier. They had rows of razor-sharp teeth set in jaws strong enough to crush a man’s bone. It was said that a school of 10 mukla could completely consume a strong adult male in a matter of minutes. Fortunately, they were fairly rare, but if any of them ever got into a body of water, like a lake, it was only a matter of time before every other living creature in the water was consumed.

The founders, apparently expressing a rather vicious streak, thought execution by mukla would be the ultimate deterrent to crime. It had been done a few times, and was considered extremely cruel. In short, the convicted criminal was stripped naked, then bound to a metal pole with a ledge to support the feet. A gag was placed in the convict’s mouth and the convict was slowly lowered into a large tank containing the fish. It didn’t take long for the convict to pass out from shock and ultimately die, and the process did not stop until the person was completely consumed.

But that wasn’t enough for my lying wife, who also requested I be publicly castrated for something I never did before being eaten alive.

Michal also explained to me that all of my assets would be forfeited and given to her in order to supposedly make up for what I had allegedly done to her.

I began crying, hysterically, and it took Michal some time to calm me down enough to understand what he was trying to tell me.

“Jere, please, let’s get to work,” he said. “I didn’t say this would be easy. I need you to look at these photos and these documents.”

I collected myself as best I could and looked at the photos. There were three of them, all of which were obvious fakes. Whoever put them together apparently didn’t even have an elementary concept of photo editing. Even an untrained first-grader could tell they had been faked.

“These are obvious fakes, done by someone who doesn’t even know how to edit a photo,” I told Michal. He readily agreed.

The affidavits were also obvious fakes, printed from what appeared to be old Earth devices. I not only didn’t recognize the names on the documents, but didn’t even recognize the names of the cities listed.

We also looked at the video, which looked like one of those grainy animated pictures popular during the 21st century. The quality, at best, was horrible. This was clearly faked and Michal assured me his specialists would sort it out.

“Okay, Jere, we’re not done. I know this is hard, but hear me out. There is a way we can prove your innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt, but it could be dangerous,” he said.

I looked at him. At this point, I figured what could be more dangerous than being eaten by a bunch of ravenous fish.

“What, Michal, please, I’ll do anything,” I said through my tears.

“Are you familiar with something called a memory search?” he asked. I wasn’t and told him as much.

“It’s fairly new, and has only been accepted by the courts in the last couple of years, so I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it. It’s a technique that allows us to search and record your memories. Since this is her word against yours and the state is taking her side, it’s the only certain way we have of proving your innocence.

“But there’s a caveat. Actually a couple of caveats. First, the procedure could cause brain damage. It’s a slight risk, but a risk nevertheless. And about one percent of those who went through the procedure have died from the complications. The second drawback is that if the search shows evidence of any criminal activity outside the scope of the initial search, the state has the right to pursue charges.

“So, I need to know. Have you engaged in any illegal activity at all since you became exclusive with Charis?”

“No, none whatsoever,” I said. “My parents raised me to obey the law.”

“Good,” Michal said. “Second, have you found yourself in any compromising situations, like, getting drunk at a strip club or something like that?”

“No,” I said. “I don’t drink and the only time I ever go to a club is if I take my wife out on a date.”

“Okay,” Michal said. “I’ll get the search request in when Don comes back. He has no reason to deny it and if he does then I’ll file for a mistrial and demand all charges be dropped.

“One final thing, and I want you to cling to to this. There’s a clause in the penal code that’s only been invoked maybe three times in the last 150 years. It was put in to prevent this very thing from happening. It’s called the Retribution Act, and it was inserted 200 years ago. It basically says that if an accused person is found innocent and was prosecuted due to the malicious actions by the accuser, then the accuser suffers the fate that was to be handed out to the accused.

“You mean, if I’m found innocent, then Charis gets the punishment she wanted for me?” I asked.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean,” Michal said. “Along with any conspirators she may have been working with.”

I thought about it for a moment. I loved that woman exclusively for the last seven years, went to Earth because she thought it would be good for us, gave her everything I could. Now she wanted to falsely accuse me and use the state to kill me just so she could get my assets. Fuck her, I thought.

“Do it,” I said. “Burn the bitch.”

“You got it. Just don’t let her know, though,” Michal said. I smiled. Finally, I had power over her and she didn’t even know it yet.

Michal got up and let Don back in the room.

“So, have you two decided what you’re going to do?” he asked.

“Yes we have,” Michal said.

“Good,” Don said, smiling. “Now, if your client will just sign this affidavit acknowledging his guilt, maybe I can persuade Mrs. Kondrake to go a bit easy, perhaps changing the disposal to something a bit more humane, like molecular deconstruction or incineration.”

“No, Don, that won’t do at all,” Michal said. “In fact, I want a memory search and retrieval procedure on my client as soon as possible, like, today. I know you have the form there on your tablet and you can make it happen while we’re here. If you refuse my request, then I’m prepared to file motion for immediate dismissal and I’ll follow that up with a very expensive and public lawsuit.”

Don seemed to have deflated a bit after that statement and acquiesced.

“Very well, Michal, I’ll do it now and we’ll get your client’s memories searched immediately. I had hoped your client could see his way to saving the state some money and disposing of this quickly, but apparently that’s not going to be the case. Too bad, really,” Don said.

“My client’s life is not something to be disposed of like common trash, Don,” Michal said.

“Of course not,” Don replied. “Do what you have to. There, your client is scheduled to report to the state hospital in three hours for his procedure. I’ve given you and his parents clearance to be with him the whole time. I hope that settles any concern you may have regarding potential prosecutorial malfeasance.”

“For the moment,” Michal said. “While you’re at it, make sure to keep Mrs. Kondrake away from my client while he is in the hospital, if you would.”

“Consider it done,” Don said, filling out the restraining order on his tablet. He hit enter before looking back at Michal and Jere.

“Well, I take it then we’re still on for one week from today,” Don said. “And Mr. Kondrake, I sincerely hope you take these last few days you have to make peace with whatever deity you may happen to worship. I’m really not a vindictive man, but I do have a duty to perform for the state.”

I was about to tell Don that at the moment, I was more than vindictive and to shove his duty up his ass but Michal gave me a look that seemed to say, “shut up.” So I said nothing.

The guard came to retrieve us after Don left and informed me that I had yet another visitor. Michal asked who it was.

“It’s Mrs. Kondrake. Is that okay?” the guard asked.

“Only if I can be present during the visitation,” Michal said.

“Suit yourself,” the guard said.

We made it back to the visitation room where Charis sat, waiting for me. Michal hung back, but was still able to hear and witness the entire visit.

She looked good, but then again, she always did. I noticed she was wearing a knee-length wraparound dress, her favorite cover-up for the beach. I couldn’t help but wonder who she would be with.

“Charis,” I said. “Looks like your headed to the beach. Looking to have yourself a good time while waiting for my death?” She at least had the good sense to look a bit embarrassed.

“Yes, I’m going to Westmoreland. I thought I might take in a little sun,” she said. “Who’s he?” she asked, looking at Michal.

“Oh, him,” I said. “He’s helping me with some of my final arrangements.”

“That’s probably wise,” she said.

“So, what can I do for you?” I asked. “Especially since you’re dead set on having me literally eaten alive over a bunch of false charges. You do know those pictures and video you gave to the state are obvious forgeries. Same with those alleged affidavits. I can’t believe you’d stoop to that. Tell me, please, especially since I only have a week to live, who is he?”

“It doesn’t matter if they’re fake or not,” she said. “You’ll never be able to prove your innocence and that’s all that matters. Just so you know, I’ve got a brand new cutter that I intend to use on your balls. And no, I don’t intend to use any anesthesia when I cut them off, so I hope pain is something you enjoy. You know, I’ve always hated sucking your cock, so I’ll at least get some pleasure out of cutting your balls off.

“And by the way, my father said he’s bringing in a fresh batch of very hungry mukla just for your last public performance,” she said.

“Yes, I know your father is the provincial justice minister, Charis,” I said. “Does he know what you’ve been planning?”

“Who do you think help set this all up? Who better than the justice minister to help grease the wheels?” she asked.

“He’s also made sure that Rondal and I will have a front-row seat reserved for your execution and we plan on enjoying it to the fullest. Then we’ll maybe take a long cruise and fuck each other senseless - on your dime, of course.”

“So, you’re doing all this just to fuck that sleazeball Rondal Kalrissian?” I asked.