Just because a being is small does not mean they can't be a "Mama Bear" no matter their gender! When the family is reunited, or rather, the parents are found while their child is in ICU thanks to that knomira, well, small does NOT mean weak. And that knomira learns the hard way about hurting someone's kid.
@internutter/challenge-03314-i026-barge-versus-coracle -- DaniAndShali
The rest of the lifepod had to hold Tourist Will down so that the ERT's could deal with the most-injured first. After all, the baby Havenworlder had stopped its meeping, so that had to mean they were getting better, right?
Wilful ignorance has no limits.
While Will was shrieking about filing assault charges, the ERT's swarmed over tiny Pij and carried her out on a stretcher far too large for her. Then, most shocking of all, the ERT's slapped restraints onto Will's wrists and ankles. Hauling them off into a cell with sound baffling capabilities.
It was a complete minimalist habitat, with the waste elimination unit in the same space as the cleansing cubicle. The sleep niche was bottom of the market, like everything else. Entertainments were on a pitifully small, data-reader-sized screen that Will couldn't even move. Air was guaranteed by an algae farm with Idiot-Proof controls.
There was nothing to break. Nothing to throw. And further, the walls were a soft material that meant Will could not hurt themself. They were also tough enough to resist any efforts on Will's part to try and burrow out.
Further, if Will insisted on throwing a violent enough tantrum, the security system would flood the area with a soporific gas. Will quickly learned to tone it down after the first hint of its frangipani scent. Which made what happened next so much more understandable.
A member of the local Security forces appeared in Will's view with a datareader in hand and a Havenworlder by their side. A very angry Havenworlder.
"Tourist Will Karinson. You are guilty of physical abuse and injury to a minor and a Havenworlder, with abundant evidence and witnesses. Given the nature of the crime, no trial can be held owing to a lack of impartial jurors. Do you accept the evidence of your guilt?"
They probably had footage of Will already accepting it on the lifepod. That look of realisation had likely gone all over the Alliance as fast as information could flow. "I have to, don't I?" Will complained. "It's not as if my rights are under consideration any more."
"Consideration? Consideration?" The Havenworlder fluffed up in what was probably a threat display. Given their size and relative frailty, the end result was more pathetic than frightening. "If you had any consideration, you wouldn't be here right now and my baby girl wouldn't be in an ICU drawer!"
Oh. That was an angry parental. Worse, the Security representative was smirking.
"Since you're so very fond of your rights, let me tell you some of the rights Rennie Nudd has. As a Havenworlder and Parental to the injured party, ze has - on this station and within this Polity space - the right to personal justice. The Alliance will eventually insist that you are deported to Alliance space for full therapy under strict supervision, but until then, Rennie Nudd has the right to one hour per day to do whatever ze wants to you. And you do not have the right to strike hir back." There was that smirk again. "With those rights in mind, I am fully authorised to restrain you so that you cannot retaliate. Do you understand these rights?"
Will did, but admitting it would only mean more physical pain. "You can't do this to me! I am an Alliance Citizen! The CRC will hear about this!"
The Security officer chuckled in a way that was one hundred percent schadenfreude. "Who do you think endorsed this?"
They were still engineering a set of restraints that Will could not fight. Therefore the local Security forces held Will still. While an angry Havenworlder attacked them with stunningly forensic accuracy.
That tore it. Will was going to sue.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / lucidwaters]
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