The weather had turned gray and a mist like a wet blanket hung over the commons. The Elders had gathered to discuss the next trial date. They had just endured the first and wasn’t sure that a second was needed, however Kan and Walk were reluctant to pass judgment on what transpired today. For one, it was decided to have a closed door trial instead of an open one. Not that many would show up. However, two did. Neither one would be considered a model citizen, but still they showed. And two, Karen insisted on defending herself and she had reference books that related to her constitutional rights and all of the amendments that were added to a system, now gone. She refused to accept that this council does not recognise those documents as law.
This sparked a huge debate on what was their grounds and who determined what was going to be written into law here. Alan stood and asked the question, “Is the common good our only goal?”
This trial was more than finding one person guilty of sedition and exiling her. This trial was about their goals as a society, their motivations for order and their moral responsibility to the people as a whole. Just like Alan’s SOP for the security folks, this council was going to have to draft a constitution of sorts for how they governed and what powers they really had.
If nothing else Karen was strengthening the clarity of what powers they had and how far they had to go to keep them.
Lorance kept referring to his law practice and precedents that were set under the old system. Problem was, most of what he spoke about was gibberish to the council or anyone else that might be listening. This, legalees needed to be translated into common language with definitions in both words and ideas.
Lorance and Susan took this part on. They were to define the laws that were broken by Karen and speak to her intent. Both of these issues were on Trial. Charges were then drawn up and issued to the Elders for review. Once that was agreed upon, then they could continue.
Alan turned to Lorance, “This is what you were afraid of at the commons last week.”
“Just because the mob wants something, doesn’t make it legal.” Lorance told him.
“Message received.” Alan said.
For the next three weeks Karen pranced around like she had won some great victory. She was on house arrest, but that didn’t stop her from talking to her neighbors and passers by. She gloated repeatedly how she had defied the evils of the council.
Then during a normal council meeting, some new laws were proposed, discussions heard and then pasted. Also trial proceedings and processing was discussed and carried. The most important item discussed is the boundaries for the Intent of the council to protect the good of the people. The current boundaries were discussed and clarified and that if these boundaries were to be modified, that it would take a vote of the people to ratify it. Much like the amendments to the constitution.
At the end of the council meeting Alan and Lorance could be heard arguing the fact that Karen had not violated any of the rules passed at council. That she had violated them before they became law and so, she could not be held responsible for her previous violations. And legally he was right, but she had to go, Alan insisted. “She’s a cancer.”
“And she will violate these rules again. Then! We can do something about it.” Insisted Lorance.
“I think you underestimate her. She will skirt the laws and continue to disrupt our community.” Alan pushed back.
“You know as well as I do, that doing something that is convenient, isn’t always prudent.” Lorance said quietly.
Alan's head sank. He had just lost his argument. “A motion to… dismiss Karen’s charges is before this council. How, say you?”
It was unanimous, Karen’s charges were dismissed, her house arrest revoked and an uneasy feeling was left in the stomach’s of every Elder. They would be back here.. With her and dealing with this again. Not in the exact way, but close enough.
The audience itself was split. Most didn’t like that she was going to get away with her ranting and disruption, but there was also a legal path to protest the ruling of this council, so that was a win.
And the very next day Karen was at the commons trying to convince those that would hear her, that the council was illegal and that it should be disbanded. When she was told to move on, she yelled that it was her right to speak out on the evils of the Elders. Most just walked away. It was these elders that made it possible for them to eat, have order and hope. But her seeds were planted.
Things quieted down for a few weeks and the next council meeting was boring by comparison. Then at the end Karen stood and asked to be heard.
Alan, “Did you put in a proposal?”
“No, I shouldn’t have to.” Karen said.
“That’s OUR procedure. If you have not gone through proper channels so that we have had a chance to look over your request and prepare a response, then you don’t have any grounds to do it in council.” Alan looked to the elder, “There is a process to this system, you need to follow it.”
“I propose a vote of no confidence in this council.” yelled Karen.
“Denied.” Alan said.
“Who the hell are you to deny me my rights!” Karen stepped forward.
Alan turned to Lorance, “I stand corrected.”
Karen thought he was talking about her and started for the podium. Alan banged his mallet on the table, “Motion denied and this council is adjourned.”
The elders packed up their things and started to file out. The audience did the same. Karen stood for a moment then started yelling. “I will be heard! You can’t run away from me!” Then she looked around, “Cowards! All of you.” She yelled. She then pushed her way out to the commons and tried to get everyone attention, “They are stealing your food… your labor, for what? So that they can have a better life. They sit up on that hill and judge you! What is wrong with you people?
Alan watched as Lorance walked with the crowd instead of leaving like normal. He followed. Once out in the commons, Lourance looked at Alan. He had a sadistic smile on his face and then looked back at Karen as an officer approached her.
“Mama.” A sheriff's officer was standing next to Karen, “You need to keep your voice down, you are disturbing the peace.”
Karan looked at the officer and yelled, “And if you don’t comply they send their gestapo to stop you.” That’s when she jumped on a table and continued to yell, “What happens when they come and take your children for their war! How will you stop them then!”
At this a few people turned to look at her. She saw this and yelled, “They are going to train your children to fight in their school! Then they will turn these kids on you and then what? What will you do then?”
The officer grabbed her and pulled her from the table, “You are under arrest.” She struggled a little, but he had a firm grip on her. He then literally picked her up and hauled her out of the commons screaming profanities and how they will train the children to shoot everyone in their sleep. It was almost classic Karen. Maybe just a little over the top.
Alan just watched Lorance. Nothing about Karen’s statements seem to be a surprise to him. Alan walked over and stood in front of Lorance.
“What?” Was all Lorance said.
Alan didn’t budge, “That hunter’s Safety course is on next month’s agenda.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Lorance said with a smile. “It must have been on my desk when she came over to discuss how to propose a no confidence vote to the council.”
Alan shook his head. “That was a fairly benign draft. It only mentioned the need for kids to understand how to be safe around guns and while using them for hunting.”
“Mine had a few more points added…Oh.” He giggled, “And your signature.”
Alan just walked away as Karen was heard yelling, “He’s going to kill you all!”
Needless to say, charges were filed against Karen for false witness, sedition and disturbing the peace. She was given an arbiter and told that she was not to speak in court unless asked a specific question. If she could not do that, she would be removed and all court proceedings would be read to her after the fact.
As in true Karen style, she protested loudly and was removed. The Trial was short. Evidence was submitted, a jury was selected as well as a judge. The Arbiter had no choice but to file a guilty charge. Negotiations were opened on just what Karen’s punishment was. She denied any settlements. She wanted to go back to trial. But, there would be no appeal, no more trials. There were thirty witnesses that saw or heard her. She was guilty. Now she just needed to accept it and try to reconcile the issues. She refused.
Finally she was brought before the council. The judge was thanked and all that was left was Lorance, again acting as prosecutor, Brian the Arbiter and Karen.
Alan stood. “Karen, this council will give you one last chance to capitulate. If you don’t we will pass judgment on you and enforce said judgment immediately.”
Karen spat on the ground, “You have no authority over me.”
“So be it.” Alan sat, then said to the council, “I motion that Karen’s citizenship be revoked. That she be given one week's ration and taken North to a distance that would require at least a week's travel to return. No other provisions or support will be granted. May God have mercy on your soul.”
Susan seconded the motion.
Alan then said, “It is stated here that all members will vote with a Ya or a Na.” Alan looked at Lorance, “With exception of the Prosecutor. And that it must be a unanimous vote to carry the motion.” He then looked to his right.
Mike said, “Ya.”
Susan, “Ya.”
Lopez, “Ya.”
Walk hesitated. He looked at Karen then back as Alan, “Ya.”
Alan looked at Kan. He could see that the gentle giant was conflicted. Kan looked up to the sky then at Karen. He just sat there for one minute, then two. He then looked back at Alan and with a heavy sigh, “Ya.”
Now it was up to Alan, “The motion is carried. Karen Broach you are hereby exiled. Your citizenship is revoked and will be considered an enemy of this community.” He stood. “You will be removed from this court and taken to holding. At sun up tomorrow you will be taken, by force if necessary, to a location North of this settlement. You will be given food, a tent and a knife..” He paused then continued, “Karen, you are not to return. If you do, you will be treated like an enemy and shot.”
Karen stood their head down and silent.
Alan spoke again, “You have brought this on yourself.”
WIth that she was escorted out.
Alan didn't sleep that night. In the morning he went to the holding cell. Mike and three of his men were there as well. They put a backpack on her and tied her hands. Once she was secured they took her from the cell.
She looked at Alan, “You’re a coward.”
Alan just couldn’t help himself, “Only a fool would look into the lion’s mouth and say that.”
Karen just glared at him.
“Let’s go, said the guard.”
With that Karen was led away.
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