The Gotti knew this from their oracles. They had access to this information because they helped raise the nestors in the incubators. Somebody had to do the science. They were probably the ones that conspired with the Junta to help with the research. Their kind faces were a lie, a deception to gain trust. They weren’t the nice females she believed them to be. They were hungry for something themselves—technology? Was that the reward they received in return for sending their women to soften the hard edges of Hezara’s decisions?
All this new knowledge swirled around in Shayla’s mind. What did it mean for her? For other humans sent to Hezara? Were they really necessary? What if they stopped arriving, would Hezara die out? Not if they re-established the balance in their world. They had to stop interfering with nature.
“What are you doing?”
The Gotti had returned. She strode across the room, her bald head red-hot, her eyes black ovals. Now she looked evil with a devil’s forked tail.
“I... I was looking at the data you recorded and—”
“Nonsense, it hasn’t been deposited in the oracle yet.” The Gotti planted her hands on her narrow hips. “This is sacrilege. Using the oracle in here is especially forbidden. Only medical staff can access hospital oracles; they’re different.”
Shayla could guess why. She’d bet everything that the nestors had no idea of what the Gotti knew and did behind the scenes. A secret pact probably existed between Hezarans and the Gott home world.
“I’m just curious...” She backed away.
The Gotti touched the oracle with the long digit. Shayla hated the ugly finger. She wished it had never touched her.
“You lie. You asked forbidden questions.”
A red light flickered above, on the ceiling—a silent alarm had been triggered.
Shayla ran to the door and flew down the corridor.
“Kriss! Jago!”
But her nestors weren’t there. Marching toward her from both ends of the corridor, armed droids.
Shayla dropped to her knees. There was no escape. She was caught.
Chapter Eleven
Kriss paced the tiny room. They weren’t allowed into the court to hear the evidence given by the Gotti who’d accused Shayla of touching the oracle. Jago was crouched in a corner, his palms pressed together and his h
ead down.
“Please, stop,” said Jago without looking up.
“I can’t. I’m so angry.” He clenched his fists. “She betrayed us.”
“The Gotti?”
“What, no... I meant Shayla. But, yes, the Gotti could have come to us first instead of sending for the guards.” He ceased pacing. “She looked so pale.”
They’d arrived only in time to see her cuffed and led away to be tried. The law of Hezara was simple. All cases must be heard within one day, while facts were straight in the mind and evidence fresh. Hezara had long ago done away with the assumption of innocence. The guilty had to plead for mercy. The judges were chosen from the ranks of the best warriors. Instilling fear was a key deterrent. Unfortunately, Shayla had not been told any of this before she foolishly touched the oracle. They still didn’t know why she’d done it, especially after they’d caught and punished her once already.
“Her curiosity is her weakness,” Kriss said. “We need to talk to her.”
“I know, but how?”
The door opened. A court official, a faceless droid, snapped his metal heels together. “You are summoned to hear sentencing.”
Kriss followed Jago into the room. There was only one chair, which was occupied by the grim judge in his black uniform. An old man, by Hezara standards, battle scarred, bald and holding a thick staff in his right hand.
Shayla was kneeling, cowered and tiny. Her hair was hanging limp around her white face, while her nose and eyes were red from crying. Kriss wanted to take her into his arms and hold her tight. The feeling was overwhelming. What was wrong with him? He should be striving for discipline. He straightened his back and stood to attention.
The Gotti, the callous woman who’d accused Shayla, waited in the shadows. Her duty was finished, her words of condemnation spoken. She showed no guilt, nor pity for Shayla. The Gotti liked to watch, Kriss realized. They liked the thrill of seeing other people’s emotions, but never showed their own unless pushed. They were the perfect servants, eager to please, and hard to break, especially the women. The men were puny in comparison, left behind on Gott with no purpose. This is what their oracle told him. He believed it. He had to; there was no other source of information.
Other than the guards that circled the room, the stone-clad chamber was empty. Nobody advocated on behalf of the accused; why would they? Arguing with a judge was dangerous. But, Kriss was willing to risk it; he had to save Shayla. The heart beating hard in his chest was telling him to help her. His resolve to stay silent crumbled.