Byron and Jerry know that real first aid is going to take longer than they have. Byron gives Ray a pocket handkerchief and tells her to keep pressure on the wound until they get to the ship.
Alarms blare, but there is a highly suspicious lack of security until they reach Nemesis's bay. There, they find Ilaleifanlil, head of security and Hteleitoirl's old friend. He is holding a laser pistol pointed at you.
There is a blast of laser fire and Ilaleifanlil looks down at the burned hole in his chest with shock before slumping to his knees and falling dead. There, high above on a catwalk, stands Elehasei with a laser carbine in her hands.
It is hard to say whether the aslan prince is more shocked by his old friend's betrayal or by an aslan woman wielding a weapon with expertise.
"Elehasei..." he begins.
"Go!" she shouts.
Nodding, Hteleitoirl carries Ray onto Nemesis, followed rapidly by all her crewmates.
Once inside, Byron attends to first aid while Steph pulls the ship out of port and heads for the jump radius.
"Steph, let's get out of here before station Security tries to stop us," says Jerry.
He then walks to the room being used as medbay, looking on as Byron treats both Ray and Hteleitoirl.
"Hteleitoirl. are you still determined to return to face whatever awaits you? I do not pretend to understand your code of honour ... and I do not understand what your friends and companions attempted."
As they board Nemesis, Daneel takes a quick look back. "I'm thinkin' we won't be visiting The World again anytime soon."
Hteleitoirl looks thoughtful. "It's not so hard to understand. Would you abandon your family to pain and death? To slavery? The Iuwoi are trying to kill me to prevent me from expiating my clan's dishonor. That will permit them to claim aggrieved status and lead a war against my people. If I do not present myself before four more weeks have expired, a coalition of clans will slaughter my entire clan."
Steph nods and turns to the piloting controls. "Don't let Ray die please. She's crusty but really fun to have around." She announces the immediate departure to the crew, and tells them all to strap in they are leaving as quickly as she can.
"Gunshot!" squeals Doctor Hargek's parrot as Ray is brought into the tiny weapons locker that doubles as Nemesis's sick bay.
"Do you have to get in a fight every time you leave the ship? says the vargr doctor, clucking her tongue. "Alright, everyone out!" She makes a shooing motion and begins to cut away Ray's tunic. "I don't know what gets patched up more, you or the uniform," she says.
__________________________________
Meanwhile, on the bridge Steph heels the ship around and shows what a real ship can do. Without even really pushing Nemesis's limits, she turns the ancient ship towards the stars and punches it, screeching away from the old star base and towards the jump limit. Once safely past the planet's 100-diameter limit, she signals Daneel, who engages the Jump engines. The silvery lines of the lanthanum grid glow all across the hull, generating a helium bubble that...poof... envelopes the ship in its own pocket universe.
Daneel falls into his normal jump routines of tending the ship and working on his hand-to-hand combat skills.
At some point, he asks Hteleitoirl what he expects will happen once they reach Tyokh.
"Tyokh is a heavily-guarded world, Daneel. There is a vast fleet there. And this ship is advanced technology even by the standards of the Imperium. They will surely be interested to see a Sindalian raider in Tyokh space when all such ships were thought to have been destroyed thousands of years ago. You would be wise not to excite more interest in the ship than you have to."
"Society on Tyokh is more cosmopolitan than most Aslan worlds as a result of greater contact with humans and other non-Aslan. This means the inhabitants are slightly less intolerant of outsiders’ strange ways, and slightly more forgiving of social gaffes, than those of worlds deeper into the Hierate. However, it is still possible to end up in serious trouble because of a misunderstood custom or failure to observe proper etiquette."
"If you choose to attend my trial you will be questioned. Your right to stand with me will be tested. My people will wish to know what makes you worthy to stand with a clan prince. My people respect accomplishments and bravery."
"Then, I will undergo a trial by combat. It is one that I am honor-bound to lose. I must make a show of trying to win, but in the end I must lose."
Ray spends her time trying to NOT die.
Also, cussing.
Lots of cussing.
Dr. Hargek's bedside manner is not too far removed from Ray's own, and the two butt heads (almost literally) for three days until Ray is finally discharged from Nemesis's tiny sick bay.
After Hteleitoirl describes the military situation on Tyokh, Jerry quietly meets with Daneel and Steph.
"We better disguise the vessel. And act like a simple cargo or free trader, too. Don't let anyone get too good of a look at it and don't operate at anything close to max," says Jerry. "Let's keep it a surprise, if we need to do more than fly in and out."
For the rest of the week, Jerry tries to study but cannot concentrate, distracted by what Hteleitoirl has said he will face on Tyokh. Finally, he approaches the Aslan.
"I will not try to dissaude you. What do you expect to happen to the members of your clan after your trial?"
"They should be able to carry on as before, with the shame of Arunisiir expiated."
"Would they wish to, though?," asks Jerry.
"I do not know your ways, but in human cultures, it would be unusual for the Iuwoi to simply stop with your death. Would they not continue the vendetta?"
"They would have no pretext, which is a very great thing in Aslan culture. Attacking another clan must follow strict rules or the Hierate would quickly erupt into several hundred civil wars."
Daneel crosses his arms and idly scratches his beard. "So...if you don't show up, your clan gets slaughtered. If you show up, fight, and lose, your family's honor is restored and their lives saved. But does losing have to mean dying? And what happens if you win?"
"I can't win. If I do, my clan's dishonor is not expiated. Only my death will do that."
Steph guides the ship to the designated landing field. It is easy to see that although Tyokh is a modern world of billions, it is also mostly wilderness, in the Aslan style. Densely-packed cities surrounded by vast tracts of wild land in which the rich and powerful can hunt and luxuriate in raw territory.
The landing field is a modern starport with hundreds of craft, many of which are busily landing or preparing to depart.
"From the moment I set foot on the territory of my clan, I am not permitted to speak to anyone until the execution begins. I am under death sentence and have already been judged. I will only be permitted to make ritual responses to the duel challenge, but in the eyes of my clan I have nothing to say for myself. Honor requires that I observe this rule."
"However, I ask you now to stand as my Honor Guard. It is a defiance of tradition, the last I will be permitted."
Before stepping outside the ship, Hteleitoirl sends a message to his clan that he has come to surrender himself for execution and accept his fate as deserved. He adds that he will be accompanied by an honor guard of chosen and worthy companions, as is his right. He cuts the channel before any response can be made.
He turns to face you. "This would be a good time to ready yourselves. My people are impressed by shows of ostentation and achievement. This would be a time to be at your most impressive. Dress uniforms, swords, medals, if you have them. You may wear sidearms, but not armor or rifles."
When you are ready, he opens the hatch and turns to you one last time. "Thank you, my friends." Then he leads you down the cargo ramp to the waiting guards. These guards are aslan warriors dressed in ceremonial garb. They bow and greet Hteleitoirl gravely. They regard you silently and gesture you all to a large grav car waiting to take you all to the palace.
Steph nods and changes the skin of the ship to a non-descript freighter, and keeps the flying to a stead pace. "Fly casual. Got it."
Steph will ask Hteleitoirl, "Should we worry about assassins between the ship and the court? Do you wish us to attend your trial? We could try to present the evidence we've gained. Would that help?" She looks at the Prince. "We don't want to cause more difficulties for you or your clan."
While Hteleitoirl is waiting for the car, Jerry goes to his cabin and gets his best uniform and his Sindalian Officer's Sword. As his friend said, there is no point being understated. Once he is dressed, Jerry returns to join Hteleitoirl at the car.
"I am ready to accompany. Our companions will be along shortly. Can we wait for them?"
Assuming Steph asks these questions before they leave the ship (and Hteleitoirl, convicted criminal, touches clan soil), he answers. "Yes. We are going there now. Right now. And I wish you to stand with me. I don't know what affect your evidence will have, Steph, but you should present it. Let them know that I was betrayed."
Daneel's wardrobe probably isn't up to honor guard standards, but he cleans up and does his best to dress for the role. He holsters his laser pistol and joins the others.
Before they disembark, he asks Hteleitoirl, "Outside of us, will you have any allies on Tyokh?"
"Wear my best?" Ray looks down at her clothes and scoffs. "Oh, look! I am." She smirks, but then frowns a moment later. "Wait. Did you say no armour?"
Ray cusses profusely as she trudges down the hall and strips off some of her gear.
"Your cloth armor will be fine, Ray," says Hteleitoirl. "I was warning against something like combat armor or battle dress. You are barbarians in the eyes of the Aslan, so feel free to flaunt the rules, if you do it well. But even the Aslan will only permit so much. No, I think you should go as you are."
Looking to Daneel, he says "Allies? Yes. But no one who can stop this. It will be what it will be."
He takes a deep breath, looks around the ship one last time and then proceeds down the ramp to the waiting limousine. Once you all enter, the flight of grav cars whisk you away to the palace.
The approach to the palace is impressive to say the least. A grand plaza is lined with finely-dressed Aslan (and a few other species) civilians, interspersed with heavily armed clan guards. The scene is a riot of colorful clothing and bright jewellery, contrasting with an eerie silence. No-one speaks; the only sounds are heavy footfalls as the condemned prince walks towards the palace.
Atop the palace steps stands an older aslan male in the full regalia of a clan lord, flanked by his wives and guards. The executioner waits at the bottom of the stairs, ready to carry out the sentence in a formal duel.
Those who know Aslan culture will realize that the execution will take the form of unarmed combat which Hteleitoirl is expected to lose gracefully and courageously. He may wound his executioner, but is not permitted to disable or kill. He can win glory by putting on a display of courage and skill; a warrior who looks like he could have beaten his executioner but still dies with honor will become a legend among his people. However, he must die in the ritual manner. He has been judged and sentenced already. There are no words left to say.
Not by Hteleitoirl, anyway.
Hteleitoirl presents himself and waits silently. His father speaks quietly to an aide, who descends the steps and approaches the honor guard, you.
To each of you he asks the same question.
"Who are you, and by what right do you stand with a clanlord’s son?"
Daneel lets his anger show in his expression as he answers the Aslan. "My name is Daneel Baley. When someone earns my respect, nothing keeps me from standing by them. If Hteleitoirl doesn't object, then I don't have or need any more right than that." Daneel's voice gets louder as he goes, but with a visible effort he stops himself before saying anything more.
Jerry looks the aide up and down, appraising the Aslan standing before him. Rather than respond to a mere servant, Jerry turns to Hteleitoirl's father before speaking.
"I am Jeremiah Xavier Jaramillo-Smith, of the Drinaxi branches of those two families. My ancestors have counted among the elite of Human space for more generations than can be counted," states Jerry.
He moves his hand over the hilt of his sword, carefully not grasping it. "I was awarded this sword for gallantry in the service of Drinax and carry it proudly of what was before and will come again."
"I have served my home since I was a youth. I have fought pirates, negotiated treaties and explored strange worlds. I will, with my companions, return Drinax to glory."
"But the proudest achievement of my life has been to stand and fight with this clanlord's son," as he gestures towards Hteleitoirl.
Ray swaggers forward alongside the others, looking for all the world that she's proud and unafraid. When called on she smirks. "I'm Ray. Explorer, Suveryor, Scout, and all around bad-ass. I'm... persistent." Her smirk turns into a wide grin. "You won't like me very much."
Stephanie steps forward her dress as neat as anyone has ever seen it. She looks around at the people standing there.
Raising her voice in Trokh she says, "I am Stephanie Allison of Asim. Pilot, and Free Trader. Since I've known him, he's been more than honorable in all his dealings. A true example of the grace and honor of the Aslan clans. Even though he was set up for this crime, he's refused to do anything other than to accept his punishment. We've fought together, drunk together, and learned from each other. He is a wise man, and has earned my support and friendship. I'll not leave him alone at this time." Then she takes a step back into the line, and waits.
The Aslan aide listens closely as each of you speak, nodding gravely. He begins to speak, but stops at a gesture from Hteleitoirl's father. The older Aslan clan chief deigns to speak to you directly for the first time.
"My son returns in the company of barbarians," he says in Trokh.
"But barbarians who know honor and loyalty, it seems. You may stay. You must speak. Speak and recount to the clan and our guests your adventures at my son’s side and tell the clan how Hteleitoirl came to make such friends."
He leads you into an arena. Bare sand fills a large expanse surrounded by thousands of silent Aslan. It is eerily quiet.
After a long pause, surveying the crowd, the chief speaks. "I am Hkuaoiaiya, Lord of the Iuwoi. I stand in judgment over Hteleitoirl. Who challenges my right to rule?"
He waits a ritual three beats while no one speaks. He accepts the clan's silence and continues.
"Before you stands Hteleitoirl, who has come to accept judgment for his actions among the barbarians. It is said he planned poorly! That he wasted clan resources and lives. And that he caused mighty clans to lose business, property and Territory!"
The crowd, previously silent as the grave, now begins to murmur and rumble. They know how much Hteleitoirl's failed expedition has cost their clan and how close they all are to war. But all fall silent when Hkuaoiaiya raises a hand.
"Let the trial begin." At this, all look expectantly towards the other end of the arena, where stands a mighty aslan warrior, stripped to the waist.
"No," says Hkuaoiaiya. "Not yet."
A collective gasp and mutter rises up from the crowd, anxious and getting angry. Are they about to see their chief save his son's life at the cost of their own?
"Silence!" he continues, his voice amplified by unseen microphones. "I will hear first from the friends of the Accused. They will tell us of our clan-brother and his time among the barbarians."
The clan chief cedes the floor to you. He makes his way to a high seat above the arena, joined by his wives and guards. Hteleitoirl stands quietly, watching you.
Ray taps her foot in boredom. Why did they have to go through all this pomp and circumstance to execute a guy? Weirdos.
Suddenly she realizes they're waiting on her. "Uhhh..."
Damn.
"So... Hteleitoirl," she says loudly, purposely pronouncing his name properly for the first time.
She switches to fluent Trokh. "He held himself with HONOR, even among barbarians like me. Acted for the good of his people and his CLAN." She emphasizes all the words she thinks these folks care about, hoping that helps cover that she's rambling with no real point. "Enforced order and fought BRAVELY. Saved lives. Spread word of your people and your TRADITIONS. Lots about that. Really... important... BRAVE! Definitely brave and... traditional. He valued your ways even when it obviously won't work out for him."
Wrap it up before you make it worse...
"I'm proud to know Hteleitoirl. Your clan-brother is brave, loyal, and values your ways. He's NOT wasteful. NOT foolish. That's bull - no offence. Don't know about the rest, but," she shrugs. "Killing Hteleitoirl is a waste. But, he's here anyway. You owe him respect for that, at least, even if you blame him for other stuff."
Ray tries to recall a way to show respect to the chief, but comes up blank. She tries inclining her head in a crappy sort of bow. Better than nothing.
"My apologies - I do not speak Trokh. I will speak slowly, so that my companions can translate," says Jerry. After waiting for translation, he continues.
"I can only speak to Hteleitoirl's time with us. He has willingly come to this place to accept your judgement. He planned his return here rather than fleeing or seeking refuge elsewhere. That, despite efforts to prevent his return. He has fought beside us, accepting danger in order to face your judgement."
After another pause, Jerry finishes.
"Despite my urging, because Human ways are different, Hteleitoirl has come here to be judged. Judge him, though, upon his actions rather than rumour and innuendo, things that others say about him."
"I have reached my conclusions about Hteleitoirl because of his friendship and actions. Your decision will not change my respect for him."
Daneel tries desperately to think of something to say that won't make things worse. Listening to the others talk, he thinks, Wow, even Ray is being respectful...I need to be respectful, too.
After the Captain has his say, Daneel looks over at Steph and Byron to see if he should go next. Seeing no objection, he takes a deep breath and screws up his courage.
"Hteleitoirl came on board because someone was paying us to bring him home. We didn't know why, then, but he looked like he had the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders. He didn't speak much at first, so it took some time & effort to get to know him. It was worth it. Hteleitoirl is the type of friend I want by my side in a fight, and I can see that he is the type of leader that I'd trust to have my back." The words are spilling out of him now, so he has to pause to take another deep breath before continuing with a louder voice.
"We finally found out why he needed to get back to Tyokh. We tried to talk him out of it, of course, but he wouldn't hear of it. He knew that his clan needed him to do this. Even after we helped him prove that he had been betrayed by a trusted clan official - a traitor who sold military secrets to another clan - even then we couldn't convince him that he didn't have to pay for another's crime. If saving his clan meant sacrificing his life, then that's what Hteleitoirl was going to do. But I'll tell you, it pisses me off! I don't pretend to understand how your clan politics work, but this all looks pretty stupid from where I stand. You're going to snuff out the life of one of your clan's best and brightest for a crime he didn't commit? How does that make your clan stronger?"
Realizing that he's shouting again, Daneel stops and lowers his voice. "Umm...anyway, Hteleitoirl says that this is the way it has to be, and he's probably right - what do I i know? But a lot of people in this crowd seem awfully eager to see a good man die for a bad man's sins, and that doesn't sit right with me."
Hkuaoiaiya turns slowly to Daneel. He speaks in heavily accented Anglic. "Traitor? You have proof of this?"
The Aslan chief may be old, but Daneel has never been more aware of the size difference between their species. He senses that a great deal hangs on his next words.
Startled to be addressed directly by the clan chief, Daneel wracks his brain to remember Lord Marden's rules for addressing King Oleb and hopes that they will work here. He faces the elderly Aslan and bows. "Your majesty, we do. Records copied from the traitor's own computer showing that he sold military secrets to a clan called the Hit-yo-wa-o." He pronounces the clan name slowly to try and get it right, then holds his bow until the chief addresses him again.
The chief turns his head to glare at several dignitaries sitting in the front row, then turns the same baleful look on Daneel. "I require you to produce this proof."
Hkuaoiaiya examines the computer tablet for a moment, and then stalks over to the wall, looking up at the startled dignitaries. He growls at them in Trokh.
<Htyowao! You suborned my agent on Sink...my friend... and derailed the Arunisiir mission on purpose?>
The Htyowao representative glances at the computer pad and nods, standing. <We did. Successfully, I might add. What of it, old man?>
Hkuaoiaiya grins, a not-very-comforting expression, given the length of his canine teeth. <You have been leading the call for war with the Iuwoi! But you based it on a matter of honor, yet you created the incident that led to your own loss of honor. Will your allies be so willing to assist you in a war you manipulated them into, I wonder?>
The Htyowao representative glares down at Hkuaoiaiya. <Perhaps not. But you have still lost your heir, old man. The execution order has been given. You cannot rescind it now. No aslan will follow you if you do. Your clan will tear itself apart and I will not have to lift a claw.>
The two aslan elders stare at each other with loathing.
Suddenly, Hkuaoiaiya strides back to you, handing the computer pad to Daneel.
"The worm is right," he says in Anglic. "I cannot allow my people to die by the tens of thousands, not even for one I love. The order has been given. It cannot simply be rescinded."
"But... There is another way. If one of you were to stand in Hteleitoirl’s place against the executioner..."
Hteleitoirl steps forward, opening his mouth to protest.
"The accused will not speak!" shouts his father, angrily. Hteleitoirl glowers, but remains quiet
Hkuaoiaiya continues. "That person would not be bound by rules requiring them to die with honor, and is not under a sentence of death. Providing one of you puts up a good fight and behaves honorably, the requirements of the duel of honor would be satisfied."
"Is there a volunteer?"
Ray crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. She glances down the line at her companions, wondering which sucker would step in the ring for the pompous Aslan.
Having nearly died last time she stood up for the guy, she wasn't about to do it again.
Steph was going to speak, but thankfully the information about the traitor came up first. She shakes as the group is asked to stand in their friend's place.
She would do it if none stepped forward. She glances at Ray, and then at Byron. Come on Byron. This is just up your alley. Unarmed combat. Step forward. Don't make me have to do this. I'll die.
Jerry strides forth, towards Hkuaoiaiya.
"I will stand for my friend," declares Jerry. He still has his sword at his side and presumes that he, a puny human, would be allowed to use it in the duel.
"Tell me when to begin," he continues. All the while, Jerry is trying to remember anything that he might have learned about fighting Aslan, besides the obvious about their dewclaws.
Byron steps up to Jerry and says, "Perhaps I should take this one. I would stand for Hteleitoirl." Byron looks to see if Jerry wishes to let him handle the combat.
As the silence following the Chief's question lengthens, Daneel tries several times to make himself step forward and volunteer. Logically, he knows that the Aslan warrior would destroy him in a fight, but at least there would be a chance of mercy - more than Hteleitoirl would be offered. When Jerry and Byron finally speak up, Daneel feels relief wash over him - then shame at his cowardice.
"Allow me to confer with companion," asks Jerry. He turns and huddles with Byron.
"I would not ask you to stand in my place," says Jerry. "Or, rather, in Hteleitoirl's place. You are obviously the more skilled in combat - I would merely be trying to stay alive."
"Should we decide, or allow Hteleitoirl to select a surrogate?"
Ray rolls her eyes at Jerry, clamps her hand on his shoulder, and pulls him back a few paces. She gives Byron a nod. "Take him down, Byron."
Quieter, she tells Jerry, "No shame in standing down, Jer-Bear."
"Byron please go ahead. You are trained in the hand to hand fighting. I'm afraid I would be taken down immediately."
Byron nods and then moves forward and says, "I will be the one standing for Hteleitoirl in this matter."
Clan-chief Hkuaoiaiya looks Byron over, then grunts in approval. It is difficult to read emotion on an alien face, but he seems relieved. He leans in to speak to Bryon quietly. "You have no claws. You may carry a dagger if you have one. The people will not see a loss of honor in it."
"Best of luck, Byron," says Jerry. "And, thank you for doing this."
Jerry looks about for where observers to the duel should be standing.