Enemies of the System (14 page)

Authors: Brian W. Aldiss

BOOK: Enemies of the System

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The USRP official, his boots twinkling in high polish, moved forward to meet Constanza. His seamed face was creased into a smile, his hands were outstretched.

“Greetings! There will be much official relief to know that you are still alive and safe, Official Rubyna Constanza,” he said. “We have searched ceaselessly for you ever since rescuing the others of your wrecked bus party yesterday.”

Constanza touched his hands. She straightened her back and spoke in a voice the others hardly recognized.

“You took far too long. We have been much humiliated, Official Gunnar Gastovich, humiliated. Somebody must be held responsible.”

“My apologies, Comrade Official. Deepest apologies. The strike obstructed our purposesâthe guilty parties will be dealt with. Of that you can be sure. We will transport you back to Peace City at once.”

Ignoring his remark, Constanza straightened her uniform and turned to confront the tourists.

“Official Gunnar Gastovich, I order you to arrest these five tourists, Ian Takeido, Che Burek, Vul Dulcifer, Jerezy Kordan, and the woman Millia Sygiek. Take them into custody at once. I shall make a full report when I return to Peace City. I have uncovered a conspiracy against our beloved system.”

Gastovich snapped his fingers and the soldiers began to move in.

“She's insane!” called Kordan. “Nobody is more loyal to the system than I. I am an Academician, an honored and respected Academician of the IPUS. You cannot arrest me. You shall be punished for this, Comrade Rubyna Constanza, when I get back to Earth. I demand to know the charges.”

Takeido was weeping and calling her name.

“Be quiet, Ian Takeido,” Constanza said severely. “You are showing manifestations of guilt, which are duly noted. The others will have to testify to your lengthy polemics against the state, which carry a maximum penalty. As for the rest of youâ” She raised her finger and pointed it three times at Sygiek, Kordan and Dulcifer. “These three persons came to this planet for subversive purposes. They are members of a cell and shared possession of an illegal weapon, as will be testified.”

Burek shook his fist. “Don't leave me out of your roll of honor, you witch! I stand by my comrades. I hate the USRP as much as they do, and I will be punished as they are.”

“Silence!” bawled Gastovich.

“The charges against these criminals,” said Constanza. Her voice faltered and she started the sentence again. “The charges against these criminals include conspiracy, sedition, hostile logic, deformed thought-processes, misapplication of history, free discussion of Classified matters, treachery against the party, pessimism, collusion with traitors, and intent to conspire with degenerate capitalists who scheme to take over control of this planet. All five are enemies of the systemâguard them closely!”

She swayed as she spoke. Gastovich steadied her. He gestured angrily at the WUA officers, who were hesitating. Even the soldiers had paused, confronting the five accused where they stood in a tight group on the lowest step of the temple.

“What are you waiting for? Arrest those scum!”

The gun was in Dulcifer's hands. He pushed Sygiek behind him. He held the gun at arm's length, aiming it at the black-clad Reason Police official.

“Stay where you are, everyone, or that piece of shit dies. Officers of the WUA, you are honorable men, I ask youâ”

One shot rang out. An officer from the third matboat had fired from the hip. Dulcifer back into the arms of Millia Sygiek, dropping his gun, clasping his shoulder. The soldiers rushed forward.

Ignoring the shouts and cries, Gastovich bowed to Constanza. He gestured toward his craft. “The prisoners shall travel in one of the other boats. You will please accompany me. You have done good work and honors will be bestowed upon you. Nowâthe sooner we get back to civilization the better.”

The five prisoners were goaded or carried into the other machines. Engines started. The craft turned in perfect formation. They sped from the cavern, through the tunnels, and into the night of Lysenka II.

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Nate Fernald

ISBN: 978-1-5040-1034-4

This edition published in 2015 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

345 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

www.openroadmedia.com