Chapter 17:
Urim
Clean and dressed in his knight's uniform, Urim was ready and waiting to face the king and council. He paced in front of the council's chambers too nervous to sit. Finally, a young warrior in training came to usher him inside. The faces of the group appeared stern and forbidding.
King Siefer called the court to attention and addressed Urim, “You are here to answer questions about the war between the knights in your command and a species you have referred to as the Pura. We have never dealt with this species; although records show they have communicated with a world we do have dealings with: Earth. The records call them a reclusive race and describe them as delicate and childlike. Is this true?"
Urim answered, "They are indeed delicate and childlike in appearance. They are a bluish-white, have large innocent-seeming eyes, and speak only with their minds. The human female, Josephine, called their way of communicating telepathy. However, their appearance is deceiving."
A councilman asked, "In what way were you deceived? Are they poisonous, extremely strong, brutal, or did they control your mind with this telepathy?"
"The Pura are not strong, and they did not control my mind, but they are brutal. At least their leader was. Their intelligence is beyond any I have encountered. The Pura do not fight with their own bodies. They control an army with computers,” Urim explained.
The king retorted, "Explain what you mean, I have never seen an army that could be controlled by computers."
Urim collected his thoughts and began, “Our first encounter was with huge machines that were terraforming the planet. They were controlled by handheld computers. The Pura used them to run over our equipment. I tried to stop them by knocking the controllers from the Puras' hands. My sword accidentally cut the creatures. Their leader, Ixia, brought out five gigantic battlebots, metal machines that contained weaponry, to protect them and supposedly frighten us off the planet. While we were devising a way to defeat them and trying to negotiate with the Pura, Ixia sent for a more effective army. I was warned by the human. A spacecraft dropped one thousand mechanical armored men, known as androids. They were armed with long-range weapons. Some of the weapons were guns, but others were called lasers. These shot out a beam of light that could slice through a warrior. You will see such wounds on the knights as well as the human's back. These mechanical men did not bleed, feel pain, or suffer from dehydration or starvation, nor did they require rest. Even beheaded, they continued to fight. "
The councilman asked, "These were controlled by computers? Can you draw us a picture of these mechanical men and the weapon?"
"I can draw the androids, and I can show you the weapons. We have many on board the ship. We took them off the severed arms of the army to use in rescuing Josephine. Without them, we would have perished," Urim added.
The council ordered guards to board the ship and bring back the weapons for their inspection. Then they said, "It is this human that we must speak of now. You had already conceded the loss of the planet and lost many knights, yet you risked the rest of the warriors to rescue this woman. Why do something so foolish? It is against all of your training."
Urim replied, "Josephine risked her own life more than once to warn us of the Pura leader's treacherous plans. He imprisoned her to keep her from doing it again. She escaped and sought protection from me. I gave it to her gladly. In turn, she cared for our wounded. She was taken from our ship, while under my protection. She was to be executed for treason by the Pura. Though Ixia told her this, she went willingly to save the lives of wounded knights. My conscious would not let me leave her behind. I was going alone. I told the knights to leave without me. They refused."
King Siefer asked, "Do you care for this woman? Is she so important to you that you would risk your life for hers?"
"Yes, I care for her, and I would risk anything to protect her. But, we also owed her for all the times she risked hers to bring us information. The knights will testify to that, just ask them."
The king smiled, "We already have. It seems they do not want you punished or Josephine harmed. However, we cannot let this event go without some form of penalty. You will return to training for a refresher course. There will be no command assignments for you in the next year. You will not be allowed to see Josephine until after she has been questioned and her status as a refugee has been confirmed. We have been given notice by the queen that Josephine will be applying for asylum on Milisaria very soon. If you or she break the rules and see one another, you could both be exiled. Is that understood?"
"Yes, King Siefer. I understand the consequences."
Josephine
Josephine was healing quickly. Alexis and Valeri kept her wound clean and after a week pronounced it free from infection. Her leg had returned to its normal color. Now, only her heart ached. Queen Destiney had relayed the results of Urim's trial to her. She felt it so unfair to not be allowed to see Urim. Alexis, Valeri, Rixi, and even Queen Destiney visited with her often. They were kind and good company, but strangers. It was Urim she longed for. She had made her request to be processed as a refugee and was waiting to be granted a meeting with the council. The faster she got through the questioning, the sooner she would get to be with Urim.
Valeri brought good news. Josephine would be granted a council meeting that very afternoon. If it went well, she would be given her own quarters near the lab. The rooms were small, but private. Valeri also brought her some clothing. It was a skintight bodysuit that resembled the style of the one she had worn on the uninhabited planet. This one, however, was made from a soft, breathable fabric of sky blue rather than rubber. It had no oxygen tube attached. She helped Josephine wash her hair and curl it. It had grown since leaving Earth and hung in red waves past her hips. The suit clung to every curve, enhancing the muscles she had gained on her expedition.
Valeri explained, "We want you to look feminine and irresistible to the council. It will make them see why Urim went back to save you and harder for them to refuse you asylum. What man can resist a beautiful woman?"
"I hope you're right. Can I see Urim after this?" Josephine asked.
Valeri sighed, "No, not yet. The questioning is only the beginning. The council and the king will discuss what they learn from you, give you an assignment, watch how well you perform it and how you get along with others, then decide whether you will be an asset to Milisaria. It will be a while before you and Urim can be reunited. If you try to see him, it will not only jeopardize your chance of getting refugee status. It could get you both exiled. Don't forget that. He's been warned as well."
Josephine answered, "Fine, I'll be patient. It's not like I've been locked in a dungeon. Everyone is very kind to me. I'm ready for the questions. Let's just hope the answers don't make anyone mad."
She was able to walk, though slowly and with a limp, alongside Valeri to the council chambers. The hallways in the capital that circled downward floor after floor reminded her of those in the Milisarian spaceship. She supposed the ships had been built to resemble the capital on purpose. It would give reassurance to those far from home. The huge open area at the bottom was filled with Milisarians, young and old, having a meal. Valeri explained, "This is where everyone usually eats, although you can bring food to your quarters. We like to mingle and visit with friends. This space is also used for announcements, city meetings, and elections. It is the preferred gathering place. You'll be able to make friends here after your meeting."
The guard at the council room doors greeted them and ushered them inside immediately. King Siefer stood tall before the councilmen's table and said, "Welcome, Josephine. Do not be nervous. We are quite nice once you get to know us. Valeri may stay if it makes you more comfortable."
"I would appreciate it. You're an intimidating bunch of men," Josephine replied.
The council laughed at her joke, and it broke the tension that had filled the room. The king motioned for her to be seated and said, "We have been told that your leg is not completely healed. Usually, we would ask you to remain standing. We are making an exception for your injury. We ask you only that you tell the truth, answer only the questions asked, and show us respect as the leaders of Milisaria. It is our understanding that you seek asylum here in the capital. You do not wish to return to your homeworld of Earth. The questions we ask today will aid us in assessing your true intentions and whether you will bring a benefit to our community. So, to begin, I will ask for your full name and occupation on Earth."
"My name is Josephine Landers. I am a nurse."
The council asked, "How long have you been a nurse? Why did you leave Earth?"
