Page 11 of Kameer's Mate
Just as we finish cleaning up the kitchen, Mom and Dad return, and we prepare an early dinner ourselves rather than go to the mess hall. After dinner, Mom accompanies me to Ned’s family’s quarters. We deliver the cookies and offer our condolences. Then we hurry back home, not wanting to be caught in the corridors after curfew.
Neither of my parents seems upset about Ned’s passing, though Mom put on a good show when we delivered the cookies, and I trust my father will do the same if he runs into any of Ned’s family members in the proceeding days.
Just as the four of us settle down to watch a movie, the doorbell rings. How strange. It’s after curfew. No one ought to be stopping by at this time of night.
We all exchange worried looks, and my father is quick to stand up. He walks to the entryway and calls out, “Who is it?” at the top of his lungs.
“Morality officers. Open up.”
My stomach flips. Morality officers.
Oh, God.Tasha. I think about the deal she made with Frederick, and judging by how pale she’s gone, I know she’s thinking about it too.
Dad slides the door open a crack. “What is this about?”
Five morality officers push into the entryway and shut the door behind them, nudging my father aside in the process. To my surprise, they’re all women. There aren’t many female morality or security officers on theJansonna, as the current command structure is sexist as hell, so I find it unusual that five female morality officers would be working in the same contingent. I rise to my feet, and Tasha and Mom do the same.
“Just a minute!” Dad says. “You have no right to barge in here. We are all law-abiding citizens.”
A woman with short dark hair clears her throat. “Please keep your voice down, sir. It’s after curfew. Shouting, playing loud music, or causing a disturbance after curfew is a violation. If you give us trouble, we’ll take you into custody as well. But it’s not you we’re here for.” She glances between my sister and me. “Mandy Benton, please step forward.”
Me? I’m both relieved and surprised they call my name instead of Tasha’s, but I’m also scared as hell. No one wants a visit from morality officers.
Mom gasps and grabs my arm. “Sweetheart, do you know what this is about?” she asks in a hushed voice.
“No idea.” Well, maybe I have an idea, but it’s not a violation I thought would ever come back to haunt me. Like many young people aboard theJansonna, I’ve visited illegal bars now and then, including Leona’s Speakeasy. Sure, that means I’ve snuck out after curfew on occasion and consumed alcohol illegally, but it’s been a few months since I’ve visited any bars. After one of the more recent rebel attacks, during which many patrons of Leona’s Speakeasy were implicated, I decided to reinvent myself as a squeaky-clean law-abiding citizen.
Shit. What if the authorities knew about my visits to the bars all this time? What if my engagement to Ned was the only thing keeping me safe? It’s certainly possible.
I step forward. “I’m Mandy Benton.”
Within seconds, all five morality officers have me surrounded, though it’s a relief to see they aren’t carrying blasters. Morality officers are usually dispatched to deal with suspected fornicators, unsanctioned pregnancies, individuals in possession of obscene or banned materials, and sometimes curfew breakers. Unlike security officers, they typically don’t carry blasters. Though I note the leader of the group has an electrified wand affixed to her belt. A painful weapon, or so I’ve heard, but not a deadly one.
“Mandy Benton. You must come with us.” Two of the women grasp my arms, though their hold isn’t very tight. I can’t be sure, but most of them appear uncertain. Apologetic. As though they don’t want to detain me but have no choice.
My curiosity over my supposed crimes increases as one of them quickly scans my palm to verify my identity. I want to ask what I’ve done, but I can’t find my voice. My father, on the other hand, has no difficulty peppering the morality officers with questions.
“Whyare you taking her?” Dad steps in front of the group, blocking our path. “What is my daughter being accused of? I demand answers.Please,” he adds in a more polite tone. At least he’s no longer shouting, but I really hope he moves out of the way soon. I don’t want him taken into custody along with me.
“We aren’t at liberty to discuss the reason for your daughter’s detention, sir. Please step aside.” The leader fingers the wand at her hip, but thankfully, my father finally steps aside.
My mother’s quiet sobs break my heart. I hear Tasha trying to console her, but I don’t turn around to look. I can’t look. I can’t bear to see Mom’s worry, and guilt ravages me that my stupidity might’ve caused this. How many times did I visit the illegal bars over the years? Twenty? Thirty? Not very many, but apparently enough to gain the notice of the authorities. Ormaybe somebody snitched and offered my name in hopes of receiving preferential treatment after their own arrest.
AmI being arrested?
I wait, expecting to hear the words, but they never come.
Maybe they just want to question me.
“Could I please change first?” I ask with a glance at my flannel pajamas. I’m also wearing thick fuzzy socks and bedroom slippers. I’m not outfitted in anything revealing, but I would feel better, less vulnerable, if I could change into real clothes before being tossed in the brig or taken to a judge for a hearing.
“Sorry, miss. There’s not enough time.”
“I’ll make sure you have legal representation,” Dad calls just as we reach the door. “Don’t say anything until I get a lawyer for you, Mandy. Keep your mouth shut, do you hear me?”
I don’t have the best relationship with my father, but his promise to get me legal representation is a comfort, and I’m touched that he’s trying to protect me.
“Please come this way, Miss Benton.” The morality officers escort me toward the nearest elevator.
