Trial by Fire
I was just finishing up a list of notes for my condition, making sure to leave room for additional avenues of studies. Naturally, I made sure to stow everything incriminating neatly away beneath a loose floorboard. I had to be careful, nasty rumours could spread like wildfire.
Anyway, as I was jotting down a few last -minute ideas which might be important later when there was a knock on the door. As I had been doing most of the day, I ignored it. Geoffrey St. John, my aide-de-camp having largely assumed the burden of day-to-day duties.
The knock wasn't as insistent as some of the petitioners had been who had been seeking to bother me for one trivial reason after another. It was loud, solid but somehow had a certain quality. The Mobian knocking was absolutely certain the door would open for them. I should have recognized it right away, but … I wasn't really paying attention; too focused on examining texts that only had extremely tangential relationship to my predicament.
"Sal, need to talk."
Yes, I recognized the voice. How could I not? Ever since she was a child, she had pined after an affectionate word spoken by that voice. By so many standards of rights, I should not appreciate him the same way she does. Sonic had many admirable traits -, his bravado, his free-spirited and adventurous nature. Equally though, he could be impulsive, reckless, and quick to act without thinking.
When Sonic wants in, he gets in. He heard me of course as I shifted in surprise amid my piles of books. It's not so strange when I found myself freezing up in indecision and fear. I'm an interloper. A foreign entity that has assumed the life of his congenial partner without so much as asking.
Heh. Sally and I shared a lot of similarities. Why shouldn't we? We shared everything up to the moment when I took over. I may pick as obsessively as a seamstress at the threads of our differences. But the truth is, we're a lot more similar than not. One of the many things that we share is how we react to Sonic. When Sally's with him, she stops worrying. The static noise poisoning her mind is muted. When he holds her, she feels safe and loved. Both special and mundane. She feels safe, like everything is unthreatening as long as he is there to shield the world from her. I don't have the right word to describe it - flustered. It fits, but it loses something in conveyancing.
At times, Sally broke away from the rest of her people to a private rendezvous by the 'Ring Pool'. It was so selfish, irresponsible and deplorable. She had resisted the urge at first. But she knew for a substantial portion of her terrible, busy schedule she could escape with him - I could escape. Be with Sonic into a world where we only answer to ourselves.
The thing is, I don't know if I really did care for him the way she does. That was the issue. I had to keep my condition a secret from everyone including Sally's closest friends and I was determined to hold to that resolution no matter what. Even while maintaining the self-contradictory one of maintaining my own identity.
So, I put on my best Sally- esque smile and stepped before him. "Oh my, I didn't know you were coming, please excuse the mess. Just doing some planning."
To my surprise, Sonic doesn't reply. Rather, he sheepishly stands aside to reveal the form of Geoffrey St. John. His arms were crossed, unreadable as he regarded me curiously. "Princess, you are required to conduct a court hearing." For a moment there, my blood ran ice cold. My breathing quickened.
"… For the hearing of Antoine D'Coolette," Geoffrey added, snapping me out of my inner turmoil.
For a fraction of a second, the corners of my mouth started to twitch upwards. A titter threatened to erupt from my larynx. Luckily, my conscious mind reasserted control. In an instant, my face was drawn tighter than on poker nights, straight and tight.
"Well, princess?" Geoffrey asked expectantly.
"I'm sorry what were the charges?" I asked, mouth pursed but slightly open and loose.
"Insubordination, princess. Absence without leave from duty post. Dereliction of duty," Geoffrey reiterated without a hint of frustration in his tone.
What a crazy topsy-turvy world it would be for Antoine to be insubordinate. Whatever his misgivings, the coyote could be counted on to perform his duties. "That can't be right. Are you sure we're discussing the same Antoine?" I asked, stroking my chin thoughtfully.
Geoffrey stepped backwards with a respectful bow. "Yes princess, there was no mistake. Antoine had abandoned his guard post. And you know as well as I the potential consequences of letting Knothole go unguarded." With a toss of his head, he continued "Believe me, it brings me no pleasure to bring this onto someone who I consider to be a friend. But we'll have to conduct a tribunal and your presence is required. The trial will begin within the hour." Turning towards Sonic, he added almost as an afterthought, "As for this one, he was absent after curfew hours without due cause, as he is under you. I believe you should see to his punishment."
Sonic scowled at the skunk whom never met his challenge as he strode confidently away. "Sal, why ya let stinky-breath over here get his power-trip is beyond me. He's really let it go straight to his noggin," Sonic complained while stamping the ground, much like a perturbed child.
But there he stopped, for at a speed and ferocity which would have impressed were he not in the line of fire, I swung to face him. Shot by a look so swift, venomous and threatening, the recalcitrant hedgehog's prattle seemed caught in his throat. He fell silent, ready to be engulfed by a deluge of verbal spew as I pointed an accusatory finger an inch from his nose. "Don't change the subject," I lashed. "We're lucky when Robotnik was more complacent. But now that he's wizened up to our tricks, we need to get better organized."
"Don't cha think I know? Yeah, I was at that meeting too when I agreed we needed ta have more Freedom Fighters to battle ole Lardnik. I just didn't agree that bad-egg should be the one doin it," the hedgehog complained. I maintained my glare, having no desire to be sucked into a metaphorical quagmire. Instead, I changed tracks.
"So, you skipped out yesterday because?"
"Look, Sal, I lost track of time when I was in Buttnik's lair," Sonic explained lamely, his shoulders slumping to his side.
Even if I didn't already know there were no missions scheduled yesterday, Sonic wouldn't have fooled me. Sally and I shared an intimate understanding of the hedgehog's seemingly bottomless pit of impertinence and impudence. Before my steely gaze, he shifted about awkwardly, pawing the ground with his red sneakers. Noting the awkward silence, Sonic corrected himself. "Look Sal I'm gonna be honest with ya. Spent the night moonlighting over with Uncle Chuck, there guilty as charged."
He looked downcast, as though he had more to say. I set my jaw and squared my shoulders back. And at once I transformed from an ordinary Mobian to the stoic form of Princess Sally Acorn. When I spoke next, my steady and level voice managed to reflect her dignified maturity even as I manifested irritated annoyance. "You've got to be the most irresponsible and thoughtless person I've ever had the displeasure of meeting," I snapped coldly and severely.
"Sal, Sal, Sal! Don't cha start with those big words ya know I'm way past cool to understand!" Sonic held out his hands in a placating manner and spoke soothingly as if faced with a hysterical female.
Inwardly I seethed. How dare he insinuate that I'm the unreasonable one. Taking a deep breath, I let loose a sigh of total exasperation. "Look Sonic, you know better than to behave in such a manner. I don't have time to deal with you gallivanting around Mobius, doing ... whatever it is you do. Your home, your world is here. Not having chilidogs with Sir Charles."
But asking the hyperactive hedgehog to stand still and reflect upon his actions was like trying to tell a fire not to burn. "Look Sal," he began running his hands through the quills at the back of his head. "It wasn't for personal reasons … not entirely anyway. Uncle Chuck has been figuring out some of Buttnik's plans and it sounds like mondo bad news," Sonic described animatedly.
"When has that ever stopped us," I asked curiously, losing some of my accumulated agitations.
"Robotnik is calling it his Doomsday Project. Look it's not something we can fight. Not according to what Uncle Chuck has been able to gather." I raised my eyebrows, surprised at the hedgehog's uncharacteristically cryptic answer.
"I don't know all the details. So, I don't wanna blab to everyone. But he was working on recreating a project from before Ole Buttnik's takeover. A pocket dimension thingamajig."
"A pocket what?" I stuttered my face awash with confusion, almost like my brain cogs couldn't turn fast enough to process the Delphic information from my disbelieving ears.
"It's like a new home," he elaborated. "In case something bad were to happen. I trust my Uncle. If something concerns him like this, we should definitely consider it."
It sounded incredible. Fantastic and out of the world. But then again it was Sir Charles the hedgehog. One of the greatest minds of his days and age. A new land where Robotnik would only exist in slowly fading memories? Certainly, it might have been something Sally would have pondered over more carefully. But running away? Those were not words in my vocabulary. Taking a moment to compose myself I folded my arms over Sally's signature blue vest. A gift from her long-deceased mentor Julayla. When I spoke next, I did so with authority reflecting maturity despite the hedgehog's galling behaviour.
"Knothole is our home. We can't just uproot ourselves as we fancy. In any case, there was only ever one device ever built in all of Mobius. The old Ministry of Science building; Robotnik's citadel." I shook my head in disbelief, carefully considering my choice of words. "I don't want anyone else hearing about this until I can get an audience with Sir Charles."
"Sal, I think this is an issue for everyone to decide," Sonic protested. "That's why my Uncle asked me ta ask you. Get the ball rollin."
I raised my hand to interrupt. "It would have been much easier had our community been smaller. Knothole's not perfect. But it's our home and I intended to keep things that way."
"I knew I shouldn't have brought this up but he made me promise. Here's the thing Sal this is big. Too big for my uncle on his own. That's why he needs our help to chip in for labour, parts and materials."
My head throbbed like a toothache as I shook my head hard enough to leave a crick in the neck. "My answer is still no. I can't commit resources to this project until I get the opportunity to speak to Sir Charles personally. But first, I have a meeting to attend…"
Word spreads fast. Especially so in our tight-knit community. By the time we had reached the meeting hall, a small crowd was already gathered in the meeting hall to observe proceedings. Luckily, most were too intensely focused on recent happenings to bother me about Tails. Contrary to popular belief, life in a Freedom Fighter camp is mostly tedium and mind-numbingly dull work, punctuated by occasional moments of pure unbridled terror. To have two events unfolding in the same number of days was truly out-of-the-ordinary. Enough to warrant Knothole's residents taking time-off to observe proceedings.
The name of the Meeting Hall was itself a bit of a misnomer as it sat over a bridge spanning the river which ran through our dwelling. Where it departed from being purpose-built was the fact that four wooden pillars carved into matching shapes had not only been made to support the thatched roof but to make it completely open to the outside air. Thus, ensuring that public discussions and meetings were always accompanied by fresh, crisp air, the sweet melodious susurration of water, and the mellifluous sounds of nature. In sharp contrast to the peaceful surrounding was the assembled crowd. None, it seemed, were allowed to sit. Everyone stood upright in loose clumps. The sole exception was Hershey Cat, who sat on an overturned crate and was responsible for transcribing proceedings into a logbook.
Antoine sat indignantly in the center, occasionally stealing murderous glances at his prosecutor and fidgeting with his Freedom Fighter uniform. Several tense minutes of silence passed before Geoffrey spoke, both to Antoine and the assembled crowd for their benefit. "Discipline and order," Geoffrey said. "Sensibility and reason. There's a place for everything and everything in its place. Sentimentality was the way of the past, but discipline is the way of the future. Before we wandered hither and yonder. But from now on, we shall walk the narrow path, guided by logic. Thus far, Antoine's transgressions; including falling asleep while on duty have been tolerated. Today, he was found absent from his post by the relieving guard." Geoffrey stared at the defendant.
Though his stare wasn't intentionally cold, Geoffrey's face somehow seemed to lack for mobility. His eyes tended to rest disconcertingly long on a point, forcing others to alter their direction so as not to cross paths with his withering gaze. "What have you to say in your defence? "Geoffrey paused his monologue, awaiting any response until Antoine, his voice shrill, much like an angry child shouted.
"Ta gueule!" (Shut up!)
"This is not your decision to make. The needs of the community outweigh those of your selfish personal desires," Geoffrey dictated, his voice rising slightly.
"Moi Mademoiselle was feeling under the weather," Antoine elaborated before being cut-off with a curt wave of the hand by his accuser. "You are confined to your quarters until further notice," Geoffrey added with his eyes narrowed, the type a warden would use on the prisoners he guarded, a hateful disdain.
"I don't have a quarter, I have a home and I come and go as I please," Antoine snapped.
"Antoine as your commanding officer …" Geoffrey added in an officious tone.
"You're not my boss," Antoine growled, an uncharacteristic gesture for his timid personality.
"Insolence, insubordination. You'll find that I am in fact the boss of you. ." Geoffrey spat, looking over his shoulder at me where I stared wide-eyed, reaching a hand to lightly clasp my throat at the unexpected turn of events. "The guilty verdict is clear, we must conduct sentencing now," he stated coldly.".
Though I was not the one on the firing line. I broke into a sweat. My heart pounded, and my hand began to feel clammy against my clenching throat. My knee started bouncing uncontrollably as I wished for a dark place to crawl into. Anywhere, to avoid passing judgement on a friend.
Sensing my hesitation, Geoffrey continued. "You wish the Freedom Fighters to be an army, a tool at your disposal to battle Robotnik do you not? We must be a military unit, princess. A military requires a commander, it requires rules. It also requires strict enforcement of the rules. Am I the commander of the Knothole Freedom Fighters?" Geoffrey asked rhetorically.
"You are, but …"
"Then, I have the full authority as commander, including the rights to enforce discipline," he interrupted.
"Maybe, you will be willing to talk it out," I interjected.
"What would the purpose be of interlocution with someone who will neither see nor hear reason?"
"This doesn't sound like the Antoine I know," I rationalised. "Perhaps if we tried finding out why-"
"I can tell you why my princess," Geoffrey spoke with uncharacteristic venom though this was not directed at me. "Antoine is subservient to his passions. He views them above the needs of the community. Instead of mastering his passions, he is ruled by them." Geoffrey paused his tirade to let his eyes wash over the assembled crowd. "Well, if pain and pleasure are all that can move him. I shall take away his pleasure and give him pain. I shall rule him. If he shall not rule himself," Geoffrey stated smug and secure with his judgements.
Sonic stood straight, breathing hard through his nose while clenching his teeth. "Why the nerve of that skunk," he vented. And looking over to the assembled crowd, I was surprised to see many of the rescuees following suit. "You can't do this," he said.
"I can and I shall, Maurice," Geoffrey answered. "Bunnie's team may conduct themselves however they see fit. But the Freedom Fighters are now warriors, and warriors cannot afford to be democratic." Turning to face me almost as an afterthought Geoffrey added, "Are there any objections to the sentencing, my princess?" I was stunned into silence and nervously stuffed my hands into my vest pockets, pondering my next response before Geoffrey's expecting stare.
Before I had a chance to protest. Bunnie seeming rather pale and wobbling unsteadily on her metallic limbs was the first to speak up in defence of the coyote. "Geoffrey, surely there should be some rules written-up first. Ya can't just hand out punishment willy-nilly." at her impassioned stance, there was a murmur from the crowd voicing support.
"You've no say on the matter."
"But-"
"You know ever since my parents, loyal members of the Acorn kingdom's secret service fell in service of the King, I've always sought to uphold the values they venerated. Chief among which is vigilance and the protection of the community." Geoffrey retorted. "Do you believe my decisions to discipline those who neglect the safety of the community to be unjust?"
Bunnie hesitated., "He was merely trying to help," she said, before breaking into a fit of coughs.
Then, a grey rabbit stepped forward from among the crowd who I recognized as Johnny Lightfoot, one of the more recent rescuees. "I agree with Bunnie. We must have rules and proceedings. Not arbitrary punishment and the tyranny of dictators."
Geoffrey stiffened at the insinuations. Mustering every ounce of self-control before he composed himself and took the plunge. "You are under me. You cannot question my authority. Sit down."
"I was rescued from the clutches of Robotnik by Sonic and his comrades. I've seen what Robotnik does to our fellows. I have seen first-hand what it's like to be a slave. I do not wish to see anyone else experiencing that fate," Johnny uttered with a burst of courage to the seething skunk.
"More insubordination?" Geoffrey cried indignantly. "Is it not enough that I must make an example of one of you. Must all question my authority? Johnny, you too shall be confined for two weeks."
Johnny gasped before slinking back down to the crowd ashen-faced.
Geoffrey stared into space for a moment deep in thought apparently considering his next words carefully. "We have an old Tree Fort some ways outside the village. There is an old cellar there that we sometimes use for storage. We shall place both Antoine and Johnny within its confines with adequate food and water until their sentencing has run its course."
"No, please. Anything but that. Please!" Johnny exclaimed.
"You should've considered the repercussions of your actions before you uttered insolence to your commanding officer," Geoffrey growled.
"That's enough Geoffrey. Ah say let anyone who has seen first-hand Robotnik's tyranny. Anyone who values freedom ta come to me. Without anyone on his side, Geoffrey won't have his army," Bunnie announced. At once, a majority of the crowd rallied around Bunnie. Everyone, who had witnessed first-hand the horrors of Robotropolis. Then, much more hesitantly even Hershey dropped her pen and slunk over to Bunnie's side. Geoffrey visibly cringed with displeasure before taking a long drawn out breath.
"It's a coup isn't it?" Geoffrey asked. "A mutiny within my ranks inspired by the leader of a rival group. Taking away my people for use in your shrivelled patches. It's been years Bunnie, yet you can't manage to feed everyone. Can you?" Geoffrey exploded.
Sally knew the country-girl well. , To Bunnie, her small vegetable plots were her brainchild. Through much trial and error, she had managed to grow a wide array of crops - including melons, squash, beans, and rhubarb. A welcome supplement to our then diet of canned produce. A sure way to incur her ire would be to mention her 'children' in a less than flattering light. I could read her face. The way her ears lay flat against her head and her mouth tightened. It was the face of an animal ready to bite or kick.
"Ah work hard day and night to grow food for everyone here. Including you, yer good fer nothing ingrate. Ah chase the darn birds away and varmint away." Bunnie paused, clearly out of breath before continuing. "Ya know perfectly well why ah can't on account of the fact we can't clear anything substantial to make room," Bunnie shouted before trembling slightly. Her teeth were tightly gritted together in an attempt to remain silent. Her hunched form exuding an acid-like animosity.
The real Sally would have seen the warning signs and intervened. "Stop it!" I shouted, stepping between Bunnie and Geoffrey. "We're friends. We're getting better organised so we can work together, not fight it out. I think that Johnny and Antoine should get a warning. We don't have to punish them provided they can behave themselves"." I dropped a hand onto his neck. "Don't you agree?" I asked.
Geoffrey stood stiffly. Not reacting to my touch. In fact, he was staring past me. I froze, following his gaze till my eyes fell where Bunnie lay unconscious in a heap.