Chapter 32

Kezak happened to be on the street outside the State Assembly when Konti and Kirk arrived the next day. He noticed the crowd, and pushed his way to the front. Observing what was going on, he turned away. He had seen several of these scenes Konti and Kirk had put on. But as he was leaving, it seemed to him that the response of the crowd was more tense than usual. He inquired of an acquaintance.

"Rumor has it that Kirk beat Konti three days ago, and Konti is getting even."

"That doesn't make sense. Why would Konti let him do that?"

"Don't know, but I got a good look at Konti's back - it's covered in synthskin. So maybe Kirk didn't do it, but someone did, and Kirk's paying, but good. Somebody said Konti's going to give him 500 lashes. They'll be at it for hours, if Kirk lasts that long."

"Well, thanks for the info. I've got errands to run, or I'd stay to watch. See ya."

About an hour and a half later, Kezak was back, having completed the essential tasks. Two errands he had put off in favor of a return to the scene. Many had returned to work, but there was still a fair-sized crowd. But it was not a crowd that was enjoying itself. They watched in grim, morbid fascination, but were not entertained.

As he listened, Kezak decided it was because Konti's anger was too out-of-control. It made people wary. And Kirk himself was actively afraid of Konti. He was also afraid of falling down the steps. He'd been inching away from the edge, and Konti had just forced him back. If he lost his balance, he would surely fall down the stone steps to the street below.

Kezak continued to watch and listen as the count passed 200. He began to wonder how he would play this situation if he were Kirk. If he were really afraid of Konti, he wouldn't be so obvious about it, as Kirk was. Come to think of it, Kirk was no fool, which meant he wanted Konti to know how terrified he was. But that didn't make sense either. Nor did it make sense that he would want the crowd to know. Unless the whole thing was an act, and he wasn't in fact terrified at all.

The more he watched, the more he became convinced that the whole thing was a superb performance. The only thing real about it was the lashes themselves. Konti wasn't truly angry, and Kirk wasn't afraid, but his back was a mess and getting worse by the minute. The count was now up over 300, and Kirk was starting to look as if he might come unglued at any time.

He'd been flinching, gasping and grimacing all along. Now he began to shake, sway on his feet, and shake his head. He was apparently actively trying not to scream. He twisted his hands together, pounded them against his forehead, even let them slide off his head. Every time he did that, Konti laid the next two lashes on his arms, and yelled at him to get his hands back on his head. But he did it repeatedly, as if he couldn't help himself.

At lash 387, Kirk suddenly stumbled, fell to one knee, and put his hands on the stone step beneath his feet. He swayed precariously and the crowd gasped, thinking he was about to fall. But he recovered himself, and Konti forced him to stand up again. Kezak thought to himself, You better not do that very many times, or they'll know you did it on purpose.

About 25 lashes later, he did it again, but this time, Kirk actually stepped down a couple of steps, turned and fell on the steps, facing Konti. To Kezak, it looked choreographed, but the crowd obviously thought it was a real fall. Kirk was very good. And his ability to perform under stress was incredible. That back had to be just about killing him.

Kirk dragged himself back into position, but twenty lashes later, simply crumpled in on himself. This time, Konti let him stay on his knees, doubled over, and still precariously near the edge. Every few lashes, he inched closer to the edge, as if trying to get away. It came to Kezak suddenly that Kirk intended to end this by falling down the steps. He wondered if Konti knew; probably.

As the count drew closer to 500, Kirk gradually ceased all movement and sound. He had started moaning after the second fall, but quit that as well. The only sign that he was still conscious was his clenched fists. That, and the fact that he didn't fall, but continued to crouch, perched on the edge.

On the 497th lash, Kirk fell down the steps. He went completely limp and simply rolled. There was no way for Kezak to tell whether Kirk really passed out or not. He managed to land face down, so possibly not. For an instant, the crowd was completely silent. Then the reaction set in. From overheard comments, Kezak concluded they were about evenly divided on whether Kirk was dead, or merely unconscious.

Konti came down the steps after Kirk, moving slowly. Obviously tired, he was also angry that Kirk had thwarted him. When he was within a few steps of the bottom, Kirk moved. Not much, but enough to prove he wasn't dead. Konti delivered the last three lashes to Kirk's legs. With this prodding, Kirk struggled to his feet, and stumbled off towards the flitter.

Kezak had to restrain himself from applauding. Those around him believed it real, and it wouldn't do to disturb that belief. But a visit to Konti's home was in order. Perhaps in two hours. Kezak left the swiftly dispersing crowd, and went to the club for a meal and thoughtful solitude.

xxxx

Kirk shed the act as soon as they were safely inside Konti's home with the door shut. He straightened, looked Konti in the eye, and grinned.

"Well, how was it?"

"Disgustingly awful! You're absolutely incredible. A superb performance. If mine was half as good, we have them thoroughly convinced. You had me more than half convinced. When I asked if you could walk in here, I would not have been surprised if you couldn't. And that trip down the steps - I had no idea whether you were even alive! Whose idea was it to do this on the steps?"

"Koh's or Korn's, but I agreed it was a good idea, so you can blame me."

"Don't talk to me about blame."

Konti turned away and went into the bedroom. Kirk washed his feet, then fetched a towel to sit on. This had become common practice on beating days, and he did it without thinking. He sat on the floor at Konti's feet, which had become their talk-time custom. Konti had his face buried in his hands.

"Konti, you must not let bitterness creep into your soul. Regardless of what we make them think, there is no anger, fear, or blame between us. I know you're tired, but you must win the battle against bitterness. It is a poison that will destroy you if you let it. Remember the perfect peace? Do you harbor anything against me because of what I did to you in Room E?"

Konti looked up in alarm. "No! Of course not! Did you think I did?"

Kirk shook his head. "Had I thought so, I would have brought it up before now. But if your response is, 'of course not', why do you think my response to today's activity would be any different?"

"I guess because it seemed to be so much worse. I know you said to ignore what it looked like, but I can't. And the other thing is, you might think differently tomorrow or the next day. I can't even imagine what your back is going to look like."

"Konti, there is nothing in my heart against you, and there won't be when this is finished either. You must believe me!" Kirk pleaded.

Before Konti could respond, the door chime announced Koh's arrival. He had not witnessed the beating because it would have been contrary to his expected routine.

"Congratulations to you both. I've just talked to Korn. He has three eye-witnesses who don't know it was faked. They all swore that Kirk was half dead, and Konti hated him. I'm glad to see they're wrong about the half dead part."

"I don't hate him either," Konti readily admitted, "and he's trying to convince me that he won't hate me by the time this is over."

Koh started to examine Kirk's back as he talked to Konti. "You think he will? I don't. Think about everything we've done to him since he got here. Have you ever seen a sign of hate in him? I haven't. All the hours I've spent pushing him, he's never pushed back. This week was the first time he ever refused to be pushed. And even then, he wasn't angry. I don't think he knows how to hate."

Kirk tried to explain how he saw the issue. "I know that hate destroys the one who hates, and I don't want ever to hate anyone. But Konti, there's more to this than an abstract refusal to hate. It's the power of Jesus Christ at work in me that enables me to refuse to hate. But this situation is easy. I'm not even tempted to hate. Your life is worth every minute of agony, and I'm more than willing to pay the pain price. Koh's life is worth it; Korn's life is worth it. Even if I don't survive it, your lives are worth it."

Konti stood up and took two steps toward the window, trying to get some emotional distance. "What is it about you that you would give your life to save ours? No Federation prisoner would do such a thing. Not one slave in a hundred would do such a thing." He turned to confront Kirk. "And don't tell me it's because your life is already forfeit. You know I'm not going to kill you until I'm forced to."

"Hm- It's a thought. Would save you from having to beat me to death. It'd be easier on everybody, and would certainly solve the treason question. Maybe you should seriously consider it."

Konti looked appalled but said nothing.

Koh interrupted. "Afraid not. Korn considered it, but decided it wouldn't work. They would just say you had talked him into it, in order to avoid telling what you know."

"That might even be true, if I knew something. But anyway, that means you have to do it the hard way. I'm sorry, Konti. And who knows, I might even survive it. Though, I must tell you: Koh hasn't admitted it, but he doesn't think I will."

"How do you know that?!" Koh protested.

Kirk grinned. "Notice he doesn't deny it." Turning to Koh, "I told you, I know how you think. You didn't have to tell me in so many words. But I would like to know medically what your concern is."

"You mean, exactly what is it that's going to kill you?"

"Yes."

"There's several possibilities. Most likely the shock will get you. There's only so much injury the body can tolerate before it shuts down. Symptoms to watch for include disorientation, mental confusion, dizziness, coldness in the extremities, uncontrollable shaking, nausea, numbness, and absence of pain. If any of these start happening, you've got maybe thirty minutes. By the time you pass out, you've got less than ten. Now it's possible to pass out from the pain itself, as you well know. So you might pass out and not be dying.

"Of course, it's also possible that you may break your neck falling down those steps. You might also sustain a spinal cord injury, either from the fall, or from the beating itself. This would be accompanied by a severe, sudden pain, possibly enough to knock you out. The pain might or might not lessen with time. The most obvious symptom is paralysis, the extent of which depends on the location of the injury. Neither the paralysis nor the injury would necessarily kill you, but a permanent disability such as this would force Konti to kill you. Lastly, you might sustain an infection, which again would not be an immediate death, but might in the long run, kill you, or necessitate Konti's doing it.

"With all that in mind, I am here to clean your back, which will be anything but pleasant. Also to hydrate you, to help prevent shock setting in. Have you had any symptoms as yet?"

"No. I don't suppose you can clean the back while I'm sitting here on the floor?"

"I'd rather not try. Konti's bed would be best; the bathroom would do."

Kirk rose without effort and walked to the bathroom, explaining it was easier to clean blood off of than Konti's bed. Konti came too, insisting his bathroom was big enough for three.

"Can you do this job so it won't show afterwards? Visible medical attention is not part of the program." Kirk grinned, but it was a serious question.

"It will look like you took a shower, which you will. Now, this is going to hurt, badly. I can give you a local anesthetic, which will neither show, nor affect your mental processes. But it will help you get through the next several hours."

"I'd rather you didn't. The trouble with pain-killers is they wear off. I'd rather face it now, than later. And don't worry. I can hold still."

"All right. Have it your way. But I warned you. And you can change your mind anytime."

Kirk grinned. "Thanks, but I won't."

Kezak arrived unannounced shortly after Koh had left. Kirk had IV's in both arms, and instructions to consume four to eight glasses of water that evening, and again in the morning. Konti went to the door, leaving Kirk in the bedroom.

It was obvious to Kezak within the first two minutes that Konti was not glad to see him, and wished to get rid of him as quickly as possible without arousing suspicion. Kezak took the offered drink and sat down, amused with the situation.

"Konti, I appreciate your seeing me unannounced like this. I know you're tired, and I won't keep you long." Kezak put his glass down and sat forward. "You know my profession, and the fact that I can spot talent in unusual places. I saw an absolutely superb performance today, and I just had to come see you about it. Such talent should not be wasted. Don't get me wrong - your performance was good too, but his was absolutely astounding! Not one person in that whole crowd knows it was faked, and even I don't know whether he really passed out or not. Did he?"

"I'm afraid I do not understand what you are talking about."

"Konti, this is me, Kezak, the talent master. I do not work for the State. I do not tell them what I know. I don't bother them, and they leave me alone. Your secret is safe with me. I don't know why you were doing what I saw today, but no one will find out from me that it was a fake."

"That what was a fake?"

"Konti, why won't you trust me?"

He paused. Konti did not reply.

"Oh, I see. You cannot afford to trust anyone. That serious, is it?"

"What is it that you want?"

"I want to see Kirk. I want to talk with the two of you about exploiting his talent. You could make a great deal of money. I have not seen such talent in several years. I can't stand to see it wasted! Please, Konti, trust me. I promise you won't be sorry."

"Kirk is a Federation prisoner. His life expectancy is very short."

"No, he's not; he's a slave, and you own him. You made that very clear in the State Assembly. Are you planning to kill him then?"

"The situation is rather complicated."

"Tell me about it."

"Kezak, if I trust you, I am not only placing my life in your hands, but that of three others as well. And none of the four of us will be in any position to pay you back if you betray us. Even admitting this much is risking more than I should. So tell me truly. Your only interest in Kirk is the money to be made by exploiting his acting ability?"

"A mere 'yes' could be a misleading answer. If I do my job right, the money will take care of itself. I am interested in Kirk as a person. People with unusual talents have unusual needs. Sometimes it's just a listening ear from someone who understands and accepts them for who they are. Sometimes there are practical things I can help with. As his owner, you are facing unusual challenges. I want to help if I can."

Konti cracked his knuckles as he stared at Kezak. Finally he sighed. "I doubt if there's anything you can do, but I've decided to trust you. Frankly it's because you're interested in Kirk as a person. Kirk!" he called.

Kirk appeared in the doorway. "Yes, sir?" His tone and body language conveyed a mixture of apprehension and sullenness.

Kezak was again impressed, but wise enough to hold his peace. Just because Konti trusted him did not mean that Kirk would. He must proceed very carefully.

"Come here."

Konti observed that Kirk was effectively hiding the IV needles in his arms without being obvious about it. Did Kirk think he was making a mistake? Or had he been unable to hear the conversation?

"Kezak, will you tell Kirk what you just told me?"

"Kirk, I applaud your superb performance of this afternoon. I understand you are playing a dangerous game with high stakes. I have not, and will not, betray your secret. I have come because I want to help. Konti has decided to trust me. Will you?"

"Sir, I am afraid I do not understand the question."

Kirk kept his eyes on the floor.

"What will it take to convince you?"

"Convince me of what, sir?"

Abruptly Kezak changed tactics. He drew his knife and held it out to Kirk.

"Here, take this."

Kirk backed up a step and shook his head.

"I insist. Take it."

He stood up, and Kirk backed up another step.

"If you cannot trust me, then you better kill me. Take the knife!"

Kirk shuddered and backed away another step. Kezak turned to Konti.

"Nothing I say will make him break character. Will he trust me if you tell him to?"

"Kezak, put the knife away. I've seen enough blood for one day. You said you wanted to help. What could you do?"

"Well, it would help if I knew what the purpose of today's show was. But if you won't tell me, I'll just set that aside for now. I would like to engineer your shows for you. People will pay good money to be entertained. Today's show was not entertaining. It was too extreme. People were uncomfortable."

"It wasn't supposed to be entertainment!"

"But you were performing for someone. I maintain that if we engineer it right, the people you're performing for will pay to see the show, instead of performing for free in the city streets. If I advertise it right, everyone in the State Assembly would pay to see Kirk, the Slave."

"Well, if he survives the week, I'll think about it." Konti nodded abruptly as if to dismiss an underling.

Kezak tried one more time. "You were going to tell me why he might not."

Konti glanced briefly at Kirk. "Perhaps later. It grows late. I do not want to keep you longer."

Konti rose, and Kezak permitted himself to be ushered out the door. They had closed ranks against him. He would try again in a day or two.

After Kezak had gone, Konti questioned Kirk.

"Why don't you trust Kezak?"

"It's not safe to trust anyone," Kirk stated adamantly.

"But he knows!"

"What he thinks he knows and what he can prove are two different things. If I break character, he's got proof. Why do you trust him?"

"Because he said he was interested in you as a person. Anyway, it won't matter if you don't survive the next two days."