Heroine of Zenina Read online

  “I go to present your petition to the Imperial Council in the full knowledge Zeninan women will oppose any attempt to liberate you. I need your support, your thoughts and your will to help me stand firm against the weight of the opposition. Their minds are united against us. In the months, perhaps years of the struggle, you must help me not to bow to the pressure of their will. We know slavery is evil; we must work together to persuade Zeninan women there is another way; where neither men nor women are slaves but equals, working and living together in harmony for the greater good of the Zeninan Empire.”

  Marina spoke quietly, but amplified it in their minds and few in the whole of Hemithea did not hear her words or marvel at the courage behind them. They felt the combined mental strength of the regiment of slaves. Against their minds, pressure from the women was ineffective. The slaves were acting as a buffer for Marina. She did not even have a trace of a headache.

  Several other members of the Council had joined her on the steps. Princess Marina asked the police officers “Why are you trying to remove these men?” The officer in charge came forward.

  “They’re obstructing the Square, your royal highness,” she said bowing.

  “They’re filling the Square, but they let me through. They didn’t obstruct my passage or that of other Council Members. They are peaceful, I’m sure they’ll leave the Square when the Council finishes sitting. I suggest you don’t waste your energy by trying to remove them. As they are slaves not free men and the chains are the property of their owners; the Police Department risk high bills for compensation if the chains or slaves are damaged. They’ve my permission to remain here. So unless Queen Kerina countermands my orders I suggest you merely stand by. I don’t think this collection of pulchritude will give you any trouble. Will you boys?”

  “No Marina” the slaves yelled back and the slaves seated themselves on the tiles of the Square expecting a long wait.

  “It’s a shame you didn’t get them to strip before you chained them up, Charles. It’ll look better when the mural is painted; I suppose a little artistic licence will be allowed.” Marina suggested teasingly to Charles.

  Irzina, Chief of Police and Blazena who was in charge of organising the Games weaved their way through the Square. Zadina’s messenger had found it impossible to reach Marina through the press of male bodies. She was not a member of the Council so they made no effort to let her through.

  Zadina sat impotently in the Council Chamber unable to detonate her bomb. She admired the effectiveness of the demonstration for already many Zeninan women were less sure of the justification for their views. Shielding her thoughts, no one had an inkling of her fury.

  The make-up of the Council was fairly fluid, currently there were nineteen members. Nine were Gold, including the Queen, her daughters, in their roles of Chief Justice and Chief of Staff and Security. Zadina represented the Fertility Cult and Klivina was Director of the Zeninan Arts Council. The Army was normally represented by Calzina as Marina held dual roles. Vellina represented Medicine and Irzina the Police. Dalzina held the “Non-Zeninan Affairs post,” roughly equivalent to Foreign Secretary although her field of interest extended to the other planets within the Empire.

  Princess Marina’s beautiful elder sister Plavina was seated and talking to the ancient Princess Vellina. Vellina wore a brocaded peach coloured dress which was embroidered in gold thread over the gold exoskeleton suit she wore to assist movement. Vlama stood in the entrance, listening to Marina, marvelling at her control of the crowd of men. Vlama was not a member of the Council, but was deputising for General Calzina, as Calzina was organising manoeuvres off Karanollo. Calzina was a priestess of the Fertility Cult, so she voted with Zadina on most internal matters, but she was a soldier first and would support Marina in all military matters. She was happy for Vlama to represent her in her absence, as Zenina’s security was their mutual prime concern.

  Calzina’s Platinum daughter Serengia was beside an open window looking out over the Square. A research scientist she represented all scientific interests at the Council. Her fellow scientist, the ecologist Querella who was Ebony had asked her to make her apologies to the Council for her absence, having fallen down a shaft during a drainage inspection the day before. She was regenerating a large number of fractures. Serengia would present Querella’s report on the Control of Pollution in Zenina, the problems and progress made. Serengia like Marina and Folada were confirmed members of Father O’Flaherty’s flock. She normally supported Marina except on rare occasions when her scientific interests conflicted.

  Admiral Folada and Blazena the Co-opted Games Organiser were both Silver. Chancellor Dalla and Perlza were Blues. Xanda was Mayor of Hemithea and the owner of a large but efficient factory producing personal force shields for export and Rusenza who represented Trade were Green in colour. Gepa alone represented the Rubies. Chief Planner Lamaza, the final member of the Council was Mercury.

  Three members had sent their apologies for absence; General Calzina who sent Vlama in her stead, Querella who was indisposed and Dalzina who was leaving with Kapalina that afternoon. Kapalina often took her sister’s place in her absence, but she was also unavailable. Rusenza had not yet arrived, having sent a message apologizing that she would be a little late.

  Blazena attended Council Meetings in order to liaise with the Council over problems in organising the thousands of visitors to the Games. Her last attendance would be at the meeting following the Games, when she would read a summary of her report on their operation. She supported the Fertility Cult and was a very wealthy business woman. Blazena had organised the previous Games and had major financial interests in sporting events in Hemithea. She had a large harem of over twenty slaves whom she kept for entertaining business associates. Blazena would vote with Zadina on any matter affecting the Fertility Cult and follow her own interests in all other matters.

  Zadina could fairly regularly rely on the support of three members, Irzina, Blazena and Perlza. Dalzina could normally expect the support of Rusenza and of the Chief Planner Lamaza and the Ruby representative Gepa. In Dalzina’s absence they could vote with either Zadina or Marina. Xanda and Rusenza normally voted together.

  Gepa was Dalzina’s creature as she loathed the Cult Levy, which was very unpopular with Rubies. The levy was a flat rate which cut into the lower income of the Rubies harder than the higher earnings of other colours. Gepa had gone through marriage rites with her single slave, so had little sympathy for those owning large harems, or with those who earned a living by trading in or selling the services of slaves. Many Rubies did not own slaves or married their slave, thereby giving him rights to their property after death and to any children they had. But Ruby Zeninans exerted very little pressure on the members of the Council because of their low telepathic ability.

  If slaves could have voted, with Ruby support and a few liberal Zeninans of other colours, they outnumbered those in favour of slavery. Slaves had no vote but they had minds and their combined presence could hold in check the fury of slave owners. More slaves were in the Silver, Blue and Green bands than were native born Zeninans of either sex. Partly because more fertile males were born to Silvers and Golds, but men enslaved from other races were chosen to be handsome, fit and intelligent.

  Men often pick women for their beauty. Women might be attracted to a handsome face and gorgeous body for one night, but most preferred men with some intelligence. Zeninan women took the cream, the alpha males. The powerful women of Zenina knew that choosing strong intelligent men was dangerous, but they were not attracted to the wimps and nerds of the universe. Training rebellious men to their whims added to their satisfaction. So whilst slaves remained disenfranchised, they had some strength if they combined together. Marina entered the Council Chamber with a gaggle of Council Members behind her. Some took their places, others stood around talking amongst themselves. When Queen Kerina arrived the meeting would be convened.

  ***

  Kapalina had finished her packing so she tra
nsported herself with her luggage to the space-port. Lahoda was there already as the Queen’s representative to see her and Dalzina set off for Ziga.

  “Her Majesty asked me to wish you a peaceful trip to Ziga and a successful mission,” Lahoda formally declared, bowing to Princess Kapalina.

  “Thank you Lahoda, is my sister already on board ship?” Kapalina asked.

  “No she has not arrived yet. Should I contact her to see why she is delayed?”

  “She wasn’t in the most pleasant mood earlier this morning. I’ll do it.”

  “I’m at the space-port and Lahoda is here to see us off, is there something delaying you Sis?” Kapalina asked Dalzina mentally.

  “It’s Marina’s doing that we are being packed off to Ziga, the little bitch. I’m nearly ready but that vindictive interloper has far too much power, when I get her in my hands I’ll tear her to pieces,”Dalzina yelled mentally causing Kapalina to wince at the mental volume. It was more of the same that Kapalina just let it flow over her.

  “They are waiting to take off Dalzina,” was all Kapalina had to say in reply. Lahoda who had been listening into the conversation mentally said nothing, Dalzina’s lack of caution in not blocking the reception of her thoughts was not that unusual when she was angry about something and nothing made Dalzina madder than Marina. However she noticed a change in how Kapalina had responded to her sister and she thought Kapalina seemed far more relaxed and cheerful than usual.

  “All right, I’m coming,” Dalzina snarled mentally back. Appearing with her cases almost at the same time as making the remark.

  “Her Majesty asked me to wish you a peaceful trip to Ziga and a successful mission, Princess Dalzina,” Lahoda said stepping back but bowing respectfully.

  “She sent you to make sure we got on board. We’ve got your message Lahoda, now you can go,” she retorted nastily to Lahoda, who made herself scarce. Some of the ship’s women came and silently bore their luggage on board. Dalzina stomped off onto the ship with Kapalina following.

  “Marina got Kerina to send us on this mission, I don’t know why everyone seems to think she is so goddess-be-damned wonderful, it’s all Marina this, and Marina that. She manipulates everyone and …” Dalzina complained but Kapalina did not listen to any more of her ranting. Kapalina strapped into her seat and Dalzina strapped hers around her, not letting up on her ranting. Then as the craft taxied up to take off Dalzina swallowed a couple of capsules and was unconscious before they started the manoeuvres to clear the force rings around the planet of Zenina. Once they were out into space two crew women came and unstrapped Dalzina and laid her in her bed.

  Kapalina laughed to herself at Queen Kerina’s jest, even though it was an old joke now. Dalzina had not lasted long in the Army because of her appalling motion sickness, even on the smoothest hover-car or space-ship she was affected in minutes. Dalzina had been held back by her inability to travel. No physical cause could be found for the sickness. She had tried everything, including hypnosis, but nothing had worked.

  Kerina, knowing of Dalzina’s space sickness, made her Foreign Minister. Then she dispatched Dalzina through the Empire and beyond on Zeninan Empire business. Dalzina was a very good negotiator; although she lined her own pockets in the process, Zenina usually did well from her deals. The travelling was another matter. Dalzina dealt with it in the only way she could, she remained unconscious for the majority of every voyage.

  Kapalina would have a peaceful trip and she loved travelling. Now Dalzina was asleep, she prepared to have a good time.

  Chapter Four – The Imperial Council

  Queen Kerina was exactly on time. Jazina, the royal herald arrived with her. She was not a member of the council but acted as Secretary, taking minutes of their decisions. The Council rose and bowed as the queen entered and seated herself in her throne. She called the Council to order. Her voice was mellow and musical with a slightly whimsical note.

  “The agenda is long and we doubt we’ll complete it today. We’d like this meeting concluded before nightfall, so we would appreciate your co-operation. We apologize for bringing this meeting forward, but there are matters we thought shouldn’t wait. We understand Rusenza will be with us in ten minutes so we’ll start with those matters which do not affect trade.”

  “First, replacement of the officer in charge of the Palace Guard. Carina has been greatly missed. Has the Army a suitable replacement, Vlama?”

  “Colonel Letinza, would be my recommendation, your majesty.”

  “Comments, Marina?”

  “I’ve no objections to Letinza; she’s a competent officer, ma’am.”

  Nods of agreement all round. Jazina glanced up briefly before writing down the decision. She would be expected to draft the formal letter of appointment from the crown.

  “Blazena, do you have a summary of your report?”

  Blazena did and read it to the Council. It was brief, to the point, but very dull. The full report was sixty pages long; copies were in front of each Member. Rusenza entered as she was finishing and with a perfunctory bow took her seat.

  “Thank you, Blazena; you’ve been superbly concise and efficient as ever. We thank you for your efforts. We expect the Games will be a triumph to your organisational expertise. We feel sure you will be pleased to withdraw now your business is complete, as the other matters need not concern you.”

  Blazena picked up her papers and backed out of the Chamber, bowing as she went, but was disappointed at her dismissal. Kerina paused until the door closed behind her.

  “There was a report we believe from Querella. We are certain all here wish her a swift recovery. Serengia, do you have a summary?”

  “Yes, your majesty.”

  The pollution control summary used a lot of figures to say very little. More money was needed to repair and modernise equipment. There had been major improvements in the purity of various regular samplings of water, soil and air. Some low-level chemical residues had been found in bird-life, but Querella believed they had located the source and the situation was being rectified. There had been no further outbreaks of fighting between farmers and pollution inspectors.

  “What was the score so far?” asked Perlza facetiously.

  “Farmers six, Inspectors one,” said Plavina.

  “I trust the matter will be treated more seriously by the courts,” stated Irzina in a stern tone to the flippant Princess in her role as Chief Justice.

  “You omitted Farmers four, Police two, ma’am,” said Klivina.

  “Is that so? I stand corrected,” said Plavina.

  Perlza sat back with a beaming smile. She often wanted to thump an Inspector or two. Serengia read the summary, the rest of which listed minor improvements in pollution control, monitoring methods and emergency clean–up procedures that Querella wanted to put in place.

  “How far over budget is Querella?” asked Queen Kerina cutting through the detail to the most important matter.

  “About five percent so far, but we estimate it will be nearer to eleven percent by the end of the year, ma’am,” replied Dalla.

  “Are the accounting procedures being carried out correctly?” Kerina enquired.

  “I put in one of my best auditors. She’s found no fault at all. No waste, no misuse, no fraud. There were more problems than usual this year. If Agriculture and Industry had been as efficient she’d have been within budget. I think we should allocate her more funds, ma’am.”

  “Dalla, you surprise me! Any comments?”

  “Has there been a quantifiable increase in accidents?” asked Zadina.

  “Agriculture up fifteen percent on last year, Industry four percent up,” said Serengia.

  “Everyone blames the Farmers. We’re so tied up with rules; I’m surprised we manage to grow anything. The limits are set far too low. We are penalised for providing Zenina with the food she needs. What would happen to Zenina without farmers?” protested Perlza.

  “Your farm was prosecuted for pollution this year, wasn’t it
?” asked Gepa.

  Perlza did not reply but Plavina confirmed it.

  “I think we should increase the fines to polluters, they’re not taking the matter seriously enough,” said Irzina.

  “There were problems with some new processes early this year, but we’ve put in more safeguards and increased training in safety procedures. We reduced the number of industrial incidents. In the last three months the incident rate has been ten percent lower than the same period over the last three years,” said Xanda.

  “I’d recommend a training course be set up jointly by Agriculture and the Ecology Departments. Farmers and their senior employees found exceeding pollution levels should be forced to attend or the farm sold. I think that would be more effective than increasing fines. Farmers put a higher mark-up on their produce allowing for fines so consumers suffer,” declared Vellina.

  “That wouldn’t work; farmers are too busy to attend courses. Who’ll run the farms whilst we’re studying? Ecologists? Huh!” Perlza complained.

  “We are running our in-company courses and have found the results very satisfactory,” Xanda gloated.

  “Vote, compulsory training for polluting farmers?” ordered Kerina.

  “Eleven for, Four against. Carried!”

  Folada, Klivina and Lamaza voted with Perlza. All were large land-owners and none relished going back to college. Marina who was as big a landowner voted for training courses. She had no problem in preventing mistakes on her farms. Her farm managers had been informed, irrespective of any punishment meted out by the courts; if pollution occurred on her farms she would flog them personally.

  Only the most efficient managers risked taking Marina’s employment despite the generous wages offered, none was prepared to risk a flogging from her. Marina employed more labour than strictly necessary on her farms, but they were tidy, efficient and had no accidents. The profit margin might be slightly lower, but she had a clear conscience and had never needed to put her threat into action.