XXI - Decisions

Kamon was unable to convince Jasmine to stay in Kefar. She insisted on leaving -- as soon as possible. A news conference was hastily called that evening and the peace agreement was signed in the Senate chamber. It was shocking news. Jasmine wanted to leave Kefar before attention focused on her. She was at the hoverport before dawn the next morning. Kamon accompanied her.

In a short time, they were settling into their seats on a hovercraft. Soon they were airborne.

"I wish you had stayed in Kefar," Kamon said. "General Miscus seemed very concerned for your safety."

"I don't want any attention. I'm an outsider. This is a time for the people of Kefar. I don't want to answer any questions."

"But you could have helped," Kamon argued. "This will be a difficult time for Destinatus and General Miscus, especially Destinatus. He will have to control a rebel group that is used to fighting, not governing."

"Again I submit that I would have been branded as an outsider," Jasmine contended. "My presence would have made his task more difficult, not easier."

Kamon found the logic of this argument to be compelling. Besides, it was a moot point. Jasmine was headed to Marmot. It could not be changed. Whatever might happen once they reached home, he would deal with it.

He had called Casio just before boarding the craft. The Delphi had yet to issue a public statement regarding the situation in Kefar. Whatever she had planned, she was keeping it to herself......if she planned anything at all. Perhaps her reaction to the peace agreement would be more muted than General Miscus feared. It certainly seemed so thus far. Kamon relaxed in his seat. There might be nothing to worry about at all.

"Well, Kamon," Jasmine said, "as I promised, you will be back in Positron before the Council recess has ended. Tomorrow, you will be considering the fate of your Chief Councilwoman Mavox Pro. What do you think will happen?"

"To be quite honest," Kamon answered, "I have not thought of the chief councilwoman in the past two weeks. The affairs in Kefar seemed to be of much more importance."

"They were," Jasmine said. "And I have not had a chance to thank you. You saved the life of General Miscus, and in so doing, you saved countless others as well. The death of General Miscus would have been devastating. The peace process would have been disrupted. The fighting would have gone on; more blood would have been shed. I fault myself for not being more vigilant. I was concentrating too heavily on Destinatus and General Miscus; peace was so close at hand! I can't tell you how grateful I am that you were able to stop Moellering."

"You could not have guessed what Moellering was up to," Kamon said. "Unless, of course, you can read minds..." He deliberately let the statement trail off. Surely, she wasn't clairvoyant....but it didn't hurt to raise the issue.

"Read minds?" Jasmine smiled. "Wouldn't it be nice if we could all do that?"

"It certainly would," Kamon answered dryly.

"So," Jasmine said, "how about sharing your thoughts on the plight of the Chief Councilwoman?"

"Oh, I don't know," Kamon replied. "A lot could have happened in two weeks. I've been out of touch."

"What did Casio say when you talked to him last night?" she asked.

Kamon's brow furrowed. "How did you know I called home last night?"

"Really, Kamon," Jasmine answered with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "You haven't been near a phone in two weeks nor have you seen Casio -- what's the first thing you're going to do when you get a chance? Call home," she answered her own question.

It was a reasonable deduction; he had to admit that. "Okay. You got me on that one. But unfortunately, we weren't able to talk for very long; we got cut off. The phone lines in this city are really overloaded. There's too many people inside and outside of Kefar trying to find out what's going on. I got through to Casio again this morning, but that also only lasted for a couple of minutes."

"And he assured you that everything was fine in Marmot?"

"He said he hadn't heard anything," Kamon answered. "That's doesn't mean everything is fine. I wish you weren't on this flight."

"It's for the best, Kamon."

Kamon did not respond. He remained unconvinced.

"And now, what about the Chief Councilwoman?" Jasmine asked.

"Casio indicated that not much has changed in the past two weeks," Kamon answered. "My guess is a resolution will be introduced to censure her and remove her from office. I don't expect any punishment beyond that; her long career as a distinguished public servant will argue in her favor, at least for most of the council members. But for someone in her position, removal from office would likely be more painful and disgraceful than a stint in the temple prison."

"How will you vote, if it comes to that?"

"I think I'd vote for expulsion."

"Her career will be ruined if you do that," Jasmine pointed out.

"Why should I care? What has she ever done for me?"

"Is it necessary to expect something in return in order to vote your conscience, Kamon?"

The question made him uncomfortable. "I'm not the one who committed sacrilege."

"Do you believe she committed sacrilege?" Jasmine persisted.

"What do you think?" he asked in return.

"It doesn't matter what I think. I don't have a vote."

"You're a resident of Marmot," Kamon said. "Your opinion matters to the members of the Council."

"You're avoiding the question, Kamon. That's not like you."

Kamon nodded. "You're right. I am." He paused. He ordinarily avoided discussions about matters of religion. It was dangerous to be too candid. "No," he finally stated bluntly . "I do not believe the Chief Councilwoman committed sacrilege. Our entire religion is based on the holy book of Limon. Sacred scripture is silent on what activities should be precluded on the holy day of Raman. Instead, the restrictions spring from a long line of Delphis. The specific charge against the Chief Councilwoman is that she has violated the laws of Nome as set forth in the holy Limon. But all she did was to venture outdoors during Raman. That would be a violation of precepts as set forth by women, not Nome. The Delphi has asked us, however, to rule according to the teachings of the holy Limon. Logically, therefore, I can reach only one conclusion -- the Chief Councilwoman is innocent of the charge of sacrilege."

"But you said you were going to vote to expel her," Jasmine pointed out.

"I did," Kamon admitted.

"Why?"

"It is difficult to defy the Delphi, Jasmine."

"So you would never defy the Delphi?" Jasmine asked.

"I didn't say that." Kamon's one meeting with the Delphi remained vivid in his mind. They had parted company on a highly discordant note.

"Then does what you believe not matter, Kamon?"

"It matters," Kamon answered. "But there are other factors to consider. Let's say I vote to preserve Mavox Pro as Chief Councilwoman. What then? Would the institution be a better place? The answer is clearly no! Mavox Pro's effectiveness as a Chief Councilwoman has already been destroyed. This scandal has tainted her and, if she stays, the integrity of the Council will be caught in the same whirlpool in which she now finds herself. We will swirl and spin in paralysis. The only solution is to cork the hole, remove her as our leader."

"Then perception becomes reality," Jasmine pressed. "An accusation becomes fact. A specific act is a crime despite your best judgement that it is not. You are powerless to deliver an educated opinion. Deliberation by your august body is therefore irrelevant. Then for what purpose do you exist?"

"We exist to represent the people," Kamon answered.

"Does your judgement matter? Or could you just as well vote based on public opinion polls?"

"I am not guided by polls." Kamon was a bit indignant.

"What about your dislike of the Chief Councilwoman?" Jasmine asked. "Will that enter into your decision?"

Kamon nearly cringed. "She would dispose of me if given the chance. It would be fair to say that we are adversaries in the Council."

"Revenge? Will your vote be based on that?"

"No," Kamon sighed. "To be very practical about this matter, it would be fair to say that she has already been judged. When we left Marmot, the newspapers and television were filled with stories about her activities and personal life. I have no doubt these stories continued in my absence. Many of them had nothing at all to do with the Raman incident. But the door was thrown open by this scandal and everyone is rushing through it to find something, anything at all, about this woman. Her soul has been laid bare. The most innocent act suddenly takes on a sinister glare. She will never survive this kind of scrutiny. Very few of us could, including me, no doubt. But the point is, the wound thus festers and the people lose respect for the Council and its members."

"You appear to be describing rule by mob, Kamon, where you offer your constituents only a mirror, not your wisdom and judgement after careful consideration of the facts. Is that all you have for them -- only their reflections in the mirror? Do you not have the fortitude and patience to educate them if you decide to choose the unpopular path, but one which you consider to be the proper one?"

"What is the proper path?" Kamon asked rhetorically. "What are the ethical standards by which to judge ourselves? Is there a universal measure of truth?"

"Truth," Jasmine said, "is often not a howling reproach, but a polite tap on the shoulder. You must always be vigilant and never end your search for it; be ready when it calls. You should always treat others as you would wish to be treated. Never assume that your lifestyle is superior to someone else's, that your species is preferred over another. To posit that you know everything is usually the surest sign of how little you actually do know and understand. However, ethics in government is both admirable and desirable," Jasmine assured him. "The people have a right to expect that their elected representatives are constantly striving for honest and decent behavior, both from themselves and from others. Your vote, Kamon, should be based on these considerations, not petty jealousies nor the desire to gain control of the governing body."

"We have yet to establish what those ethics are to which we should be striving," he pointed out. "What is decent behavior after all? Who decides?"

"Jealously; hate; enmity; greed," Jasmine answered. "If you endeavor to overcome these feelings, then I think you will have no need to worry about what 'decent behavior' is. No one will have to decide, for you will have found it by default."

"I have been a leader in the reform movement, Jasmine. The press would vilify me if I supported Mavox Pro. They would say I sold out for promises of power. They would be able to come up with no other explanation for my actions."

"That may be," she conceded. "But you should ask yourself one question -- if you abandon your judgement in the wake of public scrutiny and under the hot lights of the television cameras, would you feel comfortable getting your own vote at the polls?"

"Do you think I'm a political coward?" Kamon asked. "Or is that an indictment of all politicians?"

"That wasn't the point I was trying to make," Jasmine replied. "My advice is about life in general, Kamon. When you vote on something, when you act at any time, hate must never enter into your thinking. Hate consumes the good. Hate destroys."

"What are you telling me to do then? Support Mavox Pro?"

Jasmine shook her head in response. "I am not telling you what to do. It must be your decision. Vote your conscience, Kamon. That is the only advice I can give you in the matter." Jasmine adjusted her seat; it tilted backward. "It is a long flight home. Why don't you think about it? In the meantime, I think I'll try to get some sleep. I didn't get much last night. I imagine you didn't either. We didn't get out of the Senate till after midnight."

Kamon nodded and leaned his seat back as well. He had slept a few hours. That was sufficient for him. However, there would be a time shift of half a day by the time they arrived home. It would be morning again. He had better sleep a little, also.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn was indeed nearing as the hovercraft made its final approach to the hoverfield in Positron.

"Kamon," Jasmine began, "I am grateful that you could accompany me to Kefar. I shall always remember you."

She paused, a tentative look on her face. It was most odd. In the short time Kamon had known her, she had been many things, but never uncertain.

"No. More than that," she continued at last. "I am accustomed to touching lives, and inevitably, the people I encounter affect me in some measure as well. However, none quite like you. None. I have enjoyed being with you, Kamon. It has meant a great deal to me."

Her voice trailed off, lacking the confidence Kamon had come to expect. She was sincere, however; he did not doubt that.

Her brown eyes stared into his. That customary 'look' of hers was wrong, too. It did not penetrate him. Her eyes were speaking, not searching. Something was bothering her, and she was obviously having difficulty putting it into words.

"I don't understand," Kamon said. "You almost sound as if you are saying good-bye. We will be seeing each other again, right?"

"Actions have consequences, Kamon." There was a sadness in her voice, on her face. "I understand that and I accept the consequences of my actions."

"Are you afraid of the Delphi?" Kamon asked. "There's been no word from her yet, no official reaction to the peace agreement in Kefar. If you're worried, though, you can get on a flight back to Kefar immediately. General Miscus warned me that you shouldn't come home so soon. It may have been good advice."

"I'm not worried, Kamon. I search for peace, people living in harmony with one another. I may have had a hand in bringing this to Kefar."

"'Had a hand' in it?!" Kamon exclaimed. "You single-handedly brought peace to Kefar! For that you should be applauded."

"Knowing that there will be peace among people is the only reward I desire." Jasmine paused. "In this case, however, I shall always remember that you were at my side...that you stood by me." Jasmine stopped. Her eyes grew misty.

Kamon did not know what to say. He had never felt closer to her.

The hovercraft landed and rolled to a stop. Passengers began rising from their seats and heading for the exit.

Jasmine reached into her pocket. She hesitated, then removed something. She took Kamon's hand and placed an object in it. She lingered for a moment, clasping his hand between hers. Kamon felt an object and a thin chain. But mostly he experienced the warmth of her touch.

"This is for you," Jasmine explained. "It is my hope that as time passes it will become more meaningful to you."

The indecision in Jasmine's face alarmed Kamon. "Jasmine, what is wrong?! What do you know?! Tell me and I will help you!"

Jasmine smiled bravely. "Everything is as it should be, Kamon. It's just that in parting......"

"In parting?! Jasmine, what do you know?! What are you not telling me?! Please! I can help!"

"No, Kamon!" she exclaimed. "Don't help! You mustn't! I've talked too much....." Jasmine pursed her lips, knowing she should stop....but driven by a force inside her to continue. "There is something I would like you to remember. You mustn't tell anyone. It will be confusing now, but when I am gone, you might understand...and be comforted --- Death is not the final chapter."

With that, Jasmine sped for the exit. She did not bother with her bag. She abandoned it.

Stunned, Kamon raced after her. "Jasmine! Wait! What do you mean?!" Gone? Death?! What was she talking about?

But Jasmine did not look back. She ducked out the door, disappearing from Kamon's view.

He was hot on her heels. Kamon sped out and tore down the ramp. He saw the trouble immediately -- two temple officers on the tarmac at the bottom of the stairs. They had come to take someone into custody -- Jasmine! The Delphi had moved quickly after all! And secretively!

Kamon leaped, landing beside Jasmine. An ominous grimness hung in the air.

"Are you Jasmine of the Province of Columba?" the temple officer named Qemec demanded.

"Yes." Her reply was not in the form of a question. She knew their purpose.

The other officer stepped forward to slap handcuffs on her. "We're placing you under arrest," Officer Paran announced formally. "The charge is heathenism. You'll come with us now."

"This is preposterous!" Kamon exploded. "This woman is a heroine!! She has brought peace to a war-torn country!! Who gave the order?!" He was trying to intimidate them. If the Delphi had passed the order along through subordinates, there might be an opening. He might be able to create doubt, to bluff them, then spirit Jasmine away.

Kamon's face was flush with anger and he was most certainly an imposing figure, but the two officers were well-trained and confident of their abilities.

"The Delphi herself gave the order," Officer Qemec responded firmly. "She has charged this woman with the promotion of heathenism."

"And you have papers?!" Kamon demanded. It was bad and he knew it. He was grasping at straws.

"Of course." Officer Qemec produced the paper. "We are here to carry out a duly authorized order to arrest this woman. Now, Councilman, you will please step aside. We do not wish to arrest you for obstruction of justice."

"Justice!?!" he shouted. "This is a gross injustice!!"

"She will be able to argue her case before the Delphi," Officer Qemec responded. "We are not here to judge, just to follow orders. Surely, you as a councilman can understand that."

"Why would she argue her case before the Delphi?" Kamon demanded. "She will be charged in a federal court, of course."

Officer Qemec shook her head. "No, sir. She will not. The Delphi has exercised her authority to hear the case personally. As you therefore know, Councilman, the Delphi alone will decide this woman's guilt or innocence, and if convicted, the Delphi will also hand down punishment."

An icy chill swept over Kamon. The Delphi did have such power, a power that was only rarely exercised. And the Delphi had no great love for him. What would she do to a friend of his? It was a very grim prospect.

In a flash, Kamon considered all the possibilities. He could stand and fight. These officers were able, he did not doubt that, but he also knew he could handle them.

But what then? He would be wanted as well as Jasmine, two fugitives from the law of Marmot. That would never do. It was unlikely they would ever get out of the city. Surely, there was another way.

Gather facts. He needed more information. To act rashly now might only serve to further imperil Jasmine.

Reluctantly, therefore, Kamon reasoned he must concede here. It was the best of what were only bad choices. Such great power he possessed in his large frame and yet he now stood helpless, unable to aid the woman beside him.

Grim-faced, Kamon turned to Jasmine. "Jasmine, I cannot stop them from taking you." The words seemed to burn his throat. "But I will find a way to get you out of this. You will not be harmed. You have my word on that."

Jasmine's brown eyes, a bit of sadness in them, stared into Kamon's. "Do not worry about me, Kamon. I ask only that you remember the peace we forged together."

The two officers then escorted the woman of peace away. Kamon clenched his giant fists in dismay and watched helplessly. The agony of it all tore at his soul.

END OF CHAPTER