The Travelers - Chapter 10

*Minder - a counselor or therapist

*****

Chapter 10

Seren woke after a full night of undisturbed sleep.  He was surprised but appreciative to have not been needed during those hours, although a few minutes later he grasped why he’d been left alone.  Chuckling as he read Pilot Sabik’s transmission to the Travelers, he couldn’t say that she had disobeyed his orders.  She’d informed the ship that all six men were back safely and likely to head straight to bed.  It was emphasized that all questions would be answered at the morrow’s meeting.  Seren shook his head, hoping that he would have the answers his people wanted.  He knew the biggest question on everyone’s mind was when they would leave the ship.  He hoped to have a definite answer for that question before the shipwide meeting.  He didn’t need any Travelers defying orders because of desperation to get off the ship.  If they had a date and time to look forward to, he believed he could provide them with some satisfaction until they actually set foot on land.

Those thoughts reminded him that there were already a few crew members who had crossed the line in respect to Sabik’s authority while he’d been gone.  He had no intention of letting anyone get away with noncompliance to necessary safety, nor disrespect to earned authority.  It was too important that all Travelers were respectful, worked together, and accepted the positions of authority among them.  Rebellion and grudging obedience could cause large problems within their numbers and with the goal and hope of a future their people had placed on them.

He looked for and found the transmission that gave him the names of those who had argued Sabik’s order that no one leave the ship.  His mouth became a thin line of displeasure as he read the names:  Backer Medan, Backer Kemp, Backer Corbin, and Backer Ajen.  Four men who knew better. 

Backer Kemp was someone he’d issued a warning to once before about disrespect.  The man struggled to serve under women and Seren believed it had to do with his upbringing.  Kemp had been adopted by an all-male Trio after his mother abandoned him when he was five years old, having never married his birth father or revealed to him who that had been.  Seren knew from Chief Win that Kemp’s adoptive fathers had treated him very well and loved him to distraction, and Kemp got along well with other men, but he struggled in his respect and trust of women. 

Kemp’s psychological report that Seren, as the leader of the Travelers, had access to, revealed a few more details on the man’s history and how it affected him.  Seren knew Backer Kemp’s interaction with women had been limited through most of his life.  His adoptive grandmothers lived far enough away that he usually only saw them on holidays, and there had been more male than female teachers throughout his education.  There had been no female role model who held a consistent place in his life, so Seren could deduce that Kemp’s subconscious believed that men could be relied on, and women couldn’t.

This faulty perception had almost prevented Kemp from being accepted as a Traveler, but he had exceptional skills in space flight, as well as high testing scores as a land engineer.  Those, along with excellent personal references from three respected professors, had been in his favor.  Thus, the offer to be trained as a Traveler was extended.

Backer Corbin was another name he was familiar with.  He’d had very little personal interaction with the young man, but knew from Charge Ozias that Corbin had caused some minor problems in the Agriculture unit. 

The other two men he’d worked with a little more and believed their arguing had more to do with the growing need just to get off the ship.  It still didn’t excuse disputing with a higher authority, but he understood the mindset that was going on with them.

Quickly, Seren composed a transmission for the four men to see him in an hour’s time in Wing C.  He had no intention of publicly scolding them, but he knew they’d feel the disgrace of being called to Wing C.  It was where discipline was held and where the criminal holding cells were.  Seren had a small office in the wing to deal with situations such as these. 

He took time to dress and eat a small meal before heading to his destination.  Like the previous day, he maneuvered himself through hallways that were little used and unlikely to have him run into anyone.  He made it to the small office in Wing C without being delayed by anyone and ten minutes before the first of the men showed up.

There was a small waiting area just outside the office with no chairs on which to sit.  That had been Seren’s choice.  He felt the discomfort of standing at attention kept the miscreant’s focus on why he was about to be reprimanded.  Through the small glassed window, Seren was able to watch the men arrive.  Backer Kemp was first and he stood with arms behind his back and face straight ahead.  He took no notice of Backer Ajen who arrived next, nor Backer Medan a minute later.  Those two greeted each other cordially, but all three men then stood in quiet contemplation. 

Seren was not pleased to see that Backer Corbin arrived two minutes past the hour.  He felt further irked when instead of standing respectfully as the other men, he leaned against the wall with crossed arms and a surly—although anxious—expression. 

Corbin’s attitude made Seren decide to handle each Traveler individually instead of as a group.  While all guilty of the same crime, he quickly saw that different disciplines were going to be needed for each person.  He rose from his spot behind the office’s small desk and went to the door.  All four men gave him their attention when he opened it; even Corbin stood from his leaning position and tried to look courteous.

Seren met each Traveler’s eye without smiling before focusing on one.  “Backer Ajen,” he called and turned into the room.  Ajen followed immediately.  “Shut the door,” Seren ordered, and Ajen did so obediently.  The man was clearly trying to be on his best behavior.

“Backer Ajen, it has been brought to my attention that in my absence you were argumentative with Pilot Sabik, who was serving as Vice Leader.  With full authority, she determined that no one was to leave the ship until my team returned, and for some reason you believed this was a debatable decision.  Is this true?”

Ajen was red-faced but still standing respectfully.  “Yes, Charge Seren.”

Seren was proud of the man for not disputing his fault.  “I can think of no reason why behavior like that would be appropriate, but I’d like to hear your side.”

Ajen looked surprised and he licked his lips nervously.  “Sir, I…I have no excuse,” he stated after a moment of thought.  “Some of us had thought that since the air and water was testing so pure, that it would be acceptable to go onto Neveah in the area around the ship.  It was hard to hear otherwise and I contended with Pilot Sabik over her decision.  I am sorry, Charge Seren.”

The Charge Pilot contemplated the man’s humble demeanor and attitude, thinking that he’d judged correctly on Ajen’s motivation.  “Your honesty is noted, Backer Ajen,” he finally said.  “But I will not leave you without chastisement.”

The man hung his head but waited silently for Seren’s judgment.

“I think it only fair,” Seren began, “that those who let their eagerness to leave the ship lead them to disrespect a higher authority, should be the last to step foot onto Neveah.  I will not publicly disgrace you with this choice, but when I assign the teams to disembark, you will be on the last one.”

“Yes sir,” Backer Ajen said with acceptance.

“Also,” Seren continued.  “You will be remanded to your quarters for the rest of the day, and that includes not being a part of the meeting I’ll be conducting with the Travelers later on.  You may watch through a room transmission, but you will not be physically present.  During that time I expect you to compose a written apology to Pilot Sabik.  It should not be less than a full page and you will deliver it personally.”

“Yes sir,” Ajen repeated.

Seren nodded.  “You may go then, Backer Ajen.”

Ajen began to leave the room, but he paused before reaching the door.  He turned back with an almost shy look.  “Charge Seren?”

“Yes?”

“Welcome back, sir.”

Seren allowed a smile to show.  “Thank you.”

Backer Ajen left then, and Seren moved to call Backer Medan into the office space.  His dialogue with Medan was almost identical to that with Ajen.  Medan admitted to uncalled for disrespect, humbly accepted Seren’s terms of discipline, and left rather quickly, obviously wanting out of the uncomfortable encounter as quickly as possible.

Kemp was brought in next, and Seren knew that this discussion wasn’t going to go as smoothly as the first two.

“Backer Kemp, do you remember the last discussion we had about respect?”

The barest scowl flickered across the man’s face, but he quickly controlled it.  “Yes sir.”

“Then I’d like you to repeat back to me what we discussed at that time.”

For a moment, Seren wasn’t sure if Kemp would obey, but after what looked to be a brief internal battle, Kemp’s shoulders slumped slightly and he complied with Seren’s order.

“I am to show respect to everyone on board, male or female, not just because of rank or status, but because they are human beings who should be treated respectfully.”

“I’m glad you remember.  So can you tell me why I’ve had to call you to account a second time for disrespecting not only a fellow Traveler, but one who does rank higher than you?”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“So you say, Backer Kemp, but that doesn’t answer my question.”

Kemp looked both forlorn and frustrated.  “It’s just…not right, sir.”

“If you’re talking about your dispute with Pilot Sabik, I’ll agree with you; but something tells me that isn’t what you mean.”

Kemp’s hands clenched, but it was clearly a motion of frustration, not anger.  Seren had mercy on the man and stated what he believed the problem was.

“Backer Kemp, I think your struggle is not so much with Pilot Sabik or even with women in authority.  Your struggle is with acceptance that not all women will be as untrustworthy as your mother.”

Kemp’s eyes widened and met Seren’s with an intensity that was hard to define and quite unnerving.  Seren still maintained his calm and held the man’s gaze.

“I don’t mean to pry into private matters, Backer Kemp, but you know I’m as aware of your background as I am of all the Travelers.  However, I am not a minder, so don’t convince yourself that I’m trying to dissect you in any way, but I know your history and the struggles you’ve had since being picked as one of the members of this mission.  I understand that you have very little comfort in the presence of women, and even less when one has authority over you, and I believe I have a minimal understanding as to why. 

“However,” he continued, “that does not excuse your behavior.  I cannot force you to feel respect for someone else, Backer Kemp, but I can insist that you behave in a way that shows the appropriate deference to those around you.  Do you understand?”

“Yes, Charge Seren.”

“Does that mean I can issue my judgment for your behavior and expect that it will not be argued?”

The slightest pause, but then a, “Yes sir.”

“Good.  Then, as I told Backers Ajen and Medan, you will be assigned to the last group to leave the ship on the day we disembark.  Along with that, you will spend tomorrow in Enforced Personal Service to Pilot Sabik.”

Kemp’s mouth opened slightly in shock and it took clear effort for him not to debate that punishment.

“Then,” Seren said, “when your service is done, you will compose a letter of apology to Pilot Sabik.  Is this all clear?”

It took several moments to receive an answer, but eventually Kemp managed a nod and a forced, “Yes sir”. 

“Then I’ll dismiss you to your quarters.  Take some time to think about these things, Kemp, but I’ll expect you back on duty after mid-meal.”

With a nod and very controlled movements, Kemp left the room with clear displeasure.  Seren sighed after the man left.  He knew the discipline was going to be hard on Kemp, but he also knew that Sabik would not exploit the situation or Kemp’s feelings of shame.  He hoped that in the end the experience might be looked back on as positive in Kemp’s eyes.

The last Traveler was still waiting for him and Seren moved to the doorway to call him in.  He was not pleased to see that Corbin, in the time he’d been waiting, had lowered himself to the floor and appeared to be half asleep against the wall.

“Backer Corbin,” he called roughly.

The young man’s eyes immediately shot open and he hurried to stand.  Seren deliberately glared at him.

“Follow me, Backer Corbin.”

Corbin immediately scuttled after him, but his demeanor was much different than the other men’s had been.  He gave Seren a wide-eyed look that portrayed him as much more a boy than a man when the Charge looked at him again.  Seren forced himself not to fall for the overly innocent look the young Backer displayed.

“Is it your habit, Backer Corbin, to so lightly take a summoning from a superior rank?”

“No sir, but there were no chairs and I didn’t know how long you’d be.  I don’t even know why I’ve been summoned!”

“You don’t?  I’m afraid I don’t believe that.  You have an intelligence of high degree just like the rest of the Travelers.  With some careful thought, I’m fairly certain you can determine why I sent for you and the others to come to Wing C.”

“I don’t…”

“Think!” Seren cut him off.  He hadn’t raised his voice, but he let it cut sharply through the air between them. 

Corbin’s face contorted in shock and Seren thought he saw the brightness of forthcoming tears for a moment, but the young man managed to gather himself and he clearly took a few moments to think as Seren bade him.  The pilot saw him swallow a few times before finding a voice to speak, and the tone was much meeker when he spoke.

“The others you called in had…disagreed...with Pilot Sabik while you were gone, and I kind of sided with them,” he admitted reluctantly.

“Hmm,” Seren murmured.  “We seem to be getting somewhere now.  However, it seems we have some differences in what we believe happened while I was away.”

“Differences?”

“Yes,” Seren stated.  “In the version of events I was told, you disagreed with Pilot Sabik just as strongly as the others.”

“Not really, sir!”

Seren wasn’t pleased with that response.  A young man, especially a Traveler, who couldn’t be responsible for himself was a liability.

“Not really?  So if I bring in Pilot Sabik and the other men who were just here, they will concur with your version of events?”

Corbin went slightly pale and his eyes somehow got wider.  “That’s not fair, Charge Seren!”

“Not fair?  What I find unfair is the clear evidence that you are lying to me.”

“But you haven’t heard my side!”

“I’m trying to hear your side, Backer Corbin, but all you’re giving me is half-truths and lies.  I want honesty.  Tell me what happened while I was gone.”

Corbin looked like he didn’t know what to say, but then it poured out of him like a waterfall.

“It wasn’t fair, Charge Seren!  All the Purifiers’ tests said that it was safe to be on land.  We were all stuck inside this ship without any certainty that you and the others would be back, and we could see how much better it was outside!  There was no reason why Pilot Sabik had to deny our request!”

“There was every reason!” Seren said with conviction.  He stood behind the room’s desk and pointed to the chair placed in front of it. “Sit down, Corbin.  You need to understand a few things.”  He kept talking as Corbin unwillingly sat.  “First, just because the air and water tested safe, that does not mean that other dangers weren’t around.  My team and I went onto Neveah to ascertain what those dangers might be, and you just admitted that we couldn’t guarantee a safe return, so do not justify your actions by claiming safety where you clearly knew that was not a certainty.

“Second, unless you feel your morality or safety is at risk, you do not defy a higher ranking peer.  Is that understood?”

Without meeting his eyes, Corbin managed a mumbled, “Yes sir”.

Seren wasn’t pleased with the attitude behind the words, but he chose to pick his battles, and there was one more battle he wanted to address.

“Third, I will not tolerate lies, Backer Corbin.  We are on a high risk mission and I carry a responsibility to each and every Traveler on this ship.  Trust is vital, and if I cannot trust you then I see you as a liability to every member of this mission.  If I cannot be confident in your ability to follow orders and be truthful to me, then I may have to consider options such as temporary isolation or confinement until you grow into a man I can rely on.”

This time there wasn’t just a hint of tears, the wetness in Corbin’s eyes was plain as day.  “Charge Seren, no!  I’m sorry!”

“Are you?  Do you understand the severity not just of your words to Pilot Sabik, but of your attitude to her and me?”

“Yes sir!  I just didn’t think about it at the time!  I am sorry!”

Seren scrutinized him.  The young man appeared entirely sincere, and also very young in that moment.  With all his intelligence, it appeared Corbin hadn’t yet learned to think before speaking or acting.  Seren hoped he would learn quickly.

“I think you are sorry, Corbin, but you must face the consequences of your actions.”

Seren saw the flicker of fear pass across the young man’s face and he knew the Backer was scared of what his discipline would be.  Seren didn’t think it necessary to drag anything out.

“Along with the others who were here before you, you will be assigned in the last group to leave the ship when the time comes to disembark; and since I’m not sure I can trust you, you will spend the rest of today confined to your quarters where you will write out a detailed apology to Pilot Sabik, as well as hand write every tenet on safety that was addressed in the contract you signed when you became a Traveler.  As I recall, there are thirty-seven specified regulations, and I expect to see each one neatly presented to me tomorrow morning.

“Lastly,” he continued as he opened a drawer in the desk, “for lies purposefully spoken and with a mindset to deceive, you will submit to a session of corporal castigation.”

He watched Corbin barely swallow a whimper as he removed a very solid looking board from the desk drawer. 

“Charge Seren, please…” the young man whispered.

“Can your lies be justified, Backer Corbin?”

Corbin choked on his answer.  “No…sir.”

“Then stand and place your hands on the desk.”

It was clear the young man dreaded the request, but he was too proud to not accept it at this point.  He rose slowly, approached the desk, and placed his hands on the smooth surface.  The position didn’t bend him much, but it was still enough to make him feel like his backside was on full display.  Seren didn’t give him any indication of how many whacks he’d receive.  He thought it would give a deeper lesson if the Backer didn’t know when it would end.  He also felt it was better for himself to determine how many strikes were needed by observing Corbin throughout the punishment.

 He stood behind and to the side of the young man, and without warning he swung the board and connected with Corbin’s backside.  The loud thwack filled the room and Seren heard the breath leave the young man in a rush.  He waited a moment before delivering the second smack.  Corbin tensed and whimpered slightly.  Seren paused again before swinging the board a third time.

This strike elicited a yelp and brought the young man up on his toes as he straightened from his bent position and grabbed at the seat of his pants.  Seren saw some tears had strayed down the Backer’s cheeks and he felt both glad that it seemed he was getting through, and aggrieved to be the one to cause those tears. 

In sympathy, he put a hand on Corbin’s shoulder and squeezed in consolation before exerting enough pressure to guide the young Traveler back over the desk.  Choosing not to drag it out, he swung the board two more times in quick succession.  Corbin let out a brief sob, but remained where he was as Seren returned the board to the desk drawer and moved to a position where he could see Corbin’s face.

There were tear drops on the desk and the young man clearly didn’t want to look at him, but Seren felt like it would be a greater blow to Corbin’s pride if he managed to leave without making eye contact.  He wanted his fellow Traveler to know he’d accepted his discipline well.

“Look at me, Backer Corbin,” he ordered gently.  Slowly, the dark head lifted and watery eyes finally met his gaze.  “It’s done,” he said with sincerity.  “I’m pleased you accepted the consequences of your actions as well as you did.  I have renewed faith in you and believe that you’ll see the rest of my orders through.”

Corbin took a breath and nodded.  “I will, sir.”

“I believe you, and I want you to know that while regulations require me to put today’s actions into your file, I will not share your discipline with anyone.  Its privacy belongs to you.”

A fresh tear slipped from Corbin’s left eye and he swiped at it quickly.  “Thank you, Charge Seren,” he said huskily.

“You’re welcome, Corbin.  Go on now.”

“Yes sir.”

Seren watched as the young man left more slowly than he expected, and also with a much humbler attitude than that with which he had entered.  When he was alone again, he sat heavily in the desk chair and stared at the ceiling over him.  He had taken no enjoyment from the morning thus far.  Disciplining four members of his crew was not a great way to start the day, and having to corporally punish one of them hadn’t made things easier.  It wasn’t the first time he’d formally spanked someone, but it was a rare enough occurrence that he hadn’t yet learned a way to distance himself from the upset of causing pain to someone else…even deserved pain. 

        With a sigh, he chose not to think on it anymore.  He’d write up the letters of discipline for the men’s files later, but right now he wanted to forget the morning’s events for a while.  Turning his attention to other responsibilities, he left Wing C with a running list of things he needed to do to prepare for the meeting he’d be holding later that day.