Epilogue – MRin
“It is the verdict of this court that you, M'Rinna Resbis are found guilty of forty-one charges of assault and abuse. You are also found guilty of knowingly breaking the Human Bovarian Hybrid Transformation Agreement and of eight counts of conspiracy to murder. It is the advice of this court that the penalty be death–”
“For God's sake, we are talking about hus, not Bovarians–” M'Rinna exclaims before she is cut off.
“Hus and humans.” The judge exchanges a grave look with the human representatives across the court room. “And I would remind you that hus are afforded the same rights as Bovarians, in accordance with the Human Bovarian Hybrid Transformation Agreement. They are not lesser citizens, despite the fact that many of them have limited communication skills. They are the saviours of our race, and should be respected as such.” The judge's tone is implacable, and although I agree that she is guilty, my heart sinks at the plight of my twin sister. We haven't always seen things the same way, but she's always been in my life, and now things have gone so wrong. I don't know why she lost the moral integrity I always thought she had, although thanks to the evidence gathered for the trial, I now know that she compromised her morals years ago. The investigation was thorough and intrusive for everyone, and I cannot doubt the findings.
“As the primary injured party, Carmen Saunders, do you have anything you wish to say?”
She nods.
“Let the record show that Carmen Saunders has nodded her head,” the judge says to the court recorder, then adds to Carmen, “please be upstanding and make your statement.”
I hate the open-ended request, since it is much more difficult for Carmen to answer.
Carmen heaves herself onto her feet, revealing her heavily pregnant form to many admiring looks. I slide a pen and paper over to her but, although she smiles fondly at me, she doesn't pick up the pen.
Instead, she looks steadily at the judge, and suddenly it is easy to visualise her as a lawyer.
She leans forward, towards the microphone, and in a scratchy voice, she says, “Not death.”
My heart swells with pride, even as it skips with joy over hearing Carmen's voice for the first time.
She turns and cups my cheek, then says for my ears alone, “For you.”
She spoke her first words since my sister's abuse muted her in defence of that very same cow, my twin. I hadn't thought it was possible for me to love this remarkable hu any more.
“Am I to understand that you wish for the death penalty to be taken off the table?”
Carmen nods firmly.
“Let the record show that the injured party nodded her confirmation,” the judge says.
“In that case, M'Rinna Resbis, you are sentenced to life imprisonment in a breeding jail. Any offspring you birth will be wards of the government unless claimed by your kin. This will be raised and discussed between the affected parties if it becomes relevant. Court dismissed.”
There is a lot of commotion as my sister is led away. She doesn't go quietly. When the judge has left the chambers, everyone starts talking to each other. However, my attention is solely focused on the love of my life, the expectant mother of my children.
She looks at me and manages two more words before fatigue steals her voice again. Two words that light up my world.
“Love you.”