Tanya had a quiet chat with David about Fred's affiliation with Demetriou.
'What do you want to do? Fred has been one of the mainstays of this place. I don't know what we would have done without him.'
'We would have found another builder,' was the acid response from Tanya.
'Well, what do you want to do?' repeated David tiredly.
'Confront him. You must agree, whatever his relationship with Demetriou, it is unacceptable to have people on the inside conniving to destroy this place. Come on David, can you imagine it? If the fuel tanks were blown up the whole place would have become a fireball. Despite our insurance, we do not have the resources to completely rebuild the place. We would be left with the option of committing suicide or dying of starvation like the rest of the population, the last six or seven years' work for nothing. He bloody well has to go.'
'Then we will have another enemy on the outside knowing our secrets. Isn't there another way? Anyway, you exaggerate; the tanks are far from here. '
Tanya was silent. She was determined nobody was going to threaten The Settlement, now as much her dream as David's. Because of her thoughtless encounter with Demetriou, she also had another reason to be rid of Fred. If he didn't know already, she was certain he would be told in time. 'If all the fuel we plan to store in those tanks was blown up there is certainly a danger that fire would spread to the village; they are only five hundred metres from here. We have insulated the tanks from bushfires, but if the tanks are blown up our precautions have no effect.'
'We could involve the police.'
'The police?' said Tanya contemptuously. 'In this situation they would be about as much use as two tits on a bull.'
David laughed. 'What about getting him to sign something acknowledging his relationship with Demetriou and that he has actually endangered the lives of people here as well as possibly destroying the whole project.'
'And then?' asked Tanya. 'He will still own his position here. What do you think the rest of the community will think if they find out about Demetriou? And what Fred did to protect him? We should speak to him first, but I really think we have to consult with the community. People have put their faith in us. If Fred managed to do something in the future with Demetriou's help and the community finds out we were aware all along, they would go ballistic.' Tanya was furious. 'As soon as the Ice Shelf collapses the authorities will have to empty the jails. Those two hyenas will make for this place, especially if they know that Fred is still here.'
'After the Ice Shelf collapses we will have to have our own legal system and run trials,' said David thoughtfully. 'Maybe this should be the first issue to consider.'
Tanya hesitated for a moment. This really is the solution, she thought.
'Brilliant, quite brilliant! If we manage this correctly we will avoid the mass hysteria a story in the newspaper might generate. We must speak to Fred, soon.'
'There are some lawyers already in the community. We should appeal to them and make sure everyone understands what we're doing. We should distance ourselves and just appear as witnesses.' Any brief feelings of animosity she might have felt towards David had dissipated as she applied her mind to the issue.
The two lawyers were approached separately. One agreed to act as prosecutor, the other as defence. They brought in a colleague from outside to act as judge. It was agreed that a jury of six would decide whether Fred was guilty or innocent. The external judge spent days in the community contemplating what sort of punishments could be appropriate under the circumstances should Fred be found guilty.
He was arrested and questioned by Tanya with David attending. They presented the lawyers with all the evidence they could muster.
David briefed the community newspaper that Fred was to be prosecuted for willfully endangering the existence of The Settlement and the people living in it. He told the editor that this particular trial would create a basis for dealing with offences against the community once the place was isolated.
Many of the residents struggled to find seating in the small community centre where the trial was held. The prosecution opened by stating they would prove that, because of misguided loyalties, Fred had endangered the community. The defence opened by stating that Fred had been a model citizen, had built a lot of the houses in the village, and had done far more good than harm in the community. There was general applause from the audience at this point.
The judge banged his gavel looking benignly over the large gathering, before he said, 'I realise there is enormous interest in this case, but I must insist you keep quiet during the proceedings and that you don't try to influence the jury in any way. If this happens again I will regretfully have to clear the court.'
The prosecution called David Bower to the witness stand. David explained Fred's contributions and trusted status.
'Would you say he had a privileged position in the community?'
'Certainly. He was one of the first settlers and was consulted on all building projects.'
'Do you think he has made a great deal of money doing what he did?'
'Probably not, his quotes are always very competitive, but he made enough to keep his head above water. In any event, no settler comes here to make money. Almost without exception, the people who come here share the vision to build a community that will survive the forthcoming disaster.'
'Do you think the defendant shared this vision?'
'Yes, I had many conversations with him on the subject. He was always very positive and made many constructive suggestions helping us become more self-sufficient.'
'And you say he was trusted?'
'More than almost anyone else outside the family.'
'Who was responsible for recruiting the settlers?'
'Mostly me. The family, particularly Tanya, agree on the skills required and the type of people we think will fit in. Then I go out and find those people. Although family members have introduced people who have successfully settled here. In almost every case, I conduct the final interview.'
'What is the purpose of the final interview?'
'To ensure the prospective settler buys into the vision, understands the standard of living may well be lower than what they are used to, and that they would have to take on certain responsibilities for the benefit of the community.'
'Did you or anyone else interview Charles Smith?'
'No.'
'Why?'
'He had been introduced by Fred, whom everyone trusted. Fred knew what we were about and understood the process. We attempted to arrange interviews, all of which fell through. I now think this was a deliberate move on Fred's part to shield him. So Charles and his family just arrived once his house had been built.'
'When did you realise Charles was not what he seemed to be?'
'Tanya knew him when she was growing up. She told me his name used to be Demetriou Smith. Further digging revealed his criminal record and time spent in jail. Tanya also found out Fred had funded Demetriou's arrangements here; he paid for the house, for example.'
'What did you do when you found out?'
'I tried to talk to Fred, but he avoided all questions. Demetriou was quite useful. He was an explosives expert and helped us with some blasting to install storage tanks. So we left it. Then he had an accident and we found out that apart from his criminal record he was also an agent for ASIO. He left very shortly after recovering from his accident, much to our relief. We thought that was the end of that.'
Under further questioning David explained about Demetriou's connections with the neighbouring settlement and where most of the missing explosives were found.
'Most of it?'
'There were two pieces missing, enough to blow the fuel depot sky high once the tanks had been filled. Tanya was concerned, so she arranged a watch on the gate. One night two men came through the gate carrying heavy packs.'
'What happened then?'
By this time the roomful of almost one hundred people was absolutely still. Nobody could believe what they were hearing.
David told the court how he, Tanya, Fred, Mark and two others had gone to pre-prepared positions near the tank installation. How they had seen Demetriou and Bill, in the moonlight, digging a hole underneath where the tanks were to be installed. 'They were fitting a detonator to the missing explosive. We had been told not to move or fire before Tanya gave the order. As she was getting into position to arrest the pair, a shot was fired and they fled. Tanya winged Bill in the leg as he escaped.'
'Who fired the first shot?'
'Fred.'
'Are you sure?'
'Yes, he said it was a mistake.'
'And you believed that?'
'I was inclined to believe that, but not Tanya. She thought it was a warning shot. She saw where the bullet had struck, far away from the pair. We didn't yet know about the relationship between Fred and Demetriou.'
'How did you find out?'
'Tanya has some contacts in the police and after some delays she was told that Demetriou was Fred's half-brother. They have the same father.'
There was a brief hum among the audience. The judge looked up and it all went quiet again.
'And then?'
'We decided we needed a judicial process to ensure the rule of law would be applied in The Settlement now and in the future. So Fred was arrested and questioned and this is the first case to be heard under this system.'
'Please continue.'
'Fred, at first, vehemently denied it was a warning shot. When we told him we knew they were related and had proof, Fred broke down and admitted everything in a written statement.'
'Why did Fred continue to support Demetriou?'
'He gave us a garbled explanation, but I think due to a sense of family loyalty. It seems Demetriou took advantage of the situation. Demetriou is a violent man and there was a suggestion some of Fred's other relatives might be harmed if he didn't continue to cooperate.'
When the judge called a break, everyone began talking at once. Most of the settlers had no idea of the drama with Bill and Demetriou. Sentiment varied about Bill's punishment.
When the court reconvened the defence asked David to remain in the witness box. 'If Fred was such a trusted member of the community, why wasn't he a shareholder and a director?'
'I started the company with my own money and individual family members have contributed capital, mainly for development. All the other settlers have paid for the construction of their own houses, but have only contributed to general development through a levy on their houses. This applied to Fred as well.'
'Isn't this just a device for the Bower family to maintain control?'
David was genuinely taken aback. 'No,' he tried to remain calm. 'The rules are explained as settlers arrive. Anyway, without the money my family has put into the project it wouldn't exist.'
'So although you state that Fred is a trusted member of the community, he is not a member of the inner circle, so to speak.'
The prosecution intervened. 'Objection, this line of questioning is going nowhere.'
'Objection sustained,' said the Judge. 'Please stick to the point.'
Nevertheless the defence had made its point; Fred was like a trusted employee, not a member of the inner circle.
'You keep mentioning Tanya. What is your personal relationship with Tanya Bower?'
There was an angry murmur among the audience at the unfounded implication. The judge looked up sharply.
'She is my daughter-in-law. She and I independently came to the same conclusions regarding climate change. Together with my son Mark, her husband, they have put every cent they own, a considerable sum, into this project,' said David calmly. He looked about the court. He was certain everyone present thought his relationship with Tanya was completely above board. His calm demeanour and his willingness to listen had earned the trust of almost every individual in The Settlement.
'No further questions.'
The prosecutor called Tanya to the stand.
She stood, lovely and immaculate, in jeans and a red blouse. At this stage in the proceedings, she felt secure and confident.
'What is your role in this community?'
'I am on the board of The Settlement Pty Ltd. Believing in the science, I have basically spent every spare minute helping to make this place a reality.'
'Every spare minute?'
'I have two children and a full time job in a law firm in Sydney.'
'What is your relationship with Fred?'
'He was one of the first settlers here and has built many of the houses. I make a point of getting to know all the settlers, Fred and his family included.'
'How well do you know Demetriou Smith?'
'I was part of a teenage gang in Cabramatta when I was about fifteen years old. Demetriou was the leader of the gang.'
'Why did you leave the gang, if indeed you did?'
'Many of them joined criminal gangs when they matured. I decided I could do more with my life.' She was still confident, but becoming uncomfortable with the direction of the questioning.
'What was your reaction when you found Demetriou had been accepted as a settler?'
'Horror. I was sure he couldn't be a benign settler. I knew he would have some scheme which would undermine the community.' Tanya explained her contacts with the police and their confirmation of her suspicions regarding Demetriou. Under questioning she told much the same story as David.
The prosecutor had one further question. 'Mrs Bower, you talked about your membership of a teenage gang in Cabramatta.'
'Yes,'
'Can you tell the court why you suddenly left the gang?'
'I came to my senses and decided to make something of my life.'
'How old were you?'
'Fifteen,'
'How old was Demetriou?'
'About eighteen.'
'No further questions.'
Tanya was asked to remain on the stand while the defence questioned her.
'You left the gang because you came to your senses?'
'Yes.'
'Was there an incident that provoked this?'
Before the court case started, Tanya had considered that her teenage relationship with Demetriou might be exposed. Fred probably knew the details, so she had decided, if the question arose, she would have to tell the truth. But she had needed to talk to Mark first, a discussion she started the previous evening:
'Mark, you know about my youth in Cabramatta,' she said quietly.
'Yes,' he said, disinterestedly, continuing to read a business paper.
'With this court case tomorrow some issues may emerge … ' she hesitated, 'I may have to explain some details that I have never told anyone, not even you.'
'Oh?'
'Demetriou and I were lovers.'
She then had his full attention. His reading material was discarded. 'Holy shit! Why didn't you tell me before?' He suddenly thought this was an opportunity to assert his authority over Tanya, but quickly dismissed it. He wasn't an unfair man.
'It wasn't relevant. When we met you knew I wasn't a virgin. I never discussed any previous boyfriends with you or anyone else. We never discussed any of your previous girlfriends either.'
Bitch, he thought. She knows perfectly well I never had much in the way of previous girlfriends. He was briefly reminded of their first sexual encounter. 'Why didn't you mention it after Demetriou arrived here as a settler?'
'My mistake, I should have and I'm truly sorry. There are some other issues.'
'Yes?' he said warily.
She explained how she had hotwired cars and acted as Demetriou's driver while he made drug deliveries. She gave him a detailed account of her narrow escape from the police who had come to arrest Demetriou. 'He was convicted and served a three year jail term,' said Tanya.
Mark stared at her, mouth open.
'Aren't you going to say something?'
'What can I say? Anyway that is all in the past now. It makes no difference to our relationship.' Mark knew Tanya had a tough start. A life his sheltered upbringing in the middle class Bower household had not prepared him for. Her revelations added a new dimension to his understanding of that time. He was torn by his admiration for her subsequent escape from her disadvantages and not wanting to hear any more about a past he was powerless to influence.
'We have a good relationship and a successful marriage, but since we are talking, isn't there something you need to tell me?'
'What the hell are you talking about?'
'Virginia Andrews.'
'What has she got to do with anything?'
'You find her attractive.'
'So?' he said uncertainly.
'You're screwing her aren't you?'
'No!' Mark was all of a sudden on the defensive. How the hell did she work that out? He had been very discreet. To his irritation, now he was on the back foot and it was no longer about Tanya's misdeeds. He would never admit to the affair. It would be too humiliating and put him in an even worse position with Tanya.
'Bullshit, all those extended visits to Canberra. And when she visited us here you were like a cat on hot bricks.'
'I have not touched her. You are becoming paranoid. You are trying to divert my attention from your previous relationship with Demetriou,' said Mark unconvincingly.
'You need to be straight with me Mark. I have a very difficult day ahead of me tomorrow and I need to know you are telling the truth.'
'I am telling the truth.'
'So you have never slept with her? Not once, ever?'
'No.'
'I would like to believe you, but I saw you together. I'm ready to let sleeping dogs lie, but you need to come clean with me.'
'I have nothing to come clean with you about.'
'Think about it Mark.' Tanya asked calmly. She wanted to believe him, but he held her gaze for only a few seconds before looking away. He was lying, much to her disappointment.
Mark was furious and embarrassed at the turn in the conversation, suddenly having to defend himself. The fact that she was right about the affair made it worse.
Tanya quietly went to their bedroom and locked the door.
Mark dejectedly found his way to the spare room.
'Yes, there was an incident that helped me change my mind.'
'Can you please tell the court about it?'
'Yes, but you have to understand I have never told anyone about this before so it will come as a shock to most people.' Tanya was determined to be honest and upfront, she did not want it dragged out piece by piece.
'Go on.'
'Demetriou and I were lovers.'
There was a gasp of astonishment from the audience.
'That doesn't explain why you left the gang.'
Tanya explained how she had hid in the garage roof.
'Police cars?'
'They had come to arrest Demetriou. He was eventually convicted of drug dealing.'
'And you had no knowledge of Demetriou's activities?'
The prosecutor intervened, 'Objection, Mrs Bower is not on trial here. She has explained why she left the gang.'
'Sustained,' said the judge. 'Any further questions?'
'Nothing further.'
The rest of the hearing consisted of other community members testifying for and against Fred in almost equal numbers.
The prosecutor finally called Fred to the stand. His version of events agreed with the testimonies of David and Tanya.
He was quite calm when he described his role in the community. 'I helped to design and then build many of the houses. They are all environmentally sound, complementing the landscape and atmosphere here,' he said proudly.
'How did you arrive at the design concepts that were eventually adopted?'
'David helped with the specifications. Mark and I always talked in detail with prospective occupants,' and then dismissively, 'with some input from Tanya.'
The prosecutor noted the thinly-veiled hostility towards Tanya.
'You and Demetriou are half-brothers. Why don't you have the same surname?'
'I took my mother's name and he has our mutual father's name.'
'What made you ask Demetriou to join the community?'
'Demetriou has always been in some sort of trouble. Over the years I have helped him extricate himself from many scrapes.'
'Scrapes! He was involved in some terrible crimes—drug dealing, murder, money laundering ...'
'He was never convicted of murder,' said Fred sharply.
'Nevertheless he was convicted of other very serious crimes.'
'He is my brother,' said Fred with the hint of a tear in his eyes.
'Why did you invite him here?'
Fred was silent for a moment. 'He invited himself.'
'But you paid for the construction of his house and all the levies and taxes.'
'Yes.'
'Why?'
'He has no money of his own.'
'Why didn't you tell David about the situation? You hold a position of trust in this community.'
'David would not have accepted him if he had known about his background. Also, Demetriou told me he was an agent for ASIO and I couldn't tell anyone.'
'If you knew he was an ASIO agent why did you pay for everything? Surely ASIO was paying him.'
Fred fidgeted in the witness stand as if he was struggling with something.
'Well?'
'ASIO paid all the costs,' Fred eventually whispered.
'Please repeat that so everyone can hear.'
'ASIO paid all the costs,' repeated Fred more loudly. There were gasps of astonishment from the audience.
'And you still didn't tell David anything, your trusted friend and confidant?'
Fred shook his head.
'Why? You have jeopardised your whole position here.'
'I knew everything was above board here and Demetriou would find nothing. I hoped he would report that to the people at ASIO and then move on. I would have helped the community and hopefully helped Demetriou a bit as well.'
'Why didn't you confide in David?'
'I thought I could do it all on my own. When it was established the place was in the clear there would be no need for anyone else to know.'
'Alright. Did you know of the history between Tanya and Demetriou?'
Fred nodded uneasily.
'Surely you would have realised when Tanya saw Demetriou the game would be up and she would tell David? And that they would look into his criminal history knowing his background?'
'Everything had gone too far by the time I thought of that.' He said dismissively, 'I know nothing of Tanya's contacts anyway.'
'That beggars belief. What is your relationship with Tanya?'
'She is a director here. I suppose she has done some good.' There was no mistaking the hostility in his voice. The audience reacted imperceptibly. Tanya was generally very popular among the people in The Settlement.
'You don't like her.'
Fred remained silent.
'How do you feel about her role here in The Settlement?'
'She behaves inappropriately for a woman.'
'Meaning what exactly?'
'She charges round this place as if she owns it—flying helicopters, taking part in The Academy, galloping round on her horse.'
'This place would not exist if it were not for her contributions both financially and otherwise,' said the surprised prosecutor.
'A man would've done better.'
There was a growl of disapproval from the gallery, resulting in a sharp glance from the judge.
'A man such as you?'
Fred remained silent.
'If you remain silent, I will have to assume that you saw Demetriou's arrival as a chance to somehow diminish the role Tanya plays in the community. Is that the case?'
Fred looked down.
The prosecutor paused to let the information sink in among the jurors. There was a hum of conversation from the gallery.
'Could you please explain what happened on the night Demetriou and Bill McLoughlin tried to plant some explosives in the area where the fuel tanks were to be installed?'
Fred relayed the events of the night.
'Did you know they were going to be there and what they intended to do?'
'No, I have not contacted Demetriou since he left The Settlement,' Fred said firmly.
'I have a statement here, signed by you, that you deliberately fired a warning shot just as Tanya was about to arrest the pair.'
Fred remained silent.
'Well, is this your statement?'
Fred nodded. 'Yes it is.'
'Could you explain your intentions? If the pair had succeeded, the damage to the community would have been extensive.'
Fred flushed angrily. 'That stupid bitch Tanya had taken over again, issuing all the instructions. It was a military operation; she shouldn't have even been there. Mark is responsible for security, he should have been running the operation.'
'So you fired a warning shot allowing your brother to escape.'
'Yes.'
'If your brother had not been involved would you have fired the shot?'
Fred remained silent.
'No further questions.'
The defence had no questions and couldn't wait to get Fred off the stand.
In summing up, the prosecution said that Fred had used his position of privilege in the community to clandestinely introduce Demetriou, an act of family loyalty. 'The suggestion that he acted as he did for the good of the community is an afterthought and should be dismissed. He endangered people's lives, particularly the party that was about to apprehend Demetriou and Bill. If the charges had been successfully laid many members of the rest of the community would also have been put in harm's way. I ask the jury to find him guilty on all charges and that he should be given an appropriate sentence.'
The defence argued that he had been a loyal member of the community for many years and had done a great deal of good in the community. He had perhaps been misguided in helping his brother, but many others would have acted the same way if they had been in his shoes. 'I ask the jury to find him not guilty on any charges; especially since no actual damage was done to anyone.'
While the jury was considering the verdict, Tanya had a brief conversation with David. 'Maybe we should ask Fred what he wants to do. I'm not concerned about the personal comments he made towards me, but his position here is now untenable; and we have other builders. If he opts to leave it may ease the pain and he won't be quite as hostile as he might otherwise be. We will have to come to some arrangement regarding his house, but that shouldn't be difficult.'
David looked at her in astonishment. 'You would offer him that after all he said about you?'
Tanya shrugged. 'I am thinking about The Settlement. Fred's wife might even choose to return here on her own one day. When the Ice Shelf collapses, Bill and Demetriou will be released from jail along with all the other prisoners. The fewer people out there hostile to this community, the better. We can't sentence Fred to imprisonment since we have no prison. He might even be persuaded that what is being suggested is actually his own idea.'
Tanya was genuinely concerned about the future of The Settlement, but she also wanted Fred out of the way. She was still deeply ashamed about her affair with Demetriou; she had risked putting power in Demetriou's hands thus endangering the future of the project. She desperately wanted to hide her indiscretion. Getting Fred out of the way would reduce that risk.
David approached the prosecutor, who then convened a meeting with the judge. Before the jury had concluded their deliberations Fred was approached; he was amazed at the benign nature of the proposal. He was obliged to sign a legal document, drafted by Tanya, acknowledging his guilt on all counts and agreeing never to live in or approach The Settlement again. The document made it clear that the restrictions did not apply to his wife and children and that ownership of their house was transferred forthwith to his wife.
The agreement was published in full in the community newspaper, with most settlers supporting what had been agreed. Tanya hadn't wanted any credit so most people assumed, wrongly, that the judicial process had arrived at the solution. Fred and his family left one night under the watchful supervision of David.
Fred had the grace to say to David prior to leaving, 'Thank you. If it wasn't for you I envisaged being locked up somewhere.'
'Thank Tanya,' he said, trying to keep the anger from his voice. 'It was her idea, despite the unjust things you said about her. She even drafted the agreement you signed.' He was determined somehow to make it up to Tanya.
Fred looked shocked, saying nothing, but climbed into his car and drove off with his family all of whom were crying. Months later, David received a letter from Fred spelling out the details of Tanya's misdeeds as a teenager in Cabramatta. Nothing was left out. David had not known about the drug dealing, but he was not altogether surprised. It was the final paragraph of the letter that shocked him.
"David, you may like to know that the sexual liaison between Tanya and Demetriou continued after Demetriou arrived in The Settlement. Tanya was also responsible for Demetriou's riding accident. It is not surprising she was so keen to be rid of me."
Tanya's not so perfect after all, he thought.
For months he wondered what to do with the letter. Should I tell Mark? He concluded that Tanya was more important than anyone to the development of The Settlement, even the honour of his son. A few months later, he burnt it.
Mark was surprised by the arrangements made for Fred. He could see that Tanya had come up with a very good solution. Again he wished he had thought of it himself. He had never stopped hiding a portion of his income from Tanya and investing it secretly. Virginia had accompanied him on one short business trip overseas, where they spent a few days in his Tuscan hideaway. Yet he still longed for more control at The Settlement.
The Bower family decided to establish a number of principles under which justice would be administered based on the acceptance of the first "local trial". They would consult the community to establish what the new laws would be and how they would differ from Australian law. However, Australian law would apply until isolation occurred.
They made it clear at the outset of the consultation that The Settlement would have no jail or police as the resources did not exist to maintain those institutions. Under these circumstances, other punishments would have to be administered for crimes that would normally be the subject of a custodial sentence.
Punishment for a variety of crimes including theft, firearm offences, assault, wilful property damage, and mistreatment of animals would include a combination of the following—naming and shaming; counselling; bans; premise searches. A repeat offence or more serious crime would result in public flogging with a cane. A major offence or repeat offender could see the guilty party expelled from The Settlement. In aggravated circumstances, in the case of rape or murder, the death penalty, by firing squad, could be imposed by the court.
There were several days of discussions in the community hall relating to the laws that would apply when they became isolated. The community was wholly engaged in the process. 'Why are we unable to just keep all the laws we have presently?'
'We have no jail and no police,' answered David, 'and don't propose to invest in either of those institutions.'
'Why?'
'Can you imagine a jail here, especially if someone was being held for a long period of time, for murder or rape for example? It would just hang over the community.'
'We could send them to jail in Australia.'
'We don't know that any jails will exist in Australia. It's possible that when the Ice Shelf collapses all jails will have to be abandoned and inmates released to fend for themselves. Anyway, isolation means isolation. We will not have any contact with the outside world.'
There was silence after the last comment.
After much discussion there was general agreement on the more minor offences. There was some grumbling about the introduction of corporal punishment, but in the end it was agreed that the application of corporal punishment would be exceptional and that processes existed to minimise its use. There was considerable opposition to the introduction of the death penalty for rape and murder.
'Along with most of the Western world we abolished the death penalty years ago. Surely this is a backward step,' argued someone.
Tanya had remained quiet up to that point. 'We will be returning to a more primitive existence,' said Tanya. 'We have military training now for a reason. The possibility exists that we will have to defend ourselves. Other communities may run short of food and try to take what we have by force. Anyway, the court can order the expulsion of anyone found guilty of rape and murder, but I think it should have the option of imposing the death penalty in extreme circumstances.'
'What is meant by extreme circumstances?'
'Let us assume a child was abducted, and murdered by a member of the community. Would anything less than the death penalty be appropriate in those circumstances? We don't want individuals taking the law into their own hands. If we allowed that to happen this community would descend into anarchy. The ability to apply the strictest sanctions is warranted in extreme circumstances.'
'Who would apply the death penalty?'
'Our Academy,' answered Mark. 'It would be their duty to implement any sentence imposed. There are well-established methods of concealing the identity of individuals firing the fatal shots.'
'Expelling people from the community is almost the same as implementing the death penalty.'
'Maybe,' agreed Mark. 'We are here to nurture and protect our own. Anything that threatens us should and will be severely punished. We may not survive otherwise. Currently, in the wider Australian community, when a person is sentenced for a crime he or she commits they are sent away and the wider community remains largely unaffected. That does not apply here. We will be facing people convicted of offences day in, day out. With minor offences we will be able to live with that, but I don't think anyone would be willing to associate on a daily basis with a person convicted of a major offence. Under those circumstances, people may take the law into their own hands.'
'Expelled people might hold a grudge and try to take revenge.'
'Possibly, yes,' agreed Mark, 'but we can't execute everyone. We will be strong enough to take our chances in that regard.'