Judgement

After about 20 minutes of silence, with Ana, Roy, and Curro sitting anxiously and waiting for the final curtain, Brigham stood up from his chair and brought in the rest of Lupus to declare his decision.

"I have made my decision. The court finds Curro, the defendant, fit for execution."

Curro, who up to this point had kept a cool face, had all the color drained from his skin once he had heard the judgment. He started sobbing, he was hoping his best friend was going spare his life. He held on to the idea that Brigham was prepared to walk over anything just to keep him safe as he did for his best friend. Curro truly believed that no principle or situation would make him step over his best friend, not even his life's mission. Brigham did not share that sentiment and he had just sent Curro to the Grim Reaper.

"The court is of the opinion that while Curro had helped during this journey, ultimately a few rights don't make a massive wrong disappear." Brigham continued talking trying his best to ignore Curro's sobs and cries. "His actions are unacceptable in any society and the pain and suffering he has caused to the victims and their families is beyond words. The defendant is a dangerous mass murderer and can't be allowed to live. His execution is to be carried out this instant."

Curro kept jumping in his chair trying to fight his restraints, his heart sank, he could feel that he was already in the grim reaper's cold grasp. "Why?" He could only say to Brigham who refused to look at him. The pain he felt by, from his perspective, Brigham's betrayal was greater than any stab wound the sharpest knives could have inflicted. Here was someone Curro was prepared to sacrifice everything for, yet that person, for whom he had such strong feelings had cast him into the abyss. Despite his heinous actions and dead bodies Curro had left behind him, the only thing on his mind right now was Brigham’s betrayal and his own life which was reaching an end.

Brigham still resolutely ignoring his former friend's cries said, "Roy remove his uniform, he has lost his citizenship with this judgment and is obligated to return his uniform to the academy under the law."

Roy approached the still-crying Curro and said, "Sorry, did my best."

Curro was undressed by Roy, leaving him with nothing but the underwear he had underneath. Curro had felt humiliated and degraded having his uniform taken away and being made to die without dignity. This part of the procedure was intentional, the lawmakers had desired the punished to feel this way in their final moments but it wasn't just for them. It was also meant for the rest of those who were present, this ritual shows what happens to those who break the rules and it also reinforces to the rest a separation. It makes the other soldiers reaffirm to themselves and each other, 'Their behavior is what none of us accept and that's why they are where they are'.

"All of you will see once you get back!" Curro yelled out through the tears, "The revolution of the Green Dawn has started already without me! My father will make you all suffer for this!"

"Take him to the airlock for his execution." Brigham gestured at Ana and Roy. He kept his gaze focused on the ground, looking at Curro raging on about the cult while he uncontrollably sobbed was too much for him now.

The rest of Lupus watched as the disgraced Curro was taken away by Ana and Roy to his death. Nobody said a word and Curro continued to shatter. Soon he was placed in the airlock and Roy notified Brigham over the comms.

The airlock was used to throw out garbage and to carry out the death penalty after trial. The offenders were to be thrown out to space like trash. It was also the cleanest and fastest way to carry it out, all it took was a simple button press from the captain's chair and it was over.

Brigham had stared at the button, it looked like any other button, inconspicuously gray, all it took was a simple push and it would be over. The captain's finger shook as he brought his finger closer, is this really it? Why didn't he tell me before about his stupid cult? Why didn't he invite me to join, if he had maybe I would have talked him out of this insanity. Maybe if I had noticed the signs I could have stopped him from committing his crimes. If only… We are passed the point of no return, only I wasn't the one who brought us here, it was him when he planted that bomb. Goodbye, Curro.

Brigham pushed the button. Curro was dead and swallowed into the infinite darkness of the cosmos. Brigham surprisingly didn't feel anything. He thought he was going to puke right before he pressed it, he thought he was going to feel nausea over the idea of taking someone's life, someone he was so close to, but he didn't feel anything. He didn't even feel relieved, happy, or sad.

Brigham felt like he had pushed a button.

***

Lupus felt a tension in the air, the relief they hoped to feel now that the case was closed didn't come, only a constant feeling of unease. Their ship is still on a course for the Lepoglava Space Station.

A topic of discussion was started what they were going to do once they reached the space station. If what Curro said was true and the Green Dawn revolution was successful, they obviously couldn't return to Nova Occasio, ever. As long as Celio, Curro's father would be in charge there was no going back home. Everyone, except Hitomi, was worried about what would happen to their parents and families if the Green Dawn was in power. They would surely take revenge for Curro's execution.

Lupus had agreed that the first order of business, once they reached the Lepoglava Space Station, would be to find out about the political situation at home. If the Green Dawn was in power, they had agreed to collectively defect to Yugoslavia along with their spaceship and seek political asylum. Ljubiša wasn't too thrilled with reuniting his homeland but beats going to meet Celio after they executed his only son. If the revolution hadn't started yet, they would notify President Micki of the planned coup d'état and stop the insane plan.

What was happening back home, they had no way to find out. The only option left was to wait it out, they had 6 days left of their trip.

How agonizingly slow and long those 6 days felt. Lupus couldn't find much sleep or comfort during their trip, only to wait in dread and hope for the best.

***

During those 6 days, the atmosphere was noticeably grim, while there was a certain satisfaction the majority of Lupus felt over justice being served to the culprit, they were all stricken with grief. Curro was their friend, despite everything he had done, and his absence on the ship was intensely felt. Most of the crew didn’t know how to process this contradictory set of feelings, like a coin falling on its side, most felt equally happy and sad over his death.

To keep their minds occupied and out of spiraling, everyone decided to stay busy. Ana and Roy were absorbed in the navigation computer, endlessly planning various potential voyages the ship would take if they were rejected at Lepoglava. Scrolling on the galactic maps, searching what other station or location was close and that potentially had a long-range communication relay. It was unlikely they would be rejected at Lepoglava, but it was something to keep them engaged and occupied.

Lei Mei fully committed herself to the mess hall and kitchen, preparing complicated lengthy meals, washing the dishes, and keeping the mess hall clean. She was joined by Hitomi and Emidio, both desired a full-time job to get through this tough situation and they wanted to learn and refine their culinary skills. Lei Mei agreed to teach them as much as she could and it became their daily routine.

Khalid decided to work out, he tended to do that when he needed to soothe his mind, he couldn’t perform anything too intense because of his leg injury but he needed to do something. Ljubiša like the others needed an assignment and he decided to follow Khalid’s regiment. Ljubiša would be so exhausted that he would often fall asleep right after completing their training.

Together the crew would play cards, but unlike before where there were laughs and cheers, they played in silence. It wasn’t something they did for fun, its utility was only to pass the time and have a thing to do.

Lupus fell into this rhythm routine, that is everyone except Brigham. The captain had secluded himself in the captain’s quarters, formerly Mok’s quarters, and never left the room. He used to sleep with everyone else but now he had isolated himself. He didn’t speak, he didn’t do anything, he just sat in that room, staring silently through the small window at the cosmos. Lei Mei had knocked on his door to bring the captain some food since he wasn’t leaving the small room. He would take it but wouldn’t say a word. Lei Mei tried to offer some comfort but Brigham was inconsolably sad.