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The Cohen Loop

Angie Mae, Part 2

copyright comidacomida 2019

Angie Mae had spent some time learning about Phin law and their legal system but she'd never expected to actually experience it first-hand. As the one of the aggrieved parties, she was made to accompany Jackson, who was both aggrieved and aggressor at once, and Roller, who was dubbed an aggressor. Despite the complexity of the situation, the Phins treated things in a very black-and-white manner.

The three were guided by three members of the Centre's security force, all large, filled-out Longos almost on the same level as Seraph. A small crowd formed behind the security detail, comprised almost exclusively of the other Tier Six students, but also a handful of faculty. It was turning into quite a spectacle, and Angie Mae wished fervently that it was all a bad dream that would disappear the next time she blinked. Sadly, it never did.

The crowd ultimately ended up in the Tier Six cafeteria, which had been hastily cleared and made-ready for the Phin version of justice. A place was made where the three main parties, Angie Mae, Roller, and Jackson would all be able to sit separately and by themselves. In Phin law there was no council or attorney to represent anyone; everyone represented themselves. Even so, a number of Phin legal professionals had joined the gathering. 'Lawers', as they were called, were a fairly new occupation among the Phin, and were so-named as a misunderstanding of the English term 'Lawyer'.

The 'judge' in the case, was known as a Peace-Bringer, as matters of civil law to Phin were referred to as 'peace violations', and it was the Peace-Bringer's task to settle things and restore the peace. The Album Peace-Bringer in attendance at the Centre was introduced by one of the security officers as Mindful Inspector, and he wasted no time in starting things off, speaking in the Phin language. "It is my understanding that we have a peace violation caused by attempted non-consensual sexual intercourse with Jackson Robberts as the initiator and Angie Mae Kline as the recipient. Further, there are claims of unwarranted assault by Jackson Robberts as the recipient and Roller as the initiator."

Angie Mae opened her mouth to speak but a quick echo pulse by Mindful Inspector silenced her as they carried with them the words "There will be an opportunity to speak when you are called upon."

A brief reiteration of the apparent situation was presented again in a factual manner. Mindful Inspector had the facts of the situation down very well but he didn't have much context. According to the Phin legal system, that was the entire reason for the hearing. As he concluded a rough retelling of the facts of the case he then turned to Angie Mae. "Angie Mae Kline, as you are the only non-aggressor in this case, I will hear from you first. You will provide your point of view of the events as it relates to accusations against both Jackson Robberts and Roller. Is this understood?"

She kept her answer simple. "Yes, sir."

"Then begin."

Angie Mae provided some of the perspective that was missing, keeping her gaze anywhere in the room but at Jackson; she knew she wouldn't be able to speak if she so much as looked at him. She explained that she and Jackson Robberts were romantically linked but she was not ready for any sexual activity. He forced himself on her and Roller intervened, protecting her. She finished with "If Roller hadn't forced Jackson off of me then I would have been... raped."

She knew enough of the Phin system of Peace-Bringing to know that the hearing wouldn't just end there, but some part deep inside of her wished it would. Once she had said her piece, Mindful Inspector merely issued a succinct double-chirp of acknowledgement before turning his attention to Jackson. "As both aggressor and aggrieved you have the option to speak next. You will provide your point of view of the events as it relates to the accusations against yourself and your accusations against Roller."

Jackson stood up, holding his side where he'd been rammed by Roller but he didn't appeared strained or stressed otherwise. He raised his voice theatrically as he announced "Mindful Inspector, I did nothing illegal when it came to my interactions with Angie Mae Kline. Not only was I within my rights as a citizen, but Roller had no cause to attack me or--"

Mindful Inspector's fluke slapped the water, silencing Jackson immediately. "Jackson Robberts, you are a student of the Unity Centre and are not a citizen. You are not afforded the Rights of Inclusion."

It took Angie Mae a moment to remember the significance of 'Rights of Inclusion', but if she recalled correctly it amounted to the ability for a Phin to force sex upon a Phin visiting from a foreign nation so long as he is willing to take responsibility for the resulting calf. Mindful Inspector shot down that objection justly, much to her relief; as members of the Unity Programme they were committed to follow Phin laws, but that aspect didn't apply to them... or so she thought.

Jackson didn't even blink. "I proclaim my Rights of Inclusion by the second stanza."

Unlike Human laws, Phin laws weren't written as such; they were presented as a song. Angie Mae fought to remember what the second stanza of the Rights of Inclusion were, but she was given a reminder when the Phins (and some of the Humans) in the room reacted in surprise. Mindful Inspector didn't so much as pause. "You have mated with a now-pregnant or calf-bearing Citizen? Who is the mother of your calf?"

The 20-something rapist smirked. "Oh... it isn't MY calf, Mindful Inspector. I had sex with her when she was already pregnant."

Angie Mae hadn't realized that Tailor and Striped Instructor were in the cafeteria as well, but the sudden commotion at the back drew her attention to the two Phins and the calf Tailor carried. In order to avoid interrupting the proceedings Striped Instructor was talking in a Human language and, although Angie Mae wasn't close enough to hear what was being said or specifically in what language, it didn't sound pleasant. It only got worse when Mindful Inspector called out in Phin. "Is this true, Tailor?"

She confirmed it in Phin, using a lilting tone of embarrassment. "It is true."

Jackson continued before anyone else had a chance to speak (other than the dull murmur that went through the crowd). "So, according to the second stanza of the Rights of Inclusion, I am a full citizen until Tailor is a male again. I have the capacity to provide for her and the calf, though I assume Striped Instructor will want to acknowledge the calf as his. By my Rights of Inclusion, Roller was not allowed to interfere unless he is a parent, child, or mate of Angie Mae Kline, and she told me on numerous occasions that--."

Mindful Inspector slapped his tail against the water again, silencing Jackson once more. "You do not need to recite the Rights; I know them, Jackson Robberts." Turning to Roller, he addressed the Longos. "And your statement?"

Roller remained seated and, although he spoke with a clear tone, he didn't bother looking up. "I was defending Angie Mae. She did not want to mate with Jackson Robberts, and among Humans that is considered not allowed. I did not know that Jackson Robberts was a citizen when I intervened."

Mindful Inspector let out a double-click in acknowledgement. "Then you acknowledge you were in the wrong."

The Longos finally looked up, an emotion far deeper than hatred in his gaze as he stared right at Jackson. "No... I wasn't. And even knowing that he's a citizen, I would do it again if he tried anything."

Another series of murmurs arose through the crowd, silenced by Mindful Inspector's fluke splash. "In light of this information, I am ready to address the situation and restore the peace. I will do so now unless there are any further statements to be offered by anyone within the assembly."

Angie Mae felt a nausea hit her as surely as a punch to the gut. There was no doubt about it; the intelligence and keen insight that had attracted her to Jackson meant that he was going to get away with what he'd tried to do and the kind, caring nature of Roller was going to mean that he'd be doomed to whatever penalty was levied against him.

She closed her eyes, insides clenching tightly as she began to think of what might happen if she were to return to her room with Jackson following. No... that wouldn't happen-- not when she knew how much of a slime-ball he was. Someone would do something. Her friends would help her... wouldn't they? Could they?

As it turned out, they could. Greg slammed his hand against the water. "Mindful Inspector, I would like to question the validity of Jackson Robbert's citizenship."

The Peace-Bringer turned to Greg. "Gregory Brown, you are acknowledged in your challenge, but it has already been determined that he meets the criteria as a temporary citizen despite.... dubious circumstances."

The tone Mindful Inspector used at the end of his statement gave Angie Mae the impression that the Album didn't much care for Jackson's game but she also knew that, as Peace-Bringer, the Phin would have to be impartial. She fervently hoped that Greg had something in mind. He did. "Jackson is not physically fit, so the second stanza doesn't apply due to fourth stanza-- if a prospective father is not capable of being a fit citizen then he cannot claim the Right of Inclusion. He should be made to be tested 'at depth'."

If Phins could smile, Angie Mae was certain that Mindful Inspector was doing that. Jackson, on the other hand, interrupted the proceedings. "Fit? I'm fit! And what 'fourth stanza'? I'm a citizen, and I--"

He was silenced by Mindful Inspector slamming the water with his tail. "This hearing acknowledged Gregory Brown's assessment and will take into consideration his request for an 'at depth' test of Jackson Robbert's physical fitness. Jackson Robberts will be brought down to 100 meters where he will remain for five minutes without breathing device to confirm once and for all whether he is a fit Phin, capable of the minimum level of health for daily activity."

For the first time all night, Jackson looked shaken, and, when he spoke, Angie Mae noticed that his accent was even stronger than usual; it was a sure sign that he'd been unbalanced by the change in conversation. "Eish, I can't hold my breath for five minutes, let alone at 100 meters! Are you mal?"

Swimmer interjected, a decidedly condescending tone coming from her as she glared daggers at him. "Well, you're the one who wanted to follow Phin law so now you'll have to follow Phin law, Robberts."

Mindful Inspector splashed the water with his tail. "Interruptions to the proceedings will not be permitted. If you click out of turn again, Swimmer, you will be told to leave."

Coaster took hold of Swimmer's hand and slowly shook her head; the two of them remained quiet. Jackson's eyes returned to Mindful Inspector and, Angie Mae noticed, his accent became much more mild as he worked to compose himself. "Mindful Inspector, most Humans cannot hold their breath for five minutes. I AM physically fit, and there is no reason to think that I--"

The Peace-Bringer wasn't having any of it. "Jackson Robberts, you have elected to protect your rights under Phin Law, thus you will be subjected to the same restrictions imposed therein... unless you wish to revise your statement, in which this hearing will revise it ruling-- otherwise, we will proceed with an 'at depth' testing to determine--"

Jackson blurted out his follow-up before Mindful Insepctor could finish his statement. "That's a death sentence!"

Out of the corner of her eye, Angie Mae could make out the faintest start of a movement from the area of the cafeteria where her friends were gathered; several of them looked as though they were about to say something but one glance from Mindful Inspector was enough to keep them silent. Returning his gaze to Jackson, the Album noted "You were not given leave to speak at that moment Jackson Robberts, but I will consider your statement an admission that you do not wish protection as a citizen. Is this correct?"

The college student scowled deeply, crossing his arms over his chest as he practically spat out the worlds. "Yes! I don't believe this... you're making me choose between death or getting fucked over by a technicality."

Mindful Inspector slapped his fluke against the water. "Considering the revised stance of Jackson Robberts, I will now make my ruling but, before I do so, I wish to point out a Human paraphrase of a line in one of your religious texts... 'Live by the sword, die by the sword.'. If you wish to attempt to have your way in the world by using technicalities to evade rightful and ethical behavior then you should not be spiteful when you realize that you are not as wiley as you believe yourself to be, and one such technicality comes back to bite you in your tail."

It was neither an impartial nor as professional a statement as Angie Mae had expected, making her wonder if, perhaps, Mindful Inspector had a sense of humor, or if maybe he just liked seeing assholes get their just desserts; for her, it was more of number two. As the proceeding continued, the Peace-Bringer announced that Jackson Robberts would not be attending classes at Station Zero. Although he did technically graduate from the Unity Programme, he would be returned to Land Earth without merit and would not be permitted back to Water Earth without special certification.

In Angie Mae's mind, it was far too light of a sentence but, then again, considering how much work went into schooling in the Programme, it was damaging enough. Jackson's thoughts on the matter remained a mystery, as his stoic expression had returned and he didn't say a single thing through the 'sentencing'. Mindful Inspector concluded the discussion on Jackson with a simple statement "You are to return to your quarters and will remain there until representatives from Land Earth come to collect you. They will be informed of your transgressions here and, should Human authorities elect to press the issue, I will leave that decision up to them."

Not having realized that she'd been holding her breath, Angie Mae finally exhaled. A great amount of weight had been lifted from her shoulders and, though nothing could be done to erase the experience of what she'd endured from her mind, at least it helped knowing that Jackson wasn't about to get away with anything, or possibly expose someone else to his aggressions in the future.

In addition to the minor victory being celebrated in her head, Angie Mae was pleased to hear a similar positive murmur spread throughout the gathered audience. It embarrassed her, of course, to have this personal event publicized, but the support she was receiving from her friends tempered it, just a little. That mitigated contentment was challenged however when Mindful Inspector continued. "Now... as to the matter of Roller..."

Angie Mae was still tense from the proceedings so she hadn't had the opportunity to relax, but that sudden statement was enough to make it even worse. Even so, Roller addressed Mindful Inspector in a clear and confident tone. "Since Jackson Robberts had no protection under the 'Rights of Inclusion', I ask that you conclude the hearing in my favor. I have done nothing wrong."

The Peace-Bringer clicked to the negative, and the already growing pit in Angie Mae's stomach grew deeper. The Album addressed the gathering as a whole. "All Phin students received the same briefing as it pertains to causing blatant, purposeful, physical harm to a Human student and, while I can accept his reasoning behind it, Roller has still broken his primary agreement as it pertains to his presence within the Programme."

A series of murmurs, clicks, and chirps arose from the gathering. Mindful Inspector slapped his fluke against the water, silencing everyone... except Roller. "I couldn't sit by and let him hurt her!"

The Peace-Bringer's expression remained neutral but his Phin words held the distinct tone of sympathy. "And I am not faulting you for your reasoning, Roller... I could only hope that anyone seeing someone in distress would come to help but the issue remains that you caused harm to a Human and, by your own admission, would do so again."

Roller opened his beak to address the statement, but Angie Mae spoke up before he could. "Roller was PROTECTING me! He's not a criminal, he's a hero, and you--"

She cut herself short when Mindful Inspector slammed his tail into the water. His trill took on a much less understanding tone. "It is not your place to tell me my decision, Angie Mae Kline... and, to that effect, there is no need for further discussion. I will permit Roller's Pod to be present for his settlement, but the rest of this gathering will now disburse. Stalwart Servitor, please show Mr. Jackson Robberts back to his apartment. Except for those staying for Roller's settlement, everyone may now depart."

Angie Mae went to object again, but Max reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder. It was a gesture of support but, at the same time, it knocked her out of her reactionary loop that could likely have gotten her in trouble; Mindful Inspector had been exceedingly lenient with all of the numerous interruptions, but his patience would obviously have limits. Closing her eyes and letting out a deep breath, she simply waited as a third of the audience disappeared; one of the security Longos that had escorted her left with Jackson in tow.

Once the doors closed behind the last departures the remaining security officers moved to stand in front of them, seeing to it that they wouldn't be further disturbed. Only then did Mindful Inspector continue, but he switched over to English. "The listed punishment for breaking the Phin's primary agreement in the Programme of harming no Humans is immediate termination of affiliation followed by emigration to Deep Flow outpost where no Humans are to be found..." Angie Mae and any number of her friends were ready to object, but the Peace-Bringer beat them to it with a very loud, very forceful "BUT..."

Only when he was sure everyone would remain silent, did he continue. "Considering the circumstances, peace would not be restored if this sentence were to be issued. Even so, there was a break in the peace when Roller went against the primary agreement, thus a penalty must be levied. While you are not in the wrong for protecting a friend and Pod member, your use of extreme force against a Human cannot be overlooked. I will, however, modify the sentencing prescribed for this transgression and show the leniency due to you. Roller, as of now, you are discharged from the Unity Programme and the offer for you to join your classmates at Station Zero is rescinded."

A murmur began to form from the smaller audience but Mindful Inspector spoke over them. "I will schedule a secondary review for you and, if you pass all assessments, you will have my recommendation for admission into the Unity Academy on Land Earth. While I cannot condone the potential for damage your rash actions could have caused Phin/Human relations, I also cannot sacrifice the good your participation to the cause may yet provide. You will be taken to a holding room for the night and, in the morning you will depart on a skiff set for the northern port before redirecting to an interview site at B72. Good luck with this opportunity."

With nothing more to say, Mindful Inspector stood and walked out. Angie Mae remained were she was stunned beyond words. Off to her right she heard Roller talking quietly with the rest of their Pod, reassuring everything that it was a second chance and that everything was okay, but Angie Mae couldn't escape the feeling that everything was NOT okay; the Peace-Bringer had just told Roller that he could not go to Station Zero with his friends-- with her. In her mind, she had just lost her second partner.

* * * * * *

Angie Mae spent most of the night laying on her sleep shelf, staring at the ceiling and crying. Roller was gone, and, as she obsessed over her last few minutes in the cafeteria, she realized that she had been so caught up in the future that she hadn't said a word to him. One of the security officers took him away, and all she had managed was a glance his way. In a show of his everlasting encouragement, he said only "Keep being you."

She had slept at some point, but when she awoke it was still early, and she found herself crying again. It had taken her a long time to warm up to the idea of a new partner and, while she'd been told that Human/Phin partnerships weren't required at Station Zero she still felt as though she was a disadvantage; half of her was missing. It was hard to think how stand-offish she had been at the beginning of their relationship but if she could go back and change her past self she wouldn't have hesitated-- not for a moment.

With regrets and failures still on her mind, Angie Mae started her day early, packing everything that she hadn't already put away, carefully stowing the last of her personal effects before sealing up her luggage. Roller's gear had already been stowed and it sat, carefully piled by the door except for a single case which had apparently been knocked off of the top by Jackson when he'd fled the room the prior night. The memory of the event came back full force like jumping into an icy pond for her and Angie Mae slipped to the floor, holding herself as she shivered.

It took almost an hour before she regained enough composure to stand, and, even then, she didn't dare glance back at the living area where she knew the sofa upon which she was almost raped still sat. Angie Mae didn't know what would happen to Jackson or to Roller, but she didn't care about the former-- not anymore. Pausing at the doorway, she reached a hand down and dragged her fingers across Roller's carrying cases, fervently wishing she would have one more chance to say goodbye. In the end, she grabbed his data pad, which was still on the counter, and quickly inputted a farewell message. Still blurry from tears, she wiped her eyes before placing it on the top of the pile, and then exited into the hall.

Unlike their arrival on Water Earth's Unity Centre, the students heading to Station Zero weren't bording skiffs at the top of the structure. Following directions that had been provided to her at the 'graduation party', she went to the tube and traveled down. It wasn't a long walk to the docking bay, but it felt like it, especially since she trudged through the water, all alone. Still early for the departure, Angie Mae made the trip without any company and arrived without the rest of her Pod. She was surprised, however, to see that the submerged docking bay was not empty.

A large number of dock workers were present, as was to be expected. While one out of every four of them appeared to be Human, there were at least as many Amplus and, much to Angie Mae's surprise, there were a few Tikk! It was strange to see the white Phins meandering about in the company of others, perfectly at peace, even clicking and chirping in humor with their fellow coworkers.

It had taken time for her to come to understand that Tikk's apparent hatred of Humans and the Programme was a diplomatic ploy to give Humans an 'us versus them' mentality that were so desperately needed by politicians and, if she thought about it, the whole situation seemed eerily similar-- almost a contrived mirroring to some of the less-Programme-friendly countries on Land Earth. The longer she considered it the less she considered it a coincidence.

A voice speaking from behind her and to the right pulled her out of her musings. "You're early, Ms. Kline."

It only took a second for Angie Mae to recognize the voice, and she spun around to look at the speaker, a man who had to have been in his late 60s, but had the unabashed, childlike smile of someone less than half his age. Nathan Cohen wore a wetsuit, but it was unlike she'd seen as part of the Programme. However, other than that he was completely unspectacular in appearance: graying brown hair, medium build and slightly below average height, but he also had a welcoming demeanor that challenged her to not like him.

The main thing on her mind is what made it to her mouth. "Roller... won't be joining me at Station Zero, Dr. Cohen."

The older man's entire expression melted away immediately and even the way he carried himself immediately exuded empathy as he joined her in her sorrow. Nodding slowly, he simply said "I heard, Ms. Kline. I cannot begin to imagine what it is like for you to go through this, but you have my condolences."

She appreciated his comforting words, but she couldn't let things rest there. "Can... you do anything?"

He took a step closer; at first she thought he was going to reach out and rest an arm on her shoulder, but he didn't. Waiting until she looked up to meet his gaze, the shared-sorrow left him and was replaced with a demeanor that spoke volumes more than his three words. "I already have."

"W-will he be--"

Nathan's interruption was neither forceful nor insistent yet, when he began speaking over her she couldn't help but let him take control over the conversation. "The Peace-Bringer assigned to the hearing was appointed by me. In a case such as this, the more conservative option would have been to send Roller to Water Earth's Academy, but that would have been a waste of his talents and of an opportunity. I have already prepared a message to go with Roller to the Academy on Land Earth."

Angie Mae finally felt her tears stop, but it was a moment before she managed to gain enough confidence in her voice to speak without it breaking. "Will... Roller be able to make it to Station Zero?"

The man's smile was reassuring in much the same way as a parent's. "Please believe me when I say that I have full faith and confidence that, given time and patience, the two of you will be reunited at Station Zero."

Although she hadn't planned it, and had no idea where the action came from, she found herself with her arms thrown around Nathan Cohen as she hugged him tight. She once heard that people should never meet their idols, but in the exceedingly short time she had been in her presence she couldn't help but think that there was no way she could survive the morning without him. "Thank you... thank you... thank you."

Slowly returning the embrace, he gave her one in return, just strong enough and long enough to be heartfelt but not so long as to be inappropriate or suffocating. Once they disengaged he pushed her back to arm's length before offering a much more jovial, much more friendly smile. "Now, young lady... perhaps we should discuss more about YOU... we don't want you to get too far behind before his return, now do we?"

She actually managed a half-laugh at that and, rubbing the lingering remnants of tears from her cheeks she shook her head. "No... no we don't."

Glancing back to a Tikk dock worker, Nathan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, dark-colored plastic box, and held it to his throat. The next thing that happened blew Angie Mae away: addressing the Tikk in perfect Phin, the older Human called to him "Civil Loader, I'd like to introduce you to one of the new Station Zero students."

The white colored Phin put down an air tank and came over immediately, speaking Phin as well-- except for the Human names, of course. "Is this Angie Mae Kline or Charlice Brenner, Mother?"

Before Angie Mae had a chance to speak for herself, or question the parentage word choice the Phin chose, Nathan put the plastic box in her hand before addressing the Tik. "She speaks Phin, Ken... go ahead and ask her."

The dock worker managed just enough of a movement to his facial muscles to do a decent job of imitating a smile, speaking in Phin. "Hello, new student. I am Civil-Loader..." he then switched to Engish. "But among Humans, my name is Kenneth Cohen. I am one of Doctor Cohen's sons.... and you are?"

Angie Mae glanced to Nathan, who smiled, and motioned to the black box and then his neck. Tentatively holding the device up to her throat, creating all sorts of distorted sounds as she replied "Hello, Civ--"

Nathan interrupted her. "Try it in Phin."

Trusting Dr Cohen, she attempted to imitate the sounds of the Phin language and, despite dozens of different ways her vocal cords weren't situated to it, the black box somehow made it work out. "Hello, Civil Loader. I am pleased to meet you. My name is--" her name came out all garbled, so, blushing, she pulled the device away from her throat before adding "--Angie Mae Kline."

With both Cohens, Human and Phin smiling, she felt just a little more at-ease. Things were changing, that much she knew, but, for once, she didn't mind the thought of what surprises yet awaited... which was good, because there were plenty to come.