Utopia Colony, Farm 22, learning the truth…
“If everyone will find a seat, we can start.” Simon knew he had to explain about Sarita. The rumors and gossip were full of bad information. Most of his people believed that this meeting was about the move they would be making.
“I have much to explain to all of you about what happened this seven day, and I ask that you wait until I am finished before asking questions.” Simon wanted to keep Deirdre and Decoman from objecting before he had the whole story told. “Many of you noticed that we had a visitor from Amaurot this past week.”
Simon told them about Rita’s saving of her daughters and her own coming to the family Kearney. Many of the other women had related stories or knew of others from other families. He then told of how Tony had discovered his sister Rita was alive and living in Amaurot. When Rita visited and introduced her daughters to Tony, he learned of Sarita’s search for an anamcara. He and Rita suggested Sarita go with them back to Refugio to visit the family home with the possibility of finding a match for Sarita. There was a gasp from some of the women who had escaped from the Trade City. None of them could imagine being that desperate.
“You all know that Sarita is of age. She agreed to go because we had become aware that a family in the Assembly was trying to force a marriage with her because of her potential. This was a way to avoid it.” Simon knew how distasteful an arranged marriage was to most women of Utopia, so that element of the story would certainly build sympathy for Sarita.
“Unfortunately, a message was sent to the Population Office that Sarita was being forced to go to Refugio and it misstated her age. All this has resulted in attention from the inspectors of moving. We will have them here next week.” A groan rose from the gathered residents because the inspectors would make packing and moving even more difficult. This meant there would be more inspectors and more counting and more work to keep what they would want at the next location.
The common ownership of all physical property was a major requirement of the NeoUtopian Charter for the colony. Anything that was extra or unusual was taken to the central warehouse to be distributed to everyone. Or, as was more often the case, to be stored until someone saw it and claimed it. In a normal inspection, the common usage items like dishes and bedding were counted and the extra taken or more ordered. It depended on the size of the family moving to the farm. An easy inspection was quick and what was in your personal hamper was yours. This meant that keeping personal items was easy. What they faced now meant that subterfuge, if not outright lying would be needed to keep personal tool or clothing.
“Had that erroneous message not been sent, we might have managed to get by with just our usual, easy inspection and I apologize but we will manage. Now questions?”
Decoman rose and shook his fist at Simon. “You allowed a woman of immense power to leave this the family. You are not worthy to be our head, Simon Kearney! There are men in this family who were willing to partner with her and you allowed her to deny them. I insist we hold a vote of confidence by all and choose someone else to lead the family.”
He was met with outcries of both support and dismay, which Simon allowed. As the cries died down, Simon asked, “Are you calling for a formal vote, Decoman?” Simon hoped there were few who agreed with the discerner, but one could never be certain. It had been raised, so he had to at least do a roll call. The process resulted in just the outcome Simon expected. The move to call an election for a change of leadership failed. Simon moved back to taking questions.
Several of the women rose to ask if Sarita really knew what she was getting into by going back to Refugio. But others pointed out that Rita knew. Many of the women in Simon’s family were refugees from Refugio’s Trade City. One in particular had come to join them recently.
“She would have told her exactly how it is,’ Tamara said. “I lived with Sera Rita, and she grew up in Refugio and was glad to get away. But, if she sees a way to help Sarita, she will do it. Look at what she did to save her life.” Tamara speaking out seemed to end any discussion, so Simon turned the meeting over to Marianna to start planning the rotation packing.
***
The message demanding Simon’s presence in Amaurot came that afternoon. They gave him little time to travel to the city. The next message was from the inspectors, and as he had feared, they were sending extra inspectors “due to irregularities in operations.” He made the arrangements to catch an airship in the morning from the port near the Trade City. It was not going to be a pleasant visit, but he had to explain what had happened.
Should you want to read the whole story…
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