As the light dimmed in the field-hospital, the dying warrior
looked up, at the shadows that danced on the ceiling.
"The final degradation," he murmured.
"I'm sorry?" the human voice replied, "What was that?".
"What do you care?" the dying Mej said bitterly, "you
humans! I hope that when this war comes to its end, your
inferior race would be wiped out entirely. I doubted the
small-chief Ktang when he claimed you were so monstrous and
vile but now I can see he was right. Humans are as honorable
as rats".
The human shrugged. "I don't see why," he observed,
"Certainly you can see that you were wounded in battle that
was held honorably. And admit it, Mej, we did our best to
help you but simply we are not fitted to give medical
assistance to your race".
The Mej's trio of eyes turned towards the human. "That is
correct," he admitted, "my death holds no grievances. Your
reputation as an honorable commander is indeed in place. But
that doesn't matter. It is the defilement of my soul that
makes me bitter, human. Ah, but what would it matter to you?
When your kind dies, you don't need witnesses to prove that
you lived honorably. I die now human. There is no one here
who could stand by my bed in my last minutes and than speak
as my witness. You would send my corpse back to the tribes.
I will not be laid down among the warriors in the tombs of
the earth. My dishonorable remains would be burnt to ashes.
This is what makes me bitter".
The human's eyes trailed towards the ceiling. The Mej
wouldn't make it through the night, he knew. It was wounded
too badly. And there were no other Mej around to act as
witnesses. Mej don't fall captive easily. This was the
reason why he came to see the Mej before he dies. But now...
From the day he was born he was taught to fear and hate the
Mej. Those three-eyed green-furred biped felines. Those
Aliens. He was taught that the
kittens were inferior,
that their bloodlust drives into a century-long war with
humanity. He was taught that he was superior and that
victory was only a matter of time. But now, sitting next to
this dying Mej, Commander Brian Rhyms, the 'Rhino', had
other thoughts.
"They say that what you mock" he quoted, "will surely
overtake you. Then you become a monster, so that the monster
will not break you. Does it have to be like this, Mej? I
don't even know your name".
The Mej looked at Rhyms with amazement. "I am Kelna," he
said, "but soon enough I would be nothing but garbage
waiting to be incinerated".
"About the witness," even Rhyms didn't know why he asked,
"please, tell me more about this costume".
Kelna's eyes shut and he sighed. Bitterness filled his
voice. "The witness must be with the warrior when he dies.
After the death of the warrior, the witness tears his
clothing and wears nothing but a simple girdle colored red.
The witness must then carry the warrior's body, by foot and
without any help, to the closest city where a council of
elders convenes. While on the journey the witness must feed
upon nothing but Painbread - it is a sort of sour bread that
is not even half-baked - to demonstrate his belief in the
Warrior's honor - the Painbread may be nourishing but it
must have the vile taste of mourning. When the council
convenes, the witness must bring no less than five evidences
to the warrior's honor. Then the council decides whether the
warrior was indeed honorable or should he be condemned".
Something popped in the human's mind. "Does the witness have
to be a friend of the warrior?" he said, "or anyone would
do?".
Kelna's eyes rolled. "Any warrior could be the witness," he
said, impatiently, "After all, what greater feat of
friendship can there be? But why are you rubbing fleas into
my wounds, human?".
Rhyms shrugged. "Perhaps I could stand as your witness," he
offered. Something inside him told him that this is the
right thing to do.
Kelna didn't think that way. "You?" he nearly choked, "A
human as my witness?".
The human raised an eyebrow. "As you admitted," he said, "I
know a thing or two about honor. You did say that any
warrior could be a witness, right? Does it say anywhere that
the witness must be a Mej?".
Kelna looked at him with renewed interest. "You mean it,
don't you?" he said, "You really mean it!".
Rhyms nodded. "I think," he said, "that somewhere along this
war we forgot that we are not that much different. Tell me,
Kelna, will the other Mej allow me to do this?".
Kelna nodded weakly. "It is dishonorable to hurt a witness
before he attends to the council. You would stand as my
witness?".
Rhyms thought for a short moment. This war has lasted over a
century because people in both sides refused to think peace
is an option. This may open a way to... well maybe... he
nodded. "I will stand as your witness" he said.
Kelna died but a few minutes before midnight. He fell asleep
an hour before and simply
decreased from sleep to coma and
to the soft arms of death. He died relaxed. When the monitor
showed that he was undoubtedly dead, Rhyms stood up. In the
last hours he already gave the orders. A red girdle, nearly
too short to cover his loins, was set ready. After one last
look at the monitor he reached towards his combat knife and
tore away at his clothing. He cut off his shoes and soon
enough stood naked near the body of the Mej. He hastily put
on the girdle. His men looked at him in disbelief as he
shouldered a pack of hastily made Painbread. By his order,
the cook has kneaded the dough with Absinthe Water rather
than pure water. It wasn't even half-baked - the cook had
orders to throw it in the oven for no longer than two
minutes. Rhymes went as far as tasting this Painbread and
declared that if grief had a taste, it surely would be just
as vile. Barefoot, unarmed and nearly naked, Rhyms dragged
Kelna's body from the bed and down to a hastily built sled.
The Mej was too big to be carried by hand and Rhyms would
not defile his body by dragging it on the ground. He had a
long journey ahead - It would take no less than four days by
foot to get past the borders of the human enclave and into
Mej territory and then another two to reach the Mej city of
Frass.
By the second day of the journey, Rhymes' skin began to turn
red. His feet were sore and bloody from walking over gravel
and sun-baked dirt. The straps of the sled dug deep into his
skin, leaving angry marks on his shoulders. The horrible
Painbread left him with a constant sour taste in his mouth
and no matter how much water he drank, the taste would not
go away.
By noon of the fourth day of the journey, as he passed the
human Border Posts, Rhymes was limping, his feet constantly
bleeding. The soft skin of his feet was a map of cuts and
blisters. He limped with his back bent forward like an old
man, too weary to carry the burden of standing straight. The
strap marks on his shoulders blistered and the pain was
terrible. Ten times an hour he would stop and swear to turn
back and ask for any sweet beverage he can find. But each
time he just kept on going. Rhymes was known as the "Rhino"
for more than one reason and one of these reasons was his
sheer stubbornness. Behind his back, his men swore that if
ever the Rhino would go bashing his head against the wall,
he would keep going until the wall broke down, no matter the
cost. As he limped past the Border Post, he saw Mej warriors
eyeing him warily. Two of them, riding hoverbikes, came
forward, hands clutching their short squat-barreled Pulse
guns. Their hostile manner worried him but as they closed
and saw him, with nothing but the red girdle and carrying
the body of one of their comrades they stopped. He nodded
towards them and managed to murmur "I'm taking him to the
council in Frass". He half-expected them to laugh at the
idea but they nodded gravely and to his amazement stood
aside. One of them turned to his friends and growled an
order in Mejian. Rhymes was not truly surprised to see that
as he carried on they followed him at eye distance,
shadowing him suspiciously.
As evening crept, he took shelter on a rocky shelf. It was
cold but he decided against lighting a fire. The witness
must suffer as he carried his fallen comrade back home. Fire
would be a relief, a luxury. As he sat, biting small chunks
of his Painbread, one of his Mej shadows approached. Rhymes
recognized him as the one who gave the order to follow him.
The Mej warrior stood silently at a distance of a few
meters, his hand cradling his Pulse gun. Finally rhymes
could not stand the three-eyed stare and the awkward silence
anymore.
"Come sit," he said, "I'm afraid the only thing I can offer
is water and this Painbread but your welcomed to it if you'd
like".
The Mej stared at him, perplexed.
"Now," Rhymes shook his head, "surely you understand me. You
guys caught English far better than we managed with Mejian.
The name's Brian Rhymes".
The Mej took a step forward. "I have heard that name
before," he declared, "You are the one called the Rhino. I
am Sergeant Gobnar".
"Well met," Rhymes nodded.
"What are you doing, human?" asked Gobnar, "What is this?".
"What does it look like?" Rhymes shrugged, "Kelna has died
honorably. I come to stand as his Witness".
"His witness?" Gobnar's three-eyed gaze widened, "But you
are his enemy?".
"I suppose you are correct," Rhymes nodded, "But then, if
enemies can not honor each other, what kind of war is
this?"
"You would stand witness for your enemy?" Gobnar seemed
amazed, "The Mej swore to wipe out your kind and yet you
would honor one of us and stand as witness?".
"Humans swore to wipe out
your kind too, Gobnar," Rhymes
retorted, "but frankly, I've had enough of this war. I once
heard someone say that there is no peace ad there can be no
peace because there is no common ground between us. Well, if
there is no common ground, perhaps it's time to make one".
"You are aware of the fact that the laws defend you just
until Kelna's fate has been decided by the council," said
Gobnar, "When you start back, the Mej can take your life
with no remorse".
"So?" Rhymes shrugged, "all men must die. When Kelna stood
at the brink of death, his thoughts were all turned towards
the degradation of his death because there was no one to
stand witness for him. I couldn't let him die while
suffering such torment. I am a warrior, not a monster".
"Well said," Gobnar nodded, "You are as honorable as people
say you are. Death may find you on your way back, Rhino, but
it will not be by the hands of my men or myself. However, be
aware that the elders in the council are not as...
open-minded... as myself. They are old and thus rigid in
their stands. Like as not they will revile the idea of a
human standing witness".
"I'll take my chances," said Rhymes, "I won't break the
promise".
Gobnar shrugged. "I still find it hard to believe you do
this for an enemy" he said.
"Is he truly my enemy?" asked Rhymes, "I think not. I think
Kelna was my friend. After all, I am about to stand witness
for him. What greater feat of friendship can there be?".
"Well spoken, Rhino," Gobnar nodded, "I wish you success in
this ordeal".
With not another word he took his leave, rejoining his men.
Rhymes, exhausted and weak, lay down on the rocky shelf,
staring at the two moons of this alien planet.
It was noon of the fifth day when he first glimpsed the
walls of Frass. It seemed close but Rhymes knew that the
desert was playing tricks with his eyes. He would not reach
the gates before morning- no, in his weakened condition,
probably by noon of the next day. Gobnar and his squad kept
shadowing him as he advanced slowly, limping step by step.
Later that afternoon, his knees buckled. He fell to his
knees, panting heavily. His head sagged against his chest,
suddenly too heavy for his neck to carry. He stayed that way
for a few moments and then heard the soft humming of a
hoverbike approaching. Somewhere inside him, he found the
strength to lift his gaze and meet Gobnar's eyes.
"You are killing yourself, Rhino" said the Mej warrior.
"I'm just tired," gasped Rhymes, "I'll be ok in a few
moments".
"Let me help you carry him," said Gobnar, "you can hardly
carry your own body".
"No!" The Rhino lifted his head in a feat of sheer
stubbornness, "I am his witness. I can't accept any help. I
may be exhausted but it doesn't matter. The promise must be
kept".
"It does matter, human," Gobnar replied, "what do you need
this for? Leave it be. Kelna is nothing to you. My men are
already making bets as to how far you'd make before you fall
and die. Leave it be, Rhino. Give Kelna to me. You have
proven your honor and the strength of your spirit. As a
token of respect I will carry you to the closest Border Post
of your kind".
Rhymes thought of the offer. Riding on a hoverbike, having a
hot shower and a bed. The Post may have a medic to take care
of his feet and his shoulders. And the food... Rhymes could
almost taste the soft drinks and the hot supper. Maybe they
will even have ice-cream there. He could almost taste the
cold
sweetness of a bowl of ice-cream... mmm... vanilla
ice-cream with cream topping and two or three fresh
strawberries... just leave the body of this Mej here and...
"
NO!" The Rhino struggled back to his feet. He could see
Kelna's face in his mind. The Mej's tortured frown and then
how his face relaxed as he knew that there will be someone
to stand witness for him... "I gave a promise to a dying
man! I will not forsake it!".
He stood there, dizzied and weak and then took a step
forward.
Gobnar inclined his head gravely and returned to his men.
"One more step," the Rhino told himself, "and another. Step.
Step. Step. Not so far now. One more step and I'll stop for
rest. Another step. Step. Foot after foot. Step. Got to keep
moving. Step. Just a few more steps and then rest. Step.
Keep going. Step". His gaze was fixed on his feet as he
willed them forward, one step after the other. His head was
now too heavy and even if he wanted to, he could not lift
it. He was sure that somehow, Kelna's body gained weight
over the last night. It must have weighed a ton or so, by
the feeling of the straps on his shoulders. Funnily, his
feet and shoulders didn't hurt anymore. They've grown
comfortably numb. He kept going, step by step, forcing
himself to carry on. His body wanted nothing more than to
stop and rest but he knew that if he fell he would never
rise again.
"Rhino!"
Who's voice was that? Hawkly? No. Hawkly's not around.
Collins? Nah. None of his men was around.
"Rhino!"
That voice. Mej voice. Gobnar. Yes that's it. Gobnar.
Sergeant. And squad of men who bet how long it'd take him to
fall.
A paw caught his chin gently, lifting his head and
supporting it.
"Look, Rhino," said Gobnar, "You made it".
It took him a moment to focus his blurry gaze. Yes. He made
it. The gates of Frass stood there, before him.
Gobnar shouted something in Mejian. There was a creak of
hinges and then the gates swung open.
"Come, Rhino," Gobnar told him, "The council will convene".
With nothing but pride to keep his feet moving, Commander
Brian Rhymes, the Rhino, stepped forward and into the city
of Frass.
He walked slowly through the main street, his feet leaving a
bloody trail behind. Everywhere, perplexed Mej were standing
and staring and whispering is hushed voices. Some pointed
clawed paws towards him. One stepped forwards but one of
Gobnar's warriors moved forward and blocked the Mej.
"Don't you see," the warrior said, "an honorable witness
walks among us".
"Not far now, Rhino," said Gobnar who was now walking beside
him, "that big house - what was the word? Palace, yes? That
palace is the hall of the council. The Elders will see you
now".
The hall was crowded. The citizens of Frass all wanted to
see this event. The Five Elders gazed at Rhymes and Kelna's
body with unhidden hostility.
"A human?" said one of them, one that Rhymes thought to be
the council head, "what is this farce?".
"I've come to stand witness," said Rhymes.
"Obscene!" said Head, "a human to stand witness? That is
unheard of!".
"The law is that any warrior may stand witness," said
Rhymes, "do they say it has to be a Mej warrior?".
"No," admitted an elder, "perhaps they should, though..."
"This will not be debated now!" said Head, "the tradition
has been under enough strain already, what with making
amends for warriors killed in space and all that".
"If I may vouch," said Gobnar who was still standing by
Rhymes' side, "this is Brian Rhymes, the one known as the
Rhino. Even among us, we value this human's warrior's
honor".
"Does he meet the requirements, though?" said Head.
"I stood by Kelna as he died," said Rhymes, "I tore my
clothing and walked here barefoot with nothing but this red
girdle to my body. For six days and five nights I ate
nothing but this bread of pain and drank nothing but water.
I received no aid in this ordeal".
"You did not carry him," declared Head, "you used a...
sled!".
"I did," agreed Rhymes but that was not enough to force the
stubborn Rhino back, "but it is because I could not carry
him on my hands. Look at my back! Look what those straps did
to it. Isn't it proof enough to my dedication? The Sled was
more a torture than a help!".
"These scars may never heal," grumbled one of the Elders.
"But what of the Painbread?" asked Head, "show me the
Painbread".
Rhymes handed over the remains of the Painbread. The Elders
looked at it with horrified disgust.
"This is not Painbread!" declared Head.
"Is it not?" said the Rhino. After six days of living on
this torture, he was not willing to accept any other name
but Painbread for it. He'd feast on it for the rest of his
life before he'd let this ancient dry biscuit of a Mej turn
him down. His tone rose hotly as he said, "I do apologize
for not having the exact Mej recipe for Painbread but look
at it. Sniff it. Taste it. You will see that this is no less
a Painbread than your own".
The Elders gazed at the Painbread for a short moment and
then, one of them took it and took a bite. His reaction was
a spit. "Phooze!" he roared, "this is terrible! This is the
worst bread I have ever tasted! Our own warriors do not
suffer such terrible bread when standing witness! The bread
tastes of pain! It is a Painbread, I say".
Grudgingly, each of the four Elders took a bite. Head was
the only one who could actually swallow but even he seemed
ready to gag on it.
"It is Painbread," agreed the Elders.
"And yet," Head grumbled, "A human to stand witness?".
"What is going on?" Gobnar's voice rose and rang in the
hall, startling everyone, "
Is this what is to become of Mej
honor? This man, this
human has tore at his clothing at
the moment of Kelna's death. This
enemy of us, that we are
taught to despise, has walked on his bare feet on stone and
dirt and thorn! This human has not backed down even when
offered with the easy way out! This human has come here,
knowing that the council will shun his mere existence and
that once this is over his life is forfeit! This enemy,
which we are told is despicable and low as low can get,
shows us this feat of honor! Will the sons of the Great Cat
forget their honor? Will we bring shame upon us all by
turning him back?".
"The human is an enemy," said Head but his protest was
weak.
"Is he?" replied Gobnar, "no! He is not! Rhino is here to
stand witness for Kelna. Tell me now, sons and daughters of
the Great Cat,
what greater feat of friendship can there
be?".
The hall was silent for a long moment. Rhymes heard whispers
growing among the crowd. The Five Elders themselves
conversed in hushed voices and finally, Head stood up and
said, "The matter is agreed upon. Brothers and sisters! Hear
me! The body of a warrior is brought before the council! Who
will stand witness for Kelna?".
"Answer their questions," whispered Gobnar.
The Rhino took a step forward. "I am Brian Rhymes," he
called, "I will stand witness!".
"Have you been with Kelna as he died?" asked Head.
"I have!" said Rhymes.
"You have carried the body of Kelna here alone?" continued
Head.
"I have!" said Rhymes.
"You have carried him while moving on nothing but your bare
feet, feeding on nothing but the bread of pain?".
"I have!" replied Rhymes.
"You may stand witness!" said Head, "Tell us of Kelna. Was
he an honorable son of the Great Cat?".
"He was," said Rhymes, recalling the battle, "Kelna was a
great warrior. When his friends advanced, he took a place in
the first line where battle is fiercest and most dangerous.
When his friends fell around him, he stood his ground and
rallied them back into battle. When a medic came to evacuate
a wounded warrior, Kelna faced tanks and lasers alone to
give the medic ample time. When his friends retreated, Kelna
stood alone to prevent the enemy from chasing. When he fell
captive and lay dying in the hands of his enemy, Kelna still
mocked and cursed his enemy. Kelna was an honorable warrior,
fearing not pain nor death. Kelna lived and died in honor".
"The witness spoke," hummed an Elder.
"The tale was told," said another one.
"The evidence lays at our feet," said a third one.
"The council convenes," murmured the fourth.
"The council will decide!" said Head.
"The council will decide!" echoed the others.
"For feat of taking the first line," said one of them, "I
decree Kelna honorable".
"For feat of inspiring hope in his friends," said a second,
"I decree Kelna honorable".
"For feat of helping a wounded friend against terrible
odds," said the third, "I decree Kelna honorable".
"For feat of allowing his friends safe retreat at the cost
of his own life," said the fourth, "I decree Kelna
honorable".
Head remained silent for a short moment. Then a faint smile
took his lips. "For feat of mocking and cursing his enemy
even when facing his imminent death," he said, "I decree
Kelna honorable. The council has decreed!".
"The council has decreed!" the others echoed.
"Kelna was an honorable warrior!" said Head, "he is worthy
to be buried among the warriors and his spirit may rise to
sit beside the Great Cat himself. So it will be!".
"So it will be!" this time, the whole crowd echoed.
"You've done it," Gobnar patted the Rhino's shoulder,
"Kelna's spirit may lay in peace, Rhino".
Rhymes looked down at Kelna's body. The Mej warrior's face
was calm and still.
"I kept my promise," Rhymes thought, "lay in peace, Kelna".
His knees buckled and he collapsed.
Post Commander Kowalski stared as the lone Mej approached
the post. His men were clutching their Laser Rifles
nervously. The Mej walked forward, oblivious to the guns. He
was dressed funnily - nothing more than a red loincloth to
his body. Kowalski gaped in horror as he realized that the
Mej was cradling a human body.
"What are you doing here, Mej?" he called.
"I am Gobnar," replied the Mej, "I Come to bring the body of
my friend Brian Rhymes the Rhino for burial among your
warriors".
"Your...
friend???" asked Kowalski, perplexed.
"Of course," Gobnar nodded, "I come to stand as his witness.
What greater feat of friendship can there be?".
