Traveller Vignette 016

“Strip to your underwear and place your hands in the restraints” the bored proctor told me. He buckled the leather straps around my wrists and a pulley raised them above my head.

The proctor picked up a tablet “OK, this is the legal bit”. He pressed a button and said “Matthias Vaughn, you have been convicted of possession of unlicensed combat drugs, an offence carrying a punishment of a 500 credit fine, 30 days in confinement or a level two physical chastisement. You have opted for the chastisement, but you have the right to change your mind before we begin. The chastisement should not cause permanent damage, but we cannot guarantee this. Do you understand these rights?”

He held the tablet out towards me, so its camera captured my face. “I understand my rights. I'll take the beating and get it over with” I said.

The proctor nodded, slid a rubber tongue protector into my mouth, and he and his colleague went to work on me with the rubber truncheons.

It was quick, efficient and impersonally brutal. They concentrated on the big muscle groups in my thighs and upper arms, scrupulously avoiding my head, joints and other dangerous areas.

Incongruously, they discussed tonight's sports match as they beat me. When they were done, they carefully released the pulley, and I collapsed to my knees while they undid my restraints; I couldn't stand.

They gave me a minute, then helped me to the chair to put my clothes on; I thanked god I'd had the foresight to wear sweatpants and a zip jacket. With unexpected thoughtfulness, the corridor to the exit had a handrail along the wall, the kind you see in old folks' homes. I wasn't ashamed to lean heavily on it as I limped out into the sunlight. I'd be sore for a week or more, but at least I could walk – just about – and I was out of custody, on my way to the starport and a ticket off this rock.


(Author's note - A planet's system of justice is often a good way to give it some character. This system uses physical punishment for minor offences, which is much cheaper than jail, and might not be any less effective, given the recidivism figures for modern prisons)



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