The village gate opened and the people began filing out, weeping bitterly. The women parted from their men, and went off to the side. Some of them, however, stayed with the men.
"Why aren't these women going with the others?" Samuel asked.
"You ordered that all that took part in the massacre be presented to die," the chieftian answered. "These women took part in the massacre. They fought beside their men for the honor of their village."
"I see!" Samuel answered. "Very well. Your wife seems less talkative now."
"She can't speak," the chieftain answered, "her father broke her jaw!"
Samuel stared at him for a moment then screamed "Medic!"
A young man quickly ran up. "Yes sir?" he asked.
"That woman's jaw is broken," Samuel explained. "See to her comfort. Something for her pain until this is over."
The medic quickly went to work. The chieftain stared at Samuel for a moment then remarked, "Thank you!" Samuel only nodded in response.
"These men will take your statements," Samuel explained. "Don't be TOO long. The quicker we get this over with, the better for all. Just be truthful. The others will be questioned later."
One of Samuel's men came up. "We've found the young man who hid the girls," he commented. "He asks to be executed with the others. What should we do?"
"Separate him," Samuel ordered. "He is to be released. For his sake I'll reduce the count against his people by one hundred, because there was one honorable man among them."
The soldier nodded and hurried off. It took about a half an hour to get the statements. Finally they were ready. The prisoners were lined up, the chieftain and his wife first in line.
The executioner looked to Samuel. "Shall we begin?" he asked.
"Commence!" Samuel ordered.
"It is easy, isn't it," the chieftain remarked, "to order others to kill, but it is not so easy to dirty your own hands."
Solassie raised his hand as if to strike, but Samuel seized it. He turned to the executioner and held out his hand.
"How does this thing work?" he asked. "Just press it to their arm," the executioner explained, "and pull the trigger."
Samuel put the injector to the chieftain's arm, and pulled the trigger, motioned him on, and then did his wife. After she joined him the chieftain nodded to Samuel and with his wife was led away. They were laid down in the body bags. The drug worked quickly. They were pronounced dead, the body bags were zipped up, loaded on a waiting truck, and fresh ones were brought. Samuel continued until the injector buzzed. "What's that?" he asked the executioner.
"You're dry," the executioner answered. "There's only twenty five doeses in a bottle. The injector must be reloaded."
"Do so!" Samuel ordered.
"I will take it now," Solassie announced. Samuel looked at him in bewilderment.
"It must be understood," the Somali explained, "that this is a Somalian action as well. We thought this maddness behind us. We must make sure no one ever considers it again, that they know that if they do they will pay the price. It will not be tolerated. Those that die, die to make the world understand that the Somali people aren't going to kill each other any more." Samuel nodded to the executioner. Kosh came up and took the injector on the other line, after them Dorma took a turn. After that the executioner finished the rest.
Finally it was done. Samuel stayed long enough to make sure everybody was secure. Kosh's people would take over the village. Solassie put up no objection. As Samuel was headed for his car one of his fighting people ran up and handed him a message.
"What is it?" Kosh asked, standing nearby.
"An alert," Samuel answered. "The Princes Of The Emerites have been seized. It seems they were holding two Republic women captive. Our forces are going in to bring them out. All sectors are being warned to be ready for trouble."
"Are they idiots?" Kosh asked.
The situation with The Emerites was tense for some time. The French and The Americans got involved. The French had one of their finest warships destroyed when they tried to interfere. The Americans, after some tense moments, had the common sense to back off, though it was close, VERY close.
Things quieted down . One day Major Joseph appeared in Samuel's office. "You are responsible for the Indian women," the major remarked nervously. "I would be most interested in asking one to become my wife. She is already good friends with my other wife. May I have your permission to do so?"
"She must complete her tour of duty," Samuel explained. "But I think you and the Warlock would make an excellent couple! CERTAINLY you may ask her. I sincerely hope she accepts. Of course I can make no recommendations to her. The decision must be hers alone."
"Of course!" the major agreed, "of course! I would want nothing else. Samuel smiled as he hurried off. A few days later Gandhi entered his office.

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