"Heresy is merely a statement that contradicts the beliefs that unify a people. In itself, it is harmless. It is only when such a statement is made by an authority that it becomes disruptive. And it is only a crime if that authority has made such a statement without the consent of the leaders. Among the humans, strict adherence to obsolete beliefs is invariably challenged by renegade teachers, heretics." The Grand Defender, an alien Frendsikeel attorney who looked like an armored sea otter to the humans, was speaking by tapping her whiskers on the bony part of her mouth. A servo diligently translated what she said into audible English and presented half a dozen captions as holograms for the assembled alien creatures witnessing the interplanetary trial. Grand Defender Osowl Fitten continued with her dispassionate opening speech.
"The humans were aware of the religious beliefs of the Beebee, and cooperated in scientific exchange, which the Beebee enjoyed the benefits of, as the humans offered them many gifts of energy, medicine and engineering. Human teachers live so long compared to Beebee, that they eventually became the basis of the Beebee education system. It was human uplift that is attributed to Beebee ascent, and it was accomplished in only a few generations of humans, who are naturally affectionate towards Beebee, and willingly live among Beebee and contribute to the well-being of Beebee society. Until the incident in question, humans caused no disruption in Beebee society. It was only when Beebee beliefs became an obstacle to their own ascent that the humans modified the curriculum and taught them that science and religious beliefs were not, from that point on, compatible. The humans made a decision for the benefit of Beebee, and should be allowed to continue to do so."
The humans, all of them teachers who were born and raised on Solar BX2, also known as Beebee Prime, applauded quietly and had expressions of relief and approval. Osowl noted their reaction, but worried this was not going to go well. For once in her career, Osowl Fitten did not think this case could be won. Religion was a very challenging conflict to resolve, as it was against the policy of the Cave Gods And Friends Association which had stood as a galactic authority for thousands of ages. Rarely could one legally dismiss religious beliefs in favor of a defense ruling.
The humans could not tell by the countenance of the three Cave Gods present. One look showed they were not going to make an exception for the human offenders. Osowl had studied human psychology extensively and knew that to the humans, the aliens each had a nickname based on their anthropomorphic appearance. Muribgraxians are called sky whales, Beebee are known as cats, Sunder as snake-lizards, and the revered Cave Gods as fat bats. This was significant if it was considered how humans naturally felt about such creatures, having an affinity for their closest neighbors and something like revulsion for uglier aliens.
Osowl sighed and went into detail for the court, explaining this peculiarity of the human mind. She looked at the tribunal of Cave God authorities, whom she had just described as hideous to the humans. They could not look more annoyed or offended before they would disguise their reactions with an act of indifference. Osowl sat down near the defenders and whispered to them directly in unaccented English, her voice sounding a lot like Park Eun-Bin:
"Do not display such confidence, at this stage, it seems disrespectful. Your reactions are not assisting me in convincing the jury you acted on behalf of the plaintiff."
The humans folded their hands in their laps and sat quietly, listening to the Grand Defender's instruction.
Osowl Fitten cringed, her whiskers going jagged like lightning bolts when she heard the voice of her opponent in the Beebee Prime courtroom. She looked up to see the untimely arrival, having opted to be absent during the opening speech of the defense, as was permissible. It showed supreme confidence to enter only after the defense has spoken, and it is regarded as allowing the defense to have an advantage, as the proceedings are known only to those present until after the trial. Osowl tried to display that she was not ruffled by the presence of the indomitable Exalted Inquisitor Eshka Leyanna. The Sunder spoke in her own language, disregarding the formality of using the language of the defense or the plaintiff. Because of this choice, and the lack of captions in English, the humans were unaware of what she said about them.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, wise peers, benevolent and dutiful teachers, please consider the nature of wrongdoing against the innocent Beebee peoples. Look upon these humans who were allowed into our sacred proceeding to gaze upon the faces of the devout Cave Gods, who have discovered the human soul. This trial is not about violence or theft like previous situations involving humans were, but rather a deeper, more spiritual wound. In some ways, this is their most gruesome crime so far. The Sunder administration has granted me the authority to promise that preparations are already made that will be used to sterilize the humans on Beebee Prime both physically and mentally, allowing the Beebee to recover and continue and causing the least amount of disturbance to them, as they will be able to gradually say goodbye to the humans and return to their own path of ascent. Of course, as always, the Sunder administration is waiting for approval from these proceedings before applying the consequences. It is your wisdom that shall be turned into actions. Ave."
The trial had many facts to be considered about the structure of Beebee religious beliefs and the responsibility of the humans who had become integrated into Beebee society. The advancement of the Beebee, from a protracted copper age to the first stages of dependent ascent, was regarded as legal uplift, that had not caused any harm to the Beebee or resulted in their exploitation. It was generally agreed the humans just found the Beebee to be adorable and enjoyed living on what they called "Cat World". Constantly making improvements for the Beebee was the theme of the human activities. Everything was commendable up to the point when the humans began to teach the Beebee that curiosity and scientific discovery were not a sin and encouraged Beebee to become scientists and discover the truth of their world for themselves. This was met with the collapse of the Beebee education system and expulsion of the humans from the schools and the intervention of Cave Gods And Friends Association, concerned for the future of the Beebee people.
A recess was taken, while the Cave Gods relaxed, and the jury discussed the verdict. Osowl Fitten sat staring where her humans had sat, worried that at the height of their goodness, while showing just how beneficial they could be, they had made an innocent mistake which they would pay a heavy price for. All their achievements on Beebee Prime would be reset to zero and their progress towards joining the Cave Gods And Friends Association would be significantly compromised. It was possible that this would be the turning point, and that Sunder administration would finally get to deploy one of their seemingly endless preparations to deal specifically with humans. It would set a bad precedent, allowing the Sunder to treat humans like an infestation instead of an ascended species.
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"We meet again, Grand Defender. This time, there is no reason for a trial of reconsideration. You prefer to present your best facts after I've already won. How you snatch defeat from the jaws of victory reminds me of how your species used to feed, during your evolution." Eshka Layenna had silently slithered up behind Osowl and begun speaking without initiating a private conversation. Her disregard for ordinary manners, her choice of words and her mention of evolution were all meant to distract Osowl, who was renowned for having an especially slow mental process, even for her species the Frendsikeel. Her opponent, the Exalted Inquisitor Eshka Leyanna, was resorting to such dishonorable tactics because she was secretly intimidated by the Grand Defender, who had never lost a case since achieving the highest rank of defense. During her career, it was very rare for Osowl to lose an argument, yet it was almost always after all of the facts were presented that Osowl found some technicality that was overlooked by quicker minds.
"I don't want to listen to you. I am thinking." Osowl told Eshka, hissing in the alien's own language.
"Yet I speak freely. I say you must accept you have lost this case. Stop trying to think of some technicality. There isn't one, this time. You did well, no other defender was willing to accept this assignment. I heard you volunteered. Shows how much you love these creatures." Eshka trolled, her frill partially raised, and her eyes narrowed, recalling how Osowl had humiliated her and the Sunder administration on Muribgrax.
Osowl responded with deliberately good manners and kept her eyes closed as she replied: "If you have finished speaking freely, I will continue my thoughts while enjoying silence."
"Have your silence but think about what I have said. They had to ask for volunteers, nobody wanted this total defeat on their career. You chose to be here." Eshka's frill relaxed by degrees, and she raised her eyelids, feeling like she had surpassed her rival. It was a good feeling, to be right. It made what happened on Muribgrax easier to remember.
Osowl did think about it and realized that the humans had taught and made improvements without formal payment from the Beebee, who had a currency. In-fact, it was considered a sin to deny a worker proper compensation or to deliver less than what was paid for. Among Beebee, repeated offenses of such exploitation were regarded as such a terrible sin that when someone in Beebee society was marked with such an accusation, they were socially ostracized until they had no money left, which changed their status to the revered poor. It was this dearth of consecrated wealth that gave humans such a high status among their diminutive hosts.
As volunteers, they were not subject to Beebee prosecution.
"They are volunteering. Humans have not financially benefitted from their employment on Beebee Prime. They are not subject to Beebee laws regarding the conduct of workers. The teachers are volunteers, and therefore they can only be dismissed. But if the humans are dismissed during their duties, they are still due any resources that were granted them for the purpose of their visit. In this case, all the food, habitats, energy, trade and relationships between Beebee and humans must remain intact. Therefore, the humans cannot be mentally sterilized, as this would prevent them from fulfilling their relationships with Beebee. Since the humans are not acting as a colony, there is no reason to prevent them from reproducing, so there is no reason to sterilize them that way either."
"You are right." Eshka said smoothly. "But how do you think you will convince the jury and the tribunal - who are already offended by these proceedings - that they have made a mistake and should reverse the verdict they will come out with in a few moments?"
"I will do no such thing. You are also right, Exalted Inquisitor." Osowl stated plainly but gave no clue as to what she had in mind. Her apparent cooperation had Eshka on edge, worried at the Grand Defender's ploy.
When the members of the audience were seated, they were asked to rise from their seats as the tribunal entered. After a formal wait the jury was allowed in and their representative, a Sunder, was asked if they had arrived at a verdict and recommendation. Osowl felt Eshka looking at her, if Osowl was going to interrupt, she was running out of time. Osowl casually turned and looked at the humans.
"When the juror speaks, it is time for you to show how happy you are. This courtroom exists so that the Beebee are guaranteed the best outcome of this conflict of interests. I assure you; whatever decision was made was made in their favor. Please demonstrate your approval when the words are spoken."
The juror found them guilty and recommended the Sunder administration be allowed to deploy their most recent preparations for dealing with humans. Eshka had a smirk on her face that Osowl noticed. Another Sunder might not even have noticed, but Osowl was no Sunder. Very little escaped her flax-colored eyes.
The humans got up behind her and cheered and laughed and hugged each other, believing Osowl's clever ruse. Guile was not normal for Osowl, but she considered her change of tactics to be the appropriate response to the Sunders' manipulation of the courtroom. She was merely adapting.
"What are they doing? Order in the court!" the tribunal ordered. Then the scowls on their faces began to melt. When the humans had sat back down, smiling and giggling, the tribunal were whispering to each other, their angry scowls replaced with touched expressions.
"We have heard and understood the verdict and recommendation. However, we would like to hear the response of the humans once more. Please compel your clients to repeat that sound."
"They want you to demonstrate how you feel about the Beebee once more." Osowl told the gathered human teachers. The humans got up and resumed their enthusiasm, more as a reenactment, but only Osowl picked up the subtle difference.
The Cave Gods had closed their eyes, absorbing the sound of the laughter. One of them said quietly: "Just once more, please."
The humans obliged, forcing themselves to laugh a little more. Osowl looked at Eshka, who looked quite humiliated again. Osowl wanted to apologize to her but realized it would be interpreted as a sign of dominance by the Sunder Exalted Inquisitor. Osowl had no interest in offending her esteemed opponent, so she said nothing and stopped looking at her.
The tribunal had whispered some more and unanimously agreed on something:
"The humans love the Beebee and the Beebee love the humans. It is best if they are allowed to find their own path together, without further intervention by the Sunder or any of our friends. Let us leave them in peace."
When the courtroom was empty, Eshka reluctantly complimented her opponent, but only so she could add:
"You cheated, you tricked the humans and made them think they had won."
Osowl gurgled a laugh of her own: "I merely told them the outcome before it was so."