Chapter 20: Chapter Nineteen. The Meet.

Running hard down the back straight, Cami concentrated on her rhythm on the approach to her next jump, this a water one. After this was a wall jump followed by the fence, the one with the branches of the bushes standing straight up to whip the legs of those who couldn’t clear it. From the start line there was a dash with each competitor keeping in their own lane, down the front straight to the first set of hurdles, followed by a second set a dozen steps later. This was followed by a wooden bean after which was a water jump, followed by a wall. The last obstacle was the hated fence. After the second set of hurdles, each competitor could leave their lane to follow whatever path was best for them, they just had to clear each hazard!

The hurdles were moved off the oval track so that the racers could sprint to the finish line, clearing the fence easily, keeping as close as possible to the edge of the track, Cami drew another breath and stretched her legs as she settled into a sprint. Spurring her on was her main competition, a student from another school, hard on her heels. While this was not a fully sanctioned event, Cami had raced this girl before and was determined to beat her this time!

Coming around the final curve in the home straight of the oval Cami willed the last bit of speed out of her legs, the reserve she had saved till this moment. Sprinting as fast as she could, Cami raced for the finish.

Breathe, she urged herself. As the finish line grew closer, she almost could feel the pounding footsteps of her competition gaining on her.

Breathe faster, move faster, hold on, the thoughts pounded into her as the finish line seemed to grow closer, oh so slowly!

With a final lunge she crossed the finish line, barely managing to retain her feet. Then her coach was there, a bottle of concentrate in her hand, moving her of the track.

“How did I do?” Cami gasped, gulping down a mouthful of the drink.

“You did well, Cami,” her coach, Nessi ot Rimma was a member of the service class, “you won!”

“I did?” Cami took another swallow of concentrated vitamins, electrolytes and sugars along with other essential minerals. “Who came second?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Nessi counselled the girl she was beginning to see as her best chance to advance in status. “I want you to go to the training room and do your recovery exercises. A quarter of a period now!”

“Yes, Coach Rimma.” Cami took the proffered towel to wipe her sweat covered face and keeping the drink, headed to the school’s exercise room where she would carry out the set of cooling down routines that had been designed for her.

As her coach watched her leave, another coach joined her. “New, is she?”

“Who?” Nessi asked innocently.

“The girl who just set a new record for her age group, that’s who?”

“Yes, she did, didn’t she!” Nessi didn’t smile, not openly. “She has been with me since the beginning of spring, not long after the Green Leaf Festival.”

“A contract girl then.” The other coach from a different school, murmured. “Going to be interesting. Better keep an eye on the one she just whipped.” Came the unnecessary advice. “She doesn’t like to lose, especially to contract girls.”

“Thanks, I will.” Nessi nodded. She knew all about the second-place finisher, a girl whose family was high in the service class with a status inset of ra. Almost fifteen, this was the last set of races that she would be running, and she had really wanted to win as her status would improve. She was also known to have a nasty temper.

*********

Oblivious of this background, Cami had settled on a stationary bicycle after she had spent some time on a treadmill. Several other girls were also present, some doing warmups, others cooling down from the same event or others, there had been field events taking place at the same time as The Jump.

One of those cooling down was glaring at Cami. Ninna ra Conga was upset that she had lost to a new girl, one who had been recently been contracted and was from the far side of Ti Lepus to boot. She had beaten Cami easily the first time that they had met, while in the second, Cami had been on her heels but had faded to third. But this time, Cami had taken the early lead and held it to the end. Ninna ra Conga was not happy.

Stepping of her machine, she started to walk towards the standing bike that Cami occupied. One of the other girl athletes, a senior girl, put out an arm to stop her. The two girls exchanged some words then the senior girl nodded, spoke a few words and moved her arm. Ninna held her face blank as she moved towards her prey.

Cami, meanwhile had not been totally unaware of the subtle nuances in the room. A newcomer, she kept herself aware of her surroundings which were so different from what she was used to. She also watched the girls of different ages so that she could learn from them. Contract girls like herself clearly behaved differently from the girls who were not. These last seemed to know each other quite well and chatted freely whereas, the contract girls tended to keep to themselves. Just like me, Cami thought.

As soon as Ninna had entered the room, her eyes sought out Cami and she continued to stare at her as she walked across the room. Cami instincts went on alert. Since the incident when she was traveling home on the public conveyance, she had spoked to the self-protection trainer who had quietly given her some additional training. Not much, just some instruction on where and how to hit using both hands and feet. She had never told her family.

As Ninna came close to the bike, she stopped on Cami’s right with her hands on her hips. “Well, what do we have here?” She sneered. A tall girl, almost several months older than Cami, she was also taller and heavier.

Staring back, Cami continued to slowly cycle. “I would say that it is obvious.”

“What?” Snapped Ninna, taken aback, usually her victims just remained silent. The logical and honest response surprised.

“Well,” Cami replied, “It’s obvious what I am, a girl on a bike.” Ninna just stared, open surprise on her face. One of the other girls giggled while the senior girl, one of high status, who had spoken to Ninna frowned and started to walk towards them; she was too late.

“You little basticka, you!” Ninna snarled reached out and grabbed Cami by the hair, intending to drag her of the bike. Cami reacted instinctively, she struck out with her left hand, the right having grabbed one of Ninnas arms. More by luck then aim, she caught Ninna right on the nose, hard.

 The unexpected pain, something she had never felt before caused Ninna to let go and stagger back into the arms of the senior girl. Seeing the bloody result, the girl reacted fast. Pointing to one of the junior girls, she yelled, “Get me a towel” Ninna was attended to and taken away by another senior girl. Turning to Cami the first girl spoke swiftly.

“I saw what happened Cami! Ninna struck first! Hit the shower, then find your coach! Tell her what happened and give her my name.”

“What is your name?” Cami wondered how the girl knew who she was.

“Premma de Markus.” At Camis wide eyes, Premma saw that she recognised the name. “Go,” had Cami moving swiftly but with deliberation out of the training room, she never looked back.

Showered and changed, she found Nessi ot Rimma standing, making entries into her log. Causally glancing at her prospect, she gave a second and longer look. Seeing not very well-hidden distress, she waved the young woman over.

“Ok, what happened?” Nessa spoke in the planets direct then listened without comment until the end. “Who was this senior girl?” Cami’s answer brought a whistle. “de Markus, hmm, interesting you have some firepower in your corner if they want to make trouble.”

“Why should they make trouble, I just defended myself?” Cami wondered.

“I know the family; they are desperate to gain high status designation and will do just about anything to achieve that.”

“Oh.” Cami looked distressed. “And I guess that I may have done something to affect that.”  She stopped then started again, looking up at her coach. “What should I do?”

“Talk to your contract family right now, tell them everything. I will see to things here at the meet. Don’t worry about that, I know what to do.” Nessi gave a nod to Cami, and with a ‘see you tomorrow’ ringing in her ears, Cami left.

*********

Nessi ot Rimma did know what to do. Aware of the politics involved, she immediately found Premma de Markus, and asked her about the incident. After Premma confirmed Camis story Nessi went to the central security station, reviewed the security record, asked for and obtained a certified copy of the automatic recording. By now the official organisers had become aware of the incident and Nessi was ready for them.

*********

Cami wasn’t, if fact she wasn’t looking forward to telling the Dressler’s, no, not at all. But she knew that she had to, and her coach had spoken with urgency. Leaving the athletes area, she found the Dressilers were where they said they would be. One look had Rentap on alert.

“What happened?” The rest of the family stared at the sharp question. They gasped at Camis response, “I hit a girl who was attacking me.”

*********

In the family’s private living room, everyone sat in silence, subdued by the events of the day and uncertain about what to say. While Cami winning was a deserved high, the aftermath was distressing. Looking around, Kapat glanced at the young girl sitting beside her.

“Where did you learn to do that?”

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Along with the rest of the family, Cami started at the abrupt question

“I had been having lessons in self-defence for several months before coming to Lepus Mal.” Cami replied. “They were part of my athletic training at the Middle Club at the Girls Room in the Collective Hall. They were increased after I was approached by a drunk on the transport taking me home.”

After a fractions silence and stares at this unexpected revelation, Rentap asked the obvious question.” Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I wasn’t asked.” Cami huddled down in her seat. “Anyway, it wasn’t something I wanted to talk about. Actually, I wanted to forget it.” The others nodded that was reasonable. For a fraction, there was silence then Cami finished. “If a policeman hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would have happened. It was scary.”

“Yes, that was good for you.” Rentap agreed while the others looked on. Dinis and Kapat with interest, Cheaine with a slight frown. “Do you know who the policeman was?” Rentap asked.

“He said his name, I think that it was Dark something, Water or something like that.” With an effort Rentap kept his face blank. Dark gen Wattar? How big a coincidence was that! While the children didn’t notice, he saw the look that Cheaine threw him. With an inner sigh, he knew that he would have to explain.

“Well, the standing committee held the other girl at fault, not you Cami. She was also put on probation for the remainder of this year and all the next. While I disapprove of violence, I agree that your actions were in self-defence.”

Cami rather thought that Rentap was sounding somewhat pompous. From the look on his face when she saw the rest of the family staring at him. He thought so as well. He coughed. “Well its been a long day, let’s all say our good nights and get to bed.”

Subdued, the three children said their goodnights and left. Rentap also left while Cheaine went to the kitchen to set the menu for the next day and authorise any necessary purchases. Going over the list of items she discussed them with Jean ne Pator, the Dressilers housekeeper. With a brisk nod she approver the menu and purchasers Jean suggested.

Studying her mistress, Jean decided to speak up. “Madam, if I may.” She began.

“Of course.” Cheaine spoke in surprise.

“Do not be too hard on Cami.” Jean said. “She did what was necessary to stop someone from hurting her.” Jean looked directly at her mistress and emphasised what she said next. “And No More!”

With a feeling of unreality, Cheaine stared at her housekeeper. “I am not sure I understand.” She replied.

“Cami defended herself and stopped. That is a hard thing to do. It shows that she hadn’t lost control. That is good.” Jean looked directly at Cheaine. “I don’t think you understand how hard it is to do that. To stop hitting someone who is hurting you. We of the underclass know what it is like to be abused by others and defend ourselves. Consider, if someone was hurting Kapat, what would you do to stop them?”

“I think that I would do what is necessary.” Cheaine answered slowly.

“That is what Cami did.” Jean replied.

*********

Laying on her bed, Cami started at the soft chime of someone at her door. Opening it, she was surprised to see Kapat.

“May I come in?” The, slightly older girl asked. Even more surprised, neither had been in the others bedroom before, Cami stood back to let Kapat in.

“You had two sisters, didn’t you?” Kapat asked looking around. “How ever did you cope?”

Taken aback, “We just did.” Cami replied, “My sisters had bunk beds.”

“Oh.” Kapat seemed to be at a loss to say more. Cami wondered what had brought her to her room and decided to ask.

“Kapat, what do you want?”

“I was wondering,” Kapat wandered around the bedroom. “Have you ever hit someone before?”

Defensive, Cami replied with a brittle “No!”

“Neither have I. I don’t know what I would do if someone attacked me.” Unconsciously, Kapat sat on the bed. Slowly, Cami Joined her

“Did you know the girl you hit?” Kapat asked.

“I had raced her before, but she had always won.” Cami shrugged; it was becoming a habit of hers. “She was older, faster and better trained.” Then Cami smiled, “At least until Coach Rimma had worked with me for a while!”

“You ran that last race really well” Kapat also smiled. “We were really proud of you.” With her head to the side Kapat looked at the strange girl who had come into her life. “Will you have to race her again?”

“No, she will go onto seniors now.” A stubborn look appeared. “But I bet that she will try to make trouble for me, and Premma de Markus too.”

“If she does, she will have more trouble than she can imagine. No one will want to upset the de Markus clan on purpose. I bet that her family is pretty upset with her right now. That was a severe punishment that she got. It’s going to cost her a lot of friends and some status as well!” A pensive look appeared on Kapats face. “I heard about her from some other girls who have transferred over.” A further unexpected smile appeared to Cami’s surprise. “You may have made some friends!”

“Well, I wouldn’t have wanted to do it that way!” Cami sat up in surprise. “Was she, Ninna that disliked?” Kapat nodded. “Oh, well, sometime you get what you deserve.” Cami stopped than spoke again. “I just hope that she stays away from me.”

“You would hit her again?”

“Only if I had to. I don’t want to, but sometimes you have to defend yourself.”

The two girls talked for a while longer, then Kapat gave Cami a hug. With a good night, they separated and Kapat returned to her bedroom.

It was a traumatic day for the family and Rentap missed the news about the execution of the writer for treason in a minor southern town.

*********

Nikie di Frim didn’t. When she heard of the execution of their journalist patsy she just smiled. She had not bothered to follow the trial and subsequent appeals or the live broadcast of the gruesome execution which had been held in public. Kirkrup her husband, sat back and laughed.

“A drink to celebrate.” He said, a foaming mug of local ale.

“So, what is next?” She asked.

“We increase the pressure on the assembly with even more demonstrations and acts of violence.” He was clearly eager for more violence.

And the training of the group we gathered?”

“Doing well, I am told.”

“Good.” Nikie smiled, her predator’s smile. Her husband laughed again.

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