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Chapter 1 - a piece of peace

“Haaluk!!”

“What was that you said, young man?!?” asked the shocked mother.

“I said, ‘Haaluk’,” replied the boy. “I’m gonna luuk a cuute and haaluk!”

“Where in the world did you hear such gutter talk?” demanded the mother.

“At school,” revealed the boy.

“School?!?” gasped the mother. “Your teacher taught you such words?”

“No ma’am,” replied the boy as he bowed his head.

“Then tell me, young man, where did you hear such language?” demanded the mother in her sternest voice.

“The new kid told me,” pouted the boy.

“What new kid?” asked the mother.

“The one that’s in our class,” answered the boy.

“Those filthy words sound like something you would hear from the Swashkinese,” mused the mother. “Oh, my Lord! Do you have a Swashkinese in your class now?”

“I think so,” offered the boy.

“That figures! I knew it would happen,” reflected the irate mother. “The day they were allowed to move onto this planet, I knew the time would come when they would destroy our moral family values.”

“But he’s a good guy, mamma,” objected the boy.

“No, he’s not!” offered the mother. “He’s Swashkinese! They’re no good and you are to stay away from him!”

“But I like him. He’s funny,” protested the boy.

“This is not funny, son,” reflected the mother. “Those people are the most degenerate beings in the Centauri system. Their speech is foul, and their very presence is offensive.”

“But, mamma, . . .”

“Don’t argue with me,” ordered the mother. “If you ever speak to him again or use such words again, I’m going to ground you forever! Do you understand me?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Now, you go wash your hands for dinner,” ordered the mother. “Your father will be here soon, and I know he will want to talk to you about this.”

“OK,” resigned the boy as he turned to follow his mother’s orders. The mother looked out her kitchen widow and reflected, “What this world needs is a strong leader. A man of faith and integrity. One who knows what to do with degenerates like the Swashkinese.”

############### 

“Father, I don’t feel comfortable coming here.”

“Now my dear, dear Kosnos,” reflected Father Mulhane as he laid his hand on Kosnos’ shoulder. “To better understand our own beliefs, sometimes we must observe the sinners in their decadence.”

“But Father, I don’t need to see them to know how unrighteous they are,” objected Kosnos.

“My son, with the Lord watching over us, we have nothing to fear from sin,” observed Father Mulhane. “He will protect us from all evil. Besides this is part of your spiritual training. Embrace what the Lord is teaching you tonight.”

“I will try, Father,” promised Kosnos. 

The two men turned the corner of the street and were a washed in the glow of neon lights offering every conceivable vice. Father Mulhane led Kosnos to the entrance of a dilapidated nightclub. Taking a deep breath, Kosnos followed Father Mulhane into the club. 

Kosnos gasped as the stench filled his nostrils. Loud, unfamiliar music violated his ears and pierced his inner soul. His eyes widened at the sight of gyrating bodies keeping time to the music. He was awe struck as the movements mimicked the very essence of sexual mating. 

Father Mulhane led Kosnos to the bar where they were joined by the bartender. 

“My good man, please bring us two of your mildest drinks,” ordered Father Mulhane.

The bartender looked the two men up and down. “Is there something wrong?” asked Father Mulhane.

“No, not really,” replied the bartender. “We just don’t see too many Centauries hanging around here.”

“Why not?” mused Father Mulhane. “We’re all God’s children. We’re all brothers.” 

The bartender set two drinks on the counter and then turned to wash a pile of dishes. 

“Excuse me, Father,” interjected Kosnos. “I don’t consider any of these people my brothers.”

“Kosnos, we cannot afford to let our prejudices blind us to God’s creations,” reflected Father Mulhane. “Who are we to question the makings of the Lord?”

“Father, you know as well as I do that the Holy Writings teach that we Centauries, and only we Centauries, are made in God’s image,” protested Kosnos. “These Swashkinese were not made by God. They are not like us, the chosen people of the Lord.”

“Son, can you not see that such beliefs can only lead to distrust and harm?” asked Father Mulhane. “You know yourself that the Holy Writings condemn such behavior.”

“It condemns such behavior among God’s people,” corrected Kosnos. “At the same time, it teaches us to wage Holy War against all wickedness.”

“And what do you see here that is wicked?” mused Father Mulhane. “I see nothing here that cannot be seen in nature.”

“Nature is one thing, Father,” offered Kosnos. “But such public display is shocking to one’s righteous sensibilities.”

“My dear, Kosnos, I can only pray that as you get older, you will realize that from time to time it is good to have our sensibilities shocked,” reflected Father Mulhane. “To deny freedom to one’s sensibilities is to keep our very souls locked in dull monotony. Such actions are not the makings of a righteous spiritual being. To the contrary, to have one’s sensibilities so tightly controlled is to provide what is evil a smaller and more accessible target.”

“Father, I will always respect you, but I just cannot agree with such thoughts,” revealed Kosnos. “They go contrary to the very fibers of my being.” 

As Father Mulhane and Kosnos sipped their drinks and reflected on their conversation, a Swashkinese female made her way through the crowd and joined the two men. 

“Well, well,” smiled the female. “I haven’t seen Centauries around here in a long time.”

“We have simply come to share a drink with our friends, the Swashkinese,” offered Father Mulhane.

“Centauries and Swashkinese, friends?!?” laughed the female. “You’ve had way too much to drink tonight.”

“Oh, I guess I’m just an idealist,” reflected Father Mulhane.

“Well, I’ve got an idea,” smiled the female as she caressed Father Mulhane’s cheek. In an instant she unbuttoned her shirt and exposed her bare breast. 

“Why don’t you and me go in the back,” suggested the female. “We could luuk a cuute and haaluk.”

“How dare you talk to us like that!” shouted an angry Kosnos.

“I wasn’t talking to you, darling,” replied the female. “I want this one. As far as I’m concerned, you can go haaluk yourself!” 

Without warning, Kosnos slapped the female Swashkinese across the face. Immediately the music stopped as a hundred Swashkinese turned toward the two men and the female. From under her dress, the female pulled a knife and pressed it against Kosnos’ throat. 

“Please, please, there’s no need for this,” pleaded Father Mulhane. “My friend is compulsive, but he overreacted. Please accept our apology.”

“I want to hear it from this jerk,” offered the female. “Or I’ll cut his tongue out and fry it for breakfast.”

“Kosnos, this would be a good time to say something,” offered Father Mulhane.

Rage swelled into Kosnos’ eyes as the female pressed the blade even harder against his neck. “I’m sorry,” Kosnos tersely replied.

The female smiled and then said, “Now tell me you want to take me and luuk a cuute and haaluk.”

Kosnos curled his lips as he felt the nausea swelling in his chest. “Never!” he snarled.

The female looked long and hard at Kosnos and then backed away from him and Father Mulhane. “You two had better leave while you can,” she muttered. 

Kosnos burst through the door and stumbled out onto the street as Father Mulhane followed. Breathing deeply, he bent over onto his knees and emptied the contents of his stomach. Wiping his mouth on the sleeve of his shirt, Kosnos straighten himself and gazed into the sky. The darkness was turning to light as the first of Alpha Centauri’s three suns was peeking above the horizon. He turned to face Father Mulhane. “You were right, Father,” declared Kosnos. “I learned a lot tonight.”

############### 

Kosnos stretched and let the cool evening air penetrate his lungs. Two moons hung waning in the velvet sky.

“When did you start wearing a blaster pistol?”

“Oh, hello, Dosh,” replied Kosnos as he turned to face the man. “It’s nothing. I’ve just been a bit edgy lately. That’s all.”

“I didn’t know you had that many enemies,” laughed Dosh. “Or could it be that you have developed female trouble?”

“I take it you’ve heard about what happened the other night,” offered Kosnos.

“Yeah, I think it’s all over the whole university,” reflected Dosh. “The famous and most feared professor, Kosnos, had to ask a Swashkinese female if she would luuk a cuute and haaluk. Wish I could’ve been there.”

“I did not ask her that,” bristled Kosnos. “I don’t use such language.”

“Well hang onto that blaster,” laughed Dosh. “You never know what female may be lurking in the shadows just waiting to violate your integrity.”

“Was that the point of you coming out here tonight?” asked Kosnos. “Just to have a laugh at my expense?”

“No, not at all,” smiled Dosh. “It was just a perk. I really wanted to speak with you about the Father’s manifesto.”

“Well, all I know is he told me he had it written and ready to publish,” offered Kosnos. “I don’t know the contents. Do you?”

“No, not really,” replied Dosh. “Though, in the past few months, he has become more and more liberal in his thinking.”

“I got that impression from him the other night,” reflected Kosnos. “He was trying to tell me things that I know are just plain wrong.”

“Well, I believe with you there are no gray areas,” offered Dosh. “Everything is either black or white.”

“The truth is the truth,” observed Kosnos. “You can color it any color you want, but it’s still the truth.”

“It appears Father Mulhane is having second thoughts about truths,” offered Dosh. “I’m sure his manifesto is going to reflect his changing views.”

“I hope not,” reflected Kosnos. “I’ve admired the Father for years and I would hate to have to fight him over some liberal nonsense.”

“Well, I believe that’s why he asked me, in the name of the party, to run for Chancellor,” offered Dosh.

“He asked you?” questioned a bewildered Kosnos. “Why, he knows I’m the one in line for the job.”

“Evidently he no longer shares your ultra conservative views,” observed Dosh. “He has changed. In fact, the whole planet is changing.”

“Just because it’s changing doesn’t mean it’s for the better,” declared Kosnos. “First, the immigrating of the Swashkinese, then the mingling with them, and now, what’s next?  Heaven forbid we ever breed with them!”

“Well, Kosnos, old friend,” smiled Dosh. “Such beliefs will keep you from ever being Chancellor of the Centauries.”

“I think it’s time I’ve had a talk with Father Mulhane,” declared Kosnos. “I want him to look me in the eye and tell me that I’m not his choice to be Chancellor.”

“Well, do what you want,” offered Dosh. “But when I’m Chancellor, I’ll save a Cabinet position in my government for you. It’s the least I could do.”

“Thank you,” snarled Kosnos. “Thank you so much.” 

The two men parted company and Kosnos made his way to Father Mulhane’s home. As he approached the door he noticed that all the lights were off in the house. Kosnos was about to turn and leave when he heard voices coming from the bedroom. He was surprised to find the door to the house unlocked. Slowly and quietly Kosnos made his way through the living room and came to the bedroom door. He could not understand what was being said, but there was no doubt that one of the voices was Father Mulhane’s and the other was female. Silently opening the door, Kosnos was startled to see the Father lying on his back with a female sitting on top of him. The female was Swashkinese. 

“Father!!!” 

Father Mulhane and the female jumped with surprise. Kosnos pulled out his blaster pistol and pointed it at the female.

“Kosnos, what are you doing?!?” demanded Father Mulhane.

“What am I doing?” asked Kosnos. “Father, what is it that you’re doing?”

“We were just fixing to luuk a cuute and haaluk,” offered the female.

“You get off of him now!!” demanded Kosnos. “Get over there!”

“Kosnos, put that gun away,” ordered Father Mulhane. “This is of no concern to you.”

“No concern to me?!?” bristled Kosnos. “Right and wrong are always concerns of mine. And this is nowhere near right!” 

The Swashkinese female rose from the bed and stood looking at Kosnos. 

“Get your clothes on,” demanded Kosnos. “There will be no more of your wickedness.”

“You’re the jerk from the club the other night,” observed the female as she donned her clothes. “I should’ve slit your throat when I had the chance.”

“Kosnos, I want you to stop this foolishness now,” demanded Father Mulhane.

“You’re exactly right, Father,” declared Kosnos. “This foolishness must stop now.” 

Kosnos fired one blast that hit the Swashkinese female directly in the chest. With a surprised look she crumpled to the floor and expired. 

“Kosnos!!!” yelled Father Mulhane.

“Don’t make me shoot you, Father,” declared Kosnos as he pointed the blaster at Father Mulhane.

“Kosnos, what is wrong with you?!?” sobbed Father Mulhane.

“There is nothing wrong with me,” offered Kosnos. “Everything is right with me.”

“What you just did is not right,” cried Father Mulhane. “There is no justification for it.”

“And you selecting Dosh over me to be the next Chancellor is not right either, Father,” declared Kosnos. “So don’t you dare preach to me about what is right.”

“I picked the man who could best lead this planet,” offered Father Mulhane. “And now, I know I could never back you for the position.”

“I am the best man to lead this planet,” declared Kosnos. “I am the only man for the job!”

“Kosnos, I would willingly die first before I supported a murderer,” offered Father Mulhane. 

Kosnos made his way to the female body lying on the floor. From a pocket he pulled her knife. In one swift motion he brought the knife to the throat of Father Mulhane. 

“You have one last chance to change your mind, Father,” snarled Kosnos.

“Never!” responded Father Mulhane.

“Then die you must!” declared Kosnos as he pulled the knife across Father Mulhane’s neck. The Father gasped for air and then collapsed back onto the bed.

“May God have mercy on your soul.” 

Kosnos observed the scene in the bedroom. The Swashkinese female crumpled in a heap of flesh on the floor. Father Mulhane’s lifeless body lying on the bed. As he was about to leave, Kosnos noticed some papers on the nightstand. He immediately recognized them to be the Father’s manifesto. 

THE RIGHT OF ALL GOD’S CREATION

Let it be known from this day forward that all of God’s

creations have the one and same equal rights to life and 

prosperity. There are no differences between intelligent

species in the eyes of the Lord. Therefore, there can be

no differences shown toward one another. All must have

the same opportunities to succeed in life. Anyone who

tries to hinder such opportunities is not of the Lord and

can only be considered an evil influence. May Almighty

God bless the rights of all His creation. 

“This will not do,” mused Kosnos. “This will not do at all.”

############### 

Announcer: “Tonight marks the first and only debate that will take place between the leading candidates for Chancellor of the Centauri Republic. Opening statements will begin with Dosh. 

Dosh: “My fellow Centauries, thank you for the privilege of speaking with you tonight, and for being considered for the most important job of Chancellor. We are at a crossroads, in which we have the golden opportunity to make lasting changes for the good of all people. At one time in our history, Centauries were the only species occupying this planet. Times have changed to where we have a large number of immigrants. We cannot ignore them. They are here and they are here to stay. Of this immigrant group, the largest are the Swashkinese that have come from the sixth planet, Diaden. Now, we can proceed down the road of past actions and continue to mistreat such people. We can continue to greet these ones with hostility or we can travel another road and open up the arms of hope and opportunity and welcome all who come to this oasis under the stars of Alpha Centauri. Progress will not come from repeating the mistakes of the past. Progress will only come by embracing the future of change. By embracing the differences of the species. By giving to each other and learning from each other. If you will give me the chance to represent you as Chancellor, I vow to fight for such changes. Thank you.” 

Announcer: “Now opening comments from the other candidate, Kosnos.” 

Kosnos: “Change is good. But we do not want to make the mistake of changing just for the sake of change. There must be a reason for the change that will result in continued prosperity. But the change that is being proposed by my opponent is not for the good of the Centauries. Rather it is the type of change that will dilute and eventually end the individuality of the Centauri people. We have allowed enough immigration, and now is the time to close the door. The Holy Writings show that Centauries are the only species that is made in the image of God. We are his Holy people. All things were made and are being made for us. To believe something contrary is to turn your back on God and the Holy Writings. 

The Swashkinese are not God’s people. The facts are that they are a different species and cannot under any circumstances be compared to the Holy Race of Centauries. To say they are to have the same rights as God’s people is the same as saying a rodent or a maggot is to have the rights enjoyed by the Lord’s chosen. This just cannot be! Only the Centauries can enjoy the full blessings of the Lord.  

Today, the Swashkinese are about one million in number. They occupy land that belongs to God’s people. They do not have the intelligence or the blessings of the Lord to properly take care of such Holy land. They do not have the intelligence to even properly take care of themselves. Just look at their decadence. Their city has become known as the City of Vice. Every imaginable sin can be found in abundance in their way of life. Even their language is filled with unspeakable filth. The Holy Writings show that God Almighty has always struck such wickedness with eternal destruction. No matter whom you select as Chancellor, the time is coming when the Lord will in his righteous anger strike the Swashkinese and all others like them with annihilation. If we choose to embrace them, or even tolerate their existence, as my opponent encourages, then we embrace the same fate that will be meted out to them. To the contrary, we must reject such foolishness and maintain the innocence and righteousness of the Centauri people! 

I have felt the way of wickedness of the Swashkinese in a personal manner. My dear friend and mentor, Father Mulhane, was violently killed by a Swashkinese female who broke into his home in the dead of night. By chance I happened by and was able to take revenge by killing her. But this was not before she had slashed my dear friend’s throat. Father Mulhane was known throughout this world for the good that he had done. You cannot find anyone who would speak a negative word against him. But this good man’s life was cut short by the senseless act of a Swashkinese. This Swashkinese female did not have the intelligence to see the good of such a righteous man. All she knew was violence that she learned from a lifetime of immoral conduct. She reacted in the only way she knew how, and that was to end the life of a good and decent man. 

Even as peaceful and loving as Father Mulhane was, he recognized the need to keep the Centauri faithful pure and righteous. He opposed any mingling of the species. On more than one occasion, he let it be known that the Centauri way of life was not to be diluted with the immoral conduct of the Swashkinese.” 

Dosh: “That is simply not true and you know it, Kosnos. Father Mulhane embraced the idea of accepting the Swashkinese as part of God’s family.” 

Kosnos: “Unfortunately, my former friend, Dosh, is twisting the facts in an effort to entice you to vote for him as Chancellor. Even he cannot deny the existence of Father Mulhane’s manifesto.” 

Dosh: “What manifesto?” 

Kosnos: “This manifesto.”

        The Centauri Right

The Lord God Almighty has dictated the

   Centauri Right of passage. The Centauries 

are the only Holy Ones selected by the 

   Lord. Any other species is deemed inferior

and must submit all to the Centauri Right.

 All living creatures can only be pleasing to

  the Lord by subjecting themselves to God’s 

chosen ones. To be chosen by God is the

Centauri Right. No other creature will receive

direct blessings from the Lord. All blessings 

come from the Centauries, and are passed to

other beings as directed by the Lord. To receive

the Centauri Right, all Centauries must be

pure and righteous. Their purity and righteousness

will only come from maintaining the purity of

their species. The Centauri species will not be

diluted with the mingling and interbreeding of

other species. The Centauri purity must be

maintained at all cost. This is the expressed will

of God. All hail the Centauri Right! 

Dosh: “That is in no way, shape, or form the manifesto of Father Mulhane!” 

Kosnos: “Hail the Centauri Right! With his dying words, Father Mulhane dictated this manifesto to me.” 

Dosh: “That is not true! You’re lying, Kosnos!” 

Kosnos: “All hail the Centauri Right!” 

Dosh: “You’re trying to steal this election!!” 

Kosnos: “Hail the Centauri Right!” 

Dosh: “You’re a lying bastard! Why don’t you just go and haaluk yourself!!” 

Kosnos: “All hail the Centauri Right!!” 

The two men looked at each other. Realization that Dosh had made a serious tactical mistake by using such foul Swashkinese language before a national audience slowly sank in. Kosnos smiled, as he knew he was to be the next Chancellor of the Centauries.

 ############### 

“Chancellor, the ambassador from Diaden wishes to speak with you.”

“Show him in crier,” ordered Chancellor Kosnos. 

The ambassador approached Kosnos and bowed. 

“What do I attribute this honor?” sneered Kosnos.

“Sir, I have just returned from Diaden and a direct conversation with my King,” explained the Ambassador. “He is quite disturbed about the Swashkinese on this planet.”

“Well, I don’t know what he’s upset about,” mused Kosnos. “I’m trying to send them back to him as fast as possible.”

“That is exactly what concerns him,” offered the Ambassador. “Due to our population problems and the drought that lasted five years, agreement between our worlds allowed for the migration of Swashkinese to this planet. There is plenty of space here and it helped our world solve some monumental problems and it also helped save the Swashkinese from extinction. The previous administration warmly accepted the immigration of Swashkinese to this world. My King was hoping for the same cooperation from your administration.”

“Well, you have touched on the root of the problem, Ambassador,” mused Kosnos. “You see the previous administration no longer exists. The Centauri people elected my administration for the sole purpose of ridding our world of this disease called ‘Swashkinese.’ It is the Centauri Right.”

“We will take the Swashkinese back to our world, if we are forced to,” offered the Ambassador. “But the resulting hardships will be staggering.”

“That is of no consequence to me,” smirked Kosnos. “It is my responsibility to surgically remove this cancerous growth from my planet. I am concerned about nothing else!”

“But, sir, there will be consequences,” warned the Ambassador.

“Ambassador, are you leveling a threat against the Centauri people?” asked a bemused Kosnos.

“It is not my prerogative to make threats,” replied the Ambassador. “All I’m saying is that your hostile reaction will most definitely lead our worlds to war.”

“If war must be fought, then I have the full backing of the Centauri people to take whatever steps I deem necessary to protect our Right,” offered Kosnos.

“And sir, will those same people continue to support your efforts when the first war casualties arrive?” asked the Ambassador.

“The first war casualties,” mused Kosnos. “You are correct, Ambassador. There must be a ‘first casualty’.” 

Kosnos opened his desk and pulled a blaster pistol out of the drawer. He pointed it at the Ambassador. 

“Sir, as an Ambassador I have diplomatic immunity!!” stammered a surprised Ambassador.

“But Ambassador, look on the positive side,” smiled Kosnos. “You’ll be forever remembered as the ‘first casualty’.” 

The Ambassador turned to run but the blast found its target. With a dying grunt he fell face first to the floor. Kosnos’ guards came running into his office and found him standing over the fallen Ambassador. 

“The Ambassador from Diaden will not be staying for dinner,” observed Kosnos. “Wrap the body up and ship it directly to the King of Diaden.”

“What message should we send?” asked the Guard Leader as the other guards began gathering the dead Ambassador into a bag.

“Hmmm, that is an interesting question,” mused Kosnos. “What message should we send? I know. Attach a note to the body.”

“And what would you like the note to say, sir?” asked the Guard Leader.

“Just have it simply say, ‘Compliments of Kosnos, leader of the Centauri Right!’”

############### 

Speaker: “The Parliament House will come to order! Our Chancellor, Kosnos, has made a special visit to these chambers today. He will take questions from the members and will give us directions in these uncertain times.” 

Kosnos: “Thank you Mr. Speaker. My fellow Centauries, I see these times as not uncertain, but rather, times of great opportunity. These are times when only weakness and doubt can make us fail. But this will not be! Our strong determination to pursue all that is pure and holy will bring great blessings from the Lord for our Centauri Right.” 

Member #1: “What efforts is your administration taking toward pursing peace with the King of Diaden?” 

Kosnos: “The King is an unreasonable man. His interests are outside of the interest of the Centauri Right. Through his words and actions he has shown that he has more concern for the Swashkinese than he does the Centauries.” 

Member #1: “To follow up my question: Is peace totally out of the equation? Cannot a truce or some sort of compromise be made to help, at least, reach a limited peace?” 

Kosnos: “A limited peace? The King of Diaden insists on spreading the disease called the Swashkinese to our planet, and we’re obligated to make peace over it? This cancer can only be removed through precise surgical maneuvers. Yes, surgery is painful, but the prognosis is one of a glorious future. True peace is only attainable through strength and determination. Determination to do whatever is necessary to rid ourselves of the elements of evil! Don’t be misled! Do not be mistaken! Peace is not something you can fracture and then hand out the pieces. You cannot slice ‘peace’ into bits and be content with your small share. Peace can be found only in annihilating the enemies of peace. Whether the enemies be within or beyond our world, strength and focused determination are the only elements that will ensure a wholesome peace. Peace can only be accepted in whole measures! I absolutely, undeniably, and wholeheartedly reject a piece of peace!! I will only embrace true peace!!! Hail the Centauri Right!!” 

All Members: “Hail the Right!!” 

Kosnos: “To maintain a strong and forceful leadership, I am asking this body to evoke the War Powers Act upon my leadership. This would give me the necessary powers to wage war against evil, whether domestic or foreign. As leader of the Centauri Right, I will be in the best position to protect and serve the interest of the Centauri people. With your support and the Lord’s blessings, we can forge a future of true everlasting peace and prosperity.” 

Member #2: “Mr. Chancellor, I wonder at the possibility of putting so much power in the hands of one man. It seems to me that. . . .” 

Kosnos (Interrupting): “Sir, are you prepared to state, before this body and the entire Alpha Centauri system, your opposition to the Centauri Right?” 

Member #2: “No, I’m not. I just think. . . .” 

Kosnos (Interrupting): “Hail the Centauri Right!!” 

All Members: “Hail the Right!!” 

Speaker: “Then if there are no more questions of the Chancellor, we will proceed with the vote. All in favor of evoking the War Powers Act upon this administration and proclaiming Kosnos the leader of the Centauri Right, say, ‘Aye’.” 

All Members: “Aye!” 

Kosnos: “Hail the Centauri Right!!” 

All Members: “Hail the Right!!”

############### 

     The Case Against

    The Swashkinese

         God did not create the Swashkinese. They 

are evil incarnate and are intent on infecting

every living being that makes contact with them.

·         The Swashkinese speech is foul. Their ways

are vile. Their very existence is against Nature itself.

·         The Swashkinese do not have the intelligence

needed to properly guide their own existence.

·         No good deed can come from the Swashkinese.

·         The Swashkinese have been allowed to exist as 

a Divine test of integrity on the righteous and chosen.  

         Proclamation of the

           Centauri Right

·         The Centauri Right is a Divine Right.

·         Only the Centauri people have the blessings of 

the Lord. To subject themselves to Almighty God,

all creatures must subject themselves to 

the Centauri Right.

·         The Swashkinese must be controlled, by whatever

means necessary, until their vile ways come to an 

everlasting end. 

·         The Swashkinese cannot properly own real or

personal property. Therefore, they are denied 

ownership of such.

·         The Swashkinese are to be confined to an area that

prevents their intermingling with the Chosen Ones.

·         No speech that is unique to the Swashkinese is to be

tolerated.

·         No marriage or interrelationships with the Swashkinese

is permitted.

·         No baring of the flesh in public, as is common among 

the Swashkinese, is allowed.

·         Any dissenters of this proclamation are to be burned

to death in public execution.

·         This proclamation is given to the Centauri people with

the Divine blessings of the Lord.

·         All Hail the Centauri Right!

############### 

“Sire, the Chief of the Generals has come at your bidding,” announced the Crier.

“Please show him in,” declared Kosnos.

“Your Highness, I come bearing great news,” offered the Chief. “Our armies have the capital city of Diaden surrounded. It is now only a matter of time.”

“That is what I wanted to hear,” smiled Kosnos. “How go our efforts in the rest of the system?”

“We have been victorious on all fronts,” declared the Chief. “There was little resistance to our superiority on the fourth and fifth planets. The seventh tried to mount an attack but was quickly and thoroughly destroyed.”

“Chief, these are glorious days for the Right,” offered Kosnos. “Finally true peace will come to the entire system!”

“We could not have done it without the brilliant and courageous leadership that you have provided, your Highness,” reflected the Chief as he bowed to Kosnos.

“Thank you for those kind words,” replied Kosnos. “Now, what’s happening with the Swashkinese?”

“Since the war we could not continue to deport them to Diaden,” explained the Chief. “So all have been contained in the camp at Mogandish.”

“The entire million of them?” questioned Kosnos.

“Well, there number has been reduced,” offered the Chief. “The old and infirm could not make the trip, so we had to take corrective measures.”

“I see,” mused Kosnos. “I want these corrective measures to continue. Get rid of at least a hundred a day, if necessary.”

“Is that to include the children?” asked the Chief.

“Yes, indeed, especially the children,” offered Kosnos. “At first it may seem harsh, but in reality it is the humane thing to do. It’s best they die at a young innocent age than grow to maturity and lead a life of sin as a Swashkinese.”

“Yes, your Highness,” declared the Chief. “May I be of further assistance?”

“No, that will be all,” reflected Kosnos. “Oh, by the way, is my Undersecretary interrogating this week’s dissenters?”

“I do not believe he has started yet,” replied the Chief.

“Today is such an auspicious day, that I think I would like to do the honors,” ordered Kosnos.

“I’ll have them brought to you immediately,” declared the Chief. 

An army of guards brought in the five dissenters to face Kosnos. As they lined in a row, Kosnos approached the first woman. 

“I know your face,” offered Kosnos.

“She is an actress of film and stage,” explained the Chief.

“And what is her transgression?” asked Kosnos.

“During one of her routines, she let one of her breast be seen by the audience,” offered the Chief.

“It was an innocent mistake, your Highness,” declared the actress. “My wardrobe had a malfunction.”

“Yes, indeed,” mused Kosnos as he turned his attention to the man standing beside her. “And his sin?”

“He uttered some of the forbidden words on his radio show,” explained the Chief.

“They will never learn,” mused Kosnos as he approached the next man. “Is this who I think it is? My old adversary, professor Dosh?”

“Yes, it’s me, Kosnos,” offered Dosh.

“Let me guess,” smiled Kosnos. “You’ve been stirring up dissent at the old university.”

“That is absolutely correct, sire,” declared the Chief.

“You may be in power, Kosnos, but it’s not by the choice of the people,” snarled Dosh.

“My, my, once a rebel, always a rebel,” mused Kosnos as he turned to the next man. 

“And this one?”

“He and this Swashkinese female were found in an intimate embrace,” offered the Chief.

“You make me sick to my stomach,” sneered Kosnos as he slapped the man’s face. Turning to face the rest, he declared, “Well, you all know the punishment for dissenters.”

“What about our right to a trial?” yelled Dosh.

“Trials are for those who are ‘presumed innocent’,” answered Kosnos. “There are no trials for the guilty.”

“You pompous and arrogant piece of Swashkinese feces!” yelled Dosh.

“Take them to the stakes!” declared Kosnos. “Uh, on second thought, take all of them but leave the Swashkinese female with me.” 

The guards immediately bound the dissenters. Dosh tried to struggle but was quickly subdued. They were forced out of the room by the guards as the men yelled and the actress sobbed. Kosnos then turned his attention to the Swashkinese female. 

“Thank you sire. Thank you for sparing my life,” cried the female.

“Spare your life?!? Why, I haven’t spared your life,” mused Kosnos as he raised his blaster pistol. “I just wanted to personally kill you.” 

Kosnos left the female’s lifeless body behind as he ventured out onto the palace’s balcony overlooking the street below. A massive crowd of the Centauri faithful had gathered to watch the weekly executions and to hear from their leader. 

“My fellow Centauries, I come bearing outstanding news! Our brave and fearless Centauri soldiers have encircled the capital of Diaden! It will not be long now before the enemies of the Centauri Right have been purged of their wickedness and vile ways!!” 

“Kosnos!!”  “Kosnos!!”  “Kosnos!!” 

“You now have before you some who have insisted on resisting the Centauri Right. Not only have they ruined their lives, but they also have tried to seduce others to do evil. They stand before you as a stark reminder of the foolishness of resistance. Such resistance will not, and cannot be tolerated!! It is not I who condemns them to death, but their own evilness dooms them. It is the Lord God Almighty himself who proclaims that we expunge such ones from our midst!!” 

“Burn them!!”  “Burn them!!”  “Burn them!!” 

“Oh, Lord of what all is true, we thank you for your Divine Guidance. We praise you for giving us the Centauri Right. We are grateful for your blessings on our endeavors to rid the universe of evil and thus spread your glorious Name! Please continue to shower us with your Light and guide our every step. Amen!” 

“Amen!”  “Kosnos!!”  “Kosnos!!”  “Kosnos!!” 

With a nod of his head, Kosnos gave the order for the soldiers to light the firewood stacked at the base of each stake. The dissenters tied to the stakes cried out in fear and pain, but their cries were drowned out as the army’s marching band began to play. The crowd shouted with joy as the flames found their victims. A roar of delight arose from the masses as Kosnos, from his palace balcony, danced a little jig to the music. 

Kosnos smiled and blew kisses to the crowd below as the air began to fill with the scent of burning flesh. He was confident that nothing could stop him now.

Go to Chapter 2

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