Discipline
A report by Grimbor Chainsman

     Sitting on the edge of her infirmary bed Akane Yoshida tried, and failed,
to ignore her co-worker's continuing obsession with her reflection.
     "Lil, for the last time your nose is good as new!  The only way anyone
outside the infirmary will know it was ever broken is if they've heard it
happened and they won't be able to tell where the break was."
     Lillian Winters stopped frowning into her handmirror and looked up at her
friend.  "You're trying to make me feel better but I can see the kink."
     "I am not trying to make you feel better!  If there's a kink it was there
all along and you never noticed it before."
     That didn't go over well.
     "My nose was perfect before that bitch broke it!"
     Akane flung up her arms, grateful she could do that without pain again.
"Okay, fine but stop staring at it!  It's bugging me and I don't need and more
stress before we see the committee!"
     Lillian was ready to argue the point but realised Akane was right.  She
was just getting herself worked up too and also didn't need to be wound any
tighter before their hearing.  Putting the mirror face down on the bedside
table she said, "Sorry."
     "Forget it.  We've got bigger things to worry about."  They both nodded
and sighed, the excellent medical treatment they had received and their
speedy recovery had a definite downside.  Now that they were certified as
fit to return to duty and due for release it was time to pay the piper. Both
Orderlies settled into a quiet mood of deepening gloom that Nurse Joy's return
and cheery attitude completely failed to alleviate.
     "Good morning and there's good news too.  You've just been officially
discharged so you're finally free to go and it's a beautiful day to be getting
out of hospital."
     Akane scowled, "Not when you're due for a discipline hearing in an hour."
     "I'm sure it'll be a fair hearing."
     As always, Lillian had to wonder how the Joys could say things like that
with such sincerity.  She had once suspected the Joys were actually the most
cynical people she had ever met and disguised it by smiling all the time.
However from close observation of the Joys who had tended them during their
convalescence she had realised they actually meant all the corny things they
said.  So when she growled, "That's what we're afraid of!", she wasn't
surprised to see the nurse look mildly puzzled then default back to smiling.
Sarcasm was wasted on Joys, it just didn't register.  Maybe that was how they
handled the patients so well, no insult or cutting remark registered.
     Not that it really mattered, she ... they had more pressing worries.
Forgetting her musings on the Joys' nature Lillian said, "Look, in less than
an hour we're going before a discipline committee and we can't go in these
hospital gowns!"
     "Of course not, they're infirmary property and they'll be staying here.
Well they'll actually be going to the laundry but what I mean ..."
     Akane cut in, "We know what you mean but what are we supposed to wear?
The uniforms we arrived in were pretty beat up and we were told they were
junked."
     "They just weren't salvageable, I'm afraid.  Not to worry, it's not like
there's a shortage of Blue Orderly uniforms."
     "Yes but nobody's speaking to us, least nobody in our department."
     The nurse frowned slightly, "Surely you have friends among the orderlies?"
     Lillian gave a harsh laugh.  "Anyone who doesn't hate us is scared of
what the others will do to them if they have any contact with us.  We're
pariahs!"
     Joy nodded, "I had noticed the lack of visitors.  I'm sure they'll get
over it in time and as Marge Simpson says 'there's no shame in being a
pariah.'"
     Lillian was busy wincing so Akane hastily said, "My point was that with
nobody taking our calls we can't get replacement uniforms."
     "Don't worry about that.  I called your supervisor and Mr. Petruski's
ordered your co-workers to bring you fresh clothes.  He said they could hardly
expect you to appear before the committee naked.
     Akane felt one of her worries disappear and told her friend, "We're lucky
he's not taking it personally."
     Lillian sighed, "There's enough who are!  However it goes today we're
going to be watching our backs for a very long time."
     "Got that right!"
     A gaggle of orderlies, Blue and Black along with a few Whites, Pinks and
even a pair of Golds had entered the Infirmary.  All were former Delmos, all
looked unhappy.  Akane coughed nervously so it was up to Lillian to say a
tentative, "Uh ... Hi, guys?"
     Reiko, the Blue at the head of the pack said, "Save it.  Get dressed, we
don't want you loitering when the Jennies show up to collect you.  This whole
mess is enough of a black eye for us we don't want to give them more to gloat
over."
     She threw the bags she was carrying onto the beds the pair sat on.
Lillian opened hers while Akane asked, "The Jennies are escorting us to the
hearing?"
     Reiko's answer was gruff.  "Policy, that and they don't trust what would
happen enroute if we escorted you."
     "Ah!"
     Before she could say anything else Akane startled by Lillian's cry of,
"What the hell is this!?"
     Seeing what her friend was holding she tore open her own bag and stared
at the familiar sight of a grey tanktop and thong.  She fumed.  It could only
make the situation worse but the insult was too great to let pass.  She
exploded just before Lillian yelled again.
     "This is patient wear!"
     "We can't wear this!"
     Reiko's smile wasn't pleasant.  "We thought you might feel that way so
we've brought an alternative.  Hands emerged from the crowd holding items that
replaced anger with fear.
     "Actually I look good in a tanktop."
     "Uh yeah, me too!"  It didn't look like they'd settle for that.  "Let's
be reasonable guys ...gmumph!"  The crowd didn't seem in a reasonable mood as
it surged forward.  Forgotten in all the excitement Nurse Joy prudently
stepped out of the way and waved goodbye.
     "Play nice, girls."  With that the nurse returned to her station and
filled in her paperwork completely oblivious to the muffled protests behind
her.
     The Head of the Institute's Legal Department was the last member of the
committee to arrive in the Oak Conference Room.  As he always did when he got
nervous he was unconsciously rubbing the restored side of his face.
     "I meant to get here sooner but ..."
     "Don't worry Harvey, we're still ten minutes from kick off.  Plenty of
time to get yourself a coffee.  We just like to allow a bit of time at the
start so we can save a few minutes by getting our victims ready before the
committee sits.  Speaking of which ..."  Grimbor turned to Ani, "Now that
everyone's here you might as well ..."
     Ani nodded, "I'm on it."  She flicked open her comm link, tapped a preset
key and said,  "Bring 'em in!"
     It wasn't much more than a minute later that the doors opened and a pair
of Jennies entered, each wheeling in a handtruck with an anonymous figure
strapped to it.  Anonymous because in addition to the black hoods covering
their faces both were wearing the full latex body sheaths worn by patients
entering Boing Therapy.  These were reinforced by the rubber straps around
their torsos above and below their chests, the thick leather collars both wore
that hooked to the carts so they had to face directly ahead and the hip-high
ballet style single boot each had been stuffed into.  Both boots had a heel so
high that without the additional straps securing them to the handcarts neither
could have balanced at all let alone stood upright during the hearing.  Add to
this that the trained eye could discern that beneath the sheathes both figures
wore skintight Beta straitjackets that had been mummy wrapped by tape buddies
and it was obvious neither was going to be skipping out of the hearing.
     A little bemused by this wide range of restraint ARNie asked, "Isn't this
a bit overkill?  It's not like they're super ninjas bound for the Isolation
Ward."
     "We didn't do it!"
     The second Jenny concurred, "They were handed over to us like this after
the infirmary discharged them."
     ARNie looked at Pete and the head Orderly nodded in agreement.  "I didn't
order this but I'm not surprised.  Tempers have been running high among my
people since the incident.  Neither's exactly Ms. Popularity."
     "I see.  Anyway Ani ..."
     "I know the drill.  Okay girls get them unmasked and ungagged then wait
outside until you're called back in.  This is going to be a closed session."
      The Jennies got to work, privately relieved to see the right flushed and
downcast faces were beneath the hoods.  If they'd been conned into bringing in
the wrong women they'd have had their own discipline worries.  They pushed the
carts forward so that the occupants faced the semicircular table and loosened
the collar tethers so the prisoners could turn their heads to see the whole
committee.  Then, their job done, they left closing the soundproofed doors
behind them. The committee members took their places at the table; Grimbor
(Committee Chair) at the center, ARNie, Ani, Sebastian & Cherry to his right, Peter,
Emma, Suichiro and Ritsuko to the left.  Each of them was a head of the
department they represented with two exceptions.  Possessing a perfect memory
Cherry was serving as Recording Secretary while Emma Frost sat as the Medical
Staff representative despite not being the Department Head.  Technically Dr.
ARNie filled that roll but as he was sitting as Head of Administration the
Doctors and Nurses had chosen her as their representative.  They all felt she
was the best choice when it came to administering discipline.
     It was rare for the Committee to meet under these circumstances.  Usually
the offender's department head handled discipline with the committee serving
mainly to consider recommendations and make modifications and additions to
policy.  Of course usually they didn't have cases of this magnitude.  Everyone
took it very seriously.  The earlier informality vanished from the room even
before the Chairman banged the gavel to call the meeting to order.
     "This session of the Chainsman Institute Disciplinary Committee is called
to order.  You have all had time to review the  minutes so unless anyone has
anything further to add to our documented discussion on the incident I
recommend we move on to the next item on the agenda, Application of
Disciplinary Action.  Is there a motion to that effect?"
     The motion was moved by Dr. Frost, seconded by Mr. Petruski and passed
unanimously.  With this on record the Chairman addressed the apprehensive duo
directly.
     "Akane Yoshida, Lillian Winters, now that you have been certified as fit
to return to duty as Orderlies and discharged by the Infirmary you are before
this committee to answer for professional misconduct.  Specifically violation
of patient transfer protocols and, however unintentionally, aiding and
abetting the escape attempt of patient Aika Sumeragi."
     Lillian started to speak but Grimbor overrode her, "These are not
accusations but matters of record.  We have plenty of evidence ranging from
physical evidence to video footage to witness and your own statements.
Attempting to deny this will be considered grounds for summary dismissal.
Lillian looked away and he continued, "Technically there should also be a
count of unnecessary roughness in patient handling but since she was far
rougher on you once free we decided to withdraw it."
     "It is customary at this point to allow those before us to address the
committee.  Do either of you wish to make a formal statement other than the
apologies and promises not to re-offend you made to Mr. Dent when interviewed
during your convalescence period?"
     The duo turned their heads to look at each other.  What else was there
to say?
     "No, sir."
     "No, sir." 
     Grimbor glanced at his notes momentarily and continued, "Had Ms. Sumeragi
injured anyone else during her escape attempt both of you would have been
discharged immediately.  Fortunately the MA android encountered and subdued
her before she had the chance.  However the magnitude of the offense make it a
very close decision during committee discussion.  Mitigating factors were
considered; your conduct prior to this was excellent.  Ms. Yoshida you had a
clean record while Ms. Winters you had a single demerit for guilt by
association after covering for a trio of colleagues you believed to be late for
work but who were actually conducting a practical joke in an off-limits area.
our friends were discovered and assigned restricted janitorial duties while
you cleared your record by volunteering to participate in the Mark II Spyder
trials. Additionally your supervisor received some relevant information.  Mr.
Petruski?"
     Peter cleared his throat then said, "A couple of your collegues who wish
to remain anonymous spoke to me on your behalf.  While nobody is suggesting
you get off scot free they did explain why you acted so recklessly.  We
checked the information and confirmed it to be true."
     "Like the majority of the Blue Grade Orderlies you held the equivalent
rank in the Delmo Army and both of you were present and severely injured
during Ms. Sumeragi's attempts to escape custody after her arrest for
trespassing on the Hagens' vessel.  In fact we have testimony that the
transformed Aika looked to be on the verge of crushing Ms. Yoshida's head when
the late Dr. Hagen used his beam cannon to neutralise her Ultranite."
     Remembering the look on Aika's face that had haunted her nightmares ever
since Akane shuddered to the limited extent she could.  All she had wanted was
some personal payback, how the hell had it all gone so wrong?  Meanwhile
concluded giving his evidence Peter turned the proceedings back over to
Grimbor.
     "In consideration of these circumstances the Committee has decided not to
award enough demerits to warrant termination of employment but instead to
award 20 demerits to each of you.  However because of the severity of the
offenses and the strong feeling aroused among your coworkers there will be no
opportunities of working any of them off piecemeal by voluntary participation
in special programs.  These demerits will be served immediately following this
hearing in intentionally harsh, punitive conditions.  However there is an
alternative available to you which our legal officer will now explain to you.
Mr Dent?"
     Harvey picked up the two clipboards before him and walked around to the
quivering Delmos.  Both boards were fixes to flexible metal rod with a clip
at the end which he attached to the handcarts next to their heads.  Then he
bent the rod so the clipboards faced the pair at eye level.  As he did this
he explained, "You have two options but before I explain you should read the
form in front of you."
    The form was simply laid out and lacked small print.  It said simply:
     "I (insert name here) being of sound mind and body confirm of my own free
will and without threat of coercion that I have read this document and agree
to accept disciplinary measures as a condition of continued employment at the
Chainsman Institute.  I am aware that these measures are to be served in the
Punitive Discipline Unit of the Chainsman Institute for a minimum period of
one week but not to exceed four weeks.  The discretion for the length of this
disciplinary period will be the responsibility of the Chief Administrative
Officer.  I accept that during this period I will be under public scrutiny via
the Institute's closed circuit TV system.  I acknowledge that this
transmission will be coded so it can only be viewed but not recorded via the
Institute's video system.  I accept I will receive no royalties for this
narrowcast and waive all associated video related rights.  Once the punitive
term is concluded my record will be free of all employment demerits and I will
be restored to full employee rights."
     Lillian was the first to speak, "You can't be serious!"
     Harvey nodded.  "We are very serious but you are not without an
alternative.  Should you choose not to accept Institute discipline you can
exercise your second option."
     "Which is?"
     "Resign."
     "What?"
     "Resign your position and you can walk out of here within the hour.
However it is only fair to inform you that your resumes will be placed on our
blacklist so there will be no chance of returning to the Institute in any
staff role.  Additionally no references will be  provided and should you
attempt to use us as a reference we will inform any prospective employers of
the circumstances under which you left."
     Neither option sounded attractive.  "Uh ... could we think it over."
     "I expect so.  Mr Chairman?"
     Grimbor banged the gavel.  "Committee will recess for one hour. We'll
resume sitting at 1 pm so it's a good chance to get some lunch everyone."
Chatting amiably the committee filed out of the room though they first took a
few moments to turn the handtrucks so the pair faced one another rather than
the empty table and lowered the clipboards so they could glance down at them
but their view of each other was unimpeded.
     Once the soundproofed doors closed Lillian said, "This is all your
fault!"
     "Yeah right, like you tried to talk me out of it!"  Lillian took a deep
breath but Akane forestalled another outburst, "Look we already went through
all this in the hospital over and over.  We both screwed up big time and we're
in deep so the question is do we accept responsibility and take what's coming
or walk away?"
     "That sounds real noble but ... I mean you're practically addicted to the
Aika channel."
     "And you're not?"
     "Hell, no.  I really enjoy our popcorn and beer fueled viewing marathons.
My point is we know enough about how it looks that I don't want to do a day in
there.  I can't imagine a week and if they go the maximum ..."
    "Then we're looking at a month in there."  Akane's face twisted, "I hate
it too but what's the  alternative?  Walk out of here and we're screwed.  No
job, no pension, no health plan, no marketable skills we can verify so we're
staring at a pretty bleak future.  Besides let's face it, if we leave here
what the hell else are we qualified to do?"
     Lillian thought hard, "Hired goons?"
     "Not a lot of job security."
     "I know ... so suffer for a month or the rest of our lives?"
     "That's the size of it."
     They spent the rest of the hour bemoaning both their fate and their own
stupidity in getting into this mess.  When the Committee reconvened they
announced their willingness to sign as expected.  Harvey insisted that to
fulfill the "no coercion" clause they had to be completely unrestrained first
which took some time.  Once that was done Akane and Lillian made a major
production out of signing, well aware it was the last time they would be free
for weeks.  The committee humoured them for a few minutes then called time.
     Projecting an almost tangible aura of dread the pair signed and tried to
enjoy the moments before the Jennies were arrived to take them to the Punitive
Ward.  The security officers re-secured them, less stringently than before
with just the straitjackets followed by strapping them to the carts with the
built in belts.  However it was more than sufficent to hold them in place even
if they hadn't been cooperative.   Despite their interdepartmental rivalries
both orderlies were secretly thankful the job hadn't been turned over to their
co-workers again.  Dr Frost was excused from the Committee to oversee their
placement in the Standing Coffins and after a discussion of the remaining
minor items on the agenda the meeting adjourned.
     With the meeting concluded Grimbor informally asked ARNie, "How long are
you planning to keep them in there?  You've got a pretty wide range to choose
from."
     "I think I'll make it an exercise in participatory democracy."
     "Pardon?"
     "Just a sec, Pete if you've got a minute?"
     Peter, trailed by Ani Puma, joined them and ARNie told the group, "Since
their colleagues are the strongest voices pushing for punishment I'm going to
give them the responsibility for administering it.  At the end of the first
week we'll poll the Orderlies.  If they vote to let them loose it's over, if
not it's another week.  The end of that week we hold another vote and if the
majority says continue we hold a final vote at the end of the third to see if
they go the full four weeks."
     Ani snorted, "My girls tell me the Delmos are boiling mad.  It'll go all
four."  Pete shook his head.
     "Mad yes but they do all know them and the longer they tune in to watch
them the more they'll feel sorry for them.  Besides there's already a bit of
a 'there but for the grace of god, or at least common sense, go I' attitude.
They'll vote to continue overwhelmingly the first week, but after that they'll
start realising how pathetic and miserable they look.  It'll be much closer
the second week though I think it'll squeak by but there's no chance it'll go
beyond three."
     "Big mistake Pete, never underestimate vengeful women.  Especially Delmos
when Aika's involved.  You're better off goading a bull to charge."
     "Care to make a side bet on the outcome?"
     Ani pondered, "Only if you promise not to interfere and let your people
make up their own minds."
     "Agreed.  So let's talk stakes."
     "All right."
     They moved off leaving the two senior officers to wonder at the terms of
the wager.  What they were remained between Ani and Pete leaving the Chairman
and Chief Administrator to speculate on what Peter had won.
     As he had predicted on the first vote 15% of the Delmos thought a week
was enough.  Next week that had risen to 40% and despite clandestine efforts
by Ani to re-ignite the flames of resentment (she hadn't promised she wouldn't
interfere) when she saw which way the wind was blowing it was all over on the
third vote.  Akane and Lillian returned to work after a few days recovering
in the infirmary and found they had actually earned back most of the respect
of their colleagues for accepting responsibility instead of walking away.  So
while not far from the most popular orderlies they didn't have to watch their
backs after all.  Though as Lillian said there had to be easier, or at least
much less painful ways to have regained their peers trust .
     After that their lives settled back into a familiar and comfortable
routine without lingering after effects.  Apart from Chief Ani Puma glaring at
them occasionally and muttering something about a recount.

End of Report

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