Monument (novel)

18

Submaster Jarvis Jarnes presented himself to the court in the only manner possible—with temerity. Although the Justice His Eminence Blorr Figawn had not precisely said so, his manner on the occasion of Jarnes’s previous appearance clearly indicated that His Eminence was sick of the sight of him, and His Eminence had a long memory. And Jarnes himself had lost track of the number of unsuccessful actions he had undertaken for the people of Langri.

His Eminence greeted Jarnes with resignation and a prolonged scowl. “Must we go through this again, Submaster Jarnes?”

“It is of crucial import, Your Eminence. The natives of Langri—”

“Ah, yes. Those poor natives. If there were any possible succor, I assure you—” He paused and then said sternly, “What is it this time?”

“A petition for an injunction, Your Eminence.”

“I suspected as much.”

“It concerns Wembling and Company’s use of its Langrian charter, Your Eminence.”

“Submaster Jarnes, are you—the words are those of your honorable opponent and the counsel to Wembling and Company, Master Khorwiss—are you inflating trivialities again?”

“I hope not, Your Eminence.”

“So do I. You may proceed.”

His expression of polite boredom matched that of Clerk Wyland, who was seated beneath the justice’s projection. There were no spectators. “I’ll be brief, Your Eminence,” Jarnes promised. “I am petitioning for a court-directed work stoppage and a thorough review of the ‘natural resources’ clause in Wembling and Company’s charter.”

“Again?” the justice asked politely.

“The survival of a world’s population is at stake, Your Eminence. The plight of the natives is desperate. I have proof—”

“I am well aware of that plight, Submaster Jarnes. You have brought it to my attention repeatedly, and while I no doubt have my weaknesses and foibles, I do not number a poor memory among them. Nor do I stand second to anyone in my sympathy for those poor natives. Unfortunately, I must apply the law and observe the rulings of Higher Court. What is the basis for your challenge this time?”

“Golf courses, Your Eminence.”

“Golf courses?” the justice repeated incredulously.

“Yes, Your Eminence. Wembling and Company plan the construction of a number of golf courses of unusually large size—one could even say absurdly large size. The number is far in excess of the possible needs of the resort under construction, and most of them will be in locations impossibly remote from the resort. Obviously they’re a subterfuge, Your Eminence. They are camouflage for a land grab that will further endanger the native population’s chances for survival, and Wembling and Company intend—”

The justice waved a precautionary finger. “Opinion of the plaintiff’s counsel is not evidential. Can you prove they’re a subterfuge?”

“By the time the real intention of Wembling and Company becomes apparent, it’ll be too late for legal action.”

“We must test the situation on the basis of the known facts, Submaster Jarnes. Wembling and Company’s project is a vacation resort. I suppose it is perfectly in order for people on vacation to play golf, and Higher Court has affirmed that the charter provision allowing Wembling and Company to develop the world’s natural resources can legally cover the construction and operation of a resort. Precisely what new question are you raising, if any?”

“Two questions, Your Eminence. First, whether the charter permits golf courses; and second, if it does, whether it permits golf courses in this irrational number and on this unreasonable scale. The golf courses require the clearing of vast stretches of forest, Your Eminence. In other words, these golf courses, which Wembling and Company presumes to build under a charter permitting the development of natural resources, are resulting in the irrational destruction of natural resources.”

“Have you searched it?”

“Yes, Your Eminence. I find no ruling that would apply.”

“Then I would have to view the golf courses as adjunct to the vacation resort and thus properly covered by the charter. Believe me, my sympathy is with the natives, but I cannot make law to succor them. You’d have to apply directly to Higher Court for your injunction, and I doubt that it would hear you.”

“Yes, Your Eminence. I will weigh that. Would you then consider enjoining Wembling and Company from further disruption of the ecology of the world of Langri?”

The justice stared for a moment. Then he smiled. “Very ingenious, Submaster Jarnes. Tell me frankly. At this stage is there any aspect of Wembling and Company’s activities that could be continued without further disruption of the ecology of the world of Langri?”

“We would request the injunction only as concerns new activities, Your Eminence.”

“Such as golf courses?”

Jarnes said feebly, “Well—”

“Ecology is such a large word, Submaster Jarnes. It covers so many things—among them things already granted to Wembling and Company by Higher Court. Should I enjoin Wembling and Company from further disruption of the world’s ecology, would I not be infringing upon rights already granted? If a tourist takes a deep breath, doesn’t that alter the ecology? The breathed portion of the atmosphere has been converted from oxygen prime to carbon dioxide prime. No, Submaster Jarnes. Higher Court has affirmed the right of Wembling and Company to build and use resorts on the world of Langri, and that right is now beyond my power of enjoinment. Those poor natives—but of course I must observe the law and the decisions of Higher Court. Are there any promising possibilities on the political front?”

“It is very uncertain, Your Eminence. Too many politicians are interested in injustice only when they can make political capital of it.”

“To be sure,” the justice said sympathetically. “There’s one comforting thing about the law. When asked it will answer. It may say it doesn’t know, but at least it speaks.”

“Nevertheless, the law permits the destruction of an entire world population so that Wembling and Company can have a prosperous resort.”

The justice frowned and then regarded him perplexedly. “Mmm—a charter to develop natural resources should not permit the extermination of human life. If you can put that in the form of a legal petition I will grant you relief immediately.”

“I’ve been trying for months, Your Eminence. It can’t be done.”

“And unfortunately, there’s no way I or any other justice can rule on a petition you cannot present. Most unfortunate, but true. Those poor natives—”