Providence

The Right to a Fair Trial

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

- UN General Assembly, 1948, Universal declaration of human rights (217 [III] A). Paris. Art. 10

Erin is slowly falling asleep in class. She tries not to, but she simply cannot help it. Usually, Erin enjoys learning about history. When she was a little girl, she used to read history books for fun. She especially liked the history of the human race, how they emerged from a long-forgotten planet called Earth and how they spread among the stars, and eventually landed on Tartaros.

If this course, called "The History of Tartaros", would explain this topic, Erin would be glued to the professor's lips. But no, the professor drones on and on about how great and perfect the angels are. Erin laughs to herself. They should have called this course "Angel Propaganda." The angels really do not need more propaganda. Every kid learns to worship the angels from a young age. Going to church every Sunday, praying to the angelic statues, thanking them before every meal, you name it. Erin had to suffer all that nonsense her whole childhood. Do the Angles really have to enforce this course? It didn't stick to Erin back then and it doesn't now.

One of the people the angel's teachings did stick to was Erin's roommate, Gwen, who is sitting next to her. Sometimes Erin is surprised Gwen and her are close friends, as they couldn't be more opposite.

Erin looks over to Gwen. Gwen's long brown wavy hair falls almost on her desk. Her dark, almost black eyes, are focused on the professor. Gwen seems to enjoy the course, her red lips in a slight smile, brightening up her pale face. She is frantically scribbling down notes. Erin looks at her own notebook, which is still empty. Hopefully, she can copy Gwen's notes later.

Erin closes her eyes again, dreaming about Earth. Watching the sun, a bright star in the sky that dawns and dusks each day. The sunrises and sunsets must have been beautiful. Erin has seen many pictures of sunrises and sunsets, but never the real thing. This is a pity because ancient writers say that a picture never could capture the true essence of a sunset.

Sunsets are one of those things Erin will never experience. Tartaros doesn't have a sun. It only has a pulsar, and it is never visible from the surface. All it does is fill the sky with a purple-red glow. At least the Aurora Borealis it creates is beautiful. At least that is one thing Tartaros has that Earth has not. Or maybe Earth does have Aurora Borealis. Erin doesn't know.

The professor continues her boring tirade. "And after all our crops withered away, and all the animals died, the angels came from the sky and blessed us with the Photosynth generator. After they provided us with a constant supply of food, clothing and medicine, the people were hellbent on returning the favour. Erin, are you listening to me?"

Erin opens her eyes and looks up. The professor stands next to her on the stairs of the auditorium, looking straight at her. She reminds Erin of an owl who spotted a mouse.

"Yes, professor, you told us we are supposed to be grateful for the angels."

Some people in the auditorium laugh, and others gasp. The professor gives her a stern look.

"No, Erin, we are not 'supposed to be' grateful. We are grateful. They provide us with all of our needs."

Erin rolls her eyes. "They force our people to kill half of the infants, and we are still supposed to be grateful? And for what, not letting us starve?"

The class gasps again. The professor sighs, taking off her glasses.

"I already have explained this, Erin. You would know this if you were listening. They force us to kill most male babies to conserve resources. Cis men can't get pregnant. Why would the angels want to spend their limited resources to keep people alive that cannot create the next generation? That have no use for us?"