Maragana Girl
Copyright 2004 by EC
EC's Erotic Art & Fiction - http://www.ecgraphicarts.com/
EC's deviantART collection - http://caligula20171.deviantart.com/ 

(warnings: judicial corporal punishment, forced public nudity, sex between adults, 
references to drug use, references to violence)

Chapter 15 – The punishment of Officer Malka Chorno

Spokesman Vladim Dukov and his client Criminal # 98945 went to his office very 
early Friday morning. The chief police doctor was waiting for them, to examine 
Kim and clear her for attending the hearings that would determine the course of 
Officer Malka Chorno's future. As the doctor’s assistant had predicted, Kim's 
bottom was well on its way to healing. He removed the bandages and was quite 
satisfied with the condition of Kim's injuries. “We may even avoid the scar on 
your thigh. Anyhow, if you have it, it won't be noticeable unless you're looking 
for it. That pretty brown bottom of yours will be back to normal in another week.”

Kim cringed with dislike as the old doctor studied her bottom. The doctor was the 
same man who had given Prisoner # 98945 the drug test the year before and 
whose students delighted in sexually humiliating criminals. Kim would have 
expected the doctor and his staff to oppose Spokesman Dukov and his proposed 
reforms. However, on the question of injuries, the police doctors fully agreed with 
Dukov. Under no circumstances was it appropriate to actually injure a criminal. 
The doctors' objections to some of the more severe beatings that had recently 
taken place took priority over the head doctor's belief that there was nothing 
wrong with the sexual humiliations. The medical staff had become reluctant 
supporters of portions of Dukov's reforms. As for Criminal # 98945, the head 
doctor was every bit as concerned as was her Spokesman that she recover as 
completely as possible.

Before going to Malka Chorno's hearing, Kim had to go to the booking room of 
the Central Police Station to have her second mugshot taken. Throughout their 
sentences, Danubian criminals had to have their files updated each year, which 
included new yearly mugshots. Criminal # 98945 looked quietly into the camera 
as the flash went off. Later, when Vladim Dukov added the second mugshot to his 
client's file, he had a chance to compare it to the picture taken immediately after 
her arrest. The contrast was so startling that it was hard to believe that the two 
pictures were of the same person. The difference went way beyond Kim's changed 
hairstyle. Her entire expression was different; the very inner working of her soul 
was different. When Dukov compared the two photos, he realized how much Kim 
truly had changed and matured during the first year of her sentence.

---------

Dukov escorted his client across the Central Plaza to the Central Courthouse. 
They entered the ornate building and the courtroom where Criminal # 98945 went 
on trial the year before. Dukov explained to Kim that today was one day she was 
not to kneel in the presence of the public officials running the hearing. Kim was 
the aggrieved party in this case and was due an official apology. She would attend 
the hearing standing, although because she was still a criminal, she could not 
salute. Criminal # 98945 and Spokesman Vladim Dukov walked to the witness 
area immediately to the right and slightly behind the judge's desk. They stood 
together, as several cameras focused on them.

The courtroom was packed, filled with police officers, all of Danube City's 
Spokespersons, many law students and professors, and even some human rights 
activists. A number of criminals who had been punished by Officer Chorno also 
were present, eager to see the demise of her career.

The case would be a sensation, by far the most exciting trial of the year. 
Prosecutions against police officers were rare, so when they happened they 
always drew a great deal of public interest. Criminal # 98945 was relatively well-
known and well-liked throughout Upper Danubia because of her singing. She was 
a familiar sight around Danube City on her bicycle and a fixture at the 
information counter at the city's main music store. Officer Malka Chorno also was 
well-known, especially as a result of the fire-fight in which she coolly shot four 
bank robbers with her service revolver as their automatic weapons sprayed bullets 
all around her. Finally, Spokesman Vladim Dukov was the most recognized of 
Danube City's 20 Spokespersons because of his success in representing criminals 
and because of the controversy surrounding his legislation pending in Parliament. 
It was for sure the entire incident, from Kim's switching and Officer Chorno's 
attack against the Spokesman, to the dismissal and prosecution of the 
policewoman, would be televised. Probably it would crowd out the transmissions 
of any other trials and punishments for that Sunday evening and be discussed for 
weeks.

Officer Malka Chorno quietly entered the courtroom in her uniform, accompanied 
by her partner. She had taken special care that her uniform look its best; her boots 
were thoroughly shined, her badge and buttons had been polished, her police tunic 
was crisply pressed and ironed. Officer Chrono knew this was the last time in her 
life she would have the right to wear her policewoman's uniform. She wanted to 
treat her outfit with special respect and care before she had to surrender it. Kim 
noticed one detail indicating the direction of Malka Chorno's future. There was no 
pistol in her holster. Her service weapon already had been taken away from her.

Malka and her partner silently stepped into the middle of the courtroom. They 
quietly stood on the empty floor, facing the judge's desk. Both the prisoner's stand 
and the punishment bench had been removed, because during a police disciplinary 
hearing neither was used. Errant police officers were harshly disciplined in Upper 
Danubia, but protocol prohibited them from being disciplined in the same manner 
as common criminals. It was partly for that reason Officer Chorno entered the 
courtroom still dressed in her uniform. The official stripping of her uniform 
would signal the beginning of her punishment.

From her spot in the witness area Criminal # 98945 looked at her nemesis. Officer 
Chorno looked neither broken nor defiant. She really did not even look sad. She 
looked…empty, as though the life force had been taken out of her soul. As Kim 
studied the officer's attractive face and immaculate uniform, she knew that Malka 
Chorno had changed. No longer was she the same person who had tormented Kim 
in the park nor the one who so had viciously beaten her a few days ago. Suddenly 
she felt somewhat sorry for the disgraced cop.

There were no such thoughts of pity from Vladim Dukov. He was determined to 
destroy Officer Chorno to the point she never could be a danger to anyone again. 
That cop was out of control and needed to be removed as a threat to the judicial 
system. She had violated the spirit of the 1780 judicial code continuously since 
the beginning of last year. She had shown absolute cruelty against anyone 
unfortunate enough to fall under her discipline. She held the city's Spokespersons 
for the Criminals in total contempt. Last year she had come very close to 
murdering Kimberly Lee. Her charisma made her dangerous because of the bad 
influence she had on other police officers. On top of everything else was the kick 
to his stomach. That kick was unprecedented. None of Dukov's co-workers ever 
had remembered a police officer striking a Spokesperson, and certainly never in 
court. Dukov would have had a hard time admitting it, but for the first time in his 
life he had developed a deep personal hatred and thirst for revenge.

“DOC-DOC DANUBE!”

The entire room stood up and saluted, including Malka's partner. She did not 
salute. She simply remained quietly standing at attention. Kim, her brain 
conditioned to dropping on her knees every time she heard the official salute, 
struggled to remember that she was not to kneel in court.

The person entering the judge's chair was not a judge at all, but the Chief of the 
Danube City Division of the National Police. Most of the other presiding officials 
were wearing police uniforms as well. There was an arraignment panel, but all 
three of them were senior police officers. The first hearing was not about the 
criminal charges pending against Officer Chorno, but instead her violations of the 
National Police Code of Conduct. The criminal charges would come after Officer 
Chorno's status as a police officer was settled.

The Chief of Police spoke from the judge's chair.

“Officer Malka Chorno. You will remove your badge and your hat. Place your 
badge inside your hat. Place your hat at the foot of my desk. Once you have done 
that, you will return to where you are standing.”

Malka's partner un-pinned her badge and handed it to her. She took off her hat 
and, following the chief's instructions, placed it upside down at the foot of the 
judge's desk. She returned to her position standing next to her partner.

“You're responsibilities as a uniformed officer are suspended from this moment, 
pending the outcome of this hearing. That suspension will become permanent 
should this proceeding determine you are guilty of the violations of the National 
Police Code of Conduct pending against you. Do you understand the violations 
pending against you?”

“Yes, Chief of Police, I understand the violations of the Code of Conduct.”

“You will state, in your own words, the first violation pending against you.”

“I am charged with violation of Article 3 of Item 18 of the Grand Duke's reform 
of the Judicial Code of 1780. Specifically that means, during the course of 
punishing Criminal # 98945, I struck her to the point of bleeding, in clear 
violation of Article 3 of Item 18.”

“You will state, in your own words, the second charge pending against you.”

“I am charged with violation of Article 4 of Item 18 of the Grand Duke's reform 
of the Judicial Code of 1780. Specifically that means, during the course of 
punishing Criminal # 98945, I ignored my responsibility to stop striking that 
criminal when her Spokesman raised his hand to make me pause for medical 
evaluation of her injuries.”

“You will state, in your own words, the third charge pending against you.”

“I am charged with the violation of Insurrection. In violation of Article 9 of Item 
5 of the Judicial Code of 1524, I struck a public official while he was performing 
the duties of his office. I struck him while I was supposed to be performing the 
duties of my office. Specifically that means, when Spokesman Dukov attempted 
to intervene to suspend the punishment of Criminal # 98945, I deliberately struck 
him full-force in the stomach by kicking him. I kicked him in court, while 
wearing my police uniform. I struck him in the stomach wearing a boot issued to 
me by the National Police Force.”

“You will state, in your own words, the fourth violation pending against you.”

“I am charged with a second violation of Article 4 of Item 18 of the Grand Duke's 
reform of the Judicial Code of 1780. Specifically that means, after I incapacitated 
Spokesman Dukov by striking him with my foot, I resumed striking Criminal # 
98945, even though I could clearly see she was bleeding.”

“Officer Chorno, do you refute the veracity of any of the four violations against 
you?”

“No, Chief of Police, I do not refute the violations.”

“Can you give this court any justification for your behavior, any reason why you 
felt it was necessary to strike either Criminal 98945 or Spokesman Dukov?”

“No, Chief of Police, I cannot provide any justification that would alter the legal 
standing of the violations.”

“Do you understand that your two violations of Article 4 of Item 18 of the Grand 
Duke's reform of the Judicial Code of 1780 and the violation of Insurrection will 
require this court to terminate your service as a uniformed officer of the National 
Police of the Grand Duchy of Upper Danubia?”

“Yes, Chief of Police, I understand that.”

“Very well. Malka Chorno, as of this moment you are no longer a member of the 
National Police Force. You have proven yourself unfit to wear that uniform.”

Malka knew what was coming, but to hear the actual words pronounced struck at 
her soul. Being a police officer had been the purpose of her life, the reason she 
existed. The finality of what had happened finally sunk in. Malka's expression 
changed slightly. She looked stricken. The Police Chief's next comment was 
directed at Malka's partner.

“Officer, you will remove all property belonging to the National Police of the 
Grand Duchy of Upper Danubia from the body of Malka Chorno.”

Malka stood quietly at attention as her ex-partner stripped her. He started with her 
boots, taking them off her feet as she raised each leg. He then took off her police 
belt. He removed the items from the belt, her mace, her flashlight, her nightstick, 
her handcuffs, and her holster from the belt. He carried the boots and items from 
the belt to the foot of the judge's desk and lined them up next to Malka's hat. He 
rolled up the thick leather police belt and placed it at her feet, because it would 
stay with Malka and be used to punish her following her criminal trial. Malka's 
partner then removed several service medals from her uniform. He placed those in 
the hat with her badge. Her armband and rank came off next, and also ended up in 
her hat. Malka now was barefoot and wearing nothing but her woman's police 
tunic. He paused, hoping not to have to go any further.

“You will finish retrieving all property that belongs to the National Police Force, 
Officer.”

Very reluctantly Malka's partner undid the buttons of her blue tunic. He took the 
tunic, folded it, and placed it at the foot of the judge's bench. Malka now was 
wearing nothing but a police shirt and the light-blue police-issue bra and 
underwear for female police officers. Those items had to be taken off as well. 
Malka's partner unbuttoned the shirt and pulled it off his partner's shoulders. He 
fumbled with the hook in her bra and finally got it off. He pushed her underwear 
to her ankles and she quietly stepped out of it.

Malka, now naked, stood at attention as tears rolled down her cheeks. Cameras 
flashed at the bare body of the disgraced ex-police officer. For a long time the 
Chief of Police left her standing, to let the humiliation sink in. Malka did not 
move, nor did she change her expression. The only detail indicating her inner 
torment was the tears flowing down her face. 

“Malka Chorno, for the final portion of this hearing you will kneel. You will 
understand that from this point forward you are not to salute any member of the 
National Police Force. No longer will you stand at attention in court. You have 
forfeited your right to salute. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Chief of Police, I understand.”

“Kneel.”

Malka sank to her knees for the first time in her life. She placed her hands on the 
floor and her head between them. She touched her forehead to the floor.

“Spokesman Dukov, you will approach the judge's desk with Criminal # 98945.”

Dukov and Kim stood at the foot of the judge's desk, as she quietly contemplated 
the pile of police items at her feet. Kim was awestruck that these items, which 
looked so fearsome when worn by Malka Chorno, now were nothing but 
inanimate objects lying on the ground, incapable of causing her any further harm. 
What was truly shocking was to see how helpless Malka looked, stripped of her 
uniform. 

The police chief stepped down and saluted Vladim Dukov, who saluted back. He 
then retrieved Malka's badge from her hat and handed it to Dukov.

“Spokesman, in accordance with Article 6 of Item 18 of the Grand Duke's reform 
of the Judicial Code of 1780, you will present this badge to Criminal # 98945 as a 
gesture of apology from the National Police of the Grand Duchy of Upper 
Danubia.”

“Yes, Chief of Police, I will make the presentation.”

Dukov turned to his client. He spoke to her in Danubian.

“Criminal # 98945, the Grand Duchy of Upper Danubia offers its official apology 
for the manner in which you were treated this past Tuesday. I am presenting you 
with the badge of the police officer who offended your honor and your rights as a 
criminal as a gesture of remorse. You will understand this badge has no authority 
in your possession, it is nothing more than a gesture of apology.”

“Yes, Spokesman Dukov, I understand, and I accept this gesture of apology with 
gratitude.”

With that Dukov handed Kim the police badge. Kim thought she could hear 
Malka suppress a sob. Kim felt no triumph at all, no happiness or relief. She felt 
awful, and almost guilty that she had to accept the badge. 

Kim and Dukov withdrew to the witness's area and the Chief of Police addressed 
Malka again.

“Malka Chorno, my professional relationship with you has ended. I have one final 
duty to perform before I completely wash my hands of you. I am declaring you 
under arrest for the crimes of insurrection, simple assault, assault against a public 
official while in performance of his duty, and abuse of the authority of your 
former public position. I am ordering you to be taken to the Central Police Station 
immediately. You will be booked, arraigned, and assigned a Spokesman. 
Tomorrow you will go on trial, just like any other criminal.”

The Chief of Police then stood up and drew his fist across his chest. The officers 
and civilians filling the courtroom saluted him. One of the court guards picked up 
Malka's handcuffs from her hat and used them to cuff her hands behind her back. 
He picked up her police belt and led her out of the courtroom and across Danube 
City's Central Plaza to the police station. Kim's arresting officer faced a day very 
similar to Kim's first day as a Danubian criminal. In spite of everything the 
woman had done to make her life miserable, Kim felt sorry for her.

----------

Dukov and Kim returned to his office. Dukov had expected to see Kim elated, but 
could tell that she wasn't. He was about to try to talk to her when one of his 
secretaries handed him an ancient silver box with an archaic version of Upper 
Danubia's national symbol, a griffin. Dukov sighed and frowned when he saw the 
box.

“What is it, Spokesman Dukov?”

Dukov showed the box to Kim.

“This box is an ancient tradition in our country. No one knows how old it is or 
where it came from. But all of us know very well what it is. I can tell you it is 
something no public official is happy to see.”

“Why not?”

“This box contains a personal challenge. I must prove my honor. The document 
inside is a test of my character, a task that I must accomplish.”

“I don't get it.”

“In this country public officials have had a tradition for hundreds of years. If a 
public official considers himself important, his peers have the obligation to test 
his honor. If he passes the test, he may continue with his ambitions. If he fails the 
test, then he must desist from further public activity. The test is always a task that 
challenges one's inner soul.”

Dukov opened the box and removed a standard business envelope. He opened the 
envelope and passed the letter to Kim. The message read:

Former Officer of the National Police of the Grand Duchy of Upper Danubia, 
Malka Chorno, is officially under arrest and has been assigned Prisoner # 99348. 
You will serve as her Spokesman, and will protect her interests to the best of your 
ability. You will confirm receipt of this assignment when you retrieve her case 
file from the booking room.

Dukov took the letter back from Kim. He closed the silver box and packed it in its 
padded carrier. Later that night Dukov would have to return the carrier to the 
Temple of the Ancients. When it was not in use, the Temple's High Priest kept the 
box in his study.

“I should not be surprised. I do not know if you understand how difficult an 
assignment this will be for me. Malka Chorno is the first person in many years I 
have truly hated. I find her and her actions abhorrent. She represents everything I 
stand against and want to change. But now I am obligated to serve her interests.”

“Who gave you this challenge?”

“The city's other 19 Spokespersons, without a doubt.”

“But I thought they all supported you.”

“The others support me, Kimberly. This is not a question of whether they support 
me or not. The others believe that Malka and I must come to terms with each 
other. This will be as difficult for her as it will be for me. That is why she became 
my client.”

Dukov signed the letter and handed it to Kim.

“Please assist me in this matter. I would appreciate you going downstairs to the 
booking room and retrieving Malka's file.”

“Yes, Spokesman Dukov.”

Kim went downstairs to the booking room. The folder was waiting for her. Kim 
opened it to verify it contained Malka Chorno's documents. Kim studied Malka's 
mugshot, noticing the woman's glassy-eyed stare into the camera. Kim then knelt 
as the head photographer signed the receipt for Vladim Dukov. Dukov now was 
fully committed to serving a person he hated.

Criminal # 98945 returned to her Spokesman's office and handed the file to 
Dukov. With that he sat down to figure out how he could prepare a plea for 
leniency. The fact that both he and his surrogate daughter had been the victims of 
her violence no longer mattered. 

Kim left the office to meet Sergekt. He was waiting outside the main entrance of 
the Central Police Station. She desperately needed to talk to him. She hugged him 
hard, and they sat down on a nearby bench. She showed him Malka's badge. He 
took the badge and traced its engraving with his fingertip.

“Kim, you're not happy about this, are you?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I don't know. I really don't know why. She deserves everything she has coming 
to her, but I'm not happy about it. Tomorrow she'll go on trial, get her butt 
whipped and get a collar put on her neck, and the whole thing makes me sick.”

Kim was having huge doubts about the destruction of Officer Chorno's career. 
Her American desire for revenge clashed with her Danubian concern about what 
was best for the entire community. What would become of Malka now that she 
had lost her badge? 

Kim's thoughts returned to Vladik's story about the bank robbery. It was obvious 
that Malka was a brave, if very flawed, police officer. Vladik's words "she's one 
of those officers who will end up either a complete hero or a complete villain, 
depending on which path the Spirits of the Ancients choose to lead her” came 
back to haunt Kim. Was there still room in this life for Officer Malka to become a 
hero instead of a villain? Could she redeem herself in a way that would be truly 
beneficial to Upper Danubia?

Kim checked herself. What the fuck am I thinking? That crazy woman wanted to 
kill me for no reason. She doesn't deserve any mercy. Or does she? Who knows 
what the terrible fate of her sister could have done to her soul? Can a damaged 
soul be repaired? Maybe the Guardian Spirits were trying to say something to her, 
maybe that was why they had answered her prayer to get her through the 
punishment without crying. Perhaps this country's Ancient Guardians had done 
Kim a favor, only to demand that she do something in return. 

My God, thought Kim…even this country's religion has gotten into my head.

As they walked in the mid-summer twilight, Kim discussed her beating in detail 
with Sergekt. The detail standing out in her mind was that she had prayed, 
actually prayed to the country's Spirits of the Ancients before her beating began, 
and then made it through the worst punishment anyone could remember without 
crying. She didn't cry at all, not even afterwards when she lay in agony on 
Dukov's recovery table. Could there be a connection between the two facts? And 
if she in some way had been helped, did it mean she had to do something in 
return?

Kim knew Sergekt was quite superstitious, that he took the entire Danubian 
Guardian Spirit thing very seriously. If there were anyone in her life who she 
could talk to about her question, he would be the right person.

“It's totally possible, what you're saying, Kim. It would make sense that the 
Guardian Spirits would have helped you get through your whipping, especially if 
you were praying to them. And you're right about giving back. If they gave 
something like that to you, then you must give something back. If the Guardian 
Spirits speak to you, you'd better listen, and follow the path where they lead you.”

“What could they possibly be saying to me?”

“I don't have the answer to that. Let's go to the Old Temple, and see if we can get 
one of the Priests to help you.”

As it got dark outside, the two criminals stood in front of a senior Priest. There 
was no kneeling, because for a Priest there was no social status among people 
seeking advice. The man was dressed in a simple black robe and looked about 60. 
Kim recognized him from last September as one of the organizers of the 
criminals' torch march. 

Kim explained her situation, and her doubts about finishing off Officer Chorno's 
career. She was perplexed and bothered that she even had such doubts, given that 
Malka was such an evil person.

“Kimberly Annette Lee, you will understand this dilemma in your life is not about 
Officer Malka Chrorno. It is about you. That is why you came here, to determine 
what path tomorrow must lead you. For the first time you hold another person's 
fate in your hands. That person is someone you hate, but it must be that way, or 
the decision would be an easy one for you. The decision will be difficult because 
that is the way it must be, difficult. Once the decision is made, it is not your 
enemy who will be transformed, but you.”

Kim left the Temple clearly aware of what she needed to do. Two things were 
important. Malka had to be punished for what she had done. She needed to be 
punished not specifically for what she had done to Kim, but for her over-all 
behavior towards all of the criminals she had switched. Malka would become a 
criminal herself, learn what it was like to be on the other side of the punishment 
table, and be forced to change. However, once Malka's transformation took place, 
she needed to return to her rightful place in society.

Kim returned to Dukov's house very late. She spent the night in restless thought, 
wondering what she could say to Spokesman Dukov when he got up. As the pre-
dawn light appeared out her window, Kim, a 19 year-old criminal, finally settled 
on a plan that would salvage both the career and the life of Officer Malka Chorno.

----------

Kim discussed her idea with Vladim Dukov as they made their way downtown. 
Dukov listened attentively once he found out about Kim's trip to the Temple of 
the Ancients. He was not as openly religious as Sergekt, but many of Upper 
Danubia's superstitions were present in his thoughts. The more he thought about 
it, the more Kim's idea made sense.

Vladim Dukov and his secretaries prepared a breakfast for Malka Chorno once 
they arrived at his office in the Central Police Station. It was a full breakfast, 
similar to the one Dukov had given Prisoner # 98945 the year before, complete 
with fruit, breakfast rolls, and tea. 

Malka Chorno entered the office, cuffed and escorted by one of her former co-
workers. She knelt and was left alone in Dukov's reception area. Dukov un-cuffed 
her as Kim and the secretaries watched. Malka knelt forward and pressed her 
forehead to the floor, showing respect to the Spokesman she had so viciously 
kicked only a few days before.

“Malka, I want you to understand that regardless of what happened between us in 
the past, my duty now is to serve your interests.”

“Yes, Spokesman.”

“Please come with me and have breakfast in my office. Kimberly, you will 
prepare yourself to appear in court while I speak with Malka Chrono.”

With that the Spokesman and Prisoner # 99348 entered the back office. Malka 
appeared totally broken, her soul emptied out. She ignored the food and stared 
blankly ahead.

“Malka, please. You must eat. Everyone who comes through my office begins 
with breakfast. A year ago Kimberly Lee went through exactly what you are 
going through. She ate breakfast, and then we discussed the trial and the charges.”

Malka forced herself to eat. Once she finished she had a question for the 
Spokesman.

“Spokesman, if I may ask, because my crime was committed against you and your 
client, isn't it inappropriate that you represent me in court? Isn't that a conflict of 
interest?”

“Normally it is, Malka. But the other Spokespersons of this city have determined 
that you and I must make peace with each other. I will defend your interests, to 
the best of my ability. It is a question of honor, for both of us.”

“Spokesman, I have no honor. What honor I had I squandered last Tuesday.”

Dukov paused. Most certainly what the former police officer said was true, but 
now Dukov was faced with the task of salvaging as much of her life as possible.

“Malka, what you squandered was your current police career. You will 
understand that you will not recover that part of your life. Today you will be 
sentenced, and with your own police belt, your body will be severely beaten. 
Tonight you will sleep in my office, on a recovery table in intense pain. 
Tomorrow that pain will slowly subside. Once your body is back to normal your 
life will continue, whether you wish it or not. Now I have a question for you. I 
would like you, in your own words, to explain to me what happened last Tuesday. 
I want to know what was going on in your thoughts and what you hoped to 
accomplish. If you ask why I should know your thoughts, that is because I want to 
know anything that might allow me to request leniency for you.”

Malka gave Dukov a sad look, then stared straight ahead.

“Spokesman, I wasn't trying to accomplish anything when I punished Criminal # 
98945, other than satisfy myself. I simply wanted to gratify my desire to inflict as 
much hurt on a helpless person as I could, because it's what I enjoy doing. I wish I 
had some other explanation, but I don't.”

“Do you believe using your position to gratify your desires was appropriate?”

“No Spokesman, of course it's not appropriate. And I knew that someday my 
actions would catch up with me. I knew it would happen eventually. It turned out 
that Tuesday was the day. As for kicking you, I…I don't know what happened. 
You stood between me and my obsessions. I wanted you removed so I could 
continue beating Criminal # 98945. It's like my emotions took total control of me, 
blocking out my ability to reason. I was insane, just for a few seconds, but long 
enough to injure Criminal # 98945 and to kick a public official, you. But…before 
Tuesday…I saw it coming…I knew it was going to happen, and I didn't do 
anything about it when there was still time.”

Dukov proceeded to ask Malka to describe her police career at length, both the 
positive and negative things she had done in her life. He wanted his newest client 
to examine herself, and also gauge to what extent she could be truthful about her 
flaws. It turned out the ex-police officer was capable of being brutally honest with 
the most uncomfortable details of her life and her actions. She saw herself clearly 
for what she was, a brilliant police officer with a serious character defect that had 
hurt many people and ultimately wrecked her career. She blamed herself where 
she needed to, for striving to satisfy her lust for hurting other people instead of 
turning in her switch and seeking counseling. 

Malka didn't grovel in regret or self-pity. She knew she was a deeply flawed 
person who had failed to exercise any type of self-control. She now was paying 
dearly for that failure. Her fiancée had left her, her parents had disowned her, and 
her co-workers had turned their backs on her, including the ones she thought were 
her friends. Only one person in her life had stayed loyal to her, and that was her 
partner, a man she had so brutally bullied and bossed around ever since they had 
been assigned to work together. Malka suspected that over time he would reflect 
about his relationship with her and how awfully she had treated him, and once he 
did so, he too, would turn his back on her.

“My life is pretty much over, Spokesman. At least, what I knew is gone. I had a 
real reason for living; something the Ancients blessed me with. They gave me the 
talents and the abilities to do my job well and serve this country. How did I repay 
them? By tormenting criminals and squandering my career. I had a purpose in 
life, and now that purpose is gone.”

“Malka, I don't believe that is true. You are only 26 years old. The meaning of 
your existence is not gone. I believe, ultimately, you will return to your purpose in 
life. However, before you return to that purpose, you will suffer for what you 
have done, and you will reflect about what the path the Ancients want you to 
follow. I will be here to help you.”

“Spokesman, I…don't…want to argue with you, but I am facing at least an 18-
year sentence. I mean…my crimes are pretty serious. How can I return to my 
purpose after 18 years?”

“We'll see. Now, I'd like you to get cleaned up. The criminal's bathroom is over 
there. There is an unused toothbrush on the sink. Use it.”

“Spokesman, do you have a razor? I suppose I might as well shave.”

“In the cabinet under the sink.”

----------

Malka's police escort arrived to handcuff her and take her across the plaza to the 
Central Courthouse. The plaza was crowded with onlookers and reporters as the 
disgraced officer was marched naked and handcuffed to her trial. Dukov and Kim 
trailed behind, both very nervous about what lay ahead. As much as the reporters 
photographed Dukov and his two clients, there was no crowding, no pushing, no 
shouting of impromptu questions. The Danubian press would never tolerate such 
undignified behavior from its reporters. The reporters fully expected Dukov to 
answer their questions after the trial in exchange for respecting him now and 
keeping their distance.

The trial began in a manner very similar to Kim's trial a year before. There were 
the same formalities, the same salutes, the same shouting of “DOC-DOC 
DANUBE!” Like Kim before her, Malka knelt, placing her forehead to the worn 
carpet and her bottom high in the air.

One difference was Kim's role in the trial. Kim stood next to Dukov, for reasons 
the court would understand very shortly. Because she was one of the two 
aggrieved parties in this trial, she was not kneeling, in spite of her continued 
status as a criminal.

The judge's first question in this highly unusual trial was directed at Dukov.

“Spokesman, I have a question for you. Since this prisoner is accused of kicking 
you, how is it that you became her representative in this court?”

“It was a collective decision of this city's Spokespersons that I am best suited to 
defend her interests, your honor.”

The judge smiled slightly. Dukov's answer was a very euphemistic way of saying 
that he had received the Silver Box. Very well, Spokesman Dukov, I hope you're 
up to this challenge, thought the judge to himself.

Malka ascended the prisoner's platform and spread her legs and put her hands 
behind her head. She had watched so many people do the exact same thing, and 
now it was her turn. She stood motionless, looking straight at the judge.

The majority of the trial was a review of the tape documenting Kim's punishment, 
mixed with the testimony of the judge presiding over what was supposed to be a 
routine switching. The assistant police doctor testified next, as he shot a look of 
dislike at Malka.

“I have worked here for 22 years. Not once during that time have I seen a criminal 
as brutally treated as Criminal # 98945 last Tuesday. I was appalled and disgusted 
when I treated her injuries. Spokesman Dukov was well within the responsibilities 
of his position when he ordered a halt to that punishment.”

There was more testimony from other police officials and the court guards who 
pulled Officer Chorno away from the punishment table, this time to support the 
charges of insurrection and assault of a public official while he was performing 
the duties of his office. Because of Dukov's task of representing Malka, there 
would be no direct testimony from him about what happened when she kicked 
him.

There was the usual break, and the usual drink of water for the defendant. Then 
Dukov spoke in defense of his former enemy. Dukov refuted none of the facts 
presented by the prosecution. Instead he concentrated on the need to give Malka 
the chance to reflect on her life and return as soon as possible to being a 
productive citizen. He presented Malka as she was, a brilliant but flawed 
individual who needed guidance and the opportunity to redeem herself.

Dukov's arguments were typical for such a case, but what followed wasn't. 
Criminal # 98945 stepped forward to testify. She was terrified, but courage welled 
up inside her to fulfill her purpose for being present on the floor of the courtroom. 
She addressed the court in accented Danubian as the cameras rolled and flashes 
went off wildly.

Kim spoke at length, explaining her deep fear of Officer Chrono before the final 
switching, her personal determination to overcome her fear, and most importantly 
her prayer that she make it through the punishment. She described her doubts as 
she received Malka's badge and at seeing her former nemesis reduced to a naked 
kneeling prisoner during the police hearing. The audience then sat in 
dumbfounded silence when Kim described her trip with Sergekt to the Temple of 
the Ancients and her talk with the old Priest there. Kim drew a deep breath, and 
finally proceeded with the mission she had assigned herself, making the effort to 
re-direct the destiny of Malka Chorno.

“The government of Upper Danubia has sought to apologize for what happened to 
me last Tuesday. I don't know how I should feel about that, because what 
happened to me is something that shouldn't happen to anyone. It did, and now I 
must move on with my life. The problem I face is that because of my trip to the 
Temple of the Ancients last night, I do not believe it is the destiny of Malka 
Chorno's life to be destroyed because of me. I want her to repair her damaged 
soul, and then I want her to return to serving this country. She is a brave and 
capable woman in spite of her damaged soul, and one who ultimately will serve 
this country well.”

Kim then held up Malka's badge.

“Your honor, I request from this court permission to deliver Officer Chorno's 
badge to the National Police Academy and to surrender custody of it. I ask, once 
Malka Chorno has had an opportunity to reflect on what path in life the Ancients 
want her to follow, that she return to the National Police Academy, retrain, earn 
her badge back, and return to her duties as a police officer. If she needs to start 
over, at the lowest rank, so be it. But what I ask is that this woman's life not be 
wasted.”

The judge tilted his head slightly, trying to make sense out of what Kim had just 
said.

“Are you saying that she should be exonerated of her charges, Criminal 98945?”

“No, your honor, not exonerated. She does need to be punished. She needs to 
learn what it is to be a criminal and to dread the punishment table. She needs to 
wear a collar and for a brief time live among the people she abused. However, 
once she passes though those experiences, my hope is that she will change, and 
that she will turn her back on who she has been up to this moment. My hope is, 
your honor, that in the future she will use her talents to serve all of Upper 
Danubia's people, criminals included.”

“What is your definition of a 'brief time', Criminal # 98945?”

“I'd guess a year, your honor. Definitely no more than two years.”

The judge turned his attention to Malka.

“Malka Chorno, to be honest, I am shocked by the attitude of Criminal # 98945. 
She seems to have forgiven you, which is something that I, in her position, would 
have been reluctant to do. Now I will ask you. Do you think you can transform 
yourself? Do you have the same confidence in yourself that Criminal # 98945 has 
in you?

“I don't know, your honor. I don't know if I can change or not. Criminal # 98945 
has placed faith in me. I cannot answer, even in my own heart, whether or not I 
deserve that faith she has placed in me.”

The judge leaned back, thought for a few seconds, then leaned back forward.

“You gave me an honest answer, Malka Chorno. You don't know. If you don't 
know, then maybe there is hope for you. Fine. Here is my verdict. There is no 
doubt in my mind that you are quite guilty of all of the charges pending against 
you. Those charges include the crimes of insurrection, simple assault, assault 
against a public official while in performance of his duty, and abuse of the 
authority of your former public position. In ordinary circumstances the 
convictions would require you to wear the criminal's collar for 18 years. 
However, in your case I will not put a definite time limit to your sentence. If I am 
persuaded you are able to fulfill the faith that Criminal # 98945 and Spokesman 
Dukov have placed in you, then I will suspend your sentence and allow you to 
return to the National Police Academy. I am giving you something that you 
clearly don't deserve, the hope that someday you can redeem your life. Do you 
understand me?”

“Yes your honor.”

“Criminal # 98945, I want to thank you for your gesture of concern for what is 
best for our country. I don't really know what to say, other than your 
thoughtfulness and consideration go far beyond what I would expect from a 
person only 19 years old. If you decide to carry through with surrendering the 
badge of former Officer Chorno, I will notify the director of the National Police 
Academy. He will receive the badge from you directly. Then it will be up to 
former Officer Chorno to earn it back.”

“Thank you, your honor.”

“This court is ready to pronounce the tentative sentence of former National Police 
Officer Malka Chorno.”

With that, Malka dropped to her knees.

“Item One: Former National Police Officer Malka Chorno will wear the criminal's 
collar for an undetermined period of time. The collar will identify her as a 
criminal, monitor her movements, and alert the police should she try to leave this 
city. For duration of her sentence Former National Police Officer Malka Chorno 
is prohibited from traveling more than 10 kilometers from this courthouse.”

“Item Two: for the duration of her sentence Former National Police Officer Malka 
Chorno is prohibited from covering any part of her body with any article of 
clothing. She has disgraced herself and our city with her actions, and Former 
National Police Officer Malka Chorno's disgrace will be shown to the world as a 
result of this sentence.”

“Item three. Finally, for the duration of her sentence, however long that should be, 
Former National Police Officer Malka Chorno will receive a vigorous punishment 
on the naked buttocks and thighs with the leather belt originally issued to her as 
part of her police uniform every 120 days. Every 120 days Former National Police 
Officer Malka Chorno will be immobilized on the punishment table and beaten to 
the limit of her endurance, in accordance with the standard treatment for a former 
member of the National Police Force.”

“Malka Chorno, you are now convicted and sentenced. You will descend to the 
foot of my desk to receive your collar.”

Malka quietly knelt as the collar device closed around her neck. There was the 
familiar hiss and dull click signaling the final locking of the collar. Like every 
other criminal sentenced in the courtroom, Malka's hands went involuntarily to 
her neck, to finger the metal that now separated her from her life as a police 
officer. She had finished crossing to the other side. Malka Chorno had become a 
convicted criminal.

Malka was now to be punished. The table was waiting for her, but Kim noticed 
the restraints were set up differently. Instead of bending over the table, Malka 
would lie on top, with her wrists and ankles strapped to the table's four corners. 
As a former police officer, the protocol of her punishment would be somewhat 
different from that of an ordinary criminal.

Besides the different position, the punishment of a former police officer in Upper 
Danubia was different from the punishment of the average criminal in other ways. 
Because police officers punished ordinary criminals with switches, the National 
Police Code of Conduct prohibited switches from being used on police officers, 
even former ones. A former police officer instead always was punished with his 
or her police belt, beaten on both the bottom and the backs of the thighs. A former 
police officer always was punished by police officers of higher rank. In Malka's 
case that meant only the precinct's section chiefs could punish her, since she had 
the highest rank possible for a patrolwoman. 

The Chief of the Danube City division of the Danubian National Police 
approached the punishment table, holding Malka's police belt. The belt, stripped 
of its accessories, was a simple thick leather strap, very heavy and pliable from 
being used for several years. It was the only part of Malka's uniform that would 
remain with her. Once her punishment was finished she would have to wear it 
around her waist, and bring it with her to her next punishment. Now however, it 
would remain in the hands of Malka's former bosses, who would take turns 
punishing her.

Dukov saluted the Chief of Police as Malka knelt. She kissed his shoes and he 
tapped her on the shoulder with the belt. With that Malka climbed onto the table. 
The Chief of Police handed her a hard pillow that looked like a cylinder, which 
Malka placed in the table's middle. She positioned herself lying over the pillow, 
which pushed her bottom up high, fully exposing it. Two court guards positioned 
Malka's ankles and wrists at the corners of the table and secured them with straps. 
Malka now lay helpless and completely exposed for a long and harsh punishment 
with her own police belt. 

At first Kim thought the being punished with a belt would be more lenient than 
being punished with a switch. However, soon she would realize that was not true 
at all. Unlike the standard 50 strokes for a criminal, there was no set limit on the 
number of belt swats a former police officer could receive. The belt itself was 
thick and heavy, far heavier than a normal belt worn by a civilian. Malka would 
be badly bruised for days after her punishment. On top of everything else, as part 
of her sentence she would have to wear her belt around her waist when she went 
out in public, to show the world she was a disgraced former police officer.

The Chief of Police spent a long time studying Malka's spread bottom and 
exposed vagina, but he did not touch her. Finally he walked around to the side of 
the table. He doubled Malka's belt and lay it across her bottom. Malka quietly 
looked back at him, then straight ahead. Finally her former boss lifted the belt 
from her bottom, lifted his arm up and back, and marked the middle of Malka's 
bottom with a tremendous CRACK! 

Malka flinched, but stayed quiet. That did not surprise Kim. She expected Malka 
to be extremely stoic about her punishment and that she would resist crying for a 
very long time. The Chief of Police struck again, laying a second swat 
immediately on top of the first one. He struck a third time, laying yet another swat 
in the exact same place. 

CRACK!… CRACK!… CRACK!… CRACK!… CRACK!… CRACK!… 
CRACK!…Malka's former boss struck her hard a total of 10 times, always in the 
exact same spot. The swats were so loud that many of the court spectators 
flinched in sympathy. The police chief paused for a couple of minutes as the solid 
red band of pain marking the woman’s otherwise white bottom darkened and 
swelled. The man tightened his lips and stuck hard, although this time at a 
different spot across Malka's backside. Viciously he struck again and again at the 
spots immediately above and below the vivid red stripe marking the first 10 
strokes. Malka began crying. She didn't scream or make any noise, but her body 
jerked with sobs that she tried to keep quiet.

After the 50th stroke the police chief stopped. Malka's bottom was horribly red 
and had small purple marks on it. Kim thought the punishment had ended. 
Hmm…that wasn't so bad. But as that thought passed through Kim's mind, the 
police chief saluted an older woman, who she recognized as the member of the 
arraignment committee who had spoken to her in English following her own 
arrest for marijuana possession. The woman removed her jacket and took the belt. 
She doubled it, swatted it through the air to test it, and then, full force, delivered a 
tremendous CRACK to Malka's already badly marked bottom.

Once again, Kim flinched at the ongoing CRACK!… CRACK!… CRACK!… 
CRACK!… CRACK! She felt bad for Malka, but could take satisfaction in 
knowing that her former nemisis did not face having to put up with this horrible 
punishment for 18 years. She certainly had incentive to reform, and do so very 
quickly.

After 25 swats the arraignment committee member was breathing heavily and 
ready to stop. She saluted another older uniformed officer and passed the belt to 
him. He struck Malka's dark red bottom viciously another 25 times. By then the 
errant cop’s bottom was deep red and covered with purplish bruises and welts. 
Kim winced in sympathy. Malka now no longer was Kim's sadistic enemy. She 
was a fellow criminal who was suffering tremendously. Like any other criminal, 
she was trying to follow the informal code of honor by trying to stay as quiet as 
possible as long as possible. Her body continued to jerk with silent sobs as she 
attempted to hide her face from her former supervisors, who now had become her 
tormentors.

The older officer passed the belt to yet another section chief. Dukov raised his 
hand and pointed at Malka's thighs. The man nodded and struck hard at Malka's 
legs, concentrating on the sensitive area immediate beneath the base of her 
bottom-cheeks. Malka's resistance began to wear down. Her voice broke with 
each tremendous CRACK targeting her legs.

Two other section chiefs punished Malka's thighs before Dukov raised his hand. 
By now Malka's bottom had darkened and looked ugly. Soon Malka's thighs 
would darken as well. When Dukov's hand went into the air a second time, Kim 
thought the punishment finally had ended. Kim was wrong about that.

The police chief snapped his fingers at four of the court guards.

“Turn her over.”

The guards unbuckled Malka. One of them jerked the pillow out from under her. 
The guards then roughly grabbed Malka's wrists and ankles. They flipped her on 
her back and wrapped the restraints around her wrists and ankles. Kim gasped in 
horror as yet another section chief took the belt. He placed the belt on the upper 
part of Malka's thigh, lifted it up, and delivered a frightening CRACK to the 
previously unmarked skin of the former police officer's muscular right leg. He 
struck hard five times, then walked around the table to strike her left thigh another 
five times.

Malka, her face turned upward and her body spread and immobilized on the table, 
lost what little dignity she had left. She screamed and cried as the belt crashed 
into her skin over and over. Her body weight and movements pressed on the welts 
marking her backside, adding to her agony on the table. Her breasts jiggled back 
and forth as she sobbed, and her shaved vagina was on full display to the court 
cameras and her former colleagues in the police department. 

After 25 hard swats to the fronts of Malka's thighs, there was another salute. Yet 
another section chief took the belt. The belt struck Malka's thighs yet another 25 
times. 

Kim gasped and stared at the scene in disbelief, looking at the broken, sobbing 
woman on the table. Dukov raised his hand a final time and looked at the judge. 
The judge drew his hand across his chest, indicating the punishment was over. 
The court guards undid the straps. Malka struggled to get off the table and fell 
into the arms of her former enemy. Dukov held the sobbing woman until she had 
recovered enough to finish the formal proceeding. 

The judge needed to sign Malka's punishment certificate. Malka had to present 
herself before the judge, instead of having the person who disciplined her perform 
the presentation. She struggled to stay upright as she faced away from the judge 
and presented her backside. Her final duty was to thank her former supervisors for 
punishing her. She dropped to the floor, struggled to her knees, and one by one 
kissed the shoes of her tormentors. Malka was facing away from Kim, so Kim had 
a good look at her bottom. It was so dark that Kim was appalled. No...most 
definitely being beaten with a police belt was no more lenient than being beaten 
with a switch.

The police chief touched Malka's shoulder with her belt and released her back into 
the custody of the Spokesman. He then handed Malka's police belt to Dukov.

The presiding judge had a final word for Malka.

“Malka Chorno you will arrange gainful employment with your Spokesman 
within 48 hours. You know the rules so I will not need to explain them. On this 
date, four months from now, you will present yourself to the Central Police 
Station for your second punishment. Do you understand?

“Yes, your honor. I understand.”

With that, Malka Chorno, the brilliant young police officer whose character flaws 
had so thoroughly ruined her life, reported to the court photographer to have her 
official post-sentencing identification pictures taken.  Once the photos were 
completed she silently accompanied her Spokesman back across the Central Plaza 
to the Central Police Station. She climbed on Dukov's recovery table and cried 
herself to sleep.

