Chapter 4: Hooded Shrimp
“Hood” was a hooded shrimp who had spent his entire life on the seafloor around the site where Baleen had settled. In fact, his ancestors were considered to be the pioneers of that area, making quick work of leveraging the most recent algae bloom to the advantage of all. His peers considered him a great diplomat and admired him for his adherence to strict utilitarianism. Hood’s district of Cumacea was the crown jewel of the Benthic zone, and his lineage had created an environment where all who were willing to contribute were considered equal.
Hood strolled around Cumacea that morning, pausing briefly to admire the towering zombie worms with their beautiful, feathery plumes pulling oxygen from the dark, watery depths. They waved in coordinated unison anchored to their greyish white calcium foundation. Hood continued as a group of bristly worms flew past, beyond the endless rolling hills of Christmas tree worms. Hood finally arrived at the courthouse after taking a shortcut through a newly created tunnel system by his fellow constituents. The courthouse lay illuminated along with the surrounding area under the bioluminescent glow of the unusually large crowd that formed around the doors.
Hood moved past the crowd and into the chamber where he could barely hear the rest of the appointed judges over the sound of gills shivering feverishly with anticipation of the hearing. Hood finally sat alongside his colleagues, and the case began.
“Will the people in the well of the courtroom please stand?” Commanded the collective of judges.
Hood spoke loudly so the entire, now silent courtroom could hear the reply, “State your full name for the record.”.
“Osedax” responded the defendant.
Hood continued, “You are being tried in this courtroom for the crime of stealing, a serious offense. Do you understand the charges?”
“Yes,” replied the defendant.
“Would you raise your right root?” Hood continued as he read the worm his rights.
“How do you plead?” inquired Hood.
“Not Guilty” Replied the worm resolutely.
“Please state your case for the benefit of the jury and the courtroom.” Hood continued.
“I merely acquired a bit of extra food for the good of my family, we’re starving your honor, and I was only thinking of my family” the worm insisted.
The courtroom grew to a dull roar after hearing the conditions of the worm’s crimes. There was apparent disagreement throughout the audience.
Hood’s colleague stood and demanded, “this courtroom will see order!”
Hood continued, “Members of the jury, you are instructed to disregard the opinions of this court audience as they are not to be considered in your decision.”
The case continued for a short time until the jury deliberated and reached a decision.
Hood stood before the audience, “Will the defendant please stand while I deliver the verdict.”
Hood went on, “You, Osedax are hereby found by this court to be guilty of your crime of stealing. Cumacea considers this among the most severe of crimes as you have not only slighted the victims of your crime but society as a whole. You are hereby exiled from Cumacea, effective immediately.”
Guilty
Guilty
Guilty
The verdict echoed in Hood’s memory almost continuously over the following weeks. Hood understood that what he did was right in the eyes of the law; it was after all, for the good of society. But, the conditions of the crime seemed to leave him conflicted. The convicted worm did break the law, but under what circumstances? Was the worm genuinely committing a crime when he stole food for his starving family? Did this singular crime reveal a deep flaw in the society that his ancestors worked tirelessly to create? Would Hood ever have to compromise his convictions for the sake of survival? And, if he had, would society hold him equally accountable?
Hood continued to wrestle with these questions until he received word from his advisors that something more pressing required his attention. He rushed back to his home chamber where a representative was waiting to deliver the bad news.
Hood navigated through the zoo of zooplankton and crowds of parapodia back to his chambers where a single, female Peracarida waited for him.
“I have bad news and bad news,” she said anxiously.
“Well, It doesn’t seem like I have much choice, let’s start with the good news” Hood replied apprehensively.
“Well, unfortunately, the first bit of bad news is that we just received a report that the upcoming algae bloom will be unusually low.”
“What does that mean for our society? We’ve had hard times before…”.
“Not like this.” the female shrimp continued.
“This is also going to mean that you may personally have to go without mating this year.”
Hood paused to reflect on this news, Which fell on him with particular weight since he hadn’t been unable to reproduce successfully for a few seasons. And, this upcoming season was might be his last chance.
The female shrimp continued, but Hood had tuned out at that point. Was this the end for his family? Was this the end for him?
After Hood’s mind stopped wondering, he noticed that the shrimp delivering the bad news had an empty marsupium and was well within breeding age. Then it dawned on him, was the shrimp in his office some sign from the universe that he shouldn’t abandon his hope for a future?
Hood spent the next few weeks courting the female who delivered the bad news, despite knowing that she already had a suitor in mind, with whom she had previously committed. Eventually, the shrimp agreed to engage with Hood and their secret affair continued through the mating season.
And then it was over, all at once. Hood was caught, charged, and summoned to appear before his court that week.
Guilty!
Guilty!
Guilty!
The court erupted in noise after Hood’s sentence was delivered. The altruistic leader of Cumacea stood accused and now convicted of stealing the mate of a fellow judge. Hood’s pleas of utility and desperation fell on deaf ears as the tribunal’s resolute, unshakable justice was focused all at once on the former diplomat.
“But, I’m a cornerstone of this society! You can’t treat me this way! I’ll do anything to make this right!” Hood Protested.
But, the sentence was delivered.
Hood stared at the floor in defeat as his society turned on him all at once, in an almost elegant irony. He was condemned to follow in the deplorable footprints of the worm he had rebuked a season before.
Exiled from Cumacea, the sentence echoed in Hood’s mind like a syncopated, unyielding drum beat. He marched through the streets of Cumacea now ostracized by the society that he had built. As he passed through the last ribs of Outer Baleen, all he could see was open ocean.
He was now alone, left only with his thoughts.
“I ignored what was right, in favor of what I thought I needed…” Hood thought as the bioluminescent glow of Cumacea began to dim
“How could I have predicted a weak algae bloom, if only that never happened…” Hood continued as he passed over a sea ridge, descending deeper into the abyss.
“The court only did was was right…”
It was now completely black, as he felt the chill of the ocean floor deepening.
“Did I ever have a choice?”
Thanks for reading the fourth chapter of Whale Fall
Chapter 4 is the last chapter available on Medium, To learn more and purchase a copy of the book, please visit:
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