Child of Earth by David Gerrold

because she wants us to finish today.”

    Neither Tildie nor anybody from his family was at dinner that night. There were empty places all over the room. Gamma said that some of the families were having a meeting . The way she said it, it sounded very important. After dinner, mosty the kids went off to the theater to look at the latest news from Linnea, but tonight the regular evening Meeting promised to be more interesting, so I went there instead.
    Tildie’s moms were all there, looking like a row of gargoyles. They had their arms folded and their jaws stuck out and their eyes were blazing. Rinky whispered to me, “Medusa and her sisters are here,” and we both giggled, which got us a dirty look from Mom-Lu.
    Chief Administor Moffin came in to lead the Meeting. He didn’t always do that, only when the subject was important. It was pretty obvious that whatever else had been planned, tonight’s Meeting was going to be about horse manure.
    Administor Moffin spoke in fluent Linnean, and several times he had to be reminded to speak slower so the rest of us could understand him. He said, “Some of you may have heard about the disobedience at the stables today. The Cretonne family has registered a protest with my office and I’ve asked the Scout Training Board to review the circumstances.” I glanced over at Tildie’s moms. They looked smug, as if they were about to be awarded some kind of a prize.
    â€œThe Board has reviewed the video and found that Scout Cadet Jaxin’s actions were ... entirely appropriate for the circumstance.” This provoked yelps of surprise and outrage all over the room. Moffin rang his bell for silence. He had to ring it several times before the room quieted down. It was a big heavy thing and it had a very sharp clang.
    He glanced around sternly. “First, let me remind you that we will speak only in Linnean here. Second, we will follow the customs of your intended Linnean subculture. Acting as a Linnean horse trainer , Cadet Jaxin responded entirely in character to the insubordination and defiance of trainee Tilden Cretonne. The Scout Board has put a commendation into his record.”
    â€œA commendation?” Marie Cretonne came shrieking to her feet. “For abusing my child?!”
    â€œHe did what any Linnean horse trainer would have done. He had not only the right, but the responsibility as well to punish the child according to Linnean law.”
    â€œBut this isn’t Linnea!” She spoke in English. “This is Earth, and Earth laws apply, and I demand an Earth court.”
    â€œSpeak in Linnean,” he reminded her.

    She looked flustered, then rephrased her comments. “We have not yet crossed over to Linnea. We still live on Earth. Therefore Earth laws apply.”
    Administor Moffin shook his head. “No. Please reread your contract. Perhaps you’ve forgotten that you agreed to abide by Linnean standards when you moved into this dome. Regardless of any other consideration, Linnean custom, law and tradition reign as the sole authority in here . Legally, you are already on Linnean soil. Now, sit down.” Something about the way he said it—they sat.
    Moffin looked back to his notes. “Additionally, the Scout Board recommends a loss of fifty work points for Tilden Cretonne as penalty for his refusal to accept the authority of Cadet Jaxin.” More outraged yelps from the gargoyles, quickly stifled. “—And the loss of another hundred work points levied against Janine and Marie Cretonne for refusing to speak Linnean when ordered to by Cadet Jaxin.” He peered over his glasses at the Cretonnes. “For the moment, I have ignored the outbursts of English in this room. I do not have to. If I hear any more English or French words, I will levy additional penalties.” Marie Cretonne opened her mouth, thought better, and sat down again.
    Administor Moffin saw that and nodded, then he glared