Star chamber

"Star Chamber" by H. B. Fyfe is a science fiction story that takes place on a remote planet, far from the reach of human settlements, where themes of right and wrong, punishment, and healing are explored. The plot follows a wanted criminal, Quasmin, who is hiding from his past until a lawman named Trolla arrives, forcing Quasmin to face his crimes, which include murder and dealing drugs. Instead of capture, Trolla questions the idea of justice itself and leaves Quasmin with the means to survive, revealing that true punishment might be the loneliness of a life lived in isolation as Quasmin comes to grips with the impact of his actions.