The colonists silently lay on the ground waiting in fear. John looked over to True, who he ensured was close by. Seeing her look at him he tried to give her a reassuring smile as he waited for the inevitable.
When the troops finally arrived at the camp they efficiently moved round the group and secured everyone's hands behind their backs. Once they were bound the troops went to each woman in the group and roughly grabbed hold of their shirts and pulled them up so their faces were exposed. All of the women were quickly released to the ground again apart from Julia and Devon who were yanked to their feet and brought to Commander who stood off to one side. When they reached him they were shoved down to their knees.
The Commander waited in silence until one of the troops approached him and said something in his ear.
"Search the camp." The Commander ordered having heard the news then turned to face Devon.
"Did you understand the warning I gave you?"
"Yes."
"Then why have you defied me?"
"I haven't." Devon protested.
"Then where is your son?"
"He's gone." Devon said, her voice beginning to crack.
"I can see that." The Commander said. "Where is he?"
"I don't know." Devon said. Her response caused the Commander to nod to the soldier standing next to Julia, who quickly jabbed the doctor's ribs with the butt of his riffle. As Julia collapsed in pain the Commander looked at Devon and said.
"Let's try that again. Where is your son?"
"I don't know. The Terrians took him."
"Why?"
"They said to keep him safe."
"You let them take your son?" The Commander asked in disbelief.
"No, they took him." Devon said. "They came out of the ground and stole him. I had no choice."
"Where did they take him?"
"Into the ground. Other than that I don't know. Since he was taken the Terrians have not made any contact with us." Devon said carefully, wanting to imply that Uly was far away.
The Commander considered Devon's answer before saying.
"If you are lying, and I will discover if you are, I will kill everyone in this group." Not waiting for Devon to respond he looked at the trooper by Julia and said.
"Take her to ship."
"Yes Sir!" The soldier acknowledged before roughly pulling Julia to her feet.
"Leave her alone." Alonzo called.
On hearing the voice the Commander walked towards the source and pulled the pilot up onto his knees.
"Mr Solace I assume?" The Commander said. "I was told to look out for you."
"Where are you taking her?" Alonzo demanded as Julia was led away from the group.
"Back to the ship for interrogation, trial and eventual execution." The soldier said calmly. "If the rest of you don't want to meet the same fate I suggest you do exactly as you are told."
-00-
Julia was pulled into the ship and then through the cold, sterile corridors. As she moved through the heartless passageways she was reminded of her situation at every doorway when she saw the Council logo embossed on the doors.
When she was finally thrown into a seemingly empty room and the door shut and locked behind her she felt a sense of solitude and despair. However, that feeling of loneliness quickly vanished when an all too familiar voice said.
"Welcome."
Spinning round Julia found her eyes confirming what her ears had heard.
"Reilly?" She asked almost laughing.
"I'm glad you find your predicament so amusing." The hologram responded as it walked towards her.
"Of course I do. You're not real. Last time I saw you, you were an insane hologram. The strange behaviour may be gone, but you are still just a hologram."
"What you saw was a holographic projection of me, accidently channelled through the satellite comms system, which was experiencing a few technical difficulties. I am not part of that programme. I work directly for the Council. The last time you actually saw me you were busy betraying us as I explained how you would die running. Now I'm here to fulfil that promise, but before I do I need to extract the information that is vital to the colonisation of this planet."
"You're still mad." Julia said in disbelief. "You are still just a hologram."
"Whilst I may be a hologram, I'm not just a hologram." Reilly exclaimed, an evil glint gleaming in his eyes. "I assure you that Reilly is very much real and he does work for the Council. I am his projection, I behave identically to him and with the full jurisdiction of the Council."
"You're a hologram." Julia repeated, although she was beginning to feel less and less confident.
"A hologram who can still inflict huge amounts of pain." Reilly said as he clicked his fingers. The action triggering arcs of electrical current to spring from the walls and hit Julia. As they did the doctor collapsed to the floor crying in pain. Smiling Reilly stepped closer to Julia and waved his hand, stopping the electrical arcs. Despite the attack ending Julia still lay on the floor writhing in agony. "I assume you now understand your situation and that you have no hope. You will tell me what I want to know. Then I will terminate your pathetic existence."
"I'll never tell you." Julia gasped defiantly.
"Which is why I have help." Reilly said stepping aside allowing Julia to see a new figure.
"Hello Julia." The new figure said before they started another wave of electricity to attack the doctor, who could only look on in disbelief and horror at the figure.
TBC...
A/N: Sorry this is on the short side. Next one should be up in the next couple of days.