A/N: Part Four of Unchained Melody. Avon makes another poor choice.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I do enjoy messing with their lives.
B7B7B7B7B7
YEAR THREE:
I was surprised as classes started this term to receive an offer to teach two first year classes as a special project. Naturally, I accepted, but now find myself in the awkward position of having to discipline students who do not live up to my expectations. That being the case, I've had to lower my expectations somewhat, as they do not seem to be as driven to excel as I was at their age. The challenge to interest others in the field of computers is one I have accepted wholeheartedly. Maybe I should consider a secondary career as a teacher. While the emotional rewards would be many, the monetary compensation would not be nearly enough. My tastes have always been somewhat expensive, and the thought of trying to make ends meet on a teacher's salary is most unattractive.
I was approached, through Tynus, by an off-campus group of what I can only call revolutionaries. It seems they are interested in my abilities to manipulate the Federation computer systems for their own ends. Those ends, if I read them correctly, are leading them towards a full-scale revolt against the government. I've told them I want no part of their scheme, but Tynus has hopes that I may change my mind. He called me a cynic, saying I have no feeling for those less fortunate than myself. He just might be right. I have memories, even fond memories, of friends and acquaintances among the lower grades. Since they seemed to have no desire to better themselves or to rise above their station, why should I put myself in peril for them? Should the day ever come when any sort of overthrow is imminent, I personally will try to stay as far in the background as I can.
/END/
Tynus has dared me to attempt something that I probably should not attempt, but I never could resist a dare, especially when it's given the way this one was. With my extra income from teaching and Tynus' family money, we were able to procure a computer for our quarters that no one knows about. It's more powerful than any I've worked with here so far. He knows of my desire to become wealthy and the dare was to see just how much money I could skim from Federation accounts and put at my own disposal. His reasoning is that bureaucratic red-tape would be enough to disguise my tampering. I must say, it's more of a challenge than any of my classes thus far. However, between work on my private project and studies, I'm not getting as much rest as I'd like and my grades are showing the strain. If I don't do something soon, I may not end the year at the top as I did before. My scholarship is in no jeopardy, however, so long as I maintain the grade point average requirement.
/END/
We were caught. That is, I was caught, red-handed, as the old saying goes, with my hand in the proverbial cookie jar. I don't think I've ever been so humiliated in my life. Now I understand how Vila must have felt. It was a stupid mistake, leaving a trail like that behind. They traced it right to me and no one else. I could have implicated Tynus, but it would have served no purpose. The authorities came to our room one evening and arrested me, hauled me away like a common crimo, in restraints, no less, as if I was dangerous! Tynus just stood silently, waiting, I suppose, for me to implicate him. All right, Tynus, you owe me for this one. I spent three of the worst days I'll ever spend, I'm sure, in a maximum security cell of the Federation Prison here. Now, more than ever, I understand what Vila meant about a 'protector'. I was approached by more than a dozen of my cellmates, none of whom appealed to me in the least. I was lucky to have come out of there with my body intact. Only by pretending to be something I was not, did I manage to save myself from harm. I'm reminded of that ridiculous challenge during my first year at University, when I was foolish enough to take on three at once and win. Thankfully, I'm older and wiser now or I don't know if I would have made it out of there alive. I contacted a student friend of mine, one who is studying the legal system. He's agreed to help me prepare a case. Of course, I'm guilty as hell and was caught. I see no defense possible, but my friend assures me there are ways around it if one has the proper skills and knowledge. I've put myself in his hands.
/END/
Dearest Avon,
It was strange, but I heard your name mentioned today. Two other inmates, both Alphas, were talking about you in relation to a fraud scheme that went wrong. They thought you were very clever to have thought of the plan, but not very smart to trust your associates in it. They mentioned a man named Tynus who seemed to have a connection with rebel terrorists. I would have warned you not to get involved with those rebels, but I know you won't listen to me. You always were one to go in harm's way. I never understood how someone so intelligent could make such bad choices.
I've had contact with the Terra Nostra again. One of their leaders (a small one, anyway) got tossed in here recently. Would you believe he remembered me? Needless to say, I now belong to him. I think I've impressed him with my skills, if I do say so myself.
Anyway, I'm glad I was safe with him, because just afterward, one of those Space Rats was tossed in! They're nasty beasties, they are! But even Space Rats leave 'Nostra and their possessions alone.
Hey, I finally got a cushy job for a change. After hydroponics and the laundry, I got put in the library. I have to sneak the books out, but I'm enjoying reading about all sorts of things. Why do I have to sneak the books? 'Cause if these guys thought I was smarter than they are (which is the truth), my life wouldn't be worth much. I think the term is 'protective coloration'. I'm getting really good at pretending to be a 'Delta coward', if you'd believe it. My lockpicking skills are growing, too. If you want to learn something, go where the masters are –in my case, prison!
I still miss you. Sometimes, I'll turn to say something and realize I was expecting to find you beside me, there to share my thoughts with. It hurts to think I may never see you again.
Be happy, Beloved,
Vila
I was lucky. Because of my lack of a serious criminal record and my academic achievements, I was released. Of course, the charges were not dropped and I received a conviction for attempted embezzlement and tampering with the Federation security system computers. That will go on my record, unfortunately, unless I can worm my way back into their computers and erase it. Thankfully, there was no prison sentence given to me. However, I will be on probation until graduation. I suppose I can live with that. For now, I think I had better back off from any more extracurricular activities and concentrate on bringing my grades back up to the level I'm comfortable with. The term is nearing an end and if I expect to take the scholastic competition's top honours again I should start applying myself. Damn Tynus and his dare anyway!
/END/
Dearest Avon,
I've been transferred from maximum security to a rehabilitation center. I guess they think they can make me into a good Federation citizen. I've been in these places before and whatever they do, it just wears off in a few days. I doubt they'll have any better luck this time either, but…it still scares me, always has when someone tries to tamper with my mind.
I won't try to write you, except to tell you when I've been sent elsewhere. I don't know what the regs are here yet, but I don't think I can bear to tell you what happens here. I got a letter from you just before I was transferred, though. I think I'm envious of your opportunities to get educated. I'm learning things too, but it isn't the same. Maybe someday I'll get the chance to indulge my thirst for learning, like I think you are doing now. I can dream, can't I?
Be happy, Beloved,
Vila.
YEAR FOUR
I received one of my infrequent communications from Vila today. We had not written to each other for some time. It seems he's being transferred from maximum security to a rehab facility for retraining and behavior modification. Poor Vila…poor rehab staff! It's been tried before, or so he's told me, and it's never held for more than a few days. But from what I know of the process, it's not an easy one. I wish there were something I could do for him, but he's there and I'm here. I wonder if they've developed a new procedure that will work on him. If that is the case, what kind of man will he be when he is released? I'm not sure I want to find out.
/END/