CHAPTER FOUR: INCARCERATION

"I can't believe we're in jail!" Beka nearly shouted, pacing up and down.

Oddly enough, the walls of the Monarchean cell were bright and painted with geometric patterns, stimulating to the eye but did not lend very well to sleep.

"This must be a record, Captain Hunt," Tyr agreed, solemnly. "Reduced from honored guests to jail birds in less than two hours. That must be one for the history books of your New Commonwealth."

"Calm down, Beka. Your attitude isn't helping, Tyr! And don't even think about saying 'I told you so'," said Dylan, looking through the forcefield at the Purple Girl. Dylan, Rommie, Beka, and Tyr were all within this holding cell behind the forcefield door, apparently under suspicion of being Harper's accomplices. Harper had been taken somewhere else. And, as far as Trance went, well, Dylan didn't know what she had said to them during questioning. It must have been good, because the Monarcheans had decided she was not a suspect.

Trance was the only one standing on the free side of the forcefield.

"Actually," Rommie put in. "This situation isn't that different from what Dylan and I experienced when we went to Aza--"..

"Rommie," Dylan said, preemptorily. "We have to focus on what will get us released."

"You're right, Dylan," Rommie agreed. "Perhaps Trance would be able to assist us since she is the only one the Monarcheans were convinced was above suspicion," Rommie suggested.

"Yeah," said Beka, pacing back and forth behind the forcefield. "How'd you manage that Trance?"

Tyr said, "Yes, Purple Girl. How did you?"

"Well," said Trance. "I simply helped them to see other possibilities and explained how low the possibility was for me to be guilty of the charges."

"And how did they determine you were telling the truth, Little Girl?" questioned Tyr.

Trance looked hesitant but the stares of the others pulled it out of her. "Well, it was because they hooked me up to this lie detector thingy. It told them."

"What lie detector, Trance?" asked Dylan. "I don't recall them using anything like that during my questioning."

Trance's explanation spilled out quickly. "Well, the lie detector thingy works on certain kinds of people. Like it works on the Monarcheans and on me but it wouldn't work on Rommie, because of her being an avatar, and as for the rest of you...um, it could have bad effects."

Beka paused in her step. "Bad effects, Trance?"

"Um, yeah. See if you're not the right sorta person to be hooked up it could possibly, probably kill you. For human types, even Nietszcheans, it would definitely be a bad idea. That's why you didn't get to use it and they said they'll be checking up on your stories manually. But look on the bright side. At least, you don't have to worry about where you'll be staying the night. I hear the prison cuisine is actually quite good here. And once they've checked up on your stories, you'll probably be out of here in no time." Trance gave them an encouraging smile.

No one returned it or seemed to share in her sunny optimism and Beka started pacing again.

"Trance, did you talk to Administrator Elva?" Dylan asked.

"Yes, and she said that since the Commonwealth is about justice and unity and upholding the law, she's sure you'll understand that the Monarcheans feel strongly about doing the same."

Tyr came to stand near to the forcefield wall and looked Trance in the eye. "Is that a nice way of saying she's not going to help us?"

Beka stopped and plopped down on a prison bench. She put her elbow on her knee and rested her chin on her hand. "Might as well settle in," she sighed.

Trance smiled. "Actually, she really is a nice lady. She's letting me stay at her home and I have a room with a beautiful view and--" Seeing the glares she was getting, Trance stopped and shrugged. "Well, I guess that's not really important. And even though she didn't say much about it, I have a feeling that she really wants to help you."

Trance was correct in this case. Mid-afternoon of the next day, Administrator Elva herself arrived, a guard lowered the forcefield, and it was announced that all could go.

Dylan was relieved. "Does that include Mr. Harper?"

Adminstrator Elva gave a nod. "The Yil Yimur is reasonable. If you pay the fine and your crewman agrees never to return to that particular establishment, then he is free to go."

"Fine," said Dylan, skimming the terms of the arrangements that had been offered in more detail on a flexi. "I do hope that this incident hasn't changed your mind about considering membership with the Commonwealth."

"Ease your mind. It is mainly Administrator Reha who had misgivings about you, Captain Hunt. Grotos is still undecided, one way or another. They were doubtful as to whether or not you would respect our ways. That is why I did not intervene in your behalf right away. I hope you understand my reasons."

"I think I do. Well, I'll take care of this fee, Administrator. And perhaps you and Trance can explain a little more about these preceedings which I missed while we were confined. Beka, go prep the Maru and--"

Administrator Elva raised her hand and shook her head.

"What?" asked Dylan.

"I am afraid you misunderstood," said the administrator. "You will have to find another way to return to your orbiting starship."

"I don't follow you," said Dylan.

"You are all free to go. But the ship must stay here."

"Stay here?" asked Beka with an edge in her voice.

"The charges have not been dropped against the Eureka Maru. It must remain for the trial."


Harper had just been informed he was being released. He sat up and stretched, preparing to leave his cell until he heard Beka's voice calling, "Harper! Harper! I need to have word with you about why I let you use the Maru."

"Oh boy," cried Harper, hearing that tone in Beka's voice. She had always been extremely protective of her ship. He stepped back into his cell and fell onto a stone bench. Harper ducked his head beneath his arms and cringed where he lay.

Beka soon found him there and stormed into the room, followed closely by Tyr.

"Rommie! Rommie! Where's my Rommie?" gulped Harper, covering his eyes with his hands.

"Quit whining!" Tyr replied with digust at Harper's behavior.

"Get up, Seamus!" ordered Beka, pulling him by the collar to an upright position. "For your information, Rommie's returned to Andromeda to recharge and since there's that interference thing going on in these Monarchean buildings, she won't be able to hear you if you call."

"You're my witness, Tyr," gasped Harper. "If something happens to me. My eye witness."

Tyr rolled his eyes and looked at Beka. Who was scaring Harper now?

Beka checked her anger and let go of Harper's collar, then gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Now, talk to me," she said in a calmer, confiding tone, taking a seat on the bench beside him. Together they had weathered tough situations like this before and she was sure they would find a way out once again if Harper would only be forthright with her. "What happened? Why didn't you tell us about it before?"

Harper looked at the floor. "I guess I deserved that. I'm sorry for getting all you guys in trouble. Truly, truly sorry. You wouldn't believe how sorry I'm am. I should have listened to what you said to me, Beka. And I'm sorry about the Maru. I'll help you get the Maru back, Beka. Honestly I will."

"What did she instruct you to do?" Tyr inquired.

"Go there and come straight back. No diddy dallying. No nothing. And that's just what I intended to do, Beka. But I ended up waitin'. Rev was later than I'd expected him to be. And that sign was just hanging up there and there was music and lights. I was only going to be a minute."

Beka nearly yelled. "So you parked in the docking garage of a Yil Yimur's station. A Yil Yimur's station!"

"I know, Rebecca. I know! I didn't think I'd be there that long. But I was wrong. As soon as it was time to pick up Rev, I scrambled outta there as fast as I could. But it was too late. They'd scanned the Maru and got enough information from the Maru's database. I'd just got Rev when they radioed me and wanted me to pay this ridiculously high sum for being a cargo carrier. They threatened to confiscate all the supplies if I refused. Obviously, none of them knew they were dealing with the genius of The Harper. I said forget it. Skipped outta there. You can see they weren't too happy about it. Well, that's about it." Harper sighed. "You know the rest."

Tyr crossed his arms. "Are you certain that is the whole story, Little Man?" asked Tyr, skeptically. His eyes studied Harper's face intently. "Because after spending a night confined due to your carelessness, I am not in the mood for anything other than the complete truth."

"Pretty much it. Yeah. Not counting that--" Harper darted an apologetic look at Beka for having told Tyr anything about it. "You know. But..." He lowered his voice. "I didn't think you'd want me to mention that to Dylan."

Beka felt a pang of guilt. She knew that Tyr was listening, but she had to ask. "Harper, did this happen after that errand I sent you on?"

Harper squinted. "You may put this down as my own perpetual paranoia. But I had this feeling...like I was being followed...before I ever went into that stupid station."

Beka nodded and rose. "Come on, Harper. Rommie's sending down a ride for us to get back to the Andromeda. Let's go explain things to Dylan." She gave Tyr a warning look. "Without adding any unnecessary details."