"I am glad you have returned, Captain Hunt," said Administrator Elva's image on the main screen of the Command Deck. She nodded pleasantly. "You are still planning to act as defense in the trial?"
"Yes, Administrator," said Dylan.
"Then, I have been asked to send you the security records, audio and visual, of the night of the ball for you to review so you may see the correct procedures were followed."
"We are receiving them now," said Holo-Rommie.
"Thank you, Administrator," said Dylan.
That matter out of the way, Administrator Elva changed the topic to something closer to her heart. "My people, Captain Hunt, have always been very cautious when it comes to trading and communicating with worlds outside our own. It has only been in fairly recent years that more off-world travel has been encouraged and this increased when Platea became our ally. We welcome others to come live in Monarchea if that is their desire. But I have noted a disturbing trend. The presence of the Yil Yimurs has increased here. There are rumors they will soon ask permission to set up a station on Monarchea. I fear, if this became so, my people would lose the things we have gained. The Commonwealth, Captain Hunt, might be exactly what we need to solve the problems with the Yil Yimurs."
A voice was heard in the background and Elva nodded to the unseen speaker. "I have an incoming call. Would you please excuse me a moment?"
"Of course," nodded Dylan.
Administrator Elva's face faded from the screen. The screen went dark.
"Communications suspended," said Andromeda.
Rommie turned to Dylan and said, "As long as we respect Monarchean law, it seems Administrator Elva will still back the signing of the charter."
"Then, that's what we have to do," Dylan replied with determination.
There was a look of concentration on Rommie's face, as if she were considering a different course of action. "Dylan, if it hadn't been for the Maru and its crew, you and I would still be stuck on the edge of that black hole. It doesn't deserve to be destroyed."
"We'll try our best to keep that from happening, but within the law," Dylan ordered.
"Yes sir," Rommie replied.
The darkened screen flashed blue and Dylan nodded towards it.
"Resuming communications," said Andromeda.
Administrator Elva reappeared on the screen. "Sorry for the interruption, Captain. Is there anything else I can do to offer my assistance?" she inquired.
"Yes," nodded Dylan. "You can tell me where I can contact my first officer."
Beka flipped on the communication's screen in the room where she was staying. "Dylan. Welcome back."
"I trust nothing happened while we were away, Captain Valentine."
"Depends how you define happened, Captain Hunt," Beka grinned.
"I suppose I'm asking how you and Trance spent your time planetside," Dylan clarified.
"Not much. Trance revealed her true origins, unleashed her magical powers, we stormed the city and forced it to surrender," said Beka with a straight face. She paused. "Had you going for a moment, didn't I? Seriously, Dylan, we did some sightseeing," said Beka. "What about you? Find out anything that will save my ship?"
"I don't know yet," Dylan replied with a laugh. "Rommie and I are working on the best defense we can, but I'm afraid there isn't very much to work with, Beka. The locals weren't very talkative."
"Surprise, surprise," said Beka.
"But I'll do the best with what we've got," Dylan assured her. "See you at the trial."
"Sure. Beka out."
Beka had a saying. Whenever anyone decided to go on a suicide mission, they took her ship. Not that she totally blamed them for it. When it came to being covert the Maru was much more practical than the imposing Andromeda. And she herself was guilty of her own adage. Suicide missions while piloting the Maru were becoming her specialty.
However, in this particular case, with the Eureka Maru under charges of being a menace to society in general, Beka almost wished the Maru hadn't been involved in quite so many of those missions.
It was almost more than she could bear, sitting in the courtroom, listening to disparaging remarks about her beloved ship as the prosecution painted those missions in an ugly light. She didn't know where they had gotten their information, but they had definitely done their research.
Dulpheen, the main prosecution, was a blue-winged, swaggering personage whose main object seemed to be discrediting anyone who got up on the stand to give testimony for the defense.
He questioned Tyr about Midden and then summed up the incident in these words.
"I submit that the Maru's trip to Midden was a devastating tragedy caused by the Maru's unreliability in flight resulting in the unfortunate deaths of humans and Nietzscheans."
He questioned Harper and Trance about their experience with Gerentex.
"I submit that that the Maru's faulty security made it vulnerable to a hijacking by a Nightsider. Under such control, what's to prevent this vessel from wreaking havoc on untold innocent victims?"
On the other side, the arguments the defense offered in favor of the Eureka Maru's release, presented by Dylan and Rommie, of how much of an asset the smaller craft was to the Andromeda and its use in carrying relief supplies to oppressed peoples seemed very small beside the huge accusations.
The trial continued in this way. Evidence mounting more and more against the Eureka Maru in spite of the defense's efforts.
"Ew," said Harper who had been allowed to stay planetside after giving his testimony and view the trial. He whispered aside to Trance. "That Dulpheen guy's almost got me believing that the Maru's bad news. I mean, you gotta admit, it is kinda strange how many scrapes that ship's been in of and out of and in of and out of and--" His voice rose a little higher during his speech and dirty looks from other observers silenced him.
"Beka, I know you don't want to hear this," said Dylan, during one of the court's recesses.
"Then, don't tell me," Beka replied, walking rapidly through a corridor outside the courtroom.
Dylan nearly had to jog to keep up with her power stride. "I'm a captain of a ship too, Beka. I know how it feels."
"Don't try to empathize with me, Dylan," Beka snapped.
"In this case, for the good of the Commonwealth, I don't see any other way."
Beka's eyes blazed. "So you want me to just give it up? To turn it over to the Plateans when all they want to do is turn it into scrap metal because of some stupid law? You heard the testimony today. They're killing our side. I'm not going to let them destroy the Maru too."
"It does look bad now," Dylan admitted. "But just try it my way? For a little bit longer. Please. For the good of the Commonwealth. If they join--"
"If you say for the good of the Commonwealth to me one more time, Dylan, I swear I'll--" Beka swallowed the last few words and then covered her face with her hands. "It's been a long day. Just leave me alone, Dylan. I need to be alone. Okay?"
"Okay." Dylan backed away and let her walk on alone.
But she didn't remain that way for long.
"Beka?" asked Harper's voice. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Beka stopped, turned to him, and sighed. "Yes?"
Harper looked around to be sure no one was in hearing distance and then said, "It's about Beni. Tyr and I tried to see him."
"You saw Beni?"
"No, that's just it. We didn't. Beka, his shop was deserted." Harper handed Beka a video flexi with the recording from the visor on it. "You can see it for yourself on this."
"Where is Tyr?" asked Beka, taking the flexi. "Sometimes I think one of chief amusements is skulking about in the shadows just to startle someone. Have you seen him?"
Harper shrugged. "Tyr's been scarce lately."
Beka nodded. Since his appearance to testify, no one she knew of had seen him. And he hadn't spoken to her nor asked her about the box. "That's not like him," Beka observed. Not unless he's up to something. Whatever he was up to, she wished she knew where to find him. Somehow, she felt, he would be the only one to understand the conflict she currently faced.
"Tyr's really wondering about this box," Harper said. "And to tell you the truth, Beka, I am too. Maybe you should tell Dylan."
"Tell Dylan whatever you want. I won't stop you. But I started this, Harper," Beka said, quietly. "I'm going to finish it."
"Beka?" asked Trance. "Are you sure you're okay?" It was the end of another long day at court and the Purple Girl stood in the entrance of the room Beka had been staying in during the past few days and studied her with concern.
Captain Valentine nodded, wearily. "I've got it all under control, Trance. Run along now, I'll be fine."
Beka picked up her force lance as Trance's footsteps disappeared. She grabbed her gear and walked off into the night.
Nearing the landing site of the Eureka Maru, a multitude of voices could be heard. They were repeating some kind of chant.
"Scrap. Scrap. Scrap. Scrap," beat the chant. Beka felt her skin crawl. The trial of the Eureka Maru had drawn public attention. Trouble was brewing. It was in the wind. In the rhythmic tapping of the chanters. In the tension that hung in the air.
Her mouth went dry. Her hand took a tighter grip on her force lance as she picked her way through the sea of waving fists and scowling faces towards her ship. Several armed guards were patrolling the perimeter, keeping the agitated crowd back, but it wouldn't take much to get that angry mob to cross the line.
She pressed her way to the edge of the crowd, studying the movement of the people. Her eyes moved to a spot across the square and she studied it carefully, calculating in her mind. Dylan wouldn't be thrilled about what she was going to attempt, but she knew he would never forgive her if anyone innocent was killed due to her actions. She wouldn't forgive herself. So, she waited patiently until the spot across the square was clear, then she reached into her pocket, pulled out a transmitter, and pressed its button.
KA-BOOM!
The blast shook the earth and sent shivers through the pavement underfoot. A surprised gasp issued from the throng and all eyes went to look towards the fiery explosion. The chanting halted. Several startled screams pierced Beka's ears, but she was satisfied that the blast had only done what she had intended it to do. No permanent damage. As anticipated, the sentries around the Maru ran out into the crowd to investigate the cause of the explosion and attempted to keep the crowd from widespread hysteria. Beka watched and bit her lip to keep back a grin. The sentries took out scanners and searched the crowd. They were looking for the cause of the detonation but she had already stashed the trigger device in an unfortunate bystander's pocket.
She edged slowly towards the ramp which led up to the Maru's airlock. A foot. Another foot. Getting closer. A step. Another step. So far, so good. Just a little bit more and--
Twack! A swinging object bumped into her shoulder and nearly threw her off her feet. With the one-mindedness crowds sometimes possess they had already noticed what had been Beka's intention from the start. No one was left guarding the Maru and they surged towards it, little caring who was lost in the mad shuffle in their eagerness to destroy the feared object. Beka was right in their path. This sudden turn of events was something she hadn't anticipated. Pain shot through her side as a second blow knocked her to the ground. Her ears rang. Sparkles of light flittered before her eyes. She struggled to return to her feet but the peoples pressed closely around. Her hand went to her force lance but the crowd was now packed tightly in its outraged rush towards the Maru. There wasn't enough room to pull it out. Feet flew over her head. Dust stung her eyes. She gasped but only breathed in choking dust.
In danger of being crushed underfoot, she let out a desperate cry and fought to stand, but was attacked by a coughing fit. Her knees buckled. The coughs didn't clear her lungs. She inhaled and swallowed more dust. She gagged. Once more she tried to rise.
It was useless.
Beka was trapped underneath the raging mob and there wasn't any breathable air left.
When strong arms reached down and pulled her from the fray, her world had already faded to black.
Just a question to readers: What are your thoughts on the story so far? I am currently working on the last few parts of this story, (which turned out to be longer than I ever expected it to be), and will post them as soon as I can. Review if you like.:)
