Part II: The Man with One Eye

Chapter 9

Pain. That was the first thing Tilyer thought upon groggily entering into the waking world. It hurt to be alive. Then again it was better than the alternative, he supposed. It took him several moments to work past the stabbing pains shooting through his torso and the dull throbbing that inhabited his left leg, but he managed to crack his eyes open just enough to let a sliver of soft gray light filter in.

He tried to open his eyes fully, but the sudden flood illumination to his light-deprived pupils sent a new wave of pain shooting through his skull. He groaned and clamped his eye-lids shut against the agony. The pain slowly began to fade, and once it had subsided, he tried once more to pry them open, this time a bit slower.

The light was intense this time, but his eyes gradually grew accustomed. Trying to blink away the haze that filled his vision, the only real thing he could make out was the intense spot of light hovering above his head. Everything else beyond that was shrouded in shadow. He tried to raise his head up, but all he could get out of his muscles was a feeble twitch. Then he heard footsteps.

He had decided to try to call for help when a blurry silhouette interposed itself between him and the light. A halo of gold surrounded the shadowed face like the silver lining of a foreboding thunderhead. He tried to twist away as hand descended onto his shoulder, but his body only quaked weakly as the pain in his chest and leg increased tenfold.

"Oh no, you're awake," the figure mumbled. "He's awake!" it called again.

More footsteps, and then there were another set of hands on him holding him in place—not that it mattered. His body wouldn't do anything he told it to anyway.

"I'll give him another sedative," another more gravelly voice said.

He felt a prick in the crook of his arm, and suddenly a surge of fire coursed through his veins. Tilyer tried to protest, to tell them that they couldn't hold him here against his will, but his lips failed him. He wanted to shout out loud, to voice the pain and outrage seething through his mind, but his mouth simply wouldn't work. He could only blink lazily as the drugs took effect, sending him on a spiraling course back into unconscious oblivion.


"Ah, Lieutenant Dusat," Venka said with the hint of a smile, "come in, come in."

Urtis Dusat stepped further into the small security station to stand at attention before Commander Venka. "Reporting as ordered, sir."

"At ease Lieutenant," Venka said as he rose from his chair. "Thank you for coming so promptly. I understand you're off-duty tonight."

"It is my pleasure, Commander," Urtis replied, "though I am curious why you asked me to meet you here instead of the bridge."

Venka's lips peeled back in a predatory smile, "I understand you have extensive experience with computer systems, Lieutenant."

Urtis nodded, "Yes sir, I received a degree in computer programming and application before attending the academy." He paused uncertainly, "Pardon me for asking sir, but what does that have to do with meeting me here?"

"I have a job for you Lieutenant, one that I cannot entrust to just anyone."

Dusat arched his eyebrows, "Oh?"

Venka took him by the shoulders and steered him toward the chair at the security console. Urtis sank into the seat, warily looking up at the Commander. "Sir, what is this about?"

"I need you to erase several archived files from the security data logs."

Urtis was taken aback, "Sir, you know I can't do that. Do you know how many laws and directives I could be breaking?"

"Don't lecture me," Venka snapped. "I'm well aware of the consequences."

The junior officer seemed uncertain.

His voice softened, "I'm not ordering you to do it. I'm asking you, one officer to another—a favor for a favor. You do this for me now, and I will ensure your next promotion, your next duty assignment, whatever you want."

"I don't know sir. It doesn't feel right."

Venka leaned close, "One doesn't go far in the Empire without having friends in high places. You might find yourself in need of one in the near future." A feral smile crept onto his features.

Urtis swallowed, recognizing the veiled threat for what it was. He bit his lip in thought, lowering his eyes from his superior's steely gaze.

"Okay," he finally said. "I'll do it. Just show me the files, and I'll get it done."

Venka smiled once more, "Good. I knew you would come around."