Trials of a c'tarl c'tarl ch 8 – Death

It'd been a couple days since Richard had been taken into custody and his trial was still pending though everyone knew what the result would be there wasn't any question of his innocence and most felt the trial was a waste of time and money. To the OS crew however it was a godsend giving them much needed time to sort this all out and figure out what to do. They'd stayed in c'tarl c'tarl space contemplating a rescue attempt but every plan seemed futile.

Meanwhile on the surface of the planet.....

Richard sati his cell staring blankly at the wall going over the chain of events that led him here Part of him wanted to blame Zeig afterall he had been the one to suggest this whole thing but he couldn't because ultimately he made the final decision. He wondered about Atma and whether she was okay or even if Zeig and her had escaped safely for all he knew another ship could have picked them up by now.

With a sigh he leaned back against the cell wall and thought back to how he'd met Atma and how beautiful she'd been.....at the time she was Zeig's girlfriend but as usual that hadn't mattered to him especially not in this case.. he recalled the whole chain of events every last detail and suddenly he realied just how wrong he'd been. He had quite literally taken her from Zeig. Right under his nose...it was at this point Richard wondered if all his past crimes were coming back to him rolled up into one for every arrogant decision every prideful remark and action. Little did he know just how close to being right he was...

On Zeigs Ship

"Zeig I STILL want an explaiation for what happened..." Atma said glaring at him

"I know my dear...I'm sorry but all I can give you is someone informed them from the inside it's all I can find out." He replied in earnest

Atma sighed sitting down and looking out into space "So the were betrayed that much was obvious my question was WHO." She said looking back at him once more and then out the window again.

"Atma you don't honestly believe it was me do you?" He asked

"....why not? You set up Richard now you're just getting rid of him." She said

"Honestly Why would I Inform then while I was still there and risk being associated with his crimes?" Zeig asked

"I have no idea....to make it convincing." She replied. Her voice devoid of emotion it was as if a part of her were lost in the space she was staring at.

"Atma...." He began but decided to leave things at that it was painful to see her like that he still loved her so dearly...some part of him just would never let her go and now here she was utterly distraught, alone and Vulnerable and what was he going to do? Nothing that's what. After all there was nothing he could do.

On the Outlaw Star....

Silence was the order of the day and had been since Richards capture no one said a word simply going about their own business none wanting to bring up the subject of what to do since no one had any ideas the most obvious one bust in and take him back was suicide there was no proving him innocent he'd admitted to being guilty and there was no getting him a pardon since the c'tarl c'tarl government didn't flex so much most of it's rules were iron clad no exceptions and to top it off Richard wanted no rescue attempts anyway in hopes of not provoking the government to invoke the 100 year old law he created.

The Day of Richards Execution....

Richard was awoken from sleep earlier than usual only to find it was actually nighttime. A priest sat on a stool next to him "your hour of reckoning has come..." He said and Richard just gave a nod sitting up his mind still groggy the weight of those words didn't quite sink in just yet. As the priest read from the bible to him his mind wandered to all the things He'd done in life all of it came back to him just as clear as if it were happening right then and he wished he had made different decisions hell he was beginning to regret ever being a high ranked c'tarl c'tarl official at least then he never could have gotten into this situation.

His thoughts were interrupted when a pair of Guards came in with his last meal and it was a good one too plenty of meat he ate slowly taking his time stalling for every last second of life he could get. But no matter how slow you go you'll always eventually finish food and when he did the guards began to escort him out of the cell through the courtyard to a stand that had been set up apparently this was going to be made a public spectacle he noticed that a few news crews were present and already reporting live even fellow inmates were out in the yard watching though under heavy guard. As they reached the stand the priest closed his book "Go with god..." Was all he said as he stood watching. Richards was suddenly full of fear this was really it...and now faced with death he found himself wanting to run the guard felt him tense and tightened his grip as they began to secure him.

On the outlaw star Jim flicked on the tv and was shocked what he found Richards execution was everywhere...

"AISHA!" he yelled causing everyone to look as Aisha came over then they all realized what was on the screen.

"NO! We have to move now!" Aisha yelled turning to Gene. But before he said anything something else happened as they began to secure Richard on the screen suddenly the prisoners broke out in a riot. Overwhelming the guards a small battle seemed to break out but one side quickly overtook the other and amid screaming and fleeing somewhere in there Richard escaped it wasn't noticed at first not until the prisoners had managed to open the gates and began pouring out in droves even as the guards that weren't killed got up and began shooting them

"he escaped...." Aisha said in a low whisper at first as she stared at the screen

"He Escaped!!!" She repeated jumping for joy

"You think he planned this all along?" Gene asked

"Who knows? Maybe it was just dumb luck but either way He's free!" Aisha said happily

End chapter 8 –

Yes another ridiculously short chapter I hate these as much as you do but my writers block doesn't seem to be letting up and I think you guys deserve an update so here ya are I promise next chapter will be longer!

Next Chapter – Revelations