Hm, the pilot thought. That patch of paint seems slightly more interesting than the paint around it.
The fluorescent lights were blinding. They went on at 0730 every day and went off at 2200. Without fail, without exception. She had been in this lovely little mostly-windowless box for… four days.
Of course, it was the same day repeated four times, with the same three-raps-and-a-hard-clunk at the cell's only window on the massive steel fire door once more announcing the presence of one of her captors— again, the Lieutenant from Intel— she watched the man walk with dignified poise into the brig cell and preemptively gave her equally elegant and graceful reply: "Blow it out your ass."
"Excuse me?" The Intel officer raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.
"I said, blow it out your ass. I'm not a spy." She stared daggers at him. "I'm here to fucking defect."
"And a good morning to you too, Lieutenant Khoury. Why don't we start with the basics?"
"Fuck you."
"Look, I understand you're frustrated, but this will all be over with much sooner if you answer my questions honestly, Lieutenant Khoury. Or should I say Ms. Khoury? I don't think the Federation would exactly still say you have military rank, if your story is indeed true." The Intel officer scraped the venom-tipped dagger of a confident smile across the young pilot's misery.
The girl sat cross-legged on the concrete floor, annoyed and silent.
She grimaced.
"Ugh. Fine. Nicole Khoury. Union of Atlantic States Navy, on loan to Pacific Federation Air Force International Peacekeeper Exchange Program. Lieutenant. Callsign: IRIS. My plane's HWID is 274.4.4. Eat a dick." An exasperated sigh escaped her lips.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, I'll have to decline that offer. I do, however, have some good news for you."
"Oh? You're going to shoot me? Finally."
"No, Ms. Khoury." He laughed, nervously. "But we've been looking into you some."
"Oh, joy. What did ya, find my laptop? No thanks, I'd rather you guys shoot me. Or just give me back to the Feds, they'll save you the bullet."
"What? No. We did some background checks. At least some of your story checks out. You're getting your first set of restrictions lifted."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Like what?"
"Well, you'll get some time in the gym, under guard, of course. And you'll get to eat meals in the canteen. Under guard, of course."
"Big fucking upgrade." The girl groaned.
Count yourself lucky you're getting anything at all, She thought.