Chapter VIII
As he woke up Cracken squinted before the bright lights of his room. Rubbing his head he sat upright slowly. He felt like he'd had one to many from Felth's secret stash. While he was getting into his uniform the door chimed. A visitor this early? he thought. Airen opened the door and Ideji entered his room. "Gavis? What's going on?" Cracken asked, looking at the solemn face of his guest. "To be blunt, Lieutenant Felth has decided to arrest Colonel Davis on charges of treason," Gavis answered. "Oh no! It's got to be a mistake!" Cracken said. "I'm afraid not. At this moment Felth is headed to Davis' cabin to place him in custody," he said. "Well come on then! Let's find out the truth!" Airen said, heading out the door. "We should not interfere," Gavis said, following him. "And let Felth start a mutiny? I don't think so," he said, turning a corner. A group of officers was huddled around Davis' door, and he could see Felth right at the front. "Major Cracken, nice to see you," the lieutenant said. "What's the meaning of this? You should be relieved of your position!" Cracken said. "Gavis, there you are. Davis has agreed to let us prove our charges," Felth said, passing the major. "Good. Major Cracken, are you with us?" Ideji asked. "You too? This is madness!" he answered. "My comments precisely," a voice came from the doorway. "Colonel Davis, these two officers-" he began. "Have produced insane charges?" Davis said, finishing Cracken's statement. "Yes, I know; however they deserve to be made to look like fools. Lead on, Gavis," he said. "I would first like to warn the Major that if Davis is found guilty you too would be imprisoned until you show that you are not his accomplice," Gavis said.
"I understand that he's innocent," Cracken retorted. "Very well, to the bridge," Ideji said as the group trailed behind him. "Howard, found anything yet?" Felth asked. Cracken couldn't believe his eyes. "You're with them? Who isn't?" he said angrily. "By my count, you and a few others," Gavis said. Howard stood and paced to a display. "As shown here, the Colonel made two transmissions to an unidentified vessel. One two days ago and last night a second," he said, heading back to the navigation computer. "Those messages contained our exact location and heading on them, along with a readout of our defense systems," Howard said, turning the chair to Cracken. "This must be sabotage! Davis is our leader! Someone must have tampered with the system," Airen said. "I have checked everywhere," Gavis said. "Lieutenant... the ship is large enough to be an Imperial Star Destroyer," Howard said from his seat. Davis gasped. "Any last words, Colonel?" Gavis asked. "Whoever did this to me will pay dearly," Davis said, glaring at his crew. "Truly well spoken. Lock these spies in the brig," Felth said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Howard, arrange the quickest course out of here," Gavis said. "Sir, the ship we detected was located in such a way that we'd have to head back towards Despayre in order to leave the system!" Howard said nervously. "Probably Davis' doing. We must leave however, so start the hyperdrive," Gavis said, turning to see Cracken still there. "Odd, shouldn't you be with the colonel?" he said, looking angrily at the officer. "He requested a final word with you," the man answered. "Yes; I just want to say that I will find out the truth of this matter Gavis, and I hope it is not your doing," Cracken said as they prepared to leave. "Brave words; take him away," Gavis said, waving him off.
"Sir, we've set course for Despayre," Howard said as Cracken left the bridge. "What about Cracken's theory of sabotage?" Felth asked, walking over to Gavis. "It is something we can't brush aside. I will do a rundown of the system to check for tampering," Ideji answered. "Good, Howard how many days until that ship gets here?" Felth asked, turning to the navigator. "At the rate we detected, it will come out of hyperspace in about two days. No more, though," Howard answered. "That'll be your timetable to prove Davis' innocence, then we'll head to Despayre," Felth said, pointing to Gavis. "Perhaps we should spend the days we have to gather a larger force for our attack on Despayre," Howard suggested to the two. "He has a point, if we are going to Despayre we might as well take those plans," Felth said. "That can be your assignment, Colonel Felth," Gavis said, pointing at him. "Gavis, you really don't have the authority to promote me. You're not an officer," Felth advised. "Hey, with the help he's given us, shouldn't he be an officer by now?" Howard asked. "That is very kind however I'm sure-" Gavis objected. "Never mind, Howard's right, Major Ideji," Felth said, chuckling. "I am honored. Now then I must finish my work," Gavis said, sitting at a display. "That happiness won't last long," Howard said as Felth left the room.