(“Things were pretty hopeless.” Darren reflected and sat on the edge of the gondola with his legs dangling over the side. He could feel Pryvani carefully watching him, but he didn’t mind so much.
“I remember as much, I mean…well it was all anybody was talking about everywhere.” Pryvani say on the edge of her seat leaning off the edge of the boat as well, her legs stretched comfortably length wise as one hand dipped idly into the water as they drifted towards the shore.
“I recall they even got that media bimbo to throw in her two cents.” Darren tried to smile, it got easier with time, and he was getting better at it.
“She may be airy, but I don’t think she ever really says anything too off, if you know what to look for.” Pryvani subdued a grin and kept her eyes on the slowly approaching shore line.
“The Twat held herself together like a true soldier…I couldn’t have been more proud of her.” Darren began, with a slow growing shred of reserve in his voice. “Well, that is until Animal Control decided I needed to be detained…Eyrn had other thoughts on that.”
“I can’t imagine that went over well.” Pryvani winced, she was pleased Darren had seemed to pull himself together, she didn’t want to mention it, but personally she felt little sympathy for the life he had taken, still she did understand his guilt and didn’t wish to trivialize it further.
“Ah wish I could remember it better.” Darren huffed and gave his head a shake. “I can’t ‘memember a whole lot from that night you know, everything that happened after that…just a big haze. After the adrenaline wore off, couldn’t move much.” Darren furrowed his brow as he struggled to recall whatever he could. “Voices, lots of voices, and blood, so much blood.”
“Massive bilateral stroke caused by systemic hypoperfusion.” Pryvani stated as if by memory. She looked to Darren, who sent her back a bit of a confused look. “I was following the case very closely, granted I had a few tribulations of my own to deal with that stole me from interveining personally, I was paying close attention the moment this all hit the news.” Pryvani began, looking back out into the water.
“Is that how she got involved? Did you set that up?” Darren spoke wistfully.
“Actually, no.” Pryvani looked mildly surprised herself. “Darren, sometimes I’m the catalyst, sometimes I’m the power behind the throne, and sometimes I’m just another voice in the crowd. No, the wheels on that unexpected affair were given a push start without my intervention.”
Darren nodded a bit, turning his attention off Pryvani. “Nice to know it, would hate to think you’re the one that had that set up.” Darren spoke with a bit of a bitter taint to his voice.
“It was necessary, as much as I hate to admit it Darren.” Pryvani said, her voice sullen. “But before you go into that, you were mentioning something about Eyrn?”
Darren chuckled. “Right, can’t leave this part out can I? Well, t’dinner guest who remained when the peacekeepers had arrived were in the process of being detained, the paramedics had Keeran’s body covered’n were waiting fer some coroner to finish with the crime scene report.”)
Bedra pulled at the crime scene medical examiner’s shoulder as he prepared the body to be transported in the med-evac shuttle that was waiting outside the tapped off night club. Bedra was a mess of guilt, but at the moment only had one thing on her mind, the tracking chip implanted in Tapp was a high end model that among other things, also tracked her vitals. Her previous owner was quite wealthy so it was no surprise Tapp came embedded with such a chip. The application on Bedra’s data pad read clearly that Tapp was alive, even though the Imperator on scene had not mentioned a thing about her. The Crime scene medical officer had given her a quick brush off answer about the potent venom of the insectoids, and consoled her on the loss of her pet.
Bedra herself didn’t understand the numbers on her data pad, just that it said Tapp was alive, and all the numbers themselves were in green, which meant she was conscious!
“Please, just look! I’m telling you she isn’t dead!” Bedra pleaded with the med officer, who shrugged her off once more to continue going about her job.
“I really am sorry. Look, we’ll make sure to get the body back to you so you can have a bit of closure ok?” The sympathetic woman stopped to look to Bedra for a second as she felt another hand on her shoulder.
Bedra gave her head a shake, her expression desperate. “No, she isn’t dead gorram just listen to me, you’re not listening to me!” Bedra tried to show the uniformed medical examiner the numbers on her pad, but the black haired woman had already turned her back and was pulling a tarp over the body of Keeran Lefan.
“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to step back please?” A peacekeeper took Bedra by the arm and tugged her back.
Bedra took a few steps back, her eyes fell to the numbers on her pad, they were written in green but were slowly but steadily starting to go down. That wasn’t good, it couldn’t be good. Tears began to fall down Bedra’s cheek, but rather than cry she tore away from the peace keeper and stormed forward.
“She isn’t dead! Why won’t anyone listen to me! I can prove she isn’t dead! Look, please just look for gorram sake just listen to me!” Bedra balled her free fist and shoved the data pad in the medical examiner’s face.
“Ma’am will you just step…” The medical officer paused as her hazel eyes fell on the data pad. She recognized the application as well as the insignia in the corner of the screen. Some humans carried with them more advanced tracking chips, the best of which had the same insignia, showing the company that manufactured them. The one in question was highly reputable and not know for false readings like some of the cheaper ones. She blinked and turned to look at the covered body, then back to Bedra.
“Please.” Bedra whispered, clutching the woman’s shirt by the scruff of the collar and looking to her in desperation. “She doesn’t deserve to die in there, would you? Would you leave me in there? Please, she didn’t do anything wrong!” Bedra looked to the covered body that was about to be lifted onto a stretcher pad.
“When they get to the hospital they can….”
“You know she won’t last that long!” Bedra’s expression flashed panic and she went weak at the knees, but forced herself to stay upright.
“Ma’am…the venom in her system will likely kill her anyhow there’s no need to….”
“Then let her die with dignity, not alone in the dark suffocating in a dead woman’s stomach!” Bedra begged.
The med officer looked back and forth from Bedra to the body and sighed.
“Let me be with her at least! She doesn’t have to die alone, please let me be with her!”
The dark haired woman took the pad from Bedra and examined the numbers carefully. They were low, but not as low as they should have been, only one was now in the yellow zone, the rest were still green, but on a slow and steady decline. With great hesitation the medical officer turned on her heel.
“Stop!” She spoke to the para-meds who were guiding the hover stretcher out the door. “There is a live human in her stomach, with strong vitals.” The Dark haired woman handed the data pad to one of the para-meds and tore a section of the body cover off around Keeran’s midsection. “Make a lateral incision here with a micro cutter and see if you can pull it out ok?”
“Ma’am, without permission from the victim’s family we can’t….”
“I have the authority to authorize this, just do it ok?” The medical officer turned to Bedra with a sympathetic and remorseful smile. “That’s no way for anyone to go, especially a scared little human.”
“I’m fine! Will you leave me alone already?” Aisell struggled to stand but was firmly planted back on her derriere by the Para-med who was tending to her arm.
“I’ll never be able to set it back into place if you keep moving miss.” The kindly man spoke with a well-practiced bedside manner.
Aisell furrowed her brow in annoyance and peeked onward to see what was happening beyond the meddlesome para-med obsessed with her superficial injury. “There are others who need your attention! Go help them!” Aisell insisted as she struggled to stand, once again failing.
The Para-med looked back for a moment over the crime scene. There was the deceased girl, a number of detainee’s, Eyrn, Bedra, and the other two Maris sisters. He looked back to Aisell with a shrug and smiled. “Nope, you’re the only one. Just take it easy ok? It’s really a nasty job you did on this. What did you do? Run into a wall?” The young blond man chuckled as he ran the scanner device over the arm once more.
“Close.” Aisell responded quickly, and then backtracked a bit with a scowl. “What do you mean I’m the only one? What about all those poor humans who need help?” Aisell kept her voice low, but she spoke with a driven passion that stopped the para-med in his tracks.
“I…er…well I’m not qualified to…I mean I’m not a veterinarian, I wouldn’t know how…well…I don’t even have the equipment for that anyhow.” The para-med continued working on Aisell’s arm.
Aisell looked around at the cuffed dinner guests. Most of them were being lined up for transport, but they looked comfortable enough, they were alive and standing, none of them were covered in blood, vomit and bile, every one of them conscious, which was more than they deserved. “You’re treating the detainee’s better than the victims.” Aisell said with venom to her voice.
The para-med was silent for a moment as he braced his hands against Aisell’s shoulder in two different places. “This is going to hurt; you might want to bite down on that gauze I gave….”
“I’m fine.” Aisell snapped harshly.
The par-med blinked in surprise and then went to setting Aisell’s arm back into place with a grimacing pop.
Aisell winced but remained quiet, what had happened here tonight was far more painful than any injury Ler Tonga had inflicted upon her. It was disgusting, unjust…it was evil.
“Did you just say animal control?” Eyrn’s voice could be heard steadily growing louder and more irate, drawing Aisell’s attention quickly. “Why is he being taken away by an animal control officer when he needs to see a doctor!?”
On the other side of the room, Eyrn was standing next to Aehzay in a confrontation with Imperitor Deputandum Huvo Gull.
“Ma’am, under regulation 44 sub section 86, the law states….”
“I don’t give a flying fuck with the law states! He has to see a doctor, not an animal control officer! He’s hurt! God damn-it he was just attacked, he’s on death’s door and you want to send him to the pound!?” Eyrn seethed and stood against the tall dark skinned man, who was a fair bit taller than her.
“You’re human attacked an imperial civilian causing death, he has to be taken in while we investigate the casualty to protect anyone else from injury that….”
Eyrn balled her firsts, her expression was a mix of bewilderment and rage, and she was trembling to control herself. “Protect who!? Form what!? A man the size of their finger!?” Eyrn shouted at the Imperitor, her face beat red.
“You’re human killed an imperial citizen ma’am, we can’t just surrender him to you without investigation. If he managed to kill, who’s to say he won’t do it again? You’re human possesses sufficient skills to seriously harm or kill imperial citizens, under the law he has to be….” Imperitor Huvo began, but was interrupted quickly by Eyrn’s dagger like voice.
“My FRIEND was nearly murdered and fought back in self-defense!” Eyrn stood on her toes for more height; her eyes were like lasers on the Imperitor.
“Once you have been released you can file a complaint with the reginal justice pending results of the investigation….”
“Released?” Eyrn narrowed her brow, the more she heard this man talk the more she wanted to deck him.
“You’re human killed an imperial citizen ma’am, you need to be taken in for questioning to see if charges will be brought against you for neglect and failure to safely contain a dangerous animal in a public place.”
Eyrn seemed to calm down far too quickly, she turned her back on the Imperitor and looked around the room with pain in her eyes. She looked to the dead body surrounded by para-meds, she looked to her devastated roommate, to Aisell, and then to the bloody mess on the floor where she herself had just pulled Darren’s limp body from.
He had been there for her when nobody else had, he was a grumpy, surely cuss, but he was always there for her. He had taken care of her, gone to bat for her when the brass wanted to restrict what little freedom she had been given, and unbeknownst to her sacrificed his very freedom to make sure she adapted comfortable to her new life. Darren was the closest thing to family she had, and in his lowest moment there was nothing she could do to help him.
“I understand.” Eyrn whispered coldly as she unstrapped the bracelet on her right arm.
Aisell watched Eyrn carefully, her eyes went wide suddenly and she tried to stand, only to be forced down by the para-med.
“Will you quit moving?” He sighed.
Aisell was frantic; if Eyrn attacked an Imperitor she would only dig herself into a far deeper hole than the lot of them were already in. Fair or not the law was the law, and the last thing Aisell wanted to see was more injustice.
“Zhay, stop her!” Aisell shouted, trying to stand once more.
Aehzay looked to Aisell in bewilderment, and then looked to Eyrn. It didn’t take her very long to figure out with the petite Eyrn was trying to do. Quickly Aehzay took hold of Eyrn by the wrists, her hands covering both of Eyrn’s bracelets.
“No, Eyrn don’t.” Aehzay pulled Eyrn in close and whispers to her. “That will only make this worse.”
“Let go of me Aehzay.” Eyrn spoke dryly, shaking with rage.
“I won’t.” Aehzay gave her head a shake.
“Let go of me, now.” Eyrn demanded. “I can’t let this happen, I have to do something.”
“And we will, trust me we will. But do you know what will happen to you if you attack an Imperitor Deputandum?”
“Let go!” Eyrn pulled against Aehzay’s grip, but she was not nearly strong enough to pull her arms out of the much taller woman’s hands.
“Eyrn, Eyrn listen to me…you’re not thinking straight. You’re no use to Darren locked up on Rura Penthe for assult and resisting arrest!” Aehzay’s grip only got tighter as the surprisingly strong little titan struggled against her like a wild Kipp.
Eyrn pulled, flailed, tugged and bucked to free herself, eventually going limp in frustration. Aehzay pulled Eyrn into a hug and wrapped her arms around the tiny woman tightly.
“I hate this place…I want to go home…I fucking hate this god damn place.” Eyrn whispered, trembling. “I hate you all…you’re whole damn fucked up race.” Eyrn hugged back, her rage wasn’t really directed at Aehzay.
“I’m sorry.” Aehzay sighed and squeezed just a little tighter. “We’ll think of something…we will Eyrn….” Aehzay bit her lip; she at least hoped they would anyhow.
Aehzay looked to the Imperitor, who had looked ready to take action when Aehzay rushed to calm Eyrn down. “It’s ok…she won’t give you any trouble.” Aehzay pulled Eyrn back and brushed her hair aside. “It’ll be ok…were here for you…ok?”
Eyrn looked coldly past Aehzay and turned to the Imperitor. She didn’t say a word as she stepped forwards and prepared to be detained.
The dark haired medical examiner handed the limp still body of the frail looking human to Bedra. Tapp was wrapped in a small white cloth for warmth, but was covered in mucky yellow bile. Her eyes had been closed for her, but she was alive and breathing.
“You need to take her to a veterinarian, I gave her a look over and she’s not too good.” The woman’s voice dipped low for a moment, but she smiled just a little bit. “But, she’s doing better than she should be, you have a strong little human there, she’s fighting.” The dark haired woman smiled weakly again as Bedra cradled Tapp in her hand.
“Thank you.” Bedra whispered, looking down to Tapp regretfully. “I’m so sorry Tapp…this is all my fault, please hon, don’t go, please.” Bedra looked around; Lezah was approaching, just having finished giving her statement to the investigating officer. She had a worn but steady look on her face.
“Can you look after Degu for me?” Bedra asked quickly.
Lezah hesistated, looking to Tapp in surprise, not at all expecting to see that face ever again. “She’s alive?” Lezah gave her head a bewildered shake.
“For now, I have to get her to the Vet…I’m going to take an Air Cab…can you look after Degu?” Bedra repeated.
“O…of course, where is he?” Lezah asked looking around.
Bedra carefully handed Lezah Tapp, who cradled her delicately like a glass egg while Bedra dug into her pocket to pull out the groggy and sleepy face of Degu. He had passed out in the commotion, a mix of stress, fear and pure exhaustion had overcome him.
“Bedra?” Degu rubbed his eyes, looking into his companion’s bleary tear streaked eyes with convern.
“Dee, I have to go for a bit.” Bedra tried to smile, but she had not one left in her. “Tapp needs to see a Doctor and I’m going to take her. Can you stay with Lezah until I get back?” Bedra asked.
“W…why can’t I come with you? Why are you leaving me again? I don’t want you to go….” Degu pouted, but his resistance was less fiery and more desperate.
“I’m sorry, you’ve been through a lot, you’ll be safer with Lezah, please?” Bedra pleaded.
Degu didn’t answer, but felt Lezah’s fingers around him as he was pulled from Bedra’s hand and replaced by the unconscious Tapp.
Degu didn’t put up a fight, he just watched as Bedra took Tapp in her hand, looked once more to him, and then quickly made her way out of the room.
“Why is she leaving me again…what did I do?” Degu leaned against Lezah’s fingers, curling his legs up to his chest.
“You didn’t do anything Degu, Tapp is very sick. Bedra will be back when Tapp is better.” Lezah looked down to Degu.
“I don’t want her to go.” Degu whispered.
“I know.” Lezah sighed, and looked around at the complete mess that surrounded her.
***
Corporal Isabel Ibanez rounded the final corner that would eventually lead to her spacious recruit issue quarters, shared of course with JRM Gwenn. Captain Bass had denied her repeated requests for her own room, which Izzy was secretly just fine with, as Gwenn was a tolerable bunk mate over all.
As Izzy ran, she found herself hungry to push her limits even further. The forgiving ships gravity gave her much less resistance, but took a while to get used too. The awkward feeling of weighing less than you are used to, while possessing just as much mass as you always have, was something the young earthling was still getting used to. But the advanced medical treatment and the optimal nutritional intake left her in the best shape of her life. She actually found some of the early onset grayness she was experiencing had reversed, leaving her frizzy brown hair even more colorful than before.
“Afternoon Iz.” A male Titan spoke as he pivoted to avoid her. Izzy’s running route was a well-known path, and most of the crew gave her a wide girth when they knew she was running. Some were more accommodating than others.
“You’re late for shift Gerko….” Izzy grinned as she ran in-between the tall man’s legs.
“I’m right on time!” Gerko snapped back as Izzy padded off into the distance. “You’re just early!”
Izzy’s run times were nearly identical each day, but she was in fact shaving seconds off her time, which for her age felt amazing.
“Hey Gwen’s looking for you, said it was important!” Gerko cupped his hand over his mouth and shouted back as Izzy bobbed out of sight.
Izzy peaked back, half curios half annoyed. “What’s Red want now?” Izzy mused as she turned back to face where she was heading, and promptly running straight into a stationary leather clad military issue officers boot.
Izzy stumbled to avoid the collision, but ended up slamming into the side of the large size 12 boot, tumbling a distance from the impact and coming to a stop against the bottom of a bulkhead wall.
“Fucking-off Lemm!” Izzy cursed, she didn’t have to see who it was to know, Izzy recognized those boots.
“That’s Commander Tamm to you, Ibanez.” Lemm chuffed dryly as she stood over the prone human with folded arms.
“Why did you do that!?” Izzy snapped, pulling herself to her feet in a bumble of fury and indignant rage.
“Didn’t see you there, weren’t you watching where you were going?” Lemm’s right brow arose slightly as she relaxed her pose just a bit.
“You damn well saw me you cranky….”
“Careful Ibanez…remember the discussion we had about language towards senior officers….” Commander Lemm said with a glow of authority.
“I remember….” Izzy hissed under her breath as she pushed herself up, shaking off the throbbing pain. “Suppose you are gonna harp at me for being where I don’t belong?” Izzy grunted reminiscent of a rebellious teenager.
“Don’t recall the ships corridor’s being off limits? Have you grown confused again? Remember Ibanez, officers’ quarters, no, corridors, yes!” Lemm spoke with a smug condescending smile.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind ma’am…” Izzy narrowed her eyes and rubbed her leg. Her only wound was her pride.
“Look out next time, or you may find it a sole you run into and not the ankle…hmmm?” Lemm’s voice took on a serious tone.
“Is that a threat?” Izzy asked defiantly.
“Does it have to be?” Lemm narrowed her eyes.
“…” Izzy looked away, Lemm did have a point, in her own grumpy bitch way. “Fine…I will…”
JC3C Gwenn jogged up to the sullen looking Commander Tamm just as the Sr. Officer was turning to walk away.
“Is everything…er…I mean…ma’am….” Lauryna saluted awkwardly and then looked to Izzy who seemed to be licking her wounded pride.
“Crewmate.” Lemm nodded, without returning the unnecessary salute. “Just having a chat with Ibanez.” Lemm grinned as she walked off down the hall.
Lauryna waited until Lemm was out of sight and quickly dove at Izzy, snatching her off the ground in frenzy.
“Bwa! Red what are you doing!?” Izzy wiggled against her friend’s unusually forceful grip, but found they were already in motion.
“I need to show you something.” Lauryna’s voice was uneasy and boarder lining on panicked, which didn’t unsettle Izzy too much, as Lauryna did have a tendency to over react…to everything…often.
“Can you show me without mawling me!?” Izzy protested ruefully.
Lauryna responded with a nervous glance as she walked quickly the remainder of the distance down the corridor towards their quarters. She wasted no time in swiping her access card and barring into the room, depositing the flustered and confused Izzy onto the work station top next to her data terminal.
“Alright were here! What’s so damn impor….” Izzy was hushed as Lauryna Gwenn sat down and activated the view screen.
“Read….” Lauryna spoke, chewing on her lip with reservation.
“Really?” Izzy chuffed and made an exaggerated effort to face the screen. “All this for a reading lesson? Really Red I did my homework give me a break….”
“Izzy! It’s important!” Lauryna spoke raising her voice, which WAS odd.
“Ok…calm down….” Izzy looked to the screen with a more serious tone and began to work her way through the relatively complicated words.
The time difference between titan and human biology paired with Crewmate Gwenn’s stellar teaching methods had helped Izzy pick up on written galactic Archavian quite quickly.
“I don’t understand…is this some kind of joke? Lauryna wh…are…is this for real?” Izzy spoke and backed away from the screen. Her voice was soft and frightened and her eyes wide and lost.
Lauryna simply nodded apologetically and bit her lower lip.
“No…just…no…Lauryna…take me to the Captain…please I…I have to see the captain….”
“Izzy I don’t think….”
“Please! Lauryna please….” Izzy begged, looking up to her friend in terrified desperation.
***
“Are you kidding me!?” Niall said over the orchestra playing from the wall speakers of his office.
“No…not at all…” Naskia replied without looking up from her pad.
“You honestly expect me to believe you prefer the first movement to the third?” Niall asked with a tone that implied he viewed Naskia’s opinion with little more than contempt.
Naskia shrugged. “The first movement is just more…emotive. It’s sweet. It really adds to the wonder of the whole ‘New World’ thing.”
“But the third movement is big and bold! It’s the true peak of the whole symphony.” Niall argued.
“It’s enjoyable to listen to. But I just prefer the feeling of the first. It’s less busy…more calming.” Naskia gave a soft smile briefly before turning back to her pad.
Niall stood up and paced behind his Human sized desk that sat atop his Titan sized one. Behind him sat a chair that a Titan professor would occupy. He’d told Naskia to just sit there but she always took one of the guest seats. That chair was his and it wasn’t right for anyone else to sit in it she had always told him.
“Some Titan you are…” Niall said choosing to bait his so far relaxed girlfriend (Or fiancée. I can’t remember the timing)
Naskia paused the music. “I’m sorry Sweetie; would you care to repeat that? I couldn’t hear you over the music.” She shot him a smile that some would read as sweet but Niall could quite clearly tell she was telling him to rephrase his statement and to tread carefully.
“You heard me.” He chose to ignore her hint and folded his arms.
Naskia turned to face Niall, her brow arched showing a hint of both amusement and annoyance. “You’re telling me that I’m less of a Titan because I happen to enjoy the emotive and gentle first movement as opposed to the rather loud and more complicated third?”
“No, it just makes you damned weird.”
“Well maybe I should stop being weird when it comes to how my species ought to act then? Maybe I should just be a stereotypical Titan and listen to nonsense music that makes no sense? Maybe I’ll also act like a normal Titan when it comes to other species? Like Humans maybe? A Titan would never date a Human would they?” Naskia said, her voice getting faster and faster as she spoke emphasizing each point.
“Well I…”
“You’re being an ass is what.” Naskia spoke over him. “Just because I don’t agree with you on something.”
“Maybe…”
“Definitely.” Naskia asserted.
“Sorry Petal…” Niall said returning to his desk.
“That’s ok Sweetie…you’re bored, I understand.” Naskia smiled quite content with her small victory.
Just as she settled back into her book the door burst open.
Loona Armac feverishly intruded into Dr. Freeman’s office and briskly lowered her hand to the titan sized desk. A tiny frazzled Nonah had hardly a second to leap off before the Hand was removed.
Nonah wobbled on her balance and fell to her rear with a disgruntled meep. “Will you slow down!” Nonah snapped as Niall steadied himself against the quake of the Titan on a mission.
“Turn on the news feed! Now!” Loona pushed Naskia aside, who was swiffling on her spinny leather chair.
“Bwah! Heeyy!” Naskia protested as she was nearly flung off the chair to make room for loona’s slender boney rear.
“Move!” Loona hissed as she excitedly swiped at the data screen.
Niall helped Nonah up and brushed her off “what’s up her ass?” Niall joked.
“She read something on the data feed then nabbed me and ran…she hasn’t said a thing about it since!”
“Just read!”Loona said with a rushed snap as she turned the data pad around and shoved it in Niall’s direction.
Niall leapt back as the huge Data pad was shoved towards him and briskly hopped onto it, crawling on hands and knees towards the text. As he read Naskia’s shadow covered him as she read over his shoulder. Both read in silence, their faces growing grimmer and grimmer the further they read.
“Fuck…” Niall cursed and looked up to Naskia in disbelief, her mortified expression and clinched fists expressed silently what his sudden outburst had.
“Fuck…”Naskia cursed almost in unison.
Niall paced feverishly, his head downcast with his chin resting in his hand. Nonah quickly followed him attempting to catch up in order to calm him, Niall oblivious to her presence.
“This is horse shit!” Niall cursed, his voice well beyond furious.
Loona sat against the back of the forbidden chair, her eyes unfocused, as if she had been hit by a shuttle.
“What did they expect him to do!? Lay down and die!?” Naskia paced back and forth from the door to the desk almost looking like a mirror version of her tiny lover. “Sorry about your luck, do down easier next time!”
“It’s balls is what it is!” Niall shouted, sending Loona a glare. “Get out of my chair…” Niall added dismissively.
“There has to be something we can do!” Nonah spoke up, more desperate to find a solution than enraged like Niall and Naskia.
“I should have torn her throat out! Damnit if I had to pick now to listen toyou all! I wanted to whip her good! I wanted to!” Naskia grumbled as she stopped and folded her arms, gnawing at her nails in frustration.
“Nas, remember your breathing exercises…”Loona reminded Naskia dutifully.
“Screw my breathing exercises!” Naskia hissed vengeful.
“Ok…” Loona replied backing down.
“We have to…we have to do something!” Niall paced feverishly still, brushing Nonah aside impatiently as she tried to calm him still. “Nas, what about your brother! He’s a lawyer!” Niall spoke up without looking to his lover who was still pacing herself.
“Hurassen is a corporate lawyer…” Naskia spoke dismissive.
“Well he’s practically family can’t he just do us a favor!” Niall snapped as he turned and faced Naskia.
“Niall it’s not that simply, Hurassen wouldn’t be much use in an area he doesn’t specialize…besides….” Loona spoke nervously as she looked away. By the tone of her voice it was clear she had more bad news.
“What?” Niall and Naskia spoke up in unison.
“There won’t be a trial…so a lawyer won’t be any good….” Loona winced.
“What!” Niall shouted.
“Shaka…that’s right…animal welfare cases don’t go to trial…if anything the Titan he is registered to will be charged after he is euthanized!” Naskia stopped pacing and sank into her chair.
“Fuck!” Niall slammed his hand into his desk and swiped his arm in one fluid motion, clearing the desk of its content.
Naskia looked to Niall with pain in her eyes; her heart ached for her lover. She didn’t have to wonder why this news hit him as hard as it had. The two had never met, yet shared a strong connection much deeper than planet of birth.
Niall had not been given a chance to meet Sergeant Avery, there was so much they could have discussed, so many questions Niall had to ask, and there was Reece Jones. Niall only had the most basic knowledge of the man, but what Reece Jones had done for him was nothing he would ever be able to repay. Niall would never get a chance to thank Private Jones…but there was Sergeant Avery…and now that window was closing too.
“We have to do something!” Niall spoke up, desperation showing in place of rage.
The room was silent; Nonah looked down with a frown, while Loona and Naskia looked to one another helplessly.
“Isn’t there anyone who can stall this?” Naskia asked near pleading.
“I don’t understand…he didn’t do anything wrong….” Nonah said at last. “Niall attacked Dorok and he didn’t get murdered!” Nonah was clearly upset, but unlike the other three, she was more confused than angry.
“Niall was lucky, he also didn’t kill Dorok, and Sergeant Avery’s case is a lot messier.” Loona spoke, looking to Nonah with a soft expression.
“Ok, but the university gave Niall a trial, why doesn’t this guy get one?” Nonah asked her mind racing as she digested what she was told.
Loona took a breath, she still sometimes felt the need to soften the blows for Nonah, but out of respect felt it was better not to. Getting used to Nonah’s new found freedom was difficult, especially in light of news stories like the Rutger ordeal. Her desire to shelter Nonah on days like this was overbearing.
“Nonah, Niall was given a trial by the university board of directors, it wasn’t a legal trial. What happened here had no effect outside of the walls of Tanhouser. Niall only won the right to work here….” Loona looked to Niall to gauge his reaction.
“Nas still gets my pay, I’m only honorary faculty…not officially employed in the eyes of the law.” Niall said dejectedly.
“Sergeant Avery isn’t recognized as a person, so he won’t get a trial.” Loona spoke; the words coming out of her mouth were almost as hard to take as the look on her dear friends face.
“Ok, but why are they killing him. I don’t understand.” Nonah looked between the sullen faces of her friends, none of them feeling very much like being the one to explain it to her.
“Nonah, when this human defended himself, what he did caused the Titan who attacked him to die. Because she died, he is labeled a dangerous animal who has shown he has the capacity to kill. When that happens, with any animal…under the law that animal has to be put down.” Loona spoke, without softening the blows, as she would to anyone else, which was one of the most difficult things for her to do.
“But, he’s not an animal…he’s a person…like me and Niall!” Nonah spoke up furiously.
“I know that, you know that…WE know that.” Naskia spoke up.
“But the law doesn’t.” Niall was next.
Nonah looked to Niall; she had anger in her eyes that slowly gave way to fear and sorrow. If this man’s life was so easily thrown away for what he did, how easily could her or Niall be tossed away like a piece of trash? “That’s not fair.” Nonah spoke dejectedly. “He was just defending himself! What was he supposed to do?”
“Just die apparently.” Niall hissed bitterly.
“When a Titan attacks a human its ok, but when we stand up and fight back were killed for it? I don’t understand…it just doesn’t make any sense.” Nonah furrowed her brow in deep thought; her voice had conviction and purpose.
The room was silent, the wheels in Loona’s head were churning, she chewed her lip for a moment and stood. “No, there has to be something that can be done. I refuse to accept this…come on, think!” Loona furrowed her brow and leaned forward on the desk.
Naskia was rubbing Niall’s back, after his outburst he looked to calm down enough to accept her comforting. Of the two of them she was the calmer one, and that was rare.
incoming long-range transmission…Incoming long-range transmission…incoming….” A polite robotic voice donned over and over from The Titan sized computer terminal located on the full sized desk.
Loona being closest swiped the screen with her hand to accept the call.
The stoic face of Captain Aertimus Bass greeted them from the familiar backdrop of his ready room aboard the Gyfjon.
“Hey Nas.” Aerti spoke with a gruff and composed voice; his eyes however were soft and expressive.
“Captian.” Naskia smiled a ghostly but warm smile.
“Aertimus this is a load of horse crock! Tell me you have some good news!” Niall exploded into a rage of arm flailing and screaming as he paced back and forth in front of the projected image of Naskia’s brother.
“Good to hear from you too Dr. Freeman.” Aerti smiled a weary but worn smile.
“Sorry Aerti, tempers are flaring…Niall isn’t angry at you.” Naskia sighed tensely.
“I’m used to it Nas, I just received the same from Corporal Ibanez…she’s…well you can imagine.” Aerti blew air into his cheeks and then deflated them with a nervous looking frown. “Looks like things are a mess eh?”
“Aerti, I hope you didn’t call to tell me that, I hope you have something hopeful to add, because….” Naskia began, but was cut off by a stern brotherly glare.
“Sorry…” Naskia sighed.
“TETH is calling it the Rutget Human massacre…more than 100 humans were thought to have been killed, its horrific Nas.” Aerti had a grim look on his face.
“We just read, horrific doesn’t even begin to discribe it.” Naskia responded dryly.
“Only three humans were saved…well…and Sergeant Avery make four.” Aerti had a grim look on his face.
“He isn’t safe yet.” Niall cut in.
“I spoke with Hurassen, before I called you.” Aerti spoke, taking a moment to compose himself.
“Can he help? What did he say?!” Niall felt like reaching through the screen and shaking Captain Bass until he spoke up.
“Well he’s no Human welfare expert but….”
“Yes I’ve been told!” Niall snapped.
“Honey let Aerti finish.” Naskia reached out and stoked Niall’s back again.
“As I was saying, he’s no human welfare expert, but he was helpful.” Aerti’s expression was off, as if he wasn’t looking forward to what he had to say next.
“I know that look Aertimus Hussle Bass!” Naskia scolded and leaned forward.
“Don’t shoot the messenger Nas, but there is someone from the HOS with the influence to possibly stall this, even save Sargent Avery altogether….”
“Who…in particular?” Naskia spoke through gritted teeth.
“Nas, she’s the present of the HOS and has a stellar reputation improving the welfare of humans in the system…she is also a very public face with charisma and….” Aerti was cut off abruptly by a loud crash-boom-bang and lots of cursing, his screen went blank.
“Well…she took that better than I thought she would.” Aerti sighed and sunk into his chair.
Niall, Nonah and Loona stood at a distance as Naskia huffed and puffed over the smashed Data terminal. Each of them had a mildly shocked expression on their face.
“Nas…we don’t smash things when we are mad.” Niall spoke first, stepping forward.
“Sorry.” Naskia whispered and sunk into her chair heavily.
“There has to be someone else.” Loona spoke next, no more composed than Naskia.
“She’s a horrible person, I don’t like her.” Nonah spoke bluntly crossing her arms.
“I don’t like her any more than you three, but Aerti has a point.” Niall spoke with stone resolve.
“You of all people have the least reason to trust that woman.” Naskia looked to Niall and spoke with concern.
“I know.” Niall sighed. “But unless you three know anyone better this may be the only option.” Niall shrugged.
“I would be surprised if she didn’t already have her grubby little hands in on this.” Loona sighed dejectedly.
“I’m willing to put my credits on it in fact Loona, still it couldn’t hurt to give her a call just to make sure.” Niall spoke thoughtfully.
“Are you serious Niall?” Naskia spoke quickly with a gasp. A simply nod from Niall was all she needed in comfermation.”This can’t be happening….” Naskia sulked back into her chair.
“Call her.” Niall looked to Loona.
“Are you serious?” Loona repeated what Naskia just had and watched Niall in surprise.
“Call her.” Niall repeated with determination. “Or I will, but…well…you’re much more of a diplomat than I am Loona.” Niall admitted, as much as it pained him to ever admit when someone else was ‘more skilled’ than himself.
“Alright, I’ll do it. But…well…” Loona was silent and looked to the smashed data terminal. “Eh…well…”
“Sorry….” Naskia winced. Looking to her hand, which she just managed to realize was not only bleeding, but also throbbing. “Oww….” Naskia whimpered and cradled her sore hand.
“This is why we don’t smash things Nas.” Loona gave her head a slight shake as she stood up and made for Naskia to lend her assistance.
“Loona, today the no smashing rule can be put on hold.” Niall sent a concerned and sympathetic look to Naskia. “Today we have every reason to smash, Nas.”