Chapter 25
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I walked down the ramp with Raptor by my side. Dotta was standing with his blaster raised.
I said, “I will go peacefully. All I ask is for someone to care for the dog.”
Dotta replied, “I should kill the animal just because of your deceit, but punishing the innocent is not what we are about. We only desire our freedom from the oppression of the family you work for.”
I nodded. “Believe me when I say I somewhat sympathize with your cause. Much of what I said to you before was true. They have made a mess of the Alliance. Their policies have been out of line with what would be best for the people. I know none of that sounds genuine coming from me, but it is the truth.”
Dotta lowered his weapon as he stepped forward. “You will be held with the other security forces until it is decided what will be done with you. Most of us are just people who want for our freedom. We want for the possibility of a better life for ourselves and our children. We are not savages. As prisoners of war, you should be treated well.”
“I will be no further trouble, Dotta.”
Dotta looked down at Raptor. “One of my neighbors, when I was a child, had a Human dog. It was a friendly and loyal pet. He would sometimes let me watch over it when he and his family were away. I will watch over your dog, Bogg. Until your fate is decided.”
I bowed my head briefly in thanks. “My name is Knog, Knog Beutcher. My home is SS5, where I am a five-star inspection detective. And I know you may not believe it, but I am gladdened to see that you came through this revolution unharmed. Your people will need fair and competent leaders, and you are one of those individuals.”
I slowly reached down and gave Raptor a quick rub of his head and a scratch behind his ear. The dog walked alongside me as we moved to a holding room in a nearby building. The rebellion on Adicus had lasted all of two hours in the capital city. The entire planet had been easily overrun before the sun rose again on our location. It had been a well-organized revolution.
I asked Dotta if he could locate my partner, Jetta Squirrel. He offered that he could promise nothing but would give it a try.
The following afternoon, he returned. He stepped through a doorway as I stood from the bench on which I had been sitting.
Dotta said, “Your partner has not been found. I wish I could say she is OK. Much of that which surrounds us is still in chaos.”
I nodded. “I thank you for your efforts, Dotta.”
The Igari sergeant looked at the other security officers in the room. “Our new ruling council has offered asylum to any low-level security officers or any other officers that have been living on Adicus for more than three years. We will be in need of establishing our own security force, and the training they can offer will help immensely in that effort. We are serious about maintaining a fair and free society. I believe our ruling council to have the best interest of all at heart. This is our chance to prove what it means to be an Adican. You will each be given the opportunity to accept in a private interview.”
“What is to happen to me?”
“At the moment, it looks like repatriation.”
I sat down. “And what about my ship?”
“I believe you and any others who wish to leave will be allowed to do so. We control the portal gates on this end. Those who are to be repatriated will be allowed to pass through. We do not seek war, and the initial discussion about free and fair trade with the remaining New Alliance planets and colonies is already under way.”
I moved my hand over to my side as if to rub Raptor on the head. “And what of the dog?”
“The dog will remain here. I cannot offer reasons why, only that it was decided.”
Dotta began to turn away before stopping himself to speak. “I will continue to search for your partner. I hope for your well-being when you return to SS5, Knog. And your ship—it is likely that it will be given back to you. The security ships that were stationed here on Adicus will remain here. All others will be returned as a gesture of our desire to be neighbors and not enemies.”
Dotta turned away, leaving me to contemplate what I would say should I return home. Joni Salton was missing. I had no idea if she was alive or dead. I feared, if she lived, that she would be discovered for who she really was, a member of the ruling family of Saltons.
Another week passed before the first security officers were allowed to leave. The portal gate was heavily guarded on each end, and the transfer went smoothly. The following week, the throughway of the ship garage had been cleared. Dotta paid me one final visit. He offered no news on the fate of Joni.
I boarded the Daunte and taxied down the throughway onto the launching pad. I was soon rocketing skyward. The pale blue of the sky quickly turned to the blackness of space through my viewports. I was immediately swept back to SS5. A group of Harden Salton’s personal security officers were standing by when I walked down the ramp-way.
I was hustled away to a conference room, where I endured two full days of questioning about what had happened and where Joni Salton now was. Word came down that Harden Salton was furious that his niece had been allowed to be captured.
Shortly afterward, the beatings began. I feigned injury and pain as the Humans worked me over with their rubber batons, never knowing that my tough hide made their efforts only slightly uncomfortable. After a week of repeated beatings and intense questioning, I was released to Chief Jamia and Captain Paq Wendell.
As we walked back to the chief’s office, Paq said, “You really screwed up on this one, Knog. The Saltons are livid, and we're all going to take a hit for this.”
“I apologize for any reprisals that come your way.”
The chief held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear about it. You're dead to me, Knog Beutcher. The goodwill created with the Saltons has all drained away, and we are now the pariahs of the security service. I’ve had serious thoughts of pulling some bleurgh out of the evidence locker and making myself no longer care.”
I again replied, “I’m sorry, Chief. Things just spiraled out of control rapidly. I did my best to protect her. Circumstances prevented that.”
The chief turned. “There is already talk of a trial. And I can tell you it will not go in your favor.”
For the following week, I was confined to a desk and told to not talk to anyone. A kangaroo court was set up, and I was marched before a judge.
After a short trial that was all prosecutor, the judge said, “Mr. Beutcher, on the charge of gross negligence of duty, I find you guilty. On the charge of failing to protect the charge in your care, a Salton family member, I find you guilty. On the charge of failure to report the arms stored in the warehouse in a timely manner, I find you guilty.
“As to sentencing. You will be stripped of all stars, rewards, merit citations, and any other decoration. Your pension plan will be reset to having five years of service, a generous concession, I might add, and all other benefits will be reset to that five-year mark as well. The demotion and stripping of benefits will also be accompanied by a transfer.
“As part of your sentence for the criminal counts, you are being transferred to the Omega sector. Because of the training already invested in you, you will be given the title of associate inspection detective. You will be assigned to the security station SS241, where you will perform ship inspections for no less than ten years. Should you leave this service, or fail to perform to the best of your abilities, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You have three days to get your affairs in order.”
So, that was it. I was heading to exile in the Omega sector. It was a harsh sentence, but at least I was alive. I would not be given time to visit home to be with the wife and kids. I would have to disclose my failures to my wife over a comm call. I was full of dread. They would continue to do well under her supervision, I had no doubt, but with my new salary, I would not be able to contribute to paying the household expenses. I would barely be making enough to pay my own.
After an hour of boxing up my belongings in my quarters, I made my way down to Sam’s to meet with Betty and Ogu.
Betty came out from behind the bar as I entered through the doorway. “Knog, this is so wrong! I can’t believe they're sending their best to the end of the galaxy. Ten years!”
I gave Betty a long hug. “I would gladly have given my titles and taken exile in Omega if it would bring back Joni Salton.”
Betty replied, “Has there been any word?”
Ogu joined us.
I shook my head. “When the Adicans offered asylum to the security forces, they decided that for it to work, they had to withhold all information on those individuals. They claim to have returned all the bodies of those who died, but I never saw a listing for Morris Brassel. He died in my arms, but no body was returned. I'm saddened they did not return his, but it leaves the possibility that Joni Salton is not dead.”
Ogu said, “Is there any talk of a mission to attempt a rescue?”
I sat down on a stool. “They cannot. The Adicans would not allow it. As I'm sure you heard, when Adicus fell, Orwall, Cardello, and Zanus quickly followed. Half a dozen other colonies are on the brink of doing the same. The New Alliance members are pushing for a zero response in order to allow things time to quiet down. There is already talk of treaties with this new four-colony alliance. With Orwall, they could become very powerful in only a short period of time. The entire New Alliance is dependent on them for ion amplifiers.”
“Well, my friend, should you find yourself in need, you will always have a home here. I cannot offer much more than a base wage, but it is there if you want it.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate the gesture, Ogu. I would not care to burden you and your family with my troubles should that need arise.”
Betty began to speak, and I held up my hand. “I don't need the same offer from you either. You are my two dearest friends, and I would never want to be a burden. The gestures are appreciated, but please do not make any plans to accommodate my possible future needs. When my time is over in the Omega sector, I will return to my home. The daily beatings by my wife will be welcome.”
Betty and Ogu laughed. The remainder of the afternoon was spent chatting about old times, the things we had done and seen. When I left Sam’s, I glanced back one last time to see my friends standing in the doorway. I wondered if I would ever see them again.
I spent the next hour on the Daunte. The collection of my things was over in ten minutes. The remaining time was spent moping about the cabin and sitting in the pilot’s chair. She was a good ship, a strong ship. With her upgrades, she would be unmatched for many years to come. I was told she would be placed into military service, as the security force had no need for such an armed and armored vessel.
As I walked down the ramp-way for the last time, I patted the deck plating with my hand. “Well, girl, I will certainly miss you. Six years we've been together. Wherever you go, I hope your captain treats you well and your duties are worthwhile.”
I stepped onto the deck of Bay-17 and was confronted by an unexpected visitor.
Garrett Rourke, wearing a hooded robe, said, “Mr. Beutcher, I was there when Joni was taken. I was looking down from the fourth floor. They took her away, but I could not follow. I will find her. I will do everything I can to bring her home.”
“I would gladly join you, but I've been exiled to the Omega sector. I leave in two days for a ten-year sentence.”
Garrett nodded. “I'm aware of your troubles. I'm here today to let you know I will not give up on finding her.”
I looked at the hood over Garrett’s head. “I'm surprised they haven't banished you to there as well.”
“They don’t know where I am.” Garrett smiled. “When Joni was taken away, I knew the fate you and I both would suffer. When the fighting had stopped, I returned to the location of my ship and slipped away. Since it never had a transponder, I didn’t have to attempt to hide from anyone but the Saltons’ personal security force. Before leaving the planet, I disabled the half dozen tracking devices they had on my ship. As far as they know, the ship was destroyed and I am dead.”
“You saw her taken away. Was she alive?”
Garrett frowned. “She was limp. They moved her out of sight, and I could not risk going after her with the hostilities still under way. I come here today, Mr. Beutcher, seeking your help. I need assistance in formulating a plan so I can get back to Adicus to find out if she's still alive.”
I offered a slow shake of my head. “I will be forty-two gate jumps away from this sector. What could I possibly do?”
Garrett looked around to check the doors. “Do you have resources here who might be able to help? I know you have been on SS5 for many years.”
“I can give you two names. You must make absolutely certain they cannot be drawn into any scheme that would find them in trouble. They are good people and will assist you in any way they could, if I asked.”
“At this time, I just need sound minds to help formulate a plan. I'll take all the necessary risks. And I would risk a minimum of contact with them. I need a team that can offer solid opinions.”
I provided contact information for Betty and Ogu. I asked Garrett to relay to them they did not have to participate in any way; it would be their choice. I also asked they only involve themselves in an advisory role such as Garrett suggested he was in need of. This was my mess; I did not want them to pay a price for my mistakes.
Garrett quickly turned away as Paq Wendell came through the bay doors.
As Paq approached, he looked over at the retreating hooded figure. “Who was that?”
“Just someone asking for donations.”
Paq looked back as the cloaked figure moved out into the hallway. “Well, what are they doing in here? This is a restricted area.”
“I can’t say, and I have to add that I don’t much care. I'll be out of your hair shortly. The Daunte has been emptied, I reset the captain’s code with a random number from the security computers, and she is now yours to do with what you will.”
Paq replied, “She is already going to some Admiral to be his personal cruiser. We won’t be getting a replacement ship for her, so the other detectives will have to make up the slack. You left us in a lurch here, Knog. The chief is mad, the Saltons are mad, I’ve been given a substantial pay cut, and the unit is disgraced. I hope you can do the same for SS241. I would like for them to take back the crown of being the worst security station in the galaxy.”
I shook my head. “I’m sure Omega will take care of its own reputation, Captain.”
I held out my hand. “Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for the years you have been over me. You treat everyone in a fair manner and are otherwise a very agreeable person. The security service is better with you than without.”
Paq Wendell frowned. “Well, thanks for screwing that up too. I came down here just to give you a rash of crap and to vent. Now you’ve taken that away from me with your comments. For what it’s worth, you were our best detective until all the politics entered the picture. I know you did your best to protect the Salton girl, but I don’t understand what you were doing down there on Adicus. Why would you take that risk?”
I explained the extra effort we were putting in to try to stop the rebellions. Rumors needed proof, and with our success at capturing the Orwallian ship of blaster tips, the politicos thought it was a good idea. Had the rebellion been planned for the following day, we would have stopped it, and escaped unharmed.
When my two days had passed I sent my four boxes of belongings through the portal gate by shipping courier. Neither the chief nor the captain was there to see me on my way. A junior detective had been sent to do the dirty work.
As I stepped through the SS5 portal, my afternoon of portal hops began. Nine hours, forty-two jumps, and thirty searches later, I emerged from the portal onto SS241. My ten years of exile had begun.
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