Page 67 of The Alien's Private Redemption

"And the interference of their observations is what caused the plans that we had been working from to go awry," Dr. Phillips continued as though Ae-cha hadn't spoken. The sharp tap of her pen against the table punctuated her words.

Zoric's scales bristled at the memory of finding Angela in distress. "My first observation of the interrogation was that Private McBride was dying and not receiving the medical attention that she should have been," he said, struggling to keep his voice level. The taste of copper filled his mouth as he fought down his anger. "If she had not been in very real physical distress, I would not have interfered."

"I've never been allowed to monitor Private McBride's brainwaves," Dr. Torres spoke up from his corner. His complete lack of scent continued to unsettle Zoric. "Which is, honestly, neglecting her health."

"I don't want my brainwaves monitored," Angela said softly. She was sitting straight up in her chair, her back stiff, her hands folded on the table in front of her. Through their bond, Zoric felt a wave of primal fear wash over him, accompanied by the acrid scent of her anxiety.

The static in her mind grew stronger, like interference on a radio signal. Her thoughts became choppy, fragmented, and Zoric could feel her struggling to maintain control.

"We need to make sure there isn't any damage from accidentally triggering you," Colonel Schuh explained, his tone gentler than before. The leather of his chair creaked as he leaned forward. "Despite what you may think, we're not here to hurt you."

They want vengeance. You're not safe here. Your family isn't safe if you stay. You should have kept the weapon.

The foreign voice in Angela's mind was sharp, insistent. Zoric felt it cut through their bond like a blade. Her pulse had increased, though she maintained her outward composure. Thescent of fear rolled off her in waves that only he and Ae-cha could detect.

Angela's voice was carefully controlled when she spoke. "With all due respect, Colonel, I know what the prosecution is pushing for my sentence. Keeping me alive and healthy for an execution seems like a waste of time and resources." The bitter edge of resignation in her scent made Zoric's heart ache.

Ae-cha leaned forward, her scales catching the light as she moved. "I agree," she said. "If that's what they were doing. Fortunately, some of the Orvax intervened on your behalf, which is why I'm here. And why I think we need to change how we're handling this."

Her last words were directed at Colonel Schuh, who nodded and waved her to continue speaking. The air in the room had grown thick with tension, making even the humans shift uncomfortably in their seats.

The discussion that followed about Angela's fate made Zoric increasingly protective. Each mention of removing their bond sent waves of distress through both of them, their shared emotions amplifying until the very air seemed to vibrate with it. Only years of military discipline kept him from gathering her up and fleeing the facility entirely.

By the time they reached the end of the meeting, Zoric's scales were aching from the tension of maintaining his composure. The only comfort was Angela's presence beside him, her warmth both physical and mental a constant reminder of what they were fighting to protect. Whatever came next, he knew with bone-deep certainty that he would not let anyone separate them - not Ae-cha, not Dr. Phillips, not even Angela's own demons.

The voice of reason in her head might be working against them, but Zoric was determined to prove it wrong. They would find a way through this together, no matter what it took.

Chapter 11

Angela was in an interrogation room. Again. This time, though, it was more than her and Dr. Phillips. Ae-cha and Zoric were there, sitting across the table from each other like adversaries. Which, she thought to herself, they were.

The interrogation room was chilly and the breeze from the air conditioner raised the hairs on her arms. The chemical smell of the industrial cleaners combined with the smell of dried sweat, and the musk of the lizard people. Angela had never considered what it would mean for her sense of smell to become more sensitive but she wasn't entirely certain she liked it.

She was sitting in the uncomfortable metal chair she'd become accustomed to. Dr. Phillips chair was also metal but it had a pad for the seat. A couple benches had been brought in for Ae-cha and Zoric instead of more metal folding chairs and they both looked more comfortable than they had in the conference room.

"Alright," Dr. Phillips started. "We're going to begin with some basic questions to establish how this is going to work."

"Why not just jump straight into it?" Angela asked. She tried to keep the bitter tone out of her voice but Zoric sent a gentle surge of comfort across their Bond. It was the closest they were going to get to a hug in that room and she appreciated it. "That's what everybody else has done."

"Because we've never worked together before," Ae-cha answered. "Because that is what I prefer as well."

"And you've seen how well that works," Zoric said. Angela could feel his anger but couldn't see the incident that had caused it. He'd buried the memory of it and she would have to ask him to explain later.

"It works fine after an incident," Ae-cha threw back at him.

"We have different definitions of 'fine'," Zoric threw back.

"Which is why I will be leading the interrogation," Dr. Phillips put in, her voice sharp. "There are obviously some strong emotions from everyone involved but the sooner we get at the heart of what's going on, the sooner we can search for the truth."

That's an odd turn of phrase,Angela thought.

I do not believe her search for truth is genuine,Zoric responded to her.

I think she's already decided I'm guilty and is looking for ways to prove it,she thought to him.

It was getting easier to talk to Zoric with her mind, and something about it nagged at her. Like she wasn't learning a new skill but remembering an old one.

"Truth is always a good thing to search for," Ae-cha said, her voice cold. "But we should not forget the importance of facts, as well."

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