Page 40 of Zahhn's Mate
She makes a point, though I already knew some rebels stayed behind. A vision of my armed father boarding an elevator flashes in my mind. I glance toward the entrance of the mess hall, my heart in my throat.
A dark thought creeps into my head. The thought that maybe he deserves to die. If he was truly part of a plot to kill thousands of Darrvsons with a virus, that’s fucking messed up. I never believed him to be an overly kind man, but I never viewed him as cruel either. A bit cold and unfeeling, yes. But cruel? No.
Suddenly, chaos erupts. Over a dozen security officers storm into the mess hall, weapons held high. Gasps and screams fill the large room, and some people hide under tables. I brace myself for a possible confrontation.
The officers break off in pairs, and they start scanning the palms of every person in the room. They shout at people hiding under tables, and the trembling regular citizens emerge and hold out their palms. The officers even force the teenagers present to stand still while their palms are scanned, but thankfully theyounger children are left alone. Also thankfully, none of the teenagers are taken into custody.
I can’t say the same for the adults, however. By the time a pair of security officers approaches our table, they’ve already arrested three middle-aged men. The charge? Treason. I try to fight back a chill as the officers stare us down.
“Hold out your palms, citizens,” the shortest one orders. “Comply or face arrest.”
One by one, we all hold out our palms. As it so happens, they scan my palm last, and the moment the scanner emits a low-pitched beep, my heart plunges to my feet.
“Ah, Leona Zimmerman,” the taller officer says as he peers at the identity scanner. “We’ve been looking for you. We just arrested your father a few minutes ago.” He withdraws manacles from his belt. “Leona Zimmerman, you are under arrest for the crime of treason. You will be taken to the brig and given a swift trial.”
I don’t resist. What’s the point? They’ll shoot me dead if I put up a fight. I slowly stand up, then turn and place my hands behind my back.
The officers are quick to put the manacles on me. I gaze at my friends with tears in my eyes. Johnny appears incensed, and I give a slight shake of my head, silently begging him not to interfere. This is my fight. Not his.
I smile through my tears. “See you later, guys. I love you all. Caroline, I’ll keep an eye out for your father. Mandy, I’ll pray for your sister. Johnny, try not to be an asshole to everyone.” I make similar comments to the others at the table, and I’m grateful that the officers don’t drag me away until I’m finished speaking.
As they guide me to the nearest elevator, I know I won’t be released from the brig this time. Treason. My teeth chatter with the chill that’s descended upon me. Or maybe it’s shock. Yes, I think I’m going into shock. Not only are my teeth chattering, butbreathing becomes difficult and I feel so lightheaded that I fear I might pass out.
When the elevator reaches the deck that houses the brig, my knees practically buckle. Somehow, I remain upright and manage to walk down the dim corridor leading to the brig.
Treason. I’ve been charged with treason.
Do I deserve it? Maybe. If I’d blabbed to the command team and confessed that my father was plotting something, perhaps the attack on theHaxxalcould’ve been stopped.
But no. Even if the attack was thwarted and all the rebels involved in the scheme were rounded up, a rash of executions would’ve taken place. The two hundred human men would’ve still died, though they would’ve met their ends in a depressurization chamber rather than perish at the hands of the Darrvasons.
This realization helps alleviate my guilt somewhat.
I’m going to die. I’m going to be executed.
By the time I’m placed in a dark cell, I’m trembling so hard I can no longer stand. The officers drag me into the cell, deposit me on the cold, hard floor, and lock me inside.
Sobs and shouts echo throughout the brig, but the sounds eventually fade into the background. Lying on the floor, I hug my knees to my chest and try to regulate my breathing.
I’m going to die.
Chapter 24
ZAHHN
It takesthree days to arrange a video comm call with Officer Brute. I’m pacing my quarters in a heightened state of agitation when his call finally comes through. I rush to the video comm console, sit down, and accept the call.
“Doctor Zahhn,” he says. “I received your message a few days ago, but as you might imagine, things have been busy on theJansonnaand I haven’t been able to reply until now. Your message indicated you wished to confirm the wellbeing of one of your formerpatients. A human female named Leona.” His eyes gleam with mild curiosity.
I draw in a deep breath. “Yes. What can you tell me about her?”
“She’s alive and in good health, however she is currently in the brig. Unfortunately, she was one of the seventy members of The Saviors who stayed behind on theJansonnaduring the attack.”
No. Despair rips through me, and I abruptly stand and walk to the door, as though I intend to storm the docking bay, steal ashuttle, and head to theJansonnain search of my female. But I soon freeze in my steps and curse as reason takes over.
Fluxx. I’m not authorized to travel to the human worldship at this time. I’m stationed on theRorrsaand if I try to travel to theJansonna, I’ll be stopped and questioned.
If I told the truth, would anyone believe me?
