He nodded and left the room with his escort.
Henry looked at Vallery’s beautiful face. Her thick black hair was neatly trimmed to the shoulder, and she was watching him. Her emerald bright green eyes were glistening in the daylight. He said in a serious voice, “What did you want to talk to me about?”
She sighed and replied, “I need your help!”
“I don’t know if I’m in a position to help you.”
She leaned towards the desk, clasping her hands, and asked him in an amiable voice, “Can you take two more prisoners with you?” She closed her eyes to try and calm herself down and deeply inhaled as she pieced her thoughts together. “I know that you personally have chosen the prisoners. I don’t exactly know the reason why. Nevertheless, I’ve noticed that each of them does have some extraordinary skill.”
“It’s true, and I’ve chosen you because you notice things well, you analyze and estimate situations.” Henry picked up his briefcase from the floor, opened it on the windowsill and started up the laptop. “This isn’t going to be an ordinary assignment. There’s a huge possibility nobody will come back alive.”
Henry watched her. She kept her eyes closed.
“Are you convinced they’ll want to go with us?” He offered to help since Vallery was engrossed in thoughts.
He was mentally ready to accept the additional troops. Vallery was happy for the first time she met him. She watched his face mottled with scars. At first glance there was nothing impressive about him to be liked and she did not like him at all. Though, there was something about his blue eyes that unsettled her. After a couple of seconds, she said, “I’m one hundred percent sure! I hadn’t expected you to accept my appeal.”
He turned and looked at her, “And I hadn’t expected you not to try and kill me when I turned my back on you. I know you’re a Cyber too. That would have been the ideal opportunity considering that you haven’t been tied up.”
‘He checked me. Of course, he checked me, because I would have done the same.’ She thought about that for a moment and responded, “I never doubted that you wouldn’t have all the requisite information about me, but I didn’t have any intention of attacking you.”
Henry turned back to her and looked into her celestial green eyes. “Did you say that to General Smith before you killed him?”
She flushed with anger, and her eyes became a skinny line. She watched him inquiringly for a moment and then spoke in an icy cold voice, “He was a pig, and he deserved his death! His own mistakes killed too many fighters!”
“You didn’t succeed in proving that in court!” He approached her and leaned on the edge of the desk. For a short while, he watched her in silence, “You haven’t told me the real reason why you killed him.”
She winced. “Sorry?”
“Why didn’t you tell them about the baby?”
She looked at him, appalled. ‘How does he know that?’ she thought Her voice trembled as she attempted to speak, “Where did you get that information from? Nobody knew about the baby!”
“I examined the pictures from the crime scene. There was too much blood, especially in places it shouldn’t have been. I saw the pictures from your arrest. You looked exactly like my sister after her abortion, the same body language, the known weakness and the undeniable countenance features.” Henry stopped, and she examined him attentively. “How far along were you?”
Tears rolled down her cheek. He had the feeling that this would take some time. She wiped the tears and cleared her throat in no time. “And you concluded that just by looking at the photos?”
“I am known to have keen observation skills! Nevertheless, you haven’t answered my question.”
She closed her eyes, leaned on the table and grabbed her head. ‘Why does he want to know? This is my personal pain.’ Vallery sighed and with visible pain in her voice said, “Two months.”
Henry watched her with a great deal of respect because he knew very well that this issue was her private matter. But he wanted to know every detail, even one that represents her pain. Then he asked, “Why did you hide it this whole time? If they’d have found out, you wouldn’t have been put here!”
She had a cynical smile on her face and thought, ‘Does he know what he’s saying? It was a military court, not a civilian one with expensive lawyers who can twist the law to suit their case.’ “He was General Smith, the hero of the Artanian battle, and I was just a simple major.” She pressed her hands together so strongly that they turned white at the knuckles.
Henry did not relent and continued, “Why did you kill him?”
She snapped back, “I think you know the answer, Brigadier Broncon since you already know about the child.”
Henry spread his hands and said, “I can only speculate about what happened, but you can tell me what happened!”
Vallery looked at him and leaned back in her chair, “Guess so. I see that you’re good at this.”
He looked at her scowling face. ‘She hates me.ʼ Then with a serious voice spoke, “Well, first of all, you must have been his mistress.”
“And surely you’re asking yourself what I was doing with him?”
Henry shook his head and continued, “No, it isn’t up to me to judge or justify such things. I’m much more interested in what happened when you told him that you were pregnant?”
She bowed her head and was totally confused. She did not know what to think of Brigadier. He knew much. It was as if he was reading her mind. Vallery remained silent for a couple of minutes before replying, “He lost control! He started shouting at me! I…” She slowly raised her head and closed her eyes, trying to remember every essential detail. After she had wiped away her tears, she responded calmly, “He surprised me. He hit me in the stomach with his boot, and I fell over from the dreadful pain. Everything was so muddled. Everything changed right in front of my eyes. That instance changed everything. I lost my baby.” She stopped for a moment, and then looked at him with tears in her eyes, “Worst of all, I wasn’t able to defend myself while he killed my baby. He only grinned and knocked me out. Before that incident, Smith was my idol,” She said. “But now I only have hatred for him. There was a time when I loved him. He was more than anything I ever wanted.” Vallery added.
“Hmm… So, what happened after you were attacked? Who helped you?”
“When I regained consciousness, he wasn’t in the room. I was bleeding, every part of my body hurt, but somehow I managed to get to my handbag, in which I had my tiny plasma pistol. Smith came back then and was holding a blue sack. He wanted to stuff me into it because he thought I was dead.” She had a resentful countenance as she continued. “What a shock it was for him when the plasma shot tore his shoulder away. He asked me to forgive him and, not to kill him. But I had no such novel intention. I emptied the gun’s whole charge into his chest while still on the floor and I cried. I was delirious. And when I recovered, I was already in prison.”
“You are in prison because of the blue bag. They thought it was you who was trying to dispose of Smith’s body.”
“Ridiculous, isn’t it? The irony is that I would have been in it, had it not been for my luck that day. Smith would still have been a hero because nobody would have known. So much for self-defense!”
Henry finally had all the information that he was interested in and, concluded, “Thank you for solving the parts of the puzzle I couldn’t piece together myself. Tell me the names of the prisoners you want to take along with you.”
She looked at him gratefully and dictated the numbers, “Prisoner: 535567-Beny Hortans and prisoner 000891- John Stronghill.”
He typed in their numbers and ran through their files immediately; they were really interesting profiles. Vallery watched him as she waited for his opinion.
Henry asked curiously, “Isn’t the prisoner John Stronghill a bit too old for this campaign?”
“Yes, his body is old, but he has other talents.”
“And
they are?”
“A brilliant, accurate mind, the ability to solve very complicated case instances and more. Don’t forget that he has survived in Hades since the prison was opened. Most prisoners were history in half the time.”
“I can find a place for them in our team.”
Although she did not know what Henry meant by our team, Vallery was excited, “Thank you, Brigadier Broncon?”
“Major, you are my deputy from this moment on.”
Vallery had a puzzled expression on her face, “I beg your pardon?!”
“You heard me, Major! I hope you haven’t forgotten Army rules because you’re back in the Army now.”
“Am I not written off from the Army, Brigadier Broncon?”
Henry, with a serious look on his face, confirmed what he said, “And I’ve just put you back on the list!”
She hadn’t expected these turn of event, but after brief consideration, she nodded, “Thank you, Brigadier. I am honored to be your deputy.”
“Great. That will be all for now. Unless if you have more questions.”
“None, I am ready to go back to my cell.”
Henry went to the door and spoke to one of the guards, who were keeping a watch on the entire episode through his visor, “How can I contact the Warden?” Henry asked.
“I’ll call him right away.”
He contacted the Warden through his communicator, and the Warden was soon there with two strong guards.
“Have you completed the interview, Mr. Broncon?”
“Yes, a couple of minutes ago.”
“May my men take the prisoner away?”
“Yes, but I’ve got a request for you.”
“Tell me. We’re at your service.”
“Two more prisoners will go with us.”
The Warden looked at Henry in disbelief. This Brigadier had already gotten on his nerves with his numerous demands. It should have been only a transfer, quick and efficient, but instead, he had wanted to talk to those punks and now he was demanding new prisoners. It would require a lot more time and paperwork. This was already too much, and now he wanted more. With a disgruntled expression on his face, Warden asked him, “You’ve been brought all the prisoners from the list! Why do you want to change it now?”
“Mr. Haerten, I set the rules here, and that’s why it is unnecessary for me to explain my requests.”
Although his rage could be read on his face, he stopped for a moment and then responded calmly being, a real politician. “It will be as you say. Please tell me the numbers of the prisoners you want to take with you.”
Henry called out the numbers while the Warden typed them into his transfer communicator and sent them to his subordinates. He put the communicator into his pocket, waved to the guards, and commanded, “Take her for the operation and narcotization!”
They took Major Vallery away. The Warden had the shuddering moment once again. He clearly didn’t like close contact with the prisoners which obviously came from the fear of losing his life. Henry suspected the same and felt that the thought of his dismembered predecessors was too much for the Warden. But now that they were at the point of handover, the Warden smiled.
“May we go to my office now for the formal signing?”
“Yes, we have finally come to that.”
“Follow me, Mr. Broncon.”
They went in the elevator to the top floor of the building. Henry was surprised by the things that he saw there. The entire floor was filled with glassed offices, in which employees of both sex rushed about in simple gray suits.
When the Warden noticed a surprised look on Henry’s face, he enquired, “You seem surprised, Mr. Broncon? Am I reading you right?”
“Yes, just a little. I hadn’t expected these many civilian.”
“Mr. Broncon, here in prison we have almost 900,000 prisoners, 70,000 guardsmen, and 10,000 civilian employees.”
“That’s quite a number. This prison is as large as a small city.”
“Everything that is necessary for maintaining the prison, including our food and the every single aspect of Hades passes through their hands.” He gestured towards them all and added, quickening his pace, “They are the links that connect the whole prison; the vital link between the law breakers and law enforcers.”
Soon they crossed a hall lit by a huge chandelier composed of numerous tiny crystals. Everything was in total contrast to the department in which they had just been. Here luxury and comfort were apparent in every detail. Huge, comfortable leather armchairs encircled a massive wooden desk, and flowers brought from the grounds pleasantly scented the whole place. So Henry had the feeling that they were near lush gardens. It was one of the most beautiful waiting rooms he had ever seen.
On the opposite side of the desk, there was a heavy wooden door. He touched it gently with his hand, and it easily slid into its grooves. As soon as they entered the next room, he saw a young blonde girl at a desk, wearing a celestial blue suit which perfectly showed off all her attributes.
The Warden turned to her and said in a serious voice, “Hanna, make sure nobody bothers us.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Warden,” she twitted back.
“I don’t doubt that, Hanna,” he said and laughed for the first time since Henry had met him.
She looked at Henry with a courteous smile and turned to the Warden, who was opening his heavy office door, “What would you like to have, Mr. Warden?”
He turned to Henry. “Would you like some coffee, tea or perhaps some hard drink?”
“Coffee will do considering the business at hand.” Henry preferred to not mix business and pleasure.
“So, coffee for Mr. Broncon, and tea for me.”
Hanna stood up and set-off to the other side of the room, her hips captivating the two gentlemen. As she approached the wall it slid aside, and behind it, Henry noticed a kitchenette filled with various pieces of apparatus and a shelf full of drinks. She bent forward to reach the lower shelf bringing to light more and more of her shaped legs. Henry by virtue of his habit was a keen observer, of course, any other person watching Henry might have had a question on Henry’s intentions; anyways the Warden had opened the office door by then and Henry was invited in.
Once inside, the Warden went to his bulky, semi-circular desk and sat down in a comfortable leather armchair. The entire right-hand wall was covered with numerous screens in which any of the potential inflection point location to be seen would be seen. This wall was the single modern thing to be visible in the room, which was otherwise decorated with the artistic works of masters of yesteryears. Above the trivial pieces of wooden furniture, on the opposite wall, were hung large paintings, with sculptures from different periods of the terrestrial artists placed between them. One of this caught Henry’s eye and the Warden noticed it. “It’s a Bernard Dajamas from 2245, a rare catch for which I paid a pretty large amount of money.”
“I like your office, a real place for relaxing after a hard day.”
He laughed with a bit of pride showing and pressed a small panel on the desk, “This indeed is my place for relaxation!”
The large blue curtains opened, and the sun cast its light all around the room. Henry was astonished by the scene beyond the glass doors – it was a green world different from the one he had seen a while back. There were various flowers and plants. Drops of dew twinkled and glittered on the leaves, turning the greenery into something from a fairy tale. The Warden looked at the newly revealed garden with such love.
“This is my hobby. I enjoy every moment spent in my garden. Besides, I can get some sense of belonging on my own planet.”
“May I have the pleasure of walking into your garden?”
“Yes, please and the pleasure is mine.”
As soon as he opened the door to the garden, their olfactory senses were filled with a pleasant mix of unusual flower and plant fragrance. He inhaled as deep as he could. “Come Mr. Broncon, I’ll show you some u
nique specimens I have grown myself.”
A minute later, as the Warden was engrossed in explaining about his garden and its unusual specimen, Hanna appeared at the office door with a tray in her hands. When she saw that Henry was watching her she winked at him and, with sensuous movements, she laid the tray on the desk and smoothly ironed down her uniform with her lovely hands.
“Coffee is on the desk, Mr. Warden.”
He let go of the flower that he was showing Henry and said with a smile, “Thanks, Hanna, see you later.”
“An interesting woman,” Henry said after she left, and as they walked back into the office.
“True, Mr. Broncon. It’s so hard to find a smart, charming secretary who also has good hands with the coffee. Take a seat; it’ll be more comfortable to talk.”
The coffee was still hot, so Henry took a cautious sip and its delicious smell filled his nostrils; he couldn’t remember when he last had such fine coffee. Henry was trying to catch a glimpse of the runway on the screens when the Warden asked him, “Do you want to see something in particular?”
“I’d like to check what’s going on with the loading of the prisoners.”
Warden put down his cup, pulled out a hidden keyboard from the desk and typed in a command. All the separate, tiny screens disappeared from the wall, and a large picture of the landing runway appeared instead, showing the runway from all angles. Henry saw the transporter pilot frowning as he received the antigravity stretchers, the prisoners’ hibernation capsules.
“Are those the hibernation capsules for the last two prisoners, who were waiting for?”
“I think they still haven’t arrived, but I’ll check.” Warden pulled out a communicator from the desk and contacted the guard who was controlling the loading.
“20789!”
The guard turned to the warden and said in a deep voice, “Yes, Mr. Warden?”
“Have the last two prisoners arrived yet?”
The guard looked at the board, and replied, looking up at the camera, “They are still on the operating table, but the doctor said it would be over soon.”
Godeena: SF Novel Page 4