The Convoy

by Drew Bell

  Chapter 8

  Doctor Melric’s automated assistant had failed in its search to find anything unusual in Doctor Tarrus’s lab. The Admiral refused to quit, however, Lalia was adamant about being freed from the psychiatric ward; she was in a hurry.

  The Admiral leaned over to the mechanic;

  “Scrap the assistant; she won’t need it anytime soon.”

  The assistant nodded his head in understanding:

  “I have reformatted its system memory. It is a blank slate, so my workers can utilize it.”

  The Admiral stopped midstride and turned to face the mechanic, concerned:

  “Are you certain it won’t recall anything?”

  The mechanic reassured the Admiral, but the Admiral’s attention was redirected to the approaching Doctor Melric. The Doctor’s face registered surprise; he hadn’t expected the Admiral to make an appearance on CLERGY 5.

  The Doctor started:

  “Admiral Tarr. I wasn’t informed of your arrival. I see you have already met my automated assistant, he didn’t find anything directly related to Doctor Tarrus’ escapade, but something in particular caught my attention.” He rambled, reaching for some holo-foils in his jacket.

  “Well, simply because you don’t know something doesn’t make it not actuality. My friend.”

  Doctor Melric raised his eye brows:

  “Are you trying to tell me something? My best Callos are guarding the Doctor.”

  The Admiral craned his neck, his mouth near the Doctor’s ear:

  “A hanger mechanic on CLERGY 1 had to be detained; he found foreign material in the landing gear of the shuttle Lalia took. The material appears to be intentionally woven fabric. Can it be, that you are my trusted ally, you who have provided insight when I needed it, failed to solve this puzzle first?”

  The Doctor stared blankly in shock at the Admiral. The Admiral continued:

  “There is no room for error. When the opportunity arises, and it will arise,” he cleared his voice, “silence her.”

  The Admiral clicked his heels together and turned to leave. The Admiral silently left down the hall. Doctor Melric sifted through the images the assistant had taken, some of bizarre drawings, others were notes about the intricacies of dreams. He held one up to the light for a better look; it was a sketch of two figures with a cloud connecting the two. He furrowed his brow in thought.

  Doctor Melric then approached his assistant; Doctor Belar’s work desk.

  “Doctor. Could you please check in on our patient?” He asked.

  The psychiatrist stood from her desk and grabbed a holo-foil, her body jerked as Doctor Melric placed his hand on her back; sliding his hand from a pat to a hold.

  “Administer some neural sedatives, preferably ‘M’ Grade.” He asked.

  “What?” She faced him, her body went rigid.

  “Terr. I am asking you to wipe the slate clean. Make sure she remembers nothing.” He insisted.

  Doctor Belar faced her superior, attempting to shrug off his hand to no avail.

  “That procedure is limited to those who experienced amputations; its intended use is to prevent the grief associated with loss.” She expressed with concern.

  Despite Doctor Belar’s furrowed brow, Doctor Melric’s hand remained in place. He attempted a different angle:

  “Yes. I understand the implications. Doctor Tarrus has suffered great stress; this would relieve her of any lingering psychological remnants of her experience.”

  Doctor Melric left Doctor Belar trembling, his crimson boots clacking against the white of the corridor. Doctor Belar checked her surroundings, and then sat back at her desk.

  Doctor Terr Belar had been in many classes with her longtime friend Lalia Tarrus. The two were both the prettiest female Callos in their class, but Lalia excelled in academics where Terr simply preformed adequately. It was Lalia’s idea for the two to continue their education in order to be respectively a scientist and doctor, Lalia’s pressure ultimately led Terr into the career she had grown to love. Terr looked at the holo-portrait of she, Lalia, and three of their other classmates who had gone on to graduate with doctorates. Lalia’s life had not been easy, yet Terr had always been envious of Lalia’s coupled beauty and intelligence. Lalia had a quality about her which compelled others to act; a natural tendency to lead. But Terr was a follower, Terr understood that she was eclipsed by her friend, but Terr preferred it this way…at least she thought so.

  Terr began to run through her head each of her life’s accomplishments, each one, one after another, she did with Lalia by her side. Half of Terr’s greatest accomplishments were overshadowed by Lalia’s parallel achievements. Terr looked back at the portrait of her classmates, and held it closer to her face; Lalia’s face was not only center, but both her shoulders were visible. The photo was no more than four people framing the incredibly perfect Lalia Tarrus.

  Terr picked up her holo-foil, and stood from her desk, nearly tripping on herself as she did so. With a quick glance in either direction she assured herself that at the late hour no one other than the two guards were in the psychiatric wing to hear what was about to occur. Her palm signature unlocked the bolted door to Lalia’s room, with a hiss it slid open, waking Lalia. Lalia sat up slightly in her bed; her wrists in an obviously uncomfortable position due to her restraints.

  “Terr! You have to let me out of here. I made an important discovery. The Admiral is up to something dangerous.” Lalia said in a hushed voice, glad to see her friend.

  “Lalia, I am sorry.” Terr bit her lip. “I am going to do something for your best interests.”

  “Terr, you can’t possibly believe that I’ve lost it.” Lalia pleaded.

  “I don’t, but it’s my time to shine.” Terr choked.

  “I never wanted you to feel hurt.” Lalia pleaded.

  “I’m sorry Lalia, but this will.” Terr apologized.

  Lalia’s eyes widened and she started to struggle with her restraints as Terr moved around the room, dragging a piece of equipment from a nearby closet to Lalia’s bedside.

  “Hold still dear. I need to do this. It will make all of your bad memories go away.” Terr told Lalia, and herself. She paused for a second; unsure of whether she believed her friend or Doctor Melric.

  “You don’t believe them, you can’t!” Lalia exclaimed. “You know I am telling you the truth. Don’t give into their pressure. Take a stand!”

  In exasperation, Terr waved her hands and asked:

  “If you are crazy: then I can’t believe you. But I also can’t assume you aren’t crazy; leaving the Convoy is crazy. How can I possibly win here?”

  The two sat down, or in Lalia’s case; sat back. After a brief moment of silence, with tears in her eyes Lalia spoke:

  “Because I am your friend. You just have to believe me.”

  Terr pulled a large syringe from a drawer and laid it near Lalia on the table. Terr shook her head and moved the metal equipment and positioned it over Lalia’s head. Lalia didn’t struggle, instead she and her friend both closed her eyes while Terr positioned and adjusted the machine.

  Terr let out a loud sob and fell to the floor, crying out loud:

  “Forgive me! I’m sorry for being envious. I’m so sorry.”

  Lalia’s blurred vision was clear enough to ensure that the room she was detained in was indeed soundproof. She tried to console her friend:

  “Terr. Oh sweet heart. Please, you’re making me cry. Get back up. You are such a good friend to me.”

  Terr shuffled onto her knees and pressed a button lowering Lalia’s bed to her level. She leaned in to hug her friend. The two held one another for a moment, Terr apologized:

  “I was so wrong and so jealous. I knew you were right, but I was so scared.”

  In a clear voice, Lalia’s mind was already reeling, Lalia directed Terr:

  “I can’t be certain you aren’t trying to trick me, but this,” she referred with her eyes to the contraption that had been placed over her he
ad, “this assures me that you are helping me. I need you to do two things and then return to me.”

  Terr pulled her head away and stared blankly at Lalia:

  “What?”

  Lalia directed her:

  “Two very simple things, actually three,” she corrected herself, “first you need to find out what the Admiral has done with Galio Forrt; he is likely on CLERGY 6. Second, I need you to get a message to my laboratory. I think someone there will understand. Third, write a report stating that you did wipe my memory clear.”

  Terr stood and gathered her holo-foil. After wiping her eyes and nose she exited as stern-faced as possible past the guards. She tried her best to look concerned and angry; shuffling through the holo-foils in her desk.

  She typed at her console; Galio Forrt’s file was at an elevated reference rate, he apparently had been arrested by Alvar Tarr and was being transported to the portion of CLERGY 6 reserved for high profile criminals. Using her medical access code she bypassed several levels of security and learned that specifically he was placed at detention level “D”. Galio Forrt would be transferred in two days to a less secure detention level as his case is retried by the Convoy Council.

  Terr then quickly typed unto a holo-foil the message Lalia had instructed her to write:

  “This is Doctor Lalia Tarrus,

  I am currently being held against my will. As soon as possible I will do my best to return to my lab. No doubt the creature I recovered has awakened, I am certain that if the creature was of any threat it would already have reached my ears. Please keep this creature safe, and tell no one of its existence. Upon my arrival I will then provide further directions. Until then, remain hidden and safe.

  Thank you and good luck.”

  Terr then filed a report stating that Lalia’s memories had been effectively erased.

  She stood from her desk and walked past the two dozing guards into the room. The console near Lalia’s bed showed that a replacement guard would arrive in ten minutes. Lalia leaned forward for an update; Terr informed her of Galio’s current location and that he would be moved.

  “Thank you my friend. Thanks for everything.” Lalia’s hands motioned for a hug.

  Terr leaned over to hug her friend:

  “What do I do next?” she asked.

  “You’re a good friend and I am sorry for this.” Lalia’s hand was freed and she thrusted the syringe into Terr’s torso.