by Anna Lewis
She wondered about the prophecy of the sages that her mother had mentioned. Surely nobody believes that stuff anymore?
The intercom rang and a voice politely explained they were about to take off. Anna Leigh followed the instructions to buckle up during their ascent and reclined her seat a few inches. Maybe a nap would clear her head, though sleep was still difficult these days without her two lovers.
If only it weren’t so complicated, she thought. If only there were another way.
Chapter 3
The cell was isolated. Xander could hear intermittent chatter coming from down the hall, listening to the bits of conversation he could discern. He knew no one else. The guards had kept him on strict lock down for the past three weeks, only allowing him to leave in order to go out into the yard while everyone else ate lunch. It was a lonely existence. He couldn’t bare sitting in silence while the other men went down into the common area. It didn’t seem fair.
A guard approached and turned off the electrical bars for a moment while holding out an intergalactic phone.
“It’s your lawyer. And no funny business. The phone has a tracker,” said the guard.
“Thanks,” Xander said while taking the phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, Xander. How are you holding up?” his lawyer asked.
“I don’t know, Jack. I feel like crap, Jack,” Xander replied.
“Well, I can’t imagine you feel great about being in prison,” his lawyer said. “Listen, I need to stop by and go over some court proceedings and paperwork. How’s this afternoon?”
“You’re joking, right?” Xander asked rhetorically.
Jack sighed on the other end of the phone.
“Sorry, I was just trying to make a light joke,” Jack explained. “Alright. I’ll stop by pretty soon.”
Xander hung up the phone and held it back out to the guard who stared at it.
“Is there anyone you want to call?” the guard asked.
“Why would I do that?” Xander asked.
“I don’t know. Do you have a friend or a girlfriend?” the guard asked.
“I mean, sort of,” Xander replied.
“Well,” the guard said while looking around. “Give them a call.”
“Is this a trap?” Xander asked.
The guard shook his head.
“I’ve seen you every day following directions and you haven’t acted out once. This is your treat for that. Keep it up and you’ll keep getting rewards,” the guard replied.
Xander pulled the phone back and looked down at the digital screen, starting to type in a familiar number. He shook his head.
Why was I just trying to call Elu? He asked himself.
After closing his eyes briefly, he tapped Anna Leigh’s number into the screen and held the phone up to his ear. It rang for what seemed like an eternity.
“Hello?” asked a small voice from the other side of the phone.
Tears immediately came to his eyes.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he said before covering his mouth.
“Xander?!” she asked from the other side of the phone. “Oh, Xander! I haven’t heard from you in weeks!”
“I know, baby. I’m really sorry. I’ve been under lock and key,” he explained. “I just got the chance to finally call you. I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to.”
“No, it’s alright. I understand. I’m just so glad to hear your voice. It’s been so long...” she trailed off into a small sob and Xander’s lower lip started to quiver.
“I’m so sorry. It’s such a mess and it’s all my fault,” Xander said.
“No, it’s not your fault. It’s Elu’s fault,” Anna Leigh insisted.
“Anna Leigh, please. Don’t make it seem like he was the bad guy. I’m the one who has been stealing from our company for years,” Xander said. “I'm responsible for my actions, and now I’m facing the consequences of them.”
“But they’re going to crucify you. He shouldn’t have involved me if he was going to burn you, you know?” she pointed out.
“It wasn’t his intention to do that. At least I don’t think so,” Xander said.
“You know very well that’s what he was planning to do,” Anna Leigh spat.
“Anna, please,” he begged. “I just want to catch up and hear your voice and feel more comfortable.”
Anna Leigh sighed.
“I’m sorry. I’m just still angry,” she explained.
“I am, too,” Xander said. “But I miss you. How are you? What are you doing?”
“I’ve been alright. I just went back home to Kuhlarai to stay with my mother for a while,” she replied.
A voice chimed in the background.
“My mother says hello,” she said.
“Tell her I send my love,” Xander said.
“Of course. I miss you, too. I can’t sleep without you and Elu by my side. It’s the worst feeling in the world,” Anna Leigh said.
“I know. It’s the same for me here. I’m in a cell most of the day and I haven’t even spoken to anyone else,” Xander explained.
He looked over at the guard who tapped his wrist, indicating he needed to wrap it up.
“Look, I’m glad we got to talk for a moment, but I’m going to have to let you go,” Xander said.
“Wait, why?” Anna Leigh asked. “I barely had a chance to say a word to you.”
“The guard let me call you. I don’t think I was supposed to make any calls, but he was nice enough to let that happen,” Xander explained.
“Well, I’m glad I could hear your voice. It really makes me miss you,” Anna Leigh said.
“Me, too. It hurts, but I’m going to try to make this right. I’ll be good and serve my time,” Xander said.
“You should fight it. We can fight it together. Maybe we can convince them that Elu made a mistake by misleading us into a–” Anna Leigh was cut off by Xander.
“No, don’t you dare suggest we should throw Elu under the bus. He may have betrayed us, but he was doing his job. It isn’t fair to do that,” Xander quickly explained.
Anna Leigh sighed.
“Alright. I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ll let you go. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you, too. And I love you. I’ll see you soon, alright?” Xander said.
“Alright, darling. I love you, too,” Anna Leigh said.
They said their goodbyes and Xander handed the phone back to the guard who placed it in his pocket.
“She sounds sweet,” he commented.
Xander nodded.
“She is,” he said.
“I’ll let you call her weekly as long as you behave,” the guard said.
“Thank you,” Xander said. “That means a lot to me.”
“I’ll let you know when your lawyer is here,” the guard said before turning the laser bars of his cell on again.
Silence again. Xander sat back against the cold wall and sighed, playing with a piece of his uniform. It was too quiet. Even though he had spent a few weeks adjusting to his new lifestyle, he still didn’t like the way the walls felt. They were cold, haunting and indifferent to his pain. His cell was small, but it gave him plenty of room to reflect on what had transpired. As he became absorbed in his thoughts, a familiar voice spoke from the other side of the laser bars.
“Hello, Xander.”
He turned to see his lawyer with a steel briefcase and a small grin. The guard turned off the laser bars, walked into the cell, and placed a steel cuff over Xander's wrists that had a blinking red light. These were typically placed on prisoners being transported. The lock was tight and had a transmitter inside which would sound off the alarms if he tried to run.
Not that he ever did, but he had considered it.
“I heard from the judge this morning,” his lawyer said. “I think we’ll get a little sympathy from the jury.”
“Is that so?” Xander asked as they were led down the hall and into a small room.
A camera was located in the upper right corner. Xander
nodded at it before sitting in his chair.
“Can you remove these? They’re a little tight,” Xander said to the guard.
He shook his head.
“You know the rules, buddy,” said the guard.
Xander sighed and got comfortable in his chair, setting his locked wrists on the table. His lawyer procured a touch pad from his steel briefcase and turned it on, pulling up a few documents on the table.
“So, we have a number of incidents documented of you stealing from The Coax Crystal Company. Several have no other evidence other than eyewitness accounts, and two of them are recorded on camera,” his lawyer explained.
“So, he’s just been watching me this entire time?” Xander asked.
“It seems so, yes,” Jack replied.
“I can’t believe it,” Xander commented.
“Well, believe it. You have quite a collection of evidence here against you. It might be a good idea to take the deal,” Jack suggested.
“But only two incidents can be proven with hard evidence, right?” Xander asked.
Jack looked through the documents.
“Yes,” he replied.
“How would the jury be sympathetic to my situation?” Xander asked.
“From tracking your money transfers, it appears you made some notable donations to a few charities on your home planet. Can you confirm those?” Jack asked.
Xander leaned over the desk and studied the document.
“Yeah, that’s correct,” Xander replied.
“And you had told Elu you wanted to take him and Anna Leigh on a vacation after your last steal, correct?” Jack asked.
“Yes, that’s correct. I feel like I’m being drilled here,” Xander replied.
“It’s just a few preliminary questions while I build more of your case. They might not seem important now, but if you want the jury to be sympathetic we’ll have to mention some of these things,” Jack explained.
“I mean, I’m not complaining. I did steal from the company for my entire time of employment,” Xander said.
“Sure, but you did it under certain circumstances that would sway a jury to believe it wasn’t all due to greed,” Jack said. “People love a handsome Samaritan in love.”
“I’m sure they do, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t do something wrong,” Xander replied.
Jack smiled warmly, folding his hands over the desk while leaning forward.
“Take the plea bargain. They want you to do ten years, eight if you’re really good. You’ll be on probation after that with community service obligations,” Jack explained.
Xander sighed.
“That’s such a long time without Anna Leigh,” Xander said.
“She can visit,” Jack said with a smile. “I’m sure she would love to see you soon. Has she stopped by?”
Xander shook his head.
“We’ll make sure you get visitation clearance soon. Now, I do have to warn you that they might bring her in as a key witness to the case. We have to make sure she says the right things,” Jack explained.
“I’m sure what she’ll say is the truth,” Xander said.
“I don’t doubt that, but their lawyers will try to twist what she says against you,” Jack went on. “I just want you to be fully prepared for how this will proceed.”
“I appreciate that, Jack,” Xander said.
“Has Elu contacted you?” Jack asked.
Xander looked down at the table, tracing the edge of it with a finger. He shook his head slowly.
“Not a word,” Xander replied.
“Well, that’s good. It would likely compromise his case,” Jack explained.
Xander raised his eyebrows with some interest.
“Would it? How?” he asked.
“Conflict of interest,” Jack replied.
“And what does that mean?” Xander asked again.
“It means he would be risking exposure of his own evidence. He would also be subject to scrutiny of manipulation. Speaking to you without a lawyer present would be suspicious due to the circumstances,” Jack explained.
“I see,” Xander commented.
“So, if you ever do get a call from him, I need to know immediately,” Jack said while closing the documents. “Here’s how the court will proceed—they’ll ask if you want the plea bargain. If you don’t accept, they’ll proceed with key witnesses and evidence to build a case against you. Our job will be to sway the jury into lessening your sentence and giving you some semblance of your life back.”
Xander nodded, though he was uninterested in the explanation.
“I’ll prepare you for every angle. We won’t let anything go over our heads, okay?” Jack assured him.
Xander smiled.
“Alright,” he said. “Are we good for today?”
“Yes, that should be everything for today. I want you to work on a little speech explaining your side of the case. You can be as open with your explanation as you want, but try to make it sound remorseful,” Jack explained.
“I do feel remorse,” Xander cut in. “I feel it every second of the day while I think about the beautiful relationship I had. It was totally compromised by this entire ordeal.”
“That’s good. Use that,” Jack said while gathering his things.
“You know I’m being honest, right?” Xander asked.
Jack closed his briefcase and set it on the table, folding his hands over it with a small smile.
“Of course I do, Xander. I’m your lawyer. I have to believe you,” Jack replied.
Xander chuckled.
“I just wanted to be honest,” he admitted.
“That’s good, Xander. Hold on to that trait,” Jack said. “I’ll see you next week. Take care.”
“You, too,” Xander replied.
After Jack left, he followed his guard back to his cell. There, the guard removed the steel cuff from his wrists. He rubbed his sore wrists and lay back on his bed with his arms behind his head while waiting for the guard to leave. When the guard was gone and he was alone, he procured a small picture from his underwear. It was Anna Leigh and Elu. She had printed a picture in the hospital when he was under her care, slipping it next to his soup one day during lunch.
It brought a smile to his face.
“I’ll see you soon, my love,” he whispered while stroking the photo. “I promise.”
Chapter 4
“Agent Elu, it’s good to see you, sir,” said a tall man with a stiff business outfit.
He saluted Elu who stood firm in response, raising his hand to his forehead.
“Good afternoon, Agent Ruo. How is the Federation treating you?” Elu asked. They both relaxed.
“It’s been good, sir. I hear you’re back from a lengthy mission. We applaud your extended efforts for the Federation,” Agent Ruo replied.
“I appreciate that, sir,” Elu commented as they walked up the corridor. “How is the felon in custody?”
“He has yet to resist any accusations and is in the process of being held till trial,” Agent Ruo explained. “It seems like it’s going to be an easy case for you.”
“Too easy,” Elu commented. “I didn’t imagine he would buckle so quickly under pressure.”
“On the contrary, sir. We didn’t need to apply pressure at all. He confessed as soon as he was brought in with his lawyer,” Agent Ruo explained.
Elu stopped and eyed the agent next to him.
“Is that so?” Elu asked while continuing to walk. “May I speak to the felon?”
“I’m afraid that would be inappropriate, sir,” Agent Ruo responded. “The captain doesn’t want you in contact with him unless it’s at the trial.”
“Am I not allowed to interview my own collars?” Elu asked angrily.
“Of course, sir, but orders are orders. I’m not permitted to allow you near him for any reason at all,” Agent Ruo said.
“Not even for questioning about the case?” Elu asked.
“Correct, sir.”
Elu frowned s
lightly. It was odd. He had never been forbidden to speak to a suspect or prisoner whom he'd caught, but he had also never before become romantically involved with one, either. While he had heard of honeypots, he had never undertaken one himself as he felt they were far too misleading. This was exactly why he hadn’t wanted to get involved in the triad, but it had been so rewarding and exciting.
“That’s preposterous. Let me see the captain at once,” Elu demanded.
“I’m afraid he’s in a meeting, sir,” Agent Ruo responded. “I have other matters to attend to. I will see you later, Agent Elu.”
Before Elu could protest, Agent Ruo strode away and left him in a small crowd in the hallway. A variety of carbon-based life forms jostled past him, running towards meetings and court proceedings. They all passed him in a blur as he stared after Agent Ruo. The green-colored man had disappeared down another hallway and around the corner, cutting right into a restricted access area. Elu frowned, and turned to head to the payment office.
What are they trying to keep from me? I’ve never been under such restriction before.
As he entered the office, the woman behind the counter smiled as he approached the glass.
“Hello, Agent Elu,” she said. “How can I help you today?”
“I need to collect my paycheck,” Elu replied.
She typed into her touch pad and then printed a receipt.
“The funds have been deposited to your account,” she informed him. “Enjoy your vacation, sir.”
“Thank you, Missy,” Elu said while taking the strip of paper.
He turned on his heel and immediately bumped into a tall man with a steel briefcase who stumbled briefly before composing himself.
“Excuse me,” he said quickly.
“My apologies, sir,” Elu said while brushing his pants. “Are you alright?”
“I am fine. Thank you,” the man said quickly.
Elu eyed him suspiciously, memories of previous cases returning to his mind.
“Well, I’ll be damned. It’s Jack Brown,” Elu said with a friendly smile.
“Hello, Agent Elu,” Jack said.