Crime and politics, part 5 (18/04/3304)
19 Apr 2018Archived
Previously in James' LogbookJames managed to discover quite a conclusive evidence about cooperation of San Tu State Network illegaly working with the Dragons of San Tu and other criminal organisations with a blessing and assistance of someone high up in the Federal Military or Administration. He went to Gernhardt Enterprise, a San Tu State Network outpost, to gather the missing pieces of evidence, but upon landing he was immediately arrested...
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Gernhardt Enterprise
San Tu System (Federal space)
Prison Cell
"I am asking you one last time... where did you store the evidence? The one you received from Vice - Admiral Hajdu and the one you gathered yourself?" - the man in front of James was holding a laser pistol aimed directly at his forehead. The muzzle of the weapon and sides of the barrel were stained with blood. Barrett tried to focus sight on the man, but his vision was blurry. How long have he been here? They must have bought his story about a backup of the evidence that would be released if he was killed, but... the truth was he didn't have any backup. They will soon discover it. He needed to focus. Come up with something to delay the inevitable.
"You are silent... You know what? I think you were bluffing all along. We've been holding you here for a few days already, but none of the 'evidence' you say you have hidden emerged anywhere. Nobody has been asking about you. Which means you are lying. And you are disposable" - the weapon rose and the cold steel touched James forehead. Somehow he knew this man was not playing around. That he really was about to pull the trigger.
"Please... don't" - the words were meek and barely audible.
"Is that all you have to say?" - a short burst of laughter - "Well then... goodbye, Mr Barrett".
The door opened. Somebody came in, bent towards the armed silhouette, whispered something. The oppressor cursed. Messenger left.
"Now, aren't you a lucky one? Perhaps there is something to what you say... apparently someone was asking about you. Another Vice-Admiral. Well, well, you have high ranking friends! So, the good news is - I won't kill you. Not yet. But there is also some bad news - the place we are taking you.. there is no way to get you out. And we'll have all the time in the world to extract any information we want. ANY information. You will regret that your death wasn't as quick as that of your buddy, Admiral Hajdu".
The pistol rose and then fell down with force. James didn't feel the pain. He fell into darkness...
(OOC NOTE)
This story is pursued by several other commanders, who are now trying to rescue James from the hands of his oppressors. You may find two first instalments in excellent logbooks of Cmdr Mmmmmalcolm (part 1 and part 2). In fact, it was his intervention from the first part that saved James' life. The story will also be continued in Matt Horner's and possibly several other logbooks.