The Kiss: An Anthology About Love and Other Close Encounters(128)

“She told me something, but I don't think it is my place to speak of it. I brought her to you because she led me to believe she wanted to tell you as well, but she chose not to. It is her choice.”

Dylan nodded, pleased there was more to the situation. If she would reveal it on record they might be able to stop her being dismissed. It surprised him that the desire to keep her was less tied to the money he'd lose otherwise and more about her long-term success.





*


The soles of Auraylia's feet ached as she continued to move them across the brig floor. She'd lost count of the hours she'd been pacing, but despite how much it hurt her, she knew she couldn't stop. Thomas sat in one corner of the room. There were bars between them but there might as well have been nothing considering how vulnerable she felt.

Every time she paused and allowed her body a moment to try and catch a standing power nap, the memories of her uncle flooded into her head and jarred her awake again. Sleeping would have to wait until she felt safe, if she ever did again.

She jumped when the door clattered open and the Thorian came in.

“We're performing the trial,” he said at Thomas, not even looking at her. Within seconds she was being escorted by the pair of them towards the main canteen of the ship.

When she arrived she noticed most of the tables were moved to the sides and almost the entire crew sat at them awaiting the proceedings. The officers sat along the back wall. She was taken to a solitary chair in the middle of the room and asked to sit in it.

She did as she was asked and sat as still as possible. The room was hushed but she could hear the odd whisper from amongst the crew to her sides, and knew they were talking about her. To stop herself from shivering and becoming emotional she looked down at the ground in front of her feet and focused on the pattern on the floor.

If she'd been on land she'd have considered running from the room but on a spaceship there was nowhere to go. She had to face this.

Dylan took his place amongst the officers and spoke, “Auraylia Mellarn, you have been called here today to answer charges put to you of unauthorised weapon possession, assault of a senior officer and indecency.”

“Indecency?” Beth queried.

“Yes, I found her in my cabin, not wearing any clothing. She tricked one of our officers into thinking she wished to talk over these charges.”


“And you were the witness in all of these cases, and the officer attacked?” Beth asked.

“Yes, which is why I shall be abstaining from any voting today. I am not unbiased.” Dylan said this directly to Beth but loudly enough the whole room could hear. Auraylia wished the chair could swallow her up at the murmurs this extra charge created. Never had she expected him to mention it and she had to fight to keep herself calm under everyone's watchful gaze.

She sat unmoving and mortified as Dylan recounted in detail for the whole room to hear, everything from her disobedience and reluctance to sleep, to the Thorian encouraging him to see where she did finally sleep, to the attack, and finally her strange behaviour that led to her being naked in his bed. Several of the crew sniggered at this last part and she flushed red. None of the officers spoke in response and she finally dared to look up. Dylan stared at her, but he wasn't the only one. Ben, Thomas and many of the other crew were concentrating on her every reaction. A shudder ran through her at the things they might be thinking and she quickly lowered her gaze to the patterned tiles, trying to lose herself in its swirls.

“Are there any witnesses to any of these events?” Trell asked. “It sounds like you were alone with Auraylia every time.”

“He was, but I was nearby every time. I heard the sounds of fighting and I also saw the weapons she was relieved of. I'm also the officer responsible for taking her to the Captain's quarters and she did indeed do as the Captain said.” The Thorian spoke up, although he didn't look pleased about it.

“As is customary at this point, the person being charged can now tell her version of events. I understand you only have me as the primary witness. Perhaps with explanation from both parties everything can be resolved without needing to find further evidence or witnesses.” Dylan turned from the officers to her and she looked up again. It made sense that she would have to speak but she had no idea what to say. “Auraylia, what do you have to say regarding these events and charges?”

“It is all true. I did as the Captain described. There is nothing I can add to what has already been said, except that I am sorry for my actions. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. Since being on this ship I have learnt that I am not cut out for life in space.”

She stared straight forward, knowing she couldn't look down at this point but not wanting to look at the Captain's face either. Her brain felt like it was trapped inside a swamp. No defence would form and she knew she couldn't say the real reasons in front of so many people. They could never know what had happened to her.

“So you are not going to explain yourself, why you attacked me and why you refuse to sleep, even now when you have been awake for almost two days straight?”

She shook her head.

“If there is a reason, and something is wrong, we will help you, but if you don't tell us anything we will be forced to find you guilty. You will be stripped of rank, employment, and money, and left on the next planet where we make port.”