The Kiss: An Anthology About Love and Other Close Encounters(129)

“I understand,” she replied and wished the Captain would stop talking and let her be taken back to the brig. Pain fluttered in her heart at being unable to defend herself, at him thinking she'd let him down, but she couldn't tell him the truth. Allowing the others to think she was weak and an easy target, yet remain in the crew would be a thousand times worse than having just one person think of her as a liar and a cheat, no matter how much she liked that one person. Whatever happened this ship could no longer be her home. She wasn't safe here, and this might as well be the way she left it.

“Then, officers, with no evidence to the contrary, it is put to you all to decide whether Auraylia Mellarn is guilty of the charges as described,” Dylan said as he put his back to her.

“I would like to put forward some evidence that might explain events.” The Thorian stood up and her eyes went straight to his, begging him to keep silent, but he also presented his back to her and faced the rest of the officers.

“Auraylia told me something when I first found her disobeying orders and not sleeping. I believe it explains her actions, all her actions, and would change the outcome of this case.”

“Then why hasn't she presented it to us herself?” Beth asked. More mutters and whispers rippled around the room. Auraylia wanted to scream, to yell at them all, but nothing happened, her body stayed fixed, frozen to her chair with her hands limp beside her and her mouth glued shut.

“I don't think she finds it possible to say to the crew or even the Captain alone, but she told me how she used to live with someone she trusted, someone who was evidently attracted to her, but she rejected him as she didn't see him that way. This person tied her up while she slept and she woke, unable to prevent him from raping her.” Gasps filled the room and she saw Thomas grin in delight. She stared at the Thorian, knowing it would seal her fate to react. She had to stay impassive. If Thomas or Ben saw that it might be true, they'd assume they could do the same.

“She woke, completely powerless. I think if I were her I'd be scared of sleeping too,” the Thorian said, finishing up and sitting back down again. Dylan looked at her, pity on his face, but she had to deny it. No part of her could own up to the tale.

“Is this why you attacked me? When I woke you up?”

“I...” She tried to speak, but her mind struggled between a lie and the truth. After the opportunity Dylan had given her she didn't want to lie, but she knew she had to stop Thomas and the others from thinking it was true.

“When the Thorian found me and I wasn't sleeping, I had to tell him something. I knew he'd be the protective type and wouldn't report me if I provided the right story. He had picked up on my fear of being aboard the ship and I told him that was why.” As she said it she tried to look at the Captain, willing him to believe it and let her leave the room, but a small part of her hoped he wouldn't, hoped that he'd understand why she had to deny it.

“So you lied to Varl?” Anger flashed through Dylan's blue eyes. She dropped her head, hoping it would signal her guilt. The words to confirm it didn't want to leave her mouth, but he took her slump how she intended it, as did the rest of the room. Conversation erupted all around her and the Captain had to call everyone to order again.

As the room quieted the Thorian stood up and spoke, “As Auraylia Mellarn has admitted to the charges and no solid evidence has been found in defence of her actions, she is hereby dismissed from Fleet staff. From this point on she is stripped of rank, and uniform and a record of this trial will be attached to her official citizen reports.”

“Thomas, have Auraylia taken to the brig until we reach our next planet,” Dylan said as soon as the Thorian had finished speaking. She stood up as panic filled her.

“M... m... may I have a final request?” she stammered out. The Thorian raised an eyebrow but no one spoke. They all went silent waiting for her to voice it. “Can you be the only person with a key to my cell, Captain?”

“Why?” He stared at her and she tried to plead with only her eyes.

“I would prefer it.”

“No, I have far more important matters to attend to than be bothered with minding you.”

“Then the Thorian... Please?”

“No, unless you can explain your request.”

She looked away again, trying to find the words, but he motioned for Thomas to fetch her, and the officers all left before she could think of a way to ask without arousing suspicion. Lifting her head, she tried to look unfazed and emotionless about the decision. Despite her best efforts, by the time Thomas reached her and took her arm to escort her back to the brig she shook so violently she had trouble walking.





Innocence Unravelled


A headache threatened to overpower Dylan's thoughts as he tried to look over the reports Doug had sent him. The bots had repaired almost eighty percent of the damage since the last battle and the fuel cells were already over half full after only four hours in the intense sunlight, but there were a few anomalies in the level of power use. Doug suspected something hadn't been repaired quite right and was draining extra energy. Until he could figure out what it was, he recommended they stay near the star.

Reports had never been Doug's strong point, however, and it had already taken Dylan an hour to get half way through the information. Someone needed to give the Engineering Officer a dictionary and show him what the words he was using actually meant.