by Stone,Kord
Alise led Jason, Justin and Jerren to the medical bay explaining, “Enyali, Gebb-Atum, and Nuit-Atem will not be like the people on Earth are now, they are a little more evolved, and will be adept at concealing the truth. Depending on the subject it can take several attempts to retrieve the information you need. The best way is to prod the memory to the forefront of their thoughts. If time is of the essence and the subject is difficult to read, then multiple questioners can cause them to lose focus and memories can be seized easier.”
Alise looked at Jerren so he nodded in understanding. Jerren had vivid recollections of interrogations from his past, and the thought of using most of those methods turned his stomach, not to mention it somehow made him feel as if he would be as evil as Enyali if he used them.
Settling on a less brutal tactic Jerren said, “I think I should be the first interrogator, and Jason should be the second. Eneria gave me a tip on questioning Gebb. Don’t use his first name, apparently it infuriates him; just call him Atum-Shu. I didn’t draw the correlation before, but Atum is son of and Atem is daughter of.”
Justin had a concerned look and asked, “Is your AI doing alright?”
Jerren frowned and said, “Her name is Eneria, and she’s still having difficulties, but at least she’s willing to help us. Anyway, Jason and I have experience with this kind of interrogation method,” Jerren appraised Jason and asked. “Are you going to be alright being on this end of the interrogation?” Jerren could see the reservations in Jason’s expression, and he added, “We’ll only use intimidation, nothing physical.”
Jason nodded and Jerren looked at Justin then Alise and continued, “Alise, since you have more experience reading minds, I would like you and Justin to stand out of view and try to access the information we need.”
Jerren noticed that he barely managed to keep the anger out of his voice, and then he succeeded in forcing a smile and said, “With our eyes glowing like this and with these outfits on, we look like the Imortum. I think we should use it to our advantage.
“It didn’t work telling Enyali the truth, so I say we embellish…in the old Lantin language. The binding process seems to have opened my understanding of the language. Do you know it?” Jerren asked of Jason, who nodded and Jerren continued, “Remember…don’t use his first name, just Atum-Shu.”
Jason nodded, “Everyone ready… here we go.”
A moment later Gebb opened his eyes and began shouting, “How dare you—”
Upon hearing Gebb’s furious tone, Jerren’s anger returned in force and he conveyed it in his tone, “Silence Lantin… Explain what you were doing in our battleship!” Jerren snapped out.
Gebb looked down the length of himself to see who had spoken, “Who do you think...”
Jerren saw Gebb’s recognition set in.
Jason then shouted, “Silence Lantin… Why have you unearthed that which is not yours!?”
Gebb turned his head to see the new speaker and swallowed hard at the stern angry glare focused on him.
“You left, and we did not think you would mind.” Gebb stated fearfully.
Remembering what Eneria said about Gebb’s issue with his name, Jerren responded with a harsh and demeaning tone, “Atum-Shu! What happened to your people!?” Jerren growled out.
Jason shouted, “Answer him!”
Gebb turned to answer Jerren’s question when Jason barked out another, “What were you planning to do with our battleship!”
“Atum-Shu! Why were you making dark matter weapons? It is forbidden! Answer my questions!” Jerren could tell Gebb was grasping for a way to keep from losing his train of thought.
Gebb’s face was getting even redder by the second. He turned his head and looked toward his wife and daughter who were still encased in bars on their beds and Gebb snapped, “What have you done to them!”
Jerren saw Jason look from Enyali and Nuit, back to Gebb, “Their fate depends on your answers… ATUM-SHU!” Jason said his name with serious contempt in his tone.
Jerren could see where Jason was leading him and he was ready to do his part.
A second later Gebb snapped, “My name is GEBB-ATUM—”
Jason raised his voice, “Kill the old one!”
Gebb’s eyes flew to Jerren and he began to radiate and crackle with electrical arcs as he moved in Nuit’s direction. A moment later Gebb lost his composure and shouted, “Stop! I will tell you everything.”
“Speak true Atum-Shu, for if I sense a single mendacity she shall die in front of you.” Jason had an added bit of menace to his voice that almost sent a shiver down Jerren’s spine.
Jerren moved back to Gebb’s side and drew his attention, “What were your intentions with our battleship!”
Gebb looked afraid to tell the truth and Jerren could feel that he opted to tell a half-truth.
“We meant to use it for protection… I swear,” Gebb said desperately.
Jason growled out, “Why are you and your family producing dark matter weapons? They are forbidden, your King Atlas was instructed to never delve into those weapons lest he incur our wrath!
“We sensed a dark matter detonation. We located and secured the other weapons orbiting Serqalin and tracked Atem-Nuit and Atem-Tefnuit to your location.”
Gebb rushed to defend himself, “Atlas never told us it was forbidden. I swear it—”
“The rest of the Lantin people, what happened to them?” Jason cut him off.
Jerren felt that if Gebb had the ability to move more than his head, he would have been wriggling on the table like a worm on a hook, as it was he took on a pale pasty complexion.
Not wanting to allow Gebb time to regain his composure Jerren hurriedly snapped out, “Where are the other dark matter weapons.”
Gebb seemed relieved at the change of subject, “There’s only one other bomb. It’s on Terra, where the other ship like this one is. I swear that’s all of them.”
Jerren had another question he wanted answered and it regarded his AI. He began to crackle and radiate with energy as he asked, “What reason did you have for forcibly removing the stewardship of this vessel and installing your daughter?”
Jerren knew all of the ships were supposed to be identical and knew Gebb wouldn’t know the difference and he snapped, “Well… Explain your actions!”
Jerren could tell Gebb was battling to find a half-truth, but instead he tried to pass off a complete lie.
“Baelentus informed us of the disaster at Lantis. He knew Enyali had a binding disk from the ship she was on with her husband Hyais, and he thought she would be able to reactivate the disk using his as a template. We tried, but it would not work… something went wrong and Baelentus died.
“We manually integrated his disks neural processor into Enyali’s binding disk and it let her take over this ship. We only wanted to help.” Gebb stated feebly.
Jerren could feel the energy pulsing throughout his body and was about to strangle Gebb. Therefore, he was happy when he felt momentarily restrained and he had a sneaking suspicion as to who was doing it. At that moment Jason changed the subject, and Jerren took that time to cool down.
“Where is the rest of your Ennead?” Jason asked.
Gebb looked shocked that they would know his family had formed an Ennead, “Where!” Jason added in a near bellow.
Gebb swallowed hard and Jerren could tell he was about to lie to him again.
“I don’t know… we’re supposed to meet on Abnearu in two years, but I’ve not seen or spoken to any of them in over a year.”
Jerren regained some of his composure and control then he growled out, “We know TDS 4 is on Terra and that you have defiled our other ship TDS 2.”
“The one ship was derelict and we couldn’t access it. The hull was too strong to allow entry and after years of trying, our consortium decided to use it as an impact hammer for mining in space. The other ship we know about but the country it crashed in is claiming it for their own. We had nothing to do with that. I’ve told you all I k
now. May we go now?” Gebb finished sounding pathetic.
Jerren held his glowing and crackling hand up, “One more question, how many people do you have on our battleship?”
Gebb hesitated a moment, then he said. “Three… there are only three more aboard the ship. We almost had it started when it shut down. I don’t know why.”
Even though he didn’t do it Jerren said, “We shut it down!” Jerren looked over and saw Jason had closed his eyes, and knew he was checking with Alise to see if she retrieved the information they needed.
Jerren could feel the rage building once again, he was about to throttle Gebb, but a moment later every muscle in his body seemed to freeze and all he could do was watch.
Jason opened his eyes and drew Gebb’s attention. Jason seemed to lose himself as he recited in a strangely quavering voice, “Gebb-Atum-Shu, you and your family have been found guilty of the following crimes:
“Attempting to gain weapons of galactic destruction to ensure the subjugation of less advanced species.
“The deification of selves and other family members to rule supreme as deities over less advanced species.
“The willful and malicious torture and killing of an honorable and faithful steward of Imortum Time Dilation Ship Five to gain supremacy.
“The sedition resulting in the genocide of the Lantin people.
“And accessory culpability in the torture and murder of Baelentus, Mara, wife of Elgon; Anteth, son of Elgon; Elgon and Baelin, grandson of the line.”
“These crimes being so heinous in nature, only one punishment shall be rendered upon you, your wife and your progeny. The sentence is to be death, carried out in the humane technique set forth by the people you once counted as brethren. Do you have any final words before your sentence is carried out?”
Gebb must have been rendered speechless during the recitation of his crimes and the punishment set forth, but once he was released from the hold he started screaming profanities and curses. Jason’s arm raised and Gebb fell silent as he was placed back into stasis.
Jerren tried to speak once again but found he was still unable to even move a muscle. He could see Jason turn to Nuit and a moment later the same strange voice came from Jason’s mouth, reciting the crimes and punishment again.
Nuit, unlike Gebb, showed a trace of remorse as she said, “The punishment is kinder than I deserve. I’m truly sorry for my actions and inactions.” Then a moment later she was back in stasis.
Jerren then watched as Jason made his way to Enyali’s side, she was twisted and evil, and he was not surprised a bit when Enyali let loose with a belligerent rant that was cut short when she too was placed back into stasis. A moment later Jason’s arms flew out from his sides and with a flash the trio was gone.
Jason turned around to face them and still speaking in the strange voice he said, “Carry out the sentencing,” then Jason collapsed to the floor.
Jerren watched as Jason hit the floor, and noticed he was free to move once again. He hurried along with Alise and Justin to Jason’s side. Jerren was just beginning to regain his equilibrium when Inola’s voice boomed, “DO NOT PURSUE!”
Jerren’s head was ringing a good minute as if a massive bell had chimed in it and he barely heard Justin say, “Damn… do not pursue wha—”
At that moment, Calia’s voice rang out, “Inola really needs to work on her volume. Jerren, I knew you were still over there so I messaged over to your ship just in case your AI did not hear Inola’s message, but there was no reply.”
Jerren’s head was pounding, but he managed to groan out, “Thanks Calia.”
Justin asked, “Calia, what didn’t she want us to pursue?”
“The battleship that just busted out of the cavern on Anukan I would surmise. Seeing as how she said it just after they popped out,” Calia said sounding nonchalant.
Jerren felt concern for Eneria flood through him and said, “I’m going back to my ship. Call me if you need anything.”
Jason and Justin said, “The same for you.” They looked at one another and shook their heads with a grin.
*****
Jerren only just made it to the master control room before letting out a roar of rage mixed with anguish. He knew why Inola froze him and the others in place. If she hadn’t, then Jerren would have savagely ripped all three of them apart right there on their beds. Jerren knew what Enyali had done to the AI over the years, but he still had no idea as to how Enyali came to be the commander of TDS 5.
When Jerren asked the question about Baelentus, he took the time to peer into Gebb’s mind. Jerren saw exactly what they did, not only to Baelentus, but to his AI after the procedure to ensure the AI’s servitude as well. And if Jerren had not been frozen in place, he knew for a fact that all three of them would have had brutal deaths. And though they would’ve deserved it, Jerren knew he wouldn’t have forgiven himself for letting his brothers see that part of him.
Somehow he knew Inola could hear him and wiping the tears from his eyes Jerren said aloud, “Thank you for restraining me.”
The lights flickered a moment and he knew it was Inola’s response. Jerren then took a few deep breaths, opened the archway and reentered his ship.
Chapter Nine
Eneria was sitting in one of the plush chairs in Jerren’s bedchamber nervously awaiting Jerren’s return. It was strange, these new emotions she was having. After what she now realized was a panic attack upon being invited to accompany Jerren to the other ship, she performed a diagnostic on herself. Aside from being an AI as usual, her ship made body was coursing with hormones that were never present in her old bodies, and she figured those hormones were the reason for her rolling emotional waves over the past few hours. Eneria sensed Jerren entering the ship and wanting to know what was decided in regards to Enyali and her parents, Eneria called out, “I am in the bedchamber,” Hoping Jerren would come up.
*****
Jerren entered his ship and let out a sigh of relief. It had only been his ship for a short while now, but somehow it felt as if it were always his. He took a step in and was about to locate Eneria when she called out informing him that she was in the bedchamber, “Okay, I’m on my way up,” He stated warmly.
Jerren saw Eneria waiting in a chair in the corner and made his way to sit beside her. Taking her hands in his, Jerren looked into Eneria’s eyes and could feel her unease, “It’s over,” He stated firmly.
Eneria got an anxious look, “Did you?”
Jerren shook his head knowing what she was asking, and said, “No, we interrogated Gebb and Alise found what information we could.”
“Did one of your brothers or the other AI’s?” Eneria had left the question unfinished.
“No. The Imortum carried out the sentencing,” Jerren finished to her shocked expression.
“But the Imortum have been gone for the last four hundred thousand linear years. Are you sure it was them?” Eneria asked sounding doubtful.
Jerren nodded and explained their family history, “Our mother died the day we were born, and Jason Justin and I were raised solely by our father for the first nine years of our lives.
“Over those years we had an imaginary friend, we called her Inola. We used to play with her and one day a few months before our ninth birthday we went on a grand adventure with her. At least that’s what we kept telling everyone, but we couldn’t remember any details of the time we were away.”
Jerren looked up to see if Eneria was following along and continued, “When we returned, we were in a lot of trouble. You see we later found out, after our father calmed down enough, that we had been missing for three months. We were grounded and that punishment was lifted on our ninth birthday. That was the last day we ever saw Inola.”
Jerren explained that after their return, their father remarried and years later, he and his brothers joined the military. Focusing on what happened to Jason, Jerren continued, “Jason was captured and tortured extensively, and he only just told us what happened during that cap
tivity. Jason informed us that half way through his captivation, his captors began using electrical shocks as a method of torture, and Jason began hearing voices. Then one voice suppressed the others and all of his pain went away.”
Jerren continued, “Anyway, the morning we had been dropped off on Gloran Alise held a birthday party for Jason Justin and me, seeing as how there was no telling when we would see each other again, and Alise heard Jason, Justin and myself speaking our private language, and Alise later told Jason to look through her first commander Andel’s memories to see that the language we spoke amongst ourselves was the same.
“Jason found that Alise’s first commander Andel was speaking with an Imortum and Jason confirmed that it was the same language as we speak.
“When Jason looked up at the Imortum lady he thought he recognized her. It nagged him that he couldn’t place her, so he sifted through more of Andel’s memories and found the last one. After informing Andel that his training was complete, and he would be getting his ship soon, the Imortum lady said it was time for her to leave, and transformed in front of him. That is when Jason recognized her as being Inola, and that it was she who had helped him in Iraq and out in space just after taking over TDS 1.”
Eneria seemed to think over what he had told her a moment and asked, “So this Inola showed up and carried out their punishments?”
Jerren sighed and said, “Not physically no, she took control of Jason and froze us all in our place. She recited their crimes and pronounced then carried out the punishment in the method of their people. They’re gone now.”
Eneria sighed and began crying. Jerren pulled her onto his lap and held Eneria tight as he let her get it out of her system. Something about Eneria pulled at his heart in a way no woman ever had. After the incident with his last ex-fiancée, Jerren stepped back from relationships altogether, wondering if he was just a magnet for crazy. But after recalling what Eneria had been put through at the hands of Enyali and her family, Jerren gave a shudder and leaning his head to hers, he realized that his batch of crazy ex’s didn’t even compare to Enyali, and Jerren resolved himself to see to Eneria’s safety
