Criminal. Scrapper. Part 3. Damantha Makarova

or Empress was overthrown by their own people, because they no longer honoured the Code. If Laithora, or whole of Velutha finds out that Serena’s case was forgotten about… there can be riots. There can be unrest. This is exactly the reason Serena risked everything to do what she did. She placed her trust in the Empress being the same person everyone knows her to be. Because if unrest begins… the Empress will fall out of favour. We have to trust her.»

      «You Veluthians…» Hunter grimaced. «You keep talking about honour and the Code, but you are just like humans. Just as corrupt and greedy. Just as flawed.»

      «Perhaps, some of us, yes. But it doesn’t mean we all are. Just like being human doesn’t mean all humans are corrupt and evil in their nature, right?»

      Hunter took a very deep breath.

      «I just…» he growled, jumping to his feet. «I just wish there was some way to know if anything is happening out there.»

      Lindon straightened and put his palm on Hunter’s shoulder:

      «We need to wait. And have faith. Other than that… there’s nothing we can do for the time being. Don’t exhaust yourself with training just because you feel helpless, alright?»

      «I don’t feel helpless, Lindon. I’m desperate and enraged that days are going by without any news as to what is happening in that darn prison!» Hunter growled, squeezing his fists.

      «You need rest, brother.» Lindon sighed heavily. «After all, we can be summoned at any given time to the trial.»

      «If there even will be one!» Hunter growled, heading out.

      Lindon shook his head, understanding the distress his friend was in. Having the woman he loved – they both loved! – incarcerated and being under investigation was definitely nerve-wracking. The Veluthian didn’t know if they will be in any position able to help Serena’s case at all, considering they too were under investigation.

      And if things go wrong, Lindon and Wolfin would have to face their charges right here on Velutha, but as to Hunter, Cipher and Pher – the trio would be sent out to the Terran authorities. After all, the Terrans were, in fact fugitives from the Company that issued a bounty on their heads.

      Knowing very well that he still needed to keep his head cool and his determination unwavering, Lindon headed to the bridge. Ever since Serena was arrested and MSS Lyssandra confiscated for the trial proceedings, they were all cramped up in the SS Growler, which was found to be cleared for them to be on, as no one was really thinking about them at the moment. The authorities only swept through the ship to know if there were any of the possible contraband, but as soon as they realised everything was at Lyssandra, they left the crew remain on the Growler until the end of the trial.

      And since then Lindon unofficially took upon himself the role of a Commander – just like before losing his own ship. Mitigating the rising unrest among the crew, answering any possible questions – all this and much more was weighing on him, as he tried hard not to think about Serena making a terrible mistake by putting her trust in the Empress and those close to her.

      Approaching the bridge, Lindon noticed Cipher jumping to his feet and hurried in, as the Growler AI reported:

      «You are being hailed by Captain of the Imperial Guard Dillian Dorn Merr-Philas.»

      Cipher glanced at Lindon and saw him nod:

      «Put him through!»

      The screen lit up, showing the very same man they were dealing with while confined to their ship for the past week. The Veluthian seemed calm, collected and proud as always:

      «I was asked to inform you that you are being summoned to the palace. As I was made aware, the Empress wanted to question Lindon Dorn Grey-Linn, Wolfin Ghor-Dinn, Cipher Reeds and Hunter Winters before she would speak to Serena Dal Thara-Lyss.»

      «We are honoured for the invitation and are ready to face the Empress.» Lindon stepped up.

      «Ten minutes. I shall escort you to the palace personally. No weapons, if you be so kind.»

      «Of course.»

      The screen grew dark and Lindon exchanged glances with Cipher.

      «Growler, tell Pher, Wolfin and Hunter to meet us by the cargo bay in five minutes!» Cipher ordered.

      «Done.»

      Lindon headed out, wondering if Hunter will be happy to hear that they were finally given a possibility for an update on Serena’s case. He hoped that the trial will be swift and fast, claiming the woman innocent, as they did, after all, collect a lot of information on the dark dealings that were going on Velutha without the authorities knowing. Or – known and not dealt with…

      As they gathered by the exit, Lindon saw Cipher leaving Pher as the one in charge, offering him some advice on dealing with the unusual neighbour – Laneth, who has added a bit of chaos into the ship’s crew with her being around. Wolfin and Hunter seemed anxious, though Serena’s mentor tried hard to keep a calm and collected demeanour.

      After that was done, and Hunter hurried their friend to open the door, they stepped out – Hunter and Cipher wearing only the atmospheric bracelets to negate the harsh environment of the planet.

      Captain of the Imperial Guard Dillian Dorn Merr-Philas stood ready with a regiment of his soldiers, waiting for the men to walk up. As soon as they did, the soldiers surrounded them and they all headed out towards the biggest building that stood ahead – the so-called Palace, where most of the council meetings were held and al the Royal Trials commenced.

      Hunter knew that the low building next to it was the prison, which was mostly guarded by drones, and the Veluthians that worked there mainly oversaw the robots, rarely ever engaging with prisoners. At least, that’s what he was told by Wolfin.

      Escorted through the lavishly decorated plaza before the Palace, the crew walked into the building, where their guards stopped only once – for a few drones to scan the visitors for any sort of weapons. Finding none, they continued their way, and Hunter suddenly thought if this place was so secure, how was it even possible for criminals like Salaar Dorn Kalun to operate and steal things that were supposed to be held in even more secure areas.

      Finally, they were showed into a very large, luxuriously decorated hall, where the Empress already sat on a golden throne, surrounded by her counsellors. A number of people stood by the walls, and for a minute or two Cipher and Hunter felt themselves being on trial by the sole looks they were given.

      «Captain Dillian, thank you for escorting them to us. You are free to go.» the Empress waved the Veluthian and his men off.

      Seeing the Royal Guards located all over, Hunter swallowed a sudden lump, realising that this place was always ready to defend or attack anyone, who would do something stupid.

      «Approach.» one of the counsellors waved to Serena’s crew.

      They obliged, feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable, though, their biggest concern was the fact that Serena was nowhere to be found.

      «I have studied the evidence you and your Captain have provided. And though I do not condone such a familiar way to send me a personal message, I do find the extent of this information to be quite admirable.» the Empress glanced at Wolfin. «Wolfin Ghor-Dinn, as I understand, the search for this information began after you have encountered Serena Dal Thara-Lyss on some distant planet?»

      «Yes, Empress. I was forced to hide for a long time after being falsely accused of murder.» Wolfin replied, trying not to make his answers too long.

      «And you, Lindon Dorn Gray-Linn? You joined them later?» Empress tilted her head.

      «Yes. At first I was after Wolfin, investigating the disappearances of Veluthian citizens on that planet, but Serena held a field court and I found out that he was innocent through means of memory extraction. I was later attacked, because the proof I brought to clear his name threatened the