Reflections: A Star Wars Fan Fiction Novella

Chapter 12

She didn't visit me today. I wasn't disappointed for my own sake, I was worried about her own safety. The last time I had seen her face, it was stained with tears. Tonight I had a horrible dream. I wouldn't dare recall the details, as if simply repeating them would be evidence of a subconscious desire of a depraved mind. I still had a decision to make on my own fate.

"Cryus Reu, you have a visitor." The security droid escorted me from my cell. I felt no bitter animosity towards it, unlike my fellow captives. It wasn't alive, and thereby to be angry towards it was pointless. It would be the same as cursing the fever, instead of the virus. "They will arrive momentarily, thank-you for your cooperation."

I sat in that same seat that I had spent an hour in yesterday, completely isolated. There was no guarantee that anyone would visit me. Stating that I had a visitor only meant that there had been a pre-scheduled meeting.

The door began to slide open, and I felt my spirit cheer within me. Yet, it was her.

Not the woman whose face I now cherished more than the sun, but a Cerean.

"Sergeant Laren, what a wonderful surprise." It obviously had been a surprise, but I would not have described it as a wonderful one, if I was being honest. Her mind, or should I say minds, processed my words for several seconds before coming to the eventual conclusion that they could not be classified as offensive.

"I regret to inform you that pilot Fyra Chro has been hospitalized and will not be able to associate with you any further. I hope that you have taken the time to consider the chance which has been presented to you and make the right decision."

I wanted to tell a joke about how one was supposed to cope with a female Cerean as a last-minute replacement, but I decided not to use it. "What happened to Fyra?"

"I can not discuss her health with you, but she is alive and physically stable." That adjective, physically, meant that they believed her to be insane. Sounds about right.

"I understand, Sergeant Laren."

"Have you come to a decision regarding the offer?"

"Which offer may that be?" Her eyes squinted, as she considered what I said.

"Now is not the time to waste time, Cryus Reu. You are to be judged on war crimes, among numerous other lesser violations in two days. This opportunity to demonstrate you have taken responsibility for your crimes expires tomorrow."

"What is my guarantee that anything you are telling me is true. How do I know that you won't walk out that door and deny every meeting with me after I tell you everything I know?"

"I'll remind you that the New Republic Security Bureau is nothing like its Imperial namesake. My word should be enough."

"Forgive me, I forgot I was dealing with an institution which valued justice over politics." I could see in her eyes that I had struck a nerve. "Apologies, I forgot that isn't representative of reality. What do you want to know, Sergeant Laren?"

My words lingered in the air for several agonizing seconds before she responded.

"I want Captain Kerrill."

"I see. Tell the Commander he can speak to me himself. I refuse to allow him to use an intelligent alien woman as if she was his personal service droid."

I was expecting to be alerted that I had committed an offensive remark. Instead, I could have sworn there was a smirk on her face as she rose to leave. She soon was replaced with Commander Lindon Javes, whose face was extremely grim.

"I hope you're happy with yourself, Baron Reu."

"Anything for my loyal Captain." He couldn't touch me even if he wanted to. First, there was a forcefield between us that would give him a nasty shock if he dared. Secondly, if I was to be tortured in any method deemed illegal by the New Republic, I was guaranteed an automatic acquittal with serious charges brought against my tormenter. He was probably wishing now he hadn't released me from his custody.