Sholan Alliance Bk4

Chapter 1 - Percival gets it in the end

When that bastard of a guard rattled his stun stick against the bars of his cell Percival snarled. When he went to stand he almost fell over. He was tired, worn, and wearing down. There was a diabolical process in place to run all the remaining pirates into the ground. They were awakened at odd hours, given extensive interviews and interrogation, and hard physical exercise. They were well fed but it was boring and bland food. All they had to drink was water which was usually lukewarm and tepid.

He had tried to resist taking his medications but that had lasted only a day. When he refused, they pinned him down and jabbed a needle in his ass. That wasn't fun either since they had chosen to keep giving him the meds that way. To make it even worse they kept using the same spot and he knew he had a bruise from hell there.

With the physical work, he had tried to avoid that as well but after getting nailed by the stun sticks many times he grudgingly started. One thing he had come to realize was that short of killing or disabling them, the guards and staff had free reign. Percival didn't know it, though he should have suspected, the officer in charge was working with a panel of experts. They had carefully worked out the quickest way to break the prisoners without causing the prisoners or guards permanent mental issues.

The prisoners they didn't care about, it was the guards they were being careful with and rotating often. They were being seen routinely to ensure they were mentally handling it. They needed the information but not at the expense of the troops health.

Once Percival rolled off the bed he received his usual morning bath via firehose. After dressing he staggered towards the door. The guard cuffed him and put the ankle chains on as well. Just for added effect was that damn dog collar. If Percival ever got the chance, he was going to choke the fucker with it.

"Move it dog. I have people to do and places to see. Make me late and I will ensure an extra ration of making big stones into small stones. Oh, the highway department was complaining. It seems you aren't making the stones the proper size so we picked up and extra batch for you." His voice was cool and even though he had a slight smirk on his face.

Percival tried to strike the guard out of habit only to get stunned. He had to hang on the bars until the shock wore off, "I will get free and I will fucking destroy you. Your family or unit will get you back one quivering piece at a time. I will start with your balls and go from there!" He grated that out even as he staggered out of the cell.

The guard didn't say anything though he did laugh. As they walked down the hallway it was time for the next push on Percival. One of the previously filled cells was empty. It was the one Sing had been in. The guard casually glanced at it, "At least one of you was smart enough to talk. He is getting a nice cushy cell in another high security prison. He is even going to have his wife with him. It seems he despised her so much he requested she join him in the prison." With that he shut up and kept going.

Percival lost it. He started screaming and ranting even as he was trying to get to the guards again. How dare one of his crew turn on him. It took several more guards to get him pinned so they could stab him in the ass with a sedative. When he woke, he was strapped down to a bed in the medical ward and he was feeling calm and relaxed. He could tell they were drugs in his system but he didn't care since he felt good.

~~~

Inspector Montgomery had talked to Vice Admiral Drake. What he told her piqued her curiosity. Based on what he had to say an old carrier had been sent to the breakers. They had full documentation it had been destroyed and parted out. Based on the records some of the systems had been sold piece meal to salvagers. They would ensure the systems were properly de-milled and then sold. When sold many of the tramp freighters or small fleets of cargo ships would pay well for the equipment. Even if it was outdated it was probably more modern than what they had.