Two Rimmers

Chapter 8 : Interogations and decisions

Lister appeared in a prison cell; he hadn't been shackled, only placed there. His cell was simply bars and he could see around the room; other cells contains other creatures which he couldn't identify. Two simulant entered, without masks. One male, the other female; both young.

"So, you're one of the prizes." The female said,

"Prize?"

"Yeah, your 'commander' has to decide which one to save."

"Commander?" it then dawned on him, "Oh you mean Rimmer?"

"Yes, the highest rank on your ship is he not?" The female circled him,

"Yes but he isn't the commander..."

"I see. So, Crystal..." The male said, coming over to him,

"Yeah?"

"What did she do on your ship?"

"Well, she made a time table and met all of us, got to try and know us." Lister laughed "It was stupid."

"Oh. Maybe that's why she was a while."

"Huh?"

"Usually Sims tend to send their distress as soon as they're caught but, she didn't. We thought she'd been killed or had taken over your vessel but..."

"Hmm."

"Must have met someone important for her to forget to send a flare, anyway enough speculation, you will stay here until our commander has decided what to do with you."

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"Name."

"Erm, I'm Arnold Rimmer." Rimmer looked around him; a simulant stood in front of him behind a table. They were fairly large and intimidating; their features trying to be intimidating as most of their edges were pointed.

He was confused as to why he was here; awoken by teleportation wasn't the nicest way.

"Ah, Arnold Rimmer." His name rolled around on their tongue, "Yes, we met before."

"We have?"

"Yes Arnold." They slammed their hands on the table, "You stole something from us and we want it back."

"What?"

"You should know. Don't try and act stupid."

"But, I, I don't remember. Would erm, you kindly remind me what I apparently stole?"

"No. You stole it several years ago,you must remember." The simulant shouted,

Rimmer's sub consciousness then thought of something. Briefly, a memory flashed; Rimmer stealing something small and round; like a light bee. Maybe this was why Crystal was part hologram?

"I don't know what you're on about." Rimmer said, trying to act brave. What was that?

"You should do. You're Arnold, right?"

"Yes but..."

Another simulant came into the room and stood to attention.

"Yes?" The interrogating simulant said, turning away from Rimmer briefly,

The simulant spoke "Officer, the wormhole has been sealed successfully."

"Aah." The interrogation simulant smiled, "Well, Mr Rimmer, I see we have a deal."

"What you mean?"

"Well, we have managed to close off your worm hole."

"What?"

"Well, another sim has told me that you dimension jump, so no one can come in or out of this dimension or be made."

Rimmer became scared, "I, I don't know what to. I don't remember anything. What else can I tell you?"

"Well, maybe we can jog your memory." They smiled, "The commander wants to see you."

Rimmer was taken down a corridor temporarily shackled, two Simulants held his arms.

"We're taking no chances. Just because you're dead doesn't mean you aren't dangerous." Simulant said, increasing his grip. Rimmer winced at the pain and walked up the tall flight of stairs to a stadium. Simulants surrounded the seats; none armed. Rimmer sighed happy at that extent; couldn't shoot him, he was pleased.

Rimmer watched as the simulant crowd looked gleefully at their commander. She was sleek, black shiny plastic exterior, her face stolen from a beautiful woman which had been made up. She was beautiful, but dangerous. She threw her hands up and everyone cheered. Rimmer knew what would happen, like it was a memory that had been oppressed.

"Everyone," she bellowed, her voice echoing around the hall, "We have two prisoners!"

The two cadges raised from the ground, one containing a confused Lister, the other containing a beaten up Crystal

"Now our Captain has to decide." She said, sarcastically,

"Decide what?" Rimmer said, his voice echoing around the room,

"Just decide." She said, knowing she was making him nervous, smiling,

"But how? If I don't know what I'm deciding then...." Rimmer protested, looking at both worried,

"I will make it easier for you." She said, clicking her fingers. Two bazookoids dropped from the rafters above her and landed in her hands ; this had been rehearsed.

"Both of these will be shot, one with a paralysis dart, the other a bullet, which will cause instant death.."

Rimmer looked at the two of them. Who would he have to kill?

"Choose, one or two?"

"For who?"

"Just choose." She sighed, prepping both,

Rimmer examined the cages and tried to figure who would be who. Who would be one and who would be two?

"Erm..." he hesitated; Crystal shaking with pain, Lister looking panicked. "Two." Rimmer closed his eyes.

He heard both shots, the electricity of one shot and the penetration of the other.

Rimmer opened his eyes, both on the floor. Lister's body was twitching, Crystal was not.

"No." Rimmer said, restraints on him removed and the cadges lifted.

Rimmer raced over to Lister, still breathing. As he walked over to Crystal, he knew she was dead. The simulant commander laughed, knowing the result; the crowd cheering.

Rimmer felt a power come over him, a sudden change in character. He blacked out, body performing involuntary movement and saying involuntary things. He had no control.