Indentured (Book 2 of the Dana Halliday series)

INTERLUDE. ADRIAN AND FLYNT. COUNSELORS AND SENTINELS.

Adrian was silent as Flynt entered the ship. The Fenn looked haggard, reddish circles under his eyes, antennae drooping and twitching behind his head, his left arm clutched close to his side with its bloodstained sleeve. Broken handcuffs dangled from his wrists. Adrian still didn't speak. His nostrils flared as he breathed.

The big Earther stepped forward and smashed his fist into Flynt's face.

Flynt stumbled back into the wall and slid down it, too exhausted to keep his feet. He swore quietly in Cennett, and a thin trickle of blood issued from one nostril. He moved into a subdued crouch, head turned in shame rather than fear, and waited to see if his friend would continue attacking him.

Adrian stood with his fists clenched, heaving, teeth grinding, also seeming to wonder if he would do it again. Then he gasped out a sigh, stepped forward, and held out his hand. Flynt's apologetic posture derailed his anger; the implant in his brain didn't interpret anything about body language for other species, but the Fenn part of it was much closer to the source.

Flynt accepted the hand. He was pulled up into a rough embrace, one of those ridiculously self-conscious Earther man-hugs. 

"I'm so sorry." The Fenn's voice rattled.

"Me too," Adrian replied. "Thanks for letting me do that."

Flynt managed a grin, stepped away, and dabbed at his nose with his torn left sleeve. He had felt the burst of rage from his friend almost before Adrian had, and they both knew damn well he could have evaded the punch. 

"What do we know?" he asked.

"I know you need to rest. You look like shit, laddie."

"Thanks." Flynt put on a stubborn face. "What are we going to do about this?"

Adrian smiled wearily. "Well, I've got the Sentinels to go look in on her, make sure she's okay. We're on our way to their ship next."

"They won't do anything. Not in Tirzen space."

"Indenturement isn't supposed to be hazardous, not for a gambling debt. It's something, at least." His voice turned wicked. "You know, mate, I doubt if we can get her back through legal channels."

Flynt shrugged and nodded. "It's only fair, since he didn't take her through legal channels. Are you going to run from Kez the rest of your life?"

"Hopefully not."

*      *      *

"You will be detained here while your case is heard."

"Whatever for?" Adrian's voice betrayed his disappointment, but he was not empty of outrage.

"Because you are a witness and the one who has registered the complaint, Mr. Travers." The Tirzen Counselor stroked the green tassels on its mask. "We need you to be here when your case is active." It turned to the Fenn. "And you as well."

Flynt ground his teeth audibly. "We're the victims here. As is Dana. You're treating us like criminals."

"I can see how you would feel that way," said the Tirzen. "We are happy to tow your ship, and you are welcome to reside there if you are more comfortable. However, if you leave, your case will be delayed until there is another opening."

"And how long is it going to take if we stay?" Adrian asked. Flynt's antennae lowered at the distressed resignation he felt from the Earther.

Before the Tirzen could answer, the office door swooshed open, and an Oploki Sentinel entered. He nodded to the Tirzen, then extended a hand, Earther-style, to Adrian.