“Perhaps. Varl seemed to think so, but she won't tell me anything. I'm hoping the trial will get her to talk about it.”
Dylan sat back and allowed the conversation to wash over him. Kaiden's question was important and he knew the Thorian must believe something had happened. It wasn't like him to free a prisoner, much less bring her to his cabin, unless there was a reason behind it. For now, however, he needed to let his second in command cool down.
When everyone had eaten, talked, and left, he snatched a few hours of sleep before their arrival on the planet Etam. It felt like no time at all before Trell was waking him to tell him they'd arrived and landed in the main docking area.
Once outside he noticed the horrible conditions. The planet was even drier than he'd expected, and everywhere he looked the ground was cracked and dusty. The few buildings in the area were weather beaten by sandstorms, and even inside the plantation dome the inhabitants had set up, the ground was cracked and the plants withered.
The planet's Unified Federations official came out to meet him before Dylan could even start removing the cargo from his own ship.
“We're very glad to see you, Captain. It's been weeks since we last had supplies and we're very low on water.”
“Well, I have a ship full of cargo and Admiral Dokar assured me a larger cargo ship was coming around on the safer route. They should be here in about three days with even more.”
The official beamed and pumped his hand up and down for the second time. The gratitude and cheerfulness helped Dylan feel like the journey was worth it. Up until this point it had seemed like a chore he could have done without.
Trell oversaw the workers to unload everything and stash it where the planet wanted as the sun beat down on them. Dylan kept in the shade as much as he could and encouraged the rest of his crew to do the same, but they were all soon sweating with the heat.
An hour later the cargo was all off his ship but they were delayed from leaving by confusion on the exact location of all the supplies. It took him another half an hour, with Trell's help, to double check the inventory and reassure the people on the planet they had everything they were sent. Although Trell was competent and experienced, it couldn't have contrasted more with Auraylia's efforts in having the cargo loaded in the first place. She'd somehow kept track of every box, container and barrel, despite carrying little of it herself.
“We've not much to offer, but your crew and yourself are more than welcome to stay and share a meal with us,” the official said as Dylan turned to go.
“Thank you for the invitation, but we cannot stay. The sun is about to set here and our ship is in dire need of recharging. We were attacked three times on the way over. If we don't leave now with the energy we have, we will be stuck here until this time tomorrow.” Dylan allowed the man to shake his hand again and thank him for the fifth time since arriving and said goodbye.
Although it felt good to help people and normally he enjoyed spending time off on a planet, he wanted to put the trial and the mess with Auraylia behind him. He also suspected she wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer, as he'd found out from Thomas that she still wasn't allowing her body to rest.
On the way back to his cabin he ran into the Thorian.
“Can you gather the officers. I want us to perform the trial as soon as we're stationary and recharging.”
“As you wish, Captain.”
“And, Varl, do you know something more about this?” Dylan tried to read the Thorian's face for signs of information but the features remained impassive.
“She told me something, but I don't think it is my place to speak of it. I brought her to you because she led me to believe she wanted to tell you as well, but she chose not to. It is her choice.”
Dylan nodded, pleased there was more to the situation. If she would reveal it on record they might be able to stop her being dismissed. It surprised him that the desire to keep her was less tied to the money he'd lose otherwise and more about her long-term success.
*
The soles of Auraylia's feet ached as she continued to move them across the brig floor. She'd lost count of the hours she'd been pacing, but despite how much it hurt her, she knew she couldn't stop. Thomas sat in one corner of the room. There were bars between them but there might as well have been nothing considering how vulnerable she felt.
Every time she paused and allowed her body a moment to try and catch a standing power nap, the memories of her uncle flooded into her head and jarred her awake again. Sleeping would have to wait until she felt safe, if she ever did again.
She jumped when the door clattered open and the Thorian came in.
“We're performing the trial,” he said at Thomas, not even looking at her. Within seconds she was being escorted by the pair of them towards the main canteen of the ship.
When she arrived she noticed most of the tables were moved to the sides and almost the entire crew sat at them awaiting the proceedings. The officers sat along the back wall. She was taken to a solitary chair in the middle of the room and asked to sit in it.
She did as she was asked and sat as still as possible. The room was hushed but she could hear the odd whisper from amongst the crew to her sides, and knew they were talking about her. To stop herself from shivering and becoming emotional she looked down at the ground in front of her feet and focused on the pattern on the floor.
If she'd been on land she'd have considered running from the room but on a spaceship there was nowhere to go. She had to face this.
Dylan took his place amongst the officers and spoke, “Auraylia Mellarn, you have been called here today to answer charges put to you of unauthorised weapon possession, assault of a senior officer and indecency.”
“Indecency?” Beth queried.