Angry Jasper: Twenty-eight

Thomas called for one of his lieutenants, screaming, as if his emotions were unrestrained, or as if he had no control over them. She winced at the sound and thought Thomas would unhinge his jaw. One of those mysterious black uniformed men appeared in an instant. Like the leader, he appeared like something stuffed a bit uncomfortably into someone else’s flesh. Not that he wasn’t an attractive man, but his eyes were ringed dark and were dull black and Zombie-like.

“Commander,” he saluted dutifully.

“Lieutenant, where is the bounty hunter?”

“Awaiting execution with the other Corporation prisoners.”

“Take him to another cell.”

“I want to see him,” said Katy.

“Of course you do.” Thomas’ voice was filled with condescension. “See that no harm comes to him Lieutenant. He will be released at a more convenient opportunity.”

“Commander?” the lieutenant asked, as if he had not understood clearly. It seemed artificial to Kate, as if the two men shared thoughts, or some detailed unspoken language.

“Do not question my orders!” Thomas bellowed. He took the man by the arm and led him away from Katy. The two men stopped near the door, far enough that Kate could hear nothing of what they were saying.

“Take her to him, and then make sure he disappears completely.” He turned back to Katy and smiled broadly. “So sorry, but I do hate to admonish subordinates in public. I’ll be here when you come back, and we will discuss our arrangement more fully.”

“Right, fully,” she said, not trusting Thomas at all.

She went with the young lieutenant from the chamber. Katy could hardly take her eyes off the young man, and those strong shoulders and chest she could sink her teeth into. He reminded her of Jazz when they first met all those years ago. With that came a torrent of memories and broken dreams. It broke her heart that she and Jazz might have settled down to a quiet and peaceful life. Maybe they would have had kids, and living in some pretty little quad on Enceladus, looking out over Saturn’s golden rings. The Rebellion would be a distant thing, a hollow news story, just so much background noise as the family sat down to supper.

The young Lieutenant’s expression was severe. His brow fixed and bent, much more than discomfort at being ordered to release Jazz. Suddenly Katy realized why and stopped him. She turned him to her.

“Ma’am?” he inquired.

“You’re supposed to kill him aren’t you?” she asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, averting his gaze.

“Don’t take me for a fool, Lieutenant. It would prove a terrible mistake.”

The young man thought a moment. Katy was an imposing figure when she wished to be. He looked to dust falling from the ceiling, and the pounding of the enemy bombardment. It was uncomfortably close.
“Do you hear that?’ he asked. “They enemy doesn’t know where we are. A great deal of blood, sweat and effort has gone into concealing this place. Your friend might not be the enemy, but he could unwittingly betray us to the enemy. You must understand. Our species is here, living like rats. The future of this planet. It’s a risk no one of us can afford.”

Katy nodded, noting the odd use of the word species. He was right of course. It was much bigger than she or Jazz, but she didn’t want him to be put down like some common Corporate conscript.

“Very well,” she conceded. “Take me to see him.”