The Journal of Caius Oakley

[Coin]

I didn't have any real choice in the matter. I could have out-run him, I could have battled it out, but he could have squawked into his radio, and I would be an outlaw in Bretonia. Not useful. Not useful at all.

I was expecting the bright light in the eyes, and ominous references to 'The Desk Draw Trick' and 'The Ginger Beer Trick' (If you don't know about ginger beer, just pray that you never have to experience it first hand). In fact, I was pushed into a room that was lit by striplights set in recesses around the walls, which provided adequate light, if a little unkind. I say unkind, because one of the walls was mirror. Now, I'm comfortable with the fact that this face of mine is built for wear, not for show, but having the only point of reference as yourself is disconcerting. A hard, high stool was in one corner, and I dragged it to centre-stage, saying 'Shall we get this circus over with then?'

A voice, booming from hidden speakers: 'Mr Oakley, your ship was seen at 0915 ST this morning, entering the Leeds system from Tau 31 via the jumpgate, which is under the control of Kusarian Naval Forces. Long range sensors aboard the Battleship York indicate that you then proceeded to pass within two clicks of the Battleship Nagasaki, which did not fire upon your vessel. You are hereby accused of actions treasonable to the Crown and Queen Carina's Armed Forces. How do you plead?'

'Not guilty. And I wasn't aware that this was a trial; where is the judge, where is my counsel, where is the jury of my peers?'

'Mr Oakley, we are at war. Habeas Corpus is suspended, as is trial by jury. What evidence would you like to submit to us in your defence?'

'Glad to hear that the use of evidence hasn't been suspended too; at the time of the incident, I was wandering around the spaceport at Curacao, trying to find out where my ship was'.

'Are you trying to suggest that you were not piloting the ship?'

'Exactly. The ship is stolen, and I'm trying to find it; this explains why I was flitting around the edges of Bretonian space'.

The voice was silent for a time. Finally, it came back 'Mr Oakley, you will remain here whilst we verify the evidence that you have presented'. The mirror in front of me shivered, as if a door had opened.

I was kept waiting for a long time, it seemed designed to test the strength of the average bladder. I resisted the temptation to pass the time by making funny faces in the mirror, and concentrated on the information they had given me. Why would the thief show their colours at possibly the most watched gate in Sirius? That HAS to be deliberate. So what are they trying to conceal by being so obvious? As I sat there, I thought about the route I had taken this morning; Coronado and Baffin only point to the Taus, and the Taus point to the Omicrons, Kusari and... Gallia! It seemed to fit, or maybe I just wanted it to fit. Either way, it was a place to search, and unless serious work had been done to alter the output of the IFF-transponder, I would be able to dock on the stations that were friendly to my old ship. Having this new lead made my incarceration all the more intolerable; I wanted to get moving, and this confinement made my feet itchier.

Even more bored than ever, as I had truly run out of distractions, I was about to yield to the temptation of pulling faces, when the mirror shivered and the voice returned.

'Mr Oakley, we have contacted Curacao, and have learned that you did not report your ship was missing until 0930, and whilst there is enough time - just - to make the round trip back to Curacao, the ship would have to be removed from under your nose. Orbital Spa & Cruise are not as exacting as we would like in the recording of ships' departures, but we have found out that no ships left Curacao's orbit since the morning shift came on duty and you reporting its disappearance'.

'What time did the morning shift come on duty?'

'Mr Oakley, I'm not obliged to furnish you with any of the information that we have gathered - '

'What? Doesn't the defence have a right to see the evidence gathered by the prosecution?'

'There you go confusing this with a trial again. This is a Junta, in a time of war. Before you interrupted, I was about to say that the shift changeover was at 0600 ST, which puts you in the clear. Thank you so much for helping us with our enquiries'.

With that, the lights switched off, and the door opened. I looked at the mirror interested to see if I could see anyone in the room next door, but that was in darkness too. I climbed down off the wooden stool, and walked out of the door. Captain Nelson was waiting for me, and escorted me to the front door of the security centre without a word. Once outside, I took in my surroundings - brown buildings concealed by brown smog - and hussled over to the spaceport, eager to be away and following the new lead.

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