The guard escorted Luci to her room and locked the door. Luci ran over to the bed and collapsed on it. She cried for a while but eventually calmed down and fell asleep. A kyloon or so later she woke up with a start. She was disoriented at first but then remembered where she was and started examining the room for a way out but quickly realized she might as well be in a jail cell.
She was uncomfortable in her gown so she went into the closet, took it off and changed into a simple beige dress that fell just above her knees. There were several pairs of shoes but none of them looked very comfortable so she walked back into her room barefoot. Bored she went over to the VC, turned it on and then sat in a chair across from it. The screen came on but there was nothing but static so she flipped through the stations until she came to one that was broadcasting. It was Station 77, her favorite, and a newscast was in process. On the screen Luci saw herself being escorted from the Lukon P22 to a PTV and then the vehicle driving off.
“. . . she was taken to the Chancellor’s Mansion where Chancellor Lai held a news conference.”
The scene changed to a shot of the podium in the Chancellor’s Press Room. After being announced, the chancellor walked briskly to the podium and smiled.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press and citizens of Tarizon. It is with great satisfaction that I can announce to you today the capture of several top officers and officials of the rebel Loyalist army. The same army that recently commenced hostilities toward the elected government of Tarizon by launching all out assaults on the TGA’s bases on the islands of Muhl and Lortec.
“These officers and officials include General Zitor, a former general in the TGA, Lorin Boskie, the daughter of the self-appointed leader of the traitorous Loyalist Party, and several other high ranking officials. In addition, we have captured Lucinda Demitri, the mate of Peter Turner, also known as Leek Lanzia, the so-called Liberator of Tarizon according to Loyalist propaganda.
“Since all of the captors acknowledge their desertion and current service to the enemy they will be summarily executed in the next few days. As to Lucinda Demitri, as she is not a military combatant, is pregnant, and has no previous ties to the Loyalist Party, she will be under indefinite house arrest in Chancellor’s mansion until her child is born. If Peter Turner surrenders she will be allowed to return with her child to her legitimate mate. If not, her child will be taken away from her and she will be turned over to the public prosecutors for trial on charges of collaboration with the enemy.
“That is all for now. Thank you” Videl said and quickly left the podium.
Luci sunk back in her chair. A cold chill washed over her. Had she already lost her child before he was even born? It hadn’t occurred to her that they would take her baby away from her if she didn’t cooperate. Such a thing was unimaginable. Her stomach tightened and burned with worry. This can’t be happening. It’s just a nightmare. Please God, wake me up. But no matter how much she willed it, nothing changed. She finally accepted the fact that she was wide awake and her dire predicament was real.
The camera flipped to a scene of the Military Police Detention Center in Allso. A reporter’s voice said, “We have just received word that there has been an assault on the Military Police’s Detention Center where the Loyalist prisoners recently captured were being held pending execution. Central Command acknowledges that there was an attack but has declined further comment, so we don’t know if the prisoners escaped or not. We will keep you informed as more information becomes available.”
Luci’s heart leaped for joy when she heard about the escape attempt. She prayed to God that Lorin and the rest of the command staff had been rescued. She cursed Videl Lai for separating her from the others and thwarting her rescue.
The screen changed to a view of Station 77's newsroom and the image of the newscaster. “In proceedings at the World Assembly—”
The door opened and Lt. Muri walked in with a angry look on her face. She went over to the VC and turned it off. “Well, you should have taken my advice. Now you will be lucky if the guards don’t come and take you away to Pritzka Prison.”
“I’m sorry, I appreciate what you tried to do, but I will not betray Peter or help a soulless man like Videl Lai.”
“The only reason he is being nice to you, is I convinced him it would help his image with the people if he showed a little compassion.”
“I know. I can keep my mouth shut, but if he asks me questions in public I’m not going to lie. The truth is I liked our government the way it was before your boss got his hands on it.”
“What about your baby? If he is taken away, can you live with that?”
Luci looked down at her belly. “I am sure Peter will rescue me before that happens. In fact, I know he will.”
“Well, you may be right, but I think that is an unreasonable expectation. Pritzka Prison is a fortress and I don’t think anyone has ever escaped from it. Of course, there has never been a military assault against it, so it may be possible.”
The door opened again and Videl Lai walked in. He went directly over to Luci, grabbed her arm and hit her across her face hard with the back of his hand. She winced in pain and shock.
“Don’t you ever humiliate me again in front of my guests,” Videl spat.“From now on you will do what I tell you and do it without question. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she said weakly.
“Didn’t Lt. Muri explain what is expected of you?”
“Yes, she did.”
“Then why didn’t you listen to her?”
Luci didn’t answer. “Should I send you to Pritzka Prison? Is that what you want?”
“No.”
“Do you want to deliver your child on a dirt floor in a eight by eight cell?”
She shook her head.
“Do you want to raise your child? Or should I arrange for an adoption?”
“No. No. I will do whatever you say.”
Videl studied Luci for a moment. “Very well, I’ll give you one more chance, but you will have to allow us to search your mind for any information you might have on the Loyalist Party or Peter Turner. Will you allow it.”
Luci swallowed hard, her body shaking.
“Will you!” Videl screamed.
Luci jumped. “Yes. Yes. Do as you will. I will not resist.”
Videl nodded to a guard standing in the door and he turned and motion for someone to come. A tik later Essyria Bruda walked in. Videl looked a Luci.
“This is Essyria Bruda. She will probe your mind for information. Do not resist her. You cannot hide anything from her,” Videl said and then nodded to Essyria. “She’s all yours.”
“Yes, Chancellor,” Essyria said with a slight bow.
They all left, leaving Luci and Essyria alone.
“This will not hurt,” Essyria assured her. “Just look into my eyes and relax.”
Luci took a deep breath and tried to relax but she was still shaking from her visit with Videl so she had trouble relaxing. Essyria put her hand on her arm. “Relax. Everything is going to be okay. Just look into my eyes. You will feel a slight sensation but it will not hurt.”
Luci felt the sensation in her mind. It was like she was starting to get a headache. She took another deep breath and tried to relax the muscles in her neck and shoulders. Her eyes widened as she felt a cool wave wash through her mind. “Oh my,” she said.
“Okay. I’m finished,” Essyria announced. “I’ve gotten what I needed. Are you hungry? You left before dinner was served.”
She shrugged. “Yes, actually. I haven’t eaten since yesterday at lunch.”
“Alright. I’ll have the cook send some leftovers up to you.”
“Thank you.”
She walked to the door, then looked back. “A word of advice. Don’t anger the Chancellor again. You’re lucky Lt. Muri feels sorry for you and she has the Chancellor’s ear. If it were up to me, I’d execute you and have it done with. So, in the future, if he asks you to lick the blisters on his feet, I
’d suggest you do it.”
Luci nodded, shuddering at the image. What a cold and ruthless woman, she thought. Essyria turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. Luci heard the locking mechanism engage as if a gun had been fired next to her ear. A chill darted down her spine causing her to wrap her arms around herself. She closed her eyes and started to weep as feelings of hopelessness and dread overcame her.