Tomorrow Never Knows

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It was only a few minutes later that Radu sat alone in a cell, trying desperately to listen for any sounds of the others. It’s hopeless, he finally said to himself. The interrogation rooms are soundproofed. There’s no way you’ll be able to hear them.

We’re doomed, he thought glumly. He could see it all now . . . the two stories would be irrevocably different. How could they expect to come up with two identical accounts purely by chance? The stories will conflict and we’ll all be sentenced to working in the Spung mines on Kessel for the rest of our lives . . . our short lives.

Dimly, he realized that he was following a train of thought which might be more appropriate to Bova . . . but he didn’t feel as though he had much of a choice, alone in this forbidding place. Suddenly, however, his pessimistic mindset was shattered when an all-too-familiar bass voice interrupted his thoughts. “Warlord Shank does not want to hear excuses about how this base is smaller and more primitive than what you are used to. Do not simply stand here and say that you only thought to bring one interrogator - find another! Immediately!”

Of course it would be Shank who ordered us brought here, the young Andromedan realized. What other Spung has any reason to want revenge against us? The realization that the powerful warlord was the one behind their capture added another dimension to things. If he were in charge, every precaution would have been taken. There was no way they’d be able to get away easily. The escape would require some effort . . . and some help. Would he have brought Elmira along? he wondered. No . . . he wouldn’t want to take the risk of having her make contact with us somehow.

While his mind was spinning, trying to think of a plan, some part of his subconscious was still listening as Warlord Shank continued to bark out orders in a corridor quite close to the entrance of the prison bay. Suddenly, though, a barely-heard snippet of conversation brought his full attention back to overhearing the unfolding events:

“Yes, Warlord, your daughter has been placed in quarters at the far end of the base . . . we will make certain that she is kept informed of any further events which unfold in the case.”

“Absolutely not.” The response was sudden, almost sharp . . . suggesting that Shank was anxious to control Elmira’s knowledge of whatever they had been accused of. “She hears no further developments from anyone but Warlord Shank himself.”

“Yes, of course, Warlord.” Radu could picture the look of mingled fear and embarrassment on the soldier’s face simply from the tone of his voice . . . but after those words, the conversation quickly faded back into a barely-monitored corner of the young Andromedan’s mind. He was trying to ponder what could have been the significance of the last few words he’d heard.

Elmira was on the base; of that much, he was certain. Obviously, Shank didn’t want her to run into the crew of the Christa . . . she probably didn’t even know they were there. But why would Warlord Shank have even brought her in the first place? Why would she be interested in a common criminal case if she didn’t know they were involved? Why did the young soldier simply assume she would want to know any further details as soon as they developed?

Don’t worry about that, the young Andromedan said to himself firmly. You’ll have plenty of time to puzzle it out later; it’s not important right now. The important thing is that you know Elmira’s here. She’s on the base. And she’s probably our only chance to get out of here.

But she couldn’t possibly know we’re here, he realized suddenly. If she did, she’d be doing everything in her power to get us out. She won’t realize that there’s anything out of the ordinary happening here, unless . . . unless one of us can get to her. The young Andromedan knew all too well who that would have to be. Somehow, he realized, I’ve got to get out of this cell.

The logical part of his brain was screaming at him not to be such a fool - the Spung had a well-deserved reputation regarding their methods of controlling prisoners. The cell was set several feet below the edge of the corridor; even from his limited vantage point, however, Radu could see a guard armed with a fearsome-looking laser pistol. And where the edge of the cell met the corridor, there was a good-sized open space which appeared to give the cell’s inhabitants freedom to escape . . . but Radu knew better. He’d heard the humming noise begin as soon as the cell door slammed closed behind him. If so much as the tip of a finger reached into that tempting empty space, it would set off an earsplitting alarm - and that was something which the young Andromedan knew he didn’t want to put himself through.

Well, I can’t force my way out of here, he thought ruefully. I’ll have to use my head.

After examining the interior of the cell and thinking about the situation from every possible angle, he admitted with a sinking heart that there was no way he would be able to get out of that cell without the Spung noticing him . . . and from that point, it was only a short step to the realization of what he had to do. If I can’t get away without them noticing, he thought, I’ll have to get them to let me out . . . wait a minute! How could I possibly make that happen? Convincing a Spung warrior to let me out to roam around the base? The only Andromedans who they might possibly believe are . . . As he realized what he would have to do, he felt a chill run down his spine.

I can’t do that! he thought. That would mean going against everything I’ve ever been taught about - about being loyal to your crewmates . . .

But you’re not really being disloyal, the logical part of his brain said. If Harlan were in your shoes, he’d do the same thing without thinking twice if it would get him out of this cell and into a spot where he might be able to do some good. Still, the young Andromedan had a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. What if the others found out about this? What if they believed what they heard? I’d better do it before I lose all my nerve, he realized slowly.

Cautiously, he stepped closer to the cell entrance, being careful not to get too near the force field that would trip the alarm. He peered out through the bars, trying desperately to catch the attention of the guard, and succeeded; within a few seconds, the young Spung noticed his curious glance. “Why are you staring at me, Andromedan?” he said in an angry voice. “Apparently, you wish to further endanger the lives of your masters . . . ” He lifted his laser pistol threateningly.

“W-wait,” the young Andromedan said hesitantly, “you don’t understand. I was not connected with the humans. I was captured by them while I was . . . while I was out on an exploration mission for the . . . Spung base I’ve been living on since the war ended. I was with them when they . . . when they committed this crime. I’ll tell you everything. I just need to get out of here.”

For a moment, there was absolute silence. But abruptly the Spung guard, who suddenly looked much younger and more inexperienced than he had when he’d been brandishing his weapon, hit the switch which powered down the alarm system - and opened the door. “I’ll escort you to interrogation,” he said flatly. “Otherwise you may be stopped on the way there.”

As Radu stepped hesitantly out of the cell, still uncertain as to whether the alarm had really been shut down, he took a deep breath. If this guy makes a sound, he’s going to bring every guard within hearing range, the young Andromedan said to himself. Remember your training. “One sharp blow to the back of the head and your enemy goes down like a rock. It won’t kill him, but he’ll be out for a good long time.”

It was simpler than he expected - before the guard had a chance to take two steps away from the doorway, before he even glanced back to see that Radu was following him, he had crumpled to the deck. There wasn’t a sound as the young Andromedan began walking nervously down the corridor.

Almost immediately, he started to regret his decision. The base stretched out before him - a seemingly endless network of twisting corridors. Due to his Andromedan sense of direction, getting lost wasn’t one of his worries . . . but the fact still remained that there could be Spung guards hiding in any one of the side passageways. Elmira was all the way at the far end of the base . . . could he really make it all the way there without being caught?

I have to, he realized grimly. I have to do it because I’ve got no other options . . . so I may as well get started.

Elmira sat in her hastily prepared quarters, head in her hands, scarcely able to believe what seemed to be happening. The more that was discovered about the circumstances of Mavros’s death - or, at least, about the Christa’s connection to them - the more grim things began to appear. Warlord Shank had left the room only a few minutes before. He had come, with a malevolent grin and a transcript of the two interrogations which had just concluded, to show her that the stories had almost nothing in common.

Both Harlan and Commander Goddard obviously recognized Mavros’s name . . . they’d met him at some point. That much, at least, was consistent. But as for how he’d died - the two stories couldn’t possibly have been more different. It didn’t look good.

She suspected that her father might have wanted to elaborate on that point . . . might have taken the opportunity to plant suspicions in her mind. But in an unexpected stroke of luck, he had been called to another part of the base suddenly - something about a prison break - leaving his daughter to speculate about what all these events might mean.

The Christa’s crew couldn’t possibly be responsible for his death, she told herself firmly. There has to be some other explanation.

But what else could it be? a voice in the back of her mind said quietly. Why would their stories vary so much if they weren’t trying to hide something from us? They did recognize his name . . . if they didn’t have any information about his death, why wouldn’t they have simply said that? They were involved - somehow.

Elmira stopped for a moment, shaking her head. How could she be expected to sort this all out? Who was she supposed to be loyal to? Mavros . . . or Radu? Well, I know what Father would say, she said to herself. Unfortunately, he and I have slightly different views on the matter.

With a shudder that dispelled a horrific vision from her mind - one of the thousands that she’d been seeing over the last few days - the young Spung princess walked hurriedly to her door. I need to get out of this room, she thought. Not that there’s much to do here.

As protocol dictated, she had been brought to a small, out-of-the-way base along with the investigation team, so that any further details about Mavros’s murder would reach her as quickly as possible. Her father was not happy about the arrangement - he would have preferred to keep her out of the way all together. But that would have aroused suspicion among the others on the base - Warlord Shank apparently seemed to decide that it was better not to have this particular case scrutinized too closely.

The base they’d stopped on was incredibly simplistic . . . like most of the other military bases she had lived on during her years with her father. This one, however, was even more sparsely furnished than usual - there was not even a guard posted at her door. Presumably, it was because the base had been fully automatic until this small strike team and group of prisoners had arrived. This was a strategy used only for the most dangerous prisoners - fully automated bases were never listed in directories on the SpaceNet, so it was nearly impossible for the criminals’ crewmates to come after them. No matter what the reason, though, Elmira was grateful that she needed no explanation as she slipped through the door of her room.

Quickly, she discovered that the change of scenery did nothing to lighten her mood. She was unfamiliar with the layout of this base - and kept finding herself in places that she didn’t want to be. First, she was startled to find herself standing at the entrance to the prison bay, hearing her father’s voice thundering about something - the breakout, no doubt. But the next time she jerked herself out of the dreadful images filling her brain, she realized to her horror that she was approaching a place holding far more disturbing things than prisoners.

Science Wing
RESTRICTED: NO UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS PER ORDER OF WARLORD SHANK

Elmira didn’t even want to think of what had happened in that room over the last few days - the room where the autopsy team worked.

Suddenly, her thoughts were swept to a back corner of her mind as she heard footsteps racing down the corridor towards her . . . footsteps that most certainly did not belong to a Spung. Almost by instinct, Elmira stepped back, out of the stranger’s path. But she was still caught by surprise when he came flying around the corner and skidded to a stop.

Radu knew he was going to be recaptured momentarily. It had taken far longer than he’d anticipated to make his way, unnoticed, to the far end of the base - and when he’d discovered that Elmira was gone, he immediately realized his situation had gone from bad to worse. The guards in that wing were on the alert anyway - as much because of Elmira’s disappearance as the news from the prison bay that a guard had been found unconscious near Radu’s empty cell. Quickly, the young Andromedan had found himself with pursuers - pursuers who were far faster and more agile than he was. He’d been almost ready to surrender . . . when he’d found himself face-to-face with Elmira.

He was going to say something . . . ask what had happened, why they were here . . . but from one look at her face, he realized that something was horribly wrong. She looked at him with eyes that seemed to see right through him - it was as though she were watching a holofilm which happened to be projected on the wall behind him. Before he had time to even question her reaction, though, he felt a scaly hand clap down on his shoulder.

“There you are!” an aggressive voice said. “And daring to harass Surrola Elmira, nonetheless . . . after all you’ve already done! You don’t believe that you and your foolish human masters have done enough? You murdered her betrothed! Her future husband!” The Spung warrior let out a sound that almost resembled a snarl . . . and then in a matter of seconds, seeming to remember that there was a witness to his behavior, he underwent a startling transformation into a poised, polite young warrior. “I do apologize for this creature’s behavior, Surrola Elmira. Please permit me to escort you back to your quarters.” Turning to his underlings, he barked, “See that this Andromedan is taken back to its cell. Immediately. If it escapes again . . . well . . . Warlord Shank will not become angry with me a second time.”

The young warriors, clearly trying to weigh the potential consequences of dealing with a possibly violent prison escapee against dealing with Warlord Shank, apparently decided to take their chances with the Andromedan. They approached him in a manner that made it clear they expected him to turn into a rampaging monster and remove their heads from their bodies . . . but he offered no resistance at all.

Radu was scarcely aware of the young warriors - he was in shock. His crew was being accused of murder? Part of his mind told him that there had to have been some kind of mistake . . . that Warlord Shank had simply invented this crime as a reason to bring them in on a charge. But as the young Andromedan caught a final glimpse of Elmira’s expression, he realized that part of the story, at least, was true.

She seemed to be frozen in place . . . not quite sure what to make of it all. Only her eyes showed emotion as they slowly filled with tears. Without even meeting Radu’s glance, she accepted the comforting arm of the Spung warrior as she turned and walked away - and the young A

dromedan didn’t offer the slightest bit of opposition as he was roughly taken back to the prison bay.

“I don’t believe it,” Harlan said under his breath. “We got brought in because of that Spung kid who decided to throw himself out our airlock? Because we were too polite to leave him floating in space? That doesn’t make any sense . . . how do they know what really happened? For all they know, he could have docked with us and taken off in one of our shuttles because his was having mechanical problems. They have no proof that we did anything to hurt him!”

“That’s certainly tru

, Mr. Band,” Goddard said calmly, “but the Spung have never been known to attribute much kindness to the United Populated Planets. They would even have a difficult time accepting a story as simple as finding the body and choosing not to leave it in space.” He paused for a moment. “One story that they would never believe, though, is the truth.” Without saying a word, Harlan nodded. Both of them knew the real story - and exactly what part of it would be inconceivable to the Spung’s way of thinking.

After that brief exchange, both humans fell silent. Each was trying to keep his mind off the disturbing events that had occurred when they had first been escorted to the cell . . .

As soon as their little group had turned the corner into the corridor which housed their cell, Harlan had known something was wrong. One of the cells stood empty, its door wide open - and an unconscious Spung guard was sprawled across the floor of the corridor.

One of the pair of guards who had been sent to ‘escort’ the two prisoners down to their cell hurried to his downed cohort; the other one stepped cautiously toward the open cell door. As soon as he caught a glimpse of its interior, he’d grown grim. Pulling out his comlink with an expression that suggested he’d rather be doing just about anything else, he spoke a few words in a voice intentionally too low for the humans to hear. The response he’d received, however, had been anything but quiet.

“What?!” Warlord Shank’s voice had erupted in such a roar that the comlink’s flimsy reception had been temporarily shattered. “What do you mean it is missing? Where is it? You will find it - immediately - or suffer the consequences!” At those words, Goddard and Harlan had exchanged a nervous glance. There could only be one person who warranted that kind of reaction from Shank - Radu.

Almost as if replaying the incident in his mind had set some sort of pattern in motion, Harlan suddenly realized that the cell door was opening once again. A single Spung guard instantly appeared, with a familiar form in tow.

At first, Harlan was simply relieved that his friend appeared to be all right - but after a glance at his face, he knew immediately that something was wrong. It was true that Radu believed it was nearly suicidal to struggle much against the guards . . . after all, they all made sure to keep their weapons handy whenever they were dealing with prisoners. His behavior was far from grudging acceptance, however - a single look at the young Andromedan’s expression suggested that he scarcely even noticed what was going on. Whatever had happened to him, it had captured his attention to such a degree that he was not even aware of his surroundings. And from the look on his face, he wasn’t thinking about anything good.

“What an entertaining parlor trick you taught this creature,” the guard said sarcastically, shoving the young Andromedan through the doorway. “According to the guard who was posted here, it tricked him into letting it out of the cell and then attacked him and ran.” Stepping quickly out of the room, he closed the door behind him and flipped the switch that would once again activate the alarm system. Almost as an afterthought, he turned back to the cell’s inhabitants. “You should consider yourselves lucky that the guard wasn’t seriously injured,” he said with a sardonic smile. “The consequences might be quite a bit worse for all of you if he had been.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked off.

“Radu?” Goddard said quietly. “Are you all right?”

“This is impossible,” Radu muttered, totally oblivious to his crewmates. “There has to be some kind of mistake. I mean . . . murder? How could they accuse us of . . . and the look on her face . . . she believes it. She believes we’re guilty.”

“What?” Harlan took a step closer to his friend, finally succeeding in catching his attention. “What are you talking about, man?”

“We - we’ve been accused of . . . ” The young Andromedan paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to collect himself. “We’re being held as possible suspects in - in a murder.”

“Yeah, we know,” Harlan said. “Pretty wild, huh?”

“N-not just any murder, though,” Radu continued. “We’re being accused of killing Elmira’s betrothed.” He sounded as though he could barely believe it.

“What?” Harlan said in amazement. “That’s crazy! We got brought in here because they found that Spung who decided to commit suicide from our ship and they decided that . . . ” His voice trailed off as he realized how the two pieces connected. “He was supposed to be married to Elmira,” he said quietly. “That’s why Shank could bring us in on this. That’s the connection.” Suddenly, he once again noticed the stricken look on Radu’s face. No wonder he’s so shaken up, the young human thought. I mean, I’m sure we’ve all dreamed about killing off our competition at one time or another, but he’s the last guy who would ever want to actually do it . . . Knock it off! a voice in the back of his mind said. This is serious . . . no time to be making jokes. “W-well, maybe it’s not as bad as it sounds,” he said in a voice that he knew sounded unconvincing. “I mean, maybe she hated him - maybe she’ll be happy that he’s not going to be around any more to mess up her life.”

“No,” Radu said flatly. “She didn’t hate him. When she heard the news, she just gave me this look . . . like she couldn’t believe it. Like - ” He paused for a moment, biting his lip. “Whoever this guy is, he’s definitely not someone she wanted out of her life.”

Click here for Part 4 of Tomorrow Never Knows