Chapter 10: Intermission.

Mitts walked by a television store in Kerning City. He was on leave now, and he took the time to walk the neon-lit streets of his hometown. It seemed like months since he last trod here, but in fact he had left the city for less than a week. The televisions were playing the evening news. The headline caught his attention; he stopped to see and listen.

"The Royal Victorian Maplean Police conducted a successful raid on the illegal Grosjager organization, seizing an unregistered airship and capturing several key members..."

The media always spins things to make them sound better at the expense of truth, Mitts thought. Capturing key members? Other than some ship captain, there were no "key members" found, let alone captured.

"... a hostage, whose identity remains as yet unknown, was also rescued. This operation has been the first major success against the Grosjager in over four years..."

The newly promoted Sergeant Mitts walked away.

The Victoria News was the most commonly read newspaper on the continent of Victoria, but it was not the best-selling newspaper. Partially the reason was that it did not have morning and evening issues, unlike the financial newspaper Perion Post. Ashrey leaned back, sipping tea, and leafed through the newest evening issue. He had completed the final transaction only two hours ago; if the Post managed to report that before the day was even over he would be impressed.

There it was! The headline: "Financial Juggling cripples funding of illegal organization..."

Lordblitz shuffled in carrying a large pizza. "Any news?"

"We're heroes." The grins stretched from face to face. "What's that pizza anyways?"

"Unagi special."

"Hope it's not Rina's leftovers..."

The sleeping figure, a girl, lay peacefully on the cot. The Major looked at her and pondered how to write her report. She remembered the lash wounds on the hostage's back, and her ripped skirt... it was obvious what fate had befallen her. Raped and tortured... Even the one who first found her, lying and bleeding into the scattered sails of the crippled ship, had turned away in human compassion at the sight.

She had still not awoken yet, and Tess began to became worried for the nth time. She checked her breathing and her pulse; all was normal except that she was still in a coma. The medics had examined and treated her, and after dressing her wonds they had recommended patience as the best course of action Tess could take. Forcing herself away back to the desk, she began to write - the paperwork never seemed to end.

Mitts feet took him into a bar. He didn't resist. Ordering the strongest alcohol on the premises, he tried to clear his mind of the image seared into his brain as if by a red-hot iron. But the scars would always remain, to wake him up in the middle of the night in a nightmare... even now, the picture was resurfacing again. The girl, her clothes in tatters from the waist down, her back a mess of skinless raw flesh, light brown hair blackened by blood where the wooden beam had struck her on the head... Mitts forced more of the vile liquid down his throat until he passed out, the darkness the welcome escape the night outside failed to provide.

An indistinct moaning caught Tess's attention. She hurried over to the bedside to attend the girl and caught the almost inaudible words of "father..."

The innocent eyes opened slowly. "Where am I..."

"You're safe now," Tess said softly.

The girl tried to move but uttered a small cry of pain. The wounds on her back were still hurting. Her head injury made the world wobble at the smallest movement.

Tess held her hand to reassure her. "It's all right now. What is your name?"

"My name is..." she faltered.

"Don't strain yourself," Tess advised.

"My name is... is..."

"Do you remember?" Did she have amnesia? Or was her mind still in self-preservation mode after her ordeal?

"... I... don't."