Ruminations of a Wayfarer: Parts I and II

Ky crouched beside her. "Anything?" he whispered.

"Nothing," she responded distantly, her eyes not leaving the scandar’s display.

Not only for the sake of the others but also for herself. He was someone to her. She suspected that underneath his at times glacial exterior was a man of sensitivity and compassion. A man who already cared about her more than he did himself. There was something between them and she hoped that Jarre felt it too. Heck, she knew that he felt something for her-one of her former shipmates had told her as much, and he’d heard the story from Ky, Jarre’s best friend. Why did he have to try and pull off the impossible?

Seated at a table nearby, Winters watched as Forbes continued to pace back and forth. He’d always reviled Forbes. The military-minded idiot lacked the ability to tie his own shoes yet alone direct others. Yet, now he would have to answer to him for his desertion.

Forbes circled the traitor, arms folded. "Maron Winters, man of science. Dedicated, in fact, to his own fellow man."

"Save your cynicism, Forbes. I don’t owe you any explanations," said Winters dryly, attempting to mask his fear.

"You’ve betrayed us, Winters. Selling us out to those monsters!" yelled Forbes. "How could you turn your back on us? Tell me!"

Winters remained expressionless. "It was all right for you, General. You escaped-I didn’t. You didn’t see what they did to Truth and the others. If I didn’t cooperate, I’d be dead."

"Oh when we’re through with you, you’ll wish you were," threatened Ky. He had wanted to rough Winters up, for old times sake if nothing else, but the General hadn’t come to the party.

"Ganna, we were friends," said Winters weakly, desperate for an ally. If he could get one, just one of them onside he might be able to wriggle his way out of this one.

"You’re right-we were," spat Ganna, turning away from the prisoner’s stare.

"The Tharnians are your only friends now," said Ky. "And they’re not here to protect you."

Winters heaved a sigh. "Surely you could use a scientist? I’m more valuable to you alive than dead."

"I won’t be happy until I see your head on that wall," said Ky, pointing to a wall in an attempt to add a dramatic touch to his threat. It was a hollow threat, and he already felt asinine having made it, but he was quite enjoying this grilling.

"This is my interrogation, Ky. If you don’t mind," snapped Forbes. The chain of command had been re-established and he would not have his authority commandeered again. How Ky had even been selected for this mission in the first place was a mystery he would have solved if they ever returned. Someone in personnel would be much better off if they never made it off Callon.

Ky manufactured a wounded expression. "Sorry! Didn’t mean to cast a shadow over your solitary moment of glory," he returned.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" demanded Forbes in anger.