All That Glitters Ch. 40

Hollern Prison, Adenomere City, Planet Adenomere, Adenomere System

It had been a few days since the interrogations had started. It seemed like it was more than a month but Raymond knew it was only maybe three or four days since he had been captured.

He had been subjected to many different indignities, including being beaten while hanging helplessly from his chains, being interrogated for many hours on end, his sleep was constantly interrupted when he was allowed to sleep, and he had to shit and piss while being chained up in the air, which meant it all landed below him. The stench was overwhelming.

This morning, the crew came to the door and almost gagged on the smell in the room. They immediately opened a fire hose and sprayed Raymond with the water on full. The strength of the spray was incredible, causing his body to be bruised from the powerful flow of water. Eventually, everything was flushed down the drain near his feet.

While he was sore from the pounding of the water, he had to admit, it did smell better in his cell now...

The table and chair was brought back into the room, along with the traditional tray of bread, cheeses, meats, fruits, the carafe of water, and the two tumblers, one of which had yet to be used.

Raymond had not been allowed food nor water since his arrival. He was hungry and thirsty.

Today will be the day they will give me a little food and water, Raymond thought, I wonder how they will justify giving it to me...

Raymond was well aware of what was happening during the interrogation process. He had been tortured before and had been given instruction on the various techniques being used at that time by the Confederation of Planets. It was obvious to him that Harold, at least, had been trained by the ex-torture masters of the Confederation.

Worse, wasn't what was happening to him but to his team. Whenever a member of his team was being tortured, the small window was opened in the door to his cell, allowing him to hear all that was going on.

He was helpless while his subordinates were being beaten, zapped with electro-prods, shocked by their collars, or in the case of the women, raped repeatedly. One of the women had nearly lost her mind while being raped, her experience of being raped as a teenager coming to the fore. She had repeatedly called out for her mama, much to the amusement to the men who were raping her. Until the men made a serious mistake. Taking her current mental condition as a sign that she had been broken, they had unbound her.

They suddenly found out that even naked, a Marine was still a Marine. Of the six men that had been 'torturing' her, five had to be taken away by ambulance. However, the sixth had repeatedly zapped her with the electro-prod.

The Warden of the prison had been furious, cursing and swearing at the six men, calling them fools and worse.

"What the hell were you thinking when you unbound her?" he had screamed at them. "And what were you thinking, Adolphus, hitting her so frequently with the electro-prod? It will be a wonder if she survives! If she dies in our custody, things will not be pleasant for you.

"You all need to get out of here. You all need to find a believable reason for your injuries. If Inquisitor Harold finds out that you were here and that you have done this to one of his prisoners, he will have me and all of you in the cells beside them!" he screamed.

"We can say that we were injured in a polo accident," one of the men responded.

"That won't work, Lucius," the voice of Adolphus replied. "Fabian has Equinophobia, a fear of horses. He can't even go near a horse."

"You need to do something, Fabian has a broken leg, Lucius a broken arm. Aedan has three broken ribs. Caedmon has a broken jaw. Nathanial has a major concussion. He will be lucky if she didn't break his skull," the Warden shrilled at them. "Whatever happens, if Inquisitor Harold asks, I am telling him the truth. Better you six hang alone in his cells than me along with you!"

Raymond had been proud of Sgt. Brianna Wilden. She had given a good accounting of herself when she had been released. He was saddened to discover that she might now be brain dead thanks to those fools. Multiple electro-prod shocks to the back of the head could cause severe damage. He prayed for his teammate and cursed that he was bound here helpless while all this was going on.

************

Harold was a patient Inquisitor. He knew how to break people down and get them to give in to all of his questions.

Raymond knew the technique. Harold should start to ask important questions today, after having softened him up for the last five days now.

Harold entered and sat at the table.

"Well Raymond, are you going to be a good boy and answer the questions I put to you?" Harold asked.

"I have yet to refuse an answer to any of your questions, Inquisitor Harold," Raymond replied.

"Ah, Raymond, that answer is not technically correct, is it? While you have not refused to answer my questions, the answers you have been giving me are not the best answers you could give, are they Raymond?"

Harold pressed a button on his comp. Raymond was getting to hate seeing him press that button. Pain ran through his body. He knew the pain didn't really exist. It was a false pain projected through the stimulation of his brain stem; small electric shocks stimulated his brain into thinking that parts of his body were hurting.

Even though he knew the pain wasn't real, in that there was no physical cause, it felt real to him. The electronic stimulation was as powerful as any physical pain stimulus but unlike physical pain, which diminished over time, this pain stimulus could be prolonged almost indefinitely.

Raymond tried to run through the instructions he had been given so long ago, how to block the stimulus, how to take back control of his mind and body. But the number of shocks he had now received had taken much of the fight from him and Harold was an expert at using the collars. He knew just how much power to apply and where to apply it and knew just how long to prolong the pain stimulus, keeping Raymond on the cusp of pain for several long minutes.

Because of the constant shocks when he refused to answer questions or simply did not fully answer the questions to Harold's satisfaction, Raymond's brain was slowly being conditioned to answer the questions the interrogator was putting to Raymond, in the way that Harold wanted.

Harold had been watching for telltale signs from his prisoner. He was seeing them now. Finally, Harold thought that Raymond was ready to really answer his questions. He just needed to confirm it...

"Why are you considered the best tactician the Navy has?" Harold demanded.

"We have two eyes; however, it is difficult to look at two different things at the same time. Our eyes focus together on one object at a time," Raymond replied.

"Can you give me an answer that I might understand, instead of one that a Zen Monk might put forward," Harold requested, amusement tilting his voice.

"Once we make up our minds on something, it is difficult for one to change from the path we choose," Raymond answered. "We make up all kinds of excuses to deal with change instead of dealing with reality.

"I have no such compulsion. I can change my view in an instant. Because of this, I can bend my plans when others would hold fast to theirs," Raymond told the Interrogator.

"I see, that means you are far more flexible than others when it comes to making changes on the fly?" Harold mused.

"That is correct," Raymond assured him.

"So, your contingency planning must be exhaustive then," Harold wondered.

"So it seems. Many of those I work with question my methodology until we get into action," Raymond stated. "Then, they see the benefit of being prepared before hand. Such planning is extensive and time consuming but leads to a likely series of events that can be calculated on the changes that occur during the event."

"Meaning what, precisely?" Harold demanded.

"It means that as many contingencies as possible have been calculated but so too has flexibility to act been built into those contingencies. Those responsible have a lot more freedom to react under my guidance than under other planners," Raymond responded.

Harold was getting to like the answers that Raymond was now providing...

NS Dewfall, In Orbit Planet Varus, Clément System

Cmdre. Liana Dostier sat in the Commanders Conference Room facing three 3D monitors, three days after the Task Forces had returned to their support bases. It had been six days since the raid.

On the left monitor was President Violla Serment, the President of Planet Varus, and FAdm. Robert Martin, commanding Navy Sector Fifteen, out of Marlin Naval Base on Planet Varus, present out of courtesy due to the fact that OP Sandcastle was operating out of their system. All of Dostier's ships were returning here after they dropped off their patients at the Naval base on the other support planet.

On the right was her boss, FAdm. Wilhelmina Holstern, commanding Navy Sector Twenty-Three, out of Clarren Naval Base on Planet Layette, with her aide-de-camp, Capt. Lindsey Cline.

In the center was President Wilford J. Holloway, the President of the Union, at the Presidential Compound on Terra. With him were Mnst. Charles Ronter, Union Minister of Foreign Affairs and the person in charge of the UDC, Sen. Jonathan Winslow, Head of the Union Military Oversight Committee, Adm. George Ramison, Chief of the Navy, Adm. Rolland Heist, Chief of Navy Intelligence, and Adm. James Hannison, JAG of the Navy. In the background, Liana could see Jason Canter, the President's Chief of Staff.

All three groups were live via ICS.

Sitting beside Dostier on her left was Captain Henadi Noor, commanding the NS Dewfall, with the Boatswain, MCPO Alexander Taché on her right.

"Mr. President," Dostier began, "Madame President, Mnst. Ronter, Sen. Winslow, Senior Commanders, it is my duty to report the successes and failures of OP Sandcastle.

"First, we had a target of 180,000 citizens that we were aware of being illegally held by the Alliance of Planets as slaves. We were hoping to get fifty percent of that number out. We managed to successfully free 218,525 slaves, a full seventy-five percent of which or 163,894 were Union Citizens. That number is approximately ninety-one percent of our original objective.

"Those numbers did not come without cost. On Task Forces Erden, Gaetan, Surdend, and Vuelta, they had overwhelming superiority in orbit and managed to get more than their allocation of numbers out. Task Force Gaetan was actually the only raid to get all of its listed Union citizens out.

"Of those four, Task Force Vuelta suffered eight Marines injured, fortunately none too seriously.

"On Task Force New Hadria, they had numerical superiority, however, because of the previous altercation with The Wanderer, the Planetary Defence Force was more than determined to fight back. This resulted in eighteen of our ships seriously damaged, though none were put out of commission. However, in orbit, Task Force New Hadria suffered 118 casualties and 1,042 injured, some quite seriously.

"In atmosphere, eight civilian shuttles were shot down with the loss of all aboard, that was 64 Marines and 548 civilians. The aircraft that fired on those vessels were heavily prosecuted and themselves shot down.

"The worst situation was the assault on Planet Adenomere. There Task Force Adenomere ran into two fleets of ships: a pirate fleet of thirty-six ships, and the Planetary Defence Force of fifty-three ships. Both fleets totalled ninety-two ships, forty of which were heavies, most of those the newer Handren Class Frigates.

"The Pirate fleet was composed of named pirate vessels who had experience in fighting against the Navy. They put up a determined fight against our forces, giving no quarter and receiving none in return. The pirate fleet was taken out, twenty-eight of their ships damaged with all of their heavies knocked out of commission, four being destroyed. That fleet will not be a threat for some time in the future, if ever.

"The actions of the pirate fleet encouraged the Planetary Defence Force Fleet to fight hard against Task Force Adenomere. This resulted in severe damage to the warships of Task Force Adenomere which had to shield the unarmed rescue vessels. However, the Task Force did knock out most of the heavies of both enemy fleets.

"Task Force Adenomere had five heavies damaged to the point they had to be jumped out in tandem with another ship, nineteen heavies damaged to some degree though able to operate on their own. We lost two Whippet Class Escorts and eight Valour Class, destroyed with the loss of all hands. There were a further six Whippet Class and thirty-six Valour Class knocked out of commission, though all those ships were recovered.

"In addition, there were sixteen Whippet Class and twenty-one Valour Class damaged to some degree, though they were able to jump on their own.

"In total, they suffered 592 casualties and 4,323 wounded with a full range of injuries.

"Five civilian shuttles were destroyed in atmosphere on Adenomere, with the loss of all aboard, forty Marines and four hundred civilians. We tried to prosecute the aircraft that fired on those shuttles; however, our forces were hard-pressed and at least two of those aircraft escaped.

"In addition, five of our Marines and one Navy officer were captured: Capt. Raymond Clark, Sgt. Jacintha Aurans, Sgt. William Brogues, Tech. Sgt. Brian Donnes, Sgt. Melinda Tanten, and Sgt. Brianna Wilden.

"In total, OP Sandcastle had 910 killed in actions in orbit, and a further 1,052 killed in strikes against unarmed civilian shuttles in clear contravention of all guidelines of combat. We also suffered 5,373 injured in comparison to the rescue of 218,525 people - 163,894 of whom were the original target of our raids." Dostier ended, her head down.

"That is my report, sir. The names of the dead and injured will be transmitted later today," Dostier ended.

"OP Sandcastle lost ten vessels outright," Adm. Ramison recapped, "with an additional forty-two knocked out of commission but which were recovered, and had a further forty-nine damaged to some degree for a total of 101 ships damaged or destroyed out the 1,587 ships that we sent in.

"Quite frankly, I was expecting to lose up to 25% of our forces on this mission, Commodore." Ramison spoke. "That we lost only ten ships and that only ninety-one ships were damaged, is also amazing. That amounts to less than 6% of the fleet lost or damaged. That is truly an amazing feat and a testament to the planners of OP Sandcastle.

"While the numbers of dead and injured are regrettable, regardless of how you see things, Commodore, this raid was a resounding success," Ramison finished, to the nods of all the people on the screens.

"I would point out, Commodore Dostier, that the images of the freed slaves have gone viral all over the Union," President Serment added. "The conditions of some of those rescued were deplorable. The extent of the effects of slavery on those who are the slaves has been shown graphically by their physical conditions.

"People throughout the Union, are demanding restitution from the Alliance, more than a few are demanding that we go to war against the Alliance for what they did to our citizens and for constantly lying about not having our citizens as slaves," Serment finished.

"In the next few days, our Foreign Affairs will be in touch with the Landstradt," President Holloway began. "We intend to have all of our citizens returned or their whereabouts determined so that their bodies might be returned to their families. If there is any indication of foul play in their deaths, we will take action against the individuals responsible. The Landstradt is going to have their hands full very shortly.

"Actions have already been put in place on these issues. We have already seized all known assets of the Landstradt in Union space. We intend to take those assets and deliver them as compensation to the rescued," the President finished.

The two Presidents congratulated Dostier and signed off, leaving her facing her boss.

"Battles in space are almost never a one-sided affair," FAdm. Holstern began. "The Second Battle of Liramor-23 should have taught you that. Nearly every ship involved in that battle was damaged in one way or another. The last ship standing proclaimed the winner of that battle. Fortunately, that was one of our ships.

"Adm. Ramison is correct, 25% losses is the norm for most space battles where we have the advantage of surprise. That we only lost ten ships is an amazing feat. Do not berate yourself for those losses, Liana, you and your people did a truly amazing job.

"Adm. Ramison is currently arranging for the repairs to those ships damaged in the raid. We will have instructions for you to have them moved to either Pallanders-1 or Pallanders-4. Your fleet has three days of R&R, after which, we will send the ships back to their respective commands.

"Good job, Liana. Take some time off yourself," Holstern ordered, closing the link.

The door sounded. Dostier slammed her hand on the contact. "I said I did not want to be disturbed!!" she shouted.

The locked door opened, even though it was locked, and Junelliya walked in, along with her husband, Fayad, and Dr. Leanora Galt.

Junelliya came over to Liana and draped herself around her friend from behind, hugging her close and broadcasting peace and wellbeing to her and the others in the room.

"A friend of mine said you would need my help and that I was to ignore anything that you said when you attempt to send me away," Junelliya told Liana.

"If I find out who that 'friend' is, I'll string them up by their thumbs!" Liana seethed, or tried to, it was difficult to remain angry with Junelliya broadcasting peace to them.

"Well, the friend is Wilford J. Holloway. I think it might be difficult to use his thumbs in that manner," Junelliya giggled, feeling the shock in response to her comment from Liana.

"The President sent you?" Liana said softly, turning to look up at Junelliya, who nodded to Liana.

Fayad sat down beside Henadi and placed his hand over hers. "He got you out," Fayad told her. "Now, it is our turn to get him out."

Tears streamed down Henadi's face, but she nodded emphatically at the pronouncement. "We will need to keep some of the fleet in reserve," she told her boss. "We will need them to blockade Adenomere and get the captured Marines out."

A look of determination crossed the faces of all those in the room 'Promise made; promise kept' was a phrase that Raymond lived by. Those in the room made a promise of their own to get the captured out.

"There is something that you both should know," Henadi informed them. "I received a note asking if I would like to be a witness at the execution of former Senator Wassim Andjuran. They sent that to me as former victim of Andjuran and his clique.

"I want this evil man to pay the price under the law but I don't know if I want to be there to witness it," Henadi finished.

"If you are not comfortable with being there, then do not go," Fayad stated. "What happened to you is something that never should have happened to anyone under any circumstances. You being there for Andjuran's execution, would not help you in your recovery. You could simply inform the powers that be of that fact. They will understand. This is something that I suspect happens quite frequently."

"Damn, I knew that I should have declare myself with you when I first met you," Henadi told him.

"A man can legally have four wives, Henadi," Junelliya giggled. "It is still not too late.

"It is good to know that his time is near," Junelliya said. "He will stand at the left of the Profit and be judged by God."