Megalodon City Penitentiary, Tundra, Standard Year 404 after founding

  Alanna woke up early, breathing in the dry, unfamiliar scent of artificially heated air. It was actually slightly warmer than it had been the night before. The heating was effectively compensating for the frigid air of the Tundran winter. It was still early, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to return to sleep. On autopilot, she dressed in the clothes Clara had brought her, selecting a thin white shirt under a black sweater and jeans. James hadn’t told her how many days he expected the mission to take, so there was no counting down, no end in sight. There was just waiting. Her eyes wandered over to the computer lying under one of the benches. She was almost done with Tundran history and wanted to finish the last few chapters. Alanna opened the screen and sighed. Of course, no light came on. The battery was running low last night and today it was dead. And for some mad reason, the Tundrans never bothered to put outlets in their cells. It was still early for Dev but… she walked up to the barred window on her door and peered in both directions. No prisoners looked back at her. The hallway was empty and silence reigned. For lack of anything else to do, she started what had become her standard exercise routine, continuing to get her muscles acclimated to the higher gravity of Tundra.

  A while later, she finally heard footsteps going down the hallway and walked up to see Phil headed her way, his dark skin stark against the gray prison guard uniform. He noticed her face against the bars and walked up.

  “Well?” He said.

  “My computer battery is dead.” Alanna said, uncertainly. She wasn’t sure where she stood with Phil.

  “Sucks for you.” Phil responded helpfully, leaning against the wall just to the side of her door.

  “Are you still pissed about the singing?”

  “No. I’m always like this.”

  “Sure.” Alanna nodded. “Maybe it’s the climate. Not really your thing, is it? All that extra melatonin’s wasted here.”

  “I get a special sunlamp for it.” Phil said shortly. “Or would you like to recruit me for Saraya? See if I want to betray my home so I can soak up some extra sun?”

  “Um.” Alanna took a step back. Her attempt to win over Phil was going over like a stack of bricks. “I’m not really in a position to do that.” She pointed out.

  “No.” Phil nodded, flashing white teeth in her direction. “I really don’t think you are.”

  “So can I get my laptop charged?”

  “I’m not your little errand boy. Wait for Dev.”

  “Fine.” Alanna stepped back. Phil was no longer visible from where she stood inside the cell, and all she heard was silence. The sound of footsteps walking away was noticeably lacking. After another pause, she walked back up. It occurred to her that the prison guards were bored. There were at least thirty prisoners on this floor, but somehow they only spoke with her.

  “What?” She asked.

  “Nothing. Just bored. Did you enjoy your evening? Sounded like you enjoyed it.”

  Alanna flushed. Somehow, when James walked into her tiny cell, she managed to forget about the rest of the world. In her mind it had been just them, while the rest of the world disappeared. But it was never just them. Every person on the prison floor knew what had happened between her and James last night. And that was great. Just terrific. She really had to thank Phil for the reminder.

  “A man died, Phil. Are you really going to begrudge what I did to honor his passing?”

  “It’s not about the damn singing.” He snapped. “It’s about you. There are people here sticking their neck out for you. James Hawk is sticking his neck out for you. The Sarayans don’t even want you back and here you are living on Tundra, eating our food, being an ungrateful bitch. James Hawk is not for you.”

  “None of this was my idea!”

  “Yeah, what was your plan?”

  Alanna thought of the solid, comforting weight of her gun in her pocket. “My plan was different.” She said shortly.

  “Would you sing for one of our own? When we die?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yeah well, maybe you’ll get to sing at James Hawk’s funeral when he comes home in a body bag, killed by one of yours. Enjoy your day, lieutenant.”

  Alanna stepped back from the door, her face no longer visible to him. This time, she did hear the footsteps. She stood listening as they faded down the hall. Sitting back down on the makeshift bed, she pulled out the thin slice of gold James left for her, bending the soft metal with her fingers. She looked quizzically down at the small loop in the palm of her hand. She was starting to seriously miss Dev.

  A while later, Alanna was relieved to hear the cheerful “Good morning, lieutenant”, accompanied by the smell of fresh coffee.

  “Morning Dev.” She said gratefully, reaching for the steaming hot paper cup through the bars of her cell. “How is your day going?”

  Dev looked taken aback, clearly surprised by her enthusiasm. “Chatty today, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t think Phil likes me.” Alanna said.

  “He’s not going to.” Dev said shortly. “His cousin just died. In the war.”

  “You said the Hodgins were a big family.”

  “We are.”

  “You must have had cousins that died too.”

  “I did. And I will.” Dev lifted a shoulder, as if trying to shake off a physical weight on his back. “I heard you and James had a good time last night.” He said instead, an unsubtle change of subject.

  Alanna sighed, letting her head drop against the door of her cell with a soft thud, and remained quiet.

  “Cheer up. You may get some privacy soon enough. Your asylum interview is today.”

  “Today?” Alanna responded, aghast. “But…”

  “Today.” Dev said firmly. “So, get your game face on and don’t screw up. You need anything else?”

  “Dev.” Alanna hesitated. In her past life she would have said nothing. After all, what were her instincts worth? Why bring Dev in on her unfounded sense of paranoia? And yet, for whatever mad reason, James Hawk of the Black Hawk thought her instincts were worthwhile. And she did have her orders. Stay alive. Do your best. If she didn’t speak up now, was she doing her best?

  “What is it?” Dev prompted.

  “I think the timing is odd.”

  Dev paused, his eyes focused on her. “How so?”

  “Immediately following James’s departure, and on such short notice. Perhaps it’s nothing. But I find it – odd.”

  Dev nodded thoughtfully. “I might stick around for the interview. Just so I can report back and let everyone know if you screw it up.”

  “Fair enough.” Alanna nodded.

  “I have some work to finish up first but I’ll be around.” Dev said.

  “Quietly.” Alanna added. “Might be best if you’re around quietly.”

  Dev eyed her curiously. “You’re really nervous about this, aren’t you? Sure, I can be around quietly.”

  “I’m sorry to ask…”

  “No.” Dev held out a hand. “This is the job. I need to set some things up ahead of time. I’ll see you soon.”

  Alanna nodded, watching him walk away. Somewhere in the back of her mind, alarm bells were ringing. The timing was wrong. Her glance fell on the laptop lying on her bed, the battery still dead. Dammit. She didn’t even get the chance to finish those last few chapters. For lack of anything better to do, she tidied up her cell, hiding everything questionable including the small suitcase Clara recently provided, under the sleeping bag. The tiny bit of gold James left behind glinted on the concrete bench. There wasn’t really anywhere to put it. Spinning it again between her fingers, Alanna considered the shape, now bent into a delicate half loop. Idly, she tried putting it on as an ear cuff along the top of her ear, pressing it down more firmly with her fingers to ensure a secure fit. It worked rather well.

  With nothing else left to do, she sat on one of the heated benches, legs crossed, and waited. The cell block was quiet, the only sound the soft, hypnotic hum of the heating elements pushing out warm air. The next few hours might be life or death for her. She could live or die based on the results of this conversation. And her orders were clear. Primary mission objective: stay alive.

  ---

  Major Ray Miller was standing in the elevator of Megalodon City Penitentiary, his face unreadable in the bluish industrial glow of the elevator lights.

  “Is there anything I can get for you, Major?” Dev asked pleasantly, using his pass to unlock the elevator door on the appropriate floor and gesturing for the Major to precede him into the hallway.

  “I am fine, thank you.”

  “I’ve been interacting with Lieutenant Summers for some time now, and I’m pleased to pass on that she has been a model prisoner.”

  “She comes highly recommended.” Major Miller acknowledged, his voice neutral.

  “If you have any questions…”

  “I will let you know.” The major interrupted curtly. “I would like to see the prisoner now.”

  Dev nodded. “Of course. This way.”

  Major Miller walked down the hallway, his footsteps echoing hollowly on the concrete floors. He noted a flash or two of the faces of other prisoners. Very few of the Sarayans here were likely to get an asylum interview. Lieutenant Alanna Summers was one of the lucky few. He noted Dev Hodgins pause in front of a cell near the end of the prison block and waited patiently for the heavy metal door to be unlocked.

  “Will you need anything else, Major?” Dev asked.

  “Thank you, no. This may take some time, and I would appreciate my privacy for the interview. Good day, Hodgins.”

  Dev nodded in acknowledgement of the request, stepping aside and watching the major enter the cell. “Major Ray Miller is here to see you, lieutenant.” He announced formally.

  The heavy door closed behind the major as he entered, locking him inside the tiny concrete cell, illuminated by a dim overhead light. Major Miller was an older man, slightly overweight with a pale, worn face. He studied lieutenant Summers with some curiosity. She had gotten up to greet him, standing in front of one of the two poured concrete benches in the cell, her hands loosely at her sides. She did not reach out to shake his hand, waiting quietly for him to take the lead. The contents of the cell, along with the lieutenant herself, practically shouted that this was no ordinary prisoner. This prisoner was under someone’s protection. Warm blankets were piled high on the floor. There was no sign of prison greens, her attire of jeans, a black sweater and stout black boots was perfectly Tundran, perhaps even paying a subtle homage to the black and silver uniform of the Tundran military. The white sleeves of a thin cotton undershirt peeked out from underneath the sweater. She had even gotten the traditional layering for added warmth exactly right. Long brown hair tumbled below her shoulders, appearing to be freshly washed and combed. Calm, collected, and quite undeniably pretty. He met her clear, green eyed gaze, his eyes flat and giving nothing away.

  “It’s an honor to meet you, sir.” Alanna spoke into the silence that stretched between them as the man studied her from head to toe.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  The Major nodded, taking a moment to glance up and down the hallway and ensure they had their privacy before taking a seat and gesturing for her to do the same.

  Alanna sat on the bench opposite his, her back straight, her hands resting in her lap.

  The major noted that she did not hug herself, or do anything else to acknowledge the frigid chill in the air. The blankets remained on the floor. “It’s quite chilly in the cell.” He said quietly. “Please don’t make an effort on my account. If you wish to use the blanket, by all means, go ahead. This may take some time.”

  “I’m fine, thank you.” Alanna responded without hesitation.

  The major nodded again, continuing to study her at close quarters. If the cold bothered her, she did not permit it to show. If she was nervous, as without a doubt she must be, she managed to hide that effectively, as well. Once again, he allowed the silence to stretch between them. The lieutenant continued to wait quietly. Many fell into the trap of filling in the silence by speaking nervously, saying the wrong thing, divulging information. Of course, he should not expect that here. It would take more than a pretty face to capture the attention of James Hawk. Without a doubt, this was going to be a difficult interview. He started with the standard introduction, allowing himself to be comforted by the familiar cadence. “Lieutenant Summers, this interview will be recorded. You have the honor of being selected for an interview for asylum on Tundra. If your asylum is granted, you will be released from prison and granted the full rights and freedoms of a Tundran citizen. If it is not granted, you will retain your status as an enemy combatant and member of an opposing military force. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you wish to continue with your request for asylum?”

  “Yes.”

  “Very good. Do you have any additional questions before we begin?” He asked, noted the slightest hesitation before her next response.

  “I would like to thank you for this opportunity, Major. If there is any guidance you can share with me, I would be grateful.”

  Flawless, the major thought, wondering how much coaching she had received ahead of the interview. So far, she was saying just the right things, while giving nothing away. “I would advise you to answer all questions fully and honestly.” He responded with equal smoothness.

  Alanna nodded. The major’s advice followed closely the orders James left her with. She sat quietly, waiting for her opportunity to regale the major with, as James had so aptly put it, ‘her best version of the truth’.

  Major Miller cleared his throat. “Before we make our final decision, we would like to know more about you. Why have you come to seek asylum on Tundra?” He sat back to observe, noting a slight hesitations before she provided her answer.

  Alanna gritted her teeth, masking her annoyance. The major knew she was as good as dead if her request for asylum was rejected. But the questions were likely standard and routine, she reminded herself. And the formal tone of the interview suggested there was no point in dwelling on the obvious. Taking a breath, Alanna made her best attempt at diplomacy. “Since coming into Tundran custody, my experience was… not what I expected. People, many people, have gone out of their way to make my life better. There is no place for me back… on Saraya. I can see myself having a place here.” She responded carefully.

  The major raised an eyebrow slightly. There had been that hesitation before she said Saraya. Had she been about to say ‘back home?’ That would have been on the record, and inexcusable. But if so, the pitfall had been avoided in time. “Can you?” He said instead, focusing on the substance of her response. “Some might say, whatever favors you have been accorded” he nodded towards the pile of blankets in the back of the cell, his nod generally encompassing the distinctly non prison issue clothing she was wearing as well “have been accorded at the request of Captain James Hawk. The goodwill that’s been shown to you belongs to him, not to you.”

  Alanna’s eyes narrowed slightly. There was something about the way he said James Hawk’s name, some undercurrent she seemed to be missing. “I don’t believe that’s the case.” She responded, even more carefully than before.

  “Can you provide an example? Has someone, anyone, shown you kindness on your own behalf, entirely outside James Hawk’s influence?”

  Alanna hesitated momentarily before responding. “Yes. I can.”

  “Do tell.”

  She succeeded in keeping her face impassive but inside, her stomach dropped. Until that moment, the major had been carefully neutral. But just then, the mask of careful neutrality had dropped, and the undercurrent of animosity came to the surface. For whatever reason, this man disliked her. Perhaps even intensely so. She wondered suddenly how close Dev managed to stay. She had heard his footsteps echoing down the hallway. But as she knew well, the sound of footsteps weren’t determinative of where a guard might be.

  “A member of the Black Hawk crew gave me a blanket.” She responded, carefully modulating her voice with the hope that it would be heard clearly by someone standing at a distance. Someone may need to be paying attention. “The temperature on the Black Hawk was much colder than what I’m used to. It was… it was very kind.”

  “I see.” Major Miller responded, permitting his doubt to seep into his voice. “And you think that a member of the Black Hawk crew, serving under James Hawk’s command, did so of their own initiative, rather than as a favor to their beloved captain?”

  “I do.” Alanna responded firmly.

  “May I ask why?”

  “Because James” she hesitated, wincing very slightly before correcting herself “Captain Hawk considered it an example of questionable discipline. He noted I would have been able to hide a weapon without it being seen. I don’t believe the blanket was given at the direction of Captain Hawk, or in an attempt to win his favor.” She shifted very slightly, letting her right hand fall to her side. There was no hiding in the small cell. She was sitting in the open, across from her interrogator. He would see every reaction, note every change of expression.

  “So, your interest in Tundra, it goes beyond James Hawk?” Major Miller continued.

  “Of course.” Alanna agreed, this time allowing surprise to creep into her voice. Where was the man going with this?

  “And what is the draw? Other than the kindness of our people, of course.”

  Alanna frowned slightly. Something was clearly wrong and she had no idea why, or how to diffuse the situation. “Major Miller” Alanna said carefully “I am fully committed to seeking asylum on Tundra. Is there something I have done to lead you to question that commitment? Or… otherwise offend you in any way?” She watched carefully, noting a flash of annoyance crossing his face, nearly too brief to be noticed. She would have surely missed it had she not been watching for it so carefully.

  “Are you struggling to answer, lieutenant?” He responded smoothly, ignoring her question. “Such that you found a change of subject preferable to providing a response?

  “I have no place on Saraya.” Alanna repeated. “I think, and I hope, that I may have a place here. Everyone on this planet comes from someone who called Saraya home. And yet you have all found a place here, and you seem to think it’s worth fighting for. Perhaps you’re selling the place short, Major.”

  “And what service are you ready to provide, to Tundra? Are you ready to serve in our military?”

  Alanna froze, unsure of how to respond.

  “I am surprised to see you hesitate, lieutenant.” Major Miller continued, clearly relieved to find himself on firmer ground. “I would have thought you would be eager to put your tried and tested skills as a soldier into the service of Tundra. Or is it that you are willing to kill for Saraya, but not for Tundra?”

  “I chose not to kill for Saraya. In fact, that’s why I’m here.” Alanna reminded him, once again trying to ignore the hostility that was coming through loud and clear.

  “Because you broke your oath of military service and killed your commanding officer?”

  “That’s why I thought you wouldn’t want me in your military.” Alanna said, doing her very best to sound helpful.

  The major nodded, his eyes continuing their inexorable observation of her every move. He did not appear amused.

  Alanna forced her teeth to unclench and smiled her best, polite smile. There were a great number of things she wanted to say. But people were counting on her. She forced herself to smile even wider. “I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to start off on the right foot with the people of Tundra. I tried to save the lives of everyone involved. And I am forever grateful that at least one side recognized my efforts as worthwhile. Your side, Major.”

  “You didn’t start your career on D12.” The major responded. “Your military career began… on Titan. Did you indeed start off on the right foot, lieutenant?”

  Alanna stared at him, nearly close enough to touch across the tiny cell. The fingers of her right hand twitched. Carefully, she raised her hand, watching him shift almost imperceptibly in response, as if preparing for an attack. She raised her hand to her ear and ran the finger with her newly broken nail against the gold cuff, feeling the texture under her skin. “Major, it would be an absolute honor to be given the opportunity to serve Tundra. I have done my best to preserve the lives of the people under my command and the lives of others. And I am eternally grateful to the people of Tundra who have extended me their kindness and protection during my time here. I would also like to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Is there anything more I can do, to convince you of the sincerity of my commitment?”

  They stared at each other across the cell. The major remained tense, as if he expected her response to be a feint to distract him from a physical attack. Alanna continued to sit still, waiting. Finally, the major’s muscles relaxed slightly, and he pulled out a small recording device, holding it in the palm of his hand. “We will take your request under consideration, lieutenant.” He responded quietly. “This concludes the interview.”

  Alanna continued to watch him. There was no way to know if he truly deactivated the recording device. “Are you at liberty to share when you might get back to me with your final decision?” She asked, continuing the fa?ade of politeness.

  “As it happens, there is some information I am at liberty to divulge now.” The major responded.

  “Good news, I’m sure.” Alanna said sarcastically. She was starting to suspect that the recording was indeed turned off.

  “As you are likely aware, your application for asylum is unusually strong. With the support of Captain James Hawk and his crew, your surrender of D12, and public renunciation of your loyalty to Saraya, under normal circumstances, this interview would be a mere formality. Your preparations were more than adequate to the task.”

  Alanna nodded. The rhythm of this exchange was starting to feel… oddly familiar.

  “Under normal circumstances this conversation would be a mere formality. However, your application for asylum is being blocked.” Major Miller continued.

  “Is it?”

  “It is.”

  “Go ahead, Major. Release the nukes.” Alanna murmured under her breath.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Just an inside joke. Do go on.” Alanna raised her voice high enough to carry, seemingly to make up for her overly quiet tone a moment earlier. “Is the application being blocked by you?”

  For the first time since walking into her cell, the major laughed. “No lieutenant, not by me. This one is a bit above my paygrade. And as it happens, I am at full liberty to divulge the identity of the person blocking your application. Your application for asylum is being blocked, by the President.”

  Alanna blinked. “The President of what?” She asked blankly.

  “The president of Tundra.” The Major responded.

  “I… see.” Alanna said, although in fact she did not see at all. Somewhere in the vicinity, she thought she heard the soft scrape of a heavy metal door opening quietly. “And… that is, why?”

  Major Miller leaned back, looking at her with some bemusement. “You don’t know, do you?”

  “I am eagerly awaiting enlightenment.”

  “The President of Tundra is Captain Hawk’s father.”

  Alanna’s grip on the bench tightened as the walls of the cell swayed. She sat very still, waiting for the dizziness to pass. What was it Phil said to her that morning? ‘James Hawk is not for you.’ No shit, Phil. “I did not know that.” She said out loud, acknowledging the obvious. “Which makes perfect sense because I see no reason whatsoever for James to have mentioned it. I am more confused than ever, Major. Why is the er, the president, blocking my asylum application?” She met Major Miller’s eyes without hesitation, refusing to back down from the intensity of his gaze. Whatever attention the major had extended to her was nothing compared to the focus with which he was now watching her every move.

  “The President.” The Major said carefully, his reverence for the man evident in every syllable “does not approve of your association.”

  “Right, then. When James comes back, I’ll be sure to tell him thanks but no thanks.” Alanna said sarcastically, her patience strained to the breaking point. “My experience as a POW is limited but I hear that goes over well. Will there be anything else?”

  “Your attachment to James Hawk appears to be… transient.”

  “We’ve known each other for less than a week. If this was any more transient, it’d be a one night stand.” Alanna said flatly.

  “Very good.” The major nodded. “The President has asked me to provide you with options.”

  “And will these options result in him unblocking my asylum application?”

  “The President has asked me to pass on that your asylum application will be viewed with greater favor.”

  “With the least palatable of the options resulting in the most favorable view?” Alanna asked glumly. She had an inkling now of where this was headed and she was quite, quite certain she was not going to like it.

  “Er. Someone might view it that way, yes.”

  “Just get it out there, Major. It’s been a long afternoon for both of us.”

  “Your application for asylum would be viewed more favorably if you were to publicly renounce your association with Captain James Hawk, and swear to avoid any future association.”

  “But that won’t get me asylum.”

  “No. That is not a guarantee I am authorized to make. The sincerity of your claim…”

  “The sincerity of my claim” Alanna interrupted, “to be judged by the subjective views of Mr. President Hawk.”

  “It’s just President Hawk.” The Major corrected her.

  “Sure it is.”

  “The sincerity of your claim…” The major began again.

  “I got the gist of it, thanks. What’s option two?”

  “Would you like to respond to option one?”

  “I would not. But I would love, just absolutely love, to hear option two.”

  Major Ray Miller shifted on the suddenly intensely uncomfortable concrete bench. “I think… lieutenant it is my genuine belief that if you approached option one with sincerity and acted in good faith, this matter can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.”

  “You have your orders.” Alanna said flatly. “What’s option two?”

  The corners of his mouth turned downward in distaste. “A liaison with one of the guards…”

  “Will you take my word on that? Just so I have a full and complete understanding of option two, what sort of evidence would be required of this ‘liasion’?”

  “Er. A full recording would be necessary…”

  “I got it.” Alanna interrupted. “I now have a full and complete understanding of my options. Thanks so much for your service. How long do I have to make a final decision?”

  Major Ray Miller shifted again on the bench. Of course, he had known that this would be uncomfortable. He had not expected it to be quite so excruciatingly unpleasant. “The decision has to be made now. I am authorized to pass on your response to the President later today.”

  “And if I don’t respond?”

  “I cannot speak for the President, lieutenant. But I believe it would be reasonable to assume that it would be viewed as a rejection of the options provided.”

  “Which would result in my asylum application being rejected.”

  “Er. Yes, I believe that is correct.”

  “Anything else?” She watched with some surprise as the man avoided her gaze. It was more decency than she had expected.

  “Not to my knowledge, lieutenant.” Major Ray Miller responded quietly.

  “Fine. In that case, I have a counteroffer.”

  “Um. For the President?”

  “Yes, for the President.”

  “You want to counteroffer.” The major repeated blankly.

  “I do.”

  “I… I can certainly relay your proposal, lieutenant. Although again, I think it would mainly be viewed as…”

  “As a rejection of all options. I got it. Nevertheless.”

  “Very well. Go ahead.”

  “My counterproposal is this: wait.”

  “Wait?”

  “Yes, wait.”

  “For what?”

  “Don’t make a decision on my asylum application. Let me sit in this freezing prison cell with the sink and no shower and no bed, and wait until James gets bored. All right? Just, you know, give it a week or two? That’s my counterproposal.”

  “I will pass it on.”

  “Major.” Alanna got up from her bench, wincing as she stretched out her aching muscles, knotted with tension. “It has been an absolute pleasure.”

  The major nodded in return. Whatever else he was going to say, was left unsaid. He walked up to the door, opening his mouth to call out to the guard at the end of the hallway, and found himself looking directly into the eyes of Dev Hodgins.

  “Ray.” Dev said shortly, unlocking the cell door and stepping aside. “The exit is this way.”