Chapter 24
Chris had convinced Quiet Voice to allow Fast Runner and himself to make one last effort to get the truth from Group Leader Accountant before turning him over to League authorities. He was on his way to meet with her for the final interrogation. As he walked he felt the aching of his two cracked ribs and various bruises.
There were pieces of the puzzle missing and their two prisoners weren’t talking. Javis couldn’t talk because he was in a state of hibernation and Accountant simply refused, knowing in all probability he would be turned over to League authorities. Chris’ curiousity was verging on burning desire and he wanted to know how the mystery fit together.
He had heard of the good cop/bad cop routine, but had never used it. Casey had, though. As a sheriff he had used the routine a number of times and Chris decided to draw on the experience.
Fast Runner waited for him outside the temporary interrogation room. Chris had done his homework and arranged the room to be brightly lit and cold, making the Lobsidian within uncomfortable. He had considered the ethics of questioning a prisoner using such manipulative techniques, but had decided making a suspected criminal uncomfortable was not the same as torture.
“I am looking forward to the role playing,” she stated. “I would like to take the role of the bad cop.”
Chris couldn’t help but be amused. The concept of role playing had convinced Fast Runner to help with one last interrogation. She had been intrigued by the idea of acting and she seemed quite excited, now that the moment had arrived. Chris hoped her acting abilities matched her enthusiasm.
“Alright,” he responded, smiling and shrugging his shoulders.
But when they entered the room, Chris was taken aback. The Lobsidian’s coloring had gone from red to an ugly pinkish gray. Chris was no longer concerned with Fast Runner’s acting abilities. He was now worried “he” might not be able to perform while feeling sympathy for Accountant.
Group Leader Accountant did not feel well. The stress and tension was causing his system to switch back and forth between slowing down and being keyed up for a fight or flight situation. His appetite was nonexistant and his shell was beginning to feel loose around his body. The bright lights and coldness of the room only made him feel more irritable.
I am a citizen of the League of Interstellar Planets, he thought. How can they treat me this way?
As Fast Runner and the human, Patient Hunter, entered, he noted he had never seen Fast Runner look so unfriendly. Patient Hunter was standing next to her, his eyes opened wide. Accountant did not understand human body language and ignored Chris’ shock at the Lobsidian’s change in color.
Group Leader Wenzall arrived, hurriedly entering the room, and waited to act as interpreter.
Accountant heard Wenzall’s first translation forming in his mind. It was from Patient Hunter.
“Fast Runner and I are of two differant opinions on what to do with you,” he stated. “She wants to lock you up on one of the Belarian Mountains and I think we should turn you over to League authorities. I...
“I will make sure you are isolated on Mount Leesh,” Fast Runner interrupted, “the coldest, brightest mountain on Belaria. Its peak is above the clouds so there is never any cloud cover and the temperature never gets above freezing. You can imagine how dry the air is up there.
“An empty threat. I’m a League citizen,” Accountant answered, surprised and frightened by the possibility. His shell would quickly dry and crack in such a cold climate. It would fall off within weeks. His sensitive body would have no defenses and his sexual and status displays would be lost with the shell. Even if I’m rescued the damage would be done. Returning to my home world would make me a figure of contempt and disgust. Small lobsidians would point and run away from me in fear.
“It doesn’t have to be that way,” came the translation of Patient Hunter’s words.
It had taken half an hour of threats and appeals before the Lobsidian decided explaining the complicated plot was in his best interests. As he described the plans he felt better, as though a catharsis were taking place. He told them, “My people were alarmed when they discovered the humans were to become another supplier of corbinite to the League and other races. The Sanines have already forced us to price our dwindling supplies of corbinite so low we barely make a profit. Adding yet another competitor to the market means a significant loss of income, less political power, and a future facing poverty. The solution seemed simple. Eliminate the Terrans as providers of corbinite or eliminate the Sanine race.” Accountant paused and Wenzall caught her breath.
“The idea of destroying the Sanines intrigued us. The Sanines have been a thorn in our side since they joined the League. Before them, we had a near total monopoly on corbinite. One of our elders developed the idea of destroying the Sanines and placing the blame on the humans. This would eliminate both our competitors and allow us to take over the Sanine mines. Placing the blame on the humans required using their corbinite with its own distinctive trace elements. When I discovered the Belarians were going to begin purchasing corbinite from humans instead of my people I immediately communicated the information to our elders. They were very angry and decided to punish the Belarians. By creating confusion and sending the human’s corbinite through Ek-clar Station we could make it appear as though the Belarians supplied a Lobsidian ship, the Abratzi, to their new human allies. Then, loading the real Abratzi with the corbinite bomb, it would be sent to destroy the Sanine home world. All evidence would point toward the humans and Belarians, leaving the Lobsidian people blameless.”
“But why destroy their home world?” Chris asked. “Twelve colony planets would survive.”
“There is an enzyme vital to the biology of the Sanines which can only be created on Sanine. By destroying the home world their entire civilization would become sick and die,” Accountant answered.
“Why did you have Jass-murn commit suicide?” Chris asked.
“We wanted to distract your attention from the missing ship. We had no idea the ploy would be so successful.”
“Why blow up Ek-clar Station?” asked Fast Runner.
“Blowing up the station was never part of our plan. We had nothing to do with that.”
Accountant also admitted to being Javis’ contact for receiving the corbinite, but stated again it knew nothing of his meeting with the assassin.
It was difficult for Fast Runner to admit this male, called Patient Hunter, had been useful. Seeing a humanoid male as something more than a breeding machine was stretching her perception of reality.
Perhaps Martian males aren’t as useless as Belarian males, she thought.
Later, Chris and Inner Strength were in bed again.
“Two League officials arrived today to escort the Lobsidian, once known as Group Leader Accountant, to a League prison. Quiet Voice said they were quite impressed with the ‘joint effort’ of the Terran and Belarian investigation. Quiet Voice was very happy today,” said Inner Strength. “I was not so happy today. This is our last night together.”
“It’s time for me to go. I have business on my home world to take care of. Besides, Javis is beginning to annoy me with his complaining and wondering why we haven’t left yet. He’s scared I’m going to leave him here, and he’ll end up going to jail in a Belarian prison.”
“Did you tell him your real reason for staying was toprovide me with sexual comfort?”
“That’s not why we’ve stayed. We stayed to tie up loose ends and to..... so I could study in your library.”
“What nonsense. You stayed because you enjoy sharing my bed and because you feel affection for me.”
Chris smiled and said, “I’ve been caught. What’s the punishment for my crime?”
“I believe two hours of hard labor would be an appropriate fine for your offense,” she said, her hand caressing his chest.