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Chapter 25
Back in his suite, Farrin Gnarff was still entertaining Ambassador Taylor. The two were talking amiably, each drinking from exquisitely cut crystal goblets.
"Well, Ambassador," Gnarff began, "we must discuss exactly what the Federation wishes us to do. I can see that the Federation is concerned by the fact that our system stands between the territories of the Federation and the threats from the Aliansis Empire. I see that Aliansis is acting against the interests of the Federation but they have long courted Forgwin and we have always looked favourably on their approaches. There has been a long history to our special relationship with Aliansis as you know. However, Ambassador, I must say that your latest proposals have helped us to see where our best interests now lie."
One of Taylor's troopers appeared with Kelli and Shana in tow. The two girls were puzzled to see Gnarff and Taylor, side by side on the state-room's couch, deep in conversation.
Their confusion was increased moments later when two more of Taylor's troopers appeared holding between them a helpless and struggling Dr Mead. I'm sorry Sir," one of the troopers said, apologetically. "We had to use a silencer." Mead had been pulled from her bed, still wearing her short, grey, sleep tunic. She was handcuffed and ball gagged, her long white hair caught up in the gag's strapped and padlocked harness. A reddening lump on her temple told of the fight she had put up as the troopers had seized her.
Gnarff looked impassively at the captive anthropologist and ignoring her muffled protests, turned towards Taylor. "Ambassador, I am disturbed to have to tell you that your suspicions of improper actions in relation to the liberation of the Sol3a women were correct. It has been painful for me to discover that some of those closest to me appear to have conspired in an act of treachery that would have undermined the emerging co-operation between the Forgwin system and the Federation. However, we know what our commitments to the Federation require."
Ambassador Taylor got up from the couch. He turned to the struggling albino. "Doctor Allison Mead, you have been arrested by the authority of the Federation under suspicion of involvement with inter-planetary slave trafficking. You are accused of subverting the welfare and ecological support programmes that the Forgwin system had put in place for Sol3a in order to acquire slaves which you intended to traffic to the Aliansis Empire."
Mead shook her head and tried to protest through her gag.
Taylor continued. "Because of the security concerns in this sector you will be transhipped on the Federation vessel Thallaxapod and held awaiting trial in a detention facility. You will be under the legal jurisdiction of the Federation military courts. Interrogation will determine the extent of further charges to be brought. The courts may choose to allocate council to your case if it appears that there is sufficient evidence of a defence requiring support."
Mead struggled impotently against the troopers. Taylor turned towards Kelli and Shana who were now held securely by the two troopers that had brought them to the state room. "Kelli Failte and Shana Wilson, you have been identified as part of Mead's conspiracy. You will also be held pending your testimony as witnesses or to answer charges under related offences."
The two girls shook their heads in denial and tried to grunt denials but Taylor ignored them. Further commotion from the corridor outside the state room heralded the arrival of three further troopers. Crista, Nataya and Terril were dragged into the chamber. Each wore the same type of locked harness gag that held Mead silent, each was shackled hand and foot.
All three had been in bed. Nataya was naked. Gnarff noticed, intrigued, that she had a tattoo of Sol5 across her belly carefully positioned so that her protruding navel made the planet's famous great red spot.
Taylor gestured towards the line of women. "I assume that these are the remaining perpetrators?"
"Indeed. I am pleased that you were able to secure them so swiftly." Gnarff leant forward in a conspiratorial manner towards Taylor. "This appears to have been an extensive plot by some of those from Sol5G. Two of the them," he waved a claw towards Kelli and Shana, "were put aboard my ship as part of an elaborate charade. It appears that they succeeded in subverting Dr Mead here. Then, together with these others that had assisted in our rescue mission for Sol3a, they aimed to prevent the establishing of the new colony. Instead, they intended to trade the entire population."
Taylor repeated the charges that the three mercenaries were to answer and turned to Gnarrf. "A remarkable business. Lord Protector. An audacious enterprise by any assessment. How did this come to light? You must be pleased that your intelligence activities are so diligent."
"Well, Ambassador, you will understand that in circumstances like these the methods we have to use are, shall I say, less orthodox than would perhaps be the case in a conventional criminal case. Be assured, however, that there is sufficient information available to warrant the detention of this group. I would hardly be keen to have Mead arrested – after all she has been the architect of the Sol3a relocation programme. Of course, I see now that her interest in the programme was not for the humanitarian reasons that I had thought. But Ambassador, as I know you understand, Forgwin has already made it clear that we wish to collaborate with the Federation in suppressing any form of slave trading……."
"Lord Protector, the Federation is most grateful for you help in assisting us. I can see that we have shared goals nt just in relation to Aliansis. The apprehension of the criminal Mead and her associates demonstrates Forgwin's commitment to ridding this sector of any question of slave trading."
Taylor went on. "Now, to more practical matters. In exchange for the rights to establish a military base as part of our front against Aliansis we will be making available funding to help establish the new Sol3a colony. We are sure that your plans for the colony will enable it to be self-funding in time and will create a valuable R&R facility for Federation forces as well as giving us a strategic base in this sector. I think that the arrangements suit all of us."
"Err, excuse me sir." One of the troopers that had arrested Crista, Nataya and Terrill, spoke up.
Taylor looked towards the trooper. "What is it sergeant?"
"Sorry to interrupt sir, but it's what you said about R&R… When we arrested these three they had four Sol3a women in their cabins. There were two that they had brought with them and two that claim they had been sold to these women in some way."
"I see," said Taylor. "Well that's just more evidence of their involvement in trafficking. What's your point, sergeant?"
"Sir, they should be repatriated with the rest of the Sol3a women, of course, but me and the lads were wondering if they might be allowed to show their gratitude for being rescued in some way. A little R&R for the lads, if you see what I mean, sir. I'm sure the girls would be keen, they seemed very grateful when we took these three away."
"Ambassador, let me help here," Gnarff interjected.
"Of course, Protector, these women are under your care in any case."
"Yes, yes. Well the troopers here have done an excellent job. I, for one think efficiency should be rewarded. As a desired virtue in those around me it comes second only to loyalty," he shot a sneering look towards Mead. "I will talk to Councillor Mayern, she has responsibility for establishing these services. She should start by helping out your loyal and effective squad here. Leave it to me."
"There sergeant, you have your answer," Taylor smiled.
"Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, your lord protectorship, the lads will…"
"Yes, yes,, I am sure." Gnarff cut him off. "Now get these criminals to their security pens. You'll hear from Mayern later."
"Yes sir, right away, sir." The sergeant gestured to his squad and the six women captives were hustled out of the state room.
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