Читать книгу Criminal. Scrapper. Part 3 - - Страница 3

The stillness was maddening. And the fact that they had to wait for the Empress or her employs to answer her call was even more nerve-wracking. Serena couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t even numb herself with alcohol – all she could think about was that she put all her faith in the Empress and if her Imperial Highness will not even see her messages, it would mean that everything was for nothing.

The woman tried hard to keep herself calm, though the heavy thoughts haunted her for hours on end, not giving her even a single minute of respite. She knew very well that Hunter and her crew were worried sick for her, but couldn’t get herself to face them in these dire circumstances.

She started doubting if she would even have enough strength to answer to whatever authority comes to get her.

«Captain, you are being hailed by Captain Dillian.» Lyssa reported suddenly.

Serena got up from her bed – she spent most of the time just lying there, thinking about her decisions and what repercussions they might have on her crew. Combing down her hair, she sat behind her working screens.

«Put it through.» she said.

The screen came to life, showing the very same man Serena saw when she sent out her first message to Velutha.

«I am ordered to have you exit MSS Lyssandra.» Captain Dillian said.

«Is my request being accepted?» Serena felt her heart dropping.

«Of that I am unaware. But I am asked to have you exit your ship. Will you comply?»

«Five minutes? I have to calm my men before leaving.»

«Five minutes.» Dillian nodded.

The screen went black and Serena walked out of her captain’s quarters:

«Lyssa, is everyone sleeping?»

«No. They’re in the dining area.» the AI replied.

«Thank you.»

The woman walked to the dining area and saw her men sitting behind the table, grasping at their heads in heavy thought.

«It’s time.» She said and they looked at her. «Don’t do anything, alright? Be civil.»

Without a single another word she headed towards the cargo bay. Hearing her men silently following her made her feel her resolve dissolving, but she pushed any weakness down and kept her back straight, showing the proud military posture she was taught to keep in any circumstances from early childhood.

The cargo bay opened without any order from Serena, and the woman saw the sun-lit plaza beyond, where they landed at. It was filled with Imperial Guards and civilians that mingled some ways away, interested in the sudden entertainment of a high-end person being possibly arrested.

Serena looked back at her men and slowly nodded, then turned towards the guards and Captain Dillian, approaching with a regiment of the Imperial Guards behind him, all armoured and armed at the ready. The woman walked out into the sun, stepping calm and slow.

«I invoke my right to surrender to a person of high status, whose life I have saved a number of years ago.» she said, repeating her previous statement. «I invoke my right to yield to Empress Alathea Dal Keelan-Dir of the Laithorian Empire.»

She unclasped her belt and let it fall to the ground, showing everyone around that she wasn’t going to use her weapons or resist in any way.

Captain Dillian nodded, seeing this, and watched her make another few steps towards him and his men. When she stopped, watching Dillian closely, the man looked to the side, hearing a drone descending from the skies. The small, spherical device flew to the centre of the plaza and hovered in between Dillian and Serena.

A holographic representation of the Empress appeared, being translated through the drone, and everyone around instinctually straightened, silently greeting the image, though the Empress was looking straight at Serena.

«Welcome, Serena Dal Thara-Lyss, saviour of my life. I hear you are here to surrender to me.» the Empress said, her voice calm and soft.

«I am, Empress. I am being charged with false accusations and I want a fair royal trial.» Serena replied.

«And a fair trial you shall have! I am accepting your surrender and placing you under arrest. You shall have a Royal trial on your case, Serena. Guards, take her into custody and treat her as a royal prisoner.»

«I also want to plead for my friends…» Serena almost lost her voice, but quickly corrected herself. «My crew and my friends to be free until my own trial ends. They will not leave, they will not cause any trouble. I give you my word.»

«I was informed two of your… friends are also under investigation?»

«They were also falsely accused. But I assure you, if you hear me out and see what I have seen, you will know that there is foul play in these accusations. Neither Wolfin, nor Lindon will cause anyone any harm. I am sure of it. They will wait for your judgement on my case. And if your judgement will be against me… then they will face their accusations wilfully and accept whatever judgement you will place upon them.»

The Empress took a few moments to consider Serena’s words, then nodded gracefully:

«Very well, Serena Dal Thara-Lyss.»

Serena nodded to the Empress, slowly falling to her knees. She then raised her hands and clasped them at the back of her head.

Captain Dillian and two Imperial Guards approached her. The man looked into her eyes with the same respect, and nodded to her. His men respectfully and calmly cuffed her hands behind her back and helping her up, and they all headed to the military craft that was supposed to take her to jail to await trial by the Empress herself.

Wolfin grasped Hunters wrist when he wanted to follow:

«Now… we wait.» the Veluthian said, feeling his heart aching for his named daughter. «And trust her in her reasoning and judgement.»

«But…» Hunter met his gaze.

«Trust in your Captain, Hunter. And in the woman you love.»