I stood staring at the plain white door in shock, unable to process the horror that was Cory’s hand and panicked at the thought of being isolated from my crew.

Can you all hear me? Cas asked anxiously.

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least we’d be able to talk.

Yes. Cory, are you okay? That looks bad.

I’ll be fine. He answered, sounding uncomfortable.

Is everyone’s room as lovely as mine? Cas asked, taking the attention off of Cory.

Truly beautiful. Cory answered quickly, eager to change the subject.

I turned and looked around the room for the first time.

It was small, as to be expected with a prison cell, I guess. The walls looked like they’d been painted white a long time ago but now they were greying and decorated with grubby handprints. A small mattress with a threadbare, stained blanket lay in one corner whilst a toilet with a dripping sink built into the basin sat in the other corner.

It’s basically a luxury hotel. I replied sarcastically.

A mattress, a toilet and a sink, it has all of the amenities. Cas continued.

Perfect for a little relaxation and recuperation. Cory added in.

Legally, they can’t keep us here without cause for more than two weeks. Peggy recalled.

And if they have cause? I asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

There’s no limit.

The lights suddenly went out, leaving me still standing by the door. My heart racing again.

Has it gone dark for everyone else? Peggy asked, panicked.

Everyone answered yes.

I guess it must be night time now?

I guess so. I replied, glaring around the room.

The only illumination in the room was a small rectangle on the floor where the light was leaking in around the edges of the covered window. Even with our mods, it was dark. I walked tentatively towards the mattress relying on my modified sense of smell to guide me. It smelt clean, the slightest scent of urine, blood and bile lay hidden under the overpowering detergent that had been used. I tried to ignore that as I almost fell onto it, pulling the thin blanket over me and shivering as the coldness from the floor leeched through the mattress. Despite sleeping for however long in the van, I was still exhausted and I knew the others would be too.

We should try and get some sleep. I told them.

We should. Let us know when you wake up. Peggy replied.

Sleep well. Cas whispered into my mind.

There was no reply from Cory. I hoped he was already asleep and not worrying about Gem.

She’ll be okay.

She has to be.

The lights flashed on suddenly, waking me cruelly from my sleep.

“Stand up facing the back wall, hands on the wall.” A Guardian’s mask stared through the window on the door at me.

I scrabbled up and got into the position facing the wall. The door opened and I instinctively turned to look.

“Head forward!” They shouted, the sound almost deafening in my still exhausted state.

I turned back to the wall, resting my forehead against it as the Guardian marched into the room.

“Prepare to be searched.”

I tensed in preparation of being touched, already dreading it. The Guardian’s hands roughly hit my shoulders, patting me down, lingering on my chest and butt and I had to repress the urge to hit them. I wanted to but I knew it would just get us in more trouble. Still, it was so tempting.

The hands stopped touching me suddenly.

“Do not turn until the door is closed.”

They walked away before returning and dropping something on the floor, a soft splatting noise indicating something had spilt. I sniffed cautiously and smelt something that could be food but I didn’t risk turning around yet. The door slammed shut and I waited a few seconds before turning to make sure they were truly gone. A tray of miserable looking mush sat on the floor by the door with a small bioplastic bottle of water.

They’re waking us. I informed the others.

Oh, I know. It’s food time. Don’t get your hopes up. Cas warned.

Did everyone else get searched quite so… Peggy paused, intimately?

Yes. I thought furiously.

Same here. Cas replied.

Me too. Cory answered darkly.

Any chance of dessert? Cas asked sarcastically.

Would you really want it here? I threw back.

I’d never normally say no to free food but... Cas paused. No, I’d still eat it. I’m so hungry.

I picked up the tray, walked over to my bed and sat down, staring at the lumpy mound of greyish food in front of me.

I think I’ve forgotten what reconstituted mush taste like. Is it as bad as I remember? I said, dreading the answer.

Get ready for a whole lot of tastelessness. Peggy said darkly. Andy truly spoilt us at the base… I wonder if we will ever see him again.

I sighed as I started eating, feeling the food in my mouth but tasting very little. It was entirely bland with no real flavour. The texture felt like it had already been chewed once and there was concerning lumps. I stopped examining and just shovelled it into my mouth, trying not to pay much attention to the thick skin that was congealing on it as I ate.

Gem, are you there? Cory asked hopefully.

We waited, barely daring to breathe for a long time, none of us willing to give up hope.

Try again later, Cory. Peggy encouraged him gently.

The days blurred into one and I got into the routine of being in jail. We got woken up by the lights then about 40 seconds later the door opened and the Guardian would tell me to get into position. We get searched, some days more thoroughly than others but I think that depended on which Guardian was doing the search though. We’d have food and then I’d normally lie in bed for a while whilst Peggy quizzed us on the laws and customs of various planets. We covered Priam, Solaris, Netum, Accurus, Rhom and Gusiun. Then, Cas and I would do a workout, ensuring to do different exercises so they didn’t notice we were communicating and Peggy would join in with some of it whilst recapping different things she’d learnt over the years but Cory mostly lay on his mattress not doing much, I think. He didn’t communicate with us much so it was hard to know. It was obvious he was struggling, when he did talk to us he sounded distant and tired but more often than not he wouldn’t reply.

After our workout, the Guardians would bring us our next meal which was always more mush. The lights would go off some time after that and it would all start again. The days were long but they also dragged and no matter how much I slept, I was always exhausted.

We showered every four days. We didn’t get to see each other ever. I worried about all of them but Cory withdrew more and more, answering rarely and sleeping more frequently.

Gem still hadn’t communicated with us.

It was getting harder to keep hoping that she was alive. We needed her to be though.

Guardians. Cas warned.

I paused in the middle of a pushup. It wasn't time for food yet, this wasn’t normal.

They’re going past me. Cas updated us.

I listened carefully, hearing the Guardians come to a stop outside of my door, and sat back, waiting.

I think they are here for me. I thought quietly, trying to hide my racing heart.

The window flap was lifted and a Guardian stared down at me.

“Against the wall!” They bellowed through the door.

What’s going on? Peggy sounded concerned.

Don’t know. I stood facing the wall with my hands on it in the usual position.

I heard the door open and the Guardians approach me. They searched me quickly before cuffing my wrists.

They’re taking me somewhere, not sure where yet.

They led me to the elevator without another word and we waited in a tense silence. I was dragged inside and stood facing the doors as we rose even higher into the building. My heart sped as I waited, my mind jumping to the worst conclusions.

Going up.

Ask them where you’re going? Peggy suggested.

I felt like it would be stupid to ask but still, I did. I needed some information to stop my mind from spinning.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked, my voice rough from lack of use.

“You have a meeting.” One answered without looking at me.

“That’s funny. I don’t remember scheduling one.” I replied without thinking and regretting the words as soon as they left my mouth.

Without warning, the Guardian turned and struck me across the face with their gloved hand. My head whipped to the side but I brought it back to them, staring them down as my face tingled with pain and my eyes watered. That was the first time they’d hit us. I don’t know why they waited so long, we’d already been there for weeks.

“You better remember where you are when you speak to the Councillor.” They said before turning to face the door again.

Meeting with a Councillor.

Which one? Cas answered immediately.

I’ll let you know.

Be careful Aries. If it’s my dad... he can’t be trusted.

I know.

The lift stopped with a jolt and I was pulled out as soon as the doors opened into a lavishly decorated corridor with a window at the end. My eyes were fixed on it as we marched down the plush red carpeted hallway lined with tables almost overflowing with pungent flowers.

I think we are in the Capital. I thought quickly before I was led through an ornately carved wooden door and into an office.

A man in a sleek black Earth-style suit and tie sat at the desk, reading something on his screen. He looked up and smiled warmly as I entered, the skin around his eyes creasing.

“Take those handcuffs off her, she isn’t a wild animal!” He had a rich voice and was clearly at ease ordering Guardians around.

Brown eyes, dark hair, dark skin, medium build, high cheekbones. I thought to Cas quickly. He has a picture of his family on his desk. Brunette woman, two kids, boy and a girl.

That’s him. He sounded furious and scared.

The anger rose in my chest but I pushed it down. As much as I wanted to hit him, maybe kill him, I knew I couldn’t. The stories Cas had told me about him bounced around in my head, filling me with dread. I needed him to think I was an idiot, he thought all drafts were. He needed to think I believed him and trusted him. I knew I had more of a chance at finding out more if he thought I believed him.

I fell into the charade easily, rubbing my wrists and smiling at him. “Thank you.”

“Of course! Take a seat.”

He gestured to the armchair in front of the desk and I sunk into it. It was much lower and squishier than the chair he was sitting on so he was staring down at me curiously whilst I squirmed.

“I’m Councillor Harvey but you can call me James.”

James Harvey?

That’s the asshole. Cas confirmed, venom in his voice.

He’s acting nice, how do I play this?

Agree with him and act dumb! Pretend you believe whatever he says. Cas insisted.

“Nice to meet you, James. I’m Aries.” I said in a purposefully meek voice, meeting his eyes briefly then looking away and trying to look embarrassed.

I couldn’t look at him for any longer. He’d see the fury. He’d see how much I want to kill him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been reading all about you.” He said in a pleasant voice, smiling condescendingly.

I ducked my head, feigning embarrassment rather than the defiance I was actually feeling. I couldn’t get the fantasy of diving across the table and wrapping my hands around his throat out of my head.

“Now, now, it’s nothing to be ashamed about. I’m sure this was just a simple misunderstanding.”

I looked up at him, trying to work out where the meeting was going. He waited for me to reply.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean…”

“You’re a clever enough girl, Aries. I’m sure if you knew the Council’s orders then you wouldn’t have gone against them! We’re just trying to work out what’s gone wrong here. Then we can let you go!” He said patronisingly.

He’s saying this was a mistake and that I didn’t get the Council orders.

“I did actually.” I tried to smile sheepishly.

“You did what?” The smile on his face froze.

“I knew that you ordered us not to do anything.…”

“And you went against those orders?” It wasn’t a question, it was an accusation.

I looked down again to hide the anger I was feeling. I didn’t have my cuffs on. I could have jumped across the desk and punched him before the Guardians could have reached me. If I’d got the angle right, I could have done some pretty serious damage. That was one of my biggest regrets. The medics would have been able to fix his broken nose quickly but he would be left with the memory forever.

“Why did you do that?”

I thought quickly.

“Umm… Well… The Space Corps’ ethos is to save and protect those who can’t help themselves… And we spoke to someone on Irision and they said it was an emergency and that they didn’t have enough ships so we were just trying to help…”

I trailed off, trying to sound apologetic.

“And did you not think that after you informed the Council of your discovery we would have done something about the supposed situation?” His voice grew continuously colder.

“Yes but...” I trailed off again unable to stop myself.

“But what?” The smile had dropped from his face too.

“We went there and there was no one from the Council…”

The words hung in the air and I looked up at the Councillor waiting for his excuse. He was scrutinising me closely.

“Yes, well.” Was all he said.

What’s happening? Cas asked, clearly panicked.

He’s saying the Council were going to do something. I told the others with disgust.

But they didn’t! We were there and there were no other ships approaching! Peggy argued passionately.

He seemed to be mulling over what I had said before talking again, his eyes narrowed on my face.

“Well, it’s a good job you did go! Our ships didn’t get there quite in time, you must have passed them on the way back.” He sat back, his manner becoming warm and fake again.

Liar.

“Yes. We must have.” I agreed with a smile, knowing that we did not.

“You and I want the same thing, Aries. We want the truth and for you to be free again!”

I smiled, trying to convince him that I believed him.

“That would be nice!”

“Wouldn’t it!” He laughed but it didn’t reach his cold and dead eyes.

“So... umm… what now?” I asked.

“We still need to clear some things up out in the universe, work out what happened and who’s to blame.”

“But… I told you what happened? I don’t think anyone is to blame.” I said simply with a shrug.

“Ah, now Aries, you know it is never that simple! Half the world thinks you saved people’s lives, the rest thinks you helped destroy the planet! Obviously you didn’t of course, but questions need to be asked…” His eyes narrowed slightly.

“We didn’t!” I insisted.

“Of course not! But your crew still broke the rules. You ignore Council orders, hacked the ship, didn’t file a flight plan, potentially hacked a Council broadcast as well and helped traffic possible known fugitives.”

I cringed, unable to disagree with some of his points. We definitely hacked a Council broadcast.

What’s he saying, Aries? Cory asked sounding tired.

That we ignored Council orders, hacked Frida, didn’t file the flight plan, hacked the Council broadcast and trafficked fugitives.

Well… he did get some of that right. Cas replied after a pause.

“Now Aries, I want you to be released with as few charges as possible. I just need you to go over what happened in as much detail as you can remember.” He smiled at me again.

I complied with his order, leaving out some parts like that we definitely did hack the Council broadcast and that we actually hacked Frida a few years ago not on the night we flew to Irision. None of that could be traced back to us anyway, Cas and Peggy were too good. I warned the others as I went along to ensure we all told the same story and made sure to leave out everything about Captain Aquila and her fugitives. He was silent when I finished talking and I couldn’t work out the expression on his face.

“And how did Pegasus,” he said with a slight sneer “notice the situation on Irision?”

I shrugged, feigning disinterest.

“She’s interested in that kind of thing. I think she just likes to look at other planets. She scans the solar system and stuff before bed every night but I don’t pay much attention to that.”

“Hmmm.” He replied.

I waited as he scanned over his notes once more.

“Now, tell me do you or any member of your crew have any illegal modifications?” He stared down at me.

“Um… No? Not that I know of. I didn’t think that was really a thing any more. Aren’t they, like, really dangerous?” I lied, trying to look appropriately confused.

“They are and that is why they are illegal.” He continued to stare at me unblinkingly.

“Huh.”

His eyes narrowed as he glanced back at his notes.

“And how many ships did you see on Irision helping?”

“Ummm… I dunno. Quite a few? We mostly just went, got as many people as we could onto our ship and then left. Most people were gone by then I think and we didn’t really speak to any of the others. I don’t speak Irisian so it was kinda difficult.”

“What about the ship your other crewmate got injured by? Did you speak to them?”

“No. I mean, a little. Just enough to ask them what was going on with their ship but Peggy had to translate that for us.”

“And you didn't see any other ships nearby? No larger ships?” His eyes bored into me.

My mind jumped to Captain Aquila and I knew that’s what he wanted to know.

“Urmm… we might have? I don’t really remember. I was mostly just focusing on getting away from the planet before it blew.”

I shrugged and waited for him to ask me something else but he just continued to stare at me.

“Is there anything else I can do to help?” I asked finally.

He made a note on his screen.

“No. I’ll call the Guardians back to escort you to your room. Hopefully, we can clear this up and you won’t have to spend another month here.”

“We’ve been here a month?” I asked, shocked.

“You have.”

The Guardians entered the room and cuffed me once more before beginning to lead me out of the room.

“Oh, Aries?”

I stopped and looked back at him.

“I’m sorry about your friend Gemini. I heard she was a great Explorer.”