DISCLAIMERS: Okay, there are only so many ways to say this but I will try yet again because there are still some folks who don't get it. COWARD is a DARK story. VERY, VERY DARK! It is filled with beatings, rapes, bad grammar, negative attitudes, sex, vulgar language, nasty characters, and other very disturbing situations. If you get upset by any of those things then you should skip this story. Are we all clear on that now? Really, are we all on the same page, so to speak?

WEATHER UPDATE: While it was snowing in the west over the weekend, it did NOT snow in New England! I'm starting to think we're over the worst of it.

FEEDBACK: Please direct all feedback to p.phair@comcast.net. You can check out more of my writing at http://www.phair1.com

COWARD

by Phair

Part 13

Rory was shoved into the tribunal chamber by the strong hand of Captain Santangelo at her back. She stumbled two steps but easily caught her balance to avoid falling. A quick glance over her shoulder reassured her Rabbit was only a few feet behind her. Rabbit's guard held her by the elbow and was guiding her more than manhandling her. That was the only consolation Rory felt at the moment.

The tribunal chamber meant a hearing was scheduled. Rory was certain that if the government went to all the trouble of having the proceedings on New Earth then the plan must be to keep her from getting back to Old Earth. Rory was sure the tribunal would find some way to reject the petition for retrial. A worse, growing fear was taking held in her mind. She was beginning to think the panel would somehow find a way to re-sentence her and order her execution. Now, that she found a reason to live would be the most terrible time to die.

"Guard, keep a good eye on these two. I don't want them sneaking up behind me, the Captain ordered as he pushed Rory to her knees before making his way to the communication consol. After punching several buttons, he declared, "This is Captain Santangelo. I have retrieved the Prisoners Rory and Rabbit. as you requested.

Moments passed. There was no immediate reply to his pompous, official announcement of their arrival. The group was left waiting in silence for some type of response. None was forthcoming.

The Captain slammed his fist against the communication devise and shouted, "I repeat, this is Captain Santangelo with the Prisoners Rory and Rabbit, as you requested.

And, they waited still longer.

The Captain stood at attention next to the telecommunicator. Rory remained on the floor where the Captain had dropped her. Rabbit was still in the guard's grip. She made a point of bumping up against him. When he would look down at her she would make small gestures with her eyes and head toward Rory. Each time the guard would shake his head 'no.' On her finale try, Rabbit begged quietly, 'please' with a small tear racing down her face. The guard tossed up his hands and gave in with an unhappy grunt. He sat Rabbit next to Rory.

"F-in Pre-verts, the guard mumbled as he stepped away. "Major pain in my ass.

Rory leaned close to Rabbit's ear and whispered, "Listen. This is really bad. You have to tell them I lied. Say we're not together. Tell them you want to go back to Bearses. Tell them you belong to him. Tell them you've always been his. You can say I was just boasting or something. You know, make up something.

"No.

"Rabbit, try to understand, Rory hissed. "Their gonna kill me. If you're still with me then they'll kill you too. It doesn't have to end for you. Save yourself.

"No.

Rory felt tears of frustration sting her eyes, "Please, listen to me. I'm gonna die…,

"Me too, Rabbit stated and rested her head against Rory's shoulder. "Me die when Rory die. No different if me with Bearses or if me here. Me die when Rory die. Rabbit heart freeze without love. Rabbit freeze and crack without Rory. Just like Web.

Rory was at a loss. She had no words to convince Rabbit she was wrong. In fact, Rory was quite sure Rabbit wasn't wrong. Rory believed at that moment Rabbit would die without her. Rory closed her eyes and finally surrendered herself to fate. She ducked down and stole a kiss from Rabbit's soft, trembling lips. A baton smack to her ass ended their moment.

"Rory love Rabbit too? Rabbit asked in spite of the angry guard at their back.

"Rory only loves Rabbit, Rory stated it as a promise.

"SILENCE! Enough with your freakish drivel! The Captain spun around to face the pair. "If you two don't stop with that filthy talk then I'll cut your tongues out myself!

"Have you been at war so long that talk of love is filthy? Rory retorted with a condescending sneer. She went further to taunt the officer, "Maybe you're not getting enough lovin'. Or maybe, you can't get enough lovin'. Come on, you can tell us. What's the erectile problem, Captain.

"Dyke! The Captain shouted.

The enraged officer backhanded Rory. She was unable to remain upright and crumble to the floor from the force of the blow. Her cheek immediately began to throb but a sharp kick to her crotch drove that pain to the back of her mind. Her body curled into a fetal position under the Captain's assault. Rabbit's frantic efforts to intervene were thwarted by the guard.

"Bad man, you be bad, Rabbit sputtered as she struggled.

The Colonel turned his attention to Rabbit. He slapped her to silence with several quick strikes to the face.

"Really, Captain, is that anyway to control prisoners? Colonel McShane's shrill voice interrupted the chaos. "I would have thought a mere two prisoners, females at that, would be…easy to handle for a man of your alleged skill. Tell me, have they gotten the best of you, old man.

McShane's smug smirk nearly unglued the Captain.

"No, sir. Not at all, sir. The Captain resumed his attentive stance and snapped off a salute.

"Could have fooled me. Tell me, what do you think Lieutenant? McShane asked.

"I think, I don't give half a crap! The Lieutenant who originally prosecuted Rory growled as he wiped his sweaty brow. "Let's get this interview over with, get the response signed, and get back home.

Rory cringed inwardly at the sound of the voice out from the past; from the most vicious of her tortures. Her brain begged her to run away and hide. Her body shivered at the memories of what the Lieutenant was capable of doing to a woman, bound and naked. However, curiosity finally won out over fear and she stole a look at the man speaking.

The Lieutenant had aged. More than the passage of years alone could have aged him. His hair had gone completely grayed. His face was ruddy and as bloated as his swollen belly. Once straight broad shoulders were rounded and stooped with worry. Rory watched at he gasped for each breath after the simple act of walking and talking. Rory cracked a half smile and her fear ebbed.

"I guess even he has a conscience, Rory thought to herself, "I hope it torments him to an early grave.

"My dear Lieutenant, McShane purred, "there's no need to be frazzled. We've come a long way to see the Coward. I intend to enjoy every moment of our reunion.

"How about we make that a short lived affair? Shall we? The Captain interjected.

McShane scowled before answering, "We seem to have the situation well in hand, Captain. You may go! NOW!

"Sir, no sir, The Captain snapped an angry salute. "I need to request summary execution orders on these prisoners. Their behavior and even their presence in the penal colony threatens general security. You must order their termination in order to preserve the peaceful status of the New Earth Penal Colony.

McShane announced, "Request denied. You are ordered to return to your duties.

"No, sir. The Captain challenged, "The Coward must be eliminated. Keep the idiot if you want her. But, I want the head of that bitch, Rory, and I want it this instant! I will not return to my post without it!

McShane didn't miss a beat. He stepped forward and reached into his jacket. He pulled his right hand out of the jacket as his left hand grabbed the Captain by the throat. BANG.

"Oh God, no, Rory gagged as the Captain's dead body dropped to the floor beside her. He had a large, bleeding hole between those once clear blue eyes.

"Now, Coward, McShane chuckled as he grabbed Rory by the hair and pulled her to the defense table, "let us get down to the business of your life or death, shall we?

TBC

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