Ch 12: Arrest

Zero is defeated, but the Special Forces arrive to end the manhunt. Scott's actions earn him a criminal record as well, Jack Richter showing no mercy. Just what awaits at Castrum Prison?

            Scott slumped down against the hover car and winced as he pulled the polearm out of his chest. Breathing heavily and sore all over, Grey ignored his exhaustion and rushed to Scott’s side, saying “Don‘t just pull it out! You wanna bleed to death?!” Looking up at him, Scott gave a weak grin and said, “I’ll be fine.” Looking over at the pile of rubble, Scott asked, “Is he… dead?” Grey wondered the same thing. He felt confident Zero was too injured to move, but he thought he’d sensed a strange fluctuation of EDE just as Zero disappeared beneath the collapsing building. However, for the moment Grey was more concerned about Scott’s injury than anything else. Offering Scott a hand up, Grey asked, “Can you walk? We’ve gotta get you to the hospital.” Scott waved him away and said, “Forget it just go… I sabotaged the airship, but they’ve still got hover cars! They could be here any second!” Grey was about to protest when Alexander’s hover car zoomed onto the scene. Popping her head out the window, Amy yelled “Grey!” Noticing Matthews sitting beside him, she turned to Alexander and said, “Scott’s hurt Alexander!” Quickly stepping out of the car, Alexander rushed over to Scott and Grey, looking at Scott’s injury briefly before saying, “There’s no time to heal it here. He’ll survive till we get out of the city. Help me get him in the car, quickly!” Yet their luck had just run out. Turning on their sirens, which they had kept silent as they approached the battlefield, squads of police hover cars turned the corner on both sides of the street. In a matter of moments the hover cars blocked off any path of escape and their occupants stepped out. Police officers trained their guns on them while Special Forces soldiers aimed their special issue EDE weapons, which were designed to allow less powerful energists to generate volatile energy attacks like the explosive energy spheres Grey had exchanged with Zero in their battle a little while ago. Wading through the mob of his subordinates with a megaphone in his hand, Colonel Jack Richter announced to them, “You are all under arrest.”

            Surrounded, Grey, Amy, and Alexander saw little chance to escape. Amy stuttered, “Wh-what now guys?” Though his injuries were minor, Grey was exhausted from the battle with Zero, physically and mentally. Seeing no other course of action, Alexander straightened his tie momentarily and then raised his hands in surrender. Amy and Grey followed suit, Grey more concerned for Scott than anything else as he shouted, “Hey, Captain Whatsyourname! Your friend here is injured! He needs to get to the hospital or something!” The soldiers cautiously moved in and began to fit them with EDE absorption collars and handcuffs. Walking slowly past Grey, with a tone of resentment, Colonel Richter muttered, “That’s Colonel Richter to you…” As he approached Scott, who sat against the hover car breathing heavily and clutching his wound, the Colonel had a stern look on his face as he said, “Well Brigadier General, I hope it was worth it. I’ve already informed the higher ups of your efforts at sabotaging this entire mission. You will no doubt be stripped of your rank, not to mention face numerous charges in court. I’m afraid your career is over, and I must say I’m rather disappointed. I’m to place you under arrest as well. You’ll be sharing a cell with your friends until your hearing.” Finished, the Colonel turned and walked away, leaving Scott lost in silent thought. The Colonel approached one of the soldiers from Scott’s division and said, “Fit him with restraints as well, but be careful of his wound. We’ll need to get him medical treatment before we make preparations to transport them to Castrum.” Rather unsettled at the thought of arresting his former superior, the soldier replied, “Yes sir…”

            Sitting at his computer terminal, Alastor watched footage from cameras all around Abnoct city, reviewing the fight almost play by play. A call came through on the intercom, and as he activated it a woman’s voice came across saying, “Sir, the recovery team managed to salvage Project Zero.” Alastor was watching one camera’s footage in particular. His focus was upon the moment when, enraged by Zero’s attack on the Brigadier General, Grey suddenly found the power to dominate Zero, and staring at the screen he muttered, “To be able to unleash such a powerful Ein Soph Aur, the Light of Infinity…” Confused by his statement, the woman said, “What sir?” Putting his current train of thought aside, Alastor said, “Nothing. I am pleased with your work on recovering the Professor’s little project. However, I do believe we can deem Project Zero a failure. After all, the project was intended to create someone who could replace Mr. Greyson. Instead, the subject is inferior to him, not to mention incapable of releasing the Master Seal.” Hesitantly, the woman asked, “Should I tell the Professor to scrap the project then sir? We’re investing a decent portion of our funds into it…” Thinking for a moment, Alastor said, “At least it furthered Mr. Greyson’s development. Have the Professor shelve the project for now, but make certain he keeps the main specimen and the research data. Currently my plan is to recapture Mr. Greyson, but should that not work out we’ll have Dr. Nova step in. I know he’s busy, but his expertise could point us in the right direction.” The woman simply replied, “Understood sir.” Then she hesitantly asked, “I rarely question your judgment sir, but retrieving the Black Knight from Castrum will look suspicious even for our highest ranking spies in The Guild. Are you certain about this plan?” Closing out several windows showing the footage from Grey’s battle with Zero, Alastor said, “You worry too much.” Alastor shut off the intercom before the woman could respond. Having closed all the recordings but the one he was focused on, Alastor stared at the screen again as he thought, “Do not fail me Puppet Master…”

            Campitor, Special Forces transport class airship. Friday May 18, 520NA. It was morning when Grey, Alexander, Amy, and Scott were led from their cells in the city jail and placed aboard the Special Forces airship, the Campitor. Their destination was Castrum Prison. To the northeast of Abnoct, within the southern area of the Montorium mountain range, Castrum was the Adali Empire’s maximum security prison. Known for being the prison of choice for criminal energists, it had an outstanding record of zero successful escape attempts. Restrained in the rear of the airship, under constant watch, Grey and his friends seemed out of options. After an hour of flight, the airship reached its destination and the tall, castle like structure came into view. Docking at one of the tall access spires, the airship’s repulsion engines shut off as the docking port’s metal clamps locked firmly in place, holding the airship suspended on the side of the spire. The doors opened and the soldiers ushered Grey and his friends into the spire. Moving along, Grey, who had donned his old outfit after being imprisoned, glanced at Alexander, still in his fancy suit and ugly tie, and muttered, “This may not be the time, but why are you still wearing that thing?” Shrugging his shoulders as he marched, Alexander grinned mischievously and said, “I do like my old outfit, but I thought this might help us win them over. After all, with such a sharp look, I daresay I could gain anyone’s fancy!” Following behind them with his troops, Colonel Richter said, “You’ll be the talk of the prison I’m sure, now be quiet and keep moving.”

            Once inside, it could be seen that it was a rather high tech facility. The room they stepped into was circular with cells located on the wall around a circular platform. All the cells had an interface for a cardkey, the doors and bars made of a rather solid looking metal. There were some prisoners also wearing EDE absorption restraints, as well as normal prisoners. The sudden activity seemed to stir them in their cells, and as they came to the bars they could be heard muttering, “I heard they were bringing in the Black Knight. You think that’s him? He doesn’t look like much to me…” Another prisoner laughed and said, “Moron, he’s an energist! What you see ain’t what you get!” Leading Grey and his friends onto the platform, it became apparent it was an elevator, as it began to descend down into the spire’s lower levels. Level after level, they saw nothing but circular cell rooms. Then as they finally reached the bottom, they arrived in a room where a black mustached, balding man in a grey uniform who looked to be in his mid-fifties waited to greet them. Standing behind him were two armed guards, seemingly awaiting his command. Colonel Richter stepped off the elevator and extended a hand to the man, saying, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Warden Schmitt. These are the criminals we arrested in Abnoct. I sent ahead the details.” Schmitt shook his hand and stepped forward to look at his new prisoners. Fixing his brown eyes on Grey, he said, “So… This here’s the infamous Black Knight? Hmph, he’s just a kid…” Then with a hearty laugh, Schmitt added, “Then again, I know better than to go an’ underestimate these energists.” With a humoring smile, the Colonel asked Schmitt, “I assume you’ve prepared the cell with the extra security measures for our star guest, as I requested? After all, we don’t want to take him lightly considering…” Schmitt cut in, saying, “Yeah, yeah, Colonel. I got it all set up. Matter o’ fact though, I got a transmission from the Court of Representatives, and they’ve sent over somebody to speak with… our star guest, as you were sayin.” Blinking in surprise, Colonel Richter simply said, “I see… Lead the way.”

            The Warden led the group to a rather cushy looking meeting room, where a man with short gray hair wearing a black suit rushed quickly to greet them, saying, “Well, well, well! I must say it’s a pleasure to finally meet you all! I am Mr. Edward Conwell, Head Representative of the Adali Empire in the Court of Representatives and Advisor to the Emperor himself. Please, feel free to just call me Mr. Conwell.” His businessman-like haircut and suit might have given him the look of some corporate executive, but Grey thought he seemed more like a con-artist from his beady yellow eyes and his sickly sweet tone. Promptly, Colonel Richter extended his hand and said, “Greetings Mr. Conwell. I’m Colonel Jack Richter, Second Division Guild Special Forces.” Conwell glanced at his hand for a moment, and seeming to ignore the offer to shake his hand, he simply said, “Yes, yes, you’ve done well in bringing them all here safely Colonel. Now, then…” Conwell waved away the guards, ushering Grey and the others into the room as he said, “Well, do come in and make yourselves at home.” Directing them to a round meeting table, he said, “This one here should do. Have a seat.” Conwell began systematically pulling out chairs for them all, this time showing a bit of his politeness to the Warden and the Colonel as well, though most likely only trying to speed things along. The way he had assigned seats, he now sat across from Grey. Clearing his throat, he glanced at Scott as he said, “Well then, let’s get down to business. I see the familiar face of the Thunderfury Energist, now let’s see…” He shifted his gaze to Amy and continued, “This lovely young lady must be Ms. Grant! I must say, I’m very sorry to hear about your father. Well, moving on…” He turned away from Amy before she could utter a word, fixing his eyes on Alexander as he said, “I take it you’re this Alexander person? Yes, I remember you from the pictures. I must say I do like that tie! Anyways, it’s curious but we seem to have absolutely no records of you. I would very much like to learn more about you once we have time.” Alexander remained silent. Finally turning to Grey, Conwell said, “So then, this must be the man himself! I must reiterate what a pleasure it is to meet you all, truly. I only wish it were under more… pleasant circumstances… However, what I’m here to talk to you about may be just the thing to turn the situation in everyone’s favor!” Donning a rather zealous smile, Conwell said, “You see, I’m here to make you a deal…”

            Conwell raised a hand in the air and snapped his fingers theatrically, and a younger man with the same businessman haircut and suit rushed through the door, bringing a suitcase with him. He placed the suitcase in front of Conwell on the table and opened it, then stepped back to stand behind him as Conwell said, “You see Mr. Greyson… Can I call you Mr. Greyson?” He looked at Grey with a sickening smile, his hands crossed on the table. Grey found this man rather loathsome, and he simply said, “Grey…” Mr. Conwell looked rather amused as he said, “Ah, Grey is it? I like it, simple but unique, very fitting for a man of your… obvious talents…” Then Mr. Conwell turned to his assistant, and the assistant quickly removed documents from the open suitcase, placing them on the table as Conwell said, “Now as I was saying, Grey, I have here in this folder all the necessary paperwork to get you and your friends out of here! Complete and total pardons of all charges for each of you!” He beamed as they stared in disbelief, but suddenly Colonel Richter rose to his feet, looking at Mr. Conwell with anger in his violet eyes as he said, “What madness is this?! This man…” Richter looked at Grey for a moment and then continued, “This man has murdered hundreds, turned a city to ruin, and you mean to say you’re going to offer him a full pardon?! What kind of deal is worth setting free one of the most dangerous men in the history of humanity?!” Mr. Conwell looked displeased at the scene Colonel Richter was causing, and Grey could only wonder as well what kind of game Conwell was playing.

            With a tone that clearly stated his authority, Conwell said, “Colonel, I do believe you have no say in this matter. If you cannot control yourself, I will have to ask you to leave. As to what deal we are offering, I was just about to get to it, so if you’re through interrupting me…” Livid, Colonel Richter took his seat without a word. Turning back to Grey with an apologetic smile, Conwell said, “Forgive our friend the Colonel. I’d heard of how dedicated he is to his work as an enforcer of the law. I however, find that such dedicated and decorated soldiers show a rather short-sightedness when it comes to the big picture…” Although he was not at all fond of Richter, Grey had just about had enough of Conwell. Suppressing his contempt and wishing he’d get to the point, Grey asked, “Just what is this ‘big picture’ of yours Mr. Conwell?” Placing the folder on the table, Conwell rose to his feet and, very slowly, began to walk counter-clockwise around the table, making dramatic hand gestures as he said, “Well you see Grey, it’s true that in the past your actions have made you something of an inconvenience. However, at the same time you’ve shown what a powerful force, what a fearless combatant you are! Indeed, you have become something of a legend in our society, and why let the legend end on a negative note? Why throw away someone with your outstanding capabilities, when they could be put to better use?” He’d made his way around the table, and standing next to Grey, Conwell looked him in the eye with an overzealous smile on his face as he said, “Grey, what I’m saying is that we, The Guild, think that rather than leaving an energist as special as you to rot away in a prison cell, why not offer you a chance to positively contribute to society and give you a place among the Special Forces?”

            Everyone at the table was absolutely shocked. Simply sitting there in disbelief for a moment, the Colonel at last rose to his feet again, unable to control himself as he shouted, “You must be joking! Give him a place in the Special Forces?! How can you even consider such a thing?! There are plenty of soldiers, six in my division alone, who’ve lost family to-” Conwell interrupted quickly, saying, “And they will hold their tongue, as will you Colonel! Now do I have to call the guards or will you-” The Colonel interrupted him now, saying, “You don’t have to call anyone, Conwell! I can find my own way out!” With that he stormed out of the room. Turning once more to Grey, Conwell said cheerily, “Again, I implore you to forgive his deplorable behavior. It seems from what I’ve heard that he lost his family in the… unfortunate incident a year ago in Luminosa, and well… What can you do?” Not a person in the room returned his smile as they all took this in. Scott was especially shocked, and he wondered to himself, “Jack… Why didn’t you tell me?” Changing the subject, Conwell looked at Grey in anticipation as he said, “Well then Grey, do we have a deal? I’m sure with your abilities you could unseat the Class S energist Number One! As I promised, all your friends will be free to go as well! I’m sure I could even see to it that Matthews here regains his position as Brigadier General if he so wishes! Whatever makes everyone happy!” If Grey had been unrestrained, he would have punched him across the room. Instead, he simply muttered “Go to hell…”

            Mr. Conwell stood there a moment, and then he seemed to assume he’d misheard as he said, “I’m sorry Grey, what was that? I didn’t quite understand…” With lightning speed, Grey rose from his chair and knocked Conwell flat on his back with a kick. If it weren’t for the restraints sapping his power, the kick would have put Conwell in the hospital. Glaring down at Conwell in rage, Grey shouted, “I said go to hell you b*****d! Understand now?!” If Warden Schmitt hadn’t come and restrained him, Grey might have kicked him again. Getting up, Conwell took a moment to regain his composure, then said to Grey, “Well, I must say that was unexpected Grey! I had expected the adopted son of the noble Greyson family to be more… civilized…” Enraged by his comment, Grey struggled against the warden’s hold. The attempt to break free made Conwell take a step back, but as he saw the situation was under control, he continued, “It’s truly unfortunate. I had hoped I could rationalize with you. Perhaps you’ll reconsider if you spend some time alone to think about your situation.” Conwell turned to Warden Schmitt and said, “Put all four of them in solitary confinement for a couple of days.” Then he raised a hand in the air and snapped his fingers, saying to his assistant, “We’re leaving for now!” His assistant quickly took the folder off the table, placed it inside the suitcase, and closed it, carrying it with him as he followed Conwell out of the room.

Once Conwell had left, Warden Schmitt released Grey and said, “I gotta say kid, you got guts! Someone in his position could make life hell for his enemies…” Still angry, Grey quickly said, “I’m not afraid of someone like him! If you weren’t here, that pompous b*****d wouldn’t have made it out of this room!” Seeming rather amused by his outburst, Schmitt gave a chuckle and said, “I gotta ask though, why turn him down? He just offered you a one-way ticket outta here. Sure there’s a string attached, but between that and spending the rest of your life in a cell…” Interrupting the Warden, Alexander simply said, “Grey would never accept a deal like that.” Schmitt turned to Alexander and said, “Why not?” Unable to restrain herself any longer, Amy chimed in, “I wouldn’t have accepted anything from that man! Did you hear the way he talked about what happened to the Colonel’s family, or about my Dad? All he cares about is himself!” Though he completely agreed, Alexander said, “That’s not the only reason. Being pardoned for his crimes has no meaning to Grey. He’s always said that once he’s settled the score with Altera Veritas, he’d be turning himself in.” Schmitt was surprised, as were Amy and Scott. Turning to stare at Grey skeptically, Schmitt asked, “That really true kid?” Grey sat back in the chair, and said, “Yeah, regardless of the circumstances, I’ve done too many horrible things. You can’t wave something like that away with a piece of paper, not when there are people like Richter out there. I knew the Guild was dirty, but if they’d employ a criminal, a murderer like me…” Unable to listen to this, Scott shouted at him, “Knock it off already, d****t! Is this how you’ve been thinking all this time? You were 15 years old! They kidnapped you, they brainwashed you… and here you are beating yourself up?! That’s not logic, it’s stupid!” Amy added, “You’re not a bad person, you saved me!” Amazed that he was receiving such praise considering what a mess he’d gotten them into, Grey could only say, “Thanks, really, but I still have to answer for what happened. Because of me, so many people are…” As Grey trailed off with a solemn expression on his face, Alexander shook his head and said, “Give it up you two. I’ve tried for a whole year to get through that thick skull of his, but in the end it doesn’t matter what anyone says. He’s his own judge, jury, and executioner…” For a moment there was silence. Eyeing Grey appraisingly, Schmitt finally chuckled to himself and said, “Well now, this is getting interesting…”

Reviews

[Ryan Henderson]

I love how Jack Ritcher takes no mercy on Scott, this proves that he does his job well, and will do it right, no matter what. I also like how you hint at the fact that Zero is not really dead, but is indeed too injured to move. This left me wondering if Zero will come back later... Very good chapter! I am loving this book and I am going to read on, but I am out of time for right now, keep writing!

[KeithKVH]

Richter is a model SF officer, and looks up to one of the Generals. He has a bit of a short temper at times, but he is one of the finest in their ranks. As for Zero, I will let you know because you might wonder or think I forgot for quite awhile. You'll have to wait until the fourth volume in this series before you see him again. As I said before, his role was greatly diminished in the final product, though I wouldn't say he's insignificant.