Captain Hodge leaned back heavily in her chair and let out a sigh. “I can’t prove it. If you’re watching this, you already know that’s true. But I want you to think about what I’m about to tell you. Yen Xiao is a psychic of incredible power. He keeps himself as reserved as possible so that others can’t tell the extent of his abilities. But I’ve read the reports from Earth. I know that he made a Terran guard shoot himself in the face with his own pistol with no more than a psychic suggestion. He dropped the Washington Monument, a massive landmark millennia old, on top of an adversary. He lost control of his powers and destroyed half his own team while trying to stop the Terran scientist. He is powerful, insanely so. Maybe that isn’t the best choice of words… or maybe it’s the perfect choice of words. Power corrupts and having the ability to alter men’s minds with a simple thought could easily lead to thoughts of God-hood. And if he was guilty, if he truly did commit the murder of Merric and framed Vangore for the crime, how do you prove that a psychic made someone confess to a crime they didn’t commit?”
The Captain rubbed her temples as though suffering from a terrible headache. Keryn was prone to believe that, having suffered under the mantle of command with such events transpiring, Captain Hodge very possible no longer remembered what life was like without a headache.
“I’m rambling now, but it’s hard to keep your thoughts in order when you’re constantly questioning if they truly are your own thoughts. If he could make a man confess to a crime while under the influence of the Crown, what else has he done? How many other people on board this ship have done things against their will because he was toying with our emotions? I’m suddenly second guessing every crime and accusation made on board, wondering if he had an influence on the outcome of the events. Gods, I even fear for my life. He can read peoples’ minds. If he even began to believe that I thought him guilty, I have no doubt that I would suffer a sudden and severe ‘accident’.”
Captain Hodge suddenly glanced away from the screen. Glancing down quickly, she added, “I will continue this message momentarily.” She looked up and called, “Please, Yen. Please come in,” as she turned off the recording. Less than a second later, the video restarted.
“He was just here. As I stated before we were interrupted, I am concerned about all our safety. I think he’s still oblivious, but I have no way to hide my thoughts from him. If anyone on board does anything to rouse his suspicion, I think we’ll be his next victims. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I don’t believe so. Neither does Horace, my Security Officer.
“I tell you all this because I don’t think I’ll survive the war with the Terran Fleet. Should something happen to me, I want you to know that it wasn’t an accident. No matter how preposterous that may appear when you hear of how I died, realize that he had a hand in it. More than anything, I want to know that my death wasn’t in vain and that he will be prevented from do the same to other Officers, Warrants, or Crewmen in this Fleet.”
Captain Hodge took a deep breath and brushed the hair out of her face. “This concludes this correspondence with the High Council. Captain Hodge, signing off.”
Keryn felt the tears streaming down her cheek. She didn’t want to believe it was true, that Yen could truly be that savage, yet she couldn’t deny Captain Hodge’s words. As Keryn’s emotions continued to storm inside her, the image of the Captain disappeared and the High Council returned. Though it was only a recording, Keryn could feel their intense stares judging her as she cried quietly alone in her room.
It was the Uligart Councilmember who spoke next. “I believe that, after watching that correspondence with Captain Hodge, the last one we received before her death, that you can imagine our interest in this situation. We have discussed this issue for the past few hours, which is a great length of time for men as old as we are. We have come to the following conclusion: we believe that Captain Hodge’s concerns were valid. It is the only way we can account for the Captain, Horace, and Vangore all dying in a single attack on the Revolution. If Captain Xiao truly did commit the murders of three more Officers of the Fleet in an attempt to cover his first murder, than he is growing careless. A careless man with deadly power is apt to continue using that power for ill gains. We don’t believe that he has stopped committing murders. In fact, he may very well be choosing his next target as we speak.”
Keryn’s thoughts jumped to Iana, who had hidden onboard her vessel, fearing for her life and claiming Yen was trying to kill her. Her claim no longer seemed so far fetched.
The Pilgrim Councilmember, her face full of the wrinkles of age, finished for the High Council. “Magistrate Riddell, we are tasking you with a mission most severe and important to the continued success of the Fleet. We are tasking you with killing Captain Xiao for the good of the Alliance.”
The Councilmembers let the declaration hang in the air as Keryn absorbed their request. Her heart stopped beating at their words, unable to believe that they would choose so drastic an approach to dealing with someone they perceived to be a threat. More importantly, Keryn couldn’t fathom why they would choose someone who once had an emotional attachment to Yen to be his hired assassin. Regardless of whether or not she felt the accusations were true, Keryn wasn’t sure if she was strong enough to follow through with blatant murder. Killing an enemy would always be easier than killing a friend.
The Pilgrim Councilmember continued. “We have already conceived a plan that will succeed, but we need your support. We understand the depth of the request that we have thrust upon you, which is why we do not expect an answer soon. However, we feel that you must move against Captain Xiao during the next conflict. If his ship is destroyed during the battle, then he will no longer be a threat to the Alliance. Think about our request, but think quickly. We will be expecting an answer soon.”
The screen faded back to black with the symbol of the High Council emblazoned in the center of the console. Eventually, that too faded, leaving Keryn alone to her thoughts. She shook, feeling cold all over and numbness spreading through her limbs. She wanted to leave her chair, but feared that her legs would not support her.
“How can they ask me to do this?” she asked the air, knowing only one other entity heard her cry.
Because if he is allowed to live, the Voice replied, you could be the next to die after Iana. Maybe he’ll kill us because I insulted him during our meeting. Or maybe it will be because you are granting amnesty to his chosen prey. Who knows? Psychopaths rarely make sense to the sane.
“Why me?” Keryn sobbed.
You want a justification for killing your former lover? it asked. Maybe you should walk two doors down the hall and talk to the woman he’s already traumatized. He already tried to kill her. Maybe she will have the answers you seek.
“Iana,” Keryn whispered into the room as she got to her feet. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she left her room and walked down the hall. Stopping in front of Iana’s door, Keryn knocked softly. In her heart, she hoped that Iana wouldn’t answer. The soft padding of feet on the far side of the door told her otherwise.