The airin the interrogation rooms of Monterry was like a winter breeze, permanently in motion, moved by the fans near the cieling and cold enough to make little clouds escape the helmets of the guards.
The rooms interior was very basic, some chairs, a table and a lamp. And on one of the chairs a man, Captain Franklin Drake of the LNS Odyssey.
He did not really fit into the scene, one would expect a beaten up and broken prisoner but he still wore his Navy uniform and did not seem to have been treated too harsh. A man bearing the insignias of a Fleet Admiral of the Legion walked down the corridor to the interrogation chamber, producing a damped rythm with his heavy boots.
He wanted to take care of this matter personally, this prisoner could know enough about the Navy to possibly change the tides of war, he had to be present when his actual worth was revealed.
He entered the room along a man in a grey uniform, one of the interrogators.
They both sat down, facing Drake. The Admiral began to read the prisoner file while the interrogator leaned forward a bit.
First of all Captain Drake, Franklin. What was your position on the Odyssey? You stated you were its XO the day you arrived here, is that correct ?
Drake leaned back in the chair as the man begun speaking. He was still thinking about his wingman, since he never managed to contact him after being captured. He could only hope that the idiot managed to get out without being noticed by the legion patroll. "Yep. Thats me. And you are?"
The interrogator did not show any reaction to the perty tone of the captain. He knew this behavior from other captured soldiers. Such attempts to gloss over the feeling of helplessness after beeing captured were nothing unusual, it was like a shield the men built for themselves, protecting them from the bitter reality.
Very well. My name is Johnson, if it matters to you to know.
Back to you. I wonder how deeply involved you were in the command of the 5th. Do you know Admiral Sader or Fleet Admiral Jones personally?
But most important, were you involved in planning operations of the 5th fleet ?
He raised his eyebrow and smiled. "First of all. I would like to know the name of the guy wearing that shiny admiral insignia on his shoulder, not yours.
To answer one of your questions no i don't know my CO personally at all. I never met him aboard the ship he commands or back on HQ during briefings.
He looks at the admiral. "Is he a beginer interrorgator? Because if yes then he will have a hard time. If not then he is an idiot. Drake said this with a really mocking tone just to test the patience of the interrorgator. He looked back at Johnson while smiling awaiting Johnson's reaction.
My name is Derek Smith. To your second question, these questions are merely procedures. The real question is how much you are able, or willing, to tell us about the Republics doing in our sphere of influence.
If you don't cooperate we might reconsider beeing so nice hosts.
The Admiral looked directly into Drakes eyes now.
What are the Republics and her Navy's plans in the independent worlds? We have quite some interest in their development and I am sure so does the Navy.
The eyes of the Admiral narrowed a bit while he set to repeat his question.
What are the Republics and her Navy's plans in the independent worlds? I dont want details yet, but overall concepts.
If you dont answer this talk is over and we will think of a way to make talking more appealing to you.
He nodded to the interrogator who pressed a button on his belt whereafter two guards entered the room with handcuffs ready to take the prisoner back to his cell.
I'll take from your answer that you need some more time to think about wether you talk or not.
The guards took Drake back to his cell, sitting him down on the sole chair in it but leaving his handcuffs on.
When they left the room they put out the light and left him in the dark.
After two days with minimal supply of food and water and without removing his handcuffs at all one of the guards entered the room along the interrogator. Whilst opening the door they put on the light the first time since Drake was back in his cell.
The interrogator, wearing a more military like uniform than the other day, sat down on a chair he brought with him, right in front of Drake.
Once more Mr. Drake, what operations does the Navy command plan to execute in the independent worlds?
Once you cooperate we can remove these handcuffs and bring you to a place with lower security standarts. If you still refuse you will have to keep sitting here and think a little longer.
The sudden light almost blinded Drake when he opened his eyes. The last two days were difficult but he still remembered his training in the seal team wich helped him a lot.
"Can't you be a bit more quiet? Finally i got to sleep and rest a bit and now you've ruined it. What was your question again? Oh yeah..aau..." He yawned and turned towards the man sitting in front of him. "I already told you. There are no plans i know of. At least if you fear that the navy is planning to annex them completly...you don't have to. It maybe looks otherwise but we are more occupied with a war. I'm actually suprised you did not ask about those things Locklear wanted to talk about. So now you can remove my handcuffs also bring me a cup of coffe and a cigarette or nothing will stop me from going completly insane. And if that happens well lets say thats not a pleasant thing to see."