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Chapter 37
Allison Mead lay, helpless and barely conscious, naked, still strapped to the couch in the interrogation centre. The pain and the shock of her interrogation was only now beginning t subside, hours later. Slowly she became aware that Ambassador Taylor was there, she could hear his voice; talking to her interrogator. Perhaps, she thought there was some chance he would arrange her release. He had, after all, appeared to be attracted to her when they had first met. If she could only be free of the couch, she was sure that she could convince him that she should be freed. She strained to hear Taylor and Tarn talking but could barley focus on the sounds.
"Well, Captain, your interrogation proved successful. You seemed to get everything that the Court wanted." Taylor's voice was lowered.
"Yes, thank, you Ambassador," Mead heard Tarn reply. "Everything went as well as I could have expected. But surely the Ambassador is too busy to concern himself with the detail of the interrogation? Or perhaps as is suggested the Ambassador has a more than professional interest in the accused."
"Not at all. I believe that she thought she could use me as a way of avoiding the consequences of her actions," Mead gave a whimper and tried to struggle against the straps that held her, " but I don't think that she could have produced a sufficiently interesting offer to make the risks worthwhile. Besides, why should I worry about her – the legal system has taken its course."
"Well Sir, can I ask, then, why you are here?"
"Hmm, well, I thought Dr Mead here should hear the court's decision as quickly as possible but I am always ready to take time out when needed, especially when there is a chance to do it with my favourite intelligence officer."
Mead tried again to twist on the couch but the straps held her firm. Unable to see either Tarn or Taylor, she could only listen as their conversation went on.
"Ambassador, this is hardly the place. The interrogation suite is stuffed with microphones. Even if I thought they were all off I wouldn't choose this as somewhere for a senior dignitary in the diplomatic corps to make a pass at a junior officer."
"A pass, Captain? Surely my words would not be interpreted as a pass."
"Perhaps not, Sir," the tone of Tarn's voice seemed huskier. "but I think, Sir, uhhh, that the fact that you have your hand inside my shirt might be interpreted in that way." Mead heard her give a quiet grunt.
"Well, Captain, thank you for your advice. You will understand of course that I am only anxious to ensure that all uniform regulations are being observed and that what is inside your shirt is entirely – ahh - appropriate."
"Ohhh, yes Sir," Tarn gave a moan of pleasure, "Perhaps if the Ambassador finds everything to his approval, there might be an opportunity for a junior intelligence officer to join his staff."
"Ah – hmm – Captain, surely you realise that the ambassadorial; service requires more than a close attention to detail when it comes to uniform and an agreeably filled shirt."
"I understand completely, ahh, Sir. That's why I thought it would be useful if I demonstrated some other capabilities that could be of use to you. Like this for example." Mead heard the ripping sound of a clothes fastener.
"Very good, Tarn," she heard Taylor say. "I see your excellent attention to detail extends to that which you keep beneath your skirt."
"And this Mr Ambassador," another ripping sound, was followed by a grunt from Taylor.
"Ahh, very – uhhh , good, Tarn. Yes, I think you should stay there for a moment or two, please don't get up yet – uhhh – ahh – If this is an indication of your – ah – skills then I - uhh – think I could find a role for you on my team. That's a very – ahh - useful talent you have there, I could see how – nngh – mmm - it would be valuable to have you around."
Mead felt despair spill over her. She struggled again to turn towards the pair as Tarn stood up and approached her couch, fastening her blouse and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Ah, Dr Mead, I see you have recovered consciousness."
Mead whimpered in protest. Taylor stood beside her couch. He reached down with one hand and stroked her naked breast. "It's a great shame that things should have come to this Doctor." His hand reached up to the pure white stubble that was growing slowly from her shaved scalp. "Albino's are such a rarity. It could have been fun."
Mead watched as Tarn's hand snaked around Taylor's waist and then slid up across his chest.
"No matter;" Taylor continued, "the decision of the Courts has been that you have been found guilty of the crimes of which you were accused. Your own evidence was most convincing. The sentence of the Court is the most lenient that it can pass in the light of the nature of the charges. Because the death penalty has been abolished throughout the Federation, you will be subject to an indefinite community service order. This order will be operated under the Waring Procedure[b](1)[/b], which will prevent your being a further danger, allow you to pay your debt to society and avoid the Federation or its allies having to bear the costs of your detention."
Mead was now terrified, struggling violently against her bonds. As an anthropologist she had read accounts of Waring's early work, in what he called "soft cybernetics", and she knew just what the procedure implied.
"You are to be informed that the court takes account of your co-operation. The court was pleased that you provided the evidence sufficient to enable the passing of similar sentences on your collaborators. The court records will show that, in spite of your crimes, you did cooperate. That is all." He turned to Captain Tarn who, by this stage, was exploring Taylor's ear with her tongue. "Arrange for Mead to be transferred to the Medi Centre fot the appropriate procedures as soon as possible, Captain," he said. "And then you should report to my quarters for an interview. That is if you are still interested in coming on to my staff."
(1) The Waring Procedure is a technique based on the original work of Dr Stuart Waring in the early 21 st Century. Waring discovered a surgical and neuro-electrical process whereby induced synethesia could be used to provide a robotic response in those subjected to it. See an account of its origins in "Numerology".
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