Lake and Herez had been placed in small, separate cells on the Katadromiko 12. No suite of rooms this time, no friendly security officers and the food appeared to be leftovers thrown onto a plate.
It had only been a day until they arrived at Dasos, however, where they were immediately transferred into a military shuttle and flown down to the capital, Kentro, the home of the GDA.
At least the cells in the detention suite, deep underneath the main Gerousia complex, were larger and the food was much more acceptable.
Today there would be a preliminary hearing to list and formally charge them with their plethora of crimes against the GDA.
Lake, as expected, was in a foul mood and paced up and down his cell. Although, with the higher gravity, this soon tired him out and he was forced to sit again. He had chosen to defend himself for the simple reason that no one wanted to defend him.
A considerable number of grieving family members from the crew of Katadromiko 37 resided on Dasos. Some were even camped outside the Gerousia complex, baying for blood.
Lake heard the noise from outside from time to time and looked at his sealed cell door with a nervous apprehension. Even if the door was open, he didn’t think he’d go anywhere. With his Earth features, there would be no hiding on this planet. It would be pointless trying to run as the murderous gravity would soon debilitate him and, besides, he knew nothing of the order of society here.
‘Can you hear them, boss?’ called Herez from the next cell. ‘Even if we were found not guilty, do you think that lot would let us off the planet alive?’
‘We’re going to have to trust the system, Mr Herez,’ replied Lake. ‘We really don’t have any other option at present. There is absolutely no evidence we caused the death of that crew so I’m confident we won’t go down for that, at least.’
‘They could soon fabricate it, though, couldn’t they? I mean, the mob outside aren’t going to go home and say, “oops, wrong aliens”, are they?’
‘When we’re found not guilty, I have absolutely no intention of setting up home here so I really don’t care what they think. I’ll never come here again.’
Lake heard the approaching security officers’ boots clattering up the corridor and sat up, put his feet on the floor and stood, ready to be escorted up to the hearing.
‘Xavier Lake. Floyd Herez. Stand up please,’ said one of the four officers.
The glow around the cell doors disappeared and, as they were being fitted with neck collars, the same officer spoke again.
‘The hearing has been postponed because of a delayed witness. We have been instructed to escort you to the Kordoni terminal from where you will be taken to Stathmos Vasi for security reasons.’
‘What are Kordoni and Stathmos Vasi?’ asked Herez.
‘String and space station.’
‘“String?” What do you mean, “string”?’
‘You may know it as a space elevator.’
‘Shit,’ said Herez. ‘How high is it?’
‘Two thousand kilometres.’
‘Shit, I hate heights.’
‘When you say, “witness is delayed”,’ said Lake, ‘do you actually mean, “witness will be along shortly”, “witness is missing” or “witness has changed his mind?”’
‘No more questions,’ said the officer, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
Lake and Herez exchanged a glance. It appeared not all was well with the prosecution.
Lake smiled to himself and the heavy gravity seemed to lift as a spring returned to his step and a renewed confidence swelled within him.