The Right to Remain Silent (July 2021)
AURUMY
It’d been too much for too long: too much uncertainty, too much confrontation, to much focus on a family that just wanted to be. Lux had their day—and hopefully learned their lesson on not messing with a cute little badger with three angry fucking mamas—but the Gal Feds were still a problem yet to be faced.
Aurumy was just tired. The last thing Kaelee and Two needed was roped into another ordeal so soon after the other. For this reason, Ru had called off work and spent all the time necessary convincing Jaheira that there had to be a way out of this, and the way forward could not be avoiding the situation any longer.
Stella would get a communique from Aurumy not long after Jaheira agreed that it was time to turn themselves in.
Under the terms that Kaelee and Two are not to be pursued further, myself and Jaheira agree to submit to your line of questioning. We will meet you at GalFed HQ on Earth-446.
JAHEIRA
Stella was quick to send a response to Aurumy's message from a scrambled number:
Excellent. How about later this afternoon? Let the receptionist at the front desk know you're there to see me, and somebody will come get you. I look forward to meeting you both. You're doing the right thing for your family, Aurumy.
- Agent Archambeau
Jaheira reluctantly agreed to meeting with the feds. She was standing on the observation deck inside the Starhammer, looking out at the vast expanse of empty space as they traveled toward Earth 446. "What is our plan, Aurumy?" Jaheira asked. She looked unusually stressed, as if she'd been carrying around the weight of their predicament for quite some time. "What's to stop them from arresting us right then and there? This is the Galaxy Federation after all, and they're known for playing hardball."
AURUMY
“I’m sorry I got you into this, Morningstar,” Aurumy sighed and hung over the same rail of the observation deck that Jaheira was leaned against. “I wish…I wish I had a better plan than just going in there, being honest, and imploring to them that we’re good people who have a resume of helping out and being well-loved by the galaxy. I mean, you’re a freaking war hero and I’m—I’d like to think—a notable figure in the survivor community. The GalFeds have tried REALLY hard to avoid any bad PR when it comes to blackout, I think that’s our best hope.”
JAHEIRA
Space was beautiful. The stars in a faraway galaxy twinkled in the distance. They passed another planet, Erebus, on their way to Earth 446. It was colored a deep blue, appearing icy, distant, and cold. Jaheira only wished she could appreciate their surroundings, but they had more important matters demanding their attention.
“We don’t have any other choice,” Jaheira said. Kaelee was rightfully upset with them both, because their impulsive decisions affected the entire family. “Kaelee and Two can’t be expected to live in New Haven forever because we have warrants. It’s not right. Hopefully the feds are…understanding.” Jaheira grimaced, entirely unconvinced.
AURUMY
Aurumy reached over and took Jaheira’s hand in her own, rubbing her thumb into her girlfriend’s palm before kissing the back of it. “It’ll be okay. I’ll find a way to make it alright.” Before they touched down on Earth-446 and left the safety of the Starhammer, Ru would turn to Jah and press a quiet, chaste kiss to her girlfriend’s lips.
They’d do just as Agent Archambeau outlined: they’d head to the station, they’d speak to the receptionist, and they’d wait to be met by…just who exactly?
JAHEIRA
The Galaxy Federation headquarters was an imposing multi-story building on Earth 446. There was heavy foot traffic into the building, some agents dressed in uniform and others carrying concealed under freshly-pressed suits. Jaheira wasn't doing a very good job of acting nonchalant as she stepped through the front doors into the lobby. She was visibly nervous and fumbled with her plasma pistol as she unholstered and handed it to the agent running the metal detector. "You will get your weapons back whenever you leave," he said. Then he looked expectantly at Aurumy. "Anything on you?"
The clerk at the front desk was anything but friendly. Her nails clacked loudly against the keyboard, and she didn't even look up when Jaheira and Aurumy approached. Jaheira cleared her throat, and the woman all but rolled her eyes. "Can I help you both?" Jaheira exchanged looks with Aurumy briefly. "Uh...we're here to see Agent Archambeau?"
The receptionist told them to wait and then picked up the phone. "Hi, it's Sheryl up front...yes....I have two women here asking to see Stella.....uh huh." There's a long pause. "...Oh. All right, I'll let them know. Thank you." She hung up the phone and looked back at Jaheira and Aurumy. "Wait here, somebody will be down to get you soon."
AURUMY
The last thing Jah or Ru needed to do right now was pick a fight with the receptionist, but the Orovein absolutely despised poor manners, especially when one was supposed to be serving the public.
Ru would wait for that someone to come collect them before making her opinion on Sheryl known. “Your receptionist is a real piece of work. I’m just saying, if there was ever a place you’d benefit with catching more flies with honey than with vinegar, I’d think it’d be the Galactic Federation.”
JAHEIRA
An agent stepped off the elevator and beckoned to Jaheira and Aurumy. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a button-up shirt, with a Galaxy Federation badge around his neck. "This way, ladies." On the elevator, he listened to Aurumy's complaint and shrugged. "Oh, uh, that's just Sheryl," he said, as if that explained everything. On the fifth floor, he lead them down the hallway, into the first open door on the left.
"Archambeau, you have visitors." Stella was sitting at her desk, flipping through a file. She looked up from her research and smiled. "Thanks, Dave, I got it from here." Deputy Director Archambeau was unassuming in her civvies: a brown leather jacket and jeans. Once they were alone, Stella gestured toward the seats in front of her desk. "Aurumy, Ms. Morningstar, please, take a seat. I'm glad you decided to meet with me." Evidently the GalFeds were not afraid the women would attempt to run, or simply didn't care, because the other agent left the door open when he left.
Stella sealed the file she had been reading and pushed it aside on her desk, next to various stacks of paper each held together by large alligator clips. She looked between Jaheira and Aurumy, although her attention was primarily on the Orovein. "Would you like to offer an explanation for what happened on Ellisaria? You're both facing charges of damaging or desecrating protected airspace and conspiracy. That is, at minimum, 8 years in federal prison if convicted."
AURUMY
“I’m not certain why Jaheira is here at all, to be perfectly honest with you,” Aurumy responded cooly, somehow able to toe the expertly and be just inches away from coming across as flippant in her attitude. “The media to which you—and all of Mobius, to be quite frank—have been provided clearly shows that Miss Morningstar, and Mister Mursel, for that matter, were onlookers taken hostage by Judax after failing to dissuade me.”
She’d said nothing even acknowledging the charges or that she’d done anything wrong. However, as Aurumy was notorious for doing, she was also clearly getting amped up to that passionate sort of speaking, and that’s where slip-ups usually happened during any interrogation. Especially when Stella could plainly see that the best button to push was anything concerning Jaheira’s involvement in all of this.
JAHEIRA
Aurumy was quick to come to Jaheira and Mursel’s defense, and Stella relaxed into her chair as she listened. She had one eyebrow arched and looked entirely unconvinced by it all. “I see,” she said. “Well, unfortunately, the Galaxy Federation doesn’t see it that way.” She had obviously struck a nerve, and given Aurumy’s reaction, she continued to press her. “I’d argue Mursel was more involved than Miss Morningstar,” she said. “But all of you, Judax included, broke the law. Excuse me. Allegedly.”
Jaheira, for her part, was quiet. She periodically looked over at Aurumy, afraid she might say something incriminating. Jaheira wasn’t leaving this GalFed office without her girlfriend. It wasn’t an option.
Stella leaned forward, closer to Aurumy, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Anyway, Mursel will have his day in court. He’s spent the last few weeks in jail here on Earth 446. Did you know federal crimes are no bonds?”
AURUMY
“Mursel isn’t about to complain about a lack of bondage. Ellisarian extradition laws are no joke. Don’t play bad cop with me, Miss Archambeau, you know as well as I do that you’re doing him a favor keeping him here in hopes that GalFed laws might be seen as a leniency compared to what Priyet exilees face next.”
Why do you think Aurumy had been so frightened for her friend? He’d already been excommunicated from all civilization in Orovein culture, the next punishment was death: a gilded sacrifice of being turned and sunk as an offering to the sea Leviathan through the altar of Abbalix.
“Remind me though, when’s the last time you saw Judax?” Perhaps the cruelest question Aurumy could have asked, the briefest mean streak was shown as the Orovein made a point to chew on her fingernail as loudly as she possibly could, sucking and clipping the excess down—so hard it made her teeth clack together aggressively—to the cuticle, ready to give herself a damn hangnail if it meant unnerving the GalFed agent in the process.
JAHEIRA
“You really aren’t in any position to be telling me what to do.” Stella sat upright in her chair, eyeing Jaheira and Aurumy with thinly-veiled disdain. Stella might have played along a bit longer if it hadn’t been for the Judax question. It was no secret that the whereabouts of the drug kingpin was a sore spot for Stella. Her run-in with Judax had been broadcast across the galaxy, after all. It was a low blow, and she made no attempt to hide those feelings.
“We’re finished here,” she said. “Please see yourselves out. The elevator is at the end of the hallway to your right. I’d highly advise against any snooping on your way out.”
AURUMY
Aurumy gave Jaheira a genuinely bewildered look, but played that bafflement over being allowed to walk out of the agency of their own volition into further, chilly passive aggression towards Stella. “Already? But we just got here?”
JAHEIRA
"I already have everything I need," Stella replied coolly. Jaheira returned Aurumy's bewildered look and shrugged. If this was their opportunity to leave, they'd better take it. A bad feeling settled in the pit of her stomach as she slowly stood up and looked between Stella, Aurumy, and the doorway. "C'mon, Ru, let's not push it."
AURUMY
Aurumy sneered back at Stella as she stood, unwilling to hesitate at or second guess a comment meant to do just that. Turning away from the agent’s desk and taking Jaheira’s hand, the Orovein exchanged a passive, worried glance before walking out the door. “Why’d she say it like that? Why’d she tell us not to go snooping? I mean…would that have even crossed your mind?” Ru whispered to Jah the moment they were out of earshot, but prior to reaching the elevator as specified. “Do you think they’re holding Mursel somewhere around here?” That’s the only thing she could think of that made any sense.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira was just as perplexed as Aurumy about the entire situation. But she did not want to stay a second longer in the Galaxy Federation headquarters. "I don't know," Jaheira said. She glanced over her shoulder on the way toward the elevator. The hallway had several doors on either side. There didn't appear to be anybody around, although Stella's door was still open. "If Mursel is being held here, there's nothing we can do about it. There are cops everywhere." Unlike Aurumy, Jaheira had no loyalty to Mursel. "We really should go," she urged. Jaheira pressed the button for the elevator and waited, hoping Aurumy would follow.
AURUMY
Aurumy frowned as Jaheira insisted there was nothing they could do about Mursel being held here. She knew, of course, her girlfriend was right, but that didn't make it any less bitter of a pill to swallow. She wanted to go look, she wanted to tell him how sorry she was for getting him mixed up in this mess...but after all she'd already gotten Jah involved in out of her own selfish wants, not to mention the ass reaming she'd received from Kaelee for how it'd affected ALL of them, Ru...solemnly stayed put until the elevator dinged. She'd load in after the mechanic and they'd get out of there(????)
JAHEIRA
Seconds felt like minutes and minutes like hours as they waited for the elevator to arrive. Once the doors opened, Jaheira all but dragged Aurumy inside. "That was fucking weird," she said. The elevator stopped on the fourth floor and an agent stepped on. He checked the commlink on his wrist, apparently unconcerned by the girls' presence. A minute later, the elevator stopped again, and two more agents stepped on. One was tall and scrawny, akin to a pole bean. His partner was much shorter, but with a stocky build. Evidently he tried to make up for what he lacked in height by vigorously lifting weights.
"Got any plans this weekend?" Pole bean asked.
"I dunno," the shorter guy replied. "I might take the family off-planet. A change of scenery would be nice. I've been buried in work recently with the Laurus case. It's only a matter of time before somebody catches that little degenerate. She'd better hope its one of us, because some bounty hunter won't be so nice."
The agents laughed and continued to chat as the elevator went down. Jaheira swallowed nervously and looked over at Aurumy. Something didn't feel right. As soon as the elevator reached the lobby, Jaheira grabbed Aurumy's wrist and made a beeline for the front doors. The agent operating the metal detector stepped in front of them, blocking the exit. "In a hurry, ladies?" He asked. "You forgot to pick up your weapons on the way out."
Jaheira was about to tell him to fuck off until she heard footsteps behind them. She looked over her shoulder and realized they were being flanked by the agents from the elevator. "You didn't think you could just walk out, did you?" Jaheira looked back at the other agent, and this time, he had his handgun drawn. "Put your hands behind your backs. You are both under arrest for desecrating protected airspace and conspiracy."
AURUMY
Aurumy resisted the urge to fidget as more and more GalFed agents boarded the elevator, even as every gilded fiber of her being begged for a nervous outlet. She wouldn’t even look at Jaheira anymore with the other men present, as if any glance between them might be misconstrued as two wanted criminals hatching some unspoken plot.
Grabbed and yanked along, Ru knew their attempts at ‘escape’ were futile long before Jah did. Even with their exit cut off and the two flanking agents quick to draw their sidearms, that didn’t stop the little Orovein from spitting and hissing like a pissed off cat. “You tell Archambeau the games she’s playing make her a petty bi—!”
“Now, now, angel, that’s not how you speak to our galaxy’s finest,” came a voice, sterling as it was serpentine, above the ruckus. Shined up from gold-horned head to shoe-polished toe, the Orovein man who interjected himself into the fray made no attempt at subtlety.
With the glint of a golden toothed smile and his ‘halo’—not just halved but filed down into two particularly blasphemous points on the top of his head—proudly on display from the moment he took off his chapeau, the absolute sleaze of a lawyer wasted no time in handing out his business card like a ninja might release throwing stars.
“I’ll take it from here, gents. Stella is expecting me: Oren Farrish…I’m Aurumy’s father.”
JAHEIRA
Maybe Jaheira and Aurumy were naïve for thinking they could just waltz in and out of the Galaxy Federation headquarters at their leisure with active warrants. Either way, it didn't stop them from trying. Jaheira bowed up and stood defiantly, but didn't outright resist as she was handcuffed. Aurumy, however, was verbally uncooperative. "Yeah, yeah," one agent replied. "You can tell her yourself. You're going to be here a while." He slapped the cuffs on Aurumy and was about to escort them out of the lobby when they were interrupted by the amoral attorney.
The agents simultaneously groaned, evidently familiar with Mr. Farrish's law practice. The Orovein's face was plastered across every billboard on Earth 446. He was infamous; a perpetual thorn in the Galaxy Federation's side. "Seriously?" one of them said. "You're here to represent them?"
Before things could escalate any further, the elevator dinged and Stella stepped off. She walked up to the group and waved off the agents. "It's fine, he called ahead." Stella narrowed her eyes at Oren, but acted perfectly polite otherwise. "Good to see you, Mr. Farrish. I assume you want to meet with your clients right away? They haven't been Mirandized, but they both spoke to me earlier, entirely voluntarily."
"If you'll follow me, I will take you somewhere private." Stella led them down a hallway away from prying eyes, and into one of the interrogation rooms. "I see no reason to have you both handcuffed right now," she said. Stella grabbed a handcuff key out of her pocket and undid the cuffs. "There's a button next to the door. Press it once you're finished, or if you need anything."
The handcuffs left indentations in the skin on Jaheira's wrists. She rubbed at her wrists and glowered at Oren suspiciously. "I'm sorry, father?" Jaheira looked at Aurumy, attempting to gauge her reaction. "Ru, do you know this guy?"
AURUMY
In regards to the universal groans from these apprehending agents, Mr. Farrish wasn’t just in good humor—but seemed absolutely tickled pink. “Now, now, fellas, all of you can’t still be sore over that Lahtnero Samej Nospmis debacle. Say it with me, boys: If it does not fit, you must acquit.”
Oren grinned, only to pivot upon his heel when he heard the distant DING! of the elevator. The Orovein’s movement alone made it seem like it couldn’t possibly be anyone else than Agent Archambeau, even in an entire department full of other Peacekeepers. “Stella! My dear friend. My good friend.” Um, ew. Why did it sound gross when Oren said the word friend?
However, to his credit, stepping into the council room seemed to flip on a switch with the lawyer. “Shouldn’t take me too long to debrief my clients, detective. Stay close, we’ll need to have a word soon enough.” That said, Oren would wait for Stella to depart…before that switch turned itself right back off again, apparently.
Raising an eyebrow at Jaheira’s suspicion, the attorney leaned back in the metal interrogation chair, kicked up his heels on the table, pulled a flask from the inner breast pocket of his trim black suit jacket, and took a swig. No, he didn’t just take a swig—Oren took a swig and then, super casually, offered Jah a pinch from the same snifter. (Who else but the devil himself knew your vices without saying a word? I’m just saying!)
Regardless of whether she accepted or declined—though if she accepted, Ru would glare disapprovingly at them both—Oren remained as nonchalant as ever. Was it reassuring or unnerving to have representation just show up out of nowhere and act like this entire ordeal wasn’t a big deal in the slightest? The jury was still out on that one (pun absolutely intended).
“You mean Lyra never told you about me? Well, well. Sweetheart actually had a bit of spite in her after all. Didn’t think she had it in her not to give you the whole story, even without being hit up for child support in the process.” Oren chuckled fondly, sounding amused, perhaps even endeared at the thought of Aurumy’s mother. “How‘s she doing? She single?”
Aurumy hadn’t said a word since the moment I’m [her] father came out. She was stunned, shocked, stupified. If the Orovein was hearing the conversation at all, if she had registered any of the dialogue or questions therein from either Jaheira or Oren, she hadn’t answered…not until mention of her mother jostled a numbed, one word answer out of the poor, gilded girl.
“Dead.”
“Oh. Shame.” Again, ew. The way Oren said the word made it sound like he was more disappointed that he wouldn’t have a chance to shoot his shot again, not that his daughter had lost her mother. “Anyways, yes. I’m your father.” Real paternal there, Farrish.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira blinked a few times, unable to process what she was seeing right in front of her: Oren’s own daughter, who he hadn’t seen in years—ever?—was sitting across from him in a federal interrogation room (of all places!), and he wasn’t the least bit perturbed. He waved the flask in front of Jaheira’s face and she shook her head. “No, thank you,” she replied coolly. Oren’s complete lack of emotion coupled with Jaheira refusing a swig of alcohol was truly unsettling in that moment.
Aurumy’s initial silence was indicative of her shock, but who could blame her? Jaheira thought he might be bluffing, until he mentioned intimate details of Aurumy’s life that others weren’t privy to. Oren was the very worst kind of slimy lawyer, and Jaheira was ready to outright refuse any help from him. Fuck it, she’d represent herself if she had to.
“Where have you been?” Jaheira asked, all but pointing an accusatory finger at Oren. “Your daughter was a prisoner aboard Blackout—you know, the infamous Lux Aeterna vessel? Lyra died and where were you? Practicing law?” Aurumy was too stunned to say anything, and so Jaheira was quick to come to her defense. “But now you’ve decided to be part of her life? Why?”
AURUMY
Ever. In ever, Jaheira.
Oren Farrish, ever the award-winning actor when garnering sympathy served his means, feigned hurt at Jaheira's inquisition. To be accused of such things, oh woe! Would a sniffle have been too much? Don't think he couldn't—or wouldn't—squeeze out a tear right here and now, Morningstar!
"I mean...among other things?" Oren went in, not just on playing victim by Lyra's omission, but also outright lying about how he liked to spend his time. "Practicing law (true), a monthly pilgrimage to Abbalix, as do all good Oroveins (also true). I'm an upstanding member of the community, Ms. Morningstar, both here and on Ellisaria (technically true, but also somehow complete and utter bullshit). I donate to charity (PFFT, maybe for the tax write-off), I even volunteer!"
Mr. Farrish was laying it on thick, and make no mistake, Aurumy was no fool. "Is that what this is? Gotta make your pro bono quota for the month?" she asked. (Ooo, sick burn.) "My mother never mentioned you. I know that wasn't without reason." Having overcome her initial shock, Ru was now as put together as she ever was: always polite and well-spoken.
"You're right," Oren admitted. (And for a moment, I bet, you might be thinking, Oh hey, finally we're gonna get the real story. Heck, maybe even a redeeming quality or two!) "But Aurumy, I've changed." Nope. Just more lies and deceit. And this time, to make matters even worse, the sleaze of a lawyer came bearing falsified evidence in hopes of pulling the wool over his daughter's eyes.
Taking his gold monogrammed (because, of course he would) and buckled briefcase from the floor, Oren set it out on the table and popped it open. Like the most secretive of magicians (read: the seediest of charlatans), the devil-horned Orovein pulled out a hand-written letter and slid it over to lay in front of Ru.
"I wrote to Lyra when you and she got taken to Blackout. Every string I pulled to get that letter to her, I would have pulled a thousand more to get the two of you out." It said as much in the letter. Verbatim, as a matter of fact...almost like Oren was reading from a script. "She didn't want anything to do with me. Now, I get it. I do. After the offer to pay for the abortion and the paternity test and everything else, she was done with me. I love me a strong, independent woman (ew). But for your pride to get in the way of accepting help for your child? Well...I told her that her pride would get her killed."
The very best lies had bits of truth to them. By incriminating himself, by painting himself not solely as a saint, but (repentant) sinner as well...Oren had succeeded. Aurumy faltered. She doubted. The memory of her mother's death—how it had happened, how she'd gone back for all those other people no matter how much Ru had begged her to stay—was suddenly cast in a different light...and therefore second-guessed.
"...can you help us get out of this mess?" Ru asked, her voice as small and soft as the child she had been then.
And Oren smiled. "Of course I can, angel."
JAHEIRA
Oren's sob story didn't tug at Jaheira's heartstrings like it did Aurumy's. In fact, she could see right through his little charade, and it made her angry. Jaheira picked up the letter after Aurumy finished reading it and glanced over the words. She thought about crumpling it up, but tossed it across the table instead. "This is bullshit," Jaheira said matter-of-factly. She couldn't help but feel like the Orovein was here to exploit Aurumy somehow, but she couldn't prove it. Aurumy was vulnerable, and Jahiera wanted nothing more than to protect her.
Aurumy was more of an empath than Jaheira, and so Oren's attempt to manipulate her was successful. Asking for Oren's help was like making a deal with the devil himself, but Jaheira really wasn't in a position to argue. The feds were known for playing hardball to win trials. They needed the absolute best representation they could get, and so Jaheira would begrudgingly work with Oren.
"We have to let Kaelee know we're here," she said, mostly to Aurumy. "Do we even have a bond?" That question was directed at Oren. Jaheira's rap sheet was minimal, and included charges of drunk & disorderly and assault. They were actually facing prison time for their current charges.
AURUMY
Aurumy didn’t seem shocked by Jaheira’s outburst, nor did she seem offended by its implications. However, to the same end as she was the other, the Orovein also didn’t seem put off of her decision to accept the devil’s help. Much to her girlfriend’s chagrin, they were agreed in that this wasn’t the time nor place to look a gold-toothed gift horse in the mouth.
If Oren was irritated by Morningstar’s instant distrust and dislike of him, he didn’t show it. Cool as the slimiest of cucumbers, the lawyer simply plucked that letter off the table (because leaving it there would mean giving his daughter a second chance to maybe poke some holes in what utter hogwash he’d presented as evidence) and tucked it back into his briefcase.
“As I told Agent Archambeau, we will need to speak with her again before moving forward. Regardless, I see no reason why a Blackout hero and survivor should be remanded rather than released of their own recognizance. You’re both mothers, after all, and you’ll be needing to get back to your son, who has already been through enough as of late…”
Ru sniffed in flagrant disapproval at Oren’s mention of Two, but alas, could still not argue with the fact that any and all bargaining chips needed to be used in this instance…however cheap and tawdry it made her feel. Two HAD been through enough, and so had Kaelee.
“Get Jaheira a phone call. I’ll stay with you and speak to the detective.” Aurumy took her girlfriend by the hand if she started to object and leveled her with a look that said I will let you know when I need protecting.
Oren stood, waltzed to the door, and knocked, before acknowledging the guard who came up to its pocket-sized window. “Let Stella know we’re ready.”
JAHEIRA
Jaheira's angered simmered as they talked, but finally boiled over at the mention of Two. She was fiercely protective of the little badger, and any mention of him had her nearly foaming at the mouth. "What do you know about what he's been through?" Jaheira snapped. She felt guilty enough without Oren drawing attention to her shortcomings as a parent. Jaheira squeezed Aurumy's hand and wordlessly nodded, confident her girlfriend could hold her own in her brief absence. She couldn't deny a phone call was necessary right now.
Stella entered the interrogation room a few minutes later. Jaheira requested a phone call, which was granted. She was passed along to the guard standing by just outside the door. "Are we finished here?" Stella asked coolly. "You are entitled to a phone call as well, Aurumy. I'd suggest doing so now if that interests you. I cannot guarantee one later." The implications of that statement were that they would not be released any time soon. At least, not without the help of Oren.
AURUMY
"Go on, angel, make your phone call. Me n' Stella need to talk shop anyways." Oren encouraged Aurumy, who got up and followed the same guard out who had taken Jaheira.
"You know as well as I do that those girls aren't going to see the inside of a jail cell. Not remand, there's no way. Morningstar is a war hero and my daughter is practically the patron saint of lost souls when it comes to Blackout survivors. You really want the GalFeds to have to spin that PR nightmare? Now you know I love playing hardball, so if you want to take this to trial, I'm more than ready to dance that dance, but you can either be the decent cop and bond them out now, or look like the fool when my good friend Judge Hyloi makes the decision for you."
Stella might have been cool, but Oren was ice cold.
JAHEIRA
Stella pulled out the metal chair across the table from Oren. She purposefully dragged the legs across the concrete floor, and it made a terrible screeching noise akin to nails on a chalkboard. Then she sat down. However irritated Stella might’ve been feeling, she didn’t outright show it. “If they won’t take a plea deal, this will be going to trial,” she said. “War hero and bleeding-heart humanitarian or not, they will be held accountable for their actions.” This was not her first time dealing with Oren and his underhanded tactics, and it wouldn’t be the last.
Stella leaned back in her chair and appeared all too casual. “They have a bond if they can pay it,” she said. “50,000 credits each. Bond conditions include staying within Galaxy Federation jurisdiction until this all concludes.”
AURUMY
Oren would eagerly await Jaheira and Aurumy’s return before leaning in to deliver this next part.
“And what actions are those, Stel? Preventing the Vindicator, one of two notorious Blackout vessels, from falling into the hands of one of GalFed’s most wanted? A man of such infamy and ill repute that you still get dirty looks from some of the folks who walk these very halls?”
He reclined back and sighed, as if he’d grown bored of her scare tactics and iron fisted terms already.
“I’ll be submitting extradition papers to you by end of day today, once Ms. Morningstar and Ms. Farrish—“ Ru wrinkled her nose and corrected him, and Oren relented, complied, and corrected, “”—Aurumy’s bonds have been posted. You’re welcome to visit Ruuma prior to the trial, I’ll be sure to treat you to some real Ellisarian hospitality…you know, to show you there’s no hard feelings…prior to the better man winning and all.”
JAHEIRA
The heavy metal door opened and Jaheira and Aurumy entered the interrogation room flanked by the guard. Stella stood, gesturing toward the seat she had been reclining in. “Please,” she said. “Take a seat.” Oren’s attempt to get under her skin was met with a wry smile. “Those actions are desecrating protected airspace and conspiracy,” Stella said. “Felonies under federal law.”
Stella snorted at his offer of hospitality. “Thank you, but I’m quite busy. We could grab drinks before the trial, though, I’m sure.” She was smiling, but it was the least bit friendly. “I’ll keep an eye out for those extradition papers. There’s no guarantee the request will be granted. It is at the discretion of the courts.”
Once Stella was gone, Jaheira looked at Oren quizzically. “Extradition papers?”
AURUMY
“You know, you say those words enough times and they lose all sense of meaning,” Oren smiled wolfishly as Stella continued to stand in defiance of his efforts to undermine her. She was dogged in her pursuits, he had to give her that.
With Agent Archambeau gone, Mr. Farrish turned his attention back to Aurumy and Jaheira. However, just as he was about to speak, Ru interjected:
“He wants us to be tried by the Ellisarian courts. Being an Orovein, he knows there’s a pretty stringent, sliding scale of consequence that the government almost always adheres to. He obviously wants to use that to his advantage.”
Oren smirked, clearly impressed.
“That’s my gi—“
Ru cut him down with a single, disapproving look and, yet again, he relented. He was patient. He was playing the long game.
“Your plan is to have Jaheira banished from a planet she never intended on visiting in the first place. And for me, that would mean…” As Ru really thought about it, she narrowed her eyes. “They’d cleave my halo and exile me to Priyet.”
“Yes. But…?” Oren was obviously leading Aurumy towards a certain realization; the inevitable conclusion being what defense he’d be leveraging in court.
“…but they already scalped me while I was on Blackout.”
Oren smiled grinchily from ear to ear.
“Exactly.”
“So you’re going to argue on a technicality?”
“Mistrials are built on technicalities, my dear. Justice, at least under the law, is a rather tenuous thing, you see.”
“…but what about Mursel?”
“What about him?”
“The same sliding scale that might save us would condemn him. He’s already been excommunicated.”
Oren shrugged rather apathetically and Aurumy immediately leapt up and slammed her hands on the table.
“You intend on serving him up to the Addeloor council on a silver platter! He’s your pound of flesh!”
“I intend on doing what is necessary to ensure you, your girlfriend, and your family go on with your lives, uninterrupted.” He used Two and Kaelee as leverage just as easily now as Stella had then. But as overt in similar tactic as it was, the lawyer’s logic was as sound as it was amorally grey.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira could hardly keep up with the back-and-forth discourse between Aurumy and Oren. She couldn't deny that his plan, however nefarious, was pretty brilliant. And it just might save their asses—except for Mursel's. Aurumy's sudden outburst startled Jaheira and she jumped. "Jesus—" she said. But Jaheira couldn't get a word in edgewise between the two arguing Oroveins. The thought of Mursel being executed while they got off scot-free felt wrong, but what choice did they have?
"Ru—" Jaheira said. "Aurumy, please." She grabbed her girlfriend by the arm, hoping the touch would ground her. "Is there no other way?" she asked Oren. "Mursel doesn't deserve to die. Can't he be spared? There has to be another way."
AURUMY
Aurumy might have been a bleeding heart, but Oren clearly was not. Cold, calculating, and concise, all of these things made the Orovein a damn good lawyer…but a pretty shitty prospect for being a loving and supportive father.
And while Jaheira tried to be what Oren wasn’t about to, when it came to the big picture, Aurumy knew no one here—not even her, and that’s what made her most sick of all—was going to be Mursel’s advocate.
“Jaheira, he has a wife and daughter he already doesn’t get to see just being exiled,” Ru whimpered, teetering on the precipice of an unending ocean of guilty tears. She was rightfully inconsolable.
“There’s not,” Oren stated simply to Jaheira, but was otherwise unwilling or unable to address Aurumy’s outpouring of heartfelt emotion for her scapegoat of a friend. “I will not advise you to do anything to benefit him when it would simply not benefit you in the long term.” He didn’t apologize, but in a way, to have it explained as such felt like Farrish’s version of an apology.
Ru turned to Jah, buried her face in her shoulder, and wept, sounding burdened.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira and Mursel hadn't gotten along during their brief interaction on Priyet, but she felt guilty nonetheless that he was facing execution. There was no arguing with Oren in that moment, and she nodded solemnly in understanding. Aurumy wept, soaking Jaheira's shoulder with golden tears, and she wrapped an arm around her for comfort. "We'll figure it out," she said. But in truth, it felt like an empty promise.
AURUMY
It’d been too much for too long: too much uncertainty, too much confrontation, to much focus on a family that just wanted to be. Lux had their day—and hopefully learned their lesson on not messing with a cute little badger with three angry fucking mamas—but the Gal Feds were still a problem yet to be faced.
Aurumy was just tired. The last thing Kaelee and Two needed was roped into another ordeal so soon after the other. For this reason, Ru had called off work and spent all the time necessary convincing Jaheira that there had to be a way out of this, and the way forward could not be avoiding the situation any longer.
Stella would get a communique from Aurumy not long after Jaheira agreed that it was time to turn themselves in.
Under the terms that Kaelee and Two are not to be pursued further, myself and Jaheira agree to submit to your line of questioning. We will meet you at GalFed HQ on Earth-446.
JAHEIRA
Stella was quick to send a response to Aurumy's message from a scrambled number:
Excellent. How about later this afternoon? Let the receptionist at the front desk know you're there to see me, and somebody will come get you. I look forward to meeting you both. You're doing the right thing for your family, Aurumy.
- Agent Archambeau
Jaheira reluctantly agreed to meeting with the feds. She was standing on the observation deck inside the Starhammer, looking out at the vast expanse of empty space as they traveled toward Earth 446. "What is our plan, Aurumy?" Jaheira asked. She looked unusually stressed, as if she'd been carrying around the weight of their predicament for quite some time. "What's to stop them from arresting us right then and there? This is the Galaxy Federation after all, and they're known for playing hardball."
AURUMY
“I’m sorry I got you into this, Morningstar,” Aurumy sighed and hung over the same rail of the observation deck that Jaheira was leaned against. “I wish…I wish I had a better plan than just going in there, being honest, and imploring to them that we’re good people who have a resume of helping out and being well-loved by the galaxy. I mean, you’re a freaking war hero and I’m—I’d like to think—a notable figure in the survivor community. The GalFeds have tried REALLY hard to avoid any bad PR when it comes to blackout, I think that’s our best hope.”
JAHEIRA
Space was beautiful. The stars in a faraway galaxy twinkled in the distance. They passed another planet, Erebus, on their way to Earth 446. It was colored a deep blue, appearing icy, distant, and cold. Jaheira only wished she could appreciate their surroundings, but they had more important matters demanding their attention.
“We don’t have any other choice,” Jaheira said. Kaelee was rightfully upset with them both, because their impulsive decisions affected the entire family. “Kaelee and Two can’t be expected to live in New Haven forever because we have warrants. It’s not right. Hopefully the feds are…understanding.” Jaheira grimaced, entirely unconvinced.
AURUMY
Aurumy reached over and took Jaheira’s hand in her own, rubbing her thumb into her girlfriend’s palm before kissing the back of it. “It’ll be okay. I’ll find a way to make it alright.” Before they touched down on Earth-446 and left the safety of the Starhammer, Ru would turn to Jah and press a quiet, chaste kiss to her girlfriend’s lips.
They’d do just as Agent Archambeau outlined: they’d head to the station, they’d speak to the receptionist, and they’d wait to be met by…just who exactly?
JAHEIRA
The Galaxy Federation headquarters was an imposing multi-story building on Earth 446. There was heavy foot traffic into the building, some agents dressed in uniform and others carrying concealed under freshly-pressed suits. Jaheira wasn't doing a very good job of acting nonchalant as she stepped through the front doors into the lobby. She was visibly nervous and fumbled with her plasma pistol as she unholstered and handed it to the agent running the metal detector. "You will get your weapons back whenever you leave," he said. Then he looked expectantly at Aurumy. "Anything on you?"
The clerk at the front desk was anything but friendly. Her nails clacked loudly against the keyboard, and she didn't even look up when Jaheira and Aurumy approached. Jaheira cleared her throat, and the woman all but rolled her eyes. "Can I help you both?" Jaheira exchanged looks with Aurumy briefly. "Uh...we're here to see Agent Archambeau?"
The receptionist told them to wait and then picked up the phone. "Hi, it's Sheryl up front...yes....I have two women here asking to see Stella.....uh huh." There's a long pause. "...Oh. All right, I'll let them know. Thank you." She hung up the phone and looked back at Jaheira and Aurumy. "Wait here, somebody will be down to get you soon."
AURUMY
The last thing Jah or Ru needed to do right now was pick a fight with the receptionist, but the Orovein absolutely despised poor manners, especially when one was supposed to be serving the public.
Ru would wait for that someone to come collect them before making her opinion on Sheryl known. “Your receptionist is a real piece of work. I’m just saying, if there was ever a place you’d benefit with catching more flies with honey than with vinegar, I’d think it’d be the Galactic Federation.”
JAHEIRA
An agent stepped off the elevator and beckoned to Jaheira and Aurumy. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a button-up shirt, with a Galaxy Federation badge around his neck. "This way, ladies." On the elevator, he listened to Aurumy's complaint and shrugged. "Oh, uh, that's just Sheryl," he said, as if that explained everything. On the fifth floor, he lead them down the hallway, into the first open door on the left.
"Archambeau, you have visitors." Stella was sitting at her desk, flipping through a file. She looked up from her research and smiled. "Thanks, Dave, I got it from here." Deputy Director Archambeau was unassuming in her civvies: a brown leather jacket and jeans. Once they were alone, Stella gestured toward the seats in front of her desk. "Aurumy, Ms. Morningstar, please, take a seat. I'm glad you decided to meet with me." Evidently the GalFeds were not afraid the women would attempt to run, or simply didn't care, because the other agent left the door open when he left.
Stella sealed the file she had been reading and pushed it aside on her desk, next to various stacks of paper each held together by large alligator clips. She looked between Jaheira and Aurumy, although her attention was primarily on the Orovein. "Would you like to offer an explanation for what happened on Ellisaria? You're both facing charges of damaging or desecrating protected airspace and conspiracy. That is, at minimum, 8 years in federal prison if convicted."
AURUMY
“I’m not certain why Jaheira is here at all, to be perfectly honest with you,” Aurumy responded cooly, somehow able to toe the expertly and be just inches away from coming across as flippant in her attitude. “The media to which you—and all of Mobius, to be quite frank—have been provided clearly shows that Miss Morningstar, and Mister Mursel, for that matter, were onlookers taken hostage by Judax after failing to dissuade me.”
She’d said nothing even acknowledging the charges or that she’d done anything wrong. However, as Aurumy was notorious for doing, she was also clearly getting amped up to that passionate sort of speaking, and that’s where slip-ups usually happened during any interrogation. Especially when Stella could plainly see that the best button to push was anything concerning Jaheira’s involvement in all of this.
JAHEIRA
Aurumy was quick to come to Jaheira and Mursel’s defense, and Stella relaxed into her chair as she listened. She had one eyebrow arched and looked entirely unconvinced by it all. “I see,” she said. “Well, unfortunately, the Galaxy Federation doesn’t see it that way.” She had obviously struck a nerve, and given Aurumy’s reaction, she continued to press her. “I’d argue Mursel was more involved than Miss Morningstar,” she said. “But all of you, Judax included, broke the law. Excuse me. Allegedly.”
Jaheira, for her part, was quiet. She periodically looked over at Aurumy, afraid she might say something incriminating. Jaheira wasn’t leaving this GalFed office without her girlfriend. It wasn’t an option.
Stella leaned forward, closer to Aurumy, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Anyway, Mursel will have his day in court. He’s spent the last few weeks in jail here on Earth 446. Did you know federal crimes are no bonds?”
AURUMY
“Mursel isn’t about to complain about a lack of bondage. Ellisarian extradition laws are no joke. Don’t play bad cop with me, Miss Archambeau, you know as well as I do that you’re doing him a favor keeping him here in hopes that GalFed laws might be seen as a leniency compared to what Priyet exilees face next.”
Why do you think Aurumy had been so frightened for her friend? He’d already been excommunicated from all civilization in Orovein culture, the next punishment was death: a gilded sacrifice of being turned and sunk as an offering to the sea Leviathan through the altar of Abbalix.
“Remind me though, when’s the last time you saw Judax?” Perhaps the cruelest question Aurumy could have asked, the briefest mean streak was shown as the Orovein made a point to chew on her fingernail as loudly as she possibly could, sucking and clipping the excess down—so hard it made her teeth clack together aggressively—to the cuticle, ready to give herself a damn hangnail if it meant unnerving the GalFed agent in the process.
JAHEIRA
“You really aren’t in any position to be telling me what to do.” Stella sat upright in her chair, eyeing Jaheira and Aurumy with thinly-veiled disdain. Stella might have played along a bit longer if it hadn’t been for the Judax question. It was no secret that the whereabouts of the drug kingpin was a sore spot for Stella. Her run-in with Judax had been broadcast across the galaxy, after all. It was a low blow, and she made no attempt to hide those feelings.
“We’re finished here,” she said. “Please see yourselves out. The elevator is at the end of the hallway to your right. I’d highly advise against any snooping on your way out.”
AURUMY
Aurumy gave Jaheira a genuinely bewildered look, but played that bafflement over being allowed to walk out of the agency of their own volition into further, chilly passive aggression towards Stella. “Already? But we just got here?”
JAHEIRA
"I already have everything I need," Stella replied coolly. Jaheira returned Aurumy's bewildered look and shrugged. If this was their opportunity to leave, they'd better take it. A bad feeling settled in the pit of her stomach as she slowly stood up and looked between Stella, Aurumy, and the doorway. "C'mon, Ru, let's not push it."
AURUMY
Aurumy sneered back at Stella as she stood, unwilling to hesitate at or second guess a comment meant to do just that. Turning away from the agent’s desk and taking Jaheira’s hand, the Orovein exchanged a passive, worried glance before walking out the door. “Why’d she say it like that? Why’d she tell us not to go snooping? I mean…would that have even crossed your mind?” Ru whispered to Jah the moment they were out of earshot, but prior to reaching the elevator as specified. “Do you think they’re holding Mursel somewhere around here?” That’s the only thing she could think of that made any sense.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira was just as perplexed as Aurumy about the entire situation. But she did not want to stay a second longer in the Galaxy Federation headquarters. "I don't know," Jaheira said. She glanced over her shoulder on the way toward the elevator. The hallway had several doors on either side. There didn't appear to be anybody around, although Stella's door was still open. "If Mursel is being held here, there's nothing we can do about it. There are cops everywhere." Unlike Aurumy, Jaheira had no loyalty to Mursel. "We really should go," she urged. Jaheira pressed the button for the elevator and waited, hoping Aurumy would follow.
AURUMY
Aurumy frowned as Jaheira insisted there was nothing they could do about Mursel being held here. She knew, of course, her girlfriend was right, but that didn't make it any less bitter of a pill to swallow. She wanted to go look, she wanted to tell him how sorry she was for getting him mixed up in this mess...but after all she'd already gotten Jah involved in out of her own selfish wants, not to mention the ass reaming she'd received from Kaelee for how it'd affected ALL of them, Ru...solemnly stayed put until the elevator dinged. She'd load in after the mechanic and they'd get out of there(????)
JAHEIRA
Seconds felt like minutes and minutes like hours as they waited for the elevator to arrive. Once the doors opened, Jaheira all but dragged Aurumy inside. "That was fucking weird," she said. The elevator stopped on the fourth floor and an agent stepped on. He checked the commlink on his wrist, apparently unconcerned by the girls' presence. A minute later, the elevator stopped again, and two more agents stepped on. One was tall and scrawny, akin to a pole bean. His partner was much shorter, but with a stocky build. Evidently he tried to make up for what he lacked in height by vigorously lifting weights.
"Got any plans this weekend?" Pole bean asked.
"I dunno," the shorter guy replied. "I might take the family off-planet. A change of scenery would be nice. I've been buried in work recently with the Laurus case. It's only a matter of time before somebody catches that little degenerate. She'd better hope its one of us, because some bounty hunter won't be so nice."
The agents laughed and continued to chat as the elevator went down. Jaheira swallowed nervously and looked over at Aurumy. Something didn't feel right. As soon as the elevator reached the lobby, Jaheira grabbed Aurumy's wrist and made a beeline for the front doors. The agent operating the metal detector stepped in front of them, blocking the exit. "In a hurry, ladies?" He asked. "You forgot to pick up your weapons on the way out."
Jaheira was about to tell him to fuck off until she heard footsteps behind them. She looked over her shoulder and realized they were being flanked by the agents from the elevator. "You didn't think you could just walk out, did you?" Jaheira looked back at the other agent, and this time, he had his handgun drawn. "Put your hands behind your backs. You are both under arrest for desecrating protected airspace and conspiracy."
AURUMY
Aurumy resisted the urge to fidget as more and more GalFed agents boarded the elevator, even as every gilded fiber of her being begged for a nervous outlet. She wouldn’t even look at Jaheira anymore with the other men present, as if any glance between them might be misconstrued as two wanted criminals hatching some unspoken plot.
Grabbed and yanked along, Ru knew their attempts at ‘escape’ were futile long before Jah did. Even with their exit cut off and the two flanking agents quick to draw their sidearms, that didn’t stop the little Orovein from spitting and hissing like a pissed off cat. “You tell Archambeau the games she’s playing make her a petty bi—!”
“Now, now, angel, that’s not how you speak to our galaxy’s finest,” came a voice, sterling as it was serpentine, above the ruckus. Shined up from gold-horned head to shoe-polished toe, the Orovein man who interjected himself into the fray made no attempt at subtlety.
With the glint of a golden toothed smile and his ‘halo’—not just halved but filed down into two particularly blasphemous points on the top of his head—proudly on display from the moment he took off his chapeau, the absolute sleaze of a lawyer wasted no time in handing out his business card like a ninja might release throwing stars.
“I’ll take it from here, gents. Stella is expecting me: Oren Farrish…I’m Aurumy’s father.”
JAHEIRA
Maybe Jaheira and Aurumy were naïve for thinking they could just waltz in and out of the Galaxy Federation headquarters at their leisure with active warrants. Either way, it didn't stop them from trying. Jaheira bowed up and stood defiantly, but didn't outright resist as she was handcuffed. Aurumy, however, was verbally uncooperative. "Yeah, yeah," one agent replied. "You can tell her yourself. You're going to be here a while." He slapped the cuffs on Aurumy and was about to escort them out of the lobby when they were interrupted by the amoral attorney.
The agents simultaneously groaned, evidently familiar with Mr. Farrish's law practice. The Orovein's face was plastered across every billboard on Earth 446. He was infamous; a perpetual thorn in the Galaxy Federation's side. "Seriously?" one of them said. "You're here to represent them?"
Before things could escalate any further, the elevator dinged and Stella stepped off. She walked up to the group and waved off the agents. "It's fine, he called ahead." Stella narrowed her eyes at Oren, but acted perfectly polite otherwise. "Good to see you, Mr. Farrish. I assume you want to meet with your clients right away? They haven't been Mirandized, but they both spoke to me earlier, entirely voluntarily."
"If you'll follow me, I will take you somewhere private." Stella led them down a hallway away from prying eyes, and into one of the interrogation rooms. "I see no reason to have you both handcuffed right now," she said. Stella grabbed a handcuff key out of her pocket and undid the cuffs. "There's a button next to the door. Press it once you're finished, or if you need anything."
The handcuffs left indentations in the skin on Jaheira's wrists. She rubbed at her wrists and glowered at Oren suspiciously. "I'm sorry, father?" Jaheira looked at Aurumy, attempting to gauge her reaction. "Ru, do you know this guy?"
AURUMY
In regards to the universal groans from these apprehending agents, Mr. Farrish wasn’t just in good humor—but seemed absolutely tickled pink. “Now, now, fellas, all of you can’t still be sore over that Lahtnero Samej Nospmis debacle. Say it with me, boys: If it does not fit, you must acquit.”
Oren grinned, only to pivot upon his heel when he heard the distant DING! of the elevator. The Orovein’s movement alone made it seem like it couldn’t possibly be anyone else than Agent Archambeau, even in an entire department full of other Peacekeepers. “Stella! My dear friend. My good friend.” Um, ew. Why did it sound gross when Oren said the word friend?
However, to his credit, stepping into the council room seemed to flip on a switch with the lawyer. “Shouldn’t take me too long to debrief my clients, detective. Stay close, we’ll need to have a word soon enough.” That said, Oren would wait for Stella to depart…before that switch turned itself right back off again, apparently.
Raising an eyebrow at Jaheira’s suspicion, the attorney leaned back in the metal interrogation chair, kicked up his heels on the table, pulled a flask from the inner breast pocket of his trim black suit jacket, and took a swig. No, he didn’t just take a swig—Oren took a swig and then, super casually, offered Jah a pinch from the same snifter. (Who else but the devil himself knew your vices without saying a word? I’m just saying!)
Regardless of whether she accepted or declined—though if she accepted, Ru would glare disapprovingly at them both—Oren remained as nonchalant as ever. Was it reassuring or unnerving to have representation just show up out of nowhere and act like this entire ordeal wasn’t a big deal in the slightest? The jury was still out on that one (pun absolutely intended).
“You mean Lyra never told you about me? Well, well. Sweetheart actually had a bit of spite in her after all. Didn’t think she had it in her not to give you the whole story, even without being hit up for child support in the process.” Oren chuckled fondly, sounding amused, perhaps even endeared at the thought of Aurumy’s mother. “How‘s she doing? She single?”
Aurumy hadn’t said a word since the moment I’m [her] father came out. She was stunned, shocked, stupified. If the Orovein was hearing the conversation at all, if she had registered any of the dialogue or questions therein from either Jaheira or Oren, she hadn’t answered…not until mention of her mother jostled a numbed, one word answer out of the poor, gilded girl.
“Dead.”
“Oh. Shame.” Again, ew. The way Oren said the word made it sound like he was more disappointed that he wouldn’t have a chance to shoot his shot again, not that his daughter had lost her mother. “Anyways, yes. I’m your father.” Real paternal there, Farrish.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira blinked a few times, unable to process what she was seeing right in front of her: Oren’s own daughter, who he hadn’t seen in years—ever?—was sitting across from him in a federal interrogation room (of all places!), and he wasn’t the least bit perturbed. He waved the flask in front of Jaheira’s face and she shook her head. “No, thank you,” she replied coolly. Oren’s complete lack of emotion coupled with Jaheira refusing a swig of alcohol was truly unsettling in that moment.
Aurumy’s initial silence was indicative of her shock, but who could blame her? Jaheira thought he might be bluffing, until he mentioned intimate details of Aurumy’s life that others weren’t privy to. Oren was the very worst kind of slimy lawyer, and Jaheira was ready to outright refuse any help from him. Fuck it, she’d represent herself if she had to.
“Where have you been?” Jaheira asked, all but pointing an accusatory finger at Oren. “Your daughter was a prisoner aboard Blackout—you know, the infamous Lux Aeterna vessel? Lyra died and where were you? Practicing law?” Aurumy was too stunned to say anything, and so Jaheira was quick to come to her defense. “But now you’ve decided to be part of her life? Why?”
AURUMY
Ever. In ever, Jaheira.
Oren Farrish, ever the award-winning actor when garnering sympathy served his means, feigned hurt at Jaheira's inquisition. To be accused of such things, oh woe! Would a sniffle have been too much? Don't think he couldn't—or wouldn't—squeeze out a tear right here and now, Morningstar!
"I mean...among other things?" Oren went in, not just on playing victim by Lyra's omission, but also outright lying about how he liked to spend his time. "Practicing law (true), a monthly pilgrimage to Abbalix, as do all good Oroveins (also true). I'm an upstanding member of the community, Ms. Morningstar, both here and on Ellisaria (technically true, but also somehow complete and utter bullshit). I donate to charity (PFFT, maybe for the tax write-off), I even volunteer!"
Mr. Farrish was laying it on thick, and make no mistake, Aurumy was no fool. "Is that what this is? Gotta make your pro bono quota for the month?" she asked. (Ooo, sick burn.) "My mother never mentioned you. I know that wasn't without reason." Having overcome her initial shock, Ru was now as put together as she ever was: always polite and well-spoken.
"You're right," Oren admitted. (And for a moment, I bet, you might be thinking, Oh hey, finally we're gonna get the real story. Heck, maybe even a redeeming quality or two!) "But Aurumy, I've changed." Nope. Just more lies and deceit. And this time, to make matters even worse, the sleaze of a lawyer came bearing falsified evidence in hopes of pulling the wool over his daughter's eyes.
Taking his gold monogrammed (because, of course he would) and buckled briefcase from the floor, Oren set it out on the table and popped it open. Like the most secretive of magicians (read: the seediest of charlatans), the devil-horned Orovein pulled out a hand-written letter and slid it over to lay in front of Ru.
"I wrote to Lyra when you and she got taken to Blackout. Every string I pulled to get that letter to her, I would have pulled a thousand more to get the two of you out." It said as much in the letter. Verbatim, as a matter of fact...almost like Oren was reading from a script. "She didn't want anything to do with me. Now, I get it. I do. After the offer to pay for the abortion and the paternity test and everything else, she was done with me. I love me a strong, independent woman (ew). But for your pride to get in the way of accepting help for your child? Well...I told her that her pride would get her killed."
The very best lies had bits of truth to them. By incriminating himself, by painting himself not solely as a saint, but (repentant) sinner as well...Oren had succeeded. Aurumy faltered. She doubted. The memory of her mother's death—how it had happened, how she'd gone back for all those other people no matter how much Ru had begged her to stay—was suddenly cast in a different light...and therefore second-guessed.
"...can you help us get out of this mess?" Ru asked, her voice as small and soft as the child she had been then.
And Oren smiled. "Of course I can, angel."
JAHEIRA
Oren's sob story didn't tug at Jaheira's heartstrings like it did Aurumy's. In fact, she could see right through his little charade, and it made her angry. Jaheira picked up the letter after Aurumy finished reading it and glanced over the words. She thought about crumpling it up, but tossed it across the table instead. "This is bullshit," Jaheira said matter-of-factly. She couldn't help but feel like the Orovein was here to exploit Aurumy somehow, but she couldn't prove it. Aurumy was vulnerable, and Jahiera wanted nothing more than to protect her.
Aurumy was more of an empath than Jaheira, and so Oren's attempt to manipulate her was successful. Asking for Oren's help was like making a deal with the devil himself, but Jaheira really wasn't in a position to argue. The feds were known for playing hardball to win trials. They needed the absolute best representation they could get, and so Jaheira would begrudgingly work with Oren.
"We have to let Kaelee know we're here," she said, mostly to Aurumy. "Do we even have a bond?" That question was directed at Oren. Jaheira's rap sheet was minimal, and included charges of drunk & disorderly and assault. They were actually facing prison time for their current charges.
AURUMY
Aurumy didn’t seem shocked by Jaheira’s outburst, nor did she seem offended by its implications. However, to the same end as she was the other, the Orovein also didn’t seem put off of her decision to accept the devil’s help. Much to her girlfriend’s chagrin, they were agreed in that this wasn’t the time nor place to look a gold-toothed gift horse in the mouth.
If Oren was irritated by Morningstar’s instant distrust and dislike of him, he didn’t show it. Cool as the slimiest of cucumbers, the lawyer simply plucked that letter off the table (because leaving it there would mean giving his daughter a second chance to maybe poke some holes in what utter hogwash he’d presented as evidence) and tucked it back into his briefcase.
“As I told Agent Archambeau, we will need to speak with her again before moving forward. Regardless, I see no reason why a Blackout hero and survivor should be remanded rather than released of their own recognizance. You’re both mothers, after all, and you’ll be needing to get back to your son, who has already been through enough as of late…”
Ru sniffed in flagrant disapproval at Oren’s mention of Two, but alas, could still not argue with the fact that any and all bargaining chips needed to be used in this instance…however cheap and tawdry it made her feel. Two HAD been through enough, and so had Kaelee.
“Get Jaheira a phone call. I’ll stay with you and speak to the detective.” Aurumy took her girlfriend by the hand if she started to object and leveled her with a look that said I will let you know when I need protecting.
Oren stood, waltzed to the door, and knocked, before acknowledging the guard who came up to its pocket-sized window. “Let Stella know we’re ready.”
JAHEIRA
Jaheira's angered simmered as they talked, but finally boiled over at the mention of Two. She was fiercely protective of the little badger, and any mention of him had her nearly foaming at the mouth. "What do you know about what he's been through?" Jaheira snapped. She felt guilty enough without Oren drawing attention to her shortcomings as a parent. Jaheira squeezed Aurumy's hand and wordlessly nodded, confident her girlfriend could hold her own in her brief absence. She couldn't deny a phone call was necessary right now.
Stella entered the interrogation room a few minutes later. Jaheira requested a phone call, which was granted. She was passed along to the guard standing by just outside the door. "Are we finished here?" Stella asked coolly. "You are entitled to a phone call as well, Aurumy. I'd suggest doing so now if that interests you. I cannot guarantee one later." The implications of that statement were that they would not be released any time soon. At least, not without the help of Oren.
AURUMY
"Go on, angel, make your phone call. Me n' Stella need to talk shop anyways." Oren encouraged Aurumy, who got up and followed the same guard out who had taken Jaheira.
"You know as well as I do that those girls aren't going to see the inside of a jail cell. Not remand, there's no way. Morningstar is a war hero and my daughter is practically the patron saint of lost souls when it comes to Blackout survivors. You really want the GalFeds to have to spin that PR nightmare? Now you know I love playing hardball, so if you want to take this to trial, I'm more than ready to dance that dance, but you can either be the decent cop and bond them out now, or look like the fool when my good friend Judge Hyloi makes the decision for you."
Stella might have been cool, but Oren was ice cold.
JAHEIRA
Stella pulled out the metal chair across the table from Oren. She purposefully dragged the legs across the concrete floor, and it made a terrible screeching noise akin to nails on a chalkboard. Then she sat down. However irritated Stella might’ve been feeling, she didn’t outright show it. “If they won’t take a plea deal, this will be going to trial,” she said. “War hero and bleeding-heart humanitarian or not, they will be held accountable for their actions.” This was not her first time dealing with Oren and his underhanded tactics, and it wouldn’t be the last.
Stella leaned back in her chair and appeared all too casual. “They have a bond if they can pay it,” she said. “50,000 credits each. Bond conditions include staying within Galaxy Federation jurisdiction until this all concludes.”
AURUMY
Oren would eagerly await Jaheira and Aurumy’s return before leaning in to deliver this next part.
“And what actions are those, Stel? Preventing the Vindicator, one of two notorious Blackout vessels, from falling into the hands of one of GalFed’s most wanted? A man of such infamy and ill repute that you still get dirty looks from some of the folks who walk these very halls?”
He reclined back and sighed, as if he’d grown bored of her scare tactics and iron fisted terms already.
“I’ll be submitting extradition papers to you by end of day today, once Ms. Morningstar and Ms. Farrish—“ Ru wrinkled her nose and corrected him, and Oren relented, complied, and corrected, “”—Aurumy’s bonds have been posted. You’re welcome to visit Ruuma prior to the trial, I’ll be sure to treat you to some real Ellisarian hospitality…you know, to show you there’s no hard feelings…prior to the better man winning and all.”
JAHEIRA
The heavy metal door opened and Jaheira and Aurumy entered the interrogation room flanked by the guard. Stella stood, gesturing toward the seat she had been reclining in. “Please,” she said. “Take a seat.” Oren’s attempt to get under her skin was met with a wry smile. “Those actions are desecrating protected airspace and conspiracy,” Stella said. “Felonies under federal law.”
Stella snorted at his offer of hospitality. “Thank you, but I’m quite busy. We could grab drinks before the trial, though, I’m sure.” She was smiling, but it was the least bit friendly. “I’ll keep an eye out for those extradition papers. There’s no guarantee the request will be granted. It is at the discretion of the courts.”
Once Stella was gone, Jaheira looked at Oren quizzically. “Extradition papers?”
AURUMY
“You know, you say those words enough times and they lose all sense of meaning,” Oren smiled wolfishly as Stella continued to stand in defiance of his efforts to undermine her. She was dogged in her pursuits, he had to give her that.
With Agent Archambeau gone, Mr. Farrish turned his attention back to Aurumy and Jaheira. However, just as he was about to speak, Ru interjected:
“He wants us to be tried by the Ellisarian courts. Being an Orovein, he knows there’s a pretty stringent, sliding scale of consequence that the government almost always adheres to. He obviously wants to use that to his advantage.”
Oren smirked, clearly impressed.
“That’s my gi—“
Ru cut him down with a single, disapproving look and, yet again, he relented. He was patient. He was playing the long game.
“Your plan is to have Jaheira banished from a planet she never intended on visiting in the first place. And for me, that would mean…” As Ru really thought about it, she narrowed her eyes. “They’d cleave my halo and exile me to Priyet.”
“Yes. But…?” Oren was obviously leading Aurumy towards a certain realization; the inevitable conclusion being what defense he’d be leveraging in court.
“…but they already scalped me while I was on Blackout.”
Oren smiled grinchily from ear to ear.
“Exactly.”
“So you’re going to argue on a technicality?”
“Mistrials are built on technicalities, my dear. Justice, at least under the law, is a rather tenuous thing, you see.”
“…but what about Mursel?”
“What about him?”
“The same sliding scale that might save us would condemn him. He’s already been excommunicated.”
Oren shrugged rather apathetically and Aurumy immediately leapt up and slammed her hands on the table.
“You intend on serving him up to the Addeloor council on a silver platter! He’s your pound of flesh!”
“I intend on doing what is necessary to ensure you, your girlfriend, and your family go on with your lives, uninterrupted.” He used Two and Kaelee as leverage just as easily now as Stella had then. But as overt in similar tactic as it was, the lawyer’s logic was as sound as it was amorally grey.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira could hardly keep up with the back-and-forth discourse between Aurumy and Oren. She couldn't deny that his plan, however nefarious, was pretty brilliant. And it just might save their asses—except for Mursel's. Aurumy's sudden outburst startled Jaheira and she jumped. "Jesus—" she said. But Jaheira couldn't get a word in edgewise between the two arguing Oroveins. The thought of Mursel being executed while they got off scot-free felt wrong, but what choice did they have?
"Ru—" Jaheira said. "Aurumy, please." She grabbed her girlfriend by the arm, hoping the touch would ground her. "Is there no other way?" she asked Oren. "Mursel doesn't deserve to die. Can't he be spared? There has to be another way."
AURUMY
Aurumy might have been a bleeding heart, but Oren clearly was not. Cold, calculating, and concise, all of these things made the Orovein a damn good lawyer…but a pretty shitty prospect for being a loving and supportive father.
And while Jaheira tried to be what Oren wasn’t about to, when it came to the big picture, Aurumy knew no one here—not even her, and that’s what made her most sick of all—was going to be Mursel’s advocate.
“Jaheira, he has a wife and daughter he already doesn’t get to see just being exiled,” Ru whimpered, teetering on the precipice of an unending ocean of guilty tears. She was rightfully inconsolable.
“There’s not,” Oren stated simply to Jaheira, but was otherwise unwilling or unable to address Aurumy’s outpouring of heartfelt emotion for her scapegoat of a friend. “I will not advise you to do anything to benefit him when it would simply not benefit you in the long term.” He didn’t apologize, but in a way, to have it explained as such felt like Farrish’s version of an apology.
Ru turned to Jah, buried her face in her shoulder, and wept, sounding burdened.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira and Mursel hadn't gotten along during their brief interaction on Priyet, but she felt guilty nonetheless that he was facing execution. There was no arguing with Oren in that moment, and she nodded solemnly in understanding. Aurumy wept, soaking Jaheira's shoulder with golden tears, and she wrapped an arm around her for comfort. "We'll figure it out," she said. But in truth, it felt like an empty promise.
