Chapter 4: Breaking the Isolation

It was smooth sailing as the Paralus flew through the Yawn. As two officers kept an eye on him, the Man with the Jacket didn't find himself in the best mood at the situation.

He considered trying to escape, but decided to stay put. Not thinking properly is what got him in this problem in the first place. Besides, this risked destroying the ship, even if he could escape. Which he couldn't. Either way, Forge didn't feel like hearing more reprimands.

Twelve long and very boring hours had passed by now, but not much had happened. He was watched by one pair of officers for two hours, then by the other pair for two more, and so on. Rather inefficient, but nikeans never bothered much when dealing with foreigners. Right now, it was Rob and Ben's shift, with them sitting on chairs at the side opposite to Forge's cell.

“So, aren't you curious about EastMak?” Rob whispered to Ben.

“I prefer to take things as they come.” Ben answered.

“It's almost exciting, really. But what exactly are we going to do with him when we get there?” asked the ever-curious one.

“We are  supposed to simply leave him there. Whatever then happens to him is up to them...” said Ben.

Forge noticed them whispering something to each other and softly said to himself:

“Thes' two guys aren' really threatenin'... unlik' that woman in pink, she's much tougher than she looks...”

As those two kept watch, Brigitte and Maroon had their break in the leisure area. Maroon looked bored, trying to read some book as she exclaimed: “I really should've brought something else to read.”

Brigitte tried to cheer her up with: “Just a few more hours...”

“Still... boring.” Maroon kept whining, causing the Nikean-in-pink to roll her eyes.

“Is there signal again? Com'on, turn on the radio!” demanded Brigitte, pointing to the radio on the riveted wall.

“No need to rush me...” protested Maroon, as she did so.

“-for another 24 hours in the Great Cruller!!!! Good day to everyone!!!!” a voice called out from the radio.

“Tally-Ho!!!! This is Macville here, live from Rowhedge, on another exciting day!!! Or night, depending on where you live. The weather here is foggy, as usual; the air is cool; and the Sun shiiiiinnniiiinng!!!! I've been feeling pretty enthusiastic lately, in spite of all the things happening around. Thing is, you can't always worry about everything. Sometimes, it's best to just sit back and accept it. And laugh, of course!!!!” the radio host continued.

“So, listeners, what do you think about foreigners? The off-worlders? A varied folk. Not very well dressed. Well, word has been going around that a foreigner attempted to infiltrate Reglom West, possibly being a spy for a future invasion. Whoever this foreigner was; he; or she; or maybe they; or perhaps it; or whatever; was apparently apprehended quickly in Lochen City, and locked down...

...At least, that's what the rumors state. No official statement has been given by the Lochen City Police Department. Honestly, I don't think it's true. Foreigners wouldn't dare trespass into Reglom again!!!” concluded Macville.

Brigitte and Maroon looked uncomfortably at each other.

“...So, did you watch that new 'Refining Ways' photoplay I told you about?” asked Maroon, awkwardly.

Meanwhile, in the cell room, the radio was also turned on, as the two other officers discreetly discussed their own things at hand.

Rob suddenly asked Ben: “So, are we sure this cell can contain him?” 

“I mean, he's hasn't escaped yet, has he?” Ben pointed out.

“No, but what if the cell isn't enough to contain him? You heard Brigitte, this foreigner can shoot blue energy stuff or something... just what are his limits?” the other nikean speculated. 

Ben tried to quench this paranoia with: “Brigitte was able to capture him without much issue.” 

Still uncertain, Rob asked: “What if he has resistance to the nullissence?”

“Don't be paranoid, every single 'anomalic' foreigner has been affected by it. And this guy clearly isn't an exception.” assured Ben.

“What if he's only pretending?” Rob objected.

“If that were the case, he wouldn't have resisted arrest in the first place.” the dark-skinned nikean contested.

His friend, understanding, but still curious, replied: “Hhhmm... we're arriving there soon enough... but I'd like to learn more about this strange foreigner.”

“Like what? His favorite color?” Ben asked jokingly.

“Just something... why waste such an opportunity?” the other nikean responded.

Back at the leisure room, Brigitte sat bored, trying to pass the time by reading something in the TypeTalky. Suddenly, Maroon approached her with a question.

“So, uh, Brigitte; about this foreigner... if he escapes, do we have a plan?” asked Maroon.

“Soften him up and throw him in there again, it wasn't too hard the first time. Just need to Wrap him quickly...” casually replied Brigitte, who looked down at the TypeTalky with a solemn look.

She seemed worried, not content with the situation.

Maroon asked her: “What's wrong now, Breege?”

“This trip is only a chore, an excuse...” the Nikean-in-pink replied, putting down her TypeTalky.

Maroon looked confused and asked: “What?”

“They want to get rid of me. I just know it.”

“Why would they get rid of you?”

“Me and this entire team. The whole issue with the foreigner, not to mention the issues caused by your- well, our actions. They think we're becoming too problematic. Why do you think they keep me  in those stations so much lately? Or why do you think we were given this job? I fear they'll make us stay off-planet doing stupid 'chores' like these.”

“Well... I too should have suspected something was off.” continued Maroon. “And I shouldn't be too surprised about us three, but you? They know you're too useful and too important to just dump. I mean, have they forgotten who your mum is!?”  she concluded.

Brigitte simply sighed and replied with: “Yeah, but I guess they don't think I'm amenable enough. I guess. You get what I mean?”

Then Chap' suddenly asked: “Are you feeling down, Officer Latymer? I hope it doesn't have anything to do with 'passion', or else I'll be obligated to shock you... painfully.”

Brigitte quickly said: “What makes you think I-”

“Well, I don't see or sense anything like this so far, I lament if I was a burden.” Chap' said, then left.

“So... bothersome! I mean, I know why he's here, but still...” said Brigitte after a long pause.

“Anyways... what will you do if we don't get fired and do get back home?” asked Maroon, trying to improve the mood.

“I've got a feeling, if they don't fire me, that I... have no clue” Brigitte replied.

Maroon blinked and asked: “You have zero plans?”

“Heheheh... pretty much, yeah. But honestly, I'll rather just not hold my breath until we get this 'delivery' done. In any case, I don't want to deal with foreigners for a looooong while. Dealing with one is too much already.”

“Well, that's for sure. But honestly, I'm sick of those stupid higher-ups. We get the job done don't we?” Maroon added.

Brigitte simply sighed, saying: “Maybe.”

“Well, at least if they do fire us... we can find new horizons!” her friend joked.

Brigitte said: “Maroon... please don't start with your jokes.”

“Oh, com'on, I'm trying to lighten the mood here!!!”

Brigitte remained silent. Maroon tried to change subject with: “Well, I'm so bored I'm going to see how the boys are doing, if you wanna come.” 

The Nikean-in-pink lightly smiled and said: “Lead the way.” 

Maroon went the way to the cell room, with Brigitte following her. 

“Wh-When can I tak' a... b-bathroom break?” Forge randomly asked. 

“...There's a toilet in there.” pointed out Rob.

“Y-Yes, but I c-can't go with you guys lookin'...” the Man in the Jacket replied.

“Just face away from us, we won't see anything.” Ben replied.

Rob then whispered to Ben: “I can't believe we're having this conversation...”

“For-Forget it, I... I don' even have to anyways...”

“Then why did you even ask!?” asked Ben, incredulous.

“...well, wha-what if I did hav' to go?” responded Forge.

“Please, foreigner, just remain still, okay? We are trying to avoid conflict here.” continued Ben.

“Ok-Okay... okay... fine. Whe-Where 'xactly ar' we goin' here?”  Forge asked.

“Well, you see-” Rob tried to explain before he was interrupted.

“Hey, don't tell that to the foreigner!!! We have him in there for a reason!!!” warned a suddenly arriving Brigitte, who continued with “Unless you want him escaping.”.

“Calm down, I'm not giving any vital information.” replied Rob.

“Doesn't matter to the higher-ups. Don't forget, they could Sunhaul you if you are found guilty of assisting a convicted foreigner.” warned a cross-armed Maroon, to which Rob gulped.

“Buddy, just listen to her.” advised Ben.

Rob just sighed and said: “Just come here for a sec, Ben. I need to discuss something with you...”

Having said this, he signaled Ben to follow him to the hallway outside the jail cell area.

“Maroon, Breege... keep watch for a minute, will you?” Rob asked.

“I-It isn't even our turn!!!” she protested.

Of course, Rob ignored her, as he went and talked privately with Ben.

“What is it now?” Ben asked his friend.

“Don't you see this a unique opportunity?”

Ben asked back with: “Where are you going with this?”

“This foreigner's report didn't say much about what he is, only where he came from...” explained Rob.

A curious Ben said: “So what are you thinking of now?”

Rob continued with: “Maybe try and learn more about him. This is a rare opportunity for us.”

“Do you... want to befriend the foreigner?” Ben asked again, with some sarcasm in his tone.

“No, no, no... I'm only saying that we could try and learn about him.”

“This goes against the code of conduct. 'Don't talk or be lenient with convicts'.” Ben bluntly replied.

“That's the thing, that specific rule only applies to nikean convicts, the rules for foreigners are different.” Rob further explained.

To which Ben admitted with: “Huh, that's... true, now that I think about it, the manual does make a distinction...”

“They can't punish us if we don't break any rules. I'm not saying we help him, obviously. Just ask a few questions...”

Having swayed Ben in on his idea, Rob brought it up to Brigitte:

“No, no, no and no. This isn't 'Interplanetary Relations'. The convicted foreigner must and will be treated as such. And I'm sure the Code of Conduct actually does have the same rule for foreigner convicts...” Brigitte brought out the manual and searched the pages, after a while she closed it and reluctantly said: “Turns out....... Rob is...... actually right.....”

“I told you so.” Rob said smugly as Ben rolled his eyes at the comment.

Brigitte frowned at this, saying: “But you can't possibly do this, I don't think the higher-ups even care about details like these. If they find out we were socializing with a convicted foreigner... they'd probably fire us all even faster or worse!!! ...Especially after your previous ideas.”

Rob fought back with “Come on!!! There's no actual rule against this. Unlike my previous ideas...”, adding “Besides... the higher-ups don't even have to know about this.”.

But Brigitte remained unconvinced:

“You want to risk it? What if he randomly mentions it to the people at the station, huh? What then? We can't risk it!!!!”

“He's got a point, Brigitte, there is no rule against it. Technically speaking, they can't punish us.” supported Ben.

Rob tried to persuade her with: “I mean... what other chance would I have to find out more of foreigners?”

Brigitte looked at Rob and at Ben for a while, thinking, until she finally replied with: “Okay, we will humor your 'wish' a tiny little bit, but not much.”

Suddenly, they were interrupted by Maroon:

“HEY ROB, BEN!!!! I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ON MY BREAK TIME HERE!!!! YOU'RE WASTING MY BREAK TIME!!!!”

Ben smiled mildly at this, struggling not to laugh, while Brigitte just shook her head.