Guilty As Charged

Posted on Fri Jan 25th, 2019 @ 3:37am by

Mission: Run Afoul
Location: Brig
Timeline: Following "The Talk"
813 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Beata carefully entered the brig and glanced around. Of course Stef was the only person they were holding at the moment so it wasn't hard to spot him. She went right up to the forcefield and gave small smile that she hoped wouldn't look as pathetic as it felt. "Hi," she said. "Are you all right?"

Having been given a clean uniform and a chance to freshen up a little, Stef had been sitting curled up on the cot ever since his arrest. He uncurled himself and sat up, staring at the woman on the other side of the field. "I do not know," he confessed, "I feel terribly confused. The evidence is overwhelming except...I have no knowledge or even memory of doing this."

"Well of course you don't!" Beata said a little louder than she intended, her voice cracked. "Because you didn't do it. You don't have a violent bone in your body Stef." Beata looked at Wilfred. "Can I go in?"

He made a face. "I'm technically not supposed to . . ."

"I'm not going to do anything and he's not going to hurt me," she said completely sure.

Wilfred gave a single nod and dropped the forecfield long enough for her to step inside. She wrapped Stef in her arms.

Burying his face in her hair, he sighed softly. "I could kill, if I needed to," he told her, "if the lives of those I care about depend on it, I am certain I would kill. But in cold blood?" He shook his head. "I promise you Bee, it was not me. But they need to see that too, and the evidence is complelling. It all does point to me."

"Stop saying that Stef, I know it wasn't you. I . . . I am so sorry this happened. It's really my fault." Beata clammed up before she said something she shouldn't.

"Bee?" Cupping her face between his bare hands, he made her look up at him. "What do you mean? How is this your fault?"

Beata looked at him with absolute anguish but she couldn't tell him. She couldn't tell him that she was also protecting him, that he wouldn't remain in here forever. "Your name will be cleared, I promise you." It might very well be her in here after everything came out.

"What is it you are not telling me?" He could see the anguish in her eyes but failed to understand it or even connect the dots. "I have no doubt I will be cleared, though I cannot really see how at the moment." He looked over at Wexler, then back at her. "What are you afraid of?"

Beata sighed. "It will come to light eventually." And then he'd never speak to her again, much less touch her. But at least he'd be safe. "Is there anything I can do for you? Anything I can bring you while you're here?"

"Can you look after the chickens for me? And get the eggs to the mess?" He frowned, feeling like something was terribly amiss. "Other than that I am fine...there is not much I can do at this point. I need to rest anyway."

"Of course," Beata looked surprised at this, he knew of her aversion to birds. "I promise they'll be taken care of, just until you're able to do so yourself of course. Are you feeling better since your accident?" she put a hand lightly on his chest as if the beating of his heart would tell her something.

He looked down towards the hand against his chest, not quite certain what this gesture was to signify. "I am not in discomfort," he told her, "I have been given medication to prevent that, but I do need to rest." He seemed to shiver. "It is, however, very cold here."

"I will replicate you a couple of very warm blankets," Beata looked up at him concerned. "Have you eaten? Are you hungry?"

"If Mister Wexler approves," Stef answered gratefully, then shook his head. "No I have not eaten, but I am not very hungry at the moment. I do not have any appetite at all momentarily."

"Okay," she said. "I better go, but I'll bring you those blankets right away and Mr. Wexler can inspect them before he gives them to you if he wants." She gave Wilfred a look that said he'd better hand them off to Stef soon. "I'll come back and see you when I'm off duty."

"I am not going anywhere," he smiled as she stepped out of the cell. He curled himself up on the cot again, wrapping the single blanket across his shoulders. "Do not worry about me Bee, I will be fine."


Ensign Beata Lauryl
Operations Officer
USS Majestic
pnpc by Saulitis


Ensign Wilfred Wexler
Brig Officer
USS Majestic
pncp by Saulitis


Crewman Apprentice Stef
Yeoman/Animal Caretaker
USS Majestic
pnpc Lhaes