Chapter 7

The next morning, Amnon Saxe was pressed and ready the moment Saw Yatha entered the prison facility.  To keep publicity and gossip as low as possible it was arranged that Saw would enter from the docks at the rear of the building.  The added advantage of this plan was that it placed Saw and Amnon nearer the elevators, which headed down to Lillian’s cell.  Fewer eyes and faster speed.  Amnon wanted to get this day over as quickly as possible.

Saw arrived on time in the transport vehicle Amnon had arranged for him.  For the occasion, Saw had replaced the dark clothes of his exploits for the military uniform in which he’d risen to prominence.  Amnon could not help but think back on what Keetha had said over dinner.  Saw Yatha must have looked very much like this: the tailored tunic which drew a sharp silhouette from his shoulder plates to his waist, the trousers creased so sharp they might be a weapon, and the boots shined to a mirror finish.  To top off the look, it was clear to Amnon that Saw had taken extra care to get even more of a gleam out of his shiny eye patch.  If Saw hoped to get Lillian to confess as soon as he walked into the cell, Amnon thought, he couldn’t have dressed better.

Amnon couldn’t help but feel the tension as he looked down at his own boots, which paled in comparison to Saw’s.  He met Saw’s gaze with a pained expression, knowing he couldn’t afford to show any weakness. The power struggle between them was palpable, and Amnon was already a step behind.

“Good morning, Saw.” Amnon forced a smile and offered his hand.

Saw looked around, his eyes betraying a hint of unfamiliarity.  “I don’t remember this place,” he said.

Amnon flashed back in time to remember what the docks had looked like in Saw’s day.  Then he remembered.  “You wouldn’t.”  Saw looked at Amnon.  “They were added in the tower build.  I believe this is where the transports used to be fueled.”

Saw smiled at the recovered memory.  “Yes.  That’s it.”  And with that, Saw Yatha took off for the elevators.

Amnon quickly caught up to his former boss, eventually getting half a stride ahead to call for the elevator.  “Since you will be assisting me in this interrogation,” Amnon began, “I thought it would be good to go over the plan.  That way, we know what roles to play and can make this interview as efficient as we can.  The Princess, as you know, will likely play all kinds of games, so if we can have each other’s back – “ The door of the elevator slid open, cutting Amnon off.  Saw entered the box first.

As the elevator descended into the prison’s depths, Amnon felt a wave of uncertainty about his plan. “A few cycles ago, I read up on some new interrogation theory, and we’ve been implementing it to great success.  I think that to the degree that we can treat this interrogation as any other, we will likely get the best results.”  He looked at Saw’s face, hoping to see some sign of understanding.  It was unclear.  Not sure what else to do, Amnon charged on laying the ground works for the session, his uncertainty adding to the suspense.

The plan he’d devised involved both of them remaining calm and asking a systematic line of questioning.  The goal was to build a level of trust with the accused, almost a friendship.  This trust-building technique produced more convictions and more gathered intelligence than the methods previously used.  In which case, Amnon would play the kind stranger who compassionately wants to know why Lillian chose to rebel against Chieftan Dol and plot to win the hearts of the other realms.  He would pretend it was a fascinating story.  He told Saw to remain out of her eyeline and silent as much as possible.  Amnon’s hope was for Lillian to largely forget Saw was there and only use Saw’s experience to confirm facts.

The elevator door slid open, and this time, Saw waited for Amnon to step out first.  Amnon turned to the right and led his partner further down the winding corridors.  When they arrived outside Lillian’s cell, Amnon stopped and turned to face Saw.  His heart was in his throat the moment he caught sight of himself in Saw’s eye patch.

“If you’re not good with this plan, I need to know right now,” Amnon said.  “There is a lot riding on this as you know, and I suspect you have a lot personally mixed up in how this goes.”  No reaction from Yatha.  “My system is solid.  If you will follow my lead, we will both get what we need and please the Chieftan.”  Saw continued to stare passively at Amnon.  “Agreed?”  Saw eventually gave the slightest nod.

“Alright.”  Amnon turned back and straightened his tunic before entering the code for Lillian’s cell.  The door slid open, and Lillian sat expectantly on her bed.  She did not rise.

“Good morning, Princess,” Amnon began. I trust you slept well.”  Amnon pulled out his record device and began his line of questioning. “How do you feel returning to prison?”  Amon could feel Saw’s disapproving groan but smiled at the Princess anyway.

Lillian only looked at Amnon with an “I dare you to get me to talk” expression.  This was to be expected.  The trust-building took more or less time depending on the prisoner and the amount of time it to for them to forget the real nature of the conversation.

“I’m certain I would be dealing with feelings of failure.  I mean, it’s quite an accomplishment to escape our facility; no one else, to my memory, has been able to do it.  So, to fail at your escape attempt must leave a bitter taste.”

Saw had had enough of Amnon’s theory and lunged at Lillain.  His gloved hands grabbed her by the arms and lifted her off the bed and dangled her off the floor.  “What are you hiding!” Saw growled.

Everything happened in an instant.  Lillian squirmed and spat in Saw’s face.  Saw lifted her further off the ground, and it looked like he would throw her against the farthest wall.  Amnon barked orders for Saw to release the prisoner at once.  It was the longest ten seconds of Amnon’s life.  The chaos ended when Lillian got free from one of Saw’s hands and slapped him across the face.  Saw grunted and Amnon noticed blood begin to ooze from streaks across his cheek.  She’d gouged him with her nails.  Saw regained his grip and proceeded to shake Lillian violently.  Amnon was certain Saw was about to kill her, which would have been the end of all three of them once Dol found out.  Amnon was unable to get to Dol’s arms to command him to release his grip before Saw shoved Lillian down, causing her knees to buckle and crash to the floor.

Amnon stepped between Lillian and Saw.  “Stand down!” he said.  “You are out of control.  This is not how we do things.  It may have been when you were in charge, but may I remind you that your way of doing things led to her escape.”  He was not able to finish before Saw too a step closer to him.  Amnon could feel the hot rage on Saw’s breath.  Still, Amnon refused to give in to intimidation and looked at Saw’s one good eye without blinking.  After a moment, Saw’s face relaxed a bit, and he backed up.  When Amnon was reasonably sure the fit was over, he turned to Lillian and offered his hand.

Lillian reached out and placed her hand in his.  The instant their palms touched, Amnon’s whole world changed.