Chapter 60

“Ready?” Zeke asked as he went to take her arm.

Carly was about to say yes when someone started to bang on the door. Zeke put his finger to his lips and moved, so he was behind the door.

Carly composed herself, and rucking the backpack onto her left shoulder, she went to open the door. She didn’t make it. The door smashed in, and four people dressed as MPs rushed in.

One of them started screaming, “Get down on the floor,” when he saw Carly standing there, mouth agape.

Carly dropped to the floor and spread out her arms and legs. The rucksack slid to the floor, pinning her left arm. The men surrounded her. They poked her with the guns and forced her to spread her legs wider.

Carly was terrified. She wondered where Zeke was as she trembled and cringed at the abuse from the men.

A fifth man entered. He was dressed in an expensive suit. He looked like a younger but fatter version of his brother, Bernard.

He sneered at Carly, “Where did you get the money, bitch? You didn’t think we would let you go that easily, did you? Bernard and I have big plans for you, girly.”

“We like to soften you little girls up. Make you desperate, so you come crawling to us. We were surprised you lasted this long. So, who did you rob to get that much money?”

“Did you try to find your own sugar daddy? You had better be untouched. If I find you gave it up, I’ll give you to the boys. They haven’t had a fine bit of arse for some time. Roll her over and strip her,” he commanded.

While two men went for an arm and leg, one of the men reached for the rucksack to pull it out of the way. They all stopped mid-move as a familiar voice boomed, “Touch that girl, and I’ll shoot you myself.”

Dread filled the men. They were already on report. This was a death knell. Butterfingers panicked and turned to shoot. He grunted as the weapon was kicked from his grasp. The fist dislocated his jaw before he spun in a circle and dropped to the floor.

Carly started crying when Zeke growled, “Anyone else want to take me on?”

The other three MPs tossed their weapons, dropped to the floor, spread their arms and legs, and then put their hands behind their heads.

“Collect them for me, will you, Zeke,” said the voice Carly didn’t know.

She lifted herself up on her knees and fumbled with the rucksack as she got to her feet. Zeke kicked the guns away and went to Carly. He wrapped her in his arms and just held the trembling girl.

Colonel Howe started telling the men their rights. At first, he spoke to the MPs, mentioning court marshals and jail time. At no time did he ease off the pressure of the pistol he had pressed into George’s ribs or the arm he had about his fat neck.

Then he addressed George, speaking into his ear from behind. “George, you have no idea how much pleasure I’m getting from arresting you. A Chief Justice has already promised me the warrants to search and seize your property.”

“Your conversation with Ms Watson has been legally recorded and witnessed by that very same Judge. I’m sure the boys on the floor will remember similar conversations with other victims. I wish you luck getting an attorney.”

“You can tell him we have you for breaking, entering, and using UNSEC resources and personnel while pursuing a crime. Terrorising an underage female and threatening her with rape and bodily harm.”

“I will probably need a month to complete the list of the rest of the crimes. Oh, one more thing I will add here. I did some checking today. And guess whose name is on the bill for fixing the airlock in warehouse WC500 in Section C?”

“It’s a damn shame, death by airlock for endangering the station was voted down a couple of years ago. I sure hope your victims remember that,” Colonel Howe stated coolly.

Two new MPs entered and took George by the arms. Several more followed to collect the men on the floor.

Zeke said softly to Carly, “We got him, Carly. He can’t hurt you anymore. He has bigger things to worry about. How many people will panic when his name and crimes hit the net in the morning?”

Carly looked up at Zeke. “Shit, he’s done favours for a lot of important people. Someone will space him for sure!” she replied more loudly.

Colonel Howe said to Sergeant Nicholas, “He goes straight to solitary confinement. Minimum four guards around the clock. Make damn sure they are people you can trust! Strip-search his attorney each time, and no visitors other than the Brigadier or me. His food is to be sealed packaging and bottled water.”

“Yes, Sir. I’ll put together a roster,” she replied and saluted him before marching out after her people.

The room was suddenly quiet again.

“Damn, your hard work to have around, Zeke,” the Colonel complained.

“Well, one of my jobs is to clean up crime. At least you know I’m earning the Sols; they aren’t paying me.”

“What? Why aren’t you being paid?” Carly asked indignant on Zeke’s behalf, as she stepped out of his embrace to face the Colonel.

“I stupidly volunteered,” Zeke replied with a hard-done-by expression.

He shook off the odd feeling of wanting to pull Carly back into his arms. He guessed he just wanted to keep her safe.

“We will see about that. Although, if you’re not receiving a wage, then you are entitled to any reward money,” the Colonel stated.