Ships went speeding around the Scouts ship as they returned to the mothership. They had spent weeks on the planet setting up that operation and they were glad to finally be back. They would get better food and rest now that they were off high alert.
The ship docked onto the outside of the mothership in its designated spot. The coupling shot air as it was connected to the ship, the men stood at attention waiting by the doors. When they opened, armed men came on board, weapons drawn and ready for a fight.
"Onlyhumans onboard?" asked the leader of this little raiding party.
"Scan complete sir, humans and hybrids onboard"
"Good. Lower weapons, sweep the ship, and check for alien technology and supplies"
The humans went through the ship looking for anything out of place.The rules were very strict when it came to returning ships, the longer they had touched down on the planet the more searches that had to endure.
The crew stood at attention still waiting for the procedure to be over. They had known it would be happening.
Soon, a man with a pole waved forward Harris who went into the air lock. Inside lights went off scanning his whole body and when they were done the whole room lit up green and the next crew member went inuntil it was Seth and Maria's turn. They went by rank the lowest off first.
Seth began walking to the room when the man with the scanner stopped him "Says here you need an extra screening due to time on planet".
Seth looked back at Maria who nodded slowly. Seth looked into her eyes, clearly they wanted to find something on him. Maria also moved forward to leave through the exit before she was stopped too "You too Ma'am"
"She spent no time on planet she was only on the ship" said Seth
"Orders are orders"
"Okay, take us to the other scanner"
"Yes Ma'am, please follow me"
They both made their way off of the ship, going through the first scanner before they were moved to a separate room and left alone together.
Maria looked at Seth. The room was small and cramped, there were cameras trained on them. This was not the normal procedure for a more detailed scan, she looked into his eyes and tried to convey without saying anything 'do not say a word', Seth knew without having to be told, he knew what was about to happen.
A man came in and escorted Maria out of the room leaving only Seth remaining.
The men left Seth in the room for hours before they finally came backto see him.The time had moved slowly, but Seth was used to it; he knew they wanted him to break and this would only be the start of it.
The man that came in sat close to Seth to invade his space and make him uncomfortable.
"So Seth I see here you spent longer than normal on the planet, that must have been tough" the man said with a smile.
"..." Seth said nothing in response
"Ehy don't you tell me about it" he continued
Seth remained tight lipped. He knew what they were doing, trying to make him talk. He was unsure of what they were looking for, but this was not procedure to do after a scout mission, you where to debrief the General and your direct superior officer only. Seth had already debriefed Maria on the ship; now all he had to do was debrief General Maple and he could take a long nap.
"We know there were more Druin on the planet than normal, you must have fought hard to infuriate the outpost. How many Elites did you kill?"
The man continued trying to be friendly so that Seth would open up to him, but the man already had made a mistake; only a very few people should know at this time how many Druin were in the outpost.
Seth continued to say nothing as the man pressed on asking him question after question. After almost an hour of questioning the man gave up.
"If you do not want to talk, okay. Maybe you will later" said the man before walking out.
Fifteen minutes had passed and Seth was falling asleep he was so bored, suddenly the sirens above him went off and a voice came over the speaker, "wake up" the lights flashed and he was awake.
This continued for about an hour just as he was about to fall asleep they would wake him up and the circle went on. What could he do other than wait so he decided he slowed down his breathing as it did not look to be ending any time soon.
His whole body slowed. He was awake but his body was already in a meditative state and his mind soon followed. His body looked awake just still, his eyes open but his mind resting. It wasn't as good as sleeping but would allow him to stave off sleep deprivation until Maria could get him out of here.
On the other side of the ship Maria was kicking up a storm outside the General's office.
"Where is the General I must speak to him"
"He is busy' said the secretary
"He is breaking protocol"
"He is busy"
"A scout after a mission is being interrogated before debriefing with the General. This is a complete lack of regard for policies. If sensitive information gets out it will be the Generals fault"
"That is above my pay grade Ma'am, I just do what the General says" said the secretary who was still looking at her computer.
Maria tried to make more noise and alert someone but it was all in vain. Anyone on the ship higher than her were busy all of a sudden and could not make time for her, 'probably at the orders of that ass hat' thought Maria to herself.
That is when she got a thought and hurried off to her quarters to ensure Seth got out as quickly as possible.