The tension in the fetid air was sliced by the sound of a chime coming from the communicator broach mounted on Brooks' chest armour.  Brooks scowled and tapped the device on.  The calm controlled voice of Captain Aynish sounded a stark contrast to the madness in the brig.

            “First Officer Brooks.”

            Brooks cleared his throat.  “Yes Cap'n.”

            “Engineer McCall has informed me that repairs are now complete on the captured vessel.  I need you to report immediately to her flight deck and assume control of her.  You are to take her directly to the strip yard on Coridorn.  I have arranged for the 'Larrikin' to transport you back.”

            Brooks bared his teeth in frustration but kept his voice neutral.  “Understood, Sir.”

            “Very good, Brooks.  Captain out.”

            The communicator beeped off.

            Brooks turned his savage gaze back to Terinu and the girl.  His jaw worked wordlessly for a few seconds.  The game he had planned so carefully had been spoilt.

            “Listen to me, freak,” he snarled.  “You enjoy that wench and you enjoy her good.  'Cause I'll be checkin' to see that you do.  'cause if yer just fraggin' with me... well... let's just say I ain't gonna' let a piece like her go to waste and you...” his lips curled into a sadistic smile.  “You'll be taking a long turn hangin' in the boiler room to help you figure out if it's worth fraggin' 'round with your commanding officer.  You got that clear, freak?!”

            “Yes, Sir,” Terinu stifled a flinch.

            Brooks glared at the youth for a moment longer before turning on his heels and storming out of the cage.

            Terinu watched him go.  The girl slid from his arms and crumpled onto the floor gasping with fear.  Terinu glanced down at her.  He nudged her with a foot. “You, get up.  Follow me.”  He took a few steps towards the door.  The girl made no response.

            Terinu's face hardened.  He turned about and in one startling swift move he grabbed her under her arm and hauled her to her feet. She cried out and pulled back weakly.  Terinu swung her forward and shoved her out through the cage door.  He pressed her fragile body into the wall opposite.  “Scared are you,” he hissed savagely into her ear.  “Well here's a fraggin' tip.  If you want me to play nice with you then you'll do as you're fraggin' well told!”

            In the next cage both vulpine leapt to their feet.  “By the Holy Mother no!” cried out the younger male.

            “Please child,” implored the other.  “Do not do this.”

            Valdon, still suffering from the effects of the nerve whip, rolled about helplessly on the floor.  “You bastard,” he gagged.  “I will kill you myself, I will strangle you with my bare hands...” He lapsed into a spasm of coughing.

            Terinu ignored them all.  He pulled the wailing girl off the wall and headed to the entrance of the brig.  He tugged her through and slammed the door closed behind them.  He dragged her a distance past several crew members who leered and threw lewd suggestions at their backs.  He stopped outside the ships laundry room and pinned her up against the wall with an arm as he keyed the door.  It slid open and he pushed her inside.

            The girl landed heavily on her out stretched arms, scrapping her palms on the grated floor.  She stammered miserably between heaving sobs.  “My father... please... don't... please take me back to my father.”

            Terinu slapped the lock closed on the hungry eyes that had followed them. 

            “Shut up,” he yelled.  “Just shut the fragg up and get your gear off.”

            Fedora cringing and tried to scramble backwards out of his reach.  Her hysterical wails filled the utility room.  They ended in a cry of terror as the agile youth pounced and dragged her roughly up to his face by the collar of her shredded blouse.

            "Listen, tell you what," he taunted over her whimpering.  "You can scream.  Go ahead, yell and cry all you want.  It's not gonna' make a micron of difference."

            Rashid Valdon returned to his seat beside his pale, silent daughter.  An angry rumble reverberated through the room.  Magistrate Abelard struck three firm taps to bring the court back to order.

            "Plaintiff Rashid Valdon has presented his grievance before us today.  Now it falls to the defendant to answer to this charge."

            He turned to address the statue still youth chained to the defendant's dais.  "The court calls upon Terinu of the ferin to state his case.  Mind you are bound by this court to speak only the truth without embellishment or falsehood."

            Leeza chewed her lip; her hands gripped the edge of her seat white knuckled as she leaned forward willing Terinu to say something, anything, in his own defence.

            A long silent moment passed.

            Abelard cleared his throat. "Does the defendant have anything to say?"

            Terinu slowly looked up at the Magistrate.  He gave a small shake of his head.

            Leeza closed her eyes as her strength drained away down her legs and into the floor boards.  She felt Rufus place a steadying hand over her hers.

            Magistrate Abelard took a deep breath.  "Terinu, you stand accused of the vile and brutal rape of Fedora, daughter of Rashid Valdon.  What say you?  Did you commit this heinous act?"

            Time stood still.  Everyone seemed to be holding their breath.

            Terinu's voice was clear and emotionless.

            "Yes."