Chapter 90. Extraditing the kidnapper Rasaka?
Murakami Io is waiting for Noah and Mi Zhiwa in the detention room. Tiny had informed them that the outside team was back on the ship. Murakami Io planned to go to the detention room immediately.
The Republic has three holding cells located in a particularly secure area of the Security Centre. A force field on the door ensures no one can escape. A light strip mounted on the door frame indicates whether the force field is on. The force field itself is invisible, so prisoners can be spoken to through the field without being threatened.
Two cells are currently occupied. Security personnel have separated the two kidnappers so that they cannot conduct any kind of negotiation for the time being.
"Anything wrong with the operation?" Noah wondered. "Have you encountered any difficulties?"
"No, sir. We have rescued the hostages and returned the envoy to the airport," Murakami replied. At present he did not feel the need to mention the cunning behavior of the envoy.
Noah nodded. "It's a shame he didn't want to come up. I would have loved to talk to him."
Then they turned to the prisoners. Noah saw that the anesthetic effect of the laser gun had begun to fade. The prisoner sat against the cell wall with his hands clasped in front of his face. His thin face was lined with worries that were entirely legitimate. He no longer has much expectations for the future.
"I am Captain Noah, the commander of this ship," he introduced himself in a firm voice. "Who are you?"
The man slowly raised his head and looked at him with distant eyes.
"What's your name?" Noah asked clearly, repeating as no answer came.
"My name is Lasekai," the prisoner said weakly.
"I presume you are aware that Mr. Havendes has been released. He has returned to his ship. Your kidnapping failed, causing serious trouble for the colony. What did you intend to gain by doing this? Don't tell me You are simply trying to blackmail the senators. We know you also made a request to the envoy."
Lasekai just shook his head disdainfully. "You are outsiders. You don't understand."
"Then please explain."
The prisoner just sneered and had no intention of saying anything.
"Listen, Mr. Rasaka. I may not be a local, and maybe I don't fully understand what's going on here. But I believe I understand the Earth government's way of thinking. After all, I was their guest for a few days. ", Noah said, emphasizing the word "being a guest" with special irony. "They will ask for your extradition. Then you will be sent to some prison and lose further rights. No one will hear anything about you again. Do you have a family?" The brief silence was regarded by Noah as an affirmative answer. . So again, he clearly presented Rasekhai's two options.
"You can talk to us, or negotiate with the Earth government."
Rasaka looked at him. "So, if you get the information you want, how can you guarantee that you won't extradite me?"
"Oh, I didn't say we won't extradite you. We certainly will. Like you said, we are outsiders. I don't want to get involved. It's just a question of whether we will extradite you to Earth or to the colonies. "
"Ha," Lasekai muttered with a humorless smile. "As if that would make any difference."
"There's definitely a difference, I'm sure you understand. But ultimately the decision is yours," Noah shrugged. He turned and left, heading to the next cell.
Mi Zhiwa watched him leave with some surprise. She didn't expect the captain to give up so easily. She was about to whisper something to him when Lasekai spoke again.
"Captain, please wait."
The corners of Noah's mouth twitched slightly, and then he turned back to the prisoner.
Lasekai stood up slowly and approached the energy barrier. He raised his hand, approached the energy field, and felt the weak gravity of the static electricity.
"The energy barrier won't kill you, if that's what you're going to do," Noah said quietly. The constructors took this into consideration when designing to prevent prisoners from ending their lives prematurely.
Rasaka lowered his hand. "That was not my intention, even though I had thought of it."
"Do you want to tell me something?" Noah asked. "I can't give you much explanation about the energy barrier. I have to find my chief engineer."
"It's okay," Rasekhai waved. "I can say it again. We ask for the dispatch of diplomatic envoys to ensure that the kidnapping will not lead to retaliation from the Earth. After all, our actions are also for the benefit of the Earth."
"I doubt anyone over there would see it that way," Noah said seriously.
"Thanks to your intervention, we will never know." Rasekhai still looked convinced of his actions.
"Are you the mastermind of the kidnapping?" Noah wanted to know this not insignificant question because it would affect the severity of the verdict.
"If you're asking if it was my idea, then yes. But, technically, it wasn't. There was a guy who put the idea in my head in a bar," Rasekye recalls.
"Who?" Noah asked mechanically, although he knew it was a rather stupid question. In a bar, people with various criminal motives gather together. And just considering the criminal act, it does not constitute a crime under federal law. Of course, the same goes for the laws of the earth here.
"A man in his thirties. His hair was shaved short. He also had a huge hooked nose. Other than that, I didn't notice anything special about him," Rasekye shrugged.
Noah stared at him dumbfounded. Partly because he didn't expect to get such an answer. On the other hand, it's because of this description. He had also met a man with such a nose in the colony. But this is impossible. That's incredible. After all, that man is a senator.
"Mr. Io Murakami, get me a data tablet," Noah ordered.
Murakami Io strode away, but just a few seconds later, he came back and handed him the tablet the captain asked for.
"Is that all there is to it?" Rasaka asked.
"Not quite yet." Noah tapped quickly on the tablet, searching for photos of senators. Fortunately, they had already hacked into the colony's computers and downloaded the data.
When he finally found the photo he needed, he showed the tablet to Rasekhai.
"Is it him?" Noah asked.
The prisoner looked at the photo and nodded. "Yes, that's him."
"Damn it," the captain cursed, handing the tablet back to Murakami.
"Who is he?" Lasekai wondered.
Noah hesitated. He wasn't sure if he should tell the prisoner. After all, he was responsible for multiple lives. But on the other hand, his situation is so dire that knowing who's behind it might help him.
"Who is he?" Lasekei urged.
"His name is Ono Ichiro. He's a senator from the colony," Noah said.
Rasekai needed a few seconds to digest the information. "He's a senator? Then why would he say such things to me?"
"I don't know. But it certainly doesn't bode well. And unfortunately, all we have is your statement." But if something was wrong, he had to take action. He had to talk to Senator Olert immediately.
Ingemar had been waiting for three days. But Shu Ran has not contacted him. He didn't even see her. This simply drove him crazy. Every day he became more and more anxious. On the one hand, his anger is growing, and on the other hand, his longing for her is getting stronger and stronger. He wanted to do something with her again, talk to her, laugh with her. But his pride did not allow him to contact her. You should never approach her after receiving such a rejection. She had to take the first step.
Eventually, however, he couldn't stand it anymore. Missing her took over. He had been pacing back and forth in his dormitory for half an hour, thinking about what to do. Since they had never met and he had no intention of finding her, he decided to send her a message.
He picked up the data tablet that served as a mobile computer access terminal and typed some letters on the touch screen. Then the message was deleted. Did he really want to send her a message? In fact, he wanted her to come to him. But he felt that it might take a long time. OK, try again.
This went back and forth several times, and finally he sent out a few lines of text at lightning speed. He wrote only a brief message because he didn't have the courage to write more.
Hi Shuran,
Are you OK? How is Helanmin?
I miss you. I hope to see you again. Hope you have time to meet me soon.
Ingemar.
Now that the words had been spoken, he could only wait for a response. At first he sat in front of the screen, imagining that she would respond immediately. But after ten minutes, with the screen still black, it dawned on him that he might have to wait even longer. So he stood up and started packing some things in his dormitory. He glanced at the tablet's screen every time he passed it, hoping foolishly that she'd reply. But if he receives the message, the screen will immediately sound a beep to notify him.
So he continued to tidy up, and his dormitory gradually became as tidy as when he first moved in. The anger gradually subsided. As time went on, he became calmer and calmer. In the end, he even looked forward to Shu Ran's reply. He was sure her humor would come through in the replies. And then he was soon able to hug her again. Finally, the signal for relief sounded. He quickly rushed to the data tablet. Just a short answer.
Hi Ingemar,
Helanmin is getting better, but it will take some time for her to regain consciousness.
I miss you as well.
Send regards. Shu Ran
Ingmar looked at these lines in shock. Is this all? Didn't she have more to say? No contact for three days, only such an insignificant reply? He was speechless. Anger welled up in me again. He was suddenly as angry as he was before he sent the message. Even angrier than before. If he hadn't sent her a message before, this wouldn't be the case now. He felt like a fool. Wasn't he led by her just now? He almost threw the tablet against the wall, never getting stuck messaging her again.
He was furious and paced back and forth in the dormitory. He barely restrained himself from destroying anything or letting the now tidy dormitory fall into chaos again.
In fact, he should have asked her to wait. He had expressed his thoughts to her and now it was her turn. However, his anger was so intense that he just wasn't willing to make a rational decision. He had to release his frustration. He had to get back to her again.
Don't you have a little time? Does everything between us mean nothing to you? Is Helammin more important to you than me?
Ingemar.
He glared at the tablet before setting it aside and leaning on the couch. He stared at the stars outside the window, but his thoughts were entirely elsewhere. This time he didn't wait long before he received a reply.
You are unfair. Helanmin is not well yet and she needs me. Who do you think you are to think you can boss me around? Maybe it's okay if we don't see each other for a few days.
Shu Ran.
"As you wish," Ingmar thought bitterly. But don’t think I’ll have time when you want to see me again. You are right, who am I to dance to your tune.
Ingmar, still angry, put the tablet aside and stood up. He decided to go to the gym to work out and use the equipment to vent his anger. Usually that would help, but this time he wasn't so sure. She hurt him and he wasn't sure he wanted her back.
"Captain, I would like to express my gratitude to you and your crew for your assistance in rescuing the hostages."
Noah is sitting in Senator Olert's office. The senator invited him to come and express his gratitude. Additionally, the senator wanted to discuss with the captain how to proceed. Initially, Republic officers intended to get to know the two Martians who lived here better. Olert, on the other hand, wanted to bind the crew more firmly to the colony. He hasn't given up on the plan.
"Not worth mentioning," Noah waved. "I heard the envoy has left."
Olet frowned. Apparently things weren't going as he had hoped. "Yes, his ship took off six hours ago."
"So, he didn't meet with the Senate?" Noah reasoned.
"That's right," Olet nodded hesitantly. "After your people took him back to the airport, he returned to his ship and never came out. He also seemed to tell one of the police officers that nothing would allow him to set foot on this planet again." Olet said dissatisfied Shaked his head. "He then took off with the surviving driver."
"Is there no explanation?" Noah thought this was strange.
The senator sighed. "There is an explanation. He sent us a video message. In it he accused us of involvement in the kidnapping. He explained that this kidnapping and the death of his bodyguard will have consequences. Furthermore, he is still waiting for us to accept that decree, That's why he came. If rejected again, Earth's military will invade. And all senators will be considered traitors to Earth. For us, it's a death sentence. Defending against such a charge is hopeless .”
Olet leaned back in his chair, looking like he didn't know what to do. Are you risking your life by sticking to your principles? Or take the safe path and turn his back on everything he's built so far? Furthermore, he not only needs to make decisions for himself, but also takes into account that the lives and safety of many people depend on his and his colleagues' decisions.
"Maybe the ambassador is just scaring us," Noah said carefully. He didn't want to get involved in this matter, but he didn't want to completely abandon Olet either. The senator struck a chord with him. Maybe part of it is because they're all in a similar position. Olet has a responsibility to the colony as President of the Senate, while Noah has a responsibility to his crew and the entire missing universe.
"What do you mean?" Olet asked, not quite understanding what Noah wanted to express.
"I mean, Mr. Havendes may not be alone in deciding whether to blame Colonial for the kidnapping and the possible consequences."
Olert replied: "That's true. But the members of the Earth Government are like Mr. Havendes. If he describes the situation to them, he will do it in the way that is in his best interest. Since we have not had the opportunity to raise In rebuttal, the verdict will be clear. Our allies on Earth tell us that the abduction has prompted a crisis meeting. While the military has not yet identified suspicious operations, that could change soon."
"Then, the kidnapper's statement will not be taken into account," Noah said, more like a conclusion. The Republic had handed the kidnappers directly to the colonial police. The third injured kidnapper has been detained here. It is up to the Senate to decide whether to extradite him to Earth.
"No," Olet shook his head. "And the Earth side has not received their statements at all. We have not received any news about these prisoners yet."
It took Noah a moment to realize the significance of this statement. "Not yet? Does this mean you are not extraditing the kidnappers to Earth?"
Olet couldn't help but smile. "Despite Mr. Havendes' insistence," he said sarcastically. "But no, we are not extraditing them. They are colonizers and they committed a crime here. Therefore, they will be tried here."
"According to the laws of the earth?"
Olet seemed to want to avoid the question, but finally nodded. "Yes, that applies here too. We are subject to the jurisdiction and laws of Earth. But here, there will be a fair trial. Not necessarily on Earth."
"Will it end with the death penalty?" Noah asked in depth.
"That's for the judge to decide. We have no influence on that," Olert stressed, saying he did not want to continue discussing the issue.
Noah was silent for a moment. "Then I can tell you more information. Because one of the prisoners talked to us. Lasekai. He is the leader of the kidnappers." He briefly reported what he learned about the kidnapping process from Lasekai. There is no mention of Ichiro Ono, the suspected mastermind behind the incident.
Olet nodded thoughtfully. "There is some truth to that. We should accept that decree, and Earth should take no action against the colonies. But the plan is still naive, because no matter what Mr. Havendes promised, Earth would never keep it. "
"You mean, Earth will definitely use the kidnapping incident to threaten revenge?" Noah confirmed.
"It's not just a threat. And that's what we're about to face."
"Then I understand less and less," muttered the captain.
"I've never understood why someone would do something like this," Olert replied angrily.
Noah shook his head. "No, I'm not referring to that. Mr. Rasaka told us that he got the idea for the kidnapping from someone in a bar. And he recognized the person as Senator Ichiro Ono."
Olet's eyes widened in surprise. "You believe him?"
"Well, I thought it was strange, but when he said it, it gave me the impression that he was telling the truth. Our psychologist had the same impression."
Olet gritted his teeth and stared at the table angrily. It lasted several minutes. His anger seemed to grow with each passing minute. Slowly, his cheeks turned red.
"I don't think you have proof. Just this statement," he said, barely keeping his emotions under control.
"Yes."
"This lying, mean bastard," Olet yelled angrily, slamming his palms on the table with a deafening thud. If it hurt him, his anger was too much for him to feel.
