Barth DeManth frowned as he looked out into the lobby. He had been interviewing Hake prisoners for over a week and each batch was loopier than the last. Physically, the prisoners were fine; they were looked after with the best care the Sheek Authority had to offer. In these modern times, even a Hake enemy had rights (at least until they were officially sentenced). But mentally, the prisoners seemed to be struggling. Was it the disappearance of their beloved leader, Quinn? Was it the long days in a detention queue awaiting judgment? Was it the knowledge that at any moment, they might be sent to the Prison of Seoltin?

  As Chief Detective of the Sheek War Agency, Barth was one of many Sheek Authorities who interviewed each Hake to help determine their guilt. Since this entire latest batch had been arrested in the battle over The Zone, it was certain that they were all 100% guilty of Making War, yet Barth liked to think that he gave everyone a chance to defend their actions. He had nothing against the Hakes, after all. It was their interminable war he couldn't stand. Also, the interviews gave him a chance to extract every last piece of information he could from the prisoners before they parted ways with his branch of the Authority and in most cases, life.

  Today about twenty Hakes were on his list, already lined up outside his door. At the front of the line, what appeared to be some sort of Hake scarecrow was leaning against the wall, chewing on a piece of grass. Barth turned to the Prisoner Relations Advisor. “Are you sure this one is mentally competent?”

  “It has been more than a week since the battle. The prisoners are starting to break down. Wait until you see the batch we've got for you tomorrow.”

  “Isn't there some way we could move them through the system faster? That guy doesn't look healthy.”

  “Can't go any faster; the Prison Queue is overloaded. But you'll like this guy–he's a funny one. Seems to have had quite the conversion experience while in jail.”

  “Fine. Usher him in.”

  The advisor stepped out into the lobby and escorted the Hake into the office.

  Barth leaned back in his chair and pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. He exhaled deeply and began the interrogation. “Name and rank?”

  “Nyck Seekall, Data Provider.”

  Barth smiled, even as the Prisoner Relations Adviser nudged him. They'd been looking for the Data Provider. At last, someone who knows something. Even if he's wearing a shirt of grass and boots that look like dead grats.

  “And you are a Hake?”

  “Sure, I guess.”

  “Did you participate in the Twenty-Ninth Battle of the Zone which took place eight days ago, acting as an agent in the Hake Army?”

  “I did. Funny, the things you do on a whim.”

  “Yes, funny. Now do you, Nyck Seekall, formally surrender to the Sheek Authority?”

  “Oh, absolutely.”

  “Excellent. Now, what sort of data did you provide while participating in the war?”

  “Typical battle stuff–who’s winning, who shot who, stuff like that.”

  Barth sat up in his seat with interest. “Who shot the Zantha 12-B? It was the first ship destroyed in that battle, a brand new Sheek war-flyr. We intercepted Quinn's call requesting this information, but it seems that no one answered him… over the waves, that is.”

  “We were unable to determine. I personally ran the entire weapons check, and no one had a shot recorded. The loss of your flyr is unexplainable.”

  “Nothing is unexplainable. Perhaps a careless Hake realized their mistake and erased the record of their shot?”

  “I assure you, I have considered every scenario. The destruction of the ship is impossible. The data is undeniable. Even one of your own ships could not have fired upon it.”

  “I have seen many things as a detective, but never have I seen a question without an answer. Even be there no clues, nor motive, nor witness, always there is an answer. There is a reason for everything, kid.”

  Nyck blinked. “Everything has a reason? I guess that is possible...”

  “Quite possible, actually. And here is another enigma, supposedly without an answer, though I am certain you will prove me wrong. Your mighty leader, Quinn. Where is he?”

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “He escaped the battle, parachuting into The Zone.”

  Barth rose in anger. “That much is plain! Do you not know that I have authority to sentence you to life or death? At last, I have found Quinn's confidant, his right-hand man–for that is what they say of the 'Data Provider'… so tell me! Where did he go? What were his plans after he fled The Zone? We both know he is not there any more!”

  “Whether you free me or send me to Seoltin is of no matter to me; but I’ll answer you, for I no longer care for Quinn. I no longer align myself with the Hakes, nor with the Sheeks.”

  Barth was taken aback at this. The Hake was insane. “Where, then?”

  “He said he was going to hide in the Hakes' Area. That is all. I do not even know if he spoke the truth.” Nyck paused, then added, “No, he was probably lying. He knew I would be questioned. It is why he fled, for he did not want to be questioned himself.”

  Barth jotted a note down on his paper: Continue searching Hakes' Area, but broaden to include all of Selfar and Champazia as well. He tucked the paper into a folder and leaned back in his chair, eyeing the Hake questioningly. “So, Nyck… would you mind explaining some minor details? First… why are you dressed in straw? And, while I am on the subject, why are you carrying a hoe and pitchfork?” He should have also asked how a Hake prisoner managed to procure straw and farming tools while in custody of the Sheek Authority, but thought better of it. It would only lead to more questions–and he had enough of those.

  “Ah–good question.” Nyck smiled and placed his straw hat over his heart. “A few days ago, I was in my cell, watching my friends pack up their belongings one by one as they were shipped off to Seoltin. Suddenly, I realized my true feelings towards this war: it’s pointless! I joined as a young Hake, hoping to become the next Quinn, to lead the Hakes to victory and peace. After eight months of fighting, culminating in Quinn’s abandoning us to the will of the Sheeks (he did not even give us a chance to fight before he ran off), I realized what a waste of time my life has been. Eight months of training, of planning... all for nothing. So now I’ve taken up a new hobby. I am engaging in Disillusionment from the War. In fact, I am the first (and only) member of the Disillusioned from the War Club.”

  “What does this have to do with straw?”

  “Can't you tell? I've decided to become a Wanderer as an act of disillusionment. I have cast off all remnants of civilized life. Once I’m released, I’d like to travel the planet, living off the land.”

  “Those sound mutually exclusive. And what makes you so sure you’ll be released?”

  “If not, I’ll haul some dirt into my cell and grow some disillusioned pickles.”

  “I don't think you'll find the guards at Seoltin as accommodating as here. Up until I sign this form classifying you as a war criminal, you've been treated as a civilian.”

  “Ah. Well, the queue outside is excruciatingly bland, so if you wouldn't mind signing it quickly, it'd do my buddies a favor to get it moving again.”

  Barth considered this. “Actually, I'd rather not. I don't think you're a threat to anyone, and to be honest, we're running short on prison space. But just remember; you are now under the Sheek Authority. You are more than welcome to return home to Selfar, or visit any other Sheek province, providing you refrain from all Hake war activities, and stay away from the Hakes' Area. Also, you must wear this symbol at all times.” He handed a red, star-shaped Hake ID to Nyck. “You must obey all of our laws and any Sheek Official. Failure to do this will result in removal from society. Permanently. Now, get out of here.”

  Nyck pinned the symbol to his straw shirt, collected his farm tools, and meandered out of the room to the lobby where a Customs Agent intercepted him to prepare his dismissal paperwork.

  “What’s the tally up to?” asked Barth.

  “You’ve let eight go and sentenced the remaining three hundred and eighteen to Seoltin. This one–he was odd. I don’t trust him. I think he is wiser than he lets on.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. Still, I sense that he will cause me trouble.”

  “Shall I call him back? We can yet send him to Seoltin!”

  “No–do not. I’ve put a tracker in his symbol. We will know his every move. He shall lead me to Quinn, unless his Wanderer act is for real.”

  “Ah, I see. But are you certain he doesn't know who shot the Gaelen? Remember that Than character; he was positive the Data Provider would know.”

  “He doesn't. At least not yet. Flaming uyog, Emperor Gaelen’s going to be furious! I have been ordered to stop all other investigations until I can figure out how a trigger-happy Hake managed to pick out and destroy our flagship, a brand new Class A flyr, loaded with weapons, even named after the Emperor himself. It had an Indestructible Anti Missile Device! The IAMD has never failed before... if the Hakes’ missiles have improved that much, they have a much better chance at winning this thing than they think! After all, at least three other Hake fleets are known to exist. If they have found a way to destroy our IAMDs, the Sheeks are in great danger. Those were the only reason we’ve been able to stop Quinn’s fleet and send the others into hiding.”

  “Do you think Quinn's disappearance is related to the destruction of the Gaelen?”

  “It is a frightening thought. They have been trying to overcome our IAMDs for some time. If they had only one of these new super weapons, Quinn may have felt it more important to flee than fight. If he now knows the device works, and he knows where and how it is constructed, he may have been willing to sacrifice his fleet to ensure he was not questioned.”

  “He would sacrifice so many of his Sheeple and war-flyrs over a single secret?”

  “He is Hake; I would expect no less. And a weapon capable of overcoming the IAMD is no small thing.”

  “Yet he has won many battles. His surrender was as surprising to us as to his crew. It is not like him.”

  “Something significant happened when that ship was destroyed; that much is certain. How it happened, I do not know, but Emperor Gaelen is counting on me to find out. I will search the entire planet for clues if I have to. There’s a reason for everything. Somewhere, someone knows what happened in that battle… and I am certain it is Quinn. Gaelen is right. That troublemaker must be found.”

  Technically, a twenty year sentence, but more often, three months of suffering followed by an 'untimely death' when the prison began to run low on capacity.

  To be fair, it was the thousand and somethingth Battle of the Zone, but since the Sheeple keep losing count, they restart the numbering each year.