Location: classifed

Vid Testimony, Ryan Persons, female, Android, manufacturer location OldeEarth, manufacturer date: redacted, model: Merck/Johnson, model type: redacted, current address: redacted, Haworthia Flats, Enceladus

One beige table, three beige chairs, four beige walls, the incognito filter wiped clean any distinguishing features in the hotel room. Detective Hatchet guided Ryan Persons to a chair. In a shapeless hospital shift, the Android was wide eyed and skittish. Detective Hatchet took the seat to Persons’ left.

Next, Police Chief Two Axes entered the room and sat down at the table across from Persons. A soft hum followed by a flash and holograms of Saturn’s Ring City’s District Attorney Lee Carruthers and Saturn Superior Court Judge John Sunipappeared facing each other at opposite ends of the table.

After giving Persons’ hand a light squeeze, Det. Hatchet gave Police Chief Two Axes a nod. Two Axes nodded in return and turned her attention to Persons. The weight of this murder case hung heavily in the silence. Police Chief Two Axes cleared her throat.

“Judge Sunip and D.A. Carruthers thank you for taking time out of your schedule for this testimony. We have concerns for this witness’ safety and the safety of her family,” Two Axes said.

Sunip’s eyebrows shot up at the word, “Family.” And Carruthers opened her mouth to speak but Two Axes extended a hand and continued talking.

“As a surrogate before the Civil War, Ms. Persons was pregnant with a human child and is currently raising said child. Threats have been made against the life of Persons’ and her child. Despite my assurances that she would be safe in police custody, Persons has decided to disappear with her child on her own. Unfortunately, due to the real possibility of information leaks in the investigation of the homicide of ChiChi and Janey BlueSky from the highest offices on Encedaluswe are reaching out to Saturn for assistance. We will record Person’s testimony and in the event of her death this recorded testimony will be allowed as evidence during the trial per Saturnine Penal Code 8 S 45 SS 3A.

“Based on communication from Police Chief Two Axes, the Ring City District Attorney’s office has offered Ms. Persons immunity in return for this testimony. Though I do urge the witness to have an attorney present for her own protection,” Carruthers said.

“I don’t need more people in on this. I have a good plan. No offense, lady, I’m sure you’re nice but I just don’t trust humans. The less humans know my business the better. I knew I was on thin ice when I lit out of Mars with Gary. I needed him more than loved him but I did have love for him. I did. I may go under still for protecting Gary instead of protecting my own kind. But I just want to drag my baby girl under for my bad decision,” Persons said.

Persons gave witness to her boyfriend Gary Devlin, security specialist, Seven Circles, and associate Hap Kidd, his brothers John Paul, Zimm, and Bobby Jo Devlin, also employees of floral wholesaler Seven Circles, conducting a terror campaign of physical assaults, witness intimidation, property damage, and theft to discourage collective bargaining from the indie flower farmers on Encedalus. The smell of burnt books seemed to fill the air around Chief Two Axes. Persons had destroyed any suspect clothes.

Persons detailed the night of the BlueSky murders and how Gary Devlin returned to her home reeking of hovercraft fuel and smoke. According to Persons, there had been ash and stains of pale plasma on Gary Devlin’s clothing on that night. She had never seen this before. He ordered her to wash his clothing and burn his shoes. Persons admitted she incinerated the clothes but only brushed off Gary’s suede jacket and work boots.

“For the recording, these items were delivered to Ring City Forensics by Ring City Police officer Marsh FreeGray,” Det. Hatchet said.

Charred muscle and metal scents tightened Police Chief Two Axes’ throat as the image of two bodies burnt holding each other settled in her mind. Reflexively, her eyes sought her former partner’s. The sorrow in his dark grey eyes made her look away.

For hours, Judge Sanip asked Ryan Persons questions concerning communications Persons had overheard between the Devlin brothers, Project Manager Walt Lupo of Seven Circles, and Grace Devereaux, CFO, FlorCorp, the largest rare flower marketeer and retailer. According to Persons, Devereaux wanted to the Devlins to squash the union talk.

Opening the door, Hatchet stepped out holding Ryan Persons’ elbow. Person leaned heavily on Hatchet’s arm leaving the now stuffy room. Two Axes felt some kind of way about that. She spoke to clear her head.

“Thank you for speaking up Ms. Persons,” Police Chief Two Axes said.

“Don’t thank me. I looked the other way like everyone else in the Flats. I knew exactly what they were trying to do and I stayed. I knew Gary hurt people. He hurt me. But I told myself it was Zimm. I told myself if I loved him enough he would do right. I would leave him and go back when Gary made promises I knew he couldn’t keep. If Zimm hadn’t threatened my Lena to keep me quiet I wouldn’t be here. I’m no hero, I’m a mother,” Persons said. “One day I hope I can explain to her what I did and why. Will she forgive me Hatch?”

Murmuring comforting noises, Det. Hatchet turned of the vid stream and escorted the witness out of the suite. Needing to touch her, he gazed the back of his hand against Two Axes’ knuckles as he walked past. She stiffened.

A driving drumbeat pounded the Raised Fist as the house band launched into its first set. Old fashioned drones zipped by carrying pitchers of beer. On big screens the human league futbol game played. A news anchor interrupted the game with a news flash. The crowd groaned

“Breaking News, ECX is live in Alpha City as a series of early morning raids at FlorCorp and several homes. According to reports these arrests are of security personnel and top leadership from the well respected flower merchant Seven Circles, and its parent company FlorCorp. Rod, we can see here suspects being handcuffed.”

Zimm and his brother Bobby Jo shared a worried look. Zimm downed his Bud Light and pushed Roxie off his lap. Heads turned towards him as he strolled for the back door. Bobby Jo bolted for the front door. They both wished they had been carrying real heat as they went their separate ways. Bobby Jo fumbled for his box cutter as he ran for his car.

Zimm didn’t turn around when the sound of police car sirens filtered in above the bar’s din. Roxie wailed his name. A gray hand flashed seizing Zimm’s wrist. Zimm was yanked off his feet and flung against the hood of a police hovercar. He didn’t bother to turn to see Hatchet. The detective clamped on the flexible cuff.

“End of the road, Devlin. I’m arresting you for the murders of ChiChi and Janey BlueSky, arson, killing their dog and anything else I can make stick,” Hatchet snarled.

“Arrest is not a conviction. Remember sometimes the ice breaks halfway across,” Zimm Devlin said with a growing grin.

Det. Benj Hatchet froze pressing Devlin into the hood of the squad hover. A pair of officers managed to break Hatchet’s hold and escorted a now laughing Devlin to transport for booking. Benj sank down onto his knees.