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Strande smirked. “Whatever you say.”
The locks on the cell door clicked open. It slid back to reveal a new cellmate, a drunk looking, wobbly human male.
The human looked around the cell and drunkenly saluted Karn.
Karn shook his head and looked at the cyborg guard. “I ordered a single occupancy room. You should check my reservation.”
The cyborg ignored him as it entered with the prisoner. It unlocked the human’s restraints and stepped back into the corridor.
“Hey, metal head. When am I getting out of here?” Strande asked.
The cyborg’s sensor glowed red. That was never a good sign. “Within the next twelve hours.”
“What about me?” Karn asked. “I’m waiting to hear when my charges will be dropped. In fact, what I’m even been charged with.”
The cyborg’s sensor glowed again. “As yet undetermined.”
“The charges or when I’m getting out?”
The cyborg ignored him.
Karn slumped against the wall. He watched as the cell door slid shut and locked. He turned his attention to their new cellmate. The guy sported dark stubble, and his shoulder-length hair looked like it had had a lot of attention to look that artfully messy.
The human caught Karn studying him. He grinned. “This is quite some place.”
“Is this your first time in a holding cell?” Karn asked.
“First time in this kind of holding cell.” The guy stuck his hand out. “Marcus Devine.”
Karn raised an eyebrow as he shook his hand. “Karn. That’s Strande in the corner.”
Marcus nodded a greeting at Strande before his gaze ran over Karn, a spark of interest in his green eyes. “I’m still getting used to all the different aliens. You’re a Sachrin?”
Karn snorted in disgust. “Guess again. I don’t have tentacles.”
Marcus shrugged. “It’s hard to tell what’s hidden under clothes these days. I was chatting up a gorgeous woman in the Enchanted Captain last night. The next thing I knew, I’m seeing a forked tongue poking out of her luscious lips.”
“I can think of worse things to see.”
Marcus settled himself on the bench and stretched out his long legs. “How long do they normally keep people in here?”
“It depends on what you’ve done. Our furry friend in the corner had a few too many. He should be out today. Is that why you’re in here?”
“No, although I’ve definitely had a few too many. What about you?” Marcus asked.
“As yet unknown. They’ve made a mistake putting me in here. They’ll figure it out soon enough.”
Strande snorted a laugh. “I admire your conviction.”
“I’m innocent.”
Marcus cocked his head. “Really?”
“Karn broke into an office and messed with the computer system. He’s in a lot of trouble.”
“Breaking and entering.” Marcus nodded as if impressed by this crime.
“Like I said, I’m innocent. It’s all a misunderstanding.”
