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The Thief and the Commander : 07
Chapter 07: The Funeral
Ehren had known it was going to be a long week since the assignment had filtered down from high command through Beatriu. He spent most of his time standing in Utopian doorways keeping one eye on Robin and trying to be as unobtrusive as possible while the mother and son made funeral plans. He had tried to ease the awkwardness of his presence by taking a step back and assuming as professional a demeanor as was possible. As the week wore on, Ehren felt more and more useless as it seemed apparent that Robin was going to be the picture of good behavior.
Which was why it was a great surprise when the day of the funeral dawned and Ehren emerged from his room to find Galiana sitting alone on the balcony with a cup of Carveer Tea.
"Robin still asleep?" Ehren asked as he slumped down on the empty chair beside her. He yawed, and his head lolled back against the headrest.
"You look tired," she said.
"I'm not having much luck sleeping. I'm not complaining. I really appreciate the hospitality, ma'am, but the room doesn't go all the way dark. May I..."
He gestured towards the pitcher of tea between them on a small table. She nodded and they made small talk until Ehren felt that the passage of time had progressed far too long for Robin to have not made at least one appearance.
"He's not here is he?" Ehren interrupted the conversation they had been having with his thought.
"Oh. It's nothing," Galiana said. "He said he had to run some errands. That's all. He didn't want to disturb you."
"I don't think Robin really cares whether or not I'm disturbed." Ehren groaned with his head in his hand and then jumped up from his seat.
"Did he say where he was going?"
Galiana shrugged.
"Do you know where he is?" Ehren asked. "Please, Ma'am. I know you don't want him to get in any more trouble."
She sighed.
"I don't know. If I had to guess, knowing Robin... He's probably at the detention facility."
"Shit!" Ehren's eyes opened wide and he yanked on his hair in a frustrated and panicked gesture.
"Why didn't you stop him!"
"I should have probably." She glanced down at her cup of tea.
Ehren didn't press the issue further. He ran from the balcony, threw on his uniform haphazardly, and ran from the apartment, dreading what he would find when he reached the detention facility if by some miracle he managed to catch up to Robin at all.
It seemed as if a miracles were in the cards. Once he arrived at his destination, he found that Robin was sitting quietly upon a bench, staring at the entrance to the building. Ehren sat next to him.
"What are you doing here?" Ehren huffed at him; out of breath as he had run all the way from the nearest skywalk.
"Fuck off," Robin muttered.
"Well!" Eheren sat up and narrowed his gaze. He could think of no other words to counter Robin's cursing at him, so he crossed his arms and sank back onto the bench in a petulant slump.
Robin stood up and took a deep breath then stood up.
"Where are you going?" Ehren scrambled up to the edge of his seat once again.
"I'm going to find out why this happened. Stay here. Don't come after me."
Ehren waited approximately half a minute before he followed after Robin, planning carefully what he was going to say. He wasn't going to catch up as quickly as he thought he might. He came face to face with an angry looking Utopian guard as soon as he tried to make his way to the basement cells where he had seen Robin disappear.
"Excuse me," Ehren said as he gestured past the man.
He only shook his head.
No, Ehren thought. This wasn't going to be easy at all.
********
Feliu was stricken as Robin entered the cell, grabbed him, and shoved him hard against the cold metal wall. He braced one arm against Feliu's chest, effectively pinning him to the spot. There was nowhere to hide from what had happened, or Robin's fury. Feliu knew there was no way to ever make up for it. He knew he deserved to be hated for even being a party to it.
"Robin?" He said with barely a whisper of a breath.
Robin leaned in; a menacing scowl upon his face. Feliu shuddered and turned away. He couldn't face the guilt or the grief behind Robin's eyes. He would have given anything to go back in time and refuse the mission. He would have been the one to hold Robin and tell him it was going to be okay. His father had made sure that was never going to happen again, though. Robin was the only spot of good in his lonely life, and his father hated that so much that he had taken it away in the most damaging and devastating way possible.
He could feel Robin's cold fingers pressed against his throat and his frozen breath on his cheek.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right where you stand," he growled.
"You should," Feliu replied. All the tension he had been holding his body leaked out as he let the feeling of defeat wash over him. He had lost everything. There was no use in resisting any longer. He faced Robin, who's look of rage was suddenly tinged with confusion.
"What?"
"You should," he murmured. "Aina welcomed me into her home when she had every right to refuse me. Your mothers didn't like me, but they gave me respect because I was your friend...because you loved me."
"And this is how you repay them, you murdering son of a bitch?"
Feliu winced as Robin screamed in his face.
"I should have stopped it, yes. That much is my fault, but know this, Robin... I have never, and could never harm another human being! It wasn't me who opened fire in that room. I swear it wasn't me!"
"Liar!" Robin yelled. "The evidence..."
"You've got to believe me, Robin! How could I do this? I love you. I would never..."
He didn't finish his sentence as he felt Robin's hands close around his throat.
"Please," he pleaded. "Please, Robin, you gotta believe me."
"Fuck you," Robin sneered. "This is the end of you."
Feliu closed his eyes as Robin's grip on him tightened. He had never expected it to end in such a way.
"Robin!" A voice rang out, echoing through the cells.
Feliu opened one eye and peeked in the direction of the sound.
"I thought I told you to wait outside. Why the fuck don't you ever fucking listen to me? You're the worst recruit I've ever trained. Fuck." Robin spoke without removing his raging glare from Feliu.
"I'm not a recruit anymore, and I'm not under your orders right now," Ehren replied in Utopian. "Let him go."
"Why the fuck should I?" Robin said. "Give me a reason. Go ahead."
"Because," Ehren said. He reached out to the cell door and tried tug it opened but Robin had locked it. "Come on. Give me the key."
"No."
"Seriously, I'll go get the guard. I'm surprised they aren't down here right now with the cameras..."
"Do you think they give a shit if I kill this piece of scum!" Robin replied.
"This isn't you," Ehren replied evenly. "You're not a murderer. Don't stoop to his level."
Robin finally turned his head to direct his fury at Ehren. The Earthian stood his ground, his hands curled around the titanium bars of the cell and an expression of deep concern firmly etched on his face.
"Please, don't do this, Robin," he murmured. "You'll never forgive yourself. Galiana needs you right now, what's she going to do with you in prison?"
"Are you kidding? They won't arrest me!" Robin laughed wildly.
"I will," Ehren replied stolidly. "Do not think for one minute that I won't."
"But he..." His voice broke as he glanced back at Feliu, who had remained silent during the entire exchange.
"I know," Ehren said; his voice soft. "I know. Please, let's just go home. Your mother needs you right now. You must be strong for her. It's going to be a rough day for all of you, and hurting him isn't ever going to fix it. You know that. Please, Robin."
"I could snap you in half, Earthian," Robin said, though the rage that had inhabited his voice moments before had all but disappeared.
"I'd like to see you try," Ehren said.
Robin released his grip on Feliu then, his attention fully focused on Ehrenfried Behrendt.
"You're right," he murmured. "Why are you always right?"
"I enjoy kicking down stereotypes," Ehren replied. He smiled a bit as Robin moved forward and exited the cage. He dropped the key in Ehren's hand to lock up and trudged away in the direction of the exit.
Ehren watched him go and when he turned back, Feliu was next to the bars, staring at him. Ehren quickly inserted the small electronic key into the locking mechanism and jumped away from the cell.
"I...I don't have a TTD this time," Ehren spoke up shakily, reverting back to the most common inter-galactic standard language.
"What?" Feliu smiled half-heartedly at him. "You aren't going to speak to me in my native tongue? That's only reserved for Robin?"
"Robin deserves a little respect right now," Ehren bristled. "I mean, his boyfriend or whatever just murdered his mother. That's going to do a number on a guy no matter how tough he acts."
Feliu laughed bitterly at him. "And there you are to pick up the pieces. Well played, Earthian. Well played. I didn't think you were that savvy."
"It's not like that," Ehren muttered. "I'm here on orders. He's still on probation because of you. If he'd never let you escape all those times... I know love is blind, but I didn't think it made people stupid too."
Feliu laughed at him. "You've never been in love, have you, kid?"
"Not a kid." Ehren frowned. "Why am I even talking to you? I should...Robin needs me."
"Heh. Maybe I was wrong. Somehow I don't think comforting Robin in his time of need falls under any kind of order I-GAS would ever issue." Feliu commented with a sigh. "That should be my job anyway."
"What?" Ehren stood his full height and puffed out his chest indignantly. He still did not cut an imposing figure, and Feliu had to fight not to laugh out loud at his display.
"You have no right." Ehren continued to speak. "I think you lost any hold you had left on him when you put a bullet in his mother's chest."
"I didn't do it," Feliu snapped.
"Your prints were all over the gun," Ehren replied. "Her blood was on your hands."
Feliu pressed his forehead to the bars. He didn't reply, but after a moment Ehren could hear the soft sound of his sobbing.
"Are you crying?" Ehren stepped forward curiously. "Seriously?"
"I'm not a murderer." He glanced up. "I could never do that. Nobody will listen to me. Robin hates me. I don't even have a family any more. I think I'm allowed to cry if I want to. Maybe it's completely dysfunctional, but I loved my family. I tried so hard to do what they wanted; to be the man they wanted me to be, but I couldn't do it. I'm not that ruthless. I may be a thief but I could never hurt anybody. I should have chosen Robin from the start. That much is obvious. Now everything is fucked up. My father is the one that set me up, Earthian. My own father. Why did you stop him?"
"Your father? I didn't..." Ehren was almost instantly interrupted by Feliu as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Not my father!" He screamed. "Robin! Why did you stop him? I wanted to die!"
Ehren stared wide eyed as Feliu threw himself against the bars until he had no strength left then slid down to the floor; a weeping mess. His face was streaked with tears and his face bruised and bloodied.
"I didn't do it for you," Ehren said once Feliu had finished his tantrum. "I did it for Robin."
He sighed to himself and approached the cell against his better judgment. For some reason he felt compelled by the thief's story.
"I think I believe you," he said.
Feliu looked up at him from his vantage point on the floor.
"Really?" He said as he hugged his knees to his chest.
"I think maybe it's easier not to ask questions when an entire planet is demanding justice," Ehren replied. He glanced nervously around, trying to spy the security cameras. He wondered if they had sound.
"What happened?" He whispered.
"There was an assassin." Feliu followed his example and spoke in a hushed voice as well. He looked up at Ehren; a half smile decorated his mouth. "He's a Naturian. You know how barbaric that planet is."
Ehren rolled his eyes at the mention of his nation's sister planet, the Nature. It was no surprise that it would be a breeding ground for an assassin. It seemed like every native Naturian was born with a weapon in hand. A good defense was a necessity in the wild and dangerous forests of the planet.
"Look, he ported in while I was in the vault," Feliu said. "By the time I got back, he was there with his crew and my crew was gone...I tried to help her. I tried. I swear. They were good to me. I never..."
"You're making it hard, Feliu," Ehren said. "Your crew's were the only time signatures. All of them have been accounted for. The detectives in this sector had their best men on it. You were the only other unauthorized one there at the time."
"That's impossible," Feliu murmured. "Just...check again. He was there. He used a cipher! There were witnesses!"
"Fine," Ehren said. "No promises."
"None expected," Feliu said. "That somebody believes me is enough. Thank you, Ehren."
"It's Ehrenfried," he said.
"But Robin..."
Ehren shook his head and smiled in a resigned manner.
"He does it because he knows I don't like it. My full name for you, please."
Feliu nodded. "As you wish. You're a good man, Ehrenfried. I thank you."
Ehren returned his nod and then motioned towards the exit.
"I have to go now. I have a funeral to attend."
****
"I'm sorry," Robin said gruffly a few hours later when they had returned to the apartment to prepare for the day's event.
" 'Bout what?" Ehren replied. He glanced into the bathroom mirror and spied Robin in the doorway behind him. He didn't bother to turn around.
"This morning," Robin said. "I was way out of line. I shouldn't have put you in that kind of position."
"It's all right." Eheren adjusted the collar of his jacket and patted his hair down one last time.
"That's why Beatriu sent you, huh?" He said.
"I suppose," Ehren murmured.
"Well, thank you. Again," Robin said.
Ehren nodded acknowledgment and reached for his white gloves, the final piece of the dress uniform that he had rare occasion to wear.
"You know, you look ten years younger without that beard." Ehren chuckled in an attempt to move the conversation away from more serious topics.
"Thanks," Robin said. He rubbed his bare chin thoughtfully and gave Ehren a sheepish smile. "My mom always said that. You look good too."
Ehren froze on the spot with his hand halfway in his glove.
"I what?" he said.
"You heard me," Robin replied flippantly. He smiled to himself, a gesture that did not go unnoticed, then he retreated from the doorway.
Ehren tried his best to ignore Robin and concentrated instead on the task at hand. He finished with his gloves and placed the official I-GAS hat upon his head. He gave himself one last look in the mirror, and nodded appreciatively at the result.
"Not bad for the squadron runt," he said to himself as he fiddled with the solitary gold bar on his collar.
It wouldn't be long before he would be back on Tarain and back to his training. He couldn't wait for his mission to be over.
It was a somber affair inside and outside the chapel. As a council member, Aina was a well loved figure. It seemed to Ehren, as the procession passed through the chapel gates, that nearly the entire population of the capital city was camped out there. They stood with their heads bowed in deference as the transport passed by. Ehren returned his attention to the family that sat on the opposite bench. Galiana was sitting quietly with her hands folded in her lap staring straight ahead, an unreadable expression on her face. He had been on Utopia for nearly a week and still he was not used to their facial qualities. Galiana had cried many times over his stay and despite the tears her complexion remained unblemished, the pupils in her eyes remained small. Experiencing it first hand made Ehren realize why people always said that Utopians came off as cold and ineffectual, but he knew it wasn't true.
She had finished her crying though, and she remained stolid with Robin's arm around her. He had no such problems with showing emotion. Robin was all fire and ice and he was still flushed from his short encounter with Feliu. Robin should have been spending time alone with his mother, and Ehren felt like an unnecessary attachment. He hadn't wanted the assignment, yet there he was; a glorified babysitter in an untenable situation. That he would have to write a report about what he had done while there made him feel like he was somehow betraying Robin. Ehren thought a man should be allowed to grieve without an outsider breathing down his neck at every turn.
They entered the chapel slowly and found their designated seats in the front row. Robin slumped in the aisle seat with his mother beside him, leaving Ehren at somewhat of a loss.
"You don't have to be adhered to my side at all times," Robin muttered. "Or do you? Is that part of your orders? Do you want to sit on my lap?"
He sat up and gestured in front of him, inviting Ehren to do just that.
"I...uh..." Ehren stammered.
"Come, dear." Galiana patted the empty seat beside her. "Behave yourself, Robin. Ehrenfried is our guest."
"He's not a guest," Robin grumbled.
Ehren mumbled a quick thank you at Galiana and took his seat.
The small chapel was packed with mourners; the who's who of Utopian society. Aina had been a well loved and admired council member, and the turnout reflected that. The chapel mentor gave a blessing and spoke about the fleeting nature of life then invited the son to approach the podium to say a few words.
Robin remained seated. He gulped down the fear he was feeling at having to stand up in front of the crowd and speak about his mother. He stared at the mentor then wildly around the room for anything that might calm him down. His eyes settled, not on his mother, but on a spot not far behind her.
There was a calm encouragement in Ehren's eyes, and he nodded slightly towards the podium. Robin took a deep breath and finally stood. He marched up to where the mentor was waiting and took his place. He found himself staring at the sea of mourners. It was terrifying.
He pulled the rumpled paper he had written his speech down on and glanced at his mother and Ehren. She looked even paler than normal and was clutching desperately to Ehren's hand in both of hers. It seemed neither awkward or out of place. Ehren was perched on the edge of the seat, seeming to need her comforting touch as much as she needed something to hold on to. Robin vaguely wondered if all Earthians were that empathetic. After all, Ehren wasn't there as a friend of the family. He had no reason to be emotionally involved. Ehren had always been that way, though; sensitive to the plight of others which left him easy to take advantage of. That was how Feliu had stolen a TTD right out from under his nose, but it was also why he hadn't turned Robin in when he'd kept the stolen ring.
It was still there on a chain around his neck; a bitter reminder of the loved one who had betrayed him. He touched it briefly where it lie beneath his uniform shirt and instantly noticed a change in Ehren's posture. Every inch of him was suddenly telegraphing disappointment. Robin sighed and set his attention on the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming today," he said. "It means a lot that my mother has touched so many people. It's what she always wanted to do. Uh..."
He cleared his throat and took a moment before trying to continue. He found that he couldn't though. The words would not leave his lips. There was a certain finality in it that he didn't want to face.
"I'm sorry. I can't do this now...I...." He said as he directed his gaze towards his mother. "I'm sorry, Mom." He turned and approached the casket.
He lay one hand on it and frowned sadly.
"This is my fault." He uttered the phrase he had been dreading to admit. Facing Feliu had only brought it sharply to his attention, and it wasn't something that he could shove to the back of his mind any longer. He bowed his head.
"I'm so, so sorry, Mom."
He walked towards the side exit of the chapel and let his fingertips drag slowly across the polished finish of the coffin as he went. He shuddered when they reached the edge and slipped away. It was then that he truly felt she was gone forever. He let out a choked sob, covered his face quickly so that no one would see him, and fled the scene.
Next to Galiana, Ehren muttered a curse in Earthian and half stood up in his spot as if to chase after Robin, but she was still firmly grasping his hand.
"I'm sorry," he said as he sat back down.
She regarded him as he shifted nervously on the edge of his seat; his head darting back and forth as he tried to see where Robin had disappeared to while the Mentor took his place at the altar and began another blessing.
"Tell me one thing, Ehrenfried," she said.
"Yes, Ma'am," he replied.
"Are you wanting to go after him because it's your job?"
He paused in his fidgeting and glanced at her thoughtfully. He knew in his mind that he hadn't jumped up out of any obligation to the Inter-Glactic Action Squad. He hadn't really taken the assignment because of them in the first place.
"No, Ma'am," he said.
"Good," she replied with a smile and finally relinquished her grip. "I must stay here. Help him if you can."
Ehren nodded. He jumped up and walked quickly to the exit that Robin had chosen.
Previous || Next
Ehren had known it was going to be a long week since the assignment had filtered down from high command through Beatriu. He spent most of his time standing in Utopian doorways keeping one eye on Robin and trying to be as unobtrusive as possible while the mother and son made funeral plans. He had tried to ease the awkwardness of his presence by taking a step back and assuming as professional a demeanor as was possible. As the week wore on, Ehren felt more and more useless as it seemed apparent that Robin was going to be the picture of good behavior.
Which was why it was a great surprise when the day of the funeral dawned and Ehren emerged from his room to find Galiana sitting alone on the balcony with a cup of Carveer Tea.
"Robin still asleep?" Ehren asked as he slumped down on the empty chair beside her. He yawed, and his head lolled back against the headrest.
"You look tired," she said.
"I'm not having much luck sleeping. I'm not complaining. I really appreciate the hospitality, ma'am, but the room doesn't go all the way dark. May I..."
He gestured towards the pitcher of tea between them on a small table. She nodded and they made small talk until Ehren felt that the passage of time had progressed far too long for Robin to have not made at least one appearance.
"He's not here is he?" Ehren interrupted the conversation they had been having with his thought.
"Oh. It's nothing," Galiana said. "He said he had to run some errands. That's all. He didn't want to disturb you."
"I don't think Robin really cares whether or not I'm disturbed." Ehren groaned with his head in his hand and then jumped up from his seat.
"Did he say where he was going?"
Galiana shrugged.
"Do you know where he is?" Ehren asked. "Please, Ma'am. I know you don't want him to get in any more trouble."
She sighed.
"I don't know. If I had to guess, knowing Robin... He's probably at the detention facility."
"Shit!" Ehren's eyes opened wide and he yanked on his hair in a frustrated and panicked gesture.
"Why didn't you stop him!"
"I should have probably." She glanced down at her cup of tea.
Ehren didn't press the issue further. He ran from the balcony, threw on his uniform haphazardly, and ran from the apartment, dreading what he would find when he reached the detention facility if by some miracle he managed to catch up to Robin at all.
It seemed as if a miracles were in the cards. Once he arrived at his destination, he found that Robin was sitting quietly upon a bench, staring at the entrance to the building. Ehren sat next to him.
"What are you doing here?" Ehren huffed at him; out of breath as he had run all the way from the nearest skywalk.
"Fuck off," Robin muttered.
"Well!" Eheren sat up and narrowed his gaze. He could think of no other words to counter Robin's cursing at him, so he crossed his arms and sank back onto the bench in a petulant slump.
Robin stood up and took a deep breath then stood up.
"Where are you going?" Ehren scrambled up to the edge of his seat once again.
"I'm going to find out why this happened. Stay here. Don't come after me."
Ehren waited approximately half a minute before he followed after Robin, planning carefully what he was going to say. He wasn't going to catch up as quickly as he thought he might. He came face to face with an angry looking Utopian guard as soon as he tried to make his way to the basement cells where he had seen Robin disappear.
"Excuse me," Ehren said as he gestured past the man.
He only shook his head.
No, Ehren thought. This wasn't going to be easy at all.
********
Feliu was stricken as Robin entered the cell, grabbed him, and shoved him hard against the cold metal wall. He braced one arm against Feliu's chest, effectively pinning him to the spot. There was nowhere to hide from what had happened, or Robin's fury. Feliu knew there was no way to ever make up for it. He knew he deserved to be hated for even being a party to it.
"Robin?" He said with barely a whisper of a breath.
Robin leaned in; a menacing scowl upon his face. Feliu shuddered and turned away. He couldn't face the guilt or the grief behind Robin's eyes. He would have given anything to go back in time and refuse the mission. He would have been the one to hold Robin and tell him it was going to be okay. His father had made sure that was never going to happen again, though. Robin was the only spot of good in his lonely life, and his father hated that so much that he had taken it away in the most damaging and devastating way possible.
He could feel Robin's cold fingers pressed against his throat and his frozen breath on his cheek.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right where you stand," he growled.
"You should," Feliu replied. All the tension he had been holding his body leaked out as he let the feeling of defeat wash over him. He had lost everything. There was no use in resisting any longer. He faced Robin, who's look of rage was suddenly tinged with confusion.
"What?"
"You should," he murmured. "Aina welcomed me into her home when she had every right to refuse me. Your mothers didn't like me, but they gave me respect because I was your friend...because you loved me."
"And this is how you repay them, you murdering son of a bitch?"
Feliu winced as Robin screamed in his face.
"I should have stopped it, yes. That much is my fault, but know this, Robin... I have never, and could never harm another human being! It wasn't me who opened fire in that room. I swear it wasn't me!"
"Liar!" Robin yelled. "The evidence..."
"You've got to believe me, Robin! How could I do this? I love you. I would never..."
He didn't finish his sentence as he felt Robin's hands close around his throat.
"Please," he pleaded. "Please, Robin, you gotta believe me."
"Fuck you," Robin sneered. "This is the end of you."
Feliu closed his eyes as Robin's grip on him tightened. He had never expected it to end in such a way.
"Robin!" A voice rang out, echoing through the cells.
Feliu opened one eye and peeked in the direction of the sound.
"I thought I told you to wait outside. Why the fuck don't you ever fucking listen to me? You're the worst recruit I've ever trained. Fuck." Robin spoke without removing his raging glare from Feliu.
"I'm not a recruit anymore, and I'm not under your orders right now," Ehren replied in Utopian. "Let him go."
"Why the fuck should I?" Robin said. "Give me a reason. Go ahead."
"Because," Ehren said. He reached out to the cell door and tried tug it opened but Robin had locked it. "Come on. Give me the key."
"No."
"Seriously, I'll go get the guard. I'm surprised they aren't down here right now with the cameras..."
"Do you think they give a shit if I kill this piece of scum!" Robin replied.
"This isn't you," Ehren replied evenly. "You're not a murderer. Don't stoop to his level."
Robin finally turned his head to direct his fury at Ehren. The Earthian stood his ground, his hands curled around the titanium bars of the cell and an expression of deep concern firmly etched on his face.
"Please, don't do this, Robin," he murmured. "You'll never forgive yourself. Galiana needs you right now, what's she going to do with you in prison?"
"Are you kidding? They won't arrest me!" Robin laughed wildly.
"I will," Ehren replied stolidly. "Do not think for one minute that I won't."
"But he..." His voice broke as he glanced back at Feliu, who had remained silent during the entire exchange.
"I know," Ehren said; his voice soft. "I know. Please, let's just go home. Your mother needs you right now. You must be strong for her. It's going to be a rough day for all of you, and hurting him isn't ever going to fix it. You know that. Please, Robin."
"I could snap you in half, Earthian," Robin said, though the rage that had inhabited his voice moments before had all but disappeared.
"I'd like to see you try," Ehren said.
Robin released his grip on Feliu then, his attention fully focused on Ehrenfried Behrendt.
"You're right," he murmured. "Why are you always right?"
"I enjoy kicking down stereotypes," Ehren replied. He smiled a bit as Robin moved forward and exited the cage. He dropped the key in Ehren's hand to lock up and trudged away in the direction of the exit.
Ehren watched him go and when he turned back, Feliu was next to the bars, staring at him. Ehren quickly inserted the small electronic key into the locking mechanism and jumped away from the cell.
"I...I don't have a TTD this time," Ehren spoke up shakily, reverting back to the most common inter-galactic standard language.
"What?" Feliu smiled half-heartedly at him. "You aren't going to speak to me in my native tongue? That's only reserved for Robin?"
"Robin deserves a little respect right now," Ehren bristled. "I mean, his boyfriend or whatever just murdered his mother. That's going to do a number on a guy no matter how tough he acts."
Feliu laughed bitterly at him. "And there you are to pick up the pieces. Well played, Earthian. Well played. I didn't think you were that savvy."
"It's not like that," Ehren muttered. "I'm here on orders. He's still on probation because of you. If he'd never let you escape all those times... I know love is blind, but I didn't think it made people stupid too."
Feliu laughed at him. "You've never been in love, have you, kid?"
"Not a kid." Ehren frowned. "Why am I even talking to you? I should...Robin needs me."
"Heh. Maybe I was wrong. Somehow I don't think comforting Robin in his time of need falls under any kind of order I-GAS would ever issue." Feliu commented with a sigh. "That should be my job anyway."
"What?" Ehren stood his full height and puffed out his chest indignantly. He still did not cut an imposing figure, and Feliu had to fight not to laugh out loud at his display.
"You have no right." Ehren continued to speak. "I think you lost any hold you had left on him when you put a bullet in his mother's chest."
"I didn't do it," Feliu snapped.
"Your prints were all over the gun," Ehren replied. "Her blood was on your hands."
Feliu pressed his forehead to the bars. He didn't reply, but after a moment Ehren could hear the soft sound of his sobbing.
"Are you crying?" Ehren stepped forward curiously. "Seriously?"
"I'm not a murderer." He glanced up. "I could never do that. Nobody will listen to me. Robin hates me. I don't even have a family any more. I think I'm allowed to cry if I want to. Maybe it's completely dysfunctional, but I loved my family. I tried so hard to do what they wanted; to be the man they wanted me to be, but I couldn't do it. I'm not that ruthless. I may be a thief but I could never hurt anybody. I should have chosen Robin from the start. That much is obvious. Now everything is fucked up. My father is the one that set me up, Earthian. My own father. Why did you stop him?"
"Your father? I didn't..." Ehren was almost instantly interrupted by Feliu as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Not my father!" He screamed. "Robin! Why did you stop him? I wanted to die!"
Ehren stared wide eyed as Feliu threw himself against the bars until he had no strength left then slid down to the floor; a weeping mess. His face was streaked with tears and his face bruised and bloodied.
"I didn't do it for you," Ehren said once Feliu had finished his tantrum. "I did it for Robin."
He sighed to himself and approached the cell against his better judgment. For some reason he felt compelled by the thief's story.
"I think I believe you," he said.
Feliu looked up at him from his vantage point on the floor.
"Really?" He said as he hugged his knees to his chest.
"I think maybe it's easier not to ask questions when an entire planet is demanding justice," Ehren replied. He glanced nervously around, trying to spy the security cameras. He wondered if they had sound.
"What happened?" He whispered.
"There was an assassin." Feliu followed his example and spoke in a hushed voice as well. He looked up at Ehren; a half smile decorated his mouth. "He's a Naturian. You know how barbaric that planet is."
Ehren rolled his eyes at the mention of his nation's sister planet, the Nature. It was no surprise that it would be a breeding ground for an assassin. It seemed like every native Naturian was born with a weapon in hand. A good defense was a necessity in the wild and dangerous forests of the planet.
"Look, he ported in while I was in the vault," Feliu said. "By the time I got back, he was there with his crew and my crew was gone...I tried to help her. I tried. I swear. They were good to me. I never..."
"You're making it hard, Feliu," Ehren said. "Your crew's were the only time signatures. All of them have been accounted for. The detectives in this sector had their best men on it. You were the only other unauthorized one there at the time."
"That's impossible," Feliu murmured. "Just...check again. He was there. He used a cipher! There were witnesses!"
"Fine," Ehren said. "No promises."
"None expected," Feliu said. "That somebody believes me is enough. Thank you, Ehren."
"It's Ehrenfried," he said.
"But Robin..."
Ehren shook his head and smiled in a resigned manner.
"He does it because he knows I don't like it. My full name for you, please."
Feliu nodded. "As you wish. You're a good man, Ehrenfried. I thank you."
Ehren returned his nod and then motioned towards the exit.
"I have to go now. I have a funeral to attend."
****
"I'm sorry," Robin said gruffly a few hours later when they had returned to the apartment to prepare for the day's event.
" 'Bout what?" Ehren replied. He glanced into the bathroom mirror and spied Robin in the doorway behind him. He didn't bother to turn around.
"This morning," Robin said. "I was way out of line. I shouldn't have put you in that kind of position."
"It's all right." Eheren adjusted the collar of his jacket and patted his hair down one last time.
"That's why Beatriu sent you, huh?" He said.
"I suppose," Ehren murmured.
"Well, thank you. Again," Robin said.
Ehren nodded acknowledgment and reached for his white gloves, the final piece of the dress uniform that he had rare occasion to wear.
"You know, you look ten years younger without that beard." Ehren chuckled in an attempt to move the conversation away from more serious topics.
"Thanks," Robin said. He rubbed his bare chin thoughtfully and gave Ehren a sheepish smile. "My mom always said that. You look good too."
Ehren froze on the spot with his hand halfway in his glove.
"I what?" he said.
"You heard me," Robin replied flippantly. He smiled to himself, a gesture that did not go unnoticed, then he retreated from the doorway.
Ehren tried his best to ignore Robin and concentrated instead on the task at hand. He finished with his gloves and placed the official I-GAS hat upon his head. He gave himself one last look in the mirror, and nodded appreciatively at the result.
"Not bad for the squadron runt," he said to himself as he fiddled with the solitary gold bar on his collar.
It wouldn't be long before he would be back on Tarain and back to his training. He couldn't wait for his mission to be over.
It was a somber affair inside and outside the chapel. As a council member, Aina was a well loved figure. It seemed to Ehren, as the procession passed through the chapel gates, that nearly the entire population of the capital city was camped out there. They stood with their heads bowed in deference as the transport passed by. Ehren returned his attention to the family that sat on the opposite bench. Galiana was sitting quietly with her hands folded in her lap staring straight ahead, an unreadable expression on her face. He had been on Utopia for nearly a week and still he was not used to their facial qualities. Galiana had cried many times over his stay and despite the tears her complexion remained unblemished, the pupils in her eyes remained small. Experiencing it first hand made Ehren realize why people always said that Utopians came off as cold and ineffectual, but he knew it wasn't true.
She had finished her crying though, and she remained stolid with Robin's arm around her. He had no such problems with showing emotion. Robin was all fire and ice and he was still flushed from his short encounter with Feliu. Robin should have been spending time alone with his mother, and Ehren felt like an unnecessary attachment. He hadn't wanted the assignment, yet there he was; a glorified babysitter in an untenable situation. That he would have to write a report about what he had done while there made him feel like he was somehow betraying Robin. Ehren thought a man should be allowed to grieve without an outsider breathing down his neck at every turn.
They entered the chapel slowly and found their designated seats in the front row. Robin slumped in the aisle seat with his mother beside him, leaving Ehren at somewhat of a loss.
"You don't have to be adhered to my side at all times," Robin muttered. "Or do you? Is that part of your orders? Do you want to sit on my lap?"
He sat up and gestured in front of him, inviting Ehren to do just that.
"I...uh..." Ehren stammered.
"Come, dear." Galiana patted the empty seat beside her. "Behave yourself, Robin. Ehrenfried is our guest."
"He's not a guest," Robin grumbled.
Ehren mumbled a quick thank you at Galiana and took his seat.
The small chapel was packed with mourners; the who's who of Utopian society. Aina had been a well loved and admired council member, and the turnout reflected that. The chapel mentor gave a blessing and spoke about the fleeting nature of life then invited the son to approach the podium to say a few words.
Robin remained seated. He gulped down the fear he was feeling at having to stand up in front of the crowd and speak about his mother. He stared at the mentor then wildly around the room for anything that might calm him down. His eyes settled, not on his mother, but on a spot not far behind her.
There was a calm encouragement in Ehren's eyes, and he nodded slightly towards the podium. Robin took a deep breath and finally stood. He marched up to where the mentor was waiting and took his place. He found himself staring at the sea of mourners. It was terrifying.
He pulled the rumpled paper he had written his speech down on and glanced at his mother and Ehren. She looked even paler than normal and was clutching desperately to Ehren's hand in both of hers. It seemed neither awkward or out of place. Ehren was perched on the edge of the seat, seeming to need her comforting touch as much as she needed something to hold on to. Robin vaguely wondered if all Earthians were that empathetic. After all, Ehren wasn't there as a friend of the family. He had no reason to be emotionally involved. Ehren had always been that way, though; sensitive to the plight of others which left him easy to take advantage of. That was how Feliu had stolen a TTD right out from under his nose, but it was also why he hadn't turned Robin in when he'd kept the stolen ring.
It was still there on a chain around his neck; a bitter reminder of the loved one who had betrayed him. He touched it briefly where it lie beneath his uniform shirt and instantly noticed a change in Ehren's posture. Every inch of him was suddenly telegraphing disappointment. Robin sighed and set his attention on the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming today," he said. "It means a lot that my mother has touched so many people. It's what she always wanted to do. Uh..."
He cleared his throat and took a moment before trying to continue. He found that he couldn't though. The words would not leave his lips. There was a certain finality in it that he didn't want to face.
"I'm sorry. I can't do this now...I...." He said as he directed his gaze towards his mother. "I'm sorry, Mom." He turned and approached the casket.
He lay one hand on it and frowned sadly.
"This is my fault." He uttered the phrase he had been dreading to admit. Facing Feliu had only brought it sharply to his attention, and it wasn't something that he could shove to the back of his mind any longer. He bowed his head.
"I'm so, so sorry, Mom."
He walked towards the side exit of the chapel and let his fingertips drag slowly across the polished finish of the coffin as he went. He shuddered when they reached the edge and slipped away. It was then that he truly felt she was gone forever. He let out a choked sob, covered his face quickly so that no one would see him, and fled the scene.
Next to Galiana, Ehren muttered a curse in Earthian and half stood up in his spot as if to chase after Robin, but she was still firmly grasping his hand.
"I'm sorry," he said as he sat back down.
She regarded him as he shifted nervously on the edge of his seat; his head darting back and forth as he tried to see where Robin had disappeared to while the Mentor took his place at the altar and began another blessing.
"Tell me one thing, Ehrenfried," she said.
"Yes, Ma'am," he replied.
"Are you wanting to go after him because it's your job?"
He paused in his fidgeting and glanced at her thoughtfully. He knew in his mind that he hadn't jumped up out of any obligation to the Inter-Glactic Action Squad. He hadn't really taken the assignment because of them in the first place.
"No, Ma'am," he said.
"Good," she replied with a smile and finally relinquished her grip. "I must stay here. Help him if you can."
Ehren nodded. He jumped up and walked quickly to the exit that Robin had chosen.
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