Part 2: ...do not a Prison Make.

Chief Konig strode in front of Jessie's cell. "Guess who I just spent two
hours talking to?"

"Phaeton." Konig shook his head. "Admiral Winfield?"

"No. Try again." said Konig.

Jessie smiled playfully, "Did you put the moves on Hobbesy?"

A long pause followed the comment. "You hear that?" asked Konig.

"Hear what?" asked Jessie.

"That silence. Its the sound of no one else finding what you have to say
amusing."

Jessie's eye's widened. "Good one, Ricky. I didn't think you had it in you."

The Chief tapped his stun baton against her cell bars. "Thought you'd like
it. No Miss Powers, I was not putting the moves on Hobbes. Though, he was
involved."

"You tag teamed some lucky crew woman? Damn! And I was stuck in here.
Shucks!" Jessie gave him her best depressed look, complete with quivering
lower lip.

Despite himself, Konig cracked a smile. "You've got problems lady, do you
know that?"

"Men have problems, women have issues." answered Jessie.

"Whatever. I had a nice little 'visit' from Hobbes and Commander Xanatos. It
seems someone vandalized his room." stated the Chief.

"Good, can't think of anyone who deserves it more." Konig stared, expecting
more from her. "What? You don't think I did it, do you?"

"I shouldn't. I was with you when it happened. But I am beginning to see
Hobbes' point."

Jessie strode up the cell bars and put her arms through while leaning against
it. "Before you go pointing the finger at me as this 'evil mastermind' type
person. I'd like to go on record as saying that I had no visitors after
seeing Hobbes yesterday."

"How did you know it was related to what happened yesterday?" asked Konig.

Jessie looked at the Chief like his head was on backwards. "Oh please, Rick,
you wouldn't be here if it wasn't."

"Too true." conceded Konig. "Mengele tried to see you though, we didn't let
him in though."

Jessie nodded. "So that's what happened to my dinner. I assume you questioned
everyone Hobbesy-boy suggested, am I right?"

"Yes. Everyone was accounted for. Looks like you'll get away with it."

Jessie grinned mischievously. "Its easy when there's nothing to get away
with."

* * *

"Well?" demanded Hobbes.

"If she orchestrated it, I have no idea how she pulled it off." answered
Konig. "Her alibi is rock solid. So are those of the people that might do
this sort of thing for her."

"Then she gets away with it?" asked Hobbes.

"I wouldn't say that, she IS going on trial tomorrow." answered Konig. Hobbes
clenched his fists and sighed deeply. "She'll get her's then, Commander."
said Konig reassuringly.

"Logic dictates that would happen. Just wish I could believe it." Konig
shrugged.

"What are you expecting? A call from on high to release her?"

"Why not? She can apparently bend time and space just so she can vandalize my
room."

Konig clapped Hobbes on the shoulder, "Go to your quarters and get some
sleep, you look like you could use it."

* * *

"Come out of the shadows already. You're not fooling anyone." ordered Powers.

The man stepped into the light. "Oh, very well."

"I've been expecting you."

The man shrugged, the expression on his face saddened. "I always prided
myself on being unpredictable. Now you've gone and taken that away from me. I
never thought I'd live to see the day."

"You mean you never thought I'd live to see the day." countered Powers.

"That too."

"I am surprised that you're here now though. Someone might remember you."

"Doubtful. I 'corrected' the prison log so it would forget I was ever here.
As for the guards, well that's what the acquired uniform is for." answered
the man.

"Pretty slick." noted Jessie.

"I try, its not as easy as it looks however."

Jessie grew tired of the small talk and cut to the chase. "Okay, let's get to
the deal, Ensign Thorist."

"You are singlehandedly killing to art of great conversation, do you know
that?"

Jessie nodded, "Now ask me if I care. The deal." Thorist sighed.

"Very well. Our superiors..."

"YOUR superiors, I don't do their dirty work anymore, remember?" corrected
Jessie.

"Delude yourself anyway you like, but you will be doing their 'dirty work'
again soon." stated Thorist.

"So I assume its the usual favor for services deal."

"It worked out well the last time, don't you think?"

Jessie recalled the not so pleasant memory. "That's a matter of perspective,
Tedronai would probably agree with me."

"Is that a no then?" asked Thorist.

"What do you think?" snapped Powers.

"Just checking. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to make
certain...arrangements." He started to leave.

"Wait."

"Yes?" prompted Thorist.

"What's the job?"

"Well, you understand I can't give you specifics, but..."

"Just say it." interjected Powers.

"What else would we want our prized assassin to do but kill someone?"

Jessie cocked an eyebrow. "Hobbes?"

Thorist laughed lightly. "While I admit he is a pompous little man, who
foolishly believes that he is in charge of his little ant hill of a command;
he is none-the-less a valuable, and easy to manipulate, tool. No my dear, we
have your sights set just a bit higher."

* * *

"Bring in the accused." Captain Henry settled behind the table which would
serve as the bench for the proceedings. Only essential personal were present
for the trial. Essential personnel being Konig, Hobbes, Xanatos, and Jose.
Jose would serve as Powers' defense while Xanatos would serve as the
prosecutor. The door to the chamber opened. Two guards lead Jessie Powers
into the room. Her wrists and ankles were both shackled. She kept her head
high and gave a scathing glance in Hobbes' direction, one he returned with
interest. The procession stopped next to Jose. He noted Jessie's presence. "I
assume that whatever you've been up to has been concluded."

Jessie faced forward as she answered. "I don't have any idea what you're
talking about, Captain."

Hobbes and Konig were straining to listen as Captain Jose responded, "I
thought as much. But if you hypothetically were up to something, then I would
hypothetically tell you to hypothetically knock it off."

"Hypothetically?" asked Powers.

"Hypothetically." confirmed Jose.

"Well, hypothetically, I would say consider it done, sir. But that's all
hypothetical, of course."

"This court will come to order." stated Captain Henry. "Gunnery Sergeant
Jessie Powers, you stand accused of disobeying a direct order from a superior
officer and of striking said superior officer. How do you plead?"

Jessie stood firm as she said, "Not guilty."

"Sergeant, may I remind you that we have witnesses that are willing to
testify that you did indeed commit these crimes. Are you sure that is the
plea you wish to enter?" asked Captain Henry.

"I did not strike or disobey a superior officer." began Jessie. "He was
merely a higher ranking one."

Captain Henry's brow furrowed. "The court does not appreciate that kind of
attitude, Sergeant. You would do well to lose it for the duration of these
proceedings."

"I'll make a note of it, sir. My original plea stands."

"Very well." Captain Henry motioned to Commander Xanatos.

Xanatos was about to begin his opening remarks when they were interrupted by
a message. "Captain Henry to the bridge." Jessie recognized the voice of
Ensign Thorist.

"Captain Henry here, can this wait ensign?"

"Negative, sir. Its a priority message from fleet command marked for your
eyes only."

Henry drummed his fingers on the bench a moment. "On my way."

* * *

After a fifteen minute recess, Captain Henry returned. He took his position
behind the bench and called the court to order. Xanatos was about to pick up
where he left off when the Captain stopped him. "That won't be necessary,
Commander. I've reached a verdict." The announcement shocked those assembled,
save one. "Due to certain mitigating circumstances, this court has no choice
but to find the defendant not guilty on all charges." Chief Konig looked
shocked, as did Xanatos.

Hobbes would have fainted if he wasn't so angry. "But sir!"

"Hold your tongue, Commander. The orders came down from fleet command just a
few minutes ago. They specifically stated that Sergeant Powers not be tried
for her offenses, and furthermore, that she be restored immediately to active
duty and that all charges be wiped from her record."

Hobbes, unwilling to let the point go, protested further. "Sir, there must be
someone higher up that we can..."

Henry held is hand up, causing Hobbes to fall silent. "There isn't anyone
higher up. As far as anyone here is concerned, these orders come down from
God himself." Henry shifted his gaze towards Powers herself. "You apparently
have a friend in very high place. I may not like it, but unlike you, I follow
orders." He motioned to the guards. "Get her out of those chains and out of
my court." Jessie gave Hobbes a hard stare as they unlocked her manacles. As
she was lead from the room a free woman, Hobbes kept thinking about what she
had said to him the day before. 'They can't keep me in here forever, Hobbesy.
Think about that, while you're trying to sleep.' He would not sleep well
tonight, of that, he was sure.