Betrayed

By Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

Despite a promising start, a penal colony set on a far off planet quickly disintegrates into chaos. When the weather turns stormy and snow falls, hungry and cold prisoners swarm the warehouses looking for food. The spaceship that had remained on the planet to be used for trips for supplies is attacked by the prisoners and lifts off the ground. Unable to land due to fear of being attacked again, the ship finally abandons the prisoners and the half build village and heads to their home planet.
Gwin, a prisoner, and the historian Sari, who is left on the planet by mistake, had discovered a cave of native inhabitants on one of their explorations. When the snow and cold and fighting forces them to leave the village they meet up with Jawn and his brother Georg, both prisoners. The four band together and go to the cave of the natural inhabitants hoping for help. They are ignored and are close to death from cold and starvation before finally being invited into the cave. Their resulting friendship leads to heartbreak for the cave people and could adversely affect the future generations of the planet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Sep 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781771457170

Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

I began my writing career with a short story, progressed to travel and historical articles, and then on to travel books. I called these books my Backroads series and in the seven of them I described what there is to see and do along the back roads of British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, and Alaska. I have now switched to fiction writing and am proud to be one of Books We Love Ltd published authors. Through BWL, I have had three mystery novels, Illegally Dead, The Only Shadow In The House, and Whistler's Murder published in a boxed set in what I call the Travelling Detective Series. In my fourth novel, Gold Fever I combine mystery with a little romance.I was born in New Westminster, B.C. and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. I married soon after graduation and moved to a farm where I had two children. Over the years I worked as a bartender, hotel maid, cashier, bank teller, bookkeeper, printing press operator, meat wrapper, gold prospector, warehouse shipper, house renovator and nursing attendant. During that time I raised my two children and helped raise my three step-children.I love change so I have moved over thirty times in my life, living on acreages and farms and in small towns and cities throughout Alberta and B.C. I now live on an acreage in the Port Alberni Valley on Vancouver Island with my husband, four female cats, and one stray male cat.I belong to Crime Writers of Canada, Federation of B.C. Writers, the Port Alberni Arts Council and the Port Alberni Portal Players. My short story, A Capital Offense received Ascent Aspirations Magazine's first prize for flash fiction in 2010. I have since turned that story into a stage play and presented it at the Fringe Festival in Port Alberni in 2014.

Book preview

BETRAYED

Cry of the Guilty – Silence of the Innocent – Book 2

By Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

Digital ISBNs

EPUB 9781771457170

Kindle 9781771457187

WEB/EPUB 9781771457194

Amazon Print 978-1-77362-660-4

Copyright 2015 by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

Cover art by Michelle Lee

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book

Ten thousand years ago, our ancestors evolved from being hunter-gatherers to growing their own food. They also began inventing things to make their lives easier. This could be one explanation as to why.

Chapter One

Once the stage had been built in front of one of the spaceships, Governor Lind, the first governor of the planet they had landed on almost three weeks ago, began her speech.

Gwin and the rest of the almost twenty-five hundred prisoners half-heartedly listened. It was just a pep talk that was supposed to make them all feel as if being banished to a far-off planet because the prisons on their own were too full was something to be proud of.

You have all been given a chance to start your lives over again. You are the founding members of a new society, a society that will be the forerunner of many generations to come. You will be making the decisions on which the future of this planet will be based. It is up to you to make this a self supporting colony that will eventually become part of the space arena.

The huge meadow was full of the prisoners, as well as the hundreds of police officers and various other people brought along to help erect the buildings of the village, get the soil worked up and the seeds sown, and to keep the peace in the new society.

Gwin tuned out Governor Lind. She wasn’t interested in being part of this new society with all these prisoners. She had been framed for murder on their home planet and been sent to the penal colony about to be founded on this untouched planet. Her main mission now was to figure out how to get onto one of the spaceships when it returned home so she could clear her name and get on with her plans to marry Mikk.

Suddenly, a name caught her attention. Flight Director Royd. Had she heard right? Flight Director Royd? She couldn’t be sure. She looked at the stage where Governor Lind was standing. It was too far away for her to make out faces.

It didn’t seem possible that Royd would be here. The last she’d seen of him was at the Assembly of the Global Alliance. There he had spoken about the five planets the two of them had explored in the quest to find a suitable one on which to start a penal colony. The planet he’d recommended was the one that she had hoped he wouldn’t. It was pristine and beautiful and she hadn’t wanted it spoiled by the prisoners. She actually stood up and countered his recommendation and had been invited back the next day to explain her objections. It was that night that she had been framed for murder and sent to the space prison Ceriem. And the prisoners from the Ceriem, along with hundreds from other space prisons, had been chosen to begin the penal colony.

Was it really possible that Royd had been on the flight and was here on the planet? Gwin was surprised. Never once had he mentioned he wanted to fly the prisoners back to the planet. She wondered how he had gotten the assignment.

She also couldn’t believe her luck. He probably had heard about her being charged with murder and he would know that the charges weren’t true. He would help her get back home to prove her innocence.

Gwin felt her spirits raise. For the first time since that morning weeks ago when she’d woken up disoriented and covered with blood, she felt some real hope. She envisioned how she would quickly explain what had happened and how he would immediately offer to help her. She knew he’d never believe she was a murderer and he would vouch for her to Governor Lind. With both of them on her side, she’d be heading home on the return flight.

An idea entered her mind. Could that be why he had taken the job as Flight Director? Had he come to help her? The idea seemed a little far-fetched. They were friends in the way that fellow workers were friends but nothing more. They didn’t live in the same megalopolis and rarely saw each other when they weren’t working together. It made more sense that he’d taken the job because it had been offered.

She began pushing her way forward through the solid crowd. She had to get his attention. They had to start making plans. It was tough work. The prisoners were packed tight and no one could step aside for her.

The guns of the spaceship Treachen fired into the air as a police officer raised the flag and claimed this planet on behalf of the Global Alliance which controlled their planet. Gwin had just decided to head to the side where there seemed to be more room to move when the governor’s speech ended. The crowd began to disperse, most going in the opposite direction she was.

She saw the governor descending the stairs of the stage, the space captains behind her. She recognized Royd. He was one of the last ones.

Royd! Royd! She began waving her arms above her head. Royd. It’s me, Gwin. Royd!

She was too far away. He couldn’t hear her.

Gwin pushed harder through the throng of prisoners. Royd! Royd! It’s Gwin.

Shut up. One of the prisoners shoved Gwin, sending her off balance.

Yeah, another agreed. We don’t care who you are.

Get out of my way, Gwen yelled at them.

They stopped and stared at her, blocking her way. What are you in such a hurry for? one of them asked.

Gwin ignored the question as she dodged around them. Royd! Royd!

He was on the stairs.

She pressed harder against the other prisoners. She yelled his name once more and he glanced in her direction.

Royd, she called, relief flooding her. It’s me, Gwin. I’m so glad to see you.

They made eye contact and she knew he recognized her. He looked shocked to see her and kept walking.

Royd. She said suddenly anxious. Royd, stop! I’ve been wrongly accused of murder and I need you to help me.

Royd’s pace picked up. He didn’t looked at her again.

Royd! Stop! Please stop. Suddenly hands grabbed her.

What do you think you are doing? a police officer growled at her.

I need to talk with Flight Director Royd, Gwin gasped, trying to keep him in her sights as she struggled against the officer.

You were read the rules before leaving the spaceships, the officer said. No prisoner is allowed to have contact with any of the crew members, the scientists, or the commanders unless they initiate it. I don’t think Flight Director Royd wants to talk with you.

He was almost out of her sight. Panic gripped her. He was her only hope and he just kept walking. Royd, you have to help me!

Then he was gone.

Royyyd! Come back! She slowly sank to the ground. Why hadn’t he stopped and come over? He’d seen her. She knew he had because she’d looked right into his eyes. Why hadn’t he stopped to talk to her? All her fears and frustrations and anger and panic overwhelmed her and she began to cry. The tears streamed down her face. What was she going to do now?

* * *

Royd hurried back to the Nostra. He reached his apartment and entered, shutting the door. He went over to his supply of liquor and poured himself a drink. He was angry at the governor. This was her fault. He hadn’t wanted to attend the flag-raising ceremony; he hadn’t wanted to take the chance of Gwin seeing him. He preferred to stay on the spaceship now that his job was done.

But Governor Lind had insisted and no amount of arguing had dissuaded her. She’d sent a police officer to escort him to the stage. He’d hurried out of the ship and over to the stage where he’d rushed up the steps and stood behind the spaceship captains hoping Gwin wouldn’t see him. But then the governor had mentioned him by name. He’d been shocked at being singled out and knew that his plan to remain out of sight until the Nostra left the planet was ruined.

There was no way he could slip away so Gwin couldn’t accost him. He’d either have to go down the steps now in front of everyone or jump off the back of the platform perhaps breaking a leg. As those were his only choices, he’d stuck it out and managed to evade her at the end.

What was he going to do about her though? She now knew he was on the planet and she would expect him to help her prove her innocence. But what she didn’t know, yet, was for him to do that he would have to admit his guilt to the Space Organization at home. He’d have to tell them about his agreement with Zudo from the planet Pidleon. He would have to testify that he and Zudo had scammed the organization out of a lot of money in purchasing the spaceships for the flight and in signing contracts with suppliers on both Pidleon and Lodigan, the two planets between their home planet and the penal colony. And there was no way he was going to do that for her.

Then a thought occurred to him. Knowing Gwin, she was not going to just accept her predicament. She was going to fight back. More than likely she’d already formed a plan for getting home on the return ships. He had to make sure that didn’t happen.

Royd refilled his glass. He’d only glanced at her quickly but his mind had absorbed everything: the weight loss, the dark circles under her eyes, the look of desperation. He wasn’t going to let that sway him, though. From now on he had to treat her as the one person who could wreck his future. She was the enemy.

* * *

Gwin headed back to the tent she shared with the women who had been sentenced to prison for murder. She and the ones who had shared her cell on the voyage here had been assigned beds in the same section, which was near one of the four doorways. Shela and Conni still reigned over their girls even though they were in one big open room with all the other prisoners. From what she had noticed, the women who had been in charge of their cells were still in charge here.

She unconsciously rubbed the little finger she had broken when the dump storm had hit the spaceship as she walked. She calmed down enough to think about the situation. She mulled over the question about why he hadn’t come over to her and the only answer she could think of was that, because of his position, he couldn’t be seen talking with one of the murderers. But he now knew where she was and with him on her side she would be able to sneak aboard one of the return ships. And once back home it would be a matter of finding out the truth.

She lay on her bed and wondered how long it would be before he could get in touch with her. She hoped it was soon.

* * *

As Mikk headed to his laboratory his thoughts were of his fiancée, Gwin, who was probably now on the colony planet. He still couldn’t believe she’d been convicted of murder and sent, along with twenty-five hundred other prisoners, to what was now being called the penal planet. There, they were supposed to set up a society and become self-sufficient.

He and Gwin had been engaged and planning their wedding…. He still considered himself engaged but was confused, not sure what he was now supposed to do with his life. He’d learned that she would not be able to come back to him for ten years. He’d gone to see Britt, Gwin’s best friend. They commiserated with each other and tried to figure out if and how they could rescue her from that far off planet.

Mikk walked into the multi-block that housed his laboratory. He took the elevator up to the sixth floor and pushed open the door to the test room. All thoughts of Gwin fled as he glanced at the five men strapped to the five beds. He felt their eyes follow him as he walked over to the table beside the first bed. On it were a phone, a chart and a syringe. Mikk picked up the chart and read the notations of the night staff.

Your glucose levels have remained within our target range for the past week, he said to the man lying there.

Yippee for me.

Mikk ignored the sarcasm. All the test subjects were like that. Looks like you spent another restful night.

What else am I going to do chained to my bed day and night?

We have to protect our staff. He scanned the chart. You had your final meal of potatoes this morning.

If I survive this I’ll never eat potatoes again.

Mikk put the chart back and picked up the syringe. He uncapped it and held it up to the light checking the dosage.

You understand what’s going to happen? Mikk asked.

Yeah, yeah. You’ve told me enough times.

I just want to make sure you are aware that this is an experiment and there is no guarantee of the final results.

I know. I may wake up and I may not. What are you trying to do? Ease your guilt over using one of your fellow beings for your experiments?

The choice was yours.

Yeah, and some choice. Either stay in the prison ships, orbiting this planet for the rest of my life, or be frozen solid for a while and hopefully be alive when I’m thawed.

If you’re alive you get to return to your family on Megalopolis Two with a pension.

The man snorted. Just get on with it.

Mikk stuck the needle into the man’s arm and injected the sedative. He threw the syringe in the sharps box and checked his watch. It should take effect in a few moments.

Mikk was a cryonics scientist. The Space Organization hoped to eventually send frozen explorers to other galaxies, thawing them once they’d reached their destination. For the past two years he’d been working on a way to freeze living bodies and then thaw them without harming their cells.

He’d tried various unsuccessful methods before reading a biology book about a species of amphibians that had once lived on the planet. In winter, they would burrow into the ground and freeze; come spring they would thaw with no ill effects. Scientists at the time believed that the glucose in their cells prevented ice crystals from forming and bursting those cells.

He’d asked for prison volunteers and had spent weeks feeding them various foods and measuring changes in their cell glucose. With each of the foods the level had risen after eating but had lowered again within three hours. Even having them eat often throughout the day hadn’t kept their count up for more than the three hours.

He’d had the drug lab devise a synthetic glucose solution which he administered to the volunteers intravenously. It increased and maintained the glucose for up to five hours after the intravenous was removed. But that still wasn’t long enough. He’d gone to a botanist and they injected the solution into potato plants. When the volunteers ate the potatoes over a three-week period the glucose in their cells increased and remained at that level for a few days after they’d discontinued consumption. He hadn’t been sure how high a quantity of glucose was needed to ensure a safe frozen state and eventual thawing, and unfortunately all of the volunteers used so far had died.

But time was running out. A group of fellow scientists were working on a separation machine, which would separate the mind from the body. They claimed that, once separated, they would be able to transport the mind to another planet and implant it into a body there. The