[Sadrain]

November 29th, Chicago; Base.

As Amante spoke, Elek felt deeper and deeper concern for him. He couldn't fully understand what pestered his friend, but it had to be connected with the girl. And, his attitude towards Ryan seemed to suggest that there was some sort of rivalry of attention of care going on. Elek wasn't sure if it was crush - his aura seemed to suggest otherwise - but certainly some warm, confusing feelings that somehow upset Amante.

"Thank you for report and keeping an eye on her. I hope she behaves in future, too," Elek said, standing up. He put hand on Amante's shoulder for a moment. "Ryan won't have much time or energy to watch over Alice. He is going to have the operations soon. That arm is done for." "I will keep you up to date with everything going on here, maybe you can come back after few days, if you want. You know you're always welcome here." Elek smiled at his friend. "Good luck, stay safe." With that, the man left, to one of the hardest duties he had done in a long time.

Alice's room in hospital had been turned into a small court room between Amante's departure and Elek's arrival. There were one row of seats now, in which various people sat, and at desk sat Aiolia who would write everything down. Ryan was already sitting in the chair next to Alice's bed, with handcuffs. Someone from the 'court' had insisted on it, much for Elek's distaste, and it had been voted for.

Elek sat down in chair across of them and sighed softly. "Interrogation number one, begins. The subjects: Ryan Orth and "Alice". Aiolia said in a monotone voice, only her eyes shot a glare at said subjects.

"First of all, please tell us, how you met "Alice"."
Ryan slowly, somewhat unwillingly began to tell everything from the very beginning, which was the phone call. He left out some details, like how he had taken care of Alice, but tried to stay honest to the reality. The "court" often asked him a lot of absurd questions, making him repeat what he had said before, or trying to confuse him, in testing if he wouldn't mess up, so revealing lies.

"... So, you were asked to kidnap a girl, which you agreed to, without any remorse, broke into uncharted facility, got "Alice" out of there, getting shot in the process, used medicine on her to get drugs out of her system, took care of her, then handed her to your employer, but in last moment changed your mind? And then decided to come to Chicago, to join Rebellion so you both would be safe, for a while, until brought danger to a large organisation that could help many people, if not revealed for certain time? Is that what you're saying, Mr. Orth?" The woman's voice was as cold as steel, but with mocking note. It was even worse than Aiolia.

Ryan hung his head down, the words weighting him down. It sounded so absurd, like out of story, that he wasn't surprised they didn't believe him. But then he looked sideways to Alice and suddenly lifted his head in defiance.
"Yes, that is what I am saying, Ms. Blath. I am sure you are doubting my common sense, if I have any heart and every word I say, but let me remind you that not everyone here comes from fancy home, can wear fancy clothes and act like they are heroes saving earth, as if they have not done anything wrong!"
"Mr. Orth!" Aiolia attempted to interrupt him, but to no avail. Ryan sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing.
"Some of us are born on streets and treated like rats - that you should know, since you swore to protect and help people like us. Yes, I agreed to kidnap a girl, but I was threatened to be killed otherwise, or if I fail. I want to live, and I want to eat. Half of people here have done same as me and worse. I think not what we INTEND to do, but what we fucking do, makes the person we are! And I saved her, from facility and from my employers, and I took her here, hoping people would understand and actually care, not fake compassion like everywhere else!"

There was a stunned silence in the room after Ryan was finished. He was breathing heavily and slumped back in the chair, thinking that now it was surely done for. But, honestly, he had wanted to say that for so long... If he had to go down, then he would do so with pride.

"Release him. This interrogation is finished and my conclusion is that they are not guilty. For now, Mr. Orth and Ms. Alice are probationary members of Rebellion." Elek's voice was calm, but firm. Aiolia and other stared at him, Ryan included. For few seconds no one got up, but then Aiolia went over to Ryan and opened his hand cuffs. Elek got up, ordered to find a room for Ryan, and then left them. While Ryan had spoken, he had went into his mind and seen all those conflicts, pain, anger that he had and still lived trough. There was no thought of assault, just wish to protect the frail girl, and he knew Alice had wished him no harm either, so the solution was simple.