The Lost History

[Rishia Manto]

"Salazar..."

As tears fell to the table, she couldn't help but sob as he felt his arms around her. She felt like a little girl again, afraid of everything, afraid of opening her eyes, because if she did, everything she knew would be gone. But, as she looked up at him, she didn't see fear, just sadness.

"I don't think I can do this..."

 

[Salazar Manto]

"You have to, my love. You're the strongest person I know, and this won't be easy, but you have to continue on, to live your life."

Sitting down, he sighed, but as he did, a tired smile appeared on his face.

"It's not the end, Rishia..."

 

[Rishia Manto]

How could he say such a thing? How could he smile and act as if he just stubbed his tail, as if nothing was wrong. Though, instead of wanting to slither away to a dark corner, to scream and cry, to be alone, she nodded, breathing shakily.

"Alright..."

 

[Salazar Manto]

Smiling harder as she said it, he leaned down, kissing her passionately before the guards came into the room. As they took him back to his cell, Sarandtor nodded to Salazar, knowing full well the laywer would try everything he could to help him from being sentenced to death. His fate was now in the hands of an even greater force, and he had to pray that this would end with him being free, having the jury know he was being framed.

They had to know...

Two Weeks Later

Sarandtor hadn't lied. The case had been extremely quick...

The government had pushed all of its evidence, pointing to the fact of the money that had somehow come into Salazar's hands, painting a picture he had taken a bribe to inserting a code into the planetary grid. No one had come to his defense, and in the end, it had only been Salazar on the stand, telling of his service to Thisspias, that he wouldn't do such a treacherous thing.

The jury had been out for only an hour before they slithered back in, all of them seeming to shoot daggers at Salazar. As the judge asked for him to stand, he breathed hard.

"Mister foreman, in the case of the planet of Thisspias vs Salazar Manto on the sole charge of high treason, how does the jury find?"

"We find the defendant, Salazar Manto, guility."

The room was silent for a few moments before crying was heard. Turning his head, Rishia came forward, burying her face in his back, repeatedly saying he was innocent. Letting out a small sigh, he placed a hand on hers, and as she slithered back, the judge continued.

"In terms of sentencing, has the jury reached a unanimous vote?"

"We have your honor. We recommend a sentence of death."

Even louder crying now came as Rishia fell to the floor, Salazar's heart breaking as all he could do was watch.

"I thank the jury for their service. Salazar Manto, never have I seen such a crime committed against the people of this world that warrants any less than what you have deserved, especially from someone of your class. A traitor to your own people and to the crown, you are nothing more than those terrorists at this point. In two days from now, you will be executed for your crime. May the gods have mercy on you."

Banging the gavel, he was immediately grabbed by three guards nearby who forced him back to his cell. Looking back at Rishia, her eyes seemed to hold fear and tears as she broke down again.

 

[Rishia Manto]

One Day Before The Execution

She was visibly shaking as she was brought into the cell. As the door was slammed, she saw Salazar sitting on the edge of his bed, his beard unkempt and his clothes dirty. As he saw her, he smiled tiredly as he got up, giving her a hug.

"Salazar, I did everything you asked. Your old finances, the family money, it's been locked away. Our child and I have enough to live on for the rest of my life. I spoke to my parents, and of course, they'll be there for me and the baby."

 

[Salazar Manto]

"Good..."

Sitting back down, he chuckled, picking up a piece of food that had been sitting from lunch nearby. Breaking it in half, he passed it to Rishia who took a seat next to him. As he watched the food shake in her hands, he sighed, touching hers as he stuffed the food into his mouth.

Two guards appeared at the door and as they opened it up, Sarandtor appeared inside, visibly gray as he looked at Salazar.

"Salazar, I spoke to the prime minister, the Supreme Court, even to the office of the Blood Monarch, but all have refused to hear this case again. Your execution date is still set, though the only "good" thing that might come out of this is that you will be executed by lethal injection, making this quick and painless."

"No, I've decided to die by firing squad."

If Sarandtor had been gray before, now he seemed to turn white.

"Salazar, that can be extremely painful! There's no guarantee they'll make their mark and kill you! You could be shot and die a slow death if they don't hit a vital point!"

"I want them to have to look me in the eyes and pull the trigger. I refuse to go quitely in the night."

Slithering away, Sarandtor just shook his head, speaking quietly.

"If that's what you want..."

As he left the cell, Salazar turned back to Rishia, smiling again.

"I need you to do me one more favor, hon, and this one is far more important than any of the others..."

 

[Rishia Manto]

Everything seemed to be falling apart around her, but Salazar was acting as if he was discussing how they were going to pay the bills. Though, as she gripped her hands together, she looked at him, trying to portray the same calm he seemed to have perfected.

"What is it?"

 

[Salazar Manto]

"I don't want you coming to the execution..."

He knew she would be angry hearing that, but he had thought this over hard. This was something he knew would be better for her in the long run, no matter what she thought.

Despite how many on the planet thought men were supposed to be in charge, he and Rishia never had that relationship. They were best friends, the best team in the Galaxy, and each worked off their own strengths to help both of them go farther than they had hoped. Now, he needed her strength to help him.

 

[Rishia Manto]

She wasn't visibly angry, but she stared at him hard, a cross look appearing on her face.

"I thought you would say that. Do you actually think I'm going to not be there for you, to not stay with you until the very end? How can you ask me to do this?"

 

[Salazar Manto]

"Rishia, I need to know you'll be fine, and if my death doesn't go as quick as I hope, this won't be a memory you'll cherish. Remember me for who I am, not for who I will be tomorrow."

 

[Rishia Manto]

Getting up, she ran her hands through her hair, trying to come to terms with everything, before she closed her eyes, knowing what she would tell Salazar would shock him.

"I broke our promise. I know we were going to wait until the egg hatched, but I found out what the sex was..."

Turning, she smiled, tears in her eyes.

"We're going to have a boy..."

 

[Salazar Manto]

Closing his eyes, a stifled sob escaped from his mouth, but he wasn't angry. He was glad he knew, because now he had something to fight for. No, not fight in the sense of battling his way out and escaping, but fight in the sense he wasn't dying for nothing. He had a son...

"Mak Manto... I like it..."

Hugging her, he whispered softly, smiling.

"Thank you..."

 

[Rishia Manto]

Hugging him as long as she could, she knew this would be the last time if she honored his wish with not coming. Would she, though, follow through? She wanted to be with him until the end, but what if he was right? What if his death wasn't quick and painless and was one full of agony? Would that be the way she would remember him?

Crying again, this was going to be the decision that would break her...

 

[Salazar Manto]

The Day Of The Execution

Opening his eyes, he saw the gray cell walls seeming to loom in on him. Laying on his cot quietly, he simply stared at the ceiling until the door opened up, three guardsmen came in, all of them adorned in Thisspiasian royal attire. Two others flanked themselves in, one Sarandtor and the other a high ranking official of the parliament. Getting up slowly, Salazar scowled at the man, knowing everything that had happened to him was a sham of a trial, just looking to prosecute him. Sarandtor held his hands together, looking tired.

"Salazar, it's time..."

Nodding, he slithered forward with the guardsmen as they left the cell. Looking around, he didn't see Rishia anywhere, which made him feel slightly better. She had kept that promise to not come, which was how he wanted it. For her to see him sprawled on the ground, blood oozing out after the blasters made their mark, it wouldn't be a cherished memory.

As they finally reached outside, a large crowd had come, all of them overlooking an elaborate ground that had a single wall with the Thisspiasian royal crest adorned on it, a marvelous carpet that the royal guardsmen would be on as they did their duty. As he was directed to the patch of ground near the wall, people began to jeer and taunt.

Well, no one said it was going to be a happy event...

As the guardsmen approached, the official came forward, speaking loudly from an audio system set nearby.

"Salazar Manto, you've been found guilty of high treason by a jury of your peers. Such a crime can only be sated by your death seeing that you've abandoned your loyalty to your world. Your title, your honor, and your profession have all been stripped. However, we follow the rule of law on this world, and as such, you have the opportunity to say what you wish before your sentence is passed. Do you wish to speak?"

Nodding, he slithered forward. Looking at the crowd of venomous faces, he breathed softly.

"You people believe that my death will bring you peace, that a traitor has been dealt with, but the real culprit of whoever tried to cracked into the planetary system is still out there, and I pray you learn of this soon, for they will not stop and will strike again. For my entire life, I've put honor and integrity of Thisspias above my own being, but it seems someone has to pay for a crime, even if they're innocent. I don't except to win anyone over by announcing my freedom, so I only have one request."

"Do not put this on my wife or my unborn son. Whatever you think of me, they are not to be affected by this, to be shamed. My own fate is in my hands, so if this execution eases your anger, then let it die here and not have it involve anyone else."

Slithering back, the royal guardsmen came forward. As they raised their rifles, Salazar stood tall, shooting daggers at the men. As he heard the word ready, he boldly looked out, not wavering. At the word of aim, he smiled, happy he had a great life with Rishia and sad he would never meet his son. And at the word fire, he took a deep breath before he felt it.

Three blaster shots...

Holding his sides, he slithered forward for a second before falling on the ground. He didn't let out a single word, but the pain erupted everywhere as he saw a small pool of blood escaping from him. Sarandtor had been right that this wasn't going to be a quick death. Breathing raggedly, he began to slip in and out of consciousness, but as he did, he thought he could hear a baby crying. Smiling one last time, he closed his eyes, a final breath escaping his lips as he moved on to wherever he would go.

 

[Rishia Manto]

Hearing the cry, the egg finally hatched, and as slowly picked apart the final pieces of the shell, a tiny baby greeted her, crying softly. Letting out a small cry, she picked him up, holding him in her arms softly, smiling as tears flowed down her face.

"Welcome to the galaxy, Mak..."

Giving him a kiss, he looked up, no longer crying as tiny eyes gazed at her. Closing his eyes, Rishia smiled, but it lasted for only a second before she turned to see an empty house. She was alone with her baby, and the man she loved, her best friend, wasn't going to be at her side. Slithering to the couch, she sat down, humming a song for Mak as her eyes closed.

 

[Rishia Manto]

Two Weeks After The Execution

Slithering into the market, Mak was asleep in the stroller as she moved silently, not wanting to wake him up. It would be the first time since he hatched she was making dinner and wanted something nice. Her parents had been helping with everything after the event. Salazar's wishes had been to be cremated after he had died, and she had spread his ashes at their home, where they had first met at the university campus and finally at his childhood home. It had been quiet, for the most part, but there were those who would look darkly at her, muttering underneath her breath.

Coming before a vegetable stand, she picked up a few, looking them over before placing them in the bottom basket of the stroller and moving on. That was when she saw two men, a bit younger then she was, come out of nowhere.

"Traitor to Thisspias! Go hang out with those damn terrorists!"

Slithering off quickly, Mak began to cry, and as she picked him up, patting him on the back, several people came to see the commotion before shaking their heads, some laughing. She gave a hiss at them, extremely angry that this was a joke to them. As he continued to cry, she spoke softly, before picking up the vegetables and throwing them back on the stand, slithering away.

 

[Rishia Manto]

"Dad, it just keeps getting worse. I had to get some medication and the pharmacist nearly threw me out, saying she didn't want to be associated with someone who was connected with a traitor. Salazar's life was taken by this damn lie and now my son and I are feeling the effects. Everyone we knew doesn't want to be seen with me, as if I'm contagious."

Holding Mak in his arms, her father gave a sad frown as he fed him a bottle.

"Your mother and I know that Salazar is innocent, but the people of this planet can't get their heads out of their cloaca. I know it's not like your home here, but you are more then welcome to come back to our home and live there, to not have to deal with this."

"Thank you, I really mean it, but this was our home, and I couldn't imagine getting rid of it. Maybe it'll stop soon enough..."

 

[Rishia Manto]

Later That Night

As she placed Mak in the crib, he feel asleep almost immediately. Leaning down and kissing him on his head, she went to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine, having herself a small drink. Sighing as she took a seat, the dull pain that seemed to resonate in her head wasn't going away anymore, not even with the help of alcohol.

Swishing the liquid around the glass, she downed it, staring at a picture of her and Salazar on their honeymoon. She smiled, for it had been when he had played sabacc for the first time at the casino and had won a couple of thousand credits. He had half-joked about becoming a professional player before he lost it all again a few hands later, but they had so much fun, with seeing the fireworks go off at midnight and-

Hearing glass break near the front door, the smell of fire and smoke filled her lungs as she saw flames reaching everywhere. Screaming, she didn't hesitate as she flew up the stairs, grabbing Mak. Wailing in fear of the noise and crackling sounds, she bundled him closer before she looked back down the stairs, seeing half of the entryway being burnt. Turning, her tail lifted up and smashed the nearby window before she jumped out.

Landing on the ground, she cradled Mak, automatically looking for any injuries. Seeing none, she pulled out a phone, calling emergency services as some of the neighbors came out, wondering what was going on.

 

[Rishia Manto]

Mak was now with her parents house, safe from anything else that could happen. The entire area around the estate was surrounded by police and fire officials as dozens of people stood nearby, watching. As three fire investigators came up to her, General Saracis also came, a smug look on his face. One of the fire officials cleared his throat, seemingly looking bored.

"Naturally, Ms. Manto, this is a case of arson. Someone threw a crude yet effective firebomb at your home. Our investigators will check for those who want to do you harm. Some possible candidates are the terrorists and perhaps dissenters..."

"SOMEONE THREW A BOMB INTO MY HOME, WHERE MY BABY WAS! I don't want you people to give me half-baked conclusions!"

Saracis slithered forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Rishia, you're not thinking straight. We know what we're doing and we can-"

Reacting faster then she thought, a hand came up, slapping him hard in the face. As he slithered back in surprise and pain, a small hiss escaped from Rishia.

"How dare you talk to me... You could've spoken up for Salazar but instead covered your tail to protect your position, you little coward! He had far more courage than you could ever dream to have!"

Anger appeared on his face as he straightened up, pointing at her.

"You crazy bitch, do you know who I am? I'm a general of the military, and as far as I'm concerned, traitors are nothing in my book. Investigate all you want, officers, but this is just a waste of everyone's time."

Slithering away, the officials merely shrugged and went back into the house to continue the investigation. Rishia, now standing alone, simply stared before she nodded to herself, understanding what was going on.

She now knew what she had to do...

 

[Rishia Manto]

The Home of Rishia Manto's Parents

As her father and mother stared at her, she knew they couldn't believe what she had said. Her mother cradled her hands as she looked at her grandson in the crib.

"Adoption, Rishia? This is your son, yours and Salazar's. How can you say such a thing...?"

"Because, mom, my son was almost killed last night, and it wasn't a terrorist, but merely by someone who hates "traitors", which means it could be anybody. It could've been one of my neighbors for all I know, and that tells me no matter where we go on this planet, he's not safe."

Her father merely shook his head.

"Rishia, once things calm down, it will be better."

"And what if it doesn't, dad? What if he's raised and treated worse than even the lowest class? What if his entire life is every day, like this, always afraid to do something because someone might want to hurt him? If he's adopted into another family, he'll have a different last name, a safer way to live..."

Sitting down, tears began to flow down her cheeks.

"I will not have my son die, and if I have to give him away for him to be protected, then I will! My only concern is his safety!"

As her parents looked down, she slithered over to Mak, picking him up. As he looked up and babbled in baby talk, she nodded.

"This is what has to be done..."