Anders lay awake on his rack as he often did during the periods of isolation. With little to do he was left alone with his thoughts. Sometimes scheming, sometimes pondering life and daydreaming. However, the recent outbreak of commotion about the isolation wards had drawn his thoughts to it. 

[i] Could it be that the authorities had decided it was time to float them all. After all, it was the logical decision. We were a drain on already strained resources, no reason to keep us around. [/i]

A knock at his cell door jolted him to alertness. It was his turn. He slumped himself to his feet as the door slid open revealing the guards outside. The sound of the commotion intensified once the door no longer insulated the cell from the outside. 

[b] "Come in," [/b]

He smirked as he spoke. 

[i] If it really is time for my execution then I'd have play along. Or better yet aggravate the guards. Angry people made mistakes. It depended on the guard in question. Some of them are real nasty bastards. Sadists. Not afraid to strike a minor. Except I'm not a minor anymore. [/i]

Anders was probably the oldest inmate in detention currently, he knew the system well and knew the majority of the guards by first name. He knew how to push their buttons and how far he could push them. 

The two guards rushed into his cell, one was short, the other was a beast of a man. Pablo and Stav. Pablo: one mean little bastard, expressing his napoleon complex through beatings and being a general dick. Stav: A likable giant who often played along with Ander's sense of humor. However he still followed protocol and allowed Anders no special privilages. 

[i] Well there goes my idea of overpowering them. Stav could break me with a single blow and Pablo is just looking for an excuse to beat me/[/i]

"Out Anders," the smaller one shouted.

[b]"Okay, Okay.. I see we're skipping the niceties today then Pablo" [/b]

Anders didn't budge from where he was stood. The big one spoke. 

"Oh I almost forgot, Happy Birthday." he said wryly

Anders grinned. A small smile briefly appeared on the larger guards face.

[b] "I trust you didn't get me anything then Stav?" [/b]

"Enough! Get him moving" shouted Pablo a lot more anger laced in his voice than the first time. Pablo shot a glare at Stav. A truncheon also appeared in his hand. "Move. Now." He gestured to the door with the baton. Stav followed suit by motioning his head toward the door and reaching out to grab Anders.

They both manhandled Anders out of the cell and through the corridors. 

[b] "Ooh I sure hope it's a surprise party." [/b] 

His sarcastic remark earned him a strike to the gut from the little man's baton. Anders just smiled in an attempt to mask the pain. 

They entered a room with a shuttle which Anders was quickly pushed into the back of. 

[i] So no floating. I guess that's a plus. Then again wherever this shuttle was bound for was certainly not going to be fun. [/i] 

Pablo stood back as Stav forcibly strapped Anders in. Anders looked about at the other inmates who were sharing a similar fate. 

[b] "I guess this is goodbye then Stav?" [/b] 

Stav glanced at his superior officer to his side and didn't respond, avoiding eye contact. He walked off quickly leaving Pablo. Anders smiled mockingly at Pablo who just responded with a full blow to the face. Anders spat out blood and after a brief moment in shock resumed his smile. 

[b] "I'll miss you too buddy." [/b] 

Silence and a scowl his only response. He blew a kiss after Pablo as they walked away. An effort that his restraints made quite difficult.