by Cynthia Sax
“The covering cloth isn’t for eating.” Dissent located another one. “It is to fight the cold brightness.” He blocked the light once again. “Don’t touch it.”
“I’m not listening to you.” The little creature didn’t eat the fabric, his actions belying his rebellious words. “You took me away from my father and now you must die. Come into the darkness so I can fight you.”
The offspring would have been in the care of his father. He had too few solar cycles to survive on his own.
Dissent looked around them. There were no signs of another miljoonasuut. “Where is your father, Nibbler?”
“He is fighting the two legs.” Pride edged the offspring’s clicks. “The two legs came to our home. They brought the brightness with them. Father told me to hide but I didn’t hide good enough. The two legs got me and then everything was bright all the time and I don’t know where my father is. I—” He abruptly stopped communicating.
Nibbler was sad and scared, though the feisty creature would never admit to that. Bending over, Dissent situated his face level with the cage. “I’ll take you back home and help you find your father.”
As the words left his lips, he realized what he’d vowed. To help the miljoonasuut, he would have to temporarily pause his mission to find his female.
He would be leaving her unprotected for that additional duration.
But he couldn’t abandon the little creature on Altair Alpha. The miljoonasuut could be damaged…or worse.
“I will fight you.” Hope buoyed the offspring’s defiant words. “I will devour you. There will be nothing left except your bones.”
Cyborgs didn’t have bones. They had metal frames.
Dissent ignored the little one’s threats. I require use of one of the shuttle crafts. He added an image of the miljoonasuut to his transmission to North and Truth.
Captain will not allow that creature on the Reckless. North stated a fact he already knew.
Captain was protective of his crew, his female, his offspring. He wouldn’t authorize a skilled predator to board the warship.
And Dissent would never place them at risk like that.
That’s why I require use of one of the shuttle crafts. He formed a plan. I’ll transport the miljoonasuut to Khambalia 5 directly. The offspring won’t board the Reckless.
“This bastard might be small.” A heavily scarred and repugnantly smelly Deneb removed the fabric from the miljoonasuut’s cage. “But it is a killing machine.”
His tone was similar to those the humans had utilized when they had tortured him. It contained glee and malice.
Dissent didn’t straighten, didn’t turn his head toward the male. The offspring was his focus.
“We were attacked by a full-grown one when we landed on its planet.” The Deneb continued to yammer. “That big bastard devoured six of my males, ate two of my fingers.” He held up one of his hands, showing Dissent the stubs. “It took a missile launcher to down it. These bastards might be tough on the outside, but they’re soft on the inside. There was goo everywhere.”
The humanoid laughed at a joke Dissent found no humor in.
The creature the Deneb had blasted must have been the offspring’s father. Anger built within him. The fully grown miljoonasuut had been trying to protect his young, had lost his life in the process. He deserved respect, not ridicule.
“The cold brightness has returned.” The offspring attempted to hide his eyes. “I will defeat it.”
“Put the cloth back.” Dissent frowned at the little creature. “You’re damaging him.”
“It’s mine to damage.” The Deneb shrugged. “Unless you wish to purchase it.” He extracted a handheld from a holster. “That will cost you one hundred thousand credits.”
That was the price of a used shuttle craft. But it was ridiculously low for a life.
“I’ll buy it.” He was grateful the miljoonasuut didn’t understand the universal language, didn’t realize he was being purchased as one might purchase a gun or a garment…or a cyborg. “Put the cloth back.”
“I have to see the credits first.”
The Deneb wanted to torture the creature. Dissent heard that in his voice.
“It is a large amount and—”
Dissent lifted the male and slammed him against the side of the stall.
The Deneb gasped.
Dissent brought his face close to the male’s. “You. Will. Put. The. Cloth. Back.” He said that between gritted teeth.
The male’s gaze lowered to the letter and number inked on Dissent’s left cheek. “Cyborg.” His face turned a darker shade of green.
If you kill him, his kind might seek revenge. Truth appeared by Dissent’s side. That will put our females in danger.
Dissent would never do that. “I am a cyborg.” He glared at the Deneb. “And the creatures on Khambalia 5 are under my protection. If you land on that planet again, I will hear about it and I will hunt you down. There is nowhere in the universe you can hide from me, and when I catch you, I will kill you…slowly, painfully. You’ll wish for death long before I grant you that peace.”
“Won’t. Land. There.” The Deneb’s eyes were wide with fear. “Ever. Again.” Liquid splattered on the pebbles by his booted feet.
The scent of urine tainted the air.
He has received your message, J Model. Truth transmitted dryly. Let him go.
Dissent reluctantly lowered the male until his boots touched the ground. “I’m transferring one hundred thousand and ten credits to your account.” He unhooked a handheld from his waistband and bumped it against the male’s device, making the connection. “I’m taking the cage and the cloth also.”
“Yes, sir.” The male hurriedly placed the cloth over the cage.
The miljoonasuut’s sounds of anger stopped. That eased some of Dissent’s own fury.
You can’t protect every creature in the sector, J Model. Truth shook his head.
I can protect this creature. Dissent lifted the cage containing the offspring. “Are you hungry, Nibbler?” He switched to the miljoonasuut’s language.
Nibbler? Truth groaned. You’ve named it?
He hadn’t viewed it to be the offspring’s name. But it did suit him. And miljoonasuuts, being solitary creatures, didn’t give themselves names.
“I will call you Nibbler.” Dissent held the cage higher. “You’ll be safe with me.”
The delay in finding his not-yet-identified female concerned him. Greatly. But she had survived until now without him. There was an 87.2695 percent probability she could survive for a few more planet rotations on her own.
During the interval, he would have a little creature to care for, to protect.
To love.
His chest expanded with happiness. His soul filled with purpose.
“Fight me, two legs.”
The offspring would battle his caring. The miljoonasuut was determined to view him as an enemy.
That was proof of Nibbler’s intelligence. Humans and humanoids weren’t to be trusted and that’s how the creature viewed him—as a human or humanoid. The miljoonasuut had no knowledge of cyborgs.
“I will source nourishment.” Dissent assured the little creature, hoping to appease him.
He must be ravenous. Miljoonasuuts constantly ate, devouring everything in their path, and Nibbler was growing, would require more nourishment.
Dissent glanced around. “Where is the Deneb?” He didn’t see the male.
There’s a 94.5693 percent probability he’s hiding from you. Truth’s eyes glittered. Or he could be changing his ass coverings.
The humanoid couldn’t assist him.
We require nourishment. He had a hungry offspring to feed.
When I passed Chuckles, en route to you, he was sourcing fruit for his female. Truth waved in what Dissent projected was the warrior’s direction.
Then we will source fruit also. He hefted the cage and carried a grumbling Nibbler toward Chuckles’ location.
Miljoonas
uuts could chew through metals and wood and many other materials but they must not find the stone edible. Nibbler pushed against the confines of the cage yet couldn’t escape it.
I’m returning to Khambalia 5 with you. Truth walked with Dissent, matching his stride. I love that fraggin’ planet.
You love exploring. That his friend would temporarily give that up for him impacted Dissent’s emotional system.
I love many things. The D Model shrugged. If we complete this mission before we leave, I’m 84.5696 percent certain Captain will wait for us. He won’t land on another planet until we return.
We’ll complete this mission before we leave. Dissent would honor that commitment.
Good because, if we don’t, North will implode. Truth grinned.
I’ve surveyed 3.2369 percent of my terrain. North barked through a public transmission line. What is your status, warriors?
Truth exchanged a meaning-laden look with Dissent and they both laughed.
Chapter Two
Greer wanted to die free.
That was her sole goal, the one dream she’d nurtured her entire lifespan. Ninety-two planet rotations ago, as the sun peeked over the horizon, she had believed with all of her heart she had loved and been loved enough to warrant her emancipation.
But her freeborn father and former master had betrayed her.
Instead of being freed upon his death, as she had expected, she was informed ownership of her had been transferred to Zloy, a high-credit male who had coveted her for solar cycles.
The first thing her new master had done was inject her with fertility inhibitors. The second task he completed was to strip her bare. In public. While she was surrounded by beings she’d known, beings she thought had respected her.
Her situation had worsened from that point. Zloy delighted in humiliating her, hurting her, using and sharing her. He and his numerous cronies had tortured her in all ways a human female could be tortured. They’d been intent on breaking her.
Refusing to capitulate, she had escaped.
Five times.
And she’d been apprehended.
Five times.
The fifth and likely final attempt had occurred three planet rotations ago. She’d fled the domicile where she’d been held captive, had made it to a hidden door in the settlement’s walls. Freedom had been a slab of metal away when Zloy’s henchmen had caught her.
She doubted there would be a sixth attempt.
Zloy had been angry, very angry, had raged about her embarrassing him in front of other males. Her actions had caused trouble amongst her fellow slaves, had given them ideas, and he was bored with her, weary of her antics.
He would recoup his investment. Until then, she was to be completely restrained.
Naked except for the collar around her neck, she kneeled on the cold stone floor in the public chamber of his domicile. Energy coils curved around her form, binding her from the top of her head to the tips of her bare toes.
The other slaves avoided the chamber. They would enter, look at her, their gazes pitying, and exit quickly. Their lack of communication relayed one clear message—she would soon be dead.
While she waited for that ending, she would hurt. Greer gritted her teeth as a shock ran through her. The pain was so severe her eyes watered. It felt as though she was on fire…on the inside.
That added reprimand occurred every twenty heartbeats and she endured the agony in silence. She wouldn’t give Zloy the satisfaction of hearing her cry out.
As though the universe knew she was fighting him, the doors opened and the massive male entered. His one eye glittered. “Have you missed your master, you stupid slut?”
“You might own me now.” She curled her top lip. “But you’ll never be my master.”
“I’m your master and all of the universe knows it.” He balled up his fingers into giant fists. “That’s my brand on your chest.”
He’d burned that horrid mark into her skin the planet rotation he took possession of her. The pain had temporarily blinded her. The realization that she would never truly escape him almost shredded her resistance.
Almost.
“Fuck you.” She spat in his ugly face.
“Respect me, slut.” He swung his fist.
Hurt exploded in her jaw. Her head snapped backward. The metallic taste of blood flavored her mouth.
“I reduce my offer to thirty-four thousand credits.” The voice, cold and emotionless, echoed in the chamber, chilling her to the bone.
It belonged to the Balazoid, one of Zloy’s cronies, a male who scared her more than her would-be master. She narrowed her eyes, seeking to stop the world from spinning around her. The male looked down at her, his crimson eyes and white face devoid of all expression. The tentacles on his skull were still and there was an energy whip in one of his slender hands.
Greer inwardly flinched. She was achingly familiar with the bite of that torture device, had welts on her back from previous encounters with it.
And the Balazoid wasn’t alone.
A Humanoid Alliance Officer, another crony of Zloy’s, smirked. A dagger was strapped to his waist. He liked to slice her while he ravaged her.
A Palavian cracked the knuckles on his multiple right hands. A splotchy-faced humanoid male bared his teeth. He’d bitten her during multiple encounters. There were more faces behind them. All had used her, hurt her.
Zloy, however, was focused on the Balazoid. “The agreement was thirty-five thousand credits.”
“The agreement was it would be in good condition.” The male sounded bored. “Hunting wounded prey holds little appeal for me.”
“Its lip is busted.” Zloy grabbed her chin. His grip on her was bruising. He forced her head upward. “That’s a beauty mark, not a wound.”
“Let me go, you piece of shit.” It irked her that she couldn’t pull away from him. The restraints restricted almost all of her movement.
Zloy dug his blunt fingernails into her skin. “It’s worth thirty-five. Look at her.” He lifted her by her chin, straining her neck. “You’ll never see another human like it. Its red curls, green eyes, pale skin are an extremely rare combination.”
“Fuck you.” She’d grown to hate her beauty.
It attracted males like him, males who wanted to brand her, control her, own her. Her own father had refused to free her. She’d foolishly deluded herself into believing he loved her. In reality, he’d viewed her as a possession, a means to settle his debts after he died.
She was a commodity, not a being, to them.
“Look at the fire in its eyes.” Zloy’s laughter held no humor. “It’ll give you a good long hunt. And, when you finally catch it, you’ll have your reward. Its curves are plentiful. You will have plenty of flesh to strip from its bones.”
They planned to hunt and kill her. She struggled against her bonds, was unable to move.
There would be no avoiding her fate. She was thoroughly captured. They could do anything to her and she couldn’t stop them.
“You would hunt restrained prey?” Greer glanced at the Balazoid. “That appeals to you?”
The male’s thin white lips lifted into a hint of a smile. “It’s intelligent.” The tip of the energy whip curled around her knees. “I’ll pay the thirty-five.”
She knew from experience he could wield that torture tool for shifts, stripping layers of flesh off her back, relaying pain in mind-twistingly steady doses. “Hunts have rules.”
“Hunts have rules.” The Balazoid dipped his head. “You will be freed, will be given a head start. You can go anywhere, hide in the settlement, leave it, if you wish.” He shrugged. “I will hunt you, will return you to your Master alive…barely.”
He assumed he’d catch her. But there was a chance, slim yet existing, she’d escape. Forever. Hope unfurled within Greer. She could be free.
“We’ll wager on how long your hunt will last.” Zloy assumed she’d be caught also.
They underestimated her. She wanted to tell them
all to fuck off, but she remained silent. Their misconceptions of her could work to her advantage.
“I’ll pay twenty thousand credits to fuck it while you end its lifespan.” The Humanoid Alliance male threw out that repulsive bid.
“We’ll all have a turn before and after that happens.” Zloy nodded.
Bile rose in the back of Greer’s throat. She quashed her nausea, her rage, her disgust, and concentrated on the situation presented to her. She’d have one more opportunity to escape. Only a fool would squander that chance.
Not being that fool, she plotted her route, envisioning it in her mind. She’d lived in the settlement all of her lifespan. Before being purchased by Zloy, she’d had more freedom of moment, knew the pathways, the hidden passages.
Resolve formed inside her, solid, comforting, hopeful.
She would be free. Fuck them all.
Zloy and his cronies argued about how long the Balazoid would wait before hunting her. The male was arrogant, was certain he’d easily catch her. He didn’t protest when they gave her more time to flee, to evade him.
She would do this. She would escape.
Zloy gripped the collar around her neck, dragged her along the floor until she was close to him. His repulsive stench filled her nostrils.
She wrinkled her nose. “You fuckin’ stink.”
“You always acted like you were better than me, the prissy virgin slave protected by her freeborn father.” Zloy lowered his voice. “Now, all the males in this chamber have been inside you…multiple times. My brand is on your chest…permanently. That can never be erased. And that father you thought loved you? He used you as collateral on a twenty thousand credit loan.”
The jagged shards of betrayal jabbed into her heart. She’d known her father had sold her. She’d hadn’t known for how little.
“Twenty thousand credits.” Zloy entered a code into her collar. “That’s your worth. I’ve paid more for a sword than I paid for you.”
One final shock coursed through her as her restraints were released. The fine hairs on her arms lifted. Unshed tears burned her eyes.
“You aren’t better than me.” He clutched a handful of her hair. Pain pricked at her scalp. “You’re nothing, no one. You’ll die this planet rotation, and not one being in this universe will grieve for you.”
