FREEDOM Legends

by Stephen Arseneault

  "Eight wives? What's the pool?"

  "The pool is a registry for single females whose primary function is as a spouse. There is a similar pool of males for husbands. And yes, eight wives. Upper tier executives and planetary governors need prestige symbols. Wives are one of those. There comes a point, however, where wealth is the main driver of prestige. I have moved up a notch. It would do me well to be rid of the stress and the bother of the problem spouse. I have far too much on my mind."

  Jamus smirked. "Same here. I don't know where I'd find the time to spend with one. Martin and Greta seem happy. I just don't want to be so happy that I'm distracted. There's too much at stake for us all."

  "A wise move, Mr. Turnbull."

  Hallik looked at the time on his bracelet. "We should have a visitor coming in any moment. I decided to add a new team member. He's young, like Kerena, and has tested out as very even tempered. He's strong, and I believe he will be a good fit for the team."

  "What does that mean for Daniel?"

  "Mr. Pike has nothing to worry about. His business is now here on this station, keeping it operational. And should the team, or Bersa, or our medical team need anything, he will be tasked with expediting it. In addition, he will be available to consult with you when missions include procurement or maintenance tasks. He will remain a valued member of the team."

  Jamus nodded. "Good. I'd throw as much work at him as you can. He's happiest when he's busy."

  "I believe our entire team to be of that persuasion, Mr. Turnbull. I also believe that to be one of the reasons for our continued success."

  Jamus looked around the room. "There are monitors on almost every wall. Any idea what they were used for? Dester believes it was for some sort of news-feeds."

  Hallik sighed. "Yes, you people were obsessed with information, just as many of ours are now. Feeds from any number of planets could be brought up on any of those displays. Whenever I reach comm distance of a planet, I monitor the broadcasts for the latest information. If there are celebrations or riots, or a new appointment to a position that might affect my business, I want to know. I have my staff monitoring them as well."

  "OK. But how'd they get those out here?"

  "A tiny wormhole connection exists between every populated planet in the empire. Multiple broadcast feeds are beamed each way. At Caloran I can see the weather in a city on Gatumon or Kronong for example, before jumping to either planet. Once connected to the network of the empire I can get news from any planet instantly. It allows comm connections as well. Saves us the trouble of having to jump from one to another and another to deliver critical news."

  "Interesting. Any way we can get a connection opened to here?"

  "I'm afraid not. That would give the security force of any colony direct access to the network of this facility. While some of the data we could gather might be of use to us, the risk to exposing this operation would rise exponentially. Until such time as we can figure out our security issues, the feeds will remain off."

  "Hmm. So back on Caloran we could have intercepted those broadcasts and seen what was happening on the other side of the empire?"

  "Not without a full connection. And again, we could not risk the discovery of that facility."

  "You seem a little upset at my asking. Is there something on those broadcasts we shouldn't see?"

  Hallik was silent for several seconds, forming up his reply. "Indeed there is, Mr. Turnbull. I've been pleasantly surprised at how you and the team have handled the information you have become privy to. My concern at the moment is that I don't wish for you to become overwhelmed, or to have emotions that distract your otherwise excellent focus. Perhaps once we've taken the governorship of Betuaon State I can open your eyes to the real empire."

  "You still have the ultimate say, Hallik. We're committed to working for you."

  The awaited shuttle docked, and the new recruit was escorted to the lounge.

  Bersa introduced him. "Everyone, this is Jim Wazny, your new team member. He will be replacing Mr. Pike in fulfilling his mission roles. Mr. Pike will remain as our maintenance supervisor for this station and as a consultant for missions where his new expertise may come into play. Please welcome Mr. Wazny to the team."

  Hallik watched with a smile as each of the members offered a warm greeting, Dester Marr being the last.

  "So, Waz, where were you brought in from?"

  "A factory in Haraku."

  "And before that?"

  "Farms. Mines. Housing staff. Gardener. Shepherd. Just about everything."

  "You have a wife? Children?"

  "They work a farm on Haraku. The field manager there is fair, so I've asked Master Hallik that they be allowed to stay at that farm. He has agreed. And I'd like to say, I'm still in shock there are others who are aware. I've heard the rumors, I've just not been witness to it."

  Hallik nodded. "It seems to be happening more every day. Jamus, Mr. Wazny has agreed to all the terms of laboring for our cause. I'm placing him in your care. Please see that he is brought up to speed as quickly as possible. And please keep in mind I will be evaluating his progress. Should it be sub-par, he will be subject to replacement."

  "We'll do our best to bring him along."

  Dester said, "If there's trouble, we'll send in the Waz."

  Jim smiled. "Protect my family and I will do whatever is required of me."

  "Thought he was supposed to be young?" Jamus asked.

  Gwad shook his head. "The younger associate, Milford Pearls, was unable to grasp the concept of our mission."

  Hallik received a comm and scurried away. Several minutes later, an indicator on the wall showed his shuttle had departed.

  Bersa clapped her hands together. "Your hour of free time is over. Please proceed to the housing deck in a timely manner."

  The following morning, as breakfast was complete, Bersa joined Jamus and Jim. "Mr. Turnbull, as Master Hallik said, Mr. Wazny is your new charge. You will see to it he is familiarized with our schedules. Mr. Wazny, please refrain from asking questions during your first classroom session today. You will be given side assignments that should assist in accelerating your readiness for a mission."

  The classroom training ran until noon. As the others hurried through their meals, Bersa took the few minutes available, after downing her food, to give a speech about Humans and freedom. The afternoon session was then followed by dinner and the final two hours of instruction. A walk down the stairs took the group to the housing deck.

  Jamus lingered in the door of Jim's room. "I know this is all kind of a shock to you, but it is really happening. If we move Hallik up in the ranks of governance, to the top, he promises to give all Humans our freedom."

  "And you believe him?"

  "At the moment we don't have much of a choice. But you can bet as the time draws near, we will make an effort to see he does exactly that. I don't expect that to happen anytime soon, so we should have plenty of time to plan for it when the need arises. I will say that so far he has been good to us. We won't be asked to take any Human lives, except perhaps our own should we be caught. And our actions haven't resulted in injuries to people as of yet. Except one of our own, the guy who you're replacing."

  "Yes, Mr. Pike. I was briefed on his accident."

  "We're a tight group here. Dester will try to stir things up on occasion, but when it comes down to it, he cares. Martin is quiet but quick to temper if agitated. The Bachran girls are both reserved, although Kerena doesn't shy away from a challenge. Hallik indicated you were young. I would put you at closer to my age, if not beyond."

  "There was a younger recruit being prepared along with me that may have been slated to come first. I was told he had issues. I suspect we won't be seeing him, ever."

  Jamus sighed. "It's a hard thing to hear. I want to say you'll get used to it but you won't. People will die. Hopefully not by our hand, but as I’ve been told over and over, sacrifices will have to be made. Hallik argues that it's worth it to lose a single life if y
ou're saving a thousand. It's really not that simple, but you'll have to cope if you want to stay alive."

  "I will cope."

  Two days of quiet observation were spent by the new agent as a course was given on standard ship's systems. Then maintenance, housekeeping, kitchen staff, waiters and waitresses, all of the Human positions were taught that would be on a shuttle belonging to a wealthy government official. The next mission was then revealed.

  "Greta will be going out on this one," Bersa said. "She will be rented out as a temporary personal slave for the third wife of Poch. Master Poch is a Leuchen, and his third wife is rumored to be rather hard on her slaves. You will be attending to whatever tasks she asks of you. If you do as you're told, you should do well."

  "When you say harsh," said Martin, "explain?"

  "It has been rumored that her slaves are prone to being beaten. Generally not severely, but beaten nonetheless. As a member of her personal slave pool, you will be privy to any conversation she has. Leuchen wives like to be involved in their husband’s business, so we are expecting good information from this mission. It may last anywhere from two to five days."

  Martin scowled. "Beaten? For no reason other than anger?"

  Bersa nodded. "That is the rumor. I'm not aware of any deaths, although I suppose if an injury is severe enough for a slave to be replaced, the injured one is done away with."

  "I can do it," said Greta. "I've been beaten before."

  "I suspect if you perform the duties as asked, there will be no beatings. Master Hallik believes this mission to be of great importance. There will be votes on matters crucial to his businesses, where he would like to know the planned outcome."

  "As I said, I can do it. When are we expected to get a date for this?"

  "You will be taken to the colony of Burada III tomorrow. Master Poch's shuttle is expected to be there for a short visit."

  "I’m ready."

  "Yes. I believe you to be capable, but just the same, tomorrow will be spent performing tasks in Gordia's chambers on the shuttle—Gordia being Master Poch's third wife. Our crew is constructing a mock-up as we speak. Tomorrow you will become intimately familiar with those chambers."

  The next day saw Greta performing a variety of tasks for a stand-in Gordia. The third wife of Poch was a large female, as were most Leuchens. Martin was given the role of Mistress Gordia, which in turn led to a few too many giggles from Greta as she went about her given tasks.

  When the shuttle arrived to collect Greta, her instructor had a few harsh words. "Professionalism—I expect you to be thinking of nothing but the task at hand. Don't be quick to follow, but don't be sluggish or you may receive a whack from Gordia’s baton."

  Martin reacted with anger. "Baton? You didn't mention a baton yesterday."

  "The Leuchens detest touching Humans. If she receives a strike it will be by an implement of some sort. And if she decides to deliver a beating... cower and accept it, just as any smudger would do."

  Martin held her for an extended hug as they stood in the shuttle doorway. "Please be careful. I don't know if I can stand by peacefully and watch you be beaten."

  "I will be fine. If that situation is developing, just move yourself away from the display. Don't watch. Just know that I will be coming back to you when the mission is over."

  "That’s one of my concerns. There seems to be no end scheduled for this mission. Bersa indicated up to five days, but now won't say if it's for five days or five years."

  Jamus placed his hand on Martin's shoulder. "Let her go. We don't have a choice here. If she follows the request of her new master, all will be well. Poch is next in line above Hallik. If we can take him down, we move up."

  The shuttle soon departed. Martin was in a poor mood. The new member, Jim Wazny, or Waz as Dester liked to call him, was soaking everything in. With Greta on her way, a free hour was given as a reward for everyone's hard study.

  Waz sat next to Jamus at a table, where they were soon joined by Dester. "The Waz... what do you think of our outfit so far?"

  "Two months ago I wouldn't have dreamed any of this was possible. Of course, when on the Smudge, you would rarely dream."

  Dester nodded. "They time that dose so it puts you in a deep sleep. The more rested you are, the better you will perform the next day."

  "Is that true?"

  "According to Bersa, over there it is. These are the little tid-bits you'll pick up from general discussions. Such as, did you know all the doses of Smudge are the same? It's actually hardest on the kids because they're taking a lot stronger of a dose per their weight. Ever see a kid who's missing their Smudge and you now know why they whine for it so much. Also bad for your smaller women."

  Dester turned, briefly looking over his shoulder. "Almost wonder how it even works on the big dolts like Martin."

  A scowl from the large Human had Dester turned back toward the others.

  "Will I be seeing the rest of Beta Station at some point?"

  "I'm waiting until they give us two hours of free time," answered Jamus. "Nothing special you need to see for anything other than curiosity's sake."

  Daniel powered himself into the room. "So this is my replacement?"

  Jamus smiled. "You seem to be getting around in that thing nicely. Jim Wazny, this is Daniel Pike. Even though injured, Master Hallik has seen to it that he's being taken care of."

  "Hello, Mr. Pike."

  "Hello."

  Dester said, "Looks like you move faster in that thing than you did walking."

  "It's not bad. I can get in and out easy enough. I just have a hard time reaching for things up high."

  "You should have your boys fashion you some type of grabber."

  Jamus asked, "You just think that up yourself?"

  "No." Dester smirked. "Saw them at the factory. The parts pullers used them to grab items from high shelves. A picture of that just popped into my mind when he mentioned having to reach."

  "Well, thank you just the same, Mr. Marr. I'll mention that to my crew."

  "Crew... kind of funny a Human having a crew, isn't it?"

  Jamus replied, "Hopefully not for long."

  "You really think our full freedom is possible?" Jim asked.

  "Meh." Dester scowled. "Not in the next decade. We have to make Hallik state governor, district governor, sector governor and then emperor after that. Unless you have some magic shortcut in mind?"

  "I have no shortcuts, Mr. Marr. All of this is still a bit overwhelming."

  "You get used to it," said Daniel. "Bersa has our lessons well organized. I only went in on the one mission, but I was ready. I knew what I was supposed to do and how. If it hadn't been for that accident... I would be sitting there and you would have been... well, never mind."

  "I'm aware of the consequences of being aware, Mr. Pike. It has given me every incentive to be cooperative with this group."

  Chapter 9

  * * *

  Greta was soon introduced to her new master. Gordia had a permanent scowl and a quick temper. Only minutes into the introduction, Gordia's slave servant was given a whack for good measure.

  The third wife of Poch stood over her newest possession. "You will move when asked. You will carry out all tasks as asked. And you will do those tasks better every time until I no longer need to ask. If for any reason you cannot comply, you will be replaced. Now go get a towel for my feet. They are sweating and I cannot have them in that condition when seeing my husband."

  A moderate whack sent Greta on her way to a closet. Moments later she returned with a towel and began the task of gently drying the perspiration from Gordia's feet, taking care to press between her toes in an effort to do a complete job.

  Gordia gazed down, wiggling her appendages as Greta moved to dry her shoes. "Hmm, finally a slave I am not forced to beat."

  A swift whack from her baton followed as she looked at the Human female with disgust. "Let that be a lesson for your future."

  Her shoes, with sixteen-centimeter hee
ls, looked as though they wouldn't support the weight of the giant Leuchen. After standing, the heavy alien showed herself to be quite nimble as she moved from the foot-chair over to a mirror. Two other chambermaids hurried to her side and began applying several coats of makeup.

  Greta stood with an empty smile, awaiting her next command as she glanced around the room. Gold and red sashes, interspersed with silken draperies, adorned the walls. Every few meters along those walls, an image of Master Poch could be seen in different poses, brandishing a ceremonial sword or flashing the medals on his government dress uniform.

  As the makeup job came to completion, Gordia pointed at Greta. "You, fetch my leg casings from that chest. The red ones with the gold and diamond inlays. Bring them to the chair."

  Greta pulled the casings from the chest as the two aides beside Gordia removed a skirt, revealing the backside and privates of their master. Still in her heels, she sauntered over to receive the casings, turning her plump-rump toward Greta as she was reached. The team grimaced at the unsightly image on the display in front of them as they watched from their location on Beta Station.

  Dester looked on with one eye squinted, periodically glancing away. "Please tell me this is gonna be over soon…"

  The rump of the Leuchen was covered with boils, crevasses, depressions from failed blood vessels, moles, and warts, much like her face. In the Leuchen culture, the more occlusions a body had, the more attractive a mate. Gordia had landed a very wealthy husband.

  Greta began the work of attaching the leg casings. Other than a flexible joint at the knee, the casings were rigid and straight. They were also made to be several sizes too small. The beastly legs of her master had to be pushed, poked, prodded, and then crammed to fit inside the opened casings. A pair of clasps on the back of each were latched and pulled hard shut. The second casing was not going on as planned.

  Gordia looked down at her newest slave with disgust. "And to think only moments ago I had such high hopes for you."