"Even though I am one of them, should I?"
Thelm returned to his plate, guiding various meats to his mouth. "No, I suppose you shouldn't know."
"Do you have mines? Where are your slaves put to work?"
"Breeding farms mostly. The Thelms have been breeders of quality slaves for centuries. I do have mines. A few farms. And various manufacturing and other businesses. I hold a diverse portfolio. Why do you ask about mines?"
"I overheard Master Hallik discussing a mining deal with Governor Aurin. He mentioned a partner who had a marketing business. Would that be you?"
Thelm perked up. "Marketing? This was something Hallik was discussing with the governor?"
"I believe so."
Thelm grinned. "This is marvelous. A possible partnership with the governor. I tell you, Jamus, this meeting up with Hallik has me buzzing with ideas and possibilities. I wonder how strong a partnership he would be interested in. If he is in the governor's pocket, that relationship alone could be quite lucrative."
Martin slowly shook his head as he watched. "Jamus seems to have a talent for manipulating others. He's telling Thelm exactly what he wants to hear. Who wants to take a bet on how long before he butters him up with a complement, like it was all Thelm's idea?"
Bersa declined.
Jamus looked out the window with concern as a squad of ten Parisser guards marched toward the shuttle. "Master? Are you expecting a visit?"
Thelm looked out the window with a grin. "Perfect. My escort has arrived."
"Escort?"
"Yes. On day two we honor our military by allowing them to bring us from one venue to the next. In return for their service, the guards get to watch the games from the best seats in every arena. It's a small token of our appreciation for their protecting the realm."
"Protecting the realm? Are there enemies?"
"Yes. Don't repeat this, but there are is a faction of rogue Humans, very violent, and prone to conducting pirate raids on occasion. We believe they were a small group of the Human elites who were not rounded up when your species was first brought into our care. Our military is ceaselessly on the hunt for them. They aren't a threat. More of a nuisance. Should any of our admirals ever catch them and eliminate them, they would be rewarded with enough riches to make them a state governor."
"Have they ever attacked colonies?"
Thelm chuckled. "Goodness no. And there's no reason for you to be frightened. They may not even exist anymore. They haven't been heard from in close to a century. I believe the last incident was an attack on a freighter in the Caloran system, far from our safe position here on Parisser. Or on Polous for that matter."
"Is Caloran patrolled for these hooligans?"
"Yes. I believe a cruiser and two destroyers have been stationed near that system for decades. Apparently that strategy has worked, since there have been no further attacks."
"I had no idea the galaxy was such a dangerous place for you, Master."
Thelm again chuckled as he wiped his chin and lips with a napkin. "Dangerous? I hardly think so." Thelm leaned in. "I'll tell you a secret, Jamus. This shuttle, it has armaments, and armor. We can take direct hits from the best weapons the rogues have, or had I guess would be better wording. Did you know our cannon could do damage to one of the destroyers guarding Caloran? Even the much heavier cruiser?"
"Our cannon?"
Thelm laughed. "My cannon, yes. When you reach as high as I have in the state hierarchy, you are given shuttle updates of a cannon and armor. They will never be used of course, but it does give you a sense of power and security."
"You could fight a destroyer with this ship?"
"I could. Let's just say it's the politicians’ way of preventing a military coup. Not that there has ever been an inkling of evidence to support any notion of a coup."
Thelm leaned in close again. "With this ship, we could defeat a cruiser, and possibly even one of the six battleships in the fleet. It really is a formidable craft."
"I do feel safer knowing this."
"Well, don't mention it to anyone. It is a closely guarded secret."
"Who would I mention it to, Master? I speak with no one but you."
Thelm stood and nodded. "True. You are an interesting Human, Jamus. Interesting indeed."
"It is only your intelligent and sophisticated conversation that makes me so, Master. Anything interesting about me comes directly from you."
Thelm tilted his head to one side. "Yes... I suppose it does."
The master, dressed in his regalia for the games, walked out to join his military escort. Edible favors and beverages were dispersed to each of the guards by Kerena and the rest of the shuttle dining staff. The entourage marched off toward one of the half dozen arenas that would be visited that day. Jamus Turnbull walked five paces behind his master with his head bowed.
The results of the Ultimate Games were the same on the second day as they had been on the first: dead Humans—swim races with slaves who could not swim. A ten-meter-tall, meter-wide glass pipe was filled with water, then divers on a platform a hundred meters up were expected to "hit the tube." Only one out of forty participants achieved the goal. The supposed winner was then left to drown.
The Ultimate Games had no merciful end for those who won or finished. All participants who survived were terminated. Human faces were expressionless, all zoned out on Smudge, leaving them compliant to do whatever was asked.
Martin was so disturbed by some of the violent deaths that he had on more than one occasion picked up and smashed a chair. But he couldn't turn away. Every outrage only worked to solidify his resolve.
Jamus followed his master to a seemingly endless number of events. Death by fire. Death by hanging. Death by evisceration. Death by gravity. Death by pressure.
Death by other Human hands was the most sickening.
But the team continued on with its mission. On the final day of the games, it was decided that Dester, Kerena, and Jim would come home. Cameras had been smuggled aboard, making their tasks obsolete.
The shuttle crew, excluding a single guard, had departed for a nearby arena.
Jamus walked behind Thelm. "It has been a good ten days, Master."
"Monstrously good, Jamus. I don't remember any prior game being so eventful, nor profitable. Your suggestions for wagers have been marvelous."
"Inspired by the genius I see before me every day."
"Yes, well, profitable. I almost feel as though I should do something for you."
"You don't owe me anything, Master. You own me. Anything I say is because I'm allowed to follow you in all your intellect and glory. I'm grateful to have a master of such means."
"You think I'm better than Master Hox?"
"Master Hox was fair and a good master. You are a business genius, a man of action. I could not be owned by a finer individual."
"Hmm. Yes. I suppose I am those things."
The group walked into an arena where the floor was being readied for a new set of games. A circular track had been set up for a footrace. Obstacles would see to it the eight Humans of each race would have a difficult time finishing. The first was a ladder climb followed by a drop through a chute. Seven lucky runners would find an end in a pit filled with soft materials. One unlucky runner would find a pit filled with spikes, spears, axes, and a variety of other sharp implements.
The next obstacle was a set of blind tunnels where a giant bladed pendulum swung past the exits. All runners could live, some could live, or all could be killed, depending on the timing as they ran through. Another half-dozen deadly traps awaited any survivors. The winner was said to be the last runner terminated. The races, run one after another, went on for two hours.
Jamus walked behind Thelm as they made their way to the next arena. "Master, would it not be more sporting to allow the last runner to participate in the next run? As a sort of prize? Any way to suggest such?"
"Prize?" Thelm laughed. "These are slaves. There are no prizes for slaves. What would
they do with a prize? Whatever they were told to do, that's what. You don't reward a slave for doing as it is commanded. That's ludicrous. Jamus, none of this is for sport. It's for fun and wagering. Besides, to put in a request like that for changes to games hosted by another master is just insulting."
"I apologize, Master. Again you kindly offer your wisdom to correct me."
As Thelm, his slave, and his two guards entered the next arena, Hallik was waiting for them. "Master Thelm, such a pleasure to see you. Will you be wagering on the combat today?"
"Most certainly. Have you given any study to the teams or to the play?"
"Only minimally."
"Please, join us in my box. I've studied the combat scenarios extensively. Perhaps I can assist with your wagering?"
"A kind and generous offer. I accept."
Chapter 20
* * *
The two masters talked as they made their way to the box seating that overlooked the center of the arena. The final day would consist of a Human escapee, given a shock-blaster for defense, fighting two autonomous bots. The arena floor was covered with blocks, cubby-holes, short tunnels, pits and posts.
The bots were two-and-a-half-meters tall. Four long flexible arms, and four similar legs, propelled a motorized torso. Topped with a computerized brain and a single machine-vision eye, the bots carried a shock-tip on the end of each arm.
The slegg's shock-blaster fired a bolt of energy that would travel no more than a few meters before veering off in whatever direction the charged currents in the air took it, typically down to ground. If a combat bot was struck with a bolt, it would stop and remain disabled for a full minute before rejoining the fight.
A hardened battlesuit offered modest protection from a physical assault by the bots. Infrared goggles on helmets would come into play when the lights in the arena were shut off. Spectators watched through their own goggles.
Once shocked, a Human would be dragged to the center of the arena field, where they’d be chained to a post. A new participant would then be shoved into the field of play. When five Humans had been collected, the audience voted on their demise. It was again a scenario in which there could be no winning. Wagering was placed on how long the participants would last before being officially captured.
The first combatant, a Human female, was shoved into the arena. She ran for a set of blocks and hid. Seconds later, the two autonomous bots appeared and got to work. Blocks were peeked behind, tunnels checked, and pits scanned. The female, following the advice of her trainer, held her position.
Thelm said, "She's following direction. I would give her at least three minutes. It will take at least one minute for the bots to reach her location. I predict she stuns them each once and then flees to the other end of the arena. I would say she goes for the red section. The bots will need another minute to track her there, followed by one being stunned and the second catching her."
Hallik asked, "How do you know this?"
"I've seen the same scenario play out time and time again. I often think the games would be more exciting if I didn't know."
Hallik watched as the girl turned from side to side, waiting for an attacker from one direction or the other. "Master Thelm? Why is she so jumpy like that? Seems unusual."
"The final-day combat arena is the only time Humans are allowed to be without their Shackle."
"What? That's an aware, violent Human?"
"Don't worry. The bolt of her weapon cannot reach beyond the arena walls. And those same walls are too high for her to climb. Her being made aware is the only reason any of these slaves make it past a minute. They have full capacity of their survival instincts."
"How is it possible for them to not be on the Smudge?"
"I'm told an injection is given that temporarily frees them from an addiction."
Hallik leaned back as he entered a wager for greater than five minutes.
Thelm frowned. "Three minutes would have paid while not putting your credits at such risk."
"I'm betting on her alertness."
"The slaves in this game are all alert. Lasting more than a single set of stuns is rare."
"I've made my wager. If my hunch proves invalid, I'll follow your direction until I've won back my credits."
Thelm pursed his lips. "I see. I hope such fast and loose play is not your standard business practice as well."
Hallik chuckled. "No, no. With business I am all business. This is entertainment."
"Precisely."
The first encounter went as Thelm had expected. A step to her right placed a bolt center-mass of the first bot. A spin and a shot as she fell back saw a similar strike on bot two. Again, as predicted, the female hustled to the far corner to a sector colored with red paint, taking refuge behind a set of blocks.
Thelm smiled. "She will stun the first to reach her, but take a shock to the back as she attempts to flee. I've seen this play out a hundred times from that position. Had she gone for the green section and the tunnels she might have made your five."
Hallik rubbed his chin as the two bots came back to life, restarting their search. The target of their programming stood and sprinted to the near corner, taking refuge in a tunnel in the green sector.
Thelm turned. "Bravo, Hallik. You will be paid handsomely for your risk. I believe that to be only the second time I have witnessed a change in position after the bots have come back to life."
Hallik typed away on a keyboard and console to his side.
"What are you doing? Another wager?"
"I'm taking half my winnings and placing them on the seven minute mark. I have faith this Human is going to reward me with a double win."
"Aren't you the gambler? Aggressive. Can pay big, but generally doesn't pay off in the end. Slow and steady is the wagering game I play."
As the bots caught up to their prey, they were both again stunned. The girl, however, lost her balance as she attempted to run past. A stumble sent her falling headlong into a block, losing several seconds on the ground in pain and confusion. As she stood to run, the bots again came to life, each tracking her as she ran.
The girl took position in a cubby-hole in the blue sector. The lights in the arena dimmed rapidly before shutting off. Infrared goggles were donned in the stands and the bots hurried their way toward her position. Knowing she had been seen, she darted across to the yellow sector, huddling up to a set of blocks. The bots closed on her location.
Thelm clapped. "Six minutes. Well done, Hallik, although this final minute still has to be passed."
Hallik said, "Something isn't right. They're going directly for her."
"Yes, the infrared detectors of the bots are quite sensitive. They are likely zeroing in on her rising body heat."
"Well, that isn't very fair."
Thelm chuckled. "Fair? None of this is intended to be fair. It's wagering, and the house always wins. As does Master Thelm. You weren't meaning fair to the Humans, were you?"
"The Humans? Don't be silly. I'll probably lose more with this second wager than the cost of all the Humans terminated in this arena today."
The bots found the girl. The first was stunned as it came around an end of the blocks. The second came over the top, catching her by surprise and shocking her into submission.
Thelm sighed. "So close, Master Hallik. Six minutes forty seconds."
"It seems you know your combat games, Master Thelm. How many slaves do you think will be sacrificed today?"
"Out of curiosity, I actually ran the numbers on that. In the games of the arena, last season, each day averaged about five thousand slaves. Given the going rate of twenty-five credits for the average slave, and seeing as how many of those used in those games are already elderly or damaged, I'd place the cost in the neighborhood of a hundred thousand credits per day."
"I heard this season was supposed to be close to double that."
"It is the ten-thousandth running. The operators will have made their slave expenditures back on wagering after a few ho
urs on the first day."
Hallik looked back down at the floor as the lights came up and the girl was chained to a post. "I thought she had at least one more round in her. She seemed to be with it."
Thelm glanced back. "I wonder how Jamus would fare down there?"
"I will go if you ask, Master."
Hallik furrowed his brow. "Your slave speaks to you?"
"Yes. And I find it a delightful change. He is adept at carrying on a basic conversation, something no former chamber slave has seemed capable of. He claims he learned it from his former master. I only reveal this to you, Master Hallik, because we have become such close friends so quickly. You seem to be one of the rare few who want happiness for everyone and not only yourself. A rare trait indeed."
"I like being around happy people, Thelm. Seems like that benefits me. Would you send your slave down there? It might be entertaining knowing who the combatant is."
"For any other of my slaves, yes I would. Jamus is unusual. His value stretches beyond five minutes of entertainment value in the arena. He will be staying right here."
Martin scowled. "Is he trying to get Jamus killed?"
"I think not," replied Bersa. "He's merely reinforcing the notion that he is not a Human favorer. It works to his advantage should that accusation ever arise."
"I don't like it."
"As is expected. All I ask is that you please not destroy any more of our furniture. It does not further our cause."
Tamia smiled. "It does help relieve the stress though, doesn't it?"
Martin nodded. "It does."
Hallik reclined in his chair as he sipped a beverage. "Master Thelm, I am so thankful we met. I know this isn't the place to discuss business, but I'd like to say that our new ventures are exciting. I've already begun replanting for the farms. Oh, and I've been meaning to tell you about another possible venture. This one with Master Aurin. I'm looking to open a diamond mine, and as a favor to Master Aurin, I'm willing to sink some advertising dollars into a campaign with your media businesses."
FREEDOM Legends Page 18
