by G. E. Stills
“What about Pla’ton?” the second man asked.
For the first time, the second man came into view. He wore a mask and black cape also.
“Leave him for now,” the first man said and hefted her over his shoulder.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The man carried her out of the cell and down a hall. He opened a door and when they entered, bright light stabbed at her eyes. Setting her on her feet for a moment, the man ripped her skirt off. The tearing material disturbed the quite of the room. Now that she was reduced to her bra and panties, he placed her roughly in a chair located in the center of the room. Standard degradation of a captive. I’m surprised they didn’t strip me completely, Becky thought. I’m certain they intend to interrogate me.
In satisfaction, she felt her energy ball warm as her crystal began to absorb additional power from the bright lighting.
Now all as I need is to get even one hand free and these fucks will be crispy critters.
A third man, masked and garbed like the others, sat at a table in one corner. The table was loaded with many items. “I want information which you will provide and help us in achieving our goal,” he said.
That’s what you think, fucker. Clamping her jaw tight, Becky said nothing only glaring at him.
“The silent treatment won’t work, Becky. A little persuasion will loosen your tongue nicely. I look forward to convincing you of our sincerity, you smug bitch.”
She recognized the voice, but couldn’t identify owner. Obviously, he knew her.
“Randy?”
“Running voice modulation check now of everyone you have spoken to here on Ormel. We will know his identity soon. I suggest you get him to talk further,” her AI said.
“Will do.”
She spoke for the first time, sarcastically, to make him aware she was not intimidated, “And just what is your lofty goal?”
“To have you and your people go away. To have them leave us alone. I and my colleagues will not allow your people to enslave our planet, our people.”
“We’re not here to enslave your people. We’re here to protect you. To advance the technology of your civilization so you can withstand any attempted invasion by the Men-gar. Your ruling council of seven has welcomed us with open arms. They’d have only needed to say ‘no thanks’ and we would have gone away.”
“So you say. The smooth talk of Allan and Marsha has duped the ruling council of seven. Not all of us agree with the council’s decision to dedicate all of our resources toward this supposed invasion.”
“Does this organization you represent have a name?”
“We call ourselves Solegmen.”
“Identified,” Randy said, “The man is Mee’gal, one of Pla’ton’s guard unit.”
“Good. Find out all that you can about an organization called Solegmen.”
“Working.”
“Oh there is no supposed about it. The Men-gar will come and without us here to defend you, they will decimate this planet.”
“So your people tell us. I happen to think different. Especially since I’ve been assured by one of the Men-gar they have no intension of invading our planet. Now I’ve answered enough of your questions, Becky. Time for you to answer mine. Starting with how soon are the robots scheduled to arrive? We must take action before that happens. We will not allow you to steal our resources.”
Unable to help herself, she smiled. Time to anger him I think. He might divulge more information if he’s mad.
“That’s for me to know and you not to. What makes you think we want to steal your resources? We have an entire universe to choose from. What makes you think we would even waste our time on a fucking ball of mud like Ormel, peopled by a civilization barely out of trees?”
His body language and the tone of his voice told her she had succeeded in pissing Mee’gal off. “Enough screwing around!” Mee’gal barked and jolted from his chair. “Kamar, Takan go get Pla’ton and bring him here. Summon Sal’een too.”
Becky committed the new names to memory. The mention of a Men-gar name startled her. Mee’gal crossed the room, slapped her making her head snap to the side and making her ears ring. She was certain a nasty welt would follow. He pulled a sharp looking knife from the sheath hanging on his belt. She remained perfectly still, not even flinching when he stuck the tip in her left breast.
“Randy.”
“I do not approve of what you plan, Becky.”
“It’s not your decision, Randy, now do it.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Calling her ma’am made it even clearer to Becky, Randy’s disapproval. “Nerve block in force.”
“If I get him angry enough he may get careless.”
The next time Mee’gal jabbed the blade in her shoulder she didn’t feel a thing. She smiled at Mee’gal instead. He pushed the tip of the knife in her belly with the same lack of reaction.
Mee’gal hooked the blade of his knife under the small strip of material that joined her bra cups. With a snick, the blade sliced through it. Using the knife, he pushed the cups aside exposing her breasts. Next, he sliced through the straps and roughly removed the garment.
“Well gee, if I’d known you wanted to see my tits so bad, you could have just asked. I’d have taken my bra off. Instead you ruined the damn thing.” She grinned and continued to grin when he grasped one of her nipples and pinched it tightly.
Thanks to Randy’s deadening ability, she did not feel the pain.
“Maybe I should cut this off,” Mee’gal spat.
“You’re going to do what you’re going to do aren’t you, Mee’gal?”
She could see him jolt in surprise when she used his name.
He released her nipple and slowly pushed the knife in her right breast almost a half inch narrowly missing the small chip containing Randy. Blood began trickling down her breast and across her belly. Her eyes narrowed, her blonde lashes almost joining. The glare she focused on him was hot enough to buckle paint.
The door swung open abruptly. Kamer and Takan dragged in Pla’ton. His shoes and shirt were gone and his pants were torn. While Kamar braced Pla’ton, Taken grabbed a chair and placed it next to her. The two men shoved Pla’ton into the seat.
Becky saw that Pla’ton was awake. They removed his gag. “So, seeing as sticking you with my knife doesn’t loosen your tongue, maybe watching me carve up your lover will,” Mee’gal spat.
Damn and we thought we kept our feelings for each other a secret, Becky thought.
“Becky, steel yourself. Don’t tell these Solegmen scum a damn thing,” Pla’ton said.
Mee’gal stepped over to Pla’ton slapped him across the face and slashed his knife across Pla’ton’s chest leaving a deep gash that quickly filled with blood. “Shut-up, Pla’ton. As I’m certain you can feel, Becky, we have already removed your communications implant. If you’re holding out hope your people will be able to scan your location and rescue you, your hope is in vain. This complex is underground and I know your scanners do not have the ability to search underground. With your communicator gone and disarmed the way you are, you’re not very deadly are you?”
“Don’t tell these fucks a damn thing, Becky. They’re going to kill us anyway,” Pla’ton said through clenched teeth.
Mee’gal slashed across his chest again creating an X. He went to the table and came back with a box of salt. Pouring it out in his hand, Mee’gal sprinkled it on their open cuts. Pla’ton hissed in pain. She didn’t react at all other than narrowing her eyes and glaring at Mee’gal again.
In rapid moves, he made a dozen cuts on Pla’ton’s shoulders and arms. Blood welled up from each of Pla’ton’s wounds.
Each time her heart leaped to her throat. Both sorrow and rage boiled inside her, but she made no outward reaction.
“You’re one tough slut, Becky, I’ll give you that.” He turned to his tw
o men. “Fasten her arms to the chair arms and her legs to the chair legs. Do the same to her lover.”
Just let me get one hand free, you shit, you’ll find out how deadly I am.
While Takan held her around the neck, Kamar secured her legs to the chair. Mee’gal slashed the rope binding her wrists, heedless that he cut them as the same time. Takan held one hand while Mee’gal and Kamar secured the other with a plastic looking strap giving her no opportunity to break free. They secured her other hand and then fastened Pla’ton to his chair in the same manor.
She spluttered when Kamar poured a bucket of water over her head soaking her from head to toe. Her hair hung down in clumps with water dripping from the ends. Again, they did the same to Pla’ton. The door opened and a Men-gar burst into the room. “Why have you summoned me?” he asked Mee’gal sternly.
Mee’gal walked to the table calmly and came back with three heavy cables. “They refuse to talk. I thought you might enjoy watching them fry together.”
“I told you, the human bitch wouldn’t. It will not matter. My forces will be here in a few days and destroy the ships circling above.”
And destroy all life on Ormel too. You didn’t tell him that, did you, Men-gar vermin. You’re going to be the first to die Sal’een. Then these others will follow, Becky snarled mentally.
Each cable ended in a finger-sized ring. Mee’gal attached one to her left hand. Another he attached to her right and Pla’ton’s left. The last he attached to Pla’ton’s right hand. Mee’gal strolled back to the table.
Becky knew what was coming. “Randy?”
“We can and will.”
“Good.” She swallowed the feral smile that wanted to stretch across her lips.
Mee’gal twisted a dial on generator. Electricity surged through the cable connected to her left finger. Becky absorbed the current only allowing a minimal trickle, just enough to complete the circuit, to leave her right hand and enter Pla’ton.
Her energy ball finished filling in seconds. She released part of the massive charge she was absorbing and melted the plastic straps that secured her arms and legs. The acrid smell of burning flesh drifted up from her wrists and ankles. With her nerve deadening still in force, Becky didn’t even flinch. “Now, Randy, help me now!”
The current flowing into her left hand ceased, overwhelmed by the flow of her own. Mee’gal jumped when black smoke boiled from the generator on the table beside him. Consternation washed across his face when a fizzling popping noise rose from it and then the unit itself exploded.
Becky jolted to her feet. Just as she had promised, Sal’een was the first to die when a bolt of lightning burst from her finger and burned a hole through his head right between the eyes. Twisting quickly, more lightning erupted from her fingers. Both Kamar and Takan, jerked from their feet and were tossed like rag dolls across the room to crash against the opposite wall. The body of each sank to the floor, still smoldering.
Becky spun to face Mee’gal. His mouth was agape in disbelief from witnessing her violent, deadly actions. Mee’gal’s expression was frozen there until fiery bolts burned his head from his shoulders.
Becky shifted to face Pla’ton. His eyes were wide and his jaw had dropped open. She crossed the space separating them in a few quick strides and went to work removing the straps that secured him. With the straps removed, she smoother her hands over his cuts. They began to rapidly heal. Using one hand, she healed her own cuts and burns.
“Who are you? What are you?” he whispered.
“The woman that loves you.”
“But…”
“I haven’t told you everything. I’m sorry. We’ll discuss it at a different time. I hope you still care for me.”
“Becky you know there will be others waiting to prevent our escape. Mee’gal and his helpers were not alone here.”
“I know. I’m counting on it. In case you hadn’t noticed I’m a little pissed.” She grinned at him. “I hope they try to stop us.”
Pla’ton stood, swayed and then steadied. “I wish I had some kind of a weapon other than Mee’gal’s knife.”
“Just stay behind me and let me take care of things.” She dashed to the door.
****
Pla’ton followed on her heels. She stopped at the door and peeked out in the hall. Becky stepped out in it and turned in the direction leading away from the cell they’d been in. Barefoot, she padded silently down the corridor. The muscles in her back and legs rippled with each stride. Her thong left her butt completely bare. Snapping and popping, jagged arcs of current jumped between the gaps of her widely splayed fingers. He grimaced as he recalled what had taken place if the interrogation room moments earlier.
Beautiful and damn deadly, he thought.
Two men, these wearing clothes instead of capes rounded the corner at the end of the hall. They never had a chance to react. Bolts leaped from Becky’s fingers frying both men instantly.
“The next time try a head shot instead of reducing our enemy to cinders. I need a gun and you need a shirt.”
For a moment, she turned to him a grinned. “I thought you liked seeing me naked.”
“I do, but not here and not now,” he said soberly.
“Okay.” She moved further down the hall and rounded a corner.
Steps at the far end led up. Climbing the stairs, they entered another hallway leading left. Two more men stepped into the hall from one of the doors on the side. One of them managed a brief shout before his headless corpse slumped to the floor. The other she reduced to a smoldering ruin. Luckily, no one responded to the cry.
“Are you happy now?” she asked when they were looking down at the headless body.
Not saying a word, he knelt down and unbuttoned the man’s shirt. After removing it, he stood, held it open and she shrugged into it. He fastened two of the buttons, then stooping down grabbed the man’s pistol. “One more thing,” he said.
She faced him. “What now,” she asked in disgust.
“Just this.” Leaning down he gave her a brief kiss. “I love you, Miss Deadly.”
The next set of stairs leading up ended at a door. She opened it a little and peeked through the crack. ‘Four’, her fingers indicated. She pointed to the right and put up three fingers and then pointing to the left she put up one. Becky pointed to herself putting up three fingers and then to him and one finger.
He nodded in understanding. Becky yanked the door open. She dove to the right and lightning blazed from her fingers. He knelt and fired at the man on the left. The skirmish was over in heartbeats.
The room they entered was spacious like a warehouse. It had several large doors, all closed. She crossed the floor in rapid strides and opened a smaller door. He was only a few steps behind her when she turned and said, “This one leads outside.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Pla’ton gazed around for a moment when they moved outside the warehouse into the night. “I know where we are. We’re in a town about fifty miles south of Meingarth.”
He glanced down at her hand. Instantly the sparks jumping between her fingers vanished. He took it and led the way. She let him guide her absently. Her thoughts were elsewhere.
“Randy now that we’re above ground contact Captain Chavez on the battleship Ingrid and tell him a Men-gar force of unknown size is headed our way.”
“On it,” Randy answered.
She knew Randy could not talk to the Captain directly, but he could communicate with some of the ships computers.
Pla’ton rounded a corner and they walked into bright city lights. He stepped into a shop.
“Phone,” Pla’ton demanded in an authoritative voice.
The man standing behind a register silently placed a phone on the counter never taking his eyes from her and Pla’ton. While making his call, the owner and customers gazed spellbound at her. Clearly, they had ne
ver seen a woman remotely resembling her. Becky was thankful her appropriated shirt was long enough to cover her panties, although barely. Her scanty attire left her ebony legs near fully exposed along with an ample portion of her breasts.
“Hi,” she said and smiled innocently.
None of them answered. They just stared, jaws agape.
After a clipped official conversation, Pla’ton hung-up and grabbed her hand.
“Thank you. Bye,” she said sweetly over her shoulder when he led her out of the shop.
“There will be a car here soon. It’s going to take us to the airport where a helo will be waiting to take us back to Meingarth. We need to contact your people up there and warn them.”
“Already done.”
“What? How?”
“There is something else I need to tell you.”
“Besides the fact that you can cast lightning from your fingers and heal people?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Okay, I’m listening,” Pla’ton said gruffly.
“I have this little computer inside me.”
Randy grumbled in her head.
“Actually Randy is an artificial intelligence, an AI.”
“Randy. Your computer has a name?”
“AI, he doesn’t like being called a computer.”
Pla’ton snorted. “Your AI then. It has a name?”
“Yes.”
“Damn right I have a name. You do don’t you, Pla’ton F. Shithead.”
“Randy, behave.”
“What else. What else do you have that you haven’t told me about?” Pla’ton asked.
Standing on tiptoes she kissed him and whispered, “Only that I’m aching to make love to you.”
They were still locked in embrace sharing another kiss when a car pulled up to the curb. It shuttled them to the airport. They clambered onto the helo and it raced for Meingarth.
“So tell me, Pla’ton, is this Solegmen organization large. Do the Mistia people not want us here?”
“They’re a small radical group. Although I have to admit, larger than we thought in the past. We’ll track the rest of them down and bring them to justice. Mistia justice.”
