Thunde

by Arcadia Shield

  “It's going to be one of us. Might as well be me.”

  “I’ll go,” said Grace.

  The Fraken snapped its teeth. “Don’t care which one of you it is.”

  “It’s me,” said Jessie, not looking away from Grace. “It’s my turn. You stay here and rest. And eat this.” She shoved the foul tasting nutrition pill she’d not eaten that morning into Grace’s hand. The Fraken gave them out once a day. The pills staved off starvation, but that was about it.

  “I don’t want your only source of food.” Grace stared at the pill.

  “I don't like them. They make me burp.” Jessie knew Grace needed the pill more than she did.

  “Move,” said the Fraken to Jessie, his yellow eyes narrowing and his talons twitching, just waiting for an excuse to hurt her.

  Jessie grabbed Grace in a quick embrace and shoved the pill into her hand. “Stay strong.”

  “You too.” Grace’s fingers dug into Jessie’s shoulders. “Fight them as hard as you can. Don’t be one of those players who gets forgotten about. Make sure your name stays in their sick history books forever. The audience is never going to forget Jessie Keenan.”

  Jessie’s hands balled into fists again as the Fraken grabbed hold of her shoulder and pulled her out of Grace’s embrace. “I’ll do that. And I’ll never forget you.”

  The Fraken raked a talon across the back of Jessie’s hand, tearing the skin. “I said move.”

  Jessie grabbed her slashed hand and dashed ahead of the Fraken out of the cell door. She stifled a sob as she walked along the corridor. She was never going to see Grace again.

  ***

  “No. More. Questions.” Thunde slammed his fist into the fighting blocks in front of him. He’d been in a room with Vanis, the Fraken who ran these ridiculous games, for what felt like an age. Vanis had asked him the same question in numerous ways: What did he know about the methods the Vorten were using to break out of the games? How was he involved? Was he intending to break out of his own game?

  It had gone on and on, going around the same topic. But Thunde knew nothing. Axen had kept him in the dark deliberately so that when the Fraken did question the rest of the elite warrior squad, there’d be no mistakes. They could use torture, truth serums, whatever they liked; there was no information for him to disclose. And he wasn’t sure what angered him the most, the fact Axen had kept him in the dark, or the way the Fraken were trying to extract information from him and the remaining warriors.

  Both Axen and Lazet had escaped their games, but he didn’t know how. And, even more confusingly, they’d taken their prey with them, two human women, Eloise Harper and a curvy redhead he’d seen in the last game with Lazet. All four of them were gone, and he had no idea where they were.

  “I expect you think that punching block is a Fraken’s head.” His warrior brother, Bladen, leaned against the doorway of the training room. He was taller than Thunde, but not as heavy set, with a streak of white at the front of his dark hair.

  “Have they been questioning you, as well?” asked Thunde.

  “Only for what feels like a couple of cycles,” said Bladen. “But we’ve got nothing to tell them.”

  “They don’t believe that.” Thunde wiped sweat from his furrowed brow.

  “Which I can see annoys you.” Bladen walked into the training room and sat on a bench.

  “I trust Axen,” said Thunde. “But I want to know what’s going on. All Axen told us was not to kill any human prey. But what do we do then?”

  “Await his instructions,” said Bladen. “It worked with Lazet. He’s free.”

  “We don’t know that for sure.” Thunde's hands clenched repeatedly into fists. He longed to have a Fraken to fight, and if one made the mistake of coming into the training room now, that Fraken wouldn’t be drawing breath for long.

  “You know he has something big planned for us,” said Bladen.

  Thunde grunted. “How did he seem when you saw him?”

  Bladen’s gaze shot around the room. “Why do you think I’ve seen him?” He gestured to his ear.

  Thunde sighed. Even though the Fraken shouldn’t listen in on warriors’ conversations, it wasn’t unheard of for them to do so. They loved to gather information and use it against people.

  Bladen raised his hands. “You must be mistaken.”

  Thunde shrugged. He’d play along if that was what was needed to keep the Fraken out of his business. “I must be getting my timelines messed up. Guess it comes from all this waiting around to see what the Frakens’ next move will be.”

  “Their next move will be for one of us to go into the games.”

  “At least, if it’s me, I’ll know what’s going on. It's been a long time since I’ve had a good battle.”

  “You won’t get one with a human as your prey,” said Bladen. “But I think both Axen and Lazet were surprised when they encountered their first female human.”

  “I imagine they were,” said Thunde. “The race is so small, but they must have hidden weapons to stay alive. Maybe their skin is poisonous.”

  Bladen grinned. “It’s not a physical strength, as such. I believe humans have mental toughness that few other races have. And they must be strong to survive after messing up their planet so badly.”

  “Mental toughness?” Thunde snorted.

  “They’re clever enough to hold out against the Fraken,” said Bladen. “All the Fraken want is to get their hands on the information to build their own dirty bombs. It’s the only reason humans are still around.”

  “And the reason they’re now being shoved into these games,” said Thunde. “If the humans hold out for much longer, the Fraken will simply declare all-out war on Earth.”

  “They're cleverer than that. If the Fraken destroy the remains of the human race, then they’ll destroy any chance of finding out how to build their own nuclear weapons,” said Bladen.

  Thunde looked over at his warrior brother. They’d known each other for cycles and trained together as they’d grown up. Bladen had always been Thunde’s voice of reason. When he raged out of control, it was always Bladen who talked him down. He helped him see past the blaze of fury that clouded his judgment and realize there was a way out without destroying everything in his path.

  “Axen knows warriors are not entertainers.” Thunde glared at the ground. He hated the way the Vorten bowed to the Fraken, and he’d refused to do it for a long time. But when the direct order came from the Elders, he had no choice but to join the Fraken games and face this regular humiliation.

  “That’s why he’s making changes,” said Bladen quietly, “even though we don’t know what they are. All we can do for now is carry on as normal and follow the orders we’ve been given.” He raised his eyebrows at Thunde. “Do you understand me?”

  Thunde nodded. He knew they weren’t following Fraken orders anymore. If they were, they’d go straight into a game and ensure all prey died. But this time, Thunde was going into this game to take care of his prey. And he would need to be particularly careful if it was a human woman. He’d never met one in the flesh but had seen Eloise on screen when he’d spoken to Axen, and he knew Earthlings were delicate. This was a fragile race he was going to be up against, and Thunde was prone to breaking fragile things.

  Bladen patted him on the shoulder as he pressed a micro-screen into his hand. “It won’t be long now.”

  Thunde tensed and clamped his hand around the screen. Whatever Bladen was passing him would be important, and not for viewing by the Fraken. “Can't wait to get started.”

  “Lazet’s game is over, and the bets are open on the next game. You need to be ready.” Bladen's gaze went to Thunde's fist. “Hope you have a good memory.”

  Thunde smirked at him. “I have a good everything.”

  “That's just as well because I’ve seen which one of us is going in.”

  Thunde raised his gaze. “And?”

  “It’s you.”

  Chapter 2

  Jessie hurried a
head of the Fraken leading her towards her game, keen to stay out of the reach of his lightning stick.

  Her body shook with the realization of what was about to happen. This would be her last day alive, and she felt as if she’d barely lived. In a way, she was grateful for the time she’d spent in the archive where she used to work. She’d learned a lot when she’d been there, not only about Earth but about alien races. Humans were so far behind some of the others it made her head spin. No wonder Earth had been left alone for such a long time by other aliens.

  “Turn to your left,” ordered the Fraken, his voice rasping out through his sharp toothed mouth. “Remove your clothes and wash.”

  Jessie entered a shower area and hurried to the end unit before stepping inside. She glanced over the top of the wall and saw the Fraken studying her. She shrugged quickly out of her clothes, just as jets of freezing cold water hit her, making her gasp.

  “Turn around.” The Fraken had moved closer without Jessie realizing.

  “What do you want?” Jessie looked at him over her shoulder, her hands instinctively moving to cover herself.

  “To see you.”

  Reluctantly, she inched around, her heart thudding loudly and making her head ache.

  “All the way.” The Fraken spun a talon in a circle, a leer crossing his face as he did so.

  Licking her dry lips, Jessie turned and faced the Fraken.

  His yellow gaze ran over her small frame. “You look young. Are you untouched?”

  Jessie blinked water out of her eyes. “You’re asking about my virginity?”

  The Fraken sneered at her. “That’s it. Have you been with a human male?”

  “That’s none of your business.” Jessie’s contact with men had been brief. She’d had one serious relationship, but she wasn’t going to tell this Fraken anything about it.

  “You’re my business,” said the Fraken. “A virgin slave carries a high price. Human virgins are of interest to some alien races. Or perhaps you prefer aliens?” He reached down and grabbed his crotch.

  Jessie swallowed bile and lifted her chin. “I’m no one’s slave.”

  “You’re mine if I want you to be.” The Fraken snapped his teeth at her. “You would make a good slave.”

  Fear made Jessie's knee shake. “I thought I was a part of your games.”

  “We have more prey suitable for our games,” said the Fraken. “Let me inspect you.”

  Jessie backed away through the cold water until she hit the tiles. “I don’t need inspecting. I’m not a virgin. I’m worthless to you.”

  “I need to be sure. It won’t hurt, much,” said the Fraken.

  “I don’t want you touching me.”

  “I don’t care what you want.” The Fraken pointed his lightning stick at her. “Get out here and on your hands and knees.”

  Jessie grabbed her discarded clothes and held them over her. “I told you, I’m worthless.”

  “Out. Now.”

  Jessie shivered as she stepped away from the water. “You don’t need to look. You won’t get a good price for me if you try to sell me.”

  “That’s for me to decide.” The Fraken gestured for Jessie to get on the ground. “On your knees, head down, and legs apart.”

  Jessie swallowed. “Please, don’t do this; you’re wasting your time.”

  The Fraken grabbed Jessie around the neck, his sharp talons piercing into her flesh. He shoved his lightning stick between her legs and rubbed it along her crotch. “I could make you worthless. I could make you so disfigured no alien will want you. Everyone will be repulsed by what they see when they look at you. I get to decide your fate, decide if you are a slave. I get to decide if you take part in this game, and even if you’re going to live in the next few minutes.”

  Jessie believed him when he said he would ruin her, but she couldn't bring herself to follow his orders. “Anyone who buys me will realize you’ve lied to them. It’s too big a gamble for you.” She squeezed her legs together as tightly as possible, feeling the hard edge of the lightning stick prod at her. Blood trickled down her neck and along her arms as the Fraken’s talons dug in.

  “I do enjoy gambling,” said the Fraken. “Are you a gamble worth taking? I need to find out.” He forced his weight down on Jessie until her legs buckled and her knees hit the ground.

  She let out a sob as he forced her head onto the damp tiles of the floor.

  The Fraken’s cudgel jabbed into Jessie’s back. “Spread your legs so I can inspect you.”

  Jessie couldn’t move. By disobeying the Fraken she was signing her death warrant, but she didn’t want him anywhere near her, and she didn’t want him to inspect her. Humiliation burnt through her. She was more than an object to be sold off. She grabbed at her last shreds of dignity as her legs remained closed.

  The lightning stick slammed into her back, and Jessie collapsed onto the tiles.

  “Obey me,” hissed the Fraken.

  Jessie climbed to her hands and knees, her spine aching from the impact of the stick. “Just let me into the game. That’s what you really want from me.”

  The lightning stick slammed into her back again, and Jessie cried out. She stilled as the heavy body of the Fraken leaned over her and scales slid across her bare skin. “What I want is to make e-credits out of you. I can place a simple bet on this game, or I can sell you to someone who is interested in having a human slave. If you’re an innocent, then I will make a significant amount of e-credits off you. But I need to inspect the goods first.” He scraped his talons along Jessie’s right thigh and she felt the skin split.

  “There’s nothing to see,” gasped Jessie. “Put me in the game.” She wouldn’t last long in a game, but if she was fortunate, the warrior stalking her would kill her cleanly and not subject her to this kind of humiliation.

  The Fraken inhaled deeply and pressed his snout to her ear. “If you’re worthless to me as a slave, I might as well take my own pleasure while we’re here.” His pointed tongue slid out and flickered across Jessie’s throat.

  She let out a groan of terror. She’d heard some Fraken enjoyed taking their prisoners by force. Few survived the encounter and those who did probably wished they hadn’t.

  “Once I’ve had you, you’ll come back for more. You’ll be begging me to make you my personal slave. Perhaps, if you’re good enough now, I might spare you from the games. I could enjoy myself with you, and you could have more time here. Would you like to be my slave? Do you like being on your knees and begging for me to take you?” The Fraken’s tongue lashed against her flesh.

  “Please, just put me in the game.” Jessie’s words wobbled out of her as a slick of terror induced sweat covered her.

  “Soon, but first, I seek relief.” The Fraken grabbed Jessie’s hair and yanked her head up. His knee went between her legs, and he shoved them apart.

  Jessie bit back a sob. She wouldn’t let him know how much she hated this. He could try to destroy her, but he wouldn’t succeed. She heard his lightning stick hit the floor, followed by his body armor. She glanced to her right and saw the lightning stick just out of reach. If she was quick enough, she’d be able to grab it, turn it on the Fraken, and kill him. She could escape this nightmare and maybe even get out of the Fraken prison. She could go back for Grace, get her out as well, and make sure they both got free.

  The Fraken’s rough scaled skin slid against her back, and Jessie felt his stiff cock rubbing against the inside of her thigh. He hissed into her ear and his teeth grazed her shoulder. “I will mark you as mine.” His teeth punctured her flesh.

  Jessie cried out as his teeth burrowed deeper, and blood rushed down her shoulder and pooled on the ground.

  “Don’t hide your terror,” said the Fraken as he removed his teeth from Jessie’s skin. “It excites me. I'm going to enjoy myself with you. The smell of your fear is making me hard.”

  Jessie pressed her lips together, determined not to give the Fraken any more pleasure. Her fingers edged closer to the
discarded lightning stick.

  “Scream for me,” whispered the Fraken.

  “Tarliq, what’s going on?”

  Tarliq hissed out air and shifted his weight off Jessie. “Sampling the stock, Warsib. You can have her after me if she’s still alive.”

  “Vanis is angry. He wants to know why the game has been delayed.” Warsib stepped into the shower room. “He’s not going to be happy when he finds out what you’re doing.”

  “He won’t know,” said Tarliq. “Will he?”

  “Get the prey on her feet and into her gear,” said Warsib. “She needs to be in the game now and not fucked to death by you.”

  Jessie scrambled to her feet and covered herself with her hands.

  Warsib looked her over and his yellow eyes narrowed. “She’s been injured. Did she resist you?”

  “She wanted me,” said Tarliq. “You interrupted us just as she was about to start screaming.”

  “I did not want you,” said Jessie. “I am not yours. You cannot take me.”

  Tarliq hissed and grabbed his lightning stick from the ground before strapping his body armor back on.

  “It’s not important.” Warsib pointed his lightning stick at Jessie. “You are prey for the games.”

  “We can hide the injuries with her clothes,” said Tarliq. “The gamers won’t know she’s been damaged. It won’t change the bets.”

  “Get her game ready and get her out there,” said Warsib. “And make sure she gets Medi-patches on those injuries. If she drops dead when she’s been in the game for a few moments, the gamers will not be happy they’ve lost e-credits. This game needs to be a good one. No more mistakes.” He turned and left the shower room.

  Jessie resisted the urge to run after him. She knew Warsib was not helping her deliberately by stopping Tarliq’s assault, and if she thought, for a second, he was on her side, it would be a mistake. Jessie was a tiny part in a much larger game, a game she had no chance of winning.

  “You heard him,” said Tarliq, shooting her a cold stare. “Your clothes are on the bench outside the shower room.”

  Jessie tried to hurry past Tarliq, but he placed a hand on her bitten shoulder and pressed down. “I hope you think about me the next time you’re intimate with someone. Remember what I would have done to you.”